In My Mailbox - October 31st

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which bloggers post about the books they have received for the week.  Books may be won, taken out from the library or bought from a store.

I have 3 titles that I received this week.  Two are ARCs and the third is from the library.  This week I received - 

I have heard great things about Liesl and Po.  Lauren Oliver is one of my favourite authors so I'm really looking forward to this one.  Shatter Me looks interesting but to be honest, I haven't heard much buzz yet.  Stunning cover though...and you know what a cover snob I am!

I started reading Sacrifice, (sequel to Crave by Laura Burns and Melinda Metz) from NetGalley awhile ago but it expired before I was able to finish the book.  Don't you hate it when that happens?

Just a reminder...win a copy of DESTINED, the latest of the House of Night series!

See our post for details

Happy Halloween everyone!

Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

Published: August 2011

Publisher: Little, Brown

Pages: 312

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summar

SWEETLY is a modernization of Hansel and Gretel and a companion book to SISTERS RED.

Twelve years ago, Gretchen, her twin sister, and her brother went looking for a witch in the forest. They found something. Maybe it was a witch, maybe a monster, they aren’t sure—they were running too fast to tell. Either way, Gretchen’s twin sister was never seen again.

Years later, after being thrown out of their house, Gretchen and Ansel find themselves in Live Oak, South Carolina, a place on the verge of becoming a ghost town. They move in with Sophia Kelly, a young and beautiful chocolatier owner who opens not only her home, but her heart to Gretchen and Ansel.

Yet the witch isn’t gone—it’s here, lurking in the forests of Live Oak, preying on Live Oak girls every year after Sophia Kelly’s infamous chocolate festival. But Gretchen is determined to stop running from witches in the forest, and start fighting back. Alongside Samuel Reynolds, a boy as quick with a gun as he is a sarcastic remark, Gretchen digs deeper into the mystery of not only what the witch is, but how it chooses its victims. Yet the further she investigates, the more she finds herself wondering who the real monster is, and if love can be as deadly as it is beautiful.

Review:

I don't often read fairy tale retellings and I'm not certain why. I truly enjoy them.  There is something wicked about taking a story you've heard as a child and modernizing it to fit this era of your life.  Sweetly takes on a whole new meaning from our childhood Hansel and Gretel tale into something much more menacing.  Ms. Pearce does a terrific job of keeping the reader in suspense and guessing throughout the entire tale.  

Pearce sprinkles tidbits about the lives of Ansel and Gretchen  (love the name play on words) before they met Miss Kelly, a young lady who would change their lives forever.  Not only is she a chocolatier (to help you escape the real world),   but she also hides secrets of her own....secrets that are subtly related to the brother and sister's past.  You'll find love, heartache and courage when you read Sweetly.  Did I also mention that this is book #2 in Jackson Pearce's Fairytale Retelling series?  You can read Curlypow's review of Sisters Red (book #1) here.

I have been following Jackson Pearce via Twitter and her author blog ever since I first heard about Sisters Red.  I think she should get together with Kirsten White and Maureen Johnson.  These girls crack me up with their antics!  She has so much energy and personality.  I love to see authors who enjoy what they do and have no problems making fun of themselves.  Try this one out.  I gave it two thumbs up!

Crave by Melissa Darnell

Published: October 25th, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 416

e-copy: courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher

Summary: Goodreads

Savannah Colbert has never known why she's so hated by the kids of the Clann. Nor can she deny her instinct to get close to Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman. Especially when she recovers from a strange illness and the attraction becomes nearly irresistible. It's as if he's a magnet, pulling her gaze, her thoughts, even her dreams. Her family has warned her to have nothing to do with him, or any members of the Clann. But when Tristan is suddenly everywhere she goes, Savannah fears she's destined to fail.



For years, Tristan has been forbidden to even speak to Savannah Colbert. Then Savannah disappears from school for a week and comes back…different, and suddenly he can't stay away. Boys seem intoxicated just from looking at her. His own family becomes stricter than ever. And Tristan has to fight his own urge to protect her, to be near her no matter the consequences….

Don't you just love stories about doomed lovers - I know I do.  I'm a real sucker for all that angst and true love and destiny and etc, etc.  Happily, 'Crave' did not disappoint me in any way.  I thoroughly enjoyed watching Savanah and Tristan fight their attraction, all the while knowing that they might as well just give in and accept it - but the journey is half the fun, isn't it?

Ms Darnell has managed to put together a remarkably clean story that is more than suitable for all teens.  Savanah and Tristan just seem like such genuinely kind kids, who are caught in a situation that is not of their own making and have to suffer the consequences.  With the narrative alternating between both of them it was interesting to hear their different takes on the same events.  Savanah's friend Anne was an interesting person.  Strong and opinionated, but not too judgemental.  I liked her.  I also really enjoyed disliking Dylan.  He was the perfect opinionated jock, full of himself and his perceived entitlements.  Between him and the brat twins, who were perfect 'mean girls', Savanah's life of torment was assured.

I don't want to give any real spoilers, so I can't tell you why Sav and Tristan are forbidden to talk to each other, but it is just so unfair.  Their feelings for one another seem so genuine, and while there is a fair amount of angst, I did not find it quite as whiney as usual - not so much 'woe is me' - and it was very easy to read.  So with vampires, witches, controlling councils, school spirit teams and a whole host of obsessed males, Crave was lots of fun to read.  Give it a try.  There was even a few pages of the second in the series 'Covet' just to whet our appetites, as if mine needed it!

Friday Blog Hop - October 28th

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Each week, participating blogs are asked questions to post and answer on their websites.

This week’s question –

“What is your favorite Halloween costume?
Even if you don’t celebrate, what kinds of costumes do you like?”

OK, I have to be honest here...I'm not a big fan of Halloween.  I've never been big on getting dressed up but I do like this holiday for little kids.  This will be my daughter's first Halloween to go trick or treating.  Last year she was scared of all the kids in the costumes coming to the door.  Just because I don't like to get dressed up, doesn't mean I can't appreciate others' costumes though.  I love the "original" costumes.  I once saw someone go as static cling and safety pin a bunch of socks, underwear and fabric softener sheets to a plain t-shirt. Hilarious!

Added by Curlypow - Christinabean is such a party pooper for halloween :)  I used to love dressing up as a witch and I would sit on my front step reading by flashlight. (My hubby took the three kids out.) The porch was all covered in spider webs, with rats and spiders all around and lots of crunchy leaves underfoot and streamers hanging from the roof.  When the kids would walk up to the door, I would swing my flashlight up and scare them half to death.  It was sooooo much fun.  My daughter's best costume was when she and her girlfriend spent all afternoon blowing up purple and green balloons and safety pinned them to sweatshirts - they went as bunches of grapes.  The costumes were so wide, they couldn't get out of the front door.  It was hilarious. Happy Halloween.

Welcome to the Paperback Princesses! Make yourself at home, take a look around our blog and let us know what you think in the comments section. We would love to hear what you have to say about our posts. We often try to comment on your comments as well so feel free to start a conversation! Since there are two of us running the show, we always have a variety of titles and event postings. Be sure to check out our own personal meme page. Check out Fantastic Fairytales, Let's Hear it for the Boys, In Case you Missed it and a few others. We try to not only focus on new YA books but also great titles from the past.

Win Destined by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Win a copy of Destined 

by P.C. and Kristin Cast

Summary (by Goodreads):

In Destined, the forces of Light and Dark collide as their epic struggle focuses on Tulsa's House of Night. Zoey is home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side and preparing to face off against Neferet. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, he and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together if Rephaim can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow.

But is Zoey really safe? Does she truly know those who are closest to her? And will love win when it is tested by the very soul of Darkness? Find out what s destined in the next thrilling chapter of the House of Night series.

Need more incentive?

Rules:

You must be a follower to enter

Giveaway is open to Canada and the USA only

Extra entries can be earned if you tweet and provide links

Deadline for entries is November 6th, 2011 at midnight EST

Enter here

Witchlanders by Lena Coakley

Published: August 2011

Publisher:  Atheneum

Pages: 400

Copy Provided by: Simon and Schuster Canada

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.

It’s all a fake.

At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?

But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—

Are about him.

Review:

I read this title a few months ago and haven't put up a review for it because I wasn't sure what I should write. Have any of you ever felt that way about a book?  It was an excellent read and I gave it 4 stars on my Goodreads page but still, I just couldn't place a finger on what I enjoyed and what I didn't.  

First let me begin with this.  Lena Coakley is a beautiful writer.  Her words invoked such realistic imagery in my mind that I could imagine being with Ryder in his village, living a simple and humble existence.  I found that the theme of Witchlanders is unique to YA fiction.  I haven't come across another novel that discusses witches  in such a naturalistic sense.  They seem to be born with magic and use elements from the earth to bring about their powers and skills.  The idea of Ryder's mother throwing bones to foretell the future was such an interesting concept to me.  Also, magic is invoked through singing.  Another new concept to me.

So Witchlanders is about a feud between cultures.  Interestingly, they are very similar and sometimes it is hard to see exactly why they don't get along.  Its interesting when you look at cultures and why they fight. Where the power struggles are and the real reasons behind warring states.  Have you ever wondered how much misinformation is passed down through generations sometimes?  I digress....Witchlanders gave me plenty to think about as I was reading and became a fairly involved plot.  I'm looking forward to how Ms. Coakley continues this saga.  Sadly, I was not able to meet her in Toronto at the beginning of the month. Were any of you there?

Waiting on Wednesday - Double Header (Oct 26)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

Curlypow will be thrilled to hear about Jonathan Maberry's new release Dead of Night.  It is being released just in time for Halloween so go out and snag yourself a copy!  Mr. Maberry is such an interesting person!  I recently read an interview with him and his love for scary things.  You should definitely check out his Rot and Ruin series if you haven't already.  Zombies are (dead) people too, you know....

Destined is one that I wasn't sure I was going to read.  I have read all of the House of Night books and to be honest, the story was starting to take a bit of an odd turn.  However, I received an email from St Martin's Press with a link to read an excerpt from Destined...it's become something akin to a bad addiction...(feel free to join me in my addiction by clicking on the link).

Musings by Knitwits - Knitting for Nerds by Toni Carr

Published: Feb 2012

Publisher: 

Pages:

Copy Provided by:NetGalley

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The best of science fiction, manga, and animaguiri meets knit one, purl two as knit siren and part-time roller derby girl Joan of Dark offers up an out-of-this-world assortment of knitting nerdiness inside Knits for Nerds. The patterns for 30 iconic clothing and accessory items inspired by popular TV shows, books, films, comics, and more--including Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Firefly--are presented alongside full-color photographs showcasing completed projects, such as:

* Lieutenant Uhura's sexy Star Trek minidress

* Hobbit feet slippers

* Firefly-inspired scarf, socks, hat, and jacket

* Tank Girl socks

* Hermione Granger's secret beaded bag

* Manga-inspired leg warmers

* The Big Bang Theory-inspired his and hers sweater-vests

* Lord of the Rings-inspired shrug

In addition to a wardrobe of costume finery, hobbyists will also find instructions for practical projects such as an e-reader cover or a laptop bag crafted of checkered fabric that serves double-duty as a chessboard and carryall, as well as patterns for plush toys inspired by Star Trek, robots, and the comic book Squee! Wear (and knit!) your nerdiness on your sleeve with Knits for Nerds.

I got such a giggle from this book when I downloaded it from NetGalley.  There were lots of basic projects for the beginner in Knits for Nerds but lots of original patterns for items you really can't find anywhere else.  I love how the author referenced not only science fiction, and fantasy movies but also made reference to books and comic series as well.

As a closet nerd, I can definitely appreciate particular items such as The Big Bang Theory his/her sweater vests (Bazinga!), Space Princess hats (imagine being able to wear 3 of Princess Leia's hairstyles without getting hathead!), Next Generation sweater and Trek Girl dress (trust me, you'll be turning heads in this one) and last but not least, Pademe's Battle Cape.  I think I might be investing in this one when it is officially released at the beginning of the year.  Looking for a way to spend your gift certificates to Chapters or on Amazon?  Look no further! Knits for Nerds has got you covered...

In My Mailbox - October 24th

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which bloggers post about the books they have received for the week. Books may be won, taken out from the library or bought from a store.

So this week I 'm definitely on the 'A' team -

Can't wait to get tucked into these three.  Is it just me, or does the girl in 'Anna Dressed in Blood' look like the back of a Barbie Doll?

Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore

Published: July 2011

Publisher: Randoom House Childrens Books

Pages: 406

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Amy Goodnight's family is far from normal. She comes from a line of witches, but tries her best to stay far outside the family business. Her summer gig? Ranch-sitting for her aunt with her wacky but beautiful sister. Only the Goodnight Ranch is even less normal than it normally is. Bodies are being discovered, a ghost is on the prowl, and everywhere she turns, the hot neighbor cowboy is in her face.

"The goat was in the tree again." (page 1)

Any book that starts with the above line has got to be funny, and it does not disappoint.  It's not laugh out loud funny, but there are some great one-liners and a fair bit of tongue-in-cheek humour.  Ok, you're saying to yourself - but I thought this was a ghost story.  Well yes it is, and it gets really creepy in parts, but it has its funny bits.

Amy and her sister Phin are wonderful characters who accept the witchraft in their lives in such different ways.  Their whole family are witches of different types and calibers and they are all prone to the 'heebie jeebies' - you'll just adore those heebie jeebies!  The girls' real names are Amarylis and Delphinium, with cousin Daisy arriving unexpectly and Aunt Hyacinth on holiday and I just love the flower references. 

Ben absolutely had my heart beating double time. He is one of those hard as nails/soft as butter type guys and I fell for him big time.The wise-cracking banter between Amy and him is a treat to read and while you just know the 2 of them will get together in the end, the journey is delightful. The main protagonists are a little older - college age - but the book is a very clean read and is more than suitable for YA readers.



'Texas Gothic' is a ghostly, comedic mystery that captured my attention right from the very beginning and didn't let go.  I thoroughly enjoyed Ms Clement-Moore's previous novel 'Splendour Falls' and I look forward to her next one - whatever it may be.

Friday Blog Hop - October 21st

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop  is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Each week, participating blogs are asked questions to post and answer on their websites.

This week’s question –

What's your favourite candy?

That's a toughie...I used to LOVE sponge toffee.  There was a little candy store in Banff, Alberta where we would get it.  You could buy it all chunky and I'd break off hunks and eat it all the way home.  But I also love salt water taffy.  Once I start, I can't seem to stop eating the stuff.  It's hell on your fillings though...but then there's Jr. Mints.  I like those too.  So I think the answer to this question is that I like just about any kind of candy.  It's important not to discriminate, don't you think?

Welcome to the Paperback Princesses! Make yourself at home, take a look around our blog and let us know what you think in the comments section. We would love to hear what you have to say about our posts. We often try to comment on your comments as well so feel free to start a conversation! Since there are two of us running the show, we always have a variety of titles and event postings. Be sure to check out our own personal meme page. Check out Fantastic Fairytales, Let's Hear it for the Boys, In Case you Missed it and a few others. We try to not only focus on new YA books but also great titles from the past.

Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

Published: October 2011

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing

Pages: 438

Copy Provided by: Borrowed

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

Review:

I got my paws on this little morsel last week.  Lucky to be able to borrow it from a special source.  I took every opportunity to read that I could...in the car...waiting for water to boil for my tea....before bed...Ms. Fitzpatrick does it again with this one.  I finished up Crescendo just recently and timed it right to get my hands on Silence before I started forgetting the details of the story.  


Like Crescendo, Silence provides the reader with a fast paced, action-packed episode of Patch/Jev and Nora.  Gone are those feelings of angst in the last book where Nora questioned Patch's feelings for her or Marcie.  This time around, she needs to figure out what her feelings are for him after her memory has been wiped.  


By the way, I loved this video depicting an artist's recreation of Crescendo's cover - 

I enjoyed this read immensely and was happily surprised to see that the Hush Hush trilogy is actually not a trilogy at all. There were will a fourth book.  I love the dynamics between Nora and Jev!  In Silence, something big happens at the end of the book which changes Nora and makes her character all the more special.  Having Jev as a fallen angel to protect her has been pretty sweet but now maybe she will be able to take care of herself...read the book and find out.  I was happily surprised by the ending and from this point on, Becca can take this plot forward with several more books!

I just found out that Hush Hush will be released as a graphic novel this fall (sometime in November?)  Cool!!

Quote from page 274 - 

"I missed you Angel.  Not one day went by that I didn't feel you missing from my life.  You haunted me to the point that I began  to believe Hank had gone back on his oath and killed you.  I saw your ghost in everything.  I couldn't escape you and I didn't want to. You tortured me, but it was better than losing you."

With lines like this, who wouldn't want a Patch/Jev of their own? 

Now my only question is...where can I get me a fallen angel??

Slayers by C J Hill

Published: September 2011

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Pages: 304

ecopy: Courtesy of Netgalley and Publisher

Summary: Goodreads

Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.

The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?

'Slayers' was a book that I enjoyed immensely, especially the last half of the book, where the action ratcheted up several notches.

Tori, the main protagonist, is typical of a spoilt rich kid (Senator's daughter) - seemingly more concerned about her hair and clothes than learning about her slayer skills and heritage.  She was one of those characters that I loved and hated in equal measure.  I knew that there had to be more to her than just shallowness, and I was proved right in the end. Lori and Alyssa are typical 'mean' girls, unwilling to give Tori a chance to become one of the team.  Dirk and Jesse are wonderful team captains.  Both tall, dark and handsome and with 'awesome' powers.  I just couldn't decide which one I was rooting for Dirk, Jesse - Jesse, Dirk - oh the indecision!  In the end I went with the wrong one, but you'll have to read for yourself to find out which one that is :) It was interesting to see the team dynamics and how Tori's arrival impacted those teams. I also loved the nod to 'The A Team'  - I'm assuming that was the original movie series and not the terrible movie that came out recently.

There is an wonderful undercurrent of suspense that runs through the story when we find out that there is a traitor in the camp, and I admit to being surprised when I found out who it was.  I'd suspected earlier, but dismissed the notion as ridiculous, so it was an interesting twist. 

I've always been a dragon fan, so I was almost prediposed to like this one, but the myriad of enjoyable characters and suspense-filled writing ensured that I did. Dragons, super powers, secret slayers, adventure and excitement - all the makings of a fun and enjoyable read.  Try it for yourself, I recommend it.

On a side note - can anyone tell me what's going on with the cover tho'.  I haven't seen it in person since I read an e-copy, but I can't make it out at all.  It looks a bit like a demented shark from where I am, and I can assure you there are none in the book.  So, don't let the cover put you off.

Waiting on Wednesday - The Death Cure by James Dasher (Oct 19)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine,  that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile.  This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is

If you are a fan of The Hunger Game series or if you know of a reluctant male reader, you might want to check out this series.  Have you read The Maze Runner and The Scorch Trials yet?  The Death Cure is book #3 in the Maze Runner series.  Think Dystopia/Apocalyptic crossed with Survival.  Excellent series!  Looking forward reading this one!

Fantastic Fairytales - Wondrous Strange Series by Lesley Livingstone

 

 17 year-old Kelley Winslow doesn’t believe in Faeries. Not unless they’re the kind that you find in a theatre, spouting Shakespeare—the kind that Kelley so desperately wishes she could be: onstage, under lights, with a pair of sparkly wings strapped to her shoulders. But as the understudy in a two-bit, hopelessly off-off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, wishing is probably the closest she’s going to get to becoming a Faerie Queen. At least, that’s what she thinks... In this fun, urban fantasy, Kelley's off-stage life suddenly becomes as complicated as one of Shakespeare’s plot twists when a nighttime trip to Central Park holds more than meets the mortal eye.

Much has changed since autumn, when Kelley Winslow learned she was a Faerie princess, fell in love with changeling guard Sonny Flannery, and saved the mortal realm from the ravages of the Wild Hunt.

Now Kelley is stuck in New York City, rehearsing Romeo and Juliet and missing Sonny more with every stage kiss, while Sonny has been forced back to the Otherworld and into a deadly game of cat and mouse with the remaining Hunters and Queen Mabh herself.

When a terrifying encounter sends Kelley tumbling into the Otherworld, her reunion with Sonny is joyful but destined to be cut short. An ancient, hidden magick is stirring, and a dangerous new enemy is willing to risk everything to claim that power.

Caught in a web of Faerie deception and shifting allegiances, Kelley and Sonny must tread carefully, for each next step could topple a kingdom . . . or tear them apart.

With breathtakingly high stakes, the talented Lesley Livingston delivers soaring romance and vividly magical characters in Darklight, the second novel in the trilogy that began with Wondrous Strange.

"I don't love Sonny Flannery."  

That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City.

But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley.

The intrigue and romance that began with Wondrous strange and Darklight come to a stormy head in Tempestuous, the breathtaking conclusion to Lesley Livingston's ravishing urban Faerie trilogy.


If you haven't given yourself the treat of reading these yet, start now.  Ms Livingstone writes with wit and humour, but also with a tension that is palpable.  Her fairies are NOT nice, in fact if you get close enough to see what they look like they'll probably "eat your face off!" (her own words), but they do seem incredibly real.  Lots of mystery and romance happening to wonderful characters.  Give them a try.

Check out this post about her visit to CPL and my review of her new book Once Every Never

In My Mailbox - October 17

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren in which bloggers post about the books they have received for the week.  Books may be won, taken out from the library or bought from a store.

OK kids, I have a confession to make...I received a secret stash this week of both upcoming and new titled ARCs.  I can't tell you from where but trust me, I'll be getting more if I can...yipee!  I'm in book heaven and I might even share a few with Curlypow if she's lucky!

Here's my haul - 

Now here's a question for you faithful followers - do you read more than one book at once?  Right now I'm reading Silence, The Vampire Stalker and Beauty Queens (quite the variety eh?).  I love to read more than one book at once...as long as the stories are fairly different!

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some reading to catch up on.  

Once Every Never by Lesley Livingston

Published: July 2011

Publisher: Penguin Canada

Pages: 312

Copy: from Library

Summary: Goodreads

Clarinet Reid is a pretty typical teenager. On the surface. She’s smart, but a bit of slacker; outgoing, but just a little insecure; not exactly a mischief-maker… but trouble tends to find her wherever she goes. Also? She unwittingly carries a centuries-old Druid Blood Curse running through her veins.

Now, with a single thoughtless act, what started off as the Summer Vacation in Dullsville suddenly spirals into a deadly race to find a stolen artifact, avert an explosive catastrophe, save a Celtic warrior princess, right a dreadful wrong that happened centuries before Clare was even born, and if there’s still time—literally—maybe even get a date.

This is the kind of adventure that happens to a girl once every… never.

'Once Every Never' is the first volume in Lesley Livingston's new trilogy.  I just loved it.  It was fast-paced, exciting, mysterious, magical, romantic and funny.  How could a book with a main character called Clarinet Reed not be at least a little funny?

Clare has been banished to England for the summer, albeit with her best friend Allie, so that she can stay out of trouble.  NOT!  In a very short time she finds herself transported back to Celtic Britain, where she becomes embroiled in the lives of Boudica and her daughter - .Along the way she meets mighty warriors (who just happen to be handsome), wild druid sorcerers, and a host of other characters, savoury and unsavoury alike.

Back in the here and now, she's also trying to sort out her feelings for Milo - whom she remembers as a forgettable nerd - and is now anything but forgettable.  Any guy who can walk around looking hot wearing a Star Wars t-shirt, gets my vote. I just loved Milo - be still my beating heart.  Allie and Milo are both amazingly smart and I loved the way that Clare keeps up with them in her own 'average' way. Clare's aunt Maggie was wonderfully distracted with her work at the museum and the historical aspects of the museum visit were very educational, without being in the least bit boring.There are romances going on in two different time periods, as well as mysterious bad guys who just keep popping up out of the woodwork. 

It is incredibly obvious that a lot of research went into creating 'Once Every Never', and the results are make for a seriously engaging read.  When talking to Ms Livingston last week at CPL (check post here) she told us that the next two books are very tentatively called 'Every Never After' and 'Now and For Never' -of course since she hasn't actually written them yet, that could definitely change, but I love the possible titles don't you?

For anyone who likes a touch of history with their romantic mystery, you just have to find a copy of 'Once Every Never'.  It was originally published just in Canada and I'm not sure if that has changed yet, but it is well worth hunting down a copy.  You will not be disappointed.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Published: April 2011

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 293

Copy Provided by: NetGalley

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

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.

Review:

I was lucky enough to snag this title from NetGalley and read it on my KOBO.  I love my e-reader...

The Goddess Test was an enjoyable read for me from start to finish.  Ms. Carter really captured the innocence and naivety  of Kate, the main character.  There were times when I felt that Kate was too naive and insecure about herself and relationships she had developed with her friends and mother.  However, I suppose this is what most teens feel like when they are just learning about themselves.


The Goddess Test incorporates stories and characters from Greek Mythology which I found interesting.  It is  similar to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series in this aspect but with more romance and less fighting. 


I would recommend this title to readers in their mid-teens or even more mature pre-teen readers.  There is mild sexual content but not a lot. The language was also appropriate.  At times I did feel that the development of the story did not match the maturity of the character.  Kate was older in age but her lack of experience in relationships seemed to cause cause a lack of depth and make the character less believable and her situation.


I had questions all throughout the novel which almost made me put the title down but I came to understand why they were not answered around the final 40 pages of The Goddess Test.  If you find yourself wavering, hang in there!  You will understand in the end and despite my comment on the lack of depth, it was still an enjoyable read.  

Friday Blog Hop - October 14th

In the spirit of the Twitter Friday Follow, the Book Blogger Hop is a place just for book bloggers and readers to connect and find new book-related blogs that we may be missing out on!  This weekly BOOK PARTY is an awesome opportunity for book bloggers to connect with other book lovers, make new friends, support each other, and generally just share our love of books!  It will also give blog readers a chance to find other book blogs that they may not know existed!

Each week, participating blogs are asked questions to post and answer on their websites.

This week’s question –

“What is your favorite spooky book (i.e. mystery/suspense, thriller, ghost story, etc.)?”

This on a toughie...I love mystery/suspense, thrillers and ghost stories.  To be honest, I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to scary stories and movies.  I can't watch in theatres.  I HAVE to watch on television or on DVD so that I can mute the screen if I freak out.  Likewise with a book, I find myself taking quick breaks as things get scary so that I can get a grip.  Silly huh?

(BTW, I really enjoyed The Devouring by Simon Holt...if you're looking for a good dose of creepy and scary...)

Welcome to the Paperback Princesses! Make yourself at home, take a look around our blog and let us know what you think in the comments section. We would love to hear what you have to say about our posts. We often try to comment on your comments as well so feel free to start a conversation! Since there are two of us running the show, we always have a variety of titles and event postings. Be sure to check out our own personal meme page. Check out Fantastic Fairytales, Let's Hear it for the Boys, In Case you Missed it and a few others. We try to not only focus on new YA books but also great titles from the past.

Nalia and the Potion Maker by Queenbe Monyei

Published: April 2011

Pages: 196

ebook: received for review

Summary: Goodreads

In the once beautiful Aetheria, a spreading evil stems in the great Land of The North. It is a world that has been ravaged by vengeance and fury. But Nalia knows nothing of this world. She doesn't even know that she bears one of its most coveted and sacred gifts, a gift that has killed many and forced others into hiding.

When an unusual visitor escapes from the other world to find her, he claims that her gift is vital in order to save his world. Her task won't be easy: find the great potion maker whose memory has been stolen, if he's even still alive.

There, Nalia meets the strong yet gentle Lyris who can heal anything with his touch. Soon she discovers that his powers run deep as he slowly begins to mend the pieces of her heart, shattered by her own tragic family and a haunting secret; a secret stemming before she was even born.


A heart wrenching tale of death, betrayal, and the dark side of unrequited love.

A short, quick read, Nalia and the Potion Maker is never-the-less a fun-filled ride into another world.

Nalia is whisked away into the fantastic world of Aetheria, where she finds herself on a quest to discover the whereabouts of the potion maker Poto Pikipsi.  With the help of the orik - a magical orb that allows Nalia to relive other peoples memories,  her own natural abilities as an amemora (a person who can bring things into being from memory), and a handsome young Aetherian named Lyris, who has the gift of healing, Nalia j journey's throughout Aetheria solving problems and avoiding danger.

 I enjoyed Nalia , but I would have liked to have a little more fleshing out of her character, sometimes she did things that had me puzzled and I thought she was perhaps a little trusting, but none of this spoilt my enjoyment of the story overall. Poto was wonderful with his potions for every occasion and Lyris seemed to be such a gentle and genuinely caring person.

Excitement, danger, magic and magical beasties, enchanted forests and unrequited love all make for a fun and entertaining read that would be perfect for younger teens.  I look forward to reading volume 2.

Winner of My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody

Soooo...here is a good reason why you should always enter giveaways on blogs...

we had this great giveaway (but only for a few days) and only had ONE entrant!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ARIEL!!

You will be receiving your copy of My Life Undecided from the publisher shortly!  Thanks for entering! 

Waiting on Wednesday - Beautiful Chaos

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating or books that are in our TBR pile. This week’s “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is...

Ethan Wate thought he was getting used to the strange, impossible events happening in Gatlin, his small Southern town. But now that Ethan and Lena have returned home, strange and impossible have taken on new meanings. Swarms of locusts, record-breaking heat, and devastating storms ravage Gatlin as Ethan and Lena struggle to understand the impact of Lena's Claiming. Even Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals is affected - and their abilities begin to dangerously misfire. As time passes, one question becomes clear: What - or who - will need to be sacrificed to save Gatlin?

For Ethan, the chaos is a frightening but welcome distraction. He's being haunted in his dreams again, but this time it isn't by Lena - and whatever is haunting him is following him out of his dreams and into his everyday life. Even worse, Ethan is gradually losing pieces of himself - forgetting names, phone numbers, even memories. He doesn't know why, and most days he's too afraid to ask.


Sometimes there isn't just one answer or one choice. Sometimes there's no going back. And this time there won't be a happy ending.


I enjoyed Beautiful Creatures and Beautiful Darkness so much, I just can't wait for this one.  Ethan and Lena are two of my most favourite characters ever, and meeting Margaret Stohl on the Smart Chicks Kick It tour was amazing.  I think I'm going to have to order this one in advance.

Let's Hear It for the Boys - Toonopolis: Gemini by Jeremy Rodden

Published: May 2011

Publisher: Portmanteau Press

Pages: 314

e-book: Received for Review

Summary: Goodreads

Toonopolis is a cartoon city that is home to the thoughts and ideas of all sentient beings in the universe. As the center of the Tooniverse, it acts as an other-worldly rest stop for these creations.

Gemini is a teenage human boy who is thrust into Toonopolis through his father's scientific research program. He loses part of himself in the process and immediately begins a quest to regain his lost memories with the help of his Tooniverse guide named Jimbob the Talking Eggplant.

After an altercation with a mysterious Shadowy Figure, Gemini's mission is changed, and he begins a new quest to defeat Shadowy Figure and protect Toonopolis from his nefarious destruction. Along the way, he meets new friends, discovers just how diverse and strange Toonopolis is, and learns lessons about compassion, forgiveness, redemption, and being true to oneself.

When I received this for review, I'll admit to being a little sceptical.  I'm not a huge cartoon or video game fan, and I wasn't sure what to expect.  I can happily say it was a hilarious romp, that read just like a Saturday morning cartoon.  One of the first characters our protagonist Gemini meets is a talking mirror and I had this very funny visual in my mind as I was reading

'“Hello?” the teenager said to the person he presumed was holding the mirror.  He attempted to walk around to the back of the looking glass to see who was quietly taunting him.  The mirror, though, spun with him to keep the reflective surfave facing forward. 

" This isn't very funny, you know," the boy said.

Much to the young man’s surprise, the top portion of the mirror opened like a mouth and responded,
“It also isn’t very funny to try to look at someone else’s butt without at least introducing yourself first.”  The looking glass emphasized its apparent disgust with a firm nod of the top of its frame.


“How are you doing that?” asked the boy, still trying to look behind the tall mirror.


“Well, if you are that interested in my backside, fine!” the mirror said in annoyance. It turned around, giving the red-haired boy a full view of a dark wooden backboard, such as one would expect to see on the reverse side of a tall looking glass. The mirror turned back around.

“Are you satisfied?” it asked. Then it turned its back toward the bewildered boy again and began walking away on its very tiny legs. (page 8)



Can't you just see that in your mind's eye? 

There were nods to the 'Wizard of Oz', 'Harry Potter', 'X files' and Douglas Adams' 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' and that was just in the first couple of chapters.

Jimbob the Talking Eggplant - think a purple non-singing Jiminy Cricket here - helps guide Gemini through the Tooniverse on his search/quest to find Shadowy Figure, and on the way  some valuable lessons are learnt, without situations ever becoming preachy and with a generous helping of wit.

A very different book that was quick and fun to read and should appeal to Saturday morning cartoon fans.
Thank you Mr Rodden for the opportunity here, it certainly made me step out of my comfortable reading box.