Cover Colors

I've spotted a trend in recent YA book covers: Purple and black.
I was going to make this a post on Beautiful Creatures and The Dark Diveine, but when I started looking, I found a LOT of other books with this color scheme.
Don't believe me?
















I'm not saying this is a bad thing, because I like them, for the most part. I assume Most of the publishing companies are trying to imitate the Twilight Saga covers, and that's why they're shying away from black and red. I've seen black/blue as well, not as much green. I haven't read most of these books, but a LOT of them are on my to-read list.

Review: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis: It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.

Leviathan was a good read. Not exactly my style, although I love Westerfeld's other works (Midnighters especially). The Characters are fun, and the alternate history meshes well with actual history.
The world that's been created is so intricate and believable, and I'm interested to see where the story goes in the coming books. I'm also very curious as to what's in those eggs.
The concept of the fabricated beasts along with the advanced machinery is a little confusing at first, but once it clicks it's easy to imagine. The illustrations are a great help, and look fantastic.
Like I said, it's definitely not my kind of book, but the story, action, and amazing illustrations kept me reading. Give it a try, you might like it.

Recommended if you like Scott Westerfeld, alternate history, World War 1, steampunk

I Want to Read - Oblivion Road by Alex McAulay

Courtney Stanton thinks she's on just another ski trip with her friends -- until a horrific car accident strands them all on an isolated Colorado road during a blizzard. Frightened but alive, Courtney and her companions discover an abandoned vehicle nearby, and seek help. But the vehicle turns out to be a prison van, with the inmates missing, and the guard's dead body in the front seat.

Soon after, a stumbling figure emerges from the snow, a handcuffed refugee from the van. He says he's been in prison for selling meth, but that he once served in the army. Dare they trust him? He pleads innocence about the guard's murder, warns them about the other fugitives, and promises he will help guide them out of the wilderness. But as the group begins a nightmare trek across the frozen landscape, they start to get the feeling he hasn't told them the entire truth, and someone -- or something -- is secretly watching their every move.

Deathly Hallows Sneak Peek!!

Dh Preview One - Click here for more amazing videos

Library Run

Here are a few more books I got at the library to read over the holidays.

Upcoming Book: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Synopsis: Incarceron is a prison so vast that it contains not only cells, but also metal forests, dilapidated cities, and vast wilderness. Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, has no memory of his childhood and is sure that he came from Outside Incarceron. Very few prisoners believe that there is an Outside, however, which makes escape seems impossible.

And then Finn finds a crystal key that allows him to communicate with a girl named Claudia. She claims to live Outside- she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, and doomed to an arranged marriage. Finn is determined to escape the prison, and Claudia believes she can help him. But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost more than they know.

I've been waiting for this book for a while, and I LOVE the cover.

Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is coming up, and I decided to make a post with some of my favorite YA books to give as gifts. The titles range from fantasy and paranormal to a little chick-lit, so there's something for everybody. Most of the series that I list are complete, so you can get them all at the same time (I know I'd love that!). so in no particular order...

The Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale
The Inheritance trilogy by Christopher Paolini
Keys to the Kingdom series by Garth Nix
Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud
Artemis Fowl series
Inkheart trilogy by Cornelia Funke
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare
The Violet series by Melissa Walker
Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson
How to Ditch your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier
The Midnighters trilogy by Scott Westerfeld
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
The Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine
Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
Cirque Du Freak series by Darren Shan
The Host by Stephenie Meyer
The Forest of hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
The Summoning by Kelly Armstrong
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
His Dark Materials trilogy by Phillip Pullman
The Otori series by Lian Hearn
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Abarat series by Clive Barker
The Prophecy of the Sisters my Michelle Zink
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Any other books by these authors are also excellent books (with the exception of Clive Barker - most of his other books aren't YA friendly) so check them out!

Feel free to tell me books I missed, because I know there are many.

Upcoming Book: Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Synopsis: Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

I can't wait to read this one! The cover art was JUST released today, so here it is:

Review: The Devouring - Simon Holt

Synopsis: Reggie Halloway, a mousy girl and avid horror fan, discovers a strange journal while working at an occult bookstore. Upon investigation, she learns about the Vours, horrific demons who feed on fear and take over the body, morphing its host into a cold, cruel creature. When, as a prank, Reggie and her friend Aaron attempt to summon a Vour, things go horribly awry and a Vour takes over the body of her little brother, Henry. Reggie then must battle the Vours to try to get her brother's soul back into his body.

The Devouring was my kind of book. As an avid horror fan myself, I couldn't put this book down. I finished it in two hours, although it is a short book. This is one of the most graphically violent books I've ever read. People vomit up their intestines, get beheaded, and dismembered, among other things. If the book was a movie, it would definitely be given an R rating. The main character Reggie is very strong willed, and will stop at nothing to get her brother back. Her relationships with the people around her are believable, and drive the story. I enjoyed the book, and can't wait to read the sequel!

The cover didn't really draw me in... I'm not a fan, but am glad that I didn't judge this one by it's cover alone.

Recommended if you like: Devilish, The Demon's Lexicon, Cirque Du Freak, The Demonata series

Mortal Instruments Jewelry

I'm a BIG fan of the Mortal instruments trilogy. I have yet to read City of Glass, but I'm hoping to get to it very soon (it's always checked out at my library). Since Christmas is around the corner, I thought I'd let you guys know about these awesome rings, necklaces, and bracelets made by Hebelmet and sold on Etsy.com. My favorite is Isabelle's ruby necklace.

There's something for everyone here, although it may not be in anyone's price range (I know I can't afford any of it right now!).
The cool thing about these is that they are made with the author's permissions, and all of the symbols used are accurate.
One last thing: A portion of the proceeds from each sale goes to benefit the charity Reading Is Fundamental, which delivers free books and literacy resources to children in need. So when you buy, you not only get an awesome product, you help children read too!

Here are a few more of my favorite designs.

Review: The Prophecy of the Sisters - Michelle Zink

Synopsis: An ancient prophecy divides two sisters-

One good...

One evil...

Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents' deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don't know whom they can trust.

They just know they can't trust each other.


When I first read the synopsis of this book, I kind of shirked away from it. I mean, good/evil twin stories have been done before, and I didn't know how the author was going to take it where it hadn't been before. I finally picked it up, and became completely engrossed in the story. The setting is perfect, and the author does an excellent job describing the places, weather, and people.
The book is dark. I'm not saying it in a bad way. In fact, it's a welcome addition to most YA on shelves now. I enjoy a story in which people are "real". Things in life are not always black and white, or good and evil. Everyone makes choices in life based on many different factors, and this book portrays that wonderfully.
My only problem is the ending. This is the first book in a trilogy, and this first book leaves you hanging. Not necessarily a bad thing, just one of my pet peeves.

The cover is great, and fits the book perfectly. The stone statues mirror the coldness of the Gothic time period in which the book is set. The cover didn't completely sell me on the book, but I really like it.

Recommended if you like: The Gemma Doyle trilogy, Skin Hunger


Right now, the author Michelle Zink is having a holiday contest on her blog where you can with loads of awesome stuff including the audiobook of The Prophecy of the Sisters read by the incomparable Eliza Dushku, and the Gemma Doyle trilogy!

Upcoming Reviews

I recently made a trip to the bookstore and library, and have a TON of new books to read and review. Here's a list of the one's I'm most excited about.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner



When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade—a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls.

Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night they’ve closed tight. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift.

Thomas was expected. But the next day, a girl is sent up—the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers.

Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind.


Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld



It is the cusp of World War I, and all the European powers are arming up. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet.

Aleksandar Ferdinand, prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battle-torn Stormwalker and a loyal crew of men.

Deryn Sharp is a commoner, a girl disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.

With the Great War brewing, Alek's and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way...taking them both aboard the Leviathan on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure. One that will change both their lives forever.


The Devouring by Simon Holt



When Reggie reads about the Vours in a mysterious old journal, she assumes they are just the musings of an anonymous lunatic. But when her little brother, Henry, begins to act strangely, it's clear that these creatures exist beyond a madwoman's imagination, and Reggie finds out what happens when fears come to life.

To save the people she loves, Reggie must learn to survive in a world of nightmares. Can she devour her own fears before they devour her?


Fade Out (Morganville Vampires #7) by Rachel Caine



Without the evil vampire Bishop ruling over the town of Morganville, the resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again...

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger-and way more dangerous-than anyone suspected.

Review: The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

Synopsis: In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

Where do I start? Well, When I first read the synopsis of this book, I immediately thought of the Japanese move Battle Royale. The idea of teenagers being put into a fight to the death was the same, so I put off reading it for a long time. Big mistake. I can't believe I deprived myself of this book! The characters were very well developed and believable. There is action, violence, and a little romance. The book works as a standalone, and doesn't feel like it needs a sequel although it's the first in a trilogy. As soon as I finished, I HAD to go out and buy book two, Catching Fire. It's probably best to read them back to back, because the second one picks up right where book one left off. There is a movie planned for release in late 2010, so read it now so you're ahead of the game!

The Cover: The cover really didn't do much for me at first. I thought it was kind of bland at first, but after reading the book, I thought it fit the tone perfectly. If I had to choose the book based entirely on the cover, I would give it a pass.

Recommended if you like: Uglies series, Battle Royale, Skinned, Unwind

The First Time's Always Weird...

This is my latest attempt at a review blog. I've had a few in the past, but never had enough free time to dedicate to them. I'll mostly be reviewing YA books, but I occasionally branch out. I may even review albums, tv shows and movies too. We'll see how it goes.