Random Musings (5): The Dreaded DNFs

I haven't been posting regularly or oftenly of late cause of studies, but I'm not cut off from the amazing book community online (thank the Gods for Feedly), so recently I've been seeing more and more book bloggers posting about books that they've reluctantly chucked into their Did-Not-Finish (DNF) piles (one such blogger is JoAnne at The Fairytale Nerd). It's such a mean and cruel shelf, but because of stupid time constraints and exams (ugh), homeworks (UGH), and such, I just don't want to spare (not waste :/) the precious reading times I have when I'm travelling or having a meal on books that I really have no interest in anymore cause I'm a super slow reader and when I lose interest in a book, I go at a pace beyond glacial and painful - like 1 book/month or thereabout. (SORRY!! If I offended anyone.)

So, here's my list (please voice your opinions on any cause I do want to shorten my pile!):




Young Adult

ACID by Emma Pass
Blurb from Goodreads:

2113. In Jenna Strong’s world, ACID – the most brutal, controlling police force in history – rule supreme. No throwaway comment or muttered dissent goes unnoticed – or unpunished. And it was ACID agents who locked Jenna away for life, for a bloody crime she struggles to remember.

The only female inmate in a violent high-security prison, Jenna has learned to survive by any means necessary. And when a mysterious rebel group breaks her out, she must use her strength, speed and skill to stay one step ahead of ACID – and to uncover the truth about what really happened on that dark night two years ago.

I started this quite awhile back. It started off not bad! It was exciting and all until approximately 48% where I stopped and the action tapered off.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
Blurb from Goodreads:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Such a pretty and mysterious cover with an exotic backdrop (Prague!!) and names, but this one was pretty much up and down for me. Not much ups, and it got really, really, really dull around 70%. I'm suprised I lasted that long.

False Memory by Dan Krokos
Blurb from Goodreads:

Miranda wakes up alone on a park bench with no memory. In her panic, she releases a mysterious energy that incites pure terror in everyone around her. Except Peter, a boy who isn’t at all surprised by Miranda’s shocking ability.

Left with no choice but to trust this stranger, Miranda discovers she was trained to be a weapon and is part of an elite force of genetically-altered teens who possess flawless combat skills and powers strong enough to destroy a city. But adjusting to her old life isn’t easy—especially with Noah, the boyfriend she can’t remember loving.

Then Miranda uncovers a dark truth that sets her team on the run. Suddenly her past doesn’t seem to matter... when there may not be a future.

Dan Krokos’ debut is a tour-de-force of non-stop action that will leave readers begging for the next book in this bold and powerful new series.

I didn't even last more than 15%! Such an intriguing, exciting and promising premise! But it got so boring.

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck
Blurb from Goodreads:

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

Everyone seemed to like this one! And wow, India and tigers!! But I don't know, I just kinda lost ALL interest at 57%... I even had the second book on hand already. :/

Cover Reveal + Excerpt: My Super Sweet 16th Century by Rachel Harris

My Super Sweet 16th Century
By Rachel Harris
Expected Publication Date: September 11th, 2012

The Blurb

On the precipice of her sixteenth birthday, the last thing lone wolf Cat Crawford wants is an extravagant gala thrown by her bubbly stepmother and well-meaning father. So even though Cat knows the family’s trip to Florence, Italy, is a peace offering, she embraces the magical city and all it offers. But when her curiosity leads her to an unusual gypsy tent, she exits . . . right into Renaissance Firenze.

Thrust into the sixteenth century armed with only a backpack full of contraband future items, Cat joins up with her ancestors, the sweet Alessandra and protective Cipriano, and soon falls for the gorgeous aspiring artist Lorenzo. But when the much-older Niccolo starts sniffing around, Cat realizes that an unwanted birthday party is nothing compared to an unwanted suitor full of creeptastic amore.

Can she find her way back to modern times before her Italian adventure turns into an Italian forever?

Preordering is now available at: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

An Excerpt

        I hear their muffled whispers and understand every Italian word. Every witty comment made at my expense.

        It’s like my brain is automatically translating.

        I bunch the soft fabric of the dress in my hand and then reach up to feel the ribbon in my hair. I lightly skim my fingers over my chin and feel my lack of zit. I take in the costumes of the crowd, the stench of the animals, and the Italian I can now speak and understand. And suddenly it hits me.

       Reyna must have pulled some kind of gypsy mojo.

       Maybe this is one of those nifty “change your life” magic scenarios like in the movies. I mean, mostly I’m still expecting to blink and be right back in the midst of overpriced, gaudy tourism, but for now, the gypsy-time-warp explanation is infinitely better than thinking I’ve lost my mind. As I decide to go with that option, I feel my frantic tension melt away.

       The growing crowd seems to notice my change in demeanor and begins shooting one another amused looks, but I don’t care anymore. A smile stretches across my face. Evidently, I was wrong earlier; Reyna is a psychic mind reader, because if this is her special brand of bibbity-bobbity-boo, then she made my exact daydream from earlier in the courtyard come to life.

        The long red gown, the braided hair, the Italian merchant’s daughter, the time period. I am in Renaissance Florence.

        I stare dumbly at the ground, the words and reality sinking in.

        I’m in Renaissance Florence!

My Thoughts

Another River of Time series????!!!!! SIGN ME UP! Damn, it sounds SO good, and so like Lisa Tawn Bergren's River of Time series that I just have to get this once it's out. Just that this one would be without all the battles and glory, fighting alongside hot knights and lords, but oh well, it may even be better, but all I can do now is cross my fingers and hope that it's as good as I'm anticipating it to be. :D

About the cover...HAHA what's up with the sunglasses and the hair! I know it's supposed to create a contrast between it and the Victorian style dress, accessories and background, but it still looks odd. Isn't hair that are not bundled up considered to be like, prostitute style? I don't read much about the Victorian era, so I'm not that learned in this area. But if I am right, Cat, you'd better be careful now that you're there!

Lol, ok I'm being lame. So, anyway, I am very excited about this book. Are you? What do you think of the cover? :)

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See anything that caught your eye? If so, you can find out more about Rachel and her novels here:

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