Thursday, October 17, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #24

Hosted by Parajunkee an Alison Can Read


The Question: What are some of your favorite Magazines?


Ooh,  I have lots. Trust me. Magazines entertain me and I always enjoy seeing my subscriptions in the mailbox every month.



I love Dance Spirit, Pointe, Seventeen, and National Geographic!

Also, I like Time, especially since you get a copy every week. Sometimes I look at the American Girl catalogues because all the dolls are adorable!

Overall, I love magazines! While I definitely love books more, magazines are fun to flip through and I always like keeping interesting articles to read  and re-read or to pin onto my bulletin board. Also, I am supposed to read articles for school, so magazines are great for that too.

Do you have any favorite magazines?
-Emily

Cover Reveal: Scintillate

Today Tracy Clark and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for book 1 in The Key of Light Trilogy, SCILTILLATE. Coming out February 2014!

On to the reveal!
Scintillate by Tracy Clark

Release Date: February 4, 2014
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 320
Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble


Cora Sandoval’s mother disappeared when she was five and living in Ireland. Since then, Dad has been more than overprotective and Cora is beginning to chafe under his confines. But even more troubling is the colorful light she is suddenly seeing around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—she glows a brilliant, sparkling silver.


Troubled by these strange flickerings and fearing she is being stalked, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student who makes her feel safe. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves and Finn’s mother orders him home to Ireland upon hearing he’s fallen in love. After a fight with her father, Cora flees to Ireland, both to follow Finn and to look for her missing mother.

There she meets another silver-haloed person and discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—a conspiracy that could end her life and change mankind forever.

Scintillate is the first book in this lush and exciting new trilogy, full of romance, adventure and metaphysical mystery.


                                      Exclusive Excerpt!


Finn began to play. Voices descended into a respectful hush. Soft strums of the guitar lifted and fell on shafts of daylight from the windows. A small patch of sun warmed my exposed neck as I listened. The orange beads of his bracelet flashed as he plucked the strings with slender fingers. His head hung over the guitar in reverent concentration.
His playing was amazing, sweet and peaceful. For a while I let go of how bizarre my life had become. I was entranced long before Finn closed his eyes and opened his mouth to sing. His voice was rich, smooth suede, perfectly suited for the blues: soulful and vulnerable. The kind of voice that reaches inside and squeezes what’s tender.
When he sang an Irish bar song called “The Wild Rover,” he got the entire crowd to join in on the chorus. A couple of times during his performance, his gaze fell on me and lingered as if he sang directly to me. I rested my chin on my hand, hiding my smile behind my fingers. The last song was in a language I didn’t understand, but my soul spoke that language. Deep inside, something cracked open so that a bit of my truest self could peek out. His music was bluesy and mournful, eerily familiar, and it opened my heart in locked places. A tear landed on my wrist.
When the final chord of the last song reverberated through the coffeehouse, the audience jumped to its feet and applauded wildly. The force of energy from the crowd knocked the breath out of me, making me dizzy. I dared a look at the people in the room. The colors were unbelievable! Such power. It rolled toward Finn in a wave, a tsunami in slow motion. I had the impulse to leap in front of him, to protect him from it.
My body jerked in response to the thought, and I squeezed the sides of the wooden chair, willing myself to sit still. I couldn’t trust myself and the strong urge to protect him. But from what? The big, bad colors I could see but that were invisible to everyone else? He’d think I was crazy.
Maybe I was.
A chill spidered up my spine. The man with the crazy eyes and pure white aura leaned against the brick wall a couple feet away, staring intently at me. Icy fear spiked through me, making my fingers tingle and my breath come in quick bursts. The sounds of the room fell away. My heart sped and my aura sparked as I saw the roiling ball of the crowd’s energy pass over the man and collide with Finn. But rather than crush him, the energy crashed and blended with his own bright aura, making it grow and pulse fiercely. He seemed to absorb the light until the room grew dim to my eyes.
Untouched by the energy, the strange man moved closer and closer to me. I called out to Dun, but he couldn’t hear me over the shouts and clapping. I was so small in my chair amid the standing crowd. The man and his dark eyes were all I could see. I tried to leap up to run, to grab Dun’s arm, to call for help, but my chest jerked toward the stranger as if I’d been punched in the spine. I couldn’t draw breath, couldn’t move through the thick ice of my draining energy and rising panic. I was hit in the face with a blast of air. Then, a sudden flash of white.
The world tilted sideways, and I slid off.


About Tracy:

Tracy Clark is a young-adult writer because she believes teens deserve to know how much they matter and that regardless of what they're going through, they aren't alone. In other words, she writes books for her teen self.
She grew up a "valley girl" in Southern California but now resides in her home state of Nevada with her daughter and son. She's an unapologetic dog person who is currently owned by a cat. She is the recipient of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Work in Progress Grant and a two-time participant in the prestigious Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program.
Her debut novel, SCINTILLATE, was inspired by her enchantment with metaphysics as a teen, seeing it as the real magic in life. Tracy is a part-time college student, a private pilot, and an irredeemable dreamer.


Giveaway!
1 ebook of SCINTILLATE and a charm key US Only

1 eBook of SCINTILLATE International







a Rafflecopter giveaway

What do you think of the cover? I love all the shades of blue and the title font a lot!
-Emily

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Book Trends: The Titles

So, I have been noticing a lot of book start with the sound "un" 

I actually really like the sound of all these titles. Especially Undeadly, which isn't actually a real word!

Do you like these titles? Why do you think the "un" words and titles are popular? 

Why not just say "Strong" instead of "Unbreakable"? Or "Supernatural" instead of "Unearthly? 

To me, the "un"s give the title an extra oomph. What do you think?

Thanks for reading! 
-Emily

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

This year's DNF pile

Here is where I "review" (more like just share my thoughts on) the books I simply couldn't finish. While reading my thoughts, please remember that I didn't read the whole novel so these are just my thoughts on the first 50% or so.



Anna Van Housen has a secret. 

A gifted illusionist, Anna assists her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite Van Housen, in her stage show and séances, easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums, and mentalists in 1920’s New York. As the illegitimate daughter of Harry Houdini—or so Marguerite claims—sleight of hand illusions have never been a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her own gifts secret from her opportunistic mother. Because while Marguerite’s own powers may be a sham, Anna possesses a true ability to sense people’s feelings and foretell the future.

But as Anna’s powers intensify, she begins to experience frightening visions of her mother in peril, which leads her to explore the powers she’s tried so long to hide. And when a mysterious young man named Cole moves into the flat downstairs, introducing Anna to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, she is forced to confront her past and rethink everything she’s ever known. Is her mother truly in danger, or are Anna’s visions merely illusion? And could the great Houdini really be her father, or is it just another of Marguerite’s tricks?

From Teri Brown comes a world bursting with magic, with romance, and the temptations of Jazz Age New York—and the story of a girl about to become the mistress of her own destiny.

Why did I not finish Born of Illusion?

This book just could not hold my interest! I found myself staring into space and I was never fully engaged so I finally just quit reading. Also, I read a lot of good reviews so I was very disappointed I could not get into it.

I think the big reason I did not finish Born of Illusion is thanks to the characters. I felt no connection to the characters, even Anna was kind of transparent to me, and the romance was "bleh".  Overall, this was not a hit with me!




Edward picks up what he thinks is a rock. He doesn’t know it is a sleeping Time Fetch—and touching it will release its foragers too soon and alter the entire fabric of time and space. Soon the bell rings to end class just as it has begun. Buses race down streets, too far behind schedule to stop for passengers. Buildings and sidewalks begin to disappear as the whole fabric of the universe starts to unravel. To try to stop the foragers, Edward must depend on the help of his classmates Feenix, Danton, and Brigit—whether he likes it or not. They all have touched the Fetch, and it has drawn them together in a strange and thrilling adventure. The boundaries between worlds and dimensions are blurred, and places and creatures on the other side are much like the ones they’ve always known—but slightly twisted, a little darker, and much more dangerous.

A fast-paced tale filled with mythology, danger, friendship, and a shocking centuries-old secret, The Time Fetch is sure to delight fans of fantasy adventure with its tale of ordinary kids who tumble into a magical situation.

For ages 10 and up, grades 5 and up.

Why did I not finish The Time Fetch?

The reason I stopped reading The Time Fetch is that I felt the characters were flat... and two things just got on my nerves.

1. The main character knocks over a girl's purse because everyone knows that allgirls hate it when their purse's contents are spilled onto the floor. And of course, "girly junk" comes flying out. And then the girl continues to growl in fury at him. UGH! There are so many things wrong with that scene. First, hmm, a bit stereotypical? Hmm? I know that this won't bother most people, but... I don't know, it just got on my nerves. (As I have stated above already.)

2. The author uses annoying phrases left and right. Probably because this is MG... but I am a middle-schooler and I know that back in 3rd-5th grade these childish phrases would still get on my nerves. (Note: These are from an ARC. So, they may be different in the hardbound copy.) Here are the examples: 
"A bee up her butt", "As if a bird had just pooped on his desk", "Wowie Zowie", and "Sunshiny Smile" 

In other words, this book was just not for me. So, bye! And if you TRULY think you would like this book, check out the positive reviews along with the negatives to make your decision. Also, ask friends for thier opinions!

Thanks for Reading!
-Emily

Have there been any books you just couldn't finish this year?

Monday, October 14, 2013

October New Release Giveaway Hop

There are some awesome October Releases to be won today! 

The winner can choose ONE of the books below:


OR you can win these TWO Advanced Reader Copies

Side note: I LOVED Six Months Later. 
(The only reason I am giving it away is because I will buy a finished copy.)  Here is my review!
I couldn't resist showing you this pic...

So, which package do you want? :)

Rules 
You must be 13 or older 
This should be kinda obvious, please don't cheat! 
US Only :(
I'm sorry, but I don't have the money to ship across the world!

-Emily :)

Now look through all the other awesome blogs participating! They all have epic books featured to win!


Interview: Kate Cowan

Check out the rest of The Tour Schedule


Series: The Legend of Eden #1
Re-Release date: October 22nd 2013
Publisher: Anchor Group Publishing
Average Rating: 4.30

It has been four years.
Four years since the day the Catchers found her family.
Four years since she escaped capture.
And four years since the day her mother locked her and Will, a boy she hardly knew, in an attic, 'for their own protection'. 
Now, Eden White is fifteen, and sick of being a prisoner of parents who all but abandoned her. It was as simple as one walk down a beautiful, foggy beach, but it ended with Eden and Will face to face with Catchers - and this time, there is no escape.
When Eden wakes, she finds herself on an island, surrounded by hundreds of stolen children. Enrolled in the island school, Jordan Hall, Eden quickly learns that the island is not what it seems.
And, in the woods surrounding the school, she discovers a wild, beautiful magic inside of herself - one she has no idea how to control. With three unlikely new friends, Eden begins to realize that the headmistress is hiding much more than the stolen children - and what they learn in the laboratories below the school could cost Eden her life.

Interview with Kate Cowan!

1. Could you describe your book, Garden of Eden, in three words?
Really freaking different. Reeeeally freaking different. (in my opinion).

2. Where is your favorite place to write?
I only get one place? Lol! In the back seat of my family's car, while driving through the countryside. But I've always wanted to take my iPad and write in a Starbucks. I've yet to try that one, though.

3. Do you ever get Writer's Block? What do you do to overcome it?
Omg, yes. My writers block is usually triggered by college - I'm in an animation course, which is another art form, of course...  and too much art seems to zap my muse supply entirely. I overcome it by forcing myself to listen to the right music (even if I don't feel like it at the time) and eventually... it just goes away. Also, fantasy movies help a load for me.

4. What is your favorite part about writing?
When the story is playing like a movie in my head, and the plot starts to move on it's own. Everything snowballs, and rolls just right, and I can't help but type until my fingers are sore. And I love when I go on a music hunt, for music to match a certain book or scene. Thats awesome, too.

5. What kind of music do you like?
Dark stuff! Old AND new Evanescence (Note from Emily: Sorry to disrupt the interview like this, but I just have to say that Evanescence rocks!), Within Temptation, Paramore (some of their music, not all) We are the Fallen, 30 seconds to mars, and assorted other things... "She Talks to Angels" is a big one for me, "Barton Hollow", some Seether, some Hinder, and assorted Celtic and 'epic' lord of the rings type music.

6. Quick! Dark chocolate or milk chocolate!
Dark all the way!! Milk chocolate makes my teeth hurt :P

7. What is your favorite recipe?
Frig, whaaaat? No, see, my other love is cooking, so I have multiple recipes I love. Toll House chocolate chip cookies, brown sugar bunt cake with buttery brown sugar sauce, anything Asian or Thai, "Clone of a Cinnabon", Rhubarb bars with Rhubarb curd, aaand... smoked wild salmon, to name just a few xD

8. What is something about you or your book that you always like to tell people?
That I don't write fluffy girly crap. Not that girly crap doesn't have it's place - I love reading a good paranormal fluff romance every so often - but books, I think, are meant to tell a real story. Not everything has to be about star-crossed lovers. Sometimes, main characters are meant to have a knife in their hand, a whole lot of crap in their past, and a dark side that would make Voldemort's (figurative - he's bald) hair curl.


Giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!
 I hope you enjoyed the amazing interview!
-Emily

As a side note, I just wanted to say I am super excited to start Garden of Eden. I haven't read it yet, however I know I must find time in my schedule soon. What are your thoughts on the book?

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Bookish Updates!

Darkest Minds: 99 cents

I just finished my hardback copy of The Darkest Minds and I LOVED the story so much! Alexandra Bracken has written such a powerful story. I might have gotten a little, okay a lot. emotionally involved in the story. Thankfully, Never Fade is coming out on October 15th!

So, while I was looking up the release date I also noticed that The Darkest Minds is for sale for 99 cents for all e-readers!

I do not know how long this sale will last so go grab your copy while you can!


Also there is a novella, In Time, that is only $1.99.  I would recommend buying the novella with The Darkest Minds.


Viviana Ware's Perception

I just recently received an email from Viviana, the author of Perception, with some exciting news!

Goodreads
"I recently launched a blog and tumblr to help promote Perception and open the novel up to a wider audience. On both the blog and tumblr sites, I will be posting my novel for free in its entirety, releasing one chapter per week over the next few months. Each week, the chapters will be accompanied by behind the scenes info including photos of the characters, scenes, and fashion featured in the book. I will be posting the music that inspired and helped to mold Perception, as well. In addition, I’ve recently launched a line of beanies inspired by Perception and other pop culture references. I have included the links to all of the new content if you think your readers might be interested in checking them out!"

Here are the links:
Blogger: vivianaware.blogspot.com (This is the spot you want to go!)


Here is my review of Perception, I loved it and the novel the perfect Halloween read. Trust me when I say the novel is super creepy, depressing, and very dark. Trust me. I would recommend going and checking out the links, reading the novel for free, and getting awesome extra content!

Gemini Rising/Ethereal Fury: First Seven Chapters FREE on Wattpad

I don't know if any of you have a Wattpad account (I don't) however, if you do, this is the perfect chance to sample Gemini Rising. Also, quick question, do any of you use Wattpad? Do you like the site? I am not sure if I should sign up!

Goodreads
Here is my review of Gemini Rising: Ethereal Fury. This book is an amazing read and I strongly recommend you go check it out! And,  now, go get a taste of the series on Wattpad!


The original message from Jessica O'Gorek:
 "Hiya my lovely fans! I was just wondering if all of you have read my book. I wanted to let you know I have Chapters 1-7 posted free on Watt-pad and could use your reads! Did you know E.L. James was discovered in part because she has over 100,000 reads on Watt-pad? A publisher approached her for this simple fact! I know I already have a publisher, but the recognition couldn't hurt, right? 
 So... if you have a half an hour, take a look and if you like it, please recommend it!"



I hope you look into one of these books! Thanks for reading!
-Emily 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Review: The Bagman

The Bagman by Rachael Rippon

Publication Date: June 25th, 2013
Genre: Darker Middle Grade
Amazon/Barnes and Noble
(Received for free in exchange for an honest review)
In the midst of the Second World War, Abigail is deposited at St Winifred's Orphanage for Willful, Wayward and Wicked Children. As soon as she arrives, Abigail is warned of the Bagman and what will happen if she misbehaves. But Abigail is too busy trying to escape to listen. Her estranged twin, Tabitha, is close by and Abigail has to find her before their 16th birthdays. Besides, she doesn't believe in the Bagman.

He believes in her though. Appearing when she least expects it; he asks her to play his Game. He will give her seven wishes to be used in seven days. But the Game is not as easy as Abigail supposes, and the wishes not as nice…

Soon, Abigail is getting exactly what she wished for. And the effects are catastrophic.

If you loved 'Coraline' or 'Alice in Wonderland', then you're sure to love 'The Bagman'.

I was going to review The Bagman in August, but I just found out I accidentally marked it in for December on my calendar! My reviewing schedule runs by my calendar. *sigh* Thankfully, I caught my error yesterday while I was scrolling through the months and today I am writing a review for the book. I cannot believe I didn't realize my big mistake sooner.  The Bagman blew my mind. I would definitely recommend this to fans of middle grade or young adult lovers looking for a refreshing read. The book in unputdownable and I was sucked into the story immediately. 

I loved the author's tone in the Bagman. The writing is dark, humorous, and compulsively readable. Even the chapter titles are superb. For example, one of the first chapter names is "In Which Abigail Arrives, a Tree is Climbed, and the Incident with the Pig is not Explained." After merely reading the chapter title I knew I would love the book.

Also, I really enjoyed the dialogue. The bicker between children is entertaining and the words coming out of The Bagman's mouth sometimes caused me to shudder or become suspicious. Speaking of the Bagman, I must say he is a very intriguing character. I mean, the book is named after him. The chapters narrated by him were awesome. 

Suspense and mystery fill the pages of The Bagman. Even The Bagman himself has some mysteries to unravel. "Something was going on. And he was going to find out what." (tentatively page 60). The Bagman knows there is something different about Abigail. Why is she different?  Also we have the mystery of Abigail's fate. What does The Bagman want? Will he succeed? The little game of his seems to be pretty dangerous, and near impossible to win.

The setting, the rotten school/orphanage, and the time period, the second world war, made the novel even more unique. I always was a sucker for books set in orphanages or schools. The classes Abigail had were pretty awful but they made for an enjoyable read, although I had a lot of sympathy for Abigail. There was also plenty of "magic"! The Bagman had his tricks and supernatural powers that added to the danger, darkness, and adventure of the book.

Overall, The Bagman is an amazing read that I would highly recommend! And, oh yeah, be careful what you wish for or The Bagman with his deadly game will twist your words...  

And I will leave on that happy note! See you later, guys!


4/5 Stars


Thanks for Reading!
-Emily