Little Pieces of Imagination: Josephine Angelini

Showing posts with label Josephine Angelini. Show all posts

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Mini Reviews: Perfect Couple, Finding It, Trial by Fire, Sinner

Hey, guys! It's been so long since my last review. I'm all done with exams, yay! Now I have a week long break before spring semester starts. Going to re-energize and hopefully get some commenting done. I hope you've all been wonderful! *hugs* I was going to write full reviews for all of these, but I decided to write a post with multiple mini reviews instead. Let me know what you thought of these books :)

Title: Perfect Couple (Superlatives #2)
Author: Jennifer Echols
Published: January 15th 2015
Read: Nov 29th, 2014
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*

Can your heart be put to a popular vote?

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for capturing those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce has left her wondering what a loving relationship would look like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody the “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been on her case to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack in female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He seems confused about why they were matched together, too. They’re total opposites—the last people in the world who would ever be compatible, let alone the “perfect couple.” Yet ever since the class paired the two of them, they've found themselves drawn together--first by curiosity, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they're very attracted to each other and both of them admit this, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating clearly. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But after they walk away, both of them feel so changed from making the effort that they can’t forget each other. What if that means this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

It's more like 3.5, I think. Loved the main ship a whole bunch and they are ridiculously cute together. Plus swoony kissing, you guys!!! I didn't connect with the MC, to be honest, and the book was often over dramatic, but regardless, still enjoyable. Echols doesn't shy away from sex talk and sexier themes which is good seeing as it's YA and teenagers aren't oblivious to these things after all. It also has different races when it comes to characters and LGBT themes which is very appreciated. [Highlight to see a slight (?) spoiler] I'm so glad that it didn't have any L-bombs because the book takes place within a week or so and expressing love would have been just too much. DID I SAY SWOONY KISSING ALREADY???

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★

Meet the author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Thank you to Simon Pulse and Edelweiss for providing an arc. My thoughts are my own

and in no way did the review copy affect my opinion on the book.

Book Haul #22

Haven't done one in a while again. I think it's been a month if not more. I haven't received any paperbacks throughout this time other than The Sea of Tranquility--love that book--which I loaned to my mom and she took it to her vacation with her so I can't show it to you this week. The rest of the paperbacks/hard covers I've received before, but haven't showcased yet. If you've read any of these, let me know and I'll push them up on my tbr list. Be sure to leave me your links so I can visit all of you lovelies back:)

Physical copies

Sweet Peril (Sweet Evil #2) by Wendy Higgins

Dreamless (Starcrossed #2) by Josephine Angelini

Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

Apollyon (Covenant #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3) by Cassandra Clare (read, review will be up soon)

E-books

OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu (arc, currently reading)

Elite by Rachel van Dyken (review copy, already read)

The Lies We Tell by Elizabeth Dunk (arc, already read)

I also received a little bit of swag throughout that time. A huge thanks to Jennifer Jacopelli for these gorgeous bookmarks. Moreover, the always wonderful Trisha Wolfe, who is just one of the best human beings, sent me signed bookmarks which she designed herself, by the way, and a very lovely letter. Thanks so so so much you guys! *hugs*

A HUGE thanks to Edelweiss, Netgalley, Simon Pulse, Forever, Harlequin Australia, Jennifer Jacopelli and Trisha Wolfe.

What did you get this week? Leave your links below and I'll check out your goodies :)

In My Mailbox is a weekly event hosted by The Mod Podge Bookshelf and Stacking the Shelves is a weekly event hosted by Tynga's Reviews.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Review: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Title: Starcrossed (Starcrossed #1)
Author: Josephine Angelini
Published: May 31st 2011
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

If they were to sell this series in an Estonian bookstore, I could not pass them by without ogling the covers. They’re gorgous! I had heard of these books all over blogosvere and the Internet so it was only a matter of time ‘til I would have found myself reading them. I am a fan of mythology and originality and these are the two departments where this book shines and stands out like a nebula on a cloudless night.

“I don’t care how hard being together is, nothing is worse than being apart.”

Starcrossed is a completely compelling and original take on descendants of the Greek gods. The writing in general is very descriptive which I usually don't like but in this case surprisingly enjoyed. I even liked the romance part: I am not, in fact, a fan of insta love, but this was an insta love with a twist and surprisingly Angelini made it work for me! Lucas and Helen’s relationship grew from mutual respect and friendship in addition to lust and love. I was fascinated by their story and it was impossible for me to not cheer them on.

On the other hand, I’m not sure if I connected with any of the characters in a way I expected to. Helen, only sixteen, sometimes comes off a little immature and patience is definitely not her virtue. She is also very independent and strong. I do think with age she’ll mature, but for now she was a little too unstable for me. My favorite character was Hector though *winks* The other thing that bothered me was the far too long chapters part. I don’t think this will improve so I’ll just have to get used to it I guess.

Overall, it is a very, very strong start to a fascinating and compelling series that has a massive following. I believe it to be a very original take on Greek mythology and Angelini’s epic (in the sense of lyrical ‘n stuff) writing style definitely stands out among some other YA authors. I do believe it has room to grow, but I did very much enjoy it, thank you.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Meet the author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Book Haul #10

This week I received two paperbacks and got myself a few ebooks that have been on my radar for quite some time now. If you've read any of them, please let me know in the comments down below so I know which books to move up on my TBR list. Thank you! Also, please leave me links to your showcasings so I can visit you back :)