Saturday, 1 May 2010

In My Mailbox (31)

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

For review:

Bewitched & Betrayed by Lisa ShearinBewitched & Betrayed by Lisa Shearin - will be reviewed on Ink and Paper

My name is Raine Benares. I’m a seeker. I find lost things and missing people — usually alive. Finding the specters of six evil mages who escaped the Saghred, a soul-eating stone of unlimited power, was easy. Stopping them before they unleash Hell on earth just may be the death of me.

Being bonded to the Saghred wasn’t my idea — neither is hunting down its escapees. Especially not when one of them is also hunting me. He’s regenerating his body by taking the lives of powerful victims, along with their memories, knowledge, and most important of all, their magic. The dark mage wants control of the Saghred, and if he gets it, he’ll become an evil demigod whom no one can stop. The only thing in his way is me.

One of us doesn’t stand a ghost of a chance.
From LisaShearin.com
And I also received some signed goodies from Lisa Shearin herself! A bookmark, a postcard, and a bookplate! Isn't she just awesome?

lisa shearin swag front
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lisa shearin swag back
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Street Heroes by Joe LayburnStreet Heroes by Joe Layburn

Georgie's dad, George Smith is a highly controversial politician whose message is to get rid of non-white people from London's East End. Everyone assumes Georgie shares his father's views, even his father. But while he loves his dad, he's really not sure what he thinks. And then he begins to hear a voice in his head, the voice of a Muslim girl called Fatima ... Meanwhile Fatima is also contacting other children in difficult situations. When an attempt is made to kill George Smith he responds by planning a repeat of the historical Battle of Cable Street when Fascists demonstrating against Jewish immigrants confronted local people. How can the mysterious Fatima and her gang stop Smith, and which side will Georgie be on? By the acclaimed author of Ghostscape, this gripping story is a Heroes for children dealing with issues of racism and immigration. From Amazon UK


Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick paperbackHush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick - in paperback.

Nora's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, she is drawn to him against her better judgement. But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and knows more about her than her closest friends.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 a centuries-old battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and sooner or later, she's going to have to pick sides... From Amazon UK. Also comes with the first chapter from Crescendo!


One of the press releases that came with Hush, Hush was of quotes from various newspapers, magazines and bloggers, and a quote from me was included!

Hush, hush review quote
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This Gorgeous Game by Donna FreitasThis Gorgeous Game by Donna Freitas

A CHILLING NOVEL ABOUT THE ISOLATION OF BEING STALKED AND THE ABUSE OF POWER.

Olivia Peters is over the moon when her literary idol, the celebrated novelist and muchadored local priest Mark D. Brendan, offers to become her personal writing mentor. But when Father Mark’s enthusiasm for Olivia’s prose develops into something more, Olivia’s emotions quickly shift from wonder to confusion to despair. Exactly what game is Father Mark playing, and how on earth can she get out of it?
From Amazon US


The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy NelsonThe Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to centre stage of her own life - and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, with a nearly magical grin. One boy takes Lennie out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But the two can't collide without Lennie's world exploding... From Amazon UK


Obernewtyn by Isobelle CarmodyObernewtyn by Isobelle Carmody

In a world struggling back from the brink of apocalypse, life is harsh. But for Elspeth Gordie, born with enhanced mental abilities, it is also dangerous. Survival is only by secrecy and so she determines never to use her forbidden powers. But it is as if they have their own imperative and she is brought to the attention of the totalitarian Council that rules the Land. Banished to the remote mountain institution of Obernewtyn, she must throw off her cloak of concealment and pit herself against those that would resurrect the terrible forces of the apocalypse. Only then will she learn most truly who and what she is ...Elspeth is determined to uncover the plot and so, accompanied only by her cat, Maruman, embarks on a terrible adventure full of danger, the conclusion to which promises not just uncertainty about her safety but also that of many around her. From Amazon UK


The Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz ZafónThe Prince of Mist by Carlos Ruiz Zafón - finished copy.

In 1943 Max Carver's father - a watchmaker and inventor - decides to move his family to a small town on the Atlantic coast. They move into a house built for a prestigious surgeon, Dr Richard Fleischmann and his wife but abandoned when their son drowned in a tragic accident. Behind the house Max spies an overgrown garden surrounded by a metal fence topped with a six-pointed star. When he goes to investigate, Max finds statues like troupe fill the garden. In the centre is the large statue of a clown set in another six-pointed star. Max has the curious sensation that the statue is beckoning to him. As the family grows increasingly uneasy when they discover a box of old films belonging to the Fleischmanns, his sister Alicia has unsettling dreams while little Irina hears voices whispering to her from an old wardrobe. But Max spends most of his time with his new friend Roland, who takes him diving to the wreck of a boat that sank close to the coast in a terrible storm. Everyone on board perished except for one man - an engineer who built the lighthouse at the end of the beach. During the dive, Max sees something that leaves him cold - on the mast floats a tattered flag and on it is the symbol of the circle and six-pointed star. As they learn more about the wreck, the chilling story of a legendary figure called the Prince of Mist begins to emerge... From Amazon UK


Revolver by Marcus SedgewickRevolver by Marcus Sedgewick

1910. A cabin north of the Arctic Circle. Fifteen-year-old Sig Andersson is alone. Alone, except for the corpse of his father, who died earlier that day after falling through a weak spot on the ice-covered lake. His sister, Anna, and step-mother, Nadya, have gone to the local town for help. Then comes a knock at the door. It's a man, the flash of a revolver's butt at his hip, and a mean glare in his eyes. Sig has never seen him before but Wolff claims to have unfinished business with his father. As Sig gradually learns the awful truth about Wolff's connection to his father, his thoughts are drawn to a certain box hidden on a shelf in the storeroom, in which lies his father's prized possession - a revolver. When Anna returns alone, and Wolff begins to close in, Sig's choice is pulled into sharp focus. Should he use the gun, or not? From Amazon UK


Won from Luisa Plaja via The Sweet Bonjour:

Swapped by a Kiss by Luisa PlajaSwapped by a Kiss by Luisa Plaja

Rachel hates her life and everyone in it - she even has suspicions that her on/off boyfriend David might not be entirely trustworthy. However, when David invites her to a music festival in England featuring their friend's band, she jumps at the chance for an overseas adventure. Hoping to surprise David, Rachel arrives at the festival early, where she runs into a nasty surprise of her own - she sees David kissing their friend Jo. Distraught, Rachel runs off, wishing she could leave her life behind...the next thing she knows, she's back with David. But not as herself...She's now in Jo's body! Can she keep the swap a secret from David until she can work out exactly what's going on and get her revenge? Over the course of a very weird weekend, Rachel puts herself in someone else's shoes and finds that her own maybe weren't as uncomfortable as she'd always thought. But can she ever be herself again? From Amazon UK


Here's what Luisa wrote:

swapped by a kiss by luisa plaja signed
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So I am an EXTREMELY happy girl! Bewitched & Betrayed and Swapped by a Kiss in the same week! So exciting! :D

21 comments:

  1. I don't blame you for being happy, that's a fantastic week! I really liked Obernewtyn, am *so* excited about Swapped By A Kiss, and also really looking forward to The Sky Is Everywhere... so I'd be pretty happy with that mailbox too. :D

    Also, *great* quote from you on that press release. Very cool.

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  2. Oh This Gorgeous Game looks really good! Glad to know you got your prize okay aswell. Happy reading :)

    P.S. Congrats on the quote on Hush, Hush!! :D

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  3. Great week! We got lots of the same review books. And aren't the Hush, Hush quotes and Luisa awesome?!

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  4. Wow. Good haul there, Jo! Happy reading! :)

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  5. Awesome week dude! Lisa Shearin seems lovely, and of course we all know Luisa is! :)

    I got The Prince of Mist and Revolver today too, I love the finished PoM. And Hush, Hush was probably the highlight of my week - it's so amazing to be quoted, as you know!

    Happy reading, hope you enjoy them all!

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  6. Great books you received this week! So awesome that you were quoted! I've only been quoted once, and it was just on an author's website, but that's pretty cool too I guess :)

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  7. Lauren - Obernewtyn sounds just sooo good! A good ol' fantasy! Swapped by a Kiss... I am just SO happy to have a copy! So excited to read it! I'm currently reading Bewitched & Betrayed (looooving it!), and will be reading Swapped next! The Sky is Everywhere sounds just so amazing, I really can't wait to read it! Too many good books! :D
    Thank you about the quote, too! I was just sooo happy! I was so happy, I was telling people who weren't even all that interested, haha!

    Sasha - This Gorgeous Game does look good, doesn't it? I'm looking forward to reading it, it's supposed to be just amazing! Thanks again for holding the contest! :) I am so excited to read Swapped! :D
    Thanks for the congrats!

    Sophie - Thank you! Oh, I almost died when I got the paperback of Hush, Hush and saw my quote! Then I Went through and was all "I know her! And I know her! And her, and her, and..." Lol. So cool to see my quote in such great company! :) Luisa is just amazing! She is just too cool!

    Ryan - Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading them! :)

    Jenny - Thank you! Lisa Shearin is just awesome! And yup, Luisa is too! Awesome, awesome authors! :D
    The Prince of Mist looks so good, I am really intrigued. Not sure if I really like the sound of Revolver or not. I suppose I would have to read it to see, but it doesn't appeal too much right now. The Hush, Hush quotes are just sooo cool! I am just so chuffed! Third time I've been quoted now! It's so exciting!

    Jenni - Thank you! I know, I am so chuffed that I was quoted for the press release! It's so awesome! That is awesome! This is my third time-ish. Once on a publisher's website, once in Amazon's product despcription for a book, and now on a press release! :D Soo happy!

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  8. So many great books and well done on the review quote too! I'm trying to cut down my TBR pile and I can hardly wait to be allowed to buy books again.

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  9. Julianne - Thank you! I'm so chuffed about th equote! :) Oh, I know the feeling, I am far too many books in my TBR pile! Good luck with tackling it! :)

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  10. Awesome book! Revolver looks soo interesting!

    Happy reading!

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  11. Thank you! I'm not sure if I like the sound of Revolver. We'll see :)

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  12. You have lots of great books to read! I liked The Sky is Everywhere. Hush, Hush was okay. I am interested in This Gorgeous Game and Swapped By a Kiss although I still haven't read Split By a Kiss. I hope you enjoy all your books.

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  13. *Jaw dropping on the floor seeing your quote in Hush Hush*
    You're my hero ! ;-) Congrats!
    Cool books this week !

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  14. Christina - Thank you! I really enjoyed Hush, Hush, I loved it! I'm really looking forward to The Sky is Everywhere, This Gorgeous Game and Swapped! I'm sure they'll all be awesome!

    Caroline - Haha, thank you! I was so chuffed when I saw the quote! Highlight of my day :) Cheers!

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  15. Wonderful books this week! I hope you enjoy your new books. Happy reading!

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  16. Yay great books - I love getting signed books :o) I noticed your quote on the Hush, hush press release! I was very excited for you!

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  17. Signed stuff is always great! Aww, thank you! I got all happy when I saw it! :)

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  18. Wow...fantastic mailbox there! So glad to see HUSH HUSH wing your way...it's a great read. Will be reading THIS GORGEOUS GAME myself very soon as well...can't wait to see what you think! Happy reading!

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  19. Thanks, Gina! I loved Hush, Hush! It's so awesome! And This Gorgeous Game looks really good, I'm excited to read it! :)

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