Review of Mind Games/Sister Assassin by Kiersten White

Title/Author: Mind Games/Sister Assassin (Mind Games #1) by Kiersten White
Publisher/Date published: HarperTeen, February 19th 2013
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley and bought a shiny finished copy :)
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her — except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways... or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

So I'd heard some mixed things about Mind Games before starting it, some people seem to love it, others REALLY didn't like it. I'm glad to say I fall into the first category!

Confession: this is actually my first Kiersten White book, though I do own the whole Paranormalcy series... I suck.

I'd expected Mind Games to be about the world where girls can have mental abilities outside of the normal awesome things girls can do with their brains, and while it's about that, I felt that it was mostly about the bond between Fia and Annie. And I LOVED that! I loved these two girls who were true sisters and were truly looking out for each other and had the unconditional love going that SHOULD be there. This is what family should be like, sticking together no matter what.

Both Annie and Fia are strong in their own way and incredibly vulnerable and I loved that we switched between their POV and get a full picture of what is going on and what this means exactly for each of the girls. They definitely had a distinct voice and I never once forgot who I was reading about, though the switching back and forth in time meant I had to pay attention at the start of the chapter as to where exactly in the storyline we were. But seeing these flashes of their past years really added something extra to the story, so I was good with it.

What's happened to Annie and Fia is heartbreaking and they've been through so much, but they haven't given up, which I completely respected. Annie can't see, but she's dealing with it. Fia has had to do some horrible things, and while this has left her a little broken, she's hanging on and holding herself together. And they are so protective of each other! I'll say it again: I loved the bond between these two! LOVED!

I did prefer Fia's chapters, her bit of brokenness lent for some really interesting stream of thoughts and it actually reminded me a bit of Shatter Me in writing style. And I totally loved Shatter Me, so this worked very well for me :)

And OMG, THAT ENDING!! EEEE! I did not see that coming and I'm so happy that I already have the e-arc of Pretty Lies loaded onto my ereader, because I can seriously not wait until February 2014 to know what happens next!

My rating: 4,5 stars

Made me crave: fresh mint tea with honey

I'm Off To Mallorca!

Hi guys!

This is a mini-update so that I can tell you guys that I'm going to Mallorca for a week! The boyfriend and I are flying there tomorrow and we'll be back the Wednesday after.

So in the next week there'll be lots of quality time with the boyfriend, sunshine, beach, swimming, eating yummy Spanish food, drinking alcoholic beverages, exploring the island and generally relaxing. Oh, and of course I'm bringing books ;)

We'll have no internet connection, which means I will really not be around for a full week. It's probably been years since I went without internect access for this long, so we'll see how frantic I am when we get back. But this means that there will be posts going up on the blog, but I won't be able to comment on anything myself or answer emails or whatever, BUT I'll catch up when we get back!

I wish you all a wonderful week and I'll think of you while I'm soaking up the sun and having a cocktail :)

See you all next week!

Review of Midnight Frost by Jennifer Estep

Title/Author: Midnight Frost (Mythos Academy #5) by Jennifer Estep
Publisher/Date published: K-Teen, July 30th 2013
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: Here we go again...

Just when it seems life at Mythos Academy can’t get any more dangerous, the Reapers of Chaos manage to prove me wrong. It was just a typical night at the Library of Antiquities — until a Reaper tried to poison me. The good news is I’m still alive and kicking. The bad news is the Reaper poisoned someone else instead.

As Nike’s Champion, everyone expects me to lead the charge against the Reapers, even though I’m still hurting over what happened with Spartan warrior Logan Quinn. I’ve got to get my hands on the antidote fast — otherwise, an innocent person will die. But the only known cure is hidden in some creepy ruins — and the Reapers are sure to be waiting for me there …

***WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR THE FIRST FOUR BOOKS IN THE SERIES***

Guys, it's not secret that I love mythology in YA and this series is a really good reason for why I love it so much! It has all the good stuff: gods, evil doers, awesome mythological creatures and weapons and I just love so many of the characters!

The issues that I had with Gwen in earlier books are pretty much cleared up by now, she's definitely grown as a person and is now a kickass person. Seriously. She can actually kick ass: HOORAY for her not being the damsel in distress anymore! She doesn't feel good about killing Reapers, but she does it, because she knows it's either her or them and she'd rather live another day. She's not the helpless girl she was and so much of her awkwardness has gone away, I love it! She's learning to overcome her problems with her powers and has toughened up quite a bit from when we first met her!

I was kinda sad we don't see much of Logan though, that Spartan boy really makes for some awesome scenes. He's sweet and strong and he really cares about Gwen and it was heartbreaking to see him doubt himself so much because of what happened to him in the last book with the whole being possessed by Loki thing and all. He kinda ran away because of it and I really appreciated that Gwen calls him out on it at one point. She does have a point and someone had to say it, though maybe it could have been done a little less harshly.

Also: we meet another mythological creature: gryphons and they are AWESOME! Seriously, the black rocs are totally scary, but gryphons rule. I totally love this side of the mythology and it added another something to the story. And I'm so happy Nyx is still around! That cute little furball of a Fenrir pup is so adorable! Nyx pouncing on Hello Kitty totally made me laugh!

So we learn a little more about the plans of the reapers and the gods and about Gwen's mission and it made me excited for things to come! I wonder when the epic fight will actually take place, but for now I'm good exploring this world and hanging out with all my favourite warriors, Alexei being one of my new favourites from the last book. He's just so cool!

I also think that the writing has gotten so much better over the course of the series! I love what Jennifer Estep is doing and it made for one entertaining afternoon full of action and fun.

My rating: 4,5 stars

Made me crave: Nibb-Its

Daisy Update (49)

Hi guys!!

So it's been a bit of a weird week for me, since the boyfriend was barely home and the weather wasn't as lovely as it's been the past couple of weeks, but I still managed to keep myself entertained :)

Monday it was about 30C outside and sunny, so I spent the day reading at the lake near our house once again and I just love soaking up the sun! I don't really get a tan or anything, but it's nice to just lay there and be comfortably warm because there was this nice little wind blowing as well and yeah, I just do better in warm weather :)
That night I went over to one of my friend's house to have dinner and watch America's Next Top Model together. I love hanging out with her and watching this is just something we do together.

Tuesday was filled with doing nothing but go food shopping and read and visiting some TTTs. Oh, and I started watching an old season of ANTM, back when it was so much more fun and they were VERY critical during judging and had to do all crazy assignments as well. It's awesome, even if I know who will win it.

I had originally planned to go shopping for some nice summer dresses and a bikini on Wednesday, but the weather was so blah and rainy and just nasty that I decided to hole up in the apartment instead. I did film the vlog for the Book Banging intro post that day, you can go see me be awkward in front of a camera and gush about book boyfriends here. I had a lot of fun doing this!!

On Thursday I also just sat at home and read, aside from the time I had to go over to the boyfriend's sister's place because they were delivering her new bed and she couldn't be there herself (volunteering at the same kids' entertainment week thingy that the boyfriend was at), so I let the nice men in and they carried the bed up two flights of stairs. And I read BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand! And OMG, SERIOUSLY THAT BOOK!! I mean, OMG, I just have SO MANY FEELINGS!! I already wrote my review, so it'll be up in the next couple of weeks (I can't believe how many reviews I still have lined up because of all the reading I've been doing these last couple of weeks).

Friday I actually went shopping, but came home with virtually nothing (at least, for me it was nothing, I usually come home with LOTS of stuff)... There weren't any cute happy clothes, they all looked sad and depressing and if this is what I can expect for this Fall, well, let's just say this won't make for a happy Daisy. Everything was so blah and I really wanted a new bikini but the only things they had were either itsy bitsy tiny things or HUGE (or a combination of a teeny tiny bottom with a huge top, or the other way around), so yeah, that wasn't going to work.

Yesterday I went for a tiny shopping trip again because I'd forgotten to buy the boyfriend's mother a birthday present on Friday. And I somehow managed to get FOUR blisters walking in my new heels and seriously, that is just silly! I wasn't even walking in them that long and I've walked in them before and just UGH! Please stop murdering my feet, because you are so pretty!
At night the boyfriend came home (yay!) and we went over to one of his friend's for his birthday. It was nice, the only thing is that they don't really live near us, so I drove 3 hours total that night, and as the boyfriend was dead tired from the whole week, he slept the whole ride back, so that was kinda boring.

In about an hour we'll be going over to the boyfriend's parents' because his mother is celebrating her birthday. So this Sunday will be filled with lots of family and food and sitting around in a food coma because of all said food ;)

I hope you're all having a great week!

Review of Undercurrent by Paul Blackwell

Title/Author: Undercurrent by Paul Blackwell
Publisher/Date published: HarperTeen, July 23rd 2013
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: A shadowy figure. An intense roar. The sensation of falling — fast.

That’s all Callum Harris remembers from his tumble over the waterfall. But when he wakes up in a hospital bed and finds his best friend trying to kill him, Callum knows something is seriously wrong. Unfortunately for him, the mysteries are just getting started.

Why are his parents acting like he’s some big sports star all of a sudden? And why are all the buildings in town more run-down than Callum remembers? Worst of all... what happened to Callum’s brother? Either Callum has gone seriously crazy or something happened when he went over the falls. Something impossible. Callum needs answers, and now. Because in this twisted new version of the life Callum knew, his former best friend isn’t the only one who wants to see him dead.

Filled with mind-bending suspense and unsettling thrills, Undercurrent is a grippingly paced teen debut that will pull you under and never let go.

I was really excited to start this book, it sounds like my kind of creepy supernatural occurence with the whole alternate universe and such. And I'm sad to say that it didn't work for me.

There was such amazing potential, I mean, landing in an alternate universe where everything Callum knew is upside down? And why did he go over the waterfall in the first place? But I never felt excitement or that edge where you're dying to know what'll happen in the end, turning the pages to find out. Instead I was kinda... bored.

Callum is supposed to be this likeable boy in his own universe, but I never really could relate to him. I mean, all the memories are of him being a bit of a nerd and unpopular and hanging out with two pretty nice kids, of which he was secretly in love with the girl. And it sounded nice. But I never warmed up to him in his alternate universe. I mean, I don't know if it's his changed environment or anything, but he's having anger management issues and being a jerk to his mom and to other people in general. It seems like the Callum from the alternate universe was a psycho who for some reason was really popular, but the story-Callum isn't such a nice guy himself.

I was really annoyed by the fact that he claims to be so in love with one girl and then goes off and fools around with another just because she's hot. I mean, seriously? If you're the nice guy you claim, you wouldn't be doing that. I felt like we never really go very deep into other characters either, they're the superficial people acting like scenery to the events.

Which brings me to my next issue: not much of anything really happens. Callum isn't trying all that hard to figure out what happened and I was seriously worried this would be one of those unexpected series books because I couldn't figure out how Paul Blackwell would wrap this up in 10 pages. Turns out you can do that, it just wasn't very satisfying for me. And it definitely didn't solve all that many problems aside from the obvious one. Nothing real got fixed. The Callum from the alternate universe is still as much of a jerk as he used to be and his life a big mess and that's about it.

I did like the parts where Callum is bonding with his dog Jess and I really appreciate that she didn't die somewhere along the way, cause at one point I was REALLY worried about this. I also liked that Callum didn't magically become good at sports like his alternate universe self was, just because he went over the waterfall.

But all together this book wasn't for me. The summary sounded really exciting and like something I would love, but the execution fell flat for me.

My rating: 1,5 stars

Made me crave: cheese

Book Banging Intro Post: In which I talk about my favourite book boyfriends!

So I was all over the place excited when Kelly mentioned that she was going to be doing this new feature and YAYYY!!! I love so many fictional guys and I can't wait to talk to you about all of them!

Here is my intro vlog, excuse my awkwardness and bad accent and just generally being crap at pronouncing names...
And seriously, this is me when I get excited. I talk with my hands (seriously, you can't even see them the whole time, but trust me, I'm flapping them around so much more out of frame...) and move all over the place :)



So yeah, I have no idea why I'm making that face at the end either...
Also, I have no idea how to edit a video, otherwise that part where you see me trying to figure out Shadow and Bone's name would so have gotten cut out...

Oh, and because I forgot to mention it in the video:
Man of the month: FOUR from Divergent by Veronica Roth

Anyway, let me know what you think. Should I be put in a box and never allowed to vlog again? Like any of my boys?

Blog Tour: Review and GIVEAWAY of The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon

Title/Author: The Fairest of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon
Publisher/Date published: Touchstone, August 6th 2013
How I got this book: received it from the publisher through NetGalley
Buy this book at: The Book Depository

Goodreads summary: What if Rapunzel was Snow White’s evil stepmother? From the author of Godmother and Mermaid, The Fairest of Them All explores what happens when fairy tale heroines grow up and don’t live happily ever after.

Living in an enchanted forest, Rapunzel spends her days tending a mystical garden with her adoptive mother, Mathena. A witch, Mathena was banished from court because of her magic powers, though the women from the kingdom still seek her advice and herbal remedies. She waits, biding her time to exact revenge against those who betrayed her.

One day Rapunzel’s beautiful voice and long golden locks captivate a young prince hunting in the forest nearby. Overcome, he climbs her hair up to her chamber and they fall into each other’s arms. But their afternoon of passion is fleeting, and the prince must return to his kingdom, as he is betrothed to another.

Now king, he marries his intended to bring peace to his kingdom. They have a stunning daughter named Snow White. Yet the king is haunted by his memories of Rapunzel, and after the mysterious death of his wife, realizes he is free to marry the woman he never stopped longing for. In hopes of also replacing the mother of his beloved daughter, the king makes Rapunzel his queen.

But when Mathena’s wedding gift of an ancient mirror begins speaking to her, Rapunzel falls under its evil spell, and the king begins to realize that Rapunzel is not the beautiful, kind woman he dreamed of.

I'm so excited to be part of this blog tour!! Head all the way down to enter the GIVEAWAY for this book, believe me, youwant this!

Guys, I love fairytale retellings. I love fairytales and all these retellings are just adding that extra bit of depth to them that I so, SO love! And The Fairest of Them All was definitely a lot darker than the original tale!

I love that Carolyn Turgeon is combining two of my favourite fairytales: Snow White and Rapunzel. And seriously, we're told in the summary that Rapunzel turns into Snow White's evil stepmother, but really, I was so rooting for that girl! She had an unconventional upbringing by Mathena Gothel and actually had amazing abilities with also a really cool link to her hair. Mathena teaches her basic herbal treatments and some spells, women mainly visit them looking for a cure to their heartache.

Rapunzel mainly grows up surrounded by women and it pretty naive in spite of her hearing about other women's heartache over men and I could see how she would get carried away when she met the prince. I mean, sure, it all progresses VERY quickly, they forget to actually forge a relationship before falling into bed together. And of course, things can't end well and the prince ends up leaving to marry another girl, leaving Rapunzel heartbroken.

This experience and some of the awful things that happen to her after really shape the rest of Rapunzel's life. And I can understand how she could change into a less kind person. She has to be to get what she wants and she's been hurt herself. The mirror really does urge the jealousy on and Rapunzel gets caught up in it.

And then we have Snow White. Who I LOVED when she first enters the scene as a little girl, but then she changes as well and it's easy to see how Rapunzel, who I felt really wanted to love her, would develop a grudge against her. It's easy to see how things spiral out of control from there and it's a bit scary as well, because it makes the traditional evil queen seem so human.

I love how everything unfolds at the end, I love the dark twists to this beloved fairytales and I love how Carolyn Turgeon made it all come together and that ending! Seriously! That still kinda broke my heart, though it's also filled with a little hope for the future. This is definitely recommended, though keep in mind there is some very mature content.

My rating: 4 stars

Made me crave: rhubarb

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Carolyn Turgeon is the author of five novels: Rain Village (2006), Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story (2009), Mermaid (2011), which is being developed for film by Sony Pictures, and The Next Full Moon (2012), her first and only book for middle-grade readers. Her latest novel, The Fairest of Them All, comes out in August 2013 from Touchstone/Simon & Schuster and is about Rapunzel growing up to be Snow White's stepmother. She lives in Pennsylvania and New York and teaches fiction writing at the University of Alaska at Anchorage's Low-Residency MFA program. She's currently at work on a new novel about Dante's Beatrice, set in thirteenth-century Florence.

Visit Carolyn's website at http://carolynturgeon.com.
Visit Carolyn's mermaid blog at http://iamamermaid.com/
Follow Carolyn on Twitter: https://twitter.com/carolynturgeon
Follow Carolyn on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynturgeonbooks

***GIVEAWAY***
(1) Signed paperback of The Fairest Of Them All by Carolyn Turgeon.

And guys, it's open internationally! What are you waiting for??

a Rafflecopter giveaway


So, Question of the Day:
What is your favourite fairytale? Would you like a retelling of it?