Posts By: Giselle

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Review: Social Suicide by Gemma Halliday

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Social Suicide
Gemma Halliday
Series: Deadly Cool, #2
Release date: April 24th, 2012
by HarperTeen

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Twittercide [twit-er-sahyd]: the killing of one human being by another while the victim is in the act of tweeting.

Call me crazy, but I figured writing for the Herbert Hoover High Homepage would be a pretty sweet gig. Pad the resume for college applications, get a first look at the gossip column, spend some time ogling the paper’s brooding bad-boy editor, Chase Erikson. But on my first big story, things went… a little south. What should have been a normal interview with Sydney Sanders turned into me discovering the Homecoming Queen-hopeful dead in her pool. Electrocuted while Tweeting. Now, in addition to developing a reputation as HHH’s resident body finder, I’m stuck trying to prove that Sydney’s death wasn’t suicide.

I’m starting to long for the days when my biggest worry was whether the cafeteria was serving pizza sticks or Tuesday Tacos…

*An advanced review copy was provided by fellow blogger*
Think you’ve heard it all? Think again! Twittercide… Death by Twitter? Not the worst way to go I suppose… *Eyes her Twitter suspiciously*

Yep, she is at it again; finding dead bodies is basically a regular pastime for our dear old Hartley. I adored her in Deadly Cool; she’s still a fantastic protagonist in this sequel and I continue to love her attitude. Regardless of her wit, though, we clearly see some more maturity in her character. She is clever in her cunning ways, and knows when to stand her ground without becoming whiny. Her friends Sam and Chase come along for the ride as well. Like Deadly Cool, the side characters show as much charisma as Hartley herself. Likewise, the mother/daughter relationship is one I am truly enjoying in this series. Trying out online dating, her mom putting herself out there in the dating world, but Hartley kinda finds it gross. Not only is this a realistic portrayal of teenage behavior, it gets downright amusing.

As usual, you can expect plenty of humorous quips and crazy antics in this sequel. This aspect still remains my favorite part of the series. I did find Deadly Cool a tad more laugh-out-loud funny than this one, but I may simply be getting more used to the narration so that I’m not as shocked by her remarks. Regardless, Hartley’s attitude cracks me up, and even though I was able to predict a good chunk of this novel, its entertainment value does not falter. It’s a story you can easily plow through and highly enjoy without effort.

Romance does make a small appearance in this one as well. Much as the first, it’s mainly by dropped hints and awkward moments. To me this is even more fun than a lust-filled novel, or worse – the always cringe-worthy insta-love. Teenage romance is complicated and, in most cases, embarrassing. Halliday is spot on when it comes to this notion.

Another delightful mystery with refreshing priceless humor; Social Suicide is yet again a fun filled break from reality.  

4 Hot Espressos
 The Deadly Cool series so far:
Want to know what I thought of Deadly Cool?
 

Review: Purity by Jackson Pearce

Posted by on 04/16/2012 • 35 Comments

PurityJackson PearceRelease date: April 24th, 2012by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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A novel about love, loss, and sex — but not necessarily in that order.

Before her mother died, Shelby promised three things: to listen to her father, to love as much as possible, and to live without restraint. Those Promises become harder to keep when Shelby’s father joins the planning committee for the Princess Ball, an annual dance that ends with a ceremonial vow to live pure lives — in other words, no “bad behavior,” no breaking the rules, and definitely no sex.

Torn between Promises One and Three, Shelby makes a decision — to exploit a loophole and lose her virginity before taking the vow. But somewhere between failed hookup attempts and helping…

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In My Mailbox (30)

Posted by on 04/15/2012 • 109 Comments

“In My Mailbox” is a meme, created by Kristi at The Story Siren, that features books I have received/ purchased/ borrowed during the week. 

Hi guys! I hope you’ve all had a swell week! Mine was pretty slack with a whole lot of nothing. I loved it! The blog, though, has been busy. If you missed it, have a look at my Here tour stop here for a chance to win a copy, you can check out my review and an interview at the same time. I also had Brigid Kemmerer stopped by on Wednesday for a great interview and a giveaway of her upcoming book Storm, check it out here. There’s still time to enter my 2000 followers giveaway as well – here. In other news, you can…

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Review: Masque of the Red Death

Posted by on 04/14/2012 • 30 Comments

Masque of the Red Death Bethany Griffin Series: Masque of the Red Death, #1 Release date: April 24th, 2012 by HarperCollins

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Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby…

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Fresh Batch (April 15th-21st)

Posted by on 04/14/2012 • 20 Comments

Exclusively titled for Xpresso Reads, Fresh Batch features the hottest releases of this upcoming week. Flavor of the week:

Glimmer

Phoebe Kitanidis Release date: April 17th, 2012by Balzer + Bray

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What if you forgot your identity and had to rely on other people to tell you who you were?

And what if to discover your true self, you first had to unravel a mystery so big and terrifying you were not sure you’d survive solving it?

When Marshall and Elyse wake up in each other’s arms with zero memory of how they got there or who they are, it’s the start of a long journey through their separate pasts and shared future.

Terrified by their amnesia, the two make a pact to…

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Review: Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday

Posted by on 04/13/2012 • 36 Comments

Deadly CoolGemma HallidaySeries: Deadly Cool, #1Release date: October 11th 2011by HarperTeen

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Hartley Grace Featherstone is having a very bad day. First she finds out that her boyfriend is cheating on her with the president of the Herbert Hoover High School Chastity Club. Then he’s pegged as the #1 suspect in a murder. And if that weren’t enough, now he’s depending on Hartley to clear his name.

But as much as Hartley wouldn’t mind seeing him squirm, she knows he’s innocent, and she’s the only one who can help him. Along with her best friend, Sam, and the school’s resident Bad Boy, Chase, Hartley starts investigating on her own. But as the dead bodies begin to pile up, the mystery deepens, the suspects multiply, and Hartley begins…

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Review: Channeler’s Choice by Heather McCorkle

Posted by on 04/12/2012 • 18 Comments

Channeler’s ChoiceHeather McCorkleSeries: Channeler, #2Release date: February 27th 2012by Compass Press

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With her parents’ murderers dead, Eren can finally concentrate on fitting in at Spruce Knoll High, not to mention figuring out what it means to be a channeler. If only it were that easy. It turns out she isn’t normal even among channelers – she may be a legendary warrior meant to protect the earth in a last great battle.

But Mayan prophecies are the least of her worries as she involuntarily starts to gather her own Society, another girl moves in on Aiden, her powers rage out of control, and worst of all, someone is stalking her. To top it all off, Eren discovers she doesn’t have to be a channeler after all –…

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Interview & Giveaway with Brigid Kemmerer

Posted by on 04/11/2012 • 26 Comments

Today is full of hotness at Xpresso Reads; I’m sure you’ve all heard of STORM by Brigid Kemmerer and most of you are probably highly anticipating it – for good reason! So I’m excited to have Brigid over today for a great interview, and guess what? She’s giving away a signed copy!

StormBrigid KemmererSeries: Elementals, #1Release date: April 24th, 2012by Kensington

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Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn’t want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth….

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