Week of a Fiction Freak

NO BOOK HAUL. BUT I HAVE NEWS. 

1) So the Bloggy Awards are happening! Nominations have opened today so go here to get more info and to nominate your favorite bloggers (and authors!) Eileen is off at camp so I'm doing this alone. Uh oh. Disasters are bound to happen, but hopefully it'll go smoothly! The Bloggy Awards are exactly what they sound like--Awards for Bloggers! Last year was a little bit of a mess since it was the first year, but this year, we have experience, and we know what we did wrong! It'll be fun! So go nominate! 

2) Merp Squad Tours is officially OPEN! Sign up for some awesomely Merpy tours with our awesome website, designed by Merp Squadder Ashley. We have accounts and everything. Seriously. We have a TON of fun tours lined up, mainly for 2014 though! We have one tour opening in October, but more on that later. It's super fun and super cute, and I urge you to join. And no, I'm not biased. Much.

3) I'm taking donations for my blogoversary which is in November! Would love if any of y'all want to get rid of any books. :)

4) I AM A PAPER LANTERN LIT PREFERRED BLOGGER WOOHOO! Excited about it since I LOVE PLL titles! You'll get a post on Tuesday!







Weekly Recap
This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith
Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington
Waiting on Wednesday
Ink by Amanda Sun
Starglass by Phoebe North

Starglass by Phoebe North

Goodreads Blurb

Terra has never known anything but life aboard the Asherah, a city-within-a-spaceship that left Earth five hundred years ago in search of refuge. At sixteen, working a job that doesn't interest her, and living with a grieving father who only notices her when he's yelling, Terra is sure that there has to be more to life than what she's got.
But when she inadvertently witnesses the captain's guard murdering an innocent man, Terra is suddenly thrust into the dark world beneath her ship's idyllic surface. As she's drawn into a secret rebellion determined to restore power to the people, Terra discovers that her choices may determine life or death for the people she cares most about. With mere months to go before landing on the long-promised planet, Terra has to make the decision of a lifetime--one that will determine the fate of her people.

Starglass completely and utterly destroyed my expectations. I wasn't quite sure what to expect--it reminded me of Across the Universe and it seemed a bit typical. But, it really, really, wasn't. 

I'm not quite sure where to start with this review! I loved pretty much everything about it, but I guess what stood out the most was the fact that we're never sure, exactly, who the good guys are until the very end. And I've been waiting forever for that kind of book. Usually we're always so sure of who's the good guy and who's the bad guy, but the lines are blurred in this book which definitely made the entire book more intriguing!

The plot was absolutely genius too. I EXPECTED NOTHING. And the twist in the romance. OHMERGERD. I NEVER saw that coming! The twists were so startling--I about died from shock. There were a thousand twists but nothing was ever too fast-paced or too sudden. It maintained a steady pace that makes readers desperate to know what happens next, but afraid to accidentally miss something.There were so many betrayals and losses that I actually teared up, too. I really am a crybaby!

I loved our main character, though she did tend to trust and judge quickly. She was such a wonderful kind of character who was so real. She had such a hard life and she developed a strong personality, but still managed to stay sweet at times, and understanding. She was a relatable character who's easy to connect to throughout the book and so completely lovable! She was looking for somewhere where she belonged, someone she belonged to. It was so bittersweet.

The romance was very...complicated. Very. There were two guys, yes, but trust me. It was far from a love triangle. And then, at the end...well. Let's just leave it at complicated. Let me just say that I love Silva! Sort of. He was such a, well, teen. And I can say no more. But where it concerns the romance, you're going to be shell shocked, trust me.

I loved the world of the Asherah! We didn't really focus on the world or the ship, but what we did see was well thought out and well detailed. The ship was vivid in my mind and I could see every little nook. I have to hand it to North--she knows how to show not tell!

There's pretty much nothing wrong with Starglass and I loved every second! I read this completely in one sitting from when I woke up all the way to dinner without stop! It was captivating, engaging, and a beautiful read I wouldn't mind reading over and over again until it's my turn to jump on a spaceship to a planet! Which I hope is a good bit from now.

Pages: 448

Genre: Dystopian/Sci-fi

Series: Starglass #1

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Release Date: July 23, 2013

Rating: 5 stars

Ink by Amanda Sun

Goodreads Blurb

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.
Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.
Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.

I had two issues with Ink, so I might as well get them over with. First was the romance--it sort of reminded me of Twilight, to be honest. I mean first, there was the insta-love. Katie sees Tomohiro and suddenly can't get him, or the strange things that happen out of her mind. And then, for someone who kept pushing her away because he was "dangerous" (Twilight-ian), Tomo warmed up to Katie pretty quickly. 32% in, Katie realizes she loves him, even though their relationship was short at the point.
The second was Jun. How was Katie not wary of someone who she met at a train station and pops up randomly in all the wrong places? She was so at ease with him and...it was sort of weird.

But after the initial bad start, Ink completely blew me away. I fell in love with our characters and the writing. Or, rather, one character. Tomo was really your typical bad boy and I loved him. So much. What can I say? I love me some YA bad boys! More than that, he didn't try to keep Katie in the dark which was automatically ten points in his favor. When it was inevitable that she would get mixed in, he knew that keeping her in the dark was dangerous. THANK YOU TOMO.
Katie was a...complex sort of character to me. At times, she annoyed me (only a few times! 1/30 I promise), but in the end she always makes the right decision! I couldn't really connect with her, but she was a decent YA heroine!

The plot oh my God I died I am dead it killed me. So much run ons in that! I absolutely adored the plot which completely blew me away. I loved everything--the pacing, the twists, how you never knew who you could trust or what was going on. It was wonderful. Until my heart broke near the end. BROKEN.

The worldbuilding was definitely the strong point of the novel. Both the fantasy world Sun created and the Japan we read. You could tell how well researched Ink was and you really were transported. It's the little details that count, and the author didn't slack on those at all! And the fantasy world, OH, I loved it so so so much! It was fascinating and kind of haunting at the same time--a perfect mix!

Ink was a fantastic read with a world I loved to explore alongside our characters. I definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a book that'll transport you to other places or to anyone who needs an exciting fantasy/paranormal read!

Pages: 377
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Mythology
Series: Paper Gods #1
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Rating: 4 stars

Waiting on Wednesday

Tandem by Anna Jarzab

Everything repeats.
You. Your best friend. Every person you know.
Many worlds. Many lives--infinite possibilities.
Welcome to the multiverse.

Sixteen-year-old Sasha Lawson has only ever known one small, ordinary life. When she was young, she loved her grandfather's stories of parallel worlds inhabited by girls who looked like her but led totally different lives. Sasha never believed such worlds were real--until now, when she finds herself thrust into one against her will.

To prevent imminent war, Sasha must slip into the life of an alternate version of herself, a princess who has vanished on the eve of her arranged marriage. If Sasha succeeds in fooling everyone, she will be returned home; if she fails, she'll be trapped in another girl's life forever. As time runs out, Sasha finds herself torn between two worlds, two lives, and two young men vying for her love--one who knows her secret, and one who thinks she's someone she's not.

The first book in the Many-Worlds Trilogy, Tandem is a riveting saga of love and betrayal set in parallel universes in which nothing--and no one--is what it seems.

Why yes, I have found another awesome sounding parallel universe book. With an even better premise, in my opinion! Tandem sounds absolutely amazing! Parallel worlds AND a double life. Two of my favorite things! Plus I love that cover!

Also, am I the only one who thinks that Tandem sounds Hunger Games-ish and Multiverse sounds Dr. Who-ish?

Mini Freak Out: Emblaze by Jessica Shirvington

Mini Freak Out
(Non spoilery. I think)

Goodreads Blurb

 Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.
Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.
Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.
Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.
With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

 Well well, it's been a while since one of these! WARNING: LOTSA CUSSING. I shall use ze asteriks.

Pages: Reaction

7: Ummm...I forgot everything...O_O

15: DELUDED, KID. YOU'RE DELUDED

37: The delight sounds good, but what's the horror for? *suspicion*

41: I love Phoenix. SO MUCH.

43: TAKE THAT BACK VIOLET. YOU COULD LOVE PHOENIX.

54: Ze dad iis blind.

59: GO VI.

61: Oh, bad idea random exile.

64: They have the Maddox...*thinks of Beautiful Disaster* Please, no.

66: OHOHOH

69: Come here, Violet, let me hug you and MAKE YOU REALIZE THAT PHONEIX IS SO MUCH BETTER

71:*snorts* I bet Spence's emotions are different than yours. Plus, this is PHOENIX. I'd do anything to see him lol.

76: OH SHI*

81: O_______O Oh my gosh. That's so sad D:

87: ASKDF:NWDSC

95: NUH UH. PHOENIX WOULDN'T HURT STEPH.

97: O_O VIOLET DON'T YOU DARE

113: Awkkkkwarrrddd

134: YOU SHOULD. I love Phoenix. :D In case you didn't know.

138: STOP IT LINC. THEY'RE PERFECT TOGETHER.

136: Suckerrrrrr. (I'm talking about Jase. Not the others)

155: SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY?

160: Steph, you're genius

174: OUCH

179: Okay, maybe I do like Linc. *wavers* NO. TEAM PHOENIX. I think.

186: DANGER DANGER DANGER

187: Oh, poor Jase. I feel so bad for you :(

197: Shi* just got real.

200: STOP IT WITH YOUR HERO COMPLEX, VI. I LOVE YOU, BUT STILL.

204: YEAH LINC. ARE YOU DEFICIENT?

211: Oh my God. I'm starting to storngly dislike your father, Vi.

213: Oh my GOD, SPENCE. I GATHER YOU IN A HUG MENTALLY.

219: I don't think I'm going to like this chick.

222: D:

225: TELL HERRRRRRR.

229: BAHAHA I LOVE SPENCE. Also, BS with Grigori? SOUNDS FUN

235: O_O Uh oh

242: HOW DID IT THAT THERE. MANY STARES.

246: *giggles*

261: GRIM REAPERS GRIM REAPERS. RUNNNNNN.

276: O_O WOAH WOAH WOAH.

281: OMG. OMG. OMG. *SQUEALS* FINALLY. Okay, I may be a bit Team Lincoln.

283: NOOOOOOOO.

286: Are you surprise? IT'S JOSEPHINE

288: SADNESS

291: NEVER MIND TOTALLY TEAM PHOENIX *throws self into imaginary Phoenix's arms*

293: HE DOESN'T HATE YOU.

300: Gaping commence

304: YOU DIDN'T

305: LOLOL

323: TALK ABOUT SHOW OFF

347: DID YOU JUST FIGURE IT OUT

350: Oh my God. VIOLET, DON'T YOU DARE

361: Okay, so Phoenix is a bit demented, but I still love him

375: SADFLJHEWIIIIINALKHNRHI$#WURPO@QJNRE

377: NONONONONONO

379: SHI* SHI* SHI*

387: DAMN RIGHT HE DOES. DON'T HURT HIM

389: FUC*

391: Oh my God. You're kidding me. So she's winter, he's the sun, she's vanilla, he's honey. So basically e's gold and she's silver? *headdesk*

402: SEE. HE IS NOT EVIL. MUCH

408: Oh dam* O_O

410: MEEEEP

418: YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER CONDITIONS. DON'T TURN YOUR BACK ON HER

432: dude, you have no chance. Trust me.

445: OH MY GOD YOU CAN'T JUST FREAKING END IT THERE.

So that was longer than usual plus I'm too much in shock to write a review. So, yeah.

Pages: 464

Genre: Paranormal

Series: Violet Eden Chapters #3

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Rating: 4 stars

This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Goodreads Blurb

If fate sent you an email, would you answer?
When teenage movie star Graham Larkin accidentally sends small town girl Ellie O'Neill an email about his pet pig, the two seventeen-year-olds strike up a witty and unforgettable correspondence, discussing everything under the sun, except for their names or backgrounds. 
Then Graham finds out that Ellie's Maine hometown is the perfect location for his latest film, and he decides to take their relationship from online to in-person. But can a star as famous as Graham really start a relationship with an ordinary girl like Ellie? And why does Ellie want to avoid the media's spotlight at all costs? 

Only I would get this AFTER I met the author and couldn't get it signed.

Anyways.

You guys, I feel like this is the perfect summer read. It's a sweet, light story about first love and it's just one of those stories you read to cheer up. It was like a fairy tale--something that's so sweet and a story you just want to read over and over again, but something that's 99% never going to happen. It was such a beautiful love story that I desperately wish was real!

Graham and Ellie had such developed personalities that made me love them all the more! Graham was the sweet celebrity who, in typical fashion, was tired of all the publicity, all the paparazzi, all the fame and glory. While I did say typical, we don't really have many books like that, do we? And Ellie was the small town girl (livin' in a lonely world. She took the midnight train...okay, off topic) who just wanted to stay an anonymity. I can't say why, since that's sort of a spoiler, but it's explained early on in the book!

And so, I wasn't entirely being honest about the light. We do deal with some more emotional issues, but they're far-fetched ones. They do play a role in the story though, and bring a nice bit of conflict in! (I feel sadist) I loved the flow of the story, the way it was told, all that jazz. It really was a beautiful fluff!

I was a bit confused as to why Ellie's BFF was so pissed at her though. I mean, everyone keeps a secret, and the emails were something personal to Ellie. I didn't see WHY Quinn was so angry! Or why she was angry that Ellie was surprised about Quinn and Devon, especially after Quinn made fun of Devon before. Quinn was a...rather awkward character.

Seriously, perfect summer read! Especially beach-side with ice cream. Really. And if you're a fan of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, you're going to love This is What Happy Looks Like! (Which is the perfect title.)

Oh. And favorite quote?

"Nothing's all that scary if you can see it coming."

I'm a fan of the deep and meaningful quotes. (I slap them on my wall. Makes a giant collage)

Pages: 416

Genre: Contemporary

Series: Standalone

Publisher: Poppy

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Rating: 4.5--> 4 stars