Official Blog Tour: The Sphinx Project by Kate Hawkings

My blog is the pit stop for The Sphinx Project Official Blog Tour on March 14th!

Book Release Date: 02/28/2012

Genre: Young Adult > Science Fiction

Series: The Chimaera Chronicles  #1

Not many people can say their entire existence has been one big lab experiment: poked and prodded by scientists, genetically modified to be the best and endure the worst, subjected to daily tests and trials that would kill a normal human. All Michaela wants is her own life, to be able to go to school, flirt with boys, maybe eat ice cream now and then. So when the chance to escape finally comes, Michaela and her sister grab it, taking their friends with them.

But they weren’t the only ones to find their way out of those labs. Following close behind are another breed of creature, one that doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong, who exist only to feed their own hunger. The appearance of a strange boy who seems too much like them to be a coincidence makes things even more confusing. But as the world begins to literally fall apart around them, Michaela must accept his help, especially when she could lose the very thing she holds dearest: her sister.

About the Author:

Kate’s just a Kiwi girl, making her way in the big old world. She pushes doors that say pull, tells people it’s a long story when it’s not, and is completely addicted to chocolate. Her début novel The Sphinx Project about a genetically engineered teen hits digital shelves February 28th, 2012.

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kchawkings

Author Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KCHawkings

Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3319171.Kate_Hawkings

Blog: http://katherinehawkings.blogspot.com

  

Check out the blog tour schedule and find more reviews, interviews, guest posts and giveaways:

22/02/12 – Book Whales (Review, Interview and Giveaway)
23/02/12 – Book Briefs (Dream Movie Cast) Rue View (Interview)
24/02/12 – Ragged Left (Interview)
25/02/12 –  Spirit of Books (Review)
26/02/12 – Pen, Paper, Priorities (Review) Joseph Writes (Interview)
27/02/12 – Wicked Lil Pixie (Review and Impossible Covers)
28/02/12 – Book Lovers Paradise (Review and Why I Write)
29/02/12 – Books Ahoy (My Writing Process)
01/03/12 – Ragged Left (Review)
02/03/12 – Chrystalla Toma’s Blog (Interview)
03/03/12 – Clu’s Review (Review)
04/03/12 – Jagged Edge Reviews (Review and guest blog)
05/03/12 – Luteless Efforts (Interview) Brea Essex’s Blog (Either/Or with Michaela)
06/03/12 – Bibliophilic Book Blog – (Review and The Sounds Of The Sphinx Project)
07/03/12 – Katie Reads (Interview and Review) Books Are Vital (Time management)
08/03/12 – Book Pixie (Interview and Giveaway)
09/03/12 – Jagged Edge Reviews (Review)
10/03/12 – Book Sp(l)ot (Building the World of The Sphinx Project)
11/03/12 – Shadowkissed.Net (Review)
12/03/12 – Katie Babbles (Review and Top 5 Badass Heroines) Danyelle Leafty’s blog (Guest blog)
13/03/12 – Thoughts and Roses (Review and Interview)
14/03/12 – Bookchilla (Review and Interview)
15/03/12 – Paperback Dolls (Review)

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

It’s Monday! What are you reading? [16]

 

RECENTLY READ

A Beautiful Evil (Gods & Monsters #2) by Kelly Keaton

Whoa! I am in love with this series! Greek mythology has never been this kick-ass. =)

Review to come.

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READING NOW

Partials (Partials #1) by Dan Wells

I can’t seemed to put this down.

The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

I am three chapters in but boy, do I stick to this like glue!

The Truth about Forever by Sarah Dessen

This is my first Dessen book; is this a good place to start?

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Whew! So what are you reading this week? 😉

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

In My Mailbox [19]

Hosted by The Story Siren

 

HB/PB Grabs

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

Ballads of Suburbia by Stephanie Kuehnert
Feed by M.T. Anderson

 

Have you read some of them? Which do you recommend i read first? 🙂

  

Leave your IMM links in the comments section!

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Delirium #2: Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Dystopia

(Delirium #2)

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare, 
pushing aside thoughts of Alex, 
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school, 
push, 
push, 
push, 
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

The old Lena is dead. The old Lena remains with Alex in Portland, Maine, behind a wall of smoke and flame, but the new Lena was born in the Wilds, transformed by hardship, deprivation, and loss.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena fights for a world in which love will no longer be considered a dangerous disease. Her inner life is as turbulent as the world around her. . . . Although consumed with grief for Alex, might she be falling in love with someone else?

Book 1: Delirium review

*****

I believe this is the first time in which I am delighted for such a cliffhanger ending! I tell you, the ending made my day, truly! and without a doubt, Oliver writes beautifully. But Pandemonium was a bit dragging on the first half. Things picked up on the second half but it is still not enough. Unfortunately for me, Alex being a flimsy shadow in this book is a blow I found so hard to take.

Lena has grown to be a warrior, courtesy of the harshness of the Wilds. She became hardened by her uncomfortable new life and hateful by Alex’s demise. It was not the life she intended to live when she ran to the Wilds. It was a good thing that Oliver did not shelter Lena’s character too much. She developed Lena dramatically. Lena has to make the toughest decisions in order to survive. The one thing I did not like: Lena succumbed early to grief without assessing the facts. Is it less painful for her to accept that Alex is gone than finding a way to know what really happened to him?

I think the concept of DFA is unnecessary. The dystopian element is not as direct as I expect it would be. It is more like delving with the effects of a society hell-bent on maintaining order despite the impending chaos.

Pandemonium is very far from Delirium’s delivery. It is not a personal favorite but I urge Delirium fans to read it still. I am a fan of Alex so naturally, I am resentful of this sequel.  Requiem will decide whether I will love this series or not. So Ms. Oliver, I am sincerely hoping you do not disappoint me for I am majorly invested emotionally with your series. By the way, that ending: I freakin’ love it! Serves you right, Lena. *snickers*

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Post-Apocalyptic | Dystopia

(The Forest of Hands and Teeth #1)

In Mary’s world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village;the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary’s truths are failing her. She’s learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future-betweenthe one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death?

*****

It is too tragic for me. The hopelessness of a post-apocalyptic setting became even more hopeless because the female lead is very, very indecisive. And this indecisiveness led to regret which I do not need in my zombie world. The Forest of Hands and Teeth is the first zombie book I read and did not like. The premise is good, but the main character is such a downer.

My sour feelings to Mary doubled as the story progressed. I was thinking, “Is this the type of heroine I want to emulate should I be stuck in her shoes?” Hell no. Because Mary is of no help to herself and to others. If I may be so blunt, she is the hindrance and the burden of the lot she was with. As for Travis… words are not enough to convey what I felt for him. In spite of his disability, he came out to be the strongest in character. Mary did not deserve you, Travis. And it broke my heart that you are not enough.

In a sense, The Forest of Hands and Teeth got me shipwrecked.  Days and weeks have passed and yet I still felt the loss. The heartbreak. And it would’ve been acceptable if Mary has any lick of sense to know what is important and what is not.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Fantasy

(Lumatere Chronicles #1)

At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar’s cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere’s walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock–to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she’ll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin’s faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

Literary Awards: A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2010), Australian Book Industry Award for Book of the Year for Older Children (2009),Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards Nominee for Book of the Year – Older Readers (2009), Booklist Top Ten Science Fiction/Fantasy Novels for Youth (2010), Aurealis Award for Young Adult Novel (2008), Aurealis Award for Young Adult Novel (2008), Sakura Medal Nominee for High School Book (2010), YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults (2011), ALA’s Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (2011),Publishers Weekly’s Best Children’s Books of the Year for Fiction (2010), YALSA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2011),YALSA Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults (2011)

*****

POWERFUL.

Marchetta’s stories are never easy, but I love them nonetheless. And Finnikin of the Rock ousted (On the) Jellicoe Road as my top Marchetta favorite! This is because I am more inclined to fantasy than contemporary. Not to mention Marchetta knows how to make me grin so wide and squeal so loud with Finnikin’s and Evanjalin’s not-so-easy relationship. *sigh* However, I was heavily disappointed with how the Lumaterans dealt with the impostor king and his men. Yes, Finnikin, I am with you on this, too. And for that, marry me instead of her! =)

Finnikin is the ultimate leader: skilled in fighting, fluent in several languages, compassionate with his fellow exiles. Hardened by their ten-year-exile, he refused to be coerced by a novice into believing the heir to the throne, Balthazar, is still alive. He cannot have hope and have it crushed again. His convictions are pretty much my convictions. His beliefs are my beliefs. And so naturally I felt when he started to fall for Evanjalin… She confused me. She’s so unpredictable that I love her one minute, then I hate her the next. Those several tug-of-wars between Evanjalin and Finnikin was like a damp towel that I do not need. But her intelligence, iron will and determination… I want them! The guile and strength on such a fragile girl is enough to earn my respect. Other notable characters are Trevanion, Perri the Savage, and the thief. I cannot wait to read your story, thief. =)

The story is unbelievable. Can you imagine Marchetta wrote contemporaries before this book? I can’t; it’s a whole different ball game and still, her writing worked. But there are tiny holes in the plot. You might not notice them at first read, but it is there. The only bad thing I cannot let go is how the impostor king and his men ended up. It went against what Finnikin believed and I totally agree with him. It is not a strategic move of a good monarch; it is an indulgent action of a vengeful orphan. Tsk. Tsk. I really did not like that.

Finnikin of the Rock’s story is undeniable. You should definitely read it. Marchetta’s definition of fantasy is delightfully soaked in blood. =)

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

RATING:

Genre: Mystery | Thriller | Suspense

(Millennium #1)

It’s about the disappearance forty years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden . . . and about her octogenarian uncle, determined to know the truth about what he believes was her murder.

It’s about Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently at the wrong end of a libel case, hired to get to the bottom of Harriet’s disappearance . . . and about Lisbeth Salander, a twenty-four-year-old pierced and tattooed genius hacker possessed of the hard-earned wisdom of someone twice her age–and a terrifying capacity for ruthlessness to go with it–who assists Blomkvist with the investigation. This unlikely team discovers a vein of nearly unfathomable iniquity running through the Vanger family, astonishing corruption in the highest echelons of Swedish industrialism–and an unexpected connection between themselves.

*****

The dark allure of Lisbeth Salander’s character is too addicting to ignore because truth be told, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo rocked my world! Goodness, it’s been awhile since I was enamored with a mystery/thriller book. And now, the big question is: was this book all worth the hype? A big YES!

Mikael Blomkvist is a respectable financial journalist who fell into a nightmare when sued for libel and got convicted for it. As he retreats to regroup his life and career, industrialist Henrik Vanger hires him to investigate the case of his missing niece, Harriet, forty years ago. Lisbeth Salander is a private investigator with major issues and loads of (un)emotional baggage. She was hired to investigate Blomkvist’s background and with Vanger as their common link, meeting her subject is inevitable. Eventually, she helps Blomkvist unearth the mystery behind Harriet’s disappearance. Little did she know that stepping into Hedestad is a nightmare she doesn’t need in her already messed-up life.

Blomkvist’s character is very solid: he’s a smart guy and a strategist. Although I do not approve of his casual friendship with Erik Berger (it really bothered me), he’s a pretty decent male lead. Salander is so different from all the heroines I’ve encountered but boy, did she take the cake! Plus the icing! She’s brilliant, cunning, and downright cruel (well, if you asked me, those brutes deserved what they got from her). The complexity of her character is so amazing that I can’t help but scream, “that’s my girl!”. She had a rough life, having it still, but it mattered little when she’s working, snooping about other people’s business. Salander made my heart ache in the end.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is an astounding read. From the calculated indifference of a seasoned killer to the precise debauchery of a brilliant girl, this book will rob you of any sanity you might have. Family legacy has never been this inescapable.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

In My Mailbox [18]

Hosted by The Story Siren

 

HB/PB Grabs

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler

NetGalley Grabs

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (Goddess Test #2)

The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens (The Graveyard Queen #2)

Goodness! NG is overflowing with great titles!

Have you read some of them? Which do you recommend i read first? 🙂

  

Leave your IMM links in the comments section!

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

Rating:

Genre: Young Adult > Mythology

(Wildefire #1)

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school–being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger–Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

*****

Wildefire has fallen from grace in my eyes. It started out great, and it engaged me instantly. But as the story progresses, I did not know what to do with Ashline. At first, she’s strong but while her character unraveled, I began to dislike her. I mean really, really dislike her. Also, the violence and intrigue was right into my league but the mash-up of different mythologies did not work out for me.

Is it just me or are the supporting characters much more solid and likeable over the main characters? I prefer Raja over Ashline. Rolfe over Colt. I even like Eve! Unlike Ash, she knows what she wants and she goes for it. Ash is all talk and no walk. She barely even registered as a goddess to me. If she were a he, I would call Ash an egotistical jerk. On the other hand, Colt is not charismatic like the author portrayed him be. Raja is sure of herself and her sarcastic humor is enjoyable. And it’s the same with Rolfe. Case in point: Raja and Rolfe have more sass and personality than Ash and Colt.

There is something wrong about Wildefire. At least for me. The uniqueness of its mythology was somehow destroyed by the irksome female lead. Yeah Ashline, you suck.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”

Book Review: Matched #2: Crossed by Ally Condie

RATING:

Genre: Young Adult > Dystopia

(Matched #2)

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky – taken by the Society to his certain death – only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander – who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart – change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

Book 1: Matched review

*****

Well, at least Crossed has some action more than Matched. and I adored Ky’s POV. But in the end, I was left wanting more, and more… like i was back where Condie left me in Matched: i was hanging. still hanging. No, i think the right word is dangling.

I admire Cassia for staying true to her promise of finding Ky. But i thought: is it really Ky she’s after, or is it really the rebellion that somehow depicts Ky? Cassia’s character developed a little, but she did raise some questions that she would’ve never thought of asking when she was part of the Society. Ky… man, i so love this guy! A tortured survivor who’s willing to throw everything he believed in (all his life) just to save Cassia. He was somber most times, but it did not bother me because that is what i pictured him to be from the first book. He’s resourceful, street smart, and sharp. Crossed was ok for me because of him.

I did not expect much from Crossed and with that in mind, i was just a tad disappointed. I was also confused on how Cassia ended up in one of the camps. Didn’t she run so she can be free? Oh well. I like it enough for the romance (i am such a sucker for this), but the dystopian element is nowhere near where it should be: better and more solid than what Matched delivered.

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.: maria :.

“giving up is the ultimate tragedy.”