Ensnared

Ensnared
by AG Howard
Splintered, book three

*Spoiler Alert - This IS the final book in the trilogy!*

After surviving a disastrous battle at prom, Alyssa has embraced her madness and gained perspective. She's determined to rescue her two worlds and the people and netherlings she loves. Even if it means challenging Queen Red to a final battle of wills and wiles . . . and even if the only way to Wonderland, now that the rabbit hole is closed, is through the looking-glass world--a parallel dimension filled with mutated and violent netherling outcasts. In the final installment of the wildly popular Splintered trilogy, Alyssa and her dad journey into the heart of magic and mayhem in search of her mom and to set right all that's gone wrong. Together with Jeb and Morpheus, they must salvage Wonderland from the decay and destruction that has ensnared it. But if they succeed and come out alive, can everyone truly have their happily ever after? (Description taken from Goodreads.com) 

As this is the final book, I'll be somewhat cryptic in my review to try to keep from spoiling things for you who may not have read this yet... This was one of those books where I was SO excited to read it that I almost couldn't pick it up at all. I don't know if you ever experience that as a reader (I know my friend Jen from Yabooknerd shares this with me), that feeling where you just can't bear for a series to end and you're terrified that the book won't live up to your expectations and so you just keep putting it off and putting it off and suddenly you realize you've owned the book for YEARS and still haven't finished the series... (I'm eyeballing my copy of the last Vampire Academy series book as I write this)

Well, that's how it was for me with this book, until I finally put my proverbial foot down and forced myself to crack open the first chapter...and immediately got swept away into Howard's fabulously dark and twisted world once again. I love how deliciously twisted both Howard's settings and characters are in this series.  She takes  the familiar pieces from my childhood and manages to give them such an unexpected and creative twist, that though the idea behind the series is a classic, it really does take on a completely wonderful life of its own.  I never find myself actively comparing these books to Carroll's as I'm reading, only after the fact as I'm describing them to others. They exist in and of themselves. 

There had been some controversy, I guess, about the ending to this series. In today's readersphere, where everyone pits one romantic lead against another in the never-ending line of love triangles, there were readers who had pinned there hopes one way or another and inevitably some readers found their hopes dashed...in an interesting way.  In fact, as a reader who loves both a romantic and a realistic ending, resigned to the fact that often one cannot find them together, EVER, I was happy with this ending. In fact, it's what I wish would happen more often in the books that I read.  

Then, just after I finished reading, I was even more excited to find out that Howard will be releasing a novella set in this world, a collection of three short stories! I don't have to give up this Wonderland just yet. Oh Frabjous Day!

Full disclosure: Book Purchased for my Personal Library

Gold Star Review: The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet
by Bernie Su and Kate Rodrick

Based on the Emmy Award–winning YouTube series The Lizzie Bennet Diaries.

Twenty‑four‑year‑old grad student Lizzie Bennet is saddled with student loan debt and still living at home along with her two sisters—beautiful Jane and reckless Lydia. When she records her reflections on life for her thesis project and posts them on YouTube, she has no idea The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will soon take on a life of their own, turning the Bennet sisters into internet celebrities seemingly overnight.

When rich and handsome Bing Lee comes to town, along with his stuck‑up friend William Darcy, things really start to get interesting for the Bennets—and for Lizzie’s viewers. But not everything happens on‑screen. Lucky for us, Lizzie has a secret diary.

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet takes readers deep inside Lizzie’s world and well beyond the confines of her camera—from the wedding where she first meets William Darcy to the local hangout of Carter’s bar, and much more. Lizzie’s private musings are filled with revealing details about the Bennet household, including her growing suspicions about her parents’ unstable financial situation, her sister’s budding relationship with Bing Lee, the perils of her unexpected fame, and her uncertainty over her future—and whom she wants to share it with. (Description from Goodreads.com) 

I cannot tell you how perfectly I think that Bernie Su and his team reimagined Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Oh, wait...LOL...when I was desperately binging, I mean catching up on, the Emmy Award winning web series I wrote this gushy post. Then when I heard that they were writing a companion book, I immediately added it to my "I WILL READ THIS IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT COMES OUT" list...which I almost did.  I was bound and determined that I would read this one just for fun and I was not at all disappointed! 

In fact, I was delighted beyond my initial expectations.  Su and Rorick cleverly added even more layers to the story they initially presented to viewers online.  They fleshed out the story through Lizzie's diary and there were moments there that referenced the things we got to see on video, but they built a new story that could just be taken in through this format alone.  In other words, they created perfection AGAIN! *love, love, love, love*  

I felt as if I was revisiting old friends and experiencing their story in a whole new way.  I went back and rewatched some of the videos to see the story with these added bits to flesh things out even more between videos.  

When I saw a very teasing bit in the interview at the end stating that there might be the chance of even more of Lizzie and Darcy's story, my eyes filled with tears...I couldn't help it. I'm so excited.  Whether it's a book or more videos or something in a completely different format once again...I will be there when it debuts. I will happily, greedily gobble it up. No matter what! 

GOLD STAR - BAM!

 




 

 




Full disclosure:Borrowed from my Library (though I'll be buying this one with my next gift card, for sure!)

Unleashing Mr. Darcy

Unleashing Mr. Darcy 
by Teri Wilson

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman teetering on the verge of thirty must be in want of a husband.

Not true for Manhattanite Elizabeth Scott. Instead of planning a walk down the aisle, she's crossing the pond with the only companion she needs; her darling dog, Bliss. Caring for a pack of show dogs in England seems the perfect distraction from the scandal that ruined her teaching career, and her reputation, in New York. What she doesn't count on is an unstoppable attraction to billionaire dog breeder Donovan Darcy. The London tycoon's a little bit arrogant, a whole lot sexy, and the chemistry between them is disarming. When passion is finally unleashed, might Elizabeth hope to take home more than a blue ribbon? (Description from Goodreads.com)

What a cute book! I first saw the description in this monthly publication, Bookpages, our library gets that talks about upcoming releases.  It just sounded too fun to pass up, so I requested the book through interlibrary loan.  

Set in modern times, with a very modern main character, I loved seeing the influence of Pride and Prejudice in these pages.  Sometimes it was tongue-in-cheek, like when Elizabeth's sister, Jenna, makes a comment about how of course the hot British guy she meets is named Darcy, why wouldn't he be?  Sometimes, it was more a direct rewrite of the characters or a plot scene.  In every case, Wilson does a bang up job and this book is a winner for fans of Austen rewrites.  

The plot makes sense, the characters shine, and the romance is stellar.  I adored this book and will probably be purchasing a copy for my collection.  Well done. 

Full disclosure: Borrowed through Interlibrary Loan

What's On My Hold List?

Picture from YaBookNerd's blog,
because, though, I started this meme
she created a much cuter pic for it!

Welcome to the January 2014 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.

So, here's what I'm waiting for right now:

Frozen 
by Melissa De La Cruz
and Michael Johnston
Heart of Dread, book one

The Offering 
by Kimberly Derting
The Pledge, book three

P.K. Pinkerton and the Petrified Man
by Caroline Lawrence
Western Mysteries, book two

Roomies
by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Unleashing Mr. Darcy
by Teri Wilson

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??

My (newly found, I can't believe I hadn't seen this when it was happening!!!) love for The Lizzie Bennet Diaries...

I have discovered a new and most wonderous thing.

Have you heard of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries?? If not, I suggest you go check it out immediately.  

No, really. I meant like RIGHT NOW.  Click the link above.  I'll wait. 

You see, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is an EMMY award winning online, social-media based interactive (well, it mostly was when it was happening live) modern interpretation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Brilliant Masterminds Hank Green and Bernie Su took Austen's amazingly resonant story of a snarky girl who doesn't want to just get married and turned her into a modern snarky grad student who refuses to bow to her mother's pressures to get married.  AND.IT.IS.AMAZING!  









Originally, "Lizzie" posted two youtube videos a week chronicling her life and thoughts as part of her "grad-school thesis."  Most of the characters also had twitter accounts and interacted online with not only each other, but also with the public who were watching "The Lizzie Diaries."  Lizzie's older sister, Jane, also had a fashion tumblr and her younger sister, Lydia, even did some of her own diary videos.  The whole concept for the series was amazing to see... 

There are even moments of interpretive costume theater...and let me tell you, Lizzie's impersonations of her mother... I laughed so hard I wanted to cry sometimes. 

If, like me, you missed being part of this amazing phenomenon at its inception, don't worry.  You can catch up on EVERYTHING from the beginning by going here. The story page will take you through Lizzie's journey from start to finish across all platforms...and I bet like me, you'll be watching videos on your breaks and staying up late to watch just one more wayyy past your normal bedtime.  

*Believe me by the time you hit episode 84... you'll be experiencing ALL THE FEELS.  I cried, I cried HARD through a bunch of stuff at the end... *

This is something YOU ALL NEED TO CHECK OUT if you haven't already seen it.  I'm almost tempted to go back and start watching from the beginning...but, there's also a newer story done almost the same way by the same genius team starring Miss Gigi Darcy called "Welcome to Sanditon," (based on Austen's unfinished novel, Sanditon) that I am now happily working my way through... though a rewatch of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries will definitely be in order when the DVD finally comes out. You can bet your tushies I'll own it! 

Gotta go, there's more Sanditon waiting to be watched!! 

Giveaway - Splintered by A.G. Howard!

You may all remember that I reviewed A.G. Howard's Splintered back in November and gave it a big fat GOLD STAR review because I loved it so much...

Well, I happened to come across a nice, shiny, new never been read hardcover copy that I don't need since I already bought my own...sooo... GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Have you been dying to read this one but haven't yet had the chance?
Have you wanted to own your own copy, but couldn't afford it yet?

Well, here is your chance to enter to win your very own copy!!!!!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post - Celebrating Shakespeare's Upcoming Birthday with the Authors of the "Twisted Lit" Series

Hello All!  

You might remember that a while ago, I reviewed the book Tempestuous by Kim Askew and Amy Helmes, the first book in the "Twisted Lit" series.  (You can check out my review here) Their series is a fun new, modern take on Shakespeare's works.

In honor of William Shakespeare’s birthday (celebrated on April 26), authors Kim Askew and Amy Helmes, have dropped by with a guest blog post to announce a special contest! Get A “Twisted Lit” Character Named After You! We reimagined William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and “Macbeth,” with our “compulsively readable” YA books, Tempestuous and Exposure. Ever since the novels were published a few months ago through Merit Press we’ve encountered a frequent question: Which of Shakespeare’s plays will inspire your next books in the Twisted Lit series?  While we’re currently hard at work putting our own spin on the Bard’s “Romeo and Juliet” we thought we’d look to you, the readers, to help us pick the fourth Shakespeare play that will inspire our next book in the series. Got a hankering for a new spin on “Hamlet?” Love to see “King Lear” get a YA update? Would you make much ado over our take on “Much Ado About Nothing?” Go to our Facebook page (Facebook.com/Twistedlitnovels) and write on our wall to weigh in on which Shakespeare play you’d like us to revamp next. In doing so, you’ll be entered to have your very own name mentioned in one of our upcoming books (either as a character or some other fun reference). If you’ve always wanted to see your name in print — in a YA novel, no less — now’s your chance! The winner will also receive autographed copies of our first two novels, Tempestuous and Exposure. We’re looking forward to hearing your suggestions! (And don’t forget to follow us on twitter at @kaskew and @amyhelmes.) * Winner will not be compensated for use of his or her name, and publication is not guaranteed. Details of plot and character used in connection with the name as it appears in the book are up to the sole discretion of the authors. Contest ends June 1.  Kim & Amy