The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Synopsis:
Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.

But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.

When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.

Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

My Thoughts:

The ending of The Golden Lily made me angry. Richelle Mead hinted most of the book that two characters liked each other, and were going to get together, only to have it come crashing down at the end. Needless to say, I was very upset. Otherwise, the book was fantastic. It was definitely worth the agonizing wait. The book mostly sticks to the characters we know and love from Vampire Academy and Bloodlines. However, a new character named Brayden is introduced. I thought he was a jerk. Hopefully he won’t be in the rest of the series. The plot had me guessing up until the very end what was going to happen. I didn’t see any of the plot twists happening until they did, which made the book fun to read. It’s impressive to see how much Sydney has matured from the Vampire Academy series until now. She can actually make friends with the Moroi and Dhampirs without caring much about what the alchemists think. Actually, all of the characters have matured in their own way. Even Adrian has matured, which is something I never would have thought possible before. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, The Indigo Spell. February 2013 can’t get here quick enough for me. 

I give The Golden Lily: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.richellemead.com/
Blog: http://blue-succubus.livejournal.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/137902.Richelle_Mead
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/richellemeadfanpage
Twitter: http://twitter.com/RichelleMead

I bought this book from the bookstore because I wanted to read it.. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Giveaway Winner!

GIVEAWAY WINNER!

The winner of Hemingway's Girl is.... Christine Dawson! Congrats. I sent you an email. If she doesn't respond within 48 hours, I will pick another winner. Thank you to everyone who entered, and for your continued of the blog.

A Ghost Hunter's Guide to the Most Haunted Places in America by Terrance Zepke

Synopsis:
This book features a detailed discussion of the fifteen most haunted places in America. The reference includes thirty photographs, fun facts, and visitor information including accessibility, tips, addresses and websites.

Discover the history and ghosts who haunt these places:

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum...where experimental lobotomies were performed.

Moon River Brewing Company...learn why no one is allowed to go to the top floor where the ghost resides.

Eastern State Penitentiary...where Al Capone spent nearly a year or maybe he's still there?

Shanghai Tunnels...where men and women were kidnapped and forced into servitude.

Waverly Hills Sanatorium...when TB patients died, their bodies were transported through a secret tunnel to an awaiting train.

Pirate's House...where pirate ghosts still demand rum.

Bobby Mackey's Music World...a brutal murder resulted in two hangings and at least three lingering spirits.

Colonial Park Cemetery...where thousands lie buried in unmarked graves.

Lincoln Theater...learn who "Red" was and why he remains here long after his death.

Belcourt Castle...find out why the ballroom is the most haunted room.

St. Louis Cemetery...learn why a voodoo priestess roams the cemetery.

Stone's Public House..dine in John Stone's old home if you dare!

Tombstone...there are 140 bullet holes, 26 deaths, and no telling how many ghosts inside The Birdcage Theatre.

Queen Mary...one psychic predicts there are at least 600 spirits on board.

Ohio State Reformatory...even though it has been closed for a long time, some prisoners remain incarcerated here.

My Thoughts:
A Ghost Hunter's Guide to the Most Haunted Places in America was a decently good reference book. The book had a few flaws. Improper grammar was used a few times. The author repeated herself quite a few times, which made the book tedious to get through at certain spots. For example, on page 110, the author talks about Boothill Graveyard. She explains how Boothill Graveyard got its name and states that 250 people are buried in the graveyard. On page 116, she repeats herself by saying the exact same thing. That's just one example out of many. However, I did enjoy hearing about all of the haunted places in America. They definitely caught my interest. My favorite one was Tombstone. Instead of just one place, it's a whole town that's haunted. Big-nosed Kate's Saloon sounds especially interesting. After reading about Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, OH (which isn't too far from where I live), I am hoping to visit it next year on Halloween. This is a perfect book for Halloween, with just the right amount of creepiness. 

I give A Ghost Hunter's Guide to the Most Haunted Places in America: 3/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://terrancezepke.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/terrancezepke
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/172178.Terrance_Zepke

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

My Bookstore by Various Authors

Synopsis:
In this enthusiastic, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous ode to bookshops and booksellers, 84 known authors pay tribute to the brick-and-mortar stores they love and often call their second homes. In "My Bookstore" our greatest authors write about the pleasure, guidance, and support that their favorite bookstores and booksellers have given them over the years. The relationship between a writer and his or her local store and staff can last for years or even decades. Often it's the author's local store that supported him during the early days of his career, that continues to introduce and hand-sell her work to new readers, and that serves as the anchor for the community in which he lives and works."My Bookstore "collects the essays, stories, odes and words of gratitude and praise for stores across the country in 84 pieces written by our most beloved authors. It's a joyful, industry-wide celebration of our bricks-and-mortar stores and a clarion call to readers everywhere at a time when the value and importance of these stores should be shouted from the rooftops.Perfectly charming line drawings by Leif Parsons illustrate each storefront and other distinguishing features of the shops.

My Thoughts:

Reading My Bookstore will make you want to go to various independent bookstores and shop around. I think I bought about five books while reading this book. My Bookstore makes me excited to travel the country, or even the world and experience all the great bookstores. I thought it was kind of ironic, the book kind of bashes e-books, I got my copy from Netgalley and read it on my Kindle. It was very interesting hearing about all the different bookstores around the country. Although every bookstore was different, they all had one thing in common, every employee not only sells books but loves them as well. My favorite story was the story by Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club. The comic that Daniel Handler and Lisa Brown made about The Booksmith was also very funny. This was a great book. I was happy to learn about more bookstores across the country. I can’t wait to visit them all one day. 

I give My Bookstore: 5/5.

Want to know where to buy this book?
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-bookstore-ronald-rice/1110856345?ean=9781579129101&r=1%2c+1&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10%3a1&
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1579129102?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1579129102&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Crown Phoenix Blog Tour

Today on the blog, we have The Crown Phoenix blog tour. Also I have a review of The Night Watchman Express by Alison DeLuca, the first book in the Crown Phoenix series.

Synopsis:

Miriam Pearson’s father has died. Her guardians, The Marchpanes, take over her house and her father’s company. The strong-willed girl instantly clashes with their son, Simon. The Marchpanes hire a governess, Mana, to take care of her. Mana is black, and has magic powers. She and Miriam eventually become friends. With Simon and Neil, his friend, they uncover a plot by the sinister Barbara Cantwell to use Miriam’s father’s company for evil means.  Barbara is very beautiful, and at first, Simon is very attracted to her.

Once Barbara realizes that Miriam and Mana are on to her scheme, she forces the guardians to fire the governess.  Mana is hustled out of the house by the Marchpanes, but Miriam, Neil and Simon follow her to the Night Watchman Express.  However, Miriam and Simon are captured and put on the Night Watchman, bound for a sinister destination. Mana is loaded onto a boat headed to Big Star Island.

Neil manages to steal a boat and follow Mana’s captors to the island. A native girl, Riki, rescues him and brings him to her house.  She is spoiled and her mother has no control over her, but Neil manages to become her friend.  Her father forces him to stay with the family so Neil can be Riki’s companion and manage her wild behavior.

Neil learns about Atol, the king of the island, who seized power after the last monarch was killed. Atol is plotting with Barbara Cantwell to force the islands to produce drugs instead of bolemor wood, and he is also shipping his people out for use in human experiments.  Neil discovers that Mana is the rightful queen of the island, and is being held by Atol. Neil and Riki manage to rescue Mana, and they head back to the mainland to look for Simon and Miriam.

My Thoughts:

The Night Watchman Express was a decently good young adult novel. The cover of the book said that it was a steampunk novel, but I am not sure how. It just seemed like a fantasy novel to me. The book didn’t fully capture my interest at the beginning. However, once the Marchpanes arrived, the book got more interesting. It stayed interesting up until the incident with Mana. The second half of the book was a struggle for me to finish. It normally would have taken me three days to finish it. However, it took me almost a week. The plot for the second half was slow. It didn’t get exciting again until the end. I liked most of the characters. I couldn’t stand the Marchpanes. Virgil had a weak personality. He let his wife walk all over him. Theodosia was a horrible woman. She was rude, manipulative, and just plain nasty. She never did anything nice for anyone unless it helped her agenda in some way. My favorite character was Mana. I am envious of all of her powers. I also liked that she seemed knowledgable, and wise beyond her years. Although this book was hit or miss for me at times, I am excited to read book two, The Devil's Kitchen, to find out what is happening to Miriam and Simon. 

I give The Night Watchman Express 3/5.

Alison DeLuca is the author of several steampunk and urban fantasy books.  She was born in Arizona and has also lived in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Mexico, Ireland, and Spain.

Currently she wrestles words and laundry in New Jersey.

You can find out more about Alison DeLuca here:

Website: http://www.myrddinpublishing.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/alisondeluca

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4707891.Alison_DeLuca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alison.deluca.author

Google+: https://plus.google.com/116764224689820866570/posts?hl=en

And now, time for the giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to First Rule PR for hosting the giveaway. Also, thank you to Alison DeLuca for sending me the books.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for review from First Rule Publicity from the author as part of a virtual book tour. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Seth's review of Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Synopsis:
Inhale. Exhale. 
Breathe. 
Breathe. 
Breathe . . .
The world is dead. 
The survivors live under the protection of Breathe, the corporation that found a way to manufacture oxygen-rich air.

Alina
has been stealing for a long time. She's a little jittery, but not terrified. All she knows is that she's never been caught before. If she's careful, it'll be easy. If she's careful.

Quinn
should be worried about Alina and a bit afraid for himself, too, but even though this is dangerous, it's also the most interesting thing to happen to him in ages. It isn't every day that the girl of your dreams asks you to rescue her.

Bea
wants to tell him that none of this is fair; they'd planned a trip together, the two of them, and she'd hoped he'd discover her out here, not another girl.

And as they walk into the Outlands with two days' worth of oxygen in their tanks, everything they believe will be shattered. Will they be able to make it back? Will they want to?

Seth's Thoughts:

So here I am on a Sunday, after going through a caffeine binge, and I picked up Breathe. It appealed to me because it’s one of those sci-fi books where sometime in the past there has been a big catastrophe and the remaining human population is divided up into two groups. In this case, Breathe and The Resistance. 

Apparently sometime within the last eighty years or so, the world population got so large that they decided to cut down all of the trees to make room for everybody and feed them. The geniuses in charge were of the mindset that the oceans would sustain all the oxygen that was needed for earth. Surprise, the runoff from all the crops killed the oceans. So what happens when that happened? Well, states held lotteries for people to live inside of self-contained oxygen rich areas called Pods.

So time passes by and we start the story off inside of a tree museum. Yep, a museum for trees. The story is mostly evenly divided up between the three main characters Quinn, Bea, and Alina. There’s a semi typical three way romance triangle going on for a bit until the male lead makes his choice. The story progresses nice and smooth without a lot of dead spots. In fact, if I hadn’t been interrupted by my friends this book would have been done in one sitting. I liked the character development, I liked the plot device of the low oxygen, and I even got thrown on a minor loop on one occasion. I like not being able to predict a book one hundred percent of the time. 

Seth gives Breathe: 3.5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.sarahcrossan.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sarahcrossan
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sarah-Crossan/266594186686482
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4864330.Sarah_Crossan

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Neither I nor Seth were compensated for this review.

Drain You Blog Tour

Today on the blog, we have a blog tour and a giveaway hosted by Mundie Moms and Hobbitsies. I will share what the book is about, my thoughts on the book, and then a giveaway. For the giveaway, there are several prizes you can win. You could possibly win one of 5 copies of Drain You autographed by M. Beth Bloom, $50 Credit at Wasteland, which is Quinn's favorite store, Pages from Quinn;s notebook, 10 bookmarks made by Quinn, and 10 90's mixtapes, also made by Quinn. 

Synopsis:

"Summer. The 90s. The rich, sun-bleached neighborhoods of the Los Angeles canyons. Enter Quinlan Lacey, a cool, bored, sarcastic, sexy 17-year old with a dull part-time video store job and a mild case of teen ennui. That is, until she meets the alluring, River Phoenix-esque James, and realizes the hills are alive with the undead. Inspired more by the early, dry L.A. short stories of Bret Easton Ellis than the current crop of serialized vampire fiction, the supernatural grunge romance, Drain You, narrates the headaches and heartbreaks Quinn undergoes in her quest to stay sane and cool and in love and alive."

You can find the Publisher's Weekly review of Drain You here.  "Bloom debuts with a languid, stylish novel that reads like a love letter to cult vampire flicks like The Lost Boys, the work of Francesca Lia Block, and Southern California in the 1990s." 

I love the book trailer!

Want to know more about M. Beth Bloom?

"Bloom's first short story “Love And Other Catastrophes: A Mix Tape” was featured in Story Quarterly and selected by Dave Eggers for inclusion in The Best American Nonrequired Reading: 2003 (Houghton-Mifflin), which he curates annually. Bloom is the founder of underground dance label 100% Silk (profiled here in LA Weekly) AND the producer/lead singer of the band LA Vampires (written up in The Guardian as well as Pitchfork and Fader). Her next book will be published through HarperTeen.

M. Beth lives on the east side of L.A. where she indulges in raw fooding, magazine subscribing, thrift shopping, Sunday matinee'ing, and ladies book clubbing." 

And now, the part that you've been waiting for, the giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you for stopping by the blog today to check out the blog tour. Good luck to everyone who enters the giveaway. A special thank you to M. Beth Bloom, for writing Drain You. Thanks Also to Mundie Moms and Hobbitsies for organizing the blog tour.