In My Mailbox (5)

The past two weeks have been really slow for me. I do have a lot of BookMooch books on the way, but none from this week. I am also currently low on cash and trying not to spend it all at Borders! So, here are the two books I got this week:

From the Author:

The Dark Planet (Atherton, book 3)-Patrick Carman

In the dazzling conclusion to the epic story of Atherton, Patrick Carman takes readers on the most rewarding journey of all, to the perilous realm of The Dark Planet: Earth.When Edgar discovers a way to leave the mysterious satellite world of Atherton, he couldn't have imagined the gloom that awaited him on the dark planet, where the oceans are toxic, the forests are full of mutant monsters, and children toil in darkness, controlled by ruthless maniacs. Max Harding, an orphan of the Silo, the maker of Atherton, and the last hope of a dying world, left this place behind, and now Edgar is determined to complete the mad scientist's spectacular plan, revealing Atherton's true purpose.Edgar's quest to discover Earth's dark secret leads to an out of this world adventure in the final book of the Atherton trilogy.

Pre-ordered, signed copy from author's website:

Behind Every Illusion-Christina Harner

"All creatures born of human parents must be human and therefore must be ordinary." Even the soft-spoken eighteen-year-old Tatiana Lewis wholeheartedly accepts this logic. So when she begins to experience unusual changes, she has no clue where to turn and instead keeps her new abilities a secret. But her best friend and brother, Isaac, sees past her illusions and together they explore the significance of her differences and search out the meaning behind them. Amidst tragedy, unimaginable transformations and an unexpected friendship, Tatiana has to learn to reveal the girl hidden behind her illusions and what it means to face the world in order to preserve not only the forest but her very existence. Behind Every Illusion is the first book in an exciting series about the extraordinary ways the earth has evolved in a desperate attempt to save itself from the destruction caused by humankind.

Hit and Run Lurlene McDaniel

It was an accident. But when the people involved don’t come forward, doesn’t it become a crime? Four young people whose lives intersect, who never dreamed of hurting each other. Each makes choices that cannot be changed. Each needs to take the consequences of those choices, to find love, to face reality, and to go on.

Lurlene McDaniel’s hard-hitting, heart-wrenching novel tells the story of the events surrounding the hit and run accident of high school student Analise, including how her boyfriend Jeremy copes as well as Laurie and Quin who wonder if what they hit was a deer…or a person. Hit and Run was extremely well-written and engaging, propelling the reader to keep turning the pages and see if the truth is discovered. My favorite parts where when Analise was narrating as she was caught between life and death. This was a moving, beautiful novel that has compelled me to seek out more of McDaniel’s work.

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

mY Generation: A Real Journey of Change and Hope by Josh Riebock

Y is the generation of tattoos, cell phones, social networking, and iPods. It is the generation of authenticity, social justice, racial diversity, and community. But it is also the generation of broken homes, school shootings, immense performance pressure, loneliness, self-indulgence, and insecurity. Christians have largely failed to bring restoration to this 70 million member group of young people. What are we missing? And what are the consequences if it doesn't change? Foregoing formulas, models, and snappy acronyms (which don't work), Josh James Riebock offers readers a journey deep into the soul of a generation that is slowly being transformed from within. Whether pastors, volunteers, church leaders, friends, or members of generation Y themselves, readers will value this honest and hopeful look at restoring a broken generation with the life-changing power of the Gospel.

I am so excited for this book-Josh Riebock is absolutely amazing! He is an alum of my High School whose mother was the amazing woman who used to run the Bible Department. His sister is a dance instructor at school and his brother-in-law is my History teacher! He has given many sermons at chapel and is always my favorite speaker. He relates to teenagers so well with his very raw and often hilarious stories. Everyone should read this book! It comes out on October 1st.

Here's the link to his website where you can see a book trailer: http://joshriebock.com/

Wings by Aprilynne Pike

Aprilynne Pike's best-selling debut, Wings, is the first of four books about a seemingly ordinary girl named Laurel who discovers she is a faerie sent among humans to guard the gateway to Avalon. When Laurel is thrust into the midst of a centuries-old battle between faeries and trolls, she's torn between a human and a faerie love, as well as her loyalties to each world. In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

I had really high hopes for this book, as I love all things fairy-like, but was left with mixed feelings. Pike’s take on faerie mythology is interesting, but sadly the reader only gets a peek of the world she has created as the majority of the book is filled with bland character interactions, a stereotypical love triangle, and a very slow pace. Thankfully, halfway through the book, things started to get more interesting: the characters developed more, the action picked up, and my favorite character, Tamani, entered the scene. I was disappointed when the end came just as Laurel started to get some answers regarding her life as a faerie. I the reason I didn’t fall in love with this book was because it was a little young for me. I’ve recently discovered that I need a more mature read to keep my attention. However, since the second half was good, I’ll probably read the next book in the series. Give it a try, it might be up your alley.

Evermore by Alyson Noel

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, Ever can see auras, hear people's thoughts, and know a person's entire life story by touch. Going out of her way to avoid human contact and suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen. Damen Auguste is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy. He's the only one who can silence the noise and random energy in her head—wielding a magic so intense, it's as though he can see straight into her soul. As Ever is drawn deeper into his enticing world of secrets and mystery, she's left with more questions than answers. She has no idea just who he really is—or what he is. The only thing she knows to be true is she's falling deeply and helplessly in love with him.

When I posted this book on In My Mailbox, I got tons of comments telling me how amazing Evermore was. Know I understand why. Evermore is filled with fantasy, suspense, and a group of well-rounded characters who properly represent High Schoolers of today. The reader gets to discover the power that Ever possesses and the world she lives in right along with her. The budding romance between Ever and Damen was adorable and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops in the next book in the series, called Blue Moon, which comes out July 7th. Fans of Stephenie Meyer and Melissa Marr will not be disappointed by this enchanting novel.

Waiting On Wednesday (10)

I'm in a paranormal mood, so my pick this week is...

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH KAYLEE CAVANAUGH
She doesn't see dead people, but...
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about the need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next...

I can already tell this is going to be a great new series, with the sequel already planned, called My Soul to Save. And isn't the cover gorgeous! August 1st could not come sooner!

Waiting On Wednesday was created by Jill at Breaking The Spine.

Distant Waves by Suzanne Weyn

Science, spiritualism, history, and romance intertwine in Suzanne Weyn's newest novel. Five sisters and their mother make their way from a spiritualist town in New York to London, becoming acquainted with journalist W. T. Stead, scientist Nikola Tesla, and industrialist John Jacob Astor. When they all find themselves on the Titanic, one of Tesla's inventions dooms them...and one could save them.

Wow, what an interesting, unique book. I loved the majority of the characters, especially the sisters, which is quite unusual. The spiritualism element was interesting, and ended up playing a large role throughout the entire book. I also loved the element of history that was weaved throughout. The reader is introduced to so many historical figures including Nikola Tesla, John Jacob Astor, W.T. Stead, Harry Houdini, the Fox sisters, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, as well as many people associated with the Titanic, like the Unsinkable Molly Brown. What was a little annoying was that the book was labeled as a novel of the Titanic, when really the Titanic doesn’t play a role until about two thirds of the way through the book. The ending has a bit of a love it or hate it vibe, but I overall I was pleased with the read. Give it a try-you’ll have fun and learn something.