Official Blog Tour: The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco

My blog is the pit stop for The Girl from the Well Official Blog Tour on September 29th!

The Girl from The Well  ●  Author: Rin Chupeco

Sourcebooks Fire ● August 5, 2014 ● ISBN: 9781402292187

Hardcover/$16.99 U.S. ● Ages 14+

Okiku has wandered the world for hundreds of years, setting free the spirits of murdered children. Wherever there’s a monster hurting a child, her spirit is there to deliver punishment. Such is her existence, until the day she discovers a troubled American teenager named Tark and the dangerous demon that writhes beneath his skin, trapped by a series of intricate tattoos. Tark needs to be freed, but there is one problem—if the demon dies, so does its host.

With the vigilante spirit Okiku as his guide, Tark is drawn deep into a dark world of sinister doll rituals and Shinto exorcisms that will take him far from American suburbia to the remote valleys and shrines of Japan. Can Okiku protect him from the demon within or will her presence bring more harm? The answer lies in the depths of a long-forgotten well.

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Praise for The Girl From the Well:

“[A] Stephen King–like horror story…A chilling, bloody ghost story that resonates.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Chupeco makes a powerful debut with this unsettling ghost story…told in a marvelously disjointed fashion from Okiku’s numbers-obsessed point of view, this story unfolds with creepy imagery and an intimate appreciation for Japanese horror, myth, and legend.” –Publishers Weekly, STARRED

“The Girl from the Well is part The Ring, part The Grudge and part The Exorcist…A fantastically creepy story sure to keep readers up at night… Okiku is one of the most interesting YA characters to date.” RT Book Reviews,4 ½ STARS-TOP PICK!

“A dark novel that will appeal to horror fans, lovers of Elizabeth Scott’s ‘Living Dead Girl.’” –School Library Journal

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About the Author:

Despite uncanny resemblances to Japanese revenants, Rin Chupeco has always maintained her sense of humor. Raised in Manila, Philippines, she keeps four pets: a dog, two birds, and a husband. She’s been a technical writer and travel blogger, but now makes things up for a living.The Girl from the Well is her debut novel. Connect with Rin at www.rinchupeco.com.

July 2014 Wrap Up

It’s been a fantastic reading month!

• House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (5/5) – this is beyond words. My 2014 best read so far *2 thumbs up*
• Ruins by Dan Wells (4/5) – satisfying finale for one of my favourite sci-fi/post apocalyptic YA series
• Lola and the Boy next Door by Stephanie Perkins (3/5) – different from Anna and the French Kiss, but cute
• The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield (5/5) – a gem! The writing was just mesmerizing =)
• Un Lun Dun by China Mieville (5/5) – fun and entertaining from beginning to end!

(Ebooks, not included in image above)

• Deception by C.J. Redwine (4/5) – intense. surprisingly emotional. I’d go as far to say that this sequel is one of the most mature YA reads out there
• Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews (3/5) – my Kate Daniels fever kind of tapered down a bit after this one. I love the myth, though
• The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade (4/5) – something light and funny. Right up my alley!
• On Her Watch by Rie Warren (4/5) – I liked Liz Grant’s POV better than Cannon from In His Command

 

The thing I love the most about my books last July is this: It was a mix of genres (YA and others) and a mix of book formats (printed and ebooks). It only means that seven months after I made my reading resolution, I am adhering to it without any effort at all. =) Aja!

It’s already August 2nd here in Manila, and of course, my daily thought is that, it’s one more month until the “ber” months. Heh. I’m such a kid. Getting excited for Christmas as early as now.

Happy weekend, everyone!

June 2014 Wrap Up

You want to know why I haven’t posted anything for four weeks?

Two words.

KATE DANIELS.

There’s no stopping because it was impossible. I just need to keep reading. Kind of like when I read Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series last year. I had no social life for two weeks back then, so now with Kate Daniels, it was for a month!

I breezed through books 1-5. I also went through Curran’s POV collection (I think there was 5-7 e-novellas). There’s also 2 other e-novellas that I read, Magic Mourns and Magic Dreams. I was so out of there, in magic-filled Atlanta!

So yeah. It was not about me being lazy to blog, I just did not bother to even think of reviewing my finished books. There’s only reading, and reading for me. Ah, Curran. =)

I am on page 50-ish in Gone by Michael Grant. I think I need to sit that one down for one hour or two, so I can finish it. And soon.

Kate Daniels is one badass chick! Have you tried this Urban Fantasy series?

Challenge: 2014 Off-the-Shelf Challenge

I PLEDGE TO READ THE PRINTED WORD.

MAKING A DENT: Choose 30 books to read

Forgive me if I will utter just a few words in this post. As OC as I am, I just need to see where I’m at with this challenge to push me into completing it.

(Aside from writing reviews, looks to me I am still in a blogging slump.)

*sigh*

HERE WE GO!

1. A Feast for Crows, George R.R. Martin [4/5]
2. Red Dragon, Thomas Harris [3/5]
3. The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman [5/5]
4. The Gray Wolf Throne, Cinda Williams Chima [4/5]
5. Lover Avenged, J.R. Ward [3/5]
6. Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn [4/5]
7. Evil at Heart, Chelsea Cain [3/5]
8. A Dance with Dragons: Dreams and Dust, George R.R. Martin [4/5]
9. A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast, George R.R. Martin [4/5]
10. The Stranger, Albert Camus [2/5]
11. Lover Mine, J.R. Ward [3/5]
12. The 5th Wave, Rick Yancey [5/5]

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I am currently reading my copies of Lover Unleashed and The Night Season. So including those two, I am almost halfway through this challenge. *fist pump*

I still have a book shelf full of TBR books, but at least, I am no longer hoarding. It’s been 2 months since I last bought a book. See, progress!

Elated: Blogoversary coming up!

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25 March 2014

Year 3

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EXCITEMENT!!! ❤

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Top Ten Books That Will Make You Cry

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature from The Broke and The Bookish.

Hi!

I’m at home, just finished with my dinner (ensaladang talong/eggplant salad). I am posting this quick because I have a scheduled call at work by 9pm (it’s 8.45pm right now here in Manila). 😀

So let’s get on with my list!

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What’s on your list? Link me up! 😀

Required Reading: January

Feature by Tina of I Like It Dog-Eared

I want to do this right, this feature I mean. I will make sure to include only 2-3 books in my monthly required reading. Why, you ask? Because, the OC in me will protest like crazy if i did not finish the promised books on time. 😀

Besides, I want to relax, and just read whatever the mood I am in. I am aiming for gut feel and pick the books I want to read. Agree?

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December Reading Report

5/5: World After, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (a reread)

4/5: Exit Kingdom, These Broken Stars, Into the Still Blue

Favorite Quote:

The Potters smiled and waved at Harry and stared hungrily back at them, his hands pressed flat against the glass as though he was hoping to fall right through it and reach them. He had a powerful kind of ache inside him, half joy, half terrible sadness.

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January Reads

• The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman – It’s been years since I last read Gaiman, and it was The Graveyard Book. I only read one other Gaiman, American Gods, and it was a miss for me. So here’s to trying Gaiman again and finally mark me as a fan. 😉

• Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel – Prologue greeted me with a violent streak. I was like, hmmm, maybe this won’t be a laborious read? Ha! This Man Booker Prize awardee piqued my interest late last year. This just might be my kind of suspenseful read that I’ve been waiting for. Hope it works! Buddy reading with sis Monique, chami Angus, and (what shall I call her…) old soul Veronica. 🙂 Let’s do this, buddies!

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Drop by Tina‘s page, and visit other Required Reading links on her comments section. 😉

Happy reading this first month of 2014. *grins*

Cheers!

2014 Reading Goals and Resolutions

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This year, I will read:

1. The unabridged Les Miserables
2. ASoIaF series until A Dance with Dragons: After the Feast
3. Sequels of my favorite series (Croak, Unwind, The Assassin’s Curse, to name a few)
4. Read and finish Chronicles of Narnia series (a complete set has been sitting on my shelf for 2 years now)
5. More recommended reads from my friends
6. Books gifted to me
7. More printed books than eBooks (Illium II will have to take a back seat)
8. Less YA (and I really, really hope this works)
9. More books outside YA genre
10. And collect printed books ONLY for series/trilogy/companion/etc.

This is my major checklist. Quite manageable, yeah? 🙂

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Here’s to more fun experiences with you in reading this 2014… CHEERS!

Elated: Best Reads of 2013

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Hello! Let’s go straight to my list, shall we?

BEST OF 2013

1. THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Nicole Krauss. I am in love with this book! *starry eyes*
2. THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE HER by Junot Diaz. Stunning. 😉
3. A STORM OF SWORDS by George R.R. Martin. Collossal ending, as in, hands down!
4. ORIGIN by Jennifer L. Armentrout
5. TALL STORY by Candy Gourlay
6. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME by Sarra Manning

HONORABLE MENTIONS

1. ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell. Park! Definite swoon material, you guys.
2. THESE BROKEN STARS by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
3. GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn
4. THE LOST GIRL by Sangu Mandanna. Beautiful, beautiful writing.
5. THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. Oh, the heartache.
6. THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME by Jess Rothenberg

SURPRISES OF 2013

1. SHADES OF GRAY by Brooke McKinley. This is a M/M romance so yeah, surprise!
2. 84, CHARING CROSS ROAD by Helene Hanff
3. THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. GILEAD by Marilynne Robinson. My biggest surprise, true.
5. FAHRENHEIT 451 by Ray Bradbury

WORST OF 2013

1. ALLEGIANT by Veronica Roth. Appalling. Don’t even get me started (ranting) again.
2. SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson
3. THE SECRET OF ELLA AND MICHA by Jessica Sorensen
4. UNTEACHABLE by Leah Raeder
5. SCHOOL SPIRITS by Rachel Hawkins. And I so loved the Hex Hall series…! But this one? Ack.

OUTSTANDING SEQUELS

1. WORLD AFTER by Susan Ee. Pooky Bear!
2. SCARLET by Marissa Meyer. Wolf!
3. SPARK by Amy Kathleen Ryan. I think this series is underrated. How can anyone miss its awesomeness? *clueless*
4. DARK TRIUMPH by Robin LaFevers
5. CROWN OF MIDNIGHT by Sarah J. Maas. Chaol Westfall!
6. QUICKSILVER by R.J. Anderson
7. ASHEN WINTER by Mike Mullin
8. FRAGMENTS by Dan Wells. Samm!
9. EONA by Allison Goodman. Lord Ido!
10. A MILLION SUNS by Beth Revis

DISAPPOINTING SEQUELS

1. KINSLAYER by Jay Kristoff
2. GAME by Barry Lyga
3. THE EVOLUTION OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin. Epic fail in the end. Grrr.

OUTSTANDING FINALES

1. HORDE by Ann Aguirre. Triumphant ending for a trilogy I loved so dearly. Undoubtedly surpasses all books in this list!
2. CHAMPION by Marie Lu
3. INTO THE STILL BLUE by Veronica Rossi
4. BOUNDLESS by Cynthia Hand
5. REACHED by Ally Condie

DISAPPOINTING FINALES

1. ALLEGIANT by Veronica Roth
2. ICON OF THE INDECISIVE by Mina V. Esguerra. This one almost top Allegiant with its ridiculous ending. Almost.
3. REQUIEM by Lauren Oliver. Such high hopes I have for this one 😦 but no.

OUTSTANDING SERIES

1. FEVER Series by Karen Marie Moning. Hello sleepless nights and emotional hangover. But Barrons… whoa!
2. BLOOD OF EDEN Series by Julie Kagawa 

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It was a very good reading year for me. 125 books read out of 52 books set for 2013 🙂 and only a few that I rated 1-2 stars. Happy, happy time, I might say. How’s your 2013 reading?

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LOVE,

[Waterfell Blog Tour] Book Review: Waterfell by Amalie Howard

My blog is Amalie Howard‘s WATERFELL Blog Tour stop this Nov 2nd! Read on for my review, and see for yourself if you would like to pick it up soon. 😀

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Young Adult > Paranormal

(The Aquarathi #1)

Nerissa Marin hides among teens in her human form, waiting for the day she can claim her birthright—the undersea kingdom stolen from her the day her father was murdered. Blending in is her best weapon—until her father’s betrayer confronts Nerissa and challenges her to a battle to the death on Nerissa’s upcoming birthday—the day she comes of age.

Amid danger and the heartbreak of her missing mother, falling for a human boy is the last thing Nerissa should do. But Lo Seavon breaches her defenses and somehow becomes the only person she can count on to help her desperate search for her mother, a prisoner of Nerissa’s mortal enemy. Is Lo the linchpin that might win Nerissa back her crown? Or will this mortal boy become the weakness that destroys her?

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Amalie Howard‘s lore on sea creatures was fascinating. The plot was easy to follow, but I had trouble engaging with Nerissa’s human life (except for Jenna). Riss’ sometimes-abrasive romantic relationship with Lo raised my eyebrows a bunch of times. No goosebumps from me, for the swoon intended to please readers only managed to irked me with its ineffectual dialogue.

Nerissa is living with humans as part of her training as the royal heir to Waterfell. But she wants it to be permanent, because she’s coward enough to run from the responsibility. Because she’s scared enough of Ehmora to want to live a normal human life. Let Ehmora rule Waterfell since she never wanted to be a princess/queen in the first place.

When Riss learned the truth about her mother, the rules of the game changed. Suddenly, Riss wants to accepts Ehmora’s challenge for the throne. and Riss is more determined than ever to know his dead father’s secrets.

The story left the paranormal theme when the origin of Riss’ people, the Aquarathi, was revealed. The twists were also surprising, and well handled. The last three chapters were the most interesting. It gave the viciousness that I was looking for in sea creatures.

Scenes between Riss and Lo were.. frustrating. The banter came across as corny for me. It did not help the Riss’ attitude is unbearable at times. Her best friend’s Jenna’s observations about her character was exactly what I have in mind.

Waterfell and the Aquarathi people captured my imagination. A little more developed characters, and more underwater action scenes might make the following installments better.

Thank you Samantha Lien of JKS Communications – Literary Publicity for the review copy.

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WATERFELL by Amalie Howard

Ebook, 360 pages

Published October 29th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

3.5/5 stars

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AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or being a tomboy running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive. In between writing novels and indulging her love of reading, Amalie is also a books review editor for TheLoopNY, and blogs at amaliehoward.com. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency.

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