Kristina's World of Books: 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Revolution 19 Review

Revolution 19

By Gregg Rosenblum

Summary

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

What I Liked

Pace
This book was such a quick read, it really felt like I flew through it. Things were continually happening throughout the entire book and there wasn't any slow parts. Attacks, survival, fights, running for their lives, hiding, sneaking around, escape, back alley medical procedures and even death. This book really has it all.
Robotics
I liked this take on robots, it was interesting how they had taken over human protection. Protecting humans against themselves. It would completely suck to be a part of robotics's society, but I guess better that than dead.
POV
The book rotated through the 3 siblings Nick, Cass and Kevin's point of view through out the story. At times I did get a little confused who's POV we were at, but was quickly resolved. I liked getting each ones take on life and the current crisis they were in.
Characters
Cass: The tough artist. The sister. I would have loved more of her character, but what I did read of her I did really enjoy her character.
Kevin: The curious techie. The youngest brother. I also enjoyed his character as well, he had his faults as a young kid, but he really proved himself with it came to tinkering with technology.

Didn't Like

Nick: The oldest brother. He actually annoyed me throughout the book. He is a very brash character that doesn't stop and think before he acts and because of that he gets himself into loads of trouble. But he did provide with some great POVs because of the bad situation he got himself in to.

Recommendation

Worth the read for any male or female who likes robotic dystopian without any romance. The summary says romance, but there is a kiss or two (literally) and some interest, but not anything to categorize it as romance.

Releases

January 8, 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information
Revolution 19 trilogy

Would you rather live in the robots society or out in the wilderness?

<3Books

Friday, December 21, 2012

Shadows in the Silence Review

Shadows in the Silence

By Courtney Allison Moulton

Summary

Your strength in heart and hand will fall. . . .
Ellie knows that the darkest moments are still to come, and she has everything to fight for:

She must fight for Will.
The demonic have resorted to their cruelest weapons to put Will in mortal danger, and Ellie makes an unlikely alliance to save him and to stop Lilith and Sammael, who seek to drown the world in blood and tear a hole into Heaven.

She must fight for humanity.
As the armies of Hell rise and gather for the looming End of Days, Ellie and her band of allies travel to the world’s darkest and most ancient regions in her quest to come into her full glory as the archangel Gabriel.

And Ellie must save herself.
Her humanity withers beneath the weight of her cold archangel power, but Ellie must hold tight to who she is and who she loves as she prepares for the ultimate battle for Heaven and Earth.

In this final installment in the Angelfire trilogy, Courtney Allison Moulton brings her dark world of epic battles and blistering romance to a blazing bright conclusion.

What I Liked

Characters

Ellie: In the first two books I go back and forth between liking Ellie and being annoyed with her, but in this book she finally makes an all around awesome character to love and completely enjoy at every moment. She has finally fully stepped into her roll that she must play and I'm glad she did, she makes for a kickass character in this book.

Will: Still love him.

Cadan: He is a fun character, I enjoyed him in the last book and I really came to enjoy him in this book.

Action

Again, lots of great action throughout the entire book. Battles have to be fought to get to the final epic battle. Never a dull moment with wonderful heart wrenching twists still be added to the pages.

Conclusion

It ended fantastically and no characters were left safe for the final battle, I'm glad a Stephenie Meyer wasn't pulled in this book's battle. With that being said I'm also glad for the ending that we did get to read.

Didn't Like

I would have loved to read one more page at the end of the book, just a little more.
Saying Goodbye
I am sad to be saying good bye to this awesome trilogy. Thankfully though I can always reread the series when ever I want, so the goodbye isn't a final one.

Recommendation

The final book in the trilogy, either you have got to read this last book or pick up Angelfire and start the series.

Releases

January 29th 2013

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information

Angelfire Trilogy

Angelfire my review

Wings of the Wicked my review

Shadows in the Silence

Have you started this trilogy yet?

<3Books

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Top 10 Tuesday (23)

Top 10 Tuesdays

Topic: Top Ten Books I read in 2012

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

Listed by the date I read them in the year

My Top YA List

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

my review

Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris

my review

Until I Die by Amy Plum

my review

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

my review

Struck by Jennifer Bosworth

my review

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

my review

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini

my review

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Burdago

my review

Cold Fury by T.M. Geoglein

my review

The Sweetest Spell by Suzanne Selfors

my review

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

my review

----------------------------------------------

My Top Adult List

Midnight Reckoning by Kendra Leigh Castle

my review

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

my review

Afterglow by Cherry Adair

my review

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs

my review

Night Seeker by Yasmine Galenorn

my review

Shadow Rising by Kendra Leigh Castle

my review

Hearts of Darkenss by Kira Brady

my review

What is your Top Ten 2012 Books?

Please leave a link so I can check out yours as well

<3Books

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Cover Reveal for Cold Fury and Flicker & Burn + GIVEAWAY

Cover Reveal ~~and Giveaway~~

*CLOSED*

A super special, two-for-one cover reveal…Cold Fury, by T.M. Goeglein, has been redesigned, as well as the second installment in the Cold Fury trilogy…Flicker & Burn!

Cold Fury in paperback will be released on June 13, 2013…and Flicker & Burn comes roaring onto the scene on August 20th 2013!

You can preorder Flicker & Burn now from Amazon

The thrill ride that began in Cold Fury kicks into high gear in Flicker & Burn, as the threats to Sara Jane Rispoli come at her from all directions. She continues the desperate search for her missing family, but this time she’s on the run from creepy beings with red, pulsing eyes and ghostly white skin chasing her through the streets of Chicago in black ice cream trucks – they can only be described as Ice Cream Creatures. They're skeletal and ferocious, hell-bent on catching or killing her, but also a weird link to her family, a clue to where they might be and who has them.

While Sara Jane battles these new pursuers, she learns painful lessons about the phenomenon that possesses her, cold fury. At the same time, she’s uncovering buried secrets about the misdeeds of her family – old murders and blood vendettas – that might be connected to the disappearance of her mom, dad, and brother. The mysteries, violence, and constant state of chasing or being chased could be the undoing of her relationship with handsome Max Kissberg. Despite the love growing between them, Sara Jane can’t tell him the truth about her life, and fears for his safety.

Not only do the Ice Cream Creatures display the grisly amputated finger of her mom to prove their viciousness, and not only does Lucky, the Outfit Boss of Bosses, whistle in Sara Jane for a sit-down with deadly consequences, but her gorgeous cousin, Heather Richards, enters the scene, as well. All that matters to Sara Jane is saving her family and keeping everyone she loves alive and safe. But the forces she encounters, both external and the ones crackling inside of her, fight her every step of the way.

You can find more awesome stuff on his website

Cold Fury's old cover

My Review

In summary, I loved this book and I'm so excited to read the second one!

*CLOSED*

~~Giveaway~~

~~Now’s your chance…win an ARC of Flicker & Burn as soon as it’s available!~~

~~US only~~

~~Ends~~

~~Monday December 31st 2012 at 12pm~~

*CLOSED*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

<3Books

Monday, November 19, 2012

Through the Ever Night Review

Through the Ever Night

By Veronica Rossi

Summary

A world-defying love is put to the ultimate test in the heart-stopping sequel to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece," Under the Never Sky. (Examiner.com)

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, 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 dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

What I Loved

Book Two

The middle book in the trilogy can be so hard many times. We are so close yet not close enough to get the last bit of the story. Even though it was the dreaded second book it was still a fantastic read. I was kept intrigued every chapter with the switching POVs from Aria and Perry.

Characters

In the first book I really loved both characters and I still love them. They kept on proving how awesome they were at each and every turn. Some decisions they had to make where heart wrenching, but they stayed true to their character and I like that about them.

Romance

A little more romance was added to the story, but not enough to label it a romance. Again just the perfect amount of romance to keep me very happy and content.

Story

Once again Rossi has delivered an amazing story. She threw her characters into so many different situations and made them choose the logical routes and not necessarily the route they truly wanted to take. So many different intense situations that kept me turning the pages and wanting more.

Didn't Like

That the book came to an end and I have to wait another year for the final book.

Recommendation

I great second book and I can't wait to read the final installment, so sad that I have to wait over a year to get it. If you haven't read the Under the Never Sky yet, you need to get on it!

Releases

January 8, 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information

Under the Never Sky Trilogy

Under the Never Sky my review

Through the Ever Night

Into the Still Blue 2014

What are you feelings about the middle books, love or hate them?

<3Books

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Carrier of the Mark Review

Carrier of the Mark

By Leigh Fallon

Summary

Their love was meant to be.

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.

But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction.

What I Loved

Story

Loved the magic, romance, conflicts, the beginning of many trials to come and of course the setting. I was kept very interested throughout the entire book, never any dull moments that made me want to skim through paragraphs.

Romance

A Romeo and Juliet type love affair, always a wonderful classic type love. They have wonderful chemistry and passion, they still keep it innocent for the younger readers though. I am rooting for them to be together and I can't wait to see what will happen in the next book. Fallon has some hard trials ahead of them in the coming books.

A Little Concerned

When I first started reading the book I was a little put off by all the similarities to Twilight. The grouchy across the room first meeting with a cold shoulder, the new girl in a small town with the mysterious hottie family, a Rosalie type character and even the almost attack and save. But I guess we have to all realize that similarities will always happen in books, there is only so many storylines that can be created, but how the author creates the characters and conflicts is how this story completely went its own direction. By the middle of the book I no longer cared about the similarities and I was completely riveted and entranced with this Irish land with magic.

Recommendation

Even with the little off puts I still completely enjoyed and loved the book. It is a great quick read that kept me interested at every page. Worth the read for all readers in this genre.

Information

Carrier Trilogy

Carrier of the Mark

Shadow of the Mark July 9, 2013

Age of the Fifth

What element would you like to control?

<3Books

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Vortex Review

Vortex

By Cherry Adair

Summary

Cherry Adair plunges into a world of high-sea adventure and romance, where a long-lost treasure is a deadly lure—and love is the most dangerous current of all…

SWEPT AWAY
Searching for a sunken ship off the coast of Peru, treasure hunter Logan Cutter manages to pull a very different kind of prize from the sea — beautiful mystery woman Daniela Rosada. Dani claims she has no memory of how she ended up lost at sea. But with millions of dollars in treasure at stake, Logan suspects she's not telling him the truth...and he's right.

IN TOO DEEP
Dani has good cause to hide the facts from Logan. If he knew her real reason for being onboard his ship, he'd throw her back overboard in a heartbeat. But the closer they get, the deeper she falls for him - and the more he lowers his own powerful defenses. Little do they both know that by falling in love, they've set a course for disaster...

What I Loved

Series

This is the third book in the series, but they are individually written enough that they don't necessarily need to be read in order. I enjoy series that have siblings and each books we get their story and their love affair.

Characters

Daniela: First off I want to say that I love her name, why do I love it? Well this is my sister's name and it is spelled the same way as well, it isn't a very common name and love seeing it in a book. I also do love her character as well, she is strong, resilient and a survivor. I like that she continually tries to fight back even when the odds are completely stacked against her.

Logan: The oldest Cutter brother with magnificent blue eyes and we finally get to know Logan or Wolf as he is also known as. I love his character, I think he might be my favorite brother out of the three so far. I like that he is the strong quiet type of guy. He is sexy as hell, but he has a great sense of duty, trust and honesty that I really like about him.

Romance

Once again Cherry has delivered a hot, steamy, sexy romance tension with action, fighting and killing. Neither the romance nor the action disappoint at any moment in the book.

Didn't Like

Well . . . nothing really. Enjoyed and loved it all.

Recommendation

A must read for romanctic suspense readers. Even though there isn't a paranormal element (my favorite) in the book it still was a fantastic pleasure read.

Information

Cutter Cay

Undertow my review

Riptide my review

Vortex

Lodestone Trilogy

Hush my review

Afterglow my review

Relentless March 19, 2013

Friday, September 7, 2012

A Blogging Hiatus

Blogging Hiatus

Well I guess it is about time to finally admit that I have been on and going on a bit of a blogging hiatus. For those of you that don't know, I'm pregnant with my first child, a girl. I have been so consumed lately and having baby on the brain, that books and blogging are at the bottom of my to do list. I'm currently doing a lot of product research, birth research and everything else that goes along with being a first time mom. I'm looking into cloth diapering to save lots of money; co-sleeping for the ease of breastfeeding and getting some sleep; hypno-birthing to help decrease or even eliminate pain by eliminating fear from the whole birthing process. On top of just the research I am also going to try to make a few things for her like a blanket, toy caddy to hang on the wall and cute little photo op swaddle blankets. I'm still learning my way around the sewing machine so sewing projects take some time for me to finish. We are also working on names, but I don't think we will choose a name until we see her and pick the name that fits her.

Our Little Girl

Left: Her showing us she knows she is #1

Center: Her profile

Right: Her little hand

Now back to blogging. I will occasionally be writing reviews, posting Bookography photos or just other random posts as I see fit. I'm still trying to finish some of the review books that I have agreed to do, but I just can't seem to get myself to read those "have to" books, I kinda just want to read for fun lately when I do pick up a book.

I hope you will stay with me through my blogging hiatus, but I don't mind if you choose to leave, I understand.

Have a wonderful day and maybe see you around

<3Books & Baby

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Top 10 Tuesday (22)

Top 10 Tuesdays

Topic: Top Ten Bookish Confessions

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

1. I have an book addiction
Surprise! Like all the rest of the bloggers I have so many books on my shelves and on the floor. I have books in every room and I have no room for them. I have three 5 shelf bookcases, a slim dvd turned bookcase, a 4 shelf bookcase, 2 rubber maid tubs filled with books in my closet and stacks of books laying round everywhere.

2. I hate paying full list price for a book
As much as I want to support the authors and bookstores, I have always been a saver, a coupon and a sale person. Since I also used to work at Borders and get a discount paying full price is so hard for me, I will only buy 1 book at full price to support the book event. Other than that I scour used bookstores, thankfully we have some awesome used bookstores that have a lot of new in good condition books.

3. I hate/love starting a new series/trilogy where book one has just been released
This is always killer knowing I have to wait years for the whole series to finally be out. I would rather I had picked up the series as it was just finishing.

4. Don't care for the classics
I read Pride and Prejudice but I prefer the movie. I just don't get the old language, the courtship stuff and the ___shire stuff is so freaking weird. There are a few others I would like to try, but I will always drag my feet with ever starting them.

5. I haven't checked out a book from the library to read in years
I do how ever check out audio books from the library. I figure if I read the book and like it I'm going to want to buy it anyways, so I might as well just buy the book, read it and keep it. I rarely end up with books that I don't like.

6. I have a kindle but I have never bought a book for it
My friend gave me her old kindle that she wasn't using. I have only used it for eARCs and free Amazon books. I just can't justify buying a file when I could spend less on a used book and actually have the book to maybe get signed.

7. I have gone to signings where I haven't even read the books or anything from the author
This is a very common thing for me to do. If the book interests me I will go to the event, get the book and hopefully read it one day.

8. I didn't like to read when I was younger
I started liking to read when my cousin (same age as me) had me read Danielle Steel's Star in the 8th grade which was given to her by our grandma. I devoured lots of Steel for a few years, but then I stopped and I haven't read anything of hers since.

9. I'm not an hours long bookstore browser... anymore
I have my sections young adult, paranormal romance and sci-fi fantasy that I search through. If I want it can take me 20 minutes to look through each section or a little as 8 minuets. I'm trying not to buy anymore new series or get books that I just won't have time to get through.

10. I have 3 extra copies of 1 book
Hardback 1st edition Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey, it took me 2 years searching through used bookstores to find 2 copies of first 3 books in this trilogy for my cousin and I. So now when I pass another copy I have to pick it up. I now have 3 extra copies and I don't know who to give them to and who I am willing to give them to, they are just so precious I just don't want them to leave me. Oh man, see number 1.

What are your bookish confessions

<3Books

Monday, August 27, 2012

Girls' Nightmare Out Tour

Tour by Tor

at Third Place Books
on August 23, 2012

Authors

Kendare Blake of Girl of Nightmares

Lisa Desrochers of Last Rite

also joining the Seattle stop Amanda Hocking of Wake

Marta Acosta of Dark Companion

Before the event blogger Benji set up a dinner with Kendare, Lisa, Marta, a local publicist, me and blogger Rachel. Traffic was terrible at 5pm of course and all of us bloggers were late. Rachel wasn't even able to make it at all, so sad. The rest of us had a lot of fun though, it was nice just to talk to the authors about anything. We talked about The Hunger Games, things that scare us etc. It was a blast and I would love to do it again with another group of authors. Being a blogger has some fun perks.

Leading the discussion was Bill Kenower from Author Magazine where he does interviews with authors called Author2Author. He was a bit late so initially the event was started off with one of the Third Place Books event coordinators leading the discussing and then being passed off to Bill for the remainder of the time.

We did a fun author blogger photo, all the authors put a hand on one of our shoulders, it was entertaining
Benji of The Non Reluctant Reader
Anna of Peace, Love, Teen Fiction
Pregnant me
Rachel of Beauty and the Bookshelf

Another fun event, they keep on getting more and more fun the more bloggers I'm able to meet and chat with at the event.

<3Events

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Bookography #47

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Duel

Harry Potter Style

Light Writing Photography

I have been wanting to do this for a while now but never had all the tools to do so, I needed a tripod and a remote for the shutter. I finally now have both and since I went camping last weekend I decided to try doing light writing with my family. We had a blast playing with glow sticks and the camera. My sisters had the idea do to a duel Harry Potter style, we have everyone do one of these pictures, but my sisters did the best. We also had everyone do some sort of power shot with the light being an attacking power. Needless to say we had a lot of laughs and were even told by the camp ground owner to quiet down.

How to Do

Camera needs to be able to be put into Bulb mode. Low ISO. f/8 or higher. Manual focus. Tripod. Remote for the shutter. A very start area with no light of any sort behind.

Set of camera position and frame, shine a light on the person being photographed to get the focus right, but a stick down to keep the person on that field of focus.

Open shutter. Quickly shine a light on the person, keep really still. Start light painting if using glow sticks move very slowly and always have the light pointing towards the camera. The model person should stay in place just until light position is needed, but they can move once the light is off of them. Once finished light writing close the shutter.

A few attempts will probably happen until you get it down. It took us a few times before we got it down pat.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab

Other Participators

---BookPics--- Bookography Post

<3Bookography