Gripped into Books

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
by Laini Taylor

Pages: 420
Release Date: September 29th 2011
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Source: ARC from Publishers
Buy it Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Featuring necklaces made of wishes; an underground shop dealing in teeth; magical tattoos; a wishbone on a cord, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is a thrilling story about Karou and her secret life as an apprentice to a wishmonger. Karou manages to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she is a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to an inhuman creature who deals in wishes and is the closest thing she has to family. Her life is surrounded by mysteries she is desperate to unveil.

My Thoughts
When I received Daughter of Smoke and Bone, I didn't give it much thought. Well, except that I absolutely loved the ARC cover it's a deep purple and so so nice! The final cover for the UK is ookay but I prefer the US one which is just WOW. So, was the book as smashing as the cover? Yes. Yes. YES!

17 year old Karou is an art student. She loves to paint and draw whilst being stuck in a sticky ex-boyfriend relationship. And, that's just one half of her parallel life. On the side, lies secrets and magic. Karou is an orphan who was raised by loving demons and so she grew up by spending most of her time in a demon, Brimstone,'s workshop. Occasionally, she would run errands for him until one day she was confronted with someone. Akiva.

I wasn't sure that Daughter of Smoke and Bone was a book I would enjoy. Demons? Not my thing. But the next thing I knew I was flicking pages and was instantly entrapped into this extraordinary world. It is utterly unique and I loved it! I was especially interested to see how the angel/demon idea will work out. It was all fantasy making everything even more fascinating.

Yet, I was more drawn to the romance. It was the most perfect love. It was really hard to grasp what will happen next in their relationship and how it will continue. But then we're kicked in with Taylor's awe-ing writing and you can't help but love the way they see each other.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was run with suspence and thrill. It was definetly action packed and I especially liked the part where Karou learns more about herself by opening more doors to her past and reexperiencing it all over again. Plus there was more and more of Akiva! (Oh and don't you just love their names! How unique.)

What hit me hard the most was the ending it was just spectacular yet twice as much nerve wracking. Special, engaging and beautiful Daughter of Smoke and Bone will sweep you off your feet leaving you completely breathless. Bravo!

Top Ten Books I Think Everyone Has Read But Me

19
COM

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week bloggers all over the blogosphere create a top ten list based on that week's theme. This weeks theme is Top Ten Books you think everyone has read but yourself. And seriously, my list can just go on forever!

Gallager Girls series by Ally Carter
I've been wanting to read this series for ages now but I haven't had a chance to pick it up. It definitely sounds like a book I would love so I really need to read these!

Confessions of Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison
I've heard about this series a lot. I've watched Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and LOVED so I pretty much need to get going.

Any book by Sarah Dessen
I am serious! I haven't read not even one book by Sarah Dessen and I really really think I should seeing as so many people are just buzzing about them!

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Yet another series I got to read. I don't know what's it about but I do know it's very popular. I so gotta read them.

House of Night by P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
I did actually attempt to read this series. I got to about half way of book one and just couldn't read any more. I should really give the books another go though!

Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
I'm watching the TV series of PPL and I LOVE them. They're so good. I've always been meaning to read the books but I thought I'll give it a pass as I'm watching the episodes anyway. Though, I want to read them and find out who A is!

Beastly by Alex Finn
I've watched Beastly. I really liked it so I'm sure I would feel the same way about the book!

Tigers Saga by Colleen Houck
The covers? Nope. I don't like them one bit. Okay so you're right. I'm a judge a book buy it's cover but a love story about tigers? COME ON. BUT, I've read so many great reviews on them that I just will need to give it ago!

Paranormalcy and Supernaturally by Kristen White
I still didn't get around to reading them and I really want to as well. So many books, so little time!

Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr
uRGhh. Everyone so has read this. I feel like I really should. But the series seems to go on forever... Still. I gotto give em a try.

Love, Inc by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

5
COM

Love, Inc
by Yvonne Collins and Sandy Rideout

Pages: 448
Release Date: September 1st 2011
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Source: For Review from Publishers
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Zahra, Kali, and Syd would never have met if their parents' marriages hadn't fallen apart. But when the three girls collide in group counseling, they discover they have something else in common: they've each been triple-timed by the same nefarious charmer, Eric, aka Rico, aka Rick. Talk about eye-opening therapy.
Cheerful, diplomatic Zahra is devastated. Rico had been her rock and sole confidant. How could she have missed the signs? Folksy, flirtatious Kali feels almost as bad. She and Rick had only been on a few dates, but they'd felt so promising. Hardened vintage-vixen Syd is beyond tears. She and Eric had real history... Or so she'd thought. Now all three girls have one mission: to show that cheater the folly of his ways.
Project Payback is such a success, the girls soon have clients lining up for their consulting services. Is your boyfriend acting shady? Dying to know if your crush is into you? Need match-making expertise? Look no further than Love, Inc.

My Thoughts
Being a major fan of chick lit novels, I knew that when I received Love, Inc it was just right for me. It was a great read. It had me laughing at loud, gripping the pages for more and wondering what could possibly go wrong next. I loved this!

Zahra believes she has the most perfect boyfriend. Rico is so sweet and caring. He always listens to her and is there for her. Especially, since her parents split. This then lead to group counseling helping her deal with her parents split. Here, she meets two other teenagers, Kali and Syd. They get along pretty fast and soon giggle about their amazing boyfriends. Zahra, Kali and Syd soon find out how loyal their boyfirends' are in this case, boyfriend.

I love all the characters. I particularly have a soft spot for Zahra, though. Her character is simply funny and entertaining. Her hone life even has the ups and downs too. I really don't know how she handles it. Because her family has Pakistani roots mixed with American customs, it makes everything much more different yet I loved seeing how everything would work out. Though, the best part I must admit was what Zahra and the girl got up to. They sure proved how payback is a bitch.

The best thing about Love, Inc was all the romance. I'm a sucker for love and it was written just great. Though, I did think the story dragged on abit but it was made up at the end. I wasn't disappointed. If you're looking for a fun, light and amazing read, Love, Inc is perfect for you!

WINNERS!

6
COM

The moment everyone has waiting for! I know this for a fact seeing as many bloggers has questioned me on when I will be announcing the winners. Well, to put you out of your dismay...
Here are the winners to the 1000 followers giveaway...

Congratulations!
Winner of Prize Pack 1

Emma @ BelleBooks

Winner of Prize Pack 2

Mazz Nixon @ Words on the Shelf

Winner of Prize Pack 3

Liz. R @ Planet Print

Winner of Prize Pack 4
(any book of your choice)

Ceri Kay

Prize Pack 5

The Ultimate Swag Pack Winner!

Rani

Runners up!

...will get small swag packs

Sahina Bibi @ Cynical Believer

Kris @ A Book from Snowy River

Misty Nicholson-Price @ Bookaholics Book Club

Thank you for everyone who had entered. Don't worry if you didn't win as I'll be having another giveaway for 1500 followers very soon!

Goodbye, For a while

11
COM

Hi guys.

I just wanted to drop a quick note. I'm sure you've all noticed that I haven't been blogging as much as I usually do. As the post title suggests, I'm going to have to have a blogging break. It's going to be quite a while the least 2 years. I Know! It's such a long time isn't it! The reason for this because, this year I'm going to be taking my A levels. A levels are studies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that after I take them it will allow me to advance to a Higher Education or University.

I found out that A levels are going to be really hard. Like really really hard. Especially since I'm going to be doing three really hard sujects: Biology, Chemistry and Maths. And so, I want to do as well as I possibly can and get the grades that I want. And, to do that I don't think I can carry on reading books, reviewing them and then blog about them later. It's just going to take a lot of my time.

I am really going to miss blogging and all of you as well. Thanks for everyone who reads my posts, takes the time to comment and stop by. I will try and do the occasional post but there's no promises. I will still go on my twitter @GrippingBooks once in a while so you can follow and tweet me there. Oh and don't worry the blog will still be running my friend, Iram has agreed to fill in my shoes so you can still be updated. If anyone else wants to help just email me on grippedintobooks(at)gmail(dot)com and I will be more than glad to have you on.

Thanks and Bye! =D

Finding Sky by Joss Stirling

4
COM

Finding Sky
by Joss Stirling

Pages: 400
Release Date: June 2nd 2011
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Source: For Review from Publishers
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

When Sky catches a glimpse of Zed for the first time, lounging against his motorbike at school, she is drawn to him just like every other girl in Wickenridge. But Zed sees something special in her that the other girls don't have. Zed tells her they are both Savants - people with special powers like telepathy and the ability to see into the future. Not only that, she is a Savant too, and his soulfinder - meant to be together.

When a soulfinder speaks telepathically to her partner, it's like all the lights coming on in a building. You lit me up like Vegas. But for Sky it's just not that easy - she's a mystery to herself, haunted by nightmares from her past before she was adopted, and riddled with doubt and insecurity. Just when Sky is slowly coming round to the idea of being with Zed she is kidnapped by a family of criminal Savants. In a chilling twist, Sky and Zed's relationship is put to the ultimate test and the fate of those she loves lie in Sky's hands. Will Sky have the strength to embrace her power and be brave enough to control her own destiny, or will the dark demons of her past prevent her from realising her true potential?

My Thoughts
Just before reading Finding Sky, I though it'll be a werewolf book because of the cover. I think it's mainly because many of the werewolf books I've read had similar designs. Anyhow, Finding Sky wasn't about werewolf's but something even better and original.

As soon as Sky's eyes are set on Zed she feelings a deep attraction. She knows that there's something special. Zed feels it too he understands what's going to happen next and what other strings are attached. Though, for Sky, she has no idea and it's the beginning of a whole new discovery.

Sky is our average teenager. I really like her character and connect with her entirely. Especially when she finds it totally creepy in Zed's sudden outburst of affection. It was really weird but I got past that when we got to learn more about Zed. He's just great.

Along with an alluring romance there's plenty of action involved too liked entirely with Savants. People that have special abilities. It's incredibly gripping and face paced. I didn't know what was going to happen or what was going to come next. I loved reading it.

I was satisfied with the ending and I just wanted more. Stirling's writing is amazing and I don't know how she does it. I'm so impressed. Now, there's Stealing Pheonix, the next book. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying To Read

12
COM

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every week bloggers all over the blogosphere create a top ten list based on that week's theme.

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead
Bloodlines was simply epic. I loved reading it. I LOVE Adrian and I just want to read more about him! I am so pining this!

Insurgent by Veronica Roth
OMG. Divergent was just unbelievable good. I so so need to read this. And, I need Four!

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson
Hunting Lila is a definite book on my favourites list. It was fantastic. Lila and Alex are an adorable couple. I can't wait to see what else Alderson has in store!

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
I need this so bad! I love Dystopians right now. After Delirium, I really want to read this one!

Rapture by Lauren Kate

How is everything going to end with Daniel and Luce? Are they going to ever be together? I sure can't wait to find out.

Enshadowed by Kelly Craegh
I didn't think I'll like Nevermore at all. But then, when I started reading it I ending up liking it and then loving it all the same at the end. Come on Enshadowed!

Surrender by Lee Nicols
After I read Deception I read Betrayal straight after. Now that I found out this is a triology,I just help but wonder how is it all going to end!! Just release it already!

Silence by Becca Fitzpatick

Yesss Silence is going to be released next month! Hush Hush and Crescendo were so damn good. And how I love Patch...

Angel Fire by L A Weatherly

I actually liked Angel. Alot. I was hesitant at first but it was the perfect read. Just cannot wait!

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel
Infinite Days was awesome! It was something entirely different and I adored reading it. I don't know when Stolen Nights is going to be released but I am sure dying to read it!

A Need for Book News (9)

2
COM

A Need for Book News is a weekly feature I thought of doing displaying recent book related news that have been announced during the week! For previous Book News posts, click here.

Take a look at all the awesome bookish things! :D

Cover Alerts!

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher

Jenny @ Wondrous Reads earlier revealed the cover for My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece that is published in paperback here in the UK on September 29th! I love it! It looks so cute especially with that little drawing.

Loss by Jackie Morse Kessler

Jackie Morse Kessler just released the cover to book three in her Horsemen of the Apocalypse series, titled Loss, on her blog! I really like it especially since the covers match with the colours and font. And, it's spooky like the others!

This is not a Test by Courtney Summers

I haven't heard of Courtney Summers before but when I found out she has a new book called This Is Not A Test coming out in June 2012 with this amazing cover, I knew I has to read it. She recently revealed the cover on her blog and I think it's phenomenal!

Fateful by Claudia Gray

This is the UK cover. I gotta admit I like this one better than the US one. I so want to read this seeing it has something Titanic-al. I LOVE the cover!

Trailers

OMG! The Hunger Games! This clip was revelead on MTV at the VMAs. I have been dying to see this! It's not much but it sure is somthing. I really really love it. The effects are awesome!! Though, I can't see my Peeta!

This is the second part trailer to the amazing book, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Tailor. You just have to see it! I loved the first one and now this one too. How great!

The third novel in Becca Fitzpatrick's bestselling Hush, Hush saga- Silence, is published globally on 4th October 2011 here is an exclusive taster to keep us fans going until the book is available! You should so watch it especially if you love topless fallen angel boys ;D

Blog Tours

Sorry I haven't done a book news post in ages! It just that these post take quite a while to compile! Though, I hope you enjoy this weeks bookish news! Awesome stuff, right?

In My Mailbox (34)

16
COM

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It's a great way to showcase the books you've gotten over the week, whether they are bought, borrowed or free.

Review

The Isle of Blood by Rick Yancey

This one sounds scary and spooky. Metal note not to read it in the night!

Between by Jessica Warman

I totally adore the cover! It's a comtemp and it sounds so good! I can't wait to read it.

Gifted
Blood Promise by Richelle Mead from Jennzah @ Jennzah Net
Thank you Jennzah! I'm collecting the US versions of VA now. I don't like the UK one at all. But I really LOVE this series! :D

What did you get in your mailbox?

Abandon by Meg Cabot

12
COM

Abandon

by Meg Cabot

Pages: 304
Release Date: September 1st 2011
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Series: Abandon #1
Other books in series: Underworld
Source: ARC from Publishers
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.
There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . .

My Thoughts
Being a major fan of Cabot, I just knew I had to grab her latest book. I've read all her YA books and so I was ecstatic to find out she had something new for us in store. Abandon was everything I imagined it to be. It's a retelling of the old story of Persephone and Hades, I never read or heard of it before so reading Abandon wasn’t familiar but I loved it all the same. I devoured this book!

Pierce drowned in the middle of winter but she didn't die. She had a near death experience where she was brought to the Underworld. At first, she won't able to leave because of the mysterious John Hayden. But when she finally did resulting in her moving back to the mother's hometown in Florida she couldn't get rid of him. Though, a part of her wanted him to stay as of her short lived attraction.

Peirce is a weird yet awesome character. I really liked her. I enjoyed watching her unravel her secrets and maturing all the while. She has problems and many times she got me wondering what trouble she gets into next. And, they pretty much always end up in the form of John.

John is not your average guy. I didn't like him much. He seemed arrogant and tardy. He completely contrasts with Peirce's personality. They're two completely different people. So you'll why I was surprised with how he felt towards Pierce. I should have known. It was only until the end that I actually liked him.

The plot was thrilling and fast paced. I especially loved the whole Greek mythology touch to it. Cabot has delivered yet another amazing read. I can't wait to read the next book. So pine worthy!

Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

9
COM

Forgive My Fins
by Tera Lynn Childs

Pages: 333
Release Date: July 1st 2011
Publisher: Templar
Source: ARC from Publishers
Buy it: Amazon
Add it: Goodreads

Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.
When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.

My Thoughts
Awwwrr. What a cute book. To be totally honest, I didn't think I'll like this book at all. Come on. It's about mermaids! Mermaids. Like the book A Little Mermaid. You know that Disney one. And so It seemed a tad to much Disney from the synopsis. But I shouldn't have let that put me off because it a great, fun and adorable read.

Forgive my Fins is a story about Lily, a mermaid. Her mother was human and so she wanted to see the human world before going on to rule Thalassinia. Like a normal human girl, she attends high school and ends up falling in love with a guy called Brodie. She'll do anything for him to confess his feelings for her but all the while Lily's annoying neighbour, Quince, has a few confessions of his own. And somehow she ends up kissing Quince forming a magical bond.

I read this book all in one sitting. I loved Quince. He is SO cute! You can totally tell he's lovestruck with Lily and he'll do anything for her. We get to see alot of him and how much he cares about her. I don't even want to start on Brodie. He is outta the picture. You got it. I don't like him at all. I really don't understand what Lily sees in him. Lily has some pretty hard decisions to make. Poor girl. But as always, the answer is standing right in front of her.

This was my first book that I read by Tera. I gotta say, I did enjoy it alot. I love the descriptions especially. I really must read more books by Tera!

New books released this September

7
COM

A new month brings new books!

Now this September 2011, many thrilling books have been released, sitting in the bookstores waiting for people like you and me to pick it up and indulge!

Here are a few...