Quickie Novella Review: Goddess in Time

Goddess in Time
by Tera Lynn Childs
Oh. My. Gods Novella 

As a descendant of Greek gods, Nicole has attended the Academy alongside other students with magical powers on a Greek island. Life is pretty perfect—except for the fact that she was sentenced to stay there because of a childhood prank that also resulted in her parents' banishment. When Nicole discovers a book that teaches the forbidden magic of time travel, she knows she must take a chance to right her wrong. With the help of her friends Troy and Phoebe, Nicole sets off on a quest that will take her from the heights of Mt. Olympus to the ocean depths of Poseidon's home and to the bowels of Hades. Can she mend her mistakes? And is changing the past, what she really wants? The past and future combine in thrilling, unpredictable ways—especially when Greek gods are involved! (Description from Goodreads.com)

I was so happy when I finally got to read Nicole's story! Not knowing who her Greek God ancestor was had been driving me crazy with speculation. I loved who it turned out to be, too. Very clever TLC, very clever. It was neat to read a whole story from Nicole's perspective, too. It really fleshed her out into more of a fully-faceted character and made me feel more for her.  I truly loved diving back into this world and my only complaint was that this novella was too short! I hope there's more coming soon!! 

Full Disclosure: Purchased for my Nook 

Gold Star Review: The Wicked Within

The Wicked Within 
by Kelly Keaton
Gods and Monsters, book three

Her fate is not set in stone.

Having temporarily defeated Athena, Ari races to break the gorgon curse that has plagued the women in her family for centuries. Her one lead sends her on a quest for the Hands of Zeus, an ancient relic last seen in the charge of New 2’s ruling elite, the Novem. But if there is one thing that Athena desires as much as revenge, it’s the Hands of Zeus—and Athena always gets what she wants.

Before either can locate the Hands, the statue goes missing, and a trail of blood follows those who once protected the relic’s secrets. Ari knows that her city, her friends, Sebastian—her life—depend upon her finding the statue before Athena. And with rumors an ancient power is on the rise, that may not be her only concern…(description from Amazon.com)

So...let me remind you that I LOVE this series. Both Darkness Becomes Her and A Beautiful Evil received gold star reviews on my blog.  The lusciously creepy setting of a dystopian New Orleans coupled with an amazing cast of intriguing characters and a great integration of ancient mythology into the near future makes this series a total winner in my book. 

As this is the third book in the trilogy, I don't want to spoil the ending, so this review is going to be a little brief.  I will tell you that I loved how things turned out... there were depths and nuances to each character and their reactions to events that really continued to flesh out the world and show a testament to Keaton's choices.  We FINALLY got to find out exactly what Violet is... and boy, was that surprise worth it. I love Ari and Violet's relationship.  We also see how things develop between Ari and Sebastian... 

My one and only complaint about this book was that it's supposed to be the end of the trilogy! I can't believe it... not only did it leave a few things unanswered that I'm dying to know, but these are also characters that I would LOVE to get to read more about.  

This is basically me BEGGING Kelly Keaton for more... please!

However, as that is a tongue-in-cheek complaint, rather than a true one, I also want to give this book a GOLD STAR. My first one for 2014...for one heck of a series "ender." 

Full disclosure: Purchased on my Nook

What's On My Hold List?

Welcome to the April 2013 edition

 

of

 

"What's on My Hold List?"

 

One of the most beautiful things about working in a Library is that I have the ability to put lots of things on hold and read them *before* I buy!! These are some of the books that I'm currently waiting for, though I may buy one or two of them after reading, as well.

Dark Star 

by Bethany Frenette

Going Vintage 

by Lindsey Leavitt

Pandora Gets Frightened

by Carolyn Hennesy

School Spirits

by Rachel Hawkins

You can click on each title to go to their Amazon page for a description...

 

So, these are the books I'm waiting anxiously to get my hands on...what are you waiting for??

Movie Trailer - Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters

While I didn't *hate* the first Percy Jackson movie, it definitely did not live up to my love for the book...
This trailer for the second movie, though, looks like they've made some improvements!! I can't wait to see it and find out. What do you think?

Sweet Shadows

Sweet Shadows

by Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Venom, book two

Gretchen may have known she was a descendant of Medusa long before her sisters—after all, she's spent her life fighting the monsters that escape the abyss—but that doesn't mean it will be easy to teach the other girls the ropes. Can she rely on Grace and Greer, or even trust herself to keep them safe? Greer has pressing social commitments on her plate and precious little time to train in her newfound powers. But that wretched second sight won't leave her alone, and her fabled heritage seems to be creeping into her fashionable life.

Grace has worries closer to home—like why her brother, Thane, has disappeared. He's hiding something. Could it possibly be related to the secret heritage the triplets share?

With the warring factions among the gods of Olympus coming for them, the creatures of the abyss pushing into their world, and the boys in their lives keeping secrets at every turn, the three girls must figure out where their fate will take them and how to embrace the shadows of their legacy. (description from Amazon.com)

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO SWEET SHADOWS!!

I am a huge fan of Tera Lynn Childs's writing style.  If you want a fun, easy to read book, you can pick up any one of her titles and throroughly enjoy yourself. There is always a little element of romance and there is also plenty of adventure.

In this series, TLC has definitely taken things up a notch. Not only are there three main characters, the triplets Gretchen, Greer, and Grace, to juggle, but each has her own day-to-day teen problems...and a prophecy that leaves them hunting monsters and running for their lives in their spare time. :P

This book was impossible to put down. From the first page, the girls were battling monsters, uncovering big secrets, and well, trying to figure things out with the help...inadvertantly, of course, of the cute boys in their lives! After the girls had discovered one another in the first book, Sweet Venom, they had still been somewhat  uneasy with one another. Here, though, readers get to watch the girls turn to one another. They start to not only depend upon one anothers' talents, but also to seek each other out for emotional support. I truly think that was my favorite aspect of the book.

I cannot wait to find out all the secrets that are still just out of reach in the next book! I, for one, am *DYING* to know exactly what Grace's brother, Thane's, big secret is...  he definitely knows a lot more about what's happening than he lets on. 

Full disclosure: Signed ARC received from author for honest review

Sweet Venom

Sweet Venom
by Tera Lynn Childs
Publication date: Sept. 6, 2011

Grace just moved to San Francisco and is excited to start over at a new school. The change is full of fresh possibilities, but it’s also a tiny bit scary. It gets scarier when a minotaur walks in the door. And even more shocking when a girl who looks just like her shows up to fight the monster.

Gretchen is tired of monsters pulling her out into the wee hours, especially on a school night, but what can she do? Sending the minotaur back to his bleak home is just another notch on her combat belt. She never expected to run into this girl who could be her double, though.

Greer has her life pretty well put together, thank you very much. But that all tilts sideways when two girls who look eerily like her appear on her doorstep and claim they’re triplets, supernatural descendants of some hideous creature from Greek myth, destined to spend their lives hunting monsters.

These three teenage descendants of Medusa, the once-beautiful Gorgon maligned in myth, must reunite and embrace their fates in this unique paranormal world where monsters lurk in plain sight. (description from Amazon.com)

Ok, so I already read this book a few weeks ago and published my pictorial teaser (check it out here) because I couldn't wait to say something about how much I loved this book!

First off, Tera has such an easy to read and engaging writing style. I love everything that she writes just from that standpoint. Then, you add in awesome characters, mythology, fun details and BAM! You have a winner.

I loved that this book was set in San Fransisco. It's one of those cities that has it's own character and mystique, adding another layer to the storyline. (And now, I really can't wait to see it myself someday!) The trolleys, the restaurants, the wharfs, the, well everything just seems soooo cool.

I loved that this book had three main characters. It was such fun learning about each. Their likes, dislikes, quirks, etc. and they are three very different girls! I had a blast imagining meeting each one and seeing how they reacted to different situations (and each other...). So far, my favorite is Grace. She's the easiest for me to relate to, but all of the girls are interesting in different ways.

I thought this book was action packed, funny, and had a really interesting mythology built into it. I CANNOT wait to read "Sweet Venom 2" (the title's going to be revealed SOON!!) and I think that this really is my favorite of Tera's books so far.

Full disclosure: review copy received from publisher

Sweet Venom 2 - Title Hunt!!

To help celebrate Sweet Venom's release next week, Tera Lynn Childs is hosting a little contest to see if you can figure out the title for the second book in the series, due out next fall. *squee!*

Many different bloggers are revealing letters that are contained in the title. If you can unscramble them and fill in the title boxes (see below), then you can enter the contest on Tera's website. What are the prizes? Tera's giving away FIVE signed copies of Sweet Venom and a grand prize $50 book store gift card! *Awesome, right?*


If you'd like to participate, don't forget to jump over to Tera's blog, and check out the list of bloggers so that you can start collecting letters!

My letter:


AND, check back here tomorrow for my full review of the first book in the series, Sweet Venom.

The Goddess Test

The Goddess Test
by Aimee Carter

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess. (description from Amazon.com)

What an interesting new version of the Greek myth about Persephone and Hades! I love the backstory that though they were married, they were not happy and when Persephone made her unhappiness known, Hades honored her feelings. Hades, or Henry here, was really a great character.

Kate was very believable, too. She is brave and kind. She loves her mother...she is devoted to her to the point that she is willing to spend six months with a man she doesn't know to save her. I loved watching her change as she spends time in the mansion.

Speaking of the mansion, I loved the lush Southern setting, too. Aimee Carter has a way with description...the outfits, the mansion, the grounds, I just want to go and visit. I would be happy to spend six months there!

My favorite part of the book, though, was definitely trying to figure out which characters were actually gods and goddesses from Greek mythology. I had a ton of fun picking out clues and then was happy to see a "glossary" of the gods/goddesses at the end so I could see if I was right.

I cannot wait to read the second book, Goddess Interrupted!

2011 Debut Author Challenge

In My Mailbox - June 19, 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!

This was two big weeks' worth of books! I was lucky to get quite a few fantastic books in the mail, to borrow some great reads and to attend the YA spectacular event in Madison, CT.


From the Library:

The Ghoul Next Door by Lisi Harrison

Won:

The Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han
*Thanks to Steph at Steph Su Reads!!*


Sent for Review:

Darkness Falls by Cate Tiernan
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
*Thanks to Little, Brown!!*

Spell Bound by Kelley Armstrong
*Thanks to Dutton!!*


Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
*Thanks to Zietghost Media!*

Mercy by Sarah L. Thompson
The Break-Up Diaries by Ni-Ni Simone and Kelli London


Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
*Thanks, Tera!!*

Borrowed from Jen at Yabooknerd:

Withering Tights by Louise Rennison
Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Crossed by Ally Condie

Bought at R.J. Julia's YA Spectacular Event:

10 Things We Did by Sarah Mlynowski
The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Darkness Becomes Her

Darkness Becomes Her
by Kelly Keaton
Gods and Monsters, book 1

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed. (description from Amazon.com)

This book is...lush, dark, creepy, intriguing, entrancing, exciting...all the best things about a dark, urban, dystopian, paranormal fantasy. This is just how I like my books. I was sucked so deep into this story that I literally devoured it in one sitting, unable to put it down...bedtime be damned!

Ari won me over, heart and soul. She is tough, strange, mysterious, and heartachingly vulnerable at times. Unaware of who she really is, she delves into a dangerous, forbidden city and enters a lush, exotic world of people and things she never knew existed. She manages to be clueless and in control at the same time.

Oh, and can I mention New 2? Umm...I have never in my life wanted more to buy plane tickets to New Orleans than I did immediately after finishing this book. The descriptions are amazing and decadent and haunting. It was like being there...in a post-disaster, creepy way. I loved it! The setting definitely helped to make this book.

Darkness Becomes Her is definitely at the top of my list of books I've enjoyed recently and as such, it earns a GOLD STAR REVIEW!!

I can not wait for the second book in the Gods and Monsters series, which will be coming out in Feb. 2012!

Abandon

Abandon
by Meg Cabot

Though she tries returning to the life she knew before the accident, Pierce can't help but feel at once a part of this world, and apart from it. Yet she's never alone . . . because someone is always watching her. Escape from the realm of the dead is impossible when someone there wants you back.

But now she's moved to a new town. Maybe at her new school, she can start fresh. Maybe she can stop feeling so afraid.

Only she can't. Because even here, he finds her. That's how desperately he wants her back. She knows he's no guardian angel, and his dark world isn't exactly heaven, yet she can't stay away . . . especially since he always appears when she least expects it, but exactly when she needs him most.

But if she lets herself fall any further, she may just find herself back in the one place she most fears: the Underworld. (description from Amazon.com)

Check out the great trailer for this book, here.

I really liked this new twist on the Persephone myth. It was modern and fresh, though steeped in ancient mythologies. It was almost like watching an episode of Supernatural based on the Hades and Persephone story. LOVE.

I found it amazing that this book took place over the span of just a few days, but managed to feel like it was covering eons. Meg Cabot used flashbacks to cover incidents that had happened years before, keeping the book constantly moving. I do have to admit that until I got used to that, I was confused at a few points in the early chapters, but once I got the rhythm it was a really great way to add layers to the events that were happening and to foreshadow important clues about the people around Pierce.

As for Pierce, I really liked her. She was tough and vulnerable. Poor Pierce gets pulled into a darker world than most people ever have to deal with... the biggest problem? She's not always unhappy to be there...

John was...John was the sexy bad boy that I think we all secretly think about. He was broody and moody and just...smouldering in some spots. I loved learning more about his background and how he came to be a Death Diety. Very intriguing. Cabot managed to paint a very vivid picture of both the eternally young man and his Underworld that made me almost want to stay forever...

I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series, Underworld. There are a lot of questions left unanswered at the end of Abandon and I'm dying to see how Meg Cabot plans to get Pierce out of her sticky situation.

Artemis the Brave

Artemis the Brave
by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams
Goddess Girls series, book four

Artemis is on the Hunt, but she doesn't feel brave!

Artemis's friends and classmates see her as the most courageous goddessgirl at school. Little do they know that despite her expert archery skills, the smelly Geryon, ring-nosed Minotaurs, and scorpions in Beast-ology class scare her as much as they do anyone else! But what's really bothering her now is that funny feeling she has whenever she looks at Orion. She's never had a crush before. Will she find the courage to talk to Orion, to make him see her as more than a pal, and to ace Beast-ology class? (description from back jacket)

This was another fun addition to this Greek mythology series. I love seeing the gods and goddesses relate to each other as tweens! So fun. I really liked getting to see things from Artemis' point of view. She's one of my favorite goddesses.

There were a lot of great example setting scenes again, that get across a nice message, without being preachy to readers. Artemis' relationship with her brother, Apollo, was really great. The others support Artemis when she admits to being scared, and the girls remind her not to drop them for a "boy!" Great life lessons hidden in a fun story!

Pandora Gets Angry

Pandora Gets Angry
by Carolyn Hennesy Pandora
series, book five

Pandora and her friends are off to Persia to track the fifth evil: Rage. They have camels to help them cross the desert, but mysterious sandstorms and frightening strangers keep them from moving quickly. Luckily, help arrives in the form of a cute Persian boy who helps Pandy and her friends search for Persia's secret Garden of the Jin. In the garden, where genies hide their treasure, there is a lamp that was once used to imprison an angry genie. So Pandy & Co. just have to figure out how to capture one of the most enraged genies of all time. Easy, right? (Description from Amazon.com)

If you are a mythology lover, you should definitely try this series. It's great if you are having Percy Jackson withdrawl. The premise is fun, the characters are great and there is tons of magic and mythology to keep things fresh and fun.

I loved the Persian mythology and magic in this one. It was neat to learn about some of the gods from that part of the world. It also had genies...I always end up trying to decide on smart wishes whenever I read about genies...

There was a little more romance in this one and very great loyal friendships. There were moments that made me snort and ones that made me tear up a little. I cannot wait to see what the trip to Rome in the next book about Greed brings...

Discord's Apple

Discord's Apple
by Carrie Vaughn

When Evie Walker goes home to spend time with her dying father, she discovers that his creaky old house in Hope’s Fort, Colorado, is not the only legacy she stands to inherit. Hidden behind the old basement door is a secret and magical storeroom, a place where wondrous treasures from myth and legend are kept safe until they are needed again. The magic of the storeroom prevents access to any who are not intended to use the items. But just because it has never been done does not mean it cannot be done.

And there are certainly those who will give anything to find a way in.

Evie must guard the storeroom against ancient and malicious forces, protecting the past and the future even as the present unravels around them. Old heroes and notorious villains alike will rise to fight on her side or to undermine her most desperate gambits. At stake is the fate of the world, and the prevention of nothing less than the apocalypse.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

Note: This is an adult title.

I love the storyline for this book. The idea of a magical, sometimes portable storeroom for the world's magic is fantastic. Containing all the items mentioned in the world's favorite tales... *Sigh* I would love to be keeper to such a place of wonder!

Evie, unaware that her father is keeper to the storeroom, comes home to take care of him during his terminal illness and becomes the keeper herself. Evie is a strong, complex character. I loved how Vaughn used her job, comic book writer, as vehicle to the freedom to move and take care of her Dad, to address the current political situations as war broke out around the world, and as a means for keeping in touch with the outer world. Very well done.

Sinon/Alex, her father, Hera, Robin, and the other side characters were also all well written. Sinon was exceptionally well fleshed out and managed to be both modern and yet true to his origins at the same time. His relationship with Apollo was very realistic.

This was one of the most realistic mythologically based books I've read in awhile. The threat of an impending Apocalypse felt imminent. Though it wasn't the happiest ending, Vaughn writes a pragmatic one...and I fully approve!

My only complaint about this book was at the beginning when the chapters are jumping from character to character, you cannot yet see the connections and it was a little disjointed. Once you delve deeper, though, you can see the pattern and it's very well done...

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (graphic novel)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan/Art by Attila Futaki

Mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking out of the pages of twelve-year-old Percy Jackson's textbooks and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, he and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was actually a pretty good adaption of The Lightning Thief. The characters looked like their descriptions, though the kids may be a little older than they should be and the monsters and magic were well done. I still prefer the books, because I always have trouble remembering how to read the panels, but this was better than a lot of graphic adaptations. It should attract some new readers, too, I hope.

In My Mailbox - October 17, 2010

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 My Nook:

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

For Review:

Forge by Laurie Halse Anderson

Goddess Girls Series

Goddess Girls

Book 1: Athena the Brain

Book 2: Persephone the Phony

by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Join the class at Mount Olympus Academy with this new series that puts a spin on classic Greek myths.

Athena the Brain - Finding out I'm a goddess and getting sent to Mount Olympus brings new friends, a weird dad, and the meanest girl in mythology -- Medusa.

Persephone the Phony - Hiding my feelings works fine until I meet a guy I can be myself with -- Hades, the bad-boy of the Underworld.

This series is for ages 8-12 and should really appeal to those girls that love the mythology of
Riordan's Percy Jackson series or Hennesy's Pandy series. This may even be the bridge into those longer series for some girls. These books are fun and introduce a lot of mythological characters and concepts in an easy way. The focus is not so much on the mythology itself, but on the four "goddessgirls," the way they relate to each other as friends, the lessons they learn individually, and how they are going to grow up to become their famous selves. They read like friendship books with a fun, mythological twist.

My favorite scene in the "Athena" title is when Athena and her classmates must send their mortal heroes on quests and they set the Trojan War in motion on a giant model in their classroom. The best part is that Athena views it like a giant chess board and is unashamed of her smarts...and it works out for her! Very similar to Hermione from the Harry Potter series in the fact that she makes it okay to be smart!!

My favorite part in the "Persephone" title is not one specific scene, but more about the character growth. Persephone finally owns up to her mother, Hades, and her friends that she is not sunny-natured all the time, but neither is she angry all the time. Once she conveys that she is a blend of the two and tells her mother that she needs more freedom to explore her own decisionmaking skills, Persephone is pleased to find that no one hates her for exposing her true feelings. This book really conveys that it is okay to be yourself and that you shouldn't judge others too quickly.

A great start to a new series and I look forward to reading Aphrodite the Beauty and Artemis the Brave.

Full disclosure: Books won from contest on Readertotz and sent by author, Joan Holub!