Friday, April 27, 2012

Storybound



Storybound
By Marissa Burt


In the land of Story, children go to school to learn to be characters: a perfect Hero, a trusty Sidekick, even the most dastardly Villain. They take classes on Outdoor Experiential Questing and Backstory, while adults search for full-time character work in stories written just for them.

In our world, twelve-year-old Una Fairchild has always felt invisible. But all that changes when she stumbles upon a mysterious book buried deep in the basement of her school library, opens the cover, and suddenly finds herself transported to the magical land of Story.

But Story is not a perfect fairy tale. Una’s new friend Peter warns her about the grave danger she could face if anyone discovers her true identity. The devious Tale Keeper watches her every move. And there are whispers of a deadly secret that seems to revolve around Una herself...


Be prepared for a review where I squash any negativity regarding this book and sing its praises at the top of my metaphorical mountain!

Una is a child who doesn’t quite fit in. In fact, she feels as if she is an invisible being who even her teachers don’t see. That’s why she hides in the basement; she goes to her quiet corner and reads books that take her away from the drudgery of her daily life. That is, until the day that she finds a book entitled “The Tale of Una Fairchild,” which literally takes her away to the land of Story where she has been Written In to a young man’s final exam in which he must battle dragons and save the damsel..um.. damsels in distress. It is after talking to Peter that Una realizes that she has been Written In to the land of Story, something that has not happened in a very long time, and something that can certainly mean danger or even death for poor Una.

As the story progresses, Una learns a little more about the land of Story and the characters that dwell there. She learns that there are significant differences between those labeled as villains and those who are actually villainous. Most importantly, she learns that she is not invisible but a very important part of this world that she has inadvertently traveled to.

I first added this novel to my “to-read” list because I knew it was a good choice for my debut author challenge, though I have to say that it is no question I would have picked this book up otherwise. I am not a lover of MG novels, though I have fallen in love with one or two, but I was so impressed by this story and the way it crossed the lines that usually define a novel. I want to first touch upon some issues other readers have had with this book. I have read many reviews stating that the book was “too long” to be a middle grade novel, that the point of view changes were too confusing and that readers were disappointed that we didn’t meet fairy tale characters that we knew but were introduced to fairy tale characters in training. First, yes the book is 400 pages long, but it is not at all a “long” book. I did not once find the book dragging or wish for more action. People of all ages can read and love these books, like books that came before (Goblet of Fire, anyone?) this book is one that can bridge the ages and be enjoyed by many readers despite how “long” it is. Second, the point of view changes did not bother me, at all. The author did not start a new chapter with a name so that the reader knew before starting the first sentence who was speaking, but within the first sentence of the paragraph it was easy to see whose point of view it was. It’s called close reading, people! Finally, its no question that I LOVE LOVE LOVE retellings and the whole modern character in a fairy tale world (see: Once Upon a Time) but the blurb of this story specifically says that the children are learning how to be fairy tale characters, not one thing about how she is transported to the land of Story and meets Cinderella! Okay, rage over, let’s move on to the awesome parts…

First, the plot is brilliant. I love my fairy tale retellings as much as the next gal but it was so refreshing to read this story about students who are learning how to be characters in a story! I was laughing out loud with Una as she tried to perfect her villain laugh for her exam and desperately wishing I could have been part of this world. Honestly? Haven’t yearned this much since I didn’t get my Hogwarts letter all those years ago, might still be a little bitter about that one…but anyway, the plot twists and adventure were found on every page and really kept me wanting to know what happened next. The little plot twist at the end was really amazing and I actually didn’t see it coming which makes me so happy!

The characters are all so loveable (or easily hated, I guess) and the book only made me want more from each one. I loved how the villains in this story were written in a way that made me sympathize with their predicaments and how Snow was portrayed as this snotty “Lady” but really she was just a scorned and sad daughter who wanted someone to love her. Obviously I loved Sam because well, he was a cat..but also because he was snarky and portrayed all the best cat-like qualities. Una and Peter we both very sweet and in a word, good which made me really see the differences between Peter and Endeavor Truepenny, I seriously look forward to seeing more from this character in book two.

Though I don’t usually do this, there were many lines that stood out for me in this novel and I want to share them..

“It became Una’s habit, on days that she felt especially invisible, to retire to the basement of the school library. Most students stayed on the main floor, grouped together at sunny tables, giggling over their math problems and English homework. But Una preferred the lower level, where she could sit undisturbed except for the odd student scurrying down to get some reference book needed for a research paper. She would tuck into her favorite desk underneath one of the high basement windows – half daydreaming, half reading – while the minutes flew by and she wondered what it would be like to live a different life.” – Page 2 of Storybound, completely reminiscent of myself when I was a child.


“She turned to go, but Horace pushed in front of her. ‘Ladies last,’ he said.

She took the toe of her boot and knocked the outside of his left foot in toward the right. It was just enough to throw him off balance, and he stumbled to the side. ‘But then, I’m not much of a Lady,’ she said as she pushed ahead of him.”
– Page 314 of Storybound, this part encompasses all that I love about Una as a character, it made me smile and high five the book.

From page two this story drew me in. Marissa Burt writes a fantastic and beautiful narrative. I highly recommend it to those who enjoyed Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu, or those looking for a story that reminds them about all of the things that they love about fairy tales.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday


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


Defiance
By C.J. Redwine
August 28, 2012


Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.


First, how cool is the cover? Kind of reminds me of Grave Mercy by R.L. Lafevers. The blurb sounds pretty awesome! Treason, sword wielding and wastelands! Sign me up!

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Coming Soon! The Evolution of Mara Dyer


One of my most anticipated reads of 2012 now has a cover and a blurb!! Michelle Hodkin tweeted yesterday that the cover of the sequel to The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer would be revealed on Goodreads and it was!! Behold! The Evolution of Mara Dyer...


Two days after Mara walks into a police station in Miami at the close of The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, she is committed for psychiatric treatment for what her parents believe is a mental breakdown. But what seems like a hallucination to everyone else is a chilling reality for Mara. Someone from her past has discovered her strange, disturbing secret and that someone wants her to pay. But she's about to discover that the price is more than she can bear.

Dark and thrilling, suspenseful and passionate, The Evolution of Mara Dyer will have readers breathlessly turning pages to find out what will become of Mara Dyer next.



I am so excited!! Though this cover makes me a little worried for Noah...October 3 can't come soon enough!

Top Ten Tuesday


Top Ten Favorite Book Characters


Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts! 


Ack! This one was really exciting! Here we go..

Severus Snape (Harry Potter series) – I really don’t think I need to even explain this one, do I? From book one I loved how evil Snape was but I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to him than just a vengeful attitude toward Harry because of his hatred toward James. When he killed Dumbledore I think I had serious heart palpitations I was so confused “He’s REALLY evil??!! Really?!?!” Then the epic conclusion came and all the secrets were let out. “After all this time, Severus?” “Always.”

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series) – Yes, I am allowed to have two favorite characters from one book on this list thankyouverymuch, just be happy it isn’t my top ten Harry Potter characters instead because it very well could be!! Bottom line: Hermione is kick ass. She is smart, brave and one of my favorite heroines of all time.

Anita Blake (Anita Blake series) – She’s a BAMF! She is an empowering woman in literature, sure sometimes she freaks out over “feelings” and “emotions” get in the way but usually she is hardcore and does what needs to be done. I envy her bravery and defiance and maybe her personal relationships a tiny bit as well.

Princess Cimorene (The Enchanted Forest Chronicles) - I have loved these books for as long as I can remember. Cimorene is a no-nonsense princess. She escapes her castle life because she hates being a princess and chooses to live with DRAGONS instead. How awesome is she? I love her so much I begged the bf to let me name one of our kittens after her. He put his foot down and we instead named them Cordelia and Celia, both literary, Shakespearean even (methinks the joke is on him!)

Rosie (Water for Elephants) – I loved this book and that darling elephant sure took the cake for my favorite character in the book. Her final act? Epic.

Miss Havisham (Great Expectations) – This character always intrigued me. Looking back I am somewhat annoyed and want to tell her to take a shower, get a healthcare plan and move on with her life but as a teen I always wanted more of her story. Plus I recently heard that Helena Bonham Carter is playing her in a new adaptation of the story. Perfectttt!

Clodagh (Heir to Sevenwaters) – I should probably be honest and say that though I chose Clodagh as my favorite Juliet Marillier character (because how can I not have her on a top ten list) it was hard to pick just one out of all the amazing female leads in these novels. They are strong and hardworking and I really loved every one.

Bigby Wolf (Fables) – He is so the male lead I always fall for in my novels. He is big and bad and totally in love with Snow White. How can I not love him?

Dracula (Dracula) – He is so sad! I am going to forget about the whole murderous part and just pretend that I could be his friend and wean him off human blood onto things like celery and maybe bugs or something less gross.

Seraphina Dombegh (Seraphina) – She is a new love of mine but I found her to be so intricately awesome that I couldn’t leave her off the list.



Monday, April 23, 2012

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!



Happy 448 birthday, William Shakespeare!



William Shakespeare
April 23, 1564 – April 23, 1616

Good frend for Iesvs sake forbeare,
To digg the dvst encloased heare.
Bleste be ye man yt spares thes stones,
And cvrst be he yt moves my bones.

Four centuries after he wrote them, the works of William Shakespeare continue to entertain and intrigue audiences around the world. Shakespeare’s genius permanently shaped the English language, while his knowledge of the human mind and heart speaks to us across the years. Love him or hate him, it is no question that he remains one of the most influential writers in the English language.

Those who know me know I am a little in love with Mr. William Shakespeare. I was lucky enough to be in DC last year and spent a luxurious amount of time in the Folger Shakespeare Library. I had hoped to go back this year for William’s birthday celebration but alas! I am burdened with responsibilities!



Thankfully, you’re not here to be burdened by anything, so let’s focus on the fun…

First, some fun facts about Shakespeare:

1. Nobody knows Shakespeare's actual birthday. Scholars think he was born on April 23, 1564, three days before his baptism was recorded at a church in Stratford, England. Strangely enough, his death in 1616 also occurred on April 23.

2. As far as we know, he never went beyond grammar school, probably finishing in his early to mid-teens. In those days, grammar school was way more advanced than now: Students learned Latin, math and religion; they read classical literature and studied using a hornbook (paper glued to a piece of wood and covered with clear animal horn).

3. Shakespeare applied to the College of Heralds for a coat of arms for his father. A coat of arms was a symbol of higher rank in British society. The Shakespeare family's coat of arms has a spear in the middle and a falcon on top. Shakespeare inherited the coat of arms when his father died and was then permitted to call himself a gentleman.

4. Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, had three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet. The twins were named after neighbors who named their son William. Although Hamnet died at age 11, his name lives on: It was sometimes written as Hamlet, the title of one of his father's greatest characters and plays. Shakespeare's last descendant, a granddaughter, died in 1670.

5. "Shakespeare" was spelled 80 different ways, including "Shaxpere" and "Shaxberd."
  
6. Shakespeare is the most translated author ever. His work is read in at least 80 languages, including Chinese, Italian, Armenian, Bengali, Tagalog, Uzbek and Krio (spoken by freed slaves in Sierra Leone).

7. Shakespeare is thought to have written 39 plays. About half were printed in small booklets before his death. But some of his most famous works, including Macbeth and Julius Caesar, were not printed in his lifetime. They would not have been handed down to us had not two men in Shakespeare's acting company—John Heminge and Henry Condell— printed 36 of his plays in a book called the First Folio. When the book was published in 1623, seven years after Shakespeare's death, it sold for 1 British pound (several hundred dollars in today's money). One sold in 2006 for nearly $5 million.

8. While most people regularly use about 2,000 words, Shakespeare used more than 25,000 in his writing.


9. If you do a Google search on "Shakespeare," you get more than 44 million results.

10. Did Shakespeare really write Shakespeare? Some people think that other authors wrote the works credited to him. This is a debate that likely will continue.

Originally appeared in "10 Ways To Be Or Not To Be A Shakespeare Expert" in the Washington Post by Ellen Edwards.



“You scullion! You rampallian! You fustilarian! I’ll tickle your catastrophe!”

Who doesn’t love Shakespearean insults? Click here to generate your own!

Let's not forget about those book to movie adaptations! Personally, Shakespeare in Love was my favorite though I know many who would argue that Romeo and Juliet starring a young Leo is the best. What we have all agreed on thus far however is that the newest movie to bring the bard to the big screen was a big 'ol flop and had me throwing popcorn at the screen! Anonymous, you remain a thorn in my side and frankly I want those two hours of my life back. Now it is nearly impossible to talk about Shakespearean films without talking about Kenneth Branagh (yes, I do mean Gilderoy Lockhart for those Harry Potter fans.) He is a master and his adaptations are probably my favorite Shakespearean films ever!

Joseph Fiennes as William Shakespeare


Want to learn more about William Shakespeare?

Check out this amazing Wiki filled to the brim with all things Shakespeare!
Or, check out these resources:
Shakespeare: A Life by Honan Park



How are you celebrating the Bard's birthday?

Saturday, April 21, 2012

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles





The Enchanted Forest Chronicles
By Patricia C. Wrede



Dealing With Dragons

Cimorene is everything a princess is not supposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart…and bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon...and finds the family and excitement she's been looking for.


Searching for Dragons

Cimorene, the princess who refuses to be proper, meets her match in the not-quite-kingly Mendanbar. With the aid of a broken-down magic carpet and a leaky magical sword, the two tackle a series of dragon-nappings. 


Calling on Dragons

Those wicked wizards are back--and they've become very smart. (Sort of.) They intend to take over the Enchanted Forest once and for all...unless Cimorene finds a way to stop them. And some people think being queen is easy.


Talking to Dragons

One day, Daystar's mom, Cimorene, hands him a magic sword and kicks him out of the house. Daystar doesn't know what he is supposed to do with the magic sword, but knowing Cimorene, he's sure it must involve a dragon or two!





The characters in these books are hilarious and awesome. Cimorene is tired of being a princess, so she decides to move in with dragons and fight off her own knights who try to rescue her. As a teen (okay and still today) this was awesome to me, I would have loved to live with dragons and have a hidden dragon treasure room full of old books! Morwen is the no nonsense witch with a house full of cats that only she can understand – except they really talk back to her, not to be confused with people like me who only pretend to have conversations with their cats. Moving on, there are of course, dragons!! Sweet ones, scary ones, allergic ones and some who have rather abrasive attitudes but overall they are big-hearted and highly entertaining. 


I absolutely loved this series growing up, it was one of the first series I read as a teen and Patricia C. Wrede and Mercedes Lackey are two of the authors who really started my obsession for reading. These stories are light and fun and filled with everything a fairy tale needs. Patricia C. Wrede is an author who set the standards high for me as a teen and I still use these books as a basis when I am reading authors new to me with related stories, such as, Dragonswood or Seraphina and it is rare that I fall in love with an author's work as much as I loved these books.

Though these books may seem a little juvenile as an adult reader I still love them. The stories are entertaining and every time I read them I still find myself excited to see what will happen next. I still go back and read these books at least once a year and they still entertain me as they did years ago. I highly recommend them to anyone interested in a not so ordinary princess tale filled with dragons, friendships, strong characters and a few sweet romances.



Keeping with this fairy tale theme I have to tell you that The Book Rat and Basically Amazing Books are hosting a Fairy Tale Fortnight for the last two weeks of April, they have all kinds of fun stuff going on over there so go check it out!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Heart's Blood


Heart’s Blood 
By Juliet Marillier 



Whistling Tor is a place of secrets, a mysterious, wooded hill housing the crumbling fortress of a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the district in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan's family and his people; those woods hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom.

For young scribe Caitrin it is a safe haven. This place where nobody else is prepared to go seems exactly what she needs, for Caitrin is fleeing her own demons. As Caitlin comes to know Anluan and his home in more depth she realizes that it is only through her love and determination that the curse can be broken and Anluan and his people set free.


Caitrin is a young woman running from the horrors of her household. Her father has died, her sister has married and gone and all she has left are kinsmen who are abusive to her both mentally and physically. Under their abuse Caitrin has become a ghost of the strong scribe her father taught her to be. It is a dreary, cold evening as Caitrin ventures toward Whistling Tor, a secluded village which houses secrets of its own. It is in this village that Caitrin overhears that the local chieftain is in need of a scribe who can read and translate Latin. Though the stories surrounding this chieftain and his household are enough to make any brave warrior wary, Caitrin believes this is her best hope of escaping her kinsmen who she believes will certainly come looking for her.

Caitrin makes her way up to Anluan’s home and finds that it is a curse that plagues the chieftains of the Tor. A curse that no one believed would ever be broken, until Caitrin came. Caitrin comes to love the Tor and its inhabitants and with her hope she acts as a beacon of light to those plagued by centuries of darkness.

The setting of this book was something I was very interested in. I love Juliet’s Sevenwaters series and adore that it centers on the forest, however, I was happy to find a more unusual setting and time period. Another significant change in this book was the element of magic. True, all of Marillier’s books focus on magic in some way but most center around “Other” magic, whereas Heart’s Blood is rooted in dark human sorcery. Caitrin must do her best to unravel the mysteries of the house and find a way to break the curse in order to help the friends she has come to love.

Another difference in this story is the way Caitrin must go about breaking the curse. In many of Juliet Marillier’s books the central female character must overcome certain tests usually given to her by Otherwordly beings. In this story it is a much more direct approach in which Caitrin must educate herself on the past wrongs done by the chieftain’s and arm herself with knowledge and strength in order to defeat the evil still dwelling there. Though I absolutely love reading tales regarding the “Old Ones” I also really appreciated the way this story was a tad more paranormal.

The secondary characters in this story were so fantastic I can hardly describe them. Some were rather creepy, the mysterious Muirne gave me a chills a few times as did the ethereal child who became attached to Caitrin and cried when she was left alone. Eichri and Rioghan were dependable and quite funny. Fianchu, whose name means “hound of a warrior band” was a huge, sweet and mysterious dog (think Dire Wolf) that I loved immensely. One cannot forget Magnus who was like a father to Caitrin and though very strong and dependable had an immense heart that showed throughout the novel.

As is her style, Marillier included some dark elements to the tale that really drew me in as a reader. I was invested in the characters, I felt their pain and disappointment as they did and found myself on the edge of my seat hoping for a happy ending. Reminiscent of Son of Shadows and Heir to Sevenwaters, both Anluan and Caitrin have things to learn and many ways in which they can grow. It is Caitrin’s strength that shows Anluan how to be a good chieftain and defeat the evil taking over his heart and home. Anluan helps Caitrin grow back into the woman she used to be before her father died. As many of you know, Juliet is the queen of slow burning romances. This story did not disappoint, every look and small gesture radiated with something more and as always, Marillier broke my heart a little just to put it back together.

Heart’s Blood was an obvious choice for me, Beauty and the Beast rewritten by the master Juliet Marillier was sure to be a hit in my mind. However I am always wary reading books by an author I love because my hopes are so high I fear that they will never be met. Thankfully, Juliet Marillier made my heart sing per usual. She stayed true to her path of weaving so many elements into a beautifully layered story. She creates friendships between characters (both human, Other and animal) that bring tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.

This book comes highly recommended; it is an absolutely unique and gorgeous retelling of an age old tale. For those of you who have read this and are looking for another retelling by Juliet Marillier, check out my review of Wildwood Dancing!

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday

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


Dark Companion
By Marta Acosta
July 3, 2012

When foster teen Jane Williams is invited to attend elite Birch Grove Academy for Girls and escape her violent urban neighborhood, she thinks the offer is too good to be true. She's even offered her own living quarters, the groundskeeper's cottage in the center of the birch grove.

Something's not quite right about the school -- or is it Jane? She thinks she sees things in the birch grove at night. She's also beginning to suspect that the elegant headmistress and her sons are hiding secrets. Lucky is the gorgeous, golden son who is especially attentive to Jane, and Jack is the sardonic puzzling brother. The school with its talented teachers and bright students is a dream for a science and math geek like Jane. She also loves her new friends, including hilarious poetry-spouting rich girl, Mary Violet. But the longer Jane stays at Birch Grove, the more questions she has about the disappearance of another scholarship girl and a missing faculty member.

Jane discovers one secret about Birch Grove, which only leads to more mysteries. What is she willing to sacrifice in order to stay at this school...and be bound to Birch Grove forever?

A sneaky headmistress and "too good to be true" quarters remind me of Wicked by Gregory Maguire. It made me chuckle how the description alludes to the two males, one gorgeous and one puzzling...I wonder which one she will fall for? I hope this is one of those mysteries that has my jaw dropping by the end (I'm lookin' at you, Mara Dyer) because I do love a good intrigue.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

In My Mailbox



In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren in which you share the books you added to your collection in the past week.


I wasn't going to do an "In My Mailbox" post this week but I got a few things I am pretty excited for so I decided I had to make a tiny post.


My goodies from this week, please ignore the meow bottom :]


First, BIG thanks to Kristi over at The Story Siren for hosting the awesome DAC giveaway with Katana themed prizes!! I squealed with glee when they came in the mail this week!


Second, Storybound came in for me at the library this week!! This is one of my most anticipated reads of 2012 and it sounds amazing, so excited!


Finally, I JUST GOT AN ARC FOR SHADOWFELL BY JULIET MARILLIER!! AHHHH!!! I can hardly contain my excitement, as you can tell!


Well, that's it for me. What's in your mailbox this week?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Faery Tales & Nightmares




Salute Your Shorts is a weekly (ish) meme featured over at Bunbury in the Stacks highlighting and reviewing short stories and novellas.

Dangerous promises and beguiling threats swirl together in a dozen stories of enchantments dark and light by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Marr. Uncanny and unexpected creatures appear from behind bushes, rise from beneath the seas, or manifest from seasonal storms to pursue the objects of their attention—with amorous or sinister intent—relentlessly.

From the gentle tones of a storyteller’s cadences to the terror of a blood sacrifice, tales of favorite characters from Marr’s Wicked Lovely novels mix with accounts of new characters for readers to fall in love with...or to fear.



Full disclosure: I did not read the Wicked Lovely stories in this novel, I have never read the Wicked Lovely series so I didn't want to ruin anything for myself!

"Where Nightmares Walk," "Winter's Kiss" and "Transition" were all beautiful stories. I was especially interested in "Winter's Kiss" and found it to be truly fairy tale-esque with very sweet details. I thought Marr did a nice job with her vampire story, "Transition," vampires with attitude have a special place in my heart, especially snarky female ones!

The story "Love Struck" is where I fell in love with Marr's writing. Though I have been reading some mermaid books lately I was so interested in the way Marr twisted the traditional selchie tale into something different. I found myself wanting more and wishing that it was a full length novel and not just a short glimpse into the selchie world.

I also wanted more from "The Art of Waiting" and the messages of this and "Flesh for Comfort" were not lost on me. Both of these stories read like fairy tales but were also somewhat dark and twisted in a way that I really enjoyed.

Finally, "The Sleeping Girl and The Summer King" was the last story I read and I absolutely loved it. The descriptions of the winter world in contrast with the summer land were vibrant and gorgeous in my mind. This story has been described as a sort of sequel for Marr's Wicked Lovely series and I can assure you that after reading this short story I will definitley be picking up the series very soon.

The only book by Melissa Marr that I had read before this novel was Graveminder (which I loved) but it is not really a "fairy tale" and therefore I was wary that I was missing something by not reading her Wicked Lovely series. Reading this short story really made me understand how Marr weaves different elements into her story, she sets up a vibrant setting that really draws the reader in and makes you long for more.



Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday


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

Undeadly
By Michele Vail
November 20, 2012



The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath. Within days, she’s shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. Who seems to hate her guts. Rath will be watching closely to be sure she completes her first assignment-reaping Rick, the boy who should have died. The boy she still wants to be with. To make matters worse, students at the academy start turning up catatonic, and accusations fly—against Molly. The only way out of this mess? To go through hell. Literally.


Zombies, Anubis and a trip through Hell? Yes please! I am really digging the whole necromancer thing (lovee me some Anita Blake) and this one sounds like a pretty interesting rewrite. Plus, a reaper named Rath sounds sinfully delicious!!

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday!


Top Ten Books That Were Totally Deceiving



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!


The Historian by Elizabeth Kostava - This was more of a title deception, I was not interested at all in the book based on its title or cover. Thankfully I read the blurb because it turned out to be a pretty awesome Dracula rewrite!

Sunshine by Robin McKinley - I picked this book up because a friend told me how amazing it was, I still remember him handing it to me and me thinking how boring it looked because the cover was not at all intriguing.

Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer - Honestly still not really sure what she was doing there. Metaphors I guess? Not impressed, Ms. Meyer.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett - I wouldn't have picked this book up based on its cover, it's definitely a beautiful cover but didn't draw me in as others have.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - I hesitated picking this book up for a long time, the cover was strange and I didn't really like it. After reading the book I do have to say that though it was one of my FAVORITE books this year and its basically amazing, the cover is still a little confusing to me.

Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede - The "newer" version of this book is downright ugly. I LOVE this story and the older cover was pretty and old fashioned and reminiscent of fairy tales.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - I had no idea that this book was about werewolves when I first saw the cover. I understand the whole mystery aspect but I really wasn't drawn in. Ironically, I didn't really enjoy the story much either.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Being a librarian I saw this book waaaayy before it became popular (I actually cataloged the library's first copy) and I remember thinking how bland the cover seemed. After reading the story I can see how things fit but it was definitely a book I was pleasantly surprised by after getting past the cover!

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay - This cover has nothing at all to do with the story!! I assume the cover is to show Juliet's conflict by brooding near the sea and so forth but really she wears jeans the whole time and doesn't go near the water at all. Even more confusing is the cover to the sequel, Romeo Redeemed. Granted I am only half way through but so far there have been no trysts near the beach..

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - I have read A LOT of opinions about the cover of this book. People are so annoyed/confused because they don't understand why Mara is drowning in some random body of water in a really cute dress. I like to think its a metaphor for her "drowning" in her thoughts/anxieties and Noah is metaphorically pulling her out of the abyss. However, upon seeing this cover I didn't expect a paranormal romance but some sort of murder mystery type of book.

Friday, April 6, 2012

Lies Beneath



Lies Beneath 
By Anne Greenwood Brown 
June 12, 2012

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined…and just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

I have been dying for a good mermaid story since I read Lost Voices last year and so I was very excited when I was given the opportunity to download this from NetGalley.

These are not your typical Disney inspired mermaids. They are monsters. Evil, conniving and downright scary monsters that thrive off human essence much like a vampire thrives off human blood. However they are not all powerful. Like vampires are bound to walk only by night, these mermaids are bound to water. Though they have the ability to walk with two legs upon land they also must be near enough water so after a few hours they can submerge themselves and rejuvenate (for lack of a better word), if they are away from water for too long they will die.

Calder and his three sisters return to their home at Lake Superior yearly to stalk the home of The Hancock family. It is believed by the mermaids that this family is responsible for their mother’s death. Though Calder agrees with avenging his mother’s death, he is not like his sisters. Where they are cold creatures that kill mercilessly, Calder yearns for a solitary life away from them and finds other ways to survive instead of murdering innocents. His sisters tell him he is a freak for behaving this way and determine it must be because he was “made” a merman and not born one. His sister Maris puts him in charge of enacting a plan to kill Mr. Hancock. He is to seduce the eldest daughter and find a way to lure Mr. Hancock into the lake so that the three sisters can drag him in, torture, and kill him. As time progresses, Calder becomes mesmerized by Lily and eventually comes to a point where he must make a hard decision between his family and the girl he has unsuspectingly fallen for.

I was pleasantly surprised with this book, I really liked the characters and the story was nothing like I expected. I was somewhat annoyed by Lily at first but after a while she grew on me. I really liked that she didn’t immediately fall for Calder but instead was straight up like “Dude, you’re creepy and you stalk me so back off a little, k?” which really made me like her a bit more than some of the other female characters I have come across (I’m lookin’ at you, Bella Swan). Also Calder’s sisters were terrifying and beautiful and Brown wrote in a way that really made me loath them yet be drawn to them as Calder was. I was worried that I wouldn’t appreciate this book as much as I should because I tend to shy away from male narrators. However, I really kinda loved Calder and his somewhat confused, twisted personality.

The plot was very entertaining and I really loved how much the ending surprised me. I really did not enjoy the twist added with Tallulah but it was a small enough part that I was able to get over it in light of the whole story. As I read this book I wasn’t aware that it was the first in a series, though I can see how Brown set it up this way. I would have liked if Lies Beneath had been a standalone novel but I don’t think that will keep me from reading the sequel. Overall I think this was a great debut novel from Anne Greenwood Brown and I look forward to read what she writes next.



“Mother, may I go out to swim?
Yes, my darling daughter.
Fold your clothes up neat and trim,
But don’t go near the water."
- Anonymous

Thanks to Random House Children's Books, Netgalley and of course, the author for providing me with an ARC.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday


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

The Ghost of Graylock
By Dan Poblocki
August 1, 2012

Does an abandoned asylum hold the key to a frightful haunting?

Everyone's heard the stories about Graylock Hall.

It was meant to be a place of healing - a hospital where children and teenagers with mental disorders would be cared for and perhaps even cured. But something went wrong. Several young patients died under mysterious circumstances. Eventually, the hospital was shut down, the building abandoned and left to rot deep in the woods.

As the new kid in town, Neil Cady wants to see Graylock for himself. Especially since rumor has it that the building is haunted. He's got fresh batteries in his flashlight, a camera to document the adventure, and a new best friend watching his back.

Neil might think he's prepared for what he'll find in the dark and decrepit asylum. But he's certainly not prepared for what follows him home. . . . 

I'm a tiny bit obsessed with any paranormal happenings in relation to abandoned asylums...

Ghost Adventures just might be a guilty pleasure of mine and episodes relating to asylums might be the only episodes I DVR so I can watch them over and over again (don't judge me). Therefore, I was very excited when I saw this book over on The Book Smugglers radar this week. I sincerely hope that it is terrifying, I love scary stories!

What are you waiting on this Wednesday?

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday


Top 10 Books To Read in a Day



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created over at
The Broke and the Bookish which I adore and therefore chose to adopt into my weekly blog posts!


Ack! I am a failure today and can only think of eight, I think this means I have been reading books that are too long! :]

The Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Patricia C. Wrede – This series is one I still pick up when I want a quick read I know I love.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum – Any books from this series really, they are whimsical and fun so they make me happy.

Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – I can’t really choose a favorite though since this is strictly “to read in a day” I would have to go with one of the first 3 books because then the books get extremely long!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – Though I honestly don’t know if I will ever read these again (I didn’t love them) they were still very entertaining and I breezed through all three.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman - What is better than The Princess Bride? Nothing! The film adaptation is also my "sick movie" that I watch whenver I am feeling down. It's totes "wuv, twu wuv" forever.

Fables by Bill Willingham – Okay these are not books they are graphic novels and therefore I read through them in about 30 minutes but I still love them enough to know that I will want to finish them in one sitting.

Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris – Not prize winning writing but these are short and fun books that I breeze through and enjoy reading.

Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton – This series is what I call my guilty pleasure; they are quick reads with a lot of action so they are read rather quickly.






Obsessed with this artwork