Book Review: Obsidian by J.L. Armentrout

Source: Bought

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Description:
Starting over sucks.
When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring.... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.
And then he opened his mouth.
Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something...unexpected happens.
The hot alien living next door marks me.
You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.
If I don't kill him first, that is

Calamity's Review:
Let us start with the cover! I'm not a huge fan of PEOPLE on covers because then all I can imagine are THOSE people and it throws off my imagination. Ya know? I guess the guy has these rugged looks that are sort of (very) appealing but I ain't into that. Keep it for the movies. I really like the background of the cover though. Ties in everything with the book. All the LIGHTning symbolism and whatnot.
On to the internal-ness of the book. I gotta say, i did not finish it in ONE READING because I have homework and house work and stuff that doesn't matter. BUT if I didn't have a life, I would defs be able to finish it in one reading. I don't know if this next part is a spoiler or not but.....ALIENS! wooooohhooooo! I loved that concept. They're literally other-worldly. I would have liked it more if the book concentrated more on the alien-ness and less on the love/lust-ness. I just felt like it was SLIGHTLY repetetive in the little arguments that the two MCs kept getting in, but it was funny. Maybe I'm just being a critique though, and overthinking this. Anyway, the book was defs worth a read.
Katy, the Main girl protagonist, was very cool. I felt like i could relate to her because of her love for books AND gardening. It was awesome, kind of like I found my other half. LOL. Everthing she did in that book, I agreed with and I wasn't constantly in disagreement with her. That was a major bonus point. LOL *wink wink* I guess you'll get that reference once you read the book.

I RATE THIS BOOK A FOUR!

In My ||Our|| Mailbox #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren. It's pretty much just an awesome way for blog followers know of some of the books that we got this week :D

So here are the books we got this week! They're some pretty sweet titles and can't wait to strike up a review for you guys!

Number 1. 

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

Source: Bought 

Number 2. 

Starters by Lissa Price 

Source: Bought

Number 3. 

ReVamped by Ada Adams

Source: Author

Number 4. 

Obsidian by J.L. Armentrout

Source: Bought

Okay rad people, so that is all we got this week. But we must say that we really do appreciate and enjoy the books that we receive. It is actually the most heart-warming feeling.

We look forward to finishing these books and putting them up for review so ya'll can see what we thought of them :D 


Post a comment or a link to your blog so we can see/know what you guys got in your weekly or monthly book haul! XP

Messy by Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan ARC Review

Source: Hachette Book Group 


Author: Heather Cocks & Jessica Morgan


Publisher: Little Brown Books For Young Readers


Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Published on: 6/05/2012
Format: Hardcover Book
Subformat: Young Adult
ISBN: 9780316098298

Description:

After a rocky start in Spoiled, Brooke Berlin and her newly discovered half sister, Molly Dix, have settled into something like sisterly love, but the drama is far from over.

Now that Brooke's caught a taste of fame and her movie star father's attention, she wants to launch a blog that will position her as the ultimate Hollywood insider. But between schoolwork, party-planning committee meetings, and spa treatments, she hardly has the time to write it herself...

Enter Max McCormack, an aspiring author with a terrible after-school job pushing faux meat on the macrobiotic masses of La-La Land. Max reluctantly agrees to play Brooke's ghost-blogger for an impressive salary, and the site takes off, but how long can their lie last? In person, Brooke can't live up to the intellectual wit of openbrooke.com, and Max soon begins to resent hiding her genius behind a bandage dress-wearing blonde. Can the girls work together to stay on top, or will the truth come out and ruin everything they've built?

Chaos' Review:

   
   As per tradition, let us dive into the cover! I totally adore it because it ties in PERFECTLY with the title and it looks totally Hollywood glamorous! Spoiled also had an awesome cover, but I gotta say that I adored this one so much more.
  On to the story! This book is in 3rd person, I'm not a reader that typically enjoys it very much, so it made things a little more difficult when it came down to keeping all my attention on this particular book. 
  Max is typically the main character and she's got an attitude I simply adored. She has green hair and has the dream to go on to NYC. No matter what the situation, she'll be repeating to herself "NYC, NYC, NYC". Now that is some dedication, plus it reminds me a little of Calamity & I; our  dream is to go to London, England. It'll happen soon *knocks on wood*. Max decides to take up on Brooke's blog to make money in order for her dream to head on to New York City. Max is basically broke and seems to be sick of all the cocky people around her, but she puts up with it. As I said, she is DEDICATED. 
  It's a very Hollywood glam story fixated around people that plan on hitting it high in the industry and make money. It's all about attention. Moreover, I typically enjoyed this story, Max was kinda funny and I enjoyed her personality because it was so different from the typical mystical creature books I read ALL the time! It was great to take a break from that and try out something that is so much more realistic. It was easy to relate to Max and her goals, but I didn't enjoy how it was written in 3rd person.


              
  

Snow White & The Huntsman Movie Release

GUESS WHAT RELEASES IN THEATERS TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yeaup, Snow White & The Huntsman! 

Starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth Plus MORE! 

Check out the trailer and race off to a theater near you! 

AND let us know what you thought after you've seen it! I'll be off watching the movie today too, because...well...this movie looks MAD....we love mad and awesome things over here. 

So DEFINITELY let us know of your opinions! We love hearing back from everyone! 

-Sincerely, 

Chaos

Book Review: Pretty Amy by Lisa Burstein

Source: Bought

Author: Lisa Burstein

Publisher: Entangled Publishing

Description: A coming-of-age story without the comfort of padding…a relatable and compelling character [with] a lot of wonderful snark.” —New York Journal of Books
Amy is fine living in the shadows of beautiful Lila and uber-cool Cassie, because at least she’s somewhat beautiful and uber-cool by association. But when their dates stand them up for prom, and the girls take matters into their own hands—earning them a night in jail outfitted in satin, stilettos, and Spanx—Amy discovers even a prom spent in handcuffs might be better than the humiliating “rehabilitation techniques” now filling up her summer. Worse, with Lila and Cassie parentally banned, Amy feels like she has nothing—like she is nothing.
Navigating unlikely alliances with her new coworker, two very different boys, and possibly even her parents, Amy struggles to decide if it’s worth being a best friend when it makes you a public enemy. Bringing readers along on an often hilarious and heartwarming journey, Amy finds that maybe getting a life only happens once you think your life is over

Calamity's Review:
On this blog, we love to give honest reviews of books because we feel like authors should know what a reader likes. So, with that in mind, I have to say that this book was just not my cup of tea. Honestly, I got soo annoyed with it that I haven't even finished reading it (and I don't plan on it). Also, the cover isn't that appealing either. I feel like the book could have had a better representation. But that is just how I feel. I have read some reviews for Pretty Amy and people enjoyed it very much and felt like they could relate to Amy. Sadly, that was not how I felt. I could not believe that things that amy was doing. I'm a teenager that goes to highschool and I know that you really don't have to do what Amy does in this book. Maybe that is why I got annoyed; Amy being immature. She didn't even have family issues to blame on her drug/smoke use.
As far as family goes, Amy's mother was fairly unreasonable but I think if Amy tried to atleast communicate with her, things could have been better. At some points, Amy didn't even rebuttal her mother when she was wrong. Amy literally sat there and listened to her mom acuse of being a drug dealer. when, clearly, she isn't. That was infuriating to read. I'm just sayin, the girl should fight for her rights.
As for love/friendships in this book, I found the choices lacking. Amy's friends were bad influences that didn't care about their's or Amy's future. The guy that Amy "likes" is someone that gave up on her and moved on to something better. I understand that he would want to move on with his life, but why does Amy still think about him. Instead of pondering over what could have been, Amy should actually try to fix things for herself.
So, what I'm trying to say is that I like to relate to the MCs of books and Pretty Amy was seriously lacking that. Also, it might just be me, but I thought the tone was obnoxious..not in a good way. Other than that, the book was very well written and had some subtle jokes that were enjoyable to read.
I rate this book a 1!

Fated by Alyson Noel Audio Book

As you all know, Fated released May 22nd, 2012! 

But here's something awesome.....It's also an AUDIOBOOK! check out this

 -> Sample <-

We listened to the entire thing and it was pretty insightful and the voice is natural and perrrrfecto! We totally adore it. 

So if you enjoyed that little clip and are totally wondering what surprises this book is filled with, you can get it now at 

->Macmillan Audio! <-

Plus check out our review of the book 

->Fated Review<-

Sincerely,

Calamity & Chaos :D

Awesome June Releases We're Anticipating!

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Random House Children's Publishing | June 12, 2012 | Hardcover

RAPTURE, the fourth & final FALLEN novel.



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Golden Lily: A Bloodlines Novel by Richelle Mead

Penguin Young Reader Group | June 12, 2012 | Hardcover

2nd in the Bloodlines Series



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Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult, Samantha van Leer

EMILY BESTLER BOOKS/ATRIA/SIMON PULSE | June 6, 2012 | Hardcover

New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult and her teenage daughter present their first-ever novel for teens, filled with romance, adventure, and humor.




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Pretty Little Liars #11: Stunning by Sara Shepard

HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

In Rosewood, Pennsylvania, four stunningly beautiful girls are haunted by a very ugly past. Spencer, Aria, Hanna, and Emily want nothing more than to forget Alison DiLaurentis, their former best friend who tried to ruin their lives. But someone refuses to let her memory die. A is still out there, lurking in the shadows and digging up the pretty little liars'' newest secrets.

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Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

Bloomsbury USA | June 26, 2012 | Trade Paperback

Violet Willoughby doesn't believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother's elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose.


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Beautiful Chaosby Kami Garcia

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers | June 12, 2012 | Trade Paperback

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home from the Great Barrier, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena''s Claiming. Even Lena''s family of powerful Supernaturals is affected -- and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What -- or who -- will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?


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Arise by Tara Hudson

Harpercollins Publishers | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

New Orleans
Saint Louis
Number One Cemetery
A night there can change a life . . . or a death.



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The Reckoning by Alma Katsu

Gallery Books | June 19, 2012 | Hardcover

A love triangle spanning 200 years…Alma Katsu takes readers on a breathtaking journey through the landscape of the heart.


Sequel to The Takers.


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One Moment by Kristina McBride

EgmontUSA | June 26, 2012 | Hardcover

Rising high school senior Maggie remembers little about the accidental death of her boyfriend, Joey, but as she slowly begins to recall that day at the lake with their long-time friends, she realizes some terrible secrets are being kept.




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Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbrough

SCHOLASTIC INC | June 1, 2012 | Hardcover

Heavenly writing, earthy characters, and humor that is wicked as hell
Heidi is seventeen. Insecure. Unkissed. Unremarkable, she thinks, in every way but one: She has a guardian angel, Jerome, who whispers in her ear all day long, amusing her, confusing her, but hardly ever saying anything that might help her discover who she''s meant to be.


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Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Feiwel & Friends | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

Your mother hollers that you're going to miss the bus. She can see it coming down the street. You don't stop and hug her and tell her you love her. You don't thank her for being a good, kind, patient mother. Of course not-you launch yourself down the stairs and make a run for the corner.

Only, if it's the last time you'll ever see your mother, you sort of start to wish you'd stopped and did those things. Maybe even missed the bus.

                                 But the bus was barreling down our street, so I ran.

                                 Fourteen kids. One superstore. A million things that go wrong

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My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

Penguin Young Reader Group | June 19, 2012 | Hardcover

When Samantha, the seventeen-year-old daugher of a wealthy, perfectionistic, Republican state senator, falls in love with the boy next door, whose family is large, boisterous, and just making ends meet, she discovers a different way to live, but when her mother is involved in a hit-and-run accident Sam must make some difficult choices


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For Darkness Shows The Stars by Diana Peterfreund

Harpercollins Publishers | June 12, 2012 | Hardcover

It''s been several generations since a genetic experiment gone wrong caused the Reduction, decimating humanity and giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology




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Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti

Penguin Young Reader Group | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

Bullied at school and neglected by her poor, self-absorbed, single mother at home, high school junior Noelle finally reaches the breaking point after a classmate commits suicide.




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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.



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Tokyo Heist by Diana Renn

Penguin Young Reader Group | June 19, 2012 | Hardcover

When sixteen-year-old Violet agrees to spend the summer with her father, an up-and-coming artist in Seattle, she has no idea what she's walking into. Her father's newest clients, the Yamada family, are the victims of a high-profile art robbery: van Gogh sketches have been stolen from their home, and, until they can produce the corresponding painting, everyone's lives are in danger--including Violet's and her father's.

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Mirage by Kristi Cook

Simon Pulse | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

Danger looms large in the sequel to Haven, which Booklist called "a blend of the Gemma Doyle trilogy, the Twilight saga, and Lois Duncan's thrillers."

Violet McKenna is back for her senior year at Winterhaven and thrilled to be with Aidan after a long summer apart. But while their love for each other is as strong as ever, their troubles are far from over.


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Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Random House Children's Publishing | June 12, 2012 | Hardcover

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge...




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Surrender by Elana Johnson

Simon Pulse | June 5, 2012 | Hardcover

The thrilling and seductive sequel to Possession puts love on the line in a dystopian struggle for independent thought.
Forbidden love, intoxicating power, and the terror of control…
     Raine has always been a good girl. She lives by the rules in Freedom. After all, they are her father's rules: He's the Director. It's because of him that Raine is willing to use her talent-a power so dangerous, no one else is allowed to know about it. Not even her roommate, Vi.