Cover Switch (2): Asylum

Welcome to Cover Switch, in which I share with you a cover that has been altered or changed in some way and share my thoughts!

Today, I'm talking about Asylum by Madeleine Roux, which released on August 20, 2013.

This was the original cover:

To be honest, I thought this was a middle grade novel at first. I hadn't read the synopsis or read anything about it - I went only based off the cover, and for some reason, I assumed it was middle grade. Maybe it was the keys. Or the all black on it. I don't know, but my mind (for whatever reason) marked this book as middle grade! 

But, when the cover was changed, I took loads of interest in this book:

This is a very rare case in which I prefer the second cover compared to the original. This cover is so much more creepy and sinister - some freaky crap is going on in that cover! And I love it! The weird girl, the fancy boarders on the side, and I just love how they stuck with the same typography. I love this new cover! 

ABOUT ASYLUM

Asylum is a thrilling and creepy photo-novel perfect for fans of the New York Times bestseller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

What do you think about Asylum? Which cover do you prefer?

Read the first Cover Switch post!

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Brad About Books: Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Read on June 23, 2013

STORMDANCER
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (St. Martin's Press)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 313 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: The Lotus War, #1

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST 
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT 
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

"Feathers grow back. Sisters do not."

Stormdancer is a marvelous, phenomenal tale that blends together a dystopian world with Japanese steampunk - who wouldn't be intrigued?! Jay Kristoff has weaved together a fantastic story that captivated me right from the first page and never let me go. A new favorite book of mine.

Come on, guys. Japanese dystopian steampunk. If those three words don't catch your attention, I have no clue what will. Stormdancer is a highly addictive and unique novel that is impossible to put down. I have never read a book like this masterpiece, and I was tremendously blown away by it. I say it all the time, but world-building is everything to me in a book. The world of the Shima Imperium is toxic and enthralling, and I simply couldn't get enough of this book. This book, you guys. So good.

In a world that is dying of poison with such a unique setting and a fantastic writing style, what else could Jay Kristoff possibly add to it? Oh, that's right. An awesome kick-butt heroine and a thunder tiger. That's what. Stormdancer has everything a fantasy/dystopian lover could ever want, especially with Yukiko being an epic protagonist. In the beginning, while she's headstrong, she makes mistakes and is careless with her actions. But as Stormdancer progresses, she evolves into a strong, determined, and fierce warrior, and I appreciated Kristoff so much for creating such an awesome character. I absolutely fell for Yukiko. And Buruu! Who wouldn't want a tiger for themselves? He's been hurt, haunted, and banished, but when he joins forces with Yukiko, they become unstoppable. They're a brilliant duo, and they're one of the many reasons why I loved Stormdancer!

Stormdancer never, ever has a dull moment. The action scenes are superb; the writing style makes the reader feel as if they're on the battlefield with Yukiko and Buruu. But the writing style also has the lyrical, haunting aurora when describing the dying wasteland of the Shima Imperium. The world is beautiful, lethal, and something I've never seen done before. Seriously, if you love fantastic worlds with an epic protagonist and a one of a kind writing style, Stormdancer is a must-read.

Overall, Stormdancer is a phenomenal debut that leaves its mark on the YA genre. Amazing, fantastic, all the feels. I was enthralled by this gem!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Substitute Creature by Charles Gilman

Read on May 23, 2013

SUBSTITUTE CREATURE
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Quirk
Format: ARC
Page Count: 176 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Tales from Lovecraft Middle School, #4

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

Read my reviews from previous books in this series:

Professor Gargoyle • The Slither Sisters • Teacher's Pest

Substitute Creature is wicked fun! Dark, compelling, and a wild adventure, these books are unputdownable! Such an awesome series.

The Lovecraft Middle School series is one of my favorite MG series - it's got everything you could ever want in a creepy story. An epic trio of characters, sinister secrets lurking in the darkness, mutational animals, and something new and fresh in each book. And Substitute Creature did not disappoint by any means. With each book, I'm always shocked and creeped out by the new and perilous evil that Gilman throws into every book. Substitute Creature is such a creeptastic and epic novel! Who wouldn't be scared by a weird substitute teacher who may or may not be a monster? I love these books so much, and Substitute Creature was a fantastic continuation of the series.

I love going on adventures with Robert and the gang. Lovecraft Middle School is a quirky and odd place, and we get to explore darker realms of it in every novel - Substitute Creature definitely brought on the darkness! I wasn't expecting a lot of the events to actually happened, but I was so glad that Charles Gilman wasn't afraid to take risks in this fourth book. With a fourth book, things can get a little draggy with the story; that's not the case with this series. There's never a filler book, and each plot twist plays a vital and important role to the story. The perfect Halloween read!

Action, action, action! It was impossible to put Substitute Creature down. This was definitely the most fast-paced of the series, and I was shocked, frightening, and enchanted by the twists and turns thrown at the reader. The monsters terrified me, and the illustrations, as always, were an even more awesome addition to the story. (Seriously, some of these illustrations are super freaky!) Substitute Creature was an absolutely brilliant novel to this ever-epic series. I love this series to pieces!

Overall, Substitute Creature is a true gem in the middle grade genre. Fast-paced, horrifyingly marvelous, and one of a kind, this series is a must-read for all ages!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano

Read from August 25 to 26, 2013

PERFECT RUIN
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster BFYR
Format: ARC
Page Count: 356 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: Internment Chronicles, #1

(fantastic title, fantastic cover)

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.

Perfect Ruin is a phenomenal masterpiece that shouldn't be missed. With incredible world-building, a brilliant and strong heroine, and a mystery that will completely consume you, you can't go wrong with Perfect Ruin. I can't even explain to you how much I adore this book!

World-building is everything to me in a book. I love a good, creative world that will capture me right away and make me want to explore it with the characters. I have never seen a world like Perfect Ruin. Could it be because it's a city in the sky? Or that if you fall off the edge, it's over? Or that it's enclosed by trains running around Internment? How about all of the above. Everything - and I do mean everything - in Perfect Ruin worked for me. Lauren DeStefano has weaved together a genuine masterpiece that I fell in love with so hard. Unique, original, and absolutely fantastic, Perfect Ruin is easily one of my favorite books of the year.

Oh gosh, Morgan. Morgan is a stunning protagonist. She's headstrong, determined, and loyal - she knows what she wants and will go to the extreme to get it. And with this big of a mystery surrounding a city floating in the sky, how could you not be intrigued? Morgan knows of the lethal dangers that is surrounding Basil and Judas, and she knows that getting to the bottom of this mystery could lead to her doom. Such a strong and wonderfully developed character like Morgan doesn't come around very often, and I appreciated that DeStefano crafted a brilliant protagonist like Morgan. Actually, every character was brilliant! Pen, the loyal and awesome best friend; Judas, the dark and mysterious stranger who you never know is help or a wicked force; and Basil, the supporting and marvelous male lead that stayed beside Morgan's side all the way through. Perfect Ruin did not disappoint by any means. So good!

That ending crushed me. It ripped out my heart, threw me around, shook me up, and kept me in its clutches. Perfect Ruin was impossible to put down. I was so hooked with the mystery and wondered whether Morgan would end up like her brother; if I wasn't reading this novel, it was the only thing on my mind. I could ramble on and on explaining my love for this beautiful and amazing start to a promising series. Fantastic. Stunning. All the feels.

Overall, Perfect Ruin is a masterfully done and unique novel that made me beg for more and fall to the temptation of Internment. Lauren DeStefano's newest novel is sure to be a mega hit! I'm so happy to add this book to my all-time favorites shelf.

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Hideous Love by Stephanie Hemphill

HIDEOUS LOVE
Expected Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (Harper)
Format: ARC
Page Count: 320 pages
Source: ALA

From award-winning author Stephanie Hemphill comes the fascinating story of Mary Shelley, a brilliant teenager who wrote one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time: Frankenstein.

An all-consuming love affair.

A family torn apart by scandal.

A young author on the brink of greatness.

Hideous Love is the fascinating story of Gothic novelist Mary Shelley, who as a teen girl fled her restrictive home only to find herself in the shadow of a brilliant but moody boyfriend, famed poet Percy Shelley. It is the story of the mastermind behind one of the most iconic figures in all of literature: a monster constructed out of dead bodies and brought to life by the tragic Dr. Frankenstein.

Mary wrote Frankenstein at the age of nineteen, but inspiration for the monster came from her life-the atmospheric European settings she visited, the dramas swirling around her, and the stimulating philosophical discussions with the greatest minds of the period, like her close friend, Lord Byron.

This luminous verse novel from award-winning author Stephanie Hemphill reveals how Mary Shelley became one of the most celebrated authors in history.

Despite from seeing some not-so-good reviews, I loved Hideous Love! The beautiful writing, the engaging arc, and the tragic and achingly stunning story of Mary Shelley all worked together flawlessly for me - I really, really enjoyed this book!

I'm just going to go ahead and state the obvious Goodreads has shown me: Hideous Love didn't receive the best of reviews from my friends. But it was one of my most anticipated books of fall, so I knew I had to give it a shot; and in the end, I'm so thrilled I did! This, to me, is the best example of trying something for yourself before you knock it. I thought that the writing was masterfully done. While it is a slower-paced novel, I was so hooked and engrossed by Mary Shelley's story and the twist that Hemphill spun on it. The fact that Hideous Love was told in verse was superb; it fit the story so seamlessly, and I fell in love with this book so much. Beautiful, enthralling, and fantastic!

Like I said before, Hideous Love is a slow-build kind of book. It took me a couple of pages for me to get into the groove of the story, but it wasn't long before I caught myself sinking deep into this rich and fascinating world. If something happened to Mary, I ached for it. If she succeed, I cheered her on. I absolutely love it when an author can make me connected to a character like that, much less an actual person. What's weird is that I didn't enjoy Frankenstein at all, but I loved the story that was based off of the author! If you're in the mood for a wonderful historical that will have you falling in love with the characters and captured by the writing, definitely give Hideous Love a try!

Stephanie Hemphill, why don't you just rip my heart out. The ending of Hideous Love is what made the book for me. Hemphill just reflected the scenario of Mary Shelley's pain and struggles so incredibly, and I felt a better understanding for Mary after this novel. And though I've said that Hideous Love is a slow-build book, it's not boring by any means. The pacing fit the story so well - whether it was her family or Mary's writing, she goes through many hardships, and Stephanie Hemphill brought that essence of obstacles to Hideous Love so well. Highly recommended!

Overall, Hideous Love is a slow-paced, brilliant book that enthralled me and made me feel a connection to the characters I haven't felt in a very long time. Hideous Love is lovely!

M Y    R A T I N G

Brad About Books: Through the Zombie Glass by Gena Showalter

Read on June 20, 2013

THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS
Expected Publication Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Format: ARC
Page Count: 480 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for an honest review
Series: White Rabbit Chronicles, #2

This review is entirely spoiler free, even if you haven't read book one, Alice in Zombieland.

Gena Showalter nailed it with this sequel! Not only was Through the Zombie Glass even better than its predecessor, it blew it out of the water! Woah. This book was awesome.

I absolutely love the way Showalter bends the classical and timeless Alice in Wonderland and makes it her own. While the series isn't a direct re-telling (it doesn't always follow the essential plot of AiW), it has the lyrical and epic twist on it that draws the reader in and never lets them go. Who doesn't love a good zombie story now and then? The White Rabbit Chronicles has rapidly become one of my favorite paranormal series. With a tough and awesome heroine, vicious zombies that can't be controlled, and just the right amount of romance, Through the Zombie Glass is phenomenal!

Such a clever plot twist, Gena Showalter! I didn't expect the turns and twist that this novel took, and page after page, something continued to shock me and made me read even further on into the book. I couldn't control myself from flying through these pages! The zombies in this book aren't your typical zombies, which I absolutely loved. Through the Zombie Glass veers away from the norm of supernatural creatures and molds it into its own vivid, awesome creation. I applaud Showalter for that - it's stunning, unique, and all-around epic. Also, the stakes are so much higher in Through the Zombie Glass. There were times that I was on the edge of my seat and had my stomach in my throat, just because Showalter masterfully weaved together a high suspense that left me hanging and consumed me whole. I still think about this book to this day. That dreaded "Sequel Syndrome"? Totally passed right over this series's head! So good!

Two letters: ZA. OH MY GOSH YES.

Endings are very important to me with a book - I love a fast-paced, thrilling ending that will make the story complete. And I totally got that from Through the Zombie Glass. While I did enjoy Alice in Zombieland, I definitely could have used some more action and zombie-goodness in it. However, Through the Zombie Glass absolutely made up for it. The scenes are quick, and you feel like you're on the battlefield with Alice and Cole. Such a fantastic sequel! Even better than book one!

Overall, Through the Zombie Glass is a brilliant and daring sequel - and I loved every moment of it. Sure to be a mega hit!

M Y   R A T I N G

Brad About Books: The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

Read on April 4, 2013

THE RISING
Published: April 2, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 406 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: Darkness Rising, #3

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

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

The Gathering • The Calling

The Rising is an electric, pulsing, and dazzling finale to one of the best paranormal series out there. I'm sad to let this series go, but I couldn't have asked for a more fantastic ending! Definitely the best of the trilogy!

The best part about this trilogy is the character development. Reflecting back to book one, The Gathering, all the characters have extraordinary changed - for the good, or for the worst. And I loved how Armstrong did! She wasn't afraid to break her characters or put them to the test, and I really appreciated that. And oh man, The Rising definitely pushed Maya and the gang past their limits! I was afraid for them the entire time, and I absolutely loved where the plot took these characters - it was so fantastic!

The paranormal aspect (what kind of paranormal aspect? You'll have to read to find out!) in this series is incredible, and as soon as I read the last page and closed the book (I didn't want it to end, by the way. I was devastated after the last line, but I couldn't have asked for a more powerful and out-with-a-bang ending), I knew that this was the best of the trilogy. This is one of those series that is impossible to put down; there is never a dull moment, and as soon as you get inside this world, you're stuck there. The characters won't leave your head, and the dilemma in the Darkness Rising trilogy will leave an imprint on your mind. If I wasn't reading The Rising, it was the only thing on my mind.

Remember when I said that The Rising had an out-with-a-bang ending? Let me delve further onto that. If you love an explosive and dynamic ending that will leave an impression on you and wrap itself completely around you, then this series is a must-read. The Rising has such an epic, climatic finale, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout it all. The Rising did not disappoint by any means. Kelley Armstrong, thank you so much for this journey - I loved it so much!

Overall, The Rising is a marvelous ending to such a fantastic YA paranormal series. A phenomenal conclusion!

M Y   R A T I N G