In My Mailbox #48

Got lots of awesome this week. <3 Still waiting on tons, though. Really happy with what I got this week :D US hardcover of Stormdancer is gorgeous. <3 Loved that book. Didn't get only books, though ;p Never do get only books. Hih. Love getting all kinds of different things :) Latest obsession is Studio Ghibli movies. Those movies are amazing. Also got some pretty swag <3 Loves. Haven't read much this week. Read one book last saturday, two last sunday. But today I'm going to start The Raven Boys :)
What did you get this week?

Underworld I may not have loved this series, but this paperback is gorgeous :)

Demon Eyes Excited to read it! :D First book was pretty awesome ;) Plus, Scott is pretty cool.

On The Road I may dislike Kristen a whole lot at the moment, but this movie does seem good.

Breaking Dawn Movie-Tie-In Pretty Rob on the cover. <3 Sigh. Adore him. Pretty poster too :D

Crown of Embers I did love the first book. Mostly. And I am super excited for this sequel ;)

Glass Heart I must read Cold Kiss very soon. Because these books seem all kinds of awesome.

False Memory Won this via Me and Reading. <3 Been wanting to read it for a while now :)

Iron Legends Got my second copy of this book. <3 Hih. I adore it. Must read it very soon :D

Stormdancer Sigh. I loved this book. US hardcover is so damn pretty. Loves it a whole lot.

The Raven Boys Reading this next! So excited. Loved The Scorpio Races. <3 Seems amazing :)

Gustav Gloom I only had an ARC of this book. And it was pretty awesome. Loves it :D

The Archived Swag. Got this from Victoria. <3 I love it so much. Cannot wait to read this book :)

Spirited Away DVD. Another edition of this amazing DVD. Not the cover I ordered, though :\

Spirited Away Playing Cards. GORGEOUS playing cards. They are amazing. Loves them all.

Boys are Stupid Calendar. This might be from last year, but I do love it. <3 Pretty pictures ;) On sale.
Tangled Sticker Book. Love this one. Was on sale, so this is my second copy ;p Hih. So pretty.
"Modig" aka Brave in Norwegian. Will never see it in Norwegian. But I do love this book :)
Some Wii games I bought on sale. <3 Love LOTR and POTC :D They do all seem awesome ;)
Brave Mousepad via ebay. Not perfect, but it is really pretty. <3 I love it :) Won't use it, but still ;p
The Lorax - Loved this movie. Goosebumps. I read a lot of these books in Norwegian many many years ago. This one was on sale, so I needed it :D Remember that I loved these books :)
Kiki's Delivery Service. I loved this movie. Another awesome Ghibli movie ;) So pretty.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind. My god, this movie was epic. So perfect. Must watch it :)
Cosmopolis and Bel Ami soundtracks. Sigh. I adore Rob. <3 Loved Bel Ami :) So excited for Cosmopolis.

I also got this last thing. It was kind of expensive, but it was on sale; so I saved about £70. I got it because I am getting a cat in about a year! <3 Still some time until then. But it is decided that I'm getting one :) Have always wanted a cat. Going to buy an Chinchilla Persian. <3 They are gorgeous.

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

Title Reveal: The Hallowed Ones #2 by Laura Bickle

Most of you probably haven't read The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle yet. Because it isn't out until September 25th. But believe me, you will love it. And when it does come out, you need to buy it. And read it. And love it. Then read it again. It is perfect. My review of it is here. Anyway. While the first book isn't out yet, the title and release for the sequel has been announced :D And I am beyond excited. Because The Hallowed Ones was so amazing, and there needed to be a sequel. It will come out Fall 2013, and I cannot wait. <3 Sigh. It will be perfect. Also, Laura is amazing :) Anyway. The title is ..

THE OUTSIDE

Which I totally love! Because it makes so much sense. When you have read the book ;) And I cannot wait for this sequel. Needs it now. So excited for more of Katie and Alex. And the Outside. This sequel will be epic. Will you be getting The Hallowed Ones? You must. <3 You'll love it :) Promise. Also, perfect cover.

Waiting on Wednesday #49

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

HYSTERIA BY MEGAN MIRANDA 

Goodreads Description:

Mallory's life is falling apart. Her boyfriend was stabbed. He bled to death in her kitchen. Mallory was the one who stabbed him. But she can't remember what happened that night. She only remembers the fear . . .

When Mallory's parents send her away to a boarding school, she thinks she can escape the gossip and the threats. But someone, or something, has followed her. There's the hand that touches her shoulder when she's drifting off to sleep. A voice whispering her name. And everyone knows what happened. So when a pupil is found dead, Mallory's name is on their lips. Her past can be forgotten but it's never gone. Can Mallory live with that?

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: February 5th 2013 by Walker Childrens

Pre-Order here. 

I did love the first book by this author; Fracture. It was special and unique, and I CANNOT wait for Hysteria! It sounds so different. And I think I will love it. I do love thrillers. Sigh. And I'm pretty sure there won't be a love triangle. Hoping for a new romance, but doesn't have to be. Still. So excited for this book :D Also, the cover is awesome. So cool. I need this book. Is it February yet? <3
What are you waiting for?

Review: Shadows by Ilsa J. Bick

I read Ashes back in May. Ever since then I have been dying to read its sequel; Shadows. And when I got accepted to read it via NetGalley a month ago I was so excited. So I did the thing I always do. I peeked. And I didn't approve much of what I saw. Knew there was much I wouldn't like. So I have been putting off reading it for a month. Then today I suddenly needed to read it. I really did. And I'm glad I did.. Because Shadows was amazing. But it was also so goddamn awful. So heartbreaking and full of death and torture and not a single happy thing. And that killed me. Not sure another book has killed me like this one did. There is so much hurt in this book. And while I wouldn't mind that much, there wasn't any happy things to keep up with the bad. And omg. It is so awful, and I cannot stop thinking about it and gah. It is too much. But despite all that. I did love this book. And I do love the writing. And the story.

I am conflicted about this book. Just be aware that there will be spoilers for book one, Ashes in my review. Because while I did enjoy this book, I also felt like it was a filler. And I haven't felt that about books before; but I have seen other people mention it. And that is what this book was. Because nothing much happened. It was mostly just 500 pages of death and a bit torture. It was hell. But in a strange way I kind of liked it. Because this book was never boring. Something always happened. Even though I felt like it wasn't moving forward much. And I did not approve the ending at all. But in a weird way I also loved it, because I know so many things are going to happen in book three. *Shudders.*

Shadows starts right where Ashes ends. With Alex out in the woods alone with the Changed. And I won't spoil much of it, but omg. The changed were awful. But so fascinating and kind of awesome. They reminded me so much of zombies, I kept thinking they were. Difference is though, the Changed are alive. They even have sex. Ugh. They can do everything regular humans can do. Except for talk. And I sort of enjoyed reading about the changed. Until the killing started. You see, they sort of take Alex captive. To be eaten at a later point. They have a lot of people captured like that.

And oh. It was so horrible. Because we get to see them kill and kind of torture so many people. And it was killing me. But I also didn't totally hate it. I wish it hadn't happened, but I also understood it so well. Because it did fit with the story. Except for the part where in book one there were other things than just death. Ashes had romance. And hope, sometimes. Except for the ending. Shadows have no romance. And it ends with no hope. Except for that hope I have, because I read between the lines (A)

I don't mean to spoil things about this book. And I'm hoping I don't. But, well, you need to know what you are up against before reading this book. Because I'm pretty sure there are people who can't read about so much death and torture and heartbreak. I managed it, but it is going to give me nightmares. I can already see them :p Shadows is written from many people's point of view. And I am still not sure if I loved that or not. Loved Alex's point of view, and Chris's. And maybe Lena's. Maybe.

But there is this one character I do not like. And I will never like him. And goddamn it. Please, don't let this trilogy end with him getting it all. With him being with Alex. I do not want it. You see, a big character of this book is Tom. Tom who was supposed to be dead in book one. But he isn't. And he has a big part in this book. And I'm sure someone loves him, but I don't. And I never will. Sorry (A) He just isn't my type. I did maybe enjoy his point of views. But I would rather have had more of Chris.

There is so many new characters in this book. But first there is Alex, the main character. I still love her. For the most part. She is so strong. And brave. And she didn't kill herself; like someone else did. And I respect her for it. Even though I probably would have killed myself in her position. Heh. Lots of this book is from her point of view, but I also wished there had been more. Because I loved reading her chapters. They were so good. And we learned so much about the Changed from her.

Then there is Chris. Chris, who could have been dead at the end of Ashes. But he isn't. But god. So much awful happens to Chris. And it kills me. All he ever wanted was to keep Alex safe. And he most likely loves her. And I love him. And oh. I loved reading his point of view, but I also hated it. Because it made me miss him so much, and it made me hurt so much for everything that happened to him. Especially by the end. Won't spoil it, but I'm hoping. And for the two characters who were showing up ;)

There is also new characters in this book. All the Changed. They each have a big part in this book. No point of view from them, but we do learn so much about them. I hated them. I loved them. It is complicated. So much pain, though. There was this one Changed, named Wolf. He was most likely Chris's twin brother. He seemed so awful, though. But I'm curious about him. I need to know what happened to him near the end. I need to know very much. Sigh, so much I need to know.

There were also so many awful cruel horrible new characters. Like Finn. My god, how I HATED Finn. He was a real torturer. I hated him so much. What he did to Peter.. shudders. I cannot think of it. I must not. It was so awful. And worst thing, he will be in book three. Ahhh. Will probably give me more nightmares. There was also Weller. This old dude. My god I hated him. The lies he told Tom.. they will probably mean so much in book three. And I can already feel my heartbreak over it. *sobs*

I don't know how to deal with this book. There was so much death. So much violence. But I also could not stop reading it. I needed to know what would happen next. Even though I still think too little happened in those 500 pages :p I wanted more. And now I must wait at least a year for book three o.O I cannot wait that long. I can't. I need to know. I need to know who is dead. Who isn't. Who will die. How it all ends. The suspense will kill me, just you see. Hih. A bit dramatic, yes, but still true.

Anyway. The ending of Shadows is kind of a bit cliffhanger. A huge one. And I did not approve. But it also makes me more excited for the sequel. There is so many things to learn in this book. So many things that need to be resolved in the third book. So many things I need answers to. Sigh. Mostly I just want romance in book 3. I need Chris and Alex to be together. Because they fit together. They really do. And, oh, if you read this book that you will know why that is upsetting me so much. Sigh.

Shadows is an amazing book. Even if there is a lot of death. The writing is good. The story is still unique and pretty amazing. It is a book worth reading. So you really should read it if you have read Ashes :) But oh. I wish so many of the people who died hadn't died :\ And I wanted so many people to die, and then they didn't die. Ugh. Isn't that just typical. lol. Still. I am so excited for book three in this trilogy. I need to know what happens next. And I need to know right now. Pretty please? <3

Thank you to NetGalley and Egmont USA for the chance to read this book early. <3

Goodreads - Buy it

Review: Carnival of Souls by Melissa Marr

I'm conflicted. I loved this book. I really did. The writing is amazing, and the characters are awesome. And I loved the world Melissa created in this book. It is all so amazing. But then there was that ending. Unsure if I hated the ending or not. I wish the book had been longer; because it ended too soon. But hopefully there is a sequel :) And while I didn't like the ending, I'm not sure I hated it. I have hope. I think. Because I did like this book. Up until the ending. Ugh. But still, I am so extremely excited for more :)

Carnival of Souls have many different point of views. At first I wasn't sure if I would be able to read that. But once I started the book it was so easy to read it and to love it. We get to hear from many characters, but all of those characters are in this book at all times. So it wasn't confusing at all. At least not to me. And that was good. :) I'm not sure what made me pre-order this book. Think it was because so many people were talking about it. And I wanted to know what they were talking about. Glad I did ;)

I do not want to spoil this book. But, yeah, you should probably read the summary before reading the book, anyway :) And I need to talk about some of the things in this book. I must. And it isn't really spoilery. Not if you do plan to read the book. Think that it is nice to know some things, sometimes. The plot in this book is special. Not sure what it reminded me of. There are so many things to pay attention to. And I loved it all. Loved the characters the most, but the story is brilliant.

This book centers around daimons. They aren't human, but they aren't all monster, either. They can look human. And they seem human. And I did love many of them. They are pretty normal. But they also can change into some sort of animal, with claws and such. And that was pretty awesome. Liked that plot idea. The daimons live in a city. And they are divided into class. I didn't like that so much. So horrible. But I was also fascinated; so I kind of loved it as well. It is very well written and done.

In this city there is Kaleb. The second main character, kind of. And oh, I loved him. He was pretty awesome. He could be a bit awful at times, but I didn't blame him one bit. He's poor, and he fights for a living. And sometimes as a whore to gain money. Didn't approve of that. But I understood it, and I still loved him. He has a "pack." Which is him and Zevi. And I did adore Zevi. He is different than the other daimons. He's awesome. He and Kaleb is a family. And I loved them together. <3

About Kaleb, though. I adored him, like I said. He is kind and loving and prorective. He's also strong. He would do whatever it takes to protect those he loves. And I do love that. Didn't approve of what happens when you marry someone.. but that wasn't Kaleb's fault. So I'm not blaming him for that. Just a tiny bit disappointed. But I also loved that part, a bit. Anyway. Some other awesome characters in this book was Aya and Belias. And first I kind of hated Aya. Then she grew on me.

Belias though, him I did adore. He just wanted to love her. And I kind of hated Aya for being so cruel. But I also understood her, later on. Maybe. I didn't hate her as much. She was pretty awesome. Then there was Mallory. The main character in this book, I believe. I did like her as well. Think she could have been so amazing. If there hadn't been for her father, Adam. I hated him. I get that he wanted to protect her, but damn it. Stealing her memories and never letting her know who she is is not okay.

Anyway. I did like Mallory. She was interesting. And kind, most of the time. Some may say that there is "insta love" between Mallory and Kaleb. They might be right. But I also felt like the romance between them was perfect. Because it made sense, and I loved it. There isn't much romance in this book though. But there is some. And I loved it all. Wished for more. But maybe in book two. :) I do not want to spoil this book. So I'm not gonna talk that much about the plot. Just a little bit.

Carnival of Souls is this book called. And that makes a lot of sense. Because a lot of this book happens at the Carnival of Souls. Won't say much about it, just that is is done so well and it's pretty awesome. But it's also violent and awful and still. I loved it a whole lot. There is a lot of violence in this book. Well, some at least. And I did love it all. Sigh. I just adored this book. Except for this tiny part at the ending :p the whole not-telling-the-truth thing. But I also got it. Somehow. If it happens fast in book 2.

I do not want to say more about this book. Just that it is about daimons and witches. And it is freaking awesome. I loved this book a whole lot. It was easy to get sucked into Carnival of Souls. I'm glad I read it. Even though I felt like it was way too short, and I need way more cause it ends with a cliffhanger. I need more of Kaleb. And Mallory. And them together. I just need to know everything that happens next. Hoping book two will be out soon. <3 I needs it. I think you would love this book.

Even though the romance might feel a tiny bit rushed. But I didn't mind that one bit at all. I kind of like romances that happens fast. Even though it kind of ended at the end. Or maybe not. I'm not sure. I just know I need more of it, and I really hope a sequel will be out soon. I just need more of this world and these characters and just more of everything. Anyway. I think you should read Carnival of Souls :)

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