End of Year Book Survey 2013

I've seen this survey on my dashboard for the past week and I thought it would be fun to do this. If you're interested in participating as well, you could over to Jamie's blog, The Perpetual Page-Turner and sign up as well.  

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) 

Altered by Jennifer Rush, Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone, How to Love by Katie Cotugno

This is just a few, if you want to know more, here's my Top 13 of 2013.

2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't?

Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth -The were both incredibly disappointing.

3. Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2013?

Fight or Flight by Jamie Canosa is a self published books but this one completely surprised me since I had no idea what I was heading into. 

4. Book you read in 2013 that you recommended to people most in 2013?

Delirium by Lauren Olvier

5. Best series you discovered in 2013?

The Iron Fey series or the Unearthly trilogy

6. Favourite new author discovered in 2013?

Julie Kagawa

7. Best book that out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

I don't really read new adult, but when I read Find You In the Dark & Light in the Shadows by A. Meredith Walters, I was blown away. Definitely one of the best new adult books I've read.

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2013?

Altered by Jennifer Rush was filled with action that it was so hard to put down.

9. Book you read in 2013 that you are most likely to re-read next year?

Nevermore and Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh

10. Favourite book of a cover you read in 2013?

The Program (The Program #1) by Suzanne Young

11. Most memorable character in 2013

Halley from Someone Like You

Elise from This Song Will Save Your Life

12. Most beautifully written book you read in 2013

Stay by Deb Caletti

13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2013?

Golden by Jessi Kirby

14. Book you can't believe you waited until 2013 to finally read?

The Gallagher Series by Ally Carter

15. Favourite passage/quote you read in 2013?

From Stay:

12. Shortest book you read and longest you read in 2013

Shortest- Moonglass by Jessi Kirby (232 pages)

Longest- Gone by Michael Grant (558 pages)

17. Book that a scene in it that you had reeling and dying to talk to somebody about it (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss)

The epilogue of Enshadowed by Kelly Creagh. Seriously, ya'll need to pick up this series if you haven't.

18. Favourite relationship from a book you read in 2013

Anna and Bennett from Time Between Us (romance)

Halley and Scarlett from Someone Like You (friendship)

19) Favourite book you read in 2013 from an author you've read previously

Since I only started reading just last year, all the authors I've read from are all brand new to me, except for Stephanie Meyers, which I didn't read any books by her at all this year.

20. Best book you read in 2013 that you had read based solely on a recommendation from somebody else

My best friends loves The Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter and has recommended it to me so many times that I agreed to read the first three books. My, oh my was that a good deciosion!

21. Genre you read most from in 2013

It's between contemporary romance or paranormal.

22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2013?

Christian Prescott & Tucker Avery from the Unearthly trilogy

Puck & Ash from the Iron Fey series

They're love triangles, but I can never choose between the both of them. For instance, Christian and Tucker are such swoon-worthy guys that it's too hard to pick one. Can't I just keep them both? (:

23. Best 2013 debut you read

How to Love by Katie Cotugno - Absolutely stunning!

24. Most vivid/world imagery in a book you read in 2013?

Literally, anything by Julie Kagawa.

25. Book that was the most fun to read in 2013

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

26. Book that you made cry or nearly cry in 2013?

Of Beast and Beauty by Stacey Jay - This book may not be sad, but Gem was such a strong character that reading through his POV was absloutely heart-breaking.

27. Book you read in 2013 that you think got overlooked this year or when it came out?

I haven't actually seen that much reviews for Starglass by Phoebe North, but it was a fantastic sci-fi.

 1. One book you didn't get to in 2013 but will be your number one priority in 2014?

Believe it or not, I still haven't read Anna and the French Kiss, but I will definitely make it a priority this year.

2) Book you most anticipating for 2014

Talon by Julie Kagawa -  I will devour anything by this author.

3) 2014 book you are most anticipating (debut)

The Falconer by Elizabeth May - I heard some pretty amazing things about this book.

4) Series ending you are most anticipating in 2014

Oblivion by Kelly Creagh

5) One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging in 2014?

Blogging - I hope to post six times a week. I would aim for everyday, but I need a day to take a break.

Reading - My goal is to read over 100 books. 

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpuf

1. Best Book You Read In 2013? (If you have to cheat — you can break it down by genre if you want or 2013 release vs. backlist) - See more at: http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2013/12/4th-annual-end-of-year-book-survey-2013-edition.html#sthash.t4gRLYR9.dpu

ARC Review: The Almost Girl by Amalie Howard

The Almost Girl
Author: Amalie Howard
Pages: 416
Publication Date: January 7, 2014
Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Seventeen-year-old Riven is as tough as they come. Coming from a world ravaged by a devastating android war, she has to be. There’s no room for softness, no room for emotion, no room for mistakes. A Legion General, she is the right hand of the young Prince of Neospes, a parallel universe to Earth. In Neospes, she has everything: rank, responsibility and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to find his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited back to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.

Thrown out of her comfort zone but with the mindset of a soldier, Riven has to learn how to be a girl in a realm that is the opposite of what she knows. Riven isn’t prepared for the beauty of a world that is unlike her own in so many ways. Nor is she prepared to feel something more than indifference for the very target she seeks. Caden is nothing like Cale, but he makes something in her come alive, igniting a spark deep down that goes against every cell in her body. For the first time in her life, Riven isn’t sure about her purpose, about her calling. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide whether Caden is simply a target or whether he is something more.

Faced with hideous reanimated Vector soldiers from her own world with agendas of their own, as well as an unexpected reunion with a sister who despises her, it is a race against time to bring Caden back to Neospes. But things aren’t always as they seem, and Riven will have to search for truth. Family betrayals and royal coups are only the tip of the iceberg. Will Riven be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?

Science fiction is a genre that I happily enjoy, but when it comes to the point where it sounds a little too unrealistic, it starts to form a bitter taste in my mouth. It mentioned that Riven, our protagonist, learned how to hold a sword before the ago of two. Hold on a second, do you know how heavy swords can be? There is no way a two-year old can hold that unless it's a balloon sword. It even mentions that she has had hand-to-hand combat techniques by the age of five and all the basic knowledge of weaponry by seven. I'm sorry, but the only thing I could do right now is eye roll.

The romance between Caden and Riven were bittersweet to me. They shared some cute moments, but overall, their relationship was too rushed. Riven was sent to look for Caden, hoping to bring him to Nesopes so that could use him to save Cale. Though it was quite obvious she was going to fall in love with him, I wished the author would have added a bit of pace to their relationship or rather have their first interaction together not too insta-lovey. 

The downside to this novel would have to be the high school setting in the beginning. I don't think I've ever come across a sci-fi novel like this, but the drama that a school would typically bring doesn't fit this book at all.  Glady, though it does change. When Caden and Riven are out on the run, the author introduces to the world of Neospes. I enjoyed Amelie's world building - quite imaginative and descriptive. 

One of the dumbest things in this book was when Riven and Caden were at Riven's father's house to steal something, they decide to have a hot make out while they're in the enemy's house. River and Caden, you two are both incredibly stupid. Out of all the places to kiss, you decide to do it when you're breaking into someone's property?! Ugh, my frustration with this scene. Where is their common sense? 

Based on the synopsis, The Almost Girl sounds fantastic, but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. 

I received this book for free as in exchange for an honest review. 

3/5 STARS

Review: Countdown by Michelle Rowen

Countdown 
Author: Michelle Rowen
Pages: 336
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen

3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped. 

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game. 

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis. 

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it. 

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape. 

GAME OVER

Due to amount of series, duologies or even trilogies, it's rare to find a standalone that isn't contemporary. It's hard to categorize Countdown into a certain genre due to the lack of world building. If I had to pick one I would have to say that this novel is leaning towards the dystopian genre.

From the first chapter, you are quickly introduced to Kira and Rogan. Both of them meet at jail cell, chained to the wall. Their first encounter obviously wasn't the greatest, but throughout the chapters, it was nice to see the characters develop. When they first figure out they have to complete challenges under a time limit, they get over their insecurites and doubts of each other in order to survive. The challenges that these characters faced were quite thrilling and fast-paced. Towards the middle of the book, there were certain scenes that reminded me of one of my favourite childhood movies, Spy Kids 3. They both shared the virtual game aspect, but Countdown had me at the edge of my seat.

With Countdown being a dystopian stand-alone, it's quite hard to visualize the world that Kira and Rogan lived in. She provided bits and pieces of details throughout the book, but it was really hard to imagine what kind of world they lived. If there was a sequel to this book, I think it would have excelled in world-building, but as for the plot, I don't think so. The ending provided enough closure that I don't think it would be necessary to give it a sequel unless Rowen came up with a whole new brilliant plot. But other that, I think we should leave the book as it is.

With a fast-paced plot and thrilling action, it would be certainly hard to put this one down.

3/5 stars