Waiting On Wednesday #53: Ever the Hunted & Girl Against the Universe

"Waiting On Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking The Spine where we highlight some of the upcoming books we can't wait to read!

Amber's Waiting on:

Title: Ever the Hunted (Clash of Kingdoms #1)
Author: Erin Summerill
Genre: Fantasy 
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: December 27th 2016

Summary: 

Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer. However, it’s not so simple. The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

Jessica's Waiting on:

Title: Girl Against the UniverseAuthor: Paula Stokes
Genre: Contemporary
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 17th 2016

Summary: No matter how many charms she buys off the internet or good luck rituals she performs each morning, horrible things happen when Maguire is around. Like that time the rollercoaster jumped off its tracks. Or the time the house next door caught on fire. Or that time her brother, father, and uncle were all killed in a car crash—and Maguire walked away with barely a scratch. It’s safest for Maguire to hide out in her room, where she can cause less damage and avoid meeting new people who she could hurt. But then she meets Jordy, an aspiring tennis star. Jordy is confident, talented, and lucky, and he’s convinced he can help Maguire break her unlucky streak. Maguire knows that the best thing she can do for Jordy is to stay away. But it turns out staying away is harder than she thought.

I really enjoyed We Were Liars by Paula Stokes and I've said that I'd be open to reading more works of hers in the future, so I'm definitely excited about this one! The entire concept of a girl with such bad luck that it even results in harming other people is super creepy and intriguing, don't you think?

What are you waiting on this week? Leave your links so we can stop back! 

ARC Review: Down With the Shine by Kate Karyus Quinn

Title: Down With the Shine 
Author: Kate Karyus Quinn
Genre: Fantasy 
Source: Edelweiss
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 26th 2016

Summary:

There's a reason they say "be careful what you wish for." Just ask the girl who wished to be thinner and ended up smaller than Thumbelina, or the boy who asked for "balls of steel" and got them-literally. And never wish for your party to go on forever. Not unless you want your guests to be struck down by debilitating pain if they try to leave. These are things Lennie only learns when it's too late-after she brings some of her uncles' moonshine to a party and toasts to dozens of wishes, including a big wish of her own: to bring back her best friend, Dylan, who was abducted and murdered six months ago. Lennie didn't mean to cause so much chaos. She always thought her uncles' moonshine toast was just a tradition. And when they talked about carrying on their "important family legacy," she thought they meant good old-fashioned bootlegging. As it turns out, they meant granting wishes. And Lennie has just granted more in one night than her uncles would grant in a year. Now she has to find a way to undo the damage. But once granted, a wish can't be unmade...

Should I have found this book as funny as I did? Because I laughed so much during it that I can't help but feel bad. But everything did work itself out in the end so it makes it all acceptable? Down With the Shine is definitely one of the most uniquely funny, fun, and interesting book I have read in a while. I was genuinely sad and disappointed that I finished it, I wished it would have continued on because there is so much I want to know. 

Lennie Cash is famous in her town. Why? Because her Daddy dragged her along on a robbery spree that killed two people when she was a child. And she isn't famous in the sense that "aw that poor child" she is famous for being a bad influence, a reputation she got because of her father. When the story opens, you get a brief look of her childhood, and then it goes straight into the story. Several months ago Lennie's best friend Dylan was murdered, chopped to pieces, put inside Lennie's suitcase and left. Lennie lives under the feeling that it should have been her, and she should have done more to stop it when she decides that it is time to live. Lennie never meant to cause trouble with the moonshine, she didn't even know of the powers until the next morning, when W2 came knocking on the door with "balls of steel." The night that Lennie unknowingly grants wishes she grants a wish for Dylan's twin brother Smith (who she is stuck holding hands with for the next day, and he hates her.) and her own wish for Dylan to be at home safe in bed. True lesson of this book: Wishes can be cool, but be careful what you wish for. 

I loved Lennie's character, obviously she had a rough childhood and an even rougher time after Dylan's murder. She unknowingly caused a huge mess, and even though she could have left it alone she did everything in her power she could to fix it. Lennie was sassy, witty, and extremely sarcastic all through out the novel, making me laugh with the things she said and did. 

It is hard to talk about the romance in this book because it is over a one day period of time, and it's with Smith. (Dylan's twin who hates her, but Lennie is secretly in love with) So the whole insta-love thing is down the drain because feelings were already there before the book even started. I felt it to be awkward and strange under the circumstances? I just really wasn't feeling it for this book. It could have did with out the romance, but it also makes sense to have it in there. (especially for the ending) 

The only issue I had with this book was the magic building. Fine, the moonshine grants wishes. It explains how, but why? Where does the power come from? What were the other magical creatures her father collected? Is there going to be another book so I can find out? I wish some things were clarified. That was my only issue. 

I loved the ending of this book. Lennie did a really brave thing, and I admire her character for that. Up until right before that part, I had no clue how this book was going to end. This was not how I expected it at all, and because of that I can't help but adore Quinn's writing now. Overall I really enjoyed this book, and I can't wait to pick up some of Quinn's other books! 

ARC Review: A Walk in the Sun by Michelle Zink

Title: A Walk in the Sun
Author: Michelle Zink
Genre: Contemporary, Romance 
Source: Edelweiss 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: May 3rd 2016
Summary:

Rose Darrow never wanted to spend her life working on her family’s farm. But when her family is rocked by an unexpected tragedy she has no choice but to put her plans for the future—and dreams of escaping her small town—on hold. Bodhi Lowell left home as a kid and hasn’t looked back. Years of working farm jobs has given him the one thing he wants most: freedom to travel without answering to anyone. He’s already looking past his job at Darrow Farm and plans on leaving in September—until he meets Rose. Neither Rose nor Bodhi can deny the sparks flying between them, but with the end of summer looming, they must decide if it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all....

A Walk in the Sun was a really cutesy romance novel, that was perfect for a rainy day or beach day. (Or in my case work out days on the treadmill.) A Walk in the Sun is jammed packed with romance, loss, the desire to make things better, and so much more. 

I really liked Rose's character. Currently she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Her mother died, her father is in a deep depression and she has a farm to run. She is utterly alone in it all. Except for a few friends and her aunt Marty. With the hired help for the summer Rose should be able to have to summer off and to herself, until she meets Bhodi and their sudden connection. Though Rose's life was almost falling apart, she handled it well. She knew where her duties lied and didn't stray from them. Even with Bhodi around to help, she continued everyday like it was any normal day. Bhodi has been hopping from job after job since the time he was fourteen, leaving behind his alcoholic father. Little does he know that the sassy girl that he met on at the store, would be the girl whose family farm he would be working on all summer. A Walk in the Sun is told in dual point of view, which I enjoyed because both characters had their own stories besides the one that was being told. 

The romance was cute and I enjoyed it. It wasn't too slow, but it wasn't insta love. There was a perfect balance. I found it really romantic how they both have the same dreams and one wants the other in on it. It was a little heart melting, with a bittersweet ending that I think all romance readers will enjoy. 

All in all I really liked A Walk in the Sun, and will read more from Zink in the future. As I said, this book is perfect for a rainy day or if you are looking for a light read. 

The New Authors On The Block: Q&A with Christy Lenzi + Giveaway

Welcome back to the third week of the March edition of The New Authors on the Block! Today it is time for a Q&A! 

Q&A: 

Where did your inspiration for Stone Field start?

It started when different elements came together in my mind and ignited, kind of like a match, a rag, and a can of gasoline. One element was an interest in my Civil War ancestor from Missouri, Bushwhacker Bill Wilson, who was lauded as a hero, but did some pretty horrible things. I wondered what it must have been like living in his tumultuous time and place. Another element was my fascination with Emily Bronte’s fierce characters in Wuthering Heights. Cathy and Heathcliff’s relationship perplexed and intrigued me. Then Cat’s voice came to me, and that was the spark thrown on both of those interests.

Which character can you relate to the most?

It’s pretty easy for me to relate to Cat because her particular strengths and weaknesses resonate with me, especially the way in which they’re connected. For instance, Cat is fiercely determined to remain true to herself and pursue her desires (strengths!), which can sometimes lead to a sort of tunnel vision and self-absorbed intensity (weaknesses!) I also relate to her impulsive nature—living life in the moment. That can be a wonderful thing, but Cat rarely considers the future ramifications of her actions. I love Cat. And I also want to shake her hard. Sometimes I wonder if people feel that way about me.

How does it feel to be a debut author?

Vulnerable. Exciting. Slow. Fast. Up. Down. Nauseating. Scary. Exhilarating. Like an amazing rollercoaster that I couldn’t ride until I’d spent ages inching forward in a long, long, line. But totally worth it!

Name 3 songs that help get you in the writing mood:

When I was working on STONE FIELD, I was listening to Agnes Obel’s album Aventine and was struck by how the haunting atmosphere and themes seemed to go so perfectly with the story, especially “Dorian,” and “The Curse.” Another song I listened to at the time that seemed apropos was “Friend of Mine” by Edie Brickell & Steve Martin. Not only did Martin’s banjo make it sound like a song Cat might have heard back then, it’s a perfect ode to Effie’s friendship.

What is your favorite element of the story? Why?

Cat’s wild work is one of my favorite aspects. My ideas for her creations were inspired by the ephemeral nature art of the environmental artist Andy Goldsworthy. I enjoy seeing Cat express her feelings and thoughts through her art because I think creating art is important and good for the soul. As the author Kurt Vonnegut wrote, “Practice any art, music, singing, dancing, acting, drawing, painting, sculpting, poetry, fiction, essays, reportage, no matter how well or badly, not to get money and fame, but to experience becoming, to find out what's inside you, to make your soul grow.”

About Christy: 

Christy Lenzi first stuffed a note into an aspirin bottle and threw it in the creek when she was eleven, hoping her words would reach someone out in the big world. Eventually her notes got longer and turned into books. One of her favorite things to do is to ride her motor scooter, Roxanne, down a winding road at sunset. Christy lives in California’s Central Valley with her family.

Connect with Christy: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Pinterest

About Stone Field:

Title: Stone Field 

Author: Christy Lenzi

Genre: Historical Fiction, Retelling, Romance

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: March 29th 2016

Summary: 

In a small town on the brink of the Civil War, Catrina finds a man making strange patterns in her family’s sorghum crop. He’s mad with fever, naked, and strikingly beautiful. He has no memory of who he is or what he’s done before Catrina found him in Stone Field. But that doesn’t bother Catrina because she doesn’t like thinking about the things she’s done before either. Catrina and Stonefield fall passionately, dangerously, in love. All they want is to live with each other, in harmony with the land and away from Cat’s protective brother, the new fanatical preacher, and the neighbors who are scandalized by their relationship. But Stonefield can’t escape the truth about who he is, and the conflict tearing apart the country demands that everyone take a side before the bloodbath reaches their doorstep. Inspired by Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, Stone Field is a passionate and atmospheric story of how violence and vengeance pervert the human spirit, and how hatred can be transcended by love.

ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

What to expect this month:

• March 6th: Introduction of Christy and Stone Field
• March 13th: Excerpt
• March 20th: Q&A
• March 27th: 5 Facts About Stone Field 

Giveaway:

• Please be 13 years or older or have a parents permission to enter
• This giveaway is open to US residents or those with US mailing addresses
• The Book Bratz and Chisty are not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.

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Our Favorite Divergent Interview GIFs!

 

Since the Allegiant movie is out in the world we figured we would celebrate with some of our favorite interview GIFs from the cast (THEO)! Most of these will feature Theo, because you know he is beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And our favorite of all: 

We lied. They all featured Theo. But he is a very funny man, and we couldn't help but add all of them! We didn't want this post to be too long so we shortened it a lot. But we hope that everyone who goes and sees Allegiant loves it at as much as we hope we do it!