Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly post hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it spotlights upcoming books that we as readers are anxiously awaiting...

Mind Games by Kiersten White
Genre:  YA Paranormal Fantasy
Kiersten White's website
Expected publication date:  February 19, 2013
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Goodreads):

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

This book sounds a little interesting.  A mix of paranormal and dystopian attributes.  I'm hoping for some awesome goodness.  Plus, the cover's interesting...

Giveaway: Back to the Future

How many books out there from different eras have you read?  Do you have any recommendations for me?  Well, I'd like to feature a book that I absolutely adored a while back.  The winner will be able to select this book or a book of his/her choosing (up to $15) from Amazon/TBD.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Note:  Winner will be able to select above book or book of choice (up to $15) from Amazon/TBD.

The details:

1. This contest is open to everyone (international included - as long as The Book Depository/Amazon ship to you).
2. Entrant must be 13 years of age or older.
3. Giveaway ends on Monday, January 28.
4. You can enter via the Rafllecopter form below. Ways to enter include:
1. Follow my blog via GFC/Linky. Leave how you follow and your user in the Rafflecopter comments section.
2. Tweet about the giveaway. Leave a link to your tweet in the Rafflecopter comments section.
3. Leave a comment.  Answer the question: Which books from different eras would you recommend for me?
5. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to respond with logistics.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

manda-rae's Haul

Stacking the Shelves consists of books we received in the last week, hosted by Tynga's reviews.

I'm currently in Georgia picking up my new used car.  It'll be a fun 14 hour drive home to Wisconsin on Sunday.  But anyways, I will enjoy my time with my family while it lasts.  Hope everyone had a good book week (and got more reading time in than I did)!

Gifted (from the Holiday Card Exchange hosted by Turning the Pages):

• Christmas Card from Pragya at Reviewing Shelf - This card came all the way from India.  It's traveled further than I've ever traveled in my life.  Holy smokes.  Happy this gal thought of me!  Thank you!

From the Library:

• Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• Did you know there's a movie coming out?  When I went to see The Hobbit, the preview for this movie along with the preview for Star Trek was the highlight of my night (I'm really not a fan of LOTR which also extends to The Hobbit).  So yes, I'm looking forward to the movie.  And no, I haven't read the book yet...
• Foretold: 14 Tales of Prophecy and Prediction edited by Carrie Ryan
• Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads
• I must admit that I do not do well with short story compilations.  But I really grabbed this book for the sole purpose of reading Richelle Mead's short story.  Who knows, I may read the whole book, but I'm not sure that I may pull much from it.

Purchased (e-edition):

Cora: The Unwilling Queen by Amy Hutchinson

Amazon | Goodreads

The cover and the description made me grab it instantly.  I mean, who doesn't like a good Persephone/Hades retelling?





manda-rae's Past Week

Reviews:

• Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey
• As They Slip Away by Beth Revis
• What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

The Dog: Gizmo

Well, he's old news.  But since he decided to show up in everyone of my shots, I thought I'd get an actual picture of him.  He decided to lick my Beautiful Creatures book after I took the picture.  I think he's decided on what I'm reading next...

What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang

Genre:  YA Fantasy/Dystopian

Hybrid Chronicles, Book 1

Kat Zhang's website

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Description (taken from Kat Zhang's website):

I shouldn't exist... But I do.

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t…

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

I didn't realize that this is from Eva's point of view.  The soul that doesn't control her body.  Instead, she spends her life watching Addie live it.  I can't imagine that would be like to have a passenger seat in my own life.  To watch myself interact with people I hate, kiss ugly boys, etc...

So the whole idea of having two souls in one body is super original.  It's a weird concept to grasp.  And I had a very hard time accepting it throughout the novel.  And that's probably why I didn't like it as much.  Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of twists/turns that occur in this book to keep you interested.  It's just you only see a glimpse of explanation when it come to two souls and settling.  And I never really understood what was so wrong with not settling.  So it was hard for me to believe the story line I guess.

For a unique concept and interesting plot, I definitely recommend this one.  Just keep an open mind and cross your fingers that the second book does a better job at explaining things.

Challenges:  Dystopia Reading Challenge

As They Slip Away by Beth Revis

Genre:  YA Science Fiction

Across the Universe Series, Book 0.5

Beth Revis' website

Goodreads

Description (taken from Goodreads):

Taking place on the spaceship Godspeed before Amy Martin wakes up and Elder takes leadership, this novella describes life at the Hospital during Eldest's reign. Focusing primarily on background characters, readers will see fan-favorite characters Harley, Orion, Victria, and more.

Selene is a singer on a spaceship that only values people who can provide important skills that enhance survival. As her friends--fellow "loons" in the Hospital--start to join apprenticeships to turn their skills into valuable labor, Selene is sent with a handful of other students to learn about the importance of art from the Recorder, Orion. The assignment pairs her with a young sculptor, Luthor, and their dangerous romance proves just how terrifying living trapped on a spaceship under the rule of a heartless dictator could be.

This tragic tale explores the background of a previously unknown character, linking the history of the ship and its residents to Amy and Elder, giving depth to the world of Godspeed.

Woah...  This is a very short novella, but it is super emotional.  It gives more background knowledge to the ship, Godspeed.  And we also get a feel of what life is like for its crew.  However, it's too short (like all novellas).

I finished reading this book with a sour taste in my mouth.  Having your actions and self-worth be weighed against what you can do for the ship is awful.  My rights to live and be happy shouldn't be any less than another person's just because that person is smarter and can contribute more.  Agh, this book got a strong reaction from me.

But I finished it wanting to know more about these side characters.  Beth Revis could probably write a whole new series from Harley or Kayleigh's point of view.  Granted if she wrote something from Luthor's point of view, I would probably burn the novel before ever reading it....

As They Slip Away by Penguin Young Readers Group