Sleep No More by Aprilynne Pike

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Title: Sleep No More
Series: Sleep No More #1
Publication: April 29th 2014 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Website

The blockbuster film Inception meets Lisa McMann's Wake trilogy in this dark paranormal thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike. This novel is also perfect for fans of Kelley Armstrong, Alyson Noel, and Kimberly Derting.

Charlotte Westing has a gift. She is an Oracle and has the ability to tell the future. But it doesn't do her much good. Instead of using their miraculous power, modern-day Oracles are told to fight their visions—to refrain from interfering. And Charlotte knows the price of breaking the rules. She sees it every day in her wheelchair-bound mother and the absence of her father. But when a premonition of a classmate's death is too strong for her to ignore, Charlotte is forced to make an impossible decision: continue following the rules or risk everything—even her sanity—to stop the serial killer who is stalking her town.

Charlotte story begins with death, she's just lost her father and her Aunt Sierra decides that it's best that she lives with her to keep an eye on her. Charlotte is an Oracle like her aunt, she's able to see the future but has been taught all her life to fight the visions. Then one day, a fellow student gets murdered and in her distress it becomes harder to ignore her sight. She receives a cryptic message from a stranger, who knows what she saw and knows she could've prevented it. Okay, so what she does next was entirely naïve on her part but she invites this stranger into her life and he begins to show her how to stop the killer. This isn't her fault completely because her aunt shouldn't have left her in the dark about the Oracle history, which I think may have kept things from unfolding the way they did.Sierra tries so hard to protect her that in a sense she puts up a barrier between herself and Charlotte. I did like how fast-paced the ending was because we get to know who did it and how everything that's happened to Charlotte comes full circle. At first, I was guessing who the possible killer could be and it wasn't unexpected who it is but I found the reason interesting. Charlotte is a character that has room for growth, this book she learns much about herself and what being an Oracle means for her but I think she will become stronger as her story progresses. The writing is good and the story is okay, just want more details about the oracles and their existence in this world but I liked the book.

Review: Life After Theft by Aprilynne Pike

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Title: Life After Theft
Publication: April 30th 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Around the World Arc Tours

Moving to a new high school sucks. Especially a rich-kid private school. With uniforms. But nothing is worse than finding out the first girl you meet is dead. And a klepto. 

No one can see or hear Kimberlee except Jeff, so--in hopes of bringing an end to the snarkiest haunting in history--he agrees to help her complete her "unfinished business." But when the enmity between Kimberlee and Jeff's new crush, Sera, manages to continue posthumously, Jeff wonders if he's made the right choice.

Thoughts: Life After Theft makes for a cute read about life, love and friendship. I really liked Pike's Wings series, so I figured why not try this one. The cover appeals to my photographic love of reflections which brought my attention to this book other than being a fan of the authors' previous work. The idea of this book finally sealed the deal. How does a kleptomaniac-ghost find redemption? She gets an unsuspecting boy to do all the work.

Jeff is the new kid at school and his hopes of making a good first impression diminish when he finds himself talking to a girl that seemingly no one else can see. Kimberlee feels like Jeff is her last hope to complete her unfinished business before she's able to move on to the next phase, whatever that may be. Jeff doesn't have much information on that prospect of the afterlife because he doesn't believe in it, he is agnostic. He does hope to get rid of Kimberlee as soon as possible, so that he can pursue hot cheerleader Sera without the constant nagging from his ghostly friend. As Jeff begins this task, he learns that Kimberlee is not exactly as nice or truthful as she claims to be and trouble follows not close behind. 

The writing is good and the story moves along well. I liked the concept of this book and the ending is left open for interpretation. Though, Jeff is faced with a ghost something that proves the possibility of an after his beliefs don't really change but the people around him do seem to grow. The characters are the best part of this book because they are funny, witty and they are emotionally complex. The interactions between Kimberlee and Jeff made for most of the comedy, that girl worked that poor boy's nerves. Overall, a good read. 

"Waiting On" Wednesday #7: Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

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

Earthbound by Aprilynne Pike

Release Date: July 30, 2013

Goodreads Synopsis

Love, fate, and power collide in this new series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike!

Tavia Michaels is the sole survivor of the plane crash that killed her parents. When she starts to see strange visions of a boy she’s never spoken with in real life, she begins to suspect that there’s much about her past that she isn’t being told. Tavia will soon to discover that she’s an Earthbound—someone with the ability to create matter out of nothing—and that she alone holds the key to stopping the Reduciata, an evil society that manipulates global events for its own shadowy purposes. Tavia will ultimately have to make a choice: to come into her powers and save the world from the evil Reduciata or to choose free will and a love of her own.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Aprilynne Pike has created a heart-stopping romance built on a love triangle like you’ve never seen before and filled with epic stakes and a centuries-long conspiracy. Give it to fans of Nightshade and Fallen.

What new release are you pining for?

Giveaway&Review:Destined by Aprilynne Pike

Author: Aprilynne Pike
Title: Destined
Series: Wings #4
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication: May 1, 2012
Format: Print ARC
Length: 320 pp.
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4 out of 5
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Synopsis:Tamani looked at her gravely, and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.
He hesitated for an instant, then his hands found the sides of her face, pulling her to him. He didn't kiss her, just held her face close to his, their foreheads resting together, their noses almost touching.
She hated how much it felt like good-bye.
Laurel now knows the truth: Yuki is a rare Winter faerie, the most powerful—and deadly—of all, and Klea plans to use her to help conquer and destroy Avalon. But Klea's reach extends far beyond one wild Winter faerie. With Tamani, David, and Chelsea by her side, Laurel prepares to face what may be Avalon's final days, in the stunning conclusion to the Wings series.

Review: I have devoured every book in this series, and right from the beginning I knew I loved it. Most especially Tamani and it is too bad he is a fictitious character.He is just so cool, loyal and protective of Laurel. David is my least favorite other than Klea, he just rubs me the wrong way but he plays an interesting role in the efforts to help Avalon. Laurel has grown so much since the beginning of this series though she has more to learn in this book and the question is will she truly come to terms with the desires of her heart. David or Tamani? I'll never tell.  There is one scene where everyone is doing something, they have a mission and Laurel just seems to be in the way, which she notices but really what else could she do right at that moment. She is not a fighter, she doesn't have it in her to hurt anyone but she is not weak in the sense that her love for her friends is a strong characteristic that I like about her.The pace for this book is a bit up and down, some moments read quickly and others not so much but I still couldn't put it down. Pike has woven an beautifully vivid atmospheric setting in Avalon. It is no wonder that Laurel and her companions will risk their lives to save it from the evil that seeks to destroy it. The battle has begun but will they survive and at what cost? Overall, great read that I would recommend to readers of this series and fantasy lovers.


Cover Review: I love this cover because it is blue and because it is a simple beauty. Just lovely!

Other books in this series:

In My Bag #9

I haven't done an In My Bag in awhile but I decided to do one today. 

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren where book bloggers can share what books came into their home this week. 

Here's what was in my bag this week, these are items for review, and tours...

What's in your bag?

For Review

Arc of Destined by Aprilynne Pike...thanks to HarperCollins

Thief's Covenant by Ari Marmell 

Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire

Both thanks to Pyr

From Netgalley

Kill Me Softly by Sarah Cross

Grave Mercy  by Robin LaFevers

Torn by Stephanie Guerra

The Peculiars by Maureen Doyle McQuerry

Book tours

 Candlewax by C.Bailey Sims 

Here by Denise Grover Swank

Promises by Amber Garr

Books I'm Anticipating

Click cover to read more about this title

This year seems like a great one for the world of reading and I'm excited about some upcoming releases for the end of this year and 2012. Wow, another year has flown bye! So, there are several books that are on my reading list that I just can't wait to get my hands on and share my thoughts about. They are listed below:


Hallowed by Cynthia Hand
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
Clockwork Prince/City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Angel Fire L.A. Weatherly
Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
Destined by Aprilynne Pike
Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore 
Magic of the Moonlight by Ellen Schreiber
The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima
And of course the next book in the Cassandra Palmer series by Karin Chance


As you can tell this is an incredible list and just can't contain my excitement!!