Monthly Archives:: October 2011

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

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Abandon
Meg Cabot
Released April 26th, 2011
by Scholastic Point

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can’t help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she’s never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she’s moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can’t. Because even here, he finds her. That’s how desperately he wants her back. She knows he’s no guardian angel, and his dark world isn’t exactly heaven, yet she can’t stay away… especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, this was a retelling of the story of Persephone, but I won’t be able to really compare or critique on that point because I haven’t read the classic story (I know I’m lame); I only know the very basic -queen of the underworld- myth and as I read a few of the reviews I’ve noticed those who have read the classic tale didn’t enjoy this as much. Nevertheless, I thought it was fresh and original – a fun read with a hint of mystery and a few twists.

This is going to be a trilogy so the first book is mostly the setup to initiate us to her world and characters. It wasn’t full of fluff, though. There is definite plot and interesting story line developments. Of course, there is also Greek mythology involved which is interesting in of itself.

Let’s start with the characters. The protagonist, Pierce, is a bit skittish, but likable nonetheless. I could easily relate to her and understand her emotions. The secondary characters weren’t especially developed but due to the advancement of the story, I imagine we will get to know them more in the following books. This one was primarily about Pierce and her relationship with John – which is very love/hate. John is… I haven’t quite figured him out really. He’s like a charming jerk – but that may simply be perception since his motives weren’t all disclosed. So we’ll see where it goes.

The writing was good. We’re told Pierce’s story with the past and present interwoven. So we get snippets of what happened in the past that helps keep the story intriguing and mysterious. It does take a while to get all the pieces into place, but I liked the slow pace. The author took time to build up the intensity and details in the story; It was never boring. The ending though seemed a bit abrupt; just when things started to get real interesting, it ends. But I will forgive this since it’s the first in a trilogy, so it’s obviously not really over.

Oh… and what’s with all these men wearing tasseled shoes? Ick!

As a solitary book, since nothing much happened I would have felt underwhelmed, but I know it’s only the beginning of a story and I still found the plot and characters very intriguing. It kept my interest and I really hope the sequel won’t disappoint.

3 Hot Espressos

WoW (6) – Halloween Edition, Week 3

Posted by on 10/19/2011 • 70 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.  With October upon us, my WoWs this month will feature books that would be perfect for a Halloween read. My pick this week:

                                    Girl of Nightmares                                     Kendare Blake

                                    Release date: 2012

Anna Dressed in Blood synopsis. (Girl of Nightmares synopsis not yet available.)

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead. 

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father’s mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with…

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Posted by on 10/18/2011 • 25 Comments

The Forest of Hands and Teeth(The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #1)Carrie RyanReleased March 10th, 2009by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

In Mary’s world there are simple truths.

The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future-between the one she loves and…

Dusty Reads (4)

Posted by on 10/18/2011 • 7 Comments

Dusty Reads is a weekly meme, hosted here, featuring a book that has been sitting unread on our home shelf for some time. To participate, add your link at the bottom. If you wish, you can grab the button and find more information here.

My pick this week:

The Book ThiefMarkus ZusakPublished March 2006

It’s just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery. . . .

Narrated by Death, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young foster girl living outside of Munich in Nazi Germany. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she discovers something she can’t resist- books….

Vengeance Cover Reveal Blog Hop

Posted by on 10/17/2011 • 14 Comments

I think most everyone has heard about Michelle Madow’s debut novel, Remembrance, around the blogosphere. For those who have read it, I’m sure you’ll be happy to hear that a short story happening right after the events in Remembrance is going to be released during the holiday season. It’s titled Vengeance, but it seems to be missing it’s cover. *gasp* During this Cover Reveal Blog Hop, each blog will tease you with a piece of the cover and give you a fun fact about the upcoming book. As a bonus, Michelle will be answering fun questions about Remembrance. So make sure to follow the participating blogs during the week so you can take in all this excitement! On the 21st, Michelle will reveal the full cover on her blog…

500 Followers Celebration!

Posted by on 10/16/2011 • 558 Comments

I’m incredibly excited to have reached 500 followers already and I have only been blogging for a bit over a month! It’s amazing! I have already made tons of new blogger friends that I adore and I’m completely in love with my new hobby. I hope that you’re all enjoying my blog and that it lives up to your expectations! 😉

To thank you all for being so awesome, I am throwing a GIVEAWAY!

Winner will choose a book from this top rated list:

 

Giveaway details:Open Internationally (as long as The Book Depository ships to you)Must be a GFC followerLeave a comment with your GFC follower name and email address to enter.

Extra entries:+1 if you follow me on Twitter @Giselleco+1 if you like my…

In My Mailbox (5)

Posted by on 10/16/2011 • 89 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I’ve  received/ purchased/ borrowed during the current week.   I was hoping to get the books I ordered from Book Depository this week but they didn’t come *cry*. Lola is in there. So come Friday, depressed that I didn’t get my order yet, I went shopping (for books, of course). =D Here’s what I bought (notice the awesomesauce placemats that match my blog -total coincidence!) :    1. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare 2. Fire by Kristin Cashore 3. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan I have received for review:                                          Click here for my review That is all for me this week. I think I’m the only one left who hasn’t read…

Review: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Posted by on 10/15/2011 • 12 Comments

Faefever (Fever, #3)Karen Marie MoningReleased September, 2008by Random House Publishing Group

He calls me his Queen of the Night. I’d die for him. I’d kill for him, too.

When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister’s killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt; For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it.

Mac’s quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V’lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and…