Hide and Seek - Sara Shepard

Title: Hide and Seek (The Lying Game, #4)

Author: Sara Shepard

Release Date: July 31st, 2012, Hardcover

Publisher: HarperTeen

Group: Young Adult Literature

Rating:★★★★

My friends and I used to play lying games. Now my twin sister is living one.

When I was alive, my family seemed picture-perfect. My adoptive parents adored me, and my little sister, Laurel, copied my every move. But now that my long-lost twin, Emma, has taken my place to solve my murder, we're both learning just how flawed my family really is. Laurel is shooting Emma nasty looks and sneaking around with my ex-boyfriend. And it turns out my parents are keeping a huge secret-could it be the reason I'm dead?

How far would they go to keep the truth buried? No one can harm me now, but Emma is still fair game. And if she's not careful, she'll end up buried, too. From Sara Shepard, the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Pretty Little Liars books, comes a riveting series about secrets, lies, and killer consequences.

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Another great installment in the Lying Game series! These books and the Pretty Little Liars series are like some sort of drug. I can't stop reading them. They are addicting! I love Sara Shepard's writing style. It is easy and quick to read, but at the same time feel like you are really exploring the characters and plot. I love that. Hide and Seek had a lot more action and questions answered than the previous book did. Two Truths and a Lie was definitely a filler book for this. I like how each book focuses on a different suspect. This book is all about Mr. Mercer. Do not read ahead if you haven't read this series! I am going to mention spoilers in the next two paragraphs!

There is one heck of a crazy revelation at the end that I was not expecting at all, which I loved! I can usually predict these books pretty well. I still think that Ethan is the killer. It just makes the most sense. I listed the reasons why in my previous review and those reasons still haven't changed. I think that Sutton has some past with Ethan that she just can't remember.

The next book is going to be all about Becky. Sutton and Emma's real mother. This should make for an interesting story, even though I know she isn't the killer. I am still excited for it! I can't wait to continue on with the series.

 

Plot: ★★★★★

Characters: ★★★★★

Writing:★★★★★

Ending: ★★★★

Cover: ★★★★★

Follow Friday (10)

This is a weekly theme hosted by Parajunkee's View & Alison Can Read.

 

Q: Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you've read and loved?

 

I picked two books for this because I couldn't choose between them. I picked The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater and The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. The reason why I picked the Scorpio Races is because the cover just fits the book so well. I don't think they could have picked a better cover for this book. I am a huge horse lover and this book was just like my dream come true, especially since it was written by Maggie Stiefvater. I can just picture that being Puck and her horse. Puck has to be one of my all time favorite female characters ever. The reason I picked The Immortal Rules is just that stunning cover with fantastic story. I should expect no less from Julie Kagawa since I also love her Iron Fey series. I love how it shows Allison has a vampire and the blood dripping down her face!

 

Article 5 - Kristen Simmons

Title: Article 5

Author: Kristen Simmons

Release Date: January 31st, 2012, Hardcover

Publisher: Tor Teen

Group: Young Adult Literature

Rating:★★★★

 

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

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I really liked Article 5! However it didn't live up to my expectations. Anymore I just have such high standards for dystopian books that they just aren't possible anymore. I blame Hunger Games, Legend, and Shatter Me. Those books are just so good that I can't help but have expectations for other dystopian books. Don't get me wrong, Article 5 is a really good dystopian book and I probably would have given it five stars if it wasn't for a little problem I had with it. I felt like it was forced. The writing and characters felt forced.

Article 5 tells the story of Ember Miller. She lives in the ruins of Louisville, Kentucky. There is a new government and rules that the people must live by. When Article 5 gets changed, to where any child under the age of eighteen was born out of wedlock than the mother gets arrested and the child becomes owned by the government basically, her mother gets arrested and she gets taken away. Ember is also in loved with a boy who was drafted into the Military and she hasn't seen him since he left, until he shows up with the Military to arrest her mother and take her away.

There is a lot of action and traveling that takes place throughout this story. Ember and Chase end up all over the eastern side of the USA it seems like. While there are some flaws with Article 5; I still couldn't put it down. I kept reading until my eyes hurt and got a headache from not eating. That tends to happen to me when I'm hungry for some reason. Anyways, I just couldn't take the suspense and just knew something awful was going to happen to Ember and Chase by the end of the book.

Earlier I mentioned that I felt like the writing and characters were being forced. What I meant by that is Ember has some strange characteristics. She would go on and on about Chase. "I love him. I hate him. Why does he not talk to me? I don't want him to talk me. What has happened to him? He is a monster. No he isn't monster." Just OMG, make up your mind Ember! That inner babbling about it got annoying after a while. Also Chase just didn't feel real at first. He was so mean and tough that I started to roll my eyes. I'm sorry but I just don't find that attractive at all. I guess he was trying to be protective, but he should have just been up front with Ember to begin with. Instead of this wild goose chase he was sending her on. I know why he didn't tell Ember about her mother, but couldn't he discuss his feelings and what has happened to him instead of having to listen to Ember guess about two thousands time until the end of the book? I don't know. Ember and Chase just frustrated me to know end, but at the same time I loved them! Funny how that works out I guess.

I also feel like I don't have clear image of this new America that they are living in. I get that the Bill of Rights is gone and that the major cities have been abandoned. So is the new country like have a communist government? Who is the leader? All we ever hear about is the Military soldiers. Who is the leader over them? When did this new America start? I hope that these answers get answered in the next book.

Overall, I really liked Article 5! I know it sounds like I didn't like it, but it was just easier for me to list things I didn't like instead of things I did like with this book. I recommend it! Especially since this is a 2012 debut author! The writing is so good for this being Kristen Simmons first novel! I can't wait for Breaking Point! I just hope that Ember and Chase won't be as frustrating and distressing.

 

Plot: ★★★★

Characters: ★★★

Writing:★★★★

Ending: ★★★★★

Cover: ★★★★★

Waiting on Wednesday (24)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine.

Prodigy (Legend, #2)

-Marie Lu

Release Date: January 29th, 2013

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

My thoughts: Sigh. I just want this book now. I am tired of waiting. Legend was just soooooooooooooooooo good. I can't tell you how much I loved it. I'm just impatiently waiting for this book. Yep.

Do you guys plan on reading this?

Incarnate - Jodi Meadows

Title: Incarnate

Author: Jodi Meadows

Release Date: January 31st, 2012, Hardcover

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Group: Young Adult Literature

Rating:★★★★

New soul.
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

No soul.
Even Ana's own mother thinks she's a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she'll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

Heart.
Sam believes Ana's new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana's enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else's life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

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I have never ever read anything like this in my entire life. It was so different and not what I was expecting and I mean that in the best way possible. I was sure in for surprises and taken by this unique world that was so interesting that I didn't want to leave. Jodi Meadows has such a beautiful writing style! I am impatiently waiting for Asunder! The main character is Ana. She is a New Soul. She has never been reincarnated before and has no previous lives. While her father abandoned her and she...moreI have never ever read anything like this in my entire life. It was so different and not what I was expecting and I mean that in the best way possible. I was sure in for surprises and taken by this unique world that was so interesting that I didn't want to leave. Jodi Meadows has such a beautiful writing style! I am impatiently waiting for Asunder! The main character is Ana. She is a New Soul. She has never been reincarnated before and has no previous lives. While her father abandoned her and she was abused by her mother; Ana sets out to the City of Heart to learn why she is a New Soul and what her purpose is. She feels like she doesn't belong since everybody has known everyone for thousands of years and she doesn't know anyone. When she starts traveling to City of Heart; Ana meets a boy named Sam and that is when the story starts. I know that this can be somewhat confusing! So I would start reading this with knowing as little as possible. I knew absolutely nothing when I started this. I tried to read the summary, but it just confused me. I don't know if it is that way for other people as well? There are a couple things that I don't like about this though. This reincarnated stuff can be quite nasty at times. For example, if you had a lover or spouse they could become your parent in the next lifetime. That is the only problem I have with this reincarnated thing. There are so many great characters in this book! I feel like this story is more character driven than story telling. While the story telling is poetically done, I felt like the plot was very slow moving. I thought for sure that we figure out something about the New Souls before the last fifty pages which is when there was a lot of revelations revealed for the plot. That was for sure surprising. I wasn't expecting that to happen at all! The romance between Ana and Sam is just so awesome! I know that sounds really fangirly of me, but I don't know what else to say! They are both such strong characters that each have their own personality and bring out the best in each other which is what each relationship should be like. I just can't wait to see how it will start in the next book. There is also a big shock about Sam that I wasn't expecting towards the beginning! Loved it! Overall, I highly recommend this. I could not put it down. I was reading for hours straight and still didn't want to get up and eat or sleep. I couldn't stop thinking about this world or the characters. I can't wait to see what Jodi Meadows has in store for the next installment. I will be buying it as soon as it hits shelves!   Plot: ★★★★ Characters: ★★★★★ Writing:★★★★★ Ending: ★★★★ Cover: ★★★★★

Showcase Sunday (7)

 

Showcase Sunday is hosted by Books, Biscuits and Tea. It was inspired by Pop Culture Junkie and the Story Siren. For more information about how this feature works and how to join, click here.

 

Bought:

 

The Hunger Games Three Disc Edition DVD from Target

The Ripper (The Stefan Diaries, #4) - L.J. Smith

Monsters of Men (Chaos Walking, #3) - Patrick Ness

 

That is all that I got this week! FINALLY have all the books in the Chaos Walking series now. I plan to read them this fall since I can just read one right after the other now! I also went ahead and got the fourth book in the Stefan Diaries. I really enjoy these books even though they are somewhat different from the TV show. I miss TVD so much! I can't wait till October 11th! Or at least until we can see a new trailer for season four besides the Comic-Con one. I also included the Hunger Games DVD. I am just beyond excited to watch all the special features. Even though I have rented it on TV already before I bought the DVD. I made my Dad watch and he really liked it but he doesn't like Peeta! 0_0 He likes Gale! WHAT?! Hopefully that changes when he watches Catching Fire because I will force him to watch that too! *evil laughs*

 

Post a comment and tell me what books you got this week!

What She Left Behind - Tracy Bilen

Title: What She Left Behind

Author: Tracy Bilen

Release Date: May 1st, 2012, Hardcover

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Group: Young Adult Literature

Rating:★★★★

 

“Don’t even think of leaving… I will find you,” he whispered. “Guaranteed.”

 

Sara and her mom have a plan to finally escape Sara’s abusive father. But when her mom doesn’t show up as expected, Sara’s terrified. Her father says that she’s on a business trip, but Sara knows he’s lying. Her mom is missing—and her dad had something to do with it.

With each day that passes, Sara’s more on edge. Her friends know that something’s wrong, but she won’t endanger anyone else with her secret. And with her dad growing increasingly violent, Sara must figure out what happened to her mom before it’s too late… for them both.

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I really liked this! I wasn't too sure what this book was about, since I hadn't heard much about it so far. I wanted to read this since the first time I saw it. The cover was so creepy and the summary made it sound so intense. I can say that this book didn't disappoint me at all!

What She Left Behind tells the story of Sara and her relationship with her abusive father. One day her mother tell Sara that they are leaving and that she will pick her up during her lunch break at school. But when her mother doesn't show up, Sara starts to wonder what actually happened to her mother. Her father then begins to become abusive towards Sara as she tries to figure out what happened to her mother and why she disappeared.

This is a very quick read. I just couldn't put it down. It was so easy to get into the story and feel for Sara with all the things she had to deal with. There is one element to the story that really made it more sad and that was her brother. He committed suicide a couple months ago before the story starts and Sara often has these flashbacks with him and talks about him a lot.

There is also some romance in this story which I wasn't expecting. However, I really liked it. Alex was sweet and charming. There were a lot of funny scenes that take place with him in it. The last sixty pages are so intense and so scary that I was freaking out and worried about what would happen to Sara and her mom.

Overall, this is a great debut for 2012. Tracy Bilen has a good writing style that doesn't take long to like and follow the characters. I can't wait to see what she will come up with in the future!

Plot: ★★★★

Characters: ★★★★★

Writing:★★★★

Ending: ★★★★

Cover: ★★★★★