Title: The Selection (The Selection #1)
Author: Kiera Cass
Published: by
Pages: 327
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself- and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Final Thoughts: Initially, I had trouble getting into this one – and I mean A LOT of trouble. Right up until America gets into the palace, this book was dry and hollow. It was almost enough to make me want to put the book down then and there. However, I perservered, and while The Selection isn’t going to win any awards in my imaginary-personal-reading-competition, I was able to finish it and find myself wondering what was going to happen in Book Two.

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UK Title: The Gathering Dark (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
US Title: Shadow & Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Published: June, 2012 by Indigo
Thanks: Hachette AU
Pages: 442
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Final Thoughts: It’s hard to put into words just how enthralled by The Gathering Dark I was. Let’s just say that I haven’t been able to read a book of this size in one sitting for over six months, and that was when I was floored by Veronica Rossi’s debut in January. Leigh Bardugo astounds me with her craft for storytelling! I am so very glad I stumbled into the world of the Grisha!

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Here are the YA titles being released next month which are currently on my ‘to-read’ list. Looks like May, 2012 will be Mermaid month! There are also quite a few 2012 debuts! I can’t wait to read some of these! Whether they be new series, series additions, bind-ups or standalone novels, here’s whats coming in May, 2012!

Losing Lila by Sarah Alderson, on August 2 by Simon & Schuster (Goodreads)
The Waiting Sky by Laura Zielin, on August 7 by Putnam (Goodreads)
The Rift by Andrea Cremer, on August 7 by Atom (Goodreads)

Wake by Amanda Hocking, on August 7 by St. Martin’s Press (Goodreads)
Glitch by Heather Anastasiu, on August 7 by St. Martin’s Press (Goodreads)
Two Weeks Notice by Rachel Caine, on August 7 by ROC (Goodreads)

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas, on August 1 by Bloomsbury (Goodreads)
Spark by Brigid Kemmerer, on August 1 by Allen & Unwin (Goodreads)
Defiance by C.J. Redwine, on August 1 by Balzer + Bray (Goodreads)

Title: The Masque of the Red Death (#1)
Author: Bethany Griffin
Published: August, 2012 by Orion
Thanks: Hachette AU
Pages: 336
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Everything is in ruins. A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them. So what does Araby Worth have to live for? Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair — Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

Final Thoughts: Although well-written (Bethany Griffin knows her stuff!), her YA debut, The Masque of the Red Death never managed to pull me in completely. Despite 300+ pages, I wasn’t able to connect with Araby, Will or Elliot and their story. Still, Bethany Griffin should get a round of applause for injecting new life into the original Edgar Allan Poe short story.

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US Title: Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
UK Title: Deadly Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Published: July, 2012 by Simon & Schuster AU
Thanks: Simon & Schuster, AU
Pages: 416
Rating:  
Purchase: The Book Depository

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome–also known as the werewolf virus–is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boy-friend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Final Thoughts: Kathleen Peacock has managed to rejuvenate the werewolf YA genre with her debut, Hemlock! A fast-paced and interesting story that had me turning pages well into the night.

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Hoorah! I’m the last stop on the Australian Blog Tour for Lauren Kate‘s release of Rapture! Many thanks to Dorothy over at Random House for aiding me with this interview this time around, since I was so busy with exams and such this past month (you may have noticed the lack of updates on the blog!) I was lucky enough to meet Lauren last year at the signing for Passion, so I’m thrilled to be a part of Rapture!

Q: Did you always want to be an author when you were growing up?
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. When I was a child I desperately wanted to be a ballerina, but at 15, was told I didn’t have the right feet. I switched into full on fiction writer mode after that, and haven’t looked back. Though when I grow up someday, I’d really like to be a chef in a restaurant kitchen.

Q: What book do you wish that you had written?
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Cathrynne M. Valente. Please read it. It will amaze you.

Q: What’s your favourite way and place to read a book?
At home on the couch with a cup of coffee and my dog curled next to me. Or on a hammock on some remote and distant beach.that one doesn’t seem to happen often enough!

Q: What is the best gift you’ve received from a fan?
Simple letters are usually my favorite, especially those in which I get a sense of why the writer relates to my story. I love hearing other people’s love stories. In Melbourne last year I was inundated with Tim Tams, which one can ever say no to.

Q: What book are you reading now?
Moby Dick by Melville. I hated it so much when I first read it at 15, but this time I’m having the opposite experience. It’s funny and so lushly visual.

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Thank you so much to both Lauren and Dorothy! If you want to check out the other stops on the Lauren Kate blog tour, you can do so by following up on these links:

Lauren Kate ‘Rapture’ Blog Tour
12 Jun Treasured Tales for Young Adults
13 Jun Girl
14 Jun Beauty and Lace
15 Jun Head Stuck in a Book
18 Jun Eleusinian Mysteries
19 Jun Book Probe Reviews
20 Jun Shirleys Bookshelf
21 Jun Nice Girls Read Books (You are HERE!)
22 Jun Facebook Page