Have You Ever Craved A Book?+ Waiting on Wednesday #23

 Um, yeah that is definitely a dumb question. I'm pretty sure ever single one of us has craved a book before. And I mean craveeee. You go to your TBR shelf and look for something to satiate your thirst for a new incredible read, but nothing seems to peak your interest, or sound like anything you are looking for. But this is a different craving. I'm not talking about craving a book that has weeks or even months to be released. I craving a book that doesn't exist.

Ok, I tried to make that a lot more ominous than it really is but to put it plain and simply, I really really really want to read a new book written by one of my favorite authors. But since I have not heard anything regarding a new book, I am stuck wanting so much to read something that doesn't even exist. Yes it is a horrible feeling. And who do I have to blame for this, Beth Fantaskey. I have only read two of her books: Jekel Loves Hyde and Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side and I absolutely positively loved them. There is just something about those two books that separates them from every other paranormal romance book I have ever read.  I don't know if this actually makes sense, but they aren't one dimensional. You know what I mean when it seems like the plot of a book is flying on only a single flat wave length. That is SO not the case with Beth Fantaskey's books.

There is just something about both of her books that makes me want to keep on reading them forever. Every page I am on my toes waiting to read what is going to happen on the next page, yet I am trying to preserve the page so that it doesn't end too soon. For me, that is really what makes the perfect read. And Beth Fantaskey has this down to a science!!!!


[All of this was written sometime last week and left floating in the file that is my blog DRAFTS, but today I, thanks to Goodreads, have made a BREAKTHROUGH, which I would like to present to you all in the form of a Waiting On Wednesday]

  

Waiting On Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #2)
Author:   Beth Fantaskey

Release Date: January 9, 2012 

Paranormal/Romance

Synopsis from Goodreads:  When Jessica Packwood found out she was a Romanian vampire princess, she had the shock of her teenage life. Turns out that was the easy part. Now, married to Prince Lucius Vladescu, she has to claim her throne and convince a vampire nation she’s fit to be their queen. But Jess can’t even order a decent meal from her castle’s Romanian staff, let alone deal with devious undead subjects who would love to see her fail. And when Lucius is accused of murdering a vampire Elder and imprisoned without the blood he needs, Jessica finds herself alone, fighting for both their survivals. Desperate to clear her husband’s name and win his release, Jess enlists the help of her best friend Mindy Stankowicz and Lucius’s mysterious Italian cousin, Raniero Lovatu. But both of them are keeping some dark secrets. Can Jess figure out who to trust – and how to rise to power – before she loses everything, including the vampire she loves? Full of romance, mystery, and danger, the highly anticipated sequel to Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side shows that sometimes a princess has to earn her “happily ever after” – with a sharpened stake in hand.

Uh huh, uh huh; so what do we have here. What we have is a SEQUEL to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by. Beth Fantaskey. A sequel, as in she is bringing back Lucius, Jessica, and the whole shebang back in another kick butt book. (And of course I already know it is going to be kick butt!!!). I cannot believe it. A week ago I was attempting to go back to my bookshelf and re-read one of my favorites and moping about the fact that this is last I will hear of these amazing characters and then BAM, goodreads hits me with this. I had no idea, no idea at ALL that there was going to be a second book, but it is so very very safe to say that I am absolutely beyond ecstatic about this fact. I can't wait at all!!! But really 2012!?! That is so far away, but I will endure! Does this mean we can expect a sequel to Jekel Loves Hyde? Oh, just extremely wishful thinking on my part! 

What are you guys waiting for (or craving for) this Wednesday?  

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Review: Ten Miles Past Normal by. Frances O'Roark Dowell

Title: Ten Miles Past Normal
Author: Frances O'Roark Dowell
Publication Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 211
Genre: Contemporary/Coming of Age
Rating:  

Synopsis from Goodreads: Janie Gorman wants to be normal. The problem with that: she’s not. She’s smart and creative and a little bit funky. She’s also an unwilling player in her parents’ modern-hippy, let’s-live-on-a-goat-farm experiment (regretfully, instigated by a younger, much more enthusiastic Janie). This, to put it simply, is not helping Janie reach that “normal target.” She has to milk goats every day…and endure her mother’s pseudo celebrity in the homemade-life, crunchy mom blogosphere. Goodbye the days of frozen lasagna and suburban living, hello crazy long bus ride to high school and total isolation—and hovering embarrassments of all kinds. The fresh baked bread is good…the threat of homemade jeans, not so much. It would be nice to go back to that old suburban life…or some grown up, high school version of it, complete with nice, normal boyfriends who wear crew neck sweaters and like social studies. So, what’s wrong with normal? Well, kind of everything. She knows that, of course, why else would she learn bass and join Jam Band, how else would she know to idolize infamous wild-child and high school senior Emma (her best friend Sarah’s older sister), why else would she get arrested while doing a school project on a local freedom school (jail was not part of the assignment). And, why else would she kind of be falling in "like" with a boy named Monster—yes, that is his real name. Janie was going for normal, but she missed her mark by about ten miles…and we mean that as a compliment. Frances O’Roark Dowell’s fierce humor and keen eye make her YA debut literary and wise. In the spirit of John Green and E. Lockhart, Dowell’s relatable, quirky characters and clever, fluid writing prove that growing up gets complicated…and normal is WAY overrated.

Review: I have not really read many coming of age books before, but I am glad that Ten Miles Past Normal was one of my first. It definitely showed me a different side of YA books that seemed to deal with the typical issues that surround being a teenager in a different way...and on a farm.

Maybe because I am new to the whole Coming of Age genre but the beginning for me was pretty slow to get into. I know it is probably coming for coming of age stories to have a long buildup, but for me the character was sort of getting lost in some of the back drop of the story. But towards the middle the characters and plot seemed to pick up a lot more. Janie was the epitome of the confused and idealistic teenager. She was really struggling with the fact that she was an outcast, and throughout the book she is kind of going through this "I want to find myself and disassociate myself from being a farm girl" kind of phase. And she chose every typical teenager route in the book to do it. From joining a band, to breaking the law, Janie is on a mission to become "normal".

This book really focuses on how, for some, the teenage years is really a hard time and the struggle that some teenagers have in "finding themselves". There is focus on friendships, dating, family life, and school life that are all the makings of a coming of age YA novel. I did really enjoy some of the characters in this book. They really complimented one another well without there being just a bunch of supporting characters. That being said, there were parts of the book, mainly in the beginning, where I find the plot moving way to slow, and it seemed like it was just going to be a lot of descriptions before any characters or even a real plot line was introduced. But that was over once we were introduced to the characters Monster and Verbena who add some depth and fun to the story.

Despite some factors, I did enjoy this book. There is a real fun semi- love interest in Janie's life that I definitely found to be apart of most of the highlights in the book. All in all, I felt like this book had a lot to teach, and pretty much put into words a little bit of every teenagers story, told from the point of view of, as Janie would say, a girl on the farm. I felt like somehow, every teenager would be able to relate to what Janie was going through. And how she gets to be, or realize, who she is by the end of the book. It definitely is a book that is quirky, deep at times, and has a linking aspect that every teenager and most likely some non-teens will be able to relate to.

Recommendations: I feel like this book has a lot to offer a lot of teenagers, and for those of you out there like me thinking about picking up a coming-of-age book, this is a good one to try out.


Overall: 3/5

Characters: 4/5
Plot: 3/5
Originality: 3/5
Entertainment: 2/5
Ending: 4/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Cover: 4/5

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In My Mailbox #17 + First IMM VLOG!

In My Mailbox is a bookish meme hosted by Kristi The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. 

Hello Everyone!!! Hope you guys are having a great Sunday so far! I am doing another In My Mailbox this week and for the first time I decided to film it and do a vlog!!! I have also listed and linked everything down below too!!!

(That screenshot is HILARIOUS!)

Bought:

Graceling by.  Kristin Cashore

Lord of Misrule by. Rachel Caine

Devil's Kiss by.  Sarwat Chadda

Love on the Lifts by. Rachel Hawthorne

Take Me There by. Susane Colasanti 

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by.Carrie Ryan

Silver is for Secrets by.  Laurie Faria Stolarz

Swapped

(Paperback Swap):

Black Bird by. Kanoko Sakurakouji

Runaway (Airhead #3) by. Meg Cabot

For Review:  

Cinderella Ninja Warrior by. Maureen McGowan (review)

Sleeping Beauty Vampire Slayer by. Maureen McGowan (review)

So Much Closer by. Susane Colasanti 

Ten Miles Past Normal by. Frances O'Roark Dowell (not pictured) 

Corset and Clockwork by. 13 Various Authors

 I finally did my first vlog! This one was fun to film though, so I might do some more. Tell me what you guys think. Also don't forget to tell me what you guys got in your mailboxes this week!!!

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Maureen McGowan Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty Giveaway [CLOSED]

Hello Everyone! As a part of the Maureen McGowan blog tours I am hosting a giveaway for both of her books. They are both very interesting books and you can read a review of Cinderella: Ninja Warrior here, and Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer here.  

This contest is going to have two winners! One winner will win Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer, and one will win Cinderella: Ninja Warrior.

All you have to do is:

Fill Out the Form Below
The Contest Ends June 8th.
Good Luck to All that Enter! 

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Review: Cinderella, Ninja Warrior by. Maureen McGowan

Title: Cinderella, Ninja Warrior
Author: Maureen McGowan
Publication Date: April 1, 2011
Pages: 320 
Genre: Paranormal
Rating:  

Synopsis from Goodreads: In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read! 

Review: Cinderella Ninja Warrior is definitely what I call an incredible modern take on a fairy tale. I was engaged the whole time, and even though I know the story Cinderella and it is the basis of this book, that did not take away from the fact that this book is 100% original.

This book was a lot different from Maureen's other "pick your plot" book Sleeping Beauty, Vampire Slayer. The Cinderella plot of this book was evident but with the wizard and magical parts thrown in also, it created a much more intricate plot. There's the evil stepsisters we know and hate, and there's also a missing very powerful wizarding wand that is nowhere to be found. And of course a local "messenger boy" whom has his eye on a certain main character.

When I say the characters make the book, I really mean it. I loved the characters in this book. Not so much the evil step siblings and stepmother, but Ty and Cinderella really made the book for me. Everything between them seemed so natural. I mean there is a way to be charming and not make it seem like its some kind of player's act, and Ty does so very well in this book. I mean how could Cinderella not fall for him. He was just so gentlemanly without being too formal or boring, and he also had some wit to him that just makes him all the more of a great male character.

As with Maureen's book Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer, this one is also a "pick your plot" book and for some reason I loved it in this book so much more. I felt like even though I was making the decision for the book while reading, I didn't feel like I was losing the character in my decisions if that make sense. It was so much fun in this book because the romance was a bigger role, you got to make the decisions on how Cinderella and Ty went about their encounters. Because of this book, I think I am definitely going to be on the look out for more "pick you plot" kinds of books. I can still remember the instances where I was like contemplating for minutes over which route I should take. And then when I finished the book I went and took all the routes that I didn't choose. And it was just as much fun the second time around!

I definitely think this was an incredible "remake" of a classic fairy tale. It was engaging and fun to read, and the romance was incredibly sweet and believable. All in all, a very exciting book.


Recommendations:I definitely recommend this book to all to try out their first or maybe just another "pick your plot" kind of book. It is a very fun change of pace!


Overall: 4/5

Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Originality: 3/5
Entertainment: 4/5
Ending: 4/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
 

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