Survey and Contest!!!!

 

Hey guys! I have made up a survey about A Reader’s Adventure because I want to find out what YOU like and what kind of people are reading my blog!

I want all of you if possible to fill out this survey and so I’ve decided to offer an incentive to fill it out.

One person who fills out the survey will win a $10 book from the Book Depository! This will last for one month!!!! The Contest will close on August 27 at 11:59 PM Central Time

Requirements to win:

Must be 13 or older

Must fill out the survey and leave an email in the survey before August 27

Must live in a country that The Book Depository ships to 

But if you don’t want to win or if you don’t fit one of the requirements to win I would really, really appreciate if you would fill out the survey anyway.

CLICK FOR FORM

Thanks for all your help!!!!

The Girlz of Galstanberry #1 & #2

Title: The Girlz of Galstanberry; & Galstanberry #2

Author: Garen Wolf 

Publisher: Wolff House Books & Publishing

Release Date: October 10, 2011 and June 21, 2011

Received From: Publisher via Teen {Book} Scene

Summary:  (For first book only)

 

From the boroughs of New York, to the beaches of San Francisco, girls hail from all walks of life, to sport the violet blazer, pink beret, and coveted Galstanberry Girl title.
The Galstanberry twenty acre estate, flanked by a magnificent rose garden and horse stables, rises up from the horizon like a French chateau with interconnected balustrades and high-spiraling turrets that seemed to touch the clouds. It was constructed in 1926 by Mr. Charles Galstanberry, an earnest gentleman that believed a son to be the only proper heir to the vast family fortune. Yet when Eleanor gave birth to their only child, Aundrea, not Andrew, he vowed to make her as academically astute as her male counterparts.
Decades later, 5 girls;a spoiled equestrian, funky B-girl, skilled ballet dancer, freestyle poet, and clever debater; from different cities, socio-economic backgrounds and ethnicities are admitted into Galstanberry Girls Academy, a now world renowned boarding school in Connecticut. Their varied personalities and backgrounds lead to inevitable drama and internal conflicts. However, with each triumph and tribulation, the girls grow, transforming themselves and the academy.
In the first installment of the series, readers will travel around the United States to meet these 5 dynamic girls and Galstanberry Academy.

Review:

I am reviewing these books together because the first book consists of introducing the characters and getting to know them and the second book is their first few days on campus.

There are 5 girls that are focused on in these books Lillian, Brandi, Fei, Tabitha, and Nisha they are all very different and have very different backgrounds which I really appreciated. And while I liked some of the characters but others made me want to scream. This was made even more so when I got to the second book and they started connecting with each other. In a way it was good that there were characters that were spoiled and bratty while having others that are sweet and less fortunate, not that the two were mutually exclusive. It reminded me a lot of when I went to middle school with the cliques and how people thought they were better because of X reason. So I felt that it was very true to life in that aspect.

Overall these books were short and very character driven, but were a good representation of middle school and its drama in a high class setting.

 

 

 

 

 

The Eternal Sea Review

Title: The Eternal Sea ( Everlasting #2)

Author: Angie Frazier

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: June 1, 2011

Received From:  ATWT

Summary: 

Romance and adventure are just around the corner . . .

After the thrilling journey that led Camille through the dangerous discovery of love, secrets, and a magical stone that grants immortality, Camille has everything she wants. She's escaped the men who wanted her dead, and now she is ready to build a new life with Oscar, her one true love. But things are not to be so simple. Oscar is acting strangely, and before they can even board a ship from Australia back home, to San Francisco, Camille learns that the journey is not over. If she does not follow the magic of the curse of Umandu, her life and Oscar's could be in grave danger.

Review:

CHECK OUT MY REVIEW OF THE FIRST BOOK!

If you read my review of the first book you know that I really enjoyed the characters in that book, this book was no different! I liked delving back into this world and getting to know the characters even better, as well as meeting new ones!

The plot of this book was full of action and adventure, I was kept on my toes wondering what was going to happen next and how it was going to end. Even though most of the book takes place on a ship it wasn’t boring or mundane like it could have been.

I have two words for you, LOVE TRIANGLE. There was a definite love triangle in this book but I think it was done better than in many other books. Camille’s reasons for being torn were valid and I found myself switching back and forth with who she should be with. (OSCAR)

The only problem I had with this book was that I wish the mythology had been gone into more. While it was gone into more than in the first book I found myself craving even a little more.

Overall a good book and I hope there is going to be another book because I was not satisfied with that ending!

 

 

Stealing Bases Review

Title: Stealing Bases

Author: Keri Mikulski

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date:  July 7, 2011

Received From:  Publisher through Teen {Book} Scene

Summary:  

Reformed mean girl Kylie Collins desperately wants to put the craziness of basketball season behind her. (And with it, her cheater ex, Zachary Murphy.) Maybe she'll finally be able to silence her snarky streak and concentrate on her lifelong dream - being recruited for Division One softball.
But when Kylie arrives at her first softball practice of the season, she comes face-to-face with her worst nightmare: Amber McDonald, the best pitcher in the state.
Now, Kylie's forced to warm the bench as Amber wows crowds again and again. With all the drama happening out on the softball diamond, Kylie finds herself drawn back to bad habits-sabotaging people and hanging out with a certain Zachary Murphy. .

Review:

I played sports in high school, I played basketball and softball so I could really relate to Kylie’s feelings about the games as well as understanding some of the lingo, but I still think that you could get into these books even if you’ve never played sports.

This is the forth book in the series of companion novels and so even if you haven't read the other books (like me)  you can still understand what is going on which I really appreciated.

I did not like Kylie as a character, I would not have been friends with her in high school. She was just too mean for me. And while she was trying to get past it, her arrogance was just way too overwhelming to me. But that being said I liked the way she related with the other characters, it was real and believable.

Besides Kylie’s personality I really liked this book, it’s a great  book for both sports lovers as well as lovers of chick-lit!

 

 

 

 

 

The Near Witch

Title: The Near Witch

Author:  Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Hyperion Books CH

Release Date: August 2, 2011

Received From:  NetGalley

Summary: 

The Near Witch is only an old story told to frighten children.

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. The wind is lonely, and always looking for company.

And there are no strangers in the town of Near.
These are the truths that Lexi has heard all her life.
But when an actual stranger—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—appears outside her home on the moor at night, she knows that at least one of these sayings is no longer true.
The next night, the children of Near start disappearing from their beds, and the mysterious boy falls under suspicion. Still, he insists on helping Lexi search for them. Something tells her she can trust him.
As the hunt for the children intensifies, so does Lexi’s need to know—about the witch that just might be more than a bedtime story, about the wind that seems to speak through the walls at night, and about the history of this nameless boy.
Part fairy tale, part love story, Victoria Schwab’s debut novel is entirely original yet achingly familiar: a song you heard long ago, a whisper carried by the wind, and a dream you won’t soon forget.

Review:

Ok, I’m going to warn you, this review might be a little fangirly.
Once I read the synopsis I was captivated, but I was also a little wary, because sometimes the synopsis gives away it all and makes the book dull and boring. This was NOT the case! I was drawn in from the first page, each word pulling me further and further into a spellbinding novel.
The way the Near Witch was written is different than any I have ever read before. It was descriptive, lyrical, and semi-poetic, each word had a purpose and a mission. Some people don’t like description in novels, but I happen to like it, and the Near Witch is a great example why. The moor and its inhabitants seemed so real and were painted so beautifully that I felt myself feeling for all the people whose kids were taken. 
I loved the characters in The Near Witch, they were seamless and believable, none of them did things that were out of character.  Lexi is one of my new favorite characters, she is reminiscent of other kick-butt heroines such as Katinss from The Hunger Games and Katsa from Graceling. She didn’t let anything anyone said stop her from doing what she thought was right, she is a great example to girls everywhere.
Cole… oh Cole. He was filled with so many surprises and twists. Also he wasn’t a “bad boy” that is so prevalent in books today. He was sweet as well as not being a pushover.
When I first picked up this book I was going through kind of a reading slump and The Near Witch blew my mind and reminded me why I love to read and why I love to blog. It reminded me why I called this blog A Reader’s Adventure. Because some books take you to places and worlds that you could never have imagined in a million years. The Near Witch was my adventure, and Victoria Schwab was my expert travel guide. Thank you Victoria for the reminder.

The Near Witch combined everything that is good about books, beautiful writing, exquisite characters, amazing world building, with just a touch of good old-fashioned scariness.  This was the best book I have read this year and possibly in years.

Stealing Bases Tweets

Today I have with me some of the characters from Stealing Bases by Keri Mikulski and some of their tweets!

Twitter Pages:

Kylie - @kyliefastpitch15
Missy - @missybananafad
Taylor - @taylorbball
Amber - @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks
Zach - @murphistheman

Missy – Making big plans for #bananafad.

Kylie – *sigh* #holedupinmyroomandbored

Zach - @kyliefastpitch15 Want to play some one-on-one?

Missy – Check out the latest designs on #bananafad’s new website. www.bananafad.com

Kylie - @murphistheman #notuntilhellfreezesover

Kylie - @murphistheman Is that your only line? #lame

Taylor – RT @missybananafad Check out the latest designs on #bananafad’s new website. www.bananafad.com

Zach - @kyliefastpitch15 U know you want me.

Missy - @kyliefastpitch15 R u & @murphistheman together AGAIN? #pleaseno

Kylie - @missybananafad #hellno #never

Kylie - @murphistheman #inyourdreams

Amber - @missybananafad @kyliefastpitch15 @taylorbball I just joined Twitter!!!! Yay!!! This is my first official tweet!!! J J J

Kylie - @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks Hey, Amber.

Missy - @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks Longest Twitter name ever!! Awesome!! J #exclamationpointoveruseisirritating 

Amber - @missybananafad Thanks! J

Zach – @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks. Ur hot.

Kylie – DM @murphistheman - Amber. Seriously?

Zach – DM @kyliefastpitch15 - No one is as cute as you.

Taylor - @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks Welcome to Twitter, Amber! So glad you signed up.

Amber - @taylorbball Thanks!! And thanks for your help setting up my account. J

Zach – @taylorbball Whaz up?

Kylie – DM @murphistheman - If you’re trying to piss me off, it’s not working.

Zach – DM @kyliefastpitch15 – You look hot on your bed typing furiously. Want me to join u? 

Kylie – DM @murphistheman – STOP looking in my window, STALKER.

Zach – DM @kyliefastpitch15 – Not consider stalking if you live in my backyard.

Taylor - @kyliefaspitch15 How’s softball?

Kylie logs off.

Missy - @taylorbball Where’s Hannah?

Taylor - @missybananafad Home

Missy logs off.

Zach - @taylorbball @softballrocksmytiedyedsocks Wanna come over?  

Taylor and Amber log off. 

Zach – Shooting hoops in my backyard. Who’s up for a little one-on-one?

They sound like a cool group!

Check out my review coming soon!

Mayhem (Mystix #3)

Title:  Mayhem (Mystix #3)

Author:  Artist Arthur

Publisher:  Kimani Tru

Release Date:  July 26, 2011

Received From:  NetGalley

Summary: 

A lot can change in a few months. Jake Palmer is living proof of that. In a short time, the once-shy loner has discovered his incredible supernatural abilities and forged a tight bond with his fellow Mystyx. What’s more—he’s fallen for his best friend, Krystal. And fallen hard.
Still, some things remain the same—like the jocks who keep bullying him. Even though they have no idea how powerful Jake has become. And while he tries to follow Krystal’s advice, he may not be able to keep his cool much longer. But there are bigger problems ahead, because the darkness that’s been hovering nearby is about to descend on the town of Lincoln, Connecticut. And when it does, the Mystyx will learn who to trust, who to fear and just how much is at stake…

Review:

 

During the first two books Jake was not my favorite character. He annoyed me and I found him to be moody and unhelpful. This book made me like him better.

 

In this book we get to see the reasons Jake does what he does as well as get a better look into his family life. I really liked this because it allowed me to understand him better and understand his motives.

 

I liked where the plot went in this book, everything became a little more solid and connected, less blowing in the wind. I can’t wait for the next book, and I am super excited for some sort of conclusion!

 

(Tour through Teen {Book} Scene)

 

 

 

Luminous

Title: Luminous

Author: Dawn Metcalf

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books

Release Date:  June 30, 2011

Received From: Teen {Book} Scene

Summary: 

As reality slips and time stands still, Consuela finds herself thrust into the world of the Flow. Removed from all she loves into this shifting world overlapping our own, Consuela quickly discovers she has the power to step out of her earthly skin and cloak herself in new ones-skins made from the world around her, crafted from water, fire, air. She is joined by other teens with extraordinary abilities, bound together to safeguard a world they can affect, but where they no longer belong.
When murder threatens to undo the Flow, the Watcher charges Consuela and elusive, attractive V to stop the killer. But the psychopath who threatens her new world may also hold the only key to Consuela's way home.

Review:

I had mixed feelings about this book.

I love the cover, its beautiful! The butterflies and the swirls fit in with the book well without giving anything away. I also liked how they kept her ethnicity on the cover, since a lot of books are whitewashed I appreciate the fact that the publisher kept the ethnicity on the cover.

I liked how different the premise for this book was. It was unlike anything I had ever read. Unfortunately the way it panned out was kind of confusing to me. I didn’t really understand the concept of the Flow and I think that sort of made it hard for me to connect to the book and the characters.

All of the characters were very different and their personalities were very original. I wish I could have connected to them a little better.

I did like this book but I wish I could have connected and understood the Flow a little better. But the parts that I understood and what I got from the characters I really liked. I will read a book from Dawn just to see if I connect to her quirky style next time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Best Overlooked Book Battle Decision

I participated as one of the Round 2 judges in the Best Overlooked Book Battle. While I participated last year in the Best Debut Book Battle. This year’s decision was so much harder!

The two books I was charged to read were John Belushi is Dead by Kathy Charles and City of Masks (Stravaganza #1) here are the summaries of both books.

John Belushi is Dead:

In the end, we all fade to black...Pink-haired Hilda and oddball loner Benji are not your typical teenagers. Instead of going to parties or hanging out at the mall, they comb the city streets and suburban culs-de-sac of Los Angeles for sites of celebrity murder and suicide. Bound by their interest in the macabre, Hilda and Benji neglect their schoolwork and their social lives in favor of prowling the most notorious crime scenes in Hollywood history and collecting odd mementos of celebrity death. Hilda and Benji’s morbid pastime takes an unexpected turn when they meet Hank, the elderly, reclusive tenant of a dilapidated Echo Park apartment where a silent movie star once stabbed himself to death with a pair of scissors. Hilda feels a strange connection with Hank and comes to care deeply for her paranoid new friend as they watch old movies together and chat the sweltering afternoons away. But when Hank’s downstairs neighbor Jake, a handsome screenwriter, inserts himself into the equation and begins to hint at Hank’s terrible secrets.
Hilda must decide what it is she’s come to Echo Park searching for . . . and whether her fascination with death is worth missing out on life.

City of Masks: Lucien is seriously ill but his life is transformed when an old Italian notebook gives him the power to become a stravagante, a time traveller with access to 16th century Italy. He wakes up in Bellezza (Venice) during carnival time and meets Arianna, a girl his own age who is disguised as a boy in the hope of being selected as one of the Duchessa's mandoliers. Arianna gives Lucien her boy's clothing and he is selected as a mandolier himself, becoming a friend of fellow-stravagante Rodolfo, the Duchessa's lover, and saving the Duchessa's life when she is threatened by an assassin hired by the powerful di Chimici family. For state occasions the Duchessa uses her maid Giuliana as a body-double but Guiliana commits the fatal mistake of revealing the secret to her fiance Enrico and a sequence of devastating consequences unravels. Meanwhile Lucien has met the original stravagante, the Elizabethan alchemist William Dethridge, and he begins to understand that he may be called to follow in his footsteps.

I think the thing that made this battle so hard to judge was the fact that they were such completely different books. One was fantasy and the other was realistic contemporary. I liked both of these books for very different reasons.

John Belushi is Dead: I liked this book because it flowed really well, each part of the story contributed to the overall plot, and it asked some really hard questions about life and how it should be lived. Also the characters were all very alive and different, not stereotypical like they sometimes can be in some contemporary books.

City of Masks: I liked this books because of the world building. Bellezza was wonderfully built, I felt like I was there the entire time the book was going on. I also liked the characters, they were all very different and important to the plot.

There were also some small things I didn’t like about these books.

John Belushi: The whole death thing I found very creepy, and the ending was very disturbing (to me) I found that part kind of hard to deal with.

City of Masks: The beginning was kind of slow.

So as you can see this was a really hard decision, and ultimately came down to which book held more surprises throughout it, as well as which book kept me the most captivated.

The Winner is…

City of Masks!!!!!