In My Mailbox (8): CLEARANCE MANIA :O [video]

Hey Readers!

I'm finally doing another video, and as you can tell by the title, it is an IMM. So, enjoy! :)

(In My Mailbox was started by Kristi of The Story Siren, but inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It's a weekly meme for bloggers to show of there new books and any other cool things they bought that week.)



Please ignore that annoying sound in the background. :P

Have you read any of the books in my mailbox this week? Let me know in the comments :D

My Reactions: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, part 1

Hey Readers!

As the title may indicate this is a post regarding my thoughts on Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, part 1. This really can't be considered a constructive review, because I fangirl way too much. So really, it's just my organized thoughts.

First off, the reason this post is coming to you now, instead of, say, a couple months ago, when the movie came out, is because I only just saw the movie last week. And I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I mean, I listen to wizard rock. Come on. (Appropriately, I am listening to some wrock, while writing this post :))

I just never had a chance to go to the movie theater, though, sadly. I waited for the DVD release, and when I couldn't get that, I waited a month for the DVD to be available from Netflix. So really, I think I am the only serious fan who hasn't seen it yet.

Although, I suppose I can't call myself a serious fan, if I haven't read Deathly Hallows since I got it, 4 years ago, two weeks after it came out! I read that book in less than two days, I swear. And I was only 10! It was a whirlwind of a time for me, honestly. I didn't really remember much of it, until I watched the movie.

(SPOILERS AFTER THIS)

Book Review (ARC): Falling Under

Hey Readers!!

Wow, first of all: I suck. I am so bad at posting regularly, hahaha. I was doing well, and then I just had nothing to post. O_O But I'm back again--with a review!

Before I get to that though, can I just freak out for a second? I HAVE 50 FOLLOWERS :DDD Thank you all for following, you are very awesome <3 I think I need to host a giveaway soon :D

ANYWAY, my review:

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

(from back of the ARC)

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.
As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Randomly joined this book tour on Princess Bookie's Around The World Book Tours, because it sounded pretty cool...and because I really wanted to join a book tour. :3

I didn't really know much about the book--had never heard of the author, and the summary was very vague, to say the least. I usually research the books I want before I actually read them, so this was unusual for me. But, like I said, I wanted to join another tour...so, I saw this gorgeous cover, and I went for it.

Speaking of the cover, besides being gorgeous, it actually really fits the book. The black roses, the red dress, even the necklace. Plus, I think it really suits the MOOD of the book, as well.

Now onto the actual BOOK, though....

It started out pretty slow. I liked it, but I wasn't really into it, until about chapter 8. I believe that was when the Haden/Theia relationship started getting a little more complicated and interesting. Yet, once we found out what Haden really was (which was very unexpected, at least to me), it started to get weird, and I lost interest again. It was sort of up and down for me, sometimes I liked it, and other times I really didn't.

As for the writing style, I liked it a lot. It's very proper and pretty (Theia was from England, and apparently reads a lot of Jane Austen), and I enjoyed it a lot. I think it worked really well with the story. I also thought the changing point of views was brilliant, and very well done!


Character-wise, I liked Theia. I thought she was a decent main character, if a little--okay, very--desperate at times. Haden...never liked him that much, up until that twist at the end. He was quite different then, and he was better for it, I think. Side characters...LOVE Ame and Donny! The coolest friends, and they worked really well as characters. At times I enjoyed their little side-stories more than the actual main story....LOVE Gabe and Varnie, as well <33

The situation with Theia's Dad just felt awkward to me, though; sort of unnecessary. He was very controlling (obviously), and it sort of creeped me out. I was begging for Theia to finally just STAND UP TO HIM. They're scene at the end made up for it, though. Really enjoyed that part!

The ENDING though! What the heck! It wasn't even an ENDING! I didn't understand it. I guess it was supposed to be a cliff-hanger, to get you to read the next one, but it felt more like a VERY OPEN ending for a stand-alone. In fact, I thought that's what it was at first, until a little research proved there is a sequel, due out in 2012. Somehow, I wish it WAS a stand-alone.

But, overall, I liked it and didn't like it. While it was well-written, I don't think the plot was exactly my style. I think people who like supernatural books more would probably enjoy this a lot more than I did. Regardless, I did like it at times, and I was probably get around to reading the sequel, when it comes out.

Rating: 3.5/5

Note: I was the last person in the tour, so this book has already been out for quite a while! Find out more at Gwen Hayes' website HERE. Thanks to Princess Bookie for letting me participate in the tour!



All right, I'm out of here! Hopefully, this weekend maybe, I can get up another video. Possibly a review of Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, Part 1?? Well, at least my thoughts on it. I only JUST saw it!

Thanks for reading :D

Cover News: Silence!

Hey Readers,

If you're a fan of the Hush, Hush trilogy by Becca Fitzpatrick, you probably have already seen the just-released-yesterday cover of the third book and final book, Silence.

But, just in case you haven't, I'm gonna post it here. Why? Because I LOVE THIS COVER.

SO MUCH.

I always liked the Hush, Hush cover, and the Cresendo cover I thought was lovely, but WOW. They hit it out of the park with Silence!!

First, the covers and summaries of the first two books:

Hush, Hush

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Cresendo

Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home. 

The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?


And......DRUMROLL PLEASE..................

SILENCE.

(From Becca Fitzpatrick's blog)

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth.

Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for —and their love —forever.

Seriously! IS THAT NOT THE MOST GORGEOUS COVER YOU'VE EVER SEEN? Gosh, I lovelovelovelove it!! SO beautiful <3333

I love how well the books match (I'm a perfectionist like that, LOL), and I CANNOT wait to have that on my shelf, right next to the first two!

I actually have only read Hush, Hush though (which I really enjoyed). I've had Cresendo since Christmas, yet it's been stuck at the bottom of my TBR pile. You can bet this gorgeous cover reveal moved it to the top! I'm on chapter three :D

It's all been falling towards this... Silence releases October 4, 2011. (Love that tagline!)

Manga/Anime Recommendations? ...Please?

Hey Readers,

Okay, so if you don't like manga or anime, I suggest you skip this whole post, because that's all I'm going to talk about.

But if you do like it...

I NEED YOUR HELP.

I've always loved manga/anime. I read my first manga series when I was about 10. Rurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro Watsuki. (Looking back, these books definitely aren't for 10 year-olds. O_o) My brother read the series, so he was always telling me about it. Once he got the second season of the show, I liked it enough from what I'd heard to watch it with him. I FELL IN LOVE, and started reading the books.

That was years ago. It was the only manga series I'd read, and it felt like it would be the last. I didn't know what could even compare to Kenshin, because it was fabulous. <3 (In the background of some of my videos, you can see a poster of it, LOL). Although, we watched this anime Rave Master for a bit, and that was pretty cool...

Then in January, after hearing the name twice in one day, I started watching Fruits Basket on Netflix. I FELL IN LOVE WITH IT, just like with Kenshin. I think I watched the whole show in less than a week (LOL), and immediately after watching the last episode, I went to see if craigslist happened to have a set of the books or something.

The chances of it were slim, honestly, but BY SOME STROKE OF LUCK, someone was selling books 1-12 and 19 and 20, for ONLY $20.

I AM NOT EVEN KIDDING. Manga books are almost ten dollars EACH in the bookstore. QUITE a steal.

They were also selling other manga series, but I was only interested in Fruits Basket, of course. <3 My mom picked up the box though, and they accidentally put ALL of the manga books they were selling in there. So, in addition to FB, I got the complete Death Note series, almost this whole series Chobits, Naruto 1-6 and Bleach 1-8, along with some other miscellaneous books. My mom ended up buying other things from the person anyway, so we didn't get all those for free xD

Anyway, I kept Death Note (it looked cool), but am selling the others...I did read the first Naruto, though, but it was a little boring. Should I keep going? Does it get better?

ANYWAY, since that, I have been very interested in manga and anime, and have read/watched the following:

• Ouran High School Host Club <3 (THIS SHOW WAS LOVELY. Have only the first book though D:)
• Absolute Boyfriend (not sure if this is very well known. Only six books, but OMGOMGOMG, loved them!! But the ending...GRRR)
• Vampire Knight (watched the show, have only read the first two books)
• Kare Kano (read the first book, have the next two...)
• Death Note (have only made it up to volume 6...DON'T SPOIL IT FOR ME! ...really love it though!)
• Karin/Chibi Vampire (I'm not totally in love with this one, but it's fun to read)
• Soul Eater (have only seen the show)!

I JUST finished watching Soul Eater last night. I've been obsessed with it lately, so I am SAD THAT IT IS OVER. REALLY LIKED IT a lot. (Note: Don't judge it on the first three episodes, or you will MISS OUT!)

ANYWAY, I only just finished Soul Eater, but I feel a lack of obsession in my life, LOL. I need a new anime or manga to become obsessed with, which is what this WHOLE POST is actually about.

I WANT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

Okay, so i realize this blog mostly revolves around YA books, and most of my followers only like YA books, but just in case there happens to be any manga fans out there, please suggest something for me :D

As you might be able to tell, I really like ones that are silly and funny, but also have a somewhat serious storyline underneath. If that makes sense.

I'm going to stop writing now, because I feel like I'm probably sounding like an idiot, so...in closing:

Leave some manga or anime recommendations, please? :D

this post has a lot of words in ALL CAPS