Thursday, January 30, 2014

Series Love: The Iron Fey AND a call for reading suggestions!

The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa
Published by Harlequin Teen
Available Now
The Sisters Say:  Ash, Puck--no more is needed





Okay, so this is one of those series that I had heard was really good, but for some reason I just kept putting it off.  Then, earlier this week, I got the urge to try out The Iron King.  And now, as many a times happens, I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner!!!  I absolutely adore this series--Julie Kagawa has created (or modernized) some of the most amazing characters, introduced us to a Faery world of fantasy and nightmares, and taken us on some quests that shall never be forgotten.

So, instead of doing a review for all the books (especially since most everyone I know or blog with has already read them), I just wanted to do a shout out to an amazing series. If you have not read this one, I highly recommend it! Now, I'm off to read the Spin-Off series, The Call of the Forgotten.  I heard that there will be appearances from some of Julie's great characters, and I can't wait to see them again already!

But first, I just wanted to ask what some of your favorite series are?  I am in the mood to read some series that have been around a while (or atleast the first 2 books are already out), and I need some suggestions!  

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is DARK METROPOLIS by Jaclyn Dolamore.  It will be released July 17, 2014 from Disney Hyperion.

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Cabaret meets Cassandra Clare-a haunting magical thriller set in a riveting 1930s-esque world.

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules.
Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

Perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare, this is a chilling thriller with a touch of magic where the dead don't always seem to stay that way.

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First of all, isn't that cover gorgeous?  And I just love the title of this one.  Very gothic chic. I really love that this one is set in the 1930s glitz and glamour.  Add that to the paranormal aspect, and I have a feeling this is going to be a Must Read!!!

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Book Blast: Seeking Her by Cora Carmack plus a Giveaway


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A few months after being honorably discharged from the military, Jackson Hunt is still struggling to adjust back to the real world. He needs to get a job and find a sense of normalcy if he’s going to keep his own demons at bay. The job that falls into his lap, though, is anything but normal.

Bodyguard (and baby-sitter) to spoiled-rich-girl Kelsey Summers isn’t exactly what he’d been looking for, but it’s a chance to travel, to get away from the home that has felt stifling ever since his return. It would be a pretty sweet gig if it weren’t for the fact that Kelsey’s father doesn’t want Kelsey to know she’s being followed. Hunt feels guilty (and a little bit creepy) as he watches her from afar. She’s vibrant and infuriating, exciting and reckless, mysterious and familiar. When he sees her falling into the same patterns that he suffered years ago, he decides it’s time to stop watching and help her instead. But getting to know her is more difficult than he thought, especially because the more he knows her, the more he wants her.

THE EXCERPT
I was going to have to find some way to cope with this. If not, I was better off calling Mr. Summers and suggesting he find someone else to take over his daughter-watch.

I felt a pang of something at that thought. It was a general kind of discomfort, and I wasn’t sure whether it was the thought of returning home or something else that made that thought so unappealing.

After the cooling walk earlier, and now standing under the cool, calming rush of water, it was easier to think that I could control myself, but I knew better. It always seemed easier in my head than it really was.

I wiped the water from my eyes, and tried to think of some other way to deal. There was always the hope that Kelsey would get bored. That she would mellow out. If she only partied a couple nights a week, I should be able to resist. But that seemed unlikely.

All that restless energy; the way she’d soaked up the attention from the people around her. I couldn’t see her giving that up. And it was working for her. She was still in the phase where partying made her feel good. That was the one thing that helped me stay clean. The few times I’d slipped up since I started the program had left me miserable and angry, and even more frustrated than when I started. I’d found new ways to chase the high. And maybe that wasn’t any healthier, not when one way involved being in the midst of flying bullets.

It wasn’t the same kind of rush, but it did the trick. I pictured Kelsey again, laughing with her head thrown back, her shirt falling off her shoulder and displaying the gentle curve of her neck. It reminded me of the way she’d tossed her head back that first day out in the woods.

The memory of that caused a different kind of rush in me, and I groaned, pressing my forehead into the tile. Before I could help myself, I pictured her long legs straddling that guy in the gardens. The bright green material of her bra, and the way it conformed to her perfect chest. She leaned back, her fingertips trailing from the bark of the tree to his shoulders.

In an instant, the memory shifted into fantasy, and those were my shoulders she clung to, not his.


That was my undoing. There was only so much resisting I could do in one night.

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Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

Visit Cora: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


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Friday, January 24, 2014

Blog Tour and Guest Post: Snakeroot by Andrea Cremer

Today we have the pleasure of hosting rhe Snakeroot Blog Tour!!  Andrea has been amazing and written a guest post.



Snakeroot sets up a new conflict and the two characters pitted against each other should be very familiar to Nightshade fans: Ariadne (Adne) the Weaver and Logan Bane. Adne and Logan struck me as natural opponents who were destined to clash in a way that would have cataclysmic ramifications for everyone around them.



While Adne and Logan are very different people, they have more in common than one might expect. At the opening ofSnakeroot, Adne is the sole living member of her family. The Witches War took her father, mother and the brother she’d barely begun to know. Though she finds comfort in her relationship with Connor, the toll of so many losses has left Adne vulnerable. In the final battle of the war, Adne discovered she possessed powers unlike those of any other Searcher – powers that Bosque Mar recognized. Adne’s dreams are full of strange, disturbing visions that make her question her place among her peers and her own sanity. Her doubts, fears, and desire for knowledge could pull her away from the ones she loves and into the arms of her oldest enemy.



Like Adne, Logan’s family has been destroyed by the war, turning his world upside and sapping the powers he’d always taken for granted. Though Logan colluded with the Searchers in the final battle, thinking it was the only way to save his own skin, he’s decided that losing his status as a Keeper might be more than he can bear. Logan is used to giving orders, but now he’s forced to ask for help as he searches for a way to regain access to the dark magics that made his privileged life possible.



While their aims diverge, Adne and Logan find themselves following similar paths. Each finds that they may be able to use the other to their own advantage. But trickery and manipulation create a dangerous game and neither Adne nor Logan can be certain who will win.



SNAKEROOT Synopsis:



Picking up right where BLOODROSE left off, SNAKEROOT follows two characters readers know well from the original Nightshade trilogy.  Adne, one of the Searchers and Ren's half-sister, is plagued by nightmares featuring the evil Bosque Mar, now trapped in the Nether and looking for a way out.  Adne's power draws him to her, and he wants, more than anything, for her to come to the side of dark magic and free him. Logan Bane, the Keeper who was once set to rule Calla and Ren's Haldis pack, is one of the few of his kind left, after he helped Shay close the rift between our world and the Nether.  But he wants to re-open that rift so he can re-create Guardians and reclaim the Keepers' magic. He raids the Rowan Estate to find what he needs to perform dark, ancient rituals, but Bosque Mar has turned his back on Logan for his treachery, and without his help, Logan is lost.  The two teens are both battling Bosque Mar--one who wants to be left alone, and the other who wants help.



About Andrea Cremer:

Andrea Cremer is the internationally bestselling author of the Nightshade series, which includes the critically acclaimed Nightshade, Wolfsbane, Bloodrose, Rift and Rise. She went to school until there wasn't any more school to go to, ending with a Ph.D. in early modern history--a reflection of her fascination with witchcraft and warfare--and taught for years at Macalester College.  She grew up roaming the forests and lakeshores of northern Wisconsin, but now lives in New York City, where she roams the sidewalks and riverbanks of the concrete jungle she calls home.www.andreacremer.com  @andreacremer

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

A Year Ago: Revel by Maurissa Guibord (A Must Read)



Revel by Maurissa Guibord
Received from Random House Kids
On Shelves Now
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Enthralling, Enigmatic, and Enchanting
There’s an island off the coast of Maine that’s not on any modern map.

Shrouded in mist and protected by a deadly reef, Trespass Island is home to a community of people who guard the island and its secrets from outsiders. Seventeen-year-old Delia grew up in Kansas, but has come here in search of her family and answers to her questions: Why didn’t her mother ever talk about Trespass Island? Why did she fear the open water? But Delia’s not welcome and soon finds herself enmeshed in a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night.

Sean Gunn, a handsome young lobsterman, befriends Delia and seems willing to risk his life to protect her. But it’s Jax, the coldly elusive young man she meets at the water’s edge, who finally makes Delia understand the real dangers of life on the island. Delia is going to have to fight to survive. Because there are monsters here. And no one ever leaves Trespass alive.

I am a huge, HUGE fan of Greek mythology, so anytime I see a book where it is involved, I jump on it.  Some of these books have been amazing, while others—not so much.  I’m happy to say that Revel is one of those books that hooked me.  Maurissa created a haunting island, set apart from the rest of the world by treacherous waters and dangerous creatures, where the memories of ancient gods are whispered on the winds; and if you aren’t careful, and you don’t look where you’re going, you might end up lost at sea.

My favorite types of books are the ones that combine the darkness of a horror story with the passion of a romance.  Revel does just that and more.  I was immediately captivated by the gothic aspects of Trespass Island.  At first glance, it looks like a quaint fishing village, but when you step further in and take a closer look, the mysteries start to pile up.  The islanders are quiet, unwelcoming, and their eyes tell a story of loss and fear, along with something resembling brainwashed happiness.  Add that to the mysterious sea monsters, and you have an island straight out of a fairy tale gone horribly wrong.  I loved how Maurissa created an aura of ancient power in her world, and her amazing descriptions of the sea and the wind and the island added to the mystery of that power.

I really enjoyed Delia’s curiosity.  She doesn’t understand the elements that hide within the island, and as a result, she ends up in dangerous situations.  Even though she senses this danger, she doesn’t let it hold her back.  She is lost at why the islanders are so cold, and once their secret is revealed to her, she refuses to live by their rules.  I love this rebellious side to her, even though, at times, I felt she took it too far, endangering herself and those she cared about.  Still, her strength in standing up to oppression and tradition was admirable, and I enjoyed watching her discover just how much she is connected to the island and its traditions.

There are two love interests in the story, but it’s not a love triangle that is overblown.  Now, I am different than most readers because I like the love triangles.  I like the drama and the tension that it adds to the plot, and more importantly, I like how it develops a character’s psyche as he/she makes a choice.  But, I don’t think the triangle in this book while be looked down upon. 

First, you have Sean, the lobsterman who is hiding a dangerous secret.  You can tell he is a great guy, and he loves the island.  It’s almost as if the island has literally become a part of him because he defends it with such fervor.  He seems quiet and shy, but his feelings for Delia are apparent.  Those of you who love the gentlemanly type guy will love Sean.  Then, you have Jax, the mysterious bad boy who is hiding secrets even more dangerous than Sean’s.  Of course, I’m a Jax fan because he’s the troubled one that rebels against the rules.  He tries so hard to stay away from Delia, but his feelings are written all over his face.  He’s strong and confident, despite his feelings; and on more than one occasion he teases Delia about how her eyes travel over his body.  I loved that carefree, teasing part of him.  It made him a little less dangerous seeming, and it showed that he isn’t the cold, ruthless bad boy that the island portrays him to be.

I read this book in one day---it was that good.  The action was fast-paced, and I was always discovering something new.  The blend of mythology with elements of horror and romance was seamless, and Maurissa’s world enveloped me, sending me straight into the depths of the ocean to witness first hand the world she created.  I highly recommend this to mythology and paranormal fans!

The book works as a stand alone, but it is also left where a sequel can be written if Maurissa chooses to.  I, for one, am rooting for a sequel because I just can’t get enough of this enchanting world!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Avalon by Mindee Arnett


Avalon by Mindee Arnett
eARC received from Harper Teen
Release Date:  January 21, 2014
Reviewed by:  Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Great setting, but disappointing plot and characters
A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

I started out excited to read this one because the reviews had been great.  Plus, I loved MIndee's debut, The Nightmare Affair.  Unfortunately, I just didn’t see what everyone else saw in this book.  While I enjoyed the space setting and the macabre events that started the book, the characters and slow plot ruined it for me.

I’ll start out with what I enjoyed—the setting.  Mindee did an amazing job describing the creepy hollowness of space.  When they enter the dead zone (the part of space that seems creepily supernatural—she calls it something else, but I can’t remember what at this point), the eeriness really starts to go into overdrive.  I loved the murderous and mysterious scenes that we see in the lost spaceship, and the strange anomalies that keep occurring were fantastic.  If you are a big sci-fi fan, you might enjoy this book just because of the great details in the setting.

Still, even though I loved that part of it, I couldn’t get past the flat characters.  I tried and tried to relate to one of them, but I just couldn’t.  The dialogue seemed very young (middle grade, really), and the little romance that I did see (I stopped at 67%) was dull and really seemed to detract from the rest of the story.

I also couldn’t make it past the slow plot.  I’ve heard that it picks up in the second half, but after a month of trying to read some every day, I got to the point where I just didn’t think anything could bring me back into the story.

Overall, this wasn’t a book for me, although it might be one that big fans of sci-fi love.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised since the blurb says it's for fans of Firefly, which I hated.  If you plan to read it, I hope you are able to enjoy it more than I did.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Inhuman by Kat Falls


Inhuman by Kat Falls
Published by Scholastic
Available Now
Reviewed by Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say:  Exhilarating, Imaginative and Hot
In a world ravaged by mutation, a teenage girl must travel into the forbidden Savage Zone to recover lost artifacts or her father’s life is forfeit.

America has been ravaged by a war that has left the eastern half of the country riddled with mutation. Many of the people there exhibit varying degrees of animal traits. Even the plantlife has gone feral.

Crossing from west to east is supposed to be forbidden, but sometimes it’s necessary. Some enter the Savage Zone to provide humanitarian relief. Sixteen-year-old Lane’s father goes there to retrieve lost artifacts—he is a Fetch. It’s a dangerous life, but rewarding—until he’s caught.

Desperate to save her father, Lane agrees to complete his latest job. That means leaving behind her life of comfort and risking life and limb—and her very DNA—in the Savage Zone. But she’s not alone. In order to complete her objective, Lane strikes a deal with handsome, roguish Rafe. In exchange for his help as a guide, Lane is supposed to sneak him back west. But though Rafe doesn’t exhibit any signs of “manimal” mutation, he’s hardly civilized . . . and he may not be trustworthy

I have been in a YA reading slump for the last two months, and I was almost ready to throw in the towel.  I thought maybe it was me just not being in the mindset for YA, but then I picked up Inhuman by Kat Falls.  I hadn’t heard much about it, and the reviews were sketchy; but the synopsis sounded promising.  So, I sat down and started reading….4 hours later and I had finished the book.  I COULD NOT put it down!!!  So, thank you Kat Falls for writing such an amazing YA dystopian AND for bringing me out of my slump!

I was hooked from the first page!  I just loved this world that Kat created—a seemingly perfect world on one side of the wall.  But on the other?  Savages, mutants, mystery, and two devastatingly gorgeous guys that will knock you off your feet.  Kat did such an amazing job setting up this sense of mystery about the other side of the wall, the Feral Zone.  After the gruesome rumors that Lane (our main character) hears, you just can’t help but want her to find her way over the wall and explore the dangerous labyrinth that was once the United States. 

Kat wastes no time bringing our heroine over the wall, and from there, the action abounds.  Every chapter was fast paced, and I never got bored.  I loved to see Kat adjust to live in the Feral Zone, and her compassion and determination really drove the story.

OH, and the boys.  I love them both—which is something I don’t say very often.  Now, I still have a favorite (I’m Team Rafe all the way), but I really enjoyed getting to know each of the guys vying for Lane’s heart.  First, there’s Everson, the soldier she meets just across the wall.  He’s walled off (no pun intended, but hey), and he seems sincere when it comes to his desire to make the world a better place.  While I figured out very quickly who he really was, I still found myself loving his friendliness and attention to Lane.  Then, there’s Rafe, the roguish tough guy who hunts the ferals that put those outside the wall in danger.  He’s my favorite because I love the broken, dangerous ones; not to mention that his cockiness and smirk put him smack in the alpha male zone.  (LOVE!)  We get to see the façade that both of them put on, but there comes a time when we get to see those facades break down; and when they do, gosh, you will just love them more.

The story has an Island of Dr. Moreau feel to it with a mutating virus creating human and animal hybrids.  I loved how imaginative Kat was with her “manimal” creations, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book after that explosive ending.

Overall, this was a brilliant read, and I am dying to find out what happens next!  I highly recommend this to those of you who love new and disturbing worlds coupled with a love triangle that will take your breath away.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Unhinged by AG Howard


Unhinged by AG Howard

Published by Amulet Books

On Shelves Now

Reviewed by Middle Sis Jenn

The Sisters Say:  Delightfully Wicked, Enigmatic, and Sexy
Alyssa Gardner has been down the rabbit hole and faced the bandersnatch. She saved the life of Jeb, the guy she loves, and escaped the machinations of the disturbingly seductive Morpheus and the vindictive Queen Red. Now all she has to do is graduate high school and make it through prom so she can attend the prestigious art school in London she's always dreamed of.

That would be easier without her mother, freshly released from an asylum, acting overly protective and suspicious. And it would be much simpler if the mysterious Morpheus didn’t show up for school one day to tempt her with another dangerous quest in the dark, challenging Wonderland—where she (partly) belongs.

As prom and graduation creep closer, Alyssa juggles Morpheus’s unsettling presence in her real world with trying to tell Jeb the truth about a past he’s forgotten. Glimpses of Wonderland start to bleed through her art and into her world in very disturbing ways, and Morpheus warns that Queen Red won’t be far behind.

If Alyssa stays in the human realm, she could endanger Jeb, her parents, and everyone she loves. But if she steps through the rabbit hole again, she'll face a deadly battle that could cost more than just her head

So, you know that I LOVED AG Howard’s debut novel, Splintered.  It was a magnificent re-imagining of the Alice in Wonderland story.  Seriously, falling down a rabbit hold never sounded so good.  Then came Unhinged.  Oh how glad I am to say that it definitely does not fall into the “sequel slump.”  Unhinged will pull you straight through the looking glass, right back into that mad, mad world of Wonderland.  Only this time, Wonderland is invading our world; and only Alyssa can stop it.

I will say I missed the creepiness of Wonderland, and more than once, I wanted to scream at Alyssa to shun our world and go diving back down the rabbit hole because that is where she belongs.  However, it was great to see how Wonderland could twist the reality of our own world.  The macabre and gruesome were anything but missing—creepy slinking goo piles of oil, a treacherous sister with spider legs, angry flowers bent on burying people alive.  All these wonderfully eerie creatures are hiding in plain sight, just waiting for you to turn the page and let them loose.

I really love Alyssa, even when she is stupid, I still love her.  She is strong and determined, and she is so very much like us.  Alyssa is tired of everyone telling her what she should and should do (who wouldn’t be), who she should and shouldn’t be—and there comes a point where you can really feel her frustration.  She wants to be Netherling at times, human at others—but she’s both, and learning to meld those two identities is her greatest struggle.  While I wanted to scream at her at times because she was missing the obvious, I still really enjoyed watching her embrace her true self (human and netherling, but stronger than both).

Oh the debate of boys.  I am still Team Morpheus all the way.  In fact, I really dislike Jeb.  He just isn’t Wonderland enough for her.  Even when he knew what she was in Splintered, he just didn’t give her what she needed.  He’s too vanilla while Alyssa is goth style rainbow sherbert.  Don’t ask me what that is, but you know what I mean.  I can see that Jeb is heroic and loyal, but he seems to drop her for his career in this book.  Not to mention that she can’t really be herself around him—even if he knew the truth, I think she would always be trying to be more human for him.

Now, I know you could argue that if she ended up with Morpheus, she couldn’t truly be herself either because he wants more of her Netherling side.  But, when you look back at all the memories of their childhood, he does accept her human side.  In fact, it is Morpheus that shows her how to meld them into her true identity.  I just wish she would see him for what he really is—he may hide behind illusion and riddles, but his love for her is clear (albeit selfish at times).  I love Morpheus’s personality—strong and protective, elusive with a big dose of grandeur, and sexy, sexy, sexy. 

AG Howard has brought Wonderland to life once again, and I praise her for making me such an adamant fan of her world.  Her poetic words bring life to the macabre creatures, and her imagination and creativity makes her characters a brilliant mystery.  And then that ending!!!  OH MY GOSH!!!!  I both loved and hated it—such a cliffhanger, but at the same time, I loved seeing Alyssa embrace her destiny.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Shadowplay Blog Tour: Guest Post, A Brief History of Ellada and its Colonies


Today we have the pleasure of hosting the Shadowplay Blog Tour! 


A Brief History of Ellada and its Colonies

By Professor Caed Cedar, Royal Snakewood University


(Author’s note: Professor Caed Cedar was a renowned historian of Ellada and its Colonies. Extracts of his many works appear occasionally in the quotes at the beginning of each chapter of the books)


Ellada was not always the great empire of the Archipelago. It used to be weak, lacking little in natural resources. Then, they discovered vast caches of Vestige in caves and caverns peppered through the land. Vestige, or these remnants of technology or magic from the long-vanished Alder, were thought to be mythical. Ellada used this Vestige to rise and lead the other countries of the Archipelago, who, though they had more natural resources, had far less Vestige.


It was never a bloody battle, yet the power clearly fell in Ellada’s favour. The colonies imported to Ellada at a highly reduced cost, but otherwise, they were more or less left in peace because Ellada did not believe in needlessly challenging the status quo. The colonies would try to break free occasionally, but always Ellada found a way to soothe them, convince them that it was better to be united under the Commonwealth. Immigration was discouraged – on both sides. There were few military bases. Rather, Ellada dangled the power above the other colonies’ heads. We were the glory of the Archipelago, and life for Elladans flourished.


Yet Vestige is not infinitely powerful. Over the decades, the centuries, their power has begun to run out. And though Ellada still has a sizeable amount of Vestige, it dwindles every year. When a glass globe extinguishes, it cannot be rekindled. When a gun runs out of power, it is no more than a hunk of metal. Slowly, but surely, our empire is weakening – the colonies have drawn back from Ellada and claimed independence, and we could not stop them seceding. It would be a bloody battle. Perhaps we are no longer meant to be an empire. But we are not weak; we simply must change, must adapt, or we shall crumble.





The circus lies behind Micah Grey in dust and ashes.


He and the white clown, Drystan, take refuge with the once-great magician, Jasper Maske. When Maske agrees to teach them his trade, his embittered rival challenges them to a duel which could decide all of their fates. People also hunt both Micah and the person he was before the circus—the runaway daughter of a noble family. And Micah discovers there is magic and power in the world, far beyond the card tricks and illusions he's perfecting...


A tale of phantom wings, a clockwork hand, and the delicate unfurling of new love, Shadowplay continues Micah Grey’s extraordinary journey


Sources:







Pantomime page (including ordering links): http://staticsplit.wordpress.com/pantomime/

Shadowplay page (including ordering links): http://staticsplit.wordpress.com/micah-grey-2-shadowplay/

Twitter: @LR_Lam



Friday, January 10, 2014

Cover Reveal: The Cellar by Natasha Preston




“‘Lily?’

My stomach dropped as a tall, dark-haired man stepped into view. Had he been hiding between the trees? ‘No. Sorry.’ Gulping, I took a step back. ‘I’m not Lily.’

Before I could blink, he threw his arms forward and grabbed me. I tried to shout, but he clasped his hand over my mouth, muffling my screams. My heart raced. I’m going to die.”
—The Cellar

From Sourcebooks:
Garnering more than 7 million views on Wattpad and being published for the first time by Sourcebooks, fans of Barry Lyga, Lois Duncan, and Caroline B. Cooney are in for a treat!
Read the ORIGINAL story on Wattpad, and the new novel promises a few new surprises, which fans can look forward to seeing in March!
THE CELLAR is filled with language that not only makes your heart race with suspense, but places you right into the shoes of the victim – and the killer – and makes you question morality and the reasons behind it all.
Nothing ever happens in the town of Long Thorpe – that is, until sixteen-year-old Summer Robinson disappears without a trace.  No family or police investigation can track her down.  Spending months inside the cellar of her kidnapper with several other girls, Summer learns of Colin’s abusive past, and his thoughts of his victims being his family…his perfect, pure flowers.  But flowers can’t survive long cut off from the sun, and time is running out….



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Boys Like You

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. It spotlights books that have not yet been released, but ones that you should pre-order today! This week's book that we are anxiously awaiting is BOYS LIKE YOU by Juliana Stone.  It will be released May 1, 2014 from Sourcebooks. Why are we so excited? Ms. Stone is a talented romance author, and this is her first YA. Bring it!



One mistake.

And everything changes.

For Monroe Blackwell, one small mistake has torn her family apart –leaving her empty and broken. There’s a hole in her heart that nothing can fill. That no one can fill. And a summer in Louisiana with her Grandma isn’t going to change that…

Nathan Everets knows heartache first-hand when a car accident leaves his best friend in a coma. And it’s his fault. He should be the one lying in the hospital. The one who will never play guitar again. He doesn’t deserve forgiveness, and a court-appointed job at the Blackwell B&B isn’t going to change that…


Captivating and hopeful, this achingly poignant novel brings together two lost souls struggling with grief and guilt – looking for acceptance, so they can find forgiveness.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

YA Sisterhood's Most Anticipated Books of 2014

There are so many good books coming out this year, and I cannot wait for so many of them!  But, there are a few that I am DYING to get my hands on!!! So, here we go....(in no particular order)


I just love Tahereh Mafi, and I just don't know what team I'm on!  I love Adam and Warner!


I'm usually not a huge high fantasy fan, but I LOVE this series.  The Grisha world is fantastic, and The Darkling--evil or not, he has my heart.


Oh Kaidan, how I love thee. I needn't say any more!


This is a family favorite--while Amy has already read Empower (I shake my fist at her), I remain ever hopeful that I'll get an early copy!  Because Phoenix and Lincoln--love them both.


 I loved April's debut novel--the setting and characters drew me straight into her mad world.  I can't wait to find out what's next. 


We love Cora, and now she is writing a book after this Texas girl's own heart--a book with a football heartthrob.  Just can't wait.

I have been waiting forever for Stephanie Perkins new book!!! 

This one sounds super creepy--and I love a good macabre story!


Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore--a historical romance that sounds to die for!
And finally....there are a few I'm dying for that have no covers yet (and some no titles!)
Dead of Winter (The Arcana Chronicles #3)--this is absolutely one of my favorite series, and Kresley Cole has become one of my favorite authors!!!
Invisible (The Twixt) by Dawn Metcalf--I loved the first book Indelible, and I can't wait to jump into the world again!

There you have it, my list (thus far) of 2014's I'm dying for.  This list always seems to expand as I find more and more. 
Leave me a link to your list (if you have one), as I would love to comment!
What books are you dying for?  (As I'm sure I left some out!)