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

 

The Rise of Nine (Lorien Legacies #3)

by Pittacus Lore

August 21, 2012:  HarperCollins

"It all began with nine. Nine aliens who left their home planet of Lorien when it fell under attack by the evil Mogadorians—who scattered on Earth and went into hiding. They look like ordinary teenagers, but they have extraordinary skills. The Mogadorians killed Number One, Number Two, and Number Three. They tried to kill Number Four ... and failed.

Number Four (aka John Smith) has now teamed up with Number Nine, while Six has gone off to find the others. With the Mogadorians hot on their trail and time running out, they must find a way to come together, before it's too late. Power in numbers will save them all."

I love this series and I'm totally psyched for this book!  Nine is like badass too (but Six is like badass personified).  With how things were left off in The Power of Six, we have a lot to look forward to in this one!

COMING SOON:


The Lost Files:  The Fallen Legacies
(all Lorien Legacies enovellas in print)
by Pittacus Lore
July 24, 2012:  HarperCollins

"I AM NUMBER FOUR: THE LOST FILES: THE LEGACIES features the compelling backstories in the action-packed LOST FILES novellas, Six’s Legacy, Nine’s Legacy, and The Fallen Legacies, together and in print for the first time as a paperback!" (x)

Music Monday: Live to Rise by Soundgarden (Avengers Soundtrack)

So I bet by now everyone have seen this awesome movie.  If you haven't yet, do yourself a favor and watch it.  Because when I said it was awesome, it was an understatement.  This was pure madness.  I salute Josh Whedon for everything.  The cast was perfect.  And how to cap perfection?  With a rocking soundtrack of course! 

Check out this song by Soundgarden for the movie:  Live to Rise.

More songs from the and inspired by the movie:

Review: The Lost Files: Nine's Legacy by Pittacus Lore

The Lost Files:  Nine's Legacy ( Lorien Legacies #2.5)

by Pittacus Lore

February 28, 2012: HarperCollins

available in ebook format

"Number Nine—when John frees him from his cell in the power of six, he’s ferocious, reckless, and ready to fight back. But being held captive changes a person—even a Lorien. See what Nine was like before his capture, and read about his dramatic escape from his point of view.

In I Am Number Four: The Lost Files: Nine’s Legacy, discover the story behind Nine. Before meeting John Smith, aka Number Four, before being held prisoner, Nine was hunting down Mogadorians in Chicago with his CÊpan, Sandor. What happened there would change Nine forever..."

Review

For those who have read the second book, The Power of Six, we've met another Lorien who is number Nine.  He proved to be a a power to be reckoned with after John released him from his cell.  And perhaps like me, you were wondering how come with his intensity he managed to be captured by the Mogadorians?  And you've gotten the feeling his was an interesting story.  You bet.

Another must read if you're a fan of the series.  You will get to know Nine before he was captured, his life with his Cepan, and tragedy of their responsibility.

WoW: The Demon Catchers of Milan by Kat Beyer

 The Demon Catchers of Milan
by Kat Beyer
August 28, 2012:  EgmontUSA

"Mia's ordinary life is disrupted in the most horrifying way possible when she is possessed by a hungry and powerful demon--and only saved by the arrival of relatives from Italy, the country her grandfather fled many decades ago. Now her cousins Emilio and Giuliano say the only way to keep her safe is for her to come back with them to Milan, to live, to learn Italian, to fall in and out of love, and to master the family trade: fighting all demons with the lore of bell, book, and candle. Milan is not what Mia expected, but it will change her forever, in this stunningly well-written novel about an American girl who, fleeing an ancient evil, finds her only salvation in her ancestral home."

I'm keeping this on my radar.  There's nothing like demon catching to pique my interest.  Ehehehe. And I love Italy, so looking forward to an interesting story in that setting.

Music Monday: Outlaws of Love by Adam Lambert

I'm a fan of Adam Lambert.  I think he's really talented and I adore his glam-style and music.  In his new album, Trespassing, this song (Outlaws of Love) is one of my favorites because of its poignant lyrics and honesty about how difficult it can be to live (and love) for LGBTs.

Everywhere we go
I'm looking for the sun.
Nowhere to grow old.
And always on the run.
They say we'll rot in hell
But I don't think we will
They've branded us enough
Outlaws of love.
Scars make us who we are
Hearts and homes are broken, broken.
Far, we could go so far
With our minds wide open, open.

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen

Dark Kiss

by Michelle Rowen

May 22, 2012:  Harlequin Teen

"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.... NIGHTWATCHERS When angels and demons must work together, something beyond evil is rising…"

Review

The story starts directly to the event where it all started with a kiss.  Samantha has just been kissed by her long-term crush.  A seemingly dream come true that turns out to be a nightmare.  For any kiss from there on, from here is dangerous.

Dark Kiss provides a good conflict where angels and demons must work together. And then somehow the protagonist, Samantha finds herself in the center of it all.  There is the mystery of what kind of evil both heaven and hell are facing that they have to work together to stop it, and the mystery behind Samantha's unnatural skill. 

I have to give props to Samantha's character because things happened to her in a short time, and she struggles with the idea of her insanity just fine.  To think that having both champions of heaven and hell by your side will surely drive you nuts.  Especially if they kind of exude all out-of-this-world appeal. 

Though I was not all giddy when I finished the book, I got quite curious to the bits of mysteries that Michelle Rowen left to the readers as the conflict in the story was dealt with.    Surely worth the try if you want a good story of how will ever angels and demons get to work together, a conspiracy, and a good old fashion mystery topped with romance.

 

WoW: Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

Prodigy (Legend #2)

by Marie Lu

January 29, 2013:  Putnam Juvenile

"The Elector Primo of the Republic has died, with his son assuming power over what’s left of the USA’s West Coast as it teeters on full-blown chaos. June and Day join up with Patriot rebels so they can rescue Day’s brother and head east for the Colonies. In order to help, though, the rebels want June and Day to kill the new Elector, who may pose an even greater threat than his father."

I fell in-love with Legend.   It's a bummer that we have to wait until January next year for Prodigy.  But then again I feel that the wait will be worth it!  Good thing there is an excerpt released from the second book.  You can read it here.

Music Monday: Breath of Life by Florence + The Machine (SWATH Soundtrack)

The music video for Breath of Life by Florence + The Machine.  Made for the soundtrack of the movie, Snow White and the Huntsman.

This is music-gasm at its best.  I don't know about you, guys but I am definitely in-love with this music.  This is on repeat, rewind, and repeat again!  This sounds like a battle-music fit for an epic scene.  I am excited for the movie just because Florence did the music.  mwahaha. 

This is the behind-the-scenes look at how they made the music!  Awesome-sauce!

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1)

by Marie Lu

November 29, 2011:  Putnam Juvenile

"What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills."

Review

I love this book!  I don't know why I waited months before I read this.  I think after Divergent, this book comes next to my favorite list. 

The characters of June and Day are cleverly written.  June is The Republic's prodigy, while Day is considered the city's most wanted.  They are both strong, smart, and the perfect match for any given battle.  The circumstances that led to their meeting turns out to be a conspiracy but you can see it also as fate.  They unwittingly saved each other and will start the shake-up that the Republic needs to brace itself for.

I felt June's grief when her brother died and understood her when she came after Day, believing he is the murderer.  I love her character because she might be smart and skillful, but she still has the heart to know the difference between right and good. 

Day's character seems to be straightforward at first, but then you realized that it's also complicated.  He knows firsthand how deceptive The Republic really is.  He might be considered a criminal but he was a victim first.  It's interesting how similar the city's most wanted is to the city's prodigy. 

I really recommend this book if you're into dystopian readings, or just love reading action-filled story with an unlikely love story to match.  I'm definitely looking forward to the next book, Prodigy!

Music Monday: City of Lost Souls Playlist

City of Lost Souls Playlist from maidenveil on 8tracks.

Head on to MundieMoms (where this was first posted as part of the COLS Celebration) to read why Cassie chose the songs for the books, and some selected lines from the lyrics! :) 

Review: Angels' Flight by Nalini Singh

Angels' Flight (Guild Hunter Short Stories)

by Nalini Singh

February 28, 2012:  Berkley Sensation

"In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.
In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all...
Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT
In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...
And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED
In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court."

Review

Short stories set in the Guild Hunter series involving some of the characters around Elena and Raphael.  They might be short, but Nalini still packed them with enough tension and heat.

In Angel's Wolf, a vampire from Archangel's Kiss is sent to seductive yet lethal angel.  For those who have read the book, it's nice to know that he gets a happy ending after what he endured.  It is a bittersweet story of two damaged people who found solace in each other. 

In Angels' Judgment, we learn the backstory of Sara and Deacon.  I love these two, and how they met and fell in-love is really something.  Sara is just newly appointed head of the Guild Hunters of America and she is given a test to prove her worth.  Good thing someone like Deacon got her back.  But who is Deacon really?

Angels' Pawn is Ashwini and Janvier's story.  They are a funny couple or not.  You can't really tell if they are.  Hopefully in the future we'll know for sure.  Even Ashwini can't tell.  In this story, Ashwini is called to intervene when a problem involving angels and vampires.  She has to get to the bottom of the problem before it gets worst and she and Janvier get caught in between.

They say save the best for last.  In Angel's Dance, Galen just left her former master, another archangel, for a place in Raphael's circle.  He still needs to win the trust of the members of Raphael's circle and proving his worth to the archangel.   He quickly notices the presence of Jessamy.  We met Jessamy earlier in the books as the teacher of young angels in the Refuge.   These two are an odd couple.  Their relationship development is beautiful because both of them have emotional baggage that serves as conflict in building relationships.  Especially Jessamy who resigned herself to be alone, being different from other angels.  It's really a good story, it also gotten to show how Galen and Illium become friends, and a glimpse of Raphael before he became a cadre. 

WoW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)

by Leigh Bardugo

June 5, 2012:  Henry Holt and Co.

"Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart."

I'm so interested to read this book.  There is nothing in the synopsis that I doesn't entice me.  Shadow.  Like!  Bone.  Like!