In My Mailbox (6)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Check out her awesome YA reviews.

Only one this week.

For Review:

The Dresskeeper by Mary Naylus

When Picky's Mum forces her to look after Gran, who has dementia, Picky is accidentally transported back to the year 1685, where a man in a wig insists she is someone called Amelia and tries to kill her. Managing to get the dress off just in time, Picky returns to the present with the dress covered in blood. Who is Amelia? Is she dead? Will wearing the other dresses in the chest take Picky back in time too? And does she dare put herself in danger again?

Looks good!

What did you get this week?

Continue reading In My Mailbox (6)

Awards Galore!

I am happy to say I have been on the receiving end of a few blog awards! It's now my turn to pass them on.

I received the Savvy Scribler award from Lauren of I was a Teenage Book Geek. Thank's Lauren!






Rules:
1. Each Superior Scribbler, must in turn, pass the Award on to 5 most-deserving bloggy buds.

2. Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and name of the blog from whom he/she has received the Award.

3. Each Superior Scribbler must display the Award on his/her blog and link to this post which explains the Award.

I am going to pass this award on to:


1. Ana of Things Mean a Lot
2. Jess of Nayu's Reading Corner
3. Misty of The Book Rat
4. Velvet of vvb32 reads
5. Vanessa of Today's Adventure
I also received the One Lovely Blog award from Jenn of Books at Midnight and Andrea of Buried in Books! Cheers to the both of you!





Rules:
Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

15? Wow! I shall try. I'll pass this award on to these newly-ish discovered blogs:



1. Blog with Bite
2. Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!
3. Chick Lit Teens
4. Falling Off The Shelf
5. Find the Time to Read
6. Fluttering Butterflies
7. I'm Booking It
8. J'adore Happy Endings
9. Jackets & Covers
10. Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf
11. Library Girl Reads
12. Lily's Bookshelf
13. Look At That Book
14. Pure Imagination
15. Ooh . . . Books!
And finally, I received the Heartfelt award from Sammee of I Want to Read That. Cheers Sammee!




Do you reach for a cup of cocoa or tea when you're relaxing, seeking comfort, sharing a plate of cookies with family and friends? You know the feeling you get when you drink a yummy cup of cocoa, tea, or a hot toddy? That is what the Heartfelt Award is all about, feeling warm inside.
Rules: Put the logo on your blog/post. Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside. Be sure to link your nominees within your post. Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I'm going to nominate:

1. Jenny of Wondrous Reads
2. Everyone at Chicklish
3. Cecilia of The Epic Rat
4. Velvet of vvb32 Reads
5. Kristi of The Story Siren
6. Kay of The Infinite Shelf
7. Tina of Fantastic Book Review
8. Juju of Tales of Whimsy
9. Sophie of So Many Books, So Little Time
So congrats to everyone who received an award, and thank you to everyone who gave me one!

Continue reading Awards Galore!

Simon & Schuster News: Wicked Series is Coming to the Big Screen & Dark Life by Kat Falls Info

I received an awesome email today from Simon & Schuster with some fantastic news for YA fans.

Firstly, the Wicked series by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie has been acquired by Dreamworks for FILM RIGHTS. Brothers Aaron and Matthew Benay, who have written the script for Pixar and Warner Bros.' 1906 (2012 release), have signed on to write the Wicked adaptation based on their own pitch, with The Gotham Group on board to produce. There’s no further info yet, but it’s really quite exciting and I’m sure they’ll do a fabulous job of bringing the book to the screen!!

Synopsis:
Holly Cathers’ world shatters when her parents are killed in a terrible accident. Wrenched from her home in San Francisco, she is sent to Seattle to live with her relatives, Aunt Marie-Claire and her twin cousins, Amanda and Nicole. But as she struggles to settle into her new home, Holly’s sorrow and grief soon gives way to bewilderment at the strange incidents going on around her. Such as how any wish she whispers to her cat seems to come true. Or the way a friend is injured after a freak attack from a vicious falcon. And then there’s the undeniable, magnetic attraction to a boy Holly barely knows.

Holly and her cousins, Amanda and Nicole, are about to be drawn into family feud spanning generations. And as they uncover a dark legacy of witches, secrets, and alliances, where ancient magic yields dangerous results, the girls learn of a shared destiny that is beyond their wildest imaginations...

Simon & Schuster have also aquired Dark Life by Kat Falls to add to their UK list (cover TBC). Described by the publicist, Dark Life "is thrilling, thought provoking and exciting". Sounds good, eh?

Synopsis:
Ty has lived under the ocean for his entire life. Following global warming and the rise of the seas, his family joined an underwater community in hopes of living in the new frontier of the ocean floor. But When Ty meets Gemma, a girl from "topside", who is searching the seas for her brother, she quickly makes his life very complicated. Together Ty and Gemma face dangerous sea creatures and venture into the frontier town's rough underworld as they search for her missing brother. But the deeper they dig, the more attention they attract, and soon Ty and Gemma find themselves being hunted by a gang of outlaws who roam the underwater territories causing havoc, and who seem to have eerie abilities. But Ty has a secret of his own, living underwater for his entire life has meant he has also developed a "special" power. Can he keep it a secret from Gemma and his family or is it time for him to finally tell everyone the truth?

I love the sound of this book! I can't wait to read it!

About the author:
Kat Falls grew up in Maryland and received a MFA in screenwriting at Northwestern University. Now she teaches at NU, where she is continually inspired by her students' creativity. Kat has had four screenplays optioned by independent producers and was hired to write a script for Disney Studios based on a pitch. Kat's leap into prose came by way of a writing exercise. Knowing that her 12-year-old son loved reading about the ocean, Wild West pioneers, and (of course) the X-Men, she combined his interests and created the premise for a story that kept her up nights plotting and world-building. One year later, her sci-fi adventure novel, Dark Life took 1st place in the sci-fi/fantasy category of the 2008 Crested Butte/Sandy writing contest. Kat lives in Illinois, USA, with her husband, theatre director Robert Falls, their three children, two cats, two guinea pigs and a snake named Poncho.

Continue reading Simon & Schuster News: Wicked Series is Coming to the Big Screen & Dark Life by Kat Falls Info

UK Book Bloggers - Your Thoughts Needed For New Charter

Since Kristi of The Story Siren created her Privacy Policy, a few people have been doing the same as it's a good idea. Me included. But some British bloggers want to take the Privacy Policy idea further to protect bloggers as well as the followers. Becky of The Bookette is heading the idea to create a Charter for UK bloggers, and I'm putting the information out to you to ask fellow bloggers from the UK to get involved, and try to come up with some ideas. Here's what Becky sent to me:

So far the idea is that we will structure a charter that UK book bloggers can sign up to. I feel quite strongly that we should not encourage minors to give out their home address when they are the winners of competitions. All we need is one rogue person posing at a book blogger to harm the reputation of all our blogs.

I suggest that part of the Charter would be that under 16s must provide their school address** and a care of name or their parent or guardian's work address to receive contest prizes. Then when we send books out, we could enclose a standard letter which explains why we do this and then we are part of the Charter.

Also, I think it would list key points for minors to look out for when viewing a blog to see if it's genuine. Bloggers who sign up to the Charter would need to make sure they had those things on their blog. No idea what they would be yet..any ideas gratefully received.

And of course we could design a logo for the Charter.

So these are my initial thoughts. I love to hear what you think. As I haven't been blogging for very long, I could really do with some input from experienced bloggers about the practical aspects of how this could work and other things the Charter could include, what it would be called etc.

**There has been further discussion, and Becky has told me she was informed that minors shouldn't give out their school addresses either, so stated by Barnardos. So this is still being worked on.

Once the Charter has a name, a blog will be created as a sound board for ideas to be shared, and to host the Charter once it's working. I think this is a pretty awesome idea, and encourage any UK bloggers to please either comment on this blog, or email Becky at thebookette[at]googlemail[dot]com if you have any thoughts or ideas. This could be something important for us all.

Continue reading UK Book Bloggers - Your Thoughts Needed For New Charter

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Check out her awesome YA reviews.

Not many, but great ones!

For Review:

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

When Cassie was little her grandmother would tell her stories about the Arctic...stories about snow and ice, about a beautiful castle made of ice, and about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth to become a prisoner of the trolls. Cassie is older now and has no time for fairytales and talking animals, or lies about her dead mother. Living with her father at the Arctic research centre, she is determined to become a leading scientist and researcher. But when Cassie comes face to face with a mysterious polar bear, one that defies all scientific fact or knowledge, she begins realise that the fairytales could actually be true. Armed with the knowledge that her mother might be alive, Cassie makes a deal with the Polar Bear King, and embarks on a dangerous journey against time to save her. But her agreement with the Polar Bear King comes with consequences she never bargained for, and before her journey's end Cassie will discover the true meaning of love and family, and loss. A compelling romantic fantasy set in the beautiful frozen Arctic.

Wake by Lisa McMann

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams at any given moment is getting tired. Especially the falling dreams, and the standing-in-front-of-the-class-naked ones. But then there are the nightmares, the ones that chill her to the bone...like the one where she is in a strange house...in a dirty kitchen...and a sinister monster that edges ever closer. This is the nightmare that she keeps falling into, the one where, for the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant...

Bought from my Oxfam Bookshop:

Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl - I have a slightly different cover

Boggis, Bunce and Bean are the meanest three farmers you could meet. They are determined to get Mr Fox - but he has other plans!

I am so HAPPY! I have been looking for Fantastic Mr Fox for AGES! I loved it when I was at primary school! And I'm looking to reading the other two!

What did you get this week?

Continue reading In My Mailbox (5)

Review: The Hollow by Jessica Verday

The Hollow by Jessica Verday (review copy) - I would have a hard time summarising this book myself for several reasons, so the following is from Amazon UK:

Growing up in the town of Sleepy Hollow, the mystery and intrigue over Washington Irving's classic legend are all part of daily life for sixteen-year-old Abbey. But when her best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Abbey's world is suddenly turned upside down. While everyone is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead, Abbey refuses to believe that she is really gone. And when Abbey meets the gorgeous, but mysterious, Caspian at Kristen's memorial she starts to feel like she has something to hold on to for the first time since Kristen's disappearance. But when Abbey finds a diary hidden in Kristen's bedroom, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her disappearance or even her death? Hurt and angry at Kristen's betrayal, Abbey turns to Caspian for support...and uncovers a frightening truth about him that threatens both their emerging love and her sanity...

I didn’t like this book. It starts off with Abbey at the memorial service of her best friend, Kristen, and it’s quite intriguing. Abbey doesn’t believe she’s dead, but she has no clue what happened. Questions spring to mind automatically for the reader, but you’ll have to wait a while for even a smidgen of an answer. Then Caspian enters, and Abbey falls for him. The only problem is, he’s hot, then he’s cold, and Abbey never really knows what’s going on with them.

That’s pretty much the story; what happened to Kristen and what’s happening between the two of them? Things start picking up around the last 40 – 30 pages. Perhaps there will be some meaning in the next book in the series, but most of what happens in this book – walks through the cemetery, Abbey making perfume, going to school and coming home – it doesn’t really play any real part, and drags. I suppose you could say that it helps to build characterisation, and you could be right, but it just wasn’t interesting, in my opinion. I always read on author sites that scenes should make the story progress. For the most part, in my opinion, they didn’t in The Hollow.

The characters; I really liked Ben. Who is Ben? A secondary character you don’t see very much of, but the only one who seemed real to me. Abbey and Caspian just don’t behave like normal teenagers. A lot of my friends are teenagers, and I watch American teenage movies; teenagers don’t behave the way Abbey and Caspian do. Abbey reads far too much into what Caspian says, and reacts more like a younger teenager, say 12 – 13, rather than a 16-year-old. Caspian is around 20, and nor does he say things someone his age would say, nor what guys would say generally – or at least not in the way Caspian says them. Neither character was all that believable, and I didn’t feel anything for them. I didn’t relate to them, and I didn’t care about them.

On a positive note, the description in this novel was amazing. You can really see in your mind’s eye all the places Abbey goes to, and they sound so beautiful! Especially the cemetery! The setting of Sleepy Hollow for this novel is just awesome to imagine.

For anyone expecting an action packed urban fantasy, be prepared to be disappointed. There is no action, and the only fantasy elements make an appearance in the last 40 – 30 pages. There aren’t really any concrete answers to the questions brought up throughout the book. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with The Hollow, especially as I was really looking forward to it.

The Hollow wasn’t for me, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be for you either. Read a few other reviews before you make a choice. But I think I can safely say I won’t be picking up the sequel when it comes out.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for sending me a review copy.

Published: October 2009
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon US
Jessica Verday’s Website

Other Reviews:
Harmony Book Reviews
Karin's Book Nook
Chick Lit Teens
Wondrous Reads
Read This Book
The Book Smugglers
The Story Siren

Continue reading Review: The Hollow by Jessica Verday

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Check out her awesome YA reviews.

For Review:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.

With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

When Abbey's best friend, Kristen, vanishes at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, everyone else is all too quick to accept that Kristen is dead and rumors fly that her death was no accident. Abbey goes through the motions of mourning her best friend, but privately, she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone. It only makes things worse that everyone now treats Abbey like either a freak show or a charity case. Thank goodness for Caspian, the gorgeous and mysterious boy who shows up out of nowhere at Kristen's funeral, and keeps reappearing in Abbey's life. Caspian clearly has secrets of his own, but he's the only person who makes Abbey feel normal again...but also special.

Just when Abbey starts to feel that she might survive all this, she learns a secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about her best friend. How could Kristen have kept silent about so much? And could this secret have led to her death? As Abbey struggles to understand Kristen's betrayal, she uncovers a frightening truth that nearly unravels her - one that will challenge her emerging love for Caspian, as well as her own sanity.

Bought from my Oxfam Bookshop:

Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning

Seventeen-year-old Molly Montgomery never planned on becoming famous. Molly's band, The Hormones, was just supposed to be about mucking around with her best mates, Jane and Tara, and having fun. But when the deliciously dangerous Dean and his friend T join the band, things start happening fast. Soon The Hormones are front-page news, and their debut album is rocketing up the charts. Molly is the force behind the band, but the hazards of fame, first love, screaming fans, and sleazy managers are forcing the newly crowned teen queen of grrl angst close to the edge. Fame never comes for free, and Molly's about to find out what it costs.

Junk by Melvin Burgess

Tar loves Gemma, but Gemma doesn't want to be tied down-not to anyone or anything. Gemma wants to fly. But no one can fly forever. One day, somehow, finally, you have to come down.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."

So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her -- her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, THE LOVELY BONES succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.

I'm pretty happy! Check out Ink and Paper for other books received this week.

What did you get this week?

Continue reading In My Mailbox (4)

NEWS: British Teen Editors needed for Spinebreakers

I have been given some information about an AMAZING opportunity for teens 13-18 in the UK who love reading! Check it out:

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WANTED:
BOOK EDITORS AND MUSIC EDITORS FOR SPINEBREAKERS.CO.UK

Calling all creative whizzes, book heads, musos and budding writers. We are recruiting a team of 13-18 year olds to become the next line up of music and books editors for Penguin’s online community, http://spinebreakers.co.uk/, run by teens for teens.

Spinebreakers launched in 2007 and is now crammed full of creative content inspired by books, contributed by 13-18 year olds. The website is backed by publisher Penguin but the content of the site is totally in the hands of the young editors.

The past editors have had brilliant experiences interviewing famous authors like Nick Hornby, being the first to hear and review brand new music from Island records, sitting on the first ever Orange Prize for Fiction Youth Panel, attending the Underage Festival, speaking at events, and letting the world know their opinions when it came to books. We are now looking to recruit a second generation of editors: this is your chance to fill their footsteps, gain some amazing experiences and be a part of something unique.

You will:

• Receive tonnes of free books
• Get to listen and review some of the hottest new music around
• Work with industry professionals
• Meet and interview famous authors and musicians
• Explore imaginative topics around books and writing
• Unleash your creativity
• Get something totally amazing on your CV
• Have all travel expenses covered

“I have to say my involvement with Spinebreakers has helped me a great deal, not only it's given me the confidence to stand out within a crowd, public speaking, writing articles, but it has also given me the opportunity to be on BBC Radio 4, which I'm really proud of.” Osman Diallo (ex-Spinebreakers Editor, aged 20)

If you have a passion for books, music, reading, writing, drawing, filming – anything creative – then we want to hear from you.

The editors will receive a half-day workshop at a youth marketing agency in London. You need to be:

• Available on 26th October 2009
• Within commuting distance of London (for Books Editors only)
• Able to attend monthly meetings at Penguin in Central London
• Able to commit to creating monthly content

To apply, we want you to show us what you can do. Send us your favourite piece of writing you’ve done – it could be a short story, book or album review, rant or feature. Plus we want you to tell us in 100 words or less why you should become one of our teen editors. And, don’t forget to state if you’d rather be a books or music editor. Send the info to: jointheteam@spinebreakers.co.uk

Please send your submissions to reach us no later than 22nd OCTOBER 2009

Please visit http://www.spinebreakers.co.uk/ to find out more about the site and to apply to become an editor. jointheteam@spinebreakers.co.uk

Can’t wait to hear from you!

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How amazing does that sound?! Oh, if only I was a few years younger! A little further information I was given in the email: "The teen editors at Spinebreakers have complete editorial control. If they don’t like a book, they can say so, and their thoughts will still be put up on the site."

Sweet, huh? What are you waiting for? Get emailing!

Continue reading NEWS: British Teen Editors needed for Spinebreakers

Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (review copy) - Nora Grey lives the normal life of any teenager – that is until she gets a new biology partner, Patch. He’s rude, antagonising, and overly flirty, and Nora can’t stand him. What’s worse, he seems to show up where ever Nora goes, and knows more about her than anyone else. But what bothers Nora most is the strange attraction she has to him she can’t ignore no matter how she tries. But after several terrifying and unexplainable events take place which lead Nora to point the finger at Patch, she has to wonder if he’s dangerous as well as rude. Nora is determined to find out what’s going on, but the answers could be more than she bargained for, and could cost her her life.

Ever since I first the beautiful cover, I was intrigued by Hush, Hush. Then I saw several reviews, and I just knew this book would be amazing. Turns out I was right. This book is absolutely phenomenal!

I think it’s obvious where I’m going to start with this review; Patch. There’s a promotional banner for Hush, Hush making it’s round that says “Edward who? Meet Patch.” I couldn’t agree more. He is unbelievably sexy, flirty, and just utterly delicious – and that’s just personality wise. Everyone has their own imagination, and will visualise things differently, but this guy could not be better looking. Yes, he’s rude, he takes the mick out of Nora, and he deliberately tries to make her feel uncomfortable, but I think that makes him even more attractive because it’s not exactly malicious, he’s challenging her, and it’s awesome!

The storyline is just wow. Seriously, it’s amazing. The things that happen that you can find no explanation for, and trying to work out who has done what and why, will keep you turning the pages. You don’t get your answers until the end, but there’s so much going on, your interest won’t be lost. The action in Hush, Hush is similar to that in a teenage thriller, and is actually kind of scary; not in a horror way, but in a “oh my God, this could actually happen, and how on earth could there possibly be a way out of this?” way. It’s so good, you’ll be preparing to run in your own seat.

Nora is pretty much an every-girl. She’s just an ordinary teenager, and so is very easy to relate to. She’s also human, so mistakes are made that are just obvious to you as a reader. I’ve said before it’s similar to a teen thriller, and I’ll say it again; you know in movies, when someone hears a weird noise outside, so they leave to check it out, and you’re like “what are you doing?!”? That doesn’t happen in the book, but you have similar mistakes going on. This book would seriously make an amazing movie! Nora’s best mate, Vee, is fantastic. She’s confident, she’s flirty, and she pushes Nora to get herself out there. She’s also incredibly funny, and very brave. She’s just awesome.

I love the mythology of the fallen angels in this book, which I can’t get into here as it would spoil it. This being only the second book I’ve read about fallen angels, I don’t know much about fallen angel mythology, but what is used in the book sounds very unique and intriguing. There are some questions that don’t get answered, but the story is resolved, and the ending is fantastic. The unanswered questions, and the genius ending mean the chances of me picking up the sequel, Crescendo, next year are high. No, their better than that; I definitely will.

You know that feeling when you slide into a nice, hot bath after being out in the freezing cold? That’s what reading this book is like. I’m going to make a comparison here, not to storylines but to my reading habits. When I first discovered the Twilight saga last year, for several months, they were all I read, I just went right back to the beginning every time I finished Eclipse. If it weren’t for the fact that I have other books to read, Hush, Hush would become my new Twilight saga, and I would read it continually. I LOVE IT! I cannot wait for September next year when Crescendo is due. The only problem I had was that I read it in one day and now it’s over. I read it too fast, but that just shows how good it is! You need this book!

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK for sending me a review copy.

Release date: 29th October 2009 in UK, already released in US
Publisher: Simon and Schuster UK
Buy on Amazon UK
Buy on Amazon US
Becca Fitzpatrick’s Website

Other Reviews:
Pernickety Snark
Harmony Book Reviews
The Book Smugglers
The Story Siren
Fantastic Book Review
Parajunkee's View
Wondrous Reads
Boof's Bookshelf
Book Reviews by Sarah
Bookaholics Oye!

Continue reading Review: Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

It's Monday! What are You Reading? (4)

It's Monday! What are You Reading? is a meme run by J. Kaye's Book Blog which discusses which books will be read this week, and the ones that were read last week.

Life things have been a little hectic lately, which is why there was no post last Monday. I haven't been able to read too many books either, unfortunately, but last week I read:

• Fallen by Lauren Kate
• Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine

This week, I hope to read:

• Beauty by Robin McKinley - Once Upon a Week (for Fairy Tale week, as mentioned in previous posts)
• Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Fingers crossed that I get these read! What are you reading this week?

Continue reading It's Monday! What are You Reading? (4)

Review: Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine (#Ad)

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine

I was sent this review copy for free by Allison & Busby for the purposes of providing an honest review.

WARNING! I cannot review Carpe Corpus without spoiling the first five books in the Morganville Vampire series. Do not read any further if you plan on reading any of the prior books.

The extremely strong and powerful vampire Mr Bishop has taken complete control of Morganville. Claire is forced to do his bidding because of a magical tattoo he has put on her, Michael has been bitten by him and is now under his control, Shane is locked up in prison with his Dad, and Eve wants nothing to do with Claire. Amelie has gone into hiding, and Myrnin has sided with Bishop. Things are pretty much screwed for Claire.

That is until she finds out that Amelie is gathering those who are still loyal to her underground, and that Myrnin and Michael are playing spies. With a plan in the works, moves are made – but on both sides. Bishop is not going to hand over control of Morganville without a fight, and plans to destroy all those who are against him, human and vamp alike. There’s a race against the clock with predicting and outmaneuvering the opponent to be getting on with, and Claire’s ready to get her hands dirty.

Continue reading Review: Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine (#Ad)

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren. Check out her awesome YA reviews.

I got only a few books this week:

Won:

Generation Dead by Daniel Waters (Signed) from Jess of Find the Time to Read (yup, my second copy)

All over the tri-state area, something strange is happening. Teenagers who die aren't staying dead. They are coming back to life, but they come back different - they stutter and their reactions to everything are slower. Termed 'living impaired' or 'differently biotic', there are lots of conspiracy theories to explain this new phenomenon. But as their numbers keep on growing, so does the discomfort of the living people in the community. When Phoebe falls for Tommy Williams, her best friend and star of the football team, Adam, has conflicting emotions. And when Tommy decides to try out for the football team, it sets off a chain of events that escalates into deadly violence.

Bought:

Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine

This title includes a brand new and exclusive morganville short story only available in this edition. In the small town of Morganville, vampires and humans lived in (relative) peace - until all the rules got rewritten when the evil vampire Bishop arrived, looking for the lost book of vampire secrets. He's kept a death grip on the town ever since. Now an underground resistance is brewing, and in order to contain it, Bishop must go to even greater lengths. He vows to obliterate the town and all its inhabitants - the living and the undead. Claire Danvers and her friends are the only ones who stand in his way. But even if they defeat Bishop, will the vampires ever be content to go back to the old rules, after having had such a taste of power?

The following are from my Oxfam Bookshop.

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis (Proof)

Moonlight can totally change your life.

And it all starts so simply.

You. Him.

The moon.

You're toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

The Moth Diaries by Rachel Klein

Unfolding through the journal of a sixteen-year-old girl, The Moth Diaries is a compellingly brilliant portrait of obsession and fear set in the hothouse atmosphere of a girls' boarding school. It is a world of too many books and too little reality, where ideas become passions and passions obsessions. The unnamed narrator believes with increasing certainty that a schoolmate is a vampire, subtly and secretly killing her best friend and roommate, and responsible for an escalating series of disasters at the school. As she watches her friend's growing relationship with Ernessa, she gradually loses her grip on reality, her paranoia fuelled by reading le Fanu's vampiric novel Carmilla. Is Ernessa really a vampire? Or has the narrator trapped herself in her own fevered imagination?

13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of 13 little blue envelopes! Ginny, aged 17, is left 13 little blue envelopes by her free-spirited young Aunt Peg. Little does she know just how much they will change her life.../ Inside envelope No 1 is money and instructions to buy a plane ticket. / Inside envelope No 2 are directions to a specific London flat / Inside envelope No 3 a note to Ginny says: Find a starving artist. / And because of envelope No 4 Ginny and a man called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous -- though utterly romantic -- results.

Yup, I'm a happy girl! Check out Ink and Paper's In My Mailbox post for more books.

So what did you get this week?

Continue reading In My Mailbox (3)

Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Fallen by Lauren Kate (ARC/Proof) - After the mysterious death of a boy she knew in a fire when they snuck off during a party, Luce is sent to reform school, Sword and Cross, when she can't explain what happened. Trying to come to terms with the death, deal with her guilt, and escape the weird shadows that seem to follow her everywhere isn't easy, especially when all she can think about is Daniel. Absolutely gorgeous, he does his best to hurt her at every turn. Luce can't figure out what his problem is, but nor can she get over her attraction to him. It should be easy when the equally gorgeous Cam is showering her with attention, but she can't shake the feeling that she knows Daniel from somewhere.

What Luce doesn't know is that Daniel holds a secret, one that involves her. If she was to get too close and find out, it could quite literally kill her.

I have one word for you: WOW! This book is absolutely amazing! I can't tell you just how good this book is. I was dying to get to the end and find out just what was happening, and was despairing over my slow reading pace. Seriously, this book is awesome!

The characters in this book are just amazing! Luce is great, but troubled and disturbed. Thinking she's mad because of these shadows that are always there, and trying to figure out how on earth Trevor died. And then she has to deal with the confusing emotions that come with dealing with Daniel and trying to work out what his problem is. Daniel himself is still a bit of a mystery, but amazingly gorgeous. You can't help but feel sorry for him when you find out his story.

Arriana, the girl who takes Luce under her wing when she starts school, is just fantastic! You never know whether to trust her or not as you go through the book, as she's just mental! She's the most quirkiest person I've ever read about and I couldn't help but love her! Penn, another of Luce's good friends at Sword and Cross, is awesome with her easy friendship and accepting Luce straight away, but also with her sneaky ways, reading people's files, and hacking into computers. She's a lovely little spy.

There are so many questions that come up as you read through this book, and you don't really find out any answers until you get to the end. However, this doesn't make the story slow at all. Lauren Kate has a clever knack for keeping you engrossed even when not too much is happening, by having bits of information inserted along the way. It just leads to even more questions, and although you know a few details of the story that Luce doesn't, you're dying to get to the part where Luce does find out, so you can get all these other questions answered and find out why. Really, you can't turn the pages fast enough.

As to the forbidden love, the chemistry, how deep the attraction goes between Luce and Daniel and how quickly, I was kind of thinking "Really? Already?" but saying that, I have reacted that way before when reading other stories. I think I tend to miss tiny little things in the first read through, and when I read through again, everything piles up, and how deeply the main characters feel makes much more sense. So maybe another read through is needed for me. But there is one word to describe it: intense. You could cut the sexual tension between the two of them, and as you're reading, you're just dying for Daniel to stop being a git and just kiss the girl already!

The action in this story is awesome, but there isn't a huge amount of it, because Luce needs to be kept safe, and so is removed fromt he situation. I would have liked a little bit more description; I have a very visual imagination, and so when I read, I see it all, but I had a little trouble picturing "shadow-locusts" - but then again, maybe you can't really picture them, being shadowy. There is a twist you don't expect at all, and are shocked beyond anything. You will be sitting on the edge of your seat, I'm telling you.

An awesome story, but don't expect many of your questions to be answered in this book. There is a kind of cliff hanger, and the end leaves you with even more questions. But as the summery says, Daniel's secret could kill Luce, so instead of a flood of answers, you get a trickle. It is torture, but it's good torture.

It would be very easy to compare Fallen to other books with a similar premise. I urge you not to. Don't pick this book up with any others in mind. Fallen is an amazing book on it's own, and you'll be doing this awesome book a serious injustice if you compare as you go along. Close your mind to any other books, sit back, and just enjoy!

I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, Torment. Seriously, Fallen is unbelievably good, and I may just have to read it again soon. You need this book!

Thank you to Random House for giving me this book to review.

Release Date: 17th December 2009 in UK, 8th December 2009 in US
Publisher: Doubleday (imprint of Random House)
Pre-order on Amazon UK
Pre-order on Amazon US
Lauren Kate on Random House
Fallen Website

Other Reviews:
Chicklish
So Many Books, So Little Time
The Story Siren

Continue reading Review: Fallen by Lauren Kate

Covers - Original vs Reprint

Inspired by Jenny of Wondrous Reads' US Vs. UK posts, in which she discusses whether or not she prefers the US or UK covers for a YA novel.

Original vs Reprint does the same thing, except it's looking at whether the reprint cover is better than the original or not.

As this is my first one, I thought I would look at a few that I know of, and every one after will look at just one book. So, without further ado...

UK covers for Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr.



Original vs Reprint



Original vs Reprint

I have to say I prefer the reprints, which are also the covers that have always been used in America. When I first read Wicked Lovely, it was for a book club and I had no real interest in it. The cover put me off as well, when I bought it. The book is actually amazing, as is it's sequel, but the covers, although they fit the story, are too urban for my liking. I have the originals of both, however.

UK covers for Twilight by Stephenie Meyer.



Original vs Reprint

I prefer the reprint - which is the cover America has always used. I think it adds a bit more mystery to the book, sets up a mood - it says "fantasy" more than the original does. However I do like the original, I think it's interesting, a bit different.

UK covers for Posion Study by Maria V. Snyder.



Original vs Reprint

I much prefer the reprint! There's so much more going on, but without it being over crowded. I think the book and bottles go well with the title to give some idea about the story. The original dosen't really give much insight, in my opinion.
I'll leave it there for now. So what do you think? Do you prefer the originals, or the reprints?

Continue reading Covers - Original vs Reprint

New UK Covers for Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires Series

I don't know if they're all new or not, but it's the first time I've come across them all; the new UK covers for Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires.















Aren't they gorgeous?! God, I love them!

Buy on Amazon UK / Buy (some) on The Book Depository

Continue reading New UK Covers for Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampires Series

Honest Scrap Award

I have received my first award for Once Upon a Bookcase!

Thanks to The Ladybug Reads for giving me the Honest Scrap Award!





This is the Honest Scrap award. It is for those bloggers who write from the heart. The rules are to pass it along to seven bloggers and then list 10 honest things about myself. Here are those deserving of this honor, bloggers who write from the heart and touch me because of it:



Another Book Blog-Whore
So Many Books, So Little Time
The Crooked Shelf
I Was a Teenage Book Geek
The Bookette
Nayu's Reading Corner
I Want to Read That


Ten Honest Things About Me:
1. I once dyed my hair black (I'm naturally ginger).
2. I'm a huge music fan, and love going to gigs, but I haven't been to one on purpose* for a year and a half.
3. I took a year long Cosmetic Make-Up and Beauty Consultancy course.
4. I collect keyrings.
5. I like dipping Ready Salted crisps (or chips) in vanilla ice-cream.
6. My favourite subject at school was Drama.
7. I try to make my own jewellery and greetings cards.
8. My favourite meal is steak and chips (or fries).
9. I am an extremely fussy eater.
10. I'd rather go down my local pub than go clubbing.

Sorry, I know they're not that great, but I couldn't think of anything all that interesting, lol.

Continue reading Honest Scrap Award

Wish List

This post is inspired by Steph Su Reads' Wish List posts and The Story Siren's Books to Pine For Posts.

Here is a list of books. Some are old, some have recently been released, and some are yet to be released. The one thing they have in common? I want to read them all! (Please bare with me, this is going to be a bloody long post!)




Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception & Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie by Maggie Stiefvater



Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater & The Mark by Jen Nadol



Evermore (NOW OWNED) & Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (Sorry for the size)



Shadowland by Alyson Noel & Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (NOW OWNED)



Wondrous Strange & Darklight by Lesley Livingston



Wake by Lisa McCann (NOW OWNED) & The Everafter by Amy Huntley



Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted & Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (NOW OWNED)



Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder & City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (NOW OWNED)



City of Glass by Cassandra Clare & Incarceron by Catherine Fisher



Oh. My. Gods. & Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs



Forgive my Fins by Tera Lynn Childs & Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preeble



Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender & My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent



The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong (NOW OWNED) & Knife by R. J. Anderson (NOW OWNED - US Version))



Strange Angels by Lili St.Crow & The Dark Devine by Bree Despain



Ice by Sarah Beth Durst (NOW OWNED) & Rampant by Diana Peterfreund



Carpe Corpus & Fade Out by Rachel Caine (NOW OWN BOTH!) (Sorry for the size)



Another Faust by Daniel & Dina Nayeri & Play Me by Laura Ruby



Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe & The Naughty List by Suzanne Young



Intertwined by Gena Showalter & Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough



Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl & Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne



Ash by Malinda Lo & Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins



Devoured by Amanda Marrone & Immortal by Gillian Shields



Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison & Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink (NOW OWNED)



The Hollow by Jessica Verday (NOW OWNED) & Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon



Eternal by Cynthia Leitich Smith & Willow by Julia Hoban



Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev & Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis (NOW OWNED)



Ghost Huntress: The Awakening by Marley Gibson & Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler



Red Tears by Joanna Kenrick

If any authors or publishers are interested in having me review their book, please email me: joannestapley[at]googlemail[dot]com

So what books are you after?

Continue reading Wish List