Title: Torrent Author: Lisa T. Bergren Paperback: 388 pages Publisher: David C. Cook Released Date: September 1, 2011 Source: Author Interest: Series
Synopsis:
When Gabi and Lia finally learn to surf the river of time, they realize they must make hard choices about life and love in the third and final book in the River of Time series.
Gabi and Lia Betarrini have learned to control their time travel, and they return from medieval Italy to save their father from his tragic death in modern times. But love calls across the centuries, and the girls are determined to return forever—even though they know the Black Plague is advancing across Europe, claiming the lives of one-third of the population. In the suspenseful conclusion of the River of Time series, every decision is about life … and death. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
Thanks to the lovely Lisa T. Bergren, I was able to get a copy of Torrent sooner then expected!
Torrent is the third book in Bergren's River of Time series and it is the final book at that! Readers started off learning about Gabriella and Lia when they first entered through the time portal into way back then Italy. Compared to Waterfall and Cascade, in Torrent the girls have grown up so much! Although they are there for a shorter time then the people who actually live there, what with the time difference with the time portal, they mature quickly in all the craziness of battling for castles, brides, and such!
Marcello and Gabriella's love deepens ( if that even seems possible), however Luca and Lia's budding romance stays the same. These books I feel are more about Gabriella than Lia and I would love it if Bergren visits the possibility of going deeper into Luca and Lia's romance. I really love the character of Luca just because he shines some humour when ever the going gets tough!
Torrent, like the previous two books, kept me on my toes and made me flip the pages in an anxious matter. Gabriella gets into some more trouble and it makes you wonder how she manages to escape it all! She's such a tough girl but she still has a never ending humour that makes you love her. She's a nice, funny, yet bad ass. A perfect combination!
There are parts in the book that made me want to cry and parts that made me want to woop in joy. Torrent will send you back and literally make you believe that the author herself lived back then. This is a great book for historical romance buffs! Torrent ended the series well and I can't wait to read Bergren's upcoming projects! They, like the River of Time series, will also be released in a timely manner that has a somewhat short release date in between each book so we don't have to titter in anticipation for like a year!
Title: Tiger's Quest Author: Colleen Houck Hardcover: 457 pages Publisher: Splinter Released Date: June 7, 2011 Source: Library Interest: series
Synopsis:
Kelsey Hayes is no ordinary college freshman. In fact, the eighteen-year-old girl has just returned from India, where she risked her life—and her heart—to rescue a handsome Indian prince from a terrible curse. Back home in Oregon, Kelsey is determined to move on, despite the lingering feelings she has for the man she left behind. She meets Li, a completely average guy who offers the promise of an ordinary, curse-free life. But just when Kelsey is ready to move on, Ren reenters her life, on a quest to reclaim her heart. Danger threatens their newly rekindled love and to save him, Kelsey must journey with someone else—a man who wants her for himself. The saga begun in Tiger’s Curse continues in Tiger’s Quest, as Kelsey finds herself in an epic battle between good and evil. From the shores of the Pacific Northwest to the jungles of India, the mountains of Nepal and Tibet, and the mystical realm of Shangri-la, this suspenseful tale of love, sacrifice, and redemption is not to be missed. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I am so SORRY that this post has been taking such a long time. It's been like a week or more since my last review and that's like 1 YEAR in the blogosphere! The reason for my absence is that I just started high school. And well...it's been a mixed review for me. There are perks like open campus, meeting new people, and dances. But then there are the downsides...like being just an awkward freshman and getting lost every 5 minutes...
It's been an interesting experiance so far...
But on to the review, I am so happy to have finally read Tiger's Quest. I had read Tiger's Curse on my vacation and I ate that stuff up! I think I read more then I went down the water slides, it was that good. But did Tiger's Quest match the first in excellence?
Mehhh, somewhat. Tiger's Quest was as journey filled as the first but I just didn't like it as much. I love the relationship between Ren and Kelsey a lot more then Kelsey and Kishan, who is Ren's equally hot, younger brother. Kishan was too brash for Kelsey and I found him hard to be interesting as the first book depicted. I found myself zoning out a lot and felt disapointed whenever I did. The first book was just so excellent that I was sad to see that this book didn't match it.
Plus, why can't a series just not have a love triangle where you have to pick Team X or Team Y? I mean, Ren is obviously going to end up with Kelsey even if the ending makes it seem like not an option. This is a typical love triangle and I found myself for once, just not digging it.
Although I didn't like Tiger's Quest as much as the first book, I will be looking out for Tiger's Voyage. I highly recommend reading Tiger's Curse but I caution you with Tiger's Quest just because I feel like it wasn't as good but is still essential to read in order to get and understand the whole series.
Simone Elkeles is the author of the widely popular and my personal favorite, Perfect Chemistry series. The third book in the series, Chain Reaction, was very recently published and is now in bookstores everywhere! I had the opportunity to interview this New York Times Bestselling author and she had some great things to say! Check it out!
Without giving away any big spoilers, what are some of the biggest differences from Chain Reaction as a book to Perfect Chemistry and Rules of Attraction?
In Perfect Chemistry, Alex Fuentes is in the gang to protect his brothers.He sacrifices himself for his family and doesn’t think there is any way out.Brittany makes him realize that there is a way out, and life is worth living if he fights for it.In Rules of Attraction, Carlos tries to make himself numb by doing drugs/getting drunk/getting in trouble.Kiara challenges him to be the hero she knows he can be.She makes him realize he can trust people and not everyone is going to leave him.
My readers have gotten to know Luis in my other books and already know that Luis is a really sweet, smart guy who doesn’t carry the angst that his brothers carry.He’s been protected by his brothers his entire life.In Chain Reaction, he gets sucked into the gang life and learns a secret about his family that blows him away.Nikki is different than the girls in the other books.She has a big wall up and has major trust issues due to a tragic breakup a few years back.Both Nikki and Luis have to trust each other, which isn’t easy.Luis has to stay loyal to the gang, because it’s in his blood and he’s an adrenaline junkie…but Nikki and his family have other plans for him.The book is not only about love, but brotherhood and family – more than the other books in the series.
What are some big personality differences between the Fuentes brothers and specifically Luis to Alex and Carlos?
Alex is the head of the Fuentes family, and takes that job seriously.Carlos is the bad boy with a major attitude problem – he’s sarcastic and doesn’t mind playing the jerk role.Luis has always been the most ambitious Fuentes brother and has usually wanted to stay out of trouble. He as no desire to follow in the footsteps of his older brothers and wants to stay as far away from the gang life as possible.But he’s still got that Fuentes swagger and pride…and he’s also got a side of himself that he’s been hiding from his family.He’s an adrenaline junkie, and that part of him definitely gets him into trouble in Chain Reaction!
I read that there has been quite a response from actual gang members who have read your books and have wanted to better their lives. It must feel incredible to have that kind of impact! Are there any specific stories that really moved you?
There’s no way to describe how emotional it is for me when I get fan mail from at-risk teens!When I first wrote Perfect Chemistry, I had no idea it would impact so many people the way it has.Over a year ago, I had one teen contact me and tell me that Perfect Chemistry had inspired him to get out of his gang and live a better life.He also said he’d never read an entire book in his life (he was 18) before he read Perfect Chemistry. He completely identified with Alex, and he couldn’t put the book down. I was so moved, I actually went to visit him when I was doing research for Chain Reaction.I learned so much about his life and the kind of challenges he has to face every day.It’s heartbreaking.I might have inspired him, but he really inspired me!
You’re always able to write up some of the most romantic and heartwarming scenes as well as the most intense and nerve racking scenes for the characters! Where do you get your inspiration?
I fell in love with a boy when I was eighteen.We’re not talking about a normal relationship.I fell hard, deep, and fast to where the relationship became the center of my universe.It was super intense, and was the most romantic relationship I’d ever had by far.I hope to recreate the emotions I felt back then in my books.My inspiration for the romance in my books has always come from real life.When I’m writing about the gang life, I do research.I’ve gone riding with the detectives from the gang homicide division in Chicago, I’ve interviewed gang members, and talked to boys in juvie.I’m inspired by people I meet, and sometimes I get inspired by news articles or stories.
Out of all the Fuentes’ romances, which relationship do you like, want, and/or enjoy most? Alex and Brittany? Carlos and Kiara? Or the newly love ridden Fuentes boy, Luis, with his crush?
It’s so hard to decide! If I had to pick, I’d say Alex and Brittany in Perfect Chemistry as the relationship I’d want the most. Alex is a man who takes his responsibilities seriously, and will always be someone Brittany can rely on. He also has a dangerous side, which makes life exciting.Now if you would ask me which would be the most fun relationship, that would have to be Carlos and Kiara.Carlos is a guy who will always keep Kiara on her toes and life will never be boring with him.Carlos and Kiara banter so much, but the making-up part makes the bantering all worth it! Luis is the most romantic out of the three Fuentes brothers.I like romantic guys a lot, so in that department he beats his brothers hands-down.Nikki is a very lucky girl!
You graduated with a Bachelor’s in Science of Psychology and later earned a Master’s in a Science degree in Industrial Relations. Did you not want to be a writer when you were younger? What changed your mind and sparked your interest in writing for YA?
I most definitely did NOT want to be a writer as a teen.Actually, I hated reading.It wasn’t until I became an adult and was taking my kids to the library on a regular basis that I decided to give reading another try.That was when I fell in love with reading and after a while, I thought, “I can do that.”I started writing and everything began falling in place from there.I wanted to write books that I would have liked to read as a teen.When teens email me saying, “I hate to read, but I can’t put down your books!” it makes it all worth it.
Although Chain Reaction will end the Perfect Chemistry series perfectly, I’m still sad to see this series come together for the finale. I have yet to read Leaving Paradise but what are your future plans with writing for YA? Are you working on anything right now?
Coming from a completely biased perspective, but Leaving Paradise is awesome and you should read it today!I am definitely going to continue writing.My publisher and I have been working on a couple of new ideas. I dated a recovering alcoholic and drug addict when I was a teen, and the plan is to write a book about a girl who falls for a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I can tell you that it will be edgy and romantic, like my other books!
What advice do you have for teen writers? And what advice do you have for teens like me who are just hoping to get an A in their English class?
Ha!I don’t know what advice I can give you in English class because I got C’s in English my freshman and sophomore years! I started doing better when I was an upperclassman, thank goodness.Things have changed since I was a teen, and I’m so happy that teachers allow independent reading so teens can read books they like. Just know that if you’re not getting all A’s in English you can still be a NY Times bestselling author like me.As far as writing, I would suggest that you join a writers’ group.I found so much support and learned so much from the group I joined.The last piece of advice?Don’t give up!Writing is hard, but if that’s your dream, go for it!
Isn't she awesome? Be sure to check out Chain Reaction because from the looks of it, it's going to be killer!
IMM is quite the spectacular and popular meme that goes around the blogosphere, originated by the brilliant Kristi from The Story Siren. It's kind of brilliant...
Torrent by Lisa T Bergren
( Thanks to Lisa for providing me with a signed copy!)
Title: Uncommon Criminals Author: Ally Carter Hardcover: 298 pages Publisher: Hyperion Released Date: June 21, 2011 Source: Library Interest: Series
Synopsis:
Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I'll start out by saying that I was NOT a big fan of Heist Society. Sure Ally Carter's writing style is unique and I thought it was cool but I just didn't dig it. Maybe because there is no possible way to connect with the main character, Kat. I usually don't have a hard time with reading 3rd person point of view, but I felt like the characters were too distant for me to understand and that Kat was just SO un relatable. Usually I like it when you can see some vulnerability even if the character is nothing like you, but Kat didn't really show any. It was like she was constricted in a little box of a "perfect" thief. Although I do give props for Carter's writing style. I haven't read anything like it and I had fun finding out the outcomes of mysteries and the twists and bends along with it.
But I still decided to read Uncommon Criminals even though I didn't enjoy Heist Society. And well, I thought Uncommon Criminals was just a tab bit better then the first. Why? Because I actually felt like I saw Kat show some emotion and just a bit of vulnerability which is saying a lot for this particular character. She had experienced some things that most girls could relate with. First kiss gone wrong. Feeling small and in experienced. Feeling betrayed or in thief terms "conned".
That's why I liked this book better. It also had a good feeling to it because Kat isn't just some ultra sleek thief, but she has a heart and discovers that with out her crew, she would be nothing and she ends up being grateful. That's what really made me finally like this book.
So if your anything like me and you don't happen to like Heist Society, then give Uncommon Criminals a try. It's a bit more realistic but still has that cool and sleek style of writing and mysterious plans like the last book!
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
Title: Immortal Beloved Author: Cate Tiernan Hardcover: 407 pages Publisher: Little Brown Released Date: September 7, 2010 Source: Library Interest: Author
Synopsis:
Nastasya has spent the last century living as a spoiled, drugged-out party girl. She feels nothing and cares for no one. But when she witnesses her best friend, a Dark Immortal, torture a human, she realizes something's got to change. She seeks refuge at a rehab for wayward immortals, where she meets the gorgeous, undeniably sexy Reyn, who seems inexplicably linked to her past.
Nastasya finally begins to deal with life, and even feels safe--until the night she learns that someone wants her dead.
Cate Tiernan, author of the popular Sweep series, returns with an engaging story of a timeless struggle and inescapable romance, the first book in a stunning new fantasy trilogy. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I was excited to come across this book because I had read Cate Tiernan's Balefire and I had thought that book was just so good! I also liked the concept of this book being about only immortals and not just having the usual " dark and mysterious immortal lover boy" but having the heroine be an immortal too. That is what sold me on reading this book. I wanted read the immortal heroine's side to immortality rather than the typical love interest explaining it.
Immortal Beloved was just plain good. Nastasya has this amazing story and you can't help but enjoy her and personality. She's close to 500 years old and has experienced things that no human should. There are all these great paranormal books out there with an immortal character but you never really know what immortality might be like from reading about them. But Nastasya's experience makes you realize why being one would be so hard and life ruining. Cate Tiernan is such a good writer that whenever she goes back to Nastasya's flashbacks on her immense life, you can't help but devour every word. Her writing is impeccable.
I loved the character of Nastasya. Her humour was sarcastic and witty and filled every page no matter how dark the situation. Although she has had such a hard life, she's ignorant about it and there were times were that was good or bad. Good whenever she cracked a joke that made me snort and laugh. Bad when it came to realizing and actually piecing together her childhood. Nonetheless, she was a character to love and I had a great time reading from her point of view.
Cate Tiernan's research was also SO IMPRESSIVE! Having to go back to 500 years or more of history for this character and book must have been really hard! I'm sort of a history buff so I was just so impressed by all these stories that all the immortals had and I loved it! I also just thought about how much research it took and was just awed by it all. This book was flat out awesome! You can tell Cate Tiernan put a lot of work and effort to make this book as amazing as it is.
Immortal Beloved is a page turning book with amazing historical stories, intense and funny romance, and humour that is beyond the laugh out loud norm! I loved it and I cannot wait for the next book which will be coming out sooner that you think in September, going by the name of Darkness Falls. Intriguing? Very...
Here is the cover for the sequel to Immortal Beloved!
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
Title: Die For Me Author: Amy Plum Hardcover: 352 pages Publisher: Harper Teen Released Date: May 10, 2011 Source: Library Interest: Blog Buzz
Synopsis:
When Kate Mercier’s parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life—and memories—behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.
Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate’s guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he’s a revenant—an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I knew Die For Me was going to be good one. I just had this sense. But the raving reviews about it all over the blogosphere helped my intuition too. ;) A lot. First off, take a look at that gorrrgggousss cover! It haunting, kind of creepy looking, what with the title and all, but has a certain allure to it. It's so pretty! In a quite a daunting way. But pretty, nonetheless.
At first reading this book, I was a little annoyed with it. Just a tad. Just because there were so many cheesy YA cliches. Here's one for ya and it went along the lines of " I had this strange sense that I knew him before." Or this killer. " I felt a pull towards him...la dee da dee daaa". But I do admit, these lines are what makes a freaking YA paranormal novel exciting. It's the intrigue, the anticipation, and the mystery behind that yummy looking YA hero that our heroine is pining for. Die For Me just killed it in that department. The romance was blazing like none other! It was so romantic but no where near sickeningly. It was pure, flirtatious, young, first love. Though I wouldn't know of this since at my age, boys are downing Mountain Dew to see who can burp the loudest and arguing about tactics on COD. Ya, these boys are no Vincent Delacroix.
Vincent Delacroix is as yummy as a french pastry and works his unfair advantage of oozing french gentlemen charm to the works on Miss Kate, the lucky heroine of the novel. Like any good girl should know, she's a little mean to him at first with a little bit of "catch me if you can" vibe going on but like all good romances, the fallll innn lurrvvvee. It's exciting with ups and down and the whole time your rooting for the couple to get past their differences and make it as a couple!
This book also has the BEST setting ever.
Paris?
Love, love, love.
I think anybody that doesn't live under a rock has dreamed about the wonders of Paris and all it's marvels at least once in their life, my self included. It's dreamy and mysterious and the place to be. With this kind of setting for Die For Me, you can't help but be a little jealous. Then mentally plan to try to take a vacation there as soon as possible in hopes of meeting a hot as hell life saver with wavy black hair and lovely blue eyes. So to sum up, Paris is awesome.
This book was a fun read, with an amazing band of characters and a story line sure to make your heart pound! Die For Me is thrilling as it is romantic and I can't wait till 2012, where we will hear more of Vincent and Kate's story!
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
Title: Cloaked Author: Alex Flinn Hardcover: 341 pages Publisher: HarperTeen Released Date: February 8, 2011 Source: Library Interest: Author
Synopsis:
I'm not your average hero. I actually wasn't your average anything. Just a poor guy working an after-school job at a South Beach shoe repair shop to help his mom make ends meet. But a little magic changed it all.
It all started with a curse. And a frognapping. And one hot-looking princess, who asked me to lead a rescue mission.
There wasn't a fairy godmother or any of that. And even though I fell in love along the way, what happened to me is unlike any fairy tale I've ever heard. Before I knew it, I was spying with a flock of enchanted swans, talking (yes, talking!) to a fox named
Todd, and nearly trampled by giants in the Everglades. Don't believe me? I didn't believe it either. But you'll see. Because I knew it all was true, the second I got cloaked. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I was so happy to find out there was a new fairy tale esque Alex Flinn book coming out! I devoured A Kiss in Time and ate up Beastly! Speaking of Beastly, I saw the movie version and I have to say, although there were some total cheese ball parts, it was an alright movie! And now to add to Flinn's awesome fairy tale inspired books is Cloaked!
I absolutely loved Cloaked. It's one of those books you can finish in a day and just be happy and giddy the whole time. It's a feel good and up lifting type story. One that is just pure fun. I swear I was giggling like an idiot the whole time!
Cloaked was different from the other two fairy tale type books Flinn came out with. This book has folk tales that aren't really that popular. The only exception was The Frog Prince, which we all know from numerous children's books and a so called Disney movie. But still, Alex Flinn puts her own twist to the tale and makes Cloaked a story like none other. It had folk tales that I had never heard of before and that I was delighted to hear about! It was a fun little learning experience!
Even though Cloaked is YA, I felt like it was also suitable for Middle Grade readers. It was light and had just a little bit of an innocent feel to it. It had no "magnetic" love pull or sexual tension that so many YA books that we adore have! I would be fine with my little sister reading it!
The main character Johnny was such an endearing type! He's a poor boy who fixes any type of shoe with a wild dream of becoming a shoe designer. He knows it's out of his reach but when he has the chance to reach it for helping the Princess of Aloria, grabs it! With the help of his best, Meg he sets off on this whirl wind of an adventure. Through out it though, he begins to realizes hidden feelings for Meg but with the prospects of marrying the Princess, what is he going to do?!
So this book didn't go completely with out a YA cliche...it had a love triangle! YAY!
This book was so much fun to read with half the time Johnny going on dangerous expeditions and the other half he was trying to figure out his love life. Cloaked was all fun and games, with giggle and snorts as a tremendous bonus! Cloaked is a fun little treat for anyone!
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
Q. Talk about the book that most changed or influenced your life (was it a book that turned you from an average to avid reader, did it help you deal with a particularly difficult situation, does it bring you comfort every time you read it?).
A. What really got me into starting to read YA a lot more and eventually inspiring me to start a blog was reading those kick ass, top notch, YA books. For example, after I read the Hunger Games, I kept trying to find a book that would impress me as much as that book did. Then from there, I just couldn't stop the addiction and became an avid reader. Which eventually led up to me being frustrated that my friends didn't share my equal book worm infection so I started blogging. And that's how it began, folks.
Title: The Iron Queen Author: Julie Kagawa Paperback: 358 pages Publisher: Harlequin Teen Release Date: January 25, 2011 Source: Library Interest: Series
Synopsis:
My name is Meghan Chase.
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.
This time, there will be no turning back. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
I can't believe how far this series has gotten to be. The first book earned a great big EH, the second earned a WOW, but this third book? HOLY, COMOLY, OMG, OMG, OMG, ARE YOU SERIOUS, AHAHAHAHHHHHHHHH. Ya. The Iron Queen? That's pretty much what it earned.
This book blew me away.
What caused this reaction? Mainly because the series probably has the BEST character development in a YA novel series. I started off kind of disliking Meghan just cause she was so whiny and annoying to me. She was just too much a of a damsel in distress until the end of the first book where she got a little better. The second book was awesome and I thought Meghan had matured a little bit. But in The Iron Queen was when I actually thought Meghan was for real and really matured. FINALLY!
This book also had the classic adventure like the past two books and it was fun and entertaining as usual to read it. Then of course there is the usual gang of his mega hot icy ness, Prince Ash, along with mischievous Puck, and wise old Grimalkin the cat. Ash and Meghan finally drop their little facade and actually become a real couple which was like one of those things where you drop to the ground and say "FINALLLLY!" As you can see, there were a lot of FINALLY moments through out this book!
The ending is also THE biggest cliff hanger EVER! It's so good that all you can do is just sit there, speechless, with your mouth gaping open for about ten minutes. It's crazy good.
I also can't wait for The Iron Knight which will continue the story of icy Prince Ash and is some what eager companion, Puck! I can't wait to see how that goes down...
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the 'Breaking the Spine' link above will take you straight to her post and link widget. (Special note: The nifty button above comes from Lindsay at The Violet Hour. Isn't it pretty?)
This week's WoW isssss...
Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.
Unless he can earn a soul.
To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.
Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.
With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side.
To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale.
And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
~Goodreads
Do my excitment even need to be explained??? I think everyone is pretty excited for this book to come out!! I can't wait to read from Ash's point of view! The Iron Knight comes out October 25, 2011!
Micheal Grant is the ingenious author of the Lost meets Lord of the Flies YA novel Gone series. The Gone series has been a hit in the YA scene and has attracted both the likes of guys and girls. Micheal Grant proves in this series, that kids aren't all that innocent and that ultimately, young teens can cause some spectacular things...but that also goes to say that they can also cause some pretty gruesome things as well. The Gone series can sometimes make you cringe, gag, or want to take a huge breather, but even so, it's addicting and you will always want to crawl back and finish that book.
NOW, coming from Micheal Grant is a new type of reading experience. One that satisfies all sorts of readers, whether you like your nookbook or the written word. This new experience is called Transmedia, where readers can interact with the story. I was reached by one of the people that has been working on it and already I'm intrigued. While there is still an air of mystery shrouding behind this new project, all will be revealed in due time. But until then, I can share this.
Here is a Q&A with Micheal Grant that I was sent so I can share to you guys giving us a brief glimpse into what this is all about!
What is “Go BZRK”? Is this a book or some kind of interactive story? Both. The book comes out this winter, but the interactive part starts now. One leads up to the other, but they're part of a complete package.
Why “transmedia”? There are different approaches to transmedia. Most people take a single story and reproduce it on various platforms. My philosophy has been to make each element - ARG, app, web, book - a thing unto itself, each revealing some aspect of the world of BZRK. I've been fascinated with this is as a new way to tell stories. The book remains central, but now I can reach beyond the book and create a much more complete world. I can tell stories that enhance the book, and stories that parallel the book, and stories that are offshoots of backstory. I guess the answer to "why" is "because it's fun." Is this the future of publishing? I began a few years ago reaching out to publishers and saying we collectively needed to understand that the old models were dead or dying. I want publishing to survive, and of course I'd like my own career to thrive. So Egmont Publishing and my partners and I certainly hope this is a part of the future of publishing.
How long is this running? Is this part of a larger picture? We'll be running this in several chunks between now and the book release this winter. Because these things have a hard start/stop point, August is a ramp-up phase. There'll be a lot of content coming out, but the experience really gets underway at the end of the month… just in time to distract the kids from their schoolwork. What if someone wants to follow the story but doesn’t want to participate? You don't have to do anything. You can do one thing and not another. But the deeper you plunge the wetter you get. I think every part of this is fun, I think people will enjoy the ARG, the app, the site and the books.
App? You've mentioned that a couple times now. Just wait and see. What can you tell us about the story? What is “BZRK”? It's a battle for the soul and freedom of the human race carried out simultaneously in the world we know, and in a world that you're not going to expect. It's a world where if you make a false move, you're going to lose your mind. Insanity… is this something you have a personal familiarity with? The line between writer and crazy person is very thin. Both go around holding long, involved conversations with people who aren't there.
What’s this other world thing all about? Do you really want spoilers? I'll tell you this. We'll be going "down in the meat." It's going to be vast, bloody, and beautiful. Wait… isn’t this supposed to be for kids? Adults like to flatter themselves that kids won't get, won't understand, won't be able to handle, more intense, more complex stories. That's nonsense. It's the adults who are easy to creep out or scare. Say the word "biopsy" in a room full of adults. Or "audit." See? Easy to scare. Kids are a tougher audience because kids think they're immortal.
My favorite parts of this whole interview is Grant's responses to the third to last question and last question. It's so true, it made me laugh. Immortal? Very true. I like how Grant says that how adults think teens can't handle intense situations is nonsense! The very reason I read YA is because it proves that teens CAN handle it!
Here is quickie on what Grant's new book will be about.
The missing son of a U.N. diplomat... the reemergence of a strange organization... a pair of society twins caught in the middle... this is just the beginning of "Go BZRK," a new transmedia experience from author Michael Grant.
Intrigued? Go check out societytwins.com and JOIN nexushumanus.com to start the still very mysterious TRANSMEDIA experience! Spread the word!!!!
Title: Divergent Author: Veronica Roth Hardcover: 487 pages Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Release Date: May 3, 2011 Source: Library Interest: Media Buzz
Synopsis:
In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, 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 alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating 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 unrest and growing conflict that threaten 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 YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance. ~Goodreads
My Thoughts:
The first time I had ever heard about this book was when I was reading Seventeen Magazine and I came across the Editor in Chief's note about young extraordinary women doing things beyond their young ages. One of those women was Veronica Roth and how it said that Divergent was the nextHunger Games . Coincidentally, I was reading Mockingjay at the time and was happy to hear about a new book series that was in the likes of the Hunger Games! Ever since then, I had been anticipating the release of this book and when it did, I was eager to get it in my hands. I finally did two days ago and I finished it in less than a day, it was that good!
When I wasn't reading Divergent, I was thinking of Divergent. When I was reading Great Expectations for my school summer reading, I was thinking of Divergent. Hell, I don't think there was a time when I WASN'T thinking of Divergent. THIS is the kind of reading experience I long for in books. When I read a great book, I always have to think about it. It will be there, hidden right in the back of my mind. So, obviously Divergent was one of those spectacular reading experiences. This book is by far the best dystopian book I've read and I think it will remain that way! Divergent took me through all levels of surprise, intrigue, and anticipation. This book was hands down, a killer.
Tris in so many ways impressed and awed me. There is nothing like a tough heroine placed in the middle of a huge revolution. That girl was baaaddd asssss! At first she wasn't so much of that because she was still coming into who she was but by the end she had found who she truly was and with that, she brought down the house! Tris is now up in the ranks of Katniss from the Hunger Game in the bad ass factor!
My only retort is that the ending was not satisfying. I felt like it stopped abruptly like the author didn't know what else to say. But I guess Tris's journey will continue on to the next book in the series, but until then, I will have to ponder on what will occur!
This book was crazy, crazy good and is now one of my favorite books. I can see now why so many people have fell in love with this book! Go to your local bookstore and buy this book now so that you may have the Divergent crazy good experience too!
P.S.- I'm STILL thinking about Divergent.
Does this sound good? Buy it from your local bookstore!
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