Wednesday, March 12, 2014
by Fiona Paul
Publishing: 3.20.14
Pages: 336
Source: Thanks to FIONA for the copy! *hugs*
In the final book in the trilogy, Cass and Luca are back in Venice trying to find the Book of the Eternal Rose to clear Luca's name and keep them both out of prison. But the hunters become the hunted when the Order of the Eternal Rose figures out their plan. Filled with twists and turns, danger and torrid romances, this novel brings the Secrets of the Eternal Rose novels to a thrilling, heart-pounding, sexy conclusion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fiona Paul lives in the Midwest but travels a lot since she can’t breathe if she spends too much time away from the ocean. She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a major in psychology and spent a year teaching English in Seoul, Korea while she was deciding what she wanted to be when she grew up. Answer: everything. In addition to being a teacher and writer, she’s also worked as a saute cook, sporting goods manager, veterinary assistant, and registered nurse. When she’s not working, you can usually find her kayaking, reading, or helping turtles cross the road. Her future goals include diving with great white sharks and writing more books, not necessarily in that order. Venom is her first novel.
Guys...when an author wants to dive with Great Whites...you know she's awesome! Make sure to check her out on social media! She's the bomb! (Also read her books, that's important too. =)
Before I begin I just want to say, that I am disappointed my vote didn't win and this book wasn't called Falco instead, but I think that we can all agree once reading this book that Starling was in actuality the perfect name for this book. And this book, this trilogy is not going to be one I forget for a long
time.
Venom set the stage with a bang, a chilling and dark mystery in a very real historical time period. Belladonna got better and continued the mystery with a smart and fast ride that hooked you in and left you gasping in shock with the revelations and the surprises loaded in the book. And Starling, the end has finally come and it could not have ended better. This book hit me in the feels, it hit me in the everywhere else as well.
Venom set the stage with a bang, a chilling and dark mystery in a very real historical time period. Belladonna got better and continued the mystery with a smart and fast ride that hooked you in and left you gasping in shock with the revelations and the surprises loaded in the book. And Starling, the end has finally come and it could not have ended better. This book hit me in the feels, it hit me in the everywhere else as well.
It’s hard to know what I can say about this book without
spoiling anything in the first two. So many feelings are present in this book,
and from page one I was hooked in their grasp, racing along to the finish line
with these characters that I had grown to love. I was so very curious, no I was
DESPERATE to see how it ended for them all.
Espescially in regards to that quite distinct love triangle.
Falco versus Luca. The dark and wild artist against the strong and steady
friend. We’ve all seen if before in books, but this triangle is different. It’s
set up in a way that by the end of Belladonna I was questioning the feels of my feels. I had no idea what to expect and I was just desperate for the end. I’m not going to imply or suggest anything
that would spoil the ending to such a wildly discussed and intricate romance.
But I will say that what did happen was something so right for this book, and
this story and these characters, that I wouldn’t have changed it.
That’s a good story.
What makes these books stand out from other historical
fiction is the dark mystery aspects that are prevalent. They are not
supernatural, but they are mysterious and quite often creepy. Half of the time
I found myself immersed and confused at the same time. But it’s so interesting
and well told that you just can’t stop, even if it makes no sense at parts. It’s
a very unique aspect and in a way I really liked that dark element.
I literally have nothing else to say. With Starling, Fiona has delivered and spell-binding conclusion that will keep you glued to your chair until the last page when all you have left to do is cry and laugh and feel a LOT of feels.
Thumbs up Fiona. You’ve done yourself proud. Cass, Falco and Luca have forever earned a spot in my heart, and I’ll probably never think of Italy in the same way again. So by all means, hop on this bandwagon (er, gondola) if you haven’t yet! There’s a steady current ready to take you downriver to Venice.
There are my feels everyone. I hope you find this book filled with as much awesome as I did! For more reviews and goodies on this beauteous book check out the full tour schedule here! Now onto the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks so much for stopping by! Spread some comment love for Fiona (& Falco) in the comments! XOXO,
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Welcome to the Nil blog tour! I'm so excited to have you! If you're looking for a YA Survivor style action packed book, Nil is gonna be the one for you! Read on for info about the book, my thoughts and a chance to win your own copy!
Nil
by Lynne MatsonPublished: 3.4.14
Pages: 384
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing Charley remembers is blacking out in an Atlanta parking lot, and when she wakes up, she’s naked in an empty rock field.Lost and alone, Charley hunts for a way out. She discovers desolate beaches and human remains, but no sign of civilization--until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with hidden dangers, their greatest threat is time. They can’t stop the clock. They can only hope to beat it.
Sounds so awesome right?! Make sure to grab your copy today since this beautiful baby was released yesterday! Now here's a little info about the brain behind it all.
About The Author
Lynne Matson grew up in Georgia in a house full of books and a backyard full of gnarly pines. Back then, Lynne would stay up late, reading Nancy Drew books under the covers (with a flashlight . . . a weak attempt at ninja stealth). Now she still stays up late reading books and writing them. When she doesn't have a book in her hand, you'll find her listening to music, messing around with paint, or hanging out with her husband and their four boys . . . or all of the above.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for review. No funds were exchanged in any form for either profit or privilege.
Nil is the kind of book that will suck you in from the get-go and before you know it you've read a hundred pages. Set in a unique setting and told from alternating points of view, this book was quite the ride, let me tell you that.
From the start one of the most vivid parts of this story is Nil itself. The island was the main antagonist, the villan of the story. And Nil had a voice. The disconcerting nature of Nil and her ways is something you begin to feel right away. In the way that the island behaves and the reactions of the teens on the island. The way she messed with them was so messed up. But oh I loved it. When the villain is done right, it makes the book so much better, and this villain, was fantastic.
I never thought I'd say that about an island.
Sometimes dual POV doesn't work. Sometimes it does. This book was a working case. Charley, is the newcomer, Thad isn't. What made this case of dual scenario was the island and it's twisted nature that I already mentioned. Thad has been on the island for so long and the island has been getting to him and you can see the effect and the real evil of the island through his voice. Nil's voice in Thad's head made for a strong villain and character in Thad. He is a strong, fantastic character that you can't help but love, but at the same time he's got demons that mess with him in terribly awesome ways.
(I'm a writer, I have joy in watching the suffering of characters. Because it makes them stronger of course...)
Charley's voice is the perfect contrast to that because she hasn't experienced the terrors and illusions of Nil as Thad has yet. And I really liked that. For her it's a process of coming to understand the island and it's ways. Matson's writing deftly explores her side of the story. Beyond her island perspective, her character as a whole was very fun. Charley isn't the brainiac but she has a brain and she is smart. She's still a teenager I could relate her. She's a good firm person who fit the arch needed for the story of Nil.
And that's why the romance works. Two characters dealing with the same issue in contrasting ways. Aah. it's a brilliant While feeling a little bit insta-lovey at the get go, it slides into a nice nitch in the story adding a drizel of romance to sweeten the whole package. Yum! Nil is a fast paced novel filled with tension, romance, a vividly creepy setting. If you're looking for a quick adventurous read to suck you in, check out Nil! You won't regret it!
Like what you just read? Want to get your hands on Nil now? (Of course you do!) Here's your chance!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by! You've heard my thoughts, now tell me yours! Have you read Nil? What are you most excited for about this book? Leave your thoughts of it below in the comments! XOXO,
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Welcome to my stop on the Something Real tour! I'm really excited to be hosting Heather for a super fun interview! (this is the week of interviews my friends!) But I seriously have way too much fun with them so it's all good. So stick around for the interview and a super duper giveaway!
Something Real
by Heather Demetrios
Published: 2.4.14
Pages: 416
Add to Goodreads - Buy on Amazon
There’s nothing real about reality TV.
Seventeen-year-old Bonnie™ Baker has grown up on TV—she and her twelve siblings are the stars of one-time hit reality show Baker’s Dozen. Since the show’s cancellation and the scandal surrounding it, Bonnie™ has tried to live a normal life, under the radar and out of the spotlight. But it’s about to fall apart…because Baker’s Dozen is going back on the air. Bonnie™’s mom and the show’s producers won’t let her quit and soon the life she has so carefully built for herself, with real friends (and maybe even a real boyfriend), is in danger of being destroyed by the show. Bonnie™ needs to do something drastic if her life is ever going to be her own—even if it means being more exposed than ever before.
Sounds like fun right? Make sure to pick up your copy today! Now here's a bit about the author!
About Heather
Heather Demetrios, originally from Los Angeles, now lives in Brooklyn and various imaginary locales. She is the recipient of a PEN New England Discovery Award for her debut YA novel about reality TV stardom, SOMETHING REAL, and is the author of the upcoming EXQUISITE CAPTIVE, also out in 2014. When she’s not hanging out with her characters, Heather is working on her MFA in writing for children and young adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts.
What kind of research went into Something Real, with the reality
TV show aspect of the book?
I watched several episodes of “Jon and Kate Plus 8,” since I’d
never actually seen the show before and it was the inspiration for my Baker
family. I also watched a great HBO film called “Cinema Verite,” which is about
the first reality family TV, the Louds, and I read Pat Loud’s fascinating
autobiography. To create my tabloid columnist who makes an appearance at the
end of the book, I read some of Perez Hilton’s stuff—oh my god. I went down
this really weird pop culture rabbit hole and was so glad when I came back out!
I love the puns you can find in the show's name; Bakers Dozen!
Was that something you know from the beginning or did you have to come up with
that later?
Yeah, the Baker’s Dozen thing came to me right away, but initially
“Baker” wasn’t the family’s last name. That came later, based on a suggestion
from an agent. When she said it I was like, “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that?” It’s
funny, the way things come together with a book. A suggestion from the most
random places can inspire huge things. When you’re working on a book, you have
to be so open to anything that triggers a response in your story.
What is your favorite thing about writing for a YA audience?
There are so many things I love. I have to tell you my top two
things because they are of equal importance to me. The first is that a YA book
can literally change the course of someone’s whole life—that is an amazing
responsibility and a beautiful thing. Teens are still trying to figure out who
they are and what they want to do with their lives. They’re questioning and
seeking and when you’re a YA writer, you’re in a position to influence and
inspire your readers. That’s not to say that adult lives can’t be changed, but
you get a lot more set in your ways as you get older, right? The second thing I
love about being a YA writer is being a part of the YA community of readers,
writers, book bloggers, book sellers…it’s so giving and positive. Everyone is
excited about what’s coming out and is really passionate about the genre. I
love the conversations that are being had about the work and its evolution and
I feel so supported. My fellow adults who love YA are kindred spirits—it’s like
we’ve all agreed to go to Neverland together.
Bonnie, your protagonist is the oldest of 13 kids! Being from a
big family I can understand but it's still crazy! There are so many different
personalities and character types to portray in that kind of a setting, so how did
you go about that in planning/writing the novel?
That was definitely the hardest part of the book: how to give a
picture of this whole family without overwhelming the reader and without any
family members getting lost in the shuffle. The list you see at the beginning
of the book is basically what I kept beside my laptop while I wrote the novel.
I kept forgetting the ages of the kids or what country each kid was from. It
helped to categorize the kids, such as the boys who are called the “wild
things” because they’re so hyper and are always wrestling. So instead of
throwing a bunch of names at the reader all the time, I knew it would be easier
for them to remember groupings. I had a feeling this is what MetaReel would
have done anyway and it helped me develop the family dynamic. My major focus,
of course, was on Bonnie™ and the two siblings her age: Benny and Lex. Of
course, the parents were huge too. Bonnie™’s mom is a really important
secondary character and I had to think of ways that she would try to keep her
family organized, too. It was chaos, but I’m really happy with the way it came
off.
Are you a day or night writer?
Both! I write for most of the morning and afternoon, then again in
the late evening. I write full-time, so I’m pretty much working on one or two
books a day, whenever I’m not doing the businessey stuff of writing. The night
is really great for getting in a special zone. Something about the hush and
darkness brings out the poet in me, so I like to save scenes that are really
emotional and intimate for nighttime. Appropriate, no? Daytime is revisions,
doing the hard work of the first draft, that kind of thing.
What inspires you to keep writing when it gets tough?
I have a board above my desk (pictured on the left). It’s full
of reminders to myself (like, “Don’t write pussies!”—that was for when one of
my bad boy male characters turned all lovesick and boring). There are
inspirational quotes, my favorite of which is by Picasso: “Inspiration exists,
but it has to find you working.” There are images that evoke certain feelings
in me, encouraging notes from people…all sorts of stuff. The main thing that
inspires me to keep writing when it gets tough is that it always works out. No
matter the book, I have to remind myself that because there is always a point
with every story that I think, oh my God,
I’m not going to pull it off this time. But serendipity always kicks in.
It’s a new puzzle, but every time you find the pieces that need to fit
together. All those parts do become a
whole.
Are you the kind of writer to snack while she writes/reads? If
so, what's your ideal "writing snack?"
Unfortunately, yes, I do like to snack while I write. My ideal
snack is something that doesn’t make my hands dirty or greasy, so I can eat and
write at the same time. But, really, coffee. And more coffee.
Savory or Sweet? Sweet!
Chocolate Malt balls or Sour Gummy Worms? Chocolate
malt balls, all the way.
Thank you so much Heather for the fun interview! I loved chatting with you! Make sure to leave some comment love for Heather in the comments! And keep an eye out for my review of Something Real to come soon! Now onto the fun part...the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know your thoughts below! XOXO!
Monday, February 17, 2014
Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the Under Zenith blog tour! Super excited to share with you the latest and greatest from one of my favorite authors, Shannen Crane Camp! This is her first NA, having begun with lots of awesome YA books! If you're looking for a new author to try I recommend her! Here's a little bit about her book!
UNDER ZENITH
by Shannen Crane Camp
It was the most important day of her life, and for 21-year-old Isla Edison, graduating from college with a useless degree in vocal performance was all part of her master plan. Dying in a car accident only hours later wasn't part of that plan. Yet there she was, standing over her own lifeless body and panicking about ruining the truck her parents had bought as a graduation present. Talk about a bad way to repay them. If coming to terms with the hereafter wasn’t enough to deal with, Isla suddenly finds herself stuck with Hayden, a gorgeous Brit with a bad attitude and a penchant for throwing her off cliffs to keep her in line. Worst of all, Hayden is her Guide, and until she completes six impossible and totally random tasks to reach her mysterious Destination, she's stuck with him. Isla's major problem, though, is that she doesn't know what reaching her Destination actually entails, and soon the mystery surrounding her new afterlife seems more ominous than any purgatory she could possibly imagine. Now Isla must decide if she'll trust her dark and brooding Guide despite his "bad boy" act, or if she'll risk failing her tasks and facing the unknown alone.
Sound like so much fun right? Who wouldn't want to have a hot Brit to navigate the afterlife with them? Okay the afterlife might not be the best.... But either way, here's an awesome interview that I got to do with Shannen! Way too much fun!
This is your first NA book. What was different about your writing process this time around?
I
feel like I had different things to think about with this one.
Normally I’m thinking about high school and relationships in that
context. With this book I had to focus more on things like what my
main character wanted to do with her life as far as a career goes. I
had to think about a job for her, her financial situation, her
relationship with her family as an independent woman. It was
definitely a different character building process. I also had to
think about how she would relate to a roommate or an older brother
who she didn’t live with. That kind of thing.
Now I'm guessing it's because you've always wanted to explore the afterlife with a hot Brit, but tell me about your inspiration for Under Zenith?
You’re
actually pretty spot on. I wanted to write a scenario where I could
do anything I wanted to without it being out of place. I wanted this
space where literally any creature or situation could arise and my
character could stop and think it was weird, but it wasn’t
necessarily surprising. I loved the freedom that afforded. The
Afterlife just seemed like the perfect space for this odd little
dreamscape. And hey, if a hot psychotic Brit was involved, that’s
always a plus! I do love my hot psychotic Brits… I may or may not
be writing another hot psychotic Brit right now!
What's the first thing you do when you start a new story?
I
make a folder on my computer for the book. I create one Word document
for the actual story, and one for everything else. I write out the
plot, story details, and most importantly, character descriptions.
I’ll fill the folder with pictures of people who would “play”
the characters and write out descriptions of their age, physical
appearance, weird ticks, personality details, and their likes and
dislikes. Honestly, it kind of looks like an online dating profile.
Plus I’ll make a playlist of songs to listen to throughout the day
to get me pumped to write when I get home from work. I even dress
like my characters a lot of the time. So if you ever see me in
fifties clothes, I’m probably working on a June
book :)
Are you the kind of writer who eats/drinks while she writes? If so, what's your "writing snack"?
A
giant glass of ice water and something super salty :) I kind of live
on salt. It’s a bit of a problem.
YES! Savor is for sure my choice when it comes to reading/writing snacks!
You've already hit up a variety of genres, from Contemp to Dystopian! What genres would you like (or are going to) to explore in the future?
I’m
actually in the middle of writing a paranormal New Adult novel about
a bunch of ghost hunters :) So I’d say that’s definitely a genre
I want to explore lol. I’d really love to write a murder mystery
but I’m not sure I’m clever enough to do that. I think people
would guess my murderer every time! I’m also going to focus more on
YA contemporary some more. I feel like lately I’ve been drifting
away from that to do more sci-fi/fantasy type of books. As much as I
love those, it’ll be nice to get back to my roots.
I would fully support the murder mystery! I adore that genre!
About Shannen
Shannen Crane Camp was born and raised in Southern California, where she developed a love of reading, writing, and anything having to do with film. After high school, she moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University, where she received a degree in Media Arts and found herself a husband in fellow California native Josh Camp. The two now live in either California or Utah... they still can't decide.Thanks for the fun interview Shannen! If you guys like what you see and want to look into some more of Shannen's books go here to see all the beauties!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for visiting! To check out the rest of the tour with more interviews, guest posts, excerpts and reviews, check out the schedule here! Happy Monday! XOXO,
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Hey everyone! Welcome to the YA Valentines Winter Formal tour! You may know of the Valentines from their snazzy little blog, but for this week four of them are hitting the fan blogs! This one week tour features four fabulous ladies debuting in January, February and March!
Today's Spotlight Is....
Bethany Hagen!
Website - Twitter - Goodreads
I have a basement full of books and a computer full of writing. I love drinking coffee and doing karate with my husband (usually not at the same time.) I've been a model for a painter, stung by a sting-ray, stuck in a coma, and I used to dress up as a 1904 schoolmarm, but I got paid for it, so it's not weird. Currently the day job is in a library, so every once in a while I throw a temper tantrum about the Dewey Decimal system. My debut novel Landry Park came from Dial/Penguin on 2.4.2014. I am represented by Mollie Glick of Foundry Media
I'm a born and bred Kansas Citian, meaning I can tolerate jazz for brief amounts of time and I'm offended by dry rub barbecue. I grew up reading Charlotte Bronte, Jane Austen, and all things King Arthur. When I’m not working at the library or running around with the kids and the husband, I’m writing or thinking about writing.
If you want to check out my review of Landry Park from the blog tour go HERE! I thought it was a really fun book with a very interesting setting/storyline and some swoon thrown in on the side. As part of spotlighting Bethany and her fabulous book, here's a little bit about Landry Park, followed by an exclusive interview! *wink*
Landry ParkPublished: 2.4.14
Pages: 384
Downton Abbey meets The Selection in this dystopian tale of love and betrayal. In a fragmented future United States ruled by the lavish gentry, seventeen-year-old Madeline Landry dreams of going to the university. Unfortunately, gentry decorum and her domineering father won't allow that. Madeline must marry, like a good Landry woman, and run the family estate. But her world is turned upside down when she discovers the devastating consequences her lifestyle is having on those less fortunate. As Madeline begins to question everything she has ever learned, she finds herself increasingly drawn to handsome, beguiling David Dana. Soon, rumors of war and rebellion start to spread, and Madeline finds herself and David at the center of it all. Ultimately, she must make a choice between duty - her family and the estate she loves dearly - and desire.
Amazon classifies Landry Park as "Downton Abbey meets the Selection". What elements of your evolved society were the funnest to those possibly similar aspects?
I have to say that the Downtown Abbey similarities are the most fun to write. I love the idea of important conversations happening in between dances and Significant Looks being exchanged over elaborate dinners. And what's magical about The Selection is that it takes the theme of class and control, and spears it with futurism and romance, to make a compelling mix. I hope Landry Park was able to do the same!
If you were to pick the best moment in your writing career so far, what would it be?
I think the moment my agent called to tell me that Penguin wanted Landry Park. Before that moment, I think I never truly let myself believe that I'd see my book in print, and so realizing, for the first time, that it could happen--and WAS going to happen--that was magical indeed.
Any writers or books that inspire you?
My love of the Bronte sisters and of Jane Austen is well-documented, but I'm also a huge fan of Ray Bradbury. He has a succinctness and a beauty and a particular viewpoint that transforms his sci-fi into something spectacular.
Describe your book in one word.
Genteel
What's the best piece of writing advice or tip that you've learned through this whole writing experience?
The best writing advice I have is to just keep writing. While on submission, while revising, while rewriting, after seeing a cold-hearted review on Goodreads--the important thing is to KEEP WRITING. NEVER SURRENDER!BONUS INTERVIEW!
Thanks so much Bethany! It was really fun to read your answers! I hope you enjoyed them as well. Now as a bonus, I got to interview all the other lovely ladies on the tour, asking them the same question to see how their answers varied. Check it out!
What drew you to write YA vs. middle grade or adult?
Sara B Larson (author of Defy): I'm not sure that there is an exact reason why, or an "ah-ha!" moment where I decided to write YA.It's just where all of my stories have ended up taking place. It's such a vital time in our lives--when we're discovering who we truly are, and who we want to be. It's a time of intense emotions, when everything is so big and so important, and I love that. I love investigating that, and living in it with my characters. I love experiencing love for the first time with them. I just love it all.
Lynne Matson (author of Nil): ALL THE FEELS! Seriously, YA is THE BEST. Everything is so fresh, so raw, and SO REAL, maybe because it's the first. First person to make your heart skip a beat, first time you stood up for yourself. First kiss, first heartache. First road trip, first time waking up naked on a semi-desrted island, lol. I can't imagine writing anything else.
Bethany Hagen (author of Landry Park): I think it's because young adult fiction, more than adult fiction, has this fantastic blend of literary and commercial elements. It also has less rigid genre lines--I think a future historical book about romance and radiation would have a much harder time finding an adult publisher for that reason. Basically, young adult writing has so much freedom and possibility that I find all my stories naturally gravitate to that genre.
Jen McConnel (author of Daughter of Chaos): I think it's a combination of things. The years I spent working as a middle school teacher really infused me with a love for both YA readers and YA literature, plus the fact that I've always been an avid reader. I think my reading genre of choice for the past decade has been YA, so it was a natural fit. I also write New Adult, which I see as sort of the big sister genre to YA.
Twitter Party!!!
Who doesn't love a good Twitter Party? Not me! Well here's an awesome one for you to celebrate this week's WINTER FORMAL tour! Deets below!
When? February 12th at 6:30 pm EST
Where? Twitter hashtag #YAValsFormal
What? Sara, Jen, Lynne and Bethany chat about books and
You don't want to miss the party(especially the embarrassing moments part ;) OR the rest of the spotlights on the tour. Here's the schedule:
Feb 10 Mon: Lynne Matson @ Fiction Freak
Feb 11 Tues: Bethany Hagen @ Book Haven Extraordinaire! (You are Here)
Feb 12 Wed: Sara. B Larson @ Eater of Books
Feb 13 Thurs: Jen McConnel @ YA Reads
AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY! Thanks for dropping by! I hope you learned something awesome today! Check out the other stops and see you at the Twitter Party! Leave some comment love for Bethany and the rest of the ladies! XOXO,
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Let’s face it. We as book lovers buy books. It’s just a fact
of biblophilia. We love books and so we buy them because we want to own some
our favorite things in the world. Sometimes we may get carried away but we love
books so it’s okay! BUY ALL THE BOOKS.
All the big book hauls.
And yet… sometimes we call it a problem.
I’ve for sure heard exclamations of “I have a problem with
buying books.” In fact I’ve probably said them myself. But lately I’ve been
thinking about that and how while in some cases, yes it IS true, but it also
makes me laugh; because is it really, truly a PROBLEM?
We love books! Books are who we are! Right? It’s what makes
us book bloggers! We’re spending our money on things that we love, things that
make us happy and things we love to support. We’re spending money on a part of
ourselves. So then I ask again…is it really a problem?
Now granted in some cases it undoubtedly is going to be one. Like when you
literally have a budget or financial situation that cannot and should not allow
for splurging. Like right now I’m paying off an upcoming summer trip and until
I pay that off I’m not letting myself buy books.
But it other cases, things like book-buying bans don’t seem
to work for me or seem to matter. I’m always going to keep buying books. I’m not always going to be able to buy
splurging piles but it’s going to be a constant in my life, unless I cannot. So
while I may do it often, to ME, because I love books and they mean something to
me it’s not a problem.
What do you think? Is book buying a problem for you? What
makes it a problem, or when does it become one? Why do you buy books? Talk to
me!
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
by Marissa Meyer
Publishing: 2.4.14 from Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 560
Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher free of charge, in exchange for an honest review. I received no compensation for this review.
In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.
Along with her hacking abilities, Cress brings in the fairy-tale aspect of Rapunzel and it was so much fun to read about. I've always loved that fairytale, and know the original story very well. This is where it goes back to my nerdy geek side. If you know the original tale, you'll know that the prince is pushed from the tower and lands in a group of thorny bushes which blinds him, until he's later healed by Rapunzels tears when they are reunited.
"Captain?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think it was destiny that brought us together?"
He squinted, and after a thoughtful moment, shook his head. "No, I'm pretty sure it was Cinder."
Anyway so this Prince. Because there can't be a new girl without her guy right? Of course right! If you've read Scarlet, you've met him as the infamous Captain Carswell Thorne, comedic relief of the gang and quite the scoundrel. Watching these two be thrown together was hilarious, entertaining and just all around wonderful. Cress knows lots of things, including lots about this guy, and it presents a new side to one of the relationships in this books. Plus the circumstances they are thrown into just makes things awkward, hilarious and endears you even more to the characters until you find yourself riveted and so in love with.
"If you honestly believe that," said Thorne, stowing the gun again, "then you really don't recognize true value when you see it."
But of course this book was more than just Cress and Thorne. Cinder, Kai and Dr. Erland play a much bigger role in this book. Scarlet and Wolf are not as prominent, but I still love them as much. They're drama gets going early on and it throws quite the wrench in the story, and the characters emotionally. *SOBS* It opens up new doors and again, brilliant storytelling. But back to Cinder and Kai. This is the book where as a reader connected to the characters, I have been the most invested in the story of Cinder and Kai. They keep on growing and developing in new ways as they try to sort out their feelings, ever changing situation and themselves. I love them to pieces and agonizing over their story was quite possibly about 50% of my feels in this book. There was one scene in particular that I was DYING to see and for those who have read it, check out my thoughts (highlight to read):
SPOILER --> [CINDER AND KAI'S REUNION IN THE LAST SCENE was literally my most anticipated scene of the whole thing. Darn that agonizing wait to get there though. But it was so perfect, I must have read it like ten times after reading it. It was beautiful and perfect and I couldn't ask for anything better. Wouldn't you agree?] <--END SPOILER
I also mentioned Dr. Erland. He is just, wow. I REALLY liked him in this book. He is also a much more prominent character and it was so fascinating to get to see much more of his backstory and how that intertwines with the rest of it. *slaps hand over mouth before the feels come gushing out* Again with the brilliant plot Marissa. Oh and then there's Queen Levana. You evil woman! She's hecka powerful and I really just hate her with a fiery passion. But I liked getting glimpses into her mind and her world. With these side plots introduced we've been set up for a bomb of a last book.
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