Review of Gone (Wake #3) by Lisa McMann

Overview
The conclusion of the paranormal teen series, Wake. Janie is spending her summer with Cabel, but deep down she's panicking about how she's going to survive her future when getting sucked into other people's dreams starts to take its toll.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf   



Recommended: Yes.

About Gone

Available as: NEW Hardcover $11.46 from Amazon.com/ NEW Paperback $9.96 from Amazon.com (and even lower prices like $4.00- NEW and less -USED),  E-book $9.99 from Amazon.com Kindle's Edition , NEW Paperback $7.98 from The Book Depository

                Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

 E-book: 224 pgs.

               Published: April 3rd 2010 by Simon Pulse (first published February 9th 2010)

For This Review: *Self-Provided E-book Copy*

Experiments in Manga: Manga Giveaway: Cross Game Giveaway

Go Enter: Experiments in Manga: Manga Giveaway: Cross Game Giveaway

Topics of Interest: Disenchanted Grads seem more common than you'd expect reveals article of Online Colleges

From all walks of life as young adults get into the real world there is a sort of disenchanment.

Young adults don't always expect certain things or are in conflict with the "adult world". In literature and movies as of recently it has become very popular. The idea of disenchanted grads in literature and movies reveal helpful insight to the topic. Showing how we all are part of a complicated web in life that's up to us to make sense of and ultimately find a purpose for ourselves. A very interesting topic to look into.


Online Colleges' Staff Writers had this to say:

College students who have graduated over the past few years have had a rough time of it. With huge student loans to pay back, few job prospects, and many forced to move back in with their parents, adulthood just isn’t the same as it used to be. Many may feel depressed, frustrated, or just plain let down by the current state of things.

While millennials entering the job market today may be having a tough time, they’re hardly the first batch of disenchanted grads to find the real world a harsher or more complicated place to navigate than they expected. Movies and books are filled with examples of young grads who found that growing up, getting a job, and figuring out just what they want to do with their lives isn’t as easy as they thought it would be. Here are some of Hollywood’s and literature’s most famous disenchanted grads, many of whom modern day students will find incredibly relatable to their own feelings and experiences.

Review of Andraste by Marisa Mills

Overview
Andraste, the daughter of an elfin prince and fairy queen is Fate's Beloved, blessed with an incredible prophecy naming her as the one who can vanquish the Abatu Empire. She has spent her life preparing for the day when she would leave her homeland and fulfill her destiny. That day has come, but there are a few things Andraste doesn't know. Her prophecy is a carefully-constructed lie, and beneath the beauty and civilization of her mother's fairy country, there lie ancient prejudices and secrets. Traitors live within the castle walls, but Andraste can't help but wonder who's worse: the vampire empress conquering the world, or the deceitful fairies she's fighting to save.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf   


Recommended: Yes. 

                      About Andraste
Available as: NEW Paperback $17.99 from Amazon.com ,  E-book $2.99 from Amazon.com Kindle's Edition 

                        Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

Paperback: 360 pgs.

Published:  June 4th 2011 by Hydra Publications (first published May 27th 2011)  

For This Review: *Book Copy Provided by Publisher For Review Purposes*

Latest in Blog Visiting of the Week of March 19-25, 2012

Check Out!
The favorite blogs of the week and why their content made them the favorite of the week! 

1.  Experiments in Manga blog:  Ash shares his latest quick takes in the world of manga, anime, and more. Really like the week's takes/reviews. Reviews therein of Dengeki Daisy, Volume 4 by Kyousuke Motomi and Kekkaishi, Omnibus 2 by Yellow Tanabein manga. In anime reviews you'll see a review of Whisper of the Heart directed by Yoshifumi Kondō and more still. Those being the favorites. 

Recommend checking out!

Post visited @ Experiments in Manga- My Week in Manga: March 12-March 18, 2012


2.  Civilian Reader blog: Stefan finally finished reading and he finally got around to reviewing a book by the name of Kingdoms of Dust. Kingdoms of Dust adding to-read and review in the future here @ the blog. His review of Kingdoms of Dust by Amanda Downum is really positive and worth a read. Recommend checking out also. 

Then Stefan has a fun disscussion over why zombies eat brains. 
Why do they? Find out! There are some authors who offer their opinions in the post.

Author Live Chat with Jodine Turner author of Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call

Its been a while since reading Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call by Jodine Turner which thought was an interesting book. Having just finished reading Jodine's book sometime last year in October of 2011 got approached to have a chat with Jodine. Which as a blogger found surreal and exciting. Jodine and I gathered on Google's live chat for a talk on her and as well as her book. 

Come hear what she had to say if you have heard about her book or would like to titled, Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call.

Don't miss: Review of Carry on the Flame: Destiny's Call by Jodine Turner 

About The Book
It's on Amazon.com's Kindle for $7.99!
Get the Book?     Amazon.com (Paperback) | Amazon.com (E-book)

 Humanity is in the midst of the greatest crisis in their evolution. Sharay is the one chosen to show the way forward and help humankind move through the fear and dark times of today's world. Born into a lineage of priestesses in modern day Glastonbury, England, Sharay's way is blocked by her jealous Aunt Phoebe, who uses black magic against her to steal her fortune and magical power. When Phoebe commits Sharay to a psychiatric ward and accuses her of murder, Sharay struggles with the temptation to fight Phoebe's vengeance with her own. Through the ancient Celtic ceremony of Beltaine, Sharay experiences profound sacred union with the Welshman Guethyn, who shows her how to open her heart. But Sharay must learn to transform her hatred for her aunt in order to claim the mystery held deep within her cells that will allow her to fulfill her destiny and prove that the ultimate magic is the power of love.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf    

Advance Reader Review of The Girl In the Clockwork Collar (The Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

Overview

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous. 

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves. 

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens. 

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf   


Recommended: Yes. 

See Discussing the Books: The Girl In the Clockwork Collar (The Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross

About The Girl In the Clockwork Collar
Available as: NEW Hardcover $12.23 from Amazon.com ,  E-book $9.99 from Amazon.com Kindle's Edition , NEW Hardcover $13.49 from The Book Depository

                                                        Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

Hardcover: 416 pgs.

Expected publication: May 22nd 2012 by Harlequin 

For This Review: *Book Copy Provided by Netgalley as E-book Advance Reader Copy*

Book News! | Giveaway: The Reckoning and other news in The Taker Trilogy by Alma Katsu

The Taker was a debut novel that made quite a splash with readers.
Part of the reason it attracted such a powerful gathering of readers could possibly have been it left a speechless mark after reading with its intricate and complex love story.
Well that and Alma Katsu's unique signature writing style that is almost intimate.

Alma recently released but only in electronic format The Devil’s Scribe, a short story that’s part of The Taker Saga. In it, Lanny travels back to America to check on the house in Boston and meets Edgar Allan Poe, who figures out that this woman has a secret which he must learn. It's going to be available for all e-reader devices. You can find out more about the short story (which will include the first chapter of The Taker) @ Simon & Schuster's website- The Devil's Scribe eBook

T.V. Casual Talk: The Secret Circle on The CW "We All Must Pay For the Sins of Our Fathers"

Thursday night's episode "Lucky" (March 15, 2012) have to say was a fantastic return since almost three weeks from the show. Faye and Lee realize that they may have some obstacles in their future relationship. While Cassie and Adam have an intense argument in this episode since the sins of their fathers causes doubt.

Latest in Blog Visiting of the Week of March 12-18th, 2012

Check Out!
The favorite blogs of the week and why their content made them the favorite of the week! 


1. NEW BOOKS ON MY SHELVES blog: Lucy over at her blog has been up to doing lots of manga reading and reviewing. The reviews at her blog are somehow really new, entertaining pieces of work. Recently read quite a nice review for: -REC-THE DAY YOU CRIED BY MAKINO AOI .Recommended by Lucy.

Post visited @ NEW BOOKS ON MY SHELVES-REC-THE DAY YOU CRIED BY MAKINO AOI

2. Dark Faerie Tales blog: The bloggers @ DFT welcome Christina Henry with a author interview! You'll get to find something about her Madeline Black urban fantasy series which mostly from what have seen really have fantastic-looking covers. Christina talks most about her most recent novel in the series , Black Howl. Along the way you get a look at Christina's author tips and own ways of going about researching to write books. There's also an opportunity to win a copy of Black Howl!

Post visited @  DFT-Author Interview & Giveaway: Black Howl by Christina

3. The Book Cellar blog: A quick mention of Erica's experience of meeting Leah Clifford at book release event of A Touch Morbid. In the post, you can enter to win a copy of A Touch Morbid.

Post visited @ The Book Cellar-Giveaway: A Touch Mortal by Leah

4. Civilian Reader blog: Setefan shares the mini-reviews of his latest encounter with the comics in the comics round-up. Especially found this time interesting the review of Fairest #1 (Vertigo) by Bill Willingham. Seems like if your interested in dark, twisted fairy re-tellings which includes dark artwork which seems particularly beautiful  , Fairest , should be of comic-reading interest.

Post visited @ CR-Comic Round-Up (Mar.14)

Review of Unison Spark by Andy Marino

Overview
Everyone is obsessed with Unison, the social network that knows you better than you know yourself. Everyone who can afford it, that is. Living beneath the vast ceiling that separates Eastern Seaboard City into rich topside and poor sub-canopy zones, fifteen-year-old Mistletoe can only dream of logging in and has to make do with technological hand-me-downs. Worlds collide when Ambrose Truax, the privileged heir to the Unison empire, wanders into the dangerous sub-canopy streets and Mistletoe saves him from suspicious, uniformed men. They soon discover that they share eerily similar dreams, hinting at a significant past. Together, Ambrose and Mistletoe begin to unravel the mystery of their identities and learn that they’re pawns in a bigger game: the Unison 3.0 upgrade, a whole new kind of Friendship.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf

Recommended: Yes.

                  About Unison Spark

Available as: NEW Hardcover $11.46 from Amazon.com /NEW Hardcover $6.68 from Amazon.com's Marketplace/ USED Hardcover $5.05 from Amazon.com's Marketplace,  E-book $9.99 from Amazon.com Kindle's Edition, NEW Hardcover from The Book Depository

                                                        Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

Hardcover: 240 pgs.

Published: November 8th 2011 by Henry Holt & Co.

For This Review: *Book Copy Provided by blog book giveaway @ Books By Their Cover blog*

Unison Spark 2.0 is a new update from Facebook and the old Twitter that has never before been seen. A program that makes you feel like you're actually physically part of a huge digital world. Once you are plugged in you are in it as if you are in real life. People there have popularity stats in a way to allow ranking. Ambrose Truax is the heir to the empire of Unison Spark and son of Martin Truax, so his ranking is the highest and most popular as far as stats go. Ambrose seems to like his life. He's in charge of keeping everyone happy in this digital world and coming back for more of the products of BetterLife connected to Unison Spark. Though Ambrose is contacted one day though by an anonymous source mentioning to him he's only Martin's experiment. Not his son at all. That he's being lied to. Ambrose isn't entirely sure if this is a lie, so he escapes all he's known to go below where BetterLife hook-ups into Unison Spark aren't a way of life. He's quickly wanted by (sort of security) by who it is assumed to be watching him back.

Into which soon enough Mistletoe comes in. She is the girl with the blue pigtail. She happens to help him escape but in the process the person who has always been her caretaker, Jiri, dies. 

"There in the middle of the road , was Jiri, standing with his back to her, pointing his black pre-Unison handgun at a stocky ESC police officer with a gleaming metallic arm thst narrowed to a glowing tip, which was in turn pointed at a boy of about her age who was dressed better than anyone she'd ever see. His outfit was holo-fashion, an elegant projection of a sharp new suit in the manner of big-time businessman from up above. His wispy blond hair sparkled, even in the subcanopy shade. He was clearly a long way from home, and his wide eyes from Jiri to the cop."

While she despises Ambrose at first for seeming to be somewhat weak she feels she has to help him. Just as they are trying to discover what Ambrose is involved in they also have a connection to each other thanks to Unison Spark that in turn is for a bigger plan set into motion by Unison Spark.


" Ambrose recognized the scheme: they were orchestrating chaos to cover a risky in-Unison conversation. A battle like the one raging around them could scramble UniCorp scans for a precious moments.
"Martin Truax," Sonia said finally.
" The creator. He who giveth and taketh away"
"What about him?"
" Chatter among freelancers like me is mostly speculation. Half of it's idle, half of it's strategic, designed to throw everybody off, make room for your own ideas, beat other homebrew types to the punch. But lately it's been off-the-charts twitter-brained. Like Martin's gone rogue and even his own advisers don't know what he's up to, because he's planning to spring version 3.0 on everybody unannounced, wipe everything that came before. Logins reset across the board. Profiles erased. People are saying there won't be any warning. No ramp up. Just ZAP- he unveils the upgrade, and in the end nobody even cares that it's this big ambush because the opportunities are unimaginably game changing.
" Unison 3.0 will be, like, Humanity 2.0" Takeshi said sagely, repeating some overhead catchphrase. "Might wanna duck...."

Unison Spark is something of a fun science fiction book through the exploration of the social network beyond what it is now and what could maybe potentially be. That with that with our societal economic structure how it could eventually affect how wealthy we can be in information through technology. Which is a pretty interesting premise! Since we can see it today richer persons may today have an easier access to new technological gadgets. Now moving onto the characters within, Unison Spark, for all intentions found had a good enough cast of characters. Although this has to be noted isn't overtly developed in character development but more in its story events (plot).

Unison Spark has an interesting speaking lingo occasionally shown by Ambrose and Mistletoe throughout the novel that is reminiscent of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. For that to show up was pleasantly surprising since The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld was really amazing as well! Reminds you also of The Matrix (1999) in the visual way of description done by Andy Marino, when Ambrose and Mistletoe enter into the world of Unison Spark but in a whole new way. Still it's important to emphasize that Andy Marino's Unison Spark is really as far as can be read, unique, for the way of things in the world that is in place in Unison Spark. Readers would wonder at its inners workings. Recommended for sure.
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Romance

Also read a Guest Post with Andy Marino: Books By Their Cover: Andy Marino on Technology + Unison Spark Contest 


                          About the Author

Andy Marino was born and raised in upstate New York. He spent his childhood orchestrating Lego pirate battles, drawing detailed maps of imaginary video games, and cheating death in Choose Your Own Adventure books. Profoundly influenced by the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie Bloodsport, he started writing his first novel at the age of eleven. Tragically, THE RUNES OF ILLIARM was never completed. 

During his teen years, Andy designed sets for school plays and became an expert stockpiler of unfinished art projects. After graduating from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in English, he dedicated himself to writing fiction. The insidious tractor beam of online social networks (like this one!) became the inspiration for UNISON SPARK, a novel about two teens with a secret past fighting the manipulative, all-consuming social network of the future.

Updates

Take a look at the Tokyo Speakeasy radio talk between TK of Ling tosite sigure and Saori Hayami. English translation available now!

Author Guest Post/Giveaway of O'Dell's Top 10 Best Book to Movie Adaptations in The Weeping Book Tour

O'Dell's Top 10 Best Book to Movie Adaptations

just may be...

O'Dell Hutchison was born in a small rural town in Idaho. After attending college in the Pacific northwest, he found his way to the Houston area in 1997. He currently lives in Katy, TX with his dog, Gia. By day, he is a Business Systems Analyst. In his free time, he tries (and fails) to work out regularly and eat healthy. He also acts and directs at various theaters around Houston. 

The Weeping Online Book Tour: Review of The Weeping by O' Dell Hutchinson

Overview
Twenty years ago, Catherine Whitley was the victim of a horrible crime. Betrayed by her friends, including the boy she loved, she was left to die when the Rock Harbor Opera House caught fire, taking a disturbing secret with her to her grave. 

Seventeen-year-old Heath Ingram was driving the night his Jeep careened off the road, killing three of his closest friends. Once a popular, outgoing athlete, Heath now suffers from severe depression and crippling anxiety. His parents decide to send him to stay with his uncle in Rock Harbor, Oregon for the summer, praying that by getting away he will be able to put this awful tragedy behind him. 

When Heath starts working at the newly renovated Rock Harbor Opera House, he meets Molly, a young dancer who awakens in him a desire to start over and move on. But, when he begins having visions of a half-burned girl in a white dress, he starts to think he may be slipping even further over the edge. 

As the apparent hauntings become more intense, Heath begins to fear for his safety. With the help of his friend Josie, Heath discovers an unsettling secret that ties the mysterious girl to both their families. When two of their friends die unexpectedly, Josie and Heath realize that something, or someone, is after the children of those who wronged Catherine, and they are next.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf

Recommended: Yes.

Book Tour ~The Weeping by O' Dell Hutchinson~

Welcome to one of the blog book tour stops for The Weeping! It's been a real pleasure to be part of it. The Weeping by O' Dell Hutchinson was a book that found amazing for a paranormal read. Recommend you read: Review of The Weeping by O' Dell Hutchinson [below]. 

That way you can discover for yourself just how how good, no , -fantastic- it is. Oh, and also check out a guest post about the author, O' Dell Hutchinson , connected to the book. Will be coming up soon later today along with a chance to win one, signed, hardcover copy of "The Weeping" through a Giveaway here at the blog. Here is the post to enter for the Giveaway: Guest Post/Giveaway of O'Dell's Top 10 Best Book to Movie Adaptations in The Weeping Book Tour

Enjoy!

                     About The Weeping

Available as: Paperback $18.99 from Amazon.com, E-book $6.63 from Amazon.com's Kindle Edition

Recommended Ages: 14 and Up

E-book: 182 pgs.

Published: March 6th 2012 by H, C & B Publishing

For This Review: *Book Copy Provided Through Book Tour of The Weeping *

Review of The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (The Steampunk Chronicles #0.5 | The Steampunk Chronicles Prequel) by Kady Cross

Overview
Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined…

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

Add this to Your Goodreads.com Shelf

Recommended: Yes.

                
                About The Strange Case of Finley Jayne

Available as: E-book $0.00 from Amazon.com's Kindle Edition, E-book $0.00 from Sony Reader Store, E-book $0.00 from Kobo's E-book Store

                                                        Recommended Ages: 15 and Up

E-book: 78 pgs.

Published: May 1st 2011 by Harlequin Teen

For This Review: *Free E-book Copy from the Kobo E-book Store*

Latest in Blog Visiting of the Week of March 5-11th, 2012

Check Out!
The favorite blogs of the week and why their content made them the favorite of the week! 

1. Civilian Reader blog: Have a look at the mini-reviews of Stefan's comic round-ups. Find new comics you might have a taste for. 
Newest comic round-up post @ CR-  Comics Round-Up (Mar.7) the Second

2. Experiments in Manga blog: New reviews of manga, anime, and other new experiences to do with the subject. 
Newest review takes in Experiments @ Experiments in Manga- My Week in Manga: February 27-March 4, 2012

3. Far Beyond Reality blog: You really have to read Stefan's post of Arctic Rising by Tobias Buckell – includes giveaway!
*Day: March 5, 2012*

Have been hearing good things about Arctic Rising as of late. All very good things and hopefully I'll soon get around to saving up for a copy. We'll see. Hope I can hold off on wanting other books at the last minute.