Mini Reviews: Waterfall & Firelight

I've seen quite a few other bloggers do mini reviews before, and I thought it was the best idea! The two books I'm featuring today are books I read during the time I was taking a break from blogging. I really enjoyed both, and didn't want to leave them unmentioned, so here we are! I'm not including the synopsis', but the title links go to each book's Goodreads page, and the synopsis is front and center there. :)

Title: Waterfall (River of Time #1)
Author: Lisa T. Bergren
Release date: February 1, 2011
Publisher: David C. Cook
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

I picked up Waterfall on a whim one day. I am so glad to say it was one of the best whim purchases I've made! I loved loved loved the setting--ancient Italy--since I'm an Italian minor and it doesn't seem like there's a whole ton of young adult fiction set in Italy. The story of Gabi and Lia's adventure is super fun and fast-paced. With handsome knights, sword fights, and an ancient feud, how can you go wrong? This is a book that immediately immerses you in the story and the world and just doesn't let go. Gabi is a compelling heroine and has a great voice; she is snarky and sarcastic and just fun to read. The romance between Gabi and Marcello is just the perfect amount of swoony. So, needless to say, Waterfall left me thirsty for more and I can't wait to read the sequel, Cascade!

Title: Firelight (Darkest London #1)
Author: Kristen Callihan
Release date: January 31, 2012
Publisher: Forever
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Another book I picked up on a whim! Unlike Waterfall, though, Firelight is far from what I normally read. This is an adult paranormal romance. What sold me, though, was the idea of a story that included elements from Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera--my favorite Disney movie of all time and one of my favorite musicals of all time; there's very little I could do to resist reading this. Luckily, this whim purchase paid off as well! Miranda and Archer have great chemistry and it was so fun reading the evolution of their relationship as both learned to rely on and trust the other. The mystery is truly a mystery that one does not guess easily, and the plot was creative and original--definitely one I've not seen before. I am so glad I went out of my norm to read this book! (Note: Since I do review almost exclusively YA here, I have to point out that Firelight is an adult romance novel, and therefore much more explicit in content than young adult books.)

{Book Blast + Giveaway} Moonset by Scott Tracey

With one month to go until MOONEST hits the shelves, we want to make sure you are all ready for it. Be sure to add MOONSET to your TBR piles, and don’t forget to check out the giveaway below for $25.00 gift cards to iTunes and B&N!

Moonset 
Legacy of Moonset #1 
Author: Scott Tracey
Release Date: April 8th 2013
Publisher: Flux

Justin Daggett, his trouble-making sister, and their three orphan-witch friends have gotten themselves kicked out of high school. Again. Now they’ve ended up in Carrow Mills, New York, the town where their parents—members of the terrorist witch organization known as Moonset—began their evil experiments with the dark arts one generation ago.

When the siblings are accused of unleashing black magic on the town, Justin fights to prove their innocence. But tracking down the true culprit leads him to a terrifying discovery about Moonset’s past . . . and its deadly future

PRE-ORDER NOW FOR ONLY $5.55 AMAZON | B&N

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THE GIVEAWAY

The Prizes! 1- $25.00 Barnes & Noble Gift Card
1- $25.00 iTunes Gift Card

Open Internationally
Gift Card to be delivered Electronically

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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THE AUTHOR

Scott Tracey is a YA author who lived on a Greyhound for a month, wrote his illustrated autobiography at the age of six, and barely survived Catholic school (and definitely not for the reasons you might think).

He is the author of WITCH EYES, chosen as one of Amazon’s Best LGBT Books of 2011, as well as an ALA Popular Paperback in the Forbidden Romance category.  The final book in the WITCH EYES trilogy, PHANTOM EYES, will be released in the fall of 2013.

He is also the author of MOONSET, a new series which will be released April 8, 2013, as well as a contributor to the SHADOWHUNTERS & DOWNWORLDERS anthology, edited by Cassandra Clare.

His career highlights include: accidentally tripping a panic alarm which led to nearly being shot by the police; attacked in a drive-thru window by a woman wielding a baked potato, and once moving cross country for a job only to quit on the second day.

His gifts can be used for good or evil, but rather than picking a side, he strives for BOTH (in alternating capacity) for his own amusement.

STALK SCOTT
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | TUMBLR

Chosen Ones (The Lost Souls #1) by Tiffany Truitt

Release date: June 12, 2012
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Entangled
Pages: 400
Format: Egalley
Source: Publisher provided for review
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Life is bleak but uncomplicated for sixteen-year-old Tess, living in a not-too-distant future where the government, faced with humanity's extinction, created the Chosen Ones, artificial beings who are extraordinarily beautiful, unbelievably strong, and unabashedly deadly.

When Tess begins work at Templeton, a Chosen Ones training facility, she meets James, and the attraction is immediate in its intensity, overwhelming in its danger. But there is more to Templeton than Tess ever knew. Can she stand against her oppressors, even if it means giving up the only happiness in her life?

I can't believe it took me so long to read this book!!! I've just put it off and put it off for other things, but I am so glad I finally took the time. Fantastic. I did find the relationship between James and Tess developed a teensy bit quickly for my taste, but I also liked the restraint in the beginning and middle of the relationship. It was interesting to see.

I think the most striking part of Chosen Ones for me was Tess. I don't know what I expected, but she certainly was nothing like what I anticipated. Tess starts off as cold and distant from those around her, and even, in a way, from the reader. She knows getting attached to anyone just leads to being hurt. At the start of the book, her sister--one of the few she's let through her shell--has just died. The reader gets to see Tess' transformation as she learns how love can change you. She never understood the things her sister did when it came to the man she married, Robert. But when she comes to know James, she begins to see. I loved Tess for how closed off she was. It was a rational way to cope, and I loved seeing her grow.

The other thing I loved about Tess was her self-preservation. For the most part, she's always looking out for herself. That's just not a common thing to see in dystopians. The heroine is generally only thinking of others in her actions, but I've never felt that to be especially accurate. It's just not human nature to sacrifice yourself for people you don't know. There are exceptions to that, obviously, but I liked seeing someone who is true to herself and true to life.

Chosen Ones has a plot that keeps you on your toes. You've just got your bearings on the world, and it just takes off. It makes for a fast and really entertaining read. This is definitely a dystopian a step above the rest. I can't wait to get into the second book, Naturals, and see where the journey takes Tess and James next!

Teaser Tuesday: I Hunt Killers {15}

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Title: I Hunt Killers
Author: Barry Lyga
Release date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Pages: 361

What if the world's worst serial killer...was your dad?

Jasper "Jazz" Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.

But he's also the son of the world's most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could—from the criminal's point of view.

And now bodies are piling up in Lobo's Nod.

In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret—could he be more like his father than anyone knows?

My teaser, from p. 149 of the hardcover: 

"Helen, I have to be honest with you now. This is going to hurt. It's going to hurt a lot."

She went ahead and screamed. True to his word, he didn't care at all.

Hmmm... I haven't started this yet, but it's on the pile. I've been dying to read it since it came out last year, since serial killers are absurdly fascinating to me... :)

What are you teasing this week?

The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Release date: April 23, 2013
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 336
Format: ARC
Source: Trade
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

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.

For me, The Selection and The Elite are like the trashy tv of books. There's not a whole ton of quality, but you get sucked in and can't look away. You get a sick sense of satisfaction after reading it. You feel a little bit guilty after reading it, but you so enjoy it. I have no qualms about admitting how much I enjoy these books. They're dramatic and frothy and suck away hours of your life before you know it. There is little better than spending the night curled up reading a book like The Elite, in my opinion.

The Elite picks up very quickly after the end of The Selection. America is still vacillating between Maxon and Aspen, and for much of the book I was so frustrated with her, because I just KNEW exactly who she should pick. The great thing is, though, there are events in The Elite than make you question your opinion over and over again. One moment I was happy and the next I was angry. I honestly got as confused as American in who to pick.

At the same time, there's a raising of the stakes. No spoilers, but America is under pressure to make her decision for more than one reason. The rebels are getting restless, though no one can really tell why. There's still little plot, just the Selection going on with things happening all around. That being said, there's some game-changing events.

Without including spoilers, which I know you don't want if you want to read this book, it's hard to review in much detail. But I can say, I enjoyed The Elite quite a bit more than The Selection. There are some great twists and turns and you are kept on the edge of your seat throughout. If taken for the light fare it is, The Elite is great fun to read and if you loved the first book, you'll love The Elite even more!

If you just can't stand the wait till The Elite, Kiera is releasing a novella set before The Selection tomorrow called The Prince!

Stacking the Shelves {5}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

This week was really a great one. I went on a teeny tiny spree on Netgalley... And when you see what I got you'll totally understand why! I also had a book from a trade come in, so I was pretty pumped. :)

For review:
The Eternity Cure (Blood of Eden #2) by Julie Kagawa, to be released April 23, 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2) by Anna Banks, to be released May 28, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends
Siege & Storm (Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo, to be released June 4, 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.
Sky on Fire (Monument 14 #2) by Emmy Laybourne, to be released May 28, 2013 by Feiwel and Friends
Naturals (The Lost Souls #2) by Tiffany Truitt, to be released April 2, 2013 by Entangled Teen

SEE? Pretty much the best book week ever. :) I don't even really need to talk about these books past that fact that I squealed when I got every single one of them. I have my fingers and toes crossed that the Fierce Reads tour comes close to me again this summer so I can get all of my sequels signed, since Anna Banks, Leigh Bardugo, and Emmy Laybourne are all going to be on it again! Also, Julie Kagawa does no wrong in my eyes. She's infallible, so I'm going to devour The Eternity Cure. And I'm super pumped to be part of the blog tour for Naturals in April, so I've got to get to reading that!

Through trade:
The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass

Thank you thank you to Aeicha at Word Spelunking for trading with me! You're the best! :)

A recap of the week here on Paper Cuts:
Monday - I reviewed The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse.
Tuesday - I teased from The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter.
Wednesday - I talked about the Teen Author Boot Camp happening this month.
Thursday - I reviewed The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke.
Saturday - I discussed (and ranted a little on) instalove.

Books I read this week:
The Mad Scientist's Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
The Elite (The Selection #2) by Kiera Cass
Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2) by Anna Banks

I'm Currently Reading:
Chosen Ones by Tiffany Truitt

So it's been a good week here! Lots of good things to read for me. :) I couldn't help myself and read two of the books I got this week already, though I have lots of other things to read. But where's the fun in reading if you don't jump off the schedule every once in a while? Big, big thanks to Harlequin Teen, Feiwel and Friends, Henry Holt, Entangled Teen, and Aeicha for all of the great books this week! I want to drool over your mailboxes, too, so please leave me a link and I'll check them out! :) Have a happy Sunday and a great first week of March!

Let's Talk About... Instalove

Now, I know a lot of people have talked about this lovely phenomenon. I normally don't like to add my two cents into things that are so discussed, but I--for whatever reason--feel like I have something a little bit different to say.

I was thinking the other day that maybe this had become less of a trend in YA releases of the past year or so. Then I read The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse. Alenna was "inexplicably" drawn to Liam, who is a likable enough character, but she quickly progresses from being attracted to him to declaring her love for him. Sometimes a fast relationship makes sense, but in The Forsaken I think Alenna and Liam spend time together maybe three times before she's saying she loves him. Heightened situations = heightened emotions, I get it, but...Meh.

The biggest defense of instalove is that when you're a teenager things are magnified. You think every event in your life is the biggest thus far; you think that boyfriend you've been dating for two weeks is the love of your life. I get it! I can excuse it in some cases. All relationships need a foundation, though. You can be attracted to someone without being in love with them. You can be in love with the idea of someone. You can know you want to spend a lot of time with them. I just believe that in order to be "in love" with someone you have to know them. You don't have to know every detail of their life or their opinions on everything, but I think knowing someone's disposition and how they look at the world is vital.

I feel like this is making me sound cynical, but I'm really not! My parents met around Christmas one year, were engaged on Valentine's Day, and married in September. They had known each other less than a year and have been married for over 30 years now. My brother and his fiancee met in October 2011, were engaged in June 2012, and will be married this December. By the time they're married they'll have known each other just over two years. By some standards that is no time, and by others it's normal. I see love in my life, and know that when the right person comes, you can know very quickly. But knowing someone is the right person for you doesn't equate being in love with them. I knew almost immediately that my best friend would be my best friend when we met, but I didn't love her like I do now, after having been close for more than 7 years. It's not quite the same thing, but in a way it is.

I think that is my biggest problem when it comes to the relationships in a lot of young adult novels. A declaration of love or undying devotion is romantic, and maybe typical for a teenager, but I think it's representing a relationship ideal that just doesn't exist. Even I have to remind myself from time to time that that is not how mature relationships work and being truly in love with someone comes with time and familiarity.

What do you think of my opinion? Do you agree? Do you disagree? I'd love to know!