Book of the Week 6/28

Here is the book you should be paying attention to, due in bookstores today!

The Ascension (A Super Human Clash) (Michael Carroll) - Continuing Super Human with this sequel, Michael Carroll tells the continuing story of teenaged superheroes in this prose-form comic.

Other Noteworthy Releases

Fins Are Forever (Tara Lynn Childs)
Withering Tights (Louise Rennison)
Sharks & Boys (Kristen Tracy)
The Day Before (Lisa Schroeder)
Legacy (Cayla Kluver)
Luminous (Dawn Metcalf)
Torn (Erica O'Rourke)
Eternity (Heather Terrell)
Unfriended (A Top 8 Novel) (Katie Finn)
From Willa, With Love (Coleen Murtagh Paratore)
The Gemini Agent (Starfleet Academy) (Rudy Josephs)
Doing My Own Thing (A Fab Life novel) (Nikki Carter)
Forbidden (Tabitha Suzuma)
Pretty Bad Things (C.J. Skuse)
Ciao (Melody Carlson)

My Blood Approves

Amanda Hocking

The synopsis, from the author:

"Seventeen-year-old Alice Bonham's life feels out of control after she meets Jack. With his fondness for pink Chuck Taylors and New Wave hits aside, Jack's unlike anyone she's ever met. Then she meets his brother, Peter. His eyes pierce through her, and she can barely breathe when he's around. Even though he can't stand the sight of her, she's drawn to him. But falling for two very different guys isn't even the worst of her problems. Jack and Peter are vampires, and Alice finds herself caught between love and her own blood..."

I decided to turn my attention to the insanely popular self-published YA author Amanda Hocking, and began with her vampire series My Blood Approves.  It's really not too hard to see what people have enjoy about this title.  It has many echoes of Stephenie Meyer's Twilight:  An insanely good-looking guy likes Alice, insists on buying her things despite her protests, she takes a long time to realize that he's a vampire, she's special and so this vampire family takes an interest in her, etc.  Hocking adds her own elements to the story, with the love triangle she introduces, the family life that Alice has, and Alice herself, a sort of anti-Bella, as she's not very passive, but is rather loud and obnoxious.  In fact, that was one of the things that made me think that I wouldn't like this book at first.  Alice just sort of annoyed me.  Even worse was her best friend who walks all over her that she was introduced alongside.  But as the story moved along, and we get to see Alice's beautiful relationship with her brother, and the budding friendship with Jack and his interesting family, it really became a very compelling read that's difficult to set aside.  And it really is the relationships that Hocking creates here that makes this book.  There's not much action and the mystery is pretty thin, but the suspense that comes from the drama between the characters is masterfully handled here.  There are tons of grammatical errors in this book, which I was rather shocked by, as it's so popular, but if you can overlook those, and are searching for something to fill the hole that was left when The Twilight Saga wrapped up, My Blood Approves has a lot to offer.

Angel Burn

L.A. Weatherly

Synopsis:

Willow knows she’s different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people’s dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces, and that he’s one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems, least of all good and evil. In the first book in an action-packed, romantic trilogy, L..A. Weatherly sends readers on a thrill-ride of a road trip - and depicts the human race at the brink of a future as catastrophic as it is deceptively beautiful.

They’re out for your soul . . . and they don’t have heaven in mind.

What the critics are saying:

Weatherly's plot and writing are first-rate, adrenaline- fueled while still taking the time to thoughtfully develop the characters and build the romance. This elevated twist on the angel genre deserves to be spread far and wide. (Publisher's Weekly)

Young adult fiction readers are in for a fantastic adventure with a bit of romance when the delve into the world of Angel Burn. LA Weatherly’s debut novel is original, her characters honest and real, and her storytelling ability keeps you turning the pages and leaves you begging for more when you’re done. (There's a Book)

Yes, Angel Burn is largely teen Bonnie and Clyde, couple on the run. And it works because the relationship between Willow and Alex progresses naturally and honestly. Their actions, insecurities and conversations are genuine and ring true for YA characters, but are done in a way an adult audience will equally appreciate. (Vampire Book Club)

This book was really entertaining, thrilling and is just a rollarcoaster ride of emotions. It was heart wrenching at times and romantic at other times. I fell in love with this book, the characters and the story. (Fantasy Book Chick)

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Book of the Week 6/21

Here is the YA book you should be paying attention to, due in bookstores tomorrow!

Uncommon Criminals (A Heist Society novel) (Ally Carter) - The group of talented young thieves continue their adventures in the sequel to Heist Society.

Other Noteworthy Releases

Princess of Glass (Jessica Day George
Long Story Short (Siobhan Parkinson)
Dead Rules (Randy Russell)
Vicious Little Darlings (Katherine Easer)
A Need So Beautiful (Suzanne Young)
Haunting Violet (Alyxandra Harvey)
Shadowcry (Jenna Burtenshaw)
Spellbound (Cara Lynn Shultz)
Stolen Nights (Rebecca Maizel)

Colleen Houck

Colleen Houck came to my work today and signed both of her books.  She is the sweetest person ever, and we had a nice chat.  Everyone should be reading her books!

Giveaway!

Like free books?  Then check this out.  The Great INDIE Summer Reads Giveaway includes over 100 titles from indie authors, including Her Dark Destiny (Hunters of the Dark #1).  Win free books from exciting new voices!

Book of the Week 6/14

Here is the YA book you should be paying attenton to, due in book stores tomorrow!

Paper Covers Rock (Jenny Hubbard) - This sounds neat, from a new author, about a boy at a boarding school whose guilt over not saving a drowning boy eats away at him.

Other Noteworthy Releases

Passion (Fallen series #3) (Lauren Kate)
The Lost Heiress (Relic Master series #2) (Catherine Fisher)
Trial By Fire (Raised By Wolves #2) (Jennifer Lynn Barnes)
The Demon's Surrender (Demon's Lexison Trilogy #3) (Sarah Rees Brennan)
A Funny Thing About Love (Erin Downing)
The Betrayal of Natalie Hangrove (Lauren Kate)
The Dead (The Enemy series #2) (Charlie Higson)
From Bad To Cursed (A Bad Girls Don't Die novel) (Katie Alender)
Hourglass (Myra McEntire)
Imaginary Girls (Nova Ren Suma)
Happyface (Stephen Emond)
Dead End (Jason Myers)
The Revenant (Sonia Gensler)
The Lost Crown (Sarah Miller)

Mercy

Rebecca Lim

Synopsis:

A fallen angel haunted by her past.  Yearning for her immortal beloved. Forever searching for answers.Who will show her Mercy?

Mercy has lost herself. She can’t count how many times she’s “woken up” in a new body, and assumed a new life, only to move on again and again. During the day she survives in the human world on instinct and at night her dreams are haunted by him. Mercy’s heart would know him anywhere. But her memory refuses to cooperate.

But this time is different. When Mercy wakes up she meets Ryan, an eighteen year old reeling from the loss of his twin sister who was kidnapped two years ago. Everyone else has given up hope, but Ryan believes his sister is still alive. Using a power she doesn’t fully comprehend, Mercy realizes that Ryan is right. His sister is alive and together they can find her. For the first time since she can remember, Mercy has a purpose; she can help. So she doesn’t understand why the man in her dreams cautions her not to interfere. But as Ryan and Mercy come closer to solving the dark mystery of his sister’s disappearance, danger looms just one step behind.

Will Mercy be able to harness her true self and extraordinary power in time?

The first in a dazzling new series, Mercy masterfully weaves romance, mystery and the supernatural into a spell-binding tale.

What the critics are saying:

It was such a unique look on a familiar subject with strong ties into the mystery and thriller categories. It kept me riveted, I can't wait to read book two. (Letters Inside Out)

This novel was a great blend of mystery and the paranormal. It was slightly reminiscent of The Body Finder and Dirty Little Secret in the mystery aspect, but with a different paranormal twist. The first chapter grabbed my attention immediately. (Sara's Urban Fantasy Blog)

Mercy was an interesting protagonist principally due to the fact that her voice was written with such clarity and her thoughts were conveyed in such a way that I really felt for her situation and wanted to know why this had happened to her. (Lost in Stories)

While I didn't always know what was going on and I did struggle with the plot at points, I always felt connected to Mercy's character.  I thought that Ryan's character was exceptionally strong as well.  (Miss Remmer's Review)

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Hereafter

Tara Hudson

Synopsis:

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

Thrilling and evocative, with moments of pure pleasure, Hereafter is a sensation you won't want to miss.

What the critics are saying:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I was pulled in from the first paragraph, held my breath at the end of the second chapter, and didn’t want to put it down until I had finished the last word. (Eve's Fan Garden)

The author’s descriptive writing was a joy to read and really set the tone for some of the spookier elements and scenes of the story. (Smash Attack Reads!)

I loved this book and found it extremely easy to read. I loved getting to know Amelia and learning what happened to her. (Books Complete Me)

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Forgotten

Cat Patrick

Synopsis:

Each night at precisely 4:33 am, while sixteen-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can "remember" are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture. Luke Henry is not someone you'd easily forget, yet try as she might, London can't find him in her memories of things to come.

When London starts experiencing disturbing flashbacks, or flash-forwards, as the case may be, she realizes it's time to learn about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

What the critics are saying:

From the first to the last page this was a stellar read.  I rushed home from work to finish reading it immediately, after daydreaming over the book all day.  Even now, after a couple of days have gone by, I'm still thinking about the story and the characters.  I'm jealous of people who will get to read this for the very first time and discover just how fantastic the experience of losing themselves in it is. (A Dream of Books)

It’s a rare book which I know I could read over and over again and never tire of and one I’m slightly sorry to have already read as I’ll never get that first time again. A five star book and a new author to watch out for very carefully in the future. (Heaven, Hell & Purgatory Book Reviews)

I loved the concept of the book; it’s such an original take on the idea of knowing the future, and the difficulties it causes for London’s life are well thought out and come together to make an incredible story. Even more than that, the way it ties to London’s forgotten past are so shocking and (for want of a better word) emotional that they nearly had me crying on the train. (Tea Mouse Book Reviews)

Forgotten is a charming book with a distinctive concept. It manages to contain potentially unwieldy events and ideas, fashioning them into an intriguing narrative that ends in a way which, while not as good as it could have been, is both clever and complete enough to be satisfying. (LiteraryMinded)

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Book of the Week 6/7

Here is the YA book you should be paying attention to, due in bookstores tomorrow!

Blood Red Road (Moira Young) - A quest to save her brother leads Saba through the desolate outside world, in this fantasy that's been getting quite a bit of buzz.

Other Noteworthy Releases

Hereafter (Tara Hudson)
Tiger's Quest (Colleen Houck)
Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) (Sarah Mlynoski)
Everlasting (An Immortals novel) (Alyson Noel)
The Nine Lives of Chloe King (Celia Thomson)
Crush Control (Jennifer Jabaley)
Forgotten (Cat Patrick)
Possession (Elana Johnson)
Worldshaker (Richard Harland)
Cruel Love (A Privelege novel) (Kate Brian)
Cleopatra Confesses (Carolyn Meyer)
Fairy Bad Day (Amanda Ashby)
My Life Undecided (Jessica Brody)
Revealed (An Amanda Project novel) (Stella Lennon)
He's So Not Worth It (Kieran Smith)
Nyx In the House of Night (P.C. Cast)
Crossing Lines (Paul Volponi)
Flying Blind (Deborah Cooke)
Displacement (Thalia Chaltas)

Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini

Synopsis:

How do you defy destiny?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

What the critics are saying:

Angelini cleverly sets up the rules of her supernatural world to engage all the fascinating contradictory elements of the world of the Greek gods as we read them in Homer's epics...the second book in this series, "Dreamless," is slated for May 2012 — not soon enough, as far as I'm concerned. I haven't wanted a second book so much since "The Hunger Games." (LA Times)

The complexity of the reimagined mythology more than made up for the pacing missteps, and kept me turning the pages well past my bedtime.  I found Starcrossed a wonderful introduction to the trilogy, and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next. (Manga Maniac Cafe)

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Starcrossed had much more to offer than to just being a Twilight clone with some Greek mythology thrown in. Debut author Josephine Angelini introduces a fascinating and somewhat unexecptected modern mythology based around ancient Greek mythology and a fierce family feud. (Diary of a Book Addict)

I love Greek mythology and Starcrossed has everything a fantastic story about Greek gods should have: big, feuding families; untrustworthy family members; forbidden love; gorgeous, powerful demigods; eminent war; chilling prophesy and potent curses. (Truly Bookish)

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Enclave

Ann Aguirre

I'm going to do more highlighting of hot titles, beginning with this book...

Synopsis:

New York City has been decimated by war and plague, and most of civilization has migrated to underground enclaves, where life expectancy is no more than the early 20's. When Deuce turns 15, she takes on her role as a Huntress, and is paired with Fade, a teenage Hunter who lived Topside as a young boy. When she and Fade discover that the neighboring enclave has been decimated by the tunnel monsters—or Freaks—who seem to be growing more organized, the elders refuse to listen to warnings. And when Deuce and Fade are exiled from the enclave, the girl born in darkness must survive in daylight, in the ruins of a city whose population has dwindled to a few dangerous gangs. As the two are guided by Fade’s long-ago memories, they face dangers, and feelings, unlike any they’ve ever known.

What the critics are saying:

In her first young adult novel, Aguirre (the Sirantha Jax series) has created a gritty and highly competent heroine, an equally deadly sidekick/love interest, and a fascinating if unpleasant civilization. This series is likely to hold considerable appeal for fans of The Hunger Games. (Publishers Weekly)

This is the first Ann Aguirre book I've read, and I'm quite sure it won't be my last. It's a post-apocalyptic dystopian-type zombie thriller with two fantastic main characters and worldbuilding that doesn't disappoint. (Wondrous Reads)

Enclave delivers the goods when it comes down to what I like in any dystopian book. Here we have a kick-ass heroine, barren lands-where the odds of survival are slim to none, then throw in terrifying creatures, and it's a hit in my eyes. (Fantastic Book Review)

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Book Giveaway!

On June 7th, the final book in Alyson Noel's Immortals series is released!  In celebration, you can win a free copy of the book from St. Martin's Press!  Simply e-mail me (ferraro.david@yahoo.com) and tell me why you should be the one to win this book, and I will pick the best answer to receive their free copy.

The sixth and final installment of the epic love story that has enchanted readers across the world. Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears—all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united—or torn apart forever? Readers will finally discover the truth in this anxiously awaited conclusion! 

Watch the book trailer below!

Alyson Noel's Immortals Website:

http://www.alysonnoel.com/immortals/

Booking Through Thursday

I decided it might be fun to participate in some memes, and this one caught my eye:

Do you read book reviews? Whose do you trust? Do they affect your reading habits? Your buying habits?

I don't have a real source that I go to all of the time for book reviews, and I really only read reviews for books that I'm interested in in the first place.  I wish there was a place that collected quotes of reviews for books and an overall score like Rotten Tomatoes does for movies, but alas, we're kind of on our own for books.  Which is also why I started Teen E-Book Review, since there's really nowhere for self-published names to get a voice.  Anyways, some teen blogs I've come to enjoy are The Story Siren, Michelle's Bookshelf, and The Book Addict.  Do they affect my reading or buying habits?  Sure, they do.  If I notice a book but probably won't get around to reading it (especially with a mountain of reading already in front of me), a good review can tip me over the edge and push a book to the head of my reading pile, when I may not have ever gotten around to reading it otherwise.