"Partials" by Dan Wells

Release Date: February 28th, 2012
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Format: eGalley
Age Group: Young Adult

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the world’s population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. The threat of the partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to the disease in over a decade. Humanity’s time is running out.

When sixteen-year-old Kira learns of her best friend’s pregnancy, she’s determined to find a solution. Then one rash decision forces Kira to flee her community with the unlikeliest of allies. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that the survival of both humans and partials rests in her attempts to answer questions of the war’s origin that she never knew to ask.

This book introduces us to one heck of a strong female character. I've read quite a few good female characters lately, but even though they are kick butt and totally worth rooting for, I don't think any of them has been as strong as Kira. This girl risks her life, more than once, to try and ensure a future for her people. The world she's grown up in is nothing like our own, the population is a miniscule percentage of the one we are currently used to, and there is growing unrest between the two factions the people have split into. Add into that, the constant overhanging threat of the Partials, and being a teenager doesn't necessarily mean young and naive.

The thing Kira wants most, is to find a cure for RM, a disease that kills all newborn babies within hours of birth. Since no new babies survive, they can all see the end of their world, very clearly. In this world, kids don't really get to be kids, at sixteen Kira has already been working as a medic for a while and she's very good at what she does. She comes up with a very dangerous plan for finding a cure and it sets in motion a crazy, action packed chain of events. Once things start in this book, they just keep coming. If things like working and eating weren't a necessity, I'm not sure I would have put this one down until I was done.

When I first started reading I wanted things to go one specific way, but as I kept reading I thought it was going in a different direction and that started growing on me, but then there is a big left turn and by the end it's not anywhere near where I thought it might be. I know that doesn't really make any sense, but I don't want to give anything away. I most definitely recommend this one to anyone who likes a good dystopian novel. It's full of action, bad guys, and people trying to do the right thing.

Release Day Spotlight: "The Fine Art of Truth or Dare"

I'm starting up a new feature here at The Book Life. Release Day Spotlight is going to focus on one new book, on it's release day, that I haven't read yet and am really excited about. It will be a little like Waiting on Wednesday, except there won't have to be any waiting, because once I've gotten you all excited you can run to the store and buy it :0)

For now it will be pretty simple, but I've got some big plans for this little feature, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens!

I am extremely excited for the book I've picked for this first post and I hope you'll all get excited for this one, too :0)

What it's about:

Ella is nearly invisible at the Willing School, and that's just fine by her. Still, it's hard being a nobody and having a crush on the biggest somebody in the school: Alex Bainbridge. Especially when he is her French tutor, and lessons have started becoming, well, certainly more interesting than French ever has been before.

*From Goodreads*

Initial reaction:

Contemporary, I'm in! And, oh my gosh, I love this cover!

Once I read the synopsis:

I love stories about the invisible girl at school and I love them even more when said invisible girl has a giant crush on Mr. Popular. So once I knew that was part of this story, I knew I had to read it. And he's her tutor, TUTOR! I never got to experience tutoring, from either side, in high school and I always imagined people were in that room living out the stories from contemporary romances. I'm not kidding, I've always thought there was something romantic about tutoring. I am a nerd, I realize this. Then Melissa Jensen had to go and make it even more appealling to me, by throwing in French. I don't think I'm necessarily a francophile, but I do love France and it's language. I'm pretty much up for any story that involves France in some way.

And in closing:

THE FINE ART OF TRUTH OR DARE sounds like the perfect mix of fun and romance. I just know I'm going to be rooting for Ella and I am definitely preparing from some major swoons. I can't wait to dive in and I hope all of you are excited, too! Since this one released today, you won't have to wait to get your hands on it. I'll definitely be talking about it once I'm done, and I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts once they read it :0)

Where to get it:

(Since everyone has different preferences, I'm including links from a few different retailers)

Indie Bound

Barnes & Noble

Books-A-Million

Amazon

"Skid Out" by Ann Marie Frohoff

Release Date: September 12th, 2011
Format: ebook
Age Group: Young Adult

Description "Heavy Influence Trilogy":

17 year old high school senior, Jake Masters, front man of a rising rock band, finds new interest in his younger freshman next door neighbor Alyssa Montgomery. Their relationship breaks hearts; stirs jealousy and band infighting. When they’re brought to new found awareness of body and soul, will rightful boundaries be crossed? Will the right decisions and choices, which are detrimental to the band and its future, be made through the haze of infatuation? Will Jake’s absences on the road lead to another filling his shoes? Jake and Alyssa’s lifelong friendships are strained and tested; secrets are kept, admitted and shared. Family bonds are broken, as others grow stronger. Who knew a first love could cause so many problems? Then again, in their eyes, there are no problems as long as they’re together. In the end, will his new found muse bring down everything he’s worked so hard to achieve or will she inspire positive creative change that will carry him and his band to stardom?

Ann Marie was nice enough to send me a copy of "Skid Out", the prequel to her upcoming Heavy Influence Trilogy, and the accompanying mp3 "Transpose". The story is about 17 year old Jake and his upcoming tour with his band, so I thought it was really original that her stories are accompanied by original songs that have lyrics featured within the book.

The prequel is just 56 pages long, but it does an excellent job setting up the story to come. We are introduced to both Jake and his neighbor Alyssa. A little back story is worked into both of their narratives, so we understand their relationship better. Alyssa is just starting high school and suddenly notices Jake, and how cute he's become. They talk a little bit outside their houses and Alyssa start's to develop a crush. Jake has always been aware of Alyssa, once upon a time they were good friends, but it isn't until recently that he's really started seeing her. They spend some time hanging out and Jake keeps trying to convince himself that there can't be more going on. He's about to go on tour and it would just complicate things.

We get some really good scenese with the two of them together, but we also get introduced to their groups of friends. I'm sure we will get to know all of them better in the future. The end of this piece definitely holds promise for what could be in the future, but really it could go either way. I'm very excited to see what's in store for Jake, Alyssa and all of their friends. Thanks to Ann Marie for letting me read "Skid Out" and I can't wait for more!

Waiting on Wednesday: "In Honor" by Jessi Kirby :0)

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that showcases our most wanted upcoming releases.

"In Honor" by Jessi Kirby

*Release Date: May 8th, 2012

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Honor receives her brother's last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn't. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

I love road trip stories, I am a sucker for tragedies, and I love a story with an intense emotional journey. This one sounds like it's an excellent mix of all three. Not to mention a cute boy, who has a history with the main character's dead brother, and secrets yet to be revealed. I adored Jessi Kirby's debut, MOONGLASS, and this one sounds like it will be just as wonderful, maybe better if all of the great reviews I've been reading are true!

*So after putting together this whole post, I stumbled upon a WOW post I did a while back, for this very same book. Haha. Since I'm still crazy pining for IN HONOR, I figure it holds up and I'll just post it again :0)

Pining For: Simon & Schuster Summer 2012

There are so many books coming out, this summer, that sound amazing! My wish list is overflowing with beautiful covers and fabulous premises. I wanted to share some of my most anticipated titles, but there were so many, I decided to break it down by publisher :0)

Today's list is for Simon & Schuster Summer 2012 titles. Simon & Schuster has so many amazing titles coming out this summer. There are a heap of contemps that look fantastic, a couple of sequels I am dying to get my hands on, and even a couple paranormals that I'm excited for!





"Being Friends With Boys" by Tera Elan McVoy
I love friends realizing they want to be more than friends stories, and this one sounds so adorable.
"Crazy" by Amy Reed
Okay, so I know it's wrong, but I love Amy Reed's covers. Also, I like stories that deal with mental health.
"In Honor" by Jessi Kirby
I have been pining for this one for so many months. I love road trip books and I love Jessi Kirby. Not to mention all of the fabulous reviews!
"Never Enough" by Denise Jaden
I'm always fascinated by stories about people with eating disorders, they can be tragic, but they always have the opportunity for hope.
"Reunited" by Hilary Weisman Graham
A road trip , three former best friends, and a rock concert! What could be better than that?
"Second Chance Summer" by Morgan Matson
Morgan Matson got me as a fan for life, with her debut, and this one sounds equally as good. Summer stories are always a win and books dealing with family dynamics are some of my favorites.
"Shine" by Jeri Smith-Ready
Must have this book NOW! I have to find out what becomes of all of these characters, especially after that first chapter tease!
"The Thing About the Truth" by Lauren Barnholdt
Bitter rivals to lovestruck teenages, love it!
"This is So Not Happening" by Kieran Scott
Kieran Scott sure knows how to write a cliffhanger. I mean, dang! The one on "He's So Not Worth It" was a killer. Must know what happens!
"The Unnaturalists" by Tiffany Trent
As it turns out, I've become quite fond of steampunk. I never thought I would like it, but it's so interesting and this one sounds like another great one.
"When You Were Mine" by Rebecca Serle
I love retellings of Romeo & Juliet, sometimes more than I like the actual story.
"Wrecked" by Anna Davies
This one sounds very mysterious and I love that it takes place on an island.

"Article 5" by Kristen Simmons

Release Date: January 31st, 2012
Publisher: Tor Teen
Format: Hardcover
Age Group: Young Adult

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

I want to go on record and say Chase Jennings is my new favorite book boyfriend. That boy is so broken and tortured, but deep down he just wants to save Ember. Mostly, throughout the whole book, I just wanted to give him a hug. Don't get me wrong, there were also times when I just wanted to smack him, because he was being so frustrating. He definitely made the book for me, because he was such an integral part of what was going on. It wouldn't have been as good if there hadn't been a Chase, in Article 5. I know, I know, there is another character in this book who is just as important. Ember was a solid female lead. She had a whole heap of issues, with good reason, but she could hold her own and was willing to fight as hard as she could for what was right. The two of them have been through so much, together and apart, and it was wonderful watching them grow and get to know each other again.

Aside from the great characters, this book has so much going on, and that is definitely a good thing. The action starts immediately and really never lets up. Something big happens and the characters trudge through it, get some resolution, but you are nowhere near the end of the book and you think 'it can't be this easy'. Then you read a few pages more, and BAM!, something else goes down and you're off again on a new adventure. I can't believe she was able to fit so much into one book and manage to pull it off so seemlessly. If we get this much action and great storyline in the first book, I can't wait to see what Kristen has in store for us in book two.

I want to tell you so many things, but because there is so much in this story, I can't say much without spoiling it. So I will leave you with this. Chase Jennings is MINE, but I'll gladly share if you promise to read Article 5 :0)