WoW: Storm (Elemental #1) by Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental (Elemental #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

April 24, 2012:  Kensington

"Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream. 

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death. 

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.


The storm is coming . . ."

This sounds very interesting.  I love stories that include controlling elements.  I think that springs from growing up watching Captain Planet.  Well, that's a story for another time. 

And if the book cover with, not one or two, but four boys will not have you pique your interest on the story, I guess the standing mystery of what's with them will pull you in. 

Tuesday Trailer: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

by Veronica Roth

May 1, 2012: Harper Teen

"One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature."

"One choice can transform you.  One choice can destroy you."  

Excitement is an understatement for Insurgent! :)

Music Monday: Safe and Sound - Taylor Swift ft. The Civil Wars (+ my short say on the Hunger Games movie)

I got to watch the movie last Friday and I must say it was very good.  Fans of the books will not be disappointed.  The book will always be the better.  I think it's one of the facts of the universe rarely challenged, especially in the presence of a book lover or reader.  

So yeah, the movie is a good movie adaptation of the book.  Though I must warn that the cinematography (camera angles, etc) may be a bit different.  I read a review describing it as "epileptic cinematography."  But personally, I appreciated the courage to use it for the film, it gave more feelings to the scene where it was used.  There were some stuffs that are different from the book (isn't it always?), and thankfully it's not that gory or bloody as I expected to be.

Jennifer Lawrence was amazing as Katniss. I think she almost managed to bend my sexuality for a while there.  Thankfully, there were Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth for check and balance (yep, still straight).  I ship Haymitch and Effie more than ever.  And I always loved Cinna.  At first I was concerned having Lenny Kravitz portray Cinna.  Now my only regret is that I want more of him in the movie. 
 

Quoting...Chuck Palahniuk from Diary

“We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.” 

- Chuck Palahniuk, Diary

Revealed! Book Trailer of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

Bitterblue (The Seven Kingdoms #3)

by Kristin Cashore

May 1, 2012: Dial / Penguin Teen

"Eight years after Graceling, Bitterblue is now queen of Monsea. But the influence of her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities, lives on. Her advisors, who have run things since Leck died, believe in a forward-thinking plan: Pardon all who committed terrible acts under Leck’s reign, and forget anything bad ever happened. But when Bitterblue begins sneaking outside the castle—disguised and alone—to walk the streets of her own city, she starts realizing that the kingdom has been under the thirty-five-year spell of a madman, and the only way to move forward is to revisit the past.

Two thieves, who only steal what has already been stolen, change her life forever. They hold a key to the truth of Leck’s reign. And one of them, with an extreme skill called a Grace that he hasn’t yet identified, holds a key to her heart."

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Waited so loooooong for this book.  I am beyond excited, I am excited personified! :p

Let's go help Michelle Zink! Reposting Kelsey's Challenge!

I am one of Michelle Zink's superfans and been waiting for her new book, A Temptation of Angels, to come out (it's already released! *bats lashes*).  So I was surprised when I read from Kelsey's blog about a certain problem it's facing.  So Kelsey posed this challenge:

Hey, guys! I'm writing this post because Michelle Zink, author of the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy and the just released A Temptation of Angels, is in a really tough situation and we are the only ones who can help her. Sooo let me get you caught up...

Earlier last year, we got news that Michelle would be releasing a new book in Spring 2012, which we later found out would be called A TEMPTATION OF ANGELS. And because we all adored her Prophecy series, we immediately began adding it to our Goodreads shelves, begging Penguin for advanced copies when they became available, doodling hearts around every day in March on our calendars knowing that one of those days HAD to be the release day, etc. We waited and waited and waited, and then FINALLY, the day had come. Well, sort of. It was still a few days away, but I couldn't help but look on our computers at work to see how many copies we were going to be getting in on release day. I was already mentally picturing myself shelving them onto the beautiful new arrivals bay by the front door.

HOWEVER, the computer said we were set to get ZERO copies in, and that there were only a few copies in a handful of warehouses across the country. Ohhhh boy did my inner book diva come out. I asked my manager, "Why aren't we getting any of these in?" He said, "I'm not sure...looks like they didn't want us to have any." Now then, I cannot talk badly about my company, nor do I want to, but they are clearly YA amateurs. Do they not realize that the Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy is one of the best series ever and sold exceptionally well, and that the author is one of the nicest people on the planet? NEWS FLASH it's one of the best series ever and sold exceptionally well, and Michelle Zink is one of the nicest people on the planet!

Now then. Apparently the issue is that Barnes and Noble isn't fully convinced that A Temptation of Angels is going to be successful, and wants to "test the waters" before they fully stock up on copies. The magic number is two. If just TWO copies are bought/ordered from each Barnes and Noble location...VOILA. You will see this little, gorgeous thing rightfully displayed in your store.

Here's the deal. Today, I ordered two copies from my store. Hopefully that in and of itself will help just a little. If you can show me evidence that you also bought or ordered a copy from Barnes and Noble, either by sending me a picture of your receipt at kelseyrdickson(at)gmail(dot)com with "Temptation Challenge" as the subject or forwarding me a confirmation email, one of the copies will go to YOU. Wait, there's more. Before I send the book to the winner, I will get Michelle to sign and personalize it to you when I see her at Teen Book Con next month. Sound like a deal? Then let's do this thing!

Go HERE to order A Temptation of Angels online, or stop by your local Barnes and Noble! You have until April 6th (to enter my challenge...you can buy the book once a week for the rest of your life if you want to) <3 - Kelsey of Reading or Breathing

I already have my copy, but I am tempted to get another one from Barnes and Noble just to show them that they shouldn't underestimate a book, or the author's readers.  The Prophecy of the Sisters trilogy was wickedly goooood! And even if it's a new series, all the more reason to help promote it, and not hesitate.  Then again, Barnes and Noble isn't the only place where we can get books, so they shouldn't do something like this in the first place.  It's just sad. 

So if you don't have a copy of A Temptation of Angels yet, go grab yourself a copy from Barnes and Noble.  If they don't have it, demand it!  Rawr!

WoW: The Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

The Chosen Ones (The Lost Souls #1)

by Tiffany Truitt

April 10, 2012:  Entangled Publishing, LLC

"What if you were mankind’s last chance at survival?

Sixteen-year-old Tess lives in a compound in what was once the Western United States, now decimated after a devastating fourth World War. But long before that, life as we knew it had been irrevocably changed, as women mysteriously lost the ability to bring forth life. Faced with the extinction of the human race, the government began the Council of Creators, meant to search out alternative methods of creating life. The resulting artificial human beings, or Chosen Ones, were extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

Life is bleak, but uncomplicated for Tess as she follows the rigid rules of her dystopian society, until the day she begins work at Templeton, the training facility for newly created Chosen Ones. There, she meets James, a Chosen One whose odd love of music and reading rivals only her own. The attraction between the two is immediate in its intensity—and overwhelming in its danger.

But there is more to the goings-on at Templeton than Tess ever knew, and as the veil is lifted from her eyes, she uncovers a dark underground movement bent not on taking down the Chosen Ones, but the Council itself. Will Tess be able to stand up to those who would oppress her, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?"

Another dystopian story!  I am curious how this one will turn out.  Artificial humans?  There might be treason or something like that?  Hmm.  

Tuesday Trailer: Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Under the Never Sky

by Veronica Rossi

January 3, 2012: Harper Collins

"Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse. Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild - a savage - and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile - everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky."

Get More: Movie Trailers, Movies Blog

I think really should place this on high priority among my to-be read pile...right?

Music Monday: Book Playlist for A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Playlist for A Temptation of Angels from maidenveil on 8tracks.

“A Temptation of Angels is a moody blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and Steampunk. Music is a huge part of my creative process (my son is a composer who composes original scores for all my books) and I really wanted to choose music that captures the brooding atmosphere of the book. All of these songs fit perfectly!” -Michelle Zink

• “Noro” Brand New (Opening Scene)
• “Search and Destroy” 30 Seconds to Mars (Helen’s Escape)
• “Sweet Dreams” Emily Browning [Eurythmics Cover] (Helen Discovers Her Identity)
• “Heartbeat” The Fray (Helen and Griffin Become Friends)
• “Breathe Me” Sia (Helen Goes Home)
• “Hurricane” 30 Seconds to Mars (The Warehouse)
• “Vices” Brand New (Helen Learns to Use the Sickle)
• “Firestarter” Jimmy Eat World (Helen and Raum)
• “Sowing Season” Brand New (Raum’s Redemption)
• “Be Mine” David Gray (Griffin and Helen)
• “Army of Me” Bjork [Sucker Punch Remix] (Battle with Abaddon)
• “Stay With You” The Goo Goo Dolls (Starting Over)

Tomorrow is the release day for A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink!  It's nice that Michelle shared her playlist for the book, with a short description of where or the music fits in the story. This was originally posted in Figment (just re-posted here). 

If you haven't read Michelle's first trilogy, The Prophecy of the Sisters, it's really good.  Do check my reviews if the story is something you might like. :)

A Quote...from Dorian Gray

"Life is a moment. There is no hereafter. So make it burn always with the hardest flame." 

- Dorian Gray

Cover Love: Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1) by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken (The Lynburn Legacy #1)

by Sarah Rees Brennan

September 11, 2012:  Random House Books for Young Readers

"Kami Glass is in love with someone she's never met—a boy she's talked to in her head since she was born. This has made her an outsider in the sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale, but she has learned ways to turn that to her advantage. Her life seems to be in order, until disturbing events begin to occur. There has been screaming in the woods and the manor overlooking the town has lit up for the first time in 10 years. . . . The Lynburn family, who ruled the town a generation ago and who all left without warning, have returned. Now Kami can see that the town she has known and loved all her life is hiding a multitude of secrets—and a murderer. The key to it all just might be the boy in her head. The boy she thought was imaginary is real, and definitely and deliciously dangerous."

I think it's Gothic book cover love at it's gorgeousness!  It hinted the bit of darkness, mystery, and love that surely Sarah has woven a fabulous tale of.  I am a fan of her Demon's Lexicon Trilogy, and I cannot comprehend my excitement over this book.  With Sarah, anything can happen! 

And you may want to see the entire book jacket design, so we can appreciate it's loveliness in its entirety:

Click Me!  I can grow big!

To Wordpress or not?

Since my hiatus, I have read some migration to Wordpress from Blogger.  The one reason that struck me is that in Terms of Agreement in Blogger, they can delete your blog anytime.  Well isn't that lovely?  So that (and other reasons) made me wonder if it's time to join the migration to Wordpress.

I have been using Blogger for my blog since the beginning and it's kind of user-friendly for me.  Though there are times that Blogger have failed me and wished for improvement.  I plan to get a domain name but the issue raised for blogger made me wonder if I should secure the blog (in general) first by migrating to Wordpress before doing any sort of changes.

Have you migrated to wordpress?  Is it worth the shift? Upgrade?  Or my fears are unfounded? Or maybe I should just totally use tumblr. :p 

I want to know if WP is a bit better than Blogger in terms of technical aspects, and in the long run.   Book blogging have grown on me, and I love the book blogging community.  I'm thinking long-term.  And what I have in the blog is something dear to me.  So I want to really sort it out first.  But need help.  If you have any thoughts about using blogger or wordpress, please do share.  It will help big time. What do you think?

Cover Reveal: The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3) by Pittacus Lore

The cover continues the mysterious cover appeal of the series.  From the fiery element in I am Number Four, water theme in The Power of Six, now we have the a sort of sand (land) element with perhaps another Lorien symbol.

I'm totally digging the cover.  No pun intended. :p  This book is scheduled to release this August 21 this year.
 
Previous covers in the series:




There are two short stories released within the series, an in-betweener sort of stories to give us a background of some of the characters.  I have read and reviewed, Six's Legacy, that was released prior to The Power of Six.  And just last month, a new one Lost Files was released:  Nine's Legacy.   Both are available in ebook format.  You can purchase them for Kindle via Amazon.