For when you want a comic book and a fantasy world that suck you in? Monstress

As Tuesdays are for new book releases, Wednesdays are for new comic book releases. Out today? Issue one of a new series called Monstress. Published by Image Comics, written by Marjorie Liu, and with art from Sana Takeda, Monstress is an immersive read which I absolutely do not want to spoil for you.

But here's the (safe) summary for the first issue (via Image's site):

Steampunk meets Kaiju in this original fantasy epic for mature readers, as a young Maika risks everything to control her psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, placing her in the center of a devastating war between human and otherworldly forces.

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Without a doubt, this is a comic book that I would recommend to you. Why? It just started, the art is fantastic, the story is amazing, and loads of ladies! So yes, I'd highly recommend it to you.

Still not sold? Here's a preview for you to enjoy. Available at your local comic book shop (unless they've sold out) today. Also available as an electronic copy.

Steampunk meets Kaiju in this original fantasy epic for mature readers, as young Maika risks everything to control her psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, placing her in the center of a devastating war between human and otherworldly forces. - See more at: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/monstress-1#sthash.WGMAHojf.dpuf

Steampunk meets Kaiju in this original fantasy epic for mature readers, as young Maika risks everything to control her psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, placing her in the center of a devastating war between human and otherworldly forces. - See more at: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/monstress-1#sthash.WGMAHojf.dpuf

Steampunk meets Kaiju in this original fantasy epic for mature readers, as young Maika risks everything to control her psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, placing her in the center of a devastating war between human and otherworldly forces. - See more at: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/monstress-1#sthash.WGMAHojf.dpuf

Steampunk meets Kaiju in this original fantasy epic for mature readers, as young Maika risks everything to control her psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, placing her in the center of a devastating war between human and otherworldly forces. - See more at: https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/monstress-1#sthash.WGMAHojf.dpuf

Let's talk comic books

Now, I know what you're thinking. "But Kristin, this is a book blog!" You're right. It is.

However I've gotten into comics within the past year. Funny story behind that is as follows: I saw someone with a Puppycat stuffed animal at a convention, decided I needed one in my life, and at Comic Con last year, I bought myself one. (The plushie is sold through WeLoveFine and there is a non-talking, cheaper version.) Now, at the time, this was just an adorable plush animal but upon looking up "Bee and Puppycat" online, I found out that it was a comic book series and a web series.  (See below.) Needless to say, I picked up the comic book series and the rest, as they say, was history.

You might be wondering why I'm making this post and honestly, it's to talk about comic books and to mention that hey, you might see comic book reviews on the blog every now and then in the future. Current recommendations?

For everyone

Lumberjanes 

Why? Because Boom! Studios describes it as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Gravity Falls" and I completely agree with that assessment. Not only is Lumberjanes a fun read, but the five female leads are camp forged friends who stumble into a lot of supernatural stuff. I suck at summarizing this but think: young ladies kicking supernatural butt while growing their friendship and you've hit the nail on the head. The single issues can be hard to find but there's a trade paperback of the first four issues which is easier to find (on Amazon, etc.). Here's a link to a preview of the first issue to give you a taste. 

Giant Days

Next up is Giant Days and yes, it's another Boom!Studios comic book. Now, why do I like Giant Days? Because it's based on a web comic and more importantly, it's funny and set during college. You can preview the first issue here. I would highly recommend getting the Orientation Edition (link to Midtown Comics--which is just an example of where to buy it not where you have to buy it from) which is both issue one and two unless you want to wait for the trade paperback or prefer single issues. Favorite moments? Tissue box backpack and talking to a pigeon. 

Ms. Marvel

No "for everyone" list is complete without Ms. Marvel (2014) because Kamala Khan is an amazing character (who, by the way, is Pakistani American), the art is great, and the story brings in character cameos like no tomorrow which work. It is perhaps the easiest comic book of the three to get a hold of and for a good reason: it's really that popular. 

For the sake of art

Angela, Asgard's Assassin
Okay, I know the initial reaction is probably "She's not wearing a lot of clothes." and you'd be right but Stephanie Hans has incredibly stunning art and despite Angela's attire, there's strength drawn into her. It's not going to be for everyone and that's okay because the world of comic books is vast. (Here's the preview for issue one.) Trade paperback comes out in August for the first few issues if you prefer that over individual issues.

The Wicked + The Divine
This is a series with a unique premise and the covers are absolutely gorgeous as well. In short, gods come back to earth and only have two years to make use of their bodies before they die. Their motive? Get people to worship them and by which I mean worship them as idols. You know, as in sing. Warning: there is some gore in this. It's not what I'd call recurring but every now and then, it happens. (Currently there are two trade paperbacks out for this series and here's a link to the preview of the first issue.)

Rat Queens
Rat Queens has gotten a lot of well deserved love from the internet and this is one of those series that I'd try to get everyone to read. Now, while I absolutely adore it, I feel like I should point out that there is mention of drugs in this, lots of cussing, and nudity. But it's just so well writen if you like sarcasm and snark. Here's a preview of the first issue to give you a taste. It's easiest to find trade paperbacks of this rather than single issues (because of the popularity of this series, finding individual issues can be a challenge).

Honorable mention goes to:

8house Arclight
Which had me at "genderqueer knights" and happens to have an absolutely gorgeous color palette plus the art though. It's only an issue in thus far and I'm really looking forward to seeing where it heads. Preview here.

Gotham Academy
Which is my current only recurring DC pull. Why do I like it so much? The main character is not what you'd call a Batman fan. Nope. (At least presently.) Love the art style and this is suitable for all ages. Preview of issue one here.

Well, there you have it. What do you think of my recommendations? Are there any you'd give to me?

P.S. If you do read comic books, I would love to know what you're reading right now! 

And I'm coming back!

It's been over two years now since I went on an unintentional hiatus but I've realized that I really miss blogging about books so here we are again!

Also, oh hey, new design from Danielle Burkleo! (Because I felt like I needed something different.)

So yes, you can expect posts from me again--although it might be slower in the fall since I've got classes. ANYWAY, *jazz hands* I'm back!

The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Sophie Sophia can see things that other people can't. Well, asides from her dad who also has episodes where he travels and comes back with souvenirs. Travels as in sees crazy things. What sort of crazy things? Well, shaman pandas for starters. But her mother thinks Sophie might need to see a psychiatrist and the only other person who can understand what Sophie is going through--her father--is missing.

I feel like The Theory of Everything would make a great movie. There, I said it. Why? Because it's magical realism and if you decide to read it, it'll be hard not to see why this would translate so well to the screen. Sophie is an eccentric main character who is once again the new girl at a new school; she makes friends with Finny, a boy obsessed with science and physics, and he ends up helping her on her journey to better understand what causes her to travel. There's also mix tapes, music video-like episodes, a (music) band of panda bears, and a journey to New York City for answers.

However, I feel like I have to point this out: I feel like I would've liked to have closure when it came to her father. That was probably the one thing that bothered me and when you get to the end of The Theory of Everything, I'm pretty sure you'll understand what I mean. I really don't want to say anymore than that because, well, spoilers.

In all, the plot kept a steady pace and it was fun to see how Sophie handled things. I would point out--again--that this is more magical realism than anything and it does make for a very interesting read. If you've been thinking about giving The Theory of Everything a whirl, definitely go for it!

★★★★

The Theory of Everything by Kari Luna

Publisher: Philomel, an imprint at Penguin Group

Release Date: July 11, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via NetGalley and publisher.

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

If you haven't read Shadow and Bone yet, this would be the time to stop reading.

The short version? If you've read Shadow and Bone you definitely want to pick up a copy of Siege and Storm.

It's easy to fall back into Alina's world and despite there being a decent amount of traveling, it's not hard to keep up. Did I mention that there's plenty of action too? Because Siege and Storm definitely doesn't disappoint on that front. You'll already be familiar with most of the characters in Siege and Storm but you'll also get to meet a few new ones--perhaps most importantly, Sturmhond.

Honestly, if I were going to have to give you a reason to read Siege and Storm? Sturmhond would rank very, very high on the list of reasons. He's charming, adapts to the situation at hand, and you'll have to read Siege and Storm to see why I like him so much. No, really. I can't say anymore than that (and if you've read Siege and Storm already, well, you know why). On top of that, you'll get a healthy dose of Mal and the Darkling. Regardless of who you like? Well, prepare yourself.

Then there's Alina, who is haunted by what the Darkling told her and struggles to find a balance between being herself and what she needs to be for Ravka's sake. At least, that's how I'd put it. But that's all that I'm going to allow myself to tell you about Siege and Storm. There's no awkward middle book syndrome going on and the ending sets us up perfectly for Ruin and Rising which seems like it's going to be epic. (I can sense it.)

I know I'm really not touching on the plot for Siege and Storm but it definitely delivers. I just really don't want to give anything away. Not even on accident.

So there you have it! Definitely do get your hands on Siege and Storm if you haven't already; I promise you, you won't be disappointed. (You will be dying for Ruin and Rising though.)

★★★★★

Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co., a part of Macmillan.

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via NetGalley.

Armchair BEA 2013: Ethics and Non-Fiction

It's day four of Armchair BEA and today it's all about blogging ethics and non-fiction.

As Gianne is busy with school, it's just me (Kristin) again.

On ethics

*knocks on wood* I have not had to deal with plagarisim on the blog just yet and hopefully we can continue this trend; you know, indefinitely. However, if it were to happen I would definitely apologize and remove the post. (And I would be extremely embarrassed. Extremely.)

Here's the thing though: this is why I don't read other reviews (usually) before I write my own. I don't want other reviews to influence mine--whether that means raising or lowering my rating or accidentally saying something extremely close to what they've said. And memes? Well, I always give credit where credit is due--or I seriously try to. (This is actually why I've never really tried to start my own meme--I have a sinking feeling that I'm not that original.)

What it comes down to is this: don't plagiarize. Ever. It's not worth it and it seems like it's next to impossible to come back from. (And now I'm going to have to run around to other blogs to see what I've forgotten to mention. I'm guessing the answer is, "Lots.")

On non-fiction

*crickets* Non-fiction is like a distant country that I admire from a distance but never really intend to visit. That's probably because I touch on it so rarely that I wouldn't know where to start. Wait, that's not entirely true. Give me something related to fashion and I'll probably be engrossed.

However, non-fiction really isn't my thing. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm an escapist and I'm more likely to choose (to read) a fictional world over the real one.

Armchair BEA 2013: Blogger Development & Genre Fiction

Today's Armchair BEA topic is all about how we go about growing as bloggers and developing our blogs; and also what genres we tend to gravitate towards.

Unfortunately Gianne is busy and can't join me today but here are my thoughts on blogger development and genre fiction!

On blogger development

Okay, I am pretty quiet when it comes to blogging. By which I mean that I don't really do anything with my blog in my local community asides from attending a YA book group. (It's at Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach and it is always a lot of fun.) As for partnering up, well, I have! *hugs Gianne* I really, really love my co-blogger Gianne and that's precisely why she's my co-blogger. I don't have ads on my blog and if I'm honest, I intend to keep it that way.

As for the look of my blog? That's definitely changed quite a bit; at least the appearance has. I've gone from a free background (and crazy cluttered sidebars) to a custom blog design that I feel is much more professional (but I might be biased--I am obsessed with calligraphy). 

But okay, my online personality? I think I can credit most of it to the blog, my Twitter, my Tumblr, and the MMORPGs that I play. I love that it means that I have a clear voice and personality online--but if I'm being completely honest if you were to meet me in person you might be surprised by how quiet I actually am. Let's be clear here, if you start talking to me about books or the right television shows? You will see my eyes light up and I will definitely be able to chat up a storm with you. But I'm always really shy at first.

On genre fiction

I've always been a fan of paranormal books but if I'm being completely honest, it's gotten difficult to find ones that I really love. Right now I'd probably say Kim Harrison's Hollows series tops my list for the paranormal genre and I would point out that it's definitely not YA. I also always enjoy fantasy books--as long as the terminology and world building doesn't get so intense that I can't pronounce or remember half of the terms. If you haven't checked out Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone or Leigh Bardugo's Shadow & Bone, you might want to get on that. (Okay, and if you read adult urban fantasy and haven't read Karen Marie Morning's Fever series, well, I'd recommend it. But every book in that series has a cliffhanger that will make you toss up your hands.)

I mean, really, I read everything. But maybe not that much verse. Oh, and I am always on the lookout for a good romance to read. (Bonus points if it's set in the Victorian or Edwardian era.) But let's be clear here, I need the romances that I read to be mostly plot. I'm not saying that there can't be some sexy time mixed in, but it better not overwhelm the book. (If you have a good romance--YA or adult--you'd recommend I check out, please do let me know. I'm always hunting for good ones. Fantasy, paranormal, or contemporary. It's all good.)

Armchair BEA 2013: Introductions

Welcome to Armchair BEA 2013! Well, I say that. But what I really mean is that I'm participating again this year! For those who don't know what Armchair BEA is; well, think Book Expo America with lots of bloggers, posts, some prizes, and from the comfort of your armchair (or desk, etc.).

As it's day one of Armchair BEA the theme is introductions. What does that mean? Prepare yourself, you might learn something new about Gianne and I. Or, well, maybe you'll re-learn some things. Who can say?

So to the people visiting the blog for the first time? Welcome! To those who are returning or are already familiar with it? Welcome back!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging? 

Kristin: Why hello there! My name is Kristin and I've been blogging for a little over two and a half years now. (It really doesn't feel like it's been that long though.) I got into blogging back in late 2010 when I decided that it would be an awesome way to talk about books and meet people who share my taste in books. (Spoiler alert: It worked!) I've met some really, really awesome people by blogging and I can't imagine not blogging now. (Although okay, I've been pretty quiet on the blog lately--sorry! That's changing really, really soon though. I swear.)

Gianne: Hiiiii! I'm Gianne, and I've been on-and-off blogging for about two years as well (albeit different blogs and such.) I've been on invisible mode ever since I joined over here on this blog (I'M SO BAD GOODNESS) mainly because of school. I got into blogging through social networking AKA Twitter! I was inspired to blog my own opinions on books after fangirling with my online friends about books on a daily basis. Hehe.

Where in the world are you blogging from?

Kristin: I blog--and live--in California. As in Southern California. As in five to ten minutes from the beach. Er, but that really depends on traffic. If I were to be a little more specific I'd tell you that I live in the Los Angeles area--although I'm south of Los Angeles and live in a city that has an awesome independent bookstore. 

Gianne: I could never be too far from my twin/co-blogger/best-fraaan, so obviously I live in California too~ Just an hour and a half away from Kristin!

Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event? 

Kristin: I have! This is actually my third year participating and I really love stopping by other blogs to see what other bloggers have to say about the theme and questions each day.

Gianne: NEEVERRRR have I participated in this! Kristin was like, "Hey person who dropped off the face of the planet because of school, you should do Armchair BEA okay or else we not friendz no more" (Just kidding, Kristin didn't go all thug on me.)

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2013? 

Kristin: I'm in the process of reading Resist by Sarah Crossan right now. As for my favorite book of 2013? I swear you're asking me an impossible question. I am completely expecting to stop by other blogs today and *face palm* as I quietly go, "How could I forget to add that book to my list of favorites!?" I loved The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson, The Archived by Victoria Schwab, and Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo.

Gianne: I feel really ashamed to say I'm not reading anything at the moment. *cries* However, there was one particular book I enjoyed reading this year but I can't remember anything about the title right now, except for the fact it was a really long title. *nods*

Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you. 

Kristin: I am very good at playing stylist. (As in helping people pick out clothes.) But I have to know your personal style pretty well. Secretly, I'm very stylish. I can throw together fun outfits, chic ones, and event appropriate looks. I also really enjoy dressing that way but haven't lately. (And I can't use eyeshadow to save my life. There's that.)

Gianne: WOW, I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Um, okay, we'll just go with that I like to watch anime a lot a lot a lot a lot, and I'm a fashion/makeup junkie. <3

Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s). 

Kristin: I can't really explain why my favorite blogs are favorites. Well, okay; it's because of the bloggers behind them (and their opinions on books). There's Why Ava Reads, Katie's Book Blog, and Adventures of a Book Junkie.

Gianne: UM UM UM, I have way too many, but the ones that stand out in my head right now are Reut Reads and Novel Sounds. I've actually subscribed to them through my email, and I always enjoy reading whatever they post because it's just...compelling omg words cannot explain.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

Kristin: I honestly can't think of one and I feel horrible for saying that. What sort of blogger am I!? Actually I'm always really proud of The List which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It's a huge list of books that sound like they're right up my alley--from the latest book catalogs.

Gianne: Back up on my old blog, there was this one post I LOVED because I thought it was so clever at the time (I STILL think it's pretty clever today) and it was the post where I stated the "seven deadly reasons" why y'all should read Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins.

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why? 

Kristin: I love that what immediately sprung to mind was dinner with John Green and Neil Gaiman; because let's be honest, how awesome would that be!?

Gianne: AHHH, Kristin, same, I literally thought of those two authors too. Since you already said them though, if I could eat dinner with any CHARACTER, it would have to be one of my book hubbies. I'm a strong supporter of polygamy in regards to book husbands so I CAN'T just pick one! (Though honestly, I would SO want to go on a dinner date with Bones from the Night Huntress Series. He's so perf.)

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

Kristin: BEA. Wait, I feel like you knew I was going to say that. Shakespeare and Company (the bookstore) in Paris would be amazing to visit because it looks like the best sort of bookstore. You know, the ones where you're constantly discovering something new even though you've been there time and time again. As for BEA, well, who wouldn't want to go? Hanging out with bookish people is the best thing ever.

Gianne: BEA BEA BEA BEA, hands down.

What is your favorite part about the book blogging community? 

Kristin: The friendships that you make with other bloggers and blog readers. And if I'm being completely honest, the fact that everyone knows what it's like to not have enough room on their bookshelves.

Gianne: Without a doubt, the interactions with other fellow bloggers and readers one would make through social networking. I have met so many amazing people here <3 <3 <3 ... like Kristin. <3 <3 <3

Is there anything that you would like to see change in the coming years?

Kristin: Nothing I can think of!

Gianne: Downloadable food, actually that doesn't make sense, but yeah, disregard me.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Celaena is a master assassin, one who was sentenced to Endovier and the salt mines for life--or rather, as long as she could survive there. When the Crown Prince of Adarlan pays her a visit and offers her an opportunity to win her freedom, Celaena agrees. Now she'll fight to become the King's Champion and win her freedom; however, someone (or something) has been killing off candidates and there's something dark behind the murders.

Read this if: you like female characters who seriously kick butt (and can hold their own), a well balanced love triangle, and a story set in a world where magic is outlawed (in the kingdom).

It's hard not to like Celaena. I mean, she's a master assassin and really not to be messed with. If I were to get into a fight, she's definitely someone I'd want to have at my back. Asides from that, you do learn about (some of) her past and I really think it adds to her character (as it should). But she's not the only girl in Throne of Glass who is capable of kicking butt. I'm pretty sure that Princess Nehemia could more than hold her own. As for who she is, well, you'll have to read Throne of Glass to find that out.

Then there's the boys. Let's be clear here, it's hard to pick one but I certainly wouldn't mind taking whatever boy Celaena doesn't choose off of her hands. Although now that I think about it, that might be a problem if she doesn't choose either of them which is certainly a possibility. Having said that, if I'm playing favorites then I'd definitely--personally--pick Prince Dorian. Yes, you heard me, I'd choose the Crown Prince of Adarlan and no, it's not because he's the prince. Okay, maybe a little. But he's charming, witty, and it certainly doesn't hurt that he's handsome. On the other hand you've got Chaol, Captain of the Royal Guard, who is the more serious of the two. He's a bit more rugged looking and secretly, I swear he's a teddy bear. Don't get me wrong, a teddy bear who would follows the rules. He's softhearted at times, but more than capable of doing his job.

As for the plot? I was quite happy with it! There was always enough to keep my interest and I loved how the fantasy element was worked in--yet did not overwhelm any other aspect of the story. In short, if you still haven't read Throne of Glass yet but have been looking for someone to encourage you a little, this is me encouraging you. I'm definitely looking forward to reading Crown of Midnight in August.

P.S. Did I mention that the paperback version of Throne of Glass came out two days ago? Yes, that's right, it came out on May 7th. Thoughts on the new cover?

★★★★ and a half.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Release Date: August 7, 2012

Edition: Hardcover

* Won via Throne of Glass Facebook page.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

This is the second book in a series. If you haven't read The Immortal Rules yet and want to avoid spoilers, this would be the time to stop reading.

Allison's hunt for her maker, Kanin, and the crazed vampire, Sarren (who kidnapped him) will lead her back home and unearth something terrible, a new strain of Red Lung.

Alright, I feel like I should mention this and get it out of the way: there is not a ton of romantic action in The Eternity Cure. I'm assuming that we're aware of the fact that the action (and adventure) aspects of this series are what makes it so fun to read, but I'm tossing that out there just in case.

There's a lot going on in The Eternity Cure despite the deceptively simple sounding plot. There's Sarren seeking the labs for some reason, Kanin who Allison is trying to find (and save), Zeke who has been quite busy, and I'm going to stop myself right there. Definitely not the extent of The Eternity Cure, but enough to give you an idea of what's going on. You can expect to meet two different vampire Princes, see more of the group of humans living in the sewers, run into a ton of familiar faces, and the ending? Well, expect to flail (at least a little).

Honestly, that's probably my favorite part of The Eternity Cure, getting to see more of Allison's world. You'll also learn more about certain character relationships and character motivations. Also, while Allison does develop (as a character) somewhat, I feel like it took quite a while. We won't get me started on Stick (who I would like to beat over the head with a stick). Trust me, you'll see.

Overall, if you've read The Immortal Rules and need the extra push to pick up The Eternity Cure, I'm giving you that push right now. It didn't really feel--to me--like it suffered from middle book syndrome.

★★★★ and a half.

The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Dante is good at collecting souls. So good, in fact, that the Boss Man sends him to collect Charlie Cooper's soul. The catch? He only has ten days to do it and getting Charlie to sin isn't going to be easy.

Dante is definitely a bad boy. He has no qualms about doing his job and tagging souls. Honestly? That's a part of what makes The Collector so fun to read. Because he's just so unprepared for Charlie despite being so confident in his abilities. Why? Well, she's just so innocent that he really has his work cut out for him! In that sense, she really rattles him--which is ultimately what initiates his inner turmoil (regarding taking her soul).

But the best part of The Collector? It's how Dante evolves as a character. I won't say anymore than that about the plot though. There's demons, angels, soul collectors and their counterpart (soul liberators), and the possibility of war looming--as it does. Plus Charlie's friends, Blue and Annabelle? They're pretty awesome too. I mean, they stick by Charlie's side, stick up for her, and they're sort of adorably protective of her. I feel like I don't know enough about Max and Valery yet to really talk about them; so I'll save that for when I've read the next book. 

So there you have it. If you've been thinking about giving The Collector a go, I'd definitely recommend it. And really? It was definitely refreshingly different. It's not like he's instantly taken with Charlie.

Read this if: You like bad boys. You like romances. You like stories involving souls, angels, and demons. You enjoy watching the main character grow (as a person).

★★★★

The Collector by Victoria Scott

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

The List: Fall 2013

It's that time again!

For those of you who have never seen me do this before, The List is comprised of YA titles coming out (next season) that have caught my eye. You can consider this a way to see what's coming out--if you'd rather not go through the catalogs yourself--and to add books to your TBR lists.

Please note: All release dates and covers are accurate as of the day this post goes live. Not all releases are listed--only those that have caught my eye. Also, not all the books on the list have covers at this time.

Finally, Simon & Schuster titles are missing from the list. When their fall catalog goes up, I will add in their titles at the bottom of the list.

* denotes a book that I'm particularly excited about.

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

I feel like I've been waiting for a reason to pick up--and finally read--I Hunt Killers. It's been on my radar since its release last year; but for some reason, it just didn't jump out at me at the time. However, now that I've seen so many rave reviews? Well, I decided to give it a go.

By now, I'm sure you know the plot. Jazz is the son of Billy Dent, a serial killer, and when a dead body ends up in a field in his town, he wants to help catch the killer. But G William, the local sheriff, doesn't want his help. After all, Jazz is just a teenager, even if he is the son of the infamous Billy Dent.

I'm pretty neutral about I Hunt Killers, to be honest. I definitely liked it, but I feel like I expected more from the killer. The plot does definitely pick up in the second half of the book and the ending definitely sets things up for Game; but I feel like it was missing that extra oomph I needed to really make me devour the book.

However, it did do a great job of introducing the characters. There's Howie, the hemophiliac, who is Jazz's best friend and tries to be as useful as he can be. Connie, on the other hand, is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She's Jazz's girlfriend and I couldn't help but like her. But the character that stood out the most for me? Well, that would be Billy Dent. Why? It has more to do with his personality and his voice in the book really. Sure, he's a serial killer, but that's not what makes his voice stand out. If you've already read I Hunt Killers, I imagine you know what I mean. On the other hand, if you haven't read the book yet, you'll see what I mean.

In all, I liked I Hunt Killers, but I wasn't as madly in love with it as I thought I'd be. However, that ending sealed the deal for me, I'm definitely reading Game. If you're on the fence about reading I Hunt Killers, I'd definitely suggest that you give it a go.

★★★★

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga 

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: April 3, 2012

Edition: e-copy

* Purchased on my own.

When We Wake by Karen Healey

When Tegan wakes up, she has no idea where she is or how she's gotten there. But she's been informed--by a doctor--that over a century has passed and that she's been brought back to life after being cryogenically frozen. But the future isn't all it's cracked up to be and more importantly, the military is hiding something big. How big? Massive.

It's awkward being the girl from the past. Just ask Tegan. Most everyone is on a vegetarian diet, computers are flexible and flat, EarRings work as phones, and oh, there's a boy in her class who happens to bear a strong resemblance to her boyfriend (from before her freeze), Dalmar. Granted, of course, the boy--Abdi--is definitely not Dalmar; nor is he very happy about Tegan calling him Dalmar. There's also a religious group that thinks Tegan should kill herself because her being brought back to life couldn't possibly be a part of God's will. Oh, and another group who thinks that she should be deported because she couldn't possibly still be considered to be an Australian citizen. You know, having been dead.

There's also Bethani, the first friend that Tegan makes in the future, who is an aspiring journalist. And my personal favorite secondary character, Joph, who has a bright future as a chemist and although she takes naps during class, actually has a lot going on. There's more to Joph than that, but I'll leave that for you to learn about when you read When We Wake. But trust me, there are many reasons to like Joph. I mean, honestly, I just really liked the entire cast of characters.

But at the same time, I feel like When We Wake is one of those books that I want to gently shake in the hopes that more pages will magically appear. I have no idea if there's going to be a second book; but with an ending like that, I really hope that there will be one. It just feels like there's more left to tell and I really hope that there is--mostly because I really want to spend more time with When We Wake's cast of characters.

Would I recommend When We Wake to you? If the idea of a cyrogenically frozen girl waking up in the future--in Australia--sounds appealing to you, definitely! When We Wake was a fun read featuring a unique future that I can see other readers enjoying.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

When We Wake by Karen Healey

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Anytime until the age of twenty, the Board can activate you and if they do, you'll have thirty days to find and kill your Alt. To hunt down and kill (or be killed) by someone who looks exactly like you. Only after one Alt has been killed can the other be considered a complete, someone considered worthy to live within Kresh. Failure to find and kill your Alt will lead to both of you dying at the end of the allotted thirty days.

West Grayer is fifteen when she goes from idle to active and then it's a race to see who will kill who first. Only, West doesn't go after her Alt immediately--even though she knows that she should. After all, she's doubting herself and her worthiness to be completed. What if her Alt is actually the better of the two of them? In that sense, Dualed is very much the story of how West fights with this and the decision she ultimately makes.

There's also Chord, a boy who is friends with her brother, Luc; he intends to protect West as best he can--without overstepping--even if she doesn't want his help. I really wish we'd gotten more of him in Dualed and I think this stems from the fact that I'm still feeling a little detached from him. But if we're playing favorites here, I think I liked Baer and Dess the most. Baer is a weapons instructor and Dess is another active--who is younger than West--who she runs into while West is avoiding her Alt.

I honestly would've liked to see more of the secondary characters in Dualed, but I'm hoping that we'll see more of them in the next book! Also, while I really do love the plot and the world that Elsie Chapman has built, I feel like I needed more plot seeds for the next book--if that makes sense. While I really enjoyed Dualed's plot, I feel like I have no idea what the next book will bring. On one hand, I really love that Dualed has a concrete ending, but on the other hand I wish I'd gotten at least a little hint of what to expect in the next book. Will we be seeing more strikers? More of the Board? Will we get to see what lies beyond Kresh? I am a sea of questions!

Having said all of that, I really did enjoy Dualed and if you've been thinking about reading it, I'd definitely encourage you to give it a go! Why should you read Dualed? It's fast paced and packed full of action! Seriously though, I think this one is definitely worth giving a go.

Overall Rating:  ★★★★ and a half.

Dualed by Elsie Chapman

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House

Release Date: February 26, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Book Blast: A Touch Menacing by Leah Clifford

It’s nearly time to say good bye to Eden and her friends with the conclusion of the A Touch Trilogy from author Leah Clifford.

Whether you’ve been there from the beginning when Eden first met Az in A TOUCH MORTAL. Spent countless hours contemplating with other A Touch Trilogy fans over the fate of the kitten, from A TOUCH MORBID. Or are just joining us now, the conclusion to Leah Clifford’s A Touch Trilogy promises to be heart stopping and well worth the wait!

Pick up whichever novel you need to catch up before MENACING’S March 5th release date. You don’t want to be the only one not talking about this book!

A TOUCH MENACING
A Touch Trilogy #3 Author: Leah Clifford
Release Date: March 5th

Eden is dying. For real, this time.
She is crumbling to ash, and an unnatural plague is ravaging mortals and immortals alike. With both Heaven and Hell out to destroy her, Eden can no longer tell the difference between good and evil.

Friends become enemies. And enemies are everywhere.
But don't underestimate Eden. She'll fight for her life, for the lives of those she loves, and for every life she has ever touched.
She'll fight for revenge. For redemption. For—just maybe—the chance to be mortal again.
Everything began with forbidden love.
What will be sacrificed at the bitter end?
The dramatic conclusion to Leah Clifford's dark, alluring trilogy of life, death, and epic love.

PRE-ORDER A TOUCH MENACING NOW FOR ONLY $11.98

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBEL

Pick Up The Whole Series!

A TOUCH MORTAL (A Touch Trilogy #1) AMAZON | B&N
A TOUCH MORBID (A Touch Trilogy #2) AMAZON | B&N

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GIVEAWAY

Help us spread the word about the final installment of the A Touch Trilogy, and you could win one of these amazing prizes!

Grand Prize 
30 Minute Skype Chat with Leah Clifford. Talk about writing, talk about THE KITTEN, talk about her books! Talk about almost anything!

2nd Place 
Get’s to name a character in Leah’s next published book

2 Lucky Bonus Winners Will get 1 Paperback of A TOUCH MORTAL and 1 Hardcover of A TOUCH MORBID signed to the winner!

THE RULES
- Open Internationally for the Skype Chat and Character Name
- Books Will Only be mailed in the US.
- Pre Order for A Touch Menacing can be from any date
- Order for Mortal or Morbid MUST be dated between 2/1 and 2/22
*we reserve the right to deny any receipt for entry if it appears to be altered or manipulated in anyway.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Leah Clifford currently lives in Ohio, but frequently dreams of finding an abandoned mansion in the south that she can restore. In her spare time she loves to travel and has been known to drive over two hours to get kickass quesadillas. So far for jobs she's sold corn at a roadside stand, been a pizza delivery girl, a camp counselor, an extreme cave tour guide, a flight attendant, a waitress (x3), a grocery store clerk and a writer. Out of all of them, writing has been the most fun. She's pretty sure she's gonna stick with it.

STALK LEAH CLIFFORD
TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | TUMBLR | WEBSITE | BLOG

Love Leah’s A TOUCH TRILOGY? Check out the CafePress store dedicated to the series.

THE MORTAL PORTAL 

Just click to visit The Mortal Porta!
A Touch Menacing items coming soon!

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Why should you want to read The Madman's Daughter? It's inspired by The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells, it's a Gothic novel, and there's the perfect amount of romance. Technically this does feature a love triangle but oh my goodness, the boys!

Juliet Moreau is completely on her own in London, having lost her mother recently. Her father, once London's most celebrated surgeon, has been shunned and as far as Juliet knows, he's dead. Or is he? When she catches students performing a vivisection with one of her father's diagrams and learns of a doctor--who they got the diagram from--Juliet can't help but wonder, is it possible that her father has come back to London?

Do not go look up vivisection. Trust me on this. If you really want to know what it is, it's experimental surgery on a live specimen; and yes, it plays a pretty big role in The Madman's Daughter. It's not extremely graphic in the book or anything, but it does pop up every here and there. There's so much more that could be said about experimentation and the role that it plays in The Madman's Daughter, but it's such a vital part of the book that you really just need to read it for yourself. 

As for the boys, well, all I can tell you is this: Montgomery is someone from Juliet's past and Edward is a castaway. Again, there's so much more to the boys than just that, but I refuse to spoil anything for you! It's really going to be interesting to see where the next book takes Juliet for several reasons--and don't you dare skip to the end of the book to see what I mean! It's enough of an ending not to feel like a cliffhanger and that's all I'm saying about it!

But wait, I haven't said anything about Juliet! She's definitely not the simpering sort and she can hold her own when she needs to. She's strong in her own way and oh my goodness has she been through a lot. In all, I'd definitely recommend The Madman's Daughter to you. I loved the plot, the characters, and the setting. It's unique and I really can't say too much about it--other than this: you really should try reading this one. 

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Publisher: Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Edition: e-ARC

* Received for review via publisher and Edelweiss.

Altered by Jennifer Rush

What you should know right off the bat: there is only really one romantic interest in Anna's eyes. What does that mean? No love triangles or, uh, hexagons. Also, I am not going to touch on what leads to the boys escaping because I feel like Altered is more fun to read when you go in blind. Yes, this is what I'd classify as science fiction but it's definitely easy to follow along. What makes it science fiction? Genetically engineered boys, of course!

But wait, I feel like I need to talk about the boys for a moment--by which, I mean dedicate a paragraph to. For the record, they are all good looking, but I have a feeling that readers might have different favorites. Mine? Cas. He loves food and is almost always in a good mood. I'd say that Trev is a close second though. He's Anna's best friend (but yes, he's locked up too), is always there to lend an ear, and he's got a quote for almost everything. Don't get me wrong, I love Sam too, but I love him for different reasons. You know, like how determined he can be and how he really has the group's best interest in mind. (And how wonderful I think his relationship with Anna will be as it continues to grow.) Lastly there's Nick and don't get me wrong, I don't dislike him, I just think that I started to warm up to him late in the game. I think it's going to take another book for me to really form an opinion about him.

Then there's Anna. She's a little insecure at times--which is completely understandable--but then we get to my favorite bit about her, she's had self defense classes. Why am I so happy about that? Because it means that she's got a good grasp on what to do in some situations. Guns on the other hand, she needs some help with. She feels like a believable character given her situation and while there are things that I could add about her, I won't. Yes, because they're spoilers. Trust me, you'll want to read Altered to find out.

In all, I'd recommend this to you if you're looking for an interesting new science fiction read featuring some pretty cute boys. However, I would mention that I'm curious as to what the second book will bring to the table considering how well I felt Altered wrapped itself up. It feels like Branch, the organization responsible for altering the boys, is going to continue to play a large role--or so I'd imagine--but I'm not sure what else to expect. Regardless, I will be looking forward to the second book and I'm hoping to see a lot more of Anna and Sam! (And the other boys, of course!)

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Altered by Jennifer Rush

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release Date: January 1, 2013

Edition: e-copy

* Received for review via publisher and NetGalley.

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

If you haven't read Infinite Days yet and wish to remain spoiler free, you'll want to stop reading now.

Welcome back to Lovers Bay, where Lenah Beaudonte, former Queen of Vampires, now resides. And Lenah's past? It continues to haunt her. A vampire that Lenah turned has arrived in town and she's killing off Lenah's friends, demanding that Lenah give her the ritual. But it's a ritual that should never fall into vampire hands, in particular ones that have terrible intentions such as Odette. Of course, that's not Lenah's only problem. There's the small matter of Rhode--who could be alive. In the end, she'll have to make a choice, one that can change everything. 

It's been a while since the first book and it might be a good idea to re-read it before you dive into Stolen Nights for the sake of remembering where Infinite Days left off, but you can also hop right into Stolen Nights if you want to. No, really, I found it pretty easy to re-acclimate myself to Lenah's world despite having not re-read Infinite Days. Also, if you were a fan of Justin in the first book, well, let's just say that his personality isn't wasn't as sweet as it was in Infinite Days.

Expect more flashbacks, more Vicken, and a lot tension between characters. Things definitely get moving early on in Stolen Nights and they consistently keep moving until you reach the end. I think, for me personally, I would've liked the romance and the plot to tie together a bit better. Don't get me wrong, I definitely did like it, but I feel like there's a very particular scene towards the end that would've been perfect for a heart wrenching moment. When you get to the dance, you'll see what I mean. Then there was the use of the month of Nuit Rouge and spell materials that I found to be quite interesting. That intent could essentially change the outcome of a spell and that the meanings behind herbs and plants also played a role in the spells as well

In all, I definitely enjoyed Stolen Nights and if you liked Infinite Days, it's definitely worth reading! I can't tell you anything else and let this remain spoiler free--although I wish I could! Also, I feel like I'd like a companion novel though--or a third book--as I'm left with some questions.

Overall Rating: ★★★★

Stolen Nights by Rebecca Maizel

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Release Date: January 29, 2013

Edition: e-ARC 

* Received for review via NetGalley and as a part of the blog tour.

Bring YA to You!

Have you ever wished that a big YA book tour would make a stop in your hometown? Well, here's your chance for that wish to come true! YA2U is a program that features five award-winning and best-selling authors who are holding a contest to see what city they should visit in an exclusive tour stop!

The authors are collecting votes from January 1 to February 15, and any city in the continental US or any Canadian city that has an international airport can win an exclusive visit from all five authors, including an author panel and book signing! Entering is super easy--and if you help spread the word about the contest, you can also enter win a signed copy of all of their books (TEN signed books in total!)--and the book contest is open internationally!

The authors in the program are:

• Marie Lu, the New York Times best-selling author of Legend and the upcoming Prodigy
• Marissa Meyer, the New York Times best-selling author of Cinder and the upcoming Scarlet
• Beth Revis, the New York Times best-selling author of Across the Universe, A Million Suns, and the upcoming Shades of Earth
• Victoria Schwab, author of The Near Witch and the highly-anticipated upcoming The Archived
• Megan Shepherd, author of the debut novel The Madman's Daughter

And they want to have an event in your home town! To participate, just got to the YA2U website and let them know what city you want them to come to. And while you're there, help spread the word about the contest and you can be entered to win all of their books--TEN signed books in total! 

Here's why the YA2U Team should come to MY hometown! 

Could it be because I want to lure Victoria Schwab, Megan Shepherd, and Beth Revis to Southern California? *shifty eyes* Yes, there's that. I mean, it's no great secret that I'm in love with Victoria's writing style and Beth's AtU trilogy has managed to blow my mind during books one and two. I've actually just finished reading The Madman's Daughter and I know I'll be picking up the second book.

Did I mention that I already have a bookstore in mind? They're a friendly, nerdy group of booksellers that always have a recommendation for you. Oh, and they're an independent bookstore. Which bookstore am I talking about? The oh so wonderful Mysterious Galaxy (Redondo Beach), of course! Go ahead, go take a look at their page for the store. They've got a great selection of YA and if the lovely ladies of YA2U liked, they could even get some writing done in the cafe--which is attached to the bookstore. (And they serve beer and wine at said cafe too. Did I mention that?)

To summarize: Oh dear authors and voters, let's put Los Angeles up as one of the cities and hey, while you're voting, maybe pick Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach! Why? Because they're an amazing independent bookstore with a fantastic staff!

Why should the YA2U Team come to your hometown? Why not join in the fun today and share with others about this program and your hometown. The more votes your town gets, the closer you are to having your very own personal tour stop! Vote for YOUR town here!

And if you help spread the word, you can also participate in the book giveaway. Tell them that you learned about YA2U from me and we both get extra entries in the contest! 

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