Hello again fellow bloggers, authors, and book lovers! Today we are here to do something extremely special: announce the winners :)
First, we want to thank everybody who joined in and made this a fantastic experience! Everybody who donated, everybody who tweeted, everybody who nominated, everybody who even looked at this blog. We had no idea it would be so big and I hope everybody felt the blogger love in being nominated, and some for winning :)
Without further ado, the winners of The Bloggy Awards! (By the way, these won't be linked since you all went through the voting process and I'm sure you recognize many of these amazing bloggers :).)
Nicest Blogger: Giselle @ Xpresso Reads
Best Design: The Bookish Brunette
Best Breakout Blog: Alluring Reads
Best Tour Group Blog: Bewitching Bok Tours
Most Influential: GraveTells
Best Group Blog: GraveTells
Most Creative Blog: Creative Chatter
Hottest Blog: Confessions for Romaholics
Best Reviews: BlookGirl
Well-Known Blog: Xpresso Reads
Best Author Blog: Richelle Mead
Best Meme: Follow Friday
Best Review for a Paranormal Book: GraveTells
Best Review for a Dystopian Book: GraveTells
Best Review for a Contemporary Book: Happy Owl Books
Best Review for a Fantasy Book: Cuddlebugger
Best Review for a Sci-Fi Book: GraveTells
Those are the winners everybody! :) We'll hopefully be emailing you sometime within the next week, and the people who volunteered to donate! OR, if you want to make life easier for us, you can email us at bloggyawards@gmail.com, telling us you won, which categories, and if you live in the US, Canada, or if you're international :). Then we'll probably talk, see what kind of prize you want (we have swag, eBooks, and gift cards at the ready! ;)) and then I'll forward your email to someone who's willing to send that prize to you :)
Also, buttons will later be made, sent out, and also, we're going to make a "Bloggy Awards Contributor" button for anybody who nominated, donated, or did anything to help us, and "Bloggy Awards Nominee" button for all you nominees :) Be on the lookout for that!
As for technicalities, we have a few changes come next year. First of all, for the "Best Review for a Certain Genre" awards, we're going to structure it so that only ONE review from each blog who get's nominated is allowed for all of those categories. For example, say my review of Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone was up for an award in the Best Review for a Fantasy Book. And then somebody also nominated my review of The Hunger Games for the dystopian category. That will not be allowed next year. This is because every review that is nominated will automatically proceed to be nominated, and we don't want so many nominated reviews that it'll go crazy. This is our way of trimming things down.
Also, another thing we must address: giveaways. We love that you're trying to promote this event by hosting a giveaway to spread the word, but we don't want that. Some complaints were made throughout this when a few giveaways popped up, so we want to prevent that. If you host a giveaway next year, you will be automatically disqualified from every award you're running in. Period. I hate to be harsh but I want to keep things fair between everybody next year.
Finally, the last thing I have to address: next year, we want to make sure every blog has a chance. For example, as you can see, a few blogs won multiple awards. We are ALL for that. But, we also want every blog to have a fair chance. Coming next year, a blog can only win one award. I don't say this to be unfair, even though that blog may have definitely deserved the award, but we felt like we wanted to keep this from having the same outcome. So, that's the last change. For exmaple, if I won Well-Known Blog, and then I won Best Reviews afterwards, I would have to give one of them up. If it ever comes to that, I'll ask the person who did win more than one award which award they want. This is just our way of keeping things fair, and the runner-up would then take the place of the previous winner.
Additionally, if you won an award in a category this year, you won't be able to run for it the next year. But you can run for other categories other than the one you won. The year afterwards, you could run for that cateogry again. For example, say I win Best Reviews this year. Next year I won't be able to run for that. I could get nominated, but we won't count any of your nominations in that category. The year afterwards, I could run again if I pleased. Simple, right?
Of course, all these rules can be modified again. For all you know, next year all these rules could be voided and we might go back to our original system. But for now, we feel that we're happy with our new changes.
Thanks so much guys again!! :)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
We're Alive!
Hi awesome bloggers, authors, and book-lovers! This is just a quick note saying that we're still alive, we have the list of winners, and we're going to announce them really soon! The only problem and the only think keeping me from announcing them is the fact that the winners are stored on my iPad which my brother won't let me use for like 5 seconds so I can email the list to myself.
Secondly, we're all at school. Nikki and I are being deluged (Ha! I learned about figurative meanings today in Honors English class) with homework since we were put into advanced placement classes. So we promise to update soon but right now, we need to take a little breather from blogging and work on school-related stuff, since I bet I know some of you know how that is :)
Anyways, random aside, thanks for bearing with us and you'll definitely hear from us soon!
Secondly, we're all at school. Nikki and I are being deluged (Ha! I learned about figurative meanings today in Honors English class) with homework since we were put into advanced placement classes. So we promise to update soon but right now, we need to take a little breather from blogging and work on school-related stuff, since I bet I know some of you know how that is :)
Anyways, random aside, thanks for bearing with us and you'll definitely hear from us soon!
Friday, August 31, 2012
Best Review for a Sci-Fi Book Review Nominees!
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED CONGRATS TO GRAVETELLS FOR STORM AND STARS FOR WINNING! :)
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Dystopian Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed. Note: for this category, since there weren't many nominations and this is the LAST category, we simply added it to the rest of the categories scheduled to post today so today will have FOUR categories.
Book Probe Reviews: A Million Suns
"There’s no denying that I am insanely jealous of Beth Revis’s writing ability, and the fact that she can write such a great science-fiction novel. Not many authors can also conjure up a sequel that is equally if not better than the first: A Million Suns expands on its predecessor Across the Universe, but exceeds it by a long shot."
"...aside from the dilemma to do with the ship, chaos erupts on the ship. The notion of life and death is touched on quite a bit and is really a whole other subject to study, that relates to the matters of cryogenic freezing which as we know is the be all and end all of humanity’s survival. Amy and Elder being the individuals that they are, examines these aspects of life and death and you can’t help to be swept off your feet as we reflect with them."
"A Million Suns—and even Across the Universe—are definitely novels that are not light and fluffy with cherry kisses upon every page. These are books you’ve got to reflect upon even though they’re science-fiction and set in space."
GraveTells: Storms and Stars
“What starts out as a survival story slowly becomes an exploration of what makes us who we are and
the boundaries we must all cross to reach unconditional self-acceptance. There is love, yes, and sex,
but foremost this is a journey of the soul on a slow simmer, riding on the shoulders of two men from
vastly different upbringing and mindsets. The pace is leisurely, the introspection meticulous, and the
environmental detail vibrant and expressive in unique and visceral ways.
This story has a whole lot of heart. It’s not just another romance adventure; it’s a trek through
the annals of the human soul, catching up survival and all our base emotions to spin them into an
unbreakable web of desire and need and companionship. This is a novel for a rainy day or a lazy
afternoon. Read it slowly and enjoy Ms. Jaydon’s artistry and insight into what makes us tick when
we’ve stripped away all the polish, responsibilities, and societal expectations. Storms and Stars is a
recommended read!”
Fictitious Delicious: Timepiece
GraveTells: Queen of Sword
“Queen of Swords starts out with a punch, luring the reader into a revealing morning-after scene of
destruction and a tantalizing post-coital glimpse of our sleeping hero. As with most scifi books, we are immediately introduced to some new terminology… but I can honestly say this is the first time that learning curve has included something as unique and attention-catching as discarded spray-on condoms. That’s a new one, and is revealingly creative enough to get me past my reticence over the usual star- tech lingo!
After voting, please scroll down to view the next categories!
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Dystopian Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed. Note: for this category, since there weren't many nominations and this is the LAST category, we simply added it to the rest of the categories scheduled to post today so today will have FOUR categories.
Book Probe Reviews: A Million Suns
"There’s no denying that I am insanely jealous of Beth Revis’s writing ability, and the fact that she can write such a great science-fiction novel. Not many authors can also conjure up a sequel that is equally if not better than the first: A Million Suns expands on its predecessor Across the Universe, but exceeds it by a long shot."
"...aside from the dilemma to do with the ship, chaos erupts on the ship. The notion of life and death is touched on quite a bit and is really a whole other subject to study, that relates to the matters of cryogenic freezing which as we know is the be all and end all of humanity’s survival. Amy and Elder being the individuals that they are, examines these aspects of life and death and you can’t help to be swept off your feet as we reflect with them."
"A Million Suns—and even Across the Universe—are definitely novels that are not light and fluffy with cherry kisses upon every page. These are books you’ve got to reflect upon even though they’re science-fiction and set in space."
GraveTells: Storms and Stars
“What starts out as a survival story slowly becomes an exploration of what makes us who we are and
the boundaries we must all cross to reach unconditional self-acceptance. There is love, yes, and sex,
but foremost this is a journey of the soul on a slow simmer, riding on the shoulders of two men from
vastly different upbringing and mindsets. The pace is leisurely, the introspection meticulous, and the
environmental detail vibrant and expressive in unique and visceral ways.
This story has a whole lot of heart. It’s not just another romance adventure; it’s a trek through
the annals of the human soul, catching up survival and all our base emotions to spin them into an
unbreakable web of desire and need and companionship. This is a novel for a rainy day or a lazy
afternoon. Read it slowly and enjoy Ms. Jaydon’s artistry and insight into what makes us tick when
we’ve stripped away all the polish, responsibilities, and societal expectations. Storms and Stars is a
recommended read!”
Fictitious Delicious: Timepiece
GraveTells: Queen of Sword
“Queen of Swords starts out with a punch, luring the reader into a revealing morning-after scene of
destruction and a tantalizing post-coital glimpse of our sleeping hero. As with most scifi books, we are immediately introduced to some new terminology… but I can honestly say this is the first time that learning curve has included something as unique and attention-catching as discarded spray-on condoms. That’s a new one, and is revealingly creative enough to get me past my reticence over the usual star- tech lingo!
After voting, please scroll down to view the next categories!
Best Review for a Fantasy Book Nominees!
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED CONGRATS TO CUDDLEBUGGERY'S STORMANCER FOR WINNING! :)
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Fantasy Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Becca Hamilton: The Grimoire: Lichgates
(No link found)
Paranormal Indulgence: Seraphina
Mindful Musings: Shadow and Bone
I also loved how Shadow and Bone examined the issues of social class and inequality. In Ravka, the Grisha are basically the aristocrats, and everyone who isn't gifted with magical powers (with the exception of the king and his court), are put off to the side and seem to be given pretty crappy lots in life. Even the Grisha themselves have a complex hierarchical structure. This makes it even more amazing when the protagonist, Alina, comes out of nowhere with the coveted ability to "summon the sun." Alina is immediately ripped from everything she's ever known and thrust into a world filled with fake, can't-wait-to-stab-you-in-the-back smiles, political intrigue, and oh, let's not forget the assassins.
Eleusinian Mysteries: Stormdancer
BlookGirl: Throne of Glass
"Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's Assassin, is one such character. Seriously, this girl was kick-ass, and not just because she's purported to have killed men with her bare hands. She's snarky, calculating, and confident, yet vulnerable, caring, and sensitive. A perfectly flawed character. It's clear that Celaena has seen and experienced her share of heart-break, but instead of caving in on herself, she used her grief and anger to survive. She certainly didn't set out to be an assassin, but when you have nothing left to lose, you take the chances you're given."
GraveTells: Evermine
“This second installment of the Daughters of Askara series is full of wonderfully complex relationships, exciting mortal danger, and ambitious political power plays. Witnessing Harper and Emma’s struggles to put the pieces of their once envisioned future, that was stolen from them and left shredded, back together is heartbreaking but satisfying. You must read Evermine if you want a fun, emotional rollercoaster ride and a captivating story!”
The Teen Book Guru: The Daughter of Smoke and Bone
"It's been such a long time since I've read a book this good. I feel like I've been walking in a haze, surrounded by fog this whole time, and this book has finally woken me up. It was like BAM! This is what really great writing is! Where have you been my whole life???"
"Karou is me. She is you. She is all of us. Our hopes, our dreams... our fears. Just everything, really. And I think that everyone will be able to find a bit of themselves inside Karou."
"Laini Taylor's awesome fantastical novel is honestly nothing short of magnificent. Utterly heart-wreching and breath-taking, and wholly captivating, it really is a true masterpiece that you won't want to miss out on!!"
Comment Love:
"YES, Laini's hair is AMAZING! I wish I had the guts to die my whole hair pink, but for now the dip dye will have to surfice. Not to mention how awesome Karou's hair sounds!
"Karou is me. She is you. She is all of us. Our hopes, our dreams... our fears. Just everything, really. And I think that everyone will be able to find a bit of themselves inside Karou." Riya, this part is just so... Beautiful! You have such a way with words.<3
Thank you for yet another wonderful review, Twinny.<3"
-Ria @ The Beaucop Review
"'Akiiivvaa... come hither!'
Hahahahaha, my thoughts exactly! I adore you Riya, I wish I could reach through this computer and just hug you. In a completely non-stalkery way. Obviously. In a you-are-too-cute-I-simply-must-hug-you type of way. So so so so so glad you loved this one as much as I did, it just blew me away. I need Days of Blood and Starlight IMMEDIATELY!"
-Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
"Wonderfully beautiful review, Riya - YOU are the one with such a way with words!!! I've been hesitant about this book too because of all the hype but you have managed to convince me that I NEED to read it! The lovely way you used to describe Karou... was just so breathtakingly beautiful I need to 'meet' her now. And she has blue hair?! OMG!!!! And the romance between her and Akiva sounds totally HOT, I love sizzling romances so this may be the book for me! And I believe you if you say Laini Taylor's writing is amazing!
You've filled me with NEED for this book, Riya! I adore you and I adore this review just as much <333"
-Beverly @ A Reading Daydreamer
Cuddlebuggery: Stormdancer
"And now that I have gotten all the obligatory serious discussion and annoying stuff that I have to do to be taken seriously as book blogger out of the way, may I just mention one, juvenile thing that I rather enjoyed:
All the jizzworthy toys. Yes! Great characters, writing, world-building, plot, pacing, blah-blah-blah… GIVEME MY CHAINSAW KATANA, KRISTOFF!"
Cuddlebuggery: Throne of Glass
"Not only does it present a strong female MC, but a another secondary character, Nehemia, who also happens to be a person of color. Oh, yes, you read that right. No, ridiculous, over stereotyped, token character here! Because you know, if there is one thing that irritates me the most, it’s misrepresentation in YA novels. But that didn’t happen here. Nehemia is strong, incredibly smart and underestimated (of course) by everyone at court because of her nationality. Their mistake! I pity the fool who finds their self on the other end of her staff. It won’t be pretty. Beautiful chaos. I’m hoping we get to see a lot more of her in the series. ;D"
Swimming in YA: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Fictitious Delicious: Finnikin of the Rock
Two Chicks on Books: Crown of Embers
I have never in my life finished a book and picked it back up to re-read it. Not until now!The Crown of Embers was an amazing book! Rae Carson took what she did in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and kicked its ass! Rae Carson has become one of my favorite authors of High Fantasy right up there with Maria V. Snyder (my favorite of all time!).
The Book Cellar: Shadow and Bone
What a delightful gem of a book Shadow and Bone was! This book made me have all the feelings. It was intense, dark, and all around just wonderful. Shadow and Bone was everything I was hoping for. Shadow and Bone is storytelling at its finest and I loved every page. If you only read one book this summer, this is the one to go get your hands on. It’s that good.
Scattered Pages: Tiger Lily
This is a Neverland equal parts savagery and beauty, where the exquisite lives side by side with the menacing, and often hand in hand. Mermaids may be lovely but they’re deadly. Lost Boys may be sweet, but they can kill. It’s a land that’s still untamed, a tiny corner of the world that hasn’t yet been colonized, that still holds wonders, but it’s a desperate beauty with a lot of rough edges. Within all those vibrant colors are a lot of shadows, and a lot of dark things thrive there.
Bewitched Bookworms: Of Poseidon
Emma! Belongs to the hall-of-fame of awesomeness heroines! Emma was incredibly cute but at the same time I loved loved loved her snarky retorts. She was awesome and I have such a big girl crush on her. I want to be her friend!!!
Galen - *dies* ... uhmm *fans self* Who would think a mermaid could be sex-on-fishtails? I didn't, but then I met Galen! Prince of the Syrena (because we do not use the word mermaids from this moment forward, Galen would not be happy...) Galen is hotness personified. (..) I adore and love Galen insanely! He's incredible hot (thank you for that) but since he's a Prince he also is very bad-ass, dominant and possessive! Gosh, don't we all love hot alpha males?
A Reader of Fictions: Stormdancer
"Yukiko is, as the cover promises, a BADASS, with the all-caps completely necessary to convey the degree of her ability to be awesome. However, Buruu totally stole the show from her, I thought. He is definitely my favorite character, because he's funny and loyal and A FRACKING THUNDER TIGER! It does not get more hardcore than that.
The other characters are also fascinating, interesting in how unclear they are. I really don't know how to feel about most of them, unable to figure out whether they're trustworthy or not. Pretty much by the time you figure that out, it's too late. This is not a world where good and evil are always bathed in black and white, and both are generally bathed in red, either from blood or from lotus."
The Reviews News: Tiger Lily
"...there is something uniquely charming and entertaining about Whaley's prose. He manages to weave two very delicate tales with masterful fluidity, so that when everything finally comes together it unleashes a thought-provoking conclusion. By the end, I was overcome with emotion. I didn't know if I should slam the book across the room or find John Corey Whaley and hug him.
At this point, I would go with the latter.
Despite my oh-so-huggy feelings, I'll admit that Whaley managed to break my heart and mend it, all in the span of some 200-odd pages! The novel's lessons really resonated with me and I couldn't get enough. I was a mess by the end of it, but I set the book down with a renewed sense of hope. Life is all about second chances and I finally got mine..."
After voting please scroll down to the next categories!
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Fantasy Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Becca Hamilton: The Grimoire: Lichgates
(No link found)
Paranormal Indulgence: Seraphina
Mindful Musings: Shadow and Bone
I also loved how Shadow and Bone examined the issues of social class and inequality. In Ravka, the Grisha are basically the aristocrats, and everyone who isn't gifted with magical powers (with the exception of the king and his court), are put off to the side and seem to be given pretty crappy lots in life. Even the Grisha themselves have a complex hierarchical structure. This makes it even more amazing when the protagonist, Alina, comes out of nowhere with the coveted ability to "summon the sun." Alina is immediately ripped from everything she's ever known and thrust into a world filled with fake, can't-wait-to-stab-you-in-the-back smiles, political intrigue, and oh, let's not forget the assassins.
Eleusinian Mysteries: Stormdancer
BlookGirl: Throne of Glass
"Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's Assassin, is one such character. Seriously, this girl was kick-ass, and not just because she's purported to have killed men with her bare hands. She's snarky, calculating, and confident, yet vulnerable, caring, and sensitive. A perfectly flawed character. It's clear that Celaena has seen and experienced her share of heart-break, but instead of caving in on herself, she used her grief and anger to survive. She certainly didn't set out to be an assassin, but when you have nothing left to lose, you take the chances you're given."
GraveTells: Evermine
“This second installment of the Daughters of Askara series is full of wonderfully complex relationships, exciting mortal danger, and ambitious political power plays. Witnessing Harper and Emma’s struggles to put the pieces of their once envisioned future, that was stolen from them and left shredded, back together is heartbreaking but satisfying. You must read Evermine if you want a fun, emotional rollercoaster ride and a captivating story!”
The Teen Book Guru: The Daughter of Smoke and Bone
"It's been such a long time since I've read a book this good. I feel like I've been walking in a haze, surrounded by fog this whole time, and this book has finally woken me up. It was like BAM! This is what really great writing is! Where have you been my whole life???"
"Karou is me. She is you. She is all of us. Our hopes, our dreams... our fears. Just everything, really. And I think that everyone will be able to find a bit of themselves inside Karou."
"Laini Taylor's awesome fantastical novel is honestly nothing short of magnificent. Utterly heart-wreching and breath-taking, and wholly captivating, it really is a true masterpiece that you won't want to miss out on!!"
Comment Love:
"YES, Laini's hair is AMAZING! I wish I had the guts to die my whole hair pink, but for now the dip dye will have to surfice. Not to mention how awesome Karou's hair sounds!
"Karou is me. She is you. She is all of us. Our hopes, our dreams... our fears. Just everything, really. And I think that everyone will be able to find a bit of themselves inside Karou." Riya, this part is just so... Beautiful! You have such a way with words.<3
Thank you for yet another wonderful review, Twinny.<3"
-Ria @ The Beaucop Review
"'Akiiivvaa... come hither!'
Hahahahaha, my thoughts exactly! I adore you Riya, I wish I could reach through this computer and just hug you. In a completely non-stalkery way. Obviously. In a you-are-too-cute-I-simply-must-hug-you type of way. So so so so so glad you loved this one as much as I did, it just blew me away. I need Days of Blood and Starlight IMMEDIATELY!"
-Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
"Wonderfully beautiful review, Riya - YOU are the one with such a way with words!!! I've been hesitant about this book too because of all the hype but you have managed to convince me that I NEED to read it! The lovely way you used to describe Karou... was just so breathtakingly beautiful I need to 'meet' her now. And she has blue hair?! OMG!!!! And the romance between her and Akiva sounds totally HOT, I love sizzling romances so this may be the book for me! And I believe you if you say Laini Taylor's writing is amazing!
You've filled me with NEED for this book, Riya! I adore you and I adore this review just as much <333"
-Beverly @ A Reading Daydreamer
Cuddlebuggery: Stormdancer
"And now that I have gotten all the obligatory serious discussion and annoying stuff that I have to do to be taken seriously as book blogger out of the way, may I just mention one, juvenile thing that I rather enjoyed:
Original picture by Cory Doctorow – alteration inspired by Darkstarz
All the jizzworthy toys. Yes! Great characters, writing, world-building, plot, pacing, blah-blah-blah… GIVEME MY CHAINSAW KATANA, KRISTOFF!"
Cuddlebuggery: Throne of Glass
"Not only does it present a strong female MC, but a another secondary character, Nehemia, who also happens to be a person of color. Oh, yes, you read that right. No, ridiculous, over stereotyped, token character here! Because you know, if there is one thing that irritates me the most, it’s misrepresentation in YA novels. But that didn’t happen here. Nehemia is strong, incredibly smart and underestimated (of course) by everyone at court because of her nationality. Their mistake! I pity the fool who finds their self on the other end of her staff. It won’t be pretty. Beautiful chaos. I’m hoping we get to see a lot more of her in the series. ;D"
Swimming in YA: Keeper of the Lost Cities
Fictitious Delicious: Finnikin of the Rock
Two Chicks on Books: Crown of Embers
I have never in my life finished a book and picked it back up to re-read it. Not until now!The Crown of Embers was an amazing book! Rae Carson took what she did in The Girl of Fire and Thorns and kicked its ass! Rae Carson has become one of my favorite authors of High Fantasy right up there with Maria V. Snyder (my favorite of all time!).
The Book Cellar: Shadow and Bone
What a delightful gem of a book Shadow and Bone was! This book made me have all the feelings. It was intense, dark, and all around just wonderful. Shadow and Bone was everything I was hoping for. Shadow and Bone is storytelling at its finest and I loved every page. If you only read one book this summer, this is the one to go get your hands on. It’s that good.
Scattered Pages: Tiger Lily
This is a Neverland equal parts savagery and beauty, where the exquisite lives side by side with the menacing, and often hand in hand. Mermaids may be lovely but they’re deadly. Lost Boys may be sweet, but they can kill. It’s a land that’s still untamed, a tiny corner of the world that hasn’t yet been colonized, that still holds wonders, but it’s a desperate beauty with a lot of rough edges. Within all those vibrant colors are a lot of shadows, and a lot of dark things thrive there.
Bewitched Bookworms: Of Poseidon
Emma! Belongs to the hall-of-fame of awesomeness heroines! Emma was incredibly cute but at the same time I loved loved loved her snarky retorts. She was awesome and I have such a big girl crush on her. I want to be her friend!!!
Galen - *dies* ... uhmm *fans self* Who would think a mermaid could be sex-on-fishtails? I didn't, but then I met Galen! Prince of the Syrena (because we do not use the word mermaids from this moment forward, Galen would not be happy...) Galen is hotness personified. (..) I adore and love Galen insanely! He's incredible hot (thank you for that) but since he's a Prince he also is very bad-ass, dominant and possessive! Gosh, don't we all love hot alpha males?
A Reader of Fictions: Stormdancer
"Yukiko is, as the cover promises, a BADASS, with the all-caps completely necessary to convey the degree of her ability to be awesome. However, Buruu totally stole the show from her, I thought. He is definitely my favorite character, because he's funny and loyal and A FRACKING THUNDER TIGER! It does not get more hardcore than that.
The other characters are also fascinating, interesting in how unclear they are. I really don't know how to feel about most of them, unable to figure out whether they're trustworthy or not. Pretty much by the time you figure that out, it's too late. This is not a world where good and evil are always bathed in black and white, and both are generally bathed in red, either from blood or from lotus."
The Reviews News: Tiger Lily
"...there is something uniquely charming and entertaining about Whaley's prose. He manages to weave two very delicate tales with masterful fluidity, so that when everything finally comes together it unleashes a thought-provoking conclusion. By the end, I was overcome with emotion. I didn't know if I should slam the book across the room or find John Corey Whaley and hug him.
At this point, I would go with the latter.
Despite my oh-so-huggy feelings, I'll admit that Whaley managed to break my heart and mend it, all in the span of some 200-odd pages! The novel's lessons really resonated with me and I couldn't get enough. I was a mess by the end of it, but I set the book down with a renewed sense of hope. Life is all about second chances and I finally got mine..."
After voting please scroll down to the next categories!
Best Review for a Contemporary Book Nominees!
VOTING IS NOW CLOSED CONGRATS TO HAPPY OWL BOOKS' THIS IS NOT A TEST FOR WINNING! :)
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Contemporary Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Books are Magic: Hushed
Growing Up YA: Where Things Come Back
"...there is something uniquely charming and entertaining about Whaley's prose. He manages to weave two very delicate tales with masterful fluidity, so that when everything finally comes together it unleashes a thought-provoking conclusion. By the end, I was overcome with emotion. I didn't know if I should slam the book across the room or find John Corey Whaley and hug him.
At this point, I would go with the latter.
Despite my oh-so-huggy feelings, I'll admit that Whaley managed to break my heart and mend it, all in the span of some 200-odd pages! The novel's lessons really resonated with me and I couldn't get enough. I was a mess by the end of it, but I set the book down with a renewed sense of hope. Life is all about second chances and I finally got mine..."
BlookGirl: If I Stay
"Mia Hall had it all. A supportive, loving family, loyal best friend, gorgeous boyfriend who was crazy about her, and a promising future as a supremely talented cellist. In one moment, on a snowy day in Oregon, all of that is stripped away in the swerve of tires, the crunch of metal, and the deafening silence of the aftermath."
In Between: Forbidden
A Work of Fiction: Clean
The Overstuffed Bookcase: The Fault in Our Stars
"Some people just know how to play the piano. Some can come up with fantastically epic stories about a boy wizard. And some can just write one sentence that makes you chuckle, then get teary eyed, then just sit back and stare as your mouth falls open at the beauty of the arrangement of the words. I'm not saying he doesn't work hard at it - I'm just saying the man has a gift."
"This book was different than John's other books, but it still very much had his stamp on it. By that I mean that if I had opened it up and read it and not known who the author was, I would have been able to recognize John's eloquent writing and wonderful humor within the first couple of paragraphs."
My Secret Romance: Seven Sexy Sins
The characters have such depth, you feel like they could be friends of yours. The food exploration leaves me unable to ever look at a candy bar the same way, that’s all I’m sayin’ about that! The final pages are so achingly satisfying, you could almost cry…when you’re done laughing!
Buffy’s Ramblings: Love Kinection
She’s managed to pack all kinds of nerd candy in there with a flavor for every geek. The romance side is sweet, but incredibly sexy too. Their chemistry is so strong, and the connection they develop so authentic, I found myself feeling like I was in the story with them. Compelling characters, witty banter, and sizzling sexual tension make Love Kinection a smash hit for anyone’s hopeless romantic inner geek.
Buffy’s Ramblings: Deceptive Attraction
You never guess just how it’ll work out until it’s happening, so it keeps you guessing. Of course, the flip side to that is that you worry yourself over it so much you end up so emotionally invested you’re crying right along with the characters! There’s a lot of family dynamics in this story, and it’s so great to see everyone so accepting and loving. A story of such sweet exploration as well as a shameless sense of self, Deceptive Attraction takes the stakes higher than ever making the connection and deep affection between the three lovers all the more gratifying.
The Teen Book Guru: When You Were Mine
"Romeo and Juliet is often misinterpreted as the world's best, or most well-known love story, and it is, to some extent, but first and foremost, it's a tragedy. Serle reminds us of that in this mesmerizing adaptation of William Shakespeare's."
"After reading When You Were Mine I just sat on my bed and stared out my window, not really seeing anything. Serle made me relive all of the beautiful moments of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, also adding in some amazing moments herself, that actually made me understand and appreciate the sadness, beauty, and love of an already amazing story more than I did before."
"Before reading this I (mistakenly) thought that Serle was just 'rewriting' Shakespeare's story completely, but that's SO not the case. What she actually does is breathe life into the magnificent story, and she makes it young again, so that us, the readers, can relive the beauty, magic, love and heartbreak of this time-old classic."
Comment Love:
"LOL Riya! When you start to swear like a sailor, that's when you know a villain is really well done ;) I don't think I'm going to like Juliet very much either, but oh my gosh am I ever positive that I'm going to love this BOOK! I've wanted to read this book ever since I heard it told Rosaline's side of the tragedy -- because we studied that in English class this semester -- but now it's just like... BAM, I need to have this book! It sounds like a wonderful and sweet and beautifully original take on R&J. And that quote = <3
Amazing review, Riya-sweetie! I can't wait to get my hands on this!! :)"
-Mimi Valentine
Captivated Reading: XOXOXO
The Midnight Garden: Between Shades of Grey
Kindle and Me: Confessionally Yours
Brooke Reports: Who I Kissed
The Reviews News: Keep Holding On
The picture you see above is a rainbow-spewing fish. It's a blurry picture, as I took it with my webcam up close, and it's not colored. I assure you, though--it is indeed a rainbow-spewing fish.
[…] Life's weird. Life's stupid and gorgeous and obnoxious and endowing. Keep Holding On will guide you through the storms and find the rainbow. Maybe you'll even see a fish on your way there. A rainbow-spewing one, at that.
Making the Grade Reviews: Life on the Edge
Ana’s Attic: The Unidentifined Redhead
"Holy Sweet Nuts! I absolutely LOVED The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton!!!! Are you PMS-ing? In a bad mood? Just read a depressing book? Do you need to feel good, laugh, smile, and just plain enjoy a book without angst? This is the book for you. This is definitely in my best books of the year list, and Alice Clayton is one of my new favorite authors.
This is a 5++++++++ star read for me with a 4.5 on the heat meter. I found myself smiling through the whole book, laughing out loud (complete with snorts) several times, AND I jumped my husband. What more can you ask for in a book?"".........speaking of coming, while the book was funny, the sex was HOT!"
"The friendships, jokes and dialogue were witty, fun and real. I so want to be friends with all these people, they are my type. They use expressions like “That’s what she said” (so do I, all the time) plus Jack writes things like “poo” on the steamy shower glass–gotta love that stuff. RUN–don’t walk to download this book, and save it for when you need a happy pick me up."
Happy Owl Books: This is Not a Test
Saz101: Anna and the French Kiss
FicBookReviews: The Future of Us
GraveTells: Fever
“Fever’s characters are complex and compelling, complicated and endearing, unique and memorable.
The storyline is a mystery that unravels thread by interesting thread, and leaves the reader craving
the next book in the series just to spend more time with the characters. This is the first book in
a unique series about a group of firefighters whose lives were all supernaturally changed by a
brutal warehouse explosion. I love that it’s such a fresh new perspective for a series, and if the
level of skill Ms. Swan shows in Fever for weaving a story with compelling, touchingly flawed
characters is any indication about what’s in store, I can’t wait to read the rest! Fever is a must-read!”
My Secret Romance: Avoiding Commitment
"My heart was shattered and ripped to pieces while my stomach was doing back flips. This book played a number on my heart and I relished in every bit of it. I loved how it hurt!" This one was chosen many times.
"Their love is toxic…the kind that feels so good and you know you should stay away from because it’s nearly killing you, but can't."
"The air between Jack and Lexi is so dense that it's close to the point where they are suffocating in each others presence. They want each other with a force that makes it difficult to breathe."
"This is the kind of book I look high and low for and can hardly find."
"I want a book where it's going to take me on a wild ride emotionally and mentally making me feel and understand what the characters are going through. And this book did that and so much more."
After voting, please scroll down to see the next categories!
Note: we were recently told that "The Undefined Redhead" is actually called "The Unidentified Redhead"
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if you would like to donate contact us. Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Contemporary Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Books are Magic: Hushed
Growing Up YA: Where Things Come Back
"...there is something uniquely charming and entertaining about Whaley's prose. He manages to weave two very delicate tales with masterful fluidity, so that when everything finally comes together it unleashes a thought-provoking conclusion. By the end, I was overcome with emotion. I didn't know if I should slam the book across the room or find John Corey Whaley and hug him.
At this point, I would go with the latter.
Despite my oh-so-huggy feelings, I'll admit that Whaley managed to break my heart and mend it, all in the span of some 200-odd pages! The novel's lessons really resonated with me and I couldn't get enough. I was a mess by the end of it, but I set the book down with a renewed sense of hope. Life is all about second chances and I finally got mine..."
BlookGirl: If I Stay
"Mia Hall had it all. A supportive, loving family, loyal best friend, gorgeous boyfriend who was crazy about her, and a promising future as a supremely talented cellist. In one moment, on a snowy day in Oregon, all of that is stripped away in the swerve of tires, the crunch of metal, and the deafening silence of the aftermath."
In Between: Forbidden
A Work of Fiction: Clean
The Overstuffed Bookcase: The Fault in Our Stars
"Some people just know how to play the piano. Some can come up with fantastically epic stories about a boy wizard. And some can just write one sentence that makes you chuckle, then get teary eyed, then just sit back and stare as your mouth falls open at the beauty of the arrangement of the words. I'm not saying he doesn't work hard at it - I'm just saying the man has a gift."
"This book was different than John's other books, but it still very much had his stamp on it. By that I mean that if I had opened it up and read it and not known who the author was, I would have been able to recognize John's eloquent writing and wonderful humor within the first couple of paragraphs."
My Secret Romance: Seven Sexy Sins
The characters have such depth, you feel like they could be friends of yours. The food exploration leaves me unable to ever look at a candy bar the same way, that’s all I’m sayin’ about that! The final pages are so achingly satisfying, you could almost cry…when you’re done laughing!
Buffy’s Ramblings: Love Kinection
She’s managed to pack all kinds of nerd candy in there with a flavor for every geek. The romance side is sweet, but incredibly sexy too. Their chemistry is so strong, and the connection they develop so authentic, I found myself feeling like I was in the story with them. Compelling characters, witty banter, and sizzling sexual tension make Love Kinection a smash hit for anyone’s hopeless romantic inner geek.
Buffy’s Ramblings: Deceptive Attraction
You never guess just how it’ll work out until it’s happening, so it keeps you guessing. Of course, the flip side to that is that you worry yourself over it so much you end up so emotionally invested you’re crying right along with the characters! There’s a lot of family dynamics in this story, and it’s so great to see everyone so accepting and loving. A story of such sweet exploration as well as a shameless sense of self, Deceptive Attraction takes the stakes higher than ever making the connection and deep affection between the three lovers all the more gratifying.
The Teen Book Guru: When You Were Mine
"Romeo and Juliet is often misinterpreted as the world's best, or most well-known love story, and it is, to some extent, but first and foremost, it's a tragedy. Serle reminds us of that in this mesmerizing adaptation of William Shakespeare's."
"After reading When You Were Mine I just sat on my bed and stared out my window, not really seeing anything. Serle made me relive all of the beautiful moments of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, also adding in some amazing moments herself, that actually made me understand and appreciate the sadness, beauty, and love of an already amazing story more than I did before."
"Before reading this I (mistakenly) thought that Serle was just 'rewriting' Shakespeare's story completely, but that's SO not the case. What she actually does is breathe life into the magnificent story, and she makes it young again, so that us, the readers, can relive the beauty, magic, love and heartbreak of this time-old classic."
Comment Love:
"LOL Riya! When you start to swear like a sailor, that's when you know a villain is really well done ;) I don't think I'm going to like Juliet very much either, but oh my gosh am I ever positive that I'm going to love this BOOK! I've wanted to read this book ever since I heard it told Rosaline's side of the tragedy -- because we studied that in English class this semester -- but now it's just like... BAM, I need to have this book! It sounds like a wonderful and sweet and beautifully original take on R&J. And that quote = <3
Amazing review, Riya-sweetie! I can't wait to get my hands on this!! :)"
-Mimi Valentine
Captivated Reading: XOXOXO
The Midnight Garden: Between Shades of Grey
Kindle and Me: Confessionally Yours
Brooke Reports: Who I Kissed
The Reviews News: Keep Holding On
[…] Life's weird. Life's stupid and gorgeous and obnoxious and endowing. Keep Holding On will guide you through the storms and find the rainbow. Maybe you'll even see a fish on your way there. A rainbow-spewing one, at that.
Making the Grade Reviews: Life on the Edge
Ana’s Attic: The Unidentifined Redhead
"Holy Sweet Nuts! I absolutely LOVED The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton!!!! Are you PMS-ing? In a bad mood? Just read a depressing book? Do you need to feel good, laugh, smile, and just plain enjoy a book without angst? This is the book for you. This is definitely in my best books of the year list, and Alice Clayton is one of my new favorite authors.
This is a 5++++++++ star read for me with a 4.5 on the heat meter. I found myself smiling through the whole book, laughing out loud (complete with snorts) several times, AND I jumped my husband. What more can you ask for in a book?"".........speaking of coming, while the book was funny, the sex was HOT!"
"The friendships, jokes and dialogue were witty, fun and real. I so want to be friends with all these people, they are my type. They use expressions like “That’s what she said” (so do I, all the time) plus Jack writes things like “poo” on the steamy shower glass–gotta love that stuff. RUN–don’t walk to download this book, and save it for when you need a happy pick me up."
Happy Owl Books: This is Not a Test
Saz101: Anna and the French Kiss
FicBookReviews: The Future of Us
GraveTells: Fever
“Fever’s characters are complex and compelling, complicated and endearing, unique and memorable.
The storyline is a mystery that unravels thread by interesting thread, and leaves the reader craving
the next book in the series just to spend more time with the characters. This is the first book in
a unique series about a group of firefighters whose lives were all supernaturally changed by a
brutal warehouse explosion. I love that it’s such a fresh new perspective for a series, and if the
level of skill Ms. Swan shows in Fever for weaving a story with compelling, touchingly flawed
characters is any indication about what’s in store, I can’t wait to read the rest! Fever is a must-read!”
My Secret Romance: Avoiding Commitment
"My heart was shattered and ripped to pieces while my stomach was doing back flips. This book played a number on my heart and I relished in every bit of it. I loved how it hurt!" This one was chosen many times.
"Their love is toxic…the kind that feels so good and you know you should stay away from because it’s nearly killing you, but can't."
"The air between Jack and Lexi is so dense that it's close to the point where they are suffocating in each others presence. They want each other with a force that makes it difficult to breathe."
"This is the kind of book I look high and low for and can hardly find."
"I want a book where it's going to take me on a wild ride emotionally and mentally making me feel and understand what the characters are going through. And this book did that and so much more."
After voting, please scroll down to see the next categories!
Note: we were recently told that "The Undefined Redhead" is actually called "The Unidentified Redhead"
Best Review for a Dystopian Book Nominees!
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom
of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all
of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE
voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the
posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once
every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if
you would like to donate contact us.
Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving
ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Dystopian Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
In the Forgotten Realm: Vampires: Revolution
The question this novel asks is what does it mean to be evolved? It doesn't give an answer, only demolishes answers. You may be a king, but you'll still want to satisfy your need for companionship before rising to a throne--that's why Daniel goes after his girlfriend, the princess instead of setting up an area of operations to coordinate the efforts of humans and vampires. You may be a princess who can use rhetoric and diplomacy to end conflict, but you are never above tearing and killing if diplomacy fails and the laws of the jungle dictate that you must surrender sexually to the strongest male. Have we truly evolved?
Growing Up YA: Insurgent
"...if you thought Divergent was a roller-coaster of emotions, please know that it has nothing on Insurgent. This book takes the form adrenaline and becomes a real-life thrill ride. It became very clear, very early on, that Roth would redraw any established lines and not just cross them. No, that would be too easy. She would catapult right over them. Friends, catapult she did."
Eleusinian Mysteries: Slated
Lili’s Reflections: Article 5
Article 5 was one of my very first attempts at venturing into the dystopian genre and it is the book that made me fall in love with dystopians. It would mean a lot if you could vote for me in my first ever Bloggy Awards! Thank you!
To describe Article 5 in just a few words…
The world-building in this novel is beyond unbelievable. It was so vivid and real, which made it all the more chilling. I can tell you one thing, while I admire Kristen Simmons for being able to create such a world, I am so thankful that I do not have to live in a world like it.
This is a wonderful debut that I highly recommend to all readers looking for a unique novel full of adventure!
Appraising Pages: Insurgent
Brooke Reports: Legend
The Reviews News: Insignia
Insignia is insane. It is beautifully simplistic and complicatedly evocative. Crushingly despairing and hilariously witty. Intelligently phrased and bluntly honest. […] I am completely, head-over-heels in love with it. This book is dominating my love right now. And I can't even pinpoint what it is I loved about the book so much. […] It's just so not fair to pick one amazing aspect and laud it, you know? That would be like staring at the rainbow and calling one particle the best of them all. Inefficiently vague and insufficiently degrading.
Once Upon a Twilight: Insurgent
GraveTells: The Last Vampire
“The Last Vampire is ballsy, well written, and has that feel of authenticity we’re all looking for in our
books. Any time I can nod and say “Crap that sucks, but that’s totally what would happen.”, especially in a horror novel, you’ve got me hooked.
For those of you out there that love to read about love, but occasionally just want to read a good
spooky story by an author that doesn’t believe in giving a cheat to make the story line easier on her
characters, The Last Vampire is for you. Griffith creates a world gone mad and sticks to it, riding it to
its inevitable conclusion with tight story telling and the guts to drag you along, squirming and wishing that there was a different possible outcome for the protagonist. The Last Vampire is a GraveTells Recommended Read!”
Catching Books: Delirium
Anna Reads: Divergent
I haven’t felt this desperate to finish a book in quite some time. It was bad. It led to this conversation:
GraveTells: A Blood Seduction
“Pamela Palmer is a talented author with a knack for dropping her audience right into the characters’ heads. We see what they see and feel what they feel, even understand tiny nuances of their
personalities. The setting, Vamp City, is excruciatingly real-feeling. The cruelties, the suffering, the excesses, the decay… all is depicted efficiently and creatively, with a minimum of unnecessary excess flourish. The supernatural creatures were distinctly otherworldly in their morals and customs, and the depths of the suffering of the human slaves was agonizingly clear yet intriguingly complex. I imagine lovers of dystopian and dark fantasy will probably eat this up.”
GraveTells: The Immortal Rules
“With all the vampire books out there right now, it’s hard to find one that really stands out, but I honestly think The Immortal Rules does. It’s much darker and grittier than Julie’s Iron Fey series, and the two series aren’t that similar (aside from the fact that they’re both very good!) I’m definitely invested in the Blood of Edennovels, and this book was an amazing start to a new series!
The Immortal Rules was an addicting and enjoyable post-apocalyptic book. It has tons of action, and a good amount of romance. The ending definitely leaves you wanting more, but there’s no huge cliffhanger (thank God!) I’m anxiously awaiting the second book. The Immortal Rules is a GraveTells must-read!”
Voting has CLOSED!! The Winner is: GraveTells: The Immortal Rules
For the Best Review for a Dystopian Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
In the Forgotten Realm: Vampires: Revolution
The question this novel asks is what does it mean to be evolved? It doesn't give an answer, only demolishes answers. You may be a king, but you'll still want to satisfy your need for companionship before rising to a throne--that's why Daniel goes after his girlfriend, the princess instead of setting up an area of operations to coordinate the efforts of humans and vampires. You may be a princess who can use rhetoric and diplomacy to end conflict, but you are never above tearing and killing if diplomacy fails and the laws of the jungle dictate that you must surrender sexually to the strongest male. Have we truly evolved?
Growing Up YA: Insurgent
"...if you thought Divergent was a roller-coaster of emotions, please know that it has nothing on Insurgent. This book takes the form adrenaline and becomes a real-life thrill ride. It became very clear, very early on, that Roth would redraw any established lines and not just cross them. No, that would be too easy. She would catapult right over them. Friends, catapult she did."
Eleusinian Mysteries: Slated
Lili’s Reflections: Article 5
Article 5 was one of my very first attempts at venturing into the dystopian genre and it is the book that made me fall in love with dystopians. It would mean a lot if you could vote for me in my first ever Bloggy Awards! Thank you!
To describe Article 5 in just a few words…
The world-building in this novel is beyond unbelievable. It was so vivid and real, which made it all the more chilling. I can tell you one thing, while I admire Kristen Simmons for being able to create such a world, I am so thankful that I do not have to live in a world like it.
This is a wonderful debut that I highly recommend to all readers looking for a unique novel full of adventure!
Appraising Pages: Insurgent
Brooke Reports: Legend
The Reviews News: Insignia
Insignia is insane. It is beautifully simplistic and complicatedly evocative. Crushingly despairing and hilariously witty. Intelligently phrased and bluntly honest. […] I am completely, head-over-heels in love with it. This book is dominating my love right now. And I can't even pinpoint what it is I loved about the book so much. […] It's just so not fair to pick one amazing aspect and laud it, you know? That would be like staring at the rainbow and calling one particle the best of them all. Inefficiently vague and insufficiently degrading.
Once Upon a Twilight: Insurgent
GraveTells: The Last Vampire
“The Last Vampire is ballsy, well written, and has that feel of authenticity we’re all looking for in our
books. Any time I can nod and say “Crap that sucks, but that’s totally what would happen.”, especially in a horror novel, you’ve got me hooked.
For those of you out there that love to read about love, but occasionally just want to read a good
spooky story by an author that doesn’t believe in giving a cheat to make the story line easier on her
characters, The Last Vampire is for you. Griffith creates a world gone mad and sticks to it, riding it to
its inevitable conclusion with tight story telling and the guts to drag you along, squirming and wishing that there was a different possible outcome for the protagonist. The Last Vampire is a GraveTells Recommended Read!”
Catching Books: Delirium
Anna Reads: Divergent
I haven’t felt this desperate to finish a book in quite some time. It was bad. It led to this conversation:
Me: I wonder what’s happening in my book right now.
Hubby: What do you mean? You aren’t reading right now.
Me: Yeah. I wonder what the characters are doing.
Hubby: You know the characters don’t keep on doing things while you’re not reading, right?
Me: Hm…are you sure?
GraveTells: A Blood Seduction
“Pamela Palmer is a talented author with a knack for dropping her audience right into the characters’ heads. We see what they see and feel what they feel, even understand tiny nuances of their
personalities. The setting, Vamp City, is excruciatingly real-feeling. The cruelties, the suffering, the excesses, the decay… all is depicted efficiently and creatively, with a minimum of unnecessary excess flourish. The supernatural creatures were distinctly otherworldly in their morals and customs, and the depths of the suffering of the human slaves was agonizingly clear yet intriguingly complex. I imagine lovers of dystopian and dark fantasy will probably eat this up.”
GraveTells: The Immortal Rules
“With all the vampire books out there right now, it’s hard to find one that really stands out, but I honestly think The Immortal Rules does. It’s much darker and grittier than Julie’s Iron Fey series, and the two series aren’t that similar (aside from the fact that they’re both very good!) I’m definitely invested in the Blood of Edennovels, and this book was an amazing start to a new series!
The Immortal Rules was an addicting and enjoyable post-apocalyptic book. It has tons of action, and a good amount of romance. The ending definitely leaves you wanting more, but there’s no huge cliffhanger (thank God!) I’m anxiously awaiting the second book. The Immortal Rules is a GraveTells must-read!”
Voting has CLOSED!! The Winner is: GraveTells: The Immortal Rules
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Best Review for a Paranormal Book Nominees!
Here's how it's going to run down: there will be a poll at the bottom
of this post and you simply just vote for your favorite blog out of all
of these arguments! :) Each day, there will be THREE
voting rounds posted, so you'll have to scroll down and see all the
posts for yourself. Each voting round lasts for exactly a week and once
every voting round it done, winners will be announced, and prizes (if
you would like to donate contact us.
Please remember that if we don't get enough prizes we won't be giving
ANY out at all) shipped out—that is, if the winner wants a prize.
For the Best Review for a Paranormal Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Shiny Book Review: Bleeding Hearts
Melinda’s Bibliophile Blog: Bleeding Hearts
GraveTells: Bleeding Hearts
“Bleeding Hearts was a surprisingly great read and is an awesome different take on vampires that’s
refreshing. Krafton tells an emotionally gripping story that at times deceivingly reads like a light, airy
beach read one second, only to surprise you with its depth the next. “Couldn’t put it down,” is not even close to the thrall Krafton’s story cast over me; more like forcing myself to go to bed at 5 am because I had to sleep or reading on the way to the mailbox because I couldn’t part with the pages for those few moments. If you don’t pick up this book, you’ll be sorely missing out!”
GraveTells: West of Want
“Laura Kaye writes extremely strong character relationships, makes you really feel their passion and experience their energy, and the first time Ella and Zeph get together? Gold. Pure hot, steamy, sweaty gold!
Laura Kaye either has a giant stash of super secret sauce or is simply a master at her craft, because just about every book I’ve read from her to-date has been a homerun, the Hearts of the Anemoi stories especially so. The characters have depth, the plots are compelling, and the sexual tension is nearly unmatched. Not many authors can take a couple who has never met before and have them itching to jump each others bones within a few days so effectively that you feel more eager than they do.”
GraveTells: Alaskan Fire
“Imaginative, snarky, action-packed, visceral… in a word, Alaskan Fire is entertaining, and more than worth your while to read. This book is so unconventionally compelling you won’t be able to keep your eyes off it. Ms. King delivers just about everything you could want out of a good book, with nearly nothing you don’t. The writing is sophisticated, the characters are wonderfully complex, and the world takes on a life of its own. I have read books published by the big name houses that have less polish and sophistication than this self-pub. Ms. King takes us on an adventure of hope, dreams, life, love, and the struggle that comes with fighting for what you believe in, and I cannot wait to start the next book in the series!”
I Smell Sheep: Waterborne
If you like undersea adventures and dreamed/thought you were Ariel growing up (ok I totally did) then you'll enjoy this tale. It's chock full of an imaginative underwater world that's both vivid and breathtaking. Sometimes it's better down where it's wetter. Zing!"
These two barely know each other and all of a sudden they are jumping in-between the kelp sheets. Wow dude, buy me a crab dinner first at the very least, mmkay?"
The Midnight Garden: Monstrous Beauty
The Book Slayer: Sweet Evil
Buffy’s Ramblings: Darkness Dawns
This novel is utterly compelling and truly unique! There are laugh out loud funny moments, heart-pounding action sequences, and steamy, but sweetly sensual sex. You can’t help but fall for every single character, each having that special something that draws you in. Overall, the book is well written and well-paced, grabbing the reader’s interest right from the very first page and never letting go. I literally can’t find anything in it to complain about.
GraveTells: Once Burned
“Once Burned was thoroughly engrossing and had me fanning myself more than once. Frost’s continued ability to make me forget my surroundings and transport me onto her pages is uncanny. Her multi-dimensional characters, especially the portrayal of Vlad Tepes, were gripping to the end and left me wanting more. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoy her writing and she has a lifelong fan.”
Brooke Reports Blog: Sweet Evil
Cover Analysis: A City of Broken Glass
Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust: North of Need
Brooke Reports: Anna Dressed in Blood
Eleusinian Mysteries: Losing Lila
Paper Planes: The Gathering Dark
Catching Books: Dreamless
The Teen Book Guru: Grave Mercy
"Okay lets start by focusing in on the main reason I picked up this book and enjoyed it so much. Assasins. But not just any old assassins; nun assassins. If those two words put together aren't enough to make you run to the closest bookstore and pick up this 600-page historical thriller, I don't know what will convince you."
"Ismae is sent to track Duval and make sure his intentions are in the right place. Guided by Death's own hand, and skills she never even knew she possessed, Ismae thinks she has nothing to worry about. But not once did her mind cross over the possibility of falling in love..."
"I was continually amazed by Ismae's strength and growth throughout the novel. Not once did she allow herself to wallow in self-pity because of her hard up-bringing, and she never cowered in the face of fear."
Comment Love:
"NUN ASSASSINS RIYA!!!!! Love it. Even after all the reviews I've read for this one I still had no idea she was Death's daughter. Brilliant! I really need to read this one, I don't know why I haven't picked it up already. I'm challenged, clearly. Love the sound of the romance and the fact that they're both hesitant at first, so much better than insta-love! AWESOME REVIEW MY FRIEND!"
-Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
"Wonderful review Riya!!!!!!!!! Love the way you ended with 5 million muffins!!!!!! I really loved this book too, from the courageous Ismae, to the slow-blumming romance, to the fantastic plot, this book has it all!!!!!!!!"
-Rachel @ Unforgettable Books
Voting is CLOSED! The WINNER IS GraveTells: West of Want
For the Best Review for a Paranormal Book category, we asked for each reviewer's favorite portion of their review. If they didn't submit anything, we just have their link listed.
Shiny Book Review: Bleeding Hearts
Melinda’s Bibliophile Blog: Bleeding Hearts
GraveTells: Bleeding Hearts
“Bleeding Hearts was a surprisingly great read and is an awesome different take on vampires that’s
refreshing. Krafton tells an emotionally gripping story that at times deceivingly reads like a light, airy
beach read one second, only to surprise you with its depth the next. “Couldn’t put it down,” is not even close to the thrall Krafton’s story cast over me; more like forcing myself to go to bed at 5 am because I had to sleep or reading on the way to the mailbox because I couldn’t part with the pages for those few moments. If you don’t pick up this book, you’ll be sorely missing out!”
GraveTells: West of Want
“Laura Kaye writes extremely strong character relationships, makes you really feel their passion and experience their energy, and the first time Ella and Zeph get together? Gold. Pure hot, steamy, sweaty gold!
Laura Kaye either has a giant stash of super secret sauce or is simply a master at her craft, because just about every book I’ve read from her to-date has been a homerun, the Hearts of the Anemoi stories especially so. The characters have depth, the plots are compelling, and the sexual tension is nearly unmatched. Not many authors can take a couple who has never met before and have them itching to jump each others bones within a few days so effectively that you feel more eager than they do.”
GraveTells: Alaskan Fire
“Imaginative, snarky, action-packed, visceral… in a word, Alaskan Fire is entertaining, and more than worth your while to read. This book is so unconventionally compelling you won’t be able to keep your eyes off it. Ms. King delivers just about everything you could want out of a good book, with nearly nothing you don’t. The writing is sophisticated, the characters are wonderfully complex, and the world takes on a life of its own. I have read books published by the big name houses that have less polish and sophistication than this self-pub. Ms. King takes us on an adventure of hope, dreams, life, love, and the struggle that comes with fighting for what you believe in, and I cannot wait to start the next book in the series!”
I Smell Sheep: Waterborne
If you like undersea adventures and dreamed/thought you were Ariel growing up (ok I totally did) then you'll enjoy this tale. It's chock full of an imaginative underwater world that's both vivid and breathtaking. Sometimes it's better down where it's wetter. Zing!"
These two barely know each other and all of a sudden they are jumping in-between the kelp sheets. Wow dude, buy me a crab dinner first at the very least, mmkay?"
The Midnight Garden: Monstrous Beauty
The Book Slayer: Sweet Evil
Buffy’s Ramblings: Darkness Dawns
This novel is utterly compelling and truly unique! There are laugh out loud funny moments, heart-pounding action sequences, and steamy, but sweetly sensual sex. You can’t help but fall for every single character, each having that special something that draws you in. Overall, the book is well written and well-paced, grabbing the reader’s interest right from the very first page and never letting go. I literally can’t find anything in it to complain about.
GraveTells: Once Burned
“Once Burned was thoroughly engrossing and had me fanning myself more than once. Frost’s continued ability to make me forget my surroundings and transport me onto her pages is uncanny. Her multi-dimensional characters, especially the portrayal of Vlad Tepes, were gripping to the end and left me wanting more. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoy her writing and she has a lifelong fan.”
Brooke Reports Blog: Sweet Evil
Cover Analysis: A City of Broken Glass
Fangs, Wands, and Fairy Dust: North of Need
"Laura writes sex so well you may feel you just had it after reading several passages in NORTH OF NEED. The sex in the book isn't crude, it is caring. Being good in bed is absolutely necessary to be a romance hero. This is a modern fairy tale for adults about a woman who gets what, or who, she needs but, of course in the way of fairy tales, doesn't recognize it until it is nearly too late.
Owen and Megan are developed; maybe cast a bit to type. Megan is grief and guilty feelings. Until she finds Owen we don't know much else about her. Owen is everything you would want a snow god to be; he is the fun you had as a child making snow angels, the fun you forget once you've grown up. But he is very much a man, a very sexy man, whose heart will literally melt for you.
Laura also doesn't get caught up in the physics of godhood. It's another realm and beyond our concept of corporeality and incorporeality.
Laura's books are always well-edited, use grammar and punctuation properly and she employs an economy of words. It's not that she isn't descriptive--she is just not overly descriptive..."
Owen and Megan are developed; maybe cast a bit to type. Megan is grief and guilty feelings. Until she finds Owen we don't know much else about her. Owen is everything you would want a snow god to be; he is the fun you had as a child making snow angels, the fun you forget once you've grown up. But he is very much a man, a very sexy man, whose heart will literally melt for you.
Laura also doesn't get caught up in the physics of godhood. It's another realm and beyond our concept of corporeality and incorporeality.
Laura's books are always well-edited, use grammar and punctuation properly and she employs an economy of words. It's not that she isn't descriptive--she is just not overly descriptive..."
Brooke Reports: Anna Dressed in Blood
Eleusinian Mysteries: Losing Lila
Paper Planes: The Gathering Dark
Catching Books: Dreamless
The Teen Book Guru: Grave Mercy
"Okay lets start by focusing in on the main reason I picked up this book and enjoyed it so much. Assasins. But not just any old assassins; nun assassins. If those two words put together aren't enough to make you run to the closest bookstore and pick up this 600-page historical thriller, I don't know what will convince you."
"Ismae is sent to track Duval and make sure his intentions are in the right place. Guided by Death's own hand, and skills she never even knew she possessed, Ismae thinks she has nothing to worry about. But not once did her mind cross over the possibility of falling in love..."
"I was continually amazed by Ismae's strength and growth throughout the novel. Not once did she allow herself to wallow in self-pity because of her hard up-bringing, and she never cowered in the face of fear."
Comment Love:
"NUN ASSASSINS RIYA!!!!! Love it. Even after all the reviews I've read for this one I still had no idea she was Death's daughter. Brilliant! I really need to read this one, I don't know why I haven't picked it up already. I'm challenged, clearly. Love the sound of the romance and the fact that they're both hesitant at first, so much better than insta-love! AWESOME REVIEW MY FRIEND!"
-Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
"Wonderful review Riya!!!!!!!!! Love the way you ended with 5 million muffins!!!!!! I really loved this book too, from the courageous Ismae, to the slow-blumming romance, to the fantastic plot, this book has it all!!!!!!!!"
-Rachel @ Unforgettable Books
Voting is CLOSED! The WINNER IS GraveTells: West of Want
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