Review: My Life Next Door

Book: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick
Series: N/A
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Publisher: June 14, 2012
Pages: 395
Source: bookstore
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4.95/5

A gorgeous debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

“One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.”

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy, affectionate. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen-year-old Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them . . . until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything. As the two fall fiercely in love, Jase's family makes Samantha one of their own. Then in an instant, the bottom drops out of her world and she is suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A dreamy summer read, full of characters who stay with you long after the story is over.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS: 

FACT #1: I'm not a contemporary girl. I love paranormal books way more than my realistic ones; worlds that don't really exist enthrall me way more than real ones do. Because those supernatural books are usually more badass, intense, and fun than everyday romances.

FACT #2: My Life Next Door totally voids the first fact!!

Where can I even start with how much I loved this book? How much it took me surprise, grabbed my heart, and wouldn't let go? This is NOTHING like your average contemporary read! It's still sweet and romantic and funny and brilliant. But I thought I had a good guess to what the huge plot twist would be, and boy was I wrong! I didn't expect it at all, which doesn't happen with me and contemporaries very often.

And the cast — I loved every single character! They were all so perfectly, brilliantly, wonderfully written. There's Sam, who I ached for, because she grows up with the pressure to be perfect from a mother who doesn't  know the definition of fun. Then there's Jase, and God, I loved him so much! ♥ He wears a leather jacket, drives a motorcycle, and is the boy next door... but he is undoubtedly the SWEETEST book boy I've ever met. Ever. I'm not even kidding!

(I already have our wedding colours picked out. He's seriously WONDERFUL!)

But I can't forget mentioning the entire Garrett family! Made up of eight totally individual children and two adoring parents, the Garretts are my dream family. Loud, fun, hilarious, loving. Obviously Jase is my favourite, but George — Jase's adorable 4-year-old brother who watches too much Discovery Channel for his own good — was a close favourite! :')

The humor! The wit! The complexity! This book was funny like I didn't expect, and heartwarming in ways I never imagined. The only reason (and I mean ONLY) that this book gets a 4.95 instead of a full 5 stars is because I felt like the ending didn't wrap up enough.

With one of the funnest contemporary casts of all time, an extremely sweet and beautiful romance, and a twist that will be a surprise, My Life Next Door is undoubtedly one of the best contemporaries of all time — and one of my all-time favourites as well!

BUY or BORROW?: Why are you even thinking about this question?? I bought this book on a whim and it became a favourite. Start saving up your change because this is WAY worth the buy — I'm actually a little tempted to buy two copies!

-Mimi

P.S. My older sister read this book in two days... and she hasn't read a novel in six months! Now try and TELL ME that the amazingness of this book is just in my head! x)

Review: The Sweetest Dark

Book: The Sweetest Dark
Author: Shana Abe
Series: N/A
Release Date: August 21, 2012
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Pages: 352
Source: the wonderful Candace (Thank you so much! ♥)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

In my thesaurus for this book, The Sweetest Dark is synonymous to beautiful. Ordinary is not-a-fat-chance. And Shana Abe is something of a genius for creating a story so lush, so beautiful, and so different from your classic paranormal book! I just have to break it down! :') 

The world: Taking place in England during World War I, The Sweetest Dark is also set in the world of Shana Abe's adult Drakon series. Even though it may not be a big secret, I don't want to give away the type of creature that lurks around in this enchantingly bleak world (like Lora). But I can tell you that this isn't a vamp/were/witch/fey story!  

The heroine: At first, Lora comes off distant. She's hardened by her awful past, slow to trust and quick to reply with snark. But beneath her hard shell is a fragile girl made of so many layers, and I loved that part of her. I ended up loving ALL of her. She has a silent strength that's unmistakable, and my heart clicked with hers like that.  

The boys: Don't worry; you'll find that this isn't your traditional love triangle! Jesse a musical genius who doesn't care what other people think of him. Many think he's mute because he refuses to speak — except to Lora, and it's SO sweet when he does. ♥ Then there's Armand, the arrogant aristocrat who Lora distrusts immediately. Both boys play a huge part in Lora discovering her heritage, and both unravel in different ways. 

The awesome: I spent much of this book in a daze, confused almost, but the last fraction completely blew me away! I cried like a baby. To be honest, even though there are still so many things I don't understand (so many things I hope will be explored in a sequel *hint hint*), this is simply one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and it gets my heart for that!  

The epic conclusion: Written with some of the most gorgeous prose I've ever read and told with the essence of a heartbreaking Grimm fairytale, The Sweetest Dark is a captivatingly original story that takes the phrase "hauntingly beautiful" to extremes. My chest is still aching! 

BUY or BORROW?: I'm borrowing this ARC from Candace [insert showering of hearts!!], so of course I need to get a gorgeous finished copy for my shelf! :')  

-Mimi

Review: From What I Remember

Book: From What I Remember
Author: Stacy Kramer & Valerie Thomas
Series: N/A
Release Date: May 15, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Pages: 462
Source: Hachette Book Group Canada (Thank you so much!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4.5/5

KYLIE: MEXICO WHAT? I should be putting the finishing touches on my valedictorian speech. Graduation is TODAY, and is this a wedding band on my finger??

MAX: It all started with Kylie's laptop and a truck full of stolen electronics. Okay, it was kind of hot, the way she broke us out like some chick in an action movie. But now we're stranded in Tijuana. With less than twenty-four hours before graduation. Awesome.

WILL: Saving Kylie Flores from herself is kind of a full-time occupation. Luckily, I, Will Bixby, was born for the job. And when I found out she was stuck in Mexico with dreamy Max Langston, sure, I agreed to bring their passports across the border -- but there's no reason to rush back home right away. This party is just getting started.

LILY: I just walked in on my boyfriend, Max Langston, canoodling with Kylie Flores, freak of the century. Still, I can't completely hold it against him. He NEEDS me. It's even clearer now. And I'm not giving him up without a fight.

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:  

Oh wow, I have a HUGE and absolute crush on this book! It had me smiling and aching and wishing it could be turned into a movie. I just couldn't get enough!  

Mostly taking place over the span of three days, From What I Remember is told through 5 different POVs — which normally wouldn't be my cup of tea, but totally works here! Each of the characters are distinctive and fun and have their own personalities that make it so easy to tell them apart and even easier to connect with them.  

The romance between Kylie and Max starts out rocky but progresses beautifully through whacky events like being kidnapped and taken to Mexico. It's more than your average serious-smart girl and heartthrob jock love story. They compliment and bring out the best in each other, and everything was realistic and sweet and SO genuine! ♥ The pacing — both with their relationship and the storyline — was perfect, and I was never, ever bored!  

But the rest of the characters also stand out and make From What I Remember even stronger than it already is! There's Will, the gay best friend who is literally the funniest guy ever. His love for Kylie and their habit of quoting movie lines to each other made me smile. Somehow I even found myself empathizing with Lily, the resident mean girl. 

Another thing I loved was the amount of self-discovery and growing up in this book. So close to graduation, each of them go through their own epiphanies and growth. I think that this would be the perfect book to read especially if you're a teen who doesn't know where you're going. I was inspired by these characters and I feel everyone will be too! :)

With an amazing cast, a perfect pace, and an absolutely sweet romance, From What I Remember was an entertaining story about self-discovery and unexpected romance. I was captivated for all near-500 pages and I almost wished I could've had more! 

BUY or BORROW?: I love owning this book not just for the big amazing things, but the little amazing things too — like the fact that each chapter starts with a quote from a well-known movie. Buy buy BUY! :) 

-Mimi

Review: Before I Wake

Book: Before I Wake
Author: Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers #6
Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 339
Source: publisher (Thank you so much!!!!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 5/5

I died on a Thursday — killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.

The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school...

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life....

(summary taken from Goodreads) 

MY THOUGHTS:

5 Ways You Can Tell You're Reading a Soul Screamers Book: 

1. It's about bean sidhes (pronounced banshees). I mean, what other series can use girls screaming for death in the most amazing way possible? Not one that I know!
2. You want to scream, and cry, and hug the book AND Rachel Vincent for writing it! Reading this series is like going on a never-ending emotional roller coaster — and I mean that in the BEST possible way!
3. The author isn't afraid to put her characters through hell and back. I'm absolutely serious! These characters go through SO MUCH that I wonder how they could possibly still be sane... and I also wonder if Rachel Vincent may be an evil genius!
4. You never, ever, EVER expect what's going to happen next. Maybe the first few books, you could guess a bit. But by this time around, there are so many twists and turns and surprises that break my heart, and I can never guess a single one!
5. TOD HUDSON. ♥ Hilarious reaper, snarky bad boy, totally adorable, and probably one of my favourite book boys of all time. Need I say more?? :')

Warning: May contain spoilers from previous books. 

I think it's safe to say that the Soul Screamers series is one of my all-time favourites, and I don't think there's anything Rachel Vincent could do to change that! 

In the previous book, Kaylee died. But now she's brought back to life and given immortality at age sixteen — not as a reaper like her undead boyfriend and snarky sweetheart Tod, but as a collector who's job is to reclaim stolen souls from hellions and rogue reapers.

I admire/love/look-up-to Kaylee more than you could imagine! She's selfless, caring, and has a huge hero complex, but she's also snarky, strong, and badass when she needs to be. And Rachel Vincent doesn't just say it — she shows it through countless obstacles and situations. Especially in this book, where Kaylee has to cope with death, her strength just shines.

And it's not just Kaylee who's amazing. There's Tod (OMG, he's the main reason why I love snarky boys ♥), and the rest of the cast is honest-to-God perfection too! Then there's the story, which also blows my mind, and I've always loved the Soul Screamers world. Bean sidhes, reapers, hellions, necromancers, and more!

Each book just gets better and better! You can never expect what's going to happen next and your heart always ends up crumpled by the end of the book. But the heartache is SO worth it. This series makes me want to be a better person, just because Kaylee's actions inspire me. (I mean, she still goes to school even though she's undead, just to protect her friends and classmates. Who else can say they would do that??)

AMAZING is an understatement and ORIGINAL just isn't a strong enough word to describe this. Before I Wake was an amazing installment to a series that doesn't know the meaning of predictable. An absolute and definite recommendation!

BUY or BORROW?: The only reason you'd consider this question is if you haven't read the previous books yet... in which I say you need to BUY THIS ENTIRE SERIES! The first few books are available in the first omnibus already, which should give you a good jump start, and the second omnibus should be in stores soon too! :)

-Mimi

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: ReAwakened by Ada Adams!

HI EVERYONE :) ♥

If you've read my review of ReVamped, you'll have to know how much I loved it and Ada Adams! She's honestly one of the sweetest girls/authors/actresses who has a black belt in karate (cool, right?) that I've ever talked to. (She's also Canadian, which only makes her exponentially more awesome!)

That's why I'm so honoured to be able to take part in the cover reveal for the second book in the Angel Creek series, ReAwakened!

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ReVamped (Angel Creek #1) 
By Ada Adams
Release Date: February 20, 2012
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Chapters | B&N | Mimi's Review

A simple mission turned deadly.

Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.

When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.

Here's a snippet from my review to remind you of the awesome: 

With a fantastic cast of characters, a fun yet mysterious storyline, and vampires you'll wish lived in your world, ReVamped is a refreshing new take on the supernatural creatures we all know and love! I could never stop smiling at the vampire lore Ada Adams created. It was creative, fun, original, AWESOME. Definitely a novel you'll finish in one sitting! 

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And to reveal the gorgeous cover for the second book...

ReAwakened (Angel Creek #2) 
By Ada Adams
Release Date: Fall 2012
Links: Goodreads

No summary available yet. 

MY THOUGHTS: I'm soooooooooooooo super-duper excited for this!!! I know that the first book was a fun and fantastic take on vampires, but Ada promised us that this one is darker, sexier, bloodier, and a whole lot more serious... which sounds great to me!

And this cover.... I LOVE IT! Don't you? The theme is blood, as you can probably tell by the colour choice! ;)

Plus, Ada has been sharing a bunch of teasers on her website about ReAwakened, and apparently there's an appearance by a whole new guy! I just wanted to share this one snippet with you in case you haven't seen it yet, and boy did I swoon :')

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Teaser:

     “You finally understand what I’m saying, right? Or should I demonstrate the no clothes part for you?” he asked mischievously. My pulse quickened under his intense gaze.
     “No demonstrations,” I ordered, looking around the car for an escape route. “I’d rather jump out of a moving vehicle than see you naked.”
     “Don’t lie to yourself, Dawn. I know for a fact that you’ve enjoyed the show at the pool. And I was only shirtless. Can you imagine—”
     “No. I can’t. Nor do I want to,” I snapped, trying to keep my thoughts from drifting to the memory of that night. “Anyway, you don’t have to worry about Sebastian and me. There will be no nudity on either of our parts.”
     “You say that now, but you won’t be able to resist your carnal urges.”
     “I’m not getting any urges. Trust me.”
     “Hmm…Is it because you’d rather get carnal with someone else?” He winked, smiling impishly.
     I groaned, partly annoyed by XXX’s cockiness, partly worried about the possibility of “getting carnal” in general. “Why don’t you pull over and let me out of the car. I’ll run the rest of the way home.”
     “Are you sure?”
     “I’m sure. I need to let off some steam.”
     “I bet you do,” XXX smirked. “Meet us at the house. Feel free to take a shower when you get in. I’d advise that it be a cold one.”

Oh my goodness!! *fans self* Apparently revealing his name is a spoiler, so Ada just calls him XXX for now. Are you as excited to figure out who this XXX guy is as I am??

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Giveaway:

Because Ada is awesome, she's offering one ARC of ReAwakened for a random person who comments on a cover reveal post! So if you leave your thoughts, you're automatically entered into the draw. And as a girl who loved the first book, I really think you're going to want to get this sequel in advance! ;)

For those of you who don't win the ARC, I think ReAwakened will be available on Netgalley in September if you're interested. So look out for that! :)

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About the Author:

Ada Adams - Goodreads | Website | Twitter

“Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out.”

At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.

In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.

Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.

She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.

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And that's all! Ada is also doing an hour-long Tweet-chat about everything related to her writing, Angel Creek, characters, non-spoilery parts, and etcetera on July 5th (today!!) at 5 p.m. EST. So it would be awesome if you dropped by and said hello (or hi, since I've always thought hello was a little too formal for me!) ;)

I hope that all my Angel Creek gushing is convincing you guys to start this series if you haven't already!

Have a wonderful day, you guys! ♥

-Mimi

Review: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink

Book: Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink
Author: Stephanie Kate Strohm
Series: Pilgrims #1
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Pages: 204
Source: Thomas Allen & Son (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4/5

A story of crushes, corsets, and conspiracy

Libby Kelting had always felt herself born out of time. No wonder the historical romance-reading, Jane Austen-adaptation-watching, all-around history nerd jumped at the chance to intern at Camden Harbor, Maine’s Oldest Living History Museum. 

But at Camden Harbor, Libby’s just plain out of place, no matter how cute she looks in a corset. Her cat-loving coworker wants her dead, the too-smart-for-his-own-good local reporter keeps pushing her buttons, her gorgeous sailor may be more shipwreck than dreamboat — plus Camden Harbor’s haunted. Over the course of one unforgettable summer, Libby learns that boys, like ghosts, aren’t always what they seem.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

I've read a lot of cute, smile-inducing, and totally fun books in my time — but Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is undoubtedly one of the CUTEST on my list!  

I have this epic love for Libby. She's a hopeless romantic, a lover of fictional characters, a super-fashionable teenager, and a total history girl... In short, she's a whole lot like most of us! She's bubbly and sweet and ridiculous and fun. Some of the things she says and does are so adorable that you just want to jump in the book and hug her!  

But where Libby is a genius with historical facts and working with kids, she's clueless when it comes to boys and that's what makes this story so giggle-worthy! ♥ Cam seems like the perfect prince charming who can recite Shakespeare and looks extra hunky to boot; Garrett seems like the jerky reporter who is nothing more than the boy that lives on the same boat as her. But they're both more than their first impressions let on.  

What I love about Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is that, even though it may be a little predictable, the romance is sweet and realistic in its own way. There's no eternal devotion, no I'll-die-if-I'm-not-with-you, and definitely no insta-love. It's very straightforward yet engaging, and I couldn't help but smile with the way the author tied everything together nicely (so it can be a stand-alone) yet made me glad that I'll be able to meet Libby again soon!  

Fun, adorable, and absolutely smile-inducing, Pilgrims Don't Wear Pink is the perfect romance with a hint of a ghostly mystery to read when you're seeking an escape from all the doom-and-gloom in YA! I can't wait to read more of Libby's misadventures. :)  

BUY or BORROW?: Do I love having this adorable book (inside and out) on my bookshelf? Umm, YES! When I'm looking for something quick and light, this is the book I'll be turning to! ;)  

-Mimi

Let's Celebrate Canada -- With Books!

Hi, everyone! :)

I'm sorry if I've been AWOL this weekend! Most of you probably know it was Canada Day yesterday (July 1st), and I think I was indoors for all of sixteen hours in total — mostly just to sleep. x) There were fireworks, and barbeques, and campfires, and marshmallows galore!

That means I have a lot of commenting and such to catch up on because of my very outdoorsy weekend. But I'm still in a very patriotic mood so I thought I'd post about some books by Canadian authors that I love! :)

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Books By Canadian Authors I Love

Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
By Kathleen Peacock
Release Date: May 8, 2012
Goodreads

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

MY THOUGHTS: This was one of my top books of the year because it has two things I love in one: An original werewolf world and an awesome murder mystery! And then it has two more amazing things (in the form of two very amazing guys), but you have to read to find out about them! ;)

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This is Not a Test
By Courtney Summers
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Goodreads

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

MY THOUGHTS: I was BLOWN AWAY by this book. The way Courtney Summers wrote her zombie apocalypse was harsh and true and realistic and SO heartbreakingly brilliant. She made me fall for every single character, and the only reason it was a 4.5 and not a 5 in my review is because of that abrupt ending! Otherwise: A definite must-read! :)

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Dark Kiss (Nightwatchers #1)

By Michelle Rowen

Release Date: May 29, 2012

Goodreads

I don't do dangerous.  Smart, über-careful, ordinary Samantha — that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me...something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing-and I don't know if I can get it back.

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me....

MY THOUGHTS: I adored this book the first time around (as you can tell from my review), but I loved it even more after I had the chance to meet both of the boys in this very epic, very swoon-worthy character interview (in which Kraven may or may not hit on me)! If that's not enough to sell you, I don't know what else I can say! Maybe that it's an awesome original take on angel lore? :)

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Darkest Powers Trilogy (Darkest Powers #1-3)
By Kelley Armstrong
Release Date: November 2, 2012
Goodreads

>The Summoning
The Darkest Powers Series, Book I

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…


The Awakening
The Darkest Powers Trilogy, Book II
Book II in the Darkest Powers trilogy takes us deeper into a world where the supernatural intrudes on the everyday with riveting effect.

If you had met me a few weeks ago, you probably would have described me as an average teenage girl – someone normal. Now my life has changed forever and I’m as far away from normal as it gets. A living science experiment – not only can I see ghosts, but I was genetically altered by a group of people who call themselves The Edison Group. What does that mean? For starters, I’m a teenage necromancer whose powers are out of control: I raise the dead without even trying. Trust me, that is not a power you want to have. Ever.

I’m running for my life with three of my supernatural friends – a charming sorcerer, a cynical werewolf, and a disgruntled witch – and we have to find someone who can help us gain our freedom back before The Edison Group finds us first. Or die trying.


The Reckoning
The Darkest Powers Trilogy, Book III

Only two weeks ago, life was all too predictable. But that was before I saw my first ghost. Now along with my supernatural friends Tori, Derek, and Simon, I'm on the run from the Edison Group, which genetically altered us as part of their sinister experiment. We're hiding in a safe house that might not be as safe as it seems. We'll be gone soon anyway, back to rescue those we'd left behind and take out the Edison Group . . . or so we hope.

MY THOUGHTS: I read this last year and had noooooo idea that Kelley Armstrong was a Canadian author until recently! But she is and I love her books so I couldn't be more proud :) I like The Darkest Powers series more than her Darkness Rising series, but I know that she also writes a lot of really good adult books too, if you recognize her more for that.

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That's kind of all I can remember right now, but I'm sure there are SO many more amazing books written Canadian authors. Are there any more that I'm missing? And how was YOUR weekend? Did you spend the entire time outside like my family or read to make a dent in your TBR piles like I'm going to now? ;)

I hope your Canada Day weekend was a blast whether you're Canadian or not! :) ♥

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE CANADIAN BOOK? 

-Mimi