Winner: Almost-500 Followers Giveaway!

Another giveaway has ended and it's time to announce the winner. Thank you for everyone who participated in our Almost-500 Followers Giveaway! I had fun checking which title got the most vote, of course most vote goes to 'Other' but among the titles most of you choose The Hunger Games. Yeah! It was one of the best dystopian book I've read :)
Move on the the giveaway winner, it took me awhile to list all the entries but finally the list is finished and random org had done its job. And the winner is...

Congratulations Nikita from Leafy Books! I've sent you email and you have 24 hours to response before I pick another winner. I wish I have more books to share, perhaps one day *hint* but for now, if you haven't enter our other giveaways, do it now because those end tonight!

Winner: Almost-500 Followers Giveaway!

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road
Series: Dustlands #1
Author: Moira Young
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Expected publication: June 7th 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 512 pages
Rating: 4.5 - Almost Perfect!

Source: Simon and Schusters Galley Grab

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Review:

Blood Red Road is an book full of adventure. The adventure start right after Saba’s twin Lugh was taken away by the Crazy King. She sent off to search for him. But It didn’t stop just right there. She encounters many obstacles. She was captured and was forced to fight in the arena. Meet a lot of people who she thinks will only slow her down and encounters a feeling she's not familiar with. Gigantic Worms with claws. And many more.

Saba is fierce fighter. She was force to become independent when she went searching for her brother who she previously depends on. Smart and fearless. Despite her lack of experience in fighting nor knowledge about it. She surprisingly handles everything that was thrown at her. She’s pretty stubborn too. That you as reader would may feel irritated sometimes just like me. Her sister Emmi is exactly like her. Brave, stubborn and fighter she refused to be left alone without a fight. I love each characters here. They are all not the one who complain. They just go and always ready for the worst. I love how mature they are.

The romance and the action are well balanced. They kick ass and even kids do too. That maybe is the thing i like about this book. The gender is never a problem as long as you do know how to fight. Be it old or young. Their adventure just never stops. The plot is well planned. The book is well written Mrs. Young made sure that her readers are well inform. She describes every bits of action and every bits of emotions that flows in the book. To the point that you can’t contain your excitement and then suddenly you want to join Saba in the book and help her. It’s like you are watching a movie inside your head.

The setting. It’s a world where civilization hardly ever exist. People don’t know how to read nor write and how to speak fluently or use the right words or know the right grammar. That said I think it also effects Saba's narration throughout the story. People will do everything to survive their world. Even sell a girl and force them to fight in the arena. The pace is fast. You can never be bore while reading this. Though as the story progresses I come to terms that the first part of the book is more exciting. The rest was..well exciting as well but not much as the first part. As I was able to know how determined Saba was to save her brother from the people who wants to get him. But as her story goes and as she faces more obstacle even though her real goal is to save Lugh. The action was lessen. As the author was focused on building the plot and the setting and as well as the other supporting characters.

The dialect of the book might be a uncomfortable for some of you who wants to read it. As for me, before I could even decide to drop the book it was too late because I am already hooked and all I can do is to continue reading or continue regretting why I didn’t read it. And sooner before I know it I became comfortable with the dialect.

Over all. The plot. The Characters. The adventure. The monsters. The Crazy Villains and the dialect. Wow I never thought I’ll be able to read this all in one book. It gives me a heck of a crazy ride there. I’ll be sure to read the second book.

Kay-c

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Title: The Day Before.
Series: None
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected publication: June 28th 2011
Pages: 320 Hardcover
Rating: 4 - Excellent!

Source: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.
Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.
The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

Review:

I never expected anything from this book. EVER. I thought this would be another boy-meets-girl-in-the-campus-after-running-each-other-in-the-beach thing. But it seems that it proves me wrong. Anyhow I was surprised to know that the story is written in verse. At first I thought that maybe this is a compilation of poetry. Though I do like poem but I was just startled thinking that I might have picked up the wrong galley.

Moving on. I love YA contemporary books such as this one. But I never read any books written by Lisa Schroeder nor books written in verse. So I was reluctant to grab it. But oh well.. I found another good contemporary writer~~

The story is about Amber. Who wants to spent some time alone in the beach where she felt comfortable right before the day her life will change forever. Suddenly when she was strolling around she found Cade. The two suddenly made a connection and soon they spent the whole day together talking about anything but personal things and forgetting the past and thinking about their current situation together. Soon that bond turned to affection. (Honestly? I don’t want to drop anything about this book. It’s too good and I want you guys to read it instead.)

I love Amber and Cade.. Both wants to escape from their current situation at home. When they are together. The two made a deal that while they are together they shouldn’t ask about each others past nor the reason why they spent the whole day away from all the people they know and what they are hiding. But like Amber I also can’t help but wonder what is Cade’s secret that he desperately wants to hide. Cade is sweet and caring guy. And that is what I like about him. I love how close amber and her family is. I love how sweet and loving she is to her mom and sister. Yet she have to leave them.
The plot was fast. The romance between the two is actually fast if you check the timeline. But its perfect in the whole story. And like I said above the way this book was written is unique enough that at first will make you wonder if this book is a compilation of poetry or not. The book reminds me of ‘If I stay’ well in some way. This book gives you different emotions sadness, loneliness, longing, love and satisfaction.

The book is quick read. I finished reading this maybe 2 hour laps. You’ll be also hooked up with the style of writing and a cute plot.

After reading this. I’m will make sure to read Lisa Schroeder books. I recommend this to those people who love Contemporary YA. Maybe to those who love Invincible Summer and If I stay.

Kay-c

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Drowning in the Dark by Alisson Karras

Title: Drowning in the Dark

Author: Allison Karras

Publisher: You Come Too Publishing

Rating: 3 stars

Samantha Carver lives with her uncle's family after the death of her father. Although it felt hard for her to adjust, her cousin Terry, always made her feel comfortable. That's why when a girl in her school was killed and Terry was accused to be her murderer, Sam felt her little comfort was torn away, especially because she knew who the murder, or what. Zombie and ghost are new thing for the small seaside town in Oregon but not for Sam, and now she must do something to stop the invasion.

I would give higher rating if only the story was longer and more complex. However it was too short and left me feeling unsettle. Overall the plot was good and the mystery in it was quite interesting. The characters were okay; no one really special except Shane. I think he's the most interesting character in here; when he entered the story, I felt excited. Sam was okay but not special, I've read plenty character similar to her. She develop a little, especially in the way she welcomed her family into her heart, but other than that, nothing much. The action scenes were pretty good albeit a bit rushed especially after Sam gave herself to save Terry.

In short, this is a good story and has many opportunity to develop into better in the future. If you like horror but not a die-hard fan of it and looking for a short reading, this one is for you.

Lynossa

Drowning in the Dark by Alisson Karras

Winner - Metrozone Contest

Another giveaway has ended and it's time to announce our winner. Thank you for everyone who had participated in our contest. You guys rock! Without many delays, the winner who will accept the complete series of Metrozone/Samuil Petrovitch series consists of Equations of Life, Theories of Flight, and Degrees of Freedom is...

 

Congratulations Michelle! I've sent you an email and you have 48 hours to respond before I pick another winner. For others who didn't win, don't be sad and try your luck in our another giveaways:

1. Almost-500 Followers Giveaway
2. Clockwork Angels Giveaway
3. The Damned Busters Giveaway

ps: If anyone wonders, the correct answer is: Equations of Life: 5 pictures; Theories of Flight: 5 pictures; Degrees of Freedome: 3 pictures

Winner - Metrozone Contest