Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
REVIEW: Divergent by Veronica Roth
Description
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.
About the Author
Veronica Roth graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in creative writing. While she was a student, she often chose to work on the story that would become Divergent instead of doing her homework. It was indeed a transforming choice. Now a full-time writer, Ms. Roth lives near Chicago. Divergent is her first novel.Details
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 496 pages
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (May 3, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0062024027
- ISBN-13: 978-0062024022
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT
The story follows Beatrice Prior through a post apocalyptic Chicago where she has just turned sixteen and must decide whether to stay in her own faction (class) of Abegnation or move to a new one, severing all ties to her family in the process. Of her five choices of Abegnation, Erudite, Amity, Candor or Dauntless, she chooses Dauntless, the warrior class. If she fails the initiation, she will be factionless and forces to live outside society as a castoff. There is heart pounding action while Beatrice (now known as Tris), learns fighting, parcour and the use of weapons, all things that go against her peaceful family faction of Abegnation. Of course, she doesn't neatly fit into definition of Dauntless and the tests each teen is forced to take to an assessment test to determine where they belong. Tris tests Divergent which means she doesn't neatly fall into the government's rankings. The people accept things as they are until one in power becomes greedy and the factions are headed to war between themselves.
This is probably one of the best books I have read this year and I cannot wait until the next in this trilogy is released. Even though it is almost 500 pages, it was a very quick read for me. I got the same feeling while I was reading the Hunger Games series and it is in very much of the same vein. I have heard that it also has been optioned for a movie which I think will be highly anticipated. Well, at least for me. I am leaving out the major spoilers, but this is just a wonderful read for teens over 14 since there is violence, a bit of kissing and some alcohol use.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Waiting on Wednesday: Every You, Every Me by David Levithan & Jonathan Farmer
This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:
Description
In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. Someone is stalking him . . . messing with him . . . threatening him. Worse, ever since his best friend Ariel has been gone, he's been unable to sleep, spending night after night torturing himself for his role in her absence. And as crazy as it sounds, Evan's starting to believe it's Ariel that's behind all of this, punishing him. But the more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself. Creatively told with black-and-white photos interspersed between the text so the reader can see the photos that are so unnerving to Evan, Every You, Every Me is a one-of-a-kind departure from a one-of-a-kind author.
About the Author
David Levithan has taken at least one photograph every day for the past ten years. However, he is much better known for his novels, which include Boy Meets Boy, The Realm of Possibility, Are We There Yet?, Wide Awake, Love is the Higher Law, and (with John Green) Will Grayson, Will Grayson. He’s written three books with Rachel Cohn as well: Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List, and Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares. In truth, though, he probably spends more time wandering around with his camera than he does sitting at his computer writing. He particularly loves taking pictures of passersby, and New York City is perfect for that. He met Jonathan Farmer because of Jonathan’s likeness to a young Walt Whitman.Jonathan Farmer, to this very day, has not, cannot, and may never decide just what it is he wants to be when he grows up. Once, he thought he had found the perfect descriptor—"Naturalist"—but David said that just made him sound like a botanist . . . or a nudist. Since then, Jonathan has narrowed it down to: photographer, performer, writer, director, and teacher. He spent his early years exploring the mysterious forests of New Hampshire. But now, since moving to Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan has been growing to love the hustle and bustle of the city. From time to time, though, you might catch him longing for the sweet smell of the pines. Visit Jonathan at jwfarmer.com.
Details
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 256 pages
- Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers (September 13, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0375860983
- ISBN-13: 978-0375860980
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
GIVEAWAY! Splash into Summer (with Zombies!)
STOP # 57
The Splash Into Summer Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Page Turners. It will take place from May 25th to 31st. There are hundreds of blogs participating and each has their own rules, so be sure to stop by each one and enter!
56. BookHounds (Int)
57. FOREVER YOUNG (Adult) (Int)
58. Urban Fantasy Investigations (Int)
59. Sweeping Me (Int)
60. Bat Country (Int)
I am celebrating ZOMBIE MONTH, so here is a Zombie book for one lucky winner:
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
WANT TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK?
Contest is open to anyone over 13 years old with a reliable mailing address (PO Boxes OK!)
Contest ends on 5.31.11 Winner will be chosen by Random.org on 6.1.11
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to email or a new winner will be chosen.
This giveaway is sponsored by ME
If mailing costs to your country is prohibitive, I may opt to substitute a Book Depository gift card ($10)
Complete the below form
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Monday, May 23, 2011
REVIEW: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
Description
As a child, Gretchen's twin sister was taken by a witch in the woods. Ever since, Gretchen and her brother, Ansel, have felt the long branches of the witch's forest threatening to make them disappear, too.
Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.
Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.
Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.
Years later, when their stepmother casts Gretchen and Ansel out, they find themselves in sleepy Live Oak, South Carolina. They're invited to stay with Sophia Kelly, a beautiful candy maker who molds sugary magic: coveted treats that create confidence, bravery, and passion.
Life seems idyllic and Gretchen and Ansel gradually forget their haunted past-- until Gretchen meets handsome local outcast Samuel. He tells her the witch isn't gone-- it's lurking in the forest, preying on girls every year after Live Oak's infamous chocolate festival, and looking to make Gretchen it's next victim. Gretchen is determined to stop running and start fighting back. Yet the further she investigates the mystery of what the witch is and how it chooses its victims, the more she wonders who the real monster is.
Gretchen is certain of only one thing: a monster is coming, and it will never go away hungry.
About the Author
Jackson Pearce is the author of Sisters Red and As You Wish. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.Details
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 320 pages
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 23, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0316068659
- ISBN-13: 978-0316068659
LOVED IT
***slight spoilers***
In this new retelling of Hansel and Gretel (my first two dachshunds!), Jackson Pearce keeps the witch, adds some werewolves and a bit of creepiness that will really make you want to devour this. Ansel and his sister Gretchen have been thrown out by their stepmother when Gretchen turns 18 and they leave to drive as far as their car will take them. The car breaks down in Live Oak, SC where they find a job with the local candy maker, Sophia. It is rumored that she infuses her chocolate with magic and has a chocolate festival each year that leads the disappearance of teen girls. Gretchen still fearing the "witch" that stole her twin years ago is sensing the same activity here.
Sam, a local, is very vocal about the disappearing girls and blames Sophia. Ansel and Gretchen get drawn into Sophia's world and can't imagine that she has anything to do with it until a seashell turns up on her doorstep and Gretchen finds it. It gets increasingly spooky as Gretchen finds more clues and hooks up with Sam who gives her even more answers about what is happening in the small town which he blames rightly on the Fenris. The Fenris (werewolves) first appear in Sisters Red, which will add to this book, but it is not required to fully enjoy this one. I love these fairy tale mash ups and Jackson Pearce takes them to a whole new level with keeping the theme of werewolves believable and incredibly threatening through out while remaining true to the original story of Hansel and Gretel.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
REVIEW: Shadowspell by Jenna Black
Description
On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?
About the Author
Jenna Black graduated from Duke University with degrees in anthropology and French. A full time writer of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, she lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Visit her online at www.jennablack.com.
MY THOUGHTS
Details
- Reading level: Young Adult
- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; Original edition (January 4, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 9780312575946
- ISBN-13: 978-0312575946
LOVED IT
Shadowspell continues the story started in Glimmerglass and follows Dana as she gets deeper involved with the world of the fae. Her aunt Grace and both Queens want her dead while Ethan seems to be playing games with her. She now lives in a bunker like safe house deep inside the mountain where Finn is defending her full time and his son, Keane, is now giving her more lessons in self defense. Dana can only go out supervised by Finn and another body guard. The Erlking has now discovered Dana and wants her for his own, so he captures Ethan and makes him part of his Wild Hunt gang. I can't watch Lady Gaga's video Judas without thinking of this book.
Of course, Dana is manipulated into a bad situation with the Erlking in order to return Ethan from his clutches, but in her headstrong way, Dana thinks she has all the angles of the deal figured out. She doesn't and finds out she might have possibly bargained away her life. I don't think the Erlking is truly evil since he is protected Dana and gives her excellent advice to help her protect herself and make better decisions. So now there is a love quadrangle (?) and there are quite a few developments that keep the plot moving (sorry, I am not going to spoil that for anyone). Now, I just can't wait for the next one in the series, Sirensong, where I hope that Dana develops her newly found powers.
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