Trailer Reveal + Giveaway: Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee

Hey everyone! Let me introduce to you the trailer for an upcoming YA sci-fi from Flux, Zeroboxer by Fonda Lee. Plus, get a chance to win an advance reader copy of the book and other titles!

Note from the author:

This isn’t your usual book trailer. Instead, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite parts of writing Zeroboxer: envisioning and depicting the sport of zeroboxing. How would a combat sport work in the absence of gravity? Check out what these martial artists and fighters have to say about it.

Now check out the book and the reason why I'm also looking forward in reading it!

Zeroboxer

by Fonda Lee

Expected publication: April 8th 2015 by Flux

Blurb (Goodreads):

A Sci-Fi Thrill Ride Set in the Action-Packed Sports Arena of the Future 

A rising star in the weightless combat sport of zeroboxing, Carr “the Raptor” Luka dreams of winning the championship title. Recognizing his talent, the Zero Gravity Fighting Association assigns Risha, an ambitious and beautiful Martian colonist, to be his brandhelm––a personal marketing strategist. It isn’t long before she’s made Carr into a popular celebrity and stolen his heart along the way.

As his fame grows, Carr becomes an inspirational hero on Earth, a once-great planet that’s fallen into the shadow of its more prosperous colonies. But when Carr discovers a far-reaching criminal scheme, he becomes the keeper of a devastating secret. Not only will his choices place everything he cares about in jeopardy, but they may also spill the violence from the sports arena into the solar system. 

About the Author

Fonda Lee writes fantasy and science fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, ZEROBOXER, will be published by Flux on April 8, 2015. She is a former corporate strategist, avid martial artist, and an enthusiast of food, film, and books. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads

***

GIVEAWAY!

- An advance reader copy of Zeroboxer, as well as The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch, Wordless by AdriAnne Strickland, Insomnia by J.R. Johansson, The Culling by Steven dos Santos and Backward Glass by David Lomax

- the author, tour host, or I are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages

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Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway): Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr, paperback edition book cover

Carnival of Souls

by Melissa Marr

Series: Carnival of Souls #1

Editions available: Hardback, paperback, ebook,

Kindle, audiobook

Date published: September 4, 2012

Publisher: HarperCollins

Source: Publisher/Pinoy Book Tours :)

Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

* Book Depository * Indiebound * iTunes (physical / audiobook)

Buy locally: National Bookstore * Fullybooked

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

In a city of daimons, the Carnival of Souls hosts a deadly competition. Once in a generation, every citizen can fight to join the ruling elite. Without the competition, Aya and Kaleb would both face bleak futures—if for different reasons. For each of them, fighting to the death is the only way to try to live.

In our own world, Mallory knows that her father—and every other witch—fled the daimons’ city long ago. She trains to be lethal because it’s only a matter of time until the daimons catch up with them.

While Mallory possesses little knowledge of The City, every inhabitant of The City knows of her. There are plans there for Mallory, and soon she, too, will be drawn into the decadence that is the Carnival of Souls.

From Melissa Marr, bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series, comes a brand-new tale of secrets, love, and the struggle to forge one’s own destiny.



My Thoughts:

To be honest, I've never read (or heard) of Melissa Marr before. Everyone seems to know her, or read her books. Reading reviews about this book on Goodreads and her other books, I realized that they must've really know her and loved her books. So when an opportunity sets in, I took it. Carnival of Souls, is my first book from her.

You know, if you're a reader and you read and read (of course) but you can't find light or anything you wanted to see or to get from these books, you could cry of frustration. Where is THAT good book?? You feel like giving up. Like giving up from trying to create a house of cards, but WANTING to get to it.

Reading Carnival of Souls was a joy to me. Don't get me wrong, I don't like people killing each other and talking about breeding like that in real life. It's just that, finally, I've got the book what I'm looking for. It's all in my hands! This book has it: original world building, favorable characters, and oh-so new to me. I've always like books that came fresh to me. Who likes reading repeated stories and predictable endings? I'm sure you don't want that, either. It's a kind of book where you don't know what to expect next, what and who are you gonna trust your heart with. It keeps you guessing, leaves you nodding like, Hmm.. This is really good, and makes you cheer like, Yes! Come together and beat those witches!

This is, by far, my really good read for felt like forever after a several DNFs (that God, those books were just borrowed). As I said, it is new to me. It caught my interest and yes, it kept me wishing for more. It think it's just a little slow-paced. And the ending. The Ending. It felt like a cut TV show for a commercial break but you realized that it will never come back until after another YEAR. Sweet, isn't it?

My first, but now, made me want to read more from Melissa Marr. I found light in a dark novel. And it's a good thing. Very.

Recommendations:
If you love reading, fantasy, dystopian, sci-fi, witches and daimons, magic, actions, this book is for you. (Be also aware that this book contains fight scenes that younger readers must be guided.)

Book cover comment/s:
I think the heat that shows in the cover portrays the intensity of the book really well. I really liked it.

Trailer!
Have you seen it? No? WHY? I loved it! I think it was done really good. It looked like a trailer for a movie instead (well, except for when the girl talked. I think it's too ad-dy. Hope you get what I mean).

Watch it now here!

GIVEAWAY!
- win finished copy of Carnival of Souls. Yay!
- open to PHILIPPINE residents only.
- ends October 20th


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Book Review: Taste by Kate Evangelista

Taste by Kate Evangelista, Kindle edition book cover

Taste

by Kate Evangelista

Genre: YA, paranormal, sci-fi

Editions available: Paperback, Kindle

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Source: Author (thank you so much, Kate! <3)
Buy: Book Depository * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.


When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud.








My Thoughts:


You think vampires that suck blood is creepy? Try flesh-eaters.


Taste's summary caught me the moment I read it. And the gorgeous cover. Just imagine: what are your consequences once you break the curfew? I never did, because I never had. In Barinkoff Academy, expect the unexpected.


I liked Kate's world of Zhamvys, and even their life. It's interesting and beautiful. They never came out as total creepy for me once I got to know them. I liked Demitri and Luka--they're just both irresistible. At first, I doubted Luka's intention but as read on, I liked him. While the female protagonist, Phoenix--I think she's just cool, but sometimes, hard-headed.


This book just reminds of what I think about Avalon High by Meg Cabot--not that they're exactly the same, but they're both great standalone. Who would've thought a lot can happen in one book? Most of the books right now are series. They would start great but we're always trying to find out if the next book/s will carry the greatness of the first. Taste is not a series but reading it makes me feel like I've read a summary of a wonderful series. It started it's heart-stopping point on the very first page and once you read on, the excitement never stops. And the ending? I think I need more but it's just great as it is. I really liked this book!


Recommendations:


Paranormal, YA lovers!


Book cover comment/s:


Gorgeous, isn't it?


Video book trailer:

Book Review: Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Insurgent

by Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #2

Genre: YA, dystopian, sci-fi

Editions available: Hardcover, paperback,

Kindle, ebook, audiobook

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Source: Bought

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.


Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.


"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.





My Thoughts:

The--my--most awaited second book of the Divergent trilogy. I finally read.


I kept thinking, before its release, what Insurgent would bring and I can't seem to let myself imagine--maybe because I wanted to be surprised and right then, all I know is I WANT TO READ IT NOW. And now that I read it, I have mixed emotions.


Insurgent continued Divergent's interesting, captivating and heart-stopping debut. If I could, and not so busy, I would never put the book down and finish it in one sitting, and at the same time, I don't want to finish it right away because I know it will be eternity before the last book. LAST book.


Insurgent, was indeed, still action-packed. The mystery grew and new heartbreaking and oh-no scenes. I also loved Tris and Tobias' romance, both swoon-worthy and--get ready!--heartbreaking.


The ending was another cliffhanger and makes me want to grab Veronica Roth and force her to finish the third book. Kidding. I wouldn't be that harsh. Haha. But seriously? I want it now.


It's just saddening that the trilogy would soon end. Why does epic books only last three books? Why?


It was great, but if I rated Divergent 5 hearts, I'd give Insurgent 4.5.



Check out my review for Divergent (book 1) and Allegiant (book 3).

Recommendation:


Divergent fans! Woooh!


Book cover comment/s:


I liked how the art was close to Divergent. I'd love to see the sign of Divergent next. I wonder what and how it would be? ;)


Alternate cover:

The Insurgent version of Divergent's pink theme.
UK edition.

Book trailer

Click here for my review of Divergent (Divergent #1).

Book Review: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth, second paperback
(with Goodreads Choice Award stamp) edition book cover

Divergent

by Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #1

Genre: YA, dystopian, sci-fi

Editions available: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, Kindle,

international, audiobook, audio CD

Source: borrowed

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.


During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.


Veronica Roth is the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Divergent," the first in a trilogy of dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.







My Thoughts:

Divergent was one of the books I regretted I judged by it's cover. When I first saw it, I know I don't want to read it or it's not for me. But then a blogger recommended me this, saying it was really great and then I saw that it was Reader's Choice on Goodreads, so I gave it a try.


Did I mention that I regretted it?


The moment I'm into it, I thank Heavens that I read it. After reading, I realized and appreciated the meaning of the cover. The Dauntless sign. Like the main female character, Tris Prior, Divergent was the kind of book that is fierceful.


It made me gasp, made my heart pound, kept me awake in the late nights of reading, and in every turn of the page, makes me admire how it was beautifully written and told. After reading it, I'm all like, Wow. It's really intense. Even in the romance part, it has the appeal. It has the right amount of swoon-worthy moments of Tris and Four (btw, I also love the idea of Four's nicname and the nicname itself), not too cheesy--that'll make you puke--and not too innocent.


Divergent was the book of my two firsts. (1) First dystopian read, and (2) first action read. I never thought I'd love this kind of book. I'm all romance and contemporary type of reader before. And now, because of Divergent, I fell in love with dystopian and action books. The way it takes me away from reality and make me feel like I'm the female protagonist that for a moment, I believe I am strong. This book also made me not judge the book by it's cover, along with The Hunger Games. Those kind of books really rocks.




I love this book!


Veronica Roth has a big future with her debut album. Congratulations!



Check out my reviews for Insurgent (book 2) and Allegiant (book 3)!

Recommendations:


Love dystopian? Likes to try action read? The Hunger Games fan? Wants an epic read? This book's for you! Highly recommended!


Book cover comment/s:


After reading the book, I appreciated the book cover. And it's totally awesome! Why did I feel like I just opened my eyes then?


The cover above was not the first edition cover. I just posted that one above because of the Goodreads stamp of Choice Award. A pride for the wonderful author and even fans! You'll get to see the first edition cover (who doesn't really have a huge difference) below.


Alternate covers:
    

1) The first edition cover.

2) There's Four and Tris! <3

3) Danish edition with Tris' silhouette.

4) The only cover that's far from the others. 

Video book trailer:

Book Review: Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout, 1st paperback edition book cover

Obsidian

by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux #1

Genre: YA, paranormal

Editions available: Paperback, ebook, Kindle

Source: own

Rating:

Summary (Goodreads):

Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens. 
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades. 
If I don't kill him first, that is.







My Thoughts:


I read a lot of 5, 4-star reviews about this book and saying it was awesome, that made me read this.


This is not your average paranormal story. Not vampires, wolves, angels, nor fairies. Aliens. ALIENS! How are they become so cooool and hot in this book? (1) they're not the big black-eyed, huge-headed aliens we usually see in the movies or televisions; (2) they're Luxen. An aliens made out of light and used to live in a planet called Lux (Latin for light); (3) once landed and chose to live in Earth, they copied the first person they saw, and Daemon, the male alien protagonist, is soo hot. He chose the right bod. *winks*, and; (4) they never hurt humans.


So, let me spell the thoughts that I had while reading this book. The story is really cool, but some scenes are not entirely new. Daemon's character has been told so many times--good-looking hot jerk, but eventually will softens inside.


On the first few chapters, I almost compared it to Twilight. Don't freak out! Honestly, it was just like a deja vu. A girl moved in, met a mysterious hot jerk but falls to him eventually. Some scenes are also like the same, like, when Katy was attacked by a psycho (turned out to be a rival of Luxens) and then out of the blue, there's Daemon, saving her. And the revelation part. But in Obsidian, the revelation part was amazing--my impression about the book changes on that part, onwards.


The four reasons why aliens in this book is so cool I listed above is one of the reasons I liked this book. I also love the way how they are 'alienated'. Surely, Jennifer L. Armentrout created her fantastic version of aliens. I really liked the book, enjoyed reading it and experienced heart-stopping moments--like on the action part and Katy and Daemon's moments.


Katy, the female human protagonist is cool also. I love how the book started. It's also like a deja vu--not in Twilight--but about her being a blogger and a book lover. It's so ironic, I know what's she's talking about. I wonder what will be the not-bloggers will think about that part. Reading and blogging is really obsessive and a comfort. I liked her also because even though she's not fearless, she's a fighter. She speaks her mind and I just cheered over the spaghetti scene (you'll know when you read)!


I really liked this book! Can't wait to read Onyx!




Recommendations:


Paranormal lovers. Who wants to try aliens for a change? I promise, you'll love it too!


Book cover comment/s:


Oh, yeah. That's Daemon looking oh-so hot with his gorgeous green eyes and Katy. And then there's the background sky, green as his eyes. Awesome! You wouldn't thought this book would be about aliens!


Alternate cover:

Let me also feature the book trailer because I have a few comments about it.

Now, the trailer has a lot of kissing, and I first thought this was an erotic contemporary and it made me worried. But the trailer doesn't give that justice about how great the book is. It has a scene like that on the book, yes, BUT there's not really a lot of kissing throughout the book--heck, they're even trying to avoid each other! So you shouldn't be worried that maybe that's the reason it was so popular.