Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your bookshelf, be it the physical one or your digital one!
I got some books in first thing this week. The lot is rather unique and varies a bit. I am happy with the selection and without further discussion here is the list of the books that I acquired this week!
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Title: Shadows Cast by Stars
Author: Catherine Knutsson
Format: Hardback
Release Date: June 5th, 2012
Old ways are pitted against new horrors in this compellingly crafted dystopian tale about a girl who is both healer and seer.
Two hundred years from now, blood has become the most valuable commodity on the planet—especially the blood of aboriginal peoples, for it contains antibodies that protect them from the Plague ravaging the rest of the world.
Sixteen-year-old Cassandra Mercredi might be immune to Plague, but that doesn’t mean she’s safe—government forces are searching for those of aboriginal heritage to harvest their blood. When a search threatens Cassandra and her family, they flee to the Island: a mysterious and idyllic territory protected by the Band, a group of guerilla warriors—and by an enigmatic energy barrier that keeps outsiders out and the spirit world in. And though the village healer has taken her under her wing, and the tribal leader’s son into his heart, the creatures of the spirit world are angry, and they have chosen Cassandra to be their voice and instrument....
Incorporating the traditions of the First Peoples as well as the more familiar stories of Greek mythology and Arthurian legend, Shadows Cast by Stars is a haunting, beautifully written story that breathes new life into ancient customs.
Shadows Cast by Stars has been on my list to get to for a long long while. The plot and the idea behind a plague that is cured by some aboriginal heritage trait, has been done more times than not. However what I'm looking at in this book is how she's wanted and is trying to run to save her life. Basically when I read this its a is my life worth saving a group or a whole society? I honestly don't know what I personally would do in that situation, I am a chivalrous guy so...
Then you have this Native American-like tale where Cassandra is the voice of all the creatures in the spirit world. Again this has been done over and over; I am interesting to see how this take on the whole genre. I am just not sure where this book will go; I just don't want this book to let me down either.
Author: James Patterson
Format: Hardback
Release Date: December 13th, 2010
When they were imprisoned by the new, brutal government, Whit and Whisty were barely able to escape with their lives. Discovering a hidden community of children like themselves—hunted by the state and with varying degrees of special talents—they have taken refuge underground. But the New Order is rapidly pushing in on them from all sides, and the pressure to stop the regime is mounting.
One day, as they rush to save another group of kids who are about to be captured by police, Whit and Whisty discover not only their own faces plastered to buildings on wanted posters, but also their parents'. When the hunting party sent out after the siblings always seems to be one step ahead of them, they begin to fear that it is controlled by a very, very powerful force. They are in much more danger than they feared...
With heart-pounding suspense and terrifying plot twists, this highly-anticipated sequel to James Patterson's newest series will thrill you until its jaw-dropping conclusion.
The second book in the Witch and Wizard series, I haven't managed to get around to the first. However, with me being the way I am, I will have to finish the series. It won't be enough for me to just read the series and not finish it; I will have to complete it (even if I hate it). Anyways, The first book just seems too good, and from what I hear James Patterson is something of wonder what he does with books so I am hoping this will live up to the potential.
Author: Robison Wells
Format: Hardback
Release Date: April 12th, 2011
Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.
Variant caught my eye while I was just happening to be looking through a section and when I read the synopsis there was just a connection I felt. Something about how Benson thought he was becoming free, getting out of a boring life and into a new world, but he's thrown into a world he's not only not ready for, but didn't expect at all. However, the whole breaking rules means deaths seems a bit much. I mean what are the rules? There is a few questions I have, but that' the point of getting the book, to seek answers and get invested in deep characters.
Author: Amanda Hocking
Format: Hardback
Release Date: August 7th, 2012
Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone's attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.
Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.
Wake, I wasn't sure about after I bought it, but I'll judge that when I finish the book. The girl on the cover I have to say is rather pretty, and will equate to a good portion of why I got the book, but the story seems rather interesting. Okay I say interesting a lot, don't i? I am curious to see what "powers" Gemma has when she wakes up after the party and what the price is. I am hoping it's something other than Vampires. I have a few vampire books that I need to get to, so something other than that would be best. Too many vampires...
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Format: Hardback
Release Date: August 7th, 2012
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.
Okay Throne of Glass was a complete impulse buy. I found it on the shelf of a Meijer and well when the synopsis was done I couldn't put it down. There is about Calaena and how she is forced into a volatile and violent life, much like the one Saba had in Blood Red Road. I want a powerful female character, someone that has independence, knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it; that's the kind of female character I enjoy in a book. I hope Calaena is like that, and that her trials and the life of her is just as fantastic as I hope.
