Fiction Freak

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Mini Freak Out: The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mini Freak Out

Goodreads Blurb

Mara Dyer once believed she could run from her past.
She can’t.
She used to think her problems were all in her head.
They aren’t.
She couldn’t imagine that after everything she’s been through, the boy she loves would still be keeping secrets.
She’s wrong.
In this gripping sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, the truth evolves and choices prove deadly. What will become of Mara Dyer next?

Beforehand, I'd just like to say that I don't have many annotations in the beginning of the book because I was more than a few pages into the book and the end? I was too caught up in the book to notice that I needed to annotate! So sorry bout that! But it is a thick book so you'll see enough of my craziness anyways!

Page 43: (This after I read the whole thing) Man...that should've tipped me off...

Page 45: PSH. Do you really want to be left alone? Now?

Page 52: NO DOUBT.

Page 57: Psh. Punch him in the face? You also want to suck his face. Right, right, AM I RIGHT MARA.

Page 67: Oooohhh Shizzler Twizzlers.

Page 71: WTF. WTF. WTF. I AM BEING CREEPED OUT.

Page 73: WHAT IS THIS.

Page 84: Ermmm...ok. Totally normal.

Page 90: Holy F...what is this. This is a creepy book. Like, really.

Page 92: I have. No. Words. For you. Michelle Hodkin.

Page 98: O_O Really now.

Page 108: (Same as the first) WOW. That really should've tipped me off.

Page 114: ADFNSLCKNASDFKJNLEKFNC. YOU ARE NOT SERIOUS. YOU CAN'T BE.

Page 118: I am so scared. I am so scared. I am so not freaked out.

Page 121: Oh. My. God. *mind blank*

Page 124-125: OMG MICHELLE HODKIN. I WILL KILL YOU FOR THIS. DO YOU KNOW HOW FREAKED OUT I AM ABOUT DOLLS? EVEN WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I STUFFED THEM IN DRAWERS. THIS IS NOT ALLOWED.

Page 126: And thus I shall punch him for being so mean to ME.

Page 127: Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod. Iamscarediamscarediamscared HIDE ME.

Page 133: MARA, I thought we figured this out already!

Page 151: Heheheheheh.

Page 153: Hmmm...please don't delve into THIS kind of paranormal! I love Mara Dyer's brand of it by itself!

Page 159: MEEP.

Page 160: OMG HEY. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED BEFORE IN 2011! A murder of crows fell from the sky at once with no explanation? WOAH.

Page 164: It feels wrong to be writing a reaction here...

Page 177: JUST A NIGHTMARE? I DON'T THINK SO.

Page 178: Blood? Blood isn't good. Also, WTF, this is SERIOUSLY CREEPY.

Page 181: What. The. Freaking. Hell.

Page 190: What. The. Freaking. Hell. WHAT.

Page 203: HURRY. NO. WHAT IS IT. TELL ME.

Page 241: This is going to a whole new level on creepy.

Page 248: Mara, connect the freaking dots. please. PLEASE.

Page 256: I like Stef. :)

Page 267: Ummm, yeah Mara. My reaction too. Holy Shit.

Page 273: LOLOL

Page 286: Do you know how perfect this setting is for a stalker, a creeper, and a murderer?

Page 292: What. What. What.

Page 207: Mara, you dirty minded girl! ;D

Page 315: *keels over and dies*

Page 321: O_______O

Page 369: WHAT IS THIS. OMG. SDHCNASKNAIERJWPENF. NO WORDS.

Page 382: What. The. Hell.

And the rest? Oh my GOD I was so intrigued!

I absolutely love psychological thrillers, but especially The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, so getting this in the mail? There was much squeeing. The action never stops from page 1 to the last page (Wow. Just realized this was over 500 pages!) and that is saying something! I was engaged throughout the entire book and I could barely put it down! Double the greatness of Unbecoming, The Evolution of Mara Dyer raises the stakes higher and it makes you realize how creepy and cruel both Mara's world and ours are. Anything we can't explain, we write it off as craziness? That's seriously not right. And I loved how Noah and Mara's personalities just clashed so wonderfully! Honestly, they were rarely on the same page at the same level and when they were, I just missed it when they were completely different! The way that Michelle Hodkin brings them together, not only with their powers, but with their own feelings? It made me throw up my hands and as "How does she do that?" Did I also say how creepy this book was? I'm already scared of dolls! Increase that fear by a ton now!

The only think I didn't enjoy about Evolution was the characters. Honestly, Mara was way too dependent on Noah for my liking. She was always leaning on him, waiting for him, and I sometimes found it pitiful, no matter how sweet I found their romance. Noah was sometimes too cynical and we honestly didn't get to see much development for his character, though what we did see? *Whistles* Wow. Two other characters I seriously wanted to strangle? Mara's mom and Phoebe. When you read The Evolution, you'll see why.

Pages: 544

Series: Mara Dyer #2

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Romance

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 23, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Friday, December 28, 2012

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Goodreads Blurb

Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself.

Short version: I freaking LOVED Mystic City!

First of all, that cover? It's just STUNNING! And I just adore that background with all it's colors and sparks!

So, let's be honest. I basically love any dystopian book that has magic in it too. And I actually love amnesia stories, so my expectations were very, very high. And while Mystic City didn't exceed them, it did meet them! And honestly? That was good enough. I loved the characters, world building, romance, plot, you name it!

So while the plot was actually pretty predictable (at times! Then again, my mind may have been to busy with how much I loved the book to notice any holes) I was shocked at many, many points in the story. Some things I realized I should've predicted, but I just...didn't. But they're those things that you know an author can't do to a character, but you're so caught up in the story you just forget all literary knowledge you could say! The plot honestly was far from slow. There were memories that couldn't make sense with what Aria was told, things that she knows that just didn't add up. And that made this story just WONDERFUL. I loved piecing together clues and jumping when I got it right! It wasn't very obvious unless you were err...pretty desperate to figure out what was going on! I had a vague idea, but it wasn't confirmed until...meh. Just read it! I'm telling y'all, I loved the plot and pacing!

Character-wise, Aria was a bit weak and naive in the beginning, but you'd have to expect it. After all, her memory basically disappeared, she's supposedly in love with her family's biggest enemy (who, by the way, is acting pretttyyy distant and practical. Who can only fact act love for only so long.), and she feels connected to a rebel mystic. So of course she'll be a bit confused! And while some of y'all may find it a bit irritating at how gullible she is, I just wanted to shake the people around her for lying to her! She was at her weakest point and they were abusing her...but that was pretty much the point of her memory loss. *cough*

Romace? No no, it wasn't insta-love! It seems like it and it sounds like it from the synopsis and saying this probably gives you the tip-off, but this was not insta-love. Not at all. Aria just doesn't quite realize it. And I LOVED the romance, contrary to what other people think. So, no. Not insta-love!

And Hunter? Not a bad love interest either! He was SO sweet and fierce and caring and basically your typical, swoony, YA guy! Which is a compliment!

Okay, so when I said world-building, I guess I meant the descriptions of the world! The world itself? It wasn't very dystopian, actually. They basically used our modern tech, just using different names and making the world less...worldly? It had history of the turning point, but nothing really came out of it besides the mystics--and we don't even know how the mystics came to be! Was it genetic mutation or something? Something someone was just randomly born with? I'm not sure.

But then, like I said, the writing was just spectacular! The descriptions were wonderfully written, but it wasn't boring. There was actually a few transitions so it wasn't all choppy like the books I've recently read (no names!) But the main point was the descriptions...they were just so visual for me!

DEFINITELY read Mystic City if you're a fan (like I am!) of fantasy and those amazing amnesia stories! This was a seriously stunning debut and I can't wait for Renegade Heart, book 2 in this wonderful series! Mystic City will sweep you off your feet with a real Romeo and Juliet kind of romance...just without most of the sappiness, and with tons more stuff standing in their way!

Pages: 416

Series: Mystic City #1

Genre: Fantasy/Dystopia/Romance

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: October 9, 2012

Rating: 5 stars

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

I'm not quite sure how to feel about this one. It sounded amazing, but I heard from a friend it was cutesy and innocent--not really what I'm looking for and not really my style. But it came with an amazing review so I'm pretty sure I'll give this a try! :D

Also, I was heartbroken to discover that the author lost her life to cancer in 2011. I hope somewhere she's knowing that a lot of people love her book so far and that more will soon!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

It's CHRISTMAS TIME.

WHAT DOES IT SAY? WHAT DOES IT SAY?

IT'S OFFICIALLY CHRISTMAS YOU GUYS!

And also, here's one of my favorite Christmas songs.

I'm getting tons of presents, but honestly? It's seriously more fun to GIVE them! LET'S GET IN THE SPIRIT RIGHT?

No giveaway, sorry. :( I've had giveaway after giveaway...but check back on NEW YEAR's! But since there's no giveaway, ask a reasonable favor of me, and if I can, I'll try to complete it! :D

BUT I'm asking for a present from you guys. I absolutely LOVE seeing decorated houses, so this is what I'm asking of you:

Post a picture of your house, DECORATED (AND PLEASE PLEASE use pain or photobucket to scratch out your address if it's visible. :/ I don't want anyone to be at risk) OR your Xmas tree in full color! I'll hug each of you if I could! Do it for me? Also, if you have any pictures of snow, I'd LOVE to see them! Just leave a link in a comment below, yeah?

So far, my Xmas presents:

Eileen (Singing and Reading in the Rain of course): ARCs of Crash and Burn, Through the Ever Night, Beautiful Lies, and a signed hardback of The Shadow Society

Shreya (Chocolate Coated Reviews): Preorder of Altered and Requiem

Annabelle (Sparkles and Lightning): Preorder of Pivot Point

Mom: 18 preorders. Yeah. 18. Plus 2 pairs of jeans and an incredibly CUTE pair of boots!

School friends: $10 B&N GC, a cute yarn friendship bracelet (like, really pretty), a plastic mustache (don't ask), a lollipop, one of those friendship bracelets from Claires, and cookies. LOTS of those.

Other: FIVE FREAKING $50 B&N GCs. A.K.A $250 in GCs plus 3 Abercrombie & Fitch shirts

Merry Christmas guys!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Venom Readalong Sign-ups!

Hey guys! MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! I've got a treat for you today! :) So, if you've been following me on Twitter, then you know I've been planning for something. And if you've seen my rants, then you know I'm a HUMONGOUS fan of Venom by Fiona Paul! So, I teamed up with Annabelle from Sparkles and Lightning to bring you...
Links to my sign ups

Links to Annabelle's sign ups!

THE VENOM READALONG!!! Sign ups are up for one week, starting today, so be sure to sign up by the 31! I love it--Christmas Eve to New Year's Eve?

The readalong can finally give you the chance to read Venom if it's been stuck in your TBR or if you want to just read it again! And if that's not enough for you, we do have a few incentives...(US only! Sorry folks! But join in for the fun!)

4 Swag packs

(including a Venom button, Venom bookmarks, a magnet, and possibly Belladonna bookmarks.)

1 signed copy of Venom + a swag pack

1 ARC of Belladonna.

And trust me, people, you want those prizes! I've had the pleasure of reading Belladonna early and...WOW.

Here's how it's going to work:

Starting from January, we'll email you about 6-9 questions and you MUST answer at least 3-6 of them. Then, every Monday or Tuesday visit Sparkles and Lightning who'll have a linky posted on her site. It may not be the first one though, so be sure to enter your link for that week there! We'll be randomly choosing the winners for the swag packs from those lists and the winners for the Venom and Belladonna copies from the sign up list here! We WILL be checking to make sure you've posted though, and all prizes will be sent out at the end of everything! All questions can be sent to my email: piscesgirl1688@gmail.com!

Rules and Guidelines

You MUST have a blog or tumblr.

You must answer at least once a week, the appropriate amount of questions.

NO SPOILERS ALLOWED

Please start reading now!

Week 1: Chapters 1-8

Week 2: Chapters 9-17

Week 3: Chapters 18-26

Week 4: Chapters 27-34