A Quasi Return (But Still in Hiatus Mode)

Hi all!

I know it wasn't too long ago that I said I was going on temporary hiatus. I still kind of am...except I recently read a bunch of great books and needed to write reviews, not just my scraps of emotions and feelings on Goodreads. It's kind of lonely and sad not having anyone to fangirl to afterwards...

And...that led me to write a few reviews. Mind you, I don't have a ton, nor are they very long. But they're written all the same, and I feel like it's only fair to get them out to you guys, rather than letting them collect dust on my computer. 

So of the few that I have so far, I've decided to post one a week. At least until I run out (which is probably going to be sooner than you think), until I find the ability to return to blogging proper.

But due to my inability to make any promises on reading and reviewing consistently, I'm still considering myself in quasi-hiatus mode. Not taking any review requests, just taking time to read when I can and write reviews when time enables me to.

The first few reviews on my list you can look forward to? Warcross (Marie Lu), Tower of Dawn (Sarah J. Maas), A Court of Frost and Starlight (Sarah J. Maas---MORE RHYSAND FOR ME TO FANGIRL OVER!!!), Leah on the Offbeat (Becky Albertali), and a few more. Yay, so excited to be able to express my thoughts properly again!!!

The first of these reviews will be next week...stay tuned for the upcoming slow return of my reviews, hooray! And until then, happy reading :)

Blog Changes and Updates

Hi guys!

So, as a few of you might have already noticed, my blog has gone through some big changes. The general format of my blog has been the same ever since I started it, and I felt like it was time to move on, to graduate from my amateur blog style to something more sophisticated and clean. Here's a quick rundown of the changes I've made:

Title: Yes, this is the second time I've changed my blog title (first was Books, Stars, Writing. And the Pages in Between, then to Book, Stars, and the Pages in Between, and now just to Books and Stars, with the Pages in Between part now the sub-title). I apologize for all this hassle and confusion, but this will be the final time I change it. Why? Because this one finally matches my URL!

Heading/cover: I mean, who doesn't have a nifty blogging cover photo? It was time I had one too. As recommended a while ago by Cloe from Morning and Epilogues, I used Pixlr.com to design my cover. Given that I am by no means a photo designing expert, I think my attempt turned out okay.

Format: One interesting thing about my old blog style was the fact I had two side bars. But after spending a lot of time on other people's blogs, I noticed everyone had only one. I felt like having two didn't really make mine unique, just weird. So I took it out, and changed it to the traditional format of normal blogs.

So, in conclusion: what do you guys think? Do you guys like the changes? Is there anything you don't like, or think I should revert back to the original one? Is there anything I didn't change (format of my posts, font, tabs, etc) that you think I should change? Is there anything I should add (like a signature, more widgets, new tabs, etc.) into my blog? Is my blog too simple, or too clean? Let me know in the comments!

Discussion: DC Superheros are Officially Getting YA Books

I'm not really one for discussions, but this announcement from the publishing company Random House Books released today really caught my attention, and I felt like it was only fair to let you guys know that this is officially a thing!

A Darker Shade of Magic TV Show?!

Okay, I know this is yet another series that is being picked up as a potential television show within the last 6 months or so, so it's nothing special, BUT THIS BOOK IS SPECIAL.

If you guys haven't heard (or read) A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab yet, it's this absolutely wonderful and gorgeous story of 4 parallel Londons, each with varying systems of magic. You have Grey London (ours) where magic doesn't exist, Red London where magic lives in harmony with the people, White London where the more magic you have, the more power (and fear) you have, and Black London where magic has gone rampant and destroyed everything. There's only a specific few that can travel between these worlds, so yeah. I can't say more. Please just go read it.

Anyways. What I'm trying to get at is that this book is utterly amazing, so now the question becomes whether it possibly becoming a tv show is a good thing. One one hand, I would absolutely love a tv series, as we need more good book to adaptations. But that's the other thing: we need good adaptations. Numerous times they've failed. And I really don't want to see this book crash and burn, because it deserves to be spectacular.

The rights of the tv series has just been picked up, so even if this series is going to happen, it's still a long way off from actually going live. You can find the announcement here. And, in the meantime, you can go read A Darker Shade of Magic, either for the first time or as a re-read, in preparation for the sequel A Gathering of Darkness coming out February 23rd, 2016!

What do you guys think of this news? Do you think A Darker Shade of Magic will be a good tv show?

Goodreads Kell is one of the last Travelers—rare magicians who choose a parallel universe to visit.  Grey London is dirty, boring, lacks magic, ruled by mad King George. Red London is where life and magic are revered, and the Maresh Dynasty presides over a flourishing empire. White London is ruled by whoever has murdered their way to the throne. People fight to control magic, and the magic fights back, draining the city to its very bones. Once there was Black London—but no one speaks of that now. Officially, Kell is the Red Traveler, personal ambassador and adopted Prince of Red London, carrying the monthly correspondences between royals of each London. Unofficially, Kell smuggles for those willing to pay for even a glimpse of a world they’ll never see. This dangerous hobby sets him up for accidental treason. Fleeing into Grey London, Kell runs afoul of Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She robs him, saves him from a dangerous enemy, then forces him to another world for her 'proper adventure'. But perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, Kell and Lila will first need to stay alive—trickier than they hoped.

Obsidian Movie!

So, if you do not know yet, I am a HUGE fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout. Like HUGE. And don't get me started on all her male leads. Do the names Aiden, Daemon, Roth, Zayne, Seth, Cam, Jase, Jax, Reece, Nick, Kyler, or Tanner make anyone swoon? (Covenant series, Lux Series, The Dark Elements trilogy, Titan series, Wait For You Series, Frigid series)

Yes? Yes? Well, I'm here to announce that news of a movie adaptation of Obsidian has just been released! That's this fine looking book here:

Now, if you're like me, there are 2 categories you instantly think of: a) THAT'S AWESOME b) oh dear...movie adaptations are, well, generally not that good. They don't have a good track record...

I completely agree with both points. On one hand, I'm thrilled, because I absolutely loved this series, but on the other hand, I'm skeptical. I can easily name over ten movie adaptations that have flopped. Plus, I'm a huge Daemon Black fan (I mean, just look at the cover model!), so I'm not sure how I'm gong to react to the casting...hmmmm....

But either way, I'm going to be thrilled for the author! Her enthusiasm is contagious, so it's hard not to be happy for her!

You can read the full announcement here.

What do you guys think? Will this be the new "it" movie like Hunger Games, or will it be a bust, like so many others before? Let me know!

New Twilight Book (!!!) Thoughts

Brace yourselves, Twi-hard fans: there's another Twilight book, but it is not what you expect it to be. Far from it.

As part of the 10th anniversary to Twilight's release, the author has written another Twilight book...but there's a slight twist. This version is a retelling of Twilight expect all the genders have been switched. Yes, that's right! Bella Swann is now Beau (short for Beaufort) Swann, and Edward Cullen is now Edythe Cullen.

I, for one, am both pleasantly surprised as well as slightly confused. I enjoyed Twilight and owe a lot to it for starting me down my book-loving life, but it's been quite a while since I've last read it. However, with this new book, titled Life and Death: Twilight Reimagined, I going to be honest and say that I have some doubts about it. Maybe because I'm immortalized that story in some way, as I do all my stories, and this is the first gender-swapped retelling of a book I've ever heard of. Needless to say, this book will be unique, for better or worse.

Nevertheless, though it's a little hard to wrap my head around, I'll still give it a try, mainly because I'm curious to know which book is better. I know the content will be the same, but I'll be looking for whether there will be changes in the chemistry between the two.

This book is already out (WHAT?) so there's no waiting involved...

Full announcement can be found here.

What do you guys think of it?

Red Queen Series News!

We all remember the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard, yes? In which some of us are eagerly awaiting the sequel, Glass Sword, book 2 in the supposed trilogy?

 Well, for you who think three books isn't nearly enough, I have good news! There are now going to be 4 books to the series! No longer a trilogy, but a quartology (is that a word?)! Which means we get to continue to live in the world of Red Queen another year longer (for better or worse, worse being the agony of waiting...but at least we have another 3 years of fangirling to go through before it all comes to an end!).

So yeah. Just thought I'd share, since I know there are some Red Queen fans here. You can find all the details about this here :)

And if you haven't read Red Queen yet, go do it! To help, I'll even give you the Goodreads blurb:

This is a world divided by blood - red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart... 

You can also read my review on Red Queen if you're still deciding! :)

Shatter Me TV Show!!!

OH MY GOODNESS. Have you heard the NEWS???

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi has been opted to be a TV SHOW. That's these books here:

(Just for clarification, this is a trilogy series. The bottom two are e-novellas.)

*flailing in circles*

ABC Signature Studios just snagged up the rights! And to add, Tahereh Mafi will be a consulting producer! GUYS THIS IS AWESOME.

Ignoring my biased hyperventilation, what do you guys think about this? Nervous? Excited? Not sure? Don't think it'll be any good? Or maybe you didn't like the series? (that's fine! I'm not going to hate you! There are a few series that I didn't like, but everyone loved, so I understand!) Or maybe you think YA adaptations are doomed? (I hope they aren't...)

No idea when it'll be coming out, but fingers crossed it will be both soon. I loved this series, so I'm hoping that the show will do it justice and be fantastic, but only time will tell...

(For those who haven't heard of Shatter Me, here's the blurb :) And if it sounds interesting, you can check it out on Goodreads here)

I have a curse
I have a gift

I am a monster
I'm more than human

My touch is lethal
My touch is power

I am their weapon
I will fight back

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

The Selection Movie!!!

GUYS GUYS GUYS!

Do you remember The Selection? (The review I did on it is here) A book that looks a little like this?

Yeah? Yeah?

WELL THE MOVIE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN BOUGHT. Like, it's been JUST bought.

"By who?" someone asks.

The answer: Warner Bros!

Movie! Warner Bros! Adaptor and producers already hired! 

IT'S HAPPENING!!! AND I CANNOT BE ANY MORE EXCITED!!!

If you guys remember, they tried to make it a television show. Sadly, it didn't get any further than the pilot episode, and all our hopes and dreams spiralled down the drain. 

BUT HOPE HAS RETURNED.

And now the agonizing wait begins...

For the official announcement, go to http://deadline.com/2015/04/the-selection-keira-cass-katie-lovejoy-warner-bros-1201413855/

The Young Elites Movie!!!

Guys guys GUYS.

Remember Marie Lu's The Young Elites? That epic book that looks a little like this:

Enter Fox and Temple Hill. Sound familiar? That's because between Fox and Temple Hill, they've produced The Maze Runner (by James Dasher), The Fault in Our Stars (by John Green), and soon-to-be-out Paper Towns (by John Green)! And now, I'm excited to say that Fox and Temple Hill have bought the movie rights for The Young Elites!

That's right. We might be seeing a certain white-haired, eye-scarred malfetto on the big screen soon! SO EXCITING!!!

That being said, this is one of the very first stages of movie production, meaning we have an eternity to wait before anything really happens...and then another lifetime to wait before it even comes out...

Sigh.

But it's better than nothing, right? Because I'm down for waiting (patiently) if it means that we'll be seeing a wickedly cool and awesome Venetian-styled fantasy world filled with malfettos everywhere...

I'll keep you posted!

For the official announcement, go here.

Check my review on The Young Elites. Also, don't miss out on the cover reveal on The Rose Society!

OBLIVION: Companion Novel to the Lux Series!

GUYS GUYS GUYS.

If you don't know, I am a HUGE fan of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux Series. Like, big big fan. Which is why I was sad when the series came to its conclusion this year, BUT!!!

I just got news that there will be a COMPANION NOVEL to the series! Told from Daemon's point of view! That's right! From Daemon's POV! An entire book! And it's going to be called Oblivion!

Initial freak-out. Because that means we're going to get another beautiful cover to accompany these lovelies...

But I guess the cover will probably look more like the new covers, so something along the lines of these:

(Actually, there's another companion novel, Obsession, which features the story of an Arum and a regular mortal girl, but it's not part of the mainstream story...)

This book will be released December 2015 (!!!), and will be available digitally or in print (in print only if you order it online, meaning you can't buy it in stores).

If you haven't this series yet, check it out so that you can join me in obsessing over the announcement of this companion novel!

You can read about the author's announcement about it here.

BOOK 4 of the White Rabbit Chronicles!

Have you heard THE NEWS? The NEWS!

There's going to be A FOURTH book to Gena Showalter's White Rabbit Chronicles! 

It means that there's going to be another lovely cover to match these beautiful three :) I cannot be any more excited!

Now, why else is this exciting other than the fact that there's another amazing book on zombie slayers coming out? Well, The Queen of Zombie Hearts was great and all, but I got to say, I was partially dying with all the loose ends. Well, one loose end in particular...and the next paragraph is a spoiler, so highlight it if you want to read it. Else skip down to read the res of this post.

The main loose end I couldn't deal with was Frosty. I mean, can't you just feel the anguish emitted from him? Kat's gone, and he wants his memory erased. That's extreme. He goes around asking everyone to erase his memory, and so far, everyone's turning him down. But he's clearly depressed, meaning he might be doing some relatively questionable things. I don't know about you, but the possibilities of what Frosty does were endless for me, from drinking his sorrows away to getting clumsy and being turned into a zombie, or just dying in other painful ways. Maybe he got over it, but he became a bad guy, maybe started sympathizing with Anima Industries. Maybe he never gets over it and he does something stupid, and Kat meets him at the other side and refuses to talk to him. Bottom line is that he needs support. It was great that us, the readers, could fantasize about the ways Ali and Cole and everyone helped him out, but at the same time, no one really knew whether or not Frosty was going to be okay in the end. And that itself is a cliffhanger. Cliffhanger + end of a series = DEATH OF THE READER. Anyone else with me, here?

I won't say more, except that I'm really glad that Gena Showalter is doing another book! It means more Ali and Cole, and overall more kick-butt weapons and zombie slaying!

Of course, it comes out at the end of September, which is an agonizingly long wait away...but at least it's coming!!! So if you haven't read this series yet, you should definitely pick it before the fourth book, A Mad Zombie Party (that title alone is AWESOME) comes out!

For the full announcement, go here: http://www.usatoday.com/story/happyeverafter/2015/02/08/gena-showalter-white-rabbit-chronicles-a-mad-zombie-party/23079327/#hqteen

Can't wait! :D