Ripple

Title: Ripple
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Release Date: July 21, 2011
Received From: ATWT
Summary: Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. Each day she goes to school like a normal teenager, and each night she must swim, or the pain will be unbearable. She is a siren - a deadly mermaid destined to lure men to their watery deaths. After a terrible tragedy, Lexi shut herself off from the world, vowing to protect the ones she loves. But she soon finds herself caught between a new boy at school who may have the power to melt her icy exterior, and a handsome water spirit who says he can break Lexi's curse if she gives up everything else. Lexi is faced with the hardest decision she’s ever had to make: the life she's always longed for - or the love she can't live without?

Review: This is my favorite book that Mandy Hubbard has written. I mean how can you go wrong with sirens?

This book was written really well, the characters popped off the page, and had real reactions to things. It drives me nuts when characters react in ways that no one would ever really, and people act like its normal. I appreciated that this book didn’t have any of that!

I loved the mythology of the sirens but I wish we could have known a little more about it, sirens are great mythological creatures and it would have been nice to see Hubbard’s spin on it a little more.

The ending? I never expected it! and I loved that, books where I can figure out the ending too easily are annoying to me. I mean I had an inkling, but I was shocked by what actually happened.

Overall a really good book, a great step up from many paranormal book lately!

 

 

With or Without You Guest Post!

Today I have with me the author of With or Without You Brian Farrey, to talk about his favorite authors!

Five Authors I Adore (and why)

Hey, guess what.  MY BOOK IS OUT TODAY! Yes, that’s right. May 24th is the official release of With or Without You. So it’s extra special to be spending today on Mariah’s blog and discussing writers I adore.

I always feel uncomfortable singling out favorite authors. I don’t know why.  Possibly because I love so many writers that I feel like a parent singling out a favorite child.  I think the ones that inevitably become the ones I discuss when pressed are those that I can genuinely say I’ve learned from. Or that I hope to learn from, after more study.

So here, in no particular order, are a few authors whose work I admire and learn from:

DAVID ALMOND
When writers ask me for book recommendations, the first title I say is “Kit’s Wilderness by David Almond.”  I know his book Skellig may be slightly more well known and loved but Kit’s Wilderness blew me away.  I call it a “technically perfect” novel.  Almond doesn’t waste a single word.  He uses each and every one to create a very intricate, delicate structure.  Everything—everything—links to emphasize theme, character, and atmosphere. His minimalist language never ceases to amaze me. 

JONATHAN STROUD
Picking up the first Bartimaeus book was, in many ways for me, a revelation. There, on the pages, was this voice. This remarkable, wonderful, funny, sarcastic voice. Something I’d never really seen in a book for kids. And it just wasn’t the first person sections told by Bartimaeus. It was everything. This very authoritative voice that commanded my attention.  It’s just a treat when an author says to me, quietly, “Pay attention now.”  That’s what Stroud does to me.

J.K. ROWLING
At the risk of appearing to jump on a very popular bandwagon, I really do love Rowling’s work.  She’s very good at emotional manipulation. You love the characters you’re supposed to love and hate the characters you’re supposed to hate. But she doesn’t back away from ambiguity.  There are several characters she’s created that you’re supposed to feel conflicted about.  Those, I think, are some of the hardest to create and she does it with a great amount of skill.

ELLEN RASKIN
Once a year, every year, I re-read Raskin’s The Westing Game. She’s known for many great books but this is the one that really grabbed my imagination as a kid.  The plot is masterful and I say that as someone who doesn’t typically get into mysteries.  Raskin’s really terrific with balance. You get just the right amounts of character and plot and pacing.  Each time I finish, I feel fully satisfied, like after a gourmet meal.

ANDREW SMITH
Andrew is fairly recent discovery for me.  I read The Marbury Lens and then immediately ran out and bought his other books.  And now I’m anxiously awaiting the publication of his new book, Stick. Marbury Lens shook me up and left me feeling uncomfortable, paranoid, and strangely eager to return to the unsettling world he was creating.  He’s one of those writers where I finish his work and ask myself, “How did he do that?”   I hope that if I keep reading him, I’ll figure it out one of these days.

So, those are the authors I adore.  Now, if you’ll allow me one quick plug: check out my blog (link below) on May 24 (today-ish) for a couple contests: one specifically for writers, the other for voracious readers, both with awesome prizes!

Brian Farrey’s debut YA novel, WITH OR WITHOUT YOU, will be published May 24 by Simon Pulse. He tweets @BrianFarrey and he blogs at www.brianfarreybooks.com/wordpress.

Thanks for coming Brian and happy book birthday!

Dreamwalk

Title: Dreamwalk
Author: Sarah MacManus
Publisher: Young Rebel Productions
Release Date: March 14, 2011
Received From: Teen {book} Scene
Summary:

DREAMWALK is a romantic mixed beat of time travel and mythology for both teens and adults. After the death of her mother, Chloe Hawthorn is haunted by terrifying nighttime hallucinations. Determined to take control of her dreams, she uses them to find Shane Anderson, a charming and troubled musician whose online videos have been holding her in thrall. She finds him in the Dreamtime, sweating out heroin detox in a run-down rehab center.
Chloe sets out to find Shane in the waking world and discovers her dreams have been taking her into the past. Horrified, Chloe realizes Shane doesn't survive his addictions. In order to save him, Chloe must master her Australian mother's legacy — the secret of walking the Dreaming through time. But what price will Chloe pay for this Dreamwalk and will she save Shane only to lose him forever?

Review: This book was very different than anything I ad read before. I originally picked it up cause the premise sounded so exciting. It is only 149 pages so its not very long, but a lot of story was crammed into those few pages.

I loved experiencing Chloe and Shane's relationship through both their eyes and was surprised to see it portrayed in this way. Chloe kind of made me mad how she refused to try and get used to her life in New York because people have to move all the time you know?

The only other problem I had was that it was kind of slow in my opinion, basically the same thing happened over and over for about 20 pages. But beyond that it was a very interesting book!

 

 

Dreamwalk author interview

Today I have the author of Dreamwalk to answer some questions!

Where did you get your inspiration for Dreamwalk?*

I got the inspiration for Dreamwalk from a number of places, to be honest.
It was sort of the culmination of a lot of factors, the first being my own
experience with hypnogogic hallucinations. It started from idly wishing I
had a time machine one day, because I would have loved to have seen the
Beatles playing in the Cavern Club and it occurred to me that if I learned
how to use lucid dreaming, I’d sort of be able to do just that. I’ve always
been fascinated with the concept of non-linear time, anyway, and the concept
of how perception can be manipulated to alter reality.

*What has been your favorite part of getting your book into the hands of
other people?*

Well, of course I like it when a reader really enjoys the book. Getting
positive feedback is a real joy, especially insightful feedback that shows
that they’ve really thought about what you’ve written. I can’t speak for
other authors, but I do take time to make sure that every word counts. I
also write to thematic plots, and it’s important to me that those themes are
perceived. I’m delighted when they are and when those themes have found
their way into the readers feedback.

*If you could live in one fictional world what would it be?*

Oh, that one’s easy – Terry Pratchett’s Discworld. No question. I’m not sure
if I’d want to be a Ram Tops witch or a seedy denizen of Ankh-Morpork. Maybe
a bit of both.


*What inspired you to become a writer?*

Classic science fiction and fantasy authors. I ate them for breakfast, lunch
and dinner when I was a kid. Particularly Heinlein, who was the first author
I ran into that explored philosophy and ideology through plot and character.
I’ve always had some very definite opinions about the shape of reality and
found I could talk about those ideas through fiction.

*What's your favorite/oddest writing ritual? *

I don’t really have a favorite ritual – I have THE ritual – which is the
only one that works. I have to have a fan going, listen to music, drink
coffee and be wearing flip-flops.

Rebecca Russell Guest Post

Today I have with me Rebecca Russell here is some about her:

Rebecca Ryals Russell writes MG and YA Dark Fantasy and Horror while living with her family in a Victorian house on five acres of North Florida countryside. She also runs a Vacation Rental Log House on the property: Florida Black Bear Cabin. ( http://flablackbearcabin.com )

She is a fourth generation Floridian. She was born in Gainesville, grew up in Sunrise, lived in Orlando and Jacksonville before moving outside Lake City to care for ailing parents. The family now wishes to return to Jacksonville, which is why the house is for sale. (http://mcleranhouse.com )

The daughter of an Elementary-school principal and secretary, for fourteen years she taught Middle Grades, preferring English and Creative Writing. She had several students’ works published in anthologies as well as her own poetry, photography and stories. Her main interests are her four children ages 22, 19, 16, 11 and Irish hubby of 35 years. She enjoys spending her time writing, drawing, going to movies, reading, discussing philosophy with her 16-year-old son.

Over the course of the next few years she has several books being published.

Here she is:

What draws you to write fantasy?

Growing up I read one fantasy book after another and watched every episode of Lost in Space, Star Trek (every episode at least 3 times), Star Wars, anything Sci Fi. I devoured Lord of the Rings, every Anne McCaffrey book written, the Sword of Shannara series by Terry Brooks, I loved the Dark Tower series by Stephen King and read many of David Eddings series. In fact, it was while finishing a David Eddings book the concept for my first book was born. It then took me thirty years to finish writing it. I love writing Fantasy because of the room for invention. World building is so much fun I could just keep building and populating worlds. Does that give me a ‘god’ complex? Only on paper.

It is my belief that readers love Fantasy because of the escapism is provides. Fantasy as a genre has grown in popularity for that reason. Not only does Fantasy provide spectacular worlds to visit but the reader can wield a sword or crown, wings or breathe fire.
What other genre allows so many fantasies to be borne out by the reader? And for those who enjoy Romance, it lends itself perfectly to the Fantasy world in a wide variety of ways. The reader can easily be the Princess finding her Prince or Faeries and Elves. And dragons can be good or bad, helpful or not. Not only that, but in the Fantasy world any kind of magical creature, Mythological or newly created, can be born and used.

The Seraphym Wars Series, Odessa, was a trip to write. Although it took me thirty years to finally sit down and put the words to paper, the story went through so many evolutions it wasn’t really even the same story by the time I finished. I chose to go the evil dragon route and incorporated the apocalypse and Revelations from the Bible as well as pulling actual news accounts for the evil committed by the dragon-demons. I couldn’t imagine worse evil than I have found in the daily news.

Then I created a world that is Steampunk because Narciss, the head dragon and ruler of Tartarus (Mythological Hell) suppressed technology to control the planet’s population. The planet is predominantly primal forests full of dangerous creatures designed from Mythological elements. But in the farthest corner of the globe away from Narciss sits an enchanted island. After the Great Shuddering, the arrival of the dragon-demons on the peaceful planet of Solsyl, the Majikals who had been living all over the planet migrated to this island.

So now what remains of the Elves and Faeries, Dwarves, Mermaids and other creatures I designed live on the island with a Majikal shield around it. This is where my main character, 17-year-old Myrna leads the other six Vigorios. These are the teenaged demon hunters prophesied to defeat the demons in the final battle between the Seraphym and Demons. On the island they will train with the Majikals and finish assembling the army. But just because something is prophesied doesn’t mean it will come to pass. And that is what the Vigorios are finding out.

Thanks Rebecca! I love fantasy so I'm super excited to read this!!!!

Here’s some more about the book;

17-year-old Myrna is drawn into the middle of an epic battle between Seraphym and Demons. An average High School student from Florida, struggling with inner demons resulting from an attack when she was 15, she wakes one morning on the Steampunk planet of Dracwald, home of the demon-dragons responsible for her brother’s recent murder as well as many other atrocities in the news. She meets sweet and sensitive Michael, who explains that according to prophecy, Myrna must gather the remaining six Vigorios (teen warriors with special talents) then train with the Majikals on an enchanted island. He accompanies her on the quest, but harbors a secret past that ironically would destroy all the faith she has placed in him. A handsomely roguish Scientist with suspect motives haunts her dreams and makes sudden appearances in unlikely places, while a sensual dragon warrior defends her against her will.

Future Imperfect

Title: Future Imperfect
Author: K. Ryer Breese
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Received From: Publisher via Teen {Book} Scene

Summary:
Ade Patience can see the future and it's destroying his life. When the seventeen-year-old Mantlo High School student knocks himself unconscious, he can see days and decades into his own future. Ade's the best of Denver's "divination" underground and eager to join the heralded Mantlo Diviners, a group of similarly enabled teens. Yet, unlike the Diviners, Ade Patience doesn't see the future out of curiosity or good will; Ade gives himself concussions because he's addicted to the high, the Buzz, he gets when he breaks the laws of physics. And while there have been visions he's wanted to change, Ade knows the Rule: You can't change the future, no matter how hard you try.

His memory is failing, his grades are in a death spiral, and both Ade's best friend and his shrink are begging him to stop before he kills himself. Ade knows he needs to straighten-out. Luckily, the stunning Vauxhall Rodolfo has just transferred to Mantlo and, as Ade has seen her in a vision two years previously, they're going to fall in love. It's just the motivation Ade needs to kick his habit. Only things are a bit more complicated. Vauxhall has an addiction of her own, and, after a a vision in which he sees Vauxhall's close friend, Jimmy, drown while he looks on seemingly too wasted to move, Ade realizes that he must break the one rule he's been told he can't.

Review:

This book was very odd. The main character felt the need to give himself a concussion so he could see the future. I personally would NEVER harm myself so drastically just for that high. But I guess people do that sort of thing all the time so who am I to judge. That little aspect made parts of this book uncomfortable for me. The other part that was odd to me was his mother. She basically encouraged him to damage himself so she could see the future through him. I found this very disturbing and strange.

But beyond that it really was a brilliant idea. So different and fast paced. Vauxhall was a good addition to the story because without her the story really would have fallen apart completely. While I found her very annoying she was very, very important to the story’s development. I appreciated that because characters who don’t contribute to the main storyline drive me nuts.

While this book had its flaws in storytelling and in execution. It was overall a good book.

 

 

Jennifer Laurens This or That

 

Today I have with me Jennifer Laurens author of the new book Overprotected sharing with us some of the things she prefers! Be sure to check out my review of Overprotected coming soon. And don’t forget to check out Overprotected!

1.) Blue or Red? Blue.
2.) Penguin or Puffin? Puffin.
3.) Pill or Liquid? Pill.
4.) Shrek or Donkey? Donkey.
5.) Snail Mail or Email? EMAIL!!
6.) Movie Theater or drive in? Movie theater.
7.) Pencil or pen? Pen.
8.) Snow or Sun? SUN!
9.) Coffee or Tea? Coffee.
10.) Flowers or Candy? Chocolate.
11.) Cat or dog?Both.
12.) Paper or Ebook? Both.
13.) Socks or Slippers? Slippers.
14.) Heels or flats?Heels.
15.) Croatia or Bora Bora? Bora Bora.

 

Thanks Jennifer! Be sure to check out her new book Overprotected!

Ten’s List

Today I have with me K. Ryer Breese the author of Future Imperfect, coming out April 26, 2011

The top ten places I'd love to visit (in no particular order):

1) Nine Hells of Beppu, Japan;

2) Great Barrier Reef;

3) Sanquingshan, China;

4) Huivulai Island, Mexico;

5) Koh Phi Phi Lei, Thailand;

6) Valle de la Luna, Brazil;

7) Socotra Island, Indian Ocean;

8) Antelope Canyon, Arizona;

9) White Desert, Egypt;

10) Pamukkle, Turkey.

 

Great choices! I have never even heard of some of those places. Make sure to check out my review of Future Imperfect, coming soon. And pick it up when it debuts on April 26th!

A Long, Long Sleep

Title: A Long, Long Sleep
Author: Anna Sheehan
Publisher: Candlewick
Release Date: August 9, 2011
Received From: NetGalley

Summary:
Rosalinda Fitzroy has been asleep for 62 years when she is woken by a kiss. Locked away in the chemically-induced slumber of a stasis tube in a forgotten sub-basement, sixteen-year-old Rose slept straight through the Dark Times that killed millions and utterly changed the world she knew. Now, her parents and her first love are long dead, and Rose - hailed upon her awakening as the long-lost heir to an interplanetary empire - is thrust alone into a future in which she is viewed as either a freak or a threat. Desperate to put the past behind her and adapt to her new world, Rose finds herself drawn to the boy who kissed her awake, hoping that he can help her to start fresh. But when a deadly danger jeopardizes her fragile new existence, Rose must face the ghosts of her past with open eyes - or be left without any future at all.

Review:

This book was a blend of science fiction and dystopian. It was a pleasant combination that made this book unique.

Anna Sheehan created a book that combined mystery, romance, and intrigue. But even within that there was an underlying thread of abuse. It was a different kind of abuse that was not obvious at the beginning to anyone but it was totally there. It killed me to read about this abuse, especially because I know that there is similar types of abuse everyday and there is no way to prove it. Just like in this novel.

Even with the abuse this book was not completely sad and depressing it was a story about the path of reconstructing what happened in Rose’s past and learning to move past it no matter how hard it might be.

Rose was an interesting protagonist. She was down on herself like many other  main characters in YA literature today, but it was different. Once the story started to come out her self deprecation was understandable and she eventually developed into a strong character. I liked that because it made her seem more real, her having a reason for the way she felt about herself and the way she thought herself to be perceived.

There were many red herrings in this book. I never knew who the bad people were till the end and there is a surprise at the end of the book that I never expected in a million years. It brought me to tears a couple of times.

As you can tell I loved this book. It had strong characters, a strong message, and a strong plot that twisted and turned. While the ending may not be what you would love for it to be. I was satisfied with it, I think it was the perfect ending to a very diverse book. A must read!

 

 

Jane

Title: Jane
Author: April Linder
Publisher:  Poppy
Release Date:  September 23, 2010
Received From: ATWT

Summary: Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, an iconic rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer, and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is tested by a torturous secret from his past.
Part irresistible romance and part darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers

Review:

Very enjoyable modern adaptation of Jane Austin’s time-tested classic is how I would describe this book.

I started reading this book less than a month after reading Jane Eyre. I was amazed by how similar the stories were. Of course Jane does not begin with Jane being a young child  and of course Mr. Rochester was not a rock star. But the major events and basic storyline were more similar than I expected.

I actually was not a huge fan of Jane Eyre *don’t hurt me* but I really enjoyed this fast paced version. But I have to say that I liked knowing Jane from a young age in Jane Eyre better because I could understand her motivations better.

I think this book will be enjoyed by both Jane Eyre lovers and haters.

P.S. Has anyone seen the new movie? Is it worth seeing?