The Scorch Trials: Maze Runner 2

Author: James Dashner
Genre: Young Adult – Fiction/Dystopian
Publication Date: October 12, 2010
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages:  360
Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Hardcover Library Book

Scoot's Rating:  10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Solving the Maze was supposed to be the end. No more puzzles. No more variables. And no more running. Thomas was sure that escape meant he and the Gladers would get their lives back. But no one really knew what sort of life they were going back to.

In the Maze, life was easy. They had food, and shelter, and safety . . . until Teresa triggered the end. In the world outside the Maze, however, the end was triggered long ago.

Burned by sun flares and baked by a new, brutal climate, the earth is a wasteland. Government has disintegrated—and with it, order—and now Cranks, people covered in festering wounds and driven to murderous insanity by the infectious disease known as the Flare, roam the crumbling cities hunting for their next victim . . . and meal.

The Gladers are far from finished with running. Instead of freedom, they find themselves faced with another trial. They must cross the Scorch, the most burned-out section of the world, and arrive at a safe haven in two weeks. And WICKED has made sure to adjust the variables and stack the odds against them.

Thomas can only wonder—does he hold the secret of freedom somewhere in his mind? Or will he forever be at the mercy of WICKED?

Scoot’s Review:
James Dashner has done it again.  If you thought The Maze Runner was great, The Scorch Trials will knock your socks off.  I started this book with the intention to read it for ‘just a minute’ before bed and then I couldn’t put it down.  Where was the “book-crack” warning label?  I read The Scorch Trials in one sitting because it was fast paced and intense.  Starting directly after the end of The Maze Runner we are thrown back into the post-apocalyptic world with Thomas, Teresa, and the few remaining Gladers ... But something is wrong and everyone is thrown back into a fight for their lives.  This book was full of non-stop action, terrifying new twists and creatures from WICKED.  Heartrending moments and betrayals coming from all angles make this is a frustrating read – in an entirely good way.  Along the way we meet a few new faces and see the characters we already know and love develop in unexpected ways.  Needless to say The Scorch Trials was an all around great read and I can’t wait for the third book to be released next year, The Death Cure.

Haul-idays giveway by Chronicle Books

Ok, I couldn't resist.  I am a big fan of online shopping and if I am online shopping for books it is even better! So I am taking Chronicle Books up on their challenge to create a shopping list of their books valued up to $500 for a chance to win them. Yes you heard that right - $500! That is A LOT of books. How would you like to win this haul?  I sure would! I am sure you would too, so make sure to comment on this post for a chance to win all of the great books below! One lucky blogger will be chosen and then one person who comments on that lucky blogger's post will win. *crossingfingersforluck* Go here if you are interested in creating your own list or for more details! The last day to submit entries is December 10th. Thank you Reading is Dreamy for giving me the heads up! Good luck everyone! 

Scoot's Chronicle Books Wish-List (Total Value: $495.21):

The Sock Monkey & Friends Kit By Samantha Fisher and Cary Lane

 

Land + Air + Water: Triptych Journal Collection By Susie Ghahremani

   

Day & Night By Teddy Newton

The Wildlife of Star Wars By Terryl Whitlatch and Bob Carrau

Disneystrology By Lisa Finander

The Art of Toy Story 3 By Charles Solomon Preface by John Lasseter Foreword by Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson

The Art of Pixar Short Films By Amid Amidi Foreword by John Lasseter

 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies By Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Scribble It! By Taro Gomi

 

The Space Between Trees By Katie Williams

Chuck Dugan Is AWOL By Eric Chase Anderson

Olive, the Other Reindeer Written and illustrated by J.otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

 

Pom-Pom Pals By Michelle Tilly

Sparky By Beverly Gherman

I'll See You In the Morning By Mike Jolley Illustrated by Mique Mariuchi

Prisoners in the Palace By Michaela MacColl

Masterpuppet Theatre Created by Mike Rogalski

Android Karenina By Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters

The Magic Flute Retold by Anne Gatti Illustrated by Peter Malone

The Beatles Anthology By The Beatles

Gratitude Journal

Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free By Karen Morgan Photographs by Knoxy

Amy Butler's Style Stitches By Amy Butler Photographs by David Butler

The Present By Bob Gill

The Small Object: Today Is Super Journal By Sarah Neuburger

Masha & Friends By Suzy Ultman

2011 Debut Author Challenge!

I am going to participate in the 2011 Debut Author Challenge! 

This challenge is hosted by the Story Siren! Basically the goal of the DAC is to read twelve (or more!) debut novels from Young Adult or Middle Grade authors with a release date in 2011. The challenge runs from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011. You can't count anything you have read before January 1, 2011 that releases in 2011... so we are all starting from scratch.  There are a ton of awesome sounding books that debut next year, so it was tough choosing a list!  More than likely I will read more than what I chose below, but for now here are the books I am hoping to read for the challenge:

Warped by Maurissa Guibord (released 1/11/2011)

Across the Universe by Beth Revis (released 1/11/2011)

Forsaken by Jana Oliver (released 1/7/2011)

Where I Belong by Gwendolyn Heasley (released 2/1/2011)

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney (released 2/8/2011)

Clarity by Kim Harrington (released 3/1/2011)

Unlocked by Ryan G. Van Cleave (released 3/1/2011)

Bumped by Megan McCafferty (released 4/26/2011)

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert (released 4/2011)

Divergent by Veronica Roth (released 5/3/2011)

Ashfall by Mike Mullin (released 10/2011)

Never Eighteen by  Megan Bostic (released 2011)

Wish me luck!

In My Mailbox - - back again!

I have been out of town for the past week and I decided that to start catching up on the blog again I am opening up with the "In My Mailbox" meme hosted by The Story Siren! Last night when I arrived back home I found two lovely books in my mail! One is a classic favorite and the second is a new release I haven't had the chance to read yet.  I am excited about both of them!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling

Source:Contest Prize

 

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Source: Contest Prize

 

What's in your mailbox?

Time Travel ... or not.

Well I won't be TIME traveling, but I will be traveling!  Just as an FYI for the next week my cardboard box and I will be going on a much needed VACATION!!  So you won't see me around much on the blog, or anywhere else for that matter, starting NOW.  I will try to keep up with emails, but don't expect much until after the 29th! 

In the mean time I hope everyone has a great holiday week (if you live in the US) and thanks for stopping by my blog!

Harry Potter TODAY!!!

I am thrilled!!  

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 

is released in the US at midnight tonight!!!!

If you did not already realize this, what rock have you been hiding under? I have watched the trailer below about a million times. 

Are you going tonight?  If so, are you dressing up?

Yes, I am an uber-nerd and I plan to dress up as Ginny!

Waiting On Wednesday (16)

Time for the"Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Where I Belong

by Gwendolyn Heasley

To be Published: February 2011

Corrinne Corcoran’s upscale Manhattan life is perfectly on track—until her father announces he’s been laid off and she’s shipped off to Broken Spoke, Texas, to live with her grandparents. All alone in a big public school and forced to take a job shoveling manure, Corrinne is determined to get back to the glamorous life she’s supposed to be living. But as she grudgingly adjusts—making new friends and finding romance along the way—this city girl begins to realize that life without credit cards and shopping sprees may not be as bad as it seems....

In this sparkling debut that flawlessly balances romance and humor, readers will grow to love sharp and sassy Corrinne as she goes on her totally reluctant but completely irresistible journey of self-discovery.

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I LOVE the cover of this book. It just makes me smile. I think the story sound cute, and I have a soft spot in my heart for Texas. So this is book is definitely at the top of my future reading list.

What book are YOU waiting on?

Gratitude Giveaway!!

It is the time of year for being grateful 

and I am grateful for YOU! 

Therefore, I am participating in The Gratitude Giveaways Blog Hop hosted by Inspired Kathy!.  There are 175+ other blogs participating, so check out the Linky list at the end of this post to hop over to the other giveaways!

Fill out the simple form below for a chance to win these THREE great reads!!

The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima
Read Scoot's review of The Demon King here.

if i stay by Gayle Forman

Read Scoot's review of if i stay here.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Read Scoot's review of The Maze Runner here.

• The giveaway ends at 11:59 PM on Sunday, November 28th 
• Do not have to be a follower to enter, but you get more chances to win if you are! 
• International as long as The Book Depository ships to you (please confirm by going here).

UPDATED: THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED ... WINNER TO BE POSTED SOON!

Angelfire: Angelfire 1 (ARC)

Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Genre: Young Adult – Paranormal/Fantasy
Publication Date: February 15, 2011
Age Range: Young Adult
Pages:  464
Date Scoot Read: October 2010
Source: Galley from HarperCollins @ netGalley

Scoot's Rating: 8- Really good!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): This debut, the first novel in a trilogy, is achingly romantic, terrifying, and filled with blistering action.

When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.

A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.

While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember.

Scoot’s Review:
Angelfire was a fun read.  The story kind of reminded me of a Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson book for teens.  Similar tough-chick action sequences and handsome male supporters with paranormal backgrounds.   The story follows Elisabeth Monroe -aka- “Ellie” on the wake of her 17th birthday.  But for Ellie turning seventeen isn’t just getting her a new car,  it is getting her a new life; and not the kind of life she was expecting.  After meeting the puzzling and handsome boy named Will, Ellie slowly discovers her true history and starts falling back into a life of hunting reapers and fighting against evil.  With Will at her side Ellie has to fight for her own survival as well as the survival of everyone’s souls.   The writing style was great and the story flowed well.  Some of the plot did seem a little fast for my taste.  I prefer it when someone has to earn their special abilities or at least work for them; not BAM – instant super strength and amazing sword fighting skills.  But that is just my preference, and it definitely didn’t slow me down in reading the book.  As for characterization, Ellie’s personality was fun and I really enjoyed her small quirks.  Will was occasionally too “as you wish” from Princess Bride, but I was still very happy with their slowly building romance.  The supporting characters were unique and well developed.  A fast-paced read with plenty of action and romance Angelfire is a book to watch for when it’s released in February 2011!  I am looking forward to the sequel!

Coming Soon...

Make sure to check back THIS WEDNESDAY for the start of Gratitude Giveaways!

  There are 175+ blogs participating with tons of great book-related giveaways for you to enter.  Go here to check out all of the blogs that plan to participate!

Be ready!

The Demon King: Seven Realms 1

Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Genre: Young Adult - Fantasy
Publication Date: October 13, 2009
Age Range: Young Adult, 12 + up
Pages:  512
Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Hardcover Library Book

Scoot's Rating: 10 – Amazing! Loved it. Read it now!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Times are hard in the mountain city of Fellsmarch. Reformed thief Han Alister will do almost anything to eke out a living for himself, his mother, and his sister Mari.  Ironically, the only thing of value he has is something he can't sell.  For as long as Han can remember, he's worn thick silver cuffs engraved with runes.  They're clearly magicked-as he grows, they grow, and he's never been able to get them off.

While out hunting one day, Han and his Clan friend, Dancer catch three young wizards setting fire to the sacred mountain of Hanalea.   After a confrontation, Han takes an amulet from Micah Bayar, son of the High Wizard, to ensure the boy won't use it against them.  Han soon learns that the amulet has an evil history-it once belonged to the Demon King, the wizard who nearly destroyed the world a millennium ago.  With a magical piece that powerful at stake, Han knows that the Bayars will stop at nothing to get it back.

Meanwhile, Raisa ana'Marianna, Princess Heir of the Fells, has her own battles to fight.  She's just returned to court after three years of relative freedom with her father's family at Demonai camp - riding, hunting, and working the famous Clan markets.  Although Raisa will become eligible for marriage after her sixteenth name-day, she isn't looking forward to trading in her common sense and new skills for etiquette tutors and stuffy parties.  

Raisa wants to be more than an ornament in a glittering cage. She aspires to be like Hanalea-the legendary warrior queen who killed the Demon King and saved the world. But it seems like her mother has other plans for her--plans that include a suitor who goes against everything the Queendom stands for.

The Seven Realms will tremble when the lives of Han and Raisa collide in this stunning new page-turner from bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima.

Scoot’s Review:
I had read Cinda Williams Chima’s Heir Trilogy and enjoyed it, so I decided to give this book a try.  I was very pleasantly surprised!   I loved it!  This story is a blending of two lead characters and how their lives seem to overlap in mysterious ways.  Han “Cuffs” Alister is a retired ‘street-lord’ just trying to survive and provide for his small family.  Raisa ana'Marianna is the Princess Heir trying to take hold of her last few chances at freedom before being tied down in duty.  All the while mysterious deaths and magical intrigues abound. Each teen is faced with dangers from all sides as their lives slowly unravel.  Non-stop action and unexpected twists kept me coming back for more.  I liked how the story would switch between perspectives and I never felt that one perspective was more interesting than the other.  I enjoyed both storylines thoroughly.  I also enjoyed all of the supporting characters.  It seems like each character has enough depth and personality to have their own book.  The pacing was great and the plot had me constantly anxious to know what would happen next.  This story is an excellent blend of danger, intrigue, romance, and magic. I highly recommend it!  I can’t wait to get started on reading the sequel!

Sunshine

Author: Robin McKinley
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy/Paranormal
Publication Date: September 30, 2003
Age Range: Young Adult (mature) - Adult
Pages:  405
Date Scoot Read: November 2010
Source: Paperback Library Book

Scoot's Rating: 8- Really good!

Synopsis (via Goodreads): Rae Seddon, nicknamed Sunshine, lives a quiet life working at her stepfather's bakery. One night, she goes out to the lake for some peace and quiet.

Big mistake.

She is set upon by vampires, who take her to an old mansion. They chain her to the wall and leave her with another vampire, who is also chained. But the vampire, Constantine, doesn't try to eat her. Instead, he implores her to tell him stories to keep them both sane.

Realizing she will have to save herself, Sunshine calls on the long-forgotten powers her grandmother began to cultivate in her when she was a child. She transforms her pocketknife into a key and unchains herself--and Constantine. Surprised, he agrees to flee with her when she offers to protect him from the sun with magic. They escape back to town, but Constantine knows his enemies won't be far behind, which means that he and Sunshine will have to face them together.

A luminous, entrancing novel with an enthralling pair of characters at its heart.

Scoot’s Review:
This book was a refreshing change of pace from the more simple writing styles I have been reading recently.  Robyn McKinkley’s writing is dense; a lot of information packed into a small amount of space, and you have to read carefully to catch all of the run-on-sentence style thoughts circling through Sunshine’s mind.   As for the plot, the story throws you right into the thick of a post-apocalyptic world where magic and all types of creatures abound.   The darkest of the Others are vampires.  You don’t hear them coming when they attack, and neither does Rae Seddon (aka – Sunshine) when she is kidnapped and left for dead with a hungry vampire named Constantine.  Striking up an unusual alliance with the vampire Sunshine manages to free them and return back to her ‘normal’ life.  But her life is no longer normal, it has been turned upside down and her initial brush with vampires was just the beginning.  The book has action, suspense, romance, and a strong heroine.  I enjoyed the subtle and slow hint of romance between Sunshine and Con, and I liked that they slowly became – dare I say it? Friends? However, I feel like the book left a lot of unanswered questions.  I enjoyed the overall story line and the ending didn’t leave me feeling bereft, but I feel that there could be a lot more.  Overall an enjoyable read and I am hoping the author decides to some day write a sequel.     

Content warning:  This book was listed under YA, but I feel it falls more in the adult range.  The book is about adults, not teens.  I was guessing Sunshine’s age to be mid to late-20s, and the book does have occasional sexual situations and references.

Library = Love

I just have to say that I love public libraries!! I have a limited budget when it comes to extra spending (aka - no budget for books) and so I take full advantage of the library as often as possible.  Yesterday I returned a stack of books that were coming up due and what do they have waiting for me? An awesome new stack of books!! I was so excited.  Now the question is when in the world I am going to find the time to read them???!!!  

I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.  ~Jorge Luis Borges

Jitterbugging our way to the Book Blogger Hop!

The Book Blogger Hop is a weekly event hosted by Crazy For Books!

"This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!"

This week's question is:

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

Yes, I always start with the first book in a series.  I don't like reading books out of order, and I am willing to wait longer or search for the correct book for a long time before reading them if I have to.  For instance, I have one series that I read the first two books ages ago and I own the fourth book.  I have tried to find the third book and cannot find it ANYWHERE.  I have never gone back to read the fourth book because I CAN'T read the books out of order.  My OCD-ness won't allow it.

 How about you?

Waiting On Wednesday (15)

Time for the"Waiting On Wednesday" weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

Waiting on Wednesday spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

The Demon's Surrender

by Sarah Rees Brennan

To be Published: May 2011

There is currently not a synopsis (that I can find) for this book, but it is the final book in the Demon's Lexicon Trilogy.  If you enjoyed the first two then I know you can't wait for this one!  I couldn't resist using this as my WOW post this week because this lovely cover just came out... and lookie lookie - ALAN is on it! He is my fave.  The Demon's Surrender is in written in Sin's POV and you can read the first chapter here if you want a sneak peek.  

I have a long wait for this one... 

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What book are YOU waiting on?