GIVEAWAY: Believarexic by J.J. Johnson

In 1988, when she was fifteen, JJ Johnson was hospitalized for treatment of bulimarexia, a combination of bulimia and anorexia. During her ten-week stay, JJ had to eat everything on her tray, and took classes like "Assertiveness Training," "Depression Management," and "Body Image Workshop." She gained weight, but her path toward health was a constant struggle. In her heart, JJ knew-she knew-that she would be a happy, healthy adult one day. But how? Instead of a clear path, there was a black abyss. She needed a guide, a mentor, someone who knew her inside and out. So, one morning, just before weigh-in, JJ closed her eyes and made a deal with herself: I promise myself that when I'm grown up, and happy, I will come back here, to these months. Healthy me will guide bulimarexic me through this. This book is that promise, kept. 

J.J. Johnson is a youth counselor turned young adult novelist. J.J. grew up in Norwich, a small town in central New York State, where she raced BMX bikes, danced ballet, worried too much, read a lot, partied at the rock quarry, and spent summers along the creek in her backyard. J.J. graduated from Binghamton University in 1996. In 2001, she earned a Master of Education from Harvard University, with a concentration in Adolescent Risk and Prevention. Before writing novels, J.J. counseled at-risk teens and coordinated youth service programs such as The Learning Web, Justice Summer, and Youth Advocacy.  She is the author of This Girl is Different (2011), The Theory of Everything (2012), and Believarexic (coming October 2015). Her books have received numerous honors and have been translated into six languages. She lives with her husband, son, and dog in Durham, North Carolina. J.J. loves echidnas, dance parties, and Star Wars.  Visit her website here

Giveaways terms and conditions:

No purchase necessary.

You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.

Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.

Any questions? Feel free to email us.

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REVIEW MASHUP: Cinder by Marissa Meyer, Suspicion by Alexandra Monir, The Jewel by Amy Ewing, The Testing by Joelle Charbonneau, Nil by Lynne Matson, The Secret Diamond Sisters & Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow, & Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

Watch Grace's reviews (all in one video) for:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.  Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Seventeen-year-old Imogen Rockford has never forgotten the last words her father said to her, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family’s English country manor. For seven years, images of her parents’ death have haunted Imogen’s dreams. In an effort to escape the past, she leaves Rockford Manor and moves to New York City with her new guardians. But some attachments prove impossible to shake—including her love for her handsome neighbor Sebastian Stanhope. Then a life-altering letter arrives that forces Imogen to return to the manor in England, where she quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind Rockford’s aristocratic exterior. At their center is Imogen herself—and Sebastian, the boy she never stopped loving. Combining spine-tingling mystery, romance, and unforgettable characters, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride.

The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring. Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering facade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life. Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Isn’t that what they say? But how close is too close when they may be one and the same?  The Seven Stages War left much of the planet a charred wasteland. The future belongs to the next generation’s chosen few who must rebuild it. But to enter this elite group, candidates must first pass The Testing—their one chance at a college education and a rewarding career. Cia Vale is honored to be chosen as a Testing candidate; eager to prove her worthiness as a University student and future leader of the United Commonwealth. But on the eve of her departure, her father’s advice hints at a darker side to her upcoming studies--trust no one. But surely she can trust Tomas, her handsome childhood friend who offers an alliance? Tomas, who seems to care more about her with the passing of every grueling (and deadly) day of the Testing. To survive, Cia must choose: love without truth or life without trust.

On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die. Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field. Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time. 

Savannah. Courtney. Peyton.  The three sisters grew up not knowing their father and not quite catching a break. But it looks like their luck is about to change when they find out the secret identity of their long-lost dad—a billionaire Las Vegas hotel owner who wants them to come live in a gorgeous penthouse hotel suite. Suddenly the Strip's most exclusive clubs are all-access, and with an unlimited credit card each, it should be easier than ever to fit right in. But in a town full of secrets and illusion, fitting in is nothing compared to finding out the truth about their past. 

All-access doesn't mean no problems. The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza—with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion—and turn their lives upside down all over again. Sisterhood, first crushes, and scandalous secrets explode in book two of Michelle Madow's riveting series, The Secret Diamond Sisters.

When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her. Never ask about the past. Don’t expect a future. They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all. Hearts get infiltrated. Promises get broken. Rules get shattered. Love gets ugly. 

REVIEW: Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Denard

Philadelphia 1876. The Dead are rising. A zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor Fitt. Whoever controls the Dead Army has her brother. She avoids her mother's choice of husband for the lab of Spirit Hunters, including the maddeningly stubborn yet handsome Daniel. The situation threatens her reputation, and the lives of everyone in the city.

3 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below). 
I began to realize that Something Strange and Deadly was probably the book that made me realize that I really really really REALLY like steam punk. I'd always loved movies and TV that was steam punk, so I guess it makes sense that I would love steam punk novels. I loved Eleanor. She was so funny and stubborn to the point where the way she behaved around her family and friends reminded me how I act around my own family and friends. Do I get to call Eleanor a #relateableteen now?! I think yes. Daniel is either equally as stubborn and quirky as Eleanor is, or even more. It's great. Those two are quite the perfect match! If you're looking for a quick and fun read that's historical fiction with quite some steam punk, I'd definitely say that this is the book for you! I'm really glad the BookBusters decided to read this book. Thanks so much to Susan Dennard for also participating with us! (: 

 To join the BookBusters book club, click here

My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:
Grace

REVIEW: For Real by Alison Cherry

From Alison Cherry, author of Red, a novel PW declares “sparkles with wit,” comes a terrific new book about two sisters and one big question: how do you know who’s for real? No parents. No limits. No clue what they’re in for. Shy, cautious Claire has always been in her confident older sister’s shadow. While Miranda’s life is jam-packed with exciting people and whirlwind adventures, Claire gets her thrills vicariously by watching people live large on reality television. When Miranda discovers her boyfriend, Samir, cheating on her just after her college graduation, it’s Claire who comes up with the perfect plan. They’ll outshine Miranda’s fame-obsessed ex while having an amazing summer by competing on Around the World, a race around the globe for a million bucks. Revenge + sisterly bonding = awesome. But the show has a twist, and Claire is stunned to find herself in the middle of a reality-show romance that may be just for the cameras. This summer could end up being the highlight of her life . . . or an epic fail forever captured on film. In a world where drama is currency and manipulation is standard, how can you tell what’s for real?

I received a free hardcover of this book from the publisher (Random House) and e-copy of this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

  2.5 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below). 
My favorite part about For Real would definitely have to be that it was original and unlike any contemporary novel I've read before. I found it super creative to have the story take place inside and outside of a reality TV show. It was great seeing main character Claire transform from a very introverted shy girl who was always shadowed by her older sister into a more outgoing and confident version of herself because of her experiences on and off the show. My biggest problem about For Real would've been Claire's older sister Miranda. Miranda was not a good sister and it bothered me a lot that she would not realize what she was doing to Claire. Other than that, this was a very cute and short read that I read in almost one sitting! It was definitely something different and I'm glad BookBusters chose to read this as one of our contemporary reads. 

 Watch the BookBusters YA/NA book club discuss For Real by Allison Cherry on my YouTube channel LovingDemBooks:

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

GIVEAWAY: Nightborn by Lou Anders

Twelve-year-old Desstra is in training to join the Underhand, the elite agents of the dark elves. But her graduation is jeopardized by the betrayal of a teammate. Things go from bad to worse when she is sent far from home on a secret mission, under the supervision of this same rival, whose approval she must win if she is to graduate and realize her life's dream. Karn is trading in the city of Bense, when he is snatched into the air by a wyvern. The creature carries him across the wilderness straight to the Blasted City, to Sardeth, home of the dragon Orm. Is Karn about to be a dragon's dinner? Fate doesn't have anything so easy in store for him. The great dragon tells Karn he believes a second Horn of Osius exists, hidden across the continent in the city of Castlebriar. What's more, Orm has previously sent Thianna Frostborn on a mission to recover the horn, but her wyvern returned without her. It seems Thianna has run afoul of the dark elves. Now Karn must rescue his friend and together they must uncover the horn before the dark elves get ahold of this powerful relic. With only a dragon's blessing to aid them and a mysterious riddle to guide them, Karn and Thianna must race the dark elves to a prize that could alter the fate of nations. 

LOU ANDERS’s research on Norse mythology while writing book one in the Thrones and Bones series, FROSTBORN, turned into a love affair with Viking culture and a first visit to Norway. Anders is the recipient of a Hugo Award for editing and a Chesley Award for art direction. He has published over 500 articles and stories on science fiction and fantasy television and literature. A prolific speaker, Anders regularly attends writing conventions around the country. He and his family reside in Birmingham, Alabama. You can visit Anders online at louanders.com and ThronesandBones.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter at @ThronesandBones. 

Giveaways terms and conditions:

No purchase necessary.

You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.

Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.

Any questions? Feel free to email us.

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GIVEAWAY: Harrison Squared by Daryl Gregory

From award winning author Daryl Gregory, a thrilling and colorful Lovecraftian adventure of a teenage boy searching for his mother, and the macabre creatures he encounters. Harrison Harrison--H2 to his mom--is a lonely teenager who's been terrified of the water ever since he was a toddler in California, when a huge sea creature capsized their boat, and his father vanished. One of the "sensitives" who are attuned to the supernatural world, Harrison and his mother have just moved to the worst possible place for a boy like him: Dunnsmouth, a Lovecraftian town perched on rocks above the Atlantic, where strange things go on by night, monsters lurk under the waves, and creepy teachers run the local high school. On Harrison's first day at school, his mother, a marine biologist, disappears at sea. Harrison must attempt to solve the mystery of her accident, which puts him in conflict with a strange church, a knife-wielding killer, and the Deep Ones, fish-human hybrids that live in the bay. It will take all his resources--and an unusual host of allies--to defeat the danger and find his mother.

DARYL GREGORY was the 2009 winner of IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award for his first novel Pandemonium. His second novel, The Devil's Alphabet, was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award and was named one of the best books of 2009 by Publishers Weekly. His short fiction has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine, and The Year’s Best SF. He has also written comics for BOOM! Studios and IDW. DarylGregory.com

Praise For the works of Daryl Gregory

"Harrison Squared takes old time boy's adventure fiction, throws in a soupçon of the Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys mystery hour, and recklessly dumps it all into the briny, boiling cauldron of Lovecraftian horror. The result is nothing less than splendid."
—Bill Willingham, author of Fables, on Harrison Squared

"A great giggling psychedelic trip down the big pharma rabbit hole to a place where designer drugs hack the human mind for its limitless potential, and madness, empathy, talking teddy bears and the face of God are all just a hit away."
—Paolo Bacigalupi, author of The Windup Girl, on Afterparty

"Smart, funny, fast, more than a little terrifying... Really an exhilarating read."
—Kim Stanley Robinson, author of the Mars trilogy, on Afterparty

"This taut, brisk, gripping narrative...oozes warmth and wit. A hugely entertaining, surprising, and perhaps prophetic package."
—Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on Afterparty

"Daryl Gregory continues to be one of the top writers in the field"
—Locus, on Afterparty

Giveaways terms and conditions:

No purchase necessary.

You must be at least 13 years of age or older to enter.
Fandom Monthly Magazine is not responsible if the promotion sponsor does not fulfill their giveaway prize.

Winner(s) will be contacted shortly after the giveaway ends. The winner(s) will then have 4 days most to respond and claim their prize.

Any questions? Feel free to email us.

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REVIEW: Compulsion by Martina Boone

Three plantations. Two wishes. One ancient curse. All her life, Barrie Watson has been a virtual prisoner in the house where she lives with her shut-in mother. When her mother dies, Barrie promises to put some mileage on her stiletto heels. But she finds a new kind of prison at her aunt’s South Carolina plantation instead--a prison guarded by an ancient spirit who long ago cursed one of the three founding families of Watson Island and gave the others magical gifts that became compulsions.Stuck with the ghosts of a generations-old feud and hunted by forces she cannot see, Barrie must find a way to break free of the family legacy. With the help of sun-kissed Eight Beaufort, who knows what Barrie wants before she knows herself, the last Watson heir starts to unravel her family's twisted secrets. What she finds is dangerous: a love she never expected, a river that turns to fire at midnight, a gorgeous cousin who isn’t what she seems, and very real enemies who want both Eight and Barrie dead. 

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book from the publisher Simon & Schuster for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

  4 of 5 stars. Please read my rating system further below). 

What a great debut novel! Compulsion definitely exceeded my expectations, and left me wanting more from the heirs of Watson Island by the end of it. I loved the protagonist Barrie. She was so funny and quirky, and I had a lot of fun while reading from her point of view. I swear, there must be something about guys with numbers as names, but Eight Beaufort was beyond swoon worthy. Barrie and Eight's relationship was a really great addition to Compulsion's charm, though it was already charmed beyond measure with its southern gothic theme. My favorite aspect to this book was the actual magic of Watson island. The people and the island's origins was a really great of stating that things really do go down in history. I'm so excited to get my hands on the next book, I have a feeling that it's going to be absolutely great! 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace

REVIEW: Diamonds in the Rough by Michelle Madow

All-access doesn't mean no problems The three Diamond sisters survived the summer in style after coming to live with their long-lost billionaire father. But making a place for themselves at their exclusive new Las Vegas private school is throwing them any number of gold-plated curves. Savannah's YouTube stardom turns into a Sweet Sixteen reality show extravaganza--with complimentary enemies on the side. Dangerous flirtations don't keep Peyton from a gamble that will risk far more than she planned to bet. And when Courtney and the sisters' archenemy, Madison, uncover two explosive secrets, it will rock even this town of glittering illusion--and turn their lives upside down all over again.

I received an Advanced Reader's copy of this book from the publisher (Harlequin) for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 
3 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below).

At the end of the first book in the Secret Diamonds Sisters series, I had very mixed feelings about The Secret Diamond Sisters. I did not know if I liked it or not, because reading it made me felt like I was watching reality TV. Reality TV is something I mindlessly watch from time to time, so I found myself in a place asking myself if I was comparing a book to reality TV, even though reading a book is not exactly mindless, though what your reading reminds you of what you do mindlessly. That being said, I'm very glad to say that I enjoyed Diamonds In the Rough much more than I did The Secret Diamond Sisters. Diamonds In the Rough definitely had much more plot than the The Secret Diamond Sisters did, and it seemed like I wasn't watching a reality TV show anymore while I was reading it. I still definitely really enjoy the three point of views in which the story is told, and I'm so glad that the book switched main settings; the new setting made it much more entertaining. Overall, I really enjoyed Diamonds In the Rough and am so excited to read the next book! I bet the series is just going to get better and better. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:
Grace

REVIEW: Royally Lost by Angie Stanton

Dragged on a family trip to Europe’s ancient cities, Becca wants nothing more than to go home. Trapped with her emotionally distant father, over-eager stepmother, and a brother who only wants to hook up with European hotties, Becca is miserable. That is until she meets Nikolai, a guy as mysterious as he is handsome. And she unknowingly finds herself with a runaway prince. Nikolai has everything a guy could ask for-he's crown prince, heir to the throne, and girls adore him. But the one thing he doesn't have...is freedom. Staging a coup, he flees his kingdom and goes undercover on his own European tour. When Nikolai and Becca meet, it’s their differences that draw them together. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, all the while dodging his royal guard. But Becca's family vacation ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say goodbye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

I received an finished copy of this book from the publisher (HarperTeen) for free in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

2 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below).

A book about a girl who travels around the world, meets a prince, and they fall in love. What could go wrong? Royally Lost had everything going for itself, it has a great cover, a great idea, and an amazing-sounding plot line. My biggest problem with this book was the dialogue. To me, it felt so robotic and inhuman, like the characters had no emotion, like they weren't even alive. Because of the dialogue, I had such a hard time investing myself in any of the characters, making Royally Lost a fairly big disappointment. The main characters Becca and Nikolai had the most awkward and choreographed encounters. They were unbelievable, and the fact that they're love story progressed from "accidentally" seeing each other around Europe just made me want to snicker to myself because it was so unreal. This book could've still been decent with the encounters that Becca and Nikolai had throughout the book, but the immaturity of Becca and Nikolai and their inhuman dialogue would've had to been stripped of this book. Because of these imperfections, the love story in Royally Lost didn't develop much, and neither did the characters. Overall, there were many problems that I had with this book, including character dialogue, development, and maturity. I was very sad to not have loved this book, it was a book that I was looking forward to reading all of 2014. 

My rating system: (I do use half stars.) 

5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect. 

4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.) 

3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less. 

2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it. 

1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

Reviewer:

Grace