Thursday, November 26, 2015

Feature & Follow #20: Genre you would love to write about

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee’s View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it’ll allow us to show off more new blogs!

FeatureandFollowFriday
This Week's Question:

If you could write a book what genre would it be? -
Suggested by – The Realm of Books

First of all, it's been weeks, a month even since I last participated in this weekly feature and it's so good to be baaaack! :)

Now back to the question in hand.. I think I'll write the genre I enjoy reading the most..  Dystopian, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance - without all those annoying  usual tropes.

What about you? :)


 






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Sunday, November 22, 2015

Book Review: Life After The Undead by Pembroke Sinclair

Life After The Undead
by
Pembroke Sinclair
Genre: Young-adult, Post-apocalyptic, Romance
Seventeen-year-old Krista must quickly figure out how she’s going to survive in the zombie-destroyed world. The one advantage humans have is that the zombies hate humid environments, so they’re migrating west to escape its deteriorating effects. The survivors plan to construct a wall at North Platte to keep the undead out, and Krista has come to Nebraska to start a new life.

Zombies aren’t the only creatures she has to be cautious of—the other survivors have a dark side. Krista must fight not only to live but also to defend everything she holds dear—her country, her freedom, and ultimately, those she loves.

Join Krista in her quest to survive in this thrilling apocalyptic novel by Pembroke Sinclair.

4star

Life After The Undead is surprisingly the very first zombie novel I've ever read and this is certainly not going to be the last time!

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It wasn't really my intention to avoid reading zombie novels. I just never had the chance to read one sooner because, well I know this is embarrassing, but I thought, watching about them is more interactive and believable. You know like TWD, Dawn of the Dead etc. yeah well, I totLLY underestimated my imagination.

Life After The Undead was such a fast-paced and action packed book that I was having a hard time putting it down. The story brought you right away in the apocalypse with Krista that you barely have time to breath!

"The day the world did end was pretty nondescript. By that I mean there was no nuclear explosion or asteroid or monumental natural disaster. There weren’t even any horsemen or plagues to announce the end was coming. The world ended fairly quietly."
This follow the story of Krista as she try to live her life alone in this post-apocalyptic world where the dead rose from the grave suddenly craving from the flesh. Krista is a very realistic and adorable MC that I was able to connect with her from the very first chapter of the book.
"I had fascination with the dark, the macabre, although I wasn't a Goth or Emo. I read books and magazines about serial killers. I didn't idolized them or want to be like them-hell no- I was fascinated with how evil and black a human's soul could get."
Once upon a time, before I become a software developer, I originally wanted to be a psychologist. I don't know, sometime, watching people do what they do fascinates me. But enough about me! Allow me to introduce more of Krista. Her fascination with the human behavior eventually proved to be useful as it helped her be emotionally prepared to survived the "Zompocalypse".

Krista's family were able to survive the first wave of the attack of the zombies, they managed to survive because of Krista's intuition alone, until her father decided that to split up is the best idea to look for help. Her father goes out alone and when he didn't return overnight, her mother followed to look for him, leaving Krista alone to survive.

"There had to be survivors. I had to find them. Human life always found a way to survive the direst situations. It was the only glimmer of hope I had."
Krista's brave, a little bit spoiled(being the only child that she is) but practical, strong and a freaking bad-ass! In short she's one hell of a kick-ass girl that you would definitely root for!

"I realized at that moment, I didn't need to worry about the creatures, they needed to worry about me. I cautioned myself about being cocky, but I thought I deserved to bask in my awesomeness for a few minutes."
You go girl!

I enjoy this book a lot, I ALMOST finished it in one sitting, if not for all the responsibilities that demands my attention! There were never dull moments on the book which is a total winner for me. Romance? What do you mean Romance? The world is fucking filled with zombies, who's got time to flirt with any one?

"Guys? Who the hell cared about guys at this point in time?"
LOL. Just Kidding. There's actually this one guy, Quinn who suddenly appears and made Krista felt something she haven't felt before. No- it's nothing like those ridiculous insta-love we used to read in some YA books. I like their relationship as they aren't dependent on each other. They've got each other's back and I think that's just the sweetest.

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One of the only complain I have is that the world-building wasn't much established. Just like any other story about Zombies, the story didn't much elaborate where the Undead came from yet, which is one of the reason I'm definitely looking forward to read the next book in this series, I'm hoping more of it will be revealed in the next book.

Regardless of my only issue, I love a lot of things in this book to care. I love the new cover. I love all of the action, gore and bloods included that made me unable to put the book down so easily, it's refreshingly surprising. I love the relatable and strong-ass heroine and I absolutely love the light romance included in the book.

If you enjoy reading Zombie Novels and doesn't shy away with gores and blood with a flawed, yet strong heroine then Life after the Undead is definitely more than worth a try!


Isn't that just a wonderful cover? :)

This book was given to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This doesn't in any way affect my opinion and review. :)

Book Links:

I am an editor by day and a zombie-killer by night (at least in my books). Since the first time I watched Night of the Living Dead, I have been obsessed with zombies and I often think of ways to survive the uprising.

I have written YA novels about zombies and the tough teens who survive the apocalyptic world, along with adult novels in the sci fi and fantasy genres. I have also written kids' books under the pen name J.D. Pooker.

I have written nonfiction stories for Serial Killer Magazine and published a book about slasher films called Life Lessons from Slasher Films under my real name.

For more information, please check out my blog at pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com or email me at pembrokesinclair[at]hotmail[dot]com.

Author Links:
Website|Goodreads|Twitter|Facebook

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Random Ramblings: New Blog Look!


Hey Guys! 

So I've been AWOL for the last couple of days. I haven't been able to post some reviews that I'm supposed to post and I haven't been able to participate to any weekly features(WoW and FF) since last, last week, I guess, and it's making me wary.

I've been too much busy with... I'm not sure really. LOL. But all I wanted to say is that I finally got some time off! So I'm planning to post and write a lot of reviews for the pile of books I finished reading and then I saw my blog.. like, really really saw it for the first time... and I thought,  "Oh, this blog is so lame.." So I decided to make a change..

And TA-DA! Here's the finish product! I should've took a picture of my old blog for comparison, but it's obviously too late.. I never got the chance to back-up my old template because all I wanted to do is to change my theme so it's not possible anymore. :)

I'm currently using Sorbet-Theme and customized it a bit for my blog. I guess I might have to edit some of my blog post to match the format of my current theme and I can't say I'm excited, lol. But I'm just so happy that I get to change the look of my blog and all.

So what do you guys think? :)



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Saturday, November 14, 2015

Book Review: Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn

Forget Tomorrow
(Forget Tomorrow Series #1)
by
Pintip Dunn
Genre: Young-adult, Dystopian, Romance
Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided...by your future self.

It's Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she's eagerly awaiting her vision―a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they're meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.

Or in Callie's case, a criminal.

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a hellish prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes.

But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all—Callie, herself.


2star

I wish I could've given this book a higher rating, after all Forget Tomorrow has been one of my anticipated read this year. After seeing its beautiful cover and reading its totally intriguing premise, I can't help but wanting to read it. Though, I must admit that after reading the blurb, the first thing that comes in my mind was Minority Report , I never got the chance to read the book, but I did watch the movie, and I must say, If I've known how painful it is to read this book, I should've watch the movie again or try reading The Minority Report book.
"My entire childhood has been a countdown to the day I receive my future memory. I spent so much time anticipating tomorrow—making plans, imagining scenarios, worrying endlessly—I’m not sure I know how to live in the present. I wouldn’t even know where to begin."
Callie lives in the future world where your future-self, finds a way to send a memory to your present-self, to direct the course of direction of your life-whether a future chef, swimmer an official... Or in Callie's case, a criminal.
"I have to be brave. But I’m not brave. Not really. I’m not anything. I’m just a girl. Only a girl. Nothing but a girl. No, that’s not true. I’m a girl who will kill my sister in the future."
This is book was set in a very intriguing and complicated world. Well, time is a complicated topic, it's endless possibility is immense, but the book kind of limit it. There were a lot of hole in the story and A lot of what-the-hell-is-happening moments. There's this place called harmony, it has been a refuge for people trying to run-away from their future, obviously an ideal place for Callie, who'll commit crime in the future. I think it's funny how they see Eden city/Civilization and Harmony as two different worlds, I know they are stating a metaphor.. but still.. Ugh, I just won't rant anymore than I should. You probably have to read the book itself and see for your self.


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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Blog Tour: The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel


**Spoilers if you haven't read book one**


The Revolution of Ivy
(The Book of Ivy #2)
by
Amy Engel
Genre: Young-adult, Dystopian, Romance
Release Date: November 3, 2015 by Entangled Teen
Ivy Westfall is beyond the fence and she is alone. Abandoned by her family and separated from Bishop Lattimer, Ivy must find a way to survive on her own in a land filled with countless dangers, both human and natural. She has traded a more civilized type of cruelty--forced marriages and murder plots--for the bare-knuckled brutality required to survive outside Westfall's borders.

But there is hope beyond the fence, as well. And when Bishop reappears in Ivy's life, she must decide if returning to Westfall to take a final stand for what she believes is right is worth losing everything she's fought for.

Pre-order Links:


3 Stars

I just had a bitter sweet experience with The Revolution of Ivy. I started this with a bang. Ivy's strength and kick-assery(is that even a word? lol)was shown at the first part of the book that I can hardly put the book down. I knew right there and then that I was right to anticipate the release of this sequel regardless of the disappointment I had with The Book of Ivy.
"Out here we don’t always have the luxury of making moral judgments like right or wrong. Sometimes it is simply kill or be killed."
The revolution of Ivy, follows exactly where the first book has left off. Ivy found herself outside of the fence, with nothing but her own clothes to keep her warm. We finally get to see the kick-ass girl I was looking for in The Book of Ivy, it was refreshing. Until Bishop, the boy she was promised to marry, her husband, the boy she has fallen helplessly in love with, the one where her loyalty truly lies... has come barging in her life once more and turned the story into a freaking soap-opera.
"All I want to do is lie down beside him and weep, bury my face in his neck and breathe him in until my lungs are so full there's no room for anything else."
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This series obviously wanted to focus on the characters growth, their thoughts, personalities and the relationship between the two main characters. Maybe because after I read the first book, I already expected it, and I actually think it was fine and different- like good different. However, when Ivy made a big deal out of it and actually wasted a lot of goddamn pages before sorting out their feelings.. it tends to get annoying.


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Sunday, November 8, 2015

Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows by Michelle Madow


Hi Guys! I'm so excited to announce to you guys the cover and Blurb of the new novel of the amazing Michelle Madow - Elementals Series! This is totally my kind of read and so excited for its release on January! In the meantime, let us learn more about this novel and join the amazing giveaway afterwards!

Title: Elementals: The Prophecy of Shadows
Author: Michelle Madow
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Release Date: January 26, 2016
Publisher: Dreamscape Publishing
Series: Elementals #1
Format: eBook
ISBN: 2940152448849
When Nicole Cassidy moves from sunny Georgia to gloomy New England, the last thing she expects is to learn that her homeroom is a cover for a secret coven of witches. Even more surprisingly … she’s apparently a witch herself. Despite doubts about her newfound abilities, Nicole is welcomed into this ancient circle of witches and is bedazzled by their powers—and, to her dismay, by Blake—the school’s notorious bad-boy.

Girls who get close to Blake wind up hurt. His girlfriend Danielle will do anything to keep them away, even if she must resort to using dark magic. But the chemistry between Blake and Nicole is undeniable, and despite wanting to protect Nicole from Danielle’s wrath, he finds it impossible to keep his distance.

When the Olympian Comet shoots through the sky for the first time in three thousand years, Nicole, Blake, Danielle, and two others in their homeroom are gifted with mysterious powers. But the comet has another effect—it opens the portal to the prison world that has contained the Titans for centuries. After an ancient monster escapes and attacks Nicole and Blake, it’s up to them and the others to follow the clues from a cryptic prophecy so that they can save their town … and possibly the world.

Now for the exciting part...

Are you ready?

**Insert Drum Rolls**


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