Random Reads is a monthly meme hosted by I'm Loving Books.  The point of it is to read those books on your TBR pile that you probably would never get to otherwise. You know the ones that you put off again and again thinking I will read these soon when really you know that you will most likely NEVER get to them. Last month I achieved my Random Read; Specials by Scott Westerfield. Check out my review!

Want to join in?

1) If you’re on Goodreads enable sorting to your to-read shelf (you should see numbers next to each book now).

2) Go to Random.org and type in the Min as 1 and the Max as how many ever books are on your to-read shelf.

3) Scroll down to the book matching the number Random.org picks.

4) Link up to your Random Reads post at I'm Loving Books.

My Random Read this month is.......

Everneath By Brodi Ashton - Number 60 on my TBR list.

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I think it looks really awesome and just look at that cover: WOW! I can't wait to read it.

What's your RR?

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

May Book Awards

Welcome, welcome to Confessions Of A Bookaholic Monthly Book Awards. I only read 7 books last month which is pretty pitiful compared to last month's 18 but the books I did read were awesome!

So without further ado I give you May's winners...

The Most Beautiful Cover Award Goes To...

Black Dawn By Rachel Caine

I just love the writing it's so shiny!!!

Not keen on the girl but that's beside the point.

The Best Book Award Goes To...

Divergent By Veronica Roth

I just LOVED it! It's not just my favorite from May but one of my favorite's ever! Anyone who hasn't already read it needs to... NOW!

The Most Disappointing Book Award Goes To...
Specials By Scott Westerfield

I'm not saying I didn't like it because I did. My problem is I loved the first two and this one just didn't live up to my expectations.

The Most Annoying Character Award Goes To...
Meghan Chase From The Iron King By Julie Kagawa

I did like this book but I think I would have liked it more if she had been less annoying. I don't know what it was but she just got on my nerves.

The Most Awesome Character Award Goes To...
Shane and Myrnin From Black Dawn and Four and Tris From Divergent

I just couldn't pick! Shane and Myrnin are awesome as ever but Tris and Four were equally so. And yes Tris is female - I actually like a female character.

So what books would you put into these categories?
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Usually I do In My Mailbox to show off my new books but as I don't actually have a 'mailbox' I decided that Stacking The Shelves would be more appropriate. So this is my first Stacking The Shelves post! I got quite a few books this week and I didn't but a single one.
So this week I received:

For Review:

Both of these books were kindly sent to me from the author's, both paperbacks so I am now proudly displaying them on my shelf. I'm halfway through Prophecy Of The Most Beautiful and enjoying it. I have already read and reviewed The Fairytale Keeper and don't you just LOVE that cover?

Giveaway:

I am REALLY excited to read to read these two. I am currently reading City Of Glass so I'm resisting the urge to read the blurb of City Of Fallen Angels so I don't spoil it. I've heard great things about Grave Mercy, it involves assassin nuns, how can you go wrong with that? City Of Fallen Angels is courtesy of Dalene at A Date with a Book and Grave Mercy is courtesy of Mackenzie at Oh, For The Love Of Books.

So what have you got most recently? Share your links with me!
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

A Song On Sunday (12)

It's Sunday so it's time for A Song On Sunday a weekly meme here at Confessions Of A Bookaholic. Want to take part? Easy! Just follow these steps:
1. Pick a song you love
2. Match it with a book you've read
3. Grab my button
4. Link back to me
5. Leave me a link so I can see your post 

Since I just finished Divergent it seemed fitting to find a song to suit that but it's easier said than done. I eventually chose Born To Die by Lana Del Rey because it does seem like in their society that's what they're there for. It's as if they are used and then they die. Which is why this song is particularly fitting. What do you think? 

Share your Song On Sunday with me!
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Divergent By Veronica Roth

Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars 
Overall Rating: 5/5 Stars 
Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. During the highly competitive initiation that follows Beatrice struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together, they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes-fascinating, sometimes-exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret: one she’s kept hidden from everyone, because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly-perfect society, she also learns that her secret might be what helps her save those she loves . . . or it might be what destroys her.

Wow wow wow! I am now wondering why I didn't read this sooner. Why is it when a hype surrounds a book people are put off reading it? Well this one most definitely didn't disappoint! Divergent managed to live up to it's hype and more. I've heard people comparing it to The Hunger Games and strangely enough I agree. It was about the same par as the Hunger Games and I'm a devoted HG fan so it means a lot coming from me. Divergent's story is one of the most interesting dystopia's I've read. There are five factions; Candor, Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity and Erudite. At the age of sixteen everyone has to choose their factions. Personally I would pick Dauntless because I think bravery is one of the most important traits but I doubt I'd last long there. Divergent is set in the future as are most dystopia's but I think this look on the future was especially scary. I mean imagine the government having the technology to sift through your inner most thoughts. I shudder at the thought. I loved the idea of the initiation's though, I can't go into much detail without spoilers but lets say there's a lot at stake.

Veronica Roth has managed the impossible. She thought up a female character whom I really like. I know your as shocked as I am. I really did love Tris though. I hated her name but still. Tris was brave but not one of those characters who are indestructible. Tris is very fragile but she fights hard. She's also not one of those annoying characters who constantly go on about being ugly then meet a guy and suddenly they're the most beautiful girl in the world. No Tris says she's not ugly but not pretty. Finally a normal human being! I love love loved Four (Yes like the number). He was brave and strong but at the same time his fears rule him. Throughout the book we see he's not as hard as he comes across at first. He's just perfectly imperfect - it makes sense if you think about it. The minor characters were alright, I admired some of their loyalty's but they didn't have a huge affect on me.

Veronica Roth's debut novel was as stunning as all the crazy fan girls said it was. She has mastered the art of making her heroine brave without being annoying and if that doesn't make you want to read it I don't know what will! If you loved the Hunger Games you will love this, If you didn't love it then you should still read it even if it's just to rant about it. I could barely find a single thing wrong with this book except a characters name changes halfway through (they drop the nickname) and I hate it when that happens. If you haven't yet read this book I advice you do it now! The Divergent craze has swept the world and you don't want to be left behind! I gave this book a well deserved 5/5 stars but I think even that's too low. I have a new favorite author and Insurgent is sure to be on my bookshelf as soon as possible.

My Favorite Quote/s:
“Peter would probably throw a party if I stopped breathing.'
'Well,' he says, 'I would only go if there was cake.” 

-------

“We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.”

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

The Fairytale Keeper By Andrea Cefalo

Cover Rating: 3/5 Stars
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Synopsis: Snow White was a pet name her mother had given her, but her mother’s dead now. Adelaide hates that name anyway. A rampant fever claimed Adelaide’s mother just like a thousand others in Cologne where the people die without Last Rites and the dead are dumped in a large pit outside of the city walls. Adelaide’s father is determined to obtain a funeral for his wife, but that requires bribing the parish priest, Father Soren. When Soren commits an unforgivable atrocity, he pushes Adelaide to her breaking point, but if she seeks justice against the cruel priest, she risks sacrificing everything: her father, her friends, her first love, and maybe even her life.

I was kindly sent a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. To be fair I was slightly hesitant about starting this book because I've never read a fairy tale retelling before but I was pleasantly surprised. The book centers on Adelaide aka Snow White after her mothers death. She is refused a funeral for her mother and after that they begin to see all of the flaws that the church has. And there are many. Back when this is set the church was a big part of life so you can see how this would be a problem. Throughout the book there was sections from well know fairy tales and then the chapter afterwards would have some kind of connection to that story. This aspect I found especially interesting. The writing in this book was old fashioned but it was meant to be so it suited perfectly.

The main character Adelaide, I found to be quite annoying at times but in no way as annoying as a lot of other heroines. She won't be on my top ten anytime soon. I did like some things about her though. She was brave and didn't need a guy there to hold her hand all the time. I loved her best friend Ivo. He was really sweet! I loved how Adelaide and him made such a great team and he tried to look after her. One person I didn't like was her father. He just seemed to hopeless to me.

I really did enjoy this book even though apart from her appearance I don't know what the connection to Snow White was. Maybe we will find out in later books. As a whole this book was a good, quick read that I finished in one sitting. I would recommend this book to fairytale and historical fiction lovers. I would give this book 3.5/5 Stars and look forward to the second one in the series. Thanks to the author for letting me read it before it's release.

My Favorite Quote:
Snow White is a name I do not enjoy.  It is a term of endearment from my mother, but a phrase of torment used by the artisan and merchant children who mock me for my fair skin and black hair.  I would never tell mother for it would hurt her to know, and while I have no love for the name, Snow White, I do have love for the way she speaks it.
Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Cover Rating: 4/5 Stars

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: With its eclectic mix of vampire and human citizens, Morganville, Texas, has always been a risky place to call home. But with the invasion of the vampire’s deadliest enemy, Morganville isn’t just in danger—it’s dying… 

Ever since the draug—mysterious creatures that prey on vampires—took over Morganville, the lives of student Claire Danvers and her friends have been thrown into turmoil. Most of the town’s residents have evacuated, but Claire, Shane, Eve and Michael have chosen to stay and fight.

Using the city’s water system to spread, the draug have rapidly multiplied. Things in Morganville look grim, especially since vampire Amelie—the town founder—has been infected by the master draug’s bite. 

Now, if Claire and her friends don’t figure out how to cure Amelie and defeat the draug, it looks like Morganville will become little more than a ghost town…

I've been desperate to read this book since finishing Last Breath a few months ago. I have loved the Morganville series which is good since I'm on book 12. You'd think that it would get old eventually (like House Of Night) but Morganville never has. I love the uniqueness of their Vampire society, Caine makes her vamps different without going over the top (Discoball vamps anyone?). Usually in Vampire books you have vampires living in a town but most people don't know they're there. Well I love how in Morganville they do know about them. Which call for badass residents who carry stakes in their pockets and holy water in their flasks. Vampire's are top of the food chain so their are a couple of rules to help humans, like Vampires having to have a hunting licence. Well in a town full of them it can't be too hard. In Last Breath we found out that the Vampires are in fact not the top of the food chain after all. Enter the Draug. The draug are creatures that live in the water and can tempt humans and vampires alike with their singing. Their not the problem though, the problem is the master Draug. He brings shame to the name Magnus! How do you kill him? You don't.

The Morganville residents are as awesome as ever. Claire has never been my favorite - and still isn't - but I do like her character. She is no longer the mousy brainiac that first came to Morganville eleven books ago but a new and improved Claire. She's still smart but she's more feisty and that I like. Eve I love. She's goth but a really nice one. Plus she's brave and carry's round a vampire survival kit. Awesome or what? Michael is your typical rockstar; hot, talented but so nice! Did I mention he's a vampire? Shane, well who doesn't love him? I admit his anger gets the better of him sometimes but still, he's so sweet and loves Claire. Shane had a hard life which still haunts him and I'm a sucker for a guy with a tortured soul (Will, Jace, Patch, I could go on forever...). Myrnin, well he's a mad vampire scientist who has a soft spot for Claire, totally sweet but I did get angry with him a few times. Bob is Myrnin's pet spider and I think he may be my favorite spider ever! I hate spiders so it's not an achievement but still.

Overall I loved this book as I did the rest of the series. I had minor issues concerning the changing of point of view. I do like seeing the other characters POV's but I do prefer authors to stick to one. Shane's POV always makes me worried for his sanity! I wish we could have some of Myrnin's point of view though. Then again we may not want to know what he's thinking as his sanity has been and gone. I would reccomend this book to Rachel Caine and Vampire lovers. Even if you don't like vampire books you could like this one, as there are no sparkly stalkers (Sorry Edward!). I would give this book 5/5 Stars because although it's slow in parts I still loved it.

My Favorite Quote (Lucky you get 2): 
“Shane: "Bro," he said, in an injured tone, "I had to go out with a flamethrower, and you weren't there to see it."
Michael: "Pics or it didn't happen." 
Shane: "Dude, little busy for pics. You know, throwing flame."
----
“Myrnin was silent for a beat, and then he said, “Bob would be very disappointed in you.” 
“Bob the spider?” 
“He looks at you like a mother, you know. I’m surprised at your lack of work ethic. Think of the example you set for—” 
She hung up on him and turned the phone on vibrate and relaxed in Shane’s arms. 


Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Cover Characteristics (2)

As you all know I'm crazy about book covers so I've been on the look out for a book cover meme. I found an awesome one! Cover Characteristics is hosted over at A Muggles Magical Book Blog. We get given a theme and have to find five of our favorite book covers that fit it

Today's theme is....

Sunglasses!

I'm not keen on Ally Carter's books so I haven't attempted this series yet but I do love the covers. The sunglasses are awesome! The lettering is really pretty as well.

I'm not keen on the glasses of the first book but I do love the cover and as for the second book I really like the glasses and the shadow on her face.

This cover is really pretty! All I have to say.

I love these covers, what are your favorite covers?

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

Cover Rating: 2/5 Stars
Overall Rating: 4/5 Stars
Synopsis: Weather Warden extraordinaire Joanne Baldwin, who protects the human race from monster storms, was killed, reborn as a Djinn, and then restored to her original form. She's been through a lot – and stuck her neck out many times – to save innocent lives. Now she is rolling the dice to stop an infinitely powerful, deeply disturbed kid from destroying the world... A teenager has holed up in style at a Las Vegas hotel with the most powerful Djinn in the world, planning who knows what kind of mischief. The Wardens' senior leadership is dead, Djinn are disappearing, and a secret society wants to help Joanne destroy the teenager, even if doing so kills her again. But everyone in Vegas has a game going, and Joanne has to learn the rules fast because the stakes have never been higher – and all hell is about to break loose...

Sorry this review is late but for some reason I haven't been able to work up the motivation to write it, no idea why but still. Anyway Chill Factor is book three of the Weather Wardens series and it's began to get a lot more interesting. Chill Factor takes place in Las Vegas so everyone's in the betting mood. Too bad most are betting against Joanne. Well she has died three or four times so I'm not sure I would put too much money on her. In this book you find out a lot more about Djinn and the way they work. That I liked because I am finding the Djinn very interesting. By the way Djinn are kinda like genies if you were wondering. The story line was clearer in this book than in the previous two. The action seemed more necessary also. I loved the development of the characters.

Kevin seemed less like a spoiled teenage boy and more like a weak, fragile child who was being taken advantage of by a very powerful Djinn. I pitied Kevin after all he'd been through but it didn't make me like him anymore than I already did. I didn't know what to make of Johnathan, sometimes he seemed totally insane but other times he seemed cold and calculating. All I know for certain is that it is not wise to get on the wrong side of him. Joanne I still like as much as before but I feel that she's a lot stronger. I'm very glad that Rachel Caine hasn't made the horrible mistake of making her rely fully on David. Speaking of David, I would have liked to see a lot more of him. He was barely in it. I still don't like Lewis but I've been told he gets more likable further on so I have not yet lost hope!

The Weather Wardens series keeps getting better and better and Rachel Caine has not disappointed so far. There was actually a decent amount of chapters in this book (compared to the 3 previously) so I had no complaint about that. I would recommend this book the people who like feisty heroines and also those who enjoy a unique twist on Urban Fantasy. I would give this book 4/5 stars and I'm eager to get into the next one in the series.

My Favorite Quote:
“God, it was hot! Forget about frying an egg on the sidewalk; this kind of heat would fry an egg inside the chicken.” 

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UK

A Song On Sunday (11)

It's Sunday so it's time for A Song On Sunday a weekly meme here at Confessions Of A Bookaholic. Want to take part? Easy! Just follow these steps:
1. Pick a song you love
2. Match it with a book you've read
3. Grab my button
4. Link back to me
5. Leave me a link so I can see your post


Today's song is Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson, I think it really suits Twilight. No I don't hate the song but you'd think that since I'm matching it to Twilight. No I just think that the speed that Bella rushes into her relationship with Edward is reflected in this song. The lyrics "Hey I just met you and this is crazy" spring to mind because it was crazy! Who wants to date a discoball? And the end of the video... well I'll let you make your own mind up about that! :)

Email me at: confessionsofabookaholic@LIVE.CO.UKHave you got another song? Show me your SOS posts!