Wildefire by Karsten Knight (Wildefire #1)

Author: Karsten Knight
Published July 26th 2011 by Simon and Schuster
400 pages
Review Copy from Simon and Schuster Galley Grab
Series: Wildefire
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

Every flame begins with a spark. 

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. 

Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

Review:

I decided to read this because of the cover. Looks really intriguing right? Just like the title, it's pretty much a "wilde" read.

The book is about sisters Ashline and Evelyn Wilde. Both have some violent streaks that they sometimes couldn't control and worse they are born with it. Eve is the runaway sister and won't leave town until Ash goes with her. Ashline, after transferring to Blackwood Academy, discovers her true identity and finally gets explanation of what she and her sister had become. Ash will try to protect people she cares about and prevent people from dying due to Eve's inescapable rage.

I did enjoy reading this. I think it's because it has a unique concept of the usual gods and goddesses in young adult books. It's take in mythology is interesting that would keep you reading til the end. Not to mention the action-packed scenes that may show extreme violence. The characters are likable and have their own identity that won't keep you confused. There's mystery in the story which I really like and that I had lots of questions about. I thought this isn't a series until I saw on Goodreads that there would be a sequel. That's good because the ending is very intriguing and I'd love to read the next books.

Wildefire is an engaging read. The author managed to get me hooked on the story because of the clear narration and witty lines.

 ♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Wildefire

What I'm Reading Now: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Here's a trailer I found in Youtube. So far quite an interesting story.

♥ xoxo, Edil ♥ Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Book HeART ♥ #16 - Book Clock

How about a clock on your bookshelf? So cool right? Want this on my shelf  

source

♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Quote... Unquote - Return to Paradise

"If you tiptoe into cold water, you're missing out on the rush of plunging in headfirst." 

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Leaving Paradise #2)

Author: Simone Elkeles
Published September 1st 2010 by Flux
302 pages
Series: Leaving Paradise
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.

Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's determined to make a new life for herself.

But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.

Review:

I didn't like this as much as the first one. But what I liked about it is the humor. Mostly of Lenny! That guy is uber disgusting but very entertaining. Giving this a 3-star rating because of him. hehe

Even though it didn't live up to my expectations, I still continued reading because I want to know what will happen to Caleb and Maggie's relationship. I think the author missed the "wow factor" here unlike her other novels which I really liked. Some of the events in the story are not as moving just like the first one. Other characters seem likable but there's not much development especially to the other girls on the trip. Then all of sudden Lea decides to turn herself in because someone just talked to her. There's not much story on this which I think should have been a good part for the book.

I don't think this is a good sequel for the first one, but if you want to know what happened to the two protagonists then read at your own discretion. : )

♥ xoxo, Edil ♥
Return to Paradise

Quote... Unquote - Feed

"The difference between the truth and a lie is that both of them can hurt, but only one will take the time to heal you afterward." 

Feed By Mira Grant

Feed by Mira Grant (Newsflesh #1)

Author: Mira Grant
Published May 1st by Orbit
571 pages
Review Copy from NetGalley and Publisher
Series: Newsflesh
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

In 2014, two experimental viruses—a genetically engineered flu strain designed by Dr. Alexander Kellis, intended to act as a cure for the common cold, and a cancer-killing strain of Marburg, known as "Marburg Amberlee"—escaped the lab and combined to form a single airborne pathogen that swept around the world in a matter of days. It cured cancer. It stopped a thousand cold and flu viruses in their tracks.

It raised the dead.

Millions died in the chaos that followed. The summer of 2014 was dubbed "The Rising," and only the lessons learned from a thousand zombie movies allowed mankind to survive. Even then, the world was changed forever. The mainstream media fell, Internet news acquired an undeniable new legitimacy, and the CDC rose to a new level of power.

Set twenty years after the Rising, the Newsflesh trilogy follows a team of bloggers, led by Georgia and Shaun Mason, as they search for the brutal truths behind the infection. Danger, deceit, and betrayal lurk around every corner, as does the hardest question of them all:

When will you rise?

Review:

This book is both depressing and very good, but a realistic one in terms of the depth of the story. It was too long that I almost gave up. But then, as I read through the characters' adventures, it kept me engaged with the story.

The book is about twin bloggers, Georgia and Shaun Mason, and their adventures with the zombies and knowing the truth behind the deceit in a presidential campaign they've followed . The two, together with Buffy, will deliver only the truth and the truth will also put their lives in danger.

This is the first ever book I read about zombies and much more. I must admit, although the book bored me at some point, it still managed to capture my attention because of the way the author told the story. I love that she used Georgia's  point of view. It's remarkable and engaging most especially when you read the excerpts from her blog. Her suicidal brother Shaun will keep you awake. Not to mention their dialogues with loads of humor.

Actually the book made me realize why journalists' job is very risky whether traditional or new media. In search of finding the truth behind a story, they have to risk their lives. We're aware that this is happening in the real world. Journalists who were killed to keep them from unraveling the truth. Mira Grant was able to clearly show that in this book.

Overall, Feed is an exceptional read. It is an amazingly intelligent story of how truth shall always prevail.

 ♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Feed (Newsflesh, Book 1)

Book HeART ♥ #15 - Book Lantern

This is a fun pendant lamp shade I saw on Etsy. Each lantern is handmade and would be entirely unique!

I want this in my room!

Really creative! Check Zipper8Lighting's Etsy page to check more of these lovely Lanterns!

♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Quote... Unquote - Leaving Paradise

"Are you following me?" she asks, but doesn't meet my gaze.

"Yeah," I say.

"Why?"

I give her the only honest and true answer I have. 

"You're where I want to be."

 Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles (Leaving Paradise #1)

Author: Simone Elkeles
Published April 1st 2007 by Flux
303 pages
Series: Leaving Paradise
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Summary:

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Review:

My first review for the month! I've been a fan of Simone Elkeles writings ever since I read Perfect Chemistry a year ago. It's not new to me how adorable her books are! But I'm always impressed whenever I read her books.

I liked the story of Leaving Paradise. The love story of an ex-con who falls in love with his victim is kinda new to me. I liked the character development and how the story went. It may be a little mushy at times but it still turned out good. Maggie's character is admirable. She may be a timid girl because of her limp but she still manages to stand on her ground and take the risks. Caleb is one tough guy but with a soft heart. I think all of Miss Elkeles' characters in her books are always likable. It's because of how she described their personalities. The author always make it a point to describe their strengths and weaknesses.

Leaving Paradise is an interesting read and very engaging. And oh, another thing, I love the author's titles for her books! Clever and intriguing! :)

♥ xoxo, Edil ♥

Perfect Chemistry
Rules of Attraction
Leaving Paradise