Brad About Books: The Selection by Kiera Cass

THE SELECTION
Published: April 24, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 327 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: The Selection, #1

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I started reading The Selection the day it came out (which was eleven months ago; gosh, I am horrible about posting reviews. I'm trying to get better, though!). And let me tell you, I was fanboying so hard after I finished it. Definitely fun and lighthearted, The Selection is not a book to miss.

Fun is the word that sums up this book. The Selection is FUN! I watch the Bachelor(ette) on occasions, so when I heard that this was a futuristic Bachelor-esce story, I knew that it had to be on my radar. And after I got done reading, I totally felt happy and full of soul. It just has so much fun between the pages and does almost pan out like an episode of the Bachelor: you've got your romance, you've got your drama (Celeste is the absolute worst), and you've got your secret sabotaging. It was super hard to put this novel down.

America was a really awesome protagonist. I enjoyed reading about her and her backstory, and overall, the author did a great job at crafting her character and her development together. The threads of love interwoven throughout The Selection really blew my mind. I noticed that the author put it parts of romance that I didn't see coming, and I adored that part about this novel.

I have two negative things to say about The Selection though: 1) Aspen? Really? That dude is a jerk. 2) I wanted to see more of the rebel attacks. I was expecting quite a lot of action when the attacks would happen, but I was let down when that never happen. But I have heard that they get super awesome and crazy in The Elite, and I'm definitely looking forward to that part!

So overall, The Selection was definitely a highlight of last year. There is no way that this book shouldn't be on your list. Beautifully and seamlessly-crafted, The Selection is one of the best debuts I've ever read.

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Cover Reveal: A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris + a giveaway!

I have ANOTHER cover reveal for you today! Today, I will be revealing the cover to A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris! (which I am so excited about!) But not only that, I have a giveaway for you as well!

Before the cover, let's meet the author, shall we?

As a teen, Rachel Harris threw raging parties that shook her parents’ walls and created embarrassing fodder for future YA novels. As an adult, she reads and writes obsessively, rehashes said embarrassing fodder, and dreams up characters who become her own grown up version of imaginary friends.

When she's not typing furiously or flipping pages in an enthralling romance, you can find her homeschooling her two beautiful princesses, hanging out with her amazing husband, or taking a hot bubble bath…next to a pile of chocolate. A Tale of Two Centuries is her second novel. 

Are you ready for the cover?

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Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

What do you think of the cover? I'm in love with it! It's very light, and I love the balance of the white, purple and pink against each other. It's so good!

Time for the giveaway! This is for one print copy of A Tale of Two Centuries (US only) and an e-copy (international)! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Another bonus: dying for A Tale of Two Centuries? I have an excerpt for you!

“The string goes where?” I ask incredulously, dropping the garment from my fingers as if it holds the plague. My heart rate pounds in my ears, already heightened from my shocking meeting with Austin earlier and the crowd in this land of chaos my cousin calls a mall. It is Saturday, apparently the day teenagers descend upon this enormous building, and we are shopping for clothes that will somehow strike a balance between what she calls dorky and what I call common courtesan attire.  

“You heard me,” Cat says with a wicked smile and points to the scrap of fabric, causing me to flush even more. 

Heat creeps into my scalp and if it were possible for hair to defy all wisdom and burst into flame, mine would. Holding this conversation in public as people bustle past us is horribly and wholly improper. 

“It’s called a thong,” she clarifies with glee, “and by putting the string up there, you avoid ugly panty lines. Trust me, no one wants to see that business.”

Yay! So excited for A Tale of Two Centuries, and plus, it has a fantastic cover!

I clear my throat and take a hesitant step toward the overflowing bins, peering down at the perplexing items again. “But surely it is uncomfortable to be lodged…in such a…spot?” 

Cat shrugs. “You learn to live with it.” 

COVER REVEAL: The Liberator by Victoria Scott

I'm here with a very awesome post today! I have to opportunity to reveal to you the cover to The Liberator by Victoria Scott, the second book in the Dante Walker trilogy! 

Book one, The Collector, hit shelves on April 2. Here's the synopsis for it!

He makes good girls...bad. 

Dante Walker is flippin’ awesome, and he knows it. His good looks, killer charm, and stellar confidence have made him one of hell’s best—a soul collector. His job is simple: weed through humanity and label those round rears with a big red good or bad stamp. Old Saint Nick gets the good guys, and he gets the fun ones. Bag-and-tag.

Sealing souls is nothing personal. Dante’s an equal-opportunity collector and doesn't want it any other way. But he’ll have to adjust, because Boss Man has given him a new assignment:

Collect Charlie Cooper’s soul within ten days.

Dante doesn't know why Boss Man wants Charlie, nor does he care. This assignment means only one thing to him, and that’s a permanent ticket out of hell. But after Dante meets the quirky Nerd Alert chick he’s come to collect, he realizes this assignment will test his abilities as a collector…and uncover emotions deeply buried.

And now, are you ready for the cover to The Liberator? 

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Be sure to pick up this series! The Liberator will be released on September 3, 2013. You can mark it as to-read on Goodreads HERE!

Brad About Books: Ruthless by Sara Shepard

RUTHLESS
Published: December 6, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 341 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: Pretty Little Liars, #10

For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania--and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They've lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it's not over yet.

Aria's love life is on the fritz. Emily's exploring her wild side. Hanna's kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer's past--someone she never thought she'd see again--is back to haunt her.

But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It's their darkest secret yet and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, just maybe, they deserve what's coming to them.

Ruthless is another entertaining installment in this fun series, but I'm starting to feel the story drag a little.

Let me start off by saying that this is the tenth novel in a series. Tenth. This series has been going on for awhile, and for quite sometime, I was in love with this series. It was always intriguing and engrossing, and I could never put these novels down. And though I read Ruthless in a matter of twenty-four hours, I could definitely feel that the story was lagging for me. 

It didn't feel as captivating as the previous novels. Books five through eight are my favorite: the storyline is so hooking, Sara Shepard always reeled me in, and it had an amazing climax. And this new series hasn't managed to grab me in the same way as before. The storyline is a bit weird and confusing, and the characters feel different for me. I just don't know how I feel about this continuation.

But that doesn't take away from the fact that these novels are such quick reads. Even if they're so slow, I fly through these pages due to Shepard's enticing plot. The characters don't feel the same to me, but I definitely love the world and everything going on inside of it. A is always so wicked and great - I look forward to what A does next in this series - and Sara Shepard always does a great job at making A an awesome villain.

Overall, Ruthless was definitely good, but not compared to the others. But I still need to know who this new A is!

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Brad About Books: Marco Impossible by Hannah Moskowitz

MARCO IMPOSSIBLE
Expected Publication Date: March 19, 2013
Publisher: Roaring Brook (Macmillan)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 256 pages
Source: Publisher

Best friends Stephen and Marco attempt a go-for-broke heist to break into the high school prom and get Marco onstage to confess his love. 

First off, I want to thank Macmillan for sending me an ARC of Marco Impossible! Thank you so much!

Marco Impossible a fun and lighthearted story that had me enticed in some parts, but other times, I couldn't connect with the characters.

I loved the hijinks that Stephen and Marco ensue throughout the novel. They're those best friends that always stick together, and they get into some crazy stuff. Hannah Moskowitz did a great job at showing their friendship throughout the novel. Plus, hijinks are always fun! And Marco Impossible was definitely fun in some parts.

But I do have to say that I couldn't always connect to the characters. Marco seemed like a jerk, and I felt bad for Stephen a lot. But Stephen also has his flaws. Maybe that's why the reader was suppose to identify with this duo of friends - their flaws and how they don't always get along - but I just couldn't connect with it. Gosh, Marco really made me mad at how he treated Stephen sometimes, so I guess my main complaint is him and how he treats his friend.

Moskowitz's writing style definitely was intriguing. The first scene starts off with getting snow cones out of the pair's hair, and it definitely hooked me into the story with all of its fun-ness. It definitely felt like a middle-grade tone. But that's not a bad thing - I loved how she strung words together to grip the reader into the story. She's definitely a great writer.

Overall, Marco Impossible had its flaws for me, but in the end, it was enjoyable. Need some lighthearted books in your life? Marco Impossible has you covered.

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(I gave it 3.5 stars, but rounded it up to 4!)

Fantastic Five {FEBRUARY}

Welcome to my Fantastic Five for February, in which I tell you the best five books I read in the month of February!

Read from February 20 to 21, 2013

5. Ashes on the Waves - Mary Lindsey

Mind = blown with this one. Ashes on the Waves is an eerie, creepy, mind-bending and phenomenal novel; I absolutely adore this one! If you're looking for something unique and captivating, Ashes on the Waves is the book for you. I LOVE it!

Read from February 23 to 24, 2013

4. Level 2 (The Memory Chronicles, #1) - Lenore Appelhans

Talk about an original novel. I have never read a book like Level 2; this book is so unique, I can't even begin to fathom it. Everything about this novel worked for me. Our main character, Felicia. The whole concept of Level 2. Breaking away and remembering your past. Everything is brilliant. I adore this book so, so, so much.

Read from February 3 to 7, 2013

3. Arclight (Arclight, #1) - Josin L. McQuein 

Arclight has the best opening chapter of a book I have ever read. It's pulse-pounding, heart-racing, and all around epic. But the rest of the novel is just as amazing! It's powerful, awesome, and fantastic. I need this sequel like nobody's business!

Read from February 21 to 22, 2013

2. Of Triton (Of Poseidon, #2) - Anna Banks

You don't even understand how much of an incredible sequel this was. I loved Of Poseidon, but I absolutely adore Of Triton. There's so much more world-building and character development; it's, simply, a stunning sequel. I so want Of Neptune, like, yesterday!

AND MY #1 BOOK OF FEBRUARY IS...

Read from February 15 to 16, 2013

1. Siege and Storm (Grisha, #2) - Leigh Bardugo

BEST BOOK OF 2013 RIGHT HERE, FOLKS! Grisha fans, rejoice. Siege and Storm is a marvelous sequel; it's my favorite book of the entire year AND a new favorite book of all time. So much world-building, and Alina is just as epic as ever. Guys, I could go on and on gushing about how amazing this book is. I mean, it's fantastic. Absolutely, absolutely phenomenal. And after that ending, I am broken. Like seriously, I can't even. I simply cannot even anymore. I need Ruin and Rising so, so, so, so, so bad. Please? *puppy eyes*

What were your favorite books of the month?

Brad About Books: Level 2 by Lenore Appelhans

LEVEL 2
Published: January 15, 2013
Publisher: S&S BFYR
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 281 pages
Source: Amazon.com
Series: The Memory Chronicles, #1

Three levels. Two loves. One choice. Debut novelist, Lenore Appelhans has written a thrilling otherworldly young adult novel about a place that exists between our world (Level 1) and what comes after life (Level 2).

Felicia Ward is dead. Trapped in a stark white afterlife limbo, she spends endless days replaying memories, of her family, friends, boyfriend ... and of the guy who broke her heart. The guy who has just broken into Level 2 to find her.

Felicia learns that a rebellion is brewing, and it seems she is the key. Suspended between heaven and earth, she must make a choice. Between two worlds, two lives and two loves.

Level 2 is a fast-paced, thrilling debut. I couldn't turn these pages fast enough!

I do have to say that the beginning is a bit confusing. Setting up the entire world of the Level 2 took some time to settle in my brain, but once I figured everything out, I breezed through this novel. It was totally a speedy reader. With so much action and absolute craziness, it was hard to break away from Level 2!

Felicia was simply a great protagonist. I loved reading about her, getting to know her more, and looking back through her memories. Speaking of which, I thought that adding the touch of memories of the people of Level 2 was brilliant! I always looked forward getting to know some more about our character's pasts. Appelhans did a masterful job at pulling that off. It can be tricky shifting from present day to the past, but the author did brilliantly at keeping my attention and focus and not confusing me.

The storyline was original, another key thing that added to my love of this novel. I have never read a book like this, nor do I think I will ever find one again, and I adore that. And the ending! Ah! Eep! It was fantastic. I mean, talking about craziness ensuing. I flew through that ending so fast - Level 2 honestly has one of the best endings ever, just for the action alone.

Overall, Level 2 is one of the best books I've read all year. Fantastic and unique, Level 2 is a must read.

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