WAITING ON WEDNESDAY#6

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It features each blogger’s most anticipated books.

My pick of the week would be Goddess (Starcrossed #3) by Josephine Angelini 

 

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.

In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.

 

Expected Date of Publication: MAY 28, 2013 BY HARPERTEEN/ MACMILLAN (UK)

WHY I CAN’T WAIT…

My love for Greek mythology just knows no bounds. Plus, the fact that I loved the first two books in the series. And the fact that I love Josephine Angelini. She's just so nice. Anyway, the ending of Dreamless is such a doozy and now I need this book. I've been anticipating the last book since I finished reading the second one and I just can't believe that in a few months it would be out and Luca, Helen and Orion's stories would come to an end. Anyway, I just need to have this right now.

PS: I've posted the cover of the UK edition as well since I got the Starcrossed and Dreamless in that edition. And if you're wondering why this is the sixth when you can't find the other five on this blog then you might want to check THIS. Thank you!

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BOOK REVIEW: Princess for Hire (Princess for Hire #1) by Lindsey Leavitt

I finished reading Princess for Hire by Lindsey Leavitt a few days ago. It was supposed to be a quic read but I got too busy during the holidays that I ended up reading it in a couple of days. Anyhow, I really enjoyed reading it and I'm waiting for it's sequel from The Book Depository. I ordered a lot of books during the holidays. Unfortunately, I haven't received any of them yet. The novel is about the Facade Agency and Desi Bascomb who happens to have the dream job of every girl in the world. And yes, that is to be a substitute princess for all of the royals out there.

First of all, I really liked Desi. I like her for being such a non-conventional girl. Yes, she's a princess substitute but that doesn't make her a damsel in distress type of girl. Though I did want to smack from time to time since she has a crush on this guy and I absolutely have no idea what she sees in him at all. Anyway, I think being a princess substitute changed her for the better.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book though I'd probably recommend this to the younger audience. It was really short though. I think it could've been extended or something. The writing style is very simple and very understandable which is good since this makes it easier for the younger audience to understand. It reminded me of Meg Cabot's The Princess Diaries. I haven't exactly read any of the novels yet but the movie kinda' reminded me of this novel. Anyhow, it was lacking in some elements but it is truly enjoyable and I can't wait to get my hands on the second novel in the series. I'd give this a 4/5 star rating just because of its cuteness factor.

2012 END OF THE YEAR BOOK SURVEY

 

This end of year book survey is hosted by Perpetual Page Turner which is an annual event that contains a bunch of questions about books and blogging life.

1. Best Book You Read In 2012?

Ugh! First question and it's already making my head spin. There's too many of them. I guess I'll have to mention most of them huh? One Night that Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt, The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa, City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare, Slammed by Colleen Hoover, The Mark of Athena and The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Surprisingly it's The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. I really wanted to get into it but I just couldn't. Maybe I've outgrown vampires. I really don't know. I couldn't even finish it.

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?

 Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi. It took me a couple of months before I decided to read this since a lot of reviewers mentioned that the heroine, Aria, was annoying. Honestly, books lose their appeal to me whenever I hear or read reviews that say that the female characters are annoying in some ways. I really did enjoy this though. I've read it, like, three times already.

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?

The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa, Until I Die by Amy Plum, Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi and Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, Babe in Boyland by Jody Gehrman because of all the hype with this book.

5. Best series you discovered in 2012?

The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa, The Goddess Test Series by Aimee Carter, Possession Series by Elana Johnson, Revenants by Amy Plum, Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini. Surprisingly, I discovered a lot of awesome trilogies or series this year.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?

Tammara Webber, Colleen Hoover, Amy Plum, Josephine Angelini, Abbi Glines, Suzanne Johnson, Wendy Higgins, Aimee Carter. I even got to interact with them through various social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and even through emails. Amy actually sent me a couple of bookplates and I won a $100 The Book Depository shopping spree from Suzanne Johnson. I love the fact that they actually take time to read my reviews.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I don't know i I have to be embarrassed or something but I actually stepped out of my comfort zone this year. I really enjoyed reading erotic/ BDSM novels even if I only managed to review a few of them. Also contemporaries. I usually prefer reading paranormals or dystopians but somehow I enjoyed reading contemporaries this year.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?

The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa. I waited for my copy for an entire month and managed to read it in one night. It managed to keep me up all night.

9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini. I need to refresh my mind since the last book is coming out.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?

Until I Die (Revenants #2) by Amy Plum. I just love the color scheme. Blue and violet plus the silver swirls. I swear this photo does not give this cover any justice. The actual paperback is just this awesome. Yes, this is the paperback version published by ATOM since Harperteen hasn't published a paperback of this one yet so I ended up ordering from ATOM. The hardbound from Harperteen is a bit different from this one but nonetheless it's still awesome. Plus, her dress is just to die for.

11. Most memorable character in 2012?

Christian Grey from Fifty Shades of Grey. Seriously, this guy just made me want to buy my own spanking paddle. Haha. I just want my very own Mr. Grey! And Ash from The Iron Fey Series. I can't even begin to comprehend my love for this guy. I don't know if I want him to be my husband, my brother, my friend or even my dad. I just love Ash.

12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?

Slammed by Colleen Hoover. I think this book just made me cry and give the characters a hug or something.

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. Seriously, this book just made me want to go to places I've never been to before. Haha. I'm not a pervert or anything but reading is truly coming out of my comfort zone.

14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?

 One Night that Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt

15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?

I have a lot of favorite quotes from books I've read this year.

"You made me feel alive again."

-The Iron King By Julie Kagawa

"Choos to be happy. It is what we have all done." 

-Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

 "You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince."

-Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

"I've been screaming for years and no one has ever heard me."

-Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

"Lies require commitment."

-Divergent by Veronica Roth

Honestly, there are a lot of memorable quotes from the novels that I've read and if I put everything here then this would end up being a novel.

16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?

Longest - The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan - 586 pages

Shortest - Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – 183 pages

17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!

Until I Die by Amy Plum. That ending was like "WTF?! Nuuuuuu!"

18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).

Ash and Meghan from The Iron Fey series. I have no idea why but I just love them both together.

19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:

Slammed by Colleen Hoover. Jona recommended it. Come to think of it, she coerced me to read a lot of books this year. Haha.

Looking Ahead…

1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?

Perfect Chemistry Series by Simone Elkeles

2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?

There's too many of them! Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter, Goddess by Josephine Angelini, If I Should Die by Amy Plum, Elegy by Tara Hudson, Requiem by Lauren Oliver, Everbound by Brodi Ashton, Through the Evernight by Veronica Rossi, Scarlet by Marissa Meyer and a lot more.

3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?

Get more followers/ readers. Get to know more book friends. And finally give something to someone whom I promised something to. Haha. Pag di mo ito na-gets! Ahem!

WAITING ON WEDNESDAY # 5

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine. It features each blogger’s most anticipated books.

My pick of the week would be The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #3) by Aimee Carter 

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.

Even if it costs her eternity.

Expected Date of Publication: FEBRUARY 26, 2013 BY HARLEQUIN TEEN

WHY I CAN’T WAIT…

I loved the first the three books from the series. Namely, The Goddess Test, Goddess Interrupted and The Goddess Legacy. Honestly, when I read books I simply have to see it through to the end even if I didn't like them very much to begin with. And as I have mentioned I love this series especially Ms. Carter's take on the Greek Gods. I just want to know how it all ends.

GOODBYE 2012

Yearly, I update my blog on either the 30th or 31st of December for a much needed Thanksgiving post for the entire year. Truly, something that has become a tradition since I was in high school. It started on Friendster then moved on to Facebook, LiveJournal, Wordpress, Blogspot, Tumblr and so on and so forth. Anyway, bottom line is one of my traditions during the end of the year is giving thanks and recapping the entire year in a single post. 

This year, I gained weight. As in A LOT of weight. Haha. Who wouldn’t the holidays are just a week apart? Plus, family gatherings, blah blah. I did shed those extra pounds a few months after. I did two photoshoots this year and had them posted in random social networking sites. Haha. And for that, I am thankful.

I started my first book blog, two actually, but ended up letting go of the other one since I was just so busy at work to run two. I did manage to re-open my other blog a few days ago and will definitely update it from time to time. Moving on, my love for books did not waiver this year because through it I met new friends along the way. And again, for that I would like to say thank you.

This year, I lost two of my best friends. I had a falling out with one of my oldest friends. I lost her and for some reason I’m not sorry about it. I feel bad of course but things just happen. Our difference in opinion might have just been the push that we needed to actual end our friendship. The other one is not here physically since he had to work in another country but we still keep in touch. Hey, there’s BBM now. We’re still best friends even if he’s halfway round the world. I am sad of course, especially with what happened with me and my other best friend but things happen for a reason. And even, if that we’re the case I’m still thankful. I wouldn’t be who I am today without it.

To cap off this year. I would like to say thank you and sorry for all the misgivings. I’m happy that everything happened. Both the good and the bad. I got to see my sister again this year and somehow we’re a bit closer than we were before. Even my Dad. Not as close as Mom and I are but at least we’re not estranged anymore. Again, thank you very much for this year. It was like a roller coaster ride wherein there were low and high points but I definitely had a blast!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! BE SAFE!

AREN’T YOU GLAD THE WORLD DIDN’T END?