Waiting on Wednesday (30)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating!

This week I'm waiting on:

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Releases on: October 7th, 2014 ADD IT TO GOODREADS! 

FROM GOODREADS: I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever's survivors are rumored to posses more than just scars-- they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites. 

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it's Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they've never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn't belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

WHY I'M WAITING:

1. DAT COVER.

2. It's Marie Lu. She's an auto-buy author! LOVE LOVE LOVED her Legend trilogy!

3. Super powers?!

4. EVIL CHARACTERS.

What do you think of my WoW?

What is your WoW for this week?

Let me know in the comments, and be sure to leave me a link so I can come back and leave you some comment love! 

Thanks for stopping by Pivot Book Reviews!

Tote(ally) Tuesdays (3)

What is Tote(ally) Tuesdays?

Well, fellow bookish friends, I'm glad you asked! I've been absent somewhat on here for the past few weeks, because I opened an Etsy shop! Yay! I've always been an artistic person, mostly with drawing, but over the past few years, I've dabbled in acrylic painting more and more. I started painting shoes for my nieces and nephew for holidays/birthdays, but then I got a wild hair to try and paint a tote! I surprised my best friend, Sarah, with one, and then my partner for a bookish swap, and then my blogging idol & friend, Andye!  You can check out my very first & second Tote(ally) Tuesdays here and here!

However, I have been painting like crazy after opening my Etsy for orders, and everyone always goes crazy in love on twitter when I post a pic of my most recently painted totes. So I thought, maybe I should start posting them semi-regularly on the blog in one convenient place! Voila! Tote(ally) Tuesdays was born!

This is going to be a huge post of totes so prepare yourselves!! 

*Ahem* 

#CoverPuppies version of the Fangirl tote!

Fangirl on a black tote! (PURCHASE HERE!)

The Winner's Curse Tote! 

Custom Tote!

Custom Tote!

Kitty & Mouse & Books Custom Tote!

A BILLION GAGILLION Lailah totes for Nikki Kelly! <3

 

Ruin & Rising Tote! (PURCHASE HERE!)

AND I saved the NEWEST NOT SHARED ONCE Tote for last. I painted this Black Ice tote for a giveaway I plan on doing with Andye soon! But til then, feast your eyes on the prettiness! 

I mostly do custom orders, so if you have something in mind, you can contact me here, or email me at BECCAF97200 AT GMAIL DOT COM! 

Which tote is your fave?

What quote would you absolutely LOVE to see on a tote?!

ARC REVIEW: Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini

Trial by Fire by Josephine Angelini Published by: Feiwel & Friends on September 2nd, 2014 Series: Worldwalker #1 Pages: 384 Format: ARC Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal Source: For Review Rating: 4/5 BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!
FROM GOODREADS: This world is trying to kill Lily Proctor. Her life-threatening allergies keep her from enjoying experiences that others in her hometown of Salem take for granted, which is why she is determined to enjoy her first high school party with her best friend and longtime crush, Tristan. But after a humiliating incident in front of half her graduating class, Lily wishes she could just disappear.
Suddenly, Lily is in a different Salem-- one overrun with horrifying creatures and ruled by powerful women called Crucibles. Strongest and cruelest of them all is Lillian... Lily's other self in this alternate universe.
What makes Lily weak at home is what makes her extraordinary in New Salem. In this confusing world, Lily is torn between responsibilities she can't hope to shoulder alone and a love she never expected.
MY THOUGHTS:
Dear Trial by Fire,
I was super excited for you when I first received an early review copy of you, until I started seeing review after review from other bloggers saying they didn't much care for you. So I ended up putting you off. I was scared of a huge let down. I didn't want you to be something I didn't like, because you sound oh so good. There aren't many witch stories that I like these days, and I had high high hopes for you. Well, I'm extremely happy to say that those high hopes were definitely met. I LOVED YOU, TRIAL BY FIRE!!!
First, we meet your main character, Lily, who is severely allergic to pretty much everything. Seriously, I'm surprised this girl isn't in a plastic bubble. That's how bad her allergies are. I felt bad for her. Especially when the Tristan from her world is a total douche bag to her. I wanted to slap the shitacki mushrooms out of him. Anyways, Lily ends up devastated after having a seizure in front of all her friends at a party and then Tristan being a jerkwad on top of that, so she ends up talking to who she thinks is herself, and agrees that she's over this world. Next thing Lily knows, she's in a completely different version of Salem. One where horrifying monsters and other selves of her, her sister, her friend Tristan, and mom exist. But these other selves are mostly different from the ones in Lily's world. For example, Lily's other self is one loco witch.
Yes, witches exist in this other version of Salem, and it was so awesome! This version of Salem was futuristic and rustic at the same time. Basically everything is run on witch's power instead of science. I can't even begin to tell you all the cool inventions from witchcraft power they have. But there are plenty of problems in you too, Trial by Fire. Like the Woven? Yeah, I'll pass on having mutated monsters running amok and killing everyone. Also, witches be cray. Lillian is trying to kill all scientists and teachers. There's a reason why, but still, she's a nut.
Now, on to your swoonworthy Outlander boy, Rowan Fell. I'm just gonna admit right now, I really liked Rowan. Mostly because of his name at first, because he can be a total arse sometimes, but he grew on me with every page. I just wanted to smoosh Lily and Rowan's heads together and make them kiss so bad. The tension was real, Trial by Fire.
I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting out of you, Trial by Fire, but it wasn't this. This being a fantastic fantasy bridging with a bit of paranormal aspects, following a loveable boy, his friends Caleb and Tristan (loved them too!!! And yes, this Tristan is way more un-douchey than Lily's other Tristan), crazy enemies, witchcraft, horrifying monsters, and just a girl trying to find her place, not only in this new world, but also, her way back home to her world. Oh, and that cliffhanger, Trial by Fire? NOT COOL. When does your brother/sister come out? Because I need it in my hands like yesterday! LOVED YOU! Four stars!!!
Begging everyone to give you a chance despite bad reviews,
Becca

Are you looking forward to Trial by Fire?

Have your read it already?

What did you think?

Let's discuss!

Stacking the Shelves (20)

 Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, where bloggers share their weekly book hauls! I absolutely love showcasing what I received over the week, and seeing what goodies everyone else got as well!!!

Purchased:

Isla & the Happily Ever After *SIGNED* by Stephanie Perkins

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Mila 2.0: Renegade by Debra Driza

Won:

Made For You by Melissa Marr

Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine

Gifted:

Unmarked by Kami Garcia

For Review:

I'll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson

Wildlife by Fiona Wood

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Snow Like Ashes by Sara Raasch

Many thanks to Harper Teen, Andye, and Sarah!! 

SO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN BECCA LAND?

I know, I know. I haven't been around. I said I was getting back into the hang of blogging, but then I got this HUGE order (12 totes) from author Nikki Kelly for her upcoming book Lailah, and then I did three others this week. That's 15 totes!! Crazy, huh? I'm exhausted. I haven't been able to even read this week, because all I have done is painted, but I got them all finished. I'll have a post up on Tuesday, showcasing all my recent totes so be sure to stop by then.

This is basically a two week update. Over the past two weeks, if you hadn't already guessed, I've basically been painting my life away. Paint, paint, paint. Don't get me wrong, I totally love it!! I am just struggling a bit to find time to do other things as well, on top of my normal job too! I'm trying to think of some exciting things that have happened though. Hmm. 

Oh! I did the ALS Challenge. In a Dunk Tank. On our local news station. It. Was. AWESOME. And unsurpisingly, freezing! 

I was also a Guest Judge for Adventures in YA Publishing's #PitchPlus5 contest! You can read all about that here!

I watched The Amazing Spiderman 2 and cried at the end. WTF. 

I am nearly halfway to my goal for BEA15! Whaaaat.

Ooh! I was also featured in the Heir of Fire Fan Art Trailer, er..well, Dixie, my dog, was! But now, because they chose us as one of the winners, we get our names in the Acknowledgements of the next book, AND Signed copies of all the books in the series! O.o I screamed when I found out they picked us. 

Watch it below! :) Just look for the doggy reading! 

Other than that, I cannot think of anything else happening at the moment. This weekend, I've told myself no painting totes, no matter what, so I can catch up on the blog and my reading in between breaks at work. So far, it's worked! Hopefully everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. Be safe! 

BLOG POSTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED:

• DISCUSSION - Don't use READING as a PUNISHMENT! 
• Tote(ally) Tuesdays (2)
• ARC Review - Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
• Waiting on Wednesday (29)

That's it for me!

Did you get anything amazeballs this week?

Link me up so I can come see! :)

Waiting on Wednesday (29)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking The Spine, where you can spotlight an upcoming release that you're eagerly anticipating!

This week I'm waiting on:

Winterspell by Claire Legrand

Releases on: September 30th, 2014 ADD IT TO GOODREADS!

FROM GOODREADS: The clock chimes midnight, a curse breaks, and a girl meets a prince... but what follows is not all sweetness and sugarplums.

New York City, 1899. Clara Stole, the mayor's ever-proper daughter, leads a double life. Since her mother's murder, she has secretly trained in self-defense with the mysterious Drosselmeyer.

Then, on Christmas Eve, disaster strikes.

Her home is destroyed, her father abducted-- by beings distinctly not human. To find him, Clara journeys to the war-ravaged land of Cane. Her only companion is the dethroned prince Nicholas, bound by a wicked curse. If they're to survive, Clara has no choice but to trust him, but his haunted eyes burn with secrets-- and a need she can't define. With the dangerous, seductive faery queen Anise hunting them, Clara soon realizes she won't leave Cane unscathed-- if she leaves at all.

Inspired by The Nutcracker, Winterspell is a dark, timeless fairy tale about love and war, longing and loneliness, and a girl who must learn to live without fear.

WHY I'M WAITING:

1. DAT COVER.

2. It's a fairy tale retelling. Enough said.

3. The Nutcracker! Which I'll admit, I don't necessarily remember anything about. BUT STILL.

4. This Prince Nicholas sounds like someone I might inevitably add to my book bf list.

5. Clara has a secret life?! NEED TO KNOW MORE.

What do you think of my WoW?

What is your WoW for this week?

Let me know in the comments, and be sure to leave me a link so I can come back and leave you some comment love! 

Thanks for stopping by Pivot Book Reviews!