Review: Juliet Immortal

Book: Juliet Immortal
Author: Stacey Jay
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 304
Source: KPL
Stars: 4/5

The greatest love story ever told, is a lie.

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

I actually love all things Shakespeare, so I was really excited to read this book. And it was completely original in every way!  

Juliet Immortal was nothing like I thought it would be, but that wasn't a bad thing! Although a little confusing at first, Stacey Jay quickly sucked you into Juliet's world where Romeo was to be hated, her very existence was for saving other soul mates, and falling in love with the super-awesome new boy (Ben) was impossible.  

I just adored everything about Juliet. She was sweet, caring, incredibly intelligent, yet she had a fire in her that was hard not to admire. And I expected to hate Romeo way more than I did, but I just couldn't dislike a boy who was obviously suffering from his past decisions every single day.  

Overall, I really enjoyed Juliet Immortal! I felt that some things were simply breathtaking while others were a little unbelievable, but that didn't lessen the enjoyment factor one bit. Even if you haven't read Romeo and Juliet before, you should still pick up this book! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: Definitely a book for any Shakespeare-lover's bookshelf!  

-Mimi

Waiting on Wednesday: As I Wake

 

 Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by the awesome Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is: 

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

Ava is welcomed home from the hospital by a doting mother, lively friends, and a crush finally beginning to show interest. There's only one problem: Ava can't remember any of them - and can't shake the eerie feeling that she's not who they say she is.

Ava struggles to break through her amnesiac haze as she goes through the motions of high-school life, but the memories that surface take place in a very different world, where Ava and familiar-faced friends are under constant scrutiny and no one can be trusted. Ava doesn't know what to make of these visions, or of the boy who is at the center of them all, until he reappears in her life and offers answers . . . but only in exchange for her trust.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

Release Date: September 15, 2011

I've heard so many amazing things about Elizabeth Scott, and I just adored the one book of hers that I read before. I can't get enough! Plus, the synopsis for this one sounds so cool!

What do you think about the cover? Personally, I like it! :)

WHAT BOOK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  

-Mimi

Happy Labor Day Giveaway!

Hi, guys! You know what today is, right?

Since today is Labor Day, that means school starts tomorrow! Well, at least for me. I'm going to officially be in tenth grade tomorrow! What about you? :)

But school means I'll be busier and my blog might be a little slower (and my mom might limit my hours on the computer because that's what moms do ♥), but I'll still do my best to blog as often as possible!

So I decided to celebrate the beginning of school and end of summer with a quick giveaway for my followers! What's the prize?

ANY BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE FROM THE BOOK DEPOSITORY

The only limit is that it has to be under $25 (USD). You have to be a follower. I'll choose a winner on Saturday, September 10. Just leave a comment with a way to contact you below and you'll be entered to win! :)

Happy Labor Day!

-Mimi

Review: Shift

Book: Shift
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 367
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to.  

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift. 

As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

Even though I finished this book a few days ago, I still can't get it out of my head! It's one of those rare sequels that are so much better than the first.

I can't even tell you how much I adore the first book, Shade (except if you read my review here, I guess), and it's so hard to believe that Shift can beat that! I became even more attached to all the characters in this book because they're all so real and well-developed.

This series is home to one of the most fascinating worlds I've ever read about — where anyone born after the Shift (which occurred sixteen years ago) can see violet-hued ghosts. And this book just takes world-building to a whole new captivating level! We're finally getting into the mystery of the Shift, and I have to say that my mind was literally reeling.

Completely original and utterly compelling, Shift was a book that caught me hook, line, and sinker. Jeri Smith-Ready has a literal skill for creating awesome (albeit very steamy) novels. I honestly started to cry at one point — it was that intense! This series is a must-read!

BUY or BORROW?: This is a book you should definitely have on your shelf! :)

-Mimi

Review: Frostbite

Book: Frostbite
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: April 10, 2008
Publisher: Razorbill
Pages: 327
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

Have I ever mentioned how much I love this series? Because I do, I really do!

Sequels are rarely as good as the first book, but I felt that Frostbite was better than Vampire Academy (read my review here) in nearly every way. Everything about this book was awesome. I just couldn't put it down! There were so many twists and turns, and I swear I cried at one point. It was so intense.

As much as I liked Rose in the first book, I loved her in this one. She's still reckless and bad-ass and incredibly snarky, but she also evolved to be a much better person. I think I grew to love every character much more after the events of this book, especially Christian (♥), Eddie, Mia — and, of course, Dimitri.

(I honestly never thought Russian accents could be so hot.)

Fast-paced, fun, and heart-pounding, Frostbite was an amazing second book in a series that is quickly becoming one of my favourites! 

BUY or BORROW?: Buy it, for sure! I loved this book! :) 

-Mimi

Follow Friday #14

Hi, guys!

For those who don't know, Follow Friday is a blog hop hosted by the super-duper awesome Parajunkee & Alison Can Read! It's a great way to meet new people and expand your list of friends over Blogger, and it's really easy to join, too! :)

All you have to do is:

1. (Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read)
2. (Required) Follow the featured blogger of the week. (Once Upon A Prologue)
3. Put your blog name and URL in the Linky thing. 
4. Grab the the button up there 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 & Alison know, so they can stop by and check out your blog!

Q: If you could change the ending of any book (or series), which book would you choose? Why and to what?

A: This is a really hard question! Even though there are times where I really want to change a character's bad decision (or when I want the heroine to end up with the other guy in a love triangle), I can't really think of a book where an ending bugged me enough that I'd want to completely change it.

But one thing that makes me really anxious is a cliffhanger ending. Because then we have to wait so long for the next book to come out, and it always feels like a lifetime!

What about you? :) 

HAPPY FOLLOW FRIDAY! 

-Mimi

P.S.: I have a brand new 300 Followers Giveaway going on with a list of awesome books to choose from! Don't forget to drop by and enter! :)

300 Followers Giveaway!

You guys are the most amazing followers ever, you know that? I have no clue how I managed to get from 100 to 300 followers in just one month — all I know is that I never could have done it with each and every one of you guys!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! 

But you guys deserve way more than just an ordinary thanks, right? Drumroll please...

<center><a href=" http://diminutivemimi.blogspot.com/2011/09/300-followers-giveaway.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Mimi Valentine" src=" http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j359/Mimi-Vee/300FollowersGiveaway.jpg "/></a></center>

Ta da! All you have to do is be a follower to enter, and you have to have US/Canada mailing address.

(I'm so sorry to my international followers — for a fourteen-year-old girl, shipping costs take out a huge chunk out of my babysitting money! I'll try to make it international again next time!)

For the prize, ONE lucky winner will get to choose a book from this awesome list of YA novels that are going to be released this fall (all of which I'm super excited for!):

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

As I Wake by Elizabeth Scott

If I Die by Rachel Vincent

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Crossed by Ally Condie

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

*Since these are all released later this year, you'll have to wait until your choice is released in stores before I can ship it to you. 

Extra entries (not required):

+1 : Tweet about this giveaway.

+1 : Create a Facebook post about this giveaway.

+3 : Comment on this post. 

+5 : Add me as a friend on Goodreads.

+5 : Post the button or a link on your sidebar.

+10 : Blog about this giveaway.

Fill out this FORM to enter. The giveaway closes on October 2, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.

You guys are awesome and don't you forget it! I love you all! <3 :)

-Mimi