I want to read that...

Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey

From Goodreads: In less than a day I had been harassed, enchanted, shouted at, cried on, and clawed. I’d been cold, scared, dirty, exhausted, hungry, and miserable. And up until now, I’d been mildly impressed with my ability to cope.

At her boarding school in New Zealand, Ellie Spencer is like any ordinary teen: she hangs out with her best friend, Kevin; obsesses over her crush on a mysterious boy; and her biggest worry is her paper deadline. Then everything changes: In the foggy woods near the school, something ancient and deadly is waiting. Karen Healey introduces a savvy and spirited heroine with a strong, fresh voice. Full of deliciously creepy details, this adventure is a deftly crafted story of Māori mythology, romance, betrayal, and war.

I'm really liking the sound of this. It's published April 2010

Troy High by Shana Norris

From Amazon: This title presents a contemporary retelling of the famous Troy myth, set in two rival high schools. Homer's "Iliad", the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in "Troy High". Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena - who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders - transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie's brother Perry, the Spartans declare that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten. The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans' wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans' offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. "Troy High" will seduce readers with its incendiary cast, worthy of mythic proportion.

Having not read Homer’s ‘Iliad’ I’m afraid my knowledge of the story of Troy is limited to the film starring Brad Pitt! Therefore I’m not going to be an expert on how good a retelling it is. What I can tell you though, is that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I connected to Cassie straight away and liked seeing the cast of characters through her eyes. The friendship and feelings she had for Greg felt real - meaning I was really rooting for them. I also really enjoyed her budding friendship with Elena and watching her relationship with her brothers change because of all the rivalry. I found the whole rivalry between the schools really interesting to read – and although there was some fun in the pranks to begin with it was interesting to see how easy it is for them to turn into something more sinister.

Overall I found it really engaging. It felt really fresh – different from anything I’ve read recently and I found myself staying awake until one o'clock in the morning to finish it!

Interview: Mary Naylus

Back cover: Have you ever pretended to be someone else? Picky Robson thought things couldn't get any worse. Her life is a boy-free zone, she's being bullied at school, then mum announces she has to look after gran every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, unknowingly tempting fate, Picky slips into a flouncy old dress from the depths of an ancient chess and finds herself back in 17th Century London. But she is not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her - mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky change the past by exposing the murderer? And will she make it back alive?

Mary Naylus, the author of The Dresskeeper kindly took the time to answer a few of my questions:

• I loved Picky’s voice (and her humorous observations) – was this easy to develop? Did you base her on anyone you know?

I suppose Picky is an adult’s humorous take on how teenagers see themselves and the world. Having a teenager myself it was quite easy to develop the voice, but also I write in coffee shops in the main, and there is plenty of teenage talk there too, some of which is quite eye-opening!

• I loved the time travel aspect of the book. How much research did you need to do for the 17th century setting and what interested you most about this period?

Quite a lot, and in fact I had my mother read and research all the same material too, so that I didn’t make any silly errors. I wanted to have a relatively factual book in terms of history, but needed to ensure the plot was fast-moving and appealing to teens. Hence the knowledge and research had to be quite ingrained before I began to write.

What interested me most was that 1685 London was already on the cusp of modernity, in terms of architectural development; the coffee houses that doubled as mini-stock exchanges; the acceptance of scientific developments; the many newspapers and so on. Even the political situation was relatively peaceful.

• Do you have a favourite scene in the book?

I think the part where Picky talks about the dome of St Paul’s with Christopher Wren would have to be my favourite. The political situation at the time (not fully played out in the book because I don’t think teenagers would have been as intrigued as adults might) meant that he had to build the cathedral without revealing his dome until it was too late to change the design. The fact that a young girl knew about his secret dome would have been an eye-opener to Sir Christopher.

• If you could travel back in time like Picky when/where would you like to travel to? Is there a Historical figure you’d like to meet?

That’s a difficult question because there are so many time periods I would love to visit. Personally I would avoid any time period that featured excessive military action, but off the top of my head travelling back to Florence in the 1400s-1500s and meeting the Medici’s at the height of their power would be fun. Maybe I could incorporate that period into a novel at some point.

• Did you always intend on becoming a writer? Who are some of your favourite authors?

Yes, I’ve always loved to write, and to be perfectly honest, my taste in authors is wide-ranging, from mainstream to lesser-known talents. I would have to say that Pompeii by Robert Harris is one book that stands out.

• Can you tell us anything about your next book The Plaguemaker?

Sure, it’s set in modern day London, where 15-year-old Blessie is receiving ghostly messages that she discovers relate to a family of plague victims from the start of the great plague of 1665. These people appear to have been buried beneath the land Blessie’s architect father is hoping to build on to keep them out bankruptcy.

------

A big thank you to Mary for taking the time to answer my questions for my first author interview! The Dresskeeper is published 30 November. You can read my review here and read the first 3 chapters by clicking here.

Blog Awards

The Hearfelt Award
Many thanks go the Becky from The Bookette for giving me this award.

Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you're relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.
Rules: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I know some of you may already have this award but this way you get one from me too:)
Jenny @ Wondrous Reads
Lauren @ I was a teenage book geek
Sophie @ So Many Books, So Little Time
Everyone @ Chicklish
Michelle @ Michelle's bookshelf
La Coccinelle @ The Ladybug Reads
@Juju @ Tales of whimsy
Jo @ Once Upon a Bookcase
Justine @ A Bookful of Thoughts

I really enjoy reading your blogs and I want to thank you for taking the time to visit and comment on my blog:)

The Scribler Award
Many thanks go to Lauren from I was a teenage book geek for giving me this award.
Here's the rules:
1. Each Superior Scribbler, must in turn, pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.
2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and name of the blog from whom he/she has received the Award.
3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the Award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the Award.

I decided to give this award to the blogs I visit every day because they are amazing and because I love them. So my five are:

Becky @ The Bookette
Lauren @ Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
Jenny @ Wondrous Reads
Kristi @ The Story Siren
Everyone @ Chicklish

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

From Amazon: For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

I have read so many conflicting reviews for Hush Hush I had no idea what I’d think of it. I love the cover, the trailer makes it look amazing and I’ve been looking forward to reading it for months. So...I don't know if I'm part of the majority or minority but I absolutely loved it. I started reading it the same day I bought it and didn’t stop or do anything else until I’d finish it (except for the occasional grunt whenever I was asked a question!)

I loved Nora –she seemed kind, intelligent, independent, but she also seemed vulnerable and didn't always make the best decisions. In other words she was easy to relate to. I liked the fact that she wasn’t sure if she were going crazy or if the things happening were real. It gave the story more believability in my eyes and I think this was the basis for some of her ‘bad’ choices. I found her best friend Vee funny – she provided the light relief and was the girl who leads Nora astray. I felt that if Nora was friends with ‘bad girl’ Vee it wasn’t a surprise she would be attracted to ‘bad boy’ Patch. There were times when I didn’t like Vee’s actions though – there is one particular time when she dismisses and trivialises a nasty incident –(I’m trying not to get spoilery here) – but overall I liked her.

As for the character Patch – I really loved him. He was a real bad boy and completely mysterious. I felt he did genuinely have feelings for Nora that grew over the space of the novel, but at same time I didn’t know if I trusted him. I could understand her attraction to him though– l looked forward to him being scenes – but also slightly uneasy whenever he was. Good or bad - I felt there was definitely an intensity to their relationship.

I really liked the mythology too – it felt really new and different and it is a good basis for a series. As for the ending - I Loved it! I don’t want to give anything away but after reading the book I felt it was believable. It also sets the scene for more books to follow which is good as I was left with a few questions and a need for more, so I can say with 100 percent certainty that I will be reading CRESCENDO as soon as it hits the shelves next year!

In my mailbox (12)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I bought:

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

From Amazon: A sacred oath, a fallen angel, a forbidden love...This darkly romantic story features our heroine, Nora Grey, a seemingly normal teenage girl with her own shadowy connection to the Nephilim, and super-alluring bad boy, Patch, now her deskmate in biology class. Together they find themselves at the centre of a centuries-old feud between a fallen angel and a Nephilim...Forced to sit next to Patch in science class, Nora attempts to resist his flirting, though gradually falls for him against her better judgment. Meanwhile creepy things are going on with a mysterious stalker following her car, breaking into her house and attacking her best friend, Vi. Nora suspects Patch, but there are other suspects too - not least a new boy who has transferred from a different college after being wrongly accused of murdering his girlfriend. And he seems to have taken a shine to Nora...Love certainly is dangerous...and someone is going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice for it.

Perfect You by Elizabeth Scott

From Amazon: Kate Brown's life has gone downhill fast. Her father has quit his job to sell vitamins at the mall, and Kate is forced to work with him. Her best friend has become popular, and now she acts like Kate's invisible.
And then there's Will. Gorgeous, unattainable Will, whom Kate acts like she can't stand even though she can't stop thinking about him. When Will starts acting interested, Kate hates herself for wanting him when she's sure she's just his latest conquest.
Kate figures that the only way things will ever stop hurting so much is if she keeps to herself and stops caring about anyone or anything. What she doesn't realize is that while life may not always be perfect, good things can happen -- but only if she lets them....

How do you do this week?

The Dresskeeper: Sample Chapters

Back cover: Have you ever pretended to be someone else?Picky Robson thought things couldn't get any worse. Her life is a boy-free aone, she's being bullied at school, then mum announces she has to look after gran every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, unknowingly tempting fate, Picky slips into a flouncy old dress from the depths of an ancient chess and finds herself back in 17th Century London. But she is not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her - mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky change the past by exposing the murderer? And will she make it back alive?

You can see my review for this here. For anyone who hasn't had a chance to get their hands on a copy yet you can read the first 3 chapters below. Many thanks to Prospera Publishing for sending them to me.

Dress Keeper by Mary Naylus Chapters

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

From Amazon: St Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school - hidden away, it's a place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St Vladimir's where the girls must survive a world of forbidden romances, a ruthless social scene and terrifying night time rituals. But most of all, staying alive.

I was warned this was slow going at first but then impossible to put down. Well, for me the advice was half right. I loved it from the get-go. It was obvious a great deal of thought had gone into creating the world - it really showed and felt believable. I adored Rose – vulnerable, sassy, with just the right amount of that ‘kick-ass’ attitude I love (and wish I had!) yet still responsible in her duties as a Guardian (and to Lissa). I must say that I didn’t warm as much to Lissa at first as she kind of worried me – I couldn't really put my finger on why– but it all came together in the end and I get the impression that perhaps I was supposed to feel that way.

As for Dimitri I think it’s safe to say I’m bordering on obsession!! I loved the final scenes between him and Rose (sigh!) and some of my favourite scenes in the book are between those two. I look forward to more of these two in future books.

Overall this was a fantastic introduction to a thrilling new series. Mead really knows how to write both action and romance. It also felt quite dark, especially the strigoi - very creepy! . I was completely hooked and didn’t want to put it down . Really addictive!.

I want to read that...

Hold Still by Nina LaCour


From Amazon:
Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful - in words and illustrations, Ingrid left begind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend's suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons and start to realise that true friendship didn't die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid's depression becomes the tool by which Caitlin reaches out to all those who loved her.


I really like the sound of this - I expect it will make me cry though! It's published 12 November 2009 (in the UK).

Check out the trailer below:

The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus

REVIEW COPY: Prospera Publishing.

Released: 30 November

Back cover: Have you ever pretended to be someone else?Picky Robson thought things couldn't get any worse. Her life is a boy-free aone, she's being bullied at school, then mum announces she has to look after gran every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, unknowingly tempting fate, Picky slips into a flouncy old dress from the depths of an ancient chess and finds herself back in 17th Century London. But she is not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her - mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky change the past by exposing the murderer? And will she make it back alive?

This was a pleasure to read. Penelope – aka Picky – was such a great character to spend time with. She had such a humorous voice throughout that I found myself laughing out loud. The time travel aspect of the story was handled really well and added to the story. Mary Naylus did a great job of balancing the past and the present throughout the book – I was equally interested in both. The present dealt with the issues of bullying, self image and an absentee father – all of which were handled with care by the author – while still managing to keep the book lighthearted. The mystery of the past was really intriguing and I didn’t work it out. I loved seeing 17th century London through Picky’s eyes (and her humorous observations) – it really brought it to life and was the perfect way to bring a modern voice to historical fiction.

Overall this was great fun! My only quibble would be that it ended too quickly – I would have like to known more about what happened both in the past and the present – but that's just testament to how much I enjoyed it. I will certainly be keeping my eye out for her next novel The Plaguemaker in 2010.

You can read the first 3 chapters here

Cover Wars: Numbers by Rachel Ward

I saw the US cover for this on Goodreads and fell in love with it. I really liked the UK cover when I first saw it but I just LOVE the US one.

UK / US

What do you think?

Read My Lips by Teri Brown

From Amazon:

Popularity is as easy as a good secret.Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there's no turning back.From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena's identity has done a 180...almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she's not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school's most exclusive clique.With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop...

This was a bit different than I was expecting but I really liked it. It really reminded me of 'How to be Popular' by Meg Cabot, as it is essentially about a teenage girl trying her best to fit in and have friends while still remaining true to herself. I really liked the fact that despite Serena’s ability to read lips at a distance, it’s still a story about a girl who happens to be deaf rather than a story about a deaf girl. I really connected to Serena, and although I felt she made a few poor choices at times, I still understood them. I also liked the 'kick-ass' attitude she had a times – I would have liked to see more of it. Miller was lovely and the two characters had some really sweet moments together . He also seemed to be Serena’s moral compass – Miller’s reaction when he found out what Serena had been up to felt realistic and made me like him even more.

There were no real surprises and I had a good idea of what was going to happen but that didn’t stop it from being fun to read. Overall, a cute, lighthearted read and I'll be on the lookout for more books by Teri Brown.

In my mailbox (11)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I got the following books:

The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus (For review)
30 November Prospera Publishing
From Back cover:
Have you ever pretended to be someone else?
Picky Robson thought things couldn't get any worse. Her life is a boy-free aone, she's being bullied at school, then mum announces she has to look after gran every weekend for the foreseeable future. One night, unknowingly tempting fate, Picky slips into a flouncy old dress from the depths of an ancient chess and finds herself back in 17th Century London. But she is not alone. A weirdo in a wig is trying to kill her - mistaking her for a girl called Amelia. Who is Amelia? Can Picky change the past by exposing the murderer? And will she make it back alive?

Major Crush by Jennifer Echols

From Amazon:
Marching to the beat of a different drum...
Tired of the beauty-pagean circuit, Virginia Sauter tosses her tiara, pierces her nose, and auditions for the most unlikely of roles -- drum major of the high school marching band.
Virginia wins, but is forced to share the title with Drew, whose family has held the position for generations. Sure, Drew is hot, but because of his superior attitude, he and Virginia are constantly arguing. That is, until they share more than just their half-time salute...
But as the drum major's heated competition turns to sizzling romance, explosive rumors threaten everything -- including the band's success. Love seemed to be a sure hit, but Virginia and Drew may be marching straight into disaster.

The Boys Next Door by Jennifer Echols

From Amazon:

Cute, available, and one cabin over
Lori lives for summertime on the lake. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends -- including the two hotties in the house next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.
But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.
But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girl friend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard....

The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols

From Amazon:

Brace yourself for the battle of the exes....
Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized breakup. Now the two are "just friends," excluding the occasional flirtation.
When Hayden wins the girls' division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn't have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick's bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden's and the boys on Nick's, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated -- and they might end up igniting some old flames.

The Secret life of Sparrow Delaney by Suzanne Harper

From Goodreads:

In high school, the last thing you want is for people to think you talk to ghosts. When Sparrow begins tenth grade at a huge new school full of strangers, she thinks her dreams of anonymity and a fresh start are finally coming true. No more following in her six older sisters' footsteps. No more going to class with kids who've seen her grandma doing jujitsu in the front yard next to the headstones of her four dead husbands. And no more worrying about keeping her deep, dark secret hidden.
Sparrow makes a new best friend and has her eye on an irritatingly appealing guy in her history class. She feels like she's well on her way to a normal life. But it's another boy—a dead one—who wants Sparrow's attention, and he won't let her be till she's helped him Move On.
You see, Sparrow Delaney's secret is that she's a psychic. And there's one very persistent ghost who won't let her forget it.

How did you all do?

Spinebreakers looking for Teen Editors

I received the info for this today - it looks really good and I wish I was (ahem) slightly younger so I could apply for it myself...


WANTED:
BOOK EDITORS AND MUSIC EDITORS FOR SPINEBREAKERS.CO.UK

Calling all creative whizzes, book heads, musos and budding writers. We are recruiting a team of 13-18 year olds to become the next line up of music and books editors for Penguin’s online community, www.spinebreakers.co.uk/ , run by teens for teens

Spinebreakers launched in 2007 and is now crammed full of creative content inspired by books, contributed by 13-18 year olds. The website is backed by publisher Penguin but the content of the site is totally in the hands of the young editors.

The past editors have had brilliant experiences interviewing famous authors like Nick Hornby, being the first to hear and review brand new music from Island records, sitting on the first ever Orange Prize for Fiction Youth Panel, attending the Underage Festival, speaking at events, and letting the world know their opinions when it came to books. We are now looking to recruit a second generation of editors: this is your chance to fill their footsteps, gain some amazing experiences and be a part of something unique.
You will:
- Receive tonnes of free books
- Get to listen and review some of the hottest new music around
- Work with industry professionals
- Meet and interview famous authors and musicians
- Explore imaginative topics around books and writing
- Unleash your creativity
- Get something totally amazing on your CV
- Have all travel expenses covered

“I have to say my involvement with Spinebreakers has helped me a great deal, not only it's given me the confidence to stand out within a crowd, public speaking, writing articles, but it has also given me the opportunity to be on BBC Radio 4, which I'm really proud of.” Osman Diallo (ex-Spinebreakers Editor, aged 20)

If you have a passion for books, music, reading, writing, drawing, filming – anything creative – then we want to hear from you.

The editors will receive a half-day workshop at a youth marketing agency in London.

You need to be:

- Available on 26th October 2009
- Within commuting distance of London (for Books Editors only)
- Able to attend monthly meetings at Penguin in Central London
- Able to commit to creating monthly content

To apply, we want you to show us what you can do. Send us your favourite piece of writing you’ve done – it could be a short story, book or album review, rant or feature. Plus we want you to tell us in 100 words or less why you should become one of our teen editors. And, don’t forget to state if you’d rather be a books or music editor. Send the info to: jointheteam@spinebreakers.co.uk

Please send your submissions to reach us no later than 22nd OCTOBER 2009

Please visit www.spinebreakers.co.uk/ to find out more about the site and to apply to become an editor. jointheteam@spinebreakers.co.uk

Can’t wait to hear from you!

I want to read that....

Undead Much by Stacey Jay
From Amazon:

Megan Berry—Zombie Settler extraordinaire—just wants Pom Squad to trounce Cheer Team in this freakishly funny follow-up to You Are So Undead to Me. But someone’s turning coma victims into settler-resistant über-zombies—and everyone thinks it’s Megan’s fault! Well, except for super-creepy male cheerleader Aaron. (Ew!)
Meg’s also being stalked by a hot—albeit undead— seer named Cliff. Can Cliff’s premonitions help Megan stop a zombies-on-ice deathscapade and discover who’s really behind the coma-killer crusade before an entire army of undead rise up? And when Megan’s boyfriend Ethan grows jealous of Cliff, will it end their intra-settler romance?
Stacey Jay’s snarky teen-speak is “dead”-on and hysterical! Ally Carter better get used to the smell of grave dirt . . .

I can't tell you how much I loved You are so Undead to Me. It was such great fun - really easy to read and I found myself completely gripped not wanting to stop until I'd finished it. Therefore, it is probably of no suprised that I CAN'T WAIT to read it's sequel. It's published (in the US) in January 2010. There is also a sneek peek at the authors website which you can read by clicking here.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

From Amazon: Grace is fascinated by the wolves in the woods behind her house; one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. Every winter, she watches him but every summer, he disappears. Sam leads two lives. In winter he stays in the frozen woods, with the protection of the pack.n summer, he has a few precious months to be human . . . until the cold makes him shift back again. When Grace and Sam finally meet they realize they can't bear to be apart. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, for ever

I was really looking forward to this one and I’m please to say it lived up to most of my expectations. I really enjoyed Maggie Stiefvater’s writing style as it had a very lyrical feel to it. The novel was slower paced than I was expecting but this wasn't necessarily a bad thing – it didn’t have the tense urgency of some books I’ve read recently but I can honestly say I never lost interest because of it. It helped create a great atmosphere and i could almost feel the cold as I read!

The story was told from both Grace and Sam ‘s point of view – a method that is fast becoming my favourite style of storytelling. Character wise – I just adored Sam. He’s so sweet, caring and nice. Grace I found harder to connect to – I never felt as if I really ‘saw’ her – she had such emotional strength and independence that I just couldn’t relate – although considering the way here parents were with her it was definitely understandable. Isabel, on the other hand, cracked me up and provided the light relief the story needed at times.

I loved the mythology Stiefvater created here – it felt very original and as such gave the story a higher level of authenticity. I started to believe it was actually possible! My favourite part of the story though, was the Sam/Grace love story. It was so gentle and felt very believable to me –and the ending. How much did I LOVE the ending? It’s safe to say I can’t wait for the next book in this series and I’ll be very interested to see how it continues.

Tempted Trailer

There is a trailer for Tempted by P C and Kristen Cast, which is published 27 October.

SYNOPSIS CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS!

From Amazon:So…you’d think after banishing an immortal being and a fallen High Priestess, saving Stark’s life, biting Heath, getting a headache from Erik, and almost dying, Zoey Redbird would catch a break. Sadly, a break is not in the House of Night school forecast for the High Priestess in training and her gang. Juggling three guys is anything but a stress reliever, especially when one of them is a sexy Warrior who is so into protecting Zoey that he can sense her emotions. Speaking of stress, the dark force lurking in the tunnels under the Tulsa Depot is spreading, and Zoey is beginning to believe Stevie Rae could be responsible for a lot more than a group of misfit red fledglings. Aphrodite’s visions warn Zoey to stay away from Kalona and his dark allure, but they also show that it is Zoey who has the power to stop the evil immortal. Soon it becomes obvious that Zoey has no choice: if she doesn’t go to Kalona he will exact a fiery vengeance on those closest to her. Will Zoey have the courage to chance losing her life, her heart, and her soul? Find out in the next spectacular installment in the House of Night Series, Tempted.

Check it out below:



You can also read the first chapter by clicking here.

Prom Nights from Hell

I bought this purely for the Meg Cabot story – as anyone who knows me will testify I am completely addicted to Meg Cabot books – I just love them. This short story, called The Exterminator's Daughter, is no exception and was (for me) worth the price of the book alone – I would really like to see it become a series! The other stories that stood out for me were Kim Harrison’s Madison Avery and the Dim Reaper - which I was please to see had become a series - and Stephenie Meyer's Hell on Earth.

I enjoyed this – I don’t often read short stories but these were long enough to feel like a complete story, with the added bonus I could read the whole story in my lunch break. It was also a great introduction to authors I hadn’t read before - I’ve also got Love is Hell and Vacations from Hell which I look forward to reading.

Golden Oldie (5)

Golden Oldie: A book I love that has been published for a while. Each post will concentrate on one author I used to, and still do, love

I realised when I did these posts the other week I completely forgot about Paula Danziger. How Could I forget Paula Danziger? I absolutely LOVED her books! They haven't been available in the UK for a while now (unfortunately) but I see they are still available in the US and some have really cute covers too (see The Cat ate my Gymsuit below).

I really enjoyed all of Danziger's books but the one that stood out for me was Remember Me to Harold Square.

From Goodreads: This summer could be a disaster. Kendra's parents have invited Frank, a 15-year-old she's never met, to stay with them. And they've planned a goofy scavenger hunt for the kids, including Kendra's bratty younger brother. They have to race all around New York City and visit places like the Empire State Building and the United Nations to find answers. But once they get started, Kendra doesn't mind the scavenger hunt so much, mostly because Frank turns out to be just as interesting as all of the sights.

I was completely addicted to that book - it was a really good romance story made better by the fact that the two characters became really good friends too.

Other Paula Danziger books include The Pistachio Prescription, The Divorce Express, The Cat ate my Gymsuit and it's sequel There's a Bat in Bunk Five . They are all very quick reads but great fun! I believe they are aimed at younger teens and are probably very tame by today's standards but I remember really enjoying them.

Cover Wars: UK vs US

I was surprised at how different the covers are for The Devouring by Simon Holt. They feel like completely different books - I think the book is possibly aimed at a male audience in the UK (fans of Darren Shan etc). I prefer the US one - I don't think I'd pick up the UK one, whereas the US one makes me want to read it.

UK

US

What do you think?

In my mailbox (10)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I bought:

Read My Lips by Teri Brown

From Amazon:

Popularity is as easy as a good secret.
Serena just wants to fly under the radar at her new school. But Serena is deaf, and she can read lips really well-even across the busy cafeteria. So when the popular girls discover her talent, there's no turning back.
From skater chick to cookie-cutter prep, Serena's identity has done a 180...almost. She still wants to date Miller, the school rebel, and she's not ready to trade her hoodies for pink tees just yet. But she is rising through the ranks in the school's most exclusive clique.
With each new secret she uncovers, Serena feels pressure to find out more. Reading lips has always been her greatest talent, but now Serena just feels like a gigantic snoop...

Leaving Paradise by Simone Elkeles

From Amazon: Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad - her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares - has been cancelled. After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb's free ...if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers. Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It's a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Love Bites Boxset - containing:
Dirty Angels by Andrew Clover, Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson, Beautiful Dead by Eden Maguire, Darke Academy by Gabriella Poole, Vamprie Diaries - The Awakening, The Last Vampire by Christopher Pike.

How did you all do?

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

From Amazon:
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in ZanzibarBay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

I loved this. It is beautifully written – the writing just flows and I found myself so absorbed I completely forgot I was reading. All the characters were three dimensional – including Matt who the author fleshed out enough for the reader to believe in the grief the characters felt. I really liked Anna and she had a great voice – very witty at times but you could feel her grief throughout the book. Frankie was suitably complex and I got a hint of how she used to be and understood why she acted the way she did – I can’t say I always liked her though.

The way everyone grieved felt authentic – the effect on Frankie, her parents and Anna – all of it felt very real. The ending also felt natural and believable, managing to end the story in a satisfying way.

Overall I really enjoyed this – so much I found myself savouring it and not wanting it to end. In fact, I think I could have read another 300 pages of her writing and not tired of it. Strongly recommended and I can't wait for her next book!

I want to read that....

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

From the authors website:
Zoey’s life in her Florida beach resort town is happy and organized. She’s the captain of her high school swim team, and she works for her dad at his popular water park. Then her dad has an affair with one of his employees, and her mother has a breakdown. But Zoey begins a committed relationship with a hot lifeguard, which makes her feel stable, even if things aren’t perfect at home. Everything is still under control.
Until she has a car accident that she can’t remember. She should have been with her boyfriend that night, but he doesn’t seem to know anything about the accident—and he doesn’t seem to care. The person who does care, and knows more than he’s telling, is Doug, Zoey’s darkly handsome arch-enemy who saved her from the wreckage. As Zoey begins to piece together what happened that night, she finds her sense of control over her life was only an illusion. And she inches closer to discovering the darkest secret of all: why Doug has fallen in love with her.
Published by MTV Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. July 2010

I really really love Going too Far so even if this is only half as good it will still be brilliant! Can't wait as it sounds amazing!

My first Blog Award!

Many, many thanks to Once upon a Bookcase for giving me the Honest Scrap Award!

This is the Honest Scrap award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honor, bloggers who write from the heart and touch me because of it:

Wondrous Reads
Chicklish
Rhiannon Hart
The Story Siren
The Bookette
Lauren's Cramned Bookshelf
Undercover Book Lover

Ten honest things about me (but not necessarily that interesting....)

1. I was vegetarian for 20 years.
2. I am addicted to DVD’s and own far too many.
3. I love Horror films.
4. I have a ridiculously large TBR pile – last count was around the 1000 mark! I stopped counting after that!
5. I can’t stop buying books – which adds to the problem above!
6. I am terrified of snakes :(
7. I love photography.
8. I’m told I don’t have any patience – but I can’t possibly comment.
9. I love the sound of rain.
10. I’m a cat person...but have a dog called Gideon...unfortunately he's afraid of cats :(

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks

From Goodreads: In 1958 Landon Carter is a shallow but well-meaning teenager who spends most of his time hanging out with his friends and trying hard to ignore the impending responsibilities of adulthood. Then Landon gets roped into acting the lead in the Christmas play opposite the most renowned goody two-shoes in town: Jamie Sullivan. Against his best intentions and the taunts of his buddies, Landon finds himself falling for Jamie and learning some central lessons in life.

Although technically an adult novel, I though this would have great cross-over appeal. I love the film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks' novels (The Notebook being my all time favourite!) so I had to read one. I love his writing style - I have a tendency to read mostly female authors so this was a pleasant change that didn't disappoint. The story is set in the late 1950's and you really get a sense of that time period, which adds depth to both the story and the characters. I found myself very invested in them and their story - both characters being very likeable and well developed. I don't want to give too much away except to say you might need to have tissues on hand! I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading more novels by the author.

Some Girls Are Book Trailer

I posted on Friday that I really want to read Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. I just found a trailer for it on her website.




You can also read the first chapter by clicking here.

In my mailbox (9)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren

This week I bought:

The Hate List by Jennifer Brown

From Amazon: Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend opened fire on their school cafeteria, killing five students and one teacher before turning the gun on himself. Valerie, who was shot trying to stop him, is initially implicated in the shootings because of the hate list she helped create. The hate list her boyfriend used to pick his targets. As Valerie integrates back into school, more of an outsider than she ever thought she was before, she is forced to confront her feelings of guilt and loneliness. Exploring the gray area between hero and villain, she navigates the rocky relationships with her family, her former friends, with the memory of the boyfriend she still loves, and with the girl whose life she saved five months ago. As she moves toward graduation and the year anniversary of the shooting, Valerie must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it all in order to make amends and move on with her life.

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent

From Goodreads:

She doesn't see dead people, but…
She senses when someone near her is about to die. And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.
Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next…

Troy High by Shana Norris

From Amazon: This title presents a contemporary retelling of the famous Troy myth, set in two rival high schools. Homer's "Iliad", the classic tale of love and revenge, is shrewdly retold for teens in "Troy High". Narrated by Cassie, a shy outsider who fears that an epic high school rivalry is about to go up in flames, the story follows the Trojans and Spartans as they declare war on the football field. After the beautiful Elena - who used to be the captain of the Spartan cheerleaders - transfers to Troy High and falls madly in love with Cassie's brother Perry, the Spartans declare that the annual homecoming game will never be forgotten. The Trojans and Spartans pull wicked pranks on each other as homecoming approaches. And the Spartans' wildcard football star, Ackley, promises to take down the Trojans' offensive line. But the stakes are raised when Cassie is forced to choose between the boy she loves (a Spartan) and loyalty to her family and school. "Troy High" will seduce readers with its incendiary cast, worthy of mythic proportion.

Shrinking Violet by Danielle Joseph

From Amazon: For seventeen-year-old Teresa Adams, high school is an excruciating daily ordeal. Her debilitating shyness makes every conversation and every confrontation an agonizing event. But at home, in the security of her bedroom, she daydreams of a secret life as a DJ for Miami's hottest radio station, SLAM FM, which just so happens to be owned by her stepfather. Some day, she believes, she'll get her big break. And then it happens - her stepfather allows her to sit in as an intern. Before long, she's helping out on air under the guise of Sweet T, her confident radio persona. At school, Teresa has to do a group oral presentation. It doesn't help that she has a crush on Gavin, the boy in her group. Will her secret life as a DJ help her overcome the shyness of her daily life-and possibly propel her straight into the arms of her crush?

How did you do?

I want to read that...

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers.

From Goodreads: Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

I absolutely loved Cracked Up to Be so I can't wait to read this! It is published 5th January 2010.

Book Trailer of the Month

I just love this trailer for Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater . It was also (painstakingly!) created by the author. I really love the music too.

Check it out for yourself.





You can also read an excerpt and listen to Maggie Stiefvater read the first 2 chapters by clicking here