Dystopian Desserts

Books Read in 2011

2012-02-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

My goodness. I haven't updated my blog since December! This is the consequence of being a full time student, unfortunately! So please forgive me, and happy late holidays, happy late new year, and happy early Valentine's day! Just to recap 2011, I've updated the list of every book I've read this past year. I'm so sad that I didn't reach my goal of 100 :(

||Books Read in 2011||

--------------------

1. If I stay

by: Gayle Forman

2. Matched

by: Ally Condie

3. Wither

by: Lauren DeStefano

4. The City of Bones

by: Cassandra Clare

5. The City of Ashes

by: Cassandra Clare

6. Incarceron

by: Catherine Fisher

7. Sapphique

by: Catherine Fisher

8. Bad Boy

by: Walter Dean Myers

9. Thirteen Reasons Why

by: Jay Asher

10. I Heart You, You Haunt Me

by: Lisa Schroeder

11. The Water Wars

by: Cameron Stracher

12. The Vespertine

by: Saundra Mitchell

13. Impossible

by: Nancy Werlin

14. Delirium

by: Lauren Oliver

15. The Summer I Turned Pretty

by: Jenny Han

16. It's Not Summer Without You

by: Jenny Han

17. We'll Always Have Summer

by: Jenny han

18. Fallen

by: Lauren Kate

19.Torment

by: Lauren Kate

20. The Healer's Apprentice

by: Melanie Dickerson

21. Sent

by: Margaret Peterson Haddix

22. Ethan Frome

by: Edith Wharton

23. The Curious Incident of the Dog int the Night-Time

by: Mark Haddon

24. The Maze Runner

by: James Dashner

25. The Scorch Trials

by: James Dashner

26. City of Glass

by: Cassandra Clare

27. Stolen

by: Lucy Christopher

28. Twenty Boy Summer

by: Sarah Ockler

29. Stay

by: Deb Caletti

30. Bumped

by: Megan McCafferty

31. Shiver

by: Maggie Stiefvater

32. Linger

by: Maggie Stiefvater

33. Across The Universe

by: Beth Revis

34. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

by: Betty Smith

35. Numbers

by: Rachel Ward

36. Daughter of the Flames

by: Zoe Marriott

37. The Line

by: Teri Hall

38. Hush, Hush

by: Becca Fitzpatrick

39. Crescendo

by: Becca Fitzpatrick

40. The Body Finder

by: Kimberly Derting

41. The Lipstick Laws

by: Amy Holder

42. Lost Voices

by: Sarah Porter

43. Desires of the Dead

by: Kimberly Derting

44. Airhead

by: Meg Cabot

45. Being Nikki

by: Meg Cabot

46. Hex Hall

by: Rachel Hawkins

47. Heist Society

by: Amy Carter

48. Invincible Summer

by: Hannah Moskowitz

49. City of Fallen Angels

by: Cassandra Clare

50. Airhead

by: Meg Cabot

51. Demonglass

by: Rachel Hawkins

52. Where She Went

by: Gayle Forman

53. Entwined

by: Heather Dixon

54. The Goddess Test

by: Aimee Carter

55. Firelight

by: Sophie Jordan

56. Before I fall

by: Lauren Oliver

57. Ophelia

by: Lisa Klein

58. Cleopatra Confesses

by: Carolyn Meyer

59. Ender's Game

by: Orson Scott Card

60. Ultraviolet

by: R.J. Anderson

61. Starcrossed

by: Josephine Angelini

62. The Girl in the Steel Corset

by: Kady Cross

63. Somtimes It Happens

by: Lauren Barnholdt

64. Legacy

by: Cayla Kluver

65. The Day Before

by: Lisa Schroeder

66. Spellbound

by: Cara Lynn Shultz

67. Hereafter

by: Tara Hudson

68. Romeo and Juliet

by: W. Shakespeare

69. The Secret Year

by: Jennifer Hubbard

70. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl

by: Harriet Jacobs

71. The Strange Case of Finley Jane

by: Kady Cross

72. Forbidden

by: Tabitha Suzuma

73. Mercy

by: Rebecca Lim

74. 68 Knots

by: Michael Robert Evans

75. The Eternal Ones

by: Kirsten Miller

76. Tris & Izzie

by: Mette Ivie Harrison

77. Fury

by: Elizabeth Miles

78. Uncommon Criminals

by: Ally Carter

79. Clean

by: Amy Reed

80. Blood Red Road

by: Moira Young

81. The Beginning of After

by: Jennifer Castle

83. Angel Burn

by: L.A. Weatherly

84. Passion

by: Lauren Kate

85. Vanish

by: Sophie Jordan

86. The Juliet Spell

by: Douglas Rees

87. The House on Mango Street.

by: Sandra Cisneros

88. Anastasia's Secret

by: Susanne Dunlap

89. Fahrenheit 451

by: Ray Bradbury

90. Rebecca

by: Daphne Du Maurier

91. Clockwork Angel

by: Cassandra Clare

92. Bright Young Things

by: Anna Godbersen

93. Silence

by: Becca Fitzpatrick

94. The Merchant's Daughter

by: Melanie Dickerson

95. The Death Cure

by: James Dashner

HUNGER GAMES OFFICIAL MOVIE TRAILER!!

2011-11-14T18:18:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that the trailer has finally been released! All of us fans have been waiting so patiently for this moment! I remember waiting for each book to come out, and the fact that actors/actresses are quoting lines directly from the book is just surreal! The trailer seems very faithful to the events of the actual book, which is definitely awesome. As for the acting...I feel as if it's missing something. Jennifer Lawrence is definitely gorgeous, but she still doesn't embody that distinctive hard-cut quality that Katniss has. I guess we'll find out on March 23rd, 2012!

The Hunger Games Cast || Vanity Fair Photo shoot

2011-11-02T17:58:00.000-07:00

Doesn't the picture on the left hand side look very Vampire Diaries-esque? It's all about the love triangle!

The cast of The Hunger Games in Concord, North Carolina. From left: Isabelle Fuhrman, Jack Quaid, Jacqueline Emerson, Dayo Okeniyi, Leven Rambin, Alexander Ludwig, Amandla Stenberg, Josh Hutcherson, Jennifer Lawrence, and Liam Hemsworth.

The casting of our favorite Dystopian trilogy is definitely getting the spotlight! This recent photo shoot from Vanity Fair shows our competitors at their most fashionable. The two black and white pictures definitely accentuate the heartbreak warfare going on between Katniss/Peeta/Gale. These shots are beautiful!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2011/12/hunger-games-201112#slide=2

Cover Reveal || DREAMLESS by Josephine Angelini

2011-11-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

DREAMLESS (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini is scheduled to published in May 2012 by HarperTeen. What do you think of the cover? The sunset pallet is absolutely gorgeous!

HALLOWEEN GIVEAWAY!

2011-10-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

CROSSED || NEW BOOK TRAILER!

2011-10-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe there are only 2 weeks left until Crossed is released! I found this new trailer on Entertainment Weekly, and was blown away by the dramatic and suspenseful atmosphere! The Dylan Thomas poem was read beautifully, and the end...oh gosh... where Cassia drops the red pill...too epic!

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2011/10/18/crossed-trailer-exclusive/

NEW HUNGER GAMES COVERS...For Adults?

2011-10-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

As I was surfing the worldwide web, I came across these new and improved UK covers of The Hunger Games Trilogy. Surprisingly enough, these refurbished covers aren't meant to pull in teenage fans; it's meant to appeal to the adult demographic. What do you think? Will these new covers draw the attention of high school students and parents alike? I certainly think the gold, red, and blue make a statement!

Source: Mockingjay.net

OCTOBER NEW RELEASES!

2011-10-09T11:01:00.000-07:00

	Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick Release Date: October 4 The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...a...more	My rating: edit my review shelf: currently-reading
	The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan Release Date: October 4 In the first pages of this standalone sequel to The Lost Hero, Percy Jackson remembers only his name and the name of Annabeth, a mysterious woman he associates somehow with the city of San Francisco...more	My rating: add to my books
	The Death Cure by James Dashner Release Date: October 11 Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers...more	My rating: edit my review shelf: to-read ( 171st )
	The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater Release Date: October 18 It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die...more	My rating: add to my books
	Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver Release Date: October 4 Liesl lives in a tiny attic bedroom, locked away by her cruel stepmother. Her only friends are the shadows and the mice—until one night a ghost appears from the darkness. It is Po, who comes from the ...more	My rating: edit my review shelf: to-read ( 168th )
	Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly Release Date: October 1 This is the thrilling second chapter in the electrifying "Angel Trilogy". Angels will never be seen in the same way again. Gorgeous, charismatic Alex has the courage and skill of a trained A...more	My rating: edit my review shelf: to-read ( 297th )
	Muse by Rebecca Lim Release Date: October 27 An angel searching for answers, for her destiny… In the third MERCY paranormal romance, Mercy wakes in a new unknown host, her love for Ryan and Luc burning stronger than ever...more	My rating: add to my books

FAQ's With Veronica Roth

2011-10-09T10:47:00.000-07:00

FAQs: The Random Edition

Insurgent Questions

When does Insurgent come out?
May, 2012!

How do I get an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Insurgent?
You can e-mail your request to michael[dot]goldsmith[at]harpercollins.com (In the future I will refer to him in my head as The Keeper of the Books). But keep in mind that there won't be many ARCs to go around, so asking doesn't guarantee you a copy. Sorry about that! I'm impatient for everyone to read it too, believe me.

Wow! The page count online says Insurgent is a LOT shorter than Divergent. What's up with that?
The page counts you see online are not always based on the actual manuscript. Sometimes they're just a number fed into the system as a kind of place holder. (I'm not sure why this happens, just that it does.) By my estimation, Insurgent is about the same length as Divergent.

Character Questions

What's Four's last name?
I have an official response to this question, and it is: you'll find out if you read Insurgent. Although I feel like I should add to that that it's not some huge shocking reveal. It's just that Four is so careful about using his name. He only does it when he has to. So I want you guys to feel the significance of it just like Tris does, even though it's not a shock.

What color is Four's hair?
The first time someone mentioned that I never said what color Four's hair is in Divergent, I refused to believe it. But then I double-checked, and realized that I didn't, actually. So, for the official record, his hair is dark brown.

What's Tris's eye color?
This one I did actually include in Divergent, but it's only there once or twice, so, again for the official record, her eyes are blue.

Who would you cast as Tris/Tobias?
In the past, I've responded to this in a few different ways, depending on my mood. I've said that I don't care who it is, even if they don't look quite right, as long as they're good at acting. (True.) I've said I like "nobodies." (Also true.) And I've said that I think Tris looks like Mia Wasikowska. (Still true.) And that I have no freaking idea who looks like Tobias. (This is the most true.)

Etc.

Can I audition for the movie?
I appreciate the enthusiasm, but not only is the movie-making process not nearly that far along yet, I really don't have anything to do with casting! All I do is write the books. Seriously.

Do you intend to write more books after this series?
Yes. But I'm taking one thing at a time.

How many books are in the series?Some people ask this, I think, because the faction symbols are on the covers, and there are five faction symbols (therefore: five books, right?). But no. There will be three books, that is all.

For more on Veronica Roth, visit her Goodreads page.

Cover Reveal || BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore

2011-10-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

FINALLY! The (VERY) long awaited cover of Cashore's Bitterblue has been released! The book was originally scheduled to be released in April 2011, however it was then postponed until September of 2011. The release date has again been delayed until May 1st, 2012. For fans of Kristin Cashore's Graceling, and Fire, Bitterblue will be a companion novel tying the afore mentioned books together.

Tidbit from Cashore's blog:

"Book 3, tentatively titled Bitterblue and currently in progress, is a companion book to both Graceling and Fire and takes place in the seven kingdoms eight years after Graceling. Bitterblue will tie all three books together in some way. Bitterblue is the sixteen-year-old protagonist, and Katsa, Po, Giddon, Helda, and other characters from Graceling will be part of the fabric of the book. Plenty of fighting still to come!"

CLOCKWORK PRINCE || Masquerade Ball Book Trailer

2011-09-30T21:30:00.000-07:00

Clockwork Prince's December 6th release date is drawing near! In celebration of it all, a new Masquerade Ball Book trailer was released just recently. It's sexy, steamy, and mysterious! I absolutely can't wait to read the next book! (BTW, the guy who portrays Jem in the trailer is an absolute cutie!)

BANNED BOOKS || GIVEAWAY HOP

2011-09-24T12:50:00.000-07:00

I honestly really love hosting giveaways :) For a complete list of all those participating, please visit I am a Reader, Not a Writer. I'm SO excited to be giving away a pre-order copy of A Million Suns first of all because it's dystopia, and secondly because it really fits the "BANNED BOOKS" theme!

Becca Fitzpatrick on HUSH,HUSH the GRAPHIC NOVEL || Exclusive Interview

2011-09-20T19:12:00.000-07:00

"This October, Sea Lion Books brings one of the most popular Young Adult novels to comics with "Hush, Hush," the first of three graphic novels adapting the New York Times bestselling YA novel by Becca Fitzpatrick.

"Hush, Hush" follows the story of average teenager Nora Grey, a good student and writer for the school paper whose routine life suddenly goes off track when a new student named Patch becomes her lab partner and turns her entire world upside-down. While Nora finds herself inexplicably attracted to Patch's bad-boy image, danger begins following her at every turn. As the story progresses, Nora learns more than she bargained for about her past and her dark connection to fallen angels, becoming embroiled in an ages-old conflict. Along with her best friend Vee, Nora has to sort out who she can really trust between Patch and new arrivals Jules and Eliot.

Becca Fitzpatrick took time out of her busy schedule to break the silence to CBR News about the "Hush, Hush" graphic novel adaptation, the process of designing her characters from prose to illustration, the style of the book, the challenges of adapting her work for comics and the special 18-page story that bridges the gap between "Hush, Hush" and its sequel, "Crescendo."

Becca Fitzpatrick: The first "Hush, Hush" graphic novel will cover one third of the "Hush, Hush" novel. [Publisher] Sea Lion Books are determined to make it as close to the novel as possible. The big surprise with the graphic novel will be the original bonus story. It reveals what happens to Patch and Nora between "Hush, Hush" and the sequel, "Crescendo."
In the early stages, there was quite a bit of back and forth as I provided character and setting descriptions to artist Jennyson Rosero and he, in turn, translated my input into sketches. It was such a fun process, and rewarding too -- with each round, I felt that we were getting closer to nailing the artwork.
CBR News: Becca, tell us about "Hush, Hush" as a graphic novel. What's in, what's out and what's new?

The first "Hush, Hush" graphic novel adaptation covers one third of the original novel
So much of a novel involves readers imagining setting and how characters look and move. How closely are you working with the creative team of the graphic novel in order to help smooth the transition from text to image?
By the same token, how involved have you been in character design work? How do you feel the character designs reflect your descriptions of Nora, Patch, Vee, Eliot and Jules?
While I understood going into the project that the images in my head couldn't be perfectly replicated on the page, I've been very pleased with the designs. I also think it's important to note that I didn't want to dictate every last detail. Part of what I think will make the graphic novel successful is the blending of my suggestions with Jennyson's creative energy.
How long is the graphic novel and how does it compare to the level of detail provided in "Hush, Hush?"
The first graphic novel will be 120 pages. Sea Lion Books are working hard to capture the essence of the "Hush, Hush" novel. All important events, characters, settings, etc., are included in the graphic novel. The first novel, "Hush, Hush," will be adapted into 3 graphic novels.
While many other young adult novels have been adapted into graphic novels, most of them (notable Twilight) have taken the route of the manga-inspired art. What is the art style like for "Hush, Hush" and how do you feel it reflects the story you're trying to tell?
"Hush, Hush" will be done in an Amerimanga style. Manga definitely appeals to young adult female readers, but I believe by going with the Amerimanga style, the graphic novel will capture both male and female readers.
Why do you think the graphic novel format is a good medium to adapt your story?
Fitzpatrick hopes the graphic novel's Amerimanga style will capture the attention of male and female readers
"Hush, Hush" is a very pacey and plot-driven story, and I think because of this, it translates well into a more visual medium. Readers often tell me they can see scenes playing out in their minds -- almost like watching a movie. Many of them are anticipating "viewing" the story through the graphic novel.
Sequential narrative is very different than prose. Did you find the art in line with the vision in your head when you're working on the novels?
I've been really impressed by the transition. I feel the pages are following the novel closely. At one point during the process, Sea Lion Books sent me a picture of the farmhouse where Nora lives and it was drawn to be a single story. Since quite a bit of action down the road in "Crescendo" takes place on the second story of the farmhouse, I did ask the artist to redraw the house.
What are you most excited about for the release of the graphic novel?
Fans' reactions! Since announcing the graphic novel, there has been an amazing amount of enthusiasm for the project. I hope my readers feel as though they're experiencing Patch and Nora's story again for the first time."
ARTICLE SOURCE FROM CBR NEWS

Much thanks to Sea Lion Books for sending me this article! I'm really looking forward to Hush, Hush: The Graphic Novel's October 18th release date!

Cover Reveal || INSURGENT by Veronica Roth

2011-09-18T10:39:00.000-07:00

Of all the dystopia-related book covers I've ever laid eyes on, this has to be one of the most stunning. The cover of Insurgent compliments Divergent almost too beautifully! I love how all the natural elements are being incorporated, but the entire picture still manages to maintain a modern and futuristic feel. If you're a subscriber of Entertainment Weekly, you'll also know that this cover was featured last week! What do you think? Are you looking forward to reading the sequel and fawning over the cover as much as I am?

Here's a quick Q&A from Roth's Goodreads Page:

1. Is that tree thing the symbol of Amity?

Yes.

2. What happens in the book?

You'll find out soon enough.

3. When does it come out?

May, 2012

4. Can I get an ARC?

You can request one, but not from me, because I'm not the one who decides where the ARCs go. I will provide you with an e-mail address to send your request to as soon as I have it.

5. Do you like the cover?

Are you kidding? YES. And I am excited for you to read what will be behind it.

BACK TO THE BOOKS || Giveaway Hop

2011-08-31T22:41:00.000-07:00

COLLEGE FUNDRAISER LINK: http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/2011/08/book-fundraiser.html

BACK TO THE BOOKS GIVEAWAY HOP LINKY LIST: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hops.html

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER:

http://twitter.com/#!/dystopiandssrts

HUNGER GAMES MOVIE || TEASER TRAILER

2011-08-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

So here it is folks! A sneak peak of the long-awaited Hunger Games movie trailer which debuted at the MTV VMAs tonight. Unfortunately, Jennifer Lawrence couldn't be there to present the teaser trailer in person, but the fans were hyped up nonetheless.

What do you think of the trailer? To be honest, I'm really excited for the movie, but this trailer really doesn't reveal much at all. It's the same eerie soundtrack from the official poster, and the setting/costume are the exact same from dozens of Hunger Games stills that have already been featured in magazines. The only thing that's unique, is Liam Hemsworth's narration. At this point and time, I've seen better fan made trailers. I was hoping for so much more!

CATCHING FIRE || MOVIE RELEASE DATE

2011-08-08T12:54:00.000-07:00

At the height of Hunger Games activity, Lionsgate has proudly announced that the HG film's sequel, Catching Fire, will be released on NOVEMBER 22, 2013. The film company has dubbed this project "The World Will Catch Fire on November 22, 2013."

"The announcement was made by Joe Drake, co-COO of Lionsgate and President of its Motion Picture Group. No further details about CATCHING FIRE have been confirmed at this stage.

Said Drake of the date, “The magical thing about the Hunger Games trilogy is that the books have such a vastly broad appeal. The stories truly offer something for everyone, and the period around the Thanksgiving weekend is such an opportunity for families and friends to make an event of going to the movies.”

Source: http://lionsgatepublicity.com/epk/catchingfire/index.php

BOOK FUNDRAISER!

2011-08-05T16:15:00.000-07:00

There’s a time in a teen’s life when she must wonder about how to pay for college. I have reached that point in my life. I’ve been scratching my eyeballs out wondering how I’m going to pay for the tuition at Dartmouth! So whilst my eyeballs are still intact, I’ve decided to start small and do a fundraiser! For every $10 you donate, I’ll send you a book of your choice from the lists below!

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR NAME, EMAIL, AMOUNT DONATED & BOOK CHOICE(S) IN THE COMMENTS SECTION!

I will contact you as soon as possible regarding your address so I can send the book out to you!

click for larger image

500 Follower Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-05T16:01:00.000-07:00

I can't express enough how thankful I am for having such great followers! Thanks to everyone for making this my BIGGEST giveaway yet! There were over 600 entries! I can't believe how far I've come since January, and thanks to all of you who made it possible!

And now to announce the winner!

CONGRATULATIONS JENNIFER!

Please respond to my email within 48 hours to claim your prize.

Passion || Lauren Kate

2011-07-30T14:33:00.000-07:00

Book: Passion
Author: Lauren Kate
Pages: 432
Published: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Summary: Luce would die for Daniel.

And she has. Over and over again. Throughout time, Luce and Daniel have found each other, only to be painfully torn apart: Luce dead, Daniel left broken and alone. But perhaps it doesn’t need to be that way. . . .

Luce is certain that something—or someone—in a past life can help her in her present one. So she begins the most important journey of this lifetime . . . going back eternities to witness firsthand her romances with Daniel . . . and finally unlock the key to making their love last.

Cam and the legions of angels and Outcasts are desperate to catch Luce, but none are as frantic as Daniel. He chases Luce through their shared pasts, terrified of what might happen if she rewrites history.

Because their romance for the ages could go up in flames . . . forever.

Sweeping across centuries, PASSION is the third novel in the unforgettably epic FALLEN series.

I'm actually quite torn! This book is surprisingly difficult for me to review, in a sense that there were several elements I absolutely loved, and others that I disfavored. In the end though, I think the pros and cons balance out to produce the lyrical conundrum that is Passion.

PROS:
I would be lying if I didn't admit that Passion was a poetic blend of love that transcends time. Contrary to other strongly voiced opinions regarding Kate's writing, I found her style to be anything but prosaic and tiresome. From the first page I was ensnared by the rich and vividly depicted landscapes spanning millions of years and cultures. In fact, I commend Kate for her bold plunge into the paranormal and historical. She did just enough research to give the reader a sense of cultural diversity without making the entire novel sound like a history lesson.

I've been ardently curious about Luce and Daniel's past interactions since the beginning of the series, and I have to say, this book has certainly quenched my acquisitiveness. The numerous lifetimes and encounters revolving around this couple were filled with budding intensity and surprising tenderness. I loved how Daniel and Luce never ventured past deeply passionate kisses, but were still able to capture all the finer points of an emotionally concupiscent romance.

Moreover, I found the premise of Daniel's character more evocative than ever. Seeing him eternally devoted, selfless, and passionate gave him a new dimension as a character. Witnessing his never-ending suffering over the endless millennia was almost too distressing to repeatedly endure for Luce, and me as the reader alike. The relationship that Lauren Kate weaved between Luce and Daniel is something truly unique. An angel and a mortal: doomed to love and to lose each other for eternity. It's really quite beautiful.

CONS:
There were some constituent elements in Passion that not even elegiac prose can mask. After I flipped past the final page, there were still many unanswered questions that left me feeling unsatisfied. For example:

1. How can Daniel look ethnically different in every one of Luce's lifetimes? He is an immortal.
2. How exactly do the announcers work? The descriptions were achingly vague.
3. How did Luce become so powerful at time travel? It was rather convenient.
4. Why are Cam, Gabbe, Roland, Ariane, etc. still hanging around Luce and Daniel? It's like they have nothing else to do.
5. What was the point of Shelby and Miles coming along?
6. If Cam and Daniel are "enemies" why do their interactions seem neither negative nor positive?
7. Other than the usual angel crew, where are all the other angels? Isn't this supposed to be a huge war?
8. Why can Luce cleave so easily, while Daniel finds it torturous?
9. Shouldn't interacting with one's past self somehow alter the future?
10. What determines whether Luce dies or not? Is it Daniel or is it Luce?
11. WHY IS LUCE STILL ALIVE IN THIS LIFETIME?
12. WHAT MAKES THIS LIFETIME DIFFERENT?
13. HOW DID DANIEL PICK LUCE? If he was condemned to love, why is it that Luce is the one he loves over and over? He was sent spiraling down from Heaven, and after that, there must have been a time when he was "looking" for love before he was doomed to experience it over and over in the most painful way.

So as you can see, many unanswered questions were storming through my mind. Through the endless time travel, many gaping holes in the plotline simultaneously swelled open thus creating a sense of confusion. There is no doubt that Passion was written quite differently from it's predecessors , but it wasn't necessarily for the better. The constant time travel seemed to be an aimless cul-de-sac resulting in an abrupt and immanently lacking ending. When Luce finally reunited with Daniel, it didn't seem as if she grew to understand their relationship on a deeper level, in fact, she seemed slightly more self-centered than ever. The ending, or rather, the epilogue was by far the most disappointing section. There was no transition between Luce's time traveling excursion and the finally continuing plot. Thus, I felt the lack of gradual progression into the "bigger picture," completely vanquished the point of the story.

OVERALL:
There is no denying that I am enchanted by the rich and picturesque quality of Lauren Kate's writing. She executes her stories with ultimate finesse through interlinking the vivid layers of her characters' past lives. However, there are simply some preeminent questions that cannot be left unanswered, especially when the plot line is growing ever more complicated. Although my perception of the quandary that is Luce and Daniel's saga is far from holistic, I most wholeheartedly look forward to concluding book.

-Carina L. Tai

Cover Reveal || Fever by Lauren DeStefano

2011-07-28T09:42:00.000-07:00

So here it is ladies and gentlemen! The long awaited reveal of Lauren DeStefano's Fever. I have to admit, I'm really excited to find out what happens to Rhine! She's such a unique character who possesses an unparalleled fighting spirit. DeStefano is really pumping up dystopia! As for the cover, I still have to admit that I'm a bit more in love with it's predecessor. Though this new cover is almost equally as stunning! I can't wait to have this exotic cover sitting next to my copy of Wither!

P.S. SERIOUSLY. I can't get over it! The model looks like Avril Lavigne, but with Ariana Grande's hair!

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY || MEN OF THE HUNGER GAMES EDITION!

2011-07-27T20:27:00.000-07:00

As I signed onto Twitter a few moments ago, I couldn't help but notice the bombardment of Hunger Games photos from this week's Entertainment Weekly. Although the magazine doesn't hit stores until Friday, a few scans from this week's "Men of the Hunger Games" issue has been floating around on almost every HG related fansite. And since I just LOVE compiling pictures, I made one especially for you guys to enjoy :) It saves you the trouble of sifting through hundreds of the same photos on virtually dozens of websites.

What do you guys think? It's gorgeous right? Josh Hutcherson is slowly morphing into the very image of Peeta I have in my head, but Liam, still lacks that cool and cavalier persona that Gale carries so well (Is it just me, or does he dress like Indiana Jones?). Leave your love in the comments, or Tweet me @DystopianDssrts.

Alex Pettyfer rumored to be cast as Daniel Grigori from Fallen?

2011-07-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

Ahh, there's nothing like seeing a giant and seductively posed picture of Alex right when you open up my blog. I should get brownie points for this! Again, I must inform you that I am hyperventilating whilst typing away furiously on my clicky-sounding keyboard. I seem to be doing that a lot nowadays. ESPECIALLY when it involves my future lover, ALEX PETTYFER! So as you might or might now know, Disney has acquired the film rights to Lauren Kate's "Fallen," the first book in an ongoing paranormal series.

Article Source: Wikipedia.com

"The series is scheduled to be four books long. The first sequel, Torment, was released on September 28, 2010. The third book, Passion, was released on June 14, 2011.^[2] Lauren Kate also announced that her fourth book, Rapture, would be released in Spring 2012.

A Fallen movie is in talks^[3] and Disney has optioned the rights to Fallen. Since the Fallen series is a four part series, Disney made sure that they obtained rights to all four of the books in the deal.^[4] Mark Ciardi and Gordon Gray will produce the movie."

Okay, so since I've already done oodles of foreshadowing in both the title and first paragraph, I'll just give it to you straight. ALEX PETTYFER has been (very strongly) rumored to be playing the sexy bad boy angel, Daniel Grigori! Take a moment, fan yourself, and stay conscious! I KNOW IT'S ALMOST TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE! Although nothing has been confirmed yet, IMDB has confidently suggested that Alex P. is already going for the role alongside Elizabeth Gillies (Jade from Victorious) who will be playing the gutsy Arianne Alter. Lucy Hale has also been suggested to portray the coveted female role of Luce, but again, nothing is confirmed.

What do you think? Is Alex's body, personality, style etc. commensurate with that of the stunning Daniel Grigori's? One thing's for sure, I'm getting FRONT ROW SEATS to see that movie!

Hunger Games || OFFICIAL MOVIE POSTER

2011-07-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

"It's something fans of The Hunger Games have eagerly been anticipating -- the release of the first official movie poster for the upcoming adaptation.

Lionsgate has obliged fans, releasing the first Hunger Games movie poster to Yahoo! Movies in a special animated image that features the iconic Mockingjay emblem up in flames, along with the title itself and the tagline "May the odds be ever in your favor."

This follows a promotional "teaser" poster that was unveiled last month at Licensing International Expo. The simpler promotional poster also featured the Mockingjay icon and the same tagline, though it lacked the flames featured in the official poster revealed today."

Article Source: http://www.examiner.com/the-hunger-games-in-national/lionsgate-unveils-official-movie-poster-for-the-hunger-games

Clean || Amy Reed

2011-07-18T22:33:00.000-07:00

Book: Clean
Author: Amy Reed
Pages: 288
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 8th, 2012
Rating: 5/5

Five teenagers. Five different addictions. One rehab center.

My Summary: For Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva, teenage life is a harsh wake up call. These teens aren't worrying about prom, or passing English honors. They've been forced into a Seattle rehab center with little choice but to face each other day after day and learn to come to terms with the mistakes they've made, even if it was never their fault to begin with. Despite how supportive, rich, abusive, uncaring, or naive each of their parents might be, in the end, they're all facing the same obstacles together. But it's not too late for them to change.

My Review: There is something about Amy Reed's writing style that leaves me feeling cold and unsettled. The message she conveys in her story is loud, brilliant, and perceptively shattering. Her complete regard for censorship, or lack thereof, is simply brave and eye-opening. We need more young adult writers like her.

Everything about Clean was raw and completely sincere. Reed depicts these teenagers at the lowest point in their lives: all feeling vulnerable and uncertain of what is to come. Through a series of personal essays and introspective questionnaire questions, the reader is invited to lift the curtain and take a small peak into each teenager's life. Each has a unique and heartbreaking story. I felt as if I was standing at a window and peering into the fictional rehab center where all five teens were having seemingly day to day conversations. But it's evident that everyone is trying to cope with the hardships of life while trying to appear strong.

I especially found the title of the story, Clean, to be thought-provoking in itself. After I finished the very last sentence, I spent moments pondering the single word that described all five teenagers. Clean. It might symbolize their clean bodies, free from alcohol and other abusive substances. However, I feel that Clean most accurately depicts how each and every one of them felt on the inside after discovering blooming friendships and most importantly, self-respect for themselves. It shocked me how each of the characters transformed into someone more confident and beautiful just by being around people who cared. Nobody is ever truly alone.

Clean was a beautiful read that I simply could not put down. Never have I read a book so honest. Sure, some readers might think that it's another sob story about drug abusive teens. But I invite you to explore the encoded meaning beyond every quip and insecure quote. This book was not meant to make you cry, or feel pity. I think each of the characters, Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva were depicted to represent what we dislike about ourselves. Feeling physically unattractive, feeling worthless, feeling insecure, feeling disappointment, and feeling unwanted. In the end, not everybody in life is going to treat you with the respect you deserve. But maybe if you're lucky, you can find those people who can help you become the best you can be.

Brava Ms. Reed. Clean is a story that should be read by teenagers and adults alike all over the world, not only to promote the negative effects of drug abuse, but to show the rawest type of beauty and power in unlikely friendships.

Blood Red Road || Moira Young

2011-07-16T16:14:00.000-07:00

Book: Blood Red Road
Author: Moira Young
Pages: 459
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: June 7th, 2011
Rating: 5/5

My Summary: Lugh and Saba are twins, both born on midwinter eighteen years ago. Lugh is light-haired, blue-eyed, and bright as the sun. Saba is dark-haired, brown-eyed, and his shadow. Together with their Pa and a younger sister named Emmi, they live in a wasteland ravaged by dust storms and interminable drought. But when four cloaked horsemen come and take Lugh, Saba knows she has no choice but to find him. Setting fire to the life that previously defined her, she embarks on an epic quest to save the one boy who means everything to her. He is her other half. But life beyond Silverlake is not as merciful as she thinks. Immediately she is captured and sold as a cage fighter. But Saba is survivor. She is fierce. She is the Angel of Death. In a calculated collaboration with the Free Hawks, a group of girl revolutionaries, and a handsome thief named Jack, Saba plunges into a journey of self-discovery, death, and adventure. Little does Saba know, she is about to spark a revolution.

My Review: When I finished Blood Red Road, I just had to stop, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. It was THAT good. I'm going to be honest and say that this was a book that had been sitting on my shelf for a while, and when I finally did decide to read it, I thought I wasn't going to enjoy it because of the peculiar Midwestern type dialogue used by the characters. I understand that being the grammatically capable people we are, the obvious spelling mistakes and lack of punctuation are going to be a headache. However, in retrospect, I found that Saba's unique dialect was what added that extra kick of flavor. It made her journey that much more primitive and haunting. And trust me, after 100 pages, it's hardly noticeable.

This is a book that kept me up until 4 a.m. in the morning. It's the day after, and I'm STILL thinking about it! Moira Young wove an adventure that completely took my breath away. It was a cunning and clever story that had me drunk on adrenalin up until the very last page. The world in which Saba lives is barely able to support human life, and yet, this is a setting where she learns to thrive. Everything from the dust to the heat is a part of who she is. It's slowly becoming a part of me too.

I particularly like Saba as a character. She was so mentally strong, so guarded, and so independent. She showed the perfect amounts of reluctance and inhibition and displayed a poignant sense of loyalty. She is the perfect dystopian heroine, surpassing Katsa from Graceling and even Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. As the story progresses, I enjoyed seeing her learn about her own strengths and growing friendships, especially with Jack. Although romance was not a main focal point, it was certainly a nice touch! I found myself grinning ear-to-ear between the lines of Saba and Jack's witty and flirtatious banter. I think Saba possesses a rough sort of beauty that not even a shaved head and scarred body can mask. Somehow, in the midst of a violent rescue mission, she finds time to reflect upon her cogent feelings for Jack, and even brings herself to admit them. This was definitely not a cat and mouse game. Jack and Saba grow certain of their feelings, and learn that an instant love can bloom even in the harshest conditions.

Wow. Even after pouring my thoughts into a heartfelt review, I still think it's insufficient to describe the way I feel about Blood Red Road. This was hands down, the best young adult book I've read in 2011. Even in a parched and dying world, Young was able to paint a palette of vivid colors through her characters, and through her story. Blood Red Road is a book that will whisk you away on an adventure of a lifetime.

500 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY!

2011-07-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ahh, it's that point in every blogger's life when he/she realizes that 500 is halfway to a thousand (math was never my strongest subject)! It's mind boggling! So in celebration of it all, I'd like to do another fantabulous giveaway :) That's right, I said it, FANTABULOUS!

**NOTE: Giveaway is for U.S. residents only (International contests may enter if they are willing to pay for shipping)

SIMPLY FILL OUT THIS FORM TO ENTER!

Pandemonium (Delirium #2) || Cover Reveal!

2011-07-11T12:56:00.000-07:00

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Full of danger, forbidden romance, and exquisite writing, Lauren Oliver’s sequel to Delirium races forward at a breathtaking pace and is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes action of The Hunger Games and the bittersweet love story of Romeo & Juliet.

Summary via: Goodreads.com

MY GOODNESS, PANDEMONIUM'S COVER IS GORGEOUS! Just in case you've been living in a cave and hiding from humanity, I've posted Pandemonium's summary up once again, and now that the cover has officially been released, I'm more excited than ever!! Visit Lauren Oliver's website HERE.

Upcoming Releases 2012 SEQUELS

2011-07-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

In order to stay organized and keep up-to-date on all the newest book releases, I create a list of sorts :) A lot of great books are coming out next year, so take notes! These are just a few of the popular authors/series that I follow. Many of the books have tentative release dates, and some have only the year or month listed because it's too soon to know when the exact publication date will be.

A Million Suns
(Across the Universe #2)

by: Beth Revis

Release Date: January 10th, 2012

Hallowed

(Unearthly #2)

by: Cynthia Hand

Release Date: January 24th, 2012

Fever

(The Chemical Garden #2)

by: Lauren DeStefano

Release Date: February 21st, 2012

Pandemonium

(Delirium #2)

by: Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 6th, 2012

Spell Bound

(Hex Hall #3)

Release Date: March 13th, 2012

Goddess Interrupted

(Goddess Test #2)

by: Aimee Carter

Release Date: April 2012, 2012

City of Lost Souls

(Mortal Instruments #5)

by: Cassandra Clare

Release Date: May 2012

Dreamless

(Starcrossed #2)

by: Josephine Angelini

Release Date: May 2012

The Enchantress

(Nicholas Flamel #6)

by: Michael Scott

Release Date: May 2012

Bitterblue
(7 Kingdoms #3)

by: Kristin Cashore

Release Date: June 21st

Insurgent

(Divergent #2)

by: Veronica Roth

Release Date: 2012

Thumped

(Bumped #2)

by: Megan McCafferty

Release Date: 2012

Perception (Clarity #2) by Kim Harrington || Cover Reveal

2011-07-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

This hotly anticipated sequel to CLARITY delivers another dark, paranormal mystery.

When you can see things others can't, what do you do when someone's watching you?

Everybody knows about Clarity "Clare" Fern. She's the psychic girl in school, the one who can place her hands on something and see hidden visions from the past.

Only Clare would rather not be a celebrity. She prefers hanging back, observing. Her gift is not a game to her.

But then someone starts playing with her head . . . and heart. Messages and gifts from a secret admirer crop up everywhere Clare turns. Could they be from Gabriel, the gorgeous boy who gets Clare's pulse racing? Or from Justin, Clare's hopeful ex-boyfriend who'd do anything to win her back?

One thing is certain. Clare needs to solve this mystery, and soon. Because the messages are becoming sinister, and a girl in town has suddenly disappeared.

Summary: Goodreads.com

Expected Publication: March 2012

Freedom Giveaway Hop WINNER!

2011-07-08T11:10:00.000-07:00

Again, it's been a pleasure hosting this giveaway on my blog! I hope you all had a wonderful Independence Day weekend filled with fireworks and food!

The winner of this giveaway is Comment #40: ranyka7. Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize! I'll be sending you your book from the Book Depository.

Delirium || Interactive Book Trailer!

2011-07-08T09:51:00.000-07:00

In honor of her own engagement, Lauren Oliver has presented us with a beautiful new INTERACTIVE trailer for Delirium! What does this mean for you? It means that you should watch the entire trailer, and decide whether or not you wish to be cured from LOVE. Choosing YES or NO will take you to two different videos where your fate will be revealed depending on the answer you have chosen.

Be sure to visit Lauren and her BLOG!

Choose your answer to go to the next video:

WOULD YOU CURE LOVE? YES

WOULD YOU CURE LOVE? NO

A Booklover's Dream Home

2011-07-07T08:53:00.000-07:00

For all you booklover's out there, has shelf space ever been an issue? Well, with this house, it'll never be an issue again. Check out this article I found on Yahoo!

The innovative 'Shelf-pod' house in Osaka, Japan can hold 10 tons of books.
Photo: Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio

"Floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall shelving defines a compact, 557-square-foot home in Osaka prefecture, Japan, designed by Japanese Architect Kazuya Morita.
Every element -- from the stairs to the windows -- were scaled to the individual shelf unit, "with the aim of achieving geometrical harmony which is comparable to Islamic architecture," Morita's website notes.

Designed for a young historian with an extensive book collection in Islamic history, Morita designed the house with interlocking laminated pine boards that slot together to form a lattice of towering shelving units.

The shelving had to be strong enough to support the entire house. "This is an unusual structure. I never experienced this kind of architecture," said Morita, who declined to disclose the cost to build the house. Numerous tests and experiments were run on models to ensure the structural integrity and convince city planning officials to issue a building permit. The home's exterior features a painted clay and bamboo wall, with cedar exterior wall plate. The interior is finished with plaster.

Exterior of the shelf-pod house in Osaka.
Photo: Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio

"It can support 10 tons of books," said Morita, who opened his architecture studio in 2000. And, he added, "it can survive earthquakes."

The shelving even extends into the home's bathroom, covering a wall above the toilet and bathtub.

Construction of the shelving for the "Shelf-Pod" home began in mid-2006, and the home was completed in March 2007. Morita's website details the many stages of construction, including the preconstruction of the large shelving units, which were assembled and structurally tested in a massive laboratory at Kyoto University's Katsura Campus.

He commented in a blog post that the client "was not entirely (sure) how to use this," when he saw the design. Morita also commented that he was "rather pleasantly surprised," during a visit to the home in 2008, to see how the client had furnished the home and was using the space.

A good place for knick-knacks.
Photo: Kazuya Morita Architecture Studio

Considered part of a new generation of architects, the 39-year-old Morita has wowed interior design and architecture critics with the Shelf-Pod and some other innovative and unique housing designs, including the "Pentagonal House." He noted that the Shelf-Pod was one of his most ambitious and challenging projects.

For Morita, the Shelf-Pod embodies a movement toward smaller, greener houses, and the increasing need to build more compactly in crowded big cities and retrenching suburban communities. He describes his work as a harmonious marriage of traditional and modern architecture, which incorporates sustainable materials and eco-friendly amenities. His homes blend indoor and outdoor environments and demonstrate that comfortable living can come in small spaces.

"Japanese architecture always has to be smaller. We have to live more efficiently," he said in an interview from his office in Kyoto, Japan. "Many big cities have the same problems. They are sprawling and sprawling. It's a very international situation." His smaller home designs, he said, are "very useful in China, New York, London and other big cities."

Article Source: Yahoo.com

Across the Universe #2 COVER RELEASE || A Million Suns

2011-07-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

My god. I am nearly hyperventilating right now! I could never, in all my life, imagine that the cover of Across the Universe's sequel would be so damn AMAZING. It is even better than it's predecessor! Anyhow, I'm definitely looking forward to A Million Suns. Across the Universe was one of my favorite 2011 reads thus far! The expected publication date of A Million Suns is January 10th, 2012 . *SIGH* I CAN'T WAIT THAT LONG! Currently, the plot and summary of A Million Suns is a secret (according to Goodreads).

Pandemonium (Delirum #2): Official Summary

2011-07-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

"Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Full of danger, forbidden romance, and exquisite writing, Lauren Oliver’s sequel to Delirium races forward at a breathtaking pace and is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes action of The
Hunger Games and the bittersweet love story of Romeo & Juliet."

Source: Goodreads.com

Pandemonium's cover art has yet to be released, but Lauren Oliver, the author, has posted sneak bits of her work on Facebook and Twitter. For now, enjoy the summary!

Matched: Paperback Cover!

2011-07-03T10:26:00.000-07:00

Click for Full Size

Isn't the cover stunning? I actually love the new paperback even more so than the hardback cover because of the typography on the front.It gave me chills just reading it! The paperback edition of Matched will be released on September 20th! I can't wait!!

Be sure to visit Ally Condie's Website.

Freedom Giveaway Hop

2011-06-30T20:14:00.000-07:00

Woah! It hasn't even been a week and I'm doing another big giveaway :) It's because I love you guys! As always, thanks to I am a Reader not a Writer for hosting this lovely giveaway. Please visit her blog HERE for a complete list of all the giveaways hosts.

How to Enter:

1. Follow my blog via GFC

2. Comment with your name, e-mail, and choice of book

Extras:

(+1) Every comment is an extra entry

(+2) Comment on any of my reviews

(+3) Follow me on Twitter (DystopianDssrts)

(+4) Spread the word via FB, Twitter, etc.

In honor of the Independence Day spirit, I'd particularly like to give away more dystopian titles. These stories prove just how important freedom is, whether it's the freedom to speak freely, the freedom to have a certain opinion, or even the freedom to love whomever we choose. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Top Row (Left to Right): Blood Red Road (Moira Young) || Divergent (Veronica Roth) || XVI (Julia Karr) || Across the Universe (Beth Revis)

Bottom Row (Left to Right): Enclave (Ann Aguirre) || Wither (Lauren DeStefano) || Bumped (Megan McCafferty) || Delirium (Lauren Oliver)

Across the Universe: PAPERBACK COVER

2011-06-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

So what do you think? This cover has a great modern and technological edge that fits the story perfectly, but compared to the hardcover, the colors of the paperback version don't jump out as much. I wish it was a little more vivid to match the intensity of the story! Anyhow, I'm still excited to see this book hit the shelves in November!

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Winner!

2011-06-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

I can't thank everyone enough for entering! I always have a lot of fun hosting giveaways! And now for the winner, Congratulations to Judy! Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize :)

Delirium: The Makeover!

2011-06-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Click for Full Size

A picture truly is worth a thousand words. In celebration of Pandemonium's (Delirium #2) upcoming release, a special edition of Delirium will be in print next fall! Special features include exclusive Q&A with Lauren Oliver, and the first few chapters of Pandemonium. I absolutely can't wait!!

Be sure to visit Lauren Oliver's Website.

Jennifer Lawrence is on FIRE!

2011-06-23T22:12:00.000-07:00

Jennifer Lawrence's career has blossomed into something spectacular! All my doubts about her portrayal of Katniss have completely vanished, and I'm more excited than ever for the movie's release! Check out this BEAUTIFUL manipulation by awalktothelastnotebook. Isn't it GORGEOUS? I thought it was the real thing when I first saw it! It's supposed to be Katniss's interview dress *_*!! LOVE IT!

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop!

2011-06-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to I am a Reader not a Writer for hosting another phenomenal giveaway hop! Visit all other participating blogs HERE.

How to Enter:

1. Follow my blog

2. Leave a comment with your name, e-mail, and indicate which prize pack you want

Extras:

(+1) Every comment is an extra entry
(+2) Comment on any of my reviews (leave link)

(+2) Follow me on Twitter (DystopianDssrts)

(+3) Spread the word via FB, Twitter, etc. (leave link)

Chillin' in Summer Prize Pack

Consists of: Shiver, Linger, and Forever by Maggie Steifvater

Blogger's Pick Prize Pack

Consists of: Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz and The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Forbidden || Tabitha Suzuma

2011-06-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Book: Forbidden

Author: Tabitha Suzuma

Pages: 432

Publication Date: May 27th, 2010

Rating: 5/5

Brother. Sister. A love that is forbidden.

I find this to be one of the most challenging books to review this year because I'm not sure if it's okay to love a story about incest. But from a professional point of view, the story, characters, and writing style were excellent! After reading the final page, I had a twisting feeling in my stomach that left me unsettled yet awestruck by the raw emotion evoked from the many passionate passages in the story.

Summary: Lochan is a shy scholar at the top of his graduating class. Maya is sweet and beautiful girl loved by all her peers. Aside from their high school lives, Lochan and Maya are forced to raise three younger siblings left behind by a father and a mother who rarely comes home sober. Although switching between student and parent is an almost impossible task, both Lochan and Maya accept the responsibilities and struggle to keep their already severed family together. They are each other's best friend, and all the hardship they endure together leads to something more. They are more than brother and sister. More than friends. They are lovers. They are soulmates.

Review: There's something adventurous and daring about "forbidden romances." Stories like Romeo and Juliet. But Forbidden is not your typical romance story. Brothers and sisters aren't supposed to fall in love. It's taboo. Throughout the story, I kept asking myself "Why?" I might have been over-analyzing Lochan and Maya's thought processes, but the concept was just so intriguing. What could have caused them to develop a "more than just siblings" relationship? Overall, I concluded that the pressure of premature parenthood was what pushed them together. Also, Lochan's extreme phobia of speaking in public causes him to be a misunderstood misfit in school. Maya is the only one with whom he can freely speak, and she is the only one who understands and shares the unreasonable burden thrust upon them.

Once I overcame the initial disgust of siblings engaging in sexual contact, I found the story to be oddly beautiful. I've read many books about older siblings being forced to care for younger family members, but Forbidden takes teenage parenting to a whole new level. Something about it was so raw and sincere. Everything about Maya and Lochan seemed wrong, yet at the same time, it seemed right. Despite everything, this broken family wanted nothing more than to stay together, even if it meant defending their incompetent mother and hiding a forbidden relationship. Everything Lochan and Maya endured, was for their family. Absolutely everything. It breaks my heart to read about the sacrifices and inner turmoil both teenagers suffered because of their ultimate love for their family, and for each other. It was darkly beautiful.

This story will force you to question every rule society has conjured. Can a love so honest, be a love between siblings?

Entwined || Heather Dixon

2011-06-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Book: Entwined

Author: Heather Dixon

Pages 480

Rating 4/5

This story takes me back to my fairytale reading days! Every little girl, at one point, has envisioned herself living the luxurious life of a princess and attending glamorous dances alongside a perfect gentleman. Entwined encapsulated a beautiful vision alongside dark and misleading magics. The concept of the story was brilliant, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading a fresh new take on the 12 dancing princesses. It was more creative than I expected, but I felt that a few elements were lacking. For example, even after 400 pages, I couldn't find myself empathizing alongside heroine. She was definitely strong and determined, but after reading about so many characters similar to her, I didn't find anything special or different. The same goes with the other string of characters. For such a drawn-out book, I feel that the author could have added more depth to all of Azalea's sisters. They are as much involved in the plot as she is, but all their personalities felt one-dimensional. Additionally, I didn't feel satisfied with the romance! I'm no fan of cliche endings, but having a prince come and sweep the princess off her feet is a MUST in a fairytale. Azalea and Bradford seemed shy and cautious around each other, and I wished for them to have a more passionate romance than just the rare peck on the cheek. Also, I was a bit confused at first about the entire fact that they were all princesses, but living very frugally. It didn't make sense to me that other lower ranking characters would be more wealthy than the King...

Despite the somewhat confusing terminology and almost depth-less characters, I felt that Entwined was a creative and entertaining read! I love fairytale-type novels, and Entwined was a wonderful one! Not to mention, that the cover is absolutely stunning!

Spellbound || Cara Lynn Shultz

2011-06-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

Book: Spellbound
Author: Cara Lynn Shultz
Pages: 384
Expected Publication: June 28th, 2011
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4/5

(Review Contains Mild Spoilers)

What can I say other than, Spellbound left me...spellbound!

Summary: Emma Conner has endured much heartbreak in her 16 years of life. A dead twin brother, a dead mother, and a stepfather who almost kills her in a drunken car accident. When her wealthy aunt Christine welcomes her into her upper class New York home and sends her to the most "exclusive" private school, Emma wants nothing more than to remain anonymous. But her attempts to blend in are abruptly halted when she catches the eye of the school's hottest boy, Brendan Salinger. As they grow fonder, Emma can no longer ignore the medieval curse that plagues their romance. An inevitable love is conjured by the same force that will result only in death. Together, they must fight the ancient heartbreak destined for them centuries ago, for they are soulmates.

Review: To begin with, I was slightly skeptical at the prospect of this book. For the first quarter, I wasn't sure what "Spellbound" had to do with an emotionally scarred teenage girl. However, when the history of Emma's charm necklace surfaced, all the pieces clicked into place. I wished that the author incorporated a bit more of the magical side in the beginning of the book, because the curses and witches element took me by surprise (I didn't read the summary of the book before starting it). Additionally, I wished that more of a back story had been revealed regarding Emma's mother and her history with witchcraft. But eventually, I grew comfortable with the presence of magic/curses/witches in a normal (if bit dramatic) high school setting, and became ensnared by the heated and sincere romance between Emma and Brendan.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Spellbound! It was romantic, fresh, and creative! The transition between normalcy and magic was a bit untimely, and some scenarios seemed just too convenient, but the characters all turned out to be endearing (except for Anthony and Kristin). There was a great balance in the story! Romance, adventure, and humor were all incorporated elegantly!

P.S. Brendan Salinger is my new literary crush!

The Day Before || Lisa Schroeder

2011-06-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

Book: The Day Before
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Pages: 320
Source: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: June 28th, 2011
Rating: 5/5

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. I've read Lisa Schroeder's previous work: I heart you, You haunt me, and I was captivated. The Day Before is even more stunning! Schroeder's unique writing style is like poetry for the teenage soul.

A girl torn between two families. A boy enamored with the sea. It's the day before their lives change forever.

I honestly can't find the words to describe the beauty Schroeder depicts in her writing. It was raw, emotional, and sincere. It's not a complicated story and it's not a complex romance. It's just the plain and simple story of two people scared of change. With the comfort of each other's understanding, they are able to conquer obstacles presented in life.

There's something about reading a story like this at 2 in the morning. I was tucked in bed while everyone else in the house was asleep. A dim light was on, and there wasn't a single distraction. I was able to absorb every line of introspective reflection, and savored the creative moments. Sometimes, all you need is a little glitter.

I loved it!

DIVERGENT is gonna be a MOVIE!

2011-06-08T19:52:00.000-07:00

"Summit Entertainment has set hot young scribe Evan Daugherty to adapt dystopian thriller Divergent, based on the young adult novel by 22-year-old author Veronica Roth.
FinePrint’s Pouya Shabazian is producing the project with Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher via their Red Wagon banner.
Daugherty’s writing credits include Universal’s high profile Snow White and the Huntsman, starring Kristen Stewart and Chris Hemsworth, and Shrapnel, directed by John McTiernan.
Roth’s YA novel, published by HarperCollins imprint Katherine Tegen Books, hit the stands last month and quickly made the New York Times’ bestseller list, where it remains."

Source: Hollywood Reporter

HOW COOL IS THAT? As far as I know, there hasn't been much other information released such as casting etc. but that doesn't mean the fan buzz can't start! Divergent is a very strong novel in itself, and I think that it's gonna make a FANTASTIC movie! What do you think?

Exclusive Q&A With the Cover Artist of WITHER

2011-06-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Q&A With Lizzy Bromley: Cover Designer of Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Source: http://alismith.com/blog/ (CHECK THEM OUT! THEY'RE AMAZING!)

Tell us about the concept behind the cover design … what do you hope it conveys to readers?

When I read WITHER I fell in love with the poetic style of Lauren’s writing. The story is told in such lyrical and beautiful language. I wanted to give the cover that same kind of poetry, an image that was more atmospheric and intriguing than literal.

How did you conceive of the idea for the WITHER cover?

At the start I had a very different idea for the cover. I went through many rounds but was having trouble getting it to click. Then one day I was riding the elevator with a colleague from our sales force here at S&S, and I was telling her about my struggles with the current cover. She said, “Well, you have to show the girl, right?” and my heart skipped a beat. My first concept did not have the girl and when she said that I realized that that was why I was having so much trouble getting the concept to work. Rhine needed to be shown.

What other ideas were tossed around?

I loved Rhine’s character so much that I was really hesitant to show her at first. I liked the idea of leaving her up to the reader to imagine. My initial concept focused on showing the surreal and too perfect garden at the Vaughn mansion. I was going for something sparkly and pretty, but also dark and unsettling at the same time. It proved very difficult to convey those opposing ideas and the more I worked on it the more I realized I needed to step back and try something totally different.

We know work has already begun on the cover for book two … what can you tell us about that? How does it relate to the cover of book one? How is it different?

The cover for book 2 has already been photographed and I’m so excited about it. We were lucky enough to have the same team as we had on book 1: the photographer (Ali Smith), the hair stylist (JSterling), and our fabulous model (Kristina O’Connor) It definitely echoes the style of WITHER but it has a life of its own. All I can say is that there is a to-die-for gold sequined dress.

(*Note from S&S: we will be unveiling the cover this summer, stay tuned!!)

Across the Universe || Cover Re-Creation

2011-06-05T14:44:00.000-07:00

My Cover Re-Design

Original Cover

I made another cover for IceyBook's Cover Re-Creation contest! I had a lot of fun last time!! And now to explain my design- I tried to keep it as clean-cut and professional as possible :) I had the most trouble with the two hands. I couldn't figure out where to put them! Eventually, I just flipped the picture 180 degrees, and it looked as if the two hands were cradling the ship! Also, it somewhat represents the physical attraction between Eldest and Amy. <33 hope you like it!

Sometimes It Happens || Lauren Barnholdt

2011-06-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Book: Sometimes It Happens
Author: Lauren Barnholdt
Pages: 320
Expected Publication: July 12th, 2011
Source: Simon & Schuster

Summary: And just when you thought high school drama couldn't get any more complicated, it does. Sometimes It Happens revolves around 17-year-old Hannah Kaplan who starts out her first day of senior year in an emotional wreck. She's got no friends, she's in the bathroom crying, and the sophomore her ex-boyfriend cheated with is sitting next to her in history class. All the mistakes she made during the summer are finally catching up to her.

Review: Lauren Barnholdt did a fantastic job re-constructing the typical problems Senior year. I particularly enjoyed it because it was down to earth, and most of all, realistic! Most high school chick lit books involve someone super popular, super hot, and super bitchy. This story had none of that! It was just a couple of close friends who made a few mistakes and are desperately try to fix it. There's the usual love triangle and a whole lot of dishonesty, but in the end, "sometimes it happens."

Again, this was another book I thumbed through pretty quickly. It's not that there was anything spectacular to keep me on edge, but the emotions and reactions were just so real! There was nothing "fake" about it. Overall, Sometimes it Happens makes for an entertaining read on the beach. It's honest, real, and takes you on an emotional roller coaster.

Rate & Recommend? I'll grant this story a 3/5. If typical high school drama is your cup of tea, then go for it! Although there was nothing that "wowed" me about this story, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. Listening to the convincing dialogue and scenario had me feeling like I was wrapped up in the drama too!

The Girl in the Steel Corset || Kady Cross

2011-06-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

I've recently discovered that the Steampunk genre is downright awesome. If you're not familiar with the genre, it's essentially a combination of artistic steam-powered mechanisms predominant in the British Victorian era. Just imagine girls in glamorous ballgowns and possibly robotic body parts. Intense, I know.

Summary: The story begins with Finley Jayne, the maid of a wealthy Lord, displaying her sheer physical strength. How's that for a punch? Automatically I loved the high-gear action and rapid pace! After being injured, she stumbles into Griffin, the wealthiest Duke in London who kindly allows her to take refuge in his home (more like a mansion.)However, the Duke and his acquaintances possess skills somewhat other-worldly. Griffin is able to communicate with the dead and grasp the delicate strings of the spirit world. Emily, a red-haired Irish teenager, is a brilliant mechanist who later acquires abilities to speak to with automatons and understand their mechanical needs. Sam is Griffin's best friend and is nothing shy of masculinity, despite hating himself for being half machine. Together, relationship dynamics simmer and bloom into a close-knit circle of friendship and mistrust. A conspirator dubbed The Machinist threatens to overthrow the British monarchy with the manipulation of "organites," a natural substance discovered by Griffin's grandfather to create flesh-wielding automatons.

Review: For a 477 page book, I wish that the author elaborated on the plot slightly more. I felt that the depth of the mystery was on a very basic and non-suspenseful level. Additionally, the story and characters didn't quite flow perfectly. The relationships and dialogue were somewhat choppy, and the personality of every character was very one-dimensional. Nonetheless, I loved the character of Finley Jayne. She was the epitome of strong and capable heroine who also wasn't afraid to embrace the Victorian culture mapped for women. The story was strong and colorfully detailed with intricate Steampunk styling, and glamorized the luxurious side of the Victorian Era. This was a book I flipped through quite quickly, and I wish it had left more of an impact on me! All in all, The Girl in the Steel Corset embodied a concept I thoroughly enjoyed. Kady Cross's steampunk world was colorful, vivid, and adventurous!

Read an Excerpt from Lauren DeStefano's FEVER- Chemical Garden Trilogy #2!

2011-06-03T21:48:00.000-07:00

The Chemical Garden Trilogy, Book 2

An excerpt from FEVER –

A breeze rolls up from the water, and I realize at once how numb the cold air and wet clothes have made me. We should find someplace to stay, but where? I sit up and take in our surroundings. There’s sand and rocks for several more yards, but beyond that I can see the shadows of buildings. A lone freight truck lumbers down a faraway road, and I think soon it’ll be dark enough for Gatherer vans to start patrolling the area with their lights off. This would be the perfect place for them to hunt; there don’t appear to be any streetlights, and the alleyways between those buildings could be full of scarlet district girls.
Gabriel, of course, is more concerned about the blood. He’s trying to wrap my palm with a piece of seaweed, and the salt is burning the wound. I just need a minute to take this all in, and then I’ll worry about the cut. This time yesterday, I was a House Governor’s bride. I had sister wives. At the end of my life, my body would end up with the wives who died before me, on a rolling cart in my father-in-law’s basement, for him to do only he knows what.
But now there’s the smell of salt, sound of the ocean. There’s a hermit crab making its way up a sand dune. And something else, too. My brother, Rowan, is somewhere out here. And there’s nothing stopping me from getting home to him.

Source: http://thechemicalgardenbooks.com/wither/?page_id=102

On Sale February 2012

I absolutely CAN'T WAIT to read the next book in Lauren DeStefano's Chemical Garden Trilogy! The covers of her books are stunning, and the story is emotionally electrifying!

JAMIE CAMPBELL BOWER IS CAST AS JACE WAYLAND!!

2011-06-02T23:24:00.000-07:00


Gaze at the beautiful new British face of Jace Wayland.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?! JACE WAYLAND HAS BEEN CAST! WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY!! Except...it's not Alex Pettyfer. It's Jamie Campbell Bower. Not to mention, Jamie is the boyfriend of Bonnie Wright aka Ginny Weasley from Harry Potter! Cool right?

I think Jamie is slightly too old, but other than that, he looks great :) *sigh* it seems as if Alex will never submit to a role that bookish fangirls can swoon over!

Check out this interview with Cassie Clare!
source: http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/06/01/cassie-clare-on-jamie-campbell-bower-mortal-instruments/

Imagine writing a bestselling novel adored by fans the world over. Imagine the film rights for said novel being bought, meaning your precious creation was headed to the big screen. Then imagine months and months of speculation regarding who would play the heartthrob leading male, with many of Hollywood's hottest vying for the role. You still with me? Now imagine you were tucked snugly into bed when the big casting news broke!
Such is the case for "Mortal Instruments" author Cassandra Clare, who, thanks to a trip to Australia (and its 14-hour time difference) was fast asleep when the Twitterverse went BANANAS over reports "Camelot" actor Jamie Campbell Bower had been cast as her Shadowhunter dreamboat Jace Wayland. What a wake-up call indeed!
Lucky for us, Cassie agreed to stay up until the wee hours of the morning in Australia to talk with Hollywood Crush about her reaction to Jamie's audition tape, his chemistry with co-star Lily Collins and why he'll make the perfect Jace. Keep reading after the jump for our in-depth chit-chat.

Hollywood Crush: You were uncharacteristically quiet on Twitter when the news broke yesterday that Jamie had been cast as Jace. What was up?
Cassandra Clare: I was asleep! I woke up actually because my agent called and said, 'Before you get online and check your email and get on Twitter, I have to tell you this.' So I was prepared. And I got on and was like, 'Oh my god.' Because, you know, thousands of tweets came in. I did not read them all. I was like, 'It's like a nuclear bomb went off.' So the first thing I did was call the studio, because I'm used to there being a lot of rumors floating around, and I wanted to like a) confirm this, and b) what do I need to say?
Let's get down to the nitty-gritties. Why is Jamie so perfect for Jace?
I have seen his audition tape. They sent it to me because they were so impressed with it, and they wanted to get my feedback. People have been asking me what scene he filmed. The answer is a bunch of different scenes. He did scenes where he had to be funny. He did scenes where he had to be romantic. He did scenes where he had to be angry and badass and he pulled that all off amazingly.
He auditioned with Lily, and he and Lily had incredible chemistry that sort of blazed off the scene. I'm just sitting here watching this on my computer, and you know, he was not the only person they've ever sent me to look at. I've gotten lots of headshots and this and that, and I'm watching the audition and I literally started crying because that was my Jace and Clary on the screen. And it's an incredible feeling to see that even as an audition. This is amazing. He was snarky funny where he needed to be snarky funny, and he was badass where he needed to be badass. And he and Lily were incredible together.

Cassandra Clare

In fact, after all the auditions, because she's done auditions with a bunch of different actors, she wrote to the head of the studio, Clint Culpepper of Screen Gems, and she was like, 'It's Jamie. It's gotta be Jamie.' He told me that, this was before he had seen the audition, he told me that he wrote back and he was like, 'He's a rock star hipster kind of guy. Do you think he can be a badass warrior-dude, as well?' And she wrote back and said, 'That is Jace standing there. When you watch the audition you'll see what I see.'
I'm sure fans are dying to know if there was a kissing scene involved in the audition.
You can tell the fans that one of the scenes they rehearsed is the greenhouse scene.
I think people will like that.
I did. [Laughs]
What does it feel like to finally have Jace cast? It's been such a long process.
First, it's an incredible relief. There have been so many... There is all this stuff that goes on behind the scenes and fans are like, 'Nothing is happening.' And I'm like, 'Lots and lots of stuff is happening.' They're auditioning hundreds of guys and looking at all of these people, and nobody is quite right. It feels like the search for the Fountain of Youth—you're never going to find it. So you can't go forward with the project until Jace is signed off on.
I think another thing that people don't realize is how many people have to sign-off on something like that. There's like seven or eight producers on this movie. I don't even know who they all are. And they all have to sign-off on this. And then it has to go to Sony and the head of the studio, Amy Pascal, and she has to sign-off on Jace. So everyone has to agree that this is the right guy. Getting everyone to agree—imagine trying to get a group of eight randomly selected people to agree on something. I really was starting to think that they were never going to find a guy that everyone agrees on. Then Jamie comes along and does this blow-you-away audition. So they were like, 'Okay, this audition is amazing. We have to bring him back and test with Lily.'
Another thing that impressed me about him was that he asked—I got a message relayed to me through the studio, wanting to know what Jace would wear. He is the only actor who tested for this role who asked this.
Did he dress as Jace for his audition?
He wore exactly what I said: jeans, tight-fitting black T-shirt, boots, and he wears rings on his fingers.
I can definitely see Jamie having those pieces in his wardrobe already.
Yeah, I don't think it was too much of a problem for him. [Laughs] But honestly, you can wear whatever you want to an audition. This isn't a dress rehearsal. He could have worn a striped circus tent if he wanted to. But he wanted to get in character as much as possible.
I already liked him. I liked him from 'Camelot.' I've liked him since I saw 'Sweeney Todd.' [At the time I thought] Jamie seems like a really good option. I'm glad that you're looking at him. I hope it goes well. As he started to audition, I started getting responses from producers that were like, 'This is a blow-you-away audition—a knock-you-out-of-the-park audition.' So I asked if I could see it. And they sent it over to me, and like I said, I watched it and started to cry. And I sent a letter back to the studio saying, 'Wow.' And I think I said the real version of unfreakingbelievable.
Has Jamie read the books or was he going strictly off the script?
I know he's read at least the first book, and he's also read the script.
It sounds like he really did his homework for this role.
The audition [process] is not short. It's, do this scene, do it over, do it over, do it over. It's one of those things when you realize how tiring it is to be an actor. Every time he was told to do a tiny adjustment, he did it perfectly. He clearly had some thoughts about Jace that were really smart.
It was quite funny, in the greenhouse scene, there's a line where he says something to Clary about, 'You should have thought about that before you kissed me,' and she says, 'I kissed you?' Meaning I started it? And he says, 'Yeah, it wasn't that memorable for me either,' and walks off doing the Jace walk-off, which he did great. Then he'd say something off-screen to make Lily laugh! And she would try not to laugh, and it was unbelievably cute. Like, he'd walk off and say, [affecting a British accent], 'Yeah, you were rubbish anyway.' [Laughs]
How is his American accent?
Well, he did it in his British accent. And we've actually gone back and forth about whether to leave the accent or not have the accent. He did one scene in an American accent, which he does perfectly fine. Either one is fine with me. I think it's going to be up to the director because Jace is, in fact, not American, so if he decided to do it with his British accent it would be fine.
Have you talked with him yet?
I haven't yet had a chance to talk with him. I'm looking forward to it. That's sort of how I talk to Lily—getting messages relayed between us and the studio. I think once they actually start filming, and are in the process, I'm going to end up talking to them more to give them feedback.
One of the issues some fans seem to have is that Jamie is a bit...slight. What sort of makeover do you think he'll have to undergo to embody Jace?
One thing is that he is less slight now than he used to be just from watching the audition. He has certainly buffed up for 'Camelot.' I think he was slighter before he did that, and I know he had to do some months of boot camp, which is like, you work out and you ride horses and you lift heavy weights. I talked briefly to the producer today, and basically he said,' He has the right build for it. He's tall. He's got broad shoulders. We're going to put some more muscle onto him, so he's more built. And, you know, we're going to cut his hair and give him the golden eyes, and he's going to be perfect.' I'm not particularly worried because he's got a beautiful face. I mean, yeah, he'll probably have to drink protein shakes and lift weights for a while. [Laughs] I'm pretty sure he's down with it.
What's your take on the deluge of fan reactions?
I think it's a mix. People obviously have favorites before a movie is cast. And so there's the Alex Pettyfer for Jace camp, and there's the Max Irons for Jace camp, and there's the Ed Speleers for Jace camp, and they're all going to be disappointed because it wasn't the guy they wanted. But mostly I've gotten a lot of positive responses, especially after I mentioned I saw the audition and he was really great. I think they just wanted to be reassured.
I think this is sort of inevitable. This is what happened with 'The Hunger Games' casting. This is what happened with 'Twilight' casting. I'm old enough to remember this is what happened with the 'Harry Potter' casting. The reaction is always worried because people feel very passionately about the books, and they just don't want to see something that is going to mess it up for them. It's good because what you want is to know that people are passionate and excited about this project.
When they see him on the cover of a magazine, dressed up as Jace, with the runes, with the hair, with the build, they're going to be pleasantly shocked and surprised and happy.
Oddly enough, this will be his third big YA franchise after 'Twilight' and 'Harry Potter,' yet his first leading role.
That is one of the things I liked about him, actually. To me, he has really worked for this. He's been a working actor for years now. And he's been in a lot of good projects. He seem to be choosy about the projects he takes, but smart about the projects he takes. He'll take smaller parts in good movies to build his resume. And now he's ready to play a lead role. And I think this is a big one for him.

Starcrossed || Josephine Angelini

2011-06-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Book: Starcrossed
Author: Josephine Angelini
Pages: 496
Source: NetGalley
Dessert: Rainbow Cake- A surprising and loveable flavor in every layer! A perfect balance!

(Review contains mild spoilers)

Summary: Helen has always known she was too fast and too strong to be human. When the mysterious and stunning Delos family moves onto the small island where she resides, her world is torn apart with rage. She can't understand why she feels a deep and passionate hatred towards them, and unfortunately, the feeling is mutual. Nightmares of the underworld plague her sleep, and the furies (evil and ancient spirits) force the members of the Delos family and her together in almost near-death confrontations. When an unlikely twist of fate causes Helen and Lucas, a son of the Delos family, to save each other's lives, the thousand-year rage in their blood melts away. They can look at each other for the first time, and feel emotions other than hatred. They inevitably fall in love. But love is never simple as they soon discover that the mysterious force that draws them together, is the same force that will tear them apart. Helen's family history is much more complicated than she knows, and it seems only she can save the feuding demigod houses from annihilating each other. But that's nearly impossible when she has the face that launched 1,000 ships. The same face as Helen of Troy. Will history repeat itself?

Review: You may think you're stumbling upon another cliche Greek Mythology romance, but that couldn't be more incorrect! Of course, the historical Greek aspect is still deeply embedded in the story, but Josephine Angelini has a great sense of style and humor that had me spellbound! I didn't see how the romance between Helen and Lucas was going to unfold at first, but it soon became clear that they were nothing shy of a perfect couple. Another thing I loved, was that romance was not entirely the main plot. Helen's mysterious lineage/powers and the ancient wars between demi-god families kept me on my toes throughout the whole book! I was surprised at how comfortable the author was with writing bloody action scenes! It added a powerful dimension to the story. I know that Starcrossed is the beginning of what's going to be a GREAT trilogy.

Every single page was vivid. I loved the story, the concept, and most of all, the characters! Very rarely do I read a book where I can laugh and empathize with each character.

Main Character Overviews:

Helen Hamilton: Angelini played along a delicate balance with Helen's character. Helen was strong, but not too strong. She was naive, but not rash. She was in love, and yet it did not blind her better judgement. I could not have asked for more suitable combinations! She's thoughtful, courageous, and there wasn't an ounce of complaint uttered! Helen is exceptional!

Lucas Delos: Lucas is a slightly more stereotypical male character. He's overprotective of Helen and would do anything to keep her out of harm's way; not to mention he's downright gorgeous. He is a son of Apollo and therefore has the ability to fly, bend/defy gravity, and refract light. He cares deeply for every member of his family, but reveals a vulnerable side only to Helen. Although he may love her, he understands that his duty to his family and House must take priority over his own self-interest.

Hector Delos: He is the more physical cousin of Lucas Delos. Hector is the eldest child in the Delos family, and therefore harbors a little too much pride. Despite this, he truly wants this best for his large family and will do whatever it takes to protect them. Even if it means breaking the most sacred oath between the demigods.

Jason & Ariadne Delos: Twins gifted with the power of healing. At first, I was on edge about Ariadne's character. She started out seeming like the kind of girl who's popular and flaunts everything she's got. I was so wrong! Ariadne grew to become one of my favorite characters. She's sweet, caring, and thoughtful in a humerus and lighthearted way! Jason is slightly more reserved, and when I first came upon his character, I thought he would be the one to form a love-triangle between Lucas, Helen, and him. I was very wrong... again. Jason is extremely intelligent and always the peacemaker between Lucas and Hector. I can't wait to see his relationship with Claire blossom!

Cassandra Delos: The younger sister of Lucas, and an oracle. She is wise beyond her years, but trapped inside the youthful body of a 13 year-old girl. She can foresee glimpses of the future and tries her hardest to warn Helen about the dangers that await her.

Claire Aoki: Helen's 5'2" best friend. Her upbeat and persistent attitude makes her a great and dependable friend who Helen isn't afraid to confide in. After a particular Delos twin saves her life, they grow quite fond of each other.

Rate & Recommend: I would like to proudly present Starcrossed with a 4.5 out of 5! It is definitely one of the best books I've read in 2011 thus far! Of course, you can't compare the depth and magnitude of this story to that of Newberry Award winning novels, but it's definitely a story that kept me up late at night! Every aspect of Starcrossed is perfectly balanced: from the romance to the action and mystery. I HIGHLY recommend it for all YA lovers!

The Hunger Games Franchise May Be Expanded Into 4 Films

2011-06-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Lionsgate executives told Wall Street analysts this morning to expect big things from The Hunger Games, a series of four action films that the studio will release from the trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. COO Joe Drake said it was “the highest selling film we’ve ever had” at the Cannes Film Festival and that overseas exhibitors consider it “the movie that can change their company.”

Source: http://mockingjay.net/
Source: http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/hunger-games-will-provide-a-feast-for-lionsgate-execs-say/

GAHH!! Almost every every book series that's being made into a movie is being split up into too many parts! First Harry Potter, then Twilight, and now Hunger Games. I understand that the series generates mucho money, but now they're just stretching it. SIGH. I love the Hunger Games A LOT, but now I feel is being completely warped by Hollywood! I do expect the script to be amazing though, because it's is entirely being written by Suzanne Collins (the author) and Gary Ross (the director)! I'm glad that the author is so involved in the writing of the script! It very rarely happens that the author is so deeply included in the production of movie, so I have high expectations for the dialogue and overall essence of the story :)

Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop!

2011-05-24T20:55:00.000-07:00

Summer is ALMOST HERE! There are no words that can describe how excited I am! I live in sunny Los Angeles, California, so the weather is absolutely beautiful! The beaches are starting to fill up :) Can't wait for vacation! Anyways, let me express my joy and excitement for summer by posting another giveaway!

To celebrate, I'm giving away Jenny Han's Summer trilogy! I've read all three books, and LOVED them! They're filled with characters I've grown to love, and the romantic twists and heartbreak had me hooked from start to finish! Jenny Han's stories are perfect for reading on the beach while working on your tan :) Please visit the amazing I am a Reader not a Writer for the complete list of giveaways!

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Follow my blog

2. Leave a comment with your name & email

Extra Entries:

+1 Every comment is an extra entry

+2 Follow me on Twitter (dystopiandssrts)

+3 Spread the Word (via FB, Twitter, etc.) Leave links in comments

MAY 25-31

Lef to Right: The Summer I turned Pretty || It's Not Summer Without You || We'll Always Have Summer

Alex Pettyfer appears on the cover of VMAN

2011-05-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

I think Alex is the hottest man alive. Hands down. So far, he's been offered the role of Jace Wayland from the Mortal Instruments series, but he has not accepted yet. HURRY UP ALEX!! WHAT'S TAKING YOU SO LONG!??! While we wait, feel free to gaze at his sexiness in the picture below.

Image Source: http://www.vman.com/articles/from-darkness-to-white-2/?page=8

The Power of Punctuation

2011-05-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

So I found this post a few days ago on Tumblr, and I thought it was completely ingenious! When I'm proofreading essays my friends have written or reading short stories online, I find that many of peoople are careless with their grammar, especially punctuation. I love how the picture below clearly expresses how powerful punctuation is in conveying the intended message.

Hunger Games INFO, INTERVIEWS, CASTING, PHOTOS & MORE!

2011-05-20T14:27:00.000-07:00

HOORAY :) My favorite dystopian trilogy is kicking into full gear! I've got some great info on the star, Jennifer Lawrence, casting, and filming to share with you guys! Check it out!

What a great interview with Letterman! I had my doubts with Jennifer in the beginning, but she's really blossomed into a capable and poised actress :) Can you believe she's only 20? Check out some of the latest interviews with Lawrence from E! And Access Hollywood below!

Jennifer Lawrence poses for photos @ Letterman


MEET PORTIA AND OCTAVIA! Lionsgate has today announced two more cast members for The Hunger Games movie – the stylists for Katniss and Peeta. Latarsha Rose will play Portia, the stylist assigned to Peeta, while Brooke Bundy will play Octavia, a member of the prep team that helps style Katniss. We still don’t know who will play Cinna, the stylist assigned to District 12, and one of the most-anticipated cast decisions still to be revealed. WOOOOWWW!!! AREN'T THESE AMAZING?!? JENNIFER LAWRENCE MAKES SUCH A BEAUTIFUL KATNISS!! TEARS OF JOY THE BOW AND ARROW ARE SO COOL MORE TEARS OF JOY Russ Bowen, a reporter for TV station MY40, has been tweeting updates and photos from the Hunger Games filming location in Hildebran, NC. He’s been covering news about the film for MY40, and reported on Thursday that filming did not begin as originally thought, and would instead likely begin on Monday.

SOURCE: MOCKINGJAY.NET, HUNGER GAMES EXAMINER, JUST JARED, MY HUNGER GAMES, E!, & DWTC. Be sure to visit them! They're AMAZING!

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen PHOTOS!

2011-05-18T20:45:00.000-07:00

In this week’s cover story, EW was granted an exclusive interview with a newly brunette Lawrence, and spent hours watching her train on a Los Angeles archery range and track, just days before she was due on the North Carolina set.
When Lawrence was offered the role, she describes her response as a mixture of elation-and desperate anxiety. “I knew that as soon as I said yes, my life would change,” she says. “And I walked around an entire day thinking ‘It’s not too late, I could still go back and do indies, I haven’t said yes yet, it’s not too late.’”

And yet, who can turn their back on Katniss? “I love this story,” she says, “and if I had said no, I would regret it every day.”

Source: Mockingjay.net

So what do you think of Jennifer Lawrence and her brunette hair? I think she looks great :) With the new hair, makeup, and convincing HG gear, she's looking a little bit more like Katniss Everday! I can't wait to see the movie on March 23, 2012!

Books you've never finished?

2011-05-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

This is basically what my TBR shelf looks like @_@

Alright so, before I started reading so many books, I used to have a pet peeve about not finishing them. Once I started a book, I just had to finish it! It's not that the book was particularly phenomenal, I just like to know how everything ends. The same goes for movies. However, now that I'm speeding through five books a week, I simply don't have the time and patience to finish every single book I start, especially if it fails to capture my interest halfway through. I'm not sure if that's necessarily a good or bad thing. Should I take the time to finish books I don't entirely enjoy? Buying a book you never finish reading is like buying a shirt you're never going to wear. I don't exactly think that my taste in literature is becoming more selective, but it's weird because I've never really had this problem before! What do you make of this situation? Yes I know it's trivial, but I just can't help finding the little queer habits in my reading routine. :)

-Carina L. Tai

7 Ways to Shop SMART...in the book world.

2011-05-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

If you're like me, you spend hours browsing Amazon, The Book Depository, and other online book stores. I've spent over $600 on books this year alone! It's all about great bargains! I can never resist a good deal on books :) So from my years of book buying experience, here are a few tips for smarter and cheaper book buying!

Image Credit: Auroille

1. VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! I can't stress this enough! I understand that many readers (like me) want to own the books they read. But if you're looking for a book that's been released a few years ago, why buy it? Besides, I always discover great new books by just browsing through the YA section at the library!

2. USE COUPONS! It pains me to walk through Borders and find that nobody uses coupons! A couple dollars won't make a difference if you buy 5 books a year. But when it's around 5 books a week, you had better shop smarter! As much as I love both Borders and B&N, it's cheaper to buy books at Borders because they ALWAYS have coupons you can print out online. Discounts can range from at least 30% off to even 40% off! Coupons aren't just for the old paperbacks nobody wants, you can use coupons on just about anything; even books that have just been released! All you have to do is Google "Borders printable coupon" and a large list will pop right up! Print a couple out, present them to the cashier, and you're good to go!

3. BUY ONLINE! Walking through a bookstore is my equivalent of a weekend in Hawaii (sort of). But not all of us have time to peruse through the stores looking for a copy without bent covers or pages. If you can settle without instant gratification, then online book shopping is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Websites like Amazon and The Book Depository are always whipping out great deals! You just have to keep your eye out!

4. MAKE SURE IT'S NOT PUBLIC DOMAIN! For my English Lit class, we happen to read many classics, plays, sonnets, etc. I see a lot of the students going out to buy new copies of Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet! Public domain means that nobody owns the rights to the books because they've expired. So the next time you want to buy a digital copy of Shakespeare's work on your iPhone, look it up on Google books instead, because it's FREE!

5. PRE-ORDER IT! I'm sure every diligent reader has a list of upcoming releases (but that just might be me 'cause I'm crazy). If you're waiting for the newest Meg Cabot or Cassandra Clare book, never hesitate to pre-order it online! Most people think that pre-ordering just means you're securing yourself a copy (which is still true) but usually, you can get around 40% off just for buying it early! The B&N online store often has great deals for pre-ordered books, so check their website often!

6. COMPARE PRICES! Looking for great prices is a lot of work, but with the internet, a few clicks can make a huge difference. All online book stores sell the exact same book, but for a different price! Sometimes the difference is a few cents, and other times it can be a few dollars. There is no single website that offers the best deals, you just have to know when to switch back and forth between websites to find the better price. So before adding that book to your cart the next time you're on Amazon, check the Book Depository first, and vice versa!

7. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE SHIPPING! Almost every website has this feature. Sometimes you can find a great deal, but the shipping can cost more than the book! If that's the case, DON'T BUY IT! In the end, you'll be paying more for shipping than the actual book. For example, buying Amazon-sold books vs. independent sellers qualifies you for free shipping after $25. Although the independent seller may sell the book for $10 whereas it's $12 from Amazon, the $3.99 shipping charged by the independent seller will add up and nearly double your bill! Always take advantage of the free shipping feature, even if it means adding another book to your cart.

If you follow these 7 tips, you can read books without feeling guilty for spending so much on that new hardback! If a book is not available at your public library, you still shouldn't have to pay full price for it! Take advantage of coupons and online discounts :) Have fun shopping!

Happy Reading!
-Carina L. Tai

Conclusion of the Maze Runner Trilogy || The Death Cure

2011-05-07T22:18:00.000-07:00

While browsing on Goodreads, I realized that an official summary and cover have been posted for the conclusion of James Dashner's concluding book in the Maze Runner Trilogy, The Death Cure! It's an amazing dystopian series that I highly recommend, especially for the guys! I have to say, The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials were books that kept me on edge until the very last page! It was both thrilling and horrifying! Loved it!

Official Summary:

Thomas knows that Wicked can't be trusted, but they say the time for lies is over, that they've collected all they can from the Trials and now must rely on the Gladers, with full memories restored, to help them with their ultimate mission. It's up to the Gladers to complete the blueprint for the cure to the Flare with a final voluntary test.
What Wicked doesn't know is that something's happened that no Trial or Variable could have foreseen. Thomas has remembered far more than they think. And he knows that he can't believe a word of what Wicked says.
The time for lies is over. But the truth is more dangerous than Thomas could ever imagine.
Will anyone survive the Death Cure?

I can't wait for its October, 2011 release!!!

Entwined || Cover Recreation

2011-05-07T20:55:00.000-07:00

Book Summary:

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.

Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.

But there is a cost.

The Keeper likes to keep things.

Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.


Original Cover

My Cover Redesign #1

I was inspired to use this photograph because it reminded me of the secret passageway Azalea and her sister's used. With a little bit of color re-touching and special effects, I enhanced certain colors and blotted out some of the green from the foliage and made it silver, to match the descriptions in the book. I wanted it to look as magical, yet natural as possible. What do you think?

My Cover Redesign #2

I really went all out with redesigning Entwined's cover! I rarely have the chance to whip out my photoshop skills, and using them to design a book cover is soo funnn!!! Anyways, with this second cover (even though a majority of the effects are the same) I tried to imagine Azalea herself instead of the scenic descriptions mentioned in the book. Blue is my favorite color, so I incorporated many shades of it in this new cover :) I think it suits Azalea though.

Easter Eggstravangaza Blog Hop WINNER!

2011-05-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

My apologies for posting this up so much later than everyone else, but high school zaps away every minute of free time I have. Regardless of my academic "predicaments," HERE IS THE WINNER!!

CONGRATULATIONS: K.M. (geassrevolution@gmail.com) You won a signed copy of CoFA + Postcards + CoFA SWaG!

*Please respond within 48 hours to claim your prize!

Thanks to everyone for participating and supporting my blog, as always :) <33 you guys! Keep updated for more giveaways to come!

AWESOME Hunger Games FanArt

2011-05-04T22:36:00.000-07:00

*__* It's absolutely stunning. I'm going to let the picture do the rest of the talking.

The Hunger Games is a popular science fiction novel, written by Suzanne Collins, currently being adapted to film. It takes place in a dystopian world featuring pristine futuristic cities, destroyed futuristic cities, poverty stricken districts and perilous battle zones. While no official images from the film have been released, there is a bountiful source of science fiction matte paintings and digital art that many talented artists have produced on the web over the years. This post contains a compilation of images that fit the descriptions of each cool zone in the novel.

Source: http://ononyeui.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/the-world-of-the-hunger-games/

SILENCE COVER REVEALED!!

2011-05-02T22:22:00.000-07:00

As much as I love Dystopian-related literature, there's nothing that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside like a gorgeous new YA cover!!! DAMN I'M SUCH A NERD!!! ( I bet my blog stalker friends *cough* Alexxa, Sophie, and Isaak are chuckling amongst themselves as I type away furiously on my keyboard!!) Excuse me while I have a fangirl moment!

THE COVER IS SO EPIC!! It's disorienting @_@ I think I may need help. Anyways, don't let me further interrupt you as you bask in the beauty of this cover!!!! PATTCHH!!! I <33 YOU!! I can't believe I have to wait until October 4th for this....life has never ticked by so slowly...not even in math class....

Official Summary:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

Los Angeles Festival of Books! Ally Condie & Gayle Forman!

2011-05-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

WOW! What an amazing experience! The weather could not have been more perfect, and despite the thousands of visitors, all the events were expertly organized! This is definitely one of the best book fairs on the west coast, and I'm ecstatic to have been there! This year, the annual event was hosted at the campus of USC (University of Southern California) instead of UCLA; the change of scenery was warmly welcomed! It's much easier to navigate, and the campus is cleaner and has a nice contemporary, yet comfortable atmosphere. Besides hundreds of author booths, panels, and signings, there was this HUGE Ben & Jerry's ice cream truck that handed out mini cartons of free ice-cream (that ABSOLUTELY made my day!). I attended two stages, which were essentially outdoor panels designed to interview a series of four authors and allow questions from the fans. Here are the ones I visited:

11:00 AM

Brave NewWorlds: Writing the Unreal Panelists: Andrew Smith, Allyson Condie, Laura McNeal, Tom McNeal Moderator: Aaron Hartzler

2:00 PM

The Practical & the Powerful: Writing Fantasy or Keeping it Real Panelists: Robin Benway, Gayle Forman, Gennifer Choldenko, Allen Zadoff Moderator: Cecil Castellucci

They were absolutely phenomenal!!! I mainly went to see Allyson Condie (Author of Matched) and Gayle Forman (Author of If I stay/Where She Went). I don't exaggerate in the slightest when I say that Ally Condie is a beautiful speaker! Matched wasn't the best book I've ever read in my life, but listening to Condie's views, perspectives, and inspirations for her story made me love the beginning of her dystopian trilogy so much more! She has such a warm personality, and took the time to personalize each autographed book, take pictures with fans, and even had a short chat with each of us! The visit with her was the highlight of the event! It was enlightening to listen as a variety of authors explained the creative process in constructing their unreal worlds!

I attended the second panel to get a sneak peak on the insights of Gayle Forman's work. Although her story blew me away more than Condie's, in person, she was a very vague and elusive character! She explained how the characters in her story manifested themselves, and sneaked in bits and pieces of her upcoming work (we can look forward to a guitar player in her next story!) She seemed to enjoy exploring the emotional ups and downs of her characters just as much as we did! It was so nice to meet her!

Finally, the (almost) complete Hunger Games Casting!!!

2011-04-26T21:13:00.000-07:00

Fanart Disclaimer

Lionsgate confirmed in March 2011 that about 30 actresses either met or read for the role of Katniss, including Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Emma Roberts, Saoirse Ronan, Chloë Moretz, Lyndsy Fonseca, Emily Browning, Shailene Woodley, and Kaya Scodelario.^[According to The Hollywood Reporter, contenders for the role of Peeta other than Hutcherson included Alexander Ludwig, Hunter Parrish, Lucas Till, and Evan Peters.

On April 13, Lionsgate announced that Willow Shields was cast as Primrose Everdeen, Katniss's sister. They also announced that the roles of Marvel, Glimmer, Thresh, and Rue were cast and Jack Quaid, Leven Rambin, Dayo Okeniyi, and Amandla Stenburg would portray the four tributes. On April 24, Lionsgate announced that Paula Malcomson would portray Mrs. Everdeen, Prim and Katniss' mom.^[John C. Reilly was confirmed to be in talks with Lionsgate about portraying Haymitch Abernathy, former victor of the second Quarter Quell.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games_%28film_project%29

WOW CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT HAILEE STEINFELD (True Grit), ABIGAIL BRESLIN (Rango), EMMA ROBERTS (Scream 4), SAOIRSE RONAN (The Lovely Bones), CHLOE MORETZ (Kick-Ass), LYNDSY FONSECA (Nikita), EMILY BROWNING (Sucker Punch), SHAILENE WOODLEY (The Secret Life of an American Teenager), and KAYA SCODELARIO (Skins) TRIED OUT FOR THE ROLE OF KATNISS??!?!?! OMGGG!! THERE WERE SO MANY GREAT ACTRESSES WHO COULD HAVE BEEN THE PERFECT EMBODIMENT OF KATNISS!!!! KAYA SCODELARIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LYNDSY FONSECA!!!!!!!!!! IT'S AWESOME TO KNOW THAT A LOT OF THESE AWESOME ACTRESSES RESPONDED TO FANS ASKING THEM TO AUDITION FOR THE COVETED ROLE OF KATNISS!!!! ok, my fan moment is over. Moving on.

I can't believe that all the new faces of actors and actresses are emerging as characters from our beloved Hunger Games. It seemed that for a while, no solid casting information would be released, but now, things have been kicked into high-gear!! All the main characters have been cast, and it looks as though things are finally making progress and fleshing out.

Here's the official casting thus far:

Hunger Games Official Cast

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Willow Shields as Primrose Everdeen
Paula Malcomson as Mrs. Everdeen
Amandla Stenberg as Rue
Dayo Okeniyi as Thresh
Leven Rambin as Glimmer
Jack Quaid as Marvel
Kalia Prescott as Tribute Girl (District 3)
Ian Nelson as Tribute Boy (District 3)

That's a pretty good list don't you agree? A lot of people aren't happy with the casting, me somewhat included, but I do understand that regardless of who gets chosen for which role, not everybody is going to be thrilled. I've come to accept that Jennifer Lawrence will make a powerful Katniss, but... JOSH HUTCHERSON AND LIAM HEMSWORTH!!!?!?!?!??! I really do have my doubts. Anyways, the rest of the casting seems to be moving along swimmingly. I'm still going to definitely watch the midnight premiere of The Hunger Games movie, and I'm just crossing my fingers in hopes that everything will turn out okay.

Last Day to Enter Giveaway Hop!

2011-04-25T18:58:00.000-07:00

You could be the proud owner of a SIGNED copy of CoFA + Swag, or Desires of the Dead, Where She Went, and Demonglass! It's not to late to enter! Today's the last day :) Please comment on the post below to secure an entry.

http://dystopiandesserts.blogspot.com/2011/04/easter-eggstravangaza-blog-hop.html

Easter Eggstravangaza Blog Hop!

2011-04-21T16:55:00.000-07:00

AHHH!!! I totally lost track of everything and I believe that my link was deleted from the linky list, but now it's back up! Thanks so much to Kathy for being awesome! It's been a while since I've done a giveaway, and I'm so excited to be up and running again xDD TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I'm so excited xDD *cough* that means that I might be feeling extra nice and do a Birthday Giveaway or something *HINT HINT*

Visit all participating blogs: http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/giveaway-hop-page.html

How to Enter:
1. Follow My Blog

2. Leave a comment with your name, e-mail, & which prize pack you want.

Extra Entries:

1. Every comment is an extra entry (+1)
2. Follow me on Twitter (+2)

3. Spread the word (Twitter, FB, etc.) (+3)

AND NOW FOR THE PRIZE PACKS!!!

City of Fallen Angels Prize Pack

- 1 SIGNED copy of City of Fallen Angels

- City of Fallen Angels Special Edition Postcards

- Special Swag :)

SUPER SEQUELS: YA PRIZE PACK

Just a few of the AWESOME sequels I've read this year! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

-Demonglass (Rachel Hawkins)

- Where She Went (Gayle Forman)

- Desires of the Dead (Kimberly Derting)