Top of My Pile (10)

Hey there and welcome to Top of My Pile! I decided to start this post because I often times feel the need to talk about the book that I'm currently reading and throw out some of the thoughts I have before I finish it! I usually have all these crazy theories about how the story is going to end or what's going to happen to the main characters. But by the time I get around to writing my review, I forget what was swirling around in my head. So that's why I started this new Saturday post. It also gives me a chance to let you know what I read this week and also, what I'm planning on reading next.

Currently Reading:

Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

I keep forgetting that I'm reading this book because I have it on my iPhone! I'm about 100 pages into it and I'm absolutely loving it! Unfortunately, Los Angeles did not win but I'm still super excited for Opal to be coming out so soon!

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I just started this book, like only finished the first chapter started it.  I already think it's interesting and I hope I love it! 

Reading this week:

Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone

Ghost is the Machine by Patrick Carman

Weekly Wrap-Up

On Sunday I showed you the new books stacking my shelves

On Monday I was a part of the Ghost Planet blog tour and I interviewed Sharon Lynn Fisher

On Tuesday I gave you my Top Ten books for a deserted island

On Wednesday I waited on Emblaze by Jessica Shivington

On Thursday I reviewed Betrayal by Gregg Olsen

On Friday I did an audio book review of Because it is My Blood by Gabrielle Zevin and I reviewed Enclave by Anne Aguirre

Review: Enclave

Title: Enclave
Author: Anne Aguirre
Series: Razorland #1
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Find it Here: B&N, Goodreads, Mysterious Galaxy
Source: Purchased

In Deuce’s world, people earn the right to a name only if they survive their first fifteen years. By that point, each unnamed ‘brat’ has trained into one of three groups–Breeders, Builders, or Hunters, identifiable by the number of scars they bear on their arms. Deuce has wanted to be a Huntress for as long as she can remember.

As a Huntress, her purpose is clear—to brave the dangerous tunnels outside the enclave and bring back meat to feed the group while evading ferocious monsters known as Freaks. She’s worked toward this goal her whole life, and nothing’s going to stop her, not even a beautiful, brooding Hunter named Fade. When the mysterious boy becomes her partner, Deuce’s troubles are just beginning.

Down below, deviation from the rules is punished swiftly and harshly, and Fade doesn't like following orders. At first Deuce thinks he’s crazy, but as death stalks their sanctuary, and it becomes clear the elders don’t always know best, Deuce wonders if Fade might be telling the truth. Her partner confuses her; she’s never known a boy like him before, as prone to touching her gently as using his knives with feral grace.

As Deuce’s perception shifts, so does the balance in the constant battle for survival. The mindless Freaks, once considered a threat only due to their sheer numbers, show signs of cunning and strategy… but the elders refuse to heed any warnings. Despite imminent disaster, the enclave puts their faith in strictures and sacrifice instead. No matter how she tries, Deuce cannot stem the dark tide that carries her far from the only world she’s ever known.

My thoughts:

I wasn't sure what Enclave was about when in first came out. Well, obviously since I didn't even read it until I received the audio book of Outpost. I thought, well great, another dystopian that will probably disappoint me. It is definitely a book that took me by surprise and made me wish that I had read it sooner!

The world building in Enclave is fantastic! I imagine that the enclave is somewhat like a world that children would create. If a bunch of children were left to learn how to survive and fend for themselves, I imagine that the College enclave is what has evolved from that beginning. I was so fascinated by the various roles that the citizens played; especially the word keeper or the one who keeps all the artifacts from the old world. Breeders, hunters, builders and elders are what create this society where its citizens don’t live past the age of twenty-five. I wanted to know more about this world and how they ended up living in the New York City subway tunnels!

I loved the characters! They’re so strong and fierce! The ones that the readers meet, the ones who have names, are the strongest of their generations and aren't even allowed to have a name until they make it to a certain age. Everything they do is about survival and nothing more. Duce is a no-nonsense type of girl and wants more than anything to be a huntress. She knows her way around a pair of knives like it’s no one’s business! I love Fade too! He’s this stonewall of a guy who doesn't let anyone in until he knows he can trust them with his life because that’s the type of world that they live in!

Some of my favorite parts were after they made it to the surface! Duce had never known or even seen any kind of modern convenience so it was quite entertaining when she discovered a sink or a faucet or a toilet or a couch. And then to see all the different types of people that they ran into and to see how they managed to survive in various ways! It’s really quite fascinating! I really don’t have any complaints about this book and it brought up so many little sub plot that can be expanded to further the series. I give Enclave 5 hearts because I have so many questions about the zombie-like “freaks” that fight and I can’t wait to know the rest of the story!

Audio Book Review: Because it is My Blood

Title: Because it is My Blood
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
Series: Birthright #2
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Find it Here: B&N, Goodreads, Mysterious Galaxy
Source: ARC from ALA/Audio book for review from publisher

“Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in.”- Michael Corleone, The Godfather

Since her release from Liberty Children's Facility, Anya Balanchine is determined to follow the straight and narrow. Unfortunately, her criminal record is making it hard for her to do that. No high school wants her with a gun possession charge on her rap sheet. Plus, all the people in her life have moved on: Natty has skipped two grades at Holy Trinity, Scarlet and Gable seem closer than ever, and even Win is in a new relationship.

But when old friends return demanding that certain debts be paid, Anya is thrown right back into the criminal world that she had been determined to escape. It’s a journey that will take her across the ocean and straight into the heart of the birthplace of chocolate where her resolve--and her heart--will be tested as never before.

My thoughts:

I really loved All These Things I've Done! So when I picked up the ARC of Because it is My Blood at ALA I was really excited to read it! But because I am a blogger and I always have a stack of books screaming at me to read them, the ARC got pushed aside all summer. Then I received the audio book in the mail and I saw the perfect opportunity to continue the story!

When I finally got into Because it is My Blood (not a fan of that title) I felt like the story was night and day from All These Things I've Done! Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I read the first and listened to the second. The story just seemed to trudge along and not really have any direction! There were so many times I thought, “Where is this story going? What does the main character wish to accomplish?” There were a least three or four times where I thought the story could end between discs seven and nine but it continued on, in my opinion, aimlessly. I also felt that Anya getting in trouble and going back to Liberty Island was just another repeat of what happened before! I was really hoping that Zevin would have moved on and been able to further the story of Anya’s life.

As for Anya herself I thought she was complacent and somewhat removed from her family and the plot line. Instead of Anya being pro-active and moving the plot forward, the plot was moving her. It was annoying because I wanted to do something about it! Where as in All These Things I've Done, she is very involved in the affairs of her family and is very much the protector but in Because is it My Blood she seemed knocked down and for most of the book she allowed herself to be. Don’t even get my started on the way she acted with Win! She was like a deflated balloon the whole book! The only glimpse of the Anya I recognized was when she used her badass machete and cut off that guy’s hand!

I really believe that some of these complaints stem from the fact that I listened to the audio book. The narrator’s voice grated my nerves and didn't really embody the character of Anya that I had grown to love in All These Things I've Done. I am tentatively giving Because it is My Blood 3 hearts because I still want to know what happens in the next book. And I really hope there is only one more book in this series.

Review- Betrayal

Title: Betrayal
Author: Gregg Olsen
Series: Empty Coffin Series #2
Publisher: Splinter
Find it Here: B&N, Goodreads, Mysterious Galaxy
Source: ARC from the publisher

In this action-packed thriller sequel to Envy, foreign exchange student Olivia Grant is stabbed to death after a party--and the prime suspect is her best friend. As twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan get pulled into the aftermath of this Amanda Knox-like crime, they realize nothing is what it seems. Could it be betrayal of the ultimate kind?

Betrayal features real-life crime-solving techniques, heart-stopping suspense, plenty of red herrings, hard-hitting ethical questions, and information about the Amanda Knox case that inspired the novel. As the crime unravels, so does the twins' past…and they must face off against a family member who may unexpectedly have carried out the worst betrayal of all.

My thoughts:

For as long as I can remember I've always loved a good murder mystery novel! And I'm pretty sure I always will. There's just something about a good mystery that keeps me reading a book. Now add a little bit of the paranormal element and I'm definitely hooked!  Even if I have it somewhat figured out, I'm going to read it to the end just to see if I'm right or wrong! 

When reading Envy, I couldn't get enough of the mystery that is surrounding twins Haley and Taylor. Even after Betrayal, their special abilities haven't been truly explained but it's still fun to get wrapped up in their world.  I love how we get to see so many aspects of the twins lives and see how most of the time they work in perfect sync but then how they also argue.  

I really enjoy how Olsen writes the mystery.  He gives away the clues that are only necessary and as the story evolves, more is revealed and the pieces fall into place.  It's probably the reason why I have never been able to figure out who is the murderer. Betrayal is such a great murder mystery because of the characters, the dark and gloomy setting and because of the touch of paranormal! I give Betrayal 4 hearts for being a mystery that I couldn't figure out! 

Waiting on Wednesday (78)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating. This is one of my favorite memes because not only is my TBR pile so much bigger at the end of the night but also the covers are always amazing!

Title: Emblaze
Author: Jessica Shirvington
Series: The Violet Eden Chapters #3
Hitting the Shelves: March 01, 2013

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice ... and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.
Now Violet has something Phoenix - the exiled angel who betrayed her - will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn't take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.
With the help of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to...

What are you waiting for? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for a Deserted Island

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and it's a meme of lists.

So I'm probably cheating by doing this but I'm going to group series as one.

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling- I'm pretty sure that no matter what kind of list I do, Harry Potter always somehow manages to make the list. It's just that great! I couldn't image never being able to read Harry Potter again.

2. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte- When I first started getting really serious about reading, someone recommended Wuthering Heights to and it has turned into one of my favorite books!

3. Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols- I've only read this book once but if I was going to be on a deserted island I would take the opportunity to read it again!

4. The Girl of Fire and Thorns series by Rae Carson- So if I was going to be on a deserted island it better wait until The Bitter Kingdom comes out because I think I would drive myself crazy just reading the first and second books especially with that ending!

5. Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead-This is one of my favorite series ever and I would relish in the opportunity to read the series again!

6. Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty- So funny! These books keep me laughing all the way through!

7. The Unearthly series by Cynthia Hand- Hands down my favorite angel series! As of right now I'm torn between team Tucker and Team Christian and I just love the books so much!

8. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin- Another series that will have to finish before I go to the deserted island because I just can't take the first 2 books with me.

9. Pretty When She Dies by Rhiannon Frater- This book was seriously awesome and I would love to read it again!

10. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger- One of my all time favorite books and I definitely need to be reading that book again soon!

Ghost Planet Blog Tour: Interview with Sharon Lynn Fisher!

Today I have the pleasure of having Sharon Lynn Fisher on the blog for an interview about her new book Ghost Planet! Ghost Planet is so awesome and I think you all should go out and read it!! Scroll down through the entire post to read an excerpt from the book!

A world in peril. A bond deeper than love.

Psychologist Elizabeth Cole prepared for the worst when she accepted a job on a newly discovered world - a world where every colonist is tethered to an alien who manifests in the form of a dead loved one. But she never expected she'd struggle with the requirement to shun these “ghosts.” She never expected to be so attracted to the charming Irishman assigned as her supervisor. And she certainly never expected to discover she died in a transport crash en route to the planet.

Reincarnated as a ghost, Elizabeth is symbiotically linked to her supervisor, Murphy - creator of the Ghost Protocol, which forbids him to acknowledge or interact with her. Confused and alone - oppressed by her ghost status and tormented by forbidden love - Elizabeth works to unlock the secrets of her own existence.

But her quest for answers lands her in a tug-of-war between powerful interests, and she soon finds herself a pawn in the struggle for control of the planet…a struggle that could separate her forever from the man she loves.

1. How did you come up with the concept of Ghost Planet?

I had been mainly writing fantasy romance up to that point, and decided I wanted to try my hand at sci-fi. The title came to me first, and then I started noodling on what a story with that title would be about. I came up with the concept for the ghost-aliens, and thought it would be cool to have my heroine travel to the planet and discover she was tethered to one. Then I thought no, SHE should be the alien. That’s really what got the story going.

2. What drew you to combine science fiction and psychology?

That’s a great question. It was really a natural direction for this particular story. When I came up with the concept for the ghosts – aliens who are created in the form of dead loved ones, and symbiotically bound to the colonists – I put myself in the colonists’ shoes. I tried to imagine how I would react if I traveled to a newly discovered world, only to meet up with a deceased mother, father, or husband who was actually an alien. And what if it happened not only to me, but also to the thousands of others who had colonized the planet. Chaos, right? Depression, PTSD, suicides, even murder.

And of course that was the reason the hero -- psychologist Grayson Murphy-- was recruited to work on Ardagh 1 (the “ghost planet”), and came up with the Ghost Protocol.

3. Did you read a lot of science fiction when you were a kid?

No, I wouldn't say a lot. But one of my favorite books as an adolescent was A WRINKLE IN TIME, which, like GHOST PLANET, combines sci-fi and romance. I read that book a dozen times. I also read the Star Wars novel SPLINTER OF THE MIND’S EYE (Alan Dean Foster) several times. That story also combines sci-fi and romance.

Beyond that I read mostly fantasy -- Piers Anthony, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien. I loved anything about ghosts, goblins, or fairies.

4. Who are your inspirations as a writer?

All of the above plus Richard Adams, Charlotte Bronte, Anthony Trollope, and Jane Austen.

5. If you lived on Ardagh 1 who would be your ghost?

Interesting question. I've been asked a few times whom I would *choose* as my ghost, but not who would actually BE my ghost.

Following my own world building rules, it would be either my dad or one of my grandparents. Loved them all dearly but I think my gran (my dad’s mom) would be the easiest (and most fun) to live with. She was an Okie, part Cherokee, who told great stories and said things like “God love your meat” while pinching my cheeks. Please don’t ask me what that means because I have no idea.

6. Who was your favorite character to write?

I find this question tough! I enjoyed writing them all, for different reasons. If I translate “favorite” to “most fun,” I think of characters that sprang fully formed from my brain and required very little revision. By that definition: the smart-ass, suicidal, physicist-turned-transport-pilot Garvey.

7. If you had to recommend one book that you think is a must read, what would it be?

I wish everyone would read WATERSHIP DOWN (Richard Adams). I think people are put off by the fact that it’s about rabbits, but that’s like saying THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH is about a church. WATERSHIP is about very human trials and emotions, plus it’s full of adventure, mystery, politics, and even romance.

8. Sum up your book in 140 characters or less.

Psychologist takes a job on an alien world. On day 1, she learns she's: Dead. Reincarnated as an alien. Tethered to a man who must shun her.

Thanks so much for stopping by the blog and answering a few questions! Your book is fantastic and I can’t wait for the next one!

Wow, thank you so much, so glad you enjoyed it! And thank you very much for having me.

Excerpt from Ghost Planet by Sharon Lynn Fisher!

We trotted up half a dozen steps and were passing through the glass doors when Murphy said, “We’ll be scanned by security just inside. I hate them being here, raising people’s anxiety level in a place where we want them to feel safe. But all new arrivals pass through here, and someone decided it was a good idea.”

Thinking about the illicit-substance and weapons scans in all the airports and public buildings back home, I raised my eyebrows. “What’s it for?”

“To get a sort of fingerprint on everyone,” he explained, walking through the doorframe-shaped scanner. “Just to make sure we know who’s who. They can’t do it at the transport terminal because no one has ghosts when they first arrive.”

I followed him through the scanner, and a long beep sounded somewhere off to my left as I joined him inside. Murphy’s head jerked toward the sound. His eyes moved to the glass doors we’d just come through, and slowly back to me. He glanced at the security desk on our right.

“Where is it?” Murphy called to the guard, whose fingers were flying over his keyboard. The guard’s ghost leaned against the wall behind him, little more than a shadow.

The man stopped typing and looked up. “I’m sorry, Dr. Murphy?”

“I heard the alert go off, but I don’t see her. My ghost, Simon,” Murphy added, growing impatient. “Do you see her?”

The guard blinked at him a couple times. Then he cleared his throat. “She’s standing right next to you, Dr. Murphy.”

SHARON LYNN FISHER is the author of GHOST PLANET, coming from Tor Books on Oct. 30. The book -- a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist -- is a sci-fi/romance blend that offers a "fresh and fascinating take on the human-alien problem" (says author Linnea Sinclair). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she is hard at work on her next novel and battles writerly angst with baked goods, Irish tea, and champagne. You can visit her online at SharonLynnFisher.com.