Quickie Review: Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Dead Rules

by Randy Russell

Release Date: June 21st 2011
by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 384 pages

Goodreads:

Till death

Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.

Do

But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.

Us

Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.

Part

But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break. 

My thoughts: (spoiler free) 

I read this book a few months ago and the details are a bit fuzzy, but I really liked it and I still feel like recommending it. Besides, it is very appropriate for the season. It's one the most original, twisted, dark, haunting, hilarious, interesting book I have read in a while!

So... Meet Jana and Michael. They are a happy couple of high school students who are deeply in love with each other. They have all their future planned out and of course, they will live happily ever after together. Or so they thought. Because all their future plans fall apart when Jena dies and ends up in Dead School. 

After the bewilderment of being dead and in a school for dead people wears of, Jana realizes that Michael is not there with her, which is so not fair, because their love story can’t end just like that, right? Would Romeo and Juliet’s love story be so epic if only Juliet died? Probably not, so our Jana decides that she will do anything to be with Michael again – even if she has to kill him.

Just like any other school, Dead School has rules, cliques and getting around them is not as easy at it seems. Here, the consequences of breaking rules can be much more dangerous, more… final. But that won’t stop Jena from trying to get to Michael so they can get their happily ever after.

Anyway, even in this strange place, she can find some friendly faces. Ok, maybe their faces are not always  literally friendly (most of the students have the same look they had when they died – you see a girl with a dart in her head here, a boy with broken limbs there, another girl with feathers coming out of her mouth somewhere else) but they can be very nice. Even Mars, who is supposed to be one of the bad guys. In fact, he doesn’t seem so bad to her, on the contrary, he is nice, charming, always there when she needs him and he even helps her with her plan to get to Michael. But spending so much time with him confuses her; she realizes that she likes his company more than she should. Which makes her question her own feelings, her relationship with Michael and the reasons why she wants to be with him. She couldn’t actually be wrong about her feelings for him, could she? They belong together, they always have. Right? Well, sometimes I had to roll my eyes at Jana's obsession with Michael, but everything turned out ok in the end. The whole story is twisted, creepy, tense, hilarious at times and keeps you guessing until the very last page. 

And there are so many super funny moments in this book! Randy Russel has this twisted, dry, sometimes morbid humor that is so unique and quite addictive! The plot is interesting as well, of course, but without the amazing writing, I doubt the story would have the same appeal. You just have to read it and see for yourselves! 

Speaking of which, I just had to share with you a couple of quotes. Maybe it's just my vivid, crazy imagination or the timing, but reading these scenes had me rolling on the floor laughing and gasping (not really, but almost)

Pauline was the center of attention. The senior danced with two boys at once, one in front of her, and one behind. She turned her top half to face one while her bottom half faced with the other. At one point, the boy dancing with Pauline’s top half took her hand and twirled her around from the waist up. Both boys had to duck in turn when her hair, permanently swept straight out to one side, came around.

She watched Wyatt at the Sliders’ end of the gym. He was taller than most of the other students in Dead School. No one had a name for the dance he did. He stood in place and rocked from side to side, using his good arm to roll imaginary toilet paper around his wrist.

Oh, and the cover! When this book first came out, I was like obsessed with it. Those eerie, hypnotic eyes... *stares**shudders* Yup, definitely a must read for the season!:))

xoxo

Quickie Review: Dead Rules by Randy Russell

Dead Rules

by Randy Russell

Release Date: June 21st 2011
by HarperTeen
Hardcover, 384 pages

Goodreads:

Till death

Jana Webster and Michael Haynes were in love. They were destined to be together forever.

Do

But Jana's destiny was fatally flawed. And now she's in Dead School, where Mars Dreamcote lurks in the back of the classroom, with his beguiling blue eyes, mysterious smile, and irresistibly warm touch.

Us

Michael and Jana were incomplete without each other. There was no room for Mars in Jana's life—or death—story. Jana was sure Michael would rush to her side soon.

Part

But things aren't going according to Jana's plan. So Jana decides to do whatever it takes to make her dreams come true—no matter what rules she has to break. 

My thoughts: (spoiler free) 

I read this book a few months ago and the details are a bit fuzzy, but I really liked it and I still feel like recommending it. Besides, it is very appropriate for the season. It's one the most original, twisted, dark, haunting, hilarious, interesting book I have read in a while!

So... Meet Jana and Michael. They are a happy couple of high school students who are deeply in love with each other. They have all their future planned out and of course, they will live happily ever after together. Or so they thought. Because all their future plans fall apart when Jena dies and ends up in Dead School. 

After the bewilderment of being dead and in a school for dead people wears of, Jana realizes that Michael is not there with her, which is so not fair, because their love story can’t end just like that, right? Would Romeo and Juliet’s love story be so epic if only Juliet died? Probably not, so our Jana decides that she will do anything to be with Michael again – even if she has to kill him.

Just like any other school, Dead School has rules, cliques and getting around them is not as easy at it seems. Here, the consequences of breaking rules can be much more dangerous, more… final. But that won’t stop Jena from trying to get to Michael so they can get their happily ever after.

Anyway, even in this strange place, she can find some friendly faces. Ok, maybe their faces are not always  literally friendly (most of the students have the same look they had when they died – you see a girl with a dart in her head here, a boy with broken limbs there, another girl with feathers coming out of her mouth somewhere else) but they can be very nice. Even Mars, who is supposed to be one of the bad guys. In fact, he doesn’t seem so bad to her, on the contrary, he is nice, charming, always there when she needs him and he even helps her with her plan to get to Michael. But spending so much time with him confuses her; she realizes that she likes his company more than she should. Which makes her question her own feelings, her relationship with Michael and the reasons why she wants to be with him. She couldn’t actually be wrong about her feelings for him, could she? They belong together, they always have. Right? Well, sometimes I had to roll my eyes at Jana's obsession with Michael, but everything turned out ok in the end. The whole story is twisted, creepy, tense, hilarious at times and keeps you guessing until the very last page. 

And there are so many super funny moments in this book! Randy Russel has this twisted, dry, sometimes morbid humor that is so unique and quite addictive! The plot is interesting as well, of course, but without the amazing writing, I doubt the story would have the same appeal. You just have to read it and see for yourselves! 

Speaking of which, I just had to share with you a couple of quotes. Maybe it's just my vivid, crazy imagination or the timing, but reading these scenes had me rolling on the floor laughing and gasping (not really, but almost)

Pauline was the center of attention. The senior danced with two boys at once, one in front of her, and one behind. She turned her top half to face one while her bottom half faced with the other. At one point, the boy dancing with Pauline’s top half took her hand and twirled her around from the waist up. Both boys had to duck in turn when her hair, permanently swept straight out to one side, came around.

She watched Wyatt at the Sliders’ end of the gym. He was taller than most of the other students in Dead School. No one had a name for the dance he did. He stood in place and rocked from side to side, using his good arm to roll imaginary toilet paper around his wrist.

Oh, and the cover! When this book first came out, I was like obsessed with it. Those eerie, hypnotic eyes... *stares**shudders* Yup, definitely a must read for the season!:))

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (9/28)

Hi!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

I chose another debut novel for this week because... well, suddenly, 2012 doesn't seem to be so far away:

Incarnate (Newsoul #1)
by Jodi Meadows

Release Date:  January 31st 2012
by HarperCollins Children's Books
Hardcover, 384 pages

Goodreads blurb:

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Now that sounds awesome! The book has a very interesting concept, with all this soul, nosoul, reincarnation thing. I don't think I have read anything like this before. Also, the cover is really cool (in an eerie kind of way) with those colors and butterfly wings (that's what they are... right?)

So, what do you think about this novel? Do you want to read it? What are you waiting on this week? ;)

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday (9/28)

Hi!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

I chose another debut novel for this week because... well, suddenly, 2012 doesn't seem to be so far away:

Incarnate (Newsoul #1)
by Jodi Meadows

Release Date:  January 31st 2012
by HarperCollins Children's Books
Hardcover, 384 pages

Goodreads blurb:

Ana is new. For thousands of years in Range, a million souls have been reincarnated over and over, keeping their memories and experiences from previous lifetimes. When Ana was born, another soul vanished, and no one knows why.

NOSOUL

Even Ana’s own mother thinks she’s a nosoul, an omen of worse things to come, and has kept her away from society. To escape her seclusion and learn whether she’ll be reincarnated, Ana travels to the city of Heart, but its citizens are suspicious and afraid of what her presence means. When dragons and sylph attack the city, is Ana to blame?

HEART

Sam believes Ana’s new soul is good and worthwhile. When he stands up for her, their relationship blooms. But can he love someone who may live only once, and will Ana’s enemies—human and creature alike—let them be together? Ana needs to uncover the mistake that gave her someone else’s life, but will her quest threaten the peace of Heart and destroy the promise of reincarnation for all?

Jodi Meadows expertly weaves soul-deep romance, fantasy, and danger into an extraordinary tale of new life.

Now that sounds awesome! The book has a very interesting concept, with all this soul, nosoul, reincarnation thing. I don't think I have read anything like this before. Also, the cover is really cool (in an eerie kind of way) with those colors and butterfly wings (that's what they are... right?)

So, what do you think about this novel? Do you want to read it? What are you waiting on this week? ;)

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday 9/21

Hey!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

It may be a bit early to talk about books coming out next year, but some of them are already popular in the blogosphere so of course I'm intrigued. Here's one that caught my interest weeks ago:

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton

Release date: January 3rd 2012 
Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
 Hardcover, 370 pages

Goodreads blurb:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I will admit that what drew me to this one is the cover (you know that I'm a sucker for gorgeous covers - and this one is really pretty, I love that smokey effect!). Even so, the synopsis sounds pretty interesting as well. So this is one debut novel I'll definitely pick up next year! And come to think of it, January isn't that far away!

***

And speaking of January and debut novels, another book I'm eagerly anticipating is Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, the sequel to Unearthly, one of the best debut novels of 2011.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
by Cynthia Hand

Release date: January 24th 2012
HarperCollins Publishers
Hardcover, 320 pages

Goodreads blurb:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

Well, need I say more? The ending of Unearthly was pretty astonishing  - actually, the whole book was full of surprises - and I'm dying to read the next book in the series and see what happens!

What are you waiting on?:)

xoxo

Waiting on Wednesday 9/21

Hey!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

*Thanks Danny @  Bewitched Bookworms for the lovely button

It may be a bit early to talk about books coming out next year, but some of them are already popular in the blogosphere so of course I'm intrigued. Here's one that caught my interest weeks ago:

Everneath (Everneath #1)

by Brodi Ashton

Release date: January 3rd 2012 
Harper Collins / Balzer + Bray
 Hardcover, 370 pages

Goodreads blurb:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

I will admit that what drew me to this one is the cover (you know that I'm a sucker for gorgeous covers - and this one is really pretty, I love that smokey effect!). Even so, the synopsis sounds pretty interesting as well. So this is one debut novel I'll definitely pick up next year! And come to think of it, January isn't that far away!

***

And speaking of January and debut novels, another book I'm eagerly anticipating is Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, the sequel to Unearthly, one of the best debut novels of 2011.

Hallowed (Unearthly #2)
by Cynthia Hand

Release date: January 24th 2012
HarperCollins Publishers
Hardcover, 320 pages

Goodreads blurb:

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

Well, need I say more? The ending of Unearthly was pretty astonishing  - actually, the whole book was full of surprises - and I'm dying to read the next book in the series and see what happens!

What are you waiting on?:)

xoxo

Spotted! The Body Finder #3 by Kimberly Derting

Hey guys!

Let's get started the week with some good bookish news, shall we? ;)


Kimberly Derting just released the title, cover and synopsis for the Body Finder #3, woo hoo! So here goes:

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)

by Kimberly Derting (Goodreads Author)

Pub.: HarperCollins (April 17th 2012)

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her familyand her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

What do you guys think? I love the title, it really fits the series! And it gives me this feeling of finality and mystery and... It should be epic! <3 And I think the cover is gorgeous - just like the previous ones -

P.S. I really hope this series gets published in Romania as well! It seems like a Rao Books kind of series IMO. *hint hint* :))

Have a fab week and happy reading!
xoxo

Spotted! The Body Finder #3 by Kimberly Derting

Hey guys!

Let's get started the week with some good bookish news, shall we? ;)


Kimberly Derting just released the title, cover and synopsis for the Body Finder #3, woo hoo! So here goes:

The Last Echo (The Body Finder #3)

by Kimberly Derting (Goodreads Author)

Pub.: HarperCollins (April 17th 2012)

Violet kept her morbid ability to sense dead bodies a secret from everyone except her familyand her childhood-best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Jay Heaton. That is until forensic psychologist Sara Priest discovered Violet’s talent and invited her to use her gift to track down murderers. Now, as she works with an eclectic group of individuals—including mysterious and dangerously attractive Rafe—it’s Violet’s job to help those who have been murdered by bringing their killers to justice. When Violet discovers the body of a college girl killed by “the girlfriend collector” she is determined to solve the case. But now the serial killer is on the lookout for a new “relationship” and Violet may have caught his eye....

What do you guys think? I love the title, it really fits the series! And it gives me this feeling of finality and mystery and... It should be epic! <3 And I think the cover is gorgeous - just like the previous ones -

P.S. I really hope this series gets published in Romania as well! It seems like a Rao Books kind of series IMO. *hint hint* :))

Have a fab week and happy reading!
xoxo