Don't miss New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson's fun, romantic, and hilarious European adventure, 13 Little Blue Envelopes, now with an excerpt from the sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope.

Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

+I've heard really great things about 13 Little Blue Envelopes & I believe the sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope, was released April 26th so I have to catch up :).
+I already read & reviewed Warm Bodies here. 

(But don't be deceived into thinking that I've caught up... still too many books left!  I really do need to stop purchasing so many books regardless of whether or not I get them used or new.  Any tips on book buying bans :D?)

What's in your mailbox?

Release Date: April 26, 2011
Published by: Atria Books

This book is not YA, but I first heard about it from Maggie Stiefvater and it has a blurb from Stephenie Meyer so I'm reviewing it here :).

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion

R is a young man with an existential crisis--he is a zombie. He shuffles through an America destroyed by war, social collapse, and the mindless hunger of his undead comrades, but he craves something more than blood and brains. He can speak just a few grunted syllables, but his inner life is deep, full of wonder and longing. He has no memories, noidentity, and no pulse, but he has dreams.
 
After experiencing a teenage boy's memories while consuming his brain, R makes an unexpected choice that begins a tense, awkward, and stragely sweet relationship with the victim's human girlfriend. Julie is a blast of color in the otherwise dreary and gray landscape that surrounds R. His decision to protect her will transform not only R, but his fellow Dead, and perhaps their whole lifeless world.

Scary, funny, and surprisingly poignant, Warm Bodies is about being alive, being dead, and the blurry line in between.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) R, the protagonist - While this story focuses on humanity and what it means to be alive, R is what really grabs you.  A zombie undergoing an existential crisis?  Yes, please!  His love of names, though he cannot remember his own, his friendship with M, his hatred for what he does, his rat-pack habits and the fact that he lives in a 747, his appreciation for human speech--there's just so much to love about his character.  You want to sympathize with him.  You want to be his friend.
2. (+) Julie, the love interest - Multi-dimensional, strong female characters always grab me.  I love that Julie isn't afraid of saying what she actually thinks.  I love that she gives R shit in the beginning.  I love that she has a yellow wall for the future.  I could see how R or anybody with such dizzying thoughts about life would be attracted to her.  And though her character could just have been a symbol of life, could have just been "a blast of color" in a gray world, she wasn't.  She was realistic.
3. (+) The story - Okay, I don't read zombie books.  The last one I tried reading was Carrie Ryan's and I had to stop halfway through because I was just that bored.  Warm Bodies is different.  I definitely didn't expect the story to turn out the way it did... If you had to read any zombie book, I'd tell you to read this one.
4. (+) The World-building - This sort of goes hand and hand with #3, but I love what Marion did with the world building--that he doesn't spend so much time trying to explain why things happened the way they did and instead uses the zombie/death crisis to symbolize so much more, to really explore what it means to be human.  And it doesn't come off as cheesy or underdeveloped.  It's a heartfelt journey the whole way.  ("What is left of us? the ghosts moan, drifting back into the shadows of my subconscious.  No countries, no cultures, no wars but still no peace.  What's at our core, then?  What's still squirming in our bones when everything else is stripped?" (150).)
5. (+) The Prose - I can't say much about this since nothing I say will ever express the level of greatness that is Marion's writing in this book.  "What happened to the world was gradual.  I've forgotten what it actually was, but I have faint, fetal memories of what it was like.  A smoldering dread that never really caught fire till there wasn't much left to burn.  Each sequential step surprised us.  Then one day we woke up, and everything was gone" (53).  If, like me, you thought that Wither was well-written, you'll be blown away by Warm Bodies.
6. (+) Strange Humor - Maybe I have a morbid sense of humor but chapter one featured R feeding and "falling in love" with another zombie (after they walked by each other three times) and them subsequently getting married and having kids--I wanted to crack up as I pictured the moaning, grunting zombies exchanging nupitals.
7. (+) Integration of the Past - I loved the role that Perry (the victim the summary refers to) plays in all of this.  Marion did a great job integrating the past into the story.  I won't say anymore for fear of spoilers; go read the story for yourself :).
8. (+) Chapter Images - This was a random detail but was also featured in that video trailer.  Instead of numbers at the beginning of each chapter, there are drawings of muscles, eyes, etc.  I enjoyed that.  It was fitting that R, who can't even remember how long he's been a zombie, would have his story split up not by numbers but by what he is, what he has become.
9. (+/-) Pacing - This is just a problem I have in general with stories that are character-driven.  It was a bit slow for me, but at the same time, it was only 239 pages.  Wither was so much longer & while I felt like Rhine kept repeating herself, R didn't.  The pacing here is quicker than most other novels like it but still not fast enough for me.
10. (+) The Cover - So glad they chose to use this cover rather than the one Maggie Stiefvater had featured.  I love the dramatic colors and the obvious symbolism of the open road.  The red ribbons of what I assume is blood are also done in an artistic manner like Marion's prose.  (I bet he would've had a much prettier way of saying that too :D).

I think this book should be nominated for a literary award.

Release Date: July 26, 2011
(I got my ARC from the RT Convention.)
Published by: Philomel

I know it's still a little early to review Wolfsbane, and I had planned on doing it later, but my hands keep moving towards it when I'm trying to study.  I need to pack this book away instead of rereading it... again... and again.  (Yes, it's that good.)

**This review is not very spoiler filled.  I would say, however, that if you haven't already read at least the first chapter of Wolfsbane online here, then you may not want to continue reading and/or may be surprised by #8.  Also, if you intend on reading Nightshade, check that out before reading this so the ending to that isn't spoiled for you.**

Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she's certain her days are numbered.  But then the Searchers make her an offer--one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack--and the man--she left behind.  Is Ren worth the price of her freedom?  And will Shay stand by her side no matter what?  Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Calla Tor, the protagonist - One of the best things about Nightshade had been Calla because she was such a strong female protagonist.  That continues in Wolfsbane, even while Calla struggles with the consequences of her actions from Nightshade.  She's a warrior through and through.
2. (+) World-building - You know, I don't usually like werewolf books.  That's why I hadn't ordered Nightshade until a while after it had been released, but I gave it a chance.... and was promptly blown away by the world-building, especially by the intertwining of the werewolves as Guardians with the Keepers and their enemies, the Searchers... And here I am, after finishing Wolfsbane, still blown away by the world-building.  I loved the details Cremer added (i.e. the differences between the Searchers & Keepers, Shay's role in all of this, Haldis, etc.).  I can't wait to find out more in Blood Rose!
3 & 4. (+) The Writing (dialogue & description in particular) - As an aspiring writer, I appreciate Cremer's work and think that I would even use her writing as an example of great dialogue and consistent POV.  Not only is the dialogue entertaining, but it's also indicative of the character who's speaking (which may be the reason why I love Connor so much).  This also happens because of how Cremer wrote Calla's POV--Calla, as an alpha, doesn't comment on the environment unless it's something useful to her.  Yet, those descriptions still entraced me, emphasizing the power of the words Cremer chose.  Great writing.  Great development of character through dialogue (since, as I pointed out, the descriptions aren't as lengthy as in other books).
5. (+) Character Development - Old characters become more complex in this sequel.  I can't say much beyond that because of spoilers, but when Cremer writes "betrayal, fear, pain, loss... how many trials can love survive," you bet there are going to be some trying episodes for our beloved character cast.
6. (+)  New Characters - CONNOR!!  Favorite character of this book.  Just like the old characters, all of the newly introduced characters are fleshed out well and people with whom the reader can sympathize are introduced... (you know, in case you didn't already notice my all caps declaration of love for Connor).
7. (+) The Romance - First off, I was shocked when Cremer said that some of the criticisms of Nightshade was that it was too much lust and not enough love.  One, of course there will be lust--appearances do count, and man, if you read the first chapter and didn't think that would be a part of the story, then you need to read closer.  Secondly, Calla is a werewolf.  She perceives the world in terms of how things would be threatening/necessary/etc. and doesn't spend time thinking on and on about somebody... but if you examine her actions, you can see how she's feeling.  And hell, those decisions are not made by somebody in the throes of lust.  *Getting back to the point, however-- let me just say that the romance in Wolfsbane was satisfying for me.  Yet, I also wasn't rooting for one particular "team" so other readers may not like Calla's choices.  Still, you can appreciate how well-written it is even if your "team" doesn't "win."
8. (+) Themes/Separation into 3 parts - Purgatory/Inferno/Paradiso.  Loved the way the book was separated into three parts.  Doing that really highlighted the themes of the novel.
9. (--) Cliffhanger - Just as in Nightshade, this book ends on a pretty big cliffhanger... though with Nightshade, I could read the first chapter of Wolfsbane and somewhat get a feel for the book, but the first chapter for Blood Rose isn't up yet and probably won't be for a while :/.  I understand why Cremer ended Wolfsbane the way she did, but that doesn't make me any happier about the cliffhanger.
10. (+) The Cover - Both this cover and the new one are absolutely gorgeous.  The new one reflects the more mature themes of the novel and Calla's strength while this one fits in with the old, photoshopped and attention grabbing cover of Nightshade (aka the cover that first attracted me to the story anyways).

One concern I have is that there will be a lot to cover in Blood Rose, but given Cremer's talent, I'm sure she'll resolve the issues accordingly.  And even better, Cremer said there will be more books to expect from her about this world!  (A Nightshade prequel in 2012 and a Harrowing book at some point.  Yay!)

Get excited about Wolfsbane!  You won't be disappointed :).

I am holding another giveaway, this one for Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando.  I started reading an ARC of this book with the intention of reviewing it today, but I couldn't get into it.  I hope one of you guys will like this book.

Dreamland Social Club by Tara Altebrando
Release Date: May 12, 2011
Published by: Dutton Books

Jane has traveled the world with her father and brother, but it's not until her fractured family-still silently suffering from the loss of Jane's mother many years before-inherits a house and a history in Coney Island that she finally begins to find a home. With the help of a new community of friends, a mermaid's secrets, and a tattooed love interest with traffic-stopping good looks, the once plain Jane begins to blossom and gains the courage to explore the secrets of her mother's past.

Colorful characters, beautiful writing, and a vibrant, embattled beachfront backdrop make this the perfect summer read for anyone who has ever tried to find true love or a place to call home.

"A wonderful book, a story of secrets and memory, of terrible loss and hard truths, of nighttime adventures with a boy who comes this close to kissing you... and how a girl finds her own path to belonging." -Judy Blundell, author of What I Saw and How I Lied, winner of the National Book Award

"Tara Altebrando makes the bizarre, sensational and sad story of Coney Island seem vital and urgent-whether you have ever been there or not. An entirely strange, wonderfully romantic, and surprisingly political tale." -E. Lockhart, author of Printz Honor Book The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and The Boyfriend List

"A boardwalk fantasia of mermaids, dwarves, bearded girls, contortionists, and beautiful tattooed boys. This charming, sea-salty book stays with you like a half-remembered dream-the kind you wish would never end." -Natalie Standiford, author of Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters and How to Say Goodbye in Robot

Rules:
+open to everybody
+Ends May 13, 2011.
+I'd like for you to be a follower of this blog--you'll get an extra entry for being one--but I am no longer making this a requirement.
+Just fill out the form & I'll let random.org pick a number.

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

I have two this week :).

Illusions by Aprilynne Pike
Release Date: May 3, 2011

"I don't do patrols, I don't go hunting, I just stick close to you. You live your life. I'll keep you safe," Tamani said, sweeping a lock of hair from her face. "Or die trying."

Laurel hasn't seen Tamani since she begged him to let her go last year. Though her heart still aches, Laurel is confident that David was the right choice.

But just as life returns to normal, Laurel realizes that a hidden enemy lies in wait. Once again, Laurel must turn to Tamani to protect and guide her, for the danger that now threatens Avalon is one that no faerie thought would ever be possible. And for the first time, Laurel cannot be sure that her side will prevail.

Die for Me (Revenants #1) by Amy Plum
Release Date: May 10, 2011

In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel.

I read an interview of Amy Plum about two days ago, and it got me really excited for Die for Me.  But of course I was kind of already ensnared by that gorgeous cover and the revenants (never heard of 'em but they sound interesting :D).  [And Paris :D!]

AND I love the Wings series.  I've gobbled up the excerpts Pike has posted on her blog.  So excited!  (Except am I the only one who doesn't like how they are "redoing" the covers?)

What're you waiting on this wednesday?

So I decided to combine the YA & Adult Giveaway, though the books are only tied together by the fact that they're paranormal romance.  Here are their summaries:

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Ethan Wate used to think of Gatlin, the small Southern town he had always called home, as a place where nothing ever changed. Then he met mysterious newcomer Lena Duchannes, who revealed a secret world that had been hidden in plain sight all along. A Gatlin that harbored ancient secrets beneath its moss-covered oaks and cracked sidewalks. A Gatlin where a curse has marked Lena's family of powerful Supernaturals for generations. A Gatlin where impossible, magical, life-altering events happen.
 
Sometimes life-ending.

Together they can face anything Gatlin throws at them, but after suffering a tragic loss, Lena starts to pull away, keeping secrets that test their relationship. And now that Ethan's eyes have been opened to the darker side of Gatlin, there's no going back. Haunted by strange visions only he can see, Ethan is pulled deeper into his town's tangled history and finds himself caught up in the dangerous network of underground passageways endlessly crisscrossing the South, where nothing is as it seems.


Dracula, My Love by Syrie James

Many have read and loved Bram Stoker’s Dracula. But questions remain. What is the true story of Dracula’s origin? What if Mina could not bring herself to record the true story of their scandalous affair—until now?

In Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker, Syrie James explores these questions and more. A vibrant dramatization, told from Mina’s point of view, brings to life the crucial parts of Stoker’s story while showcasing Mina’s sexual awakening and evolution as a woman, and revealing a secret that could destroy her life. Torn between two men—a loving husband and a dangerous lover—Mina struggles to hang on to the deep love she’s found within her marriage, even as she is inexorably drawn to Dracula himself—the vampire that everyone she knows is determined to destroy.

Even though Beautiful Darkness is book 2 in the Caster Chronicles, I think that it's easy to pick up and that if you've wanted to catch up on the series, now is a good time.  The third book, Beautiful Chaos, comes out October 18th.  Dracula, My Love was also an entertaining spin on the classic; I especially loved what Syrie James did at the end & hope you will too.

Rules:

+You must be a follower of this blog.  (You get an entry for just this if you fill out the form.)
+Giveaway ends May 26th, 2011, a month from now.
+Open to internationals also.

Release Date: April 26, 2011
(Amazon shipped it to me a day early.  And thank God, WHATANAMAZINGBOOK.)
Published by: Simon & Schuster

We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han

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 soul mate.

Almost.

Conrad has not gotten over the mistake he made when he let Belly go even as Jeremiah has always known that Belly is the girl for him. So 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.

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.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) Belly, the Protagonist - Admittedly, when I first started the trilogy with The Summer I Turned Pretty, I thought Belly was rather childish... but that served a purpose.  With the sequel, It's Not Summer Without You, she grew, and man, she was grown up here.  I could finally relate to her in full -- well, except for the decisions she was having to make.  All in all, I've loved seeing the way she's been developed as a character.
2. (+) The Other Characters - Where would the Summer series be without the admirable cast of characters?  I used to dislike Conrad because I was (duh) siding with Belly and thought that he was such a jerk, but even Conrad gets a thumbs up from me.  All the characters were just as wonderfully complex as before.
3. (+) The Romance - This book just proves that, despite the trends in recent YA novels, one does not need to meet a paranormal creature to have such great chemistry and memorable romance :).
4. (+) The Writing - One thing I have always loved about the Summer series was the writing.  It's so simple, so fluid that you slip into Belly's world effortlessly.  And if you're like me, you'll realize you haven't put the book down for one second--it's just that good.
5. (+) The Beginning - Man, Jenny Han knew how to start with this one off.  I'd say she didn't even need that first page--an excerpt from later--because those first chapters?  Packed with tension.  They were short and to the point, and I just couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen next.
6. (+) The Pacing - As I hinted at in #4, not once did I feel bored; the pacing was done really well, keeping me hooked without having annoying cliff-hangers at the end of every chapter.
7. (+) Synthesizing Time - One of the best parts of this series was Jenny Han's synthesis of time--past, present, and future.  I loved the symbolism, loved all the memories and the things they revealed about the characters.  Her memories never break up the story.
8. (+) The Setting - Cousins Beach is just as fitting for this novel as it had been for the others.  It's amazing how much this one place could not only represent the time but also the characters, the tone, and the progression of the novel.  Like the waves there are ready to pull you in ;) and never let you go.  [-insertion of the cheesy metaphor-]
9. (+) The Idea - Because really?  I don't know about you guys, but I don't generally enjoy love triangles.  They always seem to bother me, but that's not the case here.  I didn't have family friends like that as I grew up, but boy, Belly makes me wish I did.  Perfect escapism.  Fun, flirty, and complete.  Beach book!
10. (+) The Cover - Um, yes?  Simple, beautiful, and symbolic of Belly's journey.  Perfect all in all.  (For the full story, check out this link.)

I didn't dislike anything in this book.  That never really happens for me, even with my favorite books, so take that as a clue and HOLY SHIT go read this book!

(Yes, I'm still reeling from how awesome it was.)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by The Story Siren, and we bloggers share what books we have either received or purchased that week.

I'd like to say that I bought these books before I found out that volunteering at the RT convention would be possible ;p, so my book buying ban was not in effect until later!  (Because there is NO way I am done reading all those books.)

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.  

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Mixing the magic of beloved children's fantasy classics (from Narnia and Oz to Harry Potter and Earthsea) with the sex, excess, angst, and anticlimax of life in college and beyond, Lev Grossman's Magicians reimagines modern-day fantasy for grownups. Quentin Coldwater lives in a state of perpetual melancholy, privately obsessed with his childhood books about the enchanted land of Fillory. When he’s admitted to the surreptitious Brakebills Academy for an education in magic, Quentin finds mastering spells is tedious (and love is even more fraught). He also discovers his power has thrilling potential--though it's unclear what he should do with it once he's moved with his new magician cohorts to New York City. Then they discover the magical land of Fillory is real and launch an expedition to use their powers to set things right in the kingdom--which, naturally, turns out to be a much murkier proposition than expected. The Magicians breathes life into a cast of characters you want to know--if the people you want to know are charismatic, brilliant, complex, flawed magicians--and does what Quentin claims books never really manage to do: "get you out, really out, of where you were and into somewhere better. " Or if not better, at least a heck of a lot more interesting.

Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach

Caitlyn Monahan knows she belongs somewhere else. It's what her dead mother's note suggested, and it's what her recurring nightmares allude to.

Desperate to flee these terrifying dreams--and her small town--she accepts a spot at a boarding school in France. Only, when she arrives, her nightmares get worse.

But then there are her amazing dreams, so vivid and so real, with visits from an alluring, mysterious, and gorgeous Italian boy from the 1500s. Caitlyn knows they are soul mates, but how can she be in love with someone who exists only in her dreams?

Then, as her reality and dream world collide, Caitlyn searches for the real reason why she was brought to this school. And what she discovers will change her life forever.

+The Goddess Test is the choice for the next read-along.
+I heard/it says that The Magicians is supposed to be a more adult-like Harry Potter.  Plus, I'd love to read something for college students.
+The Story Siren recommended Wake Unto Me and it honestly seemed like something I'd enjoy.  Not the same author--but in Kiss Me Deadly, there was a ghost story that Caitlin Kittridge wrote that was SO amazing that I'd really like to try a book out with ghosts.

The read-along for Gayle Forman's Where She Went went well, even if we had less people than who had signed up for it.  I had a great time, and hopefully you'll all be there next time because...

Our next live chat discussion will be for The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter on May 7th at 3 p.m. PST / 6 p.m. EST / 11 p.m. GMT.

And though I am calling it a read-along, I want to make clear that it's more like an online book club on Comacalm's and my blog--we announce the book we'll be reading ahead of time to give you all a chance to read it and then we all come together to discuss it.  So I hope in this way, you guys wouldn't be deterred by the name.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.
 
Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

Hope to see you there next time :)!  Let us know if you'd like to join in :D.

I've been saying to myself for a while that I wanted to research authors who had been published when they were teens.  I knew of a few but some of these are really suprising.  All of the summaries were taken from Amazon.... Take a look!

1. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes --

In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows Book 1):

Three-hundred-year-old Risika looks darn good for her age. Thanks to her "blood mother," a vampire named Ather who turned Risika (nee Rachel) into one of the undead back in 1684, she will always look as fresh as a 17-year-old. Now Risika is a world weary night stalker who sleeps in Concord, Massachusetts, by day and prowls New York City by night, in search of fresh blood to slake her inhuman thirst. One of the benefits of living such a long life has been discovering that most of the popular myths about vampires are not true: "Holy water and crosses do not bother me... and silver does not burn me. If someone hammered a stake through my heart, I suppose I would die, but I do not play with humans, stakes or mallets." In fact, there is little in the mortal world that surprises Risika anymore, until she returns from a hunt one night to find a black rose on her pillow--the same flower she was given on the eve of her mortal death. Knowing that the rose is a taunt from Aubrey, a vampire she believes murdered her human brother, Risika decides to confront her nemesis. In a bloody battle with Aubrey, Risika finally unearths her brother's true fate.

While the plot of this vampire tale may not stand out from the fanged masses of the genre, what does stand out is the fact that the author is 14 years old. Teen horror fans of Anne Rice and L.J. Smith will surely want to experience for themselves how In the Forests of the Night stacks up to their favorite adult titles--and will be especially interested in seeing how one of their young peers plies the writing trade.

2. S.E. Hinton --

The Outsiders

According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for "social") has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he's always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers--until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy's skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser. This classic, written by S. E. Hinton when she was 16 years old, is as profound today as it was when it was first published in 1967.

She apparently then became known as "The Voice of the Youth."  (From Amazon): In a wonderful tribute to Hinton's distinguished 30-year writing career, the American Library Association and School Library Journal bestowed upon her their first annual Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors authors whose "book or books, over a period of time, have been accepted by young people as an authentic voice that continues to illuminate their experiences and emotions, giving insight into their lives."

3. Christopher Paolini --

Eragon (Inheritance, Book 1)

Here's a great big fantasy that you can pull over your head like a comfy old sweater and disappear into for a whole weekend. Christopher Paolini began Eragon when he was just 15, and the book shows the influence of Tolkien, of course, but also Terry Brooks, Anne McCaffrey, and perhaps even Wagner in its traditional quest structure and the generally agreed-upon nature of dwarves, elves, dragons, and heroic warfare with magic swords.
 
Eragon, a young farm boy, finds a marvelous blue stone in a mystical mountain place. Before he can trade it for food to get his family through the hard winter, it hatches a beautiful sapphire-blue dragon, a race thought to be extinct. Eragon bonds with the dragon, and when his family is killed by the marauding Ra'zac, he discovers that he is the last of the Dragon Riders, fated to play a decisive part in the coming war between the human but hidden Varden, dwarves, elves, the diabolical Shades and their neanderthal Urgalls, all pitted against and allied with each other and the evil King Galbatorix. Eragon and his dragon Saphira set out to find their role, growing in magic power and understanding of the complex political situation as they endure perilous travels and sudden battles, dire wounds, capture and escape.
 
In spite of the engrossing action, this is not a book for the casual fantasy reader. There are 65 names of people, horses, and dragons to be remembered and lots of pseudo-Celtic places, magic words, and phrases in the Ancient Language as well as the speech of the dwarfs and the Urgalls. But the maps and glossaries help, and by the end, readers will be utterly dedicated and eager for the next book, Eldest. 

4. Dan Elconin --

Never After:

There is no place like a dysfunctional home.
 
Leaving everything behind for the Island was Ricky's dream come true. When his happily ever after is not quite what it seems, he discovers that running away means running toward bigger problems.

Trapped on the Island, Ricky must join together with the only people he can trust to help him face his fears and return home. But the only way off the Island is to confront the person who trapped Ricky and his friends in the first place. With countless enemies and true peril staring them down, Ricky's mission to leave this so-called paradise will become a battle for their very lives.

5. Ned Vizzini --

Be More Chill:

In a novel that could be described as a kinder, gentler version of M.T. Anderson's Feed, young author Ned Vizzini draws on the very recent recollections of his years at Stuyvesant High School to create a witty commentary on the annoying realities of teen social life.

Jeremy Heere is convinced that people are born Cool: "See, because being Cool is obviously the most important thing on earth…It's more important than getting a job, or having a girlfriend, or political power, or money, because all those things are predicated by Coolness." And he hasn't got it. Every day he yearns hopelessly for beautiful Christine. Then, one day he gets a squip--a tiny quantum supercomputer that looks like a little gray capsule and when swallowed becomes a voice in his head instructing him in the ways of Cool. Soon, every gril he admires is his--including Christine. But when the squip turns malevolent in its merciless pursuit of the goal, Jeremy begins to realize that Cool is not as cool as he thought it was.

6. Mary Shelley --

Frankenstein (though she had two other works published before this, and she wrote this when she was 19):

Frankenstein, loved by many decades of readers and praised by such eminent literary critics as Harold Bloom, seems hardly to need a recommendation. If you haven't read it recently, though, you may not remember the sweeping force of the prose, the grotesque, surreal imagery, and the multilayered doppelgänger themes of Mary Shelley's masterpiece. As fantasy writer Jane Yolen writes of this (the reviewer's favorite) edition, "The strong black and whites of the main text [illustrations] are dark and brooding, with unremitting shadows and stark contrasts. But the central conversation with the monster--who owes nothing to the overused movie image … but is rather the novel's charnel-house composite--is where [Barry] Moser's illustrations show their greatest power ... The viewer can all but smell the powerful stench of the monster's breath as its words spill out across the page. Strong book-making for one of the world's strongest and most remarkable books."

7. Alexandra Adornetto --

Halo (Halo Trilogy) [this was not the first book she had published.  I think it was the fourth; she got the first one published when she was 13.]

The first in a trilogy, Halo is the story of the angel Bethany, who has been sent with two other angels posing as her older brother and sister to a small town to encourage the human residents to seek a higher purpose and drive back impending evil. But Bethany is a young angel and finds the lure of high school, earthly friends, and the love of a human boy far more temptation than she ever expected. In spite of her youth (she's 18), Adornetto has written a compelling novel of good and evil that will find an audience among girls who can't get enough of otherworldly characters and situations and heart-wrenching romance. The novel suffers a bit from too much teen angst, but the author shows definite promise.

She's more famous for this one because it became a NYT Bestseller.  She definitely writes well, but I didn't enjoy the premise of the story--too much like Twilight, but that's just my opinion.

8. Dave Pilkey --

The Captain Underpants series and The Dumb Bunnies books are among the most famous.  I would've posted just one of them, but he has a LOT of books to his name.

9. Steph Bowe --

Girl Saves Boy:

The first time we met, Jewel Valentine saved my life.

Isn’t it enough having your very own terminal disease, without your mother dying? Or your father dating your Art teacher?

No wonder Sacha Thomas ends up in the lake that Saturday evening…

But the real question is: how does he end up in love with Jewel Valentine?

With the help of quirky teenage prodigies Little Al and True Grisham, Sacha and Jewel have a crazy adventure, with a little lobster emancipation along the way.

But Sacha’s running out of time, and Jewel has secrets of her own.

Girl Saves Boy is a hugely talented debut novel, funny and sad, silly and wise. It’s a story of life, death, love… and garden gnomes.

I actually haven't read this one, but her blog entries are pretty well written.

10. Valerie Gribben --

Fairytale:

Written when the author was only sixteen years old, Fairytale takes place in a timeless land of intrigue and danger and tells the coming-of-age story of the resourceful Marianne, a girl engaged to marry a nobleman she has never seen. Her adventures eventually involve a magical dragonfly, a talking frog, and a final showdown between valor and malice.

11.  Flavia Bujor --

The Prophecy of the Stones:

Jade, Amber, and Opal meet for the first time when they are 14 and find that their destinies are inextricably intertwined in some way that they have yet to discover. Each girl possesses a stone that matches her name. These stones have great power and are related to an ancient prophecy about the saving of the Light. The girls embark on a quest to understand their role in life and, in the process, enter the kingdom of Fairytale, where some of the magical beings are good, and some are evil. Another key figure is a knight errant who calls himself the Nameless One, who is also destined to be part of the fulfilling of the Prophecy. This is a long, involved story that often takes on the quality of a B movie. The style is somewhat flat and the voice is very youthful. Characters are constantly explaining situations and history. There is a dependence on magical objects that descend willy-nilly into the story and chance meetings in which the girls and the Nameless One are immediately known and accepted. Dialogue is stiff. While there are some interesting fantastical creatures and plot twists, there are also some very odd elements. Death, for instance, is "on strike" so no one can die. There is a small parallel story of a dying girl in a Paris hospital who has dreams that somehow relate to Jade, Opal, and Amber. The purpose of this device remains fuzzy to the end. Jacket information reveals that the author is 15 years old. While the story is a definite accomplishment for one so young, it is not a polished or mature work of fiction.

Have any of you guys read these novels/works by these authors?  What do you think?  Can you tell it was written by a teen?  Do any of the authors surprise you?

One thing that I would have to say is that these reviews bother me.  Unless the fact that the author is a teenager is crucial to/affects the book (like Flavia Bujor's apparently), then why even mention it?

I don't have an IMM post this week because I am on a book ban after receiving all that I did last week.

BUT I do need your advice/recommendations.

1. For my Medieval & Mediterranean History class, our final project is to create some sort of art representative of the period... whether that be dressing up like a monk or performing one of Hrotswitha the nun's plays, etc. etc.  I don't know what to do, and I think that's because I'm having a hard time really sympathizing with the primary sources & whatnot.  So I was wondering if any of you have read a fiction book set in Medieval times that you think I would enjoy and that would make me more... inspired as I create something for my class.

2. Have any of you read Eon by Alison Goodman?  I have an ARC of Eona, but I'm stuck about ten pages in, because I'm really confused as to what's going on.  I figured that with its size, the book would be one that could stand alone in the series, but now I'm not so sure and am wondering if Eon was like this as well.

Happy Sunday!

Release Date: May 10, 2011
(I got my ARC from the RT Convention.)
Published by: Viking (imprint of Penguin)

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

Another town?  Another new school?

Mclean really doesn't mind.  In fact, she welcomes the chance to try on a new persona.  Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, she and her father have been on the move, leaving the unhappy past behind them.  And each move has brought a fresh opportunity for Mclean to reinvent herself.  Perky rahrah girl.  Drama mama.  All-round joiner.

But here in Lakeview, for the first time she's putting down roots, making friends, and just trying to be someone she hasn't been in a long time: herself.  Dave has something to do with it.  He's the most real person Mclean's ever met, and he thinks he's falling in love with the real Mclean.  Mclean doesn't even know who that is anymore, but she wants to find out--before it's time to move on again.

Perceptive, touching, surprising, Sarah Dessen's eagerly awaited new novel creates a world her legions of fans will not want to leave.

First off, let me just say that I'm not a serial fan of Sarah Dessen, but I have read and enjoyed The Truth about Forever from her.  I also liked this book, though not quite as much as The Truth about Forever.

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) The Protagonist - I've lived in the same place for my whole life, but despite that--despite the fact that I can't exactly identify with Mclean's struggles--I can still sympathize with her.  She's caring, protective, strong but vulnerable.  I loved being with her as she figured out who she really was and dropped the personas she had adopted in the past.
2. (+) The Rest of the Characters - Even though it's essentially Mclean's story, Sarah Dessen still created a cast of characters who also capture your attention.  Dave, Riley, Opal, Mclean's parents, Heather, Jason, even Tracey--they all had a story to tell.  Great character development.
3. (+) The Romance - Ah, Dave.  You caught my heart too... I don't even really need to say much about this--it's in the synopsis.  Dave is real and honest and allows Mclean to be herself when everything else around her is chaotic.  It's natural to root for their relationship, and the tension is done well too.
4. (+) The Writing - Sarah Dessen's writing is easy to read while packing a punch, particularly at the end of each scene.  Then, it becomes poetic in the way it explores the emotional conflicts--No home, no control, and no idea where I was, only where I might be going or Like I, too, had been tunneling, digging, and had only just now come up for air.  Both descriptions reflect Mclean's struggles.  Beautiful.
5. (+) Emotional Conflict - As I hinted at the protagonist section, the emotional conflict was done really well.  (Based on this and The Truth about Forever) I can say that if there's anything you can expect from a Sarah Dessen novel, it's an emotional roller coaster that stays touching throughout the ride.  I particularly enjoyed what she does with "Ume.com" and "the 2 a.m. friend."
6. (+) Perfect Length - I debated about this for a while, but I decided my issue was that I'm a romance junkie and would have liked more action between Mclean and Dave.  Disregarding that, I think the way the book was written meant that the characters were developed really well, the emotional conflict resolved, and the romance introduced... aka it was the perfect length for everything to work out well :).  The novel felt complete.
7. (--) Pacing - That being said, I thought the pacing was a bit slow at times. (...though I've noticed that I'm kind of picky about this in books I really like.)
8. (+) Basketball/Restaurant World - Loved it all!  I played basketball for a very long before I quit, and I could understand losing something you once loved like that... Yet, it means much more for Mclean (than that); Sarah Dessen uses this and her father's restaurant job to really characterize the characters (the rush and not thinking about the present until it hits them full on, etc.)
9. (+) The Humor - Even though the novel centers around Mclean's identity crisis, there's still plenty of humor, and that comes from having such awesome characters.  Deb and her acronyms (STOW, POW, etc.) and the SEXXY mirror/love triangle deal, Dave falling flat on his back after getting whammed by the basketball, etc.; it was nice to have these and other moments in the midst of Mclean's struggles.
10. (+/-) The Cover - While I like the image of her standing on top of her suitcase, I'm not sure what the deal with the pink curtains and white bedspread is.  I think the designers could have done a better job with that selection... like maybe a basketball court or something fading in the background to represent running away from her past?  Or maybe just a plain white background so as to not distract from the suitcase... But then again, I noticed most of the covers for her novels are simple so I could be reading too much into it.

Yay!  Sarah Dessen created another novel for all of us to enjoy :).

If you'd like to read this book, check out the giveaway!

Release Date: April 26, 2011.
(I got my ARC from the RT Convention.)
Published by: Point

Abandon by Meg Cabot


Well, after reading this novel, I can see why people get excited about her :).

Ten Likes/Dislikes:

1. (+) The Protagonist - Pierce Oliviera is a delightful protagonist.  She's not particularly strong persay... More that she's vulnerable and quirky, paranoid but tough enough to hold onto who she is despite the people who call her crazy and to care for people even when it puts her in danger.  And all of that meant that it was such a joy to read from her POV!  Fantastic character.
2. (+) The Writing - I loved, loved the writing.  The descriptions are so beautiful and so in character.  I could notice the difference in Cabot's portrayal of Pierce when she was younger as opposed to when the book takes place.  Like her describing John's eyes as the color of her ice skates.  Perfect for a seven-year old.
3. (+) The Idea - Okay, I've read a bunch of retellings of Greek mythology, and Hades and Persephone is a particularly well known classic of all of them, but this surpassed my expectations.  I can't say anything else for fear of spoilers, but I think you'll enjoy this retelling too :).  [Also, I'm not giving anything away by saying Hades & Persephone--it's on the book flap.]
4. (+) Weaving Together the Time - Few authors can weave together flashbacks in such a way that it doesn't interrupt the story.  Meg Cabot is one of them.  All of her selections just made me love Pierce even more as a character.
5. (+) John, the Love Interest - A delightful character.  He's far from perfect, and he's not one of those incredibly gorgeous guys that all the paranormal romance protagonists seem to fall for.  Instead, he's "striking" and far less time is spent on his looks than his strange behavior.  For me, this is a perfect combination.
6. (+) The Evil - The focus on evil in this story is refreshing:  it's original and fits in perfectly with the story, even illuminating more of Pierce's character for us.  Cabot provides great little details that foreshadow what's to come but even with those, I didn't see the ultimate evil laying in Pierce's path.
7. (+) The Rest of the Characters - Even though the story doesn't focus as much on them, you still great a great sense of their personalities from their actions (particularly her mom and dad).  Great character development.
8. (--) Pacing - One thing I've noticed about novels that skip around time a lot is that their pace often suffers as a result.  Though I really wanted to finish the book ASAP (because it was that good), I was still struck by how slowly it seemed to move; the memories, while done well, were a bit jarring in that regard.
9. (+) Suspense/Being Caught up in Pierce's World - This is probably a result of all of the above, but I was so caught up in Pierce's world that just like her, I was waiting, just waiting for what would happen next.  And it kept me hooked, page after page (despite #8).  A lot of tension, a lot of suspense.
10. (+) The Perfect Cover - I like its simplicity with its colors and background images.  Even if it didn't have those gold flower designs at the edges, I'd still like it.  In fact, I'm not that sure why they chose to include those... but the cover captures the themes wonderfully.

Wow, oh wow.  Go pre-order this book! 

I'm eagerly awaiting Underworld, the sequel and second book in this trilogy.  Thank you Meg Cabot (and the RT Convention)!

A few quick announcements:
-The movie being made for Kiersten White's Paranormalcy now has a director.  Read about it here.
-My (first) interview with Sarwat Chadda has been posted here.
-The giveaway for an ARC of Sarah Dessen's What Happened to Goodbye is here.  It ends this Monday, April 18th.
-The read-along for Gayle Forman's Where She Went is about halfway done, but you can still join in!  It'll be lots of fun :).
-Want to read the first chapter of Tessa Gratton's Blood Magic?  Go here.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme that occurs here; we bloggers post about the books that we'd really like to read now :).

Even though I now have a ton of books from volunteering at the RT Convention Friday and Saturday, I am still awaiting these three awesome books, all of which come out May 1st, 2011.

I'm Not Her by Janet Gurtler

“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”

Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?

Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.

Shine by Lauren Myracle

When her best guy friend falls victim to a vicious hate crime, sixteen-year-old Cat sets out to discover who in her small town did it. Richly atmospheric, this daring mystery mines the secrets of a tightly knit Southern community and examines the strength of will it takes to go against everyone you know in the name of justice.
 
Against a backdrop of poverty, clannishness, drugs, and intolerance, Myracle has crafted a harrowing coming-of-age tale couched in a deeply intelligent mystery. Smart, fearless, and compassionate, this is an unforgettable work from a beloved author.


Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

*Though I'm not sure what's up with Shine--both Amazon & Goodreads list it as coming out May 1st, but Amazon is already offering it for sale.

What are all of you waiting on this Wednesday :)?

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.  I chose two random sentences from different pages because I didn't want to post spoilers.

FROM WOLFSBANE BY ANDREA CREMER:

p. 41 "Jumping on his distraction, I seized the moment to stake my own claim in this fight."

p. 283 ""Are you hurt," I whispered, still holding him tight, bursting with relief that he was alive."

Who's Calla talking about?  You'll have to wait and see ;).

Also, I've actually already finished Wolfsbane and MY GOD IT IS SO GOOD.  I'll post a full review closer to the release date, but if you guys haven't already pre-ordered this book, do it now!  This sequel is one you definitely shouldn't miss.  And I really, really wish that the first chapter of the third book was already posted.  Gah, such a great series!

It comes out July 26, 2011.

Happy Tuesday everybody!

An interview with Sarwat Chadda, author of Devil's Kiss and Dark Goddess.  The first book in his next series, Ash Mistry and the Savage Palace, will be released sometime in spring 2012.

"I am the author of DEVIL's KISS and DARK GODDESS, two novels about the only girl squire in the Knight's Templar. If you like your romance tragic and bloody, and your fairy tales dark and filled with howling wolves, you've come to the right place."

What have you found most difficult about the writing process?  Was it all the editing that you had to do before Billi’s story got published?

After volunteering at the RT Convention Saturday, I got two ARCs of Sarah Dessen's What Happened To Goodbye so now I am holding a giveaway for one of these copies.  Take a look!

Summary from Goodreads:

Another town. Another school. Another Mclean. Ever since her parents' bitter divorce, Mclean and her father have been fleeing their unhappy past. And Mclean's become a pro at reinventing herself with each move. But in Lakeview, Mclean finds herself putting down roots and making friends—in part, thanks to Dave, the most real person Mclean's ever met. Dave just may be falling in love with her, but can he see the person she really is? Does Mclean herself know?


OTHER INFORMATION:

+Since this is my first giveaway, I'm making it international.
+You must be a follower of my blog to enter the giveaway (+1).
+You get +2 for tweeting about this giveaway.
+You get +2 for blogging about this giveaway.
+Comment on this post to enter the giveaway, and if you tweeted/blogged about it, then give me those links in your post.  Also please provide me with a way to get in touch with you.
+GIVEAWAY ENDS THIS MONDAY (04/18) AT MIDNIGHT PST.

Expect my review of this book soon!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme started by The Story Siren, and we bloggers share what books we have either received or purchased that week.

All of my books this week come from volunteering at the RT Convention yesterday and Friday.  The posts about my experiences on Friday are here and (on Saturday) here.

As stated in those earlier, linked posts, there will be giveaways for some of these books if you're a follower.

What's in your mailbox this week?

Happy Sunday!