New Cover Alert! Sapphique by Catherine Fisher

I just got done with Incarceron, so I decided to to a little poking around for the cover for the sequel, Sapphique. I LOVE it. The US covers are so much better than the UK covers. I can't wait to see it in all of it's shiny glory later this year!

Review: Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...

I've been waiting to read Incarceron for a while, and my hopes were VERY high. I'm glad to say that I wasn't disappointed.
This book isn't one of those breezy reads that you go through and forget. The story stays with you. Incarceron is told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Finn and Claudia. At first I was more interested in Finn's chapters, because the idea of a living prison was so unique and mysterious, but toward the end Claudia's chapters were just as fascinating.
I thought I had the book's twist figured out at page fifty, and I was right for the most part, but then there were a few more turns at the end that left me completely dumbfounded. This isn't a book for everyone, but if you like it, you'll REALLY like it. There is a sequel to Incarceron already out in the UK, but it'll be out in the US soon... Hopefully.

The cover is fabulous, and one of my absolute favorites ever. It completely reflects the book, and it's shiny!

Recommended if you like The Keys to the Kingdom series, Eragon, Pendragon

Author Appreciation Week #4!

Today's Author Appreciation post is dedicated to...

Maureen Johnson!



Nothing I say will do this woman justice. She's smart, funny, and just plain awesome. If you aren't following her on Twitter, DO IT NOW. Her infamous blog posts are amazing, and her tweets always make my day.
Oh yea, she also writes books too. Devilish, Suite Scarlett/Scarlett Fever, and 13 Little Blue Envelopes are just a few of the novels she's written. All of them are awesome, and deserve a read. She also writes scripts for the Harry Potter video games. Maureen is made of awesome.

Contest!

Juiciliciousss Reviews is having a big box 'o books contest! Go enter it!

Author Appreciation Week #3!

This post for Author Appreciation Week is dedicated to two authors who have made a big splash in the YA world recently...

Kami Garcia and Margie Stohl!



Their debut novel Beautiful Creatures JUST came out in December, but you'd think that they've published many, many more. Not just because of the awesomeness of the book, but because of all the buzz they've created. I've even seen one blogger put Kami and Margie in a group of other authors that she called "The Queens of YA".

I've had the opportunity to meet them at a signing, and I can say that they are honestly as awesome as you'd think. They totally deserve all of the good things that are coming their way!

Author Appreciation Week #2!

Today's Author that I appreciate is...

Michelle Zink!



Michelle is the author of The Prophecy of the Sisters, and the upcoming Guardian of the Gate.

I can't tell you how encouraging and supportive Michelle is. Whether it's commenting on a Facebook status, or asking how I'm doing, she's always genuinely interested in her readers.

I had a little more to say, but Kari at A Good Addiction summed up my thoughts perfectly.

I appreciate you Michelle!

Author Appreciation Week!

So, this week has been deemed Author Appreciation week, and there are SO many that I love. I can't wait to share them with you guys!

First up, I appreciate Melissa Walker!


Melissa is the author of the Violet series and Lovestruck Summer. She also writes for various magazines including ELLEgirl and Seventeen.



The Violet series is not my normal book of choice, but I really enjoyed it. It's a good thing I did like it, because I was a follower of her blog for a WHILE before I actually read her books. So if I didn't like them... it could have been awkward.

Melissa is one of the nicest people I've talked to, and she has a passion for everything she does. Whether it's interviewing authors about their book covers, hosting giveaways, or just chatting about books, movies, or A&E's Hoarders.

You can find Melissa on the web via her blog, Twitter, or Facebook.

Another Contest!

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, author Jennifer Laurens is having ANOTHER contest!
Look what you can win:



So head over to her blog to enter!

Contest Alert!

Do you love swag? I know I do! head over to extremereaderbookreviews swag giveaway and enter!

New Cover Alert!

Michelle Zink's The Prophecy of the Sisters got a new cover for the paperback edition.



And the official cover for Guardian of the Gate was revealed too:



I love them so much! They're obviously inspired by the amazing German cover for Prophecy. (Which is still my favorite btw).

Review: The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Synopsis: 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.

The Maze Runner was an interesting read. It was one of those books that takes me forever to pick up to read more, but when I do I don't want to put it down.
The book was fast-paced, and the plot was very interesting and original.
The Grievers were pretty scary as far as monsters go, but it was kind of hard to picture them in my head, as they're a mix between a living creature and machine.
This is the first book in a series, so the ending is a little abrupt, and not a lot is explained, but I enjoyed it.

The cover is alright, but I LOVE the UK cover even more.


Isn't it amazing?

Recommended if you like: The Hunger Games, Uglies, The Forest of Hands and Teeth, and other dystopian fiction

The Dead Tossed Waves Trailer!

Contest!

Jennifer Laurens is having a Lucky in Love Contest over at her blog!
Here's what you can win:



The contest is international, and ends March 14, so enter already!

Upcoming Book: The Unwritten Rule by Elizabeth Scott

Everyone knows the unwritten rule: You don't like you best friend's boyfriend.

Sarah has had a crush on Ryan for years. He's easy to talk to, supersmart, and totally gets her. Lately it even seems like he's paying extra attention to her. Everything would be perfect except for two things: Ryan is Brianna's boyfriend, and Brianna is Sarah's best friend.

Sarah forces herself to avoid Ryan and tries to convince herself not to like him. She feels so guilty for wanting him, and the last thing she wants is to hurt her best friend. But when she's thrown together with Ryan one night, something happens. It's wonderful...and awful.

Sarah is torn apart by guilt, but what she feels is nothing short of addiction, and she can't stop herself from wanting more...


It comes out March 16, so be sure to grab a copy!