Mon, January 28, 2013
Mind Games by Kiersten White Review
Mind Games
By Kiersten White
Publication date: Feb. 19, 2013
HarperTeen, 256 pages
Source: Borrowed from Jillian <3 <3 <3
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways… or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.
In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.
— Goodreads.com description
Oww…my head hurt a little after I finished Mind Games by Kiersten White. In a good way!
This story is told from Fia and Annie’s points of view. Things bounce around in time periods and it takes some time for all of the bits and pieces of the story to come together and align in one big picture. It made for a slow read…but it was also super cool! Like I was putting together the pieces of a puzzle while I read. And then when they all got into place it was just like, “Oooooh…NO WAY!”
Did I connect to the characters a lot? Not really. But the storytelling and structure was so smart and enjoyable that I didn’t totally mind. I like it when books are one step ahead of me! Kudos to Kiersten White for going a different route – it’s not as funny/girly as her Paranormalcy series, but is very intriguing in its own way.
Wed, August 8, 2012
Waiting On: New Books from Authors I Love
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Mind Games
By Kiersten White
HarperTeen, 304 pages
To be released Feb. 19, 2013
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.
Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.
In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.
— Goodreads.com description
I adored White’s Paranormalcy series, but am sort of intrigued that they’re calling this new series a “stunning departure.” Interesting!
Crash
By Lisa McMann
Simon Pulse
To be released Jan. 8, 2013
Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.
What she can’t handle is the vision. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode… and nine body bags in the snow.
She has no idea why this is happening to her or if she’s going crazy. It hardly matters, because the visions are everywhere–on billboards, television screens, windows–and she’s the only one who can see them.
But it’s not until the vision starts coming more frequently, and revealing more clues, that Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it’s someone she knows. Someone she’s been in love with for as long as she can remember.
— Goodreads.com description
Why aren’t more people still talking about Lisa McMann’s Dream Catch series (Wake, Fade and Gone)? Gosh, I adored it. Can’t wait to read her latest series, and I’m especially pumped it’s going to be a mystery!
Falling for You
By Lisa Schroeder
Simon Pulse
To be released 2013
Rae’s always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her…and the less she wants to give.
As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous.
Then a tragedy lands Rae in the ICU. Now, hovering between life and death, Rae must find the light amid the darkness…and the strength to fight for life and the love she deserves.
— Goodreads.com description
I am a HUGE fan of Lisa Schroeder’s “The Day Before,” and am looking forward to reading more of her work. This one seems gritty and powerful. Can’t wait!
Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality
By Elizabeth Eulberg
Point, 288 pages
To be released March 2013
A hilarious new novel from Elizabeth Eulberg about taking the wall out of the wallflower so she can bloom.
Beauty is a beast, and it’s been making Lexi’s life miserable. Her mother is spending all the family’s savings on her sister’s beauty pagaent “career” — and her sister is only seven years old. Then there are the girls at school who think their appearance gives them the divine right to everything — including the boy Lexi has a crush on. Lexi’s always been on the periphery — the girl best friend, the girl who guys never think of kissing, the girl with “the great personality.” But enough’s enough — Lexi is going to stop wallflowering and start blooming.
— Goodreads.com description
Ahahahah I love this book title. Love it! And, considering how much I enjoyed Elizabeth Eulberg’s Prom and Prejudice, I definitely have to read this one.
Wed, March 28, 2012
Waiting on Endlessly by Kiersten White
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Endlessly
By Kiersten White
Publication date: July 24, 2012
HarperTeen, 385 pages
Goodreads | Amazon
The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.
The final chapter of Evie’s adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what’s a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?
— Goodreads.com description
WHAT?! I NEED MORE DETAILS!
But, who are we kidding, details don’t matter when it comes to Endlessly by Kiersten White — I have lovely lady on autoread at this point.
This series is just so ridiculously funny. I love Evie and the juxtaposition between her kickassery and her over-the-top girlishness. Girl has a bedazzled Taser she calls “Tasey.” A girly girl myself, I’m all about this. As the description does say: “Because what’s a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?”
Amen, sister. Endlessly by Kiersten White can’t come soon enough.
Check out my previous review of the series here, and click here to watch my interview with Kiersten.
Wed, October 19, 2011
HarperTeen Authors on Fictional Crushes, High School and More
On Sunday, HarperTeen’s Dark Days tour came to Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill., and I had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with four fantastic authors — Jocelyn Davies, Amy Garvey, Claudia Gray and Kiersten White.
Subjects covered include:
1) Kiersten’s history as the high school loudmouth
2) Amy’s dream day in NYC
3) Why Jocelyn would make a good mermaid (besides her pretty hair)
4) And what would lead Peeta Mellark to tell Claudia, “I will love and defend you forever. Here’s a cupcake.”
Our chat, with the narration and camerawork of my dear friend Heidi from YA Bibliophile…
Thu, July 21, 2011
Supernaturally by Kiersten White Review
Supernaturally
By Kiersten White
July 26, 2011
Harper Teen, 352 pages
Evie finally has the normal life she’s always longed for. But she’s shocked to discover that being ordinary can be . . . kind of boring. Just when Evie starts to long for her days at the International Paranormal Containment Agency, she’s given a chance to work for them again. Desperate for a break from all the normalcy, she agrees.
But as one disastrous mission leads to another, Evie starts to wonder if she made the right choice. And when Evie’s faerie ex-boyfriend Reth appears with devastating revelations about her past, she discovers that there’s a battle brewing between the faerie courts that could throw the whole supernatural world into chaos. The prize in question? Evie herself.
So much for normal.
— Amazon.com description
- Evie is not afraid to be a girly girl, but she still kicks butt
- Not afraid to Tase a vamp or two
- Does so with a pink, bejeweled Taser she’s named “Tasey”
- Lend never misuses his supernatural abilities
- The guy can change his looks – look how rowdy he could get with that skill?
- Bank robberies, general thievery
- Intimate moments with supermodels
- World destruction, etc.
- But he doesn’t, so kudos
- It offers something to everyone who likes paranormal reads
- Vampires
- Mermaid-like things
- Werewolves
- Fairies
- Trolls
- And many, many more, some of which you’ve never heard of
- All Evie really wants to do is put down the Taser, kick back her feet, and watch her favorite teen soap opera, Easton Heights
- Which is also what I want to do after a long day of work
- Vampire Diaries
- Pretty Little Liars
- Switched at Birth
- Nine Lives of Chloe King
- I realize this list is embarrassingly long, k?
- Evie says “bleep” instead of curse words
- This is hilarious
These books are cute reads that throw a splash of pink and a ton of glitter on a genre that sometimes takes itself a little TOO seriously.
About Me
I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
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