The Best Reader:
HarperCollins

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Publisher: HarperTeen (February 28th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 375 pages
Source: ARC from Publisher
Series: Delirium #2
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.
Lauren Oliver delivers an electrifying follow-up to her acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Delirium. This riveting, brilliant novel crackles with the fire of fierce defiance, forbidden romance, and the sparks of a revolution about to ignite.

Review: SPOILERS!! Pandemonium may be just one of the many dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels we have seen recently; however, it will always stick out to me simply because of the complexity of Lauren Oliver's writing.

I admit, it took me a while to get into the groove of this book. The chapters alternate between"now" and"then" and I had a hard time figuring out when was now and what was then. Yes, slightly confusing. About mid-way into the story I felt more comfortable with that structure. It gave us a glimpse of what Lena is doing now, compared to where she was once she first got into the Wilds. Lena"then" was more weak, a bit whiny, and sort of got on my nerves. Then again, she is dealing with the fact that Alex is not with her so I tried to understand her struggles to fit into this foreign world.

If anything, Lena's time in the Wilds showed her exactly what she needed to survive. She learned how people take care of each other and the true dangers of living away from everything she knew.

The"now" part of the story takes place months later with Lena in New York. I won't go into a lot of details of this section because it was part of the surprise of the book. I was fascinated reading what was going on and how Lena was involved. But I will say that this is the part of the story where the love-triangle begins and we meet Julian.

Lena and Julian do have a very unlikely connection and I liked that a lot. I felt Julian was a wonderful character to add to this story; but, I have a difficult time with this particular relationship. Part of the enjoyment of Delirum was the honest, true love story between Lena and Alex. I feel that is a bit tainted now. This made me become irritated towards Lena during the end of this book and question her feelings. Plus, the cliffhanger didn't help. I like to have a book end during a good place where I can feel good about what I just read. I didn't really feel that way at the end of Pandemonium.

Although I didn't like this sequel nearly as much as Delirium, Lauren's writing still continues to amaze me. Each new plot line or setting is beautifully crafted and it really transports the reader into the story.

Recommended: Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic fans. Read Delirium first.

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It's no surprise that I absolutely adore Kimberly Derting. The Body Finder was one of the first books I read as a blogger and I was instantly in love with the story. From that moment I have been a stalker… ahem… fan of Kimberly's.

Believe it or not, it's not just Kim's writing that makes her incredible. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever had the pleasure to talk to. She is nothing but kind and considerate, and when I was just a newbie blogger who had no idea what I was doing, she was one of the first authors to be on my blog.

For all those reasons, I was completely thrilled to be her blogger for the Dark Days tour. I've always wanted to be part of the Dark Days tour, but to have Kim as my author, makes it so much more special!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Kim again and, trust me, you guys wanna check out her answers!

1. What are a few of the most important lessons you've learned while writing The Body Finder series so far?

Aside from never, EVER talk to strangers, and learning the difference between “lay” and “lie” (I’m still shaky on this one!), I think I’ve learned to be a more patient person. When I was a newbie author, I was always in a hurry-up-and-wait mode, and now, not so much. I’ve come to appreciate the downtime, even though there isn’t usually much of it.

2. What is the most difficult part of the writing process for you?
For me, it’s trying to set a writing schedule and actually sticking to it. I find myself constantly distracted by Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest (OMG Pinterest!), blogs, and email. Also, my family’s constant need for food and attention can be a little distracting as well!: )

3. Can you tell us one way Violet has changed throughout the series?
Violet has always been really (really!) private, probably stemming from a lifetime of keeping her gift a secret. She’s learning to open up—and even starting to lean on others a little. I think it’ll probably take a while to get the hang of it, though!

4. Can you share with us a few of your favorite lines from The Last Echo?

“Mocking me will get you nowhere.” But he [Jay] leaned down, his breath tickling the side of her neck, and a rush of warmth flooded Violet’s stomach. “There are other ways to break me, though.”

Claire pursed her lips. “Don’t do it, Chels. They’ll spit in your food if you send it back. You don’t want them spitting in your food, do you?”

Violet wanted to nod, but she was too afraid to. Their lips were far too close. Dangerously close.

“I gotta say, if you’re gonna get hurt, this is the place to be. The drugs here aren’t half-bad.”

Sara dangled the familiar surfboard keychain Jay had gotten her when he and his mom had gone to Hawaii. It said Maui on one side and Victoria on the other, the closest he could find to Violet.

There was a thin veneer of frost that coated every surface of her skin and dusted her perfectly tweezed brows and the thick fringe of her lashes, making them look brittle but beautiful.

BIGGEST Questions
This is the biggest Dark Days event so far, so we are celebrating by asking each author
some"biggest" questions.
Biggest Celebrity Crush
George Clooney. (Sorry, honey!)
Biggest Pet Peeve
People who start sentences with “Not to be rude… ” but then say something horrible about someone else.
Biggest Guilty Pleasure
The Kardashians, or any reality show featuring the Kardashians.
Biggest Book-Boyfriend Crush?
If I just say Jace, do you know who I mean??? (Hint: I mean Jace from the Mortal Instruments series.)
Biggest Embarrassing Moment
There was a moment when I was 19, involving an adult filmtitled “Beaverly Hills Cop” which I mistakenly thought was “Beverly Hills Cop”. They are not, I repeat NOT, in fact, the same movie!
Biggest Fan-Girl Moment
When I met Kim Harrison, I was so excited I told her I was a “Harper Arthur” too! Turns out I’m an “author” not an “Arthur.”
Biggest Fear
Anything involving spiders, sharks, vampires, being buried alive, snakes, exercise (I’m sure there’s phobia for that!), Big Foot, or having toilet paper hanging from the back of my pants when I leave the women’s room. I may be a little neurotic.
Biggest Accomplishment
Not ever having toilet paper hanging from my pants when I leave the women’s restroom.
Biggest Addiction
Online shopping. (This may fall under the column Biggest Guilt Pleasure as well!)
Biggest Regret
Not a fan of regrets, so yeah…

The Last Echo is the third book in the Body Finder series.
USE GOOGLE to add The Body Finder Desires of the Dead The Last Echo … to Goodreads

Published by HarperCollins Date: April 17th, 2012

Schedule for leg 4

See the authors in person

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Stay connected to all things Dark Days on the Pitch Dark Facebook page, including exclusive content features every Wednesday! Make sure you check out this amazing widget that will tell you everything you need to know about the Dark Days authors and their books.

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive an ARC of The Last Echo.
• 4 winners will receive a swag pack from The Body Finder series.

• You must be at least 13 (or have permission) to enter.
• Name and email must be provided.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US/CA only and ends April 24th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

Thanks for entering! Good luck!

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | HarperTeen

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Hello again! It's time for another post for this months Blogger Talk! Lisa (A Life Bound By Books) and I, along with Dan have put together some of our favorite quotes from the book. Check them out and see what you guys think. We'd love to hear your comments!

Title: Partials (Partials, #1)
Author: Dan Wells
Publisher: Balzer + Bray, 472 Pages (February 28th, 2012)
Add Partials to: Goodreads
Order Here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partialsóengineered organic beings identical to humansóhas decimated the worldís population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanityís time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friendís pregnancy, sheís determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the warís origin that she never knew to ask.
Quotes from Partials:

Top 5 Favorite Quotes of Dan's -
Owen Tovar: "War, see, is when two sides fight, maybe not evenly, but at least they both get a few swings in. What we call the Partial War was mankind getting mugged in an alley."

Duna Mkele: "Let us assume, just for the moment, that whatever the Partials are planning is larger in scope than the murder of one teenage girl."

Nandita Merchant: "Each life has a different purpose, and some people can find their purpose more easily than others. The key, the most important thing you can ever know, is that whatever your purpose is, that's not your only choice."

Kira: "I don't know if 'we're stupider than they think we are' is a really great attack strategy."

Isolde: "If you can't know the truth, live the most awesome lie you can think of."

A Couple of My Favorite Quotes -
"No matter how they spun it, no matter how much they tried to focus on the positives, the ugly truth was that there simply weren't any children anymore. They were closing the school because they had run out of students. The teachers had done their job, but the doctors hadn't. -- page 12 (Kira)

"I've never been this wet in my entire life," said Kira."Even immersed in a bathtub I swear I was dryer than I am now."
"Look on the bright side," said Marcus.
Kira waited.
"This is the point," she said,"at which you would traditionally suggest a bright side."
"I've never been a real traditional guy," said Marcus."Besides, I'm not saying I know a bright side, I just think this would be a great time to look at one." -- page 45 (Kira and Marcus)

"Wake up sleepyhead," said Kira, bumping Marcus's ear with her shoulder."We're almost home."
"I didn't order sushi."
"What?"
Marcus opened his eyes warily."What did I say?"
"Nothing I have to smack you for. You're lucky you were dreaming about food instead of girls."
"I'm male," said Marcus, rubbing his eyes."It was a fifty-fifty shot." -- page 73 (Kira and Marcus)

A Couple of Lisa's Favorite Quotes -
"So tell us about yourself," said Marcus, settling into a couch."If I'm going to spend the while night waiting for you guys to stop flirting and shoot each other, I want to at least be entertained." -- page 54 (Marcus)

"Just bring something to share this time," sad Kira, turning back to Marcus and tapping him pointedly in the chest."I'm not covering for you like last time."
"That was a one-time thing," said Marcus, laughing,"and it wasn't last time, it was four times ago, and I've covered your share way more than that."
"I'm just saying," said Kira, picking him again in the chest,"I don't want my food-for-nothing, freeloader boyfriend to make me look bad in front of everybody. Again." She poked him one last time, glared at him playfully, then poked him again for good measure.
"Do you poke all the boys, or I am Special?"
She leaned closer."It's just you." She kissing him on the cheek."Until somebody better comes along." -- page 76 (Kira and Marcus)

"Wake up sleepyhead," said Kira, bumping Marcus's ear with her shoulder."We're almost home."
"I didn't order sushi."
"What?"
Marcus opened his eyes warily."What did I say?"
"Nothing I have to smack you for. You're lucky you were dreaming about food instead of girls."
"I'm male," said Marcus, rubbing his eyes."It was a fifty-fifty shot." -- page 73 (Kira and Marcus)

"Well, thanks for not shooting anyone, I guess" said Marcus."My contribution was to somehow refrain from peeing myself. You can thank me later." -- page 347 (Marcus)

It looks like this month Lisa and I managed to have one of our favorite quotes be the same. And I think it's telling that most of our quotes have Marcus in them. He was very entertaining to say the least. Also, the quote of Dan's from Isolde was one I almost used as well. That scene was a good one.
*Note: The quotes from Lisa were taken from an ARC copy of Partials.

Don't forget to check out the Interview with Dan >>>CLICKING HERE<<<
Again, we can't say thank you enough for taking the time out of your busy touring schedule to stop by a few days this week and be part of this months Blogger Talk.
Thanks for everything!

Find Dan Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Check out my review of Partials HERE!

Book Trailer:

Be sure to stop by again later this week for our Partials discussion post. We hope you'll join in on to help us celebrate this FANTASTIC book and author.

Partials by Dan Wells
Publisher: Balzer + Bray (February 28th, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 472 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Partials #1
Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

Review:

Kira is a medic. She is a 16-year-old who is intelligent far beyond her years, and her and her friends are well aware of the issues that plague the human race. To make things worse, it's not just the virus causing issues. Politics are causing people to rebel and n ow the leaders are trying to show more power as a way to make people listen.

Soon, Kira comes up with a plan that she feels will help save the humans. She will study a Partial, an engineered being that everyone feels is responsible for the spread of the virus years ago. Her and her friends go into dangerous territory to find a Partial and this journey shows her a lot more than she expected.

Dan Wells is a brilliant writer. The world we are introduced to in Partials is scary, desolate, and all too possible. A virus spreading quickly across the planet is a real threat so I think that's why Partials is such a frighting story. Dan brought a lot of science into this story. He didn't leave us with questions as to what exactly had happened to the rest of the humans. We know about the virus, what it did to the victims, and how it spreads. I loved that the readers can really feel like they take part in deconstructing the virus itself and seeing what can be done to stop it. This was really a book that allows readers to step back and think about what's going on, and attempt to figure it out with the characters.

Although few humans survived, I got a good idea of how the remaining population lived in their new surroundings. The young adults (and very young teens) were critical to the survival of the race. The political figures always made that clear and in a way it showed how the younger population had more power than one would think

The characters we meet in Partials were so well developed and interesting. Kira was intelligent, focused, and extraordinarily brave. She thought of herself last. Her friends were always at the top of her list. Kira's friends were each so different and brought so much to the story.

Probably the most surprising part of this book to me was just the visuals. Dan Wells used honest, descriptive language to describe a world that is harsh and ruined. Everything from the broken roads, abandoned homes and skyscrapers, decaying remains, and wild animals were things I could picture with such clarity. I saw it like a movie or one of those Discovery shows that that go through what would happen if humans didn't exist. It's so frightening.

If you are thinking of taking a chance and reading a post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel, pick up Partials!

Dan Wells did a remarkable job bringing this world to light and showing a harsh reality. Partials had everything I could hope for in a fabulous YA novel!

Recommended: Lovers of post-apocalyptic/dystopian, science fiction, with strong characters and outstanding world-building.

Author | Goodreads | Twitter

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On March 11th, Lauren Oliver, Claudia Gray, and Dan Wells' Los Angeles Dark Days event will be livestreamed on http://www.livestream.com/epicreads via Tiffany of http://www.abouttoread.com/.

In the meantime, you can check out this amazing video of an event Lauren did yesterday at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC http://www.livestream.com/epicreads/video?clipId=pla_3eeb694c-f9e0-4bfe-a03b-2e2c90f86aad&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb.

I watched a few of the livestream events last year and they are so much fun! I plan to check this one out too.

Tour Dates
March 9^th @ 6:30pm | Books & Books | Coral Gables, FL | Harmony's Radiant Reads March 10^th @ 2pm | Barnes & Noble | Alpharetta, GA | One Page at a Time *March 11^th @ 4pm | Vroman’s | Los Angeles, CA | For Those About to Read *LIVESTREAM event

Become a fan at facebook.com/PitchDarkBooks

Follow @pitchdarkbooks and use #pitchdarkdays in your tweets
Remember to check out the Dark Days of Supernatural page for fun widgets, book samplers, and event information.

We are getting very close to the release date for Insurgent (May!) and I am so excited!! While we wait, HarperCollins has given us a fun game to see where some of your favorite celebs fit in or what faction is the best for YOU.

So, where do you belong?: )

Hello and Welcome again to our First month of Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed! Coming to you a little later in the month than we had planned… but better late than never, right? Is an interview with Brodi and some favorite quotes from the three of us — Brodi, my co-host Lisa from A Life Bound By Books and I. Next month these posts should be a bit more spread out throughout the month.

Title: Everneath (Everneath, #1)
Author: Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Harper Collins/Balzer + Bray, 370 Pages (January 24th, 2012)
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld… this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's…
Interview:

1. The cover of Everneath is beautiful! What did you think when you first saw the image?

I thought, Holy Wow! I LOVE IT!! I was also very grateful I wouldn't have to pretend to love my cover.: )

2. Can you tell us 3 words you would use to describe Nikki's personality?

Damaged, resilient, constant

3. Would you be able to share something about Nikki, Jack & Cole that we might not know?

That's a hard question! I'll give you a tidbit about Cole, since he has lived a longer life. He was born in Norway, and he used to be an apprentice.

4. If Everneath was being made into a movie and you could cast the roles for Nikki, Jack & Cole, who would you want to see play the parts?

Ack! Another hard question. I don't know, because I haven't ever researched it or anything. I'd love to hear what your readers would think and who they would cast!

5. From concept to published book, what was the easiest and hardest part of the experience for you?

Easiest part: reading every fan letter. I'll never get tired of it!

Hardest part: deadlines, deadlines, DEADLINES!!

6. Everneath is your debut novel! What has been the most surprising thing you've learned as a debut author?

The most surprising thing has been how much of it all is beyond my control. Especially watching the early buzz around EVERNEATH. I would just sit back and go,"But I'm not responsible for any of it!" The blogger community has been great.

Thanks so much for having me on the blog!

Brodi, it was really great to have you here today, on both of our blogs. And we can't say thank you enough for being part of our first month for"Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed." Thanks for everything!

Quotes From Everneath:

A favorite quote of Brodi's -
"Heroes are made by the paths they choose, not the powers they are graced with." -Mrs. Stone (the English teacher)

A Couple of My Favorite Quotes -

" 'I can't carry the team to victory without you,' he said. 'You're my lucky rabbit's foot.'
I craned my neck around to look at him. 'I've always dreamed of some guy saying that to me.'" -- Jack and Nikki (page 19).

" 'Your cheeks turned red, and I was gone for you.' He shook his head, and his lip quirked up in a smile. ' I know you felt it too. The connection between us. It started even before the Feed.'" — Cole (page 37).

" The next morning [after the dance], I found a note in my jacket pocket. I unfolded it and read two words, written in Jack's handwritting. Ever Yours" — Nikki (page 64).

" 'Why do you care if I get hurt?'
All he said was, 'I hate to see it. Whether you go with me or not, I don't like you getting hurt.' But his face seemed to say more. As if there was something he wasn't telling me." — Nikki and Cole (page 67).

A Couple of Lisa's Favorite Quotes -
" 'Strange, isn't it, Nik? The Connection between us now."
He grimaced and cocked his head to one side, as if he were waiting for me to close the distance between us. When I stayed perfectly still, he added,"You don't have to fight it." — Cole to Nikki (Page 29)

" Jack shifted toward me."So, Jules gets a smile, huh?"
I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for a response. He hadn't tried to talk to me since that first day, and his voice directed at me again did strange things to me. Made my stomach flutter. Of course, Jack had always had that power over me.
I kept my eyes down, but I couldn't stop my lips from turning upward.
'I see that," he said. Jack always saw everything." -- Jack and Nikki (page 52)

" He shook his head and looked at me as if I were delusional. As if I didn't know what winning was all about. Then he put an arm around me and it was almost like he was mourning my life with me."I don't understand the things you would give up for mortal relationships."
" You better hope you never do, Cole." -- Nikki and Cole (page 100)

" 'What are the screens of?" I asked.
" Elvis Presley as a corpse. You wanna come look?" Cole Gave me a grin as if he'd just asked me if I wanted to see rainbows being made.
" You had me at 'corpse.'" -- Nikki and Cole (page 116)

*Note: These quotes, from Lisa, were taken from ARC of Everneath.

Find Brodi Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Everneath Trailer:
Be sure to stop back by tomorrow for the discussion post with Jessica, where we'll be talking about all things Everneath and we hope you'll join in with us for the talk in the comments section. We might have some other things up our sleeves as well, so you won't want to miss dropping in.

Yesterday Lisa (A Life Bound By Books) and I shared with you our interview with Everneath author Brodi Ashton and some of our favorite quotes from the book. Today we are doing an open discussion of the book where we share some of our thoughts and give readers a chance to join in and link up their review of Everneath.

Discussion for Everneath

I really enjoyed how Everneath starts off with the characters being directly in the action. I admit, I'm not very knowledgeable about myths but it was great to start out by getting a lot of information from the beginning

I agree with you, however it was pretty confusing to me. I mean I was 73 pages into the story and I was totally confused as to exactly what had happened. There were terms in the book surrounding the events that the main character had gone through, but I had no clue until way later on in the book as to what really had happened.

I agree, especially when Nikki came back and was attempting to get back to her new life. That's when I really had to slow down and try to soak in each detail she gave about what happened while she was away. What did you think of Cole?

Ah, that's a question I was actually going to ask you… but you beat me to it! To be honest, he rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. I found him more than frustrating and somewhat an ass. Most of the time, I can find something to endear me to a character that makes me feel as he did, but I have no idea why so many people are falling all over him. So, my turn, what did you think of Cole?

Very true, but I did find that by the end I did really feel bad for Cole. I think that there is a lot to his story that we will, hopefully, find out in book 2. It did take me a while to like anything about him but I think he may prove to be more than meets the eye.

As you were typing that, I was thinking about Cole and I am looking forward to more about him because I do think he has something to offer, I just don't see it yet. I wanted to feel sorry for him, but I couldn't really because I know he can't feel. Or maybe that's what the clever author is trying to make us believe?

You could be right. Sneaky, sneaky! I try to have hope and I am really excited to see what happens with him. What did you think of the way Nikki handled her situation?

She was so disconnected from the Feed, so the beginning of the book showed just how detached she really was and as the book progressed a black cloud was somewhat lifted from around her that you finally get a chance to see and feel things again just as she did.

Exactly, at first I wondered why she had fought so hard to go back to her past life. Then, as time went on, I felt I saw her more clearly and could get the emotion that had been hiding. Overall, I was really happy with this story, the story of Nikki and Jack, and the suspense Brodi brought to the plot. I will definitely be checking out the next book to see where this story goes.

Since you mentioned Jack, I think I need to say that I loved him and how he never gave up, yet he had his own scars from Nikki's disapperance he still never gave up. The ending was epic and I totally agree with you… Brodi knows how to write the suspense. I'm also looking forward to the next book to find out what happens after that cliffhanger ending.
What did you guys think? Please leave us (spoiler-free) comments and we invite others to reply and join in.

Prize:

• 1 winner will receive a copy of EVERNEATH and swag.

• You must be at least 13 to enter.
• Name and email must be provided and counts as 1 entry.
• Extra entries are possible and links must be provided.
• Contest is US Only and ends March 14th.
• Once contacted, the winner will have 48 hours to respond.
• The form must be filled out to enter.

We wanted to do this feature as a way to promote a new release and get people involved in discussing the book. One of the best ways to find out about a book is to read the reviews.
Please feel free to link your review of EVERNEATH that has been posted on your blog or Goodreads.
Rules: Please post ONLY your review of EVERNEATH. Please provide the direct link in the linky. You can include your rating of the book.
Example of link: Confessions of a Bookaholic — Everneath Review (4 stars)

We would love you to join the discussion about the book. Leave comments, tell us what you thought, or ask questions. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS! We don't want to ruin it for others, but we'd love to see what everyone thought of the story.

HarperTeen has some fantastic things going on to help celebrate the time of looooveeee — Valentine's Day!

You can go to their facebook page for giveaways, polls, and more. They highlight a book each day. Keep checking back to see what is unlocked.

And, who doesn't need a Crush Calculator!!

Wouldn't it be nice to know what story will lead to a crush?? OF COURSE, so go take the quiz and see who you will like.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Publisher: Harper/Balzer + Bray (January 21st, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 370 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: Everneath #1
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld… this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's…
Review: I gotta say, Brodi Ashton sure knows how to put a new twist on an ancient Greek myth. I've never been the biggest fan of these retellings but this is way up on the list for my favorites I've read. When we meet Nikki she has been in the Everneath for 6 months (our time) but much longer than that in her reality. She had let heartbreak and sorrow lead her down a path and pointed straight at Cole — the new rock star with a few special abilities. Cole was able to give Nikki what she needed at the time and she made the decision to follow him.

Now Nikki is back, sort of. She doesn't feel completely normal and her friends have no idea what she has went through. She just wants a chance to make it okay before she is forced back into that world. Mostly, she wants to do the right thing for Jack, the guy she was dating when she went under.

The beginning of this story was a little confusing for me but that was part of the reason I kept reading. I'm new to these myths so I was interesting to see where everything fit. Nikki struggled to find her place and the only person who understood what was going on with her was Cole. At first I didn't feel really connected with Nikki. I wanted to really grasp why she had fought so hard to be back on the Surface but I didn't at first. The details came later and I felt much more connected with her as the story progressed.

One thing I really liked about the story was the way it was structured. We get to see Nikki as she progresses through her 6 months on the Surface, but we also get to see the time she spent before she went to the Everneath. By the end we have a much clearer picture of what happened and why so many people seem hurt by the situation. Jack was the one who went through the most and he really grabbed my heart. Who wouldn't want a guy like that? Jack was just so kind and mature, and it was so easy to see how he felt for Nikki. There were no games involved-- he just loved her!

It's easy to think that you could and should just hate Cole. He's the bad guy, right? But oh no, I didn't hate him. I felt so bad for him. Darn you Brodi for making him so enticing!! I really felt I understood Cole's actions. He was just doing what he was supposed to do and he didn't plan anything like what had happened with Nikki, not really. He's really a fun character because he has so many"sides".

Brodi did a fabulous job with this modern retelling. The story was easy to follow and the characters really made the story shine. Even without a ton of action, I never had a problem keeping focus on this story. The mystery behind it and the history among the characters was too fascinating for me to even think about putting the book down.
Everneath was a surprising read for me and one I that kept me highly entertained. I'm excited to see what happens with this series. Brodi Ashton has created a fabulous debut novel!

Recommended: Greek Mythology fans or fans of the paranormal. Very good read for young teens.

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Everneath is the February book pick for the new feature Blogger Talk: Novel Exposed. Each Saturday of the month Lisa (A Life Bound By Books) and I will be posting something new from Everneath or its wonderful author, Brodi Ashton.

Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
Publisher: Harper Collins (January 3rd, 2012)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 374 pages
Source: ARC from Publisher
Series: Under the Never Sky #1
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland — known as The Death Shop — are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She's been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild — a savage — and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile — everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
Review: I admit, I had no clue what to expect with this book. The summary is a nice start but it doesn't even begin to describe the complexity of this story. For the first 100 or so pages, I was a little lost. I didn't have a problem with the characters but I wasn't able to fully understand their world. At first I thought that only Aria's world was different-- that she lived in a Pod-type atmosphere containing several advanced technological gadgets but that wasn't all. Perry's world confused me even more. He wasn't just an Outsider. There was a lot more to it than that.

This story alternates POVs from Aria to Perry. It starts with Aria as she is going against the rules with a few of her friends and leaving their secure Pod. She wants to find out about her mother, a scientist, and feels that this is the only way to get the help she needs from one of the guys. Instead, she is thrown into a dangerous situation she never expected. I won't go into too many details but a short while later she is placed on a course to come face-to-face with Perry, but it isn't their first meet-up.

Aria has been thrown out and left in The Death Shop, never to return to Reverie. She has heard about the Outsiders and the dangers from the air and disease from being out of their safe environment. Aria assumes that death will be her fate.

Perry has had his own bad luck. From what he feels is punishment to his involvement in 'Dweller' territory, involving Aria, someone close to him is in danger. He will do anything to get them back and Aria will do anything to get to her mother. Together they make an unlikely alliance but one that kept me riveted! This was where I really started to 'get it'. The pieces of the puzzle came together and I could not stop reading. Perry and Aria's journey was unimaginable. The pain Aria had to endure and the worry from Perry made this a very emotional part of the story. Aria learns there is much more to Perry and all of the Outsiders than she would have thought, and Perry learns that not all Dwellers are as spoiled and selfish as he imagined.

Perry was just incredible. His raw strength and courage was astounding! There are very few YA characters that I think I would fear if I ran into them. I would fear Perry! Not because he wasn't nice (well, that may have came later) but because he was just so powerful. He knew how to survive on nothing and he taught Aria to do the same. He definitely didn't baby her and their connection was very far from 'insta-love'. He was exactly what she needed in order to get to a place where she could be capable of taking care of herself.

Aria may have started off as uncertain and a bit timid but she quickly learns the way of the Outsiders. Life is harsh. Death happen. And, you never know what you will be forced to do in order to survive. These were valuable lessons for her. She stood her ground when it came to Perry. Once she got to know him you could really see her respect what he was able to do.

The plot of Under the Never Sky is so original! I read dystopian/post-apocalyptic books often and it was nice to see even more of a spin placed on 2 different cultures that try to exist after so much devastation. The characters Aria and Perry meet along the way carried a lot of significance to the plot and overall feel of the story. None were 'throw away' people to me. I enjoyed each one and saw where they fit within the story line.

I gotta say, once I understood more of the world involved in Under the Never Sky, the more I was impressed with the inventiveness of it. I can't imagine the work Veronica Rossi put into this part of the story development.

Under the Never Sky completely transported me into a foreign word I could never have imagined. The characters were able to slowly build upon a relationship to have it become more and more complex and passionate. The intense action and magnificent world-building Veronica Rossi was able to create still has me amazed.

Recommended: Dystopian/Post-apocalyptic fans. People looking for something 'out of the norm' with a more slow-building romance.

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