Book Review: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Kody Keplinger

Author: Kody Keplinger
Series: N/A
Publisher: Poppy
Release Date: June 5th 2012
My Rating: 5 cups
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Whitley Johnson's dream summer with her divorcé dad has turned into a nightmare. She's just met his new fiancée and her kids. The fiancée's son? Whitley's one-night stand from graduation night. Just freakin' great.

Worse, she totally doesn't fit in with her dad's perfect new country-club family. So Whitley acts out. She parties. Hard. So hard she doesn't even notice the good things right under her nose: a sweet little future stepsister who is just about the only person she's ever liked, a best friend (even though Whitley swears she doesn't "do" friends), and a smoking-hot guy who isn't her stepbrother...at least, not yet. It will take all three of them to help Whitley get through her anger and begin to put the pieces of her family together.

Filled with authenticity and raw emotion, Whitley is Kody Keplinger's most compelling character to date: a cynical Holden Caulfield-esque girl you will wholly care about.

I love Kody Keplinger's books. With each of her books that I read I'm becoming more and more convinced I want to read every book she's ever published and every book she'll publish in the future.

The thing that I loved most about this book is that it was easy to understand Whitley. I am one of the lucky people that grew up with both parents, so I don't know firsthand the struggles that a child with divorced parents go through. I do have a glimpse into that drama through friends and one of my parents who came from divorced parents. Even so, Whitley's behavior was a bit understandable. I was so sad to see that Whitley's mom kept complaining about her ex-husband. I kept hoping that this woman, this ADULT woman would realize the damage she was doing to her daughter.

Whitley's dad isn't a role model either. She sees him as someone who can do no wrong and while I understand putting your dad on a pedestal, I had issues with how he treated this situation. He felt more like a buddy than a father to me and that didn't seem to help things.

I also found it easy to understand why Whitley had trouble accepting her dad's future wife. It felt like she was the kind of mother Whitley wished her own mom was. And it really is difficult accepting a stranger into that role.

Nathan is like a breath of fresh air. I liked the contrast between the two of them, how he tried to see past the anger and see the real Whitley. I really liked him. I also adored his little sister. I can only hope that we'll get a story for her in the future.

Wednesday Chatter #8: Trusting The Author

Wednesday Chatter is a weekly feature at Ruby's Books where we'll be talking about anything and everything related to books and reading. Click here if you want to see what we talked about in the previous weeks.


WARNING: Some bad words might be used in the following post. Don't say I didn't warn you!

 

Hey there, fellow book lovers! This week we had a brutal heatwave in my neck of the woods. Because of that I wasn't able to post, because my laptop is so old, it overheats in less than 20 minutes and shuts down. And since I'm still working on that blasted thesis, I don't have that much free time during the evening *pouts* So I decided to write this discussion post, which I've been sitting on for a few weeks now.

Let's talk about trusting the author, shall we?

For me, I need to trust the author. If it's an author that I'm familiar with and whose other books I've read (or at least a few of his/her books) then I know that the story that I'm going to read will give me something. It doesn't matter if it's heartbreak, or love, or a lesson that I can apply in real life, or a good laugh, or just a few hours of fun. I just know that the book will be if not great, then at least a pleasant read. Trust comes in when I'm deciding to pick up a book. I trust that no matter what happens in the book, it will be explained in the story and that it will make sense eventually. If you love reading series, then you know that sometimes cliffhangers appear, or sometimes you get more questions than answers from a book. But the big things that happen with the main characters will make sense in that book. If it's an author that I don't know, then I have to trust that the book will give me all those feelings that I was talking about, as well as the meaning, the reasoning behind something happening.

But I also need to trust the author when he/she says I'm going to read about x, y and z. It's not as if I want to pick up a romance book and end up with a horror story. Or I want to read an autobiography and instead I end up actually reading about the latest advancements in technology. I want the book to be about whatever it is that the blurb says it will be about. And I must trust the author to deliver.

Breaking that trust isn't something that happens often, or at least not with me. It takes a lot for me to say that I've lost trust in an author. And when it does happen, my heart breaks. Because it usually happens with authors that I've been reading for years. I'm not having high standards, by any means. I can understand an average book from an author I love. I can even accept a less than average book. It's not about quantity in this case. It's about content. I don't care if I'm reading a non-fiction essay of 5 pages or a mammoth of a fiction book of 700+ pages. I care, in this case, about what is in those pages. Losing trust in an author sucks, because it feels like breaking up with someone. Kill the main character if you must, but make sure it's for the right reasons. Because that's how the story goes. But not because you feel bored.

I always hate it when in TV shows (*coughs* Grey's Anatomy *coughs*) every single time an actor wants to quit they kill his/her character. Why can't they just write that character off? (Like they did for Cristina Yang!!) It makes me lose the trust in that TV show. I can't trust it anymore, not because I'm stupid and think that death doesn't happen, but because sometimes it serves no purpose aside from advancing a story in a bad way. It kinda shows that "hey, we have no more ideas, how 'bout we kill someone, make some tension around here?!". And even then, I kinda get it. Most TV shows get around 40 minutes of TV time, one show per week, maybe even two weeks, with tons of breaks from holidays and stuff and, in general, roughly 23 episodes per season. If they're lucky to have a full season. They don't have space. But they do have space in books. That right there, is probably why I fell in love with reading, because books have as much space as an author wants, whereas TV shows don't. So I get that TV shows make up stories as they go, because really, they need viewers. I expect more than that in books. I even want more than that in books. That's why I need to trust the author.

What about you? How much do you have to trust the author when deciding to read a book? Not only that, but with authors that you already know and have read their books before, how much does trust count when you pick up their next book? More importantly, what does it take for you to lose that trust?

 

Obsessed With Covers #22: Forget Tomorrow, Forest of Ruin,Every Heart a Doorway

Y'all know how much I love a pretty cover. I think about...40% of the books that end up on my shelves (be they physical or digital) do so because of the covers. Call me shallow but you have to admit that a pretty, shiny cover will catch your eye faster than a dull, boring one. Two, simple rules that I'll follow:

• 1, 2 or 3 (no more than 3, though) covers per week;
• books should be new-ish; no more than 2 years old.

Oh, before I share the covers that made me drool or want to stare at them for hours and hours, I have to say something. This is a semi-original idea. Why semi? Because almost every book blogger has something similar. The only thing I came up with was the title. If by any chance there's another blogger with a similar feature with the same title, I assure you I'm not stealing your idea. I'm just THAT bad with titles. Believe me, I'd love to be smarter and have a witty name for this feature, but I don't. So, no copyright infringement/theft/steal or anything of the sort was desired. All I can say is sorry :P

Hey guys! How is this wonderful July treating you? I am in the middle of Hell's main oven, it seems. The heatwave made my poor, old laptop overheat so many times in the last two weeks, I've decided to use it only when I had to. Poor thing.

Anyway, While I'm taking advantage of a little break from the heat, I wanted to share some really beautiful covers I've seen lately.

I love birds. There's something about them that I just adore. So it's no wonder this cover drew my attention. Not only are there tons of winged creatures in it, the colors are amazing. I love how the big bird is not showing its face. And I love how its the only colored bird, all the other ones being black. It makes me thing that maybe the other birds are parts of the original one.








Forget Tomorrow - Pintip Dunn

 It's no secret that I love Kelley Armstrong, so I may be biased in my love for this cover. Then again, what is there not to like? There's a massive dragon on it. So I have to love it for that alone. It looks like the dragon is made of snow. And the snowflakes are creating a circle in front of the dragon, which gives me the illusion that maybe the dragon isn't really there, that it's a trick of snow and wind. Either way, I'd love to have this book on my shelf, because my shelf needs prettifying.

Forest of Ruin - Kelley Armstrong

This cover is so gorgeous. It's simple, which makes it even more beautiful. The door makes me wonder what's on the other side and if anyone can go through it. The forest behind it makes me think that maybe there are scary things both behind and in front of that door, that no matter what a character does, sometimes both sides suck. And the sun rays are beautiful too. The perspective seems a little off, maybe a little wrong too, but that adds something to the entire picture. I'd love to read this book, especially after reading the blurb.






Every Heart a Doorway - Seanan McGuire

Cover Reveal: Together We Heal by Chelsea M. Cameron

 

Today we are revealing the cover for the upcoming book TOGETHER WE HEAL by Chelsea M. Cameron. This is the 4th book in the Fall and Rise series. This book will be released in August. Check out the blurb, and links to the other books in the series, below.

BOOK BLURB:

Trish Grant is not a romantic. Okay, so she may read her share of romance novels, but that doesn’t mean she thinks that some fellow with a six pack is going to ride up on a horse and sweep her (literally) off her feet. Romance like that just isn’t for her. It belongs on the page.

Max Jackson noticed Trish at his cousin’s funeral, of all places. She was hard to miss with her citrus-colored hair, violet contacts and fiery attitude.

Trish was just as captivated by Max. He makes her laugh, which is rare, and it doesn’t hurt that he rocks blue hair and the most killer smirk that drives her crazy. Max is there for her during a rough time and even if she wanted to, she can’t shake him.

There are things about Trish that Max doesn’t know, and she’s not going to tell him. She hasn’t told anyone and doesn’t plan on it, thank you very much. But when Trish’s life is ripped apart by a dark piece of her past, will she let Max in? Or will she give up her potential fairytale to protect her already-scarred heart from further damage?

ADD TOGETHER WE HEAL TO GOODREADS

PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

  DEEPER WE FALL (book #1)

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

  FASTER WE BURN (book #2)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

  SLOWLY WE TRUST (book #3)

Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

   

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Chelsea M. Cameron is a New York Times/USA Today Best Selling author from Maine. Lover of things random and ridiculous, Jane Austen/Charlotte and Emily Bronte Fangirl, red velvet cake enthusiast, obsessive tea drinker, vegetarian, former cheerleader and world's worst video gamer. When not writing, she enjoys watching infomercials, singing in the car, tweeting (this one time, she was tweeted by Neil Gaiman) and playing fetch with her cat, Sassenach. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Maine, Orono that she promptly abandoned to write about the people in her own head. More often than not, these people turn out to be just as weird as she is.

AUTHOR LINKS: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 

Trailer Reveal: Every Last Breath by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

We are very excited to bring you the trailer for the Epic Finale in Jennifer L. Armentrout'sDark Elements Series, EVERY LAST BREATH! Published by HarlequinTeen, EVERY LAST BREATH is a young adult paranormal filled with romance and danger being released on July 28^th, 2015. Be sure to pre-order your copy today and enter to win some AMAZING Dark Elements prizes!

 

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

  EVERY LAST BREATH Synopsis: Some loves will last ‘til your dying breath Every choice has consequences—but seventeen-year-old Layla faces tougher choices than most. Light or darkness. Wickedly sexy demon prince Roth, or Zayne, the gorgeous, protective Warden she never thought could be hers. Hardest of all, Layla has to decide which side of herself to trust. Layla has a new problem, too. A Lilin—the deadliest of demons—has been unleashed, wreaking havoc on those around her…including her best friend. To keep Sam from a fate much, much worse than death, Layla must strike a deal with the enemy while saving her city—and her race—from destruction. Torn between two worlds and two different boys, Layla has no certainties, least of all survival, especially when an old bargain comes back to haunt them all. But sometimes, when secrets are everywhere and the truth seems unknowable, you have to listen to your heart, pick a side—and then fight like hell… “Armentrout is a major talent…I just can’t stop reading!” --New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter “Armentrout works her magic with swoon-worthy guys and a twist you never see coming.” --#1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines on White Hot Kiss  

And here's the amazing trailer for EVERY LAST BREATH...

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/QLM2WuvsX4g

 

 And don't forget to preorder your copy of EVERY LAST BREATH today and enter to win!

 

Enter now to win an INCREDIBLE Dark Elements prize pack including a VISA GIFT CARD! Register your pre-order of Jennifer L. Armentrout's EVERY LAST BREATH now to enter PLUS help unlock MORE prizes! ► http://bit.ly/1Fy7ekS

EVERY LAST BREATH Preorder Links

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo ** BAM

 

Don’t miss the first titles in the Dark Elements Series!

 

 

BITTER SWEET LOVE

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** BAM ** Kobo

WHITE HOT KISS

Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** BAM ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo

STONE COLD TOUCH

Amazon** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks ** IndieBound ** Kobo** BAM

    About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Website ** Facebook ** Twitter ** Novel Goodreads ** Author Goodreads

   

Book Review: The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

Author: Virginia Boecker
Series: The Witch Hunter #1
Publisher: Orchard Books
Release Date: June 4th 2015
My Rating: 5 cups
Source: Netgalley
Blurb (from Goodreads):

The magic and suspense of Graceling meet the political intrigue and unrest of Game of Thrones in this riveting fantasy debut.

Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.

*Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this novel from Netgalley and Orchard Books in exchange for an honest review.


I loved this book so much! I want to thank Meredith from Pandora's Books for recommending it to me.

I usually have a hard time reading about witches, probably because of my love for one very famous wizard and his friends. But I am so, so happy I was told to give this book a try. It was a very interesting story, but what I loved even more than the story were the characters.

I loved Elizabeth. She was fun to read about. There's a moment in the book where she's being completely honest with herself about why she chose to be a witch hunter and I loved that moment. I also liked the fact that she admitted to herself what was right and wrong, that she had the ability to say  "yes, this is bad". I also felt sorry for her at some point, especially when I found out her backstory. She was obviously in search of a family and I'm so happy that eventually she finds it.

Caleb pissed me off. I can't say I liked him all that much in the beginning of the book, but by the end of it I wanted to physically hurt him. How could he be so blind to what was going on with Elizabeth and how she was feeling? UGH! A lot of other things made me angry at him, but they're too spoilery for me to talk about. I'll just say this: he needed to be in a lot of pain.

I adored some of the secondary characters that Elizabeth met at Nicholas' house. Some of them were so, so hilarious. I can't wait for the next book, to read more about them. Peter was hilarious. I'm just sorry there weren't more scenes with him.

The story was good. I enjoyed the descriptions a lot. And some of the scenes, especially with the punishments handed out to those accused of witchcraft were so well written. I also enjoyed some of the descriptions. So vivid, so colorful. At some point, some events were predictable. It was obvious that some of those things were going to happen, but either way, I enjoyed the way they were put together and how they were told. Some things that happened, however, were unexpected to me. I thought for sure the villain was a different character. It makes sense that it's who it turned out to be, but for me it was shocking.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I cannot wait for the sequel to come out and see how the story ends. Or how it continues, in case there are going to be more books besides the second one.