Cover Reveal (#3)

This cover was revealed yesterday, but I've only just gotten around to posting it. It wasn't one of my favourite books of this year, and I actually found it disappointing. But I am still really excited for The Elite by Kiera Cass, the second installment in The Selection trilogy. Here's the synopsis from Goodreads:

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Phantom by Laura DeLuca

As soon as I heard about this blog tour, I had to sign up. Needless to say that I am a major fan of Phantom of the Opera, so a modern-day book following the same events that unfolded during the actual play/book is pretty much my idea of heaven. Here is my review of the novel, and an amazing giveaway to win not just a copy of the novel, but some other Phantom goodies!

Review

Title: Phantom
Author: Laura DeLuca
Publisher: Pagan Writers Press
Released: March 30th 2012
Pages: 270
Buy: Kindle Barnes & Noble


The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.

Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.

Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.


Now I'm a bit at odds with this novel. On one hand I want to rave about how amazing the last fifty or so pages were, as in literally the personification (booksonification?) of un-put-downable; it felt like it was glued to my fingertips. But then on the other hand, I want to rant about how disappointing I found it. Well, not exactly disappointing, it was definitely good - but I think my expectations were too high, and that's why I feel like it was a bit anticlimactic. But let me explain.

Blog Tour and Author Interview: Laura DeLuca

As soon as I heard about this blog tour, I had to sign up. Needless to say that I am a major fan of Phantom of the Opera, so a modern-day book following the same events that unfolded during the actual play/book is pretty much my idea of heaven. Here is an interview with the author herself, Lauren DeLuca, and the link to an awesome giveaway!

Author Interview


What inspired you to write a book based around Phantom of the Opera, aside from the musical?

It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to start writing Phantom. I was cleaning my house and listening to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack when I suddenly thought to myself that my gothic friend Justyn, who is an actor, would make a great Phantom. Then I thought, hey, that would make a great book…six months later it was done!

Who is your favourite character in your novel, and why?

Lord Justyn is my favorite character. He is actually based of a very real friend of mine.  The real Lord Justyn has the same way of speaking, and is just as talented. He is an actor and a musician, and also just a really sweet guy.  The fictional Lord Justyn developed some of his own unique traits as the story progressed, but I still believe I captured the essence of the real Justyn.  I will always be grateful to him for inspiring one of my favorite characters and books.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Puffin
Released: January 3rd 2012
Pages: 387 (Paperback)
Buy: Amazon


Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, the ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl...

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Book Haul (#12)

I was going to do a video, but I decided I was sniffling far too much (yes, I already have that Winter cold. Fantastic, right? I don't know who gave it to me, but they are currently not my favourite person!), so you've just got a post for today. But I am so excited for these reads, you have no idea!

Breathe by Sarah Crossan (from Bloomsbury)
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (from Bloomsbury)
Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black (from Bloomsbury)
Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan (from Pan Macmillan)
Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts (from Pan Macmillan)
Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler (bought myself)
Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux (bought myself)

Book of the Month: September

Unfortunately, a few of the books I've read this month were quite disappointing. But there were some books that definitely stood out for me - particularly To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I rated both five stars, but for me, it is clear who the winner is.

The Book Thief was utterly amazing. It's just one of those novels that takes your breath away, and leaves you reeling for days after with a book hangover. There isn't anything else out there quite like it - it's definitely one of those books that you have got to read at least once in your lifetime. The writing style was excellent, the characterization was amazing, and frankly, it had everything I look for in a good book. If you haven't read it yet, you must; trust me when I say you won't regret it.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Forsaken by Kristen Day

And the day has finally arrived! What day? The day of Project Read and Review's first ever blog tour! And what an amazing tour to be part of. In this post you'll find out a little bit about the author (Kristen Day), my thoughts on this captivating read, and an exciting giveaway of 7 eBook copies!

About The Author


Kristen Day is a southern belle at heart with a crazy streak that desperately tries to escape at every opportunity.  She loves all things nostalgic, rustic, and quirky.  She’s been told she sees the world through rose-colored glasses, but she prefers to think of them as kaleidoscope glasses - swirling and morphing reality into something she can digest (who hasn't pretended those pasty lima beans were really kiwi strawberry jelly beans?).

She is the author of the Daughters of the Sea trilogy, which includes Forsaken, Awaken (October 2012), and Chosen (Winter 2012).  She loves all books, but really enjoys writing young adult, paranormal romances.  She’s loved to write for as long as she can remember.  Her first published work was her poem RED in second grade (you guessed it - it was a poem about the color red - life altering, right?) that won her 5 gold stars and a spot in her elementary school's poetry book. That's when her addiction to the written word officially began.  She was the only kid in fifth grade that actually enjoyed diagramming sentences. Go ahead and laugh - its okay.

When she’s not writing she’s making jewelry, painting, feeding her addiction to sweet tea, watching the Discovery Channel, or going on random adventures in the mountains of North Carolina with her amazing husband. She was born in Boone, NC and graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Marketing in 2001.

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Title: The Boyfriend List
Author: E.Lockhart
Publisher: Corgi
Released: January 1st 2005
Pages: 256 (Paperback)
Buy: Amazon


15 Guys, 11 Shrink Appointments, 4 Ceramic Frogs and Me, Ruby Oliver.

Ruby Oliver is 15 and has a shrink. She knows it's unusual, but give her a break—she's had a rough 10 days. In the past 10 days she:

* lost her boyfriend (#13 on the list)
* lost her best friend (Kim)
* lost all her other friends (Nora, Cricket)
* did something suspicious with a boy (#10)
* did something advanced with a boy (#15)
* had an argument with a boy (#14)
* drank her first beer (someone handed it to her)
* got caught by her mom (ag!)
* had a panic attack (scary)
* lost a lacrosse game (she's the goalie)
* failed a math test (she'll make it up)
* hurt Meghan's feelings (even though they aren't really friends)
* became a social outcast (no one to sit with at lunch)
* and had graffiti written about her in the girls' bathroom (who knows what was in the boys'!?!).

But don't worry—Ruby lives to tell the tale. And make more lists.

Blink Once by Cylin Busby

Title: Blink Once
Author: Cylin Busby
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release: October 11th 2012
Pages: 304 (Paperback)
Buy: Amazon


West is a high school senior who has everything going for him – until an accident leaves him paralysed. Strapped down in his hospital bed, moving in and out of consciousness, West is isolated and alone. Until he meets Olivia.

Olivia is the girl next door – though not the typical girl next door. She is in the hospital room next to his, and before long, she’s sneaking into his room to talk with him. Only Olivia seems to know what he’s thinking, and even dreaming about. Yet certain questions haunt him: Why is Olivia in the hospital? And how is she connected to the terrible dreams he’s been having? But the biggest shock of all comes when West must face the possibility that the girl he’s fallen in love with – and who’s done more to aid his recovery than anyone else – may not even be alive.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Title: The Book Thief
Author: Markus Zusak
Publisher: Definitions
Released: March 14th 2006
Pages: 584
Buy: Amazon


It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel Meminger's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Grave Digger's Handbook, left there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up and closed down.

Waiting on Wednesday (#23)

'Waiting on Wednesday' is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Book Haul (#11)

This week I haven't gotten as many books as last week, but I still am stupidly excited about reading all this. A few are requests, so look out for reviews coming soon!

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart (from the library)
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (borrowed from my mum)
Blink Once by Cylin Busby (from Bloomsbury publishers)
Phantom by Laura DeLuca (from author)
Song To Wake To by J.D. Field (bought myself)