Wednesday, December 31, 2008

The Best of 2008


This year I think I read more books within the year then I ever have before, and I loved every minute of it! As the year comes to a close though I have to highlight my top fifteen that were published in 2008. I've read over 200 books this year so obviously there are many to chose from and so many more that I did not get a chance to read. Note that these are in no particular order and these choices are just my opinion.

1. Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers
2. Paper Towns by John Green
3. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
4. Undone by Brooke Taylor
5. House of Dance by Beth Kephart
6. Ten Cents a Dance by Christine Fletcher
7. Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab
8. Bewitching Season by Marissa Doyle
9. I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone by Stephanie Kuehnert
10. Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt
11. Little Friendly Advice by Siobhan Vivian
12. The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
13. Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway
14. The Fortunes of Indigo Skye by Deb Caletti
15. Violet in Private by Melissa Walker

And I just have to mention one of my other favorite books of the year that won't be published until Spring 2009, but I can't help share it with you all and hopefully get a little pre-publication buzz going, SOUL ENCHILADA by David Macinnis Gill.

Best of luck in the New Year and lookout for a great contest and a hopefully fun filled post tomorrow!!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

Girl Week = Reviewer X = AWESOME!!!


Hey guys quickly head on over to Reviewer X for the last little bit of fun. Steph is hosting an amazing girls week where there are tons of great guest blogs and of course...giveaways!!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Top 8 by Katie Finn

Madison MacDonald had life all figured out. She has three great best friends, she’s dating one of the hottest guy’s in school, she’s got the lead in the school play, and she’s going to the Galapagos for Spring Break (while she’s not that excited, but hey it’s not the worst thing that could happen). Then the worst does happen, her Friendverse profile is hacked. Not only are her (and many other people’s) worst secrets plastered all over the Internet, but also some very unflattering pictures. Now she no longer has a boyfriend, half of her school hates her, and she’s in some very deep trouble. Thankfully she has some of the best friends a girl can have believe that she was hacked and are all determined to help her figure out who’s behind this nasty prank, and clear Madison’s name once and for all.

To be honest I was very surprised with this book. There was a good storyline, that wasn’t too predictable, the characters were cute, and it was a very cute love story. I also liked how Katie Finn addressed how much emphasis teenagers put on social networking websites by teenagers. In this case, Madison feels her whole life is ruined when her profile is hacked. This is because people rely so much on these websites, and this book shows just how much trouble these sites are.

I liked how some of the story was told through comments on Madison’s profile page; it gave an insight as to what other characters were thinking. While there were times when the book got a little slow and predictable, it quickly picked up again. This would be a great read for reluctant teen readers, as it mixes the type of way the story is told and it’s current with today’s world. I am definitely looking forward to reading more from Katie Finn and was quite impressed with her debut novel.

Monday, December 15, 2008

And A Simple Question? Week of December 14-21

Sorry for the delay, but I've been having major internet problems!!

The winner of The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman is....

Chelsie of Bookluver Reviews!

Congratulations Chelsie. Please send me your address so I can send the book to you.

On to this week's question....

What book (released 2008) depicts the instant stardom of a girl who just wanted to break up with her boyfriend?

Either comment or send me an email at: andanotherbookread AT gmail DOT com. 

Prize this week: ARC of Triple Shot Betty's in Love by Jody Gehrman 

Rules are same as always, besides that you have to get an additional 3 entries for getting the right answer.


Thursday, December 11, 2008

Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty by Jody Gehrman


Geena has the perfect summer planned out. Her, her cousin Hero, and her best friend Amber are going to have some quality girl time working at the Triple Shot Betty coffee drive-thru shack. Things never work out as planned though. Hero and Amber don’t get along, actually that’s an understatement, they hate each other! Geena feels that her summer’s ruined now and is torn between her favorite cousin and her best friend.

As the summer progresses, the girls’ relationship starts to improve slightly. The Betty girls though are faced with a whole new problem, hot guys! Geena is desperately trying to deny the fact that she likes her arch rival (and competition for class valedictorian) Ben, Hero is hopelessly in love with the Italian working on her dad’s vineyard, and then Amber, well she’s just trying to find somebody. The girls run into no end of problems, but it ends up being one heck of a summer.

With a title this cute, I knew before I even cracked the cover that this book was going to be great! I was certainly not disappointed. The story itself was super cute, the writing was superb, and it just left the reader wanting more.

All three main characters were unique in their own way and I felt like I got to know three different girls, instead of one person with a few differences. I especially loved Geena, who stood up for herself no matter what. She was a great narrator, and she had some hilarious things to say. Her sense of humor was by far one of the best character sense of humor’s I’ve ever come across! Hero and Amber were also really funny. I could really imagine them as real people and felt like they were easy to relate to even though we have completely different personalities.

I also really liked the style that the book was written in. It was told in journal entries by Geena, which I thought was really neat. Some books I’ve read try to do this, but just aren’t that successful, but Jody Gehrman was really able to pull it off. The character’s personas really came through and the whole book came completely alive.

In short I completely loved this book and am anxious for more. Jody Gehrman created an unforgettable, absolutely hilarious, and fun filled novel that any girl is sure to absolutely devour. I highly recommend this book to any and all who are looking for a book that will just brighten your day.

Monday, December 8, 2008

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman


It’s the eighteenth year of Enclosure and everything on the islands in the Tranquil Sea have become regulated. Earth Mother and her Corporation, who have a vision for a world with only happiness, control everything from jobs to the weather to children’s names and expect everyone to conform to this view of normality, no matter what the consequence. On Island 365 lives a girl named Honor and her family who don’t really fit into this conforming society.

While Honor desperately tries to fit in, her parents try even harder to not fit in. They break curfew, don’t pray to Mother Earth, and biggest of all have a second child. When Honor meets Helix she soon finds out some dark secrets, those that don’t conform soon disappear…forever.

Filled with fear that her parents might be taken, Honor tries to change even more, thinking that if she fits in, no attention will be brought to her parents. Will all her efforts be in vain? Will her and Helix uncover more secrets about the island?

From the very first paragraph I was drawn into the story and knew that it would be great. As the story progressed I was certainly not disappointed. Having only read a few post-apocalyptic or dystopian society books, I was a little unsure as to what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised with the ability of the book to hold my attention. I felt like most of the characters, especially Honor, were well developed and real. Something that really stood out to me was Honor’s ability to stay real, and very human like, in a setting composed of conforming events and questions. In this case it was easy to connect with Honor, because the author made the reader have some of the same questions as she did. The author also did a great job creating suspense within the novel. There were many times where I was not able to pull myself away from the book at all. The questions that the book brings up keeps you enthralled and wanting more. Overall I was very much impressed with the book and am very much hoping that there will be a sequel.

Fans of The City of Ember, The Uglies, and The Giver, I think will really enjoy this book.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

And A Simple Question?

As promised here is my weekly trivia feature! Before I reveal this weeks question, I would like to announce the winner of Paper Towns by John Green....drumroll please.....

Congratulation to number 11 was none other than Shelly Burns. Shelly please get back to me within three days or else I will have to choose a new winner.

Now I have to admit this week's question is not a trivia question, but another opinionated one.


What book(s) are you giving away for the holidays?

Books are great things to give away as presents, as they aren't to expensive and they last forever.

Here's a quick run through of the rules:

1. All entrants must live in the United States.
2. All entries must be received by 12 PM E.S.T. Saturday night
3. Two extra entries for linking/posting about the contest
Three extra entries for already being a follower
Two extra entries for becoming a follower

This week's prize is a great book that I read not to long ago, The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Freedman (hardcover). It's a great book for all ages and a great story.

Enjoy the week and check back tomorrow for a new review!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Paper Towns by John Green


Margo Roth Speigleman is one popular girl. On the outside she appears to have it all, the looks, the friends, the personality but in all honesty her inside is a mystery to the world. Margo is especially a mystery to Quentin, or Q, who’s been her neighbor ever since they were little kids.

When they were young they used to do everything together. Some may have even considered them to be best friends. Now though they are about to graduate high school and they barely even acknowledge each other’s presence. One night though Margo appears in his window dressed as though she was ready to go rob a bank.

She’s on a mission to pay back all the people who have wronged her and she is determined to complete her list before the next morning. Using Q as her mode of transportation, she gives him the night of his life. Then she disappears and is now an even bigger mystery to him. Leaving him few clues and a lustrous heart Q is determined to find Margo, and maybe even himself.

John Green has done it again, except maybe even better then the last two times. Both his other books have always been near and dear to me, but this one was particularly special. It was compiled of all the classic Green elements of, nerdy guy wanting amazing girl, girl being a little out there, guy finding himself on the way to getting the girl, but it also had this extra wow factor included that easily made it his best book yet.

I could really feel not only the characters emotions, but also the author’s in every sentence. Many times I found myself laughing along, feeling upset, or just plain frustrated with the events in the story and started wondering if this was a real life experience. There was such truth and purpose to each word that the book seemed alive in many aspects. The characters had real personalities and it was easy to imagine them as real people and these characters dealt with mostly real life situations that I could easily picture myself in. I loved how everything felt so real and alive that most of the time it was excruciatingly hard to come back to reality.

For me the plot line was very original and compelling. It was also really easy to relate to. I know in this case that everyone can find someone in the story that they know. Whether it be yourself or a really good friend, you’re sure to find someone similar enough for the story to really hit home. I know in my case I was really able to see where the very complex and interesting Margo was coming from. She reminded me a lot of a close friend and helped me see where she might be coming from. It was very evident that the author put a lot of time and effort into developing his characters, which I know as a reader is the mark of a truly great author.

This book is one of the deepest and quickest reads you’ll find. You’ll never want it to end and you’ll find great meaning in it. Paper Towns is truly an unforgettable book that is easily the best of the best. With no doubt I am sure it is the best book of 2008 and one my of my new personal favorites.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott


On an elementary school field trip to the aquarium, a ten-year-old girl gets abducted. She gets named “Alice,” by her kidnapper Ray, and leaves behind the sweet innocent girl from 623 Daisy Lane, becoming a shell of a girl who has been both mentally and physically abused to no end, essentially making her a living dead girl.

All Alice wants is to escape from the pain she faces everyday and the only possible way she thinks she can escape is through death. Then an even more horrible thing happens – Ray asks her to find a replacement for her. Now it’s her task to find another innocent girl for Ray to prey on. Could this be her release, or will Ray dispose of her just like the last Alice?

While this book is completely different then anything else Elizabeth Scott has written, it is just as remarkable. The book leaves a lasting impression on your mind as you read. Trying to imagine everything that Alice has to go through in the book is mind-boggling and it truly makes you realize how horrible people can be and how grateful people should be that they don’t have to endure the same evils as Alice did. Scott’s brilliant writing style shone through this dark novel, making it come alive in the reader’s mind. The emotion that seeps through these pages is absolutely incredible. You’ll want to scream out loud at the horrors that you encounter and cry out in frustration at the events that unfold. This is truly a haunting and unforgettable novel that everyone needs to read. It gives a one of a kind view into a world not much is known of, and one in which we all hope never to visit.

Monday, December 1, 2008

The Return of a Long Lost Blogger!!!

Okay so about a month ago I posted telling everyone that I finally had a handle on my schoolwork and all that jazz right! Well I lied because the week after was the last week of the trimester and then exams, so the only reading I was able to do was out of my textbooks! Then we had a brief break, but not much was accomplished as I had family come into town. Finally I got a week off for Thanksgiving and I’m caught up on many outstanding reviews (although I still do have a few books in the review pile) and have gotten the chance to read some fabulous, fabulous books. So now I have a stash of fifteen or so reviews that will keep all you readers hopefully much entertained for the next couple weeks while I’m at school and won’t have as much time as I did at home to read!

The weekly contest/game that I mentioned in my last post will go on as I have a stack of books about 3 feet high (no joke!) to give away. So next Sunday look for a fun trivia question to answer in order to win a fabulous prize! Any authors and/or publicists looking to donate prizes just let me know as it would be very much appreciated.

O and the winner of the 4th City of Ember book, Diamond of Darkhold, is Shelly Burns! Shoot me a quick email with your address and I’ll pop the book in the mail.

Author Visits. Well as school work started to pile up I kind of forgot that Fridays were supposed to be author visits, as I was keener on the end of the week, and I apologize to all of you that enjoyed the feature. More so though, I want to apologize to all the authors who I scheduled something with and then forgot (especially a certain author, whose book was just fabulous. Courtney look for an email in your inbox from me!). I promise that the feature will be up and running hopefully in the next couple of weeks. Any authors looking to do a guest blog or interview, please shoot me an email (andanotherbookread@gmail.com) as I would love, love, love to have you. Also if any authors/publicist want a review done, I would be more then happy too.

And to kick off my re-entering of the of the blogosphere I have a little contest. Just comment here and tell me your favorite book of 2008 (so far). Link to my contest? Get an extra 2 entries. Already a follower +3, become a follower +2. The prize you may ask? An ARC of Paper Towns by John Green. Fabulous, fabulous book that I’m sure all will love. All comments need to be in by Saturday December 6 at 12 PM E.S.T. This contest is only open to the U.S.

Have a great week everybody and look out for some new reviews tomorrow!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

And Another Awesome Author Visit: Stacy Nyikos

Yet another fabulous interview with a 2k8'r. Stacy's debut MG book Dragon Wishes just came out and it is absolutely wonderful. I should have a review up next week sometime (depending on how much time I get in between studying for exams!!).

Without further ado though I present to you a fabulous interview with none other than Stacy!!

_________________________________________________________

1. When did you realize you wanted to become an author?

Now, I did my very first short, short story - one page of very large words - at the tender age of four. Not immediately discovered, I went off an tried out all other assortment of things like modeling, irish-dancing, drawing, kickball, playing violin, you name it. I first started dabbling with writing when I went to college. I loved writing poetry, but I knew better than to try and swing it past my business-minded parents that I wanted to change my major from psychology (already dubious in a household full of accountants) to literature. I tried to be a high-functioning writer, getting a PhD in poli sci and teaching, but as soon as I'd find a spare minute, I'd write. And now, I write full time.

2. What sparked the beginning of Dragon Wishes?

The spark for Dragon Wishes came from tragedy, really. My daughters were in a near fatal sledding accident about five years ago. When they crashed into the back of a parked horse trailer, my world came to a crashing halt. I stopped writing. I stopped living. I just...stopped. Yet, it was writing that brought me back out of the darkness that had fallen over my life. I suddenly asked myself one day, what would happen if a family lost its parents? How would the children cope? What I was going through was really hard and my girls didn't die. But what if the tables were reversed? What does a child that loses its parents through? How hard is it for them? How do they do it? I really wanted to know, and finding out was the journey that became Dragon Wishes. The Chinese dragon legend in the story keeps the topic from weighing too heavily on the reader, buoying them up - and at times even whisking them away - over the stumbles and false starts that the main characters in the modern day story go through.

3. Which character do you see the most of yourself in?

You know, it's Alex, the main character. When her parents die and she and her sister are sent to live with their aunt and uncle in California, everything changes. She fumbles through trying to figure out how to fit in to a new school, a new family, new friends, a new life, and she doesn't do that great of a job in the beginning. She walls herself off, hoping somehow to just muddle through. When she does open up, she really blossoms as a character. You just have to root for her. She really redeems herself, and has found a permanent spot deep in my heart.
4. What experiences have shaped your writing style?

That's a tough question. I can't see the forest for the trees. But I'd have to say, reading and observing, even emulating the writings styles of other authors until I found my own style, one that reflects my personality and my understanding of language and storytelling best.

5. What are you top three favorite books?

Only three????.......Hmmmmmm......Lord of the Rings, A Wrinkle in Time, Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's kinda funny because they all fit into the burgeoning field of fantasy/scifi that really blossomed in kidlit - more so than even adult literature - during the late 19th and most of the 20th century. C.S. Lewis remarked that if you wanted to write fantasy, you almost had to write kidlit. That's not true today, but the worlds these writers created seem so timeless. I get lost in them anew each time I read them, and I work to be that good of a writer.

6. What's one crazy fact about you that you want to share?

I'm glad I only have to share one!

Here it is. Don't laugh, but I didn't have any imaginary friends as a child. They just didn't work out for me. That's not the crazy fact. The crazy fact is that as an adult, I spend most of my days with multiple imaginary characters that I create, make talk and take through all sorts of adventures. So maybe if you don't have imaginary friends as a kid, they come back to take over in your adult years, I don't know, but I love having them. Wish I'd met a lot of them much sooner. Who knows the mischief we could have gotten into when I was a kid.

7. What can we expect from you in the future? What are you working on?

I am actually leaving on November 1 for the wilds of New Zealand to research the book I'm currently working on. It's called Pelorus Jack and is the story of a crippled boy, George, living on a sheep station in New Zealand during the country's pioneering years, the late 1800s. George's father, a gold miner who made enough money to buy a station, falls on hard times. George begins searching for a way to help. His adventure starts with a boat - Prospect - that leads to befriending a dolphin - Pelorus Jack - who really did exist - and ends up far removed from where things start out. It's been an adventure to research and write, and I'm looking forward to going to New Zealand to follow on the trails that George and Jack have taken. I can hardly wait!

8. What is one of the hardest things about being a writer? The best?

The hardest thing for me is being alone for much of my day. I really do like real live people, and I miss their company, but email helps.

The best part about being a writer is related. I love school visits. I love listening, sharing, and watching children take in my writing and talk about it. They're who I write for, and it is so rewarding to see their reactions.

9. Why did you choose a middle grade audience?

For Dragon Wishes, I felt like a twelve year old was just the right age, right on the cusp of adolescence/puberty/adulthood. Her reaction would be a mix of both that of a child and of an adult, so I thought this age the most challenging and most rewarding to use for my story.

10. What's your ideal writing environment?

Well, I really like to write in a big, overstuffed chair in my bedroom with a great view of the backyard. The only problem is that I enjoy staring out the window a lot more than staring at my screen. So, I usually have to chain myself to my desk - minimal distractions, maximum story time. I just wish I had a more comfortable chair. Then again, I might fall asleep over my keyboard. I guess the slight discomfort my chair offers keeps me focused. Sigh.

11. Are there any questions you wished I'd asked?
Um........(long pause as author thinks frantically) yes. Did you always want to be a writer?

When I first started writing for kids, I often felt like there was something wrong with me because I hadn't always wanted to be a writer. I thought, maybe I'm trying to go somewhere I shouldn't. You see, when I was younger, I wanted to be a scientist of space exploration. I don't think they actually have that major in college. They have physics and astrophysics. But really, I want to go where no one has gone before. So maybe, actually, I wanted to be a writer and I didn't know it? Maybe not. But I like to let kids know, it's okay if you don't start out wanting to be a writer from a really young age. There are so many neat things to want to be and to try out. Go for it. Chances are, if you do become a writer at some point, doing all of those other things won't hurt you at all. They'll give you more material for your stories!

Friday, October 17, 2008

The Emerald Tablet by PJ Hoover

Benjamin Holt has always been different from the kids in his class, besides his best friend Andy who also has the same “abilities” as Benjamin. Andy and Benjamin just don’t get what’s so weird about being able to read people’s minds and making frogs in science class fly into girls’ hair! When Benjamin sees his mom go through a picture and disappear into a speckle of light he’s not that surprised since his life is just a little weird that way -  but that doesn’t stop him from wondering where in the world she went. He soon finds out when his mirror, yes that’s right his mirror, tells him he’s going to summer school. At first Benjamin isn’t at all excited about going (I mean what thirteen year old kid in his right mind would be excited about giving up their summer to go to school, especially when they’re smart!), but then he finds out this school is in another world and the only way to get there is through the same picture that his mom vanished through earlier! When Benjamin arrives in Lemuria all his doubts instantly vanish, but his life gets even stranger. He’s not even at school for ten minutes when he learns that he’s not really human he’s a telegen which is why he has so many different “abilities.” When the Emerald Tablet chooses him as its champion, Benjamin is dumbfounded. I mean while he thought he was special on earth, his powers just make him normal in Lemuria, so why him? While Benjamin was expecting a pretty normal (or as normal as you can get when you’re at summer school on a submerged continent) summer he knows that won’t ever happen know. With Andy and his newly acquired friends, Benjamin has the summer of a lifetime, even if it isn’t your classical definition of fun!

I had such a good time reading this book! I loved every minute that I was reading it and I feel like I want to reread the book over and over again. From the very first sentence I was laughing, and while the book wasn’t intended to be a comedy there were many times where I couldn’t help but suppress a giggle. The very idea for the story was magical. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book along the same lines as The Emerald Tablet. While reading the book I kept thinking that in a way it was almost like a myth that was being told and how cool it would be if it was actually true.

The characters were also very well developed. PJ Hoover really captured the essence of a thirteen year old boy in Benjamin’s character. He had the whole goofy, know it all, I’d rather not be here attitude which made the book so real. I feel like sometimes authors really grasp the ages of their characters and sometimes they don’t, but this is definitely a case in which the author does. PJ Hoover also did a great job incorporating her supporting characters. They were all essential and I loved how she showed that in most cases we need to all use our best abilities to reach a common goal. I also loved her quirky little character Jack, who had the funniest things to say and was an added bonus to the story.

What a fabulous ending. PJ Hoover wrapped up the story at just the right pace and didn’t force or rush anything. She also left quite few questions unanswered which makes me very anxious for the next two books in the trilogy (the second will be out in Fall 2009 and the third in 2010). Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series will particularly enjoy this book, but really I think it would be a great read for anyone. While the target audience is middle grade readers I think both younger and older readers will also enjoy Benjamin’s story and find themselves craving more.  

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Some Long Overdue Updates, New Announcements, and New Ideas!

First for the Updates! As I'm sure you have noticed, I haven't been updating the blog as often as I normally do. This is in no way my way of trying to stop reviewing, it's just that this thing called school got in the way! I've mentioned before that this year I started at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, which means I have a boatload of homework every night and don't have much time to read, let alone write reviews. But I've recently begun to get a handle on all of my work and have been flying through books, so now I just have to get caught up on my reviews, which I will hopefully be able to do by the end of this weekend, or next.

Now for author visits. I still have a few lined up, but I am definitely in need of many more authors. So any authors who read my blog, let me know if your interested in doing an interview or guest blog.

Now that I've told you a little bit of new announcements!

First of all I have super exciting news. So you know how everyone in the book blogging world is talking about the Cybils..right? While I am excited to annoucne that I got picked to be on the judging panel for the Graphic Novel board.

Organizer: Snow Wildsmith, Kiddie Lit

Panelists (Round I judges)

Betsy Bird A Fuse #8 Production
Gina Mary Sol Ruiz Cuentecitos, AmoXicalli
Paula Willey Pink Me
Liz Jones Liz Jones Books
Sam Musher Parenthetical.net

Judges (Round II)

Stacy Dillon Booktopia
David Elzey The Excelsior File
Gail Gauthier Original Content
Sarah Sammis Puss Reboots
Tasha Samborski And Another Read Book


This is something completely new to me and as I've said before is completely exciting! And everyone, don't forget to go and nominate your favorite books of the year, as today's the last day (oops the month has gotten away)!

Also my blog has had 21,600 visitors, which just completely blows me away as my blog's only been around for 10 months. Yet another very exciting piece of blogging news!!

Next on the list to talk about is a new feature, which I'm hoping will be lots of fun for everyone.

I have found that I have a huge stack of books that I have duplicate copies of or else I've already read, so I thought why not do a contest. It's hard though to give a stack of books away, so I thought I would give one book away per week. The question is how? In my opinion it's always fun when you have to earn you entries, so I devised an easy and hopefully one way to enter. Here are the rules:

Every Sunday I will post a new trivia or thoughtful question. It could be related to the current giveaway book, a random book, maybe a book I reviewed over the past week, a question about an author, your opinion on a subject, or maybe just a completely random trivia question.

Just send me an email, andanotherbookread @ gmail. com with the answer. You can comment if you want, but please note you would be giving the answer away!

Just for entering you get one entry, for getting the answer you get an additional entry, and if you advertise the contest (just include the link in your entry) you'll get one more entry.

Also all contests will only be for U.S. residents.

Sound easy enough?

So for this week, I'm extending the contest for Jeanne Du'Prau's latest book The Diamond of Darkhold, from last week to end on this Sunday. Those who already entered will get an extra entry and can still enter for more entries this week.

This week's question is:

Which actor plays Lina in the City of Ember?

Good luck all!! Don't forget to email me your entries. It will end on Saturday at 12:00 P.M.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

More About Ember!!

So I thought that I would tempt you all with the brilliant trailer for The City of Ember movie, which comes out October 10th.

Enjoy!!






Also comment here and tell me what your favorite movie that has been based on a book is, and you'll be entered into a drawing for a copy of The Diamond of Darkhold. The movie can already be out, or it can be upcoming. All comments must be made by Sunday October 5th at 10:00 p.m. EST. Winners will announced on Monday, along with a quite large announcement!! Have a great week. One last thing...if you blog about my contest, just include the link or shoot me an email and you'll get an extra 2 entries!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

And Another Awesome Author Visit: Jeanne DuPrau

Yes, author visits have been a little lacking, as school has majorly interuppted by blogging/reviewing/*gasp* reading life, but fear not as I have a great author visiting us today!

Jeanne DuPrau is the amazing creator City of Ember series. Not only are the books bestsellers, but City of Ember has been made into a movie which is set to come out on October 10th. So read on for a fun filled interview. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

______________________________________________________
  1. What sparked the idea for The City of Ember ?

    I grew up in the 1950s, when many people were worried that there might be a nuclear war. Some of them were building bomb shelters in their back yards. I think this influenced my idea for Ember—a city built to protect the human race from a terrible threat. But I was also just interested in the idea of a city that had no light other than electricity. What would it be like to live in such darkness, and to know that light and food and supplies were all running out? And not to know about weather or trees or animals (except for a few rats and insects) or any other places? All this grabbed my imagination. And once I'd written The City of Ember, I hoped it would make people think about our world—about the sun and the moon, the forests and the ocean, the wind and the rain—and how precious it all is.

  1. Do you see a lot of yourself in the characters you created?

    Yes, both Doon and Lina are like me in some ways. Lina likes to draw and to use her imagination and to go fast, Doon likes to solve puzzles and he’s interested in bugs and in nature in general. All those things are true of me. Doon and Lina are much braver than I am, though.

  1. Are you beyond excited that your book is being made into a movie?

    Of course! It’s absolutely amazing. It does mean that I have to have the same conversation over and over: Person: “Your book is being made into a movie? Wow, that must be exciting!” Me: “Yes, it’s really exciting!” But I’m not complaining.

  1. Did you have any say in the casting or storyline of the movie?

    No, none at all. But I’m really glad Bill Murray is playing the mayor, and Saoirse Ronan I think will be perfect as Lina.

  1. Did you originally intend for The City of Ember to turn into a four book series?

    No, I had no plans for anything beyond the first book. When The City of Ember was a success, my editor suggested a sequel might be a good idea. I had to admit I was a bit curious about what would happen to Lina and Doon, so I wrote The People of Sparks. Then a very different idea occurred to me—at first I thought it wasn’t connected to the Ember books, but soon I realized it was. That was The Prophet of Yonwood. And finally, I wanted to bring the story back around to its beginning and tell how the threads of all the books came together. That’s what I’ve done in The Diamond of Darkhold.

  1. When did you realize you wanted to become a writer?

    Far back in the mists of time. Actually I don’t think there was ever a moment when I thought, “I want to be a writer.” Writing was what I was best at. I worked hard at it, I wrote many different things, I sent them out, they got published—and voila! I was a writer.

  1. Do you have any other books in the works?

    I’ve been taking a break since The Diamond of Darkhold, but a few ideas are beginning to swirl slowly around in my mind.

  1. Are you going to continue the series?

    No, the Ember series has come to an end, although there might—just possibly—be another Ember-related item to come. It’s too early to speak about that one, though.

  1. What advice can you give to aspiring writers?

    Read a lot. Write a lot. Write all kinds of different things. Be interested in people and in the world around you. Learn the essentials of writing—grammar, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, how to organize thoughts. Write because you have a terrific story to tell, or a vital idea to explain, or fascinating information to put forth.

  1. Do you have any other questions that you wish I had asked?
How could you not ask about my dog?! He’s a Cairn terrier, and his name is Ethan. He helps with my writing by sleeping peacefully most of the day.

________________________________________________________________________

Still haven't had enough of the fabulous Jeanne DuPrau? Well here are a bunch of links with information about her and her books. Also there are links to the fellow bloggers who are also participating in her tour.

Diamond of Darkhold:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375855718

The City of Ember:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385736282

The People of Sparks:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375828257

The Prophet of Yonwood:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0440421241

Jeanne's Bio: http://www.jeanneduprau.com/about.shtml



01 Charger, the 160acrewoods, A Childhood of Dreams, A Christian Worldview of Fiction, All About Children’s Books, And Another Book Read, Becky’s Book Reviews, Book Review Maniac, Cafe of Dreams, Comox Valley Kids, Dolce Bellezza, Fireside Musings, Homeschool Buzz, Hyperbole, Looking Glass Reviews, Never Jam Today


Monday, September 15, 2008

Dream Factory by Brad Barkley and Heather Hepler


When all of the characters at Disney World go on strike teenagers are called in as backup. When Ella hears the ad on the radio advertising the openings she jumps at the chance to get away from living with her aunt and crazy cousins. Not only is it an escape from her aunt, but hopefully this stint at Disney will distract Ella from her thoughts about her dead brother and parents who dumped her so that they could go on a mission in Africa. When Ella arrives at Disney she gets cast as none other than Cinderella, all because the shoe fit. Now she goes around getting married everyday at 3:00 to a prince charming who fits into the Disney world a little too well. While she has her prince charming she can't get over Luke.

Luke plays Dale, as in the annoying Chip and Dale chipmunks. Chip is played by none other than Luke's girlfriend Cassie. While they have a connection and Luke thinks Cassie's hot stuff, he just doesn't seem to have the same connection with her as he has with Ella. When Luke and Ella pair up for a team bonding scavenger hunt they learn more about each other and find out just how compatible they are together. While they don't exactley complete the list of scavenger hunt items, Ella and Luke manage to find more than they could ever have imagined.

I was so excited to pick this book up. I love books that have to do with Disney world, especially The Kingdom Keepers by Ridley Pearson which was great. So I was basically expecting a more romantic version of The Kingdom Keepers. For me it felt more like a classic chick lit novel. I was disappointed that I couldn't distinguish the characters from each other. Even though the book was told through alternating perspectives and that each author took charge of one of the characters I felt like Ella and Luke were the same person. I also thought that the writing was very choppy. The sentences didn't flow together and the scenes didn't seem to follow in a logical pattern. Looking past all of that though, I did enjoy the fluffiness of the story and it is definitely a light summer read.

Monday, September 8, 2008

Geek Abroad by Piper Banks


The Snowflake Gala is done and out of the way and Miranda Bloom, math genius, is headed off to England for Christmas break to visit her mother. When she arrives, she expects to spend her time sightseeing with her mother and catching up. What she doesn’t expect is that Henry, the son of her mother’s publicist, will be showing her around London as her mom still has lots of work to do. Miranda doesn’t mind too much, especially since Henry’s so adorable, but right now she’s not sure what’s going on with her and Dex and doesn’t want to risk messing that up.

When Miranda returns home she is greeted by confusion. She still doesn’t know where her and Dex stand, Hannah (her stepsister) is still being really nice to her, her best friend, Charlie, is hopelessly lovestruck, and the dreaded MATh team competitions are quickly approaching. On top of all of that, Miranda’s evil stepmother has become even more unbearable, making her life nothing short of crazy.

Will Miranda’s semester pan out the way she wants, or will all her confusion lead to a tangled up mess?

It’s rare that you find a sequel better than the first book, but I think in this case GEEK ABROAD definitely outdid its predecessor, GEEK HIGH. The characters were more developed, it felt like there was more going on in the story, and overall I thought it was a better book.

First of all, I felt I really got to know Miranda in this book. As the book progressed, she became a more secure individual and she took on a leadership role with her MATh team. I really enjoyed seeing her develop into a stronger individual and really stand up for what she believed in. I could see a lot of myself in her and felt a real bond with her. I also could not stand Peyton, Miranda’s evil stepmother. What’s funny is this is not a bad thing at all. I loved how the author created such an unlikeable character. It was infuriating to see the way that Peyton treated Miranda and I am eternally grateful that my mom treats me so well! It was also nice to see Miranda’s dad stand up for her in this book. He didn’t take any flak from Peyton and his bond with Miranda (and the reader) really developed in this book.

I also really liked how much emotion the author was able to provoke in me. When Miranda was mad, I was mad right there with her. When she got irritated with Charlie I could feel myself getting agitated, as well. I was really impressed with this because not many books get me as involved with the characters as this one did.

This book could also make a great stand-alone book. While it is a sequel, it filled in all the necessary gaps where needed. Even if you haven’t read the first book, GEEK HIGH (which you really should), you wouldn’t be left confused.

And finally the romance in the book was too cute. There were some classic elements to it, but then there were a few times when I thought something would happen and then the author threw us a curveball. Overall, this was the perfect light read, perfect for any time of year. I really hope that the author will create more Miranda-filled adventures that we can all embark on!

Friday, September 5, 2008

And Another Awesome Author Visit: Caroline Hickey

This weeks fabulous author is Caroline Hickey. Caroline is the author of CASSIE WAS HERE (MG) and ISABELLE'S BOYFRIEND (YA), which was just released. While I haven't had the pleasure of reading either of them, I really hope to in the near future.Especially ISABELLE'S BOYFRIEND which has to do with a situation I'm sure we are all to familiar with...liking a guy that's already taken!!

I also want to give a big thank you to Caroline for doing an interview with me, as I know her free time is limited with a newborn in the house!!
To learn more about Caroline you can visit her at her website or the blog her writing group, The Longstockings, run.

Enjoy!!
____________________________________________________
1. What made you go YA, instead of sticking with Middle Grade books?
It wasn't a conscious decision, it just happened to be that the next big idea I had after Cassie Was Here was more appropriate for YA. I love middle grade and YA equally, and I plan to continue writing for both age groups.

2. How did Isabelle’s Boyfriend come about?
The book started with the idea of a girl walking her dog after school, on a day like any other day, when suddenly she meets THE GUY. Then I realized that the guy would be taken, and our main character would be willing to do anything to get him.

3. What was your road to publication like?
Pretty typical, I think. I worked and worked on my manuscript (which became my first book, Cassie Was Here) until I knew it was ready to send out. Then I sent queries to several agents who worked with authors I liked. I found one who was a great fit for me, and we sent out the book and sold it to Roaring Brook Press. They later bought Isabelle's Boyfriend as well.

4. Do you see a lot of yourself in your characters?
Wellllll, sorta. Friends and family tell me they hear my voice in many of my characters, which makes sense of course, and my first two books are set in Baltimore where I grew up. But I'm very careful to make my characters fictional, and to only add in the bits and pieces of myself that will round them out. I don't ever want to write a character that's just like me -- it would be too personal.

5. What’s one of the hardest parts of being a writer? The best?
The hardest part for me is days when my writing isn't going well -- when I'm stuck on a plot point, or figuring out a character -- and I feel like I'm never going to write a good word again. The best days are when I get an email from a reader who says they loved my book.

6. What’s your ideal writing environment?
I love writing in my office (the finished attic room of my house), at a coffee shop, or away on a retreat with my writing group, The Longstockings. I like editing on a train or at my kitchen table.

7. Do you write full time or do you fill your days with things other than pages and pages of words?
I have a one-month old daughter so at the moment I'm pretty busy taking care of her. I hope to be back to writing about 2 or 3 days a week when she's a few months old. But even when I'm not writing, I'm thinking about my current work in progress, or reading books for inspiration.

8. Do you mostly read adult books or young adult, or a healthy mix of both? What are the last three books you read?
I try to read a little of everything, but mostly I read middle grade and young adult. They really are my favorites, so why waste precious reading time on boring books for grown ups? The last three books I read were Princess Ben, Sweethearts, and Breaking Dawn.

9. What’s one quirky thing that you care to share?
I'm addicted to post-it pens. I can't revise without them.

10. What can we expect from you in the future?
I'm working on a new book now about a young girl who uncovers a deep, dark family secret. It's only in the first draft stage at the moment, but hopefully I'll get it together enough to send out soon.

11. Are there any questions you wish I had asked?
How about the biggest problem I had writing Isabelle's Boyfriend? I had a terrible time with the ending. I think I wrote three different endings before I finally found the right one. And then I still had to rewrite that about three more times.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow


Marcus is your typical 17 year old techno geek. He can hack into almost anything and has built multiple computers by himself. When him and his friends skip the final hours of school they become part of the biggest terrorist attack the States has ever seen. No, they didn't do anything, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Department of Homeland Security, or the DHS, has apprehended both Marcus and his friends and taken them to a secret prison and continues to interogate and semi-torture them for days on end. When Marcus is finally released he is released alone. Hoping for the best he returns to find his parents in a mad state because they thought he was dead and can't even bring himself to tell them of his experience with the DHS. Then when Marcus realizes that Darryl, his best friend who was injured before the DHS took him, hasn't returned and the city has turned into one big security check point he vows to get even and get everyone's freedom back. This starts a whole chain of events which Marcus becomes the leader of. From creating a spy proof internet hubb to jamming the tracking system. Will Marcus and his followers be able to bring the DHS down and return freedom to the people of San Francisco, or will he be shipped out by the DHS never to be heard from again?

This was definitely an interesting and thought provoking book. I really wanted to love it because it totally tunes in to the reader's inner geek, but it just didn't absorb me like I thought it would. It was easy to walk away from and I didn't find myself eager to sit down and read it. The potential for a great story was definitely there, but at times it was majorly confusing. Especially when Marcus went on to explain all of these technological processes that I couldn't even begin to imagine. During these parts of the book I felt myself skimming through them because I couldn't even begin to wrap my head around what was going on. Other than that though I loved the quirckiness of the characters. I felt like they were all original and I hadn't met them before in some previous book. I think my favorite part of the whole book was the author's ability to make me feel such deep dislike for the DHS. At the end I felt myself getting so worked up and angry about the way the DHS was treating people. There were many times that I felt like throwing the book down and storming off, but then everything would be okay. The ending was definitely the best part of the book and definitely redeemed it in many ways. Overall I liked this book and would recommend it for both guys and girls, but think that guys would probably get more out of it.

Monday, September 1, 2008

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart


Reynard, or Reynie as he prefers to be called, Muldoon is not your average eleven year old boy. First of all he lives in an orphanage where he is constantly teased by all the other children. Then there’s the fact that he’s a genius. He’s so smart that he needs his own tutor, Ms. Perumal, who is really more of a friend to him. It’s because of Ms. Perumal that Reynie happened to be reading the newspaper that held a one-of-a-kind advertisement. “Are You a Gifted Child Looking for Special Opportunities?” Not only does this advertisement catch Reynie’s eye, but those of many young children. All of these children enroll to take several tests consisting of many brain teasers. Out of all the children though, only four succeed, with Reynie being one of the four. The children are all immediately drawn to each other. Not just because of they’re exceptional mental abilities, but also because they are all alone. Reynie, Kate and Constance are all orphans and Sticky has run away from a miserable home life. When they all finish with their tests they are all lead to a mysterious old house where they are introduced to Mr. Benedict. Mr. Benedict is an intriguing and incredibly smart man who has a secret mission for the children that only they can complete. To fulfill their mission the children must go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Curtain, is up to no good and it is up to the children to figure out what he is up to and hopefully stop him. It will be no easy feat though as the children will have to wrap their minds around puzzle after puzzle and face challenges that not even their wildest dreams could have ever created. With no choice but to turn to each other, the children embark on a journey that will forever change their lives.

I have heard nothing but good things about this book. Needless to say I had high expectations for it. Overall I really enjoyed the book, except I found that at times it was a bit lacking. First I want to say that the author’s writing style was marvelous. It definitely had the magic feeling that Roald Dahl put into his books that made them so wonderful. There was that extra umph to the book that made it quite enjoyable. Returning again to my reference of Roald Dahl, I felt like the adventure these kids went on was much like the adventure Charlie from, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, went on without the candy! While the book is directed at a more middle grade audience I still found myself enjoying the adventure and solving the riddles along with the children. Now while I felt the characters had personality (especially Kate, who was by far my favorite) I found them to be a little flat. I loved how they were all smart and each contributed in their own way, but it seemed that the author didn’t go that final step to actually breathe life into the characters and make them three dimensional. I also found that in some cases the children acted more like adults which really didn’t suit the book. Moving on to dialogue…it wasn’t all that great. I felt that a lot of it was forced and it just wasn’t coherent. Again the kids tended have an adult attitude which didn’t match the situations they were in. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and think it would be a great book for reluctant readers and middle grade aged kids.

Friday, August 29, 2008

And Another Awesome Author Visit: Kimberly Pauley

This weeks fabulous author is Kimberly Pauley. She is a debut novelist, who's novel Sucks to be Me came out on Tuesday. It is a hillarious book, focused on a girl named Mina's decision on whether or not to become a vampire. To read my review, click here.

Not only is she an author, but she is also the founder of the YABC website, which is totally awesome. She is also a new mother...while kind of new. Her cute as a button son is somewhere around the age of six months and he looks to be the cutest thing ever!!

Also right now she is hosting an amazing book launch party at her blog. Head on over to read some great interviews with other authors and win some really neat prizes.

I hope you enjoy the interview!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. What made you want to tackle a vampire book? What made you take a comical spin on the subject, instead of one filled with romance?

I can’t say that I actually “wanted” to write a vampire book, honestly. ☺ It just worked out that I had an idea and once I started writing bits of it down, Mina took over. She’s got a really strong voice in my head.

There’s definitely some romance in the book, but you’re right, it is primarily a comedic novel. That was one of my goals – I wanted to do something funny since most vampire novels take themselves so seriously. And I wanted a book that even non-vampire lovers would like to read.

2. What sparked the creation of your book?
I was awake one night way past my bedtime and started thinking about vampire books and how they all took themselves so seriously. I was thinking it would be a lot of fun to turn the normal plot on its head (this was back in early 2005, when I wrote the book). The first sentence came to me immediately and things just kind of flowed from there. It was the first time I’d ever tried writing in first person, present tense too.

3. What made you choose a young adult audience?
As a YA book reviewer, most of what I read is for teens and tweens. It’s some of my favorite stuff to read – I hardly ever read an “adult” book anymore. So it was kind of natural for me to go in that direction. I also studied adolescent literature a lot in college.

4. Do you see a lot of yourself in Mina or in any of the other characters?
Definitely the snarkiness and humor. Not that I’m all that snarky in person…at least, not out loud.

5. What’s one of the hardest parts of being a writer? The best?

Writing.

I’m only kind of kidding there. Writing is, in itself, both the hardest and best thing about being a writer. I think most writers are people that can’t *not* write. There’s all this stuff going on in our heads and we’ve got to get it out. But, sometimes it is hard to sit yourself down (BIC or “butt in chair”) and do the work…because it *is* work. No matter how fun it can be, writing is work and you should treat it like any job. I know it was hard for my husband to understand what the heck I was doing at first since part of writing looks like sitting down and staring off into space…so sometimes it often seems like I’m *not* doing anything (well, okay, sometimes I’m actually not really doing anything).

Hmmm…this is kind of a convoluted answer, huh? Let’s just say that the hardest thing is discipline and the best thing is…well, everything else!

6. What’s your ideal writing environment?

I actually have two, depending on my mood: a coffee shop that’s not too loud, with comfortable chairs and ice cream-y coffee drinks OR my front porch on a nice Spring or Fall day with a light breeze and a cold glass of lemonade.

7. If your book was to become a movie, whom would you cast as the characters?

Okay, I promise that I’m not trying at all to copy Twilight here, but Kristen Stewart I could actually see playing Mina. However, I’m thinking of her how she was in the movie Zathura. And, well, I’m also (sadly) not that up on the current crop of teen actresses…so it is kind of hard for me to pick any. Hmmm, I need to go research this some. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know! I’ll probably have to Google them. ☺

Wait…I just Googled “teen actors” and came across a website with a bunch of pictures. Hmmm, maybe Adam Brody for George and Alex Pettyfer or Cory Sevier for Nathan? And maybe Anna Popplewell for Serena? Somebody like Ben Barnes or Ben Jelen for Aubrey…hahaha, can you tell I just made it through the A-C section? And did you know there’s actually some kid actor out there named Boo Boo? I just saw another Mina possibility too – Dani Thorne.

8. Why did you create Young Adult (& Kids) Book Central?

My big overreaching goal with YABC has always been to promote reading and literacy and my secondary goal was to provide a place for authors and publishers (no matter how big or small) to have a forum to get information about their works in front of readers. I’ve given away thousands of books over the years. It’s a real labor of love…the site finally started breaking even in the last year or two (and I’ve been doing it now for 10 years! Wow!).

9. Do you mostly read adult books or young adult, or a healthy mix of both? What are the last three books you read?

Mostly YA, but I’ll throw in an adult book every now and then. I mostly do the YA because I’ve barely got time to read all the review books I get to begin with. Not that I’m complaining! It’s just that I receive hundreds of books a year. I can’t possibly get through them all, especially when writing and taking care of our new baby.

And the last three I read…hmmmm…I haven’t done a lot of reading lately because of the baby. So the last three were…um…Poison by Chris Wooding, Beastly by Alex Flinn, and In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. All of which were great, in completely different ways.

10. What’s one quirky thing that you care to share?

I make my own soap. It’s kind of fun. The real stuff too – like the frontier people used to do with lye and everything…except I use oils and not animal fats. The whole thought of a lard-based soap is just kind of gross. But almond oil and coconut oil? Yummy.

11. What can we expect from you in the future? Are you going to continue Mina’s story?
I’m working on a sequel now called “It Still Sucks to Be Me” which the publisher will hopefully pick up (depending on how well the first book does). And I’ve got a number of other projects that I’ll be finishing up once that is done, so be on the lookout!

12. Are there any questions you wish I had asked?

Nobody ever asks me about my silly orange hat that I have on in the picture on my website. ☺ I love that hat! We briefly lived in Louisville and it was my Kentucky Derby hat. It’s a shame that people don’t get to wear hats more often.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Buggy Crenshaw and the Bungler’s Paradox by R. M. Wilburn

Good and evil always have and forever will battle against each other. Warriors fight constantly on the behalf of the Greater Good, but why don’t we see anything that goes on? Well because all battles occur in hollows, and currently there is quite the battle occurring in Lloyd’s Hollow, a place where magic runs rampant and dreams are just for the imagination.

Days before her twelfth birthday imaginative Buggy Crenshaw’s life changes forever when her father blows up his garage while experimenting with his latest invention. Having upset the fire department and many neighbors, the Crenshaw family decides that it would be best to move, and they just so happen to find a home in the quaint little village of Lloyd’s Hollow. Yes, the same place where that epic battle is wagging on between good and evil. When Buggy arrives she thinks all of the weird things that are occurring, such as the dragonfly in her light shade coming alive and the really weird looking principal are just her over active imagination. But when she learns that all these things are real, from her new friends, Sid and Veronica, Buggy begins to wonder why her family had to move here.

As the days continue though Buggy learns that it wasn’t chance that her family ended up in Lloyd’s Hollow. She was meant to be there and she is destined to embark on a dangerous journey to set evil in its rightful place. Along with Sid and Veronica, Buggy learns much about her newfound magical abilities and sets off on an adventure so crazy that not even her wildest dreams could have created.

Talk about wildest dreams! This book was great. It didn’t take me any time to get sucked into the adventure and I was incredibly impressed with the imagination and creativity that went into writing this book.

I really enjoyed how Buggy really seemed to take on the role of author as the story progressed. She really paid attention to the little details that make a story interesting and didn’t spend much time talking about herself. I loved how she took a leadership role and didn’t complain about the obstacles that were presented to her. She also made the book very comical when she described different events. I also loved Buggy’s dad, who was probably one of the quirkiest characters I have ever met. He was fun and I could totally relate to the fact that he thought he was the next great inventor. I mean who hasn’t thought that their idea could revolutionize life as we know it? He definitely made the book memorable, but Buggy was definitely my favorite character.

The actual plot of the story was magical. I loved how the author took a classic thing (the battle between good and evil) and added a magical twist to it that made it one unforgettable adventure. I felt like this book had the same kind of adventure feel as the Rick Riordan books have, which made the book even more enjoyable.

I really don’t think there was anything that the author could have improved on in this creative and imaginable novel. I am definitely looking forward to further books, especially the sequel, Buggy Crenshaw and the Deadwood Principle: Evolution, which is currently available.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Sleepless by Terri Clark


Trinity Michaels isn’t your average eighteen year old. Actually she really hasn’t been normal since she first realized she had the ability to dream walk. While some think this may be a super cool power, Trinity believes it to be a curse and wants nothing to do with it.

Dream walking greatly affects Trinity’s life when she’s unable to save an abducted girl that she has been dreaming about. Although she is able to help the police capture the killer, Rafe Stevens, she is still deeply troubled by the fact that she wasn’t able to help save her. When Rafe is sent to a mental asylum though instead of to prison, because of his plea of insanity, Trinity knows she’s his next victim and not safe. However she knows nothing can harm her in her own home, until the night she has the worst dream of her life.

She now knows that Rafe has escaped and his revenge against her is coming sooner than expected. Now she must run for her life, fleeing not only from this dreaded man, but also from sleep, because Rafe somehow has the power to physically hurt her in her dreams. With help from an unexpected accomplice, Dan Devlin, the son of Rafe’s slime ball lawyer, Trinity tries to stay alive. Will Trinity allow Dan to help her, or will she turn her back on him (and her heart) just because of who his father is?

This book puts a whole new twist on freaky!! It truly captured my attention and had me with the covers up to my nose in fear of going to sleep!! Needless to say I loved the book and all aspects of it.

When I originally saw the book it looked a lot like one of those light summer beach reads. Well it’s not! It’s a full blown novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat and up until all hours of the night, just so you can find out what happens next. Terri Clark was really able to create a dark novel that kept you thinking “what if” and made you look at nightmares in a whole different perspective. She even mixed in some great romance, which made the book even better.

Trinity’s character was also very interesting. While she was your normal teen, with an issue here and there, it felt like she had the grief of an old woman. Everyday she dealt with the fact that she could have potentially saved that girl, but she didn’t and she truly despised herself for that fact, but then she really learns to accept that she did more than was ever expected. I really enjoyed seeing her accept the fact that there was nothing more she could have done and I think this really made her grow as a person. Also the author made Trinity’s fear drip off the pages and into the reader, making them feel just as afraid as Trinity, which was awesome!!

Overall the book was stellar. The author made the reader connect with the characters and the whole idea behind the story was extremely original and very compelling. I recommend this book for all fans of Lisa McMann’s Wake, and readers looking for a great book. I truly hope that a sequel is in the works as I am anxious to see what other adventures are in store for Trinity.

Here's the book trailer for the book, which is great!!

LinkWithin

Blog Widget by LinkWithin