Brad About Books: The Whatnot by Stefan Bachmann

Read on May 15, 2013

THE WHATNOT
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Greenwillow (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 432 pages
Source: ALA
Series: The Peculiar, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, The Peculiar.

"Oh, the Sly King, the Sly King in his towers of ash and wind..." 

Oh wow. I mean, oh wow. I loved The Peculiar, but The Whatnot just blew it out of the water. One of my favorite sequels (and one of my favorite books, in general) of all-time! Can someone say epic? Or fantastic? Because I'm feeling all the feels.

When I read and fell in love with book one, a sequel hadn't been announced - and I was heartbroken. I wanted more of this world, more of the changelings, and more of the fantastic writing style! And when The Whatnot was announced, I literally freaked out. As soon as I got it, I had to dive into it immediately. I got it late at night and only planned to read the first chapter or so...

...200 pages later, I couldn't control myself from sinking deeper and deeper into this rich and vibrant world. Everything about this series is one-of-a-kind and marvelous - they're the best middle grade books I have ever read. If you love fantasy/all things paranormal and supernatural, these books are a must-read. You won't regret it!

What I found that was most interesting about this sequel was that the main characters from The Peculiar (Bartholomew and Arthur Jelliby) weren't main characters in The Whatnot - Hettie got to tell her story! Hettie was a bundle of joy to read in book one, and I was so excited to get the chance to read from her POV. And we get to meet Pikey, who is lonesome outcast and is brilliant. But then again, we are talking about The Peculiar Saga - everything is brilliant. From the world-building, right down to the vivid and imaginative gadgets and steampunk creations. Fantastically incredible, Stefan Bachmann is a master storyteller.

So. Much. Action. Prepare yourselves for some freaky and eerie changelings! Since we are set in the faerie world, we see the faeries for all that they are. And believe me, they are frightening! In the beginning, I didn't know how in the world the faeries could get any creepier, but Bachmann took them to a whole new level in the end. Such a phenomenal sequel - I can't even tell you how much I adore these books!

Overall, The Whatnot is a magical and amazing sophomore novel, and I could go on for hours on end on how much I love this series. The best middle-grade series out there.

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Brad About Books: The Vincent Boys by Abbi Glines

Read from April 28 to 29, 2013

THE VINCENT BOYS
Published: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 259 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Vincent, #1

Get seduced by a sizzling account of attraction and betrayal in this previously self-published phenomenon.

There was something wicked about Beau that drew me to him. What was wrong with me? Why did I want to sin so badly?

Ashton is getting tired of being good, of impressing her parents and playing ideal girlfriend to Sawyer Vincent. Sawyer is perfect, a regular Prince Charming, but when he leaves town for the summer, it’s his cousin Beau who catches Ashton’s eye. Beau is the sexiest guy she’s ever seen, and even though he’s dangerous, Ashton is drawn to him.

Beau loves his cousin like a brother, so the last thing he wants to do is make a move on Sawyer’s girl. Ashton is off-limits, absolutely. That’s why he does his best to keep his distance, even though he’s been in love with her forever. When Ashton wants to rekindle their childhood friendship in Sawyer’s absence, Beau knows he should say no.

Ashton and Beau don’t want to hurt Sawyer. But the more they try to stay away from each other, the more intense their urges become. It’s getting way too hard to resist...

The Vincent Boys is the perfect summer read. Filled with romance, tension, and the perfect amount of teenage angst, this book is a definite must-read for contemporary lovers. I'm not even a huge fan of contemporaries, and I loved it!

The Vincent Boys is one of the best summer reads I've ever read. Not only does this novel give the vibe of summer, everything around it (the characters, the writing, the dilemmas, etc.) just screams summer! It's absolutely awesome. And while it's mainly romance dilemmas, they keep your interest and draw you in even further to the story. And the romance and romance problems doesn't feel forced! They feel authentic and genuine, and I loved that so much. Seriously, The Vincent Boys is for all lovers of romance!

Luckily, there is more than one point-of-view in this book, so the world and characters are more dynamic and vivid. The girl protagonist, Ashton, is great; though she is torn between Sawyer and Beau, she isn't naïve and totally oblivious to everything. Which I really enjoyed! And I also loved how there wasn't much of Sawyer in The Vincent Boys - this book revolves around Ashton and Beau, and if they can make their relationship (if they even have one) work in a difficult situation. A wonderful read that will be devoured by all!

Contemporaries filled with loads of tension and love angst is the best - I gobble those books up! And The Vincent Boys has become one of my new favorite contemps. Though I had a rocky experience with it in the first 30 pages or so, it picked up so quickly, and I was so invested into these characters and the world. It's impossible to resist The Vincent Boys. Abbi Glines has easily become one of my favorite contempt authors!

Overall, The Vincent Boys is an excellent summer read that shouldn't be missed. Highly addictive and irresistibly romantic, readers will fall so hard for Ashton and Beau's ever-blooming love!

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Waiting on Wednesday (27): Panic

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine!

This week, I'm waiting on...

Panic - Lauren Oliver

March 4, 2014

Harper Teen

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

I want this book so bad! I recently read (and by recently, I mean last week) her Delirium trilogy, and I loved it to pieces. So obviously, I'm dying for her next book! And Panic sounds phenomenal. It looks like it'll be filled with fast-paced, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat scenes, and I am all for that. Seriously. Can't wait!

What are you waiting on this week?

Brad About Books: Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender

Read on July 3, 2013

MARIE ANTOINETTE, SERIAL KILLER
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: ARC
Page Count: 304 pages
Source: ALA

Let them eat cake... and die. 

Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She’ll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen.

Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer was, unfortunately, a little disappointing for me! I really wanted to enjoy this book, and while I did at some parts, others fell flat for me.

I'll start with what I did enjoy about this book: the aspect of Paris was fantastic! I felt like I was roaming the streets of the City of Lights with Colette and a definitely-freaky-scary murderer, and I could really tell that Alender put a lot of research into this book. And I really appreciated that! The world is great, and I especially loved the twist on Marie Antoinette, and Paris in general! Colette was a great character for me... for the most part. Sometimes, she seemed naïve and didn't understand the situation wholly, but still went into it headstrong (which can be a good quality), and other times, she'd be a kick-butt, take-no-crap-from-anybody character that I fell in love. I flip-flopped with how I felt about her character.

Now, with what I didn't particularly enjoy... some of the scenes felt a little silly. The plot sounded awesome! And Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer was awesome at times, for sure. But others seemed a little farfetched and too out there for my likings. And I noticed that some of the deaths repeated! I was hoping for a little more substance from this book, and I, unfortunately, didn't get that.

But that's not to say that this isn't a good book, because it was! I think I set my expectations a tad high for this one, and not all of them were met. But if you're looking for a fun, eerie read, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is the perfect choice!

Overall, Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer is a good read that had me on the edge of my seat at times, and drifting off from the book at others.

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Brad About Books: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Read on July 11, 2013

CROWN OF MIDNIGHT
Expected Publication Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Format: ARC
Page Count: 417 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Throne of Glass, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Throne of Glass.

Crown of Midnight is an electrifying, fantastic sequel that captured me immediately and never let me go. Sarah J. Maas is a stunning voice in fantasy. I'm not sure how she did it, but not only did she created a sequel that was better than its predecessor, she knocked it out of the ballpark. One of the best sequels I've ever read.

With sequels, there is sometimes the dreaded "Sequel Slump". Oh man, did that pass right over Crown of Midnight! While I loved Throne of Glass, the beginning was hard for me to get into because of the new world and complex character-building. And since I was adjusted to that, I had no problem whatsoever diving into Crown of Midnight. The action never stops in this book - whether it's with fighting and Celaena being an awesome, kick-butt protagonist, or tension-filled scenes that has the reader on the edge of their seat, you can't deny that Crown of Midnight is fantastic in every way possible. Filled with adventure and marvelous character development, Crown of Midnight shook me around and never let me go - luckily, I never wanted it to end.

One of my most favorite parts about this sequel was the character. Every single character develops and changes (sometimes for the worse, sometimes for the better) in some way, and I adored that. Maas never skipped over a character and gave each character their own spotlight moment. Celaena has easily become one of my favorite protagonists of all-time; what's not to love about her?! She's an epic assassin, and she never lets anyone push her around. I didn't think we got to see a whole lot of Chaol in book one, but that was definitely remedied in Crown of Midnight. Chaol can be a tough, headstrong warrior and guard, but he also has times where he breaks down. And I really appreciated how he's not made out to be tough and fierce all the time, because he's not - Maas does an extraordinary job with her characters, and I give her a huge standing ovation for this marvelous and phenomenal second book.

That. Ending. Sarah J. Maas blew my mind with that ending - I'm still not over it! When I was nearing towards the end of Crown of Midnight, I had no idea how in the world it could possibly end. And my gosh, I did not expect that... and it was totally awesome! I think that was a very strong and smart ending, and I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. If you enjoyed Throne of Glass, you are going to fall head over heels in love with Crown of Midnight!

Overall, Crown of Midnight is a masterpiece amongst fantasy. Deeply rich and fantastically incredible, I absolutely adore this book!

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Brad About Books: Elegy by Amanda Hocking

Read on June 20 to 21, 2013 

ELEGY
Expected Publication Date: August 6, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's
Format: ARC
Page Count: 542 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Watersong, #4

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't started this series.

Read my reviews for the first three books in this series:

Forgotten Lyrics • Wake • Lullaby (spoilers for Wake) • Tidal (spoiler free)

Elegy is a fantastic and phenomenal conclusion to one of the best series I have ever read. Amanda Hocking's vivid world is riveting, chilling, and simply stunning - I couldn't have asked for a better ending!

Amanda Hocking is one of my favorite authors of all-time, and I can officially say that the Watersong Quartet is one of my favorite series ever. They're so addicting and amazing! And in Elegy, more risks are taking and the action scenes are insane. Right from the first page, we're thrown into a tension-filled, nail-biting scene, and it never, ever stops. And I want to applaud Amanda Hocking for creating this brilliant series - she definitely pushed her characters to the max and challenged them in ways I couldn't even fathom. I loved how she broke them and destroyed them, which only makes them stronger. All of the characters shine out in Elegy, and it's fantastically incredible.

Another thing I love about this series is how it doesn't focus on one or two particular characters. In book one, Wake, we mainly see Gemma and Harper. But as the series progresses, we get inside Daniel's, Penn's, Sawyer's, and even more characters's heads. It can be very hard to juggle so many POVs, but Hocking tackles it masterfully. I was never once confused, and this series is the perfect balance of paranormal and romance. The Watersong Quartet is one of the best series out there, and I highly, highly recommend it!

That. Ending. I'm still not over. I had no idea how Hocking would end the series. There were many ways that Elegy could have concluded, but the path that was chosen was not only satisfying, but rich and deep - it worked perfect for the series. And since this is a complex series, I was definitely satisfied and fell in love with this finale. Hocking fans, rejoice! You are going to love Elegy - one of the best conclusions to a series ever.

Overall, Elegy was fantastic, phenomenal, and entirely marvelous. I'm so sad to let this series go, but it ended so great. Thank you, Amanda Hocking, for this journey - I loved every single moment of it.

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Brad About Books: Find Me by Romily Bernard

Read on July 3, 2013

FIND ME
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 307 pages
Source: ALA
Series: Find Me, #1

Come out, come out, wherever you are...

"Find me."

These are the words written on Tessa Waye’s diary. The diary that ends up with Wick Tate. But Tessa’s just been found . . . dead.

Wick has the right computer-hacking skills for the job, but little interest in this perverse game of hide-and-seek. Until her sister Lily is the next target.

Then Griff, trailer-park boy next door and fellow hacker, shows up, intent on helping Wick. Is a happy ending possible with the threat of Wick’s deadbeat dad returning, the detective hunting him sniffing around Wick instead, and a killer taunting her at every step?

Foster child. Daughter of a felon. Loner hacker girl. Wick has a bad attitude and sarcasm to spare.

But she’s going to find this killer no matter what.

Because it just got personal.

Woah. This book, guys. Find Me is a captivating and wholly fantastic read that is impossible to put down. This book packs a punch, and I loved every single minute of it.

Hacker murder mystery? Yes please! I was looking forward to Find Me ever since I saw that awesome cover and a synopsis that sounded phenomenal. And believe me, this book lived up to all of my expectations and more. You will never find a book like this one - not only is Find Me unique and original, the characters are so clever and epic. I've never experienced characters or a book like this before. Find Me is an absolute must-read - if you love fast-paced novels with edge-of-your-seat moments, you won't want to miss this gem.

Wick has easily become one of my favorite protagonists of all-time. Not only is she smart, but she's quick and incredibly developed. Romily Bernard created a protagonist that captured my heart and took me on a wild, insane ride; and I was so happy I got to experience that ride with Wick. Loyal, fierce, and determined, Wick gives Katniss Everdeen a run for her money. And of course, I can't leave out Griff and Tessa. The whole plot idea with Tessa was genius, and I love how we get snippets of her diary throughout Find Me! Griff was just awesome, plain and simple. Griff and Wick are two misfits, but when they come together, they are an incredible force. Oh my gosh, I can't explain how much I loved all of these characters!

I am determined that Romily Bernard is a master of suspense. Right from page one, we are thrown into the midst of an action scene, and the action never lets up. There is never a dull moment in Find Me, and I couldn't force myself to tear my eyes away from the page! That ending?! I stayed up long into the night, desperately turning pages to figure out how it would all end. Amazing, marvelous, genius. Do I  need to explain my love for this book further? Find Me is a riveting, fantastic read that is one not to be missed!

 Overall, I loved Find Me to pieces, and I never wanted it to end. This book needs to be on your radar - you won't regret it!

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