Graceling by Kristin Cashore

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises:the Grace of killing.

As a Graced killer who has been able to kill a man with her bare hands from the age of eight, she’s forced to work as the king’s thug. Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life.

Yet Katsa remains defiant, and when the King of Liend’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue surronding the kidnapping offers her a way out and little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery, something spreading form the shadowy figure of a one eyed king.

I loved the world the author has created as the setting (I dreaded the map at the beginning fearing it would make me confused but after finishing the book, I could almost draw it out on paper without looking to it!) The concept of Gracelings is very interesting I was looking forward to how they would be used.

A problem I found was the climax was built through suspense after reading Katsa's tiring journey for hundreds of pages and Bang! in a few sentences the person that needed taking care of was eliminated. In my opinion, what started as a fantasy adventure novel, turned into romance novel with a fantasy backdrop. I didn't really feel the connection between Katsa and Po. There was a lot of explaining about their feelings which I found myself wanting to skip and get into the adventure of the book. I can't see how Po likes Katsa...she's angry and agitated the majority of the time.

Other than that, Graceling was a very engaging read. I enjoyed the action, suspense and gasp-worthy moments.

★★★★

Darkness be my Friend by John Marsden

There are only five of them left now. Ellie and her four friends, Lee, Homer, Kevin, and Fi, have reluctantly returned to New Zealand from Australia to lead more guerrilla attacks on the enemy. When they were rescued and airlifted to New Zealand, they thought the nightmare was over. But now they have been sent back to Wirrawee to guide a party of adult raiders on a planned sabotage of a strategic airfield. Something goes wrong; the adults never come back from the raid, and Ellie and her friends are again left on their own to do what they can--and must--to survive.

The 4th book in the tomorrow series, we continue the journey of Ellie and her friends and we see them deal with the violence and pain produced by the war. They continue to be in danger without the guidance of adults and it is an immersive and heart pounding adventure.

In this book I felt that the main character Ellie did so much recount of the past (before the war) for at least a quarter of the book. I felt she got angry really quickly and had strange mood swings which is understandable in her circumstances but I somehow sensed that it was a completely different character. However, recognition of the same Ellie as in the previous books picked up half way. The action occured in the last half of the book which was really good and made me fly through the pages wanting to find out what happens next. It was a rollercoaster of emotions I felt with the characters - fear, shock, anger and empathy.

A problem I had with this book, more than the previous books in the series, was the recount of Ellie's past. The author writes in a female point of view which must be hard but I find some of the things he writes aren't really what goes in the mind of females. For example, "Lots of boys in New Zealand wear shorts to school. They have a Seventh Form too and even some of the Seventh Formers wear shorts. It looks kind of silly, because they seem too old for it, but it gives you a good chance to perv on their legs" and reminiscing when Ellie and her best friend Corrie were children: "We tried to peep at the shearers through a little hole in the wall of their dunny".

Ellie learns a lot in this book, which is recounted in the Epilogue. Some of her actions at New Zealand at the beginning of the book I saw was unnecessary and uncharacteristic of her, but she regretted it and reflected that it was a bad move which was great to see.

The ending left me hanging and was quite a shocker so I can't wait for the next in the series, Burning for Revenge.

★★★★

1st in a Series Challenge

This challenge is hosted at The Royal Reviews @ Blogspot. Sign up under Mr.Linky here.

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. There are four levels:
-- Curious - Read 3 novels that are first in a series.
-- Fascinated - Read 6 novels that are first in a series.
-- Addicted - Read 12 novels that are first in a series.
-- Obsessed - Read 20 novels that are first in a series.
3. Any genre counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.

I'm aiming for Fascinated - 6 firsts.

1. Poison Study by Maria Snyder - completed 28 March
2. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting - completed 9 April
3. I'd tell you I love you but then I'd have to kill you by Ally Carter - completed 22 April
4. Marked by PC & Kristin Cast - completed 10th May
5. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - completed 16th May
6. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar - completed 17th June

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school - it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s - the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi - the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires - make Lissa one of them forever.

The author has created a unique and intriguing world of vampires. Vampire Academy sets up the series really well by introducing us to the academy and the main character Rose. There are two types of vampires that are in conflict and half vampires known as Dhampirs. This is way better than the usual vampires vs. weak humans!

The first chapter presents a lot of mystery to be solved. Lissa and Rose have run away from the Academy but the readers are left in the dark as to why. Even when they are dragged back to the academy, we still don't find out as they resume their previous daily lives.

Within the academy there is plenty of high-school-ish drama - jealousy, crushes, revenge, gossip - which made it seem like a human environment even though they are vampires. I loved this aspect because at times it made me feel like I was reading a paranormal novel but at other times realistic fiction that looks at teen issues.

In my opinion, the beginning was quite slow as the main character Rose mingled with peers and constantly worried about Lissa's developing depression, when comparing it with the relatively faster pace toward the end of the book. There was a few comments throughout of it being dirty to drink blood while doing it and incidents regarding it, which kind of turned me off a bit because it felt like unnecessary information (sounds twisted even if not mentioned). Also disturbing was some slitting wrists involved but not too graphic.

Of course there is the romance and the forbidden aspect of it explored in the book. The male interest Dimitri didn't really stand out for me in the beginning of the book probably due to the few scenes with Rose. By the end of the book, his actions regarding Rose and himself surprised me and heightened my interest of his relationship with Rose. Also, I didn't like Rose much but as a reader I could see the change in a playful and reckless Rose into Responsbile Rose by the end of the book which made me like her better. It was really refreshing to read about a kick-ass, confident and strong female lead, getting things done instead of staying idle or relying on others.

Another things I liked was how the history of vampires was included - St Vladmir's history, the terms to explain different types of vampires. It was explained by Ms. Mead very well and allowed me to be transported to and be part of the Vampire Academy world. The climax was really good and was an omg wth moment.

The ending is satisfying but leads to many questions and open ends! I'm ready to get stuck into the Vampire Academy world once again with Frostbite.

★★★★

Winter Reading Challenge

This challenge is from The Royal Reviews @ Blogspot. Sign up under Mr.Linky here.

My List:
1. Read a book not set in the USA or England.
Darkness be my Friend by John Marsden - Completed December 12th.

2. Read a book with "Ice", "Frost", "Chill", "Cold" "Winter" in the title.
ICE by Sarah Beth Durst - Completed February 3rd.

3. For Valentine's Day, choose an author whose first or last name begins with L
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery - Completed January 27th.

4. Choose a book that is not part of a series.
Liar by Justine Larbalestier - Completed February 24th.

5. Read a book written in the first-person point-of-view.
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - Completed December 7th.

6. Read a book with "Mr", "Mrs', "Miss" or "Ms" in the title.
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl - Completed January 29th.

Challenge Guidelines:
1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.
2. You must read all six books to complete the challenge.
3. Any book format counts.
4. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
5. Challenge begins December 1st thru to February 28th, 2010.

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Some secrets shouldn't be kept...
Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia's life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia's life becomes anything but ordinary. Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend's accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She's reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She's inexplicably drawn to Ben...and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help--but can he be trusted? She knows he's hiding something... but he's not the only one with a secret.

Deadly little secret is a fast paced book about Camelia, her meeting with the new boy rumored to have murdered his ex-girlfriend but who saved her from an accident, and her stalker who has been frightening her with photos of her at various locations and threats.

There are a number of male characters in Camelia's life which makes it tricky to guess which one person is the stalker. The author has used some chapters to write in the stalker's point-of-view and has cleverly written so that the reader cannot cross off anyone on the suspect list - John the soccer star, Ben the new guy who's rumored to have killed his ex-girlfriend, Matt the ex-boyfriend but now friend, Spencer the older guy who is in charge of the store where Camelia takes up pottery. The entries of the stalker gives me goosebumps and chills up my spine because they're obsessive and creepy.

Although quite a short book, the pace felt just right. There were no overly slow parts because even in the dullest moments, in the back of the mind of the reader, Camelia is in the realm of danger and the suspense keeps you hanging.

I read most of this book at night/past midnight and it was scary. There were many parts of the book which included phone calls, unlocked doors and chilling moments such as where Camelia searches for her mobile phone but there's no signal, and going to her room scared of what or who may be lurking. The author does a good job of transporting the reader there. You can't help but look around the room and check if doors are locked and the windows closed.

There is romance amidst the mystery but I felt that it wasn't really developed. The male character felt only like a puzzle who Camelia wanted to figure out. (she doesn't know much about him but feels an attraction every time her touches her...) I felt that friendship could've been a better start and maybe romance could play a bigger role in the second book?

The cover is really pretty but hasn't got to do much with the book, although the glowing hand does symbolise something, but not correctly (not to do with the main female character).

All in all, a quick and engaging read!

★★★★

Tynga's Reviews 300 Followers Giveaway

Tynga Reviews has reached 300 followers. Congrats!

She is holding a big contest on to celebrate!

The prizes:

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks

Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper

Storm Born by Richelle Mead

Dark Visions by L.J. Smith

Fade Out by Rachel Caine

Soulless by Gail Carriger

Marked by P.C. Cast

Flesh Circus by Lilith Staintcrow

Hunting Grounds by Patricia Briggs

Playing With Fire by Gena Showalter

There will be a total of 4 winners

1st winner - 3 books of their choice

2nd winner - 2 books of their choice

3rd winner - 1 book of their choice

and the 4th winner will win a custom-made blog button she will create for them!

If she reaches 350 followers, another winner will be added.

The contest is international and Ends December 23rd.

Kissed by an Angel by Elizabeth Chandler

A love beyond life...a danger beyond doubt.

In a romantic and suspenseful collection of the New York Times bestselling trilogy, love's unbreakable bonds are put to the test. When her boyfriend, Tristan, died, Ivy thought she'd lost everything, even her faith in angels.

But now she's discovered that he's her guardian angel - his presence so strong that she can feel the touch of his hand, the beat of his heart. Ivy needs Tristan now more than ever because he knows she's in terrible danger.

Only Ivy's guardian angel can save her now that his killer is after her. But if Tristan rescues Ivy, his mission on earth will be finished, and he must leave her behind forever. Will saving Ivy mean losing her just when he's finally reached her again?

Kissed by an Angel, begins with somewhat with a prologue involving a tragic event. The readers are then introduced to the story of Tristan's, the star swimmer of the school and Ivy's blossoming love story. I really love how the author developed their love story, the many sweet and romantic moments and how their love came to be. The book was written in first person which means there could be little explained about feelings of each individual character but I really felt the connection between Ivy and Tristan and could imagine their feelings.

A large number of characters are introduced and each one of them are memorable. Even Ivy's cat Ella had personality! It's great that relationships were built among the many characters in Kissed by an Angel unlike books where the main character usually has one or two best friends and the story only focuses on the main two characters with the others usually there just to move the story along.

The author also created an interesting premise of guardian angels. Tristan meets Lacey Lovitt, also an angel, and his angel 'powers' were gained and learned and not just 'obtained'. We go through the trials of his learning and his frustration at not being able to reach Ivy and tell her she is in danger.

The book was really suspenseful regarding Tristan's death as being not just an accident. The many characters also meant a few suspects which kept me guessing at who the culprit was. The murderer was very well disguised, in the murderer's scenes, you don't know whether this person is playing around, showing true feelings or trying to strike.

The ending was bittersweet but fit nicely. A really enjoyable book (it made the half hour stay at the train station fly by, when usually I'd be painfully watching the time)

★★★★★

Book Bound 100 Followers Giveaway

Book Bound has reached 100 followers and in honour of this, holding an awesome contest! There will be 3 winners, the chance of buying books up to 20 bucks at The Book Depository. If they make it to 150 followers by the deadline, they will add another winner and at 200, another winner! It's open internationally and ends December 18th (in time before Christmas).

A Good Addiction Contest

A Good Addiction is holding a contest for 1 of 5 copies of Fallen by Lauren Kate which is open internationally and ends December 6th.

The 2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

*There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge - Read 12 Young Adult novels.
--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge - Read 25 Young Adult novels.
--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge - Read 50 Young Adult novels.
--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge - Read 75 Young Adult novels.

*Audio, eBooks, paper all count.
*Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010

The sign up is at J Kaye's Book Blog

I'll be aiming for Just My Size - 25 YA novels! I'll be choosing books to read randomly as I go.

1. The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen - Completed 6th May
2.Old Magic by Marianne Curley - Completed 25th May
3. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard - Completed 23rd June
4. Flawless by Sara Shepard - Completed 26th June
5. Perfect by Sara Shepard - Completed 3rd July
6. Unbelievable by Sara Shepard - Completed 7th July
7. Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt - Completed 9th July
8. Wicked by Sara Shepard - Completed 10th July
9. Killer by Sara Shepard - Completed 13th July
10. Heartless by Sara Shepard
11. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel - Completed 24th July
12. Shadowland by Alyson Noel - Completed 2nd August
13. Dark Flame by Alyson Noel - Completed 5th August
14. Nevermore by Kelly Creagh - Completed 8th October
15. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Quite disappointing for me because the characters were not the ones I got to know in Book 1 and 2. The ending was okay because I guess the book being a dystopian was not likely to head for a very happy ending.
16. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han - Completed 4th December
Got me seriously hooked on contemporary/coming of age genre. Loved it!
17. It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han - Completed 5th December
Explores the love triangle. I never thought I would switch ships but I have!
18. Alanna The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce - Completed 6th December
Excellent adventure book. Not so good with the fighting scenes but the journey and reading about Alanna grow up was the highlight.
19. The Lion, the witch and the wardrobe by CS Lewis
I gave the series a try since the new Narnia trailer looked so epic. I didn't really like the book. I felt disconnected with the characters and couldn't care less what happened to them!
20. Forever by Judy Blume - Completed 10th December
Not much of a plot for this one but quite informative about the issue of sex.
21. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Addictive! The chemistry between Alex and Brittany was sizzling!
22. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles
As awesome as the first. Loved the buildup of the relationship between Carlos and Kiara!!!
23. I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore - Completed 16th December
24. The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher - Completed 17th December
25. Shug by Jenny Han

Once upon a Bookcase Fallen News and Contest

Once upon a bookcase has a contest running internationally for 5 copies of Fallen by Lauren Kate which ends November 21st.

A widget of the first chapter!!! The widget allows you to change the colour scheme too, how cool is that?

The Friday 56 - November 20

The Friday 56 is an event hosted by Story Time with Tonya and Friends

Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Story Time with Tonya and Friends
*Post a link along with your post back to Story Time with Tonya and Friends
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.

Closest Book: Skinned by Robin Wasserman

"They registered the fabric on my legs - standard issue, hideously ugly BioMax thermo-sweats. Not that I needed thermo-regulation now, not when I had it built in, but's that's what they had, so that's what I wore, because it was easier than buying all new clothes, and my old clothes no longer fit."

Friday Finds - November 20

Friday Finds is hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading which shares books you heard about or discovered this past week.

Summaries from Goodreads.com

Society of S by Susan Hubbard

"If you ever want to hide from the world, live in a small city, where everyone seems anonymous."

That's the advice of twelve-year-old Ariella Montero, who lives with her father in Saratoga Springs, New York, in a house haunted more by secrets than by memories. The Society of S traces her journey south, to Asheville and Savannah, and on to

Florida, as she learns that everything she knows about her family is a lie. When she finds her mother, she learns the truth: Ariella is a fledgling member of the Society of S.

S stands for Sanguinists: a sect of environmentalists concerned with ethics and human rights -- although they happen to be vampires. S also stands for synesthete: a person able to see words and letters in colors. The letter S is lucky for Sara, Ariella's mother, who gravitates to cities such as Savannah and Sarasota. But will it be lucky for Ariella?

World shaker by Richard Harland

Col lives on the Upper Decks of the juggernaut Worldshaker, a

mobile city as big as a mountain. He has been chosen as next Supreme Commander - but then a girl Filthy escapted from Below appeares in his cabin. 'Don't

let 'em take me!' she begs. Will he hand her over, or will he break all the rules? Col's safe, elite world is about to fall apart.

A brilliant steam punk fantasy that will hook you from the very first page, set aboard a huge ship in which the elites live on the top decks while the Filthies toil below. Strong writing, a vivid alternative world and characters you'll never forget

Thirst no.1 by Christopher Pike

Alisa has been in control of her urges for the five thousand years she has been a vampire. She feeds but does not kill, and she lives her life on the fringe to maintain her secret. But when her creator returns to hunt her, she must break her own rules in order to survive.

Her quest leads her to Ray. He is the only person who can help her; he also has every reason to fear her. Alisa must get closer to him to ensure her immortality. But as she begins to fall in love with Ray,

suddenly there is more at stake than her own life....

Summary from Goodreads.com + Amazon.com

Scatterheart by Lili Wilkinson

1814, London Town. Hannah Cheshire - wealthy and spoiled - has fallen from grace. Punishment: transportation to the colony of New South Wales.

Hannah Cheshire leads a privileged life in London, with fine clothes, servants and a handsome tutor. Then one day her father disappears and she is left to fend for herself. Not equipped for the real world she ends up penniless, and sentenced to transportation to the colonies for a crime she didn t commit...

Surfing Sunday - November 15

Book Cover of SPELLS by Aprilynne Pike

Blurb from author's website:

Six months have passed since Laurel saved the gateway to the faerie realm of Avalon. Now she must spend her summer there, honing her skills as a Fall faerie. But her human family and friends are still in mortal danger--and the gateway to Avalon is more compromised than ever. When it comes time to protect those she loves, will she depend on David, her human boyfriend, for help? Or will she turn to Tamani, the electrifying faerie with whom her connection is undeniable?

SPELLS is the title of the sequel to Aprilynne Pike's WINGS. This one has flowers too! Again, there is also the water ripples (what do you call those that make outward circles?)

I Somehow feel this looks more real than the WINGS US cover. I always thought WINGS was a watercolor painting (I don't have a copy of the US but the UK version, so I'm not sure how it looks in real life) Nevertheless, the cover is gorgeous!!!

I wonder what the UK version of SPELLS looks like?

SPELLS is out May 4th 2010!

I'm rooting for David and Laurel but I have a feeling Tamani and Laurel will be together and David will get with Chelsea :*( I'm still really excited to read about Laurel's adventures though!

A favourite quote from Goodreads

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss

I love quotes that are meaningful and make me think!

Tynga's Reviews Top Commentator Giveaway

Tynga's Reviews is having an international giveaway (thanks to bookdepository.com, weehay) for reaching a whooping 10k visitors!

It ends a random day between November 14 and December 15.

You earn an additional entry for every comment you post on each blog post (maximum 1 per blog post) The winner chooses a book from a list!

In My Mailbox - Week starting November 8

In My Mailbox event by Kristi at The Story Siren

Contests:

Through Random House Newsletter - The Interrogator by JJ Cooper

Bought:

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcovers

• The Lightning Thief
• The Sea of Monsters
• The Titan's Curse
• The Battle of the Labyrinth
• The Last Olympian

So excited to get reading but so many textbooks to study from, and library books to read and return!

A BookLover's Diary First Giveaway

A BookLover's Diary is celebrating over 150 followers, her birthday and Christmas with her first giveaway and it's international! There will be 4 winners with these up for choice:

1. The Blue Pen by Lisa Rusczyk (.pdf)
2. Spellbinder by Helen Stringer (Paperback: ARC edition)
3. The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester (Hardcover)
4. A Certain Slant of Light by Laura Whitcomb (Paperback)
5. Dreamhunter (Book 1 in the Dreamhunter Duet) by Elizabeth Knox (Paperback)
6. Devil’s Kiss by Sarwat Chadda (Hardcover)

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Paperback)
8. Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe (Hardcover)
9. My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent (Paperback)
10. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Hardcover)
11. The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Hardcover)
12. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvator (Hardcover)
13. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (Paperback; Movie Tie-in Edition)

14. Leviathan by Scott Westerfield (Hardcover)
15. Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher (Hardcover)
16. Fearless by Max Lucado (Hardcover)
17. Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers (Paperback)
18. One Lonely Degree by C.K. Kelly Martin (Hardcover)
19. I Can See You by Karen Rose (Hardcover)
20. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner (Hardcover)
21. Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeiffer (Paperback)
22. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Hardcover)
23. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (Paperback)
24. How to Catch and Keep a Vampire by Diana Laurence (Paperback)

Ends November 30th!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a perfectly normal boy. Well, he would be perfectly normal if he didn't live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the world of the dead.

There are dangers and adventures for Bod in the graveyard: the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer; a gravestone entrance that leads to the city of ghouls; friendship with a witch, and so much more, But it is in the land of the living that real danger lurks, for it is there that the man Jack lives and he has already killed Bod's family.

The only other Neil Gaiman book I read was Coraline. I picked up The Graveyard Book when I saw it listed on 2009 Teens' Top 10 on ALA.org.

I really enjoyed this book! Each chapter represented a period of Nobody Owens' life from a baby to 15 years of age. Each chapter is also like a mini-adventure and tied into all these chapters is the main plot where The Man Jack tries to finish what he started. The illustrations by Chris Riddell at the beginning of each chapter and on the front cover really set the mood.

The story was planned out really well, every single chapter had a bit of foreshadowing and use for the next chapters. There was a large range of characters who are memorable, my favourites being Liza Hempstock who starts of sounding like a terrible and wicked witch but turns out you cannot always trust what you hear, and of course, Bod. I really did not want Nobody Owens' story to end (to continue but not being able to read about it)! I would have cried but my eyes are dry staying up late reading it!

This book is one that will touch your heart! It's a blend of mystery, horror, action, friendship, love.

★★★★★

There's a movie planned for 2011! I wonder whether it's cartoon or live adaption? Nevertheless, I'm anticipating it!

Waiting on Wednesday - 11 November

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights anticipated upcoming releases.

A prodigal son A dangerous love A deadly secret . . .

I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul. - Synopsis from Author's website

After reading the sneak peak, I just knew I had to read the rest! There was already mystery behind Daniel, Grace and Jude's past. I like what interactions between Grace and Daniel happened so far and the overall atmosphere. I also like the inclusion of parents which seem to be wiped out (as in passed away, long distance away or just not there) in many novels I've read.

I pre-ordered a copy at The Book Depository and cannot wait until December 22!

Teaser Tuesday - November 10

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

From Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book:

"A big hairy C is for Cow, I think. With horns." -pg. 45

Library Loot

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Eva and Marg that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library.

Picked up Graceling by Kristin Cashore on Friday which I placed a hold for!
The cover is more amazing than the picture on the right! I'm sure the storywill be amazing too!
Read so many good things around the blogosphere about this so I'm super excited to get stuck into it.

I only check out about 6 books per 3 week period but hopefully that's going to change once exams are over as I'll have everyday to read and have more frequent library loot posts!

Witch & Wizard Contest at Cherry Mischievous

The contest is open to international readers and ends November 13.

Cover blurb:

Your books, music and art - banned by the New Order.

You are holding an urgent and vital narrative that reveals the forbidden truth about these perilous times.

This is the astonishing testimonial of Whit and Wisty Allgood, brother and sister who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and wizard.

They are not alone in their terrifying predicament. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared - for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic ... and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.

Most copies of this story have already been seized, shredded, or burned. Read this rare surviving edition and pass it along with care - before it's too late.

I love the cover especially the bright colours against the blue! The blurb also sounds amazing especially the last sentence!

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Summary (UK version back blurb):

Falling for the fallen...

I knew the names of all my classmates...except one. The transfer... He sat slouched one desk back, cool black eyes holding a steady gaze forward... His eyes sliced into me and the corners of his mouth tilted up. My heart fumbled a beat and, in that pause, a feeling of gloomy darkness seemed to slide like a shadow over me. It vanished in an instant, but I was still staring at him. His smile wasn't friendly, It was a smile that spelled trouble. With a promise.

I pre-ordered this on August 31, that shows how excited I was for this book. I had high expectations mostly due to the reviews I read. I really wanted to love this book and get sucked in but that wasn't the case, sadly. This book was a page-turner but for me, it was mainly due to the fact that I expected it to turn a different path.

Vee, Nora's bestie was the most annoying character I've ever come across due to her sexual jokes and bad decisions which lead to Nora worrying over her and putting herself in danger. But I guess that was needed to move the story along. The mysterious Patch, Nora's biology class partner, well, he's a character who you either like or dislike. I fell into the latter. He is too stalkerish (he appears in places where Nora happens to be, of which includes an empty underground route), arrogant and cocky, in my opinion. Nora's feelings for him kind of came out of the blue one night, which was a surprise to me after she rambles on how much he scares her throughout the book. I felt the romance was not developed enough, it was so sudden. It seemed she liked the danger of being with a bad boy and not Patch and his inner person/personality.

A redeeming point is that the mystery in this book was really great. I got a sense of fear when it came to a mysterious guy in the ski mask who stalks Nora. Questions pester you to be answered. Who is behind the mask? Why is she being followed? Suspense was weaved into the whole book and the last 50 or so pages kept me turning non-stop. The action scenes were few but they were written really well that I could picture the situations clearly, especially the climax scene towards the end.

Overall, this is quite a good quick read.

★★★