Quotes (#6)

Hi Swooners,

So you know it's always a little crazy around the Holidays, right? Well, even though i've been a little slower with my reading lately doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about all these wonderful books to read. So, in honor of my obsessive personality, i've decided to share with you what i'm completely obsessed with lately. Here are some quotes from one of my all-time favorite books!!! One guess what that is!! (hehe)

"Books are easily destroyed. But words will live as long as people can remember them." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"Sticks and stones keep breaking my bones but these words, these words will kill me." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"Time goes on even when we do not." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"Tattoos, for example, are very hard to forget. I think there's something about the impermanence of life these days that makes it necessary to etch ink into our skins. It reminds us that we've been marked by the world, that we're still alive. That we'll never forget." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"'The truth," he says, "is a painful reminder of why I prefer to live among the lies.'" Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"You know, you have a really strange way of telling me you're attracted to me." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"Nothing in this life will ever make sense to me but I can't help but try to collect the change and hope it's enough to pay for our mistakes." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"I'm falling apart and into his heart and i'm a disaster." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me

"I don't know much about anything in this world but I do know how to read the book written in his eyes." Tahereh Mafi, Unravel Me


Yea, i'm obsessing over Unravel Me BIG TIME folks!! Like, it's a serious problem right now. I just CAN'T FRICKEN WAIT for IGNITE ME to release already...is it February yet!??!!

REVIEW: Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)  by Veronica Rossi
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it at: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

It’s been months since Aria learned of her mother’s death.

Months since Perry became Blood Lord of the Tides, and months since Aria last saw him.

Now Aria and Perry are about to be reunited. It’s a moment they've been longing for with countless expectations. And it’s a moment that lives up to all of them. At least, at first.

Then it slips away. The Tides don’t take kindly to former Dwellers like Aria. And the tribe is swirling out of Perry’s control. With the Aether storms worsening every day, the only remaining hope for peace and safety is the Still Blue. But does this haven truly exist?

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, can their love survive through the ever night?

Well I have to admit that this book was sooooooooooooo much better than its predecessor, Under the Never Sky. It took me a while to actually get into the first one, while this book just flowed so much better and had me hooked the entire time. Not a dull moment was had!

I think the author did a great job with the characters growth as well. It was such a great feeling to see Aria go from a weak, scared Dweller to a strong, fearless Aud. I think that even though she resisted the outside world in the beginning, she fully embraced it when she learned the truth about what she was.

I think Rossi's best character development was with Perry, though. Seeing his journey to becoming Blood Lord of the Tides was so great to read. It's amazing how his compassion and determination were seen as childish and weak in the beginning, but one incident earns him the respect and trust of the tribe. Meanwhile, he was doing what he had always tried his best to do, which was protect the Tribe. Proving his journey to be genuine and realistically showing that loyalty and trust are earned!

Now Sable, on the other hand, is a total dog! He is just as horrible as I imagined him to be! He seems "not-to-bad" at first. He treats Liv well and seems like he cares about her, but that's all a rouse! He has nothing but malicious intent and we later learn when certain situations involving Liv (and Cinder!) arise.

One issue I had with this book, which I also had with Under the Never Sky, is the lack of world-building. We still have no idea how the world ended up the way that is was, filled with Aether storms and people separated into different status groups (ie: Dwellers and Outsiders)

Another issue I had, which isn't a huge deal, is the cover of this book. I don't normally comment on covers, but this one really bothers me. I know that the guy on the cover is supposed to be Perry, but that's not how I pictured Perry at all! He's way to boyish and clean-cut on the cover...shouldn't he be more rugged and savage looking? Maybe it's just my opinion, but yea...that's not my Perry!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think Veronica Rossi did a great job with this story!

FEATURE: Thoughts on Catching Fire (The Movie)

Morning swooners,

So before I say anything else, I have to let you know that there are SPOILERY WATERS UP AHEAD! READ WITH CAUTION!! 

Now, where was I? Right! I was about to tell you that I was actually able to see Catching Fire this weekend....twice! And after having gone through an emotional three day recuperation period, I find that I am STILL.NOT.OKAY!!

So, finding inspiration from my friends Betsy and Melody over at Bookcrastinators in Wonderland, I have decided to express my feelings about this movie via GIFs because there are truly not enough words in the dictionary to explain my emotions right now...

For those of you that haven't seen the movie...you need to do so ASAP!! For those you of that haven't read the books yet...what are you waiting for??? Special invitations come via screams on this blog and I'm officially screaming at you to GO READ THIS SERIES!!!! (Then we can flail around talking about our feeeeeelingssss)

So here it goes, this is my heart on a platter for you. Do with it what you will, it's emotionally damaged anyway!

While watching the previews, anxiously waiting for the movie to start:

When Feature Presentation came on the screen:

From then on is when I really become an emotional wreck!!!

When Katniss shoots the turkey and has a "meltdown"

Swooning over Gale:

Swooning over Peeta:

When we meet Finnick:

Swooning over Finnick:

When Effie is sad for Peeta and Katniss:

Whenever President Snow is around:

When Cinna is attacked in front of Katniss:

***Realizing that Peeta will NEVER be the same***

When the Dome breaks and they rescue Katniss:

Emotionally distressed after the movie:

So that's me in a nutshell swooners. I still have so many emotions to work through right now, but I know I will get there. When I start thinking about what Mockingjay has in store, my eyes truly tear up. For now though, I will deal with this emotional roller coaster day-by-day.

My advice:

FEATURE: Waiting on Wednesday (#3)

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 selection is:

Allegiant (Divergent #3) by Veronica Roth

Expected release date: October 22, 2013

Links: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Summary from Goodreads:

What if your whole world was a lie?

What if a single revelation- like a single choice- changed everything?

What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior believed in is shattered- fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming that the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature- and of herself- while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

REVIEW: Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

Star Cursed (Cahill Witch Chronicles #2)  by Jessica Spotswood
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound

My rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

With the Brotherhood persecuting witches like never before, a divided Sisterhood desperately needs Cate to come into her Prophesied powers. And after Cate’s friend Sachi is arrested for using magic, a war-thirsty Sister offers to help her find answers- if Cate is willing to endanger everyone she loves.

Cate doesn’t want to be a weapon, and she doesn’t want to involve her friends and Finn in the Sisterhood’s schemes. But when Maura and Tess join the Sisterhood, Maura makes it clear that she’ll do whatever it takes to lead the witches to victory. Even if it means sacrifices. Even if it means overthrowing Cate. Even if it means all-out war.

In the highly anticipated sequel to Born Wicked, the Cahill Witch Chronicles continue Cate, Maura and Tess’s quest to find love, protect family, and explore their magic against all odds in an alternative history of New England.

That ending though…THAT ENDING!!!! My emotions are too much right now...READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!

The feelings I have right now are too tremendous to properly describe for you…but I’ll try my best to give you a good review without my emotional baggage tagging along...

Let me start by saying that I LOVE everything about this book. Which only makes this review even harder to write because I have absolutely nothing bad to say about it...the only "bad" thing that I can say is that the ending of this book left me DEVASTATED!!!! But it was so heartbreaking that it was GOOD!!! So you see where my issue is!

Anywho, lets start with the progress of our characters. Particularly our favorite witches, the Cahill sisters.

Cate, the eldest sister, we left off in Born Wicked thinking she was the prophesied witch that everyone was looking for. She has matured so much in this book it amazes me. She went from babying her sisters to actually letting them be themselves and it was such a beautiful thing! She has also learned so many things, magical and otherwise, that it makes me feel a sort of "pride" for her. Especially when she realizes that her magic isn't all bad, something happy for her in a world of sorrow and secrecy. 

Maura, on the other hand, was such a disappointment for me (I guess I DO having something negative to say lol) her character seems like she really hasn't learned anything from her experiences. The only real change I see in her is that she is better at being conniving, spiteful and all around sinister! Such horrible (and WICKED) features!!! There are moments in the book when you can see how truly vulnerable she is, and though those moments are far and few in-between, my heart actually breaks for her in those moments. That is until her fits of jealousy emerge and you see how horrible she can be. The things she says and DOES to her sisters is just heartbreaking...HEARTBREAKING!!!

Tess, Ah we learn so much about Tess in this book. She was already a great character in Born Wicked, but we see her in a much more mature role in Star Cursed. She is such a powerful witch and loving sister that it hurts me to see all the drama that unfolds with these three girls.

And lastly, Finn!!! The life of my heart, I CANNOT even speak about him right now. My heart still hurts too much to form anything other than gut wrenching squeals and tears. I know this statement creeps into semi-spoilery waters, but there are no other words right now.

So finally, I hope that after what's been said you can still find as much joy in this book as I did because it really is a great sequel to the Cahill sisters journey and I am just as frightened at what's to come for Cate, Tess and Maura AND Finn as Cate is, but I know that Mrs. Spotswood will give them the ending that they deserve.

REVIEW: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)  by Veronica Rossi
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Publisher: Harper Collins
Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she’s never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He’s searching for someone too. He’s also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive.

If they can survive, they are each other’s best hope for finding answers.

For some reason nothing about this book really drew me in initially. The cover seemed blah, the synopsis was just ok and the author didn't "sell" it to me when I met her at a signing…but after all of that I still felt compelled to read it when my good friend Jenn at Books and Swoons recommended it to me several times.

So read it I did and of course LOVED it because I love every book that she recommends to me, and now I’m left wondering why it took me soooooo long!?!?!??!?!!?

This book is categorized as a dystopian, but I think it’s got a bit of fantasy in there too so not entirely sure how I would label it just yet. We start off learning about the two the types of people in the world, one being the “Dwellers” that live in pods to protect themselves from the outside world of death and destruction and the other is the “outsiders” where there are tribes that have learned to live among the storms and destruction that occur. This world seems more of the dystopian type. I think the fantasy comes in when we discover that the Aether storms created certain mutations that gave some people “powers.” These powers are pretty much just extremely strong senses, Audiles can hear really well, Scires can smell tempers, and Seers can see extremely far and/or in the dark.

The MC’s were truly a great team in this book. We have Aria, the “Dweller” that lives in the main pod called Reverie. Then we have Peregrine aka Perry who is an “outsider” that was “twice gifted” as being a scire and a seer. Then the supporting characters come along starting with Talon, Perrys’ favorite and only nephew, who was taken by the Dwellers for reasons not fully known until the end of the book (no spoilery waters here folks :o)) and Vale, Perry’s brother and Blood Lord of the Tides. WISH there was more I could say about HIM but I could never form the words without giving everything away so for now I leave you with this: He is so shady!!!!!

Then of course we have Roar, who is Perrys’ best friend and in love with his sister Liv and my favorite, Cinder, the kid with the deadliest power of all. He can control the Aether through his blood. Pretty deadly when you realize that he doesn't even remember doing it!

Now to my favorite part, the swoons!!!

Perry, though a really tough guy, is also such a sweetheart! He saved Aria’s life MORE than once and even did it while he disliked her for “causing the Dwellers to take Talon by saving her.” I love that he fell in love with Aria and I love even more that it wasn't over night! Many books have love stories that happen way too fast, like why did you JUST meet and are already in LOVE!??!?! So yea, big plus to Ms. Rossi for her perfect timing in the love aspect of the story.

Now I would be remiss to not mention that this book is NOT A ROMANCE novel!!! Many people see it for the harsh world that it is. I, however, can pretty much find a love story in anything because that’s what I generally look for. So while this book is not really a love story, there IS a little something going on there.

The only thing I DIDN'T like about the book was the ending. And there was nothing bad about it, honestly. I just wish there was one last quote to finish it. It felt like there should have been a quote, but I’m sure whatever it lacked in this book will be overflowing in the next!

FEATURE: Top Ten Tuesday- Top Ten Best Sequels Ever

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies over at The Broke and The Bookish. Every week the girls come up with a subject and we have to answer them.

This week's Top 10 is about the best sequels ever made. It can be any follow up to the original book, the second, third, fourth or even a companion. You get the point :) Here are my all time favorite sequels...

1. Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

 OMG! More drama! More sorrow! More EVERYTHING!!! 

2. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

 I feel like this was such a bittersweet ending to a great series. My heart broke with every word I read!! 

3. Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling

 Same for Deathly Hallows. This was such a bittersweet ending to an amazing series that I can never forget what an impact it made on my life (along with the movies...I pretty much grew up with this series)

4. The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

 Definitely loved welcoming back my favorite Demi-God Percy Jackson AND seeing a new side to the Gods...the Roman side!! Loved this book!!

5. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

 My love for this series started with this book. I completely fell in love with Jacob...that's right folks...Team Jacob over here!!!

6. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

  Ummm, Hello!?!? We meet the spy who stole my heart...Zach from Blackthorne...Can you say swooooon?!?!

7. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

 Wow! Never thought I would get over everything that happened at the end of Delirium. Especially with Alex, but Julian made the transition a little bit easier. I fell for him without even meaning to. At some point I remember disliking him, but that changed pretty fast...

8. Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

 This is when I fell in love with the series. So much ooey gooey goodness in this book!

9. Once by Anna Carey

 Caleb!!!! And the drama is CRAZY!!

10. Something Blue by Emily Giffin

I loved getting to know Darcy in a new light in this book and her story with Ethan was just so beautiful! The definition of TRUE LOVE!!!

Ok so that's my list, what about you guys? Any sequels you love, or hate, or love to hate? Tell me about them!

COVER REVEAL: Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood

OMG! OMG! OMG! It's here swooners, it's finally HERE!!!!!!

Take a look at the cover of Sisters' Fate (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #3)



Perfect timing since I JUST did my review of Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1)

This is an AWESOME series and I cant wait for the release of this book (the last book in the series) which was also "released" to us as AUGUST 14, 2014 

I know this will be a bitter sweet ending and i'll be sad to say goodbye to my favorite witchy sisters :o) but it will also be a great conclusion to a GREAT series!!!

Let the countdown begin!!!!

REVIEW: Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Born Wicked (The Cahill Witch Chronicles: Book #1)  by Jessica Spotswood
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Putnam Juvenille
Source: Book Purchased by Reviewer
Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, IndieBound

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary (from Goodreads):

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship- or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word…especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood- not even from each other.

I have to admit that I was a little skeptical about the turn out of this book because it started off a little slow, but after a few chapters it pulled me right in and I couldn't put it down...Definitely a happy surprise!!

Now to the nitty gritty...Born Wicked takes place in the 1800's and follows a trio of sisters who, you guessed it...are WITCHES!!! Naturally, they are very cautious regarding their magic because being caught using magic almost certainly means DEATH (or the asylum...who knew right?!)

Now, Cate is the oldest sister and our main character. We see the whole story unfolding through her eyes...and what eyes they are! For a girl from the 1800's, she sure knows how to GET DOWN!!
Love affairs, mind magic, and boys galore! I mean honestly, I cant even begin to imagine what it would be like to be her. She has all this power and can do so much with it, who wouldn't want that right?! Well apparently Cate doesn't want it, and understandably so. I wouldn't want the baggage that comes with being Cate either! This poor girl has to juggle being a witch, taking care of her sisters and keeping their magic in lines, keeping her own magic in line (which apparently can be quite difficult when you're kissing a boy xD) and figure out whether or not she will join the Sisterhood or get married...that's a tough life for a 16 year old if you ask me!

Now lets talk about the BOYS!!! When we first meet Cate we learn that she needs to find a husband...and SOON! If she doesn't, the Brotherhood will chose one for her and nobody wants that! So we meet suitor #1, Paul McLeod, who appears to be the only interested in Cate. They have been friends since childhood and Paul is now interested in marrying Cate. At first im a little skiddish about Paul. he seems nice enough, but I couldn't tell right away how genuine he was. But after seeing him with Cate during their "alone" time I have to admit that he's kind of dreamy! Something about him is so tempting to me. He's funny, charming, sweet and tough, but not too tough...just the right amount.

But he totally gets blwon out of the picture when we (meaning Cate and myself) realize that Finn Belastra, the Gardener, is actually pretty cute and totally sweet and pretty much perfect! Yea, sorry Paul, you've been DUMPED! Finn takes sweet and charming to a whole new level when he and Cate fall in love...that's right! I said it folks...they fall in LOVE...Oh and he proposes to her with his mothers ruby ring while daring to defy the Brotherhood...SWOOOOOON!!!!!!!!!!

So this is what I leave you with swooners...Go READ THIS BOOK...I need more people who share my feels about it (hehe)