Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Night Study By: Maria V. Snyder is.....  !  Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Pure

Series: (Covenant #2)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Publisher: US - Spencer Hill Press, 329 Pages (April 3rd, 2012) UK - Hodder Paperback, 400 Pages (September 18th, 2014)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: There is need. And then there is Fate. Being destined to become some kind of supernatural electrical outlet isn't exactly awesome--especially when Alexandria's other half is everywhere she goes. Seth's in her training room, outside her classes, and keeps showing up in her bedroom--so not cool. Their connection does have some benefits, like staving off her nightmares of the tragic showdown with her mother, but it has no effect on what Alex feels for the forbidden, pure-blooded Aiden. Or what he will do--and sacrifice--for her. When daimons infiltrate the Covenants and attack students, the gods send furies--lesser gods determined to eradicate any threat to the Covenants and to the gods, and that includes the Apollyon--and Alex. And if that and hordes of aether-sucking monsters didn't blow bad enough, a mysterious threat seems willing to do anything to neutralize Seth, even if that means forcing Alex into servitude--or killing her. When the gods are involved, some decisions can never, ever be undone.

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Find Jennifer Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa And since a couple of weeks ago we featured the first book - Half-Blood - from the Covenant series I thought we'd talk about another.

This one is a tiny bit different to the first book. The flower are a bit different and while I still love the US cover, because I own it and love these books... I think I like the UK cover for this one a bit better.

It's cleaner. You can read the fonts - title and authors names - so much easier. And the flower is more stunning to me.

So, it's a UK win for me. Which one do you love? Vote below!

Michelle Like our previous post, I also owned the UK copies of this book, and this is the first time I am seeing the US cover.

For me it's a clear winner. I do like the design of the UK one, but I love how dramatic and ethereal the US cover looks. The flower has a luminosity about it that fits in really well with the darker background.

It's a clear US win for me this week, which cover gets your vote?

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Pure (Covenant #2) NOW!

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for The Vanishing Throne (The Falconer #2) By: Elizabeth May is.....  !  Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Every Day 

Series: (Every Day #1)
Author: David Levithan
Publisher: US - Knopf Books for Young Readers, 322 Pages (August 28th, 2012) UK - Electric Monkey (Egmont Books), 372 Pages (September 2nd, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.
There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.

It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

About the author: 

David Levithan (born 1972) is an American children's book editor and award-winning author. He published his first YA book, Boy Meets Boy, in 2003. Levithan is also the founding editor of PUSH, a Young Adult imprint of Scholastic Press.

Find David Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads


Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa This might look like it's an easy week, but it's so not. I love both of these covers so much. They're different and both are so eye catching and would make me pick up the book and want to read it.

However, the US cover is a bit more intriguing. It really makes you wonder what the book is about. You can't look away, you can't not pick the book up and see what the back cover says. And WOW! Is it a great book or what? I know I loved it.

So, this week's vote from me goes to the US cover which is just too unique to pass up. Please cast your vote below for which cover is YOUR favorite!

Michelle Like Lisa, this week is a hard one for me. The UK cover is one that is very eye catching, the brightness of the cover with the added mystery of the text. The US one has a totally different effect on it, and going by cover alone I would be more likely to pick up the US one if they sat next to each other.

I love the whole effect of the US cover, the clouds, the floating people, it all just works so well together to make it a truly spectacular cover.

It's a US win for me this week, which cover gets your vote?

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Every Day (Every Day #1) NOW!

Title: Broken Soup
Author: Jenny Valentine
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, 228 Pages (May 21st 2012)
From: Amazon.co.uk
Format: eBook
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: An intriguing, compelling and moving novel from the award-winning author of Finding Violet Park.

When the good-looking boy with the American accent presses the dropped negative into Rowan's hand, she's sure it's all a big mistake. But next moment he's gone, lost in the crowd of bustling shoppers. And she can't afford to lose her place in the checkout queue – after all, if she doesn't take the groceries home, nobody else will.

Rowan has more responsibilities than most girls her age. These days, she pretty much looks after her little sister single-handedly – which doesn't leave much time for friends or fun. So when she finds out that Bee from school saw the whole thing, it piques her curiosity. Who was the boy? Why was he so insistent that the negative belonged to Rowan

Review: 3.5 Stars - When I started reading Broken Soup, I didn’t really know what to expect. I have previously read two of Valentine’s other novels- one I really enjoyed and one I wasn’t so sure about.

Broken Soup tells the story of Rowan. He brother Jack tragically drowned in an accident 2 years ago. After he died her parents separated and her Mum became depressed, her Dad does visit but he isn’t permanently present.  This leaves Rowan caring for her 6 year old sister Stroma, doing the housework and shopping.

One day when she’s out shopping a boy gives her a photograph negative and tells her she dropped it. Rowan knows she didn’t but the boy is insistent that she did and she accepts it.

Not long after this she befriends Bee, who helps her develop the photograph. What follows is a story of determination, secrets and sadness. It’s brilliant that something so small and insignificant can be the thing that brings so many people together.

Rowan is a likeable character but in trying to protect her Mum by not telling her Dad how severe her Mum’s depression is, she increases the burden on herself. If Rowan had told him things might have been easier, but I do understand why she does it.

Stroma is a little ray of sunshine in the midst of a dark cloud of grief. She is too wise for her age, and is a delightful character to read.

Harper is a nice distraction but I found Rowan’s trust in him came about a bit quickly and then she left Stroma in his care- something I wouldn’t have expected her to do, considering how protective she is of her.

Grief is not an easy thing to read about; Broken Soup does have some emotional moments for Rowan. It is well written and an enjoyable read despite its sensitive subject.

The only reason Broken Soup didn’t get 4 stars was because there are a few topics which with the age group this book is aged at may be seen as inappropriate for that age group. They may only be brief mentions but with the book aimed at 11-16; something like drug use is deemed acceptable and isn’t looked down on by 3 of the characters. I understand that it some walks of life it is the norm, but not when I was younger. The book is suitable in my opinion for older teens, as it also contains some swearing.

Recommended for fans of Keren David and Louisa Reid.

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor is...USA!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Rule
Series: Marked Men #1
Author: Jay Crownover
Publisher: US - Jay Crownover Books, 327 Pages, (December 30th, 2012), UK - HarperCollins, 368 Pages, (July 3rd, 2014)
Add to Goodreads: USA Version | UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, The Book Depository

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: Opposites in every way . . . except the one that matters

Shaw Landon loved Rule Archer from the moment she laid eyes on him. Rule is everything a straight-A pre-med student like Shaw shouldn’t want—and the only person she’s never tried to please. She isn’t afraid of his scary piercings and tattoos or his wild attitude. Though she knows that Rule is wrong for her, her heart just won’t listen.

To a rebel like Rule Archer, Shaw Landon is a stuck-up, perfect princess-and his dead twin brother’s girl. She lives by other people’s rules; he makes his own. He doesn’t have time for a good girl like Shaw-even if she’s the only one who can see the person he truly is.

But a short skirt, too many birthday cocktails, and spilled secrets lead to a night neither can forget. Now, Shaw and Rule have to figure out how a girl like her and a guy like him are supposed to be together without destroying their love . . . or each other.

About the author:

I'm supposed to share interesting details about myself so that my readers get to know me so here we go in no particular order: I'm an natural redhead even though I haven't seen my real hair color in years, I'm a big fan of tattoos and have a half sleeve on either arm and various other pieces all over the place, I've been in the bar industry since I was in college and it has always offered interesting insight into how men and women interact with each other, I have 3 dogs that are all crazy, I live in Colorado and love the snow, I love music and in all reality wish I could be a rock star not a writer or a bartender but I have zero talent so there is that.

I love to write, love to read and all I'm interested in is a good story with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. Thanks for taking the time to check my stuff out.... Jay Crownover

Find Jay Online: Website | Blog | Facebook|Twitter

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa Gosh I love both of these covers. I mean... yeah, the US cover is pretty yummy. Just look at the hot tattooed man. And then the UK cover is so different from the US... I mean, Boy VS Girl. I love how she's highlighted and her eye is pretty stunning. Yet, I can't get around that tattooed boy!!!

I want to vote for the UK cover, I really, REALLY do, but I think I'm going to have to give this weeks vote to the US. I mean yeah... excuse me while I go drool some more. Don't forget to cast YOUR vote!

Michelle This is an easy choice for me. The US cover was done way before the UK, so when I saw it, it was more like than love. What’s not to like about a hot tattooed man. However all of that went out the window when the UK cover was released, and it was instant love. It’s dramatic, it’s clear, and it shows us the other half to the Marked Men. The UK gets my vote for this weeks Book Wars, who get’s yours?

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Rule by Jay Crownover NOW!

QuestionPro

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for The Testing (The Testing #1) By: Joelle Charbonneau is... the UK Cover!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Point of Retreat
Series: Slammed #2
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: US - Atria Books, 320 Pages, (May 2013) [first published February 2012], UK - Simon & Schuster UK, 400 Pages, (October 11th 2012)
Add to Goodreads: USA Version | UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Hardships and heartache brought them together… now it will tear them apart.

Layken and Will have proved their love can get them through anything; until someone from Will’s past re-emerges, leaving Layken questioning the very foundation on which their relationship was built. Will is forced to face the ultimate challenge…how to prove his love for a girl who refuses to stop ‘carving pumpkins.’

About the Author: I love to write and I love to give away things that I write, so follow me on my Facebook author page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover Twitter and Instagram: @colleenhoover I host a book-a-day giveaway on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. I give something away every single day, so don't miss out!

Find Colleen Online: Website | Twitter| Facebook

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa Oh, an easy week for this week... I don't think I've ever felt like it's been an easy week.

Hands down the best cover goes to the US this week. The UK cover looks like someone's ripped the cover right off and we're looking at the title page on the inside. It's simple, which often works, yet this time it's TOO simple.

So my vote is for the US cover. Now tell us which one is your favorite in the poll below.

Michelle This is another week were the choice is so easy for me. I do own the US version on my iPad, but I will eventually have the UK one sitting on my shelves as it matches my UK cover for Slammed. However the US wins my vote every single time. The UK one doesn't really have anything in common with the story, yet the US one links in so well with the story itself, and the whole series too. It's bright and vibrant but also mysterious as the same time. It's a US vote for me this week.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover NOW!

QuestionPro

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Unforgotten by Jessica Brody is... the UK COVER!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Slide
Series: Slide #1
Author: Jill Hathaway
Publisher: US -Balzer + Bray, 250 Pages, (March 27th, 2012), UK - HarperCollins Children’s Books, 257 Pages, (March 1st, 2012)
Add to Goodreads: USA Version | UK Version
Order online here - USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth--her sister's friend Sophie didn't kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn't actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else's mind and experiences the world through that person's eyes. She's slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed "friend" when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie's slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can't bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting distant lately, especially now that she's been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

About the Author:

Jill Hathaway lives in the Des Moines area with her husband and young children. Having earned her BA in English Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her MA in Literature from Iowa State University, she teaches high school English and dual credit courses for Des Moines Area Community College.

SLIDE, her debut, was released from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins in March 2012. The sequel, IMPOSTOR, was released in March 2013. She is working on two contemporary young adult books to be released in 2015 and 2016 (not related to the SLIDE series).

Find Jill Online: Blog | Twitter| Facebook

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa This week we are talking about Slide by Jill Hathaway . Sadly, I haven't read this book yet... and I believe I have it on my shelves or on my Kindle to read.

When I'm looking at these two side by side the US cover with the lighting affects and the colors - along the affect on the title just has something more appealing to me. While the UK cover feels too smooth and the face way too groomed it almost doesn't have a real feel to it.

So this week, my vote goes to the US version. Which one is your pick of the week? Please vote below!

Michelle I thought this one would be tough for me this week as I initially fell in love with the US version before I knew that there was a UK version. However seeing these covers side by side it's easy for me to pick my favourite. I love how the US version is mysterious and the dominant theme of purple hues adds to this affect. But I do like how the UK version is bright, eye catching, dramatic, and very 'in your face'. My vote goes to UK this week. Which is going to win your vote?

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Slide by Jill Hathaway NOW!

QuestionPro

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor is...USA!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Slammed
Series: Slammed #1
Author: Colleen Hoover
Publisher: US - Atria Books, 317 Pages, (April 2013) [first published January 2012], UK - Simon & Schuster UK, 352 Pages, (February 14th 2013)
Add to Goodreads: USA Version | UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Following the unexpected death of her father, 18-year-old Layken is forced to be the rock for both her mother and younger brother. Outwardly, she appears resilient and tenacious, but inwardly, she's losing hope.

Enter Will Cooper: The attractive, 21-year-old new neighbor with an intriguing passion for slam poetry and a unique sense of humor. Within days of their introduction, Will and Layken form an intense emotional connection, leaving Layken with a renewed sense of hope.

Not long after an intense, heart-stopping first date, they are slammed to the core when a shocking revelation forces their new relationship to a sudden halt. Daily interactions become impossibly painful as they struggle to find a balance between the feelings that pull them together, and the secret that keeps them apart.

About the Author:

I love to write and I love to give away things that I write, so follow me on my Facebook author page at www.facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover Twitter and Instagram: @colleenhoover I host a book-a-day giveaway on my Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. I give something away every single day, so don't miss out!

Find Colleen Online: Website | Twitter| Facebook

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa Super easy choice for me this week. Without a doubt the US cover wins this round. The UK cover seems so Adult or even maybe the cover for an Erotic novel.

There's just not enough to the UK cover either. Very bland, which sometimes work but not really for me with this one.

So, the US wins, hands down and gets my vote this week. Which cover are YOU voting for? Let us know in the poll below.

Michelle This is an easy choice for me. When I first saw Slammed it was with the original cover, it intrigued me enough to buy the book and I was hooked. But between the US and the UK covers above its a USA vote for me. The UK one just doesn't do anything for me, and to me looks like it should be an adult book like Fifty Shades. Sadly I have this cover as the US one is only available on kindle.. The USA one is perfect for this story. It represents the story, the characters, and the theme so well. I am in cover love with this cover and I can’t wait till it’s finally available in paperback. Its an easy USA vote for me

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Slammed by Colleen Hoover NOW!

QuestionPro

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for The Pledge by Kimberly Derting is..... the US COVER!!!  Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Days of Blood & Starlight

Series: (Daughter of Smoke & Bone #2)
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: US - Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 513 Pages (November 6th, 2012) UK - Hodder & Stoughton, 513 Pages (November 8th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

About the author:

Hi there! I'm a writer of fantasy books for young people, but my books can be enjoyed by adults as well. My 'Dreamdark' books, Blackbringer (2007) and Silksinger (2009) are about faeries -- not dainty little flowery things, but warrior-faeries who battle devils. My first young adult book, Lips Touch, is a finalist for the 2009 National Book Award! It's creepy, sensual supernatural romance. . . about kissing. I am also an artist with a licensed gift product line called "Laini's Ladies."

Find Laini Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa Would it be weird to say that this week is a tough choice for me? Well, it is! I'm loving BOTH of these covers for such different reasons. The look of the US cover and being up close and personal with the details on the face. And the UK cover with the flames that appear almost to dance across the paper and the stars... let's not forget to mention the stars. If I wasn't so creeped out by eyes... well, when I'm getting an up close and personal view of them they really creep me out. Bad. (I'll blame Michael Jackson's Thriller for that.) However, I LOVE the text on the US cover, but I just can't get the UK cover out of my mind.

After spending some time really taking a closer look at both covers I think this weeks vote, for me goes to the UK cover. It's simple yet beautiful. It's dramatic in it's simplicity and I just think it's pretty amazing. So, UK for me! What about you? Please take a second and VOTE below!

Michelle We really do need to stop making this so hard for ourselves. I love both of these covers but for very different reasons. The UK one is definitly eye catching and very dramatic, but the USA one has so much detail in just one place.

After much deliberation my vote goes for the USA version. I love the detail gone into the design around the eyes, I love how appealing and eye catching it is ;) It is also dramatic in its own way and really draws your attention to it.

Want to know what I thought of this book, check out my review here.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Days of Blood & Starlight NOW!

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Hey everyone! I was extremely excited to be asked to be one of the Ambassadors for the movie - The Fault in Our Stars! I jumped at the chance because this happens to be one of my FAVORITE books and movies. So there was no question about taking part and being able to bring you some pretty exciting things.

"The Greatest Romance Story of this decade" JUST released on DVD and Blu-ray on September 16th, are you ready to bring on the feels?  As a member of The Fault In Our Stars Ambassador Program, I have helped in creating a list of the top moments from the film that I would love to relive! 

Featuring brilliant performances from Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort that made the film a favorite of fans and critics alike, this inspirational modern day tale of star-crossed lovers will have you going from laughter to tears and back again. 

Have you read the book or seen the movie?! What are your favorite moments that you would like to relive? Comment with your favorites and you will be entered to win a copy of TFIOS.

Do you think we nailed some of the best parts in the movie? I think we did a pretty great job! If we missed YOUR favorite, let me know in the comments below, because I know I'd LOVE to hear them. Don't forget! Sharing YOUR favorite moments in the comments below earn you extra entries into the DVD giveaway!!!

ALSO, I have something pretty special - Little Infinities Extended Blu-ray is Introduced by author John Green and director Josh Boone!!!

Check out the video -

Title: The Fault in Our Stars

Author: John Green
Publisher: Dutton Books, 318 Pages (January 10th, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

About the Author:

John Green's first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the American Library Association. His second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His next novel, Paper Towns, is a New York Times bestseller and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best YA Mystery. In January 2012, his most recent novel, The Fault in Our Stars, was met with wide critical acclaim, unprecedented in Green's career. The praise included rave reviews in Time Magazine and The New York Times, on NPR, and from award-winning author Markus Zusak. The book also topped the New York Times Children's Paperback Bestseller list for several weeks. Green has also coauthored a book with David Levithan called Will Grayson, Will Grayson, published in 2010. The film rights for all his books, with the exception of Will Grayson Will Grayson, have been optioned to major Hollywood Studios.

In 2007, John and his brother Hank were the hosts of a popular internet blog, "Brotherhood 2.0," where they discussed their lives, books and current events every day for a year except for weekends and holidays. They still keep a video blog, now called "The Vlog Brothers," which can be found on the Nerdfighters website, or a direct link here.

Find John Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter to win a copy of...

The Fault in Our Stars Little Infinities Extended Edition (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD + Infinity Bracelet)

From: 20th Century Fox

DVD Release Date: September 16, 2014

Order online: Amazon | Amazon UK

Rules and how to enter:

Please fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway.
Easy Entry for all! (Clicking this provides name and email which is the only requirement when entering. This is for the sole purpose of contacting the winner.)
You must be at least 13 years old to enter.
This giveaway is open to US and CANADIAN mailing addresses only.
Giveaway ends: October 6th, 2014 (12:00AM EST)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet.  Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US.  So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions.

We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier!

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Trial By Fire By: Josephine Angelini is.....  the US COVER!!!  Thank you to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US - Right: UK

Title: Pushing the Limits 

Series: (Pushing the Limits #1)
Author: Katie McGarry
Publisher: US - Harlequin Teen, 392 Pages (July 31st, 2012) UK - Mira Ink, 416 Pages (June 1st 2012)
Add to: Goodreads USA Version | Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: So wrong for each other …and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

About the author: 

KATIE MCGARRY was a teenager during the age of grunge and boy bands and remembers those years as the best and worst of her life. She is a lover of music, happy endings, and reality television, and is a secret University of Kentucky basketball fan.

Katie would love to hear from her readers. Contact her via her website, katielmcgarry.com, follow her on Twitter @KatieMcGarry, or become a fan on Facebook and Goodreads.

Find  Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa This week was a bit easier for me to choose... and can I just say that I've LOVED all of Katie's covers! She's been very lucky with the art departments with her publishers, that's for sure! For me, this weeks choice is for the US cover. And I should mention that if you look around you'll see slight variations of these two covers and these were/are my favorite of BOTH of these variations.

So, for this week the US cover gets my vote. And now it's your turn to tell us which of these two is your favorite in the poll below.

Michelle This is an easy pick for me this week, I love this series so much and can't wait for the next installment, that being said my vote has to go to the US this week.

I love how this represents Echo and Noah so much, and while I do like the basis of the UK cover, I'm not too keen on the effect used on it. To see what I thought of the story, check out my review here.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Pushing the Limits By: Katie McGarry NOW!

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Title: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares
Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
Publisher: Mira Ink, 260 Pages (October 5th 2012)
From: Purchased at The Works bookstore
Format: Paperback
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Synopsis: I've left some clues for you.
If you want them, turn the page.
If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.

Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favourite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions? Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

Review: 4 stars - I saw this book in work for a few weeks and having heard good things about the author’s previous collaboration Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist I decided to give Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares a read.

I will admit; I was drawn to the cover. There’s something about it I absolutely love. I’ve only realised now as I’m writing this review that the snowflakes on the cover are heart shaped. That shows what you can miss when you’re engrossed in a story.

There’s something about the story of Dash and Lily. I don’t know if I can call it naivety; but there’s an air of something I’ve not read before. I’m relatively new to the Contemporary side of YA, so it could just be something associated with that.

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares tells of 2 teenagers who aren’t looking forward to Christmas. Although Lily loves the holiday season, her parents have left her under the care of her older brother Langston while they travel to Fiji on belated Honeymoon/25th Wedding Anniversary.

Dash is an only child whose parents are divorced. After deciding he doesn’t want to spend Christmas with either parent. Dash lies to them and tells both parents he’s staying with the other; knowing that they won’t contact each other to find out if this is true.

Dash spends his free time mostly at The Strand bookstore. Where on one day while perusing the shelves he discovers a red moleskin notebook.

“I’ve left some clues for you. If you want them turn the page. If you don’t put the book back on the shelf, please”.

Those words intrigue Dash and so ensues a game of dares through the medium of a moleskin notebook.

With the help of family and friends; Dash and Lily send each other on dares across New York. Fighting Christmas shoppers, tourists and even a run in with Santa himself.

The book supplies the right amount of humour, romance and anticipation to keep the reader engrossed and wanting more from every page.

I love that Lily has hope for the future and a positive view of the world. That’s one thing that you don’t see in a lot of YA characters. She shows her emotions, even when she doesn’t mean to- “Shrilly” moments, and I think this only helps to make her more relatable to the reader.

Dash isn’t like Lily. He’s comes across as a bit of a cynic at times and a realist. He’s not like his friends either, and would rather spend time reading and discovering the meaning of words than playing computer games.

I love how both Dash and Lily are in Dash’s words “Bookish”. We can all relate to the feeling of walking into a bookstore; be it for the first time or the hundredth time. So you can imagine Dash’s excitement at the end of the book. To be surrounded by your most coveted item- it must be overwhelming.

I highly recommend this book, to the point I’ve bought 2 copies to give as gifts to friends!
It’s a great quick read. I think I might give it another read nearer Christmas, to help get me into the festive spirit. Definitely a book I can see myself reading more than once.

Recommended for fans of John Green and Stephanie Perkins.

Title: Lost to You (Take This Regret 0.5)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Publisher: 176 Pages (January 29th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iTunes, KOBO

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: People come into our lives. Some stay, and many go. Some build us up, while most tear us down. They become our friends, our enemies, our lovers, our tormentors.

Christian Davison came into mine, and I knew I’d never be the same.

To Elizabeth Ayers, New York City had always been a dream. She’s worked her entire young life to make it here.

Groomed to one day take over his father’s law firm, attending Columbia University was Christian Davison’s only option.

Neither wanted anything more until they sat across from each other at a café table after being paired as study partners.Christian wants her, but Elizabeth knows better than to give into their intense attraction. Yet there is little she can do to stay away.

Lost to You, the prequel to the bestselling romance, Take This Regret. A New Adult novella, recommended for readers 17+. It’s unnecessary to have read Take This Regret to enjoy Lost to You.

EXCERPT:

“So how’s your math class going?” Christian wiped a napkin over his mouth, sat back in his chair with a

satisfied sigh as he pushed his plate away. Completely casual, he appeared to be unaware of the chaos

he created in me.

“Okay, thanks to you.”

A smirk pulled at his mouth. “What would you do without me, Elizabeth?”

“Oh, I don’t know, find another cute boy to help me with math,” I said, anticipating his reaction if I

teased him a little.

For a flash, his eyes narrowed, then a dangerous grin spread across his face. “So I’m just dispensable,

huh? Easily replaced?” He hunched and lowered, pressed his chest into the table to meet me at eye

level, this slow playfulness coming across him. “How about I let you fail next time?”

“Well how about I feed you the wrong answers when we study for our next government test?” I

countered.

He faked a disbelieving laugh, a gentle ribbing that twisted its way straight to my heart. He was so cute

like this, like a harmless boy and not the man who made me fearful, not the one who urged me to hold

onto my affections, careful not to let them go.

“You’re going to feed me the wrong answers, huh? You?” he challenged.

The entire meal I’d felt his leg stretched under the table, reaching, giving in to casual brushes, then

receding as if they hadn’t happened.

Now Christian abruptly extended his leg, wove it between my legs, direct and bold. My breath caught. It

was the closest we’d ever come to an embrace.

I averted my gaze, but couldn’t for long because I could feel him staring at me.

His voice dropped. “You, sweet Elizabeth, the most innocent girl I know, is going to feed me the wrong

answers? I bet you’ve never even told a lie.”

Heat flooded my face.

He was taunting me, prodding. Is that what he really thought of me? Innocent? But honestly, I guess I

was. Well maybe not innocent. . .just inexperienced. I had no idea how to play Christian’s games, no idea

of what the girls he surrounded himself with were like, although I could only imagine. It had to be my

greatest disadvantage. Vulnerability oozed from my consciousness, and I shifted in discomfort.

Christian could devour me whole.

His expression shifted as he edged even closer, his voice a whisper, “Just how innocent are you,

Elizabeth?”

Title: Take This Regret (Take This Regret #1)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing,298 Pages (April 1st, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iTunes, KOBO

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: There are some mistakes we make that we will regret for the rest of our lives. For Christian Davison, it was the day he betrayed Elizabeth Ayers. For five years, Christian has regretted the day he walked away from his family and will do anything to win them back. Can Elizabeth forgive someone who has committed the unforgivable? Or are there some wounds that go so deep they can never heal?

EXCERPT:

Christian froze when he realized he was too late; he’d done too much harm. He stood silently and watched the man who was only supposed to be her friend sit in the spot where he should have been. He watched Matthew adoring the girl who deserved every touch and embrace, the girl who deserved a man better than he knew himself to be. She deserved a man like Matthew who had stepped up and filled the place Christian should never have stepped away from.

He allowed the pain to well up in his chest, and he said a silent goodbye to the girl he would always love. He stepped back and let the door close between them. As he escaped down the hall, he trained his attention on the floor, not allowing himself to look through the large glass window where he knew his child slept. He knew if he saw, he would never be able to walk away.

Elizabeth was taken care of and happy, and for once, Christian would do something that he wasn’t doing for himself.

After all, it was for the best.

Title: If Forever Comes (Take This Regret #2)
Author: A.L. Jackson
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing, 294 Pages (September 19th, 2013)
Add to: Goodreads
Order here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK, iTunes, KOBO

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling The Regret Series
Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved.

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other.

But life is never easy.

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family. 

EXCERPT:

I pushed her up against the window. Elizabeth grunted. She sagged against the expansive sheet of glass, the perfect lines of her body silhouetted against the backdrop of the city that seemed to echo my past, the memories so thick, they seemed almost alive.

I took a step back and let my eyes wander over the one who inhabited them all.

Gradually the lines of that beautiful face came into focus, and for a moment, my gaze got lost in the amber warmth of her soft brown eyes. Devotion pumped steadily through my veins. I loved her. Loved her with everything, with my life, with my soul.

And I was going to spend my entire life proving it to her.

My actions were slow and deliberate as I knelt down in front of her, watching the way her lips parted when I did. I slipped my hands under the hem of her dress, ran them up the softness of her thighs and around to cup her perfect, round bottom, my fingers brushing lace and satin. Her dress was all bunched up on my forearms as I hiked it around her hips. The long length of her toned legs were exposed as she stood there trembling in her boots.

“You have the sweetest ass, Elizabeth,” I whispered as I burrowed my fingers into the delicate flesh. There was no stopping the overwhelming rush of need that burned through my system when I touched her this way. Flames licked at my skin and pulsed heat into my veins.

Every single inch of my body hardened.

“You always have,” I said as I stared up at her. “Do you know that? The first time I saw you ten years ago in that little cafe, all I could think about was finding out what you had hidden underneath your clothes. And it’s perfection, Elizabeth. Every inch of you is perfection.”

Elizabeth watched down on me with dark, hungry eyes. Deliberately my hand slid around to her front. My tongue darted out to wet my lips as I nudged her legs farther apart. I ran my knuckles over the scrap of dampened lace between her thighs.

Vibrations shook her, and she grasped my shoulders for support. “Christian,” pushed from her lungs in a quiet plea, her fingers desperate as they curled in my shirt.

My name on her tongue sounded like heaven.

I suppressed a pained groan and let my hands trail back down her legs to the top of her boots. I sat back a little, one knee on the floor and the other bent with my foot planted in front of me. I brought her foot up to rest on my knee. “I want you to remember this night, Elizabeth.” Slowly I dragged the zipper down the inside of her leg to her ankle. The distinct sound infiltrating the hush of the room slammed me with a shot of lust, curled as the tightest knot in the pit of my stomach. I had to will myself to keep it under control, to go slow, because I wanted to savor this night. “I want you to forever remember the first time I make love to you in the city where we started all those years ago.”

About the Author:

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including If Forever Comes, Pulled and When We Collide, as well as the New Adult Romance Come To Me Quietly due out January 7, 2014.

She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.

Find A.L. Online:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Author Amazon Page