Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.


This week it's Illuminated by Erica Orloff released 8th December.

I am a sucker for romance and the sound of this one really drew me in...


Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story—and hers—takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary—and that of Heloise and Abelard’s ancient romance—their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can’t last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa

• Received for review.
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Mira Ink (21 Oct 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0778304795
• ISBN-13: 978-0778304791

In less than twenty four hours, I'll be seventeen. Although, technically, I won't actually be turning seventeen. I've been in the Nevernever too long. When you're in Faery, you don't age. So while a year has passed in the real world, agewise I'm probably only a few days older than when I went in. In real life, I've changed so much I don't even recognize myself. My name is Meghan Chase. I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it. This time, there will be no turning back.

Thanks for Mira Ink for sending this to me for review.

Cover: This cover doesn't disappoint in the looks department.  Again another stunning cover- perfect for the beauty of the world of Fey.

Plot: Meghan and Ash have been exiled by Summer and Winter...but the Iron Fey are not done with them.  A false king sits on the Iron Throne, determined to destroy the oldbloods.  It's up to Meghan, Ash and Puck (with a little help from Grimalkin) to stop him.

So I wasn't overly thrilled with the first two books but I was told by many fellow reviewers to stick with it because it gets better.  And it did!  I actually felt The Iron Queen was  moving plotwise and had more depth to it, whereas I felt The Iron King and The Iron Daughter were slow and never really gripped me but with The Iron Queen I couldn't put it down as it was much better paced and actually managed to keep me reading.  Plus there was more Ash in this book which is the best thing about it hands down.  I still didn't warm to Meghan and I don't think I ever will.  I can just about tolerate her now- but why Ash and Puck love her I will never know. 

It definitely made me want to read the next book The Iron Knight which is in Ash's perspective (the end of The Iron Queen is in his point of view which I LOVED- favourite part of the book) and as I think my main issue with the series so far is that I don't like Meghan and it's in her perspective I can't wait to check out The Iron Knight as I'm sure it will be my favourite of the series.

Overall I'm glad I stuck with the series...it may not be my favourite but it's still a good read and has managed to get me into faery books whereas no other book has managed to.

I would rate The Iron Queen 4.5/5 stars because I felt it really stepped up from the first two books and got me excited for the next book.

The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: MIRA Books (15 April 2011)
• Language English
• ISBN-10: 0778304469
• ISBN-13: 978-0778304463

• Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her. Worse, Meghan s own fey powers have been cut off. She s stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can t help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.
• Cover: Another stunning cover.  The blend of purple, white and blue combined with SPARKLES equals one beautiful and perfect for the magical world of faery.

Plot: Meghan can't ignore the faery world anymore, she's part of it whether she likes it or not.  Rules say Summer and Winter can't love so loving the Winter Prince seems hopeless.

With the death of The Iron King Machina the Iron fae plan to take the scepter of the seasons for it's power.  Meghan has to retreive it or the Nevernever will suffer.

3.5/5 stars.  I found this to be very slow at the beginning but for me it picked up the last 150 pages and then I couldn't put it down.  I still didn't like Meghan, I don't know about 'growing a backbone of Iron' it still seemed to me like she was a weak character, and I hated her for how she treated Puck in this book, he loves her and she completely used him.  She's supposed to love Ash and then she could do that, makes me very angry.  I dislike love triangles but this one seems to particulary grate on my nerves.  I was also majorly disappointed that one of my favourite characters was killed off...I was not impressed. 

The cover says 'the next Twilight' but for me, I actually prefer the Twilight Series.  I have enjoyed The Iron King and The Iron Daughter but haven't enjoyed them on the same level as I did Twilight.  I will read on in the series and I think my main problem with this series is the protagonist Meghan.  I can't seem to connect with her at all and most of the time just want her to be eaten (she doesn't listen to ANYONE) so as my favourite character is Ash I think that out of all of the books in the series I am looking forward to reading The Iron Knight as it's in HIS perspective and not irritating Meghan's.

The Z Word by Bella Street

• Received from author
• • Paperback: 334 pages
  • Publisher: CreateSpace (June 5, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1463567626
  • ISBN-13: 978-1463567620

The Z Word follows Seffy Carter and her longtime friends Gareth, Addison and Lani. The four besties share a past dysfunctional and dark enough to keep them bound together under do-over identities. But rends develop in their relationships from the flesh-eating pressures of ending up in 1980, in a Montana desert, surrounded by zombies wearing dated disco duds.

A huge thanks to Bella Street for sending this to me!


Cover: I really like this cover, everything is significant.  Girl on the front IS how I picture Seffy and the pink sun plays a part.  It took me AGES to spot the zombies at the bottom...I really didn't see them.  Fail for me there.


Plot: Seffy and her friends, Garreth, Lani and Addison had their normal lives in L.A. an then one moment everything changes.  A mysterious blast knocks them into 1980's Montana and into a desert full of zombies and a fight to survive.


I didn't know what to expect with this book.  I adored Bella Street's Kiss Me I'm Irish but I'd not read a zombie or post apocalyptic book before but I really enjoyed it.  What made this book for me was the writing, it's so witty that I found myself laughing out loud on more than one occasion.  I'd describe this book as quirky...it's perfect if you're looking for something different, I have not read anything like this before.
Sometimes the characters frustrated me.  Seffy's constant denial grated on my nerves after a while.  Addision's seemingly pointless bitchiness (which I'm sure will be covered in book 2) which we don't find out about.
I really don't know where this series is going to go, which is great.  I'm looking forward to the surprises of finding out why they've been sent back and how, how the zombies came about and also they're past- why did they leave Montana and why is Seffy so distressed at being back there?
Plus there is so much potential for love interests here, I really don't know how that's going to play out- Seffy has a thing for Garreth but there are two other potential love interests, despite the romance not being the focal point of the book which was nice.  It flowed really quickly.  I never got bored.
I would give this book 4/5 stars.  It really drew me in and I can't wait to get stuck into book 2 The X Factor soon.

Top Ten Priority List

My TBR pile just keeps growing and so I decided to prioritise, these are the ten books that are at the top of my To Be Read Pile:

Breaking Dawn Part 1

Ok so yesterday me and my best friend saw Breaking Dawn Part 1 and I just thought I'd let you all know that it was AMAZING!  Honestly the best one yet.  The whole time I was just like "Oh My Gosh" and "Awww" and "Ohhhh".

Everything I had hoped to be in part 1 was in there and it was so well done.  Some parts actually came as a shock to me (but I will not say what those were for the sake of spoilers).

Needless to say I am now agonising until November next year when Part 2 comes out as well whenever the dvd is released.

Wonderful!!!!

Cover reveal and Excerpts: Unattainable by D. Apodaca

Another striking cover!  Black and purple work so wel together.  A perfect cover to follow CAPTIVATED.



Book 1



Excerpts:

Spotting Mindy

She slowly turned. I breathed hard with anticipation. I could taste her lips on mine. I could feel her soft touch embracing me. And I pictured her loving eyes penetrating mine. But what I saw made me want to die. Her eyes were brown, not hazel. Her lips weren’t even rosy. Her hair was clearly dyed. This wasn’t my Lina.
"Hi." The girl said with interest as she looked me up and down. "Can I help you with something?" Then she slightly popped her hip out and set her hand upon it, smiling while waiting a reply.
I stayed frozen, staring at this girl as other feelings erupted inside me. Anger. Hate. Pain.
"What’s wrong with him?" She turned to Markus standing beside me after she had no response from me. He didn’t answer either. We both stared at this imposter as you would stare at an unwanted gift.

Questions from Dean

"What do you want from me?" I demanded.
Dean examined my eyes and looked disapointed in what he saw. "Do you remember anything?" He asked with hope.
"What are you talking about? I was with Shane, then I woke up here! He’ll kill you for this!" I warned.
Dean threw back his head and laughed. "That little mosquito can try." Then he lowered his eyes and cocked a smile. "I dare him."
The way he gazed at me was intense. I felt butterflies frantically flying in my stomach and up my chest. "What do you want from me?" I demanded, as I pretended not to feel a rush of excitement from his close presence.
"Do you remember anything from your human life?" Dean asked and tilted his head to the side.
"No." I responded immediately.
"Are you sure? Think really hard." Dean instisted.
"I don’t. I’ve already tried thinking really hard. Why is this so important?" I asked.
Ignoring my question, Dean asked, "Do you remember your friends? Family?"

Be sure to check out D Apodaca's site here.