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,

"Waiting On" Wednesday: One Moment

"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:

One Moment 

by Kristine McBride

Release Date:  June 26th 2012

Publisher: EgmontUSA

From Goodreads;

This was supposed to be the best summer of Maggie’s life. Now it's the one she'd do anything to forget.

Maggie Reynolds remembers hanging out at the gorge with her closest friends after a blowout party the night before. She remembers climbing the trail hand in hand with her perfect boyfriend, Joey. She remembers that last kiss, soft, lingering, and meant to reassure her. So why can’t she remember what happened in the moment before they were supposed to dive? Why was she left cowering at the top of the cliff, while Joey floated in the water below – dead?

As Maggie’s memories return in snatches, nothing seems to make sense. Why was Joey acting so strangely at the party? Where did he go after taking her home? And if Joey was keeping these secrets, what else was he hiding?

Comments;

I picked this book because I think it's a refreshing change from all the paranormal and fantasy books. It's more of the real life setting with an interesting plot idea. This would be a book that I'd actually buy.

What do you think?

Review: The Iron Daughter

 

Title:The Iron Daughter

Author:Julie Kagawa

Publisher:HarlequinTEEN

Release Date: August 1st 2010

Format: Paperback (Bought)

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

This book...

Oh my gosh...

Its...so...AMAZING.

Usually sequels are not nearly as great as the first book, but this is one exception to that rule. The Iron Daughter was two times better than The Iron King! I love (and hate! Yes, hate!) this book so much that I don't know where to start.

Okay, lets go with what I love. One word: Puck. Puck is back! The amazingly hot jokester is back and I squealed with joy when he appeared. He re-enters the story just in time to save Ash and Meghan's hides and he does it with style. He was also what made me start laughing while I read the book. (My classmates can attest to that. I'd burst out laughing in the middle of class...)

Second thing I love: PLOT. If you've read my reviews in the past, good plots are the number one thing I look for in the story. Puck and his amazingness alone will not even persuade me to like a book if it has a bad plot. That being said, The Iron Daughter's plot is well executed and keeps you on the edge of your seat during the whole ride...er, read. So many twists!

I also love how Julie Kagawa keeps expanding the world in the book and makes it come to life before your very eyes. This is one book you don't want to read before you go to bed, because you'll stay up thinking about it!

Now...what do I hate? The ending. This is no fault of the author's. It's only the fault of my heart..because I hate Meghan now.

[MAJOR SPOILER!]

She freaking left Puck behind! When Ash was banished from the Nevernever, and she tried to go after her, Oberon warned her that she too would be banished forever isf she walked through that trod after Ash. Puck finally broke down and pleaded with her to stay. To stay with /him/! What did she do!? She walked out of Nevernever without so much of a look back at Puck. Cold hearted little peri! I was so upset at that book that I just let loose and ranted on my nearest friend. Puck is destined to be alone forever!

[END SPOILER.]

So yeah. THAT'S why I have a love-hate relationship with this book. If you haven't read it yet...DO IT. Its amazing.

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks

Review: City of Bones

 

Title: City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: McElderry

Release Date:  February 19th 2008

Format: Paperback (Given by Amelia @ The Authoress)

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

I remember picking this book up in hardback format when it first came out. I remember wanting to read it SO badly, and I remember taking it to my mom to buy it. She told me no, because of the cover. Yes, she judged the book by its cover. Blasphemy! But that's what mom's do. They don't like their daughters seeing sexy guys, even if the guy is barely on the cover of a book. So, I have waited many years to get my hands on a copy of this book, and I was finally able to when Amelia sent me a copy via R.A.K. To say I was excited is a bit of an understatement.

So, given that background, I started reading this book with anticipation that it was going to be great. Plus, I read many reviews on it giving it high praises. (Even my friends loved the series.) Usually, when that happens, I'm always let down. However, I was not let down in the slightest when it came to this book.

The plot of the story is fantastic! It starts out with what seems like an average teenaged girl's life which morphs into something more. That something more becomes a brand new world created exclusively by Cassandra Clare. The world borrows parts of general myth about fey and mystical realms and glamour but its all combined to form something completely original. If the characters weren't so awesome, I'd be even more in love with the world than I am. Whiiiccch, brings me to characters...Is there an adjective I haven't used yet that could accurately describe them? I don't think so. These characters are wonderful creations and they're planned out beautifully. All the characters seem to be well-rounded and diverse. Jace is the hot, witty, dangerous guy. Simon is the nerdy, cute, and funny dude. Alec is the "sparkly", snarky, sidekick. Isabelle is the beautiful, goddess-like, b**chy girl. Then, last but not least, Clary is the artsy, awkward yet bold, teenager. All of these guys put together pack one fantastic array of characters. Jace and Simon are going to make you laugh, no doubt. Clary is easy to sympathize with and she isn't annoyingly weak. Alec.....I can't describe him without giving away a juicy bit of the book! Isabelle...well, she's meant to be hated.  As diverse as these characters are, they still work together in a unique way. 

Anyway, I should cut short my fan-girling. So, basically, if you like a fantasy style, kick-butt adventure story with awesome guys and a fantasmagorical plot....then this is the story for you. If you've been deprived of reading it for the last few years like I have, find a way to get your hands on one! You won't regret it. 

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE Sporks

P.S. Fantasmagorical is a word I created years ago that I keep in my arsenal of words for special things. This is one of them.

"Waiting on" Wednesday: Scarlet

"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:

Scarlet

by A.C. Gaughen

Release Date: February 14th 2012

Publisher: Walker & Co

From Goodreads;

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance. Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in. It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Comments;

I love the Robin Hood legend and I think that twists upon legends like that are SO interesting. Also, I love the time period and such. Not to mention, I LOVELOVELOVELOVE the cover. Seriously.  I would love a poster of it. It looks so elfy and pretty. And anyone who knows me, knows I love elves. So, to say I'm looking forward to this book is a bit of an understatement. :D

What is your pick?

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.)

"She said nothing, biting the inside of her lip. She hated the idea of someone reaching inside her head, touching memories so private and hidden that even she couldn't reach them. "She doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to do," Jace said suddenly. "Does she?" " - pg 167 of City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Review: Secret Society

 

Title: Secret Society

Author: Tom Dolby

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date:  October 1st 2009 

Formant: Paperback (ARC from Nicki @WORDforTeens)

An eccentric new girl. A brooding socialite. The scion of one of New York's wealthiest families. A promising filmmaker. As students at the exclusive Chadwick School, Phoebe, Lauren, Nick, and Patch already live in a world most teenagers only dream about.

They didn't ask to be Society members. But when three of them receive a mysterious text message promising success and fame beyond belief, they say yes to everything—even to the harrowing initiation ceremony in a gritty warehouse downtown and to the ankh-shaped tattoo they're forced to get on the nape of their necks. Once they're part of the Society, things begin falling into place for them. Week after week, their ambitions are fulfilled. It's all perfect—until a body is found in Central Park with no distinguishing marks except for an ankh-shaped tattoo.

Secret Society comes with a wonderful synopsis to make you want to read it, and it has a very interesting plot to suck you in. At least, that's how it was for me.

After reading a quarter of the book, I realized that this book hadn't reached its full potential yet. The characters weren't fleshed out so there was hardly anything to relate to with any of the characters. The plot was fantastic but I think that it could have been so much bigger. The essence of the plot wasn't fleshed out either, so when I ended the book, I felt like I sort of wasted my time.

However, there are good things about the book! The main idea of the plot - a secret society that brands people and gives them all the success they want - is very alluring. I couldn't put the book down, because I wanted to now what would be the Secret Society's next move. It had a few surprises and confusing twists but that made it all the better.

Character wise, I first liked Nick and Phoebe best. Phoebe was an artsy teenager without a lot of money. Nick was the handsome, down to earth, rich guy. However, over time, Phoebe became a whiny, annoying character but Nick stayed the same. At the end of the book, I loved Nick and Patch the best. Patch was adventurous and challenging. He did things that most others would be afraid to do and I always was interested in how it would end for him. I was sorta surprised at his ending.

As a whole, there were some serious downfalls in the book but all its good things combined, I gave it three sporks. I'm not sure if this interests me enough to read the sequel, though.

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Dead to You

"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:

Dead to You

by Lisa McMann

Release Date: February 7th 2012

Publisher: Simon Pulse

From Goodreads;

Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was just seven years old. Now, at sixteen, he has returned to his family. It's a miracle... at first. Then the tensions start to build. His reintroduction to his old life isn't going smoothly, and his family is tearing apart all over again. If only Ethan could remember something, anything, about his life before, he'd be able to put the pieces back together. But there's something that's keeping his memory blocked. Something unspeakable...

Comments;

I like Lisa McMann's stories. They're easy to read and they usually have a great plot. I would love to read this, considering her writing style. I also wonder how the cover has anything to do with the story....?

What do you think?

Review: The Explosionist

 

Title: The Explosionist

Author: Jenny Davidson

Publisher: HarlequinTeen

Release Date:  July 1st 2008

Format: Hardcover (Library)

The Explosionist (formerly known as Dynamite No. 1) is the story of a 15-year-old girl growing up in an alternate version of 1930s Edinburgh. There, the legacy of Napoleon's victory a century earlier at Waterloo is a standoff between a totalitarian Federation of European States and a group of independent northern countries called the New Hanseatic League. This world is preoccupied with technology (everything from electric cookers to high explosives) but also with spiritualism, a movement our world largely abandoned in the early 20th Century; Sigmund Freud is a radio talk-show crank, cars run on hydrogen and the most prominent scientists experiment with new ways of contacting the dead.

 

 
 The Explosionist was not quite what I expected when I checked it out of my library. However, I was rewarded with a different and, most certainly, interesting story.

The description for the book definitely caught my attention, but for some reason, I was expecting something totally different. For one thing, the book is littered with psychics and seances and etc. I'm not a fan of seances and psychics are neutral ground for me - I have no opinion on them. The story also failed to set a time period. I obviously could tell it wasn't modern, so I was thinking 1800s, but then they referred to commodities and inventions that didn't coincide with the time period. It took quite awhile until they mentioned someone's birth year and age when I was then able to calculate the year being 1936. That was a little careless. (Please note that the description I am referring to is the one that appears on the jacket of the actual book. Goodreads supplies a different description that dissolves all doubt -- which is the description above.)

Second, the story is full of European and Hanseatic history. Super in depth history. It was a little too much for a novel like this, and I even had to read the author's biography to see if it was a YA book. (Turns out, she normally writes non-fiction and such. This is the first YA book she's written, and it shows.) It made the story very dry and un-enjoyable, because if you don't pay attention to the history and politics, then you won't understand what's happening.

However, I did like Sophie (the main character) and Mikael (her best friend) very much. They were both interesting and diverse, but not completely formed. I would have liked more flesh to Mikael's character since he was so special to Sophie.

The plot, underneath the crazy history and politics, was pretty good. I loved the whole deal with IRYLNS (pronounced 'irons'). It gave the story a very Sci-Fi feel to it. I think that a lot of readers will be fascinated with IRYLNS and I believe it was one of the more interesting aspects of the storing.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but its not a favourite. I would only suggest this to those who want a read a story that's a bit off the beaten path. I may pick up the second book..who knows? 

I gave it THREE out of FIVE sporks

[[My spork images don't seem to be working with Blogger lately, but they'll be back up and running soon. Sorry for the blurp. D:]]

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 

Title:Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

Author: Ransom Riggs

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Release Date:June 7th 2011

Format: Hardcover (Bought) 

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children was one of those books that I kept seeing reviews for everywhere. The best part? All the reviews were good and included the word 'creepy'. Those two things made me want to read it even more than I already had. So, naturally, I was ecstatic when I received it as a birthday present. (Not that I could read it right away, since a family member decided to take it and read it fist. :d)

That being said, when I finally was able to get my hot little hands on a copy of this book, I was instantly hooked. I LOVE books that grab you right from the beginning. There was no suspension that had to be built up for me to become interested. Not to mention the floating little girl on the cover...who could turn this book away and not want to know what the heck a floating girl is doing on the cover to begin with and WHY exactly she is floating!? I couldn't.

Character wise, they were brilliant. All the characters were unique and easy to distinguish. Another major thing that I liked about this book, was how the author kept the language confined - for lack of a better term - to the time area the person was from. The language also made certain situations laughable. (For instance, the scene where Millard is wounded. Bahaha.)

Plot wise...EPIC. I don't think I really need to discuss this. Its pretty obvious that the plot is going to be big, based off the prologue. Also, I don't think I SHOULD discuss it. Too many spoilery-spoils!

Lastly...the author. His name is Ransom Riggs (EPIC NAME!) and he has successfully gained a humongous new fan. Why? 1. His story is really good. Really, really good. 2. He managed to pull off the combination two of my favourite things; photography and a good book.
Photography is a passion of mine, and so is writing. So, naturally, I love books too. I don't know why its taken so long to find a book with a plot that also included pictures. I'm seriously fan-girling over here about it. Its not something that's easily explained, so you should just go read this book. Like now. Go. Buy it. Read it. Enjoy it. Squee.

I gave it FIVE out of FIVE sporks