I know, I know! I’m sorry!

Yeah, I’m really behind. But when life gets crazy, things get neglected. I haven’t been reading quite as much, but I’m catching up, so I should be finishing some more books soon.

I do have plenty of books that I haven’t reviewed yet, but I have an idea that will make things easier for me.

I am pleased to announce the beginning of Mini-Reviews! When I don’t have a lot of time on my hands, but a book is in need of reviewing, I will post a mini-review. This will consist of: Summary; What I like most about this book; What I liked least about this book; The Recommendation; The Other Books; The Vitals; The Links.

If I have a profound amount to say on a book, or if I am reviewing a book for an author or publisher, I will post a full review.

I’ll also try to get on a schedule so that I can schedule posts to appear during the week. I’ll try to make that work.

I have a lot of work to do on the computer tomorrow, so I should be able to squeeze in at least one or two minis and schedule them.

Here’s a taste of what I want to review soon.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth (Mini)

Archenemy (Mini)

The Iron King (Mini)

The Haunted (Full)

Guardian of the Gate (Full)

Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey

Summary (from borders.com) -

Sadima lives in a world where magic has been banned. Centuries later, with magic restored, Hahp is a virtual prisoner in an academy run by the wizards who control it. Sadima and Hahp's worlds are separated by generations, but their lives are connected in surprising and powerful ways.

Rhia’s Review – I had never heard of Skin Hunger and the A Resurrection of Magic series until this year’s Decatur Book Festival. I realize now what a shame that was! After meeting Kathleen at one of the panels there, I really liked the sound of her book, and daddy was nice enough to buy me lots of books there, including this one! It’s definitely a great discovery!

The story switches back and forth between Sadima’s third person POV, and Hahp’s first person POV 200 years later. This is usually hard to pull off, but I think Duey’s done a great job, as I felt a strong connection to both the main characters. At first, it’s hard to tell how the two storylines relate, but as I read on, I found that the most fun in reading the book came from spotting the things connecting Hahp’s and Sadima’s lives. Duey also leaves enough mystery so that one character’s story isn’t ruined by reading the other.

The chapters in this book were a little short, which is something that I appreciate anyway, but it worked for this book because you never got bored by one storyline while you were waiting to see what happened in the other. Since the chapters were so short, I would save this one for last, after reading on my stack of books. “I’m awake enough to read a bit more… I’ll read a few quick chapters of Skin Hunger and then get to bed.” And about an hour later, I was still reading!

I am very glad that I found Kathleen’s books, and she’s such a nice person that I’m happy to support her in buying more of her books!

 

The Recommendation -  Fans of high fantasy with darker tones should NOT miss this one! I doubt fans of fantasy of any kind will be disappointed by this book.

The Other Books – Sacred Scars, the sequel to Skin Hunger is already out in hardback, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Very high on my buy list!

The Vitals* – Skin Hunger is available in paperback for about $9.99. Go get a copy. Really.

The Links - Kathleen Duey's Official Website

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

 

Summary from borders.com -

Recently orphaned, 16-year-old Lia Milthorpe discovers she and her twin sister Alice are part of an ancient prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other. To escape from a dark fate, Lia must end the prophecy before her sister does.

Rhia’s Review – I loved this book! It was already high up on my list of books to read, but once I realized it was historical (I didn’t know for a while) I knew I HAD to have it. After I heard about the re-jacket of the paperback and the sequel, I knew I wanted the original cover more. One day while browsing at Borders, there it was, in all it’s glory – the only copy in sight of the original cover art hardback! I snatched it up. Glad I did.

But I digress! You came here for a review, not the story of how I came to buy it! I really enjoyed reading this book! I love the characters, getting to know them all and watching them discover their place in the prophecy. I loved the storyline, as well. In a market that’s dominated by vampires, werewolves, fairies and the like, it’s nice to have a just a good ol’ fantasy to read. And since I really like Lia and James as people, I enjoyed all the romantic bits as well. All of the elements of this book tied together very well to make this a great read not to be missed!

The Recommendation -  Any fan of fantasy and/or YA will definitely enjoy this book! I also recommend it for fans of Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy.

The Other Books – Guardian of the Gate came out this August. I’ve already got my copy and am somewhere in the middle. The way things are going, I’ll definitely be picking up a copy of the third book when it comes out!

The Vitals* – Prophecy of the Sisters is available in paperback for $8.99, and I think you can still find the hardcover with original art floating around for about $17.99 online. (I know borders.com has it.)

The Links - Michelle Zink's Official Website Prophecy of the Sisters Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Decatur Book Festival – Mini Wrap up

 

Just got home from the Decatur Book Festival! Here’s a quick little wrap up of how things went!

Saturday:

I got to meet Carole Marsh! I bought a one of her new books and she signed it for me! I met Jessica Verday(She regocnized my name from facebook!), Cinda Williams Chima, Kethleen Duey, Saundra mitchell (At the ‘Method in the Magic’ panel) and Carrie ryan and Alyxandra Harvey (At ‘Vampires vs. Zombies’ panel)! While I really only went to see Jessica and Carrie, I thought the others were so cool, and I got better insight into their books, so daddy bought me copies of one book for each author, and I got them all signed! I also got a little swag from most of them! They’re all very nice, and I’m so glad I got to meet them.

Sunday:

I saw Cassandra Clare’s presentation, got to ask a question, picked up my copy of Clockwork Angel, and got ALL OF MY BOOKS by her signed, along with a poster, and I picked up some bookmarks and a teaser from her story in ‘Zombies vs. Unicorns’. And i got a picture with her!

Then I went to panel called ‘Sibling rivalry of the Best and Worst Kind’ to see Jackson Pearce, Michelle Zink, and robin Benway. It was a fun panel! Jessic Verday was there, she sat right in front of me, and she recognized me from yesterday! (Squee!)

then I met Michelle Zink and got my books signed! She knew me from the internet and it was AWESOME! She gave me big hugs and I got some bookmarks, and an exclusive soundtrack for her books! (I got the last one on the table!)

So I had a very exciting weekend! It was just too awesome! Hopefully tomorrow I’ll get around to uploading all my photos and video, and post a more thorough wrap up! Right now, I’m off to read, but I bet you could have guessed that!

Decatur Book Festival

Here, in Georgia, the greatest literary event is the Decatur Book Festival, which happens to be taking place this weekend!

This is first year I’m going (I only just heard of it late last year) and I can’t wait!

If all goes well, I’ll get to meet Cassandra Clare, Michelle Zink, and if I get to go on Saturday as well as Sunday, Jessica Verday and Carrie Ryan!

I’ll post a wrap up after this weekend, and hopefully I’ll finally get those reviews up before then!

Plans

Here are my plans for this blog over the weekend. I just hope to get this stuff typed up and organized; posts will be published whenever my laptop gets back into internet range.

Review Archenemy by Frank Beddor

Review The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Review Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

I have a contest in the works – stay tuned!

Also, I’ve been having a hard time picking which book to finish next, so I’m letting you guys decide! At the left of the blog is poll asking which book you guys want me to review next. This poll ends on the 14th, so vote fast! Whichever book wins the poll will be new top priority read, and I’ll get the review of it up as soon as possible. I’ll the poll going, so you can guys will always be able to help me pick which book to read!

 

Hope you all have a good weekend!

Another update

Okay, okay, I know, I did it again! Things just keep getting crazier here, and I barely have any time to finish up the books on I’m working on. I still have 2 reviews, I owe you, I promise those are coming as soon as possible.

I also have another post coming up soon about the awesome special event coming up. If I get around to it, there’s a contest somewhere around here that needs to get up and running, soon!

So, I’ll get started writing up posts, and getting all my pictures and info together, and you just know that there’s awesomeness coming your way!

Android Karenina Book Trailer

Below is the trailer for Android Karenina! Enjoy!

Android Karenina by Leo Tolstoy and Ben H. Winters

Summary from Quirk Classics.com -

As in the original novel, our story follows two relationships: the tragic adulterous romance of Anna Karenina and Count Alexei Vronsky, and the much more hopeful marriage of Nikolai Levin and Kitty Shcherbatskaya. These four, yearning for true love, live in a steampunk-inspired 19th century of mechanical butlers, extraterrestrial-worshiping cults, and airborne debutante balls. Their passions alone would be enough to consume them—but when a secret cabal of radical scientific revolutionaries launches an attack on Russian high society’s high-tech lifestyle, our heroes must fight back with all their courage, all their gadgets, and all the power of a sleek new cyborg model like nothing the world has ever seen.

Rhia’s Review – I went into this novel with little knowledge of Tolstoy, or the original novel Anna Karenina, so I really didn’t know what to expect from its being mashed with robots.  But it’s a good thing.

I really enjoyed Android Karenina, and I like how Winters was able to use the incorporation of robots to really highlight the society of the times. (Only the well-to-do are presented with their own class III companion robot.)

Without straying too far from the original storyline, Winters includes humorous robots, each with their own idiosyncrasies, despite their programming, and a much darker, conspiratorial plot, which adds some excitement to our story of Russion society. Because, let’s face it, almost all classics are better with some sort of giant monster! (Made of tentacle, rotting flesh, or metal; it doesn’t really matter!)

The Recommendation – If you’re a fan of sci-fi, humor, or steampunk-ish things, you’ll find Android Karenina worth reading! And if you’ve been keeping up with Quirk’s mash-up classics, you won’t want to miss this one!

The Contest! – Once again, the fabulous folks at Quirk are having a contest for our lovely blog readers! Just go to this link, mention RATHER BE READING, and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of 25 Quirk Prize Packs, each with a value of about $100. Each prize pack includes:

• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith
• How to Survive a Horror Move by Seth Graham-Smith
• Dracula’s Heir:An Interactive Mystery by Sam Stall
• Extreme Encounters by Greg Emmanuel
• How to Tell if Your Boyfriend is The Antichrist by Patricia Carlin
• An Android Karenina poster
• And more!

The Other Books – While I haven’t seen any mention of the next Quirk Classic (which is probably good, because it means they’re not going publish just any crazy mix of classic and monster – keep it fresh, guys!) I’m eagerly awaiting number 5. I, personally, am hoping from something based on Dumas soon. Anyone else?

The Vitals – Android Karenina goes on sale today in paperback for about $12.95.

The Links – Quirk Classics Official Website Android Karenina book page Enter the Contest!

Overdue update, upcoming reviews

Okay, wow. It has been a long time since I’ve updated here! Here’s why, and the scoop on my upcoming reviews, if anyone is interested.

 

So, after some personal business involving health issues with my mom, my schedule has totally turned upside down. So I’m reading less, but I’ve been doing a lot of sewing and stuff while hanging with my mom. I’m really trying to get my schedule straightened out so I can get in all my work, writing, reading, and sewing in during my week. Wish me luck!

Anyway, there are some reviews I hope to get posted soon! Hopefully by the time these are posted, I’ll have finished some more of currently reading pile, so there’ll be even more reviews for you.

I’ll be trying to get these reviews up by the middle of next week:

• ArchEnemy by Frank Beddor
• the Iron King by Julie Kagawa

and maybe there’ll be a few surprises in there as well, if I can some reading done really fast.

 

Happy reading everyone!

Manifest by Artist Arthur

(Only copy of the cover I could find – May not be final)

Summary from Author’s Website -

When fifteen-year-old Krystal Bentley moves to Lincoln, Connecticut, her mom's hometown, she assumes her biggest drama will be adjusting to the burbs after living in New York City.

But Lincoln is nothing like Krystal imagined. The weirdness begins when Ricky Watson starts confiding in her. He's cute, funny, a good listener—and everything she'd ever wanted except that he was killed a year ago. Krystal's ghost-whispering talents soon lead other "freaks" to her door—Sasha, a rich girl who can literally disappear, and Jake, who moves objects with his mind. All three share a distinctive birthmark in the shape of an M and, fittingly call themselves the Mystyx. They set out to learn what really happened to Ricky, only to realize that they aren't the only ones with mysterious powers. But if Krystal succeeds in finding out the truth about Ricky's death, will she lose him for good?

 

Rhia’s Review – I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Krystal is a very cool person, someone I can easily relate too. She doesn’t obsess about boys, especially not an unrealistically beautiful love interest. There is a touch of romance, and Krystal does have emotions to get through in terms of terms of romance, but that’s not what this story is about. (Which I like.)

Artist sets a very good mood in this book. There are some very spooky scenes, and very exciting ones, as well. I loved her characters, they were very deep, and the whole book was very engaging. Definitely a great read, and so worth your time!

The Recommendation – I think everyone should read this book! But you’ll enjoy it a bit more if you’re a fan of books with teens with paranormal powers, slightly spooky stories, or stories about ghosts in general.

The Other Books – Manifest ends very open for a sequel, so I’m hoping there will be one. I’d definitely read it!

The Vitals* – The book releases on August 1st, and apparently will be available in paperback for about $9.99. (Could change.)

The Links – Artist Arthur's Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Crescendo cover so far!

It looks so awesome!!

Crescendo Cover Art!

So, in case you didn’t know, today is the day that the cover art for Crescendo, Becca Fitzpatrick’s sequel to Hush, Hush (One of my faves!), will be revealed today! There’s a handy button over on the side bar (<--------) or you can just check out this link: Fallen Archangel

Becca will be checking in live from the Denver Teen Lit Festival. the artwork will be revealed slowly, as a chalk artist there DRAWS IT. Omg. The action starts at 10 AM here on the east coast, (Little more than an hour.) I’m so excited! How about you guys?

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr for free!

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr, a fey story, has been on my list to read for a long time, but for some reason I’ve never actually gotten to it. But it’s available as a free e-book download, along with some extras! You can get from any of these sites - HarperTeen, Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

I’m super glad that they did this, because I’ve really wanted to read this, more so recently. I’ve been big into the fey lately. (Currently reading the Iron king by Julie Kagawa!)

So if you’re like me and just never got around to reading this, or if you’d just like to check it out, especially before the others in the series, there’s never been a better time.

Let me know what you all think of it!

Update

Just a quick update! I haven’t been on for a while because of some problems in my personal life (family sicknesses – everybody’s okay now.) I do have a review to post – I had been holding off until my contest was over. I’ll get that up a little later. I haven’t been able to get any reading done since last Thursday until last night, so I’m a little behind. Tons to catch up on, wish me luck! Hopefully I’ll have some reviews up soon.

I haven’t had the strength to lower my stack before starting new books, so I’ve got tons to work on.  Luckily my TBR and currently reading piles are nice and big, because newly purchased books will be rare for a while due to health bills. (Yay for contests!)

So stay tuned, I’m not gone, and I’ve got plenty coming up!

The Winner of Eyes Like Stars!

And the winner of shiny new copy of  Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev is…. (drum roll please)

 

NINEFLY!

 

I’ve e-mailed you,  and your prize will head out sometime during the week.

Eyes Like Stars Contest!

I have managed to secure a copy of Eyes Like Stars to give away as my first contest! (Thanks to dad, and Borders.)

AND Lisa Mantchev, the fabulous author of some my most favorite books ever, has graciously agreed to award a bookplate and a backstage pass bracelet to whoever wins this contest. Isn’t she amazing? Thank you Lisa!

I’d prefer if you leave an e-mail address so I can contact you, but the winner will be posted, so if you forget, you can just e-mail me if you win. If the winner doesn’t respond after 3 days, I’ll get another one.

So, here’s the breakdown. You’ll get a base entry for commenting on this post.

+1 for commenting on my review of  Perchance to Dream

+1 for commenting on my review of Eyes Like Stars

+1 for commenting on my Interview with Lisa Mantchev

+3 for becoming a follower! (I need followers. See? Benefits.)

+5 if you’re already a follower! (I will be taking note.)

 

The deadline for entries is Midnight this Saturday. I’ll announce the winner Sunday, and mail out my prize next week.

Interview with Lisa Mantchev!

The Absolutely amazing Lisa Mantchev was kind enough to answer a few questions for me! My first author interview, how awesome is that?

Rather Be Reading: What do you consider to be the location of the Theatre Illuminata? (Real place, fictional, etc) Will there more information about this in the second book?

Lisa Mantchev: It's completely fictional, and it's representative of all those beautiful art nouveau and Victorian era theaters. There will actually be more discussion of it's location and time period in the third book, So Silver Bright.

RBR: What information can you give us on book two as of now?

LM: Perchance To Dream picks up where Eyes Like Stars left off, with the merry band headed out on the road. Bertie is determined to save Nate, and--as usual--Ariel isn't sharing his plans with anyone. Of course, there is a lot of silliness and mayhem and cake.

RBR: How do you think professional stage actors/ theater workers feel about the book?

LM: I hope they like it! I'm actually more nervous, having a theater-person read the novel than just about anyone else... they have more context for criticism, I think, if I got anything wrong!

RBR: If Eyes Like Stars was to be made into a movie, can you picture any actors/actresses you think would portray the characters well? (Living or dead, as far as I care.)

LM: I have pictured Ellen Page as Bertie ever since I saw Jason Chan's cover art for ELS, and Daniel Henney as Ariel. Nate is a little harder, although Craig Horner (from Legend of the Seeker) can swing a sword and wear leather pants with the best of them. XD

RBR: Do you have any advice/tips/wisdom/pity for aspiring authors?

LM: Treat it like a job, with regular hours and dedication and professional behavior when interacting with agents, editors, and other authors.

RBR: If you could collaborate on a project with any author(s), living or dead, who would they be? What do you think the project would be like?

LM: At the risk of sounding like a complete fangirl, I pick Neil Gaiman. And the project could be absolutely anything (seriously, I'd sit there and write out his grocery list, if he asked me to.)

RBR: Are you working on any other projects?

LM: I am in the middle of revising a Retrofuturist NeoVictorian (somewhat steampunk) novel, the first of another series. I am up to my eyeballs in clockwork bits, gadgets, bustle skirts, and, yes... more dessert.

Thanks so much Lisa!

Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev

Summary from goodreads.com - 

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Rhia’s Review – Okay, first off, Look at that cover! I mean, just look  at it! It’s GORGEOUS! I love staring at it, and it really reflects the book so well. I’m sorry. I had to gush over it for a second.

But the words inside are just as good, okay  maybe better, than the cover! I LOVED Eyes Like Stars and I’m very impressed by this sequel! It picks up right where the first left off, with all our favorite characters gallivanting off with mechanical horses. Pretty cool, huh?

We really see Bertie come to life in this book. She’s faced with difficult decisions, and is coming to fully understand her mysterious gift with words. She learns a lot about herself, and we’re right there learning with her.

But the other characters are just as important and developed, especially Ariel and those rascally fairies! (Who couldn’t love them??)

Lisa uses a lot of metaphor in this book, which was occasionally a little too much for me, but it’s nothing big. I really didn’t have any issues with this book.

I did get a little confused sometimes by Bertie’s magical journey’s and dreams. However, I was reading rather sporadically, because I was sick, so I know I missed a lot of things, which is my fault, not the writing. When I looked back over it, it would have made perfect sense, if I hadn’t left off in the middle of a chapter for like a week. (Try not to do that.) I might have to read it again before the final book, to make sure I didn’t miss anything important.

So essentially, everything about this book is great! The cover, the storyline, the characters, and Lisa is a really nice person! (You’ll really see why in a little bit.)

Now, you might want to head on over to that link in the left sidebar – and enter to win a copy of Eyes Like Stars!!!

 

The Recommendation – If you’re into innovative fantasy (There’s nothing like this one out there!) you’ll love this! However,  I definitely wouldn’t read Perchance to Dream unless you’ve read Eyes Like Stars, because you’ll be really confused.

The Other Books – Book Three, tentatively titled So Silver Bright, will be out… sometime. Next year, I think. Too long, anyway. I want it in my hands now.

The Vitals* – According to Borders.com, Perchance to Dream will be out May 25th, in hardback for $16.99.

The Links – The Theatre Illuminata

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

A few things…

Just wanted to let you all know that I’ve got something REALLY cool coming up! I promise! However… I’m feeling a little under the weather, so my reading is really slow, which is putting me behind. If all goes well, the awesomeness will be posted Sunday. If all goes not well, maybe a day later. But it’ll be SO worth it, I promise!

Thanks for your patience!

Dawn of the Dreadfuls Trailer!

As a fan of  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, I was excited to see the trailer for it! It’s really good, check it out below!

 

 

Thanks!

As some of you may know, Kristen at Bookworming in the 21st Century was nice enough to feature me on her blog! Thanks, Kristen!

I just wanted to say a quick thank you to everyone who has followed and/or commented due to that post. I really appreciate it!

So, Thank you!!

I’m going to try to hold a contest soon, so stay tuned!

Abadazad, the Road to Inconceivable by J.M. DeMatteis

Illustrated by Mike Ploog

Summary – Kate’s little brother Matt has been missing for five years. They both adored a series of books called Abadazad. After a mysterious chat with her neighbor, Kate is pulled into the mystical world she has read about in search of her brother. But Abadazad is not completely the whimsical place depicted in the books…

Rhia’s Review – I found this poking through Borders, and couldn’t resist checking it out. (It was marked down.) It’s part novel, part comic book/graphic novel, and the story is told as the diary of the main character Kate. It’s kind of a quick read (I think it’s on middle-school grade level) but it’s interesting.

The art is pretty nice, it kind of reminds me of the Disney movie Atlantis.

I tried to do some research on this book and it’s sequels (there are two). I don’t think it’s very popular anymore, I think the company might have gone bankrupt or something. Borders doesn’t even list it on their website anymore. I’m sure you can find out a lot more, but you’re on your own. :)

So, to sum up, it’s a really enjoyable read, and worth your time.

 

The Recommendation – If you like comic books/graphic novels and/or fantasy adventures, you’ll probably enjoy this, even if it is for younger readers.

The Other Books – I’m curious to follow the story, so I might check the others out if I can get a good deal on them.

The Vitals* – The only prices I could find were on Amazon, ranging from $0.01, to $10.00, (The 10 dollar one is signed.) so I guess you can pretty much pick your price.

Lack of Updates (Feeling guilty)

I got new books today! Hooray! Look for reviews if the Iron King by Julie Kagawa and the Enchanted Quest by Frewin Jones!

 

Okay, here’s the deal: I’m feeling guilty about lack of updates and reviews lately. I don’t want anyone reading this blog to think I’m not dedicated or anything. I just read slow. And there’s not a library conveniently situated near us (yet), so I buy all my books. I don’t really know how people manage to read so any books per week, and update so often. When I have a review deadline, I can get it done fast and on time, but I just enjoy savoring my books too much. I usually don’t even get started on my reading until later at night. And maybe I read too many at one time…

But just remember that if you see a lack of updates, it’s not because I’m not reading for because I don’t take this blog seriously, it’s just that I do things differently.

 

Okay, I feel a little better now. :)

Dawn of the Dreadfuls, by Steve Hockensmith

Summary from Borders.com - Witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early 19th-century England in this terrifying and hilarious prequel to the bestselling Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Watch as Elizabeth Bennet evolves from a naive young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead.

Rhia’s Review – This book was hilarious! And also a bit gruesome, but it was all good fun! There are a few quotes that link this with Pride and Prejudice, such as lines that remind the reader of events in the original. (I won’t spoil anything for you, but there’s one involving Lydia… and most of us know what happened there.) There are even some instances that (if the Zombies were removed) this book really seems like a possible Pride and Prejudice prequel! This was a great book, the exceptions perhaps being that the illustrations aren’t quite as good as those in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (in my opinion), and there are a few sexual references I feel could have been left out. But I don’t let these spoil my opinion of the rest of the book, because the good SO outweighs the bad.

 

The Exciting Stuff! – The Most Awesome People at Quirk Books (Who also provided this book.) are also holding a contest for those who read this review. Just go Here. The way I understand it, you’ll be prompted to mention the blog you saw this on (please remember that you’d RATHER BE READING. :)) All participants will automatically be entered.

You’ll have a chance to win one of 50 Quirk Classics Prize Packs! Each Prize Pack, with a retail value of over $100, will include:

• An Advance Copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
• Audiobooks of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
• A password redeemable online for sample audio chapters of Dawn of the Dreadfuls
• An awesome Dawn of the Dreadfuls Poster (It is awesome, they sent one with my book.)
• A Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Journal
• A box set of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Postcards

 

Whew! That’s a lot of awesome stuff!

 

The Recommendation – If you like Zombies, Pride and Prejudice (and don’t mind zombies) and if you like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, you should really read this book! Totally worth it!

The Other Books – Pride and Prejudice  and Zombies and Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters are already earning a high place on my shelf, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls is a welcome addition! Android Karenina is on its way and, though I know little about the original(I’m sure this book will change that), I can’t wait! 

The Vitals* – Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls releases on March 23rd in paperback for $12.95.

The Links – The home page of Quirk Classics The Dawn of the Dreadfuls page on Quirk Classics Enter the Contest!

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

the Immortal Realm, by Frewin Jones

Summary from Borders.com - Princess Tania thinks she's found a way to bring her two worlds together. But as faeries fall to a mysterious illness, Tania must race to save her beloved immortal realm from a dangerous mortal threat.

Rhia’s Review – So, book number 4. You’d think I’d be a little tired of it by now, but no. This 4th book begins kind of a new story arc. It’s really interesting to see sickness in the ‘Immortal Realm’ of Faerie, showing that no land is free from sickness and disease. This one really has a sense of suspense, given the ultimatums that are presented to Tania, and the end really left me wondering what the next course of action will be.

The Recommendation – Same as the others really; Faerie fans will probably love it. If you’re a fan of the series and were doubtful about the next one (I get nervous about continuing series, sometimes.) well don’t be! It’s well worth it.

The Other Books – The Enchanted Quest, the fifth book in the series, came out last month. I have yet to get my hands on it, but it’s definitely on my buy list!

There’s also a ‘manga’ graphic novel series, but I’ve never had an affinity for the Americanized manga.

The Vitals* – Hardback only as of yet, for the usual hardback price of $16.99.

The Links – (Allan) Frewin Jones Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

the Sorcerer King, by Frewin Jones

Also published as the Seventh Daughter.

 

Summary – Tania returns to Faerie with her lost mother only to find it under the control of the evil Sorcerer King! With everything seemingly in ruins, what can Tania do to set things right?

Rhia’s Review – The third book in The Faerie Path series shows us the Princesses of Faerie battle an evil sorcerer who seeks to control all of Faerie himself. Tania’s quest to defeat him takes her, her sisters, and Edric to new places in Faerie, where they encounter new creatures, and meet some new friends. The story still hasn’t lost appeal for me, and I love watching the story unfold, as some of the twists involve important characters. Definitely a great read!

The Recommendation – If you’re a fan so far, keep sticking with the series.

The Other Books – So far, so good!

The Vitals* – This book is available in hardback for $16.99 and paperback (As The Seventh Daughter) for $8.99.

The Links – (Allan) Frewin Jones Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

City of Glass(Mortal Instruments, #3), by Cassandra Clare

 

Summary from Borders.com - In the final installment of the "New York Times"-bestselling Mortal Instruments trilogy, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters, to save her mother's life. Never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death.

Rhia’s Review – This book is an amazing culmination of the series! It had suspense, romance, tragedy, and it wouldn’t be a Mortal Instruments book without humor! There’s a lot of emotion, and Idris is painted so believably, I thought I was there! This is definitely a fantastic book, and I honestly find it hard to think anyone might dislike it.

The Recommendation – Everybody. Anybody. Seriously, you guys have to read this series!

The Other Books – Surprise! The fourth book, City of Fallen Angels will be out March of next year, and I just can’t wait! Later this year, The Clockwork Angel, the first book in the prequel trilogy The Infernal Devices will be out, and I can’t wait for that, either!! AND graphic novels are in the works, too! I’m looking forward to checking that out, as well.

The Vitals* – You can buy City of Glass in hardback ($17.99), and it   releases in paperback on August 3rd for $10.99

The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Waiting on Wednesday – Android Karenina

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

From Quirk's Official Website :

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters coauthor Ben H. Winters is back with an all-new collaborator, legendary Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, and the result is Android Karenina: an enhanced edition of the classic love story set in a strange new world of robots, cyborgs, and interplanetary travel.

As in the original novel, our story follows two relationships: the tragic adulterous romance of Anna Karenina and Count Alexei Vronsky, and the much more hopeful marriage of Nikolai Levin and Kitty Shcherbatskaya. These four, yearning for true love, live in a steampunk-inspired 19th century of mechanical butlers, extraterrestrial-worshiping cults, and airborne debutante balls. Their passions alone would be enough to consume them—but when a secret cabal of radical scientific revolutionaries launches an attack on Russian high society’s high-tech lifestyle, our heroes must fight back with all their courage, all their gadgets, and all the power of a sleek new cyborg model like nothing the world has ever seen.

Squee! I’m so excited!

the Lost Queen, by Frewin Jones

Summary – Picking up right where the The Faerie Path left off, Tania and Edric return to London, and come to begin a search for the Princess’s lost mother, Titania, who is somewhere in the Mortal Realm.

Rhia’s Review – This is another of those sequels that doesn’t make you lose interest in the series as a whole. Things really get interesting as old enemies return, and there’s a good bit of action and suspense.

The Recommendation – If you like Faeries, or if you read The Faerie Path and enjoyed it, you should really read this book.

The Other Books – So far, I’ve bought all the sequels, and I don’t intend to stop.

The Vitals* – the Lost Queen is available in both hardback($16.99) and paperback($8.99).

The Links – (Allan) Frewin Jones Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Captivate, by Carrie Jones

Summary from Borders.com -

Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new king in town.
A turf war is imminent, since the new pixie king, Astley, is moving in quickly. Nick nearly killed him in the woods on day one, but Zara came to his rescue. Astley swears that he and Zara are destined to be together, that he's one of the good guys. Nick isn't buying it, though Zara isn't as sure -- despite herself, she wants to trust the new king. But it's a lot more than her relationship with Nick that is at stake. It's her life -- and his.

 

Carrie Jones will be discussing Captivate at Book Divas from February 22-March 22. Come stop by and ask her a question! (I’ll be there!)

Rhia’s Review – Gosh, I loved this book! Why? Let’s start with Zara, the main character. Her voice is so strong, so individual. (Did I already say that in my Need review? Well, it’s still true, so whatever.) Throughout the book Zara is faced with some serious emotional issues, and she reacts with strong emotion. She doesn’t read like a character, she reads like a person. I developed a bond with her, even if we’re not very much a like.

At first glance at the summary, it might seem a little ‘eh’, and close to other YA book plots. But it so isn’t. Even though another male character enters the mix, Zara doesn’t get all confused and whiny. She sticks to her beliefs. And the supporting characters are perfect! Just enough about them to love and know who they are, but not so much we get distracted from our heroine.

In short, this is a REALLY good book! I couldn’t put it down, and  enjoyed every minute of it!

The Recommendation – Fans of Need won’t be disappointed in this sequel, and if haven’t already, you should really check this series out!

The Other Books – I’ve heard that Carrie is officially contracted for two more books in the Need series, and from the looks of things, they’ll both be high on my buy list! Can’t wait!

The Vitals* – Captivate is available in hardback for $16.99.

The Links – Carrie Jones Official Website, Official Website for Need and its sequels

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Android Karenina cover released!

Just yesterday the cover of Quirk Books’ new mash up Android Karenina was released. I am so psyched for this book and look forward to adding it to my personal collection. It will look great sitting on my shelf with the other three!

So, without further ado, here’s the cover.

City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments, #2), by Cassandra Clare

Summary from Borders.com - Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries?

Rhia’s Review – I love this book!!! Okay, now that that’s out of my system, I can tell you why.  Cassandra Clare really has really created this amazing world that’s so easy to become immersed in. I love the characters, I love the story, I love pretty much everything about this series.

The Recommendation – If you’re into any kind of YA fantasy series, you’ll love this. It has everything!

The Other Books – I was so excited for the next book, I couldn’t stop chattering about the series to a friend of mine. I might have annoyed him a little bit, but he took it really well. So, needless to say, I already bought it. So, yes I think it’s worth it.

The Vitals* – Go buy this book now! Paperback is $9.99 and hardback is $17.99

The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

the Faerie Path, by Frewin Jones

Summary from Borders.com – Swept away into a court of magic and beauty, she discovers she is Tania, the lost princess of Faerie.  But Tania can't forget Anita's world, or the boy she loved there. Torn between two loves and between two worlds, Tania slowly remembers why she disappeared, and realizes that she is the only one who can stop a sinister plan that threatens the entire world of Faerie.

Rhia’s Review – Once again this book falls into the category of  spin offs and derivations of classics, which is something that first drew me to it! I was so excited when I saw that Tania was the daughter of Titania and Oberon, as A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favorite Shakespeare play! But the best part of all is that this book did not disappoint!

Frewin Jones has created beautiful and magical world, and the story really drew me in. There were a couple of neat twists, and I love the characters! With so many sisters, you might think that all of their personalities would overlap and jumble up, but that doesn’t happen. the Faerie Path was really well written, and let’s face it, the covers are simply beautiful!

The Recommendation – While there isn’t a lot reminding me of Shakespeare in the book, fans of Faeries will really enjoy this book! But of course, I think everyone should read it.

The Other Books – There are four other books published in the series so far. I have three of them. Look fore more info in coming reviews.

The Vitals* – You can get this fantastic book in paperback ($8.99) or hardback($16.99).

The Links – (Allan) Frewin Jones Official Website

 

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange

Summary – Elizabeth Bennet has just married the love of her life, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Once they embark on their wedding tour, however, Mr. Darcy begins behaving strangely, and Lizzy begins to suspect that he may regret marrying here. But whatever is troubling Mr. Darcy is not as simple as that…

Rhia’s Review – Well, if you’ve read anything else in my blog, you may already know that I love books that are spin-offs or derivations of classic literature. I also love Jane Austen. And I like Vampires. All the criteria is there. This was a really good book, even if some of the big secret is given away in the title., and I think it works very well as an unofficial Pride and Prejudice sequel. There weren’t many action scenes, but it works well for the novel considering it’s supposed to be similar to Austen. It gives a host of characters, and takes place in several beautiful locations (Like Venice. Yay!), and spends a lot of time with the society they come across.

As a historical novel, I personally give it an A, but as a vampire novel, not so much. There are really only a few aspects that give it originality in an over-vampired age, but the book sets a nice tone of mystery so there’s good regency horror ambiance. I’m just thankful Mr. Darcy doesn’t. sparkle.

The Recommendation – I’d recommend Mr Darcy, Vampyre to big fans of historical novels and Jane Austen. And If you really like vampires, you’ll probably enjoy it. If any of those isn’t your thing, I probably wouldn’t bother.

The Vitals* – Mr Darcy, Vampyre is available in paperback for $14.99.

The Links –  Amanda Grange's official website Here's a pretty book trailer

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Updating this weekend!

I’m currently scheduling some reviews that  need to be posted. I like to schedule one every other day to make sure I don’t run out of content. I’m trying to change my reading pattern, so I should be able to finish books more often to review here. Right now I have to post reviews for books I read a while back because I’m reading too many at the same time to finish anything, but I don’t want blank spaces on this blog. I’m super serious and I want everyone to know it!

I hope you all had a great Valentine’s Day!

Mason by Thomas Pendleton

It suddenly dawned on me that I never put up my review for Mason by Thomas Pendleton. I adored that book, and I just can’t let it be left out.

Summary from Borders.com -

Some kids say Mason Avrett is slow. What they don't know is that he also has a terrifying power that he's just beginning to understand. But that's not his worst problem: Mason lives with a sadist. His older brother, Gene, doles out punishments so brutal that all Mason can do is cover his head for the beating and try to forget the horrific things he's seen.

Rene Denton, one of Mason's only friends, knows that Gene is evil, but she doesn't know how evil until the terrible night she becomes a victim of Gene's cruelty. Suddenly Mason's power--raging beyond his control--becomes the only thing that might just be as frightening as Gene.

Rhia’s Review – This is one of the greatest horror novels I’ve ever read. Finishing it at 4 o’clock in the morning with a flashlight during a thunderstorm which has knocked the power out really helped, too. But it wouldn’t have been possible without the writing.

Thomas Pendleton (pen name for Lee Thomas) gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation. The imagery he uses is amazing, I was able to perfectly visualize everything he wrote. And watching as Mason uses his newfound ability to try to fix things really gives a sense of grim satisfaction about what he does to the antagonists.

This will always be one of my favorite books. With the imagery, I think it’d make a great movie, all of the elements are there. But none of that is in the works, but that’s okay. Who needs a movie when you can see it in your head so perfectly?

 

The Recommendation – Love horror? READ THIS BOOK. The easily scared will probably get more fright out of it than someone who’s super into scary like me, but I think it’s just right in it’s elements to be appropriate for anyone, no matter what your scare level is.

The Other Books – There are no ‘other books’ where Mason is concerned, but I am interested in reading anything else Thomas Pendleton has to offer.

The Vitals* – Mason can be acquired in paperback for $8.99.

The Links – No links right now, as Thomas Pendleton/Dallas Reed/Lee Thomas or whoever he is today has so many names and his YA website doesn’t appear to be working right now.

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

 

gives us an inside look into the character’s thoughts, really giving a good sense of their motivation.

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments, #1), by Cassandra Clare

Summary from Borders.com -

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.

Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....

Rhia’s Review – One fateful day, daddy took Rhia to the mall and let her pick out a book. Rhia picked a dragon book, but while she was there spotted a book that looked interesting. She picked it up and read about it, and the more she read the more she liked, but still decided to get the dragon book she had already picked. When Rhia got home, she couldn’t remember the name or author of the book, and it started driving her crazy. So crazy the she got online and asked for help, describing what she remember about the book on a forum. They lead her to the book she had forgotten, and the next trip to Borders, Rhia got that book, called City of Bones.

In case you didn’t figure it out, I’m that Rhia. And I’ve always regretted not choosing City of Bones instead, because that dragon book kind of sucked, while City of Bones is awesomeness incarnate. I love it so much I’ve babbled about the series so much to a friend of mine that he knows more about it that someone who has never read it should.

Combining Angels, Demons, Warlocks, Werewolves and Vampires, some of my most favorite things to read about, without making any of them dull or overdone, Cassandra Clare has written a book that will always have a place in my heart. The characters and settings are vivid and real, really giving you a sense of being there. The writing is fantastic, and the story and plot really pull you in. Love the twists as well.

All in all, a simply wonderful book that I will never cease to love.

There’s also talk of a movie, which I think may be really official and underway. But I try not to get my hopes up too far when it comes to this sort of thing.

The Recommendation – This is a fantastic book, and a fantastic series, that all lovers of fantasy should try. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

The Other Books – City of Ashes  and City of Glass, the other two books in the series, have already been read and are sitting with their brother on the shelf. (Reviews coming soon.) So, obviously, I think it’s worth it. Clare has recently revealed that a surprise fourth book in the series, City of Fallen Angels will be released in early 2011. (I believe I’m right on the time. Just don’t sue if I’m wrong.) I can’t wait. There is also a prequel series in the works, called the Infernal Devices. The Clockwork Angel, first in the series, will be out later this year. Also can’t wait for that.

The Vitals* – City of Bones is available in both hardback ($17.99) and paperback ($9.99).

The Links – Official Mortal Instruments Page, Official Infernal Devices Page, Cassandra Clare's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

the Hollow, by Jessica Verday

 

Summary from Borders.com - When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes, everyone thinks Kristen is dead. Caspian, the mysterious boy who shows up at Kristen's funeral, helps Abbey through her grief. Soon, however, Abbey learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend.

Rhia’s Review -    I like books that have something to do with a classic novel or story. I just do. It’s cool. Jessica Verday’s The Hollow takes place in Sleepy Hollow, the small town made infamous by Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Every chapter begins with a short quote from Legend, usually one having some small relation to the contents of the chapter. Win.

Abbey is a character I can really relate to. I’ve never been in her position before, but I see a lot of myself in her. But that’s really only one small reason why I love this book so much. The romance is perfectly proportioned to the rest of the book, having just the right amount of fluff, and none of it made me nauseous, even if the romantic interest of the story does belong in the ‘doesn’t exist’ category. There’s plenty of emotion in this book, and I just feel so close to Abbey when I’m reading, I know Jessica’s done her job well.

This book was not tied up all nicely with a bow at the end, unlike most books today, especially romances. But this isn’t a bad thing. It left me craving more of the story, and looking forward to the sequel even more.

Also, you can buy perfumes based on the characters (Abbey makes perfume in the book), which is one of the coolest things ever. In my humble opinion, of course.

 

The Recommendation – Everybody needs to read this book. Seriously. If you like paranormal, YA, romance, or any combination of them, get this book.

The Other Books – According to Borders.com, The Haunted, sequel to The Hollow will be out August 31st, but I don’t know for sure how accurate that is. The only thing I know is that I can’t wait for it. Definitely high on the buy list.

The Vitals* – The Hollow is out in hardback for $17.99.

The Links – Official Website of the Hollow, Jessica's Blog

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray

I’m getting tired of writing summaries as well as the review, so I’m going to a cheat a little here and there.

Summary from Borders.com (Edited slightly for length)-

Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy -- spending time with her friends in the city, attending balls in fancy gowns with plunging necklines, and dallying with the handsome Lord Denby. Yet amid these distractions, her visions intensify -- visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened that only the realms can explain.

But all is not well in the realms -- or out. Kartik is back, desperately insisting to Gemma that she must bind the magic, lest colossal disaster befall her. Gemma is willing to comply, for this would bring her face-to-face with her late mother's greatest friend, now Gemma's foe -- Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task. . . .

 

Rhia’s Review – Rebel Angels is a fantastic follow up to A Great and Terrible Beauty. This is one of those sequels where nothing is lost in between books; none of the characters have sudden differences that weren’t brought on by the plot of the previous book, etc.  Gemma’s voice is still as strong as it was in the first book, and Libba Bray really blends Gemma’s experiences in London society and her  abilities and experiences in the realms and together well. She does a great job of showing how Gemma’s sudden vision are a danger to her social standing, and how that affects her family. Very well written.

 

The Recommendation – I’d recommend this book to pretty much anyone, though I’d suggest you read A Great and Terrible Beauty first. If you have read said book, and enjoyed it, pick up a copy of Rebel Angels. You won’t be disappointed.

The Other Books – The Sweet Far Thing is the third and final book in the trilogy. I already have my copy, but I haven’t gotten very far yet. What I’ve read so far, though, is great. I knew as soon as I finished Rebel Angels that I wanted the third book.

The Vitals* – Rebel Angels is available in both hardback ($16.95) and paperback ($9.99).

The Links – The Official Website of the series ; Libba Bray's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Need, by Carrie Jones

 

After Zara's stepfather died, Zara’s mother saw that she was having a hard time coping. So Zara's mother sends her to Coldwater, Maine to live with her grandmother, hoping the change will do her good. Once in Maine, however, Zara finds herself apparently stalked by a strange man, and learns that boys have been mysteriously disappearing. Whilst probing into the disappearances, and the strange man, she discovers that something inhuman plague streets of Coldwater, and even she herself isn't what she seems.

Need is individual in choice of supernatural being, the pixie, which is one of my Favorite things about this book. Instead of giving into many of the most popular trends in teen fiction, such as vampires, Carrie Jones gives us something completely different because, even though pixies can be compared to fairies, another rising trend in YA Lit, they are clearly their own, different species.

Also, instead of the usual werewolf, which Carrie does supply, she also gives us other were animals, such as tigers and eagles, which is a nice little change.

All in all, this was a great read, great characters. Zara’s voice was loud and clear; she’s very individual.

Carrie Jones will be visiting Book Divas February 22-March 22.

The Recommendation – This is a superb read for anyone into Paranormal YA.

The Other Books – Captivate, the sequel to Need hit shelves in January. I’ve already bought it, and am currently diving in. I’ll have the review definitely before the 22nd. Carrie has confirmed that there will be two more books in the series, but I don’t know much about them yet.

The Vitals* – Need is available in hardback ($16.99) and paperback ($9.99), while Captivate is in hardback for $16.99.

The Links – Carrie Jones Official Website, Official Website for Need and its sequels

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Bones of Faerie, by Janni Lee Simner

Bones of Faerie is a post-apocalypse type tale set after a war between the Human and Faerie worlds. The after affects of faerie magic leave a mark upon the human world, such as plants and crops that attack at will, and faerie children born to human parents. Liza was born after the war. Her baby sister was born with trademarks of faerie heritage, and her father leaves her out on a hillside to die, for any trace magic found within their town must be destroyed, including children.

Shortly after Liza’s mother disappears into the dangerous forest surrounding their town, Liza discovers she has the faerie ability to ‘see’, into the past, the future, and so she flees the safety of the town to seek out both her mother and refuge for herself. But what Liza finds is a journey into Faerie and back, and the possibility of healing both the Faerie world and the Human world.

 

This book was shorter than I thought it would be, which does slightly count against it for me. But the story, the characters, and the world make up for the short length.

 

The Recommendation – Those looking for a faerie story similar to other YA faerie stories on the market today probably won’t find it here. But it is a good read, and I think most people can enjoy it.

The Other Books – There will be a sequel to Bones of Faerie tentatively scheduled for sometime in 2011. I haven’t really decided how far up the buy list it will be, but we’ll see as the time gets closer. Factors such as it’s plot and our economic standing have a lot of affect here.

The Vitals* – Bones of Faerie is currently available in hardcover for $16.99, and releases on January 27th in paperback for $9.99.

The Links - Janni Lee Simner's Official Website

*=All prices are from Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

Recent and upcoming reviews

I was recently sitting at my desk hammering away at the keyboard writing up reviews. I was hoping to schedule them all and have a nice little regular type update.

Somehow I got distracted and none of them got published. So I published one (I may to need to proofread it later) and this weekend I’ll finish what I started. I’ll read like Mr. Dickens (I assume he read a lot) and type like nobody’s business, and get a bunch of reviews done.

And then I’ll try to tame my stack so I’ll finish books quicker.

Then dad will have buy me more mwa ha ha ha ha ha.

Okay, just kidding about that last part.

Mostly.

Happy Reading!

A Great and Terrible Beauty, by Libba Bray (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy, Book One)

Gemma Doyle is determined to leave her home in British India and seek out a proper education at a boarding school in England. After a brief meeting with a mysterious man with an odd message about a woman named Circe, Gemma’s mother dies. in the light of this, and her father’s growing addiction to laudanum, Gemma is sent to the foreboding Spence Academy for young ladies. There she meets new friends and enemies, and learns that she has a special power to enter a magical place called the realms. With her own powers and the help of her friends, she discovers the dark history of the school, as well as he own heritage and the power she possesses.

 

This book really captured me, and it didn’t take me long to finish it and begin longing for the others. I really how Libba Bray is really able to blend Victorian England with fantasy that really suits the time. Although the magical elements aren’t as bold as, say, Harry Potter, which I usually prefer, it simply suits the story and era so well, that it really melds together. Plus, I really like historical fiction.

Now, when I had originally read about the books, and it mentioned  ‘popular girl’ (Those may not have been the exact words, but that’s essentially the meaning) I was a bit put off because I thought it would be another of the usual YA fantasies filling the shelves, only set back in time a bit. I wrongly assumed that the new girl would be jealous and trying to fit in with the popular crowd. However, Gemma isn’t like that, and the way the relationships develop between all the characters is definitely not the norm.

Gemma has a strong voice, the setting seems accurate (I haven’t done an extraordinary amount of research to know), and all the characters are real and easily imagined. You can easily compare this book to everyday life, which means that the author has done their job of creating a believable story

 

The Recommendation – This book is great for anyone, especially fans of fantasy, YA lit, and historical stories.

The Other Books – Well, I’ve already bought them. So that should tell you something. :) Their reviews are coming up.

The Vitals* – A Great and Terrible Beauty can be purchase in either hardcover($16.95) or paperback ($9.99). Also available in audio for $44.00, and other bindings as well.

The Links - The Official Website of the series ; Libba Bray's Official Website

*=All prices are form Borders.com and are subject to change without notice, and without this page reflecting those changes.

In My Mailbox

I know a lot of people do this meme called In My Mailbox, which is hosted by Kristi from The Story Siren. This isn’t exactly like that, but it’s similar, so I thought I’d share the new books I got over the weekend. We had coupons, so Daddy took me to Borders.

I got:

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Captivate by Carrie Jones

The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray

So, look for some back logged reviews, as some of those are sequels, and new reviews as well, as I’m trying to steadily work my way through my growing pile of books.

Rhia’s Ten Favorite Books of 2009

Everyone’s doing it. Everywhere I look, there’s another list of someone’s favorite books of the year. So why can’t I do one?

There is no reason. So without further ado, here are my ten favorite books of 2009! They are in NO PARTICULAR ORDER, because I just can’t do a thing that to my babies.

P.S. I’m not doing one for the decade, like a lot of people, because well there a lot of factors why. I’m just not.

 

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Archenemy by Frank Beddor

Fade by Lisa McMann

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

Storm Glass by Maria v Snyder

Forest Born by Shannon Hale

 

And here are some of the best books of 2009 that I missed out on:

Wings by Aprilynn Pike

the Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Soulless by Gail Carriger

 

These are all still on my reading list, but I just don’t know when I’ll get to them.

 

What are some of your favorite books of the year?

Hyperventilating

Well, I’m still working on the reading thing. Didn't get to any yesterday, focused on the writing instead.

But OMG you guys I have some AMAZING NEWS!!! I’m bursting at the seams to tell you, but I want it to be a surprise. Let’s just say there’s a veerry special post coming up soon!

I totally can’t wait!!