i swim for oceans

Let's Talk: Favourite Childhood Books

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is what I like to call a semi-regular feature here at i swim for oceans. Does it happen every week? No. Will there be weeks when it happens more than once? Probably. Can you set your calendar by it? Heck no. Here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What book from your childhood do you still cherish to this day?

Reading, in and of itself, defined my childhood, to be honest, and there were a lot of books that became instant favourites of mine. I remember reading for the sake of reading at that age. Anything and everything was fine with me, as long as it was the written word. I read those words like they were a breath of fresh air, and a lot of books played defining roles in my childhood. It's those books that I someday hope to pass on to my children someday, as well.

There are a few books, however, that stand out in my mind, and you've probably seen them mentioned on one or two of my Top Ten Tuesdays. One such book (ok, fine, I'm cheating) is actually a series. Most of you probably know about the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, but did you know her daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, had a series, too? I own every copy, and as battered as they are, I love them dearly. They're not the world's best writing, but they were real, and I became invested in her story. I grew up with Rose.

You know those books you read and re-read until the covers fall off, then you tape the cover back on and the pages become brittle and rip? Many Waters is that book for me. No, it's by no means the most powerful story in the world. Nor is it flawless in execution, but it presented something new to me. I was captivated by the fact that this book seamlessly merged the science-fiction genre with a classic Biblical story, Noah's Ark, and somehow was never blashphemous. The love story, the rich Biblical theme and the power of the prose speaks to me to this day.

Last, but certainly not least, no list is complete for me without Harry Potter. This series is one that I literally grew up with. I can't say enough good things about it either. The adventure, the heart, the themes, the rich storytelling - all of it merges into an epic series that, for all intents and purposes, transcends the genre and captures the hearts of pretty much all readers. I, personally, can't wait to share Harry with my children.

What about you?

If you'd like feature your own Let's Talk post, feel free to link it up!

Emily White: Interview and Elemental ARC Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:25:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of the very first Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week! For those of you that don't know about Spencer Hill Press, here's a little background. Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house that specializes in science fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy for the Young Adult audience.

With a host of talented authors and dozens of fantastic titles under its belt, Spencer Hill Press has become a veritable powerhouse. And, as luck would have it, yours truly is hosting the fantastic crowd with a whole bunch of goodies for all of you! Be sure to follow the week (through Sunday), and check out the great features and giveaways!

Welcome, Emily White, author of Elemental!

Find Emily: Blog. Facebook. Twitter.

1. Can you describe your perfect place/time to write?

Hmm...definitely on my living room love seat between 10:00 in the morning and 1:00 (that's when my kids are napping :) ).

2. When did you decide that becoming an author was your goal, and why?

I've played around with writing since elementary school. I have lots of loose sheets of paper lying around with unfinished stories on them (all of them written on my parents' old type writer--you know, the one that came in a big honking suitcase). But I don't think I really took it seriously until my second year of college. That's when I realized that, not only could I write for fun, but I could make it my career too.

3. Why YA?

For a long time, I didn't write YA. In fact, up until a couple years ago, I didn't even know a YA genre existed. I guess I was a lot more like boys growing up. I went right from MG to adult. The funny thing is, I did make some exceptions in my reading. I used to love the Sweet Valley High series, but I never really thought about it as belonging to the YA genre. But a couple years ago, I was in the middle of writing a book geared towards adults, feeling stuck and not knowing why, and I read Twilight and I literally had an epiphany moment. I can't even describe how blown away I was. Ever since, I've completely devoted my writing to YA and, out of everything I've read lately, this genre has taken up about 95% of it. I love the emotion involved in YA. Adult books have high stakes and great stories, too, but YA is about the character, the emotion, the soul deep down at the heart of the book. It makes you feel first love again. It gives you promises, and sometimes it rips them away. There's a newness to everything in the Young Adult genre, those earth-shattering first experiences you can't always get in Adult or even MG sometimes.

4. How long did Elemental take to write, and was there anything crazy or special about the process?

ELEMENTAL went through a few phases and it took a little over 2 years to write. It was the book I'd been working on when I had my YA epiphany. So ELEMENTAL actually used to be Adult. It had a different name and everything. The Adult version took over a year to finish. And I didn't like it. I knew something was wrong. After the epiphany, I completely rewrote it in 3 months, and I changed the title. But other than that, there was nothing too crazy. I wish I could say I'm one of those authors who needs to travel the world to find inspiration (though maybe my husband would fall for that...hmmm... :) ). And I don't have any interesting quirks I have to go through to coax my muse out. I'm pretty boring. I just sit down and write. I will say, though, that at least one of the locations in ELEMENTAL was inspired by a country I'd been in during my deployment overseas.

5. Describe Elemental in five words or less, please!

Contain the monster within.

6. Is there anything else you'd like to tell your readers?

Just thanks for listening to my ramblings! And if you'd like to friend me on Facebook or stop by my blog, please do! I would be very honored. :)

Emily has graciously offered an ARC of Elemental, pictured to the left, as well as some sweet swag including a signed t-shirt, bookmarks AND a surprise prize!

This giveaway is US & Canada ONLY, and it will end promptly at midnight EST on February 4, 2012.

As always, you do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is always appreciated!

Still want to enter? Click HERE to fill out the form!

Bewitching by Alex Flinn Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Title: Bewitching
Author: Alex Flinn (Blog. Facebook.)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: February 14, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher:

Kendra Hilferty, the witch who curses Kyle Kingsbury in Beastly, tells about her immortal existence-how she discovered she was a witch and the various ways she has used her powers to help people throughout the centuries. (Unfortunately her attempts have often backfired.)

As it turns out, Kendra has actually had a hand in "Hansel and Gretel," "The Princess and the Pea," and "The Little Mermaid"-but these are not the fairy tales you think you know! Kendra's reminiscences are wrapped around a real-time version of "Cinderella," except the "ugly" stepsister is the good guy.

Kendra Hilferty has always been a bit of an enigma. While there are well-known witches doing dastardly deeds and witches known to have been transformed due to their evil ways, there's never been another witch quite like Kendra. She's been around for century upon century, popping up at the most opportune, or inopportune (depending on which end of the story you lie), moments. Beneath layers of magic and mystery, there is a heart that beats with honesty and truth within Kendra, and for the first time, we're about to meet the witch behind that Beastly spell.

I became a sucker for Alex Flinn's writing style by chance, randomly picking up Beastly while on a book-buying binge nearly two years ago. Now, here's an example of a fully versatile author that can write the most breathtaking, poetic prose for one book, then turn around and write an entirely different way, though still completely captivating. Bewitching is vibrant and alive with excitement, whirling with magic and mystery from start to finish. With a layered plot, an insider's look into the heart and soul of Kendra Hilferty and a birds-eye view of some of the most classic of fairy tales, Bewitching hits a home-run.

If you've read Beastly, you'll remember the character Kendra who, while shrouded in mystery, drove the actual storyline. I wanted to know more about the witch then, and I'm so glad to say that Bewitching addresses pretty much everything I wanted to know. Kendra is a fantastic character! While morose and a bit solemn in her prior character, she comes alive within the pages of Bewitching, and I have to say that her story, or backstory as it were, is utterly enchanting. She's flawed, and it's an incredible discovery and transformation that we can follow throughout the entire story because, though Kendra isn't human, Bewitching very much features a singing undercurrent of the nature of humanity. The world of Bewitching, too, is leaps from the pages with each and every fairy tale we encounter. The plot is action-packed, the tension is brittle and real and the emotions run high, but Bewitching's beauty lies within the fact that you can lose yourself in a world that's exciting, safe and entrancing, much like the childhood stories we love so much. The only real issue I had with Bewitching was the fact that some of the subplots leaped a bit too fast, and the transition jarred a bit, though it smoothed back into a steady past after a few pages.

Overall, I adored Bewitching, and the story of Kendra is one that I truly hopes will continue because it was such a pleasure to explore where she came from. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy paranormal, fairy tale retellings and stories from Alex Flinn.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Censorship in YA: Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:33:00 +0000

For a long while now, I've been a huge fan of Alex Flinn's writing style. The author has the unique ability to spin incredible fairy tales, while also creating gut-wrenching stories full of life, reality, compassion and depth. Censorship is a hot button issue in the book industry, as well is in the world today, as a whole, and I couldn't sit idly by when I heard the news that Alex Flinn's critically-acclaimed novel, Breathing Underwater, is facing censorship in Richland, Washington. Below is a description of the novel:

Nick is one of the chosen few at his high school: intelligent, popular, and wealthy. People think his life is pretty easy. Except for one thing. Nick has never told anyone about his father's violent temper.

When Nick meets Caitlin, he thinks she is the answer to all his problems. Caitlin is everything Nick has ever wantedbeautiful, talented, and in love with him. But then everything changes, and Nick must face the fact that he has gotten more from his father than green eyes and money.

The Richland, Washington school district is stating that that Breathing Underwater features "profanity," "dark themes" and "sexual content." As a conservative individual who has read the book, I can objectively state the profanity never goes beyond name-calling such as "b*tch or "slut," the dark undertones mimic the severity of the situation that the novel is actually bringing to light and the sexual content is merely alluded to. There is no action, there is no physical description and, frankly, the content to which the school board is referring is much like a tactful fade-out, if you will.

I believe there is value to books that tactfully broach upon the difficult-to-stomach issues of real life. There are going to be teens in this world that can relate to the trauma that Caitlin faces, both emotionally and physically. There are going to be boys that can relate to the internal battle that Nick fights every day to control the violence inside him. Simply censoring and glossing over such important and valuable content would be severely detrimental to the children whom the Richland, Washington school district are teaching. To ban a book simply based on the presumption that the content is too much for the sensitive minds of the children is narrow-minded and egotistical. Frankly, there are probably students who won't have the courage to stand up and step out of a situation without reading a novel like Breathing Underwater.

Breathing Underwater has won dozens of awards and honours, but perhaps the most valuable of all was not so much an award, but a clear and distinct recognition of its necessity for teens. In 2007, Rhode Island passed the Lindsay Ann Burke Act in honour of a young woman killed by her abusive boyfriend, making it mandatory for all schools in the state to address dating violence in their curriculum to raise awareness to the severity and detrimental nature of it. Nebraska and Ohio passed the act in 2009, as well. Breathing Underwater has been recommended reading for the course since.

Last year, the school district fought to ban the book, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, and lost due to public support and the upholding of the novel's merit. It is my hope that as a YA community, we can rally behind not only the integrity of Breathing Underwater, but also the author in this situation. To the Richland, Washington school district: life isn't all sunshine and roses. In some situations, there is a dark underbelly that needs to be exposed to properly educate and grow the minds of the individuals being taught.

There is still time to help Alex Flinn and support her novel, Breathing Underwater. We are a vast community, and we have the opportunity to make a significant impact. Please, if you can take just a moment to do so, tweet this, share it, blog it and get it out to others that the censorship of Breathing Underwater must be stopped.

If you would like to email the school district to rally for the cause, please do so HERE.

Daniel Cohen: Guest Feature and ARC Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:04:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of the very first Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week! For those of you that don't know about Spencer Hill Press, here's a little background. Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house that specializes in science fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy for the Young Adult audience.

With a host of talented authors and dozens of fantastic titles under its belt, Spencer Hill Press has become a veritable powerhouse. And, as luck would have it, yours truly is hosting the fantastic crowd with a whole bunch of goodies for all of you! Be sure to follow the week (through Sunday), and check out the great features and giveaways!

Welcome, Daniel Cohen, author of The Ancillary's Mark and the forthcoming Veil Trilogy!

Find Daniel on: Goodreads. Twitter. Blog.

Daniel is super excited to announce that his brand new shorts story, The Every-Mother Knows Best is now available for a PDF download!

Rich and inventive, Daniel has created a short story that harnesses hist-fic with a touch of the paranormal for an exciting, fast-paced read.

Want to download it and try for yourself? Click HERE!

Daniel has graciously offered an ARC of Masters of the Veil, pictured to the left, as well as some sweet swag including, but not limited to some awesome MotV soda can jerseys!

This giveaway is US & Canada ONLY, and it will end promptly at midnight EST on February 2, 2012.

As always, you do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is always appreciated!

Still want to enter? Click HERE to fill out the form!

Lisa Rogers: Interview and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of the very first Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week! For those of you that don't know about Spencer Hill Press, here's a little background. Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house that specializes in science fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy for the Young Adult audience.

With a host of talented authors and dozens of fantastic titles under its belt, Spencer Hill Press has become a veritable powerhouse. And, as luck would have it, yours truly is hosting the fantastic crowd with a whole bunch of goodies for all of you! Be sure to follow the week (through Sunday), and check out the great features and giveaways!

Welcome, Lisa Rogers, author of Angelina's Secret!

1. Where did the story of Angelina's Secret stem from?

Before writing Angelina's Secret, I wrote a nonfiction book containing true ghost stories. After signing this book with an agent and still not having any luck placing it with a publisher, I thought a fiction story about ghost might be more marketable. Thus, Angelina's Secret was born. Even though I have since been able to place my nonfiction work, On Haunted Ground, once I started writing fiction I fell in love with it and hope to write many more fiction books.

2. What inspires you to write?

I have always loved to read and to think that someone might be getting that same kind of joy from reading one of my books inspires me beyond words.

3. You can only read three books for the rest of your life - which do you choose, and why?

Only threefor the rest of my life?!?!?! What an awful thought! That must mean I'm going to die soon. *cries softly* Okay I'm hoping I still have some time before I go because my top three are books that haven't been published yet. I would NEED to finish the two series I have started. I would want to finish the Ganzfield series, which would include reading Operative and Soulmate. And I simply can't leave this earth without reading Deity the third book in the Covenant series.

4. What do you like most about being an author?

Writing fills the need to do something sane with all of the characters running around in my head, and I LOVE working in my pajamas.

5. Describe Angelina's Secret in 10 words or less, please!

Most cheerleaders don't have THIS kind of spirit!

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers?

If you get the opportunity to read Angelina's Secret, I honestly hope you enjoy it and if you have the time come visit with me at: Ghost Talk, Facebook, Website.

Lisa has graciously offered an ARC of Angelina's Secret & signed swag OR her awesome Crescent Ghost Squeezie & signed swag! The winner gets to choose!

This giveaway is US ONLY, and it will end promptly at midnight EST on February 2, 2012.

As always, you do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is always appreciated!

Still want to enter? Click HERE to fill out the form!

Waiting on Wednesday: My Life Next Door

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine, and specifically spotlights upcoming novels we can't wait to read. As always, there are some amazing upcoming books, but this week I'm particularly excited for...

Title: My Life Next Door
Author: Huntley Fitzpatrick (Facebook)
Publisher: Dial BYR
Publish Date: June 14, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemps
Pages: 304

"One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time."

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, numerous, messy. And every day from her balcony perch, seventeen year old Samantha wishes she was one of them… until the day Jase Garrett climbs her terrace and changes everything.

Jase can sense that his beautiful neighbor is missing something in her sterile home, and as the two fall fiercely in love, his family makes her one of their own.

But when the bottom drops out of Sam's world, which perfect family will save her–and will her perfect love survive?

I know, I know. It's contemporary, but I did make that huge confession the other day saying that I'm beginning to have a bit of a soft spot for them. So, sue me. Some of them are good - others...well, you get the picture. I've read a lot of have/have not stories, but I'm excited to read this one. My Life Next Door promises a sort of "opposites attract" vibe, all the while offering tension, love and tragedy. I'm sold. Here's hoping this is another contemporary book to add to my list of winners! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Jennifer L. Armentrout: Interview and ARC Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of the very first Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week! For those of you that don't know about Spencer Hill Press, here's a little background. Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house that specializes in science fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy for the Young Adult audience.

With a host of talented authors and dozens of fantastic titles under its belt, Spencer Hill Press has become a veritable powerhouse. And, as luck would have it, yours truly is hosting the fantastic crowd with a whole bunch of goodies for all of you! Be sure to follow the week (through Sunday), and check out the great features and giveaways!

Welcome, Jennifer Armentrout, author of the Covenant series and more!

Find Jennifer on: Website. Twitter. Blog.

1. What made you decide to become an author?

I always had a passion for writing, so it was the next step for me. Taking something that was a passion and lifelong dream and turning it into a career.

2. If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?

Ah, probably paranormal. I like the critters.

3. What are your three all-time favorite books?

At this moment, because my all-time favorite changes: Soul Screamers Series, Demon Trappers Series, and Brotherhood series. Yes, I picked series as one book.

4. Zombies vs. Vampires - which would win, and why?

Oh, man. I don't know. Because if a zombie bites a vampire, is the vampire now a zombie-vampire? And vice versus. It would be like a super race.

5. Describe Pure in five words or less, please!

Every decision has a consequence.

6. Is there anything else you would like to tell your readers?

A zombie vampire hybrid sounds like a good story, huh?

Jennifer has graciously offered an ARC of Pure, pictured to the left, as well as some sweet swag!

This giveaway is US ONLY, and it will end promptly at midnight EST on February 1, 2012.

As always, you do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is always appreciated!

Still want to enter? Click HERE to fill out the form!

Top Ten Young Adult Fictional Characters

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Young Adult Fictional Characters:

1. Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) - Regardless of what you think of the series, her so-called bushy hair (I'm sorry, but it's perfect in the movies, at least), or her epic nerdiness, this is one kickass heroine! She is smart, brave and she doesn't take flak from anyone. She is empowering, in a nutshell.

2. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) - Not too many girls would sacrifice themselves in the blink of an eye to save their baby sister. She's brave and valiant, proud and strong, and she was a wonderful character to follow through three incredible books.

3. Carly (Raw Blue) - I've never been a fan of contemps, but this one blew my mind, in part because of just how real the MC was. Though she was haunted by the trauma she faced and the pain she lived with, she was honest and true throughout.

4. Harry Potter (Harry Potter) - Seriously? What's a list without an overdose of Harry Potter. We all know that I'm a Potter fiend (my cat's middle name is Harry Potter - don't judge me), but he is incredible. We grew up with him, and like it or not - he's a part of our generation.

5. Mara (The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer) - I'm a sucker for twisted. So, sue me. There's something so epicly wrong with Mara that it's just about right. This girl has everything going wrong, and yet she is utterly captivating!

6. Damon (The Vampire Diaries) - Colour me crazy, but I love me a bad boy. He's dark and brooding, and he can be so bloody selfish, but you can't get better than him. Underneath all that cynicism, he's a marshmallow.

7. Percy (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) - This kid is just that - a kid, but he's so entertaining, and I swear that everything goes wrong for him, no matter what. He's always kicking ass and taking names though, and his adventures are far too cool.

8. Albus Dumbledore (Harry Potter) - I confess, I love him. I still held out hope to the very end that somehow, some way, he would come back. That said, I felt the same way for Sirius, so that's a testament to the connection I felt with the characters!

9. Grandfather Lamech (Many Waters) - He was wise, sweet and old, but he loved his children to the very end. Most of all, in a time of non-belief, he believed there was a path, and he held fast to that belief through everything. I loved him.

10. Martin the Warrior (Redwall) - One little mouse fueled an entire epic fantasy series that dominated my childhood shelves. I think I own every book in the series, and I just loved hearing all the tales of everyone trying to live up to his name.

After the Snow by S.D. Crockett Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:33:00 +0000

Title: After the Snow
Author: S.D. Crockett
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: March 27, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 304
Source: Publisher

Fifteen-year-old Willo was out hunting when the trucks came and took his family away. Left alone in the snow, Willo becomes determined to find and rescue his family, and he knows just who to talk with to learn where they are. He plans to head across the mountains and make Farmer Geraint tell him where his family has gone.

But on the way across the mountain, he finds Mary, a refugee from the city, whose father is lost and who is starving to death. The smart thing to do would be to leave her alone -- he doesn't have enough supplies for two or the time to take care of a girl -- but Willo just can't do it. However, with the world trapped in an ice age, the odds of them surviving on their own are not good. And even if he does manage to keep Mary safe, what about finding his family?

Willo lives in a dark world. Barren, cold and bleak, Great Britain is closing in around him, and he is struggling to survive in a seemingly endless winter. Warmth is craved, and food is a necessity, but the government, the economy and all basic fundamentals of living are long since ruined. Willo has three main missions. First, he must seek and find his family in the hopes of reuniting them once again. Second, he must help Mary, a starving refugee, stay alive. And third, but certainly not least, Willo must somehow find it within himself to make it through the harsh reality of life while attempting to survive.

After the Snow presents a new take on the classic survival story, catering to the young adult crowd. Set in a world that’s equal parts futuristic and backwards, giving the reader a glimpse into the breakdown of the economy and government. S.D. Crockett has created a harrowing world in which the landscape, the morale and, frankly, every bit of civilization is in shambles. The prose is sparse and bare, mimicking the tone of the novel and lending a powerful, unsettling and foreboding nature to the story.

I have to admit that I’m really on the fence about After the Snow. Here’s the thing – for all intents and purposes, it’s one heck of a great premise, and I do love the dark tone of the novel. However, there was a part of me that was so trapped in the utter sense of hopelessness that I felt while reading this novel, and I struggled to overcome it throughout the story. After the Snow also had a very unique writing style, which I’m sure will work for some, but I grappled with it throughout. Willo had such a blunt, unforgiving voice in the story. Because it was from his viewpoint, the story was then fractured in dialogue, and it felt almost illiterate and caveman-like, if that makes sense. It was very brute and uncouth, and I really struggled to relate to Willo as a character because of that fact. There were definite strengths to After the Snow though, namely the fact that it was very blunt and unforgiving in its approach to the world in which Willo, Mary and society, in general, lived. It was haunting, and it really made me crave an escape. That, in and of itself, is a great feat for an author. Unfortunately, because I couldn’t relate to the dialogue though, I struggled.

Overall, just because I didn’t really connect with After the Snow, I can’t say it was a bad book by any means. The author made this book one-of-a-kind, and there’s a great beauty in authors willing to step out and do so. Because of that, I give this book a 3 out of 5, and I recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian and survival stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Kate Kaynak: Interview and Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the kickoff of the very first Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week! For those of you that don't know about Spencer Hill Press, here's a little background. Spencer Hill Press is an independent publishing house that specializes in science fiction, paranormal romance and urban fantasy for the Young Adult audience.

With a host of talented authors and dozens of fantastic titles under its belt, Spencer Hill Press has become a veritable powerhouse. And, as luck would have it, yours truly is hosting the fantastic crowd with a whole bunch of goodies for all of you! Be sure to follow the week (through Sunday), and check out the great features and giveaways!

Welcome, Kate Kaynak - Author of the Ganzfield Series!
Find Kate on: Website. Twitter. Facebook.

1. What made you decide to become an author?

I've been writing since I was in high school and college, but I only developed the ability to finish novels after my kids were born. I was a stay-at-home mother with three kids in diapers at the same time (seriously, we didn't so much have a family as have a litter), and I needed something that let me think at more than a Curious George level. I wrote my first novel in 2008, and my first *good* novel about a year and a half later.

2. What do you like most about being an author?

I love when the story is so vivid in my head that my characters give color commentary on the things happening in my everyday life. Maddie and Seth are especially snarky. E.L. Doctorow called writing "the socially acceptable form of schizophrenia," but it really is like having a bunch of friends hanging out in my head.

3. Series or stand-alone...which is your favourite to read, and why? I usually prefer a series, since I love spending more time in an amazing, interesting world. However, some stories really are just perfect as a single book, and to extend them detracts from the sense of closure. And I also hate when a series goes on too long, becoming repetitive and depressingly predictable.

4. How long did it take you to write Minder, and did you want it to be a series immediately?

I wrote the first chapter (the scary one) in a day. I then printed it out and let those four pages sit on my table for weeks, wondering if I really wanted to write a story that started out with such terror--Maddie gets pulled into a van by some guys who want to do some terrible things to her. But the rest of the story was there, wanting to come out and show that people like Maddie can survive traumatic experiences and come out strong and whole, and that sometimes the bad experiences are what people need to show how strong they really are.

Once I started the second chapter, I finished the rest of the book in just under two months. I'd originally envisioned the story arc as three books (which are now Minder, Adversary, and Legacy), but the characters kept wanting to do more stuff--so eagerly that the first draft of Accused (book 4) got written down in less than a month. The Ganzfield series is going to end after the sixth book, Soulmate, which is scheduled to come out in December. I may someday write a standalone from Seth's point-of-view, though, since his path diverges from Maddie's in Soulmate, and I'd love to tell his story.

5. Describe Minder in 5 sentences or less, please!

Ganzfield is a training facility for teenagers who carry the gene for special abilities like telepathy. A simple medical treatment enhances their skills, so we have a bunch of kids who can set things on fire with a thought or heal with a touch. But every high school has its cliques, and Ganzfield has a group of students who can use mind control and who pretty much run the joint. Then Maddie shows up, and she's immune to them... and can kill with her mind if she gets too upset. Fortunately for her, Trevor's there to keep her from losing it--and to give her a reason to live.

6. Is there anything you would like to tell your readers?

I love that you've been hanging out with my imaginary friends.

Kate has generously offered an advanced copy of the brand new edition of Minder (pictured here).

This giveaway is open internationally, and it will end promptly at 12 AM, EST on January 31, 2012.

As always, you do not have to be a follower to enter, but it is always appreciated!

Still want to enter? Click HERE to fill out the form!

In My Mailbox 1/22

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

In My Mailbox is an amazing weekly meme hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren that features the books we have received during the week. It's so much fun because we get to see what our fellow bloggers stumbled upon this week and add even more to our piles of books! Without further ado, this week I received the following books:

Pieces of Us by Margie Gelbwasser (ARC) - Thank you, Flux

Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter (eARC) - Thank you, HarlequinTeen

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown (ARC) - Thank you, Delacorte BYR

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee (ARC) - Thank you, Y.S. Lee

Starters by Lissa Price (ARC) - Thank you, Delacorte BYR

Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves (ARC) - Thank you, Flux

Let's Talk: Why Are You a Book Blogger?

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Let's Talk is what I like to call a semi-regular feature here at i swim for oceans. Does it happen every week? No. Will there be weeks when it happens more than once? Probably. Can you set your calendar by it? Heck no. Here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!

Question: What are you a book blogger?

Book blogging seems to be a hot-button issue these days, and I'm going to state my little disclaimer before anything else, if only to prevent putting my foot in my very own mouth. I am a book blogger. I am not a professional reviewer. I do not claim to be a professional reviewer. My statements on books are my own thoughts and opinions. They will not mesh with everyone else's all the time, and I'm ok with that. I will always, always, always state my feelings with the utmost of tact and sincerity possible. Moving on.

I began blogging about books way back in 2009 because I'm a nerd, plain and simple. I found a lovely little niche community where a bunch of thoughtful individuals seemed to have created a network of information and opinions about books that I found classy, insightful and intriguing. Never one to shy away from a challenge, I decided to dip my toes in the water and attempt to form my very own little corner of the blogosphere, and that's how the site came about. I started rather shakily, and my reviews were rather pathetic, if I do say so myself. Over time though, I discovered that I could lend my own voice to my reviews and make them my own...truly my own, that is. I also figured out that I'm not going to always love the books I read. So, through trial and error, I found a way to touch the issues without chopping novels off at the knees. No matter what, there is always a positive, and I make it my duty to find that positive and highlight it every time.

Book bloggers get a bad rep sometimes (ok, rather frequent as of late) for negative reviews getting insane amount of exposure, but as a whole, I think our community is pretty awesome. The same goes for authors and publishers. I've experienced far more generosity in this book blogging community than you could ever imagine. It's incredible how tight-knit we are, for the most part. I've made friends, I've made mistakes and I've sure as heck had a great time doing it all. It's about what you want to bring to the table.

Bottom line is this...I blog about books because I love it. Being a book blogger, to me, is simply allowing my thoughts and feelings about books and writing to find a public forum and voice. To me, being a book blogger is about love and a true and honest passion for the written word. Whether a book is brilliant or falls short for me, that book is made with love and care, and as a self-proclaimed book blogger, it's my right and my privilege to lend my thoughts, however dense or dumb they may be. In essence, book blogging means the world to me. It's fun, it's engaging, it's interactive and it's truly a privilege to work with the amazing authors and publishers out there.

What about you?

Loss by Jackie Morse Kessler Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:42:00 +0000

Title: Loss
Author: Jackie Morse Kessler
Publisher: HMH
Publish Date: March 20, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 272
Source: Author

Fifteen-year-old Billy Ballard is the kid that everyone picks on, from the school bullies to the teachers. Things change drastically when Billy learns that years ago, he’d been tricked by Pestilence, the White Rider of the Apocalypse. Now it’s Billy’s turn to wield Pestilence’s Bow and spread sickness through the world. He uses his new power to lash out at his tormentors…and accidentally causes an outbreak of disease. Horrified by his actions, he wants nothing more than to be rid of the Bow. For that to happen, Billy must track down the previous White Rider, who is hiding in a place where even Death cannot go.

Billy’s search takes him across the centuries: from ancient Phrygia, where a man called King Mita agrees to wear the White Rider’s Crown, to a mighty forest, where Pestilence plans to cheat Death; from the docks of Alexandria, where plague is packed into cartons of grain, to the Children’s Crusade in France, where the White Rider learns a truth that will break him. By the time Billy finds the man who had tricked him so long ago, the White Rider is completely insane—and is poised to unleash a plague that would make the Black Death look like a summer cold. And only Billy can stop him.

Billy is tormented. It doesn’t matter the day of the week, or even where he is. He is bullied, tortured and beaten down every single day. His life, as far as he’s concerned, is one living hell. That all changes in an instant, however, when Billy discovers that years ago he was tricked by the White Rider and fated to carry Pestilence’s bow and spread disease throughout the world. Suddenly, he has more power than he could have dreamed, and he can finally get vengeance for the misery he’s faced. However, his actions have consequences, and when Billy realizes what he’s done, he must race to undo it before time runs out…for everyone.

I’ve been a fan of this series from the start. Veteran author, Jackie Morse Kessler, has created a riveting series based around the story of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, hence the aptly-titled series, Riders of the Apocalypse. Loss is deeper than its predecessors, delving into one of the grittiest supernatural tales I’ve read in a good while. Equally heartbreaking and intense, Loss represents the darkest hells of the world, offers redemption and gives both the character and readers the chance to choose – what would you do in Billy’s position. Fluid and fast, the story spins on an epic arc, searing that very question into your mind.

I made a commitment to reading more books from a male POV this year, and I’m so glad that Loss fit the bill. Billy was an excellent, multi-layered character that, despite his pain and anger, was not blinded by it and was able to understand the repercussions of both his actions and inactions. Furthermore, I also loved the fact that Billy wasn’t afraid to touch the dark aspects of the book. Bullying, too, is a completely relevant topic in today’s day and age. While Loss could very easily have spun into a preachy novel, it maintained a thoroughly objective standpoint while still allowing you to access the deep-seeded pain at the heart of it. I will say that parts of the story were a bit unbelievable, namely the epic journey that Billy must face to encounter the White Rider, as a whole, it worked well. Throughout Loss, Billy’s story was raw, gritty and honest, giving you a protagonist you wanted wholeheartedly to believe in.

In my opinion, I humbly state that this was the best book in the whole series for me. Loss was poignant and powerful, superseding the paranormal and becoming an honest, emotional story that resonates. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy the series, as well as those who enjoy the paranormal.

I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Happy 50th Anniversary, A Wrinkle in Time

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

This year, Macmillan is celebrating the 50th anniversary of a book that's become a classic through the generations, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. First released in 1973, the book explored a unique realm of sci-fi and supernatural, blending elements that many readers of the genre weren't used to. And so, it reinvented the YA mold. Today, I'm so pleased to be a part of the 50 Years, 50 Days, 50 Blogs Celebration to honour this classic before its brand new release date on January 31, 2012.

I first read A Wrinkle in Time when I was 11 years old. I was desperate to find a book that was different than the books we had to read in school, and I kept looking for books that had more adventure, more drama and something entirely new. I remember finding the battered old copy on my sister's shelf, and I snatched it because, heck, that's what sisters do, right? Little did I know that this one book would transport me to another realm - a 5th dimension, as it were.

A Wrinkle in Time was the first book I ever read that presented a female protagonist that was entirely real and tangible for me. I understood her, I felt like I was journeying with her throughout the book and I was invested in her story. More than that though, Meg was capable, rather than a wimpy little girl, and I found that empowering. A Wrinkle in Time, though thoroughly intense and thrilling was also one that truly emphasized the importance of believing in yourself and the faith you have in your family. The message was wrapped up in a world of adventure though, and I lost myself in that book for weeks.

Opening the 50th anniversary edition of A Wrinkle in Time transported me back to my 11 year old self, marveling at the complexity of the story and the world within those pages. My old copy is battered and bruised, though I prefer to call it loved, with its taped-on cover nearly disintegrating. I read the book through again in one day, and though I have a different perspective having reviewed so many books and grown up, I enjoyed it as much as before. The world is just as beautiful, Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace are just as engaging and the story is still one I adore and can't wait to pass on to my children.

----------------------------

The 50th anniversary edition of A Wrinkle in Time contains unique and never before published features including:

Frontispiece photo

Photo scrapbook with approximately 10 photos

Manuscript pages

Letter from 1963 Caldecott winner, Ezra Jack Keats

New introduction by Katherine Paterson, US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature New afterword by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter Charlotte Voiklis including six never-before-seen photos

Murry-O’Keefe family tree with new artwork

Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery acceptance speech

To find A Wrinkle in Time on Facebook, please click HERE.

To view the blogs participating in the rest of this tour, please click HERE.

Thank you very much to Macmillan and Big Honcho Media for asking me to be a part of this wonderful tour!

Waiting on Wednesday: Fair Coin

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: Fair Coin
Author: E.C. Myers (Twitter)
Publisher: PYR
Publish Date: March 27, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Supernatural
Pages: 250

Sixteen-year-old Ephraim Scott is horrified when he comes home from school and finds his mother unconscious at the kitchen table, clutching a bottle of pills. The reason for her suicide attempt is even more disturbing: she thought she’d identified Ephraim’s body at the hospital that day.

Among his dead double’s belongings, Ephraim finds a strange coin—a coin that grants wishes when he flips it. With a flick of his thumb, he can turn his alcoholic mother into a model parent and catch the eye of the girl he’s liked since second grade. But the coin doesn’t always change things for the better. And a bad flip can destroy other people’s lives as easily as it rebuilds his own.

The coin could give Ephraim everything he’s ever wanted—if he learns to control its power before his luck runs out.

Ok, I thought I'd finally heard it all. Seriously, the YA genre has been begging for something new, and Fair Coin sounds like it might very well offer it! The premise is very dark, and the idea of a coin determining the future of many lives is both incredibly tempting and terrifying. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this lives up to the awesome premise (even though it's a slim book at 250 pages). Plus, it's got a male MC and a great, futuristic cover...love it. What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: Pandemonium
Author: Lauren Oliver (Twitter, Facebook)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: February 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Dystopian
Pages: 375
Source: Publisher

I’m pushing aside the memory of my nightmare,
pushing aside thoughts of Alex,
pushing aside thoughts of Hana and my old school,
push,
push,
push,
like Raven taught me to do.
The old life is dead.
But the old Lena is dead too.
I buried her.
I left her beyond a fence,
behind a wall of smoke and flame.

Lena's been through hell and back...as literally as possible. Her mind is broken, her body is broken and her heart is shattered into a million pieces after losing Alex. When she is discovered by the Invalids, Lena is more than shocked to find that they nurse her back to health, rather than brutally kill her like she was led to believe they did in the Wilds. But Lena's journey is far from over. As she recovers and grows stronger, so does her mind and her heart. She becomes a member of the resistance, finding something to believe in, but danger lurks in every corner. Is the fight for Love worth it, or will the ultimate freedom come with the ultimate price...again?

I remember how blown away I was when I first read Delirium, despite my hesitance. So, naturally, I had extremely high expectations for Pandemonium, especially as the second book in the series. Lauren Oliver has delivered a stunning sequel to the first book in her epic dystopian series, giving us more of the brutal battles, ruthless world and breathtaking love story that we've come to expect from her. With impeccable grace, Pandemonium sweeps us into the ravaged Wilds and gives us a heroine that might be battered and broken, but is every bit as fierce and determined as we could hope. In a sentence, Pandemonium is tragically beautiful and painfully rich, giving us the very best in dystopian fiction.

Guys, I have an extremely strong aversion to love triangles, so you should make note of that going into this review. Pandemonium took my heart and gradually repaired it with a soaring, sweeping love though, where its predecessor tore it from my chest and stomped on it a million times. Lena, as usual, is a wonderful heroine. Her humanity is the driving force of her character, making her someone I want to read about, and the added strength she gains through living in the Wild only serves to foster that investment in her being. Furthermore, though we're given a host of new characters to meet, including Julian who I desperately wanted to hate but just couldn't, Pandemonium balances an action-packed plot and a host of characters with ease. The real strength of Pandemonium, however, lives in the writing, itself. Perfectly switching between Then and Now, the story is never jarring or false, and it flows effortlessly, guiding a soaring plot arc throughout.

All in all, Pandemonium was a brilliant sequel to a nearly perfect first book. I am so excited to be able to say it lives up to book one because I was a bit scared. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy dystopian fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

The Dirt by Lori Culwell Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: The Dirt
Author: Lori Culwell
Publisher: Booktrope Editions
Publish Date: November 22, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 206
Source: Publisher

Lucy Whitley cannot wait to get out of Palm Desert. It’s not a place for a frizzy-haired science nerd, particularly when her fashion-obsessed older sister Sloane is the head of a clique of pretty girls who rule the school – and practically the whole town.

Fortunately, life is about to change forever. Lucy’s dad is getting re-married, and then she can transfer to a boarding school in Connecticut, escaping all the mean girls and the endless whispers about the Whitley family scandal. Everything is going to be perfect – as long as the wedding goes smoothly.

Lucy lives in the shadow of her sister, Sloane. Pretty and popular, Sloane dominates the school with her posse of mean girls, while Lucy feels like she lives in the dregs. But while she might be the black sheep, Lucy's certain that life is about to change, and she's on the cusp of the something new. Her father's remarrying, her dream to leave Palm Desert is about to become a reality and all that stands between her and freedom is one little wedding. It will all go smoothly. It has to...but will it?

Ok, fine, I'll admit it. I'm starting to have a bit of a soft spot for the occasional contemporary story, but I will adamantly maintain that I am always looking for something that steps outside the mold into something just a little bit more than the average book. Veteran author, Lori Culwell, has crafted a sweetly fun, sardonically hilarious and dangerously biting novel with The Dirt, perfectly capturing two radically different sisters in an engaging light. With her fast-paced plot and delicately crafted prose, The Dirt resonates into a fun story that reads almost like a film, capturing your heart from start to finish.

Lucy is one of those characters that just brings the story to life. She's a full-bodied character that leaps from the pages with every emotion, action and inaction throughout The Dirt. She wants nothing more than to escape because she can't possibly see a way to making life in Palm Desert with her practically perfect sister, Sloane, around. In perfect contrast, Sloane was the embodiment of popularity. Conceited and snotty, she resonated disdain, perfectly deflecting Lucy's character. The Dirt, though perhaps hugging a bit too closely to stereotypes was a fun and fast read that locks you into the story of the characters and gives you a reason to read through to the very end. It begins with a bang and spirals through, giving you all the best of contemporary in a slim and engaging read - love, coming of age and a touch of wit and humor to lift your spirits.

The Dirt was a surprisingly fun read for me. It's not my normal cup of tea, but I actually really enjoyed it, in large part because it was so well crafted. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all YA fans, especially those who enjoy contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Spencer Hill Press Giveaway Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:29:00 +0000

I am so, so, SO excited to announced that yours truly is going to be hosting the Spencer Hill Giveaway Week from January 23rd through January 29th! The week will feature awesome guest posts, interviews and, of course, a plethora of awesome giveaways from the authors behind Spencer Hill Press. The full lineup is below...please spread the word and, if you like, add the button from my sidebar to your site! Remember, there will be giveaways throughout the week, so get ready!

Monday, January 23, 2012 - Kate Kaynak (The Ganzfield series)

Tuesday, January 24, 2012 - Jennifer Armentrout (Half-Blood)

Wednesday, January 25, 2012 - Lisa Rogers (Angelina's Secret)

Thursday, January 26, 2012 - Daniel Cohen (Ancillary's Mark)

Friday, January 27, 2012 - Emily White (Elemental)

Saturday, January 28, 2012 - Ednah Walters (Beytrayed)

Sunday, January 29, 2012 - Kelly Hashway (Touch of Death) and Angie Townsend (Amarok)

Be sure to check out the event when it starts in less than two weeks, and get ready for a week of fun with some amazing authors from Spencer Hill Press!

Balthazar by Claudia Gray Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: Balthazar
Author: Claudia Gray (Twitter)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publish Date: March 6, 2012
Genre: YA, Paranormal
Pages: 374
Source: Publisher

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago.

Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

Balthazar has, for all intents and purposes, a tormented past, and it's one that he carries with him every day of his life. But Balthazar can no longer hide from it when he makes this decision to help Skye, once a student at Evernight. His past follows him everywhere he goes though, and Balthazar doesn't know the evil undercurrent consistently boiling below the surface. Just when he finally discovers there could be redemption and happiness for him after all, Balthazar is thrown into a final battle that could end everything for good.

I have to admit that while I enjoyed the Evernight series, it was never really at the top of my list of absolute favourites. In a genre full of vampire novels, while the writing was solid, the story didn't sing to me. However, the character of Balthazar was always a beacon, so when I discovered that a companion novel to the series was being released, I was hooked. Claudia Gray has spun a mesmerizing tale of love and redemption in Balthazar, giving voice to the unsung hero of her beloved series. With clean, easy writing and a vivid, emotional plot, the story soars from start to finish, leaving the reader breathless throughout.

It's quite a feat when a vampire novel has me singing it's praises, but I have to say that Balthazar succeeded on many levels. Balthazar, though a vampire, felt human to me in the sense that he was open, honest and totally transparent. While on the one hand, Balthazar was a totally kickass vampire, on the other hand he was an rich, intoxicating MC with a soul that sears through the pages. Skye, too, was a fun character to explore in Balthazar. Whereas she was previously an afterthought, her spunk and character balanced Balthazar's with ease, bringing a sense of light to a dark and tumultuous plot. Furthermore, Balthazar deftly balances two very clear and distinctive POVs with ease, which is a success in and of itself. Most of all though, Balthazar seamlessly merged action, suspense, drama and emotion into a beautiful package that was well-rounded and a pleasure to read.

Overall, Balthazar was a brilliant start to a new series (I think/hope?). While it is a companion novel, I don't think it's necessarily imperative to have read the Evernight series, as the story does its due diligence and can stand alone. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to fans of YA, as well as those who love paranormal and fans of the Evernight series.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Raft

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: The Raft
Author: S.A. Bodeen (Blog)
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: August 21, 2012
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Pages: 231

Robie, 15, lives with her family on the Midway atoll, a group of islands in the middle of the Pacific. Her parents are scientists; it’s an isolated life. Robie enjoys visiting her aunt in Hawaii – she gets back and forth on a cargo plane that brings supplies to Midway.

During a visit, her aunt is called to the mainland for a work emergency, leaving Robie to get home on her own. On her flight back to Midway the cargo plane hits nasty weather, and goes down. It’s just Robie, the pilot, and Max, a co-pilot she’s never met till this flight, on board. Robie is pulled aboard a raft by Max, who is injured and slipping in and out of consciousness.

They have a bag of candy and very little water between them. When they finally reach an island that seems abandoned, Robie hopes they’ll be found quickly. But she’s not sure she was even on the flight manifest. Her parents must be looking for her…aren’t they?

I actually snagged a coveted copy of this bad boy, and I was immediately sold on the insanely/eerily awesome cover. Seriously, if that's not foreboding, than the synopsis of The Raft pretty much sums it up. I haven't read too much thriller-esque contemps as of late, and this seems to have a touch of LOST and a whole lot of awesome. Needless to say, I can't wait to start it! What do you think, and what are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Tuesday: Authors I Need More Of

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:53:00 +0000

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists over at The Broke and the Bookish. They'd love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week they will post a new top ten list that one of our bloggers at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All they ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.

Top Ten Authors I Wish Would Write Another Book:

1. Brian Jacques – his imagination made mine run wild. I miss him.

2. Kirsty Eagar – (Thankfully she is!)…and the premise is absolutely fantastic!

3. J.K. Rowling – another Harry Potter would be great, but anything with magic is fine by me, as well.

4. Louisa May Alcott – Her books spoke to me. Little Women was my childhood.

5. Max Turner – I hate vampires, but his vampire book (Night Runner) was one of the first I ever reviewed…and loved.

6. Nancy Werlin – I’d love to see more of her contemporary work. The Rules of Survival was breathtaking.

7. Jenny Han – Though contemps are usually hit or miss with me, her SUMMER series was beautiful. And intense. And perfection.

8. Michelle Hodkin – I know, I know. She’s working on book two, but good GOD, people! I need it right now! RIGHT NOW.

9. Karsten Knight – There were those that didn’t like Wildefire, but I really did. I thought it was original and fun. I want more.

10. Laurie Halse Anderson – Regardless where I stand on contemps, she never fails to impress me. Wintergirls was haunting. Triggering, perhaps, but haunting.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer Review

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publish Date: January 2, 2012
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopian
Pages: 387
Source: Publisher

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cinder lives the life of your obligatory Cinderella, complete with the requisite wicked stepmother and hideous stepsister. But Cinder is different than meets the eye. She's a skilled mechanic with a gift that supports her family's seriously lavish lifestyle. Not only that though, Cinder is a cyborg, making her less than the average human in New Beijing. Life is difficult, of course, but it's about to get more difficult. When an intergalactic war begins to brew beneath the surface, Cinder is about to become an unwitting heroine...but is it a life she is willing to continue, or will it be too much for one cyborg to handle?

There's a whole mess of dystopians and sci-fi novels on the YA market today. That's no secret, kids, but when an author is willing to take a classic, turn it on its tail and make it into something entirely new. Debut author Marissa Meyer has transformed your classic Cinderella tale into something far greater than your average damsel in distress tale. Offering us a heroine that's flawed but witty, sweet but strong and far braver than all those around her, Cinder earns its spot on the YA market today with an honest, fun and intense tale.

I was a little leery of Cinder, to be honest, despite my excitement. It's hard for a book to live up to the hype, but Cinder balances the task with ease. The characterization of our heroine was spot-on, allowing me to access the heart of her being from page one and become invested in her tale. Furthermore, all the secondary characters, including Cinder's stepmother, Prince Kai and her stepsisters came alive through rich and evocative dialogue and powerful actions. The true beauty of Cinder, however, lies within the world Cinder lives, New Beijing. The place was a virtual cesspool, dissolving under an incurable plague and ready to be attacked by the leader of the Lunar world, Queen Levana. Through the spine-tingling action and suspense, the romantic and believable love story and a great, fast-paced plot, Cinder succeeds on all levels.

Cinder is the first in a planned quartet of novels (love that it's not a trilogy!). Fun and thrilling, it's become an instant favourite of mine and definitely warrants a re-read. I give it a 4.5 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all fans of YA fiction, especially those who like fairy tale retellings, sci-fi and dystopians.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Brief Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (Melissa (i swim for oceans)) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 19:20:00 +0000

Hi kiddos! I know, I know...I said I was back, but I left again. Here's the dealio...lots of things are happening around the holiday season, and I was just too swamped to jump right back in. That said, I WILL BE BACK on January 2, 2012. Be ready. I'll be better than ever, obviously.

In the meantime, here are some updates on life and why I'm not blogging:

Christmas was amazing. It snowed!

I'm going to NYC for New Year's Eve for some quality family time with my two sisters, my love, my brother-in-law and his two siblings.

I got engaged!!! It's true. I'm getting married!

Eep! Ok, I'll be back on 2/2/12.

Love.

i swim for oceans

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