The Whispers Of The Fallen by J.D. Netto + GIVEAWAY

Guess what time is it? It's REVIEW time. This time around, I am reviewing a book I have talked about in the last week - "The Whispers Of The Fallen" by J.D. Netto.

So, a little back-story: I received this book as a review copy Untreed Reads a while back. The moment I started this book, I didn't want to put it down.

To start off, you shouldn't know too much about the book before you start it. It will be more interesting to enter this alternative, fantasy world. The less you know, the better. All you need to know is what is written in the synopsis.

Ever since the dawn of days, rumors about the Diary of Lucifer echoed throughout Elysium. Hidden from all human knowledge, the Diary was kept a secret, locked away in the small village of Agalmath. Isaac and Demetre find themselves in a dangerous journey as they uncover the truth about the Diary and its guardians. However, for Isaac and Demetre, danger lies at every step, hidden in the most unexpected places. Hunted by the Nephilins and the Fallen Stars, they must find others who will join them in the battle against the coming darkness. Thus begins The Whispers of the Fallen, a new series of epic fantasy for readers of all ages.

I do not even know where to start. The book is astounding. The plot so well thought-out and you can easily see that starting with the characters. There is NOT a single character that is not necessary for the story. Everyone has a purpose to serve. That is what I really appreciate because in other books you get too many excess ones who just bore you to death. The story-line was straight with many, unexpected twists and turns and makes your jaw hit the floor. And don't think things come down until the end because this book finishes on a huge cliffhanger that will leave you craving for the next book.

As I said every character is there to serve his/hers purpose. The main one - Isaac is just so easy to relate to. You feel the same things he is feeling. For instance, he is so confused at the beginning and that confusion is shared by the reader too. This is what really one of the many things the book shines with.

Another thing that I noticed are the descriptions and setting. They are just such a perfect match. Whenever you read a description it is short, exact and easily-imaginable. It just makes it effortless to envision what is going in the scene. This is what is also a plus point of the book.

And let's get to the pacing. I am not going to lie, this book is really fast-paced. This is not an exaggeration of any kind. There is something that occurs on every, single page. Like, so many things happen until the end of the book so that you almost forget what had happened at the beginning. For some people this might be a bummer, but personally for me, it is a really good thing. 

One thing I did found a little strange was the dialogue. It is not bad by no means but the thing that was weird was it was formal. The characters just use complex words and sentences 99% of the time. It is really what the book stands out with. 

In addition, the thing I least expected happened around the middle. The point of view changed into the villain's one. It so rare to see what is going inside the evil guy's head. It was really intriguing to see that on the page.

Funny story: I was on the subway, travelling to my German course and I was reading the book. At some point I heard a name of a station that is 5 stops away from the one I had to get down off. On the good side of things I had doubled the reading time of the bad. On the bad one - I was late for the course but it's good they were still checking the homework(which I had done) so I hadn't missed much.

To conclude, "The Whispers Of The Fallen" is an astonishing, fast-paced, gripping read which will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is the perfect match between action, mystery and fantasy. The writing is so good that it will not allow you to stop reading until you have reached the last page.

                                                           My Rating:

                                    5 out of 5 stars

Also a bit about the author:

J.D.Netto (Jorge de Oliveira Netto) is brazilian-born. Raised in Framingham, MA, J.D.Netto always had an eye for epic fantasy and story-telling. At an early age, he had the habit of locking himself in his room, turning on any soundtrack he could find, and there he would write for hours.During his senior year in High School, J.D.Netto had an idea that changed his life, 'What if Lucifer had a Diary? What if the Diary was a secret? What if the secret was a reality?' These simple questions led him to write for six consecutive years, researching, perfecting his craft, and creating the world of Elysium. All the promotional visuals for the series were designed by J.D.Netto, proving that he is not only a writer, but an innovative visual designer.

Make sure to let me know if you have read the book or if you like my review in the comment section down below. Also If you like my blog please subscribe to it, I really appreciate it.


Also, I am hosting a giveaway of two e-book copies of the book.

Enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is international. Two winners will be chosen and receive a digital copy of the book. Winners have 48 hours to answer the email I will send them. If they don't, another winner will be chosen. All the winners are chosen by random.

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Re-create a Book Cover

How is Bout Of Books going for you guys? For me, I have enjoyed every second of it so far. The challenges are fun to do and now I am going to participate in another one. It is called "Recreate A Book Cover" and is hosted by Spines And Covers.

For this challenge I decided to recreate the cover of the book I just finished a.k.a. "The Whispers Of The Fallen".

So here is the original cover:

And here is my re-creation:

I tried to do it and this is what came out of it. Unfortunately my little cousin spilled some water over it. Apart from that I think I might have done something(I can't draw, I just can't).


What do you guys think of my re-creation? Have you done one too? Make sure to let me know in the comment section down below by commenting and posting a link.

And also don't forget to subscribe to my blog. :)

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 4 Update

HELLO FELLOWS, how are you? I am super happy.

I finally found time to read the last few chapters of "The Whispers Of The Fallen" and it is INCREDIBLE. The book ended on a massive cliffhanger. It was so fast-paced and action-packed.

I am also excited for its sequel - Rebellion. I heard it is even better. Can't wait to read it.

Also stay tuned for my review of "The Whispers Of The Fallen" which will be up today.

How is Bout Of Book's read-a-thon going for you? Are you enjoying it? Make sure to let me know down in the comment section. For me it is awesome, I have fun making the challenges and reading the books.

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Like This, Try This CHALLENGE

Hey, folks, I want to apologize for not participating yesterday's challenge.

I am now doing the "Like This, Try This" challenge.

Pretty much all you need to do is to promote a book/movie/tv show by another book/movie/tv show.

If you liked The Mortal Instruments

Then you should definitely read The Whispers Of The Fallen

I am not sure how right I am comparing the two but I think they have quite a few things in common.

What do you think? What are your suggestions for this Challenge? Make sure to tell me in the comment section down below.

Here is the original link: http://www.writingmyownfairytale.com/2014/08/21/like-this-try-this-bout-of-books-challenge/

Bout Of Books 11.0 - Day 3 Update

Hello, how is Bout Of Books going for you? It is going great for me. Well as much as that's possible with my German course.

I did reach my goal for day three and I hope on Day 4 I will be able to read at least 7 chapters(8 or 9 left).

By the way, 'The Whispers Of The Fallen' is so good. WAYY better than I expected it to be.

Have you reached your goals? Are you having fun? Make sure to let me know in the comment section down below. :)

Bout Of Books Update Day 2

So, I did manage to reach my goal of six chapters and even read a couple of more. This book "The Whispers Of The Fallen" is so good. I have never read a book that is also so fast-paced and gripping.

Now, I really wish I could read more but unfortunately I don't have the time. My goal for day three is to read 8 chapters and finish the challenges.

How is your read-a-thon going? Are you doing the challenges? If you are leave a comment down below. Also stay tuned for news this week.

Bout Of Books Challenge - Book Spine Poetry CHALLENGE

Okay so for this challenge there are a few steps: 

1.Pick 3 or more books
2.Use the words in the titles
3.To make up something for every book you get ONE word.

Here is mine:

LUX BEGINS,
LUX CONSEQUENCES,
THE
WHITE HOT KISS,
CREATES
A
CITY OF HEAVENLY FIRE,
WHICH PUTS
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
BUT
DON'T LOOK BACK
FOUR,
BECAUSE THE
REBOOT
IS
REBELLING.

I know it makes no sense whatsoever but it just sounds cool... maybe.
What is your poetry? Make sure to put a link in the comments down below and don't forget to READ.

Link to the original challenge:
http://littlepocketbooks.blogspot.com/2014/08/bout-of-books-challenge-book-spine.html

Bout Of Books 11.0 - One True Pairing Challenge

Okay, so for this challenge all need to do is chose a One True Pairing couple from a book. I don't know if it will come out as a surprise but it is HAZEL AND AUGUSTUS FROM THE FAULT IN OUT STARS

I love this couple because their story is so beautiful and at the same time tragic. It might be sad but it is still extremely beautiful to me. If you have not read The Fault In Our Stars it is about two kids that fall in love within the numbered days they have left. This book is so amazing and has so many good quotes. If you pick up this book, well, you won't put it down until you are heartbroken by it. As characters they are just so strong and they don't stop living, only because they are sick. As a quote from the movie says "Life doesn't have to be perfect for love to be extraordinary. I won't go into much detail because I will give out the entire book... If you have not read the book, go and buy it. You won't regret it!

Bout Of Books READ-A-THON Day 1 Update

Okay, I am ashamed to say this but my progress for the day 1 is 2 chapters of "The Whispers Of The Fallen" by J.D. Netto. I know it is little but it is something.

BUT for Day 2 I set myself up to a challenge of at least 6 chapters. We'll just have to wait and see what will happen... Going back to reading now... How is your READ-A-THON going? Make sure to let me know down in the comment section. :)

Bout Of Books 11.0 Playlist Challenge

About this challenge I need to choose 5 songs for one of the books I will be reading during the Read-A-THON.

Book:

OPPOSITION by JENNIFER L.ARMENTROUT

Playlist:

Birdy - Not About Angels

Laurel - Fire-breather

Imagine Dragons - Battle Cry

Christina Aguilera - We Remain

Digital Daggers - The Devil Within

Make sure to let me know which are the song you will be choosing for your book. 

Original Post: http://lulofangirl.com/2014/08/18/bout-of-books-11-0-challenge-day-one/

Bout Of Books Reading Goals

So this time around, I will have to lower my reading goals, because I need to study so I will try to read as much as I can.

Reading goals:
The Whispers of the Fallen by J.D. Netto

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout



















And eventually:
Rebellion by J.D. Netto

I am also going to participate in the Book Scavenger Hunt Hosted by thebookmasters

Harrow by Amanda Troyer + GIVEAWAY

So, the author contacted me and asked me if I would like to review her book. I agreed because I haven't read much thriller this year and I have no regrets whatsoever.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Brenna doesn’t believe her vivid imagination
can hurt her, until she wakes up in a church, covered in blood.
Blood that isn’t hers.

She thinks her life can't get much worse, but when she finally
finds a way to escape her abusive home, her imagination turns
to nightmarish hallucinations.

Niven likes staying inside the abandoned church, hiding from his
violent father. The two bond through art and misery, but Brenna
knows good things in her life don’t last long.

Her delusions take a horrific turn when she thinks she sees two men
gruesomely murdered by a monster in the church basement, but in
the end, she’s the one with blood on her hands.

Review:

The book starts off introducing Breena, the girl with the vivid imagination and her troublemaking sister Mabel. Brenna wants to live on her own because of her family. She doesn't like it. You get sucked in by her and start sympathizing her. Just you are put through whatever she is.  Later on she meets this boy at the abandoned church she ends up in - Niven, who plays a big role in the plot later on. All of the characters were developed.

I wish I could say something about the plot but I would giveaway too much. I will just mention that there are a lot of totally unexpected twists and turns.

The writing was really good food a new author. However, at certain places I was irritated by the monologue and the descriptions. I am not saying they were bad or anything but just that it was little overdone. 90% percent of the time the descriptions are incredibly easy-imaginable. It was overall fast-paced just little slow in the beginning.

"Harrow" was a gripping read, which will keep you tensioned until the very end, shock you with the twists and turns. In addition, it will make you double check if you've locked your door. The writing is really good and grabs you from the beginning. 

The book comes out on August 27th.

This is a debut novel which may have a sequel.

GIVEAWAY:

I am giving away 3 eBook copies of "Harrow" and

10 signed bookmarks.

This giveaway is international. If a winner doesn't reply to the email sent to him in 48 hours, another one will be chosen.

Complete this Rafflecopter contest and win:

Winners:
Rebeca - a signed bookmark of HARROW and an e-book copy
Veronica - a signed bookmark of HARROW and an e-book copy
Alyssa - a signed bookmark of HARROW and an e-book copy
Kelly - a signed bookmark of HARROW
Sami - a signed bookmark of HARROW
Lori - a signed bookmark of HARROW
Maria - a signed bookmark of HARROW

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Amanda hasn’t always been a reader, but she’s always been a daydreamer.  Once her sister started giving her young adult books, she realized books fuel her daydreams and has since become an avid reader and a writer as well.  You can connect with her online here: 

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

Tumblr

Preorder links:

iTunes

Barnes&Noble

Amazon

                                                         My rating 
                                  4.5 out of 5 stars

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: LUX #4

Title: Origin

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled TEEN

Year of publication: 2013

Summary:

Daemon will do anything to get Katy back.

After the successful but disastrous raid on Mount Weather, he’s facing the impossible. Katy is gone. Taken. Everything becomes about finding her. Taking out anyone who stands in his way? Done. Burning down the whole world to save her? Gladly. Exposing his alien race to the world? With pleasure.

All Katy can do is survive.

Surrounded by enemies, the only way she can come out of this is to adapt. After all, there are sides of Daedalus that don’t seem entirely crazy, but the group’s goals are frightening and the truths they speak even more disturbing. Who are the real bad guys? Daedalus? Mankind? Or the Luxen?

Together, they can face anything. 

But the most dangerous foe has been there all along, and when the truths are exposed and the lies come crumbling down, which side will Daemon and Katy be standing on? 

And will they even be together?

Review:

CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS 

Okay, so I when I finished reading Opal and my immediate reaction was like "That is not possible. This is not normal. A book cannot end like that..." and then I remembered that I have "Origin" next so I picked it up in that exact moment.

The book picks up almost exactly after the third one. The first thing you notice is that under the chapter number there is a name Katy or Daemon. This time around the book is from dual perspective. I had some reservation because I am not a fan of that kind of writing but I feel like that is about to change. Not once I got confused who was thinking. It is so easy to follow and I didn't get lost at all. I just love Jennifer's writing. I think I already mentioned that but, hey, it is. I can't really say anything else about it except it gets better and better. 

The first half of this book was little slow but I understand why that is. It was the only way to see what's going on inside Daedalus. I am just going to say it is a little different than what I thought it would be. When Daemon went in Deadalus it got more complicated. There had happened some things that made Kat feel depressed, sad and stuff but most importantly, she's changed. While the characters are down there they learn some things that complicate everything. They learn what the Origin is and just until the end of the book you are just kept on the edge of your seat. 

As I mentioned Katy has changed. She stopped thinking only about Daemon and has just developed more since the last book.She starts thinking about the consequences of her choices. Same goes for Daemon. 

This is the best book in the series so far and I can only imagine how epic and bittersweet will Opposition be. I never know what's coming next with Armentrout's books and by the end of this novel you will be blown away by the twists and turns and left craving for more.

The book comes out in Bulgaria on November 5th by Egmont Bulgaria.

                                        My rating:

                                   4.5 out of 5 stars

Tell me what you think about the book and review in the comment

 section and stay tuned for a giveaway soon.

Обсидиан - Дженифър Л. Арментрaут

Поредица: Лукс
Заглавие: Обсидиан
Автор: Дженифър Л. Арментроут
Издателство: Егмонт България




Здравейте драги читатели, имам удоволствието да споделя, че от днес нататък петъците ще са дните за ревюта на български. Благодаря ви за отделеното време.

  Преди около два месеца реших най-накрая да започна превъзнасяната поредица ,,Лукс'' на Дженифър Л. Арментрaут. В началото подходих малко резервирано към тази поредица, заради корицата и ви съветвам да НЕ правите тази огромна грешка. След като прочетох първите няколко страници, бях напълно очарован от книгата и героите.

Резюме:

                               Никак не е приятно да започнеш всичко отначало.

  Това определено е чувството, което Кейти изпитва, когато е принудена да изостави живота си във Флорида и да се премести в дълбоката провинция на Западна Вирджиния. И последното, което е очаквала е да срещне Деймън Блек.

  Деймън е по-различен от всяко момче, което Кейти е срещала. Той е арогантен, супер дразнещ, заслужаващ да бъде намушкан и добре де, изключително привлекателен. Въпреки това обаче, Кейти е решена да стои далеч от него... До нощта, в която целият и свят се преобръща.

Ревю:

 Ще започна с Кейти. В началото е представена като обикновена тийнейджърка - ядосана, защото трябва да се премести от плажовете и жегата на Флорида в забравената от бога Западна Вирджиния. Също така не отнема и много време да разберете какво е хобито ѝ - четенето на книги. Не само това, но и тя като мен е блогър и прави ревюта на книги. Това е нещото което най-много ми хареса в началото.

 Моментът, когато се запознава с Деймън е един от най-любимите ми в цялата поредица. Тази сцена е написана по толкова добър начин и причината е стилът на писане на Дженифър. Тя казва толкова много с толкова малко думи, че човек да не повярва. Той е комедиен, в същото време сериозен, кара те да прелиташ през страниците и просто те кара четеш още и още. Това е нещото, което най-много ми харесва. Не мога да не споделя мнението си за това колко добре са развити героите. Всеки от тях се развива по свой собствен начин и те карат да изпитваш... всякакви чувства към тях. Понякога се държат като тийнейджъри, друг - като възрастни, с други думи както се държат 17-18 годишните. Не напразно книгите ѝ са бестселъри на множество класации в цял свят.

 Да се върнем на сцената. Деймън е показан още от първия път като този арогантен, дразнещ идиот, който ти се ще едновременно да фраснеш и целунеш. Така поне мисли Кейти и така успява да влезе под кожата ѝ.

 С времето, когато историята започне да се развива започваме да разбираме защо Деймън е такъв, защо е дръпнат и арогантен. Запознава ме се и със сестра му - Ди, пълната противополжност - нежна, умна, мила и неземно красива като Деймън. Това е единствената им прилика... и това, че не са от тази планета. Този елемент от историята е описан по изключтелно невероятен и описателен начин. Веднъж започнали да се запознавате с историята на извънземните нещата се оплитат. Разбирате защо са на Земята, с какви намерения са и още много неща, свързани с тях.

 В ,,Обсидиан" са изполвани доста термини и обръщения, които са не-лесно преведими. Тук свалям шапка на Егмонт и преводачите им. Като човек чел книгата и на двата езика съм изключително доволен от превода. Преводачът(Ирина Алексиева) и редакторите са си свършили работата, запазвайки детайлите от стила на Дженифър.

 В заключение мога да кажа, че книгата е изключително добре написана и преведена, като не изпуснати игрите на думи на авторката. За феновете на жанровете фентъзи, фантастика, роматика и екшън книгата ще бъде четиво за един следобед, който ще ви накара да забравите за проблеми и работа и ще ви потопи в един друг свят като ви кара да се смеете, въздишате и ще ви държи в напрежение до последната дума.

Отново искам да благодаря на Егмонт България, че предоставят книгата на българския пазар.

                                                         Моята оценка: 
                                       5 от 5 звезди
                          

http://youtu.be/A9aI8VE-mSE

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Okay, as you might already know I have become a big fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout. She is just such an amazing author, her writing is so incredible, amazing, amusing, beautiful and a whole bunch of other adjectives.

The "LUX" series just keeps getting better with each and every book. I loved both Obsidian and Onyx. Just this series so good. This book did not let me down and just made me adore the series much more.

The story evolves the longer you read. We pick up right where we left off and things are getting intense in West Virginia. As Katy has to make a choice on whether or not to trust Blake again after betraying her in Onyx. The more you read, the more things happen and when the group goes on a mission everything goes wrong and the story ends with a cliffhanger that will make you scream"NO, a book CANNOT end like this!" and then you remember there is still Origin and Opposition left to read. That was what I could say about the story without giving away too much.

The moment I found out that Blake was back I got frustrated. I knew he was nothing but trouble for Katy. She had a right to be angry with him and he sure needed to be kicked. But then comes the you-can't-kill-me-because-I-need-you. I just wanted to punch him and then kill him. That dude just pisses me off.

Katy, on the other hand, is developing by the chapter. Yes, at some point I thought the book was slowing down a bit but that didn't last for long. She acts like a teenager but that is what she is. So this is what I mainly like about this book, series actually. Katy and Daemon aren't perfect like many characters out there. They make mistakes as every human being does. That is what I could really relate to.

The supporting characters come along too. They play some role in the story but I felt it was more about Daemon, Katy and Dawson trying to save Beth. Their plan is perfect and then, oh well, as you expect it goes wrong.

The writing is just...perfect. Armentrout really knows how to use words and how to make you feel certain emotions towards some characters. Her vocabulary is very rich and the descriptive language is just amazing.

Jennifer L. Armentrout has done her best to make readers like the series. That shows with every single book she publishes. She does care about her fans' feelings and somehow manages to satisfy the majority of them. I am impressed by her works and Opal is just as good as the previous books in the LUX series. It was an action-packed read with many gut-wrenching moments and an ending you will never, ever see coming. That is my verdict.

Oh, and one last thing, while I was reading this book I read both - the Bulgarian and the English version of this book. I am really satisfied with the translation and very thankful to Egmont Bulgaria for publishing it in Bulgarian too.

Update: Don't forget to get back on August 15th for my review in Bulgarian.

Make sure to let me know what you think about the book in the comments down below.

                                                 
                                    MY RATING:
                                  4.5 out of 5 stars

Vampire Academy is getting a sequel... sort of. (Updated)

Update 1: The IndieGoGo Campaign is going to be launched at 9:00 AM PT. 9 hours to go... Make sure to get back here for a link. :)

Update 2: Here you go guys, help the film out:

Vampire Academy: Frostbite campaign

Update 3: Good news, vampires, we are going strong
Almost 19 000$ were collected for 35-6 minutes. Keep up with the good work!

Update 4: We got $57 000 in like 5-6 hours. That's amazing. Keep supporting.
Here's a message from the producers:

Hey there, vampire fellows, I know everyone has been wondering whether we would get a sequel. The word I out and we now it's official.

The producers said that they already have a scriptwriter and are willing to make the second movie. There is a catch, though. We, the fans need to help them. The creators have launched a campaign on IndieGoGo and are making you for help. They said in their statement they needed 1.5 mil. dollars.


“We decided to move forward with ‘Frostbite’ because of the fans, and we want to give them the purest book to film adaptation possible. We have a script by Piers Ashworth [screenwriter of "St. Trinian's"] that does just that. We want to give them exactly what they expect.” 

You would think that a film studio has money and doesn't really need these but look at what the producers said:

“Our financiers were willing to move forward ONLY if we could show them the fans would support us,” Nayar said. “It’s not an exaggeration to say that we would not be here without them.”

It looks like the makers really do want to make a second installment. If the goal of 1.5 mil. is achieved, the pre-production should begin later this year and filming should start in early 2015 and the film is expected to hit theaters at the end of that year.

The campaign launches tomorrow, August 6th. I will update when there is a link available. 

What do you think? Will the campaign reach it's goal? Be sure to let me know what you think in the comment section down below. :) 

Source: MTV

Vampire Academy: Frostbite

August's most anticipated book releases(5-14th)

Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Lux #5)

Genre: Science Fiction > Aliens
Publisher: Entangled Teen

Now, as a fan of the Lux series I am obviously excited about this one. It is the epic conclusion to one of my favourite authors' series.

Here's a summary:
Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.
Mortal Danger by Ann Anguirre

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal > Faustian Contract
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Note: First in a new series (Immortal Game #1)
I am not going to lie, I was intrigued by the cover and the summary so I am excited about this book too. Will be definitely picking this one...soon.

Here's a summary:
Edie Kramer has a score to settle with the beautiful people at Blackbriar Academy. Their cruelty drove her to the brink of despair, and four months ago, she couldn't imagine being strong enough to face her senior year. But thanks to a Faustian compact with the enigmatic Kian, she has the power to make the bullies pay. She's not supposed to think about Kian once the deal is done, but devastating pain burns behind his unearthly beauty, and he's impossible to forget.

In one short summer, her entire life changes, and she sweeps through Blackbriar, prepped to take the beautiful people down from the inside. A whisper here, a look there, and suddenly... bad things are happening. It's a heady rush, seeing her tormentors get what they deserve, but things that seem too good to be true usually are, and soon, the pranks and payback turns from delicious to deadly. Edie is alone in a world teeming with secrets and fiends lurking in the shadows. In this murky morass of devil's bargains, she isn't sure who—or what--she can trust. Not even her own mind...
Isla and the Happily Forever After by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Contemporary > Romance
Publisher: Dutton
Note: #3 in Anna and the French Kiss series

I recently bought Anna and the French Kiss but I never got to read it. Now as the third book is coming out this month, I think I will start the series sooner. rather than later...

Here's the summary:

From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.

Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

The Islands at the End of the World by Austin Aslan

Genre: Science Fiction > Dystopia
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Note: Debut Author

I just found out about this book. It sounds promising so I will be reading it... some day. What mainly intrigued me? It's set in Hawaii.

Here's the summary:

In this fast-paced survival story set in Hawaii, electronics fail worldwide, the islands become completely isolated, and a strange starscape fills the sky. Leilani and her father embark on a nightmare odyssey from Oahu to their home on the Big Island. Leilani’s epilepsy holds a clue to the disaster, if only they can survive as the islands revert to earlier ways.

A powerful story enriched by fascinating elements of Hawaiian ecology, culture, and warfare, this captivating and dramatic debut from Austin Aslan is the first of two novels. The author has a master’s degree in tropical conservation biology from the University of Hawaii at Hilo.

Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee

Genre: Science Fiction > Time Travel, Labyrinths
Publisher: Skyscape (Amazon Publishing)
Note: Debut Author

As you might already know, I am a sci-fi/ fantasy lover and considering this book is about time travelling and labyrinths I felt the need to put it on my TBR.

Here's my summary:

In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.

In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother” has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where shecame from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.

Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.

The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

Genre: Fantasy > Re-Telling, Paranormal > Ghosts
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Note: A Re-Telling of a Japanese ghost story

Usually I like ghost stories but not all of them are written in a good way. When I read the summary of this book I was definitely interested in it and immediately put it on my pile.

Isn't the cover gorgeous? It's all spooky and creepy...

Here's the summary:

You may think me biased, being murdered myself. But my state of being has nothing to do with the curiosity toward my own species, if we can be called such. We do not go gentle, as your poet encourages, into that good night.

A dead girl walks the streets.

She hunts murderers. Child killers, much like the man who threw her body down a well three hundred years ago.

And when a strange boy bearing stranger tattoos moves into the neighborhood so, she discovers, does something else. And soon both will be drawn into the world of eerie doll rituals and dark Shinto exorcisms that will take them from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Aomori, Japan.

Because the boy has a terrifying secret - one that would just kill to get out.

The Girl from the Well is A YA Horror novel pitched as "Dexter" meets "The Grudge", based on a well-loved Japanese ghost story.

Between the Spark and the Burn by April Genevieve Tucholke

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal > Demons
Publisher: Dial
Note: #2 in Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea series

Okay, I might not know much about this duology but the cover is really mysterious and I know there are many fans of this book so I decided to put it here. The summary also looks good so I might pick this one up some day.

Here's the summary:

Freddie once told me that the Devil created all the fear in the world.But then, the Devil once told me that it's easier to forgive someone for scaring you than for making you cry.
The problem with River West Redding was that he'd done both to me.

The crooked-smiling liar River West Redding, who drove into Violet's life one summer day and shook her world to pieces, is gone. Violet and Neely, River's other brother, are left to worry—until they catch a two a.m. radio program about strange events in a distant mountain town. They take off in search of River but are always a step behind, finding instead frenzied towns, witch hunts, and a wind-whipped island with the thrum of something strange and dangerous just under the surface. It isn't long before Violet begins to wonder if Neely, the one Redding brother she thought trustworthy, has been hiding a secret of his own . . .

So yeah, this pretty much covers my list of book releases until August 14th. What do you guys think? Do you think you'll be reading one of these? If you notice your book missing do not forget to post a comment or contact me. :)

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #2
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Published on: August 14th, 2012

Summary:

Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems. Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

Review:

When I finished "Obsidian" I couldn't believe that it ended. It is a good thing I had the Lux: Beginnings edition with me so I started reading "Onyx" immediately afterwards. 

The book picks up right where we left off at the end of  "Obsidian". Things had changed and Daemon had decided to prove to Katy that his feelings are real and aren't just a side effect of their extra-terrestrial bond. He starts giving her presents and just adore her in front of everyone. And then Blake comes in the picture.

He looks like the normal, new boy in the town. Katy becomes his friend quickly and Daemon gets jealous. Fortunately there is no love triangle but Blake keeps secrets which might cause some problems for the "couple". 

I am not going to lie - at times Katy annoyed the hell out of me. I could understand why she felt wary and constantly rejected Daemon but, come on. I also love Katy because she's a book blogger like I am. Considering you have read "Obsidian" you'd know that Katy is a tough girl and doesn't sit around waiting to be saved. No, instead, she runs into trouble without thinking. Also I didn't expect Katy and Daemon to have so many issues to handle with. It just made the book emotionally deeper. This is where Jennifer L. Armentrout's writing shines.

She is really able to make you feel compassion or hate for someone. Also, her ability to make relate to the characters is just fascinating. By the end of the novel I wanted to punch and hug a certain character at the same time. The plot twists at the end are just MIND-BLOWING. 

One character that I missed was Dee. It's not like she wasn't in the novel but we saw more of her in "Obsidian" than here. I just miss the friendship between her and Kat. 

"Onyx" managed to recapture the awesomeness of the first book and multiplied it by 10. At some points I felt the story dragged a little but that was just a two or three times in the entire book. It was an amazing sequel and didn't let down my expectations. This is why Jennufer L. Armentrout is one my most favourite authors. If you are a fan of "Obsidian", then definitely read this book and the rest of the series. 

And last but not least I want to mention that I read both - the Bulgarian and the English version of this book. The translation was perfect. I want to thank Egmont Bulgaria so much for translating the series.

Update: Stay tuned for the Bulgarian review on August 15th 

                                                                   

                                 My rating:

                             4.5 out of 5 stars

If you liked this review you can share it and subscribe. I would be very thankful if you do.

Thank you, Valerie!

So I participated in one of Stuck in Books giveaway and won a bookmark pack.

I am really grateful for her giveaway and for making me a winner. When I found out I nearly had a heart attack. I am just so happy...

Be sure to follow her blog here:
http://www.stuckinbooks.com/