Alexandra Andornetto Archives

I got some fantastic books this week. It’s going to be hard to choose what to start first!

hades by alexandra adornettoHades by Alexandra Adornetto
Halo #2
From Publishers – Harper Collins Aust.
Release Date – 1st September 2011
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository | Kobo

HALO enchanted me from the very first page? CLAUDIA GRAY

What will happen to an angel in Hell?

Jake Thorn and his demons have been banished and Xavier and Bethany settle down to resume a normal life. But on the night of Halloween, a childish prank goes terribly wrong and Jake is

summoned back to the sleepy town of Venus Cove. Bethany is deceived and like the mythical Persephone she finds herself dragged into the nightmarish underworld of Hades.

While the angels call on higher powers to help rescue Bethany, Jake decides to play dirty and goes after the one thing she loves more than anything. But to spare Xavier?s life, Bethany must make the ultimate sacrifice. Will she make a deal with the Devil? And what will happen to an angel in Hell?

fateful by claudia grayFateful by Claudia Gray
From Publishers – Harper Collins Aust.
Release Date – 1st September 2011
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository | Kobo

New from the No.1 bestselling author of the EVERNIGHT series

The RMS TITANIC might be the most luxurious ship in the world, but all passenger Tess Davies wants

to do is escape her dreary existence as a maid. Trapped in a web of painful memories and twisted family secrets, Tess vows to make a run for it as soon as the ship reaches New York. A new world awaits … and a new life!

Her single-minded obsession shatters when she meets Alec. Handsome and mysterious, he captivates her immediately — but Alec has secrets of his own. As she uncovers the darkness lurking beneath his sophisticated surface, Tess discovers a horrifying truth. Werewolves, once only the stuff of nightmares, are real– and they are stalking Alec. Tess?s love for Alec puts her in mortal peril, but an even greater danger lies in front of her before their journey on the TITANIC is over …

emblaze by jesica shirvingtonEmblaze by Jessica Shirvington
From Publishers – Hachette Aust.
Release Date – 11th October 2011
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository

Once again Violet Eden faces an impossible choice … and the consequences are unimaginable.

Violet has come to terms with the fact that being part angel, part human, means her life will never be as it was.

Now Violet has something Phoenix – the exiled angel who betrayed her – will do anything for, and she has no intention of letting it fall into his hands. The only problem is that he has something she needs too.

Not afraid to raise the stakes, Phoenix seemingly holds all the power, always one step ahead. And when he puts the final pieces of the prophecy together, it doesn’t take him long to realise exactly who he needs in order to open the gates of Hell.

With of surprising new allies, ancient prophecies are deciphered, a destination set and, after a shattering confrontation with her father, Violet leaves for the islands of Greece without knowing if she will have a home to return to.

bloodlines vampire academy spin off by richelle mead by Richelle Mead
From Publishers – Penguin Books Aust.
Release Date – 23th August 2011
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository | Kobo

Sydney’s blood in special. That’s because she’s an alchemist – one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of human and vampires. They protect vampire secrets – and human lives. But the last encounter Sydney had with vampires got her in deep trouble with the other alchemists. And now with her allegiances in question, her future is on the line.

When Sydney is torn from her bed in the middle of the night, at first she thinks she’s still being punished for her complicated alliance with dhampir Rose Hathaway. But what unfolds is far worse. Jill Dragomir – the sister of Moroi Queen Lissa Dragomir – is in mortal danger, and the Moroi must send her into hiding. To avoid a civil war, Sydney is called upon to act as Jill’s guardian and protector, posing as her roommate in the unlikeliest of places: a human boarding school in Palm Springs, California. The last thing Sydney wants is to be accused of sympathizing with vampires. And now she has to live with one.

The Moroi court believe Jill and Sydney will be safe at Amberwood Prep, but threats, distractions and forbidden romance lurk both outside – and within – the school grounds. Now that they’re in hiding, the drama is only just beginning.

the help by kathryn stockettThe Help by Kathryn Stockett
From Publishers – Penguin Books Aust.
Release Date – 2nd August 2011 (Movie tie-in Edition)
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository | Kobo

Enter a vanished world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren’t trusted not to steal the silver . . .

There’s Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son’s tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared.

Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they’d be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell.

 

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

The Story Siren runs a meme called where Book Bloggers can interact and talk about the they have received in their mailbox each week. Go and check it out and join in the fun!

Review – Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Title:
Author:
Series: Halo Series (Book #1)
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 31st August 2010 (US) 
1st August 2010 (Aus)

Author’s Facebook Page

Book Summary: Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels, Ivy, Bethany and Gabriel are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings.
But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls for the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him?
Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There?s a new kid in town and he?s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he?s after Beth.
The angels and Xavier must work together to overcome the dark forces – but will Beth survive the battle? (Harper Collins Australia)

My Thoughts: Halo is a lovely story about an Angel Bethany who falls for the handsome school captain and very human Xavier. Keeping her secret from everyone including Xavier proves to be difficult and there are Heaven’s laws to contend with. Add in a charming but evil new guy at school and this story has everything you need. Bethany is sweet and innocent and a little impulsive and Xavier is loving and caring and sometimes a little over protective but they make for a sweet couple that you want to read more about.

Halo is a well written, enchanting story and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series, which is due to be released in 2011.

My Rating: (out of 5)

Read an excerpt here!

Get your copy from:

Fishpond
The Book Depository (free international shipping)
Amazon

About the Author: Alexandra Adornetto was only thirteen when she wrote her first book, The Shadow Thief. Now at only 18 years of age, Alexandra has won various awards for her writing and in 2006 won the State Legacy Public Speaking competition. Her future aspirations are to work full time writing novels and screenplays, while also pursuing a career as an actor.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave your review or a comment below telling us what you thought :)

In My Mailbox

I received two books in the last week! The first was Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I loved her Mortal Instruments Series so I have very high expectations for this book and can’t wait to start reading it. I have just posted an interview with Cassandra here! I was send this book to review by Walker Books.

The second book that arrived was Halo by Alexandra Andornetto. I purchased this book because I have read some great reviews about it. Keep your eyes out for my review in the next week.

I’ve been checking out quite a few Book Blogs lately and each time I go to a new blog I find another book or another series of books that I want to read, my list is growing quite long now. If only it were possible to spend the whole day reading without any interruptions!

The Story Siren runs a meme called In My Mailbox where Book Bloggers can interact and talk about the books they have received in their mailbox. Go and check it out!