Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Blog Tour - Fates Divided by Jules Barnard (Review + Giveaway)


Hey everyone! I am one of the stops for the Fates Divided blog tour today. This tour is hosted by YA Bound Book Tours. Fates Divided is by Jules Barnard and has to do with the Fae which is awesome. Scroll down to read my review as well as enter a giveaway! Thanks for stopping by. :) 



Fates Divided (Halven Rising #1)
by Jules Barnard
Genre: YA Paranormal
Release Date: August 31st 2015


3.5 stars  - Intriguing Start to Series! 

Summary from Goodreads:

Elena Rosales has busted her ass to get into a good college. She’s the only one in her family ever to attend, and expectations are high. No pressure. But Elena’s got this one in the bag, because she’s as dependable as the molecules she studies, as reliable as the chemical reactions that comfort her in their predictability. Until they don’t.

Elena has always wondered why her mother abandoned her on her first birthday. It’s not until she turns eighteen and her chemistry experiments go berserk that she learns the truth: Her mother wasn’t human, and the Fae are willing to harm those Elena loves if she doesn’t use her power over the elements to cure them of a deadly disease.

Derek, Elena’s brooding neighbor, isn’t the friendliest guy, but he has access to an off-hours lab and is willing to help Elena create the antivirus. He has his own secrets to keep, and this business Elena is mixed up in could blow his cover. But when Elena and Derek get together, more than chemicals spark fire—and they soon discover just how complicated attraction can get when they find themselves on the other side of the portal, fighting for survival. Lives collide, and allegiance and love are tested, in Fates Divided.


-----

In the Halven Rising Series, love and ancient allegiances are threatened when the worlds of Fae and Halven collide. Each Halven Rising novel features a different couple and may be read as a standalone, but an overreaching story arc connects the books, so it’s fun to read them in order.

Add to Goodreads


Buy Links:
AmazonBarnes & NobleiBooksKoboGoogle Play


Review:

Tell me a book is about the Fae and I will immediately read it. I absolutely love anything having to do with the world of Fae and so I was definitely excited to read this one. I was also interested in Fates Divided because Elena is Latina. I'm also Latina so that was a win for me. 

Fates Divided was definitely an interesting and informational start to this trilogy. We learned all about Elena, her neighbor Derek, and this new world that she has found herself in. Something that I found unique was that there were scientific aspects to this story and the world. Elena and Derek were both interested in science and chemistry and worked that into figuring out the Fae powers that they had. I'm used to reading Fae books that really only deal with fantasy so it was a definite change. Sometimes I was a little overwhelmed with all the information provided but it was interesting nonetheless. 

I enjoyed the Fae information but I really enjoyed the characters. Elena was strong, stubborn, and such a great friend. She kept going even when things got hard and she helped in any way that she could. Derek was a mystery at first but just gets even more interesting with everything that we learn about him. Aside from main characters, there were some great and entertaining friends that Elena and Derek had or met along the way. 

All in all, this was a great start to this new trilogy. There were awesome characters and tons of information about the Fae world. The ending was also full of action and suspense! There were a lot of loose ends and "what happens now" questions for me at the end of this book so I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next. I also saw that the next book focuses more on two other characters that I also enjoyed in this book which I'm excited about! 

Definitely give this one a try if you are obsessed with the Fae or interested in Fae and science! 

Vanessa



About the Author



A RITA-nominated author, Jules Barnard began her publishing career in 2014 with Deep Blue, the first book in the contemporary Blue Series, hitting bestseller lists on Amazon, iBooks, and All Romance. In 2015, she launched Fates Divided, the first of a romantic fantasy series Library Journal calls “…an exciting new fantasy adventure.” Whether she’s writing about beautiful Lake Tahoe, or a Fae world embedded in a college campus, Jules spins suspenseful stories filled with realistic characters who have heart and humor.

When Jules isn’t in her sweatpants writing and rewarding herself with chocolate, she spends her time with her husband and two children in their small hometown on the California coast. She credits herself with the ability to read while running on the treadmill or burning dinner.

Join Jules's Facebook Fan Group! 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/66563...

Author Links:



GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway






Blog Tour Organized by:
 YA Bound Book Tours



Tuesday, September 20, 2016

7 Contemporary Books Set During the School Year

Hey everyone! We are already well into September and most students are probably back in school. So I thought I'd recommend 7 contemporary YA/NA books that are set during the school year. This means that one of the settings is the school that the characters attend. I'm also thinking of doing another post for paranormal, sci-fi, and fantasy books that are set during the school year as well! Have you read any of these?



To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1)To All the Boys I've Loved Before (#1)
by Jenny Han

This is such a sweet and entertaining first book in what is soon to be a trilogy! Lara Jean is a character that is easy to relate to and fun to read about. 

If you thought getting through high school was hard, imagine having all your embarrassing and private letters sent out to your old crushes! Good thing for Lara Jean, things may not be as bad as they seem. :) 

Click the link above to find out more about the book! 




Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)Anna and the French Kiss (#1)
by Stephanie Perkins

So you may not be excited about starting another homework and stress filled school year. At least you aren't forced to attend a boarding school in another country!

In Anna and the French Kiss, Anna finds herself stuck at an American boarding school in Paris when her father decides to send her. But things aren't all bad after she meets a group of awesome friends, including the wonderful Etienne St. Clair. ;) 



FangirlFangirl 
by Rainbow Rowell


Not interested in reliving your high school years? Not to worry! Fangirl is set during the every wonderful college years. Or rather, we follow Cath along her Freshman year of college as she figures out how to live apart from her twin and become her own person. 

Time to fangirl over this incredibly relate-able and entertaining read! 





The Problem with Forever
The Problem with Forever
by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Going away to boarding school or to a university is pretty tough. So is starting your senior year of high school after being home-schooled for a few years...

Mallory's about to find out how difficult it can be, especially when it's hard to speak out loud around others. But she's also about to find out how rewarding fighting her demons can be. Plus, she has Rider again. I won't say anything else except that you read this book! 




Wait for You (Wait for You, #1)Wait for You (#1)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Check this one out after you read Jennifer's somewhat heavy yet inspiring YA contemporary. (The one above.) This one is New Adult just so you know! 

High school can be filled with embarrassing moments. Sad but true. So can college though...

Avery finds out that embarrassing moments don't stop once you graduate high school after she literally runs into swoon-worthy Cameron Hamilton. If that's not enough to make you want to read, then let me tell you about the pet turtles! That was an inside joke which means you have to read this book if you want to be in on the joke. ;)


P.S. I Like YouP.S. I Like You
by Kasie West

Back to high school though...

Ever have a pen pal? One that you didn't know? One that you exchanged long and detailed notes with on a desk in your Science class? 

If not, you can live through Lily as she tries to figure out who her pen pal. The only problem is she might not like what she finds out!



Girl Against the UniverseGirl Against the Universe 
by Paula Stokes 

Try getting through high school when you seem to be unlucky in life. For real. 

Maguire is bad luck and she's trying to figure out how to safely make it through life and a new school. It won't be easy but with the help of a few new friends she just might make it. 

This is a newly released novel that I have only read a little bit of but it sure seems interesting! 


That's all I have for today! I know that there are more books set during the school year so let me know your favorites! 

Vanessa

Friday, September 16, 2016

5 Yellow YA Book Covers That I Really Like!

Hey everybody! I thought I'd try out a new post for today. It seems like my mom and I have been obsessed with the color yellow this month. We have just been drawn to yellow objects! :D So I thought I would assign a color to every month from now on. Until I forget, of course. So the color for this month is yellow. Here are 5 books with yellow covers or yellow on the covers that I really like. Let me know what you think!



The Program (The Program, #1)This first book doesn't have a total yellow cover but I am so drawn to the yellow against the plain white background! Plus, the book is totally intense and intriguing. Click the link for more info about The Program. 

The Program (#1)
by Suzanne Young 







Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love StoriesThe yellow on this cover is one of my favorite shades of yellow. :D For real. This just screams summer to me! Don't you think? 

Summer Days and Summer Nights
Edited by Stephanie Perkins










SpontaneousThis is a newer release and I am not only intrigued by the cover, but also by the summary. Make sure to check it out! The yellow isn't too bright or obnoxious. I wonder what it looks like in person...

Spontaneous 
by Aaron Starmer







The Hundred Lies of Lizzie LovettAnother darker shade of yellow! Mustard yellow? Golden yellow? I don't know, to be honest, but I love it! This book won't be released until early next year so make sure to look it up. I just love the yellow and the white! :D

The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett
by Chelsea Sedoti







A List of CagesI know, I know, this one has yellow and blue! But I really like the way the yellow stars pop out of the background. The cover just really intrigues me and I don't really know what this book is about. I actually found it by looking for books with yellow on the cover so... 
This book is supposed to be released early next year as well so check it out!

A List of Cages
By Robin Roe





There you have it! Just a few books that have some awesome yellow covers. Or covers that have yellow on them...

Vanessa



Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Review - The Program by Suzanne Young


The Program (The Program, #1)

The Program (The Program #1)
by Suzanne Young
Published April 30th, 2016 by Simon Pulse
405 pages

4 stars - Intense and Intriguing! 

Find this book here -

Summary from Goodreads:

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

Review:

I'm pretty sure that I've read mainly YA contemporary all summer long. Which means that this is one of the first (if not the only) dystopians that I have read this summer. I'm glad that I chose this one because it was such a pleasant surprise. 

I really do enjoy dystopians but I find that I just don't read them too often. Sometimes I jus get tired of them I guess. The Program is a book that I have been wanting to read for awhile and I can't believe it took me this long to finally read it! 

The Program was intriguing and intense from the beginning. I was caught up in the whole world and understanding why teen suicide was an issue. All the "solutions" that the government came up with to keep teen suicide under control were so interesting. It's always interesting to see why all these solutions never work the right way or how society becomes so paranoid. 

Reading through Sloane's perspective was everything. I so enjoyed how Suzanne Young showed us Sloane's past with her friends and brother. I was able to connect and care about these characters even though they weren't really in the story too much. I was also rooting for Sloane the whole time! I could only imagine how scared and hopeless she felt while going through the program and trying to save herself and her friends. 

I enjoyed learning about The Progam itself and can't wait to learn more about it. The ending was definitely suspenseful and really leaves you wanting more. I wanted the next book stat but my library didn't have it online so I'm stuck waiting. :( I can't wait to read the next book and to delve deeper into this world where teens are scared to have depression, to mourn, or to show any signs of despair. This is a book that definitely made me think about our own world. 

Definitely check this one out if you are in the mood for a unique dystopian! :) 

Vanessa

Monday, September 12, 2016

Review - The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout


The Problem with Forever

The Problem with Forever
by Jennifer L. Armentrout 
Published May 17th, 2016 by Harlequin Teen
474 pages

5 stars - A Favorite for Forever! :) 

Find this book here - 
Goodreads
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.


Review:

I absolutely love Jennifer L. Armentrout and I have read almost everything that she has written. Her stories and her characters just have a way of intriguing me. I've enjoyed her books about aliens and I've enjoyed her New Adult contemporary books as well. The Problem with Forever is definitely different than what Jennifer has written before. Mainly because the book is a contemporary YA novel. But that is one of the only differences because The Problem with Forever was intriguing and enjoyable just like the other books by JLA. 

The Problem with Forever was one of my favorite books of August. I just really enjoyed reading this book and connecting with these characters.

Mallory is our main character and I found myself relating to her in so many ways. She is a girl that has gone through a lot and seen a ton of horrible things because of her time in foster care. And because of her past, Mallory's present is difficult for her. She's not comfortable with speaking out loud or drawing attention to herself. But Mallory wants to change and she wants to grow and become a stronger version of herself. She's in a great home with awesome parents and so many opportunities. So Mallory decides to start public school again starting with her senior year in high school. Along the way, Mallory grows stronger and accomplishes little goals that she sets for herself. She reunites with an old friend and makes some new ones along the way. And while Mallory still has a ways to go to help herself and her friends, she's learning that she's stronger that she thought. 

Like I said earlier, I just really understood these characters! I understood the fear and nervousness that Mallory felt before she made herself talk to someone new. I was excited and proud of Mallory when she accomplished something that seemed impossible to her. Mallory was just a character that I could relate to and cheer on along the way. Then there was Rider. He was such a caring and loyal friend. I loved the relationship that he and Mallory shared and the way they let each other grow. I'm such a sucker for character development. :) 

There were so many other great characters in this book that I really enjoyed and cared about. I loved that a few of the characters were Hispanic or Puerto Rican. I definitely connected with that aspect. 

It was also interesting to read about these characters in a foster care setting. I enjoyed reading about foster characters in Katie McGarry's books and I am always looking for more. It's a topic I am pretty interested in. The focus on the arts was also a plus because I'm always advocating for them. :) 

Overall, this was such a good book. I was intrigued from the very beginning and did not want to put this book down. I connected with so many of the characters and I cried and cheered them on along the way. These characters made mistakes but learned from them along the way. They had fears and they conquered a lot of them by the end. I just appreciated the growth shown in these pages. 

But enough of my rambling! Definitely pick up this book soon if you haven't yet. This is one you should really try out. :) 

Vanessa

Sunday, September 4, 2016

The Sunday Post #4 - August 2016 in Review

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. 







Happy September everyone! I can't believe that August has already gone by! I haven't typed up a Sunday Post in awhile. The end of July and August was so busy for me because I was the in the process of moving houses with my family. Then I was preparing for a pretty big interview for a pretty good job in August. Thankfully I was offered a position with the company and will hopefully start September 26th. Once I start working again I will definitely be extremely busy but I'll still find a way to read and blog. :)

August was a pretty great month for reading. I read two AWESOME contemporaries in August which was awesome, lol. :D There were a few other great reads as well and I know that September's going to have even more! I can't wait to finally start working again mainly because I'll have book funds. :) That's why we work, right? To buy books? Haha. 

Ok, so let's get into this Sunday Post!





Look forward to these posts this month! 

(Review) The Program by Suzanne Young
(Review) The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

Bookish News of the Week #2 
August Wrap Up (Either blog post or video)
Currently Reading 



It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover - The best of Colleen Hoover and such an amazing read for anyone! 5 stars and above. 

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Jennifer did such a fantastic job with this YA contemporary! Couldn't put it down - 5 stars! 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts 1 and 2 by J.K Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne - Not a whole lot of people loved this screenplay but I really enjoyed it! It brought back great memories and it was interesting to see Harry, Ron, and Hermione all grown up. :) 5 stars

It Ends with UsThe Problem with ForeverHarry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two (Harry Potter, #8)





I borrowed these from the library!

The Museum of HeartbreakThe Problem with ForeverGirl Against the UniverseDevil and the Bluebird





Still just beginning this book but it seems pretty entertaining and cute so far! 

The Museum of Heartbreak