Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Fire with Fire by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on August 13, 2013
Burn for Burn #2

Summary: "Lillia, Kat, and Mary had the perfect plan. Work together in secret to take down the people who wronged them. But things didn’t exactly go the way they’d hoped at the Homecoming Dance.

Not even close.

For now, it looks like they got away with it. All they have to do is move on and pick up the pieces, forget there ever was a pact. But it’s not easy, not when Reeve is still a total jerk and Rennie’s meaner than she ever was before.

And then there’s sweet little Mary…she knows there’s something seriously wrong with her. If she can’t control her anger, she’s sure that someone will get hurt even worse than Reeve was. Mary understands now that it’s not just that Reeve bullied her—it’s that he made her love him.

Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, burn for a burn. A broken heart for a broken heart. The girls are up to the task. They’ll make Reeve fall in love with Lillia and then they will crush him. It’s the only way he’ll learn.  It seems once a fire is lit, the only thing you can do is let it burn... " --From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

All I can say about this book is "Holy crap". The book was not what I expected, and the ending is a bombshell. It was a very good second novel, with the revenge aspect taking a backseat to the relationships of the characters. I'm excited to read the final book in this series, just to see where the heck this series end up.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

Burn for Burn series

Burn for Burn

Fire with Fire

Ashes to Ashes

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on September 18, 2012
Burn for Burn #1

Summary: "Postcard-perfect Jar Island is the kind of place where nobody locks their doors at night, where parents can sleep easy, knowing their daughters are tucked away safe and sound in their beds.

But bad things can happen, even to good girls . . . and sometimes, the only way to make things right is to do something wrong.

Lillia used to trust boys, but not anymore. Not after what happened this summer. And she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her little sister from the same fate.

Kat is over the rumors, the insults, the cruel jokes made at her expense. It all goes back to one person--her ex-best friend. Someone needs to teach her a lesson, and, with Lillia and Mary behind her, Kat feels up to the task.

Four years ago, Mary left Jar Island because of a boy. But she’s not the same girl anymore. Now that she’s got friends who have her back, he's going to be in big trouble.

Three very different girls who come together to make things right. Will they go too far?" -- From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

For me, Burn for Burn was such a unique book for me.  The story alternates between Lillia, Mary, and Kat.  Each girl has their motivations for wanting revenge against Alex, Reeve, and Rennie.  What they come up with for each person is very realistic.  There is also a slight paranormal edge to the book.  It doesn't come up until the end of the story, but I'm interested to see where the authors take it in the next two books.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

Burn for Burn series

Burn for Burn

Fire with Fire

Ashes to Ashes

Top Ten Tuesday: Winter TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is the top ten books in my Winter TBR pile.  Here we go!

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han & Siobhan Vivian

Burn for Burn #1

I purchased all three books in the series back at the beginning of August.  I need to get my butt in gear with these!

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson

Shades of London #3

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

I can't wait to see where Maureen Johnson takes this book series next.  

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Publication Date: January 27, 2015

The synopsis of this book sounds really interesting on Goodreads.  It'll be interesting to see if this book is anything like If I Stay.

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

His Fair Assassin #3

I can't wait to read the end of this wonderful series.

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Young Elites #1

This book has been getting a lot of buzz.  I can't wait to see what this series is about.

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

Publication Date: February 3, 2015

I loved Heather Demetrios' other YA book, Something Real.  I can't wait to see if this book also lives up to what I liked about her as an author.

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce #7

Publication Date: January 6, 2015

 I love spunky Flavia.  I still need to read #6 in the series, but I can do that before January, right?

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen Trilogy #1

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

This book sounds so interesting!  I can't wait to read more about magic than dystopias this year.

Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Lunar Chronicles #3.5

Publication Date: January 27, 2015

This is probably the book I'm most excited for in my Winter TBR.  I can't wait to read more set in this universe.

All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Embassy Row #1

Publication Date: January 27, 2015

A new book by Ally Carter!  I can't wait!!

My True Love Gave to Me

My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories
Edited by Stephanie Perkins
Published by St. Martin's Press on October 14, 2014

"If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins."  --From Goodreads









My Thoughts:

I had a few favorites: Midnight by Rainbow Rowell, Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena, and It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins.  Then there were those stories that I had to do a double take while reading them: The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link, Krampuslauf by Holly Black, and The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.  Overall, this anthology is one that I will pick and choose to read from each holiday season.

Disclosure: I purchased my own copy.

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale

Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale
Published by Candlewick Press on October 14, 2014
Princess in Black #1

Summary: "Princess Magnolia is having hot chocolate and scones with Duchess Wigtower when . . . Brring! Brring! The monster alarm! A big blue monster is threatening the goats! Stopping monsters is no job for dainty Princess Magnolia. But luckily Princess Magnolia has a secret —she’s also the Princess in Black, and stopping monsters is the perfect job for her! Can the princess sneak away, transform into her alter ego, and defeat the monster before the nosy duchess discovers her secret?" -- From Goodreads






My Thoughts:

I really liked this cute and spunky book.  The Princess is an unlikely superhero, and this can be easily incorporated into next summer's SRP.  I also appreciated how Princess Magnolia is prim and proper, but then has this edgier side as well.  I think girls will like this character, because like Princess Magnolia, they are more than just one quality.  I can't wait to see what other antics Princess Magnolia will get into!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library.

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken

In the Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney Hyperion on October 28, 2014
The Darkest Minds #3

Summary: "Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.

They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.

Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire."  --From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Let's just start with the characters.  Ruby.  How I love Ruby.  She is not the scared sixteen year old girl we met in the first book.  She has matured; mentally and physically.  Her powers have grown and she is still scared about doing the "best" thing with them.  She could pretty much do whatever she wants, but no.

Liam and Cole,the lovely Stewart brothers.  They gave me what I needed.  Cole was the strong-willed, cocky, independent one.  Liam was level-headed, charming, and caring one.  They were perfectly imperfect characters.  

Chubs, Vida, Zu, Clancy, and the rest of them.  They added so much to the plot of this novel.  While the focus wasn't on them for most of the novel, they were an integral part of the story.

I'm sorry to see these characters leave, but I'm glad how it ended.  It gave closure to the reader.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

The Darkest Minds Series

The Darkest Minds

Never Fade

In the Afterlight

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels I Can't Wait For

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is the top ten sequels I can't wait for.  Here we go!

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Seraphina #2

Publication Date: March 10, 2015

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson

Shades of London #3

Publication Date: February 10, 2015

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige

Dorothy Must Die #2

Publication Date: March 31, 2015

Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

His Fair Assassin #3

Publication Date: November 4, 2014

Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley

Flavia de Luce #7

Publication Date: January 6, 2015

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins

Rebel Belle #2

Publication Date: April 7, 2015

The Heir by Kiera Cass

The Selection #4

Publication Date: May 5, 2015

Books with No Covers
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2
Publication Date: April 21, 2015

Throne of Glass #4 by Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 10, 2015

Winter by Marissa Meyer
Lunar Chronicles #4

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Published by Feiwel & Friends on January 3, 2012
The Lunar Chronicles #1

Summary: "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future." --From Goodreads



My Thoughts:

I love this book series.  Love the characters, love the setting, love the romance.  I can't wait for Fairest to come out in January!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Published by Dutton Books on January 10, 2012.

Summary: "Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten." --From Goodreads










My thoughts:

I just want to say that I first listened to this book at work.  Close to the end, I started crying.  At work!  Since I work with a bunch of librarians, all I had to say was "The Fault in Our Stars", and they understood.  TFiOS is one of those books that I enjoyed so much that I almost do not want to dissect the story.  The characters are well-developed.  They deal with things that adults would have a hard time dealing with.  I also love the fact that even though this book talks about cancer and deals with cancer, this is not a cancer book.  This book is about Hazel, Augustus, and Isaac living with cancer.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick

What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
Published by Dial Books for Young Readers on April 15, 2014

Summary: "Gwen Castle's Biggest Mistake Ever, Cassidy Somers, is slumming it as a yard boy on her Nantucket-esque island this summer. He's a rich kid from across the bridge in Stony Bay, and she hails from a family of fishermen and housecleaners who keep the island's summer people happy. Gwen worries a life of cleaning houses will be her fate too, but just when it looks like she'll never escape her past—or the island—Gwen's dad gives her some shocking advice. Sparks fly and secret histories unspool as Gwen spends a gorgeous, restless summer struggling to resolve what she thought was true—about the place she lives, the people she loves, and even herself—with what really is." -- From Goodreads




My Thoughts:

Holy complex characters, Batman!  Gwen struggles with a lot of things in this novel: her slightly blemished past when it comes to boys, her relationships with her family, and other people's secrets.  She's a good girl, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that she has sex (gasp!) and handles it like a normal teenager would.  I feel like a reader would see Gwen's inability to talk things through with Cass the first time as a normal teenage reaction, and that maybe she may have been a little too young to have sex.

And Cass!  I have a tiny rant here, because my name is Cassie, and the main swoonworthy boy was Cassidy... why didn't Fitzpatrick pick a better boy name?  Oh well, I loved the chemistry between him and Gwen.  I appreciated the supporting characters too, as they were complex and seamlessly added to the story.

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Characters I Want to Get Their Own Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is the ten six characters I wish would get their own book.  Here we go!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot & Prongs.  Enough said.

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

I'd love to get a novel about Mia's best friend, Lilly.

Thone of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

I want to read about Princess Nehemia Ytger, and her life before coming to Adarlan.

 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

I'd love to have a book about Margot's adventures overseas in her first year of college.

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

How did Iko become the robot she is today?  I'd love to find out!

The Darkest Minds trilogy by Alexandra Bracken

More backstory on Cole and Liam please!

What characters are you dying to know more about?  Leave a list or link in the comments!

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken

Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken
Published by Disney Hyperion on October 15, 2013
The Darkest Minds #2

Summary: "Ruby never asked for the abilities that almost cost her her life. Now she must call upon them on a daily basis, leading dangerous missions to bring down a corrupt government and breaking into the minds of her enemies. Other kids in the Children’s League call Ruby “Leader”, but she knows what she really is: a monster.

When Ruby is entrusted with an explosive secret, she must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: leaving the Children’s League behind. Crucial information about the disease that killed most of America’s children—and turned Ruby and the others who lived into feared and hated outcasts—has survived every attempt to destroy it. But the truth is only saved in one place: a flashdrive in the hands of Liam Stewart, the boy Ruby once believed was her future—and who now wouldn’t recognize her.

As Ruby sets out across a desperate, lawless country to find Liam—and answers about the catastrophe that has ripped both her life and America apart—she is torn between old friends and the promise she made to serve the League. Ruby will do anything to protect the people she loves. But what if winning the war means losing herself?" --From Goodreads

My Thoughts: 

This book was pretty good for the second in a series.  Ruby grows into her powers even more in this novel.  Chubs, Liam, and Clancy have grown and changed as well, and it's interesting to see how everyone had changed in the time since the first book.  The situation has changed, and now it is about finding the cure to the disease that caused all of this in the first place.  I really liked how this book was less about fighting "the man" and more about the discord in the Children's League.  I can't wait to wrap up this series!

Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from my library.

The Darkest Minds Series

The Darkest Minds

Never Fade

In the Afterlight

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by Disney Hyperion on November 4, 2014 
The Naturals #2

Summary: "Seventeen-year-old Cassie Hobbes has a gift for profiling people. Her talent has landed her a spot in an elite FBI program for teens with innate crime-solving abilities, and into some harrowing situations. After barely escaping a confrontation with an unbalanced killer obsessed with her mother’s murder, Cassie hopes she and the rest of the team can stick to solving cold cases from a distance.

But when victims of a brutal new serial killer start turning up, the Naturals are pulled into an active case that strikes too close to home: the killer is a perfect copycat of Dean’s incarcerated father—a man he’d do anything to forget. Forced deeper into a murderer’s psyche than ever before, will the Naturals be able to outsmart the enigmatic killer’s brutal mind games before this copycat twists them into his web for good?" --From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

I love books about serial killers! I love the way Jennifer Lynn Barnes alternates between the mind of the serial killer and then focuses on the main characters. The multiple viewpoints give a sneak peek into how the story is going to progress. I also loved the ending of this book- it sounds like there's going to be more books released in the series! YES!

Disclosure: I received a digital galley of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Naturals Series

The Naturals

Killer Instinct

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Published by Disney-Hyperion on November 5, 2013
The Naturals #1

Summary: "Seventeen-year-old Cassie is a natural at reading people. Piecing together the tiniest details, she can tell you who you are and what you want. But it’s not a skill that she’s ever taken seriously. That is, until the FBI come knocking: they’ve begun a classified program that uses exceptional teenagers to crack infamous cold cases, and they need Cassie.

What Cassie doesn’t realize is that there’s more at risk than a few unsolved homicides—especially when she’s sent to live with a group of teens whose gifts are as unusual as her own. Sarcastic, privileged Michael has a knack for reading emotions, which he uses to get inside Cassie’s head—and under her skin. Brooding Dean shares Cassie’s gift for profiling, but keeps her at arm’s length.

Soon, it becomes clear that no one in the Naturals program is what they seem. And when a new killer strikes, danger looms closer than Cassie could ever have imagined. Caught in a lethal game of cat and mouse with a killer, the Naturals are going to have to use all of their gifts just to survive." --From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

The first thing that drew me to this book was the name of the main character: Cassie.  Cassie has a knack of reading people.  The FBI invites her into a program designed to crack cold cases with other teenagers with other similar abilities.  Not all of the characters have been fleshed out, but it is the first book in the series.  Of course Cassie gets tingles from both Michael and Dean, so it will be interesting to see which one she ends up with.

This is a unique premise for a book, because these teens are talented but they do not have superpowers.  They are just using their skills of observation; interpreting body language to read people.

The Naturals Series

The Naturals

Killer Instinct

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Want to Re-Read

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week's theme is the ten books I want to reread.  Here we go!

The Giver by Lois Lowry

In honor of the movie coming out later in November, I want to reread this classic!

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

One of my favorite Christmas picture books.  It's a must-read for me during this time of the year.

The Mitten by Jan Brett

This book is another must-read for me.  I love the intricate details that Jan Brett puts into her pictures.

The Villa by Nora Roberts

I'm not sure why I like this Nora Roberts' book so much.  Maybe it's the fact they own a vineyard and I love wine?  

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

It's no secret that I love this series. I want to read the series over again before Fairest is released in January!

Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian. 

I recently bought all of the novels in this series. I've read the first one, but not the next two. I need to reread this to remember what happened!

Better Homes and Garden's Baking

With the holiday season finally upon us, I've decided to expand my cookie knowledge. 

Christmas on 4th Street by Susan Mallery

I love Fool's Gold. I read this story last year, but when I saw the new release included another Christmas short story, I had to snatch it up! 

What are your top rereads?  Leave a list or link in the comments!