In My Mailbox (16)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read):

•  Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanof
• Dark Song by Gail Giles
• Matched by Ally Condie

As you can see I got a really good haul from the library and in time for the winter vacation :). I'm again sorry for not posting constantly and I know it's all my fault and stupid school. But my winter holidays begin this week, so I hope I can get in some reviews before the year ends. (And I might have a giveaway soon in light of my blogoversary so look out :))

What books did you get?

In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading):

• Torment by Lauren Kate (Loving it! Much better than the first :))
• Illyria by Elizabeth Hand (Very interesting...More to come)

Borrowed from Library (To be Read)

• Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card (Loved Ender's Game. Can't wait to see what this brings!)

What books did you get?

Hex Hall Mini Review

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Published Date: March 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis:  

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.


Mini Review: 

Hex Hall was a magically crafted debut, a little of flirting and romance (and of course, the bad pretty boy, Archer), mystery and tension (making me turn the pages and losing sleep), and magic (the interactions of the different fantasy creatures was hilarious). The protagonist, Sophie Mercer, is a spunky protagonist, with sarcasm, loyalty, and kindness. I loved how she was independent from the beginning, not feeling the need to conform and staying by Jenna’s side even when everyone turned against her. The friendship and love twisted nicely with the main plot, where Sophie learns to define herself as the witch.

I also loved how Hawkins fired surprise ending after ending, not leaving time for the reader to get bored. There were so many twists that just left you hanging your jaw open and meticulously looking through the pages for a sequel (which is coming out in one month!).

I loved Hex Hall and it was a nice salve for my gaping wound of the lack of Harry Potter. Hawkins created a unique tale of a boarding school of the magical creatures we all know about, a tale of a witch finding her identity through her past, and of (MILD SPOILER) forbidden love.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5

The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the mirror (dual personality) really depicts the book well and Sophie's journey for identity.

Overall: 4.5/5

Note: Sorry for the very short review. I'm currently engulfed with homework, tests, and reports so I won't be able to write full blown reviews until the winter holidays.

Winter Holidays-Wish List Recommendations (Best of 2010)

Hey everyone!

So the winter holiday is coming up (and it sure feels like it too), with Hanukkah already starting and the Christmas music pouring from our radios. In the light of the winter holiday, I wanted to compile a "2010 Wish List" of the books you need to have or want to buy for other people. (It'll also help me decide how to spend my money.) It would be great if you could leave the book that YOU would personally want to have for the winter holidays with a URL that links to a summary (Goodreads) or somewhere you can buy the book (Amazon). Thanks! Hope you find these helpful :)

Hunger Games Movie Rumors Galore

I spent my Thanksgiving Holiday rereading the Hunger Games after buying the boxed set, and let's just say I'm even sadder about the whole series ending than I was when I immediately finished Mockingjay.

So where does this leave for readers? The movie, of course! (Yes, I know. Movies usually can't capture the perfectness of books, but it's better than nothing.)

Even though I heard so many rumors of a Hunger Games release date, I checked the IMDB page and it says 2013! (Too long!! 2 more years.)

But, luckily, there a lot of actresses that are interested in playing Katniss, receiving scripts and expressing interest.

Lyndsy Fonseca

Kaya Scodelrio

Malese Jow

For me, the actress that would best fit Katniss would be Lyndsy Fonesca. Her look has a resembelence of being the tough Katniss in the books. Both kaya and Malese would act as Katniss well, except the look too innocent and young to play the girl on fire. :) What do you think?

Also, right now, there is a hot fan made trailer of the scene of Rue and Katniss. I absolutely love it and I thought it did the scene justice.

Waiting on Wednesdays (12)-Sequel Edition

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

 I haven't done a Waiting on Wednesdays in a while, so I decided to put together all my anticipated sequels for 2011. Beware for spoilers in the synopsis if you haven't read the first book. (Also, Happy 1st Day of December! 23 more days till winter break :))

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Synopsis:
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Title: Always a Witch (Once a Witch #2: Review here)
Author: Carolyn MacCullough 
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Synopsis:  
The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice. 

Title: Outside In (Inside Out #2)
Author: Maria Synder
Release Date: March 2, 2011
Synopsis: None yet :(


Sadly, I read both Inside Out and Hex Hall recently and loved them both, but have not been able to write a review because of school. I am planning to write short reviews soon by this week of both books, because they both merit reviews (aka I loved them both :)).