Review: Justice by Jade Varden

Justice (Deck of Lies #1)
by Jade Varden
Published: December 24, 2011



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A House of Cards...

When you build an entire life on a foundation of lies, it only takes one truth for the whole thing to come crashing down. I never invited the truth in. I never went searching for it. I never had any reason to suspect that the two people I loved most were dishonest with me every second of every day.

I made one bad decision, and in a single day my entire world changed. If I'm ever going to discover the truth about myself and my parents, I have to trace all the lies back to their source. I have to try to find the truth that they're hiding.

The more I discover about myself, and my past, the more I realize that lies really are better than the truth. But now that I know the lies are all around me, I can't stop until I've discovered them all. I'll pull each lie away, one by one, and examine it to see what's underneath…until this house of cards crumbles into dust at my feet.

I just hope I can survive the crash.

QUICK NOTICE!

Oh, this is nothing earth-shattering if that's what you're expecting. I just feel like posting something but don't have time for a review.

First off, I GOT MY LAPTOP BACK! I miss this baby so much. I am never comfortable making reviews - or any blog posts for that matter - using any other computer.

Second. To all of you lovely people who left comments on my blog during the weekend, you guys rock! Will visit your blogs back as soon as I have the time (meaning tomorrow).

I literally just just got on the internet not an hour ago since Saturday afternoon. I choose not to during Sundays so I can read without interruptions but this Sunday was different. I spent the whole day cleaning my room which now feels so heavenly I couldn't keep the smile off my face for a job very well done. The dreaded day has now come and gone, my room is finally spick-and-span. Oi! That rhymes. And also this morning, I couldn't bring myself to put down the book I am currently reading:

...mainly the reason why I couldn't be bothered to write a review of another book. I was even tempted not to go online at all. This book is good stuff. You guys should start reading this series.

Aaaaand.. lastly, I have a meeting in, like, 10 minutes. So I gotta go. Now.

Book Cover Shout-outs!

This is like a cover reveal except that some of you may have already seen these ages ago and I haven't so yeah, book cover shout-out it is. But this list consists of books that are not yet published so anyone of you who is as out of the loop as I recently was, count this a cover reveal.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue

(The Raven Cycle #3)

by Maggie Stiefvater

Publication date: October 28, 2014

Can I just say HO-LY CRAP? I literally saw this minutes ago and was actually the reason why I made this post in the first place but OH-MY-FREAKIN-GOD that is gorgeous!
____________________

Book Cover Battle: Old vs New - Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Let's talk about the old cover of the first book, Obsidian, first.

For it's first edition it looks like this:

Daemon looks hot. Katy looks hot. If you ask me, once you see this cover and then start reading the book, there's no denying they are the perfect Daemon and Katy. You won't be able to picture them looking like another person's face. What I didn't like about this cover is that it feels bare. And what's up with the title's design?

Review: Perfect Lies by Kiersten White

Perfect Lies
(Mind Games #2)
by Kiersten White
Published: February 18, 2014




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National Book Store

Annie and Fia are ready to fight back.

The sisters have been manipulated and controlled by the Keane Foundation for years, trapped in a never ending battle for survival. Now they have found allies who can help them truly escape. After faking her own death, Annie has joined a group that is plotting to destroy the Foundation. And Fia is working with James Keane to bring his father down from the inside.

But Annie's visions of the future can't show her who to trust in the present. And though James is Fia's first love, Fia knows he's hiding something. The sisters can rely only on each other - but that may not be enough to save them.

Review: Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

Into the Still Blue
(Under the Never Sky #3)
by Veronica Rossi
Published: January 28, 2014




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The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do--and they are just as determined to stay together.

Within the confines of a cave they're using as a makeshift refuge, they struggle to reconcile their people, Dwellers and Outsiders, who are united only in their hatred of their desperate situation. Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. Then Roar arrives in a grief-stricken fury, endangering all with his need for revenge.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble an unlikely team for an impossible rescue mission. Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival--he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her earth-shattering Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

May New Releases: Part 1

New Releases this May 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

Savage Drift (Monument 14 #3) by Emmy Laybourne Published: May 6, 2014 The Book Depository Amazon _____ The stunningly fierce conclusion to Emmy Laybourne's Monument 14 trilogy. The survivors of the Monument 14 have finally made it to the safety of a Canadian refugee camp. Dean and Alex are cautiously starting to hope that a happy ending might be possible. But for Josie, separated from the group and trapped in a brutal prison camp for exposed Type Os, things have gone from bad to worse. Traumatized by her experiences, she has given up all hope of rescue or safety. Meanwhile, scared by the government's unusual interest in her pregnancy, Astrid (with her two protectors, Dean and Jake in tow) joins Niko on his desperate quest to be reunited with his lost love Josie. Author Emmy Laybourne reaches new heights of tension and romance in this action-packed conclusion to the Monument 14 trilogy.

Review: Sweet Little Thing by Renée Carlino

Sweet Little Thing
(Sweet Thing #1.5)
by Renée Carlino
Published: March 4, 2014



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Ever wonder what happened after the final pages of Sweet Thing?

From his candid and sometimes neurotic point of view, Will tells all in this musical and sexy follow-up novella to Renée Carlino’s USA Today Bestseller.

Life is pure bliss for Mia and Will. They have a puppy, a loft in Brooklyn, and a new music studio on the rise. It seems things couldn’t get any better for this talented couple when life decides to throw them a sweet little curve ball.

They quickly learn that things don't always go according to plan. Sometimes happily ever after is one giant leap of faith away. With the help of good music, good friends, and one eccentric old lady, they overcome a few of life’s little bumps to find the sweetest thing of all.

Watch this duo grow in more ways than one in SWEET Little THING.

Review: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night
(Under the Never Sky #2)
by Veronica Rossi
Published: January 8, 2013




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National Book Store

It's been months since Aria learned of her mother's death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It's a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it's a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don't take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry's control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and sci-fi elements to create a captivating adventure-and a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

Things That Made Me Smile/Laugh Today

Hey! So I wanted to make a blog post but I have no idea what. I was working on finishing a couple of reviews but I don't feel like doing that now so I thought I'd insert some randomness here. I kind of noticed a lot of things made me happy today and I want to spread it to anyone who might come across this post. It's nothing big; little things that scored a spontaneous laugh or smile on my face which made it all the more special in my opinion.

*whispers* I once overheard the adults talk about how my smile is expensive (since I was a baby, they say). Some people even do a double take when I laugh. Like, they can't believe I just did that. And then they'd comment on how I should laugh more because it's the first time they heard it. Uh.. I have to disagree to that. I laugh and smile A LOT!

First thing that made me smile this morning was:

Me and My Bookshelf (21)

This is where I feature the books I received, bought, gifted or won that are newly added in my physical shelf, which means no e-books and the like, and recount epic book hauling stories. It is usually posted on Saturdays.

Hi! Last weekend I went to Cebu to attend Tahereh Mafi, Ransom Riggs and Veronica Rossi's book signing. I would like to congratulate myself since I did not buy any books aside from the three I have yet to buy to bring to the event - by which I am very thankful about since I already bought a lot on the first week of April. The day before the event I bought:

Review: Eternally Yours by Cate Tiernan

Eternally Yours
(Immortal Beloved #3)
by Cate Tiernan
Published: November 6, 2012




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After 450 years of living, Nastasya Crowe should have more of a handle on this whole immortal thing....

After a deadly confrontation at the end of Darkness Falls, the second Immortal Beloved novel, Nastasya Crowe is, as she would put it, so over the drama. She fights back against the dark immortals with her own brand of kick-butt magick...but can she fight against true love? In the satisfying finale to the Immortal Beloved trilogy, ex-party-girl immortal Nastasya ends a 450-year-old feud and learns what "eternally yours" really means.

Laced with historical flashbacks and laugh-out-loud dialogue, the Immortal Beloved trilogy is a fascinating and unique take on what it would mean to live forever.

Review: Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan

Darkness Falls
(Immortal Beloved #2)
by Cate Tiernan
Published: October 2012




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You can run from your past, but it will always catch up.

Nastasya has lived for hundreds of years, but for some reason it never seems to get any easier. She’s left behind her days of debauchery to find peace and forgiveness at River’s Edge, a safe haven for wayward immortals. There she’s uncovered her family’s epic history, reclaimed her magickal powers, and met Reyn, whom she dubs “the Viking god.” Just as she settles into her new life, Nastasya learns that her old friends might be in town....

Reuniting with her gorgeous and dangerous ex-best-friend, Innocencio, Nas wonders if she’ll ever be truly free of her dark legacy. Is Incy dangerous, power-hungry, and wicked? Or is he the only one who truly understands Nas’s darkness? Either way, Nas is desperate to find out who she really is-even if the answer kills her.

April 2014 Reads + Monthly Recap

Hello! Last day of April and yes, we are already 1/3 done with 2014. Whew! A lot happened this month and so many great books were released! See my list here. I meant to post a review today but I was so caught up with the book I am currently reading that I don't want to put it down and think of other books even for a while, so I figured I'll just post my monthly wrap-up since it's the end of the month anyway. Since tomorrow is a holiday, maybe I'll have more time on my hands to write a review but you never know. The book I'm reading might leave me with a cliffhanger that would make me jump right into the next one without pause.

Quick recap of what I was up to:

April New Releases

Newly Released Books this April 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

The Ring and The Crown (The Ring and the Crown #1) by Melissa de la Cruz Published: April 1, 2014 The Book Depository Amazon __________ Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve? Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world's only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen. But even with the aid of Emrys' magic, Eleanor's extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce an heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen's Guard. Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Marie's face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she's always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she's always dreamed of--the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only rule that matters in Eleanor's court: trust no one.

Review: Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Immortal Beloved
(Immortal Beloved #1)
by Cate Tiernan
Published: September 7, 2010




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National Book Store

Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.

Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.

Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy.

Review: Split Second by Kasie West

Split Second (Pivot Point #2)
by Kasie West
Published: February 11, 2014



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Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.

Review: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1)
by Kasie West
Published: February 12, 2013




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Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

Book-ish News and Updates

Well, hey, I'm back! I must admit.. blog's constantly silent this month. A lot of stuff has to be done so I didn't have much time to make a post or write a review. I also haven't read that many books and I'm so far behind my reading challenges but that's not the reason why I recently locked myself in my room with my TBR pile. I wasn't in a reading slump and I really badly want to pick up a book but school stuff can't be ignored eventhough it's summer.

I really, really miss reading one book after another and then here's this four day break from work and school - the perfect opportunity to just stay home and not go out for a minute or talk to people - I haven't done that in a long time. Sometimes it feels like I'm only home to sleep and shower (I do most of my blogging while hanging out at my mom's office). So I used that time to read nonstop. Not even to blog, afraid I'd break my binge. Not that an apocalypse can detach me from my book, really. I can't even be bothered to move myself and just check my emails. I keep saying, "Maybe later." until eventually it's "nevermind". That's how much I missed it. It's a great feeling.

So just a couple of news and updates:

Review: Talented by Sophie Davis

Talented (Talented #1)
by Sophie Davis
Published: January 11, 2012


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When Talia Lyons was just a child, her parents were murdered before her eyes. Offered a choice between accepting their fate and exacting revenge, Talia trains to become one of the country’s deadliest assassins in order to kill the man responsible for their deaths: Ian Crane. Luckily, Talia was born with a gift- the ability to read and influence the minds of others. At sixteen, Talia is poised to graduate from the McDonough School for the Talented, where she learned to control her abilities. Now there is only one obstacle standing between her and the retribution she craves... Talia herself.

Her greatest asset may also be her undoing; while a formidable weapon in the field, Talia’s talents prevent her from both shutting off the mental connection she shares with her questionable boyfriend and blocking out the thoughts of a beguiling fellow recruit. But Talia can’t afford to have the feelings and distractions of a normal teenage girl, when her life is far from normal.

She must regain the single-minded determination that has brought her this far, or it may cost Talia her life when she finally faces Crane. And even after being molded in to a weapon of war, she’ll still have to find the strength it takes to pull the trigger.

If James Bond and Sookie Stackhouse had a love child with a yearning for vengeance, her story would be TALENTED: an adventure about powerful teenagers who aren’t afraid to embrace their fears and fight for what they believe in.

SPOTLIGHT: Faery Realms Boxed Set Release

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Google Play

FAERY REALMS: TEN MAGICAL TITLES (Multi-Author Boxed Set, novels & novellas)

*Purchased individually, these books cost over $15 – List price $9.99 – Save 90% – Now on sale for only .99 cents!*

Enter the magical realms of Faery with these ten award-winning, bestselling fantasy authors. Each title in this sampler collection offers a new and different world full of mystery, love, and most of all, fae enchantment~

Over 1400 pages of stories, with *exclusive* titles from Alexia Purdy, Tara Maya, and Anthea Sharp! Together, these books have over 250 5-star reviews on Amazon and 150 5-star reviews on B&N.

Best for ages 13 and up~

Me and My Bookshelf (20): Collective Book Haul

This is where I feature the books I received, bought, gifted or won that are newly added in my physical shelf, which means no e-books and the like, and recount epic book hauling stories. It is usually posted on Saturdays.

Heyhey! Technically, I didn't buy any books last month because I was saving for our Industrial Tour but I did get three for free (that rhymes). I saw pretty great books in the bargain section of my local bookstore so I decided maybe it's time I use my loyalty card e-purse because if I start pulling out some cash, I just might be tempted to pull a lot especially with new arrivals wagging their imaginary eyebrows at me.

Giveaway: Love and Other Games & A Titan for Christmas by Aria Kane

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Learn more about the books here:

Love and Other Games

A Titan for Christmas

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Review: Serial Hottie by Kelly Oram

Serial Hottie
by Kelly Oram
Published: July 10, 2012



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Hockey-obsessed tomboy Eleanor Westley has never been the object of a guy's affection before. So when the hottest boy she's ever seen moves in across the street and starts treating her like she's the center of his universe, naturally she's going to be a little skeptical. But everything starts to make sense when girls who look just like Ellie start dying all around the city. Obviously the new guy is the killer, and of course he only likes her because he wants to slice her into tiny pieces. Right? The more Ellie gets to know Seth the more she's convinced he's a psychopathic killer. Problem is, he's the sweetest psychopathic killer she's ever met. Not to mention he's brutally hot. No matter how hard she tries, she can't help but fall for him. Will Ellie find true love, or will her summer of firsts turn out to be a summer of lasts?

Nothing important. JUST GLAD TO BE BACK AND POSTING SOMETHING!!!!

I'm baaaaack! Did you miss me? 'Cause I certainly missed you and blogging so so much. I didn't get to finish scheduling all those post I promised for the week I was gone. The people at the electric company decided to cut-off electricity for the whole day before my trip and I had more packing to do. By the time it was back, I had to go to bed since I needed to wake up at 2 in the morning so..

But, yes! I had a really, really tiring but amazing week and I brought plenty of good books with me back home - I visited around 10 bookstores! Well, three bookstores and their different branches. I'll post it this Saturday so don't forget to check it out. I had a lot of things to do waiting for me when I got back so I'm going to put those out of the way first but hopefully I will be able to post a review tomorrow.