Using Google Reader: Keeping Up With Your Favorite Book Blogs, Avid Readers' & Commenters' Blog Updates.

Because you are following a huge numbers of bloggers, you'd like an easy access to your favorite book bloggers, authors' blogs, or simply wants to pay back a visit to your avid readers' posts regularly. Ofcourse you'd like to do this in a very organize way. Whether its from Wordpress or any other websites, without having to subscribe via emails. Here comes Google Reader, where you can keep all these blogs neatly in a folder, i.e. Favorite YA Blogs, Authors Blogs, etc. So this is totally different from your Blogspot's dashboard.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Summary from Goodreads:

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.
Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike. But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Series: Blood of Eden #1
Expected publication: April 24th 2012 by Harlequin Teen
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★  

My Review:

Spoiler-free!(I hope)

"You don't dwell on what you've lost, you just move on."

 

Bloody hell, what an adventure. This is the first time I've read a book with a vampire protagonist, and boy did it shake me to my core. Thought-provoking and a pretty tight twisted plot with a very unusual heroine.

At first, I didnt like our protagonist Allison, but the layers were peeled away, and I began to love her, she's a badass. Period. OK you see, naturally most of us cheer for a protagonist/heroine who is the "good guy", yes? But here, expect something different(in a good way but rough), way different from her(Julia K.) Iron Fey series mind you. There is no magic to save our protag's ass here but her new found skills and her Katana, no handsome fae to melt your heart only rabids to rip it apart, no place like Never Never but ruins of what used to be beautiful place. No purely good heroine here, but a monster trying to cling to her humanity . And most of all, no glittering Vampires here, just a plain blood-suckers who cries blood! So are you ready to dare yourself and read this epic book?

The world that Julie Kagawa has built was really both terrifying and intriguing, I mean Vampires has taken over and they feed on people. Plot as usual was very original. The gory and kickass action packed scenes are spread apart sufficiently through out the whole story. The romance was amazing, though there wasn't much of Zeke and Allison romance here-it was still really really good and has a great impact in the story- I'm sure there will be so much of it on the second book. Characters are just brilliant! As always, Julie did an amazing job creating her characters. I loved everything about Allison, she has the guts and balls and everything, and the best thing about her is she is flawed which I didnt  have a hard time connecting. You'll also have characters that you will like, or hate that you wish they'd be offered for the rabids. *grins* What else can I say? This woman (Julie Kagawa) is just a very very talented writer.

"I wasn't thinking of his blood, rushing just below the skin. I wasn't thinking of his heartbeat or his touch or the pulse at his throat. Right now, all I was thinking of was Zeke."

 

And ofcourse, I did have a teary moments here too, especially the ending part. It was so sad but it was freaking hopeful and it gave me goosebumps! Allison is just a freaking wicked heroine! I want more of her and Zeke!

 

A silent road stretched before me, damp with rain and littered with cars. As I watched, pale figures began to slip through the trees or claw their way out of the earth. Rabids edged onto the pavement, filling the road, their hisses and snarls rising into the air. Their empty white eyes blazed with madness and Hunger, and they began to sprint forward . Reaching back, I drew my bladem feeling it rasp free, gleaming as it came into the light. Looking up at the approaching rabids, I smiled.

Book Cover Find

New plant in the garden" by Alexandra Sophie

Gosh, look at that photograph, its just so beautiful. I saw this and thought omygod, this can be a book cover, I mean really. The tiny little flowers and its colors are just amazing. A little bit of fix here and there and tada! Gorgeous cover that can really attract attention. I loved it. What do you think?

Taken At Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Kylie Galen wants the truth so badly she can taste it. The truth about who her real family is, the truth about which boy she’s meant to be with—and the truth about what her emerging powers mean. But she’s about to discover that some secrets can change your life forever…and not always for the better.

Just when she and Lucas are finally getting close, she learns that his pack has forbidden them from being together. Was it a mistake to pick him over Derek? And it’s not just romance troubling Kylie. An amnesia-stricken ghost is haunting her, delivering the frightful warning, someone lives and someone dies. As Kylie races to unravel the mystery and protect those she loves, she finally unlocks the truth about her supernatural identity, which is far different—and more astonishing—than she ever imagined.

Taken At Dusk by CC Hunter
Series: Shadow Falls #3
 Expected publication: April 10th 2012 by St. Martin's Press  (Thank you)
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

"Life's hard. Love's harder."

 I was so excited when I (finally) was able to read this book early, and as always, CC Hunter never fails to amaze me with her story-telling, I just loved this series. And I liked the new characters and mystery she added that has kept me more interested. So the story deals with Kylie, who is trying to figure out what she really is and trying to fit where she really belong in this new world she found.  Kylie seemed to grow more through out the story which is really really good. But her feelings for these two hot guys - charming fae Derek and badass werewolf Lucas- are still floating. Well if you ask me, dunno who to pick! I'm crazy over Lucas but I'm also fond of Derek. He grew on me from the second book so its kind of difficult to choose for Kylie right now. We will see how it goes, lets hope that CC would really pull this one up neatly. I also loved the side characters around Kylie, CC really did a great job creating a story that doesnt only revolves with our protagonist(self-discovery) but also extended to her supporting characters. Oh, and I really really think Della(the vampire) is a kickass and Perry he is soo hot.

"There are no guarantees,” Kylie countered. “Not with love or with life. But we can’t go through life never taking a risk. And that’s what we are all agreeing to do. Put our hearts out there. Take a chance with a boy. We might end up hurt, but we might not.”

The plot twists were intriguing, there was a right amount of mystery, tension, laugh out loud moments, romance and (very)emotional scenes. Overall, I really really liked this book, this is the kind of book/series that every teenagers should read, Kylie is really a great protagonist, although flawed, but great. There are few more questions that needs an answers so cant wait for the fourth installment! Self-discovery, heartbreaks, mysteries and suspense, life and death, you surely don't want to miss this.

“Thing is, those two sort of go hand in hand. Not that you’ll ever really forget, but you accept that it happened and move on. You accept that all people make mistakes. No one is perfect.”
“And what if you can’t?” Kylie watched a bee buzz past her. “What if I can’t ever really forgive him?”
“Then you let go,” she said.

Watch this book trailer of TAKEN AT DUSK, its just so beauitiful and a hair-raising video.

Whispers at Moonrise by CC Hunter 

Book 4

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A Witch In Winter by Ruth Warburton

Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.

A Witch In Winter by Ruth Warburton

Series: Winter Trilogy #1

 Published January 2012 by Hodder Children's Books    

My Rating: ★ ★ ★

I  like witch stories, and this book is one of those unique witch stories out there. But I dont love nor hate this book, just so-so. I did like the first half though not much with the last half. Ok so I have an issue with this book. Some of the dialogues were ridiculous. They always say their names like " Anna you saved me" "Anna, Anna", ugh. Anyway, the overall plot is promising and unique. Characters were well-developed, Anna was very likeable and flawed. And Seth, *sighs* I really like his intense and bad-boy personality. I do think they are so good together. I just wish there were some more depths on how Seth fell in love with her.

If only not for some unnatural dialogues, I would have really really liked this book. It is a dark and mysterious story that was gripping and thought-provoking. The author was very creative about the witchery thing here. This book reminded me of WitchCraft, not entirely the whole plot, but the spells and dark magic.. If you have watch this movie already you will know what I mean. Will definitely look out for the second book, see how it goes!

Overall, did enjoy it, but werent blown away like that. Anyway this is only my honest opinion, Im sure most of you will like this or even love this book, so Id say you try it.

Torn by Cat Clarke

Four girls. One dead body. A whole lot of guilt.

Alice King isn’t expecting the holiday of a lifetime when she sets off with her classmates on a trip to the Scottish wilderness, but she’s not exactly prepared for an experience beyond her darkest nightmares…

Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down.

Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever...

A compelling story of guilty secrets, troubled friendship and burgeoning love.

Torn by Cat Clarke

Published December 22nd 2011 by Quercus______________________________
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

This is the real way a friendship ends. Not with some huge screaming row, but with a gradual withdrawal. You’d think it would be less painful this way.

I was blown away! Don't you just love it when you finally read the book you've been most anticipating turned out to be surprisingly good? I totally loved it! It's a disturbing , thought-provoking, both character and plot driven and absolutely a heartbreaking story, no doubt about it! But first, that cover, isn't that gorgeous? Isn't it awesome when the cover portrays the character in your book?  

"My favourite is the one where she’s looking over her shoulder at the camera. Her hair is windswept and glossy. The picture looks completely spontaneous – like the photographer called her name and just snapped away. Knowing Tara, she probably planned it that way."

The story really drew me in, at first It was okay, little bit of building characters here and there, but after a short while, I could not stop reading.  I really wanted to know how it will turn out, what  happens next.  I enjoyed reading Alice King's point of view. She is such a humorous and delineate character. I liked how realistic she could be, I found myself thinking what would I do if it was me in her shoes. Her situation was so frustrating I could only cry "NO NO NO!". Ahh and what good is a mystery if there is no romance on the side in this tragic story? I loved Jack! Geez, I know! Another Jack in my list! He's hot and he can sing! lol but seriously I loved him

"You don't deserve Jack.
You don't deserve to sleep.
You don't deserve to live."

The descriptive elements were effective, I could picture it in my mind, I had some cringing, swoon-worthy and sad moments. A gripping plot in a murder mystery that evokes an edgy atmosphere. Though you might think that the mood would be dark and gloomy, not really. It was amusing but still manages to keep the creepy factor. As the shocking story unfolds, I was on the edge of my seat. A good mix of contemporary and a ghost story.

BUT, but the ending! I just cant believe it has to end that way! I just cant! *squeezes eyes shut* I DEMAND a continuation Cat Clarke!!!

Overall, I loved it. And this is the first book Ive read from Cat Clarke, definitely not the last.

Her brain is like a filing cabinet – everything neatly stored in categories. My brain is more like soup – everything all blended and mushed together.

Sorry guys didn't know my review would be this long! :)))

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Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship—or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood—not even from each other.

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles #1
Published February 7th 2012 by Razor Bill Penguin Australia (thank you for the review copy)

"I am wicked in many ways."

I really enjoyed this amazing book. The exuberant and vivid world that the author has created were just wonderful and the language used were rich and plushy. It will take you  from the era where marriage were arranged, and witchery "existed".  Characterization were quite good that its making them realistic, not only our protagonist Cate grabbed my attention but the fullness of the supporting characters. I really adore Tess, Marriane and Finn. OK, I liked Cate but she was sort of annoying sometimes, I mean, I don't understand why she couldn't just spill the beans and let her sisters know  the diary and the prophecy,  they're also included in the said prophecy after all. I don't know what's taking her so long to tell them, that the situation became a total mess. Other than that, she's totally relatable(I have a sister too that I would do murder for her lol), strong, cool and funny. The plot is intriguing, that it kept me up all night just to finish it. But my favorite part of this book is the romance, I like Paul too but I love Finn, eeeek, I love him so much I just do! And the kissing scene in the cupboard! With feathers, just beautiful. Best kissing scene eva made. The plot generally revolves around a prophecy(which kinda reminded me of Harry Potter) and the Cahill sisters.  There were some slow parts but other than that were heart-stopping moments.

Overall, its a very enjoyable read that I am dying to read the second installment, I'm really curious to see what happens next with the Cahill sisters, Finn<3 and the prophecy. Oh and by the way I hate the Brotherhood!

WHEN THE SEA IS RISING RED by Cat Hellisen

After seventeen-year-old Felicita’s dearest friend, Ilven, kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven's death has called out of the sea a dangerous, wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg's caste system, and the whole city along with it.  

When The Sea Is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen
Published February 28th 2012 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)____________ ____
My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

 The sea is rising, one two three,
What will that get for Ivy and me?
Pelim House gave us bones.
Pelim House gave us stones.
When the sea is rising red,
All of Pelim will drop dead.

Ingenious, gritty, thought-provoking and an enchanting dark fantasy with a very unusual plot that I couldn't put it down. The historical feel of the settings and the enticingly crafted characters from the myth and supernaturals were riveting and refreshing. And FYI, this is not all about vampires but rather vampires are in it.  The worldbuilding was so fascinating, writing style was lyrical, language used were beautiful and the characters were remarkable.  A whole new story of dark magic, striving, revenge and betrayal.

Felicita was such a very strong and intriguing character, I watched her grow and struggle to her new life without the extravagant and comfortable life she once had in House Lammer. She will meet people she never thought she would be acquainted with,  a sapid bat-vampire- Jannik and a charming Hob, Dash along the way. Plot and characters intertwined and will be unraveled eventually, revealing great pain, a dark pasts, and a wicked revenge.

“In the end, we make our choices on our own. And no matter how stupid they are, we have to live—or die—with what we’ve done.
Sometimes choosing our moment of death is the only freedom we have left.”
The boggert blinks, and for an instant I see Ilven’s blue eyes, a flash of summer.
“And I’ve no right to try to save you from that.”

A story like this is rarely seen in our books we normally read these days, therefore I think that this book is not for everybody but if you are up for something bold, darker, different and complex, then I think you'd like to try this one, there is a romance here ofcourse but it didn't over power the story which I'm fine with, for it can be tiring at times, right? Overall, I did really like it and enjoyed this wicked book. An amazing debut.

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13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. 

+ Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

 Published July 1st 2010 by Penguin Books

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Recommended

"This was not a spurr-of-the-moment decision. Do not take me for granted... again."

Spectacular writing and an engrossing heart-felt story. Life changing and hopeful.

O.M.G. seriously? Why didn't I read this book before? I mean this is a kind of book every one MUST read. The story was poignant and realistic that it was impossible not to be greatly affected, yes it was sad I got teary and such but it was also hopeful and uplifting. Reading this book has opened up my eyes to things and has touched me in so many ways, I am so overwhelmed.

So before I read this amazing book, I came across Jay Asher's blog and played the excerpt audiobook for 13RW, and I was under-spell soon as I heard it. I mean, the girl's voice was so creepy, I mean not totally her voice but the whole idea of her talking about her life's story and why she's ending it, over a voice recorder before she killed herself, its just so cruel yet intriguing. And that's when it hit me, I got to read it, I must.

It was like I was there,  with Clay listening to Hannah's voice and not reading. I felt every emotions he was feeling as if it was mine. From bittersweet to gut-wrenching moments, it was agonizing. I wanted to hug Clay and tell him it's okay but like him, I could only listen to Hannah's. Gosh even now, I'm getting teary eyes. This book gave me a profound realization with things or rather facts that happens in real life. I fell in love with Clay, I knew he was such a great guy, but also flawed and so real that I totally connected with him as well as Hannah.  You know that unpleasant feeling thinking of what you could have, should have done but its already too late?

"You can't go back to how things were. How you thought they were.
All you really have is.. now"

Just an amazing book that I recommend to everyone who hasn't read this book yet, I don't recommend too often but this one deserves it. Characters and the story will stay with me for as long as it takes. I love Jay Asher, such an outstanding writer. Kudos.

And wow this fan-made book trailer was awesome it gave me goosebumps, I think Nina would be great as Hannah, what do you think?

Featured YA Authors: Talks About...prt 2

Hi guys, today we have 4 authors: Lauren Oliver, CC Hunter, Jennifer L. Armentrout and Jenna Black, -whom have been so nice to participate in my Featured YA AUTHORS- to talk about how they get themselves focused/in the mood when writing a book. This is the continuation of my first post last December, if you missed that, just click here or you can check out my tab above. And not only that, Lauren is giving away a personally signed copy of Pandemonium and CC Hunter is also giving away 3 copies of Taken at Dusk- publish date April 10th 2012. Isnt that amazing? Also, dont forget to watch the videos and there will be more posts of another topics from these lovely authors, so watch out for that.
                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lauren Oliver, author of DELIRIUM series

"Hmmm. That’s a difficult question. I find that the process of sitting down and staring at a blank page eventually forces me to focus. But I try to “carry my books with me,” mentally, throughout the day—I think about the characters, and think about the plot, and try and plan what will come next. That way, I’m already focused by the time I get to the actual writing." - Lauren

Visit Lauren Oliver at Website | GoodReads | Facebook

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

C.C. Hunter, author of Shadow Fall Series

 "That’s a great question! Here’s what I do: First, I get a new container of Super Glue and then I apply it generously to my butt, which I then place in my chair in front of the computer. That way, I have no choice but to stare at the computer screen until the story starts flowing.

Okay, so maybe I don’t use Super Glue but the rest is definitely true. I sit at my computer, staring at the screen, scribbling a line or two, then deleting them and starting over. And I keep doing that until I finally get the story flowing. Now, sometimes it happens right away. The story is like a gift from above—I just have to type it as it flows into me. Other times . . . well, let’s just say that I’d rather have dental surgery without anesthesia. LOL.

When I’m on a deadline, I generally write every day until the book is finished. That includes weekends and holidays, which can be really hard on my family. But I look at my writing as if it were any other job, and I thank my daddy for that. You see, my father was a plumber, and I never, ever recall him getting up in the morning and saying, “I can’t go to work today because I have plumber’s block.” Now, I know there were days he didn’t want to work. Days his job was pretty crappy. (Hey, that comes with the territory when you’re a plumber!) But he went to work. And like I said, I borrowed my daddy’s work ethic. That’s why I go to work every day. Now, I’ll be honest. Sometimes my output is pretty crappy, but most of the time I can save it the next day with edits. I guess my point is we all have good days and bad days, but I will work through them, like I’m sure everybody does when they have a job." - C.C.

I hope you all enjoy the Shadow Falls Series.

 Visit C.C. Hunter at  Website |GoodReads | Facebook

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Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of Lux series

"I pretty much set a goal each day and make myself hit that goal every day. It helps me keep on track." - Jennifer

 Visit Jennifer Armentrout at Website | GoodReads | Blog

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Jenna Black, author of Faeriewalker series

"I'm a professional author, so I don't really have the luxury of getting "in the mood" to write. It's my job, and I focus on it the same way I used to focus on my day job in the computer industry: I have work to do, so I sit down and do work. It isn't always fun, it doesn't always flow, but it's what I do for a living. (Though I must admit, I enjoy sitting down to work a lot more these days than I did when I worked in the computer industry, no matter how many frustrations and challenges come with this particular job." - Jenna

Visit Jenna Black at Website | GoodReads | Twitter

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PANDEMONIUM by Lauren Oliver

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,

pushing aside thoughts of Alex,

pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,

push,

push,

push,

like Raven taught me to do.

The old life is dead.

But the old Lena is dead too.

I buried her.

I left her beyond a fence,

behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium #2

Published February 28th 2012 by HarperCollins

Spoiler-free. (I hope) 

Have you ever felt so simultaneously shocked and desperate for a thing that you literally have to grab your hair and silently scream?  I have, and up until now, It's still on my mind trying to absorb what just happened. Oh, It wasn't soundless scream at all actually. I was like WTF! I knew it! I knew it! And my husband came running out of the room asking whats happening, and I was like I knew it! And for a moment I thought he'd tell me I'm crazy but he just shook his head and left, me, still disoriented with what just happened. LOL.

At first, I was being impatient with Lena, the story was just a bit slow for me, however, I am totally a Delirium die hard fan so I was stuck with it. I felt like I was missing something, probably because my heart was looking for Alex's presence. But halfway through, the story became more interesting, intriguing, especially when Julian walked in to the scene. The dangers and action kept me on the edge of my seat. I was drawn with the new world and new characters that it was hard to put this book down. You'll watch Lena grow and develop. Lena's a whole new person here in this book, she's still flawed but stronger, and real. I was bombarded with many emotions, grief, loneliness, revisiting her losses of all the people she loved and once have, anger, happiness and great disbelief. The plot was so twisted I couldn't guess enough of what was happening. And then... BAM! The ending. HUGE CLIFFHANGER! It was wicked, a torture to us readers. I felt like watching it, there, just in front of my eyes, live. So for those who haven't read this series yet, this book is all about Love, not some icky-cheesy romance you're thinking but Love, this thing they called deliria-a disease- that revolves around us. Love: that is everything.

Thought-provoking and well-written, you guys, fans of Delirium, this one is worth it, you should read it!!! Dying for the third installment!!!!

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THE DARK AND HOLLOW PLACES by Carrie Ryan

The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

There are many things that Annah would like to forget: the look on her sister's face before Annah left her behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, her first glimpse of the Horde as they swarmed the Dark City, the sear of the barbed wire that would scar her for life. But most of all, Annah would like to forget the morning Elias left her for the Recruiters.
Annah's world stopped that day, and she's been waiting for Elias to come home ever since. Somehow, without him, her life doesn't feel much different than the dead that roam the wasted city around her. Until she meets Catcher, and everything feels alive again.
But Catcher has his own secrets. Dark, terrifying truths that link him to a past Annah has longed to forget, and to a future too deadly to consider. And now it's up to Annah: can she continue to live in a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the only escape from the Return's destruction?

 
Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth #3
Published March 22nd 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

what matters is what you do with the

time you’re alive.

EEEhh! I loved this book. It really is a page-turner. Definitely my favorite book in this amazing series. Why because  it has a darker settings,  the atmosphere is heavier and more intense than the first two books. that I was so terrified I had to put the book down and breathe for a sec and read it again.  I was extremely impressed with our protagonist here Annah, frankly, I think she's the most intriguing, most stronger lead character of all the 3 this series ever had.  I loved reading her point of view.

Gloriously beautiful writing and a riveting story. Did I say I loved this book? Oh well the romance, gosh I could marry Catcher right now(oh shit I'm married already :) ) The romance tension between Anna and Catcher drove me crazy (in a good way) , made me giggle like a little girl and scream inside with frustration. Action and dangers scenes were suspenseful, moving and gripping. And when the ending came, I did my dreamy sighs and I want some more of these two lovers!!!! Please tell me there is still going to be another book? It cant end like that can it? :)))

I've read this series in less than two weeks time. Just epic. this. book.
This is also going to be a  movie in 2013!!! I cant wait!

Loved this quotes:

“Sometimes life isn’t about the end,” he finally says.
“It’s not always about tomorrow and the day after that
—what we achieve over the years and how we leave
the world. Sometimes it’s about today.”

________________________________________

I stare at the way the tracks of her tears break across
her jaw and along her neck, at how it looks like her
face, once shattered, has been carefully put back
together. And I wonder if that’s what my scars really
are: proof that I’ve put myself back together again.
____________________

Broken things can be made whole again. Perhaps
not as they were before, but maybe stronger this
time.

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Rayan  
  

Gabry lives a quiet life. As safe a life as is possible in a town trapped between a forest and the ocean, in a world teeming with the dead, who constantly hunger for those still living. She’s content on her side of the Barrier, happy to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. But there are threats the Barrier cannot hold back. Threats like the secrets Gabry’s mother thought she left behind when she escaped from the Sisterhood and the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Like the cult of religious zealots who worship the dead. Like the stranger from the forest who seems to know Gabry. And suddenly, everything is changing. One reckless moment, and half of Gabry’s generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry only knows one thing: she must face the forest of her mother’s past in order to save herself and the one she loves.

Series: The Forest of Hands and Teeth #2
Published March 9th 2010 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

 “Sometimes it’s the mistakes that turn out to be the
best parts of life,”

 This series is something I've never read before.Different narrators every each book that somehow interlink with the whole story. I thought it was very clever.

We heard Mary's on the first book, this time its Gabry. Mary's daughter. So basically the story skips to a new generation. Still as gruesome and more depressing but did not creep me out as much as the first one did. Plot twists was interesting.  But while I like the whole concept, It was hard for me to love Gabry here in this book, she's weak, sitting around feeling sorry for herself. But I did like her in the end eventually.

It was easy to like the characters around her though, especially Catcher!!! *sighs* this broken handsome boy. <3 The romance here has kind of resembled the first book but other than that it was all good. This book is about life and death,  love and heartbreaks. Well if you liked the first book, I'd still recommend this, it'll be worth it when you read the 3rd one! :)
Loved this quote:

I realize that life is risks. It’s acknowledging the past
but looking forward. It’s taking a chance that we will
make mistakes but believing that we all deserve to
be forgiven.