Revered Twins, Thunder Hawks and Treachery

Author: Kelley Armstrong 

Series: Age of Legends #1

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: 8 April 2014

Source: Publisher

Synopsis:

In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever

Review: The Sea of Shadows - Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong is an author whose books I read and loved so I was definitely excited for The Sea of Shadows. But when the pre-release reviews started coming in I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive. But once I started this YA fantasy novel there was no doubt that Armstrong still has "it". 

The elements of suspense, mythology, action and romance make The Sea of Shadows one hell of a page turner. The novel opens in the village of Edgewood, home to Ashyn and Moira. The twin sisters play the role of the Seeker and Keeper who protect the village from the Forest of the Dead. The sisters and their animal companions are revered because of the role they play in protecting Edgewood.

Cover Trends: Less is More

2011 and 2012 were the years of the cliche Young Adult covers. Here are some of my least favorite trends that grazed the covers of YA books.

• Headless, torso only shots of protagonists( usually dressed in prom-style gowns)
• Close ups of a model's face (more often than not, it is the leading lady). Sometimes they add in some windblown hair to you know, make a difference.
• More heroines in pretty dresses only this time they looking off into this distance with their backs to us.
• More closeups, this time it's the eyes/lips. 
• Kissy faces. *cringe*
• Angel/Fairy Wings.

Thankfully, we seem to have moved on from this trend. 2013/2014 has rewarded readers with some gorgeous and utterly refreshing covers. So a huge thank you to publishers for giving us more illustrated covers, more gender neutral covers, more graphic and text-based covers.

Today, I've featured some covers that take a simple image, pair it with some great typography to give readers an intriguing package. Low fuss, high impact. These covers will not only entice readers with their subtle-ness but they also welcome readers who wouldn't usually pick YA books to give it a chance.

The Unputdownable Reads of 2014

Occasionally we come across books that are so engrossing that the very idea of putting them down is blasphemous. Sometimes it is the writing that compels you to turn the pages, sometimes it is the plot that has you riveted. And sometimes it's the characters that capture your mind and ensnare your heart.

Whatever the reason is, there is no doubt that these books make it physically impossible for you to stop reading them. So today I'll be sharing seven such unputdownable books:

• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by  Benjamin Alire Sáenz

“I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand.” 

This YA GLBT about two Mexican teens is guaranteed to blow you away. Sáenz  combines gorgeous prose with a realistic portrayal of adolescents coming to terms with their identity and delivers a simple yet powerful story.

If I had to purchase one book with my last $20 it would be Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Yes, it is that good. 

Graphomania, music, some truths + a giveaway

I am absolutely delighted to welcome author of Oblivion, Sasha Dawn to the blog today to share a peek into the iPod of Callie, the protagonist in Oblivion.

Her YA debut, Oblivion has had a lot of great response. Oblivion has been described as Lisa McMann's Dead to You meets Kate Ellison's The Butterfly Clues!

So without further ado let me turn the blog over to Sasha!

A Peek Into Callie’s iPod  

Callie and Lindsey share an iPod, and together, they have an eclectic mix of favorites. 

Said the Whale  // Goodnight Moon

Jefferson Airplane  // Go Ask Alice

The Killers // Smile Like You Mean It

Squirrel Nut Zippers // Blue Angel

Beyonce // If I Were a Boy

Neon Trees // Everybody Talks

Eric Clapton // Bellbottom Blues

Wrath // Nothing to Fear

Currently... July

Right-click on the image to open the image in a new tab and click 'save as' to download this wallpaper

Hey there. Is it just me or did June just fly by? 

Speaking of time flying, 2014 is half over! I've been looking back at my blogging bucketlist and my to-do lists-sooo many things to be done!

So here's what I am currently... 

MAKING time to do the things I love.

WATCHING to Attack on Titan. Anime newbie here but damn, I'm loving it!

READING Claudia Grey's Spellcaster and a few regency romances by Lisa Kleypas. 

LISTENING to Clean Bandit's Rather Be. Classical violins + club music ? Gimme.