In My Mailbox #13

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Purchased:
All You Desire (Eternal Ones, #2) by Kirsten Miller (GoodReads)

From the Library:
Divergent by Veronica Roth (GoodReads)
Twisted by Sara Shepard (GoodReads)
Supernaturally by Kiersten White (GoodReads)
The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (GoodReads)
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares (GoodReads) [not pictured]

I had a great week- got lots of things I have been waiting on! I have read Twisted and Sisterhood Everlasting, so should be reviewing those soon! What's in your mailbox?

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

 
Rating: 5/5 Hoots

Release Date: July 26, 2011

GoodReads.Com Summary:
When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

My Review:
Wow! This sequel to Nightshade does not disappoint! The same intensity, action and emotion I loved in the first book is also present in Wolfsbane. While the first book focuses on Calla’s life among the Guardians, in this book she is thrust into the world of the people she always believed were her enemies, the Searchers. I loved learning more of the mythology of the Searchers, Keepers and Guardians and more of the personal histories of the characters.

We are also introduced to a new group of characters, Searchers on the Haldis team. I enjoyed getting to know each of the new characters (especially Adne, her weaving skills were so cool!), and seeing the return of some of my favorites of Calla’s packmates. Each character has such a unique personality that even though there are a lot of them it is easy to keep them straight. Calla is also an impressive character, I love her strength and how she is completely unapologetic about who she is.

Plot-wise, the love triangle between Calla, Shay and Ren is so compelling! It makes it hard to decide which guy to root for (although I think after this book I am more Team Shay). Calla shares something real with both of them, and they each have their HOT romantic moments! The action/fight scenes do not disappoint either.

I can’t wait for the next installment, Bloodrose!

In My Mailbox #12

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

From the library:
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler (GoodReads)
Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer (GoodReads)

For Review:
Waiting to Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch (GoodReads)


Kind of a light week for me, but I was excited to finally read Twenty Boy Summer, and I am so glad to have gotten Wolfsbane! I just started it but will have a review up soon!

What's in your mailbox?

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Rating: 5/5 Hoots


Release Date: 6/7/2011


GoodReads.com Summary: 
A mysterious island.An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
 
My Review:
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was a exciting and original adventure with lots of surprises. I enjoyed reading about Jacob's relationship with his grandfather at the beginning of the book- it was a great set-up for the rest of the story. Another original aspect that I thought was interesting was the setting- Cairnholm  Island, off the coast of Wales. It's isolation and primitive living conditions made it an ideal setting for a time travel story- it is almost a place out of time on its own.

I enjoyed the fast pace of the story and was immediately drawn in. Jacob's journey to meet the peculiar children from his Grandfather's stories was fascinating, and I liked reading about each of their personalities and peculiar talents. The author did a great job of weaving in actual historical elements with the fantasy- it added to the magical, spooky atmosphere. Jacob goes through an interesting transformation from loner to leader/hero- I liked seeing him grow into those roles. The romantic storyline is great too- sweet and flirtatious but it does not overpower or detract from the action. Finally, the villains are scary and unlike anything I've read about before!

The design of the book is gorgeous- the cover, the endpapers, and the photographs all contribute to the allure and the overall atmosphere of the story. I think the fact that the collection of strangely fascinating images included in the book are all real photographs that the author found in personal collections is amazing! I am so impressed with how he collected these images and wove such a great story from them!

In My Mailbox #11

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I got lots of great books this week! In addition to getting some good books from the library, I visited Booksamillion while my mom and I were in Williamsburg and stocked up on some great titles for $3.97 a piece!! I love their bargain books!

From the library:
Withering Tights by Louise Rennison (GoodReads)
The Lovely Shoes by Susan Shreve (GoodReads)
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (GoodReads) Review coming tomorrow!

Purchased:
Choker by Elizabeth Woods (GoodReads)
Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (GoodReads)
The Book of Spells: A Private Prequel by Kate Brian (GoodReads)
The Education of Hailey Kendrick by Eileen Cook (GoodReads)
Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani (GoodReads)
The Six Rules of Maybe by Deb Caletti (GoodReads)
Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (GoodReads)
The Secret Year by Jennifer R. Hubbard (GoodReads)

The Great Harry Potter Reread

I just signed up for the Great Harry Potter Reread, hosted by Sarah at Writer, Reader, Dreamer and Alissa at The Grammarian's Reviews. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and look forward to rereading the books and discussing them with other Potterfiles!

They will be reading/discussing 2 books/week for the month of August...head on over and sign up to be part of the fun!

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Dirty Little Secrets by C.J. Omololu

Rating: 3.5/5 Hoots

Release Date: February 2, 2010

GoodReads.Com Summary:
Everyone has a secret. But Lucy's is bigger and dirtier than most. It's one she's been hiding for years—that her mom's out-of-control hoarding has turned their lives into a world of garbage and shame. Tackling an increasingly discussed topic that is both fascinating and disturbing, C. J. Omololu weaves an hour-by-hour account of Lucy's desperate attempt to save her family. Readers join Lucy on a path from which there is no return, and the impact of hoarding on one teen's life will have them completely hooked. 

My Review:
Dirty Little Secrets was a gripping, intense read! Lucy's life as the daughter of a hoarder was eye-opening- I was aware of people who lived with this disorder but hadn't thought much about how difficult it must be for their families. I felt so bad for Lucy trying to deal with not only the physical constraints of living among mounds of trash and junk but also the emotional mistreatment she receives from her mother. She is such a strong character- even though her brother and sister had left her behind to deal with the situation on her own, she tries to make the best of it. I can't imagine trying to have friends and a crush and knowing that they could never visit your home or know the "real" you. It would be exhausting having to protect a secret like that all the time.

Once Lucy's mother dies, she realizes that she will either have the chance to start a new life with the friends, romance and future she has dreamed of, or her mother's secrets will come to light and change everyone's perceptions of their family. Lucy has to make tough decisions to try to make her bright future possible- I was so nervous to see what would happen that I could not stop reading! I stayed up way too late so I could see what happened. I didn't agree with all the choices she made, but I don't know what I would have done in her situation.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it was disturbing. I liked the fast pace- the story took place over just 2 days, which contributed to the intense, nerve-racking experience! The only reason I didn't give it 5 Hoots was because I didn't feel the solution was realistic for most people- it was satisfying, but seemed really unlikely to me.