Waiting on Wednesday #14: Mind Games

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where you showcase an upcoming release you're anxiously awaiting!
This week, I'm waiting on:
Mind Games by Kiersten White.




Expected Publication: February 19, 2013.
Publisher: HarperTeen


Goodreads Summary:
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future. 

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

Why I'm Excited: You read that blurb, right? So do I really need to say anything more? It sounds so exciting, I can't not be pumped about this one!

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Altered by A.D. Croucher

Altered by A.D. Croucher.
Paperback, 220 pages.
Publication Date: August 16, 2012.
Published by: Createspace.
Source: Received copy from A.D. Croucher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Goodreads Summary:
Reese has a plan: keep his grades up, work hard on the basketball court, apply to his favorite Ivy League college, and don't get arrested.

There's just one problem. 

Reese knows things no one should know. He always thought he just had good instincts, but he's noticed that it's been getting worse. Lately it seems like something else.

Something more than instinct.

And he's not the only one that has noticed.

They've been waiting.

Watching.

And now it's time.

With his life in danger, Reese needs a new plan: escape.

My Review:

My first thought when I started reading this novel was "Yay! Male POV!" I have read so many books lately with a female main character, told in her POV, that this was a fantastic change. It was also great that the male, Reese, is an awesome, real character. He's a smart guy and he's very loyal to his best friend, Freddie, but he has made mistakes. Him trying to do right by Freddie is where the action starts, and it really doesn't slow down much from there. Even where there doesn't seem to be too much happening in the scene, there is always some underlying tension or reason to worry. This was, therefore, an exciting novel, and fairly fast paced. My only issue with some of the action is that there were times when the scene jumped around a little too much. Thankfully, though, I was always able to find my place and get back on track. All in all, the plot was great, and I loved that the story felt very different from so much else I have read lately. It covers genetics, testing labs, human (and not-so-human) experiments, and does it in a very exciting and mysterious way.

I thought the novel was very well written, overall. There were so many things that contributed to why I enjoyed it. First off, I loved how descriptive it was. Reese gets his nose broken at one point and I cringed and almost felt it because it seemed so real and so painful. I also really liked how Reese was written. Even with all the insanity of the plot and everything he goes through, there is still indications that he is really just a hormonal teenage boy. I also enjoyed the relationship between Reese and Erika, his fellow captive, and how easy things felt between them. It added a little bit of a lighter tone to all the dark and twisted things that were dealt with in the plot.

This was an intriguing novel from the start, and its ending definitely made me want to know what happens next! I have some hopes for the next one, including that I want to see more of Freddie and Elle, his girlfriend, because they were the ones Reese started the novel with and I missed them throughout the rest of it. I'm also excited to learn more about some of the crazy science that was happening in this one. This is a novel that science fiction fans would greatly enjoy, but is also good for those new to the genre because it has some wonderful characters to help you along.
4 stars.

The Archived: Feature + Giveaway Contest!

I hope you have all heard of The Archived by Victoria Schwab, which just came out on Tuesday! For those of you who haven't, here's a little about it:

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

336 pages.
Published by Hyperion.




Goodreads Blurb:
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

Does that not sound like a fantastic book? I think it does. So I was extremely honoured to be chosen by Victoria as a Keeper of the Archive. Thanks to her, I have tons of goodies to share with you all!

    

 The tote bag photo will not rotate. I apologize. Just... turn your head :P

To distribute these fun SIGNED bookmarks (yes, all of them are signed) and the one grand prize SIGNED tote bag, I'm going to have a little INTERNATIONAL contest.

You can earn entries in one of two ways:

1. Take YOUR OWN ORIGINAL pictures of fancy keys or doors, or both. I don't mean like your teeny little house key in your front door, I mean something different and special looking. Each photo of a unique item will count as one entry. I'd prefer if you were in the picture, seeing as I want to know they're your photos, but I understand some people want to keep their face private. In that case, please include some kind of identifying mark in the photo (like a piece of paper with your Twitter handle or GFC name on it, or something of the like) so I can tell you didn't just go on Google.

2. For those of you who live in a country where The Archived has been published, go out and take pictures of The Archived "in the wild". Find it on the shelves of your local bookstore or library and snap a picture. As many places as you can find it. Each photo of a different location counts as one entry.

The grand prize winner will be drawn at random from all entries. This one person will receive 5 signed bookmarks and 1 signed tote bag.
On top of this, there will be 5 additional winners, also drawn at random, who will each receive 2 signed bookmarks.

Some rules and guidelines and whatnot:
~ Contest is INTERNATIONAL.
~ You can submit photos by posting them on either Pinterest or Twitter and leaving the link to the photo in the Rafflecopter below. I have it set up so you can submit up to 3 photo links each day. If you took more than 3 in one day, just please come back the next day and submit 3 more, etc. Saves the Rafflecopter from having a bazillion entry options.
~ By submitting a photo to the contest, you are giving me permission to use that photo on my blog (but ONLY on my blog. I won't use it elsewhere or try to sell it or anything) in a wrap up post showing off some of the entries, including the winner's.
~ I will contact winners by email. Each winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or they forfeit their prize and I will choose another.
~ I will be shipping the prizes myself. I am not responsible for lost or damaged items.
~ I have the right to disqualify entries, especially those I believe are not original photos.

I look forward to seeing all of your fantastic photos! I've included two of my own (not very good ones, and awfully small, I'll admit) as examples below of the kind of keys I'd like to see from you. But honestly, any interesting or eye-catching key or door you come across, snap a picture! Or, of course, The Archived in the wild! Go crazy and good luck! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I would also really love if you'd share the giveaway button to help spread the word about the contest!

<a href="http://readmybreathaway.blogspot.ca/2013/01/the-archived-feature-giveaway-contest.html"><img border="0" width="250" src="http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/a519/jgirl9165/TheArchivedButton.jpg" /></a>

ARC Review: Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

Published July 2, 2012.
Published by Random House BYR.
Source: ARCycling (thanks, Jennifer!).

Goodreads Summary:
Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

In her exquisitely written fantasy debut, Rachel Hartman creates a rich, complex, and utterly original world. Seraphina's tortuous journey to self-acceptance is one readers will remember long after they've turned the final page.

My Review:

This was a beautiful novel. There was a lot to it that enchanted me. The world that Rachel Hartman created was intricate and mysterious, and came alive in front of me. The focus of this novel is very much on world building and character development, which means that the plot can be quite slow-moving and uneventful at times. While this could cause the occasional lag for me, it made me focus on the true beauties of the story: both characters and setting.

The world building is a fantastic part of the novel. There was so much to learn about both the kingdom of Goredd and the world as a whole, with some amazing history about the areas and the peoples (and dragons, of course). It was very interesting to hear about the treaties and workings of the past and how it sets the scene for the present day in the novel. In particular I loved reading the songs that were interspersed throughout the story, especially given Seraphina's gift for music. They helped contribute to the heart of the kingdom, as well as giving a life to its history and its people. Goredd came alive to me as a lovely kingdom with a charm that I have missed from settings lately. There are so many intricacies to life there, yet they all work together to showcase a diverse group of people living in an increasingly tense time. Unfortunately, tension brings out the troublemakers of which Goredd certainly has its fair share. In a time of true peace and prosperity, however, it sounds like it would be an incredible place to live.

Above all, though, the characters truly take centre stage in this work. Seraphina, first of all, is the one we as readers get to know the best, as she is the title character and narrator. I truly grew to love her. She struggles with so much inner conflict over many issues, including how much of herself she must hide and how often she must lie. All this struggling and hiding puts her on edge and saddens her, but never makes her give up. She remains, at her core, a resilient, strong young woman, which I loved about her. I also loved that she wasn't totally unique in what she was (read the book, you'll get what I mean. Don't want to spoil it!). A character who is completely unlike anyone else in their world can often come off as unrealistic, yet since she discovers that she is not alone, not only does she grow as a character but I also felt that I believed her and her world more.

There were many other characters that helped to build the story into the beautiful work that it is. Some of the ones I really enjoyed included Seraphina's teacher, Orma; and the prince and princess of Goredd, Lucian and Gisselda. I especially enjoyed these three characters because they were overall likeable and had some wonderful characteristics, but they also had their flaws. For example, Orma bothered me on occasion because, due to his nature, there is so much about his world that he cannot see, which also really got to Seraphina. Gisselda I was also annoyed by sometimes because she has a real lack of knowledge thanks to her improper teaching and upbringing. Since this wasn't her fault, though, I was able to forgive the annoyance she caused me. This was so important to me, because if you don't like the characters, it's hard to enjoy the story. I also really enjoyed reading about Seraphina's relationships with both Lucian and Gisselda, especially because one was very different from the other. They were both so well developed in their individual facets that they were very fun to follow.

All in all, although this was a slow moving novel in terms of plot, the charm of the setting and the heart and struggles of the characters helped me build a real connection to the story. I truly enjoyed it, especially as it picked up at the end.
4 stars.

Waiting on Wednesday #13: Out of the Easy

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature created by Jill at Breaking the Spine. This is where you showcase an upcoming release you're anxiously awaiting!
This week, I'm waiting on:

Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.



Expected Publication: February 13, 2013.
Publisher: Philomel Books


Goodreads Summary:
It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street.

Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

Why I'm Excited: It reminds me of some other books I've read - for different reasons, all positive. It also has a historical element, which I love, but it's more recent history which will be a nice change for me.

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Fifteen Anticipated 2013 Debuts + Giveaway

I decided to try a Top Ten Tuesday, of sorts, to show off my most anticipated YA debuts of 2013. I was inspired by last week's Top Ten Tuesday theme (from The Broke and the Bookish), so I decided to make my own list, albeit a bit late. (I think I'm going to try to do a few of them - on time - in the coming months, see how I do). I know it's already late January and that I've already read one of the ones on my list, but I wanted to share anyway. And, to be honest, it's more than 10. It's a top 15. I couldn't stop!
Here goes:

1. Taken by Erin Bowman.
To be released in April
by HarperTeen

2. In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters.
To be released in April (April's going to be good!)
by Amulet Books.

3. Dualed by Elsie Chapman.
To be released in February
by Random House BYR.

4. The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd.
To be released in January
by Balzer + Bray.

5. Poison by Bridget Zinn.
To be released in March
by Disney Hyperion.

6. City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster.
To be released in February
by HarperTeen.

7. Pantomime by Laura Lam.
To be released in February
by Strange Chemistry.
I've read it and I thought it was great! Review coming at the beginning of Feb.

8. Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson.
To be released in March
by Random House Children's Books.








9. Canary by Rachele Alpine.
To be released in August
by Medallion Press.

10. The S-Word by Chelsea Pitcher.
To be released in May
by Gallery Books.
(She's been published in an anthology, but this is her first published novel, so I'm counting it).

11. Red by Alison Cherry.
To be released in October
by Delacorte Press.

12. Maid of Secrets by Jennifer McGowan.
To be released in May
by Simon & Schuster BYR.

13. Pivot Point by Kasie West.
To be released in February
by HarperTeen.

14. The End Games by T. Michael Martin.
To be released in May
by HarperCollins.

15. ACID by Emma Pass.
To be released in April
by Corgi Children's Books/Random House Children's Publishing.








So those are my top ten(ish) debuts for 2013! What debuts are you excited for? Feel free to leave me a link to your top ten debuts post, if you've made one!

As a thank you to my amazing followers and a celebration of these exciting debuts, I'm giving away one debut to a lucky winner!

Some Rules (aka the not so fun but important part):
~ Winner can choose any one of my top 15 picks provided it is under $15 CAD at The Book Depository at the time of purchase. If the book isn't available for me to order at the time, I'll ask the winner to choose a different one from the list.
~ This giveaway is open Internationally, provided The Book Depository ships free to your country (check here).
~ Must be 13 or older to enter.
~ Giveaway will run until February 22nd.
~ Most books will not have been published by the end of the giveaway, so they will be pre-ordered for you.
~ Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email, otherwise they forfeit their prize and I will choose another winner, who must abide by the same rules.
~ I am not responsible for lost or damaged packages from TBD.
~ No cheating! In this case, I have the right to disqualify entries as I see fit.
~ By entering the giveaway, you are agreeing to these rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.

Published November 15, 2011.
Published by HarperCollins.
Source: Won from Drey at Drey's Library. Thank you!

Goodreads Summary:
Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war– and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. 

My Review:
I don't think I'm going to be able to get through this review without some fangirling and some gushing. I'm sorry. I try to mostly be fairly professional in most of my reviews, but this one might have to be an exception. There are too many feelings.

Where to start, where to start...
I suppose I'll start with the writing, seeing as that's what caught my attention first. I absolutely LOVE Tahereh's writing style! It's very stream-of-consciousness, with thoughts crossed out, as if Juliette is writing it all down in her notebook. It was so different and so effective in expressing what Juliette's brain is like. On top of the stream-of-consciousness style, Tahereh is just an incredible author. I mean, in the second chapter she wrote a paragraph about raindrops (*raindrops!*) that blew me away. Never has a description of something that mundane caught me that way. Completely impressed.

Juliette is such an incredible character. She is so real. She has been hurt so many times in her life and has lived in constant fear and shame of what she can do. A character like this can be hard to write because she would not think the same way as a normal human being. Tahereh never slips up with her. It is so easy to believe everything Juliette thinks. I mean, even when she describes Adam's gorgeous blue eyes, she compares the colour of them to a bruise, not to anything cheesy or pretty that a typical young girl likely would. I get so immersed in her character, and I love her. I love her determination and her strength. How she never loses her humanity, even when she doesn't believe she has any left. She is so much more and so much stronger than she thinks she is, possibly because she doesn't think she has much to lose.

I also have crazy strong feelings for the two male leads, Adam and Warner. Adam might be the sweetest guy ever, even if a bit unrealistic (but hey, a girl can dream, right?). I loved him, I loved his love and protective quality for the people who mean the most to him, and I loved his determination. And where Adam is protective, Warner is obsessive. He is... infuriating. Infuriating! So controlling and power-crazed, and full of himself. His head is so swollen because he's been allowed to take control and it makes me crazy! The strong emotions going both ways really helped me get totally involved in the story. Because I loved and hated the characters, I cared with so much passion. I made ridiculous faces and almost yelled and smiled the biggest smile.

This was a fantastic, intense, crazy novel and I must read the sequel, NOW!
I cannot justify anything less than 5 stars!