Waiting on Wednesday * OF POSEIDON SPOILERS!*

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Oh My Sweet Goodness!  

Of Triton (Of Poseidon #2)

by Anna Banks 

 In this sequel to OF POSEIDON, Emma has just learned that her mother is a long-lost Poseidon princess, and now struggles with an identity crisis: As a Half-Breed, she’s a freak in the human world and an abomination in the Syrena realm below. Syrena law states that all Half- Breeds should be put to death.

As if that’s not bad enough, her mother’s reappearance among the Syrena turns the two kingdoms—Poseidon and Triton—against one another. Which leaves Emma with a decision to make: Should she comply with Galen’s request to keep herself safe and just hope for the best? Or should she risk it all and reveal herself—and her Gift—to save a people she’s never known?

I cannot begin to explain how excited I am !! I LOVED Of Poseidon and have been wanting to get my hands on Of Triton since the moment I turned the last page of Book #1. Anna Banks is a genius and hilarious. and I just flippin adore her and her writing! 

Feel free to leave links to your W.O.W Posts in the comments. And of course share in the Fangirling overAnna Banks and the Of Poseidon series!

Of Triton releases on May 28th 2013!

Fairy Godmothers Inc. by Jenniffer Wardell

Fairy Godmothers, Inc.

by Jenniffer Wardell 

 Hardcover, 302 pages

Published April 27th 2013 by Jolly Fish Press

* I received a copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own* 

 In a world where fairy tale situations are as much a fact of life as death and taxes, everyone knows hiring Fairy Godmothers, Inc. is the best way to assure that your beautiful daughter or enchanted frog of a grandson will get the happily-ever-after he or she deserves. Sure, sometimes a little love potion is required to make sure those quotas stay up, but what Prince Charming doesn’t know won’t hurt him.

Kate, an experienced Fairy Godmother, who’s enough of a romantic to frustrate her rigidly rule-bound boss, has just received a specialty assignment from one of the company’s board of directors. Cinderella—Rellie for short—was placed with an appropriately wicked stepfamily years before, and now needs the dress, ball, and handsome prince to complete her happily-ever-after. The fact that Rellie isn’t sure this is her dream come true—balls are fun, but princes tend to be less interesting than fluffy bunnies—isn’t something management considers a problem.

Complicating things a bit is Jon, the youngest son of the royal family, who meets Kate, and is smitten, but isn’t quite ready yet to reveal his true identity. After all, it’s his older brother Rupert who’s supposed to marry Rellie, which means pretending to be a lowly civil servant will give him the chance to spend more time with Kate. (As long as he can get the ball arranged, and stop Rupert from getting himself into trouble over his “self-actualization” business, he should have the perfect opportunity to explain everything and get started on making a little magic with the Fairy Godmother of his dreams.)

But, of course, things never ever happen as planned.

This story came to me at the perfect time. I didn't want something totally YA, but I did want something light- hearted and fun! 

Fairy Godmothers, inc. is all kinds of quirky and addicting in a fantastic way! Filled with oddball characters that I couldn't help but love, I flew through the story and still wanted more. You can tell the author had fun with this story, though it's possible Rellie kinda took on a mind of her own! Making Kate jump through all kinds off hoops. - Rellie probably would have enjoyed seeing that for real - with her over the top dress and add ons. Think Glitter. no seriously GLITTER!!!!!!!!!! And glass shoes that have to appear glass, but not be glass, or plastic, or anything that could shatter. oh and somehow work in Bunnies. ya.. Have fun with that Kate! 

Jenniffer Wardell created a story that  perfectly teetered on the edge of over the top hilarity. It was not too much, but it will have you literally LOLing multiple times. And while the title may make you think this is a story for younger readers, the perfectly placed innuendos will leave you smirking. Would be great for older YA readers and any adult reader looking for a relaxing and fun read. 

I look forward to reading more from this author. She did a great job of creating a story that kept you in the now, while sliding in a bit of backstory for the characters and overall world. The pacing was perfect and I never felt the need to set the book down even for one second! I was reading this story at work - SHH - and was constantly hoping the customers would stay outside and enjoy the sun, so I could stand there and read more!

A few adult innuendos will not stop me from recommending this to teen readers. They are few, and honestly, you have probably heard worse at school! I hope a few of you pick this one up and enjoy it as much as I did!

Dualed by Elise Chapman ( Tour Stop )

Dualed (Dualed #1)

by Elsie Chapman

 The city of Kersh is a safe haven, but the price of safety is high. Everyone has a genetic Alternate—a twin raised by another family—and citizens must prove their worth by eliminating their Alts before their twentieth birthday. Survival means advanced schooling, a good job, marriage—life.

Fifteen-year-old West Grayer has trained as a fighter, preparing for the day when her assignment arrives and she will have one month to hunt down and kill her Alt. But then a tragic misstep shakes West’s confidence. Stricken with grief and guilt, she’s no longer certain that she’s the best version of herself, the version worthy of a future. If she is to have any chance of winning, she must stop running not only from her Alt, but also from love . . . though both have the power to destroy her.

Elsie Chapman's suspenseful YA debut weaves unexpected romance into a novel full of fast-paced action and thought-provoking philosophy. When the story ends, discussions will begin about this future society where every adult is a murderer and every child knows there is another out there who just might be better.

Dualed was  Brutal, and not at all what I was expecting. 

West is an intense character, at age 15 she had already lost so much. As she watches her family be broken apart by death she becomes colder and colder, and least on the outside. West struggles through the story, trying to be nearly emotionless. 

I was prepared of a story of good VS evil - Alt VS Alt. I did not expect to be so torn with my feelings. Yes, I loved West as a character. I rooted for her to get her act together and be the "worthy" Alt. For her to realize that there was something/someone left to love and live for. But there were times when I hated her for her actions as a striker, completing heartless act after heartless act. 

I have decided though that I do not need to love every MC. That they are not always going to be GOOD. 

The story held me with a firm grip. I never knew what to expect and was constantly surprised. I thought I had the story figured out in the beginning. that I would watch it play out and think: " Predictable." 

I was so wrong. 

This story is for lovers of Dystopians and Action/thrillers. I admit, I found the world building a bit lacking. But the story is there, and will leave you thinking. " Would I survive? Would I be Worthy.. and would it be worth it?" 

Rating 4/5 Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

                                                                The Prey (The Hunt #2)

by Andrew Fukuda

* I received a  copy of this book from St. Martins Press in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own. *

For Gene and the remaining humans—or hepers—death is just a heartbeat away. On the run and hunted by society, they must find a way to survive in The Vast... and avoid the hungry predators tracking them in the dark. But they’re not the only things following Gene. He’s haunted by the girl he left behind and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

When they discover a refuge of exiled humans living high in the mountains, Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe. Led by a group of intensely secretive elders, the civilization begins to raise more questions than answers. A strict code of behavior is the rule, harsh punishments are meted out, young men are nowhere to be found—and Gene begins to wonder if the world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind. As life at the refuge grows more perilous, he and Sissy only grow closer. 

In an increasingly violent world, all they have is each other... if they can only stay alive.

 

 "We thought we were finally free of them but we were wrong."

The Prey starts out in a rush, never giving you a moment to take a breath or feel safe. Gene and his new-found human friends are immediately in life or death situations. Using all of their brains... and just pure luck to survive one situation, only to land mack in the middle of something equally, if not more, terrifying. An all human camp.

After finishing The Prey, I have to say if I were Gene, I would have preferred to take my chances with the Vampires instead.

The Prey had me questioning things left and right. Just WHAT was it that was making me so uncomfortable with the Human camp? What really happened to Gene's father. How are Gene, Sissy and the boys going to survive this?... Or will they?

With every chapter it was like finding another piece to the puzzle. Andrew Fukuda continues sharing snippets of Gene's childhood through flashbacks, helping readers understand just what he went through and how it molded him into who he is today. We also learn more about Sissy and the boys, though not as much as I would have liked. I feel like the boys are just kinda pushed to the side in the story and I hope they will be more present in book #3 or that we will at least learn more about their role in the story.

The Prey takes a step back from the more weird moments in The Hunt. it becomes more mysterious and sinister and will leave readers yearning for more answers.

The Hunt was centered around the Vampire word, The Prey around what is left of the Human. But just like I did, I think readers are going to find out that just because something looks safe and familiar, doesn't mean something dangerous isn't lurking just beneath the surface.

The Prey didn't thrill me quite as much as The Hunt did. But I did enjoy it as a follow up and loved learning more about the characters and the world. I cannot wait to see what Fukuda does in book #3! More blending of the human and vampire worlds perhaps? After that ending.. I don't know what to expect..

As I told him on Twitter " Sneaky Mr. Fukuda.... sneaky.... "

Rating 4/5

Shackled by Angela Carling

Shackled  
by Angela Carling

Paperback, 204 pages
Published June 1st 2012 by acacia publishing

After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school, asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naive and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be-true suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in  sheep's clothing.

As many of you know, Contemporaries are not something I tend to venture into when it comes to reviewing. However when Angela inquired about me reviewing shackled, and shared information about Respect month, I felt like this was something bigger than just me not liking many contemporaries. 

I am so glad that I did not pass on reading this one. 

Shackled had me duped. Of course, I had read the description, so really.. I should have expected it. But it sucked me in and had me wishing for this couple to work... oh how I take that back. 

Shackled is a wonderful example of how things are not always as they appear. Honest and heartbreaking, Shackled shows how easy it is to let someone control you.. and still believe it's ok. 

I found myself really relating to Lucy and her quiet innocent nature.... so it was easy for me to fall for Ryan. However, unlike Lucy.. I caught on to the warning signs of things NOT being like a fairy tale. 

I got .. enraged. I cried. I shook my head at her stupidity. And imagined myself slapping Ryan and his Dad right in the face. Shackled latched onto my emotions and didn't let go. 

At times.. some of the things that happened felt unbelievable. But then I really thought about it.. and realized just how easy it is for some people to accept these things as just.. part of your life. Shackled is REAL. It's happening everywhere.. and that made my heart break even more as I read this book. 

- Time for some delving into my personal life and being honest: 

I didn't expect for Shackled to effect me as much as it did. But it really made me sit and think. And I realized there were some parts in my own relationship that were .. not OK. ( i'm fine guys- nothing as bad as Lucy ) But it caused me to pause.. and talk. And cry. and start to realize that some things in my life need to change. 

So not only am I HIGHLY recommending this book. I would like to thank Angela Carling for giving me the opportunity to read it, share it with the world, and for making me take a good look at my own relationship and see the cracks. 

Even if you don't think you will personally relate to the story- sometimes that can be hard to take. Shackled shows you warning signs - hidden between the pages of a amazing story- that may allow you to help someone else. 


Here are my thoughts on Goodreads directly after finishing: 

http://www.angelacarling.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angela-Carling/302628969749080

http://www.angelacarling.blogspot.com/