Fake Mustache

Note: Since I only got one book this week, I'm not doing an IMM! Come check back next week!
Fake Mustache by Tom Angleberger
Release Date ~ 4/1/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Amulet Books
Source ~ Amulet Books
Purchase: The Book Depository

Award-winning author Tom Angleberger flexes his comic muscle in this hairy adventure story with twists at every turn.

Regular kid Lenny Flem Jr. is the only one standing between his evil-genius best friend—Casper, a master of disguise and hypnosis—and world domination. It all begins when Casper spends money from his granny on a spectacularly convincing fake mustache, the Heidelberg Handlebar #7. With it he’s able rob banks, amass a vast fortune, and run for president. Is Lenny the only one who can see through his disguise? And will he be able to stop Casper from taking over the world?

    Tom Angleberger books are like candy. Very sweet, and so very, very addictive!

     In Fake Mustache we meet Lenny, who has a huge problem on his hands: his best friend, Casper has bought the Heidelberg Handlebar #7 and is using it to take over the world. Or at least The United States... for now. Along with child star Jodie O' Rodeo, he has to stop them... before his minions capture Lenny.

    Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda books are funny, but this one was freaking hilarious! The jokes were a bit more mature, which I liked as I started reading Angleberger's books a year or two I was ten. I reread one of them a couple weeks ago and found it a bit immature. This one thankfully was more more mature.

   This book has the perfect pacing. Never a dull moment, they'res almost always something cool happening! Especially the dialog, which was hilarious to read!

I really don't have too much more to say about this book, other then it's a really fun middle grade book that you should give a try when you're in the mood for a fresher lighter read!

Cover Comments: This cover is exactly what the book is about: a fake mustache!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Stand Alone Reading Challenge: 5
ARC Reading Challenge: 17

Charity Giveaway Hop

Welcome my stop on the Charity Hopping Around the World Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, Reading Away the Days, and A Little Bit of Everything 

My Charity:

The World Wildlife Fund

About them:

(copied from their website)

For 50 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature.
Vision WWF's vision is to build a future in which people live in harmony with nature.
Goal and Strategies WWF’s mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
By 2020, WWF will conserve 15 of the world’s most ecologically important regions by working in partnership with others to:

• Protect and restore species and their habitats

• Strengthen local communities' ability to conserve the natural resources they depend upon

• Transform markets and policies to reduce the impact of the production and consumption of commodities

• Ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decisions made by individuals, communities, governments and businesses

• Mobilize hundreds of millions of people to support conservation.

They're a great organization and I invite you to help them by:

Making A Donation 

Here's what's up for grabs:

1 Preorder of Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey

Braden came to Belle Dam in search of answers. Answers to his past, to the incredible power he was born with, and the threats destined to come for him. What he found was a supernatural feud between the Lansings and the Thorpes: a feud divided by blood, ruled through manipulation, and fought with magic. His arrival has caused the tide to turn in Belle Dam, and now the things in the darkness have begun to stir.

Trapped between his power and his desires, Braden struggles with the legacy he's inherited. The witch eyes give him access to incredible power, but they've ravaged his body for nearly the last time. As a series of girls are stolen, snatched away in dead of night, Braden realizes that once more there are demons maneuvering in the dark. Friendships are tested, and old alliances threatened, as Braden unravels the history behind the city's darkest secrets, and the demons bound to its core.

Enter after the page break!

The Immortal Rules

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
Release Date ~ 4/24/12
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Harlequin Teen
Source ~ Harlequin Teen
Purchase: The Book Depository

You will kill. The only question is when.
In the dark days since the insidious Red Lung virus decimated the human population, vampires have risen to rule the crumbling cities and suburbs. Uncontested Princes hold sway over diminished ranks of humans: their "pets." In exchange for their labor, loyalty and of course, their blood, these pets are registered, given food and shelter, permitted to survive.
Unregistered humans cling to fringes, scavenging for survival. Allison Sekemoto and her fellow Unregistereds are hunted, not only by vampires, but by rabids, the unholy result of Red Lung-infected vampires feeding on unwary humans. One night, Allie is attacked by a pack of rabids, saved by an unlikely hero...and turned vampire.
Uncomfortable in her undead skin, Allie falls in with a ragtag crew of humans seeking a cure, or cures: for Rabidism and for Vampirism. She's passing for human...for now. But the hunger is growing and will not be denied. Not for friendship—not even for love.

   Julie Kagawa never, ever, ever, in a million years ceases to amaze me. Her books keep on getting better, and better, and better (now just repeat the word better a million times). I've come to expect greatness from this lady, and greatness has been achieved with this novel. This is all I have to say to her:

And I know I'm not the only one who things so...

    The main character, Allie, was hard to connect with in the beginning, because she was a little mean and didn't have a ton of  caring for her fellow humans, she was like Katniss in the beginning of The Hunger Games: a survivor. An "every man for themselves" kind of girl. But then she got a lot better and I think I ended up liking her the most of all the characters of read about this year (so far)! 

   The setting in this book was really lush. The world built by Kagawa was so brutal, but yet so well done! In this world, there is no such thing as security for humans, they had to watch their back every moment, and it was really interesting to see how people would act in that situation! 

   The romance in this book was really sweet. With lots of twists and turns in the relationship, it was fun to read about Ally come to care for him! 

   A jaw-dropping, stellar first book in the Blood of Eden series. Naturally, I can't wait for book two!

Cover Comments: I love the blood dripping from her eye. And the dark background is awesome!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Review Copy Cleanup: 1
Dystopian Reading Challenge: 10
Vampire Reading Challenge: 1
ARC Reading Challenge: 12
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 10

   

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Release Date ~ 5/1/12
Publisher ~ Katheryn Tegan Books

One choice can transform you--or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves--and herself--while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris's initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable--and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
"New York Times" bestselling author Veronica Roth's much-anticipated second book of the dystopian "Divergent" series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.

 OMG, Divergent was incredibly awesome, and EPIC! And I swear, every day I go without reading this book, I lose a freaking year of my life! They're announcing the 45 lucky bloggers who get ARCs April 2nd. *waits a while* Is it April 2nd yet? No? *pouts* *waits more* Okay, it has to be April 2nd now. What?? You mean I've only been waiting for a couple of minutes GAH GAH GAH!!! I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF PATIENCE!

The Top Ten Books I'd Play Hooky With

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books That if I Got I'd Play Hooky With

Because books are so much more fun then school...

10

 

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

Divergent was so amazing... if I got Insurgent I would totally be "sick".

9

 

Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey

Teachers!!! The witch put a spell on me saying I had to read this book instead of going to school! Really, it's true!

8

 

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

This one would make me want a "ditching school rune"!

7

 

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake

I'd kill myself to read this book... because ghosts don't have to go to school, right?

6

 

Defiance by C.J. Redwine

I would DEFY my teachers to read this book! Sounds so epic!

5

 

The Raven Boys  by Maggie Stiefvater

Every boy needs a day off... I just might have to take one if I get this book.

4

 

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Me after getting this book: OMG!!! I BROKE A BONE! Guess I'll have to stay home tomorrow to read it...

3

 

Team Human by Justine Larbelestier and Sarah Brees Bennan

I'm only human, so I need a break (to read this book) once in a while!

2

The Unraveling of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

I'm unraveling... better stay home (to read)!

1

 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

If I was a princess (that means I would first have to get a sex change) I would make a law saying everyone got a day off school to read this! Or else it would be "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!!"

Those are my top ten! What are your's? Link me below!

Blog Tour: Pure

Welcome to my stop on the Pure Blog Tour hosted by StuckInBooks!

Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Release Date ~ 4/3/2012
Format ~ ARC
Publisher ~ Spencer Hill Press
Source ~ Around the World Tours
Purchase: The Book Depository

Summary: There is need. And then there is Fate...
Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.
When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.
When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

   After reading Half-Blood I felt like there was something wrong with me. I liked it, but didn't love it to bits like half the blogging community did. I had no such feelings about Pure.
   Before I get on to all the things I liked about Pure, I'm going to say the one thing I didn't like about it. At the beginning of Pure I was a little confused, because I forgot most of what happened in Half-Blood. Everything slowly came back to me, and I remembered why I didn't like it that much. It's pacing. In Half-Blood it was 100 pages of nothingness, then 50 pages of the most awesome action sequences ever. If you're a regular here then you'll know pacing is a big thing that makes or breaks a novel for me. With Pure there was slightly less of that, but it was still there. My hopes are that one day Armentrout will get accept to a main -stream publishing house and her editor will work with her on that. Because she has a really good story, but just not good pacing.

   In Pure Seth has a much more major role, and I really liked getting to know him. Though it seems in the first book that he is just a total jerkface, he actually is sorta nice, and tries to help Alex in every way he could. Though you know in your heart Alex is going to end up with Aiden, just because he's the good guy.

  Alex is once again badass. She isn't only a little badass. She is more badass, then badassness has ever seen  before. And yeah, I did just use the word badass four times in the span of two sentences. She has no regard for the rules, and isn't afraid to stand up to those loser pure-bloods. Her only problem is that she can't sort out who she wants to be with. And I feel like saying basically the same thing some random guy I saw on youtube did, and say to Alex "listen honey, it's like choosing between a cake, and a cake that when you eat it will piss off the council and enlist you in a life of servitude because it's against the breed order."


   Pure was a excellent sequel. Though it lacked in certain departments, it made up for it with it's amazing plot-line.

Cover Comments: A blue flower made out of smoke. EPIC!

This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Sensational Seconds Reading Challenge: 3

YA Mythology Reading Challenge: 1

ARC Reading Challenge: 11

Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY: To gain an entry in either/both of the tour giveaways for Pure, leave a meaningful comment on my review and then go to StuckInBooks and/or A Cupcake and a Latte with this link to complete your entry.

Mockingjay March: The Hunger Games Movie Review (Or Boringly Long Gush Fest)

The Hunger Games
Release Date ~ 3/23/12
Director ~ Gary Ross
Starring ~ Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson
Screenplay ~ Gary Ross, Suzanne Collins
Studio ~ Lionsgate

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart Peeta, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives.

I had huge expectations for this movie. After all, I have been waiting for this since 2009, when I read the books for the first time. While I was at writing group Thursday, hours before I would leave for the midnight showing my writing mentor started reading us a negative review of it. I got worried. Thankfully, I worried for no reason, because it was the MOST EPIC MOVIE OF ALL TIME!!!

    I thought the casting was supreme. Jennifer Lawrence made the perfect Katniss. Though she may be a bit too curvy, and over fed (I mean, Katniss was basically skin and bones, right?),  she made up for it with the emotional depth that made you feel for her, and the never-say-die attitude that Katniss so famously had in the books. However, I felt like they made Peeta's role less major, so I didn't really get the chance to judge Hutcherson, but I have no complaints for any of the castings. I think the most interesting characters to watch their transformation from page to screen were Ceasar Flickerman (played by the super awesome Stanley Tucci), Haymitch (Woody Harrelson) , Seneca Crane (Wes Bentley) President Snow (Donald Sutherland) and Effie (Elizabeth Banks). The actors playing them all embodied their roles perfectly, adding clever touches to distinguish themselves.

   The tributes were all cast great as well, besides Jacquilene Emerson, who played Fox Face, who instead of coming off as sly and mysterious (as depicted in the books), came out as  a schoolgirl looking girly girl. Which ticked me off, because she was one of the people I wanted to match the books the most. That was very disappointing *pouts*

   Suzanne Collins, along with director Gary Ross, wove an excellent screenplay that matched the book with it's hooking aspect. Though many details that die hard book fans will miss, such as the removal of characters like Madge, and the Avox, it does the book justice entirely, in my opinion.

  The movie was shot using a hand held camera, which was awesome. In the beginning, I found it hard to enjoy it because it was too hard to watch. Then after five or ten minutes, it started growing on me. Then once you were in the arena, it was wicked. All the nitty gritty aspects from the book came to life in front of your face, and it added so much to the movie!

  A few things I loved from the movie that weren't in the book was that while the tributes are in the arena, they also switched to the Gamemakers headquarters, where you get to see the gamemakers prepping the new horrors for the tributes to encounter, and Claudius Templesmith (Toby Jones) and Ceasar Flickerman's (Tucci) commentary. SPOILER ALERT! (DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE 1ST BOOK OR SEEN THE MOVIE) The major thing they changed from the book to the movie was when Rue dies, they show District 11 starting mounting a fight, beating up Peacekeepers and vandalizing the district. And that was pretty awesome! END OF SPOILERS.

    This movie was just too amazing. I loved every minute, and cannot wait for the Catching Fire movie. If this movie was any better, it might just be illegal.

In my Mailbox (48)

In my Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren

For Review:

 

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

This book has been on my TBR pile FOREVER and I am really excited to finally read it! Looks like a fantastic steampunk!

 

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

I also got this, the 2nd book int he Steampunk series, so I might read them back to back!

From Bloggers:

 

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

(Thanks to Monica from Cover Analysis!)

I got an ARC of Destined, the latest book in this series a couple weeks ago and needed to read the first ones! 

 

Spells by Aprlynne Pike

(Thanks to Monica from Cover Analysis!) 

Now I have the 2nd in this series too!

Bought:

 

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

I already tried to read this one, and didn't like it, but I wanted to give it another chance...

 

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

I was borrowing this from someone, but found it for a super cheap at Half Priced Books!

 

Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

This one looks like a  really fun werewolf read!

That's what I got this week! What did you get? Let me know in the comments!

Kick Butt Characters Giveaway Hop

 

Welcome to my stop on the Kick-Butt Characters Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Good Choice Reading

Here's what's up for grabs:

A preorder of Pure by Jennifer L Armentrout

There is need. And then there is Fate...

Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's "other half" is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her.

When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon... and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude... or killing her.

When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone. 

Enter after the page break.

Mokingjay March: Guest Post - Monica from Cover Analysis

Today we have a guest post from the lovely Monica at Cover Analysis! 

Character Analysis - Haymitch!

Hey guys! It's March and The Hunger Games movie is out TOMORROW!! Aren't you excited? Well, of course, some of you have gone TEAM PEETA or TEAM GALE but guess what? I'm team . . okay, maybe, I am a little TEAM GALE but overall, I am TEAM HAYMITCH! Don't panic! We all know that Katniss, AKA Catnip, is going to end up with Peeta or Gale and besides Haymitch is in his 40s and Katniss is what? 16.

So, as said before, The Hunger Games movie is coming out soon and I feel that Haymitch's character was justified. COMPLETELY justified, actually. Haymitch Abernathy will be portrayed by Woody Harrelson. Haymitch is described well, in the books, he is a surly, drunk, and, almost always, harsh person but there is this look or maybe it's a vibe that everything he does is because he cares. He has been the only living survivor of The Hunger Games who comes from District Twelve and what has Woody gone through? Well, I'm not sure but I know it's NOTHING as intense as being thrown into an arena to fight to the death.

But, you want to know what mesmerizes me the most about Woody portraying Haymitch? Haymitch has long hair, well at least in my head he has long hair due to his age, and the guy, Woody, is bald. I'm not saying that being bald is a bad thing but . . .look at all the Hollywood magic! Woody looks NOTHING like Haymitch without all the makeup and hair. 

 

Haymitch has this easy going-ish and sacartic side of his that made me laugh throughout the entire trilogy and then we have his "I'm telling you straight-up" and tough side. But Woody, is kind of like Haymitch. Haymitch's greatest asset in communicating well, conniving people. He convinced many other Districts in The Hunger Games to do that thing with the Capitol, you guys know? I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who hasn't read it! Woody has this easy-going and can get a conversation started with anyone. Well, I'm basing this off some of interviews I've seen.


Point is, Woody Harrelson is the PERFECT choice for Haymitch. There both different but, at the same time, have a little bit of each other in themselves, ya know?

A little side note: Woody was in ZOMBIELAND! I completely loved that movie! Go watch it! Knowing that made me feel good about knowing he is playing Haymitch.

Thanks Monica for the fun guest post! What about you? What do you think of Woody as Haymitch?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine

Demon Eyes by Scott Tracey

Release Date ~ 10/8/12

Add it on Goodreads

Braden came to Belle Dam in search of answers. Answers to his past, to the incredible power he was born with, and the threats destined to come for him. What he found was a supernatural feud between the Lansings and the Thorpes: a feud divided by blood, ruled through manipulation, and fought with magic. His arrival has caused the tide to turn in Belle Dam, and now the things in the darkness have begun to stir.
Trapped between his power and his desires, Braden struggles with the legacy he's inherited. The witch eyes give him access to incredible power, but they've ravaged his body for nearly the last time. As a series of girls are stolen, snatched away in dead of night, Braden realizes that once more there are demons maneuvering in the dark. Friendships are tested, and old alliances threatened, as Braden unravels the history behind the city's darkest secrets, and the demons bound to its core.

I really loved Witch Eyes, the first book in this series, and cannot wait for more! Plus this series takes place where I live (the general area) and I will tell you, it's not as scary as on the cover :P And my... what a cover that is! Love how freaky it looks *shivers*

What are you waiting for this lovely Wednesday? Tell me below.

Top Ten Tuesday (12)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books on my Spring Reading List
* indicates I have a copy

10

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks*

I'm often hesitant towards mermaid/mermen novels, but this one sounds amazing!

9

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund*

It sounds like a epic dystopian, plus it's partly a retelling of Persuasion by Jane Austin! 

8

Dreamless by Josehpine Angelini*
I just finished Starcrossed and I can't wait to dive into this!
7

Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock*
Hemlock looks like a really fun paranormal read!
6

Timepiece by Myra McEntire*
I read Hourglass a while ago and it was amazing so I can't wait to start this!
5

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
I really can't wait to read this. It's Edgar Allen Poe, steampunk, and dystopian! What more do you want?
4

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
This series is super epic, can't wait for more!
3

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross
I have yet to start this series, but Harlequin Teen is sending me this and the first!
2
  
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
This one sounds like an awesome book that bends the genres!
1

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
OMG, OMG!!! Everyday I go without this book I lose a year of my life!