Follow Friday

Friday Follow is a blog hop that was started by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we wil answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

Q: What blogger would you most like to meet in real life? Tell us about him or her

I think one of my picks would be Carolina Valdez Miller.  She is both a blogger and an author.  I have been following her blogs for about 3 years now.  If she were a superhero, I think speed reading would be her power.  I don't know how she pumps out so many reviews and keeps writing and takes care of her family.  What I love about her blog is that she has such a great personality and it comes through in her posts and her photos.

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.

Forbidden Trilogy Tour

Forbidden Trilogy Tour

As a blogger, we often get inundated with new authors promoting their titles and it is hard to keep track of all of the titles and read everything that people send along with our own ARCs and e-galleys.  This one however caught my eye.  I read the summary and review and added the trilogy to my TBR list right away - 

Forbidden Mind (Forbidden Trilogy #1)

Summary (by Goodreads)

She reads minds.
He controls minds.
Together, they might get out alive.

49% of Americans believe their government officials are honest.

I don't know these officials, or their supporters, but I know their secrets, and 49% of Americans are wrong.

My employers pay me well to be right, to know things others can't. But I don't know why they brought that boy in, strapped to a stretcher, barely conscious. He asked me for help when I could give none.

I'm a wealthy spy, a talented artist, a martial arts black belt, and a prisoner.

They tell me that on my eighteenth birthday, I will be released, free to go to the college of my dreams.

It's my eighteenth birthday, and a man in black is at my door. I know he's not here to free me.

I know, because I can read minds.

My name is Sam, and this is my story.

So begins the tale of Sam and Drake—from the time they link minds, forging a bond that leads to an unconventional romance—to their fight for survival against the corrupt, twisted organization known as 'Rent-A-Kid.' Evolved Publishing brings you "Forbidden Mind" (Book 1 of the Forbidden Trilogy), by award-winning author Kimberly Kinrade.

"...a thrilling, dark and deeply romantic read that had me sitting on the edge of my seat and eagerly awaiting the next installment." ~ Refracted Light Young Adult Book Reviews

"The plot is very ALIAS and DARK ANGEL-like with X-MEN as its backdrop (awesome combo!). Forbidden Mind BLEW my mind!" ~Sour Skittles Book Blog

Ms. Kinrade, you had me when the review mentioned Alias and Dark Angel.  Two of my favorite kick butt girl series.

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. She writes fantasy and paranormal stories for children, YA and adults and still believes in magic worlds. Check out her YA paranormal novels Forbidden Mind and Forbidden Fire and her illustrated children's fantasy chapter books Lexie World, and Bella World, all on Amazon.

She lives with her three little girls who think they're ninja princesses with super powers, her two dogs who think they're humans and her husband, also known as the sexy Russian Prince, who is the love of her life and writing partner.

Get on the Forbidden Trilogy wagon and check out book #1!  I know it is on my weekend reading list!

Waiting on Wednesday - September Girls by Bennett Madison

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

This one was released last week but I wanted to highlight it because we don't often see contemp novels from a guy's perspective...and of course I'm loving the cover...

Summary (by Goodreads)

When Sam's dad whisks him and his brother off to a remote beach town for the summer, he's all for it-- at first. Sam soon realizes, though, that this place is anything but ordinary. Time seems to slow down around here, and everywhere he looks, there are beautiful blond girls. Girls who seem inexplicably drawn to him. 

Then Sam meets DeeDee, one of the Girls, and she's different from the others. Just as he starts to fall for her, she pulls away, leaving him more confused than ever. He knows that if he's going to get her back, he'll have to uncover the secret of this beach and the girls who live here.

(hmm...just girls, beaches, water...is this a siren novel?....)

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received. 

Very excited for these titles that I picked up in e-book format this week - 

Summary (By Goodreads)

Your heart beats only with their permission.

Everything changed on The Day. The day the windows shattered. The day the power stopped. The day Dol's family dropped dead. The day Earth lost a war it didn't know it was fighting.

Since then, Dol has lived a simple life in the countryside -- safe from the shadow of the Icon and its terrifying power. Hiding from the one truth she can't avoid.

She's different. She survived. Why?

When Dol and her best friend, Ro, are captured and taken to the Embassy, off the coast of the sprawling metropolis once known as the City of Angels, they find only more questions. While Ro and fellow hostage Tima rage against their captors, Dol finds herself drawn to Lucas, the Ambassador's privileged son. But the four teens are more alike than they might think, and the timing of their meeting isn't a coincidence. It's a conspiracy.

Within the Icon's reach, Dol, Ro, Tima, and Lucas discover that their uncontrollable emotions -- which they've always thought to be their greatest weaknesses -- may actually be their greatest strengths.

Margaret Stohl is 1/2 of the dual team that wrote the Beautiful Creatures series.  Looking forward to seeing how she does as a solo writer!

Summary (By Goodreads)

Stephen has been invisible for practically his whole life — because of a curse his grandfather, a powerful cursecaster, bestowed on Stephen’s mother before Stephen was born. So when Elizabeth moves to Stephen’s NYC apartment building from Minnesota, no one is more surprised than he is that she can see him. A budding romance ensues, and when Stephen confides in Elizabeth about his predicament, the two of them decide to dive headfirst into the secret world of cursecasters and spellseekers to figure out a way to break the curse. But things don’t go as planned, especially when Stephen’s grandfather arrives in town, taking his anger out on everyone he sees. In the end, Elizabeth and Stephen must decide how big of a sacrifice they’re willing to make for Stephen to become visible — because the answer could mean the difference between life and death. At least for Elizabeth.

Andrea Cremer is the author of the Nightshade series (one of my favs).  Looking forward to seeing how she pairs up with David Leviathan (on my TBR author list)!

Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton

 

 

To be Published: July 2013

Publisher: Flux Books

Pages: 350

Copy: NetGalley

Summary: Goodreads

Elizabeth Caldwell doesn’t feel emotions . . . she sees them. Longing, Shame, and Courage materialize around her classmates. Fury and Resentment appear in her dysfunctional home. They’ve all given up on Elizabeth because she doesn’t succumb to their touch. All, that is, save one—Fear. He’s intrigued by her, as desperate to understand the accident that changed Elizabeth’s life as she is herself.
Elizabeth and Fear both sense that the key to her past is hidden in the dream paintings she hides in the family barn. But a shadowy menace has begun to stalk her, and try as she might, Elizabeth can barely avoid the brutality of her life long enough to uncover the truth about herself. When it matters most, will she be able to rely on Fear to save her?

Review by Pither
I am such a cover junkie. I was looking through NetGalley, sniffing around in case I missed something good, when I saw the cover of Kelsey Sutton’s “Some Quiet Place.” It’s so… creepy, but deliciously so, like hearing a good ghost story you just KNOW is going to keep you up at night, but you keep listening anyway.
To start with, I ADORED “Some Quiet Place.” Our relationship began happily enough: I couldn’t get enough, had to have more, just couldn’t stop those pages flipping. The characters are highly engrossing, and the story is as hidden to you as it is the main character, Elizabeth.

You know something is wrong as soon as you start the book; Elizabeth just doesn’t feel emotions. She knows she should be feeling them, pastes suitable expressions on her face when she can, but she’s an actress in her own life. However, she knows emotions exist because she can see them. Despair and Anger are frequent visitors to her home life, abusive and neglectful by turns, with a drunken father and distant mother. She sees Sorrow, Courage, Worry, even Elements such as Fog.

I just love the whole concept; Emotions wandering around, their touch eliciting what you’re feeling. Elizabeth sees Courage behind the shoulder of a brave classmate, Grief clinging to her mother, Despair to a sick classmate. They’ve all got their own distinct personalities, looks, and also feelings. I love Sutton’s tone, her almost lyrical language at some points. Sorrow, for example: “Sorrow looks at me while Joshua is distracted, those constant tears streaking down his white, white cheek. His black hair thrashes in the wind and his essence clashes against me. I see death, sobs, emptiness.” (p. 119)

The highlight Emotion of the book is Fear. All brooding and good-looking and bad-boy-delicious, he’s obsessed with Elizabeth as she’s the one person who doesn’t feel his touch. For such a negative emotion, you get really wrapped up with him! Sutton does a great job of characterization, never letting them descend to the level of cardboard cut-outs (with one exception, which I’ll rant about later). Fear is the bad boy, true, but he never skulks around a la Snidely Whiplash. There’s depth to him, and you just love peeling back the layers trying to work out what makes him tick.

The story is also involving, and I loved trying to unravel the mystery of it all. But therein lies my one—and it’s a major one—problem with the book. I can’t say too much without unloading major spoilers, but when you finally uncover the mystery and figure out what’s going on… It all changes. As said before, I adored this book, the potential of it, all those Emotions running around, but three-quarters the way in… Elizabeth changes, and to my mind, not for the better. She morphs into a bit of a cliché, losing all those layers that made her intriguing at the start of the book. I kept gaping at her, “I can’t believe you just said that!!”

So overall, a fantastic read, but one that got me frustrated before the end. It was so awesome up until that point, five stars, but with that shift… It got bumped down to a 3.5. I definitely recommend it though, especially to Curlypow with her love of bad boys :) I hope Sutton plans to write more with the Emotions; they’re just too good to leave in only one book!

 

Unremembered by Jessica Brody

Published: March 2013

Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux

Pages: 320

Copy Provided by: Purchased

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find survivors. Which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating among the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe.

Even more strange is that her body is miraculously unharmed and she has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories period. No one knows how she survived. No one knows why she wasn’t on the passenger manifest. And no one can explain why her DNA and fingerprints can’t be found in a single database in the world.

Crippled by a world she doesn’t know, plagued by abilities she doesn’t understand, and haunted by a looming threat she can’t remember, Seraphina struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is. But with every clue only comes more questions. And she’s running out of time to answer them.

Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her from before the crash. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?

From popular young adult author Jessica Brody comes a compelling and suspenseful new sci-fi series, set in a world where science knows no boundaries, memories are manipulated, and true love can never be forgotten.

 

Review:

I'm always a little hesitant when an author takes a step outside of the genre you expect them to write.  On the one hand it is exciting to see them try something new.  You probably already enjoy their writing style but on the other hand, you are used to their methods and storyline patterns.  That's how I felt about Jessica Brody's new book - Unremembered. 

 

 

Typically, Jessica is known for a writing style that is comparable to Meg Cabot.  Funny, quirky with a wicked sense of humor and a touch of ridiculousness. Always fun to read.  Unremembered is a much more serious title.  Like going from a comedy to a drama/mystery.  When we are first introduced to Seraphina, she is an amnesia patient who was found as a lone survivor after a plane crash.  However, they can't figure out how she got there.  A mysterious boy keeps showing up in her life and then she begins to discover all sorts of odd and wonderful things about herself.  She is like Supergirl lost.

 

 

**could be a spoiler for some**

If I could make a comparison, it would be like the Lorien Legacy series crossed with The Time Traveller's Wife.  Yes people, this book is really out there.

**end spoiler**

 

I have mixed feelings about this book.  First of all, kudos to Ms. Brody for thinking outside of the box.  Because this was REALLY outside of the box for what I was expecting.  I enjoyed the romance that Seraphina was thrown into (and out of...and back into) but the story was lacking in a way that kept me grounded.  The plotline, though unique did not feel believable.  I am going to keep it on my TBR list but maybe a little further down....not because I loved the plot but because I like the author and I'd like to see if she can pull me back in with book #2.  Take a chance with this one if you like sci-fi and are looking for something different but be prepared.  This is not your typical Jessica Brody novel.  :)

 

 

Friday Follow

Friday Follow is a blog hop that was started by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

Q: The #FF is 150 weeks old! And we want to hear from you! What would you change about the hop? What do you like about it? Or just suggest a question to be used for next week!

I love the hop.  Not sure that I would change anything about it.  The questions are usually challenging and I love hearing feedback from fellow bloggers.  Makes me feel like I'm not just talking to myself!

Question for next week - Has a book ever changed your perspective on life or how you live life?  If so, which book was it and what was the change?

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.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Published: 2012

Publisher: Knopf

Copy: Library

Pages: 315

Summary: Goodreads

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.

This is a junior level book – it’s shelved as such in our library. Our main character (as you can see) is in grade 5. None of that matters – this is a great read (and almost a must-read) for everyone of all ages. Told in a variety of view points, our story centres around Auggie – a boy with a face that stands out.

In YA, we read a lot about the stunningly beautiful; or those who are downplaying their stunning beauty. But it’s seldom you get a story that talks openly about the cause and effect of having someone such as Auggie in your life. What’s it like to be him, his sister or his conflicted classmates? Wonder tells us.

His facial deformity (it’s the easiest term to use – I mean no offence by it), has kept Auggie in and out of hospitals, and out of schools, his whole life. Normally homeschooled, he joins the masses and of course, a little mayhem follows. People aren’t sure how to react, and Auggie isn’t quite sure how to fit in – kids tease him behind his back, but try to be friendly. Auggie doesn’t know how to take this – he has some trust issues and struggles with acceptance that isn’t pity – but all the characters grow in a beautiful way. It’s great to see the perspective of his friends and family – not only do we get to see how Auggie feels, but we also get to see the inner dialogue of people whom like most of us, are sometimes not quite sure how to act when presented with a person who has a condition similar to Auggie.

At times you’re irritated with Auggie himself, other times your sympathetic and angry at how people treat him. Other times, you’re full of joy to watch a boy flourish despite all odds, and see a family that seems just as crazy as yours, but loves each other more than anything. All the bases are covered. This is a wonderful, realistic, and touching tale.

Waiting on Wednesday - Thousand Words by Jennifer Brown

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

Summary (by Goodreads)

Ashleigh's boyfriend, Kaleb, is about to leave for college, and Ashleigh is worried that he'll forget about her while he's away. So at a legendary end-of-summer pool party, Ashleigh's friends suggest she text him a picture of herself -- sans swimsuit -- to take with him. Before she can talk herself out of it, Ashleigh strides off to the bathroom, snaps a photo in the full-length mirror, and hits "send." 

But when Kaleb and Ashleigh go through a bad breakup, Kaleb takes revenge by forwarding the text to his baseball team. Soon the photo has gone viral, attracting the attention of the school board, the local police, and the media. As her friends and family try to distance themselves from the scandal, Ashleigh feels completely alone -- until she meets Mack while serving her court-ordered community service. Not only does Mack offer a fresh chance at friendship, but he's the one person in town who received the text of Ashleigh's photo -- and didn't look. 

Acclaimed author Jennifer Brown brings readers a gripping novel about honesty and betrayal, redemption and friendship, attraction and integrity, as Ashleigh finds that while a picture may be worth a thousand words . . . it doesn't always tell the whole story.

I loved The Hate List by Jennifer Brown.  It is one of the best YA novels I've ever written up there with 13 Reasons Why.  I love how certain authors take very real issues and bring them to light for their readers on all different levels.  Can't wait for this one.!

- Christinabean

Stacking the Shelves

Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received. 

I'm a bit behind as we take turns listing our "goodies" for the week so this was actually from a couple weeks ago.  Look for reviews soon!

Three of my favorite authors!  What a great spring haul!

- Christinabean

Authorgraph - a bookie website

www.authorgraph.com

I wanted to share a new and interesting bookie website with you.  I stumbled across Authorgraph after following Jeri Smith-Ready's newsletter.  Authorgraph is a free website for users to gather their favorite author's virtual autographs.  It was set up by a software designer in Seattle a few years ago.   I tried it out last month and it is actually really cool!  You can request your author make the autograph out to someone in particular or for them to write something in particular.  Then you will receive a PDF in your account with a photo of their book title.

Things to cheer about

• This site doesn't seem to be used very much and is a free service.  Make sure you check it out and give the designer props!
• I love going to author signings but they aren't always logistically feasible.  The authorgraph can be downloaded to the Kindle or as a pdf.  It is perfect for those of us who are also starting to gather more e-books rather than physical titles
• There are lots of authors that I recognized on this site - Nikki Jefford, Sylvia Day, E L James, Jeri Smith-Ready so it is not just filled with new authors or self-published people that you may not be familiar with
• Very visual and easy to use 

Things to work on

• I would love to see this site enhanced more to include things like author bios and website links etc.
• When new books or authors are added, I'd like to see an update or email alert to remind me to visit the site
• I would also love to see more information about the website besides having to visit the blog

Despite the few things that need improvement, I would love to see other bloggers and book lovers using this site.  What a great idea Evan!  Make sure you check out Authorgraph via the link below and follow Evan on twitter!  Don't forget to tweet him and let him know you learned about him from The Paperback Princesses!

http://www.authorgraph.com/

Follow Authorgraph on Twitter

Pulse by Patrick Carman

 

Published: February 26th, 2013

Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books

Pages: 371

Copy: Library

Summary:  Goodreads

From New York Times bestselling author Patrick Carman, a teen fantasy-adventure of epic proportions. In 2051, some teens have a “pulse,” the power to move objects with their minds. Compulsively readable, with thrilling action scenes and a tender love story.

The year is 2051, and the world is still recognizable. With the help of her mysterious classmate Dylan Gilmore, Faith Daniels discovers that she can move objects with her mind. This telekinetic ability is called a “pulse,” and Dylan has the talent, too.

In riveting action scenes, Faith demonstrates her ability to use her pulse against a group of telekinesis masters so powerful they will flatten their enemies by uprooting street lights, moving boulders, and changing the course of a hurtling hammer so that it becomes a deadly weapon. But even with great talent, the mind—and the heart—can be difficult to control. If Faith wants to join forces with Dylan and save the world, she’ll have to harness the power of both.

Patrick Carman’s Pulse trilogy is a stunning, action-filled triumph about the power of the mind—and the power of love.

I just finished reading Pulse about 30 minutes ago and I wanted to get my thoughts down before I lost that tingly feeling.  You know that feeling you get when you end up enjoying a book way more than you expected to?  Yep, that's what happened with Pulse.

I don't think I've ever read a book by Patrick Carman before, which is surprising, since he's written a fair number of book - middle school and YA.  This one appealed to me because of the cover.  A tree hanging in midair?  What could it possibly be about? I thought it would be fantasy, but no, it's really a dystopian paranormal, if that makes sense.

Carman has managed to take a couple of fairly relevant issues - global warming and technology - and has crafted an intriguing and riveting story.  In some parts of this story I was totally creeped-out - not by the action, but by the absolute plausibility of the text and the way technology was controlling lives.  In some cases we're almost already there. It was eye-opening in a way.

Top that off with amazing characters and the combination is a winner.  Faith's story unravels slowly and there are several surprises that I wasn't expecting.  She was easy to like and easy to sympathize with. Her best friend Liz has a small but pivotal role that blew me away, and the third wheel in their group, Hawk, is so sweet.  A bit like a little brother you let tag along because he can be useful - but you've no idea how useful.  Dylan is mysterious and good looking and I'd love to meet him - so much going on with this guy.  Then we have Wade and Clara, the twins from hell.  My God, these kids are evil. We've all seen someone like them, good-looking, talented and with a huge sense of entitlement.

Love triangle - you'll be pleased to hear the answer is no.  Love story - a beautifully poignant sleeping beauty tale that will have you sighing.  Final verdict - Pulse will surprise you.  The story takes its time to develop, but then it just takes off and leaves you breathless, with your heart pounding.  I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will be recommending it frequently.

Friday Follow - May 17

Friday Follow is a blog hop that was started by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read.  Each week a different question is posted by our hosts and we wil answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

Q: School is out! What is your favorite Summer Reading book??

For me, summer is a time for light-hearted humorous reading.  I like to throw in some Sophie Kinsella titles and other chick-lit authors like Marian Keyes and Emily Giffin, Meg Cabot and Jessica Brody.  I don't have a specific summer reading book though.  Maybe I'll find a favorite THIS year!

- Christinabean

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.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

 

Published: 2012

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Copy: Library

Pages: 451

Summary: Goodreads

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

 

Calling all fans of Anne McCaffery's Pern series! Or anyone who loved Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series. Really, all dragon-lovers will adore Rachel Hartman's Seraphina, and not just because it has some of the most interesting dragons the fantasy world has seen in quite some time (or this reviewer thinks so anyways). Seraphina is a beautifully written and wonderfully engaging story of dragons and humans.

This fantasy world is expectedly medieval, but plays on elements of the Celtic, Norse and other cultures - winding them in with Hartman's own ideas of how her dragon infested world should function. Not only is the story set in a fantastically built world, with an enrapturing story line, it also touches on ideals of humanity and racism, in a unique way that could only be accomplished in the fantasy genre. Dragons are no longer giant fire-breathing lizards sitting on mounds of hoarded gold – instead, they have adapted to join into life with the human race – and not all humans take it the same way.

Seraphina is our heroine – and a wonderfully relatable heroine at that. She’s clever and strong-willed (as most heroines tend to be), but she also doesn’t understand what everyone’s problem is with dragons. She’s aware of the fact that her exposure has probably adjusted her viewpoint, but she is a great advocate for treating people as they deserve to be treated, not because they belong to a certain class or race.

This could truly be a fabulous ISU book – the correlations between race (or even gay equality) and the human-dragon interactions are astounding and well-written; not to mention really enjoyable! Five stars for Seraphina – this is a book I’m really excited to have as the beginning of a new series.

Waiting on Wednesday - Towering by Alex Flinn

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

Rapunzel!  Ahhh...Alex Flinn is one of our favorite fairy tale remake authors!  Be sure to check out our review in a Fantastic Fairytale post!

- Christinabean

Let's Hear It for the Boys - Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis

Published: February 5th, 2013

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pages: 348

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

One Boy

Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he’s going to die.

One Mission

Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him.

One Problem

The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven’t been seen in thousands of years.

Seven Wonders

Because they’re hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

I picked up The Colossus Rises when I was tidying the shelves at work yesterday because I had forgotten to take my Ipad to work and I didn't have anything to read.  It's aimed at a little younger readers than we normally review for, but it was fun to read and I finished it at work today. 

This was a really fun adventure story, full of young teenagers coming into their previously unknown powers.  There's Jack, who doesn't actually think he has any power, but in fact he's a bit of a genius at making crazy gadgets - a la McGyver style for those who remember that far back.  Then there's Marco, who's very strong and athletic; Aly who is the computer whiz - there has to be at least one, hasn't there - and then Cass, who is a bit of a wimp really, but he has an absolutely prodigious memory. 

The four kids are really under the guard of Torquin, whom I loved.  He's really the comic relief - a huge man with a long beard and who likes to run around with bare feet.  I loved him.   Then there is the father figure, Professor Bhegad - I think he's a good guy, but there are a few weird things about him.  The kids of course have to end up working together  to defeat the Great Gryphon and find the first of the 7 stones they need to bring back Atlantis. 

Of course, there are all sorts of obstacles and adventures to overcome with several very convenient co-incidents, but really the book was just great fun to read and should be a sure-fire hit for fans of Percy Jackson and the like.  A perfect fit for younger teens, particularly the boys, but girls should enjoy it too. 

Stacking the Shelves

 

 



Stacking the Shelves allows us to share the books we have added to our collections - physical, virtual, borrowed, bought or received. 

I have two non-YA books this week - especially for my holiday. 

 

 

These are two of my favourite authors and I can't wait to hit the sunshine and read them.

The Rising by Kelley Armstrong

Published: April 2013

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 406

Copy Provided by: Purchased

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Things are getting desperate for Maya and her friends. Hunted by the powerful St. Clouds and now a rival Cabal as well, they're quickly running out of places to hide. And with the whole world thinking they died in a helicopter crash, it's not like they can just go to the authorities for help.

All they have is the name and number of someone who might be able to give them a few answers. Answers to why they're so valuable, and why their supernatural powers are getting more and more out of control.

But Maya is unprepared for the truths that await her. And now, like it or not, she'll have to face down some demons from her past if she ever hopes to move on with her life. Because Maya can't keep running forever.

Old secrets are revealed and unexpected characters make a surprising return in this stunning conclusion to Kelley Armstrong's New York Timesbestselling Darkness Rising trilogy.

Review:

The Rising is the last book of the Darkness Rising Trilogy.  Ms. Armstrong does an excellent job of integrating her highly successful Darkest Powers trilogy with the characters from this series.  I was thrilled to see all of the components tie in together so nicely and view the bigger picture as you see how the St Clouds and Cabal groups control this entire group of people.  It was like watching the Umbrella corporation...but perhaps less graphic and gory.

Fans of the Darkest Powers trilogy will enjoy these three books and see some of their favorite characters make a guest appearance.  I love it when authors intersect characters from previous series or titles.  It is like a special cameo role for fans!

So let me tell you, honestly book #3 started out slow for me.  I was expecting to fly through it but I felt it could have been about 50 pages shorter.  However, if you stick it out, the intensity increases and things heat up as Maya is on the run with her friends and are finding it increasingly difficult to discern who is really "on their side" and who to run from.  They will discover more answers to their powers and of course the sometimes there love triangle between Rafe, Maya and Daniel will finally be resolved.  (Secretly, I'm rooting for Daniel but I'm sure Curlypow is team Rafe.)  I won't give you any more details and you won't really find out until the last 10 pages of the book.  Nice one Kelley...

All in all, the entire Darkness Rising series is a hit for me.  I enjoyed it so much more than the Darkest Powers and found the characters to be more likeable.  It was the perfect ending to a great trilogy and the only thing left to say is - What shall I do until the  next series starts?

P.S. 

Kelley does have another new title coming out in August called Omens.  It will be part of a series entitled Cainsville.  Sounds interesting for those who are looking for something a bit older than YA.  

P.P.S. 

Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr have teamed up to release a middle-grade series entitled The Blackwell Pages.  Their first book called Loki's Wolves came out this month.  For all of you librarians, this might be a good one for your younger audience.  Looks like a great guy's read!