Cover Reveal: ONYX by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Some of you out there know that I recently read a book about aliens. Y'all know I loved it.

And now? Well, by a strokeful of luck, I'll be one of those bloggers revealing the sequel's cover!!

Yeah, in case you don't know, I'm talking about Onyx.

Here's book one, Obsidian:
Obsidian
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is. 

-Summary from Goodreads 

Doesn't it sound AMAZING? Well, it is!

Buy OBSIDIAN:  
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Book Depository

And now, I know you all are waiting for this.... ;)

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Onyx

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

AMAZING, RIGHT? I love the midnight blue, Katy's dress, Daemon's haunting eyes... everything, really. :)

So go, read Obsidian and come back and tell me how much you loved it! :D

Wowza Palooza and the doobly-doos*

Can you believe it? This is my 101th post!!! O.O

Well, I think this calls a celebration.

I shall direct you all to the absolutely fantastic Farrah Penn and her post on positivity that will totally make your life.

(I have to keep this blog post short, because I'm working on my last debate case right now.) You want to know something?

Blogging is hard.

Or, I guess I should really say, quality blogging is hard.

I never knew this before I started blogging, but we have to try and express our enthusiasm without completely overwhelming the reader. We have to say something negative in a way that doesn't bash the author/their fans/their work. We have to constantly come up with new material to write about that people would actually be interested in. (Well, unless you're Logan Lerman. Then I'll always be interested in whatever you write.) (No, wait, if it's about your girlfriend... yeah, never mind. I retract that statement.)

But! So! I still blog! I still write even though this post tells you all about how hard writing is. I still debate, play basketball, keep up my 4.0 GPA, and such! People often ask me how the heck I do this... well, positivity. And a lot of all-nighters. Seriously.

So yeah. I know this isn't like, heavenly wisdom and whatnot, but y'all know I need to get this case done so I might actually sleep today. Besides, I'm not so wise, anyways. That's why I gave you all those links. :)

*Which reminds me: NERDFIGHTERIA!!

My Grace is Learning

Graceling
By: Kristin Cashore

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.  

When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. 

-Summary from Goodreads

I love high-fantasy, I love strong heroines, and I love a story that makes me swoon.

But what I really love is a story that makes me think.

Graceling is original and thought-provoking, and truly, can anyone deny that Kristin Cashore has the grace for writing? 

Thank you to my friend Soph for forcing telling me to read Graceling. Katsa is this incredibly tough heroine with a heart, and her character grows so much throughout the story, I ached for her. She lived her whole life believing herself to be a killing machine. She thrived despite everyone's fearful, judgmental opinions about her. But in her heart she's just a girl who wants to be appreciated and recognized, and that vulnerability in her broke my heart a little.


I loved Po. I can't help, though, but compare Po to Peeta. Peeta complements Katniss like Po complements Katsa, but this book hypocritically can't really be compared to The Hunger Games, because even though they both involve cruel, inhumane tyrants, heart-breaking decisions, and aching romance, the message these books approach are met from different angles. Graceling is a tale of love and fighting and making the right choices, and Katsa can break. That's what I loved so much about this book. The protagonist can break, but even as she does she stands strong and fights because she cares so much about everyone else that slowly warmed their way into her heart (even if it isn't many people). And in her resilience we find hope, and in hope we find triumph.


This is an action-packed book laced with romance and tortuous dilemmas. This is a book that will stay with you long after you've finished it. This is the book about a girl who turns from the puppet to the puppeteer. 

Waiting on Wednesday {16}

This week, I'm waiting on...

The Selection
By: Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined. 

Release date: 4/24/2012 

-Summary from Goodreads

Okay, okay, I know that pretty much everyone has posted about this book already, and that I'm being hopelessly boring, but I JUST CAN'T HELP IT. That COVER, that SYNOPSIS, that darn freakin' funny AUTHOR and I'm pretty sure I'd cause an uprising over my anticipation for this book. Isn't that dress that completely amazing? The posture totally enticing? The plot entirely gripping? Goodness sakes. Is it just me, or does this book feel like it's going to be mind-blowingly AWESOME?

What are YOU waiting for this week?

You wanna know what's up with aliens?

Obsidian
By: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Source: Netgalley
Release date: December 6th, 2011
Reported by: Julianna Helms

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is. 

-Summary from Goodreads

A witty, stunning ride, Obsidian will charm you with its realistic heroine and an extraterrestrial lore comprised of fascination and love.


The characters and voice were what I considered the best parts of this novel. It was refreshing and humorous, but gripping with tension. I loved the originality of Jennifer's take on aliens, and I, for one, wouldn't mind at all to be a Luxen. I was so happy to find Katy a book blogger! I related to her almost instantly, and she delivers a fast-paced story that does not disappoint. Daemon frustrated me, but his soft and vulnerable side had this girl blushing! I look forward to the development of Katy and Daemon's relationship in Onyx, and while their romance isn't a sweet and swift ride, I enjoyed the realistic depictions instead of insta-love. 


Now I have to admit that I was at first a bit worried. You can tell from the summary that Daemon is an alien, but we don't actually find that out until more than 100 pages into the story. And while I do wish the fact was brought up earlier, honestly, I didn't have too much trouble holding on to the story because Katy's story was definitely engrossing. I found the hot-and-cold attitude of almost every Luxen a bit melodramatic, but then again, maybe the extraterrestrial just have a thing for emotions. Alas, I'm not one to complain, for this book truly surpassed my expectations.


Overall, I highly recommend this book. I found it at times to be similar to Twilight or Evermore, and maybe even a bit I am Number Four, but this book, ultimately, is its own story that combines the angst and desire of Twilight and Evermore, the action and high-stakes of I am Number Four, and the originality and brilliant voice of Jennifer L. Armentrout.