Book Review: CLOCKWORK PRINCE by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2)

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publication Date: December 6th 2011

Publisher: McElderry Books

Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy

Summary on Goodreads:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart. Add to TBR.

My Thoughts: 

I didn't plan to write a review about this book because I know that it would be very difficult to write one. I know for sure that I won't be able to write the perfect words to describe it. I love love love Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments Series and Clockwork Angel but this is my first attempt to review her book. 

In this second book of the Infernal Devices, Tessa, along with the shadowhunters are determined to find the Magister in order to save Charlotte's position as the head of the London Institute. Tessa will do anything to help her friends whom she considers now as her family, and to find the Magister in order to know the truth about her identity. In the process, some secrets are revealed and finding the Magister means risking their lives and the people they love. On the other hand, Will is willing to do everything to free himself of the demon's curse that he carries for over five years...

Clockwork Prince has the same dose of action, suspense, mystery and romance and even humor that I've found in Clockwork Angel, though I can't say that I loved it more than the first book. Still, Clockwork Prince did not disappoint. 

One of the many things I loved about this book--humor. And Will is the master of all.

"Reparations," said Jem very suddenly, setting down the pen he was holding.
Will looked at him in puzzlement. "Is this a game? We just blurt out whatever word comes next to mind? In that case mine's 'genuphobia.' It means an unreasonable fear of knees."
"What's the word for a perfectly reasonable fear of annoying idiots?" inquired Jessamine.

"Meet me in the courtyard in half an hour, then," said Will. "I'll wake Cyril. And be prepared to swoon at my finery." - Will

"Well, I suppose it's hard to meddle in someone's brains if they've got no brains to start with." -Will

And then there's sweetness and yumminess... 

"And," he went on without answering her question, " in the event that something goes awry, I will be there. Even if you don't see me, Tess, I'll be there. Remember that." -Will

"Shall we go, then? Or would you rather stay here and take your chances? You can start up with the kissing where you left off when you get back to the Institute." - Magnus t

And then the turmoil...

"I feel myself diminished, parts of me spiraling away into the darkness, that which is good and honest and true- If you hold it away from yourself long enough, do you lose it entirely? If no one cares for you at all, do you even really exist?" - Will

If Jem died, she could not help feel, he would take all that was still human about Will with him when he went. - Charlotte

I can't help but love Cassie's books and the amazing characters that she created. All of them are remarkable, no matter how bad or good they appear. I love the ever so gentle and ever so kind James Carstairs. His love for Tessa is exactly the same as how Sophie describes him--the steady flame. More than anyone else, I love William Herondale, the most alive of all the people Magnus said he'd met on his lifetime, the brightest star, too beautiful to be human. Of all the characters, Will is the most broken one and has the most tortured soul. My heart breaks for him. This book finally let us see Will beyond the image he was trying to project and the revelations are heart pounding and electrifying. I wonder why the Herondale boys are always the one who suffer much. They deserve to be happy.

"...Master Will has always been the brighter burning star, the one to catch attention-- but Jem is a steady flame, unwavering and honest..." - Sophie

"...There is a soul under all that bravado. And he is really alive, one of the most alive people I have ever met. When he feels something, it is as bright and sharp as lightning." - Magnus

Another character that I love is Magnus Bane. If you've met and loved him in Mortal Instruments series, you'll gonna love him in Infernal Devices, too! This warlock has so much more in his character and that will make you love him even more!

The rest of the characters are back and there are exciting twists and secrets that you'll be thrilled to find out. It's one of the things I love about Cassie's writing, she never fail to surprise her readers. She'll never make you feel settled or relieved. You might get mad and hurt when a character you love suffered too much, but she'll write it anyway and it's always worth it in the end. And with the head-banging, heart-thumping, cliff-hanger ending, you'll be amazed and tortured at the same time. That's what makes Cassie a remarkable writer. She knows how to emotionally tortured her readers while leaving them anticipating and hungry for more. If you haven't tried reading one of her stories, YOU SHOULD TRY READING THEM NOW and be prepared for the ultimate emotional ride! Her books are amazing! 

Clockwork Prince is a must read. I highly recommend it. It's heart wrenching and brain-damaging! Err, okay, I might be exaggerating, but seriously, this book will give you too much heartache just by reading about all the turmoil which the characters endured. But ironically, it was half the fun and you'll end up wanting for more.

My Rating:

TBR Intervention Challenge (16)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet 

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

I've been too ambitious last week, but sadly I only finished Clockwork Prince last night. I was too busy redesigning my blog (I don't know why I suddenly decided to change it) and I'm happy that I did. Anyway, have you seen my review of Remembrance? You can see it here: Remembrance by Michelle Madow. 

I'm not sure yet if I'm going to post a review about Clockwork Prince. Simply because I've never written a single review about any of Cassie's books (which I loved and devoured). I've read them before I started my blog and I'm not sure if I can write the perfect right exact words to describe her books. How did she do it? I mean, all her books are just amazing! I can't help but love the characters and the stories she created. I SO LOVE Clockwork Prince! Once again, I was tortured but mesmerized by her book. I can't tell you how much I love her works from The Mortal Instruments up to the Infernal Devices. They will always be on my top favorite list!

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

Since I haven't finish the Soul Screamers, My Soul to Lose and My Soul to Take will still be my books for the week.

How about you? :)

Oh, did you missed Mr. inLinkz last week? He's back! Sorry for the last time he's been absent hehe. Thanks again Dani for doing the linky last week! :)

>>You can grab him again here: get the InLinkz code

Thursday Revisits (4): The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

Thursday Revisits is a new meme hosted by Sam @ Books For All Seasons.

It's a weekly feature of book discussions about the characters, scenes, and plot of the book we read. It’s featured every Thursday.

Hey there everyone! Thank you for dropping by again today. I hope you are as excited as me as I feature one of the latest and best book I've read and loved. And right here with me today is another awesome friend of mine... 

all the way from El Salvador... 

one of the nicest...

sweetest...

funniest...

and probably the most innocent-looking friend...

(yeah, I bet she's not that innocent, peace Lis!)

Lee Seth Krkmo "Lis" @ Nox-Invictus

And the book we are about to discuss is something we both enjoyed and loved:

The Pledge (The Pledge #1)

by Kimberly Derting

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed. 

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. Add to TBR.

Read my review here.

Read Lis' review here (if you can read Spanish :)

1. How many times have you read The Pledge?

April: Once.

Lis: Once, too.

2. Do you think you will read it again in the future?

April: Probably, but I have too many books to read right now so I'm not sure when I'd be able to read it again.

Lis: Yes, I think next year I'll make some re-reading challenge, by myself!

April: Haha! Goodluck with the challenge Lis :P

Lis: Thanks! you can always join if you want =)

3. What is your most favorite part in the story?

April: I don't want to give too much away, so I'll try to avoid spoilers. My most favorite part is when Max, Charlie and her sister were underground. Then the soldiers came to take Max and Charlie found out that Max is _______. I loved that part! =P

Lis: Oh my God! That was my favorite part, too! I don't remember, but I think I shouted when I read that part. And I said "Why I did not notice this? what happened to my literary premonitions? LOL! It was funny.

April: Haha! I actually thought he really was ____. Lol! Can't believe you actually missed that part!

Lis: Wow! I still don't know what happened to me!

4. What is one thing you didn't like about the book?

April: There's nothing I can think of right now (I need some caffeine on my system. Coffee please!). Okay, so maybe Lis would give me some ideas. lol

Lis: I don't know... maybe the good stage created by the author, or the sexy soldiers... yes, the sexy soldiers!

April: Oh my! Really? The sexy soldiers?! You cracked me up! Lol

Lis: Yeah! sexy soldiers, like Max!

April: oops, I forgot he's a soldier, too! Hehe

5. Who is your favorite character?

April: Charlie!

Lis: Brook, she is strong, and she is a kick-ass, just like you!

April: Why, thank you :)

Lis: You said why?... well, she is a kick ass! (you too, remember!)

April: Haha! Ok, forget I said "why" :)

6. If you could have one special power that only you can possess, what would it be and why?

April: I want Angelina's power. Knowing who to trust and healing. I also want the ability to fly and travel through time--these four combined. =)

Lis: OMG! April! you want Karou and Emmerson's powers! Well, me too. But I'd love to understand all the languages. It could be great!

April: You like Charlie's power. That would be great too.

7. What language do you wish you understand and speak?

April: French.

Lis: I wish I could finally speak german. I understand and write this language, but I can't speak! It's so frustrating!

April: I like German language too! It's great that you understand it.

8. Did you like the ending of The Pledge?

April: Yes. It's always nice to read a book with a satisfying ending. Sometimes you don't need a big cliff-hanger ending to anticipate the next book. You just need a promising, engaging plot and a set of amazing characters to continue with the series.

Lis: Yes, but I think it was a little weird. I don't know, I love cliff-hanger, melodramatic and heart-breaker endings. And it wasn't any of them, but I still love it!

9. If you would make a vow and give it to someone, what would it be and to whom are you willing to give that pledge?

April: I didn't realized it was a tough question (I shouldn't have asked) hehe. Anyway, I think it would be for my hubby: "I will walk with you faithfully and I will love you forever."

Lis: Aw! so sweet! (I think I need a hubby!) Mine, would be for myself "if need glasses, I shall not complain for having read so much"

April: LOL. Find a boyfriend first :P

Lis: Help me!!!

9. Over all, what do you liked most about the book?

April: *Spoiler* The seemingly dystopian world blended with evil queen with special powers just like in fairy tales, a strong heroine, and a handsome prince that will sweep you off your feet.

Lis: (You put 9 twice, but I loved it!) I loved that my psychic side died in the book and it gave me many good surprises!

April: Oops I overlooked! Hehe.

10. Do you recommend the book?

April: YES.

Lis: Of course!

April: Thank you Lis for doing this discussion with me!

And that's it! That's our silly but fun discussion. Thank you for spending your time with us =) Oh, wait... Lis has something more to say!

Lis:.... Oh, wait! this is the part where I thank you for inviting me! Xoxo!

April: Aww, thank you too, Lis. It's always a pleasure to have you here. You know that! Xoxo2!

Book Review: REMEMBRANCE by Michelle Madow

Remembrance (Transcend Time #1)

Author: Michelle Madow
Publication Date: July 27th 2011
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Fiction/Fantasy 

Summary on Goodreads:

New Hampshire high school junior Lizzie Davenport has been reincarnated from Regency Era, England ... but she doesn't know it yet.

Then Drew Carmichael transfers into Lizzie's school at the beginning of the year, and she feels a connection to him, almost like she knows him. She can't stop thinking about him, but whenever she tries talking with him about the mysteries behind her feelings, he makes it clear that he wants nothing to do with her. Reaching him is even more difficult because she has a boyfriend, Jeremy, who has started to become full of himself after being elected co-captain of the varsity soccer team, and her flirtatious best friend Chelsea starts dating Drew soon after his arrival. So why can't she seem to get him out of her mind?

Even though Lizzie knows she should let go of her fascination with Drew, the pair of them soon find that fighting fate isn't going to be easy. Add to TBR

As I write this review, I listen to Across the Oceans - Worth the Fight song that was used in the unofficial book trailer video of Remembrance. You can find the book trailer video in the last part of this review. I hope you'll watch it, it's very beautiful and you'll even more appreciate it once you read and finish the book.

I learned that Remembrance was inspired by Taylor's Swift's Love Story music video and I became even more excited to read it. Love Story is one of my favorites and probably my most favorite of all Taylor Swift's songs. (If you haven't seen the music video, you might want to check it in YouTube. I cannot post it here due to copyright issue, sorry.)

We were both young when I first saw you.
I close my eyes, and the flashback starts,
I'm standing there,
On the balcony in summer air...
(from "Love Story" by Taylor Swift) ...

My Thoughts:

I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book and I'm glad to say that I'm not disappointed. Remembrance is well written and very engrossing, it even kept me awake way past my bed time. Ok, to be more precise, I read this book until past two in the morning. I was immediately absorbed by the story and I couldn't sleep until I knew what happened next. I really liked it and enjoyed it so much. This book was unputdownable!

Lizzie and Drew were two souls that reincarnated and were given a second chance to right the mistakes  they did on their past lives. But with Lizzie's boyfriend Jeremy and her best friend Chelsea, rewriting the past would never be that easy. Even though Lizzie and Drew were strongly attracted to each other, they couldn't be together since Lizzie has a boyfriend and Chelsea was determined to get Drew. 

Lizzie's character is easy to love and relate with. She tried to do what is right but her feelings with Drew cannot be ignored. I can't help feeling sad for her. Her relationship with Jeremy was once perfect but he became proud and controlling. And though I felt bad for Chelsea, I don't think she's been a good friend either. She's selfish and absolutely not a 'best friend' type of person to me. Well, as for Drew… he's gorgeous and swoon-worthy, who wouldn't love such a guy? The only thing is, he drives me crazy most of the time. He keeps pushing Lizzie away even though there is no doubt that he loves her. It was so frustrating to see how he's being so nice then turns cold and rude afterwards. The mystery behind Drew's behavior will keep you guessing and wondering all throughout the book. It makes the story exciting but frustrating at the same time. Reading this book to the end was entertaining and I wish there was more. Now, I'm excited to see what the next book has in store for us.

If you're going to ask me whether I will recommend this book, I'd say YES. Simply because it surpassed my expectations. I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. If you like love stories about reincarnation and past lives, a long lost love and second chances, Pride and Prejudice and minuet... then you'll always have something to love about this book. So yes, I recommend it because it's beautiful and it will captivate your heart. Just give this book a try.

My Rating:

Since I posted my review of Remembrance today, I would like to take this opportunity to announce that I'll be joining the PROJECT TELL TAYLOR Meme/Giveaway Hop that will be hosted by the lovely Author Michelle Madow. There's a big giveaway that I'm sure you don't want to miss! To know more about this event and how you can participate, just click the Project Tell Taylor link or the banner below. The hop will start on February 1st 2012.

Always and Forever.

TBR Intervention Challenge (15)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet 

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:

I finished both books this week and I'm happy because I enjoyed them a lot. I think I've read a pretty good set of books this January. I can't post the review for Blue Sky Days here on my blog until my schedule for the Blog Tour comes on February 10th. But you can read my review on Goodreads: Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry. 

I'll try to post my review on Remembrance (Transcend Time #1) by Michelle Madow next week and there will be huge giveaway coming on February 1st so I hope you can drop by and enter. PROJECT TELL TAYLOR is hosted by Author Michelle Madow and if you want to join, you can sign up for the hop too.

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

For this week's TBRIC, I think I'm going to start The Soul Screamers series: My Soul To Lose and/or My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent since I'm joining the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge with our friend Ron @ Stories of My Life (Ron, we can do this!) If you guys want to join in, you can still sign up! 

I'll be reading Clockwork Prince too and I'll start it today! Yay! I'm too ambitious this week picking up three books. I'm not sure if I could finish them all within a week (considering my previous TBRIC reputation) but I will try my best! =) 

So, what are you guys planning to commit this coming week?

P.S. So sorry, my post was delayed. I scheduled it last night and noticed that I entered Jan 22 instead of 21! Anyway, you can find Mr. LINKY at Dani's TBR IC post today. =)

Thursday Revisits (3): Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Thursday Revisits is a new meme hosted by Sam @ Books For All Seasons.

It's a weekly feature of book discussions about the characters, scenes, and plot of the book we read. It’s featured every Thursday.

Hey everyone! Welcome to my third Thursday Revisits post. I am so thrilled and excited to share with you another book that I absolutely loved. Today I'm going to feature FORBIDDEN by Tabitha Suzuma.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Read My Review Here
Add to TBR

She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.

And now, I am honored to have one of my loveliest, prettiest, smartest, nicest and sexiest friend of mine to discuss this book with me. Meet my FBBFF Mariam Jones:

Oops.. sorry. This is not her (obviously), he's actually one of Mariam's warm hot zombie-boyfriend book-boyfriend =P

Okay, here she is:

1. How many times have you read Forbidden?

April: Once. But I've read the last 2 or 3 chapters of the book many times.

Mariam: Just once , that's all my heart ( and stomach ) could handle !

April: Haha! I want to read it again but I don't have enough time. Mariam certainly had a heart and stomach for brain-eating zombies than this book! Lol

Mariam : brain eating zombies are so much easier to stomach than incest haha

2. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the book Forbidden?

April: The image of the book (?!) Honestly, that's the first thing I can think of. I easily picture the book with the red cover in my mind! hehe. But the second thing is sibling incest.

Mariam: Incest !

3. Describe Forbidden in one word.

April: Heartbreaking. (That's one word, right?)

Mariam: Disturbing ! I do totally agree with April , it was certainly heart breaking but more than anything , it was disturbing !

4. What is your most favorite part in the story?

April: The most favorite part (do I have to be honest?) hehe... The scene with Maya and Lochan in the bedroom. You know what I'm talking about. Okay, so I'm twisted! I'm sure I'm not alone.

Mariam: The bedroom scene would've normally been my favorite part because , let's face it , as gross as it was , it was also hot lol but I think my most favorite ( and also the part where I began to cry hysterically ) is when Lochan decided what he was going to do at the end to save his family . It showed what a tortured but selfless soul he was.

April: Yeah, I remember, we both cried in the bathroom because of that part. That was depressing and utterly sad.

Mariam : that will always be a moment we shared , even across the sea ! 

5. What part of the book you wish you didn't read?

April: I can't think of any :)

Mariam: None - the whole book was worth reading .

6. Forbidden tackled a very sensitive issue. What is your personal stand on sibling incest?

April: I've heard stories like this before on news and television and it's kind of gross. How much more when I imagine them kissing or touching. I don't want to judge other people (and I know I don't have the right to do so) but personally, I don't agree on incest at any kind.

Mariam: I say it's a big NO NO ! It's completely revolting.

7. If you would be given the opportunity to change some parts in the story, what will it be and why?
 
April: I would want Lochan and Maya to be together and live happily ever after instead of suffering such terrible fate. But if I change that it won't have the same impact anymore. I think that being so devastatingly sad and heartbreaking made this book remarkable. That makes the story hard to let go.

Mariam: I would change the fact that they were actually related. As much as it disgusted me , I wanted them to somehow be together.

8. Let's say you're a fairy godmother (oh my goodness, what a question) and you can grant one wish for Maya and Lochan, but you are not allowed to change their relationship, what would be that ONE wish?

April: Serious answer: I would give them a chance of having a normal and happy home. 
Not-so-serious answer: I would sacrifice Jace and give him to Maya. Who could ever resist JACE? Huh. And let Logan fall in love with someone else like Maya's bestfriend (what's her name again?)

Mariam: To fall in love with other people and be happy. And April, stop giving Jace away, he's mine ; )

April: Mariam, you practically agreed on everything except giving Jace away. Lol! But yeah, I might be devastated to give him away too. I'll think of somebody else then...

9. If you can be a character in Forbidden, who do you think you'll be?

April: Logan's girlfriend. What ?

Mariam: Maya's best friend , everyone else is royally screwed up.

April: *Spoiler* Hey! Maya has a bestfriend already! You can be Lochan's cellmate and probably help him escape? =P

Mariam: I thought that you meant if I could be one character that was already in the book...my bad !! I'd be a smoking hot chick that convinced Lochan that incest wasn't the way to go ; )

April: Smoking hot chick! Oh my. Maybe we can convince Tabitha to put us in her book! That would be exciting and disastrous! If I'm his gf and you're the smoking hot chick who will seduce him! LOL

10. Do you think the author made a satisfying ending with Forbidden?

April: *Spoiler* Yes. The ending is totally heartbreaking and I didn't expect that to happen. But I can't think of any better way to end the story. Even from the start, their love was never meant to be.

Mariam: Satisfying??? No , I wasn't satisfied , I was heart broken and devastated ! But personal feelings aside , yes , it was a good ending for the type of book it was.

11. If you are going to re-write the ending of Forbidden, how do you think it will end?

April: Okay, don't laugh. Lochan and Maya are not really related. Lochan is adopted, probably son of one of the rich people in London. He was bailed out of prison by her very influential parents and then he was able to help Maya and her siblings financially and they live happily ever after in the end. Haha! I was kinda hoping for that.Hey, I can dream :P

Mariam: I believe April and I have the same idea , I'd make them not related somehow and able to be together . They'd graduate school and both be able to move away and take their siblings with them and start a new life together.

April: Mariam and I are suckers for happy endings :)

12. Do you recommend this book?

April: Yes but not to everyone. Only to those who are not easily disgusted by stories that deals with this kind of issue--sibling incest. It might be disturbing and disgusting to some readers. Please read my review! =)

Mariam: to certain people I would but not everyone. The content is incredibly disturbing and many people probably wouldn't enjoy it.

That's it! =) I hope you guys enjoyed our short conversation. We had fun doing this little chat and I'm so happy that you came here to visit the post. 

Thank you so much Mariam for doing the discussion with me. Sending you my *HUGS* =) and lots of smooches! XOXO!

Waiting On Wednesdays (18)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

BLOOD RED ROAD is one of my most favorite book ever and I can't tell you how much I anticipate this sequel. I was surprised and shocked (in a very good way) when I saw the cover of Dust Lands #2 and isn't it enticing? Jack is on the cover! Wohoo! =) If you enjoyed (devoured) and loved Hunger Games, Maze Runner, and other dystopian books but yet to read Blood Red Road by Moira Young, I urge you to do so. It's an awesome book! You can read my review here >> Blood Red Road (only if you want to, but I hope you will =).

Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2)

Author: Moira Young

Publication Date: October 30th 2012

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Summary on Goodreads:
The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued.
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well.
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba.
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands.
Then a messenger shows up.
With news of Jack.
Add to TBR.

Book Review: SHATTER ME by Tehereh Mafi

Shatter Me (Shatter Me #1)

Author: Tehereh Mafi

Publication Date: November 15th 2011

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal, Romance

Summary on Goodreads:
The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

In this electrifying debut, Tahereh Mafi presents a world as riveting as The Hunger Games and a superhero story as thrilling as The X-Men. Full of pulse-pounding romance, intoxicating villainy, and high-stakes choices, Shatter Me is a fresh and original dystopian novel—with a paranormal twist—that will leave readers anxiously awaiting its sequel.

My Thoughts:

The world is flat.

I know because I was tossed right off the edge and I've been trying to hold on for 17 years. I've been trying to climb back up for 17 years but it's nearly impossible to beat gravity when no one is willing to give you a hand. - Juliette

This book shattered my heart captured my heart from the very beginning up to the end. The writing is powerful and captivating, it was hard to put down.

264 days of isolation. Juliette has been locked up in a cell consisting of 4 walls and 1 window. She hadn't seen  or touched a single human being for  3 years until Adam Kent was sent to be her cellmate. That's where the story began and I was hooked immediately, excited to know who the boy was, and his connection to Juliette. I was excited to know why The Reestablishment put Juliette in the institution and why they suddenly put a boy in her room. I loved how the story was written in such a way that it became even more effective to see what's in Juliette's head and the things she had been thinking and feeling and I hope I could see Adam in the same way.

"Of course I remember you." My voice strangled whisper. I squeeze my eyes shut. I remember you every day forever in every broken moment of my life. "You were the only one who ever looked at me like a human being." - Juliette

You're going to love Adam Kent. It is always one of the things I look for in a story. A guy whom I can see myself rooting for. He's one of those sweet, sexy and dependable guy that you will put on your list of swoon-worthy book boyfriends that will make you fall in love over again. With a strong hero comes a strong heroine and a book is dull without them. Juliette is definitely one tough girl and I liked her because she has a good heart. I don't think I can describe Juliette in a more effective way than this, so I chose Adam's exact words as she said this words to her.

"A million times... I saw you do things like that a million times. But you never said a word unless it was forced out of you... You never asked for anything from anyone... But no one ever gave you a chance."  -Adam

I always loved a character with goodness in their heart because they inspire me... to do good, to think right. Juliette is one of those heroines that I tend to love because of that. Not just a kick-ass, but also kind-hearted.

What I liked most about this book is the love story and that the words were written beautifully and effectively. It was surprisingly good and refreshing since I didn't expected it to be some kind of superhero thing. I realized that Juliette actually reminds me of Rogue. I wonder if Tehereh Mafi is a fan of X-Men and if she, too (like me) is fascinated by Rogue. It was quite interesting and I am excited to see how the things will turn out in the next books.

I loved everything about this book except for the world-building which I think is lacking. I hope that the author gave us a clear picture of the "The Reestablishment", the leaders, and the society. Dystopian novels is one of my favorite genre, and it's important (I think) that we are given a clear image of the dystopian world and what it takes to live in that horrific period. Other than that, this book is great in many ways. 

An engaging book like this with strong characters and amazing story line will win the hearts of readers who enjoy paranormal-dystopian novels with deliciously crafted romance. The whole story is gripping, the ending is satisfying, and the experience... shattering.

My Rating:

Cheaper Mondays (2)

<br /> <a border="0" href="http://books4juliet.blogspot.com/p/features.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa436/i4thmonth/CheaperMondays.png" / width="200" /></a><br />

Cheaper Mondays is a feature hosted by Books4Juliet that showcases cheap e-books that are available for purchase or download. You can join me on this feature by writing your own post on your blog and leave us a link, or share us your cheaper finds by leaving comments on this post. By doing so, we can help readers and bloggers find amazing books to buy and read without spending too much. 

This is my second post for Cheaper Mondays and right here I'm sharing you some cheap eBooks I found in Amazon.com. These books gathered lots of good reviews and I'm excited to read these too. Hope you like them!

Waterfall (River of Time, Book 1)
by Lisa Tawn Bergren
Buy Kindle eBook

What do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world? 

Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives among the romantic hills with their archaelogist parents. Stuck among the rubble of the medieval castles in rural Tuscany, on yet another hot, dusty archaeological site, Gabi and Lia are bored out of their minds...until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces.

Suddenly Gabi's summer in Italy is much, much more interesting.

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have)
by Sarah Mlynowski

See My 5 - Coffee Cup Review Here

Buy Kindle eBook

2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house – parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harboring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time.

Significance (Significance, Book 1)
by Shelly Crane
Buy Kindle eBook

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football scholarship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has. Then she meets Caleb. She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally. They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive. Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him. Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?

Chasing Rainbows

by Kathleen Long

Buy Kindle eBook

What's that saying about the devil you know? For Bernadette Murphy, it's the devil she never expected that changes everything. Her father's sudden death leaves a gaping void in her life and is one in a series of events that rock her world. But with the discovery of her father's book of cryptograms, Bernie realizes his encoded lessons in living may be exactly what she needs to survive. 

When Bernie finds herself in trouble at home, out of work and banned from the mall after a confrontation at the cosmetic counter, she discovers what her father always knew. In life, you either choose to sing a rainbow, or you don't.

For Bernie, the singing is about to begin.

Do you have some books to share?

TBR Intervention Challenge (14)

TBR Intervention is a weekly challenge hosted by 

Dani@RefractedLight , Ayanami@Whatever you Can Still Betray,

and April@Books4Juliet 

Everyone is WELCOME to JOIN this meme. Just click the image TBR Intervention Button above to see the rules and read more about this feature.

MY LAST WEEK'S TBRIC:
I'm not done with Blue Sky Days but I finished Shatter Me by Tehereh Mafi last night (Yay!) and I'm so glad that I read it. I'll be posting my review soon. As promised, here's my review of New Girl by Paige Harbison.

THIS WEEK'S TBRIC:

For this week's TBRIC, I will continue with Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry. I'm also considering these books that has been waiting on my bookshelf for a while now and has been always included in my TBRIC books-to-choose-from list :) Yet, I won't promise anything since I also got Clockwork Prince, Remembrance, Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Soul Screamers Vol.1 waiting to be devoured. I hope I can read at least two books these week and be able to write my pending reviews. 2012 started quite well, but my reading is still kinda slow and unproductive. How about you guys?

You can also grab the Linky Code here: get the InLinkz code

Book Review: NEW GIRL by Paige Harbison

New GirlAuthor: Paige Harbison
Publication Date: January 31st 2012
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary

Summary on Goodreads:

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back. Add to TBR

My Thoughts:

I never thought that I would enjoy this book so much. I didn't know it was scary until I started reading it and felt like I was going to have a heart attack since I was controlling my breath all throughout the story. I didn't read the reviews beforehand to avoid any spoilers and I didn't realized that it was a spooky book (if I knew, I wouldn't pick it up) but then I'm glad I read it.

New Girl is a retelling of the classic story Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. I'm not familiar with the book and I haven't read it yet, so I can't really compare the two. I heard it was good though. Anyway, New Girl is a story about the girl who transferred to Manderly Academy in her senior year of high school after a spot became available for a new student. She didn't know that she was replacing Becca Normandy, the missing popular girl who is greatly-adored, idolized and loved by almost all of the students attending the academy. Becca's sudden disappearance was a mystery to the school and to all the Manderly students except for the very unwelcoming Dana--Becca's bestfriend and soon-to-be the New Girl's roommate. The story follows the mystery behind Becca's disappearance and the New Girl's struggle to fit with the students who accused her of trying to replace their perfect and well-loved Becca. Being the New Girl doesn't end there... With Max Holloway (Becca's ex-boyfriend) and Johnny Parker, she was caught in the game of secrets and lies, a game created by Becca to get the attention she'd desperately desired.

I can't write everything I wanted to tell about this book without giving away too much. The story is scary in a good way and the mysteries kept me turning the pages in desperate hope of unraveling the secrets behind Becca and her games. The characters are good, even though I can't say that they were easy to connect with. I can't tell who I liked more between the two gorgeous guys, Max and Johnny. They both have deeper personality and I find both boys to be mysterious especially Max. I hate Dana. So. Much. She's a bitch. She will do everything to make the New Girl's life miserable. Becca is a bitch for doing things that are unacceptable, but she, too was miserable and felt unloved. Somehow I understand her. She would die for attention and she's willing to do everything and anything to get what she wants. Maybe, both girls are just... desperate, troubled. I don't understand why the whole school acted like that too. It was weird and sometimes unbelievable. I felt sad for the New Girl though I can't fully understand her feelings and her actions. I can't totally connect with her, but I didn't hate her. I can't see the connection between Max and the New Girl but I wanted them to be together. It would be really nice to see what will happen to them and to Johnny after their life at Manderly. Yes, I am hoping that there is another book to continue the story, but I was satisfied nonetheless.

The author wrote with such beautiful structure and I appreciate how she made the story scary and yet enjoyable for me to read. I used to avoid stories like these but as I've said a while ago, I'm glad that I read it. You'll never know the truth until you reach the last part, and that's what got me hooked from the beginning. I didn't even realized that I didn't know the main character's name until Max said it in the end. It was a shocking surprise! I wondered why I didn't notice that at all. I guess I was really absorbed by the story that I didn't realized I was missing that one!

If you were going to ask me if I would recommend this book, my answer is yes. I know it has mixed reviews but you'll never know it until you read it. So yes, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novels with twisted characters and mysterious plot.

My Rating:

Thursday Revisits (2): SHADE by Jeri Smith-Ready

Thursday Revisits is a new meme hosted by Sam @ Books For All Seasons.

It's a weekly feature of book discussions about the characters, scenes, and plot of the book we read. It’s featured every Thursday.

Today, I am so excited to share with you my second Thursday Revisits post. It's not only because of the book I'm going to feature, but because I have here with me, a very good friend and FBBFF of mine:

Kristin @ Better Read Than Dead

If you haven't know her or visited her blog, you must do so... she's nice, very kind, thoughtful, generous and I'd say... selfless. I am happy to be her friend and I'm glad that she agreed to do this discussion with me. 

Add to TBR

Read Books4Juliet's Review on Shade

Read Kristin's Review on Shade @ Better Read Than Dead

1. How many times did you read Shade? 
 

April: Once. But I plan to read it again (in the future, I hope). 

Kristin: I have actually read it twice. When I really get into a book, I tend to fly through the pages so I reread it immediately to figure out what I missed. I always miss something good too.

April: Twice! Wow! I am jealous!

Kristin: Oh don't be jealous, if I didn't read like a maniac, I wouldn't have to read books twice...LOL!

2. What do you like most about this book?
 
April: Logan and Zach :) hehe. I guess, it's the way the story and the characters touched my heart. It's sad and it's heart-breaking, but then it's also beautiful and full of love. 

Kristin: There's so much that I love about this story it's hard to decide what I like best. Jeri created such a moving and beautiful tale in an extraordinary world. There are so many lessons to be learned from Shade on a much deeper level.However, Logan and Zach definitely rate right at the top. :) What's not to love about two hot guys?

April: Oh, I remember, there are three hot guys! Dylan... You love Dylan!

3. What's one thing you didn't like? 
 
April: I can't think of any... hmm.. how about you Kristin?

Kristin: There's truly not anything I didn't like about Shade. I was certainly disappointed in a certain hot boy's behavior but that is what made the book...right?

April: I agree ;)

4. What is your most favorite scene? 
 
April: I have lots of favorite scenes. One scene I won't forget is when Logan sang his song for Aura. It's very sad and I almost cried. Then the other part is when Logan was in the courtroom and he confessed his feelings for Aura. That was just the most romantic thing ever. I loved him even more that time. Let me quote this one part I so love and remember, "I can't touch, but I can still feel. And I tell you, if this were my life... I wouldn't want to live." (Logan).

Kristin: April, you took the words right out of my mouth, there are so many great scenes. I love the two you mentioned, although, I do love Logan's going away performance but I really can't say anymore about that without spoiling everything.

April: Oh, right. Are we spoiling anything? hehe...

Kristin: I don't think so...there's so much more that happens in every scene...it's all good

5. Who is your favorite female character?

April: Aura.

Kristin: Yeah...I agree, April. Aura is super awesome.

6. Kilt or Keeley? 
 
April: Kilt for Aura. Keeley for ME. Hahaha!

Kristin: Thank goodness April wants Keeley because I call Kilt. Luckily, this is one thing April and I don't have in common.

April: Haha! Lots of competition when it comes to Zach. Everybody loves him.. in kilt or even kiltless.

Kristin: Did you say kiltless...where?

April: Oh my goodness. Lol!

7. A pre-shifter or a post-shifter? 
 
April: A post-shifter. When everybody around me can see ghosts and will point at me saying "there's someone beside you" who I can't see, then it will just freak me out even more. So I think I prefer to see the ghosts rather than not seeing them but knowing they are there.

Kristin: So true April. I want to know who's standing behind me or beside me. I don't want to be guessing if there's a ghost lurking nearby. Creepy...

April: I thought so, too! I wish I could see Logan, too :P

Kristin: Oh, Logan would definitely be the first ghost I would want to see...and possibly the last. LOL

8. If you're going to be a post-shifter, whose ghost do you want to see? 
 
April: My grandmother. She always seemed to be proud of me when I was little, and she loved me very much. I want to see her again and see what she thinks of me now. 

Kristin: Me, well, I would love to see my son again. He was the happiest little boy ever and I would like to know that he is still happy. 

April: I knew it, Kristin :) I would wish it for you, too.

Kristin: Thanks April. I would want you to see your grandma also.

9. Did Shade end the way you wanted? 
 
April: Yes. A cliff-hanger, but really good. I can't think of a better ending.

Kristin: The only thing I would have changed is to release all three books simultaneously...HeHeHe

April: That would be awesome! I'll grab the books right away!

Kristin: Right?

10. If you're going to be a character in Shade, who do you think you'll be? 
 
April: Hmm... A ghost? haha. So Logan and I can have a happily ever after! I'm just concerned about Logan, having no partner at all. See, I'm a nice person. LOL.

Kristin: I want to be Dylan's girlfriend because next to Logan (who's dead) and Zach (who's taken), I love him the most. Just wait to see him in Shift. WOW!

April: Hahaha! You're a cradle snatcher! He's too young! But I agree, he's so adorable and I'm sure he'll be a hot grown-up man.

Kristin: I just love him in Shift. He's so...spunky...LOL

11. Do you recommend the book? 
 
April: DEFINITELY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT. So, if you haven't picked up this book, go get it!

Kristin: GO. RUN. IMMEDIATELY. GET IT...You won't be sorry!

Thank you Kristin for doing this meme with me. *Hugs*