Book Review: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Release Date: October 22nd, 2012

Read: June 10-11th, 2014

Publisher: Simon and Shuster Books for Young Readers

Series: Mara Dyer #2

Format: Hardcover, 528 pages

Source: Winnipeg Public Library

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.

In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Review:

Contains Spoilers:

Own yourself

   This book is honestly the most messed up book I've ever read. Not in the way of it being a bad read, but in the way of it being thrillingly horrific that I was a nervous wreak. Going into the book I thought that Mara and Noah's situation would improve and they'd finally be able to live a some what happy life, asdfghlksdlaksjdksa boy was I wrong. 

    After going to the police station and explaining to them that her "dead" ex-boyfriend was trying to kill her, Mara Dyer was marked as mentally unstable. Throughout the book Mara was treated as a mental patient at Horizons, a health care facility. Put on a special care program, the doctors and her family tried to make her think that she needed help. Maybe she did. This book had me constantly considering myself unstable. With all the different treatments and stages for Mara through the book, I actually kind of agreed with all the doctors and considered her crazy as well. But right when you think you finally understand Mara Dyer, the tables have already turned again.  Michelle's writing constantly has you rethinking about what you think you know about Mara and the events that had taken place in the book. Michelle is also a truly astounding horror story teller.

    The events that occurred in Evolution had be disturbed and horrified. Pictures taken of you while you were sleeping with no idea how they got there, dead animals suddenly appearing then disappearing with no evidence of them ever being there, and finally sleepwalking. The descriptions for these events were terrifying. The idea of sleepwalking spooks the heck out of me, especially when you have no memory of what happened during those times. You have no control over yourself, you don't know what you could do. Michelle would make an phenomenal horror movie writer. 

   The way that no one believed Mara disturbed me the most, not even her family believed her. They would keep going on about how she needed their help, but it was the wrong kind. She needed them to believe her and trust her, then they let her down. Only Noah was truly there for her, at least she wasn't completely alone.

  November 4, 2014 is when the long wait of 2 years finally ends for the third and final book in the Mara Dyer trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"If I were to live a thousand years, I would belong to you for all of them. If we were to live a thousand lives, I would want you mine in each one." ~ Noah

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Mystery, Supernatural, Thriller, Horror

June 10th AWESOMENESS!

Today has been a very stellar day.

  So many things have happened today that I just had to make a post about it. First of all I am officially done with my mechanics class after finishing my exam today, that has nothing to do with books but I'm just happy about finishing that exam aha. Anyway...

   

   Another thing that happened today was the YALLFest authors were announced today! I've been saving up to go to YALLFest since last November. I honestly couldn't control myself in class today when I saw who was going! 61 different YA authors have been confirmed at this point and more keep confirming as we speak! Not to mention the unofficial YA authors just coming to visit!(I heard that Richelle Mead was thinking of stopping by!?!?) AHHHHH, I'm so excited! I have absolutely no clue who I'm more excited to see! 

Here's the link to the current official list of attendees!

   And finally two AMAZING June books released today! Hexed by Michelle Krys and The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings! Happy book birthday to you both!

   Here's their info!

Hexed by Michelle Krys

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Series: Hexed #1

Description from GoodReads:

If high school is all about social status, Indigo Blackwood has it made. Sure, her quirky mom owns an occult shop, and a nerd just won’t stop trying to be her friend, but Indie is a popular cheerleader with a football-star boyfriend and a social circle powerful enough to ruin everyone at school. Who wouldn’t want to be her?

Then a guy dies right before her eyes. And the dusty old family Bible her mom is freakishly possessive of is stolen. But it’s when a frustratingly sexy stranger named Bishop enters Indie’s world that she learns her destiny involves a lot more than pom-poms and parties. If she doesn’t get the Bible back, every witch on the planet will die. And that’s seriously bad news for Indie, because according to Bishop, she’s a witch too.

Suddenly forced into a centuries-old war between witches and sorcerers, Indie’s about to uncover the many dark truths about her life—and a future unlike any she ever imagined on top of the cheer pyramid.

Follow Michelle on Twitter

Order Here:

Chapters Indigo     B&N

The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings

Publisher: Greenwillow Press

Series: The Murder Complex #1

Description from GoodReads:

Meadow Woodson, a fifteen-year-old girl who has been trained by her father to fight, to kill, and to survive in any situation, lives with her family on a houseboat in Florida. The state is controlled by The Murder Complex, an organization that tracks the population with precision.

The plot starts to thicken when Meadow meets Zephyr James, who is—although he doesn’t know it—one of the MC’s programmed assassins. Is their meeting a coincidence? Destiny? Or part of a terrifying strategy? And will Zephyr keep Meadow from discovering the haunting truth about her family?

Read the prequel to The Murder Complex, The Fear Trials and learn what Meadow's life was like before Zephyr and how Meadow trained to be the master of defence she is.

I was lucky to have received a signed ARC from the author herself, and have reviewed it here on Ohana Reads! If you'd like to check it out here's the link! 

Ohana Reads review of The Murder Complex 

Follow Lindsay on Twitter

Order Here:

Chapters Indigo      B&N   

Don't they sound awesome? I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Hexed ASAP!

That was my stellar day, how was yours?

Book Review: White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: February 25th, 2014

Read: May 28th- June 2nd, 2014

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Series: The Dark Elements #1

Format: Paperback, 392 pages

Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

   One kiss could be the last. 

   Seventeen-year-old Layla just wants to be normal. But with a kiss that kills anything with a soul, she's anything but normal. Half demon, half gargoyle, Layla has abilities no one else possesses. 

   Raised among the Wardens—a race of gargoyles tasked with hunting demons and keeping humanity safe—Layla tries to fit in, but that means hiding her own dark side from those she loves the most. Especially Zayne, the swoon-worthy, incredibly gorgeous and completely off-limits Warden she's crushed on since forever. 

Then she meets Roth—a tattooed, sinfully hot demon who claims to know all her secrets. Layla knows she should stay away, but she's not sure she wants to—especially when that whole no-kissing thing isn't an issue, considering Roth has no soul. 

But when Layla discovers she's the reason for the violent demon uprising, trusting Roth could not only ruin her chances with Zayne…it could brand her a traitor to her family. Worse yet, it could become a one-way ticket to the end of the world

Review:

   Contains Spoilers:

   I lost myself the moment I found you.
   This wasn't one of my favourite Harlequin Teen covers, that was until I finished the book. At first all I saw was a two people about to kiss with their bodies outlined in a faint red. Later on through out the book I began to understand why the cover was the way it is, same goes with the title. It is honestly the most awesomest realization ever. Layla being part demon has the ability to see souls, and see how much/often a person has sinned. Red meaning you've sinned one of the worst kinds of sins, and white/light blue being that you are practically an angel. So the cover being red with Layla about to kiss Roth is sort of hilariously genius. What makes it two times better is when you check out the sequel's cover, Stone Cold Touch. Red= Hot, Blue= Cold. In that cover Layla is turning away from Zayne because she doesn't feel the same way about him anymore. It completely screams "Friend-Zoned".
   This was one of the sauciest young adult books I've read ever. Most of the time in YA when a pair of characters are about to get intimidate, authors will fade away from the scene and start a new one. So I really enjoyed the change with WHK. Yes, I understand other YA have their moments but Jennifer wasn't afraid to show us the action, it was a bit of a different experience. I guess that's why the book's called White Hot Kiss?
    The end was another big surprise, holy crap I really see that one coming. With Layla always being the odd one out I was really happy that she was finally able to change into a true form. It was totally kick ass for her to be part Warden and Demon, even if it did still set her apart from the others but at least now she'll be able to protect herself now. I think she'll still be happy with this form though.
   I was honestly flabbergasted with this book and couldn't form words when I thought about reviewing it. White Hot Kiss is my first Jennifer L. Armentrout read, even after this one read I know that all her books will be a must read from now on. Stone Cold Touch, the sequel to WHK, releases October 28th, 2014 and I will dread everyday waiting for it.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

“You need something," he said, and when I stared at him, he added, "Your face."

"My face?"

"It's in need of my kisses." ~ Roth

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, New Adult, Supernatural, Demons, Gargoyles 

Book Review: Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Release Date: June 3rd, 2014

Read: May 26-30th, 2014

Publisher: Abi and Missy Books

Series: Sinner #1

Format: E-ARC, 314 pages

Source: NetGalley 

Description from GoodReads:

Fifty years ago the Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best. 

Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home. 

Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain. 

Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.

The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me. 

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. 

My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Review:

You can overcome anything...short of death.

   I was kind of iffy when I heard about Branded, the way it was introduced to me threw me off a bit. The plot intrigued me, but I was a bit worried. Normally under the circumstances that they were I would avoid the book, but as I said the plot intrigued me. So I gave it a try, I'm glad I did.
   The concept of being branded was some what new to me, to be marked for our sins is really rather tragic. Everyday no matter what life we live, no matter how hard we try we will always sin. There are 7 deadly sins, lust, gluttony, greed, slouch, wrath, envy and pride. The Hole is where all the people branded with these sins live. Throughout the book we heard about these different people who had sins and were branded for it, but we only really experienced maybe 2 of the sins. I was sad about that, I was hoping we'd get to experience at least a little bit of the other branded sinners. Maybe have the main character be introduced to them and hear their story. Besides the other sinners I had thought the brands made everyone in the compond unique.
   A topic in the book that really got to me was being branded blue, or lust. In the novel, the male characters treated Lexi as an object rather then a human being. Just because someone is marked/called a whore or slut doesn't mean you have to treat them as one. Rape is another thing, I understand that it is supposed to be a crap hole of a life in the Hole, but you could still have a decent life if you tried to there. You don't have to go and try to use the next pretty girl that walks by. Have respect and treat others the way you would like to be treated.
   Branded was my first ever ebook read that I just couldn't put down, I was happy to have the chance to have read an early copy. I will be looking forward for Sinners #2.

P.S I totally called who the Commander was from the beginning! Knew it, knew it, KNEW IT!

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"Meet Zeus, my crap-for-brains guard dog." ~ Cole

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Science Fiction, Romance, New Adult, Fantasy, Apocalyptic 

May Wrap Up!

Heyyoo:)

   So spring has finally hit my always winter town, and I can't be happier. With school being almost over, that means I'll finally have time to catch up on my reading and of course it'll be bonfire season!

   School has been taking a lot of my time lately so I haven't been as actively blogging and reading the past couple of months. I have a little under 3 more weeks left, until then I'll be doing my best to keep up with life online and in person. Once school is officially over I'm going to get organized finally and start doing weekly/monthly blog posts. For example, stuff like Waiting on Wednesdays, Blog Tours, Book Blast and Vlogs. The last one I'm really excited for:) So I hope you guys stay patient with me, I promise you won't regret it.

   This month was also RT and BEA, I wasn't at either but I hope for you guys who did go that you guys had an awesome time! My time will shine in November at YALLFest:)


Here are the details for this month!

   

Books Read in May:

Ink by Amanda Sun

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

The Warrior by Victoria Scott 
Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi
Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Goal: 150 books, 40 out of 150 read. 27% done goal.

June Releases I'm Excited For:

Tiger's Promise by Colleen Houck June 1st, 2014

Hexed by Michelle Krys June 10th, 2014
The Murder Complex by Lindsay Cummings June 10th, 2014
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo June 17th, 2014

Drowned by Nichola Reilly June 24th, 2014
Rain by Amanda Sun June 24th, 2014

There aren't many YA releases this month, but I can't tell you how excited I am for Rain! I just adored Ink. I've had grabby hands for this one ever since I first heard Rain ARCs were out:)

Book Haul for the Month:

(Top to bottom)

Reborn by C.C Hunter
Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Desert Tales by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Fairy Tales and Nightmares by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Graveminder by Melissa Marr (ARC Signed)
Conversion by Katherine Howe (ARC)
This Side of Salvation by Jeri Smith-Ready (ARC)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Randsom Riggs
Made for You by Melissa Marr (ARC)
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (ARC Signed)
City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
The One by Kiera Cass
The Selection Stories: The Prince and The Guard by Kiera Cass
Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

In the last two months I've gotten more books in each of those months then I've ever gotten in a single past year. I'm utterly blown away from how amazing the blogging community is, and how giving they are. Same goes with authors:)

Library Book Haul:

Heartbeat by Elisabeth Scott

Into the Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

I wasn't able to use my Public Library this month because I had to renew my card, but otherwise I've already read half of my pile;)

Books Reviewed:

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Ink by Amanda Sun

As I said, it's been a slow month. Besides the fact that I only wrote 3 reviews this month, they were some of the longest reviews I've written so far and I'm proud of that:)

That's it for this month people, I hope you guys have a good month ahead and happy readings!

Book Review: Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

Release Date: April 1st, 2014

Read: May 12-14th, 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

Series: Dorothy Must Die #1

Format: Hardcover, 452 pages

Source: Bought

Description from GoodReads:

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.

But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?

Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.

I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.

I've been trained to fight.

And I have a mission:

Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.

Steal the Scarecrow's brain.

Take the Lion's courage.

Then and only then—Dorothy must die!

Review:

Be brave. Be angry. Don't trust anyone.

   Wither it's about Oz, Neverland, or Narnia I will always love a twist for the original story. Dorothy Must Die wasn't that way for me. The idea for the book had me hooked from the first time I'd heard about it, but I just couldn't get into the book itself. The book started at a good pace, I really loved Amy in her school. Especially with her high school bully being pregnant, it showed to me that even though the 'popular' girls or boys always seem to have it all they do make mistakes the same as everyone else does.

  Eventually when Amy got to Oz the story lost it's pace and started to drag for a bit. Danielle had written the book trying to show us her version of Oz, but with the storyline she was going for, there was too much access description. As in, some of the villages and meetings on the yellow brick road were not needed. It all took away from what Amy was really supposed to be in Oz for. Don't get me wrong though, I loved Danielle's Oz. It's horrifyingly terrific. 

   When we were finally introduced to the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked the book was half done already. I felt like more should have been done with the Order of the Wicked, the parts that we experienced with them were not satisfying enough for me. The group would do the same thing over and over each day, then they were gone again. Overall I don't think the Order of the Wicked was a main focus like the books summery said it to be. 

   Dorothy Must Die was not my favourite read, but I am still excited for The Wicked Will Rise. I will definitely be getting my hands on a copy and give Dorothy and Amy another chance.

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

“You don’t need wheels on your house to get somewhere better. All you need is something to give you that extra push.” 

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings, Fairy Tales

Harlequin and Harper Collins

Recently,

   HarperCollins publishing had purchased Harlequin publishing, I know many people have their own opinions about the matter but this one kind of hit home a bit so I wanted to state my own.

  Last year Safeway Canada was bought by the company Sobeys. Safeway and Sobey's are both major grocery stores in Canada. They are like the Target and Walmart of the US, even though we have both of those here they are just not as popular. Anyhow in the purchase Safeway lost a lot customer wise. Like most business, companies want to safe as much money as possible. So they usually do this by shortening the employees work shifts, lesser pay, firing people, not hiring enough people, you know how that works. With not enough people on the floor, customers would complain and everything would become stressful for the employees that still remained. Till finally they sold the company. 

  

   What does this mean? Well for one, my mother has worked at Safeway for 30 years, give or take a few. My family knew right away that lots of things were going to change. Which they did.

   What does this have to do with Harper Collins and Harlequin? Well with Safeway selling, Sobey's had said they weren't going to change anything (Sound familiar? 'Harper Collins') But soon enough things started changing. More people then before lost jobs, more people were loosing shifts, etc. Along came with the fear that what if they decided to fire all the Safeway employees and just hire new Sobeys ones instead? My moms biggest fear was that for the pay she was receiving the company could hire two other people instead, even if they weren't as experienced. 

   Things started to change so much that now they are officially changing over all the Safeways to Sobeys. Along with this a lot of new rules, every employee was going to have to be trained again so that they knew how Sobey's wanted the place run.

   My worries for Harlequin is that what if Harper changes everything? They are currently saying that Harper Collins will continue to be run from New York and Harlequin from Toronto. But Sobey's said the same thing in the beginning, Harper could change their minds at anytime. The number one thing I am worried about with this selling is Harlequin Teen. 

   As you all know I am a Teen Book Blogger, and that Harlequin Teen Publishing is my favourite Teen publishing company. They do things differently then HarperTeen does, one of the biggest differences being that Harlequin mostly does paperback and Harper always doing Hardcover first. But no matter the differences between the two, Harper has the biggest area dedicated to young adult novels, with Harper Teen publishing and a whole social media inter prize dedicated to spreading the word about their books (Epic Reads) they've practically have the Teen market covered. What if they decide they don't need to have Harlequin Teen anymore? What if they think it's not worth the money anymore? 

  Even if they don't get rid of Harlequin Teen there is so much more they could get rid of or change. No matter what they say, they have the power now if one little thing bothers them it could all change.

  Thanks for listening to my rant guys,