March 2014 Reads + Monthly Recap

Good morning.. good afternoon, good evening. I don't know which timezone you belong but greetings! Seriously, who goes to school at three in the morning?  Me, apparently. And the other students in my batch who are waiting to board the bus that would take us to the airport. Actually, I'm currently hanging out at the convenience store at the front of our school's first gate and they have wi-fi so..

March meant finals, thesis defense to some.. Now it's going to end. Which means the school year is over for everyone. Which means graduation to the amazing ones. Seeing the graduation photos of some of my elementary and high school classmate feels nostalgic. It's also making me wish for my time to come faster but I still have one year to go since I'm taking a 5-year course and my thesis.

March New Releases: Part 2

Newly Released Books this March 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

Ruins (Partials Sequence #3) by Dan Wells Published: March 11, 2014 The Book Depository ______ Kira, Samm, and Marcus fight to prevent a final war between Partials and humans in the gripping final installment in the Partials Sequence, a series that combines the thrilling action of The Hunger Games with the provocative themes of Blade Runner and The Stand. There is no avoiding it—the war to decide the fate of both humans and Partials is at hand. Both sides hold in their possession a weapon that could destroy the other, and Kira Walker has precious little time to prevent that from happening. She has one chance to save both species and the world with them, but it will only come at great personal cost.

SUMMER IS HERE AND IT'S MAKING ME CRAZY!

This post officially marks the start of my summer. SUMMEEEERRR!!!! Though the cloudy sky outside says otherwise.. most days and nights are already hotter than the rest of the year here in my country. Can you feel how excited I am? SCHOOL YEAR's OVER!!!

Review: Angel by L.A. Weatherly

Angel (Angel #1)
by L.A. Weatherly
Published: October 1, 2010




Angels are all around us: beautiful, awe-inspiring, irresistible.

Ordinary mortals yearn to catch a glimpse of one of these stunning beings and thousands flock to The Church of Angels to feel their healing touch.
But what if their potent magnetism isn't what it seems?
Willow knows she's different from other girls. And not just because she loves tinkering around with cars.
Willow has a gift. She can look into people's futures, know their dreams, their hopes and their regrets, just by touching them. But she has no idea where she gets this power from.

Until she meets Alex…
Alex is one of the few who know the truth about angels. He knows Willow's secret and is on a mission to stop her.
The dark forces within Willow make her dangerous – and irresistible.
In spite of himself, Alex finds he is falling in love with his sworn enemy.

From Page to Film: The Maze Runner

The Maze Runner is one of those books I know about because it's popular, but don't really plan to read. Until last year, when I heard that it's going to be a movie and Dylan O'Brien will play the main character. That's all I really know about the movie but it was enough to make me include the book in my TBR pile. And then a couple of weeks ago 20th Century Fox released the official movie trailer and everyone is buzzing about it.

Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Murder of Crows
(The Others #2)
by Anne Bishop
Published: March 4, 2014




After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside's shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Red and Black in YA

Sometimes I just stare at my shelf for a long time. Not a totally weird thing to do. I know a lot of you do that, too. It usually starts with me looking for something to read next. This time I decided to pick one book from different genres to choose from and I noticed a theme. How do you like red and black in YA?

No Book Related Post? I Blame It On Teen Wolf

I could say it's because the school year is almost over and I have a lot of school stuff to do but really, it's Teen Wolf. I finally watched it! You know how I am with wolves. Always reluctant to start something when it comes to them - may it be in books or movies - but yes, I tried venturing out of my comfort zone to read books mainly about them and tell you what? I love a lot of wolves now. But I still didn't watch it eventhough I know Dylan O'Brien is brilliant here until two of my friends - who are my only girl classmates - have freakin' caught up to the latest season already and I'm getting out of the loop. So yes. I bought my own copy and holy frickin' wolf I'm dead.

March New Releases: Part 1

Newly Released Books this March 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

Murder of Crows (The Others #2) by Anne Bishop Published: March 4, 2014 The Book Depository _____ After winning the trust of the terra indigene residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more. The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard—Lakeside's shape-shifting leader—wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat. As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet—and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

Review: Thief by C.L. Stone

Thief
(The Scarab Beetle Series #1)
by C.L. Stone
Published: February 26, 2014



Kayli Winchester is a dirt-poor girl living out of a hotel, forced to be the parent for a drunken father and teenage brother who she’s desperate to keep in school. The only way she scrapes by is to utilize her one skill: pickpocketing. But even though she’s a thief she has a moral code: no kids or old ladies, only targets who can defend themselves. Not that they see her coming…

Thinking she’s been working under the radar, Kayli has no idea The Academy has been watching and taking notice. Now a team that needs her skill has offered her a way out of her predicament and it’s her last chance: work with them, or face jail time. Kayli resists at first, but slowly the boys reveal they can be trusted. With Marc, the straight man, Raven, the bad-boy Russian, Corey and Brandon the twins as different as night and day, and Axel their stoic leader, there’s a lot Kayli can learn from these Academy guys about living on the edge of the law. If only she can stay on the good side instead of the bad.

Especially when the job they offer her is more than any of them bargained for. After it’s done, the hunters have become the hunted and their target is now after Kayli. The Academy boys do their best to keep her hidden, but a thief like Kayli will never sit still for long.

Meet an all-new Academy team in Thief, the beginning of the Scarab Beetle series.

Warning: This is a new adult series. Readers of the other Academy series may need some caution as this series will contain mature sexual and violent situations and themes.

Girls of YA

Belated happy International Women's Day! Girls, ladies, women.. it's our time of the month, no pun intended >.< But really, March is our month and I'd like to celebrate it by recognizing my favorite heroines in YA fiction. I'm not putting them in any rank since I believe they are special and remarkable in different ways. And don't feel bad if your favorite fictional female is not included in the list - I can't remember every girl character I've met since ever. But feel free to mention it in the comments! I'd love to know.

Hermione Granger? Katniss Everdeen? Princess Leia? No. I’m not including them here because, come on, a lot of people already know them that they don’t need another mention (which I just did, by the way) to make people notice how awesome they are.

Me and My Bookshelf (19): 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.

Well, yeah, it's not Saturday today but I was interrupted last Saturday while making this post just as I was uploading the first photo. I never got the chance to continue since I was only able to get back home at around 6AM the following day and slept until three in the afternoon. Tomorrow I plan to post something else so I'd better publish this book haul now.

If February wasn't the month my most awaited book came out, I wouldn't have bought anything even if I wanted to. We're drowning in school fees since it's almost finals and deadlines were last week. That Monday morning we all had our calculators out but instead of solving equations in class we were all computing for the amount we need in order to settle all our accounts.

But of course, there's no way I could wait another day to read it so I bought:

Review: Soulbound by Heather Brewer

Soulbound
(Legacy of Tril #1)
by Heather Brewer
Published: June 19, 2012




Tril is a world where Barrons and Healers are Bound to each other: Barrons fight and Healers cure their Barrons' wounds in the ongoing war with the evil Graplar King. Seventeen-year-old Kaya was born a Healer, but she wants to fight. In Tril, and at Shadow Academy, where she is sent to learn to heal, it is against Protocol for Healers to fight. So Kaya must learn in secret. Enter two young men: One charming, rule-following Barron who becomes Bound to Kaya and whose life she must protect at all costs. And one with a mysterious past who seems bent on making Kaya's life as difficult as possible. Kaya asks both to train her, but only one will, and the consequences will change their lives forever.

February Reads + Monthly Recap

Hey everyone! Sorry for my delayed February wrap-up post. I might have been deeply asleep for the whole day yesterday since I didn't sleep on Saturday. And because I wasn't able to finish making my February book haul two days ago before my friend told me that we had to go, I'm going to move it this Saturday, but it will be a scheduled post since I also have another event to attend that day and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to finish it - again - if I don't make it in advance.

I was hoping I'd have a lot of reading time this February to catch up on my challenges but.. yeah. Didn't happen. I'm still 4 books behind my Goodreads reading challenge and even though I did read a lot of books in one sitting, there are still a couple of days gap between them because of school obligations. But anyway, I'm still happy with the number of books I read this February.

   

Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me
(Shatter Me #3)
by Tahereh Mafi
Published: February 4, 2014




Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew - about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam - was wrong.

Review: Solving for Ex by LeighAnn Kopans

Solving for Ex
by LeighAnn Kopans
Published: February 11, 2014




1 crush on your best friend +
1 gorgeous, scheming new girl +
1 Mathletics competition =
1 big mess

SIMPLIFY.

Ashley Price doesn’t have much in life after being bullied so hard she had to leave her old school to live with her aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh. But the camera she borrowed from her best friend and secret crush Brendan, and her off the charts math abilities, make things a lot more bearable. Plus, since Brendan is the captain, making the school Mathletes team should be easy.

But when gorgeous new girl Sofia rolls in and steals Brendan, Ashley's place on the team, and her fragile foothold on the Mansfield Park Prep social totem pole, it’s on. Sofia is everything Ashley left her old school to escape. The only thing Ashley didn’t count on is Sofia’s sexy twin brother Vincent.

Vincent is not only the hottest boy in school, he’s charming, sweet, and he’s got his eye on Ashley. He’s also not taking no for an answer. There's no real reason Ashley shouldn't like Vincent, but with the
battle lines being drawn between her and Sofia, Ashley’s not sure which side he’s on. Or which side she wants him to be on.

She does know Sofia is trouble with a capital T, and she’s determined to make Brendan see it.

SOLVING FOR EX is a YA contemporary romance that remixes Mansfield Park as Clueless meets Mean Girls in a crazy mix of high school society, mathletic competition, and teenage romance.

February New Releases: Part 2

Newly Released Books this February 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

Unite Me (Shatter Me #1.5, 2.5) by Tahereh Mafi Published: February 4, 2014 The Book Depository ______ Perfect for fans of Tahereh Mafi’s New York Times bestselling Shatter Me trilogy, this book collects her two companion novellas, Fracture Me and Destroy Me, in print for the first time ever. It also features an exclusive look into Juliette’s journal and a preview of Ignite Me, the hotly anticipated final novel of the series. Destroy Me tells the events between Shatter Me and Unravel Me from Warner’s point of view. Even though Juliette shot him in order to escape, Warner can’t stop thinking about her—and he’ll do anything to get her back. But when the Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment arrives, he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner cannot allow. Fracture Me is told from Adam’s perspective and bridges the gap between Unravel Me and Ignite Me. As the Omega Point rebels prepare to fight the Sector 45 soldiers, Adam's more focused on the safety of Juliette, Kenji, and his brother. The Reestablishment will do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam cares about. The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent and The Hunger Games. This captivating story, which combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, was praised as “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love” by Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

Blogger of the Week + Reading Updates

Hey, everyone! I've been super busy lately because of school so I haven't done a lot of reading and blogging but I try and post occasionally if I have something in mind. Reviews are another story, though. I had drafts of several reviews made already but those are in my phone's notepad. That's the only place I can write - or type - my reviews on when I unexpectedly find a little free time between classes or anything related to school. Unfortunately, a couple of days back my phone had a problem with it's motherboard and I didn't want to damage it further by trying to fix it myself so I had it sent to someone who really knows what he's doing. Fixing it also meant that I had to lose everything stored in my phone's memory including all my notes so.. yeah.

On the positive side, yesterday I was featured as Blogger of the Week by Lisa of Turning Pages.

Go check out my interview HERE if you're interested.

Music and Lyrics (14): Millionaires

I'm finally done reading Ignite Me! It was amazing, as expected and right now I only have a draft of my review. I probably won't be able to finalize it until maybe tomorrow because I am currently writing a reaction paper for class. It's about the movie we watched yesterday, Pirates of Silicon Valley. I have a lot to say about it since the topic is related to my future life and well, lots of big names and influential people so it will be pretty long. That's also one way of saying that I don't have anything relevant to post today so I figured maybe we can just sing? Heh.

Review: Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi

Fracture Me
(Shatter Me #2.5)
by Tahereh Mafi
Published: December 17, 2013



In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel Me, Fracture Me is told from Adam's perspective.

As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam's focus couldn't be further from the upcoming battle. He's reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend's life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James's safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It's time for war.

On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam's newly discovered half brother, won't be that easy. The Reestablishment can't tolerate a rebellion, and they'll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.

Fracture Me sets the stage for Ignite Me, the explosive finale in Tahereh Mafi's epic dystopian series. It's a novella not to be missed by fans who crave action-packed stories with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu.

February New Releases: Part 1

Newly Released Books this February 2014

*cover image links to Goodreads*

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi Published: February 4, 2014 The Book Depository _____ The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love" Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong. In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

RECAP: Valentine's Day + UNRAVEL ME by Tahereh Mafi

I’m not afraid of spiders. My cousins, who are a bunch of guys, live next door and they have a big shelf but unlike mine, they are not full of books but jars that have hairy tarantulas in them. Tarantulas that, based on my occasional visit to watch them, I haven’t seen move an inch. I’m more afraid of cockroaches because they have wings. Which means they can just suddenly fly and land ANYWHERE on you. Ick! One moment you’re staring at it warily and the next it’s flying! And heading towards you! And you don’t know where it’ll probably land! That’s when you freak out.

Valentine's Day Reads

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Guess what? I HAVE A DATE. With none other than my other half, Warner. I am finally going to read Ignite MEEEEE! Do you know how hard it is to restrain myself from reading a most awaited book when it was already in my hands ten days ago but I can’t? You most probably do. And I still have to hold it off for, like, 10 more hours until I finish my midterms and be able to hang that “Do not disturb” sign around my neck. Man, I can’t wait.

My Valentine's Day reads:

 

Any specific books you are planning to read for this special day? Here are a few recs.

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)
by Marissa Meyer
Published: February 4, 2014




Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

Read the first 5 chapters!

Battle of the Book Boyfriends

For this event I chose Ryan Miller as my most favorite Kelly Oram boy. If you guys don't know, he's this super sweet guy from the amazing Jamie Baker series.

 

So what makes Ryan Miller the perfect Valentine's Day fictional boyfriend?