Sharing with the group: Week Of Sept 11th

I've received or shall I say bought quite a few books in the past few weeks, and just haven't been diligent enough to put them up on the site. I'm going to start fresh for this week. I only received three books.

Sound by Alexandra Duncan

Which I received for a blog tour and my stop is on the 17th.

Landry Park by Bethany Hagen (Paperback form) (signed)

I'm excited for this because now I have the hardcover and PB version. The PB version matches my ARC of Jubilee manor.

ARC of Jubliee Manor by Bethany Hagen (signed)

I actually now have two copies of the ARC for this one so I maybe having a giveaway for the unsigned one, or do a trade if I can find someone who's willing to trade me for another book I'm wanting.

Blog Tour and Review: Jubilee Manor by Bethany Hagen

Jubilee Manor (Landry Park #2)
by Bethany Hagen

Publisher: Dial/Penguin
Release Date: August 11th 2015

Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
Rate: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

The thrilling conclusion to Landry Park is full of love, betrayal, and murder--perfect for fans of Divergent, The Selection, andPride and Prejudice.

In Landry Park, Madeline turned her back on her elite family, friends, and estate to help the Rootless. Now, in Jubilee Manor, she struggles to bring the Gentry and the Rootless together. But when Gentry heirs—Madeline’s old friends—are murdered, even she begins to think a Rootless is behind it, putting her at odds with the boy she loves and the very people she is trying to lead. If she can’t figure out who is killing her friends and bring them to justice, a violent war will erupt and even more will die—and Madeline’s name, her estate, and all the bonds she’s forged won’t make any difference.

This conclusion to Landry Park, which VOYA dubbed "Gone with the Wind meets The Hunger Games,” is a richly satisfying, addictive read.

Jubilee Manor was a bit more gory then Landry Park, but that didn't sway my liking of it at all.

Quotes

"We gravitated toward what was easy, and nothing about death was easy."

"You know he likes to throw himself into things.""I would like to throw him into somethings right now."

"They are the people who raised you, who cared for you. They are the ones who made you who you are."

"There had been so much pain, so many shattered designs and wishes and longings, and yet my reflection never changed."

"Is a black hole content with only swallowing half a star? Half a galaxy? No, it wants it all."

Follow the Jubilee Manor by Bethany Hagen Blog Tour and don't miss anything! Click on the banner to see the tour schedule.

Bethany Hagen was born and raised in Kansas City. She grew up reading Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, and all things King Arthur, and went on to become a librarian. Landry Park is her debut novel.

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Book Review: Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Author: Bethany Hagen
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 384

Series/Standalone: Series

Synopsis:

In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.

IN A NUTSHELL

A dystopian that's far more sophisticated than most.

Although I haven't read the Selection series I see Landry Park as being somewhat like that book. The elegance, ball gowns, and the I-am-better-than-you attitude. Like I said I could be totally wrong.

SETTING

The setting was much like most Dystopian-ish worlds. By that I mean you have the people who think they're better then everyone else, and then those who live poorly. (I guess you could say it's much like the real world) We did get to learn some about how Madeline's world came to be. What made them think they were better than the others. The world-building was nothing spectacular, but that's just my opinion. Take it for what it worth, which is probably a grain of salt. :)

While the world building itself wasn't my cup of tea although the sophistication was there (they weren't having kids kill kids) They let the poor do jobs that would eventually make them sick. They let the world itself do the killing. It's a step up from people killing people right? No.

CHARACTERS

I had a hard time believing I would love the characters from the beginning of the story what with the holier than thou attitude, but I grew to enjoy a few of them as the story neared an end.

Madeline at times definitely had me wondering if she would go with her gut feeling, and be true to herself. Sometimes I felt she'd do what was easier, but eventually she picked where she wanted her loyalties to lie. I believe she will definitely grow to be a strong lady.

David frustrated me so much because he was either hot or cold with Madeline and I hate when they play games with each other. Pick one girl or the other fool. :P I will say it does eventually work itself out, and we see some twists. :) 

ENDING

It's not really what I was expecting. Then again some parts are exactly what I wanted.