In My Mailbox {20}: The Dynamic Duo

Hey all! This week I got two fantastic books from BookPeople, my local indie. I'm super excited about both of these!

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti
Dark Eyes by William Richter
What was in your mailbox this week? Leave a comment and a link below!

Finnikin of the Rock: Book Review

Novel: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta | Goodreads

Release Date: February 9th, 2010

Publisher: Candelwick Press (Originally by Viking Australia)

Format: Hardcover

Source: Library

Challenge: None

 

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.
But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.
Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.
(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa's Rambles:
    Somehow, I had forced myself to not read this book, because I'm not usually a big fantasy fan, and I love Melina Marchetta's contemporary novels so much, I guess I didn't want to ruin this amazing image I had of her writing. I don't really know why I thought Finnikin of the Rock would ruin it, but I did. And boy was I wrong.

   Finnikin of the Rock had a bit of a slow start, but most of Melina Marchetta's novels do, so I kept reading. The beginning has a prologue like Jellicoe Road, and I loved that section, so I had faith that I would come around. Then, the action began. Evanjalin was introduced and I loved her character from the start. I loved how strong she was, and how she believed in herself and put faith in herself like Finnikin couldn't do.

   The relationship between Finnikin and Evanjalin was complicated, and that is what I loved about it. Like the other Marchetta novels, the love is subtle - you know the characters and falling for each other, but it has this beautiful subtly to it that only Melina Marchetta can do. Finnikin couldn't trust Evanjalin, and refused to believe anything she said - for a while. After he realizes that he has to trust her, the fun of the story begins. The characters begin to work off of each other and the storyline just takes off.

   The storyline of this novel is amazing. It's complex, detailed and so full of detail. I could imagine the land of Finnikin and Lumatere to the fullest extent, and I built the world up inside my head. Each chapter had me begging for more! The quest of Finnikin and Evanjalin is long, and they travel through their land searching for not only Balthazar, but also for themselves.

   Melina Marchetta has crafted another amazing and beautiful novel with her characters at the top and the storyline into the clouds. I fell in love with the world of these characters and never wanted to fall back into my own.

TGIF {26}: Book Blogger Pride

Book Blogger Pride: What do you take pride in when it comes to blogging?

There is so much that I take pride in when it comes to blogging, because I love it all.

First of all, my blog. I love this thing as if it was my child. I spend all my free time doing things for it, design it, spend hours talking to my blog designer, Meredith, and constantly reading to keep it updated.

Second, being a teen! There are plenty of teen book bloggers, but each one brings something different and new. I love being a teen book blogger, because provides challenges and opportunities that make me stronger and more confident.

Third, my blogger friends. They are absolutely AMAZING. I take pride in how amazing they think I am, and how supportive they are of me. They keep me going! Those amazing people are: Meredith and Erin of Mint Tea and a Good Book, Katie of Katie's Book Blog, Jess of Jessie's Remarkable Reads, Erika of Rescue Reads, and Vy of Vy's Blog. These girls ROCK.

Happy Friday!

Waiting on Wednesday {6}: A Want So Wicked

A Want So Wicked by Suzanne Young, sequel to A Need So Beautiful

Expected Publication: June 26th, 2012 from Balzer+Bray

Elise is a normal seventeen-year-old girl until the day she wakes up in a desert park, with no idea who she is. 

After that episode, her life takes a bizarre turn. She’s experiencing unexpected flashes of insight into people’s lives—people she’s never met before. Strangers frighten her with warnings about the approaching Shadows. And although Elise has never had a boyfriend, she suddenly finds herself torn between two handsome but very different young men: Abe, the charming bad boy whose affect on her both seduces and frightens her, and the mysterious Harlin, who’s new to town but with whom Elise feels an urgent, elemental connection—almost as if they are soul mates. 

Now Elise begins to question everything about her life. Why do these guys both want her so desperately? What are the Shadows? Why does the name Charlotte inspire a terrifying familiarity? And who is Elise, really?

This sounds fantastic! I recently reviewed A Need So Beautiful and FELL IN LOVE. I can't wait for this one, and from what I've heard, it's even better.

A Need So Beautiful: Book Review

Novel: A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young | Goodreads

Release Date: June 21st, 2011

Publisher: Balzer+Bray

Format: ARC

Source: Borrowed from Meredith of Mint Tea and a Good Book

Challenge: None

We all want to be remembered. Charlotte's destiny is to be Forgotten... 

Charlotte’s best friend thinks Charlotte might be psychic. Her boyfriend thinks she’s cheating on him. But Charlotte knows what’s really wrong: She is one of the Forgotten, a kind of angel on earth, who feels the Need—a powerful, uncontrollable draw to help someone, usually a stranger. 

But Charlotte never wanted this responsibility. What she wants is to help her best friend, whose life is spiraling out of control. She wants to lie in her boyfriend's arms forever. But as the Need grows stronger, it begins to take a dangerous toll on Charlotte. And who she was, is, and will become--her mark on this earth, her very existence--is in jeopardy of disappearing completely. 

Charlotte will be forced to choose: Should she embrace her fate as a Forgotten, a fate that promises to rip her from the lives of those she loves forever? Or is she willing to fight against her destiny--no matter how dark the consequences.

 (Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

Willa's Rambles:
I somehow hadn't read A Need So Beautiful even though I've been meaning to forever. I didn't even really know what it was about other than the cover was awesome. (Meredith doesn' agree, but I really like it.) So when I started reading, and couldn't put it down, I wasn't surprised. Thankfully that day I had testing at school and finished early, so I finished it during class and afterwards I had that "I-loved-that-book-so-much-I-have-a-hole-in-my-heart" kind of feeling.

For some reason, I kept on wanting to call Charlotte Willow from Angel Burn. Don't ask why. I think it was because the plots were getting all mixed and melded together in my brain, but I believe that's a good thing, because I adored Angel Burn. The relationship between Harlin (I love his name. So much.) and Charlotte was similar to the intense relationship between Willow and Alex in Angel Burn, so that might have been part of it.

One thing that definitely set this one apart from any other novel of it's kind is the entire idea: that there are people meant to help those in need, and once their time is up, they disappear. I felt so deeply connected to Charlotte that the last thing I wanted was for her to leave and for Harlin to be all alone, because I loved them together.

For me, A Need So Beautiful was fresh, new, romantic, and everything I could've asked for. I loved it!

TGIF {25}: Love Stories (And My Inner Romantic Explained)

like the new image?

Love Stories: What are some of your favorite fictional love stories?

I think Ginger might be trying to kill me with this one. 


My family consistently calls me a romantic, and I'm totally a hopeless romantic to the umph-degree. Like the one where when you go to see Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and you whisper to your mother that you want to see The Vow and she gives you that look like, "You better find someone to take you, because I'm not." I'm also the person that smiles when you see a couple in their seventies taking a walk and holding hands. I'm such a romantic, so in every book, I fall in love with the love interest. But, I narrowed it down. To ten. (You all should be super proud of me.


My Favorite Love Stories - Mostly the Characters (These are in no particular order!)

Augustus Waters, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
I fell in love with Augustus the moment I read his first line, and I loved how he had this talent to make you laugh, cry, and smile all in one sentence. I don't think I'll ever 
forget him.

Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
I think this one will be one everyone's list, because I couldn't help fall in love with Peeta and Katniss. Their relationship was so unique and perfect and flawed and incredible... I couldn't live without them. 


"I can't lose the boy with the bread." -Katniss

Sam and Grace, Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater.
These two characters continued to have me smiling and pulled into their story. I continue to fall back to them when I need my romance fix - they are amazing.


Most of all, I love their relationship, how they fully trust each other and are willing to give everything for the other. 


Anna and Étienne, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins.
I had the pleasure of meeting Stephanie, and she is the sweetest person, which makes me love her books even more. Anna and Étienne are two amazing people put together, and they fit like a puzzle. I love them so much!


Mara and Noah, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin.
I love these two. I love Noah, I love Mara, and I love them together! They are hilarious, and so happy together, especially towards the end of the book. I can't wait for the next one!


Lissa and Cash, Shut Out by Kody Keplinger.
I just finished this one yesterday, but it totally makes the list, because I'm in love. First of all, I love Cash's name, and how he is so human. He is flawed, he isn't perfect, he has family issues, and Lissa loves him all the same. 


Charlotte and Harlin, A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young.
I recently finished this one as well, but the characters are amazing. They are planning their future, and they care so deeply for each other. Harlin is also awesome, and I don't think that anyone could resist him in real life.


Eve and Caleb, Eve by Anna Carey.
I loved these together from the start! They were so perfect, and Caleb constantly put Eve first for her safety and making sure she was alright. I couldn't stand the ending, and I NEED the second one in order to survive.


Emma and Galen, Of Poseidon by Anna Banks.
I loved these two, because they were so obviously different from each other! Emma has a temper, Galen is calmer, yet they fit so perfectly together. I loved them from the start, and I can't wait for everyone to read it in May!


And The Best for Last...


Jonah and Taylor, Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta.
First off, this has to be my favorite book, like EVER. I loved it so much. Every time I re-read it, I cry and hug myself when it's over because there is no more Taylor and Jonah. I loved Jonah so, so, so, so much, and the scenes when they are looking for Taylor's mother are some of the most amazing parts of any book I have ever read. Those were the moment when I knew, heck, I'm never going to fall in love, because as Taylor said:


   "No," I say, looking up at Griggs. "It's acutally because my heart belongs to someone else." And I could bottle the look on his face, I'd keep it by my bedside for the rest of my life.


Jellicoe Road changed me. I don't think I will ever fall in love because Jonah Griggs took it the moment he fell for Taylor, and the moment he made her laugh, cry, and smile all at the same time. 


As I said, I'm a romantic.

Waiting on Wednesday {5}: Never Let You Go

Never Let You Go by Emma Carlson Berne
Release Date: Fall 2012 by Simon and Schuster

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. . . 
You always want what you can’t have. 
Megan never meant to hurt her best friend Anna. She made a mistake, and she’s spent all year trying to regain Anna’s trust. So when Anna invites her to spend the summer on her uncle’s farm, Megan is excited…and relieved. The past is finally behind them. 
On the farm, Anna quickly falls for Jordan, a rugged summer-hand. Megan and Jordan have their own spark, but Megan’s betrayed Anna once before and she’s not about to do it again. 
Still, the more time that Megan and Jordan spend together, the harder it is to deny their chemistry. But Anna doesn’t like to be ignored—and she doesn’t forgive and forget. What started out as the perfect summer is about to take a very dark turn….
(Synopsis and Image from Goodreads)

This novel sounds amazing - a bit dark sounding, but another twist on friendship and love. The cover is intriguing, but I'm interested to see if this cover stays until the release!