Sunday, September 29, 2013

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater


Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: September 17th, 2013
Source: a super awesome friend (thank you, Tori!)
 
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...
 
Review: You guys...I'm really going to have trouble expressing my feelings on this one. There was so much richness in this story in terms of character development, plot points deepening, and oh duh the suspense of not knowing what's happening next!! Also the introduction of new and sinister characters that make the ones from the first book look wimpy. o_o (And I mean that with uttermost respect because the first book was amazing, but this one....it's just heads above its predecessor.)
 
Can I mention how perfect the cover is? Because The Dream Thieves focuses much more Ronan and Stiefvater makes sure to give readers a deeper understanding of his character as his backstory and how this kid is a lit fuse that could make things infinitely better or worse. Ronan grew on me since the first book but I did not expect to like him as much as I do now. He's still sharp as glass and hard to handle, but his presence in Gansey's search for Glendower (as well as his character's impact for the overarching story) really shines through in The Dream Thieves. And no lie, his interactions with Chainsaw were the cutest. :)
 
As for the rest of the characters, there's finally some progress in the Gansey-Blue department but I won't spoil it for you--just know that it's so bittersweet and AHHH WHY MAGGIE. And poor Adam. What happened to him in the first book was agonizing and he continues to go in a direction that does not bode well for the rest of the gang, but knowing how the author handles her characters, it's bound to be something intensely mind blowing. I am simultaneously dreading and anticipating what happens to Adam and company. ;(

Final Verdict: It pains me that I have to wait for the last book because I am BURSTING with impatience to know how this series ends. So much has happened in the first two books already, and UGH Maggie Stiefvater just takes it to a level that I can't even begin to guess what could happen. What a book. I can't wait to own it and have it on my shelf. She has this way of introducing new characters or twists that have you scratching your head wondering but then BAM things happen and it all makes sense what that character said or felt from page 5 or whatever. Omg. >_<

Seriously. A+

 
 
 
Sorry if my review was a pile of mushy fangirling. But I warned you that I couldn't articulate my feelings on this book; my brain just can't come up with the right words to describe how absolutely wonderful this story is. Forgive me. xD

Saturday, September 28, 2013

winner of the beautiful & the damned giveaway!

Entry #1 Mckenzie!


Wow, talk about lucky!! xD Anyway, Mckenzie I've already emailed you and you have 48 hours to contact me otherwise you forfeit your prize! Thank you to everyone that entered!

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Happy release day to DREAM THIEVES!

 
 
This book is finally available to all IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THIS SERIES START IT NOW PEOPLE. I love this book and the sequel so much!!

Friday, September 13, 2013

giveaway: The Beautiful & the Damned by Jessica Verday

Apologies, everyone! I had mentioned this giveaway more than a week ago but I've been swamped irl...I added another class to my already busy semester (I guess I just like to be stressed and consumed with work) and I lost track of time. Anyway, here is the giveaway that I promised:


 
Synopsis: Cyn’s blackouts have deadly consequences in this sexy, suspenseful spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Hollow series.

Cyn Hargrave is on the run, but she can’t escape her dark past. The brother of her murdered boyfriend is convinced she’s the killer—and now he’s tracked her down. Cyn has only one person to turn to, and she can’t stand him.

Avian knows the evil that lives inside of Cyn, but he’s still compelled to help her. As the thirteenth Revenant he’s scorned by heaven and unwanted by hell, so he understands what it’s like to be a part of two worlds and not fit into either.

Together they will need to deal with the danger that follows her—and the danger inside of her—before one of them destroys her.

Jessica Verday brings readers on a sexy, suspenseful adventure in this companion novel to the bestselling Hollow trilogy.

The only thing I'll say about this giveaway is that if you enter it, please review this book at some point. I'm passing it on because I know I won't be able to read it and I want someone to give it the attention it deserves. So if you enter and win, I'll be in contact with you about it. I promise I won't pester you about reviewing it NOW NOW NOW but just keep in mind...I want someone to actually review this. With that said, that's my only major requirement. You don't have to be a follower to enter, and it's for US residents only (sorry international peeps!). I'll run this giveaway until September 27th, 2013, 12:00AM EST. 

Now...may the best guy or gal win! To enter, please fill out the form here.

This giveaway has ended.

If there are any issues, please let me know!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

It's not even Wednesday yet

But this week has been really good in terms of announcing new things to be excited about!

Yesterday Laini Taylor revealed the US cover for the last book in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy! How is this series already almost over?! Sniff.

 
And there's an excerpt already. :D I have to wait until 2014 but that's ok. It is. NO IT'S NOT I WANT IT NOW.  Sigh.
 
And another cool thing--in one week, Maggie's second book in The Raven Cycle trilogy is coming out AND WOOHOO. It's a fabulous book, and if you loved the first book, you're going to have your mind blown with the sequel. It does what most sequels can never accomplish: it opens up the story to a whole new level of possibilities that are insanely awesome.
 
 
Also, she announced today that there's going to be a companion novel to the SHIVER trilogy! Maggie's been referring to it as WhitePantsNovel for so long that I'm still getting used to the fact that it now has the official title of SINNER. AHHHHH. Anything that Maggie writes, I will buy :P
 
Also, new trailer for Legend of Korra BOOK 2 which omg is coming back this week!!! I can't find the video on youtube but definitely follow this link because this trailer just makes you even more excited. I can't wait to see where the screenwriters take Korra's story next!!
 

Monday, September 2, 2013

Book Haul #2



It's been forever since I've done a post like this but I've been feeling very bookish lately and let my impulse to buy stuff take over, hehe. I recently ventured into New York City to see First Date the Musical with a close friend. The two leading actors in this are Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez and they were both great! I also have to applaud the rest of the cast because they were SO funny and played multiple characters while doing multiple wardrobe changes on stage! Here's a preview of the show if you're curious: 




So, so great. What was nice was that the actors came out after the show was over to sign playbills and to take pictures with the fans! They were really sweet :) I even lucked out by getting a blurry picture with Zachary Levi but IT EXISTS muwhahaha. If you're in New York or near the city, I really recommend going to see it while you have the chance.

But now, back to the books--- before going to see the musical I went with my same lovely friend (who indulges my book obsession all the time) to see this book store Janicu recommended and OMG IT IS HEAVEN. I thought The Strand was a cool place but Book Off just beats the pants off Strand. I found the selection to be really good for all genres and if you're an anime junkie, this is the store for you. I pretended that I knew Japanese for five seconds when I was in the manga section but still, it was so overwhelmingly awesome. Also the prices are incredible and cannot be beat. Seriously. I only spent $18 and I bought everything you see in the picture (except the two books for Spanish--those I bought through Amazon).

I also bought myself a DVD of The Rise of the Guardians from Book Off because the child in me demanded it. ;) As for the Spanish books, the teacher and Spanish nerd in me demanded it because these books are amazing and I plan on using them to develop some individual lessons for teaching Spanish. It's a fun activity and it's also practice for the future so... yeah :)

How have you guys been? Have you had any fun adventures recently? Book-related or not?

P.S. I will be posting a giveaway this week. Be on the lookout for it!