A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Source: Library
Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.
Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.
This book has a huge cast of characters and while as it seems overwhelming at the beginning, they quickly became distinctive. The characters are all very developed and unique. Several characters stood out to me. For example, Daenerys is such a strong and remarkable character. Tyrion was such a funny character and made me laugh a lot. Arya was also kick ass and brave. I could go on the other characters forever. Martin isn't afraid to harm his characters and I became emotional in several place. This book starts out slow, but quickly becomes exciting. There are so many plots that are linked together flawlessly. I became enthralled in what would happen next and needed to know more. The world building is also done so well. I never felt overwhelmed by what was happening and Martin explains it perfectly. The map in the book also helped a lot. The concept of winter being years long, also interested me and I hope that comes into play in later books. This book is rather thick and at times, it felt like it would last for forever. At the same time, I never felt bored. I don't think that the story could be told in less content, but at the same time, it is a bit tiring reading it. Martin's writing is pretty good. He is really good at make a story believable. I haven't watched the show, but I am definitely interested in it now. I would recommend anyone that likes Epic Fantasy. It has really well developed character, an interesting plot, and great world building. I am definitely interested on continuing with the series, but I am going to take a break before continuing reading this series.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Source: Publisher
Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong. 
In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.
There are a lot of characters introduced at once. I felt a bit overwhelmed from the characters, because there are so many of them introduced at once.  They weren't super distinct and it took a while for them to develop.  Dean was an outsider, but he tried to help people. I believed that it would have been better if there had been another point of view, because I felt that I was losing a lot of information that could have been given later in the story. A lot of this book focuses on the mundane and there are a few places that are  action-packed, but it quickly slows down from the first page and picks up later.  I wish that the author had focused a lot more on the action parts, because the plot is okay. I thought the premise was interesting, but I wish that it was plotted a bit more. The originality helped me want to read this book more. The writing was okay, but I felt that Laybourne condescended to the audience a few times. The ending became a lot better, and almost redeemed the book. I hope that it picks up in the second book. Overall, I would recommend this book, if it interest you. Otherwise I would skip it.

Triangles by Ellen Hopkins

Source: Publisher
THREE FEMALE FRIENDS FACE MIDLIFE CRISES IN A NO-HOLDS-BARRED EXPLORATION OF SEX, MARRIAGE, AND THE FRAGILITY OF LIFE.Holly: Filled with regret for being a stay-athome mom, she sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Will it bring the fulfillment she is searching for?Andrea: A single mom and avowed celibate, she watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband?Marissa: She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay, rebellious teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts. 
As one woman’s marriage unravels, another’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s reconfigures into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness.Unflinchingly honest, emotionally powerful, surprisingly erotic, Triangles is the ultimate page-turner. Hopkins’s gorgeous, expertly honed poetic verse perfectly captures the inner lives of her characters. Sometimes it happens like that. Sometimes you just get lost.Get lost in the world of Triangles, where the lives of three unforgettable women intersect, and where there are no easy answers.
I am used to Ellen Hopkins, she writes amazing and intense books. Her adult books are similar to her young adult books, in which they don't hold anything back. Her characters are developed really well. Andrea, Holly, and Marissa are all unique and I enjoyed them. I really felt for Marissa and her family and connected to her family and what was happening to her.   I liked their families too. The plot was very gripping and I became invested into the characters pretty quickly. It is a pretty fast paced read.  Ellen Hopkins' writing  is amazing as always. I love her verse and find it to be so beautiful. I recommend this book to anyone that likes Ellen Hopkins' young adult. Overall, it was an interesting book and seemed a bit different than her young adult books, but it is just as intense and epic as her other books.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Source: Library
Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.
When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution.
As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? 
A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.
I wasn't sure if this book would live up to the hype that I had heard, but it did. The thing that attracted me most in the story is that it was about friendship and what people would do for each other. It was also about trying to find your place in a world torn apart. I loved both of the main characters. Verity is a strong, fearless, and likable character that grows on you. Maggie is a strong character that is unsure of her place in the world. I loved her love of flying and her devotion to it. Their friendship made this story so much more intense and gorgeous. The other characters in the book are complex and you learn a lot about them. I liked that none of them were simple, but there were several forces that came into play to every decision. I began to care for many of them.
One of the best things in Code Name Verity, is the WWII Britain. I could feel the intensity and the fear of the unknown. Even though I know the History, I still became caught up in what would happen next.  It was just so well done, because I understood the terror. The plot was very fast pace and exciting. I had to know what happened next. Everything in this book linked together flawlessly. This book is extremely original and unlike anything that I have read. Elizabeth Wein's writing is gorgeous and spectacular. I regret not reading this book sooner. It was just such a spectacular book and honestly, I can't say more. It is the kind of book that you need to read to understand what I am talking about. It is clever with many twist and turns. I recommend this to anyone that wants an astonishing and remarkable read. It is timeless and made me think so much about myself. Seriously go read this book now, if you haven't! 

Waiting on Wednesday (123)

Title:  Split Second
Author: Kasie West 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Life can change in a split second.
Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.
When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.
Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.
As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.
I adored Pivot Point and I am dying to read this book.

Top Ten Tuesday: Recogition

This weeks topic is: Top Ten Authors Who Deserve More Recognition. I had to think about this topic for a while.
1. Courtney Summers 
She has written Cracked Up to Be, Some Girls Are, Fall For Anything, and This is Not a Test. Her books are amazingly raw and intense. I have enjoyed all of her books and I can't wait to read more from her.
2. Stephanie Kuehnert
She has written Ballads of Suburbia and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone. Her books are clever and unique. The writing is epic. A lot of the people that I know haven't read these books, when they are amazing. I am dying to read her next book.
3. Holly Cupala
She has written Tell Me a Secret and Don't Breathe a Word. Her books are raw and deal with tough issue, but not in a cliche way. It is honest, beautiful, and full of hope. They also all happen in Seattle, which makes them a bit more interesting to me.
4. Robin Benway
She has written Audrey, Wait!, The Secrets of April, May, and June, and Also Known As. Her writing is so funny, like all of her books, have made me laugh so much. I can't recommend these books enough and you should totally read them.
5.  Laura Wiess

She has written Such a Pretty Girl, Leftovers, How It Ends, Ordinary Beauty, and Me Since You. Her books are crafted very well. The plot always draws me in and I keep on wanting more. They are all emotionally gripping and keep me wanting more
6. Amanda Grace 

This is the pseudonym of Mandy Hubbard, but these books are amazing. She has written But I Love Him, In Too Deep, and The Truth about You and Me. These books are amazing and give me so many feels.
7. Lauren Strasnick

Her books are Nothing Like You, Her, Me, and You, and Then You Were Gone. I find her books to be quick and enjoyable reads. I really like the style of her writing, which is very sparse, but clever. It is an interesting concept.8. Tara Altebrando

Her books include The Pursuit of Happiness, What Happened Here, Dreamland Social Club, and The Best Night of Your (Pathetic) Life. She also co-wrote the forthcoming Roomies with Sara Zarr. Her books are fun, while surrounded with more complex issues. Her books should definitely have more buzz, because they are really well written and such diverse characters.

 9. Lili Wilkinson 
She has written  Pink and many other books published in Australia. Pink is an amazing book. There are realistic characters that I loved. I really want to read more from her.
10. Jennifer Jabaley
She wrote Lipstick Apology and Crush Control. One book is really raw and intense. The other was fun. I enjoyed both books and would love to see more from her. 

I am participating in...

Hey everyone!
For the next week, I will be participating in Booktube-A-Thon. It is hosted by Ariel Bissett and  Raeleen from Padfootandprongs07. It last from July 15th to the 21st. There are a few challenges, which are:
1) read an average of 300 pages a day
2) read a book with over 500 pages
3) re-read one book
4) finish a series/trilogy
5) read a book that's been on your shelf forever
6) listen to an audiobook
7) read a classic


Here is the video that I made:
The Possible Books are:
Twelfth Night by Willian Shakespeare
Violet in Private by Melissa Walker
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkins
Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
Altered by Gennifer Albin
Horde by Ann Aguirre
This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales
The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schnieder

Anyways, is anyone else participating?
I hope to get some reading done! I'll let you know how it goes on Monday.
Best wishes, Sarah!

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In My Mailbox (Week of July 14th)

Sent: 
The Bad Apple and A World of Trouble by T.R. Burns
Seamus is immediately shipped off to a detention facility—only to discover that Kilter Academy is actually a school to mold future Troublemakers, where demerits are awarded as a prize for bad behavior and each student is tasked to pull various pranks on their teachers in order to excel. Initially determined to avoid any more mishaps, Seamus nonetheless inadvertently emerges as a uniquely skilled troublemaker. Together with new friends Lemon and Elinor, he rises to the top of his class while beginning to discover that Kilter Academy has some major secrets and surprises in store….
It sounds cute. I might give the first book a try to see if I like it.

Bought:
Gates of Paradise by Melissa De La Cruz
Schuyler Van Alen is running out of time. The Dark Prince of Hell is storming the Gates of Paradise, intent on winning the heavenly throne for good. This time he has his greatest angels by his side, Abbadon and Azrael—Jack and Mimi Force, as they are known in the Coven.
Or so he thinks. Even as Lucifer assigns Jack and Mimi the tasks of killing their true loves, the Force twins secretly vow to defeat the Dark Prince once and for all. But how far will Mimi and Jack go to conceal their real loyalties?
Meanwhile, former vampire Bliss Llewellyn has joined forces with Lawson, the greatest wolf of the underworld, to free his people from their imprisonment in Hell. As they struggle against impossible odds, an ancient message, woven into the very fabric of time, reveals just how much depends on the success of their mission.
Lucifer seeks the key to the Gate of Promise, and when Schuyler is taken captive and delivered straight to Hell, she must make an unthinkable choice—the same one the archangel Michael was forced to make during the Crisis in Rome. Will Schuyler find the strength to do what he could not?
The epic, heartbreaking Blue Bloods series comes to a close with this final novel about staggering courage, unbearable sacrifice, and the immortality of true love.
I am excited to read this one and finish the series.

Library:
Just One Day by Gayle Forman
A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.
Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!
I have heard great things about this book and really want to read it.

Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Source: Publisher
She is pretty and talented - sweet sixteen and never been kissed. He is seventeen; gorgeous and on the brink of a bright future. And now they have fallen in love. But... they are brother and sister.
Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.
I heard a lot of hype about this book, when it came out, and  I was very reluctant to read it. Finally I caved and read it.  I felt a lot about the characters and I understood how they got into this situation. Their mom is absent for most of the book and they are forced to  take care of their siblings. As a result, the line between brother and sister is more than blurred, it is non-existent. I never felt disgusted by their relationship, which I thought was in part of Suzuma's writing. I actually cheered for them. By the end, I hoped that they would have a good ending.  I hated their mom, because she had these children that she constantly neglected. The plot was powerful, intense, and emotional. It dealt with incest in a non-cliche way and while it didn't condemn the love, it also didn't redeem it.  Suzuma explains an intense situation that is both believable and extraordinary. This book is definitely original and I can't  think of another book that compares to Forbidden.  Suzuma's writing is emotional and beautiful. It made this book so strong and enjoyable. If you was a very unique, but still emotionally driven contemporary book, I recommend that you read this book like now. I absolutely adored this book and can't wait to read the next one from Suzuma. 

Away by Teri Hall

Source: Publisher
After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.
An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.
After the intense ending of The Line, I thought that this book would start quickly. It didn't.  Instead it focuses on Away and everything that is going on, which I found interesting. The plot was really quick and as a result, I read the majority of it in one sitting. An issue that I had, is that all of issues in the book would arise and be quickly resolved. There was no intensity in this book. Hall's writing is as strong as the previous book and she wraps up the book nicely. My only real issue is that the events of the plot seemed really convenient and sudden. Overall, I think that this is a futuristic society that younger readers might enjoy more, but it you like the first one, I would recommend it.