Monthly Wrap Up - July 2013/ News

Reviews

Everything that is written in green is a link. So click on it :)

After the Ending by Lindsey Fairleigh & Lindsey Pogue

Proxy by Alex London

My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century by Rachel Harris

Vampires, Scones and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Most Intimidating Books |  Best/Worst Movie Adaptations |  Authors who deserve more recognition | Best Beginnings/ Endings

Resist by Sarah Crossan | A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris  |  The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

   Divergent by Veronica Roth

   “You nearly died today,' he says. 'I almost         shot you. Why didn't you shoot me, Tris?'

   'I couldn't do that,' I say. 'It would have been   like shooting myself.'

Do you like or dislike Rafflecopter and why? - July 5th - 11th

How long have you been blogging? - July 12th - 18th

What is your favorite classic novel? - July 19th - 25th

How do you organize your books to be read? - July 26th - Aug 1st

Miscellaneous Posts

New Releases - July 2013  | My Thoughts About Meme's. | What I've been up to

Mo_Books News

 I have decided to drop my Weekly Wrap Up posts and start a monthly wrap up instead and I also want to introduce my new segment called Mo_Books News. This way I can keep everyone updated about everything that's happening in my blogging world. I will include an updated report each month in my Monthly Wrap Up.

 The Annie Walls blog tour for her upcoming novel Controlling the Dead, the second book in the Famished trilogy, has been postponed until October. I'm bummed about this but am happy to report that it will still happen, just not until after the September 30th release date. It will be fun supporting a Zombie book during the festivities of Halloween in October.

 I just signed up for a new blog tour for Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh by Katie Hamstead. This will be happening directly following the October 25, 2013 release date for Kiya: Mother of a King, book #2 in the series. I will be sharing more information about this as I get closer to tour dates. Here's a link to my review for Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh -  My Review

 How's your month been? Let me know in the comments below :D As always all you fabulous people, thanks so much for reading.

Top Ten Tuesday, #8 - Best Beginnings/ Endings

 Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at  The Broke and the Bookish and for this weeks TTT here is my list of Favorite Beginnings/ Endings. I could only come up with six but I'm sure that after I post this I will remember others.

Beginnings

 Erasing Time by C. J. Hill

 This book starts out immediately with twin sisters being transported into the distant future. Jumping strait into the story with no 'beating around the bush' is a sure fire way of getting me to read more.

 Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

 The opening prologue was fantastic! and from there on the story only got better. I'm excited for the September 24th release date so everyone will know what I'm talking about.

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

 The beginning of this novel introduces us to Amy and her family. They are all waiting to be cryogenically frozen for a 300 year sleep as they travel through space, all to explore a new habitable planet.

 Endings

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

 Some people didn't like the way things ended and some loved them, but one thing everyone had in common was that they cried like little babies. I LOVED the ending and thought it was perfect, I may start to cry again just thinking about it.

The Green Mile by Stephen King

 I really liked this book and I still think of it every once in a while and the part that I reminisce about is the ending.

The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

 Its no secret that I'm a big fan of this book. One of the main reasons I loved it was because of the perfect epilogue at the end. I still get warm fuzzy feelings just thinking about it.



What's your Top Ten this week? Share you link below and leave a comment :-)  As always, thanks for reading.

Review - Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi 
Release date - January 3rd 2012
Published by Atom
Paperback, 374 pages
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

WORLDS KEPT THEM APART.

DESTINY BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER.

Aria has lived her whole life in the protected dome of Reverie. Her entire world confined to its spaces, she's never thought to dream of what lies beyond its doors. So when her mother goes missing, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland long enough to find her are slim.

Then Aria meets an outsider named Perry. He's searching for someone too. He's also wild - a savage - but might be her best hope at staying alive
.
If they can survive, they are each other's best hope for finding answers.

Quotes

 “Why ate you looking at me like that?” she asked

 “Your scent”

Her lower lip quivered. “You drink from a rabbit and you think I smell”

        - Aria &Perry

“A world of nevers under a never sky. ”

        - Aria



My Review

Aria lives in Reverie , a pod that protects all of its dwellers from the dangerous Aether storms that rage all over the planet. She lives a safe and content life visiting the realms, a virtual world where anything can happen and nothing can go wrong.

 When her mother leaves the pod and never comes back, Aria goes looking for information the only way she can and it comes with dire consequences. Aria finds herself outside in the death trap with no clue what to do or how to find her mother. Then she meets Perry, an outsider with a mission of his own.
 Both of them will set off on a journey under the dangerous Aether sky hoping to reunite with someone that they've lost but will end up finding something they both weren't expecting.

  I loved reading this story, the futuristic technology and the idea of the perfect virtual world that Aria grew up in immediately grabbed my attention. Even though this story is set in a post apocalyptic world there's not much explanation about the Aether storms. Its much more focused on the characters trying to live under the stormy skies. I adored all of the characters. They were definitely the perfect addition to the wonderful adventure, which is written with alternating points of view between Aria and Perry.

 Arias determination not to give up hope of finding her mother, and her willingness to do whatever it took to do so, was amazing. Especially since she fully believed that because she was a pod dweller she would never survive life outside. She never complained when times got tough and had way with spreading a little sunshine in some gloomy times. These are some of the reasons that I like Aria so much.

 Perry is a member of the Tides, a tribe ruled by his brother the Blood Lord. When his nephew is kidnapped he feels responsible and leaves his tribe to search for him. I thought Perry was awesome! Even though he started out slightly snarkey, I really really liked him. He's honorable, brave and caring. Some outsiders developed special senses as a side effect from the Aether storms and Perry was one of them. He is a night seer, someone who can see perfectly in the dark, and a scire, someone that can smell tempers (emotions) so he always knows what people are really feeling.

 My favorite character has to be the charismatic Roar. I really liked him and thought he would make the perfect man friend, because his heart already belongs to another. The first time he was introduced in the story when Perry called out his name, I thought Perry was trying to scare off some big animal but nope he was just shouting for his friend. I hope to read more from his character as the series continues.

 The plot was enjoyable and I was always interested in what was happening. There were at least two slight surprises in this fast paced adventure and I absolutely loved the ending.
 With all that said I would give this story a 4 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Would I read it again? Maybe


Buy it here:

Amazon | Chapters/Indigo


Places you can find the author

Links


 Website | Twitter | Blog | Facebook

Book Blogger Hop, #5 - July 26th - Aug 1st

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The hop's purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.


Here's what you do

1.) Post on your blog answering this weeks designated question. ( you can find next weeks question here )

2.) Enter the link to your post in the Linky list on the Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer's blog

3.) Visit other blogs on the list and comment on their posts.

4.) Be sure to find out next week's question when you post your link

Question

How do you organize your books to be read?

My Answer

 I don't really organize my books to read in any particular order. I do prefer reading the books that I am super interested in first, which are normally continuations of series I've been reading or something by an author that I really love.

Please feel free to share your own answers with me and as always, thanks for reading

What I've been up to

 You may or may not have noticed my lack of posts for the last few weeks for this I apologize. I thought I would write a short post explaining whats been happening in the exciting world of Monique.

 First off the weather has been beautiful with record breaking temperatures. So I've been enjoying it to the fullest, and getting a pretty nice tan too :D  (don't forget to wear sunscreen for your fun in the sun ☀ ).

 Then my beautiful and talented daughter ❤ just had a birthday which involved a gaggle of giggling girls taking over my house. It was great fun! After that there followed more birthdays and more parties and my sons birthday is only two weeks away. I'm going to be all parted out.

 I Also just had a new addition to the family Binx, a adorable, black and white, nine month old kitten. Below is a picture of him with my previous 1 year old doggy Milo. There are already great buddies.

 Lastly, I was recently informed by someone very close to me that she is going to be moving thousands of miles away in only a few short weeks. Since she's my rock in life I'm deeply saddened by this but at the same time I'm happy that she's doing something that will make her happy. So needless to say I've been spending as much time with her as I can before she goes. This leaves very little time for reading, reviewing and blogging.

 This is what I have been up to and I once again apologize (I'm Canadian I can't help it ;) ) and thank all of you that have read and commented on the few things I did get around to posting. You guys are the best :-) So here's to family, friends, fun in the sun and blogging! I hope to be seeing more of you soon.

Waiting on Wednesday, #11 -The Eye of Minds by James Dashner

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.

My WoW pick this week is....





The Eye of Minds (The Mortality Doctrine #1) by James Dashner
Expected Release date - October 8th 2013  
Published by Delacorte Books for Young Reader 
Hardcover, 320 pages 
Add of to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

An all-new, edge-of-your seat adventure from James Dashner, the author of the New York Times bestselling Maze Runner series, The Eye of Minds is the first book in The Mortality Doctrine, a series set in a world of hyperadvanced technology, cyberterrorists, and gaming beyond your wildest dreams . . . and your worst nightmares.

Michael is a gamer. And like most gamers, he almost spends more time on the VirtNet than in the actual world. The VirtNet offers total mind and body immersion, and it’s addictive. Thanks to technology, anyone with enough money can experience fantasy worlds, risk their life without the chance of death, or just hang around with Virt-friends. And the more hacking skills you have, the more fun. Why bother following the rules when most of them are dumb, anyway?

But some rules were made for a reason. Some technology is too dangerous to fool with. And recent reports claim that one gamer is going beyond what any gamer has done before: he’s holding players hostage inside the VirtNet. The effects are horrific—the hostages have all been declared brain-dead. Yet the gamer’s motives are a mystery.

The government knows that to catch a hacker, you need a hacker. And they’ve been watching Michael. They want him on their team. But the risk is enormous. If he accepts their challenge, Michael will need to go off the VirtNet grid. There are back alleys and corners in the system human eyes have never seen and predators he can’t even fathom—and there’s the possibility that the line between game and reality will be blurred forever.

Why I want to read it

 I loved James Dashner's Maze Runner series! As I have stated before in a few previous post I think he is a wonderfully talented author and this story sounds really good. I've really been liking science fiction books and I'm curious what this futuristic world has in store for me.
 Anyone else a James Dashner fan? Leave a comment and let me know :-) What books are you waiting on? If you have a WoW pick of your own please share the link.

Review - Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta

Entangled by Amy Rose Capetta
Expected Release date - October 1st 2013
Published by  Houghton Mifflin Books for Young Readers
Hardcover, 336 pages
Source - NetGalley
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Alone was the note Cade knew best. It was the root of all her chords.

Seventeen-year-old Cade is a fierce survivor, solo in the universe with her cherry-red guitar. Or so she thought. Her world shakes apart when a hologram named Mr. Niven tells her she was created in a lab in the year 3112, then entangled at a subatomic level with a boy named Xan. Cade’s quest to locate Xan joins her with an array of outlaws—her first friends—on a galaxy-spanning adventure. And once Cade discovers the wild joy of real connection, there’s no turning back .

Quote

“These two are optimally suited for entanglement, our greatest hope lies with them.”

My Review

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

 Cade is faced with a big dilemma, she needs to leave Andana, her planet, in search of Xan, the boy she unknowingly has been entangled with since birth. As long as she can remember Cade has always been plagued with the noise of an awful static sound in her head, she learns that this is because of her connection with Xan. During Cades journey we meet Lee, Rennick, Renna and Ayumi who turn out to be the most loyal friends she ever could have ever imagined. Together they head to the darkest part of space and go head to head with some seriously baddies, all to hopefully find Xan still alive.

 At first I found the story to be a little confusing. It was kind of like getting dumped on a foreign  planet with strange talk of non- humans, and space sickness. There was a odd static noise that Cade could hear in her head, which I also didn't understand. Thank goodness that the story picked up a few chapters in and it started to become pretty interesting. When Cade met Lee the story definitely got better for me.

 Lee is a young girl who's own personal tragedies has her working with the Human Express hauling cargo across space and risking contracting the debilitating space sickness. I loved her spunk and her loyalty. I also liked how deep down Lee was still just a scared little girl. My other favorite character has to be Renna, the living spaceship. I got a laugh out of how she reacted when one of her passengers did something that she didn't approve of.

 I loved all of the characters in Cade's crew including the meanest one of all Gori. I however was unimpressed with Xan, he seemed selfish and wasn't happy with his part. I don't want to give anything away but the ending is not going to be put anywhere close to my best endings ever list. Entanglement has action, mystery and many interesting sci fi elements, I give this story a 3 out of 5 stars.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Would I read it again? No

Buy it here:

Amazon | Chapters/Indigo

Places you can find the author
Links

Website  |  Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Book Blogger Hop, #4 - July 19th - 25th

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. The hop's purpose is to give bloggers a chance to follow other blogs, learn about new books, befriend other bloggers, and receive new followers to your own blog.


Here's what you do

1.) Post on your blog answering this weeks designated question. ( Click here to find next weeks question )

2.) Enter the link to your post in the Linky list on the Ramblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer's blog

3.) Visit other blogs on the list and comment on their posts.

4.) Be sure to find out next week's question when you post your link

Question

What is your favorite classic novel?

My Answer

 Classics aren't really my thing. As I've said before in my Top Ten books that intimidate me post I'm slightly afraid to read them and not like them. However when I was in school I was made to read Animal Farm by George Orwell and I really liked it. It was the first dystopian book that I ever read and I still remember the scene with the poor horse that discovered what happened to those of his kind when they went to the glue factory.

Please feel free to share your own answers with me and as always, thanks for reading and Happy Hopping :-)

Quotable Thursdays, #6 - Divergent

 Quotable Thursdays  is a meme created here at Mo_Books where you pick a quote or two from a great book ( be careful not to choose spoilers ) and explain why you like them. My pick this week is:

Divergent (Divergent, #1) by Veronica Roth

“You nearly died today,” he says. “I  almost shot you. Why didn't you shoot me, Tris?”

“I couldn't do that,” I say. “ it would have been like shooting myself.”

- Tobias & Tris





Why I liked it

 I loved reading this series and can't wait for Allegiant to be published and part of the reason I liked them so much is because of Tris and Tobias (Four). I really liked watching their relationship grow and I thought this was a lovely scene.


If this quote sparked your interest add it to Goodreads


 Thanks for stopping by my Quotable Thursday :-). If anyone know of any great quotes please share with me and join in the fun with your own QT.

Waiting On Wednesday, #10 - A Tale of Two Centuries by Rachel Harris

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, showcasing upcoming books that we are waiting, often impatiently, to be released.

My WoW pick this week is....





A Tale of Two Centuries (My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century #2) by Rachel Harris 
Expected Release date - August 6th 2013 Published by Entangled Teen 
Paperback, 320 pages 
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Alessandra D’Angeli is in need of an adventure. Tired of her sixteenth-century life in Italy and homesick for her time-traveling cousin, Cat, who visited her for a magical week and dazzled her with tales of the future, Alessandra is lost. Until the stars hear her plea.

One mystical spell later, Alessandra appears on Cat’s Beverly Hills doorstep five hundred years in the future. Surrounded by confusing gadgets, scary transportation, and scandalous clothing, Less is hesitant to live the life of a twenty-first century teen…until she meets the infuriating—and infuriatingly handsome—surfer Austin Michaels. Austin challenges everything she believes in…and introduces her to a world filled with possibility.

With the clock ticking, Less knows she must live every moment of her modern life while she still can. But how will she return to the drab life of her past when the future is what holds everything she’s come to love?

Why I want to read it

 I just recently finished reading My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century, the first book in this series, and loved it. Alessandra was my favorite character and I'm itching to read her take on the 21st century.

You might also be interested in my review of My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century - Just click here


 What books are you waiting on? If you have a WoW pick of your own please share the link.

Review - Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale by Cassandra Clare & Sarah Rees Brennan

Vampires, Scones, and Edmund Herondale (The Bane Chronicles, #3) by Cassandra Clare  & Sarah Rees Brennan
Release date - June 18th 2013
Published  by Margaret K. McElderry Books
ebook, 40 pages
Source - Borrowed
Add it to Goodreads

Description (from Goodreads)

Magnus Bane leverages his alliances with Downworlders and Shadowhunters on a venture to Victorian London. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

When immortal warlock Magnus Bane attends preliminary peace talks between the Shadowhunters and the Downworlders in Victorian London, he is charmed by two very different people: the vampire Camille Belcourt and the young Shadowhunter, Edmund Herondale. Will winning hearts mean choosing sides?

Quotes

 “I’m so sorry,” Magnus said politely. “Somebody incredibly attractive just came into the room, and I ceased to pay attention to a word you were saying.”

“Love the boy. Give him his happiness. And when I return, I shall devote an age to admiring you.”

My Review

 This story is exactly like the title says, there's an appearance by Camille Belcourt, Magnus' future Vampire lover. When meetings don't go a rather friendly way between Downworlders and Shadowhunters Amalia Morgansten is there to offer scones as a way of distraction. And the best part of the book, we get to read about Edmund Herondale.

 This book is my favorite story in the Magnus Bane Chronicles to date. I finally read about the Magnus that I've grown to love so much. The side of him that's quick witted, flamboyant, fun and as always a sucker for a pretty face.

 There were so many elements in this book that I loved. There was the glimpse of toddler Charlotte Fairchild, the interactions with our favorite Shadowhunter's ancestors, the fact that Magnus is such an awesome guy and he won't selfishly put his needs before others. The best part of all was Edmund, I am totally in love! Now I see where Will got all of his awesomeness from. It didn't matter if  he was charming the ladies, getting drunk and having adventures or rescuing damsels in distress, Edmund's story led me on a rollercoaster of emotions.

 I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars and my only complaint would be that I wished it was longer.

✯ ✯ ✯ ✯ ✯
Would I read it again? Yes


Buy it here:

Chapters/Indigo


Places you can find the authors
Links

Cassandra Clare
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Sarah Rees Brennan
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

Top Ten Tuesday, #7 - Authors who deserve more recognition

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted over at  The Broke and the Bookish, and for this weeks TTT these are the top ten authors that I feel deserve more recognition.


In alphabetical order

Jennifer L. Armentrout



I love her books and she has many out that are currently published like the Lux and Covenant series. So how is it that I only first heard of her last year?

Aimee Carter

I adored the Goddess Test series and find it a shame that a lot of people I talk to have never heard of her.

Joelle Charbonneau



The Testing was an action packed easy read book because of this I foresee great things for this authors future.

James Dashner

I have heard that there is going to be a Maze Runner movie and I am so excited about this! But why is it that I'm getting "I still haven't read those books yet" from people? Come on people, his writing is terrific.

C. J Hill



Here is an author that has books published by another pen name and I still never heard of her until a few months ago when I noticed a review on another bloggers blog.

Marrisa Meyer

This author has captivated me with her awesome sci fi and fairytale retelling stories. Everyone should know the name Marrisa Meyer.

Beth Revis



Beth Revis' writing kept me totally enthralled and on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Maria v Snyder

I'm I big fan of this authors under hyped Outside In series. Every sci fi fan should read this stellar YA series.

Katie Hamstead



I only very recently discovered this author. She has a wonderful talent of making historical fiction extremely fun to read.

Annie Walls

If you like post apocalyptic, zombies and a little bit of romance, this is an author you should be reading.

What's your TTT? Share your link with me :-). And as always, thanks so much for reading.