giveaway flash: win 2 chapters of rosie!

I just want to share something with you guys, a-16 years old Debut Author Mariam Maarouf will publish a novel entitled Rosie in January 2011. I love the stunning cover and also blurb of the story. I think it's intriguing and it sets in Egypt! Oh I love thee!

Here's the blurb (from Goodreads);


In life, nothing is the same as it seems. People create masks –identities – to hide who they really are –some for noble reasons, or nefarious ones, but only a tiny fraction because they must. Alessandra and Damien, or Rosalie and Daniel, were once the Princess and Prince of La Pacifica until they were forced out of the beautiful island. Eight months flew by, and they finally began to settle in Alexandria, Egypt, when they found out that they didn’t leave their past behind them, and that they were both wanted urgently. Dead.


Here's the Trailer:



So, starting 10/15 and for two weeks (until 31-Oct-2010), you can enter a contest to win a digital, signed, 2 chapters (+prologue) preview of Rosie.

The contest OPEN INTERNATIONALLY. Heads up to her blog and enter. Just click HERE.

Hope you guys will put it on your BIG FAT PILE OF TBR LIST on Goodreads! (Well, who doesn't?)

the island by sarah singleton

Title: The Island
Author: Sarah Singleton
Pages: 294
Rating: 3.5/5
Source: Won from Sarah. Thanks!

Summary (from the back cover):

Otto, Jen and Charlotte are off to India for the trip of a lifetime. Arriving ahead of he others, Otto's soon enjoying the beach paradise they've all dreamed of. But when he discovers a girl dead in the shallows, he's suddenly thrust into the middle of a murder investigation. And then he disappears. As their dream holiday unravels, can Charlotte and Jen find their friend and prove his innocence-without putting themselves at risk?

My Thought:

I haven't read any young adult science fiction and thrillers before, and having a chance to read one, is a great opportunity to learn about something new in reading. When I read the blurb of the book, I think I must give a try.

Although I was looking forward to read the book, the starting point of reading from the the page one is like I'm pondering around what it is all about. Each chapter is narrated by each of them; Otto, Jen and Charlotte. They have their own distinct character by which Otto is acting like an easy-going person, love to explore some new place by himself first, but at the same time is a very loyal friend. His two best friends are Jen and Charlotte. I love Charlotte. She is sensible, attentive, reliable, and the most practical among three of them. Although sometime I think she acts like a boss, but she has to so that the three of them will make steps forward. On the other hand, Jen is a the most fragile and has a great sense of instinct. She knows that she is different and always knew that are great things upon her to find out the truth.

When Jen suggested they travel to India, Charlotte is somewhat kind of against it but accepted the idea later. However, when Otto disappeared and involved in a murder investigation, both of them started to investigate based on anything they found and also with a little help of Jen's strong instincts.

The story was not really that fast pace, quite a page turner to get the attention but need a little sometime to catch the interest. However, the author did a good job of describing Goa and it really kind of alluring and tempting, beautifully evoked. Added with great mystic and spiritual elements of mysteries about the Island which attracts Jen to be part of it. She always knew that Goa has something right for her all along, something pure that only few people in the world have the gift. It sounds unbelievable here, but believe me it quite make sense after they discover the truth. The book also has a great ordeal, action-packed wise, and a great mystery ahead and also a quest full of adventures.

Other than that, the closeness between the three of them is very open and they act like real best friends although there's might be a spark between each of them. But being friends seem a better solution to keep them together and happy. The ending is quite okay but I feel like it could be a good stand alone if it is not a series. But I can't wait to read the sequel too! Overall, it's really a worth reading and I will try to read her other books. Fully recommended to any young adult science fiction and speculative fiction.

*Credit: This review is taking part in Radiant Reviews, hosted by Crissie @ Chrissie Corner. Click HERE for more information

tag: you're it!

I was tagged by Jan @ Eating YA Books, Staci @ Novel Source and Cheryl @ CMash Loves To Read. Thanks a lot!

Rules of the game:

1) Accept the tag and link to the tagger at the beginning of your post.
2) Answer the questions honestly in your post by listing four things.
3) Pass on the love by picking four other people to tag and listing them at the bottom of your post. Notify them that you tagged them.

4 Things That Are In My Handbag:

a) a stationary case
b) my 5 years old purse from my fiancee on our anniversary
c) a notebook to scribble anything
d) my university student matric card

4 Favorite Things In My Bedroom:

a) My big pink pillow, a comfy whenever I land on the bed to sleep.
b) A weighing scale which I can weigh every time I think I eat a lot! and pray it'll be not more that 58 kgs!
c) A wardrobe which I don't really consider it my favorite but it's already fix in my room.
d) A coffee-maker which is illegal for a student to own one in a room accept the one they already facilitate at the pantry. Well, I can't live without coffee and sharing is not in my dictionary.LOL.

4 Things On My Desk:

a) My pink netbook
b) Piles of reference books, textbooks, notebooks. It's messy and I have to dig in every time I'm writing my research report.
c) My family picture and my fiancee's picture to remind me to be strong being far away from them furthering my study.
d) A big 2010 calender with a lot of crossed, reds and scribbles of due dates, meetings, and whatever I have to submit.

4 Things I've Always Wanted To Do (but haven't yet):

a) Further for PhD oversea (maybe UK or US)
b) Get married and have kids
c) Have a BIG mini library in my OWN house
d) Emm, write a book??

4 Things I Enjoy Very Much At The Moment:

a) Reading, reading, reading!
b) Studying? haha.
c) I'm anime and manga addict. I'm following Naruto and Bleach at the moment =)
d) Cooking and eating.

4 Songs I Can't Get Out Of My Head:

Err, my National Anthem??? I guess everybody wont get it out of their head even if they want too.

Like Jan, I don't really listen to music. I do listen, but not that much. Maybe when my fiancee ask me to listen to a certain song, than I will. And I'm a HUGE deaf-tone!

4 Things You Don't Know About Me:

a) I have a body weight problem a couple of years ago. I'm so scared of being fat since my friends are skinny. It was so pathetic and traumatic because I went in and out of hospital because of my crash diet. It was the stupidest thing I ever done.
b) I HATE dentist! I nearly faint when the dentist took off (is that the right term??) one of my teeth.
c) I love sports! I'm a netball player for my school and university. Also a football/soccer fan. Used to be a fan of Manchester United, then Liverpool, but now I've changed to Barcelona FC. =)
d) I don't know how to swim and I will not learn how, until I have the courage or when I have a strong motive to learn it.

4 Bloggers I am Tagging:

Shy @ The Bibliphile's Journal
CJ Alhafiz @ Coffee N Crackers
Nina @ J'dorehappyendings
Aly @ Fantasy4Eva

Tag You're It!