Waiting on Wednesday (16)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

April 12, 2012

Set against the backdrop of a Coney Island summer comes The Vicious Deep, the story of sixteen year old Tristan Hart whose life is turned upside down when the mermaids make an unscheduled return to land in search of their new king.
When a sudden storm pulls Tristan from lifeguard duty into a deadly riptide, he discovers what he really is—a prince of the Sea Court. Turns out, his girlfriend hopping and talents as a swimmer aren’t caused by his teenage prime hormones after all.
In this modern Arthurian tale with a twist, when all a guy wants to do is get The Girl and enjoy the freak show that is a Coney Island summer, Tristan has to fight for his life, the lives of his friends, and his humanity, if he still wants it, as he’s caught in a race for a throne that is as ancient as the gods.

You can add The Vicious Deep on Goodreads here.

Living Violet by Jaime Reed

He's persuasive, charming, and way too mysterious. And for Samara Marshall, her co-worker is everything she wants most--and everything she most fears. . .
Samara Marshall is determined to make the summer before her senior year the best ever. Her plan: enjoy downtime with friends and work to save up cash for her dream car. Summer romance is not on her to-do list, but uncovering the truth about her flirtatious co-worker, Caleb Baker, is. From the peculiar glow to his eyes to the unfortunate events that befall the girls who pine after him, Samara is the only one to sense danger behind his smile.
But Caleb's secrets are drawing Samara into a world where the laws of attraction are a means of survival. And as a sinister power closes in on those she loves, Samara must take a risk that will change her life forever. . .or consume it.

I was surprised by how much I liked Living Violet. When I read that it was a paranormal romance, I was weary of how much I would like it. Luckily, I had nothing to worry about. Living Violet was a quick-witted, dramatic, comedic book that I couldn’t stop reading.

In the beginning, Living Violet seemed like it was going the stereotypical-route. Luckily, it didn’t. Samara was a hilarious character who I could totally relate to. From the very first chapter, I could relate to her opinions on the bookstore and its various patrons. I wasn’t a big fan of Caleb, though. From the very beginning he put a sour taste in my mouth and I couldn’t get it out.

Living Violet, though it isn’t on my list of favorites, is still a really good book. It’s well written and addicting. I can’t wait to read the next novel in The Cambion Chronicles. Jaime Reed is an author to watch!

FTC- Received for review.

Waiting on Wednesday (15)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Wrecked by Anna Davies

May 1, 2012

Miranda has lived on Whym Island since the death of her parents. She has taken comfort in its seclusion and in the folklore that claims a mysterious sea witch controls the fate of all on the island and its surrounding waters. It's just been easier to believe that things are out of her control.

But when a terrible boating accident takes the lives of several of her friends, Miranda is rescued by a mysterious boy that haunts her dreams. As the guilt of the accident consumes her, she finds refuge in her late night swims. Then, she meets Christian, a boy who seems so familiar, but won't tell her where he is from and why they can only meet at the beach. As Miranda falls for Christian and begins to put the accident behind her, she discovers that there are secrets that Christian is keeping to protect her that may only end up bringing her nothing but harm.

You can add Wrecked on Goodreads here.

Ripple by Many Hubbard

Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she's ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

Ripple was fun in the dark, mysterious, and gripping way. Though it wasn’t as light and fluffy as Mandy’s previous novels, I really liked it. Ripple was a darker take on sirens- or mermaids. I loved that this was a darker mermaid story, I love when normally fluffy tales are morphed into something darker.

Lexi was an awesome main character. She was a little too angsty for my taste, but teenagers are angsty so it’s ok. Lexi was a beautifully flawed character. She was so much like a real teenager, that she was really easy to read about and relate to.

This was a surprising book. There was one thing in particular that happened which caught me totally by surprise (I won’t tell you of course, because I don’t want to say spoilers"). For being a book I wouldn’t have picked up if I hadn’t read the author before, Ripple was surprisingly good. I read it really fast- within a matter of hours- and enjoyed every minute that I was reading it.

Mandy Hubbard is an amazing writer, and I can’t recommend her books enough. Ripple was as amazing as her other two novels You Wish and Prada & Prejudice. You can also check out the book that she has under the pen name Amanda Grace, But I Love Him. It’s a wonderful book.

FTC- Publisher.

An Interview with Jaime Reed

Today I have Jaime Reed here for an interview. Jaime is the author of the newly released novel Living Violet. You can learn more about Living Violet by going to the goodreads page, here.

1. Who is your favorite character in Living Violet?

Robbie Ford. The guy has four lines, but his back story is hilarious.

2. What do you like most about writing The Cambion Chronicle books?

The dialogue. You can tell a lot about a person and their character by the way they talk and how they say it.

3. Describe the books in 5 words?

Fun, smart, snarky, engaging, relatable.

4. What is your favorite eye color?

Green.

5. What would you like readers to learn by reading your books?

It’s a paranormal story that’s pokes fun of itself. It’s like fantasy for people with common sense. It also speaks about one’s identity and having two separate backgrounds and finding a balance.

Waiting on Wednesday (14)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Undeadly by Michele Vail

February 28, 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.

How awesome does this book sound? So. Awesome. And look at the cover! What a gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to read Undeadly. It sounds thrilling.

You can add Undeadly on Goodreads here.

Return to Paradise by Simone Elkeles

Caleb Becker left Paradise eight months ago, taking with him the secret he promised to take to his grave. If the truth got out, it would ruin everything.
Maggie Armstrong tried to be strong after Caleb broke her heart and disappeared. Somehow, she managed to move on. She's dermined to make a new life for herself.
But then Caleb and Maggie are forced together on a summer trip. They try ignoring their passion for each other, but buried feelings resurface. Caleb must face the truth about the night of Maggie's accident, or the secret that destroyed their relationship will forever stand between them.

I am in love with Simone Elkeles’s writing. I’ve read every book she’s published and I’ve never disliked one of them. Return to Paradise is the sequel to Leaving Paradise, so if you haven’t read Leaving Paradise- I would suggest you read it before you read Return to Paradise.

Return to Paradise is a nice follow-up to Leaving Paradise, because it finishes the story that was started in the first book. Because of what happened in Leaving Paradise, there was a tremendous amount of clashing heads between Caleb and Maggie. I loved the clashing. It made the story more interesting and added way more action and conflict.

Though I felt that the sequel wasn’t necessarily needed, I did enjoy reading it. It was a nice way to wrap up the story. I was happy to see that both characters connected the second time around as well as they did the first.

I recommend the first book in this series, Leaving Paradise. If you like Leaving Paradise, I think you’ll enjoy reading Return to Paradise- as it’s a nice follow-up. However, I didn’t like Return to Paradise as much as I liked Leaving Paradise.

FTC- Bought

Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers

Luc Cain was born and raised in Hell, but he isn’t feeling as demonic as usual lately—thanks to Frannie Cavanaugh and the unique power she never realized she had. But you can’t desert Hell without consequences, and suddenly Frannie and Luc find themselves targeted by the same demons who used to be Luc’s allies.
Left with few options, Frannie and Luc accept the protection of Heaven and one of its most powerful angels, Gabe. Unfortunately, Luc isn’t the only one affected by Frannie, and it isn’t long before Gabe realizes that being around her is too…tempting. Rather than risk losing his wings, he leaves Frannie and Luc under the protection of her recently-acquired guardian angel.
Which would be fine, but Gabe is barely out the door before an assortment of demons appears—and they’re not leaving without dragging Luc back to Hell with them. Hell won’t give up and Heaven won’t give in. Frannie’s guardian exercises all the power he has to keep them away, but the demons are willing to hurt anyone close to Frannie in order to get what they want. It will take everything she has and then some to stay out of Hell’s grasp.
And not everyone will get out of it alive.

I loved Personal Demons (the first book in the series), so I couldn’t wait to read Original Sin! And boy, it did not disappoint. Original Sin is just as good, if not better than Personal Demons. Lisa Desrochers knows how to write. Her writing pops out at you when you least expect it, takes you by the throat, and demands you listen. You will want to listen. I am simply in love with the series. It is steaming hot and action packed.

Luc is the ultimate bad boy steamy character, and I do mean steamy (Team Luc, represent!). Gabe is the good boy dreamy character, who’s dreamy but I prefer Luc. Frannie is one lucky lady to have both of these men at her side. She’s also really well written and a really great character.

I love the battle between heaven and hell that’s presented in the Personal Demons series. It’s a battle that tons of people know about, but for some reason it isn’t presented frequently in YA novels. Not only does Lisa Desrochers write a fabulously well developed novel, but she makes it so so steamy. It’s hot, I won’t lie*. But along with being hot, it’s also action packed. I loved it!

I have nothing wrong with Original Sin. It is an amazing novel. If you haven’t read Personal Demons you should read it. If you do go read it, I would make sure to have Original Sin close by because Lisa writes a killer cliffhanger.

FTC- Received for review.

*I am sorry to family members reading this. But, here on Zoe’s Book Reviews, I always tell the truth.

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder

Dry, sarcastic, sixteen-year-old Cam Cooper has spent the last seven years in and out hospitals. The last thing she wants to do in the short life she has left is move 1,500 miles away to Promise, Maine - a place known for the miraculous events that occur there. But it's undeniable that strange things happen in Promise: everlasting sunsets; purple dandelions; flamingoes in the frigid Atlantic; an elusive boy named Asher; and finally, a mysterious envelope containing a list of things for Cam to do before she dies. As Cam checks each item off the list, she finally learns to believe - in love, in herself, and even in miracles.

This book. Wow. I read this a few months ago (from when I’m writing this review) and I’m still in awe of it. Wendy Wunder is such an immensely talented author. She deserves so much praise and book buzz for this amazing novel that she’s written. I can’t recommend The Probability of Miracles enough.

Cam was such an amazing main character. She sassy, pessimistic, and strong. I could not have asked for a better character. Cam had guts and she had such an amazing journey to tell. Everybody around her is hilariously optimistic about what Cam is going through. This novel is one big huge magical adventure that I never wanted to end.

I don’t have any complaints about The Probability of Miracles. It was a fantastic book. Given, it made me cry a lot. So, if/when you read it, you should get tissues. A lot of tissues. Let’s just say, I spent a good 10 minutes crying.

That being said, everybody needs to read The Probability of Miracles. It’s a touching debut novel from an author that will make you in awe of her talent. The Probability of Miracles is an inspiring and beautiful novel that everybody must read.

FTC- Publisher.

Waiting on Wednesday (13)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

In Too Deep by Amanda Grace

February 8, 2012

I never meant for anyone to get hurt. All I wanted to do that night was make a play for Carter Davis. His heartless rejection was mortifying, but people got the wrong idea when they saw me leaving his bedroom, crying. That’s how rumors of rape started.
Now girls at school are pouring out their sympathy to me. Guys too. But not everyone’s on my side. The school has become a war zone and the threats are getting scary. What began as poetic justice has morphed into something bigger-forcing me to make a terrible choice.

I loved Amanda Grace’s (aka Mandy Hubbard) previous novel, But I Love Him. It was deep, enthralling, and gorgeously written. So naturally, I can’t help but be excited to read In Too Deep. I love that it deals with such a serious topic. February 8th can’t come soon enough.

You can add In Too Deep on Goodreads here.

Giveaway- Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

Today I have an amazing giveaway for you guys. It's for an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler. Not only is this an ARC of the novel, but it also has really awesome behind-the-scenes notes from the author! Here is a summary of Bittersweet-

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been. So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life...and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done. It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last.... 

An Interview with Brian Rowe

Today I have an interview with Brian Rowe, author of Happy Birthday to Me. You can find Brian at his blog. I hope you enjoy the interview!

1. How did you get the idea for Happy Birthday to Me?

The idea from Happy Birthday to Me came to me in October 2009 about two weeks before my birthday. I was eating dinner in a restaurant in Los Angeles, when the waitress came by and happened to overhear that I was turning 25 in a couple of weeks. At the end of the meal, she surprised me with a giant piece of chocolate cake, and the dessert was marked FREE on the receipt. It got me thinking about people’s obsessions with birthdays, and then the idea hit me: what if you could celebrate your birthday every single day?

2. The covers for the series are awesome. Did you have any input over them, or did you let the cover designer do their own thing?

The covers for these books are designed and created by my good friend Katie Bode (www.katiebode.com) who works as a graphic designer in Los Angeles. I brought the ideas to Katie, and she implemented them better than I ever could have imagined. I love these covers, and I can’t wait to see what she puts together for the third one.

3. If you were in Cameron's place, how do you think you would react?

The fun of these books is putting yourself in Cameron’s shoes. What if you started aging a whole year with every day? What if you started going back a year every day? Thankfullynobody on Earth will ever have to answer that question (unless the physically impossible happens), but if I happened to be in Cameron’s shoes, I’d probably do what he did: try to live my life the best I can until the unthinkable happens. Unlike Cameron, however, I would probably stay away from the library and Mrs. Gordon: that woman means nothing but trouble!

4. Quick! Describe the Happy Birthday to Me trilogy in 7 words or less!

The trilogy is romantic, funny, and exciting.

5. Describe your best birthday.

My best birthday was spent with friends in downtown Duesseldorf in Germany in 2005. Even though I spent my first two months studying abroad overseas essentially able to drink already—in Europe you can start drinking when you’re in your teens—my birthday that year, which was a Friday, was an absolute blast. I drank myself silly and wandered to my guest home late on a beautiful fallnight.

6. Can you tell us 5 random fact about Cameron?

5 Random Facts about Cameron: He is extremely unlucky. His favorite book is The Witches, by Roald Dahl. He loves the red heads. He would choose Zac Efron to play him in a movie of his life. He loves and cares for his sister Kimber more than he ever lets on.

7. If you could tell your teenage-self anything, what would you tell him?

I would tell my teenage self to relax more, to not be so concerned with everydecision and every math test and every person who says something mean. It’s amazing how small your world is in high school. When you graduate college and get out into the working world, life would seemingly become worse. But as those videos have been saying: It Gets Better. If you’re having the time of your life in high school, then it’s possible you’ll be disappointed with the rest of your life. But if high school wasn’t all that, you might find out things get better in your 20’s. I’m only 27, so I don’t know what the future has in store for me. But I would tell my teenage self not to worry: It’s not like I would ever have to start rapidly aging into my 80’s… right?

Crush: 26 Real-Life Tales of First Love edited by Andrea N. Richesin

Readers will fall head over heels for this nostalgic and irreverent collection.

Twenty-six bestselling authors return to the teenage bedrooms, school hallways and college dorms of their youth to share passionate essays of love lost and found and lessons learned along the way. Whether heartbreaking or hilarious, their soul-baring honesty reminds us to keep reaching for true love wherever we can find it and for as long as it takes. Their intimate reflections will fascinate and move any reader who remembers her first love.

I admit, I mainly wanted to read Crush because two of my favorite authors contributed to it. Those authors are Lauren Oliver and (I bet you can’t guess…) David Levithan. It’s always hard for my to write reviews of anthologies because of the fact that there are (in this case) 26 different stories to review. Which is why I’m not going to review each story, I’m going to review the book as a whole.

Like any novel, Crush had it’s good parts and it’s bad parts. There were stories that I found boring and dull, but instead of forcing myself to read them (like I do with novels), I just skipped them. It seems that my favorite stories were written by authors I’m familiar with. Some of my favorites include David Levithan, Lauren Oliver, Melissa Walker, and a few others.

I loved how the stories were non-fiction. It gives insight into the minds of the author that I covet. Not only is Crush a heartwarming anthology, but it also lets readers get to know the authors that they’ve held on a pedestal. I really enjoyed reading Crush, and I hope you do too.

FTC- Received from publisher.

Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Someone's been a very bad zombie.
Kate Grable is horrified to find out that the football coach has given the team steroids. Worse yet, the steriods are having an unexpected effect, turning hot gridiron hunks into mindless flesh-eating zombies. No one is safe--not her cute crush Aaron, not her dorky brother, Jonah . . . not even Kate! She's got to find an antidote--before her entire high school ends up eating each other. So Kate, her best girlfriend, Rocky, and Aaron stage a frantic battle to save their town  . . . and stay hormonally human.

Zombies! Carrie Harris wrote a hilariously thrilling novel. Bad Taste in Boys was all I was expecting and more. Not only was the concept original, but it was approached in an entertaining way.

Kate was an amusing character. I loved her unique voice. Every character was completely themselves (if that makes sense). Each character had such a different voice that I didn’t get the mixed up, which I often do.

I loved how Bad Taste in Boys was so different from other zombie books. It wasn’t an apocalypse based novel. Despite being about zombies, it read like a contemporary. I loved reading about Kate’s journey to try and find the cure. This is the kind of book that would be translated into a movie well, because of how the story unfolds.

Carrie Harris wrote an amazing zombie novel that won’t be easily forgotten. I commend her for taking something so widely discussed and transforming it into something completely original. I highly recommend Bad Taste in Boys.

FTC- Received as an ARC from Copperfields Books.

Waiting on Wednesday (12)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt

July 10, 2012

Sixteen-year-old Kelsey Romano has always been one of the most popular girls at Concordia Prep. But after a disastrous breakup and her subsequent meltdown (um, destruction of school property, anyone?) she's kicked out of Con Prep and shipped off to Concordia High School, for good.
Seventeen-year-old Isaac Brandano has been kicked out of more prep schools than he can name. But now that his father's State Senate campaign is pushing a public school agenda, Isaac finds himself enrolled at Concordia High.
Kelsey and Isaac are destined to hate each other. And at first, they do. But when they are forced together on the creation of a new school club, sparks begin to fly. Then the club's critical event turns into chaos. Now Kelsey and Isaac must retrace their steps and figure out how and why everything got so got screwed up, who was to blame, and how they can move forward.

Lauren Barnholdt is an awesome author. I’ve loved all of her books that I’ve read, and I can’t wait to read this one. It sounds amazing!

You can add The Thing About the Truth on Goodreads here.

The Poison Eaters:And Other Stories by Holly Black

Poisonous girls whose kisses will kill. A fateful eating contest with the devil. Faeries who return to Ironside, searching for love. A junior prom turned bacchanalia. In twelve short stories, eerie and brimming with suspense and unexpected humor, Holly Black twists the fantastical creatures you thought you knew in ways you’ll never expect.

I love anthologies like mad. They make me unbelievable happy because you have so many storylines in one place. So I was automatically excited to read The Poison Eaters.

Holly Black is an amazing author. Her stories are all so well written and full of life (not always literally). Every single character in this book of short stories is incredibly well developed and relatable. Though many of her stories cover ‘dark’ topics, there is always something incredibly… light about her writing.

I think my favorite story out of this book is the first one, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. It’s dark, slightly disturbing, and completely enthralling. These stories stem from faeries, demons, and other paranormal creates that I normally don’t enjoy reading about. Holly’s stories on the other hand, hit spot on. I didn’t mind reading about the paranormal creatures she wrote about.

The Poison Eaters And Other Stories is an impeccable book. I highly recommend it.

FTC- Bought.

The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd

It's Dade's last summer at home. He has a crappy job at Food World, a "boyfriend" who won't publicly acknowledge his existence (maybe because Pablo also has a girlfriend), and parents on the verge of a divorce. College is Dade's shining beacon of possibility, a horizon to keep him from floating away.
Then he meets the mysterious Alex Kincaid. Falling in real love finally lets Dade come out of the closet - and, ironically, ignites a ruthless passion in Pablo. But just when true happiness has set in, tragedy shatters the dreamy curtain of summer, and Dade will use every ounce of strength he's gained to break from his past and start fresh with the future.

After months of people telling me to read The Vast Fields of Ordinary, I finally did. And I did not regret it! The Vast Fields of Ordinary is beautifully written. The story is believable, and so are the characters. This novel will touch your heart. It had me laughing, crying, and dying for more.

Nick Burd is an extremely talented writer. Dade was such a heartfelt character. I felt so bad for him. At some parts, I just wanted to jump into the novel and give him a big hug.Pablo was so cringe-worthy. I wanted to jump into the book and hit him in the face every time he did something stupid. Which was a lot. Alex Kincaid was fun! I also really like his last name.

Nick Burd is an amazing writer. The Vast Fields of Ordinary is an amazing novel. It's meaningful, well written, and amazingly addictive.

FTC-Bought

A Thanksgiving Guest Post with Mary Lindsey

Today is Thanksgiving for the United States, and I’m lucky enough to have Mary Lindsey here for a guest post. Mary is here to tell you all what she’s thankful for.

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I Am So Thankful

2011 has been a crazy year--wonderful and crazy. I could go on and on about things for which I'm grateful, but I'll narrow it down to people who have kept me sane through this amazing time leading up to the release of my debut novel. I'll refrain from getting gushy and keep this super short. 

First, I'm thankful for my agent, Ammi-Joan Paquette. who has believed in me from day one even more than I believe in myself sometimes. She's always there for me with a "hooray" or a "hang in there." 

Next, there is Jill Santopolo, executive editor of Philomel books at Penguin, who loved my book enough to take it on and make it ready for the world. 

Of course there are my precious children, Emily, Hannah, and Robert who have endured lots of strangeness leading up to this book release. 

Last, and certainly not least, is my dear, sweet, patient husband, Laine, who has never stopped believing I could do it--not even for a second. 

I'm also grateful for Zoe, who was kind enough to host this stop on the Shattered Souls Teen Book Scene blog tour. 

I wish everyone a glorious Thanksgiving Day. 

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Thank you so much for stopping by Zoe’s Book Reviews, Mary.

You can find Mary Lindsey online, here

You can find more information about Shattered Souls, on goodreads, here.

Waiting on Wednesday (11)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Level Two by Lenore Appelhans

2012

Simon and Schuster

In Level Two, the liminal place between our world (Level One) and heaven, Felicia spends her days reliving her memories from the security of her pod—until she gets broken out by Julian, a boy she met on Earth.

Though there isn’t a cover or final release date for this novel, I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Lenore is an amazing person, and a blogger! She blogs at Presenting Lenore.

Level Two sounds awesome, and I honestly can’t wait to get my hands on it.

You can add Level Two on Goodreads here.

An Interview with Beth Revis

I was looking through the old archives of my email inbox and realized that in January (like, January 2011) I interviewed Beth Revis, author of the amazing book Across the Universe. I never posted the interview. I don’t know why I didn’t post it. Needless to say, here is said interview with Beth Revis!

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1. When did you know that you wanted to write a Sci-Fi book?

When I was in the middle of it! I didn't intend to write a sci fi--the book just ended up being that way!

2. If you had to make a choice to be frozen or not, what would you choose?

I....really don't think I would. I like my life here! But I can see if things took a turn for the worse, maybe...

3. The cover is gorgeous, did you have any input on to how the design would be?

They did ask for my input, but I'm not a graphic designer at ALL and so I was happy to see what the creative geniuses at Penguin could do!

4.Describe Across the Universe in 5 words.

A murder mystery...in space!

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Here is a summary of Beth’s novel Across the Universe. The sequel to Across the Universe, A Million Suns, is coming out on January 10, 2012.

      Seventeen-year-old Amy joins her parents as frozen cargo aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed and expects to awaken on a new planet, three hundred years in the future. Never could she have known that her frozen slumber would come to an end fifty years too soon and that she would be thrust into the brave new world of a spaceship that lives by its own rules. Amy quickly realizes that her awakening was no mere computer malfunction. Someone - one of the few thousand inhabitants of the spaceship - tried to kill her. And if Amy doesn't do something soon, her parents will be next. Now, Amy must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets. But out of her list of murder suspects, there's only one who matters: Elder, the future leader of the ship and the love she could never have seen coming.

The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch

After the death of her free-spirited mother, sixteen-year-old Alex Lee must leave her home in northern California to live with her wealthy grandmother in Savannah, Georgia. By birth, Alex is a rightful, if unwilling, member of the Magnolia League, Savannah's long-standing debutante society. She quickly discovers that the Magnolias have made a pact with a legendary hoodoo family, the Buzzards. The Magnolias enjoy youth, beauty and power. But at what price?
As in her popular adult novels, Crouch's poignant and humorous voice shines in this seductively atmospheric story about girls growing up in a magical Southern city.

I was reluctant to start reading The Magnolia League, because I thought it wasn’t going to live up to all the hype I had heard about it. Luckily, Katie Crouch’s writing came through. The Magnolia League was a fast paced novel. It captured southern essence perfectly. The little southern hierarchy thing that was going on was both creeping and alluring, and I loved reading about it.

My biggest problem with The Magnolia League was that Alex’s background was stereotypical. Alex leaves California after her mom dies to go and live with her grandmother in Savanna, Georgia. When she was still living with her mom in California, they were considered hippies. It’s that part of her background that I don’t agree with. We’re told that she grew up on a communal-type land where her and her mom grew plants. I know that there are communal-type places in California, but it seems like having the character grow up in one of those places follows a stereotype.

Other than that, I really enjoyed The Magnolia League. I liked how mysterious it was. Katie Crouch is als a really good writer. There was amazing character development, and I think she described the atmosphere of the south perfectly.

FTC- Received from publisher.

Spotlight on Harper Teen

This is a series of posts (over the course of weeks, months, etc.) in which I spotlight books coming out that I can’t wait for. These posts will go by publisher. If you click on the book title, you will get linked to the books page on Goodreads. This series of posts are inspired by Absconditas weekly meme “Spotlight On”.

The Selection by Kiera Cass

April 24, 2012

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

 

Endlessly by Kiersten White

July 24, 2012

The third book in the Paranormalcy trilogy.
The final chapter of Evie's adventures. Old friends, new ones, all wrapped up in impossible decisions. And some ball gowns. Because what's a life of normal and paranormal drama without a ball gown or two?

 

 

 

 

Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

August 1, 2012

Maine high school senior Katie Martin is set to win a field hockey scholarship until her life is derailed by drinking, a car accident, and an angry classmate.

Foiled (Hello, Gorgeous #2) by Taylor Morris

Mickey's thrilled to have some female friends for a change. But things get a little too close for comfort when her mom goes and hires Lizbeth to work at the salon. Mickey's worried that Lizbeth is stealing her thunder. After all, Lizbeth is everything Mickey isn't-outgoing, bubbly, and quick-on-her-feet. But when Mickey tries too hard to outshine her, things backfire in a hair-raising way!

I officially love this series! Taylor Morris has done a fantastic job writing Mickey’s story. I loved reading about Mickey and her friends. I loved how the story was fun, but still interesting and sent really good messages.

Even though Mickey kept getting herself into sticky situations, she still manages to keep her head on her shoulders. Sure, they sometimes cause her to question what’s right and what’s wrong- but ultimately she makes well thought-out decisions.

I love how Taylor Morris writes. I really enjoyed the first book in the Hello, Gorgeous series- and I think I liked this one even more. I’m really interested in reading Taylor’s other novels. If how much I liked Foiled is any telling, I should love her other novels*.

You should totally check out the Hello, Gorgeous series. It’s geared towards a younger audience, but don’t let that stop you. Foiled is an awesome book!

FTC- Received from author.

 

*I’m reading one of her other books, BFF Breakup right now.

A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines

A Lesson Before Dying, is set in a small Cajun community in the late 1940s.  Jefferson, a young black man, is an unwitting party to a liquor store shoot out in which three men are killed; the only survivor, he is convicted of murder and sentenced to death.  Grant Wiggins, who left his hometown for the university, has returned to the plantation school to teach.  As he struggles with his decision whether to stay or escape to another state, his aunt and Jefferson's godmother persuade him to visit Jefferson in his cell and impart his learning and his pride to Jefferson before his death.  In the end, the two men forge a bond as they both come to understand the simple heroism of resisting—and defying—the expected.

I had to read this book for class, so generally I had apprehensions about if I would like it or not. I’m happy to say that I really enjoyed A Lesson Before Dying. It is impeccably well written. Though this is a simple story, it packs a big punch. Though I only read a few pages of it a day, I found myself always thinking about it.

Gant is an amazing character and watching him grow throughout the story was really interesting. I loved how he transformed from someone who see’s his life as dim to someone who’s excited about his future.

A Lesson Before Dying was an incredibly amazing novel. Both the story and the characters are extremely well written. I recommend A Lesson Before Dying, even if you aren’t into adult books.

Every You, Every Me by David Levithan

In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. Someone is stalking him . . . messing with him . . . threatening him. Worse, ever since his best friend Ariel has been gone, he's been unable to sleep, spending night after night torturing himself for his role in her absence. And as crazy as it sounds, Evan's starting to believe it's Ariel that's behind all of this, punishing him. But the more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself.

I love how every book that David Levithan publishes is so original. I imagine that his mind is like a mecca for amazing ideas. It is probably known by most of you that I am a huge David Levithan fan. That being said, I honestly really liked Every You, Every Me. It’s not every day that a book like this is published- one that has pictures, as well as a thrilling story.

Evan is a wild character, and not in the crazy-does-stupid-things way. He’s realistic in a brutally honest way. It was refreshing. I read Every You, Every Me in a few hours. It was creepy, well written, and inventive. I wish it would have been written a little smoother, but in a way, I think having it be kind of choppy is good. It isn’t a fluffy, everything-is-alright type of book. And, I think we need books that don’t sugar coat things.

I view reading Every You, Every Me as an experience. You read this fantastic story, and you have the pictures to go along with it. David Levithan’s writing is amazing, but I have to give props to the photographer, Jonathan Farmer. I’m not familiar with Jonathan Farmer’s work, but after seeing the pictures presented in this novel, I want to be. The pictures are dark, mysterious, and completely alluring. Without them, there would simply be no novel.

Every You, Every Me is a fantastic novel that will leave you wanting more. Evan is an interesting main character that you won’t forget! The pictures presented in this piece of literature are as breathtaking as the writing. I can’t recommend Every You, Every Me enough.

FTC- Bought.

 

*Also, the title of this book is taken from an amazing Placebo song. You should listen to it.

NaNoWriMo

Yep, it’s that time of year again my lovely readers. National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo. The one set month a year in which I put myself through loads of stress to produce a novel that in all honesty, will never see the light of day.

Day 1 of NaNo is almost over, and I’m already a hideous ball of stress. I still need to do homework, finish a book, and meet my word count quota for the day- and it’s nearly 11pm. I’m not sure what I’m writing, I’m not confident at all because I’m not sure what I’m writing- but hey, welcome to NaNo.

So, I should really get back to writing. Are any of you doing NaNoWriMo? Have any of you never heard of NaNoWriMo before? If you are doing NaNoWriMo, what’s your username? (You should add me as a buddy, by the way. My username is zoealea.)

 

Happy writing!

Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

This book was so good. I read it in a single night, after being stuck in a reading slump for two months. It was simply gorgeous.Speaking of gorgeous, look at the book cover. It is amazing. I have a super fancrush on this cover (and the actual book). Jessica Martinez captured me from the very start.

We’re quickly introduced to the multiple internal and external conflicts that Carmen faces on a daily basis. Though she has quite a bit of reasons to sit around a mope, Carmen doesn’t. Throughout the novel, she remains incredibly strong. Jeremy was an interesting character. I was weary of his personality when he was first introduced, but I eventually grew to like him.

One of my favorite things about Virtuosity, if not my favorite thing, was the many topics it covered. From the stress being put on Carmen surrounding the Guarneri competition to her anxiety medication addiction- this novel really did have it all. I absolutely adored the story, along with the characters.

Virtuosity is an amazing novel that readers are sure to love. I can’t recommend it enough. Jessica Martinez is an author than you should really watch. I’m sure her future novels will be just as amazing as Virtuosity!

FTC- Publisher.

A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies

On the night of Skye's seventeenth birthday, she meets two enigmatic strangers. Complete opposites;like fire and ice;Asher is dark and wild, while Devin is fair and aloof. Their sudden appearance sends Skye's life into a tailspin. She has no idea what they want, or why they seem to follow her every move only that their presence coincides with a flurry of strange events. Soon she begins to doubt not just the identity of the two boys, but also the truth about her own past.

In the dead of a bitingly cold Colorado winter, Skye finds herself coming to terms with the impossible secret that threatens to shatter her world. Torn between Asher, who she can't help falling for, and Devin, who she can't stay away from, the consequences of Skye's choice will reach further than the three of them could ever imagine.

This book was fabulous. It kind of suffered paranormal-book syndrome, but it eventually morphed out of it. I’m not going to lie- it took me awhile to finish A Beautiful Dark. I found the beginning a little slow. The characters didn’t really interest me right off the bat. Luckily, I started to pick up interest.

Skye was at times a little too moody for my taste, but overall she was a strong main character. There were also times when I wanted to jump into the novel and shake her for being so gullible. Asher and Devin present the oh-so-famous battles between light/dark, heaven/hell, bad/good boy. Me, being the reader who almost always goes in the bad boy direction- was swooning over Asher in no time.

The ending was confusing. I read this book awhile ago, and I’m still stumped on what went on. The ending is probably my main complaint about this book. Maybe that was the goal of the author- to leave the reader questioning what they just read- if it was her goal, then I tip my hat to her. But back to my point, after finishing A Beautiful Dark- I had to go back and reread the last chapter a few times, and even then I didn’t fully understand what was going on. Despite not fully knowing what was going on, A Beautiful Dark still left me wanting more.

I can’t wait for the sequel, and I think Jocelyn Davies did a nice job writing A Beautiful Dark. Despite the few things I disliked about it, this novel was still a really nice read. It’s a perfect novel to read when curled up in bed and trying to keep out of the winter cold.

FTC- Publisher.

Daisy Whitney’s New Book Covers + An Interview About Them

 

Daisy Whitney’s books The Mockingbirds and The Rivals have received a little cover-makeover. I had the opportunity to interview Daisy about these fabulous new covers. I hope you enjoy the interview!

 

1. So lets start with the obvious question, what do you think of the new book covers compared to the old ones?

I am crazily in love with these covers! Personally, as a reader I prefer photographic covers and am most often drawn to covers with strong women or girls on them, so the paperback of The Mockingbirds appeals to me for that reason. But beyond my personal tastes, these covers are definitely in line with the stories. The first book is about a teen girl finding the strength to stand up for herself and speak her mind, but also to reclaim her heart, mind, and body after a traumatic event. That the girl on the cover is looking directly at the reader and not away is exactly what I want for the story! I also love her red lipstick because I think it's a powerful statement that Alex, in a way, is reclaiming her right to wear red lipstick. Even after the trauma of an assault, she can heal and she doesn't have to hide. That's what the new cover says to me. As for The Rivals cover, it's really the mirror, the perfect pair, to the first book. And the story is about the other side, the opposite, of the Mockingbirds. So a teen boy is the perfect complement to the first cover. Plus, he's, you know, easy on the eyes!

2. Is there one new cover you prefer over the other? (The paperback cover of The Mockingbirds vs. the hardcover of The Rivals)

No! I love them both so so so much! I do like those blue eyes on the boy though....

3. I know that most authors are given very little say in what their book covers will look like. Since this is the second go-around of the covers, did you get any say in what went into them?

My publisher and especially my editor Kate Sullivan were fantastic through this whole redo. Kate really wants her authors to be happy with their covers, and she absolutely listened to my opinions on the type of covers I like and took that into account while working with the design team. I think teens respond well to photographic covers so I sent her a list of my favorite book covers as she began the work on the redesign. She took it from there and a few months later came back to me with these beauties. Liz Casal is the designer and I bow down before her. Liz has made this author very very very happy!

4. For people who haven't read it, can you quickly describe what The Mockingbirds is about?

The Mockingbirds is about an underground student-run justice system at a prestigious boarding school and the cases they try, including one involving a date rape. The Rivals is a sequel that follows another case, this one involving a cheating ring at the school and how it challenges the Mockingbirds to the core.

5. The hardback cover of The Mockingbirds is very broad- but in a way it pays homage to To Kill a Mockingbird. How do you think the new covers will be perceived by teenagers, and what do you think people can learn about the book from looking at the covers?

There will still be a bit of homage paid to To Kill a Mockingbird on the back of the paperback! (Wait til you see the back!) I certainly hope teenagers like these new covers. I think they have a lot of teen appeal and I think they're exactly the type of covers teens are apt to pick up in a bookstore. I also think the other elements in the covers from the title font to the tagline font to the yearbook photo feel of the pictures underscores the themes of the stories -- students writing on the walls, writing in code, passing around notes and info, tracking other students, etc. I truly could not be happier with a set of covers. 

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

Try Not to Breathe by Jennifer R. Hubbard

January 19, 2012

A dark and provocative novel from the author of The Secret Year
Ryan spends most of his time alone at the local waterfall because it’s the only thing that makes him feel alive. He’s sixteen, post-suicidal, and trying to figure out what to do with himself after a stint in a mental hospital. Then Nicki barges into his world, brimming with life and energy, and asking questions about Ryan’s depression that no one else has ever been brave enough—or cared enough—to ask. Ryan isn’t sure why he trusts Nicki with his darkest secrets, but that trust turns out to be the catalyst that he desperately needs to start living again.

I Jennifer’s debut novel The Secret Year, so I’m really looking forward to reading Try Not to Breathe. I’m sure it will be lovely!

Triangles by Ellen Hopkins

In this emotionally powerful novel, three women face the age-old midlife question: If I’m halfway to death, is this all I’ve got to show for it? Holly, filled with regret for being a stay-at-home mom, sheds sixty pounds and loses herself in the world of extramarital sex. Andrea, a single mom and avowed celibate, watches her friend Holly’s meltdown with a mixture of concern and contempt. Holly is throwing away what Andrea has spent her whole life searching for—a committed relationship with a decent guy. So what if Andrea picks up Holly’s castaway husband? Then there’s Marissa. She has more than her fair share of challenges—a gay teenage son, a terminally ill daughter, and a husband who buries himself in his work rather than face the facts. As one woman’s marriage unravels, another one’s rekindles. As one woman’s family comes apart at the seams, another’s is reconfigured into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman’s up is another one’s down, and all three of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness before it is through.

This novel was… different from Ellen Hopkins’ new books. This is Hopkins’ first adult novel and you can definitely tell by the various subplots (when reading) that she has gone deep into the world of adult literature. Though Triangles is a story told through poems, like Ellen’s YA books, I don’t think that all teenagers should read it. Triangles covers a lot of sexual topics that I know most teens won’t be comfortable with. I’m comfortable with most books that have sexual content in it, but even while reading this, I felt way out of my comfort zone. So fair warning to the kid/teen crowd, you might want to rethink reading Triangles.

That aside, I really liked it. I think that Ellen Hopkins was really brave in trying out a new genre and I hope that this book will have the same amount of success that her YA books have had. This novel explores not only love and sex, but it also dives deeper into the meanings of friendship, codependence, and what it means to be happy.I liked how intertwined the lives of the three middle-aged women were. It helped me piece together the story more to really see what was going on.

Though Ellen Hopkins’ hit an area outside my comfort zone, I did like Triangles. It was written well and the story was genuinely interesting.  I don’t recommend this book if you get uncomfortable easily in novels, or if you have a problem with books that have graphic sexual content.

FTC- Publisher.

Bay Area Book Event’s

Hey everyone!

I’m here to tell you all about two Bay Area book signings that are happening in the upcoming weeks. Here is the information about those events. Clicking the author will bring you to more information about the event (including the store address)-

Tamora Pierce

October 27th

7:00 pm

Copperfields Books in Sebastopol, California

 

Laini Taylor

October 28th

7:00 pm

Copperfields Books in Petaluma, California

 

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I’ll most likely be at the Laini Taylor event!

Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

When high school junior Sara wins a coveted scholarship to study ballet, she must sacrifice everything for her new life as a professional dancer-in-training. Living in a strange city with a host family, she's deeply lonely-until she falls into the arms of Remington, a choreographer in his early twenties. At first, she loves being Rem's muse, but as she discovers a surprising passion for writing, she begins to question whether she's chosen the right path. Is Rem using her, or is it the other way around? And is dancing still her dream, or does she need something more?

So many people have raved to me about Audition. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed. I think part of my problem with Audition was that I set a high standard when it comes to novels that are written in verse. Most of the authors that have written in verse have done such a good job of it, that I have a hard time opening up to new verse authors. So that was one of my issues with Audition.

I also found the main character pretty unlikable. From the start of the book, she complains about being involved in ballet. If she doesn’t like it, then I am oblivious as to why she keeps learning to be a ballerina. I also felt like once the boy was introduced, she became a little consumed with him. That’s totally ok, that sort of thing happens in real life all the time- I just wasn’t in the mood to read about it.

I’m sure this book is really awesome. It just wasn’t the right time for me to read it.

FC- Publisher.

Waiting on Wednesday (9)

Waiting on Wednesday is an amazing weekly topic that is brought to you by Jill @ Breaking the Spine.

When the Sea is Rising Red by Cat Hellisen

February 28, 2012

In sixteen-year-old Felicita’s world, magic is strictly controlled—or so those in power like to believe. After her dearest friend, Ilven, kills herself to escape an arranged marriage, Felicita chooses freedom over privilege. She fakes her own death and leaves her sheltered life as one of Pelimburg’s magical elite behind. Living in the slums, scrubbing dishes for a living, she falls for charismatic Dash while also becoming fascinated with vampire Jannik. Then something shocking washes up on the beach: Ilven’s death has called out of the sea a dangerous, wild magic. Felicita must decide whether her loyalties lie with the family she abandoned . . . or with those who would twist this dark power to destroy Pelimburg’s caste system, and the whole city along with it.

This sounds so creepy! I can’t wait to get my hands on it.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. You can find information about Top Ten Tuesday by going here. So here is my list of Books I Wish I could Read Again for the First Time-

1. Harry Potter

The Harry Potter books are the books that got me into reading. When I was first reading them, everything was so new and magical. I would love to experience that feeling again. (The books are still amazing and I love rereading them, but there’s nothing like the first time you read a book.)

2. Looking for Alaska by John Green

I read this book when I was really young. I think I read it when I was 10, which isn’t horribly young- but Looking for Alaska is a novel geared toward the older side of the teenage spectrum. I wish that, when I read it for the first time, I would have realized just how big of an impact that book made on my life. It’s not my favorite book, but if I hadn’t read Looking for Alaska, I wouldn’t have started reading YA books at such a young age- and I might not have this blog.

3. Every David Levithan Book

They are just so well written! I would love to experience that anticipation of thinking “I wonder what he’ll do next!”.

 

I know this isn’t ten books, but this is all I can think of at the moment. I hope you’re all having a lovely Tuesday.

Sharks and Boys by Kristen Tracey

When 15-year-old Enid Calhoun follows her boyfriend Wick to Maryland for a party, fearful that he might be intending to cheat on her, she finds herself sneaking on board a houseboat where Wick and his friends plan to have a wild night. But before the boys discover their stowaway, a hurricane strikes, and the teenagers are carried miles from the shore and shipwrecked. What follows is a harrowing, yet heartwarming, story of survival, as the teens battle hypothermia, dehydration, man-eating sharks--and along the way, confront their own deepest secrets, including their catalytic roles in the disaster.

So. Scary.

Sharks and Boys isn’t scary in the “Boo!” type of way. It’s scary in the “oh my gosh I’m going to have nightmares about man eating sharks for the rest of my life” sort of way. I know this has been said numerous times before, but I just need to say it again. This cover does not do this book justice. At all. If I were to see this in a bookshop, I honestly wouldn’t have picked it up because of the cover and the happy-go-lucky title. I really don’t want anybody to not pick this up because of the cover.

Sharks and Boys was straight-up badass. Every part of the book was thrilling. My only complaint about the story itself was that amount of characters and the names of the characters. I felt like because there were so many people on the lifeboat, it was hard to keep track of who was who and what their backstory was. The unusual names didn’t help this situation either.

This is one of the most interesting storylines in a young adult novel that I’ve read in a long time. It isn’t completely original, but the story is played out and written really well. Kristen Tracey does a really good job building up suspense to some of the major events in the novel.

I really enjoyed Sharks and Boys and strongly encourage you to pick it up. Kristen Tracey wrote an addicting and fast-paced novel that I loved!

FTC- Publisher.