Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5
Author:Kristen Simmons
Release Date: January 13, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Article 5 Book #1
ISBN:   1429987731
ISBN13: 9781429987738
Genre: Young Adult/ Dystopian
Review Copy Source: Publisher 


New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.
I am so loving the Dystopian genre. I really didn't know what Dystopian was until the beginning of 2011 but I have not read one yet.

When Ember's mom is arrested for violating Article 5 Ember is taken away to be rehabilitated. The story follows Ember's journey to escape and find her mother at any cost. Chase the one person she loved and lost when he became a soldier has a huge part in helping her along the way.

Ember was erratic, loyal, frustrating and hard headed but easy to root for. The one thing that was super annoying about her was her all out obsession with finding her mom it was a little over the top. I definitely thought she should be worried but it kinda consumed her and the decisions she made because of her obsession made me want to scream at her most of the time. Chase was hard to read but everything he did had a purpose and brought a little more understanding to the inner workings of his character. Their relationship was full of tension and frustration but was worth the struggle to get them together to were they needed to be in the end.

The world building was fantastic. I could not imagine living with the ridiculous rules that Americans have to in Kristen's story. There was a ton of action and suspense throughout ARTICLE 5. The tension was knocked up a peg at every turn and the writing sucked me in. Count book 2 a must have on my wishlist.

I gave it 5/5 stars


Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Winner: Fated by Benedict Jacka

Thank you to everyone who entered!!

Prize: Print copy of Fated
The Winner chosen by Rafflecopter is.....

Review: Fated by Benedict Jacka

Fated
Author: Benedict Jacka
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Publisher: Ace
Alex Verus Book #1
ISBN:   1937007294
ISBN13: 9781937007294
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Alex Verus is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London. And while Alex's own powers aren't as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future--allowing him to pull off operations that have a million-to-one-chance of success.

But when Alex is approached by multiple factions to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever's inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none...
FATED started off a bit slow but ended up picking up speed a little less then halfway through. The idea of the world that Alex lives in was interesting but there wasn't a lot of back story in regards to it. There is a lot of action and mystery. The constant hiding and evading kept me on my toes while reading. I liked the characters they were well written and easy to remember. Alex's gift was pretty neat, he can foresee the future and it helps him in many ways throughout the story with keeping ahead of the people chasing him and Luna as well as adds some suspense to the story.  Luna was my favorite character. I couldn't imagine not being able to get close to someone without pretty much causing their death, she ends up being a pretty strong woman for all that she has been through and is incredibly level headed with all the information she is given. There isn't any romance in FATED but Alex and Luna defiantly have the potential for something great in the future.

I have not read the Dresden files but I have seen many reviews compare the two saying they are similar.. I might end up reading book 2 CURSED but it wont be a must read for me.

I gave it 3/5 stars


New Releases: 2/26-3/3






Tues Feb 28


Happy Reading!!!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Interview & Giveaway: Imogen Rose

UFI welcomes Imogen Rose Author of Initiation. Thanks for Joining us!!

 What can you tell my readers about yourself that they might not know from looking on your bio or reading in another interview?

I’ve never really liked writing, which I always thought of as a means to an end of getting A’s on my exams. The fact that I now enjoy writing is absolutely amazing to me. I’ve mentioned this in an interview before, but I can’t even type properly. I tap away using my two index fingers. :D

What do you enjoy doing on your down time?

I love watching movies, reading, shopping, and traveling.

What is your favorite part of writing? 

 I never plan or outline my stories. Writing is an exercise in letting my mind wander and allowing the characters to take over completely. I become so invested in needing to know what’s going to happen next that I keep tapping the keys with excited anticipation. That thrill is what I enjoy the most.

Do you have any certain routines you must follow as you write?

No. I write anywhere I can sit down for at least half an hour, usually outside my daughter’s various after-school activities. I blank out the noise and the world as I write.

What are some of your Favorite books or Authors in the Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Genres?

I love reading books by Anne Rice, Charlene Harris, Stephanie Meyers, Julie Kagawa, and a host a great indie authors I have discovered more recently, like Lauren Burd, Amanda Hocking, and S.L. Baum.

How would you pitch Initiation to someone who has not heard of it before?

It’s an adventure into the unexpected world of paranormal teens.

Can you tell us a little bit about the world that the Bonfire Academy series is set in?

The Bonfire Academy series is in the Gossip Girl world of paranormals.

Do you have a favorite scene in Initiation?

It has to be the one when Cordelia and Jagger synch. It came right out of the blue as I was tapping away on my keyboard, and writing it sent a little chill through me.

Which character was your favorite to write about? What about the hardest to write about?

Cordelia was my favorite character in this book, probably because I was writing through her and feeling every emotion she did. I was startled when I discovered the secret about Mason, and I wonder where my imagination will take me with that character in the next book.

What other projects can we look forward to reading from you?

Next up is Integration, the second book in the Bonfire Academy series. So, we can look forward to finding out what happens to Cordelia next. After that, I will start working on the final book of the Portal Chronicles.
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Imogen Rose is the author of the bestselling YA series, the Portal Chronicles. She was born in a small town in Sweden and moved to London in her twenties. After obtaining a PhD in immunology from Imperial College, she moved with her family to New Jersey, where she’s been based for the past ten years.

For as long as she can remember, Imogen has dreamt stories. Stories that continued from night to night, from dream to dream. So, even as a child, going to bed was never an issue, just an anticipation of the story to come.

PORTAL, Imogen’s first novel, would have remained in her imagination, to be shared only with her daughter, Lauren, had her eight-year-old not insisted that she write it down. In the course of a month, Imogen typed while Lauren waited eagerly by the printer for the pages to appear, and a novel took shape.

The warm reception PORTAL received encouraged her to continue with the story and the Portal Chronicles. The Bonfire Chronicles is Imogen’s new YA paranormal series.

Imogen is a self-confessed Hermès addict who enjoys shopping, traveling, watching movies and playing with her dog, Tallulah.
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Find Imogen and her books
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Initiation
Bonfire Academy #1
December 25, 2011
Welcome to Bonfire Academy!

Set in the foothills of the alpine mountains in St.Moritz, this exclusive private school caters to a special kind of student. Enter at your own risk... but if you are human, you may not want to enter at all.

WARNING: This YA story is set in a school for paranormals who are very different from normal human teens. Thus, the language and some scenes might not be appropriate for younger YA readers. Recommended for those sixteen and above.


Read the First Chapter
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 Tour Wide Giveaway
*Photos of Initiation sack pack item's*
Photobucket


Cover Reveal: Luminosity by Stephanie Thomas

*Available September 11, 2012* 


Luminosity 
Author: Stephanie Thomas 
Release Date: September 11, 2012 
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Luminosity Book #1
ISBN13: 9781620611272
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian

My name is Beatrice. When I was born, I was blessed with the Sight. I was immediately removed from my parents and enrolled in the Institution. At the age of twelve, I had my first true vision, earning my raven’s wings. And when I turned seventeen, one of my visions came true. Things haven’t been the same since.

The Institution depends on me to keep the City safe from our enemy, the Dreamcatchers, but I’m finding it harder to do while keeping a secret from everyone, including my best friend Gabe. It is a secret that could put us all in danger. A secret that could kill me and everyone close to me.

But the enemy has been coming to me in my dreams, and I think I’m falling in love with him. He says they’re coming. He says they’re angry. And I think I’ve already helped them win.





Sunday, February 26, 2012

Week in Review: Feb 19-25



Books Ive Bought/received

*Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane-eARC-Netgalley



Books I read

Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
Eventide by Elle Jasper
The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn
A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane
Apocalypse to Go by Katharine Kerr

Reviews posted


A Sliver of Shadow by Allison Pang
Black Howl by Christina Henry
Fair Games by Patricia Briggs
A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton

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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?


* Monday UFI participated in the Cover reveal for Inbetween by Tara Fuller. There was also a Promotional Post and giveaway posted for a copy of Fated by Benedict Jacka.


* Wednesday Kristen Simmons was here promoting her new release Article 5 with a guest post. 


* Friday along with an early review for Fair Games by Patricia Briggs there is a giveaway for a copy of On the Prowl.

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*If you see something on my books Ive read list that you are dying to know about let me know I'm back logged on reviews and can move it up on the list if I know people are wanting one.

* I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.