Teaser Tuesday (2)

Teaser Tuesdays 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 one or two “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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan

Thought I would include the first sentence.

"This city used to be something once."

and..

"The evening he left he said he'd find me again, and I believe him."


:)

Early Review: Sometimes It Happens by Lauren Barnholdt

Pages: 320 Release Date: 12th July Publisher: Simon Pulse

Disclaimer: Received from S&S Galley Grab. I did not receive any money for this review.

Goodreads synopsis:

On the last day of her junior year, Hannah's boyfriend Sebastian dumped her. Facing a summer of loneliness, Hannah turns to her best friend Ava for comfort. Ava does what BFFs do: she stays by Hannah's side...until it's time for Ava to head up to Maine for the summer. Also left behind is Ava's boyfriend, Noah, who's such a great guy he gets Hannah a job at the diner he waits tables at. Slowly, Hannah comes out of her funk thanks to Noah's good conversation and their fun times at the diner. But things get complicated when their friendship turns into attraction--and one night, into a passionate kiss.

The novel opens on the first day of senior year; the day Hannah is going to see Ava, Sebastian, and Noah all in one place. Over the course of the day secrets and betrayals are revealed, and alliances are broken and reformed. In the end, everyone is paired up once again, but not the way you might think...


My Review:

4 stars/5 stars.

Good realistic YA novel. I really enjoyed Sometimes It Happens, I enjoyed the way the plot was split in each chapter between The Summer and school. Lauren's writing flowed and it easily kept me turning(-well, clicking) the pages. Finished it within the day!

The topic of this novel is basically cheating, but all the emotions, consequences and problems that goes with it. I don't condone cheating but it was definitely interesting to read from this viewpoint.

The main characters were easy to relate to and believable. Hannah is the main protagonist who is seventeen years old, with Ava being her best friend who is going out with Noah, and Lacey (Hannah's best friend).

It was an enjoyable light read, which did make me gasp in bits, however it was a bit predictable at times. 'Best friend goes away on holiday, her boyfriend tries to console Hannah, surprise surprise what happens?' Although I would definitely recommend Sometimes It Happens to everyone!

Overall, a good YA read that I enjoyed!

In My Mailbox (4)

I borrowed:

Firelight by Sophie Jordan

The Dark and Hollow Placesby Carrie Ryan

Wreckers by Julie Hearn

Candor by Pam Bachorz










I bought:

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

(For 99p!)








I won:

Signed copy of Popular by Alissa Grosso!

Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Challenge

0/15 books

I am taking part in this Post Apocalyptic/Dystopian Challenge hosted by Books Ahoy! :)

Here's whatcha gottta do:

1.Make a post about how your participating in the challenge and give the rules.
2. Get the button and put it in your sidebar and post.
3. Put the link to your post in the linky below.
4. The challenge is to read at least 15 dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels.
5. This challenge goes from June 27, 2011 to June 27, 2012.
6. Whenever you review a dystopian/post-apocalyptic novel leave a link in the linky here.

In My Mailbox (3)

Well I finally figured out how to use S&S Galley Grab, so just thought I'd put which books I managed to get! :)

Sometimes It Happens by Lauren BarnHoldt
Due to be released on July 12th 2011, so I best get reading!

Love Storyby Jennifer Echols
Due to be released July 19th 2011

Wildefire by Karsten Knight
Due to be released July 26th 2011

Fury by Elizabeth Miles
Due to be released August 30th 2011






I'm SO excited to read these books! :)

Review: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz

Spellbound by Cara Lynn Schultz


Goodreads synopsis:

What's a girl to do when meeting The One means she's cursed to die a horrible death?
Life hasn't been easy on sixteen-year-old Emma Conner, so a new start in New York may be just the change she needs. But the posh Upper East Side prep school she has to attend? Not so much. Friendly faces are few and far between, except for one that she's irresistibly drawn to—Brendan Salinger, the guy with the rock-star good looks and the richest kid in school, who might just be her very own white knight.

But even when Brendan inexplicably turns cold, Emma can't stop staring. Ever since she laid eyes on him, strange things have been happening. Streetlamps go out wherever she walks, and Emma's been having the oddest dreams: visions of herself in past lives—visions that warn her to stay away from Brendan. Or else.


My review:

4.5 stars/5 stars.

I really enjoyed Spellbound! It flowed effortlessly, and the characters developed at a reasonable pace. I liked the stories within Spellbound, it made the plot feel more realistic and believable.

Bits of humour where sprinkled in here and there and this made the story line not feel so heavy.

It is definitely a fairytale with a modern twist. I enjoyed the little story at the end from Angelique's point of view, it added that extra little bit.

Spellbound is fast paced with action around all the corners!

Sequel please?! :)

In My Mailbox (2)

I haven't done one of these for a while, and I've just got back from London so haven't been able to get all my books together.

I bought:

Darke Academy by Gabriella Poole

Midnight Never Come (Onyx Court #1) by Marie Brennan

Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #1) by Laurell K.Hamilton



I received:

Two RAKS!

Firespell(Dark Elite #1) by Chloe Neill From ~♡Katie♡~

The Secret Circle (The Initiation and The Captive Part 1) by L.J.Smith
From Stephlikesyourface

:)

Review Policy

Hello! Welcome to Steph Likes Books. I am based in the UK and I love posting reviews and taking part in memes. I mainly enjoy reading all types of YA novels – Paranormal, Dystopia, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy and Chick Lit.

I review on my thoughts and feelings towards the books that I read. They are my honest opinion and I may point out things I didn’t like. However, I most definitely try and pick out the good points in the book. I also like to post reviews on sites such as Goodreads.

I am currently accepting novels for genres that I enjoy reading.

*Unfortunately, at the moment I am not accepting self-published titles, due to a very speedily growing To Be Read pile, but once I can considerably reduce the number of books I have to read, I may start accepting self-published titles again.


Preferred Formats:
• Physical copies (ARCs, Published)
• E-books are okay (although I prefer physical copies)
- formats: mobi but pdf and epub copies are acceptable.

Novels I Accept:
• Paranormal
• Contemporary
• Fantasy
• Historical Fiction
• Chick Lit
• Dystopian


Contact:

stephbarkerdrew (at) hotmail (dot) com


No book sent to me will be guaranteed a good review. If I don't enjoy the book, I will write what I think, however I do try to enjoy the novel.

I do not receive any money for my reviews.

NOTE: All books will be reviewed in a timely manner, however it could take up to 1-3 months depending on how busy and how much I have to read. Also, if you send a book and it never gets a review, please understand that it might not have been my type of books, or I really did not like it at all.


Interviews & Guest Posts:

I’m more than happy to host authors for an interview, guest post or blog tour. I also like to promote upcoming books, so if you’re an interested author, please let me know at stephbarkerdrew (at) hotmail (dot) com.


Giveaways:

I’m very happy to host a giveaway if it’s in one of my preferred genres. If you’re interested in promoting a book with a giveaway, please contact me at stephbarkerdrew (at) hotmail (dot) com.

Thanks for reading! :)

Spring-into-Summer Readathon Update

Click the image to learn more!


Hello! :)

As most of you know, I'm taking part in Spring into Summer Readathon which is today!

I am going to try and finish Spellbound, Possession and hopefully Goddess of Legend :)

I'll keep you all updated!

Teaser Tuesday (1)

Teaser Tuesdays 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 one or two “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 Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Possession by Elana Johnson

"I only wished it didn't make me feel so empty."

"His fingers filled the spaces between mine perfectly."


:)

In My Mailbox (1)

Hello! :) I won:

Nevermore by Kelly Creagh


I won this book during the Splash into Summer giveaway Hop from Backseat Reader I'm SO excited to read this! I've heard a lot of good reviews.


Borrowed:

Goddess of Legend by P.C.Cast

Daughter of Darkness by V.C. Andrews


For Review:

The Septavalent Stone by J.O.Jones

A little bit about it:

Mrs. Ugabi never told Andrew that she was a renowned witch or that his uncle was a retired magical salesman who traded contraband dark magical objects. If she had, he would have known that:

Travelling to his uncle's house to stay for a few weeks was a bad idea, and, forgetting to search his box before leaving the house in case anything sinister found its way into it was also a bad idea.

Instead, Andrew has to learn about his uncle the hard way as strange things begin to happen around him. As the medicomagical schools in Africa grow worse academically, Andrew transfers to Norgads University in Ukraine where a group of fellow nephews-and-kids of mystic parentage have mysteriously convened, unaware that he holds, in his box, an ancient relic that belongs to a very powerful being called an elder.

But just when he thinks he can settle down and finally study, he discovers the stone, and to make matters worse, his cousin, the wild and unpredictable Aloysia, arrives on her father's orders to retrieve it. With a second war threatening to repeat itself between the two families, and the power of the stone causing the school cadavers to arise and attack the students, Andrew and Aloysia must put aside all differences, and team up to solve the mystery behind the stone which leads him to learn lesson number three:

3.There are some situations that two enemies cannot pass through together without becoming best friends.

Sounds good! :)

Review: Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters

Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publish Date: July 7th 2008
Paperback, 393 pages
ISBN: 1847383270
Young Adult, Zombie.

3.5/5 stars


Goodreads synopsis:
Phoebe Kendall is just your typical Goth girl with a crush. He’s strong and silent…and dead.

All over the country, a strange phenomenon is occurring. Some teenagers who die aren't staying dead. But when they come back to life, they are no longer the same. Feared and misunderstood, they are doing their best to blend into a society that doesn’t want them.
The administration at Oakvale High attempts to be more welcoming of the “differently biotic." But the students don’t want to take classes or eat in the cafeteria next to someone who isn’t breathing. And there are no laws that exist to protect the “living impaired” from the people who want them to disappear—for good.
When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, the leader of the dead kids, no one can believe it; not her best friend, Margi, and especially not her neighbor, Adam, the star of the football team. Adam has feelings for Phoebe that run much deeper than just friendship; he would do anything for her. But what if protecting Tommy is the one thing that would make her happy?




My review:

Generation Dead started off a bit slow for me personally, however it did get better the more it progressed. The narrative is split between three different main characters - Phoebe, Pete and Adam. I really did not like Pete! He was a brute and had zero good qualities, but then again, he was made to be the villain in the novel.

I expected there to be a lot more romance in Generation Dead, however there were a few moments in the novel which I thought were sweet.

Phoebe grated on me at times - I wanted to grab her and give her a shake, she was the 'stereotypical goth girl who listens to metal and writes dark poetry' this was annoying at times. Also, she was completely blind to certain things. However, the ending was a real shocker and I could definitely feel the build up. I would read the sequel - The Kiss of Life, just to see how the story continues :)

It's Monday! What are you reading is hosted by One Persons Journey through a world of Books. Each week we spotlight the books we are reading, planning on reading or just finished reading.

Finished:

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters


Currently Reading:

Possession by Elana Johnson
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Ashfall by Mullin


To read:

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Goddess of Legend by P.C.Cast

Zombie Craze 2011

I'm looking forward to this! A book tour hosted by Bookish Brunette which starts on the 20th June :) Grab the button!

RAK June 2011

I'm participating in this month's RAK (Random Act of Kindness) hosted by Book Soulmates


RULES RE-CAP:

•Sign up each month that you'd like to participate.
•Show off your participation by grabbing our RAK button :)
•Create a wish list (on Amazon, Goodreads, or your blog etc) and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month.
•If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
•At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)



Here is my Wishlist :)

On My Wishlist #1

On My Wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book City Chick. Every week I'll introduce you to a book that's on my ever-growing To-Be-Read list :) Let me know if you've read it, and what you think.

XVI (XVI #1) by Julia Karr



Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI.

Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear.

That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer.


I can't wait to read it, sounds interesting!