Guys - Kristy and I are SO excited about this giveaway!! As regular readers will well know about us, we’re both really big John Green fans and we love TFIOS here at Book Nerd Reviews!

On Saturday, Kristy posted a cover reveal for the exclusive Penguin Australia hardcover version of TFIOS and we can all agree it’s absolutely gorgeous. If you missed this post, click here to check it out!

Recently Dymocks Bookstores in Australia not only started selling these beautiful new copies, but for a limited time had SIGNED copies of these copies! Needless to say, Kristy and I lost our freaking minds and bought them all. lol Okay… not all. 6. But considering there’s only 2 of us, I think we did pretty well for ourselves.

As Kristy’s post on Saturday alluded…. we are giving away one of these copies to a lucky winner ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Yes, this is an international giveaway, so for you international folk that missed out on the Penguin Australia cover, you have a chance of winning it, and signed by Mr John Green himself!

And because it’s evident John loves colour, he’s signed them all in different coloured sharpies. So below is all the colours we have, and one of these will randomly be picked to send to our winner (unfortunately you won’t get to choose, but you will get one of the below copies)!

This giveaway is going to be running for one month and it will end on November 15th 2013 at 6pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST). A winner will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and contacted via email to be notified of winning. To enter, use the rafflecopter widget below. Everyone gets a free entry, and then by following, sharing or tweeting about the giveaway we will give you even more entries to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck everyone! x

Last week Melissa provided an insight into her decision making and some excellent tips on things that should be considered for taking on a co-blogger - but now it is my turn to tell prospective co-bloggers some things they should consider before embarking on a journey like this.

Earlier this year when I came on board Book Nerd Reviews, naturally I did have some uncertainties about going into co-blogging, and I think these are things that everyone should consider before applying to be a co-blogger. I have been extremely lucky and Melissa has been nothing but utterly amazing, but these are things that I did consider before applying (or later thought of how lucky I was that I didn’t need to think of them).

Find out what the blogger wants

All bloggers have different ways of doing things, and therefore have different wants and needs. I think it is best to find out what a blogger wants or requires from their co-blogger upfront. Do they want someone with experience? How many reviews do they want each week? Do they want someone who reads a specific genre? How hands on do they want their co-blogger to be? Do they want someone to follow a set schedule? Do they want someone technically savvy?

All of these things should be discussed with the blogger to make sure it is workable on both sides, so be honest with your abilities, likes and availability! Don’t be afraid to discuss things with the blogger, as it is very important to ensure that everyone is on the same page right from the start. Remember, this will be a working relationship - and you need to be able to make it work, and being upfront and honest will save issues from arising later on. I am not saying focus on the things you can’t do (yes, they need to be mentioned), but you also need to tell them what you can bring to the blog as well.

You should be picky too!

I understand that co-blogging opportunities do not come up very often, but you still need to be picky! Do not apply to any blog just to be a co-blogger. You need to understand the blog (if you don’t already) and you need to like it! All of it - its general style, feel and principles. If you don’t like the blog as a reader, you will not enjoy it as a co-blogger.

I think being a fan of the blog is an important factor, as you are already invested in the blog and you are already wanting to see it succeed. I was extremely fortunate in the fact that I was a fan of Book Nerd Reviews long before I came on-board - and I think that fact has helped me tremendously. I have never thought “oh, if only I could change that” or “gee, I don’t like that”. Joining a blog is like entering a relationship: if you instantly see things that you want to change, then it probably won’t work long term.

Don’t kidnap someone’s baby

Don’t forget, if you are going into an already established blog, that someone created that blog. They have built it, loved it, cared for it, obtained followers and established relationships. This has been their baby! And while a blogger should be willing to let go of some control, don’t forget, that sometimes that is easier said than done. It is natural that a person who has created something through blood, sweat and tears will be a little reserved about handing over control. No matter how great the creators intentions are, letting go will be hard for them, so be understanding of this.

You also cannot go into a blog and instantly start making massive changes and throwing everything out of whack. This will not only frustrate the blog creator, but it will also confuse your followers. I am not saying be a wallflower, definitely show initiative - but make sure you discuss ideas with the creator before going ahead and making changes.

This aspect is one where I have been ridiculously lucky! To the point that I cannot find words to explain how utterly amazing Melissa has been - and I will be forever grateful for that! This situation cannot be easy for a blog creator, and I can only hope that other bloggers in her situation would be half as amazing as Melissa has been.

Be willing to work for it!

You really need to be able to have time to dedicate to a blog. It is not as easy as whipping up a quick review and then your job is done. There are other fun, but time consuming tasks you need to consider as well. You need to build and maintain relationships with publishers, followers, authors and the blogging community - and this will involve things such as spending time on social media, ensuring you are up-to-date with things happening in the publishing industry, contributing to and creating posts, responding to comments on the blog and brain storming for original content. All fun things - but it can be time consuming sometimes - so make sure you have the time to dedicate yourself to these things.

Get ready to learn

There is so much to learn about blogging - so be ready and willing to learn lots of things! This could include understanding the blogs style, being on a schedule, learning how to create posts, understanding statistics, and how to establish relationships with followers, publishers and authors. It could also involve learning how to use social media sites, or systems that are used by bloggers to obtain ARCs.

Basically, this will all rely on your communication skills, your adaptability, your willingness to learn and ability to take instruction. My suggestion to learning the ropes is to not be afraid to ask questions. I think it’s better to ask than to fail - I know I have pestered Melissa on numerous occasions (so many times), but I would much rather her roll her eyes at me asking questions than for her to have to go into damage control mode if I make a mistake. I also suggest learn things one at a time - learn to master walking before trying to run.

Go into it for the right reasons

The only reason to go into blogging is really because you enjoy talking about and recommending books.

Blogging is fantastic and lots of fun, but at the end of the day, to ensure the blog succeeds, it does require effort. You need to go into co-blogging because you want to help the blog be the best it can be - and that requires work and dedication.

If you can answer yes to all the following questions, I recommend you apply to be a co-blogger of the blog you are considering.

• Do I like the blog?
• Do I have anything to contribute to the blog?
• Do I love reading and recommending books?
• Do I have the time to commit to hours of work per week?
• Do I like interacting with people?
• Would I be willing to do this even if I did not get access to any ARCs?

I entered this last point as some people may think that blogging is a quick and easy way to get ARCs - but, this is one of the biggest misconceptions about blogging! ARCs are a privilege given to some bloggers, it is not a right, and it is certainly not guaranteed (and it certainly is not a reason to get into blogging)

How do I become a good co-blogger?

Create a good relationship with your co-blogger. Talk to your co-blogger, discuss any concerns you have, ask them questions, bounce ideas off them, just talk them in general - all of this will help with your working relationship - and if you are as lucky as I have been, you will also gain a great friend!

Be yourself. Do not try to be your co-blogger, or anyone else out there. Being yourself is your best asset - use it!

But most importantly - have fun!

 

I hope you find some of this information useful! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below and Melissa or I will make sure we answer them for you.

Release Date: September 1st 2013
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 335
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Synopsis: Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: In one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his career as a jock, and his social life.

No longer a front-runner for homecoming king, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met— achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.

Together, Ezra and Cassidy discover flash mobs, buried treasure, secret movie screenings, and a poodle that might just be the reincarnation of Jay Gatsby. But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: If one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?

With lyrical writing, nerdy humor, and realistic romance, Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a story about how difficult it is to play the part people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.

Review: Severed Heads, Broken Hearts, also known as The Beginning of Everything, is an amazing contemporary YA read, filled with tragedies, friendships, self-discovery and heartache.

I will admit, when I first heard that this book had two titles, I was intrigued. And then when I found out vast different between the titles, I thought that surely one of the titles was way off base with the story - I mean really, one title is about the beginning of everything, and the other is about severed heads! But, let me say, I can see the reason for both of these titles, and funnily enough, the cover of The Beginning of Everything directly relates to the title, Severed Heads, Broken Hearts - even though you would not think so. But, my personal favourite title, is Severed Heads, Broken Hearts (and trust me, I didn’t think I would say that): this title is representative of the meaning of the beginning of everything, but in a much more poignant way (I know, the words severed heads and poignant shouldn’t be used together, but it’s true).

Severed Heads, Broken Hearts follows Ezra Faulkner as he faces his life - a life that he had not planned for. At 17, life for Ezra was great - he was king of his school, popular beyond belief, had the perfect home-coming girlfriend and was destined for great things through his athletic ability. Then one night, his whole life is turned upside down by a car accident - and in that one single incident, he loses his future academic and athletic options, his friends, and his status as “golden boy”.

No longer fitting in with the popular crowd, Ezra finds himself back with his childhood friend Toby, and his group of misfits - which includes the new girl - Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone that Ezra has ever met; she is quirky, confusing, intelligent, challenging and mysterious. Cassidy is effortless, confident and sassy, but yet, it is not clear why she has suddenly transferred to his school and what mystery surrounds her sudden decision to not defend her debating title. As time passes, Ezra finds himself becoming less interested in his old life, and more himself when he is around Cassidy, Toby and the other “nerds”. The charm of this story is that there are many relatable experiences and journeys throughout the book, and although there are times of despair, the story itself is not depressing.

This book is extremely witty, in that real-life sarcastic type of way. The realism in the humour of this story is something that I really enjoyed, and I found this was one of the main reasons I could connect to the characters (even secondary characters). The other thing that stands out about this book is the simple complexity of human emotions shown in its characters. Although there are certain tragedies within the storyline, the focus is not on these, but in fact how the characters deal with the aftermath of such tragedies by finding the strength to create a new life, creating new friendships, connecting with people on different levels, accepting that a tragedy does not define you, and most importantly, believing in yourself.

The characters in Severed Heads, Broken Hearts are amazing, and each bring a different quality, and insecurity, to the story. And the humour they brought to this story was engaging; I have to admit that I loved the Harry Potter references and even the subtle digs at Twilight. But amongst the humour are displays of real characteristics - strengths, weakness, sense of belonging. Toby, I have to say was my favourite secondary character. He has suffered a pretty traumatic experience, which he has had to relive through constant teasing, but he was a stronger person for it. He didn’t feel sorry for himself, he was comfortable with who he was, he is funny, and even though he had reason not to be, he remained a loyal friend to Ezra.

There are multiple things that I really loved about this book, and one of those things is that you jump straight into the story - and Robyn Schneider doesn’t hold back either - my jaw was hanging on the floor by page 3. Another thing that I loved is that it reflects the fact that although life is rough, and sometimes those around you may give you the spark for you to be who you need to be, but they cannot be the fire for you.

Severed Head, Broken Hearts is honest, hilarious, sad, sweet, devastating, empowering and forthright. What I loved about this book really boils down to the fact it is real: life is not a fairytale, sometimes tragedy strikes, and sometimes you are chasing the wrong thing - and sometimes you need to stop existing, and you need to start living.

Quotes:

“Oscar Wilde once said that to live is the rarest thing in the world, because most people just exist, and that’s all. I don’t know if he’s right, but I do know that I spend a long time existing, and now, I intend to live.”

“I wondered what things what things became when you no longer needed them, and I wondered what the future would hold once we’d gotten past our personal tragedies and proven them ultimately survivable.”

“History is filled with fictional people.”

“You have this maddening little smile sometimes, like you’ve just thought of something incredibly witty but are afraid to say it in case no one gets the joke.”

“But we’re the ones who choose, in the end, how people see us. And I’d rather be misremembered. Please, Ezra, misremember me.”

Rune cakes gallore this week since we’ve chosen The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I actually thought I would have found heaps more cakes since this has such a massive fandom, but then again, I guess not everyone shows their passion with cakes (although that should be a law that you have to…. mmmm cake). So below is some of the best cakes I found online to represent The Mortal Instruments series! Enjoy!

People say that grass is always greener on the other side - well, that is certainly true for John Green fans in Australia at the moment!

This week, Penguin Books Australia released a hardcover edition of The Fault in Our Stars! And although the style of this cover has changed slightly, we think that this is one amazing edition!

To find out more about this special edition, you can visit the Penguin Australia website here, however, I think that it is more important to show you how wonderful this hardcover looks in real life (as images do not really do it justice), so here is a picture that John Green himself tweeted.

 

Awesome right? Thank you Penguin Books Australia for this gorgeous edition!

Well, it gets better! Dymocks have a limited number of signed copies of this book. Yes! Signed! By John Green himself! Don’t believe me? Well below is a picture that Melissa took of these limited edition books.

These signed books are limited, and some stores do have them in stock, so I suggest that you contact your local Dymocks store to find out if they have any. If not, you can also order them online here - but be quick! For our international friends, if you want the signed edition, I do know that Dymocks deliver internationally, but you will have to pay for this.

For those of you who would like an unsigned copy of this book (Australian and international) - I am sure you can get this edition from many local bookstores, or from one of the multiple online retailers.

Melissa and I love John Green and everything related to The Fault in Our Stars, and below is a list of all of our posts relating to The Fault in Our Stars.

• Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• Cakes Inspired by Fiction #4 - The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• Tattoos Inspired by Fiction #5 - The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• SMS Chats with Kristy & Mel - The Fault in Our Stars movie
• Nail Art Inspired by Fiction #17
• John Green Memes

So, since we love John Green so much, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a giveaway for one of these amazing signed Australian hardcover edition of The Fault in Our Stars?

Okay? Okay.

 

Synopsis: An exclusive hardcover edition from Penguin Australia.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

 

How’s everyone doing this week? Kristy and I had probably the biggest week for books that either of us have had in a while - this is going to be a pretty huge post, just to warn you in advance! I bought a STACK of books this week, but then I also received a huge amount of ARCs that I wasn’t expecting so my room is overflowing right now. Kristy also bought up and received some ARCs this week too - I can’t wait to share them with you!

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!

 

In Mel’s mailbox this week:

The Fault In Our Stars - John Green (SIGNED!)

OMG you guys! I was so excited about this exclusive Penguin Australia hardcover version that John himself has signed that I bought like 4 copies in total. 2 are for me (cause I am weird like that), and the others gifts and the like. JOHN SIGNED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

An exclusive hardcover edition from Penguin Australia.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

 

The Outside (The Hallowed Ones #2) - Laura Bickle

My order arrived! I LOVED The Hallowed Ones - Armish + Zombies doesn’t get any better. I reviewed this book at the start of this year (or maybe the end of last year by memory), and I have been really excited to read The Outside!

One girl. One road. One chance to save what remains… After a plague of vampires is unleashed in the world, Katie is kicked out of her Amish community for her refusal to adhere to the new rules of survival. Now in exile, she enters an outside world of unspeakable violence with only her two “English” friends and a horse by her side. Together they seek answers and other survivors—but each sunset brings the threat of vampire attack, and each sunrise the threat of starvation.

And yet through this darkness come the shining ones: luminescent men and women with the power to deflect vampires and survive the night. But can these new people be trusted, and are they even people at all?

In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, it’s up to one Amish girl to save her family, her community, and the boy she loves . . . but what will she be asked to leave behind in return?

 

Alienated - Melissa Landers

I received this one from Netgalley - thank you to Disney Hyperion!

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara’s classmates get swept up by anti-L’eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn’t safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara’s locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she’s fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

 

Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) - Lauren DeStefano

This was a pre-order I’d made! I love Lauren DeStefano’s Chemical Garden trilogy and so I am excited to see her writing a new series!! Her writing is beautiful.

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 16-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan’s older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

 

Man Made Boy - Jon Skovron

Huge thanks to Allen & Unwin Books Australia for this copy!

Love can be a real monster.

Sixteen-year-old Boy’s never left home. When you’re the son of Frankenstein’s monster and the Bride, it’s tough to go out in public, unless you want to draw the attention of a torch-wielding mob. And since Boy and his family live in a secret enclave of monsters hidden under Times Square, it’s important they maintain a low profile.

Boy’s only interactions with the world are through the Internet, where he’s a hacker extraordinaire who can hide his hulking body and stitched-together face behind a layer of code. When conflict erupts at home, Boy runs away and embarks on a cross-country road trip with the granddaughters of Jekyll and Hyde, who introduce him to malls and diners, love and heartbreak. But no matter how far Boy runs, he can’t escape his demons—both literal and figurative—until he faces his family once more.

 

Something Like Normal - Trish Doller

This looks great - huge thank you to the folks at Bloomsbury Australia for this copy.

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

 

Resist (Breathe #2) - Sarah Crossan

Again, thank you to Bloomsbury Australia for this copy! I have Breathe also, and I plan on reading both soon!

The sequel—and conclusion—to Sarah Crossan’s Breathe. Three teen outlaws must survive on their own in a world without air, exiled outside the glass dome that protects what’s left of human civilization. Gripping action, provocative ideas, and shocking revelations in a dystopian novel that fans of Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth will devour.

Bea, Alina, and Quinn are on the run. They started a rebellion and were thrown out of the pod, the only place where there’s enough oxygen to breathe. Bea has lost her family. Alina has lost her home. And Quinn has lost his privileged life. Can they survive in the perilous Outlands? Can they finish the revolution they began? Especially when a young operative from the pod’s Special Forces is sent after them. Their only chance is to stand together, even when terrible circumstances force them apart. When the future of human society is in danger, these four teens must decide where their allegiances lie. Sarah Crossan has created a dangerous, and shattered society in this wrenching, thought-provoking, and unforgettable post-apocalyptic novel.

 

In both Mel & Kristy’s mailbox this week:

Antigoddess (Goddess War #1) - Kendare Blake

Kristy and I both received Antigoddess from Hachette Books UK this week and we’re pumped!! We may have to rock, paper, scissors for this one! :)

Old Gods never die… Or so Athena thought. But then the feathers started sprouting beneath her skin, invading her lungs like a strange cancer, and Hermes showed up with a fever eating away his flesh. So much for living a quiet eternity in perpetual health.

Desperately seeking the cause of their slow, miserable deaths, Athena and Hermes travel the world, gathering allies and discovering enemies both new and old. Their search leads them to Cassandra—an ordinary girl who was once an extraordinary prophetess, protected and loved by a god.

These days, Cassandra doesn’t involve herself in the business of gods—in fact, she doesn’t even know they exist. But she could be the key in a war that is only just beginning.

Because Hera, the queen of the gods, has aligned herself with other of the ancient Olympians, who are killing off rivals in an attempt to prolong their own lives. But these anti-gods have become corrupted in their desperation to survive, horrific caricatures of their former glory. Athena will need every advantage she can get, because immortals don’t just flicker out.

Every one of them dies in their own way. Some choke on feathers. Others become monsters. All of them rage against their last breath. The Goddess War is about to begin.

 

Jump (Twinmaker #1) - Sean Williams

This is being marketed under the title Twinmaker in other countries and Jump in Australia. Allen & Unwin sent both Kristy and myself a copy of this and it just looks amazing. Thank you A&U!

Clair lives in a world revolutionised by d-mat, a global teleport system that allows people to transport themselves instantaneously around the world. When a coded note promises improvement – the chance to change your body any way you want, making it stronger, taller, more beautiful – Clair thinks it’s too good to be true, but her best friend, Libby, is determined to give it a try.

What starts as Libby’s dream turns into Clair’s nightmare when Libby falls foul of a deadly trap. With the help of Jesse, the school freak, and a mysterious online friend called Q, Clair’s attempt to protect Libby leads her to an unimagined world of conspiracies and cover-ups. Soon her own life is at risk, and Clair is chased across the world in a desperate race against time.

 

In Kristy’s mailbox this week:

Alice In Zombieland (The White Rabbit Chronicles #1) - Gena Showalter

I got this ebook from iTunes, as it was free! (quick, go check to see if it is still available) Although I will admit that I have wanted to read this book for quite a while, so know it is definitely on my list :)

She won’t rest until she’s sent every walking corpse back to its grave. Forever.

Had anyone told Alice Bell that her entire life would change course between one heartbeat and the next, she would have laughed. From blissful to tragic, innocent to ruined? Please. But that’s all it took. One heartbeat. A blink, a breath, a second, and everything she knew and loved was gone.

Her father was right. The monsters are real.

To avenge her family, Ali must learn to fight the undead. To survive, she must learn to trust the baddest of the bad boys, Cole Holland. But Cole has secrets of his own, and if Ali isn’t careful, those secrets might just prove to be more dangerous than the zombies.

 

Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) - Colleen Hoover

Finally the paperback edition of Losing Hope! I pre-ordered this as soon as I possibly could, so the wait for this beautiful book seems to be quite long.

In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared, and no memory forgotten, but Holder’s past remained a mystery.

Still haunted by the little girl he let walk away, Holder has spent his entire life searching for her in an attempt to finally rid himself of the crushing guilt he has felt for years. But he could not have anticipated that the moment they reconnect, even greater remorse would overwhelm him…

Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward, we must first dig deep into our past and make amends. In Losing Hope, bestselling author Colleen Hoover reveals what was going on inside Holder’s head during all those hopeless moments—and whether he can gain the peace he desperately needs.

 

Requiem (Delirium #3) - Lauren Oliver

Finally the final in this series in the edition that I needed it in! I pre-ordered this while ago, and I am happy it was finally released.

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past. But we are still here. And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings. Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it. But we have chosen a different road. And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose. We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

 

Ice Breaker: The Hidden Series #1 - Lian Tanner

I also got this book from Allen & Unwin.

Petrel leaned on the rail, watching the ice cave and stamping her feet for warmth. The berg came closer. That’s when she saw him. Laid out on the ice like a dead fish, with a scattering of snow covering his face. A boy, where there should have been nothing but the memory of winter. A frozen boy.’

Twelve-year-old Petrel is an outcast, the lowest of the low on the Oyster, an ancient icebreaker that has been following the same course for three hundred years. In that time, the ship’s crew has forgotten its original purpose and broken into three warring tribes. Everyone has a tribe except Petrel, whose parents committed such a terrible crime that they were thrown overboard, and their daughter ostracised.

But Petrel is a survivor. She lives in the dark corners of the ship, speaking to no one except two large grey rats, Mister Smoke and Missus Slink. Then a boy is discovered, frozen on an iceberg, and Petrel saves him, hoping he’ll be her friend. What she doesn’t know is that for the last three hundred years, the Oyster has been guarding a secret. A secret that could change the world.

A secret that the boy has been sent to destroy, along with the ship and everyone on it…

 

Tiger Lily - Jodi Lynn Anderson

Another title from Hachette Children’s Books. This title really has my interest. Tinkerbell and Peter Pan fairytale retelling, coupled with a the fact that it is a standalone, this one will be high on my TBR pile.

Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair. . . .

Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn’t believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.

Peter is unlike anyone she’s ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland’s inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she’s always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.

With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it’s the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who’s everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.

 

Night Witches - L.J. Adlington

This also came from Hachette Children’s Books - yes, I know, I am so spoilt!

TWO NATIONS AT WAR. ONE GIRL CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
Rain Aranoza is a teenage bomber-pilot from Rodina, a nation of science and fact ruled by the all knowing Aura, where the belief in witches or any type of superstition is outlawed. Rain’s regiment is made up of only teenage girls and their role is vital to the war effort against the Crux, a nation of faith and belief, where nature and God are celebrated and worshipped.

But Rain is struggling with another battle. She’s always had a sense that her nature is different from everyone else’s, and that a dormant power threatens to burst out of her.

When she encounters a young Scrutiner she falls in love with him, but is torn between what she has been taught is right, and what feels right. As her understanding of her latent power grows, the enemy threatens both her friends and her love. She can no longer ignore the power but she must choose how she uses it …
But what will she lose in the process?

 

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

 

 

It’s Feral Friday! And we here at Book Nerd Reviews thought we would discuss a topic that really sends us feral.

This week, we’re talking about writing negative book reviews:

Kristy’s say:

First of all, I would like to define what I am referring to when I say “negative review”. What I mean by that is a review that is an honest, constructive and considered opinion of a book that I (or someone else) did not enjoy. I am in no way referring to a review that is disrespectful to the author, or that is “bashing” the writing or storyline.

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted a negative review since joining Book Nerd Reviews. But believe me, this is not intentional… I have just not read any books that required a review that could be deemed as negative. This is a good thing for me, as that means that since joining the blog I have only read books that were generally enjoyable, but I do not doubt that the day will come when I have to write a review about a book that I didn’t like.

I have written non-glowing reviews for books prior to joining Book Nerd Reviews, and since then I have written reviews that contained negative aspects. And to be honest, I would be quite okay with writing a negative review. I don’t think that writing a review for a book that I didn’t like would be much harder than writing a review for a book that I did - if I have coherent feelings about a book, whether I liked it or not, I am comfortable in saying what I thought about it. (I personally think the hardest reviews to write are for the books that I absolutely loved, ie those books that make you turn into a fangirl).

Above all, I think that all reviews should be honest. I don’t expect everyone to agree with my opinion of a book, but what you hear me say about it are my honest feelings. So, when my time comes to write a review about a book that I didn’t find enjoyable, I will approach it in the same way that I have addressed certain aspects in books that I didn’t like - I will try to be as constructive as I can, and explain exactly what and why I didn’t like it. After all, not everyone is going to like the same colour crayon in the caddy, and what I personally don’t like is something that may really appeal to you!

Naturally, not everyone can like the every book, and therefore there will always be negative reviews out there. And while I respect anyone who is honest in a review, I don’t have to agree with them (and you don’t either). Sometimes the aspect that the reviewer did not like is the same aspect that others are looking for, or would enjoy. I find this is especially true when it comes to books with storylines that contains sensitive topics. After all, there are negative reviews out there about some “sensitive subject” books such as The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and Hopeless by Colleen Hoover - and these both have been enormously successful books with massive amounts of dedicated followers.

So, my recommendation is to read negative reviews - Just because someone else has not enjoyed the book, that doesn’t mean that you won’t and it may just result in you reading a book that you absolutely love!

Melissa’s say:

I have found that sometimes I’ve read a negative review, and the person reviewing it has been so passionate about the way they feel about the book that in spite of them not liking it, I’ve gone out to read the book simply to know if I agree with that persons opinion or not. I think for so many of us, we get stuck with this mentality that a “negative” book review will sway people from wanting to read the book, but I just don’t see the truth in this.

I’ve had to write reviews for books I didn’t enjoy before. And I hear time and time again people struggle to write these. But personally I find these the easiest reviews to write – because when you dislike something you’ve got set reasons why you didn’t enjoy it. Truthfully, I find it harder to write reviews for books I loved because I feel positive reviews can sometimes sound a little repetitive and you have to try harder to word things in a different way.

I think the things I struggle with the most, is when I have to write a review for a book I received from a publisher and I haven’t enjoyed it. I have always (and will continue) to be really honest about what I think about books, and unfortunately there have been times where I’ve read a book I’ve been sent and it’s not my cup of tea. I always kinda feel bad about that cause I know the publisher is going to read these reviews. That being said, I won’t ever compromise how I feel about a book.

After I have read and reviewed a book, I actually like going through Goodreads and reading other peoples thoughts on books – you’re always bound to find glowing praise as well as one star reviews for just about every book on Goodreads, which in itself highlights that we’re all different people with different tastes in books. I like to see what others liked or didn’t like about particular books and reflect on my own thoughts.

Ultimately a review is all about our own personal opinions (good or bad) on a book. It doesn’t mean any of us are right or wrong, it’s simply one opinion. So I will continue reading negative reviews because I think they at least create some good conversation, and sometimes attract people to those books!

Have you ever had to write a negative review? Do you find them easy or hard to write? How do you feel about reading negative reviews that others write? Let us know in your comments below!

Release Date: November 12th 2013
Published By: Feiwel & Friends
Pages: 256
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 4 out of 5

Synopsis: Alex and Becca have always been best friends. But when Becca does something nearly unforgivable at Alex’s dad’s funeral, Alex cuts ties with her and focuses on her grieving family.

Time passes, and Alex finally decides to forgive Becca. Then she’s hit with another shocker: Becca has cancer. It also turns out Becca has a bucket list, one she doesn’t know she’ll be able to finish now. That’s where Alex comes in, along with a mysterious and guarded boy who just may help Alex check a few items off her own bucket list.

Julie Halpern writes about illness, loss, love, and friendship with candor and compassion. Here is an unforgettable book about living fully, living authentically, and just . . . living.

Review: The F- It List was very different to what I expected – in the best possible way. I think anytime I hear a book is about cancer I am a little bit reluctant to read it. Really, who wants to feel depressed? I was pleasantly surprised with this story. Whilst this story is about a girl supporting her best friend who has just found out she has cancer, the cancer itself plays a backseat role to the bigger plot.

I really liked the way this book was written. Whilst I don’t think this book is appropriate for young teens, as an adult I enjoyed it. There was quite a lot of swearing, drugs and sex themes throughout – but I liked it because this is how teenagers can be. The way these characters spoke to each other felt real and there was a real sense of truth about this. And because the story was told in such a believable way, I found myself sucked into it even more.

Slow clap for the author too – I am going out on a limb here by wondering if Julie Halpern is a nerdy gal? Because from one nerd to another, I LOVED the pop culture references throughout. Amazing. Comics, Battlestar Gallactica, Dead Winter Con, horror movie references GALLORE. They meet Bruce Campbell from the Evil Dead trilogyfor crying out loud!! I was right in my element, and every time Ms Halpern dropped another reference, I won’t lie, I geeked out a bit. Unexpected! I didn’t realise that I’d be in for such a treat when I picked this up, but unexpected surprises like this are the best in my opinion.

It was these things as well as the attitudes of our characters that made this book much lighter to read given it’s heavy themes of cancer, death and loss. Becca, whilst very very sick with cancer is determined to still live her life to the fullest with their bucket (F- It) list. Determined not to let it get them down Becca and Alex’s conversations made this book for me. I loved the humour in their interactions so much.

I really thought the Leo and Alex relationship was fantastic. It wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops for them. Alex still has her emotional guards up after her father died suddenly, and we also see Leo going through some very real emotional hurdles and dealing with loss as well. Alex also struggled internally, consumed by guilt she was feeling about spending time with Leo, and for having fun when she felt she needed to be by Becca’s side and I thought this element of the book hit the nail on the head and added another layer of realism to this book.

Overall, this is a quick and engrossing read that makes you think and feel long after you finish reading the book. The characters felt so real and because of that I really connected with them. Definitely worth the read!

It’s Wednesday which means it’s time to tell you what we 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?

Melissa - I am half way through The Last Girl by Michael Adams and about a fifth through The F- It List by Julie Halpern. I haven’t read much this week because I’ve been proof reading heaps at work in the last week which kinda just kills any desire I have to read when I get home. :(

Kristy - Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken - I am loving this series!

 

What did you recently finish reading?

Melissa - I last finished reading Witchstruck by Victoria Lamb which was pretty enjoyable, the review was posted last week! I also read a few comics this week - The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1 by Paul Dini and Batman: The Man Who Laughs #1 by Ed Brubaker. I find it easier to read these after heavy reading at work.

Kristy - Made of Stars by Kelley York and Lila Shortcuts by Sarah Alderson (this is a compilation of 5 short stories from the Hunting Lila series)

 

What do you think you’ll read next?

Melissa - Crash Into You by Katie McGarry & Pawn by Aimee Carter perhaps?

Kristy - Ummm, since I changed my mind last week, how about I keep the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver on my list? Oh wait - that will be after Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover (this is a novella so it won’t take long).

 

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

Hi everyone, this week is going to be part 1 of a two part blog. In May, I sought out a co-blogger due to falling into a huge reading/blogging rut that was about to see the end of the site. It was Kristy I chose to come on board, and I have never regretted that. This week, I want to talk about things you should consider when taking on a co-blogger, as well as the benefits this can have on your site. And next week, Kristy is going to post part 2 of this blog, which will be things that you will need to consider if you are the person applying to be a co-blogger for a site. I think this will be great to give people a different perspective!

Firstly, I am aware some people refer to co-bloggers as a cover-all statement. For the purpose of putting it into context as to what I mean:

The difference between Contributors and Co-Bloggers:

A contributor is just that – someone who contributes content for a website. They don’t own the blog, they don’t have creative say as to what happens on the blog. They read books and give you reviews to post (for example). The difference between a contributor and a co-blogger, is that a co-blogger does all of the same things that you do. They discuss post ideas with you, discuss the general direction of the website and work with you to bring that vision to life.

Be selective

I had a lot of applicants when I first asked for a co-blogger. And I was wanting originally to have more than one. But I was really selective and picky with the applications, and whilst I had some amazing people apply, I was looking for some very specific qualities in the person I picked. I found Kristy’s application, and I went with my gut and have never looked back. And thank goodness in hindsight I only had the one co-blogger and not more, or I would have had my hands full. lol What I am saying, is trust your instincts. It’s okay to be picky. And don’t just pick someone for the sake of it. You need to really trust and get along well with this person remember!

Learn to Let Go

If it’s just you on the blog at the moment and you’re thinking about advertising for a co-blogger, my first, and biggest piece of advice is that if you’re a control freak – you’re gonna have to learn to relax a bit! I don’t consider myself a control freak, but I still found it difficult at times to let go of my old ways. It’s not as easy as you think! But if you’re accepting a co-blogger, you also need to make that person feel like welcomed. From the moment Kristy became a part of this, I have always referred to BNR as our blog, not my blog. We both have equal say in what we post and Kristy is able to choose the books she wants to read and review and brings lots of ideas to this blog that have come to life, such as our Feral Friday blogs, which have been really popular.

Be a teacher

When Kristy first came on board at BNR she had no blogging experience at the time. When you’re taking on someone who hasn’t had any blogging experience, you need to be prepared to teach them what to do. I’ve introduced Kristy to new aspects of the blog a little bit at a time – because it can be incredibly overwhelming! But she’s now able to log in and post remotely via WordPress, view and analyse our stats, has her own publisher contacts and access to ARC’s and can pretty much run independent of me. Which works great, because we can basically each do our own thing and each add new content to the site. It’s definitely something that takes time and you both need patience and good communication skills to make it work. Thankfully Kristy is pretty awesome, so we’ve never had any issues!

Benefits

So many benefits guys. I realise co-blogging won’t be for everyone, and once upon a time, I thought it definitely wasn’t going to be for me either. But after a long hard think about it, I decided to go for it. There are plenty of pros to having someone co-blog with you though:

• Double the exposure – we have two twitter accounts, two sets of followers who see our tweets. Our visitors have doubled in the last 2 months alone.
• Add a new voice to your blog – sometimes it’s really nice to change things up and have someone with a different personality or “voice” posting. Not to mention different opinions and perspectives can actually bring in new visitors that you wouldn’t have previously attracted.
• Halve your workload – this is huge! I know that as BNR was increasing in popularity, so was my workload. And I was feeling more and more pressure to deliver all the time. Now that I have Kristy, we both provide one review a week, and the pressure is off having to read more books easy week – but if we do, it’s only ever a bonus since we can post more reviews on a quiet day. It’s also great having her to bounce ideas off and visa versa.
• Friendship – okay, so I realise I have bookish friends already, and whilst making new friends wasn’t my priority in a co-blogger, Kristy and I get along amazingly, and I’d consider her one of my good friends given how much we talk! I am adding it to the list because it’s definitely been a pro as far as I am concerned.

I hope you find some of this information useful! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below and I’ll make sure I answer them for you (or point you in the right direction if I am not sure).

Colleen Hoover fans, mark your calendar for 14 October! Colleen is releasing an e-novella called FINDING CINDERELLA!

This novella revolves around a character from the Hopeless and Losing Hope novels - Holder’s best friend Daniel! Yes, this story is about the hysterically funny, nickname giving, crazy Daniel! Does it get any better than that? Well, yes! This novella expands on Daniel’s story from Losing Hope regarding his encounter with Cinderella. And just in case this story doesn’t sound good enough yet, it also includes Six, Skye’s quirky and amusing best friend.

Synopsis: A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love comes with conditions: they agree it will only last one hour and it will only be make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them only seemed perfect because they were pretending it was perfect. Moments like that with girls like her don’t happen outside of fairytales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in insta-love is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Daniel soon realizes the way he pretended to feel about Cinderella and the way he really feels about Six may not be so different after all. Especially when the two loves of his life end up being one in the same.

Unfortunately for Daniel, finding Cinderella doesn’t guarantee their happily ever after…it only further threatens it.

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

And now for the cherry on top: This novella is FREE!

Yes FREE! Colleen has written this novella as a thank you to fans and will be giving it to us for free! I think this is an amazing thing to do - so, thank you Colleen Hoover! A thank you also needs to be sent to her publishers, Atria Books, as they have provided this novella with full publishing services, such as ensuring this ebook will be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes. After some issues with international access, it is now available for pre-order via Amazon US, Amazon UK and Amazon France. (Aussies, you pre-order via Amazon US ).

If for some reason this is novella is still showing a price, I recommend waiting another 24 hours and it should be rectified. Remember, this is a FREE novella, and Colleen Hoover has advised not to pay for it. I would like to thank Colleen Hoover and Atria Books for working so hard to get this issue resolved for us international fans!

But for those of you who have not read Hopeless or Losing Hope, that’s okay - you can still read this novella. Colleen has advised this can be read as a standalone, although it would be better to have read the story of Skye and Holder. (If you want to read my reviews of these books, just click on the title here: Hopeless and Losing Hope).

You can visit Colleen’s website HERE to see the cover reveal and to find out more about FINDING CINDERELLA.

 

EDIT: Finding Cinderella is now available on Kobo here. Colleen has advised that Kobo released this early, and as it is a free novella, she didn’t mind telling us all about it. Her post about this can be found here!

Release Date: August 15th 2013
Published By: Dial
Pages: 360
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Rating: 3 out of 5

Synopsis: You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town… until River West comes along. River rents the guest house behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard.

Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more?

Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery… who makes you want to kiss back.

Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Review: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a haunting tale of mystery, family secrets… and the devil. This story has an eery and gothic feel to it, as you follow the story of Violet White who lives in a quaint small sea-side village, where Violet has never shown any interest in boys - but all of that changes when River West arrives.

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is one of those books that kept on haunting me. The stunning cover sucked me in, I had read reviews or quotes that used words such as decadence, dreamy, gothic and amazing, so I was very excited to read it. But ultimately I was left with so many conflicting feelings about this book that I still don’t know how to rate it. I have never been so torn over a book, I actually had to leave it for quite some time before actually considering writing a review. And in all honesty, I am still not sure how I feel about it, as there were aspects to this book that I loved, and other aspects that I was disappointed in.

The vivid descriptions in this book are astounding - especially when it comes to Violet’s family estate ‘The Citizen’. The descriptions of this once stunning estate were exceptional to the point that you could easily envisage the neglected, but yet still beautiful, run-down buildings and grounds. You could nearly smell the salt coming off the sea and hear the waves crashing against the cliff. You could feel the mystery surrounding it, and hear its secrets being whispered. The vividness is also extended to places like the town centre, the coffee shop, the grocery store and even food, as well as in items such as the art incorporated throughout this book. I utterly adored this element of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea.

Another aspect that I enjoyed was the timelessness to this storyline. It is set in present day, but due to the environment this story is set in, it really could be set in any decade. This accompanies the fact that Violet herself could comfortably fit into another timeline - she is clearly attracted to things from the mid 1900’s (evident by her likes in looks in boys and cars), she prefers classics to modern day literature and art, she constantly refers to her family’s expired wealth and former glory in the town and she even wears her grandmothers clothes.

As beautifully written as this book is, there are things that I do not like in my romances: insta-love, manipulation and co-dependency - and unfortunately all of these things were incorporated into the plot.And one characteristic I do not like in a main protagonist is stupidity. And sadly, Violet had this in spades! When a character thinks that someone is bad news, they should turn the other way, and when they know beyond a doubt that they are, then they should run for the hills. And when a character finds out that there is something psychotic about their love interest - they should get the hell out of there! But no, Violet just kept on going back for more.

Of course, I am referring the “devil” that Violet holds hands with; otherwise known as River West. This character, while very disturbed and manipulative, does also bring an interesting element to the storyline. Although he may be doing things that you believe are wrong, he does pose the question: is it wrong to punish other evils? But, whether or not his actions are “justified”, I still have an issue with the whole situation as he does not seem to have any moral difficulties in these circumstances; in fact, he actually enjoys the devil in him and seems to find gratification in his terrible actions.

Sadly, I could not connect to these characters. Violet, while interesting, was way too co-dependant for my liking. She started off strong, but once she met River, it all went downhill. After meeting the swaggering River, the only aspect of herself that seemed to remain strong was her connection with her dead grandmother - and when I say connection, I mean bordering on obsession. I understand she was close to her grandmother, and her grandmother certainly has a big part to play in this storyline, but Violet was living in the past so much that she actually wearing her grandmothers clothes (and I don’t mean occasionally) and would constantly refer (or talk) to her.

The other characters also fell flat for me. I just could not connect to her jerk-jockish-sexist-brother Luke or her I-wouldn’t-want-a-friend-like-that Sunshine. And don’t get me started on the get-the-hell-away-from-me-psycho River - while he was described as good-looking, and was pretty much everything that Violet would want in a boy, he certainly had no appeal to me - in fact, he had all the character traits that I find unappealing (and by unappealing, I mean horrifying and inexcusable) in a character. There was only really one character that I liked, and he came into it quite late in the storyline. His character seemed to have more depth and personal conviction than the rest of them put together.

I think the thing that disappoints me the most about this book is Violet’s reaction to finding out about the all the manipulation, dishonesty and maliciousness. It seems that she is so delusional that she will do anything to hold onto her own fantasy - and I have to wonder if she is in love with being in love rather than being in love with River.

But please don’t get me wrong about the parts that I did not like about this book, I still have hope for the next one! The writing style is gorgeous, and there is so much promise in this storyline, that the next book could make me look back at Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and think “wow, that was an amazing ride, it all came together so well, and the conclusion of the complexity of the characters and twisting of otherwise cliché plot-lines was genius”, but then again, I could also be very disappointed by lack of development or the continuation of blinded and frustrating characters. There really is so much potential for this series, and it is possible that all of the things that I did not like is actually a part of the bigger storyline, and have been included for a reason - so therefore I reserve the right to change my rating on this book after reading the sequel :)

Book Trailer:

Kristy and I like to talk to each other a lot.. lol Which often ends up in bookish conversation like the one I am about to post. Sometimes a good conversation like this one takes place, and so I am interested to see what you guys think about the upcoming movie release of The Fault In Our Stars? I absolutely loved the book, and I won’t lie, I shed a tear (or maybe a few!! haha).

Kristy and I both have HUGE expectations for the upcoming movie release, but I think at the moment based on the fact that John Green himself has spent every day on set to oversee the movie being made has helped me have a lot of confidence in the upcoming release. It has John’s blessing and that makes me think that the integrity of the book will be protected in the movie itself.

 

Have you guys been keeping tabs on John on the movie set like me, or like Kristy are you steering clear of all the background stuff until the movie itself comes out? We want to hear your thoughts on the cast too! Let us know in the comments below.

We picked an awesome one today - The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. And what makes this even more epic, is that only in the last day it’s been announced that TFIOS will be released in cinemas on June 6th 2014 (aka Mel’s 30th birthday - woo!!!!). Kristy and I are SUPER pumped about this release (I may even post our SMS conversation about it later if Kristy says it’s cool! haha) and so this week, it’s all about TFIOS cake!

How’s everyone doing this week? I had a pretty quiet week, but I’ve ordered about 8 books from The Book Depository this week - so I am sitting pretty and waiting for them to arrive. Kristy had a pretty decent week - let’s have a look at the books! :)

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!

 

In Mel’s mailbox this week:

Crystal Fire (The Hunted #2) - Jordan Dane

I received this one from Netgalley without realising it was number 2! So I am going to try and find a copy of the first one to read and then I’ll get into Crystal Fire - sounds good!

Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down. A storm is brewing on the streets of LA, one that has intensified since a tragic and deadly confrontation claimed an innocent life.

While Gabriel Stewart trains his army of teen psychics to stop Alexander Reese-the obsessed leader of the Believers-the fanatical church becomes more bent on the annihilation of all Indigo and Crystal children. They’re silencing the voices of the telepathic hive, one soul at a time, with frightening experiments cruelly executed on vulnerable minds.

When the Believers torture a mysterious homeless boy, Oliver Blue, they brainwash him into betraying his own. The boy becomes a deadly pawn to take Gabriel down. As the fires of chaos burn around him, Gabe is running out of time. He’ll need to confront his past-and the man who made him-before the hope of peace for the future is silenced forever.

 

In Kristy’s Mailbox this week:

Never Fade (The Darkest Minds #2) - Alexandra Bracken

Received from Netgalley.

Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?

 

Lila Shortcuts - Sarah Alderson

Kristy purchased the ebook copy of Lila Shortcuts.

Five compelling new short stories based in the world of HUNTING LILA. Told from the perspectives of Alex, Jack, Demos, Amber and Suki - fans of this thrilling series now have a chance to delve into the minds of other characters, and see what they really think!

 

 

 

Pawn (The Blackcoat Rebellion #1) – Aimee Carter

Thank you again to Harlequin Teen Australia.

YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister’s niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There’s only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that’s not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she’s only beginning to understand.

 

The Bone Season (The Bone Season #1) - Samantha Shannon

It is the year 2059. Several major world cities are under the control of a security force called Scion. Paige Mahoney works in the criminal underworld of Scion London, part of a secret cell known as the Seven Seals. The work she does is unusual: scouting for information by breaking into others’ minds. Paige is a dreamwalker, a rare kind of clairvoyant, and in this world, the voyants commit treason simply by breathing.

But when Paige is captured and arrested, she encounters a power more sinister even than Scion. The voyant prison is a separate city—Oxford, erased from the map two centuries ago and now controlled by a powerful, otherworldly race. These creatures, the Rephaim, value the voyants highly—as soldiers in their army.

Paige is assigned to a Rephaite keeper, Warden, who will be in charge of her care and training. He is her master. Her natural enemy. But if she wants to regain her freedom, Paige will have to learn something of his mind and his own mysterious motives.

 

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