Sash and Em: A Tale of Two Bookies »

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InspirYAtion Board: Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

InspirYAtion Board combines two of our favorite things: Books and Fashion

In Let the Sky Fall, Audra is hardcore – all black – most of the time. That’s why we picked those cool military-esque boots and that jacket. But she can also have a softer side, which is why we went with that cute dress. We were thinking of a particular scene when we picked that dress – if you’ve read Let the Sky Fall you probably know the one!

Also, the earrings are compasses! How neat!

May 18, 2013 - 1:32 am

Michelle @ In Libris Veritas - Very cute! I can totally see her wearing these, especially that jacket.

Boy Blurbs – Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Ever wonder what 27 year old man thinks of YA? Well, here you go.


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: December 2nd, 2010
Penguin, 372 Pages
Sub-genre: Contemporary
Source: Borrowed from Sash
Age Group: Young Adult
Why: It reminds S of him

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris–until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all…including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

 

His blurb: “No. Just No.”

What he read aloud to joke about it: The entire first chapter.

His criticism/gripes:

  • “I don’t connect with the character.”
  • “If you want me to even consider reading this book, take off the dust jacket.”

Oh, I can’t tell you how much it pains me that he couldn’t even get past the first chapter. I love this book so, so much and I wanted him to love it too but he wouldn’t even read to the part where we meet St. Clair!

Can he fairly assess the book by only reading one chapter?! I mean, I’ve done it for books before but for Anna and the French Kiss? Maybe it’s girly and lovey-dovey, but I wanted him to love it (okay, at least LIKE it), and he didn’t.

May 17, 2013 - 9:40 am

Jessica BS - There are certain books I won’t allow Hubs to read, because he has a way of “ruining” things for me. Anna is one of them. It’s so delightfully good, and I know he knows how I feel about this book so I’d hope he’d give it a shot, but I just won’t let him. He’s probably still mad at me because I didn’t like A Confederacy of Dunces.

May 17, 2013 - 10:22 am

Tara - I’m impressed he agreed to read it! I don’t think my BF would go for Anna at all :/

May 17, 2013 - 11:02 am

Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide - Haha awwwww. There’s no way my boyfriend would have anything to do with Anna either! I love this feature though. This cracked me up, even if it does make us sad!

May 18, 2013 - 5:07 am

Hannah - Love this feature! So funny. I’ve still got to read this (I’m not sure where I’ve been either!)

Em: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor – REVIEW

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Release Date: November 6th, 2012
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 517 Pages
Sub-genre: Fantasy
Source: Bought
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2
Follow up to: Daughter of Smoke and Bone

Art student and monster’s apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

I was so excited to pick up this sequel to Daughter of Smoke & Bone. I was actually in an airport, waiting on a flight when I grabbed this book…I couldn’t resist. The cover was gorgeous and I so loved the first book, that I needed to know how Akiva and Karou’s story continued.

I don’t want to give a synopsis of the story, but I do want to highlight a characteristic of the book and Taylor’s writing that hit me like a brick wall: the emotion. There was so much pain, longing, guilt, and even hope (as the GR synopsis says). The storyline incorporates and explores so many new and old characters in ways that give the story more depth and breadth. The two worlds that co-exist are more expansive and encompassing than I ever thought. The lines between good and evil, light and dark, become so blurred and convoluted that it is difficult to manage the cognitive dissonance that rooting for the “monsters” creates.

Akiva struggles to redeem himself, while Karou struggles to find answers, protect herself, and figure out who is an ally or enemy. Even her mortal, human friends are caught in the crossfire when they decide to go looking for Karou when she falls off of the grid.

There are so many hard decisions that must be made, alliances that are forged out of necessity, and sins that the characters want and need to be absolved. This journey gives such a personal look into what makes up the characters of Akiva and Karou. The plot is riddled with twists, turns, betrayals, tragic losses, sacrifices, heroic deeds, and even, possibly, victorious beginnings to something new.

If you enjoyed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, then I urge and beg you to read the second installment of this series. I enjoyed it immensely, both the content and the quality of writing that Laini Taylor never fails to provide to her readers.

May 18, 2013 - 7:16 pm

Renae @ Respiring Thoughts - As much as I loved Daughter of Smoke & Bone, I thought this book blew it out of the water, mostly for, as you said, the emotions. There was just SO MUCH going on, and Taylor is such an excellent writer. It was wonderful.

Waiting on Wednesday: Control by Lydia Kang

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

Control by Lydia Kang
Release Date: December 26th, 2013
Dial Books for Young Readers, 400 Pages
Sub-genre: Dystopian
Age Group: Young Adult

When a crash kills their father and leaves them orphaned, Zel knows she needs to protect her sister, Dyl. But before Zel has a plan, Dyl is taken by strangers using bizarre sensory weapons, and Zel finds herself in a safe house for teens who aren’t like any she’s ever seen before—teens who shouldn’t even exist. Using broken-down technology, her new friends’ peculiar gifts, and her own grit, Zel must find a way to get her sister back from the kidnappers who think a powerful secret is encoded in Dyl’s DNA.

A spiraling, intense, romantic story set in 2150—in a world of automatic cars, nightclubs with auditory ecstasy drugs, and guys with four arms—this is about the human genetic “mistakes” that society wants to forget, and the way that outcasts can turn out to be heroes.

“An un-putdownable thriller for fans of Uglies.”

Control blew me away.” -James Dasher, author of The Maze Runner

If those two quotes don’t get you interested in this book, we’re not sure what will. We’re hoping this book is fast-paced, action-packed, and gritty. It says “romantic story” in the blurb, but we want more grit than anything else. Oh, and world building too – automatic cars aren’t something spectacularly in-the-future so Lydia Kang has got to make us BELIEVE it’s set in 2150. We’re looking forward to this one!

May 15, 2013 - 12:17 am

DannyBookworm - “intense Romantic” those are totally selling points to me!! :) )

May 15, 2013 - 1:16 am

Cleo - This one sounds really cool! I love the cover for Control as well. Nice choice! I’m definitely going to add this to my wishlist :)

Check out my WoW here.

May 15, 2013 - 9:12 am

Amy Acosta - This sounds right up my alley. Though that ‘brother/sister gets kidnapped and needs rescuing’ storyline is getting a bit old.
Amy’s Massive B-day Giveaway!

May 15, 2013 - 11:58 am

Bonnie - This one sounds fantastic and definitely one that I’m bound to enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
My Wow Pick!

May 15, 2013 - 1:49 pm

Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide - I’m all for this book!! It sounds so great and incredibly exciting!!! The cover is gorgeous too :)

May 15, 2013 - 8:33 pm

Angeline - The cover looks gorgeous! So many perdy colors. *Having a Marlin vs Angler fish/Squishy moment right now* I like that the liquid looks like a bug’s head.

May 15, 2013 - 10:15 pm

Michelle @ In Libris Veritas - I haven’t seen this one before, it’s gorgeous! It sounds really awesome too. Definitely going on my tbr list. Thanks for dropping by today!

May 16, 2013 - 1:12 am

Lisa @ Lisa Likes Books - Ooo, what an interesting cover. I’m going to have to look into this book.

May 16, 2013 - 1:44 am

Patty - Yes! I’m waiting for this too. I’m glad they changed the cover. this one is much nicer than the other one they had.

May 16, 2013 - 4:15 am

Becky @ Stories & Sweeties - Very cool cover–I’ve been really enjoying the sci-fi YA coming out lately! I’ll have to give this one a try when it comes out!

May 16, 2013 - 5:47 am

Jessie Marie @ The Daily Bookmark - I have to admit, I’m not particularly sold on this one just yet. I am still interested but I feel like Kang is going to have to show the “proof in the pudding”, so to speak. I’m hopeful, but perhaps not yet convinced. And I will say that the quotes do make Control seem a bit more interesting. I so want this one to prove me wrong. : )

May 16, 2013 - 6:05 am

kate - Great choice! I can’t wait for this either : )

my WOW and giveaway

May 16, 2013 - 7:47 am

Kimmy - Wow this sounds awesome! I haven’t heard of it before. Putting it on my TBR!

May 16, 2013 - 10:22 am

Tiffany Drew - How have I not heard of this? It looks AWESOME. Straight onto my wish list it goes :)

Thanks for stopping by Book Cover Justice!

May 16, 2013 - 11:46 am

Katharyn V - I have never heard of this one before! I am really enjoying the new Sci-fi trend in YA now! I added this to my watchlist! :D

May 16, 2013 - 7:44 pm

Carmen B. - This is my first time hearing of this one, but I’m definitely intrigued by the promise of the world building!
Great pick :) Thanks for checking out my post earlier!

May 17, 2013 - 9:05 am

Aylee - Oh yes, definitely interested in this one, as well! And that was before I read those two quotes :) Thanks for taking the time to stop by my post earlier and apologies for the lateness of this reply!

May 17, 2013 - 12:00 pm

Carina Olsen - Oh. OH. That is an amazing cover :D I love it. <3 First time seeing it. Thank you for sharing :) I hope you will both love it when it comes out. <3
Thank you for commenting on my WoW. <3
Love, Carina @ Carina’s Books

Em: Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne – REVIEW

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Release Date: June 5th, 2012
Feiwel & Friends, 294 Pages
Sub-genre: Dystopian
Source: Advance Reader Copy
Age Group: Young Adult
Series: Monument 14 #1

Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong.

In Emmy Laybourne’s action-packed debut novel, six high school kids (some popular, some not), two eighth graders (one a tech genius), and six little kids trapped together in a chain superstore build a refuge for themselves inside. While outside, a series of escalating disasters, beginning with a monster hailstorm and ending with a chemical weapons spill, seems to be tearing the world—as they know it—apart.

 

I finally got around to reading Monument 14 and I don’t regret it, but I was left wanting a bit. The opening scenes of the book, the first chapter, pulled me in immediately. I was riveted and had to know what was going on. I gave the book 3 ½ stars overall, but only because there was something lacking that was difficult to put my finger on. Perhaps, it was the static environment of the Greenway, the store the kids of Monument, Colorado, made into their refuge.

I would categorize this book as an apocalyptic, young adult book that should be read by teenagers and older. The language wasn’t ridiculously obscene, but the violence and gore could be disturbing to kids younger than 15. I consider this book to be an interesting mix of Lord of the Flies and various other (post)apocalyptic YA books that I have read.

Whenever you have a group of kids ranging from elementary to high school age that are stranded in an equivalent of Wal-Mart, with zero adult supervision, abundant resources, no contact with anyone on the outside, and hardly a clue as to what is happening to the world as they know it…things are bound to get interesting [read: chaotic & hostile]. I can’t even imagine dealing with adults during a time that feels like the end of the world…when it is everyone for themselves, much less, taking care of 8 year olds and preventing hysteria.

The end of the story leaves us wanting to know more. I wanted so badly to understand what was happening outside of the store, wanting to know who survived (if anyone), and how everyone was going to make it. I was okay with the ending of the book. The author made me want to know more…read more…wait expectantly for the next book (if there is one), but at the same time, I am okay if that is how the entire story ends. Laybourne did a fantastic job leaving the reader wondering what will happen next.

If you want a quick read, this is your book. It didn’t take me long to finish it, and that was just reading before I went to bed for a week or so. The characters are the kind that, even if they don’t stick with you afterwards, you care deeply for them while you’re reading and hope that they get a ‘happily ever after’.

May 13, 2013 - 2:19 pm

Kate @ Ex Libris - Although I haven;t gotten around to reading this, I really love the idea behind it. I always think about it every time I’m in a place like Target or Wal-Mart.

May 13, 2013 - 3:04 pm

Juhina - I read Monument 14 last year and enjoyed it! I gave it 4.5 stars! and last month I read the sequel Sky on Fire and it was amazing! It was only 212 pages but my god, it was so good! You should definitely check it out

- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

May 14, 2013 - 10:41 am

Em @ Sash & Em - Kate: I have always thought about what I would do if I got stuck in one of those stores (zombies, etc.). I love that they utilized everything so well…Let me know what you think if you get around to reading it!

Juhina: There IS a sequel?? Yay! I’ve been so behind with my reading lately…it is shameful! Work, moving into our house, & wedding planning have been taking up all of my time, but I’m glad I got a chance to read this! I’ll have to check out the sequel. :)

-Em

May 15, 2013 - 1:51 pm

Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide - I was surprised that I liked this one as much as I did! I had expected to enjoy it, but it kind of took me by surprise and I liked that it was more apocalyptic then post-apocalyptic/dystopian.
I actually wasn’t expecting a sequel but even still, I’m anxious to read it! :)