The Midnight Heir (Bane Chronicles #4) - By Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

Published: July 2013

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books

Pages: 40

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In Edwardian London, Magnus Bane discovers old friends and new enemies—including the son of his former comrade Will Herondale. One of ten adventures in The Bane Chronicles.

Magnus thought he would never return to London, but he is lured by a handsome offer from Tatiana Blackthorn, whose plans—involving her beautiful young ward—are far more sinister than Magnus even suspects. In London at the turn of the century, Magnus finds old friends, and meets a very surprising young man . . . the sixteen-year-old James Herondale.

This standalone e-only short story illuminates the life of the enigmatic Magnus Bane, whose alluring personality populates the pages of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices series. This story in The Bane Chronicles is written by Sarah Rees Brennan and Cassandra Clare.

Review:

I love the Bane Chronicles.  They are the perfect little tidbit to tide you over as you wait patiently for book #6 in this series.  Delving into Magnus Bane's immortal lifespan is a great way for us to see his true personality and how his humorous nature has come to be.  He surrounds himself with odd company and always seems to find trouble...although maybe it is the other way around.  

If you are to read this novella, you most certainly should have read the entire Infernal Devices series as to avoid spoilers.  It gives us a glimpse of time after certain events in Infernal Devices (Clockwork Princess) and leaves room for possible character spin-off series.  

A couple new characters are introduced in this short story - James Herondale and the young miss Grace, ward of Tatiana Blackthorn.  I am eager to learn more of Grace and her possible connection to young James.  Cassie and Sarah work great as a team on this one and I cannot emphasize enough for you to try the Demon's Lexicon series by Sarah Rees Brennan if you enjoyed the Mortal Instruments series.  

 

We are giving away a SIGNED copy of Omens by Kelley Armstrong starting September 1st.  Look for the post and enter to win!

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 will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

If you could only have ONE – one book – for the rest of your life. Don’t cheat…what would it be?

Awww man, seriously??  One book?  Well, it would have to be at least 400 pages or else I'd be finishing it too quickly.  Well, I guess it would just have to be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.  You thought I would name something by Cassandra Clare, didn't you?  Well, let me tell you why.  I've ready Harry Potter an the Deathly Hallows twice now in its 700+ page entirety and I always seem to find something that I've missed.  This book wraps up the story so nicely, tucks in any loose plot pieces and delivers one of THE best finales I've ever read. Yup.  Harry Potter is in my top ten for series.  One of these days I'm sure Curlypow and I will do a post on our top 10 series...when we find the time. 

- Christinabean

We are giving away a SIGNED copy of Omens by Kelley Armstrong starting September 1st.  Look for the post and enter to win!

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.

Our Apologies and Some Great News.

Some of our regular followers may have noticed that Christinabean and I have been dropping the ball lately with our posting.  Not alarmingly so - but we have managed to post daily since we started The Paperback Princesses over 2 years ago, so we are disappointed when we can't keep that up. However I'm pretty sure you'll forgive us. 

Chrissy has a lot going on right now with work, family and etc and consequently has only about 30 mins of reading time per day.  It's very hard to keep up with reviews when you can only read on the train to work, as I'm sure you'll agree. Check out her post here for an explanation.

My excuse is this, a new addition to the family - my first grandchild, Mason.

 

 

He was born July 30th, and has completely taken over our (my) lives, as I'm sure you can understand.  I realise that he's my grandchild, not my own child, but I am lucky enough to live very close to my daughter and I have been spending several nights with her when she's on her own - my son-in-law is a firefighter who works 24 hour shifts - and consequently I am suffering from lack of sleep.  Which translates into lack of reading time.  But look at that little face - can you blame me?  He's four weeks old in the picture and just about the best thing since sliced bread :)

 

Anyway, Christinabean and I will continue to post as we are able, but hope you'll forgive us if there aren't quite so many reviews for a little while.  Have a great holiday weekend everyone.

PS.  You have no idea how much I had to restrain myself and put in just one picture :)

Waiting on Wednesday - 3:59

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)

Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. Her parents are divorcing, her boyfriend Nick has grown distant, and her physics teacher has it in for her. When she's betrayed by the two people she trusts most, Josie thinks things can't get worse.

Until she starts having dreams about a girl named Jo. Every night at the same time—3:59 a.m.

Jo's life is everything Josie wants: she's popular, her parents are happily married, and Nick adores her. It all seems real, but they're just dreams, right? Josie thinks so, until she wakes one night to a shadowy image of herself in the bedroom mirror – Jo. 

Josie and Jo realize that they are doppelgängers living in parallel universes that overlap every twelve hours at exactly 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to jump through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo’s world is far from perfect. Not only is Nick not Jo's boyfriend, he hates her. Jo's mom is missing, possibly insane. And at night, shadowy creatures feed on human flesh.

By the end of the day, Josie is desperate to return to her own life. But there’s a problem: Jo has sealed the portal, trapping Josie in this dangerous world. Can she figure out a way home before it’s too late?

From master of suspense Gretchen McNeil comes a riveting and deliciously eerie story about the lives we wish we had – and how they just might kill you.

I became a fan of Gretchen McNeil last year when I came across her books Possess and Ten.  I love the idea of crossing worlds at a certain time.  Very "Fringe" like.  It reminds me of a movie I saw recently called Upside Down.  Look for this one to hit the shelves mid-September.

Mortal Instruments - The Movie

 

The Mortal Instruments - City of Bones movie opened in theatres last Wednesday and I had a chance to see it.  I have been waiting for a couple years for this movie to come out and I have lots to say about it.  I encourage you to also write your own comments (good or bad) about what you thought about this movie vs. the book.

 

Characters

• I have long been a supporter of Alex Pettyfer in the role of Jace.  Although, Jamie Campbell Bower didn't do too badly.  He certainly has the swagger that I would have expected of Jace but he hasn't quite convinced me of the amusing cockiness that this character possesses.
• Lily Collins played Clary perfectly.  In fact, I couldn't see anyone else as Clary but her. Well done with this cast member.
• Simon was another character that I was very happy with.  He also suited this role very well.  I haven't seen Robert Sheehan in anything but this movie so I'd be happy to see what he does with this role.
• Alec and Isabel - both new to me.  I expected Isabel to be more glamorous, taller and a bit more like a Victoria Secrets model but I did feel they suited their roles well.
• Lena Headley as Jocelyn was the perfect match.  She really could pass as Lily Collins mother!
• I also liked Aiden Turner as Luke, Jared Harris as Hodge and of course, Jonathan Rys Meyers as Valentine.
• The last character I want to mention is Godfrey Gao as Magnus.  Where in the world did they find this actor?  I love him as the warlock...but I was thinking he would have some kind of an accent.  Still, he makes a gorgeous Magnus...

 

Overall, when the cast had first been released, I was iffy about their choices.  As a huge fan and reader of this series, you always have a definitive idea of the characters in your head (for instance, the comments I've made about their appearance and voices/accents).  All in all, they did a great job of casting for this movie.

 

Movie

 

Movies are hardly ever as good as the original book.  Now I can completely understand why.  This movie was so fast-paced and jam packed that if you hadn't read the book or had fan knowledge of supernatural creatures and terminology, you may not have been able to keep up.  Did anyone else feel this way?  I loved how it stayed true to the book and (for the most part), maintaining the same storyline.  Sure, Simon didn't get to be the hero and demonstrate his archery skills when killing an upper demon but maybe they had to cut some scenes...sorry Simon, maybe next time?

 

You can expect lots of action in this movie and it was a good introduction to the Shadowhunter world.  The special effects were good and I anticipate they will only get better as the series progresses.  I was worried about the audience appeal after The Host and Beautiful Creatures did not meet most expectations but The Mortal Instruments has so much potential.  Definitely less angsty and moody than Twilight.  I'm going to give this movie a thumbs up and a recommendation to read the book in addition to watching the flick just to get the additional tidbits that this movie missed out on.  Besides, two hours does not give you enough time to fully appreciate the banter between all of the main characters.  Truly.  



Stacking the Shelves

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

Summary (by Goodreads)

Twenty-four-year-old Olivia Taylor Jones has the perfect life. The only daughter of a wealthy, prominent Chicago family, she has an Ivy League education, pursues volunteerism and philanthropy, and is engaged to a handsome young tech firm CEO with political ambitions.

But Olivia’s world is shattered when she learns that she’s adopted. Her real parents? Todd and Pamela Larsen, notorious serial killers serving a life sentence. When the news brings a maelstrom of unwanted publicity to her adopted family and fiancé, Olivia decides to find out the truth about the Larsens.

Olivia ends up in the small town of Cainsville, Illinois, an old and cloistered community that takes a particular interest in both Olivia and her efforts to uncover her birth parents’ past.

Aided by her mother’s former lawyer, Gabriel Walsh, Olivia focuses on the Larsens’ last crime, the one her birth mother swears will prove their innocence. But as she and Gabriel start investigating the case, Olivia finds herself drawing on abilities that have remained hidden since her childhood, gifts that make her both a valuable addition to Cainsville and deeply vulnerable to unknown enemies. Because there are darker secrets behind her new home and powers lurking in the shadows that have their own plans for her.

I was happy to hear that Omens was the first in a new series called Cainsville from Kelley Armstrong.  I have followed all of her YA series and enjoyed them immensely.  Looking forward to this new series AND meeting her at an author's book signing tomorrow!

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

 

Published: September 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Pages:368

ecopy: Publisher/Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

"You have to kill him." Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.

Marina has loved her best friend James since the day he moved next door when they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles apart, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Now someone is trying to kill him. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it. At least not as the girl she once was.

All Our Yesterdays is a wrenching, brilliantly plotted story of fierce love, unthinkable sacrifice, and the infinite implications of our every choice.

Review

Well, I was very pleasantly surprised by this one.  I had seen the book on Netgalley and wasn't too impressed by the blurb, but I was looking again a few days ago and thought I'd give it a try.  I am so glad I did.  All Our Yesterdays was a taught, exciting mystery that had me reading compulsively and desperate to get to the conclusion.

It is written with dual pov's - Em and Marina - which should really be confusing since they are essentially the same person, but is not at all.  The differences between Em and Marina are subtle, but clearly illustrate character growth of the older and younger versions.  Confusing?  Is it possible to have backward character growth, or character deterioration?  Em is a mature, thoughtful self sacrificing person, while Marina is really a bit of a spoilt brat and finding out how one becomes the other is fascinating.

Ms. Terrill uses different names to differentiate between versions of a lot of her characters.  James becomes 'The Doctor', Craig, 'The Director', Marina becomes 'Em', but for some reason Finn remains Finn throughout the whole.  At some point he becomes 'my Finn', but generally he is just Finn.  However, it seems fairly easy to tell them apart, and Finn was definitely my favourite character.  He's the proverbial 'nice' guy.  The one who often gets overlooked, but turns out to be the steadfast, fiercely protective good guy that you can't help but love. I enjoyed getting to know him. The sacrifices that the characters in this story are willing to make are enormous.  Without giving too much away, your heart will just break for Em and Finn.  What they have to go through is just horrible, but not once do they consider giving up.  It's really quite inspiring.  

The Doctor, on the other hand, perfectly illustrates that 'absolute power corrupts absolutely'.  He is 100% sure that what he is doing is the right thing, but cannot see the havoc he is producing to achieve his ends.  There is a huge 'reveal' at the end that I did not see coming and quite blew me away.

All Our Yesterdays is a time travel thriller that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, reading frantically.  It is well worth it too.  A great read that I won't hesitate to recommend to my teens at work.  Well done Ms. Terrill.  I can't wait to see what you come up with next.

The Winds of Salem by Melissa de la Cruz

 

Published: August 13, 2013

Publisher: Hyperion

Pages: 288

Copy: From Publisher thank you

Summary: Goodreads

Modern-day witch Freya Beauchamp is cast back in time to 1692 amongst the Salem Witch Trials by an enemy spell, as her present-day family attempts to reopen the passages of time to bring her home.

  SOON TO BE A LIFETIME TELEVISION SERIES!

Freya Beauchamp is trapped in 1692, in Salem of all places, with no recollection of her past. A powerful enemy spell has sent her spiraling away so that she is separated by centuries from her mother, Joanna, and sister, Ingrid. This is not good news for a twenty-first-century witch. Not to mention the immediate threat she faces from the wealthy and influential Putnam family. When little Annie Putnam is one of the first to make accusations of witchcraft, her landowner father jumps at the opportunity to consolidate his power and expand his holdings in Puritan Salem Town. If Freya is caught using magic, she will be forced to relive the witch trials, and this time, even her immortality is in question.

Meanwhile, twenty-first-century North Hampton has its own snares. Joanna and Norm consult the Oracle for advice, and Freddie and his pixie allies search for a missing totem that could reopen the passages of time and help bring his sister home. When Ingrid bumps into an old flame, she finds that her new love for Detective Matt Noble is in doubt.

Moving between past and present, Winds of Salem's dizzying plot twists and page-turning suspense is sure to bewitch fans old and new.

Review

I think I have a special affection for this series because it is the first series where I have been invited to review every book, and  I have enjoyed each book - Witches of East End and Serpents Kiss were both fun to read and Winds of Salem did not disappoint. The character development continues well and yet again the story manages to take a tangent without losing it's family focus.

This time around as well as the family story that I've come to love, there was an interesting historical side based around the Salem Witch Trials.  I don't know about you, but I was sure all the witches were burned. However, according to Ms. de la Cruz, they were hanged, not burned.  I love it when I can still be surprised by historical details. Her take on the reasons behind the trials was very plausible and easy to believe.

The series as a whole is written for adults, but really is suitable for just about anyone.  It has some fairly light-hearted moments when the pixies come into the picture, and generally - to my mind at least - is not too serious.  In fact, it is the perfect beach read. (I did talk to someone at work about this and she disagreed with me there and said it was very serious!) There are several twists and turns that surprise nicely, if somewhat predictably.  Not that this is a bad thing by any means, don't get me wrong.

Ms. de la Cruz writes a good supernatural mystery that I think is going to translate well on to the small screen and I can't wait to see what the writers do with the story.  According to Wikipedia, the three main characters are Julia Ormond as Joanna, Jenna Dewan as Freya and Rachel Boston as Ingrid.  I think I might have to break my self-imposed TV ban and watch this one for a bit to see what they do with it.

All in all a fun trilogy -I can't find any evidence anywhere that the series is going to continue, but I could be wrong - that I am happy to recommend.  Try it out if you haven't already.

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 will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

 

Book Selfie! Take a pic with your current read.

 

Sorry, I think I'm reaching the age where I don't often like pictures of myself.  Perhaps I am just being critical or feel that I'm no longer photogenic so instead, I am going to show you a picture of my current read in a place where I'd LIKE to be reading...

 

This is what I'm reading...

 

This is where I'm reading it...

 

 

This is where I'd LIKE to be reading (a garden studio in Hackney, UK)...of course I'd settle for anywhere warm...beachy even.  :)

 

- 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.

Vampire Academy - Blood Sisters

Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters

So, my number one series is The Mortal Instruments but #2 on my list is Vampire Academy.  I was a late bloomer when it came to this one but once I started reading, I just couldn't stop.  I read Book 1 - 6 consecutively over a period of a couple weeks.  It was awesome.

So I wanted to share the new Vampire Academy trailer with you.  The movie is scheduled for release on February 14th, 2014.

Enjoy!



 

Waiting on Wednesday - The Bitter Kingdom

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)

The epic conclusion to Rae Carson's Fire and Thorns trilogy. The seventeen-year-old sorcerer-queen will travel into the unknown realm of the enemy to win back her true love, save her country, and uncover the final secrets of her destiny.

Elisa is a fugitive in her own country. Her enemies have stolen the man she loves in order to lure her to the gate of darkness. As she and her daring companions take one last quest into unknown enemy territory to save Hector, Elisa will face hardships she's never imagined. And she will discover secrets about herself and her world that could change the course of history. She must rise up as champion-a champion to those who have hated her most.

The Bitter Kingdom is the final book in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.  I haven't yet started this one but what I like about it is that I have heard that fans of Tamora Pierce and George R.R. Martin will enjoy this series.  I'm a huge fan of the Game of Thrones series (surprisingly because I feel like a closet fantasy lover) so this one just got bumped up a few notches on my TBR list.

All Things Mortal Instruments....

It's almost time....two more days and The Mortal Instruments movie will be here. 

So what have you done to prepare?

Well, for most of you know follow our blog religiously (right, like who follows our blog EVERY day??), you may or may not know that I'm a bit of a freak when it comes to this series. It is my #1.  All thanks to that fateful day when I found 3 (count 'em) all 3 hardcover Mortal Instruments series title books on the library sale cart for $1 each.  BEST INVESTMENT EVER!!  Since then, I have followed Cassie Clare on twitter and on her blog, I have read the prequel series (and additional titles 4 and 5).  AND of course, I snagged the opportunity to meet Cassie and her bestie, Holly Black in person to get everything I owned - signed.

So what's there left to do when it comes to my book/series obsession?  Well, last week I finished reading City of Bones again.  I think it has been about 4 years since I originally started reading this series.  It was just as fantastic as the first time.  In fact, I'm all prepared to jump into Book #2 - City of Ashes as soon as I finish the other 4 books I have on the go now.  

So, one of the things that makes Mortal Instruments unique is the Shadowhunter's use of runes.  Did you know that there is an actual licensed Mortal Instruments jeweler?  You might want to take a peek. They have some interesting stuff - The Mortal Instruments Jewelry

Anyone else going to check out the Mortal Instruments movie?

- 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. 

Summary (by Goodreads)

Luke is the perfect boyfriend: handsome, kind, fun. He and Emaline have been together all through high school in Colby, the beach town where they both grew up. But now, in the summer before college, Emaline wonders if perfect is good enough.

Enter Theo, a super-ambitious outsider, a New Yorker assisting on a documentary film about a reclusive local artist. Theo's sophisticated, exciting, and, best of all, he thinks Emaline is much too smart for Colby.

Emaline's mostly-absentee father, too, thinks Emaline should have a bigger life, and he's convinced that an Ivy League education is the only route to realizing her potential. Emaline is attracted to the bright future that Theo and her father promise. But she also clings to the deep roots of her loving mother, stepfather, and sisters. Can she ignore the pull of the happily familiar world of Colby?

Emaline wants the moon and more, but how can she balance where she comes from with where she's going?

Sarah Dessen's devoted fans will welcome this story of romance, yearning, and, finally, empowerment. It could only happen in the summer.

My sister in law used to love this author when she was younger.  I only occasionally dip into the contemporary book pool so I thought I'd give the e-book a try.  Do you have a favourite contemporary author?  Or do you have one you would recommend?

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 will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

Share something you’ve learned about book blogging or just blogging in general in the last month.

There are so many great things that I've learned about blogging.  One is that even though it often feels like I'm talking to myself, there are people out there reading what I write and caring about some of my thoughts and opinions.  I think it is important to voice an opinion but try to be sensitive to how it can be interpreted.  

Another thing I've learned about blogging in general is that if you are going to start a blog, make sure that you create a web address that is memorable as well as a title that is meaningful and memorable as well.  If you are planning on "marketing" your blog, you should try to create a title and/or web address that hints to the reader what you are all about.  We chose the name The Paperback Princesses because it was a play on words with one of our favourite Canadian children's books, the Paperbag Princess.  Since there are two of us, we made it plural.  We chose the website www.allaboutyabooks.blogspot.com because that was what we were doing, focusing on YA titles.  Anyway, you get my drift.  Happy blogging!

- 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.

Quest for the Librarian Lego Mini

Ever get obsessed about something?  I find that I do it quite often...especially when it is book or library-related.  My latest obsession is finding one of the newest Lego minifigures in the 10 series - The librarian.  She looks a little bit like Hermione with lipstick but that's ok.  There is a special place for her waiting on my desk...as soon as I can find one.  I pick up a pack (or two) every time I visit Chapters....

Here's hoping I don't buy up a box before I find one....

- Christinabean

p.s.

Are you wondering why there isn't a book review here?

Oh, that's because I have a full-time job and it is cutting into my reading time.  :)

Waiting on Wednesday - The Fall of Five

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)

The Garde are finally reunited, but do they have what it takes to win the war against the Mogadorians?

John Smith—Number Four—thought that things would change once the Garde found each other. They would stop running. They would fight the Mogadorians. And they would win.

But he was wrong. After facing off with the Mogadorian ruler and almost being annihilated, the Garde know they are drastically unprepared and hopelessly outgunned. Now they’re hiding out in Nine’s Chicago penthouse, trying to figure out their next move.

The six of them are powerful, but they’re not strong enough yet to take on an entire army—even with the return of an old ally. To defeat their enemy, the Garde must master their Legacies and learn to work together as a team. More importantly, they’ll have to discover the truth about the Elders and their plan for the Loric survivors.

And when the Garde receive a sign from Number Five—a crop circle in the shape of a Loric symbol—they know they are so close to being reunited. But could it be a trap? Time is running out, and the only thing they know for certain is that they have to get to Five before it’s too late.

The Garde may have lost battles, but they will not lose this war.

Lorien will rise again.

And the Lorien Legacies continue with book #4.  I have to be honest and tell you that I've kind of lost count of which numbers are left and what their abilities are.  However, I'm sure there will be a review somewhere in this book.  I love this series and I'm looking forward to the next leg of their journey to stop the Mogadorians....

Let's Hear It For The Boys - Project Cain by Geoffrey Girard

 

Published: September 3rd, 2013

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

 

 

Fifteen-year-old Jeff Jacobson had never heard of Jeffrey Dahmer, the infamous serial killer who brutally murdered seventeen people more than twenty years ago. But Jeff’s life changes forever when the man he’d thought was his father hands him a government file telling him he was constructed in a laboratory only seven years ago, part of a top-secret government cloning experiment called ‘Project CAIN’.

There, he was created entirely from Jeffrey Dahmer’s DNA. There are others like Jeff—those genetically engineered directly from the most notorious murderers of all time: The Son of Sam, The Boston Strangler, Ted Bundy . . . even other Jeffrey Dahmer clones. Some raised, like Jeff, in caring family environments; others within homes that mimicked the horrific early lives of the men they were created from.

When the most dangerous boys are set free by the geneticist who created them, the summer of killing begins. Worse, these same teens now hold a secret weapon even more dangerous than the terrible evil they carry within. Only Jeff can help track the clones down before it’s too late. But will he catch the ‘monsters’ before becoming one himself?

I don't think I'm going to have time to read this one any time soon, but it sounds as if it will be perfect for fans of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers series.  Let me know what you think if you've read it already.

Stacking the Shelves

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

Summary (by Goodreads)

On Internment, the floating island in the clouds where 15-year-old Morgan Stockhour lives, getting too close to the edge can lead to madness. Even though Morgan's older brother, Lex, was a Jumper, Morgan vows never to end up like him. She tries her best not to mind that her life is orderly and boring, and if she ever wonders about the ground, and why it is forbidden, she takes solace in best friend Pen and her betrothed, Basil.

Then a murder, the first in a generation, rocks the city. With whispers swirling and fear on the wind, Morgan can no longer stop herself from investigating, especially when she meets Judas. He is the boy being blamed for the murder — betrothed to the victim — but Morgan is convinced of his innocence. Secrets lay at the heart of Internment, but nothing can prepare Morgan for what she will find — or who she will lose.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for sending this one my way.  Lauren DeStefano wrote the Chemical Garden series and while I did not finish the entire series, I did enjoy her writing style and am looking forward to diving into Perfect Ruin.  It will be released in October!

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer

 

Published: August 13th, 2013

Publisher:  HMH Books For Young Readers

Pages: 304

Copy: Edelweiss

Summary: Goodreads

The eagerly awaited addition to the series begun with the New York Times best-seller Life As We Knew It, in which a meteor knocks the moon off its orbit and the world changes forever.

It's been more than two years since Jon Evans and his family left Pennsylvania, hoping to find a safe place to live, yet Jon remains haunted by the deaths of those he loved. His prowess on a soccer field has guaranteed him a home in a well-protected enclave. But Jon is painfully aware that a missed goal, a careless word, even falling in love, can put his life and the lives of his mother, his sister Miranda, and her husband, Alex, in jeopardy. Can Jon risk doing what is right in a world gone so terribly wrong?

The Last Survivors series was a favourite of mine, so I was thrilled to bits to discover that Ms. Pfeffer has written a companion novel that continues the story of Alex and Miranda, two years after the close of The World We  Live In.  A very class conscious society has developed with grubs basically slaving for clavers.  I would like to have had a little more info on how this situation  developed so strongly in such a short time, but I took it on faith and was reasonably ok with it after a bit. 

While I enjoyed the story as a whole and it was interesting to see what had happened to the characters from the previous volumes, I had a big problem with the main protagonist in The Shade of the Moon.  I just didn't like Jon as a person at all.   I fully understand that he is feeling tremendous guilt over Julie - sorry you need to read the series to find out why - but I could not understand his reaction when he found out a certain detail he was unaware of.  He is by far the best off of all of the siblings and he seems totally unworthy of everything he has. It was hard to put my finger exactly on why he annoyed me so much, and he did redeem himself a little towards the end, but not enough in my opinion.

Overall though, if you have read and enjoyed the rest of the series, then I would definitely try this one. It's kinda nice to be able to see what happens 'after'.

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

 

Published: December 2012

Publisher: Dial Press

Pages: 437

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

I have been looking forward to reading The Friday Society since it came out last December, but for some reason it has taken until now for it to come into the library.  I think the cover is just superb and having finished the book now, I can tell you that it is completely fitting.

We have the chance to really get to know Cora, Nellie and Michiko, and the way that they get to know each other is fun and believable.  The are each very different from the other, but together they compliment each other and are able to make use of their unique talents in surprising and delightful ways.  There is a little bit of romance, but only a very little, and the tentative relationship between Nellie and Jeffrey is just wonderful.  Ms. Kress has a fabulous sense of humour and I was laughing out loud in places. 

One of the things I particularly loved was that I was surprised more than once.  I thought I had solved the mystery and in fact I was completely wrong, on more than one occasion. It was really quite refreshing.  While everything is tied up neatly at the end, this is obviously just the beginning of a series and I look forward to reading more.  The best way I can think to describe The Friday Society is a sort of Steampunk Charlie's Angels - but without Charlie.  Wow, I think I've just dated myself terribly there!

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 will answer!  This is a great opportunity for bloggers to network and interact. 

This week’s question –

Back to school. Create a reading list for the imaginary English Lit class you’ll be teaching this semester.

I wouldn't be surprised if Curlypow snuck Rot and Ruin into this list as well.  :)  

- Christinabean

You'd be correct :)  Curlypow

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.

The Arrivals by Melissa Marr

 

Published: July 2nd, 2013

Publisher: William Morrow

Pages: 274

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

The Arrivals is the second novel for adults by internationally bestselling author Melissa Marr.

Chloe walks into a bar and blows five years of sobriety. When she wakes, she finds herself in an unfamiliar world, The Wasteland. She discovers people from all times and places have also arrived there: Kitty and Jack, a brother and sister from the Wild West; Edgar, a prohibition bootlegger; Francis, a one-time hippie; Melody, a mentally unbalanced 1950s housewife; and Hector, a former carnival artist.

None know why they arrived there--or if there is way out of a world populated by monsters and filled with corruption.

Just as she did in Graveminder, Marr has created a vivid fantasy world that will enthrall. Melissa Marr's The Arrivals is a thoroughly original and wildly imagined tale about making choices in a life where death is unpredictable and often temporary.

The Arrivals was a really welcome change from what I've been reading lately.  Very hard to pigeonhole, it is a bit of a space-operatic romance.  Not urban fantasy, but more like an alternate universe western, with magic and mayhem.  In many ways it reminded me of the TV show Firefly, which I absolutely adored (curse the networks that cancelled it after only 12 episodes.), but with wormholes instead of spaceships.

The Wasteland is a well thought out world populated by beings that, at best, bear only some small resemblance to humans.  I loved the insect like bloedzuiger, Garuda in particular, with their very strong sense of protocol.  With traces of vampire-like tendencies (bloedzuiger means blood sucker), their alien shape and strict moral code was very intriguing.

Jack, Kitty, Chloe and Edgar are nicely developed and in a short while I became very fond of them.  You can't help feeling sorry for Chloe, who is thrust into this totally alien environment, with no real instructions about how to behave, or what to expect.  Ms. Marr has her making decisions from her gut - she really doesn't know what's going on, but it feels right.  I must admit that Ajani - the bad guy in this scenario - had a wonderful sense of mystery to him.  The reader knows more about him than the characters, but there were still a few surprises.  Add in this wonderful fact that the characters can die but don't stay dead, yet are in no way zombies, and you have this amazing twist to the story that adds a completely different feel to things. 

I really enjoyed The Arrivals.  It was a very satisfying, fairly quick  read that concluded in one volume.  While I really hope that Ms. Marr will revisit this world, I am satisfied that everything was finished up neatly.  Although not a YA book, I can see no reason why older teens wouldn't enjoy it, but there is some sexual content that make it unsuitable for younger teens. If you're looking for a bit of a change of pace, try The Arrivals, it might surprise you.

Waiting on Wednesday - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

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):

You stop fearing the devil when you’re holding his hand…

Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.

Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.

Ahhh.....I'm having flashbacks of a dreamy Mr. Pitt as Meet Joe Black.  I'm sure there aren't any scenes with River licking peanut butter off a spoon but a girl can dream, can't she?  Sounds dark, dreamy and a little bit romantic in a terrifying way, doesn't it?

In Case You Missed It - Glass Houses by Rachel Caine

Published: Oct 2006

Publisher: NAL Jam

Pages: 239

Copy provided by: Won in a contest years ago

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

From the author of the popular Weather Warden series comes the debut of an exciting new series set in Morganville, Texas, where you would be well advised to avoid being out after dark.

College freshman Claire Danvers has had enough of her nightmarish dorm situation. When Claire heads off-campus, the imposing old house where she finds a room may not be much better. Her new roommates don't show many signs of life, but they'll have Claire's back when the town's deepest secrets come crawling out, hungry for fresh blood.

Review:

My oh my do I wish I had started reading this series earlier....A few years back I won Volume 1 of the Morganville Vampires series.  It includes Glass Houses (book 1) and Dead Girls' Dance (book 2).  Of course, this was when the blog was first starting out and I was attending author signings and we were reading about vampires, zombies, fairies (oh my!).  It was just too hard to catch up to it all!  Since then I had (somehow) signed up for Rachel Caine's newsletter and just last month started to receive emails about her fund-raising efforts to create a Web Television series for the Morganville Vampires.   I watched her YouTube video  plea for money and it was convincing so I decided to be a "backer" on Kickstarter. Besides,  she had some really cool bonuses for those willing to help her out.  :)  Watch her video and tell me if you would have given her money. 

Anyhow, Rachel did manage to get the cash she needed to fund this project (insert polite applause and yahooing here).  Which was fantabulous!  But what now?  I thought I should really take a closer look at what I've invested my money into so I dove into Glass Houses.

It was such a quick read and I soon learned to love the characters in this series.  True, I wish that Claire would develop more of a backbone...especially with Monica.  And, I could not understand why Claire found it more important to attend class then to stay inside and stay alive...but the Morganville Vampire series is such a fun read.  If you enjoy other supernatural series such as Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and The Secret Circle, you will enjoy this one.  

Look for more news regarding the Morganville television series.  I will send updates as they become available.  :)