The Wolf's Den

Handbells - An Informational Rant

2011-12-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Perhaps you've seen the couple on Britain's Got Talent who played Titanic's My Heart Will Go On. Perhaps you've just heard ringing now and again at Christmas time.

Or perhaps you've seen the episode of Fox's show, New Girl, which happened to feature the instrument(s) known as handbells. As much as I like the show and appreciate their efforts to include a fairly unknown instrument, I can't say I approved their methods. Most of the sound produced may have been handbells (though it mostly sounded synthetic) but none-to-little of it matched what the actors onscreen were playing.

So, for those interested, here's a little informational ~~rant~~ summary on handbells.

Handbells, as indicated by their name, are a series of bells which are held and played by hand. To play, the ringer has to either hit the bell with an external mallet (like a xylophone or marimba) or swing the bell so that the inner clapper strikes the bell surface. There are other techniques to produce sound, such as plucking or the "Singing Bowl" technique, but these are mostly only in advanced groups. Clanking may occur when two bells bump into each other, so most ringers space them out as far as possible (but still within reach).

As with any percussion instrument, the sound only stops when the surface stops vibrating. Typically handbells are dampened on one's chest, or by laying it down on the padded playing table.

Each bell is sized for a specific pitch, much like a piano's strings. In fact, handbells are often colored off of piano keys, either by their handles or the handguards (disks separating handle from bell) being white or black. Thus, to achieve a full octave of 13 notes (C to C), you need to have 13 bells.

Because of the amount of hardware required, handbells are usually used by groups of ringers, forming a handbell choir. Beginners often start with 1 or 2 notes/bells, and their accidentals (sharps & flats). More advanced ringers may move to 4-in-hand (2 bells per hand) or even 6-in-hand (3 bells per hand) in the upper octaves, but the ringing techniques are much harder because of trying not to 1) clank the bells together or 2) play 2 notes at once.

Some ringers are skilled enough to be able to handle more bells by themselves, such that entire octaves or more are played by 1 or 2 people. This greatly reduces harmonics and undertones, since most bells are being played singly to produce the melody. You will see the majority of groups consisting of at least 4 or more.

Ringing techniques may alter the sound slightly, but really there is very little variation on how the note can be manipulated once struck. Swinging the bell back and forth can create a Doppler effect (a dimming then increasing in volume), or twirling the wrist while ringing creates a slight variation in sound, but the note never truly changes pitch or gets louder after being struck.

Handbells are most traditionally found at churches, but lately they've started moving into schools and outside organizations. Hillsboro, Oregon's Ring of Fire started as a school group, and has performed at events ranging from news shows to NBA games to Boston Pops concerts.

Bells of the Cascades is a non-profit organization that plays everything from Sleigh Ride to Pirates of the Caribbean. There really is a wide range of music available now, and even more can be made available if more music arrangers would get on the ball.

Though I have yet to find any phenomenal videos that really capture the sound of handbells well, below are a few that I've found to be entertaining or at least a proper showcasing of techniques handbell choirs use.

I've played handbells off and on for the past...oh, 10 years or so. They really are a lot of fun, and a great activity for those who've always wanted to learn music but haven't had the aptitude or courage for a solo instrument or voice. I've known people that couldn't even read notes who would play along by highlighting their music for when their left/right hand plays.

If you're interested in joining or forming a handbell group, I'd recommend checking out Handbell Musicians of America or searching for one in your country or local area.

Sleigh Ride performed by Bells of the Cascades at an informal concert.

Disney Music including Mainstreet Electrical Parade, How Do You Get to Wonderland?, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?, Part of Your World & Parade Reprise.

Born This Way by Lady Gaga. Performed as a solo in 4 parts - this has especially great close-ups of technique!

Ring of Fire, an all-teens group, performing for a TV special.

Carol of the Bells similar to Mannheim Steamroller's rendition, played by the Golden Bells of Atlanta.

Beethoven's Joyful Joyful has a slow start, but don't worry, it gets faster

Owl City's Fireflies performed with handchimes - cousins to handbells.

Carol of the Bells Duet performed with a bell-tree & handchimes.

A little fun with the Super Mario Bros. Theme.

The Sabre Dance is typical of carnivals and cartoons, and this group definitely has fun with it.

Flight of the Bumblebee - one of the most difficult pieces for one person to play, let alone a group to be coordinated on!

This group adds some drama to their rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Bells of the Cascades perform Sky-Tinted Waters, an original composition for handbells.

Want to learn a bit more? Check out the How It's Made episode featuring handbells!

Thank you for bearing with me, and I hope you've enjoyed.

Now, Let's See You Dance

2011-11-09T06:00:00.000-08:00

~Magic Steps~
The Circle Opens
Book 1
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

Lady Sandrilene fa Toren knows all about unusual magic - she herself spins and weaves it like thread. But when she witnessed a boy dancing a spell, even she is confounded. To her dismay, Sandry learns that as the mage who discovered the power of the young dancer, she must be his teacher.

Before lessons can begin, however, Sandry and her uncle, Duke Vedris, get news of a mysterious murderer stalking a clan of local merchants. The killer employs the strangest magic of all: the ability to reduce essence to nothingness.

As the murders mount and the killer grows bolder, Sandry's teaching takes on a grave purpose. For it becomes clear to everyone that the killings can only be stopped by the combined workings of two people: the young teacher and her even younger student.

Three years have passed since the events of the last quartet. Briar, Daja and Tris have left with their teachers to study abroad, leaving Sandry alone to attend to the troubles in Summersea. It's pretty obvious from the get-go that Sandry has done some growing these past couple years. Not only is her magic more refined, but so is her attitude. She's still far from the snobbery of most Nobles or wealthy, but she is much more attuned to her status as a Noble and a mage, and what it affords and requires from her.

The narration here is a bit of a change as well. While Sandry shared narration with her friends in the past, it never traveled any farther than the people we knew. Magic Steps does a bit of jumping now and again between Sandry, her pupil, Pasco, and one of the villains of the story, Alzena. Personally, I might have wished a little less of the murderer and more of Pasco, giving us a bit more to lighten the mood, but it all worked alright.

I think the first time I read this I was eager to have Pasco and Sandry hook up romantically. Alas, (and I don't think I'm spoiling anything by saying this) I was denied. Nothing big, the characters are still young, but something to keep in mind if that's what you're looking for.

This book clearly marks the transition from Middle Grade in the last series to Young Adult in this one. There is a lot of darkness, between the grisly murders taking place, the magic that enables them, and Sandry's involvement in tracking both. Going along with that, there really isn't much action or excitement in the main events, only determination and a sense of obligation. Also, this is primarily a story of entering the adult world. Talk of usefulness and employment is a steady theme, not nearly as carefree as the educating in books past. To those who have already grown attached to the characters, it may not be too hard of a transition, but newcomers may find themselves a bit unenthused if they're younger. Thus, I'm going to stick to labeling it, and the rest of the series, Young Adult.

The main complaint I have with the book is its shortness. There are a couple scenes I would have loved to see, plus I found the ending to be completely jarring. Practically the entire book is leading up to catching the murderers, and I'm sorry to say that I felt little sense of closure with just the epilogue. So much darkness, nightmares, and fear, and only a measly 7 pages of relief. I'm still feeling shaken and I finished it over an hour ago.

Overall, this is an engrossing start to a promising series. A lot darker than the last, I may recommend a couple days recovery (so long as you're not in a reading challenge). Still no language or sex in the Circle series, but here there is drug-use and a lot more blood and death, so I'd mark this as YA and above. A fantasy novel that is sure to engage crime and history enthusiasts as well, Magic Steps is a definitely a book many will enjoy.

Approximate Reading Time: 3 hours

Read by Tamora Pierce & Full Cast Audio
(click for cast names)
Length: 7.3 Hours
Listened at 2.3x Speed

It's been a few years since we last heard from them, so it stands that some characters' voices need to be changed. Sandry, for one, has aged from 10/11 to 14. Her new voice actor is true to her past ones (I only discovered now that she changed in Briar's Book), and provides as stirring a performance as ever I could expect. Familiar voices of Lark and the Duke are joined by a large cast of new talent that I hope to hear more from in the future.

I listened to this book a bit faster than usual. I normally shoot for 1.8 or 1.9x speed, but this time I was comfortable at over 2x the normal play speed. Perhaps my copy of the recording got tweaked, or it just might be the audiobook itself that's slow. In either case, I don't think the speed makes the experience any less enjoyable.

Another great recording from Full Cast Audio. They always have me looking forward to my next experience with them.

A Book Birthday Ahead of its Time

2011-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today I'm pleased to announce the (early) birthday of an awesome start to a new series:

~The Dig~
Zoe and Zeus
Book 1
By Audrey Hart
Amazon
~ Official Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~

Out of time and out of her element, teenager Zoe Calder finds herself in ancient Greece, battling against the power of the Olympians and the vengeance of a scorned goddess—all for the strange and mysterious boy she has come to love.

Zoe Calder has always been an outsider. Stashed away in boarding schools since her parents died, Zoe buries herself in the study of ancient worlds. Her greatest thrill is spending her summers with her archeologist aunt and uncle on digs around the world. And one day, while investigating a newly unearthed temple in Crete, Zoe discovers a luminous artifact that transports her to ancient Greece.

As Zoe quickly learns, the Olympian Gods are real, living people—humans with mysterious powers… Powers that Zoe quickly realizes she has come to possess, as well. However, when the people of ancient Greece mistake Zoe for an Olympian, the Gods must restore the balance of the ancient world… No matter what.

Zoe is forced to play a confusing and dangerous game as Hera rallies the gods against her—all except for Zeus, the beautiful, winged young god who risks everything to save her.

Happy Birthday!
And be sure to check back in December for my review!

The Healing in the Vine

2011-11-08T05:30:00.000-08:00

~Briar's Book~
Circle of Magic
Book 4
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

Former "street rat" Briar leads a comfortable life at Winding Circle Temple, learning plant magic from Rosethorn. But street kids are still his friends, and when one of them gets sick, she turns to Briar for help. When her disease proves beyond even Rosethorn's power, Briar realizes that all of Summersea is in danger.

As the mysterious illness spreads, Sandry, Daja, and Tris join Briar and their teachers to fight the epidemic. But just as the situation improves, the unthinkable happens.

Will Briar be able to save what he loves the most?

A fascinating look at disease and the steps taken towards finding a cure, Briar's Book serves as a staggering reminder of the mortality of even the strongest among us. Even being the longest story of the quartet, it's amazing how much is packed in. Besides plague and cure-working, there's quarantine, reflections on poverty, man-made diseases, and even a small bit on death and the afterlife.

By now we should know that when magic is thrown into the mix, nothing gets any easier. Surprisingly (to me), most of the book centers around treatment and cure-seeking without magic entirely. It's incredible to think how much of this is done in the real world, testing, testing, and re-testing results until some semblance of a cure is discovered, then hoping it will work outside the lab.

Even though this book is most often found in the Middle Grade section, the content is dark enough that it may better fit an older audience. I really hate making statements like that—each reader is unique in their maturity and ability to handle subjects like death and disease. I mean, I'm in my 20's and I found The Hunger Games series to be too intense for me. So I'll just leave it at this: this book contains depictions of the slums, poverty, disease, death, and a possible afterlife. It does not contain adult language, sex, romance, or overly graphic descriptions of disease/death. Having said that, I think this book and the entire series are enjoyable to practically any age of reader.

Briar may have always been the odd-man-out in the series, being the only boy among the four mages-in-training, but now he's got his own story to star in. Though he will refuse to admit it, he's just as his name suggests: Briar-like in his fondness for getting under the skin of others and his stubbornness; moss-like in his tenderness towards plants and those close to him. His softer nature has poked through in parts of the past books, but here he's shoved into a situation where his prickly nature would only harm. It really shows how far he's come since giving up his thief life...or has he?

Where most YA novels nowadays place their kids in situations isolated from adults, Tammy strives at having them work with their mentors. Not only are the adults included, but they're included in nearly everything. Both children and adults are written as completely competent, intelligent, and strong. While the youths may require instruction from adults at points, so too do the adults require information or assistance from the youths. They all play to their strengths while coming off as neither overpowered nor helpless. It's quite refreshing, actually.

Overall, Briar's Book is a fascinating and emotional finish to an incredible series. Fantasy lovers, those interested in medicine, strong-character enthusiasts, YA readers, and Pierce ~~stalkers~~ fans can all find something to enjoy in this book. If you've waited this long to pick up these books I don't know what more I can say to convince you to do so. So...what are you waiting for?!

Approximate Reading Time: 3.5 hours

Read by Tamora Pierce, Bruce Coville & Full Cast Audio
(click for cast names)
Length: 6.5 Hours
Listened at 1.9x Speed

I can't emphasize enough how amazing it is to hear the book read by the author herself. Not only does Tamora Pierce know her creation better than anyone else, but she's also an excellent reader. Her voice is clear and emotive, softening at the tender moments and becoming crisp at the cheerful ones. I don't know if I can ever listen to someone else narrate these books!

Music was utilized much more here than in the previous books. The breaks and chapters each had longer interludes, as well as one instance of music within a dream-sequence. It was slightly annoying during the breaks because I was eager to move on to the next part, but I can't hold it against the book as a whole.

I was very surprised to find out Briar's voice actor had changed once again. I even listened specifically to see if I could spot a difference, and I couldn't! Congrats to FCA for finding such a spot-on replacement. The talents of the full cast was enough to have me tear up once or twice. Incredible from beginning to end, don't you dare pass up a chance to experience Briar's Book through the audiobook.

The Fire in the Forging

2011-11-07T05:30:00.000-08:00

~Daja's Book~
Circle of Magic
Book 3
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

Outcast Trader Daja, along with her fellow mages-in-training, journeys from Winding Circle to the Gold Ridge Mountains, where drought threatens widespread famine. There, Daja creates an astonishing object: a living metal vine. A caravan of Traders covets the vine, and Daja's dealings with her former people reawaken a longing for familiar ways.

Daja must choose—should she return to the Traders or remain with the Winding Circle folk who have become her family?

Though the other stories have dimmed in my mind a bit over the years, this story's great feat always stayed with me. There's just something about fire and bending it to your will that fascinates me. It mirrors life without having any. From working to tame a wildfire, or even simply stoking a fire in the hearth, you have to work with the fire instead of against it. I'm awed by its strength and simultaneous weakness.

But enough of my pyromania, back to the story. The jacket summary doesn't even begin to cover everything that happens in the book. Though it is the shortest of the series, there are a lot of fine details, cultural traditions, and magical workings packed in here. Fans of Pierce and her series will recognize and cherish the intricacies she puts into her world-building, language, and ever expanding magic. She knows how to pack a lot of punch in just a few pages, leaving readers more than satisfied.

Though Daja wasn't a side-character in the previous books, there's no doubt that she's the star here. A lot of memories are stirred up when she is exposed to Trader culture once more, and not all of them are good ones. We've all had those times where we've felt exiled, whether it's our fault or not. Trying to make the best out a bad situation, Daja has tried to put it behind her. But now she's forced to face her past, her exile, and try to decide how she'll take that into her future. Good thing she's got some extremely loyal friends to help her through.

As with the first book, there's not a whole lot of action until a good-ways through. That's not to say a lot isn't happening, it's just not as exciting as one might expect from just finishing a story laden with pirate battles. Magic is the main issue for much of the story, as the effects of joining their powers for the quake starts to produce some unusual side-effects. But don't let your guard down, cause let me tell you, the last few chapters are a doozey.

Overall, Daja's Book is probably the book I would recommend most of the series. It builds on its predecessors, but is unique and strong by itself as well. It is usually found in the Middle Grade section, but I have no problem recommending it to anyone who loves fantasy. Filled with unforgettable characters, fire-fighting, and a lot of magic, this is definitely a story you'll want to return to time and time again.

Approximate Reading Time: 3 hours

Read by Tamora Pierce, Bruce Coville & Full Cast Audio
(click for cast names)
Length: 5.4 Hours
Listened at 1.8x Speed

Having a voice in your ear is especially helpful in deciphering foreign names such as Inoulia, Polyam or Tsaw'ha. However, having an outside reader did make it difficult at times to picture what you're reading/hearing. Some of the more technical passages about smithing or weaving were a bit rushed for me, though that might be due to the speed at which I listen.

Full Cast Audio continues to make an enjoyable read even more so. Spencer Murphy reprized his role as Briar, and the rest of the cast were as amazing as ever. Not much more I can say that hasn't been said before. These audiobooks are simply magical, and I can hardly wait to start the next one!

The Power in the Storm

2011-11-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Tris's Book~
Circle of Magic
Book 2
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

Earthquake damage leaves Winding Circle vulnerable to pirate attack, so everyone—including the young mages-in-training Tris, Briar, Daja, and Sandry—is working to strengthen the community's defenses. When Tris's cousin Aymery comes to visit, he advises the "weather witch" to return to the family that exiled her, but she doesn't wish to leave her friends to face the threat without her.

As the onslaught begins, two things become terribly clear: the pirates have a powerful new weapon, and they have an accomplice within Winding Circle. But the attackers have failed to reckon with the fury of a young mage betrayed once too often and her very stubborn, very loyal friends...

I've always related to Tris the most out of the quartet (or any of Tammy's characters, for that matter). She's bookish, intelligent, very much a realist, a bit chubby and insecure, but loyal and strong when she needs to be. That she has the most power in terms of destructive properties of the bunch only makes her more inspiring, having such a weight on her shoulders. But her friends are not about to let her carry it alone. And they're all stubborn enough not to take 'no' for an answer.

There's a ton more action and magic at play here, and not even the adults have all the answers. I think that's what makes the adults here so relatable and strong. Even with all their training, knowledge, and strength, they're not above listening to and learning from their students. And even adults can have a sense of humor. So even though most of them are over 30, they're just as much fun to read about as the kids.

Tammy always does a great job in setting up strong female characters in all her stories. But even more impressive is the equally strong emphasis she gives the males. She doesn't place her women among idiots, but gives them the ability to shine next to equally strong men. Briar and Niko are excellent examples. Briar is crafty and loyal, but he sometimes needs a little female common sense to keep him from getting into trouble. Niko is one of the most renowned mages in the world, but even he isn't invincible or limitless in his abilities. Even Frostpine admits when dealing with seasickness, "I need faults, to accent my excellence—otherwise—I would be too wonderful to live with" (pg 92). Brains, brawn, and humor? Count me in!

I remember on my previous reading thinking about how dark this book really was. It's a pirate attack, so the violence is much more prominent than before, though still not very graphic. Obviously I'm no authority on this kind of thing, but I was a little surprised thinking about 10-year-olds reading about characters getting stabbed, ships exploding, and floating among the dead... Then again, I didn't remember any of that from my first reading when I was in 8th grade, so perhaps it's not as prominent as the magic and humor of the characters.

Overall I'd highly recommend this to lovers of fantasy and strong females. Young characters and absence of strong language or romance still put this safely at Middle Grade level, but I believe it's just as enjoyable for Young Adult and older readers. If you haven't been hooked by these marvelous, magical characters yet, you surely will in Tris's Book.

Approximate Reading Time: 3 hours

Read by Tamora Pierce, Bruce Coville & Full Cast Audio
(click for cast names)
Length: 5.6 Hours
Listened at 1.8x Speed

Having picked up this sequel only a few hours after reading the previous, I found it obvious that one of the voice actors had changed. Briar was voiced by a Spencer Murphy in Sandry's Book, while here he is played by a Carolin Murphy. Related perhaps? I'm not sure the reason for the recasting, but other than being aware of the change, I didn't find it particularly distracting.

All the other characters' voices reprise their roles, and are joined with a few new unforgettable voices. Each is distinct enough to tell apart even without he said/she said tags, though they are included as a reminder if a voice hasn't spoken in a while.

I particularly love the use of music and sound effects. Music plays as an indicator of breaks and chapters, and it changes somewhat depending on the mood of the text it follows. Clear distinctions through sound modulation are made between when a character is speaking, thinking, or communicating through magic, which happens a lot more in this book. Thought-voices were made a bit more echo-y, and magic-voices had an underlying music with them. I was never confused as to what was out loud and what was internal.

The Magic in the Weaving

2011-11-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Sandry's Book~
Circle of Magic
Book 1
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

With her gift of weaving silk thread and creating light, Sandry is brought to the Winding Circle community. There she meets Briar, a former thief who has a way with plants; Daja, an outcast gifted with metalcraft; and Tris, whose connection with the weather unsettles everyone, including herself. At Winding Circle, the four misfits are taught how to use their magic—and to trust each other.

But then disaster strikes their new home. Can Sandry weave together four kinds of magical power and save herself, her friends, and the one place they have ever been accepted?

Though the story is titled Sandry's Book in the US, I kinda prefer the UK title, The Magic in the Weaving, because, well, this book isn't just about Sandry. All four of the children star in nearly every chapter, and the story is more about each of them finding acceptance than any one of them. Still, Sandry's skill is the weaving, which does assume an important role in the story, so titling the book after her isn't completely out of place.

But yeah, back to the characters. Sandry is very outgoing and inclusive of others. She doesn't care about your background or what you look like, so long as she can evoke a smile from you, she's happy. Daja is tough and hard-working, but a little on the quiet side. She's not the kind to back down from a challenge, though she's not the type to issue one. Briar's the tough-talking smart-aleck. He may know when he should keep his mouth shut, but that doesn't mean he does so. And Tris can seem a bit stuck-up at times, but she's really more of a self-conscious intellectual. She likes to put up a hard front for outsiders, but inside she's often self-depreciative.

Each of them seems to have a reason they shouldn't be friends with the others, and yet, they turn out to have a lot in common. All outcast in one way or another, it takes a little while to open up again, let alone try to make friends with people they've been raised to despise. But if a Noble, Trader, Merchant, and Thief can get along, who can't?

The Magic of this world is very intricate and unique, more of which will be explored in the rest of the series. There seem to be two 'types' of Magic working here. Some mages are born with an affinity toward magic in general, which is then worked through runes and spells to shape it to whatever task is at hand. Other mages are born with an affinity toward a specialized magic. Thread-working, weather, metal-smithing, gardening...dancing, gemstones, carpentry, cooking, glasswork... Imagine the possibilities if magic was everywhere, even in the plain, everyday things we do.

It's interesting comparing this (written in the late 1990's) to her later books, which have taken full advantage of the increased length allowance/expectation. You can tell there's a lot of information bulging at the seams, screaming to be told, but with a limited word-count much of it is only hinted at. And still we have a fully-formed world, layered characters, personal journeys, and even foreign languages, woven together succinctly, effortlessly, magically.

Overall I'd say this is a wonderful start to an amazing series. The pre-teen-aged (10-12) characters and the lack of violence, language or sex make it suitable for Middle-Grade readers. However, there's not a lot of action until about three-quarters of the way through, so it may be better for more patient (possibly older) readers. A story of fantasy, friendship, and overcoming prejudice, Sandry's Book is sure to open up a new realm of possibilities to readers young and old and leave them hungry for more.

Approximate Reading Time: 3 hours

Read by Tamora Pierce, Bruce Coville & Full Cast Audio
(click for cast names)
Length: 5.8 Hours
Listened at 1.8x Speed

If you have not yet listened to a Full Cast Audio recording, you haven't yet heard audiobooks as they were meant to be. Each character has his or her own voice actor, reading the lines of dialogue or thoughts as if they were in the story itself. Tamora Pierce has been most supportive of the FCA style of work, reading as narrator for not only her own books, but in other casts as well.

Reading along with these works is made slightly more difficult with the skipping of dialogue tags (she said/growled/asked, etc.) unless accompanied by an action, but the whole experience is made more seamless by it. Each voice is distinct and seems appropriately aged for the young characters. Bruce Coville (renowned children's author and founder of FCA) even provides the voice of Niko!

Also be sure to stay tuned after the end of the novel! Following the voice credits there is a short interview of Tamora Pierce about the inspiration behind the Circle of Magic series. Ever wonder where the idea for sewing magic came from? Wonder no more!

Greetings Again!

2011-11-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hello!!!

Phew, it's been a while, hasn't it? Sorry to have left you hanging these past couple months. I've been working out some personal things and have only just gotten back around to reading.

I know, I know - "How could you possibly not have been reading!?" you say. Well, the brain does funny things sometimes, like making you think that enjoyable things are too much trouble...

But I've worked through that and am currently in the process of working up my Tamora Pierce Challenge reviews! Okay, I might be a little behind, but better late than never, right? Look for a steady flow of TP reviews coming throughout the month of November, finishing up with a review of her recently released conclusion to the Provost's Dog (Beka Cooper) Trilogy, Mastiff!

Looking forward to getting back in the swing of things. Hope you've all been well. Signing off for now,

~Vicki

You Might Be A Zombie If...

2011-08-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Zombies Don't Cry~
A Living Dead Love Story
By Rusty Fischer
Amazon ~ Powell's
Zombies Don't Blog

Maddy Swift is just your average high school junior. Good grades, but not too brainy. Preppy, but not obnoxiously so. And definitely not buying this whole "Cursed Home Ec Class" theory her best friend's pushing on her. Sure, three deaths in three months is tragic, but her dad's the coroner and all of them were ruled accidental. End. Of. Story.

Besides, who can worry about curses when there's a new transfer to drool over? Stamp Crosby is currently the most sought after guy in the school, so Maddy's a little more than surprised when she's able to snag a private conversation twice in one day. And she's downright shocked when he goes so far to ask her out. Hey, she may not believe in curses, but no one said anything about knocking good luck!

Thing is, there may be something to this curse thing. Cause if getting a bolt of lightning to the skull and waking up without a heartbeat is normal... But if coming to terms with her new undead status wasn't enough, Maddy's got a father to fool, a Zombie apocalypse to prevent, and a date to find before the Fall Formal! What's a Zombie to do?

It's a habit of mine to search my library for new authors as soon as I learn of them. When Rusty contacted me to review his latest e-book, Ushers, Inc., I performed my traditional search and was surprised and excited to see a book in the system. Zombies Don't Cry was currently on-order, but after reading and loving his last book, I had to get my hands on this one ASAP. And I'm glad I did.

Fischer's writing is as fun, witty, and relatable as ever. The chapter titles are to die for (See what I did there?). They're so clever, I even used one for the blog title. Then there's the story itself. Written in first-person present-tense, Maddy's narration not only covers her actions and thoughts of the moment, but also quips and questions the reader like you're right there with her. So not only is the action right in your face, but you also feel the emotions and drama right alongside the narrator-turned-friend.

Speaking of turning, I was fascinated by this book's zombie lore. Some stories have zombies as mindless, drooling, stumbling reanimated corpses. Others might have them originating from living people infected by a virus, and more intelligent, nimble, and rabid. Zombies Don't Cry took it in a completely new (to me) direction that felt not only plausible, but logical. I mean, you hear of people getting struck by lightning and surviving, but now you might wonder just how 'alive' they really are.

Whether they were alive or undead, the characters were pretty amazing. Maddy may not be the smartest, most assertive, or bravest heroine overall, but she definitely had her moments. She's got a lot of snark, even if she doesn't always say everything out loud (though, most times she does), it's a lot of fun being inside her head. Some of the secondary characters (like Maddy's fellow zombies) were a bit dry at first, but eventually I warmed (or cooled) up to them. The villains gave me just enough mystery to make me want to know more, enough creepiness to make me want them nowhere near me, and enough action to make me believe they were a real threat, all without being over-the-top.

Really, the only character I was disappointed with on the whole was Stamp, which was a bit unfortunate since he's a good chunk of the romance. He was pretty great to start out with, but Maddy's zombification takes over for a good chunk and Stamp becomes overshadowed. So I guess I'd say the romance isn't the book's strong point. I mean, yeah, there's a lot of pining over the guy, and caring what he thinks, etc. etc., but there's not really much 'action' in the romance department, if you know what I mean. So anyone with aversions to zombies making out, I wouldn't worry about that for this book.

As with any book, yes even ones I love, there were some things I didn't like. This book had small things here and there that I found slightly distracting. Like there's one time where she says she's been a zombie for only 48 hours (pg 167), but it's only the next afternoon, so 16 hours tops. 48 hours is 2 whole days. And there's this huge deal made about needing to meet with the Zombie Council guys within 24 hours of being turned, which they do, but she's still reprimanded... Why?

Then there were the Zerkers. As with any villain, you need an origin story, and to a point I could follow how Zerkers in general came to be. An electricity-born Zombie (First Degree) bites a Normal (alive human) and passes on some of their electric charge, making the victim a Second Degree Zombie. Now, this is where it gets tricky...it's not clear if all Second Degrees (and any of their victims down the line) are automatically Zerkers, who hunt fresh human brains, or if they have the choice to follow The Rules and be "normal" Zombies. This becomes especially confusing in the later parts of the book...

Oh, and as I advised with Ushers, Inc., the prologue shouldn't really be read first. I mean, okay, I read it first and still enjoyed the story, but around chapter 4 I was able to accurately predict the ending. Cause the prologue takes place at the end of the story. In fact, the epilogue picks up exactly where the prologue ends, it just adds names where the prologue omitted them. So, unless you need any more reassurance that Zombies Don't Cry - A Living Dead Love Story does in fact contain zombies and romance, I think you'll be fine skipping the prologue until after the story proper.

But besides the disparities with time those couple chapters, some unclear Zerker info, and a slightly spoilerish prologue (and those might just be because I'm detail oriented and over-think things), I really didn't have much to complain about. If anything, I just want to know more!

I don't know if this planned as a series-starter or if it's a stand-alone novel. Without the prologue and epilogue it works really well by itself, but the epilogue, especially, draws out the possibility (and for some readers, a NEED) for a sequel or two. Personally, I'm for a continuation of Maddy's story, but I know the author has a lot of other works on his plate, so I don't know if a sequel is in the cards. I'll be sure to update once I hear differently.

Overall, I'd recommend Zombies Don't Cry for any fan of romance and/or zombies, or someone looking to break into either subject. Girls will probably find the book a bit more relatable, but I think even guys will find Maddy's humor irresistible. Language and sex aren't issues, but violence and mild gore (come on, it is zombies we're talking about) are prevalent, so probably no younger than middle school, but more relatable to high school readers. In short, anyone with a brain should check out this book. ...Brrraaaaaaaaaiiiiiinnnnssssssss.

Approximate Reading Time: 5 hours

Demonglass Leaves Quite A Mark

2011-07-28T05:30:00.001-07:00

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous book, Hex Hall, or don't mind knowing some spoilers for it. Demonglass, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

~Demonglass~
Hex Hall
Book 2
By Rachel Hawkins
Amazon ~ Powell's

Okay, so last semester at Hex Hall didn't go as well as Sophie had hoped. Between her major crush, Archer trying to kill her, her great-grandmother killing her best frienemy, and finding out she's actually a demon, there's nothing else Sophie can think of that could make her life suck even more. Well, except maybe finding out that she could snap and kill everyone around her without warning. Yeah, that'll just about do it.

The good news is there's a way to remove the danger entirely. The bad news is it would take away her powers and quite ~~possibly~~ probably kill her.

Determined not to be a danger, Sophie travels to England with her father (demon), her best friend (vampire), and her betrothed (warloc—wait, WHAT?!) to go through with the Removal. But once she arrives, she's met with shocking news that puts her plans on hold. With newly-made demons mysteriously appearing, The Eye increasing their attacks against Prodigium, and nearby Archer sightings, who would have thought the Removal would be the least of her worries?

(For an even more tantalizing summary/hook, check out the description from the UK version.)

Before I get started, I've got a quick cover complaint: The cat's still there. Um...why? Didn't we already establish in the last book that there are no cats? Okay, fine, it's cute and sorta points to witches. So maybe a stranger looking at the cover would get clued in that it's about magic...is that any reason to keep taunting those who are reading the books? Oh, and don't ask me the significance of the reflection, since I'm pretty certain the only nice dress Sophie ever wears is black. Complaints aside, it's still a gorgeous cover.

If you were hoping to find our main character with even more humor, wit, sarcasm, and overall snark, you should be very pleased. Sophie is as sassy and endearing as ever, perhaps even more-so without vindictive classmates or prying professors around. Her style of snark may not be for everyone, but I found her voice to be a mirror of my own—we just clicked. Jenna, I hate to admit, wore on my nerves a bit. I didn't think she was fleshed out any better than before, and even repeated her past brooding a couple times. Still, she ended up being able to put petty arguments aside eventually so in the end she's still on my good side.

The other characters (new, for the most part) are all equally intriguing. Between new demons Daisy and Nick, a more friendly and talkative Cal, and Sophie's father, I'm having a hard time missing old Hecate. Plus there are a couple surprise reappearances by old friends that are sure to banish any Hex Hall blues. And the major villains of the book, though not revealed until pretty late, are once again given their fair share of fleshing-out. Makes it a bit hard to choose sides sometimes, eh?

If asked who my favorite new-to-Demonglass character was, it would hands down be Sophie's dad. He's every bit as sarcastic as his daughter, though a little more restrained, and he has a British accent to boot! For having started off as a boarding-school-series with Hex Hall, Demonglass defies the norm by placing the main character with a parent. Granted, it's a parent she's never met in person, and staying in a huge, labyrinthine home, so it somewhat harkens back to the isolated teen angle. However, I was extremely impressed with the father/daughter bond that was established. It's something not seen much anymore, and I thoroughly enjoyed it—especially when he confided in her or matched wits in sarcastic duels.

And speaking of sarcastic guys, guess who's back? If the romance in the last book was comparable to Pride and Prejudice, this time it was definitely Romeo and Juliet with just a hint of Twilight. I know love triangles can be annoying sometimes, but this one worked for me. Though the 2nd love interest wasn't established at all in the previous book, there were still clues to its possibility. So while it may seem sudden, it wasn't really random. Then, during this book, while it was present, I never found it obnoxiously so. Sophie never seemed to sway one way or the other, she simply had a choice of head or heart.

Making choices is definitely the prominent theme of this book, but that doesn't mean it's lacking in magic or action. If the main threat in Hex Hall was being caught alone, that's nothing compared to Demonglass because even numbers don't ensure safety when L'Occhio di Dio (aka The Eye) and rampaging demons are involved. Though admittedly the action is heavier toward the end, there's more than enough magical intrigue and conspiratorial mystery to keep the plot moving forward. Truly there's never a dull moment.

Unfortunately, that includes the ending as well. If you thought the cliffhanger from Hex Hall was bad, boy you ain't seen nothing yet! Once again, I'm not saying the book ends in the wrong place. Plot-wise, journey-wise, it's the perfect place to end it. But Sophie's story isn't over—not by a long shot. The end of this book is...well, I'd say it's equivalent to the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Or Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Let's just say that Spell Bound had better freaking get here soon!

I'll admit I went in to Demonglass expecting a lot, and it far exceeded my expectations. Overall, I'd say it's a perfect continuation of a magical, fascinating, and hilarious series. They may have left the school, but that doesn't change much except the architecture. I hate to repeat myself, so I'll just say if you liked Hex Hall, you're gonna love its sequel. And if you haven't read Hex Hall...what the heck are you waiting for?!

Approximate Reading Time: 4.5 hours

Tamora Pierce Reading Challenge

2011-07-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

Yep, I've delved into insanity at last. I've decided to dedicate the next 3 months to one of my all-time favorite authors. Some of you followers will probably remember my various gushings about her in my reviews, Top Ten Tuesdays, or my post about her visit last October. So I think I'll let the challenge host explain what this particular insanity is all about:

So why this challenge? Well, Tamora Pierce is one of my all-time favorite authors, and she has a new book coming out October 25: Mastiff, the last book in the Beka Cooper trilogy. To celebrate, from now until October 31 I'm going to reread all of the Tamora Pierce books!

So I thought it would be fun to have others join me. I know I'm not the only one out there who's a Tamora Pierce fan, after all. So set a goal to finish a set, or re-read your favorite. And if you haven't tried her books yet, maybe you want to give them a try? She has 27 "full" books currently published, not including books that she's edited, contributed a short story to, or her comic book series for adults. So there's a little something for everyone out there.

This reading challenge is totally low pressure. You can set a goal as big or as little as you want. Choose your challenge from the list below. Some of her books are quite small and quick to finish, while others are more hefty. So pick a goal you think you can reach:

Page - A good start for beginners. Complete 1-4 books
Squire - For those ready for the next level, complete 5-8 books
Knight/Lady Knight - A steady challenge at halfway, complete 9-14 books
Duke/Duchess - For serious fans, complete 15-20 books
King/Queen - This level is for serious fans, and comes complete with a royal title, complete 21-26 books
Emperor/Empress - For diehard fans, think you can finish all 27 books?
~ Alyssa @ The Shady Glade

As for myself, I'm insane enough to attempt the Empress Level and will be reviewing all the books from now up until I receive a copy of Mastiff from the library (hopefully one of the first - I'm only 8th in queue!).

That's right, I'm tackling my entire shelf of Tamora Pierce, plus little help from the library. Really, I'm only 'missing' 3 books...and by missing, I mean haven't bought because they're not in Mass Market Paperback. Yes, I'm anal like that.

Anyway, here's my planned order for the challenge:

Emelan

Circle of Magic Quartet
1. Sandry's Book
2. Tris's Book
3. Daja's Book
4. Briar's Book
The Circle Opens Quartet
5. Magic Steps
6. Street Magic
7. Cold Fire
8. Shatterglass
The Circle Reforged Novels
9. The Will of the Empress
10. Melting Stones

Tortall

Song of the Lioness Quartet (Alanna)
11. Alanna: The First Adventure
12. In the Hand of the Goddess
13. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
14. Lioness Rampant
The Immortals Quartet (Daine)
15. Wild Magic
16. Wolf-Speaker
17. Emperor Mage
18. The Realms of the Gods
Protector of the Small Quartet (Kel)
19. First Test
20. Page
21. Squire
22. Lady Knight
Trickster Duet (Aly)
23. Trickster's Choice
24. Trickster's Queen

Short Story Collection
25. Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection of Tales

Tortall (Past)

Provost's Dog / Beka Cooper Trilogy
26. Terrier
27. Bloodhound

Of course, my insanity wouldn't be complete without me trying to set an impossible challenge for myself BESIDES 27 books in 3 months... So, I'll be trying to clean out my pending-review list before tackling the Pierce challenge. I'm hoping to get everything (10 books) read and reviewed by August 5th.

I suppose I could try pushing it back another week...but that's going to make it tough to take that week off in September for my Flordia vacation. Ah well, we'll see what happens. In any case, be on the lookout for a slew of reviews coming your way!

Most People Just Say Hex

2011-07-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Hex Hall~
Hex Hall
Book 1
By Rachel Hawkins
Amazon ~ Powell's

Life can be a real Witch sometimes. Well, at least that's what 16 year-old Sophie Mercer thinks after she gets the news about her latest mess-up.

It was supposed to be a simple love spell—nothing should have gone wrong. Of course, that's what Sophie thought all the other times she tried using her powers. You'd think that after three years and umpteen forced re-locations she'd have learned her lesson. Good thing there's a school for that.

Hectate Hall—a reform school for shapeshifter, witch, and faerie kids who don't know how to lay low (you know, since humans tend to be a bit jumpy around magic). And if reform school is as great as it sounds, Sophie's got a lot to look forward to. I mean, who wouldn't want three of the most powerful students as enemies, a creepy ghost as a stalker, or the most hated kid in school (who happens to be a vampire) as a roommate?

Let's hope there's a class on surviving reform school...

If I may, I'd like to start off by asking kind of a strange question... Does anyone else remember that Disney Channel movie series, Halloweentown that aired in the late 90's, early 00's? The main story was about Marnie Piper/Cromwell and her journey towards finding her magical powers while working to save this magical dimension (Halloweentown) and it's monster/mythical creature inhabitants. My favorites of the series were definitely the third and fourth movies:

Halloweentown High was about trying to integrate the Halloweentown teens (werewolves, trolls, fairies, etc.) with regular humans through an exchange student program. When the Knights of the Iron Dagger, a group dedicated to the elimination of monsters, resurfaces and threatens the teens, it's up to Marnie and her family to keep the students safe, or lose their magic.
Return to Halloweentown has Marnie choosing to attend Witch University, which for the first year is allowing non-witches/warlocks to attend. But the new admission policy doesn't exactly have everyone jumping for joy, and Marnie's soon caught up in a conspiracy that could change the inhabitants of Halloweentown forever.

Okay, I know what you're thinking... Why the huge explanation of this movie series in the middle of your Hex Hall review? Well, in reading Hex Hall, I couldn't help but compare it to these Halloweentown movies:

Main character is a teenage witch in the process of discovering her powers
She has a mysterious, magically powerful family member
There is a dangerous Order out to kill non-humans
She is attending a school specifically for witches and non-humans
Heroine takes it upon herself to solve the problem

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the similarities at all. I always liked the Halloweentown movies, but I always wanted more. More mystery, more drama, more danger, more character angst—and I was younger than the main character! With Hex Hall, I felt like it was a nostalgic trip back...but this time it was better!

The mythology of the book was amazing. It's always fun to get a new perspective on how supernatural beings might have come to exist, and this one was definitely unique. In this series, Prodigium, which is the umbrella term for all three species, originated from the angels who refused to take sides in the battle between God and Lucifer. After so many books, movies, and historical accounts having witches and the sort originating from deals with the devil, I found this idea fresh, and, in a sense, quite liberating. I'm sure the idea ruffles the feathers of some, but having these paranormals actually be creations of God rather than sinful abominations was a wonderful (and poignant) concept.

In addition to the Prodigium mythology, there was the introduction of those set to exterminate any and all non-humans. The Alliance, the Brannick family, and L'Occhio di Dio (The Eye of God) all have it out for Prodigium, which is the main reason why it's important to keep a low profile. Honestly, there was a lot of build-up for these groups, but for the majority of this book they weren't really there. The idea seems pretty cool, though, so I hope we'll see more of them in the future.

But now for the characters, whom I absolutely loved. Sophie was the epitome of a modern American teenager. Her insecurities, her sass, her fears, her humor, her language, everything felt completely natural and comfortable as we tagged-along in her head. And her roommate, Jenna, was fantastic. Even though my first thoughts were, "Oh no!" I must concede you can't judge a character by her cover—er, I mean color choice. The fiery, quirky, pink-loving vamp quickly turned into my 2nd favorite of the book.

All the characters felt real. Teachers or adults rarely get their fair due in YA fiction, yet I never doubted the competency of any of them at Hex Hall. Even the 'villains' of the story, the trio of dark witches who have it out for Sophie, received their fair share of fleshing out. I even sympathized with the "queen bee", Elodie, after a while. If my high school were populated with this crowd, I think I'd have fit right in.

Speaking of high school, I'd like to take a moment on the setting of the book. I know I'm way behind on the trends, but this was my first encounter with a boarding school setting (well, aside from Harry Potter), and I must say I've fallen in love. While you might think jamming a bunch of teenagers together under one roof would be crazy or impractical (and, after reading this book, you might still be justified), it's a fun type of crazy that makes for great reading. It's one thing to have a crush on a boy in your class...it's another to have one on a boy living downstairs.

Yes, the heroine is a modern teenage girl going through high school—of course there's a romance! Now, this was one of those love/hate relationships that is so addicting to watch. The guy was one of those hunky, snarky smart-aleks who liked to run his mouth—kind of a teenage Mr. Darcy. In fact, I think Pride and Prejudice is a great comparison for their relationship. Well, you know, except for...oops, no spoilers here!

If I had to complain about anything, it'd be for taunting me with a cat on the cover. I was really excited for a Salem or a Faithful/Pounce type of companion. Instead there are absolutely no cats to be seen whatsoever. Not even a Hedwig as a replacement! What a letdown, right?

Oh, and I should warn you about the ending. The book ends at a good place—at the right place, I'd say—but the story is far from over. There are still early mysteries unsolved, and there's a huge bombshell dropped in the last few pages that trails off into a cliffhanger. I'm glad I have the sequel, Demonglass, sitting right here next to me so I can continue right away. I'd highly recommend reserving a copy ASAP if you find yourself liking this book, because if you're like me, you're not going to want to stop.

Overall, this was all I'd hoped it would be and more. Kick-ass characters, fantastical setting, and a twisty mystery combine to make this series opener one to remember. There is some mild language, teen romance, and a few depictions of violence, but I'm pretty comfortable with recommending this for middle school and above. As I explained above, there are some religious references and interpretations that might rub certain people the wrong way, but I think it's in the same league as Clare's Mortal Instruments series. So, if you like snarky heroines, intrigue, magic, and high school drama, then I'd definitely recommend you go out and find this book. Well, only if you can't magic one up at home...

Approximate Reading Time: 4 hours

Ushers Are Hot!

2011-07-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~Ushers, Inc.~
By Rusty Fischer
Amazon
Zombies Don't Blog

When the streets are full of bloodsuckers, werewolves, zombies and ghouls, where will you turn? The cops don't know how to stop them, the Army's pretty much given up and even the Marines are stumped when their bullets and grenades fail to stop the onslaught.

Have no fear, Ushers, Inc. is here! Four high school movie ushers, who collectively have seen over 42,000 hours of B- and C-horror movies know just what to do.

Did you know copper pennies can stop a zombie in its tracks? Did you know garlic paste is twice as effective on vampires as garlic cloves? Did you know werewolves are absolutely petrified of seeing a Hershey's kiss? Abby Cooper, Head Usher, does.

So, when it's the monsters versus the monster hunters, who you gonna call? Ushers, Inc., that's who!

First tip: Don't read the prologue if you don't want spoilers! Yes, it offers a cute little preview of the fun and excitement that is to come, but it also reveals the outcome of the final chapter. So, trust me on this one, just start on chapter one and if you're not instantly hooked, just wait until chapter four—that's when the real action starts.

And by action, I mean the most hilarious, cheesy, B-movie antics you ever could have dreamed up. Fans of the SAW franchise should shop somewhere else, because this horror is more akin to that of Fright Night, Big Wolf on Campus, or the original Night of the Living Dead. Not that the stakes aren't just as high for these characters—no one wants to be a werewolf's next snack—but let's say that the suspense, monsters, and gore are kept to a B-movie budget and thus Ushers, Inc. is pretty kid-friendly.

That goes for the characters, too. Abby, our narrator, may be a junior in high school, but don't get her confused with those swooning teen girls from other YA novels—this girl's got bite! Just from reading her voice I connected with her instantly. Snarky, brave, loyal, and pretty darn kick-butt, Abby is one heck of a heroine. And so what if she's got a few thoughts about boys and dances? A girl's gotta have other interests besides battling the undead.

Luckily she's not alone: Tracy, Cliff and Zach are great friends to have when you're in a bind. Tracy's a bit soft-spoken at times, but she has your back when you really need it. Cliff may be a bit of an ass at times and a huge nerd at others, but that brain of his comes in pretty handy when you're trying to find silver in a convenience store. And Zach...well, he may be clueless in the relationship department, but he's not afraid to distract a rampaging werewolf if you're in a pinch.

There is a bit of a romance—after all, what B-movie would be complete without the pre-and-post-battle kisses? But I'm happy to report that the romance wasn't overly gushy, distracting, nor out of place. Which is great, because there wasn't much room for it to work anyway.

This is a short novel—only 120 pages—and so the pacing is pretty breakneck throughout. The beginning offers little introduction to their world—one in which werewolves, vampires, and zombies have been "out of the closet" for seven years now. The history of the monster outing is finally explained in chapter six (page 35), however (besides the prologue) there isn't even a mention of monsters until a rather jarring arrival in chapter four. Kind of important details, don't you think?

Another lightly-handled important detail would be the villain(s) of the story. Yes, despite the majority of the story being about random monster encounters, chapter 15 introduces us to the existence of an evil plot, which means an evil plotter. But it's been 78 pages, and there's only 42 left... You see what I'm getting at here? The villain(s) ended up being kind of a joke, which I guess fits well with the B-movie theme... But still, I would have liked to have had more done with it.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone who's a fan of cheesy horror movies, monster movies, werewolves, vampires, zombies, sassy heroines, or YA. This is a light-hearted, action-packed, monster-slaying story sprinkled with just a touch of teen romance that is sure to entertain readers of all ages. Language and gore are kept PG at the most, and romance is nothing above a kiss or two, so though it features high-schoolers, I'd definitely recommend it for the younger teens, too. And while this is finished as a stand-alone novel, I certainly wouldn't mind seeing a second, third or even 27th installment down the line!

Approximate Reading Time: 2.5 hours

Oh, and one last quick note... From the prologue: "Clasping one end [of my bowtie] in my hand I snap it out, watching a long, thin but strong silver chain uncoil until it‟s like the whip that old guy used in Raiders of the Lost Ark." I'm only in my 20's, but am I the only one who cringes when Harrison Ford is called old? I can't even tell if its referring to the actor (now 69) or the character (then 39). Either way, I don't want to admit he's old!

We’re Referring to this Affected Dimension as Solidity

2011-07-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~Solid~
Solid Trilogy
Book 1
By Shelley Workinger
Amazon ~ Powell's
Series Website

Clio (Calliope) Kaid thought everything was normal. Well, as normal as having a famous writer for a mom could be. But between the moving around the country and changing schools every year, everything else seemed to be pretty clear cut.

That's when the government tells her that she was involved in an unauthorized genetic experiment, and that she's to report to a secure location, along with 99 other teens, so that they can help with any abnormalities caused by this alteration.

So it's off to a new school once again. At least this time she'll be a freak among freaks, right? Nothing like sharing an unknown deformity to bring about teen bonding. And she'll need those bonds if she's going to get to the bottom of a conspiracy on the compound. One that might even date back to before she was born...

Calliope, better known as Clio (though, I find Calli an equally valid option), is your basic teen heroine. Personality-wise, she ranks a bit on the meek side, though she does have sarcasm and sass when the pressure isn't on. In a fight, her super power (invisibility) doesn't exactly lend itself to fierceness, so her main strength draws mainly on loyalty to her friends.

And these sure are good friends to have. Bliss can be a tad annoying when the pressure mounts, but her heart is definitely in the right place. Garrett (my favorite) is a jock and a joker, so if you can get past his sometimes abrasive personality, you'll not be short of laughs. Miranda is definitely the least likable of the group, her main weakness being tact, but she's intelligent and is slowly getting the hang of having friends.

And then there's Jack... Charismatic, handsome, multi-talented, and very interested in Clio. Their romance was very sweet, though a bit predictable. Jack was very much a support (literally at times) for Clio, but I'd have liked to see things go a little slower and keep her more independent even after he comes into the picture. I found it particularly interesting that his powers are still undiscovered, yet he possesses enough strength of character to power through when he needs to.

Teens with super-powers and government conspiracies are hardly new concepts, but I enjoyed Solid's take on things. Altering a specific chromosome certainly sounds plausible, and after years of accepting toxic waste or microwaves gave people super-powers, it's not that much of a stretch that an altered bit of DNA could do the same. But where most novels have the teens struggling to control their new abilities, Clio and the others are instead learning how to awaken them. In fact, there seem to be no consequences of having powers, and had the government not told them they would have lived normally...

But having the government involved makes everything better. I'm sure for anyone not directly involved in the military or government, it's all too easy to accept that there are things being kept from us. We don't see where all the money is spent, we have information withheld for the sake of National Security, and they have seemingly limitless resources at their disposal... How could they not be running secret experiments?

Still, they're trying to make up for it. The military compound-turned-campus where the kids were sent was nearly a character in and of itself. I loved picturing the old architecture of the dorms paired with the high-tech medical and athletic facilities. Granted, Clio said the old buildings weren't exactly picturesque, but a girl can dream, right? And though I'm normally not into sports, I'd totally want to take a run in that "gym" they have. Then again, Miranda's right, they totally needed a pool.

Unfortunately, there were also a few small issues I had with the book...

Firstly, as someone who has had issues with blood draws for a few years now (small, hard-to-find, easily breakable veins), the medical scene was about the least believable thing I've read. Sure, in theory everybody's veins are in the same place, but the doc's at least gotta look at the arm before stabbing away and getting a successful blood draw.

Then there was the dialogue—it didn't feel wholly believable at times. I know, teen language is hard, and what may seem real to one person may seem stilted to another. To me, there were parts where it just didn't seem like genuine conversations. Partly, I think there was too much 'thinking' going on between the dialogue. It seemed like Clio had to reflect on absolutely everything she said, or her cohorts said, as they said it. A bit chunky for my tastes, sorry.

Another concern I have is the obvious dating within the book. There are a lot of references to current pop culture (Bush twins, Jonas Bros, New Moon, etc.) that I'm not sure will translate well in the future. Sure, pretty much all of the references should make the teens of now giggle or at least nod knowingly, but I don't know that it will have the same relevance 5+ years from now.

Okay, that looks/sounds like a lot, but really the only major problem I had was the pacing. The prologue offers enough of a tease that got me interested in reading, but then nothing happens for the entire first half of the book. Well, not nothing, but nothing regarding the 'special abilities' the teens are supposedly discovering. Every time I thought it was the perfect time for the powers to suddenly manifest...nothing.

Unfortunately the ending was equally aggravating, with the main conflict being resolved without much conflict at all. I don't want to give away too much, but suffice it to say, a lot of talk and not much action. In fact, the resolution felt more like an exposition dump than a discovery by the characters. Not exactly the full character journey I was hoping or expecting...

Still, overall I found Solid an entertaining read. I'd recommend it for those who like YA Romance with a slightly Sci-Fi twist. Language, sex, and gore are practically non-existent, so I'd say this is appropriate for a middle-school reader, however, I'd recommend it for older readers only because I think the pacing is geared toward more patient readers. Though a little rough at times, Solid was a solid introduction to endearing characters and an intriguing concept, which I look forward to exploring further in future installments.

And speaking of sequels, the second of the series, Settling, happens to be coming out July 4th! Head on over to the Solid Series Website for more information.

Approximate Reading Time: 4.5 hours

Book Blogger Hop (15)

2011-06-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

From Sue at Cookie’s Book Club:
What keeps you reading beyond the first few pages of a book, and what makes you want to stop reading a book and put it back on the shelf?

Hmmm... Well, first of all, I have to enjoy the narrative voice. If I'm not connecting to the character(s) or the story at all, I'd definitely be tempted to put it back. So, while I don't need the narrator or character to necessarily be exactly like myself, they at least have to have some similarities, or something inherently interesting that makes me want to read more about them.

Secondly, pacing is a big motivator. If it's been 50-or-so pages and nothing's happening, I'd probably be closer to falling asleep than excited to continue through that book. Of course, that partly depends on the type of book, but on the whole, I need something to have grabbed me by at least page 50 that makes me want to continue.

Thirdly, I have to be able to understand what's happening. Mostly, this means the language has to be at my level (which, I don't think is that hard to accomplish), and I shouldn't be confused by whatever's going on. If I get to chapter 3 and realize everything I thought I knew is wrong, I'm probably going to be frustrated enough to throw the book across the room.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books!

This Is How It Shall Be Ever After

2011-06-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read or are familiar with the previous books in the trilogy, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Dawn of the Dreadfuls, or don't mind knowing some of what happens in them. Dreadfully Ever After, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me by Eric Smith at Quirk Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~Dreadfully Ever After~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 3
(Sequel)
By Steve Hockensmith
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

Elizabeth Darcy has everything a woman could ask for: a large estate, a steady income, a husband she loves and who loves her... Then why is it that lately she can't even bring herself to smile?

Not that there's much to smile about with the zombie menace still vexing England. But the lingering threat is made deadly personal when Darcy is bitten by one of the stricken! Despite knowing it is her duty to behead and burn any soul befallen the plague, Lizzy cannot bring herself to kill her beloved. Not if there could be the slightest chance of a cure.

However, to obtain this supposed cure Elizabeth must place everything on the line. Her honor, her pride, and her family hang in the balance... Love is a strong motivator, but will it be enough to save all she holds dear?

The real question is: If Mr. Darcy became infected, would Elizabeth have the fortitude to behead him in time?—Salon.com (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)

Apparently, Steve Hockensmith decided that question was well worth answering. In this sequel to the zombie-infested hit, we find Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy four years into their marriage. But while the unmentionables are still roaming the countryside, there's little room for wedded bliss. Especially since, as a married woman, honor and decorum has forced Lizzy to give up the blade.

That, I think, was my first problem with this book. Even if society demanded it, I can't see Lizzy succumbing to stupid mandates such as these. Nor could I see her husband enforcing them. Their understanding of each other at the end of the previous book seemed to indicate an equality and respect toward the deadly arts. I just don't think it reasonable (or believable) that four years have passed without Elizabeth wielding blade or staff against Satan's army.

This complaint aside, we don't have to wait too long before Lizzy dons her weapons again. In fact, by page 34 we are treated to an artful slaying using a razor-bladed parasol with sword-handle! Unfortunately, that is just about all we see of Elizabeth Darcy's fighting for the entire novel. On the whole, her role disappointed me the most. I was intrigued by her reluctance/fear of bearing children (learned on page 14), but that was really the only nuance her character offered through the whole, despite the main plot being initiated/centered on her plight.

Actually, the majority of the narration was spent on Kitty, Mary, and Darcy. Kitty and Mary were fun to follow as they matured and grew into independent women. Unfortunately I also felt their journeys weren't nearly as satisfying as Elizabeth's in the previous book, probably because they were compacted into side-plots. If they had been given their own books... Darcy's story, on the other hand, was less an exploration of his character and more an exploration into the psyche of a dreadful as it turns. Slightly intriguing, but not altogether welcome as a distraction from the plot we are teased with from the summary.

Most of the secondary characters are familiar to us through either Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or its post-written prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Anne de Bourgh struck me as very similar to Luna Lovegood at first—a bit wistful and dreamy—but she quickly veered off that course and became much creepier than anticipated. I can't say her story was completely unexpected, but I did find it satisfying for as little space as she had. Mr. Quayle was identifiable instantly, and I was also pleased at his finish, though again I wished more space was available to him. New characters suffered similarly.

Unlike the other books in this series, Dreadfully Ever After is not really a comedy. Much more of the prose is focused on gore and horrid depictions of death, disease, and mauling. There is definitely a lot more blood spurting here than in previous installments, and some were lingered on long enough to make me queasy. Language was stronger as well. Though only one remembered instance of a curse (female dog), there are also many untranslated French sayings, Japanese speech, and antique British words that readers may need to research their meanings.

On an editing note, I was extremely perturbed at the amount of typos. Luckily, there weren't too many altogether, but there was one recurring one that I never could quite figure out. The mental hospital where the cure is supposedly housed is referenced throughout the novel...yet it's done one of two ways. It is either the "Bedlam" Hospital or "Bethlem" Hospital. On page 141 it's called by both names in the space of two paragraphs! And it was mirrored in the audiobook as well, so I couldn't find preference there either. I can only wish that a final decision is reached in future editions.

Perhaps most disappointing to me was the end of the novel. The final chapter, taking up the last 5 pages, uses the perspective of, God help us, the ever oblivious Mrs. Bennet. We are merely given a rundown of the current physical state of the family members, effectively robbing us of any main character resolution whatsoever. I'll grant that this does give an 'open ending' to the novel, letting the reader draw her own conclusions, but it does absolutely nothing for the uncertainties that have arisen throughout the novel. The last line of the previous chapter was much more satisfactory an ending, such that I wish the last chapter had been left off altogether!

As I've touched on above, I think this book suffers mostly from disorganization and overcrowding. There are five storylines vying for attention—Elizabeth's quest for a cure, Kitty's maturation/romance, Mary's maturation/romance, Darcy's progress toward Dreadfuldom, and a commentary on England's plight as a whole—and with only 287 pages none of them really gets their full due. Not only that, but with them switching from one to another each chapter, you end up hating the current storyline for intruding on the previous, then just as you come to accept/tolerate it, it switches again! Perhaps if less were included, more focus could have been given to what was left.

Overall, this novel is not nearly as strong as its predecessors, but serves as an interesting exploration further into the Pride and Prejudice and Zombie universe. While the developments to some of the previously secondary characters were welcome, the excess of competing storylines serves to diminish the full impact the book might otherwise serve. I would recommend this to readers who already enjoyed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies as well as it's prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls, penned by the same author as the sequel. This book is not nearly as humorous as its previous installments, so would most likely be enjoyed by those more zombie-inclined than fans of satire. Still, it was a welcome final chapter in the saga of Bennets vs zombies, though I'm sure some fans will be as unwilling as the undead in giving it up.

Approximate Reading Time: 5 hours

Read by Katherine Kellgren
Length: 9.2 Hours
Listened at 1.9x Speed

Once again Kellgren guides us through Regency England with a flare only an English accent can give. The Bennet sisters came to life through her lively narration, and I was especially impressed with her wider range of male voices this time around. Perhaps it was because there was ultimately a smaller number of them, but I was pleased to be able to easily identify each speaker after only a few syllables. Most impressive was the Scottish speaker, Angus MacFarquhar, whose harsh accent and rolled R's was always a fun interlude from the subdued British speech.

Though I was surprised and happy to find this audiobook to be released with or soon after the book, I'm sorry to say that it suffers for it. Any defects found in the original text are uncorrected in the audio, especially concerning the "Bedlam"/"Bethlem" debate. Still, I'd recommend this to anyone wanting to finish the trilogy, for Kellgren provides a consistently great performance.

A Zombie In Possession of Brains

2011-06-27T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Pride and Prejudice and Zombies~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 2
(Original)
By Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem.

As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry?

Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read.*

I'll go ahead and say it now: I am an Austen fan. I wasn't always one, though. I first read Pride and Prejudice in preparation for Senior Year IB English. I HATED it! I was bored to tears—I couldn't get over how many words were used to describe NOTHING. However, by re-reading at a slower pace during the class, I was able to have my brain phase over the unnecessary/frivolous/verbose text and actually process the characters and plot. And I LOVED it. I'm really not one to read fluffy romances, but this wasn't fluffy, it was...interesting! Quite the flip-flop, eh?

Then came the sudden surge of Austen-centered movies. I saw Becoming Jane and Jane Austen Book Club (haven't read the book yet) and fell in love with both. I even resolved to do as they did in the latter and read all of Jane's books. Well, that still hasn't happened, but the resolve is still there and I'll do it one of these days. I did, however, read Northanger Abbey and once again fell in love with Austen's humor and wit.

Shortly after returning home from college, I happened upon an author visit at (where else?) my local Powell's bookstore. I'd never heard of the author, but I was there, it was free, so why not? When Seth Grahame-Smith came to the podium it was to a hearty round of applause—some out of politeness, but most out of excited glee. He told his humorous story of how everything had gotten started, how his editor had called him up with only a title and he'd set off from there, how he went about editing the manuscript with red-colored text, and how no one could have foreseen the book's success. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies had been unleashed upon the world, and the world shouted back, "MORE!"

Having been familiar with the original work, I'll admit I was slightly reluctant to try this new adaptation. I'm not the biggest fan of zombies (or gore in general), and I wasn't exactly sure how zombie hordes roaming the countryside would affect the storyline. Was there really a place for zombies in Austen's world? Then a fellow audience member stood up and walked to the front of the crowd. She announced herself as president of the local branch of The Jane Austen Society and said she was there to present Seth with an official invitation to their next national meeting. Um...color me convinced.

It took a week or two, but I managed to finally grab a copy of the book. I read through it, smirking and laughing all the way through. Now, following my second read of the book, I'm ready to offer up my review.

First and foremost, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is located in the humor section for a reason. Yes, it prides itself on featuring "Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem", but this isn't a slasher book. And yes, as with the original, the main plot centers on romance, but the style of the novel is far from your typical romance. This book is first and foremost a satire, and I'd venture to say a very well done satire indeed.

Austen's original text is, for the most part, still fully intact: the five Bennet sisters passing their time in the English countryside, seeking love and/or marriage; Misters Bingley and Darcy are still charming and indifferent (respectively), and both handsome and very well-off; And English society is still as prim and proper as ever. However, now and again instead of knitting or reading a book, characters will be sharpening blades or polishing muskets. Or a character might now be inconvenienced to behead an unmentionable in order to save her dancing partner.

Those casually familiar with the original may find themselves hard-pressed to find where the old text ends and new text starts, such is Grahame-Smith's skill with Austen's style. The zombie bits hardly "get in the way of" the story, and the story frames the zombie killing perfectly. In fact, the zombie menace actually serves to answer a few puzzling questions unanswered in the original, such as why there is a military regiment stationed in Meryton, and why such a smart girl as Charlotte would ever agree to marry who she does. And though some characters fates turn out differently than in the original, Austen fans can rest assured that the ending is still quite intact.

Elizabeth, the heroine of the novel, is possibly the most changed from her previous version, and yet recognizably the same. Far from being love-silly over the handsome visitors or military officers, she has her mind set on slaying unmentionables and honing her skill in the deadly arts. That is not to say she doesn't notice anything else, but she is a warrior of England first, a lady second, and thus she cannot be expected to fawn over every man who might make an offer of marriage. She's strong-willed and not afraid to behead the undead nor any man who slights her, which makes her especially fun to read. Forget slapping, try a round-house kick across the room or a katana spilling one's entrails.

And she's not alone in her techniques (though she is the most skilled among them), for all the Bennet sisters are likewise trained. Funnily enough, however, their personalities remain unchanged from Austen's imaginings. So imagine Kitty and Lydia, gossipy and love-crazy, now with the abilities to awe officers with displays of throwing stars. And poor Jane is now forced to balance her kind-hearted nature with slaying the undead. One thing's for sure, the sister's Pentagram of Death is a sight to see!

Language and gore are pretty tame as far as zombie novels go. About the only raunchy language are the references to "those most English parts" and a few ball jokes (which I found hilarious). If I had to describe the gore, I'd have to say it was clear and concise. I'm horrible with graphic depictions of gore, both in movies and books, but these descriptions fit the Victorian-era language and style so that one or two sentences were enough to convey the message, and then they moved on. So probably not up to The Walking Dead standards, but possibly around Zombieland levels... Again, think comedy not horror.

An aside on "normal" vs "Deluxe" editions. I had the unique opportunity to experience both editions simultaneously, reading as I do with the audiobook going in my ear. I own and thus read from the physical copy of the "normal" first edition (pictured above); I listened to the unabridged audiobook of The Deluxe Heirloom Edition (which may be the only audiobook version available). In terms of Zombie Mayhem, the Deluxe Edition did offer a few extra scenes depicting characters engaged in the deadly arts. However, if one has read Austen's original, or perhaps prefers more of the original writing to remain intact, then sticking with the normal edition may be more to your liking.

Personally, there were some Deluxe scenes I enjoyed, and some I thought were better being left out. There is one rather lengthy scene which occurred at the beginning of chapter three in which the Bennet sisters are called to a neighboring village to help with/witness a zombie raid on a church. Nothing really comes of the venture, except that the reader gets a few extra zombies, boiled brains, and men vomiting. Most of the rest of the added content follows this pattern, however there are quite a few instances where Elizabeth's character in particular gains from the re-writes. A few changed words here and there actually made her a fiercer woman than in the original edition, and trust me, that's saying something. Again, the changes may be pleasing to some (myself included), but offputing to others.

Overall, if you hate zombies or see yourself as an Austen purist, then this book isn't for you. However, if you're open to the idea that it's okay to laugh at literature, if you have a sense of humor or an eye for satire, and if you enjoy some zombie-slaying action, then I think you'll enjoy what Pride and Prejudice and Zombies accomplishes. It's obviously not a book for everyone, I'll state that loud and clear, but I think both authors have worked hard and succeeded in producing a classic that will stand the test of time.

Approximate Reading Time: 5.5 hours

Read by Katherine Kellgren
Length: 11 Hours
Listened at 1.9x Speed

For those of us who weren't willing to wait for the Deluxe edition and bought the first edition of the book, you might want to find yourself a copy of the audiobook to listen to. Therein lies a preface to the novel written (and read!) by co-author Seth Grahame-Smith recounting some of the process behind the creation of, and re-working of, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's like your own (not-so) private message straight from the author!

After that, the narration kicks in and the action ramps up. Since, as I stated before, I only own the first edition of PPZ, not all of my reading matched with the voice in my head. Still, the listening was enjoyable, clear, concise, and well-voiced. The female voices were still, I think, better differentiated than the males', but most of the notable characters were easily discernible from one another.

And speaking of voices in my head, I think hearing an English accent for 5+ hours (not to mention the 5 hours of the last book) has begun to change my internal/writing voice Brittish. Well, one more book to go (in this series) and then maybe I can get my head back into American phrasing.

In My Mailbox (12) Returns!

2011-06-26T05:30:00.000-07:00

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren
(Book covers are linked to their Goodreads pages)

In the Past Two Months I've...

Checked Out

River Marked ~ Patricia Briggs
Hex Hall & Demonglass ~ Rachel Hawkins
Tortall and Other Lands ~ Tamora Pierce
The Girl Who Was On Fire ~ Various Authors
From My Library

Bought

A Wizard of Mars ~ Diane Duane
From Borders

Received

Ushers, Inc. ~ Rusty Fischer
Solid ~ Shelley Workinger
Moon Spell ~ Samantha Young
From Their Respective Authors
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children ~ Ransom Riggs
From Eric Smith at Quirk Books

And Won

Weathercock ~ Melissa Crandall
From Goodreads First Reads

So, tell me, what's in your mailbox?

Attention Potterfans!

2011-06-23T04:37:00.000-07:00

Well, actually, if you're a Potterfan, you probably already know about this by now... I mean, I stayed up 'til 4am my time for the announcement, and I'm sure many of you set your alarms for the announcement too...

BUT, for those of you who may be out of the loop, I have BIG NEWS!!!

Okay, first you'll want to check out this video
BY JK ROWLING

Then, after you've completed your celebrations, quickly click the link to
POTTERMORE

Still have questions? Don't worry, I did too, so I went digging around the site and found some tidbits that give some insights, previews, and clearer descriptions of what's happening.

EDIT: Also, here is a transcription from Rowling's press conference about Pottermore, including juicy info about Sorting, new material, and the evasive Potter-Encyclopedia: The Leaky Cauldron

From a press release of the event:

J.K. Rowling today, Thursday 23rd June, answered mounting speculation about the nature of her new project and announced Pottermore, a unique and free-to-use website which builds an exciting online experience around the reading of her hugely successful Harry Potter books, and is partnered by Sony.

The announcement today was heralded by the revealing of the website’s name via an online search for its letters, and a ‘coming soon’ holding page which received over a million visits within 36 hours of launching.

For this groundbreaking collaborative project, J.K. Rowling has written extensive new material about the characters, places and objects in the much-loved stories, which will inform, inspire and entertain readers as they journey through the storylines of the books. Pottermore will later incorporate an online shop where people can purchase exclusively the long-awaited Harry Potter eBooks, in partnership with J.K. Rowling’s publishers worldwide, and is ultimately intended to become an online reading experience, extending the relevance of Harry Potter to new generations of readers, while still appealing to existing fans. As the Pottermore Shop develops, it is intended that it should include further products designed specifically for Harry Potter fans, offering a potential outlet for Sony products and services related to Pottermore. In keeping with Harry Potter’s international appeal, the site will launch in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish, with more languages to follow.

In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup.

At a press conference at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Rowling revealed some key features of the website. In an announcement which will thrill fans, she described how she has brought to life both the Sorting Hat and Ollivanders experiences from her books for the first time on Pottermore, by revealing the questions asked by the Sorting Hat - which places newcomers into their Hogwarts houses according to their characteristics - and the magic behind the Wand Chooser – which finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations. She also revealed glimpses of the new information she has provided on some of the best-loved characters.

J.K. Rowling’s announcement on YouTube and sony.com today revealed that Pottermore (along with the Pottermore Shop) will be open to all users in October 2011. From today, 23rd June, fans can submit their email addresses on Pottermore.com in order to be contacted by the site following the opening of registration on 31st July, Harry’s birthday. Also on that date, an online challenge will be launched, whereby the first million people to complete their registration will gain early entry into the website, and help put final touches to the experience.

J.K. Rowling commented,
“I wanted to give something back to the fans that have followed Harry so devotedly over the years, and to bring the stories to a new digital generation. I hope fans and those new to Harry will have as much fun helping to shape Pottermore as I have. Just as I have contributed to the website, everyone else will be able to join in by submitting their own comments, drawings and other content in a safe and friendly environment – Pottermore has been designed as a place to share the stories with your friends as you journey through the site.”

I don't know about you, but I'm ready for October!!!

Top Ten Tuesday: Why I Love Book Blogging

2011-06-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

Book Blogging...
I've been a part of this community for approximately 14 months now, and I just can't help but love every minute of it. Okay, there have been some ups and downs associated with it, but overall I wouldn't trade anything for it.

Here are my Top Ten reasons I wouldn't give this up:

10. Sanity
Blogging helps keep me sane. Well, saner, at least. When I took breaks from the blog, I think I actually suffered more than revived. Yes, the blog can get overwhelming (mostly due to my own procrastination) at times, but ultimately it provides an anchor that I can keep coming back to even when everything else is tossed into chaos.

9. Flexibility
As much as I like schedules and having things done "on time", it sure is nice to be able to push things back when life has other plans. There are no rules or regulations when it comes to book blogging, no time limit, no word limit, no speed limit. It's completely flexible with whatever I want and need to happen.

8. No Boss
Somewhat analogous with #9, having no boss means that what I'm doing isn't being judged by anyone. Well, I suppose my follower-count might be somewhat of a judge, but anyone in this business will tell you that subscribers aren't a measurement for anything. With blogging, you're held to a standard that is only your own, which after years of school, competitions, and then low-tier jobs, it's quite liberating.

7. Winning
I'd be lying if I didn't say I loved winning giveaways/contests. I normally don't consider myself very lucky, so on the off-chance that I actually do get my name drawn in a giveaway, it's just exhilarating and brightens my entire day/week. Then there's the second thrill when the package arrives! So much fun!

6. Motivation
Graduating with a degree in "Creative Writing", then moving to the job market where every writing job demands "7 years professional experience" (don't ask me why it's always 7) can certainly get a girl down. But lo and behold: a place where I can practice and improve my trade!
Who could ask for more?

5. Creative Outlet
Not only in writing posts, but also designing layouts, graphics, color schemes, and even post templates, I've got the perfect canvas for all my creative aspects to shine.

4. Recommendations
There are so many books out there, it's nice to get a nudge in the right direction every once in a while. Or even the wrong direction, just to know not to go back.

3. Discussions
I've seen some sites where 'comments' dive straight into the territory of spam and trolls. It's nice to have a place where it's expected to be sincere and cordial but still honest and open with opinions. And where the prompts and responses both are extremely well thought-out, clear, clever,
and 99% typo-free. Please, sir, can I have some more?

2. Doing What I Love
Really, I couldn't ask for anything better than reading a book and writing about it. Even back in 8th grade, I fell in love with writing book reports; I wrote one that was over 10 pages (granted, most of it was the summary of the book, but still). Over the years the 'study' of books became more intense - trying to find themes, comparisons, reasons for, etc, etc. And yet, I still managed to hang on to my initial love of reading, and grew to accept my own opinions on the matter as worthy of statement. I believe that whatever life throws at me, I'll still make time for book blogging.

1. Community
There's so much I could say about the book blogging community, and I still wouldn't even begin to cover it. Reading and writing are both solitary experiences, but having all of us endeavoring to share our experiences with one another... It's more than a book club, or a fan forum... Oh, I don't know how to explain it without sounding completely corny, so I'll just keep it simple. Book blogging has connected me with like-minded people all over the world: whether it be authors I can aspire to, reviewers I can reflect on, or readers I can relate with, I know am not alone. And that's a great feeling.

The Dreadfuls Have Returned!

2011-06-14T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Dawn of the Dreadfuls~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 1
(Prequel)
By Steve Hockensmith
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's
Book Trailer

In 19th century England, society dictates that a young lady must be prim and proper. She must know proper etiquette, only speak on appropriate topics, maintain perfect posture at all times, and never ever appear at all like the opposite sex in any way shape or form.

By following these steps, your young lady will not only be the perfect target for a young, rich suitor, but for the approaching zombie horde as well.

Fortunately, Oscar Bennet has other plans for his daughters. Despite Lydia and Kitty's incessant gibbering and complaints, Mary's disinterest, and Jane's timidity, he is going to mold his daughters into warriors capable of defending themselves and all of Hertfordshire if necessary.

For Elizabeth Bennet, the second oldest of the sisters, the way of the warrior is coming surprisingly easily. As her deadly skill and the number of re-animated corpses increase, so too does her certainty that she'll never be fit as a bride. Not that she's seen any viable suitors thus far, but still, the dream of love is never too far from a proper lady's heart.

But can she still be considered a proper lady when her dress is stained with blood and her fingers grip a katana? Does she want to be? Will it even matter after the undead menace re-writes what is proper?

Yes, my friends, this is the beginning to the beginning of it all. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was the original "Monster Mash-up", "Reinvented Classic", or simply "Quirk Classic", that sparked the phenomenon. A year later, Stephen Hockensmith decided to tackle the origins of the Bennet family and their experience with the unmentionables in this prequel, Dawn of the Dreadfuls.

Fans and critics of the original should notice that Jane Austen's name is not present on the cover of this book. In fact, the only places her name appears is in the back summary and the dedication. That is because this story is completely original. The iconic characters from the original classic are here, joined by some handsome and hilarious new faces, and there is certainly continuity between the prequel and the original as far as which characters are still alive, but past that everything is brand new.

I'll admit, I'm not a huge zombie fan. I'm not a fan of blood and gore in books, pictures, or movies - I've gotten light-headed from reading about blood transfusions or looking at pictures of syringes. That being said, I had no problem with Dawn of the Dreadfuls. Yes, there are descriptions of zombies in their full decaying horror, and more than a few violent encounters between the dead and the living, but I found the descriptions artistically tactful and most gore was accompanied with enough wry humor that I found it fun to read.

The language throughout the book is a mix between 19th century and 21st century, though I'd definitely say it leaned more toward the modern side. In terms of actual words, everything (except "zombie") was period appropriate, but in terms of speech and sentence composition, it was fairly modern. On the one hand, it's definitely easier to read, but die-hard Austen enthusiasts might find it less to their satisfaction.

To me, the title was a little bit misleading. When I think of the Dawn of something, I think of the very first occurrence. You know, Patient 0, for those more versed in zombie. Well, this was more Dawn of the Return of the Dreadfuls, because apparently England had already fought the undead some years ago and it was only in the past 5-or-so years that the precautions (decapitating all dead) had been repealed. So we didn't get to learn all the cool stuff about why or how the zombies started, only the origins of this latest wave and the Bennet family.

Speaking of which, I thought the Bennet family was handled extremely well! I know it can be hard to take pre-formed characters and try to have them believably perform new actions (have you read any FanFiction out there?). But I actually enjoyed reading about the Bennets and discovering new insights about them. Mary especially gained a lot from this exploration, as well as both Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Oh my gosh, the whole Prudence/Cuthbert thing was hilarious! Okay, maybe a bit much, but it was enjoyable at least.

I think what most impressed me was Elizabeth's personal journey through the book. I remember wondering when I'd first read Jane Austen's classic why Lizzy was so cold toward everyone. I'll grant you she was certainly smarter than the majority of the eligible men would allow, but that alone didn't seem enough to account for her coldness toward the male sex. Here, Hockensmith gives us a believable tale of love and loss that provides the necessary background for Lizzy's attitude in the next novel. Okay, maybe not necessary, but certainly fitting. I mean, every heroine's gotta have a coming-of-age story, and I think this book made a great one.

Overall, Dawn of the Dreadfuls was an excellent read full of humor, wit, action, and zombie-mayhem. It is a must-read for any fan of the Monster Mash-ups or Quirk Classics, and a safe bet for zombie fanatics. I also think it's appropriate for YA readers who don't mind a little English romance with their flying body parts. Age-wise, it's definitely appropriate for anywhere from high school to adult—middle readers may have some issues with the violence and/or advanced language. The ultimate in zombie-infested prequels, this is an action-packed, fun-filled story of love, self-discovery, and feminism vs the undead.

Approximate Reading Time: 5 hours

Read by Katherine Kellgren
Length: 9 Hours
Listened at 1.8x Speed

Read with an English (or perhaps New-English) accent, it certainly helped set the tone of the story. The voice acting was superb, even among the male characters, though my favorites were definitely the Bennet sisters. All of them had distinct voices, even Kitty and Lydia who have very similar ways of speaking. The battle cries were a bit over-the-top in terms of volume, so do be wary of that if listening through earphones or a small car.

Nothing else really remarkable or horrible to report. I believe she continues through the next two books, though, so continuity-wise, a good job. I look forward to continuing with her shortly.

Now A Borders Affiliate!

2011-06-04T03:22:00.000-07:00

Just finished editing all my reviews to include links to Borders! Once again, if you click on any of my links (Amazon and Powell's included) and purchase ANY item during your visit, I will receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no additional cost to you. Proceeds made from these affiliations will go toward future contests (shipping!) and purchasing further materials to review. Thank you for your support.

PS. I'm looking to affiliate with Audible (audiobooks) soon, so keep your eyes peeled :)

Something To Say

2011-06-01T05:30:00.000-07:00

This is a personal post, not a book review. Just going over some things, explaining my current situation, and hopefully setting a tone for the future. If you'd rather stay out of the drama, I understand and assure you that my next review should be coming up later this week. Thank you.

If you're still reading this, I guess I'll just get down to it. I'm sorry for April and May's unannounced/unexplained hiatus. I had a bit of a physical, mental, emotional breakdown in March, and that was taken out on this blog. I'd rather not get into the gory details (and I'm sure no one wants to hear them), but I'll just say that I've started some new treatments that seem to be helping things along.

I'm still depressed. Not really earth-shattering news in this economy, but being jobless really wears you down. Firstly you're depressed because you can't support yourself (or pay back your debt). Then, trying to rectify the situation, you send out job applications only to get absolutely no response or an avalanche of NO's, which only serves to lower your self-esteem. It's gotten to the point that I'm terrified of getting an interview because I feel like the first thing they'll see is a depressed person. And being overly self-conscious and overweight to begin with hasn't helped either. There was a long period of time where I didn't even want to go outside because I was paranoid some future employer would see me and I'd be sabotaging myself.

I still have some of that anxiety, but there have been improvements.

For one thing, my mom (who had also been unemployed for a couple years) finally found a job last week. And while it's not the most ideal pay, the environment is great and she's really enjoyed the work.

Also keeping me busy has been our family's attempts to start up a crafting business. Mom sews, (sister) Kristi knits, and I run all the electronic aspects—taking pictures, photo-editing, website management, research, spreadsheets... I don't plan on inundating this blog with non-bookish stuff, but I might make a post about it once we've got things up and running. In the meantime, you can check out our products on Facebook or DeviantArt.

As far as reading and blogging goes, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. So far I've only been focusing on reviews—partly clearing out the shelves, partly taking care of promises owed—and I don't know if or when I'll have the time or energy to go back to reading all the blogs I've subscribed to. I'd love to get back in the habit of reading everything you guys are posting, and passing along the great contests and giveaways, but right now I have other things on my plate.

So, for the moment I hope you'll be patient with me. I hope my reviews continue to engage or entertain you. And I hope you all know that I appreciate your continued patience and support. Thank you.

The Heat Will Not Be Denied

2011-05-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

Though not absolutely necessary to read first, here is my review of the previous Nikki Heat novel, Heat Wave.

~Naked Heat~
Nikki Heat
Book 2
By Richard Castle
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

When New York's most vicious gossip columnist, Cassidy Towne, is found dead, Heat uncovers a gallery of high-profile suspects, all with compelling motives for killing the most feared muckraker in Manhattan.

Heat's murder investigation is complicated by her surprise reunion with superstar magazine journalist Jameson Rook. In the wake of their recent breakup, Nikki would rather not deal with their raw emotional baggage. But the handsome, wise-cracking, Pulitzer Prize-winning writer's personal involvement in the case forces her to team up with Rook anyway. The residue of their unresolved romantic conflict and crackling sexual tension fills the air as Heat and Rook embark on a search for a killer among celebrities and mobsters, singers and hookers, pro athletes and shamed politicians.

This new, explosive case brings on the heat in the glittery wold of secrets, cover-ups, and scandals.

[One of the few times the jacket summary covers everything I wanted to say and doesn't go farther than exposing the first 50-or-so pages. Bravo, Hyperion.]

In April of 2010 I wrote and posted my first book review on this blog. Now, just over a year later, I've read and reviewed its sequel. It really takes me back to how far I've come, you know? But enough reflection and on to my review.

I could go into a bunch of background info about Castle and comparisons, but I don't want to repeat myself from my last review. That being said, I have to say I'm extremely impressed with the improvement between Heat Wave and Naked Heat. For those who haven't read the first novel, it's not necessarily a pre-requisite for the sequel. Most of the information is recounted for the uninformed (or forgetful, in my case) and I honestly don't think I lost anything in not re-reading its predecessor. But from what I do remember (and what I picked up from re-reading my review), the improvements came not only in copy-editing (only 1 typo this time!), but the characters, the plot, everything just felt tighter, more in-sync with what I'd expect of a mystery/crime novel.

As my regular readers know, mystery/crime fiction is not my usual genre. Taking that into account, those readers more familiar with the genre might find this book a bit simplistic in its make-up. I, however, appreciated the fact that I never got lost and never suspected the actual killer until it was revealed. It was just the right balance of information and suspense that keeps you hungering for more. I'll admit, there were times when the plot stalls a bit, but let me assure you that the characters are more than enough to pull you through.

The characters are just as sharp as ever—even more so, actually. Nikki is the same kick-ass heroine, balancing precariously between independence and solitude, seriousness and humor, feeling too little and feeling too much. I do find it slightly annoying that in both books Nikki is assaulted by a killer. In Heat Wave it was a fight to the death in her own apartment, and this time it's an abduction and torture. I understand the desire to juxtapose the tough, no-nonsense cop by also making her a victim, but do we need it so bluntly depicted in each book? I sincerely hope this doesn't become a recurring theme.

Rook is definitely less conflicted, serving to further illustrate the complexity of the heroine, but his wit and sense of humor are always a joy to read. Raley and Ochoa also tend to be on the comic-relief side, but they too have their serious moments to balance things out. I especially enjoyed when the narrative perspective traveled from Nikki to focus on one of the others. Especially Rook's perspective, which masterfully fed the sexual tension of the story.

It's interesting to note how the author still manages to create sexual tension in a series where sex happens. Off screen, of course, but still there. In TV shows it seems like the only way to have sexual tension is to keep the characters as close together as possible without actually letting them "get together". Here, however, the action of sex is less a victory or a finale, because the main battle between the two characters is whether or not they can remain friends. Heat and Rook haven't yet hit that chemistry point where nothing can pull them apart, so getting them in bed together doesn't seem nearly as fulfilling as getting them to crack jokes together in the daylight.

Overall, this was an excellent mystery and addition to what looks to be turning into a fantastic series. Fans of Castle are probably the main audience for this series, but I think this book especially will appeal to mystery or crime fiction readers who don't mind a little humor and romance mixed in with their murder. Based on the steamy scenes and some graphic language, I'd recommend this for an older audience, definitely not below high school. In short, if you're in the mood for a fun, steamy, witty romp through the city that never sleeps and don't mind a bit of intrigue, scandal, and murder on the side, you should pick up Naked Heat now.

Approximate Reading Time: 5.5 hours

Read by Johnny Heller
Length: 11 Hours
Listened at 2x Speed

This one is kind of a slow read—not in pacing, but in narration. I even tried speeding up the audio more than 2x but my player starts chopping at that speed. The slower pace of speech might conflict a bit with the more exciting scenes, but at least you shouldn't have any worries about mishearing him.

Voice acting is not really his strong suit (something I find more common with male readers than female) but he does make due. I thought it was kinda cool that he actually sounded similar to Nathan Fillion (Castle on the show), but that may have been helped along by wishful thinking.

I think what I was most thankful for was the translations of the abbreviations. Some sections in the book contained a great deal of cop jargon, abbreviations, and initializations—fine for a seasoned crime/mystery reader, but a bit confusing to a dabbler in the genre. Thus I found it extremely helpful that some of the lesser-known terms were spelled-out instead of read as-is. Though, I will admit I started wondering where I had drifted off to when he started reading "Yes" or "No" instead of the text message's "Y" or "N".

If I had one wish for the narration, it would be that when songs or song-tunes showed up in the text, we could have gotten some musical rendition instead of just a straight read. Even a background track (though I'm sure they're all copyrighted and would have cost some major $$) would have been nice. Still, I'd definitely recommend this audiobook for the mystery/crime/romance listeners out there who are hungry for a little Heat.

Ten-Hut Virals! We Have Missions To Complete!

2011-05-21T05:30:00.000-07:00

~Virals~
Virals
Book 1
By Kathy Reichs
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

Tory Brennan is just your typical high school freshman. You know the type: so smart she skipped two grades; lives on an island with a father she just met; niece of a famous forensic anthropologist; spends most the time boating around with three older geeky guys. Yeah, sure. Typical.

And it's on a typical trip to the neighboring Loggerhead Island, home to a super high-tech biology research lab and off limits to outsiders, that she and her friends discover a clue to a 50-year-old mystery as well as evidence of cruel animal experimentation. Apparently not everything on Loggerhead is as official and clean-cut as it seems.

After rescuing the wolfdog puppy from the labs, Tory and the group start experiencing strange symptoms. But heightened senses, hunger for raw meat, and yellow eyes are the least of their worries when their investigation efforts start attracting the wrong sort of attention. The deadly kind. They'll have to work together if they want to stay alive and put this mystery to rest.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends.
They are a pack.
They are Virals.

This book was impossible to put down! I started reading this at midnight, thinking I'd spend an hour or two at the most before turning in. Four and a half hours (347 pages/57 chapters) later I finally found a place I felt I could comfortably leave them and go to sleep. I grant that the pacing isn't the best at times—I found it impossible to tease the book using the first 50 pages because nothing had happened yet—but the absence of action in the beginning was completely covered by the characters. And once the action started, it never let up—especially not at chapter breaks.

But speaking of characters, I loved each and every one of them. Tory, our freshman-at-fourteen narrator was everything I love in a female lead. She's smart, sassy, strong (though she often plays it down for the boys' sakes), wounded but trying to overcome. And her language, her pattern of speaking/thinking was exactly like I'd expect. In some ways it matched my own, such that tagging along in her head was a pretty seamless experience. Plus she's a redhead, automatic +2 points.

Tory's boys were just plain fun. Hi, probably my favorite of the bunch, was the comedian of the group. If the situation's getting way out of hand, trust him to throw in a line that lets everyone take a breath. Shelton and Ben blurred together a bit at first, but I straightened them out eventually. Shelton's the techno-wiz, but tends to spook easily. Ben's definitely the muscle, but he doesn't boast it. All three of them had great senses of humor, and though they're older, they're all intensely loyal to their leader, Tory.

It's YA, so you know there's gotta be some romance, right? Well, yes and no. There are some boy-girl scenes with flirting, some boyfriend/girlfriend references, and some definite crushing going on. However, in comparison to most girl-narrated YA, this was surprisingly tame. There was a bit of a triangle popping up now and again...and maybe it's just me, but I sense Ben might have a little crush of his own...but on the whole, everything is sub-subplot at best. It's there—it's pretty near unavoidable when dealing with high school—but it's maybe 30 pages of a 450-page book.

Instead of teenage angst, the book mainly focuses on mystery, sci-fi, and action plots. Doesn't seem to be typical YA genres these days, especially for what looks to be a sci-fi or paranormal book. I'll admit, I was surprised at how well everything was woven together. Just when you're thinking Mystery Plot caught a huge break, Action bursts in, shakes everything around, and then lets Sci-Fi take the lead. Each of the three plots seems separate, which might be offputting for some, but with the characters leading you through it all it's not too hard to follow.

The action starts off immediately, right from page one in the form of a prologue. Technically, the prologue takes place in the middle of chapter 25, so it was a bit confusing trying to figure out what the heck was going on. On the other hand, it certainly gets you hooked right away, and Reichs does a good job referencing back to the prologue in the chapter (in case you need a refresher), so I think it works alright. The action throughout the story kept my heart pounding pretty fast (the music* ensured that pretty well too).

The science/science-fiction of the story is fairly understandable. Since none of the characters specialize in the same fields, there's usually a fair bit of explanation between them for any science-y stuff. I'm a bit biased toward wolves (gee, ya think?), so I'll admit that the wolf-DNA change plotline was what drew me to the book in the first place. Didn't know exactly what to expect—full-blown werewolves, monsterous mutation, canine-centered super-powers, or mere insanity—but I was pleased with the results. Even as science-fiction, it seemed believable, obtainable at our current level of technology.

I was especially impressed with the pacing of the mystery. With the characters somewhat going about their daily lives, the pacing actually felt realistic, which only helped build the suspense. I never felt like there were convenient breakthroughs, nothing was handed to them, they had to work for every clue they found. But I suppose I shouldn't have expected anything less from the author of the Bones series.

Speaking of which, I feel I must make a clarification for those who are familiar with Bones, the TV show. The Temperance Brennan referenced in this book is NOT the one from the show, she is the one from Reichs' novel series which inspired the show. So before any Bones fans start complaining/questioning about how Tory is Brennan's sister's granddaughter (TV-Brennan is in her 20's and has a brother), please reference the books. That being said, other than that one reference to their relation, there is absolutely nothing concerning "Aunt Tempe" in Virals. She's mentioned a couple times as a minor tag to Reichs' other work, that's all.

But I think I've blathered on long enough. If you haven't gotten the gist that I loved this book, I don't know what you've been reading. Overall, I'd recommend this for fans of sci-fi, mystery and/or action who don't mind a YA style. I'd say that, between the younger-but-still-high-school narrator, lack of romance and the good amount of action, this book is definitely geared for middle school and up. If you're looking for a break from the norm, something you can really sink your teeth into, Virals will definitely keep you intrigued, mystified, and entertained.

Approximate Reading Time: 5.5 hours

Read by Cristin Milioti
Length: 9.6 Hours
Listened at 1.8x Speed

First of all, the narration was superb. Milioti pulled off spunky, sassy, sarcastic, smart-alek-y, teen know-it-all Tory to a T. Tory's male cohorts were a bit less unique from each other, but became more recognizable as the book went on. Supporting characters with southern accents were spot on (well, to a person who rarely hears them), and I enjoyed the variety of flavors she gave everyone. She also reads a bit faster than I'm used to—hence the 1.8x instead of my typical 1.9x—which also adds to the teenage vibe.

I did notice a couple inconsistencies between the audio and the print - most noticeably the switching between "Charleston University" or "CU" in the book and "University of Charleston" or "UC" in the audio (though every so often it switched to the former). I'm not sure which the author meant to use (or which is correct), so it seems confirmation will have to wait for the paperback edition.

*If you take away nothing else from this review, you MUST grab this audiobook for its special effects. This is the first audiobook I've listened to which actually incorporated music into the story. Sure, some companies have themes that play during the introduction, maybe at the beginning of each chapter or during the prologue. But Virals pulled out all the stops. My heart literally started racing the first time the music kicked in during a chase scene. And then, when Tory feels her "flare", indicated in the book by a SNAP, instead of a voice simply reading the word, you actually get what sounds like an electrical surge coming through your headphones.

An absolute joy from beginning to end, I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a YA sci-fi, mystery or adventure audio to chew on. It's a unique experience, to be sure, and I'm sure you'll be as reluctant as I was to hit the pause button.

Time Is Of The Essence

2011-05-16T16:05:00.000-07:00

~Time Witch~
By Jacqueline Corcoran
Amazon ~ Solstice Publishing

For 12-year-old Genevieve, life is made up of knowns and unknowns. For example, she knows that witches, trolls, and winged horses don't exist anywhere but in fairytales. She knows that the map on her wall is the product of her own imagination. And she knows that things like swords and crests went out of style ages ago.

On the other hand, she doesn't know why her mother didn't return home from work last night. Or why her ceiling just now decided to reveal a secret room. Or how it's possible that passing through the gate of Dumbarton Oaks has transported her to a world that has her questioning everything she knows.

You'd think they'd include something about that in the tourist guides.

Now Genevieve's caught in a race against time to find three missing artifacts and save the kingdom. But with monsters chasing her, mazes trapping her, and mysterious new powers popping up, she'll need help from her new friends if she wants to survive the week, let alone find a way back home.

Time Witch is a classic fantasy adventure. You have a hero(ine), a quest, a villain, some self-discovery, and friends to help, all contained in a world where magic reigns and the unexpected happens all the time. Genevieve is your typical unpopular, shy, middle school student. When her mother goes missing, she's devastated but still manages to find the courage to take up the search, and ends up wandering into a magical world she thought she'd only imagined. Dropped in the middle of a quest to stop the end of time, she's got to overcome her own insecurities and discover the power she holds in order to defeat evil and save those she loves.

Written in a similar style to The Chronicles of Narnia, this is a straight-forward, dialog-heavy, plot-powered adventure story. Intricate details are on the scarce side, leaving much of the world to the reader's imagination, and allowing for a faster action-packed read. The plot takes quite a few twists and turns, making for an especially unpredictable and exciting journey. Though there is a bit of romance, it's kept fairly light and is at most a subplot of the story, so I don't think boy readers will be turned off at the get-go.

I especially enjoyed the time-themed quotations at the beginning of each chapter! I only recognized a couple, but I knew absolutely every one of the authors quoted and that in itself made me smile. Also, each quote was a little clue about what was happening in the chapter, so when something strangely familiar showed up, I'd remember the quote at the beginning and grin again. Plus, I'm curious enough to look up all those quotes and see what works they came from. A great teaching tool, I'm sure. *wink*

Unfortunately, there were a few things that didn't work for me in this one.

This story was extremely plot-heavy. Between the mystery of Genevieve's mother disappearing, the quest for the missing artifacts, running from the witch, and discovering a lost history and magic, there was very little space for character development. With events happening one right after the other with little down-time, it certainly makes for a thrilling read. On the other hand, it also makes it difficult to gauge character growth, such that most escapes or victories seem contrived or unearned.

With the characters being secondary to the action, I always wanted more from them. Genevieve was believable as a young girl—I understood her insecurities and concerns about being separated from her mother—but there were times I thought she should be more scared. I mean, she finds herself in a world she knows can't exist...shouldn't she be freaking out instead of merely curious? Rowan was also fairly static in his advancement through the story. The only things he seems to care about are his sword and killing something ("Those two girl trolls stole my sword before I could even baptize it in battle." - pg 91). In fact, I think Eve, who was nearly the last character to be introduced, was my favorite in that she had the most sass and intelligence of the bunch. Really wish we'd gotten more time with her.

Still on the subject of characters, the similarities between Genevieve's friends in the real world and in the fantasy world was a neat concept. The dopplegangers seemed to suggest that these two worlds are somehow connected at a base level, and yet the further implications of this were left completely unexplored. Does Genevieve's connection with Eve correlate at all with Yve? Or was this a Wizard of Oz type scenario where real-life elements are merely infused onto the fantasy-world elements? This is left unanswered at the end, and frankly, I'm perplexed.

I'm not sure what to say about the ending. I think it felt a little rushed—I'd even say abrupt—though I liked that it kept possibilities open for one's imagination. There are issues yet to be tackled and questions yet to be answered, which is always a great quality for a young-reader novel, however I'm not sure if the ending is in fact open-ended or leading toward a sequel. If there isn't a sequel planned, I wish there had been more explanation. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Still, despite my own issues with the book, I enjoyed the story and the time I spent reading it.

Overall, I'd recommend this for young readers who like, or are interested in exploring fantasy. It's probably a little more aimed toward girls than boys, but there's enough action and adventure that it should entertain either. This fast-paced, twisty plot is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats. So what are you waiting for? Time's a-wasting!

Approximate Reading Time: 3 hours

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

No Rain On This Parade - It's A Winner!

2011-04-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

The winner of the In The Storm blog tour giveaway is...
DJL
of Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes
Congratulations!!!

The winner was chosen using Random.org, and will be contacted by email shortly. She will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.

If you didn't win this time, don't worry, there will be more chances in other contests in the future. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to leave comments or send me an e-mail.

I'm Not Dead Yet!

2011-03-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

Or
I Swear I'm Not A Zombie
Part Deux

Thank you for sticking with me through these tough couple of weeks.
I am happy to say I'm on the mend both physically and mentally.
Who knew being sick could take such a toll on your mental resolve!

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I probably won't be posting much again this week. I've decided to take a few more days "off" and use them to focus on reading. You've all probably noticed that book in the corner hasn't changed in a while. But rest assured, come April I plan on having at least 4 of those "upcoming" books reviewed!

I Swear I'm Not A Zombie

2011-03-24T00:37:00.000-07:00

...though I sure feel like it right now.

You may have noticed that I've been a bit less active in the last week or so. Long story short, I've been ill.

Therefore, even though technically the In The Storm Giveaway is set to end at the end of today, I'll be extending it another week. Hopefully I'll be feeling better then.

So, in closing, click the link above or below to enter for a chance to win an e-copy of Karen Metcalf's speculative fiction novella.

A Very Dreadful Book Birthday!

2011-03-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Today I'm pleased to announce the birthday of an awesome book.
Out of the same publishing house as the well-known monster mash-ups Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and Android Karenina, Quirk Books is proud to present the latest work in the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies trilogy:

~Dreadfully Ever After~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 3
(Sequel)
By Steve Hockensmith
Amazon ~ Powell's

Hair-raising and heart-pounding, the story opens with our newly married protagonists, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy, defending their village from an army of flesh-eating “unmentionables.” Of course, the ever-meddling Mrs. Bennet is anxious for them to settle down and produce an heir—but everything changes when poor Fitzwilliam is nipped by a dreadful. An apotecary is summoned, ans his prognosis is unfortunate: Within days, Mr. Darcy is destined to transform into a zombie.

Elizabeth is distraught. She knows the appropriate course of action is to promptly behead her husband (and then burn the corpse, just to be safe). But when she hears rumors of a miracle antidote being developed in London, she realizes there may be one last chance to save the life of her true love—and for everyone to live happily ever after.

Complete with romance, heartbreak, martial arts, cannibalism, and an army of shambling corpses, Dreadfully Ever After brings the story of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to a thrilling conclusion.

Of course, if you're not familiar with the history...here's a little refresher:

~Pride and Prejudice and Zombies~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 2
(Original)
By Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
Amazon ~ Powell's

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains."

So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy.

What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry?

Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you'd actually want to read.

~Dawn of the Dreadfuls~
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book 1
(Prequel)
By Steve Hockensmith
Amazon ~ Powell's
Book Trailer

Readers will witness the birth of a heroine in Dawn of the Dreadfuls—a thrilling prequel set four years before the horrific events of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. As our story opens, the Bennet sisters are enjoying a peaceful life in the English countryside. They idle away the days reading, gardening, and daydreaming about future husbands—until a funeral at the local parish goes strangely and horribly awry.

Suddenly corpses are springing from the soft earth—and only one family can stop them. As the bodies pile up, we watch Elizabeth Bennet evolve from a naive young teenager into a savage slayer of the undead. Along the way, two men vie for her affections: Master Hawksworth is the powerful warrior who trains her to kill, while thoughtful Dr. Keckilpenny seeks to conquer the walking dead using science instead of strength. Will either man win the prize of Elizabeth's heart? Or will their hearts be feasted upon by hordes of marauding zombies?

Complete with romance, action, comedy, and an army of shambling corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls will have Jane Austen rolling in her grave—and just might inspire her to crawl out of it!

But Wait, There's More!

The PPZ team has commissioned Etsy artist SpecialMeat (who some of you know from Witch Craft) to create special Dreadful Antidote pendants. They'll be giving away eight of these at random to folks who give the Dreadfully Ever After page a 'like' on Facebook. So RUN, don't shuffle over for your chance to win an amazing prize!

Be sure to check back in on March 24th for the new Dreadfully Ever After book trailer, created by the award winning team behind the Dawn of the Dreadfuls video. Zombies, ninjas, epic high flying kicks...you won't want to miss it!

The Zombie Masterminds

Steve Hockensmith is an award-winning short-story writer, novelist and reporter. His short fiction appears regularly in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, as well as anthologies such as Sherlock Holmes in America and Death Do Us Part. His story "Erie's Last Day" appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2011. His first novel—the kick-off to his Holmes on the Range mystery series—was a finalist for the Edgar, Shamus, Anthony and Dilys awards. Before returning to fiction, Hockensmith was an entertainment journalist, contributing to such publications as The Hollywood Reporter, Newsday, and the Chicago Tribune and editing the movie magazine Cinescape as well as The X-Files Official Magazine. He lives in Alameda, California, with his wife and two children, and blogs sporadically at stevehockensmith.com.

Jane Austen is the author of Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and other masterpieces in English Literature.

Seth Grahame-Smith once took a class in English Literature. He lives in Los Angeles.

Jason Rekulak is the creator of the Quirk Classics series. Inspired by the creative copyright infringement that flourishes on the Internet, he decided to spice up public domain works of classic literature by adding monster mayhem. Surprisingly, he created a subgenre of books—the literary monster mash-up—that has taken the world by storm. Mr. Rekulak has conceived all the titles in the series and has worked with the authors to develop the manuscripts.

Quirk Books is an independent book publisher based in Philadelphia. Founded in 2002, Quirk publishes books in the genre of what they like to call "irreference" (irreverence + reference) as well as pop culture, parenting, food and drink, history, humor, and lifestyle. They are best known for The Baby Owner's Manual and the New York Times best seller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Visit the Quirk Books Website to learn more!

And be sure to check back soon for my own reviews of these books!

Book Blogger Hop (14)

2011-03-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?

Well, primarily I read one book at a time. Until I have an approaching deadline...in which case I drop what I'm currently reading and pick up what I need to be reading. Or I pull an all-nighter and finish my current read.

I find reading one book at a time easier to keep plots and characters in my memory. Then again, with all the plots/characters I follow in the shows I watch, I don't know that I'm really accomplishing anything differently.

But yeah, if I had my druthers, I'd read only one at a time.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books!

We Have A Winner - And She's A Live One!

2011-03-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

The Winner of the DFF Giveaway is
Nora of The Bucket List!
Congratulations!!!

I've gone ahead and forwarded your e-mail to J.R. Turner,
who should be contacting you shortly with your prize.

As for the rest of my readers:
If you didn't win this time, don't worry, there will be other contests in the future. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to leave comments or send me an e-mail.

Book Blogger Hop (13)

2011-03-11T00:01:00.000-08:00

If I gave you £50 (or $80) and sent you into a bookshop right now, what would be in your basket when you finally staggered to the till?

Gosh, $80!? That's a lot of books.
Well, averaging them at around $8 a piece, I'd say my top ten books would be...

City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, and Clockwork Angel
by Cassandra Clare
~She's coming up for a book signing in April and I have nothing for her to sign!~

Artemis Fowl
The Time Paradox and The Atlantis Complex
by Eoin Colfer
~Love this series, now I just gotta complete it!~

Graceling and Fire
by Kristen Cashore
~LOVED these books, but haven't yet talked myself into splurging for them.~

And then if I had any money leftover, I'd splurge on some used books.
Of course, if I shopped at Jan's or Powell's to begin with, I'd have PLENTY of choices.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

Venturing A Tour In The Storm!

2011-03-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Today I'm pleased to welcome another author into the Den:
Karen Metcalf has recently released her first book, In The Storm and has decided to share a bit of her history with the Young Adult genre.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What I Read As A “Young Adult”

I don’t really remember there being a “Young Adult” genre, per se, when I was a kid. The first books I really remember getting into were R.L. Stine’s Fear Street series. My sister, Michelle, introduced me to them. We had a ton of them at home. I must have read every single one he wrote, and if we didn’t own it, I checked it out from the library. In fact, my collection grew so large that in 5th grade I brought them all to school to start a class library. I think these were the closest thing to YA that I came across at the time.

When I ran out of those, Michelle introduced me to Stephen King, and I haven’t stopped reading him since. I think horror novels are so much scarier than the movies. There is something about imagining a creature rather than seeing him that can truly make your skin crawl. I thought I would love scary movies for this same reason, but they always lost me when they finally revealed the monsters. The unknown is much more terrifying.

I think Stephen King is the sole reason I have been told I have a “sick imagination”. He was the first person to make me really consider monsters in my closet or under my bed. He was also the first person I was willing to read until 3 am, long after a twelve year old should be asleep. I think this is when my passion with reading really began, and it’s still going strong. Sci-fi would come along later, and stretch my imagination even further.

When I discovered YA, and that it has some of those horror and sci-fi elements in it, I fell in love. It might be a little in the reverse order, but I know I’m certainly not the only to experience that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~In The Storm~
By Karen Metcalf
Amazon ~ Vagabondage Press Bookstore

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer and gives in to a thunderous rage, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?

There’s a phrase in the South: “telling stories”, which means telling lies. Growing up, Karen Metcalf told a lot of stories, which wasn’t always a good thing.

She was raised on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where she spent most of her time reading science fiction and horror. She continues to explore those worlds through her writing, today.

Karen is 23 years old, and lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Visit her at http://www.karen-metcalf.com/ to learn more!

Karen has been generous enough to offer
2 Free E-Copies of In The Storm to my readers.
To enter, simply fill out THIS FORM!
Entries will be accepted through March 24th.

Thanks so much, Karen, for stopping by!

He Pulls Me Into The Storm Before I Can Say A Word

2011-03-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I received this book from the author, Karen Metcalf, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~In The Storm~
By Karen Metcalf
Amazon ~ Vagabondage Press Bookstore

Abandoned by the world around her, Carly believes she is fated to a life of torment at the hands of her stepfather and is desperate for an escape. When she can bear the abuse no longer, she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar, yet beautiful, storm world. This limbo between dimensions appears to be her private sanctuary, but it may just be her purgatory.

No one escapes fate without sacrifice, but is the price more than Carly is willing to pay?

I won't lie, this was a bit hard to get into at first. You have a girl and her brother being tortured by their stepfather in a town where apparently no one cares. Definitely not puppies and sunshine, but surely things can only get better from here. Right? Well, yes and no...but I will say that I grew to enjoy the story much more as I went on.

There were some mechanics in this piece that didn't always work for me. The narration felt a bit robotic sometimes, too technical or specific—not how I picture a 16-year-old thinking. There were a lot of "this/that" instead of spelling it out or separating with dashes. And yet, there were also flashes of genuine teenage outbursts, like wondering "what the hell...?" when something unexpected happens. It's a strange dynamic between the two sides, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story.

Even though the plot isn't action-packed, there's no doubt that Carly is a strong yet sympathizing character. Being subjected to psychological and physical torture day in and day out, yet remaining strong enough to care for her little brother and put his needs before her own...is hard to read, but easy to admire. She's a problem-solver and a strategist, always looking before she leaps, but never hesitating or second-guessing herself either.

Ultimately, I wanted more! The time-frame felt a little disjointed and rushed, and I was eager for more exploration, more reflection on what was happening. Some of the explanations turned into exposition which I feel was only due to the shortened length. I loved the overall idea and the characters and would have loved to have had them fleshed out a little more, especially the mysterious Morgan and the "they" he refers to. Honestly, I think this plot could have easily filled 200+ pages, and I would have loved reading it.

Overall, this is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Though this novella runs only around 80 pages, it hooks you and won't let you go until it's through—and even then you're begging for more. If you've an interest in fate or alternate dimensions and enjoy strong female characters, then I'd definitely check this out. There are a few instances of strong language (specifically the F-bomb) and allusions to rape, so do use some discretion in picking this up for younger readers. As for me, I'm looking forward to seeing what Karen has in store for us in the future.

Approximate Reading Time: 2 hours

Come back tomorrow for a guest post from the author of In The Storm, Karen Metcalf!

In My Mailbox (11)

2011-03-06T05:35:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren
(Book covers are linked to their Goodreads pages)

In the Past Week I've...

Checked Out

PPZ: Dawn of the Dreadfuls ~ Steve Hockensmith
From My Library

Bought

Witch ~ Marie Brennan
From Powell's New & Used Books
Silver Borne ~ Patricia Briggs
From Borders

Received

PPZ: Dreadfully Ever After ~ Steve Hockensmith
From Eric Smith at Quirk Books
Time Witch ~ Jacqueline Corcoran
From Jacqueline Corcoran

And Won

Redwall 50th Anniversary Box Set ~ Brian Jacques
From Emi at Oktopus Ink

So, tell me, what's in your mailbox?

Shameless Sinning

2011-03-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

You may remember me posting a review a few months ago of a certain book by a certain author that looks pretty similar to the book above.

Well, it seems the time of the sequel is nearing, and so the time of the ARCs is upon us. But before the time of the ARCs is the time of the ARC Contests! And so, in an attempt to shamelessly promote what looks to be an amazing book, I give you...LINKS!

Enter To Win An ARC of Original Sin

Pre-Order Your Copy From
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

Prepare Yourself On GoodReads

Good Luck and Good Reading

My Name Is Raven - And I Need Your Help

2011-03-03T05:30:00.000-08:00

~Trickster's Girl~
The Raven Duet
Book 1
By Hilari Bell
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

In the later part of the 21st century, it seems humanity has finally taken an active interest in preserving the planet. But with a strange tree plague ravaging South America, their efforts may be too little too late. Scientists are at a loss in explaining why their efforts aren't yielding any results—logically, the forests should have fought it off by now.

Fortunately, there are people who know how to stop it.
Unfortunately, most of them aren't on humanity's side.

The night 15-year-old Kelsa Phillips buries her father, she's approached by a strange boy. Raven, as he calls himself, claims that the world is actually held together by magic. If that wasn't crazy enough, he expects Kelsa to join him in healing the magic that humanity has weakened by traveling from Utah to Alaska. Cause magic is what is keeping the tree plague going. And what's giving so many people cancer. Either this Raven kid is crazy, or he thinks she's stupid enough to believe him.

But if magic isn't real, then how can he unlock things with merely a touch? And how did he just shapeshift? And how is it he's managed to convince her to rob a museum? Well, however he did it, Kelsa is in for the long haul. Cause once she starts something, she always finishes. Well, if she doesn't end up in jail...or worse...

I first received an ARC of this book from Netgalley, but procrastinated long enough for it to be released (yeah, really bad about that) so I figured I might as well get a finished copy from my library. I then managed to procrastinate long enough that I was forced to read it the day/night before it was due back. Good job, me. -_-

That being said, I don't think I was in the best state of mind when starting this. Not only did I have the stress of reading it at the last minute, but I was also feeling a bit down and was looking forward to an escape. In that respect, I was definitely let down.

The book starts off right away with Kelsa at her dad's funeral. He died after a lengthy struggle with cancer. She's ticked off at her mom, has shut herself off from friends, and is all-in-all pissed off at the world for letting this happen. Definitely not the cheeriest escape I could have planned.

I found Kelsa very hard to like at first. I mostly understood why she felt the way she did, but her unbridled animosity toward everyone (especially her mother) didn't make her very endearing. I respected her love for her lost father and I was impressed by her determination to do things her way (as she liked to remind us, "I always finish what I've started."), but her overall attitude wasn't appealing at all. I was still very much on the fence about the book at my minimum-reading-point, page 50.

Luckily, right after page 50 the action picked up. Once she was thrown out of her comfort zone (aka "I know everything because my dad taught me science") and given a real goal, her stubbornness gained a productive outlet and she became much more likable. Thankfully, her personality only gets stronger as the story progresses, and I never found myself gritting my teeth at a relapse. She's a fun, strong, realistic character who easily owns the narrative and makes it a pleasure to read.

Raven, on the other hand, was an instant draw for me. He's funny, mysterious, sarcastic, a bit on the cocky side... But he's definitely not boyfriend material. That point is made clear pretty regularly throughout the book. Every time I thought, Wow, they're getting pretty close. I wonder if- I (and Kelsa) would get slammed with a reminder that Raven is not human, has no desire to be human, and is not about to change his mind because of a 15-year-old girl. I loved that he was consistent on who he was and why he was there. That's not to say he goes completely unchanged through the course of the story, but when you're dealing with someone well over 1000 years-old, you're not going to see that much difference in a few weeks.

I loved the world they were in. I will admit that in reading summaries, I couldn't figure out how science and magic mixed, but I was pleasantly surprised at how Bell made them flow together. It may be a bit hard to see upon first picking up the book, but the explanations throughout make it easy to follow. It's also pretty easy to believe it's real.

My only complaint was with the ending. I knew right off that this was to be a duet, so I knew that the story wouldn't be completely over at the end of this book. But...I still didn't expect it to end the way it did. Don't worry, it's not a cut-off-in-the-middle-of-a-sentence ending. In fact, it's really not a cliffhanger of any sort, and I think that's what disappointed me. I won't give anything more away, but I will say I'm eager to read more about Raven and Kelsa, though I have a feeling I won't get my wish.

Overall, Trickster's Girl was a surprisingly fun, original, and inspirational story. The beginning can be a bit of a downer, but I found it a fitting start to a journey of healing. A unique blend of Science Fiction and Urban Fantasy, this book is sure to delight fans of either genre. Strong language is non-existent (due to government mandate) and sex is not an issue (though fear of rape is mentioned once or twice), so I believe younger readers will enjoy it as well. A great message, a strong heroine, a quirky guide, and a gorgeous cover—where can you go wrong?

Approximate Reading Time: 5 hours

Taking A Blog Tour Detour... 2 Death!

2011-03-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today I'm welcoming another author into the Den—J.R. Turner is the mind behind the YA Horror series, Extreme Hauntings and joins us today talking about her latest book, Detour 2 Death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you everyone for being a part of my blog tour!

There are so many different, exciting things about my series that I’d love to share, but I think Kaylee’s developing paranormal abilities will be of the most interest.

In DFF: Dead Friends Forever, Kaylee is fourteen and she’s just an average girl in a small Midwestern town. By the end of that book, she’s a convicted offender and off to a girls reformatory, where School’s Out 4-Ever takes place. In that book, she begins to understand the powers she’s using are truly a part of her. Which brings us to Detour 2 Death.

Kaylee can heal people, though she’s not sure how or why it happens. Her best friend suffers from a condition called Transverse Myelitis. This leaves him wheelchair bound and prone to infections. He ends up in a coma and she rushes to be with him, hoping she’ll be able to heal him and get him back on his feet.

While she has other abilities, like reading minds and some telekinesis, the healing power is tied to the scar on her palm. The archangel Raphael healed her and in so doing, imparted some of that ability onto her. When she gets to the hospital to save Davey, she’s confronted by an entire building full of sick people, including babies and children. The idea of all that illness becomes a heavy burden on her shoulders.

Just before I wrote this book, both my parents passed away and I think it made her dilemma all the more poignant for me. Kaylee’s abilities are ones I wish I could have had in my life, to save the people I love. As she gets older throughout the series, this ability will be both a blessing and a curse for her. I’m eager to see how she handles what lies ahead.

Thank you for reading. Please leave a comment and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win an electronic copy of DFF: Dead Friends Forever!

Warmly,
Jenny :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~Detour 2 Death~
Extreme Hauntings
Book 3
By J.R. Turner
Amazon

There are worse things than death, but not at Marsden Memorial hospital.

Kaylee Hensler knows her best friend Davey is on the brink of death. She knows this because she’s a psychic. When she flees the girl’s reformatory to get to him, she has no idea the special sort of hell waiting for her.

Reapers are collectors and they come in many forms. In Feverland, the world created by Davey’s sickness, the red reaper goes by the name of Molok, an ancient evil with deep roots. In Shadowland, the dark side of the hospital, a black reaper promises torture and torment to lost souls. The white reaper is the most fearsome, giving Kaylee three days before he collects both her and Davey’s souls.

Kaylee has one secret weapon, one she doesn’t fully understand. Her abilities will be tested, her loyalty betrayed, and her love misplaced. No one escapes Death.

~School's Out 4-Ever~
Extreme Hauntings
Book 2
By J.R. Turner
Amazon ~ Powell's

Skater girl Kaylee Hensler gave up her freedom to save a trapped soul, only to be imprisoned with dozens of dead children. To make matters worse, if she stops smiling, she might not live to see fifteen.

You can take a Barclay girl out of class, but you can't take the class out of a Barclay girl.

The headmistress at Barclay Hall reformatory is gorgeous and the students are just as polished and beautiful. Beneath their proper etiquette lies a desperate fear and a dangerous secret. As one by one the students turn up dead, Kaylee will uncover an evil so ancient, only heaven can help her.

~DFF: Dead Friends Forever~
Extreme Hauntings
Book 1
By J.R. Turner
Amazon ~ Powell's

Skater Kaylee Hensler might not be Miss Popular, but there are some friends a girl can do without. When the decaying ghost of a murdered girl decides they need to be total BFF’s, Kaylee will sacrifice the trust of her family, her swim coach’s respect, and any hope of a date for the Harvest Dance.

And oh yeah… discover that super-evil entities are nothing at all like they are on TV or in the movies Aside from seriously bad attitudes, they not only like to kill…but replay the killing again and again for all eternity. To avoid that fate, she’ll have to rely on her wheelchair-bound friend Davey, the mysterious Madame Maggie, and the surprising depth of her own power.

Will Kaylee survive, or will she become someone else's DFF: Dead Friend Forever?

Award-winning author J.R. Turner lives in Central Wisconsin with her husband and three children. She began writing in high school, and after a decade working as a commercial artist, started her first novel in 1999. Aside from crafts, camping and cooking, she loves holidays. A favorite is Halloween, a combination of spooky supernatural fun and chocolate.

Visit her at http://www.jennifer-turner.com to learn more!

And remember to leave a comment below with a way to contact you
(e-mail or website) in order to be entered to win an e-copy of the first in the Extreme Hauntings series, DFF: Dead Friends Forever.
Entries will be accepted through March 15th.
Contest Now Closed

Thanks so much, Jenny, for stopping by!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Had To Buy...But Never Read

2011-03-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

We all have them. That book that you needed to buy so badly and had every intention of reading it as soon as possible...but they're still on your bookshelf collecting dust or sitting in a pile on the floor.

Because I'm a collector of sorts, I seem to think it's necessary to own an entire series of unread books. So here are my Top Ten Series in order of how many unread books I own...

10. The Wicked Years by Gregory Maguire
2 Unread
To be fair, these books have a ton of hype surrounding them, and I still fully plan on reading them. I own both Wicked and Son of a Witch, but simply haven't had the gumption to crack them open. This feels like a good year... And then maybe I'll finally allow myself to watch the musical!

9. Alexander Cold Trilogy by Isabel Allende
3 Unread
Once again, I bought these with the best of intentions. I fell in love with Allende's The House of the Spirits when I was in high school, so when I found out she was writing a YA Fantasy series I had to have them! I've probably moved them around countless times...perhaps this year I'll finally move them to my bedside table.

8. The Raine Benares Series by Lisa Shearin
3 Unread
Okay, this time I have a very good reason for buying them... They were only $2 a piece! How could I possibly pass up such an offer?! I couldn't. And yet, I've told myself that I can't start reading them because they're not as old as the others. Fair's only fair, after all.

7. The Secret Texts Trilogy by Holly Lisle
3 Unread
These three have a bit of mileage on them. They traveled to college and back for a couple years. I've even picked up the first book a couple times with the thoughts of reading it. I might have even read a few pages. And then reality sets in and it goes right back on the shelf.

6. The Belgariad by David Eddings
4 Unread
Right, now we've gotten to the point where I've *gasp* actually started the series! I read Pawn of Prophesy way back in high school, and I remember it ends on kind of a cliffhanger. I also remember it reminded me A LOT of the Wheel of Time series... Don't know why the rest of the series is still sitting there, though.

5. The Shadow Saga by Orson Scott Card
4 Unread
This is a complicated one. I read Ender's Game and the following three books of Ender's Saga back in high school. But see, the series does a bit of a rewind and branches off into Bean's saga with a whole new quartet. Perhaps I'll read Ender's Game again to start off right...

4. Landover by Terry Brooks
5 Unread
I read Magic Kingdom ~~For Sale~~ Sold! from the library, loved it, went and bought the rest of the series. And copy/paste excuse here.

3. Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron
5 Unread
This one...I think I got the first book for cheap from a used book store, then simply collected the rest over time. At least their colorful covers look pretty on my shelf.

2. Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
12 Unread
Wait! Before you say anything, just know that I HAVE read the Dragonflight trilogy and the Dragonsinger trilogy. That's 6 books. I just haven't read beyond that yet.

1. Xanth by Piers Anthony
23 Unread
Yeah...that's right...I have 23 unread books. Once again, I read the first six, then stopped. Well, that's not true. I started the 7th (Dragon on a Pedestal) three separate times, and still never got through it. I think it mostly had to do with not caring about the 2-year-old main character. Seriously? You want me to read about the explorations of a toddler? Ugh! Still, one of these days I'll make it through...

Well, there you have it. I have a grand total of 111 unread books sitting on my shelves (at last count) though I'm hoping the Off The Shelf challenge I entered this year will help reduce that number a bit.

So, what's your list?

Congratulations! We Have A Winner!

2011-02-25T17:46:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, Emi London, You've Won My Blogoversary Giveaway!

The winner was chosen using Random.org, and will be contacted by email shortly. She will have 48 hours to respond before I choose a new winner.

If you didn't win this time, don't worry, there will be other contests in the future (next week, in fact). If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to leave comments or send me an e-mail.

Thank you to everyone who entered!
I'm grateful to you all for your continued support.

Book Blogger Hop (12)

2011-02-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wish you would have named your blog something different?

Definitely not.

To make a long story short, I've always had a love for wolves and werewolves. When I first started venturing online, I picked the screenname "StormyWolf" and used this for a few years at various RolePlay sites and made quite a few friends. When I was starting this blog, I reached out to some of these friends for advice (though all of them by this time knew me by Vicki) and one came back with The Wolf's Den. Since I couldn't deny my love for wolves, and the double-meaning of "Den" worked in my favor, I went with it. And I've never looked back since.

I've always considered myself EXTREMELY fortunate to be friends with the person who gave me my blog name. He's smart, funny, horribly sarcastic, and an all-around great guy. Even though we've never met in person, and he lives around 20 hours in the future, I still consider his friendship one of my greatest assets.

Thanks, Todd.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

Hands-On Or Hands-Off?

2011-02-22T05:30:00.000-08:00

I was reading a post about someone fondly remembering his time working in a bookstore. To quote a phrase or two:

I was surrounded by great books all day, and I could always snatch a few moments to write during the work day. Now, I worked a lot, six and sometimes seven days a week, without taking a break or vacation for five years. But those stolen moments during the day were wonderful. It made each work day somehow more alive.

Now, he's talking specifically about jobs vs personal writing time, but it got me thinking...

I visit a Borders store on average once a week. As soon as I walk into the store I'm usually greeted by an employee and asked if there's anything I need help finding. If this conversation isn't made near the door, I'm usually addressed as I'm wandering. Sometimes I'm asked multiple times (by different people). Employees are seldom stationary (unless working a busy register) and always seem to have a book or three (or a stack) in their hands to re-shelve. Even those 'stationed' at the information desk (recently renovated into an e-reader/e-book station) seldom stay there for long unless working with a customer. Actually, the few times I have needed help, there was no employee in sight and I ended up going up to the register (though I think this was due to the holiday rush and being understaffed).

From having worked in the customer service industry, I'm pretty used to the "connect with customers" angle that stores often try to enforce. It was the same where (movie rental store) I worked - we were supposed to say "hello" to everyone who walked in the door, offer our services in locating their wants, and suggest other selections that they might enjoy. Customer Service is about the customer...and what will make them come back and spend more.

Of course, just down the street from my local Borders is another bookstore that I visit quite often. Not quite independent, but not a corporation either, Powell's New & Used Bookstores are a proud staple around here, well, at least among the book-buying community. Often a cross between a warehouse (in size and inventory) and a coffee shop (in coziness and atmosphere), their stores are pretty much made of awesome.

The inventory of the stores is pretty even: Both have comparable new/current releases; Powell's has a good selection of older and used books while Borders has music and movies. However, the one difference that stands out (and what Bryan's Post made me think of) is the employee protocol.

Powell's employees don't usually make an effort to engage their customers. They either stay at the registers or they're stocking the shelves. They don't dress in uniform, and they're actually sometimes hard to spot if you don't happen to see their "Ask Me" sticker. Even if you do happen upon one in the aisles, they're more likely to apologize for needing to squeeze by than ask if you need help. And yet, I don't feel any less welcome there. Because there's usually someone posted at a register or information desk, they're easy to find. And if you do have a question, they're always very knowledgeable and friendly.

As far as working at a store goes, I think either one of these would be great. But I guess I'm curious...

Which would you prefer to shop at?

Assuming you're dealing with knowledgeable staff, would you rather the hands-on but endlessly-busy workers, or the hands-off but easy-to-locate workers? Have you ever felt intruded upon by inquiring employees, or been reluctant to bother those behind the Desk Of Power?

In My Mailbox (10)

2011-02-20T05:30:00.000-08:00

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren
(Book covers are linked to their Goodreads pages)

In the Past Month I've...

Borrowed

Hunger ~ Jackie Morse Kessler
Hex Hall ~ Rachel Hawkins
Trickster's Girl ~ Hilari Bell
Naked Heat ~ Richard Castle
Virals ~ Kathy Reichs
From My Library

Bought

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ~ Frank L. Baum
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ~ Lewis Carroll
The Middle Passage ~ Julia Golding
Hunted by the Others ~ Jess Haines
Bright of the Sky ~ Kay Kenyon
Phenominal Girl 5 ~ A.J. Menden
Retro Demonology ~ Jana Oliver
The Unsuspecting Mage ~ Brian S. Pratt
Dreaming Anastasia ~ Joy Preble
Raising the Dead ~ Mara Purnhagen
Don't Die, Dragonfly ~ Linda Joy Singleton
Just As I Am ~ Virginia Smith
The Wild's Call ~ Jeri Smith-Ready
Treasure Island ~ Robert Lewis Stevenson
From Free Books For Kindle
Note: I do not own a Kindle, I use the free program, Kindle For PC.

And Received

In the Storm ~ Karen Metcalf
The Fire Inside ~ Raymond Rose
For Review From Their Respective Authors

So, tell me, what's in your mailbox?

Book Blogger Hop (11)

2011-02-18T20:59:00.000-08:00

What book(s) would you like to see
turned into a movie?

Frankly, I'm torn about this. On the one hand, a movie adaptation can be an amazing spectacle that enthralls fans of the book. On the other, it can repulse fans due to huge (and seemingly random/needless) deviations from the book. Then again, some adaptations have taken enormous strides away from the original material, yet successfully produced a movie that appeals to book-fans and newcomers alike (such as How to Train Your Dragon or Ella Enchanted).

I guess, if we're hoping for the best, I'd love to see Tamora Pierce's Tortall books adapted into movies. I think with technology where it is now, Alanna's story would still be the best place to start, since it has minimal need for special effects. But I'd love to eventually see Stormwings and Spidrens running amok with Daine or Kel.

But please, PLEASE let the screenwriters be great!

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

Long Time No See

2011-02-17T05:30:00.000-08:00

So, I turned on the TV today while I fixed and ate my breakfast.

Not too exciting, I know. But wait for it...

Wait for it...

Wait for it......

BLAM!

A commercial comes on for James Patterson's newest Maximum Ride novel, Angel.

Now, though I have seen this series at bookstores, I haven't read any of it. I've never had any interest in reading it.

But now...

Perhaps I'm intrigued by the people running around with wings (which I had no clue of before). Perhaps I'm just easily swayed. But now I kinda want to read it...

Is this the power of TV? And if so, why aren't they using it more often!? I mean, the last commercial I saw for a book was...Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows back in 2007. Not that it really needed it, but I'm sure the commercial didn't hurt things.

So what do you think? Is TV a powerful weapon in book-selling? Would you be more interested in a book you saw on TV? Or is the whole thing a waste of time since bookish people don't watch TV anyway?

I Want To Find Where The River Comes From

2011-02-15T05:30:00.000-08:00

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read the first book, Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure, or don't mind knowing some of what happens in it. Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

Disclaimer: I received this book from Bonnie M. Lenz, Editor at Earthshaker Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~Zan-Gah and the Beautiful Country~
Zan-Gah
Book 2
By Allan Richard Shickman
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

The Ba-Coro tribe has enjoyed two years of peace and prosperity following the defeat of the Wasp People. And yet Zan can't help but feel suspicious at the vicious tribe's long-kept silence. With such a lush landscape and an ample food supply at their disposal, could it be that they are amassing another strike?

Determined to find the answer, Zan returns to the land of his captors. Little does he know that the biggest threat might lie closer to home...and his heart.

Dael's mind is more troubled than ever. After losing his wife during childbirth, all his inner torment and pent-up rage seems to have finally broken through to the surface. Now it's up to Zan to keep him in check. But how much is Zan willing to do when his brother's rampages turn deadly?

Right from the start, I could tell this book was going to be darker than the last. Whereas the first book focused mostly on Zan's journey and becoming a man, this one was more about the morality (or lack thereof) of war and whether a damaged psyche can ever recover. Such weighty themes make it harder for me to see this as a middle-grade novel, and possibly ranking it up in the high school ages would be more appropriate.

The violence is ramped up a lot in this book. Not necessarily its depiction (that was still rather tame) but the amount and tone of it. Dael's rampages in the first book are merely a precursor to what he does here. And while I felt Dael's actions were believable and/or understandable, I found them much harder to read emotionally.

I was pleased to find a wider focus in terms of the characters. Zan is still a central character, but he shares much of the light with his friends and family. Rydl was especially fun to follow, even though his sections were often short and secluded from the rest. However, Pax and Siraka-Finaka (Aka) were what made this book for me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed following Zan and Rydl and Dael around, but I loved when the girls showed the men what they were capable of. It's always nice to see the oppressed get their chance to shine.

Unfortunately, the whole feel of this book was off. In comparison to the first book, it was just lacking. There was no overarching storyline driving us forward, and the plot points seemed to appear haphazardly and without reason. At times I felt as if the author was sticking things in because he thought it would work, not because the story was leading there. Even the major themes of the novel (war, morality, women's rights, etc.) seemed preachy at times because of their awkwardness.

Furthermore, there was no 'coming together' at the end. In fact, I found nearly all the conflicts were resolved unrealistically. Be it a quarrel between husband and wife, or an "evil" character suddenly and inexplicably turning good, these resolutions came suddenly. There was no build-up, no redemption, and thus the 'resolutions' weren't satisfying for me.

Overall, I'd recommend this book for an older audience looking to explore more serious themes. While the previous book had an uplifting tone comfortable for maybe 10+ years, The Beautiful Country is geared more for high school and up. If you introduced A Prehistoric Adventure to a younger audience, I'd stick with the wonderful ending it has or proceed to The Beautiful Country with a parent reading along. Older readers I think will enjoy continuing forward with Zan and his friends, but might find the tone-shift a little daunting in comparison to its predecessor.

Approximate Reading Time: 3.5 hours

Hunter Of The Rock

2011-02-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

Disclaimer: I received this book from Bonnie M. Lenz, Editor at Earthshaker Books in exchange for a fair and honest review.

~Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure~
Zan-Gah
Book 1
By Allan Richard Shickman
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

Thousands of years ago, before there were roads or fences or even languages like English, Latin or Hebrew, there lived a boy named Zan. For Zan and his people it is a time of unrest. The tribes are consumed in an on-again off-again war, and temporary treaties are only forged to battle immediate threats.

When a lioness attacks and kills a child, the tribes have no choice but to confront the danger together. Zan, though normally too young for such an endeavor, is included in the hunt and, much to everyone's surprise, is the one to spear the lion.

Spurred on by this sudden accomplishment and his new-found prestige among the tribes, the newly named Zan-Gah sets out on a quest to find his long-lost twin. Along the way he'll encounter hardship, friendship, captivity, love, uncertainty, and triumph as his skills and wisdom are put to the test.

Before I begin, there's something I've got to get off my chest... The animal on the cover looks like a squirrel. I know it's supposed to be a lion(ess). I know it's blurred because it's in motion. But the fact remains that every one of my friends and family who saw this book asked about the squirrel on the cover.

That being said, it was a wonderful story. I honestly don't know why it took me so long to get through it. I first received it for review back in October and it's been rotating through a place on my shelf, on my desk, and my purse ever since. I'd read the first chapter online before accepting the books for review, and found it intriguing—in fact, it reminded me a lot of Peter Dickinson's The Kin, which I loved in middle school. And at 150 pages, the thought of sitting down and reading it was hardly daunting.

I think what struck me as a bit odd at first was the disjointed story style. Though Zan-Gah focuses on the title character for the majority of the book, at the beginning of each chapter the omniscient narrator tends to zoom away from our hero. Even the first chapter introduces the Zan from an outsider's perspective (almost to the point of using 2nd person narration).

These 'character lapses' were most often tools that provided the reader historical context, or foreshadowed future events. Younger readers might enjoy these segues back into the action if they'd stopped at the end of the last chapter, but since I was reading it all in one go, I found it rather jarring. Once I had delved into Zan's journey, it was easier to power through these sections in order to return to the main plot.

The story itself is very realistic and engaging. Though Zan is very young (around 13), I found his maturity growth throughout the book to be believable, as well as his skills and choices. Zan's world is a harsh one, and at times the terrain or inhabitants are especially unforgiving, but I thought the instances of violence (hunting and battle) were handled well for a younger audience. Even the psychology that comes later in the book, which can be particularly confusing, was depicted in terms easily understandable.

I think what I enjoyed most was how everything came together at the end. Honestly, I wasn't sure how the hunting of the lion connected to anything else in the book, other than as an exciting beginning to introduce you to Zan and his world. But as more and more elements fell into place, I was very satisfied with how all the elements had built up to the ending. In that sense, the whole was much greater than the sum of its parts.

Overall, this book was an enjoyable and engaging read. I don't know that someone accustomed to older material would find it as stimulating, but it's definitely a fun ride. Suitable for young audiences, I'd highly recommend it as a classroom read or a parent/child read-along for teens and pre-teens. In addition to some intermediate vocabulary (anxiety, grotesque, ululation), there are depictions of hunting and battle, so do use your own discretion. If you have a unwilling reader, I think the story of Zan-Gah is definitely an adventurous and inspirational book to try.

Approximate Reading Time: 3.5 hours

Click here to preview Chapter 1.

Book Blogger Hop (10)

2011-02-11T04:47:00.000-08:00

Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it!

Well, this week was pretty slim pickings, so I guess you can all check out my Top Ten Character/Literary Names I'd Name My Children. I hadn't done any Top Tens in a while, and even though I'm not planning on kids any time soon, it was still a fun exercise.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

Top Ten Tuesday: Character Names

2011-02-08T00:16:00.000-08:00

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

This week's theme asks for 10 names of characters we'd be willing to name our children after. Well, I personally don't ever plan on having kids, but if I did I don't think I'd mind calling out these names.

10. Remus
Harry Potter Series ~ J.K. Rowling
Remus Lupin AKA most awesome werewolf teacher ever. Thing is, with such a popular series, and popular character, everyone would know his parents were total ~~fangirls~~ ~~nerds~~ ~~geeks~~ bookworms. And no one wants that in their genes, no matter how much it may be true. Best if I keep my crazy fanatic tendencies to myself.

9. Cimorene
The Enchanted Forest Chronicles ~ Patricia C. Wrede
Okay, probably not the best choice for a kid's name. I mean, there's no good way to shorten it and good luck having anyone spell it correctly. Then again, Maureen is a 'normal' name, and giving a kid the nickname Simmer might be kinda fun... No, this one's probably best left in the books.

8. Seamus
Harry Potter Series ~ J.K. Rowling
I'm pretty sure I heard (and loved) this name before HP, but I can't think of where at the moment, so I'll just take the easy route. Thing is, I'm not Irish. At all. And as much as I love the accent and/or red hair, I don't anticipate marrying an Irishman. However, if I do, and if I have a son, this is definitely first choice!

7. Trisana
The Circle of Magic Quartet ~ Tamora Pierce
Absolutely love this character. She's a bookworm! However, the name Tris is a little out there, and I don't want any undue misspellings or WTF looks from teachers/other students... So this is another one that'll stay in the books.

6. Niko
The Circle of Magic Quartet ~ Tamora Pierce
Same series, similar problem. There's no way in hell I'm naming a kid Niklaren. Niko is pretty cute...but it's doubtful he'll appreciate having a cute name as a teenager. It's definitely a name for a specific personality type, so it's probably best not to print that on the birth certificate.

5. Lyra
His Dark Materials Trilogy ~ Philip Pullman
Now we're getting to the good stuff. Lyra is a realistic choice for me. Unfortunately, as much as I love the character, and love the name, for some reason I also associate it with whining. Too easy to stretch out the Y. Le sigh.

4. Artemis
Artemis Fowl Series ~ Eoin Colfer
This one would work for both a guy and a girl, but I'm going for a guy. Artemis has an old-world flair and a sense of sophistication to it. Perfect for a genius, wouldn't you say? Plus, I have absolutely nothing wrong with shortening it to Artie (Glee!).

3. Alanna
Song of the Lioness Quartet ~ Tamora Pierce
I was so stoked to find out that my first college roommate's name was Alanna. Unfortunately (for me) she hated the name, so went by Ally instead. Still, there's so much power and strength to this name, it's definitely a first choice if (by some fluke) a daughter of mine has red hair (or purple eyes!!!).

2. Jasper
Disney's 101 Dalmatians
Yes, I fell in love with the name Jasper WAY before Twilight. However, I do have to hand it to Meyer for giving him a complimentary ability. Even saying the name Jasper seems instantly soothing.
Ahem, anyway... Even as a baddie, Jasper still managed to exude charm and sophistication (being teamed with Horace helped a bit) (Plus he was played by Hugh Laurie in the live-action remake). So if I don't marry a Jasper (oh please, oh please!), I definitely wouldn't mind naming a kid that.

1. Tamora
Tamora Pierce
If you hadn't caught it by now, I'm a pretty big fan of Ms. Pierce. But even besides being a fan of the woman, I'm a fan the name. Tamora rolls off the tongue, even with its three syllables, and once again has that old-world feel to it. Even though Ms. Pierce prefers to go by Tammy with her friends, I'm much more in love with the full name.

Well, that's my list and I'm sticking to it.
Since I'm not planning on having kids anytime soon, I'll probably use these in my next rounds of pets.
I think these are all good cat names, don't you? Well, except maybe Remus *wink*.

So, what's your list?

Back In The Saddle

2011-02-06T02:47:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update to say that I've fixed my laptop and things are back on track. The giveaway is still on, so be sure to check it out!

Let Me Hear You Howl! It's Been A Year!!!

2011-02-03T05:01:00.000-08:00

That's right, as of today it's been a full year since I started blogging!
It sure has been one hell of a ride.

From Demonic Rambling to Angelic Reading

From Dodging Hitchhikers to Catching Mockingjays

From Hopping Around to Checking My Mailbox

I want to thank you all for coming here and joining along on my ventures. And what better way to do that than ask you to...

You can have your pick of one of the following four selections...

~ How To Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card ~
~ The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien ~
~ Trickster's Choice by Tamora Pierce ~
~ Zan-Gah Duet by Allan Richard Shickman ~

Contest Is Now Closed

Entrants must be 13 years of age or older
Contest deadline is Midnight PST February 24, 2011
Winner will be chosen using Random.org
Contest open to US Residents Only
(Sorry to any Internationals out there, but I can't afford the shipping right now)
ONE ENTRY PER PERSON!

Once again, I want to thank you all for your continued support and feedback. If you have any questions, comments, advice or criticisms, please don't hesitate to leave a comment below.

Best of Luck!

Book Blogger Hop (9)

2011-01-29T05:41:00.000-08:00

What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?

Oh gosh, how can you expect me to narrow it down to one?!

Well, if I really must, I suppose I'll go with Mastiff by Tamora Pierce, which is scheduled to come out in November. Not only do I love her books in general, but Mastiff is the conclusion to the Provost's Dog Trilogy with Beka. And I'm a sucker for a good ending ;)

Close runners up include Original Sin by Lisa Desrochers, City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare, and (hopefully) Bitterblue by Kristen Cashore.

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

The Old Grey Mare, She Ain't What She Used To Be

2011-01-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

I remember the first time I learned to spell. I was probably three or four years old, watching a preschool video that was all about words*, then running into the kitchen yelling, "Mom, MOM! Guess what?! C-A-T spells CAT!!!"

It was a simpler time. When a mere three letters was all you needed. Cat. Hat. Dog. Rug. Mom. Dad. Imagine my excitement when I learned how to spell my five-letter name!

And five was only the beginning. Soon I came across longer and longer words. Spelling became a gateway to reading and writing. And reading and writing were a gateway to creativity, to possibilities, to growing up...

But somewhere along the line, spelling became a lot more complicated. Well, when you're dealing with 11-letter words like "complicated", it's pretty inevitable.

You learn the rules. About how certain letters only make certain sounds (G always goes "guh" while J always goes "juh"), how it's always I before E (...except after C...or when it sounds like I), that T or S plus H makes a whole new sound (but it doesn't effect W at all), how E is a big bully that always makes the other vowels change when it's close**, and how these rules are concrete and non-negotiable.

Yeah. Right.

Lessons quickly shift from "these are the rules" to "forget the rules, they don't apply here". For, you see, there are double letters, and silent letters, and words (or names***) that inexplicably defy the rules. Still, you put your time in and studied your pants off for those spelling quizzes. You're writing words backwards and upside-down, left-handedly or in a mirror, using them in sentences that probably don't even make sense...****

And then, even after all that, you still manage to get some wrong.

For the longest time, I was sure that I had "andswered" a question. It wasn't until I started typing things up (OMG SPELL-CHECK!!!) that I was corrected. Then there's "defence", which is obviously spelled the same way fence is spelled, otherwise they wouldn't hold up those signs at basketball games. And, of course, as highlighted in the title, I've had problems with grey vs gray.

I believe my first encounters with the word were g-r-e-y. Whether that was on crayons or from a sing-along video*****, that was how I learned it. But once I decided to start using the word myself, that pesky red spell-check line would always show up. Even now Firefox insists that I change grey to gray. And yet, I'm still consistently writing grey. It just looks more...more mysterious, edgier, grittier, and at the same time more professional to me.

And I've acquiesced to it's request for the better part of my life. Until now.

For you see, in college I discovered the true scope of the internet. How it stretched across to different countries. Countries that seem to enjoy adding U to certain words, or having Z instead of S. Where defence is the norm instead of defense. Apparently Americans have their own way of doing things, even when it comes to spelling.

Now, I won't be changing my tune (or my typing) on all things—most of the differences are still pretty jarring when I come across them—but I have decided that grey (which is apparently much more common across the pond) will now go unedited. I'll be ignoring that pesky red line and leaving it be from now on.

So, what are some of your commonly misspelled words? Do you ever feel more at home with another country's spelling? And what about the rumors that silent letters are really French ninjas?

*Seriously one of my favorite movies growing up. And I can't even remember the name of it! It starred a dog named Groucho and an ostrich who were trying to find a friend and this treasure out in the dessert. They helped alphabetize animals at a watering hole, they helped the ghost of King Tut clean his pyramid by spelling what was in the displays... Man, I kinda wish we hadn't sold it/given it away/lost it.

**No joke, I literally learned the "rules" of E that way

***One kid in my class was Jeff while another was Geoff...yeah, try explaining that to 1st-graders!

****Each week we had to complete 5 exercises with our spelling words. These are a few that I remember. I guess it worked?

*****Wee Sing: The Wee Sing Train included the song The Old Grey/Gray Mare.

Taking A Break

2011-01-25T15:04:00.000-08:00

I promise to read all of your blog posts.

I promise to comment on some of them.

I promise to pass along your contests.

But right now I need to get back on track. So I'm announcing a break from Google Reader (and thus other blogs) until Saturday. Unless I get some reading finished before then...

I promise I'm alive, and I'll be back soon.

It's a Bloggiesta!

2011-01-21T15:04:00.001-08:00

Hosted by Natasha of Maw Books Blog

I probably would have been better off doing this last weekend...or the weekend before. Ya know, when I pretty much had the house to myself? Still, I've been toying with the idea of doing some more work around here. The updates so far have me at pleased, but I'm still kinda wanting ecstatic!

So here are my goals for the weekend:

~~Work on (more) new graphics~~
They're up and ready for previewing!
~~Look into setting up a Blogoversary contest~~
Prospects are looking good!
~~Work on Twitter/Facebook links~~
<- Check them out!
~~Look into post templates~~
Decided against it at this time.
Read (Finish Zan-Gah books this weekend!)
Prepare guest posts
Work on some "rainy day" posts
Clean out Google Reader - blogs that are no longer posting
Organize Goodreads bookshelves
~~Look into blog promo items like bookmarks/business cards~~
Decided against it at this time - maybe when I get a job.
~~Put together a plan and calendar of future posts~~
Organized all my reviews and started planning ahead into March with Jenn's Organizing Tips!
Make an About Me page
Read some more...

Well, I think that's that...Now to get to work! Wish me luck!

If We Burn, You Burn With Us!

2011-01-16T04:59:00.000-08:00

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read the first two books in the trilogy, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire, or don't mind knowing some of what happens in them. Mockingjay, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

~Mockingjay~
The Hunger Games
Book 3
By Suzanne Collins
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

The war has begun.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen is still alive. With District 12 reduced to ashes, her friends dead or captured, and her dreams haunted by her latest run in The Hunger Games, it's not surprising that her brain's a little jumbled. Unfortunately her recovery can't take too much longer.

The leader has been picked.

District 13, a civilization thought to have been destroyed 75 years ago, is once again leading the charge against the Capitol. Those in charge need Katniss to be the figurehead of the rebellion, the Mockingjay.

Everything comes down to this.

Problem is, Katniss is tired of being told what to do. She's tired of the lies, of the planning behind closed doors, of the betrayal. But she's also tired of the injustice, the inhumanity, the indecency that she and her loved ones have suffered. Neither side is innocent, but which one will she choose? And can she live with the lesser of two evils?

The Mockingjay will soar.

This is still pretty raw, but I'll try my best to be tactful and sincere in my review.

If you've read the trilogy so far, you'll no doubt have connected with Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, or any of the other characters. I doubt you would have continued this far otherwise. After all, the subject material isn't exactly inviting.

I'm happy to say that Katniss and crew are as evocative as ever. Our narrator is a bit less fiery in this book, but considering all she's been through I found her believable. The others, new and old, are all handled with such finesse that, no matter how long you've known them, have a firm grip of your heartstrings throughout. If I had one complaint, it was that I could have used a character glossary, as some names would disappear for 100 pages and then pop back in without any recap.

The pacing was much the same. Chapter breaks weren't really breaks in the action (sleep always came in the middle of chapters rather than the end of them) and I was always desperate for what happened next. However, for the first time in this series, I did stop at chapter breaks and put the book down for a rest period. Not that this book was any less exciting—I was always eager to pick it back up—but the events and emotions got a little overwhelming at times.

And now down to the hard stuff. This final book doesn't pull any punches. It's a war, and there's absolutely nothing hiding that fact. People are hurt, killed, tortured, sacrificed... And yet, others keep going. I feel like there needed to be a sticker on the front with one of those warnings, like at the beginning of House and Bones:

Reader Discretion Is Advised

Warning: Some of the situations in this novel may be disturbing to some people.

I've read some reviews from people who were disappointed in this finale (I'm sorry but if you've only been reading these for the Peeta vs Gale romance debacle, I have no sympathy for your disappointment). I wasn't disappointed in anything except that the reality this book draws from is our own. Situations, strategies, politics... I'm sorry to say that sometimes we humans know how to screw things up royally.

As for recommendations, once again I'm not sure how to. For staring young characters, I'm unsure if I should hand these to Young Adults. They have politics, they have war, they have death, they have survivors... If you have aversions to any of this, you're probably better off reading notes on Wikipedia. I'm afraid even the movies might be hard to handle, especially for those who've read the books. If, however, you are set on reading this cannot recommend discussion groups highly enough. Again, you will want someone to talk to/cry with after you're done.

Bottom line is I haven't cried this hard since perhaps Half-Blood Prince. I was able to keep it together until the end, but then I had a good hard cry followed immediately by some cookies and comedies to cool-down. Perhaps it's because of following these characters through three books, perhaps it's Collins' evocative prose, or perhaps it's just a human reaction.

I don't plan on ever reading The Hunger Games trilogy again. I have no wish to revisit that place, replay those events, reconnect with those characters. Regardless, these books will stay with me. And I think that's about the best thing I can say about any book.

Approximate Reading Time: 6 hours

Read by Carolyn McCormick
Length: 11.6 Hours
Listened at 1.9x Speed

I was very surprised to find (since I read the book along with the audio) that there were lines added! Once when Peeta's defending Katniss on TV, there were a good two or three sentences added to the audio that aren't in the book. Whether these were edited out of the final book, or added to the audio (and possibly an upcoming paperback release) I don't know. And yet, there are still the "I say," "he says," etc. lines there. Ah well, wasn't really expecting much change there.

Speaking of change, I'm not sure why, but for some reason they decided to add "Mockingjay Disc #" to the beginning of each disk. It's not a complete throw-off, but I don't see that it's necessary. Well, perhaps for the visually impaired... Yeah, I could see that. Just found it interesting that this is the first audiobook of the trilogy they did that with.

My emotional response to this book was no doubt aided by McCormick's masterful reading. Both a curse and a blessing, I'm afraid. I don't think I'll ever fully forget the tune of The Hanging Tree, nor A Mountain Air (Rue's Lullaby) from the first book.

Once again, I can't recommend these audiobooks highly enough, though I would definitely avoid being in the driver's seat during the last disk or so. They heighten the emotional connection, so it may not be advised for some people, but they are definitely worth the experience if you want to remember these books.

An Award!

2011-01-14T23:16:00.000-08:00

I'm lucky enough to have been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by Mandy at Literary R&R. After spending so much time putting the new design together, it really means a lot. Thank you so much, Mandy!

Rules of the award are:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know they have won!

Well, with Part 1 down, here's Part 2:

1. I watch WALL-E nightly to fall asleep. I think it has to do with the lack of dialog, coupled with the simple storyline.

2. My dad just had heart bypass surgery last week. He's doing really great so far, and I'm hopeful for a smooth and speedy recovery.

3. My favorite video game is Pokemon! I'm lousy at anything run-and-jump, so a turn-based RPG is right up my alley! If I had to choose a favorite pokemon...I don't think I could! But Eevee ranks pretty highly ^_^

4. I majored in Creative Writing in college. I know, it'll probably have me living out of a box, but it was a lot of fun while it lasted!

5. My computer still runs Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003. I know, I'm still in the dark ages, but it works and that's all I need right now!

6. I used to play volleyball when I was in elementary and middle school. By high school I'd fully committed to marching band, so my schedule was full. When I started out, I used to serve the ball underhanded, and one time I hit it so high it went through the building's rafters. Let's just say, my serves had a lot of speed built up when they hit the player/court ;D

7. I'm a Hoosier by birth, but my mom had Oregon sand brought into the hospital room, so the first "earth" I touched was from Oregon. Does that make me a 6th generation Oregonian?

Now that that's over, it's time for me to pass things off to 15 others. Well, if I can think of that many! I'll try my best. If you've got time, why not give them a look?

Oktopus Ink
Steampunkery & Book Reviews
Shut Up! I'm Reading.
You're Killing Me
A Life Bound By Books

Honestly, so many others have gone to "Award-Free" blogs, that I'm a bit pressed to find 10 more!

So, I'll leave it at that. And I'll leave it as optional for them to pass it along. While it's a good idea in theory, so many of these awards have gotten spamish, that I'm tempted to go Award-Free myself.

Well, that's all for now. Have a great weekend!

Book Blogger Hop (8)

2011-01-14T00:05:00.000-08:00

Why do you read the genre that you do?
What draws you to it?

I read mainly Fantasy. This then trickles down into the subgenres of Urban Fantasy, Paranormal (Romance), Supernatural, Fairytales, etc.
I also enjoy reading a lot of Fantasy directed at YA.

Now for the big question...
Why?

For me, reading means escape. It means taking a step out of my boring/depressing/stagnant life and jumping into someone else's for a while. While it's nice to have some similarities between characters and myself, I want something new, exotic, fantastical. I don't want to be reminded of normal life, I want to be whisked away and not think about it.

High Fantasy takes me away to a world where anything is possible. In worlds where magic is in charge, everyone seems to have more of a fighting chance. Sure, there's sometimes some tricky vocabulary to tackle, but once that's done it's easy to forget everything and become lost in the pages.

Urban Fantasy/Paranormal/Supernatural books tend to be rooted in our world, but contain fantasy elements. I love werewolves, vampires, wizards, witches, demons, angels, superheros, villains, and the like because they take a small part of what I'm familiar with, but have so many more possibilities. When I'm reading these, it's hard not to glance around for traces of magic lurking just out of vision.

Young Adult fiction reaches me because in many cases I'm still young and inexperienced. Though I'm 5-8 years older than a lot of the characters, I still feel I can relate to their problems, their questions, their pain. And in that way, I'm with them through their triumphs, too.

So to me, reading is an escape.
It's exciting, it's eventful, it's not anything I'll ever experience.
Except through a book.

What about you? What do you read, and why?

Feel free to post a link to your own blog in the comments,
and be sure to check out other blog-hoppers at Crazy-for-Books' blog!

Getting A Bit Deviant

2011-01-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

By now some of you have probably noticed some new graphics popping up here as of late.

It all started with the Whisper Stories In My Ear Challenge hosted by the Bewitched Bookworms. They had this amazing Audiobook Impressions icon to highlight their reviews. I used it in my first review, but decided that no matter how cute it might be (and I assure you, it is MAJORLY cute), it didn't quite fit The Wolf's Den...

And so I set out to create my own unique icon, in honor of both the audiobooks I would be reviewing and the Bookworms' challenge. A few hours of work later and there it was, ready and rearing to go!

Of course, making this one was so satisfying and so much fun that I had to find something else to make! Next up were icons for the In My Mailbox meme from The Story Siren and Crazy-For-Books' weekly Book Blogger Hop, followed shortly by a new banner to match! (So, of course, if you're reading this on a feed-reader, come see!)

Though the final images were created by me, all of them are collaborations of stock images found on DeviantArt. I can't thank these selfless artists enough, not only for capturing or creating masterpieces, but for sharing them with the community.

What follows are links to the original artwork and their artists. Be sure to give them a visit and check out the rest of their art!

~Venture Into The Wolf's Den Banner~
Elven Woodland by ~Nieblastocks
Wolf Template by =blueshinewolf
Victorian Book Open by *barefootliam-stock

Free Lineart by *superhyperbunny

Free Canine Lineart by *SilverWolfSpirit3

Wolf Line Art by ~CaptainMorwen
Open Book by ^FantasyStock

Wolf Paw Print by ~Missionpb

I'm currently looking into adding some more graphics around here so keep your eye out for some exciting future changes!

Oh, and lastly, if you're curious about my past and future deviousness, you can check out My DeviantArt Page! Oh, and feel free to share your own profiles below. Have a delightfully devious day!

This is No Place for a Girl on Fire

2011-01-09T18:19:00.000-08:00

SPOILER ALERT
This review is for those who have read The Hunger Games or don't mind knowing what happens in it. Catching Fire, however, will remain spoiler-free.
SPOILER ALERT

~Catching Fire~
The Hunger Games
Book 2
By Suzanne Collins
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

Katniss and Peeta have won the Hunger Games. For the first time in its 74 runnings, two tributes were allowed to win—to survive. They thought the worst of it was over.

Who knew so much could be triggered by a handful of berries?

It's time for the annual Victory Tour, where the winners are to visit each District and deliver inspiring speeches about their triumph in the Games. It's a time of celebration masking dread as the masses are reminded that they're half-a-year closer to another reaping. But with these tributes' victory hinging on an act of love (or possibly defiance), the Districts are teetering on the edge of rebellion.

When President Snow stops by for a chat, you know you're in trouble.

Katniss is already dealing with an internal war of her own. Gale, her best friend since forever, has made it clear that he wants to be something more. Peeta, on the other hand, has been something more, but how much of that was real and how much was just to survive? But before she's able to sort out her feelings for either, President Snow hands her an ultimatum: Convince the masses that she's still madly in love with Peeta, or Gale dies.

Quite the send off.

Determined not to have any more lives ended by her actions, Katniss prepares herself for a long tour. District 11, the home of her fallen friend, Rue, is the first stop, which brings up a whole slew of other emotions. But when even a small gesture of gratitude and honesty can spark a rebellion, Katniss will have to keep her emotions in check if she wants to keep those around her safe.

Then again, perhaps her emotions are just what the nation needs...

Equally brutal, but for different reasons. Where the first book was mainly about a horrifying competition, the second shows the beginnings of war. From the disparity between the empowered few and the enslaved masses—parties where guests fill their stomachs then vomit to do it again and again versus families starving to death—to the Capitol's attempts to control any dissidents—mainly through fear and violence—this book definitely has a darker tone about it. And you thought kids killing each other on live TV was dark...

I think what hit me hardest about this book were the similarities to our world. This may be an extreme case of Proletariat and Bourgeoisie, but I kept seeing examples of things we have going on now. And not just in the case of technology or landscape (since it's based in the future US), but in the disparities between the rich and poor, and the few controlling the many. But perhaps that is best left for a discussion, rather than a review.

Katniss is as strong a narrator as ever. With her return from the traumatic Hunger Games, her emotions are still pretty raw, but her personality and her sense of morality are unchanged. There's no doubt in your mind that she's strong, and yet she is still vulnerable when it comes to her friends and family. She'll do anything to save them, even if it means making herself unhappy or putting her in danger. And rather than adopting a holier-than-thou attitude, or an I'm-not-worthy one, she is extremely level-headed when it comes to her own abilities.

The secondary characters rely a lot on their previous introductions from the first book. There's a little growth here and there, but many of them are the same as before. Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing; if you loved them before, you'll love them still. Even the memories of characters—Rue especially—were powerful enough to make me cry. And it takes a lot for a book to make me cry.

Peeta, however, grated on my nerves. It annoys me that he's portrayed as a simpleton 90% of the time—like when he doesn't understand Katniss's acting—and yet he shows these flashes of brilliance—picking up on the slightest hint in a conversation that he needs to cover up something—that it makes me wonder how he can be so blind! I'm not sure if this is an intentional part of his character, or an unintended inconsistency.

I also found it frustrating how the book takes a huge turn half-way through. On the one hand, I'd connected to the characters and so their surprise and rage was mirrored in myself, but on the other I honestly wanted to keep exploring the initial storyline. Not to mention it made it really difficult to write a teaser...

But parts 2 and 3 of Catching Fire honestly did nothing for me. There were times where I was really excited, because of all the possibilities that arose...but they all kept passing by... I almost feel like the initial story was delayed in order to make a third book. Off of a cliffhanger, no less. I guess I'll just have to read Mockingjay and see how I feel.

Overall, if you're invested in Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, and the rest you'll probably want to check this one out. However, if you're only in it for the romance you should probably turn back now. It's definitely grimmer, and the initial themes explored only intensify, so it is still probably best as a discussion book. You will want to talk about it.

Approximate Reading Time: 6 hours

Read by Carolyn McCormick
Length: 11.6 Hours
Listened at 1.9x Speed

At this point, it's going to be hard having anyone else try to voice Katniss. McCormick continues to bring her personality through perfectly, as well as the voices of the other characters. I love how I can pick Haymitch's instantly out of a crowd. Granted, some of the smaller characters (various villagers/mothers)may have similar voices, but they're never in the same area at the same time so it works out alright.

I noticed the editing a little more this time around. There were a couple lines in particular I could tell were recorded separately because the emotion didn't match the rest of the paragraph. Nothing huge—you probably wouldn't notice if you weren't listening in headphones—but they were there.

It is in large part McCormick's talents that bring the stories to life for me. The emotion she brings through her performance is a major reason I can't bring myself to stop reading, even at chapter breaks. And the tears I shed for Rue...I credit that to her. I can't recommend listening to these books enough (so long as you aren't driving at certain points), and I can hardly wait to pick up the final book.

Started and completed this the weekend of January 8th,
so I earned me this lovely badge from Bewitched Bookworms!

In My Mailbox (9)

2011-01-09T05:42:00.000-08:00

It's been quite a while. I hope the New Year has been treating you well so far. And now it's that time again...

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted by The Story Siren
(Book covers are linked to their Goodreads pages)

In the Past Two Months I've...

Bought

The Fellowship of the Ring ~ J.R.R Tolkien
The Two Towers ~ J.R.R Tolkien
The Return of the King ~ J.R.R Tolkien
From Goodwill

Received

Borderline ~ Bonnie Rozanski
Powerless: The Synthesis ~ Jason Letts
Legacy ~ Kate Kaynak
From their respective authors
Masques ~ Patricia Briggs
Wolfsbane ~ Patricia Briggs
A Princess of Landover ~ Terry Brooks
For Christmas (from my Dad)

And Won

Two FREE Audiobook Downloads
From Bewitched Bookworms
Demonglass (ARC) ~ Rachel Hawkins
From Amanda of Another Book Junkie
Thanks gals!

So, tell me, what's in your mailbox?

Katniss, the Girl Who Was on Fire

2011-01-04T05:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I may very well be the last person to have finally gotten ahold of this book. Sure I've seen it on the shelves, heard the hype, and read glowing reviews, but it took me quite a while to finally get this. I think I was mostly spurred by the fact that the third and final book was released this fall. Being able to read all the books in a series, without the threat of year-long cliffhangers, is so much more appealing to me than starting a series right off the bat (not that that prevents me from reading a majority of my books...).

So, last October I placed a hold at my library for all three books. And I finally got them in December.

Not only will I be reading this one for myself, but it was also chosen for Diffindo's Bi-Monthly Book Club. And boy, am I looking forward to discussing this one...but more on that later. This will also count for Bewitched Bookworms' Whisper Stories In My Ear Challenge, since I listened to the audiobook as well.

~The Hunger Games~
The Hunger Games
Book 1
By Suzanne Collins
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

At 16 years old, Katniss Everdeen has to admit that the odds have never been in her favor. With her father dead and her mother in a near-catatonic state, it's been up to her to keep the family alive these past five years. Sure, it's been tough caring for her sister and mother, but between hunting, foraging, and making sacrifices she's managed it alright so far.

But in the span of one breath everything changes.

The Hunger Games are an annual competition waged between the 12 Districts of Panem. Part retribution for their failed rebellion, part entertainment spectacle, the Capitol forces each District to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to compete on live TV. The winner gains wealth and glory, not only for themselves but for their entire district. The rest are killed in the process.

In District 12, the poorest district, tributes are chosen primarily by lottery. But when her sister's name is called, Katniss steps up as a volunteer.

Now the odds are truly stacking against her. Her handler for the competition is an idiot and her mentor is a drunk. One of those she is pitted against is strikingly similar to her sister, while another was her one-time savior. As her life is pitted against other youths with more resources and more training, she doubts that her meager hunting skills will prove useful.

Still, one's luck has got to turn sometime, and who knows, Katniss may prove to be more of a contender than she thinks.

Going into this, you know it's going to be a tough book. I mean, the main premise is kids, as young as twelve, being picked out in a lottery (called "the reaping") and set to kill each other for the country's enjoyment. It's not even a scenario where it's an accident that erodes the kids' psyches over time. No, it's a government running the show and using this gory spectacle to keep their subjects in line.

Now, I've definitely not led a pampered life, but I won't say I haven't been sheltered as well. Comparing it to the 12 Districts of Panem, I'd probably say I lived in the mid-to-poor sections of Districts 1 or 2. Not bathing in the lap of luxury, but definitely not dealing with the black market or digging in trash. I'm not street savvy, and I've not had much, if any, experience with sickness or death.

Suffice it to say, this book was a very brutal read for me.

That you get to know these characters, even though some were only introduced a few pages ago, and build a relationship with them...only to have them killed, in some cases violently, wasn't easy by any stretch of the imagination. Add to that the fact these horrific killings and deaths are being done by kids...only a few years younger than myself...and I'm not sure how to recommend this book.

That's not to say I didn't (gosh I feel horrible saying this) enjoy parts of it. Katniss herself was a superbly crafted character. Here you have a heroine who, though everything's thrown at her, excels in an impossible situation, holds onto her personality, and maintains a rebellious mentality, and yet does it believably. Though you don't know exactly how she'll react to situations, her actions ring true; her backstory and upbringing support them. And this believability only aides the realism, the punch that the book delivers as a whole.

The other characters acted similarly real, from the prim and prissy Effie (pampered and raised in the Capitol), to the subtly intelligent Haymitch (District 12's past winner of The Hunger Games), to the scheming Gamekeepers (Capitol-loyal "Dungeon Masters" of the Games' arena), to the other kids in the competition. Each of them acted true-to-character, no matter how easy it might have been to twist them for plot's sake. Even down to the Capitol/government itself, this story is 100% character-driven.

Building off of that, I'm not completely certain how to handle the romance. If you've heard anything of this book, you've no doubt seen or heard the Team Peeta vs Team Gale debate. Personally, I didn't care for it at all. To me, it's simply another weapon of rebellion against the government. Unfortunately, this blade seems to be double-edged and I can already see the complications that it has, and is going to cause. I'd have preferred things stayed at friend-levels, instead of having a romance brought on or influenced by traumatic situations. But it's a Young Adult novel, and so hormones will rage. I'm not saying I'm completely unsympathetic to the emotions, just that they're not my preference. Then again, you need something to lighten the tone...

Or do you? Frankly, I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything, but I found the events and themes in this book eerily similar to tales of the holocaust. Yes, it's a book featuring and aimed at Young Adults, but if not for the romantic sequences, I feel this could sit comfortably beside Eli Wiesel's Night or William Golding's Lord of the Flies in attitude and emotions.

For interested younger teens, this might make a better book for discussion with a group (or at least a parent) than an independent read. And I think it makes a great discussion book for older teens/readers as well. I know I'm looking forward to discussing it with my group and other venues as well.

Bottom line is this is a serious and deceptively deep book that may hit you hard and resonate for some time. While it has become somewhat masked in the "What Boy Will She Pick?!" debate (no doubt in hopes of drawing in Twilight-obsessed teens), don't mistake this as a fluffy YA read. The strong characters, intriguing setting, and masterful pacing will draw you in and make it nearly impossible to put this down. However, I can't promise you'll feel content at the end, nor that you will like where it takes you.

Approximate Reading Time: 6 hours

Read by Carolyn McCormick
Length: 11.1 Hours
Listened at 1.85x Speed

I enjoyed the voice and the pacing she gave the story—one of the reasons it was so hard to stop. Though she didn't have a huge range in voices, the majority of the characters were unique and easy to pick out. The voices also evolved over the course of the story, to reflect the hardship (sickness/dehydration) that the characters experienced.

Because of this, I would have liked a bit more editing on the script's part. The "I say", "He says" bits that followed nearly every line of dialog could have been removed to some extent. While they make sense when you have the book in front of you (and you're able to skim over those to some degree), having them read aloud grew superfluous and jarring as the book carried on.

There was one point where Katniss sings a rather haunting lullaby, and I made sure to slow down the audio to normal speed for that section. I thought the tune was perfect, fitting the words and its backstory, and the emotion brought across during the song sent chills down my spine. Definitely a highlight you'll want to listen for.

On the whole, McCormick brought a crisp and clear enunciation and a personality that I thought fit Katniss (as the book's narrator) perfectly throughout the book.

Off The Shelf Challenge

2011-01-01T21:34:00.000-08:00

Alright, I think this will be the third and final challenge for me this year.

Hosted by Bookish Ardour

This challenge meshes really well with The Bucket List challenge I already signed up for, so I'm pretty excited to get the chance to set and meet more goals.

I'll be trying for the On A Roll level of dusting off 50 books this year. Of course, I own far more than that, so here's the list of all I have to choose from:

City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende
Kingdom of the Golden Dragon by Isabel Allende
Forest of the Pygmies by Isabel Allende
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
On a Pale Horse by Piers Anthony
Dragon on a Pedestal by Piers Anthony
Crewel Lye by Piers Anthony
Golem in the Gears by Piers Anthony
Vale of the Vole by Piers Anthony
Heaven Cent by Piers Anthony
Man from Mundania by Piers Anthony
Isle of View by Piers Anthony
Question Quest by Piers Anthony
The Color of Her Panties by Piers Anthony
Demons Don't Dream by Piers Anthony
Harpy Thyme by Piers Anthony
Geis of the Gargoyle by Piers Anthony
Roc and a Hard Place by Piers Anthony
Yon Ill Wind by Piers Anthony
Faun & Games by Piers Anthony
Zombie Lover by Piers Anthony
Xone of Contention by Piers Anthony
The Dastard by Piers Anthony
Swell Foop by Piers Anthony
Up In A Heaval by Piers Anthony
Cube Route by Piers Anthony
Currant Events by Piers Anthony
Pet Peeve by Piers Anthony
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters
The Lost Years of Merlin by T.A. Barron
The Seven Songs of Merlin by T.A. Barron
The Fires of Merlin by T.A. Barron
The Mirror of Merlin by T.A. Barron
The Wings of Merlin by T.A. Barron
Warrior by Marie Brennan
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs
Masques by Patricia Briggs
Steal the Dragon by Patricia Briggs
When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs
Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs
The Black Unicorn by Terry Brooks
Wizard at Large by Terry Brooks
The Tangle Box by Terry Brooks
Witches' Brew by Terry Brooks
Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
Digital Fortress by Dan Brown
Deception Point by Dan Brown
Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher
Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher
Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card
Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card
Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Out of the Blue by Caroline Clemmons
Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer
Fire Bringer by Dave Clement Davies
The Sight by David Clement Davies
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson
The Book of Night With Moon by Diane Duane
Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings
Magician's Gambit by David Eddings
Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings
Enchanters' End Game by David Eddings
Sea Change by Aimee Friedman
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
The Hearts of Horses by Molly Gloss
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
The Magicians by Lev Grossman
October Sky by Homer Hickam
Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones
The Magicians of Caprona by Diana Wynne Jones
Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Diplomacy of Wolves by Holly Lisle
Vengeance of Dragons by Holly Lisle
Courage of Falcons by Holly Lisle
Red Hot Fury by Kasey MacKenzie
What The Dickens by Gregory Maguire
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffrey
Dragonsdawn by Anne McCaffrey
The Renegades of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall by Anne McCaffrey
The Dolphins of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
Dragonseye by Anne McCaffrey
The Masterharper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
The Skies of Pern by Anne McCaffrey
A Gift of Dragons by Anne McCaffrey
Dragon's Kin by Anne McCaffrey and Todd McCaffrey
The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller
Eldest by Christopher Paolini
Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
The Scent of Shadows by Vicki Pettersson
The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce
The Italian by Ann Radcliffe
Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
Armed & Magical by Lisa Shearin
The Trouble With Demons by Lisa Shearin
Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready
Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud
Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Matter of Magic by Patricia C. Wrede
Confessions of a Demon by S.L. Wright

Giving me over 100 books to choose from! Yeah, I own waaaaayyyy too many (unread) books. I'd love to get all of these read, but I'm hoping to become employed, so I doubt I'll be able to do more than 50. Besides that, I only read 45 books in 2010, so upping it to (at least) 50 is a logical step for me.

Any ideas where to start? Leave a comment below, and wish me luck!

Keep track of my progress here or on my Reading Challenges page.