Sunday, September 25, 2011

In My Mailbox 37

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...



The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson - Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.

Do you guys read Bart's Bookshelf? You really should. Fab blog and there's this thing called Bad Bloggers in which points are awarded to other bloggers whose reviews persuade you to buy a certain book. I 'won' the last round of Bad Bloggers, and as 'punishment' was sent this lovely book! Thank you so much Darren, you are utterly lovely and very generous. Have wanted to read this book for AGES.

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Darkness Falls by Mia James - April Dunne is having a rough time. There are vampires in her school. Not Goths, or Emos in fancy dress. Dangerous, blood-sucking semi-immortals. They run the school. They pretend to be students at it. And they're using their influence to recruit smart, rich students - aka 'bleeders' - to their own cause. What is that cause? April isn't sure. But she knows they killed a rock star for it, and innocents who got too close to the truth. One of them almost killed her. But that's nothing to what's coming next. Gabriel, her kinda-boyfriend, is dying and unless April can find a cure then not only is she going to be boyfriendless, she's also going to lose one of her major allies in the school. And she really needs allies. Because it turns out April has an ability of her own, one that could prove lethal to the 'Suckers' who've taken over the school. If any of them figure out what she is, then losing her boyfriend will be the least of her problems ...

The lovely Nina from Orion/Indigo sent me this book. It's very pretty in person. By Midnight was the first book I finished reading in 2011, so I'm glad that I haven't had to wait TOO long to read the sequel. I'm looking forward to it.
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One Night That Changes Everything by Lauren Barnholdt - Two years ago, when Eliza Sellman was in ninth grade, her dad found out he was being transfered and the family was going to move. Having always been shy and not so confident about her body, Eliza took that opportunity to start a list in her private notebook of all the things she planned on doing when she moved but had always been afraid to—like wearing a miniskirt and asking guys to dance; singing karaoke in front of strangers; posting a photo of herself on her Facebook wall in a bikini...you get the idea. New town, new Eliza, right? Well, she'll never know because the transfer fell through and they didn't move. But Eliza kept adding her goals and secret fears to the list in the notebook. Now it's two years later, and in that time Eliza has had and lost her first boyfriend. But this was more than your average breakup...turns out the sweet and cute Cooper was only dating her as a hazing stunt by a secret society. Eliza got her revenge by posting some pretty nasty (and only sort-of true) stuff about Cooper online. That posting has had major consequences and now Cooper and his buddies have stolen her private notebook and won't give it back until she performs all the things on her list in one night. It's torture...until Eliza steals something from the boys she knows they'll want to trade her notebook for. What starts out as a night of humiliation turns into a night of revelations as Eliza learns what Cooper was really thinking when they dated, the real reason he's stolen her notebook, and how freeing—and life-changing—it can be to do the things you fear the most.

Recently I read another book by Lauren Barnholdt, Two-Way Street, and really enjoyed it. Since then, I've been on the look out for other books by the same author. This book was snapped up using a book-swapping website and it looks like it could be quite a fun read.
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Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan - What if you were bound for a new world, about to pledge your life to someone you'd been promised to since birth, and one unexpected violent attack made survival—not love—the issue?

Out in the murky nebula lurks an unseen enemy: the New Horizon. On its way to populate a distant planet in the wake of Earth's collapse, the ship's crew has been unable to conceive a generation to continue its mission. They need young girls desperately, or their zealous leader's efforts will fail. Onboard their sister ship, the Empyrean, the unsuspecting families don't know an attack is being mounted that could claim the most important among them...

Fifteen-year-old Waverly is part of the first generation to be successfully conceived in deep space; she was born on the Empyrean, and the large farming vessel is all she knows. Her concerns are those of any teenager—until Kieran Alden proposes to her. The handsome captain-to-be has everything Waverly could ever want in a husband, and with the pressure to start having children, everyone is sure he's the best choice. Except for Waverly, who wants more from life than marriage—and is secretly intrigued by the shy, darkly brilliant Seth.

But when the Empyrean faces sudden attack by their assumed allies, they quickly find out that the enemies aren't all from the outside.

Glow is the most riveting series debut since The Hunger Games, and promises to thrill and challenge readers of all ages.



LinkI love the glittery final cover for this one. I love the idea of reading more YA science-fiction and I certainly won't be waiting long to dive into this book!

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Blood Promise by Richelle Mead
- How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?



LinkThis is the fourth book in the Vampire Academy series. At the moment, whilst excited to carry on with the series, I'm also feeling a little bereft with the outcome of book three. I don't know how I'll cope...

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Sweetly by Jackson Pearce - As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch-like monster in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.

When their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out as teens, they stumble upon a sleepy Southern town and are invited to stay with Sophia Kelly at her sweet shop. Sophia molds candied magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.

Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel finally start to forget their haunted past - until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel, who gives Gretchen a reason to fear Sophia: girls have been vanishing at Sophia's annual chocolate festival, taken by the insatiable 'witch' of Gretchen's nightmares. Can Gretchen save herself, the girls of Live Oak, andSophia?

Of one thing, Gretchen is certain: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.



LinkHurrah, I'm so excited about this book! It wasn't long ago that I was reading and really enjoying Sisters Red so I have very high expectations for Sweetly!
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Mist by Kathryn James - A chilling fairy-tale thriller for 10+ girls.

Midnight: a mist-haunted wood with a bad reputation. A sweet sixteen party, and 13 year old Nell is trying to keep her sister, spoilt birthday-girl Gwen, out of trouble. No chance. Trouble finds Gwen and drags her through the mist. Only Nell guesses who’s behind the kidnap - the boy she hoped was her friend, the cute but mysterious Evan River.

All those fairy stories Nell’s grandmother told her about girls being stolen by fairy folk are true. The Elven are beautiful as starlight, fierce as wolves, and cold as ice. And they want their world back. The fight has been raging for centuries. Nell’s grandmother should know, she’s a Watcher, the ones responsible for imprisoning the Elven in isolated iron-bound camps in Siberia. Only Evan, his fanatical older brother Fen, and a handful of Elven children are still free.

Fen, hellbent on revenge, keeps Gwen in their wolf-guarded stronghold deep in the mist. The price for her safe return? The release of all the Elven – but the Watchers will never agree. Only Nell can save Gwen.

Time is twisted through the mist: if Nell stops longer than a night and day, a hundred years will hit her as soon as she returns and she’ll be old and withered before she’s even lived. The clock is ticking.


Here's one that looks quite cool. I really like the cover and the term 'fairy-tale thriller' - really sounds good to me. Can't wait.
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This Dark Endeavour by Kenneth Oppel - Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.


This was a very unexpected and exciting book that arrived this week. I've been hearing good things about it. It's a gorgeous looking hardback. The subtitle being: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. I think it might be really cool to read a prequel to a really famous book, especially one aimed at a YA audience like this one. I'm intrigued.

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So that's it for me this week, which books did you acquire recently? And have you read any of these books? Where should I start?

15 comments:

  1. Wow, not heard of "one night that changes everything"! That sounds amazing. I also really want sweetly! Lucky you!
    Congrats on the great haul and hope you enjoy all the books

    Steffikins

    X xx

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  2. I'm intrigued by This Dark Endeavour too. And well done for winning the award! Can't wait to hear what you think of The Last Little Blue Envelope. I'm also really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on One Night That Changes Everything.
    Happy reading!

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  3. I really need to read The Last Little Blue Envelopes too. Congrats on winning it!

    I loved Glow and I hope you enjoy it too.

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  4. Ooh there are some brilliant sounding books here, I'm looking forward to your reviews already :)

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  5. i need to get a copy of the maureen jonhson envelop series as I'm off to see her soonish

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  6. I really enjoyed The Last Little Blue Envelope it made me cry so much near the end. You have some great books this week. :D

    My IMM

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  7. This Dark Endeavour is fantastic! You will love it.

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  8. I can't wait to get my hands on Glow! It looks amazing :) I absolutely love the VA series, so I'm always glad to see when someone is reading it! I can't wait to see what you think about Sweetly, I've been debating on whether or not to pick it up. Great stuff!
    New follower :)

    My IMM

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  9. i felt EXACTLY the same after the 3rd book and all I can say is to carry on with them because it's SOOOOO worth it!

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  10. Great haul! I really enjoyed the Vampire Academy series.

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads
    Wanna snag some ARCs? Don't forget to check out my giveaways. ;)

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  11. Blood Promise is actually one of my favourites in the VA series, because it's so different. I hope you like it :). Glow looks great, I can't wait to read it! Love the sound of Sweetly too. Happy reading! :)

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  12. awwww Sweetly! Im so jealous! I want that so badly!
    I loved The Last Little Blue Envelope, it was event better than 13 LBEs! :D I hope you enjoy all your books!

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  13. Wow. You got a TON of great books! Mist looks wonderful! Great IMM this week!


    My IMM

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  14. Steffikins - I think it's fairly new, One Night That Changes Everything? And thanks :)

    Luisa - Thank you so much, I'm looking forward to so many of these books!

    prettybooks - Thanks! I've been dying to read it for awhile!

    Jenni - Thanks :)

    Kirsty - Sounds wonderful!

    Michelle - Did it? Aww. I love books that make me cry.

    Vivienne - Ooh, I hope so!

    Anna - Thanks so much. I think I might pick up the VA book next. I need more Dimitri in my life.

    A Musing Mother - Whatever you say?

    Laura - Is it? *frets* I hope so.

    Giselle - Thank you :)

    Liz - I'm so glad so many people have said not to worry and that Blood Promise is really good even after what happens. It's making me feel very reassured :)

    Raimy - I know, I was very happy to have recieved Sweetly!

    Chasing empty pavements - Thank you :)

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