In My Mailbox 25

This is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.
For Review:
Clarity by Kim Harrington
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Contest Win:
Entangled by Cat Clarke

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Misguided Angel by Melissa De La Cruz

Who: Melissa De La Cruz
What: Misguided Angel (Blue Bloods #5)
Where: Disney Hyperion
When: October 26th, 2010
Why: Series love
How: For Review

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy,
Silver Bloods.

Back in New York, Mimi has been elected Regent of a
planning to burn them alive online…for all the world to see. Help arrives in the
deceptions before the killers strike again.

As the young vampires
first discovered by Schuyler’s mother during the Renaissance but kept buried for

VAN ALEN LEGACY left me breathless, with it's romance, angst, suspense, and drama. I had high expectations for MISGUIDED ANGEL, and sadly, it fell a bit flat. Since Misguided Angel is in three parts (Sky, Mimi, and Deming), i'll give you my review in three parts instead of the usual!


Loved it, as usual. Sky and Jack are so romantic and sweet together, how can I not love them? Their short adventure in Florence before you dive into Mimi was suspenseful, dramatic, and the writing downright lyrical. Though some of the things Jack says are a tad cliche, I think that's his appeal. I mean, he is pretty old (if you know what I mean.)


In the beginning, I never liked Mimi. I thought she was swallow and contrite, but then I got to VAN ALEN LEGACY, and she turned into a kinder, deeper character. When Melissa pulls you back from Italy and takes you to New York, I found a new love for Mimi. She was tortured inside because of her separation with Jack, but she still maintained the control and put her entire effort into helping her vampires and taking care of business as Regent. I loved her and Oliver working together, and I like how Melissa didn't try to pair them up, and they stayed friends. Mimi needed friends, not romance, so that fit perfectly.


Now, this is where MISGUIDED ANGEL fell flat. Deming was a great character really, but I just didn't feel she was as well-rounded as I was hoping for. And then the super sudden romance with Paul? I mean, they had one conversation and she was strangely smitten. And the conversation was a few lines long! The surprise of who was killing was no surprise to me, though to be honest, the why was!

In the end, my main problem was Deming's part of the story, and just the fact that I expected too much after VAN ALEN LEGACY.

My rating? AHHH-GREAT.

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Waiting on Wednesday (7)

Who: Kirsten Hubbard
What: Like Mandarin
Where: Randomhouse
When: Marth 8th, 2011
Why: Hype

It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of
Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.

When they're united for a
away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands

Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty

Love the cover! Contemporary YA novel that sounds mega-emotional and fabulous. Plus, Kari from A Good Addiction LOVED it, and that's a big bonus!

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Haven by Kristi Cook

Who: Kristi Cook
What: Haven
Where: Simon and Schuster
When: Feburary 22nd, 2011
Why: Debut
How: For Review

McKenna transfers to the Winterhaven School in New York’s Hudson Valley,
inexplicably drawn to the boarding school with high hopes. Leaving Atlanta
her life: strange, foreboding visions of the future.

But Winterhaven has
perhaps the smartest, hottest guy at Winterhaven.

Only there’s more to
each other first.

Entertaining, mysterious, and down-right enjoyable, Haven's definitely something you should look out for!

I'll tell you the truth, I didn't expect myself to like this. I started out with a skeptic mind, and I was surprised to find myself staying up until four in the morning reading it! I think my favorite part of the story was when I thought one thing was gonna happen, it totally didn't. I never wouldn't guessed some of the twists Kristi wove into Haven! Her writing is simple and easy to follow, but not to the point where you're left without description. It's the typical boarding school for "gifted" kids idea, but with a whole new take that I totally approve of!

Although Violet was a bit of a downer, she was relateable and overall a likable character. The people I really liked were her best friends throughout the novel, Cece, Kate, Sophie, and Marissa. All of them had unique abilities and were fun and different in their own way. I love that they were devoted to Violet in the way that when she confronted them about her problems, most of them (some took a while) were completely willing to help her out with what was going on. That's good friendship, people!

Finally, we have Aiden. I'm a bit hot and cold with this one, mostly because he's very hot and cold as well. You guys know I like slow, building romances and while Aiden and Violet's isn't (due to the whole Aiden Effect), I didn't find myself that annoyed by the fast that it didn't take that long for them to be love interests. He thought he was a bit detached (was that just me?) when it came to Violet, and overall, I'm not sure about their relationship at the moment. BUT I did love the fact that it wasn't a love triangle (I mean, those are awesome, but COME ON. It's nice to read some books where there's only ONE person) and the sexual tension between them was appropriate and romantic.

My rating? AHHHH-GREAT.

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


In My Mailbox 24.

This is hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren.
For Review:
Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers (plus tattoos and bookmarks)

Stay by Deb Caletti

Across the Universe by Beth Revis (WHO MADE THE NYT LIST. GO BETH!)

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

XVI by Julia Karr

Happy Reading!
What did you get in YOUR mailbox?
-Harmony B.


Top Six Signs you need to dump that love interest!

Haven't you ever gotten that feeling while you're reading that you just go: "NO. Why are you with this kid?" Some love interests, just don't make the cut! Here's the top ten signs that that main character? Needs to either dump their boyfriend/girlfriend or start looking at the other options!

1. If he tries to kill you. No no, I don't care how sweet he is when he's not pointing a knife at your chest! If he has homicidal intentions, you better just walk away. Or better yet, go for that sweet normal boy who's always in the background. You'll thank me later.

2. If he never tells you he has a wife hidden up in the third floor of your awesome mansion. Sounds obvious, right? Huh, you'd be surprised. Probably best to search the house before you think he's gonna propose!

3. If he's one of those super protective types. YOU'RE the heroine, girl! You can kick anyone's ass and this guy won't let you even walk around unsupervised? Sure, being protective is kind of sweet, but if he doesn't believe you can fight? Kick his ass.

4. If he lies about where he's going every few days, even if he's trying to protect from some secret reincarnation society. I don't care how hot he is! If he's walking around going to not-so secret meetings and keeping me out of the loop like a child? Again, kick his ass.

5. If he's the ghost of your boyfriend and you have this sexy exchange student trying to mooch 'ya. I mean, that whole ghost romance thing is kind of nice and all, but really, what future do you have together? Unless you know some way to turn him human! Plus, sexy exchange student? Alive and waiting.

6. If he kisses you, then acts like a bastard. That? Is not okay. Why you wasting your time on this cocky jerk when 90% of the time, you have a super sweet, cute, and charming love interest on the other side? Book it and forget about him, girl, he'll feel like an idiot when you stop paying attention.

And there you go!
As much as those make sense, heroines?
Don't follow my advice.
Your follies make good books.

Any to add? Put them in the comments!

Happy Reading!


Waiting on Wednesday (6)

Who: Carrie Harris
What: Bad Taste in Boys
Where: Randomhouse
When: July 12th, 2011
Why: Cover, Plot.

Waiting on Wednesday is brought to you by Jill over at Breaking the Spine!

Someone's been a bad zombie.

Kate Grable is

She's got to find an
. and stay hormonally human.

Okay, this just sounds awesome. Zombies? Yes please! You all know how i'm mega Team Zombie and besides, that cover is just gorgeous!

Happy Reading!


Vixen by Jillian Larkin

Who: Jillian Larkin
What: Vixen (Flappers #1)
Where: Randomhouse
When: December 14th, 2010
Why: Historical love
How: Bought


before they’ve even begun . . . or are they?

Clara Knowles, Gloria’s

living in Gloria’s shadow. When Lorraine’s envy spills over into desperate

Vixen starts off with Gloria, a rich girl with a snobbish fiance who wants a different life, particularly the one of flappers, who's flair, fashion, and bold attitude broke the rigid social standards the Victorian Age had set for women before the 1920's. Then you have Lorraine, one of her best friends with a serious jealousy problem. She doesn't understand why Gloria should get everything, including the attention from Marcus, Gloria's most trusted confident that she happens to be infatuated with! Finally, there's Clara, who's running from her previous dangerous flapper past in Gloria's house as her cousin. But the past starts catching up with her just when she's starting to mend with the present.

Vixen perfectly describes the era it's in, giving you vivid descriptions of both of Gloria's lives, the lavish mansion she lives in, and the dirty, underground speakeasys she wants to be in. And seeing as how when I read Historical Fiction, I do a little background check before on that exact time period i'm reading about, everything checked out as pretty accurate. The plot was intriguing and really wove a web in all of the three ladies lives. Some people who you didn't expect to betray do, and people you do expect, do as well.

Gloria, Lorraine, and Clara were all 3-D, well-rounded characters with personalities that you won't always like, but you'll definitely want to read more about. Gloria was sometimes frozen and naive, but she had a good heart and I loved how she gave her all with everything that she wanted, from her singing to men. I have no sympathy for Lorraine, who was bitter and let her jealousy get in the way of everything that was possibly important in her life, including her best-friendship with Gloria. Clara didn't always have the best intentions but she wanted a better life for herself and ended out being loyal, soothing, and trustworthy.

Finally, Marcus and Jerome? Swoon-worthy. Bastian Gray? Not so much.


Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Who: Jenna Black
What: Shadowspell (Faeriewalker #2)
Where: St. Martin's
When: January 4th, 2011
Why: Series love
How: For Review

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe
much darker in mind?

If you loved Glimmerglass, prepare yourself for Shadowspell!

Shadowspell takes place a few weeks after Glimmerglass, definitely not enough for her to recover from all the trauma that happened in the first book to be thrust into the new situation in the second. And that situation? Is sexy, scary, and utterly sad Wild Hunt leader, The Elkling. He wants something from her (which the summary can be misleading WHAT) and will do anything to get it. I was initially frightened what we'd have another person vying for her affections, but he wants something a lot more dangerous than her heart.

Dana excels at being a strong character throughout both books, and one of my favorite things about them! She is independent, makes her own choices, and doesn't let her heart get in the way of the big picture. I like her realist view of things, though sometimes i'm like: "NOOO, don't THINK that!", she makes sense. She doesn't think she's gonna be the magic thing that changes Ethan from his play-boy status, and I like that! Dana makes her own decisions, but she's not afraid to ask for help when she needs it.

Ethan is a major swoon for me, and I love him with Dana. They counteract each other, what ones lacking, the other has. Although Dana fights against what she feels, they are incredibly cute together and...whew, steamy. You'll be fanning yourself in this book, people! Kimber and Keane are amazing side characters, people I definitely want to be friends with! Dana can keep Ethan, i'll keep Keane! He's sweet but snarky and brooding and Kimber is everything required by a best friend!


Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Contest: Fall For Anything by Courtney Summers

Hey guys, I have a copy of Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers up for grabs today!

Here's the summary and my review link is here!

From the author of Cracked Up to Be and Some Girls Are
death of her father.

When Eddie Reeves’s father commits suicide her life

Fill out THIS FORM! Contest ends January 24th. NOT international, sorry guys!

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Waiting on Wednesday (4)

Strange things are happening in Maya's tiny
experiencing unexplainable premonitions about certain people and situations.


Who: Kelley Armstrong
What: The Gathering
Where: Harperteen
When: April 12th, 2011
Why: Author Love and Cover

Loved Kelley's first trilogy, and can't wait for this one! This sounds mysterious and full of paranormal love and piquied my interest. Plus, that cover? Since the moment I saw it in Harper's catalog, I fell in love!


Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Who: Lauren Oliver
What: Before I Fall
Where: Harperteen
When: March 2nd, 2010
Why: Hype
How: Bought



Wow...just wow. Before I Fall takes you on a wild emotional ride, and you'll never be sure what exactly to feel while you're reading it.

Sam, a shy girl turned popular, dies in a drunken car accident with her best friends. Suddenly though, she wakes up in her bed, and it's yesterday. She’s given a chance to live the same day seven times to see if she can change the outcome, and finds out more about herself, her friends, and just who she loves, than she thought she knew before.

First, I loved the concept of Before I Fall. I bought it because of Brent’s crazy love for it but also because it reminded me of The Everafter by Amy Huntley, one of the first books I reviewed. There’s not much ‘after death’ YA books out there, but the ones that, are usually amazing. Before I Fall was no expection. While Sam was striving to save her own life, she was discovering a lot about herself and the type of person she was.

Sam was a truly realistic character. She was superficial at times, selfish at others, but also she was trying hard to be a good person. And that’s how people are. She knew what her friends did was wrong, making fun of people and being the “mean girls”, but she did it anyway because she wanted to fit in. But over time, she realized that that she wasn’t who she was. I liked how the relavation came out over time, she didn’t do the right thing the first try, or not even the third! It takes a while to change your point of view, people!

Finally, I looooved Sam and Kent. Oh, he just made me swoon and they were incredibly sweet together. Again, I liked how she didn’t jump at him on the first try, and it took her a while a realize exactly how she felt for him instead of going to her jerk boyfriend again and again. Each of her friends were well-rounded and 3D, and while I didn’t exactly want to be friends with Lindsey, she was complex and I loved that. Elody and Addy were nice and fun and the ending left me shedding a few tears in the middle of my math class. Excellent.
Happy Reading!


In My Mailbox 23

This is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren.

For Review:
So Shelly by Ty Roth
Invincible Summer by Hannah Mosk.
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
The Poison Eaters by Holly Black

Got signed:
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr

The Lost Saint by Bree Despain
Sapphique by Catherine Fisher
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephine Perkins

Happy Reading!


Waiting on Wednesday: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Who: Michelle Hodkin
What: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer
When: September 2011
Where: Simon & Schuster
How: Lovely Twitter

Mara Dyer believes life can’t get any stranger than
waking up in a

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been
through, she
can fall in love. She’s wrong

I wasn't going to do an WoW but I saw this mentioned somewhere and I found the author on twitter! Coincidentally, her cover was being revealed and I saw the link. Dear god, just look at that cover! And that summary is just too intriguing. Oh thank you twitter! Excuse me while I go stare at it some more now.

Happy Reading!
-Harmony B.


Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

Who: Cynthia Hand
What: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
Where: HarperTeen
When: January 4th, 2011
Why: Beautiful Cover
How: For Review

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees .
. . .

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. (WHICH IS A LIE. She already knows, missssleading!) Having
what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire

As Clara
ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving
following your heart.

Unearthly was definitely a fun, refreshing, and new take on the classic tale of angels! This has between a super popular paranormal creature from books like Hush, Hush and Fallen, but my favorite? Is this one here!

I loved that Clara already knew she was an angel, even if the summary is a bit misleading on that fact. This wasn't a story of a girl finding out she was an angel, this was a girl finding out what she wants to do with the fact that she is! The image of angels in this book was what I really imagined about angels in the first place, having a "purpose" and having to complete it.

Clara was an awesome main character to boot! I loved that she knew she was pretty, and as an angel she could really do anything she set her mind too, but yet, she wasn't perfect! Her mind was that of a regular teenager, with conflicting thoughts and emotions she didn't really understand. I like the fact that Clara didn't immediately throw away her purpose once things started to get rough, and realized that she had a duty to not only her family but to herself and that she needed to fulfill it.

Now, my favorite favorite favorite part of this book? Has a name, and it's Tucker Avery. Dear god, do I love this boy! I loved the fact that they didn't instantly click or fall in love with each other (or stick their tongue down each other's throats, the list goes on..) but it was slow and meaningful and they...actually did stuff! No intense staring or anything weird like that, they went fishing and just had fun! Plus, I loved that Tucker's life didn't revolve around Clara's story, he had hobbies and likes and dislikes. I never felt like he was just there to fill in a plot.

Haven't rooted that hard for a couple in a long time!


Happy Reading!


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