In My Maillbox - May 7th

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 got several good books from the library this week.  The first two should be good for Let's Hear it for the Boys.

These, I've been waiting quite some time for:

A pretty good week all round I think.  Viva libraries!

Midnight in Austenland by Shannon Hale

Published: January 31st, 2012

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 277

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

When Charlotte Kinder treats herself to a two-week vacation at Austenland, she happily leaves behind her ex-husband and his delightful new wife, her ever-grateful children, and all the rest of her real life in America. She dons a bonnet and stays at a country manor house that provides an immersive Austen experience, complete with gentleman actors who cater to the guests' Austen fantasies.

Everyone at Pembrook Park is playing a role, but increasingly, Charlotte isn't sure where roles end and reality begins. And as the parlor games turn a little bit menacing, she finds she needs more than a good corset to keep herself safe. Is the brooding Mr. Mallery as sinister as he seems? What is Miss Gardenside's mysterious ailment? Was that an actual dead body in the secret attic room? And-perhaps of the most lasting importance-could the stirrings in Charlotte's heart be a sign of real-life love?

The follow-up to reader favorite Austenland provides the same perfectly plotted pleasures, with a feisty new heroine, plenty of fresh and frightening twists, and the possibility of a romance that might just go beyond the proper bounds of Austen's world. How could it not turn out right in the end?

For those of you who are wondering, no, Midnight in Austenland is not a YA novel.  Shannon Hale did write The Princess Academy for YA, but this book and its predecessor Austenland are written for an adult audience.  Still, I thought it would make a great crossover novel for older teens.  The main protagonist, Charlotte, wants to get away from her life and journeys to England to visit an estate in England where she can have 2 weeks of Austen fantasies.  The setting, the clothes, the manners are all authentic, and there is even a guest who is there especially to woo Charlotte.  The fun begins when Colonel Andrews sets the stage for a ghostly mystery, and Charlotte gets intrigued.

Charlotte's shenanigans are hilarious and I laughed out loud on several occasions.  Ms Hale has a wicked sense of humour.

"'Sometimes ..." Miss Charming's voice dropped lower, and she looked Charlotte in the eye.  "Sometimes my boobs kill."
Charlotte's eyes widened, her mouth agape.  It wasn't until Miss Charming followed her shocking statement by rubbing her chest in discomfort that Charlotte realized "my boobs kill" meant "my boobs ache" rather than "my boobs fatally maim people."  It was a natural mistake to make.  After all, they really were large enough to suffocate a grown man.'

I also loved that no character was immune to that humour.  Everyone was a target.There is a wonderful mystery that runs through the story, but only Charlotte is actually sure there really is a mystery.  Charlotte's 'Inner Thoughts' are so funny, they may almost be a character on their own.  Ms Hale writes so winningly of Pembroke Place and its immersion in Jane Austen lore, that I found myself on several occasions wondering how I could sign up for a holiday myself.  The idea of traipsing around in corset and bonnet, being wooed by a handsome gentleman (picked specially for you) began to sound really appealing.  If you're looking for a quick, light, with a generous side of humour, you can't go wrong by picking up Midnight in Austenland.

The Marked by Inara Scott

Published: April 2012

Publisher: Hyperion Book

Pages: 320

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

In her second semester at a boarding school for teenagers with special powers, Dancia Lewis faces danger from both inside and outside of Delcroix Academy.

All of her life, Dancia Lewis has wanted to use her powers for good. And now that she’s learned the truth about Delcroix Academy—and herself—she may just get the chance. But being part of Delcroix’s top secret Program isn’t anything like Dancia expected. She has to ask herself: what happens to the Talented kids who refuse to pledge their loyalty to the Program? And why did her friend Jack run away rather than join? Dancia’s adorable boyfriend Cam insists they need the help of every Talented student to defend Delcroix from dangerous enemies outside their gates. But Dancia has to wonder: what if Delcroix’s most frightening enemies come from within?

Review:

The Marked is book #2 in The Talents series.  I had been waiting for this one to come out.  If you enjoy watching X-Men the movie, you'll like this series.  The Talents series has something that I always look for - a great story that doesn't involve sex, extreme violence and/or language.  As a librarian, I often find it hard to refer books to a younger audience who can read at a higher level than their peers.  It can be sometimes difficult to find content that is still age-appropriate.  The Talents series fits this bill well.  In fact, I just gave my signed copy of The Candidates to a friend's daughter.  (The original artwork!)  It was SO hard to give up but this young reader is so voracious and she's only 10.  She'd tear through the YA section at the library if her Mom would let her.  Instead, I was recruited to provide her with some more age-appropriate guidance.   I hope she enjoys this series as much as I have.


So back to my review.  Dancia begins to get in touch with her powers and gains more control in this book.  I hate to say it but I questioned Cam's loyalties to her through the first 1/2 of the book...especially whenever Anna was around.  Is he really looking out for her best interests or for the interests of the Academy?  (These questions plagued my mind)  The Marked is a wee bit slow to start but if you stick with it, you'll see how the story gains momentum.  


I'm a fan of Inara Scott and she has also released an adult title called Rules of Negotiation.  Interested in a contemp adult romance?  Check out the link.  Its on my TBR list as well!

Follow Friday

Feature and 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 weeks question is:

What is the one thing you wish you could tell your favourite author?

This is a hard one.  How about - (to Cassandra Clare) I love your series.  Was Jace based on a real person and if so, could I have his number?  Uh...if not, how about Will? Jem?

- 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.

Candlewax by C Bailey Sims

Published:April 3rd, 2012

Publisher: Terabyte Press

Pages: 385

Copy: Publisher/Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

An Ancient Prophecy. A Powerful Relic. An Insatiable Evil. When all three converge, the fate of every living thing will be in peril.

All her life Catherine had hoped to see a fairrier cat. No book, no scroll provided to her by her tutors had ever mentioned this legend, much to her frustration, and now-at the worse possible time-she was getting her wish. Only, in her wish the cat wasn't about to kill her.

A 732-year-old fairrier cat the size of a horse has killed his fair share of hunters. Driven to the brink of extinction for the supernatural powers of his coat, is he indeed the last of his kind?

Sheltered, 16-year-old Catherine is about to find out. Unwitting heir to the Ancient Onyxes, she flees an arranged marriage only to stumble upon the cat's secrets, the force of the ancient relic she wears, and the dangerous mission they must undertake.

Hidden under a desert that was once a fertile land, millions of predators are waiting to feast again. Catherine must discover the secret of the Ancient Onyxes and stop the creatures known as trodliks before they consume everything in their path. A whispered prophecy becomes her only guide and a rejected suitor just might be the one warrior she desperately needs.

I have to admit to having a little bit of trouble getting used to the writing style in Candlewax, but the intriguing story helped overcome my initial frustrations. The complex world building and well written characters were compelling and ultimately made Candlewax a great read.

Ms. Sims' world building was superb and she managed to describe 3 completely different areas in Lackanay - Crystallia, Candlewax and Cinna. Each has its own personality and becomes an integral part of the story.

Spelopokos and the farrier cats are completely new to literature and are very interesting.  I found him easy to picture in my mind - a little like a taller, skinnier and striped version of Aslan in the Chronicles of Narnia movies - maybe a white tiger kind of look.  I loved his obvious intelligence and soon forgot that the farrier cats aren't actually real. The human characters are well fleshed out and very real.  Catherine isn't content to just let life happen around her and makes an effort to change things.  Bessie is landed in a predicament that is pretty much out of her control and she is so pragmatic and wonderful - she just makes the best of it.  Cyril is a prince, in every possible way.  I loved him. He had such a strong, yet kind personality.  Menard, who is one of Cyril's retainers, provides a levelling adult presence. There were plenty of nasty bad guys as well.

The reasons behind the journey are two-fold - human menace and nasty, grubby insects that want to eat everything and everyone in sight.  Yugh, they gave me a major case of the heebie-jeebies. The story unwinds slowly, but with great detail and I enjoyed getting to know the characters and travelling on the journey with them.

Candlewax is an exciting, page-turning read with a believable world that was easy to fall into.  Highly recommended for fantasy lovers of any age.  I can't wait to see what happens next in the sequel Tabrek, although I couldn't find any mention of a publication date.

Waiting On Wednesday City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

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

Really, should it be any surprise that today's WOW is 

Check your online to see what your bookstore is offering up in terms of bonuses.  I know that different editions will have special additions that Cassie has provided for her readers.  For Canadians, Chapters/Indigo has an exclusive edition letter from Stephen Herondale to Jace!

Want a sneak peek of Chapter 1?  Click on the link!

In Case You Missed It - The Comet"s Curse by Dom Testa

Published:  March 2010

Publisher: Tor Teen

Pages: 240

Copy: From Author

Summary: Goodreads

When the tail of the comet Bhaktul flicks through the Earth’s atmosphere, deadly particles are left in its wake. Suddenly, mankind is confronted with a virus that devastates the adult population. Only those under the age of eighteen seem to be immune. Desperate to save humanity, a renowned scientist proposes a bold plan: to create a ship that will carry a crew of 251 teenagers to a home in a distant solar system. Two years later, the Galahad and its crew—none over the age of sixteen—is launched.


Two years of training have prepared the crew for the challenges of space travel. But soon after departing Earth, they discover that a saboteur is hiding on the Galahad! Faced with escalating acts of vandalism and terrorized by threatening messages, sixteen-year-old Triana Martell and her council soon realize that the stowaway will do anything to ensure that the Galahad never reaches its destination. The teens must find a way to neutralize their enemy. For if their mission fails, it will mean the end of the human race….


Last month we were lucky enough to host a giveaway for the full series of 'The Galahad Legacy' by Dom Testa.  I was totally intrigued by the series and set out to read it -  The Comet's Curse is the first. (Thank you Dom for the signed copy.)

I'm thrilled to say, The Comet's Curse did not disappoint.  The story jumps between two timelines - before departure and after, and it was easy to keep the two separate. Dr Zimmer provides a wonderful 'father figure' perspective during the lead up to the departure of the Galahad, and I really enjoyed the obvious emotion he felt for his 'kids'.  The five main characters; Triana, Bon, Gap, Channy and Lita are all very different and comprise the council, or leadership, aboard the Galahad.  Not an easy position to hold when you are only 15 or 16 and going on a 5 year journey through space. The reader slowly gets to know these five brave and very smart kids, and it becomes apparent that we are in for some interesting times throughout the 6 books.   I predict lots of mystery and romance - wonder if I'll be right?

Something is obviously very wrong aboard the ship and Roc - the computer - shows some very human traits as he tries to help the council find a solution to the problem.  There was an almost palpable sense of unease as the story progressed, and the alternating timelines only seemed to enhance this.  I was not able to guess who was responsible for the problems aboard the Galahad, and I'll admit to being surprised - I believe my thought was duh!, when all was revealed - I really should have seen it, but I didn't.  Is it a little convenient that the virus that is killing mankind only affects those over 18?  Yes, of course it is, but this is fiction, and anything can happen when it's fiction.  I rather liked the comet idea myself.  It reminded me just a little of a movie several years ago called Night of the Comet, where everyone outdoors at the time the comet passed turned into dust.  Does anyone else remember that, or have I just aged myself completely?

All in all I really enjoyed The Comet's Curse and I'm definitely going to work my way through the series.  I so enjoy not having to wait for the next book to come out.  If you haven't tried this one yet, give it a go - it's a quick and fun read.