Young Adult Books

cover image via http://mayabanks.com/books/darkest/What The Darkest Hour is about:It’s been one year since ex-Navy SEAL Ethan Kelly last saw his wife Rachel alive. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt over his failures as a husband, Ethan shuts himself off from everything and everyone. His brothers have tried to bring Ethan into the KGI fold, tried to break through the barriers he’s built around himself, but Ethan refuses to respond… until he receives anonymous information claiming Rachel is alive.To save her, Ethan will have to dodge bullets, cross a jungle, and risk falling captive to a deadly drug cartel that threatens his own demise. And even if he succeeds, he’ll have to force Rachel to recover memories she can’t and doesn’t want to relive—the minute by minute terror of her darkest hour—for their love, and their lives, may depend on itIt's no surprise to any of my book friends that I've been on a bit of a romance junket lately. I find that they are fast, fun books that leave me with a stupid smile on my face and great dreams to look forward to when I tuck myself in for the night! This book starts out great and the pacing stays pretty even all the way to the end. I loved the brother's connection to each other and most especially the love and high regard they each had for the parents. This book is about more than just romance and sex. It's about family and I found that quite refreshing!Recommend? For those that enjoy romance with some thrill seeking adventures included, brothers who are hot, hot, hot, and their smart significant others, then I think you would like this series!!Source: My Public LibrarySix Sentence Bookish Thoughts #103© 2013, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Hey there!   Today we're so lucky to take part in a cover reveal tour for Waterfell by Amalie Howard!  Reading Teen was a big fan of Amelie's other book, Bloodspell, so we can't wait to see what she has in store for us with Waterfell! If you've missed the other pieces you can start out at Good Choice Reading,  and follow the blog tour until you see the final reveal on  HarlequinTeen

Links to http://www.teenreads.com/features/beach-bag-of-books/beach-bag-of-books-2013.

Book Icons Contributors Benjamin Boche Reviewer (text) Benjamin Boche Everything changed on The Day. The Day was when hearts stopped beating. The Day was when the electricity went out. The Day was when they came, the Lords from the sky. Most importantly, the Day was when 13 Icons fell from the heavens and landed in the most populous cities on the earth, effectively wiping out nearly a billion people. The Day was when the war was lost with no hope to fight back. "ICONS is a great escape read for the summer, and try not to be too upset when have to wait for the next one." Teaser Everything changed on The Day. Since then, Dol has lived a simple life safe from the the Icon and its power. When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions may actually be their greatest strengths. Promo Everything changed on The Day. Since then, Dol has lived a simple life safe from the the Icon and its power. When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions may actually be their greatest strengths. About the Book Your heart beats only with their permission. Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting. Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside --- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid. She's different. She survived. Why? When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy. Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions --- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses --- may actually be their greatest strengths. Bestselling author Margaret Stohl delivers the first book in a heart-pounding series set in a haunting new world where four teens must piece together the mysteries of their pasts --- in order to save the future. read more

Book The Originals Contributors Alice Dalrymple Reviewer (text) Alice Dalrymple Cat Patrick’s THE ORIGINALS is an exciting, fast-paced, contemporary science fiction novel about three girls living one life and struggling to define themselves. Lizzie, Ella and Betsey are all clones of the same girl. Saved from termination by their “Mother,” a biogenetic researcher who carried them to term, the girls were raised thinking they were identical triplets. Now, though, in order to avoid detection by a government that would lock them away in a lab, the girls must appear to live the life of one girl, 17-year-old Elizabeth Best. Teaser Seventeen-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best are clones. Hiding from a government agency, the girls take turns interacting with others. Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual. Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created. Promo Seventeen-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best are clones. Hiding from a government agency, the girls take turns interacting with others. Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual. Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created. About the Book A riveting new story from Cat Patrick, author of FORGOTTEN AND REVIVED. Seventeen-year-olds Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey Best grew up as identical triplets...until they discovered a shocking family secret. They're actually closer than sisters, they're clones. Hiding from a government agency that would expose them, the Best family appears to consist of a single mother with one daughter named Elizabeth. Lizzie, Ella, and Betsey take turns going to school, attending social engagements, and a group mindset has always been a de facto part of life... Then Lizzie meets Sean Kelly, a guy who seems to see into her very soul. As their relationship develops, Lizzie realizes that she's not a carbon copy of her sisters; she's an individual with unique dreams and desires, and digging deeper into her background, Lizzie begins to dismantle the delicate balance of an unusual family that only science could have created. read more

GORGEOUS COVER! *.*Author: Kiera CassEdition: HarperCollins PaperbackReleased: April 23rd 2013Series: The Selection #2Pages: 323 approx.Links: Goodreads | Author Website, Youtube Channel | Buy the book!**Review SPOILER FREE for both books in this trilogy!** America Singer is one of THE ELITE and Prince Maxon only has eyes for her. If she wins the competition for his heart, she will leave her pre-destined life for a world of luxury. But the outcome is less than certain; the threat of rebel violence just beyond the palace walls is escalating into war and bitter rivals are ready to take her down. And as America's feelings for Maxon grow stronger, ex-lover Aspen waits for her in the shadows. Where do her loyalties truly lie? One sentence to sum up my relationship with this book? MY FEELINGS ARE COMPLICATED. Never have I liked a book and yet found it so frustrating at the same time. There were both good parts and bad parts to this novel though, honestly, I did find more things to my disliking than I would have preferred. However, let me stress that I did enjoy this book! Just not as much as I expected. So if you're ready for a ramble, sit back, relax and read on! ;) To start off on a good note, here are some parts of the story I did enjoy. ONE, I really like Marlee's character. She is so strong (especially after what happened to her!) and a great friend to America. When her *secret* was revealed, I was completely shocked! I hadn't suspected a thing! TWO, I really like America's maids and the relationship she has with them. She doesn't treat them like their nothing (like some people *draws daggers at someone in particular*) and actually talks with them and laughs with them because she sees them as friends. THREE, we do actually get some more glimpses of the Rebels and find out a little more about them. Plus, we also get some action scenes along with them! Though I'm still curious as to find out more about why they're doing what they're doing. Now, here's where the rambling starts. Oh, Maxon! You are one infuriating - and I mean, infuriating - boy! You're always going on about how you'll give America time to think about what she really wants and how you'll wait for her and then you go and do that! Why, Maxon? WHY? Then you want America to trust you? Really?! I wouldn't be fully trusting you either, mate! I know America ain't the best at opening up to you but that is a bit extreme! However, I guess I can't dislike you too much since America's sort-of doing the same thing - though not as bad. I do like how you're standing up to your dad more! Keep doing that! That King needs to get taken down a peg or two! Then there's you, Aspen. Why you so persistent? I might warm up to you more if you just leave America alone and stop confusing her! But, alas, I doubt it will help you any. Even with all the things you've done for America and how Maxon's sort-of making me want to slap him, I still want Maxon and America to be end game. So maybe you should, y'know, give us some space? So Maxon and America can sort through stuff. Thanks! You probably all think I'm mad but... what can you do? ;) Anyway. Although I still feel the love triangle is more of the main story-line than anything else and neither boy is impressing me much, I did still enjoy this book enough that I can't wait for the final book in the trilogy, The One. Though I was also near enough shaking America at the beginning of the book for jumping between each boy like the ticking of a clock, I ended up settling into it more and more as it progressed. Personally, I liked America's character but I really hope she gets some more of a backbone and chooses who to be with early on in book three. As for Kriss? I'm not sure what I feel about her as a character. And don't even get me started on Celeste *glares*. So, overall, taking everything into consideration, The Elite was still a good book. If you liked book one, read it! THREE AND A HALF STARS! :)A big thank you to HarperCollins for sending

Everybody Reading Books: HGRB Has Evolved!: everybodyreadingbooks: Welcome to the evolved and more-inclusive and evolved Everybody Reading Books! The mission of Everybody Reading Books is: Everybody Reading Books celebrates literacy and shows how awesome reading can be through pretty pictures of people reading and other book-related things. I know you’re…

Little Brown, 2011Min is mad, but more than that, her heart is broken... Min doesn't have a lot of friends, but the ones she does have are loyal and close, with Al being her closest friend. Between him and the avant-garde movies she loves, her life is really good. Until Ed Slaterton showed up....She was "arty;" he was an athlete. She had a free-spirit; his was defined by his friends. Min was under the radar; Ed was the one girls wanted to be with and guys wanted to hang with. Her lifestyle was nostalgic; his was trendy. Both of them showed each other a new world.It was a complete accident, their meeting. She searched for him, he handed her a beer (which Min poured out discreetly). They talked that night and soon, this led to another meeting, then another...and then they became a couple. And everyone wondered why they were together. But Ed knew, with all of his heart, that Min was different and he loved the fact that she wasn't just another pretty face. Min was secretly, than openly, thrilled about being Ed Slaterton's girlfriend, even if it meant she had to sacrifice some things, including her favorite coffee shop.But today, she wants no part of Ed. Nothing about him in her life is the cleansing she needs. So she takes everything they ever shared, including a:pinhole camera toy truckplant podoily kitchen towel....and so much, so many more.They go in a box, along with her story of why they broke up. The premise of this book is simple. Each chapter contains an item and the story that goes along with it in chronological order. Told from Min's point of view, the reader becomes entangled in her story and the curiosity quotient is raised of how, not especially why, Min broke up with him. But this book is unique in another very different way. Daniel Handler writes with dangling participles galore. It will take a reader to fine tune the voice in their head to follow the pattern his writing takes on, including the ever important comma pauses he uses. It is also because of his stylized writing that Min's character truly comes out, filled with emotion and packed with meaning. Handler also creates the town Min lives in and the world of film she loves, not with the branded names of coffee houses, Hollywood, and music, but with care, choosing imaginative names to convey the feeling each name evokes. Simple book, intricate writing....two very different styles that compliment and run alongside the two main characters in this book that reflect Handler's writing. Interspersed throughout are deft, well-spaced illustrations of each item Min discards. Recommended for high school (9-12).Sidenote: it has been a long time since I've read a book that was actually sewn. Also, this is a heavy book (literally, not figuratively) with glossy thick pages. Not your typical YA book, and one that definitely stands out.

So I am a HUGE fan of Crewel by Gennifer Albin, and so I am even more thrilled to be a part of the reveal for the first chapter of Altered, book 2 in the series! So first off, here is a bit about Altered, because I think it sounds even more epic than book 1 :) Adelice always knew there’d be a price to destroying the Guild, but is she willing to pay it? After a daring escape to Earth from Arras, sixteen-year-old Adelice Lewys thought she would finally be in control of her own destiny. She would be free to be true to herself and to her heart—to love Jost, the boy the Guild said she could not have. But Earth is not abandoned, as she’d always been taught it was. It’s inhabited with survivors waging a war against Arras. The world that was supposed to offer a new beginning is still tangled up in the past. Now Adelice is being called upon to harness her phenomenal power and break Earth from the grip of the Guild. But even as she uncovers the truth about her parents and her former life, she discovers that nothing on Earth is as it seems either. Everyone has secrets, especially those she loves most. What’s more, those secrets are driving Adelice and Jost away from each other, and Adelice into his brother Erik’s waiting arms. Now torn between two brothers and two worlds, Adelice must decide what—and who–she’s fighting for, before it’s too late. Add Altered on Goodreads Preorder Altered: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository And now, here is the bit of chapter 1 that I am revealing :) I should put a stop to these accusations before they kill each other, but part of me wants to see how Erik reacts. I know how Erik feels about Maela, the power-hungry Spinster he worked for at the Coventry. Erik and I both counted her as an enemy. Jost’s charge sends a thrill through me, because deep down I always suspected Erik’s reasons for getting close to me were about more than friendship. “But that backfired when Ad brought you here. All that work you did to get to the top is gone. You’ll never convince them that you’re loyal again. You’re through with the Guild,” Jost says. Erik’s face contorts into a mask of rage. “You barely know me or why I came to the Coventry, but don’t let that stop you from making unfair accusations. It’s rather entertaining, and it doesn’t look like there’s much else to do around here,” he spits back. “There is a lot to do around here and fighting isn’t on the list,” I intercede, before things get more out of control. “Save your personal problems for later, we have work to do.” “What do you have in mind? Rebuild the city? ” Erik asks. “Or should we skip to the repopulating part? ” “Shut up,” Jost commands. “You aren’t funny.” “Why? That’s the nice part of getting stuck on a completely forsaken piece of dirt.” “You better hope that you find someone to help you do it then, because she’s taken. I’m sure there’s a nice dog around here somewhere. Maybe you should stick to your own species,” Jost says. I’m between them before Erik releases his fist, and I barely cringe when I see it moving toward my face. Jost catches Erik’s fist, and Erik freezes. But his surprise at my near-disastrous intervention is quickly replaced by a glare, leveled directly at his brother. “We’re going to check things out,” Jost says through gritted teeth. “Suit yourself,” Erik says. “I certainly don’t need you here, moping about the joint.” Jost grabs my arm, a bit more roughly than usual, and drags me from the shack. I pull out of his grasp, my hand flying to rub my throbbing skin. “That hurt,” I inform him. He stares at me for a moment and then his eyes soften. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Erik just—” “I know,” I say quietly, “but I’m not Erik. Don’t take it out on me.” He nods his apology and I take his hand to let him know we can drop it. We have more important things to worry about right now. The metro is still several miles away if I can trust my generally poor sense of direction. The ocean now lies far enough behind us that although I can make out i

About the Author:Seventeen Magazine Summer Club author Amalie Howard spent her childhood with her nose stuck in a book, from Grimm's Fairy Tales to Anne Rice, and everything in between. She is the author of Bloodspell and a published poet. She received a bachelor’s degree from Colby College in International Studies and a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. When she's not writing or devouring other people's novels, she reviews books for TheLoopNY. She lives in New York with her husband and three children. Author Guest Post:How important is a book cover? Everyone wants a cover that’s eye-catching—you know, the one that will make a potential reader pick it up or click on it. In such a competitive market, both online and off, a cover can really make or break a book because that first impression is so critical. It has to stand out not just in print, but also in thumbnail format. For me to pick up or click on a book, the cover has to grab me. It has to appeal to my senses … make me want to learn more. Even though I’m biased, I think the WATERFELL cover is very compelling—from the layout, to the art, to the font dissipating into the water—it’s attention getting. The next post will be scheduled to reveal at 11:30am EST The full cover will be revealed on Harlequin Teen’s Facebook Page sometime in the afternoon after all posts have been made. OK, here's a glimse of the cover! Be sure to check out the next stop to see another part of it!! You'll love the cover, trust me!