Stacking the Shelves #29 + The Sunday Post #24

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This special post will provide a recap for posts that have been written for the week (June 23 - June 29, 2013)

Sunday

The Twins on "Thursday": joint review of Louise Rozett's Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend

Monday

Nicole's review of Bridget Zinn's Poison

Tuesday

Michelle's review of Jennifer Brown's Thousand Words

Wednesday

Michelle's review of Catherine Fisher's Obsidian Mirror

Friday

Feature and Follow #6

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme first initiated by Tynga. This weekly segment will showcase the books/galleys/ARCs we've acquired/purchased/borrowed within the week.

 Nicole:

(From left to right)

1. Game by Barry Lyga
2. Poison by Bridget Zinn (Nicole's review HERE)

Michelle:

(From left to right)

1. Impostor by Jill Hathaway
2. Impostor by Susanne Winnacker

Feature and Follow Friday #6

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Find out more by clicking on the links provided.

Question of the Week: 
What is your preferred reading format? Hardcovers, eBooks, paperbacks, etc?

Michelle
Definitely hardcovers - especially when the book is really good! If it's a great read and I happen to have it in paperback or eBook format, I will most definitely look for a hardcover. Plus, I have this weird thinking that when I grow old and stuff, the hardcovers will definitely still be there and I can read all the amazing books again and reminisce about "my youth".

Nicole
Hardcovers/paperbacks as long as it's an actual book, I'm not picky. I like sniffing books so I like reading actual books as compared to eBooks, and besides it's an altogether different experience curling up in bed with a book rather than my iPad. 

Since GFC is going away soon, we'd prefer it if you follow us via Bloglovin or FeedBurner. Networked Blogs is fine too. Don't forget to leave a comment and a link so we can follow back! 

   

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Obsidian Mirror by Catherine Fisher

Title: Obsidian Mirror
Author: Catherine Fisher
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: April 23, 2013

Publishing House: Dial Books

ISBN: 9780803739697
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

THE OBSIDIAN MIRROR

Its power is great and terrible. Men have been lost in it, the dead brought back to life through it, and the future annihilated by it. That's what will happen, unless the mirror is destroyed. Someone has been sent from the future to do just that. But someone else will protect the mirror at all costs, obsessed with its power. And yet another needs the mirror to find a murdered father and save his life. 

 Only one can succeed.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

Jake had to resort himself to extreme measures to make sure he gets kicked out of his Switzerland boarding school - the school paid for by his father's best friend and killer, Oberon Venn. He wants answers, and he's pretty sure that the only one who can answer him is Oberon, who has seemingly put him far from sight, far from mind to evade from Jake's relentless pursuit concerning his father's whereabouts. Accompanied by his teacher, Jake makes it to Wintercombe Abbey determined to get to the bottom of things once and for all. But things are not always as they seem. Determined to get back his dead wife, Oberon has run several tests with the obsidian mirror, a curio that enables time travel. Oberon isn't the only one who has plans for it, however. Because the obsidian mirror has a rightful owner, and a person from the future who will need to destroy it before someone else becomes obsessed with its power.

I'll be frank and say that Obsidian Mirror more or less disappointed me. The first chapter got me all excited about the book because it was what I was really expecting, only to have the next chapters bore me to the point that I had to reach for another book from time to time. While I do appreciate how Fisher managed to include a LOT of different story elements in this one, I didn't like the fact that some chapters, even when they were supposed to be the more exciting ones, just didn't deliver.

What I do like about this book is the fact that there is no forced romance (Cue inner fist pump.) and that the story seemed to have a mind of its own. Like I said, the story incorporated a lot of story elements/genres that would arouse the inner skeptic in you, but Fisher makes it somehow work. There weren't really any illogical events, per se - just boring ones.

While I didn't harbor any sort of attachment to the characters, the characterization was decent. The pace was initially slow, and would probably put off some of the more impatient readers. Admittedly, I do like this a little more than Fisher's Incarceron series, but I think I'll pass on the next book.

Catherine Fisher's Obsidian Mirror has a great plot in theory, but the execution will probably disappoint readers who are expecting kickbutt protagonists and killer twists. I know I was.

Rating:

           

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown

Title: Thousand Words
Author: Jennifer Brown
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: May 21, 2013

Publishing House: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9780316209724
Source of Copy: Fully Booked

Summary:

Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest that she text him a picture of herself - sans swimsuit - to take with him. Before she can change her mind, Ashleigh has snapped a photo and hit "send".

But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb forwards the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. In the midst of the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone - and she meets Mack at community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo and didn't look.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

Ashleigh seemed to have it all going for her: good looks, a social life, and a college-bound boyfriend. When she sends a photo of herself naked to her boyfriend, she didn't expect him to forward it to everyone as payback for her friends' prank. The photo scandal caught the attention of basically everyone in town, something that doesn't obviously sit well with her superintendent dad and teacher mom. In community service, she isn't treated well by the other kids either - save for Mack. Mack who doesn't pass judgment, Mack who doesn't force her to answer questions, Mack who didn't look at the photo. And for someone in Ashleigh's predicament, that is a very huge deal.

What I like about Brown's characters is that they all come off as very natural. Ashleigh was very easy to like. She felt like the kind of girl everyone was friends with. She's actually pretty smart, and she is the last person you'd think who would have a photo scandal. Ashleigh has done an incredible job of maturing throughout the course of the novel, which of course, made the novel all the more better for me. When you have a protagonist who can truly own herself, you know she's a winner.

And just before you think Mack is the new friend Brown's thrown in to act as Ashleigh's romantic interest, let me tell you now that you're wrong. How many contemporary young adult books are already out there with a girl meeting this totally amazing, adorable guy when she finds herself in a difficult situation? Exactly. What I get from Brown's story is that there will not always be that gorgeous guy when we're facing our problems. Realistically speaking, we just need a really good friend who will help us gain clarity and perspective to triumph over the problems. 

Thousand Words actually gives a good perspective for people as to how teens who face problems like sexting could possibly live normally afterwards. When the media discloses information about such a scandal, the usual reaction is that we wind up getting horrified, but forget all about it by next week. But for that person, next week would be no better than the week before, or the week before. That person will live the consequences with his/her actions for the rest of his life, especially when we live in a digital age where information is easily circulated and stored. Brown wasn't condemning any teens who have fallen victim to sexting. She was actually trying to reinforce people who have fallen under the same scandal that yes, you made a mistake. But so what? Life goes on. You move on. You don't give your mistake power over you. And inasmuch as Brown is giving strength to these people, she also calls out to everyone to empathize with them instead of demoralize. 

We live in an age where we think it's normal to be cruel to each other because we have all this information on our hands, but we honestly could do better. 

It then goes without much saying that Thousand Words is highly recommended, and if you're looking to gain a fresh perspective, pick this one up.

Rating:

          

NICOLE'S REVIEW: Poison by Bridget Zinn

Title: Poison
Author: Bridget Zinn
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: March 20 2013

Publishing House: Disney Hyperion

ISBN: 9781423139935
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly skilled potions master, is the only on who knows that her kingdom is on the verge of destruction - which means she is the only one who can save it. With no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom's future ruler, who also happens to be her best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart misses.

Now, a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the King's Army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she's not alone. She's armed with her vital potions, a too-cute piglet, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can't stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

I'm not exactly sure what possessed me to read this book as I was initially leery of the blurb. Okay, truthfully speaking it wasn't the blurb at all, it was the idea of her sidekick being a piglet.  Yes, I was afraid of a piglet. But now that I have finished the book I can definitely say that I have no regrets whatsoever. It was awesome. It also read like a Disney movie - a strong heroine, lots of magic and a handsome, charismatic ruffian to help our heroine on her journey. 

Kyra's attempt to assassinate the princess - who also happens to be her best friend - did not go as planned. Now she's on the run from the King's Army and her ex-boyfriend with nothing more but her potions and a piglet named Rosie. Another problem of hers is that she still has to find a way to kill the princess because in Kyra's visions, she is tied to the destruction of their kingdom. With the help of swoon-worthy adventurer Fred and his wolf-dog, Kyra has to find the princess and finish what she started.

Poison is a wonderful, light-hearted read with characters that one can't help but fall in love with. Kyra is the capable, headstrong heroine who is on a mission to save her kingdom and Fred is the amusing adventurer who tags along. The romance between them was so darn sweet and adorable and I loved seeing Kyra open up her heart to Fred and the little piglet, Rosie. 

Another one of my assumptions about this book was that Poison would be predictable - highly amusing, undeniably entertaining but predictable. I was wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns Poison threw at me and how the author managed to blend the romance into the story. It wasn't much but it was enough to satiate my craving and I loved how natural it felt. There are a few surprises at the end which I really did not expect and they did nothing more but add to my adoration for the book.

Obviously I recommend this book. If you're on the lookout for a fun, light-hearted, humorous adventure with unexpected twists and turns and sweet romance blended in for fun, look no further. Did I mention that Kyra's a potions master? She brews poisons for a living and is pretty hardcore. Not exactly something you want to miss out on.

Rating:

                         

The Twins on Thursday: Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend by Louise Rozett

"The Twins on Thursday" is reserved for the Twins' joint reviews. It is a special feature of our blog that discusses books that we either both like, dislike, or have mixed feelings about. This is also the day where we post reviews for books (and ARCs/Galleys) that have been sent to us by authors/galley sites/publishing houses. And because we don't believe much in uniformity, we'll be trying to mix things up a bit by adding random stuff in relation to our review (well, mostly for books we purchased anyway).

Title: Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend
Author: Louise Rozett
Format Acquired: eARC

Publication Date: June 18, 2013

Publishing House: Harlequin

ISBN: 9780373210657
Source of Copy: Requested from publisher via NetGalley

Summary:

Rose Zarelli has big plans for sophomore year - everything is going to be different. This year, she's going to be the talented singer with the killer voice, the fabulous girl with the fashionista best friend, the brainiac who refuses to let Jamie Forta jerk her around...

...but if she's not careful, she's also going to be the sister who misses the signals, the daughter who can only think about her own pain, the "good girl" who finds herself mid-scandal again (because no good deed goes unpunished) and possibly worst of all... the almost-girlfriend.

When all else fails, stop looking for love and go find yourself.

Review:

(Please note that this is the second book in the series. A review for the first book - Confessions of an Angry Girl - can be found HERE.)

With everyone moving onward with their lives, Rose can't help but feel that she's getting left behind. While her friends are growing into their own skins, she is saddled with her issues with her mom concerning her dead father, her now-absent brother who is too wasted with his new girlfriend to actually care about things, and Jamie Forta is sending her mixed signals alongside a startling discovery about Regina, his ex, and her family. But Rose has had enough of all the drama, and in Confessions of an Almost Girlfriend, Rose may finally discover the outlet she can channel all her feelings into.

We read a lot of books, so we think it's only natural that we forget some characters. But with Rozett's re-introduction of the characters, it was unlikely that we wouldn't recall her dynamic cast of characters. If Rose was awesome in the first book, she's definitely more so in this one, because Rose is back and she's definitely angrier than ever. And inasmuch as we liked regular Rose, we think that fans will definitely dig the few scenes that Rose 2.0 has. Her relationships with everyone around her are more turbulent this time around, and even when everything felt so screwed up, everything just felt so perfectly timed to contribute to Rose's growth. Her character maturation was just so well done - subtle and gradual, then all at once like a speeding bullet train headed straight towards you.

In this sequel, Rozett has transcended the issues that book one dealt with, and sat us down with issues that are current and more relatable for the teenagers of today. Rose's insecurities mirror what problems most teenage girls go through, and we can't help but applaud the very honest voice Rozett has used that managed to singlehandedly captivate us. Rose's transformation from a lonely girl cast adrift by her own devices into this rocking one-man show was a big hit with us, and we especially loved how she found herself. Sometimes we let all our friends and choices make all the talking for us that we become lazy with defining ourselves, so when relationships are severed, we become clingy with what we have left. Rose has demonstrated that you do need to get yourself together before anything else.

Rozett is also very clever with her word play. There were instances where the sentences served double meanings, and we couldn't help but be delighted with the little details like those.

Fans of the first book, Confessions of an Angry Girl, will definitely not be disappointed with the sequel. Heck, we even love this one more than the first!

Rating:

Stacking the Shelves #28 + The Sunday Post #23

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This special post will provide a recap for posts that have been written for the week (June 17 - June 21, 2013)

Wednesday

NICOLE'S REVIEW: The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe

Friday

Feature and Follow Friday #5

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme first initiated by Tynga. This weekly segment will showcase the books/galleys/ARCs we've acquired/purchased/borrowed within the week.

 Nicole:

1. The Ward by Jordana Frankel

2. Reboot by Amy Tintera

3. Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris

4. Glimmer by Phoebe Kitandis

1. Poison by Bridget Zinn

2. Originals by Cat Patrick

Feature and Follow Friday #5

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Find out more by clicking on the links provided.

Question of the Week: 
Activity: Favorite Literary Quote

Nicole:

"Tearing down the rest of the world won't make you happy. Look inside yourself. Because finding who you were meant to be? What you were put into this world to do? That's what fills the emptiness. It's the only things that can." - p.368 Splintered, A.G. Howard

Michelle:

"When I first met you, I thought we were made for each other even though we seemed like opposites in some ways and we fought. But now... Now I feel like we weren't made for each other. We're making each other - into the people we should become." -p. 301, Fuse by Julianna Baggott

NICOLE'S REVIEW: The Lives We Lost by Megan Crewe

Title: The Lives We Lost
Author: Megan Crewe
Format Acquired: Hardcover

Publication Date: February 12 2013

Publishing House: Disney Hyperion

ISBN: 9781423146179
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

A deadly virus has destroyed Kaelyn's small island community and spread beyond the quarantine. No one is safe. But when Kaelyn finds samples of a vaccine in her father's abandoned lab, she knows there must be someone, somewhere, who can replicate it.

As Kaelyn and her friends head for the mainland, they encounter a world changed beyond recognition. It's not only the "friendly flu" that's a killer - there are people who will stop at nothing to get their hands on the vaccine.

How much will Kaelyn risk for an unproven cure, when the search could either destroy those she loves or save the human race.

Megan Crewe's second volume in the Fallen World trilogy is an action-packed journey that explores the resilience of friendship, the ache of lost love, and Kaelyn's enduring hope in the face of sacrifices she must make to stay alive.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review: 

So you know how second books that are part of a trilogy - in my opinion, judging by the number of middle novels I've read - are not usually up to par with their predecessor? The Lives We Lost felt a little like that.

Kaelyn and the gang go for a road trip, one that involves protecting the vaccine her father created and getting into the hands of someone who can replicate it, at the same time dodging the people who are out to grab the vaccine for their own selfish reasons and the most important of all - survival. 

There are a few things actually that are keeping me from giving this book a lower rating. The love triangle, for example. Now I'm not sure if you know this but I do NOT like love triangles. Surprisingly, this one was acceptable because mainly it wasn't at all forced and Kaelyn does have a strong connection to both boys. But unlike books wherein a love triangle is introduced, it does not consume the protagonist's mind which means plus points for this book. Because seriously, she's on a mission to save the world with a working - as far as she knows - vaccine and I don't really want to read about how she's being all consumed by this love triangle and her confusing feelings. 

The Lives We Lost is undeniably realistic, just like it's predecessor. During the course of their journey nothing extreme really happened, nothing that managed to elicit a strong reaction from me. But what I can say about this book is how real it all felt. Crewe managed to showcase the deeds that man might be capable of doing for the sake of survival and it's none too pretty. Kaelyn is a strong character, she's determined, she's smart and she's capable. These are characteristics that are used to describe a majority of female protagonists today, but one thing I noticed about Kaelyn is how human she is. I have to love Crewe for that.

Although the pacing is slow in this book and not necessarily action oriented, it was fine by me since this was a long trek through Canada and survival was of the utmost importance. If you're up for a very realistic book of the apocalyptic genre, one with all too human characters on a quest to save the world then maybe it's time you gave this series a shot.

Rating:

      

                      

The Sunday Post #22 + Stacking the Shelves #27

The Sunday Post is hosted by Kimba over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer. This special post will provide a recap for posts that have been written for the week (June 9 - June 15)

Sunday

[Blog Tour] First Kiss by Ann Marie Frohoff

Monday

Nicole's review: Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield

Tuesday

Michelle's review: Asunder by Jodi Meadows

Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday #5

Thursday

The Twins on Thursday: Joint review of Elizabeth Ross' Belle Epoque

Friday

Feature and Follow Friday #4

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme first initiated by Tynga. This weekly segment will showcase the books/galleys/ARCs we've acquired/purchased/borrowed within the week.

Nicole

(From left to right)

1. Of Triton by Anna Banks

2. Chantress by Amy Butler Greenfield (check out Nicole's review HERE)

Michelle

(From left to right)

1. Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

2. Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown

Feature and Follow Friday #4

Feature and Follow Friday is a meme hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read. Find out more by clicking on the links provided.

Question of the Week: 
Spine poetry. Create a line of poetry with your book spines (take a picture). Not feeling creative? Tell us about your favorite poem.

Michelle:

Nicole:

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The Twins on "Thursday": Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross

"The Twins on Thursday" is reserved for the Twins' joint reviews. It is a special feature of our blog that discusses books that we either both like, dislike, or have mixed feelings about. This is also the day where we post reviews for books (and ARCs/Galleys) that have been sent to us by authors/galley sites/publishing houses. And because we don't believe much in uniformity, we'll be trying to mix things up a bit by adding random stuff in relation to our review (well, mostly for books we purchased anyway).

Title: Belle Epoque
Author: Elizabeth Ross
Format Acquired: eARC

Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Publishing House: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (Random House)

ISBN: 9780385741460
Source of Copy: Given by author via NetGalley

Summary:

When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual ad. the Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service - the beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive.

Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when the Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle, Maude is deemed the perfect foil.

But Isabelle has no idea her new "friend" is the hired help, and Maude's very existence among the aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a secret. Yet the more she learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested. And the longer her deception continues, the more she has to lose. 

(Image, summary and information courtesy of Goodreads)

Review:

Maude has decided to take control of her life by running away from her father's shop and equally horrendous marriage prospect. Paris is beautiful, glitzy, and breathing with art and life, but Maude comes face to face with a different aspect of it. Taken in by the opportunist Durandeau, she becomes one of the many repoussoirs of the agency, an accessory used by the creme de la creme to make themselves look good. Aside from being the plain jane companion to Isabelle, the countess' daughter who has other plans for herself, Maude is tasked to coerce her into accepting a marriage proposal befitting of her lineage. But when the fraudulent companionship blossoms into a real friendship and Maude realizes that the parallels between her and Isabelle are superficial at best, Maude has to step back and chip away at the blinding glitter and glam to discover who she really is and what she really wants from her life.

Maude is an engaging and realistic heroine, struggling to survive in Paris. She's not proud of her job but she's got to do it, how else will she be able to put food on her table? She's also not immune to the exclusivity and the privileges allowed the upper class, she gets to experience them thanks to Isabelle, and she soon finds herself drowning in excess and losing herself to her unrealistic daydreams. It's no wonder that Maude was lured in by all the gorgeous fripperies, dazzling jewelries, and indulgent luxuries displayed by the upper class. Even we were quite drawn in by Ross' intoxicating portrayal of the rich and glamorous. The friendship between Maude and Marie-Josie, another repoussoir, was also very endearing. When Durandeau and his minions had the girls tell each other their worst features, Maude and Marie-Josie did the exact opposite, and we wanted to hug them for that. Durandeau was such a cad for trading the girls' dignity for money, and it really is disgusting how his whole establishment fed off of the physical "imperfections" of this women.

Isabelle is different from the other girls. While they're worried about the season, marriage prospects and other female fripperies, she's more interested in logic and science and getting an education. Isabelle is secretly brainy, which is something that she hides from her mother as the latter deems it useless in snaring a worthy son-in-law. We like how sneaky and deviant Isabelle is, and how she clamors for the equality between her and Maude. While Countess Dubern measures the importance of people by the francs they possess, Isabelle just wants a friend she can truly be herself with.

While Belle Epoque mostly focuses on Maude and Isabelle's growing camaraderie, there will always be room for romance, of course. And Maude is paired with Paul, a struggling musician who plays in jazz bars and composes music in his spare time. Her relationship with Paul was stiff. There was actually too little interaction with each other that it didn't give us a sense that there was a real connection between them. 

Ross has also called upon us to reflect on society, and how we are helpless in following the standardized norm we've set up for ourselves. It's not even a discipline, nor is it always an affliction; it's just that we've noticed that the rules and notions that society dictates tend to make us quite lazy and abhorrent to real change. Ross' depiction of society only spurred the fact that we were all trying to cater to a very distorted image of norm standards, to the point that we are all trying to throw each other under the bus just to feel good about ourselves.  We like the girls because they're very determined to shake off the stereotypes society has very well thrust upon them, and we couldn't help but applaud the herculean effort to be different.

Belle Epoque implores self-reflection, all the while opening up your world to excellent historical detail and a voyeuristic peek into 19th century society.

Rating:

Waiting on Wednesday #8: Vitro by Jessica Khoury + Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme first initiated by Jill from Breaking the Spine. However, we've added our own twist to it! Not only will we feature books that will be published in the following months, but we will also feature books that are not available yet locally, and are still unavailable to us.

Title: Vitro

Author: Jessica Khoury

Publication Date: January 14, 2014

Publishing House: Razorbill

ISBN: 9781595146052

Summary:

On a remote island in Pacific, Corpus scientists have taken test tube embryos and given them life. These beings - the Vitros - have knowledge and abilities most humans can only dream of. But they have one enormous flaw.

Sophie Crue is determined to visit Skin Island and find her mother, a scientist who left Sophie behind years ago. She enlists hunky charter pilot Jim encounter more than they bargained for, including a charming, brilliant Vitro named Nicholas and an innocent, newly awoken one named Lux.

In a race for their lives, Sophie and Jim are about to discover what happens science stretches too far beyond its reach.

 (Image, summary, and information courtesy of Goodreads)

Nicole: As I am a fan of Jessica Khoury (review of Origin here) I'm obviously really excited for her next release. It's got an intriguing summary and what seems like a whole lot of human experimentation which is actually reason enough for me to want to read this book.

Title: Steelheart

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Publication Date: September 24, 2013

Publishing House: Delacorte

Summary:

Ten years ago, Calamity came. It was a burst in the sky that gave ordinary men and women extraordinary powers. The awed public started calling them Epics.

But Epics are no friend of man. With incredible gifts came the desire to rule. And to rule man you must crush his wills.

Nobody fights the Epics... Nobody but the Reckoners. A shadowy group of ordinary humans, they spend their lives studying Epics, finding their weaknesses, and then assassinating them.

And David wants in. He wants Steelheart - the Epic who is said to be invincible. The Epic who killed David's father. For years, like the Reckoners, David's been studying, and planning - and he has something they need. Not an object, but an experience.

He's seen Steelheart bleed. And he wants revenge.

(Image, summary, and information courtesy of Goodreads)

Michelle: Until now I'm still waiting for the day I get my superpowers, so it's not exactly surprising that I want want want this book. And David sounds like a guy who knows what he wants and knows exactly how to get it, which is something I haven't really seen much of in YA fiction. Needless to say, I'm really excited about this one!