Review: Summer's Crossing

Book: Summer's Crossing
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: June 1, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304 (eBook)
Source: downloaded from Kobo Books
Stars: 5/5

A Midsummer's Nightmare? Robin Goodfellow. Puck. Summer Court prankster, King Oberon's right hand, bane of many a faery queen's existence—and secret friend to Prince Ash of the Winter Court. Until one girl's death came between them, and another girl stole both their hearts.

Now Ash has granted one favor too many and someone's come to collect, forcing the prince to a place he cannot go without Puck's help—into the heart of the Summer Court. And Puck faces the ultimate choice—betray Ash and possibly win the girl they both love, or help his former friend turned bitter enemy pull off a deception that no true faery prankster could possibly resist.

An ebook exclusive novella from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

First off, let me just say that I absolutely love The Iron Fey series. Julie Kagawa was able to create an entire world that was both beautiful and frightening, with characters that you couldn't help but adore.

I love Puck! He's funny and sarcastic and witty in a way that's completely endearing. I may be Team Ash, who was also super awesome in this book, but Puck is the guy I can always count on to make light of even the most awkward of situations. 

I also love how he's the same mischievous redhead from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Robin Goodfellow. Shakespeare may be dramatic, but his stories are classics. And his characters are easy to read about, something that Julie Kagawa had no problem in continuing. 

Enough about the characters (whom I love); I could go on all day! All I have to say is that Summer's Crossing is definitely a book to read, especially if you've also fallen for Julie Kagawa's other books like I have. Puck is as witty as ever and Ash is still extremely hot for a Winter prince. And the Faery world is just as interesting to read about! 

I recommend this series wholeheartedly! :)

BUY or BORROW?: Well, considering that this book is free, I'd say buy it! You can download it now at Halequin's eBook Store or Kobo Books with no charge! 

-Mimi

Book News: The Iron Knight

WOW!

The ever amazing Julie Kagawa just released the cover for The Iron Knight (the fourth installment in the Iron Fey series) on her blog today! Isn't it gorgeous? With the beautiful design, it's just as stunning as the first three.

The Iron Fey series is honestly one of my favourite faery tales of all time! It has a cast of extremely lovable characters, intriguing faery lore, and a Winter Prince who's hot enough to melt ice. That this book is going to be written from that aforementioned prince is something that only makes me squeal in anticipation. It's going to be cool to be able to read Ash's mind for once (pun intended).

Can't wait until October 25, 2011 when this book is set to be released!

Also, Summer's Crossing, a free Iron Fey novella told from Puck's point of view, is available for download at Harlequin's eBook Store or from Kobo Books as of today. Another beautiful cover and another story that I'm ecstatic to read. Hurry and download it now before it's no longer free! ;)

Have you read Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series yet? If not, then I recommend that you do so! It's a series that you don't want to miss! My reviews for the books will be up soon :)

-Mimi

Follow Friday #1

Hey there! :)

For those who don't know, Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by the super-duper awesome Parajunkee! It's a super neat way to meet new people and expand your list of friends over Blogger! :)



All you have to do is:

1. (Required) Follow Parajunkee at her awesome blog. 
2. (Required) Follow the featured blogger of the week. 
3. Put your blog name and URL in the Linky thing. 
4. Grab the the button from Parajunkee's blog and place it in a post (so people can say hi in the comments!).
5. Follow, follow, follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just only a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs! Also, don't just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don't say "HI!"
6. If someone comments and follows you, share the love! Follow them back ;)
7. If you're new to the Follow Friday hop, comment and let Parajunkee know, so she can stop by and check out your blog! 

This is my first time joining this awesome blog hop, so here's a bit about me:

My name is Mimi Valentine. I'm fourteen and a huge book lover. Mostly I read YA paranormal, but I like to expand my variation (as long as it's not horror!). I also adore anything sweet, and have a HUGE phobia of bugs!

Q: How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them? 

A: Usually I read about one or two books a week, sometimes more if I recently went to the bookstore and sometimes less if I have tons of homework at the moment. I'm also one of those girls who likes to have a hard copy of every awesome book I've read (which is how I constantly waste my babysitting money), so my bookshelf is mostly made up of actually printed novels. 

Who are you? :)

HAPPY FOLLOW FRIDAY!

-Mimi

Review: Nightshade

Book: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Publisher: Philomel
Pages: 452
Source: bought from Chapters
Stars: 5/5

Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers.

But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything— including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

Do you ever get that feeling when you read a book where you have to put it down — but don't want to — because it's all so overwhelming and intense? That's exactly the feeling I had while reading Nightshade. Multiple times! The action and romance created in this single novel just took my breath away! 

I adored Calla. She was strong and brave and completely loyal to her pack. And to top it off, she was set to inherit the new pack with the hot Ren Laroche, who was another character that I liked! 

Shay was the other boy vying for Calla's affection. His carefree and somewhat childish attitude made him naive but intelligent at the same time, something that was important in creating the intenseness of this book. I can honestly say I liked almost every character!

But even with this amazing cast of characters, the plot was what made this book completely maddening (in the best possible way, of course!). It was just so intense with plenty of action and romance to satisfy the hungers of those previously disappointed with other werewolf-themed love triangles. 

With a beautifully written plot in the mind of a tough and strong-willed heroine, Nightshade is definitely a book that you should add to your TBR (to be read) pile!  

BUY or BORROW?: Do you even need to ask? Buy it for sure! The beautiful cover and well crafted storyline would make it a perfect edition to add to your bookshelf. :)  

-Mimi

Review: The Secret Circle #3-4

Book: The Secret Circle #3-4 (The Captive Part II and The Power)
Author: L.J. Smith
Release Date: January 1, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 390
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 4/5

CAUGHT IN THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL...

Cassie has joined the most alluring and deadly in-crowd imaginable. But power comes with a price, and it's more dangerous than she knows. Torn between the dueling desires of the two leaders of the Secret Circle, she must ultimately choose between saving all of the New Salem, and her own dangerous love for bewitching Adam, which threatens to tear the circle apart. In the ultimate battle between good and evil, will Cassie's supernatural powers be strong enough to lead the coven out of danger? Or will she fall prey to the dark forces within?

...WILL SHE SACRIFICE HER LOVE FOR THE CIRCLE TO SURVIVE? 

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

After reading the first book in one sitting, I just had to get my hands on the second!

And I actually like the second book better, mostly because you can definitely see the changes in Cassie from the once-timid outcast to the leader. She's intelligent and thinks things more clearly, and it's so much easier to read a book when the protagonist is the least bit likable.

And my book-crush on Nick continues. Honestly, how could you not love him? He's hot and thoughtful and protective, too. He's the budding image of my future husband!

The only thing I really wish was that the characters would break out of their box-shaped shells. As enjoyable as this book was to read, I could see the ending from a mile away — and I'm the type of person who likes gut-wrenching surprises!

Still, the Secret Circle # 3-4 was a the perfect ending to an adorable series. If you loved any of Smith's other novels, then I'm positive that you'll like this one!

BUY or BORROW?: This book is so easy to read that I would love to have on my bookshelf! :)

-Mimi

Review: The Secret Circle #1-2

Book: The Secret Circle #1-2 (The Initiation and The Captive Part I)
Author: L.J. Smith
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 396
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 3/5

The circle's power has lured her home.

Forced to move from sunny California to gloomy New England, Cassie longs for her old life. Even so, she feels a strange kinship to a terrifying group of teens who seem to rule her school. Initiated into the coven of witches that's controlled New Salem for hundreds of years, she's drawn into the Secret Circle, a thrill that's both intoxicating and deadly. But when she falls for the mysterious and intriguing Adam, Cassie must choose whether to resist temptation or risk dark forces to get what she wants—even if it means that one wrong move could ultimately destroy her. 

 (summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

I honestly adore books about witches, and the Secret Circle was no exception!

This book was pure, enjoyable fun! Even though I'll admit the characters were a little cookie-cutter predictable, I was never bored reading about them. Cassie was an adorable main character, and I loved seeing her start to break free from her timid shell!

The plot was also fun to follow. L.J. Smith's flowing writing style made it extremely easy to breeze through in one sitting! Even though I'm extremely against keeping secrets, I still couldn't help but root for Cassie the entire way through. And the romance between her and Adam was so, so sweet!

Overall, the first two books in the Secret Circle were very enjoyable! You should definitely try these out, especially if you're a fan of any other L.J. Smith books! :)

BUY or BORROW?: Buy or borrow doesn't matter — you should just read this book!

-Mimi

Blog SpotLight: Gripped into Books

Blog SpotLight is going to be a new monthly thing that I'm starting. Every month I'll spotlight a blog that I think is absolutely fantastic! Then you -- as my very few readers of the moment -- will hopefully check it out! :)

For the month of May, the spotlit blog is Gripped into Books. It's a YA book review blog hosted by Mia, Sophia, Bella and Clarisse who are all book obsessed like me!

Why it's awesome: I love their blog because they always have very valid points when reviewing that fit perfectly into what I think! Also, the selection of awesome YA books that they've reviewed are very easy to find on their Reviews page. It's so much easier to find a review when everything's in alpha order! :)

PLUS: Gripped into Books blog is celebrating their 500 followers giveaway (something that I'm very proud to have helped them achieve!)! And as a celebration, they're having a giveaway featuring some very awesome books. More info on that here.

Do you have a blog that you want me to check out? Don't hesitate to message me! I don't bite! :)

-Mimi