WWW Wednesdays (42) / Waiting on Wednesday (44): Rebel Belle

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading:

Not Pretty Enough by Jaimie Admans

Finished Reading:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (The Lotus War #1)

Read Next:

American Girl on Saturn by Nikki Godwin

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on.

Rebel Belle
by Rachel Hawkins

Expected publication: April 8th 2014 by Putnam Juvenile

Blurb (Goodreads):

Harper Price, peerless Southern belle, was born ready for a Homecoming tiara. But after a strange run-in at the dance imbues her with incredible abilities, Harper's destiny takes a turn for the seriously weird. She becomes a Paladin, one of an ancient line of guardians with agility, super strength and lethal fighting instincts.

Just when life can't get any more disastrously crazy, Harper finds out who she's charged to protect: David Stark, school reporter, subject of a mysterious prophecy and possibly Harper's least favorite person. But things get complicated when Harper starts falling for him--and discovers that David's own fate could very well be to destroy Earth.

With snappy banter, cotillion dresses, non-stop action and a touch of magic, this new young adult series from bestseller Rachel Hawkins is going to make y'all beg for more.

Please don't tell me this book doesn't wow you. I mean, LOOK at the cover, blurb and author!

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Which books does wow you this week? Leave yours below! Happy Wednesday!

Music Monday (11): The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones OST

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music!

Hey everyone! Since the first movie of The Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones, is now showing, I'm going to feature its original soundtrack!

Whether you've seen the movie (I haven't) or not, read the book (I had) or not, enjoy these songs from different cool artists!

The original soundtrack includes Into the Lair by Zedd, Bear by Pacific Air, Calling From Above by Bassnectar, and Strange Days by Bryan Ellis (these are the songs I can't find from Youtube).

• Almost is Never Enough by Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes

• 17 Crimes by AFI

• Heart by Heart by Demi Lovato

• Bring Me Home by Youngblood Hawke

• When The Darkness Comes by Colbie Caillat

• Strangers by Seven Lions, Myon and Shane 54

• Magnetic by Jessie J

• All About Us by He is We feat. Owl City

• Start A Riot by Jetta

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Share us what you think about the movie and the soundtrack!

Enjoy music and rock on!

Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway): Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Stormdancer

by Jay Kristoff

Series: The Lotus War #1

Genre: YA, dystopian, fantasy, steampunk

Published September 18th 2012 by Thomas Dunne Books

Source: Bought
Purchase: Book Depository * Amazon

Blurb (Goodreads):

A DYING LAND

The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST 

The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger – a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A HIDDEN GIFT 

Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, 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.

My Thoughts:

It seemed like it took  f o r e v e r  before my hands held a copy of this book. I wanted it the moment I saw it on Goodreads. I joined giveaways and asked the author for a review copy but I was unlucky. Until I decided to purchase a copy online. This book, I guess, was the most expensive book I bought. (I don't usually buy hardbacks. LOL) Another forever passed before I get a chance to read it (long tbr list + busy college life!), so when I heard there'll be a Philippine tour, I jumped to the opportunity right away. And. Everything. Was. Worth. It.

To be honest, at first I don't think I'll be able to finish Stormdancer because of the Japanese words. Most are nouns and there's also a glossary at the end of the book (which I think is really cool) but I don't think I can stand to read these words. Soon enough I got the hang of it and I found myself absorbed in the story, and loving it.

I really like the fact that this book was focused on the journey of Yukiko, and not some sick action-fantasy coated romance. I love the combination of fantasy, dystopian, steampunk, adventure, action and strong heroine. Every page gives me a new thing to check out, leading me to zero boredom. I also like the mystery and the unexpected twists and happenings. This book never fail to surprise me.

Stormdancer is definitely a kick-ass novel. The imagination and writing of Jay Kristoff is unbelievable and just amazing. One of my favorite parts of this book and its highlight, was Yukiko's new found friendship. Stormdancer isn't just about the action or adventure, it is also about trusting and treasuring a real friendship and family. It had a heart in it and I love it so much. It gives more depth in the storyline and to the feeling I had after reading this book. Stormdancer was indeed amazing, just like what I thought it would be when I saw it on Goodreads. The only thing I could wish for now's the sequel.

Rating:

GIVEAWAY!

Thanks to Pinoy Book Tours for organizing Stormdancer tour! Thanks also to Louisse for sponsoring the giveaway. Open to Philippine residents only. Good luck! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WWW Wednesdays (41) / Waiting on Wednesday (43): Ignite Me

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?






Finished Reading:

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff (The Lotus War #1)

Recently finished! I haven't picked up a new book yet. I think I need to write a review first (will be published on August 25th, on my tour stop), until the memory of an amazing book is fresh. Mmmm...

Anyways! The next book I'll read next is also for a blog tour.

Read Next:

Not Pretty Enough by Jaimie Admans

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, originally started by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights upcoming book releases everyone is waiting on.

Ignite Me
by Tahereh Mafi
(Shatter Me #3)

Expected publication: February 4th 2014 by HarperCollins

Blurb Goodreads):

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love"

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

* * *

What do you think? Share your thoughts and list below! Happy Wednesday!

Music Monday (10): New Cool Music Videos

Music Monday is a weekly meme created by yours truly. Let's talk about music on Mondays!

Hey everyone!

Another sincere apology for completely disappearing two weeks ago. You know how hard I get to find time on my life right now. I missed you all! I hope you'll not disappear on me too. I always come back with cool things. :)

It's Monday! The last two posts of Music Monday was the 2-week series of the two new artists that I recently found and liking (originally I told you there were three, but I decided to not feature the last one because I didn't liked the artist's music much). Today I'm going to feature my top picks of latest music videos from cool artists! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Don't forget to leave your comments! :)

• Tie It Up by Kelly Clarkson

• First Time by Jonas Brothers

• Made in the U.S.A by Demi Lovato

• Best Song Ever by One Direction

Book Review: The Year of the Great Seventh by Teresa Orts

The Year of the Great Seventh

by Teresa Orts

Series: The Tropic of the Cancer #1

Genre: YA, romance, contemporary-paranormal

Published July 6th 2013 by Drayton Press 

Source: Author

Purchase: Amazon

Blurb (Goodreads):

Sophie has always felt out of step—an outsider, even amongst friends in her high school with all the hype about celebrity culture. Her life in L.A. seems to have been already written for her, but when her junior year starts, it all takes a drastic turn. When she crosses paths with the school's heartthrob, Nate Werner, they fall for each other in a way neither can understand. What they don’t know is that by giving in to their desires, they are unlocking an ancient Egyptian prophecy that threatens to return Earth to the dark ages.

To undo the curse, Nate and Sophie embark on an adventure that takes them across the country. But their quest is not only to save the world as they know it. It is also a fight for their very survival. Behind the scenes, there are those that are counting on them to fail.

My Thoughts:

The author emailed me asking whether I could read and review her book, The Year of the Great Seventh. Although I was laying low in accepting book review requests, I accepted because there's something about this book--from what I've read on the blurb--that sounds exciting. I think it would be the kind of book that I'll enjoy.

My first impression from the first chapter of the book wasn't good. I didn't liked it because it was set on a high school with a quite so cliche scene. I found it bad from the potential I've read on the blurb. There were some parts of the book that was forgotten and hadn't explained much further. Those are simple and not important scenes but it forms question in my head and it happened not only once.

I also didn't like how the romance or relationship started. Yes, I like the mystery of it all but the romance was too fast. I didn't feel the electricity from their relationship because all I can see is that Sophie is strongly attracted to Nate and Nate's feelings wasn't justified. There wasn't much foundation on the "love" they have. Also, I had started to get annoyed with Sophie because she's too obsessed with Nate, whereas he sounds like he wasn't. Al throughout the book, she talked about Nate, Nate, Nate. She's too concerned with Nate but not in her relationship with her parents. I would accept it if I was convinced with their romance. She also kept on repeating statements that was previously said, or there were unnecessary stories told, that sometimes I skip. 

 What I liked about this book was the mystery and the quest. It has huge potential. Although I admit that it wasn't highlighted much because the book was spent more in the romance and contemporary vibe. I wish it contained more action, mystery and adventure.

The Year of the Great Seventh was an easy read. Although I wasn't pleased with some parts of the book, the plot was good. Maybe this wasn't for me, but you'll never know if it's for you unless you read it. Try and let me know what you think about it!

*Thanks to Teresa Orts for providing me a print copy of this book in exchange of an honest review!

Rating: