DNF Books {1}

DNF = did-not-finish.

These posts aren't meant as reviews, but only to state why you might have seen me reading a book through my Goodreads gadget on the sidebar, but never got a review for it (because I do want to review every book I read).

Title: UnEarthed

Author: Rebecca Bloomer

Release Date: July 2nd 2012

Publisher: Odyssey Books

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads

How far I got: 21%

Why I didn't finish this: I couldn't tolerate the main character. Now, you might have seen this being my same reason for hating books but still finishing them i.e. here, here, or here, but in this case, the writing didn't make the story appealing for me, so I just didn't have a reason to go on. 

Do I recommend this: If you're really into sci-fi.

Title: Tempestuous: A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's The Tempest (Twisted Lit #1)

Author: Kim Askew & Amy Helmes

Release Date: December 18th 2012

Publisher: Merit Press

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads

How far I got: 25%

Why I didn't finish this: The story was slow to take off. For me, it's important to immediately entice the reader to continue reading, especially with contemps. The first 20% of Tempestuous was spent introducing a myriad of unessential characters, and by the time the snowed-in part of the blurb happened, I still couldn't find a reason to sympathize with the main character. Also, said main character often felt superior to her "geeks and misfits" co-workers at the mall, and that irritated me.
Do I recommend this: Only if you're patient.

Title: Cephrael's Hand (A Pattern of Shadow & Light #1)

Author: Melissa McPhail

Release Date: September 22nd 2010

Publisher: Outskirts Press

Source: ecopy for blog tour

Goodreads

How far I got: Can't check anymore.

Why I didn't finish this: Slow. Too much vagueness right off the bat. Just too damn long. 

Do I recommend this: If you can handle the length (like GRRM's A Song of Ice and Fire books, but FYI, I loved those books).

Title: Talisman of El (Talisman of El #1)

Author: Alecia Stone

Release Date: May 20th 2012

Publisher: Centrinian Publishing

Source: NetGalley (for blog tour)

Goodreads

How far I got: 19%

Why I didn't finish this: I honestly don't know. The story, writing, and characters were all good, but I got bored.

Do I recommend this: Yes. This just wasn't for me, I guess.

(covers and book data from Goodreads.com)

Waiting on Wednesday {8}: Tempestuous

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where bloggers post about much-awaited releases!

Title: Tempestuous: A Modern-Day Spin on Shakespeare's The Tempest (Twisted Lit #1)

Author: Kim Askew & Amy Helmes

Release Date: December 18th 2012

Publisher: Merit Press

Recently banished, unfairly, by the school’s popular crowd, former “it girl,” Miranda Prospero, finds herself in a brave new world: holding dominion amongst a rag-tag crew of geeks and misfits where she works at the Hot-Dog Kabob in the food court of her local mall. When the worst winter storm of the season causes mall workers and last-minute shoppers to be snowed-in for the night, Miranda seizes the opportunity to get revenge against the catty clique behind her social exile. With help from her delightfully dweeby coworker, Ariel, and a sullen loner named Caleb who works at the mall’s nearby gaming and magic shop, Miranda uses charm and trickery to set things to right during this spirited take on Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

Stories about revenge always intrigue me - probably because I've never had a reason for it - as do classic retellings. Now, a classic retelling about revenge? You don't know how stoked I am to read Tempestuous! I got accepted for an eARC at NetGalley so I'll be reading this some time near the release date ♥
(photo and summary from Goodreads.com)