Girl In The Woods Reviews: September 2013

Sunday, September 29, 2013

THE TOP TEN MOMENTS OF. . .

Here we are again, for another round of THE TOP TEN MOMENTS OF . . .
Today's segment will be featuring 'A Different Blue' by Amy Harmon.

Absolutely LOVED the book, pretty sure I can still feel my heart fluttering a little!
So, pick up a copy today and get started.

WARNING
I'd advise you to only read up to number 7, if you haven't completed or started the book yet, wouldn't want to spoil it for you!

Alright so, get ready, get set and let's get the party started.

A Different Blue - TOP TEN MOMENTS - Written by Amy Harmon, Published March, 2013

Number 10

''I grew up - found out what I wanted to do with my life. Sometimes the things we want to be rescued from can save us. ''

Number 9

''Why don't you focus on where you're going and less on where you come from? Why don't you focus more on what makes you brilliant and less on what you angry? ''

Number 8

''"A handkerchief?! What are you, eighty-five?"

Number 7

''Suddenly, action was required. The cameras were rolling, and I didn't know my lines, I was overcome by stage fright, of the strangers in the audience, of the scenes I hadn't studied and couldn't possibly prepare for. And above all, I didn't want Wilson to see me in the spotlight once more, the light unflattering, the storyline tragic, violent and depressing. ''

Number 6

''I felt her sag against me, and then she was clinging to me desperately, sobbing, grieving for a man she had mistreated, for a daughter she had failed and a granddaughter she had lost. ''

Number 5

''I lay in stunned surprise, waiting for him to loosen his grip, waiting for his hands to touch, for his body to move, but his arms stayed locked around me, his body remained still. And there, in the circle of his arms, held so fiercely that there was no room to doubt him or fear his loss, I slept.''

Number 4

'' Pride & Prejudice?'' ''How did you know?'' he smiled.
''I have a thing for Mr. Darcy. ''

JOINT Number 3

''I was spent without compromise, sated without sacrifice, completely and totally head-over-heals in love. And it was delicious. ''

''Sometimes I feel like I have a huge, gaping hole from my chin to my waist, wide open negative space that life has just carved away. ''

Number 2

''You were emotionally rocked in Reno, just like I was in London, and you needed me, but you didn't need me that way. Someday, hopefully bloody soon - because I will combust if I ever have to spend a night like that again - you will want me because you love me, not because you're lost, not because you're desperate, not because you're afraid. And that's the goal.''

NUMBER 1

''Once upon a time there was a little bird who was placed in a nest. Wanted. Cherished. Unafraid, because she knew she was a hawk, a beautiful bird, worthy of awe, deserving of love. . . ''

--

Now, weren't those lovely?
So if you've enjoyed today's segment of MY TOP 10 MOMENTS OF ... leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts, maybe you've got some good ones to add to the list? Don't you be shy now!

Happy reading now and lots of love from my heart to yours.

BUY THE EBOOK HERE

This TOP TEN MOMENTS segment was hosted by:

TGIF - Feature & Follow #168

It's more like at this desk... That I have read the most I guess including the part where my laptop's here and my bookshelf to the left.

Not much but I love this specific reading location.

An Interview with Amanda Sun, author of INK!!!

This is really one of the times when me (Elicia) and Chloe get really excited to interview an author! We've read Amanda Sun's INK and found it amazing! We wanted to personally know her so... We asked her and she agreed to let us interview her!

*APPLAUSE, CHEERS*

*DRUMROLL*

Are you ready?!?

3

2

1

ACTION!

1. Will there be a manga for Ink?

There aren't any plans currently, but how cool would that be? I love manga and I think the cinematics and style of the genre would lend itself well to INK. I do get asked sometimes why I wrote INK as a novel and not a manga, and there a couple reasons for that. First, I'm a huge YA fan myself and wanted to write what I love. Secondly, I wanted to bring the world of manga and Japanese storytelling to the YA world. Maybe some people will read INK and then get into manga, or read INK and then get into YA. I'm glad my publisher included illustrations in INK because I get to live somewhere in between both worlds. :)

2. Which character in Ink best defines you?

That's a hard question, because a little piece of me goes into each of my characters. They are a mix of themselves and facets of myself, so I can identify with al
l of them to an extent. I think probably Tomohiro best defines me, because he's the artist in the story. He wants to create and express himself through his art. He's dissatisfied with the lot life has given him, and he wants to be more. He wants his life to matter. He values his close friends, but he's quiet, withdrawn, and likes to ponder the abstract. So I'd have to say Tomo and I have a lot in common. ^_^

3. What do you love about Japan?

Everything! Haha. I lived in Osaka in high school, and the experience changed how I saw the world. Japan has its societal challenges, like every country, but I think there's a tendency there to consider other's needs and act thoughtfully toward others. On a less abstract level, I love the food, music, the cherry blossoms, and the TV dramas. *laughs* I wrote a lot about food in INK because I wanted to show that there's far more to Japanese cuisine than just sushi.

4. What can we expect in Rain?

RAIN goes deeper into Katie and Tomo's history, and the origins of the ink. There is more mythology and more strange ink happenings, and I think RAIN is also very much Jun's book--we learn a lot more about him and why he's made the choices he has. Katie and Tomo will find themselves challenged to find a way to fight against the dark destiny of the ink. It's out in April 2014, and I hope you look forward to it! ^_^

5. How would you feel if Ink won a literary award?

Oh, gosh. Well, I would be really grateful! I think what's most important to me is that connection between reader and author. I like to know that someone has read my work and found a common understanding there, or a common experience. Books allows us to challenge and confirm our values and our goals in life, and winning a literary award would mean that many people had found truth in my work, so that would be very encouraging and validating. ^_^

6. Have you ever thought of co-writing a book with another author? If yes, who?

I have so much admiration for those who co-write books because I can't imagine how difficult it must be to incorporate both literary voices into one novel. I loved Will Grayson, Will Grayson, where John Green and David Levithan alternated chapters, and I think that's a great approach as well. If I'm dreaming, though, I might as well dream big. I wish I could work with Neil Gaiman on a project. He has a way of thinking about things that opens up so many creative possibilities.

7. Which character would you like to cosplay the most?

From INK? I've always wanted to cosplay Tomo-pony. For those who don't know, I have a custom My Little Pony version of Tomohiro. You can see him as my tumblr avatar (amandasunbooks.tumblr.com), and he sometimes pops up on Facebook.com/AmandaSunBooks or Twitter (@Amanda_Sun). I think it would be fun to make a ginjinka (humanization) of Tomo-pony. ^_^

8. If Ink was made into a movie, what would be the first thing you would do? Scream, shout, cry...etc.

Probably cry. I cry over everything. XD A couple weeks ago I was in the middle of RAIN edits, and I just started weeping because I'm so thrilled to be sharing my writing with readers. I also weep over commercials and glistening dew on flowers and things like that. So yes, crying would be first! Haha! Actually, I keep seeing these tweets from John Green about how he is crying everyday on the set of The Fault in Our Stars movie, and I think, yep, that would be my response too. ^_^

9. How did you develop the idea of Ink and it's characters involved?

INK came from a couple different sources. First, I've always been really interested in Japanese mythology and wanted to write a story combining that with my time spent as an exchange student in Japan. Secondly, I majored in Archaeology at university, and I learned that in Egyptian hieroglyphic, most snake hieroglyphs were drawn with lines chiseled through them, in case the snakes came alive on the tomb walls. I loved the idea of ink coming to life in a dangerous way. The two ideas combined in my head, and thus INK was born. XD

10. Hmmm... If you were able to come to Malaysia for a book tour for your book, Ink... Would you accept??? We would definitely LOVE
to host with you!!!

I would love to visit Malaysia someday! One of my closest friends growing up had a lot of family in Malaysia, since her dad grew up there. It is a beautiful country, so fingers crossed for someday! :)

Check out Amanda's books, INK and SHADOW!

Click here to check out my review of INK!!!

ABOUT AMANDA SUN:

I’m a YA author and proud Nerdfighter. I was born in Deep River, Canada, a very small town without traffic lights or buses, and where stranger safety is comprised of what to do if you see a bear—or skunk. I started reading fantasy novels at 4 and writing as soon as I could hold a pencil. Hopefully my work’s improved since then.

In university I took English, Linguistics, and Asian History, before settling into Archaeology, because I loved learning about the cultures and stories of ancient people. Of course, I didn’t actually become an archaeologist—I have an intense fear of spiders. I prefer unearthing fascinating stories in the safety of my living room.

The Paper Gods is inspired by my time living in Osaka and travelling throughout Japan. That and watching far too many J-Dramas. I currently live in Toronto with my husband and daughter. When I’m not writing, I’m devouring YA books, knitting nerdy things like Companion Cubes and Triforce mitts, and making elaborate cosplays for anime cons.

Blog Tour: Quantum Entanglement by Liesel K. Hill (Review+Guest Post)

Hi everyone! This is the last stop for the Quantum Entanglement blog tour and today I'm going to present you with a review of the book together with a guest post from the author, Liesel K. Hill.

Title: Quantum Entanglement
Author: Liesel K. Hill
Release Date: 17th September 2013
Publisher: CreateSpace
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: Five months after traveling to a post-apocalyptic future where collectives reign supreme and individuals have been hunted to the verge of extinction, Maggie Harper was returned to her own time until the threat to her life could be neutralized. She thought Marcus and the others would return for her within a few weeks, and now she’s beginning to worry.

When travelers from the future finally show up to collect her, it’s not who she expected. With the return of her memories, she wants more than ever to see Marcus again, but a snake-like woman whose abilities are a perfect match for Maggie’s, an injured Traveler, and decades of civil unrest to wade through all stand in the way of their reunion.

Meanwhile, Marcus and Karl traipse through the countryside, trying to neutralize Colin, who’s promised to brutalize and murder Maggie if he can get his hands on her. When a collective woman is left for dead, Marcus heals her, hoping she’ll be the key to killing Colin and bringing Maggie back. But she may prove as much a hindrance as a help.

The team struggles to get their bearings, but things happen faster than they know. The collectives are coalescing, power is shifting, and the one called B is putting sinister plans into action. If the team can’t reunite and get a handle on the situation, their freedom and individuality—perhaps their very identity—will be ripped away before they can catch their breath.

Detailed Review: This was such an explosive book. Really, I'm not joking here. To me, what stood out most in the book were the characters. Here, you get to know the characters even more in depth than in Persistence of Vision.

The new characters didn't disappoint either. One of them is Justine, an assassin who's sent to annihilate Maggie, who fulfills the role of the Executioner and has now gotten most of her memories back. Justine was everything from wicked to scary and sadistic, everything you'd expect of an assassin, except picture it 1000 times more brutal. Yup, that's Justine.

The other new character was a woman who. like David had just come out of the collective, but she was a very tough nut to crack, this one. She was all defiance. Karl and Marcus certainly found it hard to break her but they did manage to give her a name. I won't tell you what it is.

I liked the story in this book as well and thought it to be very well-developed because it shows a clear picture of how the different groups: collectives and individuals came into place as Maggie Travelled through time. Also, there were literally so much going on in the book. There were three stories from different perspectives to contend with so you will NEVER find this boring. But if you do find it boring you to sleep, you're missing something. Because Liesel K. Hill is a very very very talented writer. How many times have I said that?

THE ENDING: Leaves so many questions that can only be answered in the next book...

NOOOOO I NEED THE NEXT BOOK SO BAD!!!

P.S. The cover sure is creepy... Imagine the girl staring at you in your sleep. And that's Justine.

And don't forget to read the guest post after the review!!!

Brief Review: Liesel has nailed everything down that is needed to make an unbelievably and irresistibly good dystopian book. This book was the prime definition of perfection and a good book that shouldn't be ignored!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing!'

QUOTE:

To all collectives in the world (it's already happening!):

Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.---Oscar Wilde

Your Reviewer:

Guest Post by Liesel K. Hill

Why Bother With the Craziness of Writing?

Hello Fabulous Readers! Today is the final day of my Quantum Entanglement blog tour. Though it wasn’t quite as epic as the tour I did for book 1, in many ways it was more stressful. I’ve had more going on, more things to worry about, more work to do, and more tasks to juggle.

Do you ever wonder why we writers bother? Writing is hard work. It’s a hassle. There are many aspects of it that are long, tedious, and less-than-enjoyable. And yet more people than ever before are uploading their work to publication sites, hoping the world will latch onto their words.

One truth that most people don’t know, and aspiring authors don’t really want to hear, is that writing the book is only half the battle, and the smaller half at that. Promoting, selling, blogging, and networking are actually harder and take more time. They can result in headaches--often a result of the authors banging our own heads against the wall--and take time away from doing what we really love: writing.

So why do it? Why subject ourselves to the arduous hell of writing, publication, and promotion?

There are so many answers to that question, and they vary from author to author, but in my opinion, they all boil down to the same thing: we don’t have much choice.

There are many professions in which the people who follow them are answering a call they can’t ignore. They’re passionate about their work and, despite the headaches, wouldn’t do anything else. Writing is no different.

“We write by the light of every story we have read.”--Richard Peck

“You have to write the book that wants to be written.”--Madeleine L’Engle

“I write to find out what I didn’t know I knew.”--Robert Frost

“I write because there is a voice inside me that will not be still.”--Sylvia Plath

“A writer can do nothing for men more necessary, satisfying, than just simply to reveal to them the infinite possibility of their own souls.”--Walt Witman

“It is impossible to discourage real writers, they don’t give a damn what you say, they’re going to write.”--Unknown

“I must write. My pen is heavy. Oh lighten the load, for I must write.”--Unknown

“You will recognize your own path when you come upon it, because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.”--Unknown

I identify with all of these. Once I fully conceive a story, once it’s fully formed and I start to feel like the characters are good friends, I know I’ll have to write it sooner or later. It’ll just keep me up at night until I do. It’s a call, a compulsion, a necessity for sanity. A passion. A way of life. Oh, and by the way, it’s dang fun.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my blog tour and book 2 of my Interchron series. I plan to keep putting fingers to keyboard for a long, long time.

The Art of Letting Go by Anna Bloom

Our Rating: * * * *

Genre: New-Adult, Contemporary

Filed under: Book-Boyfriends, Lazy day reads, humorous

Average rating on GoodReads: 4.83 out of 5.00

Summary:

One year. One woman. One Diary. One question: can you ever stop history from repeating itself and if you could what would you do to stop it?
When Lilah McCannon realises at the age of twenty-five that history is going to repeat itself and she is going to become her mother—bored, drunk and wearing a twinset—there is only one thing to do: take drastic action.
Turning her back on her old life, Lilah’s plan is to enrol at university, get a degree and prove she is a grown-up.
As plans go, it is a good one. There are rules to follow: no alcohol, no cigarettes, no boys and no going home. But when Lilah meets the lead singer of a local band and finds herself unexpectedly falling in love, she realises her rules are not going to be the only things hard to keep.
With the academic year slipping by too quickly, Lilah faces a barrage of new challenges: will she ever make it up the Library stairs without having a heart attack? Can she handle a day on campus without drinking vodka? Will she ever manage to read a history book without falling asleep? And most importantly, can she become the grown-up that she desperately wants to be.
With her head and her heart pulling her in different directions can Lilah learn the hardest lesson that her first year of university has to teach her: The Art of Letting Go?

Available on Amazon here for £1.93

If you've already got it or even finished it, TWEET ABOUT IT TODAY & let everyone know using the #hashtag #FridayReads

ALSO

ATTENTION ALL BOOK FANS - THERE'S STILL TIME TO PARTICIPATE IN THE UNI FILES - THE ART OF LETTING GO READ ALONG.

So if you're interested in signing up, tweet or email either of us, (ANNA OR CAIT.) First blog discussions start on the 1ST OF OCTOBER.

A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

Our Rating: TBC / not quite finished with this one, 3 provisional stars so far!

Genre: NA/YA, contemporary, romance,

Filed under/Lists with this book: Student-Teacher/ Best Books Published in 2013, NYTIMES BESTSELLER

Average Rating on GoodReads: 4.32 out of 5

Summary:

Blue Echohawk doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn't attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up for the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing.

This is the story of a nobody who becomes somebody. It is the story of an unlikely friendship, where hope fosters healing and redemption becomes love. But falling in love can be hard when you don't know who you are. Falling in love with someone who knows exactly who they are and exactly why they can't love you back might be impossible.

Amazon UK Paperback: £9.27 / Kindle: £3.16
Amazon US Paperback: $12.08/ Kindle: $5.06

If you've already got it or even finished it, TWEET ABOUT IT TODAY & let everyone know using the #hashtag #FridayReads

The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (Penguin Books)

Our Rating: TBC / Provisional 3 stars

Genre: Mystery, Cultural, Book Club, Contemporary,

Average Rating on GoodReads: 4.06 out of 5

Summary:

My Darling Cecilia
If you're reading this, then I've died . . .

Imagine your husband wrote you a letter, to be opened after his death. Imagine, too, that the letter contains his deepest, darkest secret - something so terrible it would destroy not just the life you built together, but the lives of others too. Imagine, then, that you stumble across that letter while your husband is still very much alive . . .

Cecilia Fitzpatrick achieved it all - she's an incredibly successful business woman, a pillar of her small community and a devoted wife and mother. Her life is as orderly and spotless as her home. But that letter is about to change everything, and not just for her: Rachel and Tess barely know Cecilia - or each other - but they too are about to feel the earth-shattering repercussions of her husband's devastating secret.

From the author of the critically acclaimed What Alice Forgot comes a breakout new novel about the secrets husbands and wives keep from each other.

Amazon UK/ Paperback: £3.75 / Kindle: £3.99
Amazon US / Paperback: $7.12/ Hardcover: $15.57

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr

Our Rating: TBC - 3.5 Provisional Stars!

Genre: Paranormal Romance, YA, Fantasy,

Average Rating on GoodReads: 3.70 out of 5

Filed under: Books that should be made into a movie, NYTIMES Bestseller

Summary:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.
Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in the mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty - especially if they learn of her Sight - and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.

Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.

Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King, who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost — regardless of her plans or desires.

Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.

Faery intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning twenty-first-century faery tale.

Amazon UK/ Paperback: £4.99/ Kindle: £1.99/ Audiobook: £13.55
Amazon US/ Hardcover: $12.98 / Paperback: £7.38 / Audiobook CD: $29.99

#FridayReads/WeekendReads, you know the drill!

That's all for now, folks. Happy reading!
If you found this inspiring, give us a tweet about your next Book haul!

Waiting on Wednesday: Of Metal and Wishes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by us, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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

Title: Of Metal and Wishes
Author: Sarah Fine
Release Date: 5th August 2014
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Find on: Goodreads

There are whispers of a ghost in the slaughterhouse where sixteen-year-old Wen assists her father in his medical clinic—a ghost who grants wishes to those who need them most. When one of the Noor, men hired as cheap factory labor, humiliates Wen, she makes an impulsive wish of her own, and the Ghost grants it. Brutally.

Guilt-ridden, Wen befriends the Noor, including their outspoken leader, a young man named Melik. At the same time, she is lured by the mystery of the Ghost and learns he has been watching her … for a very long time.

As deadly accidents fuel tensions within the factory, Wen must confront her growing feelings for Melik, who is enraged at the sadistic factory bosses and the prejudice faced by his people at the hand of Wen’s, and her need to appease the Ghost, who is determined to protect her against any threat—real or imagined. She must decide whom she can trust, because as her heart is torn, the factory is exploding around her … and she might go down with it.

The story, it's just so compelling! I just wanna read it now! And the title and cover makes it just even more irresistible!

TGIF - Feature & Follow Friday #167

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
What were some of you favourite picture books as a kid? If you have kids, what are your favourites to read to them?

I didn't really read much picture books when I was young but if I had to pick one that was kinda close to the term 'picture book' it would be the Peter and Jane series. It's been soooo long since I have read those BUT I still have them! hehe :P

Guest Post BY Anna Bloom

UPCOMING: The Uni Files Year One – The Art of Letting Go Read-Along BY ANNA BLOOM

Hey! Anna here,

Cait messaged me last night and asked if I would write you guys a quick post telling you about the read-along we are arranging for my debut novel The Uni Files – The Art of Letting Go.
The novel comes out next week, and can I just say I am completely overwhelmed by the positive response and support I am getting from readers and bloggers alike – I am feeling very loved right now which is great in itself.
So anyway the idea for the read-along is we are going to split the novel into three sect
I should point out that you don’t need to worry if you just want to read ahead because you can just jump in and out of the chat as and when you like.
The unique thing with this read-along is that I am actually going too re-read along with everyone at the same time. I will post any extra info I have. For instance if a scene in the book was made out of a different earlier one. What music I may have been listening to when writing it, or even how I actually felt writing different sections. Writing is a very personal emotional experience so it will be nice to share some of those feelings with you all. I will also post up any pictures I may have to help you visualise some of the settings –I may need to go strolling down Putney High Street with my camera taking photo’s like a tourist! (Anyone up for joining me for a drink along the way?)
If you would like to join in then head over to www.annabloomwrites.com and sign up to follow the blog via email and then you will always receive the read-along posts when they come up and comment as you like.
We will start next Saturday which will give you all a chance to get the book, start to read and hopefully fall in love with The Uni Files!

Anna x

Waiting on Wednesday: Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by us, that highlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Morgan Matson
Release Date: 13th May 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Find on: Goodreads

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend. Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? Kiss a Stranger? Wait… what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?
Go Skinny Dipping? Um…

This sounds so interesting for a contemporary! I'd love to see the full list which Sloane has left for Emily! This book sound like fun and I must admit the cover is really delicious too!

Review: Luminous: An Alternate Reality... Is The Real One by E.Bell

Title: Luminous: An Alternate Reality... Is The Real One
Author: E.Bell
Publisher: Booktango
Release Date: 4th June 2013
Find on: Goodreads, Amazon

Quick Review: It is 2049, and sixteen-year-old Lucia Carboni carries a weight on her shoulders not typical of a teenage girl. Her burden is not clothes, boys, or school; it’s saving the world. Born into the Ascended Ones, Lucia’s mission is to help the cult depopulate the world, take over, and enslave the survivors. If all goes well, by 2050, there will be a New World Order—a plan the Ascended Ones have been working toward for centuries.

After Lucia is sent undercover to public school, she attempts to fit in and develops friendships with the very people her cult seeks to destroy. But what no one knows is that Lucia is immune to her cult’s brainwashing techniques. Torn between her upbringing and hope for her future, Lucia makes a bold decision to escape to Ground Zero in New York City, where she hopes to find her mother, pose as an alter, and seek proof of the Ascended Ones’ plan. As she embarks on a journey to the truth, Lucia soon discovers that nothing is as it seems.

In this exciting futuristic tale, a teenager races against time to enlighten the world and stop an evil plan before it is too late.

Detailed Review: << review copy received from the author herself >>

The title is really long isn't it? So I'm just going to cut it short and call it "Luminous". So... personally Luminous had a really great plot and storyline but the writing itself was... incomplete and simple? Not complex enough to make the story more interesting.

I really thought this would have had more potential. It really did have one. I think if the writing was more wishy-washy or fun, I think the story would have had a better chance of spreading like wild fire (if you know what I mean).

I felt like her characters were undeveloped and empty. There was not much development it was confusing as well...

But I think if the author put more effort in the story (not like I'm saying the author didn't!) It's just it didn't really an impression on me.

The author should improve her writing skills as well as her character descriptions. I think she should write her analysis on her characters before she writes them but overall I think the story plot was OK. I mean, really!

There was alot room for improvement. Unfortunately I found this book to be very 'empty' and not that exciting to read.

Brief Review: It was so-so and there really wasn't an impact on me when I read this book... The author's writing was quite bland and there was no "oophm!" that I really wanted to see in this book.

My Rating: 2/5 "It was OK but not for me..."

Your Reviewer:

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY is a blog hop that is designed to provide as much exposure towards other bloggers as well as yourself, and to expand following. It's hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read, each whom feature a chosen blog for a week, it's also an interesting way to get to know one another bloggers.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK:
It is up to you to do a Kickstarter campaign for you favourite book!!! Who are you casting for the main characters?

Well, I can't possibly say TMI because it's already a movie so let's see... I think Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver Trilogy should be made into a movie! That would be sooo cool :) And possibly Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy by Laini Taylor including The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa!!! I would definitely wanna watch those as movies :)

Blog Tour and Review: Dark Remnants by L.K. Hill

Title: Dark Remnants (Street Games #1)
Author: L.K. Hill
Release Date: 3rd September 2013
Publisher: Create Space
Find on: Goodreads

Quick Review: In the most dangerous city in the country, one controlled by a sadistic gang called the Sons of Ares, Kyra Roberts is searching the deep places for someone…

Kyra has come to Abstreuse city to find someone she’s lost, but walking the underbelly—a dark alley system residents call the Slip Mire—even in disguise, is rife with dangers. Kyra must stay on her toes if she intends to live. After crossing paths several times with the same detective, she wonders if his work and hers might be connected.

Gabe Nichols has worked homicide in Abstreuse for three years. Dead prostitutes and gang violence are part of the night shift. When a woman who looks like a street junkie but acts like an intellectual saves his life, he’s intrigued. Another woman shows up at his crime scene, and Gabe’s instincts kick into high gear when she clams up. Two cases involving strange women who won’t tell what they know are too coincidental.

If Gabe and Kyra can’t find a way to collaborate, they may not live to see the sunrise. Doomed, like so many others, to become gray, unmarked graves in a forgotten fracture of the Slip Mire.

Detailed Review: Liesel has done it again. After I finished the book, I was literally pining for the next book, desperate to know what would happen next. I wanted to throw a tantrum and yell for the next book to come out NOW, but of course it wouldn't happen. If this book really managed to reduce me to such childlike behavior, that means Dark Remnants in a very very very good book.

In this book, the author's writing is developed and her descriptions of Abstreuse city made me imagine the Slip Mire perfectly well. I could even draw you a picture of it (although I'm not born for art, that's Chloe). But you'll understand what I mean when you read the book. Not IF. WHEN.

What made the book stands out in the crime thriller genre, is its characters. Kyra made it to my 'best heroine' list, with her intelligence and determination. She is a character with depth and a person who I would love to know better in the next few books. Gabe Nichols is also a very special character with secrets of his own and to me is an amazing detective. And both of them are more similar than they've ever thought in their pasts and family history. Liesel also managed to impress me with the secondary characters because of their differing personalities and the way they affected the main characters Kyra and Gabe.

This is a truly talented author at work here. No doubt about that. I mean, the twists! Will they ever stop? They're just so sudden and unexpected that it hits you hard like a stab to your heart. And I'm not exaggerating here. Also, the author manages to highlight the horrors of a place like Slip Mire with accuracy. If that's not talent, what is that?

Why isn't Liesel K. Hill famous yet? WHY?!? She should no longer be a self-publlished author! She should be as famous as Amanda Hocking or even Dan Brown!

A heart-pounding crime thriller that involves interwoven mysteries and stories awaits you if you dare to take the challenge...

Brief Review: Liesel has once again impressed me with her amazing writing abilities and if given anything to devour by Liesel Hill, I would gobble it up in minutes! This author really should be more recognized in the world and I really hope by next year, she would have made it up to the 'famous author' level on the ladder!

Final Rating: 5/5 'Totally Amazing'