Teaser Tuesday (1)

Teaser Tuesday 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

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR (to be read) Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser this week is:

 

"The world fades out of focus, my ears outsource every sound to another dimension. My eyes close, my thoughts drift, my memories kick me in the heart." - pg. 42 

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Waiting on Wednesday (2): Of Poseidon

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Visit Breaking The Spine to see more entries! 

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

 Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
Release Date:  May 22nd 2012 by Feiwel & Friends
Format: Hardcover


Goodreads Summary:
Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

Reasons I want to own and read this book:
1. Look at the cover! It's STUNNING!
2. Mermaids. Oh em gee, people! I have never read a Young adult book that is focused on them. In this book, the author calls them "Syrena"... Ahh, it all sounds so mystifying already!
3. Florida and Jersey settings. I haven't read too many YA books and especially with supernatural/fantasy elements that take place in these locations, especially in Florida, that is so sunny (I would know as I live in Florida xD). The usual locations for paranormal/supernatural/fantasy YA books are NYC, London, Paris. Cities that are beautiful but have their dark/grim aura to them. Florida has beaches and Mickey Mouse and Harry Potter's home (Hogwarts) and lots of sun so bring on the Floridian Mer/Syrena peeps, I'm ready!
4. Anna Banks. If you follow her on twitter, you would know that she has a great sense of humour and I bet that it will seep into this book. I have a hunch there will be fun bits even though this is a supernaturally themed book.
5. A gorgeous Mer/Syrena guy who decides to go to your high school to find out about your possibly hidden supernatural powers of communication with fish? That is quite a first and I'm IN! I smell romance in the air!!!


 

Dreamcasting: From books to film!

I am a very visual person and when I read a book I like to envision in my head what each book character would look like in actuality and who could play their roles if they ever adapted that particular book into a film.

What is a dreamcast? Well, it's the cast of actors that you think would be perfect to interpret a character on screen. Today I will dreamcast four of my favorite book characters and explain why I think each actor would be perfect for the role of said character.

Dreamcast for Adrian Ivashkov; Lenah Beaudonte; Jem Carstairs; & Cricket Bell:

Douglas Booth as Adrian Ivashkov from Bloodlines

Currently Douglas Booth can be seen in the BBC One adaptation of Great Expectations as Pip. I think that Douglas would be perfect to play Adrian Ivashkov -the charming/bad boy with a secret heart of gold who comes from a Royal  vampire bloodline in the book series, Bloodlines by Richelle Mead- because Douglas definitely exudes charm onscreen and has a lot of sensibility but mischievous eyes when you pay close attention to him. Adrian is nothing but a charming character and on the outside he seems like a careless guy who only wants to have fun but inwardly he actually is quite conflicted and a little lost. Douglas definitely would be a perfect Adrian for me, he even looks quite regal, in my opinion. And for those who have read Vampire Academy and Bloodlines can assure you, for a Moroi vampire, you definitely need an actor who has charms but the looks to encompass what a Moroi vampire is and Douglas has both. 

Emily Browning as Lenah Beaudonte from Infinte Days

I think that Emily Browning would be a perfect Lenah Beaudonte from the book Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel because she has the ethereal beauty that is required of Lenah a former Vampire Queen who becomes a human again. Not only that, but Emily has a great sensibility and strength on screen that would be perfect for Lenah, a person that even though changed, still retains a sense of authority and regality from her vamp queen days but a sweet innocence all at the same time due to her newly regained humanity. I've seen Emily Browning in the films: A Series of Unfortunate Events and Sucker Punch and she is definitely an actress that can be both badass and vulnerable, all at the same time, just as Lenah is.

Harry Shum Jr. as Jem Carstairs from Clockwork Angel

Harry Shum Jr. can currently be seen as the charming and talented Mike Chang on Glee. As of Late, I have seen a new range of emotional depth from his character that has shown me that Mr. Shum is not only a great dancer but possesses a genuine vulnerability that could be perfect for Jem Carstairs from the book Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Jem Cartsairs is young man of British and Chinese descent that lives in Victorian England as a shadowhunter (a warrior of angel blood who fights demons). He is intelligent, charming, sweet, loving and also has a tormented past that makes his story even more compelling. I think Harry definitely has a gentlemanly air to him, he is tall and has great stature, like Jem does and as an actor I think he could definitely be very endearing and portray the quiet confidence that Jem possesses to a T. All that would be needed is for Harry to dye his hair a silverish color and to wear contacts as Jem has silver eyes and then we would be good.

Matthew Atkinson as Cricket Bell from Lola and the boy Next Door 

So I recently discovered Matthew Atkinson because he plays Nick the charming jock who makes all the girls heart go pitter patter on the ABC Family show Jane by Design. This guy oozes charm and sweetness just as the adorable character Cricket Bell does in the pages of the amazing book: Lola and the boy next Door by Stephanie Perkins. Matthew even resembles the Cricket on the Lola and the boy Next door cover. He is tall, has a great smile, kind eyes and cute pointy dark hair that sticks up just as Cricket Bell's does. When I see Jane by Design and his character Nick comes on screen all I can think about is, "OMG it's Cricket, Cricket is on my screen, he is soo Cricket"!

Have you ever dreamcasted your favorite book characters? If you have, let me know about it. Also, if any of you have different dreamcasting ideas for the characters I've mentioned in this post, I would love to hear about them, as well. Thanks for reading :)

Waiting on Wednesday (1): A Temptation of Angels

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. Visit Breaking The Spine to see more entries!

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

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

Release Date: March 20th 2012 by Dial Books 

Format: Hardcover 

Goodreads Summary:

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.

Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

Reasons I want to own and read this book:

1. Look at that COVER. So gorgeous!

2. Michelle Zink! 'Nuff Said

3. Angels... Hells yea!

4. Historical Fantasy set in LONDON. I need my Historical underground London Fix after finishing Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

5. Promise of a captivating love triangle. I'm IN.

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1) by Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry Books

Release Date:  August 31st 2010

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Source: Bought

Goodreads Summary:

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.

Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.

Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.

My Review:

If I could describe Clockwork Angel in one word it would be: Exquisite. Clockwork Angel is a rather perfect book in more ways than one. The writing contained within this book is elegant. The characterization is of a high caliber and the plot is full of the adventure one requires of an Urban Fantasy. I just found myself completely enamored with this book and it took me by surprise. Why? Well, because this book is the first book in the prequel series to The Mortal Instruments which in of itself is a rather top notch series created by Cassandra Clare. I wasn't sure if I would like Clockwork Angel as much as I loved City of Bones -1st book of The Mortal Instruments series- in all honesty, but luckily my worries were quickly put to rest when I found myself completely absorbed in the Victorian London setting presented to us in Clockwork Angel.

Clockwork Angel centers around the story of Tessa, a sixteen year old girl from New York City, who has to move to 19th Century London to meet up with her brother after her caretaker, her Aunt Harriet, dies suddenly. Upon her arrival she soon discovers that she has the power to transform into other people and finds herself immersed in the dangerous and hidden world of Downworlders (who are hybrids of humans and demons and include: werewolves, vampires, faries, warlocks etc) and the Shadowhunters (a race of warriors who hunt demons and have angel blood in their veins). To say that this book is action packed would be an understatement. Clockwork Angel is a roller coaster ride full of dangerous encounters and fights, first loves, self-discovery, and villainy. Fans of fantasy and the supernatural will never be bored with this book, the plot is fantastic and has a little bit of everything for everyone.

What I loved the most about Clockwork Angel was the character development, I have to say. Every single character in this book, from heroes to villains, have a history and are layered. Something that is not easily accomplished in Young Adult Literature. Not only did I find myself rooting for the main characters (Tessa, Jem, and Will) but for the secondary characters as well. I felt like in this book, the secondary characters didn't feel secondary at all. They all had their own little story and mystique to them that you had to peel away with every turn of the page, just like you had to do with the main characters. What a cast! I loved them all! They all had such heart and such charm. All of the female characters in this book from Tessa to Charlotte, to Jessamine to Sophie and Camille, were all so interesting, strong and self assured. I loved that. The male characters (Jem, Will, Henry, Thomas, Magnus) as well, were also men of great sensibility and bravado. Even the villains in this story were amazing. I really liked that there were several, that you never quite knew who was the evilest of them all and that there just wasn't what I call "the resident Lord Voldemort of a story" there were many and boy were they dark.

The setting of this book is quite mesmerizing. I loved that this book was set in 19th century London. Victorian London, to be exact. I definitely felt myself transported to that era through the descriptions given in this book. Victorian London felt like a character of it's own in this story and it felt very real. Cassandra Clare definitely did her research and accentuated the era in the book through her thorough knowledge of Victorian era literature and poetry. When I saw references to Charles Dickens and Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice, my Victorian era loving heart, just went pitter-patter. And my favorite thing of all were the Victorian Era quotes that Cassandra Clare used at the beginning of each chapter as inspiration for her chapter titles. I love it when authors title their chapters and use quotes at the beginning of each one, it just helps you speculate about what each chapter is about prior to reading it and informs you a little of what the author was thinking about when writing each chapter. I thought it was a nice touch that added elegance to the story since each quote had a touch of either romance or nostalgia in some form or another.

My advice: Read this book. It just whisks you away on a journey of self acceptance and transports you to a time and setting, full of challenge but promise and adventure. This book is great for anyone who might feel a little lost and wonders what they should do when they feel stuck. I found this book full of inspiring characters who were bent on fighting for their beliefs and learning about themselves in their own individual way. And you really can't beat the fact that this book is set amongst such a mystifying and creative world, that is full of suspense and wonder.

Rating: 5/5

Five 2012 Books I am Dying to Read!

So, there is a ton of books that are going to come out in 2012 that look amazingly good.

Here is a list of the top 5 books that are highly anticipated by me! =)

I. 

 Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen Novel #2) by Rebecca Maizel

Release Date:  February 5th 2013 by St. Martin's Griffin

I have been waiting for Stolen Nights for over a year and a half. The release dates for this book keeps on changing but it is coming out in 2012, that I do know. So... Stolen Nights is the sequel to Infinite Days which came out August 2010. It is no secret that Infinite Days is my favorite book. I love it like nobody's business. The writing was beautiful, it had a very fresh and new take on vampires, it had a certain sophistication to it and the ending and cliffhanger were beyond amazing. I still can't get over that ending and need to know what happens. Saying that I am dying to read this book is an understatement. I want to read it veryyyy badly.

II.

 The Golden Lily (Bloodlines #2) by Richelle Mead

Release Date: June 19, 2012

Bloodlines #1 (spin off series of Vampire Academy) was one of my favorite reads of 2012 and you know what? Anything Richelle Mead writes is amazing. I can't wait to see what happens with the amazingly intelligent alchemist Sydney Sage and the charming & witty Moroi vampire Adrian Ivashkov, who are now lead characters in this series.

III.

 Bewitching (Kendra Chronicles) by Alex Flinn

Release Date: February 14, 2012

Main reason to read this book: Kendra. She was a character we met in Beastly (Flinn's re-imagining of Beauty and the beast) and she was the witch who put a curse on Kyle so he could see his ways were too superficial and empty and all of that. Her character was just amazing in that book and if I'm not mistaken, through this book we get to meet Kendra through many time periods and get to read about her adventures prior to Beastly. Cannot wait! In the summary for this book, it mentions that we will see her in the British Plague and even the Titanic just to cite a couple of examples!

IV.

Jessica Rules the Dark Side (Jessica #2) by Beth Fantaskey

Release Date: January 10, 2012

Jessica Rules the Dark Side is the sequel to Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. To be honest, I was hesitant about reading the first book in the series but boy did I regret waiting for so long to read it. It was amazing. What I loved the most about Jessica's Guide were the main characters Jessica and Lucius. They were smart, they were charming, funny and full of depth. I can't wait to see how Jessica rules the dark side as a newlywed Vamp princess.

V.

A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

Release Date: April 1, 2012

So I am a huge Jane Eyre fan. I loved the recent 2011 movie and BBC version of the story and I also loved the modern YA retelling of Jane Eyre in the book titled, Jane by April Lindner. A Breath of Eyre I am really excited about not only because it uses Jane Eyre as a huge element to the story but because it features my favorite literary device in literature: body swap/a form of time travel between different era's. There is just something about sending a modern day character to the 19th century that is fascinating to me and the fact that in this book, the main character is a girl who is gonna inhabit Jane's body and fall in love with Mr. Rochester or something along those lines, is just beyond genius to me. I can't wait for this book.