Top Cuddles of 2012 Giveaway Hop!

HOLY CRAP. I can't believe it's just two days away from 2013. My wallet is going to die in 2013 - particularly January, where apparently I felt the need to take up a 'no-book-left-behind' policy, and pre-ordered eight books, with more most likely to come. 2012 was such an awesome year, and I'm so happy that I decided to create my blog because I've met the most amazing people and have read the most amazing books I probably would not have read if I hadn't started blogging. And this giveaway is dedicated to those amazing books - my ten favorite books that I've read since creating my blog in April. While going through the absolutely amazing books I've read this year, I've managed to narrow down all the awesomeness into a list of ten books, of which one lucky reader can choose five. (Note: some of my favorites are not yet published, so I will either send the winner a physical ARC if I have one available - if I have a physical ARC available to send I will put an asterisk next to the book's title - or I will pre-order them a copy of the book from The Book Depository, and they will get it when it is released. Also, if one or more of the books you choose are a sequel to a book you have not yet read, just tell me and I will get you the first book in replacement of the sequel, or along with the sequel.) Now, onto the giveaway! Like I had mentioned earlier, I had quite a difficult time narrowing down my favorite reads of 2012 into a list of ten, but, dear blog readers, I present to you... my ten favorite reads of 2012 (in no particular order):

Holiday Hiatus

Hi, everyone! In case you haven't realized, I haven't posted anything the past few days, which is something I try very hard not to do. Due to the holidays (buying gifts and decorating the house is time consuming as hell. I literally spent the entire day setting up the Christmas tree with my husband a few days ago. But it looks gorgeous so we're satisfied.*) (And yes, we only just set up my Christmas tree. We're behind.) and how busy I am during them, I have not been able to read much or spend time on my blog, which explains the lack of posts lately. That being said, I will be taking a brief hiatus during the holidays, and will be back on January 6th, hopefully with tons of reviews and other fun stuff. In the meantime, however, you can catch me on Goodreads and Twitter, where I will undoubtedly be spending a lot of my time. Happy holidays, and have a happy new year, everyone! I'll see you next year. ;)

* Here is my Christmas tree, for those who are interested:

Isn't it purty? Next year hubby is setting that beast up alone. That tree was the death of me. 

Waiting on Wednesday (December 19)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where we post upcoming releases we're highly anticipating. My pre-publication selection for this week's Waiting on Wednesday is Altered by Jennifer Rush.

 Altered
Jennifer Rush
Series: Altered, #1
Release Date: January 1st, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown & Co.
Number of Pages: 336

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Oh, I can't wait to read this one! It sounds like it's going to be such an incredibly fun read, and luckily I don't have too long of a wait - only two more weeks! (That's scary - 2013 is in two weeks. Oy.) 

What are you waiting on? 

Leave a link in the comments!

Today's Releases (December 18)

  

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

  

Crash by Nicole Williams

Clash by Nicole Williams

The Girl in the Wall by Daphne Benedis-Grab

  

Deadly Little Lessons by Laurie Faria Stolarz

The First Lie by Sara Shepard

Tempestous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes

The only release I'll be getting this week is The Darkest Minds, which has been recommended to be by many, many friends, and has been loved by some very trusted friends of mine. To be honest, I most likely would not have checked it out if it weren't for the massive amount of glowing reviews, but I just need to see what the hype is about. I also plan on starting the first Lying Game novel really soon because I'm in search of a fun, light mystery read, so there's also a possibility that I'll be buying The First Lie, but most likely not this week. That's it for me this week, but what, if anything, are you getting this week? Leave a comment below letting me know, and happy reading (and happy holidays!). 

Review: Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

Revolution 19
Gregg Rosenblum
Series: Untitled Trilogy, #1
Release Date: January 8th, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Number of Pages: 272
Source: Edelweiss
Rating: 1.5 stars 

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.

ROBOT. APOCALYPSE.

Now that you have that concept in your head, let me ask you which of the below pictures best matches the image you have in your head upon thinking of scary, menacing robots in a robot apocalypse:

Picture A:
            

Or Picture B:

If the image to appear in your head at my mention of a robot apocalypse even slightly resembled Picture A, then run away from Revolution 19. (But don't run too fast, because these robots roll, and you want to give them a slight chance, right?) Now, if, when I mentioned robot apocalypse, the image in your head resembled the horrifying Picture B, then enjoy Revolution 19! Try not to scare yourself too much, though. I understand that the concept of rolling robots with lasers (or, as they are referred to in this book, 'lases', so you know they mean business), is truly horrifying.

Needless to say, however, when I came across Revolution 19, pitching itself to be, *ahem* "[...] a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want - action, drama, mystery, and romance.", I was pretty excited. Unfortunately, all that excitement got the better of me, as I soon found out that every little thing in that pitch was a cruel, cruel lie. Let's break down those lies, shall we?

Showcase Sunday (21)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicki at Books, Biscuits, and Tea, where we showcase what books we've gotten over the course of the week, whether it be from a book store, bought for your eReader, received from the library, or from the publishers for review.

For Review: 

  

  

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi - [review]

Revolution 19 by Gregg Rosenblum

MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Pivot Point by Kasie West

Mind Games by Kiersten White

*flails* *searches house for paper bag* *screams at husband because she can't find paper bag* *finds paper bag* *breathes in and out in paper bag* *chokes on paper bag* This is officially the best haul I've ever gotten in the history of ever and will most likely be the best haul I will ever get - because, just LOOK AT ALL THE PRETTIES. *dies* (I died (and swore) a lot the day I was approved for these. Just ask my entire Twitter feed and Ashleigh Paige at The YA Kitten, because she had to revive me, like, three times.) I already read Through the Ever Night and it was freaking amazing, and I am currently reading Revolution 19, which is okay so far, but really nowhere near as awesome as I expected a novel about the robot apocalypse to be. Next up is The Madman's Daughter, and I absolutely can't wait! 

What did you get this week? 

Leave a link in the comments!

Review: Through the Ever Night

Through the Ever Night
Veronica Rossi
Series: Under the Never Sky, #2
Release Date: January 8th, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Number of Pages: 352
Source: Edelweiss
Rating: 4 stars

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

This review contain spoilers for Under the Never Sky.

Recently - and far too often, if you ask me - in young adult trilogies, second installments have been widely known to be practically a resting point for both the author, and the characters and the plot. Instead of what should be an intense ride setting up for the final installment, the second installment in a trilogy is, more often than not, a complete and utter bore ending with a bang to lure readers who were less than impressed with the second installment to come back and read the third.

Clearly, Veronica Rossi did not receive the memo that apparently this is how second installments are treated nowadays, which is evident by the sheer awesomeness that is Through the Ever Night. Through the Ever Night takes place few months after the ending of Under the Never Sky; Perry is now the Blood Lord of the Tides, and is reunited with Aria after being departed for months. While Perry is dealing with his newfound duties and stresses that come with being the Blood Lord, Aria is still determined to find Perry's nephew, Talon, and bring him back to the Tides, all while having to worry about the monstrous Aether storms taunting her, Perry, and everyone else, above.

Through the Ever Night was everything that Under the Never Sky was times two - it was fast-paced, thrilling, full of action, full of character and relationship development, full of heartbreak, and full of Aether (lots and lots of Aether!). Every single thing that made Under the Never Sky amazing was in Through the Ever Sky, and somehow, Rossi managed to make those aspects even more amazing, adding more and more depth to them.

Guest Post by Helen Keeble + Giveaway!

Today on the blog I am so happy to have a hilarious guest post on The Three Things Vampires Don't Want You To Know by Helen Keeble, author of Fang Girl, as part of the Fang Girl Promo Blitz hosted by the fabulous Giselle at Xpresso Book Tours. Below you will find some information about Keeble's novel, Fang Girl, as well as her awesome guest post and an equally as awesome giveaway! 

Fang Girl
Helen Keeble
Series: None
Release Date: September 11th, 2012
Publisher: HarperTeen
Purchase: Amazon|B&N|Book Depository

Things That Are Destroying Jane Greene’s Undead Social Life Before It Can Even Begin:

1) A twelve-year-old brother who’s convinced she’s a zombie.
2) Parents who are begging her to turn them into vampires.
3) The pet goldfish she accidentally turns instead.
4) Weird superpowers that let her rip the heads off of every other vampire she meets.(Sounds cool, but it doesn’t win you many friends.)
5) A pyschotic vampire creator who’s using her to carry out a plan for world domination.

And finally:
6) A seriously ripped vampire hunter who either wants to stake her or make out with her. Not sure which.

Being an undead, eternally pasty fifteen-year-old isn’t quite the sexy, brooding, angst-fest Jane always imagined....

Helen Keeble’s riotous debut novel combines the humor of Vladimir Tod with Ally Carter’s spot-on teen voice. With a one-of-a-kind vampire mythology and an irresistibly relatable undead heroine, this uproarious page-turner will leave readers bloodthirsty for more.

What's Next? (2)

What's Next? is a weekly meme hosted by Icey Books where we post some of the books we plan on reading soon, and, in the comments, have our readers tell us which book they think we should read next!

All right, guys, so this week I got pretty much the best haul I've ever gotten in the history of ever, and I'm curious as to which book you think I should read next of the three options below. And who knows, the overall consensus may just be my next read! So...

Which of the below books should I read next?

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.

Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.

Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed. 

So, my friends, it looks like you have a difficult decision on your hands, as you help me decide... 

What's Next?

Leave a comment below telling me which of the above awesomeness you think I should read next, and the book with the highest amount of votes might just end up being my next read. 

Waiting on Wednesday (December 12)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where we post upcoming releases we're highly anticipating. My pre-publication selection for this week's Waiting on Wednesday is Insomnia by J.R. Johannson.

   Insomnia

J.R. Johannson

Series: The Night Walkers, #1

Release Date: June 8th, 2013

Publisher: Flux

Number of Pages: 360

It’s been four years since I slept, and I suspect it is killing me.

Instead of sleeping, Parker Chipp enters the dream of the last person he’s had eye contact with. He spends his nights crushed by other people’s fear and pain, by their disturbing secrets—and Parker can never have dreams of his own. The severe exhaustion is crippling him. If nothing changes, Parker could soon be facing psychosis and even death.

Then he meets Mia. Her dreams, calm and beautifully uncomplicated, allow him blissful rest that is utterly addictive. Parker starts going to bizarre lengths to catch Mia’s eye every day. Everyone at school thinks he’s gone over the edge, even his best friend. And when Mia is threatened by a true stalker, everyone thinks it’s Parker.

Suffering blackouts, Parker begins to wonder if he is turning into someone dangerous. What if the monster stalking Mia is him after all?

I absolutely can't wait to read this one! It sounds so mysterious and creepy, and the cover implies that the book itself is just that (yup, I just judged a book by its cover, 'cause I'm a rebel. Deal with it.). And, adding to that, the synopsis as a quasi-Nightmare on Elm Street vibe going on, and I LOVE Nightmare on Elm Street, and pretty much any other books or movies that use the concept of dreams supernaturally, so I'm in. 

What are you waiting on? 

Leave a link in the comments!

Today's Releases (December 11)

  

Love and Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  

V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram

Two Graves by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Orders from Berlin by Simon Tolkien

 

From Ashes by Molly McAdams

Invisibly by Carla Buckley

The only book I'll most likely be buying this week is Falling Kingdoms, as I've heard amazing things and it sounds really good! I'm not normally a fan of fantasy, but this one has gotten glowing reviews from so many friends of mine that I can't help but check it out and see for myself if I'll like it. That's it for me this week, though, but tell me which releases, if any, you're getting this week in the comments, and as always, happy reading!  

Release by Nicole Hadaway Cover Reveal!

Today on the blog I am so excited to be revealing the gorgeously awesome cover for Release by Nicole Hadaway! I hope you like this cover as much as I like it, and tell me what you think about it in the comments!

Release by Nicole Hadaway 

Release Date: January 4th, 2013

The old saying goes, “The ends justify the means”...

For vampire Miranda Dandridge, using her supernatural abilities to rescue children from impossible circumstances is her means to be a part of the human world that she loves so much, despite the atrocities of WWII.

For doctor Ben Gongliewski, saving his fellow Jews from the horrific death camps is an end for which he risks his own life every day, hiding his Jewish heritage while feigning loyalty the SS.

Neither Miranda nor Ben expects to find love in World War II Europe, but that is exactly what happens as they work for the Resistance. When the war draws to a close, it seems like the vampire and the doctor are free to start a future together. Yet the two forget just how far the Nazis will go to further their own evil ends. 

Desperate times make for ruthless men as loves and lives are threatened, but, Miranda and Ben know that their world cannot go to hell, not by any means…

And now, the cover for Release... 

Showcase Sunday (20)

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicki at Books, Biscuits, and Tea, where we showcase what books we've gotten over the course of the week, whether it be from a book store, bought for your eReader, received from the library, or from the publishers for review.

Bought: 

 

The Farm by Emily McKay

The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

Another ARCless week, and, once again, I'm satisfied with it! I'm really excited to get to both The Farm (though I won't lie, I'm disappointed that it's not actually about killer ticks), and The Body Finder, even if The Body Finder got vastly different reactions from many friends of mine (some loved it, some loathed it. I'm scared to see where I'll fall, honestly, but I liked Derting's The Pledge, so I'll keep an open mind). 

What did you get this week? 

Leave a link in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday (December 5)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine where we post upcoming releases we're highly anticipating. My pre-publication selection for this week's Waiting on Wednesday is The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd.

 The Madman's Daughter
Megan Shepherd
Series: The Madman's Daughter, #1
Release Date: January 29th, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Number of Pages: 432

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

I can't wait to read this one! It sounds so deliciously creepy and dark and rich in historic detail! I really hope it ends up being creepy, though, because it's never fun for me when I expect something to be creepy and the biggest scare ends up being the literary equivalent of a young child in a sheet screaming "BOO!" at you on Halloween. 

What are you waiting on? 

Leave a link in the comments!