Zara Hoffman's Blog: Zara Hoffman's Goodreads Author Blog, page 32
August 20, 2015
Book Review: Poison by Lan Chan
About the Book 
Since the night her mother was murdered, sixteen-year-old Rory Gray has known one truth: There are no good Seeders.
In post-apocalyptic Australia, the scientists known as Seeders have built a Citadel surrounded by food-producing regions and populated with refugees from the wars and famine. To maintain their control, the Seeders poisoned the land and outlawed the saving of seeds.
It’s been six years since Rory graced the Seeders’ circus stage as the Wind Dancer and still the scars on her body haven’t healed. Even worse are the scars on her heart, left by a Seeder boy who promised to protect her.
Now the Seeders are withholding supplies from Rory’s region for perceived disobedience. Utilising the Wanderer knowledge she received from her mother, Rory must journey to the Citadel through uninhabitable terrain to plead for mercy.
However, the Citadel isn’t as Rory remembered. The chief plant geneticist is dying and rumours fly that the store of viable seed is dwindling. The Seeders are desperate to find a seed bank they believe Rory can locate, and they will stop at nothing to get it.
To defy the Seeders means death. But Rory has been close to death before--this time she’s learned the value of poison.
Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games, strong protagonists, circuses and nature!
Add On Goodreads My Review
Holy cow, I think I may have a heart attack. Not for ONE MOMENT did this book let up from the first page, and not even until the last because it was a killer cliff-hanger and I want the next book in the Wind Dancer series immediately. The only down side of reading so quickly in my opinion.
I really can't say much more about the plot than what's already included in the book description (above) without giving stuff away, but let me say this: not only did I read this fast, but I also am now paranoid about everyone but one character in this book. And that's the main and POV character. Lan Chan writes so well that even when you think you know a character, or can predict what's going to happen, BAM you're hit sideways. And let me tell you, it takes a lot to do that to me (I have a very accurate sixth sense with those kinds of tricks). And it didn't totally fail me, I'd get certain things right, only to completely miscalculate others. And that was fun for a change. The only other book to recently do that for me was Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci.
Anyway, put this book on your TBR list and buy it as soon as it comes out. You won't regret it! About the Author
"My name is Lan (pronounced La-r-n).
I live in Melbourne Australia. By day I'm a not so mild mannered public servant, but by night I turn into a crazy, book obsessed reader who trawls book review blogs and loves reading what other people have to say about my favourite books.
I enjoy a wide range of books but have found that my favourites are YA urban fantasy, conventional fantasy and sci-fi books.
I am an aspiring writer who is currently working on two YA novels that I promise I will finish one day.When I am not writing or reading, you can be sure to find me on the couch catching up on my favourite TV shows (Gossip Girl & Glee) or out in the garden where I get a lot of my thinking done.
The Write Obsession is my outlet to discuss all things reading and writing related, and occasionally movies, when my obsession bleeds over to the big screen. Better here where I can find people on the same wavelength than chew off my husbands ear about my latest YA love triangle angst. Am I right?
If you're also a book lover or writer, please feel free to hang around and join me in my obsession. Hey! It's not crazy if there's more than one of us...is it?" ~ The Write Obsession Blog
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Since the night her mother was murdered, sixteen-year-old Rory Gray has known one truth: There are no good Seeders. In post-apocalyptic Australia, the scientists known as Seeders have built a Citadel surrounded by food-producing regions and populated with refugees from the wars and famine. To maintain their control, the Seeders poisoned the land and outlawed the saving of seeds.
It’s been six years since Rory graced the Seeders’ circus stage as the Wind Dancer and still the scars on her body haven’t healed. Even worse are the scars on her heart, left by a Seeder boy who promised to protect her.
Now the Seeders are withholding supplies from Rory’s region for perceived disobedience. Utilising the Wanderer knowledge she received from her mother, Rory must journey to the Citadel through uninhabitable terrain to plead for mercy.
However, the Citadel isn’t as Rory remembered. The chief plant geneticist is dying and rumours fly that the store of viable seed is dwindling. The Seeders are desperate to find a seed bank they believe Rory can locate, and they will stop at nothing to get it.
To defy the Seeders means death. But Rory has been close to death before--this time she’s learned the value of poison.
Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games, strong protagonists, circuses and nature!
Add On Goodreads My Review
Holy cow, I think I may have a heart attack. Not for ONE MOMENT did this book let up from the first page, and not even until the last because it was a killer cliff-hanger and I want the next book in the Wind Dancer series immediately. The only down side of reading so quickly in my opinion.I really can't say much more about the plot than what's already included in the book description (above) without giving stuff away, but let me say this: not only did I read this fast, but I also am now paranoid about everyone but one character in this book. And that's the main and POV character. Lan Chan writes so well that even when you think you know a character, or can predict what's going to happen, BAM you're hit sideways. And let me tell you, it takes a lot to do that to me (I have a very accurate sixth sense with those kinds of tricks). And it didn't totally fail me, I'd get certain things right, only to completely miscalculate others. And that was fun for a change. The only other book to recently do that for me was Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci.
Anyway, put this book on your TBR list and buy it as soon as it comes out. You won't regret it! About the Author
"My name is Lan (pronounced La-r-n).I live in Melbourne Australia. By day I'm a not so mild mannered public servant, but by night I turn into a crazy, book obsessed reader who trawls book review blogs and loves reading what other people have to say about my favourite books.
I enjoy a wide range of books but have found that my favourites are YA urban fantasy, conventional fantasy and sci-fi books.
I am an aspiring writer who is currently working on two YA novels that I promise I will finish one day.When I am not writing or reading, you can be sure to find me on the couch catching up on my favourite TV shows (Gossip Girl & Glee) or out in the garden where I get a lot of my thinking done.
The Write Obsession is my outlet to discuss all things reading and writing related, and occasionally movies, when my obsession bleeds over to the big screen. Better here where I can find people on the same wavelength than chew off my husbands ear about my latest YA love triangle angst. Am I right?
If you're also a book lover or writer, please feel free to hang around and join me in my obsession. Hey! It's not crazy if there's more than one of us...is it?" ~ The Write Obsession Blog
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
My Favorite Books
Eve: The Awakening by Jenna Moreci My Review
Fire of Stars and Dragons
by Melissa A. Petreshock My ReviewPoison by Lan Chan My Review
Throne of Glass
Series by Sarah J. Maas
The Kiss of Deception
by Mary E. Pearson My ReviewHarry Potter Series by JK Rowling (Favorite was #6,
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
) My Review
The Giver
by Lois Lowry My ReviewPride and Prejudice by Jane Austen My ReviewWhat are your favorite books? Comment below.
August 12, 2015
Release Day Blitz: EVE: THE AWAKENING
About the Book
Eve is an outcast. A chimera.After years of abuse and rejection, 19-year-old Evelyn Kingston is ready for a fresh start in a new city, where no one knows her name. The esteemed Billington University in sunny Southern California seems like the perfect place to reinvent herself—to live the life of an ordinary human.
But things at Billington aren’t as they seem. In a school filled with prodigies, socialites, and the leaders of tomorrow, Eve finds that the complex social hierarchy makes passing as a human much harder than she had anticipated. Even worse, Billington is harboring a secret of its own: Interlopers have infiltrated the university, and their sinister plans are targeted at chimeras—like Eve.
Instantly, Eve’s new life takes a drastic turn. In a time filled with chaos, is the world focusing on the wrong enemy? And when the situation at Billington shifts from hostile to dangerous, will Eve remain in the shadows, or rise up and fight?
Preview | Goodreads | Amazon | Kindle My Review + Teasers About the Author
Jenna Moreci is a new adult author, vlogger extraordinaire, nerd-incognito, and alleged cyborg. She specializes in writing adorable, romantic goodness punctuated by moments of extreme violence and bloodshed. Her sanity is questionable.Some of Jenna’s other talents include prolific cursing, spilling/dropping things, accidentally making people cry, and drawing.
Website | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
More Teasers
July 20, 2015
Book Review: EVE: THE AWAKENING
**Warning: In honor of Jenna Moreci's M.O., there will be cursing in this post** About the Book 
Eve is an outcast. A chimera.
After years of abuse and rejection, 19-year-old Evelyn Kingston is ready for a fresh start in a new city, where no one knows her name. The esteemed Billington University in sunny Southern California seems like the perfect place to reinvent herself—to live the life of an ordinary human.
But things at Billington aren’t as they seem. In a school filled with prodigies, socialites, and the leaders of tomorrow, Eve finds that the complex social hierarchy makes passing as a human much harder than she had anticipated. Even worse, Billington is harboring a secret of its own: Interlopers have infiltrated the university, and their sinister plans are targeted at chimeras—like Eve.
Instantly, Eve’s new life takes a drastic turn. In a time filled with chaos, is the world focusing on the wrong enemy? And when the situation at Billington shifts from hostile to dangerous, will Eve remain in the shadows, or rise up and fight?
Read a Preview | Goodreads | Preorder for Kindle My Review
HOLY SHIT!
I've been thinking that phrase over and over again ever since I discovered Jenna Moreci on Youtube way back in April (or March, who the hell even knows?). I always loved her writing-advice videos, her personality, and her book didn't disappoint (I mean, with all the tips she vlogs about, that would have SUCKED). But it didn't, so we're all good.
Now, I don't want to spoil this kick-ass novel because it has one HELL of a plot that you'd kill me for telling you the end. But what I can say is that Evelyn "Eve" Kingston is one of the best heroines I've read in a novel in a long time! I finished the first 12 chapters within 1.5 hours way back in April when I BEGGED Jenna to send me the first 12 chapters before she staged an intervention and told me to wait like the rest of her street team to get the book (which happened yesterday).
I finished the rest of the book within an hour because it was THAT good and suspenseful—the woman knows how to get your heart racing to near dangerous levels. The last few chapters were even more stressful than usual. And what an end it was! Read some of the teasers below and if those don't have you DYING to know what happens, then I don't know what else to say to you besides the fact that we probably don't share the same taste in books.
To everyone who does like the teasers and book description, I say PREORDER NOW and prepare for one crazy adventure come August 12th! A Sh*t-Ton of Teasers About the Author
Jenna Moreci is a new adult author, vlogger extraordinaire, nerd-incognito, and alleged cyborg. She specializes in writing adorable, romantic goodness punctuated by moments of extreme violence and bloodshed. Her sanity is questionable.
Some of Jenna’s other talents include prolific cursing, spilling/dropping things, accidentally making people cry, and drawing.
Website | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Eve is an outcast. A chimera.After years of abuse and rejection, 19-year-old Evelyn Kingston is ready for a fresh start in a new city, where no one knows her name. The esteemed Billington University in sunny Southern California seems like the perfect place to reinvent herself—to live the life of an ordinary human.
But things at Billington aren’t as they seem. In a school filled with prodigies, socialites, and the leaders of tomorrow, Eve finds that the complex social hierarchy makes passing as a human much harder than she had anticipated. Even worse, Billington is harboring a secret of its own: Interlopers have infiltrated the university, and their sinister plans are targeted at chimeras—like Eve.
Instantly, Eve’s new life takes a drastic turn. In a time filled with chaos, is the world focusing on the wrong enemy? And when the situation at Billington shifts from hostile to dangerous, will Eve remain in the shadows, or rise up and fight?
Read a Preview | Goodreads | Preorder for Kindle My Review
HOLY SHIT!I've been thinking that phrase over and over again ever since I discovered Jenna Moreci on Youtube way back in April (or March, who the hell even knows?). I always loved her writing-advice videos, her personality, and her book didn't disappoint (I mean, with all the tips she vlogs about, that would have SUCKED). But it didn't, so we're all good.
Now, I don't want to spoil this kick-ass novel because it has one HELL of a plot that you'd kill me for telling you the end. But what I can say is that Evelyn "Eve" Kingston is one of the best heroines I've read in a novel in a long time! I finished the first 12 chapters within 1.5 hours way back in April when I BEGGED Jenna to send me the first 12 chapters before she staged an intervention and told me to wait like the rest of her street team to get the book (which happened yesterday).
I finished the rest of the book within an hour because it was THAT good and suspenseful—the woman knows how to get your heart racing to near dangerous levels. The last few chapters were even more stressful than usual. And what an end it was! Read some of the teasers below and if those don't have you DYING to know what happens, then I don't know what else to say to you besides the fact that we probably don't share the same taste in books.
To everyone who does like the teasers and book description, I say PREORDER NOW and prepare for one crazy adventure come August 12th! A Sh*t-Ton of Teasers About the Author
Jenna Moreci is a new adult author, vlogger extraordinaire, nerd-incognito, and alleged cyborg. She specializes in writing adorable, romantic goodness punctuated by moments of extreme violence and bloodshed. Her sanity is questionable.Some of Jenna’s other talents include prolific cursing, spilling/dropping things, accidentally making people cry, and drawing.
Website | Youtube | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
July 19, 2015
July 11, 2015
Put It In Ink
7/9/15: So, if you've been following my Instagram or Facebook Page, you'll know I got a tattoo yesterday. I've been thinking about it for a while, finally convinced my mom to let me, and had a consultation scheduled for Thursday night at East Side Ink. I wasn't expecting more than a conversation, but when my tattoo artist said he was free to do it right then and there, I agreed (after briefly worrying about not having taken a pain killer before hand).
It turns out that it wasn't as painful as I expected. In fact, besides a few real sensitive areas, the worst was a figment of my imagination. I've known this for a long time since I gave myself nightmares starting when I was 4. Thankfully, one of the reasons I knew I could stand getting a tattoo was because of a bunch of medical needles I've had to endure for the past number of years. I guess it trained me to not be scared of needles anymore.
Below you can see the first 3 photos of my wrist (the order is left to right on each row), and I'll be updating for the next 3 weeks or so during the healing period in which I need to clean my wrist, keep it out of the sun, and not poke at it. I wound up getting an infinity sign with a feather in the middle. To me it's a non-obvious writer's quill and also a symbol of freedom.
For anyone who is thinking of getting a tattoo, think long and hard about it. I thought about it for 5 years. You need to be sure you get what you want, in the correct size, orientation, and place. Because let's face it even though there's laser removal (which apparently hurts more than getting the tattoo itself), for all intents and purposes, this is permanent.
Do you have a tattoo? If so, of what? If not, would you ever consider getting one and of what? Comment below and send to any friends you think might have cool answers.
It turns out that it wasn't as painful as I expected. In fact, besides a few real sensitive areas, the worst was a figment of my imagination. I've known this for a long time since I gave myself nightmares starting when I was 4. Thankfully, one of the reasons I knew I could stand getting a tattoo was because of a bunch of medical needles I've had to endure for the past number of years. I guess it trained me to not be scared of needles anymore.
Below you can see the first 3 photos of my wrist (the order is left to right on each row), and I'll be updating for the next 3 weeks or so during the healing period in which I need to clean my wrist, keep it out of the sun, and not poke at it. I wound up getting an infinity sign with a feather in the middle. To me it's a non-obvious writer's quill and also a symbol of freedom.
For anyone who is thinking of getting a tattoo, think long and hard about it. I thought about it for 5 years. You need to be sure you get what you want, in the correct size, orientation, and place. Because let's face it even though there's laser removal (which apparently hurts more than getting the tattoo itself), for all intents and purposes, this is permanent.
Do you have a tattoo? If so, of what? If not, would you ever consider getting one and of what? Comment below and send to any friends you think might have cool answers.
A photo posted by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Jul 9, 2015 at 5:53pm PDT
Immediately after the bandage came off#nofilter my tattoo the morning after
A photo posted by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Jul 10, 2015 at 4:32am PDT
#nofilter #tattoo by @geraldfeliciano at @eastsideinktattoo
A photo posted by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Jul 9, 2015 at 7:44pm PDT
#nofilter Day 3: swelling is all gone and so is all the irritated, red skin
A photo posted by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Jul 11, 2015 at 5:15am PDT
July 10, 2015
#FBHop
click to add your link Have you noticed that your Book Blog's Facebook page views are miniscule compared to the number of "LIKES" your page has? Let's try and improve your page views! We are attempting to make Fridays "Facebook Hop Friday". If you have a book blog and a facebook page and would like to see more page views on your facebook page AND discover new blogs in the process, Join our #FBHop! This is just like a Blog Hop but instead of linking your blog, link your facebook page! When you get a free 10 minutes on Friday check out some of the other Book Blog's facebook pages linked up below and give them a like and a comment on one or more of their posts and hopefully they'll do the same in return! :)Facebook Hop Friday was inspired by Boost It Tuesday! Between these two FB link ups your pages should be seeing all kinds of improved page views! ;)
Please help us get the word out about this by Tweeting or posting it (ha!) to your Facebook. :) 1. ME Read A Lot
2. Talina Perkins
3. La Jersey Chika Reads Indie Books
4. My Naughty Reads
5. Jessica L. Brooks
6. Back Seats and Airports
7. Bestie Book Blog 8. Bookgatherer
9. Magan Vernon
10. Eli Copper
11. Tina, The Bookworm
12. A. M. Willard
13. Zara Hoffman (me) Add Your Link
July 8, 2015
On My Way
As you can read from my caption, I've been waiting to share this for a long time. Today, not only did I register for my first semester of college, but I also rented some of the class materials from Chegg.com (highly recommend for good prices) and my college book store for the things that weren't available anywhere else. And a few weeks ago, I found out that the girl I requested to be my roommate will, in fact, be my roommate. All in all, it looks like my first year in college will be a good one and I'm super excited!A photo posted by Zara Hoffman (@zarahoffman) on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:29am PDT
June 26, 2015
Love Wins
When I am back at my computer on Sunday, I will revise this post to be much longer and picture-filled, but I would like to announce my overwhelming joy at the Supreme Court's ruling in honor of same-sex marriage in the United States. As a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community since I learned the word "gay" when I was 5, this is something I've been hoping would happen for a long time. And honestly, it's a dream come true for me and my mom because our homosexual friends and family are now okay to marry wherever they are in the U.S. (As long as it's not a discriminatory church, temple, or mosque). So, congratulations America, for taking strides to live up to the promise of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" for all.
That is all for now.
June 12, 2015
Graduation and Beyond
click for more entries I know we haven't really posted an update in a while. The end of school got super crazy and planning about going to college has been just as busy. But now that I graduated from high school (yesterday), I'm ready to devote my summer to fixing
The Belgrave Legacy
and continue working on
The Matchmakers
as well as my organization Our Hope Is Here.
