Jan 30, 2012

REVIEW: Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

Incarnate (Newsoul, #1)
Incarnate (Newsoul #1)
Jodi Meadows
384 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 31st, 2012
Source: ARC from Publisher
Rating: LOVED



NEWSOUL
Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL
Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART
Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?


   Debut author Jodi Meadows weaves a unique tale within the pages of Incarnate. Its a story where a girl finally sets out to find if she actually fits somewhere in her small world.

   When I first began Incarnate, I was already thinking up my review, which began along the lines of: I liked it, but didn't love it. Now, after I've flipped over the last page and read past the last word, all I can think is, I loved it. I can't believe I didn't read it sooner. And I already want to go back and read some parts all over again.

  Incarnate can't be described as action-packed. Though there are some action scenes, they are very few. But Incarnate can be summed up in one word: beautiful. The whole story had a flow and plot that just can't be described any other way.

  If you're still not sold on the idea, I'll tell you this: there's a masquerade scene. A scene that I just had to read twice. I'll leave it at that.

   Ana is a nosoul, or in Sam's words, a newsoul. Either way, Ana isn't supposed to exist. Not even her mother cares for her. She was supposed to be someone else, someone who will never return because of her. On her eighteenth birthday, Ana sets out to reach Heart, the city where almost everyone lives. She hopes to find out more about her lost father, and maybe even the reason for her existence.

  Ana was easy to relate to. I know how it feels to have everyone judge you before you even speak. To have people like you, hate you, or not even care before you even open your mouth. I know how it is.

  Ana's story doesn't end within these pages, but the ending of Jodi Meadow's debut won't leave you hanging by a thread. Incarnate is a must-read. A read that will linger long after you flip over the last page.



Add INCARNATE to Goodreads 
Find Jodi Meadows on Twitter - Goodreads - Website

Jan 28, 2012

In My Mailbox (65) -- Masques, Perceptions, and Heroes

In My Mailbox is a meme created by The Story Siren and inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie! It features a list of what books you have received over the previous week, either for review, from the library, or from the bookstore.




For Review:
Everything you Need to Survive the Apocalypse by Lucas Klauss
Trafikked by Kim Purcell

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Surprise from Penguin!)
Perception by Kim Harrington
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy
Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Gifted by Britta from I Like These Books:
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Thanks to Penguin, Simon and Schuster, HarperTeen, Scholastic, Walden Pond Press and Britta! 
So... what was in your mailbox this week?

Jan 27, 2012

TEMPEST by Julie Cross Audiobook Giveaway

Tempest (Tempest #1)

Tempest has been getting some pretty good buzz! Rights have already been sold to a few countries and the movie rights have been optioned to Summit Entertainment. Read my review here.

For those of us a little too busy to pick up the 339 page book, why not listen to an audiobook?
Thanks to Macmillan, I have one audiobook version of TEMPEST for one lucky winner!

Listen to the clip and enter for your chance to win.









Add Tempest to Goodreads 
Find Julie Cross on Twitter - Goodreads - Website

Jan 25, 2012

IceyDesigns - New Look + Your Chance to Win!


IceyDesigns has a new look! What do you think?

I've been wanting to move from Blogger to a self-hosted site for a loooong time, but never had the chance until now. Because it takes a lot of time, y'know.

For those of you who didn't know, IceyDesigns is my outlet for blog/web designing. I've designed a few blogs, all of which can be seen on my Portfolio page.

Now for the good stuff!
To celebrate the move and my new design,
I'm giving away a free blog design to one lucky blogger!

The Prize:
One "The Deluxe" blog package (worth $130)
Click here to see what's included in the package

The Rules:
You must have a Blogger blog to win (sorry Wordpress blogs!)


Waiting on Wednesday (71) -- The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

"Waiting On" Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that everyone's excited about (created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.)

The Last Princess

Happily ever after is a thing of the past.

The year is 2090.

England is a barren land. Food is rationed. Oil has decimated the oceans. The people are restless.

A ruthless revolutionary enacts a plan to destroy the royal family, and in a moment, the king is dead. His heiress, Princess Mary, and her brother, Jamie, have been abducted, and no one knows their fate. Princess Eliza Windsor barely escapes, and finds herself scared and lost in London's dangerous streets. With a mind for revenge and the safe recovery of her siblings, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. There she is tempted by her first taste of independence -- and true love. Ultimately she must summon her courage and fight to ensure that she does not become... The Last Princess.

The Last Princess will be released on May 8th, 2012 by Little, Brown Books.

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Jan 24, 2012

ALA Midwinter 2012

ALA Midwinter 2012 was my first bookish event. And I'm already flouncing around, waiting for the next one I can attend.

There were books. Books and people and books. No, I won't tell you how many books I got. And no, I won't post a picture of all the books I got. There are just some people out there who are more than curious... We'll leave it at that.

BUT, there were quite a few galleys I picked up at ALA that I am really excited about. Here they are!



One galley I'm most excited for: BITTERBLUE. Ugh, even if you had whispered the name, the crowd would have gone wild. Sort of. Penguin announced they were giving away copies of Kristin Cashore's latest on Sunday, at 3:00. Lines started forming at 11:00. Yeah, you read that right. Then Penguin says you can't line up until 1:00. At 1:30, they announce you can't line up until 2:00. I left before then, and I'm not 100% about the timings, but the BITTERBLUE anticipation was CRAZY. I know I wanted it too, but I don't know if I would have had the patience to stay in line that long! However, the oh-so-awesome Amy from ReadingTeen, endured the loooong line. And. Got. Me. A. Copy.

ALA wasn't just about the books. I finally got to meet some bloggers I love. Katie, HD, Melina and her mom, Amy and Andye, Lauren, Lindsay - they were are the sweetest people I know. I'm not just saying the words, I MEAN THEM. Believe me, my life wouldn't be the same without them.

So overall, ALA was a blast. Sure, my shoulders are killing me. But every minute was worth it.

Now, the question is... when do I get to go again??

Jan 21, 2012

TEMPEST by Julie Cross - Trailer

Tempest (Tempest #1)

I reviewed TEMPEST by Julie Cross a few months ago - and though I didn't LOVE it, I certainly enjoyed this hyped up debut. Did you watch the trailer? Did you know the book has already been optioned by Summit Entertainment? Yeah.



My Review | TEMPEST on Goodreads
Find Julie on Twitter | Website | Goodreads

So, what do you think of the trailer?