Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat. Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story. I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!

WHY do publishers feel the need to change book covers on the final book of a series!?!?  We saw this with Fathomless by Jackson Pearce and Shades of Earth by Beth Revis and now they're doing it to Stephanie Perkins.

Now I know that Stephanie Perkins's books aren't a series specifically, but they take place in the same world and the characters make cameos in other books, so close enough.  Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door had similar covers that were cute and went together well.

I mean they're cute, and I really like the Lola cover, but they're not amazing.  What I love about these covers are the spines.  They are adorable and look great together on my shelf.

However with the third book in the "series", Isla and the Happily Ever After, we get new covers.

 Now, I actually really like these covers.  I like the simplicity and the color schemes and that you can still tell the setting of each story.  But.  WHY do they have to change the design at the end of the series!?  I wish they had released a matching hardcover to the previous books and then these covers as the paperbacks.  It stinks for people like me who have the original covers and now their/my collection will not match.  Why do publishers feel the need to do this?  It seriously makes me want to not buy series until all of the books are released so everything can match.

What do you guys think?  Do you prefer the more literal and cute original covers or the more sophisticated re-design?  Do you think the new designs are worth the headache of a mid series change?  Do you not care about matching covers?  Let me know in the comments below!

Blog Tour: Hysteria by Megan Miranda

Hello everyone and welcome to the Triple Threat Blog Tour hosted by Bloomsbury! This stop is my review for the newly released sophomore album, Hysteria by Megan Miranda.

Published February 5th by Walker Childrens
egalley provided by for review from netgalley
2 Stars

Goodreads Review
Mallory killed her boyfriend, Brian. She can't remember the details of that night but everyone knows it was self-defense, so she isn't charged. But Mallory still feels Brian's presence in her life. Is it all in her head? Or is it something more? In desperate need of a fresh start, Mallory is sent to Monroe, a fancy prep school where no one knows her . . . or anything about her past.But the feeling follows her, as do her secrets. Then, one of her new classmates turns up dead. As suspicion falls on Mallory, she must find a way to remember the details of both deadly nights so she can prove her innocence-to herself and others. In another riveting tale of life and death, Megan Miranda's masterful storytelling brings readers along for a ride to the edge of sanity and back again.

Review:  I really enjoyed Megan Miranda's debut novel, Fracture, and I was really looking forward to her sophomore novel Hysteria.  I thought the premise of this book was really great, but the execution was really lacking and sometimes just confusing.

While I liked the mystery surrounding the murder of Mallory's boyfriend, I found the reaction of her parents to be completely unbelievable.  I just can't believe that only a few months after being attacked and forced to kill her boyfriend in self defense that Mallory's parents would send her to boarding school alone.  Girl needs therapy, not being sent away from everyone who loves her.  No I'm sorry, but that is ignorant at best and in my opinion down right negligent.  I have a really hard time believing that her parents would just ship her off, regardless of the social stigma in their home town.

And let's talk for a minute about the whole boarding school plot.  (Without spoilers)  It just did not work for me.  All of the girl characters felt basically the same and I had a really hard time telling them apart.  I felt like their motivations for their actions were really unsupported, especially later in the book where things got so melodramatic it almost turned to comedy.  I thought it was a useless plot device that would have work just as well (or better) if we could have just stayed in her home town.

Then there's the actual murder "mystery".  There's really no mystery at all.  We find out at the very beginning that Mallory murdered her boyfriend.  Without spoiling the story let me just say that there really isn't anything more to this story and there is no twist at the end.  I was really disappointed with the lack of actual mystery. 

I really didn't understand Reid's character either.  Why did he even like Mallory?  Maybe he liked her when they were 14, but that was years ago and a lot has changed.  Also, did he know about her murdering her ex?  I feel like that would be something you would hear about and if I were Reid I would not be in a hurry to start a relationship with someone with such a bad track record. 

Really the only good thing about Hysteria and the only reason this didn't get a one star was Mallory and Colleen's friendship.  They were there for each other, willing to literally carry them when the other was too weak to walk.  I love reading about girls who are friends with other girls who support and are loyal to each other.  Those types of relationships are really important to YA literature and I thought Colleen and Mallory were great friends.

Overall Hysteria was a great premise that was not presented well.  It was like a collection of great ideas with no connecting plot to tie it all together.  There was so much potential for something great, but sadly Hysteria just did not deliver.

Zombies, Run! 5k app Week 4

I am officially half way finished with the 5k program!  HOLLA!  I am really proud of myself for making it this far, and while I know I still have a lot of work to do, it feels great to see progress. 

Week 4 consisted of the following:

• 5 minute walking warm up
• 5 minute free form run warm up
• 5 reps of 10 knee lifts, 1 minute slow walk, 1 minute fast walk
• 5 reps 1 minute walk, 30 seconds run
• 15 minute free form run

The first thing I noticed about this week is that the training sessions are getting very long!  Each mission took 50-60 minutes to finish, as opposed to week 1 which was around 30.  However I really enjoyed the long runs because I've been dealing with some anxiety and the runs have really been helping.

The weather this week was really weird.  At the beginning of the week we had a really intense snow storm (My area got around 8 inches I think) but by the end of the week it was up in the mid 60s.  Ohio weather is weird.  However I really enjoyed the snow running.  I didn't feel that cold and it was very peaceful in my little neighborhood.

Day 1 I didn't plan my route well (the snow prevented me from running on sidewalks and I didn't want to run on a busy road) so I ended up doing 3.8 miles in 52 minutes.  Day 2's route was planned almost perfectly and I did 3.4 miles in 47 minutes.  However day 3 was a really off day for me (I eneded up walking most of the route I just had no energy) and I only did 3.2 miles in 49 minutes. 

Even with my one weak day I am still really proud of my progress.  Also the story this week was full of feels OMG.  I'm so excited for week 5!

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion Book and Movie Review

Published November 1, 2011 by Atria/Emily Bestler Books

#1 in the Warm Bodies series
4 stars

Goodreads Review
R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and strangely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

Review:  Warm Bodies is a really fun mashup of Shakespeare and zombies, two of my favorite things.  I really liked the re-imagining of zombies and how Warm Bodies examines what makes a person human and if you have nothing to live for are you really living?  I didn't expect a zombie novel to make me think as much as Warm Bodies did. 

R was a really great character, and one I could really relate to.  He's a great narrator and reading his inner monologue is hilarious and touching.  I really loved how he had all of these eloquent thoughts and ideas but due to his zombie self he can't actually express these ideas to other people.  There's a quote from the book where R says “In my mind I am eloquent; I can climb intricate scaffolds of words to reach the highest cathedral ceilings and paint my thoughts. But when I open my mouth, everything collapses.”  I love that.

I really liked the theme of living your life to the fullest and how it applies to not only the zombies but also the surviving humans.  As R and Julie begin to get to know each other they help each other heal.  They both help each other find their humanity, because both of them have been wandering and not really living (R literally). 

There were a few things that I didn't really like about Warm Bodies.  I didn't like how heavy handed the Romeo and Juliet stuff got at some parts.  In particular the balcony scene was just too obvious and I found myself rolling my eyes.  I also didn't like how Perry's death was glossed over.  Julie and Perry had been having problems, but I still think I would have been a lot more upset if my boyfriend had been eaten by a zombie.  Just saying.  It's not even that Julie's reason for not being that upset was bad (I can understand in an apocalyptic situation preparing for everyone you love to be killed at any moment) but I wish R had tried to talk to her more about it.  I wish there had been more of an ethical conflict.

Overall I enjoyed Warm Bodies quite a bit, but due to the sometimes obvious re-telling elements and some disappointing author behavior Warm Bodies fell just short of the 5 star rating.  It's still a really adorable and fun read that will also make you think!

 

Warm Bodies Movie Review

Released February 1, 2013
Rated PG-13
Directed by Jonathan Levine
Starring Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, Rob Corddry
I absolutely LOVED the Warm Bodies movie adaptation.  I thought it was very faithful to the novel but really worked on screen as well.  I thought the movie was a little more light hearted than the novel and cut out some of the darker aspects of the characters, but I think it very successfully kept the core feeling of the novel.  I really loved the use of voice over to help express some of the themes from the novel. 

 

What makes this movie so charming is the fantastic performance of Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class) who plays R.  He is able to convey so much emotion through his facial expressions and body language that he really makes R come to life....well, sort of.  I also loved his interaction with Teresa Palmer (I am Number Four) who plays Julie.  They interact really well together and I really believed their relationship's growth; from fear, to wonder, to hope.

 

Both the novel and movie adaptation of Warm Bodies are fantastic.  This story goes a lot deeper than most zombie fare and I think it will appeal to a wide audience.  It has romance, humor, action, and a touching story of hope and redemption.



Blog Tour: Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black

 

Hello everyone and welcome to the Triple Threat Blog Tour hosted by Bloomsbury!  This stop is my review for the newly released debut, Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black. 

 

 

Published February 12, 2013 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Book

#1 in the Dance of Shadows series
egalley provided for review by netgalley
3 Stars


Goodreads Review
Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you're close enough to kiss, close enough to feel your partner's heartbeat. But for Vanessa, dance is deadly – and she must be very careful who she trusts . . .

Vanessa Adler attends an elite ballet school – the same one her older sister, Margaret, attended before she disappeared. Vanessa feels she can never live up to her sister's shining reputation. But Vanessa, with her glorious red hair and fair skin, has a kind of power when she dances – she loses herself in the music, breathes different air, and the world around her turns to flames . . .

Soon she attracts the attention of three men: gorgeous Zep, mysterious Justin, and the great, enigmatic choreographer Josef Zhalkovsky. When Josef asks Vanessa to dance the lead in the Firebird, she has little idea of the danger that lies ahead – and the burning forces about to be unleashed . . .

Review:  I was really excited when I first found out about Dance of Shadows last summer.  I really love ballet stuff (Center Stage, Dance Academy, So You Think You Can Dance, even Dance Moms!) and I was really excited to see how the paranormal aspects would be woven into the ballet story.  While I think there were some really interested ideas in Dance of Shadows, I though they were presented in obvious and uninteresting ways.

Let me start of by thanking Bloomsbury and netgalley for the chance to read Dance of Shadows early and to participate in the blog tour, but unfortunately I don't have a lot of positive things to say.  The best part of Dance of Shadows is the cover, so be prepared.

I didn't think any of the characters were that memorable.  Vanessa, the main character is pretty oblivious throughout. She had this blind faith in certain characters but her relationships with them were never really all that developed so I didn't understand her devotion to them.  She also, and I hate to say this, was a bit of a mary sue (ugh that's so bad but it's true).  She doesn't want to be good at dance, she doesn't love it, but she's instantly the most special snowflake dancer.  Ballet is HARD AS BALLS.  Even the most naturally gifted dancers have to work their asses off, and frankly this book makes all of their dedication to the craft a bit of a joke.  She also instantly makes a ton of friends (who serve no other purpose other than being Vanessa's friends, they have no back story or anything else interesting going on) and instantly draws the attention of the hottest dancer in school (who is really a big jerk face but for some reason Vanessa is just in love with him for....reasons).  It's all just a little too easy for her in my opinion.

The other big issue I had was the pacing of the book.  The mystery was just dragged out at a snails pace for 70% of the book and then it was like all of a sudden they realized they were 300 pages in and nothing had really happened yet so the ending was a huge flux of information and crazy events that took place a ludicrous speed (almost went to plaid!).

 

Now, with all of that said, I still really liked this book.  I liked the premise and I really liked all the crazy stuff that happened at the end, I just wish the pacing was better and the characters were smarter.  I mean, how did NO ONE notice that so many ballet dancers were missing?  How did Elly or Chloe's parents not notice?  Whose parents don't call their teenaged daughter in months?  If it were my kid I'd be freaking the eff out.  While I was intrigued by the people and events that were hinted at for coming books in the series, I do think it could have all been completed in one book and not dragged out. 

Overall I thought Dance of Shadows had an interesting premise but poor delivery which may be the most disappointing type of novel.  I think with a lot more editing Dance of Shadows could have been really good.  Even though I had major issues with the book I was intrigued enough to want to read the sequel if one is published. 

Zombies, Run! 5k app Week 3

You all might remember that last week I really hurt my back.  I could barely stand, let alone train for a 5k.  So after a week and a half off (with lots of drugs, not gonna lie) I was ready to try Week 3 of the program.  Week 3 really just follows the natural progression so I wasn't too surprised by the schedule.

• 5 minutes walking warm up
• 5 minute free form run warm up
• 5 reps of 1 minute running, 1 minute walking, and 10 seconds of knee lifts (jogging while bringing your knees up to your waist)
• 8 minute free form run
• 2 minutes stretching
• 8 minute free form run

I waited until Wednesday to do day one and I have to admit I pretty much walked everything.  I only ran during the interval training and by the last one I was starting to feel pain in my back as well as my left calf.  I took it slow and went 2.6 miles in 44 minutes, which is pretty good for walking so much.

Because I was still experiencing pain (and because I had to work really late on Friday) I didn't do day 2 until Saturday.  This run though was AWESOME.  I had zero pain and did 3.2 miles in 47 minutes (and 2 of those minutes were spent stretching). 

I did the final day of the week on Sunday even though I don't like doing 2 days in a row because I really wanted to get back on schedule.  I was a little more tired and sore during this run so I only did 3 miles in 43 minutes (which is still really good).

I'm really starting to see some results and improvements thanks to this training.  I'm also starting to have more confidence in myself, which is really awesome.  Also the story is getting really great, I'm really getting attached to the characters.  This is great for me because I actually want to do the next mission.  I can't wait to see what happens in week 4!

March 2013 New Reads

Here is a list of my top 5 most anticipated releases for March (lots of debuts this month!) as well as some other notable releases for the month. Which books are you excited for?

March 5

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett
#1 in The Arkwell Academy Series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  Another magical boarding school story, but this one sounds cool because of the having dreams and then they come true aspect.  Also fun fact, Mindee Arnett will be doing a book signing at the Dayton, Ohio Books & Co. March 5th at 7:00pm!  I'll probably be going, will I see you there?

 

 

March 8



The Culling by Steven Dos Santos
#1 in the Torch Keeper series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  This month's hunger games fix.  It actually has a really cool premise and I'm really excited for gay YA science fiction.  You don't see that a lot and it sounds pretty awesome.








 


March 12

Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson
#1 in the Strands of Bronze and Gold series
DACWhy I'm Excited:  First the cover is just beautiful.  Second the bluebeard myth is really crazy and I'm curious to see this adaptation.

March 21

17 & Gone by Nova Ren SumaWhy I'm Excited:   I've heard some really good things about this novel that even though the premise doesn't seem that original, it's presented in a really unique way. 















March 26

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Why I'm Excited:  This sounds really cute.  I hope it's as charming as it seems, I get a Stephanie Perkins vibe from the summary and I hope it lives up to that expectation.














Other Notable Releases

March 1 - Things I Can't Forget by Miranda Kenneally

March 5 - Requiem by Lauren Oliver
                 Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
                 A Touch Menacing by Leah Clifford
                 Infatuate by Aimee Agresti

March 12 - MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza
                   Deep Betrayal by Anne Greenwood Brown

March 19 - Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
                   With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

March 26 -  A Touch of SCarlet by Eve Marie Mont
                    Impostor by Jill Hathaway