Web Series Review: Storytellers

Web Series: Storytellers
Episodes: 6
Rating: 3.75/5 stars- intriguing, but...

Synopsis (as found on the Kickstarter page):

STORYTELLERS is Skins meets Are You Afraid of the Dark? – the summer before they leave for college, a group of unlikely friends gathers around a campfire to tell scary stories, and what begins as joking fun grows steadily more frightening. As the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur, our group of storytellers ultimately discover more than they bargained for about their world...and each other.

Part coming-of-age story and part episodic horror series with plenty of light touches of comedy, STORYTELLERS plays with familiar tropes and archetypes in fresh, unexpected ways. Following a Skins-esque format, the series will have seven episodes, with each of the first six centering around a specific member of the group, leading up to a final episode bringing all of them—and their stories—together.

Review:

I don't personally watch Joey Graceffa on YouTube, but a friend had told me about this web series he was making, knowing that I like to watch web series, so I had checked this out before the web series launched.

At the time, I was pretty intrigued, the idea of a story evolving into reality, centred around six characters who each have a different supernatural/horror element coming into play. I liked the elements they had chosen, and it sounded intriguing.

So after like months, the web series finally launched (I had no idea it launched until my friend sent me the link actually...) and I clicked into the first two episodes and was quite impressed with it. It had a good set up of atmosphere, and it was scary not from say jump cuts, gore or like anything on that- it built on the suspense and fear of the characters, which built the suspense for the audience likewise. I was left wanting a little more background information, but I figure that would come with the next episodes.

As the weeks progressed, I grew increasingly frustrated with the series- there was no background information being given, instead more and more questions came up, and there were just no answers. I also wished the episodes were a little longer, just so they can add a few things to add more dimension to this series. There are a couple unbelievable points in this series in my opinion, which I won't say to not give away spoilers.

Then the finale episode launched, and first of all, my initial reaction was: "WAIT. This is the finale? I thought it was 7 episodes."

Then my frustration finally snapped as the cliffhanger came in and no questions were really answered.

We know nothing about the superpowers, and all the "supernatural" elements that each episode is based on is somewhat weak. The first two were solid, but it weakened as it went on. I don't see how the Finn episode affects Finn in any way or has a psychological fear element. Celia's wasn't really related to nightmares or fairytales. Blazer's was really minimally paranormal sci-fi.

I think my main frustration is that this series is that it was marketed wrong to me; I went in with all the wrong expectations.

As a whole, with no expectations whatever, the series is fairly strong, although the cliffhanger and lack of explanation between the two story lines is irritating, the cast is strong- everyone plays their character quite convincingly, and the shots are beautiful and realistic.

My only true irritation with this is how it's obviously marketed so a season 2 will be made, because everyone will want to find out what happens. While I understand that's the point, it slightly irritates me. There's a difference in a cliffhanger and just plain holding back information. I agree that they had a limited budget, although I'm not really sure if that's what really caused the series to cut off there.

I'll probably end up watching season 2 if it gets made... because it really does leave you wanting for more.

Book Review: Dark Star by Bethany Frenette

Book: Dark Star (Book#1 in the Dark Star series)
Author: Bethany Frenette
Rating: 3.75/5 stars- so superhero or fantasy?
Synopsis (as found on Goodreads):

Audrey Whitticomb has nothing to fear. Her mother is the superhero Morning Star, the most deadly crime-fighter in the Twin Cities, so it's hard for Audrey not to feel safe. That is, until she's lured into the sweet night air by something human and not human--something with talons and teeth, and a wide, scarlet smile. 

Now Audrey knows the truth: her mom doesn't fight crime at night. She fights Harrowers--livid, merciless beings who were trapped Beneath eons ago. Yet some have managed to escape. And they want Audrey dead, just because of who she is: one of the Kin. 

To survive, Audrey will need to sharpen the powers she has always had. When she gets close to someone, dark corners of the person's memories become her own, and she sometimes even glimpses the future. If Audrey could only get close to Patrick Tigue, a powerful Harrower masquerading as human, she could use her Knowing to discover the Harrowers' next move. But Leon, her mother's bossy, infuriatingly attractive sidekick, has other ideas. Lately, he won't let Audrey out of his sight. 

When an unthinkable betrayal puts Minneapolis in terrible danger, Audrey discovers a wild, untamed power within herself. It may be the key to saving her herself, her family, and her city. Or it may be the force that destroys everything--and everyone--she loves.

Review:

(Finished this a while ago but I held the review back due to Blog-A-Thon.)

So you know how sometimes you run across a book you've heard of once or twice, maybe from a friend or it popped up on your Goodreads news feed, and you thought it sounded interesting but not interesting enough for you to run out and buy the book or get a hold of it at the library?

And sometimes when you find a book like that, and maybe you had enough money to buy one more book or you just randomly find it on the shelf of your library, you pick it up, hoping maybe it surprises you.

And sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. But you never go in with high expectations anyways, because you haven't heard people raving about it. 

I like picking up one of these every now and then because I feel like taking a risk and maybe you'll found a fun little hidden gem. I've found ones I like, (The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski) and ones I hate (Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbrough) and there are ones that sit in the back of my mind that I would like to pick up if I saw it (Midnight City by J. Barton Mitchell) 

So Dark Star was one of those novels and I was somewhat.. indifferent about it?

The story has an interesting premise, although I'll warn you right now: the word superhero is insanely. INSANELY. Misleading.

This is much more of a fantasy novel in a modern setting, again with the "special race of people who have superpowers and protects normal humans" thing.

I enjoyed this novel: it had a good plot, nice twists, interesting premise, and fairly good characters, but I had two major issues with it.

1. The fantasy element

There's a fair amount of explanation of the background and history of the race (Kin) but there's no explanation to their POWERS. I didn't understand why they had random abilities or like what those abilities are and especially there is nothing explaining a guardian's power. So I'm kind of guessing my way through what they can actually do and I'm just all like "what" when they do some crazy superpower. And like the glowing wrist thing just further confused the heck out of me.

2. The romance.

Lame.

...

Ok no that's a little harsh. But it was so predictable and it was so cheesy and it just wasn't done with any kind of good DEPTH. There was no fun with it and I'm just kind of like "ohmygod this is how this is going to turn out" at the end. I was totally digging this novel without the romance. But the unsubtle hints here and there and the scene at the end is really what brought the rating down. I just can't. Either you don't do romance or you do it right. I was kind of hoping for a no romance thing happening (despite the fact the synopsis totally being obvious) because that can get tiring even though I'm a fangirl who loves her ships.

Dark Star isn't quite the hidden gem I was hoping for but there is potential in this series. I'm crossing my fingers that I won't have the two major issues in the next book (if I ever get a chance to read it) and it'll hopefully really kick ass. Please kick some major Harrower ass.

Best of 2013: Awards! (Day 3 of Blog-A-Thon)

So I get a little creative. (I tried ok.)

DISCLAIMER: Again, personal preference and opinion. Please respect that and if you disagree, comment away (nicely) and let me know what you would have for that award instead. :) 

BEST FIRST BOOK IN A SERIES

The Burning Sky

Stunningly written with a beautiful magical world, The Burning Sky ran away with my love for fantasy and smacked me in the face a couple times with it's intrigue and plot twists. It has almost everything I love in a fantasy, and although there flaws, they are easily overruled by how much I loved the magical elements of the story.

Honourable Mention: The Archived

BEST LAST BOOK IN A SERIES

Clockwork Princess

I think you guys know how much I love this book by now.





Honourable Mention: Champion

BEST DEBUT

My Life Next Door

I struggled for a long time with this one. I was debating between myself which one I wanted for this award, and finally my heart decided on My Life Next Door. It won by it's layered and in-depth characters, and there's no doubt it's a contemporary that ran away with my heart. And the cover. Sigh.

Honourable Mention: Meant to Be

BEST STAND ALONE NOVEL

Eleanor & Park

How many more times do I need to rave about this book. You guys know how much I love it.




Honourable Mention: Fangirl  (Good job Rainbow Rowell, for owning both spots.)

BEST SERIES

Bloodlines

Blowing through the Bloodlines series this year was one of my best decisions. Adrian took more of my heart away if that was even possible. Though it starts off slow, and Sydney doesn't warm up to you right away, you become mesmerized by this series and by the time you're done The Golden Lily, all you can do is lay there and pant on the ground.

Honourable Mention: Legend

BEST CLIFFHANGER

The Eternity Cure

WHYYYYYYYY. MY HEART. IT'S BEEN THROWN AROUND THE ROOM LIKE A BASKETBALL.




Honourable Mention: Prodigy (This might have won if it wasn't for the fact that Champion also came out this year. BUT STILL OMG)

BEST COVER

Meant to Be

IT'S SOOOOOOOO PRETTY. I WANT IT ON MY SHELF.





Honourable Mention: The Art of Wishing

MOST DISAPPOINTING

Requiem

Book, I sentence thee to a forever time out. You shame the series. How could you ruin such a thrilling and excited dystopian series like this? I've never lost respect for an author by this much.



(Dis)Honourable Mention: Undeadly

ULTIMATE TEARJERKER/HEARTBREAKER

Eleanor & Park


You know why.




Honourable Mention: Just One Day

FUNNIEST

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

It came out a long time ago I know. But I only got around to reading it this year and it was HILARIOUS. It was just complete utter fun that complemented the issues the book addresses. It's not a book giving a new perspective of the issue, but it breathes air into it, making it come alive with it's delightful humour.


Honourable Mention: Adrian Ivashkov (OK FINE HE'S NOT A BOOK I KNOW BUT I DON'T CARE.)

LOVE FOUND IN A HOPELESS PLACE

(The book I most did not expect to love)

Hemlock

Grabbing me and thrusting me into it's chilling and mysterious world, Hemlock totally takes the cake for surprising me with it's plot and world. I could not put it down.



Honourable Mention: The Shadow Society

COMA INDUCING

(Bored me to tears)

Devine Intervention

A close runner-up for Most Disappointing as well, it was so dull and ridiculous I almost cried to make things more interesting.

I wanted to cry for my money back.


(Dis)Honourable Mention: Timepiece

SMACK IN THE FACE WHAT

(The most confusing)

Mistwood

Let's not talk about the mess this novel is. Cause I don't even understand what the mess is.




(Dis)Honourable Mention: Mind Games

MOST PREDICTABLE

Dance of Shadows

I guessed basically every twist.





Honourable Mention: Wild Cards (The good kind of predictable. I need some balance.)

MOST UNIQUE PREMISE

Let the Sky Fall

Another favourite, though sadly it just got cut off from my top ten, I still love the premise of this novel. The four winds and how there's a family that understands the language of each wind is beautifully crafted and is just fun to explore. The downfall of this novel is it's romance, but I have high hopes for that to improve in the next book.

Honourable Mention: The Shadow Society

FAVOURITE WORLD/SETTING

The Burning Sky

Like I said, it rivals Harry Potter world status. Of course this was my favourite.




Honourable Mention: Siege and Storm (The beautiful world of the Grisha after Russia.)

BEST PROTAGONIST

Crown of Midnight

Celaena Sardothien: assassin, badass, gorgeous, flawed, reckless, etc.

EVERYTHING YOU WANT IN A PROTAGONIST. Sarah Maas spares no word to give her character as many layers as possible. One of the most fleshed out characters I ever read.

Honourable Mention: Allison Sekemoto (The Eternity Cure)

BEST SIDEKICK

Will Grayson, Will Grayson

TINY TINY TINY TINY TINY TINY. I LOVE TINY.




Honourable Mention: Roar (Through the Ever Night)




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END OF BLOG-A-THON!!! I hope you guys had fun with the craze with me. Sorry if it feels repetitive, but I definitely hope to do this again. Maybe with more than just books next year! :) School's starting, but I definitely will try to keep up and get reviews out to you guys. :D

Best of 2013: The Top Ten (Day 2 of Blog-A-Thon)

The 100% biased list of the year. Gotta have one of those at least every year.

DISCLAIMER: This is ALL based on personal preference and opinion. Please respect that and if you don't agree, why not just comment (nicely) and let me know what else you would have on your list :)

This list is complied on what I enjoyed- not so much what I rated it. How I put this list together is I scroll through all the books I've read this year and whatever stands out to me I write it down then I have an intense internal battle picking out my top ten. This list is in no particular order (because to that would be even harder and more hair ripping) but first. Honourable Mention. (Yes, I spell Honourable with an u, I'm Canadian.)

Honourable Mention

Poison Princess

Although it was a 2012 release, I didn't get to this until 2013. (SO IT COUNTS SHHH) The premise is incredibly original, and it sets up an interesting world and a fun fantasy element. It's told in a very intriguing way, a narration in a sense, and I was so captivated by the premise. My only issue with this book was the love interest and how the main character lets him push her around. However, it totally redeemed itself at the end, although not enough to make up for the WHOLE book. But it makes me hunger for the second book (which I haven't gotten to yet) and I'm just so into the whole premise of tarot card mythology. 

The Darkest Minds

I held off on putting this list together because I was like "Nope nope there's still The Darkest Minds". I heard so many raving reviews about this and I was antsy to pick it up and read it before 2013. Although I think my expectations were set a little TOO high for this, The Darkest Minds delivered a fantastic dystopian world with a sci-fi twist. I adored the characters, and although it dragged a little bit in the beginning, it brought good development to the story, setting up a base for the next books that make me excited to read it. Unfortunately there were some pretty stiff competition and this baby landed on Honourable Mention.

Oh and a cliffhanger. A horrible one that you know rips out your heart and stomps on it. No biggie.

THE TOP TEN

(Again,  in no particular order)

Clockwork Princess

This series is my life. I cannot explain my love for this series in mere words. Clockwork Princess was like the happiness and the dread of my life this year. Happiness: it ends. We finally know HOW IT ENDS. Dread: it ends. THERE WILL BE NO MORE.

The conflictions.

The end made me smile and laugh and cry, and there was no better ending. Just so many feels.

The Burning Sky

The Burning Sky brought a magical fantasy world that rivalled my love for the world of Harry Potter. Sherry Thomas creates such an amazing fantasy world, even with footnotes (are they called footnotes? My literary knowledge -.-) to give more depth. It has a fast paced plot, with a nice touch of medieval hierarchy. Although the romance is weee bit weak in this book, I'm so in love with the characters that I'm kind of beyond caring. I'm just hope their love in EACH OTHER grows in the next books and adds more depth in their relationship.

The Eternity Cure

I wished everyone read this series so they can experience the feels with me. This series embraces the vampire and dystopian genre with a fierce action packed plot,  is fast paced, and incredible kick-ass characters with strong relationships. I adore this series so much, more than Julie's Iron Fey series. And the cliffhanger they had at the end of this novel was. BRUTAL. MEAN. NOT FAIR TO MY HEART.

The Archived

Review can be seen here.

Dark and enticing, The Archived is just. *complete loss of words
So original, and Wesley just makes everyone sigh.

Hemlock

Hemlock surprised me by how much I enjoyed it. I picked it up randomly, quite late (yes again, a 2012 release don't judge me), and I wasn't expecting to much. It was werewolves and I wasn't quite expecting much, since my faith in the werewolf genre was pretty low. (aka Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater) But I was so captivated by the mystery, the chilling atmosphere, and I could not put it down. Like literally. I was reading this at my volunteering session and I kept sneaking pages in here and there. This restored my faith in the genre and it definitely became a favourite paranormal of the year.

Eleanor & Park

I usually have one major contemporary hit on my list every year- it's one of my favourite genres and there's usually that one that just hits me right in the feels.
The melancholy yet almost hopeful feeling of this novel, the beautiful budding romance, and the roaster ride of feelings, there was just so much of this novel that spoke to me. Eleanor and Park are both wonderful characters. In fact I swore that if Park was real and this wasn't set in the 80s, I would just grab him and be like "MARRY US" in front of a priest.
No joke.
It's happy, sad and just so moving. I can't even.

Just One Day

Never before has book contained so many of my favourite things. Paris, French, in-depth tried and true characters, beautiful writing, a sweeping romance of pain, a cover that I lust after, and a cliffhanger that literally has you screaming for more.

There's probably more but that's what came to me right off the top of my head.

Scarlet

Cinder was a 2012 read that I was intrigued by. I wasn't falling all over the place for it, the idea was fun and the premise was unique. Four books had me wondering how this was all going to unfold so I picked up Scarlet and OH MY GOD NEVER HAVE I MADE A BETTER CHOICE.

I was utterly in love with Scarlet and Wolf as characters and Marissa's interpretation of the story. A girl in a red hoodie carrying a gun with her. SCORE.

It's one of those books that maybe you want to re-read a quick scene of something because you have a few minutes, but you don't know what to read and you just pick up this one off your shelf and literally re-read half the scenes. The romance between Scarlet and Wolf just makes me grin.

The way the plot is unfolding in this series makes me so excited, I actually can barely contain myself. I'm going to be jumping around when Cress hits.

The Indigo Spell

2013 was the year I discovered Adrian Ivashkov and never looked back ever again. I returned to the vampire genre around this year and I REGRET SO MUCH FOR MISSING OUT ON THIS. Adrian is my (one of) new love(s).

The Indigo Spell gave me every aspect of his character I ever wanted and more, and Sydney came out absolutely badass in this novel. This series gets better and better and I'm so anxious to get my hands on The Fiery Heart. (WHY LIBRARY. WHY YOU NO GET THE BOOK FASTER.)

(If my English teacher is reading this, he's probably cringing from my grammar.)

Champion

Series review here.

Champion alone as a novel was not my favourite of the series, but it still delivered everything I wanted from it. It's a thrilling dystopian that makes you thirst for every twist and turn and the ending is beautifully bittersweet. Good job on screwing me up even more after Allegiant. On the day before my French test.

*********************************************************************************
BOW TO THE AWESOMENESS OF THESE NOVELS BEFORE YOU.

I have to give my thanks to them for my laughs and tears for 2013 and to the authors for enriching our lives with these stories. I look forward to what 2014 is going to bring- probably another boatload of tears and laughs.

Best of 2013: The End (Day 1 of Blog-A-Thon)

(I fail at being creative so we're just going to call this Blog-A-Thon. Sigh.)

We're saying goodbye to 2013. I also said goodbye to a lot of series this year. Good and bad. So let's reflect back on them a little!

*These are books where the last book in the series I read came out in 2013. I generally don't miss last books, but if I did, SORRY, I'll probably review you when I'm done the entire series. :)

Maximum Ride

The first series I said goodbye to this year was Maximum Ride- my friend was the one who had me hooked on the series and I blew through the series like a crazy maniac. I started reading around when Angel came out so I didn't have to wait too long for Nevermore. The series was serious roller coaster- good and bad both, bad mostly and I was pretty sad that such a great premise was ruined. 

I was pretty pissed at the end, the last book was beyond horrible. You can click here for my rant. (Warning: spoilers are in the rant. I was pretty upset.)

Seven Realms

A great fantasy series, Cinda Williams Chima has proven to be an excellent author in magical fantasy. Although The Demon King is a slow start to the series, the rest proves that this series deserves it's attention in the fantasy genre. I enjoyed the final end in The Crimson Crown this year and I'm sad to see this series go- so rarely do such great fantasy series come and I'll definitely miss this one. Will check out Cinda's previous fantasy series. 

The Infernal Devices

Oh Will. Oh Jem. Oh Tessa. How many tears I have shed over this series, how many laughs, how much joy and pain and fangirling have I had over this series. I'm so sad to see this series go, it's most definitely one of my favourites and I love all the characters (Will is my future husband thank you) and Clockwork Princess was a supremely beautiful end to the series and I just can't stop fangirling over it even though it's over.

Angelfire

Angelfire was one of those impulse borrows from the library that set me off on this whole new journey. I fell in love with Angelfire, cried with Wings of the Wicked and cheered for the badass-ness (yes I make up words) in Shadows in the Silence. It was a fun paranormal ride, with fun romance, totally kick-ass moments with an equally kick-ass protagonist and just all around awesomeness. They are super thick books though. 

Delirium

Delirium. You little rebel child. Delirium is somewhat of a heartbreaking series to me because of it's immense wasted potential. Delirium was a bit cheesy but the idea, the premise was interesting enough to me that I picked up Pandemonium. Pandemonium was absolute amaze sauce and I was so so so so so excited for Requiem cause the Pandemonium cliffhanger was KILLER. Then Requiem came out and I wanted to toss the book to the other end of the room and return the damn novel for my money back.

The ending was an absolute disappointer and if it's supposed to encourage me to see it in an open ended way it most certainly failed with me, because I like my dystopians and excited, fast, and CLEAN.I had like a two day rage over this thing. I found out the ending was written this way because Lauren Oliver wanted the ending to be open ended because it was to be a TV show, but guess what? Fox didn't even pick up the TV show. It makes me lose so much respect to Lauren Oliver as an author because no matter if it's a movie or not, you shouldn't change your story to accommodate it, you should give the ending your readers deserve. (I mean if that was the case, we wouldn't have the ending Allegiant had. -.-)

And the ending wasn't the only thing that made me mad.

You can read my rant here. (Warning: spoilers and Carmen ends up swearing more than she ever has in a review.)

Unearthly

Unearthly is a very beautifully written paranormal- of most paranormals, it had more of a contemporary feel to it. I enjoyed Cynthia's take on the angelic lore and it was a really fun series. Though it lagged a little in the middle, there's something really beautiful about the way these books are written and the way they're executed. I'm not crazy about  the characters, the plotline and how everything turned out, but overall as a series, Unearthly is enjoyable and a great paranormal to pick up. Not to mention the covers are die hard GORGEOUS. I can see the silver wording sparkling in the light from my bookshelf.

Die For Me

Die For Me was one of my first reads when I first got addicted to the YA genre. I enjoyed it enough to keep going with it and boy was it a ride. The series gets better and better as it progresses and Amy Plum doesn't fail to disappoint. Finishing If I Should Die this year feels like closing a chapter to another paranormal series of my life, because I read Die For Me just before entering high school. The covers have this almost elegant gothic feel to them and they're just really pretty. Plus the series is set in Paris and I'm very very very obsessed with Paris.

Starcrossed

This series is kind of a small guilty pleasure in a sense. I love Greek mythology and this series was a great bind between the mythology and the Trojan War. I love the premise and the how everything interweaves together. The reason I say this is kind of a guilty pleasure is that the romance is kind of "teenage angst-y" and cheesy and love triangle-ly lame. But otherwise, it's a fabulous series for Greek mythology.

Gallagher Girls

The inner spy of my childhood. I've been following this series since book 3, and now it seems impossible that it's finally come to an end. Every other year or so I'd expect a new one to come out and I'll be flipping out all over the place and being all excited for Zach because we all need a little Blackthorne Boy in our life. Still in disbelief that this is over. I also met Ally Carter this year and she was just awesome. There is so much fun in these books, with the espionage, the humour, the romance and the plot twists. I'm going to miss this series so much. 

Divergent

Review can be found here.

I have nothing more to say. I can't believe it's over as well.

Legend

Review can be found here.

A great dystopian series- I'm going to miss this so so so so so much. Definite favourite.

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And that's it! I can't believe that all these journeys are over now. But finishing one journey means the start of a new one. :) 2014 will bring more new stories and characters and many more things to fangirl about.

January 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!

Monthly Wish List for this month and what I've read and seen this past month.
(The List is FREAKING long this month guys!)

Book List: 
*synopses may be spoilery if you have not read the previous books in the series. All synopses were found on Goodreads.

Book: The Unbound (Book #2 of The Archived duology)
Author: Victoria Schwab
Release Date: January 24th
Synopsis:

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books. Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Last summer, Mackenzie Bishop, a Keeper tasked with stopping violent Histories from escaping the Archive, almost lost her life to one. Now, as she starts her junior year at Hyde School, she's struggling to get her life back. But moving on isn't easy -- not when her dreams are haunted by what happened. She knows the past is past, knows it cannot hurt her, but it feels so real, and when her nightmares begin to creep into her waking hours, she starts to wonder if she's really safe. 

Meanwhile, people are vanishing without a trace, and the only thing they seem to have in common is Mackenzie. She's sure the Archive knows more than they are letting on, but before she can prove it, she becomes the prime suspect. And unless Mac can track down the real culprit, she'll lose everything, not only her role as Keeper, but her memories, and even her life. Can Mackenzie untangle the mystery before she herself unravels?

With stunning prose and a captivating mixture of action, romance, and horror, The Unbound delves into a richly imagined world where no choice is easy and love and loss feel like two sides of the same coin.

Note from Carmen: Wesley. Wesley. Oh and can we please talk about how freaking deliciously creepy these covers are with the smoke and everything?

Book: Into the Still Blue (Book #3 in the Under the Never Sky trilogy)
Author: Veronica Rossi
Release Date: January 28th
Synopsis:

The earth-shattering conclusion to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece" Under the Never Sky trilogy and sequel to the New York Times bestsellingThrough the Ever Night (Examiner.com).

Their love and their leadership have been tested. Now it's time for Perry and Aria to unite the Dwellers and the Outsiders in one last desperate attempt to bring balance to their world.

The race to the Still Blue has reached a stalemate. Aria and Perry are determined to find this last safe-haven from the Aether storms before Sable and Hess do-and they are just as determined to stay together.

Meanwhile, time is running out to rescue Cinder, who was abducted by Hess and Sable for his unique abilities. And when Roar returns to camp, he is so furious with Perry that he won't even look at him, and Perry begins to feel like they have already lost.

Out of options, Perry and Aria assemble a team to mount an impossible rescue mission-because Cinder isn't just the key to unlocking the Still Blue and their only hope for survival, he's also their friend. And in a dying world, the bonds between people are what matter most.

In this final book in her stunning Under the Never Sky trilogy, Veronica Rossi raises the stakes to their absolute limit and brings her epic love story to an unforgettable close.

Book: Uninvited (Book #1 in the Uninvited series)
Author: Sophie Jordan
Release Date: January 28th
Synopsis:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Book: Cruel Beauty
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Release Date: January 28th (AGAAIN.)
Synopsis:

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

Note from Carmen: THE INNER FAIRYTALE LOVING ME IS FREEEEAAAKIIING OUT. The trailer totally sold me, and it sounds SO. COOL.

Book: Evertrue (Book #3 in the Everneath trilogy)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Release Date: January 21st
Synopsis:

Now that Nikki has rescued Jack, all she wants is to be with him and graduate high school. But Cole tricked Nikki into feeding off him, and she’s begun the process of turning into an Everliving herself... which means she must feed on a Forfeit soon — or die.

Terrified for her survival, Nikki and Jack begin a desperate attempt to reverse the process using any means possible. Even Cole, who they expected to fight them at every turn, has become an unlikely ally — but how long can it last? Nikki needs to feed on Cole to survive, Cole needs Nikki to gain the throne in the Everneath, Jack needs Nikki because she is everything to him — and together, they must travel back to the Underworld to undo Nikki’s fate and make her mortal once more. But Cole isn’t the only one with plans for Nikki: the Queen has not forgotten Nikki’s treachery, and she wants her destroyed for good. Will Nikki be forced to spend eternity in the Underworld, or does she have what it takes to bring down the Everneath once and for all?

In this stunning conclusion to the Everneath trilogy, Brodi Ashton evokes the resiliency of the human spirit and the indomitable power of true love.

Book: Going Rogue (Book  #2 in the Also Known As series)
Author: Robin Benway
Release Date: January 14th
Synopsis:

Being permanently based in a local New York City high school as an undercover operative has its moments, good and bad, for 16-year-old safecracker Maggie Silver. Pros: More quality time with her former mark-turned-boyfriend Jesse Oliver and insanely cool best friend, Roux. Getting to spend quality time with her semi-retired and international spy honorary uncle, Angelo. Cons: High school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations. But when Maggie's parents are falsely accused of stealing priceless gold coins, Maggie uses her safecracking skills to try and clear their names. Too bad it only serves to put her and everyone she loves in danger. Maggie and her "new team" flee to Paris where they must come up with a plan to defeat their former allies.

Note from Carmen: *le squeal

Book: Being Sloane Jacobs
Author: Lauren Morrill
Release Date: January 7th
Synopsis:

Meet Sloane Emily Jacobs: a seriously stressed-out figure-skater from Washington, D.C., who choked during junior nationals and isn’t sure she’s ready for a comeback. What she does know is that she’d give anything to escape the mass of misery that is her life.

Now meet Sloane Devon Jacobs, a spunky ice hockey player from Philly who’s been suspended from her team for too many aggressive hip checks. Her punishment? Hockey camp, now, when she’s playing the worst she’s ever played. If she messes up? Her life will be over.

When the two Sloanes meet by chance in Montreal and decide to trade places for the summer, each girl thinks she’s the lucky one: no strangers to judge or laugh at Sloane Emily, no scouts expecting Sloane Devon to be a hero. But it didn’t occur to Sloane E. that while avoiding sequins and axels she might meet a hockey hottie—and Sloane D. never expected to run into a familiar (and very good-looking) face from home. It’s not long before the Sloanes discover that convincing people you’re someone else might be more difficult than being yourself.

Note from Carmen: THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER THE COVER

Book: The Lost Boys
Author: Lilian Carmine
Release Date: NEW YEARS DAY (January 1st)
Synopsis:

An intensely addictive romance novel about girls, ghosts, and forbidden love, ideal for fans of Stephenie Meyer
 Fate has brought them together. But will it also keep them apart? Having moved to a strange town, 17-year-old Joey Gray is feeling a little lost, until she meets a cute, mysterious boy near her new home. But there’s a very good reason why Tristan Halloway is always to be found roaming in the local graveyard. Perfect for fans of Stephenie Meyer and Lauren Kate,The Lost Boys is a magical, romantic tale of girl meets ghost.

Note from Carmen: I really don't like Stephenie Meyer or Lauren Kates books. I kind of hate them with a small (ok fine kind of big) burning passion. And this sounds like the cheesy plotline ever. But then the cover. And the fact that it sounds kind of cute, and it's about ghosts, and the reviews sound pretty good. Crossing my fingers on this one if I can get my hands on it.
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December Obsessions

Books
Fangirl

Other Stuff
Christmas
Storytellers(Web Series)
I Hear Your Voice (K-drama) (The cuteness and dorkiness of this drama kills me.)
The Prince of Lan Ling (Chinese Drama) (Not Korean. I know what a shocker! But soooo good so far. But 46 episodes. 0.0)

Stuff I Read/Saw and Didn't Review in December
The Beginning of Everything
Just One Year (Book #2 in the Just One Day duology)
The Lost Hero (Book #1 in the Heros of Olympus series)
Stealing Parker (Book #2 in the Hundred Oaks series)
The Darkest Minds (Book #1 in The Darkest Minds trilogy)

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (movie)