Waiting on Wednesday: In Honor

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill over at Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week's not-yet-published "need-to-read-now" selection is:

In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Publishing 5.8.12

Summary from Goodreads: Honor receives her brother's last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

If you haven't read Moonglass, Jessi Kirby's debut, you won't know how amazing and fresh her writing is. I have, so I definitely know. Anyways, I also like the love stories that also happen to be about travel; there's just something about them that call to my soul....

I hope Rusty is as awesome as he seems to be! There's great hope he'll make it on my coveted crush list, for now. Anyways, he had better be swoon-inducing! How am I supposed to wait more than two months?!

Yay/Nay for Fire!

This is why I'm in my own happyland now...
It's also why I missed Teaser Tuesday...
Oh, well. I still love your music, Adele!

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep

Unfortunately, I'm the type of person who gets obsessed with a single book for about a day (unless it's Clockwork Prince...) and absolutely must review it. As of right now, It's Touch of Frost, a book that happened to make me laugh like a maniac. 4 out of 5 stars.

Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War. You know, death, destruction and lots of other bad, bad things. Freaky stuff like this goes on all the time at Mythos, but I'm determined to find out who killed Jasmine and why—especially since I should have been the one who died. . .


“Logan Quinn was the kind of guy who could stab me in the eye with a freaking Twizzler.”
That's precisely why I love Touch of Frost. Gwen has a great sense of humor that she's not afraid of showing. I loved how she was interested in comic books and actually admitted to loving cookies! Now how's that for a protagonist? Gwen was totally unique!
Not only that, but she was not a sissy. Plus she was really curious. She was willing to look for her own answers and not just wait for them to come. She actually tried! Even though that seems kind of normal, she actually had a great heart. She was willing to help people she hated, and she basically loved her enemies. While many YA characters are not capable of doing that, Gwen was. For that, I have to admire her. Besides, who can resist someone with an awesome name like Gwen?

Logan Quinn was kind of.... an average bad boy. He was your typical arrogant, supposedly hot guy known for all the girls he was connected with. Not only that, but he was the strongest guy at Mythos, which made girls swoon even more. While I liked his looks, I didn't exactly think he was good enough to swoon about, at least not yet. Like I said before, he was kind of average...
but not to Gwen. She ended up falling for him and hard, too. Oh well, at least she chose a guy with connections.
Okay, so maybe I kind of like him too, but I still kind of dislike him. Well, at least I kind of like him.

As for the whole academy idea, I have to say that at least the author made it interesting. At least she didn't use the same old boring creatures, like vampires. She made her own academy and actually used the Greek part pretty well. While the only Greek mythology I know comes from Percy Jackson, I have to say I was happy to see it again. The mythology was not exactly the same, but I still appreciate that it was there.
As for the villian, I'm just going to say that he or she was not expected. He or she made me very surprised, more than usual. Usually I can guess who the villian is, but this was a mystery. (Cue spooky music...)
I loved how much action there was! Touch of Frost is not a book for people who like slow books. It was fast-paced and awesome! There was lots of suspense, so I was extremely happy!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

If I weren't so furious by what Cassandra Clare can do to a reader, I would be praising this book. BUT since I am so furious that she made me stay up late for four nights, making me lose my sleep and my sanity, I will be resorting to obsessive ranting and maybe a gush or two. 5 out of 5 stars!

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
5 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.
With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

I am so confused. How can Cassandra Clare get a person to fall in love with two totally different people in the same book? You see, I somehow lost my mind trying to choose between Jem and Will, so I decided to like them both. Every time Jem came into the picture, I was Team Jem. Every time Will came into the picture, I was Team Will. I honestly can not choose right now. However, I felt really bad for Will. His secret made me cry for him. Because of the secret, he never had a chance to be honest. He was living a lie to save the ones he loved, and that ended up crushing him. I honestly admire him for his strength and humor through everything.
Jem was a different story. While his problem was not mental, I still could not believe how nice and kind he stayed. I really loved his constant kindness and how happy he made Tessa, but I still can't help thinking about Will...
That's why I'm mad at Cassandra Clare. I'm supposed to like only one guy, but she just has to make them complete opposites and both totally crush-worthy. Why does she have to make my heart split for them?

I was also extremely mad about the plot. I usually have a faint inkling about what's going to happen, but for Clockwork Prince, I totally did not. Is that a good thing? How was I supposed to guess the events when they were totally unexpected? I did not predict a thing correctly. All the traitors, liars and motives were just not predictable. My mind is still reeling from who the spy actually was... but you'll have to read the book to find out!
Since I was so surprised, it's obvious that there were lots of twists and turns. All the events had me gasping, especially when I found out Will's secret and why he visited Magnus...
There was also a ton of action, especially knife throwing. Don't you just love a book with knife throwing?

As usual, I loved and got really mad at Cassandra's epic writing. I was drawn from the first page, not the first half. I love how her writing draws you in immediately. Considering that it's in third-person, that's an even greater feat to accomplish. However, since I'm supposed to be mad, I'm just going to say that I'm extremely furious that she pulled it off. Even though it was set in historical London, I was surprised by how natural it seemed. Such narration usually seems a little unsettling for that timeframe, but she pulled it off. That proves to everyone that Cassandra Clare can write ANYTHING.

As for Tessa, she was a great character. She was strong enough to the point that I would have been crying while she was just thinking things over. She was relatable to the point that I got everything she did. She was likeable to the point that two totally different guys loved her. She was a kindred spirit with a wicked sense of humor, an amazing story and a pretty awesome talent! As usual, I have to blame Cassandra Clare for creating such a perfect main character. (I wonder if I'm actually angry or just trying to fake it...)


I was extremely furious with the details. Honestly, I don't think any other author could do it better. The regular details were all done well, such as your average carriage details and poetry and other regular setting things, but more importantly were the mental details. You have to keep in mind that Clockwork Prince is set in the 19th century, so behavior was a bit different than today's. Tessa was a pretty good character considering that she didn't seem like a modern heroine, yet she seemed like a Victorian heroine.
Wait, why do I need to write any more? It's completely obvious who rocked the writing, although I'm kind of reluctant to admit it...

So everyone needs to read this book before they wait like crazy until they read it and end up ranting like I just did! (This is possibly the longest review I've ever tried writing. And I mean EVER.)

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

For some extremely odd reason, I didn't think there would be a ring involved in The Faerie Ring. Honestly, I have no idea how I could not see the ring on the cover or notice how the summary talked about a ring....
Well, 4 out of 5 stars to the book that I finally realize is about a ring.

The Fairie Ring by Kiki Hamilton
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger.

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood--Tiki's blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched--and protected--by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen's son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief--all must work together to secure the treaty...

Maybe it's because the unbelievable amount of sugar I've just had recently, but I am unbelievably obsessed with Rieker. Even though he's a major STALKER, I can't keep him out of my mind. I honestly think the stalking is just a phase and that it's actually kind of cute. I don't know what my thing with Rieker is, but I like him. A lot. Maybe it's the smoky eyes...
or the way that Tiki thinks about him has spread to me...
Oh, and did I mention that I love how much he loves Tiki? Or the fact that he is extremely loyal and isn't who he seems to be?

Tiki was an exceptional character. She blew me away. Honestly, I don't know how Kiki Hamilton did it. She made Tiki strong and stubborn but also extremely caring and kind. While that seems impossible, let me just say that it isn't. Somehow the author made it work. Tiki turned out to be smart, clever, nice, well-meaning and strong, but she still did not seem like a goody-two-shoes. She also was not annoying at all. In other words, she was not a damsel in distress. She could hold her own ground and have bread fights... well, not really.

Of course I thought the plot was interesting... I didn't even know a ring was involved! Even if you are aware of that, let me assure you that it's not expected. Usually faeries and rings put together in a book result in a really unpredictable plot. Such was the case for The Faerie Ring. Add in Rieker's secret, some more odd characters and the magic of the author's imagination to get one totally unique plot. Of course, even if you've already read the book, the plot will always be filled with twists and surprises and action, no matter how many times you reread it!

I have never been to London, but somehow I could visualize it perfectly. The setting was simply marvelous. I loved the talk of the buildings and the castles and the carriages. The whole era fit perfectly for the story. I loved how Tiki could just hop onto the back of a carriage, climb up a tree and not get in trouble, meet an actual prince and care for fellow orphans. Of course, that could only happen in 1871. As for London, I thought it was perfect. I thought the setting was marvelous, completely marvelous! There's something about London that is just magical, and it makes everyone happy.

I loved the writing style. I admit that I was a little reluctant at first because it was in first-person, but I have to say now that it was a perfect choice. It totally went along the setting and all. The author totally pulled it off. She managed to make me connect with Tiki and relate to her, which is extremely hard when talking third-person. Not only that, but I felt as if I was Tiki. As for the writing itself, I was completely surprised that it was not to flowery. Elegant, yes, but there were no flowers! However, there was a bit of dark humor, a great style and a totally awesome third-person story!

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

I don't think it's possible for anyone to not read this book. I was kicking myself for not reading this book earlier while I was reading it, and let me just say I'm kind of regretting my decision. Anyways, 4 out of 5 stars.

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey
4 out of 5 stars
Published in 2011
Summary from Goodreads: A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger
Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.
Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Judge a book by its cover. You know how you can tell if a book is good or not? You look at the cover! If you're basically drooling just from looking at it, you know that you had got to hurry up and read the book! I was HOOKED just by looking at the petals. That color is so pretty! Major swooning by petals!

One thing I loved about Shattered Souls was that the plot was incredibly layered. In the beginning there were a multitude of mini situations that had to be solved. Towards the middle, they started merging into one. And in the end? Well, let's just say they were solved and then came the ending! I loved how it was incredibly smooth as well. The merging was flawless, and I was shocked at how nicely it was done. While some people don't really like that you don't find out who the villian is until you get really far into the book, I enjoyed the fact that the author could keep me reading that far and not get me bored.
Not only that, but it was incredibly unique. Shattered Souls has its own ideas, including some awesome stuff relating to Protectors and Speakers. I loved how it was in its own class. Shattered Souls is the only book you'll ever find like this, and don't worry, there are tons of twists! I was hooked- I could not stop gasping or reading!

Lenzi was definitely interesting; she actually has this huge secret about herself that she doesn't know. If you've read Shattered Souls, you know what I mean, but if you haven't, let's just say she isn't exactly who she thinks she is. Lenzi was a really good person. She was really nice and well-meaning, but she could also pull a few snarky responses. It was really cool how she could hear the lost souls. I loved how she was a Speaker! Lenzi was also pretty relatable considering the circumstances. I could not believe how real she felt. Throughout the book, I felt as if I were Lenzi, not just some reader.

Alden was not exactly expected. I didn't expect him to be so awesome. He was actually a pretty good character. You could tell he really liked Lenzi. He was definitely loyal, funny, charming and cool! Like Lenzi, he was also incredibly well-meaning and nice! I loved how Alden had these gray eyes; I really love gray eyes! It was so cool how he understood Lenzi. He and Lenzi had great chemistry! They were an awesome couple!

As for Zak, I could not believe him. I was drastically disgusted by him. I could not believe Lenzi actually liked him. He had this terrible temper, which caused him to do some pretty dumb stuff. I hated how protective he was of Lenzi; he actually thought he could wrap her around his finger. Plus he was actually pretty arrogant but not in a good way! I really did not like him. Whenever there was a scene involving him, I would literally just growl at the book! Still, the author wanted you to not like him, so I guess it's a good thing that I hate him....

Waiting on Wednesday: Pandemonium

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill over at Breaking the Spine that features upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating!

This week's not-yet-published "need-to-read-now" selection is:

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Delirium #2
Publishing 2.28.12

Summary from Goodreads:
I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.


I just finished Delirium last night, and I was amazed! Not only that, but I was convinced that a book centered almost entirely on love doesn't have to be boring, bad or cheesy! I was blown away!

I finished Delirium, so what? Well, now I have to read Pandemonium. It's coming out in six days! SIX DAYS OF TEARING MY HAIR OUT! How am I supposed to wait? I can't wait for six days without Alex or Lena or Lauren Oliver's writing! This is insane! I am going crazy without Pandemonium...
Just imagine me like this for SIX MORE DAYS!

Oh, well, I'm sure I won't be this excited in six days. Wrong, I will be more than this excited in six days! I will be invincible!
* cackles evilly while trying to grab book from screen...