My first Giveaway!!

You

Could be a winner!

Thats right y'all, I'm hosting my first giveaway. 

Why? Cause I feel like it :P And for all those awesome people that have stayed with me thus far definitely deserve some loving! 

So, what's the prize? 1 book of your choice from the Book Depository, so long as it is less than US $10 (sorry, can't afford more than that :P )

This is open internationally so long as the Book Depository ships to your country!


Also, please bear with me as this is my first giveaway. I hope everything works out! *fingers crossed!*

But, before I get to the entry form I have a few updates:
1. I now have linky followers so if you can't follow via GFC that is an alternative
2. Over the next 2 weeks I have reviews of Destiny's Fire, The Immortal Rules, Starters, and Grave Mercy
3. A discussion post of Fever and Wither for the Catch Wither Fever event
4. Mid to the end of April will be extremely busy for me so I'm not sure how much I will accomplish during that time. Moving will definitely keep me busy :P 

Now, ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!

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Follow Friday (4)

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It is a fun way to find new blogs and get new followers.

Q: Do you read one book at a time or do you switch back and forth between two or more?

To be honest, I don't have a set answer for this. Sometimes I only read one book at a time (more often than not, especially if it's good) and sometimes I read as many as 3. As of right now I'm reading Starters and Scary School but I think I might go ahead and start Dark Eyes too just because I want something with a ton of action. It really just depends on what mood I'm in. 

What about y'all? Can you multi-task or are you a 1 book kinda person? 

All the best ♥

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The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats

The Wicked and the Just
by J. Anderson Coats
Pages: 352
Format: ebook
Source: Netgalley


Rating: DNF (for now-I might pick it up again)


Goodreads Snyposis: 
Cecily’s father has ruined her life. He’s moving them to occupied Wales, where the king needs good strong Englishmen to keep down the vicious Welshmen. At least Cecily will finally be the lady of the house.

Gwenhwyfar knows all about that house. Once she dreamed of being the lady there herself, until the English destroyed the lives of everyone she knows. Now she must wait hand and foot on this bratty English girl.

While Cecily struggles to find her place amongst the snobby English landowners, Gwenhwyfar struggles just to survive. And outside the city walls, tensions are rising ever higher—until finally they must reach the breaking point.

My Review:

Yes, I am DNFing a book that has been on my TBR forever and that I was eagerly anticipating. But just because I'm not finishing this book, it doesn't mean its not good. In fact, it had many good things, but there was just one aspect that I couldn't get past.

The good:

Writing: The writing was phenomenal. It's obvious that the author did her homework and cared enough about making this book as real as possible via the language. While reading, I truly felt as if I had been transported back in time! I always love when the author takes the time to write in the language relevant to that time. 

Also, the characters weren't that bad either. I'll admit, Cecily is not what I normally like and although I didn't love her, I didn't hate her, which is weird considering I normally don't like those with her personality. She's a spoiled rotten little priss pot, but for some reason I found her misery and the way she talked to be kind of funny. She was so overdramatic that it was humorous. Gwenny, is the complete opposite of her. Since I only got about half-way through the book, I haven't read too much about her, but from what I have read she is fiercely loyal and defiant. 

Why I DNF: 

1. 

While its writing is perhaps its greatest strength, it is also perhaps its greatest weakness. Don't get me wrong, as I said before, I love when the author takes the time to write in the language relevant to that time, but it could've been taken down a notch. There were too many words that I had a hard time understanding. Normally, context clues are more than enough, but in this case, sometimes they were not.

2. 

Another reason I didn't care for this is because it was not what I was expecting. Normally, even in historical fiction books, I like my characters strong and defiant and if they know how to wield a weapon, all the better. I expected scandals. Not to mention, a hot male lead definitely wouldn't hurt. That's not what happens. Cecily is taken from her home to live in Wales. So far, it is mostly her complaining and trying to fit in. I guess from the synopsis that there would be more action. I figured the fighting would have started by now. But, alas, it has not.

3. 

However, my main reason for not finishing this book, is the lack of direction and plot. Normally, the book is leading somewhere. There is a mystery to solve, or something to find, but I couldn't figure out the plot to this book. What's the point of this book? What are these characters looking for? What are they striving towards? I'll admit, I'm impatient. I like my action to start right from the beginning. I got 46% through and I still don't know exactly what is supposed to happen. This feels more like a biography than a story. Normally, even if I don't like the characters of a book, if the plot is still interesting, I'll continue to read it and vice versa. However, this time neither the characters nor plot are phenomenal enough to keep me going. I think this lack of plot is what really pushed me away. 

Overall:

This book wasn't a book that I wanted to throw across the room or anything, its just not one that I wanted to hug either. I encourage those who like heavy historical fiction and girls that really fit into that time period (prissy, rich girls) to read this. Will I pick this up again? I hope so. I'll just have to do it when I have a lot of time that I can dedicated to it.

All the best ♥

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Fever (Chemical Garden #2) by Lauren DeStefano

Fever (Chemical Garden #2) 
By Lauren DeStefano
Pages: 341
Source: Library
Format: Hardback


Rating: I liked it


Goodreads Synopsis: 
Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind.

Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness.

The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary.

In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever.

My Review:

To be honest, I didn't go into this with high expectations and that might be why I enjoyed it more than most. I know a lot of other people didn’t like this novel and thought it was boring, but, personally, I thought more happened in this novel than in its predecessor.

Plot:

I thought the beginning was very interesting, albeit disturbing. Rhine and Gabrielle are finally free from the mansion but are they actually free? Within the first few chapters, they once again find themselves captured, this time by a crazy gypsy woman who owns a circus brothel. To see these girls is heartbreaking but with life spans being so short love is a lost commodity. Most just want to be less lonely, if only for a bit and are therefore, willing to be with any amount of men. This part had my heart-racing because I wanted to know what was going to happen to Rhine and Gabriel. Was Rhine going to end up like those empty shells of girls? This part was crazy and exotic with its mad circus-mistress, young prostitutes and drug-hazed atmosphere. I liked the creepy circus feel throughout the beginning of the book. It was both creepy and intriguing. 

And this was all fine and dandy up until the middle of the book. Meh. I have to say that I could've skipped a good majority of it and not missed a thing. It was way to repetitive. While yes, that part of the journey is necessary, it definitely could have been shortened. A lot. The only thing that actually kept me interested during this part was the writing. I'll give the author credit when it comes to her beautiful writing. That in and of itself is what kept me going during the boring parts (now that I think about it, same thing happened in Wither). With this beautiful writing, she creates amazing atmospheres that are both eerily creepy and beautiful

Then, the last couple chapters start to pick up. You finally start to see something! Woot! though I don't want to give much away, it leaves me excited for the third book because we might actually get to learn about this darn virus! And this brings me to....

World-building:

I'm still so lost. I'm not sure if this is 100 years in the future (there is a "kind of" reference that means this might be possible) or heck, it could be just 10 years in the future. And while there are holograms and what-not, and the buildings are kind of dilapidated, I don't really get a feel for this world. Though, you do get to know that America is all thats left. But what is the virus exactly? We still don't know how it came to be. All we know is that it kills people off at a young age. Um...Okay. Well how did it start? What were they actually trying to do when they accidentally created a virus? How come it kills everyone off at the same age (girls-20, boys-25)? How does it know when someone is that age? I know nothing and I hate that. Ugh...

Characters:

Rhine was much like she was in her previous novel: brave, defiant, determined. However, this time, I believe she actually learned the cost of freedom. She really learns to think through her choices. Is it better to be well fed and taken care of but have not happiness or freedom? Or is it better to be free, fall in love and be happy, if only for a short while? These are the questions that plague Rhine throughout Fever and she must learn what is worth it, and what isn't. However, sometimes, she thought about her past life too often and it became weary. She got what she wanted, and yes, there are always the what ifs in life, but since this is what she wanted from the beginning, she needs to be happy. 

I'm also glad we get to see more of Gabriel. I didn't like him in the previous novel, because he was hardly ever there. However, you learn that he is an incredibly sweet guy that truly cares for Rhine and wants to make her happy, even if that means leaving the comfort of the Mansion for a world unknown to him. 

Issues: 

This book also brings up many ethical and moral issues such as the sexualization of women. Its sad that in this world, all women are good for is for having children. Its always 1 man with a bajillion wives. Guys get all the choices and can do as they please while the women are left being used for their bodies. Its sick, disgusting, and quite heart-breaking. Love is a lost thing in this world. With time being so short, most don't fall in love like in the olden days when you knew you have 50 some odd years together. In this world you'd be lucky having 5. So, instead of actually falling in love with a women, they are only used to keep the populace alive. Would you be like that? If you knew you only have 20 years to live, would you do anything, including prostitution, just to be a little less lonely just for a little while? 

Overall:

This book was very interesting, although the middle definitely could have been shortened. While the world-building still leaves a lot to be desired, I'll admit the writing is stunningly beautiful, sometimes making me forget the lack of plot and world-building. I think if you enjoyed Wither you'll still enjoy Fever. 

All the best ♥

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Hunger Games Movie Review

THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING
Loved! 

(just as it should!)


Alright, alright, I know you've seen about a bajillion of these things so I'll try and keep it brief (and probably fail miserably) :P

Let me first give congratulations to the director for doing a fantastic job of staying as true to the story as possible. They truly did an amazing job of following the books.

Actors:

I think the actors did very well, especially the actors that played Katniss, Haymitch and Effie. Actually, I think Haymitch and Effie were my favorite! I loved the banter between them! And the guy who portrayed President Snow sounded all nice and what-not until you actually listened to what he said. The guys insane. Kids dying? No prob. You piss him off? Death by berries! Yeah, he's a few bricks short of a full load. 

Imagery and world-building: 

They did a fan-friggin-tastic job with the Capitol fashions! Wow! They were just as crazy, if not more so, than I imagined! Whoever the stylist was definitely deserves credit. District 12 was just as run-down and dirty as I imagined and the CGI for the Capitol was incredible! Overall, they did a great job of showing Collins' world, both the good and bad.

Plot:

If you're one of the extremely nit-picky people...you won't like it. Yes, there are some differences, but for me, so long as they don't change the story, then it doesn't bother me. However, for those who can't stand anything to be changed, I'm sure there are things that will bug you. For example, Prim is the one that gives Katniss the pin, not Madge. However, if your like me and don't mind small changes, then you'll love it! 

However, there are a few things that really bothered me and that was the CGI mutant dogs....they looked like overgrown bulldogs. That's not how they are described. They are supposed to be more wolf-like and look like the tributes! Also, the cornucopia! what?! It didn't even look like a cornucopia! Also I have a love/hate relationship with Katniss' and Peeta's relationship. Since the book has a lot of first person thoughts, I know its hard to bring it into the movie, but I'm not sure how I feel. In the book you know that Katniss is only doing it for the Games but in the movie it was very hard to portray that and they didn't even add the part where Peeta finds out in the end. I'm guessing that'll happen in the next book. But I still enjoyed it. 


Though I absolutely loved the fact that they actually showed the gamemakers working their magic and when they showed Caesar addressing the people of the Capitol and letting them know what was going on. Since the novel is in first-person, we learn a lot of information via Katniss' thoughts. By adding this view of the gamemakers and Caesar, it gives us that information via the outside (Capitol). For example, you learn about the Tracker Jackers through Katniss' thoughts in the books but you learn about them when you see Caesar addressing the Capitol (like a news anchor.)


I also know that a lot of people had problems with the shaky camera, but for me I think it fit. Yes, it was sometimes annoying but a) they couldn't show all that blood and keep it PG-13 so the shakiness helps make it look rough without all the blood and b) it made it more like a documentary and more like a reality show which is all it actually is. 


And don't even get me started on the part with Rue! I almost cried!! It was just so emotional! 


Overall:
The directors and actors did an excellent job of bringing the book to the big screen. They had a lot to live up to and they did a pretty darn good job of it. Now, every book to movie has its faults, but I believe whether your a fan or just a person who thought it might look good, you'll enjoy it. 

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In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren in which we showcase books we borrowed/bought/won in the past week.

This IMM is from over the last two weeks.

Netgalley:

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

o_O Mind is blown by the pure awesomeness that is The Immortal Rules. I devoured it (hehe). Look for a review coming soon! 

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Wow. I just noticed that incredibly creepy face in the lower left hand side. Freaky.

Shadow on the Moon by Zoë Marriott

I've never read anything by this author but I've heard some good things so I hope I'll like it :)

The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

Sounds intriguing, no? I must say I'm pretty psyched! 

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

I love myself some historical fiction! 

Bought via Amazon:

Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

After reading Small Review's review I knew I had to get my hands on it. Sounds great! 

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Dragons? Faeries? Humans? That sounds like an interesting combination to me! Though, am I the only one that finds that cover slightly creepy? 

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell

Female thief? A secret past? Yes please!

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Shapeshifters and princes? Can't wait to get started. 

So I think that's about all I got in the past two weeks. What about y'all? 

All the best ♥

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The Hunger Games (the Hunger Games #1) by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)
by Suzanne Collins
Release Date: October 31, 2008
Pages: 374
Format: ebook
Source: bought/Amazon


Rating: Fantastic


Goodreads Synopsis: 
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.


My Review: 


Wow....just wow. Absolutely amazing. Honestly, just as emotional and fantastic as the first time I read it. I don't even know where to start this review!




200 years earlier, the USA was destroyed and in its midst rose the Capitol with its surrounding 13 districts. Each district has its own way of living and for a time lived peacefully. However, after a time, the districts rose up against the Capitol and a rebellion ensued. With its superior weaponry and technology, the Capitol defeated the districts and completely obliterated District 13. To show the districts how superior Capitol is, each year two children, one boy and one girl from each district, are chosen to fight to the death in The Hunger Games. 24 enter, 1 comes out. Let the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games begin.




Y'all need to understand that I am not and emotional person when it comes to books. No, I promise I'm not heartless, I just don't cry easily. Yes, during books my heart rate accelerates and I'll feel bad for the characters, but I don't actually cry. This is one of the only books where I have come this close to tears. And thats saying something.




But before I get into all the emotional part of this book, I want to first talk about the characters.




Katniss is fantastic. She's incredibly strong and fierce. Now, that's my favorite type of heroine and I know that sometimes these types start to blend together but something I love about her is the fact that although she may be these things like so many other heroines out there, she's not exactly lovable and witty like most others. She's standoffish and a loner and it takes a long time for someone to get through to her. She's mature beyond her years because she has to be. She became the sole supporter of her family at such a young age and it hardened her. She's a survivor. But sometimes this hard exterior became her downfall because she couldn't always see what's right in front of her: the fact that people care about her. However, although its hard to get past her hardened exterior, once you do, she is an incredibly kind and admirable person. This is especially shown through her actions at the reaping. She cared so much for her family that she was willing to risk her life, knowing that her chances for returning home were slim, just to keep her sister safe. If thats not worthy of respect, then I don't know what is.




Peeta is also a great character. He's pretty much the complete opposite of Katniss. He's personable, caring, and charming. He truly cares about Katniss even if she can't see it herself. Even though you don't get to know to much about him since this is from Katniss' perspective, you can still see that he has admirable qualities too. Normally I like the alpha male and the bad-boy (I guess its kinda my weakness) but I do also fall for the sweet, respectful guys and I fell head-over-heels for his heart.




As for secondary characters? Amazing. Each was unique in their own way. Effie, sweetly oblivious Effie. Haymitch, who may drink a bit to much, but has a heart under that surly exterior. Cinna, who truly cares about Katniss even though he hardly knows her. Even the other tributes each had their own personalities that made them unique (Don't even get me started on Rue!).




This book was just so incredibly emotional. 24 kids go into an arena and only 1 comes out. I honestly can't even imagine being in their situation. I know that I would do whatever it took to survive, but how would that change me? Each tribute was just trying to survive. They didn't want to be there (well, except a few), but were forced to be. When your facing your immediate death, what would you do? Survival changes people. These different reactions to their situations were shown remarkably well through all the different tributes. Collins' does a fantastic jobs of showing how different people would fare in this situation. While all the bloodshed in the arena itself is disturbing, perhaps the most disturbing thing for me was the fact that the people of the Capitol enjoyed it. Children were dying and to them it was just entertainment. They were completely oblivious!! It was all just a game to them. So long as they were entertained, they were happy. It was sick. Completely and utterly sick.




And to be honest, I felt awful for the other tributes, even as they tried to kill Katniss and Peeta. How could you not? They were thrown into a situation many of them weren't prepared for and just trying to get home. Although they were her enemies, I felt pity and guilt right along with Katniss. She, too, understands that they were only doing what they had to do just like she was.




My words can't even begin to describe all the emotions and feelings you get when reading this book. The Hunger Games may be a dark book about death and destruction, but within its dark exterior is a beautiful story full of survival, hope and fighting for what you love. May the odds be ever in your favor. 


All the best ♥
Mackenzie

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Dragonfly by Julia Golding

Dragonfly
by Julia Golding
Release Date: October 1, 2009
Pages: 390
Format: Hardback
Source: Hickam AFB Library


Rating: I liked it/I enjoyed it


Goodreads Snyopsis: 
Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he's not too pleased, either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance.

When Tashi and Ram are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape--from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure--including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of spies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen--help them or betray them to the enemy?


Short and Sweet:


Dragonfly turned out to be a rather enjoyable read. Quests, hate turned love romance, and rebellions? All the makings for a good book. Golding did a fantastic job of creating this world and showing how the drastically different cultures interact. While I didn't love the characters, I liked them. Tashi, who didn't want to be a princess, yet was devout in her duties and true to heart. She ended up being a strong leader who stood up for what she believed in and what she knew to be true. Ramil, who acted like a 2 year old at the beginning, redeemed himself and grew throughout. He learned to be a good and resourceful leader and to trust in himself. Sometimes the writing seem amateurish but overall it was good. Golding has an excellent knack for delving into the minds of her characters a really thinking through their decisions. If you enjoy action, adventure, and fantasy, I think this is a book worth picking up. 

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Wither (The Chemical Garden #1) by Lauren DeStefano

Wither (The Chemical Garden #1)
by Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 358
Format: Hardback
Source: Library


Rating: I really liked it


Goodreads Synopsis:


By age sixteen, Rhine Ellery has four years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can’t bring herself to hate him as much as she’d like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband’s strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day and feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape--before her time runs out?Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her seventeenth birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?


My Review:


At first, I was pretty hesitant to read this book for various reasons. However, in the end my curiosity won out and I just had to get my hands on it. And, to be honest, I'm glad I did. 


Rhine was an enjoyable character who was defiant from the start. As soon as she became a sister wife, she knew she wouldn't do it and I found this rebelliousness enjoyable. If I was in her position I'd have a very hard time conforming to that way of life. I know I'd do anything to get out of it. 


Cecily, a fellow sister wife, was....annoying. Incredibly so. But, on the other hand I understood why. She's the youngest and thinks that all there is to life is becoming a sister wife. She just wants to grow up and be the best one out there. She was just an innocent girl doing what she was taught to believe. 


I had a love/hate relationship with the last sister wife, Jenna. On one had she was defiant and knew it was wrong, but she also conceded to it. While it does explain why, it was still frustrating to me. I wish she would have fought more. However, she was incredibly sweet and cared for her fellow wives. 


Although I had my faults with the different sister wives, I like the fact DeStefano created characters that each had different reactions to their situation. If this had happened in real life, each person would react differently to their various situations and I like the fact that the author took the liberty to create characters that show the different behaviors people would have. 


Now to the boys in the story. Linden…..how sweetly oblivious you are! Even from the beginning I liked him even though what he was doing was wrong. It was simply because he was also doing what he was taught like Cecily. They both thought that how they acted was the “norm” so they just followed suit. He was a respectful and sweet man and I hope to see what happens to him in the sequel. 


Gabriel was sweet too, though I don’t feel like I know him very well. That is one thing that bothered me about this. He was the love interest, yet I just didn’t feel it. He was Rhine's friend at the beginning and then you hardly see him for about 2oo pages and them Bam! they're in love. :? I hope in the next book we get to see more of him so I can actually understand why she likes him. 


And Lindens dad……I don’t feel like he came across as evil as he was supposed to. He just didn’t……click I guess. He wasn't in there often enough for the whole "creepy villain" persona to come across. 



The plot was very interesting. Honestly, I can’t even imagine being in that situation! I have no idea what I would do! And that bring me to a great part of this book. It makes you think! Crazy, right? Just imagine yourself in Rhine’s situation…..would you rebel like her? Would you strive to be the perfect sister wife? Or would you hate it but simply give in? I know that I would hope I was the defiant, rebellious one doing my best to get out but who knows?! I do know one thing, I would probably be a hermit if our world was ever like that. I’d be terrified of going outside just in case I was captured! Not to mention, there are also plenty of moral and ethical issues in this book that really make you consider things (P.S. I plan on having a discussion post on this later :P) 


There was one thing I couldn’t wrap my head around….the world. I mean I just had a hard time believing that the only difference between our world now and their world was the fact that everybody died young. [ like at the end? they get out and voila! she describes their world just like ours! I'm sorry, but that's just unbelievable. people are out and about walking when theirs always a chance they'll get caught and coerced into marriage or freaky experiments? I just don't get it. I wish she would have done something different with the world.


Overall, I really enjoyed this book (even though I complained :P)! Although I wished we could've gotten to know some of the characters better (Gabriel and Linden's dad) I enjoyed the rest and the plot with its many moral and ethical issues was very intriguing. 

All the best ♥

Mackenzie 

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Top Ten Tuesday (1)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme brought to you by The Broke and the Bookish.  Each week a new Top Ten list topic is posted and book bloggers fill in their own choices.  

I know normally I don't do this meme, its just that most of the time I can't find 10 books to fit the question! And I'm not a big list-maker :P. However, this time, I have a lot more than 10. 

This Week:

Top Ten Books On My Spring TBR List

(March 21st-June 20th)

These are in no particular order!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Do I even need to give y'all a reason?! Divergent was fantastic! I devoured it in one sitting! How can I not want the sequel after such a great debut! I'm so excited to see where this story line is going and I can't wait to see some more of Tris and Four ( ;D )

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

I really liked Graceling and absolutely loved Fire so I can't wait for this next installment. I've heard some fantastic and not-so-fantastic things about it, but this is pretty much a guaranteed buy for me. I really look forward to delving back into the world Kristin Cashore has created. 

The Selection by Kiera Cass

I know how much flak this book got because of the author's response to a bad review, but I'm still gonna give it a chance. While she never should have acted like that, I'm not going to hold that against the possibility of reading a good book. And besides, look at that dress?!?! My.....preeeeecccious.  

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Tagline: Happily ever after is a thing of the past.

After that tagline, how could you not want to read it? This sounds amazing! Princess in disguise? Ruthless revolutionary? Yes please! And it was also featured in one of my Waiting on Wednesday memes.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

First off, that cover?! LOVE! Also, another awesome tagline: Desire is contagious. I'm really diggin the dark, gothic feel to this book. I'm definitely gonna check this one out once it comes out! 

Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan. 'nuff said.

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Just read the synopsis and I guarantee y'all will want this just as badly as I do!! ♥

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

The Grisha sounds fascinating! And the mysterious Darkling? I have to know who that is! And mysterious powers? Sign me up!!

Gilt by Katherine Longshore 

I'm a huge fan of historical fiction so this is an automatic must read! And I've always been fascinated by the Tudor line so I know I'll enjoy this. Not to mention a monarchy always entails court intrigue and scandals! Woot!

The Wicked and the Just by J. Anderson Coats 

Another historical fiction that sounds amazing! I actually have it via Netgalley so I hope to get round to is ASAP! 

Believe me, these are not the only books I'm looking forward to this spring. There are many, many, more (Ex. Grave Mercy! I just didn't add it because I've already read it! Review coming soon). I just tried to shake it up a bit and put different genre's on the list. Fantasy, dystopian, historical fiction? Gotta love em! 

So what books are y'all waiting on this spring?

All the best ♥

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