Monday, July 28, 2014

Middle Grade Monday With Ava: Dead City: Blue Moon by James Ponti

Dead City: Blue Moon
by: James Ponti
Now Available!!!
Publisher: Aladdin
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Molly is ready for more nonstop, undead action in this follow-up to Dead City, which Kirkus Reviews described as “a fast-paced read for those who like their zombies with just a little fright.”
When Molly Bigelow discovered that zombies shared New York with humans, she didn’t think life could get more shocking. Then she learned that her mother was once one of the greatest zombie killers ever—and she discovered that her dead mother is not technically dead at all (although she isn’t alive, either).

Molly’s efforts to keep these secrets and to help her Omega team track down the identity of the original thirteen zombies will take her from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade to New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Her loyalties to friends and family will be put to the test. And her life will be changed in ways she never could have imagined.

Ava's Thoughts:

*CAUTION! SPOILER ALERTS IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST BOOK. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!*

After Molly's rooftop battle with Marek Blackwell (and after killing him) Molly's Omega team is suspended because of some things she did. Also, meeting her undead mother who came to her rescue, then mysteriously leaving. While their team is suspended, they hear about an alarming fatal event. Unfortunately, they have to avoid all Omega activity.

Before their hearing, they are told by a former Omega to say they were asked to work on the Baker's Dozen, a mysterious case all about the Unlucky 13. This puts them back in business. 

But this mission takes many twists and turns. Is Marek still alive? What is the Blue Moon? And more importantly, are people who they say they are? 

This book is full of mystery, suspense, action and adventure. After the first Dead City book, this is must-read! Be sure to pick up this book!


More reviews to come from Ava: The Wolf Princess, Rot and Ruin, How I survived Middle School; Bullies, Broccoli and Snake Hill, I Funny, The Secret War and In My Enemy's House. Please get back to me soon to tell me if you like them!

Ciao,

Ava

Friday, July 25, 2014

Review: Catch a Falling Star by Kim Culbertson

Catch a Falling Star
by: Kim Culbertson
Now available!!!
Publisher: Point (Scholastic)
Source: ARC from publisher
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
A deliciously charming novel about finding true love . . . and yourself.

Nothing ever happens in Little, CA. Which is just the way Carter Moon likes it. But when Hollywood arrives to film a movie starring former child star turned PR mess Adam Jakes, everything changes. Carter's town becomes a giant glittery set and, much to her annoyance, everyone is starry-eyed for Adam. Carter seems to be the only girl not falling all over herself to get a glimpse of him. Which apparently makes her perfect for the secret offer of a lifetime: playing the role of Adam's girlfriend while he's in town, to improve his public image, in exchange for a hefty paycheck. Her family really needs the money and so Carters agrees. But it turns out Adam isn't at all who she thought he was. As they grow closer, their relationship walks a blurry line between what's real and what's fake, and Carter must open her eyes to the scariest of unexplored worlds - her future. Can Carter figure out what she wants out of life AND get the guy? Or are there no Hollywood endings in real life?


My Thoughts:

Fun, light-hearted read that's perfect to take for a day at the beach!

Catch a Falling Star was a quick read with a blossoming romance, and great first-person narration from our heroine, Carter Moon. The title is actually a great pun, because Carter's greatest passion is her love of astronomy (after her passion for Adam of course :)) 

This was a "Cinderella-like" tale of sorts, but Carter was definitely a feistier heroine, she has a mind of her own. She was a realistic leading character, while she doesn't want to admit it, she's a bit taken with the Hollywood heartthrob, Adam, and truth be told, Adam's just as stubborn in showcasing his own feelings for our heroine- but this allowed for some great squabbles between our two leads.

As I stated before, the romance was very light-hearted and sweet between these two, definitely nothing in-appropriate or worrisome. As well, there isn't an insta-love to be found with these two, there's definitely a build-up and you'll feel the connection between these two and the ending will have you either smiling and saying "aww" or rolling your eyes (while smiling despite yourself).

Of course, this is much more than a teen romance novel, Carter is also dealing with some difficult familial issues, specifically with her older brother, John. If I'm being completely honest, I think the up-and-down sibling relationship between these two was my favourite part of the book, it really helped to add drama to the plot.

This is a contemporary read with very little action, so much of the story is character driven, and Culbertson does a great job of writing in her supporting characters (specifically Carter's besties, Chloe and Alien Drake- inside joke) these two bring comedic relief throughout the story and help keep Chloe grounded when everything else around seems to be falling apart. Although I will state this- I feel as though there were some unresolved feelings between Drake and Carter, but this could just be the romantic in me looking for deeper meaning haha.

Overall, I would recommend this read to those who are looking for a quick read and light-hearted romance kick!

Happy Reading!!!

Purchase your own copy: Amazon | Chapters

Saturday, July 5, 2014

What's the Story McCoy?


What's the Story McCoy is inspired by Tynga's Reviews' Stacking the Shelves and The Story Siren's In My Mailbox 

Hey Everyone! This is a very long over due edition, here are the beauties I've received in the past month or so:
Depth of Field by Chantel Guertin (finished copies for upcoming tour) -Thanks ECW Press
Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott - Thanks Scholastic Canada
The Drowning by Rachel Ward - Thanks Scholastic Canada
Born of Deception by Teri Brown - Thanks HarperCollins Canada
On the Fence by Kasie West - Thanks HarperCollins Canada
Chasing Before by Lenore Appelhans - Thanks Simon and Schuster Canada
The Art of Getting Stared At by Laura Langston - Thanks Razorbill Canada
Rain by Amanda Sun - Thanks HarlequinTEEN
Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter - Thanks HarlequinTEEN
Drowned by Nichola Reilly - Thanks HarlequinTEEN
Talon by Julie Kagawa - Thanks HarlequinTEEN
Landline by Rainbow Rowell - Thanks Raincoast Books
The Girl Who Never Was by Skylar Dorset - Thanks Raincoast Books
Push Girl by Chelsie Hill
The Dare by Hannah Jayne - Thanks Raincoast Books
Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson - Thanks Raincoast Books

That's my story this week, thanks so much to all the amazing publishers for these amazing titles!

What's your story?

Happy Reading!!! 

Friday, July 4, 2014

Box of ARCs Giveaway!!! The Summer Edition

Hey Everyone!!!

First off I want to, once again, apologize for my blogger absence this past year. It has definitely taken me a little longer to get back into the swing of things then I had originally anticipated and I have a ton of reviews to catch up on, but I'm so excited for Summer!

There are are going to be some changes coming to the blog, as you've already seen, I have a new blogger who will be adding her tremendous reviews technique to the blog. Her reviews are not to be missed, and it's hard to believe she's a middle-grader when you read her words. Please join me in welcoming Ava to the blog- WELCOME AVA- Ava will be reviewing middle-grade, action, adventure books. Look forward to many more reviews to come from this very talented reviewer :).

I'm also going to be putting a spin on my reviews, by starting a new meme- Pool Side Reads- because I love reading my books outside by the pool, and I'd love to actually get a tan this Summer! haha

Speaking of Summer..... IT'S TIME FOR THE BI-ANNUAL BOX OF ARCS GIVEAWAY- SUMMER 2014 EDITION

What's up for grabs you ask, well have a look below:
As always, the winner will have the opportunity to pick at least 20 titles from the pile pictured above - I will be adding more ARC titles to choose from as I continue to go through my books

Want to enter? Well go on and fill out the Rafflecopter below!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL WHO ENTER!!!

Looking forward to sharing my Summer Reads with you all!

Please check the terms and conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter!!!