Happy Halloween (And Happy Birthday To Me)!

Happy Halloween!  I hope everyone has a great day and stay safe!

Oh and today is my 20th birthday!  =)

Birthday Bash: Top Ten Book Based Halloween Costumes!

Today Brenna from Esther's Ever After is guest posting!  She picked her top ten favorite Halloween costumes based on book characters!

As part of Katie’s October Birthday Bash, I’m giving you some ideas for Halloween costumes- all inspired by literature (predominantly Young Adult books)! There’s a good variety here, so if you don’t have your costume picked out yet, hopefully you can find some new inspiration here:

1. Harry Potter wizard/witch: A classic costume, one that we’ve all done at least once in our lives. Fans have created their own costumes, or bought out from the wide selection available of the retail Hogwarts costumes.

2. Hunger Games Katniss: We’ve all seen the EW photos. And even though the movie isn’t out yet, fans of the series should have enough descriptions from reading the books (over and over...) to have an idea for costumes. A black raincoat and bow should suffice, along with a long braid to complete the “Katniss in the games” look.

3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Pick out a pretty empire wait Victorian dress, or a classy suit for the guys and throw on some Zombie makeup and fake blood (while you can make a Zombie costume out of just about anything, this one has to be the best)

4. Twilight vampire: Throw on some sparkles! Voila, you are a Twilight vampire! Maybe put in some creepy contacts and some light coloured face powder. You could even get the stereotypical vampire fangs just in case.

5. Mortal Instruments Shadowhunter: The best part about this one is it’s noticeable to fans of the series, but so easy to do. Pick out some Shadowhunter clothes (see Cassandra Clare’s books for inspiration ideas and descriptions of the characters) and then carefully draw on your runes.

6. Greek god/goddess: Like Starcrossed, and Josephine Angelini’s fun toga-inspired giveaway contest, this is another fairly simple costume idea.

7. The Luxe: Because I need some sort of an excuse to buy one of those dresses. And wear it.

8. Bloodlines alchemist: Your clothes should be entirely in shades of black, white and grey and then draw one of those nifty golden lily tattoos on your cheek.

9. Percy Jackson: This one gets points for being so simple: an orange t-shirt and just make your own iron-on that says “Camp Half-Blood”. It’s cost effective, too!

10. Half-human/half mythological creature: Think Ripple by Mandy Hubbard or Firelight by Sophie Jordan. Draw your inspiration from the covers where scales are strategically placed to give you that kind of subtle creature appearance.

So what do you guys think?  Personally, I'm with Brenna about The Luxe dresses.  I need one of those! 

In My Mailbox 132 (week of October 30)

In my mailbox is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades.

For review:
-Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn
-Beautiful Chaos (Caster Chronicles #3) by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
-Arcadia Awakens by Kai Meyer
-Bewitching by Alex Flinn
-A Touch Morbid (A Touch Mortal #2) by Leah Clifford
-Wings Of The Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
-The Miseducation Of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth
-Possess by Gretchen McNeil
-Night Road by A.M. Jenkins
-V Is For Vampire by Adam-Troy Castro

Bought:
-Hard Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #4) by Chloe Neill
-Brother/Sister by Sean Olin
-Burnout by Adrienne Maria Vrettos
-Crave by Melissa Darnell

Gifted:
-The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner #2) by James Dashner

Waiting On Wednesday: The Disenchantments

Title:  The Disenchantments
Author:  Nina LaCour
Release date:  February 16, 2012

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

I loved Nina LaCour's first book, Hold Still.  It was beautifully written and such a touching story.  I have high hopes for this one and I am sure that it will meet (most likely exceed) those hopes.  It has music, a road trip, and a super cute, fun cover!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Winner!

The winner of the Dark Days giveaway is:

Willa from Willa's Ramblings!

If you didn't win this time, you still have the chance to enter my birthday bash giveaways!

The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

Title:  The Iron Knight (Iron Fey #4)
Author:  Julie Kagawa
Release date:  October 25, 2011
Publisher:  Harlequin Teen
Pages:  386
Source:  Netgalley

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul.

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

SPOILER ALERT:  If you have not read the first three books in this series, go read them and the come read this review!  =)

The Iron Knight is the perfect ending to the Iron Fey series and I think fans will find everything they want between these covers.  There is a lot of Ash, quite a bit of Puck, and a ton of surprises.  I am sad to see the series end but I know that this is one that I will go back and read many times in the future.

I am honestly having the hardest time finding words to describe how I feel about this book.  My whole heart was pretty much invested in this series and I feel like The Iron Knight really tied it all together and made me love it even more.  I laughed (at Puck, of course), I cried (many times), I squealed with joy (mainly at the end), and my jaw dropped open in shock (at one part in particular.)  Julie Kagawa knows how to draw her readers in and wring every last drop of emotion out of them by the end of the book.

So I'm sure you are all dying to know if Ash's past is revealed.  Yes!  A lot of it was and it definitely was not all good.  I was torn apart reading about Ash's history but in the end it only made me love him more.  He is such a well-rounded character.  I can't help but count him as one of my all-time favorites.

Overall, The Iron Knight is, simply put, perfection!  Read it as soon as you can!  I was Team Ash til the end but now I am dying for a book all about Puck!  Pretty please, Julie Kagawa?

Rating:  A++

Cover:  A++

In My Mailbox 131 (week of October 22)

In my mailbox is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. 

For review: 
-Tempest by Julie Cross
-Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand
-Mastiff (Beka Cooper #3) by Tamora Pierce

Bought:
-The Hookup Artist by Tucker Shaw
-Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
-Tombstone Tea by Joanne Dahme

Nightshade (Nightshade #1) by Andrea Cremer

Title:  Nightshade (Nightshade #1)
Author:  Andrea Cremer
Release date:  October 19, 2010
Publisher:  Philomel
Pages:  452
Source:  Bookstore

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

Why did I wait so long to read this book?  Why didn't you guys make me read it sooner?  =)

Nightshade is a book full of twists and turns, love and betrayal, and all kinds of paranormal creatures.  What's not to love?

Calla is one bad-ass heroine.  She is snarky, fierce, and very loyal.  She loves her pack and she will do anything to protect them, including bonding with a guy she doesn't love.  That's why it is so hard for her when she meets Shay.  She wants to be with him and she is willing to break the rules to do so, something she has never done before.  But then there is Ren, her alpha, and the one she is supposed to be with.  She doesn't quite know how she feels about him and she really doesn't know how he feels about her.  It is all a confusing mess for Calla but she handles it surprisingly well.

Love triangles are not something I like but in this case it was done well. Both guys had characteristics that were likable and I could see why Calla was torn.  They were both good guys though in very different ways.  And boy oh boy! There was chemistry with both couples.  I have never read a book with so much sexual tension!  It was steamy!

The plot itself was fabulous.  The action starts on the very first page and it does not slow down. There was so much going on with the packs merging, the union, the Searchers attacking, and the mystery of the Guardians history. That alone would have been enough to keep me reading.

Overall, Nightshade is a must-read for paranormal fans.  I greatly enjoyed it and I can't wait to dive into Wolfsbane.  Andrea Cremer is an author to watch!

First line: I'd always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden.

Rating:  A

Cover:  B- (I hate the new covers.)

The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title:  The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer
Author:  Michelle Hodkin
Release date:  September 27, 2011
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster
Pages:  452
Source:  BEA

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Holy crap!  It has been a long time since I have been addicted to a book.  I only just recently finished The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer and I already want to go back and start all over again.  I thought all the hype would have my expectations too high and that I would be disappointed but that was so not the case!

Mara Dyer is a little crazy, there is no denying it.  At times it was hard to tell what was real and what was hallucination.  I kind of liked that because it kept me guessing.  I liked Mara even though she was crazy.  She was so funny, in a snarky way, and she was just very likable.  She had great relationships with all members of her family and I loved her and Noah together.  Noah was sweet, kind, funny, and mysterious.  I didn't know what to think of him at first but he grew on me.  I also loved the witty banter between him and Mara.  It cracked me up.  Mara's brothers, Joseph and Daniel, also cracked me up and they helped lighten the mood of the book.

The plot was absolutely spectacular.  As Mara learns things about what happened that night things get even more intense than before and that is when you start to try to piece things together.  Let me tell you this: you will not be able to piece things together.  This book held one surprise after another and I never thought everything could add up but it sure did.  And that ending was definitely a shocker!

Overall, The Unbecoming Of Mara Dyer is a must-read for fans of suspense, romance, the paranormal, pretty much anything.  Michelle Hodkin is a debut author to watch out for.  I can't wait for the sequel!

First line:  The ornate script on the board twisted in the candlelight, making the letters and numbers dance in my head.

Rating:  A++

Cover:  A++

Waiting On Wednesday: Pure

Title:  Pure (Half-Blood #2)
Author:  Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release date:  April 2, 2012

Some rules are made to be broken. but breaking the ultimate rule can change everything. Alex lives--and loves--recklessly, until a single decision leads to a heartbreaking revelation. As a mysterious threat closes in and she confronts a Council that wants to see her in servitude, Alex face a choice between love that is fated... and love that is forbidden.

I just recently read Half-Blood and I am hooked.  I want more!  April 2012 needs to get here soon!  I want to know what happens next!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Half-Blood Blog Tour: Aiden's POV Part Two!

To celebrate the release of Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout (an amazing book, by the way) I have a special treat for you guys: the first chapter and a half rewritten from Aiden's point-of-view.  Well, technically I only have the second half of this chapter.  For the first half, go check out Books Complete Me and then come back here!

Don't read any further if you haven't read the first half of the chapter!

Placing my hand on her forehead, guilt chewed through me with tiny, razor-sharp teeth. This had to be done. If not, she’d only hurt herself. Meeting her stare, I packed a hell of a mental punch with my next words. “Go to sleep. Now. Go to sleep and not wake until you feel safe. Now.”

Alex stiffened and then her entire body went lax, limp and compliant. I had the distinct impression this would be one of the few moments she’d ever be like that. Remorse for using a compulsion against her slithered through me as I gathered her in my arms and stood.

It was over. At least, it should be. We’d done what we’d be sent to do. We found Alexandria Andros, and yet, I knew it deep in my soul that this was only the beginning.

Chapter 2

Alex liked to snuggle. That became apparent from the moment I placed her in the back of the Hummer and climbed in after her. Not even a minute went by before she wiggled closer, placing her head on my shoulder. It couldn’t be comfortable position, and I wanted to move my arm to give her more room, but that wouldn’t go over well. The fact that she was using my shoulder as a pillow was bad enough.

I should’ve pushed her away, but I didn’t have it in me. Every couple of minutes, she would make these little sounds, a soft whimper or moan. I glanced down at her, only able to see the top of her nose poking out from her hair. I wondered what she was dreaming.

My eyes lifted, finding Leon watching me in the rearview mirror. He raised his brows. “Eyes on the road,” I grunted.

Leon snorted.

Kain hadn’t said a word to me since I’d appeared with Alex in my arms. He was ticked over the compulsion. Couldn’t blame him. Compulsions were a sore subject with halfs.

Shifting closer, Alex sighed deeply, drawing my attention back to her. The moment she woke and became aware of what she was doing, I braced myself.

Alex jerked back quickly, smacking her head off the window. “Crap!”

Wincing, I turned to her. “Are you okay?” She didn’t answer me for several minutes. “Alex. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She scowled as she looked around the Hummer. “Where are we?”

“We’re on the coast, just outside of Bald Head Island. We are almost to Deity Island.”

She jumped a little. “What?”

“We’re going back to the Covenant, Alex.”

Rubbing the back of her head, she sighed. “Did the Covenant send you? Or was it my… stepfather?”

I wasn’t sure how to answer that. It all seemed complicated. “The Covenant.”

“You work for the Covenant now?”

Surprised that she even remembered me from her time there, I shook my head. “No. I’m just a Sentinel. I’m more on loan for the time being. Your uncle sent us to find you.” I glanced out the window. “A lot has changed since you’ve been gone.”

She asked a couple mundane questions as I watched her closely. She fidgeted. A lot. Not a moment went by without her moving in her seat. A grin pulled at my lips until I remembered what I’d done.

“Alex, I’m sorry about the compulsion back there. I didn’t want you to hurt yourself.”

Not surprisingly, she didn’t forgive me. I glanced up front, relieved to find that Leon wasn’t watching us.
“And… I’m sorry about your mother. We searched everywhere for you two, but you didn’t stay in one place long enough. We were too late.”

“Yeah, you were too late.” Her voice wavered.

A pang hit me in the chest. Part of me wanted to tell her that I knew how she felt, but I wasn’t supposed to relate to her. Ever. Seeking a way to change the subject, I asked a question that had been gnawing at me. “Why did your mother leave three years ago?”

She peeked at me from behind the curtain of hair. What in Hades did her face look like? “I don’t know.”

Unsure if I should believe her, I let it drop. No one knew why her mother, a pure-blood, had pulled her away from the Covenant. And if they did, they weren’t talking. We didn’t talk again as we crossed the bridges and Leon dropped us off in front of one of the dorms rising up between the sand and sea.

She was quiet as I led her through the halls, and I should be grateful for that. But unrest tugged at me for some reason. “Get cleaned up. I’ll return for you in a little bit.” I started to turn, but stopped. “I’ll find something for you to wear and leave it on the table.”

Not waiting for her response, I left her in the dorm and stopped near the gymnasium that was shaped like a coliseum. There were always extra clothing stashed away in the supply room. Training tended to get messy…bloody. New clothes were always on hand. Finding her a shirt and pair of sweats, I headed back to her room. Upon entering, I heard water running. A flicker of restlessness moved through me as I placed the clothes on the small table. It seemed wrong being in here, when she was in the shower…naked.

I rolled my eyes.

Of course she was naked. That shouldn’t come as a shock, but my heart was racing like I had just run the dunes outside.

And I shouldn’t be standing here, mulling over the fact that she was naked. Even I could admit that was creepy. Not that any other pure-blood would care about the violation of her privacy. Half-bloods didn’t have any basic, fundamental rights. Another pure-blood could be here…they could do anything they wanted without consequence.

That sickened me.

Clamping my jaw shut, I left again and went back to the main island. Each step I took, I prepared myself for what I would no doubt find when I opened the door to what used to be my parents' house.

The stench of alcohol overshadowed that of the sea and nearly knocked me over. Anger rushed through me like a ball of fire. Stalking down the hallway, I didn’t even bother to be quiet as I glanced into a sitting room.
Several pure-blood teenagers were passed out in various positions. Some I really didn’t want to see. My irritation knew no limits as I continued on. Making sure that the one room was still locked, I headed for Deacon’s bedroom. I shoved the door open, slamming it against the wall.

Thank the gods Deacon was alone. If I walked in on him one more time half-naked, I was going to have to let a Furie gorge my eyes out.

My younger brother was sprawled across the bed, face down, clothing rumpled and a flask beside him, seeping only the gods know what he’d been drinking into the mattress.

Without further adieu, I kicked the post on the bed. Hard.

“What?” Deacon mumbled into the blanket. “The bathroom is down the hall… or go outside. Whatever.”

“I know where the bathroom is, asshat. This is my house.”

Deacon froze and then let a loud sigh as he rolled onto his back, squinting up at me. He smiled—actually smiled at me. The only trait we really shared was the eyes, but his gray ones were muddled. “Hey, bro, welcome back.”

I wanted to take him outside and dump him in the ocean. Hold him under until Poseidon kicked us out. “Is this what you’ve been doing the whole time I’ve been gone? Drinking? Partying?”

“No.” Sitting up, he swayed from side to side as he winced. “Okay. Maybe just a little.”

Taking a step forward, I bent so that we were at eye level. “Is this how you’re going to spend your whole life? Is this what I have to look forward to every time I come back here?”

He tilted his head back, his smile wobbly. “You’re not my babysitter, bro. You’re not my dad. Gods… you act like you’re fifty. You’re only twenty. Live a little. Have a drink.” He handed me the flask. “Chill out.”
I knocked the flask out of his hand when I really wanted to knock him upside the head.

“Whoa,” he murmured. “Not cool.”

Drawing on patience I really didn’t have, I took a deep breath. “I know you drink because you miss our parents. I know it’s some deep-rooted trauma and grief. I get that, but this isn’t the way to deal with it.”
He blinked. “It’s not, all wise one?”

By the gods, I was going to physically harm him. “I just picked up a girl who saw her mother drained by a daimon. Who had to fight every second to survive, Deacon. She could’ve done what you’re doing. She could’ve just given up.”

“Maybe she should have.” He flopped onto his back, closing his eyes. “Easier that way.”

There was so much I wanted to say to him, but I’d probably regret every word in an hour. Or not, but I didn’t have time for this. Marcus was waiting. “Get them out of this house in an hour.”

“Yes, sir!” He gave me a one finger salute.

Spinning around, I left the house before I did hit him. Back on the Covenant controlled island, I reined in my anger and went to retrieve Alex. Kain intercepted me just as I rounded the courtyard.

“What do you think they’re going to do with her?” he asked, falling in step beside me.

Good question. “I have no clue.”

“She missed too much time to get caught up.” He ran a hand through his blond hair, agitated. “They’ll send her into servitude. Put her on the Elixir.”

Coldness whipped through me. Servitude equaled slavery, the fear of all half-bloods. Not wanting to delve too deeply into why the idea of the little spitfire being placed on the Elixir bothered me, I shook my head. “I doubt they would’ve gone to all this trouble to do that.”

“I’d work with her if they need someone to get her caught up. That’s all she really needs. I remember her, Aiden. The girl can fight. And she’s quick. Gods, she got away from you.”

I rolled my eyes. No doubt Kain was never going to let me forget that. “You graduated less than a year ago. You can’t train someone.”

“Then what? You’ll do it?” Curiosity colored his tone. “You’re not known for your patience.”

That was true. Whenever the Covenant sent fresh out of school Sentinels to me, I sent over half of them back for minor infractions. I’d rather be known as a prick then be responsible for a handful of dead half-bloods. “Hopefully it doesn’t come to that.”

I seriously had enough to worry with without adding a half-trained half-blood to the mix. I left Kain outside the dorm, heading straight for the room I’d left her in. I knocked once and then opened the door. Briefly I thought I should’ve waited a moment. The whole naked issue resurfaced with a vengeance…until I saw her.

Alex was standing in the middle of the little living room, dressed in the clothes I retrieved. She jumped when she saw me, but I was more surprised than her. Getting a good look at her without dirt covering her face, I realized one thing.

I remembered her.

But she wasn’t the little tomboy I recalled from the times I’d seen her. Some of the features were the same. She hadn’t grown much in height, but my gods, she was…

Long, thick chestnut colored hair fell past a chest that had grown in the last three years. Her face was oval shape; lips full like a pure-blood’s. Cheekbones high and eyebrows delicately arched over two wide, brown eyes. Even with the faint purplish bruises marring an otherwise flawless complexion, she was… unbelievable.

Beautiful.

My entire body tensed as we locked eyes. Something most halfs wouldn’t even dare do, but oh no, she did. She stared back, the same appreciative stare I was giving her. A liquid feeling, like when I called on fire, simmered in my veins.

A feeling I shouldn’t have.

Alex tipped her head back. “What?”

I snapped out of it. What in the Hades was I thinking? “Nothing. You ready?”

“I guess so.”

She followed me out the dorm, and I was acutely aware of her eyes on me. I glanced over my shoulder, wondering what she was thinking. She had this strangest look on her face, like she was trying to work a puzzle. "How many daimons have you killed?”

“Just two.” She picked up her pace to walk beside me.

“Just two?” Awed, I stared at her. “Do you realize how amazing it is for a half-blood not fully trained to kill one daimon, let alone two?”

“I guess so.” Her face scrunched up with anger and then fell. “I would’ve killed the other one in Miami… but I was just—I don’t know. I wasn’t thinking. I know I should’ve gone after him, but I panicked.”

I stopped, facing her. “Alex, the fact you took down one daimon without training is remarkable. It was brave, but also foolish.”

“Well, thanks.”

“You’re not trained. The daimon could’ve easily killed you. And the one you brought down in the factory? Another fearless, but foolish act.”

She frowned. “I thought you said it was amazing and remarkable.”

“It was, but you could’ve been killed.” I walked off ahead. Amazing? Remarkable?

“Why would you even care if I was killed? Why does Marcus care? I don’t even know the man, and if he doesn’t allow me to resume training, I’m as good as dead anyways.”

“That would be a shame.” I didn’t know why I cared, but I did. “You have all the potential in the world.”
And I knew then, even when her eyes narrowed like she was imagining planting her foot in my face, I wouldn’t let them cart her off into servitude. My gods, I had to be the stupidest pure-blood alive, but I knew this wasn’t going to end when I deposited her in her uncle’s office.

Like I’d realized in the field, I was struck again by the sense of knowing. This was far from being over, from being the end of the road for Alex and me.

For the full list of blog tour participants, go here!  Also, check out the SPOILER chat on Tuesday at  7:00 PM EST at Jennifer's Livestream!

Birthday Bash: Top Ten Villains!

Today Angela from Reading Angel is guest posting! She picked her top ten creepy characters/villains from books!

1. Dolores Umbridge - Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
I still get the creeps thinking of Dolores. Her kitty fascination, and pure hatred just grate on me.

2. Al - The Hollow Series by Kim Harrison
I adore Al. He is one of my most loved villains. He never fells to make me laugh, even when he makes me shudder.

3. Sammy - Nikki Styx Series by Terri Garey
Sammy is one smoldering hot devil. Even when he is ruining everyone's life I still love him.

4. Oliver - Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine
The snarkiest, funniest, evil vamp. Love him.

5. President Snow - Hunger Games Series - Suzanne Collins
UGH! What more do I need to say?

6. Jadis (White Witch) - Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis
Classic, I know, but I still love this series, and she will always be one of my favorite villains.

7. Ridley - Caster Chronicles by Margaret Stohl and Kami Garcia
When Ridley comes, trouble follows, and always in the most amusing ways!

8. Bellatrix Lestrange - Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Creepy and strange, I love to hate her.

9. Count Olaf - Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snickett
He is the most wicked of guardians. Strange and evil. He is so creepy!

10. Jane - Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer
Jane!!!! Creepy child vampire who inflicts pain? Yeah, you gotta love it....


So what do you guys think?  Who are your favorite villains?

Birthday Bash Giveaway #4: Spooky Books!

I went a little crazy with spooky books this year so this is the second giveaway for a prize pack of spooky books!

Details:
-One winner will receive copies of some great spooky books!
Tighter by Adele Griffin
Fear edited by R.L. Stine
Envy by Gregg Olsen
Dark Souls by Paula Morris

Requirements:
-You must have a US or CA mailing address.
-You must fill out the form to be entered.
-The giveaway ends October 31.

Fill out the form here!

Dark Days Signing Recap!

This past Friday I was lucky enough to attend the Highlands Ranch tour stop for the Dark Days of Supernatural. Sadly I was late to the event so I missed a lot of the authors talking about their books but I did get to catch the tail end of it and I was happy about that.

I got to the event and the authors were taking questions from the audience.  This particular picture was taken while Kiersten White was explaining how true love feels and talking about how hot her husband is.  Claudia Gray is the one on the end laughing. I love this picture because of that.

I also got the chance to hear the authors talk about how they feel about darkness in YA literature.  I think that was my favorite part of the signing.  They all pretty much agreed that it is something that can't be avoided but that should rather be faced head on. They explained that teenagers are going to find out about bad things no matter what.  Why avoid the subjects in books when they will be approached in TV, movies, and music?  I couldn't agree with them more.

Then came the actual signing and the line was insane.  I decided to wait until the end so I could get a picture and because I had quite a few books to get signed.  My favorite reaction was when Claudia Gray saw my copy of Balthazar and signed it saying that I was the first person to get one signed.  It made me feel very special.  I also love that Kiersten White signed my copy of Supernaturally "To Katie, who is bleeping awesome!"  Very original.  =)

I was also lucky enough to get the chance to talk to a few other authors that were in the audience at the signing as well as another book blogger, Courtney!  In the picture (back row from left to right) are Claudia Gray, Emily Hainsworth, Eleanor Brown, Sarah Ockler, ME, Courtney, (front row left to right) Brenna Yovanoff, Jocelyn Davies, and Kiersten White!

Courtney & Me

All in all it was a great night and I really hope HarperTeen decides to send more of their authors to Colorado in the future.

In My Mailbox 130 (week of October 15)

In my mailbox is a meme created by Kristi at The Story Siren and inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie. It is a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, from the bookstore, or from trades. 

Bloggers/Blogs mentioned:
-Ivy at Ivy Reads
-Justin at Justin's Book Blog
-Emily's Reading Room

For review:  
-The Catastrophic History Of You & Me by Jess Rothenberg
-How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr
-Unison Spark by Andy Marino
-The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
-Ditched by Robin Mellom
-The Darlings In Love (Darlings #2) by Melissa Kantor
-Dark Seeker by Taryn Browning
-Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

Bought: 
-Prism by Faye and Aliza Kellerman
-I Am Rembrandt's Daughter by Lynn Cullen
-Your Eyes In Stars by M.E. Kerr
-Zombie Queen Of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby
-The Eagle by Rosemary Sutcliff
-Surrender by Sonya Hartnett
-Aries Rising (Star Crossed #1) by Bonnie Hearn Hill
-Stay With Me by Paul Griffin
-Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things #2) by Anna Godbersen
-Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst
-As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

Traded:
-The Broken Lake (The Pace #2) by Shelena Shorts
-The Iron Quill (The Pace #3) by Shelena Shorts

Gifted:
-Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen
-Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth
-Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Dark Days Colorado Tour Stop + Giveaway!

Colorado residents, tomorrow night is the Dark Days of supernatural tour stop at the Tattered Cover in Highlands Ranch.  It starts at 7:00 PM and there are going to be some amazing authors there; Kiersten White, Claudia Gray, Amy Garvey, and Jocelyn Davies!

If you aren't in Colorado and you want to know if there is an event near you, check out the Facebook page here!  There will also be a livestream event this Sunday which you can RSVP to here!

Now, the part you are all waiting for: the giveaway!

Details:
-One very lucky winner will receive a copy of all 5 Dark Days books! (Supernaturally, A Beautiful Dark, Cold Kiss, Eve, and Fateful)

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form to enter.
-You must have a US mailing address.
-This giveaway will end on October 22.

Fill out the form here!

PS.  If you are going to be at the Tattered Cover event, email me or just come up and say hi!

Laini Taylor Event Recap!

This past Monday I was lucky enough to attend an awesome event for Laini Taylor at the Boulder Book Store which is an amazing indie in Boulder.  If you ever visit Boulder, you have to check it out!

I have had an ARC of Daughter Of Smoke & Bone since BEA but for some reason I did not read it until this week.  I am so mad at myself for that!  It is so amazing! If you haven't already read it, do so now!  And if you don't have a copy, get one!

Laini was wonderful!  I was so glad to get the chance to listen to her talk about her books.  She managed to write Daughter Of Smoke & Bone in three years and in that time she also had her daughter, Clementine (who was also at the event and super cute!)  She talked about her revising process and the wonderful little cafe that she spent a lot of her time in while writing Daughter Of Smoke & Bone.  I think my favorite part was when she was talking about the setting of Daughter Of Smoke & Bone which is Prague.  I really want to visit now, even though she did tell us that the places in the book such as Poison Kitchen are not real places.

Laini Taylor then did a reading from the book and that was really when I decided that I had to start the book that night.  I did not record the reading though (still haven't found my video camera) so I can't share it with you guys but I will tell you that it was hilarious.  It is from the third chapter in the book and you will know what I am talking about as soon as you get to that chapter.  =)

Isn't her hair awesome?

It was a wonderful event and I am sad that I didn't take more pictures to share with you guys. I promise to do better in the future.

Also, if you want to find out if Laini Taylor is coming to a bookstore near you, check out her list of events here!

Waiting On Wednesday: Every Other Day

Title:  Every Other Day
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Release date:  December 27, 2011

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . .She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends, Kali takes a risk that her human body might not survive. . .and learns the secrets of her mysterious condition in the process.

I love the Raised By Wolves series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes and I have been waiting to see what she would do next. This one sounds really unique and once again, zombies!  Who doesn't love zombies?  =)

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Birthday Bash Giveaway #3: 2012 Releases!

I was lucky enough to get a few extra copies of some awesome 2012 releases and I want to share them with you guys!

Joy Delamere is suffocating...

From asthma, which has nearly claimed her life. From her parents, who will do anything to keep that from happening. From dangerous Ashlyn, who is smothering her from the inside out.

Joy can take her cruel words until the night they go too far.

Now, Joy will leave everything behind to find the one who has offered his help, a homeless boy called Creed. She will become someone else. She will learn to survive. She will breathe…if only she can get to Creed before it’s too late.

Exiled from her comfortable home in the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. In Reverie, she spent time with her friends roaming virtual environments called Realms. But in The Death Shop, even the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage. He’s also her only hope for survival.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry sees Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he also needs Aria’s help; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, they come together reluctantly, and embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by cannibals and wolves. Their unlikely alliance will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY.

NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all? 

Details:
-One very lucky person will win ARCs of all three of these books.
-That same person will also get some awesome Halloween swag.

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form to enter.
-You must have a US/CA mailing address.
-The giveaway ends October 31.

Fill out the form here!

Birthday Bash: Top Ten Creepy Covers!

Today Justin from Justin's Book Blog is guest posting!  Justin picked what he thinks are ten of the creepiest covers in YA!  Check it out and let us know what you think!

The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle

Young Tabby Aykroyd has been brought to the dusty mansion of Seldom House to be nursemaid to a foundling boy. He is a savage little creature, but the Yorkshire moors harbor far worse, as Tabby soon discovers. The ghost of the last maid will not leave Tabby in peace, yet this spirit is only one of many. Why do scores of dead maids and masters haunt Seldom House with a jealous devotion that extends beyond the grave?

As Tabby struggles to escape the evil forces rising out of the land, she watches her young charge choose a different path. He is determined to keep Seldom House as his own. Though Tabby tries to befriend the uncouth urchin, her kindness cannot alter his fate. Long before he reaches the old farmhouse of Wuthering Heights, the boy who will become Heathcliff has doomed himself and any who try to befriend him.

The Nightmarys by Dan Poblocki

Timothy July has been having nightmares. About his brother, who is in a coma after being wounded in Iraq; about his best friend, Stuart, who is behaving like a jerk; about the old biology specimens in jars lining the walls of his classroom; and about Abigail, the new girl who seems to be a magnet for trouble. Or perhaps she is the cause.

Suddenly Timothy’s nightmares are coming true. His brother, his face decaying, approaches Timothy on the street. Stuart ends up in the hospital, terrified that monsters are stalking him. And the specimen jars are tormenting not only Timothy but his teacher as well.

What is the secret in Abigail’s past that is the key to these horrors? And can Timothy figure it out before his nightmares become a deadly reality?

Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves

Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidantes, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that’s just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.

It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities….

Envy by Gregg Olsen

Crime lives--and dies--in the deceptively picture-perfect town of Port Gamble (aka “Empty Coffin”), Washington. Evil lurks and strange things happen--and 15-year-olds Hayley and Taylor Ryan secretly use their wits and their telepathic “twin-sense” to uncover the truth about the town's victims and culprits.

Envy, the series debut, involves the mysterious death of the twins' old friend, Katelyn. Was it murder? Suicide? An accident? Hayley and Taylor are determined to find out--and as they investigate, they stumble upon a dark truth that is far more disturbing than they ever could have imagined.

Based on the shocking true crime about cyber-bullying, Envy  will take you to the edge--and push you right over.

Graveminder by Melissa Marr

Three sips to mind the dead . . .

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."
Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier. She soon discovers that Claysville is not just the sleepy town she remembers, and that Maylene had good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in Claysville the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected; beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D. If the dead are not properly cared for, they will come back to satiate themselves with food, drink, and stories from the land of the living. Only the Graveminder, by tradition a Barrow woman, and her Undertaker—in this case Byron Montgomery, with whom Bek shares a complicated past—can set things right once the dead begin to walk.

Although she is still grieving for Maylene, Rebekkah will soon find that she has more than a funeral to attend to in Claysville, and that what awaits her may be far worse: dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility—to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.

The Well by A.J. Whitten 

If Hamlet thought he had issues, he should have talked to Cooper Warner.

His mother’s normally sunny demeanor has turned into something—homicidal.

And what’s worse, she has help in her hunt for Cooper: A ravenous monster living at the bottom of the old well in the woods behind their house. She’s determined to deliver her 14-year-old son straight into the creature’s eager clutches. Cooper turns to his girlfriend, Megan, for help, but then, to his horror, the creature takes her prisoner.

Now, it’s up to Cooper to fend off his murderous mother, finish hisHamlet paper, and enter the putrid lair at the bottom of the well to rescue Megan. And when he confronts the creature, Cooper must make the toughest decision of his life: kill, or be killed.

Inspired by Hamlet, THE WELL puts a terrifying twist on the Shakespearean classic.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann 

The small town of Cryer’s Cross is rocked by tragedy when an unassuming freshman disappears without a trace. Kendall Fletcher wasn’t that friendly with the missing girl, but the angst wreaks havoc on her OCD-addled brain.

When a second student goes missing—someone close to Kendall’s heart—the community is in an uproar. Caught in a downward spiral of fear and anxiety, Kendall’s not sure she can hold it together. When she starts hearing the voices of the missing, calling out to her and pleading for help, she fears she’s losing her grip on reality. But when she finds messages scratched in a desk at school—messages that could only be from the missing student who used to sit there—Kendall decides that crazy or not, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t act on her suspicions.

Something’s not right in Cryer’s Cross—and Kendall’s about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

What do you guys think? What are some of your favorite creepy covers?

Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

Title:  Delirium (Delirium #1)
Author:  Lauren Oliver
Release date: February 1, 2011
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Pages:  441
Source:  Bookstore
Buy:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / The Book Depository

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Lauren Oliver has done it again. I fell in love with her writing when I read Before I Fall and I am in love all over again.  Delirium is a beautifully written dystopian that makes you question everything you know about love.  I can't wait to dive into the sequel.

Lena is very straight-laced at first.  She does what she is told, she doesn't question authority, and she looks forward to getting cured.  Alex is the exact opposite.  He hates the cure and he is willing to risk everything to fight against it.  As he and Lena become friends (or more than friends) she starts to understand why he questions the authority and her rebellious, brave side comes out.  It was awesome and I hope to see more of that Lena in the next book.  Hana and Grace were also two fabulous characters that I would have liked to know more about. Grace was such a brave little girl and I hope things turn out okay for her.  Hana was actually a lot braver than I expected and Lena was lucky to have her as a friend.  I really hope that is not the last we see of her in the books.

The plot was a little slow at the beginning but not slow enough for me to be bored.  It really picked up after Lena found out Alex's secret and after that I was thoroughly hooked.  Fair warning: you will not be able to put this book down!

Overall, Delirium is another fabulous book from Lauren Oliver and a wonderful start to this trilogy.  I can't wait to start reading the sequel.  If you haven't read this one already, do it now!

First line:  It has been sixty-four years since the president and the consortium identified love as a disease, and forty-three since the scientists perfected a cure.

Rating:  A++

Cover: A++

Pen Fatale Event Recap + Giveaway!

This past week I was lucky enough to attend the Pen Fatale signing here in Denver with another YA book blogger, Jen from A Book And A Latte.  The event featured Mary Pearson, Alyson Noel, Jessica Brody, and Gabrielle Zevin talking about their latest books!

All of the authors were so nice and friendly.  They shared a lot about the research involved with their books as well as some of their reasons for writing about their specific topics.  I loved hearing the backstory behind Mary Pearson's The Adoration Of Jenna Fox and the backstory behind Alyson Noel's Evermore/Riley Bloom series.  I thought that Jessica Brody was super fun and I was excited to find out that she is a local author! Gabrielle Zevin shared a lot about why she chose to write such strong female characters and I already love her for that even though I haven't read the book.

The panel (Mary Pearson talking)

There were also a ton of great people in the audience.  It was a packed signing and everyone was so enthusiastic about the books and authors.  I had a great time talking to both the employees from the Tattered Cover bookstore and some of the audience members.  Jen and I hung around for about an hour after the actual signing, just chatting with audience members and the authors.

Me with the authors (I'm in the middle!)

I also happened to pick up an extra poster and some swag from the event as well as signed ARCs of All These Things I've Done and My Life Undecided!

Details:
-One winner will receive signed ARCs of All These Things I've Done and My Life Undecided, as well as a Pen Fatale poster and swag.

Requirements:
-You must fill out the form to be entered.
-You must have a US/CA mailing address.
-Giveaway ends October 31.

Fill out the form here!