Title: Prototype
Author: M.D. Waters
Series: Archetype #2
Genre: Adult Science Fiction
Format: Hardcover, 372 pages
Release Date: July 24th 2014
Publisher: Dutton Adult
Source: ARC provided by publisher for Blog Tour in exchange for honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads








The stunning debut that began with Archetype— and has readers buzzing—concludes in Prototype, when a woman’s dual pasts lock onto a collision course, threatening her present and future.

Emma looks forward to the day when she can let go of her past—both of them. After more than a year on the run, with clues to her parents’ whereabouts within her grasp, she may finally find a place to settle down. Start a new life. Maybe even create new memories with a new family.

But the past rises to haunt her and to make sure there’s nowhere on the planet she can hide. Declan Burke wants his wife back, and with a little manipulation and a lot of reward money, he’s got the entire world on his side. Except for the one man she dreads confronting the most: Noah Tucker.

Emma returns to face what she’s done but finds that the past isn’t the problem. It’s the present—and the future it represents. Noah has moved on and another woman is raising their daughter.

In the shocking conclusion to M.D. Waters’s spectacular debut, Emma battles for her life and her freedom, tearing down walls and ripping off masks to reveal the truth. She’s decided to play their game and prove she isn’t the woman they thought she was. Even if it means she winds up dead. Or worse, reborn.


Reading a second book in a series can be a hard thing because sometimes you forget what happened in the first book and that takes away from sequel. What I think made Prototype so successful was the fact that it was released soon after the first book and also that the author helped us readers get back into the swing of things with helpful hints throughout the beginning of the book. Prototype was a very well done sequel and end to this innovative and amazing series that started with Archetype.

When I finished Archetype I fell in love with Emma's character, she was so independent and yet seriously flawed. And considering she is a clone, she had to deal with some aspects of life that none of the other characters had to deal with. And I was worried that when I started Prototype that I would not like her as much the second time around. But I am so happy to say that Emma is still a bad ass, and honestly she might be even more amazing in this second installment than the first book. She has so much more character development in this book, and part of that is the fact that Emma now knows exactly what she is, and what that means for her. And the Emma from the first book is very different from the Emma we see at the end of the book, and I loved reading her journey to acceptance of not only who she is, but who she is in terms of her new found family.

All the same characters from the first book appear in this book as well, Declan and Noah in particular. Since Emma ran away from Declan he is eager to get her back he will do anything in his power to get her back. I was a little disappointed at Declans character and the lack of change in his world view, but really what do you expect from a villian right? haha. Noah on the other hand has always been my favorite because of his myserious-ness and the fact that in my mind is he gorgeous. What I think I liked the most about Noah in this book was the fact that he grew a pair. He stood up for what he thought was right and he finally told us how he felt not only about Emma, but his past with the real Emma. The family aspect of this book was great to read as well. I loved reading Emma and her daughter throughout the book, it was not a perfect relationship, it never will be but it great to read none the less.

The conflict in Prototype was very different from the first book, and I thought it was really refreshing. Declan was still there wanting to get Emma back but there was also a lot of tension between Emma and another women who turns out to be with Noah and is raising her child. I loved this tension because it felt real and something we as readers could relate to, especially when we are surrounded by a world that is so unlike our own. Prototype was an amazing sequel and had a great ending that was not tied in a pretty bow but something real and something that worked for the characters. I recommend this series to anyone who loved science fiction and adventure. A must read for sure!

This is a brand new feature for the blog! This is where I ask publishing professionals (authors, marketers, and bloggers) some awesome questions!

Today I am happy to have Vikki Vansickle on the blog! She is the author of many Middle Garde books, and she is also a part of Penguin Random House Canada! Without further ado, here is Vikki!


1. Explain what part of the Publishing world you are a part of (ie. Publisher, Author, Blogger etc.)
Author (Summer Days, Starry Nights; Words That Start with B; Love is a Four-Letter Word; Days That End in Y)

Marketing & Publicity Manager for the Penguin Canada Young Readers program

Occasional blogger (I haven’t posted in a long time)
2. Who is your favourite author of all time, and why?
I cannot possibly narrow this list down, but Alice Munro, Kit Pearson, Meg Wolitzer, Cynthia Rylant, J.K. Rowling and E. Lockhart are in my top 10. All of these authors have created characters and phrases that have stuck with me as a reader.
3. Who would you chose to play you in the movie depicting your life?
Tina Fey
4. What was/is your favourite candy or snack from your childhood?
I ate so many Mars bars as a child I can barely stand them today. Now I’m more of a Twix girl.
5. Who is your favorite fictional character, and why?
Kiki Strike (the main character from Kirsten Miller’s The Bank Street Irregulars series) is the perfect teen sleuth (sorry, Nancy Drew!)…although Flavia de Luce (from Alan Bradley’s fantastic mystery series) is a very close second. Generally I prefer my protagonists prickly and smart.
 
6. Do you have a TV show that is your guilty pleasure? If so which one is it?
I cannot get enough of VEEP right now, but ask me this question in one week and I’ll be totally absorbed in Game of Thrones.
7. Do you have a bucket list? If she what is one item on that list?
I don’t have an official bucket list, but lately I’ve been itching to go to Berlin.
8. Are you a Mac or PC
PC
9. Do you have a favourite fictional couple?
Do Mulder and Scully count?
10. What is your most anticipated movie you cannot wait to see, and why?
The Fault in Our Stars- not simply because the book is amazing, but I’m a long-time John Green fan and it’s so wonderful to see how the world is embracing his work.
11. What season is your favourite, and why?
Spring- the snow is melting, you can un-do your coat, patios open up and everyone is smiling again.
12. If you could do any profession, other than your own for a day, which would it be and why?
I would love to adapt my favourite books into HBO miniseries or write musicals for Disney.
13. Who was your first ever concert?
Sharon Lois & Bram
14. Where is your favourite reading spot, and why?
Bed. I have excellent pillows, there are few distractions, plus I get to cuddle with my cat at the same time. Multi-tasking!
15. Did you have a nickname as a child? If she what was it?
SO many- both my first and last name rhyme with everything; Sticky, Picky, Icky, Van Pickle, Van Nickel. . .if it rhymed, I heard it.
16. What posters did you hang on your wall when you were younger?
When I was very young I had this amazing painting of a candy factory hanging on my bedroom wall. All of the factory workers were different animals. It was very detailed and I remember staring at it and making up stories about who the animals were and what fun things they got up to in the candy factory as I fell asleep.
17. What is your favourite genre to read, and why?
Middle grade fiction is my favourite genre, but I also love contemporary YA, magical realism, big juicy family sagas, novels set during periods of historical strife and literary mysteries.
18. If you could describe yourself as a potato chip flavour, why would it be and why?
I prefer chocolate to chips, but I suppose Miss Vickie’s Original…classic, curly, and they have a GREAT name.
19. Do you agree with the notion that over time, ebooks will eliminate print books?
Nope- I think both will continue to exist side by side.
20. What book are you most looking forward to reading this year?
E Lockhart, Jandy Nelson and Meg Wolitzer have new YA novels that I’m eagerly awaiting, and over in the world of adult fiction Lee Henderson, Miriam Toews and Ann-Marie MacDonald have some exciting projects on the horizon. 


Books By Vikki



Brilliant. Best-ever. That was how grade seven was supposed to be, but so far things aren't turning out as well as Clarissa Delaney had planned. It's hard enough being the unexceptional daughter of a bona-fide beauty queen, but lately her best friend Benji can't seem to stand up for himself, Michael Greenblat keeps giving her strange gifts and Mattie Cohen, world-class goody-two-shoes, seems to think they are friends. Things can't possibly get any worse ... or can they?

In this year of surprises, you'll laugh as Clarissa takes on boys, bullies, and the one B word she can't bring herself to say.
 

Title: End Times
Author: Anna Schumacher
Series: Seems to be a series, no name yet
Genre: Pre-Apocolypic YA
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: May 20th 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: ARC received by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads








Carbon County, Wyoming is like a current running through Daphne’s heart.

When life gets too tough to bear in Detroit, Daphne flees to her Uncle Floyd’s home, where she believes she’ll find solace in the silent hills of her childhood summers. But Daphne’s Greyhound bus pulls over in downtown Carbon County and it’s not silence that welcomes her. It’s the sound of trumpets.

Daphne’s desire to start again in simple country comfort is instantly dashed as the townsfolk declare that the End Times are here. And incredible occurrences soon support their belief. Daphne does all she can to keep her head down and ignore the signs. She works a job at the local oil rig, helps around the house, hangs out with her pregnant cousin Janie and gets to know Owen, a mysterious motocross racer and fellow roustabout at the rig. But soon a startling discovery shatters her resolve and calls into question all her doubts and fears.
              
Daphne landed in Carbon County for a reason. She only has to read the signs—and believe.
 

End Times was a very interesting book for many reasons, but I will let you know that this book will not be for everyone. It is a little quirky, and a little strange at times, and I will admit that I raised my eyebrows at times wondering what the author was up to because the characters were just that strange and the circumstances were just that weird. But overall End Times is a book like none other, it combines realistic fiction with that of a dystopian, and it does it with ease.

The mystery surrounding the small town of Carbon County, Wyoming was the large part of why I kept reading this book. I wanted to know what was going on in this town and what was ultimately going to happen. First a young girl arrives (Daphne) and everything begins to change. Strange things begin to happen and they all revolved around her. Then she meets Owen, who seems to be the only person who understand her and what she is feeling. I really liked Owen, he was a great character to read, I thought he was very different then a lot of the other character that we met, especially since he is an outsider like Daphne to this small town.

This book has many different POVs and although I usually criticize a book for having many characters speaking about the same things, this book was different. It seemed to work really well for the story and I found myself wanting to see different point of view because I wanted a full understanding of the town and the different perspectives of that town and what was happening. But I will admit that some of the characters made me grind my teeth because they just seemed useless to me. Like Daphne's cousin. Although we figure out what he purpose t at the end of the book, her character was infuriating because she was so stupid! I wanted to scream at her all the times because it was like she didn't care about her own life, she just wanted everyone else to think it was perfect when really it was far from it. It was scenarios like that that caused me to lower my rating because I did not like all of the characters and disliking some of them dampened my enjoyment of the book.

I also thought that the story itself was a little far fetched. All of the events were very conveniently placed and based on the bible and plagues etc. I am not a religious person in the least and when a book shoves a religion in my face I tend to not like it as much, and I feel like that happened here a bit. I felt overwhelmed by religion because it was on every page. And I understand that it was what the story was based on and kept it going but for me, it was very overwhelming.

Overall End Times was a very interesting book and I did enjoy reading it overall. I disliked some of the characters and some of the religious aspects of the book, but the mystery of what was happening in the town and how Daphne was involved was very intriguing. A good read for those that are looking for something along the lines of a Dystopian but with a twist.

Title: Unspeakable
Author: Caroline Pignat
Series: Standalone
Genre: YA Historical
Format: Paperback, 288 pages
Release Date: May 6th 2014
Publisher: Razorbill Canada
Source: ARC received from Publisher for Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | Goodreads








On her first voyage as a stewardess aboard the Empress of Ireland, Ellie is drawn to the solitary fire stoker who stands by the ship’s rail late at night, often writing in a journal.

Jim. Ellie finds it hard to think of his name now. After their wonderful time in Quebec City, that awful night happened. The screams, the bodies, the frigid waters … she tries hard to tell herself that he survived, but it’s hard to believe when so many didn’t. So when Wyatt Steele, journalist at The New York Times asks her for her story, Ellie refuses. But when he shows her Jim’s journal, she jumps at the chance to be able to read it herself, to find some trace of the man she had fallen in love with, or perhaps a clue to what happened to him. There’s only one catch: she will have to tell her story to Steele and he’ll “pay” her by giving her the journal, one page at a time.


Unspeakable is one of those books that stays with you even after you finish the last sentence.  This is not only the story of one girl who's life is turned upside down, but it is also the story of a boat load of people that had to witness and survive a horrible tragedy. And I think that duality of perspective was what made me fall in love with this story.

The way this story pans out is very much like the titanic and the way the movie portrays the story of Jack and Rose. A reporter wants to report on the tragedy and therefore Ellie tells him her story of what happened. Except in this version Ellie, at first, does not want to tell her side of the story, but she is baited by excerpts from her lost loves diary, and so she begins to spill the beans.

What I think I enjoyed the most about this story was the mystery of what happened to Jim, and if Ellie would ever find out his story, and what he was hiding from her. And I loved that mystery so much that it kept me reading until the very end. I will say that I was a little disappointed with the reveal at the end, but I was expecting A LOT.

The only issue I had was that the love story seemed to be very sudden and uncalled for. I really wish that we could have seen more of Ellie and Jim and how they got to know each other and how they fell in love. Because when I read their story I never really got a chance to see why they liked each other so much. I wanted to fall in love along with them them, not show up half way through.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, its subject matter was extremely interesting as was its mystery. The love story could have been stronger in my opinion but it did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. The writing was phenomenal and I cannot wait to read more from Caroline Pignat in the future!

Title: The Inventor's Secret
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series:  The Inventor's Secret #1
Genre: Steampunk Adventure
Format: Hardcover, 368 pages
Release Date: April 22nd 2014
Publisher: Philomel
Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads




In this world, sixteen-year-old Charlotte and her fellow refugees have scraped out an existence on the edge of Britain’s industrial empire. Though they live by the skin of their teeth, they have their health (at least when they can find enough food and avoid the Imperial Labor Gatherers) and each other. When a new exile with no memory of his escape  or even his own name seeks shelter in their camp he brings new dangers with him and secrets about the terrible future that awaits all those who have struggled has to live free of the bonds of the empire’s Machineworks.

The Inventor’s Secret is the first book of a YA steampunk series set in an alternate nineteenth-century North America where the Revolutionary War never took place and the British Empire has expanded into a global juggernaut propelled by marvelous and horrible machinery. Perfect for fans of Libba Bray's The Diviners, Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel, ScottWesterfeld's Leviathan and Phillip Reeve's Mortal Instruments.


Steampunk is not a genre that is popular at the moment but I have a few in the past and i have loved all of them. I love the combination of history and technology and the whole combination of the two is fascinating. When I saw that Andrea Cremer was writing her own steampunk series I knew I had to read it ASAP, and I was not disappointed.

The world that Andrea created was brilliant in so many ways, it was dripping with history and yet felt entirely foreign to me. I loved that although I was reading about a different time where customs were entirely different than my own, I still felt connected to story and its characters. I did not feel like the world took over the entire story either, there was enough detail in order for me to get a sense of what was going on around the characters, but not so much that I got distracted from the actual storyline.

I especially loved Charlotte, our narrator because she was so strong and independent and did not need anyone to help her through life. I loved that she was still a little naive to the world outside of where she existed. It made her seem more real to me. Although there was a romance and a boy that is swoon worthy for sure, I didn't feel like it overtook the mystery aspect of the book. There were moments where I thought the romance was overdone and that they were plot devices in order to create conflict for Charlotte, but it was not too often that this happened. And I will admit that I did like her love interest very much, there was great sexual tension for much of the book and that created a great relationship between Charlotte and Jack.

What I think i loved the most about this book was that Andrea showcased and very real relationship between a brother and sister, and honestly it was my favorite relationship in the whole book. It was infuriating at times but I also felt the love they had for each other. I am so glad that this book is the beginning of a series because I cannot wait to see where this story goes and where these characters end up, especially with the way the book ended!

Title: The Lonesome Young
Author: Lucy Connors
Series: 1st in series
Genre: YA Contemporary, Romance
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: April 8th 2014
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: ARC received by publisher in exchange for an honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads








Get swept away in the first book of the sensational romantic drama that is Romeo & Juliet meets Justified.

WHAT HAPPENS when the teenage heirs of two bitterly FEUDING FAMILIES can’t stay away from each other?

The Rhodales and the Whitfields have been sworn enemies for close on a hundred years, with a whole slew of adulterous affairs, financial backstabbing, and blackmailing that’s escalated the rivalry to its current state of tense ceasefire.

IT’S TIME TO LIGHT THE FUSE . . .

And now a meth lab explosion in rural Whitfield County is set to reignite the feud more viciously than ever before. Especially when the toxic fire that results throws together two unlikely spectators—proper good girl Victoria Whitfield, exiled from boarding school after her father’s real estate business melts down in disgrace, and town motorcycle rebel Mickey Rhodale, too late as always to thwart his older brothers’ dangerous drug deals.

Victoria and Mickey are about to find out the most passionate romances are the forbidden ones.

. . . ON A POWDER KEG FULL OF PENT-UP DESIRE, risk-taking daredevilry, and the desperate actions that erupt when a generation of teens inherits nothing but hate.


There are times when you need a book to just take you away from your life, and there are times when you need a book that is a overdrawn love story that makes you wish you lived in their world. I will not say that the characters in The Lonesome Young were not overdone, or that the love story has been done before, because we all know this. But what I will tell you this book is so well written that you cannot help but fall for these two star-crossed lovers and their families. I loved reading this book.

Many have said that this story has been done before, that there is nothing original in this book that warrants a read. But I disagree. All love stories stem from the trope of two lovers that cannot be together, it is unavoidable. But what I think I liked about this book was that these characters did fall in love right away. It was not the insta-love that in some YA has become the norm. There was crazy sexual tension between the two characters and it was great to read. It propels you to read more because I wanted to know if the two of them would eventually get together. And what I think I loved that most was that their relationship was not perfect. There were fights, and breakups and a lot of passion and that I think is what makes this book so relateable.

The secondary characters were my favorite part of this story because they were the true stars of the book. It was these characters that propelled the two main characters together and drew them apart at times. Each family had their issues and each family hated the other one for different reasons. Am I saying that I liked these characters? Hell no! I hated most of them with a fiery passion, but my hatred for them propelled my loved for the two lovebirds. And I believe that was the whole point.

This books is not deceiving you because its storyline is not as original as other. When you look at the cover you can tell exactly what you are getting. It is not hiding anything and I loved that about the presentation. Overall this book was a great getaway for me and I loved reading every page. I will also tell you that this book is the first in a series and I am so excited because we need more epic romance series that do not include anything magical or fantastical.

Title: Rebel Belle
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Series: Rebel Belle #2
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Source: ARC gifted by a friend

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | 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.


I am a lover of all things Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I watch the show constantly and I reference it like its nobodies business. So when I heard that Rachel Hawkins was writing a book that was like Buffy meets The Selection I knew I needed to read it, and i am so glad that I did because it was a great read!

This book has everything you need for a great read; it had humor, lots and lots of humor that makes you laugh out loud when you're reading. It also has mystery, and I loved that the mystery of who David was and what she meant to him was a great way to get my interest and keep it throughout the book. This story also has magic and I am a sucker for all things magic, and I loved that although it was not the most prominent thing in the story, it added so much in the end.

As I have said MANY times on this blog, I am a sucker for anything to do with Greek myth and this story had great elements of that. David is an Oracle and once I heard that I had this big geeky smile on my face because I knew where it was going and I knew I was going to love every second of it.

What I think i loved the most about this book were the two main male characters. Ryan and David could not be more opposite of each other, but while I was reading I liked both of these guys a lot. These characters were not horrible people, sure they said mean things sometimes but eventually they would apologize and make up. This was such a  great breath of fresh air because most times when there is a "love triangle" there is usually one that you hate more than the other, but this time it was really hard for me to chose.

Overall this book is very lighthearted and I think that is what separates it from others like it on the shelf. Yes, it deals with some very serious topics but it does it in a way that makes sense for Rachel's characters and does not depress the reader. I seriously cannot wait for the next book in this series because the way things ended in this one? It was a shocker!

Title: Traitors Blade
Author: Sebastien De Castell
Series: Greatcoats #1
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Format: Paperback, 384 pages
Release Date: March 4th 2014
Publisher: Penguin Canada
Source: ARC received at OLA in exchange for an honest review

Purchase:
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads




The King is dead, the Greatcoats have been disbanded, and Falcio Val Mond and his fellow magistrates Kest and Brasti have been reduced to working as bodyguards for a nobleman who refuses to pay them. Things could be worse, of course. Their employer could be lying dead on the floor while they are forced to watch the killer plant evidence framing them for the murder. Oh wait, that’s exactly what’s happening…

Now a royal conspiracy is about to unfold in the most corrupt city in the world. A carefully orchestrated series of murders that began with the overthrow of an idealistic young king will end with the death of an orphaned girl and the ruin of everything that Falcio, Kest, and Brasti have fought for. But if the trio want to foil the conspiracy, save the girl, and reunite the Greatcoats, they’ll have to do it with nothing but the tattered coats on their backs and the swords in their hands, because these days every noble is a tyrant, every knight is a thug, and the only thing you can really trust is a traitor’s blade.


I have always been a huge fan of historical fiction, I love the movies, TV shows and obviously books. That is why when I saw the synopsis for Traitors Blade I knew I had to read it, and I am so glad I did because it was a great read!

The first thing I noticed when I was reading was that it reminded me of The Three Musketeers, there were sword fighting, witty banter and a tragic back story that broke my heart. Falcio was a great character to narrate this story because he himself was not a complete character yet. There were holes in his personality, left after his wife died and we got to take the journey with him on healing and figuring what kind of man he wanted to be.

What I think I loved the most about this book were the secondary characters because they brought such life to the story. I found myself wishing there were more scenes where Falcio's friends were present because I found that the dialogue was a lot quicker and fast paced, with a lot of sarcasm. I did find that near the end the action got a little quiet and I found myself wanting a little more to grab my attention, but overall I blew through this book.

The world that was built in this book was incredible because it had real life elements combined with magic and great historic surroundings. I loved that although the magic was not the first thing you noticed but it kept me reading. I wanted to know what magic they would use next and on whom. I loved that the evil characters were not all evil and that the line was blurred for most of the book, with the real revelation at the end of the book, and I honestly did not see coming.

Overall this book was a great start to a brand new series that combines the magic of fantasy with the realism of historical fiction. I loved watching these character fight and learn more about their own lives and their own world and I cannot wait for this series to continue!

Title: Half Bad
Author: Sally Green
Series: Half Life Trilogy #1
Genre: YA Fantasy, Magic
Format: Hardcover, 416 pages
Release Date: March 4th 2014
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Source: ARC received in exchange for honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads





In modern-day England, witches live alongside humans: White witches, who are good; Black witches, who are evil; and fifteen-year-old Nathan, who is both. Nathan’s father is the world’s most powerful and cruel Black witch, and his mother is dead. He is hunted from all sides. Trapped in a cage, beaten and handcuffed, Nathan must escape before his sixteenth birthday, at which point he will receive three gifts from his father and come into his own as a witch—or else he will die. But how can Nathan find his father when his every action is tracked, when there is no one safe to trust—not even family, not even the girl he loves?

In the tradition of Patrick Ness and Markus Zusak, Half Bad is a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive, a story that will grab hold of you and not let go until the very last page.


Another book with tons of hype behind it, and this time it was hype from a very good friend that has a very similar reading taste as me, so there was an extra level to it. Although cautious I went in with an open mind and I will say that Half Bad is one of the most original YA Paranormal books I have ever read.

The tone of this book is crazy good. Although the writing style is very different and sporadic at times, it makes everything seem so much more urgent for the reader. I loved reading Nathan's voice as he explains how he became the boy he became, and how searching for his father showed him what being a Black Witch is all about. Now, back to the tone. This book is incredibly dark, and while I was reading it I could not help but think of the movie Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. Why did it make me thing is that? Well the atmosphere is that movie is dark and ominous and the same can be said for Half Bad. I loved the descriptions of White and Black Witches and how Nathan struggles with who he is considering is half of both. Which side is more dominant? He takes this journey to find out.

Nathan himself was a great main character because he was so unreliable. He never knew which part of him was better, the Black or the White, and it was that uncertainly that made him one of my favorite characters in YA. the world around him made him believe that Black Witches were bad and White Witches were good, and since he was half Black that means his is therefore half bad. But the best part was Nathan realising that not everything is what it seems, and we have secondary characters to thank for that. These characters were instrumental in Nathans characer growth and were a distinct part of how this book would end.

I will say that the pacing of this book could have been a lot better. I felt like I would finish an amazing part with lots of action and tension, then there would be pages and pages of information dumping, and it kinds of broke up my reading pattern. Nevertheless I cannot wait to see where this series goes in the years to come, and I know it will only get darker from here on out, and a cant wait!

Title: Archetype
Author: M.D Waters
Series: Archetype #1
Genre: Adult, Science Fiction Mystery
Format: Hardcover, 384 pages
Release Date: February 6th 2014
Publisher: Penguin
Source: ARC received by Publisher for Blog Tour n exchange for honest review

Purchace
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads



Emma wakes in a hospital, with no memory of what came before. Her husband, Declan, a powerful, seductive man, provides her with new memories, but her dreams contradict his stories, showing her a past life she can’t believe possible: memories of war, of a camp where girls are trained to be wives, of love for another man. Something inside her tells her not to speak of this, but she does not know why. She only knows she is at war with herself.

Suppressing those dreams during daylight hours, Emma lets Declan mold her into a happily married woman and begins to fall in love with him. But the day Noah stands before her, the line between her reality and dreams shatters.

In a future where women are a rare commodity, Emma fights for freedom but is held captive by the love of two men—one her husband, the other her worst enemy. If only she could remember which is which. . . .

The first novel in a two-part series, Archetype heralds the arrival of a truly memorable character—and the talented author who created her.


When I heard the hype behind this book I knew it was going to be different. Never have I heard a book get such good press since I heard about The 5th Wave last year. Archetype follows the story of a girl who wakes up not remembering anything about her life, and there is a man in front of her telling her she is his wife. She decides of believe him and then everything changes. She begins to have flashbacks, and they do not include so so-called husband but another man entirely. She much find out which reality is in fact and when she does everything she thought she knew falls to pieces.

This book was a slow start, and honestly I find that most great books are. You need a little set up before you as a reader must dive in and care about a character enough to feel what they are feeling and anticipate their future. The authors writing in this novel far surpassed any and all expectations I had going in. It was simplistic yet extremely descriptive and engaging. I felt that through M.D Waters writing that I felt as though I was a part of the story, waiting to find out what the future held for me. To me that is a sign of a great writer, someone who can make you care so deaply about a character that your heart starts racing when you know things are about to go down. That is exactly what happens in Archetype.

The flashbacks were essential to my adoration of this novel because it was what drew in. It was a mystery I wanted to crack, and I knew that I would have to wait to find out, but those flashback gave me glimpses and a chance to find out on my own. And I tried so hard to figure out what was happening and what the reveal would be, but I could not have picked this ending out of a lineup. It came out of nowhere for me, even though when I read the title it makes complete sense. But that is the beauty of this book, you forget everything you think you know and dive head first into this world that makes little sense.

The one thing I hate to read are books that have cliffhanger endings because I know I will have to wait until the next book to figure out what happens and I hate to say that this one had one hell of a cliffhanger. But to be fair, it makes sense for the progression of the novel, and it is not your ordinary cliffhanger, but none the less I did not like it! All I have to say is that I am glad that the second book is not too far away and I only have to wait until July to read the next one!

Title: Landry Park
Author: Bethany Hagen
Series: Landry Park #1
Genre:  YA Dysopian/Sci-Fi
Format: Hardcover, 374 pages
Release Date: February 4th 2014
Publisher: Dial
Source: ARC received by Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Indigo | TBD | Goodreads




In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.


When I saw the cover for Landry Park I knew I wanted to read it. It is gorgeous and simplistic in a way that most covers are not. And I think that is why I loved it so much. Landry Park as described as The Selection meets the Downton Abbey, and although I have never seen or read either of those things, I was intrigued.

In Landry Park we follow Madeline Landry who is the daughter of the most powerful men in the world and her story is not one if ease. Because of her fathers status, she is forced into a life of seclusion and tradition. Something she wants nothing to do with. It is only when she meets David that her world begins to change and she discovers that there is a whole other world outside of her own, and it is not pretty.

What I think I loved the most about this book was the world itself, because even though it seems extremely far fetched for us, it still seemed so real and something that could actually happen. David and Madeline's relationship is a complicated one because it not only involves them, but also Madeline's friend Cara because she is as much a part of this book as the others. And I will say that she not a character that you like. She is the kind of character that gets under your skin and makes you dislike her more than you thought possible. I don't really want to give anything away, but there is sort of love triangle, and before you hate on it, let me tell you that it makes so much sense for the story. And it honestly made me like the characters more because you saw a different side of them.

I absolutely loved this book, the world building was phenomenal and the writing was amazing to read. It grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until the very last page is turned.

Title: A Mad Wicked Folly
Author: Sharon Biggs Waller
Genre: YA Historical
Release Date: January 23, 2014
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Source: ARC provided by publisher in exchange for honest review

Purchase
Amazon | Chapters | TBD | Goodreads






Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl.
           
After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?


I am a sucker for historical YA, so when I saw that A Mad Wicked Folly was set during the time of the Suffragettes I was super excited because that time was very imprtant not only for woman's right to vote, but for the world to understand that women had a right to live their own lives. Although I love historical fiction, it does have to be done right, and honestly this one was a little on the boring side to me.

The characters themselves were great and memorable which was great to read. I loved Vicky because she was such a force for her passions, and that is exactly what you want in a female heroine. I hated Vicky's father mostly because he is a man of the times, so that means he thinks nothing of women's rights, and believes that the only place for a woman is in the house and being a wife and mother. Will Fletcher was a great breath of fresh air in this novel because he was not against women's rights, he actually believed they should have a vote. And his relationship with Vicky was fast and emotional. I just wish that there was more to it then I read. It seemed like there could have been more interactions.

What I think I did not like about this book was the amount of description there was. I loved the description of the Suffragettes and their campaign because I fond that stuff fascinating, but honestly everything was too much for me. For a YA novel it seemed like too much exposition and not enough dialogue. The characters in this book were great and their interactions with each other was great and I constantly found myself skipping over descriptions to the dialogue because I found that more entertaining.

If you are a historical YA junkie, this book might be for you. But for me I was looking for more character interaction and less of the London setting.