Tuesday, 30 October 2012

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Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (#Ad)

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini TaylorDays of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (review copy)

I was sent this review copy for free from Hodder & Stoughton in exchange for an honest review.

WARNING! I cannot review this book without spoiling the others in the series. Read no further if you're planning on reading this series and don't want it spoilt for you.

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living - one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers' arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon's secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel - a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world.
From Amazon UK
Continue reading Review: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (#Ad)

Monday, 29 October 2012

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Weekly Gossip

Here's your bookish news from the past week.

First up, cover reveals!

The cover - and the name I believe, as I hadn't heard it before, for the sequel to Tom Clempson's One Seriously Messed-Up Week in the Otherwise Mundane and Uneventful Life of Jack Samsonite has been revealed! It's called - wait for it... *takes a deep breath* One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite!

One Seriously Messed-Up Weekend in the Otherwise Un-Messed-Up Life of Jack Samsonite by Tom Clempson

Continue reading Weekly Gossip

Sunday, 28 October 2012

Friday, 26 October 2012

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Movie Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a WallflowerMovie: The Perks of Being a Wallflower - A funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. From UK Wallflowers Facebook Page.

Continue reading Movie Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

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A Novel Cover Up: Itch by Simon Mayo

A Novel Cover Up

A Novel Cover Up is a semi-regular feature that looks at how covers are made. Thanks to Random House Children's Publishers, I am fortunate enough to have a guest post from Senior Fiction Designer Dominica Clements, where she talks about the process that went into designing the cover for Itch by Simon Mayo. Other than the cover, all images in this post are copyrighted to Dominica Clements and Laura Bird and used with permission, and can be clicked to enlarge.

Itch by Simon MayoWhen we were given this pacy action adventure story to read, the first and most exciting part of the job was to come up with the right concept for the cover. We weren’t sure whether it ought to be narrative, symbolic, or typographic…

Continue reading A Novel Cover Up: Itch by Simon Mayo

Monday, 22 October 2012

Sunday, 21 October 2012

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Mini-Review: Pantomime by Laura Lam

Pantomime by Laura LamPantomime by Laura Lam (ARC) - R.H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass – remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone – are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star. But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.
From LauraLam.co.uk
Continue reading Mini-Review: Pantomime by Laura Lam

Saturday, 20 October 2012

Monday, 15 October 2012

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Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny HanWe'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han (review copy) - Belly has only ever been in love with two boys, both with the last name Fisher. And after being with Jeremiah for the last two years, she's almost positive he is her soulmate.

Almost.

Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go. But when Belly and Jeremiah decide to make things forever, Conrad realizes that it's now or never--tell Belly he loves her, or lose her for good. Unlike his brother, Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. Belly will have to confront her feelings for Jeremiah and Conrad and face a truth she has possibly always known: she will have to break one of their hearts.
From DearJennyHan.com
Continue reading Review: We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

Sunday, 14 October 2012

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

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Review: Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa Bown (#Ad)

Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa BownYour Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa Bown

I was sent this review copy for free by Katherine Formosa Bown for the purpose of providing an honest review.

If someone you love and care about has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and you’re feeling a little helpless, scared and not sure what to do next, then this is the book for you. ‘Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey’ will provide you with what you need to know right now. Everything from diagnosis and treatment to coming out the other end and most importantly, this book explains clearly how you can make a difference. Written by a recent breast cancer survivor, this book will give you first hand information on how you can support her with easy-to-understand explanations, tips and advice so you can be there every step of the way for the person that you love. From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Your Guide Through Her Breast Cancer Journey by Katherine Formosa Bown (#Ad)

Monday, 8 October 2012

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A Novel Cover Up: James Weinberg on The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

A Novel Cover Up

A Novel Cover Up is a semi-regular feature that looks at how covers are made. Thanks to Candlewick Press, I have been fortunate enough to interview illustrator James Weinberg about how he designed the cover for The Infects by Sean Beaudoin, as part of The Infects Blog Tour. Other than the cover, all images in this post are copyrighted to James Weinberg and used with permission, and can be clicked to enlarge.

The Infects by Sean BeaudoinCan you tell us about the cover for The Infects? What do you hope it tells readers about the story?

The cover is a graphic of a skull that is a Rorschach made up of chickens and reaching hands. The illustration of the chicken on top of the skull lets you know this is horror with some humor mixed in. We had some feedback that was along the lines of "What's up with the chickens?" to which my response is: exactly. I want to let the reader know that when they pick up Sean's book they are in for a nutty ride.

Continue reading A Novel Cover Up: James Weinberg on The Infects by Sean Beaudoin

Thursday, 4 October 2012

Winner: The Assasin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke Final Draw

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose ClarkeThe Once Upon a Bookcase Draw to be entereed into the final The Assassin's Curse Draw held by Strange Chemistry has now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered! Randomizer.org has done it's thing, and the winner is:

Giada M!

Congratulations! Your details have been passed onto my contact at Strange Chemistry, so you can be entered into the final draw to win a one-of-a-kind annotated version of The Assassin's Curse, with sketches, marked-out scenes, deleted information, and extra character info. Good luck!
Continue reading Winner: The Assasin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke Final Draw

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

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Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyThe Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (review copy) - Charlie's not the biggest geek in high school, but he's by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent, yet socially awkward, Charlie is a wallflower, standing on the threshold of his life whilst watching everyone else live theirs.
As Charlie tries to navigate his way through unchartered territory - the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends - he realises he can't stay on the sidelines forever. There comes a time when you have to see what life looks like from the dance floor.
From the blurb.

Continue reading Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
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A Novel Cover Up: Lili Ibrahim on The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes

A Novel Cover Up

A Novel Cover Up is a semi-regular feature that looks at how covers are made. Thanks to Tyche, as part of the Blog Tour for The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes, I was able to interview illustrator Lili Ibrahim about how she designed the cover for The Palace Job. All images in this post are copyrighted to Lili Ibrahim, unless otherwise stated, and used with permision. All images can be clicked to enlarged.

The Palace Job by Patrick WeekesCan you tell us about the cover for The Palace Job? What do you hope it tells readers about the story?

What I like about the cover for ‘The Palace Job’ is that it gives the impression of an old fashioned ‘Wanted’ poster – reflecting the activities of the main characters. I hope it gives the readers an idea of an atmosphere, and I hope that whoever picks up the book feels like they want to know more about the strange crew on the cover.

Continue reading A Novel Cover Up: Lili Ibrahim on The Palace Job by Patrick Weekes

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

Book Bloggers Penpal Scheme - Update

Back in May I asked if anyone was interested in a Book Blogger Penpal Scheme and a few of you said you would be interested. This post is to find out if those people are still interested, and to see if there any others who would also like to take part.

To recap the ideas that were tossed around:
  • Set up a blog for the scheme. People's bios/descriptions of the type of people they would like to write to will be added to the blog, and people can browse through and see who they may like to talk to. These bios/descriptions can be separated into countries, so people can find people from where they're from if they want to stay within their own country, but also by type of blog - i.e. YA, fantasy, classics, chicklit, etc, so people can find like-minded bloggers.
  • The person running the blog doesn't have the addresses - there is no address keeper. Only you give out your address. For example: Blogger A sends an email about writing to Blogger B that goes to whoever is upholding the Penpal blog. They then pass the email on to Blogger B, who can then check out Blogger A, and decide for themselves whether they share their address or not. If they want to, they email Blogger A themselves, but if not, so there aren't any issues, they email blog upholder saying no, who emails back Blogger A to say Blogger B declined the penpal request. Does that make sense?  

Continue reading Book Bloggers Penpal Scheme - Update
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Winner: Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer

Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty FischerThe giveaway for Zombies Don't Cry: A Living Dead Love Story by Rusty Fischer has now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered! Randomizer.org has done it's thing and the winner is:

Jessica W!

Congratulations! The winner has been contacted, and her contact details have been passed on to the author who will be posting the prize. Happy reading!
Continue reading Winner: Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer
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The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke Blog Tour: Cassandra on High Fantasy

Today I'm delighted to share with you a guest post from YA author Cassandra Rose Clarke as part of her Blog Tour for The Assassin's Curse, her UK debut. Read on to find out Cassandra's answer to why she chose to write high fantasy when urban fantasy and paranormal romance is really the norm in YA.

Cassandra Rose ClarkeWriting The Assassin’s Curse was an experiment. I’d tried my hand at writing high fantasy several times back when I was in college, but those novels never went anywhere. I had pages and pages of false starts and “world notes” and that sort of thing, but I always returned to the comfort of magical realism, where I could indulge my literary fiction tendencies and I didn’t have to do things like make up words in imaginary languages.

Continue reading The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke Blog Tour: Cassandra on High Fantasy

Monday, 1 October 2012

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Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret StohlBeautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - In Ethan Wate's hometown there lies the darkest of secrets . . .

There is a girl.

Slowly, she pulled the hood from her head. Green eyes, black hair. Lena Duchannes.

There is a curse.

On the Sixteenth Moon, the Sixteenth Year, the Book will take what it's been promised. And no one can stop it.

In the end, there is a grave.

Lena and Ethan become bound together by a deep, powerful love. But Lena is cursed and on her sixteenth birthday, her fate will be decided.

Ethan never even saw it coming.
From Amazon UK

Continue reading Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
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Weekly Gossip

Here is your bookish news from the past week.

First up, cover reveals.

The cover for Just One Day by Gayle Forman, the author of If I Stay, has been revealed by EW!

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Isn't it gorgeous?! And doesn't it sound so awesome! EW also have an exclusive excerpt from the book which you can read here.

Continue reading Weekly Gossip