Release Date: October 23, 2012
Published By: Simon & Schuster Books
Pages: 544
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.

She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.

They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.

She’s wrong.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Review: It’s so hard to describe this book, because for a huge majority of it, you feel like you’re slowly going crazy with Mara. Things happen and you’re not even sure if they really did happen or if it’s partly due to the fact that Mara is what I would consider an unreliable protagonist. She doesn’t even know what’s reality herself a lot of the time, so you’re really going on this journey with her trying to work out what is real and what isn’t. You feel her frustrations, and confusion,

What makes this book so wonderful though is that towards the end, it’s like the pieces of the jigsaw finally start coming together to help form an overall image. There’s still some pieces missing though and that is enough for me to be rushing out to buy the third book when it comes out! Well played Michelle Hodkin!

There’s definitely a more sinister feel to this book. Everyone is accusing Mara of being crazy. She’s admitted into a mental institution, she is drugged up on all kinds of medication, and no one will believe her when she tries to tell people that her ex boyfriend Jude is not dead. He is very much alive and he is coming after her. The only person that does believe her is Noah.

Speaking of which, Noah is all kinds of amazing. I get that he can be arrogant and sarcastic and completely frustrating at times, but you just have to admire his devotion to protecting Mara as well as his loyalty. No matter how messed up Mara feels or how crazy, he stands by her and really becomes a source of strength to her during this book. I absolutely loved this quality in him, and I will say that there are definitely more sexy times going on in this book than in the first! It’s steamy without ever really getting steamy. Who’d have thought there’d be so much involved in just a kiss! ;)

The Evolution of Mara Dyer definitely did justice to the first book in this series, and I am still so intrigued by some of the ongoing mysteries that weren’t solved for us in volume two of this trilogy. I am expecting some big answers in the third installment coming out in October this year!

Trailer:

The cover for The Dream Thieves is here! Sequel to The Raven Boys, this book is scheduled for release in September this year

Not 100% sure how I feel about this cover just yet. I did like how the cover of The Raven Boys had a silver/pearl type cover but I’d need to wait until I saw a physical copy of it first to know if that’s the plan (The Raven Boys looked like a white cover on Goodreads also, but it’s silver and gorgeous).

No synopsis on Goodreads for The Dream Thieves just yet… painful! Maggie, please at least give us a hint of what is to come?! If it’s anything like the first book, I know it’s going to be a really awesome read, but unfortunately for now it seems like it’s the waiting game… (I am not very good at that game fyi).

I’ll post more information when I have it, but definitely a book that is going on my ‘to be read’ list in 2013!

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time to tell you what I have been up to for the past week! W..W..W.. Wednesdays is a weekly meme bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while and I am so happy I’ve now started it!!! :D I gave up on Enders Game (the audiobook) because it required more concentration than I could give it. I am going to try and actually get a copy of the book and read it. I think listening to this one is too much.

What did you recently finish reading?

I last finished reading Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys which I really liked, and the review of this was posted yesterday! Bit of a surprise package, I didn’t expect to get so much of a dramatic storyline, but I went with it and loved it!

What do you think you’ll read next?

I next would like to read Prodigy by Maria Lu and Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans. Also on my list to read this month is Asunder by Jodi Meadows.

What is everyone out there reading at the moment? Share your links below!

Release Date: February 12th 2013
Published By: Philomel Books
Pages: 348
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:

It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

Review: Out of the Easy tells the story of Josie Moraine, who is the teenage daughter of a prostitute. Life hasn’t been easy to her. She refuses to become anything like her mother, but in order to change her life, she finds herself working hard every day so she can try and pay her way through college (if she can get in). Unfortunately for Josie, because of who her mother is, as well as the people around her, she gets caught up in some pretty shady dealings including having the mob bosses after her, and the police also. There’s murder, threats on her life as well as loved ones dying around her. But there’s also some love that comes out of it all as well.

I enjoyed the change of pace that this bought book with it. I haven’t read any YA based in the 1950’s and so this was a first for me. I enjoyed the writing style as well as the setting of this book. It takes place in New Orleans and Ruta Sepety’s writing painted such a good picture of where the book was set. The characters were really well defined and three dimensional. Each character, no matter how small had a story behind them.

I really felt for Josie, although I admired the fact that she wasn’t someone who dwelled on how bad her life was, but rather, she just got on with it. Her situation was pretty bad with her mother being a prostitute who doesn’t have any maternal instinct and her father being non existent. However she had her head screwed on straight. Instead of perpetuating the cycle, Josie wants more for herself. She works hard - both in a book store and also as a cleaner of the brothel to make enough money to go to college. So whilst it was a sad situation, I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of hope for her character.

I really loved Jesse… initially he shows his cocky side with quotes like “You like me, Josie Moraine. You just don’t know it yet”, and then we also see a sweet, protective side of him also, and I really found myself loving all the parts of the book that he was in.

Patrick was a surprise character for me, because I thought I had him pigeon holed as a certain type of guy, but his character has a bit of a twist turn about half way through that I thought actually worked really well with the story we were told so far and made it far easier for me to make a decision as far as any love triangle was concerned! I also admired his dedication to his sick father, and the scenes where he plays the piano non stop for his father because the doctors feel it will bring him some joy. So sweet.

Don’t even get me started on Josie’s mother… ugh. I hate bad parents, and Josie’s mother was a perfect example of that. I’d like to say she had a moment of awareness or clarity, but unfortunately she doesn’t.

The working women themselves, whilst aren’t heavily featured in detail play an entertaining supporting role. The brothel itself is almost its own character, and personally I found Willie to be an intimidating (but at the same time nurturing) character. She wanted to be softer, but was so hardened by life that she couldn’t bring herself to show it. But she really cared about Josie and this showed. Then there’s Sadie and Cokie who I thought were just fantastic characters in their own right, even though they are quite small characters in the story. There was LOTS of characters, but it was easy to keep a track of who was who, keeping up was never an issue!

All in all, a story that felt so very real. Definitely worth checking this one out!

A new Amanda Grace book is here! I read her last book called But I Love Him which was quite a serious YA novel themed around domestic abuse in a teenage relationship. It was one of those books that wasn’t pleasant to read due to the content, but it was an important book to read because it carries a deeper message and makes you think about what you would do if you or your friends ever found themselves in a situation like that.

There’s not much said on Goodreads about the synopsis for The Truth About You and Me so far except to say that this book is about a 16 girl enrolled in a college-level program, who has an affair with one of her professors, which I am guessing from the title is being kept hidden (for obvious reasons).

Not sure what angle this book will be told from, but I am really keen to know more about this one! It doesn’t even state when in 2013 it’s going to be published so it’s all a bit of a mystery at the minute, but once I know more I will let you know!

Keep your eyes peeled!

Good evening, hope you’ve all been well out there! Small week for me (but a good one none-the-less!)

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia from A girl and her books and The Printed Page.

Stacking the Shelves is bought to you by Tynga from Tynga’s Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Prodigy (Legend #2) - Marie Lu

The sequel to Legend!! This was released on Jan 29th, but I finally got myself a copy and I am really excited to see what happens. Legend was a fantastic dystopian, and from all reports I am hearing that Prodigy may even be better than the first book? Fingers crossed!

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

Monument 14 (Monument 14 #1) - Emmy Laybourne

Thank you so much to Hatchette books for sending me this copy! I am pumped to read this. It’s an end of the world style book and it sounds like it has an action packed story line. I am reviewing this closer to the release date in April!

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong …
Fourteen kids stranded inside a superstore. Inside they have everything they could ever need. There’s junk food and clothes, computer games and books, drugs and alcohol … and without adult supervision they can do whatever they want.
Sounds like fun?

But outside the world is being ripped apart by violent storms and chemicals leaking into the atmosphere that, depending on blood type, leave victims paranoid, violent or dead.

The kids must remain inside, forced to create their own community, unsure if they’ll ever be able to leave. Can they stop the world they’ve created inside from self-destructing too?

That is all from me this week, what did you receive in your mailboxes? Let me know - leave your links in the comments section below!

Hey guys,

I was just going through my analytics (a thing us bloggers do, to see if we’re on the right track basically), and I was stopped in my tracks by something I saw. A google search I saw that lead someone to my site. It hit close to home:

“I read books and people call me book nerd”

Someone out there is obviously trying to reach out for advice or an answer… I was compelled to address this. So many things to say about that this that I don’t even know where to start. Because this was me in school also. I am assuming the person who has searched this has done so because being called a book nerd bothers or upsets them (or I figure you wouldn’t bother googling it right?). A few assumptions I am making here..

But firstly I just want to say, that kids can be real assholes to each other. There’s no nice way to say that. And it’s true.

I am going to say this though. Kids say it like it’s something you ought to be upset or ashamed of. But why should you? People who read are smart people. We are thoughtful and open to new possibilities. We have wild and active imaginations and we like to be transported to all kinds of worlds and situations. That is our escapism. When other kids are escaping their realities by drinking alcohol and doing drugs and acting out in other ways that aren’t healthy for them, readers escape by picking up a book.

And after school is over, it means nothing. Really. I was on occasion bullied (girl schools will do this to you), and I thought at the time that I’d never get through it, but I did. And after school, you realise how much it doesn’t even matter. Everything that happened during school seems petty in hindsight and holds no meaning in the real world.

You’ll note that this website is called Book Nerd Reviews. I wear it like a badge of honour these days. I own it. I even tell people I meet in general conversation these days that I am a self confessed book nerd, and you know something? I am proud to be a book nerd. And there are so many book nerds out there - that’s why I have a book blog… there’s a huge community of us online!

Trust me when I say there’s a lot worse out there you could be than a book nerd. Do me a favour, and try to embrace it like I do. If you own it, then they can’t hurt you. Don’t hide who you are. Good on you for loving books, the more of us there are out there the better I say!

Hello readers! Welcome to another edition of nail art inspired by fiction. This weeks nail art revisting Alice in Wonderland!!

Hi everyone! So I need to apologise… I haven’t posted for like almost two days. Why is that you’re asking? Well, unlike everyone else out there, I seem to be a million years behind the times (as you’re about to discover)… but I have just recently found out about how amazing YouTube is for web series! Eeee.

If you’re not already into them, webseries is kinda like a TV show, but made for YouTube and the episodes go anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes (sometimes more) depending on the show. I’ve been addicted to a web series called The Guild (I’ve only caught up to season 3 so far) and in a more bookish twist, I am in LOVE with The Lizzie Bennett Diaries.

Now I have to admit, I have never read Pride & Prejudice before - although clearly I ought to. I haven’t watched the movie adaptation or really had much of anything to do with it. I always used to spout that I was not a fan of historical fiction (or much of a fan of classic novels either to be truthful), but in the last year, I have turned a 360 on my opinion of historical novels, after reading a number of them. I really quite enjoy them. The classics… well, that’s another thing for me to tackle. I hope that this year I might actually try and read Pride & Prejudice. We will see!

For fans of John Green and his brother Hank Green, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries, is a web series started by Hank. It’s a modern vlog re-telling of Pride & Prejudice. And it’s frigging amazing guys! I know this show started like 10 months ago or something like that, so I am very late on this, but believe me when I say I have been playing catch up (thus me neglecting everything else in my life except youtube right now, so sorry!).

If you haven’t discovered this series yet, I highly recommend you at least watch the first couple of episodes and see what you think! It’s inspired me to want to read a book I never thought I’d want to, and it might inspire you too!

PS… if you’re already a web series junkie, I would love to know what you’re watching right now, or what you would recommend. I realise this is not going to help me with my series addiction, but I am too far gone to really care right now! haha

Release Date: January 15th 2013
Published By: Penguin Books
Pages: 369
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:

Amy and Elder have finally left the oppressive walls of the spaceship Godspeed behind. They’re ready to start life afresh-to build a home-on Centauri-Earth, the planet that Amy has traveled 25 trillion miles across the universe to experience.

But this new Earth isn’t the paradise Amy had been hoping for. There are giant pterodactyl-like birds, purple flowers with mind-numbing toxins, and mysterious, unexplained ruins that hold more secrets than their stone walls first let on. The biggest secret of all? Godspeed‘s former passengers aren’t alone on this planet. And if they’re going to stay, they’ll have to fight.

Amy and Elder must race to discover who-or what-else is out there if they are to have any hope of saving their struggling colony and building a future together. They will have to look inward to the very core of what makes them human on this, their most harrowing journey yet. Because if the colony collapses? Then everything they have sacrificed-friends, family, life on Earth-will have been for nothing.

FUELED BY LIES.
RULED BY CHAOS.
ALMOST HOME.

Review: Wow, what an epic conclusion to the Across The Universe series!

Shades of Earth tells a very different story to Across The Universe and A Million Suns. Essentially Shades of Earth starts with the shuttle landing on Centauri-Earth and the fallout of what happens after they land.

I really liked the world building that happens in this book. We are discovering what Centauri-Earth is at the same time as Amy and Elder are and there’s a real sense of fear and wonder when they open the doors to the shuttle to walk out in the open for the first time.

I also really liked the way that the story built itself up. So initially they discover pterodactyl type creatures on the planet who are trying to attack them. And as the story goes on, there are more and more ‘mystery’ attacks and deaths occurring that you can’t help but feel like you’re part of a murder mystery dinner, and you need to guess who is responsible. Personally, I quite liked this aspect of taking something that could have been innocent enough and then manipulating it in a way where we understand that there is something more sinister at play.

I didn’t really feel the connection between Elder and Amy in this book was as strong, and whilst there is some romance still between the two of them, I felt like I was more just being told what happens instead of feeling what happened. That was the only disappointment in this book, as I felt up until now, their relationship was written in a really great way.

Shades of Earth bought about new issues entirely with Amy’s parents being woken up from having been cryogenically frozen. Amy’s overbearing father automatically takes full control of the whole situation and we’re reminded rather quickly that Elder is, after all, a teenager.

There’s also a theme of racism strangely enough that starts to emerge with there being a very clear segregation of “shipborn” people and “earthborn” people which I found interesting.

Ultimately though, this story is one of trying to merely survive. People are being killed at random it seems, and the only option they have is to try and outsmart the attackers and fight back, with the limited weaponry that they have, and with surprise results.

The ending didn’t make me swoon, but I will say that in hindsight I don’t have a better suggestion as to how it *should* have ended. Based on this, I am giving Shades of Earth a full 5 stars!

Quotes:

“I learned that life is so, so fragile. I learned that you can know someone for just days and never forget the impression he left on you. I learned that art can be beautiful and sad at the same time. I learned that if someone loves you, he’ll wait for you to love him back. I learned that how much you want something doesn’t determine whether you get it or not, that “no” might not be enough, that life isn’t fair, that my parents can’t save me, that maybe no one can.”

“I’ll always come back to you.”

“We all die someday.” Maybe the only thing that makes that fact bearable is the idea that death is the only way we can return to the stars.”

Pre-Order Video:

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time to tell you what I have been up to for the past week! W..W..W.. Wednesdays is a weekly meme bought to you by MizB from Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading two books and listening to one audiobook! More than I would usually have on the go at once, but these are the situations we get in as book bloggers! haha The first book I am reading right now is Shades of Earth (Across The Universe #3) by Beth Revis. I am about 100 pages into it so far and am trying to have this completed by Thursday so I have a bit of reading to knuckle down on. I am enjoying this a lot so far - it’s looking like it’s focused more on the landing of the ship and what happens post landing.

The second book I am reading right now is Out of the Easy - Ruta Sepetys which I have just started but it’s instantly ‘grabbed’ me. This is an ARC and it’s being released on the 12th of Feb, so I am aiming to have this read and review posted by next Tuesday.

I am still currently listening to Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card on audiobook. This is more for my enjoyment at this stage, so I am not rushing through it. I am listening to it in bits and pieces and it’s getting quite good. I am about 3 hours into it (it’s a 10/11 hour audiobook), so I’ve just made a dent in it.

What did you recently finish reading?

I last finished reading Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) and Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5) both by Tahereh Mafi and I looooooved them both. The review of Destroy Me was posted on Monday and Unravel Me was posted yesterday, so you can see my thoughts of both in more detail there.

What do you think you’ll read next?

I next would like to read The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, as well as Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans. Also on my list to read this month is Asunder by Jodi Meadows.

What is everyone out there reading at the moment? Share your links below!

Release Date: February 5th 2013
Published By: Allen & Unwin
Pages: 461
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 5 out of 5

Synopsis:

Our lips touch and I know I’m going to split at the seams. He kisses me softly then strongly like he’s lost me and he’s found me and I’m slipping away and he’s never going to let me go.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. 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.

Haunted by her past, terrified of her future, Juliette knows that in her present, she will have to make some life-changing choices.
Choices that may include choosing between her heart - and Adam’s life.

Review: I just finished Unravel Me… I am still trying to absorb what has just happened.

How does Tahereh Mafi do this? How can she write such things that actually make my heart ache as I read them? That isn’t something that should happen so easily, and yet it does. Many times during this book. My heart breaks, it falls in love, it pounds… my heart is feeling all of the things as I read this book.

I still cannot understand how it is humanly possible for me to think let alone verbalise that I love Warner. Warner… the same guy I named in a Top Ten once as being my most reviled villain in any book. That he was a character that I hated the most, because he is despicable as a human. And now, I love the guy. How is this even possible? This alone highlights that Tahereh Mafi is actually a witch, because there can be no other explanation, apart from witchcraft as to why I am feeling this way.

I absolutely loved the story progression in this book. It’s taken what was already a brilliant start with Shatter Me, and it’s added so many more layers to it. I actually cannot fault the plot itself at all, it’s been addictive from start to end so far. I can only hope the third book follows suit (I expect it will).

There was so much in the way of character development - in fact I’d go as far as to say this book was abundant in character development. Starting with Warner who I touched on above. We knew him only as a cold heartless villain and now we’re seeing a very human, soft, vulnerable side to him that we didn’t even know existed. It makes it so much easier to like him.

Juliette also goes through major changes. She has woken up to herself and her behaviour. Previously focused on her love life and generally being quite a withdrawn pessimistic character, we see her grow stronger and see her develop some self belief. It’s a refreshing change of pace. Adam becomes quite depressed and desperate and suffers quite a lot through this story. I still love Adam a whole lot, and so now that there’s both Warner and Adam I found it quite conflicting as a reader. I felt guilty for liking Warner… “What about Adam?!”

I have a huge soft spot for Kenji. I love his wit, diplomacy and strength. He makes for an amazing support character, and I feel like if Adam and Warner weren’t in the picture, Juliette and Kenji would be all over each other. There’s definitely some underlying tension happening there too. I don’t want to go as far as to say a love square but there’s definitely some banter.

Quotes quotes quotes…. I usually don’t think too long and hard about the phrasing of the words I read, but I just absorb the meaning or them. But Tahereh Mafi’s writing does something to me. I analyse. I pause after reading paragraphs just to take a moment to admire how beautiful she words are. And not just a few times… but pretty much on every other page. I can’t even start to reel off how many quotes in this book I loved, because frankly my blog won’t have space. And secondly, you may as well just read the book for yourself. I will leave some of my faves below, but honestly - it’s not even skimming the surface. This is just a BEAUTIFULLY written book, there’s no other words for it.

This series so far… Shatter Me and Unravel Me is quickly becoming one of my all time favourites. No question about whether I would recommend this to people or not, I already have - and I will continue to! This series makes you feel every emotion you can. I love it.

Quotes:

“All I know next are his arms, the desperate edge to his voice when he says my name, and I’m unraveling in his embrace, I’m frayed and falling apart and I’m making no effort to control the tremors in my bones and he’s so hot his skin is so hot and I don’t even know where I am anymore.”

“The man is moody as hell.”
“I am not moody—”
“Yeah, bro.” Kenji puts his utensils down. “You are moody. It’s always ‘Shut up, Kenji.’ ‘Go to sleep, Kenji.’ ‘No one wants to see you naked, Kenji.’ When I know for a fact that there are thousands of people who would love to see me naked—”

Release Date: October 2nd 2012
Published By: HarperCollins
Pages: 103
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis:

Perfect for the fans of Shatter Me who are desperately awaiting the release of Unravel Me, this novella-length digital original will bridge the gap between these two novels from the perspective of the villain we all love to hate, Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Tahereh Mafi’s Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she’ll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of. . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner’s father, The Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son’s mistakes, it’s clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.

Set after Shatter Me and before its forthcoming sequel, Unravel Me, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

Review: Destroy Me is a bridging novella told from the perspective of Warner. It takes place at the end of Shatter Me, and tells the story about happens to Warner from then until we first see him in Unravel Me.

I read this novella after I read Unravel Me, and I actually enjoyed reading it after the fact, because I knew everything that had become unveiled in Unravel Me, and I could pick up the little hints Mafi was dropping in the novella.

It was well written, as you would expect from a book by Mafi, and I enjoyed this perspective a whole lot. It was the first insight we’ve had into Warner, and after Shatter Me, it’s safe to say I hated his character intensely.

Destroy Me starts to show that there is a little more to Warner than first meets the eye. Yes, he can be cold, and evil, but there’s also underlying reasons as to why he is why he is. And he does have feelings too.

Not a necessary read for you to understand the series of course. Nothing new is developed in this novella, but it was a bonus to see things from his perspective and certainly helps the series to feel more full. If you’re a big fan of this series, you’ll probably want to check this out!

My review of Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) will be posted tomorrow - stay tuned!

Quotes:

“And I’ve fallen.

So hard.
I’ve hit the ground. Gone right through it. Never in my life have I felt this. Nothing like this. I’ve felt shame and cowardice, weakness and strength. I’ve known terror and indifference, self-hate and general disgust. I’ve seen things that cannot be unseen.
And yet I’ve known nothing like this terrible, horrible, paralyzing feeling. I feel crippled. Desperate and out of control. And it keeps getting worse. Every day I feel sick. Empty and somehow aching.
Love is a heartless bastard.”

“I’ve come to believe that the most dangerous man in the world is the one who feels no remorse. The one who never apologizes and therefore seeks no forgiveness. Because in the end it is our emotions that make us week, not our actions.”

Trailer:

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great week in books! I purchased one book this week and the others are ARC’s I’ve received.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. Mailbox Monday is originally hosted by Marcia from A girl and her books and The Printed Page.

Stacking the Shelves is bought to you by Tynga from Tynga’s Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

Asunder (Newsoul #2) - Jodi Meadows

This series has the most breathtaking covers… I absolutely adore the cover of Asunder. I fell in love with Incarnate last year, and I am happy that the sequel is here! This was a book I couldn’t wait to put my hands on!

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

Nameless (Tales of Beauty & Madness #1) - Lili St. Crow

This sounds so good! Anyone that knows me knows I love a good fairy tale retelling. Nameless is an update of Snow White, and the cover itself says so much with the apple and the hair and the dress… eeee! I can’t wait to read this.

When Camille was six years old, she was discovered alone in the snow by Enrico Vultusino, godfather of the Seven—the powerful Families that rule magic-ridden New Haven. Papa Vultusino adopted the mute, scarred child, naming her after his dead wife and raising her in luxury on Haven Hill alongside his own son, Nico.

Now Cami is turning sixteen. She’s no longer mute, though she keeps her faded scars hidden under her school uniform, and though she opens up only to her two best friends, Ruby and Ellie, and to Nico, who has become more than a brother to her. But even though Cami is a pampered Vultusino heiress, she knows that she is not really Family. Unlike them, she is a mortal with a past that lies buried in trauma. And it’s not until she meets the mysterious Tor, who reveals scars of his own, that Cami begins to uncover the secrets of her birth…to find out where she comes from and why her past is threatening her now.

Poison - Bridget Zinn

I’m intrigued by this one, it sounds like maybe some type of fantasy kingdom happening? It’s received fantastic reviews and the cover looks amazing (yes I judge a book by its cover, what can ya do?) also… this will be out in March this year.

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend. But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

That is all from me this week, what did you receive in your mailboxes? Let me know - leave your links in the comments section below!

The Fairytale Retelling series is special to me as Sisters Red was one of the very first books I ever reviewed on this site. :) Cold Spell is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen. Unfortunately this is not out until November this year, but I will patiently wait for it.

Synopsis:

Kai and Ginny grew up together–best friends since they could toddle around their building’s rooftop rose garden. Now they’re seventeen, and their relationship has developed into something sweeter, complete with stolen kisses and plans to someday run away together.

But one night, Kai disappears with a mysterious stranger named Mora–a beautiful girl with a dark past and a heart of ice. Refusing to be cast aside, Ginny goes after them and is thrust into a world she never imagined, one filled with monsters and thieves and the idea that love is not enough.

If Ginny and Kai survive the journey, will she still be the girl he loved–and moreover, will she still be the girl who loved him?