Review: 13 Little Blue Envelopes

 

Title:13 Little Blue Envelopes (Little Blue Envelope, #1)

Author: Maureen Johnson

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date:  August 23rd, 2005

Format: Paperback (Bought) 

When Ginny receives thirteen little blue envelopes and instructions to buy a plane ticket to London, she knows something exciting is going to happen. What Ginny doesn't know is that she will have the adventure of her life and it will change her in more ways than one. Life and love are waiting for her across the Atlantic, and the thirteen little blue envelopes are the key to finding them in this funny, romantic, heartbreaking novel.

Note: There are spoilers in this review!

13 Little Blue Envelopes had always stuck me as that cheesy book that could be made into a chick flick movie at any minute. I never picked it up to actually read it because of that. However, I finally read the back of the book and it actually sounded interesting. After finishing it, I still can say it seems like a cheesy chick flick type book, but that it was pretty enjoyable.

Ultimately, this book is a good summer read. Nothing too serious, not too boring, and not too much unneeded fluff. 13 Little Blue Envelopes was a great combination of everything. However, it just never seemed to reach that climax of the story until the very end. When Ginny is robbed of everything and she's left wondering what to do did it finally reach that climax. Sure, she has a bunch of mysterious letters but as the reader, you already know that it's going to tell her to go travel somewhere. Nothing exciting. The ending, though, it was where all the meat is.

Maureen Johnson's writing style is simple and enjoyable. I found no flaws and it flowed so nicely. It really helped me focus on just the story and that's really nice to encounter every now and then. As a whole, the book was interesting, but not great. However, it did make me want to read the sequel! So thumbs up to that, 13 Little Blue Envelopes!

I gave it FOUR out of FIVE sporks!

YA Interrobang

On August 18th, a new website debuted by the name of YA Interrobang. YA Interrobang is a hub for news pertaining authors, tours, events, releases, contests and more within the young-adult book realm.

Nicole Brinkley,
 Founder  ofYA Interrobang

Why am I talking about this? Well, for one, it's founded by a super amazing and good friend of mine, Nicole Brinkley. You may know her as the founder of the former WORD for Teens. WORD closed down on August 1st but Nicole marched loudly and proudly back into the spotlight as Editor in Chief of the unique YA Interrobang.

I love the website. I think it's a fantastic idea. So much happens in the publishing world, and it happens fast. With weekly newsletters put out every Sunday, YA Interrobang highlights recent and upcoming things of note. 

Also, the website design is super pretty. I like shiny and pretty things. 

I am incredibly happy for Nicole, because she is going so many places. I wanted to promo YA Interrobang not only because it's an amazing project, but because it's founded by someone equally as amazing. So ya'll should visit it and check in on it every Sunday.

Oh, and your's truly is part-time writer over there. I don't write tons, but it's fun to do things with your friends, as you all may know. 

To keep updated with what's happening in the YA world, be sure to visit Nicole's website weekly!

Love & Sporks,

A Revamped Harry Potter?

As of late, I've been noticing dates on a lot of things. For instance, the years that certain movies came out, or the years of certain video games. Yet, there is one thing I hadn't looked at in awhile and that is the Harry Potter series. Apparently we have lived long enough to see the day that the Harry Potter books need a complete re-design.

Now that may stop you in your tracks like it did me, but never fear! The covers really are nice! Though for us 80s and 90s kids, I'm sure we'll still keep our original sets.

But lets take a look at this new design. Scholastic recently announced - on the birthday Harry Potter and J.K Rowling - the cover redesign and told us that the hard covered books will remain the same. 

But how 'bout those covers?

Scholastic also released the photos for each spine. When the books are together, the image on each spine lines up to reveal the Hogwarts castle.

As of yet we have not been shown the back covers, but it's supposed to be a grand deal! What do you guys think of the new artwork? Do you like it better or do you not care? Leave your opinions in the comments! 

Love & Sporks,

To Be Read List

 

My TBR list is still long and never getting smaller. However, I do have a couple books high up on that list that I hope to read soon. Ya know, the ones with the pretty covers or the amazing characters you're already hooked on? Those ones.

Here's a few of the TBR books at the top of my list. Maybe they'll make their way to the top of yours next.

Title: Between Shades of Gray
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Speak
About: "It's 1941 and fifteen-year-old artist Lina Vilkas is on Stalin's extermination list. Deported to a prison camp in Siberia, Lina fights for her life, fearless, risking everything to save her family. It's a long and harrowing journey and it is only their incredible strength, love, and hope that pull Lina and her family through each day. But will love be enough to keep them alive?"'




Title: The Dragon Reborn (Wheel of Time, #3)
Author: Robert Jordan
Publisher: Tor Fantasy
About: "The Dragon Reborn—the leader long prophesied who will save the world, but in the saving destroy it; the savior who will run mad and kill all those dearest to him—is on the run from his destiny.

Able to touch the One Power, but unable to control it, and with no one to teach him how—for no man has done it in three thousand years—Rand al'Thor knows only that he must face the Dark One. But how?

Winter has stopped the war—almost—yet men are dying, calling out for the Dragon. But where is he?

Perrin Aybara is in pursuit with Moiraine Sedai, her Warder Lan, and Loial the Ogier. Bedeviled by dreams, Perrin is grappling with another deadly problem—how is he to escape the loss of his own humanity?

Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve are approaching Tar Valon, where Mat will be healed—if he lives until they arrive. But who will tell the Amyrlin their news—that the Black Ajah, long thought only a hideous rumor, is all too real? They cannot know that in Tar Valon far worse awaits...

Ahead, for all of them, in the Heart of the Stone, lies the next great test of the Dragon reborn...."

Title: And the Mountains Echoed*

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Publisher: Riverhead

About: "In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. 

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page."

Title: Before I Wake (Soul Screamers, #6)

Author: Rachel Vincent

Publisher: HarlequinTEEN

About: "I died on a Thursday—killed by a monster intent on stealing my soul.The good news? He didn't get it.

The bad news? Turns out not even death will get you out of high school…

Covering up her own murder was one thing, but faking life is much harder than Kaylee Cavanaugh expected. After weeks spent "recovering," she's back in school, fighting to stay visible to the human world, struggling to fit in with her friends and planning time alone with her new reaper boyfriend.

But to earn her keep in the human world, Kaylee must reclaim stolen souls, and when her first assignment brings her face-to-face with an old foe, she knows the game has changed. Her immortal status won't keep her safe. And this time Kaylee isn't just gambling with her own life…."

Love & Sporks,

*Indicates a non-YA book.

Life + New

 

Anyone who has checked in on this blog has no doubt seen that the last post was quite some time ago. While long absences are horrid and inexcusable, it happened.

I left for college in fall of last year and it was much busier than I reckoned. Though summers are usually calm, mine has been a little different. Now that I have some time on my hands I will be using it to slowly update things.

For TWotSM, that means updates! Though I will not be able to have daily updates or anything of the sort, I hope to publish every now and then. I'll have reviews and discussion posts mostly. Giveaways may crop up now and then too since moving all the time tends to lend itself to lightening one's load.

If ya'll have any questions or comments or even new ideas(!), comment or send me an email! I love to hear from you guys.

Love & Sporks,

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Requiem

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Requiem (Delirium, #3)

by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 5th, 2023

Publisher: HarperTeen

From Goodreads;

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight. Of Pandemonium, ALA Booklist noted that “like all successful second volumes, this expands the world and ups the stakes, setting us up for the big finale.”

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

Comments;

The first two books in this series, Delirium and Pandemonium, were absolutely amazing. So, needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this last book in the series. Not only do I have so many burning questions that need to be answered, but the description sounds really good! I'm dying to know whats going to happen to Lena's love life and if Hana's procedure really worked. Cover wise, I'm not in love with it, but it's not bad.

Any thoughts?

Review: Delirium

 

Title: Delirium (Delirium #1)

Author: Lauren Oliver

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: February 1st, 2011

Format: Paperback (Bought) 

THEY SAY that the cure for Love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now.

Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected
with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.

Lauren Oliver is an amazingly poignant writer and I absolutely love her stories. Delirium is definitely not an exception of her her talent. So far, this book has been my favourite of hers.

Now that being said, here's a look at the book and what I liked. Delirium revolves around the life of Lena Haloway (Tiddle). The period is a dystopian type future, set in America. In this future, love (amor deliria nervosa) is a disease and America has found a cure. Every person 18 and older gets this cure and goes on a to live a happy, care-free life because they no longer can love anything. But because love is considered dangerous and horrible, this cure is great thing to the people.

Basically, they're lobotomized. Cool? Not so much. I'd much rather be sick with the disease, thank you very much.

However, Lena can't wait to be cured so she can prove everyone that she won't wend up like her dead mother...until she falls in love. I was hoping that this falling in love stuff wouldn't be cheesy, and it turns out that it wasn't. The whole thing was very tasteful and actually beautiful. The underlying plot to this story (actually, the trilogy) is also super interesting. I can't say what that is without spoiling it, but lets just say that love always wins. Winkwink.

Alex, the one who contaminated her with amor deliria nervosa? Totally awesome character. He felt like a real guy, not a fantasized one. Lena was also a great character. Though I didn't sympathize all that much, I agreed with her feelings and her actions for the most part. (Not so much the whole, 'All praise the cure!' thing.) She was also an enjoyable protagonist. I wasn't annoyed by her mistakes or angry for things she did do (go out on a raid night) or didn't do (not leave Portland earlier, or not burn down Aunt Carol's house).

The ending is a killer. My heart was pounding through out the whole thing. I refuse, absolutely refuse, to believe that what Lena thinks what happened to Alex actually happened. She never says for sure! There /could/ be a chance! I highly doubt it...but there could! My heart will break if its true...but I again, I can't give away what happens. You'll just have to read the book.

As a whole, the book was great! There's meat to the story and the characters, and it's all super interesting. I can't wait to get my hands on the next books!

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks!

Updates and Stuff!

 

Hey guys! So, it's been a long time and I thought this blog deserved an update. 

A special update.

So, I made a vlog for ya'll! Woo! And I thought it was appropos to do on my 18th birthday! So since it's a special day today, here's the special update.

 

 Thanks for watching and again, I'm super sorry 'bout the lack of activity. But please comment with anything you want to share! Thanks!

Linked:

Review: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Review: To The Blight

 

Title:To the Blight (Part 2 of The Eye of the World) (Wheel of Time Series)

Author: Robert Jordan

Publisher: Starscape

Release Date:  January 7th 2002 (Originally published 1993)

Pursued by Trollocs and Myrddraal, Rand and his friends find refuge in the deserted city of Shadar Logoth. But their wandering—and the many dangers they face—are far from over. For from the lips of a dying Aiel girl they learn that the Dark One means to blind the Eye of the World. Having barely escaped capture and death, Rand finds himself face to face with Aginor: a wielder of the One Power and an ally of the Dark One.

In the battle that follows, Rand will discover his true identity...and destiny.

 
The sequel of From the Two Rivers and part 2 of The Eye of the World, The Blight made for a spectacular beginning for the series. When I started this book, I didn't realize how attached I had become to the characters until one died and other came into greater danger.

The whole beginning of this series is about three young boys from a tiny farming land, The Two Rivers, that is extremely secluded from the rest of the world. These three boys are supposed to change the world - either one of them or all of them - for the better or worse. In this book, Ran al'Thor is finally born into the world of the Aes Sedai and the conflict of Light versus Shadow. At the end of this book, I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat and making so many faces that my friends thought I was actually entertaining. The ending was nothing like I expected and all that I wanted. I'm still reeling from this book and I love it SO much. I can't say too much without giving away wonderful details of the story but I can say that everyone should read it.

The story line of the book is so very interesting, even if it was a bit slow in the first book. The pace definitely quickens in this book and story takes you on a thrill ride. I also really loved all the different settings used in the story as it followed the paths of each boy (and girl). The towns, the people, the countryside -- all very imaginative.

Also, don't be swayed from it because it's an older series; that doesn't make it worse. In fact, if you're a fan of the Lord of the Rings, you'll LOVE this series. I am a LOTR fan and this book really satisfies my love for literature like it.

All in all, I'm just dying to get my hands on the next book!

I gave it FIVE of FIVE Sporks!

 

Follow Friday (15)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! Woo! Anyway... This week's feature is The Housework Can Wait (@ Alison Can Read) and  
Ali's Bookshelf Reviews (@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q: What is one thing you wish you could tell your favorite author?

I have so many favourite authors, I couldn't even begin to choose which one to talk to exclusively. Which also brings me to another point; I don't have much to tell besides how big of a fan I am and how they've inspired me. Instead I'd like to talk with them. Learn from them; how they organize their story, what are the hard and easy parts, how did they start? Things like that. It would just vary from author to author, like J.K. Rowling and Rachel Vincent would both warrant different conversations. (Though they'd both be awesome!)

What about you?

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Defiance

 

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

  

Defiance

by C.J. Redwine

Release Date: August 28th 2012

Publisher:Balzer + Bray

From Goodreads;

Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city’s brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses, host dinner parties, and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father’s apprentice, Logan—the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same boy who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father’s survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city’s top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor’s impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can’t be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

Comments;

I love period books with things in them that don't exist/never happened. Sorta like historical fiction, but not. There's a word for it, but I don't remember it. But it's this book. These type of books always catch my interest and this one definately has. I can see a really nicely built world in the book and I would love to lose myself in it. Also, the cover is pretty. Like, I want a poster of it-pretty. (I love pretty covers.)
Thoughts?

Cover Reveal: The Iron Fey Books

 

Yesterday, Julie Kagawa released the cover images on her blog of two new books! Now, if you've read the Iron Fey series and are a fan, you will love this! If you haven't read them yet, I would suggest you catch up. Her new book, The Iron Legends is a compilation of three novellas; "Winter's Passage", "Summer's Crossing", and a new novella. The already released novellas were only on e-book format, but now us old-fashioned readers can enjoy them too!  (Starting in August, of course.) Cover wise, I'm not a fan of it. First thing that bothers me? Puck. Where's his famous flaming hair!? That's like his trademark! (I also don't imagine him that way and don't find the model for him attractive in the slightest.) As for Ash, he's alright, but what the heck is he looking at? As for Meghan, she's okay. I imagined her more elvish looking, like how Kagawa describes her when she's in the Fey's realm. Oh well. Back to the more important things; content. What else might this book contain? Oh, I don't know. Perhaps the first chapter of her soon-to-be-released book, The Lost Prince?!

So, Meghan and Ash and (lovely) Puck have had their run. Now, even though it's in the same world, it's time for an overlooked character to shine. Ethan Chase, Meghan's little brother, is stepping out of his big sis's shadow and becoming...well, just look at that cover. Isn't is beautiful!? Who thought that little boy would grow into that!?  While the graphics are a little distracting and not the best, I like this cover. I'm more likely to pick this book up than the other. (Though parents might be apt to choose Legends because of the more skin that is covered.) I'm still going to buy both though, because Julie Kagawa is just simply amazing. What do you think? Are the covers worthy enough of Kagawa's awesome? Do you agree with who they chose for the famous trio?

Follow Friday (14)

 

It's Follow Friday time again! Woo! Anyway... This week's feature is Little Read Riding Hood (@ Alison Can Read) and 
Book that Thing!(@ Parajunkee)! Go check' em out. :D

Now for the question...

Q: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then "broke up" with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

   Oh yes. Oooooh yes. Immediately,  a book came to mind and the certain character from it. Now, please don't hate me or tell me how horrible I am... (I mean, you can, but that would hurt my feelers.)

   For me, it was Katniss Everdeen from the ever-popular series, The Hunger Games. When I started reading the series, I loved Katniss. She was kick-a**, but not rude. She was tough, but not insensitive. She could handle herself, take care of her family, and still not break under pressure. I loved her. In Catching Fire, I loved her even more. I can't say I understand why she does get so gushy sometimes, given who she was set up to be, but oh well.
   However, when I started Mockingjay, I immediately thought, "Wait. Where's my Katniss?" In that third book, Katniss wasn't so up to being kick-a**, tough, and taking care of others. In fact, she broke under pressure and she was super sensitive. She didn't want to get back out there and DO SOMETHING. Instead, she let herself be the emblem of the rebellion. She could have been both and have done wonderfully. We all know it was in her, she just gave up. The whole mental problem from her injury may have factored into it, but I don't think that was the root of this. I think she changed because Suzanne Collins wanted her to, or she changed because there was this huge flaw in her character that Collins didn't show us earlier. And that, IMHO, is chicken poo. Sorry, but I'm pretty touchy about this subject. I just loved Katniss so much, and then Mockingjay happened.
(Also, Gale fits into this disappointment too. I loved Gale but then I was like, "Who are you!?". However, he didn't bother me as much as Katniss.)

Anybody feel the same or have some way explaining to me about what happened to Katniss (with a legit reason)?
 Because I would love to know.

Teaser Tuesday

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

It's Tuesday again! Here's my teaser: (I usually don't do just two sentences. Whatever it takes to finish the blurb.)

""Well," Loial said, "perhaps you humans do have short lives, but you do so much with them, always jumping around, always so hasty. And you have the whole world to do it in. We Ogier are bound to our stedding. " "You're Outside." "For a time, Rand. But I must go back, eventually. This world is yours, yours and your kind's. The stedding are mine. There's too much hurly-burly Outside. And so much is changed from what I read about."" 
- page 204 of " To the Blight: The Eye of the World Part 2 " by Robert Jordan

Review: From the Two Rivers

 

Title:From the Two Rivers (#1 The Wheel of Time series)

Author: Robert Jordan

Publisher: Starscape

Release Date:  January 7th 2002 (First published in 1990)

For Rand al’Thor and his pals, life in the sleepy village of Emond’s Field has been pretty dull. Until the appearance on festival night of Moiraine, a mysterious woman who claims to be an Aes Sdeai—a magician who can wield the One Power. Soon after, the village is attacked by Trollocs—a savage tribe of half-men half-beasts. Rand’s father is nearly killed. But for Rand, the news gets worse. It was not the village the Trollocs were after, Moiraine tells him. It was you, Rand.

Rand and his friends are forced to flee. But his escape will bring him face to face with the Dark One...the most powerful force of evil in the universe.

The Wheel of Time series is an old series for young adult, but it has had nothing but high acclaims. I have been strongly urged to read this series by one of my best friends and I'm glad she did.

One thing that always daunts me with books like these are the old tiny fonts. They hurt my eyes, especially when there's a lot. And there is A LOT. However, I didn't let that sway me. It took me a long time to finish this book because it just didn't hook me right away. The beginning wasn't up to the speed I like but it wasn't that slow either. It was at that iffy area. But, by the end of the book, I was attached to the characters and immediately wanted to know more.

Something I loved about this book is the style. It is so very similar to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series. Being a big LotR fan, I couldn't help but love this book. The landscape, the descriptions, the characters, the writing style...all very Tolkien-esque.

The only downside of this book is the pace. I don't care for the pace. It's a little too long for my liking, but that's how it is with lots of description. All in all, I loved the book. Not a light read in the slightest but I'd recommend the series. (Albeit daunting with it's 15 books...)