Inkpop Challenge: Hereafter!

So, you may or may not have heard about the weekly challenges that Inkpop is having in relation to the Dark Days of Supernatural. This is the eighth week and once again, there will surely be some fabulous prizes to be won and some wonderful stories/poems/essays to be read!

You can learn more about the actual challenge here including information about submission and what you should write. The deadline for this is May 5th so get writing!

I was actually lucky enough to snag one of the prize packs last week for a comment I left on a short story (I think that was a random draw) and I wish you all the best of luck as well. Happy reading/writing!

The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter

The Goddess Test by Aimée Carter
Source: ARC from NetGalley
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373210268
Pages: 304

Every girl who has taken the test has died.

Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom - and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld - and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy - until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

 

If she fails...

The Goddess Test is a magically delectable debut novel featuring Greek mythology with a modern twist.

First, let me just say how much I loved Kate as a character. It's rare that I come across a narrator while reading that is kind and selfless to the degree to which Kate is and I loved that. I loved that she could put her own problems aside to help someone else and that the world didn't have to revolve around her. I especially loved the relationship that she had with her mother. My heart broke for both of them as they struggled to deal with her mom's cancer and the love and helplessness Kate felt came through to me crystal clear.

The relationship between Kate and Henry was another thing that I really enjoyed. It took its time and developed at a steady, gradual pace through the novel so that I could just see every aspect of it. I seriously appreciated the lack of insta-love (which isn't always horrible but is getting a bit tedious). Kate and Henry start off as simply reluctant friends and its nice to see the easy progression in their relationship. I'm excited to see where the romance goes in the next book!

In regards to the mystery aspect of the novel, I really didn't figure out who the person responsible for all the problems in the book was until the very end. It was such a huge 'oh my goodness!' moment when I did realize what I'd been missing that I think my jaw must have been trailing along the floor - I definitely didn't see it coming!

Aimée Carter weaves a beautiful tale rich with mythology, romance and mystery. Book two, Goddess Interrupted, cannot come soon enough!

Cover Comments: It is so pretty. Especially after reading the book, I just think that its perfect in every way. Gorgeous!

Haven by Kristi Cook

Haven by Kristi Cook

Source: Simon & Schuster Pulse It Program
Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0760-2
Pages: 401

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER. NOW IT WILL TEAR THEM APART.

Violet doesn't understand why she feels drawn to the Winterhaven School. She just know it's the right place for her. When she discovers the school's secret, it all makes sense: Everyone at Winterhaven has psychic gifts. For the first time in her life Violet doesn't have to hide her visions. She's always seen them as a curse, but now she can hone her ability and try to control it.

But she's thrown completely off balance when she meets the most alluring - and most mysterious - boy in school. She's never connected with anyone the way she does with Aidan, and the intensity takes them both by surprise. But as their relationship deepens, she begins to have visions of Aidan's death - and sees that she's the one who's fated to kill him. 

Violet's never been able to prevent her visions from coming true. But this time she'll do whatever it takes... even if it means sacrificing herself for the boy she loves.

Haven had everything I was hoping for: an authentic cast of characters, a wonderful boarding school and just a light, fun storyline with touches of mystery.

I really loved the setting of this book. There was a wide cast of characters and I think it worked really well for the story to have it set in a boarding school away from parental influence. It just gives the characters a closer feel when they're all living in the same building.

The Winterhaven gang was fun to read about. Kristi Cook is able to make them sound like real teenagers and while it did get a little confusing in the beginning, I think the characters all had pretty distinct personalities that you can differentiate between in a group setting. Can I just say... You know that Aidan effect you were talking about, Kristi? Yeah, it can apparently be transmitted through text as well. Can I have an Aidan, please?

Even though I guessed a lot of the twists in the book early on, it didn't take away from the overall experience. There was definitely quite a mood shift from the beginning of the book to the end but it was done subtly. Haven is a book with a fun atmosphere that, for the most part, isn't too heavy but isn't all daisies and sunshine either. Anyone looking for a great story with a magical, boarding school adventure should definitely check this one out!

Cover Comments: I like the colour scheme of this cover. I think it matches the book really well and I suppose the books represent the boarding/high school experience. I have no idea what that butterfly is for (am I missing something?) but I do like butterflies - they're pretty! :)   

Booking Through Thursday (6)

This week's Booking Through Thursday question is...

If you could see one book turned into the perfect movie–one that would capture everything you love, the characters, the look, the feel, the story–what book would you choose?

Oh... movies. This is a hard subject for me. I'm really not much of a movie-watcher. I tend to stick with the ones I like unless something particularly interests me (like Prom - doesn't that look cute?) I mean, I think I've seen A Cinderella Story about seven thousand times - my sister, whom I force to watch with me every time even though she hates it - can attest to that. Yes, I torture my siblings. Don't pretend you don't. ANYWAYS.

I really think that Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead would make a fantastic movie. I love the entire series and I think they have a lot of potential to be translated well on the screen. There is great, funny dialogue, a lot of action and some steamy romance between Rose and Dimitri as well as Lissa and Christian (they're my favourite!) I believe that they're currently working on making it into a movie and I really hope that works out. As long as they don't completely butcher it... which is likely... I'll be pleased and I think it will be a great addition to YA-books-turned-movies.

Final Verdict: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead!

What about you? Do you think your favourite book would make a good movie? Let me know in the comment section - I'd love to hear from you!

Waiting on Wednesday (7)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine. The purpose of the event is to spotlight the upcoming releases that readers are most looking forward to.

This week, I've chosen...

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: May 24, 2011

From bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray, the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island. Teen beauty queens. A "Lost"-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to email. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count.

Okay, does this book not sound hilarious to you? It sure does to me! I mean, come on, teen beauty pageant contestants forced to fight for survival on a desert island with no access to email in non-exfoliated darkness. 'Oh, the horror' is right! This book sounds delightfully funny and I'm sure I'll have a great time reading it. Can't wait!

So, readers, what are YOU waiting for this week? Leave a comment and let me know!

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Personal Demons by Lisa Desrochers

Source: Library
Publisher: Tor Teen (Macmillan)
ISBN: 978-0-7653-2808-3
Pages: 365

Frannie Cavanaugh has always been a bit of a loner. She's spent years keeping everyone at a distance, even her closest friends. That is, until Luc Cain enrolls in her school. He's hot, sarcastic, and dangerous - and Frannie can't seem to stay away.

What she doesn't know is that Luc is on a mission. Because Frannie isn't exactly ordinary. She possesses a skill so unique that the King of Hell himself has taken notice, and he's sent Luc to claim Frannie's soul. It should be easy. All he has to do is get her to sin, and Luc is as tempting as they come.

Unfortunately for Luc, Heaven has other plans, and he's just started making progress when the angel Gabriel shows up. Gabe will do anything to keep Luc from getting what he came for, and his angelic charm might just be enough to keep Frannie on the right path.

It isn't long before Luc and Gabe find themselves fighting for more than just Frannie's soul. But if Luc fails to win her over, there will be Hell to pay... for all of them.

Is it just me or does the tagline alone make you want to read this novel?

Personal Demons has such a unique and fresh premise that really was delightful to read. The idea of high-ranking demons and angels coming down to Earth to fight over a human girl with super powers was just so interesting that it alone absorbed me into the story.

Something that I really enjoyed reading through was the banter between Luc and Gabe who had been rivals for centuries but got a new purpose to fight in the form of Frannie. There were a lot of great one-liners that had me laughing out loud and I really did come to like both of their characters. Small things that really stood out to me such as Frannie's sisters all having the same first name made nice extra touches and served in creating a more memorable novel.  

Frannie, the main character, surprised me. When I first started reading, I had a picture painted in my mind of a rebellious small-town girl that would easily be swayed by Luc and instantly become the damsel-in-distress. While it definitely does seem like that at times, Lisa Desrochers gives you other things to consider that ultimately make her a much more likeable character.

This novel functions through the use of two perspectives: Frannie and Luc. The point-of-view shifts were used well and it was nice to be able to escape into the mind of one when the other got too frustrating. I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed to learn Gabe wouldn't get a part in the sharing but I got over that quickly as I was swept up in the story.

As much as I liked Luc... Gabe was my favourite. Given the choice, I definitely would have gone for the angel. I'll retreat to my lonely corner of Gabriel supporters now and leave you all to reminisce/read this book.  

Overall, a very enjoyable read with an interesting storyline and strong characters. Nicely executed!

Cover Comments: ... I really dislike it. I'm sorry. The book was great and I have no problem with the characters shown, I just... don't like. It's weird. Sorry.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
Source: Library
Publisher: Delacorte Press (Random House)
ISBN: 978-0-385-73684-8 
Pages: 404

Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known, and all she needs for happiness.

But life after the Return is never safe, and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back.

Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling.

One night beyond the Barrier...

One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery...

 One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned.

Gabry knows only one thing: if she is to have any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past.

I had high expectations beginning this novel and, let me tell you, The Dead-Tossed Waves completely and utterly surpassed them.

There's just some quality to Ryan's writing that makes the words flow off the page. There is plenty of despair and desperation in this dystopian, zombie series and it is all described exceptionally well through the text. It's one of those books that just gets to you because of how strong the main character's voice is and I loved that about it.

I had a much easier time connecting to Gabry than I did with Mary, the main character of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, probably because we're a lot more similar than Mary and I are. Gabry is filled with a different kind of strength than Mary and is a lot less reckless. She is less outspoken and more vulnerable but there was a quiet kind of courage nonetheless.

Then we have Elias... Oh, dear, I loved him. Sure, he had some issues, but in a post-apocalyptic world of zombies and death galore, I think it's acceptable. The bottom line is that he was kind and patient and I never once felt like he was trying to push Gabry into something she wasn't ready for or putting her in harm's way.* Can we have some more, please?

I kind of hope that now that this series is over (written and published, that is. I have yet to read the final book), Carrie Ryan will try for a happier novel. I feel like the worse thing that could possibly happen really did occur, over and over again. I will cheerfully concoct a long-winded happy ending for all of these characters if the final book doesn't give me one - I think I'll need it for my sanity!

So, what I hope you take from this review? If you haven't read this series, you're missing out. There is death and infection and killing and grief but sometimes you're rewarded with precious bits of hope that are enough to keep the pages flying. It's a marvellous story and I highly recommend it.

Cover Comments: I love this cover! The position of the cover model, the frothy water... all of it just works. Beautifully done!

*If you've read the book... er, excluding that. I know that statement probably got some raised eyebrows.