'Waiting on' Wednesday: Defiance

'Waiting on' Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights releases that we are highly anticipating.

This week's pick is Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Expected Publication: 28th August 2012

" Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making."

                                              On goodreads

I have high expectations for this book, the premise sounds interesting and the cover's quite breathtaking( though we've all learnt not to trust that already, haven't we?)

What is your pick for this week?

'Waiting on' Wednesday : Throne of Glass

   'Waiting on' Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights releases that we are highly anticipating.This week's pick is Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) by Sarah J. Maas.

Expected Publication: 7th August 2012

"Meet Celaena Sardothien.Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover  her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?"

                                                                On goodreads

I have a feeling i'll either really like or really hate this one. I've heard comparisons to Grave Mercy but I hope it sustains my interest for a longer time...

What is your pick for this week?

'Waiting On' Wednesdays : Days of Blood and Starlight

'Waiting on' Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights releases that we are highly anticipating.

This week's pick is Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor

Expected Publication: 6th November 2012

"In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas."
                                                                 On goodreads




As per usual, we can tell absolutely nothing about the book from the cryptic teaser:( Regardless, this is definitely HIGH up on my to reads list if the first book is anything to go by.


What is your pick for this week?

Book2Movie News: The Hunger Games Finnick Odair Casting

And so continues the news release of movie castings for the Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire. This week, Sam Claflin has reportedly been offered to play one of the prominent tributes, Finnick Odair. Other of his previous roles include parts in the most recent Pirates of the Caribbean movie and SnowWhite and the Huntsman.
Other actors who were rumored to be cast include Grant Gustin (of Glee) and Armie Hammer.
What do you guys think of this casting? Too old? Too ugly?
I personally feel the directors could have done a little better, he seems a little too stiff for me. But nevertheless, he joins Amanda Plummer (Wiress), Jena Malone (Johanna Mason) and Philip Seymour Hoffman (Plutarch Heavensbee) in the movie set to be released on the 22 November 2013.

Jena Malone

                 

Sam Claflin

Philip Seymour Hoffman

The casting for the most part was quite unexpected, with most fan favourites not being picked. Who is your ideal Hunger Games cast?

I found my information here.

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity."Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Rating: 4/5

I know what you are thinking. Seriously? Another one? And just by virtue of principle and an unofficial rule in vampire book reviewing, yes there will be comparisons to twilight( it really is a must nowadays..)

Well I am happy to report though, that this offers a great comparison! (or bad depending on which side you are coming from)

Step aside sparkly vegetarian vamps, here comes the REAL DEAL. That is to say Allie is a freaking BADASS. This might be just me but katana wielding head decapitating vampires are definitely a plus 10 points in my book, if I had one. It's somehow gotten quite tiring reading book after book of whiny protagonist after protagonist complaining about having to kill people, and the whole book being about self discovery and self conflict. Well thats just selfish to me. Which is exactly why I enjoyed this book so much. Allie develops a purpose and a goal in this book, not just mindless boy chasing(Comparison #1) but a legit goal in which she gives herself a mission to accomplish, the coming to terms with self being a side story.

Props to Kagawa for managing to kill the right character off at the right time (FINALLY), I really admire an author that's not afraid to do that. And if that was a spoiler then I'm sorry but people do die in this book, quite a lot really. (For those who cringed at that, I refer you to the princess diaries, it might be slightly more suitable).

Among other things, I also like how she keeps to the normal characteristics of vampires but also adds her own little flair of uniqueness to them. REAL vampires (see what I did there?) don't sparkle in the sun they burn and burst into FLAMES (Comparison #2). 

As for the other characters in the story, they were pretty well done, each of them had a certain characteristic or trait that they kept throughout so there weren't any noticeable inconsistencies. But coming, of course, to Zeke. He was the typical kind and caring male lead but I must say there was something about him I found particularly refreshing. He wasn't overbearing and overprotective but he credited people based on their strengths and merits. And since Allie is freaking strong...well you know what happens.

I felt the pace was the main vice of the story, the beginning part was too long and got slightly boring. I enjoyed her training period with Kanin(!!!) and it was necessary but some of it could definitely have been omitted. It does pick up in the second half though so it wasn't that much of a drag.

Last but not least, the cover! Boy do I have a lot to say about this one. Allison is Japanese, or at least half. If the girl on the cover is a Japanese, I'm a Mexican. And I'm not. No offense to any Mexicans.