I'M MOVING!

Since I am doing a reboot of my blog I wanted to really reboot and create a full new page. My new address is http://randomlyreviewing.blogspot.com.

I know I don't have many followers here and hardly anyone reads my posts anyway but I am going to be dedicating a lot more time to making my blog the best it can be. I hope that everyone goes there to follow me. I have a few things planned for it that should be exciting. I am going to post a review every Saturday, an In My Mailbox or Pile of Shame video every Wednesday, and if there is anything important to post whenever there is something important to post.

I am really looking forward to this new schedule because I think that I will actually be able to stick to it.

Today I am going to move a couple of the reviews here to that address just to have something on there and I might be posting the review of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian today and tomorrow I have a giveaway and cover reveal going up. I hope that you all will go check those out and look at my new site, maybe even consider following! It would really mean a lot to me if you did.

See you guys on the new blog =D

Here's a contest!

I found this contest today in which you could win one of the bloggers favourite books from the last year. http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/2011/02/best-reads-of-2010.html?spref=tw

In honour of this of this contest I thought I would share a few of my favourite books from 2010.

First, I read both The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan. They are both zombie Apocalypse novels. The first one follows Mary who lives in this enclosed area in the middle of the Forest of Hands and Teeth, a forest filled with the Unconsecrated. Soon a girl comes to Mary's village which the Guardians try to keep quiet; no one is supposed to know that there is life outside the fences. One day the Unconsecrated break through the barriers and start attacking everyone in the village. Mary's only choices are to stay and be turned into one of them or to face her fears and pass through the barriers, leaving her village forever.

The Second is about a girl named Gabry who lives in a lighthouse with her mother. They have much less Mudo (their word for Unconsecrated) but there is still the threat of them. A bunch of Gabry's friends decide one night to cross the barrier to this old theme park. Everything goes as planned until an unseen Mudo crosses their path. A few kids are attacked but most get out alright; but now they must lie about crossing the barrier.

There were a few others I enjoyed but these two were among my favourites. I may post a few more later, but for now I will feature Carrie's books. The third book, The Dark and Hollow Places, comes out on March 22, 2011.

Also, I know I suck at posting here but I am going to get better! I have a few ideas for this blog that should be fun. I am going to take Random Reviews to a new level and I may eventually create a new webpage for it but for now it will stay here. I will be reviewing everything from recipes to cell phone apps, and of course I will still review books. I have a review that I will be posting hopefully this weekend. It of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie. I had to read this for my YA Lit class so yeah, look for that.

DFTBA and Best Wishes

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

It's been awhile hasn't it? Well, my computer broke and I have been without it for almost 2 months. In that two months I have read about 15 books and there is no way I will be able to find time between babysitting, moving to New York, finding a job, etc. in which I can review them all. So, sadly I am going to discontinue this for awhile until I can have more time to do it all. The contest for the copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth will now be given away on my YouTube so if you are not already subscribed there you should click here for a chance to win it! I will also be giving away a Princess for Hire bookmark and a lot of FHT/DTW swag that I got from the book signing.

Anyway, this blog is not about my lameness, it is about Jackson Pearce's AWESOMENESS! Jackson has a book that hits shelves June 7th called Sisters Red. And, it sounds AMAZING!

Summary: Scarlet March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

Not only does it sound like it's going to be freaking fabulous, it also has an amazing cover!


Pretty right?

Last of all to preorder Jackson's book to ensure that you get it the day it comes out click here, here, or here.

Much love!
Josie

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

Publishing House: Point Books
Release Date: February 1, 2010
Pages: 332
Rating: A-

WARNING: May contain few spoilers if you have not read Suite Scarlett as this is the sequel.

Summary: Faced with her family's financial woes, Scarlett has taken on the job of assistant/indentured servant to a newly minted theatrical agent, professional eccentric Mrs. Amy Amberson. Scarlett ends up at the beck and call of a Broadway star (her own age!), dealing with territorial doorman, and walking a small dog with her insecurity issues -- all while starting her sophomore year at one of New York's most rigorous high schools.
It doesn't help that Scarlett's brain is clouded with thoughts of Eric, her former sort-of boyfriend. She has thousands of things to say to him, if only he would call. And then there's her new lab partner, the impossible Max, who's on a quest to destroy what little mind she has left.
Meanwhile, her older brother, Spencer, has become New York City's most controversial villain; her ever-reliable older sister, Lola, is sliding off the rails; and her younger sister, Marlene, most worryingly, has suddenly become...nice.
But somehow Scarlett will prevail...right?

Review: I actually finished this book on Tuesday and I kept putting off doing my review because I have been sick all week (first I got the flu and now I have a cold...) and I just remembered that I hadn't done this yet. So, here we go!
Scarlett Fever picks up right after Suite Scarlett leaves off; Scarlett is working as Mrs. Amberson's assistant and she is still moping over Eric. Marlene is still doing a lot of stuff with the Powerkids, Spencer is still auditioning for countless roles that he isn't getting, and Lola is working at a spa where she is still getting tortured by Chip's rich friends even though she is no longer dating Chip.
I really enjoyed this book, but then again, I have yet to find a Maureen Johnson book that I haven't liked. I definitely liked Scarlett Fever a lot better than the prequel. (Sidenote: I really shouldn't have done this review while being sickly...sorry for the suckitude of it) I overall love Maureen's writing, even though I usually don't read books that aren't fantasy, she has made me love them. Well, her and John Green of course!
Anyway, find Maureen in these places:
http://www.twitter.com/MaureenJohnson
http://www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com
http://www.youtube.com/maureenbooks

Also, if you enjoy the Scarlett books a few character's from the novels have joined twitter! Find them here:
http://www.twitter.com/MaureenJohnson/the-martins

Oh, and update on the contest: I will be going to a Carrie Ryan signing in just over 2 weeks and she just got a bunch of stickers that she will be handing out at the signing, so I will be getting a few of those and probably a signed copy of The Forest of Hands and Teeth, possibly two copies. If that happens then I will be doing a contest before 100 followers.

Next to Review: Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

Publishing House: Simon Pulse
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Pages: 412
Rating: A+

Summary: Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of and overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants, or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.

Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

At the nightmares escalate and the messages becomes relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to meet.

Review: I know I said that my next book review would be Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater but ever since Chasing Brooklyn arrived I have been itching to read it. I am definitely very happy that I finally did give in; Chasing Brooklyn was seriously a new favourite of mine. I can easily say its in the top running (along with Let it Snow, Shiver, and Looking for Alaska) for my favourite book of all time!

This book is set up, instead of prose, in poems; it's not usually the type of book I read because it's this way so, if I wouldn't have won it, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. Chasing Brooklyn has definitely made me realize that I had judged these types of books way too soon, and as soon as I can, I will be buying Lisa's first two books, Far From You and I Heart You, You Haunt Me. I also don't usually go for ghost stories; but again, this book has made me realize that you can't be quick to judge.

I finished this book in about 4 hours (not consecutively but all together) and last night it was very hard for me to go to bed because I only had about 60 pages left and I was dying to know what was going to happen with the two main characters, Nico and Brooklyn. It was very rare to find myself not smiling at something that was going on.

All in all, Chasing Brooklyn was a really good book; if you like books that aren't all about love and happiness (even if you like all that), I think you would really enjoy this book. Lisa puts in just enough sorrow, happy, suspense, and love to make this one fantastic novel!

Next to Read: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater (for real this time)

Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

Publishing House: Flux Books

Release Date: October 1, 2008

Pages: 325

Rating: A


Summary: Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand--one who can see faeries.

Unexpectedly, Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy named Luke who enters her ordinary life, seemingly out of thin air. But his interest in her might be something darker than summer romance. When a sinister faerie named Aodhan shows up with deadly orders from the Faerie Queen, it forces Dee right into the midst of Faerie. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend.

Deirdre had been wishing her summer weren't so dull, but taking on a centuries-old Faerie Queen isn't exactly what she had in mind.


Review: After I read Maggie's "Shiver", I immediately ordered Lament and Ballad to give me some more of Maggie's amazing writing skills until the sequel, "Linger", comes out. That is just what I got. I absolutely LOVE stories about Faeries (especially ones that spell it like that) add in a bit of a love triangle and I am sold!

The story starts off with the prologue, which I can only assume is Deirdre's dream that she mention's later in the story, telling about a boy hiding in a room. Off in the distance of the room, there is a dove that is trapped in a cage of "hair-fine wires", its wings beating against the bars. A woman then appears, taking the bird from the cage, holding a candle beneath its wing, which seems to cause the boy pain. With the closing statements, the boy is discovered. Then, going into the first chapter, starting with Deirdre and her mother driving to a music competion.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. In my opinion, it by far held up to my love of "Shiver", and made me even more excited for "Linger"!

Next to Read: Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Publishing House: Simon & Schuster
Release Date: October 13, 2009
Pages: 391
Rating: B-

Summary: Romance as not a part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boy at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But, after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her that her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should faill into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those who have fallen--and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Review: When I first started this book,to be honest, I didn't like it very much. Up until around chapter, let's say, 15, it just wasn't grabbing my attention. But, since I won it from the official Hush Hush fansite (http://www.fallenarchangel.com/) I was determined to at least finish it. The book begins in the prologue, which takes place in Loire Valley, France, November 1565, with a character named Chauncey. Chauncey is, what is explained in within pages of the book starting, something called a "Nephilim." This is caused when a fallen angel reproduces with a female human.

We are then introduced to another character who's name isn't revealed, who tells Chauncey that he has a fortnight meet him back in that same spot, but doesn't say exactly why.
The first chapter, we are present day, and the story begins. Looking back on the beginning of the book I can't exactly remember why I didn't like it, I just remember it not grasping my by the wrists and dragging me in. Like I said earlier, I really didn't get to the point where I couldn't put it down until I was about half way done with the novel. The ending was what really got me to be Team Hush Hush, without giving away too many spoilers (SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE...wait, what?*) the end of the book was very captivating and made the earlier chapters come together and make sense very well.

Earlier today (technically, yesterday now seeing as it's 1am) I was at a chat held by the Fallen Archangel fansite with Becca, and she was talking about how many people say that the ending was too rushed. I don't think that at all. The last three to four chapters were by far my favourite of the entire book. She was also talking about how a lot of people don't like the character of Vee, Nora's best friend. I also disagree with this, but at times I really wanted to smack her upside the head. But, then again, what book doesn't have at least one character that you love but sometimes they could use a good swift kick?
Overall, this book was good, it wasn't OMIGOSH FANTASTIC, but it also wasn't utter crap.

In the comments, tell me what you thought of this book if you have read it, I would love to know some other points of view on it! Also, if you guys liked my review (*hopes*), I would love it if you guys would follow my blog. I have a lot of things planned for this and I can't wait to get n to them!

*In my opinion, this is the best spoiler EVER!