The Bookish Type

Review: The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe + Giveaway

2012-01-16T14:06:00.001-05:00

Release Date: January 24, 2012
Series: The Way We Fall #1
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Preorder: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

It starts with an itch you just can't shake.

Then comes a fever and a tickle in your throat.

A few days later, you'll be blabbing your secrets and chatting with strangers like they’re old friends. Three more, and the paranoid hallucinations kick in.

And then you're dead.

When a deadly virus begins to sweep through sixteen-year-old Kaelyn’s community, the government quarantines her island—no one can leave, and no one can come back.

Those still healthy must fight for dwindling supplies, or lose all chance of survival. As everything familiar comes crashing down, Kaelyn joins forces with a former rival and discovers a new love in the midst of heartbreak. When the virus starts to rob her of friends and family, she clings to the belief that there must be a way to save the people she holds dearest.

Because how will she go on if there isn't?

The Way We Fall is a grim, unflinching look at one girl’s fight for survival in an apocalytpic world. Though the journal-like narrative style seems rather simplistic at first, it ultimately proves an effective method of conveying Kaelyn’s doubts, fears, and slow loss of control over an unfathomable situation. Through the journal, readers see the secret thoughts that she hides from the rest of the world: strength tempered by insecurity, determination tempered by doubt, love tempered by loneliness. Kaelyn experiences tremendous growth over the course of the novel, and her resilience in the face of unimaginable loss is both awe-inspiring and believable. Her complexity and vulnerability make her the grounding force in a world thrown into chaos, and readers of all ages and experiences will see something of themselves in the conflicted young heroine.

Unfortunately, the rest of the characters seemed rather one-dimensional, possibly because there are so many. A large cast of characters is necessary for this kind of tale, but the losses would have hit home more profoundly if the most important secondary characters had been given more depth. They each had one defining trait that, while interesting, did not give them the roundedness afforded to Kaelyn’s character. They felt a little flat, given a backseat to the inexorable march of the disease.

Megan Crewe is unflinching in her systematic destruction of Kaelyn’s world. The novel does not begin with much setup, but launches readers straight into the downward spiral of an apocalyptic epedemic. It was a little disconcerting to be dropped headfirst into the conflict, but The Way We Fall never pauses for breath. Crewe powerfully evokes both the best and worst in people, brought out by horrific tragedy. While some handle the devastation with compassion and proaction, others become animals in a total state of nature. Readers will find themselves nervously awaiting the next heart-wrenching blow to all Kaelyn holds dear, for nothing is safe or sacred in this degenerate world.

This gripping novel leaves readers with little resolution, and I am eager to see what Crewe can salvage from the ashes of Kaelyn's annihilated world in the next installment.

Rating:

Disclosure: I received an advance galley from the publisher for an honest review.

GIVEAWAY

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion and Big Honcho Media, one lucky winner will receive a copy of The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe plus a Minimergency Kit!

To Enter:

Leave a comment on this review telling me why you're excited to read The Way We Fall. Include your email address so I can contact the winner.
US Only -- prize will be shipped from the publisher
Following is not required, but greatly appreciated
Ends 01/22/12 at 11:59 pm EST
One (1) winner will receive The Way We Fall plus a Minimergency Kit
Please review my giveaway policy

Good luck!

Best I Read 2011: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins

2011-12-31T21:30:00.000-05:00

Over the next few days (the last of 2011) I'll be posting my top ten favorite reads of the year, in no particular order. They're not necessarily books released in 2011 -- just books that I've read in the past year. I'll be giving the synopsis and linking to my review (if it's been posted) and telling why I love these books so much. Feel free to share your own favorites -- I'm always looking for a good recommendation!

Release Date: March 22, 2011
Series: Hex Hall #2
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Hex Hall Review

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

First Line:

At a normal high school, having class outside on a gorgeous May day is usually pretty awesome.

Why It Was The Best: Hex Hall made last year's "Best" list, and rarely do sequels live up to the original -- but in this case, Rachel Hawkins pulled it off flawlessly. I loved Hex Hall, but Demonglass was EVEN BETTER. I didn't even know that was possible. Sophie is as hilarious and hapless as ever, the adventures are even crazier, the world more sublime and OH that romance! STEAMY. I almost spontaneously combusted at one point (you'll know it when you see it... *fans self*). This is just such a fun series and it keeps getting better. I cannot WAIT for the final book, Spell Bound, which hits shelves in March -- especially after that cliffhanger O_O

That's it for this year's Best I Read! What were the best books you read in 2011?

Best I Read 2011: Wildefire by Karsten Knight

2011-12-31T19:00:00.000-05:00

Release Date: July 26, 2011
Series: Wildefire #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

Every flame begins with a spark.

Ashline Wilde is having a rough sophomore year. She’s struggling to find her place as the only Polynesian girl in school, her boyfriend just cheated on her, and now her runaway sister, Eve, has decided to barge back into her life. When Eve’s violent behavior escalates and she does the unthinkable, Ash transfers to a remote private school nestled in California’s redwoods, hoping to put the tragedy behind her. But her fresh start at Blackwood Academy doesn’t go as planned. Just as Ash is beginning to enjoy the perks of her new school—being captain of the tennis team, a steamy romance with a hot, local park ranger—Ash discovers that a group of gods and goddesses have mysteriously enrolled at Blackwood…and she’s one of them. To make matters worse, Eve has resurfaced to haunt Ash, and she’s got some strange abilities of her own. With a war between the gods looming over campus, Ash must master the new fire smoldering within before she clashes with her sister one more time… And when warm and cold fronts collide, there’s guaranteed to be a storm.

First Line:

Ashline Wilde was a human mood ring.

Why It Was The Best: Wildefire was high-energy and fast-paced -- I didn't want to put it down. Ashline kicks butt and takes names and is completely unapologetic about it. She's fierce and strong and a little bit wild. She's confident but flawed, loving but defensive. She's everything I want in a heroine. The mythology of this book is also different and exciting -- a blend of various traditions mixed with Karsten Knight's own imagination. This is a fun, thrilling read and I can't wait for more of Ash & Co's adventures!

Best I Read 2011: Bumped by Megan McCafferty

2011-12-31T16:30:00.000-05:00

Release Date: April 26, 2011
Series: Bumped #1
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Girls sport fake baby bumps and the school cafeteria stocks folic-acid-infused food.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and have never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Up to now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in Goodside, a religious community, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood—in a future that is eerily believable.

First Line:

I'm sixteen. Pregnant. And the most important person on the planet.

Why It Was The Best: I know some people hated this book. It's really a love or hate kind of deal, no in-between. I'll admit I was a little baffled for the first few pages, but once I got into the flow of the story and saw what McCafferty was doing, I was blown away. This is satire run amok -- in the best way possible. McCafferty isn't afraid to take risks, and I think they really payed off in Bumped. It is a bold, intelligent novel. It is unflinching in its look at the dangers of our sex-obsessed , patriarchal society. It is candid and incisive and though-provoking. Though the world initially seems very black and white, by the end the novel reveals the gray areas inherent in both extremes. I can guarantee you'll never find another book like this one.

Best I Read 2011: Unearthly by Cynthia Hand

2011-12-31T13:55:00.001-05:00

Release Date: January 4, 2011
Series: Unearthly #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees...

Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has apurpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy.

Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.

As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?

Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

First Line:

The first time, November 6 to be exact, I wake up at two a.m. with a tingling in my head like tiny fireflies dancing behind my eyes.

Why It Was The Best: In a word, Clara. She seemed so real. Like a girl you would meet on the street, or who could be your best friend. Though she's a divine being, she's also just a teenage girl. She deals with hair-dying mishaps and irritating boys and going all tongue-tied around a crush. Her road's not an easy one, and sometimes she falters, but she's got a beautiful resilience that keeps her going. Sometimes she might get fed up, but she never gets whiny or angsty. It's impossible not to fall in love with her authentic, snarky voice. Another aspect that I can't say too much about without spoilers is the romance. Cynthia Hand takes it in a surprising and wonderful direction that is much more enjoyable and believable than the usual cliche love story. Overall, despite the paranormal elements, this is the most realistic, believable cast of characters I've read in a long time.

Dragonswood Tour: Janet Carey's Letter to Her Teen Self & Giveaway

2011-12-30T01:09:00.000-05:00

Janet Lee Carey is the award-winning author of eight Children's and YA novels. Her YA fantasy is critically acclaimed: "Verdict: This is quite simply fantasy at its best–original, beautiful, amazing, and deeply moving.” School Library Journal starred review. Janet links each new book with a charitable organization empowering readers to make a difference in the world. She tours in US and abroad presenting at schools, children’s book festivals, and conferences.

Photo by Heidi Pettit

Dear me at sixteen,

I’m writing to you from the year 2011 when you’re the whopping age of fifty-seven. I can still see you clearly. I still believe in your dreams. The first thing I’d like to tell you is not to worry about your mom’s second marriage. Doug will turn out to be a wonderful stepfather. I know you’re still bitter about your parents’ divorce. I can tell you now that loss ended up bringing a lot of amazing people into your life. You’re just getting to know Martha now and she’s going to encourage you to write poetry and songs. Listen to her. She knows what a joyful thing it is to create. Your world will expand beyond your wildest dreams. This year you’ll get involved with theatre, music, and the anti war movement. You’ll learn to deepen your perceptions through mediation. All good things. You’re going to be lonely for a while now you have broken up with David, but it won’t be too many years before you meet the boy you’ll end up marrying. He’ll be tall, dark, and handsome. He’ll be your best friend, a great father, and an inspiring travel companion along the ever twisting trail.

You think you’re too fat and you don’t like your body much right now. You won’t always be overweight. Eventually you will learn to love your body for the amazing soul vehicle it is. You’ve got your hopes set on creating a different kind of life than your parents had. You want to try something new and different. Go for it. The dreams of being a published author are good ones. Don’t let people talk you out of them. In future years you’ll write lots of books and get nothing but rejection. You’ll think about giving up. Don’t. Keep writing. Keep creating and sending in those manuscripts.

Finally, you have a tendency to try and do everything by yourself and never ask for help when you need it. This is going to backfire. Down the line you’ll have to learn to lean on your friends and on God a little more. Why? Because you’re going to face some things that would terrify you now if I told you what they were, but here’s the good news. You will survive. Your faith will grow. Not in spite of the difficulties but, in part, because of them. Continue to open your heart. Be generous.

Love,

For more about this author, please visit:

Website | Blog | Twitter

Coming January 5, 2012

Preorder / Add it on Goodreads

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive both a signed copy of Dragonswood and a signed paperback of Dragon's Keep by Janet Lee Carey!

To Enter:

Leave a comment telling me one thing you would like to tell your 16-year-old self. Include your email address so I can contact the winner.
US Only -- prize will be shipped from the publisher
Following is not required, but greatly appreciated
Ends 01/06/12 at 11:59 pm EST
One (1) winner will receive both Dragonswood and Dragon's Keep
Please review my giveaway policy

Good luck!

Best I Read 2011: Divergent by Veronica Roth

2011-12-29T12:00:00.000-05:00

Release Date: May 3, 2011
Series: Divergent #1
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

First Line:

There is one mirror in my house.

Why It Was The Best: It's the day of Hunger Games comparisons and awesome heroines. Tris is another heroine up there with Katniss and Katsa. Tris could handle herself and wasn't afraid to back down from a challenge. I loved the concept of the factions, and the way it played out made for a very exciting read. I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, so I'll just say this is a must-read for dystopian fans!

Best I Read 2011: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

2011-12-29T00:51:00.002-05:00

Release Date: October 1, 2008
Series: Seven Kingdoms #1
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

First Line:

In these dungeons the darkness was complete, but Katsa had a map in her mind.

Why It Was The Best: I don't usually do high fantasy, but Katsa sounded too amazing to pass up. I'm so glad I listened to all the rave reviews, because this book is solely responsible for getting me into the genre. This is one of those books that was so amazing that I've put off reviewing it because I know my words can't do it justice. Katsa is right up there with Katniss Everdeen as one of my all-time favorite heroines. She's so fierce! I love a heroine who can hold her own in any situation, and that is definitely Katsa. This book was exciting and funny and full of adventure -- I didn't want to put it down! But I do want to be Katsa. Girl power, baby.

Best I Read 2011: Chime by Franny Billingsley

2011-12-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

Release Date: March 17, 2011
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Dial
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.

Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know.

First Line:

I’ve confessed to everything and I’d like to be hanged. Now, if you please.

Why It Was The Best: This book blew my mind. Billingsley's use of language was unlike anything I'd ever seen. It had a rhythm all its own, and gave the story a distinct flair and flavor. It made the magic of the fairy tale come alive. This is a suspenseful folk tale with a timeless feel, an original world and a beautiful style. I've never read anything like it, and I doubt I'll ever find an equal to Billingsley's genius.

Best I Read 2011: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

2011-12-28T00:20:00.000-05:00

Release Date: September 27, 2011
Series: Mara Dyer #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

First Line:

The ornate script on the board twisted in the candlelight, making the letters and numbers dance in my head.

Why It Was The Best: This is one of those books where you never see any of the twists coming -- and it has a lot of twists. Mara Dyer kept me on the edge of my seat from page one, and completely blindsided me with the final reveal. Not only is it dark and mysterious, it's also hilarious and sexy. Mara's snark is nonstop, and her flirtatious banter with British heartthrob Noah Shaw is the best I've ever read. You saw the part about the "British heartthrob", right? He's scruffy and sarcastic, but also sweet and smoldering. Definitely the most to-die-for hero on the shelves. This book is one-of-a-kind and defies categorization. It's hard to take me by surprise anymore, but I'm still reeling from this one. If I don't get that sequel in my hands soon, I'm going to die of anticipation.

I think the trailer pretty much sums it up:

Best I Read 2011: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

2011-12-27T12:00:00.000-05:00

Release Date: September 29, 2011
Series: Shades of London #1
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.

First Line:

The eyes of London were watching Claire Jenkins.

Why It Was The Best: Maureen Johnson hits the nail on the head with an improbable blend of humor and horror. The sharp wit of the main character Rory kept me in stitches the entire time I was reading, even when I was on the edge of my seat with the suspense of the sensational killings. Jack the Ripper has always been a fascination of mine -- as he has for many people, apparently -- and the concept of something even more terrifying than the Ripper himself is brilliant. This book has something for everyone, and it was the most fun I've had reading a book all year.

Best I Read 2011: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

2011-12-27T00:19:00.000-05:00

Release Date: September 27, 2011
Series: Trilogy TBA
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

MY REVIEW

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?

First Line:

Walking to school over the snow-mufﬂed cobbles, Karou had no sinister premonitions about the day

Why It Was The Best: This book is gorgeous. The writing is lyrical, the world-building is breathtaking, the story is original and the plot exciting. Honestly, there's nothing more you could ask for -- it is a masterpiece, a work of art. I suspect you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone who read this book and didn't fall head-over-heels in love. Karou is quirky and bizarre and brilliant and fierce, the love interest smolders and the truth will keep you guessing. Plus, there's this:

Tell me you aren't intrigued.

Preview the first fourteen chapters here.

#HeroineTourney: #TeamMara's First Match

2011-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mara's first match in the YA Heroine Tournament is TODAY! She's facing off against Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I do love Karou, but I think Mara brings something really unique to the table. She's a different, darker kind of heroine, and I think her struggle makes her heroism all the more special. If you love Mara Dyer or have a special place in your heart for the underdog, then please vote Team Mara!

But don't just take my word for it -- see why Amber at Down the Rabbit Hole and Kathy at A Glass of Wine love Mara!

Don't forget, if you spread the word about Team Mara you can also enter to win a signed The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer bookmark! It will also get you an extra entry in Lori at Pure Imagination's The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer giveaway! Please use the hashtags #TeamMara and #HeroineTourney on Twitter!

Michelle Hodkin has also promised a special Noah Shaw-related treat if Mara makes it into round 2 of the tourney: an outtake from the book, the steamy uncut trailer, or maybe something even more awesome (if that's possible)! So if you love Noah Shaw (and really, who doesn't?), please vote vote vote!

VOTE HERE

Voting ends at midnight EST! You can grab a button or background HERE to help spread the word!

Character Interview: Abby from In the Forests of the Night by Kersten Hamilton

2011-12-15T00:39:00.000-05:00

In the Forests of the Night (Goblin Wars #2) by Kersten Hamilton

Buy | Add it on Goodreads

The battle against goblinkind continues . . . but which side will Teagan be on?

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man’s forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends. Tea knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich. And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

Today, Teagan's best friend Abby is stopping by to talk to us about magic and the mafia!

Me: It’s good to have you here with us, Abby.

Abby: It’s good to be here, Casey. Dumpster Boy usually gets all of the attention.

Me: You mean Finn?

Abby: That’s what I said, right? So, what did you want to talk to me about?

Me: Everything that’s been happening. Did you believe in magic and monsters before any of this started?

Abby: Goblins and invisible cats and stuff? Not exactly. I am totally psychotic though, so I knew something bad was coming—

Me: Um…do you mean psychic by any chance?

Abby: Now you sound like a Wylltson—like a constanant or two is important, when this stuff is life and death. I dreamed the things from Mrs. Wylltson’s paintings were coming for Tea. I told her, right? At first I thought Dumpster Boy was the nightmare, but it turned out that it was something worse. Whatever—they’re not gonna get her. You know why? Because she’s got a Gagliano watching her back.

Me: What's it like living in a mafia family?

Abby: (shrugs) Every family’s got issues. With mine, they’re just bigger, you know? I’ll give you a for instance. Your family might expect you to help them hide if the cops came after them, right? My Family? They’d expect me to help them hide a body.

Me: Who do you think would win in a fight—a goblin or one of your cousins?

Abby: If the goblin came to Chicago, I’d put money on my cousins—if they couldn’t handle it, they’d call in the uncles. This is our town. We got resources here.

Me: What's it like living with your best friend for half of the week? A sleepover every day? Or do you sometimes fight like sisters?

Abby: Sisters? I got sisters, and it’s not like that. Taking care of Tea is a mission from God. He sends angels for easy stuff like watching over Irish Travelers. For Tea, he calls in the big guns. He sends an Italian.

Me: What do you think of Finn?

Abby: He doesn’t have a car or a job. What do you think I think?

Me: What would you say to suggestions that you are boy crazy or perhaps a little flighty?

Abby: I’d say whoever told you that is the one with crazy going on. I gave up boys for art school, and I got a job doing art.

Me: I thought you painted toenails at the Smash Pad?

Abby: I never said it was a great job. But I’m supporting myself, right? And whatever issue I had with boys, I’m over it. Big time. Speaking of jobs—I gotta run. I’ve got an appointment in less than an hour with, like, the sister of the mayor’s wife’s best friend. She’s got a meeting with her annoying boss and wants something on her toes to give her courage. Like, man–eating tigers maybe. Thanks for having me over, Casey! Hey, you should totally come down to Smash Pad. I’ll do your nails for free.

Me: Thanks so much for stopping by, Abby! I'll definitely take you up on that -- I'm thinking giraffes. Oo or maybe owls...

For more about Kersten Hamilton, please visit:

Website | Blog | Twitter

A writer needs a very tough skin. And she needs something to write about.

Fortunately, my impractical parents were also quite eccentric. My childhood can only be described as ‘exciting.’
I tracked caribou and arctic wolves across my family’s homestead in Alaska, caught tiny tree frogs in the swamps and rain forests of the Pacific Northwest, and chased dust devils and rattlesnakes across the high desert of New Mexico.

Against all odds, I survived my many misadventures. I was not electrocuted or drowned. Most of the bullets missed, and the incidents with bears, snakes, wolves, and angry moose were not fatal.

Before I settled down to have children I worked as a ranch hand, a wood cutter, a lumberjack, a census taker, a wrangler for wilderness guides, and an archeological surveyor.

Nowadays, when I'm not writing my favorite pastime is hunting dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts through the Ojito Wilderness and surrounding areas. The bones of huge monsters lie hidden in the deserts and badlands of New Mexico. I've found fragments of dinosaur bone, ammonites, an incredible acanthoceras from the Cretaceous, 8,000 year old camel bones, and possibly a pile of rhino remains.

Mara Monday: Signed Bookmarks Giveaway

2011-12-12T00:21:00.001-05:00

For the release of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin a few months back, Lori at Pure Imagination and I started hosting Mara Mondays featuring all things Mara Dyer. We've decided to reinstate the feature for the YA Sisterhood Tournament of Heroines!

As you may have noticed, I am Mara's advocate for the tournament! We'll be posting non-spoilery excerpts of Mara being awesome, Top Ten Reasons to be Team Mara, giveaways and perhaps even a special feature or two? Keep at eye out!

Today I'm giving away some shiny signed Mara Dyer bookmarks from the NYC event on Wednesday!

To Enter:

Spread the word about Team Mara and her first match in the Heroine Tournament this Friday (12/16)! Tweet (please use the hashtags #TeamMara and #HeroineTourney), Facebook, Tumblr, do a blog post, or grab a button or background and add it to your blog, as long as you're telling people about the best team around ;)
Leave a comment with a link to where you shared
Open Internationally
Three (3) winners will receive a signed bookmark (I have to save a few for round 2!)
Ends 12/17/11 at 12:01 am EST (when Mara's first match in the tournament ends)
Please read my giveaway policy
Though voting for Mara is not required (because that would be bribery), if you love Mara and Michelle please support them in the tournament!

ETA: Mara's first match is FRIDAY 12/16, not Thursday! The giveaway has been extended by one day -- please alert people to the correct date! Mara will be facing off in the tournament on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16! Thank you!

Lori will be posting a giveaway of the book (!) at Pure Imagination later today!
Amber at Down the Rabbit Hole tells you why she loves Mara Dyer!
Kathy at A Glass of Wine gives you 10 of the reasons she's on Team Mara!

If you've done a Mara Monday post of your own, leave a link in the comments and I'll add it to this post!

In My Mailbox: December 5 - 11, 2011

2011-12-11T02:50:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Review:

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Thanks to Faye at Poppy!

Coming January 2, 2012!

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18B. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

Bought:

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.

It can.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.

There is.

She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.

She's wrong.

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

They were giving out the bookmarks, poster and bracelet at the event.

I know I said I probably wouldn't do another IMM for a while, but I've been so busy with finals this week that I haven't posted much, and I wanted to tell you guys about the Cassie Clare/Michelle Hodkin signing!

My friend Ari, Me, Michelle, Cassie

So, that happened. Unfortunately, me and my friend got to the event kind of late because we got lost (I am the world's worst navigator), but Michelle and Cassie are both amazing. I'd never met Cassie before, but she actually remembered me from when I interviewed her for the Clockwork Angel release last year, which totally made my night. She was sooo nice! She hugged me as they were leaving (me = O_O) and Michelle is always The Best and pretty much my favorite person, which is why I dragged my navigationally-challenged self to NYC to see her. Because she's so awesome, she signed quite a few bookmarks that might just show up in a giveaway this week in honor of Mara's first face-off in the YA Heroine Tourney on December 15th! So keep an eye out for that ;) These ladies are amazing and talented and so, so sweet, and it pretty much made my week to see them -- you should definitely go to one of their signings if you get the chance!

For more on the awesomeness of the evening, check out Michelle's post about it, featuring some fabulous fans sporting the Best Shirts Ever.

What's in your mailbox this week? I'm DYING to read Clockwork Prince, but I have to finish finals first =(

Mara Monday: Mara Dyer Character Profile

2011-12-05T00:36:00.000-05:00

As you may have noticed, I am Mara's advocate for the tournament! We'll be posting non-spoilery excerpts of Mara being awesome, and Top Ten Reasons to be Team Mara, and perhaps even a special feature or two? Keep at eye out!

Today, I'm posting a character profile of Mara, so even if you haven't read The Unbecoming (what are you waiting for?!) you'll learn a little bit about our favorite heroine!

Screencap from the trailer

Name: "My name is not Mara Dyer, but my lawyer told me I had to choose something."

Age: 17

Birthday: March 15

Appearance: Brown hair, "patrician nose and jaw", eye color never mentioned (She's supposed to be anonymous, after all)

Personality: Mara is smart and funny. She can hold her own in a verbal sparring match with even the snarkiest of British heartthrobs. She's independent and strong, and would never let someone walk all over her. She's a survivor. She's an artist. She's a nerd. She's curious and determined to find answers. She has a deep sense of justice toward all living things, including abused and neglected animals. She's always willing to take a stand, and has more than a few vigilante tendencies. She's loyal to her friends, no matter what the rest of the world thinks. She would do anything to protect those she loves -- even from herself. She's damaged, but she's fighting. She's not perfect, but no one is.

Some (Non-Spoilery) Quotes (which are rather hard to find, actually):

“Asscrown,” I muttered under my breath as I headed to my next class. I wasn’t proud of swearing at a complete stranger, no. But he started it.
Noah matched my pace. “Don’t you mean ‘assclown’?” He looked amused.
“No,” I said, louder this time. “I mean asscrown. The crown on top of the asshat that covers the asshole of the assclown. The very zenith in the hierarchy of asses,” I said, as though reading from a dictionary of modern profanity.
“I guess you nailed me, then.”
Not yet.

“Well.” Time to change the subject. “You are a lying liar who lies.”
“Oh?”
I looked around us, at the towering ceiling and sweeping balconies. “You kept all of this a secret.”
“No, I didn’t. You just never asked.”
“How was I supposed to guess? You dress like a hobo.”
At this, a mocking grin crept over Noah’s mouth. “Haven’t you heard not to judge a book by its cover?”
“If I’d have known it was Trite Proverb Day, I would have stayed home.”

“Give me a minute.” I squinted at the spider that stood between me and my breakfast banana. She and I were working out an arrangement.
“Let me do it, then. We’re going to be late.” Daniel was getting his panties in a bunch at the thought. Mr. Perfect was always punctual.
“No. You’ll kill it.”
“And?”
“And then it will be dead.”
“And?”
“Just imagine it,” I spoke, my eyes never leaving my arachnid opponent. “The spider family bereft of their matriarch. Her spider children waiting in their web, watching for Mother for days on end before they realize she’s been murdered.”
“She?”
“Yes.” I tilted my head at the spider. “Her name is Roxanne."
“Of course it is. Take Roxanne outside before she meets the Op-Ed section of Joseph’s Wall Street Journal.”

I was still hungry, though, and wanted my banana. I reached for her again, my hand stuck in midair.
Daniel heaved a melodramatic sigh and stuck a cup in the microwave. He pressed a few buttons and the tray began revolving.
“You shouldn’t stand in front of the microwave.”
Daniel ignored me.
“You could get a brain tumor.”
“Is that a fact?” he asked.
“Do you want to find out?”
Daniel examined my hand, still suspended between my body and Roxanne’s, paralyzed. “Your level of neuroses will only find love in a made-for-TV movie.”
“Perhaps, but I’ll be tumorless. Don’t you want to be tumorless, Daniel?"

I tried to swallow my desire to bludgeon him to death with a tree limb and stalled, leaving his question hanging in the air. My options, being a teenage girl and not knowing whether this asshole had a knife or gun in his pocket, were limited.
I used my best innocent-dumb-girl voice. “I was just on my way to school and saw your dog! She’s so sweet, what kind is she?” I hoped this would be enough to deter him from pillaging me for breakfast. I held my breath.
“She’s a pit bull, ain’t you never seen one before?” He ejected a wad of some foul substance from his mouth onto the dirt.
Not one that skinny. I’d never seen any dog, or any animal, that thin. “Nope. What a great dog! Does she eat much?” An obscenely stupid question. My lack of filter was going to get me killed one of these days. Maybe today.
“Whadda you care?”
Oh, well. Go big, or go home.
“She’s starving, and that chain around her neck is too heavy. She has bites on her ears and scars on her face. Is this really the best you can do for her?” I said, my voice growing shrill. “She doesn’t deserve this.” I was losing it.

If you'd like to participate in next week's Mara Monday (right before Mara's first tournament competition on the 15th!) with a list of your Top 10 (or 5) Reasons for Being Team Mara or some other kind of Mara post, email me!

New Release Roundup: December 4 - 10, 2011

2011-12-04T21:40:00.000-05:00

A weekly feature I started to showcase the exciting new releases hitting shelves this week.

December 5

Wintertown by Stephen Emond

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Every winter, straight-laced, Ivy League bound Evan looks forward to a visit from Lucy, a childhood pal who moved away after her parent's divorce. But when Lucy arrives this year, she's changed. The former "girl next door" now has chopped dyed black hair, a nose stud, and a scowl. But Evan knows that somewhere beneath the Goth, "Old Lucy" still exists, and he's determined to find her... even if it means pissing her off.

Garden State meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist in this funny and poignant illustrated novel about opposites who fall in love.

The Fire (Witch and Wizard #3) by James Patterson

Little, Brown and Company

Whit and Wisty Allgood have sacrificed everything to lead the resistance against the merciless totalitarian regime that governs their world. Its supreme leader, The One Who Is The One, has banned everything they hold dear: books, music, art, and imagination. But the growing strength of the siblings' magic hasn't been enough to stop the One's evil rampage, and now he's executed the only family they had left.

Wisty knows that the time has finally come for her to face The One. But her fight and her fire only channel more power to this already invincible being. How can she and Whit possibly prepare for their imminent showdown with the ruthless villain that devastated their world-before he can truly become all-powerful?

In this stunning climax of the epic Witch & Wizard series, the stakes have never been higher-and the consequences will change everything.

December 6

Melody Burning by Whitley Strieber

Henry Holt and Co. BYR

Beresford doesn’t remember much about his past or how he came to live in the chutes and crawl spaces of the posh high-rise that shares his name. But when rock star and teen sensation Melody McGrath moves to an apartment on the fiftieth floor, he knows he has to be near her. Although she doesn’t realize it, Melody is threatened by more dangerous forces than her manipulative stage mom and the pressures of life in the spotlight. The owner of the glamorous building has been hiding a fatal secret within its walls, and Beresford puts all his plans at risk. Will Beresford and Melody be able to escape with their lives (and love) intact?

Shattered Dreams (Midnight Dragonfly #1) by Ellie James

St. Martin's Griffin

Sixteen-year-old Trinity Monsour wants nothing more than to live a normal life. But that isn’t as easy as it seems. Trinity is different. She isspecial. She sees visions, and for those she’s seen, it’s already too late.

Trinity arrives on her aunt's doorstep in New Orleans with virtually no knowledge of her mysterious heritage. She begins settling into life at a new school and even starts making friends. But all too quickly her dreams accelerate; twisted, terrifying visions of a girl locked in a dark room. And when the head cheerleader, Jessica, goes missing, Trinity knows she has no choice but to step forward with what she's seen.

But people believe that Trinity has information about Jessica's disappearance not because of a dream, but because she is involved. She is kind-of dating Jessica's ex-boyfriend, Chase, and Jessica did pull a nasty prank on Trinity. Revenge seems like the likeliest scenario.

Nothing prepares Trinity for the dark odyssey that ensues while searching for Jessica, including the surprising romance she finds with Chase, or the shocking truths she learns, not just about the girl who has gone missing, but the past that has been hidden from her.

Struck: Stupid Cupid; Flirting with Disaster; Pucker Up by Rhonda Stapleton

Simon Pulse

Felicity Walker believes in true love. That's why she applies for a gig at the matchmaking company Cupid's Hollow. But when Felicity gets the job, she learns that she isn't just a matchmaker...she's a cupid! (There's more than one of them, you know.)

Armed with a hot pink, tricked-out PDA infused with the latest in cupid magic (love arrows shot through email), Felicity works to meet her quota of successful matches. But the path to love is not always a straight shot...

Deadly Little Voices (Touch #4) by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Hyperion Children's

High school junior Camelia thought her powers of psychometry only gave her the ability to sense the future through touch. But now she’s started to hear voices. Mean voices. Berating her, telling her how ugly she is, and that she’d be better off dead. It’s a troubling development that has Camelia terrified for her mental stability, especially since her deranged aunt with a suicidal history just moved into the family house. More torturing, ex-boyfriend Ben, who has similar psychometric abilities, has been spending more time with their classmate Alejandra, even as her own feelings for Adam grow stronger. Still, the bond between Camelia and Ben is palpable.

With the line between right and wrong fraying, Camelia turns to pottery to get a grasp on her emotions. She begins sculpting a beautiful figure skater, only to receive frightening premonitions that someone’s in danger. But who is the victim? And how can Camelia help them when she is on the brink of losing her own sanity?

Fix Me by Rune Michaels

Atheneum

Orphaned as a child, terrorized by her abusive brother, and haunted by memories, Leia feels exposed, powerless, and vulnerable. When her tormented mind can stand it no longer, she escapes to the zoo, where she finds shelter and seeks refuge. The zoo is a sanctuary: a protective space for families, and a safe place for the traumatized to forget. But can she ever feel safe? Can she ever forget?
Once again, Rune Michaels brings us a harrowing psychological drama that raises questions about the very nature of humanity. This chilling tale will challenge our preconceptions of family, memory, and self, leaving readers wondering, are we the pinnacle of evolution—or are we just animals on display?

Clockwork Prince (Infernal Devices 2) by Cassandra Clare

Margaret K. McElderry Books

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Ruthless (Pretty Little Liars #10) by Sara Shepard

HarperTeen

For years scandal has rocked Rosewood, Pennsylvania—and high school seniors Aria, Emily, Hanna, and Spencer have always been at the center of the drama. They’ve lost friends, been targeted by a ruthless stalker named A, and narrowly escaped death. And it’s not over yet.

Aria’s love life is on the fritz. Emily’s exploring her wild side. Hanna’s kissing the enemy. And someone from Spencer’s past—someone she never thought she’d see again—is back to haunt her.

But none of that compares to what happened last spring break. It’s their darkest secret yet and guess who found out? Now A is determined to make them pay for their crime, and the only thing scarier than A is the fear that maybe, just maybe, they deserve what’s coming to them.

Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Entangled Publishing

Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I’d pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring…. until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something…unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon’s touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I’m getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don’t kill him first, that is.

Winging It: The Dragon Diaries by Deborah Cooke

NAL

The new Dragon Diary novel from the author of Flying Blind.

Zoë Sorensson yearns to come into her powers as the only female dragon shifter. But being part of two worlds is more complicated than she expected. It's bad enough that she's the target of the Mages's plan to eliminate all shifters-but she also has to hide her true nature from her human best friend, Megan. But when Megan gets a last-minute invite to the popular kids' Halloween party-hosted by an apprentice Mage-Zoë must save the day and her best friend without revealing her fire- breathing secrets...

December 8

Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey

Philomel/Penguin

A thrilling debut story of death, love, destiny and danger

Lenzi hears voices and has visions - gravestones, floods, a boy with steel gray eyes. Her boyfriend, Zak, can't help, and everything keeps getting louder and more intense. Then Lenzi meets Alden, the boy from her dreams, who reveals that she's a reincarnated Speaker - someone who can talk to and help lost souls - and that he has been her Protector for centuries.

Now Lenzi must choose between her life with Zak and the life she is destined to lead with Alden. But time is running out: a malevolent spirit is out to destroy Lenzi, and he will kill her if she doesn't make a decision soon.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Razorbill

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

A debut novel from an immensely talented new writer, The Probability of Miracles crackles with wit, romance and humor and will leave readers laughing and crying with each turn of the page.

Illuminated by Erica Orloff

Speak

Some loves are not made to last . . . Like Romeo and Juliet, Heloise and Abelard were doomed from the start, and their romance was destined to pass into history. Yet when sixteen-year-old Callie Martin discovers a diary hidden within an antique book, their story - and hers - takes on another life. For the diary leads Callie to the brilliant and handsome August, who is just as mysterious as the secret the diary hides. Their attraction is undeniable. As the two hunt down the truth behind the diary - and that of Heloise and Abelard's ancient romance - their romance becomes all-consuming. But Callie knows it can't last . . . love never does. Will their love that burns as bright as a shooting star flame out, or will these star-crossed lovers be able to defy history?

I've been dying for practically EVERY book coming out this week. Especially Clockwork Prince! Speaking of Cassie Clare, she and Michelle Hodkin (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer) will be doing an event in New York City on Wednesday! Here are the details:

December 07, 2011, 7:00PM

(Long Island) Barnes & Noble, Carle Place with Michelle Hodkin and Cassandra Clare

91 Old Country Road

Carle Place, NY

I'll be there with my Who Is Mara Dyer? shirt on, and I hope I see some of you! Let me know if you're going, so I can keep an eye out for you!

In My Mailbox: November 28 - December 4, 2011

2011-12-03T15:35:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

For Review:

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Thanks to Lydia at Simon & Schuster Children's!

Coming May 8, 2012!

Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn's celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn's last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn's best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn't seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn. . . and ruggedly good looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn—but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?

Halflings by Heather Burch

Thanks to Zondervan and NetGalley!

Coming February 1, 2012!

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

Never Enough by Denise Jaden

Thanks to Simon Pulse!

Coming July 10, 2012!

Loann’s always wanted to be popular and pretty like her sister, Claire. So when Claire’s ex-boyfriend starts flirting with her, Loann is willing to do whatever it takes to feel special…even if that means betraying her sister.

But as Loann slips inside Claire’s world, she discovers that everything is not as it seems. Claire’s quest for perfection is all-consuming, and comes at a dangerous price. As Claire increasingly withdraws from friends and family, Loann struggles to understand her and make amends. Can she heal their relationship—and her sister—before it’s too late?

I cannot WAIT to read In Honor! I loved Jessi Kirby's debut Moonglass, and I'm really getting more into contemporary -- road trip stories are especially fun. Plus, this novel is so timely with the Iraq issue. I'm also quite intrigued by Halflings. It starts off sounding mostly paranormal -- winged guardians? But then suddenly there's a scientist with a dark plan and now I'm not sure if this is SciFi or what! It sounds dark and mysterious. And another contemporary with Never Enough. I really enjoy sister stories. I'm an only child, but I think the dynamic between younger and older sisters is a fascinating one -- and the damage it can do to both.

I probably won't be doing IMMs very much for a while. I think I'm going to really cut back on review copies so that I can focus on my already massive TBR. I've gotten really behind because of some things that happened this year -- as you may have noticed from my recently erratic blogging habits -- so I'm going to take a step back and do some catching up.

What's in your mailbox this week?

Waiting on Wednesday: Fated by Sarah Alderson

2011-11-30T03:43:00.000-05:00

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight upcoming releases we're anxiously awaiting!

Fated by Sarah Alderson

Release Date: January 5, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's
Preorder: Amazon

What happens when you discover you aren't who you thought you were? And that the person you love is the person who will betray you? If your fate is already determined, can you fight it?

When Evie Tremain discovers that she’s the last in a long line of Demon slayers and that she’s being hunted by an elite band of assassins –Shapeshifters, Vampires and Mixen demons amongst them – she knows she can’t run. They’ll find her wherever she goes. Instead she must learn to stand and fight.

But when the half-human, half-Shadow Warrior Lucas Gray - is sent to spy on Evie and then ordered to kill her before she can fulfil a dangerous prophecy, their fates become inextricably linked. The war that has raged for one thousand years between humans and demons is about to reach a devastating and inevitable conclusion. Either one or both of them will die before this war ends.

If your life becomes bound to another's, what will it take to sever it?

This synopsis does everything right. First of all, I'm always fascinated by questions of fate. I love the promise that before this over either one or both of them will die -- is that actually going to happen? Is the author going to be able to find a way to make that not totally devastating/off-putting for readers (because, let's face it, we have expectations)? Also, anytime the word "slayer" comes up, I automatically think of Buffy, which equals "awesome". Slayers are always awesome. There are just so many intriguing questions asked in this summary! Ones I already have to know the answers to! And as an added bonus, there are several creatures I've never heard of mentioned, which means that the author is bringing something new to the table besides the same old vamps and weres. What's a Mixen? What's a Shadow? I am intrigued! Also, assassins and prophecies and supernatural wars, oh my!

What are you waiting on this week?

Tournament of Heroines: Team Mara Dyer

2011-11-29T12:36:00.000-05:00

You've probably heard the buzz about the YA Sisterhood's Tournament of Heroines -- a month-long competition starting December 1st in which all of our favorite, fiercest heroines will be battling it out for the crown. Here's how the YA Sisterhood defines a heroine:

A heroine is a female character who is admired for her noble qualities. We think it's someone who meets the world head on. This doesn't mean she has to be a hardcore girl who can beat up anyone who crosses her path (though those girls certainly qualify). Your favorite can be anyone you admire, for any reason. The important thing is that she is extraordinary in some way or another-- be that the way she handles other people, her inexhaustible humor, or her skill with a crossbow. We encourage you to think outside the box! Search your bookshelves for the female characters who inspire you, who make you want to be better, who prove that our world doesn't have to be a man's world.

I don't know about you, but when I hear "extraordinary" and "outside the box," I think of Mara Dyer. She's fiercely loyal and always willing to take a stand. She has a strong sense of justice and more than a few vigilante tendencies. She's a survivor, not to mention smart, sassy and a little bit scary. So that's why I've taken on the role of being Mara's advocate in the tournament!

Our first challenger is Karou from The Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, advocated by Enna of SqueakyBooks. Karou is great and all, but she's got nothing on our girl Mara! So be sure to come out and support Team Mara on December 16th! Word on the street (AKA on Michelle Hodkin's twitter feed) is that if Mara makes it into round 2, there will be more of THIS Noah-licious outtake PLUS an extra treat (an extra scene? the uncut too-hot-to-handle trailer? Bradley the trailer actor reading Noah passages from the book?)

Here are the tournament brackets:

Click to embiggen

You can follow all the action on Twitter:

Want to show your support for Team Mara? Grab a button and spread the love!

Twitter Background (check out my Twitter profile to see how it looks):

Blog Background:

Twitter avi/Facebook picture:

Buttons and Banners:

Because making these is so much fun, Michelle's graphic designer friend got in on the action and made these hilarious, fabulous buttons:

(Yep, that just happened.)

Help spread the word and votevotevote to make sure our girl takes the crown! Noah will owe you one ;)

Why do YOU think Mara Dyer is the best heroine of them all? Let me know in the comments! (No bashing, please.)

ETA: Mara's first match is FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16! Not Thursday! Sorry for the confusion! Please alert people to the correct voting day -- thank you!

NaNoWriMonday (5)

2011-11-28T14:37:00.000-05:00

Word Count: 30027/50000
Day: 21/30

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Like many other bloggers, I am participating in this year's National Novel Writing Month for the first time. I thought it would be fun to touch base each week and see how everyone is progressing, as well as cheer each other on!

Well, here we are. The last Monday of NaNoWriMo. Where did the month go?! *deep sigh* I got rather behind over the holiday, but I am determined that I AM going to finish. I have a paper and exam to get through tomorrow, but once that's over, I'm devoting my Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday to finishing this thing. All the winner tweets on Twitter are making me go both "OMG YAY YOU ARE AWESOME!" and also "OMG WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?" Is anyone else having that reaction? But it is fortunately the kick I need to keep me going. As my wonderful Noveling Club leader says, NaNoMiracles DO happen. It CAN be done! *waves pompoms* (I'm saying this as much for my benefit as for yours, dear reader.) And no matter what, 30K is more words than I have ever written on any of the projects I've started in the past, so I kind of already feel like a winner -- and so should you. *pats self on the back* *passes around cookies*

For this last NaNoWriMonday, I wanted to talk a little bit about the authors who inspire me. These are the people who made me want to try writing in the first place. Their beautiful words and worlds and insight made me go, "Hey! I want to do that!" These are the people who I think are the best at what they do, and whose writing I study to figure out what they're doing so very right.

(This might look a bit like my Top Ten Tuesday post last week...) In no particular order:

J.K. Rowling: I'm not going to say much about this, because it's pretty self-explanatory, right? Actually, I find J.K. Rowling more intimidating than inspiring. I literally cannot fathom the creative energy it took to write Harry Potter. She just wins. First place is taken, and now everyone else is competing for second.

Suzanne Collins: Even though I just finished Mockingjay and I'm kind of mad at her right now, The Hunger Games is still the most perfect book I've ever read. I didn't think it could be done, but congrats, Suzanne, you wrote the perfect book. I'm still trying to work out how she did it, to be honest. I think what I like best about THG, though, is Katniss. Katniss is the kind of heroine I want to read and write. Girls who can take care of themselves, who survive and fight and never give up. The one thing that I always come back to about the first book is how Collins put Katniss in this unfathomable situation, and made her do what she had to do, but never let her become a monster. She had to have exerted conscious effort to achieve that, and she did it flawlessly.

Franny Billingsley: Chime was beautiful. Even without the plot, the way Franny used words would have been enough to keep the reader interested. Ordinary writing seems stale by comparison. While I don't think I would want to write an entire book in that style (though I loved reading one), I do want to be more creative with my language. The onomatopoeia and the near-poetics of it makes the act of reading itself an adventure. Franny has flair, and that's all there is to it.

Maggie Stiefvater: Maggie has a way with characterization (not to mention words). She knows her characters and she makes you know them without ever spelling it out for you. It manifests in the way they speak and think and act, but the characters aren't even necessarily aware of it themselves. That's what I want to learn how to do. How to create a self-consistent character with personality and traits and hopes and wants and hates and flaws, and have these things show up naturally -- like they do in real life with real people -- without having to spell it out. I think that's the sort of thing that will only come with time and practice, though. Maggie has actually done some great posts on these things, which I will link to in a minute.

Laini Taylor: Daughter of Smoke and Bone was gorgeous in every sense of the word. Laini's writing is understated but magical, and her world-building is vibrant and rich and complex, but also unobtrusive. I was left just sitting there in awe when I finished Smoke and Bone. The kind of imagination that would take... I would love to write something so vast and epic. I don't know if I even could, but it's certainly something to aspire toward.

Julie Kagawa: Julie knows how to write an adventure. I love the structure of her novels -- with the journeys through the Nevernever, quests for something magical. Her world is incredible and imaginative, but it doesn't beat you over the head. Every stop Meghan makes, every interaction with a new creature, serves a purpose. I just love novels like The Iron Fey and The Hunger Games and Harry Potter where there's a clear narrative thrust, and there's nothing unnecessary to drag down the plot and the pacing. It's just so neat and clever and tight. Right now I feel like my NaNo is a sprawling mess of tangled roots and winding paths, but my ultimate goal is to have it be as streamlined as so many of my favorite reads.

What about you? Whose writing inspires you to learn and grow and be better?

Finally, here are the last tips of NaNoWriMo:

I recommend perusing Maggie's entire blog (not least of all because she's hilarious), but here are a few of my favorite writing posts: Dissecting Pages for Mood, on how she messes with my emotions so effectively; and How to Turn a Novel into a Textbook, on learning from your favorites. I also just discovered a handy list of ALL her writing tip posts, which I will now be devouring for the rest of the afternoon.
As usual, Maureen Johnson is also doling out some sage advice on Making Writing Fun Again -- as I'm sure we're all feeling a little burnt out at this point.

And for a bit of inspiration, Maggie also did a great post on Writing the Book I Always Meant To, featuring this tidbit:

Write the book you've always wanted to read, but can't find on the shelf.

I've heard this somewhere before, but I've never been quite sure what that book would be for me. Perhaps, as Laini Taylor suggested, I should make a list of the things I like. I know my NaNo features some of them -- things like fierce heroines and quests through fantasy worlds -- but I still have this lofty, hazy image of my ideal read in my mind that I have no idea how to nail down to reality. The knowledge that you can make whatever you want happen in your novel is sometimes surprising and overwhelming to me. There are so many things I would love to read -- the challenge is figuring out how to make a coherent narrative out of them.

Are you writing the book you've always wanted to read this month?

So, congratulations on making it this far, whether you're ahead or behind -- the important thing is that you're writing. If you're like me, NaNoWriMo has been the kick you needed to finally stop plotting and start writing -- and the first step is always the hardest, so pat yourself on the back for taking that scary plunge. This has been a ton of fun, and I think from here on out it's going to be so much easier to keep myself motivated.

As you strive toward that finish line, just remember:

Congratulations, everyone! *throws confetti*

New Release Roundup: November 27 - December 3, 2011

2011-11-27T19:33:00.000-05:00

A weekly feature I started to showcase the exciting new releases hitting shelves this week.

November 29

The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson

Zondervan

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff---a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger. Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

Legend by Marie Lu

Putnam Juvenile

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2) by Jennifer Estep

Kensington

Logan Quinn was trying to kill me. My Spartan classmate relentlessly pursued me, swinging his sword at me over and over again, the shining silver blade inching closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes practically glowed with the thrill of battle...

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Academy, and I have no idea how I’m going to survive the rest of the semester. One day, I’m getting schooled in swordplay by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gorgeous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invisible archer in the Library of Antiquities decides to use me for target practice. And now, I find out that someone at the academy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

December 1

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally

Sourcebooks Fire

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though - she leads them as the captain and quarterback on her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys, and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university. But now there's a new guy in town who threatens her starring position on the team... and has her suddenly wishing to be seen as more than just a teammate.

There's been quite a bit of buzz for Legend! I'd intended to read it by now, but the end of this year has not gone as planned. (Also, OMG how is it December already?) I'll be reviewing it and giving away an ARC soon! I also need to catch up on the Mythos Academy series -- I love mythology, so it sounds like it's right up my alley.

What new release are you most excxited for this week?

In My Mailbox: November 21 - 27, 2011

2011-11-27T13:06:00.000-05:00

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

For Review:

New Girl by Paige Harbison

Thanks to HarlequinTeen and NetGalley!

Coming January 31, 2012!

They call me 'New Girl'...

Ever since I arrived at exclusive, prestigious Manderly Academy, that’s who I am. New girl. Unknown. But not unnoticed—because of her.

Becca Normandy—that’s the name on everyone’s lips. The girl whose picture I see everywhere. The girl
I can’t compare to. I mean, her going missing is the only reason a spot opened up for me at the academy.
And everyone stares at me like it’s my fault.

Except for Max Holloway—the boy whose name shouldn’t be spoken. At least, not by me. Everyone thinks of him as Becca’s boyfriend…but she’s gone, and here I am, replacing her. I wish it were that easy. Sometimes, when I think of Max, I can imagine how Becca’s life was so much better than mine could ever be.

And maybe she’s still out there, waiting to take it back.

Life Is But a Dream by Brian James

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley!

Coming March 27, 2012!

Alec and Sabrina are crazy in love. Problem is: Sabrina’s really crazy.

Sabrina, an artist, is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and her parents check her into the Wellness Center. There she meets Alec, who is convinced it's the world that's crazy, not the two of them. They are meant to be together; they are special. But when Alec starts to convince Sabrina that her treatment will wipe out everything that makes her creative, she worries that she'll lose hold of her dreams and herself. Should she listen to her doctor? Her decision may have fatal consequences.

Truth (XVI #2) by Julia Karr

Thanks to Julia Karr and Teen Book Scene!

Coming January 19, 2012!

An exciting dystopian thriller, and sequel to XVI

Nina Oberon's life has changed enormously in the last few months. When her mother was killed, Nina discovered the truth about her father, the leader of the Resistance. And now she sports the same Governing Council–ordered tattoo of XVI on her wrist that all sixteen-year-old girls have. The one that announces to the world that she is easy prey to predators. But Nina won't be anyone's stereotype. And when she joins an organization of girls working within the Resistance, she knows that they can put an end to one of the most terrifying secret programs the GC has ever conceived. Because the truth always comes out . . . and the consequences can be deadly.

I WoWed New Girl recently, and it is definitely one of my most anticipated reads of 2012, so I was really excited to see it on NetGalley! I'm also really intrigued by Life Is But a Dream after seeing it featured in A Tapestry of Words' Psychtember even! I can't wait to start Truth either -- I looooved XVI and Julia Karr is awesome =)

What's in your mailbox this week?

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (4)

2011-11-24T00:28:00.000-05:00

People have expressed an interest in turning this feature into a meme, so that's what I'm going to do! If you'd like to join in, pick an exciting book deal announcement (before there are covers or even proper synopses) and tell us about it in a post! Publisher's Weekly is a great place to see new book deals, but authors frequently announce them on their blogs and Twitter as well.

My pick this week is:

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
2012 | Simon & Schuster
Debut Author

Keeping up with the high-priced deals, Liesa Abrams, executive editor at Simon & Schuster, took North American rights to three books, in a six-figure pre-empt, by newcomer Shannon Messenger. Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown Literary brokered the deal for the middle-grade fantasy series, and the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities, is scheduled for fall 2012. In Cities, a 12-year-old girl who can read minds, and is something of a social outcast, discovers the reason she has her abilities when she meets a mysterious boy. Rennert elaborated: “She’s never felt at home because she isn’t. There are secrets buried deep in her memory, secrets about her true identity and why she was hidden among humans, that others desperately want and would even kill for.” Messenger is in her 20s and is one of the founders of the free, online writer’s conference, WriteOnCon. (via Publisher's Weekly)

Twelve-year-old Sophie has always been different -- she's years ahead of the other kids in school and can read minds. She's always assumed there's some kind of logical explanation for her talents, but when she meets an adorable and mysterious boy, she finds out the shocking truth. She's never felt at home because she, well, ... isn't.

There are secrets buried deep in her memory, secrets about her true identity and why she was hidden among humans, that others desperately want and would even kill for. And she must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.

A mindreading alien with secrets even she doesn't know? Yes, please! This sounds like a fun SciFi adventure! There definitely needs to be more SciFi in the YA and MG genres, so I'm really excited to see where Shannon Messenger takes this series. Shannon is also a fellow blogger, which makes this doubly exciting! Congrats, Shannon!

If you'd like to participate, link up your post in the Mr. Linky below! Feel free to also grab the button at the top of this post. I'll be doing this every Thursday, so come back each week if you'd like to join in!