Every Never After by Lesley Livingston

Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill Canada
Pages: 256
Series: Never #2
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
It's happening again!

Despite their vow to each other at the end of Once Every Never, best friends Clare and Allie once more find themselves in trouble—and travelling in time. Indulging in a low-key vacation at Glastonbury Tor, taking part in an archaeological dig while soaking up the sights of summertime England, the girls have promised each other: no time travel shenanigans; no involvement with dangerous Druids or villainous museum thieves; and definitely no weirdness about the fact that Clare is now seriously dating Milo, Allie's super-genius hottie cousin!

But when Allie makes an unexpected discovery at the dig site—a skull—the grisly artifact sends her spiralling back in time to a Roman encampment besieged by rampaging Celts. Caught between the Legions and the war band, Allie is rescued from certain death by Marcus, a young Roman soldier with a secret. As she struggles to survive in the past, Clare and Milo race desperately against time in the present to bring Allie home...before she loses her head OR her heart.

My Thoughts:
‘Every Never After’ is a book filled with a zany humour that is so uniquely Lesley Livingston; it’s an energy that really can’t be described unless you’ve met Lesley and/or read one of her books before. ‘Every Never After’ is a perfect blend of geekiness and giddiness, and if you liked the first book (‘Once Every Never’) then I’m certain you’ll enjoy this one too.

‘Every Never After’ features more time monkey shenanigans, this time involving Allie, but also relating to Clare in a roundabout way. The book also contains more Milo and his adorable smarty-pants ways, as well as an introduction to a guy who is swoony in his own right. The characters are definitely a huge strength in these novels. Allie and Clare are such strong, tough heroines, but they’re also perfectly teenage girl. They’re completely intelligent and capable, but they still enjoy checking out cute guys (and who can blame them?).

‘Every Never After’ is another fun time romp from Lesley Livingston, with an ending that’s one part satisfying and one part “ack, I need the next book now!!”.

The Cover:
Like it!

Rating:
[4/5]

Find Every Never After by Lesley Livingston on Goodreads, Chapters-Indigo, & Amazon.ca.

Poison by Bridget Zinn

Release Date: March 12, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 288
Series: n/a
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Sixteen-year-old Kyra, a highly-skilled potions master, is the only one who knows her kingdom is on the verge of destruction—which means she’s the only one who can save it. Faced with no other choice, Kyra decides to do what she does best: poison the kingdom’s future ruler, who also happens to be her former best friend.

But, for the first time ever, her poisoned dart . . . misses.

Now a fugitive instead of a hero, Kyra is caught in a game of hide-and-seek with the king’s army and her potioner ex-boyfriend, Hal. At least she’s not alone. She’s armed with her vital potions, a too-cute pig, and Fred, the charming adventurer she can’t stop thinking about. Kyra is determined to get herself a second chance (at murder), but will she be able to find and defeat the princess before Hal and the army find her?

Kyra is not your typical murderer, and she’s certainly no damsel-in-distress—she’s the lovable and quick-witted hero of this romantic novel that has all the right ingredients to make teen girls swoon.

My Thoughts:
You wouldn’t think a book about a girl being wanted for attempting to murder her best friend, the princess, would be such a fun, whimsical book, but it completely was! The tone was generally light and airy, and the book is a real romp as Kyra goes on a journey to find the princess and finish what she started. Like I said, not a light subject matter, and yet once you find out the background of the story and get into the book it becomes quite a fun read. I also loved how it could almost equally be considered a tween book and for upper YAs. It has that adventure quality of a middle grade book, but the characters are older and the plot is detailed enough to keep the attention of older teens and adults.

I feel like there’s not much to say except that I just generally enjoyed this one. Kyra was adorable (though she probably wouldn’t enjoy being called that) and determined, and the mysterious Fred was all kinds of adorable himself. The banter-filled relationship that these two had really made the book for me. I would also be remiss not to mention the little pig, Rosie, because I especially enjoyed her. I absolutely adore books that feature an animal with a large personality, and that was definitely the case here.

If you’re looking for a lighter fantasy filled with crazy antics, potions, and other types of magic then look no further. ‘Poison’ is a fun read with twists and turns, and definitely a great pick-me-up read.

(As a side note, I found out via a review on Goodreads and through Bridget’s site that the author passed away from cancer in 2011. I obviously didn’t know the author, even from her online presence, but I am so bummed out that someone who must have had such a fun and joyous spirit was taken from her family and this world. I’m thankful that I was able to experience a little bit of her through this enjoyable read.)

The Cover:
It's a little middle grade-ish for my liking, but it's still cute. I love that ROSIE THE PIG is on it!

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Find Poison by Bridget Zinn on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

ETA: You can check out this site to see how you can help spread the word about Poison.

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where bloggers feature upcoming book releases that they're looking forward to.

This week I'm eagerly anticipating...

Levitating Las Vegas

by Jennifer Echols

Publisher: Pocket Star

Release Date: May 7, 2013

Synopsis (from Goodreads):
Nothing up her sleeves...or so she’s been led to believe.

Showgirl Holly Starr is sick and tired of assisting her dad, a celebrity magician, in his Las Vegas casino magic show. As soon as he keeps his promise to her and shares the secrets to his tricks, she can break out on her own. But can she really make it? For years Holly has taken medication to stave off crazy hallucinations that she can levitate objects. Just when she thinks she’s ready to make a career and a life for herself, her medicine—and her luck—run out.

Elijah Brown suffers from a similar delusion—that he can read minds—and he’s out of medicine too. Determined to save himself and his old flame Holly, he kidnaps her and takes her straight to the source, a town high in the Rockies where their medicine is made. What they discover there leads them to suspect their powers are not imaginary after all...and neither is the intense attraction they feel for each other.

They make a pact to stick together as they return to Vegas to confront the people who kept them in the dark so long. But soon they’re pitting their powers against each other in a dangerous world where the nightlife is seductive, domination is addictive, the sex is beyond belief...and falling in love is murder.

Add it on Goodreads.

Jennifer Echols' books are quite addicting and fun, so I am very excited for her first official 'new adult' release -- especially one that sounds so intense.