Waiting on Wednesday (26)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we showcase upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Rebel Heart (Dust lands #2)

by Moira Young

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Goodreads Synopsis:

It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion.

Why I'm Waiting:

OMG.OMG.OMG.OMG!!!!! I absolutely loved Blood Red Road. It was unlike anything I'd ever read before and was just oozing awesomeness. I can't believe I've had to wait so long for this sequel!!!!!!!!!!!! I really hope it's good and doesn't suffer from series stretching. I've only read one review on it and it wasn't a very good one :'( 

But I'm gonna read it anyways XD

Keeping my fingers crossed!

So what are y'all waiting on this fine Wednesday?

Be sure to let me know in the comments below! 

All the best ♥

Mackenzie

Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (25): Days of Blood and Starlight

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we showcase upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)

by Laini Taylor

Release Date: November 6, 2012

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Why I'm Waiting:

OMG y'all. I'm so freakin excited for this one! Daughter of Smoke and Bone was just....I don't even have words to describe it! Taylor has such a talent for writing that it just sucks you in and you can't stop till the very last word. It's addicting to say the least. The world and plot just blew my mind in it's creativeness. I can't wait to jump back in. 500+ pages? Heck yeah!  (btw: total cover love!)

So what are y'all waiting on this fine Wednesday? 

Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

All the best ♥

Mackenzie Barham

Read More

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon #1) by Alison Goodman

Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (Eon #1)
By Alison Goodman
Pages: 531
Source: Bought/ B&N
Format: Paperback

Rating: I liked it/really liked it

Goodreads Synopsis:

Eon has been studying the ancient art of Dragon Magic for four years, hoping he'll be able to apprentice to one of the twelve energy dragons of good fortune. But he also has a dark secret. He is actually Eona, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been living a dangerous lie for the chance to become a Dragon-eye, the human link to an energy dragon's power. It is forbidden for females to practice the Dragon Magic and, if discovered, Eon faces a terrible death. After a dazzling sword ceremony, Eon's affinity with the twelve dragons catapults him into the treacherous world of the Imperial court, where he makes a powerful enemy, Lord Ido. As tension builds and Eon's desperate lie comes to light, readers won't be able to stop turning the pages...

My Review:

Alright, let me just go ahead and get this out of the way:

If you don't like political intrigue, don't read this. 

Oh, so you read the synopsis and thought this would be an action book? Yeah, me too. LIES AND SLANDER! Ok, well maybe not slander, but definitely lies. I actually liked the book because I love myself some political intrigue, but even for me it dragged in some places so if that's not your thing, I'm not sure you'd enjoy it. 

Now don't get me wrong, there is action. Just not till the last 100 pages. But when that action comes, it comes. It's like "BAM!", it's action time! And so it's pretty awesome. However, this book is looooong. And normally I'm all for long books, but this one dragged a bit.

However, the creativity and just pure awesomeness of the plot made it so worth it. No lie. This world is just amazing! It's so intricate and mind-blowingly well-done! This girl thought of everything. Even down to all the rituals. Now that is where it dragged a bit, but she definitely gets brownie points for thoroughly thinking through the world. 

And A+ for girl power. Personally, I didn't really care for Eon(a) for some of the book. And, to be honest, I'm not sure how I feel about her at the end (grant it, I am writing this thing about 2 1/2 months after reading it :P) But her growth? Amazing. She learns that she can be a woman and still kick butt. She learns to love herself for who she is, female and awesome dragoneye. 

Overall:

The synopsis promised action, but didn't live up to it. Yeah, action finally comes at the end and its really awesome and all, but unless you can get through 400+ pages of political intrigue and whining, you won't like it. However, the creativity of the world makes it all worthwhile! Honestly mind-blowing in its intricacy. I had a love/hate relationship with Eon(a) but her growth is amazing. And this book definitely brings up some interesting topics on sexism, feminism, ect. so it's a very thought-provoking book. If you're into that kind of thing, jump right in! 

All the best ♥

Mackenzie 

Read More

Cover Reveals!

Alright y'all. I've got some awesome cover reveals for you. Check em out!

.

..

...

..

.

..

...

..

.

..

...

..

.

The Goddess Inheritance (The Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter

I actually do enjoy this series. And after that cliffhanger in the second book? I'm practically salivating over this one. I must know what happens! 

I'm really loving the cover. It goes along the lines of the other ones but I like its simplicity and it definitely feels greek. 

Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2) by Robin LaFevers

Alright, I'm going into fangirling mode. 

OMG!!!! SQUEEEEEEE! *HAPPY DANCE* I'M SO FRIGGIN EXCITED!!!!!

Okay. So if y'all can't tell, I'm super excited. I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Grave Mercy. It was fantastic. Seriously, if y'all haven't read it then get your butts out there! Then you'll understand where I'm coming from. 

The cover is totally bad-ass! She's like "look at me! I'm pretty! But don't make me mad cause I carry one heck of a dagger!". Yeah. Totally loving it. 

Fuse (Pure #2) by Julianna Baggott

I actually think this cover was revealed a while ago but I can't remember so I decided to go ahead and add it. I actually really loved Pure. It was dark, gritty and raw. I loved it. 

The cover definitely shows the books dark nature. I'm curious as to how the wing ties into the book. 

So what do y'all think? Are you excited? Do you love or hate the covers? 
Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

All the best ♥
Mackenzie 

Read More

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine in which we showcase upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)
by Rick Riordan 
Release Date: October 2, 2012

Goodreads Synopsis:

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?


The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophesy remains a mystery. . . . With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

Why I'm Waiting:

♥♥OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!♥♥
Okay, if you can't tell, I'm pretty darn excited. I love Rick Riordan's books. They are always so fun and full of humor and awesome adventures. I've fallen in love with every single character and absolutely love the combination of the Romans and Greeks. Not to mention I must know what is going to happen after that awful cliffhanger in Son of Neptune! What's gonna happen?! Who is #7? What are the Doors of Death?! So many questions! Can't wait to find the answers :) 

So what are y'all waiting on this fine Wednesday?
Be sure to let me know in the comments below!

All the best ♥
Mackenzie 

Read More

Half-Blood (Covenant #1) by Jennifer A. Armentrout

Half-Blood (Covenant #1)
by Jennifer A. Armentrout
Pages: 281
Source: Bought/Amazon
Format: ebook

Rating: I liked it

Goodreads Synopsis: 

The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures. Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden. Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

My Review:

  So I finally gave into the peer pressure that is Half-Blood. And I enjoyed it. But, don't shoot me, I'm just not getting the whole "SQUEEEEEEEE OMGOMGOMGOMG THIS BOOK IS THE MOST FANTABULOUS THING IN THE WORLD!!!!! *cue happy dance* ". I mean I liked it and it was really entertaining and all, but it also had it's fair share of problems.

Normally I'm not one to compare books, but I feel like this is the best way to review it.

Let me say this first: If you loved Vampire Academy, then you'll love this.
See? Now you can just skip the rest of the review! 
But for those of us out there who had a few issues with VA, then this review is for you.


1. If you didn't like the sex, alcohol and language of VA, then you won't like this. 

Pretty straightforward I'd say. I personally have a love/hate relationship with this part. It's definitely risque and its under the assumption that it's all teenagers do (TTS), but if it doesn't bother you then enjoy!!

2. If you didn't like Rose, Alex isn't much better. 

My main problem with Rose was that she crossed the line into B-ville wayyyy to much. She also just couldn't understand why people called her a whore even though she acted like one. Alex is similar, but actually a little better in my book. There is the fine line between snarky and mean and whereas Rose crossed it often, Alex doesn't. Well, not as much at least. I liked her rough and tough attitude, but at the same time she was a bit too rough around the edges for me. Oh, not to mention she makes an incredibly stupid decision. At least she admits it was stupid though. I guess I can give her points for that. 

3. If you didn't like Dimitri, don't worry. You've now got Aiden to swoon over!

Aiden is sexy instructor done right. When I read VA, I just didn't get all the SQEEing over Dimitri. He wasn't really fleshed out and just wasn't anything special in my book. But Aiden? Oh, goodness! Swoon alert! He's a great mix of masculinity and sensitivity. He's your average stoic instructor, but he's so much more than that! He's wise and really cares about Alex and people in general. He's such a sweetheart (with a tough side) and I love that he treats Alex fairly. And he doesn't put up with her crap. That right there made me swoon. He put Alex in her place when she needed it, but never condescended her. He made my heart a-flutter. 

4. If you like the plot of VA, then you'll probably like the plot of Half-Blood. 

It's got some of the same basic concepts, but the plots themselves are different. I think that if you are okay with 1-3, then you should give it a try. I personally liked the unique take on mythology and thoroughly enjoyed the action-packed awesomeness. The plot definitely kept me coming back for more (even though I wanted to smack Alex for that decision!).


Overall:

I enjoyed it. I really did. I liked it so much better than VA, so I believe others will too. That's not to say there aren't similarities. I just think this is VA done right. I definitely say give it a shot if you've been interested in it for a while. It's a bit rough, but no doubt entertaining! 

Read More

Update

Hey y'all. I know that the blog has been....well, pretty much non-existant. I know I said not to long ago that I was going to get into the swing of things and start blogging again. Obviously this was not the case. Since I just started college and it's completely different from anything I've done before, I've really been focusing on it and blogging and reading have gone to the back of my priority list. Which is sad because I love reading!

Therefore, it is my goal to start up again. I will take the time to read and relax and I will catch up. I've started to get into the routine so I know when I can relax and read and so on. In reality, I miss it. I miss y'all! 

I won't promise anything. I can only try and do my best. I probably won't have much up this week because I'm so behind on my reading, but hopefully next week I'll start getting in the swing of things. I've really got to catch up on those Netgalley books! After about 2 or 3 weeks, if I find it too hard to do it by myself, I will most likely ask y'all if you're willing to be a co-blogger. 

Thanks again for sticking with me and being the awesome people that you are!

P.S. If I was supposed to mail you your prize and you haven't gotten it, please let me know. Moving and college have made my life hectic and it may have gotten put off to the side for which I apologize.

All the best ♥

Mackenzie 

Read More