Cover Love: NEW COVER for Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James

Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James

September 8, 2011 from Flux

A devastated Earth’s last hope is found in Pearls: small, mysterious orbs that fall from space, and are capable of supplying enough energy to power entire cities. Battling to control the Pearls are the Skyship dwellers—political dissidents who live in massive ships in the Earth’s stratosphere—and the corrupt Surface government.

Jesse Fisher, a Skyship brat, and Cassius Stevenson, a young Surface operative, cross paths when they both venture into forbidden territory in pursuit of Pearls. Their chance encounter triggers an unexpected reaction, endowing each boy with remarkable—and dangerous—abilities that their respective governments would stop at nothing to possess. Enemies thrust together with a common goal, Jesse and Cassius make their way to the ruins of Seattle to uncover the truth about their new powers, the past they didn’t know they shared, and a shocking secret about the Pearls. (from Goodreads)

To compare, here is the old cover:

I'm a fan of the new one - definitely one I would pick up off the shelf for a closer look.

What do you think?

Others places to find Nick:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

In My Mailbox - June 25, 2011

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren :)

Vlog number 5 in which my crazy makes an appearance...or two or three

Awesomeness mentioned:

Patrick Carman (who is awesome) -- Dark Eden Goodreads page and Facebook page

Victoria Schwab

The Secret Lives of the Four Wives by Lola Shoneyin

Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Elen Kushner

Big thanks to Patrick Carman, Victoria Schwab, William Morrow / HarperCollins and Random House / Random Buzzers

So, what's in your mailbox?

It's almost time to show some more NetGalley Love!

I can't deny it any longer....June is almost over.

BUT! Do you know what that means?!?!

It's almost time for.....

WOO HOO!!!

NetGalley April was such a success and so much fun, I decided to do it again in July :)

I'll be posting again on July 1 with all the details but in the mean time: 

*Take a look at my NetGalley April Posts to get a preview of what's in store (Declaration, Twitter Chat with Lindsey Rudnickas from NetGalley, Final Wrap Up, Totals and Stats)

*Start spreading the word -- Please use use #NetGalleyMonth, @NetGalley, @WilowRedHouse and / or a link to this post if you tweet :)

*Sit back and wait for the awesome!

Ok, you might also want to load up those computers and e-readers with lovely lovely NetGalley titles...but don't start reading until July...hehehe....just kidding

Are you excited?

I'm excited!!

Spread the word and be sure to stop by again on July 1st!

All your questions will be answered then :) But if you really really can't wait, drop me an email.

So excited!!

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is hosted by Book Chick City :)

Links are to Goodreads

Future Release

The Hour of Dust and Ashes (Charlie Madigan #3) by Kelly Gay

August 30, 2011 from Pocket

Why I'm wishing for it: I absolutely loved the first 2 books! Some of the best urban fantasy I have ever read!

Already In Stores

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

March 2011 from Crown Publishing

Why I'm wishing for it: I'm really grooving on the mermaid theme in books lately and this one sounds just right.

So, what's on your Wishlist?

Book Review: Undercurrent (Siren #2) by Tricia Rayburn

***SPOILER FREE***

Reading Level: Young Adult
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Pages: 352
Series: 2nd in a trilogy
Acquisition: BEA 2011

Summary:

After losing her sister and finding out who- or what- she really is, Vanessa returns home for her senior year. Everyone at Hawthorne Prep has questions about her tragic summer, but knowing who to open up to is impossible. As she walks the halls without Justine for the very first time, Vanessa has more to worry about than just making a new life for herself.

Because the sirens are out for revenge. To protect herself and the ones she loves, Vanessa must call on powers she believes she has but does not know how to use. To learn, she'll have to seek help from the only person who truly knows her. But first, she must admit the truth about her real identity.(from Goodreads)

My thoughts:
Undercurrent picks up only a short time after Siren ends. I really love when sequels do this. I don't like missing out on anything so it was refreshing to be put right back in the action, so to speak.

Overall though, I have to say I was a little disappointed. I absolutely loved Siren and I couldn't wait to read the sequel. But...well...I didn't love it. There were parts that I loved and there were parts that I hated and everything else fell a little flat. The writing itself was very well done and very well played out but the story and the characters weren't what I was expecting.

I'm saddened by this because I loved the storyline of Siren. I loved the characters and I loved the plot. Undercurrent very much felt like a bridge book. Things happened that needed to happen to move the series along but a lot of the book felt like filler. And...a pet peeve of mine….there is a love triangle. I hate love triangles. That's just me though.

Because of these reasons, I found myself growing distant with Vanessa. This shouldn't happen. I should be invested in her and her life and her story and her feelings and….at times I found myself really annoyed with her. There were also some logistical things that got to me. Too many 6 hour drives up and down the east coast that didn't feel right fitting into the timeline.

Final verdict:
Am I sorry I read it? Absolutely not. While it might not have been my cup of tea and while Vanessa herself might have lost some appeal to me, I am invested in the story and the world that Tricia has created. I need to know what happens! With one? more book in the series to go, I'm very much wishing it were already in my hot little hands!

Overall Rating:

3 / 5 Stars

Books in the Siren Series:
Siren -- My Review
Undercurrent
Book 3?

Linkage Love:
Egmont USA
Author's Website
Goodreads