Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Entangled Teen:

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life form on Earth, human girls are…well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. 

Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence…and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

The Bad:
This is supposed to be a prequel novella.  There is nothing novella about it!  I would caution you that you will probably not be able to finish this in an hour before bed, so do not start it when you have to get up super early.  Also, I hate the ending to this book.  Not because it is not well written or does not flow or any of the other critical reasons, but because it is so sad and I NEED to know what happened!   

The Good:
I really enjoyed Shadows.  The contrast between Dawson in Shadows and Daemon in Obsidian is startling.  Dawson is so sweet and nice and a bit bumbling with Bethany.  It's really cute and so heartbreaking.  I definitely recommend Shadows and the entire Lux Series.  Aliens usually aren't my thing, but I will make an exception here.  :-)

~Shel

A Peek In The BiblioBin #66

Welcome to our Stacking the Shelves post! Stacking the Shelves (or as we like to call it, A Peek in the BiblioBin) has been created by the lovely ladies at Tynga's Reviews.

Stacking the Shelves is a way for bloggers to share what books they have won, received for review, bought from the bookstore, borrowed from the library or friend, etc.  
What's in your BiblioBin?

For Review:

Hidden (Avena #1) by Marianne Hurley
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
A Pinstriped Finger's My Only Friend by Robert T. Jeschonek



Purchased:

Drink Deep (A Chicagoland Vampires #5) by Chloe Neill

Take A Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg

*** 1/2

From Goodreads:

Emme, Sophie, Ethan, and Carter are seniors at a performing arts school, getting ready for their Senior Showcase recital, where the pressure is on to appeal to colleges, dance academies, and professionals in show business. For Sophie, a singer, it's been great to be friends with Emme, who composes songs for her, and to date Carter, soap opera heartthrob who gets plenty of press coverage. Emme and Ethan have been in a band together through all four years of school, but wonder if they could be more than just friends and bandmates. Carter has been acting since he was a baby, and isn't sure how to admit that he'd rather paint than perform. The Senior Showcase is going to make or break each of the four, in a funny, touching, spectacular finale that only Elizabeth Eulberg could perform.

Take a Bow is a sweet story about people learning to stick up for themselves, all in different ways.  Emme is by far the central character, but each of the four main characters go through major life changes in the span of the story.  Despite it's relative short length, Eulberg makes you feel for these characters and gives a surprising amount of depth to Emme, Ethan and to a lesser extent Carter.  Sophie's character lacks depth, but that really is the point of Sophie's character.  

If you are looking for a story about the perils of love and friendship that will leave you feeling contented, then Take A Bow is a perfect fit.  

~Shel

Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

* * * 

Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them.

It took me a while to really get into this book.  I liked Vane. He’s a typical teenage boy though he has a bit of a problem in the girlfriend department i.e. he can’t keep a girlfriend. Turns out every time he’s tried to date someone, there’s always some sort of mishap and he inevitably ends up looking like a jerk. Though that bothers him, he’s more intrigued by the mysterious girl who haunts his dreams. She could hold the answers to his past that he can’t remember.

Audra, on the other hand, is quite single-minded about her mission to guard and train Vane. She struggles to compose herself throughout the story whether she’s working with Vane, dealing with her unaffectionate mother or the untimely death of her beloved father. Those mixed emotions fuel her determination to help Vane remember his heritage so that they can fight the oncoming evil together.

As far as characters go, Vane is a fun, sarcastic guy who is not quite as inept as he comes off initially. He’s a great kid who gets along with his parents so when Audra finally steps into his life and he starts behaving strangely, his parents have cause to worry. Audra took a bit longer to grow on me. Nothing irritates me more than when one character keeps the other in the dark because they think they can’t handle whatever the truth is. I was so annoyed by Audra’s stance to not clue Vane in on what was going on especially because she herself knows how time is running out. It’s bad judgment on her part and a major waste of time.

Let The Sky Fall was fun to read and worth it especially if you’re looking for something  different. The idea of windwalkers is refreshing though it took me a while to get into it. Give me vampires, shadowhunters, dragons, fallen angels, werewolves but for some reason, I was initially skeptical about people who can control wind. I know – it makes no sense. Once I became more fully invested in Vane and wanting him to succeed and be safe, I got over it and enjoyed this fantastic new world.

~ Bel

Waiting on Wednesday (67)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

This week's choice is no surprise.  We love Mr. Levithan and we can't think of a greater way to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of his first novel, Boy Meets Boy, than the publication of a new Levithan title geared towards a new generation of gay teens.

By David Levithan
Publication Date: August 27, 2013

New York Times  bestselling author David Levithan tells the based-on-true-events story of Harry and Craig, two 17-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record—all of which is narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS.

While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teen boys dealing with languishing long-term relationships, coming out, navigating gender identity, and falling deeper into the digital rabbit hole of gay hookup sites—all while the kissing former couple tries to figure out their own feelings for each other.

This follow-up to the bestselling Every Day showcases David's trademark sharp-witted, warm-hearted tales of teenage love, and serves as a perfect thematic bookend to David's YA debut and breakthrough, Boy Meets Boy, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2013.

Spartan Frost (Mythos Academy Novella) by Jennifer Estep

****


From KTeen:

I'm Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy.  At least I was - until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.

Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I'm fine, that Loki and the Reapers don't have a hold on me anymore, but I can't risk it.  I can't risk hurting Gwen again.  So I'm leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.

I know Gwen wonders what's happening to me, whether I'm safe.  I can't tell her, but this is my story...

Anyone who reads the blog knows that I am a huge fan of this series.  What i loved most about Spartan Frost was that it is told from Logan's point of view and after what he went through in Crimson Frost, it was awesome to get inside his head.

So, if you are looking for something to hold you over until Midnight Frost releases at the end of July, grab Spartan Frost.  It ends on a cliff-hanger, so feel free to tell Jennifer Estep that it was just mean, I did!

~Shel

The Immortal Circus Act II - Book Blast & Giveaway

We are excited to be participating in the book blast to celebrate the release of A.R. Kahler's THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: ACT TWO today!

To help spread the word about its release in Kindle serial format, we have a GUEST POST from Mab, Ringmaster of the Cirque des Immortels, some information about this second book in the series and a couple of awesome giveaways to share.

With its stunning cover, its description which hints of dark things to come in this sequel and the even darker things that Mab alludes to in Vivienne's past, I am so unbelievably excited to be able to share this book on my blog.

Now let's turn things over to the Ringmaster...

***

GUEST POST from Mab – Ringmaster Extraordinaire and Circus Fashionista

Hello loves,

A few months have passed since we did our last tour, and oh, how I've missed you all.

This week, I am pleased to announce the next installment in our little show. Although it pains me to admit that we will not be doing a full blog tour, I am sure the tale ACT TWO weaves will keep you entertained. So many of you were dying to know more about Vivienne's past. In fact, many people seem to be dying when it comes to Vivienne's past but...I'd hate to spoil her surprise. Needless to say, this will be a show she will never forget.

And for those of you who need more than pretty words to tempt them, I am also hosting a giveaway. Five winners will receive Immortal Circus trading cards and a signed bookplate. One lucky winner will also get a signed copy of book one.

Six prizes, six winners. Six is my favorite number.

Step right up, loves. ACT TWO is just beginning....

Kisses, Mab

***

About the Book

Title: THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: ACT TWO (The Immortal Circus #2)
Author: A.R. Kahler
Publisher: 47North
Release date: June 11, 2013
Format: Kindle serial eBook (current). Paperback edition to be released.

Vivienne is almost content with her new life in the Cirque des Immortels. She has moved up from selling cotton candy to telling fortunes, she has a gorgeous, magical boyfriend, Kingston…and no one has been murdered since the clash between the otherworldly Courts. Her life under the faerie big top would be perfect, in fact, if not for the nightmares and visions that compel her to seek and confront her half-remembered past. But for Viv, not knowing her past may well be a blessing. There's a reason she ran away. But can she truly escape herself?

The second act of the fantastically evocative Cirque des Immortels series, The Immortal Circus: Act Two draws readers further into a world that’s at once wonderful, seductive…and deadly.

Step right up…

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON | GOODREADS

***

About the Author

Most little boys dream of running away to join the circus.

Alex didn't just dream it: he did it. But then, he rarely lets a good dream pass him by.

In the past six years he's toured and trained across America and Europe. He's performed in Amsterdam, taught trapeze in Madrid, studied in Glasgow and even had a stint as assistant to Holly Black and Cassandra Clare in New England. He's constantly on the lookout for new places to explore and new worlds to invent. He's a Sagittarius fueled by full moons and espresso. The way to his heart is a latte and fan art. Just for the record.

THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS, book one in his Cirque des Immortels series, is now available from 47North. ACT TWO releases today, June 11, 2013.

MARTYR, the first book in his post-apocalyptic YA fantasy series, THE HUNTED, is set to be published October 28, 2014 by Spencer Hill Press.

TWITTER | WEBSITE | GOODREADS | TUMBLR

***

About Book One

Title: THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS (The Immortal Circus #1)
Author: A.R. Kahler
Publisher: 47North
Release date: December 4, 2012 (serial eBook); January 29, 2013 (paperback)
Formats: Kindle eBook, Paperback

Murdered contortionists aren’t exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded—especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend…and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly Courts.

Aided by her friends Kingston—a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart—and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past—and future—than she bargains for.

The show's just beginning.

Step right up…

GOODREADS | AMAZON

***

The Giveaways

Mab’s Giveaways (US ONLY):

GRAND PRIZE – A signed copy of book one, THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS, The Immortal Circus trading cards and a signed bookplate. (ONE WINNER)

PRIZES – Trading Cards and a signed bookplate. (FIVE WINNERS)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Rockstar Book Tours Giveaways (International to anywhere that can accept eBook gifts from Amazon US)

A Kindle Serial eGift of THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS: ACT TWO. (FIVE WINNERS)

(All winners will be announced in the Rafflecopter and contacted by email.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway