[FINISHED] Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Hi everyone! Dianne in here. I recently got an ARC of ROOMIES and I'm touring it. Thank you to Isa of Hachette Philippines for the ARC! You can find the list of tour participants below. Thank you to everyone who signed up! I will be updating the list with the links to their reviews once they're up.

Title: Roomies

Author: Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers

Date of Publication: December 24, 2013

It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.

Reviews

Dianne of Oops! I Read A Book Again

Kim of Divergent Gryffindor

Algel of Tea-rrific Reads

Nina of The Bookish Confections

Kai of Amaterasu Reads

Michelle of The Twins Read

Sab of Sab The Book Eater

Charlie of Letter Trails

The Pinoy Book Tours Christmas Party!

So who's excited for this?

You might've seen the slew of tweets / e-mails and surveys we've posted online in preparation for this party and we are finally (almost) done! We thank all bloggers/bookworms who signed up to join us on our small celebration and gathering of book lovers!

Here's what you need to know about the party:

The Venue: Dome Cafe, Shangri-La Plaza

The Date: December 8, 2013

Time: 12 noon to 3 pm

If you need directions on how to find Dome, the address is: 

Shop Number GD114, Level 1 Shangri-La Plaza Mall Shaw Blvd. cor EDSA
Wack Wack, Mandaluyong

A few FAQs for everyone:

What do I need to do to attend the party?

If you filled out the survey form we posted a few weeks ago, then you're in!

However, if you didn't and you want to attend the party still, we aren't saying no, although we can't guarantee you a seat since the venue can only accommodate 20. It might be too uncomfortable for you to stay standing for three whole hours and we don't want that!

We already have 23 people attending the party and 25 is the maximum, the place might be too cramped for everyone. Plus, you'll risk missing out on the Secret Santa event since we've already closed sign-ups for that recently. If you're okay with the cons and you just want to meet new friends/bloggers/fellow bookworms, then it's up to you to crash the party!

What is this Secret Santa shenanigans all about?

If you're familiar with monito monita, then you know what this is about. Think of it as an exchange gift activity, but we're adding a twist. Again, we've opened sign-ups for this a week ago and closed it recently. If you did fill out the form, then you're also in! We sent the details via e-mail since we have a special activity included. ;)

Can I still join Secret Santa?

Nope. Sorry, we've already closed sign-ups.

Can I crash join the party even though I didn't fill out the survey form?

See our explanation on the first question please.

Okay, so I filled out the survey form and the Secret Santa form, what do I need to bring on the day of the party?

A few things:

- Your lovely self (very important!)
- Your gift as a Secret Santa and that special something we talked about via e-mail
- Money for the food
- Your competitive spirit! Brush up on your skills about anything and everything YA!
- Extra YA books you are willing to let go (can be 1 or 5, it's up to you)
- Swag, if you have extra
- Candies

Competitive spirit? For what?

Because we have games, that's why! Unlike last year, it's going to be a wee bit more challenging and a little more fun!

What do I get for being... competitive?

Aside from being recognized as the smartest YA Pinoy Book Blogger? We have prizes. And they're good prizes. No, great prizes. We promise, it'll be worth fighting over!

What exactly are we going to do at the party?

Okay, here's how it'll roughly go:

- Socialize for a few minutes
- We play 1 game *
- We eat
- We play another game *
- We do the book pile
- We play one final game *
- We socialize some more

*All games have prizes, don't worry.

This party is a venue and an opportunity to be closer to your fellow Filipino YA book bloggers, so we will try to make time for all of you (and us) to get to know each other. We're a small group, but that doesn't mean we can't be a very friendly, close group. This is your chance to meet other readers with, if not the same then most probably similar taste in books as you do. Exchange recommendations, fangirl over hot, fictional boys, gossip about the latest scoops and scandals in the YA world (if such a thing exists), lament a book's less than stellar ending, it's all up to you.

-----

Whew, that was a long FAQ. If you still have questions about the party, feel free to leave a comment here, or if it's something you want to ask in private, shoot us an e-mail or tweet/send us a DM on twitter (@PinoyBookTours)!

See you at Dome Cafe!

PBT Secret Santa!

Are you excited for the Christmas Party? We are too! We'll be sending out the final details (hopefully) this weekend, so hang in there! I know you all want to be a part of this, and we thank you for that!

Now we are doing things old school, so if you are attending and you want to participate in PBT's Secret Santa in time for the party, just fill out the form below. And we'll be spicing things up a bit this year! You'll know once we start sending Secret Santa info. ;)

Important note: Please only fill out the form IF YOU ARE ATTENDING the party. If for some reason you can't make it, make sure to have your gift sent to the one assigned to you or give it to someone who can give it on your behalf.

Final update: all Secret Santa details have been sent to everyone. Sign-ups are now officially closed.

[FINISHED] Replica by Jenna Black

Hi Everyone, Maricar here! Pinoy Book Tours is offering Replica by Jenna Black for tour. The tour will run for one week, from November 11 - 17, 2013, and will have one stop per day. It will be a review tour only.

There will be one physical copy available for this tour, so make sure you can read and pass the book to the next blogger on time. Check our rules and regulations for more details.

Title: Replica
Author: Jenna Black

Genre: YA, Science Fiction / Dystopia
Publisher: Tor Teen
Date of Publication: July 16, 2013

Sixteen-year-old Nadia Lake comes from a high-class Executive family in the Corporate States. Her marriage has been arranged with the most powerful family in her state, which means she lives a life of privilege but also of public scrutiny, followed everywhere by photographers, every detail of her private life tabloid fodder. But her future is assured, as long as she can maintain her flawless public image — no easy feat when your betrothed is a notorious playboy.

Nathan Hayes is the heir of Paxco — controller of the former state of New York, and creator of human replication technology, science that every state and every country in the world would kill to have. Though Nadia and Nate aren’t in love, they’ve grown up close, and they (and the world) are happy enough with their match.

Until Nate turns up dead, and as far as everyone knows, Nadia was the last person to see him alive.

When the new Nate wakes up in the replication tanks, he knows he must have died, but with a memory that only reaches to his last memory backup, he doesn’t know what killed him. Together, Nadia and Nate must discover what really happened without revealing the secrets that those who run their world would kill to protect.

To sign-up just comment below with your contact details or you can leave a message for me via twitter @blackplumetwits. Once the blog hosts have been chosen and the tour schedule is finalized I will update this post with the list as well as email all the chosen bloggers.

UPDATE: 

Thank you for all those who signed up! Here's the tour schedule:

November 11, 2013 - Maricar of Blackplume

November 13, 2013 - Dani of Book Whales

November 14, 2013 - Michelle & Nicole of The Twins Reads

November 16, 2013 - Cassandra of The Enigma of Herself

November 17, 2013 - Dianne of Oops! I Read A Book Again

[FINISHED] All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Dianne in here! Thank you to Disney Hyperion for the review copy!

Title: All Our Yesterdays

Author: Cristin Terrill

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Date of Publication: September 3, 2013

What would you change?

Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend, James, since they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it... at least, not as the girl she once was. Em and Marina are in a race against time that only one of them can win.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Reviews

Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs

Leslie of bibliophilekid

Precious of Fragments of Life

Kazhy of My Library in the Making

Dianne of Oops! I Read A Book Again

[FINISHED] Vortex (Tempest #2) by Julie Cross

Dianne in here! I am so excited to bring you Vortex by Julie Cross for tour! I held a tour for Tempest, the first book in the series, last year. Sorry to keep you waiting but better late than never! Thank you to Andrew and Sandra of Pan Macmillan Asia for the tour copies!

Title: Vortex (Tempest #2)

Author: Julie Cross

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Date of Publication: January 15, 2013

Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he's lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.

Thank you for all those who signed up! Here's the schedule!

[FINISHED] The Torn Wing (The Faerie Ring #2) by Kiki Hamilton

Hello Pinoy Book Bloggers!

If you are among the lucky ones who joined our The Faerie Ring tour last year, we are touring the sequel, The Torn Wing, this year! Personally, I am excited to know what happens to Prince Leopold, but mostly about the faeries too!

The Torn Wing (The Faerie Ring #2) by Kiki Hamilton

Publication Date: October 2nd 2012

Published by: Tor Teen

Genre: YA, Fantasy

London 1872 -

A bloody escape, a deadly threat, a shocking revelation...

As an orphan who stole the Queen's ring - only to find the ring was a reservoir that held a truce between the world of Faerie and the British Court - Tiki’s greatest fear suddenly becomes all too real: the fey have returned to London seeking revenge. As war escalates in the Otherworld, Queen Victoria’s youngest son, Prince Leopold, is attacked. In order to protect her family and those she loves, Tiki needs to know the meaning of an fáinne sí, the birthmark that winds around her wrist. But will she be brave enough to face the truth?

Reviews

Michelle of The Twins Read

[FINISHED] The Faerie Wing by Kiki Hamilton

We already toured this before but that won't stop us to tour it again! For those who aren't familiar with this awesome series from Kiki Hamilton, now is your chance! We are also holding a tour for The Torn Wing, the sequel to The Faerie Wing, so if you've read The Faerie Wing already, go sign up for The Torn Wing tour!

Title: The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Pages: 352

Release Date: September 27th 2011

Published by: Tor Teen/ Macmillan

Source: Author (Thanks, Kiki!)

Summary:

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…

Reviews

Michelle of The Twins Read

[FINISHED] Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Hi guys! Precious here. So today, I'm finally opening this tour. We've talked about this for many months before but now that there doesn't seem to be much activity in the next few months, I think: why not? This is one of my most favorite books ever. I hope you guys like it... (I posted the AU + UK cover since this is the copy we're using aka my extra copy.)

Title: Stormdancer (The Lotus War #1)

Author: Jay Kristoff

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia (AU)/St. Martin's Griffin (US)/Tor UK (UK)

Date of Publication: September 1, 2012

Genre: YA, Steampunk, Fantasy/Mythology (Japanese), Dystopia (for the dystopic society)

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

Below, you can find the schedule for the tour. Thank you to all those who signed up!

We also have a giveaway for a SIGNED book plate and bookmark! Thank you to Louisse of The Soul Sisters for sponsoring this giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[FINISHED] The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto

It's Dianne again, with yet another tour. Hee. Thank you to Claire of Fremantle Press for the copy we will be touring!

Title: The Mimosa Tree
Author: Antonella Preto
Publisher: Fremantle Press
Date of Publication: April 1, 2013

It’s the summer of 1987 and Mira is beginning her first year at uni. She’s got a radical new haircut, and an all-black wardrobe — she should be having the time of her life.

But it’s hard to get excited about anything when you’re being smothered by your crazy Italian family, enrolled in a course you’re not interested in, and expecting nuclear warfare at any moment.

Even a new best friend and the magnetic boy from art class can’t wipe away the image of a looming mushroom cloud. And Mira’s right. Her world is about to explode, but it’s not the skies she should be checking.

This tour will be a little different than the ones we usually host. Participants will still have THREE DAYS to read the book, after which they need to pass the book to the next participant. However, I won't be strict with the posting date. Participants must post their review WITHIN ONE WEEK after finishing or sending the book to the next person. This tour will also start as soon as I can ship the book to the first participant so around next week.

Here's the links to the reviews!

[FINISHED] The Originals by Cat Patrick

Hi y'all! It's Dianne in here with yet another tour for you! I recently read The Originals and loved it so I decided to tour it! Thanks to Jen of Hardie Grant Egmont for the copy we will be touring! So here are the deets on The Originals.

Title: The Originals

Author: Cat Patrick

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Date of Publication: May 1, 2013

Ella, Betsey and I look like sisters: triplets, you might think.

But that's not what we are at all.

We are clones in hiding. We split out lives and exist as one person in the outside world. And we've always been happy.

But now I've fallen in love ... and that changes everything.

Because to let love in, I need to be allowed to be Me.

This tour will be a little different than the ones we usually host. Participants will still have THREE DAYS to read the book, after which they need to pass the book to the next participant. However, I won't be strict with the posting date. Participants must post their review WITHIN ONE WEEK after finishing or sending the book to the next person. This tour will also start as soon as I can ship the book to the first participant so around next week.

Here's the links to the reviews!

[FINISHED] The Oathbreaker's Shadow by Amy McCulloch

Who's excited for this book? Kai and Precious are definitely on their toes for the release of this novel. And thanks to Random House UK, we are touring this one of a kind YA epic fantasy.

The Oathbreaker's Shadow (The Knots Sequence #1) by Amy McCulloch

Publication Date: June 4th 2013 

Published by: Random House Children's Publishers

Genre: YA, Adventure, High Fantasy

Fifteen-year-old Raim lives in a world where you tie a knot for every promise that you make. Break that promise and you are scarred for life, and cast out into the desert.

Raim has worn a simple knot around his wrist for as long as he can remember. No one knows where it came from, and which promise of his it symbolises, but he barely thinks about it at all—not since becoming the most promising young fighter ever to train for the elite Yun guard. But on the most important day of his life, when he binds his life to his best friend (and future king) Khareh, the string bursts into flames and sears a dark mark into his skin.

Scarred now as an oath-breaker, Raim has two options: run, or be killed.

A gripping YA action-adventure fantasy, the first part of a planned duology.

Below is the schedule for the tour. Thank you to all who signed up!

We'll also have a giveaway for an ARC of The Oathbreaker's Shadow!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

[FINISHED] The Rules by Stacey Kade

The Rules (Project Paper Doll #1) by Stacey Kade

Publication Date: April 23rd 2013

Published by: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: YA, Science Fiction, Dystopia

1. Never trust anyone.

2. Remember they are always searching.

3. Don’t get involved.

4. Keep your head down.

5. Don’t fall in love.

Five simple rules. Ariane Tucker has followed them since the night she escaped from the genetics lab where she was created, the result of combining human and extraterrestrial DNA. Ariane’s survival—and that of her adoptive father—depends on her ability to blend in among the full-blooded humans in a small Wisconsin town, to hide in plain sight at her high school from those who seek to recover their lost (and expensive) “project.”

But when a cruel prank at school goes awry, it puts her in the path of Zane Bradshaw, the police chief’s son and someone who sees too much. Someone who really sees her. After years of trying to be invisible, Ariane finds the attention frightening—and utterly intoxicating. Suddenly, nothing is simple anymore, especially not the rules…

Here is the schedule for this tour:

[FINISHED] Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Thanks to Jennifer of Hardie Grant Egmont, we will be touring Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil! Life in Outer Space is the first novel published through the Ampersand Project, Hardie Grant Egmont's initiative for emerging YA writers.

Title: Life in Outer Space

Author: Melissa Keil

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Date of Publication: February 1, 2013

Genre: contemporary YA

‘Full of energy, wit and tenderness; this is one big-hearted and unique book.’ - Leanne Hall

Sam Kinnison is a geek, and he’s totally fine with that. He has his horror movies, his nerdy friends, World of Warcraft – and until Princess Leia turns up in his bedroom, he doesn’t have to worry about girls.

Then Sam meets Camilla. She’s beautiful, friendly and completely irrelevant to his life. Sam is determined to ignore her, except that Camilla has a life of her own – and she’s decided that he’s going to be part of it.

Sam believes that everything he needs to know he can learn from the movies ... but now it looks like he’s been watching the wrong ones.

‘Hilarious and heartfelt.’ - Sally Rippin

Sign-ups are now closed.  Here's the schedule!

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you!

[FINISHED] Tour: Breaking Point (Article 5 # 2) by Kristen Simmons

Thanks again to Alexis of Tor Teen, we will also our the second installment of the Article 5 series!

Breaking Point (Article 5 #2) by Kristen Simmons
Publication Date: February 2nd 2013
Published by: Tor Teen
Genre: YA, Dystopia

The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

Friendly reminders:

• Sorry but the sign-ups for this tour is closed.
• Do not forget to fill out the PBT 2013 Survey, we also consider this survey form as a sign-up form for tours. If you have already signed-up as a PBT reviewer, make sure that your details in our 'database' is updated by informing us of new blog URLs/emails/twitter accounts.
• As you all know, each partipant of this tour, got his/her own copy. Tor Teen already sent them out. So if you still haven't received your copy, email us or simply tweet the person in charge of this tour, me @precious_shusky or if I'm not online, try @amaterasureads or @oopsireadagain

[FINISHED] Tour: Article 5 (Article 5 #1) by Kristen Simmons

Hi everyone! So last year, I started emailing for Article 5 and Breaking Point tours. We are so lucky to work with Tor Teen!

Article 5 (Aticle 5 #1) by Kristen Simmons
Publication Date: February 11th 2013(Paperback version)
Published by: Tor Teen
Genre: YA, Dystopia

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.

The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.

There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.

Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard for her to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.

Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow.

That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings—the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Friendly reminders:

• Sorry but the sign-ups for this tour is closed.
• Do not forget to fill out the PBT 2013 Survey, we also consider this survey form as a sign-up form for tours. If you have already signed-up as a PBT reviewer, make sure that your details in our 'database' is updated by informing us of new blog URLs/emails/twitter accounts.
• As you all know, each partipant of this tour, got his/her own copy. Tor Teen already sent them out. So if by next week, Wednesday, you still haven't received your copy, email us or simply tweet the person in charge of this tour, me @precious_shusky or if I'm not online, try @amaterasureads or @oopsireadagain

The Peculiar Blog Tour Schedule + Details

In collaboration with HarperCollins International and National Book Store, Pinoy Book Tours brings you the Philippine blog tour for The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, which starts tomorrow! If you're a fan of faeries and of old school technology, then this Middle Grade Steampunk Fantasy is for you!

This is the schedule of the posts for the entire tour:

Note to bloggers: There are four batches. Each one has a color code. Make sure you read the Legend at the bottom of the spreadsheet! Feel free to use this as your guide.



*The schedule may change should there be delays.

Three chances of winning!

Aside from reviews, guest posts and Q&A's with the author, there will also be giveaways and a huge scavenger hunt for everyone!

(1) At the end of the blog tour, there will be a Twitter Party. You can join for a chance to win a signed copy of The Peculiar + a skype chat with Stefan Bachman!

(2) PBT will also host separate giveaway for Filipino booklovers.

(3) There will be a huge scavenger hunt wherein other blogs involved in The Peculiar Blog tours in other countries will take part.


Precious, Kai & Dianne
Pinoy Book Tours Team