Waiting On Wednesday: Hollow City (Miss Peregrine #2) by Ransom Riggs

"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

What I’m waiting on

• Hollow City
• Ransom Riggs
• Series: Miss Peregrine's Children
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books
• Release Date: January 14, 2014

 

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children was the surprise best seller of 2011—an unprecedented mix of YA fantasy and vintage photography that enthralled readers and critics alike. Publishers Weekly called it “an enjoyable, eccentric read, distinguished by well-developed characters, a believable Welsh setting, and some very creepy monsters.”

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises.

Complete with dozens of newly discovered (and thoroughly mesmerizing) vintage photographs, this new adventure will delight readers of all ages.

Goodreads – Amazon

What I’m thinking

I don’t think I can express just how excited I am about this sequel! I recently purchased Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children: The Graphic Novel to read as a refresher to get myself in the right mindset for Hollow City. Thankfully I don’t have that much longer to wait. If you are one of those who has not yet read Miss Peregrine go do it now!!!! You will not be disappointed.

Is Hollow City on your to read list?
Can’t wait to see what books you are wanting this week?

Two Reviews for the Price of One: The Selection & The Elite by Kiera Cass

 

The Selection

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Goodreads – Amazon

The Elite

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestsellerThe Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Goodreads – Amazon

Review

Ok.  It’s confession time.  I “borrowed” Cana’s (A Place of Reads) Audible account ‘cause I was in a pinch and needed something to read.  She had these.  And I’ve heard good and bad things about them.  And I do love a little drama from time to time…but I digress.  So, I gave ‘em a shot.

I don’t normally like cliffhangers, but I like that Cass ended each of these that way.  It makes you that much more eager to see what trouble America is going to get herself into in the next part of the story (and she’s always getting into some sort of trouble).  And this surprises me somewhat, since nothing really happens in either of these.  Many people have said this series reminds them of a combination of The Hunger Games and ________ (fill in the silly romance book of your choice—for me, it was Matched by Ally Condie).  I thought the same thing at first, but soon realized that The Selection is absolutely NOTHING like The Hunger Games.  There is no death, no killing, no fighting tooth and nail for survival.  Let’s be honest:The Selection is a YA novel based on The Bachelor, set in an unrealistic post-dystopian world.

We’re gonna do a quick list on my peeves:

• It was very silly. I kept waiting for some test that would equate this to and make it worthy of the comparison to The Hunger Games, and yet nothing happened.
• The caste system is ridiculous (no American, no matter what we had been through, would stand for that)—Suzanne Collins got this concept right in The Hunger Games.
• It seems that the provinces that make up the new USA seems very poorly thought out.  America comes from Carolina, but none of the other provinces have recognizable regional names.  Why is Carolina the only one?
• America’s wishy-washiness was so tiresome.  I very often hated her.  As a main character, I shouldn’t dislike her so much.  I don’t know if Cass was being funny, but at one point in The Elite, America says of herself: “my fickle heart.”  That’s a very accurate description of her—she never could decide what she wanted.

Next confession: I actually enjoyed the first two installments of The Selection series.  I’m no teenage girl, but I wanted to know what happened next.  I usually wouldn’t have been absorbed in a seemingly action-less plot, but I was fairly riveted.  I even just bought The Prince, a prequel to the series and am looking forward to reading it!  For all the flaws, it is enjoyable story.  The pacing is really good.  Cass does weave a good tale.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone is more amazed than I am that I actually enjoyed these books!  They’re not what I expected, but I was so completely and utterly drawn into the story, and rooting so hard for Maxon.  And wishing I could punch America.  Hard.

If you’re on the fence, give ‘em a try.  You might end up surprising yourself and having a good time with them.

4 Moons

The Forgotten Ones Excerpt & Giveaway

I am very excited to share an excerpt from The Forgotten Ones with you today. I recently acquired this book myself and hope to get to it very soon! I hope you enjoy the excerpt, and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this post.

Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember. What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone.

Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his stories about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.

The Forgotten Ones Danaan Trilogy Book One Genre: New Adult Fantasy 197 Pages Click here to add The Forgotten Ones to your Goodreads shelf! PURCHASE LINKS Amazon  

EXCERPT

 

“Allison?” His voice was soft and serious, sounding warning bells in my mind.
 
“Mm-hmm?” I was afraid to look at him, afraid of the way he said my name, so I kept looking at the sky.
 
“I want to know why you never date,” he said.
 
I opened my mouth, but I couldn’t come up with an appropriate answer so I closed it.
 
“You could have anyone you wanted. Why is it you’re always alone?” I could feel his eyes on me as I stared into the star-studded night.
 
“Anyone I wanted? That’s a little excessive.”
 
“Come on, I’m being serious.”
 
I sighed, trying to think of the right response, one he would understand. “I guess I’m just always busy.”
 
He chuckled. “Everyone is busy. You have to give me a better reason than that.”
 
My mouth felt like cotton. Why did I have such a hard time forming coherent sentences when he was looking at me like that? I licked my lips and looked over at him. He stared directly into my eyes, the question still hanging between us.
 
“I want to take care of my mother. It’s all I want. So, I need to make that happen.” I curled my fingers into fists and pulled my shoulders back, looking back up at the stars. I’d had this conversation countless times with Nicole over the years.
 
“I know you do,” he said softly. I glanced back at him, surprised he wasn’t telling me that what I wanted was ridiculous. “But...who will take care of you?”
 
“I will take care of me.” I shook my head sadly. “My whole life everyone has had to take care of me. My grandparents, my aunt and uncle. They all sacrificed so much for me.”
 
“You act like it’s your fault, but it’s not.”
 
Now I was back in familiar territory. “My mother was normal before I was born, Ethan. When I came along she began her descent into schizophrenia. You don’t think that’s connected?”
 
He shifted in his seat. “I just know sometimes things happen, things that can’t be explained. But you still deserve to be happy.”
 
I glanced over at him before looking down at my hands. I uncurled my fingers. “I am happy. I’m enrolling in grad school, working and saving the money I make at the store. It’s what I want.”
 
“But what about friends? What about fun?”
 
“My idea of fun is just different from yours, I guess. I don’t need to be with a lot of people to be happy.” I hoped he would pick up the double entendre of my answer.
 
Ethan sighed and turned his body to face mine. He reached up and lightly traced a finger down my cheek. A shiver ran through my body. I turned my face away and focused my attention on finishing my ice cream. There were people everywhere. I didn’t want anything that happened between me and Ethan to be the subject of town gossip.
 
“Thanks for coming tonight,” Ethan said, unaffected. He reached down and picked up my left hand, interlacing his strong fingers with mine. “It seems like I’ve been trying to get you to go out with me forever.”
 
I stared down at our joined hands, too shocked to move. “Ethan, you’ve never had a lack of dates. I’d even say you’ve had more than your fair share.”
 
He ducked his head and laughed. “You think I’m a jerk, don’t you?”
 
I looked at him and smiled. “No. I don’t, actually. What you did today, for my grandparents… that was really great. Thank you.”
 
“You’re welcome. It was no big deal.” He squeezed my hand and jumped down from the tailgate. “I’m going to take you home now, while you still think I’m so great.”

Sounds good right?!?! I want to know more about why she is the one taking care of all the parental figures in her life. I have also never met an Ethan I didn’t like 

About the author

Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn’t until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known. The Forgotten Ones is her first published novel.  

AUTHOR LINKS

 Website – Facebook – Twitter - Goodreads  

TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY

The author is doing three giveaway packages (three winners)!  Each package will contain a keychain, some swag, and a signed paperback copy of The Forgotten Ones!

CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

 

Happy Reading,

Laura Howard is represented by Pure Textuality Public Relations.

Review: Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor

Night of Cake and Puppets
Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2.5
Print Length: 79 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date:  November 26, 2013

In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him.

Goodreads – Amazon

Review

ERMAGURD!  This novella is beauty.  It is sunlight.  It is the warm spring breeze clearing the chill out of the passing-winter air.  It is the smell of just-baked sugar cookies.  It is twinkly Christmas lights in the snow.

A Night of Cake & Puppets is the exact opposite of DoSB and DoBS—it’s full of hope, and joy, and wonder, and love.  It is one of those “you smile from beginning to end” but keeps you on the edge of your seat kind of books.  You know what happens, you know the end result, but getting there is so suspenseful!  Laini, I love you.  It left me breathless in the good way.  And, even though I don’t reread books often, I may just reread this soon, because it made me that overjoyed.

5 Moons

Other Books in this series:

{Click the covers to go to Goodreads}

You can read how much I gushed all over Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Days of Blood & Starlight HERE.

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: October 18, 2007

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.

 

On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.

 

Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

 

Goodreads – Amazon

 

Review

 

I’ve had emotional reactions to books before, but nothing quite like I have felt from reading Thirteen Reasons Why. 

I become instantly invested in this story.  I needed to know why Clay was one of the Thirteen Reasons as much as he did.

I became empathetically tied to Clay.  I hurt for him, and I was tortured with him.  He is the reason I continued to read this book, the reason I held on as long as I did.  He’s the only character that I felt sorry for.  He grew through the experience, and the goodness that was him permeated every word that Asher wrote about Clay.  He’s the true hero of the story, if there is one at all.  He’s the only character that I didn’t hate on some level.

I didn’t understand Hannah.  Sure, the stuff that happened to her and around her was bad.  She internalized so much of it, let it push her to the edge.  There were several times in her telling her story that she said things like this:

I think I’ve made myself very clear, but no one’s stepping forward to stop me. (page 280).

But I don’t think she did ever make herself clear.  I felt like she was blaming everyone else for her decision to end her life.  And that got on my nerves.  Hard.  I don’t like a “woe is me” pity party.  Man up, grow some balls and deal with it.  Learn from it.  Grow through it.  Hannah is my biggest issue with this story.  It’s possible, though, that I just don’t understand what it’s like to be in that place where suicide feels like your only way out.  I’ve never been there.

Thirteen Reasons Why is written so that we see both Hannah’s story via the tapes she leaves and Clay’s thoughts and memories as he’s listening to them.  It was a little confusing at first, but quickly enough I got with the program and made it through.  I devoured this book.  I don’t think I’ve read a book this fast.  Ever.  I mean it was addictive.

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

5 Moons: You don’t need 13 reasons why to read this book, just one: you will not be the same.