Blog Tour: Stung by Bethany Wiggins

Goodreads Blurb

There is no cure for being stung.
Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right.
Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark.
Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall.

I'm so excited that I got to read this book early! I loved it! And who knew bees were so important?

The worldbuilding was just amazing! There are scientific explanations for this apocalyptic world and there were no questions I had that weren't answered one way or another. The world was thought out and well written and is definitely an original concept--the bee apocalypse! I loved the way it was realistic (well, you know what I mean!) and that it was a possible disaster for the real world.

Fiona's character wasn't the best, honestly. Sure, she had those typical qualities--determined, stubborn, loyal, but she was also pretty stupid. I mean, she shot one of her friends. Point blank. What? Not to mention that in the beginning, she assumes she's 13 year sold, when the world's clearly changed. I felt like she imagined all that happening in one night. It was idiotic. Also, she didn't seem to really understand why she had to be protected from men who haven't seen a pretty female in a long time at first. I don't want to sound snarky, but SERIOUSLY.
Bowen was a pretty awesome love interest. He was smug, a bit of a scowler, but the bad thing about him? Oh my lord, he said the cheesiest things. It was adorable, but I sort of cringed.

The romance was sweet and a little typical in the bad-boy-next-door way. Except, you know, after the world ends. Bowen used to make fun of Fiona, but truth is? "It was the only way I could talk to you." Which I so awwwwed at. I've always been a little I love with loving from afar stories!

This plot was epic in all the ways the word means. It was action packed, it was fast paced, it had me at the edge of my seat, it did all of that. Is it any surprise I read it in one sitting while my eyes were droopy? It made me forget the time until I realized three hours had passed. (Then again, that could've been Summer Saving. So technically, two.) But wow. I honestly expected none of that. *insert wide eyed stare*

STUNG is an amazing post apocalyptic/dystopian book that had my heart racing. It's an original idea and one that was definitely captivating!

Pages: 304

Genre: Dystopia/Post Apocalyptic

Series: Stand alone (for now)

Publisher: Walker childrens

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Rating: 4.5--->4 stars

Author Bio 

Bethany Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid writer.  She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn't until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction--not the Bible.Once upon a time, Bethany's sister dared her to start writing an hour a day until she completed a novel. Bethany wrote a seven-hundred page fantasy novel that she wisely let no one read--but it taught her how to write.  She is the author of SHIFTING, STUNG (April 2013), and CURED (2014).

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Blog Tour: Sweet Revenge of Celia Door by Karen Finneyfrock

This is possibly one of my favorite interviews! I have an ARC of The Sweet Revenge, but I'm so swamped with books! This definitely became a hire priority though!

What inspired you to write?

I was an obsessive reader as a kid. I felt that all the books I was reading were involved in one great conversation that I wanted to be part of that conversation. It was my earliest dream.  

What's your favorite part about the writing/blogging community?

The most interesting, thoughtful, emotional, generous people are writers, readers, bloggers and librarians. I swear! I walked into the American Library Association’s Midwinter Meeting in Seattle and thought, “Why can’t librarians run the world?” I will vote for any librarian who runs for president-although my candidate is Nancy Pearl. People who love books are concerned with how individuals and societies grow and change. In other words, they are concerned with the most important questions that concern us as humans.

If the zombie apocalypse arrived, what book (yes, book!) would you take with you?

Although I want to get fancy-pants literary on this question, I feel I owe the truth to your readers. I would take the most comprehensive book of medical knowledge for a layman that I could find. Because it’s going to get ugly out there, and if we’re going to survive, we’re going to have to stitch up some wounds with no anesthetic.

You have a thousand wishes--what are your first 3?

#1, No zombie apocalypse. #2, An end to death-but WAIT! That doesn’t mean that people keep aging and are forced to suffer and be in pain and never die. Arg, you Genies are such tricksters!#3, No more child abuse and neglect. Every child should know she is loved.

What's your absolute favorite book? 

My all time favorite is The Once and Future King by T.H. White. I feel under its spell in elementary school and the magic has never worn off.

Have you ever done something in the name of revenge?

Oh yes. But, just like in my novel, I think that there is always a backlash to revenge. There is a famous saying, “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Revenge is the same way. With that said, I am a novelist and I do get to pick names for my evil characters, which I think of as a tiny form of harmless revenge.  

How did you choose the title?

The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door is actually the second title. The original title, which you can still catch on the jacket for my poetry book, was Celia, the Dark and Weird. Careful readers will catch the times Celia gets called “Weird,” in the story.

Which do YOU think is sweeter? Revenge or friendship? 

Friendship is so, so sweet. What would life be without friendship? Other forms of love: family love and romantic love are made whole by that third place of friendship love.

Quickies:

Facebook or Twitter?

TWITTER

Coffee or Tea?

COFFEE

Winter or Summer?

SUMMER

Candy or chocolate?

CHOCOLATE (I’m glad you know chocolate isn’t candy)

Physical book or ebook?

PHYSICAL BOOK

Goodreads Blurb

That’s the day the trouble started. 

The trouble that nearly ruined my life. 

The trouble that turned me Dark. 

The trouble that begs me for revenge.

Celia Door enters her freshman year of high school with giant boots, dark eyeliner, and a thirst for revenge against Sandy Firestone, the girl who did something unspeakable to Celia last year.

But then Celia meets Drake, the cool new kid from New York City who entrusts her with his deepest, darkest secret. When Celia’s quest for justice threatens her relationship with Drake, she’s forced to decide which is sweeter: revenge or friendship.

This debut novel from Karen Finneyfrock establishes her as a bright, bold, razor-sharp new voice for teens.

Author Bio

Karen Finneyfrock is a poet, novelist and teaching artist in Seattle, WA. Her second book of poems,Ceremony for the Choking Ghost, was released on Write Bloody press in 2010. Her young adult novel, The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door, is due from Viking Children’s Books in 2013. She is a former Writer-in-Residence at Richard Hugo House in Seattle and teaches forSeattle Arts and Lectures’ Writers-in-the-Schools program. In 2010, Karen traveled toNepal as a Cultural Envoy through the US Department of State to perform and teach poetry and in 2011, she did a reading tour in Germany sponsored by the US Embassy.

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Book Haul + Weekly Recap

HELLO. I BOUGHT BOOKS. Also, I'm 80% chance quitting my blog in Oct.

Won
Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Bought
Poison by Bridget Zinn
Senshi by Cole Gibsen
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
Sever by Lauren DeStefano

Publisher
Rules by Stacey Kade

Won a YA Book Exchange giveaway, which meant Krista chose a book randomly from my wishlist! Unremembered definitely sounds intriguing and I can't wait to start! (Even if I have no memory of putting it on my wishlist lol!)
Read 3 of those! Senshi and Poison were ones I already read (and reviewed) actually, but I'd read an eARC of Senshi and I wanted a hardback of Poison just because. Finished Clockwork Princess whuch, by the way, had me in TEARS. Oh my GOD. I CRIED SO MUCH. MY HEART. ACK.Excited to read Emblaze and Sever! Speaking of Sever I have a bookplate to stick in it soon...
Read. Loved. ADORABLE. Not really sci-fi-ish (so many hyphens), but good! Review to come...May?


Weekly Recap
Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Waiting on Wednesday
Rules for Disappearing by Ashley Elston
Money Run by Jack Heath

Money Run by Jack Heath

Goodreads Blurb

Take two child geniuses (thieves in their spare time), one obsessed assassin, and the richest man in the world to create a compelling, completely unpredictable young adult thriller. Fifteen-year-olds Ashley and Benjamin have concocted a daring master plan: to steal billionaire Hammond Buckland's most precious belonging, hidden in the depths of his conspicuous corporate building. But Hammond Buckland has a most elaborate plan of his own - and none of them have counted on Peachey, the hit man with a determination to finish the job - at any cost!The beginning of a dazzling new series from Jack Heath, author of The Lab and Remote Control.

This was definitely an interesting read for me, considering I've never really read suspense or real thrillers. Psychological thrillers, sure. But the closest thing I've gotten was either Burnin Blue or Gallagher Girls--and those two were nowhere near as complex as this.

There were a lot of amusing things with this--plans within plans within plans. Hints disguised as casual conversation, and actions predicted half a year ago. Reading from Ash's POV was fun and reading about all her ingenious plans was definitely eye opening. She was so devilishly smart and could pretty much get herself out of every tight spot thrown at her. She was an incredible quick thinker and I have to hand it to Heath--he certainly knew what he was writing about! The plans were so amazingly complex and they made sure to inspect things from every angle to make sure that they wouldn't be going to jail anytime soon.

Except...
The stupidest mistake they could ever make and something I didn't understand. They went into this mission to find $200 million, but they had no clue what form it was in. For all they knew it could've been a giant statue, piles of cash, or really ANYTHING.  Who would do that? If you can buy enough, anything could be worth $200 million. I found it completely idiotic that they were risking pretty much anything for this--and having no idea exactly what they were stealing.

Another problem I had--there were so many switching POVs, we never really got to fully meet the characters. We know that Ash and Benjamin are best friends, super close, and literally trust each other with their lives. We know they're both insanely intelligent, but beyond that, we don't really learn anything about them. And the same goes for pretty much all the characters. I guess it's just the result of switching third person POVs. But most of the characters we did see, no matter how briefly, annoyed me.

The plot was so amazing though! It's truly surprising how much Heath managed to fit into less than a day and still have it not seem rushed. There were so many twists that were seriously, SERIOUSLY, unpredictable, but saying that would be spoiling too much! I guess you'd have to find out yourself!

This was a light read that I fully enjoyed that! Assassins, heists, and a whole complicated bunch of plans create a fun book that ends up having a little moral lesson at the end. I may not have loved it, but it was definitely pretty hard to put down! *Read it in one sitting*

Also. Love Buckland. His character was definitely my favorite of the book.

Pages: 256
Genre: Thriller/Suspense
Series: Ashley Arthur #1
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: April 1, 2013
Rating: 3.5 exactly

The Rules For Disappearing by Ashley Elston

Goodreads Blurb

She’s been six different people in six different places: Madeline in Ohio, Isabelle in Missouri, Olivia in Kentucky . . . But now that she’s been transplanted to rural Louisiana, she has decided that this fake identity will be her last.
Witness Protection has taken nearly everything from her. But for now, they’ve given her a new name, Megan Rose Jones, and a horrible hair color. For the past eight months, Meg has begged her father to answer one question: What on earth did he do – or see – that landed them in this god-awful mess? Meg has just about had it with all the Suits’ rules — and her dad’s silence. If he won’t help, it’s time she got some answers for herself.
But Meg isn’t counting on Ethan Landry, an adorable Louisiana farm boy who’s too smart for his own good. He knows Meg is hiding something big. And it just might get both of them killed. As they embark on a perilous journey to free her family once and for all, Meg discovers that there’s only one rule that really matters — survival.

This was simply amazing! I knew it sounded interesting, but I honestly wasn't sure whether I'd love it or hate it, or have no feelings at all. But I'm  SO glad to say that The Rules of Disappearing had me captivated from start to finish!

I think this is a blend of a Thriller and a Romance. It was adorable, but there was a definite edge to the plot that made you aware that this was also a Thriller in it's own way, but it wasn't quite as Oh-my-gosh what's going to happen? thrilling. It was just it's own style which I loved!

I'm just putting this in now, but we discover the real reason their in the Witness Protection Program a little less than halfway through the book and the rest is...well, you'll have to figure it out!
I loved the pacing in The Rules for Disappearing; it fit the book perfectly and I never got bored and never wanted to put it down! And I didn't. It's a one sit-one read book! But while it was never slow, the action significantly picks up in the second half and that's where the pages turn faster and faster until the end, where helllooooo cliffhanger!

The romance in this was, like I said, completely adorable! I was in love with Ethan from the start and I was cheering them on since page one! Every time Meg would push him away, I wanted to push them closer together--they just fit each other like little pieces of a puzzle, excuse the cliche, and together, they were just wonderful!

Ethan was a mix of sweet golden boy with just a little bad boy and just the type of character I loved as a love interest. He was so nice to Mary and so concerned for Meg and incredibly, incredibly clever. Surprised me for sure! Here's a slight SPOILER: He figures everything out on his own, which is more than I can say for some characters, so there was that!

Meg was a character that's easy to like and easy to connect with. She's hungry for answers and she loves her family, despite all their dysfunctions--she just doesn't always realize it. She tries to do what's best for others and she strives to be indifferent--something that we know firsthand isn't easy. Falling in love, getting comfrotable, making friends--all against her Rules for Disappearing. But then, she can't really help herself!

The Rules for Disappearing is it's own unique book that fans of Chick Lit and Mystery will enjoy, also giving off a type of fantasy vibe without the actual fantasy! If you're looking for an edgy, but light read, this is definitely the one I'd recommend!

Pages: 320
Genre: Thriller/Mystery/Contemporary
Series: Rules for Disappearing #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: May 14, 2013
Rating: 5 stars

Waiting on Wednesday

Arclight by Josin L. McQuein

No one crosses the wall of light . . . except for one girl who doesn’t remember who she is, where she came from, or how she survived. A harrowing, powerful debut thriller about finding yourself and protecting your future—no matter how short and uncertain it may be. 

The Arclight is the last defense. The Fade can’t get in. Outside the Arclight’s border of high-powered beams is the Dark. And between the Light and the Dark is the Grey, a narrow, barren no-man’s-land. That’s where the rescue team finds Marina, a lone teenage girl with no memory of the horrors she faced or the family she lost. Marina is the only person who has ever survived an encounter with the Fade. She’s the first hope humanity has had in generations, but she could also be the catalyst for their final destruction. Because the Fade will stop at nothing to get her back. Marina knows it. Tobin, who’s determined to take his revenge on the Fade, knows it. Anne-Marie, who just wishes it were all over, knows it.

When one of the Fade infiltrates the Arclight and Marina recognizes it, she will begin to unlock secrets she didn’t even know she had. Who will Marina become? Who can she never be again?


Oooh, doesn't this sound good? AND SO ORIGINAL! Arclight, The Fade, the Dark...SQUEE. IT sounds super cool and we all know how I just ADORE those amnesia stories right? I hope this one's done right! :D  Plus, the name Anne-Marie...heehee. *waves to Annabelle*