Divergent

Divergent
by Veronica Roth

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her. (description from Amazon.com)

Veronica Roth's debut is amazing. Absolutely compelling.

Tris is...brutal, selfish, kind, selfless, brave, loving, and totally bad*ss! Her blend of diminutive physicality and sheer bravado called to me like no other heroine has in years. When she meets Four and the sparks begin to fly...I was hooked.

This dystopian Chicago was utterly fascinating. I could not get enough, gleaning the tiniest tidbits about the factions wherever Veronica Roth was willing to drop them into the text. I gobbled them up like the sweetest candies. I cannot wait to delve into this world again, as soon as possible - *hint, hint Publishers...this one's worth pushing through FAST!*

I should also mention that I actually listened to this as an audio book. It was fantastic! The narrator, Emma Galvin, sounded exactly how I imagined Tris would sound. It was a perfect match. I highly recommend the audio version, even if it was SO GOOD that I was too impatient to just listen to the book in the car and made excuses to listen to more and more and MORE...

Such a fantastic read definitely deserves a GOLD STAR!!



Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for AudioFile
2011 Debut Author Challenge title

Oooh...A SciFi Fairytale series??

So, I came across information today about what I think is a totally intriguing new series. Done right, this could be AH-MAZING!!

Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicles will include four retold fairytales. The twist...they are futuristic sci-fi versions! Sounds awesome. The first title is Cinder and will be out in Jan. 2012.



Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. In this thrilling debut young adult novel, the first of a quartet, Marissa Meyer introduces readers to an unforgettable heroine and a masterfully crafted new world that’s enthralling.

I think this could be the start of a beautiful reading relationship!!

The End of Time

The End of Time
by P. W. Catanese
Books of Umber, book three

The adventures of Happenstance and Umber reach their epic, surprising, and emotional conclusion. As Happenstance struggles to master his unusual abilities, he realizes that time is running out -- because Umber's rivals threaten to undo all the good he has achieved, while an unexpected new enemy with terrible destructive power approaches the kingdom. (description from Amazon.com)

I loved this conclusion to the Books of Umber series. Happenstance is still one of my favorite middle grade characters. Catanese is so good at imagining interesting and intriguing characters, both good and bad.

Umber is an amazingly interesting and quirky character. His merry band of adventurers are also lovable. Each has their own multidimensional uniqueness. I love how no character is perfect...just a single flaw can make someone so much more fascinating.

I especially love Catanese's imagination for "bad guys." They are creepy, intense, and believable. He manages to take the fantastic and bring it to everyday life. In that way, the Books of Umber is able to believably mix our world and the fantasy of Umber's new world.

With amazing sights and adventures, quirky characters, and fantastic friendships, the Books of Umber series officially lives on my bookshelves as one of my favorites.

Full disclosure: Review copy received from publisher

In My Mailbox - July 17, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Dragon's Oath by P.C. and Kristin Cast
The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan


On My Nook:

The New World by Patrick Ness
Bad Taste In Boys by Carrie Harris



For Review:

Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
*Thanks to Zieghost Media!


Conspiracies by Mercedes Lackey and Rosemary Edghill
*Thanks to Tor Teen!

Gifted:

Stealing Death by Janet Lee Carey
*Thank you, Janet!!

Dragon's Oath

Dragon's Oath
by P.C. and Kristin Cast
A House of Night novella

In early 19th century England, long before he’s a professor at the Tulsa House of Night, Bryan Lankford is a troublesome yet talented human teen who thinks he can get away with anything… until his father, a wealthy nobleman, has finally had enough, and banishes him to America. When Bryan is Marked on the docks and given the choice between the London House of Night and the dragon-prowed ship to America, he chooses the Dragon – and a brand new fate.

Becoming a Fledgling may be exciting, but it opens a door to a dangerous world.... In 1830’s St. Louis, the Gateway to the West, Dragon Lankford becomes a Sword Master, and soon realizes there are both frightening challenges and beautiful perks. Like Anastasia, the captivating young Professor of Spells and Rituals at the Tower Grove House of Night, who really should have nothing to do with a fledgling… (description from Amazon.com)

Though I don't really feel that this was necessary or even really relevant to the regular House of Night series, it was interesting to see Dragon's back story. Anastasia was a very sweet character and I liked seeing her relationship with Dragon develop. It did give a little back story to Dragon and how Nyx has guided his life and is now sad to have lost him in his grief. I wonder if P.C. and Kristin Cast plan to do novellas for all of the HON teachers?

Can I Have a Poster of This Book Cover??

Between
by Jessica Warman

I just love this imagery!! It would look great on my office wall....
*hint, hint Publishers!*

Mockingbird

Mockingbird
by Kathryn Erskine

In Caitlin's world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That's the stuff Caitlin's older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon's dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger's, she doesn't know how. When she reads the definition of closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white--the world is full of colors--messy and beautiful. (description from Amazon.com)

What an amazing little gem of a book. I suppose I should have expected that...it did win the National Book Award, after all! Erskine deftly manages to tackle such weighty issues with grace...it really is incredible. I recommend that everyone should read this book!

There were so many things that I loved about this book. The writing style was simple, yet you were able to draw such stunning depth out of simple actions and phrases. The characters were beautifully drawn. Caitlin...I loved Caitlin. I loved watching her grow and try to help others through their grief, even as she was unable to understand how they were processing things differently. There were many messages in this book, yet you never felt as if they were right out in front of you. The layers were just amazing.

I can't even fully articulate the experience I had reading this book. It was just beautiful.

Hit List

Hit List
by Laurell K. Hamilton
Anita Blake, book twenty

A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect “monsters” are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, US Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.

But some monsters are very real. The Harlequin have been the bogeymen of the vampire world for more than a thousand years; they are a secret so dark that even to speak their name can earn you a death sentence. Now they are here in America, hunting weretigers…and human police.

The Harlequin serve the Mother of All Darkness, the first vampire. She was supposed to be dead, but only her body was destroyed. Now she needs a new one, and she’s decided that Anita Blake’s is the body she wants. Edward thinks the serial killings are a trap to lure Anita closer to the most dangerous vampire they’ve ever hunted. The vampires call Edward “Death,” and Anita the “Executioner,” but Mommy Darkest is coming to kill one and possess the other, and she doesn’t care how many others have to die along the way. (description from author's website)

I am hopelessly obsessed with this series. The Anita Blake books are a true guilty pleasure for me. As soon as I know a new one is coming out, I begin to itch to have it in my greedy little hands. *wipes hands on jeans* See they're itching for the next one already, and I've only just relished Hit List!

There are lots of readers out there who love this series. There are also readers out there that hate this series...whether or not they've actually tried to read them. There are readers who loved the beginning of the series, but didn't stick with it... I have read and enjoyed all twenty of the books, though as the series progressed the things I liked about the books varied as the author explored different directions.

One of the things that I've really loved about the last three or four books is that not only has Laurell K. Hamilton kept many of my favorite characters to the forefront in an ever growing cast, but she has returned to what I feel is the core of Anita's character. The necromancy that really fueled the beginning of the series and the hunts that Anita participated in to find killers are back as a focus. This newest volume, especially, involved a really interesting case. The best part, though, is that the necromancy is now combined with the other aspects of metaphysical magic that Anita can tap into. Hamilton is not reverting back to an original formula; Rather she is incorporating it into a whole new writing beast.

I love the new style. I can't wait for the next book!

Anasazi Blog Tour

Anasazi
by Emma Michaels
A Sense of Truth, book two

One year ago, something happened to David. Following the only clue he had he headed out into the desert.

Now he has asked me to come see him. But when I arrived, he was gone. The people in town claim they have never heard of him and everyone wants me to leave. But I know he was here and he is in trouble. He can't survive out there for long. Can he?

David: I will find you. (description from author's blog)

Book two of the Sense of Truth series was somewhat different from the first, The Thirteenth Chime. The narrators were different, but loosely connected through the secondary (?) character, David. The settings were totally different, but again connected through David. The feel to both books, however, was the same.

Again, though I sometimes felt distance during character interactions, Emma Michaels is excellent at building suspense. The first half of the book was about a girl named Megan arriving in a desert town to meet the guy she likes, only to find that he's mysteriously gone, and trying to figure out how to find him. The second half of the book, which really picked up for me, really dealt with Megan figuring out that David's disappearance was malicious. She finds him and then they have to deal with the people that are trying to make them disappear.

The desert setting was really well done and fit the dangerous feel of the mystery surrounding David's disappearance. At first, I could not figure out the connection between this book and The Thirteenth Chime which was set in a coastal town. Then I realized that David was on the hunt for more information about his theory that people can sense more than just what we think at this point, but I didn't make that connection until I was almost done with this book. In some ways, I feel that these two books are much stronger taken individually than as part of a series, but maybe when book three comes out and David delves even deeper into his theory it will feel more cohesive.

I really liked Megan as a character, much better in fact than Destiny from the first book. Megan is tough, self-reliant, and sarcastic. She can also be sweet, though. I loved watching her relationship with David develop. He's a pretty cool guy, too, and I'm interested to see where he goes in the next book.

My favorite bits of the book, though, really dealt with the Hopi. You could tell that Emma Michaels had done quite a bit of research. It was very intriguing to picture the cave dwellings and artifacts and to delve a little more into their history. My only wish was that their connection to David and his theory had been revealed a little earlier in the book.

Full disclosure: ARC received from publisher/author to review for blog tour

If You Like: Music and Dance

If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love.

Does the music in your head follow the beat of your heart? Can't keep your body still when you hear a beat? ...Or maybe you just wish you were musically inclined?? Check out these books and movies based around music and dance!

Remedial Magic

Remedial Magic
by Jenna Black
A Faeriewalker series bonus story

Having a prodigy for an older brother is not so fun…especially one who is magic wiz-kid. But Kimber has a plan to finally step out of his shadow. (description...such as it is...from Amazon.com)

I really enjoy this series. I received the second book to review, but decided to go back and read the first, Glimmerglass before starting Shadowspell. Those books are from the perspective of Dana, a girl who decides to go live with her Fae father and experiences Avalon and the Fae kingdoms for the first time.

This short story is actually from the perspective of a girl she meets in Avalon. Kimber is the younger sister of Ethan, a magically powerful boy that starts pursuing Dana. Kimber actually becomes her best friend and is one of my favorite side characters in the series. I loved reading this story, even short as it was, from her view. I'd love to see more from her someday!

If you've never read any of the Faeriewalker series, I'd suggest you either get a taste with this free ebook or start with Glimmerglass. Hopefully, you'll get as hooked as I am!

An Auction You Won't Want to Miss...OR Join the Shambling Hordes!!

So ya'll might remember me blogging once, or twice, or you know...A LOT...about this book that I'm totally stoked for...it's called Bad Taste in Boys. It finally comes out TOMORROW!! To celebrate it's shambling, but still remarkably sparkly release into the wild, author Carrie Harris has come up with a brilliant idea...

THE NIGHT OF THE GIVING DEAD AUCTION!
*click to go to the auction homepage*

There are tons of things up from some fantastic authors that you can go and bid on...no, I won't tell you what I bid on, because honestly, I don't want ya'll scooping my potential goodies right out from under me!! I will say that I am desperate to win one of the Grand Prizes...it's a six month writing mentorship with CARRIE HARRIS!! OMG. *tries to stop hyperventilating*

Go. Check. It. Out.

Dragon Spear

Dragon Spear
by Jessica Day George
Dragon Adventures, book three

With peace established between the humans and the dragons, young couple Creel and Luka are planning their wedding. But then the dragon queen, Velika, is kidnapped by a band of rogue dragons in need of a ruler. When Creel and Luka rush to help, they discover that Luka's father has plans to take back the Far Islands from the dragons. Creel's happily ever after just might be postponed . . . again. (description from Amazon.com)

I love this series and this was a great end to the trilogy (at least I think it's the last book). Creel is one of my favorite characters...and I love the relationship she has with Luka. They truly care for each other, flaws and all. Even when Creel continually gets herself into scrapes...and back out of them...poor Luka (he gets so worried sometimes!!) just has to trust that Creel will be okay.

Creel is an awesome heroine. She is smart and brave and loyal. Creel has become friends with dragons and is helping slowly to bring the humans and dragons back together. When the Queen Dragon, Velika, is kidnapped though, right before laying her eggs, Creel, Shardas, Luka, and Creel's brother, Hagen, have to set out after her.

Another great adventure ensues, imbued with questions about discrimination and morality. Many of the characters figure out exactly who they are and what they should be doing. Creel proves once again that she will sacrifice anything for her friends, and that her friends also trust her implicitly.

*Spoiler Ahead*
I love that you finally get to see Creel and Luka get married...not once, but twice!! ...and of course, Shardas and Velika's babies hatching...
*Spoilers End*

Well worth the read if you've read the previous two books, Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight. If you love adventure, romance, friendship, and dragons...this series is for you.

The Thirteenth Chime

The Thirteenth Chime
by Emma Michaels
A Sense of Time, book one

No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago. (description from Emma Michael's blog)

The Thirteenth Chime is Emma Michael's debut novel. The writing could be cleaned up some, but hopefully that will change with experience. The storyline, though, was interesting.

When Destiny joins her friend Stephanie at her new house for a short vacation, she's expecting to relax and have a fun time with a good friend. Unfortunately, Stephanie and her mother are attacked the first night and what Destiny has seen haunts her. In a panic, Destiny calls her ex-boyfriend, not her fiance, and has David come out while Stephanie and her mother are in the hospital.

Destiny and David begin investigating and soon tie the attack to the previous owner of the house and a mysterious grandfather clock that looms on the staircase landing. The ghostly aspect of the story was well done and the ties to the old prison on the nearby island were very interesting. I loved the twist with the clock and the suspense of not knowing if everyone would survive. For all that Emma Michael's writing is rough around the edges, she does know how to build suspense and set the mood.

I was somewhat confused, though, why this book was toted as being young adult. With adult characters and a focus on deepening relationships (marriage), I did not really get a young adult feel from this book at all. It is a contemporary paranormal story, but I think it actually should be categorized as an adult book....maybe the series introduces teen characters along the way?

Retro Demonology

Retro Demonology
by Jana Oliver
A Demon Trapper's Daughter, bonus story

Before Riley Blackthorne can take on Grade Five demons, she has to trap her very first. Her debut solo trapping experience should be a breeze, just a harmless Grade One after all. But throw in some dippy hippies (whose peace signs and Patchouli really aren’t driving any demons away), one mischievous demon, and a run-in with the police, and Riley might not be able to pull it off... (description from Amazon.com)

I haven't yet had a chance to read The Demon Trapper's Daughter but I will be soon! Riley's snarkiness and the interesting premise of this short story totally drew me right in. I love that there are little Bibliodemons that live to destroy books. Fighting those would be right up my alley. In fact, there is a pretty cool Librarian in this story, which I totally loved. :)

Steel

Steel
by Carrie Vaughn

Sixteen-year-old Jill has fought in dozens of fencing tournaments, but she has never held a sharpened blade. When she finds a corroded sword piece on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued and pockets it as her own personal treasure.

The broken tip holds secrets, though, and it transports Jill through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Stranded in the past and surrounded by strangers, she is forced to sign on as crew. But a pirate's life is bloody and brief, and as Jill learns about the dark magic that brought her there, she forms a desperate scheme to get home—one that risks everything in a duel to the death with a villainous pirate captain. (description from Amazon.com)

I'm very conflicted about this book. While I loved the story and characters, I wasn't fond of the writing style itself. I was also left with some major questions unanswered and so felt a little unsatisfied when I finished.

Jill was a very believable heroine. She's tough and trained in swordplay, but she's also thrown into a scary and unbelievable situation, to which she's never quite sure how to act. I loved the blend of her bravado and sheer terror at certain moments.

I really enjoyed reading about Captain Marjory Cooper, a woman that ran her ship based on respect, not fear. It was really interesting to read about the other female pirates, too. I know that there actually were some in history, same as female soldiers before it was allowed, and it was really cool to see how Vaughn showed different types of female pirates and what may have driven them to that life. In fact, all of the pirate lifestyle that was represented was interesting and realistic.

While I loved the time travel aspect of this book, I didn't really understand how it happened or worked. There was sort of an explanation towards the end, but I didn't really feel that it was at all believable or well told. That was one of the things that I really just didn't connect to, and as such a large part of the story, that made it hard to truly love this book.

I felt like there were several things that just didn't click for me on this one. Lots of other readers out there have loved this book, though, so if you like pirates, time travel, romance and adventure, you may still want to give it a shot.

In My Mailbox - July 10, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Mixed Messages by Tina Wells


Won:

The Dark City by Catherine Fisher
*Thanks to Alex at Electrifying Reviews!


Gifted:

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
*Thanks to Sharon at I Mainline Fiction!


On My Nook:

Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
Misfit by Jon Skovron
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson


The Way We Fall by Megan Crewe
Vanish by Sophie Jordan
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for all these great titles!!

Crush Control Giveaway Winner!!

I am pleased to announce that the winner of the Crush Control giveaway (via random drawing at random.org) is...

April_Layne!!

April, check your email...you have until Wednesday, July 13th to contact me with your mailing address so we can send the book out to you. Congratulations again!


UPDATE: Since April_Layne never contacted me, the NEW winner of the giveaway is KIMBERLY!! You have until Fri., July 15th to email me back with your mailing address.

If You Like: Cooking, Baking, and Candymaking

If You Like…” is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love.

What a sweet, sweet topic! Do you love to bake, cook, make candies...or even just drool hearing about others doing it?? If so, check out our recommendations this week. Most of them are, pardon the pun, pretty SWEET!

Cover Cravings...

Just had to share these newly released covers that I absolutely love! The atmospheric smokiness, the vibrant colors, the inherent strength of the girls pictured...

Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton (2/14/2012)
Everneath by Brodi Ashton (1/3/2012)
Charmfall by Chloe Neill (1/3/2012)

Smokin' Seventeen

Smokin' Seventeen
by Janet Evanovich
Stephanie Plum, book seventeen
(*not counting the in-between novels)

Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

With a cold-blooded killer after her, a handful of hot men, and a capture list that includes a dancing bear and a senior citizen vampire, Stephanie’s life looks like it’s about to go up in smoke. (description from Amazon.com)

OMG. How do I love this series? Let me count the ways!

1. Stephanie is both incompetent and surprisingly good at her job...
2. Ranger
3. Morelli
4. Lula...her crazy diets, her crazier wardrobe, and her propensity for shooting at suspects
5. Grandma Mazur...who doesn't love a "cute" little old grandma that carries a giant gun in her purse and wreaks havoc at funeral homes for fun?
6. Mooner...stoner extraordinaire
7. Stephanie's love of food...which will overcome the most extreme circumstances!
8. Bulgari body wash (Ummm...and the man who uses it...did I mention him already? Oh I did. Well...*sigh*)
9. Connie...the "connected" woman behind the scenes at the bail bonds office
10. Just to round things out --> RANGER. *omg*

These books make me snarf out loud! Every single time. I love poor Stephanie's propensity for blowing up cars, accidentally catching bad guys, and her understandable trouble choosing between two HOTT guys that want to be with her...

This particular volume caused me to laugh out loud so hard that I cried...within the first 50 pages! It doesn't get better than that. Let's just say that the perps Stephanie has to round up in this book are definitely hilarous (including a senior who thinks he's a vampire). The relationship drama heats up again...and I for one, LOVED it. The best part, though, is how even with all of the guy drama in Stephanie's life, she still knows that her girls mean more...the girlpower ending made me grin!

The Fox Inheritance - Book Trailer

I read The Adoration of Jenna Fox a couple of years ago when it first came out and I couldn't stop raving about it. Jenna wakes from a coma and has no idea who she is...as she begins to put the pieces together, she realizes that something very drastic is wrong. Is she even who her parents say she is?? (You can read more here)



I was BEYOND excited when I heard that Mary Pearson was writing a sequel, The Fox Inheritance. Needless to say it was one of the top books I was aiming to get at BEA and though I couldn't snag an ARC, I'm definitely planning to read it as soon as it officially comes out! Check out the awesome and intriguing trailer...

Crush Control Blog Tour (with Giveaway!)

Crush Control
by Jennifer Jabaley

When Willow Grey was nine, her mom dropped the bomb of ultimate betrayal: they would be moving from their small town in Georgia to glitzy Las Vegas. Willow was devastated to have to leave her best friend, Max, behind. So she decided to take control of the situation: she told Max to relax, to let his eyelids droop and then she said: "Max Montgomery, for as long as we live, you and I will be best friends..."

Now, at seventeen, Willow and her mom move back to their hometown and Willow is determined to pick up where she and Max left off. But even though he's still her best friend, his heart now belongs to someone else—and Willow realizes that what she feels for him is so much more than just friendship. For the second time in her life, Willow finds herself using hypnosis to get what she wants. But what starts off as a harmless experiment soon spirals into chaos and Willow is forced to wonder: Is the heart really something you can control—with mind control? (description from author's website)

I've always been both fascinated and terrified by hypnotism. It's supposed to have helped a lot of people with really serious issues (I'd love a subliminal message somedays that NO, I do not need to eat that cupcake...) but when I think about hypnotism, what usually jumps right into my head first is those shows where people end up making total fools of themselves and I just can't even imagine volunteering to participate in something like that!

Imagine my delight when I started reading Crush Control and I realized that this book actually contains both of those exact types of hypnotism! Willow's mother has run a Vegas hypnotism show for nine years and so when they move back home to Georgia, Willow quickly gets talked into doing a "show" for the kids from school. This insta-hit (with the "funny" style hypnosis where people end up doing stupid things) leads to several of Willow's new friends to help them with various problems through hypnosis.

One of Willow's new friends is Mia, the Queen Bee of their school. Captain of the Cheer Squad, Mia's expected to do more and more intricate stunts. When her fear of heights overwhelms her, she turns to Willow for help. Willow, though reluctant, helps Mia to push past her fears. Having figured out what Willow had done for Mia, Quinton, a very hot guy from school asks Willow for help with sleepwalking issues. Again, Mia's not really sure if she should try to help. Her mother was the real hypnotist, after all, and has only just moved into the realm of therapeutic hypnosis, but Willow caves and studies her mom's books to know what she's doing.

Unable to help herself and totally frustrated with her unrequited feelings for her best friend, Max, Willow secretly hypnotizes Quinton to not only stop sleepwalking, but also become her boyfriend. Her uber-sensitive, caring, treat her like the goddess she is...boyfriend. Which, of course, totally backfires and leads to all kinds of high-jinks and worsening situations with Max, who not only doesn't like her relationship with Quinton, but also keeps telling her she shouldn't be doing any hypnosis.

Willow's voice (often in internal dialogue mode) sparkles throughout this funny and touching book. Even as she is totally unsure of herself, she works to make things work, to sound at least reasonably intelligent, and to keep from hurting anyone's feelings. She was a character that I totally got. Her pining for Max felt so realistic...I can remember having a crush just like that when I was younger!

The difficulties that Willow had with Quinton made me laugh out loud, even as I was cringing in embarrassment right alongside Willow. All girls want a little romance, but too much easily becomes smothering and poor, hypnotized Quinton went even a step beyond that to crazy!

While dealing with her new friends at school, Willow is also dealing with trying to reconcile her family. When they moved to Vegas nine years before, it was because Willow's mother and grandmother had a huge fight. Now, Willow's grandfather has had a stroke and they've come home to be closer to their family, but her mother and grandmother still can't get along. Once again, I totally related to Willow's struggle to please every member of her family while still wanting everyone to just get along and accept one another.

Touching and funny, poignant and thought-provoking, Jabaley's written a real winner. I can't wait now to go back and read her other novel, Lipstick Apology.

Thanks to Jennifer Jabaley's publisher, I am lucky enough to give away one copy of Crush Control! If you think you'd like to read it, please leave a comment with your name, email address, and a comment about hypnotism before Fri, July 8th. On Saturday, July 9th, I will randomly choose one winner and contact them to get their mailing address (limited to US/Canada per the publisher - sorry!).

Full disclosure: Review copy received from publisher for blog tour

Sucker Punch - Movie Review

Sucker Punch

I finally got the chance to see Sucker Punch now that it's out on DVD. I watched with my husband (who hated it) and my sister (who liked it, too) and I really enjoyed it. First off, the soundtrack is amazing! I'm always amazed how much music can affet everything. It was the perfect blend of melancholy, mixed with hard rock to pump up the action sequences.

The basic storyline was sad, but the dream sequences were exciting and full of girl-power moments, which I absolutely love. The special effects were awesome and those sequences were very steampunk-y, which rocked.

I loved the way that they were able to layer the different realities of the movie. To give the girls a mental escape, a place that they had power, even when they were really helpless. I also loved the realization and decision that Babydoll made at the end of the movie.

I thought it was very well done. I can see how some people (including my husband) would hate it, though. It's not a movie for everybody.

Kat, Incorrigible

Kat, Incorrigible
by Stephanie Burgis
The Unladylike Adventures of Kat Stephenson, book one

Katherine Ann Stephenson has just discovered that she's inherited her mother's magical talents, and despite Stepmama's stern objections, she's determined to learn how to use them. But with her eldest sister Elissa's intended fiance, the sinister Sir Neville, showing a dangerous interest in Kat's magical potential; her other sister, Angeline, wreaking romantic havoc with her own witchcraft; and a highwayman lurking in the forest, even Kat's reckless heroism will be tested to the upmost. If she can learn to control her new powers, will Kat be able to rescue her family and win her sisters their true love? (description from Amazon.com)

I love the storyline of this book. Kat discovers that she has inherited her mother's magic. Not just the "hedgewitch" magic that her sister, Angeline, embraces, but also the stronger - once in a generation - Guardian magic. It was interesting to see how the different magics played off one another and to see Kat embrace her new talents.

Kat and her sisters, Angeline, the one who secretly practices magic, and Elissa, whose notion of propriety won't even allow her to discuss magic, have such a great and realistic relationship. They bicker, they challenge one another, but they also stand together against all threats. As they each find their place, I cannot wait to see how they find one another in the next book, Renegade Magic.

In fact, I thoroughly look forward to seeing Kat do more magic, learn about the other mysterious Guardians, and begin to move in society in the next book! I'm hoping it will take place in London, but with the great Golden Hall as a meeting place for Guardians, Kat could be stuck out in the country still. We'll have to wait and see...

Kat is a spunky heroine that I cannot wait to see more of ASAP.

*Spoiler Alert*
How can you not love a story that ends with...
"I was twelve years of age when I cut my hair short, became a highwayman, and captured husbands for both of my sisters."
*End Spoiler*

2011 Debut Author Challenge title

In My Mailbox - July 3, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

On My Nook:

Heartless by Gail Carriger

For Review:

The Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz
*Thanks to Book it Forward ARC tours*


The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
Divergent by Veronica Roth
*Thanks to AudioFile Magazine for sending these on audio!*


The End of Time by P.W. Catanese
The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty
*Thanks to SLJ for sending these on audio!*

Bought:

Nightspell by Leah Cypess
(Couldn't pass this up! I was in the little bookstore at Grand Central Terminal in NYC on Tuesday with my Mom, getting her a book for her birthday, when I start perusing the YA shelves...I passed up Hourglass, though it was almost painful, and was about to leave when I pulled this one off the shelf. IT'S SIGNED! So, of course I picked it up to add to my collection. I loved this book! You can read my review here.)