Waiting on Wednesday - The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

Title: The Immortal Rules

Author: Julie Kagawa

 Publication: April 24, 2012

 

Decription: You will kill. The only question is when.
In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive. Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.  Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

 

 

I'm really kind of over vampires.  But, I can't wait to see what Kagawa does with this.  I adore The Iron King series, so I am more than willing to give it a shot!

 

  

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

 

This past week has been full!   My sister-in-law had her baby boy on Monday evening!  Such a tiny little guy at 5 lbs 13 ounces.  Mom and baby are doing well (minus the spinal headaches).  On top of that I've had to finish up report cards and kindergarten evaluations.  I feel like I haven't had a spare moment.  Maybe that's why I feel like crap today.  I'm trying to fight of this cold (or something).  I hope I can accomplish that!

Read Last Week:

• Pieces of Us by Maggie Gelbwasser
• Asenath by Anna Patricio
• Absolutely, Positivelyby Heather Weber  

 Currently Reading: 

• Cascade by Lisa Bergren

Up This Week:

•  Perception by Kim Harrington
• Starters by Lissa Price

In My Mailbox!

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren and she was inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie!

For Review: 

• Dark Frost by Jennifer Estep 
• Grave Mercy by R.L. LaFevers 
• Intangible by J. Meyers

Purchased:

• A Rogue By Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

Review - Diabolical (Tantalize #4) by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Title: Diabolical

Author: Cynthia Leitich Smith

Series: 4th (Tantalize, Eternal, Blessed)

Pages: 368

Published: January 24th 2012 by Candlewick Press 

ISBN:  9780763651183

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: Prepare for a hell of a ride as Cynthia Leitich Smith calls on characters from her previous novels - and conjures up new ones - for a climactic showdown.  When "slipped" angel Zachary and his werewolf pal, Kieren, arrive under suspicious circumstances to a mysterious New England boarding school, they quickly find themselves in a hellish lockdown with an intriguing assortment of secretive, hand-picked students. Plagued by demon dogs, hallucinatory wall décor, a sadistic instructor, and a legendary fire-breathing monster, will they somehow manage to escape? Or will the devil have his due? Best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith unites heroes from the previous three novels in the Tantalize Series - including Zachary's girl, Miranda, and Kieren's love, Quincie - along with a fascinating cast of all-new characters for a suspenseful, action-packed clash between the forces of heaven and hell.

I Give This ...

 

I've kept at this series hoping to capture what I loved in book two.  Second book in the series, but it's the first one I read (luckily, I don't feel it matters which order you read the 1st and 2nd).  It's come close with each one, but with some many different story lines and characters, it was hard to get the same feel.

I honestly think I enjoyed this one the most after Eternal.  I finally felt like all the pieces of the story came together the way they should.  Although, I do feel like a continuation is possible with two of the characters, I think I might stop with this series right here.

I enjoyed how there are so many forces at work here.  I'm sure the real targets were Quince and Zachary, but the story included everyone.  I was afraid one of them might do something to jeopardize the chances, but the devil has nothing on these two. 

The story can get a little cheesy at times.   I feel its better suited to younger teens that aren't looking for a lot of depth and through provoking dialogue.  But, I've enjoyed the series since I first discovered it.

 

Review (or why I didn't finish) - Pure (Pure #1) by Julianna Baggott

Title: Pure

Author: Julianna Baggott

Series: 1st

Pages: 448

Published: February 8th 2012 by Grand Central Publishing 

ISBN: 9781455503063

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

Description: We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.  Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . . There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her. When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

I Give This

DNF (Did Not Finish)

I was really excited to read this book.  It sounded right up my alley.  I've had a new attraction to the dystopian genre and this one fit the bill.

Sadly, I just could not get into this story.  I so rarely give up on something (one all of last year).  But, I struggled just getting though a few pages.  I didn't connect with the characters at all.  I had a hard time understanding the world they lived in.  When I realized I was only 30% into the story and had been reading it for 5 days, I made myself give up.  There's to many great books out there to make myself finish a book I don't connect with. 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list. Click on the picture to be taken to Sheila at One Person's Journey Through A World of Books!

I did pretty good considering I was to tired to read most of out vacation!  I totally expected that after walking around Disneyland for 3 days straight.  Thankfully we have today off, so one more day for all of us to recover before it's back to school.  

Read Last Week:

• Allegiance by Cayla Kluver
• Between Sea and Sky by Jaclyn Dolamore

 Currently Reading: 

• Pieces of Us by Maggie Gelbwasser

 

Up This Week:

• Absolutely, Positively by Heather Weber

Review - Fate (Tattoo #2) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Title: Fate

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Series: 2nd (Tattoo)

Pages: 355

Published: March 10th 2009 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers 

ISBN: 9780385735377

Source: Personal Copy

Description: For the past two years, Bailey Morgan has lived a double life: high school student by day, ancient mystical being by night. As the third Fate, Bailey literally controls the fate of the world, but as Plain Old Bailey, her life is falling apart. She’s got a tattoo that was supposed to be temporary (but isn’t), friendships that were supposed to last forever (but might not), and no idea what her future holds after high school graduation.  Then Bailey meets the rest of the Sidhe, an ancient race defined by their power, beauty, and a sinister habit of getting what they want at any cost. Before Bailey knows it, she’s being drawn into an otherworldly web more complicated than anything she weaves as a mortal Fate.

I Give This ...

  

I picked up this book a long time ago, not realizing that it was a sequel to Tattoo.  I honestly picked it up because of the pretty cover.   I didn't read it right after finishing Tattoo, so I honestly didn't remember what had happened in the previous story.

I'm not sure if that lapse in between stories contributed to my inability of get into this story.  I honestly almost gave up on this book a couple of times.  I felt like it had a hard time getting past the Sidhe background.  It was long and drawn out.   The action was reserved for the last little bit of the book.  It really wasn't enough to make the book really worthwhile to seek out.

I did like how the ending turned out.   The Sidhe were trying to make Bailey play by their rules, when they didn't really apply to her.  She something entirely different, so she should be an exception to the rules.   I also enjoyed how the Sidhe represented different gods/goddesses throughout history.  I enjoy when a book can take different views from different cultures and wrap them into one story that makes sense.

I would probably pass on this book unless you enjoy other books by Barnes, or have all ready read Tattoo.