2012

Friday, December 28, 2012

Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2013



Although it's fairly late, I decided to join Top Ten of 2012 hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jessica from Total Bookaholic, Lisa from A Life Bound by Books, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads. This event is really fun so if you want to join, visit one from those links for further information about this year-end event.

I have done this kind of list on my Top Ten Tuesday post several weeks ago which contains most of books on the top I'm looking forward but I think it's a good opportunity to list some books aside from my previous list.

Top 10 Books I’m Looking Forward To in 2013

Through The Ever Night
by Veronica Rossi
Summary from Goodreads :
It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends, hidden enemies, and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a captivating love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.


Walking Disaster
by Jamie McGuire
Summary from Goodreads :
Walking Disaster is Travis' POV.

How much is too much to love?

Travis Maddox learned two things from his mother before she died: Love hard. Fight harder.

In Walking Disaster, the life of Travis is full of fast women, underground gambling, and violence. Just when he thought he was invincible, Abby Abernathy brings him to his knees.

Every story has two sides. In Jamie McGuire's New York Times bestseller Beautiful Disaster Abby had her say. Now it's time to see the story through Travis's eyes.


Splintered
by A.G. Howard

Summary from Goodreads :
This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.
When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own.

Dark Triumph
by Robin LaFever

Summary from Goodreads :
Sybella arrives at the convent’s doorstep half mad with grief and despair. Those that serve Death are only too happy to offer her refuge—but at a price. Naturally skilled in both the arts of death and seduction, the convent views Sybella as one of their most dangerous weapons.

But those assassin’s skills are little comfort when the convent returns her to a life that nearly drove her mad. Her father’s rage and brutality are terrifying, and her brother’s love is equally monstrous. And while Sybella is a weapon of justice wrought by the god of Death himself, He must give her a reason to live. When she discovers an unexpected ally imprisoned in the dungeons, will a daughter of Death find something other than vengeance to live for?

This heart-pounding sequel to Grave Mercy serves betrayal, treachery, and danger in equal measure, bringing readers back to fifteenth century Brittany and will keep them on the edge of their seats.

Legacy of Clockwork Key
by Kristin Bailey

Summary from Goodreads :
A teen girl unravels the mysteries of a secret society and their most dangerous invention in this adventure-swept romance set in Victorian London.When a fire consumes Meg’s home, killing her parents and destroying both her fortune and her future, all she has left is the tarnished pocket watch she rescued from the ashes. But this is no ordinary timepiece. The clock turns out to be a mechanical key—a key that only Meg can use—that unlocks a series of deadly secrets and intricate clues that Meg is compelled to follow.

Meg has uncovered evidence of an elite secret society and a dangerous invention that some will stop at nothing to protect—and that Meg alone can destroy. Together with the handsome stable hand she barely knows but hopes she can trust, Meg is swept into a hidden world of deception, betrayal, and revenge. The clockwork key has unlocked her destiny in this captivating start to a trilogy.


Etiquette & Espionage
by Gail Carriger

Summary from Goodreads :
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

First in a four book YA series set 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate but in the same universe.


Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
by April Genevieve Tucholke

Summary from Goodreads :
You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.


Isla and Happily Ever After
by Stephanie Perkins

Summary from Goodreads :
Falling in love in the world’s most romantic city is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year at the School of America in Paris, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to deal with the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

The Lost Sun (The United States of Asgard #1)
by Tessa Gratton

Summary from Goodreads :
Fans of Neil Gaiman's American Gods and Holly Black's The Curse Workers will embrace this richly drawn, Norse-mythology-infused alternate world: the United States of Asgard. Seventeen-year-old Soren Bearskin is trying to escape the past. His father, a famed warrior, lost himself to the battle-frenzy and killed thirteen innocent people. Soren cannot deny that berserking is in his blood—the fevers, insomnia, and occasional feelings of uncontrollable rage haunt him. So he tries to remain calm and detached from everyone at Sanctus Sigurd's Academy. But that's hard to do when a popular, beautiful girl like Astrid Glyn tells Soren she dreams of him. That's not all Astrid dreams of—the daughter of a renowned prophetess, Astrid is coming into her own inherited abilities.

When Baldur, son of Odin and one of the most popular gods in the country, goes missing, Astrid sees where he is and convinces Soren to join her on a road trip that will take them to find not only a lost god, but also who they are beyond the legacy of their parents and everything they've been told they have to be

The Falconer
by Elizabeth May

Summary from Goodreads :
Lady Aileana Kameron can sing, paint prettily, and murder the fae as easily as dancing a waltz. But how far is she prepared to go for vengeance . . . ?

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1844

18 year old Lady Aileana Kameron, the only daughter of the Marquess of Douglas, was destined to a life carefully planned around Edinburgh's social events - right up until a faery kills her mother.

Now it's the 1844 winter season. Between a seeming endless number of parties, Aileana slaughters faeries in secret. Armed with modified percussion pistols and explosives, every night she sheds her aristocratic facade and goes hunting. She's determined to track down the faery who murdered her mother, and to destroy any who prey on humans in the city's many dark alleyways.

But she never even considered that she might become attracted to one. To the magnetic Kiaran MacKay, the faery who trained her to kill his own kind. Nor is she at all prepared for the revelation he's going to bring. Because Midwinter is approaching, and with it an eclipse that has the ability to unlock a Fae prison and begin the Wild Hunt.

A battle looms, and Aileana is going to have to decide how much she's willing to lose - and just how far she'll go to avenge her mother's murder.

And... it's not a butt-hurt to add ten more from my last TTT, rite? ;)
1. Dhvergent #3 by Veronica Roth
2. Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
3. The Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
4. Requiem by Lauren Oliver
5. The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead
6. Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
7. Taken by Erin Bowman
8. Rush by Eve Sliver
9. Reboot by Amy Tintera
10 . Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

And still moar of them!
Kind of sad because some of my favorite series would be end next year but yes totally excited to read how the end will be. They all sound really intriguing and AWESOME, the summaries sound promising and I really can't wait to read them all. I found some new steampunk series like Legacy, Falconer and Finishing; so excited to read them because the steampunk series I've ever read is just Infernal Devices series and it will meet its end on 2013 too *sad*.

What book you are looking forward the most in 2013? Maybe you can suggest me some awesome titles released on 2013 I should / have to read? ;)
Thank you for visiting and have a nice day everyone~! ^^



Thursday, December 27, 2012

Top Ten Book Boyfriends of 2012



Although it's fairly late, I decided to join Top Ten of 2012 hosted by Rachel from Fiktshun, Jessica from Total Bookaholic, Lisa from A Life Bound by Books, Jaime from Two Chicks on Books, and Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads. This event is really fun so if you want to join, visit one from thos links for further information about this year-end event.

Today probably is one of most exciting topic : Top Ten Book Boyfriends of 2012! YAY!
Basically most of MBB posts will be included here. So let see if I can make it precisely TEN only :

Top Ten Book Boyfriends of 2012

1. Four a.k.a Tobias from Insurgent by Veronica Roth
2. Bones from The Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost
3. Adrian Ivashkov from Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
4. Noah Shaw from The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
5. Etienne St. Clair from Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
6. Willian Herondale from Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
7. Adam Wilde from Where She Went by Gayle Forman
8. Perry from Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
9. Alex Sheathes from Delirium by Lauren Oliver
10. Jay Heaton from The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting

... and MANY more!
I know I should add representative photos for each name but aaargh I have no time and it's a friggin hard task to find and choose celebs' and models' face that really fit my imagination *sad*.

So that's my list. Do you have anyone on your Top Ten Boyfriend list from mine? =)



Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #23


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Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
This blog meme is hosted by Pen to Paper, if you want to join please visit here to find more about this meme.




The Madman's Daughter
by Megan Shepherd
Expectation release date : January, 2013

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true.

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood.

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

I read so many good reviews already though it hasn't been released yet. The story does sound very interesting and suspenseful. A girl who finds out that his father has been creating a horror in an isolated island, I'm really curious what kind of creature she finds there. I have yet to read any horror story, well ugh I'm not a fan because I still love sleeping soundly, but this book already intrigued me!
Have you heard about this book, or already read it perhaps?
How do you think about it?

What's your Wishlist Wednesday?


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!


http://www.graphicsgrotto.com/
Animation
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYBODY!

Time moves so fast and we already reach the end of 2012 (and we all SURVIVE from Mayan Apocalypse, muahahahahaha~~~)
So people, I wish you a happy Merry Christmas and may it brings a lot of joy, peace and happiness as what God means to give his Son to us in this very day. Pray thankfully, feast festively and God Bless you all!



TTT#6 :Top Ten Books I Read In 2012


Top Ten Tuesday is a feature/weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's the best and fun way to share lists of certain topics with other fellow bloggers. If you want to participate, please visit their blog for further information! =D

In this special day, we get Top Ten Tuesday freebie, yay! =D
So right now I choose Top Ten Books I Read In 2012. I read plenty books this year and mostly I enjoy them very much. Kind of hard for only choose 10 books but I'll do my best.

Top Ten Books I Read In 2012


1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I know I know, I'm so late but well no doubt The Hunger Games probably the most disturbing yet amazing Dystopia I've ever read.

2. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Divergent is my most favorite Dystopia series (yes, not HG. I love it, but it's not on the top in my list). Insurgent still fascinating me because it makes the characters look more human and things are intensified here. Great reading!

3. Across The Universe by Beth Revis
Yes it less thrilling than it should be, too bad, but I still remember how real the devastating and claustrophobic feelings Revis wants us to feel from her writing *shudder*


4. Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead
VA is the best Vampire series ever, and this one is the best of the best epic final of a series, like ever. Enuf to say how I really love VA series =D

5. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Is Adrian quite enough to explain why I love this series very much? =D

6. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
I was literally being haunted by this book. And very depressed when the book is ended in SUCH a wicked way. RETRIBUTION PRETTY PLEASE, DYING HERE.


7. Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren
I was so impressed with this book, everything is so perfect and well-built. I love the Medieval Italy setting which is explained very well and quite detail, the amazing characters and story that thickened with love and family matter.

8. Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare
This book is heart-breaking and sad, but enticing too at the same time. Love the setting in Victoria era, love the unique characters and the twisted storyline.


9. Where She Went by Gayle Forman
I remember this book made me cry on my way to work. This book fills with despairs, sadness about losing someone you love, but then we also feel hope and happiness, so beautiful!

10. Anna and The French Kiss by Stephenie Perkins
This book is sooooo delighting! Very lovely and cute! Hard to read this book and not fall in love instantly with Anna and yes Etienne of course =D

That's my TTT freebie this month, what's yours?
Leave your link and I'll do my best to visit it.

Thank you for visiting and again, Merry Christmas everybody! =D



Friday, December 21, 2012

REVIEW : Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire


Beautiful Disaster

Author      : Jamie McGuire
Publisher   : Jamie McGuire, LLC
Pages        : 283 (e-book)

Summary from Goodreads :
INTENSE. DANGEROUS. ADDICTIVE.

Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate number of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance from the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand.

Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby wants—and needs—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the ultimate college campus charmer. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his appeal, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he lust remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’s apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match.

I've heard various opinions about this book before I devoured it myself. Some said that this was phenomenal, some said this was not good, some said this was like a 'younger' version of Fifty Shades of Gray. Uh oh, the last one made me quite hesitate because FSoG is not my favorite. Oh well, but I was still really curious and got plenty free time at the officem, so I decided to read this to fill the boredom (yeah I'm a bad worker). And... sigh, this book is my guilty pleasure. I was surprised, really surprised that I enjoyed this book. Jamie McGuire's writing is really good and addictive, the chemistry between the characters are extremely hot and intense. I even re-read some favorite scenes of mine for several times after I finished this book. Does it mean I'm addicted? *sigh*

If I like this book enough, even addicted to it then why I only rate it 3,5 stars? Because somehow I felt things are really wrong here, no matter how it fascinating me. I can say that this book only fulfills our pleasure and fantasy to be so much adored and worshipped by our beloved one, yet in reality it could turn bad and much scary, kind of impossible and could be a bad influence for youngsters. Beautiful Disaster is an exact title for this story. It exposes a pretty example of unhealthy relationship, how a term 'friend' goes off the boundaries, how if the boy, even before he claims the girl as his girlfriend, is extremely obssessed and possesive to her yet at the other side they deny their feelings and date or even have sex with somebody elses. Uh oh, really disastrous. But really I don't know what spell McGuire casted upon this book. Probably because of her exceptional and addictive writing style, or her speciality on making hot and dangerous guys? I dunno. Like I said I liked it, enjoyed it and even wondering somehow girls love to be possessively loved by their boyfriends, at least it's a visible proof that he loves her. Yes? Haha, something is really off from my mind!

Talking about characters, strange that most of the characters are both good and bad in the same time. One moment you like them, but then you getting angry on them. If you ask which character I constantly like from the beginning till the end, it's definitely Shepley, because he's the only character with normal human sense, and I adore his devotion, love and support toward both America although she often trashes him, and toward Travis, his wild cousin. As for Abby, I have to say there were some times I really wished I could reach through the words and strangle her. So wobbly and uncertain about love and friendship and I had this feeling she's kind of using Travis's kindness for her own comfort. But I also liked her enough because she's tough, holding firm her principal and decisions, and at least can use her very logic about it, even willing to break her own heart. There's also America who also has a love-hate relationship with me. I do dislike her because she acts like a bitch and trashes Shepley some times, but she's an amazing bestfriend you can get.
The masochist side of me can't help but adores Travis very much. McGuire has this impressive skill creating intriguing characters, especially bad boys. Travis is the baddest of the baddest, womanizer and really dangerous. But once Travis shows his attention to a girl (the good one) and his unknown soft and sweet side, he could be totally irresistible even for girls as innocent as the saints. So that's why I understand why Abby, who is determined and tough, is strongly attracted to him no matter how she guides her heart and denies her feeling.

So, uh, not sure if I should recommend Beautiful Disaster to everyone. Okay this is a highly entertaining book, the writing is awesome and addictive (I've said it like three times already), a highly guilty pleasure for several [tend-to-be-masochist] people. LOL. It's like you know it's bad, but you can't help liking it. This novel is not for you who prefer to read clean, straight and healthy contemporary romance. You most probably despise this one. But if you still curious and quite open-minded about higher brutality level of life-love story and old enough for some explicit profanities and sex scenes (this novel is categorized as 'New Adult', older than YA, so you'll get those stuffs ;p), then you should try to read this one. Maybe you'll like, or even love it.
Happy reading! ;)





Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Movie Review : Breaking Dawn part 2



Have watched it on November 18th, so this is a victim of me as procrastinator.
Spoiler alert! Well, I think all of you already have watched the movie so it's okay =)

I've been really excited about Breaking Dawn part 2 since I watched bunch of its teasers and trailers because it has a scene that the book doesn't have, the war scene between Cullens with their allies and Volturies. And I think the movie is much better, since we see the whole story from outside Bella's head. Yeah, I really forgot that one thing so it was quite shocking me when the war happen, you know some of good characters, even two Cullen family member suddenly got their head ripped off. Just, wow. It was really fascinating to see the 'war scene' from other view, in this case we saw from Aro's mind when he took Alice hand. I remember once Meyer said she was actually wanted to kill Jasper in the last book and it 'happens' here, well, temporary =p. I admit I didn't see it coming. I also really enjoyed the part when some vampire clans appearing, although they seemed didn't get much dialogues like in the novel. My favorite is always Kate and Garrett =D

Overall, Breaking Dawn is a great ending, both parts are the best sequel of this series. People who already read the novels first mostly won't be disappointed, even the twisted last part makes it more better. A bit sad that finally this series is over but although I'm not as loving this series as before, no doubt it still has a place in my heart because Twilight is the first novel that introduced me to YA world.



Saturday, December 15, 2012

In My Mailbox #29 - Birthday Madness! (part 2)




In My Mailbox is a blog meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. You can show some books you got over the week which you bought, borrowed or given to you.






Hello guys how are you today? Christmas is just less than 2 weeks! WOW! Can't wait for the most wonderful time of the year! =D
Anyway, following my last IMM post, now I'm posting the second part of the birthday book-buying madness. Apparently I was lost my mind, purchasing such amount of books in a month *dies*. And because I found Better World Books I'm now hunting some old series in used-hardback, so probably my IMM would be lack of new books.
These are some books I got on last 2 weeks :

Hardbacks :

Wake (Dream Catcher #1) by Lisa McMann
Fade (Dream Catcher #2) by Lisa McMann
The Ghost and The Goth by Stacey Kade
Divergent by Veronica Roth


Across The Universe by Beth Revis
A Million Suns (Across The Universe #2) by Beth Revis
City of Glass (TMI #3) by Cassandra Clare
Reached (Matched #3) by Ally Condie

Paperback :

Everneath by Brody Ashton

Most of them are re-buying books because I think I have to own the hardback version of some series I love so much and I was lucky to get some used books with pretty good condition at BWB. Only Reached, A Million Suns, The Ghost and The Goth and Everneath which I have not read yet. Really excited to read and re-read them! =D

And something unrelated to book :
This one is not a kind of a bible. This is a mini album of Korean singer, G-Dragon, member of Big Bang. Maybe some of you recognize him =). Actually I'm not a fan of G-Dragon (I like Taeyang and Seungri =)) although I do really respect and admire his creativity and unique personality. One day G-Market (Korea online shop, also maybe some of you recognize it) offered this album only for $1, which is the actual price is around $10! OH MY GOSH! So I ended buying this album with utterly cool, awesome package! =D

... and adding some from last weeks...

Phew! Such a kraaaaaaizaaaaaay month! Love to see new books added to my little shelf.
Yeah, not to mention the last picture, those are some books I've got this week.
What did you get this week? Did you get books you've been wanting the most?
Thank you for coming and happy reading! ^^



Friday, December 14, 2012

REVIEW : Desires of The Dead by Kimberly Derting


Desires of The Dead

Author      : Kimberly Derting
Publisher   : Headlines
Source      : Bought
Pages        : 358 (Paperback)

Summary from Goodreads :
Violet can sense the echoes of those who've been murdered—and the matching imprint that clings to their killers. Only those closest to her know what she is capable of, but when she discovers the body of a young boy she also draws the attention of the FBI, threatening her entire way of life.

As Violet works to keep her morbid ability a secret, she unwittingly becomes the object of a dangerous obsession. Normally she'd turn to her best friend, Jay, except now that they are officially a couple, the rules of their relationship seem to have changed. And with Jay spending more and more time with his new friend Mike, Violet is left with too much time on her hands as she wonders where things went wrnng. But when she fills the void by digging into Mike's tragic family history, she stumbles upon a dark truth that could put everyone in danger.

Watch the book trailer :


Cover Glimpse :
I own the UK version, so physically the height is different from previous book, kind of disturbing. But thankfully the cover art is matched with The Body Finder, simple and beautiful so I guess it's fine for now.

2cents :
I really love The Body Finder and started the sequel, Desires of The Dead right after I finished it (which was long time ago, I'm an acute procrastinator, so sorry =_=). I'm still awed with Derting's idea about a girl with scary ability, finding dead bodies at any place she stands, yet she still manages to stay strong even without a doubt uses it for good purposes. The plot, although is quite light since it's for young readers, is still suspensefully haunting and fascinating, made me staying awake at night and a bit worried to look over my dark window. Yeah it affected me just like that. Somehow I found I enjoyed The Body Finder more than the sequel but I think this book has a great development of the characters and the story as well.

As Violet's ability grows stronger and irresistible, she also becomes more daring at using it. She keeps putting herself into dangerous situation to reveal the death body and the murderer she has been tracing, until unconsciously she exposes herself to unexpected person. She also faces a stalker and pranks, the one that is not funny at all, creepy even it made me cringe. For some moments I was afraid of her determination, but at the same time I was really proud of her because she realizes she can use her ability to help others. I was kind of expecting that there would be a story where Violet will get involved with the authorities, in this case FBI, and it happens in this book. It was really exciting to me since I really love cops and FBI tv series. There are new characters appearing because of her involvement with the FBI, Sara and Rafe. They're still mysterious, especially I'm intrigued with Rafe who seems possessing some kind of special ability and has a potential to be a person between Violet and Jay. Really interesting. Yes, triangle love, sometimes I enjoy it =D. I really want to know how Derting would develop Rafe's role in this series.

Jay, her best-est friend turns boyfriend seems putting attention more to his new friend and his little sister who seems having a crush on him. As a new teen couple, it's normal to be a bit more protective and being jealous, but somehow Violet's thoughts were frustrating and a bit too much and ridiculous. I mean, hey, this is Jay, a wonderful boy who can be your very best-est friend and an amazing boyfriend at the same time, who also has been keeping your very most secret tightly. But I was glad Derting didn't drag the new couple problem out and the main focus is still Violet's ability as a Body Finder and Jay who supports and protects her endlessly.

As a second novel this book definitely isn't a turning down. The characters are still very lovely and smart, Violet and Jay probably one of my favorite YA couple. I do give a lower rating than The Body Finder because of personal thoughts (the murder case is less thrilling than in the previous book, the stalker thing is still scary though), but the story grows more exciting as the FBI also getting involved. I really can't wait to hand the third book, The Last Echo. This series is a must read for you who enjoy thriller-suspense, mystery, detective story with sweet yet sizzling hawt love story.
Happy reading! ^^



Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Wishlist Wednesday #22


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Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the wishlist and onto our wonderful shelves.
This blog meme is hosted by Pen to Paper, if you want to join please visit here to find more about this meme.




Rush (The Game #1)
by Eve Silver
Expectation release date : June, 2013

Summary from Goodreads :
When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

First, can you see how amazing the cover is? *swoon*
When I read the word 'game', somehow it reminded to Hunger Games. The story sounds really fascinating, mixture of Dystopia, Fantasy and Sci-fi, about survival game eliminating bad aliens. Wow! Also I love name 'Miki' =D
Have you add this book on your wishlist? What do you think about it?



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

TTT#5 : Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Santa Bringing Me



Top Ten Tuesday is a feature/weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It's the best and fun way to share lists of certain topics with other fellow bloggers. If you want to participate, please visit their blog for further information! =D

Christmas is near! WOW, so excited because Christmas is my favorite time of the year =D. If only I have a big fireplace and chimney, or even more important, live where winter and snow exist (I live in the tropics, I'm not sure if Santa has thin Hawaiian shirt because I only see him in thick furry red jacket =p), probably Santa would make a visit and bring some presents for me. Well, let's being greedy and wondering what books I want Santa bringing me on Christmas :

1. Harry Potter series boxset
I know I'm kind of cheating, 7 books at a time, but I really really don't mind if Santa gives le this gowjaz Harry Potter box set, although I already own Indonesia version of whole series.

2. John Green Box set
I'm a bad girl, cheating twice in a row. LOL
I haven't read anything from John Green yet (and really want to very as soon as possible),so why I want this box set is purely physical attraction. It seems really cute and fun!

3. Insurgent (Collector's edition) by Veronica Roth
Totally fine for me to get this book although I already own the first edition of Insurgent. It looks really gorgeous and has a lot of additional extras I'm dying to get.

4. Alice in Wonderland Pop-up Book by Lewis Carol
This book reminds me of my collection of pop-up Christmas greeting card =D. Probably this is a book for children but I really love pop-up books and this one looks really amazing!

5. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
I used to collect the translated version but one day I purchased City of Fallen Angel and City of Lost Souls in Hardback and decided to collect hardback version of entire books. So I need the first book, City of Bones, in hardback soon. Want to read this amazing series all over again!

6. Wither by Lauren deStefano
I've read Wither long time ago and really love it! Someone bought my translated copy so I need the new one, the English one which has pretty cover =D.

7. Twilight Saga White Edition Box set by Stephenie Meyer
Ha, I'm so greedy!
I've own all books of Twilight Saga in Indonesia version but I fall in love with this box set edition. Red and white, seriously pretty!




8. Retribution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Just finished The Evolution of Mara Dyer and let me tell you something : Michelle Hodkin is a wicked woman, and I'd kill for this book already!!! *depressed*


9. Lola and The Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
So shame I haven't read Lola and The Boy Next Door but I've heard amazing stuff about it already. Really want to read it!

10. Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
I remember I almost pre-ordered this book but for some reason I held it. Now I'm really curious about this book.

See how I'm pretty much greedy there? =D
What books you would not mind Santa bringing you at Christmas?