Book Review: Troll or Derby

Title: Troll or Derby.
Author: Red Tash.
Format: E-Book.
Pages: 262.
Series: no.
Source: Review.
Publisher: Createspace.
Published Date: 6/14/2012.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.
Summary:

"In Troll Or Derby, fifteen-year-old Roller Deb is singled out by town bullies for both her skates, and for being different. When her popular homecoming queen of a sister is kidnapped by a scuzzy drug dealer, Deb must flee the trailer park in which she's grown up, and rescue her. Along the way, Deb becomes enmeshed in the magical realm of trolls and fairies, and the blood-thirsty version of roller derby at which these beings excel. But spending too much time among the fairies comes with a price. Will Deb choose to save her sister, with the aid of a mysterious troll? Or will she be lost to the lures of roller derby, and the blonde temptress April, forever?"

First & Last Line:

"Meth fires are blue, the hottest kind of flame."
"I also knew I could never stop her."

Cover:

When judging covers, I always feel that it isn't fair for me to judge something I haven't actually seen in person. But from the pictures I've seen the cover looks pretty, and reflects the story perfectly, especially with those roller skates!

My Thoughts:

Troll or Derby is the story of a (not so normal) girl, named Deb, whose life isn't what it seems. Before she knows it, her mother isn't her mother, her sister is kidnapped, and her entire life changes! But thanks to a cutie (and troll) named Harlow, who Deb becomes close with, she isn't alone on her journey to find her sister. Harlow teaches and shows Deb who and what Trolls are. He gives her tons of insight on the world of fairies!

Throughout reading Troll and Derby I did get confused a few times with which character was which (especially with the chapters always changing perspectives), but overall I enjoyed the majority of them! Deb was a great main character! I loved her passion of derby (ing?) and skating. And I did get a good giggle out of her sassy and sarcastic come backs! Many times throughout the story I could connect and see myself doing exactly what Deb did during different situations.

On the other hand Harlow was a very sweet, cute and interesting troll! Not only did her teach a lot about faeries and trolls to Deb, but me, the reader as well.

If I could change anything about Troll or Derby, it would be a few of the characters. Many characters were introduced but only a few had any density to them, a real personality. With so many characters I was expecting a lot more going on throughout the story, and that would be the second thing I would change.

Troll of Derby was something very different, and gave the fairy world a whole new perspective! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different, a strong leading female character, and who doesn't mind Deb's sassy comments!

December TBR!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

It's the end of the month, which means it's time for another TBR!

Instead of piling up some many books this month, I'm just going to list a few that I know I have to read and review this month, and leave the rest up to my mood. That way I won't feel constant pressure to read so many books, but instead I'll get the books read that I need to read, and the rest will be up to me, and the time of the day!

So here are next months book!

Shine Light, by Marianne de Pierres.

"Ixion. The island of ever-night. If she had a choice, Naif wouldn’t go back. But her friends will die if she doesn’t find a cure for the badges that are slowly killing them, and her brother is there, fighting against the Ripers who hold everyone in thrall. And Naif has knowledge that might save them all. First she must solve the mystery of Ixion’s eternal night. Then she must convince everyone – rebels and revellers alike – to join her cause. And all the while, she must fight the urge to go to Lenoir – her greatest love, her mortal enemy. The secrets of Ixion must be revealed. The evils must be stopped. A new dawn will come."

Chime, by Franny Billingsley.

"Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know."

Angel Burn, by L.A. Weatherly.

"They're out for your soul. And they don't have heaven in mind... Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. she has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil."

Tiger's Curse, by Colleen Houck. 

"Passion. Fate. Loyalty. Would you risk it all to change your destiny? The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever. Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more."

Waiting On Wednesday!

Title: Sever.
Author: Lauren DeStefano.
Summary:

"Time is running out for Rhine in this conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Chemical Garden Trilogy. With the clock ticking until the virus takes its toll, Rhine is desperate for answers. After enduring Vaughn’s worst, Rhine finds an unlikely ally in his brother, an eccentric inventor named Reed. She takes refuge in his dilapidated house, though the people she left behind refuse to stay in the past. While Gabriel haunts Rhine’s memories, Cecily is determined to be at Rhine’s side, even if Linden’s feelings are still caught between them. Meanwhile, Rowan’s growing involvement in an underground resistance compels Rhine to reach him before he does something that cannot be undone. But what she discovers along the way has alarming implications for her future—and about the past her parents never had the chance to explain.."

Release Date: 2/12/2013.

Book Haul!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

With Turkey Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I had no choice but to spend money and do some shopping! Not only did I buy a few Christmas gifts for my love ones, and practically steal clothes from the mall, I also HAD to stop at my local half price books, where I scored an amazing deal on books! I didn't buy as much as I would like to have, simply because the best way to spend the coupon I had (which we were limited to only one coupon) was to spend 50 dollars and get 15 dollars off. So in the end I would only pay 35 dollars.

The used books I purchased:

Fever by Lauren DeStefano.

"Rhine and Gabriel have escaped the mansion, but danger is never far behind. Running away brings Rhine and Gabriel right into a trap, in the form of a twisted carnival whose ringmistress keeps watch over a menagerie of girls. Just as Rhine uncovers what plans await her, her fortune turns again. With Gabriel at her side, Rhine travels through an environment as grim as the one she left a year ago - surroundings that mirror her own feelings of fear and hopelessness. The two are determined to get to Manhattan, to relative safety with Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan. But the road there is long and perilous - and in a world where young women only live to age twenty and young men die at twenty-five, time is precious. Worse still, they can’t seem to elude Rhine’s father-in-law, Vaughn, who is determined to bring Rhine back to the mansion...by any means necessary. In the sequel to Lauren DeStefano’s harrowing Wither, Rhine must decide if freedom is worth the price - now that she has more to lose than ever."

Fated by Alyson Noel.

"Until now, he's existed only in her dreams - but fate is about to bring them together. I shove through the crowd, knocking into girls and bouncing off boys, until one in particular catches me, steadies me. I feel so secure, so at home in his arms. I melt against his chest-lift my gaze to meet his. Gasping when I stare into a pair of icy blue eyes banded by brilliant flecks of gold that shine like kaleidoscopes, reflecting my image thousands of times. The boy from my dream. The one who died in my arms."

Wildefire by Karsten Knight.

"Every flame begins with a spark. Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm."

The new books my dad (Thank you DADDY!) found at Half Price books:

Reached by Ally Condie.

"After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again. In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without."

Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

"One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love. Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so. "New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

Thank you so much for stopping by! Please be sure to leave a comment with a link to your book haul!

Book Review: Naturally Charlie

Title: Naturally Charlie.
Author: S.L. Scott.
Format: E-Book.
Pages: 230.
Series: No.
Source: Review Copy.
Publisher: The Writer's Coffee Shop.
Published Date: 9/12/12.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.
Summary:

"Twenty-five year old Charlotte “Charlie” Barrow is caught between her old life and the one she is beginning to build when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times. New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams, is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary. Through a coincidence of events, they come to rely on each other for comfort. This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny."

First & Last Line:
"'Damn it!'"
"I listen to the women. She's very smart."

Cover:

I haven't seen an actually copy of these book yet, so I don't think it would be very fair of me to judge something, I, myself haven't even seen.

My Thoughts:

Naturally Charlie, is not only following the story of a twenty-five year old women named, Charlotte, who is attempting at recovering and building herself back up, from a terrible break up and death, but also a very handsome man named Charles, who is going through a few of his own problems as well; both who go by Charlie.

More than six months have passed, when Charlotte and her boyfriend, Jim, had a bad break up. After being cheated on, lied to, and never feeling like she fit into Jim's world, things between them ended. Even after all this time Charlotte is still not over their relationship, and can't seem to move forward. Jim's death was another hard blow for Charlotte, already having a hard time with dealing with such a rough break up, she can't seem to find a way out, now with Jim's death. Receiving the invite to Jim's funeral finalized his death to Charlotte.

While Charlotte is dealing with problems, and life, so is Charles. Trying to get his mind off of the death of his aunt, he goes out to the club and tries to have fun. Charles' family is like everyone else's, crazy, obnoxious, and out of their minds.When Charles was attending college, he decided to change his entire life, because the one he was living wasn't what he wanted, or who he wanted to be. With this tremendous change, Charles had different opinions and outlooks on life than his family did.

Bumping into each other a few times, Charles and Charlotte, decide to attend each others funerals together, as moral support...and nothing more..just friends. "Just friends", is their excuse throughout the entire book. Even when their spending their Saturday afternoons watching movies, eating cupcakes, and napping, as well as during all the dinners they shared together.

Being there for one another, both realize they want to be more than friends, but Charlotte doesn't feel this is the right time for her to get into another relationship. Will these two love birds finally admit and commit to one another?!

Naturally Charlie was one of those books where you can't get yourself to put it down, but once you did, can't wait to finally pick it up, and read from where you left off! I loved both of the main characters, their personalities, and the way they were, when they were together! I also enjoyed reading about a few of the other characters including Charles' neighbor, and Charlotte's best friend. If you haven't read this, and need a good pick me up book, Naturally Charlie would have to be the one!

What's Coming This Week?

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Paperback:

Touched, by Corrine Jackson.

Fragile Darkness (Midnight Dragonfly Series #3), by Ellie James.

The Miracle Stealer, by Neil O. Connelly.

 Hardback:

Lullaby (Watersong Series #2), by Amanda Hocking.

The Lucky Ones : A Bright Young Things Novel, by Anna Godbersen.

WWW Wednesday!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

And to WWW Wednesday!

What am I currently reading?

Right now, I'm actually reading two books at once! I usually never do that, but with their dates coming up fast I don't really have an option. The two books I'm reading are The Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor and Troll or Derby by Red Tash!

What did I just finish?

The last book that I just finished is called Naturally Charlie, by S.L. Scott! I plan on writing and posting up my review today, so make sure to stop by again later!

What do I plan on reading next?

I haven't decided on my TBR list for December yet, so I guess it will just be a surprise until then!

Waiting On Wednesday!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

And Happy Thanksgiving!

Title: Lullaby (Watersong Series #2).
Author: Amanda Hocking.
Summary:

"Harper only wanted a safe, normal life. But when her younger sister Gemma runs off with a dangerous clique of beautiful girls, Penn, Thea, and Lexi, everything changes. Vowing to get her sister back no matter what the cost, Harper must face dangers unlike any she's ever experienced. Fortunately, she has Daniel by her side, a gorgeous guy who's devoted to helping her find her sister—and who's immune to the girls' dark powers. While Harper searches for her sister, Gemma struggles to adjust to her new life. Gemma's powers are growing by the day, and the longer she lives with her new "sisters," the harder it is to resist entering their magical world. It's a realm both dark and beautiful, and where she's plagued by strange hungers and unspeakable needs. Just as she's drifting far away from her old life, Harper and Daniel find her...but no one can deny how much she's changed. All she wants is to return to her family and the mortal world, but how can she do that when she's become something else entirely—and will they still love her once they learn the truth?"

Release Date: 11/27/12.

What's Coming Next Week?

Welcome to Turning Pages!

What's Coming This Week, is a quick and fun post, just spreading the word about all of the new books coming within the next week. Don't be afraid to click on any of the links below, they'll take you to that specific book's Goodreads page!

Middle Ground (Awaken #2), by Katie Kacinsky.

Elemental, by Antony John.

Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal, by Chris Colfer.

Undeadly (The Reaper Diaries #1), by Michele Vail.

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Tempted By Evil Blog Tour!

Welcome to Turning Pages! And Happy Monday!

Today we have a very special guest, Shannon Morton, with an awesome excerpt from her book Tempted by Evil!

Four years ago, when I first started writing, I had no idea that I had such a soft spot for bad boys. Soft spot might be a euphemism, actually. Perhaps a massive gaping void for them would be more accurate. At any rate, I quickly came to terms with my love of damaged goods and decided that therapy wasn't necessary. As long as I only wrote and read about them rather than seek one out in real life, I felt it was okay. Does this make me delusional? Possibly, but I'm going to roll with it anyway... 

Why am I discussing this, you ask? I have my reasons and I'm getting to them now. When I went through the novel, looking for excerpts to use for this blog, I came upon one that introduces one of my favorite guys. He's dark, brooding, impossible, and magnetic...you know, the things you parents pray that you're never attracted to in a boy. Well, Merrick embodies them all, and though Aspen would like to pretend she's not the slightest bit intrigued by him, I see right through her. There are those in life that just demand attention by their mere presence, good or bad. Merrick is their poster child :) 

So, without further ado, I give you Aspen and Merrick at their first meeting. Poor Aspen, she just doesn't know what is about to steamroll into her life... 

EXCERPT: 

I knew I would be hard-pressed to forget this stranger if I lived a thousand years. 

Something about him was compelling, and I had to grapple with my mind to oppose the gravitational force of his masculine energy. Focus, Aspen. And stop staring! I sucked in a deep breath and took a hesitant step toward the table in the back while smoothing my camel-colored, coffee-stained apron. He was completely unfazed by my approach as his eyes were fixed on the pages of a small leather-bound black book he held over the Formica table. Interrupting an earnest reader was something that I abhorred, but it was part of my job, so I managed to stammer , "Is there anything I can get for you" while biting my lower lip. 

"No," the stranger replied thoughtfully as he closed his book and folded his hands on top of it. 

The confusion on my face was plain as I repeated his answer back in the form of a question. 

"No?” 

He finally looked up to meet my eyes, and I audibly sucked in a breath of air at the sight. The sage green color alone would have been magnificent, but the irises were a bit milky, making the rings around them appear to glow. 

"Actually, I was just looking for a dry place to read," he replied, with a hopeful expression that looked strangely out of place on his face. 

"Oh, um, of course," I stuttered as I mentally slapped myself and looked up at the clock, "but we close in about twenty minutes." 

"Thank you," he acknowledged as he returned to the small book in front of him and I wandered back to my spot behind the counter. 

Trying desperately not to stare devolved quickly into trying desperately not to be caught staring at the stranger in the back of the café. While the former had proved completely impossible, the latter was proving quite promising. He was captivating. Aside from those eyes, his raven-colored, wavy chin-length hair would have made any girl swoon. His sense of style was unique; he’d opted for a fitted gray t-shirt with print that read The Doors, which I presumed to be a band name, and a very worn-out looking black and gray flannel shirt over it. The black military jacket he topped them off with looked very utilitarian, and I realized that, aside from the t-shirt, the rest of his clothes were black, right down to the motorcycle boots. The only other piece that stood out was a black leather studded cuff on his wrist. I pondered his intensity while he absorbed the words on the delicate pages of his book, turning them methodically, almost like clockwork. The longer I watched him, the more I became aware of a nagging sensation in the back of my mind. I looked up at the clock to see that it was already five minutes past nine. My anxiety spiked to a dangerous level when I considered having to tell this dark stranger that it was time for him leave. 

As if reading my mind, he placed his book in the inside pocket of his military jacket, rose smoothly from his chair , and strolled toward the exit just as casually as he had come in. I wanted to thank him for coming in or say something to him about the book he was reading―at least ask his name―but I found myself, not for the first time, utterly speechless. 

Pulling the door open slowly, the mysterious stranger paused before he turned back toward the counter and said, with a hint of amusement in his voice, "Goodnight, Aspen."

Thank you so much for stopping by and for this awesome excerpt from your book! Make sure to check out Tempted by Evil!

Links:

Goodreads

Barnes and Noble

Shannon's Blog

WWW Wednesday

Welcome to Turning Pages!

What am I reading?

Currently I'm indulging in Naturally Charlie by S.L. Scott! I'm about one third of the way through, and if it wasn't an E-book, it would be very hard to put down!

What did I just finish reading?

I just finished reading Misfit by Jon Skovron! Check out my review!

What do I plan on reading next?

I do have a two books I need to finish by the end of the month, and those are Troll or Derby by Red Tash and The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor!

Waiting On Wednesday!

Title: Zom-B Underground.
Author: Darren Shan.
Summary:

"Waking up in a military complex, months after zombies attacked school, B has no memory of the last few months. Life in the UK has turned tough since the outbreak, and B is woven into life- and battle- in the new military regime quickly. But as B learns more about the zombies held in the complex and the scientists keeping them captive, unease settles in. Why exactly was B saved? And is there anyone left in the world to trust?"

Release Date: 1/2/13

Book Review: Misfit

Title: Misfit.
Author: Jon Skovron.
Format: Hardback.
Pages: 384.
Series: No.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Amulet Books.
Published Date: 9/1/12.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.
Summary:

"Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help. But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much. Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school."

First & Last Line:

"Jael Thompson looks at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and frowns."
"'Mother,' she whispers. 'I love you.'"

Cover:

Though I like when covers show or hint at the story a bit, which the cover of Misfit doesn't really do, but still looks amazing and very intriguing. It has this dark and mysterious to it, just like the story does.

My Thoughts:

Misfit is the story of Jael and her discovery of being a half breed; half human and half demon. Most would assume that if Jael is only half of a demon, she must not have all the powers a normal demon would, which isn't true at all; she has much more. Since not very many half breeds exist, no one really knows just how strong one can become...which is why everyone in Hell is after her.

Accompanied by her father, uncle, and boyfriend, Jael has to find the strength within herself to defeat Belial; the strong demon who murdered her mother, and is now going after her.

Misfit was something fresh and really went along with the Halloween season! I enjoyed Jael and her cute skater boyfriend, along with learning more about demons and the paranormal. If you haven't picked up this book yet, you NEED to!...NOW!

What's Coming This Week?

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Paperback:

Echo (Soul Seekers Series #2), by Alyson Noël.

The Always War, by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

Fated (Soul Seekers Series #1), by Alyson Noël.

Don't Expect Magic, by Kathy McCullough.

Escape from Memory, by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

I Am J, by Cris Beam.

Hardback:

Reached (Matched Trilogy Series #3), by Ally Condie.

Execution : Escape from Furnace 5, by Alexander Gordon Smith.

Echo (Soul Seekers Series #2), by Alyson Noël.

Black City, by Elizabeth Richards.

Witch World (Witch World Series #1), by Christopher Pike.

Sacred, by Elana K. Arnold.

Waiting On Wednesday

Title: Everbound.
Author: Brodi Ashton.
Summary:

"Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity—a debt that should've been hers. Now she is living a borrowed life, and she doesn't know what to do with the guilt. And every night, Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away. No matter how she tries to reach for his hand, she can never find it. Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen—and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to help in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself. Nikki and Cole, along with Cole's bandmate Max, descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they'd anticipated—and more deadly. From a Lake of Blood and Guilt to Sirens' alluring tricks to insurmountable walls of rock and flame, the trio is given every reason to turn back and give up. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack—even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own."

Release Date: 1/22/13

Book Review: The Brides of Rollrock Island

Title: The Brides of Rollrock Island.
Author: Margo Lanagan.
Format: Hardback.
Pages: 320.
Series: No.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: David Flicking Books
Published Date: 2/2/2012.
Links:
Goodreads.
Barnes and Noble.
Summary:

"On remote Rollrock Island, men go to sea to make their livings—and to catch their wives. The witch Misskaella knows the way of drawing a girl from the heart of a seal, of luring the beauty out of the beast. And for a price a man may buy himself a lovely sea-wife. He may have and hold and keep her. And he will tell himself that he is her master. But from his first look into those wide, questioning, liquid eyes, he will be just as transformed as she. He will be equally ensnared. And the witch will have her true payment. Margo Lanagan weaves an extraordinary tale of desire, despair, and transformation. With devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals characters capable of unspeakable cruelty, but also unspoken love."

First & Last Line:

"'The old witch is there,' said Raditch, peering over the top to Six-Mile Beach."
"And then it would drop them far out to sea, maybe, or inland among the crags beyond Windaway Peak-or perhaps nearby, on dune, in field, on cottage roof, in cobbled street, not caring who saw them, not caring a jot who knew."

Cover:

The cover of The Brides of Rollrock Island is amazingly beautiful! I love it...but! I wish it did tell a little bit more about the story, and give the readers a hint or two what it may be about. The ocean in the background is really pretty, but it doesn't really tell us too much.

My Thoughts:

The Brides of Rollrock Island is one of the most dense books I've read in a while. The story itself was a bit confusing at the beginning, there's just a lot to take in and know within the first few pages. But after re-reading it, and slowing down my pace, I couldn't get myself to put the book down.

The organization of the book, isn't what I'm used to. Instead of being divided into chapters, its divided into a few sections, each titled with the person's name, who that section follows. Each of these people has a connection one way or another to the local witch on Rollrock Island named Misskaella.

Soon the residents on the island, find out about Misskaella's supernatural power, to change a normal seal, to the most beautiful women any man on Rollrock has ever seen! Throughout time, Misskaella pulls out numerous seals, for men looking for a wife; changing things drastically in their male to female ration. While a half seal boy can live on land, a girl can't, if she isn't taken back to the sea, she'll soon die. With this, tensions rise; more boys live on the island than girls, and seal women want nothing to but to go back to their home.

The Brides of Rollrock Island, is the best and most in depth book I've read in a while, and couldn't get enough!

TBR: November!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

Wow! November is already here?!

Misfit, by Jon Skovron.

"Jael Thompson has never really fit in. She’s changed schools too many times to count. The only family she’s ever known is her father, a bitter ex-priest who never lets her date and insists she attend the strictest Catholic school in Seattle. And her mother—well, she was a five thousand year old demon. That doesn’t exactly help. But on her sixteenth birthday, her father gives her a present that brings about some unexpected changes. Some of the changes, like strange and wonderful powers and the cute skater boy with a knack for science, are awesome. But others, like the homicidal demon seeking revenge on her family? Not so much. Steeped in mythology, this is an epic tale of a heroine who balances old world with new, science with magic, and the terrifying depths of the underworld with the ordinary halls of high school."

Marked by P.C. Cast.

"The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends."

Chime, by Franny Billinghsley.

"Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment. Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know."

Unbelievable by Sara Shepard.

"Behind Rosewood's grand facades, where the air smells like apples and Chanel No. 5 and infinity pools sparkle in landscaped backyards, nothing is as it seems. It was here, back in seventh grade, that five best friends shared everything--Seven jeans, MAC makeup, and their deepest, darkest secrets. For Aria, Spencer, Hanna, and Emily, it was a dream come true . . . until Alison, the most beautiful of them all, suddenly vanished. Now someone named A has turned their charmed lives into a living nightmare. Emily has been shipped off to her hyper-conservative cousins in Iowa. Aria is stuck living with her dad and his home-wrecker girlfriend. And Spencer fears she had something to do with Alison's murder. But Hanna's fate is far worse than all of that--she's clinging to life in the hospital, because "she knew too much." With A's threats turning dangerous and Ali's killer still on the loose, the girls must uncover the truth--about A, about Ali, and about what happened to Hanna--before they become A's next victims. But as they unravel Rosewood's mysteries and secrets, will it bring an end to the horror . . . or is this just the beginning?"

Angel Burn, by L.A. Weatherly.

"They're out for your soul. And they don't have heaven in mind... Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. she has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil."

Hush Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick.

"Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel. For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life."

Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor.

"Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?"

Troll or Derby, by Red Tash.

"In Troll Or Derby, fifteen-year-old Roller Deb is singled out by town bullies for both her skates, and for being different. When her popular homecoming queen of a sister is kidnapped by a scuzzy drug dealer, Deb must flee the trailer park in which she's grown up, and rescue her. Along the way, Deb becomes enmeshed in the magical realm of trolls and fairies, and the blood-thirsty version of roller derby at which these beings excel. But spending too much time among the fairies comes with a price. Will Deb choose to save her sister, with the aid of a mysterious troll? Or will she be lost to the lures of roller derby, and the blonde temptress April, forever? "

Naturally, Charlie, by S.L. Scott.

"Twenty-five year old Charlotte “Charlie” Barrow is caught between her old life and the one she is beginning to build when she crosses paths with a handsome stranger on the subway. Not looking for romance, she closes her heart off to the possibilities of love. With a knack for mishaps, Charlie maintains her sense of humor while befriending the kind stranger who seems to be there at all the right times. New York freelance writer, Charlie Adams, is forging his own path beyond the expectations of the society circles of his childhood. Rejecting family money, and fast-lane friends, he is snubbed by his family as he follows his own compass to a life more extraordinary. Through a coincidence of events, they come to rely on each other for comfort. This is the tale of two Charlies learning to trust again while fighting their fates to create their own destiny."