Turning Pages

December 02, 2014

Book Review: The Selection

Title: The Selection.
Author: Kiera Cass.
Series: Yes, The Selection #1.
Pages: 336.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: HarperTeen.
Published Date: 4/24/12.
Links:
Book Depository
Goodreads

"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. "

Review:

I don't know about you guys, but I HATE the show Bachelor and Bachelorette. HATE IT!

I mean who in the world, would go on national television, to meet some guy, who isn't only seeing you, but thirty other girls as well? Do you know how many good guys there are out there, that won't have you compete with all these other women, to get his attention?! A LOT!

So when I heard that The Selection was comparable to the show, I didn't even bother picking it up. I'm done watching and hearing about the show, and I'm not going to start reading something similar either.

...that is, until I started seeing all of these amazing reviews pop up around the blogging world, and couldn't resist the urge anymore. I knew I had to pick it up, but I also promised myself that once I stopped enjoying it, I would stop reading it.

But chapter one went by, chapter five and six came and went, and before I knew it, I was racing to the last page! I couldn't get there fast enough, and so I spent my free time during work zooming through it!

Why did I enjoy it right away? Simply because of America.

(Hahaha, just joking! The main character of course!)

Right from the start of the book she was everything I hoped for in this book. I was cringing when I first cracked open The Selection, expecting some dumb bimbo to be the main character and for her to completely make a fool out of herself throughout the entire story. But America was SO far from that!

The world America lives in, takes place in the future where we see kingdoms popping up again. Illea being one of the youngest, where America lives. The society is divided into eight castes, 1 being the royal family and 8 being the outcasts. Between those two are musicians, maids, artists, models, etc, all ranking in different castes.

The prince has finally become of age, and is in the need of a wife...so of course the ONLY thing he can do is select thirty five girls from his kingdom, to have them compete for his "love". America didn't even consider the idea, there was no way she was going to put her name in the hat, not for a prince and royal family, who doesn't seem to care about their people.

But after promising, to someone very special, to at least put her name in, thinking the changes of her being pulled are so slim, America sees no harm in it...

...until the chosen girls are announced on national television, and America is one of the thirty five.

Then things practically take off from there!

America is thrown into these crazy world, where she is surround by beautiful things, beautiful people, and lots of delicious food. She knows she doesn't belong her, but might as well take the opportunity, not only for her family, but also the entire kingdom, to get things done and fixed.

Overall, The Selection surprised me! The entire book didn't consist of some girl, going on dates, competing with other girls, and swooning about her "love" for this guy. America was kick ass, didn't take anything from anyone, and didn't change herself, only because her surroundings changed. She was still the girl she was before, and I loved that about her.

While this "selection" was going on, there were also a lot of other elements to the story, that were enough to keep me distracted. The caste system, the rebels, America's relationship with someone else, etc.

If you haven't read The Selection, for the same reasons I was, I would recommend at least giving it a try...it might suck you into its vortex, like it did me!

November 23, 2014

Blog Tour Giveaway Winners!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

With the end of the quarter coming to an end very soon, and winter break just around the corner, I'm excited to finally get back to blogging full time! I don't have much time right now, because I need to be at work within the next thirty or so minutes (opps), but really wanted to get this post up, and the winners announced.

So here they are...

Elle JO, for the brand new copy of LOOP, by Karen Adkins!

AND

Danielle Meek, for the brand new copy of ETERNAL, by C.C. Hunter!

Books will be sent out within the next two days, along with a few other prizes that I completely forgot to send out!! So if you're still waiting for a book, I apologize, it will be there VERY soon!

Was this post MUCH too short for you? No worries! I have a few reviews, and other fun things coming up within the next few days!

November 05, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday

Title: A Thousand Pieces of Me.
Author: Claudia Gray.
Summary:

"Cloud Atlas meets Orphan Black in this epic dimension-bending trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray about a girl who must chase her father's killer through multiple dimensions. Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes--and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite's father is murdered, and the killer--her parent's handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul--escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite refuses to let the man who destroyed her family go free. So she races after Paul through different universes, always leaping into another version of herself. But she also meets alternate versions of the people she knows--including Paul, whose life entangles with hers in increasingly familiar ways. Before long she begins to question Paul's guilt--as well as her own heart. And soon she discovers the truth behind her father's death is far more sinister than she expected."

Release Date: 11/14.

Why I'm Waiting:

Before I even knew who wrote this, or what this book was about, I already knew I was going to pick it up...Why? Because I LOVE covers like this one! I love that it has an artsy feel and makes you want to take a second look. Besides the fact that its two city landscapes combined into one, there is just so much detail and color to look at and admire.

A Thousand Pieces of Me is written by Claudia Gray, and while she had quite a few books out, and a lot of people really seem to like her writing, I have yet to read something from her.

I haven't read any books on different dimensions, but if it is anything like time travel, with the different types of worlds, lifestyles and people, there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to pick up this book, devour it, and love it.

Have you heard of A Thousand Pieces of Me? What do you think?

October 28, 2014

Blog Tour: Loop, by Karen Akins.

Loop, by Karen Akins.

"At a school where Quantum Paradox 101 is a required course and history field trips are literal, sixteen year-old time traveler Bree Bennis excels…at screwing up.

After Bree botches a solo midterm to the 21st century by accidentally taking a boy hostage (a teensy snafu), she stands to lose her scholarship. But when Bree sneaks back to talk the kid into keeping his yap shut, she doesn’t go back far enough. The boy, Finn, now three years older and hot as a solar flare, is convinced he’s in love with Bree, or rather, a future version of her that doesn’t think he’s a complete pain in the arse. To make matters worse, she inadvertently transports him back to the 23rd century with her.

Once home, Bree discovers that a recent rash of accidents at her school are anything but accidental. Someone is attacking time travelers. As Bree and her temporal tagalong uncover seemingly unconnected clues—a broken bracelet, a missing data file, the art heist of the millennium—that lead to the person responsible, she alone has the knowledge to piece the puzzle together. Knowledge only one other person has. Her future self.

But when those closest to her become the next victims, Bree realizes the attacker is willing to do anything to stop her. In the past, present, or future. "

About the Author:

Karen Akins lives in the MidSouth where she writes humorous, light YA sci-fi. When not writing or reading, she loves lightsaber dueling with her two sons and forcing her husband to watch BBC shows with her.

Karen has been many things in her life: an archery instructor, drummer for the shortest-lived garage band in history, and a shockingly bad tic-tac-toe player.

My Review:

When it comes to Loop, the thing I looked forward to the most was the time travel aspect to the story! I love the entire concept of time traveling, and I love how each author puts their own spin and rules to it. I was excited to see how the futuristic world of Bree compared, to Finn's (and our) world. I wanted to see differences, but also some similarities between the two different time frames. I wanted to see different languages and lifestyles! There was honestly so much I was looking forward to when it came to Loop.

I started and devoured Loop in two days! Two days that I not only when to school for eight hours, but also two work for seven! I pulled out my phone, and read any little bit of time that I could!

Loop reached all of my expectations and more! Not only did I get the whole time travel and futuristic-ness, that I wanted OH SO badly, but also an amazing cast of characters. Bree was confused and hilarious. Finn was sweet and a bit thrown off by the time differences. Besides that Bree also had an amazing best friend, and a troubled mother.

There was so much going on in the Loop, from Bree's struggling mother, who is accused of taking out a microchip that every time traveler "needs", to Bree accidental time travel and meeting with Finn, to Finn traveling to the future with Bree, and even a gangster chasing down Bree for a job she owes him.

Overall I really enjoyed Loop, and I'm hoping and praying that a second book comes out soon! YES!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author's Links:

Websites

Twitter

Facebook

October 27, 2014

Blog Tour: Eternal, by C.C. Hunter

Eternal, by C.C. Hunter

Shadow Falls: After Dark Book Two

"All her life, Della's secret powers have made her feel separated from her human family. Now, she's where she belongs, at Shadow Falls. With the help of her best friends Kylie and Miranda, she’ll try to prove herself in the paranormal world as an investigator—all the while trying to figure out her own heart. Should she chose Chase, a powerful vampire with whom she shares a special bond? Or Steve, the hot shapeshifter whose kisses make her weak in the knees? When a person with dark connection to her past shows up, it’ll help her decide which guy to choose–and make her question everything she knows about herself. "

About the Author:

"C.C. Hunter grew up in Alabama, where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and regularly rescued potential princes, in the form of Alabama bullfrogs, from her brothers. Today, she's still fascinated with lightning bugs, mostly wears shoes, but has turned her focus to rescuing mammals. She now lives in Texas with her four rescued cats, one dog, and a prince of a husband, who for the record, is so not a frog. When she's not writing, she's reading, spending time with her family, or is shooting things-with a camera, not a gun.

C.C. Hunter is a pseudonym. Her real name is Christie Craig and she also writes humorous romantic suspense romance novels for Grand Central."

My Review:

With just finishing up Reborn and completely falling in love with the cast of characters, the mysterious crazy weird things happening, and with a whole different view on the paranormal society, I was dying to finally get started on Eternal!

There was so much I was looking forward to in this second installment, from many more sassy comments and thoughts from Della, to a softer side to Chase and a tougher side to Steve. Besides that I was ready to know what was truly going on! Could Della's dad be a murderer? Is Chase being honest about who he is and what he's meant to do? And who is this new ghost, trying really hard to get both Della's attention and Chase's?

And without a doubt Eternal lived up to all of my expectations and more! Things were serious when they needed to be, and funny just at the perfect moments! The story was never slow or boring...trust me Della had a lot going on and to worry about.

Eternal just released and I'm already craving more of Shadowfalls, the gang and C.C. Hunters writing! When's the next book coming out?!?

Without a doubt I plan to pick up C.C. Hunters other series and devour them just as quickly as I did this one!

Audio Clip:

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author's Links:

Facebook

Twitter

Website

October 26, 2014

Book Review: Reborn.

Title: Reborn.
Author: C.C. Hunter.
Series: Yes, #1.
Pages: 400.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin.
Published Date: 5/20/14
Links:
Book Depository
Goodreads

Summary:

"For Della Tsang, Shadow Falls isn't just a camp: it's home. As a vampire who's never fit in with her human family, it's the one place she can truly be herself. But when a mysterious new guy arrives at camp, Della’s whole world is thrown into turmoil. Chase is a vampire with secrets, who knows more than he’s telling. But the more time she spends with him, the more she begins to trust this attractive stranger—and feel drawn to him. But romance is the last thing she wants—as she keeps telling Steve, the hunky shapeshifter who won’t stop trying to win her heart. And if Della isn't careful, he just might succeed.　 When a new case puts everyone she cares about in danger, Della’s determined to do everything she can to save them . . . even if it means teaming up with Steve and Chase, who leave her more confused than ever. With their lives on the line, will Della and her friends survive—with their hearts intact?"

Final Verdict:

The main reason I picked up Reborn on such a short notice, was simply because, I was invited to take part in a blog tour for the second installment, Eternal. The reason I accepted the invite to the blog tour was because of all of the AMAZING things I've heard from C.C. Hunter's writing.

Not only does she have this series out, but she also has the Born At Midnight books! While I do own one or two of those books (I think books three and four in the series), I haven't gotten around to reading them for the obvious reasons...I don't have book one and two just yet.

I'll be the first to admit, that I'm over the whole vampire thing! I'm done reading about cold glittery bodies, and blood sucking. It's been done way too many times, and I've gotten my fill. But as you may have noticed from the synopsis, Vampires is what this one is all about...well sort of.

My biggest worry for Reborn was the "vampire overload". I didn't want to read another version of Twilight, but thank goodness Reborn was nothing like that!

Unlike Twilight, the main character was full of life, spunk and sarcastic comments (I couldn't help myself, but to laugh out loud at some of the things she said, and some of the things she really wanted to say). Besides Della, there were a lot of other amazing characters. Steve (Della's almost boyfriend), Chase (the strange new "panty perv"), Della's two best friends, and even the camp leaders, Holiday and her husband.

Already the cast of characters made the story for me!

Besides that, I wasn't completed overwhelmed by the vampire or paranormal thing, as I thought I would. Della isn't constantly sucking blood, drinking blood, or thinking about blood. Instead blood is donated and handled like a normal meal.

Della lived a pretty "normal" life, besides the fact that her parents practically disowned her, her aunt and uncle may have faked their deaths, her cousin is missing, and Della is struggle with her relationships with Steve and Chase.

...I know what you're thinking, LOVE TRIANGLE?

Not really...sort of...kind of...

Again, the "love triangle" (if you can even call it that) wasn't over powering, or annoying. Della didn't drag along either of the two guys, and actually tried to keep her distance from both; which I liked, considering ALL of the other crazy things she had going on. So no, the main focus did shift to this love triangle, instead it remained Della's search for family and the truth.

The end was a bit more explosive than I was expecting, but also in a different way. I figured that some truths would come out, and things would start making since for the cast, but actually it didn't. The entire situation became much more confusing and difficult.

Overall I REALLY enjoyed Reborn! The characters were hilariously awesome, the story wasn't the "same ol' thing", and I'm happy I decided to pick it up, even though I was a bit weary at first! I'm close to finishing Eternal, and I'm excited to see how this second installment ends, compared to the first.

Have you read Reborn? What did you think? Are you excited for Eternal?!