Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Waiting on Wednesday [49]


from randomhouse.com:

JUSTINE KNOWS SHE’S GOING TO DIE. ANY SECOND NOW.

Justine Jones has a secret. A hardcore hypochondriac, she’s convinced a blood vessel is about to burst in her brain. Then, out of the blue, a startlingly handsome man named Packard peers into Justine’s soul and invites her to join his private crime-fighting team. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal. With a little of Packard’s hands-on training, Justine can weaponize her neurosis, turning it outward on Midcity’s worst criminals, and finally get the freedom from fear she’s always craved. End of problem.

Or is it? In Midcity, a dashing police chief is fighting a unique breed of outlaw with more than human powers. And while Justine’s first missions, including one against a nymphomaniac husband-killer, are thrilling successes, there is more to Packard than meets the eye. Soon, while battling her attraction to two very different men, Justine is plunging deeper into a world of wizardry, eroticism, and cosmic secrets. With Packard’s help, Justine has freed herself from her madness—only to discover a reality more frightening than anyone’s worst fears.


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Reason: Not only does the premise sound plain kick-ass, but I've already read some great reviews of the book. I've always frequented Carolyn's blog before and she's a pretty awesome gal!

Cover Discussion: Nothing too spectactular here although the cover model is slightly gorgeous. I enjoy the colors and I've seen book two's cover and I like how they go together.



Mind Games will be released March 23rd! (yes, yesterday! go out & get it!!)


What are you waiting on this week?
To see more books that are being waited for click here.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Book Arrivals

From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

Black Magic Sanction :: Kim Harrison
(Book eight in the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series)
(Won from Brooke @ Brooke's Reviews, thanks hun!)

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter--and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment--at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery.Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

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From Paperbackswap.com:


Traitor to the Blood :: Barb & J.C. Hendee
(Book four in the Noble Dead series)

"Born a half-breed to an elven mother and human father, Leesil was raised in the Warlands as assassin, spy, and slave for Lord Darmouth, ruler of an independent province. But Leesil's mother trained him well, and he used his skills to escape, leaving his parents to suffer Darmouth's wrath for all such traitors and their kin. Now with newfound purpose in the company of his beloved Magiere, Leesil returns to confront the sins of his past and uncover his parents' fate." Unable to turn him from this dangerous course, Magiere follows Leesil into the darkness of his past in the Warlands. Knowing what may happen should Darmouth learn of Leesil's return, she is prepared to slaughter any who try to take him from her. But Magiere's own past may well pose a more deadly threat. Two creatures of unfathomable power continue to stalk her - one who believes she's the key to his salvation, and one who seeks to destroy her...and all those she loves.

The Lumby Lines

The Lumby Lines
Gail Fraser

Series or Stand Alone: The Lumby series, book one

Release Date: May 2007

Publisher: NAL

Pages: 336

My Rating: 4/5

Source: Received from FSB Associates for review


Synopsis [from fsbmedia.com]:

Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby has the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, you'll always find Lumby close to your heart ...

Nearly destroyed by fire, Montis Abbey remains a ruin on the outskirts of Lumby. Once home to a resourceful order of monks, it stands abandoned, surrounded by its overgrown orchards. Then Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, stumble upon it -- and upon the answer to their prayers. Leaving behind their hectic lives to restore the monastery and turn it into an inn is a dream come true.

But some residents of Lumby take a while to warm up to outsiders. One of them is irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines -- the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. The couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand, and that Lumby isn't just a place -- it's a way of life.

Review:

I wasn't going into THE LUMBY LINES with many expectations. The synopsis sound decent at best and I had never heard of Gail Fraser before. I enjoy working with the people with FSB Associates however, and am always happy to receive a query through the email. And it's at these times, when I dont' expect a book to be much, that I'm overjoyed to find a sweet little gem of a read in the most unexpected places!!

THE LUMBY LINES isn't a ground-breaking novel, however I was so surprised by how much I ended up really enjoying the book. It's simply a lovely, cozy little read that will definitely leave any reader with warm fuzzies after they close the back cover. The town of Lumby itself is a character all it's own with the inhabitants fiercely loyal and protective. When an east-coast couple discover a new path to their lives while on a vaction, they end up buying a deserted abbey that was burned down many years ago. Determined to rebuild Montis Abbey into a bed and breakfast, Mark and Pam Walker discover the true magic of Lumby.

I'll definitely be continuing on with all Lumby-connected books. And although everything seems to always work out in the end (which was a little too unrealistic for me) it was nice to escape into such a warm and loving world that Gail has created. I highly recommend this charming book to anyone who is in the mood to laugh and become attached to some really great characters!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday Finds [27]

**Hosted by MizB, click here to see more Friday Finds

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.



My Finds This Week::


Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Don't Forget to Wear Green Today!



Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!


**haha, this makes me smile everytime I see it**

Waiting on Wednesday [48]


from penguin.com:

A bestselling international literary sensation about whether a "prime number" can ever truly connect with someone else.

A prime number can only be divided by itself or by one—it never truly fits with another. Alice and Mattia, both "primes," are misfits who seem destined to be alone. Haunted by childhood tragedies that mark their lives, they cannot reach out to anyone else. When Alice and Mattia meet as teenagers, they recognize in each other a kindred, damaged spirit.

But the mathematically gifted Mattia accepts a research position that takes him thousands of miles away, and the two are forced to separate. Then a chance occurrence reunites them and forces a lifetime of concealed emotion to the surface.

Like Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this is a stunning meditation on loneliness, love, and the weight of childhood experience that is set to become a universal classic.


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Reason: It was definitely the title that drew me in first, than the cover, and finally the blurb reeled me in. The comparision to Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time definitely helped to. I have a feeling this book will not be the easiest or quickest read but will leave an imprint after being finished. I enjoy those kind of books!

Cover Discusssion: I'm in love! The peas are a wonderful touch: "Two Peas in a Pod"... I also like the font chosen for the cover, it matches the description of the characters in my opinion.




The Solitude of Prime Numbers will be released March 18th!




What are you waiting on this week?
To see more books that are being waited for click here.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Q&A with A.P. Stephens



I'd like to welcome A.P. Stephens to mis(h)takes today! I was very lucky to be contacted by him to read and review his debut fantasy THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR. He also agreed to an interview that provides some great insight into the novel.


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A little background info before we go on:


A.P. Stephens grew up in the suburb of Mesquite, TX. He attended Dallas County community colleges and progressed to the University of North Texas where he studied Creative Writing and English.

The foundations of his writing began in 1991 when a fellow classmate lent him a copy of The Lord of the Rings. With the combination of Tolkien, video games, music, and movies, the beginnings of his fantasy world, Londor, and its inhabitants took shape. His earlier years were devoted to martial arts, theater, and art.

THE WHITE SHADOW SAGA: THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is a combination taken from his background in martial arts and theater, giving it an extra dose of action and character development.

When he is not writing, A.P. Stephens enjoys drawing, movies, reading, television, and video games.

He resides in Dallas, TX with his lovely wife.

THE WHITE SHADOW SAGA: THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is now available in paperback and ebook forms. It was also named one of the Top Books of 2009 by Fantasy Book Critic.

You can visit his website here: http://www.apstephens.com/

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Me: I appreciate you stopping by to answer some questions :D

A.P.: Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to answer them on your site.

Me: Can you tell readers a little bit about THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR?

A.P.: The Stolen Moon of Londor is an epic fantasy tale about a world in peril when one of the twin moons disappears from the heavens. This causes the world to fall into sickness, chaos, and all out war. The story revolves around one of the elf god’s servants, Randor, as he leads an expedition party to investigate what happened to the moon before it is too late. Along the path, many obstacles lay ahead and there is plenty of action and adventure.

Me: Which of your characters would you say you are most like and why?

A.P.: Many of my characters have traits or pieces of me in them. I guess it depends on what type of mood I am in, really. When I am feeling creative, I tend to lean towards Lorn, if I get upset about something, then Malander comes out very quick. But when everything is calm, there isn’t just one I am like.

Me: What inspired you to create Londor and all of its inhabitants?

A.P.: Music is a big contributor to my world. I have a strange collection of music and various lyrics in the song would jump out and give me ideas. I also sometimes mishear lyrics and even though it might not be the right words, I will use what I thought I heard. My stories will have inspirations anywhere from Megadeth, Sarah McLachlan, Rufus Wainwright, Two Tons of Steel, and many others. Video games are also a big factor to my stories. Playing some great RPGs on the Super Nintendo gave me many ideas in creating my own fictional world. And there are games nowadays that spark tiny ideas to me.

Me: When did you first realize that you wanted to write?

A.P.: Up until 6th grade, I wanted to make a video game. I used to sit in class and draw characters (fighting game types, etc) and draw maps of levels for the games, laying out streets, buildings, etc. Then in 6th grade a kid came into my class and would watch me draw my characters. One day he asked me if I’ve ever read Lord of the Rings and I never have heard of it. He let me borrow his copy and I was hooked after that. I turned my drawings and such to fantasy after that point.

Me: What were some of the hardships you faced/are still facing by self-publishing?

A.P.: Self publishing comes with many negative connotations: unprofessional, not good enough to be published by the traditional means, no distribution, unedited, garbage, etc. Telling bookstores, libraries, review sites, etc that you are self published puts up a defensive wall with the person you are speaking to. The biggest thing I have seen from bookstores and libraries is that they think your book is not something they can order like a traditional book—but in my case they can. I made sure that I have distribution in place with the same places they can order any big publisher’s books from. That usually opens the way a bit more for me. Another thing about self publishing is that you are your own marketing person, public relations, inventory controller, etc, etc. You have to work hard and diligently to push yourself out there and some authors do not want to do this. There are some who do and I enjoy trying to push the book out there so readers all over the place can read it or learn about it. Doing all the various tasks of self publishing makes you learn about the business and I enjoy learning about it. I learn new things each day and everything I have learned will help me in the future, no matter who might publish my books.

Me: What book/s are you reading right now?

A.P.: Unfortunately, I do not have much time to read much these days. There are two reasons I would say: working a full-time job and then coming home to work another full-time job (self publishing duties and working on the next book) and I try not to read books while I am working on my book. I might subconsciously borrow ideas or the author’s writing style or I will begin reflecting on my own stories instead of writing them. Once I get the first draft of Book Two done, I will read a book or three to take a break. I do listen to some writing podcasts and an occasional audiobook while I am at work and listen to fellow authors who are on Podiobooks like I am.

Me: Can you share anything about Book Two that you’re currently working on?

A.P.: The next book is the second act in the trilogy and like many second acts of trilogies, they are dark. The world around Randor and company is slipping away faster than they imagined and their road ahead is filled with even greater difficulties and darkness. The action will be more intense, the set pieces will be bigger, and true evil will come across their path.

Me: If you could write a book about absolutely anything with any other author (dead or alive) what would it be about and who would you choose?

A.P.: Anyone who knows me would say I would choose J.R.R. Tolkien and as great as that would be, I think many other fantasy writers would say the same thing. I will go with another creator, though I do not know if he is classified as an author; he is a storyteller, however. I would like to do something with the creator of Metal Gear, Hideo Kojima. He has a great sense of telling an intricate tale and he has stellar action sequences. I would like to come in on a story with him and spice things up with my own flair.

Me: What does the A.P. stand for?

A.P.: Aaron Paul

Me: What’s your ideal writing environment like?

A.P.: I wrote the first book wherever I could find a quiet space and some coffee: like a bookstore, coffee shop, Denny’s, etc. I write now at my home at a desk with my coffee or tea and my headphones on listening to whatever music strikes me at the time.

Me: Anything you’d like to add?

A.P.: Book Two is scheduled for an October 2010 release and will be available in paperback and ebook, wherever these lovely items are sold. For Book One, you can find it online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Powell’s, etc. The ebook is available for your Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, iPhone, iTouch, or any phone capable of doing PDFs or ebooks. You can also find it at Mobipocket and on Smashwords. Book One is on iTunes and at Podiobooks.com as a free audio book.

For my website, please go to http://www.apstephens.com/ to view a sample chapter, find links to the audiobook, view artwork, read articles and short poems, and much more. And people can find me on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/apstephens and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/whiteshadowsaga. I do follow and friend people back.

Me: Again, thank you so much for taking the time out to visit. I’m looking forward to the new adventures that will be featured in book two.

A.P.: Thank you for having me on your site. The questions were fun to answer. :)



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Click here to read my review for The Stolen Moon of Londor!

Teaser Tuesday [41]


Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:





-Grab your current read
-Let the book fall open to a random page.
-Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
-You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
-Please avoid spoilers!




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"Screaming orgasms I can help with," he said, offering her a quirk of a smile. "How much time do you have?"
Rachel sucked in a sharp breath, and then another.
He said yes.
Holy shit, he said yes. (140)



Monday, March 15, 2010

The Stolen Moon of Londor

The Stolen Moon of Londor
A.P. Stephens

Series or Stand Alone: The White Shadow Saga, book one

Release Date: September 2009

Publisher: Fanda Books

Pages: 296

My Rating: 3.75/5

Source: Received from author for review

Synopsis [from goodreads.com]:

The era of peace among the elves, men, and dwarves comes to an end when one of Londor's twin moons disappears from the heavens. Without the moon's balancing effect, evil forces grow bold, and warfare, sickness, and chaos threaten life itself. Hearing the prayers of desperation that ride on the violent winds, the ancient wizard Randor Miithra, servant to the elf-gods, takes it upon himself to mend the world he has sworn to protect. The task will not be an easy one, though, for the wizard, too, has begun to feel the effects of the world's imbalance. As Randor struggles to maintain some semblance of his powers, he meets a secretive band of colorful characters from all walks of life, drawn together by a common goal: to find the stolen moon, whatever the cost. It does not take Randor and his motley company long to see that someone or something does not want the moon returned to the heavens. The road is perilous...the stakes have never been greater...will they find victory...or will they only find their deaths?

Review:

I'm not big with epic fantasy or quest type novels, not yet at least. I don't have any books like that under my belt that I can recall so I didn't really have any past experiences to base my thoughts on THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR. But I believe this book is a solid debut from an author that has a very promising future in my opinion.

There were a lot of things I liked about the novel. First thing being there was enough action in it to keep so many different types of readers satisfied. Sword fighting, paranormal creature-battles, magic-wielding, army-size battles, etc are abundant throughout the chapters. Some scenes definitely grabbed my attention and didn't let me go until the characters had a chance to breathe!

I also really enjoyed the creative world of Londor itself. Londor is a huge world inhabited by dwarfs, wizards, elves, and humans that is basically at the mercy of all those who battle on her lands. I was in awe of the inspiration that had to have hit the author to come up with some of the names, word usage, character background, and map-layout (which is partly included in the novel). As I was reading I kept thinking, "Where did A.P. Stephens come up with this stuff." Authors who can create entire new worlds for their readers deserve a great deal of respect and admiration and this author created a world I haven't been inside of before.

The writing style was overall pretty easy to follow. Although I did have a tough time getting into the story at the beginning. The number of characters and the abundance of "background" information didn't shock me since THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR is the first book in a planned series. However, I found myself not being able to connect with any of the characters really. All of the characters, villains included, have their strong points and their weaknesses. Strong points being the contrast between some of the characters. Some were extremely easy to both dislike and like personality wise. No two characters are alike, which is nice to have. The weaknesses vary from not enough information given by the author, to poor development overall. Either way, I am definitely looking forward to Londor's characters coming alive more in the next installment.

I think fantasy fans will enjoy this whether they are hardcore epic fantasy readers or not. THE STOLEN MOON OF LONDOR has a unique plot that I have yet to see around and it definitely makes me want more of the world and the characters in it. And yes, a moon is "stolen" or missing...I just have to know what happened to it!

Burn Winner


The winner of BURN is...


Congrats!! I've emailed you already and you have until Wednesday, March 17th to email me back. Thanks so much to those that entered. =)

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Book Arrivals

From Paperbackswap.com:

The Mists of Avalon :: Marion Zimmer Bradley
(Book one in the Avalon series)

Here is the magical legend of King Arthur, vividly retold through the eyes and lives of the women who wielded power from behind the throne. A spellbinding novel, an extraordinary literary achievement, THE MISTS OF AVALON will stay with you for a long time to come....




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From Contests/Giveaways & Misc:

Dawn of the Dreadfuls :: Steve Hockensmith
(Prequel to Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
(Received for review - Check it out
here!)

With more than one million copies in print, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the surprise publishing phenomenon of 2009. A best seller on three continents, PPZ has been translated into 21 languages and optioned to become a major motion picture.

In this terrifying and hilarious prequel, we witness the genesis of the zombie plague in early-nineteenth-century England. We watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naïve young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. We laugh as she begins her first clumsy training with nunchucks and katana swords and cry when her first blush with romance goes tragically awry. Written by acclaimed novelist (and Edgar Award nominee) Steve Hockensmith, Dawn of the Dreadfuls invites Austen fans to step back into Regency England, Land of the Undead!

The Lumby Lines :: Gail Fraser
(Book one in the Lumby series)
(Received for review)

Nestled in the Northwest is a quaint little town that its quirky residents are proud to call home. With charming shops lining its one main thoroughfare, Lumby is home to the oldest apple tree in the county and the smallest bank in the state. And though it's hours from the nearest big city, readers will always find Lumby close to their hearts.

When Mark and Pam Walker, a vacationing couple from the East Coast, decide to restore Lumby's ramshackle Montis Abbey and turn it into an inn, it takes a while for the locals to warm up to them. Especially the irascible William Beezer, owner of The Lumby Lines-the newspaper "worth the paper it's printed on." At every turn, he tries to hinder the Walkers' efforts. But the couple soon learns that for every citizen like William, there are many more willing to lend a hand-and that Lumby isn't just a place, it's a way of life.

The Clouds Roll Away :: Sibella Giorello
(Book one in the Raleigh Harmon series)
(Received for review)

Forensic geologist Raleigh Harmon unravels mysteries in her hometown of Richmond where things are never quite what they seem. Raleigh's exemplary service in Seattle opened the door for her disciplinary transfer to be lifted, allowing her to return to her home FBI field office in Richmond, VA. A civil rights case turns out to be much more complex than anyone thought when Raleigh is forced to go undercover in a drug trafficking case. Things aren't any simpler at home. Raleigh's old friend DeMott wants her to find time for things outside of her FBI work: friendship and maybe something more. Raleigh will have to rely on her sharpest skills--and the faith that is slowly returning to her--to navigate her way through these clouds.

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Purchased:

The Fellowship of the Ring :: J.R.R. Tolkien
(Book one in The Lord of Rings Trilogy)

The first volume in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic adventure The Lord of the Rings"Here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron." -- C. S. Lewis"Exciting . . . Tolkien's invention is unflagging." -- W. H. AudenOne Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all and in the darkeness bind themIn ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell into the hands of Bilbo Baggins, as told in The Hobbit.In a sleepy village in the Shire, young Frodo Baggins finds himself faced with an immense task, as his elderly cousin Bilbo entrusts the Ring to his care. Frodo must leave his home and make a perilous journey across Middle-earth to the Cracks of Doom, there to destroy the Ring and foil the Dark Lord in his evil purpose.

Sweetheart :: Chelsea Cain
(Book two in the Gretchen Lowell series)

When the body of a young woman is discovered in Portland’s Forest Park, Archie is reminded of the last time they found a body there, more than a decade ago: it turned out to be the Beauty Killer’s first victim, and Archie’s first case. This body can't be one of Gretchen's—she’s in prison—but after help from reporter Susan Ward uncovers the dead woman's identity, it turns into another big case. Trouble is, Archie can't focus on the new investigation because the Beauty Killer case has exploded: Gretchen Lowell has escaped from prison.

Archie hadn't seen her in two months; he'd moved back in with his family and sworn off visiting her. Though it should feel like progress, he actually feels worse. The news of her escape spreads like wildfire, but secretly, he's relieved. He knows he's the only one who can catch her, and in fact, he has a plan to get out from under her thumb once and for all.

Burning Wild :: Christine Feehan
(Book three in the Leopard series)

Born into a world of twisted monsters, Jake Bannaconni is shaped and molded into a cold, revenge driven man. Honed in the fires of hell, he controls his world and rules with an iron hand. He has everything and anything money can buy. He’s ruthless, merciless and considered a man to leave alone. His hidden legacy, that of a shapeshifter, makes him doubly dangerous in the corporate world. Emma Reynolds is a woman who knows how to love and love well. When their two worlds collide, Jake’s plans for a complete take over, may just come tumbling down.

Stardoc :: S.L. Viehl
(Book one in the Stardoc series)

Dr. Cherijo Grey Veil leaves Earth and accepts a position as a physician at Kevarzanga-2's FreeClinic. Her surgical skills are desperately needed on a hostile frontier world with over 200 sentient species and her understanding of alien physiology is nothing short of miraculous. But the truth behind her expertise is a secret which, if discovered, could have disastrous consequences between human and alien relations...

Feast of Souls :: C.S. Friedman
(Book one in The Magister Trilogy)

C.S. Friedman, acclaimed author of The Coldfire Trilogy, returns to the epic style which has made her one of the most popular fantasy writers in the genre. In this first book of the trilogy, Friedman introduces readers to a world of high fantasy, replete with vampire-like magical powers, erotic interludes, treachery, war, sorcery, and a draconic creature of horrific power and evil that will have readers eagerly awaiting the next novel in the series.

The Iron King :: Julie Kagawa
(Book one in the Iron Fey series)

Meghan Chase has never fit in at her small-town high school, and now, on the eve of her 16th birthday, she discovers why. When her half brother is kidnapped, Meghan is drawn into a fantastical world she never imagined--the world of Faery, where anything you see may try to eat you, and Meghan is the daughter of the summer faery king. Now she will journey into the depths of Faery to face an unknown enemy . . . and beg the help of a winter prince who might as soon kill her as let her touch his icy heart. The Iron King is the first book in the Iron Fey series.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Catching Fire

Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins

Series or Stand Alone: Hunger Games series, book two

Release Date: September 2009

Publisher: Scholastic

Pages: 480

My Rating: 5/5

Source: Won from giveaway @ Book Chick City (hence the UK Edition)

Synopsis [from goodreads.com]:

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.




Review:

Suzanne Collins is a pretty gifted story-teller in my opinion. CATCHING FIRE is a gripping continuation of the Hunger Games that left me desperately wanting more. As I was coming to the last sixty pages I remember thinking, "NO, I DON'T WANT IT TO BE OVER!!!" . I don't want to go into the plot too much for those of you who have not had a chance to read THE HUNGER GAMES yet (becasue I know there are a few of you still out there).

I enjoyed the spotlight shifting to Gale and Katniss' relationship with him because it provided the missing details of their past. They are definitely closer than best friends and they have helped each other survive in District 12 for so long. It's totally understandable why Katniss feels a closeness and obligation to Gale. On the other hand, the romance between Peeta and Katniss is just as confusing to me as it is to Katniss. I can actually feel her inner turmoil between who she should choose. Which is probably because I myself don't know who to choose, although I am leaning more towards Peeta... So the element of the love triangle is a great twist to have in the story but I still feel there is so much more to develop on. Peeta continues to be sacrificing and chivalrous towards Katniss while Gale and his personality are still shadowed by the overall story...

The Capitol is so easy to hate and I like having a great villain in a story. While I love Katniss for her continued strength and ingenuity I don't find her the greatest heroine ever written. But I admire her qualities and the contrast between her and the Capitol are very well laid out. I can't wait to read MOCKINGJAY. The twists involved in book two kept me on the edge of my seat and while I didn't think the ending was a major cliffhanger, it certainly left me drooling for more. MOCKINGJAY has a lot to live up to being the end of the trilogy, there's many loose ends that need to be tied up and I wish it wasn't a trilogy but a series. Either way, I don't think Suzanne Collins will let us down with the next book.


Friday, March 12, 2010

Friday Finds [26]

**Hosted by MizB, click here to see more Friday Finds

I usually add a lot of books on my TBR list throughout the week. This is just a small glimpse into the ones that were added on recently. Maybe you'll find something you like =)

Please let me know your thoughts on a book you've read from the list. Or tell me about a good book you've found this week.



My Finds This Week:




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