Can the lost be reclaimed? What price is too high to pay for love? Who can be trusted when sin and salvation collide?
Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.
Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.
This is such a hard review for me to write because I’m such a huge fan of Cassie’s and I love every one of her books. I really do. It bothered me to read some of the more critical reviews of City of Fallen Angels. I know it hurt to watch our beloved characters have to go through even more trials and pain, but aren’t those the very best stories in the end? Well, City of Lost Souls, is such a perfectly written story that I think even the strongest critics will have to agree with me.
You see, Cassie turns up the comedy in such a truly funny way that I found myself literally laughing out loud (not just “HA-ing” or giggling). The sarcasm and gentle jabs between the characters are so sweet and exactly what I’ve grown to expect from them. Here’s an example featuring Isabelle and Simon (from chapter 7: A Sea Change):
“Can you tell me a story?”
He blinked. “What kind of story?”
“Something where the good guys win and the bad guys lose. And stay dead.”
“So, like a fairy tale?” he asked. He racked his brain. He knew only the Disney versions of fairy tales and the first image that came to mind was Ariel in her seashell bra. He’d had a crush on her when he was eight. Not that this seemed like the time to mention it.
“No.” The word was an exhaled breath. “We study fairy tales in school. A lot of that magic is real—but, anyway. No, I want something I haven’t heard yet.”
“Okay, I’ve got a good one,” Simon stroked Isabelle’s hair, feeling her lashes flutter against his neck as she closed her eyes. “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…”
See what I mean? And then, Cassie gives us these lovely scenes that make our hearts ache as we realize that all of the characters have matured and the world is a much more complicated place for them. There’s a bittersweet moment with just about every one of the pairings. And I won’t even mention my favorite scene in Venice on a boat…
As if all that isn’t enough, Cassie blurs the lines between Team Bad and Team Good. Oh yeah, she does it and does it well. You will be swayed by the baddest of baddies. For those who hate a cliffhanger ending, oh just you wait…you get my favorite kind of ending, a soft landing before the inevitable has to happen in the next book. I have nothing else to add except – this, THIS is exactly how a series should be written.
Our Over All Rating:
First let me just say I totally agree with Sophie's comments above. But I wanted to add a little bit more and talk about the audiobok.
Cassandra Clare has stepped it up with both her writing and her story telling in City of Lost Souls. The story is emotional, full of detail (SOOO many clues! I'm now DYING for Clockwork Princess and City of Heavenly Fire), and ties together all three series (Infernal Devices, The Mortal Instruments and The Dark Artifices) in amazing Cassie fashion. And even though this is the middle book in the second trilogy, it doesn't have that middle book feel. It totally could stand on its own and propels the story forward.
City of Lost Souls picks up right where City of Fallen Angels ends. Clary, Izzy, Simon, Alec and the whole gang are working to figure out whats going on with Jace and how they can set everything right. Clary is also dealing with the fallout of what happened with Jace and the Angel at the lake. (Yeah I'm trying to be as spoiler free as possible for the rest of the series.) It was a blast reading how Cassie was able to bring everything together in such a way that didn't feel like a cop-out and felt true to the story. I also enjoyed getting more Magnus. He's an amazing character who spans the two existing series with a beautiful story line that I'm DYING to know how it all plays out.
I have actually not "read" a single Cassandra Clare novel, I've listened to them all on audiobook. Molly Quinn is back for another Cassandra Clare audio and she continues her streak as an amazing narrator. Only thing missing was having Ed Westwick back reading the male character parts, but that's just a little personal preference hehe (LOVE Ed's reading voice). But Molly does a great job of bringing life to each character and doesn't over play the voices. The audio had me feeling like I'm a kid again having someone read me a story, which I think, is the best compliment for any audiobook and narrator.
If you're considering a re-read of Cassandra Clare's books, try them on audio. All seven books are amazingly well done and I think you'll pick up on some details and ideas that you might not have picked up on while reading the story.
It's a free story Victoria wrote as a thank-you to her fans, and she wrote it to answer ONE question: "Who was Cole before he came to Near?"
Now, if you've already read THE NEAR WITCH, "The Ash-Born Boy" is guaranteed to change the way you see Cole.
And if you haven't read THE NEAR WITCH yet, don't worry, "The Ash-Born Boy" won't spoil anything!
So basically, either way, you should go read Cole's story ;)
And if you want to wait and read THE NEAR WITCH first, don't worry! Cole's story will stay up on Disney*Hyperion's website, and if it ever comes down, Victoria will carve out a space for it on her own site. It will always be available somewhere, and it will always be free.
And!
Cole's story isn't the only goodie to go along with the paperback release. In the back of the paperback itself, you'll find the first chapter of Victoria's new book, THE ARCHIVED, which doesn't come out until January!
So what are you waiting for?
Help Victoria celebrate today by taking a look at "The Ash-Born Boy," and don't forget to buy/order/pick up your own paperback copy of THE NEAR WITCH. To help you decide, here's a link to my 5-star review.
We are very excited to share with you Lisa T. Bergren's latest cover reveal for her soon-to-be-released story, TRIBUTARY (book #3.2) in the River of Time series is an e-novella, following the novels WATERFALL (book 1), CASCADE (book 2), TORRENT (book 3), and the e-novella BOURNE (book #3.1).
TRIBUTARY is scheduled to come out in mid- to late-June. And it's no secret that I'm eagerly awaiting the latest installment to one of my favorite timeslip romance series. Here are the links to my 5-star reviews for WATERFALL, CASCADE and TORRENT, and look for my review of BOURNE later this week.
Are you ready for more? Lisa's treating us to an exclusive excerpt from TRIBUTARY:
Alexandria reached for another arrow, so focused on the target and Evangelia’s coaching, that she didn’t hear his approach. Only when he was wrenching her bow from her hands did she see Lord Greco, towering over her. “Are you mad?” he seethed toward Evangelia. “She could have killed you with that first arrow!”
Lia frowned back at him. “Release her bow, Rodolfo. The girl is doing nothing but target practice. And from what I saw in that first round, she needs quite a bit more if she is to be a murderer in our midst.”
“She is Fiorentini. A farmer’s daughter. But she was hunting for her next meal. Do you know what the Fiorentini have offered in bounty for any one of us?” he said. Marcello and Luca came up beside him then. Celso, the guard, appeared so contrite that he might be ill.
“I am not about to kill any one of you,” Alexandria said with a little laugh. “Would I not be forfeiting my own life if I did so?” She looked up at Lord Greco in defiance, turning to face him.
“Mayhap you’d consider it an honor. To die for your Fiorentini cause. To avenge your brothers. Who knows what is going on in that feminine mind of yours.”
“The only thing in my feminine mind, Lord Greco,” she said, stepping forward, into his threat, and taking hold of her bow again, “was a little target practice. Are you so vulnerable that you fear a huntress’s arrow?”
He held on to her bow, staring down into her eyes. She hated that she thought him handsome. That she was drawn to his power. “I fear any arrow,” he said, “as does any wise man. To not, is to invite death.”
Oh Lord Greco, that feminine mind of mine is reeling from this scene. If you love a story with an element of historical time-travel that is full of action and romance, pick up TheRiver of Time Series. It is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords. Be sure to follow Lisa ontwitter and facebookfor her latest updates and you can also find out all her book related news on her web site.
And now for the cover of TRIBUTARY (shhhh, I am so not sighing...okay, maaaybe I am):
Those eyes. That determined, slightly amused look? Is it June yet? I may just have to re-read the books once more to be prepared for TRIBUTARY's release.
I adored Amy's dark London world and her paranormal twist on Jack the Ripper legend, so I jumped at the chance to ask her a few questions about the book. I promise you that there are no spoilers ahead.
PTB: Your London is full of dark alleys and secrets. What was the one surprising thing about London that you discovered in your research?
AMY: I was surprised to learn how incredibly close the very wealthy and the very poor lived in London--from Kensington to Whitechapel, it’s only a few miles. As I was plotting out Abbie’s chase scenes, I was amazed by how quickly she could go from carriages and whitewashed townhouses to impoverished slums—even while running in a steel corset and crinoline.
I discovered some of the most intriguing parts of London during my own wanderings in the city. Highgate Cemetery is one of my favorite places to explore. It’s just so mysterious, so haunting. That terrible, violent scene in Dracula, where the doomed Lucy is staked, takes place there. I just knew, as I walked around those quirky shadowy tombs, that it would be the perfect background for a Victorian novel.
PTB: Your research and exploration of London shows because I felt I was following Abbie around London's streets. I had no idea that the line between the poor and wealthy was only a few miles. It makes the differences even more jarring. But I have to ask -- what is your favorite scene in the book?
AMY: I have two favorite scenes: I love the scene on the night of the double murders when the Ripper is playing a cat and mouse game with Abbie.
I love that she’s running through the streets, knowing that she’s running headfirst toward the killer, all in an attempt to save his victims. It’s just such an Abbie Sharp thing to do. She’s so much braver than I am!
The library itself was loosely based on the library of the Victorian Richard Monckton Milnes (Florence Nightingale’s longtime love interest). He was a distinguished politician with an extensive pornography collection in his home library.
PTB: Okay, without giving away ANY spoilers, I have to say that your Ripper is chilling and yet I can see why Abbie felt the need to chase after him. She's so brave and yet determined. I don't know what I would've done in her place. On the other hand, that scene with Simon in the library...yes, mhmmm, naughty. You captured it all with your writing -- the fast action scenes and then the romance. There was also some wonderful dialogue. What is your favorite line in the book?
AMY: Oh, that’s easy. I love Abbie’s love scene with William in Highgate Cemetery where she describes herself as being “frighteningly unbridled.” Her actions, indeed, would have been very frightening to people in that time period. I loved writing this scene mainly because I wanted it to be both very heated and very Victorian.
Since the love triangle is based on the love triangle in Jane Eyre, I wanted to allude to that work in this portion of the novel. My favorite scene in all of Victorian literature is when Jane hears Rochester’s voice calling her name after he is handicapped from the fire--she “hears” him calling for her, even though he’s far away. She just knows, on some intuitive level, that he needs her.
While alone in the Highgate mausoleum, Abbie hears William’s voice speak her name--and almost doesn’t believe he’s there. She wants him so badly that she thinks, at first, that her ears are deceiving her. But then he is there, and before reason can catch up with her feelings, she is, well…unbridled.
PTB: I am not sighing. Nope, not I. I loved that moment and now that I know it's a nod to Jane Eyre, well, I love it all the more. Is there a deleted scene that you had to cut, but wished was still in there? Can you tell us a little bit about it?
AMY: Yes! In the original Ripper manuscript, I had a bit more backstory from Abbie’s working class Dublin years. She had a best friend, Roddy, a local blacksmith’s son. Roddy had an uncle in Stepney who had been a boxer. Because of this, Roddy was a bit obsessed with bare knuckle boxing—and it had been Roddy who taught Abbie how to survive on the Dublin streets. He taught her all of her knife-throwing and fighting skills. Her friendship with Roddy ends tragically--but this is overshadowed in Ripper with the mystery surrounding her mother’s death.
We had to cut the Roddy section in Ripper for length, and because it just wasn’t critical to what was going on with the Ripper murders.
However, in Renegade, the second book in the series, Abbie allows herself to think of Roddy, of her friendship with him, and of his fate. The reader finally gets to know him.
But this complicates her relationship with William—and she has to sort through her memories of Roddy as she puts together the mysterious pieces of her last day with him.
Although she solves the mystery of the Ripper murders in Ripper, she finds that she has only scratched the surface of the Conclave’s secrets. Understanding her own past is key to her moving forward, both emotionally and physically—it’s essential for her survival.
PTB: Ah, the Conclave. I won't add anything more to that because I'm afraid of spoiling things. But when you added that element, it all made sense to me, and yes, that's exactly where I felt I should stand up and clap. As for Abbie's past in Dublin, I wanted to know more about her childhood, so I'm excited that we'll get to read more about it. What has been your favorite part of your publishing journey so far?
AMY: I love getting e-mails from people who read Ripper and loved it. As a passionate reader, I love getting sucked into a world that I can connect with--and it’s such a pleasure to know that others can enjoy a world I’ve created.
Thanks so much for answering our questions, Amy. I am thrilled that there will be a continuation of Abbie's story in Renegade. She's become one of my favorite historical characters.
Don't forget to enter our RIPPER GIVEAWAY which ends on May 1st at midnight CST.
Amy Carol Reeves has a PhD in nineteenth-century British literature. She published academic articles before deciding that it would be much more fun to write about Jack the Ripper. When she is not writing or teaching college classes, she enjoys running around her neighborhood with her giant Labrador retriever and serial reading Jane Austen novels. She lives in Columbia, South Carolina with her husband and two children. Ripper is her debut novel.
In 1888, following her mother's sudden death, seventeen-year-old Arabella Sharp goes to live with her grandmother in a posh London neighborhood. At her grandmother's request, Abbie volunteers at Whitechapel Hospital, where she discovers a passion for helping the unfortunate women and children there.
But within days, female patients begin turning up brutally murdered at the hands of Jack the Ripper. Even more horrifying, Abbie starts having strange visions that lead her straight to the Ripper's next massacres. As her apparent psychic connection with the twisted killer grows stronger, Abbie is drawn into a deadly mystery involving the murders, her mother's shadowed past, and a secret brotherhood of immortals—who'll stop at nothing to lure Abbie into its "humanitarian" aims.
Amy Carol Reeves tackles an age old, unsolved mystery -- just who was Jack the Ripper? I haven't read much Ripper lore, but I'd like to think that I'm familiar with the basic facts -- a serial killer terrified Victorian London's dark alleys and the manner in which he killed his victims led most people to believe that he may have been a doctor.
Amy takes this lore and wraps a story around it that is so dark and layered in its mysteries that it keeps that "what happens next" level of excitement in your fingers as you turn pages. And then oh, she uses her Victorian setting in such a gorgeous way. Her writing reminded me of why I love this time period so much. That society seems, more so than most others I've read about, so clever at keeping its secrets. Perhaps that's why the Ripper mystery still fascinates our modern minds.
I won't spoil your reading of Ripper, but most of you know that I'm a character driven reader and I am so in love with Abbie. She's perfect not only as the protagonist for a mystery but as a representative of a determined Victorian woman. A woman who wants to use her skills to break a few of society's barriers was a rarity in that society because most women tried to manipulate the norms from within not from the outside.
And then the romance. Oh my. So beautifully written. In turns, it was heart-stopping, sweet and passionate. My highest praise is reserved for Amy's antagonists. There are a few and each one is deliciously complex and thoroughly bad in their intentions. The best past is how very believable they are.
If you're looking for a paranormal mystery that will lead you to the center of London's darkest alleyways and will point the finger at one of the bloodiest, most vicious of all killers, be sure to pick up Ripper. I literally wanted to stand up and clap at the end of the climactic scene. I'm looking forward to more of Amy's stories.
My Over All Rating:
GIVEAWAY:
Many thanks to Flux for providing us with a giveaway hardcover copy of Ripper.
Fill out the form HERE to enter the giveaway. Our usual giveway rules apply. Giveaway ends on May 1, 2012 at midnight CST.
It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future.
Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. But when one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause.
A rustle of silk. An empty dance card. And the wait, that agonizing wait spent wondering if the Boy-Who-is-Absolutely-Wrong-for-You will show up at the dance. We’ve all had that moment, haven’t we?
Saundra Mitchell pens a story of forbidden love, one in which the couple is not only separated by the rigid rules of society but also by their own secrets, which are kept hidden. As a reader, I understood that Amelia is husband shopping but as a woman in today’s society, I completely related to her determination to shop for love and her place in a society which swaps calling cards for favors. After all, even today, it’s all about who you know and how to get the right introductions to the right people at the right time.
I’m trying hard to stay spoiler-free in this review but, I will say that what kept me turning pages was Amelia herself. I loved her journey of self-discovery from the country girl who arrived from Broken Tooth, Maine to the girl who everyone wants to speak to in the most coveted social circles of Baltimore, Maryland. I adored her smart, true-to-herself, steadfast ways. And yes, I fell in love with her Nathaniel. Feel free to add him to your list of Fictional Boyfriends. He’s naughty, slightly inappropriate but he has merits you will only discover when you read The Vespertine.
If you love a historical read with a paranormal twist, be sure to pick up The Vespertine. If you stay away from historical stories, pick it up, you will find yourself drawing parallels to current society. Go on, I dare you – “jump with me.”
You can check out the first chapter, here. And don’t forget the next story in the series, The Springsweet, is being released in on April 17th. I adore this series so much that I’m giving away a paperback edition of The Vespertine. Be sure to click on the form below to enter the giveaway:
VESPERTINE GIVEAWAY -
Fill out the form HEREto enter a giveaway of ONE paperback copy of Saundra Mitchell’s The Vespertine. Our usual giveaway rules apply. The giveaway ends on The Springsweet’s release day, April 17th at midnight CST.
We all live very hectic lives -- going from work or school to errands and eventually collapsing in our favorite chair to read. Here on PTB, we just wanted to take a moment to give a huge, virtual hug to Myra McEntire, a mom, a wife and a wonderful writer. She's one of those women who does it all, and we love her all the more for it. I know, a rarity indeed.
In her timeslip romance, Hourglass, she introduced us to Em, Michael and Kaleb. Most us cannot look at a wrought iron fence the same way after reading that story. In my 5-star review, I said it was: "...the best kind of romance, too. The will they-won't they-he-she-did-WHAT kind." You can read the complete review here.
The synopsis of Timepiece has me longing to read it:
Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?
Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.
Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...
The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.
See what I mean? Hooked aren't you, and just from that synopsis alone. So have you ordered Timepiece, (Indie Bound | Barnes and Noble | amazon ) yet? Its release date is June 12th, which makes it the perfect beach-time, poolside read. I see that even Robert Pattinson agrees.
A number of blogs are participating in this blog tour; click over and see what they posted:
Title: Black Heart
Author: Holly Black
Publish Date: April 3, 2012, Simon and Schuster
Synopsis:
Cassel Sharpe knows he’s been used as an assassin, but he’s trying to put all that behind him. He’s trying to be good, even though he grew up in a family of con artists and cheating comes as easily as breathing to him. He’s trying to do the right thing, even though the girl he loves is inextricably connected with crime. And he’s trying to convince himself that working for the Feds is smart, even though he’s been raised to believe the government is the enemy.
But with a mother on the lam, the girl he loves about to take her place in the Mob, and new secrets coming to light, the line between what’s right and what’s wrong becomes increasingly blurred. When the Feds ask Cassel to do the one thing he said he would never do again, he needs to sort out what’s a con and what’s truth. In a dangerous game and with his life on the line, Cassel may have to make his biggest gamble yet—this time on love.
Am I the only one who gets a little anxious at the thought of a series ending? And this series in particular had me at the very edge of my seat pretty much from the end of book one. This was book three, how was I going to survive this rollercoaster of a plot?
I shouldn't have worried because there are only a handful of authors who can hit that end note and hit it well. Holly Black is definitely one of those authors. Boy, do I love her world. Think about it, a world where certain people can put curses on others? The noir feel of the first two stories made me remember my love of a well told darker tale and the third one, let me just go on record as saying that it was pitch perfectly told.
But let's face it, I read stories because I adore characters. And Holly's cast of characters is hands down one of my very favorites. Cassel's family -- his mother, grandfather and brother and the lovely and consistent Lila are such perfectly constructed characters. I just have to stop for a moment because my fangirl side is showing. The mark of a great author is how they bring these characters to life. Holly's such a master at this because I loved every single one of them and if not loved, well, at least understood perfectly (yes, even the antagonist). In Black Heart, I adored the back story of Cassel's mother and father. Holly does this so well. She gives us these believable little glimpses into their past decisions and then we fully understand their current situation.
I can't let this go without mentioning my real life panic towards the end of the story. No spoilers I promise, but as a mom, I was hoping that Cassel would make a certain decision. However as a reader swept away by this subplot, I may have whispered a very relieved "yes!". And then I may have tweeted the hash tag #ohmyheart. That sums up my feelings reading this book -- oh . my . heart. It's just so good.
Title: Pretty Crooked
Author: Elisa Ludwig
Publish Date: March 3, 2012
Synopsis:
Willa's secret plan seems all too simple.
Take from the rich kids at valley prep and give to the poor ones.
Yet Willa's turn as Robin Hood at her new high school is anything but. Bilking her "friends"--known to everyone as the Glitterati--without them suspecting a thing is far from easy. Learning how to break into lockers and Beemers is as hard as she'd thought it would be. Delivering care packages to the scholarship girls, who are bullied just for being different, is more fun than she'd expected.
The complication Willa didn't expect, though, is Aidan Murphy, VP's most notorious ace-degenerate. His mere existence is distracting Willa from what matters most to her--evening the social playing field between the haves and have-nots. There's no time for flirting, especially with conceited trust-funders like Aidan. But when the cops start investigating the string of thefts at Valley Prep and the Glitterati begin to seek revenge, could Aidan wind up being the person that Willa trusts most?
Elisa Ludwig's "Pretty Crooked" is the first book in an adventurous teen caper series filled with mystery, humor, and heart.
I was looking forward to the premise. After all, who doesn't love a good Robin Hood tale? And Willa certainly has all the makings of a perfect Robin Hood. Her background of moving from school to school, always being the new girl and never quite having enough money fit the character type rather well. I admit that I was very curious to see how Willa would adapt not only to the new private school but also to being accepted into the very top clique, the Glitterati. It was even interesting to see her own struggle between having the funds to buy $400 outfits and trying to speak up against the students who didn't have money. But somewhere in the logical jump that she should steal from the rich kids and give to the poor, I got lost.
Don't get me wrong, the story reached for a sense of justice and yet for me, it missed the mark. What did the hit the mark was Elisa's solid writing in describing the dramatically different settings in the story, the conversations between the Glitterati and the interactions between Willa and Adrian. The very best part of the story was the changing dynamic between Willa and her mother. I wanted more of them together and I wanted to know some of the answers that will surely end up in next year's sequel.
My Over All Rating:
(more like 2.5 stars)
To celebrate our Debut Author Spotlight, we're giving away ONE hardcover copy of Pretty Crooked. Our usual giveaway rules apply. Giveaway ends on 3/31/2012 at midnight CST. To enter, please fill out our form HERE.
When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.
Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?
The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?
My Inner Thoughts squealed (I realize that reaction isn’t pretty for a mom of three but please understand that I’m battle scarred from fighting the Pull Through Lane at two schools every single day, so squealing is allowed on occasion) when I finally sat down with my copy of Midnight in Austenland, and I felt the immediate pull as my mind quieted and the story surrounded me.
Shannon Hale is one of my favorite YA/middle grade authors (the reason I’m reviewing it here) who writes wonderful, adult romance novels. This story is a sequel to her well received Austenland, which has been made into a movie with Stephenie Meyer as a producer. Yes, I’m quieting my Inner Thoughts. I know they’re LOUD and I know that you can guess my level of excitement and guess it accurately. But listen, Shannon Hale’s book has Inner Thoughts and their owner is the very real Charlotte. I loved her. She’s someone I would be friends with because she’s smart, successful and knows what she wants or at least what she thought she wanted. And hey, she gets to spend a few weeks in Austenland healing herself from her divorce and the inevitable complications that follow.
Perfect setup for pure escapism, right? Wrong. This story is, oh so much more. It’s a gothic-style, cozy mystery with an absolute nod to Agatha Christie. It’s one of those, perhaps-the-butler-did-it stories where everyone is a suspect. And yes, there is romance because, well it’s Shannon Hale, but the romance is wrapped up in a classic murder mystery. I’ll refrain from updating you on how much my Inner Thoughts loved it. I know that you get the idea.
When you’re in a mood for a cup of tea or coffee and a solidly written murder mystery with just enough swooning to make you smile, pick up Midnight in Austenland.
I don't know about you, but character interviews are my very favorite type of post. The answers give you an unexpected glimpse into the character's logic and personal thoughts. Now we do get to read both Aria's and Perry's points-of-view in Under the Never Sky, but these answers are so very, well, THEM. You'll see and oh yes, as per our policy, there are NO spoilers.
PTB: Aria, as a self-labeled geek, I was fascinated by your Realms. So I have to ask, what was your favorite realm inside Reverie?
Aria:I don’t have a single favorite, but I do love music Realms. Anywherewhere there’s live music. Concerts, theater, cabaret. I spend most of my timein those kinds of Realms. I also love the Venetian Realms. There’s nothing better than hanging out along the Grand Canal.
PTB: Venetian Realms would be amazing to see. Gondoliers, I suppose, too? Okay, but now I have to ask (because I kept thinking about it as I read your story) once you were on the outside, was there one thing that you wished you could have brought with you?
Aria:Caleb. He’s Paisley’s brother, and I miss him. It was always the three of us, so to lose both of them when I was cast out was really hard.
PTB: Aria, you are such a strong and determined girl and you accept your
circumstances and find your bearings quickly. In hindsight, is there a
decision that you might have made differently?
Aria: I wish I’d spent more time appreciating the good things about my mother. I guess that’s more of an approach than a single decision. But I think regret isn’t really a good emotion unless it helps you in the present. I think I forgive faster now. And I appreciate the people I love more.
I may have wanted to hug Aria with that answer. But, I got to ask the hero, Perry, a few questions, too and umm, well, things got blushy.
PTB: If we were to land in your world, what piece of advice would you give us that would help us survive the harshness of yourenvironment? I may be thinking of your description of how to tell if a berry is edible. *blushes* *smiles*
Perry:That’s a good place to start…. (Smiles) Now I’m embarrassed. Whatwas the question again? Right. Survival. You have to cover the basics. Shelter,food, water. Depending on where you are, one of those will be most important.And keep your head cool. Survival is about making good decisions.
PTB: *tries keeping her head cool* We love the mutual friendship and respect you have with Roar. If we were to ask him about you, what do you think he'd say?
Perry: (Laughs) He’d tell you a few stories meant to embarrass me. Was he the one who told you about the berries? I should have never told him about that. Roar is never happier than when he makes me squirm.
PTB: I think that's exactly why readers will love Roar. Perry, you are a man of few words. So using just three words, tell PTB readers why they should pick up your's (and Aria's) story?
Perry:Survival. Adventure. Aria.
Phew. That was quite an interview. Now don't forget toread the 5-star review and enter the giveaway for a SIGNED, hardcover copyHERE.
Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive.
A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky.
In her enthralling debut, Veronica Rossi sends readers on an unforgettable adventure set in a world brimming with harshness and beauty.
I haven't read a dystopian story in a while, so I was definitely ready for a book like Under the Never Sky. But I wasn't prepared for the depth of Veronica Rossi's world-building and boy, did I love the details of this world haunted by destructive aether storms. Storms so violent that in order to protect themselves, people created pods and within these pods, they created virtual worlds so they could enjoy pastimes in a safe environment.
Let's step back for a second, imagine if you could create an underwater birthday party for your kid. With mermaid tails for everyone. I see a few of you taking out your smartphones and making notes. We're not so far away from that, are we? It's what Veronica does best -- in the middle of her dystopian reality, she gives us something we can completely relate to and so we buy into her world and the political and social structures she creates.
Then she populates this world with such a well defined cast of characters that we grow to understand them and even love them (well, some of them at least). I fell in love with Aria, the protagonist who was forced out in the unprotected wilderness and who fought for her life in a completely foreign environment. She adapts so well, but is believable in her very real worry that the environment may kill her. And then there's Perry. The savage hunter. Okay, I'll say it...hello, HotBoywithArrows. But again, in the hands of Veronica, he's something more than the Beast to Aria's Beauty; he's a deeply motivated, complex hero.
The love story is classic and perfectly paced. The action sequences are fast and deadly. The stakes are so high in this book that you will find yourself finishing the story before you wanted to. And the ending? Few endings have left me feeling the way this one made me feel. I know, I promised no spoilers.
Under the Never Sky is available in bookstores right now. I know you'll love Aria, Perry and oh boy, wait until you meet Roar. Roar will definitely make my list of favorite sidekick characters in 2012. Don't let these guys sit on your shelf or nightstand, their story is one that you've got to read.
My Over All Rating:
Now I couldn't let this book go unshared, so enter theGIVEAWAY for a SIGNED, hardcopy HERE. The giveaway ends on February 29th at midnight CST. Our usual giveaway rules apply.
I can't believe it was about a month ago that I attended Veronica Rossi's Launch Party for Under the Never Sky. It was a gorgeous, warm January evening in Northern California and Rakestraw Books was packed. And not just packed with books, but bodies. I loved seeing some of my favorite bloggers including the always effervescent Pam from bookalicio.us and Patricia and Jamie from Two Chicks on Books.
Veronica's book is amazing in its detailed world-building and well developed characters. If you haven't picked it up yet, don't wait. The story is so well told. If you'd like to see more pictures of the launch, you can click over to Veronica's blog. One thing I learned from her is that it's always good to name a favorite character after your favorite wine. Roar, I knew I liked you the moment I saw you.
Title: Hallowed
Author: Cynthia Hand
Publish Date: January 17, 2012 Harper Teen
Synopsis:
For months Clara Gardner trained to face the fire from her visions, but she wasn’t prepared for the choice she had to make that day. And in the aftermath, she discovered that nothing about being part angel is as straightforward as she thought.
Now, torn between her love for Tucker and her complicated feelings about the roles she and Christian seem destined to play in a world that is both dangerous and beautiful, Clara struggles with a shocking revelation: Someone she loves will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.
In this compelling sequel to Unearthly, Cynthia Hand captures the joy of first love, the anguish of loss, and the confusion of becoming who you are.
I will admit that I love an angel story, but lately I’ve been feeling a little meh about some of the entries in the genre and then I picked up Hallowed and I remembered why I loved books that use angel mythology in a believable way.
I need to pause a second and emphasize how wonderful it is to read a well written story. The characters – dear God, I love them all. Clara. Tucker. Christian (helloooooo, Christian). Clara’s brother and her mom. The story tackles a subject matter that usually makes me burst into tears shortly after I read the first sentence. But Cynthia handles this subject matter in a gorgeous, gentle and realistic way. Yes, I cried a little but I was also uplifted by the way the cast of characters supported Clara. I’ve lived long enough to know that true friends will support you through the bleakest of times.
Now, you guys know me well enough to know that I will need to comment on the romance and again, huge props to Cynthia for writing a believable love triangle. I totally related to Clara’s feelings about outgrowing her relationship with Tucker. Things have changed for Clara, rather dramatically, and sometimes those changing circumstances make us question all choices including the big one – is this person right for me?
For those of you who were firmly Team Christian, whoa, hold on. Christian’s character is developed brilliantly in this story and we see him as more than a two dimensional angel-hero boy. His character surprised me the most and I have to admit that I’m smiling as I write this.
So if you enjoy paranormal stories or are a fan of angel mythologies and you haven’t picked up Unearthly and Hallowed, what’s stopping you? Do it and then you’ll see that you’ll start recommending them, too.
My Over All Rating:
Thanks to Mundie Moms for putting on the Hallowed Blog Tour. For fun interviews, giveaways, author posts and reviews be sure to follow the rest of the tour stops. Next stop is on Monday (January 23rd) at GReads.
We are thrilled to also have a giveaway! ONE winner will receive:
- A Team Tucker Cowboy Hat
- Swag Pack (Unearthly patches, posters and bookmarks)
Fill out the form HERE. The giveaway ends on January 28th at midnight CST. Our usual giveaway rules apply.
It's always exciting to entertain royalty, and today we none other than His Royal Highness Prince Kai, heir to the Eastern Commonwealth in Marissa Meyer's New York Times bestseller (congratulations Marissa!), Cinder.
PTB:You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders (ongoing negotiations with The Lunars, keeping research for a cure for letumosis going and not to mention your father's illness) and you handle it all well. Is there anything you fear?
Prince Kai: I have more fears than is probably safe to share in a public interview, but mostly I worry that I won’t live up to the expectations that the people of the Commonwealth have of me.
PTB:Just the fact that you voiced that concern will make you a great leader. But Prince Kai, I want to discuss something a bit lighter and more personal.You may not know this, butPTB girls love to dance and we hear that there will be a ball given in your honor. If you were to ask us to dance that night, what would we talk about while dancing?
Prince Kai: I’m actually rather fond of dancing myself (all those years of dance instruction have been good for something at least). But I tend to be curious and interested in other people, despite how distracted I’ve been with everything happening in the kingdom lately, so expect lots of questions directed your way. As long as it isn’t more tedious politics, I’m open to any topic.
PTB: I think we may be able to think of a few non-political topics. One thing we've noticed, your Highness is that you have a wonderful sense of humor and we do love our share of snarky boys, so what three words would you use to tell our readers why they should read your (and Cinder's) story?
Prince Kai: “Because I’m charming.” (Not bragging, just a fact.)
Let's just end on that note before I swoon (again) in print. If you haven't picked up Cinder, run to the store and buy a copy or enter our giveaway here. Whatever you do, don't miss out on this perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy fairy tale.
Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Publish Date: January 3, 2011 Feiwel and Friends
Synopsis:
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.
A girl who fixes mechanical things. A boy who just happens to be a prince. A plague that tears apart families. Add to all that a nice round of political intrigue and you have the makings of Cinder.
If you’re expecting a straightforward Cinderella story, you won’t find it between these pages. Instead you’ll find a perfect blend of fantasy and sci-fi. But watch out, just when you think you’ve figured out the rhythm of Marissa’s plot, she’ll throw you a curve ball. For fans of the fairy tale, like myself, there are just enough nods to the story that I found myself smiling and looking forward to them.
As far as the characters go, well, I dare you to not fall in love with both Cinder and Kai. Cinder is that determined girl who will do what’s right no matter the stakes and Kai…what, you heard my sigh? Well, he’s the prince who feels the burden of his position and yet, more than anything he, too, wants to do what’s right for his people. They’re so similar and yet, just when you think perhaps everything may work out, don’t worry as mentioned in the synopsis, betrayal and treachery are right around the corner.
Marissa has built a world that I fell in love with and one that I found so very believable. And I know 2012 just started, but boy do I need it to be 2013 so I can read the sequel, Scarlet, because the ending, in this case, is really a beginning of a deliciously complex series.
My Over All Rating
GIVEAWAY TIME!
I adored this book so much that I’m going to give away a hardcover copy along with a cute steampunk-gear necklace which reminds me so much of Cinder. Fill out the formhere. Keep in mind the giveaway ends on January 18th at midnight CST and that our usual giveaway rules apply. Also, please note, my cute shoe is not included in the giveaway. It’s waiting for Prince Kai to stop by, any minute now.
The giveaway includes one, hardcover copy and a lobster-clasp, 30" chain, steampunk-gear necklace. Shoe is not included.
Don't forget to visit us tomorrow and Friday when we'll feature a Q and A with Cinder and Kai.
