Review: The Raft - S.A. Bodeen

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Release Date: August 21st 2012
Page Length: 231 pages

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Robie is an experienced traveler. She’s taken the flight from Honolulu to the Midway Atoll, a group of Pacific islands where her parents live, many times. When she has to get to Midway in a hurry after a visit with her aunt in Hawaii, she gets on the next cargo flight at the last minute. She knows the pilot, but on this flight, there’s a new co-pilot named Max. All systems are go until a storm hits during the flight. The only passenger, Robie doesn’t panic until the engine suddenly cuts out and Max shouts at her to put on a life jacket. They are over miles of Pacific Ocean. She sees Max struggle with a raft.

And then . . . she’s in the water. Fighting for her life. Max pulls her onto the raft, and that’s when the real terror begins. They have no water. Their only food is a bag of Skittles. There are sharks. There is an island. But there’s no sign of help on the way.

I didn't expect to like this book really, but to my surprise I really did. Robbie wasn't how I thought she would be before I started this book, I kind of expected her to be kind of tough, but really she was kind of a wuss. I can get that though she is young and all, so in a way it worked for her. Once the real meat of the story gets rolling her wuss status started to drive me nuts, until I realized that she really was being strong and tough. She might have argued about doing something but in the end it got done.

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time she was in the raft. I prayed for rain and other miracles. I was scared for her. I couldn't imagine being in her situation as scared as I was as just a reader I don't think I could Handel being in that situation. It took me a little bit just about up to the reveal to figure out her coping mechanism. I was shocked and not shocked all at the same time. 

Watching her struggle to make fires, and find water or food I just sat here crossing my fingers. I wanted her to survive so bad. I wanted her to do things that go against morals and normal thinking. I just wanted her to live. Once the shark was introduced into the story every time the water was mentioned my heart was in my throat. Sharks creep me out on a normal day, it's even worse when I'm reading. Survival novel. In the end when the last page was turned I truly enjoyed this book. I give this one 4 stars!

Waiting on Wednesday (28)

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

My Pick This Week Is:

With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent

What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America? It's time to kick some hellion butt...

After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever.

But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has....

I can't wait for this one, but at the same time I dread it. I want NEED to know what happens, but I don't want this series to end. I love this series and its characters, I'm not ready to say good bye.

What are you waiting for?

Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful people over at The Broke and the Bookish

This week the list is Top Ten Books I HAD To Buy...But Are Still Sitting On My Shelf Unread

My Picks This Week:

The Assassin's Curse - Cassandra Rose Clarke

Bitterblue - Kristin Cashore

Darkest Mercy - Melissa Marr

Reached - Ally Condie

Until I Die - Amy Plum

Black Heart - Holly Black

A Want So Wicked - Suzanne Young

Tempest Unleashed - Tracy Deebs

Perception - Kim Harrington

Passion - Lauren Kate

Ok so I apparently have issues with completing series that I have started...this is something that I am trying to work on this year but I keep getting sucked into the awesome new releases and debuts that have been coming out. I will keep trying though :)

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer Smith

Release Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Page Length: 236 Pages
Rated: YA 14+

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Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

I saw everyone rave about this book,but still sat here saying "that just isn't for me". But I still bought it and it say on my shelf glaring at me. So when Angela from Reading Angel started her page count contest, and posted her April TBR list I formed my own list and this book made it. As I followed my list and approached this book I seriously thought about skipping over it, but I decided just to try to get thought it. Low and behold 4 pages in and I couldn't put this book down. 

Hadley reminded me a lot of myself when it came to her feelings on her father so it was easy for me to relate to her desire to be any where but where she was, doing anything but what she was about to do. As she goes on remembering things about her old life while trying to come to terms with the changes she faces I felt for her. It's not easy to have your whole world changed and at times you can feel so helpless. 

Then we meet Oliver, and the ease at which the two start talking and eat dinner together although they are perfect strangers can't help but make you smile. There banter throughout the flight and the silly things like the duck on the napkin just warm your heart. They make it all look so effortless. When the time come for them to go there separate ways at the airport my heart broke a little.

Once Hadley makes it to her fathers wedding you can again feel her reluctance, she isn't sure she belongs here, and she is just so angry at her father for so many reasons. Slowly though as you go through the ceremony, to the pictures you can see how her conversations with Oliver on the plane make her think that maybe it isn't so bad.

When Hadley realizes why Oliver is really in London she does something so fantastic yet unusual that you can't help but hope it works out for her. In the end of that I feel that I did, although it is clear that Hadley doesn't. But I think this was an important part in Hadley opening up to her father and letting him back in.

I just about balled as Hadley made peace with her father and for her new life. I was so relieved, I wanted her to be happy, and while she no longer has the traditional family she can still be happy. She let go of her anger and started to understand why her father made the choices he made. Watching them clear the air and find a place of love, happiness, and acceptance.

When Oliver made and equally as crazy move as Hadley did earlier I was so excited. The only thing missing from her happily ever after was him. I am not even sure I have the words to describe how I felt in the last few pages of this book. This was an emotional ride that I enjoyed so much. I give this book 5 huge stars, and beg anyone who hasn't read this yet to please do so.

Review: Grave Mercy - R.L. LaFevers

Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Series: His Fair Assassin, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
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Why be the sheep, when you can be the wolf?

Seventeen-year-old Ismae escapes from the brutality of an arranged marriage into the sanctuary of the convent of St. Mortain, where the sisters still serve the gods of old. Here she learns that the god of Death Himself has blessed her with dangerous gifts—and a violent destiny. If she chooses to stay at the convent, she will be trained as an assassin and serve as a handmaiden to Death. To claim her new life, she must destroy the lives of others.

Ismae’s most important assignment takes her straight into the high court of Brittany—where she finds herself woefully under prepared—not only for the deadly games of intrigue and treason, but for the impossible choices she must make. For how can she deliver Death’s vengeance upon a target who, against her will, has stolen her heart?

I have read so many good reviews for this that I knew I just had to get my hands on it. I was not lead astray by my fellow bloggers! Once I started this book I had so much trouble putting it down, I was quickly emerged into a time of Lords and Lady's. At one time I would have been put off by the thought of a historical fiction read but now I crave them. There are few things better than Knights, and court intrigue. 

This book did not fail to give me any of that, there was betrayal at every turn. I went through this story questioning everyone. Who could be trusted when it seemed everyone had there own motives and plans. As the story went on and we fall deeper into the court and the political games I was amazed at how well woven the story was. 

Our characters didn't disappoint me either Ismae was wonderful, and I think I loved her from the start. Watching her start out the way she did, and grow at the convent, to end up the woman we end with was a great journey. She never stopped questioning things even when maybe she shouldn't. She also learned how to walk her own path and be happy with herself. The fact that she is a kick butt assassin makes her kinda awesome too! 

The rest of the characters weather they were main or secondary all had a breath of life in them. I was truly enchanted by all of them, and their story. I can't wait to see what the future hold for them, and where the next leg of this journey will take us. I give this one 5 stars and beg any of you who haven't yet read this to go give it a try, I am sure that it won't disappoint!

Review: Pandemonium - Lauren Oliver

Publisher: HarperCollins ebooks (February 28, 2012)
Pint Length: 337 pages
Language: English

After falling in love, Lena and Alex flee their oppressive society where love is outlawed and everyone must receive the "cure" - an operation that makes them immune to the delirium of love - but Lena alone manages to find her way to a community of resistance fighters. Although she is bereft without the boy she loves, her struggles seem to be leading her toward a new love.

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I feel compelled to start this by saying Lauren Oliver is evil! I was hooked by Delirium, it grabbed me a wouldn't let me go, I thought there is no way pandemonium could be any better, if I'm lucky it might be just as good. Well let me tell you I don't know how she did it but, wow! Just pure simple wow! 

Lena was totally kick ass in this book. Like the reference between old Lena and new Lena, you could definitely see the difference. While there were times where he was scared she faced it all down head on. She fought like crazy for her life and for the ones she cared about. I also loved that at times she didn't just do what others told her to she followed her heart and her gut and did what she felt was right. 

The one thing I thought I was going to hate was how things with Alex were handled. I fell in love with him in Delirium, and didn't thing I would enjoy a book that didn't have tons and tons of Alex. Again...I was wrong, there was enough action with Lena to make up for it. I also kind of maybe fell in love with Jillian. He really surprised me, there were times where I thought that things would end badly, but he surprised me and captured my heart. 

There was so much going on in this book. We got to meet the scavengers, the resistance, and we got an awesome look at Lena's life in the wilds. There was action, suspense, and betrayal. This book had everything that you could possibly ask for and then some. I have no clue how I am going to wait for the next book to come out because that ending was killer! I'm giving this one 5 stars and strongly urge anyone who hasn't read this series yet to go and do so very quickly!

Waiting on Wednesday (27)

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

My Pick This Week Is:

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

If the only way to save the world was to destroy what you loved most, would you do it? 

The clock is ticking. Everyone must choose. 

Passion. Power. Secrets. Enchantment. 

I absolutely LOVE this series! I think I like it better than The Mortal Instruments series. Will, Jem, Tessa, I just need to know where they all end up and how this series ends! I've been waiting for this since I turned the last page on book 2. The 19th just can't come quick enough. 

What are you guys waiting for?