Review: Revived by Cat Patrick

Source: Received an ARC from Hachette Book Group Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: May 8, 2012
Number of Pages: 304

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.

---

Ever since I read the blurb and saw the cover of Revived I wanted to read it, and when I managed to get an ARC in my hands I was ecstatic, and once I actually read it I was even more thrilled! Revived is amazing! Honestly, it's addictive, and the story just reels you in and keeps you hooked until the very last page!

I wasn't sure about Daisy at first, she comes off as kind of flippant, mostly because of how she views death after using Revive for so long. However, even with her flippant feelings towards death, I really liked her as a character. I found her to be hilarious, and I really liked getting to see her open up to Audrey and Matt. I have to say though, while I loved Daisy and Matt together, I loved her relationship with Mason even more. He may not be her actual father, but they had one of the most amazing relationships I've seen in YA between a child and their parental figure. He respects her, and while she may not always listen to him, she still loves him and you could tell he genuinely cared about her. Their relationship wasn't something that I was expecting, but I was thrilled that it was there. I also loved Daisy's friend, Megan, and the blog that they run together sounds awesome. It's also nice to see unconventional character types given the respect and attention that they deserve. I'll let you read about Megan in Daisy's story...no spoiler from me here. :P

Along with the fabulous relationships in this book, it has one amazing storyline. I'm not going to go into too much detail because this is the kind of story that is so much better to experience for yourself, but I absolutely loved it! I'm a sucker for a good conspiracy...and I'm sure that there's no shock that this book has a big once since it's described right in the description. :P I thought that Daisy was the perfect narrator to undercover it all, and I loved getting to experience everything clicking into place for her as she figured everything out.

 Overall, I absolutely loved Revived, and I recommend it to anyone who wants an action-packed story that's also character driven. I will warn you that it might make you a bit squeamish at times because Daisy goes into detail about the times that she had to use Revive, but I didn't find it to be too much. However, I do know that I'm not the most sensitive person when it comes to that kind of stuff...I mean I do read zombie books, so I'm warning you just in case. :P That being said, I wholeheartedly suggest that you get your hands on a copy of Revived the first chance you get because this is one story you do not want to miss! :D

Purchase Links:
Book Depository: UK / US
Amazon: UK / US / Canada
Barnes and Noble

What do you think? Does Revived sound like a story you'd like to read?
Any other thoughts you'd like to share? :)

Razorbill Giveaway!

Today, I have an awesome giveaway for you all!

I was recently sent some amazing Razorbill titles, and I've decided to give you all the chance to win one of the three! Since I'll be shipping these, the books I have will be going to Canadian residents. However, I want everyone to get the chance to win some books, so I'm going to foot the bill for one lucky International (non-Canadian) to win their choice of one of the three! (Note: If you select Across the Universe you will be getting the paperback.) 

In total that will mean 4 winners! 

So, what do you have to do to enter...that's easy, just fill out the Rafflecopter below! :D

Here's what you can win! 

(Click on the links below to go their Goodreads pages.)

Across the Universe by Beth Revis | Playground by 50 Cent | Half World by Hiromi Goto

Here are all of the giveaway details:
-  International
- 4 Winners (3 Canadian, 1 International)
- Ends April 1st (12:01 AM EST)
- Winners will be chosen using Rafflecopter, and will have 48 hours to claim their prizes before new winner(s) are drawn.

***You also have plenty of chances for extra entries, but don't worry, the only mandatory entry is the first one. :)

ENTER USING RAFFLECOPTER:

Review: The Mockingbirds (The Mockingbirds #1) by Daisy Whitney

Source: Library

Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 332 (HC)/ 352 (PB)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Some schools have honor codes.
Others have handbooks.
Themis Academy has the Mockingbirds.

Themis Academy is a quiet boarding school with an exceptional student body that the administration trusts to always behave the honorable way--the Themis Way. So when Alex is date raped during her junior year, she has two options: stay silent and hope someone helps her, or enlist the Mockingbirds--a secret society of students dedicated to righting the wrongs of their fellow peers.

In this honest, page-turning account of a teen girl's struggle to stand up for herself, debut author Daisy Whitney reminds readers that if you love something or someone--especially yourself--you fight for it.

---

Wow....seriously, wow. I was blown away by The Mockingbirds. I knew I would like it, it sounded like a fantastic premise, with an extremely powerful message, but I didn't know how much I would like it. In fact, I loved this book!

Daisy Whitney has a wonderful writing style. It's straight-forward, realistic, and extremely character driven. By the end of the novel I felt like I knew Alex. Her voice in The Mockingbirds is so strong. I think it would be hard to walk away from this book without feeling like you'd just gotten to know her in the most intimate ways possible. That's not to say that everything she thinks makes sense or is clear, but throughout her moments of confusion, she is so real. She exposes everything to the reader. Maybe not her every single thought, but the important ones, the ones that pull you up short and let you get to know a character.

I also have to mention that I love when characters have a passion. Something that weaves into their narrative and becomes a defining trait. For Alex, this trait was her music, her piano-playing. Her passion for the piano wove so intricately into her life that she would actually imagine composers in times of need for their advice. Another character I've read that was similar to this was Chloe in the Darkest Powers Trilogy, she loved movies, so she'd imagine parts of her life as scenes. I love these defining characteristics! They help me get into the mindset of the character, and imagine that I could have the same passion, and I thought that Daisy did a brilliant job weaving Alex's passion into her story.

Well, I can't go this whole review without mentioning the Mockingbirds now, can I? There is so much that I can say about the Mockingbirds, but I don't want to keep us all here forever, so I'll keep it short. The Mockingbirds were inspiring, as was Alex for standing up for herself, but as a group, the Mockingbirds were amazing. In a school where perfection is expected, and any deviation from it (other than actual failing at school) is ignored, they represent something so profound. An organization where students try other students, and punish them for their wrongdoings. I loved that they helped to defend what was right and wrong, and while it seems strange that students would organize this kind of society, in Themis it seems to work. My favourite part about the Mockingbirds was their association with To Kill a Mockingbird. I remember reading it in school, and I really enjoyed it, and I thought it was fantastic that Daisy Whitney used it as inspiration for the Mockingbirds, and her little allusions to the story were fantastic! :D

Above everything else, this book was inspiring. It was hopeful, and I hope that people in Alex's situation can learn from it and realize that it's okay for them to stand up for themselves, and that being raped is not the victim's fault. The inspiration is The Mockingbirds doesn't end with the story though, it continues into Daisy's "Author's Note" where she reveals that, like Alex, she was date-raped, and that she stood up for herself and continued to talk about it and fight for other women in her situation. To me, this note was just icing on the cake, inspiration piled upon inspiration, and I love Daisy for sharing her story and Alex's with us readers. I've never been in their situation myself, but it never fails to impress me when I read stories like this, where someone has the courage to speak. It impresses me because if they could have the strength to speak, so could I, or if it ever happened to someone I knew, I'd be able to stand up for and with them. It lets you know that life goes on after terrible traumas like this, you just have to let it. I also can't wait to read the sequel, The Rivals, to see what happens next at Themis.

Add The Mockingbird's sequel, The Rivals, to Goodreads: The Rivals

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Dust and Decay (Benny Imura #2) by Jonathan Maberry

Source: Received an ARC from Simon and Schuster Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 352 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot and Ruin. It’s also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny’s zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny’s best friend Lou Chong are going with them. 

Sounds easy. Sounds wonderful. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot and Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers and the horrors of Gameland –where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all…could the evil Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?

In the great Rot and Ruin everything wants to kill you. Everything…and not everyone in Benny’s small band of travelers will make it out alive.

---

I've already reviewed Rot and Ruin, and I loved it...I also loved Dust and Decay! I know I've said it before, but I will say it again....I...LOVE...ZOMBIES! They are fabulous (okay, not in the traditional sense, but I think they rock haha), and I love reading about them, especially when it's not all about the gore. I don't mind gore, but I'm not a fan of a book only being about gore. Jonathan Maberry's Benny Imura series is a good mix of gore and other stuff. Other stuff being like feelings, and talking, and all those good 'ol bookish things. Okay, I'm being extremely general on purpose, but I'm trying to not spill any spoilers for Rot and Ruin in case you haven't read that one yet. Some will be unavoidable, like the ones that are already given away in the Goodreads blurb though, so if I spoil stuff that the blurb already spoils...I'm sorry, but this is a review for a sequel. lol

I'm gonna start off with the action. The action was even more intense in Dust and Decay, than it was in Rot and Ruin...which is saying something because that one was pretty intense and action-packed, too! Benny's stronger...and more buff, which yes, he does mention, since the last book, and he's also grown up a lot. Mostly because he's had to. He went through so much in Rot and Ruin, as did Nix and Tom. They've been through tonnes, so it isn't a surprise that they've decided to try to leave Mountainside. You'll have to read Dust and Decay to see how that turns out for them because my lips are sealed. :P

Oh Tom...I confessed that I love Tom in my Rot and Ruin review, but I will say it again, he is a sexy dude! I think it's because he's so fierce, but he doesn't even want to be doing what he does. He's noble, and he's a great role model for Benny. Plus, he can cook...I can't cook that well, or rather, I don't try to cook most of the time...I might be able to if I tried, but I know he can, and I like that. Anyway, I'm gonna stop gushing, and move back into the review. (Yup, I just dedicated a nice little chunk to Mr. Imura, but he's so worth it. ;D )

This one made me sad, it made me happy, and it made me laugh. I totally cried, but I won't tell you why, when, or how many times (it was more than once though). I'm not a fan of crying, although you might have noticed that I do it a lot when I read, but it's one of the ways that I judge how much I like books. If I cry over something, I can tell I'm invested in the story, and that I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I don't cry if I don't like a book, so crying for me is like a seal of approval. It means I care (and that the book is either sad or happy), and the fact that Jonathan Maberry has managed to make me care about his characters and their story so much, in a zombie book I might add, makes me smile every time...even if I might not be happy about why I was crying.

Dust and Decay is a fantastic sequel. It has double the action, definitely double the zombies---they were EVERY WHERE in this one, and it's one massively awesome zombie-tastic ride! If you haven't started this series yet, and you like zombies...or you want to try a zombies series, I definitely recommend that you go out and get yourself a copy of Rot and Ruin...and once you devour that, a copy of Dust and Decay, or both at once, whatever you fancy. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Misfit by Jon Skovron

 Source: Received an ARC from Amulet Books for an honest review.

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release Date: Already released.
Number of Pages: 384 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Jael has always felt like a freak. She’s never kissed a boy, she never knew her mom, and her dad’s always been superstrict—but that’s probably because her mom was a demon, which makes Jael half demon and most definitely not a normal sophomore girl. On her sixteenth birthday, a mysterious present unlocks her family’s dangerous history and Jael’s untapped potential. What was merely an embarrassing secret before becomes a terrifying reality. Jael must learn to master her demon side in order to take on a vindictive Duke of Hell while also dealing with a twisted priest, best-friend drama, and a spacey blond skater boy who may have hidden depths.

Author Jon Skovron takes on the dark side of human nature with his signature funny, heartfelt prose.

---

I haven't read many books with demons in them, at least not ones where demons have actual dimension to their characters. In Misfit, Jon Skovron takes demons to a whole new level. Some of them are still pretty "demonic," but some of them aren't. In fact, Jael's mother wasn't always a demon, before she became known as a "demon," she was a god. It was over time, as humans began to hate being held under the power of gods, that they became known as demons. I loved that aspect of the story. That demons had an intricate history with humans, one where they weren't always considered bad. It's fascinating, and while I'm sure some people won't like that take on demons, I found it incredibly intriguing, and loved the originality of it.

I loved learning about the demons' history, but I loved learning about Jael's parents' history even more. Jael lives alone with her father, and doesn't remember her mother. In fact, her father doesn't even talk about her mom, but that all changes on her sixteenth birthday. Her father gives her a gift that her mother left her, and with it she begins seeing memories. These memories aren't her own, though, they're memories of her father and mother when they were together. With these memories, Jael begins to see what her parents' relationship was like, and she finally gets to be acquainted with her mother, even though she's only seeing her through memories from the past.

Experiencing the memories through Jael was interesting, and moving. It was a great way to get to know her character, and to see her growth. Once Jael begins to learn about her family's history, she begins to accept herself, and embraces her demon half. The fact that she embraces her demon side doesn't make her evil. As I mentioned before, demons weren't always considered bad in this story, it was only over time that they acquired their nefarious reputations. Jael's demon side is empowering for her, and she finally begins to feel whole. Plus, she can do some amazing things with the elements! :D

I loved the characters in Misfit. I loved Jael as a main character. She's strong, brave, and fights for the people that she cares about. I also loved learning about her mother with her. Rob was another amazing character. He's all laid back, and at first appears to be a bit of a skater stereotype, but he quickly reveals himself as an in-depth character, who is much more than just a blond skater. He's philosophical, open-minded, and he and Jael are fantastic together! Jael's father is another character I enjoyed. Underneath his strict and rigid persona is a strong man. He's been through so much, and fought so hard to keep Jael safe. He wowed me. I thought at first he was just a mean dad, one that didn't let his daughter do anything, and didn't even acknowledge her birthday. However, by the end of the book, I could see his strength, and I was beyond impressed. With parents as strong as hers, it's no surprise that Jael is one superb and fierce heroine. :)

Misfit was exciting, it was packed full of fantastic characters (some who I'm leaving out, not because I didn't like them, but because I want them to be a surprise...Jael's uncle, for example), and it was full of action. Since, it is a story involving demons, the action is probably not a surprise, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. :P I think that people who enjoy paranormal stories will love this, especially if you enjoy strong heroines who will do anything to protect their loved ones. It's a fascinating change to demon history. One that I thoroughly enjoyed, and that I hope others will, too! :D

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs

Source: Received an ARC from Harper Collins Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Release Date: September 6, 2011
Number of Pages: 352 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they're triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful gorgon maligned by myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight.

---

Holy Goalie! Did I ever love this book! :D haha and if you can't tell I also love Tera's different slangs. I loved how Grace said, "Holy Goalie!" and how Gretchen would say, "Hades" instead of Hell. :P It's such a small thing, but so adorable! :D

I've been wanting to read a Tera Lynn Childs book for so long now, and I'm so glad that I got the chance to read this one because I absolutely loved it! I love mythology, and I love when authors go all out and take a small element of myth and turn in into a fabulous story of their own, and Tera definitely did that. Medusa isn't a huge part of mythology, and I always felt like she got a bad rap. Before Perseus kills her she's actually raped by Poseidon...but does anyone feel bad for her...no! Instead Athena gets pissed off and curses her with her reptilian hair because said rape happens in one of her temples...isn't that horrible?! Anyways...now that you all know that poor Medusa was a victim...and not really the bad guy that everyone insisted she was, you're in a great mindset for this book...and at the moment, this review. ;P

In Sweet Venom, Gretchen, Grace, and Greer discover that they're all descendants of Medusa, destined to protect our world from the monsters who come through from their dimension. I loved this idea! The idea that Medusa wasn't evil, as I mentioned with her myth before, really appealed to me, and I loved that Tera took her story in a different way and made her someone who was misunderstood rather than the big villain. I loved Grace and Gretchen...Greer was alright, but she was kind of stuck-up...I choose to blame her parents for that though. :P haha I also loved Milo and Nick...cute boys just always make a book better, and I happened to love these two. ;) Grace's brother, Thane was awesome, too! He didn't say much...reminded me of my brother in that way. :P lol

My favourite part of this book was Grace discovering what she was. Her training with Gretchen was awesome, and I loved learning about their different abilities while she did. I also loved getting to see Gretchen be all hardcore, and the way that the relationship between Grace and Gretchen evolved...and once Greer came into the story, their relationship with her too. :D

I thought that Sweet Venom was a fabulous story! It kept me on my toes, and I loved that Tera managed to mix ancient mythology into a current setting, while putting a very welcome twist on the ancient mythology involving Medusa! I think that Sweet Venom is pretty much perfect for anyone! If you don't know mythology I think you'll like it, and if you do, I think you'll love it even more because it offers a welcome new perspective! :D

Seriously...I can't say it enough, go read Sweet Venom, it's fantastic! :D

Are you a fan of mythology?
And I'm curious, what do you think of when you hear, "Medusa"?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: In the Forests of the Night (Goblin Wars #2) by Kersten Hamilton

 Source: Received an ARC copy from Thomas Allen and Sons for an honest review.

Publisher: Clarion
Number of Pages: 288 (Hardcover)

Release Date: November 22, 2011

(Goodreads Link.)


Blurb from Goodreads:

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man's forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends.

Teagan knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich.

And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

---

To say that I was excited for In the Forests of the Night is a severe understatement...I have been anxiously awaiting this book since the moment I finished...no, maybe the moment I started Tyger Tyger...yup, I love this series that much. As soon as I start one I'm anxious for more...and more. I've got a pretty big To-read pile, so I haven't taken much time to reread a story in a while, but I made an exception for this series. I didn't want to start In the Forests of the Night without remembering all of Tyger Tyger, so I reread it beforehand...which was an excellent idea, not only did it help me remember, but it also gave me a double dose of Finn MacCumhail, that sexy beast, his words not mine...although I may have called him something similar to that in my head once or twice. ;)
 

Moving on from how much I love Finn...okay, I'm totally lying, there will be plenty more gushing about Finn in this review...anyways. In the Forests of the Night takes off immediately after Tyger Tyger, the last few pages of Tyger Tyger are actually the same as the Prologue of In the Forests of the Night, which is awesome if you choose not to the first book...plus those few pages are so freaking adorable, and awesome! I can't even reread them without smiling a gigantic grin and if I'm in the right mood, tearing up.

Teagan was fantastic in this one! I loved her in the first book, but she's really starting to grow into herself, and discover what she's capable of in In the Forests of the Night. She's starting to accept what she's found out about herself, even if she doesn't like it, and although she's still not happy with it, she knows that there's nothing she can do to about it all. And in some other big news Cindy the Chimp gets a boyfriend! :D Sorry if I spoiled that for anyone, but you will love that part, seriously it's so cute! :D If you can't tell, I'm also one of those people that see a puppy on TV and starts in on the babytalk...it's really hard to not do, seriously, they're just so cute, like Cindy and her boyfriend! :D

Since I've already told you about Cindy, I'm going to talk about the action in this one. There's lots of running. That is all. Okay, that's not all, but that's all I'm going to tell you so that you aren't completely spoiled by this review. :P There are also lots of goblins, and you get to see several different kinds. You also learn more folklore about the first Finn MacCumhail, and more of the Travellers' history. I absolutely loved learning about the history, and the former MacCumhail, and pretty much everything about this book. Honestly, In the Forests of the Night completely blew all of my expectations for Tyger Tyger's sequel out of the water. It was so much more than I expected, and I probably couldn't have loved it more than I already did. There was some epic use of foreshadowing in this one, and throughout the story I was kept on my toes, trying to figure out what would happen next.

In the Forests of the Night was an amazing sequel, and I think all fans of Tyger Tyger will be thrilled when they read it. Just as she did with Tyger Tyger, Kersten Hamilton has once again woven a wondrous story that draws you in right from the first page. The characters: Aidan, Teagan, Finn (♥♥♥) to name a few, welcome you back into their world as if you'd never left, and you'll be spellbound until the very last page. I, for one, am already anxiously...and I mean ANXIOUSLY, awaiting the next book!

Have you started the Goblin Wars series yet?
And if you haven't, why not?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Rot and Ruin (Benny Imura #1) by Jonathan Maberry

Source: My own personal copy.

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: Already Released.
Number of Pages: 458 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

---

My name is Ambur, and I have a confession to make. I love zombies. I love the movies, the costume make up, the moaning, the sluggish walks, and...yes, sometimes I even love the gore. Oh, and I can't forget the fact that I love the books.

I believe my love of zombies started when I first watched Dawn of the Dead, the remake of course because it had just come out on DVD and my mom bought it. We all watched it, and from that moment on I've been hooked. I rewatched Dawn of the Dead, and when it came out Land of the Dead, too, and I even remember a friend and I practicing the "zombie dance" that they had as a special feature on the Land of the Dead DVD. So, why am I telling you all this? I'll telling you all of this so you know that I like zombies, and so that if you, too, like zombies, know that you are not alone...also it's a great segue into my review. :P

Rot and Ruin isn't your typical zombie book. For starters, the narrator isn't an adult, he's a teenage boy, born into a world where zombies exist, and the world we're used to is only a memory. Zombies outnumber the living by vast numbers, and there are even mentions of the authorities dropping atomic weaponry to try and get rid of the zoms, but of course, that only made everything worse.

Benny Imura's parents both died on First Night (the night that the dead started to come back as zoms), and all he has left is his big brother, Tom. To say that Benny and Tom's relationship is tense at the beginning of this book is a serious understatement. Benny basically hates his brother, and it takes a while for him to even want to get to know his brother, but as the story progresses, so does their relationship. I loved their relationship. It was tense, it was tumultuous, but most of all, it was real. What teenage boy is going to want to listen to his brother, even if his parents are dead? None, it's just the way teenagers are wired. They don't listen to people who aren't "adults" and for some reason, siblings just don't count. :P

I'm gonna make another confession, while Benny was the main character, I have a serious soft spot for Tom, and I'm definitely harboring a not-so-secret crush on him...and that samurai sword. *sigh* haha Okay, so yes, Tom Imura, very very tough. ;) haha I also really liked Benny's friends. Jonathan Maberry wrote an amazing cast of characters into this story. From the bounty hunters, Charlie Pink-eye and the Road-City Hammer, to Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny's friends. They all had amazing stories, as everyone who remembers First Night also has. Another awesome touch that I loved was that my hardcover copy of the book has pictures of the "Zombie Cards" inside of it on the inside of the cover. It was an awesome touch, and I loved that it helped me give the characters with the cards a face. I love picturing characters in my head,  but I'm never one to turn down a hint at what the author thinks they look like. :D

Along with fantastic characters, the action in this book is incredible, which I guess is to be expected, since it is a zombie book. From the zombies, to the training scenes, to Benny's attempts at finding a job, the descriptions are vivid, yet not overly descriptive, and they leave you with a clear image in your head. At the same time, they also aren't descriptive enough to leave you feeling nauseous when it comes to the parts with the zombies and the gore.

As I've already confessed my love for zombies, and I've doted on this book in my review, I'm going to make it clear. I loved this book, and it's definitely one of my favourite zombie books so far. Jonathan Maberry writes an awesome zombie story, and I'm looking forward to reading more of his stories. :)

How do you feel about zombies?
Yuck? / Woot! Woot! Zombies? / Meh?
Do you like to read zombie books, and does this sound like one you'd like?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Source: Received an ARC from Hachette Book Group Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Poppy
Number of Pages: 273 (Hardcover)

Release Date: September 5, 2011

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

A contemporary reimagining of the Greek play, "Lysistrata," in which high school senior Lissa decides it's time to end her school's ridiculous sports rivalry once and for all by starting a hook-up strike.

---

I read The DUFF before reading Shut Out, so I wasn't surprised when I read it...couldn't put it down, and absolutely fell in love with it!

Kody Keplinger has a way of writing characters that are so realistic that you genuinely feel like you've met them and personally know them, after reading about them. Her dialogue is fresh, completely realistic, and when I read it I'm constantly left thinking things like: "I'm pretty sure I've actually HAD that conversation with my friends before." She has a way of weaving a story which seems like it would be simple, but when it's all put together it creates one powerhouse of a story. If you haven't read a book by Kody Keplinger yet, you're completely missing out!

I'm a reader who loves her characters. If I don't like the characters, I generally don't like the books. In Shut Out, I never had that problem at all. Lissa, the main character, was insecure, yet she was full of sass. She had a douche (excuse my use of the word douche...it just happens to be one of my favourite words to use when complaining about guys...it can also be substituted for jerk if you prefer) of a boyfriend, and I was seriously so proud of Lissa for how she handled the different situations that Randy put her through. So freaking proud...I may have even actually said "You go girl!" while reading. :P

Now onto the yummy and awesome-tastic Cash, who was so awesome I just added a -tastic when describing him. He was smart, about most things anyways, and just all around amazing. The chemistry between Cash and Lissa was so amazing, and I found myself gushing over every single moment that they were together. I loved that Cash was more than just a jock too. He's a soccer player...which seems like it shouldn't be a big deal, but in Lissa's school, it is. Instead of there being rivalries with other schools, they have a rivalry within the school. The soccer and football teams endlessly torment each other, and it even leads to violence. It's even gotten to the point where the players don't even remember why their whole rivalry started.

Now onto the whole idea of the book itself. It's loosely based off of the Greek play "Lysistrata" by Aristophanes where the women of Athens are getting so fed up with the violence going on around them during a civil war that they decide to go a sex strike, which is led by Lysistrata. Now, I haven't read this play, but after reading Shut Out, I definitely want to. Lissa hadn't actually read Lysistrata, it's Cash who initially introducing the play to her (I know! He's smart too...seriously awesome-tastic I tell you!). She starts the whole hook-up strike because she's fed up with her boyfriend, Randy, placing more importance on the rivalry than he does on their relationship. She's also fed up with the violence after a soccer player gets injured after one of the football teams "harmless" pranks. Lissa manages to get a bunch of the girls on her side, and she leads them, just like Lysistrata did, and she helps keep them from caving in to their boyfriends. Then the boys start fighting back.

I absolutely loved Shut Out, if that wasn't already obvious. I loved the idea, the way it was written, and the characters. This story was hilarious, and I encourage everyone to read it! I really don't think you'll be disappointed!

If you want to get yourself a copy of Shut Out, it comes out on September 5th. :)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Source: Received a reviewer copy from Scholastic Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Point
Number of Pages: 320 (Hardcover)

Release Date: Already released.

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

New from #1 New York Times bestselling author Meg Cabot, a dark, fantastical story about this world . . . and the underworld.

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld.

---

I love pretty much any story that is associated with mythology, and Abandon was no exception. I thought it was a fabulous story, and this was also my first time reading anything by Meg Cabot. I'll definitely be reading more from her in the future. :)

I thought that Abandon was an interesting twist on the myth of Persephone and Hades from Greek myth. For anyone who is unfamiliar, the myth goes something like this. Hades is all alone in the Underworld, so he kidnaps Persephone for his wife. Zeus actually let him take her, but her mother, Demeter, was not pleased, and she made Hades let her go. However, while Persephone was in the Underworld she ate some seeds from a Pomegranate. Zeus had said that Persephone could return home if she were as pure as she was when she went to the Underworld, but since she'd tasted the fruit of life (a.k.a the Pomegranate ---but, most likely a metaphor for something else ;P), she was not allowed to return completely, but Zeus let her come back every Spring. This was one of the myths that the Greeks sed to describe the seasons, Spring occurred because Demeter was rejoicing at having her daughter back, and Winter would occur when she was grieving the absence of her daughter. If you want to know more, you can google it, there's plenty to learn! :D So anyways, Abandon is similar in some ways to the myth of Persephone, yet also completely different. To begin with John, the aforementioned "he" in the book's blurb is not Hades, and Pierce isn't a goddess, she's just a regular girl who is wealthier than most. ;P

I loved the chemistry between the characters of Abandon, and I loved how Meg drew in details from mythology, while also giving the story her own unique spin. I especially loved what she did with the Furies. As a main character, I thought Pierce was fantastic. She was easy to relate to, and I could definitely sympathize with her out of control emotions. John was mysterious, and at times frightening. The only thing I wasn't a fan of with John was his name. I couldn't help but think that it was such an unoriginal and boring name, especially when compared to Pierce. Honestly, that was my biggest complaint though, and when a character's name is the only thing you can have to complain about, the book must be pretty good. :P

I loved the action, the intensity, the flashbacks, and pretty much everything else with Abandon. The mystery elements were amazing, and I loved how certain details unveiled throughout the story. I also loved the setup. There wasn't just one simple chapter explaining how Pierce's accident occurred, or of how she'd originally met John. It was told over a span of the book, and I liked that. It was realistic. It was as if Pierce were letting her guard down and she couldn't help but remember those things.

Overall, I thought that Abandon was a fantastic story! One that mythology fans, and also people who are unfamiliar with mythology, will enjoy. Meg Cabot has taken a classic Greek myth and twisted it into a story of her own, and the results are amazing! I definitely recommend that you read this one, or at the very least, that you look into it! ;D

Are you a fan of mythology?
If you are, what's your favourite myth?
Also, have you read Abandon yet? What did you think?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

Source: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: July 12, 2011
Number of Pages: 320 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.

The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...

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Ever since I read Two-Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt, I've been a complete fangirl of hers! I've read anything by her that I could get my hands on, so when Sometimes It Happens was on Simon and Schuster's GalleyGrab, I quickly downloaded it! As soon as I started Sometimes It Happens, I was hooked! I finished reading it in one sitting, which is saying something considering I had to read it on my laptop, and I can happily say that I still have yet to find a book by Lauren Barnholdt that I don't like! :D

Lauren writes incredibly realistic characters, and she gives them real problems. She realizes that most teenagers are stressing over: boys, fights with friends, parent issues, and other "teenage" problems. She doesn't give them issues that seem ridiculous for teens, and I find that so refreshing. After all, if I wanted to read about "adult" problems, I would read a book with an adult main character.

In Sometimes It Happens, Hannah experiences the usual teenage upsets. It's summer, her best friend, Ava, has abandoned her to a summer of boredom, and her boyfriend cheated on her...and didn't even say anything to her afterwards. So, Hannah does what every sensible teenage girl does after her boyfriend cheats and her only friend has left her to deal with it on her own...she sulks, and pigs out on junk food. (See, super realistic. :P) Now, I understand some people might find all that cliche, but let's be honest, it's "cliche" for a reason...it's true. If I've had a bad day, I will most definitely reach for some kind of junk to sulk with...chocolate bars, hot chocolate, ice cream, chips, cookies...you name it, if I have it in the cupboard, it will suffice.

Anyways, so eventually Hannah gets a job thanks to Ava's boyfriend, Noah. Usually both Hannah and Noah would be spending time with Ava, but since she's not there, they start spending a lot of time together, and feelings start to develop, which "sometimes...happens." I've read a few reviews where people saw the whole saying, "Sometimes It Happens" as basically a way to condone cheating, but I interpreted it as sometimes life happens. Sometimes your best friend leaves for the summer, and you get to know her boyfriend and you start to like him. You try to stop feeling that way, but we all know that you can't control your feelings all the time. You don't do anything because he's your best friend's boyfriend, but one night, something does happen, so you're honest and you tell your best friend. Well, that's what Hannah went through. I've never been through that much drama myself, thank goodness...I like to read about it, not live it. :P

I think that Hannah handled things in the best way that she could, and I admired her throughout Sometimes It Happens. At least she wasn't the type of girl who tries to get her best friend's boyfriend on purpose. The actions of her best friend, Ava, on the other hand were not something that I was too happy with. Ava treated Hannah terribly, but Hannah didn't even see it. Plus Ava was a liar...and a cheater herself. At least Hannah was honest, Ava wasn't. Now, Noah. I loved Noah! He was funny, smart, and he tried so hard to fight his feelings for Hannah, not just for Ava, but for Hannah, too. He knew how much Ava's friendship meant to her.

Overall, Sometimes It Happens was a fantastic and realistic story. The characters were extremely well developed, and after reading the book, I felt like I actually knew them. I also felt like as Hannah fell for Noah, I did too. :) Once again, Lauren Barnholdt managed to hook me in right from the start! If you haven't read anything by Lauren Barnholdt yet, you definitely should! She writes amazing stories! :D

Have you read any of Lauren Barnholdt's books?
Which ones?
Do you want to read any?
(I suggest Two-Way Street, that one's still my favourite! :D)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Tyger Tyger (Goblin Wars #1) by Kersten Hamilton

Source: Originally read on NetGalley, but I also received a copy for Christmas from my little brother. :)

Publisher: Clarion Books
Number of Pages: 308 (Hardcover)

Release Date: Already released.

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.

     Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.
Kersten Hamilton is the author of several picture books and many middle grade novels. When she's not writing, she hunts dinosaurs in the deserts and badlands outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she lives. This is her first novel for young adults. For more about Kersten, please visit www.kerstenhamilton.com.

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Before reading Tyger Tyger, I'd never read a story with goblins in it, and I must say, after Tyger Tyger, I will definitely be looking for more of them! :D Although to be honest, the thing I mostly want more of is Finn Mac Cumhaill. :P

Tyger Tyger is a fabulous story. It has an amazing narrator named Teagan, who is so smart, but has lived a pretty normal and sheltered life, so she's not experienced with adventure at all. It was like you were taking your first adventure with her. I loved Teagan! She was so goal oriented, and I could relate to her so well. Her family and friends were fantastic, too. Aidan was such a cool little kid, and his singing...just imagining it made me smile. Elvis Impersonators...so funny! Her best friend Abby would say whatever was on her mind, and I was constantly laughing during her parts. Her parents were awesome too, and their family history about Merlin and all that, so cool! I just loved all of the details in Tyger Tyger, they were so intricate, and I loved learning little things about Irish travellers and their history. :D

Kersten Hamilton has crafted a wondrous world in Tyger Tyger. One woven out of stories of old, and placed into the world that we know. She's taken a classic Irish hero and made him into a YA heartthrob. After all, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one swooning over Finn and his magical duct tape that can fix anything. :P I thought Finn was AMAZING! He's definitely one of my favourite book crushes, and I could reread this book over and over and still never get my fill of the Mac Cumhaill! ;)

Along with the magical story that Kersten has created, the relationships between characters is remarkable and realistic. I love Finn and Teagan! Absolutely love them! They're so innocent...well Teagan is, Finn's past is kind of a mystery. :P I especially love how much they go through with each other, and how their relationship evolves at such a gradual pace, at least when you combine the way they both feel. :P For Finn, his love is pretty much instantaneous! For Teagan, though, it's much more gradual, and I loved the authenticity of that growth...the love, not the whole situation with the goblins. haha

I thought that Tyger Tyger was a beautiful story! It was imaginative, and full of adventure, with a side of romance that kept me on my toes! I definitely recommend it! :D

Have you read Tyger Tyger yet?
If you have, what did you think?
And if you haven't, what's holding you back?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Sweetly (Sisters Red #2) by Jackson Pearce

Source: Received an ARC from publisher for an honest review.

Publisher: Little, Brown

Release Date: August 23, 2011
Number of Pages: 320 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:

SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

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I really liked Sisters Red, but I LOVED Sweetly! I knew that the two were companion novels, but I had no idea that they would be so closely linked! The world is definitely the same, and for anyone who's planning on reading or rereading Sisters Red before reading Sweetly, I suggest that you pay attention to the members of Silas Reynolds' family, one of them may just turn up. *hint, hint. nudge, nudge* and *wink*

Now onto the story itself, I loved it! I loved the sibling relationship between Gretchen and Ansel, but I did feel kind of bad for them, their step-mom was such a bag, and their family just suffered so much! I was so glad that they had each other, though. I loved how Gretchen grew throughout Sweetly, she really impressed me! And Samuel...oh boy, he was awesome (please note that you must read "awesome" in a breathless whisper, almost with a worshiping tone). If you can't tell by my massive amount of gushing right there, I loved Samuel, and Gretchen, together or apart, these two were fantastic! :D

The only downside to reading Sweetly was that it made me want chocolate and candy REALLY bad, and I didn't have ANY! So, if you're about to read Sweetly, I suggest you stock up on some snacks first, it'll be like you're IN the story! haha

Now, moving on from my intense desire for some candy while reading, this book was awesome. I read it during a Read-a-thon, and I just couldn't put it down! It drew me in, and I loved every moment of it! I thought that Jackson Pearce did a fantastic job of including details from the original tale of Hansel and Gretel, while also incorporating it into the world that she created in Sisters Red. Together, these two elements made for a remarkable story, one that you will want to read over and over again because it's a story that will have you craving more and more!

Sweetly was a fantastic book! As a stand-alone, a follow-up, or even a a precursor to Sisters Red, it was amazing! I do recommend that you read it after Sisters Red though because there are certain details you learn in Sisters Red that would make Sweetly even better! Definitely would work either way though. :)

Have you already read Sisters Red? Thoughts?
Are you excited for Sweetly?
And just because I'm curious, does anyone else have a serious sweet tooth...or is it just me? :P

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Forever (Wolves of Mercy Fall #3) by Maggie Steifvater

Source: Received an ARC from Scholastic Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: July 12, 2011
Number of Pages: 386 (Hardcover)

(Goodreads Link.)

Blurb from Goodreads:


The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater
In Maggie Stiefvater's SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

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Goodreads links to the other two books in The Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy:
Shiver (#1), and Linger (#2)

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I first started the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy a few years ago. I came across Shiver in the bookstore, and I absolutely loved the cover (I'm a real sucker for shiny stuff haha) and the description on the back. To this day, I am so glad that I picked up Shiver, and I will continue to encourage people to read this series. It's fantastic!

The whole story within this trilogy is definitely one of a kind, and it's one that I think even readers who don't really like paranormal stories would enjoy. It's the kind of story that actually helps you try to understand what goes on to the people who become "supernatural" and doesn't just tell you that's how it is, and you need to get over the fact that you just will never know why. I absolutely love that there's some science mixed in with the whole paranormal aspect. I found it refreshing, and honestly, it kind of made me want to learn. :P

Back when I started reading this series, I immediately fell in love with Maggie's writing, and the world she created. I loved the crazy way that the chapters in Shiver were organized with temperatures and months and all those goodies, and I have absolutely loved reading about Sam, Grace, Mercy Falls, the wolves, and all of the other fabulous things that make this trilogy so amazing *cough*COLE*cough*. Maggie writes amazing characters, and the emotion that she puts into their thoughts and narratives is genius. Plus, Sam and Grace's whole relationship was amazing. Their love is so genuine, constant, and it can seriously withstand anything...plus, how could Grace not have fallen for Sam, he's written songs about her. ;) I also absolutely love the chapters when you get to be inside of one of the character's heads while they're a wolf. She's given the wolves such unique thoughts, and the way that they process and think about things has continued to astound me. I also love the way they exchange thoughts between their pack. They throw around images to each other, which is just so interesting...it also makes me curious about real wolves.

I am of course, a little sad that the series is over, but I feel that Maggie has ended this series on a note of hope, and it left me satisfied...curious, but definitely satisfied. I also loved her Author's note at the end of the book, it was so heart-warming, and I will definitely admit it had me tearing up. I cried while reading the book too, just in case anyone is curious. :P I also laughed, and smiled on countless occasions. One of the things I love about this series is that in each book you get more and more narrators. In Shiver, you have Grace and Sam. Then in Linger, you get Grace, Sam, Isabel, and Cole. And in Forever, you get Grace, Sam, Cole, Isabel, and even Shelby in the prologue. I remember reading Linger and being all..."What? new people!", but honestly, I absolutely love Cole now...I'm kind of a Cole fangirl, but I totally still love me some Sam. They're so different that you can honestly love them both. :P

In Forever, so much stuff happens. The timeline of the book isn't actually very long, but it's packed with tonnes of stuff. You get to see the characters in completely different places than they were in the last two books, and you get to see how the series ends...who doesn't love that?! The Wolves of Mercy Falls is an amazing series, and it's one that I want encourage everyone to start because I really think you'll love it! This is a series you can connect with while reading, and you will find it hard to walk away from these books without feeling something for these characters. If you by some chance don't love it, then that's fine too, after all, not all books are for everybody!

In case you couldn't tell from my review, I loved Forever, and while I'm sad the series is over, I'm happy for the characters and the ending definitely left me satisfied. :)

---

Have YOU started the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy yet?
Are you anxious for Forever's release???

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

CANADA DAY Blog Hop!!!!

HAPPY EARLY CANADA DAY EVERYONE!!!! 

Or if you're actually reading this on Canada Day, HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!

Aislynn from Knit, Purl, Stitch...Read and Cook, and Chrystal from Snowdrop Dreams of Books have organized this awesome Canada Day Blog Hop! :D
I'd just like to take the time right now to say thanks to them for organizing it, when you stop at their blogs, feel free to thank them too. :)

Anyways, it's probably really obvious because of the title of this blog hop, but this weekend on Friday, July 1st, it's CANADA DAY! Some of you might not have known that, and if you didn't, that's alright. And don't worry, you don't have to be Canadian to enter the giveaways in this hop, at least not all of them. My giveaway, for example, is INTERNATIONAL! YAY! EVERYBODY CAN ENTER! Ok...I'm going to take it easy on the capital letters in a little bit, but first I have to introduce you to the wonderful books you can win! *Insert applause and some kind of intense drum roll here*

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Since this is a Canada Day Blog Hop, all of the books that you can win are written by Canadian authors! :D

Option 1: Your book of choice by Kelley Armstrong
(worth up to $15)

(Choices may be limited, it depends on what's available on The Book Depository. Here's a link so you can see what they have: Kelley's Books.)


Option 2: Any of the 3 books in Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange Series

If I could have I would've included Once Every Never in this option, but unfortunately The Book Depository doesn't have it.


Option 3: Any book by a Canadian author, under $15 Canadian Dollars. 

It MUST be a Canadian author though, and please be honest about this. This is a Canada Day hop, so I want you guys to give some Canadian authors some attention. If you need to find out if an author is Canadian, check Goodreads, Wikipedia, Author websites, etc. There are plenty of resources at your fingertips. :P

Here are a few examples of Canadian authors:
(Links go to Book Depository searches)
Leonard Cohen
Margaret Atwood
William Shatner
Mary Balogh
Susanna Kearsley
Barbara Kyle
Denise Jaden
L.M. Montgomery (author of Anne of Green Gables)


So now that you know what you can win, let's get on with the details!


Giveaway Details:

*  INTERNATIONAL!
Just make sure the Book Depository sends to your country. You can check that here.
* This giveaway ends on July 2nd at 11:59 PM (M.S.T).
* You must be 13 or older to enter.
*Following is not required but you can get extra entries.
To make following easy. Here's my Twitter Profile: @AmburHostyn
* Sharing this giveaway is not required, but it also gives you extra entries.
* There will be 1 Winner.
* Winner will be chosen using Random.org
 * Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize, and if they don't, a new winner will be randomly drawn. Please check your junk folders after July 2nd just to make sure you don't miss an email saying you've won.

Enter the giveaway with this FORM

***Giveaway is now CLOSED.***


All entries must be done with the form, comments won't count, but I do enjoy them. ;)

Thanks for entering, and Good Luck!

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You can find the rest of the stops on this blog hop in the linky below:

Enjoy your Canada Day weekend, even if you aren't Canadian. ;)

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

Source: received an ARC from HarperCollins Canada for an honest review.

Publisher: Balzar and Bray

Release Date: Already Released.

(Goodreads Link.)

Before I read Bumped, I had seen many mixed reviews, so I wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but once I started reading, I was completely hooked. While the slang that Megan created for the world of Bumped was a bit hard to follow at times, the story still completely enthralled me. I was fascinated in that way where you see something kind of horrific and can't look away. The world of Bumped isn't horrific in the way that a nasty car crash is, it's horrific in the way that something that should be seen as wrong and corrupt is seen as normal and as a way to garner your status. Just to be clear, I don't mean that Megan's writing is horrific, I'm merely talking about the subject matter. The fact that adults in their world pay teenage boys and girls to make babies, and that their fertility is basically a product was the horrifying part. I actually thought that Megan's writing was fabulous. It had an amazing flow, and it kept me wanting more.

The biggest criticisms I've seen for Bumped have been about the slang and the subject matter in general. The slang was a bit much at times, but I thought that Megan did a great job making her world close to ours, but slightly different...as if a couple of decades had passed, which is exactly what it was supposed to be like. It made me feel as if I was in the generation suffering from the virus that prevented them from having kids, and I even thought, "What would I do in that situation?" and honestly, I'm not really sure what I would do. As far as the subject matter goes, well it's all a matter of opinion. For me, I didn't find it too graphic, but I can understand how Bumped might not be appropriate reading for someone younger. The whole pregnancy aspect of Bumped is heavily romanticized and it's seen as more of a norm, so someone young and impressionable might not be the best audience for this book.

As far as being in the adults' place in Bumped, I don't think I'd do the same things, but until you're in a situation like that it's hard to actually know what you would be capable of doing, and I absolutely loved that Megan brought that to my attention while reading. I love to read as an escape into a fun fantasy world, but I also love when you read something and it makes you think. It makes you examine life around you, and put yourself in various positions and perspectives. In Bumped, I was able to do that. I imagined what it would be like to be Melody and Harmony, the main two characters, I imagined what it would be like to be the adults of their world, and I imagined what it would be like if I were in there world at the age I would be.

Bumped made me think. It forced me to examine the way that we live, and because of that, I thought it was an amazing story. It made me think of how our society views pregnancy nowadays. With celebrity pregnancies seeming like a trend at times, and I'm not sure if I'm the only one, but I know a handful of people around my age or younger who've gotten pregnant recently. I thought about how we view pregnancy and how it was viewed in Bumped, and it made me think..."Could that be where we're headed?" Who knows, there could end up being a virus that makes all adults sterile, but then again, there might not be. With shows like 16 and Pregnant though, it also made me think that honestly, pregnancy already is a bit romanticized, but part of that romanticized view could just be us girls going all goo-goo eyed over babies...which I am most definitely guilty of as well. ;) Anyways, along with making me think, Bumped kept me glued to its pages. I flew through it, and when I got to the last page, I wasn't even close to being sated...I wanted more.

What do you guys think about pregnancy nowadays?
Is it viewed more romantically than it used to be? Or do you think it's still the same?
And have you read Bumped? Did it make you think too?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur

Review Only Blog Tour : Fanfare by Renee Ahdieh

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 Source: Received ebook for an honest review for blog tour.

Publisher: Revolution Publishing

Release Date: May 31, 2011

 (Goodreads Link.)

Fanfare is not a fairy tale. It's a story about a strong woman who ultimately decides that she's the one in control of her own life, and that if she wants to be happy she can be. Cris was such a strong character, and she was super feisty. She was one of those characters that I couldn't help but love. Even though I loved her, there were a couple of times I just wanted to shake her. The biggest thing that was keeping her from being happy was herself. It was one of those times where a person just brings this huge train-wreck that tears through their life on themselves.

That being said, I really liked this story. For most of the story I was impressed by Cris, and when I wasn't, I understood where she was coming from, even if I wouldn't have done the same things myself. She had a killer sense of humour, and she spoke her mind when she believed in something. I really respect her as a character, and by the end of Fanfare I was proud of her too. She stepped up and finally overcame her fears. It takes a strong person to fight for their beliefs and stand up for themselves, but it takes an even stronger person to admit they were wrong and to take risks to try and fix the things they've broken. Throughout Fanfare, Cris expressed both types of strength, and for that I greatly admired her.

Now, as you might have guessed, there is most certainly a boy in this story. This boy happens to be a celebrity, one who bears a striking resemblance to one that I'm sure pretty everyone in the world is aware of nowadays, he's been in some popular movies about a vampire and a regular teenage girl who fall in love...and if you can't guess who I mean by that hint then I'm not quite sure where you've been hiding for the last couple of years. :P Anyways, the actor's name is Thomas Abramson, or Tom, and I thought his relationship with Cris was just plain ole adorable. They complimented each other very well, and while they tended to get each other into situations that probably could have been avoided, their chemistry was palpable and their banter was entertaining and fantastic. I loved the jokes between Tom and Cris, and their email exchanges were hilarious too! :D

Along with Tom and Cris, were their fantastic friends. Cris' friends, Gita and Hana were just awesome! They're the type of friends we all wish we had, or if we are lucky enough to have them, we hold onto them for dear life. :P And Tom's friends in London were hilarious! I especially loved the scene where Cris, Tom, and Tom's friends, Ben and Philip, all played Guitar Hero World Tour together...so funny! :D There was one character that I wasn't a fan of, but to be honest, I'm pretty sure he was designed to be that character everybody loves to hate, so Renee definitely succeeded there. Cris' ex-fiancee, Ryan, who Gita called "Sergeant Killjoy" was the one who cause Cris to be so deluded when it came to love and I believe he was the main source of her problems. I'll admit, I really didn't like him, or how Cris seemed to be so weak around him, but her reactions to him were definitely understandable. I really wish I could have just punched him in the face to make him leave her alone at parts in the book, he just didn't seem to like that she was happy without out him, and the name Sergeant Killjoy did indeed suit him well. :P

 I absolutely loved the whole celebrity aspect of Fanfare, and I'll admit, that I've gone through the whole celebrity obsession myself, so it was interesting to read a story where the character got to experience being with someone who was famous, especially since she was the type of person who prefers to stay away from all of the celebrity gossip...although she did admit that it was more because she knew that she's get addicted to it, like Farmtown on Facebook (been there done that too :P haha).

I thought that Fanfare was a funny story with amazing characters, and underneath all of the laughter the message that Cris learned about controlling your own happiness and letting yourself be happy was a strong one. One that I was more than happy to learn. :)

I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to read Fanfare. Renee has a wonderful writing style and this is a fantastic debut. :)

Get yourself a copy from: Amazon Kindle Store, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble/Nook.

So...celebrities, love em or hate em? 

Are you obsessed, are you altogether anti-celebrity, or are you somewhere in the middle?

What are your thoughts on Fanfare, do you think you'd like it?

Happy Reading!!!

♪♫ Ambur