{Follow Friday} #44

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

~This Week's Features:

Take Me Away
&
Blethering About Books 

~This Week's Question:

What is the first thing you would do if you woke up to find yourself in your favorite book?

~My Answer:

SCREAM!!! Hahaha maybe not...if I ended up in the Wyldewood screaming would only get me killed (The Iron Fey Books). I would probably be freaking out on the inside and wondering if I had what it took to survive...then find Puck and give him a smooch ;D

What about you?

Leave your links below! :)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!! 

~Jaiden

{Blog Tour} Indigo Awakening by Jordan Dane

Indigo Awakening
Series: The Hunted #1
Author: Jordan Dane
Release Date: December 18, 2012
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: *a copy was provided by the tour host for review purposes via Netgalley*
Pages: 304

Because of what you are, the Believers will hunt you down.  

Voices told Lucas Darby to run. Voices no one else can hear. He’s warned his sister not to look for him, but Rayne refuses to let her troubled brother vanish on the streets of LA. In her desperate search, she meets Gabriel Stewart, a runaway with mysterious powers and far too many secrets. Rayne can’t explain her crazy need to trust the strange yet compelling boy—to touch him—to protect him even though he scares her.

A fanatical church secretly hunts psychic kids—gifted “Indigo” teens feared to be the next evolution of mankind—for reasons only “the Believers” know. Now Rayne’s only hope is Gabe, who is haunted by an awakening power—a force darker than either of them imagine—that could doom them all. {Goodreads}

~Trailer:

~Review:
  Starting this book I kind of forgot what it was about so everything that happened totally took me by surprise. Then I went to goodreads and found there weren't too many positive reviews...I don't see why. Lately I have been the black sheep. The books that haven't gotten great reviews I have really enjoyed! And I did just that...enjoyed Indigo Awakening. It was unique and totally off track anything I have ever read before which did it good!

  I couldn't help but think it was really weird too but hell, weird worked! Magical and totally suspenseful this book worked. I am totally not kidding when I say this book had the suspense factor down to a "T". I think the main thing that made it so suspenseful was the many alternate POVS. The whole book was third person but it was kind of like a movie. It zoomed into one specific character when important, to give you that behind the scene look. Although I really really enjoyed this at times others I was kind of put off. Like, it wasn't chapter after chapter that the POV switched. Sometimes it would just randomly switch in the next paragraph. Again, while at times it worked and flowed very nicely, others I was like what!? and had to proceed to back-track to get a better idea on when the "camera" changed. It kind of made it piecey. And then I hated it because it would switch on very important parts (this one is giggly good hate) making me gasping at the horrid cruelness of Miss Dane ;D

  I enjoyed each character we got to see into. Oh! Somewhere along the line we lost Mia...I don't know how I feel about that one...she just kind of dropped off. You can't do that sorry. If you bring a character into it and make her/him important enough to get insight from you can't simply drop them off like leftovers to your dog when you decided you were done. No. Sorry. Give us a reason to drop them off don't just randomly do it. Honestly, I didn't miss her because I truly loathed her but still...no matter the character you can't do that. I liked the other "villains" in the book. They were cool to hate. Then you have your main characters like Gabriel, Rayne, Lucas, Kendra, and Rafe that you truly. I think my favorites to read from were Rafe and Gabriel and not just because both were hot ;D They were truly interesting. They were the ones with the walls and the secrets so I liked to be able to see behind those walls and secrets!

  Altogether Indigo Awakening was interesting and I enjoyed it, despite others. The creativity blew my mind. I wasn't sure how I felt when I finished but writing this review...I think I liked it a lot better thinking back on it than while reading it. I now get to look back and see the greatness that I took for granted. There is seriously so much creativity and imagination! You have to literally just sit back and admire the work put into this book. The ending was cruel and now, it feels like a sucker punch to my stomach. I saw the very last sentence coming but the last parts of goodbyes killed me. The ending was action packed and crazy! But the whole book was like that! *admires again*. I think this series has major potential and will most definitely will keep my eyes peeled for book two! I think readers should give it a chance..don't listen to the reviews...be your own reviewer. Did I enjoy it? Hell yes! Is it worth it, especially with all the bad hype? I think so! Now its not screaming you need me or anything but I think everyone should read it cause I have a feeling book two is going to be killer! When you get the chance read it!

This review was a part of the Indigo Awakening Blog Tour via YA Bound Tours.

~Rating:

3.5 of 5 stars!!!

~The Author:

Find her at: ~Website~ Twitter~Facebook~Goodreads~YouTube~

Bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Jordan Dane’s gritty romantic thrillers are ripped from the headlines with vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Publishers Weekly compared her intense novels to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag, naming her debut novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM as Best Books of 2008. She also pens young-adult novels for Harlequin Teen. Formerly an energy sales manager, she now writes full time. Jordan and her husband share their Texas residence with two cats of highborn lineage and two lucky rescue dogs.

~The Giveaway:

Yippee for giveaways!! This one is totally epic! Want to see whats up for grabs?? :D

HarlequinTEEN prize pack, includes (US only):

·         INDIGO AWAKENING by Jordan Dane

·         ON A DARK WING by Jordan Dane

·         IN THE ARMS OF STONE ANGELS by Jordan Dane

·         THE JULIET SPELL by Douglas Rees

·         BELONGING by Karen Ann Hopkins (ARC)

·         DANCERGIRL by Carol M. Tanzman

·         2 Harlequin notebooks

4 Infinity Bracelets: (US only)

For anyone who has read an advance copy of INDIGO AWAKENING, you know that a silver infinity bracelet plays an important part in the story. Special bracelets will be given away on the virtual tour so the lucky winners will be part of Rafael’s street family. Rafe’s bracelet was in black leather, but I’ve added a white leather braid as my personal remembrance to you for being in MY family.

-1 audio book of In the Arms of Stone Angels. Digital download only. (International)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by! :D Don't forget to follow the rest of the tour! ~Tour schedule~ ~Jaiden

{Review} Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Dualed 
Series: Dualed #1
Author: Elsie Chapman
Release Date: February 26, 2013
by, Random House Books for Yound Readers
Source: Netgalley
Format: Kindle
Pages: 304

You or your Alt? Only one will survive.  

The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  This book drawed my attention from the very start. From its total kick-ass cover (props to the cover designer!!) and its even awesomer synopsis/book blurb...I knew I had to read it! The whole fighting to the death..with yourself blew my mind. The concept! Could you imagine?

  From the beginning Dualed hooks, lines, and sinkers you. I was fully enthralled in its pages not wanting to put it down. Elsia Chapman is an amazing and talented writer. Not only is her imagination genius to produce a book like this but her writing is very well done. I will admit that at times I had trouble following along. There seemed to be things missing every now and then. At points it wasn't smooth like books should be and I don't know if that's because of the ARC or the writing. The things that did make sense and flowed were writing wonderfully and had my full attention.

  I think I would have liked more background. More history and facts. At the beginning I had a hard time understanding the Alt business. I had questions like "So is one a clone with no real personality?", "Do they have the same families and it just be like them in an alternate life?". I kind of had to make my own assumptions after awhile and I would have liked it all just better explained I guess. Other than that and the piece parts at times...AMAZING! I trully loved this book!

  I enjoyed West. She was a rock solid girl from the beginning that slowly unraveled showing a more vulnerable side but at the same time she never truly unraveled. She just had minor setbacks which in the end made her even stronger. She had to go through some self-finding issues along with grief and trust. West had to obstacle after obstacle and her past haunted her. I liked how she got stronger the weaker she became. (If that can make any sense). I really liked Chord too. Well...ok I really really loved Chord. ;D He was persistent and protective. He is the only stable thing West has throughout the book and as much as she tries to push him away, literally running from him at times...he stays and he follows and he protects. They drove me absolutely bananas cause you could literally feel the attracted tension seeping through the pages and I was yelling at them to hurry up and freaking kiss!!! Then of course when everything went well...it was worth the wait! ;D

  Dualed is a wonderful debut you are not going to want to miss this 2013 year! Edgy, action packed and motivational this book has some awesome factors tied in. I honestly don't know where book 2 is going to go but I guess we will have to wait and see. I highly recommend this book to all you dystopian lovers! It kicks butt for sure! I wanted to give it a full 5 star rating but because of the time-to-time pieciness and the lack of more explaining I will give it a 4.5 but hell...only .5 got deducted. It was seriously good no doubt about it!
~Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day! :) 

{Follow Friday} #44

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

~This Week's Features:

Books are the only true Magic
&
Sugar & Snark

~This Week's Question:

What is the last book that kept you up late into the night just to finish it?

~My Answer:

To be honest, lately...all of them! I am SO far behind on my reading and I have had no choice but to stay up till the am to finish or get half way only to stay up late the next day to start all over or finish. Its terrible I know but because I started slacking for a bit...this is my consequence.

But, because I feel like that wasn't the right answer....The last book that kept me up till the late am because I simply was so enthralled with the book that the mere thought of putting it down and stopping for some little shut eye was simply out of reach was Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill and Splintered by A.G. Howard! One absolutely mind blowing (Splintered) and the other so freaking fantastic and adorable I just HAD to finish it! (Meant To Be)

What about you?

Leave your links below! :)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!! 

~Jaiden

{Review} Splintered by A.G. Howard

Splintered
Author: A.G. Howard
Release Date: January 1, 2013
by, Amulet Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Format: hardcover copy
Pages: 384

This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own. {Goodreads}

~Review:
  Where do I even start? This book blew me away! I absolutely love retellings especially when they are done as great as this one. Right off the bat I was hooked. From the crazy, exotic and beautiful cover, the Wonderland embellishments on the pages, the story in itself and the writing this book was flipping fantastic! Everything in this book was amazing and I fell hard for this book. There is a certain list I have which is named "books-I-need-in-order-to-breath" and in it are all the books I can not live without. They are the books that have blown my mind and captured my heart. They are the ones I will move from house to house till I die and read over and over. My friends, this is one of those books. I knew it was going to belong there from the beginning. I knew it was going to be great and I had such HIGH expectations. You guys know what happens usually happens when you high expectations....it flops. It isn't that great and actually is worse just because of the expectations but this one is so great it actually EXCEEDED my expectations...and that bar was set really high.

  You really don't know true genius till you have read this book. The characters and story Howard twisted was phenomenal! I loved seeing Wonderland in a whole new way. I really can't put into words how much I enjoyed this book. It was beautifully crafted and told through such a strong character you can't help but love. I love Alyssa. She was strong, crazy and a really great character to follow around. Jeb was one of the best guys in all my time of reading. He was strong, fierce, protective and all together uhm...HOT! He is definitely in my top 10. Then there is Morpheus...the most mysterious, hot and incredibly irritating character you will ever love to hate. He really throws your emotions into wack. You love him SO much and then you hate him more. You never knew what to think with him. Was he tricking her? Was that love you just saw? Does he care? Is he playing? What the heck are you doing!!!!? Gosh he was SOOO irritating. I wanted to slap him so many times and then the next page I was begging for a kiss. I was hoping for something that I wasn't sure he would give. I totally loved hating him. I always loved Jeb more...until I didn't. Then I did...then I didn't. This one was hard but at the same time it was never trully a love triangle because of Morpheus' tricky moods.

  Then there was the end...holy shit that end. Truly genius and nerve racking! I was crying, yelling and jumping up and down. Morpheus is not the only one who messes with your emotions and mind. The whole book in itself does it. The descriptions and world based retelling Howard created was truly genius. There is no other word but genius to refer to Howard's writing and story telling. I felt as if I was really there in wonderland! Gosh! I really don't know how to stress for my love of this book. It leaves an imprint on your heart and mind that has you thinking about it way after finishing it. Amazing! This book was magical! Splintered is captivating and intoxicating. Wonderful and frightening. It was everything I love in a book and SO much more....I am in love. Head over heals in love!!! Everyone needs to read it...everyone! Like me you will not want to put this book down until it is finished. I recommend this book to everyone...don't borrow. Buy...you want this beauty on your shelf..trust me ;D

~Rating:

5 of 5 wonderfully amazing stars!!!!!! <3

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day! :D

~Jaiden 

{Blog Tour} My Alien Romance by Magan Vernon

Hey guys! Great blog tour today! This review will be a little different because I am going to review the whole series....in one shot! Here it goes!! ;D

p.s...don't forget to check out the giveaway at the end!

by Magan Vernon

~Facebook~Website~Twitter~ 

How to Date an Alien: 

Awkward teenage girl, Alex Bianchi, finds love when she takes an internship at Circe Operations Center.  

How to Break Up With an Alien: 

Face it, long distance relationships in high school are hard,  especially when the other one in the relationship is an alien.  Alex Bianchi may have survived an intergalactic battle, but that still doesn’t excuse her from her senior year of high school, or qualify her for any sort of scholarship. To make up for college tuition costs, she takes a job at a local coffee shop. If only coffee could solve all of her problems.

As Alex’s senior year progresses, everything changes and she can’t figure out if it is interstellar or if it is just time to break up with an alien.  

How to Marry an Alien: 

Alex’s interstellar relationship has finally been sealed in the eyes of the human world, so now she can move on to her next step: college.   

With Ace by her side and a new piece of jewelry on her finger, she thinks she is ready for anything. Well, almost anything. Her new roommate holds a dangerous link to her past that Alex isn't sure if she can handle. Then there is the whole alien fiancé thing. Every time she tries to get closer to Ace, he seems to pull further away. Top that off with a full summer class load and a few more alien attacks and it’s just another day for Alex.

Except this time she isn’t sure if marrying an alien will be the happy ending she’s hoping for.  

**While the first two alien books were mildly tame, this book is a little different. I'm not saying it's Fifty Shades or anything, but Alex is eighteen, she's going off to college and she's been with her alien boyfriend for a year; there is guranteed to be some heat. I'm recommending this for upper YA/New Adult readers.**

Buy at: ~Amazon (B#1,2,3)~Goodreads~Barnes and Noble~ 

~Review:
  So to be brutally honest...I had no clue what I was doing when I entered this tour. I figured sure why not? I can always use a filler tour right? Bad news...I forgot how much I didn't really like alien books. I don't know why  but they have just never interested me. I haven't even felt the urge to read The Host by Stephanie Myer!! I haven't even read Bethany Revis' books cus they had alien like covers...and they aren't even alien themed right? Ya, I'm weird. ;P   I no longer wanted to start on the books when it cam around to starting them for this review! So....this is bad news right? No interest in alien books= a big no no....wrong!!!! This book. *Uhem* These book(S) really surprised me!

  I quickly fell in love with an alien. Oh gosh..Ace...this dude/alien is freaking amazing! Again, I love him! Then there is Alex is actually really cool. She is different and always has been since she moved into a little town where there wasn't an Italian girl in sight automatically giving her the title as the weird outcast...the different one. What she doesn't know is that she isn't the one who should really feel out of place...especially as she takes on an internship...at a local alien base! She is tough, strong, strong-willed and stubborn as hell. I loved her! Now, put Alex and Ace together...adorable!

  I loved their relationship and seeing it bloom throughout the three books. I like how their relationship wasn't the sunshine-and-rainbow romance. They went through some pretty thick obstacles and over came each one...still ending up loving each other. Their relationship was as real as any relationship...minus the alien part of course. Mrs. Vernon's writing was fun to read along with. Alex was a cool character to read from. I loved Jen and I loved her roomate in book three. I loved Malcom and I loved Jared (I believe that was his name). I loved the story and the different situations. I surprisingly loved this series.

  Now, I'm not gonna claim its a favorite of mine but it I definitely enjoyed it. It had humor and it had pain. It had love and it had hatred. The ending to the series was great. It had a clean cut off. Kinda sad in a little way but their love still goes on despite the small fright that turned into a detail. If you are a fan of alien books I recommend it. Heck, I don't care for alien books and I liked this one..(s)! Try it! I'm sure you will like it. Now, you don't have to be a fan of aliens to read it cus like I just said...I wasn't and I liked it! Fun and sweet. Intense at parts and never really boring. At times cliche but it didn't ruin the story in the least.

This review was a part of the My Alien Romance Tour by AToMR Tours:

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!! (For the whole series and each individual book!)

~Giveaway:

US only!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the rest of the tour!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Have a great day and wonderful weekend! :D

~Jaiden

{Follow Friday} #43

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

~This Week's Features:

Reading Under the Willow Treet
&
On Starships & Dragonwings

~This Week's Question:

Who is your favorite villain from a book?

~My Answer:

Hmmm...that would probably have to be.....the villian from A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies. I'd say that certain someones name but...itd be a total spoiler... hehehe ;D Oh! And Sebastian from the Mortal Instruments..he's kinda maybe a lil..hot?? ;D

What about you?

Leave your links below! :)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!! 

~Jaiden

{Blog Tour} Dark Return by Taryn Browning

Dark Return
Series: Seeker #2
Author: Taryn Browing
Release Date: November 27, 2012
Source: *a copy was provided by the tour host for review purposes*
Format: Kindle

Janie Grey is dedicated to hunting the undead, an inherited duty passed down from her Cherokee ancestors and generations of powerful Seekers before her. Then, there's Kai. He's like no one she's ever met - cocky, fast, skillful, infuriating and gorgeous. Not only has he become a valuable asset in her fight against the growing population of the vampire/demon hybrid known as Daychildren...


She's unwittingly fallen for him.

Just when Janie thinks she's learned everything there is to know about Kai's mysterious past, there's a newcomer to Baltimore. Someone who will do anything to make sure Janie loses Kai forever.

Darkness returns in Fall, 2012...{Goodreads}

~Tour Fun:

Character Bio's:

-Janie Grey- 

Experienced Seeker in Baltimore, who quickly learns that the training lessons she’s always followed don’t always apply. Especially when she meets Kai. 

-Kai Sterdam- 

“Daychild” or not! (I don’t want to spoil the story by revealing too much). Kai is an experienced fighter who has golden-blonde hair with white highlights, bright green eyes, and scars on his forearms and chest - all markings from his tortured past. Kai is sarcastic and cocky, but loyal to those he cares for. 

-Matt Baker- 

Star high school wrestler who inadvertently finds himself caught in the middle of a war between the undead. 

-Leah A- 

newcomer, and dark presence from Kai's past. One of the first Daychildren created by the vampire king.  

-Abram Mitchell-

Abram is a former Seeker and Janie’s mentor. Read about Abram’s life as a Seeker in the prequel short story, Dark Beauty.

-Isabelle Grey- 
Former Seeker and Janie’s mom. Read about Isabelle’s time as a Seeker in the prequel short story, Dark Beauty.

-Tanya- 
Vampire leader who becomes an asset in Janie's fight against Daychildren.

-Albania- 
Witch and friend of Kai’s. She is also instrumental in the fight against Daychildren.

-Ava- 
Janie’s best friend and one of the only people who know she’s a Seeker.

~Review:
  What can I say? I am a HUGE Taryn Browning fan! Not only is she nice and an all around great person, she is one fantastic writer! She made a favorite out of me with her first book Dark Seeker, Seeker #1. The Seeker series is a unique vampire book. It has all sorts of different lore intermixed which gives it its unique quality! There are the Daychildren who are the most unique thing out of the bunch and I absolute love them...and are scared a little I will admit! ;D Book one was so amazing and I quickly fell for the characters (ahem...Kai!!!!!!!!!). It was a kick butt book to a kick butt series and Dark Return didn't let the kick-butt quality down.

  Dark Return was just as great as the first if not better. I don't think there was as much action and mystery but it was more deep. It got further into Kai's past and his secrets. I loved that we got to see more of his POV as the book switched from his to Janie's. Now, saying that there wasn't as much action is not saying that there wasn't. Because, there was...and it was awesome! There was a couple of times I wanted to jump in the book and kick Leah's little tooshy myself and it would have been one heck of a beating, just sayin! She was one villian you didn't love to hate..you just simply hated. Grrr ;D

  Like I said, Kai's past comes up and kind of serves as the main plot in this book. So his past literally comes to haunt him bringing that prissy b Leah into the whole mix and causing the turf to get rocky between Janie and Kai. Oh! And then it gives you this major scare about half way through the book! (I almost died!!) Then not only does it spring one on you during the middle but it leaves you with a killer ending :( I seriously didn't think the book was over and sure as hell didn't want it to be. I turned the last page....not knowing it was the last page. I literally back tracked and skipped forward thinking that maybe my copy was just faulty and somehow the Emanare teaser accidentally split the story somehow...but alas...it was not and Taryn is now labeled as an evil genius ;D

  This book was great and a wonderful installment to the Seeker Series. I enjoyed it thoroughly from beginning to end..or not so end ;P I can't wait till the next one! If you haven't read this series yet I HIGHLY recommend that you do. Especially if you have a thing for the vampires. Also, if you don't really care for vampires because those are not the only paranormal creatures in this book. You just might find yourself falling in love with Daychildren *shrugs shoulders* you never know.... ;D

This review was part of the Dark Return Blog Tour hosted by SupaGurl Tours.

~Rating:

4/3.5 of 5 stars!!!

~Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Author:

Taryn Browning writes novels for young adults. She's also an avid reader and dreamer with a crazy imagination. Her debut urban fantasy is Dark Seeker. The sequel, Dark Return, will be available Nov, 2012. You can also check out the prequel novella, Dark Beauty. Her newest paranormal romance, Whispering Hills, and urban fantasy, Emanare, were also released this year.   

Taryn graduated with a BS in Education from Towson University and went on to earn a MS in Reading from Hood College. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, music, movies, and the beach. Some of her favorite TV shows growing up included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed and Angel. For as long as she can remember she's loved all things fantastical, paranormal and magical.

Visit her at www.tarynbrowning.com. Follow her on her blog www.yafictionauthor.blogspot.com, on twitter (@TarynBrowning), and facebook (Dark Seeker & Taryn Browning). 

Thanks for stopping by! :D

Have a great day!!

~Jaiden

{Review} Pantomime by Laura Lam

Pantomime
Author: Laura Lam
Release Date: February 5, 2012
by, Strange Chemistry
Source: Netgalley
Format: Kindle
Pages: 392

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilization long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Quick note: the cover!!! Love. Love. Love it!! I totally want that mask too..major jelousy right here! The circus tent in the back ground...the everything! Really like this cover! Fits the book like a glove! <3

  More serious matters: Pantomime was a book I was much anticipating. The premise just spoke to me saying "You must need this book Jaiden! MUST!!". So, naturally, I just needed to have it! I was a bit confused at first but I quickly caught on with the different time and POVs. Little did I know though that Micah and Gene were more closely linked than I thought....major shocker when I saw how their paths crossed. Really. There was a few things in the book that had me cautious and wary but all in all this book was fantastic! Also, the only real thing I can complain about this book is the lore and history of the world in the book. I wish the author would have gone into further detail explaining the different towns and history and mythology. I was super confused when it came to that. Maybe I missed something but I literally had no clue what made Byssia people Byssia people and who the Couple was and more. I kinda just had to skim those parts and pretend to know I knew.

  Other than those few hiccups like I said...fantastic! The writing style of Laura Lam was so enticing and wonderful. I felt as if every word had its own magic behind it! The circus was most definitely my favorite part of the book. It was described so wonderfully I felt as if I was there and experiencing the circus through Micah's eyes and truly feeling the awe and magic he felt for it. The imagination ran wild in this book. (even though some of it I didn't understand) Then the time...the era this book was set in was beautiful. I love the time of parasols, extravagant dresses, balls, courting, circus entertainment, etc. And again, Laura did it all perfectly. I felt as if I was truly there smelling the smells, seeing the sights, experiencing the protagonists experiences! Laura used words that described the situation, description, and severity of the subject on hand perfectly. She made me use the dictionary but I didn't find it tiring.

  Pantomime was a work of art! The characters were developed just to my liking. There were tons of side characters but you didn't get confused. At first it takes awhile to get to know everyone but not too long. Then of course those characters you end up loving and then the ones you love to hate! Omg. Drystan....I loved him just so you know ;) I also loved Gene's brother Cyril's best friend..and of course Cyril himself. Cyril was so loyal and understanding. He has a big heart and I would love to have a brother like him. Drystan was adorable and handsome and hilarious..he is a clown! ;D  Then that ending! That ending was the best part of the book. It was fast pace, terrible and emotional. I really hope there is a sequel because you can't just end a book like that. I really enjoyed reading Pantomime. It was unique and beautiful. Magic in its self. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun, mysterious, magical and intriguing read!

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :)

~Jaiden 

{Blog Tour} Review of Doomed by Tracy Deebs

Doomed
Author: Tracy Deebs
Release Date: January 8, 2013
by, Walker Childrens
Source: *a copy was produced by the tour host for review purposes*
Format: Kindle
Pages: 480

Beat the game. Save the world.



Pandora’s just your average teen, glued to her cell phone and laptop, surfing Facebook and e-mailing with her friends, until the day her long-lost father sends her a link to a mysterious site featuring twelve photos of her as a child. Unable to contain her curiosity, Pandora enters the site, where she is prompted to play her favorite virtual-reality game, Zero Day. This unleashes a global computer virus that plunges the whole world into panic: suddenly, there is no Internet. No cell phones. No utilities, traffic lights, hospitals, law enforcement. Pandora teams up with handsome stepbrothers Eli and Theo to enter the virtual world of Zero Day. Simultaneously, she continues to follow the photographs from her childhood in an attempt to beat the game and track down her father, her one key to saving the world as we know it. Part The Matrix, part retelling of the Pandora myth, Doomed has something for gaming fans, dystopian fans, and romance fans alike.{Goodreads}

~Blog Tour Fun:
    Favorite Quote:

"'I really like you Pandora. I don't want to make a mistake with you.'

Life's full of mistakes ?????. And if you don't kiss me now, when are you going to? We're almost out of time.'

'I won't let us run out of time.'"   

Sorry yo! Had to mask the identity of the speaker..it is a love triangle ;P

And because I really like this one too....

  "There's something inside and I strain to see it. Nearly cry out when I can finally read the word. 'Hope.'......We might very well live long, poductive lives. They won't be the lives we had once planned for ourselves but in this place, at this moment, that doesn't matter."

~Review:

  Holy shit you guys!! This book was fantastically amazing! It totally rocked my socks off. ;D I have to admit that I prefer the old cover but the cover has nothing to do with the pure genius of this book. I had the worst time putting this book down…and at times I had no choice because I was reading it during the last two weeks of school before winter break, which meant I had finals to study for, which meant if I wanted good grades, I was going to have to put the book down and do some work. It. Sucked. I wanted nothing more than to sit down and read the book until every single page was gobbled up and digested. (ermm that didn’t sound as good as I hoped haha).

  What would you do if the world as you knew it came crashing down because of a video game. Yupp! You heard that right. A video game. Its Pandora’s seventeenth birthday and to her surprise she gets an email from her dad. The same dad that hasn’t been around for years. The same dad that has her mom panicked telling Pandora that she is never to speak, email, write, or see her dad…ever. There aren’t even any pictures of Pandora and her father…and she was what, five when he left? So twelve years of no communication from her father and she finally gets some. The email has promises of old letters that were written to her and always returned , never before seen photos of them and an explanation to why he left. Never would have Pandora thought that that email, those pictures would be the worm that starts world domination. Domination that is only going to stop if Pandora plays the game.

  Like I said…Holy. Shit. This book was absolutely mind blowing. It was fast paced and completely captivating. I was hooked from page one. Tracy Deebs wove a perfectly unique, action packed story that is sure to take over the hearts of gamers and readers a like..hell, I think everyone should read it but that’s just me. At the beginning I had a little bit of a rough time trying to distinguish between what was going on in the game (especially the talking) and what was going on in the real world but after a while I had no problem easing in to the switch. When I really got into it (which ended up being every time I opened its pages) I had trouble distinguishing the lines between the book and the real world. Tracy is such an amazing writer where that is just the only way to read her book. Its not too often a book completely captures you like that but Doomed does that too you. I literally felt as if I was there every step of the way through Pandora’s journey. The writing for Doomed is clear and imaginative. Tracy definitely doesn’t hold back. 

  The story is told from Pandora’s point of view being that she is the protagonist but Eli and Theo were equally important. O my goodness. These boys! Theo is so smart. He is always one step ahead. He is quick on his feet and always so calm in the toughest situations. Theo is broody and mysterious. Oh! And he is totally hot.  He isn’t the best with jokes and taking things lightly. A smile from him is a rare occurance. He tends to be more in his own thoughts but when he steps out he totally shines. Then there is Eli. The one who can make light on things. He jokes around is more carefree.The one who can tell a joke or make a face to ease the tension...that is why I love him..so much!!! 

  I honestly have no clue what else to say other than you need to read this...like ASAP. I loved this book with a passion. It is something that makes you reflect and wonder. What would you do? Would you be able to survive? How would you act? How would you feel? It was almost scary. I have nothing else to say..I am leaving this review now. Read. Love. You need this book. You will NOT be sorry you read it and you will thank me later ;D

This review was part of the Doomed Blog Tour at Itching for Books.  

 

~Rating:

 

5 of 5 stars..this book rocked my socks! ;D
 

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy New Years!!

Have a great weekend!! 

<3 Jaiden

{Follow Friday} #42

Happy New Year!!!!!! 

Hope you all had a wonderful 2012 and here is to us all for an even better 2013!! Cheers!!!! ;D

<3

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.

~This Week's Features:

Starry Storm

&

The Gallivanting Girl Books

~This Week's Question:

What New Years Blogging or Writing resolution have you placed on yourself?

~My Answer:

Well for one...to actually reach by goal of 100 books read (didn't make it this yearly sadly..ended up at 76 :( ) but then my friend said I needed to aim higher soo to reach my 115 goal!
Two...more posts...I wanna reach at least 250 for the entire year..hope to do more but we will see.
Three....be more involved. This include giveaways, interviews, blog tours, and other bloggers!
Four...reach 1,000+ followers! I was blessed to reach 400 before the end of the year! Thank you all!
Five...maybe start a design blog?? People are always complimenting on my blog and wanting me to do theirs...I just have to find the time O.o
Six...be more responsible about email checking...its ridiculous yo! :O

What about you?

Leave your links below! :)

Happy Friday! Have a great weekend!! 

~Jaiden

P.s....Don't forget to check out all the giveaways going on now! I've got signed copies, swag packs and other items all up for grabs!! Find the giveaways by checking out interviews, the giveaway pages, or the right side bar!