In My Mailbox - March 13, 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

A late Sunday IMM post this week. Been hanging around the house today relaxing after a wonderful day spend with family yesterday :)

A pretty good week for me! I really don't know how people put themselves on book buying bands...I mean, I understand it but I don't think I'll ever have that level of self control! hehe

Book links are to Goodreads

For Review AND From an AWESOME BLOGGER!

*Dracula, My Love by Syrie James

Sandy from Pirate Pirate Penguin Read's sent me this one because like previously stated SHE IS AWESOME!

*ARC Sean Griswold's Head by Lindsay Leavitt

Couldn't pass up the chance to review this one since so many bloggers have been raving about it

Big Thanks to Sandy :) and Kate + Bloosmbury

Bought (because I have no self control)

*Darkest Mercy (Wicked Lovely #5) by Melissa Marr

My collection is now complete! This fifth, and final book in the Wicked Lovely series was one of my favorites so far this year.

*Demon Glass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

I actually won a copy of this one after pre-ordering it so I'll be giving this one away pretty soon :) 

Won

Swag pack: signed Possession bookmarks, and bottle cap key chain, signed Momento Nora bookmarks, Across the Universe bookmarks and a signed Across the Universe bookplate!

Won from Page Turners

Big Thank you guys!

So, what's in your mailbox?

CSN Preferred Blogger

Did you know CSN has swing sets for kids? 

I am so excited about this! 

Now that my daughter is a little older, we want to upgrade her swing set a bit. 

She really wants a ship's wheel and her set really needs some new swings.

There are so many to choose from - I can't wait to do a little shopping :)

I've had nothing but good experiences with CSN Stores and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. 

And while I really really want to get a new bookcase, I think my next purchase will be for my daughter :)

Book Review: XVI by Julia Karr

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: January 6, 2011
Pages: 325
Series: ?
Acquisition: bought

Summary:

Nina Oberon's life is pretty normal: she hangs out with her best friend, Sandy, and their crew, goes to school, plays with her little sister, Dee. But Nina is 15. And like all girls she'll receive a Governing Council-ordered tattoo on her 16th birthday. XVI. Those three letters will be branded on her wrist, announcing to all the world—even the most predatory of men—that she is ready for sex. Considered easy prey by some, portrayed by the Media as sluts who ask for attacks, becoming a "sex-teen" is Nina's worst fear. That is, until right before her birthday, when Nina's mom is brutally attacked. With her dying breaths, she reveals to Nina a shocking truth about her past—one that destroys everything Nina thought she knew. Now, alone but for her sister, Nina must try to discover who she really is, all the while staying one step ahead of her mother's killer. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
I thought XVI was a dystopian novel and while I know some have described it as such, I an rather inclined to call it science fiction. Nina's world isn't anything like I could imagine our future becoming. Underage woman are treated as second class citizens, the government has complete control over everything and society is ruled by a strict class system. Perfect elements for a dystopian tale you might say but what was missing, for me at least, was the catalyst. There was some talk about the troubles of the past but it was hard for me to imagine people really changing so drastically from today.

As for characters. I can't say I really felt a strong connection to anyone in particular. I liked them all but sometimes they felt a little shallow. I understood why they did what they did but sometimes I was frustrated by their actions. Nina's sister in particular was a bit annoying. She's almost 12 and in a society where 16 year olds are labeled "sex-teens" she seemed very immature and naive about life. In fact, before her age was stated, I pegged her at around 6 or 7.

Even with all that said, I did very much enjoy XVI. The story is very original and I'm hoping Julie will continue to write because, as a debut, XVI has left me wondering what  else is lurking around her imagination :)

Final verdict:
A young adult book like none I've ever read before.  If you're looking for something new with a dystopian (or in my opinion, science fiction) feel to it, I think you will really like XVI.

Nina's world is a place of extremes where the government has an outrageous amount of control over it's citizens. In contrast to this is the overwhelming sense of love and devotion that not only Nina's family showed her but also her friends.  I really liked that and I really enjoyed Nina's story. Not sure if XVI is part of a series but if it is, I'll be sure to pick up the next installment.

Overall Rating:

3.5 / 5 Stars

Linkage Love:
Puffin / Speak
Author's Website
Goodreads

Book Review: Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

***2011 Debut Author***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 2011
Pages: 464
Series: 1st in a trilogy
Acquisition: NetGalley

Summary:

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. (from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Angelfire was one of those books that literally didn't leave my hands until I was finished reading it. I was captivated by the story from the very beginning and it just got better and better the more I read.

I'm a sucker for angel stories. Always have been so I was pretty sure I was going to like Angelfire.  What I wasn't expecting was the complexity of the story. Ellie's life, or I really should say, lives, lead to so much back story. So many layers to uncover and I loved how Ellie was as unaware of her past as I was. I loved the discovery of it all. Knowing there was so much more going on. It really was fascinating.

Now, I have to say, I don't often swoon over a male character in a YA book but Will? Oh my! He could protect me any day! And! It rarely happens that I find no fault in the romance aspect of a YA book but Angelfire was pretty spot on perfect to me!

Final verdict:
A refreshing YA paranormal read. Having read an e-galley, I'm very much looking forward buying a shiny copy for my shelves.

So so glad this one's the first in a trilogy! I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading about Ellie and Will. Individually, they are both strong, powerful characters. Together? They are fierce! Angelfire is a book I can see myself reading for a second time. Not many books fall into that category :)

I highly recommend  Angelfire to fans of YA paranormal stories. I think you'll be captivated as much as I was.

Overall Rating:

5 / 5 Stars

Angelfire Series:
Angelfire
Wings of the Wicked (2012)
Hymn to the Fallen (2013)

Linkage Love:
HarperTeen
Author's Website
Goodreads

Show Me Your Shelves

Hello and welcome to Show Me Your Shelves!

A feature where readers of Red House Books are given the opportunity to show us their book shelves, book cases, book piles....

Today it is my pleasure to welcome Brooke of Brooke Reviews

I'm so jealous of these beautiful bookshelves!

Brooke says "This is the full shot of my bookshelves.  This is what you see when you walk in our front door.  It's the second best way to be greeted when I get home.  The first is by my puppies!"

OH MY! A beautiful bookshelf AND puppies! 

Books A-E

Books F-K

Books K-R

Books S

Books S-Z

"This shelf is next to my desk.  It holds mostly school books and books for review.  I've gotten my books for review stack down.  Good thing, because I don't have a lot of time!"

"This is our entry way console table.  We house are keys and junk in the drawers.  On top are some big books including, Poe's full collection, book about vampires that my friend Ash form Smash Attack Reads loaned me, Grimm Fairytales and other school books."

Simply gorgeous!

Thank you so much Brooke for Sharing Your Shelves!

You can find Brooke at her blog, on Goodreads and Twitter

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The waiting list is now clear but I would love to show off more of your shelves. If you'd like to share, please fill out THIS FORM to start :)

If you've already expressed interest and I'm just waiting on your pics - no problems! Get them to me when you can.