Review: Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Title: Burn for Burn (Burn for Burn #1)

Author: Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Release Date: September 18th, 2012

Source: Borrowed ARC

My Rating: 5/5

BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY...
THEY GET EVEN.

Lillia has never had any problems dealing with boys who like her. Not until this summer, when one went too far. No way will she let the same thing happen to her little sister.

Kat is tired of the rumours, the insults, the cruel jokes. It all goes back to one person– her ex-best friend– and she's ready to make her pay.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she's not the same girl anymore. And she's ready to prove it to him.

Three very different girls who want the same thing: sweet, sweet revenge. And they won't stop until they each had a taste.

I can't even...how is this book so awesome? I am boggled by the awesomeness. I knew this book would be good, fantastic even. But I didn’t think I would love it THIS much. I’m saying it up front; this was one of my favourite books I’ve read this year. It was so deliciously twisted. I loved every vengeful page of it.

I think the best word to describe this book is wicked. Wicked plot, wicked revenge and wicked characters in the very best way. Kat is an out-spoken, in-your-face character that doesn’t take anything negative without giving some in return. And I loved that about her. She is a bad girl that has every right to be that way, and every reason to seek revenge. She had a softer side behind all the bravado, a side that had been damaged and hurt by those around her. It was really interesting to see the contrast! Lillia I had mixed feelings about. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her, and others just give her a hug. I loved how protective she was of her sister, but I also wanted her to stand up for herself. Mary was such a sweet girl, with such a tragic past. I was livid about how she was treated, and wanted her tormentors to pay for what they had done. And those tormentors? Well, they were some nasty characters. Reeve, the egotistical, popular jock got under my skin from his first words. This was a guy who needed to be put in check, and these gals were exactly the ones to do it. Then there was, ugh, Rennie. I completely understand these girls wanting to get revenge on this vile girl. She was entitled, cruel, and vicious sitting high up on her pedestal. In short: she was the epitome of a mean girl. And she had a fall coming to her.

I actually loved the plot of this book. Three girls getting revenge on those who’ve wronged them? That is the start of a fantastic story. I felt almost giddy with anticipation when reading this book. I knew it was leading up to something huge, something bad, and I was dying to know what it would be. It was odd how physical my reaction was to this book. I flitted between laughter, complete anger (which involved shaking the book), shock, and excitement. I was bouncing in place at some points! This book was a complete guilty pleasure, and one I can’t wait to read again and again.

Revenge mixed with wicked gals and a suspenseful plot: that’s what Burn for Burn is. Everyone’s had those vengeful thoughts, and this book speaks straight to them. I loved it, and I think you will too.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

P.S. I want to say a very big THANK YOU to Liz from Midnight Bloom Reads for getting me a signed copy of Burn for Burn and a signed tour poster!

Find This Book: Amazon | Goodreads | Jenny Han's Website | Siobhan Vivian's Website

All Covered Up: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Guys, I love covers. I really do. I love the stunning, the enchanting, the symbolic, and even the simple covers. I just love them. I've been featuring more and more covers on the blog cause I'm hoping to spread the love! And this week, it's for Scarlet by Marissa Meyer!

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own.

As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner. (Summary from Goodreads)

This cover is just so perfect I can't even handle it. Scarlet, the sequel to the amazing Cinder, is a retelling of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale. And my oh my is it a good retelling. I was lucky enough to borrow an ARC of this novel, and it was lots of awesome sauce (I'll have a full review coming closer to the release date). And this cover just adds to it!

This cover captures the storyline perfectly. The Red Riding Hood theme is very clearly displayed on this cover, as is Scarlet's flaming red hair. I really liked that there's a bit of a foggy element on the cover, which gives an air of mystery. I also like that Scarlet is running in this picture, which aptly describes a lot of the story. As I always say, I really like when covers match or stay with the same theme and Scarlet and Cinder are defiently very similar. I can't wait to pick up my copy and stare at it on my shelf!

If you haven't check out the amazing Cinder yet, you are really missing out! It is a fantastic retelling, and Scarlet is tons of fun as well!

Scarlet is out February 5th, 2013 from Feiwel & Friends!

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight) 

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Release Date: September 18th, 2012

Source: ARC (Borrowed from Kathy)

My Rating: 5/5

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before. (Summary from Goodreads)

I knew this was going to be a stunner but I was not prepared for the amazingness of The Raven Boys. It sailed past my every expectation and has sky-rocketed on to my all-time favorites list. This was a beautiful, alluring, captivating book, and I still can’t get over it. I want to read it over and over, to be lost in this story and never find my way out.

I find that I focus my reviews on either characters or plot, even if I love both. I always seem to love one more than the other. But, The Raven Boys is different. Because the plot was honestly so creative and enthralling and the characters were some I completely connected with. I just want to gush on endlessly about this book. There was nothing I didn’t love.

Maggie Stiefvater creates enchanting characters in all her books and The Raven Boys is no exception. I have said it once, and I’ll no doubt say it tons of times: I adore broken characters and The Raven Boys are as fractured as they come. They have so much depth, and heart and I can’t help but love every piece of them. The Raven Boys were a broken bunch and they were beautiful, stunning people, each held together by a dream and a seemingly unbreakable bond.

My view of Adam varied throughout the book, but overall I was definitely a fan. He was a very sweet, complex character and one I kept cheering for. I loved his determination, and passion, although I was slightly frustrated by his pride. At the same time, I knew my frustration was simply an outsider’s perspective, and that being in his situation would give me a much different opinion. Ronan is...well, he's Ronan. A haunted soul whose dark past seems embedded in every move he makes. I think he could seem a bit off-putting to some readers, but I loved him with abandon. I want to know more about him, to peel back his armour and see what lies beneath. Noah was a mysterious character. He had a shy, calming personality, and something magical about him that I was fascinated with. I wanted to know his story, and what his role in the ley line hunt truly was.

But of all the characters, Gansey captivated me the most. Gansey. Oh my Gansey.

Gansey was also the character I connected with the most. Constantly searching for more, hoping to find a nugget of magic and beauty in this world. I’ve always been the kind of person that wants to know, to learn as much as I can, and to find some sense of meaning and purpose in this world. Watching Gansey on his quest to find the ancient king, to find something more to life, and to fulfill his desperate purpose was both heart-breaking and enchanting. When he was explaining his quest I felt fascinated. I clung to every word he said, and even found myself researching the historical tops online (I have to see those Nazca Lines for myself one day). I wanted to join him on his journey to find Glendower and the meaning of the ley lines. I felt myself utterly obsessed with it, just like him. I could also see that part in Gansey that was just broken, and I wanted to desperately to help him fix it. To help him complete his quest and stand right next to him as he unlocked the secrets he was desperate to know. I don’t think I’ve felt just a deep connection to a character in a long while, and it was honestly amazing. Gansey is everything I’ve always wanted in a character, and I’m so happy to have read about him.

Then, of course, there’s Blue. Her fascinating home life and strange power kept me intrigued through the book. As did the prophecy that seemed to be woven into most of her life. I loved her determination and enthrallment with the magical ley lines. She wasn’t a protagonist that was going to just stand back and watch the scene, but rather dive in and be a part of the action, which was great to read about.

This wasn't an unputdownable book. I set The Raven Boys aside, hung out with friends, watched Masterchef, and went along with my life. But, each and every time I picked up that book I was welcomed back with open arms. I slipped right back into the story with no sense of time in between readings. And the story was brilliant. I loved the idea of the ley lines (which I’ve heard of before, but not in so much detail), the quest for Glendower, the theme of the ravens woven in and every other magical aspect of the story. I wanted to immerse myself in this world, because I was so captivated by it. Maybe it’s just my pure love of myths and legends, but this story was just beautiful to me.

Maggie Stiefvater has a way of turning simple phrases into extraordinary prose. I was amazed, as I always am, but her pure talent when it comes to writing. The words flowed together so well, I found myself sitting back stunned at points. I love amazing writing, and Maggie Stiefvater never disappoints.

As a final note since really, I could go on for days, this is one heck of a gorgeous cover. If you see it up close, the Raven is made of brush strokes, which just adds to the beauty. It’s probably one of my favourite covers this year.

If you love…well, if you love all things amazing in books you’ll love The Raven Boys. It is a purely beautiful novel, and I can’t wait to read it again and again. I don't think I've done this book justice with my review. Read it. It's the best way to see for yourself what I've tried to convey with my jumbled thoughts.

Also, for my fellow team members: #TeamGanseyForEver

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Find This Book: Amazon | Goodreads | Maggie Stiefvater's Site

All Covered Up: With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

Today the cover was revealed for the seventh and final Soul Screamers novel, With All My Soul. I absolutely, totally and completely love it. It fits in perfectly with all the other novels, something I really appreciate in a series. The cover has an ethereal edge to it, and it’s also just plain gorgeous. According to Rachel Vincent, the dress on the cover actually appears in the novel, which I think it is a great touch. With All My Soul is looking to be one of the best in the series, (it’s theme is wrath, so there will no doubt be some revenge and heart-break!) and I’m sure I’ll love every page of it.

I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed when I saw this cover. Not because of how it looked, but because of what it means. The last Soul Screamers novel. I started reading the Soul Screamers series right when they came out. Like, I ran to the bookstore the day My Soul to Take came out and spend the rest of the day reading it in my basement. Then began the countdown for the next book. You could say, I’m a bit of a Rachel Vincent fan. Her adult series Shifters was the first adult book I ever read, and that series remains my favorite to this day. I have loved every novel, and short story I’ve ever read by her (and I’m pretty sure I’ve read them all) and I am so excited for all the novels to come. The Soul Screamers series is near and dear to my heart, and the characters feel like family. It’s going to be hard to say goodbye (if I’m crying just looking at the cover, you know I’m going to be a mess reading With All My Soul), but I’m sure it’ll end on a high note.

If you haven’t read any Soul Screamers novels I HIGHLY recommend them. Great premise, fantastic characters, and just about everything else you could ask in a series.

With All My Soul is out April 1^st, 2013 from Harlequin Teen! 

Also, Team Tod for Afterlife. Just so we’re clear.

- Ciara (Lost at Midnight)

Waiting On Wednesday (12): Endlessly by Kiersten White

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, in which bloggers talk about the books they are most eager for!

This Week's Pick: Endlessly (Paranormlacy #3) by Kiersten White

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: July 24th, 2012

Try as she might, Evie can’t seem to escape her not-so-normal past. And what was supposed to be a blissfully normal school break is ruined when a massive group of paranormals shows up at her house, claiming that Evie is the only one who can protect them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The deadly war between the faerie courts looms ever closer. The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its future rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.

With a perfect blend of humor and suspense, Endlessly is everything readers could dream of in a conclusion—and the unexpected twists will keep them guessing until the very last page. (Summary from Goodreads)

The Paranormalcy series by Kiersten White is, without a doubt, one of the best paranormal series out there. It is hilarious, captivating, and everything else you can ask for in a novel. Evie is an adorable protagonist who's heart and humor will keep you laughing and smiling throughout the story. And Lend. Oh, Lend. A boy out of any girls dreams (well, if they featured a supernatural-body-morphing hottie). 

I'm going to be very sad to see this series end, but I'm sure Kiersten White will keeping me smiling through the sadness! I can't wait to see how to all comes to an end!

Also, can I just gush about how much I love this cover?! I adored the first two, but this one takes the cake! The gorgeous dress, plus the stunning purple all comes together to make one of my favorite covers this year! 

- Ciara who is lost at midnight

All Covered Up: Asunder by Jodi Meadows

Hey all!

So, I've been meaning to start posting book covers cause I absolutely adore them. I love talking about them, I love trying to dissect their meaning, and I loved simply staring at them. I thought I should give cover posts a name so I'm calling them "All Covered Up!"

Just today, Jodi Meadows revealed the cover, summary and title for the Incarnate sequel! It's going to be called ASUNDER and here's the cover! 


*WARNING: summary contains spoilers for Incarnate*

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

Isn't it just gorgeous! It's going to look fabulous next to my copy of Incarnate. Jodi Meadows answered a few questions on her blog (includes a giveaway!) so be sure to stop by and read about it! She does mention that, like the butterfly on the first cover, the rose petals have some significance in the novel. I haven't read the summary due to my "no summaries" rule, but I'm sure it's really intriguing! I just can't wait to read this one! Incarnate was one of my favorite books this year. 

Tune in to the blog later in the week for my review of Incarnate!

-Ciara who is lost at midnight    

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Title: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #1)

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Release Date: September 27th, 2011

Source: Purchased

My Rating: 4.5/5

Summary from Goodreads:

Mara Dyer believes life can't get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her strangely unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

I've always been slightly afraid of mirrors. You know in horror movies were people look away from the mirror then look back and the knife-wielding axe-murderer whatever is standing behind them? Yeah, that has made me very scared of mirrors.

So has this book.

I was literally shaking when I read it, and kept ducking and hiding from mirrors for days afterwards! I'm sorry, but seeing dead friends in mirrors instead of yourself? Yeah, it was terrifying. It was probably not my best idea to stay up 'til two reading but I couldn't help myself! I needed to know what happened! A midnight read at its finest.

I was absolutely hooked from the first page. That letter! Wow! What a grab. Actually, I could say I was hooked from the cover cause, um, yeah, one of the best covers I've ever seen. One question I heard about the cover, which made me love it that much more, was "Is the boy on the cover saving her, or pulling her under?" Every time I look at the cover I can't help but shiver.

The story itself was shudder-inducing (in a good way). Watching the main character, Mara Dyer, slowly slip into madness was engrossing while terrifying. Her visions had me cowering from the pages, while flipping them faster to read more. The flashbacks of the incident, the constant nightmares, and Mara's attempt to survive it all kept the story moving, and kept my heart-pounding.

Mara Dyer is not your typical heroine, and I loved that about her. She's dark, haunted, and scary in her own right. She's a bit of a tragic heroine; one fatal flaw could bring her all down. Which is fantastic (in a literary sense. I'm sure it's not so fantastic for Mara). A lot of books have strong female leads that have you cheering and rooting for their success. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer has a protagonist that has you staring in horror, yet fascinated by her every decision. I have to say, this series has a lot of potential. And the dark heroine of Mara is one to watch out for.

I have to also mention Noah Shaw. Although I found the beginning of their relationship slightly typical (by YA book standards), I adored him. I can't help but love a sarcastic hottie, with a sweet side. I mean really, who can!

I don't want to give away anything, so I'm going to put a big SPOILER ALERT right here (although, it's not really a huge spoiler, but if you don't want any, don't read this paragraph) but there was one thing that irked me about the book. I didn't like the supernatural element that was thrown in at the end. I liked the more contemporary, although a bit paranormal, style it was taking. But the end! Oh the end. Let's just say I NEED to have The Evolution of Mara Dyer in my hands...like yesterday.

If you're looking for a scary thrill-ride, pick up The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. It'll have you cowering in a corner, while gluing your eyes to the page.
 
The cover of The Evolution of Mara Dyer was just released and my goodness is it gorgeous! As stunning and as deeply haunting as the first. Makes me wonder what's going to happen in the second book!

-Ciara who is lost at midnight