Novella Discussion: Finding Cinderella by Colleen Hoover

Title: Finding Cinderella (Hopeless #2.5)
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Simon & Schuster Australia. Thank you!
Goodreads | The Reading Room

This novella is a companion novel to the Hopeless series, but can be read as a standalone.

A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love comes with conditions: they agree it will only last one hour and it will only be make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them only seemed perfect because they were pretending it was perfect. Moments like that with girls like her don’t happen outside of fairytales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in insta-love is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Daniel soon realizes the way he pretended to feel about Cinderella and the way he really feels about Six may not be so different after all. Especially when the two loves of his life end up being one in the same.

Unfortunately for Daniel, finding Cinderella doesn’t guarantee their happily ever after…it only further threatens it.

Review by Nara

LGBT Month: Aristotle and Dante "Review"

Title: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (i.e. the ridiculously long yet apt title)
Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Goodreads | The Reading Room

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

Review by Nara

Not-Really-a-Review: We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Title: We Were Liars
Author: E. Lockhart
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Release Date: 13 May, 2014
Source: Delacorte Press via NetGalley
Goodreads | The Reading Room

A beautiful and distinguished family.
A private island.
A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.
A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.
A revolution. An accident. A secret.
Lies upon lies.
True love.
The truth.

We Were Liars is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart.

Read it.
And if anyone asks you how it ends, just LIE.

Review by Nara

Review: The Taking by Kimberly Derting

Title: The Taking (The Taking #1)
Author: Kimberly Derting
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction
Release Date: 29 April, 2014
Source: HarperTeen via Edelweiss
Goodreads | The Reading Room

A flash of white light . . . and then . . . nothing.

When sixteen-year-old Kyra Agnew wakes up behind a Dumpster at the Gas ’n’ Sip, she has no memory of how she got there. With a terrible headache and a major case of déjà vu, she heads home only to discover that five years have passed . . . yet she hasn’t aged a day.

Everything else about Kyra’s old life is different. Her parents are divorced, her boyfriend, Austin, is in college and dating her best friend, and her dad has changed from an uptight neat-freak to a drunken conspiracy theorist who blames her five-year disappearance on little green men.

Confused and lost, Kyra isn’t sure how to move forward unless she uncovers the truth. With Austin gone, she turns to Tyler, Austin’s annoying kid brother, who is now seventeen and who she has a sudden undeniable attraction to. As Tyler and Kyra retrace her steps from the fateful night of her disappearance, they discover strange phenomena that no one can explain, and they begin to wonder if Kyra’s father is not as crazy as he seems. There are others like her who have been taken . . . and returned. Kyra races to find an explanation and reclaim the life she once had, but what if the life she wants back is not her own?

Review by Nara

Fairytale Parallels in The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

**Spoilers for the Lunar Chronicles. If you've only read particular books, please only read those sections. If you haven't read any of the books, please don't read any of this post.**

Since Cress has now been out for a while, I thought it was time to publish this post: an examination of the fairytale parallels in the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. It's mostly just going to be in dot points/rambly thoughts rather than actual paragraphs. It's easier to read that way anyway, so don't complain :P

ANOTHER SPOILER WARNING IN CASE YOU MISSED THE FIRST.

Review: Tease by Amanda Maciel

Title: Tease
Author: Amanda Maciel
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Release Date: 29 April, 2014
Source: Balzer + Bray via Edelweiss
Goodreads | The Reading Room

Emma Putnam is dead, and it's all Sara Wharton's fault.

At least, that's what everyone seems to think. Sara, along with her best friend and three other classmates, has been criminally charged for the bullying and harassment that led to Emma's shocking suicide. Now Sara is the one who's ostracized, already guilty according to her peers, the community, and the media.

During the summer before her senior year, in between meetings with lawyers and a court-recommended therapist, Sara is forced to reflect on the events that brought her to this moment—and ultimately consider her role in an undeniable tragedy. And she'll have to find a way to move forward, even when it feels like her own life is over.

In this powerful debut novel inspired by real-life events, Amanda Maciel weaves a narrative of high school life as complex and heartbreaking as it is familiar: a story of everyday jealousies and resentments, misunderstandings and desires. Tease is a thought-provoking must-read that will haunt readers long after the last page.

Review by Nara

Reading Update (18/4/13)

Aaaaand it's time for another update.
I don't really have anything to say.
Except that I recommend everyone read this deleted interlude from Words of Radiance. Don't worry, you don't need to have read ANY of Sanderson's works to read this (although it does have slightly more meaning if you've read WoR). It's extremely clever and just some really excellent writing- so I do recommend you read it. It's quite short- only a few paragraphs.
Anyway, onto the update!

Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song (Blood of Eden #3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian
Release Date: 15 April, 2014
Source: Harlequin Teen via NetGalley. Thank you!
Goodreads | The Reading Room

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

Allison Sekemoto once struggled with the question: human or monster?

With the death of her love, Zeke, she has her answer.

MONSTER

Allie will embrace her cold vampire side to hunt down and end Sarren, the psychopathic vampire who murdered Zeke. But the trail is bloody and long, and Sarren has left many surprises for Allie and her companions—her creator, Kanin, and her blood brother, Jackal. The trail is leading straight to the one place they must protect at any cost—the last vampire-free zone on Earth, Eden. And Sarren has one final, brutal shock in store for Allie.

In a ruined world where no life is sacred and former allies can turn on you in one heartbeat, Allie will face her darkest days. And if she succeeds, triumph is short-lived in the face of surviving forever alone.

Review by Nara

Review: Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Title: Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy #3)
Author: Wendy Higgins
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Release date: 29th April, 2014 (also known as MY BIRTHDAY, WOO!)
Source: HarperCollins via Edelweiss, thank you!

Average Goodreads rating: 4.61 out of 5.00 (440+ ratings)
Goodreads | The Reading Room

It’s time.

Evil is running rampant and sweet Anna Whitt is its target. Nobody knows when or how the Dukes will strike, but Anna and her Nephilim allies will do anything necessary to rid the earth of the demons and their oppressive ways.

The stakes are higher than ever, and Anna is determined that the love she feels will be her strength, not a liability. But trying to protect the ones she loves while running for her life and battling demonic forces proves to be perilous—especially as faces are changing and trust is fleeting. When the Duke of Lust sends Anna’s great love, Kaidan Rowe, to work against her, Anna must decide how much she’s prepared to risk.

In the most sensual and fast-paced installment yet, Sweet Reckoning brings all the beloved Neph together one last time to fight for their freedom.

Review by Chantelle

*Contains only VERY MINOR SPOILERS for the first two books in the trilogy, should be okay if you haven't read them*

Review: Starling by Fiona Paul

Title: Starling (Secrets of the Eternal Rose #3)
Author: Fiona Paul
Genre: Young Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: HarperCollins Australia. Thank you!
Goodreads | The Reading Room

In the stunning conclusion to the Secrets of the Eternal Rose trilogy, there is nothing more dangerous that a secret closely kept... Cass and Luca are fugitives, on the run from the law and the deadly Order of the Eternal Rose. As they separate to pursue the only evidence that could save them, their worlds-and their romance-are torn apart by spiteful friends and murderous enemies. When Cass finds herself ensnared in the Order's twisted plot, Falco emerges once again as her only hope for freedom. But it turns out Luca has a shocking scheme of his own. From ancient mercenaries to sly magicians, from clever courtesans to vengeful killers, no one can be trusted. In the breathtaking conclusion to the Secrets of the Eternal Rose trilogy, Cass must confront the Order and once and for all decide her destiny. Who will fly beside her when she finally finds her wings? This historical romantic thriller is perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory's The Other Boleyn Girl, Anna Godberson's The Luxe, and Libba Bray's A Great and Terrible Beauty and The Diviners.

Review by Nara

The Search for the Panacea [6]: The Lazy Edition

So...this Search for the Panacea is called the Lazy Edition because I didn't have time to film. Well, that's not strictly true. I did have time to film, but then fell into the abyss that is TV shows (God, Reign. SUCH a guilty pleasure...) and so didn't want to film. So you get photos instead haha. Sorry about the terrible foto skillz (still better than Chantelle's lol #cobloggerlove)

This is my book haul for the month of March.

How to get into the mood... for the DIVERGENT movie!

Today is the day that that high-budget, highly anticipated, incredibly hyped up film, DIVERGENT, is out in Australia! I'm so nervous about seeing it. I'm both ecstatic about the cast, and so so nervous about the cast, and whether they've been able to make this book-adaptation into everything I've hoped for. For people that don't know, I am a HUGE fan of Divergent, and Insurgent... not so much Allegiant, but that's a topic for another day. After the anticlimaxes of City of Bones, and Vampire Academy, I didn't really want to get my hopes up about DIVERGENT but! the good reviews have been pouring in, so why not get ourselves hyped up.

So here are some promotional YouTube videos that I don't think you'd have seen, full of dramatic music, actor featurettes (any opportunity to see Shailene Woodley's amazing eyes should be incentive enough) and quick action snippets that are sure to get you into the mood.

Review: Me Since You by Laura Wiess

Title: Me Since You
Author: Laura Wiess
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Source: Simon & Schuster Australia and MTV Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Goodreads | The Reading Room

Are there any answers when someone you love makes a tragic choice?

Before and After. That's how Rowan Areno sees her life now. Before: she was a normal sixteen-year-old--a little too sheltered by her police officer father and her mother. After: everything she once believed has been destroyed in the wake of a shattering tragedy, and every day is there to be survived.

If she had known, on that Friday in March when she cut school, that a random stranger's shocking crime would have traumatic consequences, she never would have left campus. If the crime video never went viral, maybe she could have saved her mother, grandmother--and herself--from the endless replay of heartache and grief.

Finding a soul mate in Eli, a witness to the crime who is haunted by losses of his own, Rowan begins to see there is no simple, straightforward path to healing wounded hearts. Can she learn to trust, hope, and believe in happiness again?

Review by Nara

Discussion: Paradigm Shifts

Title: Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2)
Author: Laini Taylor
Genre: Young adult paranormal fantasy
Source: Dymocks, 3 for 2 sale (aka party time)

Average Goodreads rating: 4.29 out of 5.00 (30, 360+ ratings)
Goodreads | The Reading Room

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

Discussion by Chantelle

Review: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Title: Maybe Someday
Author: Colleen Hoover
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Simon & Schuster Australia. Thank you!
Goodreads | The Reading Room

At twenty-two years old, aspiring musician Sydney Blake has a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her good friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers Hunter cheating on her with Tori—and she is left trying to decide what to do next.

Sydney becomes captivated by her mysterious neighbor, Ridge Lawson. She can’t take her eyes off him or stop listening to the daily guitar playing he does out on his balcony. She can feel the harmony and vibrations in his music. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either: He seems to have finally found his muse. When their inevitable encounter happens, they soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one…

Review by Nara

Quiz: Genre Conundrum

Okay, so admittedly, I'm not a complete expert on genres, so if you disagree with any of the things I say, then feel free to attack me in comments. Also, this isn't meant to offend in any way- I mean, I sometimes get these things mixed up as well :)

Anyway, this post is just something I thought up a few weeks back- I saw some people arguing about the genre of Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong. I personally think it's a high fantasy- it's set in another world- but some people argue that it's a paranormal. Regardless, that inspired me to write this post about some of the genres that get easily mixed up- my definitions for them and a quick quiz.

Review: House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple

Title: House of Ivy and Sorrow
Author: Natalie Whipple
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Fantasy
Release Date: 15 April, 2014
Source: HarperTeen via Edelweiss. Thank you!

Average Goodreads rating: 3.77 out of 5.00 (130+ ratings)
Goodreads | The Reading Room

Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves.

Review by Nara