{Review} Altered by Jennifer Rush

Altered (Altered #1)

Jennifer Rush

Pages: 323
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: January 1, 2013

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?
Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.
Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.
Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

{Review} Mind Games by Kiersten White

Mind Games (Mind Games #1)

Kiersten White

Pages: 237

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: February 19, 2013

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.
In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

{Review} Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1)

Gail Carriger

Pages: 307

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: February 5, 2013

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.
Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.
But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.
Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger's legions of fans have come to adore.

{Review} What Really Happened in Peru

What Really Happened in Peru (The Bane Chronicles Part #1)

Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Pages: 133

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Format: ebook

Source: pulseit

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: April 16, 2013

Fans of The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices know that Magnus Bane is banned from Peru—and now they can find out why. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.
There are good reasons Peru is off-limits to Magnus Bane. Follow Magnus’s Peruvian escapades as he drags his fellow warlocks Ragnor Fell and Catarina Loss into trouble, learns several instruments (which he plays shockingly), dances (which he does shockingly), and disgraces his host nation by doing something unspeakable to the Nazca Lines.
This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles, What Really Happened in Peru, is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

{Cover Freakout} Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I haven't been around in a while, and I'm so sorry. I'm shocked people still come by here, but I appreciate it so much! I haven't been reading a whole lot because I've got books to read for school so I've been procrastinating on those, and then I got into Fringe which is freakishly addicting (I ship Peter/Olivia so hard). 

Anyways, I just saw the cover for the last Shatter Me book and had to say how much I love it!!!

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.
Praise for the Shatter Me series:
“Dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense. I dare you to stop reading.”—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of the Beautiful Creatures series
“Tahereh Mafi’s bold, inventive prose crackles with raw emotion. A thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love, the Shatter Me series is a must-read for fans of dystopian young adult literature—or any literature!”—Ransom Riggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
“Addictive, intense, and oozing with romance. I’m envious. I couldn’t put it down.”—Lauren Kate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fallen series

{Review} The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)

Rick Riordan

Pages: 279

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Format: A less beat up Paperback

Source: Probably B&N

Age Group: Middle Grade

Date Published: April 1, 2006

Percy Jackson’s seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy’s friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.
In this fresh, funny, and hugely anticipated follow up to The Lightning Thief, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their beloved camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family—one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

{Review} The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)

Rick Riordan

Pages: 389

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Format: A very beat up Paperback

Source: Probably B&N

Age Group: Middle Grade

Date Published: January 1, 2005

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

{Giveaway} Hooked by Liz Fichera

So I received this book:

Hooked (Hooked #1)

Liz Fichera

Pages: 368

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Format: Paperback

Source: Harlequin Teen Panel

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: January 29, 2013

When Native American Fredricka ‘Fred’ Oday is invited to become the only girl on the school’s golf team, she can’t say no. This is an opportunity to shine, win a scholarship and go to university, something no one in her family has done.
But Fred’s presence on the team isn’t exactly welcome — especially not to rich golden boy Ryan Berenger, whose best friend was kicked off the team to make a spot for Fred.
But there’s no denying that things are happening between the girl with the killer swing and the boy with the killer smile...
GET HOOKED ON A GIRL NAMED FRED.

And I have a ton of other books to read, and it's not really my type of book, so I thought maybe someone else would want it! And then I've also got some leftover swag for The Archived so the winner will also get a signed bookmark and sticker. US ONLY

And here's the Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Review} Apollyon by Jennifer Armentrout

Apollyon (Covenant #4)

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Pages: 343

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Format: Paperback

Source: Amazon

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: April 4, 2013

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.
The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.
Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

{Review} The Elite by Kiera Cass

The Elite (The Selection #2)

Kiera Cass

Pages: 323

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: Hardcover

Source: Target

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: April 23, 2013

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.
Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

{Review} Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

Two-Way Street

Lauren Barnholdt

Pages: 288

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Format: ebook

Source: PulseIt

Age Group: Upper YA

Date Published: June 26, 2007

There are two sides to every breakup.
This is Jordan and Courtney, totally in love. Sure, they were an unlikely high school couple. But they clicked; it worked. They're even going to the same college, and driving cross-country together for orientation.
Then Jordan dumps Courtney -- for a girl he met on the Internet.
It's too late to change plans, so the road trip is on. Courtney's heartbroken, but figures she can tough it out for a few days. La la la -- this is Courtney pretending not to care.
But in a strange twist, Jordan cares. A lot.
Turns out, he's got a secret or two that he's not telling Courtney. And it has everything to do with why they broke up, why they can't get back together, and how, in spite of it all, this couple is destined for each other.

I've Been Gone {An Explanation}

OK so, some of you lovely loyal followers may have noticed I REALLY haven't been around lately. This is a personal post, but I think it needs to be said.

Anyways, on May 23, 2013 I was admitted into the hospital. I had gone to emergency at around 6 pm on the 22nd, and once I was seen, they admitted me to the children's hospital. I don't remember much of my first week here. That week was basically lived between morphine doses, as I was in an incredible amount of pain. At the end of that week, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. That was really hard on my parents (as I was in too much pain and under too many pain meds to care). 

Let's back up a little, because I think someone out there needs to hear about my stupidity. About 2 months prior to my hospital visit, I had begun showing symptoms of UC. I didn't tell anyone, because I couldn't miss school right before AP testing. I don't know if I would have ended up at this point anyways had I gone to the doctor earlier, because UC is a really weird disease, but I never gave myself the chance to find out. 

What is Ulcerative Colitis you ask? No? Oh well this is what it is (from Crohn's & Colitis):

Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is a chronic, or ongoing, disease that affects the colon, also known as the large intestine. The innermost lining of the colon becomes inflamed, and ulcers, which are tiny open sores, could form on the surface.
It’s the inflammation in the lining of the colon that causes the painful symptomscommonly associated with UC. Inflammation causes the colon to empty frequently, leading to diarrhea that – because of the ulcers – can sometimes be bloody.

{Waiting on Wednesday} Through the Zombie Glass

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to:

{Review} Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

Alice in Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles #1)

Gena Showalter

Pages: 404
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: September 25, 2012

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.
Her father was right. The monsters are real….
To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies….
I wish I could go back and do a thousand things differently.
I'd tell my sister no.
I'd never beg my mother to talk to my dad.
I'd zip my lips and swallow those hateful words.
Or, barring all of that, I'd hug my sister, my mom and my dad one last time.
I'd tell them I love them.
I wish... Yeah, I wish.

{Review} Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril (The Sweet Trilogy #2)

Wendy Higgins

Pages: 384

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: eBook

Source: Barnes & Noble

Age Group: Young Adult/ Upper YA

Date Published: April 30, 2013

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things.
Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.
When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

{Review} Light by Michael Grant

Light (Gone #6)

Michael Grant

Pages: 411

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: April 2, 2013

It's been over a year since all the adults disappeared. Gone.
In the time since everyperson over the age of fourteen disap-peared from the town of Perdido Beach, California, countless battles have been fought: battles against hunger and lies and plague, and epic battles of good against evil. And now, the gaiaphage has been reborn as Diana's malicious mutant daughter, Gaia. Gaia is endlessly hungry for destruction. She yearns to conquer her Nemesis, Little Pete, and then bend the entire world to her warped will. As long-standing enemies become allies, secrets are revealed and unexpected sacrifices are made. Will their attempts to save themselves and one another matter in the end, or will the kids of Perdido Beach perish in this final power struggle?
Light, the sixth and final book in the New York Times bestselling Gone series by Michael Grant, creates a masterful, arresting conclusion to life in the FAYZ.

{Review} Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2)

Tahereh Mafi

Pages:

Publisher: HarperTeen

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: February 5, 2013

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.
Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.
She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.
Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.
In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Feature & Follow (23)

The Feature & Follow blog hop is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read}
2. (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers
3. Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
4. Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say "hi" in your comments and that they are now following you.
5. If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed
6. Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI"
7. If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love...and the followers

{Review} The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead

The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3)

Richelle Mead

Pages: 401

Publisher: Razorbill

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Age Group: Young Adult

Date Published: February 12, 2013

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

{Waiting on Wednesday} The Unbound by Victoria Schwab

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where we book bloggers talk about upcoming releases we are excited for. This week I'm looking forward to: