Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Book Review: Wander Dust by Michelle Warren


Title: Wander Dust (Seraphina Parrish #1)
Author: Michelle Warren
Format: Ebook
Source: For review

Ever since her sixteenth birthday, strange things keep happening to Seraphina Parrish.
The Lady in Black… burns Sera’s memories.
Unexplainable Premonitions… catapult her to other cities.
The Grungy Gang… wants to kill her.
And a beautiful, mysterious boy… stalks her.

Before I start reviewing this book, I'd like to point some things out. Firstly, I have to tell you  this. The author, Michelle Warren, is extremely talented. She did EVERYTHING to get this book to life. The book's cover, site, everything is done by her. I have to admit, she has a very unique designing skill. Second, I am thankful to have received this book for review. I've been wanting to read this book for a long time.

Review:

I was drawn into this book from the first chapter. The bizarre supernatural events intrigued me. I really like books about magic and stuff and this books piqued my interest from the first chapter.

The story follows Seraphina, when she first sees the "Lady in Black". She thinks she's crazy when she starts to see things. That, however, is not that the case. We are introduced to a magical world. 

I don't want to give much away, but I found that the world of Wanderers, Seers, and Protectors was one of a kind. These three complete each other.

Let's talk about the characters:

1-Seraphina: I found Seraphina to be one of the cool female characters. She didn't bore me with descriptions of boys she's loving or crushing over. She's determined, and witty. Yes, I liked her. 

2-Bishop: The British guy. I don't have much to say about him. He obviously was a character who knew what he was doing, and he would put himself at risk to do his job. I liked his character.

3-Sam: I really liked Sam. I loved how she was the youngest and could be the pampered one who teases the older people. I related to her a bit, since I am the youngest child :P.

Let's talk about the setting:

I have to admit, I've got to reading this book in the perfect timing. I, like Seraphina, am currently going orientation. I thought it was really cool that she was getting introduced to the Academy and stuff. Also, I loved the mythology Warren came up with, it's very original. 

However, I was confused  at some parts, but that's not a main problem.

If you're looking for a light read with a unique story and plot twists, then this is for you.

Basically, that's all I have to say about Wander Dust, I really enjoyed it and I will definitely look out for Protecting Truth.


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Blog Tour: Betrayal by Gregg Olsen




Bio:


A Seattle native who lives in Washington State, Gregg has seen the darker side of the Pacific Northwest and knows a little more about the area than your average guy. “There is something dark and beautiful about the Pacific Northwest," he says. “We seem to have an overabundance of serial killers out here–so many, in fact, sometimes I wonder if they have a secret convention in Washington.”

A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with 13 books and sales of over one-million copies to his credit, Gregg made his young-adult fiction debut with Envy. The follow-up, Betrayal, will be published in September 2012.






Synopsis:


In this action-packed thriller sequel to Envy, foreign exchange student Olivia Grant is stabbed to death after a party--and the prime suspect is her best friend. As twins Hayley and Taylor Ryan get pulled into the aftermath of this Amanda Knox-like crime, they realize nothing is what it seems. Could it be betrayal of the ultimate kind?

Betrayal features real-life crime-solving techniques, heart-stopping suspense, plenty of red herrings, hard-hitting ethical questions, and information about the Amanda Knox case that inspired the novel. As the crime unravels, so does the twins' past…and they must face off against a family member who may unexpectedly have carried out the worst betrayal of all. 


 Excerpt from Betrayal:


Despite her beauty, Olivia Grant was no English rose. She was not frail, passive, or genteel. She was a fighter. Finally free, her arms and hands flailed into the darkness. Once, twice, she was hit by something sharp. Hard. It was hot and agonizing. Olivia realized what was happening was not a prank. She was fighting for her life and she knew it.
Was it a knife? Scissors? A box cutter? Something very sharp and deadly.

Links:

Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

For the blog tour schedule and the rest of the tour stops, click HERE
 
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Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Author Interview: Teri Terry + Giveaway





Teri has lived in France, Canada, Australia and England at more addresses than she can count, acquiring three degrees, a selection of passports and a silly name along the way. Past careers have included scientist, lawyer, optometrist, and, in England, various jobs in schools, libraries and an audiobook charity. The footpaths and canal ways of the Buckinghamshire Chilterns where she now lives inspired much of the setting of Slated. She hates broccoli, likes cats, and has finally worked out what she wants to do when she grows up.
Interview:

1-Introduce yourself. Can you tell us some of the best experiences you've had as a child, teenager, and adult?

I’m an Canadian-Aussie-Dutch-Finnish hybrid who was born in France and lives in England!
Some of the best things (in no particular order): kittens, sleeping in, popcorn (with butter), smiles of friends and family. Writing at 5 a.m. Getting married. Travelling, front row seats at Mark Knopfler, the first time I got short listed and then won a writing competition. Getting an agent, then a book deal (blogged here: http://notesfromtheslushpile.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/its-deal-teri-terry-and-slated-find.html)

2-What inspired you to write Slated and do you share any traits with the characters?

Slated began with a dream – really! – so it is hard to answer that. I always write from character and the rest follows.
I do speak without thinking more than I should, so that is one trait I share with Kyla. Other than that she is her own girl.

3-Slated is narrated in first person. Why? Do you personally prefer third or first person?

To me it had to be in first person – the story needs it to work. You have to know what Kyla is thinking in a way that only happens with first person.
I don’t have a strong preference for first or third; in general, it is whatever works best for a particular story and voice.

4-When did you start writing? What made you think, Okay, I should get my book published?

I’ve been writing since I was 17, but only seriously since I moved to the UK (2004). I did submit my first novel (2006) but with no expectations. Gradually I got more addicted to writing, and got more serious about submitting.

5-What do you personally think of the cover for Slated? I absolutely loved it!

I love it too! I blogged about the cover and how we got to it: http://notesfromtheslushpile.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/slated-getting-it-covered.html

6-What writing advice would you give to people who want to become writers, but aren't very good?

‘Aren’t very good’ in whose opinion? If it is in their own – every writer thinks they’re rubbish at least part of the time. If you didn’t have self-doubt, you wouldn’t get better. And the only way you learn to write is by doing it. So – go for it!
If it is in the opinions of others, part of being a writer is rejection. It is bruising, and awful, but you have to find your own way and not take your self-worth from other people.

7-What are the best and worst parts of writing/getting published?

Best: holding your book in your hands for the very first time. Getting your first good reviews is pretty awesome, too!
Worst: deadlines. It is the word ‘dead’ in there I don’t like…

8-What are some of your hobbies (assuming writing is one)?

Reading and writing are SO important to me, but I wouldn’t call them hobbies. They are part of who I am, and now, my career as a writer.
Other hobbies: walking, watching cricket!, hanging out with friends. Travel and music.

9-Some adults say that reading YA(young adult) or fantasy/fiction/stories aren't beneficial and that you should read things that teach you stuff. What is your opinion on that matter?

I don’t think stories have to have something to preach to be good. I never set out to make readers learn anything as a goal, but if my writing makes them think, that is a bonus. But I don’t agree that fiction has nothing to teach: it allows readers to try on different lives and ways of thinking.

10-I am sure you read a lot. What are some of you all-time favorites? Also, do you have any weird reading habits?

All time favourites are Lord of the Rings, the Dune books by Frank Herbert, the Pern books by Anne McCaffery.
Weird reading habits? If I read a few chapters and have to stop for whatever reason, even if I REALLY like it, I find it hard to come back to something ages later, because I hate re-reading the chapters I’ve already read.

11-How much time do you generally spend time writing? How long does it take to complete a book, and how long does editing take?

Writing time varies: with how much time I have, and where I am at with a project. In the early stages there is a lot of sitting around, thinking. When I’m in the thick of a first draft, I write most of the day, starting early, for days on end – then takes a few days off.
A first draft takes me something like four or five months. Editing takes as long as it takes to get it right (weeks, months, years….).

12-Have you been on tour/book signings? What do you feel when you meet fans? How do you generally like going on tour experiences?

Slated is my first book so I haven’t done much of this yet. I had a launch in London in May, and will be doing a signing July 21 at Waterstones in Aylesbury (Buckinghamshire, England). I’m also appearing at the Edinburgh Book Festival in August; I’ve been nominated for an Edinburgh Anobii first book award as part of this (you can find out more about it and how to vote, here: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/anobii-first-book-award)
Most fans I’ve met have been online, and it is awesome when someone I don’t know takes the time to say hello.

13-Finally, is there anything you'd like to say to all the fans you have? Maybe some information about future books...anything at all

The biggest thing is: thanks for reading! And come say hello on Twitter (@TeriTerryWrites) or Facebook (TeriTerryAuthor) and tell me what you think.
As for what is coming next… Kyla's adventures continue, in Fractured: May 2013 in the UK.



Kyla’s memory has been erased,
her personality wiped blank,
her memories lost for ever.

She’s been Slated.

The government claims she was a terrorist, and that they are giving her a second chance - as long as she plays by their rules. But echoes of the past whisper in Kyla’s mind. Someone is lying to her, and nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust in her search for the truth?






 Please read my review of Slated HERE


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Book Review: The Forsaken by Lisa M Stasse

Title: The Forsaken (The Forsaken #1)
Author: Lisa M. Stasse
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Source: For review

As an obedient orphan of the U.N.A. (the super-country that was once Mexico, the U.S., and Canada), Alenna learned at an early age to blend in and be quiet—having your parents taken by the police will do that to a girl. But Alenna can’t help but stand out when she fails a test that all sixteen-year-olds have to take: The test says she has a high capacity for brutal violence, and so she is sent to The Wheel, an island where all would-be criminals end up.

The life expectancy of prisoners on The Wheel is just two years, but with dirty, violent, and chaotic conditions, the time seems a lot longer as Alenna is forced to deal with civil wars for land ownership and machines that snatch kids out of their makeshift homes. Desperate, she and the other prisoners concoct a potentially fatal plan to flee the island. Survival may seem impossible, but Alenna is determined to achieve it anyway.

First of all, I'd like to give a big thank you because I got provided with a review copy. Second, I just have to admire this cover greatly. This is perhaps the best cover out there. Very creative, and perfectly fits with the story. It's great to see a change from the girls dressed up on covers.

On to the review:

By now you might think: Enough of dystopia! It's everywhere. Soon there will be a "dystopian corner" just like there was the all famous "vampire corner". You probably are starting to get bored of them.

BUT

The Forsaken is different. It is one of the best ones out there. And that is saying something.

There are many things I loved about this books and they are:

1-World: Honestly, I don't think I've ever read about a dystopian world this unique. Stasse has a very imaginative mind. She has created a dystopian world with fresh unique ideas. All the other dystopian books have very similar atmospheres. 

2-Story: From that first page, I was hooked. The writing style and pacing of this book is perfect. There isn't a single page that won't keep you on the edge of your seat. I must admit, it was extremely addicting. There was enough of everything, in the perfect places. There were LOTS of shocking moments. There were emotional moments as well.

3-Characters: I won't go into detail about the characters. I liked each and every one of them; whether brave, cocky, mean, really anything. I must admit, I really liked Alenna, our main character's personality. She wasn't exactly strong, but she was the type who believed in teamwork and wouldn;t give up easily.

4-Romance: I am EXTREMELY grateful there wasn't a love triangle in this book! Lisa THANKS A BILLION! I'm really getting sick of this trend! I'm not a fan of romances in general, but this book had a really nice romance in it. I liked the relationship of the two lovers. 

Finally, I'd like to mention that I loved the ending. I can totally see an action-packed sequel that will blow my mind coming soon. I can't wait to read The Uprising (yes, that's what the second book is called)  I loved this book. Now, all I have to do is recommending it to people. Also, books like these motivate me! They make me feel like I will someday pursue my dreams and get a book published. 


A huge thank you to everyone who was responsible to bring this book to life. I loved it. I devoured it. I will support it.