Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry

Bookshelf Tour

Legend by Marie Lu

Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

City of Fallen Angels and City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Book Haul/In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Jessica Series by Beth Fantaskey

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

Release Date: January 24 2012
Publisher: Harperteen/Balzer & Bray
Pages: 370

Everneath is one of those books that I was highly anticipating for months before its release. I saw the cover on another blog and was immediately intrigued. When I read the synopsis and discovered that it was a sort of modern day retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, I was hooked. Not only do I adore anything to do with Greek mythology, the story of Hades and Persephone is one of my favorites. I've read several other retellings of the tale and was a little weary that perhaps Everneath would be too similar to these. Luckily it couldn't have been more different!

I absolutely loved this book. Brodi Ashton took the Persephone myth and turned it into something very unique and unlike anything I've ever read. It was beautiful and haunting and very hard to put down. I read it in a day because I couldn't stop turning the pages. It was one of those novels that when I had to put it down to do something else, I was thinking about the characters and couldn't wait to get back to them and find out what was going to happen to them.

The plot was great and took off from the beginning. You start out the story wondering where exactly Nikki is and how she got to this point in her life. I enjoyed how the plot skipped back and forth between present day and the previous year. Sometimes when authors use this method it can get confusing but Ashton did it beautifully and it really allowed the story to unfold in a way that kept you totally enthralled. I fell in love with the characters in the story (one in particular has captured my heart but I won't say who as I don't want to spoil anything).

Everneath had everything from romance, action, mystery and a very big 'creep factor'. The Everneath? The Tunnels? I had goosebumps reading about them. I very much enjoyed how the author manged to take an idea that has such strong supernatural elements and make it feel realistic, and the characters easy to relate to.

Overall, a fantastic read. I recommend it to everyone!

Shut Out by Kody Keplinger

Falling Under by Gwen Hayes

Shiver, Linger, and Forever - The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater

Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

When I first read Shiver a couple of years ago, it was definitely 'love at first read.' Stiefvater pulled me into Mercy Falls from the very first page and made me want to set up permanent residence.

There are just so many things to love about this series. First and foremost on that list is the writing. Maggie Steifvater has a way with words that tends to take one's breath away. She can take simple commentary and turn it into a thing of beauty. In just a few words she manages to give real insight to a characters thoughts, emotions, and motivation. Her writing is like a work of art, the words molded together to create something truly beautiful. I felt like I could really see Mercy Falls...the book store, Grace's bedroom, Beck's place, the and woods. Not only could I see a vivid picture of the settings and characters, but I felt as if I could hear the sounds as well...of Sam's soft voice, the strumming of a guitar, the howls of the wolves, or even the snap of a branch within the forest. There were moments that were like looking at a painting and listening to a beautiful piece of music at the same time.

The characters in this series were incredible as well. I fell head over heels for Sam. Wonderful, beautiful, breath taking Sam! My heart melted for him, broke for him, and pounded because of him. He was very different from most of the love interests/male leads that I've read. He had depth and history and was complex. I loved Grace as well, and in the second and third novels Isabel and Cole stole my heart. The characters felt real and rich and I felt honest emotions for what they were going through. I really grew attached to them.

The plot itself was amazing. Stiefvater wrote a story that was captivating and heart wrenching. The combination of romance, paranormal, and honest human experiences and emotions was perfect. I really enjoyed the use of science in the story and that there was a real explanation for what was happening with the wolves. There are some novels in which there is no real description or explanation for the paranormal events that occur and the reader is just expected to believe that what is happening has good reason. That is not the case in this trilogy.

I wholeheartedly recommend this series. It has been one of my favorites these past few years and I was sad to see it end. I'm certainly a big fan of Maggie Stiefvater now!

New Girl by Paige Harbison

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy. And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Release Date: January 31 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 304

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I began this book. The premise sounded quite different from anything I've read recently, which is what lead me to pick it up. What I found within the pages of New Girl swept me up and kept me reading intently until the very end.

This book has a lot to offer someone who's looking for a fun, entertaining read. Mystery, secrets, suspense, romance, mean girls, and some juicy drama! Not one page, not one paragraph was boring. The plot was fantastic. There was always something happening to keep the story moving along and I was swept up in looking for clues and trying to figure out the answer to the big mystery that sits at the centre of the novel.

As for the characters, there were a few I loved, and a lot I loved to hate. Paige Harbison has written characters that felt real, complex, and intruiging. Even side characters with smaller roles had personality and never fell flat.

New Girl was without a doubt a deliciously captivating and enticing read that, at its conclusion, left this reader with a very satisfied smile.

Crave by Melissa Darnell