2014 End of Year Book Survey

Sunday, December 28, 2014


This survey is hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page Turner. You can view the questions on her blog here.

The survey is for books you read throughout the year, no matter when they were published, and is not limited to just books that came out in 2014. (**)

Review: Puddle Jumping by Amber L. Johnson

Thursday, December 25, 2014


Genres: YA | Romance | Contemporary
Published: June 29th 2014
Publisher:  Self Pub

When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.

Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special. Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.

Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means.
 And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.

When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it’s   time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.


Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.

Review: Half Bad by Sally Green

Monday, December 22, 2014

Series: The Half Bad Trilogy #1
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published: October 14th 2014
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
GoodReads
Wanted by no one.
Hunted by everyone. 


Sixteen-year-old Nathan lives in a cage: beaten, shackled, trained to kill. In a modern-day England where two warring factions of witches live amongst humans,

Nathan is an abomination, the illegitimate son of the world's most terrifying and violent witch, Marcus. Nathan's only hope for survival is to escape his captors, track down Marcus, and receive the three gifts that will bring him into his own magical powers—before it's too late. But how can Nathan find his father when there is no one safe to trust, not even family, not even the girl he loves?

Half Bad is an international sensation and the start of a brilliant trilogy: a gripping tale of alienation and the indomitable will to survive.


2015 - Book Releases I Cannot Wait For

Thursday, December 18, 2014


It's that time of the year for spotlighting books you've read throughout the year, and the ones you want to read next year. So, I thought I'd share some of my highly anticipated books for the upcoming year.

Review: Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Friday, December 12, 2014

Series: Snow Like Ashes #1
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published: October 14th 2014
Publisher:  Balzer + Bray
GoodReads
A heartbroken girl. A fierce warrior. A hero in the making.

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Monday, December 01, 2014

Series: The Young Elites #1
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Paranormal
Published: October 7th 2014
Publisher:  G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
GoodReads

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in
the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars— they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society.
This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt

Are Cliffhangers Truly That Horrible?

Friday, November 28, 2014


It's a fair bet that most of us have come across cliffhangers at one point or the other. A cliffhanger is when the story ends but the scene at hand does not, and is left to be continued in the upcoming book. The purpose? Suspense, which is a part of good storytelling. The results? Angry growls, excited cries, and extreme capslocking of fans.

Review: Atlantia by Ally Condie

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Series: N/A
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Dystopia
Published: October 28th 2014
Publisher:  Dutton Children's
GoodReads
My rating:
 2/5


Can you hear Atlantia breathing? 

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above—of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio’s true self—and the powerful siren voice she has long hidden—she has nothing left to lose. 

Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother’s death, her own destiny, and the complex system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.


10 YA Characters You Need | To Survive a Horror Story

Sunday, November 23, 2014


What if one day you wake and you're stuck in the scariest horror story you know of? Well, if you're anything like me, you'd look to your favorite characters for help. Just in case you actually do get stuck in a horror story (oh, the possibilities), here's a list of 10 YA characters that can help you survive.

Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Series: The Winner's Trilogy #1
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published:  March 4th 2014
Publisher:  Farrar Straus Giroux
GoodReads
My rating:
3/5


Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

 As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. 

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. 

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined. 

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Review: Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

Friday, November 14, 2014


By: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Genres: YA | Contemporary | Romance
Published:  February 21st 2012
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
GoodReads
My rating:
  4/5

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

 Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

How To NOT Make a Bookworm Furious

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

We, bookworms, live a thousand lives. All of this makes us prone to a lot of things, like the ever so often urge to tear the eyelashes off of people who we think are a big hurdle to our life as a reader. A furious bookworm can be a little like a miniature version of your average five-year-old's monster. Miniature is mostly optional. So if you'd rather not have the added drama of a furious bookworm in your life...

It's Hiatus Time - I will be back soon

Friday, October 10, 2014

Since I started blogging back in July, I've been going on and off with little breaks here and there, but nothing all too significant, so this is probably going to be my first actual hiatus.

Well, what can I say? Life sure does get hectic. I admit it's a lot more bearable than I initially thought it to be, but I still feel drained of creativity these days.

My exam is right around the corner, and I'm pretty serious about this stuff now. If you've been following me for a while, or - with the ever present possibility - stalking me, you might have noticed that I take breaks ever so often every time I have a unit test week.

Anyway, that's one of the many reasons.

Also since my brain will be half rotten from all the studies by the 22nd of this month, I'll take this moment to wish The Literary Oracle a mighty three months! Party poppers, anyone?

I'm too much of a chicken to point out the names of everyone who has helped me thus far, because there's a very big chance I will forget like, half! BUT, I LOVE YOU ALL. And..maybe one day  I will make a list of everyone who has helped me one way or the other.

So that's that. I will be back shortly, anyhow.

Probably after my exams, so it's a safe bet that I will be back with a rather feeble bang in a month.

Will I miss blogging? Erm..of course.

Will I miss my blogging friends? Terribly, and more than anything else.

Top Ten Character Driven Novels

Tuesday, October 07, 2014

Top 10 Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and the Bookish involving a different list each week. It's a great way to share things with other bloggers.

[Mini] Review: Fire by Kristin Cashore

Monday, October 06, 2014

Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published: October 5th 2009
Publisher: Dial Books
Book: GoodReads | Amazon Barnes & Noble
Author: GoodReads Twitter | Blog
Rating:
 

It is not a peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men. 

This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she had the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.

Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City, The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.

 If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.


Why We Love the Anti-hero

Saturday, October 04, 2014

We've all met that one character who would happily kill anything they feel like killing. Depending on the story, you get to know this character more. And somehow, somewhere, you start sympathizing with this character; their backstory and their purpose. You know they have a good side, although the rational part of you refuses.

Review: A Mad, Wicked Folly by Viking Juvenile

Wednesday, October 01, 2014

Genres: YA | Historical | Romance
Published: January 23rd 2014
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Book: GoodReads | Amazon Barnes & Noble
Author: GoodReads Twitter | Website
Rating:
 

Welcome to the world of the fabulously wealthy in London, 1909, where dresses and houses are overwhelmingly opulent, social class means everything, and women are taught to be nothing more than wives and mothers. Into this world comes seventeen-year-old Victoria Darling, who wants only to be an artist—a nearly impossible dream for a girl. 

After Vicky poses nude for her illicit art class, she is expelled from her French finishing school. Shamed and scandalized, her parents try to marry her off to the wealthy Edmund Carrick-Humphrey. But Vicky has other things on her mind: her clandestine application to the Royal College of Art; her participation in the suffragette movement; and her growing attraction to a working-class boy who may be her muse—or may be the love of her life. As the world of debutante balls, corsets, and high society obligations closes in around her, Vicky must figure out: just how much is she willing to sacrifice to pursue her dreams?


Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Friday, September 26, 2014

Series: Throne of Glass #3
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published: September 2nd 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Book: GoodReads | Amazon Barnes & Noble
Author: GoodReads Twitter | Website
Rating:
 

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. 

 If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. 

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?
 As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a  farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful  enough to change Trollus forever.


Review: Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Series: The Malediction Trilogy #1
Genres: YA | Fantasy | Romance
Published: April 1st 2014
Publisher: Strange Chemistry
Book: GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Author: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
Rating:
 

For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined. 

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to  Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time,  wait for the perfect opportunity. 

 But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll  prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see  that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to  the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its  secret leader. 

 As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a  farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful  enough to change Trollus forever.