Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Recent Reads - Possess

Possess

Possess, Gretchen McNeil

 5 of 5 Stars

Buy It: Amazon  /  Barnes & Noble

Genre:   Young Adult, Horror/Paranormal

Pages:   384

Published:   8/23/2011, Balzer + Bray

Why I Chose It:   For my reasons see my TBR post from last Thursday. There's a hardcover giveaway!!!

Synopsis (from Good Reads):     Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.


My Review:  So here is a list of things that definitely did not happen while I was reading Possess:

1) I did not have to sleep with the lights on.

2) I did not fall asleep clutching my rosary & mumbling a prayer.

3) I did not wake up in the middle of the night in a pitch black room to find glowing eyes staring at me.

4) And I certainly did not screech, jump out of bed and knock over my nightstand only to realize those eyes belonged to my cat.

Okay, so clearly all of those things did in fact happen. But it's not my fault. I blame Gretchen McNeil. This book is creepy. Creepy, and engrossing, and wonderful. I couldn't get enough. And this is another book I went into with extremely high expectations so it had to be awesome to satisfy me.

Bridget is an incredible heroine. I can't even explain how much I loved her. She reminded me of myself at that age. You know, if I'd have been a kick-ass teenage exorcist instead of a girl who would've locked herself away if the walls had begun talking to her. She's intelligent, funny, and snarky. I never once found myself questioning her behavior. I could gush about her forever, but I'm going to force myself to move on.

The supporting cast is equally as amazing. Each character fully fleshed out with their own little intricacies and secrets. I adored Matt. He's handsome, charming, and super supportive of Bridget even as she does her best to push him away.

The story line is truly original. It wasn't the same old story with different characters. I was fully engaged, anxiously turning pages to see what would happen next. There are lots of spine-tingling moments and action scenes that had me holding my breath and biting my nails. The book definitely came to a successful conclusion, and as far as I know it's not part of a series, however I'd love to see more of Bridget and her world.

If you're a fan of YA horror or paranormal, or simply a fan of incredible writing, this book is for you.


Note: If you haven't entered my giveaway, what are you waiting for? You need this book. Open until 9/15/2011

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Friday, August 26, 2011

An Interview with a Vampire & His Brother

So today I have a very special treat for you all. Patricia Lynne, along with Tommy & Danny from her debut novel, Being Human, have joined me for an interview. If you don't know about the book yet, here's some info from Goodreads:

Being Human

Synopsis:  For Tommy, there is only one thing he needs to do: survive.

Only surviving isn't that easy. The hunt for blood can be tricky when humans know to fear the night. Desire sits on the edge of his mind, urging him to become the monster humans think he is. Vampire Forces, a special branch of police, is determined to turn every vampire to ash. Tommy included.

The only human Tommy can trust is his twin brother. A bond connects them, and with Danny's help, Tommy starts to understand the human world he struggles to survive in. He'll learn what friendships means and feel the sting of betrayal, find that sometimes the worst monsters are very human, and come to understand that family means more than blood.

Tommy just wants to survive and he knows what he needs to do. But with the number of humans that mean more to him than a meal growing, he'll learn there's more to life than simple survival. He'll discover being human doesn't mean being a human


***

The release date is set for 8/30/2011 and to be honest I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. But until then, I give you my interview with Tommy & Danny.



First, I’d like to thank you both, Tommy and Danny, for allowing me to interview you. I know this can’t be easy. Especially for you Tommy.

Tommy stares at Me. Why wouldn’t it be easy?
Dan sighs. Figure of speech lil’ bro.
Tommy: Oh. Why am I doing this again?
Patricia: Because I said so, now answer the questions and behave.
Dan: That means don’t threaten to eat Melanie.
Tommy: I don’t need to feed right now.
Dan shakes his head.


First round of questions is for Tommy:

1)      How old are you?

Tommy looks at Dan. “How old are we?”
Dan: We’re 38 now.

2)      How long have you been a vampire?

Dan: Since he didn’t know the answer to the first one, I’ll answer. He was fifteen when turned.
Tommy: I can do math when I need to.
Dan rolls eyes. You can do anything when you need to.

3)      And do you remember how you were turned?

Tommy: No.
Patricia sighs. Don’t talk too much. Vampires instantly start losing their human memories when turned so how they were turned is the first thing to go.

4)      What were you like when you were human?

Tommy: I don’t know or care.

5)      And how do you feel about humans in general?

Tommy tilts head at Me. Happy? If there weren’t humans I’d permanently die because I couldn’t feed.

6)      Do you still enjoy human activities? Like, I don’t know, going to the movies? Watching sports?

Tommy: No.
Dan: That’s not true. He’ll do something if Jamie (he calls her Sunlight) wants to or my daughter, Mackenzie, says he should. He doesn’t know how to say no.
Tommy: I can say no.
Dan: And that’s why when Mackenzie said she wanted some sour cream and onion chips and there was none in the house, you got money out of Rissa’s purse and went to the store because she said you should.
Tommy: She needs to eat to survive.
Dan: Well, she could have eaten something else then.

7)      What would you say is the best part about being a vampire?

Tommy: Not being human. Humans are not very good at surviving.

8)      And the worst?

Tommy: Nothing
Dan: Oh yeah? What about turning to ash in sunlight? Or how you whine about how hot it is when you do something that gets yourself stuck above ground during the day?
Tommy: I don’t understand what you mean.
Dan: Those things are a threat to your survival.
Tommy: But how are those things the worst part of being a vampire? If I want to survive, I avoid those things so they aren’t a problem. You’re not making any sense.
Dan sighs. Maybe we should skip this question.
Tommy: But I answered it.
Dan: Next question!

9)      What would you say is your biggest flaw? Your greatest weakness?

Tommy glares. I don’t talk about my weaknesses.

10)  And your greatest strength?

Tommy: Surviving.

11)   If you could change one thing in your past, what would it be and why?

Tommy: That’s a stupid question. It’s not possible to change the past and why would I want to change it? That would mean my life would be different and I don’t want that.

12)  If the world were coming to an end and you could only save one person, who would it be and why?

Tommy stares. Why would I only be able to save one person? I’d make sure I could save everyone I love. My brother and his wife, my niece, and Sunlight. If I had any friends, I’d save them too. I wouldn’t need a reason either. I’d save them because I love them. And why is the world ending? That doesn’t make sense. How can it end? Looks at Dan.
Dan: I’m gonna need a drink after this interview.



Now on to Danny:

1)      How would you describe your relationship with your brother before he was a vampire?

Dan: It was a close relationship. At times our parents were tearing us apart. Hell, we shared a bedroom until we were thirteen. I think Dad was a little worried how close we were was unhealthy.

2)      And now?

Dan: It’s just as strong. Only now we feel more. Our emotions, especially. The really strong ones like happiness and anger tend to surge. I can always tell when it’s Tommy’s emotions I’m feeling and not my own. It feel different, tingles through me.

3)      Are you ever afraid of your brother?

Dan: Oh yeah. First time was when he showed up at my dorm after getting his ass kicked by another vampire.
Tommy: I wanted to see you. You weren’t at risk of me killing you. I’d only do that if you were going to die.
Dan shakes his head. Yes, you’ve told me that already. Anyways, he shows up and I get this great idea to see if my blood can heal him and give myself a little cut and rub it on one of his wounds. It didn’t work. Then he gets an even better idea to see what I taste like and bites my thumb. Scared the hell out of me!
Tommy: I had every intention of letting go.
Dan: And then there was the time he stayed in my dorm room during the day. Shows scars on his wrist. Chomped right down on me. I thought I was going to die.
Tommy mumbles: I’m sorry.
Dan pats his back. No worries lil’ bro. You let go and we learned to always get you below ground during the day.

4)      What would you say is the most important part of being human?

Dan: Wow, I’m not sure I can answer that.
Tommy: Why not?
Dan sighs. Because I don’t think there’s any one most important part of being human. It’s a lot of little things that makes me human.

5)      What is your biggest regret?

Dan: As much as I accept Tommy as a vampire, I do always wish I could have stopped his turning. Or at least him killing our parents. Thanks for having us, I enjoyed myself. Elbows Tommy. Say thank you, lil’ bro.
Tommy: Thank you.
Dan sighs. Yup, I need a beer now. Come on lil’ bro, I’m sure Mackenzie is chomping at the bit to know how this went and annoying her mother by not going to bed. Looks at Me. She has school in the morning.


***

To learn more about Patricia Lynne and Being Human please feel free to stalk her. Tell her I sent you.

Twitter: @patricialynne07

Thursday, August 25, 2011

TBR Thursday {4} & Possess Giveaway



Welcome back for another weekly confession. This week I purchased just 1 book, well actually 4, but they are all the same book so I'm not sure if that counts as four. My pre-ordered copy of Possess by Gretchen McNeil appeared on my Nook at midnight on Tuesday and I picked up 3 hardcover copies -- 1 for me (I loved it that much), 1 for my sister Katie, and you guessed it, 1 to give away to a wonderful blog follower. Giveaway details below.


Last Book Purchased:

Possess

Possess, by Gretchen McNeil


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

Why Did I Purchase This Book?:

In case you failed to notice the countdown widget that was in the upper left hand side of my blog, I have been waiting for this book to come out for months. This is the book of the year for me. Demons? Teenage exorcist? What more could a girl ask for?


TBR Books:

Click on book cover to see a synopsis.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer 1. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, Michelle Hodkin

Unearthly (Unearthly, #1) 2. Unearthly, Cynthia Hand

Flawless Ruins 3. Flawless Ruins, Kieryn Nicolas

The Day Before 4. The Day Before, Lisa Schroeder

Chalked Up 5. Chalked Up, Jennifer Sey

Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest 6. Starvation Heights, Gregg Olsen

 Spellbound 7. Spellbound, Cara Lynn Shultz

Ordinary Beauty 8. Ordinary Beauty, Laura Wiess

Before I Go to Sleep 9, Before I Go To Sleep, S.J. Watson

I Gave My Heart to Know This 10. I Gave My Heart to Know This, Ellen Baker



Giveaway Rules

I'm gonna keep it simple so all you have to do is:

1) Be a blog follower

2) Leave me a comment below with your email address or your Twitter handle so I can contact the winner.

You don't have to tweet about it, but if you want to spread the word, feel free. I'll give you an extra entry if you include my Twitter handle @Melanie_McC.


That's it. Contest ends at Midnight on 9/15/2011

*U.S. Only.

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Recent Reads - Making Waves

Making Waves

Making Waves, Tawna Fenske

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre:   Adult, Romantic Comedy

Pages:   352

Published:   8/1/2011, Sourcebooks

Why I Chose It:   I pre-ordered this book on my Nook as soon as it was available. I adore Tawna Fenske's blog Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing and couldn't wait for the opportunity to read one of her novels.

I love the cover, it's fun and the colors are pretty. I also adore the title. Before the release of the book Tawna held a vote on her blog giving readers the opportunity to pick between two titles -- Making Waves or Rock the Boat. I voted for Making Waves so I'm a little partial there.

Synopsis (from Good Reads):     When Alex Bradshaw's unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb after 20 faithful years as an executive with the world's largest shipping company, he sets out to reclaim his dignity and his pension. Assembling a team of fellow corporate castoffs, he sails to the Caribbean to intercept an illegal diamond shipment. None of them counted on quirky blonde stowaway Juli Flynn, who has a perplexing array of talents, a few big secrets, and an intoxicating romantic chemistry with Alex...

My Review:  I had incredibly high expectations for this book. I mean like skyscraper high or James Franco in Pineapple Express high. Tawna Fenske and her blog have on many occasions provided me with unstoppable fits of laughter. I wanted it to be hilarious and quirky. I wanted it to be all the things I've come to love about Tawna's blog. And you know what? It was.

Turned out it was everything I'd wanted and more. I breezed through it, each page making it impossible not to turn to the next and continue reading. At times it made me blush ferociously and at others laugh out loud until my sides hurt and I had to pee. It's unique and fresh. And I can honestly tell you that you won't find anything else quite like it out there.

It was silly. It was sexy. There were pirates. Yes, that's right. Pirates. I don't think it can get much better than that. I am definitely a fan for life and I can't wait to see what Ms. Fenske has in store for us with her next book.

Buy this book. Read this book. Stalk Tawna on her blog. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.


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Monday, August 22, 2011

Interview With Author Aubrie Dionne


So you all know how much I loved Aubrie Dionne's Sci-Fi Romance Paradise 21, right? Well if you don't you can check out my review here in which I embarrass myself by gushing profusely. Seriously Paradise 21 is awesome.

And you know what else is awesome? Paradise 21 author Aubrie Dionne, who graciously agreed to allow me to fumble my way through my first author interview with her.

------


First, I want to thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your blog tour.  I loved Paradise 21 so much and I feel honored to be able to feature it on my blog.

You’re welcome! I’m honored to be a guest on your blog and so humbled that you liked it!


I’m going to start out with a few getting to know you questions, so here we go…

1) What is your favorite book? And why?


I have to pick one? Well, growing up it was Secret of the Unicorn Queen. Now, I’d have to say Winter Rose by Patricia McKillip. Every sentence is a jewel, and the romance is soooo good. The entire book reads like a fairytale. I love it!

2) And your favorite movie?

Star Wars, Episode VI. I love the ewoks on Endor, the Jabba the Hut fight, and ultimately, Darth Vadar’s turn around at the end. (Plot Spoiler) My favorite scene in it is at the ewok party, where you see the three ghosts at peace. Newer versions put the younger Anakin in there instead of the older version, and that’s okay as well. I just like seeing them all happy and coexisting.

3) What 3 things would you have to have with you on a desert island?

My flute.
A computer with access to the internet! (Is that cheating?)

A kindle loaded with 300 books.
   
4) When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I’d always wanted to be a flutist ever since 6th grade. Now I play in orchestras and teach flute for a living. In my flute lessons, I come up with stories to go with the music to get my students to understand the music better and play with emotion. They told me I had to start writing these stories down, and here I am today!

5) Are you a plotter or a pantser?

A little of both. I know the beginning and the end, and then I “pants it” in the middle!



Okay, now onto Paradise 21…

1) What inspired you to write Paradise 21?

I’m a big worry wart, and I worry about the people living on Earth when the planet becomes uninhabitable, or when the sun dies out. I know it’s a long ways away, but I still worry about them anyway because I’m silly like that.

I wondered if people could live on space ships for their entire lives. Then, generations could pass down our history and genetic code until we reach a planet able to sustain life. That’s where Paradise 21 came from!

2) I really liked Barliss as a character. He’s so deplorable yet intriguing. What inspired Barliss?

All of my characters have a little bit of me in them, whether I want them to, or not! I’m very ambitious, not like Barliss, but still, I put my career above a lot of other things in my life. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to balance it with family and time for myself. I wondered, what if I created a character who only had career and nothing else going for him. What would he be like? Barliss came to mind.

3) Some reviewers have stated that they feel Aries and Striker fell in love too quickly. I never felt this to be the case. How do you feel?

If I was Aries, and I’d just escaped from Barliss and landed on a desert planet, and a hot space pirate rescued me and told me all he wanted was my happiness, I think I’d fall pretty hard myself!
   
Aries’ is very naïve. She doesn’t know what it’s like to be in love, or the pain of rejection. She has no inhibitions like the rest of us do!

4) I personally loved Striker. I think he is an incredible hero for an incredible story. What is your favorite thing about him?

I love how he follows in his great great great grandfather’s footsteps by saving his people and providing them with a future. For a pirate, he breaks the mold and only thinks of others, not himself.

5) One thing I have to say is that when it ended I wanted more.  Will we be seeing more of Aries, Striker and Barliss in the future?

Book 2, Tundra 37 is about James Wilfred, Striker’s great great great grandfather. Book 3, Haven 6, is about Aries’ and Striker descendants on Refuge.

I’ve also just submitted a YA tie in series about Barliss and Tiff’s great granddaughter as the New Dawn reaches Paradise 21. Barliss and Tiff are still alive, but very old.

I hope this gives you want you want!


In closing, a lot of my readers are aspiring writers. If you could give them one piece of advice, what would it be?

Keep writing! Paradise 21 is my fourth book after writing twenty short stories, three other books, and a novella. It took four books for me to get an agent, so don’t give up! Keep honing your craft and make sure you have critique partners to point out your weaknesses, because you won’t see them yourself, no matter how hard you look!

Thank you for a wonderful interview with thoughtful questions, Melanie!



About the Author:


Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications.  Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing.

When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school. 

http://www.authoraubrie.com
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com



About the Book:



Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries-long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.



Excerpt:

“Might as well stay here and make camp for the night.”

His casual tone stung her composure. How could he talk of such mundane things when they’d almost been captured, when she’d touched him so tenderly?

“We’ll let them get farther away,” Striker explained, reasonable as always. “We’re going in their direction tomorrow.”

The sting of rejection grew, burning a hole in her heart. “Why?”

“Why what?”

Her lips trembled. “Why not kiss me like you did before?”

“I can’t.” He shook his head, and the air cooled between them; so much so, Aries wondered if the desert had turned into deep space.

He’d teased her with such affection before, it was cruel to take it away. “I don’t understand,” she said, wishing she didn’t care, wishing she could stop all the emotions he’d started in her heart.

Aries caught a glimpse of pain etched in the wrinkles around his eyes. Striker turned away and started pulling supplies out of his backpack. “I can’t do this.”

“Do what?”

Striker shook his head and Aries prompted, “Can’t kiss me, can’t trust me? What?”

“I can’t allow myself to get tangled up with someone. Not again.”

The thoughts of Striker with another woman confused her. On the New Dawn, everyone had one lifemate and that was it. “You mean you loved someone before?”

Striker’s hand tightened on the backpack. “I trusted someone a long time ago, allowed myself to love, if you will. She hurt me so much I lost my entire life and ended up here. I can’t experience that kind of pain again.”

Aries clasped her hand over her heart. “I’m so sorry.”

He waved her apology off as if it meant nothing. “It’s a tough world, Aries. And it’s dangerous to love. If I were you, I’d keep my heart well-guarded, because you never know when it will affect your decisions, when it will make you weak.”

Aries couldn’t take his advice. Watching him talk about his past made her realize she’d already given up her heart.

He had it.
--

Friday, August 19, 2011

Winner - The Secret Year Giveaway!!!!

The Secret Year



And the Winner of my first ever blog giveaway & a copy of The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard is...

 

Keriann Greaney Martin




Please email me your mailing address at Melanie(dot)M(dot)McCullough(at)gmail(dot)com and I will send you this beautiful book. You'll love it!!!

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Thursday, August 18, 2011

TBR Thursday {3}



Okay, so by now you guys should know how this works. So here is my weekly confession of the last book I purchased along with 10 books that I've added to my To-Be-Read List.


Last Book Purchased:

Making Waves

Making Waves, by Tawna Fenske


Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Alex Bradshaw's unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb after 20 faithful years as an executive with the world's largest shipping company, he sets out to reclaim his dignity and his pension. Assembling a team of fellow corporate castoffs, he sails to the Caribbean to intercept an illegal diamond shipment. None of them counted on quirky blonde stowaway Juli Flynn, who has a perplexing array of talents, a few big secrets, and an intoxicating romantic chemistry with Alex...

And I purchased it because:

This book has been on my TBR list forever. Ever since the title was decided. I am a huge fan of Tawna Fenske's blog "Don't Pet Me, I'm Writing". If you haven't checked it out yet, you should. She's hilarious, so I had no doubt any book written by her would be equally as fun.


TBR Books:

Click on the book cover for a synopsis

Hello Goodbye 1. Hello Goodbye, Emily Chenoweth

Don't Breathe a Word: A Novel 2. Don't Breathe a Word, Jennifer McMahon

Small Persons With Wings 3. Small Persons With Wings, Ellen Booraem

Moonglass 4. Moonglass, Jessi Kirby

The Things a Brother Knows 5. The Things a Brother Knows, Dana Reinhardt

The Preacher's Bride 6. The Preacher's Bride, Jody Hedlund

Siren (Siren, #1) 7. Siren, Tricia Rayburn

Still Missing 8. Still Missing, Chevy Stevens

Wasteland 9. Wasteland, Lynn Rush

Incarnate (Newsoul Trilogy #1) 10. Incarnate, Jodi Meadows


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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Recent Reads - Enclave

Enclave (Razorland, #1)


Enclave (Razorland #1), Ann Aguirre

 4 of 5 Stars

Genre:   Young Adult, Science Fiction/Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian

Pages:   259

Published:   4/12/2011, Feiwel & Friends

Why I Chose It:   It was recommended by a friend who assured me I would love it. I like the cover. It might not stop me in my tracks in a store, but it definitely has the whole post-apocalyptic feel to it.

Synopsis (from Good Reads):   WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn’t like following orders. At first, she thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.


My Review:  I am actually surprised by how much I liked this book. I mean I knew going into it that there were zombie-like creatures known as Freaks and that alone should have appealed to me, but for some reason I went in thinking that there was no way the author would pull it off in a way that would satisfy me.

I was dead wrong. Deuce is kick-ass from the start. She wastes no time trying to find her inner strength. She's been trained from a young age to kill freaks, and that she does. And does it well. She's been taught to be strong, hard. To not let little things like emotions get in way of the greater good of the enclave. Yet there are moments when her innate compassion boils to the surface and you see that there is more to her than just being a Huntress.

Her relationship with Fade builds over time as the two are forced through one life threatening ordeal after the next. I loved Fade. Physically he may not have been my type (I think it was mostly his hair. I don't like guys with long hair and his was described as falling into his face at one point) but he's strong and complex. He's a fighter. A survivor. There was no doubt in my mind at any point in time that he would die if it meant saving Deuce.

I will tell you that it wasn't perfect. There were moments where I felt the author was repeating herself. Almost as if she didn't trust that I was intelligent enough to remember something she'd said just a few paragraphs/pages back. And on occassion events transpired to help our heroes that seemed a little too convenient.

Then of course there was the love triangle. I didn't like it. The third player should never have been able to come between Deuce and Fade. There was absolutely nothing redeemable about him. Although Deuce may have found things in him to respect and admire, I found him deplorable and never would have been able to forgive his actions and/or inaction the way she was able. In fact, I found myself waiting and wanting for the Freaks to get him. But there was enough action and suspense to warrant a higher rating.

Bottom line, if you like a kick-ass heroine and a fast paced thrill ride, Enclave is for you. I was through it in just a few hours and hungry for more. Highly recommended.


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Thursday, August 11, 2011

ARC Giveaway - Win Lola & The Boy Next Door, Shatter Me & Crossed!!


Okay guys Tahereh Mafi is giving away ARCs over on her blog.


She has THREE PRIZE PACKS to give away

1. ARC of CROSSED + ARC of SHATTER ME

2. ARC of LOLA & THE BOY NEXT DOOR + ARC of SHATTER ME

3. ARC of SHATTER ME


For details & to enter go here. Contest ends Wednesday 8/17/2011.

Recent Reads - Matched

Matched (Matched, #1)

Matched, Ally Condie

 5 of 5 Stars

Genre:   Young Adult, Sci-Fi Dystopian

Pages:   384

Published:   11/30/2010, Dutton Juvenile

Why I Chose It:   Um, look at the cover. Pretty. And shiny. Do I need to say more or are you guys starting to understand my addiction?

Synopsis (from Good Reads):    Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

My Review:  Oh. My. God. I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this book. It was everything I could have ever wished for from a dystopian and more. I just want to squeeze it. Or sleep with it under my pillow until I'm clever enough to dream up something as brilliant.

It was tender and touching in a way that reminded me of my profound love of Lois Lowry's The Giver. The Giver is the book that changed my life. The one I read at a young age that made me want to be a writer. Made me want to affect people with words. So to find a book reminiscent of it has made me insanely happy.

Condie's writing is superb. Beautifully crafted. Every word has a point. A purpose. And was specifically chosen to create a society that is easy to understand, destined to be hated, and impossible to forget. From the very beginning, there were parts that made me tear up. Which is not something I do easily. My heart ached for Cassia and for Ky. For the choices that were seemingly beyond their control.

I do have to warn you that this is not a Hunger Games-style dystopian. The pace isn't slow, but it's steady. Gradually building until the final climax. There is no overt action, it's all done very subtly, but the story is intense nonetheless. It's haunting and thought provoking. It's an incredible love story set against the backdrop of a society that believes choice leads to failure. And in a way, they're right. The instant Cassia begins making choices her once "perfect" world begins to crumble. But it is the freedom to choose that makes us human.

I was always intrigued, wondering when the Society would exert their control and attempt to destroy the growing love between Cassia & Ky, but in the end, it all comes down to choice and the consequences of those choices.

It's just amazing. I can always gauge my love of a book by my willingness to lose sleep over it. This one I read in one sitting, staying up until about 3 am to finish despite the fact that I was ill. Recommended to everyone. I personally feel it should be read and adored by the world.

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TBR Thursday {2} & The Secret Year Giveaway


Time for this week's Bookaholics Anonymous meeting. So hi, my name's Melanie and I'm addicted to books. This week I purchased 5 books. Yes 5, but I'm going to bury my shame and only tell you about the last one I picked up.


Last Book Purchased:

The Secret Year

The Secret Year, by Jennifer R. Hubbard


Synopsis from Goodreads:

Colt and Julia were secretly together for a year, and no one ever knew, not even Julia's boyfriend. Why would they-they were from two different crowds. Julia lived in her country club world and Colt . . . didn't.

Then Julia dies in a car accident. Colt is devastated but can't mourn openly, and he's tormented that he may have played a part in her death. And when Julia's journal ends up in his hands, he is forced to relive their year together-just when he is trying to forget. The problem is, how do you get over someone who was never really yours to begin with?

And here's why I purchased it:

I've been wanting to read this book for some time now but haven't gotten around to it since it was not available on my Nook and required a trek to the Barnes & Noble in the suburbs. However, I recently made the trip and picked up not only a copy for myself but one for a lucky blog follower as well. (Giveaway details below) It's a beautiful book. The cover feels like satin. I looked like a freak rubbing it in the aisle at B&N, but once you touch it, you'll understand.


TBR Books:

Click on the book cover for a synopsis

Amaretto Flame (Eagleton Coven) 1. Amaretto Flame, Sammie Spencer

Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1) 2. Wither, Lauren DeStefano

Seed 3. Seed, Ania Ahlborn

Legend (Legend, #1) 4. Legend, Marie Lu

Starcrossed (Starcrossed, #1) 5. Starcrossed, Josephine Angelini

Darkness Becomes Her 6. Darkness Becomes Her, Kelly Keaton

A Need So Beautiful (A Need So Beautiful, #1) 7. A Need So Beautiful

Carrier of the Mark (Carrier, #1) 8. Carrier of the Mark, Leigh Fallon

Half-Blood (Covenant, #1) 9. Half-Blood, Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Book of Lost Souls 10. The Book of Lost Souls, Michelle Muto


Okay, so now for the Giveaway details...

The rules are simple. If you want this lovely paperback copy (and if you haven't read it yet, trust me you want it) just follow these steps:

1) Be a follower of this blog
2) Leave me a comment below with either your email address or Twitter handle so I can contact the winner.

Contest closes at midnight on Wednesday 8/17/2011. Good luck to everyone who enters!!


Also, if you want to join me on TBR Thursday you can link up below!!!






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