Book Review #69: Cinder

Title: Cinder.
Author: Marissa Meyer.
Pages: 400.
Format: Audio Book.
Source: Publisher.
Publisher: Macmillan.
Published Date: 1/3/2012.
Summary:

"Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future."

Cover:

Cinder's cover, is my number one favorite for 2012 (I know January isn't over yet, but still!), and I'm sure it'll be hard to beat! It's BEAUTIFUL! The red shoe; OMG! It's sooo bold, and definitely makes a statement. Something else that is interesting, is how you can see through her skin of her ankle, seeing the metal and electric parts that make up Cinder!

Not even knowing what this book was about, I couldn't wait to finally read it! The title, the bright red heel, and the way you can see through her skin, all come together, and make this a piece of art! Art that just pulls you in, and simply can't be turned down!

My Thoughts:

We all grow up with stories or fairy tales, that in weird but interesting ways, are supposed to teach us a lesson. I remember going to bed, and having my mom or dad read out of my big fairy tale book, and I loved it! I couldn't go to sleep without reading about Little Red Riding Hood, Snow White, The Three Little Pigs, or even Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

Unlike my big book of fairy tales, Cinder is a retelling of the classical story of Cinderella. Even though I've seen a few movies that were remakes, I've never actually read a book, that was one.

Cinderella is a poor teenage girl, who's father passed away not too long ago, and was left with her evil stepmother, and two step sister. While her sisters get the special treatment, Cinderella is left to do all the chores, and clean the house, never leaving time for herself.

Yes, in Cinder all that is still true! But instead, Cinder takes place in the future, and in Beijing. No, she's not just any regular teenage girl, she's a cyborg, she's a mechanical, always working with her hands, getting dirty and fixing things.

Even though Cinder follows the same story line, as the Cinderella we all know and love, Marissa Meyer adds her own flare to the story. A plague is spreading, and killing people, causing them to drop like flies. And the only one who has a cure, is also the one who wants to take over earth; the Lunar Queen.

The only way to save his people, Prince Kai, has to decide either, to choose the good of the kingdom, or marry the girl (or cyborg) of his dreams? Which will he choose? Well you'll just have to read Cinder to find out(:

Teaser Tuesday #37: Cinder

1. "Kai brushed his hair off his forehead, seeking a breeze, any breeze, but it didn't come. "It wasn't so hard. It was only for a moment.""
Torin's eyes met his. It was one of the few times Kai had seen true sympathy in that gaze. "It will get harder.""

2. "Tossing the screwdriver onto the table, Cinder gripped her heel and yanked the foot from it’s socket."

Everything That Happened This Week!

Monday:

Everything That Happened This Week

Tuesday:

None:/

Wednesday:

Waiting On Wednesday

WWW Wednesday

Thursday & Friday:

None:/

Saturday:

What's Coming This Week?

Sunday:

Tempest Audio Book Giveaway!

Tempest Audio Book Giveaway Reminder!

Yesterday I posted my giveaway! This is just a quick reminder, letting you guys know, that the giveaway doesn't end til the end of February (so there's still tons of time to enter!).

What's up for grabs, you make ask! Well a copy of Tempest by Julie Cross is! No not an ARC, no not a hardback, but instead it's the audio book!

Make sure to check out my original giveaway post, here!

Don't forget to enter!

Tempest Audio Book Giveaway!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Today's nothing special, yesterday wasn't anything either. And absolutely nothing is even happening this week. But I just decided it would be fun to have another giveaway (and time to clean out my bookshelf a bit!).

Turning Pages is giving away a copy of Tempest by Julie Cross, on audio book! Yaaaay! If you don't know what this is, or just want to see what I thought of Tempest, make sure to stop by and check out my review!

Here's a picture, and it's summary:

"The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world."

Sadly, shipping is really expensive and I'm still broke from Christmas, so this giveaway is US only! I promise, my next giveaway will be International though(:

It's really easy to enter (and if you want receive a few extra entries), and won't even take five minutes! Just simply fill out this form:

FILL OUT FORM!

Thank you so much for entering! This giveaway will end on February 29, 2012.

What's Coming Next Week? #21

Paperback:

Destiny and Deception (13 to Life Series #4), by Shannon Delany.

Fearless: Fearless; Sam; Run, by Francine Pascal.

Clarity, by Kim Harrington.

Nomansland, by Lesley Hauge.

Hardback:

Lenobia's Vow: A House of Night Novella, by P. C. Cast.

Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire Series #2), by Courtney Allison Moulton.

Incarnate, by Jodi Meadows.

Article 5, by Kristen Simmons.

The Dead of Winter, by Chris Priestley.

WWW Wednesday #3

What am I reading?

The Hollowed by Jessica Verday!

I'm about halfway through, and so far, I'm really liking it. Books that make me feel, and have emotions, and go through what a character might be going through and feelings, are the best! Even though, you might catch me reading and crying in the middle of the night, it's a lot more fun, than reading a book, you don't feel for or care about!

This book is exactly that. I feel everything the character feels, it had me crying within the first few pages. It's intense.

What did I recently finish Reading?

Cinder by Marissa Meyer! I'm on the last CD right now, and I loved it. I honestly can not wait to finally write my review, I have a lot of good things to say about it(:

What will I be reading next?

I'll be sticking to my "To Be Read" this time, and read Anna and The French Kiss! I've heard nothing but great things about it, and Perkins writing style!

Waiting On Wednesday #40

Title: Dying To Know You.
Author: Aidan Chambers.
Summary:

"In Dying to Know You, award-winning author Aidan Chambers has created an indelible portrait of a young man discovering his own voice in the world, and has constructed a love story that is as much about the mind as it is the heart.

In this contemporary love story, a teenage boy named Karl enlists a famous writer to help him impress his girlfriend, Fiorella. She has asked him to write her a letter in which he reveals his true self. But Karl isn’t convinced he’s good enough with words, so he tracks down Fiorella’s favorite author and begs him to take up the task. The writer reluctantly assents, on the condition that Karl agree to a series of interviews, so that the letter will be based on an authentic portrait of Karl. The letter, though effective, has unexpected consequences for Karl, Fiorella, and the writer."

Release Date: 4/1/2012.

Everything That Happened This Week!

Monday:
Everything That Happened Last Week
It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Tuesday:
Book Review: I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You, by Ally Carter.

Wednesday:
Waiting On Wednesday

Thursday&Friday:
None!

Saturday:
What's Coming Next Week!
Power Outage!

Sunday:
In My Mailbox
Preparing For A Power Outage

In My Mailbox #41

Even though there was a snow/wind storm, going on for almost a whole week, and my power went out for three days, my mailman stayed strong, and continued doing his job!(:

I have the best mailman ever (he's sooo nice!)

Anyways, if you've read any of these books, comment down below, and let me know what you thought about them!

Night World by L.J Smith.

"The Night World isn’t a place. It’s all around us. It’s a secret society of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other creatures of darkness that live among us. In the third bind-up of this series, the Night People are preparing for the apocalypse to destroy the human world. Four teenagers have been given special powers to prevent the impending destruction, but first they, and their soulmates, must survive. In Huntress, a hunter—who is half vampire—stalks other vampires to protect humans. A vampire prince falls in love with a girl he enslaves in Black Dawn. And a shapeshifter must protect a rebellious teenager in Witchlight."

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter.

Sadly, there isn't a synopsis available yet!

Preparing For A Outage: Before The Outage

You will never know when a storm might hit your neighborhood, I sure didn't! What went from harmless snow fall, and cheering everyday my school was closed, to raining, freezing over night, and high winds; concluding with a three day power outage.

Here are some tips and tricks I wished I knew, or did before hand, to prepare myself, my family, friends, and even neighbors! Since you will never know when something like this might happen to you, I would recommend always being prepared for it.

Supplies:

-candles (The more, the better! You don't know how long, or when your power might come back!)

-matches/lighters

-flashlights and batteries (All of my local stores, actually sold out on flashlights, batteries, and candles!)

-water and dry food, that will last for two to three days

-blankets and hot hands (If you toss a hot hand underneath your blanket at night, you'll be nice and warm.)

-first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.

Keep Warm:

-Wear layers (Your house will get cold really quick, make sure to layer up!)

-No charcoal grill inside (I heard that here in the Northwest, we had a lot of accidents with these. Their very dangerous!) 

Food Safety:

-If you keep your refrigerator closed, the food inside will usually last around four hours.

-If your freezer is full, and closed, the food will last for forty eight hour. But if it's only half full, it will only last twenty four hours.

-Some foods to throw out after eight hours:

 -Eggs

 -Mayo

 -Leftovers

 -Milk Products (except butter)

 -Fresh Meat, Poultry and Seafood

 -Cheese (soft, low-fat, shredded)

 -Cream based dressing (Gravy, Spaghetti Sauce)

Power Outage!! Oh NO!

Turning Pages's main new years resolution was to blog more often and blog with better content. No matter how hard I try, it's impossible to blog throughout a snow storm, wind storm, and when my house is one of the 300,000 that had a power outage.

No worries, I'm okay, my family is fine, and none of my neighbors or friends are hurt.

The last three days, I along with many others, here in the Northwest, didn't have any power! And let me tell ya! It wasn't warm, it wasn't fun, and I couldn't wait to finally hop into a hot shower, and for the heater to kick on!

Most areas had over a foot of snow, and even though it was nice not going to school for three days, and being able to play in the white fluff. But after the third day, I was sick and tired of being cold, wet, and having to wear ten layers! To top it off, we lost electricity that afternoon, and the house became freezing!

My neighborhood, and a few others, received power this morning around 9 am. And now, that I've survived three days without it, I'm so thankful we have it. And that we don't live in the 18th century!

I'm already writing up another post suggesting ideas, on things people can do to prepare themselves for a power outage, so make sure to check that out! Please send out prayers and good thoughts for people here in the Northwest who, don't yet have electricity(:

Lisa

What's Coming Next Week? #20

Paperback:

Forbidden, by Syrie James.

Twilight: The Graphic Novel, by Stephenie Meyer.

Split, by Swati Avasthi.

Hardback:

Fallen in Love, by Lauren Kate.

Everneath, by Brodi Ashton.

Angel Fire, by L. A. Weatherly.

Diabolical, by Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Life Eternal, by Yvonne Woon.

Pink Smog: Becoming Weetzie Bat, by Francesca Lia Block.

There Is No Dog, by Meg Rosoff.

Getting Over Garrett Delaney, by Abby McDonald.

Waiting On Wednesday #39

Title: Something Like Normal.
Author: Trish Doller.
Summary:

"A powerful debut novel about a young Marine's return home from Afghanistan and the new life and love he finds while fending off the ghosts of war.

When Travis Stephenson returns home from Afghanistan, his parents are on the brink of divorce, his brother has stolen his girlfriend and his car, and nightmares of his best friend getting killed keep him completely spooked. But when he runs into Harper Gray, a girl who despises him for trashing her reputation with a middle school lie, life actually starts looking up. As Travis and Harper see more of each other, he starts falling for her and a way through the family meltdown, the post-traumatic stress, and the possibility of an interesting future begins to emerge.

His sense of humor, sense of his own strength, and incredible sense of honor make Travis an irresistible and eminently lovable hero in this fantastic and timely debut novel."

Release Date: 6/19/2012.

Book Review #68: I'd Tell You That I Love You, Bu Then I'd Have to Kill You

Title: I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have To Kill You.
Author: Ally Carter.
Pages: 288.
Format: Paperback.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Hyperion.
Published Date: 3/20/2007.

Summary:

"Cammie Morgan is a student at the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, a fairly typical all-girls school—that is, if every school taught advanced martial arts in PE and the latest in chemical warfare in science, and students received extra credit for breaking CIA codes in computer class. The Gallagher Academy might claim to be a school for geniuses but it’s really a school for spies.

Even though Cammie is fluent in fourteen languages and capable of killing a man in seven different ways, she has no idea what to do when she meets an ordinary boy who thinks she’s an ordinary girl. Sure, she can tap his phone, hack into his computer, or track him through town with the skill of a real “pavement artist”—but can she maneuver a relationship with someone who can never know the truth about her?

Cammie Morgan may be an elite spy-in-training, but in her sophomore year, she’s on her most dangerous mission—falling in love."

Cover:

The cutest thing about these covers, are the plaid sides! I think their just so different from all the other books in my shelf; they really stick out!

My Thoughts:

I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, is written by Ally Carter, who is also the author of Heist Society. I've never read a book about spies of secret agents, before I stumbled across Ally Carter's Heist Society, and I found myself enjoying before I even made it through the first chapter. I loved it!

Even though I haven't yet read Uncommon Criminals, I wanted to read more about the same topic, and more from Ally Carter. She mixes the whole spy/agent thing with being a girl very well. When I heard she had another series out (I believe the fifth book is coming out soon!), I just had to jump on the opportunity!

Even though the Gallagher Girl series and Heist Society are kind of the same, the main characters can't be anymore opposite. In I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, the main character Cammie (also know as the Chameleon) not only attends a school for just girls, but also for just spies. While in Heist Society, the main character is trying to stop spying, but later in the story gets pulled into it anyways.

Never really knowing anyone else, who isn't a spy or who doesn't go to the Gallagher Academy, Cammie is curious to see and know what it feels like to be normal. Her dad isn't around, and her mom runs Gallagher Academy. Though, Cammie is always around her mom (a.k.a. the princple), she's never felt really close to her.

Gallagher Academy, is a boarding school, Cammie shares her room with her two best friends! Bex and Liz; all sophomores. Until a new girl, who is forced to come to Gallagher, is moved into their bedroom.

Since it is a school for spies, it provides special classes for spies! In one of Cammie's classes she actually has an assignment, to go out and follow one of the staff members from school. After ducking, chasing, running, and making sure no one saw her, Cammie runs into a boy named Josh.

Before she knows it, she has the biggest crush on him!

Not being able to tell him, Cammie starts making up lies about herself; where she goes to school, when her birthday is etc. Soon all the lies, and excuses start to pile up, until someone sees, and catches onto her lies.

Before reading I'd Tell You That I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You, I already knew I would enjoy it! Simply because I LOVED Ally Carter's writing style in Heist Society! I can't wait to read the rest of the series, and finally start on Uncommon Criminals! Thanks for stopping by!

It's Monday What Are You Reading? #4

These weekend has been soooo amazingly long! I found myself, busy every second of everyday! Monday was no school, since it was Martin Luther Kings Jr's birthday, but instead of relaxing, blogging, and chugging coffee, like I planned. I needed to get the rest of my wisdom teeth pulled (3 teeth). 

Since it's been snowing like crazy here in the Northwest, I've been hoping and praying school is canceled or at least delayed! Why? Because I look like a chipmunk, I didn't do my math homework, and I rather just stay home, lay in bed, and read!

But you're not here to know how my weekend was going, you're here to see what I'm currently reading! This morning I finished reading I'd Tell You That I Love, But Then I'd Have To Kill You, by Ally Carter, and started reading (I'm only four pages in) The Hollow by Jessica Verday!

Have you read the Hollow yet? Let me know what you think in the comments below!(:

---

"When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead?and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. Then she meets Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her—one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity."

Everything That Happened This Week!

Monday:
Everything That Happened This Week!
It's Monday What Are You Reading?

Tuesday:
Book Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott
Teaser Tuesday

Wednesday:
Waiting On Wednesday

Thursday:
Captivating Thursday

Friday:
None:/

Saturday:
What's Coming Next Week

Sunday:
In My Mailbox

Waiting On Wednesday #38

Yes, I know I'm late! But Wednesday was only a half day of school, and I have Blogger programmed to post this at twelve, EXACTLY! But I didn't realize it didn't successfully post it until now, so here it is(:


Title: City of Lost Souls #4.
Author: Cassandra Clare.

Summary:

"Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.

Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series."

Release Date: 5/8/2012

In My Mailbox #40

Tempest by Julie Cross.


"The year is 2009. Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun.

That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future.

Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities.

But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler. Recruit… or kill him.

Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world."

The Luxe by Anna Godbersen.


"Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.
Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.

Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.

With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...

In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent."

Night World (1,2,3), by LJ Smith.


"Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters — they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.

In Secret Vampire, Poppy thought the summer would last forever. Then she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Now Poppy's only hope for survival is James, her friend and secret love. A vampire in the Night World, James can make Poppy immortal. But first they both must risk everything to go against the laws of Night World.

Fugitives from Night World, three vampire sisters leave their isolated home to live among humans in Daughters of Darkness. Their brother, Ash, is sent to bring the girls back, but he falls in love with their beautiful friend.

Two witch cousins fight over their high school crush. It's a battle between black magic and white magic in Spellbinder."

Night World (4,5,6), by LJ Smith.


"Vampires, werewolves, witches, shapeshifters — they live among us without our knowledge. Night World is their secret society, a secret society with very strict rules. And falling in love breaks all the laws of the Night World.
In Dark Angel, Gillian is saved from drowning by her guardian angel. Only visible to Gillian, Angel will fulfill her heart's every desire. But when Angel starts making strange and sinister requests, Gillian must question who he truly is and where he came from.

Armed with a wooden stake, martial arts, and the will to resist a vampire's mind control, Rashel struggles to avenge her mother's death in The Chosen. Then she meets Quinn, her soulmate, who is part of the world she has vowed to destroy.

Hannah receives notes warning her of incredible danger in Soulmate. But if death is her destiny, is the Lord of the Night World's love strong enough to save her?"

Captivating Thursday #3

It's Snowing!!!

Don't we all wish for a white Christmas?! What's more better than waking up to gifts, family and beautiful snow? Nothing.

Sadly, this year when I woke up...it rained.

But here we are (about) two weeks later, the lord have answered my prayers, IT'S SNOWING!!! 

This picture is just one of Google, but I'll make sure to tweet some pictures of my backyard and neighborhood, to show you guys, whats falling from the sky!

I hope you guys have a great day!

What's Coming Next Week? #19

Paperback:

The Asylum (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries Series #5), by L. J. Smith.

Wildthorn, by Jane Eagland.

Never Eighteen, by Megan Bostic.

Truth, by Julia Karr.

Angelfire, by Courtney Allison Moulton.

Flirt Club, by Cathleen Daly.

Mad Love, by Suzanne Selfors.

Hardback:

Hallowed (Unearthly Series #2), by Cynthia Hand.

Tempest, by Julie Cross.

Fracture, by Megan Miranda.

Try Not to Breathe, by Jennifer R. Hubbard.

Stolen Away, by Alyxandra Harvey.