Waiting On Wednesday (11/10/2010) - The Iron Queen

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we (bloggers) are anxiously awaiting. I KNOW that I'm not the only one waiting for this one, especially since Julie has been teasing us on Tuesdays.

The Iron Queen
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: January 2011
Publisher: Harlequin

In less than twenty-four hours I’ll be seventeen.

Although, technically, I won’t actually be turning seventeen. I’ve been in the Nevernever too long. When you’re in Faery, you don’t age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I’m probably only a few days older than when I went in.

In real life, I’ve changed so much I don’t even recognize myself.
 
MY NAME IS MEGHAN CHASE.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who’s sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I’m not sure anyone can survive it.
THIS TIME,

THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann - Reviewed

Cryer's Cross
Author: Lisa McMann
Release Date: February 2011
Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: 240
Target Age: Young Adult
Summary: 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.

As a fan of Lisa McMann's Wake Trilogy Series I was very excited to read Cryer's Cross. I am excited to say that I wasn't at all disappointed.  Kendall's OCD is heartbreaking and charming all at the same time.  The relationships between the people in this amazingly small town are so touching.  I absolutely loved the characters.   The story itself kept me pretty spooked out the whole time I read it. I mentioned to a few people that saw me reading it that it reminded me of a Stephen King type story.  Not gory at all just really creepy.  I have to be very careful with this review because I don't want to give anything away.  I highly recommend adding this to your must have list for February. 

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephanie Meyer - Reviewed

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Released:  June 2010
Published by: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 192
Target Age: Young Adult

Summary:Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

 I was able to borrow this from my local library on cd.  I LOVE being able to listen to books in the car.  While I enjoyed this story it definitely wasn't my favorite of the Twilight Saga novels.  True it was a novella but still.  By the end of the story I really liked Bree and hated knowing that she was going to die.  That was really weird for me, the knowing that she was going to die.  I loved Fred(a fellow newborn vampire) and really wish that Stephanie Meyer would write a story about what happens to him after he left Bree.  If you enjoyed the Twilight books then I'm sure you will be wanting to pick this up, cuz I'm pretty sure I am one of the last few people on Earth to read/listen to Bree's story.  Enjoy!

The Spooktacular Winner Is !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Winner of the Spooktacular Giveaway is........................................

                                    Jenn S.
I'll be emailing you in just a minute.  Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Virals by Kathy Reichs - Reviewed

Virals
Author: Kathy Reichs
Release Date: November 2, 2010
Published by: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Pages: 464
Target Age: Young Adult
Source: Star Book Tours

Summary:
Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.
As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot-if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.
Fortunately, they are now more than friends- they're a pack. They are Virals.

My very first experience with Kathy Reichs was a success. The Virals won me over, completely. Some of the things they did were a little far fetched maybe, but hey it's a book right? Tory was a likable, strong, main character. She was ballsy and wasn't afraid to stand up for what she believed in. A great role model if you can get around the whole breaking the law for good reason stuff. Her friends were entertaining especially Hi, he cracked me up and I really loved him. Ben was so quiet I couldn't get a good read on him but that was his thing, the strong, silent type. Shelton was cute if a little nerdy but totally in a good way. I liked the sci-fi powers from a contagious disease angle as well. Over all a good read with a great mystery. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.