Same book, Second Look - The Essence by Kimberly Derting

Published: January 2013

Publisher: Margaret K McElderry

Pages: 341

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

Christinabean's review

I thoroughly enjoyed The Pledge and have been waiting eagerly for The Essence to cross my path.  Unfortunately, for me, there was a little bit of something missing.  I really don't know what.  It wasn't that I didn't enjoy it, because I did - it just didn't blow me away the same way that The Pledge did.

There was quite a lot going on in the story, but I found myself becoming frustrated with Charlie.  After all the problems that Sabara has caused, WHY would Charlie not tell anyone that that her consciousness was still there.  It just seemed cowardly and somewhat selfish and I couldn't understand it, other than as a plot device. I get that Charlie was a bit embarrassed by it all, but still - it just didn't ring true for me. 

However I absolutely adored Brook this time around.  What a wonderfully strong character she is, and I loved her relationship with Aron.  I actually got more shivers from their relationship than I did from Charlie and Max.  There are some exciting goings-on throughout the book - tension and intrigue aplenty, but somehow, the spark was missing.  As it turns out, Christinabean felt much the same way as I did.  I will read #3, because I do want to find out what happens, and I feel I owe it to The Pledge, which has had so much positive press.  I just hope that Charlie is a little more sensible next time around.

Summerset Abbey by T J Brown

 

Published: January 15th, 2013

Publisher: Gallery Books

Pages: 288

Copy: Publisher through Edelweis

Summary: Goodreads

1913: In a sprawling manor on the outskirts of London, three young women seek to fulfill their destinies and desires amidst the unspoken rules of society in this stunning series starter that fans of Downton Abbey will love.

Rowena Buxton

Sir Philip Buxton raised three girls into beautiful and capable young women in a bohemian household that defied Edwardian tradition. Eldest sister Rowena was taught to value people, not wealth or status. But everything she believes will be tested when Sir Philip dies, and the girls must live under their uncle’s guardianship at the vast family estate, Summerset Abbey. Standing up for a beloved family member sequestered to the “underclass” in this privileged new world, and drawn into the Cunning Coterie, an exclusive social circle of aristocratic “rebels,” Rowena must decide where her true passions—and loyalties—lie.

Victoria Buxton

Frail in body but filled with an audacious spirit, Victoria secretly dreams of attending university to become a botanist like her father. But this most unladylike wish is not her only secret—Victoria has stumbled upon a family scandal that, if revealed, has the potential to change lives forever...

Prudence Tate

Prudence was lovingly brought up alongside Victoria and Rowena, and their bond is as strong as blood. But by birth she is a governess’s daughter, and to the lord of Summerset Abbey, that makes her a commoner who must take her true place in society—as lady’s maid to her beloved “sisters.” But Pru doesn’t belong in the downstairs world of the household staff any more than she belongs upstairs with the Buxton girls. And when a young lord catches her eye, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever truly carve out a place for herself at Summerset Abbey

Calling all Downton Abbey fans.  I'm sure there must be a few of you out there.  Are you ready for a reading fix that will help fill your cravings?  Summerset Abbey pretty much fits the bill.  There is a certain allure to that time before the First World War isn't there?  There still seemed to be a kind of innocence.  Class divisions were still firmly in place; women were still very much protected and sheltered; society still had very strong rules that had to be followed.

In Summerset Abbey we see what happens when 3 girls have been brought up in such a way as not to follow society's stringent rules. Then circumstances occur where they are plunged back to reality, and are more or less powerless to do anything about it.   Rowena, Victoria and Prudence are victims of circumstance.  They don't like what happens when their father dies, but can do very little to change what happens.

I found it very interesting to read about what happened to them and kept wishing and hoping that they would react to the events with modern sensibilities, but of course they can't. Something happens with Prudence that terribly disappointed me, but when I though about it, I understood why she acted the way she did.  In our present society, we forget just how much freedom we girls have.  In the early 1900's that freedom was not available.  Summerset Abbey tells a marvellous story about what happens when the girls lose control of their own futures.  It was a compelling and interesting read that left me mad with society and frustrated that Rowena, Victoria and Prudence couldn't do more for themselves. 

As I said, a sure fire hit for Downton fans, and probably for anyone who likes reading about that time in history.  I look forward to seeing what the future holds for the girls.

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:  If you could hang out with any author (living) who would it be and what would you want to do?

I would love to hang out with Meg Cabot.  She just seems like so much fun!  I love her sarcasm and she seems like a great "girl" friend.  What would we do?  We'd hit a theme park, ride all the roller coasters, scream our heads off and eat lots of junk food!

- 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.

The Heroes Guide to Storming the Castle - GIVEAWAY, Exclusive artwork reveal and excerpt

 

Published: April 30th, 2013

Publisher: Walden Pond Press

Prince Liam. Prince Frederic. Prince Duncan. Prince Gustav. You remember them, don't you? They're the Princes Charming who finally got some credit after they stepped out of the shadows of their princesses - Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Briar Rose - to defeat an evil witch bent on destroying all their kingdoms.

But alas, such fame and recognition only last so long. And when the princes discover that an object of great power might fall into any number of wrong hands, they are going to have to once again band together to stop it from happening - even if no one will ever know it was they who did it.

Christopher Healy, author of the acclaimed The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, takes us back to the hilariously fractured fairy-tale world he created for another tale of medieval mischief. Magical gemstones, bladejaw eels, a mysterious Gray Phantom, and two maniacal warlords bent on world domination - it's all in a day's work for the League of Princes.

Last year we were happy to be part of an artwork reveal for the first book in this series The Hero's Guide to Saving the Kingdom.  This year, we are lucky enough to once again be part of the reveal and we have an exclusive piece of artwork to show you.  What is really exciting is that we have a special giveaway as well this year - you can win a  framed copy of this piece of art, signed by artist Todd Harris, along with a hard cover copy of the book.  What an amazing giveaway - right?

  Artwork Copyright © 2013 by Todd Harris

I just love this picture of Duncan writing.  That rabbit sitting on his head just cracks me up. Now how about an excerpt from the book -

Hello! I’m Prince Duncan of Sylvaria. You may remember me from bard songs such as “The Tale of Snow White” or “Cinderella and the League of Princes.” Although that first one never mentions my name and the second is full of factual inaccuracies. For instance, I did not escape the Bandit King by donning a magical “ring of flight” as the song suggests; I simply fell off his roof.

But at least it gets one thing right: I’m a hero. But did you know there was a time when I didn’t even realize I was a hero? It’s true. In fact, I thought I was kind of a loser. That’s what everyone always told me, anyway. But then I joined the League of Princes, and along with my good friends Liam (the one from “Sleeping Beauty”), Frederic (the one from “Cinderella”), and Gustav (the one from “Rapunzel”), I outwitted the trolls, vanquished the giant, tamed the dragon, and destroyed the evil old witch, What’s-her-name, without even breaking a sweat. Because sweat is gross.

—from The Hero’s Guide to Being a Hero by Prince Duncan of Sylvaria, a.k.a. Prince Charming (the one from “Snow White”)

 

  Text Copyright © 2013 by Christopher Healy


a Rafflecopter giveaway -         

Good luck with you entries, I wish I could win this one!

Waiting on Wednesday - The Elite by Kiera Cass

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's for you Special K....I'm expecting to see you waiting for Chapters to open on April 23rd!

- Christinabean

Fantastic Fairytales - Strands of Bronze and Gold by Jane Nickerson

Published: March 12, 2013

Publisher: Random House Books for Children

Pages: 339

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.


As I was reading Strands of Bronze and Gold it occurred to me that Bluebeard is a fairy tale that I am completely unfamiliar with.  Apparently there are versions by both The Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault, but I have no recollection of reading either, which is unusual - I thought I'd read most tales by now. So, I have nothing to compare Strands of Bronze and Gold to.  One thing is for sure, it is a very disturbing story.

Ms. Nickerson has crafted a delicious Southern Gothic mystery, that unravels slowly and carefully.  The reader is aware that something strange has gone on, but unless you know the story, you find out what happened along with Sophia.  One of the most disturbing aspects of the story for me was the extreme age disparity between Sophia and Monsieur de Cressac.  Ugghh!  What a nasty piece of work he is.  Sometimes I think the worst villains are the ones who manage to hide their evilness under a veneer of charm, and he does it so well.  Ms. Nickerson has set her version of the tale in the South and has incorporated aspects of the Underground Railroad.  It's creepy and disturbing but a good read.

This was a fairy quick read for me - about 4 hours - but I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am now determined to find the original story and correct that deficit in my fairy tale education.  For fairy tale lovers everywhere - read and enjoy.

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 was incredibly lucky to receive a couple titles from Rhiannon Paille's series - The Ferryman and the Flame

It is no secret that we LOVE Canadian Authors.  Can't wait to dig into these Rhiannon!  Thank you!

- Christinabean