Amazing Mara Dyer Book Trailer!

I just saw this and I absolutely had to share it! Just wow. There is no words for it's awesomeness-- the music, the characters, the backround are all so perfect. If this doesn't make you want to read the The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer I don't know what will! Check it out here. 

Book Swap!!

I was cleaning out my bookshelves the other day to make way for all my new books, and I now have a whole pile of books I don't know what to do with!! So I decided to do a book trade-- you email me with what book you'd like and what book you'd be willing to trade with me, and we each mail them to each other (but only US. Sorry!). Check out my list below and if you see something that you're dying to have, then email me! I'll trade hardcover or paperback for not-yet-been-released ARCs. Here's my wishlist: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4710822-emma-hoke?per_page=100&shelf=must-have-books

ARCS: 

How To Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor  
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E. Pearson
Hades by Alexandra Adornetto
Plague by Michael Grant
Forgotten by Cat Patrick 
The Iron Thron by Caitlin Kittredge
Timeless by Alexandra Monir
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Paperbacks: 

Beastly by Alex Flinn
Gone by Michael Grant
Top 8 by Katie Finn

Hardcover: 

The False Princess by Eilis O Neal
Huntress by Malinda Lo
Misfit by Jon Skovron
Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard

Thanks everyone! My email is thereadinggirl3@gmail.com

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My humble thoughts: Quite honestly, I knew this book would be amazing before I even got it-- Laini Taylor is that good (plus, she has killer hair). In my opinion, it's hard to find a book that separates itself from the usual brand of YA paranormal out there. Not to say I don't like those books, but reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone is like breathing fresh air after being stuck inside a box all day. The writing is gorgeous, for one thing. Laini Taylor really digs deep inside her characters emotions, and never uses those boring cliches like 'she was as beautiful as the sunrise' or 'fear gripped him' to name a few. It's just so original and powerful. The story, too, is unlike anything I've read. We read about angels and humans falling madly in love all the time-- but what about angels and devils? The idea made me blink and wonder. The author plays it out perfectly, though. The storyline bursts with mythological lore and imagination, not to mention Karou, who is a fierce, intelligent heroine who isn't afraid to do what has to be done-- she isn't afraid of anything, really. Anyone who reads this would want to be friends with her (but I already took the title of Best Friend, everyone else will just have to be regular friends).

All in all, this book is definitely swoon-worthy. The foreign setting is lovely and realistic, the characters are wonderful, and the plot is fresh and absorbing. Definitely a re-reader, and a book I'll buy as a hardcover in October. I hope they do the cover with the mask, though-- I like it much better than this one I received.

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Well, Jenny Han did it again, that's all I can say. Every time I read one of the Summer books I tell myself I won't get so sucked into the story that I have to put it down and take a few deep breathes in order to continue without mentally or physically hurting myself. But I did. I mean this is all in a good way, nevertheless. Belly and Conrad and Jere make me want to tear my hair out sometimes; their love triangle is so absorbing and original. In most books these days, the girl supposedly 'loves' both boys but you can pretty much figure out which one she is going to end up with in the end. Not in this trilogy, though! I was guessing until the very end.

I'm also so glad the author decided to put Conrad's point of view in the last installment. He really kind of bugged me before, with his broody detachment and unexpectedness. I was like Belly, girl, move on already! He's not right for you! But you can really see why he is the way he is in some of the chapters. I actually grew kind of fond of him. He has flaws, and Jeremiah does too, which is what makes the characters so real and wonderful. The simple elegance of the writing is what brings everything to life in these books. And it just has this certain Bellyness about it that I adore. It makes me want to go to the beach and roast marshmallows, build sandcastles and swim till I'm exhausted.

Of all summer books, these are my most definite favorite. I loved watching Belly grow up into a thoughtful, charming young woman. It makes me kind of wistful, thinking about it. Jenny Han captures all the wonder and rawness of life and manages to fit it into a mere couple hundred pages. I'm so sad to see this series end-- and the ending surprised and pleased me, I have to say-- but I hope to see much more of this author's talent in the years to come.

The Hunger Games By Any Other Cover...

I was bored today, so I started looking up different covers for The Hunger Games, just cause I'm so excited for the movie. And let me say, there are some pretty interesting ones out there. Check out these ones!

In German:

I like this one, especially how the girl's eyes and the leaves match. Very striking.

In Italian: 



















Whoa, this one is creepy! In a good way though. Again, love the eyes-- it looks like there's an explosion going on in them!

In Dutch:               

Hmmm. Not a huge fan of this one-- it doesn't really have the intenseness that the other ones do, but still pretty. 

In Swedish:

This one, well, kinda looks like a cover for a video game, though the coloring is cool. And the girl's expression is weird, sorta like she's feeling sick. Which makes sense I guess, but still...

In Russian:




















This cover looks like it focuses mainly on the romance aspect of the book. That'd be great, if it were just a plain old romantic novel, but I feel personally it should show more than that. The book has so much more to offer than a love triangle!

In Chinese:

Oooh, I like this one. It still has the same focus of the mockingjay, but also includes Katniss and Peeta running in the forest. Very awesome. 

In Japanese:

Of course I had to add the Japanese one. Go cartoon characters!

In Serbian:

This one reminds me of the Chinese cover. Again, love how they kept the mockingjay pin, and also how they have the shadows of the tributes underneath it. Very appropriate.

In Romanian:




















Super bright and flashy cover. I don't think it goes along with the book very well, but who knows? It's probably really popular in Romania.

Similar Versions: these ones are basically the same as the cover we know and love, just a tad different.

Spanish:













Turkish:                     

    










Finnish:        

Well, there you go. A totally random post, but I think it's cool to see other countries' view of this beloved book. What one is your favorite?


                     

Juliet Immortal by Stacy Jay

"These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."

—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love.

 I've been dying to read this book since I first heard about it. It's such an original idea to twist the classic story around like that, plus the cover is so gorgeous and romantic! And it really is a beautiful story Stacey Jay has created. Juliet is such a determined, intriguing, even broken character. Although it's her mission to help people find their true soul mate, she doesn't really believe in love herself. That's why I really admired her for trying so hard to make Ariel's (the name of the girl who's body she possesses) life better, even while desperately trying to stay away from Ben, the boy she's forbidden to have feelings for. Who doesn't love a good forbidden romance? It was a kind of 'love at first sight' thing, but the way the author describes it in the book makes it much easier to understand and believe. And Romeo, O Romeo. I was expecting him to be this evil, deplorable character that dies a horrible and painful death in the end, but there was really more depth to him than I would've thought. Even when he was being a total jerk, I couldn't help but see that shred of humanity left in him. The poor guy was weak, the complete opposite of Juliet. Both of their endings surprised me-- in a good way.

 The writing style was lovely, perfect for showcasing all the character's different emotions. This is one of those books where I can really feel what the character is going through, sometimes even needing to shut my eyes or wince at certain parts like it was a movie. I also liked the way the author used Romeo and Juliet's situation to explain how their 'false' story came to be. Everything just fits so perfectly in this novel. Go Stacey Jay for shaking it up a little! 

 Warning: If you are completely in love with the original story of Romeo and Juliet, you probably shouldn't read this book-- it will just make you mad at the author for trying to change it. I was never really fond of Shakespeare's tragedy, which is why I loved this version so much. Just a little cautionary advice:)