Friday, March 25, 2016

[Review] Starflight by Melissa Landers

Starflight by Melissa Landers
Version: HC
Rating: 5 stars
Published: February 2nd 2016

Goodreads Synopsis:
Life in the outer realm is a lawless, dirty, hard existence, and Solara Brooks is hungry for it. Just out of the orphanage, she needs a fresh start in a place where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. She's so desperate to reach the realm that she's willing to indenture herself to Doran Spaulding, the rich and popular quarterback who made her life miserable all through high school, in exchange for passage aboard the spaceliner Zenith.
When a twist of fate lands them instead on the Banshee, a vessel of dubious repute, Doran learns he's been framed on Earth for conspiracy. As he pursues a set of mysterious coordinates rumored to hold the key to clearing his name, he and Solara must get past their enmity to work together and evade those out for their arrest. Life on the Banshee may be tumultuous, but as Solara and Doran are forced to question everything they once believed about their world—and each other—the ship becomes home, and the eccentric crew family. But what Solara and Doran discover on the mysterious Planet X has the power to not only alter their lives, but the existence of everyone in the universe...

Thursday, March 24, 2016

[Review] Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke

Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevieve Tucholke
Version: ARC Paperback
Rating: 5 stars
Published: March 22nd 2016

Goodreads Synopsis:
Every story needs a hero.Every story needs a villain.Every story needs a secret.
Wink is the odd, mysterious neighbor girl, wild red hair and freckles. Poppy is the blond bully and the beautiful, manipulative high school queen bee. Midnight is the sweet, uncertain boy caught between them. Wink. Poppy. Midnight. Two girls. One boy. Three voices that burst onto the page in short, sharp, bewitching chapters, and spiral swiftly and inexorably toward something terrible or tricky or tremendous.
What really happened?Someone knows.Someone is lying.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

[Review] SST Review - Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath

Hey guys! I'll be reviewing this book as part of Nori's SST. So, I received this book in exchange for an honest review, which doesn't impact my review in any way. 

Liars and Losers Like Us by Ami Allen-Vath
Version: ARC Paperback
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Synopsis:
Keep calm and make it to prom night—without a legit panic attack.For seventeen-year-old Bree Hughes, it’s easier said than done when gossip, grief, and the opportunity to fail at love are practically high-fiving her in the hallways of Belmont High.When Bree’s crush, Sean Mills, gives her his phone number, she can’t even leave a voicemail without sounding like a freak. Then she’s asked to be on Prom Court because Maisey Morgan, the school outcast nominated as a joke, declined. She apologizes to Maisey, but it’s too late. After years of torment and an ugly secret shared with their class’s cruel Pageant Queen, Maisey commits suicide. Bree is left with a lot of regret…and a revealing letter with a final request.With Sean by her side, Bree navigates through her guilt, her parents’ divorce, and all the Prom Court drama. But when a cheating-love-triangle secret hits the fan after a night of sex, drinks, and video games, she’s left with new information about Sean and the class Pageant Queen. Bree must now speak up or stay silent. If she lets fear be her guide, she’ll lose her first love, and head to prom to avenge the death of the school outcast—as a party of one.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Get Up Offa That Slump: A Blogging Extravaganza 2: Bookish Things I'd Give a Kidney For



Late again... whoops.

But happy World Kidney Day guys! Remember to be aware and take care of your kidneys. And drink a ton of water! From a future doctor. Also, here is the World Kidney Day site if anyone is interested/wants to be informed on their kidneys.

Why all this talk about kidneys? Well today's blogging theme is...

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

A Blogging Extravaganza 1: An Interview with Yourself

I'm actually off to a bad start. This is actually my break at midnight as I study for an abnormal psychology midterm. But a fun break! I like interviews about myself. Does that make me sound conceited?

Anyhow!

In order for me to get back into blogging because it seems to be my procrastination tool for organic chemistry... I've decided, since this looks really fun, to do Rachel from Beauty and the Bookshelf's
Challenge! You can find it here.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

[Review] Mystic by Jason Denzel

Mystic (Mystic, #1)

Mystic by Jason Denzel
Rating: 3.5 stars
Series: Mystic #1
Version: Hardcover
Release Date: November 3, 2015


Goodreads synopsis:  I called to the Myst, and it sent us you.

For hundreds of years, high-born nobles have competed for the chance to learn of the Myst. 
Powerful, revered, and often reclusive, Mystics have the unique ability to summon and manipulate the Myst: the underlying energy that lives at the heart of the universe. Once in a very great while, they take an apprentice, always from the most privileged sects of society.
Such has always been the tradition—until a new High Mystic takes her seat and chooses Pomella AnDone, a restless, low-born teenager, as a candidate.
Commoners have never been welcomed among the select few given the opportunity to rise beyond even the highest nobility. So when Pomella chooses to accept the summons and journey to Kelt Apar, she knows that she will have more to contend with than the competition for the apprenticeship. 
Breaking both law and tradition, Pomella undergoes three trials against the other candidates to prove her worthiness. As the trials unfold, Pomella navigates a deadly world of intolerance and betrayal, unaware that ruthless conspirators intend to make her suffer for having the audacity to seek to unravel the secrets of the Myst.

Monday, March 7, 2016

[Review] Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
Version: ARC Paperback
Rating: 2.5 stars

Published: March 1st 2016

Goodreads Synopsis:
When fragile, sixteen-year-old Hope Walton loses her mom to an earthquake overseas, her secluded world crumbles. Agreeing to spend the summer in Scotland, Hope discovers that her mother was more than a brilliant academic, but also a member of a secret society of time travelers. Trapped in the twelfth century in the age of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Hope has seventy-two hours to rescue her mother and get back to their own time. Along the way, her path collides with that of a mysterious boy who could be vital to her mission . . . or the key to Hope’s undoing. 


I received this ARC from Miss Print's (Emma) ARC Adoption over here! Thank you Emma!

Sunday, March 6, 2016

February Reading Challenge Wrap-Up and March TBR


February was definitely a hectic month! With my birthday week and the start of spring semester, I didn't have as much time to read all the books I wanted. March will be even busier, with midterms starting this week and next. But hopefully I'll get to read more of my books.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

[Discussion] Romance in YA - Am I Too Critical, or is it Really Too Much?


I wanted to make this post for a long time, to fall around the month of February, because you know, romance. But early March isn't too bad!

One recurring theme in my reviews and something I often discuss (ahem complain) about in my reviews is the nature of YA romance. Often times, the romance is a deciding factor in my reviews, if I like the book or not. 

There aren't that many romances I can say I've liked. I'm really picky when it comes to my ships. And how this discussion idea started came from a talk with a friend. I'm at the point in time where I'm older than many of the YA heroines, so my friend believed that I shouldn't be so harsh on said teenagers, who tend to make decisions willy-nilly. Even now I occasionally make impulsive decisions. Yet here I am, complaining about YA romance. 

What is it about YA romance that makes me roll my eyes? Here, my friends, is a few reasons why.