{Review} Defy - Sara B. Larson

Defy by Sara B. Larson
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: Jan 7 / 2014
Publisher: Scholastic

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

Waiting on Wednesday #54 - Half Bad

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating

{Review} Allegiant - Veronica Roth

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Genre: YA Dystopia
Release Date: Oct 22 / 2013
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

{Weekly Craving} Jan 2014 #1

Weekly Craving is a feature that shows what's newly released on my TBR

Stacking the Shelves - January 2014

Stacking the Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews

that shows what we hauled this week

As I've decided now that I'm not all that good with doing timely haul posts, I thought I'd just do one or two every month instead. This month's haul will also feature all the stuff I got throughout the holidays. I actually didn't buy a lot of books. They've mostly piled up from the last half of November until now so it might seem like a lot. I mostly just bought clothes, makeup, etc. Let's start with books, shall we?

{Review} The Madman's Daughter - Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd
Genre: YA Historical Fiction & Horror
Release Date: Jan 29 / 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

{Mini Review} Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: Aug 27 / 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.

But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king's contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king's bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she's given a task that could jeopardize everything she's come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon -- forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Crown of Midnight was a stunning sequel to Throne of Glass. We continue with Celaena's newfound career as the King's Champion. Rebellion is brewing and everything is so much more intense than the first book. Romance was a definite plus in this book as well with Chaol and Dorian both vying for her attention (I love Chaol more by the way). It's an action-packed book that leaves you hanging at the hand and waiting for the sequel.