Teaser Tuesday: Eternal Ones

This week's teaser comes from The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller.

Haven watched the skyscrapers pass as if they were part of a movie that she'd seen before.  But new scenes had been added and others removed.  The effect was baffling, at times disturbing.

That would be strange. 

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Author Interview: Jackson Pearce

Today I'm playing host to Jackson Pearce, author of our Once Upon A Week group read choice SISTERS RED. She agreed to answer a few questions for me and I thought I would share them with you. 

Let's play Three Truths and a Lie. Tell me four facts about yourself, one of which is fictional, and we'll try to guess which is which. (*you'll find the answer at the correct answer at the bottom of the interview)

I went to horse camp and rode a horse named Captain Jack.

I was the best cha-cha dancer in my high school's dance department.

I can't stand gossip or celebrity news-- it's so unimportant.
I love documentaries in a serious way, especially ones about largely unknown subjects.
Did you read fairy tales growing up? Which is your favorite?

I did, but I'm not sure that I had a favorite. I LOVED Pinnochio, which isn't really a fairy tale-- it was written in the late 1800s. I even had a Pinnochio Christmas ornament!

Sisters Red is dedicated to your own sister. Is your relationship with her anything like the one between Scarlett and Rosie? I mean, other than the whole "she saved me from a werewolf" thing.

Yes and no. My sister and I weren't always very close-- but I think that we, like Scarlett and Rosie, had to learn to accept one another as individuals before we could get along and be friends as sisters.

Looking at your website, I see there are two companion novels of Sisters Red in the works. Can we expect to see more of Scarlett, Rosie and Silas? Please say yes!

In the future, but the companion novels that are currently in the works are not about the March sisters or Silas. SWEETLY, however, involves Silas's brother, and FATHOMLESS involves his triplet sisters!

I have to ask- when you auditioned for the circus, what act were you trying out for?

I would have taken ANYTHING. But for my audition, I juggled and twirled fire batons. I would have given anything to be a trapeze girl though (which is probably why Scarlett and Rosie's mother is a runaway trapeze girl!).

What is the last book you read that you absolutely loved and think everyone should read?

I just reread the Betsy, Tacy and Tib books (well, some of them). They're fairly simple and going on a hundred years old, but they are CLASSICS. I loved reading them. They were a breath of fresh air after reading so much darker, more modern stuff lately!

*(The lie is that I hate gossip/celeb news. I read CNN.com daily, but my next stop is always TMZ.com. It's nice to read something totally stupid and meaningless after delving into more serious, intense news stories.)

Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions for me!

Review: Death's Excellent Vacation

This is a short story anthology with various authors. 

Summary: The editors of Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and Many Bloody Returns deliver a new collection-including a never-before-published Sookie Stackhouse story.

New York Times bestselling authors Charlaine Harris, Katie MacAlister, Jeaniene Frost-plus Lilith Saintcrow, Jeff Abbott, and more-send postcards from the edge of the paranormal world to fans who devoured Wolfsbane and Mistletoe and Many Bloody Returns.

With an all-new Sookie Stackhouse story and twelve other original tales, editors Charlaine Harris and Toni L. P. Kelner bring together a stellar collection of tour guides who offer vacations that are frightening, funny, and touching for the fanged, the furry, the demonic, and the grotesque. Learn why it really can be an endless summer-for immortals.

My thoughts: As with all short story collections, there were some in this volume that I enjoyed more than others.  All the stories are paranormal fiction and feature characters on vacation- a perfect theme for summertime!

I definitely enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse story, in which Sookie and Pam take a girls-only road trip and end up auditioning to be strippers.  Oh, Sookie, Sookie.... why did you think it was a good idea to let Pam plan the itinerary?  I also really liked the story by Jeaniene Frost, featuring the characters from her Night Huntress series.  I haven't read the series yet, but I will definitely be looking for it now, because the short story is excellent (is it getting hot in here?). 

There were a few other stories that I liked, but nothing that I was really excited about. Definitely check this book out if you see one of your favorite authors listed, or if you like paranormal and are looking for your next great read.

Final word: (3/5) Worth reading just for the Sookie Stackhouse story, and you might just discover your next favorite book.

Teaser Tuesday: Shade

This week's teaser comes from Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready:

"I laughed for the first time since he'd died.  In the dark booth, I could see every detail of his features- each hair on his head and even the touch of stubble that had appeared by Friday night.  "You look great.  For a ghost, I mean."

Interesting....

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Review: Heist Society

Author: Ally Carter (2010)

Summary: When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.

Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat’s dad needs her help.

For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way. (Goodreads)

My thoughts: When in progress, this book was described on Ally Carter's website as a hybrid between Veronica Mars and Ocean's Eleven.  With a description like that, how could I NOT want to read it? 

Fans of Carter's Gallagher Girls series are sure to love Kat, a quick-witted thief who just wants to walk away from the criminal lifestyle for good.  Well, other than stealing herself a first-class education, that is.  But when her father is in danger, Kat walks away from everything she ever wanted without a second glance.  Good thing for us readers, because the boarding school thing is way overdone in YA lit, but there is a deficit of Robin Hood-like teen art thieves.  Besides, it's not really stealing if the person you're stealing from stole what you're stealing in the first place, right?  Right. 

This book might just have you wanting to break out your black clothes and grappling hook as you're rocketed along in a globe-trotting adventure with Kat and her teen crew.  Witty and exciting, HEIST SOCIETY is a sure winner.

Final word: (4/5) If you like heist movies, this book will definitely win you over.

Review: Raised by Wolves

Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes (2010)

Summary: Adopted by the Alpha of a werewolf pack after a rogue wolf brutally killed her parents right before her eyes, fifteen-year-old Bryn knows only pack life, and the rigid social hierarchy that controls it. That doesn't mean that she's averse to breaking a rule or two.

But when her curiosity gets the better of her and she discovers Chase, a new teen locked in a cage in her guardian's basement, and witnesses him turn into a wolf before her eyes, the horrific memories of her parents' murders return. Bryn becomes obsessed with getting her questions answered, and Chase is the only one who can provide the information she needs.

But in her drive to find the truth, will Bryn push too far beyond the constraints of the pack, forcing her to leave behind her friends, her family, and the identity that she's shaped? (Goodreads)

My thoughts: RAISED BY WOLVES had a lot of press to live up to by the time I got around to reading it. With people saying things like "the most compelling YA werewolf book out there" (Melissa Marr), it's hard to believe the book can live up to expectations.  But this one does.

Lovers of the paranormal genre will appreciate the care Barnes has taken in creating her werewolf pack.  The gender dynamics, power struggles, truths and secrets blend together to create a community with a real soul.  Standout characters are Devon, Bryn's metrosexual werewolf best friend, and Lake, the teen girl werewolf who is obsessed with weaponry.  My personal favorites, though, were Ali (Bryn's human foster mother) and Callum (her adopted werewolf father, pack Alpha).  Two more different parents would be hard to find.  Ali's weakness mixed with ferocity and Callum's strength mixed with calm and calculation make for an interesting mix.

What set this story apart from the pack (pun intended) was the singular gift Barnes has for imagery.  She has an incredibly original way of expressing her characters' experience.  (For a taste, check out last week's Teaser Tuesday)  To keep from being absorbed by the wolf pack and losing her individuality, Bryn has created a barrier in her mind.  Barnes describes the walls Bryn has put up between herself and the pack in nearly phsyical terms.  At one point in the story, Bryn has to  remove the wall in her mind.  Before she does, she imagines taking all her most important hopes and feelings and hiding them away in a corner of her mind to keep them safe from the pack.  Ah, I'm not doing it justice, but the image really stuck with me. 

Despite the fact that the description makes the Bryn-Chase relationship sound like a romance, and I guess it is, the two characters are hardly ever in the same room together.  They only touch a few times in the book.  This does nothing to make their connection less compelling.  In fact, I think it rachets up the impact massively.  It feels a little cheap to call it a romance, when I could feel a pull between the characters that was so much more.  I was surprised by the level of character depth and development here, definitely above average.

Another great thing about this story is the way Barnes deals out secrets and revelations that suddenly make you reevaluate the entire story.  There was at least one point in the book where I literally went back and reread everything a particular character had said in light of the new information.  RAISED BY WOLVES is the kind of story I found myself thinking about and dissecting even when I wasn't reading it. The flip side of the careful doling out of information is that the story felt a little slow from time to time, but not enough to keep me from enjoying myself.

Bryn's fans will be happy to know that she'll be getting a sequel, TRIAL BY FIRE, released in Summer 2011.

Final word: (4.5/5) A must for werewolf fans.

Linkage:

Add RAISED BY WOLVES to your to-read list on Goodreads.

Thanks to Book Crazy Jenn, whose review spurred me to go out and buy this book.

Website for Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A Bit of Me(Me): Family Matters

A Bit of Me(Me) is hosted by the1stdaughter at There's a Book.  Here's what she has to say about it:

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”.

This week's question: Do you come from a large or small family and how do you think it influenced your life?

I love it when people ask me this question.  It's not going to be as much fun over the internet, though, because I won't be able to see your jaws drop when I say I HAVE EIGHT SIBLINGS!  Two biological brothers, and six adopted sibs (3 girls, 3 boys).  I have a spreadsheet to keep track of Christmas gift-giving.  No joke.  My parents both come from large families as well and I have more first cousins than I am able to keep track of.  Coming from a large family is fantastic, everyone should try to do it if at all possible.  Reasons why coming from a large family is great:

1. As a kid, you always have someone around to play with.  Sure, sometimes all those brothers made me want to scream and run away from home. But they were also always around to play pirates or knights or whatever our currant fantasy world was.  Boredom, begone!

2. Someone always has your back.  Thinking of any difficult times in my life, there has always been a family member to step in and go above and beyond to help out.  You cannot buy peace of mind like that.

3. Conversational fodder abounds.  Let's face it, there's always something to talk about when you have forty thousand relatives.

4. Experience with people older and younger than yourself.  Lots of kids grow up with one sibling close to their own age, and classmates their own age being the biggest chunk of their social experience.  In a large family, you have constant exposure to people older and younger than you.  There's an opportunity to recieve advice and to be a mentor built right into your family structure.

5. Hundreds of other reasons I am thankful for every day.  It would take me too long to tell you all of them.

However, my Big Fat Greek Wedding-ish background makes for an interesting dynamic when mixed with my husband's family.  He has two sisters, four cousins and that's it.  (Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding?  You should, it's a funny funny movie, especially if you come from a big family, are Greek, have ever been married or possess a sense of humor.)  I love his family, but they're always so quiet.  And well-behaved.  And I'm sure they have never, ever, had a greased pig chase at their family reunion.  Not that I know anyone who has...

Author Interview: Erin McCahan

Today I have the honor of posting this interview with debut YA author Erin McCahan.  Erin wrote I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU SOMEONE ELSE, one of my favorite reads so far this summer.  You can check out my review here.  The book is engaging, funny and honest- I loved it.  So I was very excited when Erin agreed to answer a few questions for me.

First off, what does a typical day in your life look like?

I’m up early, right around 6, so that I can see my husband for a few minutes over coffee (his) and chai (mine) before he leaves for work. I read the paper, watch a few minutes of the national news, and I’m usually at my desk by 7:20. Then I write all day, which includes all those long hours of reading, re-reading, deleting, staring at the computer screen, wasting time on Facebook and actual writing. Sometime in the afternoon I work out for an hour. Then I either run errands or return to writing. So, yep, it’s an exciting life.

My favorite question: three truths and a lie. Tell us four facts about yourself, one of which is fictional. (Readers, guess the lie then scroll to the end of the interview to discover the truth.)

Oh, I love questions like this. Okay, here goes . . .
A. I had a parakeet named Mr. Feathers, who came when I whistled to him.
B. I spent the morning of my 40th birthday in a graveyard.
C. I have worn wooden shoes to school.
D. I once broke up with a guy over corn.

How much is Bronwen like you?

She and I don’t like ketchup, and we both like the beach, but other than that, I was nothing like her when I was her age. I wish I had been more like her, but I was just shy – pathologically shy, actually, and that’s not Bronwen at all.

What do you hope people will feel or think about when they finish reading your book?

As long as no one feels nauseated, irked or like robbing a bank, I’m doing pretty well as an author, don’t you think?

What were the best and worst parts of the writing/publishing process?

There is a moment in writing a novel when the characters seemingly take on lives of their own – in such a way that I’m certain they’re busy doing other things when I’m away from my computer. Once it happens, all I need to do then is get out of their way and tell their story. This is the best part of the writing process.

The worst part was my rotten timing when I wrote the first draft of this book. My kitchen was being remodeled at the time, so I heard power saws, sledgehammers, workmen talking and radios all day long. There were days I sat at my desk, typing out what I hoped were really funny scenes while just crying, crying, crying from all the noise.

Do you have another book in the works? Any hints toward what it's about?

I’m waiting at the moment, hoping to hear any day now, if my next one will be purchased. No title yet but it’s about brainy 16-year-old Josie Sheridan who falls in love with a guy who falls in love with her older sister who’s engaged to a man Josie hates. Now armed with ammunition to stop her sister’s wedding, Josie must determine how pure her motives are and also what this love business is really all about.

And finally, what was the last book you read that you absolutely loved?

MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD by Francisco X. Stork

It’s just a gorgeously written book.

I've had that one on my to-read list for a while.  I'll have to bump it up the pile now.  Thank you so much for this interview, Erin.  Oh, and here are the answers to three truths and a lie question:

**A is the lie. Never had a pet bird of any kind.

B – I was in Boston, poking around the Granary Burying Ground where Paul Revere, Sam Adams and John Hancock, among others, are buried.

C – Halloween, 4th grade, I was a Dutch girl, complete with wooden shoes from a factory in Holland, Michigan.

D – Long story but true.

I would have guessed the lie was B or D.  I wonder how you end up breaking up over corn... stuck in the teeth, perhaps? 

Review: Not One Clue

Author: Lois Greiman (April 2010)

Series: Chrissy MacMullen #6

Summary: L.A. psychologist Christina McMullen’s relationship with Detective Jack Rivera is heating up—until a client threatens to put a damper on their sparks. Chrissy has been counseling Micky Goldenstone to face the secrets from his past, but she had no idea that they would lead to a dangerous confrontation with a criminal even the police can’t protect her from. To make matters worse, Chrissy’s best friend, Hollywood starlet Laney Butterfield, has started getting creepy mail that’s turning stalker-ugly. And Chrissy’s neighbor desperately needs her help to rescue her runaway sister from an abusive husband. When it comes to swimming in a sea of crazy, Chrissy is a pro, but she’ll need more than a few clues to keep her head above water. (Amazon)

My thoughts:  I'm sorry to see this series come to an end.  Chrissy McMullen is a hilariously inept amateur sleuth, and her exploits have kept me fully entertained.  However, it's nice to know that she gets to go out with style.  NOT ONE CLUE is a perfect end if there has to be one.

As you can tell from the summary above, this book has A LOT going on.  That was my only complaint about the story- there seemed to be so many plot lines being juggled that none of them really stood out or got fully developed.  But really, this book is more about being fun, and it's definitely fun.

Final word: (4/5) Fans of Stephenie Plum are sure to enjoy this series.

Linkage:
Website for Lois Greiman
I discovered this series on mysterynet.com, where you can also read the first chapter of UNZIPPED, #1 in this series.

Teaser Tuesday: Raised by Wolves

Today's teaser is from Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Seeing him was nothing like the downward swing of a roller coaster.  It felt like having my soul pulled out of my nose.

It hurt.

Eep!  That sounds like it would hurt.  What exactly does having your soul pulled from your nose feel like, I wonder?   Review coming on Friday!

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should Be Reading.

Review: Changeless

Author: Gail Carriger (April 2010)

Series: The Parasol Protectorate #2

Warning! This review contains spoilers for Soulless.

Summary:  Lady Maccon (formerly Alexia Tarabotti) is getting used to married life.  And enjoying it.  Then one evening she wakes up to find her husband gone to Scotland to deal with "family business."  If that's not enough, there's a mysterious force removing the power of all the supernaturals in London... and now it's headed for Scotland as well.  Alexia is charged to discover the source of the phenomenon.  And she may just fetch her husband if she feels like it.

My thoughts: My favorite soul-impaired amateur sleuth returns, and this time she's seeking out the source of a threat that could spell the end of supernaturals everywhere.  Can she do it while managing to wear the latest trends and keep Ivy from purchasing yet more ridiculously ugly hats?  Of course she can!  Even while saddled with her obnoxious half-sister Felicity?  Ooo... now that's getting dicey.

I love just about everything about CHANGELESS.  Carriger has upped the stakes for the series in a big way, and I have no doubt that she'll deliver.  I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Lord Maccon's background- the big burly Alpha has a highly diverting backstory.  I found myself wishing there was even more backstory, and that never happens to me.

Essentially, everything postive that I had to say about SOULLESS applies to CHANGELESS as well.  Extremely hilarious witticisms (I laughed out loud several times) are present in abundance.  The characters are memorable and sympathetic.  The action keeps on coming.  I don't know what else you could possibly ask for.

I had one small problem with the ending of this book.  Unless I'm missing something, the problem that arises in the surprise twist is all too easily explained, and the book's conclusion feels like a contrived attempt to leave the reader in suspense.  Why didn't any of the characters figure out the explanation?  They're supposed to be smart people!  Oh, well.  It's annoying, but the book is still fantastic and  I'm curious to see where Alexia will end up next. 

Final word: (5/5) Funny and exciting.  Maybe even better than the first one.  I cannot wait for BLAMELESS to be released (August 31).

Linkage:
Add this to your Goodreads.
Buy it on Amazon.
Gail Carriger on Twitter.
Website for Gail Carriger.

A Bit of Me(Me): Jetset

A Bit of Me(Me) is hosted by the1stdaughter @ There's A Book.  Here's what she has to say about it:

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”.

This week's question: If you could travel anywhere in the world for 24 hours, where would you go?

I can be there for 24 hours, or 24 hours has to include my travel time?  Because I live in Canada, and it takes approximately forever to get anywhere other than Toronto.  OK, it's suits me to assume that I can be there for 24 hours.  I'm torn between Rome, Paris and Athens.  I've never been to Europe, and I really hope I will have the opportunity one day. 

Review: Soulless

Author: Gail Carriger (2009)

Series: Parasol Protectorate #1

Summary: Alexia Tarabotti labors under a number of social hindrances.  At 26, she is a confirmed spinster, dependent on her silly family's good will.  Her father has the nerve to be both Italian and dead.  She is cursed with dark skin and a large nose.  In short, she is everything Victorian society dictates she shouldn't be.  Oh, and she also has no soul. 

My thoughts: I love, love, LOVE this book.

In Carriger's world, the supernatural is explained by an excess of soul.  Normal persons have a normal amount of soul, and werewolves and vampires have an excess of soul ("I've got souuullll, and i'm super bad!"  Sorry, I have James Brown stuck in my head... bear with me.) Alexia is preternatural, meaning she is without soul.  This gives her the ability to neutralize supernatural beings.  I love the way Carriger has played on the lack of "soul" in Alexia's personality.  She is absolutely pragmatic, and her dry observations on society, science and fashion trends are hilarious.  She has a unique perspective on life that makes her witty remarks completely unexpected.  Adding to the fun is Alexia's ridiculous family and her best friend Ivy, who has a knack for picking the ugliest hats created by mankind.

Wit and humor not quite enough for you?  How about a mystery afoot?  Early in the book, Miss Tarabotti is attacked by a rogue vampire.  Which is completely unacceptable!   Vampires haven't taken unwilling victims since the Dark Ages.  So why are rogue vampires appearing all over London?  And where are the legitimate supernturals disappearing to?  After killing her attacker, Alexia finds herself cast as Suspect #1, and determines to get to the bottom of the mystery before the mystery gets to her. 

Of course, it's not really acceptable for an unmarried young woman to gad about investigating mysteries.  Miss Tarabotti doesn't just need to avoid the bad guys who are out to get her, but also avoid the notice of Conall Maccon, Earl of Woolsey.  He's the Alpha werewolf in charge of the investigation, but he finds himself pursuing Alexia for entirely personal reasons.  I couldn't get enough of the interaction between Lord Maccon and our heroine.

I'll leave you with the following quote:

Mr. Haverbink bowed deeply, muscles rippling all up and down his back, and lumbered from the room.

Miss Hisselpenny sighed and fluttered her fan. "Ah, for the countryside, what scenery there abides...," quoth she.

Miss Tarabotti giggled.  "Ivy, what a positively wicked thing to say.  Bravo."

Final word: (5/5) Fun times! I think I need a parasol now.

CSN Stores Giveaway

Today I've got a fantastic giveaway opportunity from CSN Stores!  I have a $50 giftcard up for grabs for one winner in the US or Canada.  You can use the giftcard towards a big purchase like a new bedroom vanity:

Or a smaller purchase, like this beautiful bookcase ($75!):

Since doing a product review for CSN Stores last year, I've ordered from them a few times and I've always been impressed with the quality of their customer service and the huge selection of products. 

All you need to do to win is leave a comment here telling me what you think you'd like to use your gift card for.  Don't forget to include your email address so I can contact you if you win.  The contest will be open for one week, til 11:59 PM August 19th. Good luck!

ARC Review: Clockwork Angel

Author: Cassandra Clare (August 2010)

Series: The Infernal Devices, Book 1

Summary: When Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to England looking for her brother, nothing quite goes according to plan. First, she's kidnapped by the creeptastic Dark Sisters, who reveal that Tessa has supernatural powers she was completely unaware of.  Then, Tessa is rescued by the Shadowhunters, but are they really any better than her kidnappers?  Well, at least they're a lot better looking.  Tessa finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Will, whose volatile temper and bad-boy charm are strangely irresistible.  Maybe she should resist, though, because there's also kind and serious Jem, Will's best friend.  Oh, and she still can't find her brother.  Not to mention the fact that there's a plot afoot that might just mean the end of the world as we know it.  Tessa begins to wonder if perhaps life on the streets in America might have been a better option.

My thoughts:  Clockwork Angel, how do I love thee?  Let me count the ways...

1. Sexy heroes.  Whether you go for the bad boys or you're more into the kind and soulful type, this book definitely has you covered.  Will and Jem are a pair of extremely hot Shadowhunters, even in overcoats and cravats.

2. Snappy dialogue.  Cassandra Clare has a gift for witty dialogue.  It flows perfectly, never feeling clunky.  Each and every page delivers the conversations and comebacks that you only wish characterized your own life.

3. Surprising twists.  It's pretty hard to surprise me, but this book had some twisty turnings that I didn't see coming until way too late.  I love that!

4. Historical setting.  Or perhaps I should say, alternative historical setting.  I finally get steampunk.  And I like it!  

5. Fast paced, exciting action.  The absolute best thing about this book is the way the action keeps on coming.  I can virtually guarantee you will never be bored while reading this book. 

So there you go.  My rave of the week.  I have been dying to read this book ever since I heard it was coming out, and it doesn't disappoint.

My only (tiny) complaint about this book is that the Tessa-Will dynamic felt too similar to the Clary-Jace dynamic.  It's hard to say much without giving spoilers, but let me just say that it felt slightly formulaic.  On the other hand, if the formula works, why change it? I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Final word: (5/5) Smart, sexy, and oh so exciting! I love this book.  I want to give it a hug and sleep with it under my pillow.

Linkage:
Website for Cassandra Clare
Cassandra Clare on Twitter
Website for the Infernal Devices series

Teaser Tuesday: Soulless

Today's teaser comes from Soulless by Gail Carriger.  I am SO enjoying this book- picture Jane Austen does urban fantasy and you'll be in the ballpark.  Review coming on Friday.

Miss Tarabotti had the transitory idea that he might be suitable husband material after all.  And then realized that a lifelong alliance with a man of such weak character would certainly turn her into a veritable tyrant.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted each week at Should Be Reading.

State of the Blog

.. a post filled with many random topics.  Brought to you by sleep deprivation and the letter "A."

1. LINGER WINNER!  I totally forgot to draw a winner, and this contest ended over a week ago.  *hangs head in shame*  ETKA PATEL, you are the lucky winner!  I will forward your mailing info to Scholastic, and your book should be on the way ASAP.

2. ONCE UPON A WEEK!  I thought it was a smashing success.  I had loads of fun, though I didn't manage to make it around to every single post the way I was hoping to.  Many thanks to everyone who partcipated.  We'll definitely do it again next year.

3. UPCOMING ABSENTEEISM!  I'm not sure that needed an exclamation mark, but I wanted to keep my points consistent.  I am exhausted these days, people.  And crazy busy with my kiddos.  With my oldest starting school in a few weeks *sob* I'm going to be even busier as we head into the school year schedule.  So I'm sorry to say that I may not be posting as often and definitely will not be commenting on other blogs as often as I would like to.  Lurker life, here I come.  Please don't hate me or be hurt if I don't stop by your blog as often as usual...  someday when I'm getting more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night, I'll be around more often.

Cream of the Crop: August 8th 2010

Cream of the Crop is an occasional feature wherein I share about posts from other blogs that have caught my attention lately.  Quite a bit of excitement in this edition!

First up, Heather Zundel from The Secret Adventures of Writergirl contacted me about an upcoming event celebrating the release of MOCKINGJAY (Book Three of the Hunger Games trilogy, just in case you've been under a rock for the last year or so).  Here's what Heather has to say:

How would you like to see Edward duke it out against Hermione? Or Katniss and Katsa? Well, guess what? You can, in the first ever YA Fantasy Showdown. In celebration of Suzanne Collin’s final book in the Hunger Games trilogy, a group of bloggers are pitting some of the best-known characters in YA in the ultimate showdown. And you get to pick the winner.


That’s right. You read the battles, evaluate the characters, and vote for who has the honor of moving on to the next round. It’s a tournament like you’ve never seen before (because there’s more). The authors have been asked to participate and advocate their character in writing their own version of the battle. It’s going to be truly epic. Or at least a good way to pass the time until Mockingjay comes out. It all goes down August 10th right HERE.

Next, Diana Dang of Stop, Drop, and Read has her 2nd blogoversary bash going on right now.  There are great posts from some of her favorite authors, and, of course, contests! The fun will continue all month long so hop on over and become a follower ASAP!

Erin McCahan, author of I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU SOMEONE ELSE (read my review here) has a new blog!  You should follow it.  It's new, so if you join now you'll be sure not to miss anything.

Anne Osterlund, author of Aurelia and Academy 7 also has a blog I've discovered recently. I'm thoroughly enjoying reading her descriptions of attempts to get errant characters to do what they're supposed to.  Good luck managing that Aurelia!

Kristin Cashore recently posted in answer to a question about writing scenes of physical intimacy.  Definitely of interest to all your writerly types out there, and also just generally good not-so-clean fun.

Once Upon a Week Blogger Spotlight #4

IntrovertedJen @ The Introverted Reader
Favorite fairy tale: Beauty and the Beast, because of the movie, to be honest.
Little known-fact about me: I'm quiet, so people are surprised at how funny and/or sarcastic I can be when I start to feel comfortable around them.
My blog: I write fantasy, YA fantasy, historical fiction, and Southern lit reviews. I also have a meme every Thursday called Character Connection where we write about some of our favorite characters.

Tif @ Tif Talks Books

Favorite fairy tale: Hansel & Gretel
Little-known fact about me: I have two tattoos, the first I received when I was underage and had approval from my parents!
My blog: Tif Talks Books is simply that . . . me talking books and all things literary! I am a true eclectic book blog, reviewing books from a variety of genres and for a variety of ages.

A Bit of Me(Me): Feeding Frenzy

A Bit of Me(Me) is hosted by the1stdaughter at There's A Book. Here's what she has to say about it:

We all leave our “footprint” on the world, in one way or another. We each, individually, do something or are someone that makes the world a little better just by being here. I created this weekly meme to get to know the blogging community I love just a bit better. To know what makes them tick, outside of books, that is. Each week I will post a question to be answered in the following week’s “A Bit of Me(Me)”.

This week's question: What’s your favorite food and/or restaurant and why?

Can't answer this one.  My favorite food changes way too often.  I am the sort of person who gets obsessed with one food and then eats in nearly exclusively for a few days.  Then I won't go near it again for months.  I don't think of myself as a picky eater, but that might be because I do all the cooking around here and therefore am never offered a food I don't like (perks of being the kitchen slave).

Currently, my favorite food is a salad made with chickpeas, grape tomatos, bocconcini, basil and balsalmic vinegar.  YUM!  I would tell you my last favorite food, but even its name is anathema to me now.

Review: Princess of Glass

Author: Jessica Day George (May 2010)

Fairy tale orgin: Cinderella

Summary:  Princess Poppy is an exchange student!  Sort of.  As part of a royalty exchange program, Poppy is off to visit her cousin in the kingdom of Breton.  It's not so bad, though.  Handsome Prince Christian is making her visit quite enjoyable.  She thought that she was through with curses after the terrors of the Midnight Ball, but Poppy quickly realizes that something is not right in Breton.  A mysterious princess named Ella is attending royal balls, and only Poppy seems aware that she's not who she says she is.  To make matters worse, Ella seems to be setting her sights on Christian!

My thoughts: Jessica George has another winner!  I liked this book even more than Princess of the Midnight Ball.

Poppy was one of my favorite characters in PotMB, and I was thrilled to discover she was getting her own book.  She does not disappoint.  Poppy is a headstrong, witty, and brave young woman, and I just loved getting into her story.  I also loved that she was not a typical princess, but that Christian liked her all the more for it.

One interesting aspect of this story is that the main character is not the "Cinderella" character.  It puts an interesting spin on the story when Cinderella is not necessarily your hero, and may in fact be a baddie.  And she doesn't sing with the birds and mice- bonus!  My main annoyance with this book was the fact that Ellen/Eleanora/Ella didn't get enough of a comeupance, in my opinion.

Final word: (5/5) Overall, exciting and entertaining! 

Content warning: Mildly frightening.  Recommended for ages 12+.

Linkage:
Website for Jessica Day George
Review at Charlotte's Library
Review at Book Nut
Review at One Librarian's Book Reviews

Review: Sisters Red

This is the spoiler-free Sisters Red review.  If you've read the book and you're dying to talk about it, hop on over to the Sisters Red discussion post. 

Author: Jackson Pearce (June 2010)

Fairy tale origins: Red Riding Hood

Summary:  Scarlett March lives for nothing but the hunt the Fenris, the terrible wolf-man creatures that took her eye and left her horribly scarred.  Rosie March lives to repay her sister for saving her life.  So Rosie hunts Fenris too, but can't help dreaming of having something more in her life.  When Rosie feels herself starting to fall for Silas, Scarlett's partner, she's torn.  Will she have to choose between love and family?

My thoughts: This book is so much better and so much scarier than I thought it would be!  I read the prologue, paused til I could breathe again, settled my back against a wall, and read it again.  Then I devoured the book in one day.  Sisters Red starts off with a bang and doesn't slow down until the very last page. 

Scarlett March is one scary lady.  I'm just glad she's one of the good guys.  The trauma of her first encounter with the Fenris has left her scarred in more ways than one, and she deals with it my relentlessly hunting the werewolves.  She can't believe that Rosie doesn't feel exactly the same way.  Her expectations lead to conflict in the sisters' relationship that is almost as riveting as the romantic tension between Rosie and Silas.

Silas, for his part, was sweet but a little bland.  I liked him, but I felt like I always knew exactly what he was going to do next.  I couldn't picture him as a character in his own right, outside his interactions with the March sisters.  In those interactions, though, he was fantastic. 

When Scarlett hears news of something big happening in the world of the Fenris, she travels to Atlanta with Silas and Rosie.  Together, they try to figure out what has the Fenris astir, and the more they uncover, the more sinister it becomes.  Pearce doles the clues out perfectly, leaving you room to figure out what's going on while still making it nearly impossible to survive without knowing what happens next.

Sisters Red isn't a true fairy tale retelling, but instead uses a few components of Red Riding Hood (red capes, wolves, axes) within a new story.  It's a great urban fantasy tale, though, and has left me craving Pearce's next book.

Final word: (5/5) Dark and delicious, this fast-paced book is a perfect treat for fairy tale readers and urban fantasy fans alike.

Content warning: Violence and some sexual content (everyone keeps their clothes on, though).  I recommend for ages 14+.

Linkage:
Sisters Red Book Trailer
Jackson Pearce's blog
Jackson Pearce on Twitter

Sisters Red Discussion

This is the spoilers-welcome Sisters Red discussion post.  If you hadn't read the book yet and you want to avoid spoilers, check out my review.

These are the my answers to the discussion questions posed to the Once Upon a Week bloggers:

Was the book scarier than you were expecting?  Yes, absolutely!  The scariest part for me was actually the prologue, when Scarlett is facing down the Fenris and trying to defend Rosie.  She's just a child and yet she's forced to fight for her life- terrifying.

Which of the two sisters did you relate to more? Why? I actually relate to Scarlett more.  The way she's totally driven to destroy the Fenris, the way she can't understand how everyone around her doesn't feel the same way... obviously I have never been attacked by a werewolf, but I find myself really connecting with the obsession.

What did you think of the relationship dynamics between Scarlett and Rosie?  I thought the interplay between love, gratitude, obligation and expectation was really interesting.  Scarlett loves Rosie, but refuses to let her have what would be best for her, the thing that would make her happy and well-adjusted.  Scarlett seems completely oblivious to the fact that she's out of balance, and even though Rosie sees it, she feels too indebted to Scarlett to force her to see the truth.

Obviously this wasn't a straight up fairy tale retelling, but what did you think of the way the bits of Red Riding Hood were worked in?  Love it!  This is completely different from any version of the story I would ever have come up with, and that's half the fun.  I loved the urban fantasy-ness of it.

What was your favorite moment in the story?  I can't really pick just one.  I love the prologue, I love the part where Silas is talking to Scarlett in the park after she's run away, and I love the moment when they realize that Silas isn't going to become a Fenris (WHEW!).

Was there anything about the book you really didn't like?  Not really.

Did you see the ending coming, or was it a surprise?  I knew that Silas was going to be the potential, but I really thought he was going to become a Fenris or die, I didn't expect him to survive.

Did you like the ending?  It's so bittersweet, but yes.  I love that both sisters end up happy, but I wish they could have stayed together.  I thought it was weird that Silas and Rosie were embarking on a life together even though they were so young, though.  I would LOVE to read more about Scarlett- keeping my fingers crossed.

Now it's your turn!  I want to her what you thought about this book, too.  Please answer any or all of these questions in the comments.  If you did an entire post on this topic, leave a link.  If you have something else to add that I forgot, talk about that.  I'll be checking in as often as I can to reply to comments, so remember to come back and keep the dialogue going!  This discussion will be more fun if more people join in, so don't be shy.

Once Upon a Week Blogger Spotlight #3

Rachel Star @ Under A Star Studded Sky
Favourite Fairy Tale: Rumpelstiltskin
Little-known fact about me: I think fortune cookies actually taste nice.
Blog Description: It's a teenage book space; somewhere I can review YA/teen books and chat about them and other bookish things, which I love.

Charlotte @ Charlotte's Library
Favorite Fairy Tale: The Singing Bell, from Old Swedish Fairy Tales, by Anna Whalenberg
Little-known fact about me: I started reading Gaudy Night, by Dorothy Sayers, when I was five (while sitting on my mother's lap), but I didn't finish it until I was 20.
My blog: my blog focuses on fantasy and science fiction books for kids and teens- lots of reviews, a middle grade sff round-up every Sunday, and two or three lists of new releases every month.

celi.a @ Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia

Favorite Fairy Tale: East of the Sun and West of the Moon
Little-known fact about me: I once licked a (dirty) car bumper. It wasn't on a dare.
My blog: Book reviews of YA novels (and other genres, too), contests, anecdotes and delicious food. Hopefully the hilarious factor on all of those is pretty high.

Once Upon a Week Review: The Wide Awake Princess

Author: E.D. Baker (May 2010)

Fairytale origin: Sleeping Beauty, and a mish mash of others.

Summary:  Princess Annie has always been "the other princess."  Her sister Gwen is the pretty one, the ladylike one, the one with all the admirers, and also the one who is under a terrible curse.  When Gwen's curse comes true and the entire castle falls asleep, Annie is the only one left awake to find a fix.  She sets off, accompanied by the mysterious guard Liam, to find Gwen's true love.  Will she end up finding her own as well?

My thoughts:  This is just such a cute story.  I was in love with it from the moment in the prologue when Annie's parents, trying to save her from being cursed like her older sister Gwen, ask a fairy to make Annie resistant to magic.  Instead of being blessed with unnatural grace and good looks like all the other princesses, "Annie's going to grow up to be a normal girl, without magic to make her beautiful or graceful or sweet."  Uh-oh.  Well, Annie may not be as beautiful and graceful and sweet as her sister, but she is a funny and spunky heroine that readers are sure to fall in love with. 

Annie's quest for her sister's true love takes her to some interesting places.  While the main base of the story is the tale of Sleeping Beauty, readers will recognize Hansel and Gretal, The Princess and the Pea, The Frog Prince and many other familiar tales worked in.  I enjoyed the hodge podge of fairy tale favorites, and had a great time figuring out how all the stories were going to work together.

I think my favorite aspect of this book is the humor.  The slightly mocking tone kept me smiling through the story. It reminds me a little of Gail Carson Levine's retold fairy tales- which is a very good thing.  Overall, this is a light and happy book that any fairy tale fiend will love.

Final word: (4/5) Funny, cute and keeps the pages turning!  I would have liked a little more depth in the characters.

Content warning: A little fairy-tale scariness.  Appropriate for anyone able  to handle Hansel and Gretal.

Linkage:

http://www.edbakerbooks.com/

http://www.talesofedbaker.com/

Once Upon a Week Blogger Spotlight #2

Andrea @ The Little Bookworm

Favorite fairy tale: Snow White

A weird fact most people wouldn't know about you: I get obsessed with a food and only want to eat that one thing until I get sick of it.

Describe your blog: A very purple (color-wise) generally YA blog in which I review books and occasionally movies and participate in a whole lot of reading challenges

The1stdaughter @ There's A Book

Favorite fairy tale: Hansel and Gretel

A weird fact most people wouldn't know about you: I recently "flipped out" when I found out my 3 year old son deleted my Plants vs. Zombies and Farm Town accounts on my iPhone. Yeah, weird, I know. He's too smart for his own good.

Describe your blog: My site was created for the purpose of sharing a child’s love of books as they grow, reviewing from Children's, Middle Grade and Young Adult books.

melissa @ 1lbr @ One Librarian's Book Reviews

Favorite fairy tale: Beauty and the Beast or Sleeping Beauty

A weird fact most people wouldn't know about you: I love to paint with watercolors

Describe your blog: I'm an academic librarian who's fascinated by young adult and middle grade literature, particularly fantasy. I keep hoping to become a teen or children's librarian, so I can tell everyone I HAVE to read all these books for my job. I like to include content ratings with my reviews so teachers, parents, and anyone else can know what's in the books they want to read.