After Obsession, by Carrie Jones and Steven Wedel, Review + Giveaway

Title: After Obsession
Author: Carrie Jones & Steven Wedel
Series: Don't know...
Book #: 1
Pages: 320
Reading Level: Young Adult
Book Rating: .5
Published: Sept. 13th, 2011.
by Bloomsbury USA Children

Aimee and Alan have secrets. Both teens have unusual pasts and abilities they prefer to keep hidden. But when they meet each other, in a cold Maine town, they can't stop their secrets from spilling out. Strange things have been happening lately, and they both feel that something-or someone- is haunting them. They're wrong. Despite their unusual history and powers, it's neither Aimee nor Alan who is truly haunted. It's Alan's cousin Courtney who, in a desperate plea to find her missing father, has invited a demon into her life-and into her body. Only together can Aimee and Alan exorcise the ghost. And they have to move quickly, before it devours not just Courtney but everything around her.

Filled with heart-pounding romance, paranormal activity, and rich teen characters to love-and introducing an exciting new YA voice, Steven Wedel-this novel is exactly what Carrie Jones fans have been waiting for. Meet your next obsession.

Taschima's PoV:

I thought this book was a-okay. Nothing fancy or out of the ordinary, though a possession story is music to my ears. I was excited because the author was Carrie Jones so this would be my first time reading her, but overall wasn't that impressed. Her heroine is fine if not a little rough around the edges. She didn't stick to memory too well. She cried way too much. I wanted at times to yell at her to get a grip.

Now Alam, the Indian guy (everything time I think about Alan I imagine Taylor Lautner; which certainly helped) was a fascinating character. He brought a new refreshing perspective on the male mind, and I really enjoyed it whenever his part of the story came on. After Obsession is told in two points of view. Though, there were stuff that bothered me from Alan's side of the story. Like all the Indian rituals he found were online and he used sites like google to look for them, but they all seem to work out perfectly. Hell, I might go on google, search up Wicca and become a witch! It just seemed too easy. Another thing that bothered about the story is that I felt like a lot of vital information was left out. The story is definitely rough around the edges.

The thing I most liked about the story however was the relationship between Aimee and Alan. It was just so nice and "aww" and cute. I swear I kept reading to see how it would develop. It was a sweet love story, maybe a tad unrealistic when you count the amount of time passed, but still sweet and read worthy.  Also the story went on pretty quickly, it was pretty easy to get into the book.

Another thing that bothered me was the evil in the book. I had no background info on the evil guy. I knew his name and that he wanted to walk earth because he was an evil spirit. That's it. No reason why a RIVER spirit would become evil at all. The story it's too one dimensional, I would have preferred if it was a little more fleshed out.

Easy, nice read with a cute love story. I think it's safe to say this book is not my next obsession, but it made for some good times.

Goodreads Process:

Now for the giveaway!!

Thanks to the great people at Bloomsbury a finished copy of After Obsession is going to fall into one of your hands! New book, new story, new characters... Who knows, you might obsess over this one yet ;)

You need to:

1. Be a Bloody Follower.

2. Comment on this review (leave email address for me to contact you please, if you are not comfortable with this arrangement email me your email address at bloodybookaholic (at) hotmail (dot) com).

3. Love books.

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Ends October 15; US only, sorry Int.guys!

The Iron Knight's, by Julie Kagawa, full trailer!

I used to dislike book trailers to no end, because honestly they didn't sem to make the book justice. But Harlequin Teen has definitely stepped up their game. The Iron Knight's trailer is amazing. The level of detail alone left me dumbstruck.

Ironhorse, Mabb, Meghan, Grimm, Puck and Ash are all on the trailer, portrayed by real people, real freaking people!

Seeing is believing though, so watch the whole trailer with your own eyes and tell me I'm wrong.

I think this trailer could be played in the TV and people would go and read the damn book. If more publishers would cook up trailer's like this, and put them on TV... I mean, imagine all the people the trailer could reach!



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Review: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

Title: One Grave at a Time
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: The Night Huntress Series
Book #: 6
Pages: 358
Reading Level: Adult
Book Rating: .5
Published: August 30th, 2011
by Avon Books

The grave is one wrong step away.

Having narrowly averted an (under)world war, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans' voodoo queen just keeps on giving--leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit. 

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity--forever. But how do you kill a killer who's already long dead?

Taschima's POV:

 I love this series, and this book was as great as the last one. Even though it looked, sounded, and read as a special Halloween episode it still served a purpose on the grand scheme of the series. It laid a base for a future new plot. It was needed, it's not one of those books written for the sake of selling it and prolonging the series, it is needed in order to move ON the series into better greener and deadlier pastures. And hey, you get to see Cat, Bones, Spades, Ian, the kitty, and the whole gang one more time, so who's complaining?!

Cat and Bones just got out of an almost war with the underworld, so they think they deserve some relax time. What these two should have remembered was who they are. Relax time? Never something that really happens in this world (unless you count the their time apart, and no one is counting that). So their ghost friend, Fabian, has a ghost lady friend, Elizabeth, that needs help and he wants Cat and Bones to help her out. Considering the HUGE amount of help Fabian has been to them, they can't refuse. So they basically have to stop another bad ghost from killing a bunch of women, a thing he has been doing for centuries. How can you killed a ghost? I don't know, I guess you will find out when you read the novel.

Besides this there is other things going on, like someone taking over Tate's job at the compound and ruining everything and stuff, but like I said this book is all about laying new ground for an upcoming plot line, a bridge between books if you will. But even though its a bridge, it's a heck of a ride as well. Also I have to warn people that this IS an adult book, though compared to other books in the series it has so many less sex scenes, it still has one or two (including a flying-while-doing-it scene that left me with my jaw on the floor). I want a Bones...

One thing that did bother me about the book was that there was no Vlad. That pissed me off. I love Vlad! And I love seeing him and Bones go at it, but sadly we don't get to see him. Hopefully he'll be back by the next book, or maybe his own series will be out soon enough and then I'll be an even happier girl.

I loved every second, went through the book in a few days and can't freaking wait till the next book is out! One Grave at a Time it's the freaking number six book in the series and I still look forward to every single installment. If this series never ended I would be okay with that. More than okay in fact, ecstatic!

Things that Blogger NEEDS

Blogger is a wonderful site, but its missing some things. Like...

• A Reply button: How is this essential? Well, I try to maintain a conversation with my followers, but unless they come back and read the same post, how would they know I'm replying to what they say? It would be so much easier if we got a reply button cause then we could have...
  
• Notifications. Like when someone replies to a comment. Or adds something to a page. Or edits something like a list on a challenge. We get updates on blog posts, but not on anything else.

For me the reply button is a biggie. It annoys me that we don't have one because I would like to keep going on a conversation with my followers on whatever post.

Who's with me? What's other stuff this great site may be missing that just bothers you to no end?

The Iron Knight Sneak Peek!

OMG!!! The Iron Knight is having a trailer, and I have an exclusive sneak peek for all of you! Just to recap, The Iron Knight is the fourth book in The Iron Fey series, the best fae series EVER, by amazingly talented Julie Kagawa (she is one of the nicest persons ever as well). The Iron Knight is told on Ash's POV, the ice prince of the unseelie court. Him and Puck must go on a journey to do what has never been done before, turn a fae into a human, all so that Ash can spend the rest of his days with the woman he loves.

Romantic, yes, exciting? Hell yes. Amazing story? You have no idea.

Anyways, here is the trailer's sneak peek:

I wish Ash had a voice over - a sexy voice. And that is not at all how I picture Mab (look at my I Cast The Iron King post) but it will do. I can't wait till this book is out. Most of the time I am not a fan of trailers, but put the name Julie Kagawa next to it and I'm sold!

Did you like it? The full book trailer will be posted on Harlequin Teen Facebook on Sept 28 at 9am, be SURE to check it out!

An Awww After Obsession Moment

Alan's POV:

"I have to look away. A lump jumps up in my throat and my eyes water just a little. I didn't even really know my cousin a week ago, but after last night we've become family. I nod, then turn back to Aimee and figure to hell with Blake. I grab her and crush her against me and kiss the top of her head. I didn't know her last week, either, and now she is my only anchor in a world that is getting more screwed up by the minute."

It's just, awww! He is such a sweetie! Not that the situation is perfect, but it's just one of those parts of the book I need to show you guys.

Waiting on Wednesday Guys (x3)

3 fabulous books this week.

Which are are you going to add to your Wishlist?

Ruling Passion by Alyxandra Harvey

The Drake Chronicles

(Hearts at Stake, Blood Feud, and Out for Blood)

Goodreads

Expected Publication: Sept. 27th, 2011

By Walker

Meet the Drakes:

A darkly romantic, irresistibly alluring family of royal vampire blood

Read Alyxandra Harvey's Ruling Passion: a haunting, humorous saga, now gathered into one juicy volume!

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Goodreads

Hardvocer, 352 pages

Expected publication: May 22nd 2012

By Feiwel & Friends

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish. 

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

 The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee
Expected Publication: 2012

By Bloomsbury

Sixteen-year-old Rinn Jacobs has secrets: One, she’s bipolar. Two, she killed her grandmother. 

After a suicide attempt, and now her parents' separation, Rinn and her mom move from California to the rural Ohio town where her mother grew up. Back on her medications (again!) and hoping to stay well, Rinn settles into her new home and school. She refuses to be daunted by the fact that the previous owner hanged herself in Rinn's bedroom, or that her classmates believe the school pool is haunted by Annaliese, a girl who drowned there. But when a reckless séance goes awry, and terrible things start happening to her new friends—yet not to her—Rinn is determined to find out why she can’t be "touched" by Annaliese...or if Annaliese even exists. 

With the help of Nate Brenner, the hunky “farmer boy” she’s rapidly falling for, Rinn devises a dangerous plan to uncover the truth. Soon reality and fantasy meld into one, till Rinn finds it nearly impossible to tell the difference. When a malevolent force threatens the lives of everyone she cares about--not to mention her own--she can't help wondering: who should she really be afraid of? 

Annaliese? Or herself?

I added the last two to my wishlist, since I already have all the books in the Drake Chronicles. But! If you don't have them, or haven't read them, I suggest you buy Ruling Passion, it's all 3 books in one, which means you save a lot of money plus you get to read an incredibly entertaining story. The Unquiet reminds me of Hourglass, the main characters are similar on the surface, sort of crazy and seeing ghosts, but I don't think the plot line is going to be in any way similar. Of Poseidon, though it has an incredible cover, I don't know if they did the best job with the summary. It seems they want to tap the "romantic" in us, but what they are really doing is just annoying me. I mean, he has a whole kingdom, what is he trying to save his kingdom from? Nonetheless, it sounds interesting, so I will pick it up.

Review: Carpe Corpus (Morganville Vampires #6) by Rachel Caine

Title: Carpe Corpus
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Series
Book #: 6
Pages: 241
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .5
Published: June 2nd, 2009.
by Signet

In the small college town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace-until all the rules got rewritten when the evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He's kept a death grip on the town ever since. 

Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants-the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires ever be content to go back to the old rules, after having such a taste of power?

Taschima's POV:

Possible spoilers for books 1 (Glass Houses), 2 (The Dead Girl's Dance), 3 (Midnight Alley), 4 (Feast of Fools) and 5 (Lord of Misrule). This is book 6 in the series, if you have come here for a review you probably know whats been going on by now.

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!!!!!!

Lord of Misrule and Carpe Corpus are my favorites thus far. War suits Morganville. After the huge cliffhanger from the last book we are back at Morganville and things are better than ever (at least when it comes to the reader's entertainment- things at Morganville SUCK for the people who live there right now). Bishop, who I thought was going to get his ass kicked sideways, won the war on the last book. Or did he? Did he just win a major battle? Amelie is nowhere in sight, Oliver went right along with her, and Myrnin welcomed Bishop with open arms. All seems lost for our gang, but is it really?

I loved this one! I loved how the author managed to get me completely interested in this series once more. Bravo, not many can do this (*coughs* HON *coughs*). But I mean it when I say things are better than ever. Just when it seems like all is lost something always manages to happen to bring things back on track.

Something major happens with Claire and Shane's relationship, beloved characters die, drama, fighting and more suspense!!

The end of this books seems to be putting in motion a whole new ARC, but if anything is a great point in which to stop to digest what has happen thus far (maybe get in a couple of other books) and get prepared for the next big thing that will happen on our beloved little town.

One thing that makes me nervous is Myrnin, my favorite character. Some character development happened in Carpe Corpus, and I don't know what this will mean for the future of Myrnin. Nervous, but excited. Love Myrnin!

Goodreads Progress:

Finished on 9/17

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Teaser Tuesday: After Obsession by Carrie Jones & Steven Wedel

After Obsession

By Carrie Jones & Steven Wedel

Goodreads

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published September 13th 2011

by Bloomsbury

From Alan's POV:

"There she is. 

Red.

Courtney's friend. The pretty girl with red hair. The dream rushes back to me. We were falling, clutching at each other, and I was trying to tell her something. Onawa had been there, too. The girl looks up at me and I realize I've stopped walking and am staring at her. I get my feet moving again, but can't stop staring. I see something in her eyes, something like recognition."

From Aimee's POV:

"It's all good and happy and we laugh, and break off into two groups again, and settle into our lunchtime routine of Courtney reciting sex facts from Cosmo. Blake rubs his foot up and down my leg in a sexified way, which for some reason just makes me feel a little restless and not at all sexified. Alan and Courtney argue about lobsters looking at you while you eat them and I play all peacemaker and then scoot a glance at Alan. He's the guy from my dream, I know it. And that means he's in some kind of danger, I think."

So by now you must have realized two things about this novel. One, it's told in two points of view, and two, they clearly have a connection. A magical connection nonetheless. Nothing more powerful except love, I believe. In any way it leads to love. It's like this, magical connections lead their way into making people fall in love, it's inevitable. I want to read a book yet where a magic connection happens and the two main characters don't get together.

For now the book is very ala Twilight mixed with Beautiful Creatures. It has it's moments where it grabs your attention, but we'll see what happens. Should be done with it by Friday, and then I'll post a review ^^

Review: Lord of Misrule (Morganville Vampires #5) by Rachel Caine

Title: Lord of Misrule
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Series
Book #: 5
Pages: 256
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: 
Published: Jan 6th, 2009.
by Signet

In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

Taschima's POV:
Possible spoilers for books 1 (Glass Houses), 2 (The Dead Girl's Dance), 3 (Midnight Alley) and 4 (Feast of Fools). This is book 5 in the series, if you have come here for a review you probably know whats been going on by now.

I don't even know where to begin. I feel as if It's kind of wrong to talk about Lord of Misrule without talking about Carpe Corpus, almost as if the two should go together. But alas I shall try to give you a hint as if this book is worth your money.

ITS SO WORTH YOUR MONEY. *hint hint* We pick up right where we left off on Feast of Fools. Myrnin has been kidnapped and it's Claire's, and Amelie's, job to rescue the poor old crazy vampire. Everybody has a job to do in this installment. Eve shall defend Common Grounds with Oliver, Shane must defend the BloodMobile (though he absolutely hates it) plus the oh so holy book (why don't they burn the damn thing already?) and Michael needs to go to the university and protect the oblivious college students.

Battle strategies are being put into place, Morganville is burning to the ground, and mother nature, who did not want to be left out of the festivities, has also decided to invite herself to this party and added a hell of a storm to be taken place in a few days (by the end of the book). I just think she is trying to help with the fire, but that's just me. A lot of small but important things happen in this book, also some MAJOR things happen. WAR WAR WAR. Also, thank you to Rachel Caine for so thoroughly catching me off guard and delivering that super mega twist at the end of the novel. It's juicy all right.

What you have to understand about Morganville is that nothing is how it seems, and you can never know what it's going to happen next. Because EVERYTHING is a possibility, and you just might not like the outcome. I really enjoyed this book, and right after this one I quickly picked up Carpe Corpus (which I have already finished).

Myrnin is still my favorite character. TEAM MYRNIN.

Goodreads Progress:

I kind of finished it on 9/14 but just today wrote the review xD

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Breaking Dawn Part 1 2nd Official Trailer, a better one!!

Okay, fine, I am going to see this movie. Breaking Dawn was definitely not the best book out of the series, but it might just be one of the best movies lolz

5 Things that I really liked about this trailer:

5. Bella looking all drugged up and f-up on 1:20. Lolz!
4. Edward's "oh shit" face when the baby kicked her belly.
3. Jacob, oh gosh he melts my heart.
2. Edwards getting all manly and screaming "You are giving me no choice!"
1. Edward breaking the bed... old news, but it's so goooood!

Do you think this movie will be any good? I mean, the second part may be a bit of a dissapointment because of the no fighting thing (didn't have the balls did you SM?) but this part may not be half as bad...

Oh also I found this image and it don't look half bad...

Vampire Bella!!! EVERYBODY RUN! (kidding, she ain't scary at all)

Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway: Dark Souls by Paula Morris!!!!

Stand Alone

Hardcover, 292 pages

Publication Date: August 1st, 2011

by Point

Goodreads

Welcome to York, England.
Mist lingers in the streets.
Narrow buildings cast long shadows.
This is the most haunted city in the world. . . .

Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won’t run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . .

Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York’s hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy — one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York’s haunted souls?

Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous — and deadly — is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery — and find redemption.

So, who wants it?!

Doesn't it sound pretty freaking awesome?

All you need to do to get it is post a comment right here and I'll put you in the drawing!!

You need to:

1. Be a Bloody Follower.

2. To comment here (leave email address for me to contact you please, if you are not comfortable with this arrangement email me your email address at bloodybookaholic (at) hotmail (dot) com)

3. Absolutely, and irrevocably, love books.

Extra Entries:

1. Re-Tweet (+1)
2. Sidebar it (+1)
3. Follow Bloody Bookaholic YA Book Blog on Facebook! (+2)
4. Follow Taschima on Goodreads, Shelfari, or Twitter (+1 for each)
3. Mention the giveaway in a post (don't matter if it's at the end of your latest post) (+3)
4. Comment on posts from here on till the end date (+1 per post)

Maximum amount of extra entries: ...

Leave links or no extra entries for you <3
I'll check for comments plus who is following on Facebook.

Ends September 28; US only, sorry Int.guys!

Review: Feast of Fools (Morganville Vampires #4) by Rachel Caine (#4)

Title: Feast of Fools
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: The Morganville Series
Book #: 4
Pages: 242
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .8
Published: June 4th, 2008.
by Signet

The wait is over. Dig into the feast... 

In the town of Morganville, vampires and humans live in relative peace. Student Claire Danvers has never been convinced, though—especially with the arrival of Mr. Bishop, an ancient, old-school vampire who cares nothing about harmony. What he wants from the town’s living and its dead is unthinkably sinister. It’s only at a formal ball, attended by vampires and their human dates, that Claire realizes the elaborately evil trap he’s set for Morganville.

Taschima's POV:


Possible spoilers for books 1 (Glass Houses), 2 (The Dead Girl's Dance), and 3 (Midnight Alley). This is book 4 in the series, if you have come here for a review you probably know whats been going on by now.

And thus I've returned to the land of the vampires. Morganville, I didn't really miss you, but I felt a sort of duty to finish you off. A self challenge if you will. Now I look back at myself and pat myself in the back with a grin, because if the first 3 books in the series were "okay" from this point on it seems like it's going to be "awesome!".

Feast of Fools is really a turning point book were the reading goes from "I'll read it cause I have to finish it" to "holy crap I MUST finish it!". What I've always liked about the Morganville series, and this is also the reason I returned, it's that the vampires here are so not black and white. They are not evil per se, but they aren't good either. Most important of all, they always keep you guessing.

Claire is this 16 year old girl who is ridiculously smart. She is so smart that she got into MIT (at 16), but since her parents didn't think she was mature enough to live so far away from home they send her to Morganville, an hour away, to begin her studies. They figured she would be safe there. Boy, they couldn't have been more wrong. All sorts of bad stuff happens in this town, a town were vampires rule all the humans. Claire's, along with her roommates Michael, Eve, and Shane, sole purpose is to stay alive. Claire has also become a sort of "pet" to the main founder of the town, Amelie, and along with Myrnin, a crazy vampire scientist (emphasis on the crazy part) must find a cure for a quiet disease that it's slowly but surely attacking all the clueless vampires of Morganville. But this is not their only problem, at the end of the last book (Midnight Alley) a new big bad vamp comes to town claiming to be Amelie's father, Mister Bishop. And let me just say that he's out for blood.

Something I really liked about this novel was that at the beginning there was a part were the author catches you up on what's happened "thus far". I thought it was a nice touch since I didn't completely remember. But now I'm up to date. See, I was never a big fan of the series so I stopped reading on the third book, but boy was that a mistake. The fourth book is a turning point in the story line, and the whole way the story went took me by surprise. I have to say I like it, I like it very much.

The characters, Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael, are all still pretty much the same though all of them develop in some degree. My favorite character is by far Myrnin, he was the reason I kept reading book 3 in the first place. He is such a crazy, eccentric vampire. I am never sure what he'll do next exactly, and I love it. Also the big bad Mister Bishop is not easy to kill, he is smart and deadly, but like I like my bad guys. It's so boring when they just die fast.

The only annoying part of the novel for me was the romance between Claire and Shane. She is so full of doubt, and the whole "will they or won't they do it" every time they went behind closed doors was a bit of a moo point (Side note: FRIENDS anybody?). The romance didn't keep us guessing, nor was it that passionate, it was just nice. Michael and Eve on the other hand? I'm so rooting for those two crazy kids.

If you, like me, were thinking of giving up on the series, alas don't. You will go through these pages soo quick you won't even know what hit you. Better have the next book (Lord of Misrule) beside you, because after Feast of Fools, it only gets better.

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9/11... Ten Years Later

This morning I woke up, and I didn't remember what day it was. I got up, and went to turn on the T.V. to VH1. I love watching the guy on the VH1 Top 20 Video Countdown, he is always so happy, so cheerful. He makes you want to listen to music and dance along. Today he had his usual cheerfulness, but at the end of the segment he got serious. He started talking about 9/11, and about how VH1 was going to be repeating the New York concert later today from 4-10 pm commercial free. Then suddenly, I remembered what day it was.

I can't say I remember much about that day 10 years ago, all I remember was that I was in third grade. The teachers turned on the T.V. and towers were burning. Beautiful grand towers, burning to the ground. My mom picked me up early, me and my brother and sister. We didn't understand what was going on, but my mother did. People were dying. None of my family died, we all lived at Puerto Rico at that time. I am so thankful for this. I can't even imagine what people were going through that day, what they are still going through today.

If you can, please read this article over at Meg Cabot's site. It's her 9/11 real story. Not fiction. Please read it. Also if you have a chance read this other 9/11 story, it's by one of my favorite bloggers/writers.

Go hug your family and friends, tell them how much you love them. Be thankful that they are still here, and take a moment to remember those who aren't.

Blog Question: To Do or Not To Do?

To Do or Not To Do?

I am a person facing a riddle. While I want to give all of you as many reviews as possible I am but one college girl with a job. I read, I do, I write reviews as well and I like to do it. It's just I don't have as much time as I used to when I was in oh High School. So my question is, for a blog that is entirely owned by me where nobody else has been responsible for anything is it okay to have a person who is willing to do the occasional YA review? It would mean more content, and I won't just let anyone touch my baby so they will have to be good writers with a unique style. But what do you think? It's still just an idea, but first I want some opinions on the matter.

The Perfect Iron King Crown (Julie Kagawa)

The Perfect Iron King Crown

I found this at Etsy.com and the first thing that came to mind was The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. It's a french antique from the 1800 hundreds. If they made an Iron King movie this is the crown they should buy for the king. It just looks so rusted and right.

Can you imagine Meghan or any Iron King wearing this baby?

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Author: Kady Cross
Series: The Steampunk Chronicles
Book #: 1
Pages: 473
Reading Level: YA
Book Rating: .5
Published: May 24th 2011
by Harlequin Teen

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the "thing" inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch...

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.
Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help-and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

Taschima's POV:

 I've seen both good and bad reviews about this novel, but what can I say about one of the books with the prettiest covers around? Well, I can say that it was pretty fun, had some interesting characters, and the steampunk element was well employed. It also had some annoying characters, the main plot was so so, and the pace was like a roller coaster ride; going up and down and all around (the beginning of the novel captures your attention right away though!).

Finley is two people inhabiting one body. Fighting for control, her darker self is the daredevil bad girl who is not afraid to risk her life or teach gentleman some manners, while the good girl is the total opposite, but not as lame as she could otherwise be. They are two halfs of one hole. We are introduced to Finley in the beginning when she runs away from where she is currently working and gets hit by a motorcycle. Who is riding this said motorcycle? Why none other than the handsome DUKE Griffin King. He takes her under his wing because he feels responsible and then comes to realize what a special girl Finley is when she starts throwing the servants around like they weight no more than a pack of pencils. Griffin, with the help of his loyal friends Emily and Sam is trying to catch one of the baddest guys around town, a man called The Machinist, and he might just need Finley to get the job done.

Hmm this novel was interesting (which is the word I usually employ when something is good and picks your interest, but not as magnificent). It took me a long time to finish it up, but that was my own fault (real life got momentarily in the way). As I said before it has some interesting characters. I liked Finley's two personas, but I have to say that my favorite is Emily, she is just such a smart wonderful girl! I didn't fall in love with any of the male characters (Beware there is not only one but TWO love triangles in this book, DUM DUM DUM!).

I thought the guys were pretty standard, they didn't rock my boat, though occasionally each of them (except Sam) managed to shake me up a bit (specially a cowboy type fellow who shows up once in a while).

Now... for the annoying characters. You are going to find them here. I got mostly annoyed at Sam, he is just such a *&^%head. I cannot stomach him, and I don't know how anyone in their right mind could either. I guess he has redeeming qualities, like being occasionally witty, but not enough for me.

As for the plot it was so so. The big bad guy wasn't as big and bad as it first seemed, he went down pretty easily. Finley's "problem" also seems to resolve itself pretty easily (I was expecting things to get way worse before they ever got better). One of the things I most liked about the novel was the element of Steampunk in the Victorian age. It was a nice background, though most of the time it felt like it was so freaking advanced... Like they used 21st century things and made it pass as steampunk. Maybe the objects just weren't described as fully has they could have been described and so my mind just thought of the equivalent in the 21st century.

Also what is it with Steampunk in the Victorian era? It just works!

The possibilities for the second novel are endless! I expect to be picking up that novel whenever it hits bookstores near me (hopefully there will be bookstores still around by then). Then again, don't expect me to be tripping over myself to get it.
 

T's Reading Trajectory:

 

Steady process if there ever was one >.<

 

Cover Winner of August; New Covers for September!

Goodreads Page

Amazon Page

Elemental reality won by 10 votes. Not much of a shock considering what a looker it is xD Has anybody read this one? Is it really good? =D I wanna buy it, but now my options boil down to Books-a-Million and Barnes and Noble, it's not a happy site, though I prefer B-A-M.

Breakdown Time:

Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono - 36 (31%)

Fury by Elizabeth Miles - 26 (22%)

Delcroix Academy: The Watchers by Inara Scott - 22 (19%)

 Prophecy of the Sisters: Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink - 14 (12%)

Possess by Gretchen McNeil - 14 (12%)

The Flappers: Ingenue by Jillian Larkin - 3 (2%)

Total Votes: 115

New Covers for September:

      

   

Honorary Mentions:

      

      

All the covers are linked to ther respectuive Goodreads Page.

Remember to vote because at the end I will be giving away the books... so you want to win something you really want right? The more votes the better!

PS; All of these covers, and many many more, you can find at Bloody Bookaholic's Facebook Page. Check it out and "like" it please!