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| **My Razorbill version |
Thank you Kat for having me. :D
**Photo courtesy of the world wide web.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Spreading le wings
Thank you Kat for having me. :D
**Photo courtesy of the world wide web.
"Waiting On" Wednesday (5): Days of Blood and Starlight
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.
Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy." - Goodreads
Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy." - Goodreads
So...that cover.. Huh. Still speechless, my friends. *clears throat* I LOVE IT! Last week, my WoW was Jay Kristoff's Stormdancer which was super awesome by the way so you should all add it to your wishlist and TBR. But you know what, Stormdancer and Days of Blood & Starlight share something in common. Obviously, they will both rock the socks off your bookshelves but really, both their covers color palette is so appealing. I mean it's red. Red! I love red.
Anyway, Daughter of Smoke and Bone was one of my best reads last 2011 so I'm definitely looking forward to this one. November please be a darling and come soon.
Anyway, Daughter of Smoke and Bone was one of my best reads last 2011 so I'm definitely looking forward to this one. November please be a darling and come soon.
What are you waiting on?
Leave your link down below so I can check yours out.
PSST. I have a giveaway going on. You might want to head there for a chance to win. I know you want to. ;)Saturday, May 26, 2012
Random Ramblings (17): Cover Limelight
ANNOUNCEMENT: These 4 books are must-haves. I repeat. These 4 books are must-haves. Surely, your bookshelves will be looking forlorn if you don't get yourself a copy of at least one of the books I'll mention today. So today's features:
Asunder (Newsoul #2) by Jodi Meadows
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| Comes out 2013 |
Jodi Meadows pretty much wins the book cover lottery every single time. You can learn more about why the second book is called Asunder by visiting Jodi's blog.
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Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1) by Jay Kristoff
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| Comes out in September 18, 2012 |
Say hi to Yukiko. I guess it's clear you won't mess with someone who looks that bad-ass. I won't. I heard that tattoo comes alive too. And of course, I'm kidding.
You know what you can win an ARC of Stormdancer because Jay is awesome like that. Enter here. You might have to fight your chances through a throng of Jay's worshipers though, so good luck.
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Throne of Glass by Sarah Maas
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| Comes out in August 17, 2012 |
If you thought the US cover was incredible, think again. C'mon, that girl wields 2 swords and I have a feeling she wouldn't hesitate to cut or to kill if it comes to it.
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Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor
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| Comes out in November 6, 2012 |
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone cover is blue now the second book is red. You just have to love the look of this series on your shelves. PS. Daughter of Smoke and Bone rocks so...
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So folks what do you think? Pretty amazing covers right?
You're welcome. ;)
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
"Waiting On" Wednesday (4): Stormdancer
Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.
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| US Cover |
Publication Date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
The Shima Imperium is verging on the brink of environmental collapse; decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshippers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, land choked with toxic pollution, wildlife ravaged by mass extinctions.
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire. - Goodreads
AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of the imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary beast, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows thunder tigers have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.
A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a hidden gift that would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.
But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire. - Goodreads
It seems like September is the new 'it' month and if you haven't even heard of this book, shame on you. Kidding! I have been pining for this book for as long as I can remember. When the UK cover came out I was like mesmerized by the whole concept of the look but when the US cover was revealed I was ready to trade anything just to have a copy of Stormdancer. Stormdancer sounds so goooood. Japanese Steampunk? I mean, c'mon I haven't even read any steampunk yet but hearing that makes me want to poke my eyes out just to stop myself from peeing in my pants. It does really help too that Jay Kristoff has an aura of a god or something.
What are you waiting on?
Leave your link down below so I can check yours out.
PSST. I have a giveaway going on. You might want to head there for a chance to win. I know you want to. ;)Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
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| Read from May 15, 2012 to May 16, 2012 |
Publication Date: July 2, 1998
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Number of Pages: 251 pages
Genre/s: Fantasy
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart; a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom; and the unwanted attention of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone—or something—starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects . . . Harry Potter himself? - Goodreads
Excerpt: “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”
If I remember correctly the Chamber of Secrets was one of the books that I can quote by heart. It is not exactly my favorite book in the series but there were just too many stand-out moments in the book that stayed with me ever since the first time I read it. In here, Harry Potter met Dobby, a house elf and from him comes a dire warning.
"..Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts.. There is a plot, Harry Potter. A plot to make the most terrible things happen at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry this year.."
Intent to keep Harry away from Hogwarts, Dobby hid Harry's letters from his friends and ruined Harry's uncle business deal that caused Harry to be locked up in his room with a barred window. With the help of his friend Ron and the twins, Harry escaped and spent the rest of his summer at the Burrow. But Dobby interfered again, and now Harry and Ron couldn't cross the gateway barrier for platform 9 3/4. Missing the train, they decided to use the enchanted flying car to Hogwarts, the same one that helped Harry escape the Dursleys, only to crash-land into the Whomping Willow. Bruised, battered and hungry, Snape hounded them with a promise of expulsion.
Harry's year is definitely not off to a good start. But all that's nothing compared to the horrors that would come next. The Chamber of Secrets has been opened once again after 50 years. Only the true heir of Slytherin has that ability and after several attacks, the castle was in panic and distress. It doesn't really help that Harry has the ability only a Dark Wizard can do. Now everyone thinks he's behind all the attacks and he has to clear his name and find the culprit before it's too late.
What I liked most about Chamber of Secrets is the atmosphere. You could really perceive the underlying peril, unlike in the first book, the danger here is active; it attacks and strikes. This created an adventure filled with dread, thrill and a lot of speculations. We also got a glimpsed at how the Dark Lord came to power, how he hated those that are not pure in blood and how immense this Mudblood loathing would affect the entire series.
Readers were also introduced to a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Gilderoy Lockhart who is not only incompetent in his job but is also nothing but a sham. Seemingly minor characters have in fact crucial roles to portray in order to solve the mystery.
The struggles of Harry is also presented here. His confusion and frustration about his capabilities and likeness to someone who's supposed to be the bad guy is completely conceivable and I couldn't help but to root for him and keenly engage myself as he sought to learn more about himself and his worth. Nevertheless, everything comes through in the end with the help of Hermione's clever thinking and Ron's sellotaped wand and wild car (*winks*). Harry again proved how loyalty is one of his shining strengths and how it saved him yet again in his battle with the dark forces.
I know that the world-building in the Harry Potter series was several years in the making. It was carefully plotted and even minute details were meticulously structured. Since I am already aware of what would happen next, I could really appreciate Rowling as I watched her build the foundation along the way and not forgetting that she has a story to tell. The humor was there, lightening up the scenes unexpectedly. Now that my reading count of this book is 5, I could still say that Chamber of Secrets still brings that certain amount of thrill and excitement I had the first time I read it. Or maybe I should just admit that I am forever biased when it comes to this series. I am such a Potterhead.
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