RADIANT SHADOWS by Melissa Marr

Do I know Melissa Marr? Why yes, I do. I've known her from way back. Three years back.

WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr sat on a discount shelf at Border's for only $5. But it wasn't the ridiculous price that lured me to pick it up. The absolutely stunning cover grabbed hold of my shoulders and shook violently until I wrapped my fingers around the hues of indigo and pretty frozen flower thingy. Once I did, the book fused with my hand and no matter how hard I tried to flick it off, it wouldn't let go until the very last word was read.

When I finished WICKED LOVELY, I told everyone I knew to read it and we created a small cult of two people to worship the shelves the book sat on.

It's the same for every book in the series. So, needless to say, RADIANT SHADOWS rocks. It's a must read. But first, read WICKED LOVELY, INK EXCHANGE and FRAGILE ETERNITY if you haven't already.

One time, at a book signing, my friend and I met Melissa Marr. I know, I know, big deal. That's what happens at book signings. But still, it was rad. My friend even told her about one of my (unpublished) books, which made me embarrassed and turn all red and pretty much swallow my tongue. I punched my friend in the arm after we left.

Proof that I know Melissa Marr:

Proof that she wants my books to be published-- (because that is my loveliest dream):

Proof that I own three of the WICKED LOVELY series in paper form and hold them close often. This pic was taken before Radiant Shadows, of which I own the e-reader version. (I know, silly, but oh well.) (Note, I'm way younger in these pics, by like two years or so.)

Synopsis from Melissa Marr's website:

"Hunger for nourishment.

Hunger for touch.

Hunger to belong.

Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers.

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death.

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans—and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

Alluring romance, heart-stopping danger, and sinister intrigue combine in the penultimate volume of Melissa  
Marr's New York Times bestselling Wicked Lovely series."

RATING: WHY DON'T YOU MARRY IT?

Link to RADIANT SHADOWS trailer.

Peace out.

The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith

If I stuck to my plan, you'd be reading about my recommendation of a different book right now. The Marbury Lense, however, caused me to stray from the plan because, well, it's awesome. If you haven't read this book, read it. It has a really cool cover. And in between the covers is a scary, twisted, gripping story. I'm not entirely sure I understand some of it, but it's one that I never wanted to put down. In fact, I'm going to die if the second book doesn't come out soon. There is a second book, isn't there? There better be a second book. That's all I have to say about that.

Take a trip, seriously, by reading The Marbury Lens by Andrew Smith.

Rating: Why Don't You Marry It?

Check out the sick trailer:


THE MARBURY LENS TRAILER

FREEFALL BY MINDI SCOTT

Mindi Scott was born in and lives in the state of Washington. I was born in and live in the state of Washington. Mindi's debut YA novel, FREEFALL, is set in the state of Washington. My YA novel (yet to be published), DREAM SMASHERS, is set in the state of Washington. Mindi Scott is a vegetarian. Me too (except I don't eat dairy). She went to high school in Washington and likes the band Blind Melon. Me too! I had to read FREEFALL based on these similarities, because, well, I LOVE the state of Washington, and I love YA, and I love similarities.

Wow. Just wow. If ever you want to read a novel that captures your heart on the first page and holds you hostage until the very last page and for several days after, read FREEFALL. The realistic characters (If I could go back in time and invent a boyfriend, I'd totally invent Seth. Sigh.), beautiful and sometimes quirky writing, and the gritty emotions that ring true to real life will make you laugh and cry and cheer. For real. I think I'll marry this book.

Summary from the author's website:

"How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he’s ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . ."

Gosh darn it, even the video gave me chills.

RATING: Why Don't You Marry It?

Peace out.