Livinginabookwonderland

This review can also be found here Oh my god! I absolutely loved this book. Seriously this may have just become my new favorite book of 2012. I picked this up at the library due to the fact that I won an ARC of the sequel without realizing this book came first. And boy am I glad I won the sequel because I probably would never have discovered this amazing book. I am pretty new to the dystopia genre and every book I've tried recently I have loved, but this one just takes it to a whole new level. A sky that kills you? Yes please! I loved the world in this novel. Outside of the pods that the dwellers live in the people who live on the outside, who the dwellers call savages, have little tribes and survive the best they can. It's a world that can one minute provide you with the food and water to sustain you and the next take your life. The people live in fear of the Aether and do their best to survive. The characters were great and really likeable. Aria was a weak person in the beginning but quickly becomes a very independent and strong character. She's witty and sarcastic and doesn't take anybody's crap. There is also Peregrine. The outsider who appears rough and uncaring on the outside but harbors a deep need to help everyone he can and deals with a deep guilt that tears him apart. I fell in love with him, he's just so caring and strong and awesome. There is also his best friend Roar who we get introduced to near the end of the novel, he's sarcastic and funny and I think he loves himself but isn't obnoxious about it. The plot of this story never slows down or gives you a minute to become bored. It's fast paced and packed with action. The struggles that the characters go through really tug at your heart and have you feeling the emotions they feel. Do I recommend this novel? Yes, if you haven't read this one yet go out and get yourself a copy or borrow it from the library. You will not regret this novel.

This review can also be found here I had some serious doubts going into this book. Usually when a book is extremely hyped I find myself not liking it as much as everybody else. I am honestly glad to say that this was not the case with Cinder. Everything from the character development and the setting to the plot totally blew me away. I read this book in about 3 days and hated every time I had to put this one down. When I first heard what this book was about I was a little skeptical, a retelling of Cinderella where she's a cyborg? It turns out that the author has a talent for taking classic fairy tales and reinventing them. I loved Cinder. She was a fantastic character. She was well developed and had some sense and wasn't afraid to kick butt or stand up for what she believed in. When put with her Android friend Iko I found myself laughing at times and others just had me in tears. Then we have Prince Kai, who becomes the love interest even though it's denied for a while Cinder just can't resist his charms. I absolutely despised Cinder's stepmother Adri and her stepsister Pearl. They were the horrible characters much like the ones in the original tale, the only difference was that the other stepsister, Peony, was kind to Cinder and was her friend. The setting of this book was fantastic. It's the world we all know but in the future. This takes place in Asia and all of the separate Asian countries have united to create the Eastern Commonwealth. I love how the author took time to describe things from the hovers that are used for transportation all the way to how the buildings are crammed together to house a large population. This book completely blew me away. If you haven't read it yet I suggest you pick it up you will not regret it. I will be not-so-patiently waiting for the next installment in this series!

This review can also be found here This book was pretty original for an angel book. The plot seemed really awesome and it had great potential, too bad it didn't live up to it. I admit when I checked this book out I didn't even read the description of the book, the cover drew me in right away. It's stunning so don't judge me, we all have done it. This book really didn't pull me in until about the last 100 pages or so. The whole first half of the book I was contemplating putting the it down because you really don't find much of anything out and it's mainly Charlotte whining about what she discovers she really is. I wanted to love this book, I truly did but it ended up being more of a like. I liked some of the characters like Harlin and Alex (The few times we actually see him) as well as Mercy. Harlin was the really cool bad boy type who drove a motorcycle and wore leather but was really just a big sweetheart who loved Charlotte. Alex was just hilarious every time we see him, he has witty comebacks for everything and is all around likeable I just wish he was in the book more. I did like Charlotte in the beginning. She seemed reasonable and confident but as the story slowly goes on she turns into a whiny character who complains about her problems non-stop. Her best friend Sarah is no better. She's stuck up, self centered and whiny as well. She complains about how everything goes wrong for her when she could just not put herself into those situations. There were parts of this book that are really amazing, like the love between Charlotte and Harlin which is just completely adorable. They were just meant to be together and it was okay since they fell in love before the book takes place so it wasn't insta-love. Then there's the end. When Charlotte realizes everything isn't about her and what she wants. I probably will be reading the next one in the series at some point especially with how this book ended.

**Won in a Goodreads First Reads Giveaway**I attempted to read this book the other night and after reading some of it I realized that this book just wasn't for me. I had nothing personally against it, it just turned out to be something I could not get into.

This review can also be found here **I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway**This review will be a little different since there are nineteen short stories in this book and I don't want a ridiculously long review so I shall just touch on them briefly.The Segment by Genevieve ValentineI really liked this story. It was about children and teenagers who are taken in and used to film "news" stories for the rich people in their destroyed society to see. They used this to get them to donate money to the causes. The story was quick and I really didn't see the ending coming!After the Cure by Carrie RyanThis one was my favorite. I loved the characters and the whole story behind it. Diet drug causes people to become monsters. And the monsters are rehabilitated and try to readjust to society. This story would have made a great book.Valedictorian by N.K. JemisinI don't really know how I feel about this one yet. It was good but I found it to be confusing at times. I loved the topic of Artificial Intelligence though.Visiting Nelson by Katherine LangrishI liked the concept of this story. Drug dealers pushing a drug called Nirv that destroys the brain. This one really freaked me out, drugs are close to that point and imagine how much worse it would be if the world was destroyed?All I Know of Freedom by Carol EmshwillerThis was another one that I really liked. A girl who was brought to the U.S. illegally runs away and finds a dog. While trying to find somewhere to go they find these religious fanatics who are leaving Earth on a spaceship because they believe it is going to end. I won't tell you how it ends but I loved the main character, she finds her best friend in her dog.The Other Elder by Beth RevisUm wow! I did not see this one coming. The story is great and I loved her writing style. I can't even go into this story besides that they are on a spaceship and there are elders who rule the people. Just read it!The Great Game at the End of the World by Matthew KresselBaseball and Science Fiction fans will love this one. Two teenagers end up playing a game of baseball against creepy monsters who appear once their world was destroyed. I found myself rooting for the kids to win!Reunion by Susan Beth PfefferThis was another really good one. A Leader takes over and begins to take children from their homes. A mother and her daughter are desperately searching for the other girl who was taken. This one was a bit confusing to read at times but the end clears it up. It gets pretty emotional at parts but check it out.Blood Drive by Jeffrey FordI loved this one as well. Teenagers are required to carry guns with them their senior year of highschool. This goes wrong one day and the teenagers are dealing with the aftermath. I just found myself flipping the pages so I could find out what happened next!Reality Girl by Richard BowesThis one was pretty cool as well. Two women Real and Dare have a group of boys who dive into the polluted river for money from tourists, risking the fact that the river causes skin to fall off! I really hope this would never happen, that would be horrible.How Th'irth Wint Rong by Hapless Joey @ Homeskool.Guv by Gregory MaguireThe writing in this one bothered me. It was supposed to be like this since the boy didn't know how to spell too well but the end of the story was horrible in an Oh My God I can't believe someone would do that kind of way.Rust with Wings by Steven GouldCreepy bugs that eat any metal at all. This freaked me out. I like bugs but once they start eating cars and trying to eat people's crowns and fillings they can just go away! A family tries to run from the bugs in this one and they have many close calls but you'll just have to read it to see how it all turns out.Faint Heart by Sarah Rees BrennanThere is a queen who is the most beautiful woman ever created....yes Created. The city holds a series of trials where the men who live in the city have to go underground and fight for their lives and for the right to be with the queen. Fighting for survival and a series of trials. It was really good and the end had a great twist!The Easthound by Nalo HopkinsonFrom what I understand once children grow up they turn into these animal things and start to kill the other people left. This one was really good. I had to know what happened to the little group ofteenagers as they tried to stay alive. You won't see the end coming!Gray by Jane YolenBeing the only poem in the book, there really isn't much to say since it is so short but I did like it.Before by Carolyn DunnThis story broke my heart. It has a nice ending but the whole first part of it was dreadful. A poor teenager was taken from her home and tied up in a lab so the scientists could take her blood to try to fight a disease that they had. For some reason this girls blood saved her. I can't even really describe how fantastic the writing really is.Fake Plastic Trees by Caitlin R. KiernanThis was another of my favorites. A city blocked off from the rest of the world since it was destroyed by something created in a lab that went horribly wrong. The main character goes out to explore and finds the biggest discovery she could have come across. This story is told as a flashback as the character writes about what happened to her. This one really had me wondering what was happening and if everything would turn out okay.You Won't Feel a Thing by Garth NixChildren were taken by labs called dorms where they were meant to be turned into animals only for some of them to escape and band together to live. The ending for this one was so sad and made me want to cry. The Marker by Cecil CastellucciIf you know anything about genetics you will know that all people have a series of codes in their DNA. For these people to survive in this world they need to either possess 3 of 4 or 4 of 4 of the preset codes or they will be "put down". A young man that becomes responsible for this task figures out something flawed in the way things are done. I honestly had no idea that this story would be as good as it was until the very end. Overall I loved most of the stories and I really suggest you check this book out. It contains some great dystopian and apocalyptic stories.

This review can also be found hereI had really wanted to read this book for a while and I finally decided to check it out of the library and I am glad that I did! While this book did come off as more juvenile it was funny and adorable and just completely awesome. It mixes paranormal ideas in with mystery that leaves you guessing until the very end.I loved the plot of the story. Students being attacked by a mysterious predator? Yes please! It was up to the main character, Sophie to find out who was behind the attacks while trying to discover exactly who she was and why everybody seemed to have a problem with her.This book takes place in a magical school for prodigium (Witches, fae and shapeshifters) called Hecate Hall, also called Hex Hall by the students. I love magical schools (Um, Harry Potter!) and this school did not disappoint.The characters were well developed and quite likeable, except for the mean girls but the point is to hate them. Sophie did come off as a little petty in the beginning but I still found myself liking her. She's funny and she sticks by her friends even if everybody else is against them. Then there is Archer Cross, the resident sexy bad boy. And trust me you won't believe what happens with him *No spoilers here just read to find out*. Then finally there are Anna, Chaston and Elodie. The three mean girls who try to get Sophie to join them in the beginning but eventually make it their sole mission to make her life miserable. They do a pretty good job of it. But by the end of the novel I found myself actually liking Elodie.Overall, I found this book to be a quick enjoyable read and I reccommend it for anybody who has any interest in paranormal topics, whether it be witches, fae, shapeshifters or magical schools, this book has it all and combines it perfectly with mystery that will have you up turning the pages until you find out what happens

This review can also be found here I really couldn't get into this book until the very end. I don't know why, it just didn't capture my attention. The plot sounded amazing but it didn't turn out to be anything like I expected. It sounded so original, but it could have been executed better. I couldn't stand the main character, Gemma. I found her to be insufferable. She was self-centered, whiny and towards the end treated the people who wanted to help her like garbage. She was just awful. She was impossible to relate to or even like. Her sister Harper on the other hand, I loved. The story should have been told from her point of view, she cared more about what was going on around her than her own issues. She was kind, unafraid to ask for help and she tried to take care of everybody. And the relationship that begins to build between her and Daniel was just adorable. Alex was another great character, he was attractive but didn't realise it so the whole book wasn't like "oh my boyfriend is so hot and he knows it so he flaunts it constantly" (If that were the case I would have thrown the book -.-). He actually cared about Gemma even though it seemed like all she cared about was what was going on in her own world. Penn, Thea and Lexi are the bad girls in this story and they come off as evil and vicious and all around unlikeable which is fine since they are supposed to be that way. It's not a good thing when the main character comes off in this manner as well. Harper, Daniel and Alex were my favorites. Mainly because they were the only ones who weren't obnoxious or annoying or downright evil. The story did flow well but like I said it didn't grab my attention as well as it should have. I guessed what the three girls were pretty early on and the crimes that were committed were no suprise for me when it was revealed who was doing it. If you want to read this book go for it, I in no way think it's a terrible book. It's just not as great as it could have been. You may love it but it really just wasn't for me

You can also find this review here **Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. That in no way has influenced my review** I really have to start off with talking about the cover before I start reviewing the book itself. It is just stunning, the model is gorgeous and I really hope that she will be featured in the rest of the series. The plot of this story really draws you in. I found that there was never a dull moment throughout this entire book. I found it nearly impossible to put down once I began reading it. The story is fixed around a teenage girl, Cailin who is living with humans and is helping the teenage son, Teague cope with a tragic accident that left him bitter and unhappy. It may be a paranormal story but the plot is unlike anything I have ever read before which is refreshing. While much of the story takes place in a human setting we catch glimpses of the pixi existence too. Which I believe really brings the story together, if I had just been shown what was happening on the human side the story would not have flowed as well and I would have been left with too many questions. I loved the characters, they are all quite developed and seemed realistic, even the pixi! Cailin just wanted to be herself and would not change that for anybody. She was sarcastic and funny and was not afraid to call Teague out on his nonsense, even with his issue. Then there was Teague. I admit I did not like him in the beginning he was bitter and angry but as the story progressed and Teague and Cailin became closer I actually began to like him and now he may actually be one of my favorite characters. Teague's father, Owen was shady at best. Sure he was a nice guy and took care of his family and Cailin but he was just so mysterious. He had more secrets than almost any of the other characters and I found myself wanting to know more. I hated the Portune pixi's which were basically the head honchos after the ruler of the clan. They were out for themselves even though they say they wanted what was best for the clan. I especially hated Lennox Moon. He was a rotten guy who really needed to be put in his place. I really did like this book, the only thing that kept me from giving it 4.5 or even 5 stars is the fact that there are grammatical errors. They are not really bad and do not take away from the story but it wasn't exactly perfect. This is the author's first book and she really created a strong first novel. I was suprised by how well she wrote and her creativity. She really knows how to build characters and settings. She made the plot interesting and kept it strong throughout the whole book. I am certainly looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this if you like young adult paranormal and are looking for a story that is different from anything else you have ever read. If you find yourself ever with a chance to get this book, do it! You really won't regret it.

This review can also be found here.Oh My God! Have you ever read a book and during it you were like "Hmm I don't know how I feel about this book" and throughout the whole thing you still didn't know and by the end you finally realised you loved it? Well that was this book for me. Everything about this book is amazing, from the writing to the characters and the storyline. I need the second book right now!I loved Karou. Throughout the whole story she was searching for who she really was. Although who she ended up being took on a magical quality isn't that what we all search for throughout our lives? She was a kick-butt character who didn't take nonsense from anybody, not her ex-boyfriend Kazimir and definitely not catepillar eyebrow girl Svetla. She was leading two different lives, one where she lived in the "normal" world alongside humans and the other where she did errands for the "monsters" who raised her.And the "monsters" who raised her? Loved them too! From Brimstone the wishmonger all the way to Kishmish. They were all so well developed and took care of their own. They really show you that it's not what you look like on the outside but what you are on the inside that really counts.Then there is Akiva. I loved him. I really don't think I should discuss him too much since it will give away too much of the story.The places that the story take place in are stunning. From Prague and Morocco all the way to the city of the chimaera. The descriptions really draw you in and you can almost imagine that you are there right alongside of Karou on her many adventures.Seriously, the writing in this book is fantastic. The whole story just flows and there is never a dull moment. And the words the author used, finally someone who believes that young adults can understand things beyond words with four letters that are repeated over and over again. Plus she makes up her own words, how awesome is she? Do I recommend this book? YES! Go out and read it right now. You will not be disappointed. This book breathes a breath of fresh air into the Young Adult genre.

This review can also be found here Let me start off by saying this is the first novel I have read by Melissa Marr and I loved it! (Seriously I want to read the Wicked Lovely series now!!). Having said that, the description of the book drew me in from the moment I saw it on goodreads.com and I fell in love with the cover, it's beautiful. This book had me captivated from the first chapter. From the characters to the plot I was completely hooked and up turning the pages well into the night. I got frustrated when I had to put the book down to do other things because I just had to know what happened.I loved the characters. Well most of them anyway. From Mallory and Kaleb to Aya. Mallory is cool. She knows how to fight and wants to do things on her own, plus she carries guns. Kaleb is a hardcore fighter who can be ruthless but is also caring when it comes to Mallory and his packmate Zevi. What isn't to fall for there? We find out a secret about Aya in the novel and trust me I didn't see it coming!Now I did hate Adam, Mallory's step-father of sorts. Yes I know he was just trying to protect her because he loves her but some of the things he does are just wrong and he crosses many lines when it comes to his "daughter". And don't even get me started on Evelyn, she's cold-hearted and cruel. There is nobody she won't destroy if they get in her way and she will do anything if it has a way to benefit her plans.I loved the location of half of the novel. The City is where the daimon's live and where the Carnival of Souls takes place. It is a city that has strict castes where people know there place. It's a city of both decadence and violence and I think that is what drew me in. The other half is located in the human world and while I did love this setting as well since it is where Mallory is, I was just more captivated by the events in The City.Overall, this was a highly enjoyable and fantastic read. If you haven't read this yet I recommend you go out and pick it up, you won't regret it!

I gave this book 3.5 stars**I won this book in a First Reads Giveaway on goodreads.com** This review can also be found here I liked this book. It was fun and entertaining. It combined the supernatural with mystery and humor. Even some sweet romance.I liked the main character Kris. She was independent and strong. She didn't rely on anybody else to make things happen, if she set her mind to something she wanted to do it herself. She kept her cool while dealing with everything that was thrown her way. From the zombie to her powers as a necromancer. And when Alex Romero was introduced I fell in love. He's witty, funny and protective. What isn't to love about that?However, I hated her sister Anne Marie. She was a snarky brat who needed to get told off. She thought life revolved around her and her own problems. Well sorry but it doesn't!The book flowed really well. It took me a little while to get into it but once I did it was hard for me to put down. The author's writing is phenomenal and easy to understand. He has the ability to write a teenage girls point of view perfectly.I would recommend this book for people who enjoy mystery when paired with the paranormal. If you like funny books then this one is definitely for you.

This review can also be found here**Note I really give this book 4.5 stars**Ok wow. I really liked this book. After reading mixed reviews about this book I had to check it out for myself. Considering this was an adaptation of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None it really is no wonder I liked it so much.I loved the plot of this novel. There's just something about a novel that puts teens on an island and has them trying to stay alive in the face of being picked off by a killer. What better place is there than an island? Especially when being invited to a party and not being scheduled to be picked up for three whole days?The characters were great. Well all except Minnie. I disliked her from the beginning, I found her to be really whiny and self-centered, thankfully she's not the "main" character because I would have hated this book then. I just could not deal with her. Now Meg on the other hand, I loved! She is the quiet writer who has the greatest comebacks if only she would say them! Plus she has the brains to realise something is seriously wrong. The other characters were great as well, from the know it all to the jock. This book is told in third person but has a main focus on Meg as she progresses through the story and fights to save herself and the rest of the people in the house. It reveals many of her inner thoughts and feelings.I loved the way that the author placed the clues and revealed things in a natural progression. I admit I had no clue who the killer was until it was revealed. The ending scenes had my heart racing and my hands flipping the pages so I could find out what was happening and how it would all play out.The author packed this book with enough suspense to keep me guessing and the action in the novel as the story comes to a close was nerve wracking.

This review can also be found hereOh My God! I loved this book. Truthfully, I had seen everybody talking about it on goodreads but I didn't check it out until recently. While reading it I could not believe that this was the author's first novel.I loved the characters, from Alina to Mal and I have to admit I liked The Darkling in the beginning. They all developed beautifully and were realistic, even though some of them had "powers", they all had flaws.The world that Leigh Bardugo created was simply magnificent. It was like Russia but at the same time it really wasn't Russia. I think this land has the ability to rival Narnia, that is how good it truly is.This was one of those books that I couldn't read fast enough but at the same time dreaded ending. I will definitely be purchasing it since I checked it out of the library and will also be buying the sequel. Too bad I have to wait forever for it to come out!If you haven't read this book yet you really should. It is simply amazing and it is written beautifully.

This review can also be seen hereGoing into it, I really didn't expect the book to be too good. Boy was I wrong. I loved how creepy this book was! It left me wondering if maybe my sibling would become obsessed with dolls and turn into a possessed monster. This book really brought the creepy factor without being gory or too horror-y. And come on, Alexis' sister was just plain scary. I must admit I read it because it was a ghost story, I am a sucker for them. There were some things that bothered me, how come Alexis' parents didn't realize something strange was happening to their youngest daughter? If I was a parent I think I would notice something like that right away. Also the dialogue was awkward, it just didn't seem as realistic as it could have been. But it was short and the author kept it simple so that was what saved it for me. Overall, I did like this story, it was a fun read that kept me up turning the pages well into the night just so I could find out what happened next. I would recommend this to people who are looking for those who like ghost stories and are looking for a quick easy read.