In My Mailbox #98

I have not had a good week. Been very sick and feeling like crap. Sigh. Still am. Just waiting for next Friday so that I can get my medicine and most likely feel better. <3 But, plus side, I did get a whole bunch of awesome books this week :D Some awesome review copies and a bunch of pre-orders ;p
Winner. I picked a winner for a paperback of What Goes Around, but she did not respond within 48 hours. I picked another one and contacted her, so hoping she'll respond :) What did you get this week?

I got these four amazing books from HarperCollins International. <3 Thank you so, so much!
The Burning Sky. SO happy about having a print ARC of this. <3 Loved the book so much :)
The What Not. I still have to read my hardcover of The Peculiar, but I'm really excited for both ;p
Deception. I'm hoping to read this book really soon :D Just have a few others I need to read first :)
The Beginning of Everything. Weeell.. I do suppose I need to give this book another try. It's pretty.

Sweet Legacy. I didn't fully love book one, but I still think I should finish this trilogy :)
Replica. Won this from Preternatura. <3 Thank you :D Sounds pretty awesome. It is pretty.
Deception. Hih, I might have bought way too any copies of Deception. But they are so pretty!
Fangirl. Reading this one today :D SO EXCITED! I think I will love it a lot. I really hope so :)
The Unwanteds: Island of Fire. Won this ARC from the publisher, and Kristen was so kind to ship
it to me here in Norway. <3 Thank you so much :) Loved this book and really wanted this ARC as well. <3
Kinslayer. Gorgeous UK hardcover! So, so pretty. Re-reading Stormdancer, then this awesome one :)
Hover. My second paperback (A) Hih. I still haven't read Gravity but I'm hoping to do so pretty soon.
Deception. Yeah, I pre-ordered a few of this one (A) but just different editions :) Excited to read it.
More Than This. I kind of love this author. So I really hope I will love this book too :D Excited for it.
Unspoken. I have not yet read my hardcover.. but I'm getting book two, and I wanted them to match :)
Clockwork Princess. New UK paperback. And oh, it's really pretty :D And smaller than my other ones ;p

The Cat Returns. Ordered this one months ago, had to get book depo ship me it again. Finally arrived :)
Clockwork Prince Manga. Oh, they look so pretty. But hah. I'm not sure I dare to read the mangas ;p
HaPå t-shirt. Won this via Facebook. <3 A Norwegian t-shirt for this food thing we have ;p Hih.
Antigoddess. My own pre-ordered hardcover <3 I need to read this awesome book soon. So pretty. <3
Hemlock. US paperback :) I did love this book about a year ago. Cannot wait for the sequel to come :D
Monsters. Ah, gorgeous hardcover. <3 Just read my ARC and this book is so perfect. You all need it.
What Goes Around. Got this awesome book from publisher. <3 Thank you :D I love it. Excited to read.
Antigoddess. Got this gorgeous hardcover from Tor Teen :D Thank you so much! You guys are amazing.

In My Mailbox is an weekly meme made by The Story Siren.

Review: The Outside by Laura Bickle

I've been waiting over a year for this book to come out. I enjoyed the first one, The Hallowed Ones, so much and I knew I would enjoy this sequel too :) And I did. Sometimes more than the first. The Outside is an amazing sequel. While I had a few small issues with some things I'm still giving it a five star.

The Outside starts where The Hallowed Ones ended. With Katie and Alex and Ginger being banned from Katie's home. And oh, I felt for Katie. I really did. Because it must have been very heartbreaking to be separated from your family like that and to have them throw you out to die. Not for a good reason either.

But even though it was sad, I was happy about it, because I wanted to see them out in the world. To see what Katie felt about all of it, even with the world just about ending. I liked getting to know how things were on the outside, about the people left. If there were anyone left at all. Loved reading about their white horse too, Horace was really cute :)

My review won't be that long, I think, because the book isn't too long and I don't want to spoil anything. The book is told from the point of view of Katie, whom I adore. I like the writing in this book, for the most part. Though at sometimes I had a hard time getting past a few words. But most of the time I loved the writing. Though one time there was too much explaining about something that made me not pay much attention, lol. But that happens in most books, and it was mostly interesting to read about :)

I don't know how to talk about this book. There are more vampires in this one. We get to know a bit more about them. We get to know more about the world and some theories about how the vampires got to be there. There is some killing in this book. It's pretty dark at times and sad and heartbreaking. But most of the time it's full of love. Because there is Katie and Alex and they are the sweetest couple. She's a banned Plain girl and he's an English man. Well, 24, which isn't all that old. He is just adorable.

There is a lot of romance in this book. Not too much, though, since you know, it is the end of the world and it's hard to have a normal relationship. But there are a few stolen moments. And they are so sweet and gah. I loved Alex and Katie together. They are just adorable. We also read more about Ginger, and I really, really liked her. We also get to see some new characters. Most of them were a bit weird, and some a bit scary. But I did like reading about them, because it was pretty interesting and new :)

The Outside is an interesting book. It's exciting and awesome. It's a bit creepy too. It's romantic and I loved it. There are bad things happening. But there are also good things. That made my heart warm. I enjoyed this book a lot. Not saying more about it, because I don't want to spoil it :) Just know that you need to read it if you read The Hallowed Ones. And if you haven't read any of them then you need to read both because this is an awesome series. I loved the ending. Though I would love a third book. <3

Goodreads - Buy it

Waiting on Wednesday #100

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

ALLEGIANT (Divergent #3) BY VERONICA ROTH

Goodreads Description:

One choice will define you.

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered—fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she’s known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris’s new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend the complexities of human nature—and of herself—while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

Told from a riveting dual perspective, Allegiant, by #1 New York Times best-selling author Veronica Roth, brings the Divergent series to a powerful conclusion while revealing the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Hardcover, 544 pages

Expected publication: October 22nd 2013 by Katherine Tegen Books

Pre-Order here.

Probably the book I've been waiting for the most these past few years. I cannot wait to see how it all ends :D Just dying to read Allegiant. <3 To read more of Tobias. Even from his point of view! Dies. And to read more of Tris too. I'm just so excited to see what happens next in this amazing trilogy.
Also, this is my 100th Waiting on Wednesday post. Only fitting that it is Allegiant :D
What are you waiting for?

Cover Reveal: Lair of Dreams by Libba Bray

A month ago I blogged about the title reveal for The Diviners two, and today I'm sharing the amazing cover :D I think it looks awesome. Also adding the new paperback cover for book one below as well. I love these new covers, but I might have loved the original first one a tiny bit more (A) Still, I'm really excited to own both the new covers :D I cannot wait to read Lair of Dreams. Think it will be amazing. I just wish it was out before April 22nd. Feel like I've waited forever already :) What do you think of it?

After a supernatural showdown with a serial killer, Evie O'Neill has outed herself as a Diviner. Now that the world knows of her ability to "read" objects, and therefore, read the past, she has become a media darling, earning the title, "America's Sweetheart Seer." But not everyone is so accepting of the Diviners' abilities...

Meanwhile, mysterious deaths have been turning up in the city, victims of an unknown sleeping sickness. Can the Diviners descend into the dreamworld and catch a killer?

The Diviners. Lair of Dreams. Libba Bray. Offical Reveal Post.
The Book Depository. My review of The Diviners.

Review: Monsters by Ilsa J. Bick

I should have read this when I got my ARC back in May. But I was scared after having peeked at the ending and a lot more of the book. I knew I would love it, but I also knew the ending would break my heart. Then there was that whole 800 pages thing. And the fact that I didn't feel like reading at all that month and the nexts. But then a few days ago I finally picked it up, before my hardcover arrives. It broke me. It was worth it.

It took me many days to read this book, because it is long, and I didn't have all day to read. But I wanted to. I wanted to read it all the time, because from the very beginning I was hooked. It's been more than a year since I read book one and two, and I do remember loving them. But not like I loved this final book. The writing is amazing. More amazing than I remembered. So good. And the characters were awesome. I loved the plot so much.

I was right to be scared of this book, though. Because it's awful. There is so much death and pain and heartbreak. And I loved every moment of it. Because it's written so good and it gave me all the feels. I connected to all the characters and I needed to know what happened next. There are some great moments as well. Not just all pain. But yeah. Mostly there is pain and heartbreak. I loved it so much. Because it is true to the story. It is real, considering how awful the world is in this trilogy.

I don't know what to mention in this review. I won't talk too much about the plot, because there is so much happening all the time. Will talk about the characters, though, because there are so many to talk about. I thought this book was very long, since it's 822 pages, but while reading it I thought it was way too short. I wanted more and more and more. I never wanted it to end. And I felt like everything needed to be there. Though I have heard that it will be cut down to 600 pages? I'll see when hardcover arrives :)

Monsters is told from so many different point of views. There is a lot of Alex, but I'm not sure we read about her the most. We get to see a lot of Tom. And Ellie. And Peter. Sobs. And a whole bunch of other characters. I liked reading about Greg, though those chapters in the beginning was a bit painful. Some torture and heartbreak. Yet I wouldn't have had it any other way. Book was so perfect just the way it was. With the pain and heartbreak. And the small parts of hope, though there were not many :D

There is so much happening in Monsters. So much. I could say it's hard to catch up with it all, but it isn't. It isn't too rushed, though it changes point of view almost every chapter. I loved that. Because it's always clear right away who you are reading about. And I loved reading about all of them. Though I might be wanting a book told just from one person's point of view. Sigh. I loved reading about all the plot twists. I loved the big fights. I loved the ending, though it was so, so sad and heartbreaking.

There are so many characters in this book. Many new ones. But also all the old ones. Many die in this book. Three characters that I hated with a passion I'm not sure what happened to. I would have loved to see them ripped apart by the Changed. Sigh. Maybe in a sequel that may or may not happen? Yes please. We get to know so many. I loved seeing more of Kincaid, though he was the one who broke my heart the most. Well, not really, but my heart broke for him. I enjoyed reading about Greg and Tori and Sarah.

There is also a lot of kids in this book. I liked them. Well, except for those who cried all the time, oh well. They were very young. But then there is Ellie, who is just eight, who we got to know in book one. And oh. She broke my heart so much in this book. She's amazing. I loved her a lot. There is this scene on the ice with her and Eli and holy crap. It was awful and perfect and done so damn well. Couldn't have loved it more. She's with Hannah for some time, not sure if I liked her or not. I probably didn't ;p

We also read more about Alex. After the ending of book two, I was worried. And oh. She's in a lot of pain in this book. We learn more about the monster in her head. We learn more about her. And I adore Alex. She's an amazing person. We also get to see her and Wolf together for a long time. Nothing romantic. But oh, I loved reading about Wolf. And who his twin was.. sobs. Wolf is an amazing character, though he might be a monster, hih. I was unsure about Penny. Though she was interesting.

Then there is Peter, and the things happening to him might have been the second most heartbreaking thing in this book. He is in so much pain. Damn that Finn! Gah. I can't deal with all the emotions. I loved Peter. And what Finn did to him.. it wasn't fair. Peter might have done a few awful things while in Rule, but he did not deserve that. Sigh. Then there is Tom. I like Tom. I just don't see him and Alex together.. though it do make sense, and I can't hate it. Still, I'm not in love with Tom. He is awesome, though.

My favorite character in these books is Chris. He holds my heart because he is full of feelings. He's kind and sweet and so amazing. I loved reading about him. Though I won't spoil this book, considering how book two ended. Sobs. Worst ending ever. There is so much pain in this book. So much. And it killed me so many times. Yet I couldn't stop reading. I didn't want to stop. Never wanted it to end. All the tears were worth it. Well, maybe :D I think the book was amazing, at least. I just loved all of it. Sigh.

Even with all the pain this book gave me I know I will re-read this series one day. Hopefully not too long till I do that, but not right away either. My heart need to heal a bit first. Monsters was such an amazing book. Loved the writing and all the characters. The story is unique and all kinds of awesome. This whole series was amazing. Though this was my favorite in the series, my favorite character, Chris, was so amazing in book one. Sobs. But yeah. This book was so, so good and I loved all of it so much. <3

If you have not yet read Ashes and Shadows then you really need to start reading them so that you are ready for Monsters in just a few days. I think you will all love these books. Especially Monsters. Though, yeah, be aware of the pain and such :D I did love it, though, so hopefully you are like me. Yeah, some things were painful to read about, but I might have just loved the book even more because of it. Since it seemed so real. I could not have lived in this world. It might have been awesome, though :)

I think I have now said all I wanted to about this book. Maybe. I have written way too much. Oh, well. Monsters was amazing and I loved it. Ilsa is awesome for writing these books. Now I just need a sequel, because the ending to the book is not final and I would really truly love to read another book. Okay, there doesn't have to be one, but I want it. With all my heart. This book gave me all the feels and it made me cry. Like a good book should. You all need to read this amazing conclusion to the Ashes Trilogy.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Egmont USA, for the print ARC of Monsters. <3 I loved it.

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