Mundie Moms

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Book Review: The Indigo Spell (Bloodlines #3) by Richelle Mead


By: Richelle Mead
Published by: Razorbill
Released on: February 12th, 2013
Source: bound arc from publisher to review
5 Stars: I LOVED It!
Series: Bloodlines #3
Purchase from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

In the aftermath of a forbidden moment that rocked Sydney to her core, she finds herself struggling to draw the line between her Alchemist teachings and what her heart is urging her to do. Then she meets alluring, rebellious Marcus Finch--a former Alchemist who escaped against all odds, and is now on the run. Marcus wants to teach Sydney the secrets he claims the Alchemists are hiding from her. But as he pushes her to rebel against the people who raised her, Sydney finds that breaking free is harder than she thought. There is an old and mysterious magic rooted deeply within her. And as she searches for an evil magic user targeting powerful young witches, she realizes that her only hope is to embrace her magical blood--or else she might be next.

Populated with new faces as well as familiar ones, the Bloodlines series explores all the friendship, romance, battles, and betrayals that made the #1 New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series so addictive—this time in a part-vampire, part-human setting where the stakes are even higher and everyone’s out for blood


I totally admit I wanted to read The Indigo Spell for Adrian. Well, that I also wanted to find out what Sydney was going to do. She about killed me at the end of The Golden Lily, which I recently reviewed here. She more than made up for it with the ending of this book! *fist bumps the air* This storyline takes us deeper into the history of all that Sydney has been taught. Let's just say, nothing is what it is seems. Sydney has to decide where she wants to stand once all of the lies and betrayals that are finally uncovered. This plot line was definitely a lot more twisted than the previous two books, and it was fantastic! There's shocking betrayals, HOT character chemistry, and plenty of action that had me reading this book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down.

I'll be honest, I had a rough time with Sydney through out this entire book. While I didn't have any issues w/ her in The Golden Lily, other than the fact I wanted her to just admit her loved Adrian, this time around her indecision was too dragged out for me, and really got on my nerves to the point I felt bad for Adrian and wanted him to move on (okay not really). Thankfully Adrian's a very patient guy. Why yes, I am an extremely impatient person, and I wanted to see Adrian and Sydney together, but that's beside the point. I felt like Sydney toyed with his emotions a little too much, BUT, I also got why Sydney was so torn. I admire her for looking for truths and answers with what she was raised to believe, how she really really felt about Adrian, and what she discovers from all that Marcus tells her. It's a lot to take in. I loved how Adrian slowly but surely broke down her tight control. All I can say is Richelle rewarded my patience with a holy hotness batman scene and plenty of moments in between with Adrian and Sydney that kept me turning the pages. I love the character chemistry these two have.

Oh Adrian! I didn't think I was going to love his character anymore than I already did from The Golden Lily, but he really surprised me in this book. He made me love him even more. He grows even more as a character, which I didn't think it was possible to do. What really made me fall even harder for him, was the way he was with Sydney. He lets her think he's backed off from invading her life, and making her fall for him, because let's face it, Sydney's been in love with Adrian for as long as Adrian has been in love with her. While it irked me to end that Sydney kept on pushing him away, and kept on telling him it wouldn't work, and then would turn to him and ask for help, I loved that Adrian stayed very much apart of her life. When that one HOT scene FINALLY happens, she too knows she can not deny what's between them. Adrian, Adrian, Adrian! What's not to love about him? What I loved about Adrian is how protective he is of Sydney, that he allows her to work out her own issues and patiently waits for her to admit she loves him. He's loyal, always there for her, wants to be a better person/vampire for her, and who could resist a character like that? Plus, he's funny. That scores even more points in my book.

This is a must read for fans of this series! I can not wait to read more Adrian and Sydney. Judging by that shocking twist at the end of the book, I have a feeling things are going to become much more complicated for the two of them.

The Lives We Lost Blog Tour: Guest Post with Author Megan Crewe

Happy Thursday! I'm excited to have YA author Megan Crew on the blog today. Her latest release, The Lives We Lost was recently released, and today Megan's here to talk about a few YA books/series she wish she had read as a teen. 


Four YA Books/Series I Wish I'd Read as a Teen

I've read and enjoyed a lot of YA novels since "officially" becoming an adult, and there are a few favorites I think teen-me would really have appreciated.

-The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner. When I was around 14 or 15, I reached the point where I'd read so much adult high fantasy with the same basic set up (intrepid group of underdogs with oddly-spelled names faces down evil bent on destroying their pseudo-medieval world) that I burned out on the genre and still can rarely get into it. I've since discovered a whole realm of unique and exciting fantasy in YA, but it took a while--I wish I'd had this series, my favorite in the genre, to turn to right away.

-The Ruby Oliver series by E. Lockhart. The most amazing thing about reading this series for me was how much the main character reminds me of my teenage self--not so much in the things that happen to her, but in the way she thinks and reacts to the world around her, her uncertainties and insecurities. I think I'd have found it comforting to have read these as a teen, and felt a little less weird in Ruby's company.

-Cody Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Not only is this a spectacularly written book full of twists and unreliable narration and heartbreak, all of which I'd have eagerly devoured back then as much as today, but it's also a testament to the power of friendship. I had good friends in my teens, sure, but nothing close to what these two girls share. Maybe if I'd had this book to inspire me, I'd have looked harder and found something like it.

-Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn. What makes this story so powerful is that it takes you right inside the head of a messed-up guy whose relationship with his girlfriend becomes increasingly troubled, so that you can sympathize with him even as you see how important it is for her to get away from him. I don't know if having read it would have changed any of the romantic decisions I made in my youth, but I think it would have helped to get that message that you can care about something and see good in them, but still know it's not good for you to be with them.

About the Books:

Released on: 2/24/12
Written by: Megan Crewe
Published by: Hyperion Teens

It starts with an itch you just can't shake. Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat. A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.


When sixteen-year-old Kaelyn lets her best friend leave for school without saying goodbye, she never dreams that she might not see him again. But then a strange virus begins to sweep through her small island community, infecting young and old alike. As the dead pile up, the government quarantines the island: no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for the island’s dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

Poignant and dizzying, The Way We Fall is the heart-wrenching story of one girl's bravery and unbeatable spirit as she challenges not just her fears, but her sense of what makes life worth living


Released on 2/12/13
Written by: Megan Crewe
Published by: Hyperion Teens

First, the virus took Kaelyn’s friends. Then, her family. Now it’s taken away her home.

But she can't look back—the life she once had is gone forever.


A deadly virus has destroyed Kaelyn’s small island community and spread beyond the quarantine. No one is safe. But when Kaelyn finds samples of a vaccine in her father's abandoned lab, she knows there must be someone, somewhere, who can replicate it. As Kaelyn and her friends head to the mainland, they encounter a world beyond recognition. It’s not only the “friendly flu” that’s a killer—there are people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the vaccine. How much will Kaelyn risk for an unproven cure, when the search could either destroy those she loves or save the human race?

Megan Crewe's second volume in the Fallen World trilogy is an action-packed journey that explores the resilience of friendship, the ache of lost love, and Kaelyn’s enduring hope in the face of the sacrifices she must make to stay alive

About the Author:

Like many authors, Megan Crewe finds writing about herself much more difficult than making things up. A few definite facts: she lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband and two cats (and does on occasion say "eh"), she tutors children and teens with special needs, and--thankfully--the worst virus she's caught so far is the garden-variety flu.

You can find a more detailed biography on her main website.

Megan welcome questions and comments from readers. Email her directly or visit her blogFacebook pageTwitterTumblr, or GoodReads profile.

Clockwork Prince Read Along Day #9: Chapter 8



Welcome to Day 9 of the Clockwork Prince Read Along. You can follow the entire read-a-long and find each of the day's posts here. Remember there's no right or wrong way to participate. Your comments can be as long or a short as you'd like them to be. You can answer one or each of the questions asked, it's totally up to you, BUT, in order to be entered into the CP giveaway (which you also had to sign up to win), you do need to be actively participating in the read-a-long. 

Today's discussion is about: Chapter 8
  • This chapter continues to leave me heart broken for Will. I can not imagine all he's had to endure these past few years, and then he sees his sister, but the law forbids him from even talking to her, or showing himself to her. Though Will is one of the best Shadowhunters, do you this is something that would have him question his beliefs and his duty as a Shadowhunter?
  • Aw! Gideon Lightwood, flushing! What do you make of him and Sophie? I have to say, I'm surprised at how, um, gentle he's being with her, unlike how Gabriel is being with Tessa. Too bad Will isn't around to say something to him lol.
  • Why do you think Magnus would send Tessa a letter concerning Will instead of Jem?
Please DO NOT POST SPOILERS. There's some fans who are joining the read-a-long who are reading Clockwork Prince for the first time. 

Thoughtful Thursday - Ventana Sierra


Ventana Sierra is a non-profit foundation started by New York Times best-selling author, Ellen Hopkins. Their mission is to help disadvantaged youth finish their education by providing them with "housing, tuition, books, transportation, medical care and life skills classes". The participants will be required to maintain a 3.0 GPA and remain substance-free.

In reading through the material for their program, one fact stuck out for me:

"Each year, tens of thousands of foster-care children exit the system at age 18 without a net."

Now kids who are hard-working and ambitious won't have to sacrifice their dream for a better future for themselves. We here at Mundie Moms fully support Ellen's goals, and now you can, too, by following Ventana Sierra on facebook and twitter.

You can also help out the organization by donating money, volunteering your time, becoming a mentor or helping to spread the word about this much needed cause. I know Mundie Moms, and I can truly say that we spread the word rather well. So please post about Ventana Sierra on your fb wall and tweet about it to your followers. These kids are counting on you.

Now I know Ellen well enough to say that the one thing she always does is give back. She has created one incredible opportunity to benefit Ventana Sierra through an advanced writing workshop. Holy schmoly, take a glimpse at the faculty:

Authors: Cinda Williams Chima, Cynthea Liu, Eric Elfman, Kristin Elizabeth Clark, Suzanne Morgan Williams and Ellen Hopkins
Editors: Emma Dryden, Lorin Oberweger, Sarah Branham
Agents: Laurie McLean, Michael Bourret, Lara Perkins, Jill Corcoran
Publisher: Judith Curr

It's an unbelievable group of authors, editors/publishers and agents. I'll admit to getting a little dizzy just reading through their formidable bios.

So Mundie Mom writers, will you join Ellen for a weekend of workshops, writing and manuscript evaluation? It's such a great opportunity for both young and advanced writers, and the proceeds will go to a great cause.

Cover Reveal: Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

Last year was the year of my fantasy kick (well I'm very much still on a fantasy high), and this year has started out being the year I madly fall in love with contemps, books I've not been a huge fan of until last year. Today's cover reveal is for a contemp I can not wait to get my hands on! Nyrae Dawn & Jolene Perry's Out of Play, which will be out this coming August from Entangled. 

CHECK OUT THIS COVER! 


I love this cover! It's sexy, sensual, and did you notice while her eyes are closed, his are open, looking at her. Yeah, I need to know more about these two! I can't wait to read this story this summer.

About the Book

Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn't have a problem. Celebrities—especially ones suffering from anxiety—deserve to party, right? Wrong. After taking a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can't imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers, the last thing she wants is to leave. Who'll take care of her absent-minded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered with the new tenants next door.

Penny’s too hung up on another guy to deal with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick…and Bishop’s about to run out of time.


Add it to Goodreads

Pre-Order it from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

What do you guys think? Is this a book you'd pick up?

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