Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday (1)



Diamonds in the Rough

Author: Michelle Madow
The Secret Diamond Sisters #2
Expected: October 28th, 2014
Harlequin Teen


Description from GoodReads:


All-access doesn't mean no problems.

The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion and turn their lives upside down all over again.


Ohana Reads: The Secret Diamond Sisters Review



Why I Want It:


I want it because VEGAS BABY, and well who wouldn't want to sudden find out that their long lost father is a famous billionaire? I loved the story from the first book and can not wait till I get my hands  on a copy! Also Michelle is my favourite, she is the sweetest person you'll ever meet<3


Why You Should Want It:


Well as you read above... VEGAS BABY. But if that's not enough for you. Michelle's writing is unique and special. Her stories grab you and pull you right in along with her characters. When I first read The Secret Diamond Sisters (First in series), I wasn't a big Contemporary book reader. Saying that, this series is perfect for first timers! 


That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week, will you be picking up it up in October? What are you waiting on this week? Let me know in the comments!(:



Monday, July 7, 2014

Book Hangovers


   Everyone has their own set of books that have given them the worst hangovers ever. Epic Reads defines Book Hangovers as the inability to start a new book because you are still living in the last book's world. Also as the inability to function at work/school because you were up all night binge reading. This is my list of my top ten books that fit into those categories!


The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass
Series: The Selection Trilogy #1
Harper Teen

Description from GoodReads:


   For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.



   But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.



   Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.


   The part that gave me a book hangover for this book was that I just needed to know who she was going to pick already ugggh.





The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Harlequin Teen

Description from GoodReads:


   To survive in a ruined world, she must embrace the darkness…

   Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a walled-in city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten. Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them—the vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself dies and becomes one of the monsters.

   Forced to flee her city, Allie must pass for human as she joins a ragged group of pilgrims seeking a legend—a place that might have a cure for the disease that killed off most of civilization and created the rabids, the bloodthirsty creatures who threaten human and vampire alike. And soon Allie will have to decide what and who is worth dying for…again.

   The way this book ended made me so sad! I needed to know what happens next!



Of Poseidon 

Author: Anna Banks
Series: The Syrena Legacy #1
Feiwel & Friends

Description from GoodReads:


   Galen is the prince of the Syrena, sent to land to find a girl he's heard can communicate with fish. Emma is on vacation at the beach. When she runs into Galen—literally, ouch!—both teens sense a connection. But it will take several encounters, including a deadly one with a shark, for Galen to be convinced of Emma's gifts. Now, if he can only convince Emma that she holds the key to his kingdom...

   THE ENDING WAS SUCH A PLOT TWIST OH MY GOODNESS.


Beautiful Chaos

Authors: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Castor Chronicles #3
Little Brown and Company

Description from GoodReads:


   Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What — or who — will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

   For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself — forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.

   Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.

   The ending for this one was just so poetic and beautiful yet tragic, I cried. There were so many tears.



The Evolution of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin
Series: Mara Dyer #2
Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers

Description from GoodReads:


Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.

She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.

She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.


   This was the most mentally disturbing/ destroying book I've ever read. So yes, this book made my list.


Entice

Author: Carrie Jones
Series: Need #3
Bloomsbury

Description from GoodReads:


   Zara and Nick are soul mates, meant to be together forever. But that's not exactly how things have worked out. Nick is dead-supposedly taken to some mythic place for warriors called Valhalla, where Zara and her friends might be able to get him back. Bedford needs its warriors more than ever, since a group of evil pixies is devastating the place. But even if Zara and her friends can reach Valhalla, there's that other small problem: Zara's been pixie kissed. Will Nick even want to return with her? Especially since she's not just any pixie . . . She's Astley's queen.

   The main character endured and sacrificed so much for her love, only to be let down. It hit me hard.


Boundless

Author: Cynthia Hand
Series: Unearthly #3
HarperTeen

Description from GoodReads:


   The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

   Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

   As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

   It was a truly beautiful ending to a story, it was finished perfectly and the author even showed us the characters many years in the future after the series events occurred. I love when authors do that.


The Fiery Heart

Author: Richelle Mead
Series: Bloodlines #4
Razorbill

Description from GoodReads:


   Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets - and human lives.



   In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .


   But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure — and re-education — looms larger than ever.


   The end of this book was just heart breaking. Richelle knows what she's doing when she writes books aha.


Tiger's Destiny

Author: Colleen Houck
Series: The Tiger Saga #4
Splinter

Description from GoodReads:


   With three of the goddess Durga's quests behind them, only one prophecy now stands in the way of Kelsey, Ren, and Kishan breaking the tiger's curse. But the trio's greatest challenge awaits them: A life-endangering pursuit in search of Durga's final gift, the Rope of Fire, on the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal.  It's a race against time--and the evil sorcerer Lokesh--in this eagerly anticipated fourth volume in the bestselling Tiger's Curse series, which pits good against evil, tests the bonds of love and loyalty, and finally reveals the tigers' true destinies once and for all.

   This book was beautifully written and answered all the little questions we had from previous books.


Clockwork Princess

Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: The Infernal Devices #3
Simon and Shuster Margaret K. McElderry 

Description from GoodReads:


   Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy?
Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute.
A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her

   Words can't even express how I feel about this book.




That's my list of book hangovers! What are your top book hangovers? Let me know in the comments!




Friday, July 4, 2014

Blog Tour: The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova


Hello!

   Welcome to The Vast and Brutal Sea Blog Tour! I will be your host for today!(: Today I have for you Ohana Reads book review of The Vast and Brutal Sea and an interview with the author, Zoraida Cordova, let's check them out!




The Vast and Brutal Sea by Zoraida Cordova

Release Date: July 1st, 2014
Read: July 2nd - 3rd, 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Series: The Vicious Deep #3
Format: ARC Kindle edition, 416 pages
Source: Author in exchange for an honest review/ blog tour


Description from GoodReads:


In two days, the race for the Sea Court throne will be over-but all the rules have changed. The sea witch, Nieve, has kidnapped Layla and is raising an army of mutant sea creatures to overthrow the crown. Kurt, the one person Tristan could depend on in the battle for the Sea King's throne, has betrayed him. Now Kurt wants the throne for himself. Tristan has the Scepter of the Earth, but it's not enough. He'll have to travel to the mysterious, lost Isle of Tears and unleash the magic that first created the king's powerful scepter. It's a brutal race to the finish, and there can only be one winner

Review:

I will save my people, Father. But who will save you?
   I had first read The Vicious Deep last summer and adored it! But I was deeply disappointed when I learnt that my library isn't have the sequel, The Savage Blue. Unfortunately I forgotten about the sequel until recently when Zoraida was looking for bloggers to participate in the third books blog tour. It was then that I knew I had to finish the series! I'm so glad I did.
   After the agonizing cliffhanger in The Savage Blue, I just hand to get The Vast and Brutal Sea immediately! The book started right after where Savage Blue left off, I hate when they leave a gap between books. It tends to leave me disappointed with how the book begins again. So in this case it was perfect.
   Tristan was my favourite out of all the characters for many different reasons. One being his character development, in the first book Tristan had your typical teenage male personality. I could definitely picture him in my high school, Zoraida totally nailed the representation on that one. Through out the books Tristan went from the ' I can do what I want attitude' to a serious personality where he would be willing to sacrifice himself for the people he cares about. A second reason being that this average high school kid had a secret of being a half merman thrown in his face, then was given the responsibility of going into battle of trying to win the throne of his merman king of grandfather. I would definitely had a panic attack somewhere along the way, but Tristan was able to handle it all even the challenges and betrayals he encountered along the way.
   This was an breath taking series and I'm happy to have had the opportunity of being on the blog tour. I can't wait to read Zoraida's next book/series, Luck on the Line which is expected to be released November 10th, 2014 by Diversion Books. 

Rating:



Favourite Quote:

" It's sure as hell going to be cranky when it wakes up." ~ Tristin

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Mermaids, Mythology, Romance



Check out The Vast and Brutal Sea book trailer! 




Haven't read the first two books in the series? Check them out!






The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova


Release Date: May 1st, 2012
Publishing: Sourcebooks Fire
Series: The Vicious Deep #1


Description from GoodReads:


For Tristan Hart, everything changes with one crashing wave. 
He was gone for three days. Sucked out to sea in a tidal wave and spit back ashore at Coney Island with no memory of what happened. Now his dreams are haunted by a terrifying silver mermaid with razor-sharp teeth. 
His best friend Layla is convinced something is wrong. But how can he explain he can sense emotion like never before? How can he explain he's heir to a kingdom he never knew existed? That he's suddenly a pawn in a battle as ancient as the gods. 
Something happened to him in those three days. He was claimed by the sea...and now it wants him back.



The Savage Blue by Zoraida Cordova


Release Date: May 7th, 2013
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Series: The Vicious Deep #2


Description from GoodReads:


A storm is coming...

The ocean is a vicious place. Deeper and darker than Tristan could have imagined. Beneath its calm blue surface, an ancient battle is churning —and no one is safe.

In the quest for the Sea Throne, Tristan has already watched one good friend die. Now he must lead the rest on a dangerous voyage in search of the trident that will make him king. But while Tristan chases his destiny, the dark forces racing against him are getting stronger, and the sea witch of his nightmares is getting closer.

Battling sea dragons and savage creatures of the deep, Tristan needs his friends' support. But they each have their secrets, and a betrayal will force Tristan to choose between his crown and his best friend Layla — the only girl he's ever loved.




What book got you into reading?

I don't remember liking to read as a kid. When I was really little I loved having stories and fables read to me, but once I got to elementary school I dreaded reading. When I found The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, it totally hooked me.


What are your favourite YA books that you've read this year so far?

I haven't read many books this year because I've been on deadline! But from what I got to read I'll say Frenzy by Robert Lettrick (science thriller for fans of R.L. Stein and Michael Chriton), and The Girl of Fire and Thorn by Rae Carson.


What made you decide to write Young Adult rather then New Adult or Adult?

I started writing when I was a teen so my characters were always my age and as I kept getting older my protagonists remained the same teens. In that sense YA chose me.
There wasn't a "New Adult" category before the way there is now. Even in college when I workshopped stories about girls my age, some of the critique was that they should either be aged way up or way down. It's like girls in their early 20s didn't have a voice.

Why Mermaids? What made you want to write about them?

I love the stories of mermaids from all over the world. I grew up on The Little Mermaid. I wanted to write my own version of they myths and explore magical worlds through writing.

Do you have any other books planned now that the Vicious Deep trilogy is over?

I am writing New Adult romance now. My first book Luck on the Line comes out November 10th from Diversion Books. Add it to your Goodreads!





Zoraida Córdova was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where she learned to speak English by watching Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker on repeat. Her favorite things are sparkly like merdudes, Christmas, and New York City at night.


Follow Zoraida:









a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway explanation/rules:


Here’s how the giveaway works: All you have to do it pre-order The Vast & Brutal Sea OR order a paperback copy of The Savage Blue from now until July 8th and you’re entered into the contest! After that everything else is bonus points. Just remember to save your receipt  to claim your prize! International. ( Click photo for link)
Here are some of the prizes!






Thanks for joining me for The Vast and Brutal Sea blog tour! I hope you had an AMAZING time(:








June 16th 

June 17th 

June 18th 

June 20th

June 21st

June 23rd 

June 24th

June 25th

June 26th
ZORAIDA'S BIRTHDAY!

June 27th 

June 30th
Mermaids at Latinos in Kid Lit

July 1st 
LAUNCH DAY!!!

Adding more each week!

Monday, June 30, 2014

June Wrap Up!

Hey All(:


   This month felt never ending! Exams were the main cause for that, I still get waaaay too stressed out with those. Either way, they have been done for little over a week now so I've been celebrating them being over by laying around being lazy. Oops. Now that my lazy week is over with it's time to get into some serious blogging! I've got some Blog Tours and Waiting on Wednesdays planned for you guys and a few other things, so I just know this summer's going to be awesome! 
   My favourite bookish thing this month is probably that the line up for YALLFest was announced! Ahhhh!! I've read at least half of the books from the authors on the list, I don't know how I'm going to afford to buy or take all those books to get signed! Not to mention all my fabulous blogger friends I get to meet! 
   So that's my bookish month! 

Here are all the details!


Books Read in June:



Goal: 150 books, 47 out of 150 read


July Releases I'm Excited For:



The perfect time for mermaid books to be released!


Book Haul for June:



My signed copy of Dorothy Must Die came and I get all giggly when I see it<3



                   


                               Library Book Haul:







Books Reviewed:




   That's it for this month my peeps! I hope you guys have an incredible summer and happy readings!(: