FEATURE: Movie Monday- Divergent

So can I just start by saying I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!!! I mean seriously, all the feels guys. ALL.THE.FEELS

Of course, there were a few things that I wasn't one hundred percent impressed with, but overall I fricken LOVED the movie! So naturally, I feel the need to share my reactions to my favorite parts via GIFs. So here we go:

When we meet Four:

Seeing Tris transform into this badass chick:

The shock of Al's betrayal:

Learning that Four is Tobias:

This scene:

Equals: 

The sneaky war that Erudite pulled off in the end:

And pretty much anytime that Jeanine comes on screen:

Plus anytime that Four and Tris are together:

This is my reaction:

So overall I highly recommend this movie and definitely the series if you haven't read it already read it  (What exactly are you waiting for to read it?!) 

 I CAN'T WAIT FOR INSURGENT TO RELEASE!! 

FEATURE: This Or That Tag

Thank you to Amy-Anne over at The Blog Hermit (Awkward Donkey) for tagging me for the This Or That post. This is my first time participating in one of these so I’m excited!

The rules:

1.      Answer the questions given to you

2.      Give the people you nominate the same questions

3.      Nominate three people

4.      Let the amazing three know that they've been tagged

So here we go!

Hair up or down?

Definitely DOWN! Even though I live in Miami, FL and it’s way too hot to have my hair down all the time, but it just looks so much prettier.

Dessert or fruit?

As much as I love fruit I’m going to go with DESSERT because hey, it’s delicious, right!?

Dress or shirt and sweatpants?

Shirt and sweatpants (or preferably jeans)! I actually HATE wearing dresses. They just don’t suit my figure at all!

One Direction or Jonas Brothers?

Ummm seriously? Hello!??! Me and the Jonas Brother’s go wayyyyy back!! So yea, I’m definitely a JoBro fan!!

Radio or iPod?

I have to say radio only because I have almost 2,000 songs on my iPod and I’m constantly skipping over things and listening to the same songs all the time. I love the variety the radio offers and that I can find new songs to adore!

Sleepover at your house or at a friend’s house?

Friend’s house! I live with my grandparents so there isn’t much fun to be had there…They’re old school and strict in that sense!

Cookies or apples?

Hmmm, let’s see…COOKIES!!!

Playing cards or painting?

I love games that I can play with other people (I’m a board game junkie!) so I have to go with playing cards!

In a board game, would you rather be a green or a white piece?

Green! Duh! That’s one of my favorite colors! Besides white is sooo boring…I swear I don’t own anything white!

So that’s it for me. Let’s keep the game going. I tag:

Jenn @ Book and Swoons

Ivana @ Bookish Teens

Joana @ Joana In The Sky With Books

COVER REVEAL: Forever Layla by Melissa Turner Lee

What if the woman you envied most is the person you are destined to become?

In 1994, high school senior David Foster was the lackey and soundboard geek for his best friends grunge band. During spring break, the band lands a dream gig playing at a motel in Myrtle Beach, SC. David expected all the girls to ogle the guys on stage, but when a beautiful blonde “Bond Girl” approaches him and calls him by name, he’s shocked to find out she knows more about him than a stranger should.

She even knows about his notebooks and his visions of time travel.

What she thought was a quick time-travel-sightseeing trip takes a surprising turn when she meets the young adult version of the man she’s heard stories about as a child. His fairy-tale romance with the woman he’d loved, Layla, inspired her to accept nothing less than a love just as strong…but hopefully not as tragic. When she won’t tell the younger version of him her name, he calls her Layla—and the world as she knows it changes forever.

About the author:

Melissa Turner Lee holds a BA in Communications with a concentration in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. She has studied fiction writing since 2008, attending various writing conferences and workshops, along with guidance from professional writing coaches. She resides in Spartanburg, SC with her husband and 3 sons.

Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday (#21)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

The Ring and  The Crown (Ring and Crown #1) by Melissa De La Cruz

Expected release date: April 1, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Princess Marie-Victoria, heir to the Lily Throne, and Aelwyn Myrddn, bastard daughter of the Mage of England, grew up together. But who will rule, and who will serve?

Quiet and gentle, Marie has never lived up to the ambitions of her mother, Queen Eleanor the Second, Supreme Ruler of the Franco-British Empire. With the help of her Head Merlin, Emrys, Eleanor has maintained her stranglehold on the world’s only source of magic. She rules the most powerful empire the world has ever seen.

But even with the aid of Emry’s magic, Eleanor’s extended lifespan is nearing its end. The princess must marry and produce and heir or the Empire will be vulnerable to its greatest enemy, Prussia. The two kingdoms must unite to end the war, and the only solution is a match between Marie and Prince Leopold VII, heir to the Prussian throne. But Marie has always loved Gill, her childhood friend and soldier of the Queen’s Guard.

Together, Marie and Aelwyn, a powerful magician in her own right, come up with a plan. Aelwyn will take on Mari’s face, allowing the princess to escape with Gill and live the quiet life she’s always wanted. And Aelwyn will get what she’s always dreamed of—the chance to rule. But the court intrigue and hunger for power in Lenoran England run deeper than anyone could imagine. In the end, there is only one rule that matters in Eleanor’s court: trust no one.

Why I'm waiting:

I absolutely LOVE Melissa's writing and this synopsis sounds like a great read. Plus, reviews are in and people seem to be happy so that leaves me wanting it even more...I just can't wait to dive into this book!!!

REVIEW: Half Bad (Half Life #1) by Sally Green

Half Bad (Half Life #1) by Sally Green

Publication Date: March 25, 2014

Publisher: Viking Juvenile

Source: ARC provided by publisher

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This book was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Half Bad by Sally Green is a breathtaking debut novel about one boy’s struggle for survival in a hidden society of witches.

You can’t read, can’t write, but you heal fast, even for a witch.

You get sick if you stay indoors after dark.

You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one.

You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen.

All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys. And do that before your seventeenth birthday.

Easy. 

My feelings about this book go from high to low throughout reading. I have to admit that initially I was not at all impressed with the story, but after a few chapters in, it started to become clear to me that this book would not be what I thought it would.

There were so many things that I actually loved about this book and then there a few that I didn’t. For instance, I loved that we got to see the type of person that Nathan is despite what is done to him and what people believe about him. I did not love the fact that he’s so horribly mistreated just because he is labeled something that has nothing to do with the type of person he is. Nathan, is a Half Code. Half White Witch from his mother and half Black Witch from his father. His father happens to be the most wanted Black Witch in the country. So for that, Nathan is treated terribly. That’s one thing that I just could not get over about this book, but it’s also something that I loved. It’s so sad to see someone mistreated for something that shouldn’t matter but I think it’s such an important message to read about. Nathan is hated and despised because he is half Black Witch, though he is actually a kind and gentle person. People assume that because he is mixed that he will be just like his father, but there is no real way of knowing this, and the things they do to Nathan throughout the story are only things that can, in the end, provoke him into becoming what they always assumed he would be: a Black Witch! I hate that Nathan was never given a chance to be anything other than what they thought he was. Even his own sister treated him horribly. She lied to him and tricked him and hated him. He was, however, fortunate enough to be loved by his other sister, brother, Grandmother, and a few friends he met along the way.

I did not like that his friends were “hurt.” I feel like the poor kid didn’t have anyone else and then to take away his friends was just too brutal for me. But again, these are all things that make for a good story. I wasn’t expecting a fluffy read when I picked up this book, but I also wasn’t expecting a harsh one either. All these events lead to a more emotional connection to Nathan, because after some of the “incidents” you really start to feel bad for him.

My only real peeve about this book is that there was pretty much no magic! I mean honestly, when you grab a book about witches and magic you expect there to be magic!

So overall, I wish that the author could’ve given Nathan a small break, just something to get him through, but I get why she had to do what she did. I also really, really, really wish that there was more magic in this book, so I’m hoping for the second installment the author decides to conjure up so serious magical mojo on her characters. 

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday (#20)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Expected release date: March 18, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying-only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs-however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settles, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Why I'm waiting:

Well I can't deny that i've read some not-so-good reviews of this book, but i've also read a few good ones, so as of right now i'm keeping an open mind and waiting to see what this book will bring me.

Quotes (#7)

Morning Swooners,

So I'm going through a mega book hangover right now after just finishing Divergent by Veronica Roth. So, to appeal to my more obsessive nature...Here are some of my favorite quotes from the book, because what else would I be thinking about at a time like this!?

"Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"Politeness is deception in pretty packaging." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"Human beings as a whole cannot be good for long before the bad creeps back in and poisons us again." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"Human reason can excuse any evil; that is why it's so important that we dont rely on it." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"He told me once before to be brave, and though I have stood still while knives spun toward my face and jumped off a roof, I never thought I would need bravery in the small moments of my life. I do." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"Maybe there's more we all could have done, but we just have to let the guilt remind us to do better next time." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"'But please, when you see an opportunity...' He presses his hand to my cheek, cold and strong, and tilts my head up so I have to look at him. His eyes glint. They almost look predatory. 'Ruin Them.'" Veronica Roth, Divergent

"'We've all started to put down the virtues of the other factions in the process of bolstering our own. I don't want to do that. I want to be brave, and selfless, and smart, and kind, and honest.' He clears his throat. 'I continually struggle with kindness.'" Veronica Roth, Divergent

"We believe in bravery. We believe in taking action. We believe in freedom from fear and in acquiring the skills to force the bad out of our world so that the good can prosper and thrive. If you also believe in those things, we welcome you." Veronica Roth, Divergent

"'People tend to overestimate my character,' I say quietly. 'They think that because I'm small, or a girl, or a Stiff, I can't possibly be cruel. But they're wrong.'" Veronica Roth, Divergent

REVIEW: Divergent (Divergent #1) by Veronica Roth

Divergent (Divergent #1)  by Veronica Roth

Publication Date: April 25, 2011

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue- -Cando (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is- -she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are- -and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves…or it might destroy her.

This. Book. Was. AMAZING! I'm STILL in shock at those last few chapters that totally threw me off track. Did NOT see THAT coming!!

For the sake of conversation, which i'm pretty much completely incapable of at the moment, let's pretend that you have no idea how much you're going to love this book...let me just tell you this. YOU.WILL.LOVE.IT!!! So go forth and read it...STAT!!

Now down to the nitty-gritty...I loved the main character, Beatrice Prior aka Tris. She's such a strong character while still showing her vulnerable side. She's constantly learning and taking knowledge from everything she sees..Her courage, strength, knowledge and selflessness are all reasons that she's unable to confine herself to just one faction, making her "Divergent", which is kind of a beautiful thing in their world, though the leaders definitely don't see it that way.

Then there's Four aka Tobias, for those of you who were a little confused about the love interest, because I know I was, they are the same person, so no worries! There is so much we learn about Tobias in such a short time. Wish I could actually tell you everything, but sadly, I can't! But I will say this: Tobias is a great guy! I mean, he may not seem like it at first but he really is...I love his strength and intelligence. He's so brave without even trying and so beautiful in everything that he does. You can't help but to fall in love with him.

Then there's the Factions. Dauntless for the brave, Abnegation for the selfless, Amity for the kind, Erudite for the intelligent, and Candor for the honest. I love that in this Dystopian world we see that people, as a whole, haven't really changed that much. I mean, extreme? Yes, but not that different than what we are now. Even the Dauntless have some Candor qualities in their honesty in disliking people and distrusting them. These things are never hidden. And the Erudite have some Dauntless qualities about them in the sense that they are brave when it comes to wanting to defend what they believe is right and true.

So overall, I leave you to go forth and read this book and watch the movie and love it as much as I do, as much as thousands of people do, and decide what we must all decide, determine what you know to be true in your heart...It's time to take your aptitude test and chose your faction...but, are you Divergent?

My Results below:

Click photo to get your results

FEATURE; Waiting on Wednesday (#19)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle

Expected release date: March 18, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie’s life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saved a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she’s famous for something she didn’t do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included. Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realizes that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she’s never felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie’s as well.

Why I'm waiting:

I'm a sucker for a sad story and a little sister drowning is pretty much as sad as they get...Plus a mystery guy that can possibly end Caggie's life...COUNT ME IN!!

REVIEW: Panic by Lauren Oliver

Panic  by Lauren Oliver

Publication Date: March 4, 2014

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Once Upon a Twilight via HarperCollins

Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

*This book was received from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way *

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town on 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dogge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn’t know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something  to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them – and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most. 

You know that feeling you get when you're reading the last paragraph of a book that you just realized was great. Then, somewhere along the lines, with out you realizing when, a smile spreads across you're face  leaving you with this happy feeling. That's what Panic was for me. At first, when beginning this book, I wasn't all that impressed with the writing, But a few chapters in and I was hooked! Then it became impossible to put the book down. I hadn't realized it at the time, but Panic reeled me in and took a hold of me when I wasn't looking. Sneaky, sneaky.

We begin our journey with Heather. We see right away that's she has a bit of a tough life. But she also has a pair of great best friends that help her along the way. Probably more than we could ever realize until the bittersweet end. She's a lucky girl to be blessed with great friends and great people that care about her. And I love seeing her transition from timid to brave. She's a strong character for herself, her friends, Nathalie and Bishop, and her sister, Lily.

Then we meet Dodge and he seems fine at first. Really shy but also really sweet. But when the truth about his reasons for joining Panic are revealed we see some of his "shady" side come out and some pretty nasty schemes on his part. Not cool Dodge, not cool! But aside from his negative motives regarding Panic, we see him change in some pretty good ways. He's a good guy, just too focused on certain feelings that he should just let go. But I feel his pain and probably would have done a lot of the same things...to a point! His relationship with Nathalie is sweet to see growing. Of course, she has her own shady moments when it comes to Dodge, but throughout all the lies and sneaking around, a relationship still blooms between the two of them and that's great to watch.

So after everything that happened it's nice to see how things ended for the foursome and progressed with their characters and relationships. Seeing them happy and alive and together is what took me to that happy feeling at the end. The huge smile was plastered on my face before I even realized that I was smiling.

Panic, as a game, seemed a bit silly to me in the beginning and I thought it sounded similar to a Hunger Games type of game. But it was actually totally different. Panic was brought on by a bored town of people and kept up  for the glory of winning, nothing to do with war and punishment. Mostly to keep yourself entertained and win the pot of Money at the end. So NOT The Hunger Games! Still, a great game though. I might have even considered it myself in a different time.

So overall, I'm so happy that my original thoughts on this book were different than what it actually was. Surprise stories are the best kind of story! And the ending will leave you feeling...in a word...HAPPY!! 

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday (#18)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hi Swooners :-)

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" pre-publication selections are:

Elusion by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam

Expected release date: March 18, 2014

Links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

Soon, Elusion® will change the world and life as we know it.

A new technology called Elusion is sweeping the country. An app, visor and wristband will virtually transport you to an exotic destination where adventure can be pursued without the complications-or consequences-of real life.

Regan is an Elusion insider. Or at least she used to be. Her father invented the program, and her best friend, Patrick, heir to the tech giant Orexis, is about to release it nationwide. But ever since her father’s unexpected death, Regan can’t bear to Escape, especially since waking up from the dream means crashing back to her grim reality.

Still, when there are rumors of trouble in Elusion-accusations that its addictive and dangerous-Regan is determined to defend it. But the critics of Elusion come from surprising sources, including Josh, the handsome skeptic with his own personal stakes. As Regan investigates the claims, she discovers a disturbing web of secrets. She will soon have to choose between love and loyalty…a decision that will affect the lives of millions.

Suspense, thrills, and romance fuel this near-future story about the seductive nature of a perfect virtual world, and how far one girl will go to uncover the truth behind the illusions.

Why I'm waiting:

For some reason the synopsis kind of reminds me of Under The Never Sky and hey...who wouldn't want to re-live that story?!?!