Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Bookworms!

For Halloween this year I decided to dress up as the fabulous Isabelle Lightwood from Cassie Clare's Mortal Instruments. Of course, only Mags and a few others actually knew who I was. Hoping next year that Izzy, Clary, Magnus, and all the others will be better known due to the amazing movie. My pal Jonna was dressed up as Tessa from Infernal Devices, but I was not able to get any pictures of her :(

Me as Izzy

This was sort of a last minute thing. I just grabbed my black skinnies, a black tee, my sister's eyeliner, and my black boots (which I had to superglue the soles back on...Yeah...). I made myself a whip bracelet out of gold yarn I had laying about and took a necklace that Buffy got me for my birthday a few years back. I also dutifully spent 4 hours straightening my hair as I watched this delightful show called Merlin (I am now addicted!).

Hoped everyone had a great Halloween filled with lots of candy!

~Caly

Cover Reveal: Goddess

 

 

If you listen real closely, you might be able to pick up this faint, echoing sound of a high pitch scream. Curious? That would be me, fangirling over the amazingness of this cover.

 

I did not expect to open my Facebook and see this gorgeous thing on the live stream. Who cares about what my friends are doing? Who cares about prepping for Sandy? Josephine Angelini realeased the cover for Goddess, one of the books that I am impatiently waiting for.

 

Next May we will finally get all of the answers. Will Lucas and Helen FINALLY realize that they are not cousins? (PLEASE REALIZE IT!) Will they fight this big, life changing battle against the gods? (HOPE SO!) Will Cassandra be freed from the Fates' wrath? (I hope so. She's my favorite character!) Will Helen and Lucas finally be together? And what about Orion? I love the guy but Helen needs to be with Lucas. End of subject. Any other arguements are invalid.

 

To say I am just a little bit excited is a big understatement. I have lived inside of these books for almost 3 years and I am so sad that they are ending but really happy to find out what will happen.

 

And scary thought: This will be one of the last books I read before graduation. OH MY GODS.

 

~Calypso



Cover Reveal: Shadow of the Mark

Yes...I know I am a tad bit late on this one. Between being sick all week long and then playing homework make up, I have been neglecting everything. Missing three AP classes is not a smart move.

But here's the cover for Shadow of the Mark and it's really pretty! Of course, now that I am looking at it more, it looks like the first one, only Meg is in purple instead of blue and the lighting is darker.

Who cares though? I am one of those people who must have all of the covers matching. I hate it when the covers don't match on my bookshelf. It bugs me so much. I sit there and stare daggers at the unmatching covers. Why do publishing companies do this to me?

So I'm excited to read this. I loved Carrier of the Mark and I have been waiting for this one for a very long time. I really want to know what happens. I need to know how it ends. Pah! So exciting!

~Calypso

Cover Reveal: If I Should Die

 

First thought:

 

Oh. My. God. So BEAUTIFUL!

 

Second thought:

 

THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!

 

Third thought:

 

I WANT TO GO BACK TO PARIS NOW!

 



If I Should Die is the last *Sob* book in the Revenants trilogy by Amy Plum. I absolutely love these books because of one, the Paris setting. Who doesn't love Paris? I was in heaven when I was there last April. And two, revenants. They are basically hot, walking dead guys. What is not to love?

So May is going to be awesome! The last Revenant book and the last Starcrossed book comes out. Don't know whether to be sad or happy that everything is ending. I lived in these books for 3 years! Aaww!

Also, if you have read Until I Die, you know that horrible cliffhanger. I cried. Magnus posted to my Facebook wall "I finished it. And want to punch someone". Buffy called me as soon as she finished it, demanding why I let her read it. She screamed at me for a good ten minutes before her little sister told her to shut up.

Yes, we are very excited for this book. I'm hoping for a happy ending. Okay. More like I am praying for a happy ending! May 2013, here we come!

~Caly

Cover Reveal: Apollyon and Deity Book Trailer

Deity (The third book in the Covenant Series)
Available in both print and digital version on Nov. 6, 2012
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Official Deity Book Trailer
http://youtu.be/RIqKBYMSTU8

Did you read an ARC of Deity and been dying to get your hands on Elixir, the novella told in Aiden’s POV and picks up right after the end of Deity? Well, you don’t have to wait any longer. The free novella is available now. DO NOT read Elixir if you have not read Deity. It will spoil Deity for you and not to mention, you will have no idea what is going on.

Elixir will be available in print. Kindle, and Nook formats on November 27, 2012.

Click HERE to read Elixir.

And we’re super excited to share the cover for the 4^th book in the Covenant Series, Apollyon, which is due out April 2013.

 

 

Check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Official Website

EEEEPPP!! I am excited! Must read these books ASAP!!

Love, Love, Love these books!

~Caly

Review: Cursed

Cursed

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Released: September 18, 2012

Published by: Spencer Hill Press

 

Description from Goodreads:

 

Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out.

However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

 

Once again, Jennifer Armentrout has sucked me into another amazing book. While I did not love this one as much as the Covenant and Lux novels, she still had me hooked from the first page to the very end.

 

This is not the first "Touch of Death" book I have read, but it is probably one of my favorites (The other being Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi). I love Jennifer's own personal spin on it and it left me in the early hours of morning happy and content with the ending. It is just one of those books that you cannot put down and next thing you know, you have school in three hours and you just finished this amazing book (by the way, I fell asleep in Pre-Calc because I finished this book at four in the morning. Good news: I still somehow managed to pass my quiz ☺ )

 

I really want to give Ember a hug. Then again, I don't. I really enjoy living, thank you very much. I don't like how horrible some of the people treated her. I just felt bad for her. I felt like punching Phoebe in the face. Kurt just needed to leave and never look back. I semi warmed up to Cromwell in the end. But Olivia...God, I liked her at first. Then she just totally ditched Ember for Ms. Liz. She kind of treated her like how everybody else was: an outsider. That bugged me. A lot. I would be pissed if my little sister did that to me.

 

Yay for another Armentrout Perfect Man. First Aiden. Then Daemon. Now Hayden. I'm praying for the next one to be a Braydon. Let just take some time to admire how lovely and sexy these characters are. Some of the best fictional guys out there. Anybody disagree? (Well...Magnus says Seth is better then Aiden. As if. Aiden is the best. Clearly. Totally swoon worthy).

 

The plot was filled with twists and turns that kept you guessing and wanting more. I finished this book in eight hours. I started and could not stop. It is one that just stays with you even after you finish it and you are acting like a zombie from the three hours of sleep you got (Funny how today in Behavioral Science, we were talking about causes of sleep deprevation. Hehe. Oops).

 

So people, READ THIS BOOK. It is once again, another amazing Jennifer Armentrout novel. This woman is a writing machine with totally swoon worthy lead guys and fast paced plotlines. Who wouldn't love this book? It is downright impossible.

 

Review by Caly

follow on Twitter: @bookworms4vt



Review: The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena

Rick Riordan

Released: October 2, 2012

Published by: Disney Hyperion

 

x Infinity ☺

 

 

It's the review we have all been waiting for: The Mark of Athena, which I also now call: The-Book-That-Killed-My-Soul.

 

Description from Goodreads:

 

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. What else can you expect from a Rick Riordan book? It did not disapoint and I could not put it down. I. Flipping. Loved. It. I need my copy back from Magnus ASAP. I have to read this again. And again. And again. Until House of Hades comes out next year. One. Flipping. Year. To. Go. I will not go crazy....I will not go crazy...

 

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Don't say I never warned you

 

 

 

 

The Reunion. It was PERFECTO. Annabeth saw Percy. Percy gave Annabeth his award-winning smile. Annabeth was like, "Screw the Romans. I am going to hug and kiss my boyfriend." She charged Percy. They kissed. (Aaawww!) She threw him over her shoulders. Percy slammed against the ground. Annabeth cried, "Don't you ever leave me again!" (I cried, "DON'T LEAVE HER PERCY! KEEP THEM TOGETHER FOREVER RICK! My mom looked at me all funny). The Romans stared in horror. (I laugh). Classic Annabeth. It was just the reunion everybody hoped for and it did not disappoint. Our favorite couple was together again.  It only took 3 years.

The Romans. They were nice. Then they were bad. Now, I feel like I need to kick some Roman butt. STAY AWAY FROM CAMP HALF-BLOOD. If they hurt my camp, I am going to be seriously pissed off. And Octavian, I am so glad Percy threw you off the ladder. I wish it did some serious damage. You are such a sick soul. Cutting up teddy bears? You disgust me.

The Seven Demigods. I was so glad that everybody mostly got along. Sure, there was times when there was tension between people, but nobody flat out hated anybody. Thank the gods for that! There was an awkward mini love triangle between Leo, Hazel, and Frank. But it didn't bug me because Leo stood no chance against Frank (Which you know, I really do like Leo and Hazel as a couple. Leo needs a girlfriend. I feel bad for him. He is like a 7th wheel. He only has Festus :( Leo, I feel like you need a hug!) But Frank and Hazel are good for each other. Jason and Piper are perfect for each other also (Sorry to all you Jason/Renya shippers). I love how clueless Jason could be sometimes when he would mention stuff about Renya and Piper would be jealous. And of course, Annabeth and Percy are the best couple in the whole stinking book. Also, there was the major quest: head to Rome, but also, there was a lot of mini quests. Hazel and Leo tricked Narcissius. Percy and Frank visited an aquarium. Annabeth, Hazel, and Piper have a nice long chat with Aphrodite/Venus. Jason, Piper, and Percy battled crazy nymphs that trapped them in a well. Leo, Frank, and Hazel went on an adventure underneath Rome. Annabeth and Percy went on a date in Rome. Then there is Annabeth's solo quest.

 

The Mark of Athena. Let's give Annabeth a big round of applause. She had to go on this dangerous quest her crazy mother gave her, which nobody had ever survived. She knew that there was huge chance that she would die and yet she still went. You go, girl! I have a lot of respect for you. She had to trick these crazy ghosts, walk around this underground Roman labyrinth (Not that she hasn't been in a labyrinth before) with a broken ankle, and face her biggest fear: Arachne, the Mother of all Spiders. Holy crap! I would have easily died or chickened out. I am so so so proud of her. No wonder she is my ultimate favorite character ever. The best part? She succeeds. Then I read the ending.

My friend, Courtney, spoiled it for me. Here is what happened:

 

Courtney: Hey, whatcha reading?

 

Me: Only the best book ever! The Mark of Athena. I have been waiting a year for this!

 

Courtney: Awesome! Is that a glossary?

 

Me: Yeah. I cannot pronounce half the names, let alone keep who's who is straight. But I have to be careful, the book ends, then the glossary picks up.

 

Courtney: Can I see?

 

Me: Sure, just be careful! I had to go to 3 different stores to find that book.

 

Courtney: *Reading*

Who's Percy?

 

Me: Only the best darn character since Will Herondale. Son of Poseidon. Amazing.

 

Courtney: Sounds like a cool dude. And Annabeth?

 

Me: Only my favorite character in the whole series. Daughter of Athena. Blonde. Extremely smart. Dating Percy. They make the cutest couple ever.

 

Courtney: Aaaww! Sweet. Now what is Tartar Sauce?

 

Me: Tartar Sauce? What the heck?

 

Courtney: Tartar Sauce! Something about them being in Tartar Sauce? I know Percy is the son of Poseidon. Why is he swimming in Tartar Sauce?

 

Me: *Furious*

Do. You. Mean. Tartarus? As in the deepest part of Hell?

 

Courtney: Yeah! That's what Admiral Leo said!

 

Me: ARE YOU FLIPPING KIDDING ME? YOU JUST SPOILED THE WHOLE BOOK! MY FAVORITE COUPLE IS IN HELL! WITH MONSTERS THAT THEY HAVE KILLED! THEY ARE GOING TO DIE! DON'T YOU SEE I AM ONLY HALFWAY THROUGH? I HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THAT PART YET. #$#(*$&@W#($(*E#W& WHY DID YOU TELL ME?

 

Courtney: Why did you ask?

 

Me: You better run. Run as fast and far away as you can. I am pissed!

 

Courtney: Oh crap. I am glad the teacher is in the room.

 

Wasn't that just enlightening?

 

The Rickhanger. Okay. When Rick Riordan warned us that we have not seen the cliffhanger, he was so right. The endings to The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune seem like babies compared to this hellhound of all Rickhangers. Seriously. The guy literally took a shotgun, blew out my heart, and tossed it into the bowels of hell along with Percy and Annabeth. WHY RICK WHY? HAVEN'T YOU DONE ENOUGH TO US? WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE THIS? I bawled. I bawled like a freaking baby and I still knew what was going to happen. Buffy bawled. We both bawled together over Skype. Why can't Percy and Annabeth just get a flipping break? Wasn't one prophecy enough? They were just reunited with each other. They were happy. Throw Frank and Hazel into the pit. Throw Jason and Piper into the pit. Heck, throw Leo, Coach Hedge, and Nico into the pit (Nico can even show them around). Why these two? Why our beloved characters? I just lost my little hold on sanity. Rick Riordan, you are an evil mastermind. You deserve an award for "Most Heartbreaking Ending since Until I Die". Congradulations.

 

And Percy and Annabeth held hands as they fell into hell. ROTFITFPSLAB. Rolling on the floor in the fetal position, sobbing like a baby. That was when I lost it. You guys, you need to live. You can make it. I have hope for you. If not, all of the fandom will show up at Rick Riordan's home demanding that he change the ending. They. Will. Live.

 

Percy. Annabeth. May the Gods be ever in your favor.

 

 

 

 

END OF SPOILERS END OF SPOILERS



 

People, READ THIS BOOK. This has become my favorite Heroes book and you will not be disappointed by it. As you read, you will feel as if you are alongside the Seven as they face their impossible quest. But be warned, keep a box of tissues next to you as you read the last chapter. It will kill you. Trust me.

 

How many more days until House of Hades?



 

Review by Calypso

follow on Twitter: @bookworms4vt

Review: The Raven Boys

The Raven Boys

Maggie Stiefvater

Released: September 18, 2012

Published by: Scholastic Press

Description from Goodreads:

 

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

 

Another amazing book by the talented Maggie Stiefvater! And I must say, I think this one is my favorite book from her. It is truly unique and amazing. I had it finished within 36 hours.

 

I expected something similar to how Shiver and The Scorpio Races was set up: 1st person POV, following different characters. I was surprised to see it in 3rd person. My first thought was: NOOOO!! Maggie Stiefvater only writes in 1st person! This book will be horrible! It was anything but. I could not even consider putting it down. My teachers got mad when I was reading it instead of listening to them talk about boring things like rational functions, religious wars in France, why people sleep, and Quebec. Ley lines and Glendover are much more interesting.

 

Again, I love how Maggie Stiefvater's characters don't fit into that stereotypical YA character personality. Blue is not a girl that hides behind her hair. Gansey is not an overly sarcastic guy who has a bunch of witty comebacks. They are different. And it's refreshing to get something out of the norm. Don't get me wrong. I love those other characters. But it is nice for a change. And the names are just amazing. Nobody would think of naming their character Blue. I love it.

 

Something different from vampires, werewolves, and angels! YAY! I have never heard of ley lines before and now I am really curious about them. Also, the connection with Welsh tales is really unique too. We are finally straying away from Greek and Roman myths. I love Greek Myths, LOVE THEM, but it's cool to read about legends from the Welsh.

 

I recommend this book to anybody who is looking for something different. Maggie Stiefvater will have you hooked from the very first page and you will have it finished within the night. So get into your car, drive to the local bookstore, and READ, READ, READ. You will love it! Another book added to my favorites ☺

 

Written by Calypso

follow on Twitter: @bookworms4vt

 

 



 

Cover Reveal: The Elite

So today Kiera Cass released the cover for The Elite (with special permission of course). And Oh My Gods, it is BEAUTIFUL! I love the covers for these books. They are probably one of my favorite set of book covers. America is in red and if you put The Selection next to The Elite, your mind will be blown from its amazingness.

Why is America pouting? What is going to happen? WILL SHE END UP WITH MAXON!?!?! Questions...Questions...

Yup. I approve. My lil' sis-who-is-not-really-my-sis and I are dying for this book. She is so going to freak when I show her the cover.

And now back to reading The Mark of Athena...

~Caly