{ The Hunger Games? Awesome! }

Anyone see the movie yet? Hubby and I went yesterday and I must say? Very happy with what they did. The movie is never as good as the book, but I think having Suzanne Collins doing the Screenplay and being a producer has helped this one out! They have totally captured the essence of the book...or at least in my eyes. Jennifer Lawrence is the perfect Katniss. And Lenny Kravitz? Love him as Cinna...perfect! It's a movie I could definitely see over and over again. I think for someone who has not read the book, this movie would entice them to read it. And for those of us who have read it? Re-reading it is in my near future!

I would love to hear your thoughts. Have you seen it?

On a side note...After the last fiasco in Book to Movie journey...Twilight...yes, I said it. I am not a lover of the whole movie empire. I hated the movie and have only seen the first two as they totally turned me off the whole series! The next one I am nervously awaiting is Cassandra Clare's City of Bones. This is one of my favourite series to date and I really hope they don't butcher it like Twilight...crossing fingers that Cassandra Clare gets in there and guides them in the right direction! :0)

{ The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry }

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

May 1, 2012 by Amulet Books

Source: NetGalley

Format: ebook ARC

From Goodreads:

This dark and thrilling adventure, with an unforgettable heroine, will captivate fans of steampunk, fantasy, and romance.

On her 18th birthday, Lena Mattacascar decides to search for her father, who disappeared into the northern wilderness of Scree when Lena was young. Scree is inhabited by Peculiars, people whose unusual characteristics make them unacceptable to modern society. Lena wonders if her father is the source of her own extraordinary characteristics and if she, too, is Peculiar. On the train she meets a young librarian, Jimson Quiggley, who is traveling to a town on the edge of Scree to work in the home and library of the inventor Mr. Beasley. The train is stopped by men being chased by the handsome young marshal Thomas Saltre. When Saltre learns who Lena's father is, he convinces her to spy on Mr. Beasley and the strange folk who disappear into his home, Zephyr House. A daring escape in an aerocopter leads Lena into the wilds of Scree to confront her deepest fears.

My Review:

The Peculiars is a strange one. Not the book itself, just in the way in which I feel about it. I found it to be quite slow in nature. It seemed to take me forever to get through it. Why? I'm not really sure. It's not that I did not enjoy this story. Actually, I enjoyed it very much. It's one of those books that kind of sneak up on you as you are reading it. It does not feel like much at the time, but you seem to get quite invested in the story and the characters.

The main character, Lena, is quite believable. She is strong and smart, yet she has this vulnerability due to her 'deformities'. She has a slight innocence about her that I quite enjoyed. However, at the sametime, we see her grow throughout the book...and I see more growth coming in the coming books.

Then there is Jimson Quiggley. Not only do I love the name, but I love him too. Jimson is awesome. He is smart, funny, quirky, geeky, loyal and oh so lovable. I am oh so rooting for Jimson and Lena!

Of course Mr. Beasley is just plain awesome. Being the inventor that he is, he has this eccentric aura that I just loved. He is a strong presence, but he can also be childishly fun at the same time. One of those characters that I would love to meet in real life.

Author, Maureen Doyle McQuerry did a fantastic job of world building. Yes, this is a world of fiction, but there are many real historical figures that are mentioned through the book, which really grounded this story and made it so much more enjoyable. I have read some reviews stating that this is not true Steampunk. I will admit that I do not have a lot of experience within the genre, but I can definitely understand that statement. While there are certainly elements of Steampunk in regards mainly to Mr. Beasley and Zephyr House, I would class this one more of a Historical, Adventure, Fantasy. However, who really cares. All I know, is that it contains a great adventure, some great characters and a world in which I truly want to know more about.

In the end, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Steampunk, Adventure, Fantasy. Yes, it is a bit of a slow read, but I found myself getting to know the characters and this world in such a way that they have been embraced by my heart forever.

And don't you just LOVE this cover? Well I do!

Rating: 4 stars

{ The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman }

The Obsidian Blade by Pete Hautman
April 10th, 2012 by Candlewick Press
Source: NetGalley
Format: ARC ebook



From Goodreads:

The first time his father disappeared, Tucker Feye had just turned thirteen. The Reverend Feye simply climbed on the roof to fix a shingle, let out a scream, and vanished — only to walk up the driveway an hour later, looking older and worn, with a strange girl named Lahlia in tow. In the months that followed, Tucker watched his father grow distant and his once loving mother slide into madness. But then both of his parents disappear.

Now in the care of his wild Uncle Kosh, Tucker begins to suspect that the disks of shimmering air he keeps seeing — one right on top of the roof — hold the answer to restoring his family. And when he dares to step into one, he's launched on a time-twisting journey — from a small Midwestern town to a futuristic hospital run by digitally augmented healers, from the death of an ancient prophet to a forest at the end of time. Inevitably, Tucker's actions alter the past and future, changing his world forever.

Kicking off a riveting sci-fi trilogy, National Book Award winner Pete Hautman plunges us into a world where time is a tool — and the question is, who will control it?

My Review:

The Obsidian Blade is one of those books that after you close the cover, you have to sit in silence for a moment. You have to let it all sink in. What the heck did I just read? This was a wild and wacky ride. In the beginning, I found myself a little bored. It took a bit for the meat of the story to really take hold. When it finally did, I was happily drawn in. Then there were times that I was a little put off and times where I was down right confused and lost! I know. You are asking yourself...then why the 4 star rating? Even though, I felt slightly uncomfortable and confused at times? I really did enjoy this book.

I am very passionate about character driven books. And while our main character, Tucker, may not have been super strong at times, overall I found him to be an enjoyable voice to this story. Aside from Tucker, however, there are a few of the secondary characters that I just loved and can't wait to see more of in future instalments. First off was Tucker's Uncle Kosh. He added a lot of humor and depth to this story. He comes off as this big tough guy, but you can see deep down he is a softy at heart, and especially when it comes to his nephew. This is a developing relationship that I hope continues in future books. The other character that I loved, was Lahlia. Lahlia grows tremendously throughout this book and I love where she is at the end. She has grown into this super strong,determined young woman. I think she is going to be an awesome force of kick-buttness(is that a word)in this series and can not wait to see where book two takes her and Tucker.

I know a lot of people tend to get put off by the whole time-travel thing. And I will be honest and say that at times I was a bit confused as to how and where the characters were at a few points in the story. However, I still love the whole time travel theme. It fascinates me. Truly. It is total madness. But so very cool.

The only real negative thing I can really say about this book was the whole religious aspect. And that really is just a person thing. I just found it a bit too 'preachy' at times. Not really in a bible thumping aspect, but...well, I can't really explain. I just felt uncomfortable at times. Perhaps it was just the mix of the time travel madness and the religion together...I don't know.

In the end, I would definitely recommend, The Obsidian Blade. Author Pete Hautman did a fine job of keeping my interest enough to keep those pages turning and making me anxious for book two.

And on a side note? Don't you just love that cover? Love it!

Rating: 4 stars

{ The Star by Javi Araguz and Isabel Hierro }

One of the things I love so much about blogging is being given the opportunity to use my voice. To share my love of books and to help promote the ones I love so very much. I may not be a big time blogger, but I still love being able to do my little part. So today I am here to do just that!

I received an email from Javi Araguz and Isabel Hierro, authors of a new YA book called The Star. The book is currently written in Spanish and has had great reviews. They are hoping to get enough buzz to have an English version released. I am here to tell you that I have read the English translation of Chapter One and...WOW! I loved it! And thus, I am here to get this book out to all my fellow bloggers and readers. It is currently not available in English. I am asking you all to head on over to the authors website, read Chapter One and then add your name to the English request list! I...we, need to get this book into our hot little hands!! This is a book that I would 100% put aside anything I am currently reading, to find out what happens to the Salvia Clan and Lan.

Check out this Trailer!




Read the first chapter HERE...then head over HERE to add your name to the English request list! Please, please, please.

Leave me a comment and share your thoughts. Are you as excited about this one as I am...or is it just me? ;0)

{ The Death Cure by James Dashner }

The Death Cure by James Dashner

October 11, 2011 by Delacorte Press

Format: ebook

From Goodreads:

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.

What Wicked doesn't know is that somethings happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.

Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

My Review:

I first have to say that this was an outstanding series. I loved every minute of this journey. Again, another great addition to the world of YA Dystopian and another great series for those male reluctant readers in your life.

The first book, The Maze Runner, took me by surprise. And I thoroughly enjoyed it. The second book, The Scorch Trials, blew me away. I am not sure what I was expecting with The Death Cure. While I enjoyed it, it did not blow me away like The Scorch Trials did. The first two books were filled with so much action, so much character depth on individual levels and on all relationship levels. I found The Death Cure, to be lacking somewhat for me. Okay, yes there was still a lot of action, but it just felt different and not with the same intensity.

With all that aside? I still enjoyed it. Thomas is a great main character. He is easy to like. He is real, flawed and I think we see him grow a lot throughout this series. Thomas is also surrounded by great characters. Each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Some lovable. Newt, Newt, Newt...forever in my heart! Some so very frustrating. Teresa, Teresa, Teresa...one of my unanswered questions.

James Dashner has an incredible talent. He is a master of creating a story that draws you in. The kind of story that keeps you turning those pages. Wanting more. And when you get it? Wanting even more. And that is exactly what he did. While the ending may have left me with more questions than answers? I am happy with the way in which this journey has come to an end. Although...James Dashner, if you are listening? I would not be against another series. I am not sure I am quite ready to let these characters go...just saying...

Rating: 4 Stars

{ Poke by Dalya Moon }

Poke by Dalya Moon

January 23, 2012

Source: from author for review

Format: ebook

From Goodreads:

Zan is a teenage boy with a talent for discovering any girl’s secrets. If he asks a girl to poke her finger into his navel, he gets a psychic trip to Secret Town. Zan never likes what he finds.

When he meets mysterious, beautiful Austin, with her waist-length hair and mature laugh, he wants to get acquainted with her the slow way. Austin, however, can’t resist her curiosity, and when she pokes her finger into Zan’s belly button, he sees … nothing.

Austin dashes out of Zan’s house and out of his life, leaving Zan heartbroken and confused. To find peace, he must unravel the secret of his power. Is it a gift, or a curse? How can Zan love someone with no future? How can he not?

Poke is a fast-paced story about Zan's adventurous summer, as he battles witches, experiments with astral projection, and discovers the secret of his strange power, all to be with the girl he loves.

My Review:

I will admit that going into this one, I was expecting to not really enjoy myself. The whole 'finger in the belly button' thing really turned me off. You know what? If you put aside the silliness of that aspect? This story is really quite entertaining. I found myself really enjoying it.

The characters were all fairly believable and likable. The relationship between Zan and his best friends, James and Julie, was real and a nice change from most YA stories. The love story between Zan and Austin was sweet. It was not a really love at first sight in the true meaning of the sense. Yes, Zan was head over heals and yes they had a rather quick physical connection, but it did not seem forced as a lot of relationships in YA right now.

I found the paranormal aspects of the story to be interesting. I may have been a bit confused at times, but perhaps due to the story being as short as it was(only about 140 pages) there just was not sufficient time to fully develop the storyline enough.

All in all, Poke was an enjoyable read aside from the actual 'Poke' aspect. It was enjoyable enough, that I am interested to see where author Dalya Moon will take the story and these characters.

Rating: 3 stars

{ Wanna win? }

Want a chance at a signed copy of Griffin's Fire by Darby Karchut? You know you do. Head on over to Goodreads HERE for your chance.

You can check out my early review HERE.

Good luck!!