Book Review: Salt & Stone by Victoria Scott

Release Date: February 24th, 2015

Read: January 13th-19th, 2015

Publisher: Scholastic

Series: Fire & Flood #2

Format: ARC, 304 pages

Source: Traded

Description from GoodReads:

    What would you do to save someone you love?

    In Fire & Flood, Tella Holloway faced a dangerous trek through the jungle and across the desert, all to remain a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed for a chance at obtaining the Cure for her brother. She can't quit--she has to win the race, save Cody, and then fight to make sure the race stops before it can claim any more lives. In the next legs of the race, across the ocean and over mountains, Tella will face frostbite, sharks, avalanche, and twisted new rules in the race.

    But what if the danger is deeper than that? How do you know who to trust when everyone's keeping secrets? What do you do when the person you'd relied on most suddenly isn't there for support? How do you weigh one life against another?

   The race is coming to an end, and Tella is running out of time, resources, and strength. At the start of the race there were one hundred twenty-two Contenders. As Tella and her remaining friends start the final part of the race, just forty-one are left--and only one can win.

Review:

   I'm a good horse, but I don't want to race anymore.
   I was first introduced to Victorias Scott when I read her first published book, The Collector. Then I went on to her sequel The Liberator. After the two I needed to get my hands on a copy of Fire & Flood, which is the first book in this series. Since then I've been hooked on her books. When ARCs were first sent out I just knew I had to get one, so I did. I'm so glad I did.
   Salt & Stone was remarkable, it has for sure become my favourite so far out of Victoria's books. Salt & Stone was so much more intense then Fire & Flood, with the world building and most of the characters introduced Victoria didn't have to waste anytime on it. She jumped right into the story, as you probably guessed they started off with Ocean in the third round of the games. I honestly didn't think you could get much out of them being stranded out in the middle of water, but obviously I was wrong.  Out of all the treks the people of the competition had to endure, I think this one might have been my favourite alongside the jungle.
   The Pandoras took a large part in this sequel, they helped their contenders more in this half then they did in the first. They were also a large subject to torture as well, but I won't say much there. Being the animal person I am, Victoria definitely kept playing at my heart from the beginning to the end of Salt & Stone. I need to see what happens to them now!
   Another larger part of Salt & Stone was that I found Tella to have a good character development. Throughout the book she was determined to not need to rely on Guy, where I was proud of her for it I kind of got annoyed every time she brought it up. It was practically all she would talk to Guy about, that's the feel I got anyhow.
   I completely understand why Kirkus gave Salt & Stone a starred review, because I feel the exact same way. I will be marching my way over to the bookstore as soon as the third book in the series releases, I just hope I can wait that long!

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

   "My nipples are frozen." ~ Harper

   "There is the fear of knowing when you're going to die, and then there's the horrifying, hell-on-earth fear of knowing you're about to be torn apart and eaten."  ~ Tella

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Adventure, Dystopian

Cover Reveal: February Bind Up!

   In the last two weeks new book covers have been revealed left, right, and centre. It's been so overwhelming! With so many covers being revealed I thought I'd round them all up for you guys to see! So here they are! I'm probably missing a few, but I tried my best.

The List from Above:

Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins
Storm by Amanda Sun
Never Sometimes Always by Adi Alsaid
Nowwhere But Here by Katie McGarry
Persuasion by Martina Boone
A Madness so Discreet by Mindi McGinnis
End of Days by Susan Ee
Gabriel by Nikki Kelly
Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith
Lock & Mori by Heather W. Petty
P.S I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Romancing the Dark in the City of Light by Ann Jacobus
Ten Thousand Skys Above You by Claudia Gray
Ungodly by Kendare Blake
Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman
Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch



   Now that's what I call good company! I'm out of my mind excited for a bunch of the ones above to be released! I hope you are too!

Waiting on Wednesday (30)

Burning Kingdoms

Author: Lauren DeStefano

The Internment Chronicles #2

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Expected: March 10th, 2015

Description from GoodReads:

   After escaping Internment, Morgan and her fellow fugitives land on the ground to finally learn about the world beneath their floating island home.

   The ground is a strange place where water falls from the sky as snow, and people watch moving pictures and visit speakeasies. A place where families can have as many children as they want, their dead are buried in vast gardens of bodies, and Internment is the feature of an amusement park.

   It is also a land at war.

  Everyone who fled Internment had their own reasons to escape their corrupt haven, but now they’re caught under the watchful eye of another king who wants to dominate his world. They may have made it to the ground, but have they dragged Internment with them?

Why I Want It:

   DeStefano writes some of the weirdest and unique stories I've ever read. If you've read her Chemical Garden Trilogy then you'd know what I mean. 

Why You Should Want It:

   DeStefano's books are as I said, some of the weirdest and most unique books I've ever read. It's hard to explain but you definitely have to give them a try!

   That's my Waiting on Wednesday for this week! What are you waiting on? Will you be picking up Burning Kingdoms when it comes out? Let me know in the comments!

Seize the Tuesday (1): Finding Time to Read

   Seize the Tuesday is a book blogger meme created by myself and the Adi Alsaid Street Team, to share stories about how we’ve seized the Tuesday, with a special focus on the particular book we’re reading. We’ll share our posts online with the hashtag: #LetsAllGetLost. 

   The idea is to share little ways in which you may have embraced Bree’s motto of seizing the Tuesday. To relate it to books, you can talk about what book you’re reading, and how you stole some moments from the day to enjoy reading. It doesn’t have to be about reading, but we all know that a well-read day is a day seized. The idea is not just to help spread the word on LGL, but also to remind people to live fully, even/especially if that means spending a part of your day reading.

   This is my first ever Seize the Tuesday post, to be honest I usually forget that it's Tuesday and that I should post it until the day is over. Today is different because my blogger bestie posted a topic I'd like to talk about, so in other words she inspired me.

   I've been struggling to read since Christmas break. In January I did read 3 1/2 books but it still doesn't feel like I'm getting enough reading done. Plus I wouldn't call it a slump, I've actually been feeling this way since the beginning of September. I've just haven't had any time or push to read really since school started, it's just been emotionally and physically draining me. The most I feel up to lately is just discussing books on Twitter or Instagram, or you know not wanting to do anything and just binge Supernatural when I have free time.

   In school I recently just started my english course, which means every time I have time to read, it will be spent on reading assigned books. 

   I'm going to try my best to read my books this month though, it being February means it's I Love to Read month. So reading is a must. I have a few books in mind that I've been dying to read so I'm going to do my best and read those! Hopefully whatever has got me in this mood will change soon!

   That's how I'm Seizing my Tuesday, with reading. What about you? How are YOU seizing your Tuesday?

Cover Reveal: Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

Hey Everyone!

   Today I have for you the cover reveal for Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins! Sweet Temptation is the fourth book in The Sweet Trilogy, now you must be thinking "whaaat?". How can there be more then 3 books in a trilogy? To help you understand I have a note from the author for you.

Authors Note:

   Sweet Temptation will encompass the entire trilogy in a condensed version, beginning with Kai's life before he met Anna, and taking readers through the epilogue of Sweet Reckoning. Sweet Temptation is a companion novel, not meant to be a stand alone story. It will definitely be a richer experience for those who have read the original trilogy.  

   That make sense? Good! If you have any extra questions let me know! 

   I loved the first two books in the series, but just haven't had the chance to finish the series by reading the third one yet. So I hope to get to it soon and use the cover reveal as a push! 

   So with out further ado, here is the cover reveal! 

   ( Note, I'm going to be showing you the synopsis first so that you can keep it in mind when you see the cover!)

Sweet Temptation 

Author: Wendy Higgins

Series: The Sweet Trilogy, #4 (Companion novel)

Publishing: HarperTeen

Expected Release: September 8th, 2015

Description from GoodReads:

   Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it. 

   Until he meets Anna Whitt—sweet, smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she has a certain power over him, one that makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve. 

   Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives as the influencers of sin, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the demons’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

   Sensual and swoon worthy, this companion volume to the acclaimed Sweet Evil series from New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins, told from the perspective of the irresistibly sexy and mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into his struggle, his intense connection to Anna, and most of all, the true emotions that drive him.

Amazon/Kindle | B&N/Nook | Chapters/Indigo/Kobo | Book Depository | iBooks

Now for the Cover!

   Isn't it fabulous? The purple makes me all happy inside, and it's a nice to have Anna in the back and Kaidan in the front for a change! Except that we don't get to see Anna's dress, it looks beautiful!

   If you haven't read the original series, then you should definitely check it out! Here is the first book and description along with the second and third covers with links to their GoodReads page! Just click on the images.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Release Date: May 1st, 2012

Publishing: HarperTeen

Series: The Sweet Trilogy, #1

Description from GoodReads:

   Embrace the Forbidden

   What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

   This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but it isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

   Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

The second & third books in the series:

 

After earning a Creative Writing degree from George Mason University and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Radford, I taught high school English until becoming a mommy. I've always had a heart for teens, and writing YA stories gives me the opportunity to delve into the ambiguities of those pivotal years before adulthood.

   I live in Virginia with my husband, daughter, son and doggie Rue.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

    I hope you guys decide to give The Sweet Trilogy a chance!
   As I said the other day, with so many cover reveals that have happened in the last couple of weeks I'm going to be having a bind up of all the new covers I can find in 1-2 different posts! The post should be up next Friday or Sunday.
   I hope you've enjoyed all these cover reveals as much as I have! Let me know what you think of them in the comments!

Cover Reveal: Persuasion by Martina Boone & Storm by Amanda Sun

Hey Everyone!

   February is one of my favourite seasons in the book world. February means 3 things to me, I get to pre-order books with gift cards I'll most likely get at the end of the month because of my birthday, it's I Love to Read Month (I don't know if it's the same anywhere else.), and finally February means it's cover reveal month! So today I have for you two different cover reveals, Persuasion by Martina Boone and Storm by Amanda Sun!

   The first cover reveal I have for you is for Persuasion, before I show you the cover I'm going to introduce you to it's synopsis! Then you'll be able to see the cover with open eyes! 

Persuasion 

Author: Martina Boone

Release Date: October 18th, 2015

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Series: The Heirs of Watson Island #2

Description from GoodReads:

   Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation besieged by reporters and ghost-hunters. Some are hoping to see the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, while others are chasing rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. Chaos descends as Cassie hires a team of archeologists to excavate beneath the mansion ruins. But more is buried there than treasure.

   A mysterious, magical man appears at Watson’s Landing, claiming the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts and the Colesworth curse also lies beneath the mansion. With a mix of threats and promises, he engages Barrie and Cassie in a midnight visit, but the spell he conjurs has potentially deadly consequences.

   While Barrie and dreamy Eight Beaufort struggle to make sense of the escalating danger and their growing feelings for each other, Barrie has to figure out not only whom to trust, but which gift is more reliable—Eight’s or her own. With millions of dollars and the fate of the founding families at stake, she must choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep her loved ones safe.

Now for the cover!

   Isn't it fabulous?! AHHHHH I love it, purple being my favourite cover makes it even more astounding!


   If you haven't read the first book in the series, here's the cover for you. Just click the photo for the link to GoodReads!

   Now for the Storm Reveal!

   Once again, I'm going to show y'all the synopsis first then the cover will follow! Harlequin Teen makes truly phenomenal covers, you'll be sure to fall in love with it. Here we go!

Storm

Author: Amanda Sun

Expected Release: June 30th, 2015

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Series: The Paper Gods #3

Description from GoodReads: 

   After almost a year in Japan, Katie Greene has finally unearthed the terrible secret behind her boyfriend Tomohiro's deadly ability to bring drawings to life—not only is he descended from Kami, the ancient Japanese gods, but he is the heir to a tragedy that occurred long ago, a tragedy that is about to repeat. 

   Even as the blood of a vengeful god rages inside Tomo, Katie is determined to put his dark powers to sleep. In order to do so, she and Tomo must journey to find the three Imperial Treasures of Japan. Gifts from the goddess Amaterasu herself, these treasures could unlock all of the secrets about Tomo's volatile ancestry and quell the ink's lust for destruction. But in order to complete their quest, Tomo and Katie must confront out-of-control Kami and former friend Jun, who has begun his own quest of revenge against those he believes have wronged him. To save the world, and themselves, Katie and Tomo will be up against one of the darkest Kami creations they've ever encountered—and they may not make it out alive. 

Now for the cover!

   The Paper Gods covers are some of my favourites ever, if you've seen the first two in person then you know that the books actually feel like water colour paper! Trust me, they are fabulous! 

   And if you haven't read The Paper Gods series, here are the first two books in the series! Click on the photos for the links to their GoodReads pages! 

 

   That's all I have for cover reveals today! In the next week or so I should have up 1-2 separate posts with round ups of all the new covers that were revealed in the past weeks. The ones I've seen are to die for! AHHH. I adore them, you will too. I promise.