Owl Post #9 [May & June, 2013]

Guys, today I'm doing something new on my blog....been coming on for a long time. This meme, called Owl Post is created by Brodie of Eleusinian Mysteries inspired by In My Mailbox by The Story Siren. Been meaning to do this since forever and I just love this idea. I'm being a Ravenclaw since at the age of eleven and couldn't seem to remember to do this....kudos to Brodie for thinking about this!

Before you all proceed further, let me make something clear:-

1. Just like my IMM posts, this will not be done every Sunday but on the last Sunday of each month... the reason why you'll see a lot more books in here than normal.

2. This first Owl Post will have all the books that I received in May and June, 2013.

3. Also it will feature a list of recap link at the bottom of the page, which enlists all the review, interviews and tour posts I have done that particular month. Now I expect you all to visit each link and give out a comment here and there(would very much appreciate it) and you all can link your reviews too, i'd love to comment.

4. You are all welcome to share what you all got in the comment section below....i'd love to visit....

For Review

Netgalley

Ender's World - Orson Scott Card

Debt Collector #1-3 - Susan Kaye Quinn

The Chronicles of Light and Shadow #2 A Clockwork Heart - Liesel Schwarz

True Blood Vol 1: All Together Now
Pax Arcana #1 Charming - Elliott James
Demigods and Monsters - Rick Riordan
The Iron Druid Chrinicles #6 Hunted - Kevin Hearne
Tumble & Fall - Alexandra Coutts
King Arthur - Daniel Mersey

Edelweiss

Masque of the Red Death #2 Dance of the Red Death - Bethany Griffin

Giveaway Won

Absent - Katie Williams (through a retweet contest on ABRAMS's official twitter page)

Bought

Elemental #0.5 Elemental - Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental #1 Storm - Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental #1.5 Fearless - Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental #2 Spark - Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental #2.5 Breathless - Brigid Kemmerer

Elemental #3 Spirit - Brigid Kemmerer

Revenants #3 If I Should Die - Amy Plum

Of Poseidon #2 Of Triton - Anna Banks

Recap Links


 No Strings Attached GIVEAWAY HOP
The Infernal Devices #3 Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare
Parallel - Lauren Miller
Night School #1 Night School - C.J. Daugherty
Warm Bodies #1 Warm Bodies - Issac Marion
The Sweetest Dark #1 The Sweetest Dark - Shana Abe
Blood of Eden #2 The Eternity Cure - Julie Kagawa
Project Paper Doll #1 The Rules - Stacey Kade
The Split Worlds #1 Between Two Thorns - Emma Newman
The Faerie RIng #2 The Torn Wing - Kiki Hamilton
Doctor Who Vol 1: Prisoner of Time
Elemental #0.5 Elemental - Brigid Kemmerer
Elemental #1 Storm - Brigid Kemmerer
Elemental #1.5 Fearless - Brigid Kemmerer
Elemental #2 Spark - Brigid Kemmerer
Elemental #2.5 Breathless - Brigid Kemmerer
Steampunk Chronicles #3 The Girl with the Iron Touch - Kady Cross
Transparent - Natalie Whipple
Elemental #3 Spirit - Brigid Kemmerer
Peregrine Harker & The Black Death - Luke Hollands
Lunar Chronicles #2 Scarlet - Marissa Meyer
The Morganville Vampires Vol 1 (#1 & 2) - Rachel Caine
Across The Universe #3 Shades of Earth - Beth Revis
Happy 2nd Blogoversary [Giveaway]
The Game #1 Rush - Eve Silver
Masque of the Red Death #2 Dance of the Red Death - Bethany Griffin
True Blood Vol 1: All Together Now
Ender's World: Fresh Perspectives on the SF Classic Ender's Game
Spontaneous Midsummer's Eve GIVEAWAY HOP [INT]
In The After #1 In The After - Demitria Lunetta
Weather Witch #1 Weather Witch - Shannon Delany
The Iron Druid Chronicles #6 Hunted - Kevin Hearne
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War - Max Brooks
The Selection #2 The Elite - Kiera Cass
Bloodlines #3 The Indigo Spell - Richelle Mead

Bloodlines #3 The Indigo Spell

Such a hot and smoldering edition to the mix. Presenting Bloodlines #3 The Indigo Spell by Richelle Mead.

Here is the summary of the book:

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.

Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God...... The Golden Lily ended with the shocking and heart breaking ending but MAN does it bounce back with THE INDIGO SPELL with a full bloom. There is drama, there is shocking unraveling of secrets and conspiracies, some intense spell work and an even more intense and heated romance enough to leave us tingly all over.

I'm not going to spoil this marvelous concoction of literature with another summary from me besides the mandatory goodreads one I provide in all my reviews but GOD THIS WAS BLOODY BRILLIANT. But i'll say this with the current mission of keeping Jill undercover, the gang as with the previous books gets tangled in all in all the local and the side drama that ensues.... And all the while it happened... it finally happened.....

We meet a lot of new characters this time with the oldies coming in with full swagger. Marcus Finch the mysterious renegade alchemist, somehow he didn't impress me much. Sure he is good looking, has his priorities in order a bit, knows what he wants and why he wants it but he did not appear to be much of a man of action. He is charming, got some mad talking skills but didn't seem to impress Sydney or even for that matter me.

Sydney! Sydney! She has considerably changed a lot since we have seen her in the Vampire Academy series till date to this book. There is a significant change in her character that I really liked. The Sydney of back then would have never have been companionable with Moroi or Dhampir's would be downright professional and keeping distance with the group she must help. But she is adjusting to her surroundings, actually taking an interest of those around her and participating and maintaining a healthy conversation and companionship to aforementioned group. The staunch Alchemist teachings are still there, it will be long time before she can actually leave that notion behind that everything is black and white(because the gray is always there).

Above all her relationship with Adrian was for me the highlight of this book. ADRIAN! OH ADRIAN... The Moroi with the hot bod and dashingly handsome personality deserves a paragraph to himself. While Sydney may have killed us a tad at the end of Golden Lily with her rejection of Adrian. But in Indigo Spell realizes somethings are not what they seem. And Adrian grew even more as a character (if that's even possible).....

The quote absence makes the heart grow fonder fits here. Adrian steps back and lets Sydney come own analysis that she had been in love with him as long as he had and while it was still irritating that Sydney was trying to resist it but it finally happened in the end, they got together. I'd totally give Adrian the big points for the hot and beautiful factor to the beloved Sydrian ship but Sydney was not bad...... I particularly liked that dream walk involving wedding hall, table top and crockeries  and the frat party scene.....

The plot, the new twists, the drama, the seduction and all the new elements, magical practices and..... HOPPER made it even better and a perfect specimen of an advancing plotline. I liked how the various arks joined into a powerhouse of a book that is The Indigo Spell. It goes to mettle of the author for successful creation a book worth cherished and I finally understand what the next book title, The Fiery Heart means...... excited.

"Love, Hate, Truth, Secrets and some cool use of magic...... a formula that makes Richelle Mead's THE INDIGO SPELL cast a spell on all us readers"

Genre :      Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: 12th February, 2013

My Copy:  Bought(ebook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Books in Series (Review Links):
            #1 Bloodlines
            #2 The Golden Lily

Other Books by the Author (Review Links):
            Vampire Academy #6 Last Sacrifice
              (Only books I reviewed on the blog)

The Selection #2 The Elite

The much awaited sequel of bestseller The Selection..... there is conflict abound in the game. Presenting The Selection #2 The Elite by Kiera Cass.

Here is the summary of the book:

The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Timesbestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Iléa.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.

Man this is going to be one big review..... The Elite, hotly anticipated and much awaited sequel to last year's, The Selection. 6 girls left now, 6 Elite girls and America wants more time, Maxon wants more time.... but time is not a leisure commodity as the elimination draws nearer and Maxon needs to choose the One..... But America is confused and she hesitates and sputters and things happen that lower her confidence even more making her question herself. Maxon knows what he wants and who he wants but its is America who must decide that is living a simple life with Aspen worth it or can she be the one for Maxon towards whom her attraction grows day-by-day.

As far as the originality of the plot is in question. It is ingenious of Cass to mix both post-apocalyptic and the premise of a reality show, The Bachelor (called Symbar in India) for a dystopian society ruled and governed under ranks of class. Come on WWI & WWII have already happened in the past but WWIV is a much more horrifying prospect to imagine. The plot and the writing is very well done as always, simple, straight-forward and with very good pacing maintained throughout.

This time around the onslaught of drama has streaked up a degrees more. The race is nearing the finish line, only 6 girls left, 6 possible candidates and the time for playing nice is over. And as far as the characters go they are well apt at upping their game.

As for me i'd say reality shows like these while romantic and highly dramatic are immoral. Yes the center of attraction(bride or groom) needs to choose the perfect one. The person in question shower attention equally to every candidate is rather hurtful to watch is the opposition has genuine feeling. Yes these types of shows only serve to up the viewer rate if a channel and raise controversies in the media..... These things are the customs of a time gone past and not agreeable for the current era..... BUT COME ON I CAN MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR KIERA CASS' BOOKS.

I'd like to applaud Ms. Cass on her ability to work her magic on her characters so much that what they do and what we them do has the capacity to make us love them, swoon over them, cry with them, and even make us hate them for their actions.

Now let me connect the dots. I didn't like Aspen in Selection and absolutely didn't like him in Elite as well. It is understandable he wants America back after the mistake he made of leaving her. He comes of as a forceful personality, exerting his presence around America when it is visible it is not needed even if he was her rock throughout the events of this book.

All America needs is room to think for herself which is not possible with the pressure of the Selection, Aspen  being assigned her guard and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. She feels insecure. With being the only lowest caste candidate, she hesitates to choose. On one hand the safe choice of Aspen, her childhood sweet heart and on the other hand is the difficult one Maxon, who comes packaged with a whole kingdom. Maxon on the hand is just full of surprises. In a position of public importance you tend to develop a thick skin and the handsome Prince does that pretty well but he cares too. He doesn't show it but he cares a lot about everyone and loves all the selection candidates in his own way.

We find some things..... abhorent enough about the royal family and about Maxon's kindness and the strength of his love that makes us appreciate him even more than before...... America better up her game for the finale and win Maxon back and prove to herself that she can be The One (those last few of the book definitely give me a good feeling). Eagerly awaiting the final book....... please come soon......

"A new breathless romance vs. the lure of the safety net, America finds herself in a bind...... The Elite, of drama, romance, remembrance, secrets revealed and trust lost. Perfect Ms. Cass simply perfect and a simple and dramatic read. The One better come out soon we are hungry for some results"

Genre :     Young Adult, Dystopia, Romance

Publisher: HarperCollins UK, Children's

Release Date: 23rd April, 2013

My Copy: Publisher and Netgalley

Rate:             4 /5 (Really Liked It)

Books in Series(review links):
         #1 The Selection

World Ward Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

Definitely not like any zombie book I have read before.... and that's what makes it unique (Note:- I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook alongside). Presenting World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks.

Here is the summary of the book:

Soon to be a major motion picture!

The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time.World War Z is the result. Never before have we had access to a document that so powerfully conveys the depth of fear and horror, and also the ineradicable spirit of resistance, that gripped human society through the plague years.

Ranging from the now infamous village of New Dachang in the United Federation of China, where the epidemiological trail began with the twelve-year-old Patient Zero, to the unnamed northern forests where untold numbers sought a terrible and temporary refuge in the cold, to the United States of Southern Africa, where the Redeker Plan provided hope for humanity at an unspeakable price, to the west-of-the-Rockies redoubt where the North American tide finally started to turn, this invaluable chronicle reflects the full scope and duration of the Zombie War.

Most of all, the book captures with haunting immediacy the human dimension of this epochal event. Facing the often raw and vivid nature of these personal accounts requires a degree of courage on the part of the reader, but the effort is invaluable because, as Mr. Brooks says in his introduction, “By excluding the human factor, aren’t we risking the kind of personal detachment from history that may, heaven forbid, lead us one day to repeat it? And in the end, isn’t the human factor the only true difference between us and the enemy we now refer to as ‘the living dead’?”

Zombies.... the raging disfigured remnants of humanity. When it comes to a post-apocalyptic zombie book, you sometimes expect some form of biological hazard resulting in the zombie out break and the protagonist of the story going on a dangerous quest hell and back again to retrieve the coveted cure. Maybe something along the lines of Issac Marion's Warm Bodies (a surprisingly marvelous read and a good movie), Julie Kagawa's Blood of Eden series or Lia Habel's Gone with the Respiration series. But Max Brooks proceeded to deliver something akin to these preconceived notions.

A form of a journal.... that is what this book is. With the narrator collecting interviews across every nations on the globe. The main thing to keep in mind about the execution about this book is definitely not about the survivors or the zombies in general but it is what everyone around the globe went through in the great war. But zombies are there in the background as each interviewee explains their ordeals of the war. I'm going to go off tangent and somewhat compare the concept of the book to Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, where the titular character had no prominent role but the plot was devised around the man..... Just the same while zombies don't exactly feature on the foreground, they are very much present throughout the background of the whole book.



A book of such a global scale requires even more preparations and research than what a book normally requires. So many countries, so many cultures, different races & ethnicity, the accents even and their way of things..... he incorporated just about everything to the point. What the people did, how the countries came up with their own ways to tackle the situations and what the military conducted.... this is a coalition of all such facts and stories making it akin to a post-great war type journal.

Max Brooks did one thing more that sets it apart from the typical zombie genre..... he kept it grounded in reality. Zombie books have a way of being in the paranormal genre but World War Z kept it real, you get the feeling that it actually happened, the way the author presents the book. A side effect of which leads us to nor form connections with the plethora of characters, but its not them but their situations that situations that matter.

I would like to point out that I read it because of the upcoming film, which as I understand is going to follow the documentary styled book fully at all, since Bad Pitt seems to be the central character but I'll give it a go..... And people get this in audiobook, its an oral history. It serves better to ear it than to read it. I was moved to tears enough throughout...... have lost count of the number of times I bordered on highly emotional at the predicament of humanity.

"Max Brooks brings to us stories of a war like no other.... thought provoking and intense..... a call to humanity to right their ways before the unthinkable happens and it be too late to change"

Genre :      Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Post-war quasi-journal

Publisher: Crown

Release Date: 12th September, 2006

My Copy:  Bought(ebook and audiobook)

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

The Iron Druid Chronicles #6 Hunted

Just how I like this series..... Presenting The Iron Druid Chronicles #6 Hunted by Kevin Hearne.

Here is the summary of the book:

For a two-thousand-year-old Druid, Atticus O’Sullivan is a pretty fast runner. Good thing, because he’s being chased by not one but two goddesses of the hunt—Artemis and Diana—for messing with one of their own. Dodging their slings and arrows, Atticus, Granuaile, and his wolfhound Oberon are making a mad dash across modern-day Europe to seek help from a friend of the Tuatha Dé Danann. His usual magical option of shifting planes is blocked, so instead of playing hide-and-seek, the game plan is . . . run like hell.

Crashing the pantheon marathon is the Norse god Loki. Killing Atticus is the only loose end he needs to tie up before unleashing Ragnarok—AKA the Apocalypse. Atticus and Granuaile have to outfox the Olympians and contain the god of mischief if they want to go on living—and still have a world to live in.

After Trapped's somewhat stale environment, the calm before the storm sort of tense environment abound, with all the hiding and the low key living but Hunted brought it back to how I liked it.... The excess running full on kick-ass Atticus, Oberon and the druidery... and the running. Artemis and Diana, Loki and Hel are behind him, mercenaries and vampires and even the dark elves are on the way. Ragnarok would commence if Atticus and party just made even the slightest of mistakes. Oh and Granuaile's a druid now too.....

Celtic, Greek, Roman, Scandinavian, Slavic, Indian and every other myths and lore beautifully mixed and matched and given the modern touch through the talented pen of Kevin Hearne. Add to that the marvelous execution of humor(normal, dry and dirty) and clever use of trivia makes it an urban fantasy worth its while.

Hunted is designed to keep you on your edge, danger is always following Atticus, Granuaile and Oberon and  you don't take that lightly when its some of the most powerful Gods behind you...... This book was everything I have come to love about the Iron Druid Chronicles, its intense action, its drama, the myths, legends & lores, the humor, the trivia..... and the most important the thrill of the chase...... Never dyll moment thanks to Mr. Hearne here.... never one second of dull.

"Exhilarating chase across the continent, the coming apocalypse and the alliance of the Gods. YOU CANNOT MISS IT"

Genre :     Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Mythology, Adventure

Publisher: Del Ray

Release Date: 25th June, 2013

My Copy: Publisher and Netgalley

Rate:             4 /5 (Really Liked It)

Books in Series(review links):
         #1 Hounded

         #2 Hexed

         #3 Hammered
         #4 Tricked
         #4.5 Two Ravens and One Crow 
         #5 Trapped

         

Weather Witch #1 Weather Witch

An honest early review. Presenting Weather Witch #1 Weather Witch by Shannon Delany.

Here is the summary of the book:

In a vastly different and darker Philadelphia of 1844, steam power has been repressed, war threatens from deep, dark waters, and one young lady of high social standing is expecting a surprise at her seventeenth birthday party–but certainly not the one she gets!

Jordan Astraea, who has lived out all of her life in Philadelphia’s most exclusive neighborhood, is preparing to celebrate her birthday with friends, family and all the extravagance they might muster. The young man who is most often her dashing companion, Rowen Burchette, has told her a surprise awaits her and her best friend, Catrina Hollindale, wouldn’t miss this night for all the world!

But storm clouds are gathering and threatening to do far more than dampen her party plans because someone in the Astraea household has committed the greatest of social sins by Harboring a Weather Witch.

Its an intriguing premise and a plot of some good potentials but unlucky .... as I got confused with it after the starting chapters. Its not the plot per see but the way the story is written that left me befuddled from the start, making me go back every few pages to actually see in whose point of view this is happening (it changes a lot). Shannon Delany is an amazing author and i'm not mis-crediting her plot but the way it is presented really did it a disservice to the author.

Set in 1844 Philadelphia, there are weather witches who control the... well the weather. But being marked a witch is never good for social standings of a person and its a disaster waiting to happen if you are from a wealthy aristocrat family. This is Jordan Astrea's story. She is accused of being a weather witch and taken away to Holgate to be made.

While Jordan maybe full of attitude, it is her persistence throughout the story and how she faces the challenges hurled at her, always keeping a level head. Thats what mattered. Still I would have loved it more if it wasn't such a mess of different point of views.  I'd say maybe give it a try.... you might find something in it that I didn't.

"Weather Witch provides an okay tale of an alternate Philadelphia where witches are very much real"

Genre :      Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Steampunk

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: 25th June, 2013

My Copy:  Publisher and netgalley

Rate:              2/5 (It was Ok)

In The After #1 In The After

This year is again the year of some pretty amazing debuts but this year is also about dystopia and post-apocalyptic. And this is a fine specimen to the mix. Presenting In The After #1 In The After by Demitria Lunetta.

Here is the summary of the book:

They hear the most silent of footsteps.
They are faster than anything you've ever seen.
And They won't stop chasing you...until you are dead.

Amy is watching TV when it happens, when the world is attacked by Them. These vile creatures are rapidly devouring mankind. Most of the population is overtaken, but Amy manages to escape—and even rescue “Baby,” a toddler left behind in the chaos. Marooned in Amy’s house, the girls do everything they can to survive—and avoid Them at all costs.

After years of hiding, they are miraculously rescued and taken to New Hope, a colony of survivors living in a former government research compound. While at first the colony seems like a dream with plenty of food, safety, and shelter, New Hope slowly reveals that it is far from ideal. And Amy soon realizes that unless things change, she’ll lose Baby—and much more.

Rebellious, courageous, and tender, this unforgettable duo will have you on the edge of your seat as you tear through the pulse-pounding narrow escapes and horrifying twists of fate in this thrilling debut from author Demitria Lunetta.

2013 is definitely the year of debuts and Lunetta's In The After adds and impeccable title to the mix. Packing surprises and delivering them in a good way when we least expect it to. Based on the cover I actually thought this was an alien attack but the book keeps the suspicion and surprises undercover and keeps us readers interested.

Very well written and researched. Demitria Lunetta leaves no room for misses. From page one we are pulled into this post-apocalyptic setting. How Amy assess the situation around her and learns to adapt to her new surroundings. She knows to steer clear of the flesh eating aliens if she is to survive and devices her own methods for survival. She is tested again when after rescued and taken to New Hope, a safe zone created for the safety of the dwindling human kind.

The facility is in itself a creepy situation to be in. trying to forge order in the diminishing human population. There are rules for everything there, from the smallest and most meaningless to the life altering..... come on you can't even procreate with the person you desire, even that is lorded over by the directors (okay that is a spoilers don't read this guys*wink*). And Amy is pretty smart, she soon realizes something about the ongoings of New Hope that puts a wrench into things. A surprise we didn't expect at all and the sheer magnitude of it is enough to throw you off.

There is a sheer brilliance of unpredictability to the book. A welcome thought. We love unpredictable things.... adds more spin to the things . There is a certain pull to this book.... you get captivated and this lure of the unknown just pulls you along, when at the end you realize you are unsatisfied with it being a standalone  and want to read the progress of Amy's journey... Thank God that is not the case here..... Highly recommended, In The After is a testament of the creative prowess of authors highlighting just how far they have come with it.

"New and unpredictable..... Demitria Lunetta throws us a hair raising, edgy and horrifying tale designed to captivate you in its throws"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Survival, Paranormal, Dystopia

Publisher: Harper Teen

Release Date: 25th June, 2013

My Copy:  Publisher and edelweiss

Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Spontaneous Midsummer’s Eve Giveaway Hop [INT]

So Katie at I am a Reader, Not a Writer is doing something new and spontaneous this time and this is how it goes like....

June 21st - June 30th 2013

As for me adding my own post well, as usual you'll find a list of selections for ebooks below you make the choice and enter the rafflecopter.... and if i see fit i might change the count of winners from 1 to 2 as i reach a milestone.

RULES : 

1. There will be only One Winner (subjected to change). 

2. Winner will be informed via email and *must* reply within 48 hours else I won't have a choice but to select another winner. 

3. All entries would be verified. 

4. Just fill in the rafflecopter below :

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh and I am running my 2nd year Blogoversary too with 2 mega giveaways, do enter them too - Go Here

Ender's World: Fresh Perspectives on the SF Classic Ender's Game

Presenting Ender's World: Fresh Perspective on the SF Classic Ender's Game edited by Orson Scott Card.

Here is the summary of the book:

Experience the thrill of reading Ender's Game all over again

Go deeper into the complexities of Orson Scott Card’s classic novel with science fiction and fantasy writers, YA authors, military strategists, including:

Ender prequel series coauthor Aaron Johnston on Ender and the evolution of the child hero
Burn Notice creator Matt Nix on Ender's Game as a guide to life
Hugo award�winning writer Mary Robinette Kowal on how Ender’s Game gets away with breaking all the (literary) rules
Retired US Air Force Colonel Tom Ruby on what the military could learn from Ender about leadership
Bestselling YA author Neal Shusterman on the ambivalence toward survival that lies at the heart of Ender’s story

Plus pieces by:

Hilari Bell
John Brown
Mette Ivie Harrison
Janis Ian
Alethea Kontis
David Lubar and Alison S. Myers
John F. Schmitt
Ken Scholes
Eric James Stone

Also includes never-before-seen content from Orson Scott Card on the writing and evolution of the events in Ender's Game, from the design of Battle School to the mindset of the pilots who sacrificed themselves in humanity’s fight against the formics

I SERIOUSLY DON'T THINK I NEED TO SAY MORE THAT WHAT THE SUMMARY ABOVE TELLS. I'm one of those who stumble upon this companion book blindly but have yet to read the original text. I am well aware of Ender's story and the upcoming movie with the star-studded cast is enough to send shivers though me.... of the good kind. As Ms. Card explains, it is Ender's story that makes it work and not the sci-fi, and so it says and clearly too...... damn Ender's World is a great companion to those like me interested in the tale.

As mentioned this is a companion edition to the book and the upcoming movie with Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Viola Davis, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin and Hailee Steinfield. Some of the greatest writers of the genre have contributed to this book. Some of my favorites include of course the intoduction by the author, How it should have ended, the Q&A session, Rethinking the child hero and so many more...... come on anybody to mentions howitshouldhaveended.com (the website which produces humorous spoof ending.... i follow it) is the best one in my book.... I now know what i need to do - Read the book and eagerly wait for the movie.....

"An insightful edition into Ender's World"

Genre :      Companion book, Sci-fi


Publisher: Smart Pop


My Copy:  Publisher and netgalley


Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

True Blood Vol 1: All Together Now

Presenting True Blood Vol 1: All Together Now by Alan Ball, David Tischman, Mariah Huehner, David Messina.

Here is the summary of the book:

Blood and passion mix on a hot rainy night at Merlotte's as Sookie and the usual suspects settle in for the long haul. Until, that is, they find themselves unexpectedly trapped by a vengeful, vile creature who feeds off the miserable shame of others - and none will survive the morning unless all their dirty little secrets are revealed. So Sookie, Bill, Eric, Sam, Tara, Jason, and Lafayette are forced to dig deep and tell painful tales of their pasts - the kind you never willingly reveal!

I'm not what you would call a conventional reader of the true blood series, I have only yet read book 1 (i have the whole series in my e-library just haven't gotten round to reading it yet) and I still need to finish the remaining seasons (only seen first two)..... that being said this is a perfect specimen when it comes to the graphic art of this book.

By that of graphics, the art of the novel is spectacular. While I don't like the series very much but it is striking how close to the actors these illustrations of them in the book were. Again I state that since I don't really follow the show much (i will definitely get around to it) so the plot is a bit unclear to me. I did like each of the characters telling about their pasts and its a good one to do too, makes us appreciate their back story even more..... I'll definitely be trying out Vol 2 when it happens.

"An artistically marvelous piece of Tue Blood literature"

Genre :      Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Graphic Novel


Publisher: IDW Publishing


My Copy:  Publisher and netgalley


Rate:              3/5 (Liked It)

Masque of the Red Death #2 Dance of the Red Death

HAPPY RELEASE DAY.... A brilliant and creepy sequel and conclusion.... Presenting Masque of the Red Death #2 Dance of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin.

Here is the summary of the book:

Bethany Griffin continues the journey of Araby Worth in Dance of the Red Death—the sequel to her teen novel Masque of the Red Death.

In Dance of the Red Death, Araby’s world is in shambles—betrayal, death, disease, and evil forces surround her. She has no one to trust. But she finds herself and discovers that she will fight for the people she loves, and for her city.

Her revenge will take place at the menacing masked ball, though it could destroy her and everyone she loves…or it could turn her into a hero.

With a nod to Edgar Allan Poe, Bethany Griffin concludes her tragic and mysterious Red Death series with a heroine that young adult readers will never forget.

GOD let me just fawn over that perfect cover... Seriously it is SO GORGEOUS.... no seriously just look at the cover of the first book and now look at this.... These dreamtastic and gorgeous covers sure score pretty high on the eyes even before we begin to read it.... I'm still starry-eyed at these and the marvelous stories they give wings to.

Onto my thoughts about this book.... Well as to being a sequel it is brilliantly done. Red Death lay waste upon the land. Dead bodies pilling up and blocking the roads in a dreadful disarray. People falling to their death everywhere. The lucky ones, well with their own brand of lucky are running to Prospero's castle for protection. A refuge subjected to the whims of the sadistic Prince. Reverend Malcontent is another character who alongwith his minions seek to take over by means more vile than imaginable.

Araby, Elliot, Will and the crew had fled the city at the end of the first book, they are trying to gather as much force as they can and somehow find the cure. As we are all aware there is a bit of a triangle here. Araby, Elliot and Will...... me I'm Team Elliot and I definitely love them together even if there is no genuine love between them.... but the chemistry there is sure palpable. There is a sense of duty that bands them together and sue me but i like them with all that.

Araby as the protagonist has grown exponentially, while she struggles to choose between the two men in her life, there is one point she is certain about and that is save her friend April, who had been her support in her darkest days. The cure must be found and not just for April but for the world to be saved and men like Prospero and Malcontent to be kept at bay. Prospero definitely made for a great villain. Cruel, Malicious and a sadist with that little bit of psycho in there.

Griffin puts in some much appreciated creppyness to the mix. It is graphic enough to send shivers down my(and our) spine. This is an ending we have been waiting for and while I did not like a few things (not elaborating sorry since it will spoil it... nothing major though) but this is an end we were waiting for.

"Dance of the Red Death.... be enamored by the dark and gothic extravaganza"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Dystopia, Romance


Publisher: Greenwillow Books

My Copy:  Publisher and edelweiss


Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)


Books in the series(review link):
         #1 Masque of the Red Death

The Game #1 Rush

THE RUSH RELEASES TOMORROW..... A gamer's paradise this book is. Presenting The Game #1 Rush by Eve Silver.

Here is the summary of the book:

So what’s the game now? This, or the life I used to know?

When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game—her carefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, who says the game isn’t really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determines their survival, and the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn’t. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn.

Rush was..... a rush.... A Gamer's paradise is what this is. be it a pro-gamer, mild-gamer, a thrill-seeker or those of us(readers) looking to disappear in a world not their own. Its aliens, its thrilling, its action-packed and its exhilarating..... And its new with an equally amazing cover..... I'm trying to write a spoiler free spoiler but man this one will be hard.....

Ok i'll try..... Alien's are attacking and in a sort of hunger games way children are selected to fight this oncoming horde. Ok that came out wrong.... Its just its so brilliant, the concept for this book and so new that posting a spoiler free review will be difficult..... very difficult....

Ok I'll try again..... this is Miki Jones' tale, who dies after trying to save a child from an oncoming truck. As an after life extravaganza, Miki gets pulled into a world not her own. A world governed by laws not her own. She finds that there is more to this world than she ever knew. Contrary to popular believes there are other species in this universe too besides us and they want to take over Earth. Its a game.... its a very dangerous game Miki and her group must play to keep the enemy at bay.

I confess it took me a little time to actually get into the book because Ms. Silver didn't leave breathing space in this. Quite good work too. The rules of the game are vague but the action pretty much makes up for it and that is what makes it such an interesting introduction. What is remarkable is that romance takes an almost backseat in this book and that was what made it all the more interesting..... make room for the action to flourish. I am totally eager for its thrilling sequel(even though this is just releasing).

"Its a game and its a question of life and death.... Eve Silver spins a tale that is new, action-packed, gametastic, and intense.... BRAVO. BRAVA"

Genre :      Young Adult, Sci-fi, Survival, Paranormal, Dystopia


Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books


My Copy:  Publisher and edelweiss


Rate:              5/5 (It was Amazing)

Happy 2nd Blogoversary [GIVEAWAY]

<center> <a href="http://le-grande-codex.blogspot.in/2013/06/happy-2nd-blogoversary-giveaway.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhL3-s1pO69JSXmjtG37NTzp6AEWEpaXdbH3et38omJLOReoOXtdW4ASNzQWPOejYY-iC3h67Az3ORLGJm-Er0kAlFtXX6_ti2pGFAvW_w_s73P6DEuOTZWiX_0dmtyePj9baZgjH0ZFR/s400/Untitlegd.jpg" /></a></center>

HAPPY 2ND BLOGOVERSARY TO LE' GRANDE CODEX

SO ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN.....

WELL THIS WOULD HAVE GONE ON 28th MAY BUT IT HAD LOADS OF REVIEWS TO UPDATE SO I'M POSTING THIS MONTH-LONG EXTRAVAGANZA A WEEK LATER.....

So I'm on a roll.....

Life can't have been much more better than it was..... my finals are over..... i'm finally catching up on my reading and the listening part of it.....

I have 1058 GFC followers since last year. 123 Linky. 764 on twitter.... and 610 likes to my facebook page....

Within two years i have had 459 posts on blog..... with 80% reviews and remaining 20% misc..... that is one hell of a good stat there.......

I would like to thank you all who visited my blog..... clicked it.... commented on it......... but most of all read and appreciated my posts.... thank you.... thank you all *big grin on face*

OH WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN HERE......

AS A TREAT I AM HOSTING 2 MEGA GIVEAWAY.....

Oh and yes you can enter in both the rafflecopter forms if you are from India(the 2nd one is not for INT sorry)

#1 E-book mega

INT giveaway. Every option mentioned will be an e-copy. There will be 2 winners for this......

NEWS: - I'M ADDING FEW MORE BOOKS FOR THIS PART OF THE GIVEAWAY..... SO HURRY HURRY PEOPLE..... TIME IS RUNNING OUT AS WE SPEAK............ OH AND I FORGOT TO ADD --------- IT'S 4 WINNERS NOW!!!!!!!

Indigo Awakening - Jordan Dane (Review Link)

The Goddess inheritance - Aimee Carter (Review Link)

A Conspiracy of Alchemists - Liesel Schwarz (Review Link)

If I Should Die - Amy Plum

The Eternity Cure - Julie Kagawa (Review Link)

Parallel - Lauren Miller (Review Link)

Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare (Review Link)

Spirit - Brigid Kemmerer (Review Link)

Towering - Alex Flinn (Review Link)

Of Triton - Anna Banks

League of Strays - L.B. Shulman (Review Link)

Unravel Me - Tahereh Mafi

The Indigo Spell - Richelle Mead (Review Link)

The Elite - Kiera Cass (Review Link)

INK - Amanda Sun (Review Link)

Dance of the Red Death - Bethany Griffin (Review Link)

Shadow of the Mark - Leigh Fallon

Vortex - S.J. Kincaid

Rush - Eve Silver (Review Link)

In The After - Demitria Lunetta (Review Link)

Hollow Earth - John Barrowman & Carol Barrowman (Review Link)

Dead Silence - Kimberly Derting

a Rafflecopter giveaway

#2 2-for-1 

INDIA only giveaway. I had got 2 of these beauties "The Last War" by Sandipan Deb and "Losing It...." by Druv Gupta & Praachi Gupta. So 1 winner will get to own both of them....

Pan Macmillian India actually sent me these two twice so the copies are in absolutely good condition....

a Rafflecopter giveaway