In My Mailbox #34


Hey guys. I am back for another IMM which is hosted by the lovely Kristi from The Story Siren IMM is a great way to feature any of the books that you either received for review, purchased, or borrowed from a friend or library.

This week I got some great books in the mail!

I Recieved for Review:
Among Others
Among Others by Jo Walton (finished copy)
Goodreads
Amazon

Girl Meets Boy: Because There Are Two Sides to Every Story
Girl Meets Boy by Various Authors (finished copy)
Goodreads
Amazon

Of Poseidon
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks ( ARC)
Goodreads
Amazon

Revealing Eden
Revealing Eden by Victoria Foyt (finished copy)
Goodreads
Amazon

Summit at Sunset
Summit At Sunset by Jaz Primo (ARC)
Goodreads
Amazon


These are all of the amazing books that I received this week. I didn't purchase any because I am trying to put myself on a buying ban until March. There is a warehouse called the Book Depot and in March on the 15 16 and 17 they have a fill a box for $30.00 with a maximum of 5 boxes so that is what I am saving up for!

But I want to give a big thank you to Raincoast Books, Jaz Primo and Victoria Foyt for sending me these amazing books! Thank you

Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Delirium (Delirium, #1)
Release Date: February 1 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 441
Genre: YA/Fiction/Dystopian
Series: Delirium (#1)
Source: Purchased

Goodreads Synopsis:
Ninety-five days, and then I’ll be safe. 

I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. 

I want to get it over with. 

It’s hard to be patient. 

It’s hard not to be afraid while I’m still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn’t touched me yet. 

Still, I worry. 

They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. 

The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don’t

My Thoughts:
I was blown away by Delirium. All of the hype for this book is well worth it. Delirium is one of the most interesting and creative stories that I have read in a long time. This story is so riveting and original and you cannot help but stay glued to the pages.

Lauren is such a talented writer. She captivated me with her ability to make love such an inconceivable and horrible notion. To live in a world where you cannot experience the greatest treasure known to mankind made for one hell of a read!


I loved Lena and Alex. For Lena to be one of the most level headed and to be so set that going through with the procedure is the right thing to do, to come around and fall for the bad boy was amazing.


Delirium was an amazing read. With it's captivating storyline and believable character's and a must read plot. This is one of the best novel's that I have read!

Follow Friday


Q: Take a picture or describe where you like to read most. 

A: Oh wow. I can actually read anywhere. I read at work, I can read in the living room while my boys play, but my favourite place to read is on my spot of my couch. It is close to my window and I have my side table and it also has my own groove. Common you know what I mean lol! 

Review: A Million Suns by Beth Revis

Release Date: January 10 2012
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: Hardcover
Pages:386
Genre: YA/Sci-Fi/Fiction
Series: Across The Universe (#2)
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
Godspeed was once fueled by lies. Now it is ruled by chaos. It’s been three months. In that time, Amy has learned to hide who she is. Elder is trying to be the leader he’s always wanted to be. But as the ship gets more and more out of control, only one thing is certain: They have to get off the ship.

My Thoughts:
A Million Suns was just as enticing and emotionally gripping as Across The Universe. As Amy and Elder continue on their journey, they soon discover that even after everything they thought was true, it turns out that there are even more secrets that are awaiting to be uncovered on Godspeed.

As Elder comes into his role as Leader on the ship, it turns out that ruling the ship is harder than he thought it would be. With the ship being divided and a mutiny on Elder's hands and with the residents of Godspeed being murdered, Elder is put to the biggest test of his life.

Amy thought that it was bad enough that she was the only resident from Earth aboard the ship but after Eldest and Orions betryal she is left with even more questions. Even after being frozen, Orion is still haunting Amy's thoughts. When she finds that Orion has left her clue's to Godspeeds greatest secret, Amy will stop at othing to find the answers. But after all her searching is she really ready to find out the truth?

A Million Suns was an amazing read. This is a real page-turner. Beth leaves us with a lot of answers but also so many more questions. This is such a great sci-fi series and I am so excited to have been able to read it. If you loved ATU then you will not be disappointed with A Million Suns.

Waiting On Wednesday: City Of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

City of Lost Souls

This week I am so excited for City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare. This is book 5 of The Mortal Instruments series. If you have read Cassandra's books then you know how absolutely wonderful they are, if you have not well then you are seriously  missing out. City Of Lost Souls is set to release May 8 2012 from Margaret K McElderry.

Guest Post: Lisa Sanchez Love At First Sight


Before I get started, I want to thank Kristen for having me on her blog today. I’m truly honored to be here.

Okay, so let’s get down to business. Today I’m going to touch on a subject most romance readers are familiar with: love at first sight. Heavy topic, yes? This subject tends to bring out firm opinions, both supporting and opposing, and make for great conversation, especially when referring to our favorite pastime: reading.


ARC Review: Angelina's Secret by Lisa Rogers

Angelina's Secret
Release Date: February 1 2012
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages:186
Genre:YA/Fiction/ Supernatural
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
As a child, Angelina spent years in counseling learning that Josie, her imaginary friend, wasn't real, but it turns out her childhood friend wasn't imaginary after all.Now Angelina has to accept she's either (A) crazy or (B) able to see ghosts. Wanting to believe in her sanity, she chooses (B) and welcomes Josie back into her life. But even Josie can't help her deal with Shelly, the spirit of a confused teenager, and things go very, very wrong.When Angelina finds herself in a psychiatric hospital, she faces a choice: she can spend the rest of her life pretending to be someone she isn't, or she can embrace who she is and take a chance that she may never get to go home

My Thoughts:
I would have to say that I was not overly thrilled with Angelina's Secret. This book did not grab me the way I was hoping it would. I had such high hopes for the premise of this novel.

I am not saying that it was horrible by any means. There were some good aspects. I wasn't convinced with Angelina though. There was an aspect of her character that I just did not find believable. Her interactions with the ghost's were at times comical and it added some good laughs.

I really liked her brother Sam. To me he was one of the only convincing characters in the book. He really feared for his sister and it came across well.


There was a romantic relationship that came through at the very end of the book. I thought did not like that he appeared here and there throughout the book and he just shows up at the very end. 


I did read Angelina's Secret in one sitting. It was a very light read one that you can get through quickly but it did not hold as much spark for me as I had hoped it would. But this is a good book if you want something light and at times funny but there was not as much depth to it for me as I would have liked. 

ARC Review: Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer

Arcadia Awakens (Arcadia, #1)
Release Date: February 14 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: ARC Paperback
Pages: 452
Genre: YA/Fiction/Supernatural
Series:  Arkadien (#1)
Source: Publisher

Goodreads Synopsis:
To Rosa Alcantara, the exotic world of Sicily, with its network of Mafia families and its reputation for murder and intrigue, is just that—exotic and wholly unknown. But when her life in Brooklyn begins to fall apart, she must travel there, to her family’s ancestral home, where centuries of family secrets await her.

Once there, Rosa falls head over heels for Alessandro Carnevare, the son of a Sicilian Mafia family, whose handsome looks and savage grace both fascinate and unsettle her. But their families are sworn enemies, and her aunt and sister believe Alessandro is only using Rosa to infiltrate the Alcantara clan. And when Rosa encounters a tiger one night—a tiger with very familiar eyes—she can no longer deny that neither the Carnevares nor the Alcantaras are what they seem.

Hidden caves, dangerous beasts roaming the hills, and a history of familial bloodlust mean that Rosa can’t trust anyone. Torn between loyalty to her family and love for their mortal enemy, Rosa must make the hardest decision of her life: stay in Sicily with her new love…or run as far and as fast as she can.


My Thoughts:
Arcadia Awakens is a modern day Romeo and Juliet mixed with some supernatural elements and the Italian Mafia.

This was such a thrilling read. I could not get enough of Rosa and Alessandro. The plot twists were absolutely extraordinary.

I loved Alessandro from the moment he appeared. He is so sweet and caring but he is torn due to his responsibilities to his family and his legacy.

I was a little hesitant on Rosa at first. I wasn't exactly sure what to think of her. Her sullen and depressed attitude did not sit well with me. I did enjoy her snarky and witty comebacks.

It took a while to learn Rosa's backstory but as soon as I did I finally understood why her character was like that and it made perfect sense and I began to appreciate her character so much more. By the end of the book Rosa comes into her own more than I thought she would.

The fact that Rosa and Alessandro fall for eachother but cannot be together killed me. But of course unrequieted love makes for great reading.

I could not put this book down. It was full of action, betrayal, secrets and lies and has got to be one of the most fast paced, heartpounding reads that I have gotten my hands on in a long time. Kai Meyer is a master of his craft. A not to be missed novel.

Bewitching Blog Tours: Prides Run by Cat Kalen Excerpt and Giveaway

I want to thank Cat for letting me participate in her blog tour. I also have one ecopy of Pride's Run up for grabs. If you would like a chance to read this great story, just leave a comment with your email address below and I will choose a winner by Friday February 17 2012. Winner will be announced by email and will have 48 hours to respond.
There is also a Tour Wide giveaway going on for 2 print copies of Pride's Run as well. So you can also enter that giveaway too. Good Luck
Form Can Be Found Here

Review: Angel Burn by L.A Weatherly


Release Date: May 24 2011
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Format: Hardcover
Pages:449
Genre: YA/Fiction/Supernatural
Series: Angel (#1)
Source: Purchased


Goodreads Synopsis:
Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. she has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Angel Burn. This was not at all what I was expecting from this book. I loved the unique take on the Angel's.

Angel Burn had a really slow start for me. For some reason it took me a little bit more to get into this story then it usually does. For some reason I couldn't connect with Willow. She seemed a little off and distant at the beginning of the story. I think it went well with her awkwardness but it did not sit right with me.

I absolutely adored Alex from the very beginning. He is my type of character. He has that dark and brooding nature about him that had me hooked. I am a big fan of Alex.

As the story went on I was able to understand Willow more and I began to understand her character. By the end of Angel Burn my perception of Willow was definitely changed.

Angel Burn is a great story. It had a lot of action and adventure in which is an element of a story I love. It wasn't as fast-paced as I normally like my books but there was a good balance.

The romance in Angel Burn is really incredible. L.A was able to bring across Alex and Willow's relationship very easily and it did not seem forced.

Angel Burn is a great story with some twists and turns that will keep you guessing. I think it was a great beginning to the rest of the series. I am excited to continue with Angel Fire

Andy Gavin's The Darkening Dream is available for free! Two days only

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The Darkening Dream

As the modern world establishes itself and pushes the supernatural into the shadows, the supernatural fights back.

The Darkening Dream is a chilling new dark fantasy novel by Andy Gavin, creator of Crash Bandicoot and Jak & Daxter, that has received rave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and is FREE for two days only on Amazon Kindle (February 7th to 8th)! Download your FREE copy here: http://amzn.to/yTvZPG

Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Bloodrose (Nightshade, #3)
Release Date: January 3 2012
Publisher: Philomel
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 406
Genre: YA/Supernatural
Series: Nightshade (#3)
Source: Purchased



Goodreads Synopsis:
The Ultimate Sacrifice. 

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. 

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy



My Thoughts:
Bloodrose was such an amazing end to the Nightshade trilogy. I was not expecting it to end the way it did but Andrea certainly did a spectacular job. 


There is no way that I can write this review properly without giving away any spoilers but I loved it to so much that I had to show my support and write something. 


I would have to say that Bloodrose is my favourite story out of the trilogy. This was such an emotiona end and I do not think that I have cried as hard through any book as I did this one. It was so emotionally gripping. 


Now I do have to say that I was a little upset with Andrea ( for those who have read Bloodrose I think you know what I am talking about) But I do have to respect her for throwing in such an amazing twist, one that I definitely did not see coming, even if it hurt just a little bit.


The Nightshade series has got to be on my top ten list for YA series, and while I am sad to see it end, Andrea did a fantastic job. 

A Clip from the Audiobook Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan

I wanted to share with you guys a clip from the audiobook Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. I received a finished copy of Glow from St Martins Griffin and I absolutely loved it. I have read and reviewed it and the review is up on the blog. You can find it here I was thrilled to receive a clip from the audiobook as well. Now I have never listened to an audiobook before, Macmillan audio sent me a clip to share with all of you.