A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness Review

Title: A Monster Calls
Author: Patrick Ness
Published: September 27th, 2011 by Walker Books
Book rating: 5 stars
Cover rating: 5 stars
Format: Hardback, 205 pages
Source: Library

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.
But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...
This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.
It wants the truth.

I've seen A Monster Calls on several blogs that I love, but the one that convinced me to read this book and add it to my TBR was my good friend Rola's blog XO Reads. When I saw it at the library I snatched it up and couldn't wait to dive in. I was in the mood for horror soon after that and picked up this book hoping it could give me a good scare, it didn't do exactly what I was hoping for but I loved it either way. 

A Monster Calls is a tale about a young boy who is in need of saving, from what? Well his own kind of monster really. Every night at 12:07 Conor is visited by a yew tree monster who pushes Conor to his truth, his reality. Conor has worked really hard to ignore it and bury it deep inside but the Monster tells him the only way to be okay is to face it. I was surprised to see this was considered YA because Conor was so young, but I forget that YA is targeted for young teenagers as well not just older ones. I just rarely read books with such young MC's so when I found out how young Conor was I wasn't sure if I could connect with him or if I'd enjoy this book as much but I was mistaken. I think anyone at any age could connect with him and what he goes through in this book. He struggles to come to terms with his reality, hoping he can just ignore it or pretend it isn't there. He struggles with how he feels about what's going on in his life and I think this is just so relatable. At times I feel certain ways about a difficult situation and I sit there and think, that isn't right. But who's to say what is right and wrong? Life is complicated and so are so many situations we as humans are faced with and our reactions can't always be perfect but that isn't to say they aren't okay. The emotions A Monster Calls evoked inside of me were so powerful and real. I loved how the story was told and how the Monster taught Conor lessons by telling different tales from the past.

A Monster Calls was one of the most enjoyable books about coming to terms with your reality and accepting it that I've ever read. Patrick Ness turned this idea into such a beautiful story with extraordinary fast paced writing that will be sure to pull at anyone's heart and make them feel like they're experiencing everything alongside Conor. 

Favorite Quotes

"The monster showed up after midnight. As they do."

"Your mind will believe comforting lies while also knowing the painful truths that make those lies necessary. And your mind will punish you for believing both."

"There is not always a good guy. Nor is there always a bad one. Most people are somwhere in between."

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Kojiki by Keith Yatsuhashi Book Blitz

Title: Kojiki

Author: Keith Yasuhashi

Published: April 19th, 2013 by Musa Publishing 

When eighteen-year-old Keiko Yamada’s father dies unexpectedly, he leaves behind a one way ticket to Japan, an unintelligible death poem about powerful Japanese spirits and their gigantic, beast-like Guardians, and the cryptic words: “Go to Japan in my place. Find the Gate. My camera will show you the way.”

Alone and afraid, Keiko travels to Tokyo, determined to fulfill her father’s dying wish. There, beneath glittering neon signs, her father’s death poem comes to life. Ancient spirits spring from the shadows. Chaos envelops the city, and as Keiko flees its burning streets, her guide, the beautiful Yui Akiko, makes a stunning confession--that she, Yui, is one of a handful of spirits left behind to defend the world against the most powerful among them: a once noble spirit now insane. Keiko must decide if she will honor her father’s heritage and take her rightful place among the gods.

Goodreads | Musa Publishing | Amazon | Kobo

Keith Yatsuhashi was born in 1965 in Boston, MA. He graduated from Northeastern University in 1989 and is currently the Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Keith was a competitive figure skater for ten years, winning the U.S. National Junior Dance Championships in 1984, a bronze medal in the 1983 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, and a silver medal in 1984. n addition to his love of writing, Keith enjoys many hobbies such as golf, reading, and playing football and hockey with his sons. Keith currently lives in Norfolk, MA with his wife, Kathleen and three children—Caitlin, Jeffrey, and Justin.

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First Frost by Liz DeJesus Birthday Blast

Title: First Frost

Author: Liz DeJesus

Series: The Frost Series #1

Published: June 22, 2012 by Musa Publishing 

Links: Amazon | Publisher | Goodreads

Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.
For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”
Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…
Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.
She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

Liz DeJesus was born on the tiny island of Puerto Rico. She is a novelist and a poet. She has been writing for as long as she was capable of holding a pen. She is the author of the novel Nina (Blu Phi'er Publishing, October 2007), The Jackets (Arte Publico Press, March 31st 2011) First Frost (Musa Publishing, June 22nd 2012) and Glass Frost (Musa Publishing, COMING SOON). She is also a member of The Written Remains Writers Guild. Liz is currently working on a new novel.

Goodreads | Website | Twitter | Amazon | Facebook 

Shark Out of Water (Grab Your Pole #3) Cover Reveal and Tristan's Day in the YACrushTourney!

That's right people. Today is THE FREAKING DAY, the day of all days! I have been complaining about GIMP on every social media site I'm on and bossing all of my friends around all for THIS DAY. It is officially time to vote for Tristan Daniels, the perfectly flawed hunk of perfection that was created by the fabulous Jenn Cooksey in the Grab Your Pole series! I've bullied friends into buying this book (I promise they'll love it), I've made buttons for this, and I've even created a special collage with the help and pictures from a bunch of different Tristan fans! Tristan Daniels is in the 2013 YA Crush Tourney and damn if he doesn't win, I am going to try my hardest to make it happen with the help of so many others! First though I want to show all of you the long awaited cover for the last installment in this fabulous fucking series, Shark Out of Water!

Yes, it's blown up to a really ridiculous size. Do I care? Um, no! IT'S PERFECTION. My man is on the cover and he is looking phenomenal, I absolutely adore all three covers for these books and love how they tie into each other! Check out the blurb below and some fun information about the wicked mastermind behind this series, none other than Jenn herself!

With the Amazon Bestseller Shark Bait, the first novel in the Grab Your Pole series, debut author Jenn Cooksey delivered a fun, snarky, and realistic beginning to a larger story that has found its way into the hearts of readers everywhere. Thus, many were unprepared for what was coming in the second installment of the GYP series, The Other Fish in the Sea, when Cooksey took us on a runaway roller coaster ride of emotion and solidly landed hit after hit, including a brutal sucker punch that left readers around the globe reeling. In Shark Out of Water, the highly anticipated third installment in this humorous yet honest and real coming of age story, we delve even further into the lives of the GYP gang and many questions are sure to be answered, however, are you really ready for what lies ahead in the continuation of their adventure? Well, grab your pole and let’s find out.

Jenn Cooksey is a Southern California girl born and bred, however she’s no longer a resident of heaven on earth, but instead she currently resides in the 7th Ring of Hell with her husband, their three daughters, and a goodly number of pets. Aside from her husband, one cat, and three out of five fish, everyone living under the Cooksey’s roof is female. She’s sure her husband will not only be awarded sainthood when he kicks the bucket, but that Jesus will welcome him into heaven with a beer and a congratulatory high-five. Jenn is also of the belief that Bacon should be capitalized and that just being yourself is the best way to go. That is, unless you can be Batman. Always be Batman.

After reading that if you aren't convinced of how badass and awesome Jenn is, then I guess you're out of luck. I've had the pleasure of meeting her in person (that's right, I am bragging. Sorry, I'm not sorry.) and she is pretty freaking epic. Her obsession with bacon is not fake and she really likes the word fuck. Love her and bow down to her like the rest of us GYP Team members do! It's the right way to go. Now without further ado I would like to show all of you my collage that couldn't have been possible without Jenn's fabulous mind or the help of all of the GYP fans. I can't express how much I appreciate all of you, as does Jenn I'm sure, and how much fun I had doing this!

Is that not fan-fucking-tabulous? Can you tell I'm excited? But honestly, this collage makes me tear up a little bit. The love that comes from all of these beautiful people for Tristan is so well deserved and so incredibly awesome! Those pictures up there are from all around the world. Most are from different states, but we have a few from Canada and one all the way from Afghanistan. I'm sure you can guess which one that is! If you aren't convinced by now you need to vote for Tristan then you can watch this video to see why Allura, who I've dubbed my flail twin, thinks you should. She gives you five very true and very fun reasons. ;)

"To try and sum up in one small quote exactly why I love Tristan Daniels is near impossible. Obviously he's hot, I have a soft spot for boys with dark hair and blue eyes. Can I get a YUM?! I also really love the fact how realistic and imperfect he is. He can be really sweet and loving but he also makes mistakes and that makes it so much easier to relate to him as a person and love him for it. He's sarcastic, hilarious, handsome, and just a fun guy to read about. It was an easy choice to pick my favorite guy for the YA Crush Tourney."

That was my official quote for why exactly I love Tristan, I think it's obvious Tristan deserves to win this. If you're still not convinced you can click here to read even more reasons why Tristan should win the YA Crush Tourney that our lovely Queen Bitch Slave, also known as Tristan's advocate or Angela from Reading Angel worked really hard on and if I do say so myself, did a fabulous job! If you do happen to make the one and only right choice, click here to check out all of the amazing giveaways you're eligible to win on Jenn's blog because you're awesome for joining Team Tristan and voting, duh! 

P.S. There's really cool shit in the giveaways, like seriously I want all of it.

P.P.S. Yes, I said giveaways. Jenn is having more than one. More than five. A total of seven to be exact.

Loyal Bitch Slave signing off. 

Shudder by Samantha Durante Blog Tour and Giveaway

Today the Shudder Book Tour is stopping on the blog, hosted by CBL Tours, I hope you all enjoy!

Title: Shudder
Author: Samantha Durante
Published: June 15th, 2013 by Samantha Durante
Book rating: 4 stars
Cover rating: 4 stars
Format: eARC, 348 pages
Source: Author

It's only been three days, and already everything is different.
Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa's life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she'd counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she'd thought she'd tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she's discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.
And then there are the visions.
The memory-altering "stitch" unlocked something in Alessa's mind, and now she can't shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers - and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world's sorry history - will soon leave Alessa reeling...
The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante's shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

When I read Stitch, the first book in this series, back in February I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely loved it. Going so far to call it one of my favorite reads of 2013, which is still true. I was extremely excited to read Shudder, I wasn't completely disappointed but it wasn't all that I wanted it to be. 

Shudder starts off almost immediately after Stitch ended, with both Issac and Alessa outside of Paragon searching for a good home base for the rebels that isn't surrounded by the bad guys or actually inside of the bad guys home base. Outside of Paragon there are several dangers Alessa and Issac must face; the possibility of the virus still being out there, the possibility of dying from starvation, and the possibility of getting eaten by some psycho monster things they run into. Yup, that's right. From some unknown place, crazy blood thirsty monsters have appeared and they're hunting Alessa and Issac outside of Paragon. As you can see Alessa and Issac obviously go through a lot on this trying journey to help push the rebel plan forward but it might end up being worth it. 

Alessa struggles a lot in this book, she starts thinking about Joe again and has to face her feelings about losing him. She has to deal with a new sort of ability she develops, which was a really fun twist to the story, and she has trouble facing the fact that even though she's already been through so much and done so much the fight has just begun. She even goes so far to think she might just run away, you can tell she's really having a rough time. I really liked seeing this vulnerable side of Alessa and getting to know her on a more personal level. I loved seeing her take care of Issac throughout this book too, because that allowed us to watch them grow closer and to also see his vulnerable side. I think we get to really know both of these characters on a personal level because of this, but don't let all of this vulnerability fool you. They're both still badass rebels.

I think my favorite moments throughout this book were when Issac and Alessa just got to relax and not worry for awhile. I loved seeing them just love each other and be okay, even if the moment was fleeting. I think it was key for them to survive a lot that they went through or are going to go through. Shudder also gave us a lot of background information on Paragon and The Engineers. We got to learn how exactly it formed and came to be and where the virus came from. At times I felt this book got a little boring in a few parts, but when the action happened it was pretty awesome. It showed us just how awesome and kick ass these characters can be and proved to us just how passionate all of them are about making things right. 

The ending to this book just about killed me, I suspected it but I didn't want it to be true so when my fears were confirmed it broke my heart. I am now dying to know what this means and if they can fix it. Overall I really enjoyed Shudder, I'm really excited for the third book to see how exactly this trilogy wraps up.

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ENTER TOUR GIVEAWAY HERE (US & INT)

Samantha Durante lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband, Sudeep, and her cat, Gio. Formerly an engineer at Microsoft, Samantha left the world of software in 2010 to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams and a lifelong love of writing. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, Samantha is currently working full time for her company Medley Media Associates as a freelance business writer and communications consultant. The Stitch Trilogy is her debut series. Learn more about Samantha at www.samanthadurante.com.

Waiting On Wednesday (27)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking The Spine. It spotlights upcoming releases that you're eagerly anticipating.

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.
Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Why am I anticipating this book? The cover drew me in from the moment I saw it and then I read the blurb and pretty much had a bookgasm. It sounds freaking amazing and I really want to read it with my Bloggy Twin, Jude! Just a side note, I love the names. Violet and River. It's just so different and perfect. *sigh*

Expected Publication: August 15th, 2013 by Dial 

If You Stay (Beautifully Broken #1) by Courtney Cole Review

Title: If You Stay
Author: Courtney Cole
Published: February 5th, 2013 by Lakehouse Press
Book rating: 4 stars
Cover rating: 3 stars
Format: eBook, 220 pages
Source: Bought it

24-year old Pax Tate is an asshole.
Seriously.

He’s a tattooed, rock-hard bad-boy with a bad attitude to match.

But he’s got his reasons.

His mother died when Pax was seven, leaving a hole in his heart filled with guilt although he doesn’t understand why. What he does know is that he and his dad are left alone and with more issues than they can count.

As Pax grew up, he tried to be the kid his father always wanted; the perfect golden boy, but it didn’t work. His dad couldn’t overcome his grief long enough to notice and Pax couldn’t keep up the impossible perfect façade.
So he slipped far, far from it.

Now, he uses drugs and women to cope with the ugliness, the black void that he doesn’t want to deal with. If he pretends that the emptiness isn’t there, then it isn’t, right?
Wrong.

And it’s never more apparent than when he meets Mila.
Sweet, beautiful Mila Hill is the fresh air to his hardened frown, the beauty to his ugly heart. He doesn’t know how to not hurt her, but he quickly realizes that he’s got to figure it out because he needs her to breathe.
When memories of his mother’s death resurface from where he’s repressed them for so long, Mila is there to catch him when the guilt starts making sense. Mila is the one…the one who can save him from his broken troubled heart; from his issues, from the emptiness.

But only if he can stop being an asshole long enough to allow it.

He knows that. And he’s working on it.

But is that enough to make her stay?

So I read If You Stay about two months ago, maybe a little more, because I saw how much Andrea from The Bookish Babes loved it. This seems to be a reason for me reading books a lot lately. Anyways, I'm not exactly sure why I waited so long to review this book. Obviously procrastination on my part and a hint of stupidity. I really, really enjoyed this book. From the very beginning I could tell Pax was a flat out asshole, but usually behind every asshole there are some serious reasons to cause this kind of behavior. If You Stay takes us on a journey of discovering exactly why Pax Tate has so many damn issues and how he finds a way to get through them and come out stronger in the end. 

I really enjoyed the dual point of view, I feel like it definitely was needed when it came to my sympathy towards Pax. Mila was damn near perfect. She was strong and caring but she didn't ever let Pax walk on her. One of the most annoying things is when an author writes a female character that let's some asshole treat her like shit because she feels bad. Just no. Mila had some issues from her past but I definitely think If You Stay was more focused on what Pax was going through and how Mila helped him. If I would have just seen Pax from Mila's point of view I don't think I would have liked him so early on in the story. I think I understood Pax on a better level than I would have if I didn't know half of what I do about drugs and booze and exactly how they can affect a person. I feel like maybe at times Pax was two different people, which is understandable, but also made it hard for me to love him all the time. I felt bad for him but I also wanted to just smack him and force him to go get help. When he finally did get helped I loved how descriptive Courtney was with the scene, I find lately that so many books just skip over these key scenes or don't explain them to us readers and the way Courtney handled this moment really made it impact me emotionally. The tragedy Courtney threw at me was unpredictable and so, so shocking. I was definitely not expecting what I was told and it broke my heart. I didn't know if Pax would make it through, God knows if I would in that situation. 

If You Stay was heart breaking, sexy, and definitely enjoyable. It obviously isn't a novel for the light hearted but it did have it's fun moments to lighten it up every now and again. I think this is definitely one for lovers of contemporary romance novels that deal with truly difficult and tragic pasts.

Favorite Quotes

"You're right. Sometimes, at the least opportune times, the past is an insomniac, alive and well." 

"And I never worry about who might be walking on the beach below and might see me walking naked through my house. It's my private beach. If anyone is trespassing, they deserve to see my ball-sack." 

"You're wrong," she tells me softly. "About everything. You don't see yourself the way I see you. But if you did you would know that there's nothing missing in you at all."

"She shakes her head. "Of course. I don't want you to go through that alone. If something hurt you enough to make you want to forget it, I want to help you through it. Let's chase these dreams away, Pax." 

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