Review: Saltwater Moons by Julie Gittus

Title: Saltwater Moons
Author: Julie Gittus
Pages: 268
Publisher: Lothian Books
Release Date: August 7, 2008

In the beginning it seems so simple. A poem in the mail. A weekend invitation to the coast. But when Sun says yes to a midnight walk, her life becomes suddenly complicated. Saltwater Moons tells the story of Sun Langley during her final months of Year Twelve. There's the intensity of her first relationship, complicated by the fact she continues to exchange poems with her boyfriend's best mate. It's a story about love and betrayal, about constantly longing for the things we can't have.

My Thoughts: When I finished Saltwater Moons last night, I had mixed feelings. There were a lot of things that happened that brought out my anger, but I just could not stop reading. I thought the story was intriguing, the setting was nice, and I really liked the writing. (All the Australian books I've read so far have great writing.) Those must have been the reasons why I couldn't put the book down because I know some of the characters weren't the ones who kept me going.

I couldn't sympathize with the main character Sun. I just wasn't able to fully understand her actions and behavior. She allowed the situation between her and Mark to continue... And for what? She knew what type of person Mark was, so it was pretty obvious where the relationship was headed. She also knew that she had feelings for someone else, Mark's friend Tycho. Now, I might have gotten annoyed with Sun, but I don't believe she was a horrible character. She made mistakes like any normal person. I do believe she learned something and gained strength from all this, but I just don't get why she put herself through that. I wish she had the courage to confront Tycho in the first place instead of allowing Mark to take over.

I didn't like Mark. All the things he said to Sun... I'm sure she's not the first girl to hear those words from him. And every time he was with her it never seemed like he was ever completely there. His behavior might be his way of coping with his stressful home life, but I don't believe that's any excuse. As for Tycho, he didn't get nearly as much page-time as Mark, but from what we did get, he sounded like a nice guy. He definitely wasn't perfect though. At least he sounded better than his friend. I honestly wondered what he thought of Mark & Sun. Because, to me, it was obvious Tycho was interested in Sun and shouldn't Mark have known that? But I guess Mark's too selfish to care. And Sun wasn't strong enough to stop it from happening.

I know it may seem like I didn't like this book, and I know it might not make sense with me saying that I have mixed feelings, but overall... I actually did. I just didn't enjoy the decisions and behaviors of certain characters. So would I recommend this book? Yes. And if the author were to write more books, I would definitely be interested in reading them.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Thanks to Nic @ Irresistible Reads for sending this out! :)

In My Mailbox #43

Before I get to my IMM, here's some exciting news! These authors will be attending the South Carolina Book Festival in Columbia, SC on May 14-15:

• Neal Shusterman (Unwind, Skinjacker trilogy)
• Shelena Shorts (The Pace series)
• Jennifer Murgia (Angel Star series)
• Sanford Greene (Comic book artist)

There's a lot more authors, but these are the ones I'm most interested in seeing. This will be my first year attending the SC Book Festival. I'm really glad there will finally be authors there that I've actually read books by. If you live close to Columbia, come to the festival or spread the word! It's a free event. :)

---

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

For Review:
Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando (Won from LibraryThing.)

Library:
Everlost (Skinjacker trilogy, #1) by Neal Shusterman
Everwild (Skinjacker trilogy, #2) by Neal Shusterman

Won / Gifted:
The Iron King (Iron Fey, #1) by Julie Kagawa (Thanks to Maria V. Synder!)
Firelight (Firelight, #1) by Sophie Jordan (Thanks to Arlene!)

Since Neal Shusterman's panel at the SC Book Festival is for his final book, Everfound, in the Skinjacker trilogy, I figured I should read the first two books before then, so that I won't feel lost when I'm there. Umm... Well...hopefully I read them in time. :P

Normally I don't like covers with photos of a bunch of people in the background, especially if I can see their faces, but I'm kind of liking the cover of Dreamland Social Club. I think it's the title font and the COLORS that's doing it for me. I won the ARC through LibraryThing's March batch. Reading it now & plan on reviewing it sometime this month.

The other books I got this week are not pictured in the top photo. I won a signed copy of The Iron King through the blog of author Maria V. Synder, and I received a signed copy of Firelight from an awesome book friend! Very exciting because I enjoyed both books and didn't already own copies. Big thanks to both of them! :)

That's it for this week! (Btw, sorry for the lack of reviews lately. I haven't been feeling inspired. I'm slowly getting over that. :p)

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die for Me (Revenants, #1)
Author: Amy Plum
Pages: 259 (eGalley copy)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Release Date: May 10, 2011

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts: The setting of Die for Me was something I really loved about the novel. Reading a paranormal that is not set in a typical location like the United States or the United Kingdom is extremely refreshing. Although Paris is a familiar city, it's not a place most people have the chance to actually experience. I'm glad the author gave us a view of Paris that wasn't focused on cliché attractions and instead gave us a new glimpse of life in Paris.

Revenants were another refreshing aspect of Die for Me. Revenants are like immortals, and while immortals aren't anything new, revenants are a unique type. Revenants have a purpose, a destiny. They can choose to ignore it, but it takes a whole lot of self-control. What revenants have to do and what they go through is something I don't believe I have ever come across in the paranormal genre. I cannot wait to learn more about them.

Sixteen-year-old Kate Mercier is the main character. She and her older sister, Georgia, move to France from New York, after the death of their parents, to live with their grandparents. Losing her parents causes Kate to withdraw from her family and the people around her. But when she meets the mysterious Vincent Delacroix, she finds herself wanting to open up her heart again, even though Vincent may not be normal at all.

I felt both Kate and Vincent had qualities similar to characters in other books. Even the relationship between Kate and Vincent wasn't something we haven't already seen before. However, I thought they were likeable characters. What I really liked the most was that Kate didn't immediately jump into a romantic relationship with Vincent. She thought through the consequences and risks of being a human in a relationship with a revenant, before finally making a decision. Overall I enjoyed their moments together, and as the story went along, I kept wanting more!

The other characters (Vincent's fellow revenants) were great as well. They all had something that made them memorable. Jules definitely stood out among them. He was funny and sweet. I would love to get to know more about all of them, though, especially Ambrose and Charlotte. As for the normal humans, Georgia was an interesting character because, although she was more outgoing than her sister and they sometimes had disagreements, she and Kate seemed to get along pretty well. Hope to see more of her in the next book too.

With an amazing setting, likeable characters, and an original take on a paranormal being, Die for Me is a refreshing read in the young-adult paranormal genre. I look forward to reading the rest of the trilogy!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

eGalley provided by HarperTeen through NetGalley.

Video: Leigh Fallon & The Carrier of the Mark

Congrats to Leigh Fallon! Inkpop is currently hosting an ARC giveaway for The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon! Check out inkpop's blog to enter. :)

Want to know more about The Carrier of the Mark? Visit Leigh Fallon's website. And here is the summary from GoodReads:

The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
Publication Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen

"A move to Ireland is about to introduce Megan to her destiny, her real destiny, can she embrace it and will she survive it?

A tragedy in Megan’s past set her on a predetermined course. A chain of events has been set in motion that brings Megan to Kinsale, a small town in the south of Ireland where her destiny awaits her. Her life starts to fall into place as she makes new friends and settles into her new school. However, the reclusive and distant Adam DeRís calls to her body and soul.

She finds herself increasingly drawn to Adam and his strange family. Adam knows a secret from her past and he and his family hold the key to her future. A future that binds her to Adam and his world, a world of power, mystery and ancient orders. A world that unbeknownst to her, she very much belongs in."

In My Mailbox #42

In My Mailbox was created by Kristi at The Story Siren, inspired by Alea at Pop Culture Junkie.

Bought:
John Belushi Is Dead by Kathy Charles

For Review:
Shift (Shade, #2) by Jeri Smith-Ready

Library / Borrowed:
Break by Hannah Moskowitz
Girl Saves Boy by Steph Bowe

I got two Aussie books this week! I'm borrowing Girl Saves Boy from a friend, and I bought John Belushi Is Dead at Books A Million for only $3! Really like the cover of that one. And the book is small, so it just looks cute.

The other books I got were Break and Shift. I downloaded Shift through the Simon & Schuster Galley Grab. I liked Shade, so I hope I enjoy the sequel as well! I was challenged to read Break, and I've already finished it. I have to say, the behavior of some of the characters made me go: o_O;;; Oh, and cringe. Yes, it was definitely a unique read. You have to read it for yourself, but if you don't know what it's about... The main character breaks his bones. (See why I cringed while reading?)

And....that is all for my IMM this week. :) Don't forget to sign-up for the Aussie YA Book Challenge! *end of advertisement*