Low Red Moon

Low Red Moon
by Ivy Devlin

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver—deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy in school—Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. When Ben reveals he's a werewolf, Avery still trusts him—at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died. (description taken from Amazon.com)

This is another book about which I can't quite decide how I feel.

Though it was compelling...I started to read it last night and did not want to put it down to sleep, then finished it this afternoon (in about two hours total reading time)...it wasn't anything new or particularly special in the paranormal romance field.

I think what kept drawing me in was the sheer horror of what happened to Avery's parents and then others in the small town, the way that Devlin very carefully never outright spells out for readers exactly what is going on, and the fact that the forest was its own entity. To be perhaps more specific...there was a lot of suspenseful mystery in this book. Too many other books in the genre right now just say, well here...he's a vampire...or, Oh look! That evil werewolf is attacking people. Then it's up to the reader to just follow along as the hero/ine figures things out, defeats the bad guy, falls in love...

Another thing I really enjoyed were the subtle nods to "Little Red Riding Hood." Going off to Grandma's House. Avery's last name being Hood. The ax. This is not really a rewrite of the fairy tale...but it is...

Some of the things I wasn't as fond of were the use of the red lettering every time the word "moon" showed up in the text (I found it really distracting) and the fact that some of the characters felt very one-dimensional...almost like place holders in the story.

Overall, though, I think I liked this book more than disliked it, but it has not earned the right to be called a new favorite.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe

The Mischief of the Mistletoe: A Pink Carnation Christmas
by Lauren Willig

Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...

Reginald "Turnip"Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation- has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle," the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens'modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: an elaborate twelve-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?
(description from Amazon.com)

I believe this is now officially my favorite book in the Pink Carnation series! Since the earliest part of the series, I have been one of those readers that loved Turnip Fitzhugh's bumblingness and I was so happy when I found he was featured in this Christmas book.

This book was funny, charming, heartwarming, and my perfect idea of a holiday read. I finished with a giant grin on my face. Arabella is used to being ignored...Turnip is literally struck somewhat stupid when he starts to fall in love. What happens when the two come together? Foiling of a scheme to sell goverment secrets, regaining face after being rejected by a fortune hunter, inspiring one of Jane Austen's books, a riotous Christmas play...oh, yes, and true love!

I really, truly loved this book and would highly recommend it!
This would make a great Christmas/holiday gift... *wink, wink*...and don't forget that someone will win a copy!

Full disclosure: Review copy sent by Dutton.

(Belated) In My Mailbox - December 12, 2010

My internet was down yesterday, so here is my belated In My Mailbox:



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

Shadowspell by Jenna Black
The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

From the Library:

Sent by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Kiss Me Deadly edited by Trisha Telep

Won Online:

Faithful by Janet Fox
*Thank you to Number One Novels!!!*

The Dark Deeps

The Dark Deeps
by Arthur Slade
The Hunchback Assignments, book two

A fantastic Steampunk adventure in the deeps

Transforming his appearance and stealing secret documents from the French is all in a day’s work for fourteen-year-old Modo, a British secret agent. But his latest mission—to uncover the underwater mystery of something called the Ictíneo—seems impossible. There are rumors of a sea monster and a fish as big as a ship. French spies are after it, and Mr. Socrates, Modo’s master, wants to find it first. Modo and his fellow secret agent, Octavia, begin their mission in New York City, then take a steamship across the North Atlantic. During the voyage, Modo uncovers an astounding secret. (description from Amazon.com)

This was a very cool and exciting middle grade steampunk adventure. I loved "Modo" as a character. He is well-intentioned, brave, kind, and fiercely loyal. His shape-shifting ability, which makes for some fantastic disguises btw..., is really well considered and written out. I also loved how Modo was not the only classic horror character in the series. There are appearances by Dr. Hyde which made me smile, even as what he was doing made me squirm.

I loved the fact that this was an underwater adventure. I love submarines (ummm... in books - I don't think I could handle actually being IN one) and the early imagined versions here were just, well...COOL! The scientific advances were awesome.

I definitely plan to read the next book in this series! I love the spies, friendships, secrets, and adventure! Plus, the audio version is great.

Full disclosure: Audio book received for SLJ review

Library Wars: Love and War Vol. 1

Library Wars: Love and War - volume 1
by Kiiro Yumi
illustrated by Hiro Arikawa

Fight for your right to read!

In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves---the Library Forces! Iku Kasahara has dreamed of joining the Library Defense Force ever since one of its soldiers stepped in to protect her favorite book from being confiscated in a bookstore when she was younger. But now that she’s finally a recruit, she’s finding her dream job to be a bit of a nightmare. Especially since her hard-hearted drill instructor seems to have it out for her! (description taken from Amazon.com)

I am not much of a graphic novel reader. I find that I am just not interested in a lot of the story lines OR when there is a lot going on I sometimes have trouble following the order of the panels and I get confused. So, I tend to shy away from reading them personally, though I order a ton for the Library based on reviews and requests from the teens.

When I saw the plot for this new series, though, I was immediately intrigued enough to pick it up. The idea that the whole story is based around the Freedom of Information act that Libraries uphold...that Librarians have gone militant to fight for peoples' right to read...AWESOME! This is what I fantasize about sometimes when I get asked questions like "What kind of superhero would you want to be?" (HUGE GRIN)

Bonus - the characters are cool and their interactions are downright funny. The drawing was good and the panels were pretty easy to follow. (There were a few spots where I started to go the wrong way, but I figured it out quickly.)

Now, I really just want to go out and read volumes 2-4, but I have to wait until we get them into the Library, since no one else owns them... :(

Yay! I found a manga series that I like. :)

It Came! It Came! (My Book Blogger Holiday Swap package!!!)

It Came! It Came!
Last night, I got home from work to find a package waiting for me...
It was my Book Blogger Holiday Swap gift from a "secret latke." :)

When I ripped open the wrapping paper (because though I try to save wrapping paper sometimes, I was way too excited to wait this time! :P) I found plenty of awesome stuff!

I got a beautiful hardcover copy of Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, an ARC of Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber, some really funny dog notecards, and a really scrumptious looking French Vanilla hot chocolate packet. (yum!)



My "secret latke" also left me this cryptic note...which I know is a clue to their identity, but for the life of me, I can't figure it out...



Well. To whoever you are, my "secret latke," you are awesome! I love my gifts and I hope that your swap package is just as awesome. What a great way to share the book love this holiday season!

My little Christmas Tree

Just wanted to share...

Behemoth

Behemoth
by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan, book two

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan's peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what's ahead. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Is it sad to admit that my favorite character in this book was the creature that (finally!) hatched out of the Lady Boffin's eggs? Bovril was absolutely charming and brought some levity to their harrowing situation.

As in Leviathan, I was very impressed with how well Westerfeld was able to incorporate historical detail into the storyline to bring it to life. This is not anything like a textbook and yet, I found myself remembering history classes...

Adventure, danger, and intrigue abound. The clanker machines are fascinating and in the Ottoman empire, surprisingly diverse! I love, love, love the illustrations in this book. You can really see what Westerfeld describes...and they are fantastic sites!

Other than Reeves' Larklight series, which is beyond cheeky, I think this is my favorite steampunk series.

The Mischief of the Mistletoe - Giveaway!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

The lovely people at Dutton have given me not only my own copy of The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig to review, but have also gifted me a lovely second copy, plus a beautiful, matching custom ornament, to giveaway to one of you!!



The Mischief of the Mistletoe: A Pink Carnation Christmas by Lauren Willig

'Tis the season to get Pink! Lauren Willig's beloved Pink Carnation series gets into the holiday spirit with this irresistible Regency Christmas caper.

Arabella Dempsey's dear friend Jane Austen warned her against teaching. But Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies seems the perfect place for Arabella to claim her independence while keeping an eye on her younger sisters nearby. Just before Christmas, she accepts a position at the quiet girls' school in Bath, expecting to face nothing more exciting than conducting the annual Christmas recital. She hardly imagines coming face to face with French aristocrats and international spies...

Reginald "Turnip"Fitzhugh-often mistaken for the elusive spy known as the Pink Carnation- has blundered into danger before. But when he blunders into Miss Arabella Dempsey, it never occurs to him that she might be trouble. When Turnip and Arabella stumble upon a beautifully wrapped Christmas pudding with a cryptic message written in French, "Meet me at Farley Castle," the unlikely vehicle for intrigue launches the pair on a Yuletide adventure that ranges from the Austens'modest drawing room to the awe-inspiring estate of the Dukes of Dovedale, where the Dowager Duchess is hosting the most anticipated event of the year: an elaborate twelve-day Christmas celebration. Will they find poinsettias or peril, dancing or danger? Is it possible that the fate of the British Empire rests in Arabella's and Turnip's hands, in the form of a festive Christmas pudding?
(description taken from Amazon.com)

I am currently reading my own copy and it is so good!! My review can be found here. I absolutely adore this series. If you are a historical fiction fan, if you love light romances, if you love spy stories, if you love funny, if you love...well, I could just go on forever. Basically, if you haven't yet read The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, I highly recommend you go out, get it, and READ it!

:)

This is an amazing series! Though you should start with the first book, you do not absolutely have to, and if for instance you wanted to try and start with this Christmas book... you could! Plus you'd have an adorable matching ornament to go on your tree this year!

If you would like to enter the giveaway (US only. Sorry!), please leave me a comment with your favorite type of holiday decoration and your email address. The giveaway will be open until Midnight on Monday, December 13th, and I will contact the winner on Tuesday, December 14th. Hopefully, I can then get your book and ornament out to you before Christmas!!

OOOh! Check out the grand prize in this contest!

I am a follower of Beth Revis' blog, Writing It Out. She is a member of the League of Extraordinary Writers (cool name, right??!) and they are hosting an awesome contest this week.

Five days = Five prizes.

PLUS...

One awesome grand prize!! I want...oh, do I want.

Anyway, check it out here.

If You Give Them Pizza, They Will Come...

Today was the December meeting for my Library's Teen Advisory Board. I am pleased to say that I had twelve boys in attendance. Twelve!!

I finally learned my lesson this school year and decided to serve pizza at my TAB meetings. It has made a huge difference! If they smell the pizza, they will come...then I just have to keep them there.

Today, I got twelve boys in the door. (Yes!) I told them they could have the pizza if they stayed for at least twenty minutes. They all reluctantly agreed...

To make it more exciting, I then whipped out

and started asking them questions like:

Would you rather fight off zombies or aliens?

Would you rather be frozen to death or burn to death?

What one superpower would you most like to have?

They went wild. It was funny. They debated, they screamed, they cut each other off...and they promised to come back next month!

Ghost Town

Ghost Town
by Rachel Caine
Morganville Vampires, book nine

While developing a new system to maintain Morganville's defenses, student Claire Danvers discovers a way to amplify vampire mental powers. Through this, she's able to re-establish the field around this vampire-infested Texas college town that protects it from outsiders.

But the new upgrades have an unexpected consequence: people inside the town begin to slowly forget who they are-even the vampires. Soon, the town's little memory problem has turned into a full-on epidemic. Now Claire needs to figure out a way to pull the plug on her experiment- before she forgets how to save Morganville...
(description taken from Amazon.com)

This is a series that I devour. Every time a new book is coming out, I am practically foaming at the mouth to get my hands on it! The best part...every book in the series just seems to get better.

I cannot figure out how Rachel Caine does it. This is one of the best vampire series out there. Period. Claire is one of my favorite heroines ever. She's smart, she's resourceful, she's cute, and she's just...Claire.

For example (as a fellow "smart girl" and a secret zombie lover, I LOVE this quote):
"Well, there are good points about zombie movies. There're usually smart girls in them, for some reason. And the smart girls hardly ever get killed."

Awesome.

Anyway, I could not put Ghost Town down. There were points when I literally considered whether some of the main characters might have to die. I cannot believe how Rachel Caine managed to pull Claire and her friends out of their new(est) dangerous situation. Talk about the suspense...this book is overflowing with it!

If you already read this series, pick Ghost Town up ASAP. If you haven't tried the Morganville Vampires yet, what on Earth are you waiting for? You won't be sorry!

In My Mailbox - December 5, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

Sabotaged by Margaret Peterson Haddix

From the Library:

Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

On My Nook:

Spiral X by J.J. Westendarp

Halo

Halo
by Alexandra Adornetto

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.

Is love a great enough power against evil? (description taken from Amazon.com)

I am conflicted about this book.

On the one hand I really love the premise. It is a great story of a "baby" angel coming to Earth, having to fight the forces of evil, and accidentally falling in mortal love while she's here. The characters are well drawn, compelling, and feel like they could jump right off the page.

On the other hand...Adornetto gives us too much. Every thing, person, and place HAD to be described. Every one. Every adverb or adjective I have ever learned was used in this book...in fact, I have an extensive vocabulary and there were several words used here that I had never heard before in my life. Not that that in itself is a bad thing, but when you have to pull out obscure vocabulary to get variety just because of the sheer volume of descriptors you use in a book...whew! Maybe it's a sign to edit.

That's what this book needed...one more edit. As I said, I loved the storyline...but at almost five hundred pages, this book could have been cut down to a more concise version. It may be partially due to the author's youth (she's eighteen) but I hope that Hades, coming out next year, is a little more...well less.

BTW - I love this cover!

Full disclosure: ARC originally received at BEA 2010, but audio book sent for review for AudioFile Magazine.

Discord's Apple

Discord's Apple
by Carrie Vaughn

When Evie Walker goes home to spend time with her dying father, she discovers that his creaky old house in Hope’s Fort, Colorado, is not the only legacy she stands to inherit. Hidden behind the old basement door is a secret and magical storeroom, a place where wondrous treasures from myth and legend are kept safe until they are needed again. The magic of the storeroom prevents access to any who are not intended to use the items. But just because it has never been done does not mean it cannot be done.

And there are certainly those who will give anything to find a way in.

Evie must guard the storeroom against ancient and malicious forces, protecting the past and the future even as the present unravels around them. Old heroes and notorious villains alike will rise to fight on her side or to undermine her most desperate gambits. At stake is the fate of the world, and the prevention of nothing less than the apocalypse.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

Note: This is an adult title.

I love the storyline for this book. The idea of a magical, sometimes portable storeroom for the world's magic is fantastic. Containing all the items mentioned in the world's favorite tales... *Sigh* I would love to be keeper to such a place of wonder!

Evie, unaware that her father is keeper to the storeroom, comes home to take care of him during his terminal illness and becomes the keeper herself. Evie is a strong, complex character. I loved how Vaughn used her job, comic book writer, as vehicle to the freedom to move and take care of her Dad, to address the current political situations as war broke out around the world, and as a means for keeping in touch with the outer world. Very well done.

Sinon/Alex, her father, Hera, Robin, and the other side characters were also all well written. Sinon was exceptionally well fleshed out and managed to be both modern and yet true to his origins at the same time. His relationship with Apollo was very realistic.

This was one of the most realistic mythologically based books I've read in awhile. The threat of an impending Apocalypse felt imminent. Though it wasn't the happiest ending, Vaughn writes a pragmatic one...and I fully approve!

My only complaint about this book was at the beginning when the chapters are jumping from character to character, you cannot yet see the connections and it was a little disjointed. Once you delve deeper, though, you can see the pattern and it's very well done...

Anxiously Awaiting...

Crossed
by Ally Condie
sequel to Matched!!

Publication date: November 1, 2011

Book Trailer - Across the Universe

I am super excited to read this book! It sounds amazing and it's gotten great reviews...

Across the Universe by Beth Revis

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it when authors support libraries!!

Check out this link to Sarwat Chadda's (author of Devil's Kiss and Dark Goddess) blog supporting libraries. They are planning to close 250 libraries in the UK...

Cyberia: Prime Evil

Cyberia: Prime Evil
by Chris Lynch
Cyberia, book three

Zane and his animal comrades have foiled Dr. Gristle's terrible plots twice--he can't talk to animals, and he can't get at the heart of what makes them wild. Zane can talk to them. He can understand them. He almost is one. Almost.

Zane keeps getting in Dr. Gristle's way though - and he's being sent as far out of the way as Gristle can get him. In fact, he's being sent right into the middle of a new plot of the bad doctor's--and in his new, utterly foreign surroundings, he's entirely too human.

Just what has Gristle done to make these new animals so angry? Can't they see that Zane is their Friend?

In order to get home, Zane must figure out a way to stop Gristle's new plan and make some new friends before he becomes animal feed--or worse. It's time to defeat the evil Dr. Gristle once and for all! (description taken from Amazon.com)

This was a fun, fast adventure read! Zane is a normal(ish) young teen boy that, luckily, can now speak to animals. His nemesis, Dr. Gristle, is always trying to take advantage of Zane's furry friends and he's having none of it!

I loved the scientific concept of the CattleLivid Converters in this book! What a cool idea - battery power derived from the emotions of the animals. Needless to say, collecting the "acid" for these batteries is done in a way that Zane must stop!

Full of zany antics, wordplay, and new friends/frenemies this was a great ending to the trilogy.

Full disclosure: Book received from SLJ for review.

Misguided Angel

Misguided Angel
by Melissa De La Cruz
Blue Bloods, book five

After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods.

As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires.
(description taken from Amazon.com)

Though I felt like this particular volume in the series didn't flow quite as smoothly for me, there were a LOT of things I really liked about it.

I really liked delving deeper into the Silver Bloods history, seeing their relationships with humans, and getting a few more details revealed...

I really liked seeing Mimi be, well, Mimi...forceful, smart...yes, a little bitchy, but for good reasons. Plus, she and Oliver become friends and well, I just thought it was super sweet how it developed.

I liked the introduction of Deming Chan, a venator from the Asian Blue Bloods coven. That was cool. Her philosophies and skills were different and added more depth to the world that De La Cruz has built.

I cannot wait for Bloody Valentine and then Lost in Time which comes out in October 2011.

Cover Craving...

Passion
by Lauren Kate
Fallen series, book three (prequel)

Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . .

Publication date: June 14, 2011

*This cover has not been confirmed, but I like it nonetheless!

2011 Audio Book Challenge

I am happy to report I will be joining the Audio Book Challenge again this year! You all know how obsessed I am with audio books, so again I'm going to go for Obsessed (20).

Curious: 3 Audio Books

Fascinated: 6 Audio Books

Addicted: 12 Audio Books

Obsessed: 20 Audio Books

2011 is hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner.

NaNoWriMo Wrap-Up

Sadly for 2010, a participant is what I will stay...not a winner.

*sad face*

As of the final day, I have just about 20,000 words for this WIP...and it is most definitely a WIP. This is my first time trying to write sort of a dystopian/adventure book and I think I keep psyching myself out. Oh well.

I plan to spend the rest of the year figuring out my blocked plot points, then I am GOING to finish it!! I will let you know when it's done. For now...poor Jen and Becca in my writers' group are going to have their work cut out for them as readers.

So You Want to Write a Novel?

This is hilarious! Just a little something to share...

Runaway

Runaway
by Meg Cabot
Airhead trilogy, book three

Emerson Watts is on the run: from school, from work, from her family, from her friends, from herself.

With everyone she loves furious with her for something she can't explain, and nothing but the live Stark Angel fashion show on New Year's Eve to look forward to, Em's reached the end of her rope. . .what's the point of even going on?

But when she discovers the truth about Nikki's secret, she knows there's only one person she can turn to.

Will Christopher be able to put aside his personal feelings and help her expose her employer to the world? Is it even fair to get Christopher involved--since if he agrees, there's every chance that Stark Enterprises will try to have them both killed--this time, permanently?

Maybe it would be better for Em to just keep on running. (description taken from amazon.com)

It honestly amazes me how Meg Cabot was able to make the fantastic premise for this trilogy so, well...believable. Really! I have thoroughly enjoyed these books and am almost sad to see Em Watts' story finished. She is a fun character to follow.

Without being spoiler-y, I will say that though readers may suspect what the nefarious Robert Stark is up to, the depths of his evil-doing surprised both Em and me! Cabot threw in a good twist with his plan and I was happy to see the resolution.

The one and only thing I would have changed...I felt like it wrapped up too soon in the end. There was a lot of build-up, then the plot reveal, the resolution, and then...boom...ending. I would have liked just a little more fleshing out of Em and Christopher's relationship finally coming together. *Sorry for the minor spoiler, but we all saw that coming, right?!*

All in all - an enjoyable conclusion to a fun, fashionable sci-fi trilogy.

In My Mailbox - November 28, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

For Review:

Oddly Enough by Bruce Coville

From the Library:

Hothouse Flower and the Nine Plants of Desire by Margot Derwin

On My Nook:

Switched by Amanda Hocking

One Year Anniversary!

I just realized that my first post was on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, so as of Wednesday, I have been officially blogging for a full year! :)

Thanks to everyone in the blogging community for making it fun and interesting and worth keeping up with...and here's to another year!

Bright Young Things

Bright Young Things
by Anna Godbersen

The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.

Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star. . . .

Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is ­Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the ­illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. (description from Amazon.com)

I really enjoyed Godbersen's Luxe series and was very excited when I found out her new series would be set during the 1920s. I've been fascinated with flappers, Prohibition, and the "Roaring Twenties," since I was a teenager. Godbersen did not disappoint!

Her descriptions of New York City in the '20s can only be described as lush. What's really fantastic, though, is it's not the "Roaring Twenties" through rose-tinted glasses. There is luxury here, of course, but Godbersen also introduces the seedier underbelly of the setting. It is brilliantly done.

The three girls are all similar, yet different enough to be very interesting. As Diana, Elizabeth, and Penelope, were connected and their lives wove in and out of each others', so too will the lives of these new girls. So far, I love Letty's hope, Cordelia's bravado, and Astrid's je ne sais quoi.

The prologue tells you straight off that by the end of the year, one girl will be married, one will be famous, and one will be dead. At this point, I can't even begin to speculate which will be which...but I will be reading to find out!

The Mermaid's Mirror

The Mermaid's Mirror
by L.K. Madigan

Lena has lived her whole life near the beach – walking for miles up and down the shore and breathing the salty air, swimming in the cold water, and watching the surfers rule the waves – the problem is, she’s spent her whole life just watching.

As her sixteenth birthday approaches, Lena vows she will no longer watch from the sand: she will learn to surf.

But her father – a former surfer himself – refuses to allow her to take lessons. After a near drowning in his past, he can’t bear to let Lena take up the risky sport.

Yet something lures Lena to the water … an ancient, powerful magic. One morning Lena catches sight of this magic: a beautiful woman – with a silvery tail.

Nothing will keep Lena from seeking the mermaid, not even the dangerous waves at Magic Crescent Cove.

And soon … what she sees in the mermaid’s mirror will change her life …
(description from Amazon.com)

This was an extremely well written and enjoyable fantasy book. Lena is a truly believable teen...keeping secrets from her parents, trying to please everyone to the best of her ability, loving her younger brother... I was really happy to also see that each of Lena's parents, her father, her mother, and her stepmother, were loving, supportive well-rounded characters.

When Lena learns of the merfolk, she travels to their world. L.K. Madigan does a lovely job describing their village. It's tangible and believable. The merfolk have interesting day to day lives and customs. Each merperson that Lena meets is just as well thought out and presented as her human friends.

*I do have to say that though, I really, really enjoyed this book and felt the merfolk were really well-done, they felt a little..."darker"...than I prefer. Not that it detracted from the plot of the story, at all! I just like to imagine merfolk as slightly more magical.

I do not want to spoil the ending at all, but I will say that it was realistic and touching and totally fit the tone of the book. I really enjoyed this one.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

This year I've been participating in the 2010 Debut Author Challenge and it's been a blast, so of course I decided to sign up again for this coming year's 2011 Debut Author Challenge!!

Hosted by The Story Siren, the challenge is to read at least 12 books by authors debuting their first middle grade or young adult book in 2011. My list of books I'd like to read for this challenge in 2011 (so far) are:

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
2. XVI by Julia Karr
3. The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal
4. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
5. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
6. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
7. Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach
8. Wither by Lauren DeStefano
9. Clarity by Kim Harrington
10. Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
11. Hourglass by Myra McIntyre
12. Die for Me by Amy Plum
13. Bad Taste in Boys by Carrie Harris

Anyway, this is my list so far, with way more to add later, I'm sure!

Avalon High - the Movie

Avalon High: the movie
based on the book, Avalon High by Meg Cabot



The newest Disney TV movie is based on the book, Avalon High.

Ellie, new to Avalon High, suddenly catches the eye of Avalon High's football star, Will. While their friendship develops into potentially something more, Ellie discovers that Will may just be the reincarnation of King Arthur. As stated in a prophecy, Ellie, her new best friend Miles, and her parents must protect Will so he can fulfill his destiny.

This movie was really cute and the cast was great. Ellie was phenomenal and I loved the fact that she was strong...a strong runner, a strong academic, and a strong woman. She was awesome. Jen (played by the cute girl from Castle) and Lance were both good, and Will was really well acted, though he was almost too pretty for me. My favorite character, though, was Miles. He was just the right amount of comic relief for the story... :)

I really enjoyed the movie and might even get it for myself when it comes out on DVD eventually. It's been awhile since I read the book, though, and I've read some internet buzz that confirmed for me that the ending was changed. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie, a lot, but now I have to go back and reread the book!!

What did you all think of the movie? Love the book more?

In My Mailbox - November 21, 2010

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:



Viola in Reel Life by Adriana Trigiani
Pop by Gordon Korman
Ghost Town by Rachel Caine



I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
Avalon High by Meg Cabot (to reread)