Matched (Matched #1) by Ally Condie

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Bought (B&N)

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 366

Rating:

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

Before I read this book, I expected to demolish the entire thing in one or two sittings. Granted, I'm attending college right now and am extremely busy with other classes, but this did not and would not (if I weren't in college) have happened. I liked a lot of things about the book; the atmosphere, the characters (Oh My Ky. But I'll get into that later...,) and generally the world that Ally Condie created. I felt like something was still missing though, which was what kept me from racing through it.

I think what was the least appealing to me was the plot. I wanted there to be more action throughout the book and also a bigger climax! I feel like Ally built up my emotions for some crazy cliffhanger (which is totally what I was craving) that didn't happen.

The characters... well from my statement above, I'm sure you can already tell that I'm in love with Ky just as much as the next girl. When I think of Ky, I think of a bad boy in reverse. He comes across as a good guy but on the inside he hides secrets which peaks Cassia's interest, and my own. I think the main reason I fell in love with him was the temptation and inability to have any type of intimacy with him, kind of like how Edward and Bella's relationship was in Twilight. (Don't worry, I'm not comparing the two stories, just the temptation that these two main characters bring to the plate.)

The whole world Ally Condie created was so interesting and creative! I actually got to read this book because of my English class, and we discussed how the world she created could definitely be an Utopia opposed to a Dystopia, which is totally true! When I sat down and really thought about the book afterwards, it seems nice to not have to make any decisions for yourself. I know a lot of stress in my life comes from making decisions (what to major in [in college,] how to approach different situations, etc.)

Anyway, I'm going to wrap this review up and get excited to read the next book (Crossed) which is sitting on my bookshelf as I type (even though I won't be able to read it for a while, due to textbooks!)

GIVEAWAY: Hades (Halo #2) by Alexandra Adornetto!

Hi everybody! It's giveaway time :)

I've been given the opportunity to host a giveaway for the newly released HADES by Alexandra Adornetto, the sequel to HALO. I have not read either book yet but I most certainly will since they both sound absolutely fantastic! Here are the giveaway rules:

• You do not have to be a follower of BAM Book Reviews but it would be appreciated if you guys would follow!



• This giveaway is only open to residents of the US and Canada. Sorry guys!

• If you are a follower, you will get an extra entry but don't bother lying! Your entry will be completely deleted if you do.

Here's the description and trailer for HADES:

Bethany and Xavier are even closer since battling Jake Thorn and his evil influence (in Halo) and Beth and her angel siblings must still protect Venus Cove from the Dark Forces. When a party game – a séance – inadvertently releases Jake from the Underworld, he disguises himself and tricks Beth into taking a ride on his motorcycle. When the highway opens up and swallows them, Beth learns too late that she’s now a prisoner in hell. What happens to angels there? As her archangel brother, Gabriel, her sister Ivy, Xavier, and her best friend, Molly search for her, Beth must weigh Jake’s bargaining for her freedom: one night with him, and she will be released back to Earth. Can Jake be trusted in this wager?And is he also using Beth to engineer the fall of the archangel Gabriel? Xavier has already lost one love – when Jake tricks him into thinking that Bethany is dead, his grief and anger result in a betrayal that will leave Bethany –and readers – wondering if he is so good after all. It will be up to Beth to use everything she’s learned about her powers as an angel – and about love -to free herself and those she loves from the clutches of Hades

Click HERE to enter and good luck! :)

Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA (April 2008)

Source: Received from author for review

Edition: Hardcover

Pages: 356

Rating:

With her mother ill, it’s up to fifteen-year-old Ruby Jacinski to support her family. But in the 1940s, the only opportunities open to a Polish-American girl from Chicago’s poor Yards is a job in one of the meat packing plants. Through a chance meeting with a local tough, Ruby lands a job as a taxi dancer and soon becomes an expert in the art of “fishing”: working her patrons for meals, cash, clothes, even jewelry. Drawn ever deeper into the world of dance halls, jazz, and the mob, Ruby gradually realizes that the only one who can save her is herself. A mesmerizing look into a little known world and era.

Ten Cents a Dance is a very fun and light read and I knew immediately that I would enjoy this book because I've always been interesting in the jazz era. I really like the plot of the story, it was unique and interesting and it definitely kept me captivated. Ruby is a likeable character and her charisma with the neighborhood bad boy is enticing.

Fletcher's writing ensures that you can fully picture and imagine the jazz music, the dancing, the costumes and everything in between, which allowed me to fully appreciate the novel. Ten Cents a Dance is a perfect book to read during summer and it reminds me of the movies Grease and Dirty Dancing (amazing movies!), so if you enjoy jazz era dancing, high class clubs, lowly gangs and much more then Ten Cents is the perfect book for you :) There's really nothing bad about this book, while it might not be super amazing, it is definitely worth a read. It's an exciting book, something fresh and different from all the paranormal romance novels out there!

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) by Richelle Mead

Publisher: Razorbill (August 2007)

Source: Bought (B&N)

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 332

Rating:

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

I've owned this book for longer than a year now and kept putting it off because the synopsis didn't really pull me in as much as I would've liked it to. Vampires are fun and all but the whole guardian thing seemed a little unappealing at first. But, since I've heard so many people rave about it, I figured I would give in and finally allow myself to indulge in it.

The first few chapters were a little slow (just like mostly any other book I've read) but it finally picked up and I was officially curious about how the story was going to play out. I really like Rose's sense of humor and how she approached gossip situations... hilarious! (By the way, the whole time I was reading this book I saw Mila Kunis playing Rose and Skyler Samuels playing Lissa.) Dimitri was absolutely to die for. Such an swoon-worthy character whom I predict will get even hotter as the series continues.

So from the paragraph above, I'm sure you can tell that I really loved the characters. The plot? It was good. Wasn't the most exciting plot but I feel like it's going to get much better as the series continues. This is the start of a series after all which sometimes can be the least action packed. I definitely have high hopes for the rest of the series and can't wait to get started on them =)

Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Love by Trisha Telep

Publisher: Running Press Kids

Source: Publicist

Edition: Paperback

Pages: 432

Rating:

For those who thirst for accounts of paranormal romance, Trisha Telep has compiled some of the most thrilling takes of forbidden love in this collection. First crushes and last rites; dark spells and bright magic; forbidden lovers and enchanted beings -- and always, always the hungry games of desire. Pucker up for a darkly sweet collection of ghosts, shape shifters, fairies, unicorns, vampires, and demons in tales from today's biggest writers of the paranormal persuasion.

I hate giving a book a bad rating, especially in this situation. I was pondering what I should rate Kiss Me Deadly because I really don't think it's a crappy book. Some of the stories were kind of interesting but the reason I'm giving this book such a low rating is because of the style. After reading this book, I've finally decided that anthologies aren't for me. I wasn't a huge fan of them before reading this book but I thought it was just the book itself I didn't like, not the actual format. After reading Kiss Me Deadly, I'm positive that I should probably just ignore anthologies from now on.

Confession time: Some of the stories I didn't actually read all of the way through. I just kind of skimmed through them which led me to getting confused which then led me to move on to the next story. Sometimes I read the whole story, sometimes I didn't. I'm not going to review each story because I didn't really read all of them... but my favorite was probably The Spy Who Never Grew Up by Sarah Rees Brennan because Peter Pan is in it =P

Like noted above, this book isn't bad! I just didn't enjoy the style but if you like anthologies and paranormal romance, then this may very well be the book for you! Watch out for a giveaway in the future!

In My Mailbox (40)

In My Mailbox was inspired by Alea from Pop Culture Junkie and created by Kristi from The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.

(All titles are linked to their Goodreads page.)

People Mentioned:

Lauren from 365 Days of Reading --Thanks Lauren!

Review:

The Poisoned House by Michael Ford

Bought:

The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart

Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

Won:

A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young

Delirium by Lauren Oliver Giveaway

Hey guys! I'm back with another giveaway. Unfortunately I haven't had much time to read because I've been moving into my new apartment! But hopefully after I move, I'll be able to read a bit more and post some reviews!

I have an extra copy of Delirium which I haven't read yet, but if you'd like to check out a review, a good friend of mine (Taschima from Bloody Bookaholic) just reviewed it at her blog so click here to read that. I actually bought a copy of this book at Sam's Club and then went to BEA and got a copy signed. Since I don't really need two copies, I figured I'd give one away!

• You don't have to be a follower of BAM Book Reviews to enter, but it is much appreciated since I bought the book myself and will be using my own money to ship it.
• I will only ship to the US (sorry, I'm a poor college kid!) but if you have someone in the US that is willing to ship the book to you, I will ship it to them no problem!
• Lastly, if you are a follower, you get an extra entry. But be warned, I DO check if you follow me and I will delete not only your extra entry but your original entry if you lie.

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love.

Click HERE to enter and good luck!

The winner of Liesl and Po by Lauren Oliver was Rae from Throuthehaze Reads.

In My Mailbox (39)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Click here to learn more about it.