Sunday, July 17, 2011

In My Mailbox 33

Welcome to another edition of In My Mailbox. IMM is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren in which bloggers get the chance to share with their readers the books that have recently come into their possession. I really love this meme and I look forward to seeing all my favourite blogger's books each week. Thank you to Kristi for hosting something is such fun!

Here are the books that I acquired this week...


Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs - Lily Sanderson has a secret, and it’s not that she has a huge crush on gorgeous swimming god Brody Bennett, who makes her heart beat flipper-fast. Unrequited love is hard enough when you’re a normal teenage girl, but when you’re half human, half mermaid like Lily, there’s no such thing as a simple crush.

Lily’s mermaid identity is a secret that can’t get out, since she’s not just any mermaid – she’s a Thalassinian princess. When Lily found out three years ago that her mother was actually a human, she finally realized why she didn’t feel quite at home in Thalassinia, and she’s been living on land and going to Seaview high school ever since, hoping to find where she truly belongs. Sure, land has its problems – like her obnoxious, biker boy neighbor Quince Fletcher – but it has that one major perk – Brody. The problem is, mermaids aren’t really the casual dating type – when they “bond,” it’s for life.

When Lily’s attempt to win Brody’s love leads to a tsunami-sized case of mistaken identity, she is in for a tidal wave of relationship drama, and she finds out, quick as a tailfin flick, that happily-ever-after never sails quite as smoothly as you planned.


Yay! I won my copy of this book from Nayuleska at Nayu's Reading Corner (Thank you so much!). It's a very pretty looking book and I've heard good things from it!


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Eragon by Christopher Paolini - When young Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his adopted family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of inescapable destiny, magical forces, and powerful people. With only an ancient sword and the instruction of an old, mysterious, hermit storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a Emperor whose evil and power knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands….

It's such a shame that GoodReads haven't got the latest much cooler looking covers. Same pictures of the dragons, but closer up. My copies of this and the following two books also have coloured edges! It's funny, I was just talking to someone the other day about how there was too much gap between the books in this series. I was saying that I'd have liked to have read Brisingr, but I couldn't remember the events of Eldest - now that I have shiny new copies of the books, I can re-read the first two and then the third before the latest book in the series comes out! Exciting!

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Eldest by Christopher Paolini - Darkness falls ...Despair abounds ...Evil reigns ...Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in magic and swordsmanship, the vital skills of the Dragon Rider. It is the journey of a lifetime, filled with awe-inspiring new places and people, each day a fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and Eragon isn't sure whom he can trust. Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle back home in Carvahall - one that puts Eragon in even graver danger. Will the king's dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life ...


The second book in the series!

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Brinsingr by Christopher Paolini - OATHS SWORN . . . loyalties tested . . . forces collide.

Following the colossal battle against the Empire’s warriors on the Burning Plains, Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have narrowly escaped with their lives. Still there is more at hand for the Rider and his dragon, as Eragon finds himself bound by a tangle of promises he may not be able to keep.

First is Eragon’s oath to his cousin Roran: to help rescue Roran’s beloved, Katrina, from King Galbatorix’s clutches. But Eragon owes his loyalty to others, too. The Varden are in desperate need of his talents and strength—as are the elves and dwarves. When unrest claims the rebels and danger strikes from every corner, Eragon must make choices— choices that take him across the Empire and beyond, choices that may lead to unimagined sacrifice.

Eragon is the greatest hope to rid the land of tyranny. Can this once-simple farm boy unite the rebel forces and defeat the king?

And the third book, which I haven't read as yet.


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The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line.

Some riders live.
Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.


A huge, HUGE thank you to Luisa from Chicklish for sending this book out to me. I was feeling so left out when everyone got their tubes of this book. I can't wait to read it, it sounds fantastic. Thank you Luisa!

(and I've already read it!)
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Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready - Aura's life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can't deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she's not sure that she wants to.

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.

As Aura's search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.


Luisa from Chicklish is an awesome lady, seriously. She also sent me this book which I'm HUGELY excited for. I need more Zachary in my life. Thanks Luisa :)

(read this one already too!)

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Huntress by Malinda Lo
- Nature is out of balance in the human world. The sun hasn't shone in years, and crops are failing. Worse yet, strange and hostile creatures have begun to appear. The people's survival hangs in the balance.

To solve the crisis, the oracle stones are cast, and Kaede and Taisin, two seventeen-year-old girls, are picked to go on a dangerous and unheard-of journey to Tanlili, the city of the Fairy Queen. Taisin is a sage, thrumming with magic, and Kaede is of the earth, without a speck of the otherworldly. And yet the two girls' destinies are drawn together during the mission. As members of their party succumb to unearthly attacks and fairy tricks, the two come to rely on each other and even begin to fall in love. But the Kingdom needs only one huntress to save it, and what it takes could tear Kaede and Taisin apart forever.

The exciting adventure prequel to Malinda Lo's highly acclaimed novel Ash is overflowing with lush Chinese influences and details inspired by the I Ching, and is filled with action and romance.

ANNNNND seriously, the wonderfulness of Luisa from Chicklish (really one of my FAVOURITE blogs) knows no bounds. She sent me Huntress as well, which I've been wanting to read for AGES. Now where am I even going to start with all these wonderful books?!

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We Can Be Heroes by Catherine Bruton - My dad was killed in the 9/11 attacks in New York. But the stuff in this book isn't about that. It's about the summer me and Jed and Priti tried to catch a suicide bomber and start a riot. There's stuff about how we built a tree house and joined the bomb squad; how I found my dad and Jed lost his; and how we both lost our mums then found them again. So it's not really about 9/11 but then again none of those things would have happened if it hadn't been for that day. So I guess it's all back to front, sort of...

Really looking forward to this one, and look out for a guest post from Catherine Bruton in the near future!



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Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling - Yves' story.

This is about getting you out...I'm stealing you.

Phoenix belongs to the Community - a gang of thieves with paranormal powers. Yves Benedict - an American student visiting London - is her mark. But Yves turns out to be more than just a target. He is her destiny. Her soulmate. But the Community owns Phoenix's past and it wants her future too.


I've only recently read Finding Sky, and I loved it. So now I'm even more excited to read this second book by Joss Stirling :)



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Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - There can only be one alpha.


Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were. With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

After finally reading Raised By Wolves recently, I immediately had to run out and buy the sequel! I adored the first book and I hope I equally love this second book in the series!


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Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Featuring necklaces made of wishes; an underground shop dealing in teeth; magical tattoos; a wishbone on a cord, DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is a thrilling story about Karou and her secret life as an apprentice to a wishmonger. Karou manages to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she is a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to an inhuman creature who deals in wishes and is the closest thing she has to family. Her life is surrounded by mysteries she is desperate to unveil.

After the enticing and mysterious postcards I was recieving about this book, it's really nice to have a copy of this book to read. I'm dying to know all of its secrets!


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Bitter End by Jennifer Brown - When Alex falls for the charming new boy at school, Cole, a handsome, funny, sports star who adores her, she can't believe she's finally found her soul mate-someone who truly understands her and loves her for who she really is.

At first, Alex is blissfully happy. Sure, Cole seems a little jealous of her relationship with her best friends, Zack and Bethany, but what guy would want his girlfriend spending all of her time with another boy? But as the months pass, Alex can no longer ignore Cole's small put-downs, pinches, or increasingly violent threats. As Alex struggles to come to terms with the sweet boyfriend she fell in love with and the boyfriend whose "love" she no longer recognizes, she is forced to choose - between her "true love" and herself.

I read and loved Jennifer Brown's first book, Hate List and so I was always excited and looking forward to whatever she wrote next. Thrilled to have agreed to a swap with another awesome UK book blogger, Jodie. Thanks Jodie!


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That's it from me, which books came into your house recently?

12 comments:

  1. Bitter End is absolutely awesome. I think you'll love it. I have never heard of We Can Be Heroes so I'll look forward to seeing your review on that and Huntress by Malinda Lo which I am on the fence about ordering... Mind you, after my stack this week I don't think I get to order books for a while. Ahem. - Elle

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  2. Wow, every one of those sounds great. I've never read the Christopher Paolini boooks - I get the idea I'm probably missing out?

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  3. Ooh, what a great haul! I loved FORGIVE MY FINS - soooo frothy and sweet and funny and romantic! And I am v., v. jealous that you have SCORPIO RACES - I'm really looking forward to that one!

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  4. Im very jealous of your mailbox this week Michelle! :( I hope you enjoy these! :D

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  5. fab IMM this week! enjoy all the goodies!

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  6. You're so welcome - and I should be thanking YOU! I hope you enjoy all your wonderful books!

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  7. You have some seriously awesome reads Michelle! So jealous that you have Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Bitter End - they especially look like they're going to be awesome reads. Hope you enjoy them all. :)

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  8. Elle - I'm really looking forward to Bitter End, Jennifer Brown really impressed me with Hate List which I read last year. Will go and ogle the books you got this week soon :)

    Jenni - I read the first two when they first came out and enjoyed them, but I've heard that they're pretty similar to other classic fantasy books. Seeing as how I don't read much fantasy, I didn't have a problem with them!

    Steph - I've heard really fun things about Forgive My Fins, so I'm quite looking forward to it. I've already sent my copy of The Scorpio Races onto someone else, otherwise I'd have sent it on to you, sorry!

    Raimy - I hope so too, thanks :)

    Laura - Thanks so much :)

    Luisa - You are awesome. (Thank you!) I have been enjoying these so far :)

    Tammy - Yes! I was very excited with both of those too.

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  9. Fab books this week! The Scorpio Races is awesome, I hope you enjoyed it! Daughter of Smoke and Bone looks amazing, I can't wait until it's released. Happy reading!

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  10. Liz - Thank you! I did enjoy The Scorpio Races and I'm very much looking forward to Daughter of Smoke and Bone :)

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  11. Wow, so many good books this week - I hardly know where to start :D

    I can't wait to read Stealing Phoenix and the cover of Huntress looks fab.

    Happy Reading :D

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  12. Jesse - That was my problem too :) I'm really looking forward to both Stealing Phoenix and Huntress as I really loved both Finding Sky and Ash. Thanks for your comment!

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HI! Thank you for leaving a comment, you've just become my new best friend :)