Book Review: Touched by Cyn Balog

Touched

By Cyn Balog

Release Date: August 14, 2012

Source: Publisher

Summary: Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.

But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there? 

In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover--or the choice he will be forced to make. . . .

Review: I have been reading some pretty fantastic books lately and Touched definitely falls into that category. I finished this book yesterday and my mind is still blown from everything that happened in the book. Yeah, it's that good!

Nick and his mom has been Touched ever since he can remember. They see every single event that will happen in their future, but if they do anything to go off that set path, their futures will shuffle until an entirely new one is created. This shuffling, though, is incredibly painful, so Nick does his best to stay on script while his mother hides away in her room. Nick has accepted this way of life until Taryn comes into his life. 

There's something different and alluring about Taryn, so much so that Nick has the biggest desire to go off script, something he tries to avoid doing at all costs. When he's around Taryn, he doesn't feel like the freak every else sees him as and when he touches her, his visions go away. Why is she so different? And how long can Nick be with her before she finally sees him for the freak he is? 

Cyn Balog gives a paranormal gift such a unique twist that I was hooked from the first page. Forget about normal psychics! It was so cool seeing how Nick dealt with the shuffling futures and living life as an outsider because of his curse. And the way things turn out is absolutely crazy. I love books that have the ability to surprise me, and boy did this one surprise me!

If you want a paranormal book that is definitely not like anything else you've read, pick up Touched! It gives you an addicting story with the very rare element of surprise. With great characters and a great story, you can't really go wrong with this book! 

Stacking the Shelves (21)

Stacking the Shelves is a new meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where bloggers share what they got throughout the week!

For Review

I've heard so many great things about this series, so I'm so excited that I'm a part of the blog tour that's going to be going on in November! And aren't the covers just gorgeous?? I can't wait to crack into these two :)

And that's all from me! I know it's not much, but it's definitely been a good week! What did you all add to your shelves this week? I'd love to hear, so don't hesitate to share! 

Follow My Book Blog Friday (56)

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

Question: What is the BIGGEST word you've seen used in a book lately- that made you stop and look it up? Might as well leave the definition and word too. 

Answer: Hahaha stop and look up a word? Seriously? When I'm reading, I could care less about what big words mean because I read young adult fiction, contemporary fiction, and romance...doesn't take a genius to read them! 

If the author ever uses big words constantly to the point where I would have to look them up, I would just not understand why the author is even writing that way in the first place...

I'm reading this book for pleasure, not to score a perfect on the SAT. Why would I want to interrupt my pleasant time reading the book to look up a word? I would say my vocabulary is pretty decent, so it'd have to be a really uncommon word to stump me, which would just end up being obnoxious. If an author did that, they need to stop trying to look like a smarty pants and just tell the story! You know a big word? Well congratulations! 

That doesn't mean I need you to share it with me. So the authors I read keep it simple and that's just the way I like it :)

Book Review: Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan

Unspoken

By Sarah Rees Brennan

Release Date: September 11, 2012

Source: Publisher

Summary: Kami Glass loves someone she’s never met . . . a boy she’s talked to in her head ever since she was born. She wasn’t silent about her imaginary friend during her childhood, and is thus a bit of an outsider in her sleepy English town of Sorry-in-the-Vale. Still, Kami hasn’t suffered too much from not fitting in. She has a best friend, runs the school newspaper, and is only occasionally caught talking to herself. Her life is in order, just the way she likes it, despite the voice in her head.

But all that changes when the Lynburns return.

The Lynburn family has owned the spectacular and sinister manor that overlooks Sorry-in-the-Vale for centuries. The mysterious twin sisters who abandoned their ancestral home a generation ago are back, along with their teenage sons, Jared and Ash, one of whom is eerily familiar to Kami. Kami is not one to shy away from the unknown—in fact, she’s determined to find answers for all the questions Sorry-in-the-Vale is suddenly posing. Who is responsible for the bloody deeds in the depths of the woods? What is her own mother hiding? And now that her imaginary friend has become a real boy, does she still love him? Does she hate him? Can she trust him?


Review: This book was just...wow. I knew I was going to really enjoy this book after looking at the cover (I mean, how gorgeous is it??) but I had no idea it was going to be THAT good!

Kami has been talking to Jared in her head ever since she could remember, but she's never been sure if he's actually real or she's just plain old crazy. When the Lynburns come back into town, though, Kami is positive she isn't the crazy one. This family that seems to evoke fear from the very mention of their name are finally back and Kami is determined to get to the bottom of their story. 

After some snooping around the family, Kami finally runs into the notoriously dangerous Lynburn, Jared. Could it be Kami's Jared she's known her entire life? And as dead animals start to turn up and someone keeps on trying to kill her, Kami is about to find out just how dangerous the Lynburn family can be. 

There are so many aspects that go into this story that it's entirely impossible to ever get bored. There is mystery, murder, romance, and even magic! The beginning was a little confusing because there were so many unknown answers, but that just made the story that much more intriguing. I loved Kami's character and how determined she was. Someone was trying to kill her? Oh, well let's just go in the scary woods at night anyways because the killer might be keeping a secret there. Yup, that's Kami! 

And the boys in this book aren't too shabby either! I loved both Ash and Jared and how they both fit into Kami's crazy life. And since they're both Lynburns, Kami has no idea if she can trust either of them, let alone both of them. 

I'm still left wanting more, even though the story is over. I really hope there's another one (which I'm pretty sure there will be since the title includes "The Lynburn Legacy #1") because I really want to see what's going to happen next with Kami and the Lynburn boys! I would definitely recommend Unspoken to anyone who's looking for an awesome book that's a nice break from the same old cliche stories. Get ready for a quirky, addicting story that you won't want to put down until you've read every last page.

Waiting On Wednesday (58)

This is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where every Wednesday bloggers highlight a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of!

Through to You

By Emily Hainsworth

Release Date: October 2, 2012

Summary: Camden Pike has been grief-stricken since his girlfriend, Viv, died. Viv was the last good thing in his life: helping him rebuild his identity after a career-ending football injury, picking up the pieces when his home life shattered, and healing his pain long after the meds wore off. And now, he’d give anything for one more glimpse of her. But when Cam makes a visit to the site of Viv’s deadly car accident, he sees some kind of apparition. And it isn’t Viv.

The apparition’s name is Nina, and she’s not a ghost. She’s a girl from a parallel world, and in this world, Viv is still alive. Cam can’t believe his wildest dreams have come true. All he can focus on is getting his girlfriend back, no matter the cost. But things are different in this other world: Viv and Cam have both made very different choices, things between them have changed in unexpected ways, and Viv isn’t the same girl he remembers. Nina is keeping some dangerous secrets, too, and the window between the worlds is shrinking every day. As Cam comes to terms with who this Viv has become and the part Nina played in his parallel story, he’s forced to choose—stay with Viv or let her go—before the window closes between them once and for all.

Holy cow, doesn't this book sound so good?? I'm so interested in seeing how Cam can get Viv back, or if he even wants to. And do you think something will happen between Nina and Cam? Eh? Eh? Haha, I guess I'll just have to wait and see! Good thing it comes out so soon because I can't wait to see where this story goes!

Weekly Roundup [9/18-9/24]

I can't believe September is almost over! The days are just flying by and there doesn't seem like there's time to read at all...but I'm trying my best! I have a ton of great books that I've been getting through and that are lining my shelves, so I can't wait to share them with you! Here's what you missed on the blog this week :)

Reviews

Incarnation by Emma Cornwall

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Memes

Waiting On Wednesday (57)

Follow My Book Blog Friday (55)

Stacking the Shelves (20)

Book Review: Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Cursed 

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Source: Publisher

Summary: Dying sucks-- and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. 

However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't? But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not have been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life. For real this time.

Review: When I first saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to read it. I didn't even know what it was about, I just had to read the story inside. I know you aren't supposed to judge books by their cover, but lucky for me this one definitely lived up to it's cover!

The book starts off a little slow, opening up with Ember being an outsider at school and a mother to her younger sister at home. Ember has to live a secluded life after her sister brought her back from the dead after an accident that had killed their father. When Ember came back, she had gained gift too; everything she touched died. Being the living embodiment of what she had escaped, Ember has no idea how to live life normally ever again. Until Hayden shows up. 

Hayden is definitely someone I would love to have show up in my life. Incredibly attractive, intelligent, and very understanding of Ember's complete disaster of a life, Hayden shows Ember a world of people she had no idea existed. These people have "gifts" too, but Ember doesn't know how much she can trust them. Who's really trying to help her, and who really wants her dead? 

I absolutely LOVED this story once it got going. Ember is such a strong character, but it can never hurt to have a cute guy to lean on every once in a while. Every time it seems like everything will be okay, though, something always happens to throw things off. I loved this aspect of the book because it always keeps the readers on their toes. Some reviews said that this book was too cliche, but I totally disagree. Yes, the big picture may seem a bit cliche, but how everything happens is so intriguing and mysterious that you can't put the book down. 

I haven't read any of Jennifer's other books, but if they're anything like Cursed, I will definitely have to check them out! If you're in the mood for a really juicy paranormal read with romance, mystery, and action, pick up Cursed now!

Stacking the Shelves (20)

Stacking the Shelves is a new meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where bloggers share what they got throughout the week!

From the library

Only one book this week! I have so many books sitting in my TBR pile, I don't even know why I keep getting books from the library! But I found this one and was really interested to see how the book was! I absolutely love the cover of this version too, so I decided why not? If I have time, I'll squeeze this one in! I'm trying to read more classics, so The Hunchback of Notre Dame is definitely next on that list! 

That's it for me! What about you guys? Did you add anything new to your shelves? I'd love to hear, so please don't hesitate to share! And I hope you all have a great weekend :)

Follow My Book Blog Friday (55)

This is a meme hosted every Friday by Parajunkee, where book bloggers answer a question each week and check out how others answered it. It's a cool way for bloggers and viewers to connect and learn more about each other!

Question: What hyped up book do you think was worth all the talk? 

Answer: 

Definitely Harry Potter. Hands down. It's like no matter how many times I read it, I can't get enough of it. Kind of like Ron and his food...

Hehe, but seriously. People are obsessed with Harry Potter for a reason. Because it's awesome. And even though the entire book series and movies are over, it'll live in my heart forever :)

Book Review: Incarnation by Emma Cornwall

Incarnation

By Emma Cornwall

Release Date: September 18, 2012

Source: Publisher

Summary: In the steampunk world of Victorian London, a beautiful vampire seeks out the author of Dracula–to set the record straight . . . If one is to believe Bram Stoker’s legendary vampire tale, Lucy Weston is Dracula’s most wanton creation, a sexual creature of the night who preys on innocent boys. But the real-life Lucy is nothing like her fictional counterpart—and she demands to know why the Victorian author deliberately lied. With Stoker’s reluctant help, she’s determined to track down the very fiend who transformed her—from the sensual underworld where humans vie to become vampires, to a hidden cell beneath a temple to madness, and finally into the glittering Crystal Palace where death reigns supreme.

Haunted by fragmentary memories of her lost life and love, Lucy must battle her thirst for blood as she struggles to stop a catastrophic war that will doom vampires and humans alike. Ultimately, she must make a choice that illuminates for her—and for us—what it means to be human.
Review: When this book showed up in my mailbox, I was so excited to be able to get into it. The cover is gorgeous and the story sounded like a steampunk that I would not be able to put down. So I picked up the book as soon as I had time and escaped into the world were Dracula's characters are real and alive (well, as alive as a vampire can be), walking the streets of England. 

Lucy Weston is a newly turned vampire, but she has no idea who or what she is. Unlike when other vampires are formed, Lucy was left all on her own to figure out her life as a blood thirsty dead woman. Lucy tracks down Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, in hopes of finding out who she really is and who turned her into this monster. Lucy soon finds herself immersed into an entirely new world full of danger and more secrets than she could possibly imagine. 

For a steampunk novel full of vampires and werewolves, I was a little disappointed on the lack of action. There were moments of major fighting, breaking and entering, and running for you life, but it seemed like all Lucy did was talk for a majority of the book. And her so-called romance wasn't very romantic. For being known as a sensual vampire in Dracula, I wish there was more of that passion and emotion alive in her in this book too. 

I really loved the whole world Lucy lived in, with the good and evil vampires, not knowing who to trust. Since the books starts off with Lucy having no idea of who she is, it's so easy to get as into finding out her identity as she is. Overall, this was a really nice steampunk novel, I just wish there was a little bit more action and romance. So if you're a fan of vampires and Victorian England, I would definitely recommend Incarnation!

Waiting On Wednesday (57)

This is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where every Wednesday bloggers highlight a book that they are eagerly anticipating the release of!

The Friday Society

By Adrienne Kress

Release Date: December 6, 2012

Summary: An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns--and the heroines who use them all

Set in Edwardian London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder--and the crimes they believe may be connected to it--without calling too much attention to themselves.

Told with Adrienne Kress's sharp wit and a great deal of irreverence, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike--well, relatively ladylike--heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

How awesome does this book sound? Gowns, guys, guns....what more could you ask for? I love the idea of this being set in Edwardian London because that time period is one of my favorites! Add in a steampunk storyline and you're bound to get a pretty great book. This sounds like a steampunk Charlie's Angels and I can't wait to be able to read it! And the added mystery makes it sound even more intriguing. Why does December have to be so far away???

Weekly Roundup [9/11-9/17]

Oh my goodness, the weeks just seem to be flying by! I am still soaking up this cool, autumn weather and enjoying every second of it! There's nothing like sweater weather to put you in a good mood :) Anyways, here's what you've missed in the past week! 

Reviews

Diva by Jillian Larkin

Memes

Waiting On Wednesday (56)

Follow My Book Blog Friday (54)

Stacking the Shelves (19)

Stacking the Shelves (19)

Stacking the Shelves is a new meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where bloggers share what they got throughout the week!

From the library

Only one book this week! I finally got to go to the public library in town and thought this one looked pretty good. I love steampunks now, so I'm really excited to see how this one turns out!

And that's all for me! What did you all add to your shelves? I'd love to hear!