Announcements

Other places you can find me at: here and here.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Quick updates!

For the Radiant Giveaway, I have selected a winner! If you've just received an e-mail from me asking for your address, and you go by the name Rachelle...*wink, wink*

If you signed up for the Mistwood tour, I apologize because I didn't send out the list. *blushes* so I'll just post it here! Remember you can keep it up to 1 week, but 3 extra days are fine, and mail with a DC! :) You can either e-mail your DC or leave it in the comments below.

(a few people dropped out since the last month so if I've already told you your number and it's changed, that's why.)

1. Lauren (TX) : Mailed with DC (will be posted)
2. Kate (TN) : Received. 4/01 -Mailed. DC: 0309 2880 0000 5442 9437
3. Sandy (NY) : Received 04/10
4. Jennifer (VA)
5. Jessica (VA)
6. Lilibeth (FL)

If you'd like to be added, please e-mail me at andanythingbookish@gmail.com! Mistwood is great! Release date is 04/27!

On a less embarrassing note, my birthday is in just 12 days! I think... and I'm planning to go to the LA Festival of Books on the 24th :) Spring break is also just a few days away, so planning to rework the blog a bit. Have a happy Sunday! ;D

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Runaway by Meg Cabot


Runaway by Meg Cabot
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.
With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running.


Review: Possibly the best book in the series. Being the final book, it delivers what I hoped for and more. It answers all the questions you had if you've read the other two, and wraps up everything so nice, like a ribbon tied together. It's presentable, and it's oh so delicious to read.

I read this in one sitting, and did not have any urge whatsoever to put it down. For the first book being kind of weak, the second one being interesting, this book is just plain good. Cabot's voice in the book was as perfect as ever. The characters were still as loveable as they were when I last left off. The pacing was certainly better than I expected; there were loads of action and intense moments. You'll be rooting for Em to finish everything off!

What I thought of...

The Beginning
: Fantabulous. Need I say more?

The Middle: Ate this part all up.

The End: The conflict with Starks was resolved, and answers were given. Definitely going to miss the characters.


FTC: Received from Around the World Tours

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti


Something Like Fate by Susane Colasanti
Rating: 3.7/5

Synopsis: Lani and Erin are bonded for life. One thing that connects them is their fascination of fate. Lani wonders how much of our lives has already been decided and how much we can actually influence. Since the Unknown can unexpectedly change our lives forever, how much can we really control?

From the minute Lani meets Jason, she can't deny the intense connection they share. It feels like she's known him forever. She's not sure if he feels it, too. But it doesn't matter. Because Jason is Erin's boyfriend. Lani is determined to ignore her feelings for Jason, no matter how powerful they are, rather than risk hurting her best friend.


How long can Lani keep running from the boy who might be her destiny?

Review: With all of Colasanti's books, I have a problem with how the characters talk in their "teen" voice. Most of the time, the characters seem really real, but then when they start talking with a mini valley girl-esque tone, I cringe. Moving on...


I was very excited to receive this book for a tour (see disclosure). This was a short read, probably about only a few hours. The pacing was not too slow, but yet, not too fast at the same time. I symphathized with Lani over her problems. But for Erin, I didn't feel anything at all even when (spoiler: highlight)her boyfriend left her for Lani. In fact, I was even rooting for them. And the way she acted was completely uncalled for. As for the main relationship present in the book, it really did seem like Lani and Jason are a perfect match. Fate played its course very well. Lani's fascination with it was something played out very well. I think one of the only things I didn't like was how rushed Erin and Lani's friendship was in the end.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: It was kind of slow, but the characters were fun to read about.

The Middle: Lots of things happen here...the first half of the middle picked the pace up while the second half slowed things down.

The End: Satisfying, but kind of confused.


FTC: Received for Traveling ARC Tours

Friday, March 19, 2010

Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey


Jekel Love Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Rating: 4.5/5

Synopsis: Jill Jekel has always obeyed her parents’ rules – especially the one about never opening the mysterious, old box in her father’s office. But when her dad is murdered, and her college savings disappear, she's tempted to peek inside, as the contents might be key to a lucrative chemistry scholarship.

To better her odds, Jill enlists the help of gorgeous, brooding Tristen Hyde, who has his own dark secrets locked away. As the team of Jekel and Hyde, they recreate experiments based on the classic novel, hoping not only to win a prize, but to save Tristen’s sanity. Maybe his life. But Jill’s accidental taste of a formula unleashes her darkest nature and compels her to risk everything – even Tristen’s love – just for the thrill of being… bad

Review: For everyone who loved Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side, you will love this next book from Fantaskey. The concept is completely different, but it still holds the same amount of attention. For a book based primarily on the original story of Jekyll and Hyde, it brought a great feel of refreshment for mee. The two main characters are relateable and real. And their alter egos were...different. You won't really know who's evil and who's not until you finish the whole entire thing.

Some parts dragged, and some others were packed with suspense. I think the author did a great job at writing from two completely different prospectives. Tristan was Tristan and Jill was Jill. I think most of the book leaves you in surprise except for a few (and that's because of the blurb). All in all, I really enjoyed it.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: Hmm...took at least 30 pages to get comfortable with, but overall, it was intriguing.

The Middle: Probably my favorite part was a certain lab scene.

The End: And the real reason Jill's father died? Eeek... Didn't want it to end. Why did it have to be so short!?!

FTC: Received for Around The World Tours

Friday, March 5, 2010

Radiant Giveaway

What's radiant? What's being given away? RADIANT SHADOWS. *applauds*

To enter, all you have to do is fill out the form. You get 1 entry for answering the main question, and an extra one for adding them all up. Only rules are that you are older than 13! :D Commenting for entries will not be counted. Good luck to all.

Open to US only. Ends March 20th.

EDIT: I forgot to include "Name" on the form...I'm stupid. Please refill out the forms please! If you included your name with the main question, it's still in the spreadsheet so it's fine :)

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr

Radiant Shadows by Melissa Marr
Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Hunger for nourishment. Hunger for touch. Hunger to belong. Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers. Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries’ coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani’s death. Ani isn’t one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin’s plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Review: This novel is alluring, and it's weird because even though I didn't find the romance as great as in Wicked Lovely, it was still a nice read. I might have to state the fact that I've only read Wicked Lovely and none of the other installments besides this one. It didn't affect much since this is a standalone novel, but it would have been better to have read the others.

I didn't review Wicked Lovely, but I just have to say the world in WL is just as captivating as in this book. Ani is definitely a fun character to read about, and the mentions of previous characters is oh-so-lovely. There's a factor in this book that makes you want to read more and more. You'll just HAVE to figure out what it is, but as pages and pages turn, it's also hard to let go of the book. The only thing I didn't like was some scenes that dragged out a bit--maybe because I wasn't familiar with some terms due to not reading the others in the series. Overall, I recommend this to anyone who loves a great faery novel, especially one as dark and special as this.

What I thought of...

The Beginning: The beginning sucked me in more than any other book.

The Middle: Some parts were a bit *ehhh* cause my mind was a blank when they mentioned events taken place from previous books. So read the others! xD

The End: I was content, but still had a few questions here and there. :)

FTC: Received from publisher to review :)