Populazzi Winner!!

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

Laura Kay!!

Laura, check your email...you have until Saturday, August 27th to contact me with your mailing address so we can send the book out to you. Congratulations again!

Cosmic

Cosmic
by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Liam has always felt a bit like he's stuck between two worlds. This is primarily because he's a twelve-year-old kid who looks like he's about thirty. Sometimes it's not so bad, like when his new principal mistakes him for a teacher on the first day of school or when he convinces a car dealer to let him take a Porsche out on a test drive. But mostly it's just frustrating, being a kid trapped in an adult world. And so he decides to flip things around. Liam cons his way onto the first spaceship to take civilians into space, a special flight for a group of kids and an adult chaperone, and he is going as the adult chaperone. It's not long before Liam, along with his friends, is stuck between two worlds again—only this time he's 239,000 miles from home. (description from Amazon.com)

What a great middle grade science fiction adventure! This book had me laughing out loud...and tearing up in some moments. Liam is a great kid and has a great opportunity to find out what it's like to be an adult...without growing up! I loved his attempts to be just like his father, or really what he thinks his father is like... It was hilarious to see a 12 year old acting like his perception of the adults around him.

It was really touching as he realized all the things that parents do for their children and he really came to appreciate (and miss!) his own father. Though there were many, many funny moments along the way, this book had a lot of heart. The way that this experience influences his relationship with his parents and the other kids he's friends with was really cool to read. I ended this book with a huge smile on my face!

Mercy: The Last New England Vampire

Mercy: The Last New England Vampire
by Sarah Thomson

Fourteen-year-old Haley is struggling to cope with her stepmom and baby brother, with her beloved cousin's terminal illness, and with dropping grades at school. When she digs deep into her family history for a school project, she uncovers a disturbing New England tradition and a ghostly past. Haley must overcome her doubts and confront a vampire in order to save herself and her family. (description from Amazon.com)

In a crazy slew of vampire novels, this short tale by Sarah Thomson stands out. It's a fantastic blend of historical fiction and a chilling ghost story. This gives a new twist to the origin of vampirism and ties into a real and scary time in New England's history. Haley's school project is a perfect device to bring the historical background into this tale.

Haley is a great character. She's trying desperately to hold it together, to deal with her real-life issues. Being only fourteen, she is totally believable in both her terror and her tenaciousness. Her relationship with her father, stepmother, and baby brother is totally believable. The grief she feels and the resolute determination she has to try and save her dying cousin brought tears to my eyes.

A quick and interesting read. I'll be looking for more books by Sarah Thomson in the future.

Full disclosure: Review copy received to review for VOYA

In My Mailbox - August 21, 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!

Nook Freebies!:


Fallen from Grace by M.J. Putney
The Magnificant 12: The Call by Michael Grant
Turned at Dark by C.C. Hunter

From the Library:

Black Night by Christina Henry

Populazzi Blog Tour and Giveaway!

Populazzi
by Elise Allen

Cara has never been one of those girls: confident, self-possessed, and always ready with the perfect thing to say. A girl at the very top of the popularity tower. One of the Populazzi.

Now, junior year could change everything. Cara’s moving to a new school, and her best friend urges her to seize the moment—with the help of the Ladder. Its rungs are relationships, and if Cara transforms into the perfect girlfriend for guys ever-higher on the tower, she’ll reach the ultimate goal: Supreme Populazzi.

The Ladder seems like a lighthearted social experiment, a straight climb up, but it quickly becomes gnarled and twisted. And when everything goes wrong, only the most audacious act Cara can think of has a chance of setting things even a little bit right. (description from Amazon.com)

A mostly hilarious (only slightly cringe-inducing) roller coaster ride through the rungs of popularity! Wow. Elise Allen nailed the clique scene at most high schools. You've got the populazzi (also known in popular culture as the perfects/the plastics/the elite/the upper eschelon), your cool outsiders, your cool club based cliques, your not so cool club based cliques, your fringe kids, and your dorks. Yup. It's all there and it's all realistic. I was amazed how quickly this book threw me right back in to my high school years...hence the cringes.

Allen's writing is fresh and fun. The cringes were all due to my memories, not the story, I promise! Though there are moments when I felt bad for Cara and her best friend Claudia...they just want to fit in sooo badly. I've totally been there. It takes a lot of guts to stand out and just be yourself. I have to say that some of my favorite characters in the book were the kids who just did that. They were just into what they were into and they didn't care what anyone else thought. Kudos! If we all could be that self possessed in high school the world would be a much better place!

Anyway, Cara's journey up the ladder to the populazzi is fun to read, funny, and rings totally true. The dialogue works, even in the quirky discussions where Shakespeare is sprinkled in, or kids randomly drop into song. The interactions between the teens absolutely reminded me of my high school years, including the embarrasing moments... I loved how Cara sees and experiences all different sections of the high school experience before figuring out where she really feels comfortable. It was a fun journey.

Want to climb the rungs of popularity to mingle with the populazzi? Enter to win a free, finished copy of Populazzi! Leave me a comment with your name and an email address before Monday, August 22nd. On Tues., August 23rd, I will randomly choose a winner and contact them for their address (must be US/Canada only per publisher, sorry!). Good luck!!!

Full disclosure: review copy received from publisher

The Murder of Bindy MacKenzie

The Murder of Bindy MacKenzie
by Jaclyn Moriarty
Companion book to The Year of Secret Assignments

Bindy Mackenzie is the smartest girl at Ashbury High. She memorizes class outlines to help her teachers. She records transcripts of everything said around her. She offers helpful critiques for her fellow students. And she wears crazy nail polish to show she's a free spirit.

But then Bindy's life begins to fall apart. She can't stop feeling sleepy and she fails an exam for the first time ever. And--worst of all--she just doesn't care. What could be the cause of all these strange events? Is it conspiracy? Is it madness? Is it . . . murder?

Lots of people hate Bindy Mackenzie--but who would actually want to kill her? The answer is in Bindy's transcripts. The detectives are her fellow students. But Bindy has made every one of them into an enemy . . . and time is running out. (description from Amazon.com)

As with The Year of Secret Assignments Moriarty's companion book is made up of letters...or in this case, memos. Here there are also emails, philosophical musings, and Bindy's favorite pastime...transcripts. I love getting to learn a story through people's written interactions. I think it's really interesting and fascinating in the modern world with so many possible forms of written interaction.

In fact, when I "read" this book, it was actually as an audio book and this is one case where I really feel that you get more out of reading the text. There were parts where the narrator had to emphasize words in strange ways in order to let the listener know that something was different in the written form, but she could not explain it. It definitely felt in spots like you were missing a whole layer to the story. I actually ended up picking up the book afterwards to flip through and visually explore the text.

Anyway, the story ended up being fascinating. After I got past my slight confusion at the beginning of the text and after I got past Bindy's slightly overbearing personality, I got totally sucked into the plot. As more and more was revealed about Bindy's life, her relationship with fellow students, her secrets, I became enthralled. From the outside, I was as put off as her fellow classmates, but once I'd gotten her back story, once she'd opened up, I actually empathized a lot with Bindy. I remember quite a few times that my reactions to classmates and groups were just the same as hers. I hope I wasn't quite as superior sounding!

With the way that Bindy appears to be slowly losing her mind - a stress induced condition - it was really, really intriguing to consider the possibility that Bindy might actually be in danger. That someone wants to kill her. I loved how it all wound together in the end. The way that her classmates and family end up helping Bindy was really satisfying, too. Very well done.

Full disclosure: Audio book received to review for SLJ

Bad Taste in Boys

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. (description from Amazon.com)

Short. Sweet. Sarcastic. Smart.
Veronica Mars meet Buffy the Vampire Slayer...okay, now create a happy little zombie fighting sleuth and voila! Kate Grable.

Kate, Kate, Kate. I <3 Kate. She is one smart cookie. She's also hilariously blasé about shuffling, hungry, black vomit hurtling zombies that are continuously losing body parts in her vacinity.

With a guy who actually appreciates her for her brains (yes, my inner - I mean 0uter, I mean inner...whatever - nerd screamed "Yes!!!"), two best friends who love and support her and try to also break her out of her "nerdy" shell, and a brother that is willing to fight zombies alongside her, Kate is one lucky chick. I'm a little jealous, honestly!

For a quick, snappy, hilarious zombie book, run out and pick up Bad Taste in Boys. There will be NO bad taste left in your mouth. *snort* I know, I know...I couldn't resist. Anyway, two dismembered thumbs way, way up!!

2011 Debut Author Challenge title
2011 Zombie Reading Challenge title

WANT!!! Minimalist posters for your favorite children's stories

Saw a great link to this site with MINIMALIST posters for your favorite children's stories.

These are amazing! My personal favorite is the Little Red Riding Hood one.
So simple, yet so evocative! LURVE...want.

And for my friend Becca over at Alice: Journey of a Fake Writer...

Here's another great Alice cover for you!!

I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend

I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend
by Cora Harrison

When shy Jenny Cooper goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing of the world of beautiful dresses, dances, secrets, gossip, and romance that Jane inhabits. At fifteen, Jane is already a sharp observer of the customs of courtship. So when Jenny falls utterly in love with Captain Thomas Williams, who better than Jane to help her win the heart of this dashing man?

But is that even possible? After all, Jenny’s been harboring a most desperate secret. Should it become known, it would bring scandal not only to her, but also to the wonderful Austen family. What’s a poor orphan girl to do? (description from Amazon.com)

There were aspects of this book I truly loved, and parts that fell a little more flat for me. While I thought that you could really tell the author did a lot of research and Jane Austen sparkled through the text, little details I would have loved (descriptions of dress styles, for one) were missing. I really loved Jenny and Jane's relationship, the family dynamics, and the inclusion of Jane's sick (possibly epileptic) brother, George. Jenny's relationships with many of the men around her confounded me a little, though.

Her emotions seemed to jump from one extreme to another, and though many sixteen year olds do develop quick crushes, Jenny seemed to have no real emotional loyalty to the man she loves. I did find their romance sweet, if very, very quick!, and was rooting for them, but was also not fully swayed to believe that they truly felt that strongly for one another.

While I enjoyed reading this book, and I really did...the format with diary entries, snippets of Jane's writing, and little drawings was very fun to read...I did not love this book as I know others have. Perhaps I'm just not a big enough Jane Austen fan?

In My Mailbox - August 14, 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!

Borrowed:

Another Pan by Daniel and Dina Nayeri
The Final Alice by Alycia Ripley
*Thanks to Becca at Alice: Journey of a Fake Writer!

For Review:

The Shattering by Karen Healey


From the Library:

Darke by Angie Sage
The Bones of the Holy by Jennifer Allison

The Gollywhopper Games

The Gollywhopper Games
by Jody Feldman

Are you ready?

Gil Goodson's future happiness depends on winning the Golly Toy & Game Company's ultimate competition. If Gil wins, his dad has promised that the family can move away from all the gossip, false friends, and bad press that have plagued them ever since The Incident. Inside the toy company's fantastic headquarters, Gil will have to master trivia, solve puzzles, and complete physical stunts—and he'll have to do it better than all of the other kids competing.

Oh, and did we mention that Gil's every step—and every mistake—will be broadcast on national television? Hold on tight, because the ride of his life is about to begin! (description from Amazon.com)

I love riddles. I love toys. I love the fantastic. Is it any wonder, I loved The Gollywhopper Games?? Reminiscent of Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Feldman even states this was one of her inspirations), this book again captures the wonder that children can find in almost anything and there is nothing more exciting than going through a giant toy factory if you are under...well, let's say 75~ lol.

I loved the concept of the games that these kids got to participate in. I was trying to solve the puzzles right alongside. The only thing I thought could have been improved was that in some spots, the author presents the riddles as they are being solved, giving the reader little time to try to solve them on their own. A great example of books with riddles that you can try to solve "before" the kids is The Mysterious Benedict Society series.

I loved not only just the fantastical things in this book, but also Gil's family's storyline. Poor Gil has been ostracized because people think his father stole from the Golly Toy & Game Company. When the truth is finally revealed, I cheered! It was a good and pretty believable ending. A bad guy who was bad, but not totally... well done.

For a quick and fun read, try picking up this great middle grade puzzle book!

Ruby Red

Ruby Red
by Kerstin Gier
Ruby Red Trilogy, book one

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!

Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust. (description from Amazon.com)

I loved this book! With romance, time travel, adventure, betrayal, jealousy, secrets, and humor...this book hit all the right notes for me!

I am a huge fan of well done time travel books and this one was really intriguingly done. I love the science based bloodline of travelers. They are still not fully sure of how everything works...and there's a prophecy. Gier really put lots of little details into both the process and the periods that are visited. I love to delve into the little bits of everyday life that really show a time period...especially through clothing. I am obsessed with picking up tidbits about period dress and this book had some great details. I think what I loved most in that respect was that not only did she focus on Gwyneth's disguises, but how many details she revealed about mens' clothes in past times!!

Every time Gwyneth and Gideon giggled over each other's outfits, every snarky comment back and forth, every...well, I can't reveal it all! Anyway, I loved how believable Gwyneth and Gideon were. Gwyneth, her mother, and her aunt knew about the traveling gene in their family, knew that they did not know it all, and still Gwyneth muddled through her time travels brilliantly. When she first meets Gideon and he disdains her lack of training, but then comes to know her and they become friends, everything felt very natural. This is no starry eyed instant connection. There's even a time twist!

When betrayal, jealousy, and secrets throw them for a loop...a time loop, in fact, some big revelations are made. My only complaint about this book - it ended with such a great cliffhanger, that I want book two, Sapphire Blue, immediately!!

*Side note - I also love the cover. It's beautiful and even more lush in person!*

Full disclosure: Copy received from publisher for review

Retribution Winner!

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

Martha Lawson!!

Martha, check your email...you have until Friday, August 12th to contact me with your mailing address so we can send the book out to you. Congratulations again!

It Gets Better

It Gets Better: Coming Out, Overcoming Bullying, and Creating a Life Worth Living
Ed. by Dan Savage and Terry Miller

Every story can change a life.

Growing up isn't easy. Many young people face daily tormenting and bullying, making them feel like they have nowhere to turn. This is especially true for LGBT kids and teens who often hide their sexuality for fear of bullying. Without other openly gay adults and mentors in their lives, they can't imagine what their future may hold. In many instances, gay and lesbian adolescents are taunted - even tortured - simply for being themselves.

After a number of tragic suicides by LGBT students who were bullied in school, syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage uploaded a video to YouTube with his partner Terry Miller to inspire hope for LGBT youth facing harassment. Speaking openly about the bullying they suffered as teenagers, and how they both went on to lead rewarding adult lives, their video launched the It Gets Better Project YouTube channel and initiated a worldwide phenomenon. With over 6,000 videos posted and over 20 million views in the first three months alone, the world has embraced the opportunity to provide personal, honest and heartfelt support for LGBT youth everywhere.

It Gets Better is a collection of expanded essays and new material from celebrities, everyday people and teens who have posted videos of encouragement, as well as new contributors who have yet to post videos to the site. While many of these teens couldn't see a positive future for themselves, we can. We can show LGBT youth the levels of happiness, potential and positivity their lives will reach if they can just get through their teen years. By sharing these stories, It Gets Better reminds teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone - and it WILL get better. (description from Amazon.com)

I am truly proud to have this book in my library collection. Though I am not homosexual, many people are, and finally...finally, people are starting to openly accept this in our society. However, the changes that we've seen - celebrities opening up about their homosexuality, homosexual marriages becoming legal in some states, etc. - are still not quite trickling down to the day to day existence of most teens in the US.

In too many places, teens are ridiculing other teens' sexual preferences because of either their own insecurities or the prejudices they've been raised with. A book like this, built on the YouTube phenomenon project "It Gets Better," really will help individual teens to remember that they are not alone. There are people that they can talk to and if they can just make it through to becoming an adult, it will become better.

This book does not promote the illusion that one day *click* everything will just fall in to place and their lives will be perfect and conflict-free. What it does is shares stories of people who have made it to a better place. Maybe not the perfect place, but one where suicide is not a daily consideration...where the average person around you does not belittle you...where you can actually be who you are without worrying about the consequences.

In reality, this is not just something that LGBT teens long for...it's so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives as teenagers. Everything feels so horrifically dramatic when you can't quite seem to figure out who you are. This is the same, no matter your sexuality. This is really why a book like this is important. Not only does it support LGBT teens, but heterosexual teens (and adults) can benefit from reading, as well. Each vignette serves as a reminder that for every time you ever felt bullied and belittled, someone else did too, for whatever reason. If this causes you to say one nice thing to one person each day, then the book did a world of good!!

Shimmer

Shimmer
by Alyson Noel
Riley Bloom series, book two

Having solved the matter of the Radiant Boy, Riley, Buttercup, and Bodhi are enjoying a well-deserved vacation. When Riley comes across a vicious black dog, against Bodhi’s advice, she decides to cross him over. While following the dog, she runs into a young ghost named Rebecca. Despite Rebecca’s sweet appearance, Riley soon learns she’s not at all what she seems. As the daughter of a former plantation owner, she is furious about being murdered during a slave revolt in 1733. Mired in her own anger, Rebecca is lashing out by keeping the ghosts who died along with her trapped in their worst memories. Can Riley help Rebecca forgive and forget without losing herself to her own nightmarish memories? (description from Amazon.com)

Riley's story once again just struck a total chord with me and I found myself tearing up in two really excellent scenes. Though I did really enjoy the books in the Immortals series, I don't think I ever really connected like I do with Riley's books. There is just something so emotionally pulling for me in her afterlife quest to grow more mature, both physically and emotionally.

I LOVED the connection in this book to the real life story of the slave revolts in St. John in 1733. To see the actions from both sides and how the emotional fallout stuck with everyone...that was powerful. When Riley is able to bring the souls to a state of forgiveness...WOW. I cried. I'll admit it. Alyson Noel did a great job not only dreaming up a really cool way to have souls relive horrors of their lives, but also a way to find redemption.

Noel's imagination never fails me. I love how there are layers of complexity in the Here&Now. Every scene adds something to the world. Such a good series! I can't wait for book number three, Dreamland (out in fall 2011).

Full disclosure: Received from publisher for review

In My Mailbox - August 7, 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!

For Review:

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
Everybody Sees the Ants by A. S. King
Wintertown by Steve Emond



Bunheads by Sophie Flack
The Phantom Limb by William Sleator

*A HUGE thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sending me a small box o'books...you rock!!*


From the Library:

Overbite by Meg Cabot
Skin Hunger by Kathleen Duey
Rip Tide by Kat Falls



All Unquiet Things by Anna Jarzab

Won!!:

Love Story by Jennifer Echols
*Thank you so much to Chick Lit Teens and Simon and Schuster!!*

Sirensong

Sirensong
by Jenna Black
Faeriewalker, book three

When Dana is invited to Faerie to be officially presented at the Seelie Court, it’s no easy decision. After all, everyone knows Titania, the Seelie Queen, wants her dead. But Titania claims not to be the one behind the death threats; and her son, Prince Henry, makes the decision a whole lot easier when he suggests Dana might be arrested for (supposedly) conspiring with her aunt Grace to usurp the Seelie throne. So she and her father better do as they're told . . .

The journey through Faerie is long—and treacherous. Dana thought it would be a good idea to have friends along, but her sort-of-boyfriend, Ethan, and her bodyguard’s son, Keane, just can’t seem to get along, and Kimber’s crush on Keane isn’t making things any easier. When a violent attack separates Dana from their caravan, the sexy Erlking saves her just in the nick of time . . . and makes it clear that he hasn’t given up on making her his own.

Arriving at Titania’s beautiful palace should be a relief. But Dana is soon implicated in an assassination attempt against Titania’s granddaughter, and is suddenly a fugitive, forced to leave her father behind as she and her friends flee for their lives. Will she be able to prove her innocence before the forces of the Seelie Court—or, worse, the Erlking—catch up with her? And will she save her father before he pays the ultimate price in her stead? (description from Amazon.com)

In this third book in the series, Dana actually ventures into the world of Faerie. Having seen what her faeriewalker powers can do in Avalon, I was really excited to see what they were like in Faerie. I was not disappointed.

I loved getting to see the court politics amongst the Fae. The formal dinners, the posturing, the attempted assassinations... Then there is the smaller version of this amongst just the family and friends that Dana has in Avalon! Her father, who is quietly demonstrative and a little overprotective. Her protectors, Finn, and his arrogant son, Keane. Of course there is also her best friend, Kimber, and her fantastically hot brother, Ethan.

Oh. Did I mention the Erlking? He is one of my all time favorite "bad boys." A man who makes no bones about what he wants to do (hunt people down), has no shame about forcing others to do his will, and yet, seems strangely compelled to protect Dana. I love to read the Erlking's interactions with Dana.

With danger, intrigue, magic, and lusty moments, this series is vastly entertaining. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!

Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon - Giveaway!!

The lovely people at St. Martin's Press and Zieghost Media have given me the opportunity to give away one copy of Retribution by Sherrilyn Kenyon, the newest book in one of my FAVORITE series!!



Harm no human…

A hired gunslinger, William Jessup Brady lived his life with one foot in the grave. He believed that every life had a price. Until the day when he finally found a reason to live. In one single act of brutal betrayal, he lost everything, including his life. Brought back by a Greek goddess to be one of her Dark-Hunters, he gave his immortal soul for vengeance and swore he’d spend eternity protecting the humans he’d once considered prey.

Orphaned as a toddler, Abigail Yager was taken in by a family of vampires and raised on one belief—Dark-Hunters are the evil who prey on both their people and mankind, and they must all be destroyed. While protecting her adoptive race, she has spent her life eliminating the Dark-Hunters and training for the day when she meeting the man who killed her family: Jess Brady.

A gun in the hand is worth two in the holster…

Jess has been charged with finding and terminating the creature who’s assassinating Dark-Hunters. The last thing he expects to find is a human face behind the killings, but when that face bears a striking resemblance to the one who murdered him centuries ago, he knows something evil is going on. He also knows he’s not the one who killed her parents. But Abigail refuses to believe the truth and is determined to see him dead once and for all.

Brought together by an angry god and chased by ancient enemies out to kill them both, they must find a way to overcome their mutual hatred or watch as one of the darkest of powers rises and kills both the races they’ve sworn to protect. (description from Amazon.com)

One of the best things about the Dark-Hunters series is that even if you've never read any of the other books, there is an over-arching story to the series, BUT each has it's own individual story with great characters...so each can be read alone. Though I've read from the beginning of the series, I've known people who have just read one or two of the books out of order and enjoyed them just as much.

If you think you'd like to give it a shot, feel free to enter to win this copy! :)

You have until Wed. Aug. 10th to leave a comment with your name and email address. I will randomly choose a winner on Thurs. Aug. 11th and you will have until Sat. Aug. 13th to get me your mailing address (US and Canada only per publisher) to give to the publisher. Good Luck!!

The Eleventh Plague

The Eleventh Plague
by Jeff Hirsch

In an America devastated by war and plague, the only way to survive is to keep moving. In the aftermath of a war, America’s landscape has been ravaged and two thirds of the population left dead from a vicious strain of influenza. Fifteen-year-old Stephen Quinn and his family were among the few that survived and became salvagers, roaming the country in search of material to trade for food and other items essential for survival. But when Stephen’s grandfather dies and his father falls into a coma after an accident, Stephen finds his way to Settler’s Landing, a community that seems too good to be true, where there are real houses, barbecues,a school, and even baseball games. Then Stephen meets strong, defiant, mischievous Jenny, who refuses to accept things as they are. And when they play a prank that goes horribly wrong, chaos erupts, and they find themselves in the midst of a battle that will change Settler’s Landing forever. (description from Amazon.com)

One of the dystopian novels that has really stuck with me after reading is Cormac McCarthy's The Road. Hirsch's new book reminds me of The Road in all the best ways. Though it is a (and I hesitate to use this word) lighter feeling novel than the classic, it hits all the same notes. Now by lighter, I just mean that there is slightly more of a sense of hope...partially because the main character is a teen...not that it is in any way less than The Road.

The Eleventh Plague takes a teen to the breaking point in a seemingly unforgiving world. When Stephen finds himself alone and not on the trail, but in a town, he has no idea what to do with himself. His entire world has gone upside down. As he begins to fit into Settler's Landing, he discovers that even the idyllic hides ugliness. Hirsch raises questions about discrimination, racism, morality and consistently presents Stephen with a world that is layered and impressively realistic.

Amid the flaws that Stephen must continously face in the humanity around him, he also finds little jewels. People willing to step up to save one another. People who fall in love. People who help one another without thought to the consequences. That is the hope that this novel has...The Road only shows the barest glimpse of better possibilities, but here a reader could truly believe that even in the darkest night, dawn is still coming.

Finally, this book has a realistic and satisfying ending. It's not perfect...there are still moments of fear, but there is also happiness. I really enjoyed the whole book and felt that it ended just right. Kudos to Hirsch!

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

The Demon Trapper's Daughter

The Demon Trapper's Daughter
by Jana Oliver
Demon Trappers, book one

Riley Blackthorne just needs a chance to prove herself – and that’s exactly what the demons are counting on…

Seventeen-year-old Riley, the only daughter of legendary Demon Trapper, Paul Blackthorne, has always dreamed of following in her father's footsteps. The good news is, with human society seriously disrupted by economic upheaval and Lucifer increasing the number of demons in all major cities, Atlanta’s local Trappers’ Guild needs all the help they can get – even from a girl. When she’s not keeping up with her homework or trying to manage her growing crush on fellow apprentice, Simon, Riley’s out saving distressed citizens from foul-mouthed little devils – Grade One Hellspawn only, of course, per the strict rules of the Guild. Life’s about as normal as can be for the average demon-trapping teen.

But then a Grade Five Geo-Fiend crashes Riley’s routine assignment at a library, jeopardizing her life and her chosen livelihood. And, as if that wasn’t bad enough, sudden tragedy strikes the Trappers’ Guild, spinning Riley down a more dangerous path than she ever could have imagined. As her whole world crashes down around her, who can Riley trust with her heart – and her life? (description from Amazon.com)

I got totally sucked into this world. The concept of a world where demons come out into the open and are hunted or trapped was just cool. I loved every time a new detail was added, helping to layer the complexities of the Demon Trappers world. With so many different types of demons and ways to combat them, I was never bored or able to predict how fights would go...

Riley was a great character, too. So easy to root for! With a famous father to follow and being the only girl in her Trappers' Guild, the odds are slightly stacked against her. Yet, Riley's allies are wonderful and willing to put things on the line for her. I loved seeing how all of the relationships around her developed. (Yes, I do have to admit to some, "Come on, come on, can't you see how he really feels about you??" moments, too!)

Though Oliver's writing read a little slower for me than some other authors, I never once wanted to put the book down. In fact, I'm really impatiently waiting for book two, Soul Thief to come out on August 30th!!

OMG. I want this title NOW, please!

Diana Peterfreund (whom I LOVE!!!) is releasing a totally different book, For Darkness Shows the Stars in the summer of 2012. She describes it as a post-apocalyptic retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion.

Generations ago, a genetic experiment gone wrong—the Reduction—decimated humanity, giving rise to a Luddite nobility who outlawed most technology.

Eighteen-year-old Luddite Elliot North has always known her place in this caste system. Four years ago Elliot refused to run away with her childhood sweetheart, the servant Kai, choosing duty to her family’s estate over love. But now the world has changed: a new class of Post-Reductionists is jumpstarting the wheel of progress and threatening Luddite control; Elliot’s estate is floundering; and she’s forced to rent land to the mysterious Cloud Fleet, a group of shipbuilders that includes renowned explorer Captain Malakai Wentforth—an almost unrecognizable Kai. And while Elliott wonders if this could be their second chance, Kai seems determined to show Elliot exactly what she gave up when she abandoned him.

But Elliot soon discovers her childhood friend carries a secret—one that could change the society in which they live…or bring it to its knees. And again, she’s faced with a choice: cling to what she’s been raised to believe, or cast her lot with the only boy she’s ever loved, even if she has lost him forever.

Inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, FOR DARKNESS SHOWS THE STARS is a breathtaking romance about opening your mind to the future and your heart to the one person you know can break it.

Can I just say, whoa?! I cannot wait to dive into this one...and next summer is SOOOO far away!

For more information, you can check Diana Peterfreund's website, or read this interview that Diana did on Presenting Lenore's blog!

Sweet Venom - How Did I Love Thee? A Pictorial Teaser!!

So, I just finished Tera Lynn Child's newest book, Sweet Venom, and it is my favorite book of hers to date. It's too early to post a real review, yet...so I'll just show you some fun pictures of some of my favorite things in the book and let you simmer.


Hopefully, this is intriguing enough to entice you to check out Tera Lynn Child's website and to think about reading Sweet Venom when it comes out on September 6th!!

Retribution - Book Trailer

I am so excited! Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of my favorite authors and she has a new book coming out on August 2nd. This book, Retribution, is part of her adult Dark Hunters series. Whether you are a YA reader familiar with her Chronicles of Nick series, or you know her Dark Hunters series already this new book is definitely worth checking out... I can't wait to get my hands on it!


Retribution
by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Publication date: Aug 2, 2011

In My Mailbox - July 31, 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!

For Review:

The Cruisers: Checkmate by Walter Dean Myers


Bought:

Sirensong by Jenna Black
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
*Borders Sale - used up a gift card we had laying around!


From the Library:

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols
Circle of Fire by Michelle Zink
Birdie's Book by Jan Bozaroth

Any exciting new books for you this week??