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!