October 28, 2014

Blog Tour: Loop, by Karen Akins.

 Loop (Loop #1)

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. "

Karen Akins
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:


Author's Links:

October 27, 2014

Blog Tour: Eternal, by C.C. Hunter

Eternal (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #2)

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
"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:


Author's Links:

October 26, 2014

Book Review: Reborn.

Reborn (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #1)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?!


This Week's YA Releases!

Welcome to Turning Pages!

There are a lot exciting books coming out within the next seven days, that I'm not sure how I'm going to get my hands on them all!

Have you picked any of these up yet?!

Paperback:

Eternal (Shadow Falls by C. C. Hunter: Book CoverCrash into You by Katie McGarry: Book CoverTeardrop (Teardrop Trilogy Series #1) by Lauren Kate: Book CoverIn the Age of Love and Chocolate by Gabrielle Zevin: Book Cover


Hardback:

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds Series #3) by Alexandra Bracken: Book CoverTalon (Talon Series #1) by Julie Kagawa: Book CoverCatalyst (Insignia Series #3) by S. J. Kincaid: Book CoverAtlantia by Ally Condie: Book Cover


Waterfall (Teardrop Trilogy Series #2) by Lauren Kate: Book CoverPerfectly Good White Boy by Carrie Mesrobian: Book CoverCompulsion by Martina Boone: Book Cover



October 24, 2014

Giveaway Winners! Where Have I Been? What's Going On?

Before I even get into anything, I'm just going to warn you that this is going to be a completely random post. I'm going to announce winners to last month's giveaway, I'm going to talk about school, and I'm going to talk about what you should expect from Turning Pages in the next few weeks.

(Hahaha, just kidding!)

GIVEAWAY:

So last month I hosted a giveaway (like I do every month, because it was one of my goals for 2014) just for book bloggers. Obviously that giveaway ended one or two weeks ago, so it's about time that I finally get around to announcing the winners, and sending out the books!

You're next question might be, "Lisa, it's already October 24th and you haven't posted a new giveaway yet! Is there going to be one for October?" YES! I've gone a whole nine months giving away books and prizes, and I'm so close to reaching my goal! OF COURSE there's going to be a giveaway for the month of October, as well as November, since that's only a few days away.

Without further a do, let's get down to business!

I gave away three ARCs last month; Rites of Passage, Don't Touch, and Kiss of Broken Glass!

And the three winners are....

Catherine Massie....Rites of Passage!

Amber Barnes...Don't Touch!

Charlie Anderson...Kiss of Broken Glass!

I just want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who entered! If you didn't win, no worries there are two giveaways coming VERY soon!

(Emails have already been sent out to the winners!)

SCHOOL:

As some of you may have noticed I haven't blogged very much these last two weeks, not because I didn't want to or because I was tired of blogging. But instead it was exams week(s) at my university, and I had four to take!


It was a hard decision to make, but it was the "adult" and "mature" thing to put blogging aside for that time, and truly focus on studying and making sure that I pass all four of those exams. I'm going to school to earn a major in Accounting, a minor in Math and a minor in Education. These last two weeks have been nothing but numbers, and it feels SOOO good to finally do some writing!

It sucked not being to blog, as much as I always do, but not blogging throughout that time, made me realize just how much I love blogging, reading, talking about books and just letting the words flow out of me.

I do plan on taking blogging breaks throughout testing weeks, but I think next time around I'll schedule the posts ahead of time, so I don't leave you guys completely stranded!

Turning Pages & The Future:

As of right now, I'm working on getting the schedule, blogging, and video making back to normal. But I do have some ideas and plans for the future! I haven't figured out any of the details just yet, but I am pretty excited for the future!

1. Get "Blogger of the Week" up and running.
2. Updates on the blog. (Layout, Links, Pages, etc)
3. Spread my wings in the social media aspect!
4. More detailed and fun reviews!
5. Even more frequent giveaways.
6. Discussion posts galore!
7. Free writing posts?!
8. Personal posts? Whaaa?

If you have any other ideas, feel free to comment down below! I'm pretty much open to doing anything!

Alright, thank you all for stopping by! I'm excited to get everything back to normal, and to communicate with everyone again!


October 22, 2014

WWW Wednesday

Welcome to Turning Pages!

I haven't found much time to read this last week and a half to two weeks, due to exams, but I did manage to get a bit of time in here and there.

What am I currently reading?

Reborn (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #1)

Right now I'm finishing up Reborn, by C.C. Hunter. This is a vampire/paranormal read, which I was decided to venture off and read some different genres for a while, but when I was invited to take part in a blog tour, there was no way I could turn it down. While I do own one or two of C.C. Hunter's books I haven't gotten around to them just yet (most likely because they're book three and four in the series), but I have heard pretty good things about her characters. 

I'm just a few chapters away from finishing this one up, and so far I love the main character Della, and her spunky thoughts! 

What did I just finish reading?

Loop (Loop #1)

Just a day or two ago, I finished reading Loop by Karen Adkins! When I started reading this one I wanted the time travel aspect! I love time travel, I like that it confuses me, I like that it changes my way of thinking, I like pretty much everything about. Time travel was the thing I looked forward to the most in Loop. 

Loop gave me time travel and so much more! There was a little bit of sweet romance (nothing too crazy, more funny and cute than anything else), there was illegal activity, and so much more. I really enjoyed this one! Couldn't get enough of it!

What do I plan on reading next?

Eternal (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #2)The Edge of NowhereThe Best of Me

Actually I do have a few books I still need to read and finish up before the month is over. And that would include Eternal, by C.C. Hunter, The Edge of Nowhere, by Elizabeth George (for the Burn Bright Book Club) and The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks (for my boyfriend's sister and my own birthday). What order am I reading them in? Eternal, Edge of Nowhere, and then The Best of Me.

What are you reading?


Waiting on Wednesday

Choosing just one book was an extremely hard decision! A lot of good ones are coming out this upcoming week, that I've either heard good things about, or from authors that I love. Instead of making this hard decision, I decided to add a second book to this Waiting on Wednesday post!

...yes, if you are curious...I am a rule breaker!

AtlantiaTitle: Alantia.
Author: Ally Condie.
Summary:

"Can you hear Atlantia breathing?

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamed of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all Rio’s hopes for the future are shattered when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected choice, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long silenced—she has nothing left to lose.

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the corrupted system constructed to govern the Divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths."

Release Date: 10/28/14.

Why I'm Waiting:

While the cover is pretty horrific and gag worthy, I almost died when I realized that Ally Condie was coming out with another book. Ally Condie, if you don't know (which I wouldn't know, how you wouldn't know) is the author of the Matched Trilogy! If you didn't read it yet (which I don't know why you haven't) its honestly one of the best world building stories I've ever read! She doesn't leave out a single detail, or leave the reader questioning why something is done in this weird way, but instead she explains it all, and makes it all make sense.

When I saw Alantia was written by Ally Condie I had no other option but to include it in this post. The things I'm most excited for when it comes to this book, is obviously the world. That's what I loved about the Matched trilogy, and I'm dying to see what Ally Condie has in store for her readers this time!

Eternal (Shadow Falls: After Dark Series #2)Title: Eternal.
Author: C.C. Hunter.
Summary:

"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."

Release Date: 10/28/14.

Why I'm Waiting:

And if that isn't enough, I'm also waiting for Eternal by C.C. Hunter. I was actually invited to take part in a blog tour for this one next week, which I'm VERY excited for. And while I haven't started reading this one just yet, I am only a few chapters away from finishing the first book in this series, Reborn.

These books are about vampires and other paranormal creatures, and yes, were all a little bit tired of that, BUT I absolutely love the characters.

Della is hilarious! I laugh out loud at most of the things she says and thinks! And I really enjoy the "romance" between her and Steve. It isn't overpowering at all, but more comical than anything else. I'm excited to get started on reading this one tomorrow, and to take part in the blog tour next week!

What books are you waiting for this week? Are you excited for Alantia and Eternal?



October 15, 2014

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)Title: Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children.
Author: Ransom Riggs.
Series: Yes, #1.
Pages: 352.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Quirk.
Published Date: 6/7/11.
Links:
Book Depository
Goodreads

Summary:

"A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows."

My Thoughts:

Doesn't it seem like EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON PLANET EARTH HAS READ THIS BOOK??! Everyone! I swear, has picked up this book and read it! And finally, I, too, have picked it up, read it, and absolutely loved it!

...even though, it took me about a week and a half to finally start writing this review, it has nothing to do with the book itself, but my crazy schedule, and school...

If you don't know what this story is about, it basically revolves around a boy named Jacob, who recently lost his grand father due to a "monster" attack. Jacob was even the one who found him, and heard the last words he uttered, before he died that night in the forest.

Jacob remembers his childhood to be filled with amazing stories, with interesting people and creatures, that his grandfather would tell him all about. While he was still young, he fully believed each and every one of them, but as Jacob became older, and he need to believe started to fade, so did he's interest in hearing his stories.

But in those last few seconds of life, when Jacob's grandfather claimed that it was a monster who attacked him, Jacob couldn't help but wonder, maybe he was telling the truth all along. After cleaning out his grandfather's apartment with both his dad and his aunt, Jacob makes a few discoveries and a few connections between what he's grandfather said and did, that could change his life forever...

Final Verdict:

Let's all be honest! The pictures is what suckered us all into reading Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children. It's just the truth! I mean who could resist?

And again, to be honest, I wasn't sure how the author was going to pull together all of these random pictures and create a story through them, that actually makes sense and flows. I just couldn't imagine it working out as smoothly as it actually did. Besides the fact that everything fit together and worked well, the pictures were also creepy as hell! So weird, like where did Ransom Riggs even find these creepy things?

What stuck out the most to me, besides these weird photographs, were the weird characters! All of the main characters were children (at least most of them, besides the villains, Jacob's parents and a few other randoms). But they weren't just any children, they were children with strange powers and abilities, and they were children who also lived the same day over and over again, in a loop.

Creepy pictures? Super power kids? Time travel? AND demonic creatures? Could this story get any more interesting?!

Overall, Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children was such a different read. I picked up this book to read something strange, and weird and ultimately peculiar. I wanted my mind to be twisted and turned and rattled. I wanted something I hadn't had before...and Ransom Riggs gave me ALL of that and so much more!

I'm excited to get started on Hollow City very soon, but have you read Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children yet?!


Waiting on Wednesday

Follow Me Through DarknessTitle: Follow Me Through Darkness.
Author: Danielle Ellison.
Summary:

"Less than a year ago, Neely Ambrose's biggest worry was having the freedom to follow a path that wasn't chosen for her. Less than a year ago, she believed she could trust the Elders who said they had everyone's best interest at heart and who said they were keeping them safe from the outside. Sixty days ago she discovered what they had planned for everyone she loved-and that all of it centered around her.

Now she's on the run through a dangerous wasteland full of killing machines, secret organizations, and people who want to sell her back to the Elders for their own safety. The whole world outside the Compound is living proof that everything in Neely's life was a lie manufactured by the Elders, which may even include the boy she loves.

All Neely wants is the truth, but each new piece of it drives her further from what she thought she knew.With only forty days until everyone she loves falls under the Elders' mind control, Neely must decipher who to trust, what questions to ask, and how to get one step ahead of the Elders, who will do anything to keep their secrets buried."

Release Date: 10/21/14.

Why I'm Waiting:

Looking at the cover of this book, there is nothing that interests me or pulls me in. Honestly, the cover couldn't give away, or represent the story any less. There is just nothing there besides the title and the awkward photo.

But after taking a deeper look into, I'm excited to get my hands on a copy! In a way, this story reminded me of The Maze Runner. This girl lives in a compound where Elders basically run the place. The people in this compound, I guess have never been in the outside world, because of all the horrifying things the Elders informed them about.

But when Neely discovers that this isn't all too true, she escapes and is on the run.Now why did this remind me of The Maze Runner? I'm actually not sure. Maybe because of the compound people live inside, or because of the "killing machines" Neely encounters once she escapes. I don't really know!

Follow Me Through Darkness sounds really good, have you picked it up yet?! Do you plan to?!


October 13, 2014

The Maze Runner Movie Review!


The Maze Runner movie was released towards the end of September, and while I wasn't able to catch the movie on opening night, I did go see with Shawnee @ YA Fiction Review, and my boyfriend (who I forced to read the book...and later dragged to the movie) the following weekend.

And while Shawnee got to writing her movie review right away, I'm just now posting it....so sad!

Anyways! Better late than never...right?

The Maze Runner movie was everything I wanted and so much more! The actors were phenomenal, the script stuck to the story pretty well, and the actor for Teresa wasn't as bad as I thought she would be!


There is just so much to talk about this movie, so lets start off with the actors!

When reading The Maze Runner, I had an idea of what each character would look like, sound like, act like, and overall be like. Watching this movie, it was incredible just how much these characters looked and lived, like how I imagined them to. It was like James Dashner and all the movie producers came and took it right out of my mind; it was that similar!

One of the things I was most excited about when it came to the Gladers, was the language. In the book, their slang words are a big deal...I don't think you can go a single page without reading the word "shuck" or "shuck face". But sadly, we didn't get too much of that while watching the movie. YES, there was the ocassional "shuck" and the overpowering "greenie", but other than that..nothing.


When the actors for this movie were first released, I wasn't too sure how I felt about Kaya Scodelario playing Teresa. For one thing, I imagined Teresa to be blonde in the book (don't ask me why, I just had the sense that she was), and she just reminded me waaaay too much of Kristen Snow...to the point that it was annoying.

But after watching the movie, I loved her! The fact that she looked like Kristen Snow didn't bother me anymore, once the movie started playing, and I got the chance to see her acting!


And how cute is Chuck?!

Besides the actors, and how well they stuck to the Glader lifestyle, the world completely took my breathe away! The Glades, the Maze, the walls, the Grievers! Everything was absolutely amazing! I couldn't even wrap my mind around how realistic and good everything looked.


Could some of these scenes be any better? NO! They kicked ass!


An amazing world, and good actors? What else is there to talk about?

...oh yeah! The crazy, "I know it was happening, but I cried anyways" ending! 

I cried when I read it, and I cried even more when I watched it. How does that even happen? I knew it was coming, it happened to me before, I had the time to prepare...yet I still shed a few tears when the end finally came.

The whole "ending" didn't go exactly as planned, but it concluded with the same results. Love that the movie stuck to the story as well as it did, even towards the end, when I wished "someone" would have stayed alive.


They did an amazing job with The Maze Runner, and truly made the story come to life! If you haven't gone to see The Maze Runner yet, or picked up the book, I recommend doing so NOW! But of course, read the book first, then the movie.



It's Monday, What Am I Reading?

Loop (Loop #1)Title: Loop.
Author: Karen Akins.
Summary:

"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. "

My Thoughts So Far:

According to my Kindle App, I'm about 46% of the way through Loop! Before receiving the chance to be in a blog tour for this book, I hadn't heard anything about it, or the author. After giving the synopsis a read, I knew there would be no way I could turn this book down...because would doesn't love time traveling?!

With being about way through, my mind has been boggled and I've already had a few good laughs! Bree is absolutely hilarious; the things she thinks and the things she says out loud sometimes are so blunt and honest, and that's what I love about her.

The other thing that I really like so far, is seeing the relationship between Bree and Finn, both now and then. Not because the book goes from the past to the future, and back again, but because Bree is living in the now (barely knowing Finn), while Finn is living in the "future" of their relationship, and always forgetting Bree isn't. It's interesting, cute and funny!

I'm exciting to go to work today, so I can continue reading! Have you read Loop yet?


October 09, 2014

Book Review: Where Silence Gathers.

Where Silence Gathers (Some Quiet Place, #2)Title: Where Silence Gathers.
Author: Kelsey Sutton.
Series: Yes, #2.
Pages: 360.
Source: Library, Borrowed.
Publisher: Flux.
Published Date: 7/8/14.
Links:
Book Depository
Goodreads

Summary:

"In this companion novel to the critically acclaimed Some Quiet Place, Alex must choose between Revenge and Forgiveness.

For as long as she can remember, Alexandra Tate has been able to see personified Emotions, and she's found a best friend in Revenge. He's her constant companion as she waits outside Nate Foster's house, clutching a gun. Every night since Nate's release from prison, Alex has tried to work up the courage to exact her own justice on him for the drunk driving accident that killed her family.

But there's one problem: Forgiveness. When he appears, Alex is faced with a choice—moving on or getting even. It's impossible to decide with Forgiveness whispering in one ear . . . and Revenge whispering in the other."

My Thoughts:

I originally picked this one up, because I LOVED Some Quiet Place! These two stories are honestly the strangest and most mind blowing books ever!

I assumed this book would take place right where Some Quiet Place ended, but I was wrong. While there were a lot of the similar elements in Where Silence Gathers, and we even got to hear a few snippets of Fear and Elizabeth, it was a completely different perspective.

Instead of following Elizabeth and Fear, Where Silence Gathers follows the perspective of Alexandra; she's a high school senior, living with her aunt and uncle, and still dealing with the loss of her parents and younger brother. Like Elizabeth, Alexandra can see the emotions and elements, but unlike Elizabeth, Alexandra can also feel them.

After the car accident that killed her entire family, years ago, Alexandra's life hasn't being going all that well. She's not really interested in school, she doesn't have any plans for after senior year, and when she isn't spending time with her two best friends, she's usually lost in her own thoughts.

Alexandra has seen Revenge since she was young, since the day that her family passed away. Since the day the intoxicated driver crashed into their car, and killed everything that was ever important to her. He first claimed to be her friend, but over the years their relationship has changed and becoming really strange and dynamic. Alexandra isn't sure sometimes if he really is her friend, or is just trying to do his job; make her seek revenge.

When Alexandra discovers that the drunk driver was released from prison, she can't help herself and head to his house. To see who he is, what he looks like, and what he's feeling.

She soon discovers that he is a sad man, filled with regret. But Alexandra struggles with the decision of choosing Revenge or Forgiveness....she spends most of the book considering her options.

Final Verdict:

My final verdict on Where Silence Gathers is that even though it wasn't the story I was expecting with the characters I was hoping for, I still LOVED it. I think even more than I would have if the story continued with Elizabeth and Fear. Why? Because I was given the same elements in the same world, but just from a different perspective.

To be honest, now that I think about it, I don't know how Kelsey Sutton could have continued the story between Elizabeth and Fear.

Again, the characters in Where the Silence Gather, were strange, interesting and had depth. Alexander wasn't shallow, and was really grieving the loss of her family, even years later. I liked that! I liked that it wasn't just something that happened and she moved on. I liked seeing her deal with tough situations, like the drunk driver being released from prison, and the struggle with her education and future.

While there seems to be a love triangle throughout the last half of the book or so, it's really not. Alexander is introduced to another emotion, that she just can't shake off; Forgiveness. There isn't too much romance in this story, simply because it's impossible...(you'll have to read the book to know why!)

Overall, Where the Silence Gathers was an amazing installment in the series. Kelsey Sutton has created the weirdest concept, and I couldn't get enough. Even after reading both of these books, I still can't wrap my mind around it.

Have you picked up Where the Silence Gathers? What did you think? Seeing emotions! CRAZY!


October 08, 2014

WWW Wednesday

Welcome to Turning Pages!

What am I currently reading?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)Reborn (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #1)

Tonight, I'm not only enjoying the last chapter of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, by Ransom Riggs, but also the first few chapters of Reborn, by C.C. Hunter. I'm actually taking part in a blog tour for the second installment to Reborn, Eternal. And obviously, I can't read the second book in a series, without reading the first one! I'm excited to start getting into it more; I've heard a lot of good things about C.C. Hunter's writing style!

What did I just finish reading?

UHH! Is it sad that I don't even know? My college textbooks, do those count??! Please!

What do I plan on reading next?

Eternal (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #2)Loop (Loop #1)

After finishing up Reborn, I plan to pick up Eternal, by C.C. Hunter (if you haven't already guessed) and I'll probably pick up Loop, by Karen Akins. Loop is another blog tour that I'm taking part in! I'm excited to see how the story goes, and if I like the characters! I love time travel/futuristic books!