Top 10 Books of 2011

2012 is just around the corner so I want to wish everyone a very happy new year!!!

I can't believe that my blog has been up and running for over a year now (16 months to be precise!) and in that time I've read some incredible books, discovered amazing new authors, met wonderful fellow bloggers and generally had an awesome time reading and blogging my way through the year.  Thank you to all my followers for your lovely comments and for taking the time to stop by my blog every once in a while.  I do really appreciate it!

This post took me a long time last year (because it was so hard to narrow down all my favourites) but I thought I'd repeat it by selecting my 'Top 10 Books of 2011'.  These are titles that I've read this year and fallen in love with but they haven't necessaily been published in 2011. They're in no particular order because it was just too tough to do.

1. Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

2. Forgotten by Cat Patrick

3. Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick

4. Stealing Phoenix by Joss Stirling

5. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

6. Across the Universe by Beth Revis

7. The Power of Six by Pittacus Lore

8. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

9. Firelight by Sophoe Jordan

10. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

News: New YA imprint - Strange Chemistry

For all of us YA fans here's some exciting news about a new YA imprint called Strange Chemistry which will be launched in September 2012. 

Angry Robot, the award-winning publisher of SF, F and WTF are pleased to announce their newest venture – a sister imprint, Strange Chemistry, which will publish Young Adult genre fiction.

The imprint will launch in September 2012, with five titles appearing before the end of that year, before settling down to one book each month. Subject matter will include fantasy, science fiction, supernatural and horror, and as with Angry Robot the lines between those genres are likely to be very blurry at times.

Running the imprint will be Amanda Rutter, until recently best known as the tireless blogger behind genre review site, Floor-to-Ceiling Books.  Angry Robot’s managing director Marc Gascoigne said: “The key to any truly successful genre imprint is the personality of its editors. In Amanda we’ve found the perfect mix of
editing skills and wild, wild enthusiasm for the subject. Her first signings are already making us jump up and down in excitement. We’re beyond delighted to welcome her to the team.”

Amanda Rutter commented, “Angry Robot have quickly become one of the most exciting and challenging genre publishers around, and I have so much admiration for the types of novels that the guys are bringing to the world of speculative fiction. I’m absolutely thrilled that I have the opportunity to join the team, and create a list full of Young Adult novels that share the same sharpness and passion as those in the AR list.”

More information can be found at strangechemistrybooks.com and angryrobotbooks.com. You can meet Amanda at floor-to-ceilingbooks.blogspot.com.

Waiting on Wednesday #50

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

Smoulder by Brenna Yovanoff

Published on 5th January 2012 by Simon and Schuster

 

 

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil has never been easy. Daphne's father has no time for her, her mother no interest, and her status in the upper echelon separates her from the working-class demons that populate Lucifer's metropolis. When her brother and only confidante goes missing, life in the restrictive city of Pandemonium becomes intolerable. Now, in an attempt to find him, Daphne sets out for Earth - and finds it larger and more chaotic than she imagined: a dazzling expanse of noise, dirt and random violence. Despite her bewilderment, she navigates the mortal world with growing fascination, gaining an ally when she saves a dying boy from her father's minions.

For Truman Flynn, the last year has been one long downward spiral, but when Daphne arrives just in time to save his life, he finds himself unexpectedly glad to have another chance. Together, Daphne and Truman go in search of her brother, braving the hazards of Las Vegas and the perils of first love, even as it becomes increasingly clear that her brother might have had a secret and compelling reason for leaving. Lucifer's agents aren't the only creatures on the prowl, and Daphne soon finds herself the target of a plan to rid the world of demons for good. Now she must evade a demon-eating monster, rescue her brother from an angelic zealot, and save the boy she loves from his greatest enemy - himself.

This sounds absolutely brilliant and is top of my list of books I want to get my hands on in 2012.  The cover is incredibly striking and really caught my eye but the story sounds great too!

Trailer: Hallowed - Cynthia Hand

Here's the gorgeous trailer for 'Hallowed' which is the sequel to Cynthia Hand's brilliant debut novel 'Unearthly'. I can't wait to read 'Hallowed' and find out how the love triangle between Clara, Tucker and Christian is going to be resolved!



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.

Review: Torn - Cat Clarke

Torn by Cat Clarke, published by Quercus on 22nd December 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Four girls. One dead body. A whole lot of guilt.

Alice King isn’t expecting the holiday of a lifetime when she sets off with her classmates on a trip to the Scottish wilderness, but she’s not exactly prepared for an experience beyond her darkest nightmares…

Alice and her best friend Cass are stuck in a cabin with Polly, the social outcast, and Rae, the moody emo-girl. Then there’s Tara – queen of mean. Powerful, beautiful and cruel, she likes nothing better than putting people down.

Cass decides it’s time to teach Tara a lesson she’ll never forget. And so begins a series of events that will change the lives of these girls forever.

Review:
‘Torn’ by Cat Clarke is an amazing read, following hot on the heels of her successful 2010 debut ‘Entangled’. I was incredibly intrigued by the premise of this book which sounded a bit like Mean Girls but with a twist. I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to be disappointed and I proved myself right because I absolutely loved every second of reading ‘Torn’. I found it totally gripping from start to finish. What I really loved was the fact that you knew something terrible was going to happen but you didn’t know exactly what and that in itself was enough to get me reading long into the small hours of the night. I kept telling myself that I was just going to read one more chapter and then one more, but in the end I couldn’t stop until I’d reached the conclusion of the story.

Clarke’s writing is incredibly strong and powerful and this helped me to identify with all the characters, even those who I didn’t immediately find particularly likable. My favourite was definitely Alice who narrates the events of the book and who seems to carry the biggest burden of guilt around with her about the tragedy which occurs. As a reader, I felt a great sense of helplessness that I could only watch as she becomes involved in something which spirals out of her control. She’s not a bad person at all, but Clarke shows that even good people can sometimes stray off the right path and much of Alice’s story is about her trying to put things right and face up to her actions.  Her feelings and emotions are explored in detail throughout the book, as is the psychological impact of the event that takes place and I found myself empathising with her and the terrible decision she has to make. 

There’s romance in ‘Torn’ as well, with Alice becoming involved with Jack, the brother of her former best-friend. The way their relationship was written was incredibly realistic and they made a great pairing. They didn’t instantly fall head over heels in love with each other and this made the way the romance developed between them much more true to life.

I thought the ending of the book was absolutely spot on and I can’t imagine a more perfect way of concluding the story.  It actually moved me to tears!  'Torn' manages to be shocking, moving and gripping all at once and provides both mystery, thrills and romance. Cat Clarke has made a true fan out of me and I shall be waiting with anticipation for whatever she decides to write next.

Waiting on Wednesday #49

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

Wereworld: Shadow of the Hawk by Curtis Jobling

Published on 5th January 2012 by Puffin

 

Drew Ferran, the rightful King of Westland, is trapped.

Enslaved by the Goatlord Kesslar, young werewolf Drew finds himself on the volcanic isle of Scoria, forced to fight in the arena for the Lizardlords. With the help of an unlikely ally, he must find a way to break free - but who has ever managed to escape?

Meanwhile, Hector the Wereboar flees the forces of the Catlords. Now on board the pirate ship Maelstrom, the enemy's net is closing in. Haunted by the spirits of the dead, Hector is soon left wondering who the true enemy is...

I'm a massive fan of this fantasy series and have been impatiently waiting for the third book in the series for what feels like forever!  My favourite character is Hector and I can't wait to catch up with his adventure again.  If you haven't discovered this series yet then what are you waiting for! 

Trailer: This is Not Forgiveness - Celia Rees

'This is Not Forgiveness' is unlike anything else you might have previously read by Celia Rees. The subject matter is a complete change of direction for Rees who is usually known for her wonderful historical fiction. It's published by Bloomsbury on 2nd February 2012 and is definitely one to check out. 



Everyone says that Caro is bad ...but Jamie can't help himself. He thinks of her night and day and can't believe that she wants to be his girlfriend. Gorgeous, impulsive and unconventional, she is totally different to all the other girls he knows. His sister, Martha, hates her. Jamie doesn't know why, but there's no way he's going to take any notice of her warnings to stay away from Caro. But as Jamie falls deeper and deeper under her spell, he realises there is more to Caro - much more. There are the times when she disappears and doesn't get in touch, the small scars on her wrists, her talk about revolutions and taking action, not to mention the rumours he hears about the other men in her life.

And then always in the background there is Rob, Jamie's older brother, back from Afghanistan and traumatised after having his leg smashed to bits there. Jamie wants to help him, but Rob seems to be living in a world of his own and is increasingly difficult to reach. With Caro, the summer should have been perfect ...but that isn't how things work out in real life, and Jamie is going to find out the hard way.

Review: Unleashed - Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Unleashed by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie, published by Doubleday on 8th December 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
When Katelyn starts at her new school. the only person she knows is the handsome and intriguing Trick Sokolov, an acquaintance of her grandfather. She's surprised when the popular Cordelia Fenner invites her home and when she meets Cordelia's hot cousin, she begins to think her new life might be ok after all.


But as she spends time with the family, she realises that the Fenners are harbouring a deep dark secret. Every bone in Katelyn's body tells her that the Fenners are mad, bad and dangerous to know - but how can she give up her only friend, and how can she ignore the way Justin sets her blood on fire with a single look?

Katelyn finds herself caught between three major werewolf clans who have been at war with each other for centuries - a war, it seems, that Katelyn is destined to end.

Review:
This is the first book in the Wolfsprings Chronicles by dynamic duo Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie.  'Unleashed' is a fabulous paranormal tale of danger and romance set in a creepy forest where werewolves lurk around every corner.  Although there are a huge number of paranormal books on the market at the moment, 'Unleashed' managed to stand out for me because the plot is still incredibly unique and original and equal care is taken to building and developing both the story and the characters, making this a fast-paced and thrilling read.

The main character Katelyn, moves to the small town of Wolf Springs to live with her Grandfather after her mother dies in a fire.  Although she wants to stay in Los Angeles with all her friends because she's a minor she has little say in the matter and has to leave everything familiar to her behind.  She finds the change hard to adjust to and initially struggles to communicate with her gruff Grandfather but gradually begins to make new friends including gorgeous local guy Trick.  There's a hot love triangle in the book between Katelyn, Trick and Justin Fenner who she feels an irresistible attraction to every time they come face to face.  I loved some of the characteristics of both boys and could definitely see how Katelyn would feel torn between them.  I'm looking forward to seeing how her relationship with both of them develops in book two.   

My favourite thing about 'Unleashed' was the way the plot and characters mirrored Shakespeare's 'King Lear', particularly when it came to Katelyn's new friend Cordelia Fenner and her extremely unusual family.  Cordelia has two sisters, Arial and Regan who frankly are not very nice at all.  She also has a difficult relationship with her father.  As I read on, I discovered that there was a lot more to the Fenner's than first meets the eye.  I'm a huge Shakespeare buff, so I thoroughly enjoyed identifying all the aspects of the play which have been incorporated into the story.  I thought this was really clever and an interesting way of meshing classic and modern literature together.

Although I had my suspicions about the way in which the story was going to play out, I often didn't have a clue what was going to happen next and found myself on the edge of my seat for large parts of the book.  The suspense is ramped up throughout as Katelyn is repeatedly warned not to go out after dark, a warning which is echoed by many others.  As a reader, you don't know yet what they're all afraid of and this led to a growing sense of tension and apprehension particularly when Katelyn ends up in the forest all on her own.

'Unleashed' is a really exciting start to a series which left me begging for more.  I can't wait to see what twists and turns are going to follow next.  There's still so much more to come!

In My Mailbox #51

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes. 

          All links go to Goodreads, where you can add the books to your wishlist if you like the look of  them.

 

I only had a few new books this week but they're good ones!

 

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

(Alyxandra Harvey turns her hand to the faerie world!  I've read this one already and loved it.  My review will be up in January)

 

The Weight of Water by Sarah Crossan

(This is a lovely finished hardback copy and is a 2012 release written entirely in verse)

 

BZRK by Michael Grant

(This is one of the first books to be published by Egmont's new Electric Monkey imprint.  It sounds fantastic!)

 

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Macmillan Children's Books

Macmillan have published some of my favourite books this year, including the amazing 'Dark Inside' by Jeyn Roberts which definitely makes my top ten. They're also home to Alyson Noel and Meg Cabot, both of whom are among my favourite authors.  Alyson Noel's new series Soul Seekers, is going to be published by Macmillan in 2012 which is also very exciting. 

I'm really pleased to welcome to the blog today, Sally and Lauren, who are both Publicity Managers for Macmillan Children's Books and who are going to talk about some of the books they're especially excited to be publishing in the first half of next year. 

All links go to Goodreads where you can add these books to your wishlist too!

Final cover artwork isn't available yet for all these titles but will be added as soon as I have it.


Tempest by Julie Cross, published on 5th January 2012

Sally says "a great combination of action and romance from an exciting debut author Julie Cross. I can't say too much without giving things away but I loved the characters, Jackson's a narrator I really connected with and hearing things from the male point of view, I felt, made a refreshing change."

Jackson Meyer is hiding a secret. He can time-travel. But he doesn't know how he does it, how to control it or what it means. When Jackson, and his girlfriend Holly, find themselves in fatal danger, Jackson panics and catapaults himself two years into his past, further than he's ever managed before, and this time he can't find a way back to the future. All the rules of time-travel he's experienced so far have been broken and Jackson has no choice but to pretend to be his younger self whilst he figures out a solution. Jackson is tearing himself apart with guilt and frustration, wondering if Holly survived. He's also become the target of an unknown enemy force and it seems even his dad is lying to him. Jackson is racing against time to save the girl he loves, but to do that he must first discover the truth about his family and himself. And stay alive.

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett, published February 2012

Lauren says "Sophie Crockett is an astounding new voice in YA fiction. Although it would be easy to refer to this novel as 'dystopian', Sophie has created a world not so very far-removed from our own. It is a future as plausible as it is disturbing, which will ignite lively debate amongst its readership."

Separated from his family, ‘straggler’ kid Willo is lost and alone in the barren landscape of the new ice age. Now, with only the dog-spirit inside his head to guide him, Willo must embark on an icy journey of survival, adventure and friendship.

Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend by Cora Harrison, published February 2012

A little mystery is so becoming in a hero, don't you think?

Jane wants to meet a hero worthy of her extraordinary imagination: a gentleman who is dashing and daring and handsome and brave; who can dance like a viscount and duel like a king. Jane and Jenny are whiling away the season in Bath and there are plenty of dances, rumours and scandals to entertain them. But a good reputation, once lost, is gone forever; and Jane is in danger of becoming the talk of the town for all the wrong reasons.

Mice by Gordon Reece, published February 2012

Shelley and her mother are ‘mice:’ timid, nervous and obliging. The fragile peace of their remote countryside existence is shattered when someone breaks into their cottage. In the shocking event that follow, Shelley begins to wonder if she and her mother are mice after all. And if not mice, then what are they?

The Demon Trappers: Forgiven by Jana Oliver, published on 3rd February 2012

Wanted by both the forces of Heaven and Hell,17-year-old demon trapper Riley Blackthorne is on the run. Armageddon might be closer than anyone thinks, but with an angelic bargain on one side and a deal with the devil on the other, it’s all Riley can do to stay alive, let alone save the world…

All These Things I've Done by Gabrielle Zevin, published April 2012

Lauren says "This is the book Zevin fans have been waiting for and she does not let us down. It is gripping and brilliantly written. She is a writer head and shoulders above her contemporaries."

Anya is a member of a notorious New York crime family, so when her violent ex-boyfriend is poisoned, suspicion naturally falls on her. Only the District Attorney believes she is innocent, but her freedom has a price: stay away from his son Win. Anya is finding Win hard to resist, but by getting involved with him she risks the wrath of the law on one side, and the mafia on the other…

Jasmine Skies by Sita Brahmachari, published April 2012

Sally says "follow up to the amazing Artichoke Hearts, I couldn't wait hear more of Mira. Sita Brahmachari vividly brings India to life and her characters draw you in convincingly to their emotional journeys, I became so caught up this breathtaking and beautiful story."

Fourteen year-old Mira Levenson travels to India to meet her family and is quickly swept into a sweltering, chaotic world – full of new sights, smells and deeply buried secrets. Nothing is as she imagined it. Mira faithfully writes to her boyfriend, Jidé, but there’s one person she doesn’t mention. From the moment Mira meets Janu she feels a potent connection and he becomes her guide through the vibrant and often dangerous streets of Kolkata. As her time in India draws to an end, Mira is determined to uncover the truth about her family and she must also make a decision that will break someone's heart . .

Underworld by Meg Cabot, published May 2012

To escape the clutches of the vengeful Furies, Pierce Oliveria has gone to live with John Hayden in the dark Underworld between Heaven and Hell. But when she discovers that her family is in danger, she knows she must get out. Pierce has escaped from John once before. This time, she may not be so lucky…

The Prince Who Walked With Lions by Elizabeth Laird, published May 2012

Sally says "Liz Laird truly brings the unique and fascinating story true story of Alamayu, the Abyssinian prince, to life - a captivating and emotional read"

The British Army is circling the stronghold of the King of Abyssinia. Under orders from Queen Victoria, its mission is to rescue the British Envoy, held prisoner.  Watching with terror and awe is the king's young son, Alamayu. He knows that his father is as brave as a lion, but how on earth can he and his warriors stand against the well-equipped foreigners? As battle rages, everything that Alamayu fears comes to pass. The fighting is cruel and efficient. By the time it is over, Alamayu is left without parents, throne or friends.

In a misguided attempt to care for him, the British take Alamayu to England. There he is befriended by the queen herself and enrolled in Rugby College to become a 'proper' English gentleman. What the English see as an honour is, to this lonely Ethiopian prince, a horror.

Dreamless by Josephine Angelini, published May 2012

This is the US cover of Dreamless.

As the only Scion that can enter Hades at will, Helen descends to the Underworld in search of a way to overcome the Furies and end the cycle of revenge that has cursed the Scions. But she’s running out of time. Each descent weakens her both in mind and spirit. A mysterious stranger might be her only salvation, but the price may be her love for Lucas Delos.

As an unforgettable love triangle emerges, Josephine Angelini’s compelling saga becomes ever more intricate and spellbinding. The eagerly awaited sequel to the internationally bestselling Starcrossed, Dreamless delivers with a huge emotional impact that will leave readers satisfied—and longing for more

What's Up With Jody Barton by Hayley Long, published June 2012

Lauren says "Hayley Long is Judy Blume for the Glee generation. More than any other writer in this genre, she pitches her teen references absolutely right; one minute she will have you laughing, the next weeping. The twist in this story will leave readers reeling and desperate for more".

Me and my sister are twins. She's Jolene and I'm Jody. We've both got brown hair, we're both left-handed and we both have these weirdly long little toes which make us look like long-toed mutants. But apart from that, I'd say we're fairly different. Well, actually, we're a lot different ...It's hard enough being one half of the world's least identical twins, without both of you falling for the same guy. Jolene's turned flirting into a fine art, but Jody? Not so much. And as if a twinny love triangle wasn't messy enough ...there's something nobody knows about Jody Barton. Something BIG.

Soul Seekers: Fated by Alyson Noel, published June 2012

Strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, glowing people appear from nowhere. Worried that Daire's having a breakdown, her mother sends her to stay with the grandmother she's never met, who lives on the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico.There Daire crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes.

Her grandmother recognizes Daire's episodes for what they are - a call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, a person who can navigate between the living and the dead. Guided by her grandmother, Daire must be quick to learn how to harness her powers, because Dace's brother is an evil shape-shifter, out to steal them.

Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and discover whether Dace is the guy she's meant to be with . . . or if he's allied with the enemy she's destined to destroy.

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Egmont

Egmont published my absolute favourite book of 2011, 'Forgotten' by Cat Patrick.  They have some stellar titles lined up for 2012 so here's a small selection of titles which I am eagerly anticipating for next year.

All links go to Goodreads where you can add all of these books to your wishlist too!

Final cover art for all these titles is not yet available but I will add it as soon as I have it.

Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, published in January 2012

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.

The Haunting of Tabitha Grey by Vanessa Curtis, published in March 2012

I've just moved into a creepy old manor house with my family. And it feels like the house is waiting for something. I can't explain all the things that are happening here. The maids I hear sobbing...The old ladies that stand in the hall. The cold breath of...Life? Death? I don't know. I can't tell Dad or Mum. But least I've got my little brother Ben to talk to. This is a ghost story unlike any other...It will leave you chilled to the very last page.

1.4 by Mike Lancaster, published in May 2012

It's a brave new world. In the far future, people no longer know what to believe...Did Kyle Straker ever exist? Or were his prophecies of human upgrades nothing more than a hoax? Peter Vincent is nearly 16, and has never thought about the things that Strakerites believe. His father - David Vincent, creator of the artificial bees that saved the world's crops - made sure of that. When the Strakerites pronounce that another upgrade is imminent, Peter starts to uncover a conspiracy amongst the leaders of the establishment, a conspiracy that puts him into direct conflict with his father. But it's not a good idea to pick a fight with someone who controls all the artificial bees in the world.

Pop! by Catherine Bruton, published in June 2012

Billy Elliot meets the X-Factor meets Shameless!  I reckon we need a plan that's so massive it'll change our lives forever...The first round of auditions was a bit mad. All these wannabe popstars sitting around trying to look wacky/soulful/tragic (delete as appropriate) to catch the attention of the TV cameras. At least we had a cracking back story. The story of me, Agnes, Jimmy and baby Alfie too; the tears, the tragedy, the broken homes and feuding families, the star-crossed lovers. And only some of it was made up. If I say so myself, it was genius: a sure-fire golden ticket to stratospheric stardom. Or at least that was the plan...

Revived by Cat Patrick, published in July 2012

As a little girl, Daisy Appleby was killed in a school bus crash. Moments after the accident, she was brought back to life.

A secret government agency has developed a drug called Revive that can bring people back from the dead, and Daisy Appleby, a test subject, has been Revived five times in fifteen years. Daisy takes extraordinary risks, knowing that she can beat death, but each new death also means a new name, a new city, and a new life. When she meets Matt McKean, Daisy begins to question the moral implications of Revive, and as she discovers the agency’s true goals, she realizes she’s at the center of something much larger — and more sinister — than she ever imagined.

This is US version of the cover, as the UK cover art hasn't been revealed yet.

2012 also sees the launch of Egmont's new imprint Electric Monkey which will be publishing some amazing books in the new year, including 'BZRK' by Michael Grant, 'Oliver Twisted' by JD Sharpe and 'Code Name Verity' by Elizabeth Wein.  Keep an eye out for all of those plus many more too!

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Simon & Schuster

Simon & Schuster are publishing some of my most hotly anticipated books for 2012.  They always offer such a brilliant range of titles by some really fantastic authors which made it incredibly difficult to pick just a small selection for this feature.  I wanted to include them all!  I'm going to be stalking my local bookshop for all of these.

All links go to Goodreads where you can add them to your wishlist too!

Fated by Sarah Alderson, published on 5th January 2012

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another’s, what will it take to sever it?

Smoulder by Brenna, published on 5th January 2012

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil has never been easy. Daphne's father has no time for her, her mother no interest, and her status in the upper echelon separates her from the working-class demons that populate Lucifer's metropolis. When her brother and only confidante goes missing, life in the restrictive city of Pandemonium becomes intolerable. Now, in an attempt to find him, Daphne sets out for Earth - and finds it larger and more chaotic than she imagined: a dazzling expanse of noise, dirt and random violence. Despite her bewilderment, she navigates the mortal world with growing fascination, gaining an ally when she saves a dying boy from her father's minions.

For Truman Flynn, the last year has been one long downward spiral, but when Daphne arrives just in time to save his life, he finds himself unexpectedly glad to have another chance. Together, Daphne and Truman go in search of her brother, braving the hazards of Las Vegas and the perils of first love, even as it becomes increasingly clear that her brother might have had a secret and compelling reason for leaving. Lucifer's agents aren't the only creatures on the prowl, and Daphne soon finds herself the target of a plan to rid the world of demons for good. Now she must evade a demon-eating monster, rescue her brother from an angelic zealot, and save the boy she loves from his greatest enemy - himself.

The Medusa Project: Hit Squad by Sophie McKenzie, published on 5th January 2012

Fourteen years ago, scientist William Fox implanted four babies with the Medusa gene - a gene for psychic aibilities. Fox's experiment left a legacy: four teenagers, each with their own distinct and special skill. These four teens were originally brought together to form crime-fighting force, The Medusa Project.

Now the team is due to be disbanded and the teenagers sent to separate locations. But Nico, Ketty, Ed and Dylan are determined to investigate claims that a drug conveying the same powers as the Medusa gene has been developed.

Joined by new friends Cal and Amy, who also have the gene, the four set off on their most dangerous mission yet... 

Everneath by Brodi Ashton, published on 2nd February 2012

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...

A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton, published on 21st February 2012

When Ari first arrived in the dilapidated city of New 2, all she wanted was to figure out who she was. But what she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare. Ari can already sense the evil growing inside her—a power the goddess Athena will stop at nothing to possess.

Desperate to hold on to her humanity and protect her loved ones, Ari must fight back. But Athena’s playing mind games, not just with Ari but with those she cares about most. And Athena has a very special plan for the brooding and sexy Sebastian.

Ari is determined to defeat Athena, but time is running out. With no other options, Ari must unleash the very thing she’s afraid of: herself.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin, published on 1st March 2012

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

 

It can.

 

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

 

There is.

 

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

 

She's wrong.

Shine by Jeri Smith-Ready, published on 7th June 2012

No other love has burned so bright.

Life can change in an instant, and no one understands that better than Aura. It’s been almost a year since her boyfriend tragically died. She’s finally letting go of Logan’s violet-hued ghost, but not her search to uncover the truth about her past.As the first in a generation that can see ghosts, Aura is convinced that she has a connection to the Shift. She’s trusted Zachary, ever patient and ever by her side, with all that she knows. But when the government threatens his life in an attempt to learn Aura’s secrets, she will stop at nothing to protect herself and the one she loves...even if that means betraying her own heart.

In My Mailbox #50

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes. 

          All links go to Goodreads, where you can add the books to your wishlist if you like the look of  them.

As I missed doing IMM last Sunday this week's edition will actually consist of all the books I've received in the last fortnight...and there's lots of them!  Here are all the exciting titles for review I had in my mailbox.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
(I love unconventional spins on traditional fairytales.  Keep an eye out in January when I'll have a copy to giveaway)

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

(I cried tears of joy when I unwrapped this one!  I've wanted to read it for ages and the cover is beyond gorgeous)

A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton

(I loved the first book in this series and look forward to finding out what's going to happen to all the characters next)

Fated by Sarah Alderson

(Sounds awesome!  Will be starting this one very soon)

Heaven by Christoph Marzi
(I've read the first couple of pages already and I can tell it's going to be sooo good!)

In Darkness by Nick Lake
(Not normally the sort of book I'd choose but I did enjoy Nick Lake's Blood Ninja series so am willing to give this one a try)

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale
(I've been hearing good things about this book which is described as appealing to Jodi Picoult fans)

The Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen
(A girl in love with a character in a book...that happens to me with nearly every book I read!)

Socks Are Not Enough by Mark Lovery
(Looks like this one's going to be a fun and entertaining read)

Black Arts by Andrew Prentice and Jonathan Weil
(I always enjoy books about pirate adventures)

The Repossession by Sam Hawksmoor
(Another one I can't wait to start - this is a 2012 release)

Hotly Anticipated Reads for 2012: Penguin Razorbill

I'm always incredibly excited about all the titles published by the Penguin Razorbill imprint and 2012 is definitely no exception.  Here's a sneak peek at just a few of my highlights for next year.  I've added all of these to my wishlist as every single one sounds like it's going to be a brilliant read!

All links go to Goodreads where you can add all of these to your wishlist too!

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg, published February 2012

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Legend by Marie Lu, published February 2012

Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.

Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible. Day.

And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.

The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

Fever by Dee Shulman, published April 2012

A fearless Roman gladiator. A reckless 21st century girl. A mysterious virus unites them . . .

152 AD. Sethos Leontis, a skilled and mesmerising fighter, is unexpectedly wounded and lies dangerously close to death.

2012 AD. Eva is brilliant - but troubled. Starting her new life at a school for the gifted, a single moment in the lab has terrifying results.

An extraordinary link brings Sethos and Eva together, but it could force them apart - because the fever that grips them cannot be cured and falling in love could be lethal . . . Can love survive when worlds collide and threaten time itself?

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead, published June 2012

Tough, brainy alchemist Sydney Sage and doe-eyed Moroi princess Jill Dragomir are in hiding at a human boarding school in the sunny, glamorous world of Palm Springs, California. The students—children of the wealthy and powerful—carry on with their lives in blissful ignorance, while Sydney, Jill, Eddie and Adrian must do everything in their power to keep their secret safe. But with forbidden romances, unexpected spirit bonds, and the threat of Strigoi moving ever closer, hiding the truth is harder than anyone thought.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder, published July 2012

Sixteen-year-old Campbell doesn't believe in miracles. She's spent the last seven years in and out of hospitals, so she can be forgiven if she's a little sceptical.

But Campbell's mum and sister won't give up on her, and they've heard rumours of a place in Maine where magical things happen: fish raining from the sky, purple dandelions, everlasting sunsets. A place named Promise. Yes, really.

Campbell may be cynical, but she still has hope. And so they head to Promise for a summer by the sea, where Cam finally learns to believe in true love, in herself, and maybe even in miracles.