Monthly Recap: August 2013

Oh Gosh. School hit me much harder than I thought it would. I think I still had a decent reading and blogging month given the circumstances, but things will definitely be slowing down a bit on the blogging part. I hope September is another great month!

Books Read (Favorites are in bold):

1. A Midsummer's Nightmare- Kody Keplinger
2. Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)- Amiee Carter
3. This is What Happy Looks Like- Jennifer E Smith
4. Marked (House of Night #1)- P. C. Cast
5. The Goddess Inheritance (Goddess Test #2)- Amiee Carter
6. Let the Sky Fall (Sky Fall #1)- Shannon Messenger
7. Unraveling (Unraveling #1)- Elizabeth Norris
8. Unbreakable (Unraveling #2)- Elizabeth Norris
9. The Evolution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer #2)- Michelle Hodkin (Reread)

Books Reviewed:

1. Maximum Ride (Manga Vol #1)- James Patterson
2. Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)- Veronica Rossi
3. Hourglass (Hourglass #1)- Myra McEntire
4. Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)- Veronica Rossi
5. The Final Warning (Maximum Ride #4)- James Patterson
6. Marked (House of Night #1)- P. C. Cast
7. Goddess Interrupted (Goddess Test #2)- Amiee Carter

Waiting on Wednesday: The Shadowhunters' Codex

Waiting on Wednesday's is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Shadowhunters' Codex
Cassandra Clare & Joshua Lewis
October 29, 2013

The Clave is pleased to announce the newest edition of the Nephilim’s oldest and most famous training manual: the Shadowhunter’s Codex. Since the thirteenth century, the Codex has been the young Shadowhunter’s best friend. When you’re being swarmed by demons it can be easy to forget the finer points of obscure demon languages or the fastest way to stop an attack of Raum demons. With the Codex by your side, you never have to worry.

Now in its twenty-seventh edition, the Codex covers it all: the history and the laws of our world; how to identify, interact with, and if necessary, kill that world’s many colorful denizens; which end of the stele is the end you write with. No more will your attempt to fight off rogue vampires and warlocks be slowed by the need to answer endless questions from your new recruits: What is a Pyxis? Why don’t we use guns? If I can’t see a warlock’s mark, is there a polite way to ask him where it is? Where do we get all our holy water? Geography, History, Magic, and Zoology textbook all rolled into one, the Codex is here to help new Shadowhunters navigate the beautiful, often brutal world that we inhabit.

Do not let it be said that the Clave is outdated or, as the younger Shadowhunters say, “uncool”: this new edition of the Codex will be available not only in the usual magically-sealed demonskin binding, but also in a smart, modern edition using all of today’s most exciting printing techniques, including such new features as a sturdy clothbound cover, a protective dust jacket, and information about title, author, publisher, and so on conveniently available right on the cover. You’ll be pleased to know that it fits neatly into most satchels, and unlike previous editions, it rarely sets off alarm wards.

The old woodcuts and engravings have been replaced as well: instead, you’ll find lavish modern illustrations by some of the brightest luminaries of the fantastic. Creatures, weapons, people, and places have been carefully and accurately rendered by the likes of Rebecca Guay, Charles Vess, Jim Nelson, Theo Black, Elisabeth Alba, and Cassandra Jean. Chapters are beautifully introduced by the drawings of Michael Kaluta, and along with our condensation of the classic 2,450-page tome, A History of the Nephilim, you will find a selection of the best of the lovely illustrations of that volume by John Dollar.

Why I can't wait: First off can I just say that is probably the longest synopsis I have ever seen. And secondly, the shadowhunter world really intrigues me and this is just a book filled with anything and everything you could want to know about it. That's enough for me.

Review: Goddess Interrupted

Goddess Interrupted
Goddess Test #2
Aimee Carter

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.

As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.

Henry's first wife, Persephone.

Review: Marked

Marked
House of Night #1
P.C Cast & Kristin Cast

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Waiting on Wednesday: Panic

Waiting on Wednesday's is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Panic
Lauren Oliver

Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a dead-end town of 12,000 people in the middle of nowhere: because it was summer, and there was nothing else to do.

Heather never thought she would compete in Panic, a legendary game played by graduating seniors, where the stakes are high and the payoff is even higher. She’d never thought of herself as fearless, the kind of person who would fight to stand out. But when she finds something, and someone, to fight for, she will discover that she is braver than she ever thought.

Dodge has never been afraid of Panic. His secret will fuel him, and get him all the way through the game, he’s sure of it. But what he doesn't know is that he’s not the only one with a secret. Everyone has something to play for.

For Heather and Dodge, the game will bring new alliances, unexpected revelations, and the possibility of first love for each of them—and the knowledge that sometimes the very things we fear are those we need the most.

Why I Can't Wait: I have read all of Lauren Oliver's YA books and I have loved them all. I can't wait to add this one to the list! And seriously this cover is amazing!