Monday, December 31, 2012

December Top 5

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I put this one off for so long because I felt the need to be prepared for it. But then the end of the year snuck up and I refused to let it be 2013 without having read this book. It was amazing. John Green's books are somehow something larger than you can possibly fathom.

2. Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
A beautiful dystopia. You can read my review here.

3. Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
This one just slowly sucked me in and then everything exploded. Such a great book.

4. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Awesome book that combines so many wonderful things that I'd never think to put together. Tarot and apocalypse, genius. Also, the twists in this book were so subtle and shattering at the same time, it kind of blew my mind. 

5. Venom by Fiona Paul
Historical Venice for the win. This book was gorgeous and on top of that it made me sit back and question what I'd do in such situations. You can read my review here.

What were your top reads in December? 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Best Book Boyfriends of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Book Boyfriends of 2012

Tucker
from Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. Gotta love a good country boy. Team Tucker forever.

Luke
from A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford. Call me a masochist, but yum.

Robin
from Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen. Because he's freaking Robin Hood. Duh.

Maxon
from The Selection by Kiera Cass. This prince makes me swoony.

Grayson
from Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols. A bad boy who flies planes. Yes, please.

Noah
from The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. There are too many reasons I love Noah. But let's start with the accent, his slight edge, and his devotion...

Chaol
from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. He's jaded and so mysterious.

Barrow
from Rift by Andrea Cremer. This dude made me so melty every time he was on the page.

Wes
from Embers & Echoes by Karsten Knight. He has secrets, has awesome powers, and a sense of humor. All good things.

Jase
from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I have to love a guy who's actually mature and emotionally healthy.

Honorable Mentions

Tuck
from Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson. He can make me laugh and melt, that's all I really need.
Peregrine
from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Tough, quiet, but so wonderful once you get past his walls.
Kyle
from Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock. Have I mentioned lately that I'm Team Wolf?

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop


Welcome to my stop on the Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer!
Below are my top ten books that I read this year. I will give one lucky winner their choice from one of these books! After you enter, click HERE to keep hoping! 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Diviners by Libba Bray

Rift by Andrea Cremer
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

This giveaway is international, as long as Book Depository ships to you. You must be 13 or older. Giveaway ends at midnight on December 31st. Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below! 

Immortal Circus Blog Tour


I'm so psyched to be representing the Summer Court with Fiktshun as a part of the Immortal Circus Blog Tour! 

Stop by every Wednesday for the next ten weeks for Immortal Circus fun! There will be reviews, guest posts, teasers and of course an incredible giveaway! We're competing with the Winter Court, and whoever has the most comments wins! You can show your support for the Summer Court by entering in the contest here or on Fiktshun's site and leaving us a comment. 

Also, feel free to grab the Summer Court button from the right sidebar and put it on your blog or wherever else you want to show your support! 

Before I jump into this week's goodies, which include my review of the second episode and a teaser, here's more about The Immortal Circus and about the author!

About the Book
Publisher: 47 North
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
Format: Kindle eBook

Murdered contortionists aren't exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded - especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend...and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly courts. 

Aided by her friends Kingston - a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart - and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past - and future - than she bargains for. 

The show's just beginning.

Step right up...
Find the book:

------------------------------------------------------------

About A.R. Kahler
Most little boys dream of running away to join the circus.
Alex didn't just dream it: he did it. But then, he rarely lets a good dream pass him by.
In the past six years he's toured and trained across America and Europe. He's performed in Amsterdam, taught trapeze in Madrid, studied in Glasgow and even had a stint as assistant to Holly Black and Cassandra Clare in New England. He's constantly on the lookout for new places to explore and new worlds to invent. He's a Sagittarius fueled by full moons and espresso. The way to his heart is a latte and fan art. Just for the record.
THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS is his first New Adult novel, and is being released exclusively through the Amazon Kindle e-Serials program by 47North. It will be available in print and audio when the episodes are complete.
MARTYR the first book in his post-apocalyptic fantasy, will be published by Spencer Hill Press in October 2014.
Find him:
TWITTER :: @ARKahler TWITTER :: @ImmortalCircus WEBSITE :: http://www.arkahler.com

------------------------------------------------------------
My Review of Episode Two:

Whoo! The Summer Court has made it's appearance. At least a little bit. Now we're getting a bit more about the Summer Court versus the Winter Court and their rivalry. (And you should definitely be team Summer.) Anyways, in this episode there's more about the background of the circus and why it exists in the first place. Plus, we get to know Vivienne, Kingston, and Mel just a little bit better.

I love the way this book is slowly unfurling. I'm understanding why it's working so well as a serial publication, because each bit of it makes you want more. It's definitely addicting. You never get the whole story and even when it seems like that should be all, there's always the unsettling feeling that there's something you don't know. I get the feeling that everything happens for a reason, everything is controlled, and nothing is coincidental. Which just leaves - who's pulling all the strings?

The ending to this episode was kind of crazy, and I'm sensing that we're about to see more of Mab's dark side - something I'm very excited about. I'm also looking forward to the Kingston/Vivienne story line to start picking up a little bit more.

------------------------------------------------------------
Teaser:

"The trapeze artists climb their two tiny rope ladders that attach to the foot-wide platforms high up above. They are dressed in dark, shimmering outfits that remind me of dragonfly wings, and the dim blue lights onstage make them look otherworldly. Mist seethes along the ground as the music changes to something deeper, slower, more ambient and foreboding. It's all strings and drumbeats now. The singer, Gretchen, hums into her microphone as the performers grab onto the trapeze and swing out above the crowd's heads. There's no net below them. No one dies in this circus, Kingston had said. Every act is a testament to that promise."

------------------------------------------------------------
Week Three Tour Schedule:


Monday, Dec. 24: Summer – Fiktshun – GUEST POST
Tuesday, Dec. 11: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2
Thursday, Dec. 13: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

------------------------------------------------------------
Giveaway:

THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS Prize Pack Giveaway will be for a signed copy of the book, illustrated trading cards and circus-y goodies.
The giveaway will run for the length of the tour and will end on Friday, February 15th.
the giveaway is US-only
There are FOUR prize packs up for giveaway.
There are extra entries for tweeting daily. 

Best Sequels Of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Sequels of 2012
This was the year of great sequels. So I wanted to highlight some of the best second books that came out this year.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Until I Die by Amy Plum

Embers & Echoes by Karsten Knight
Entice by Jessica Shirvington

And two that I'm sure will be just as incredible as the first book, I just haven't gotten around to reading them yet.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Best Book Covers of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Book Covers in 2012

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini 
All the pretty colors.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
So perfect. So adorable.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Not entirely sure why I'm so in love with this cover. But it's gorgeous.

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill 
This book lured me by it's cheerful cover.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Gorgeous. And it feels so free.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowly
Just love it.

Above by Leah Bobbett
Not a fan of the book, but the cover is wonderful.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
This cover is simple and just has a classic feel to it.  

The Selection by Kiera Cass
This cover is kind of typical and unoriginal (girls in dresses...) but for some reason, I just love it. It's so pretty.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
It fits the story so well - a little mysterious, with the light and the dark.


Monday, December 31, 2012

December Top 5

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
I put this one off for so long because I felt the need to be prepared for it. But then the end of the year snuck up and I refused to let it be 2013 without having read this book. It was amazing. John Green's books are somehow something larger than you can possibly fathom.

2. Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
A beautiful dystopia. You can read my review here.

3. Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay
This one just slowly sucked me in and then everything exploded. Such a great book.

4. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Awesome book that combines so many wonderful things that I'd never think to put together. Tarot and apocalypse, genius. Also, the twists in this book were so subtle and shattering at the same time, it kind of blew my mind. 

5. Venom by Fiona Paul
Historical Venice for the win. This book was gorgeous and on top of that it made me sit back and question what I'd do in such situations. You can read my review here.

What were your top reads in December? 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Best Book Boyfriends of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Book Boyfriends of 2012

Tucker
from Hallowed by Cynthia Hand. Gotta love a good country boy. Team Tucker forever.

Luke
from A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford. Call me a masochist, but yum.

Robin
from Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen. Because he's freaking Robin Hood. Duh.

Maxon
from The Selection by Kiera Cass. This prince makes me swoony.

Grayson
from Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols. A bad boy who flies planes. Yes, please.

Noah
from The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. There are too many reasons I love Noah. But let's start with the accent, his slight edge, and his devotion...

Chaol
from Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. He's jaded and so mysterious.

Barrow
from Rift by Andrea Cremer. This dude made me so melty every time he was on the page.

Wes
from Embers & Echoes by Karsten Knight. He has secrets, has awesome powers, and a sense of humor. All good things.

Jase
from My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick. I have to love a guy who's actually mature and emotionally healthy.

Honorable Mentions

Tuck
from Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson. He can make me laugh and melt, that's all I really need.
Peregrine
from Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. Tough, quiet, but so wonderful once you get past his walls.
Kyle
from Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock. Have I mentioned lately that I'm Team Wolf?

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop


Welcome to my stop on the Best of 2012 Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a Reader, Not a Writer!
Below are my top ten books that I read this year. I will give one lucky winner their choice from one of these books! After you enter, click HERE to keep hoping! 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Wanderlove by Kirsten Hubbard

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
The Diviners by Libba Bray

Rift by Andrea Cremer
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen
Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

This giveaway is international, as long as Book Depository ships to you. You must be 13 or older. Giveaway ends at midnight on December 31st. Just fill in the Rafflecopter form below! 

Immortal Circus Blog Tour


I'm so psyched to be representing the Summer Court with Fiktshun as a part of the Immortal Circus Blog Tour! 

Stop by every Wednesday for the next ten weeks for Immortal Circus fun! There will be reviews, guest posts, teasers and of course an incredible giveaway! We're competing with the Winter Court, and whoever has the most comments wins! You can show your support for the Summer Court by entering in the contest here or on Fiktshun's site and leaving us a comment. 

Also, feel free to grab the Summer Court button from the right sidebar and put it on your blog or wherever else you want to show your support! 

Before I jump into this week's goodies, which include my review of the second episode and a teaser, here's more about The Immortal Circus and about the author!

About the Book
Publisher: 47 North
Publication Date: December 4, 2012
Format: Kindle eBook

Murdered contortionists aren't exactly what Vivienne signed up for when she ran away to join the circus. But like most things under the big top, nothing is what it seems. With a past she can't quite remember, Vivienne finds that running away forever might not be as appealing as it once sounded - especially not when she realizes the devilishly attractive ringleader Mab is the Faerie Queen of legend...and that she and the rest of the troupe are locked in an age-old rivalry between the otherworldly courts. 

Aided by her friends Kingston - a feisty stage magician whose magic is quickly stealing her heart - and his smart-ass assistant Melody, Vivienne finds herself racing against the clock to discover the culprit behind a series of deaths that should be impossible. However, the answer she seeks might reveal more about her own bloody past - and future - than she bargains for. 

The show's just beginning.

Step right up...
Find the book:

------------------------------------------------------------

About A.R. Kahler
Most little boys dream of running away to join the circus.
Alex didn't just dream it: he did it. But then, he rarely lets a good dream pass him by.
In the past six years he's toured and trained across America and Europe. He's performed in Amsterdam, taught trapeze in Madrid, studied in Glasgow and even had a stint as assistant to Holly Black and Cassandra Clare in New England. He's constantly on the lookout for new places to explore and new worlds to invent. He's a Sagittarius fueled by full moons and espresso. The way to his heart is a latte and fan art. Just for the record.
THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS is his first New Adult novel, and is being released exclusively through the Amazon Kindle e-Serials program by 47North. It will be available in print and audio when the episodes are complete.
MARTYR the first book in his post-apocalyptic fantasy, will be published by Spencer Hill Press in October 2014.
Find him:
TWITTER :: @ARKahler TWITTER :: @ImmortalCircus WEBSITE :: http://www.arkahler.com

------------------------------------------------------------
My Review of Episode Two:

Whoo! The Summer Court has made it's appearance. At least a little bit. Now we're getting a bit more about the Summer Court versus the Winter Court and their rivalry. (And you should definitely be team Summer.) Anyways, in this episode there's more about the background of the circus and why it exists in the first place. Plus, we get to know Vivienne, Kingston, and Mel just a little bit better.

I love the way this book is slowly unfurling. I'm understanding why it's working so well as a serial publication, because each bit of it makes you want more. It's definitely addicting. You never get the whole story and even when it seems like that should be all, there's always the unsettling feeling that there's something you don't know. I get the feeling that everything happens for a reason, everything is controlled, and nothing is coincidental. Which just leaves - who's pulling all the strings?

The ending to this episode was kind of crazy, and I'm sensing that we're about to see more of Mab's dark side - something I'm very excited about. I'm also looking forward to the Kingston/Vivienne story line to start picking up a little bit more.

------------------------------------------------------------
Teaser:

"The trapeze artists climb their two tiny rope ladders that attach to the foot-wide platforms high up above. They are dressed in dark, shimmering outfits that remind me of dragonfly wings, and the dim blue lights onstage make them look otherworldly. Mist seethes along the ground as the music changes to something deeper, slower, more ambient and foreboding. It's all strings and drumbeats now. The singer, Gretchen, hums into her microphone as the performers grab onto the trapeze and swing out above the crowd's heads. There's no net below them. No one dies in this circus, Kingston had said. Every act is a testament to that promise."

------------------------------------------------------------
Week Three Tour Schedule:


Monday, Dec. 24: Summer – Fiktshun – GUEST POST
Tuesday, Dec. 11: Winter – The Bookish Brunette – GUEST POST
Wednesday, Dec. 12: Summer – In the Best Worlds - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2
Thursday, Dec. 13: Winter – The Non-Reluctant Reader - REVIEW & TEASER – Episode 2

------------------------------------------------------------
Giveaway:

THE IMMORTAL CIRCUS Prize Pack Giveaway will be for a signed copy of the book, illustrated trading cards and circus-y goodies.
The giveaway will run for the length of the tour and will end on Friday, February 15th.
the giveaway is US-only
There are FOUR prize packs up for giveaway.
There are extra entries for tweeting daily. 

Best Sequels Of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Sequels of 2012
This was the year of great sequels. So I wanted to highlight some of the best second books that came out this year.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Insurgent by Veronica Roth

A Touch Morbid by Leah Clifford
Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini
Until I Die by Amy Plum

Embers & Echoes by Karsten Knight
Entice by Jessica Shirvington

And two that I'm sure will be just as incredible as the first book, I just haven't gotten around to reading them yet.

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Best Book Covers of 2012


This is a week about all the best of 2012, hosted by Two Chicks on Books. You can check out everyone else's top ten lists here!

Best Book Covers in 2012

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini 
All the pretty colors.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
So perfect. So adorable.

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
Not entirely sure why I'm so in love with this cover. But it's gorgeous.

Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill 
This book lured me by it's cheerful cover.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson
Gorgeous. And it feels so free.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowly
Just love it.

Above by Leah Bobbett
Not a fan of the book, but the cover is wonderful.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
This cover is simple and just has a classic feel to it.  

The Selection by Kiera Cass
This cover is kind of typical and unoriginal (girls in dresses...) but for some reason, I just love it. It's so pretty.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
It fits the story so well - a little mysterious, with the light and the dark.