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Monday, October 22, 2012

The Elite

So sorry this is so late! My friend from Viva La Books showed me this and I completely forgot to blog about it! Although I really like this cover, it just doesn't compare to its predecessor. The red makes it border on cliché, unlike the blue cover of THE SELECTION, the first book in Kiera Cass' trilogy, which personifies elegance and absolutely stunning. I like how THE ELITE cover kept with the theme, but I'm just not digging it. I guess my standards were just really high...*sigh*...Any who, tell me hat y'all think of this beaut.

What I'm reading:

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Commencement: review and mini-interview



Review:
I have always dreamed of the supernatural, of magic, and of other worldly powers. What Emma possesses may seem like a super awesome gift at first glance-I mean, being able to feel others' emotions? No anxiety over your boyfriend's feelings for you, or knowing if a parent is angry pre-yelling session? Sounds preee-tty cool...not. Emma feels her "weirdness of being able to feel other people’s emotions like they’re [her] own" is "awkward", and she doesn't view her ability much as a gift. Bottom line, the girl is not normal. Throughout the novella, which is a 99 cent prequel to the Hellsbane series by Paige Cuccaro, the readers are shown Emma Jane's yearning for the one thing she is not: normal. Though the writing and technique was superb, I felt the plot was lacking in originality. I have yet to have seen a freaky supernatural girl who hasn't sobbed over being different...However, the characters were amusing.One of my favorites, a character named Mihir, is an adorable 15 year old boy who crushes on Emma Jane and insults her boyfriend, Justin. Too cute. Even with the awkwardness of Emma feeling his feelings of, um, let's say excitement. This part in the novella was rather amusing. Both Emma and Mihir had skipped grades because of their outstanding academics, but poor little Mihir was a college junior in a fifteen-year old boy's body...What can a guy do? He's got hormones. None the less, he is still a sweet kid who helps Emma through her troubles with possible druggy/maybe possessed boyfriend Justin, who Emma is desperately worried about when she senses a dark hatred from his emotions. When a mysterious ring seemingly causes this change in Justin, and then later is connected to tales of jenni's, Emma has to fight a powerful darkness. At this point, I was reminded of that Disney movie, Now You See It? with all the magicians and the dark magic and the ring and all that jazz. When further events occur, and Justin is connected to a death, more questions arise, and Emma Jane must use her abilities for the good of everybody. Though the story was a bit cliche and predictable, I was interested enough to want to know where Emma Jane's path will take her. It is a short read, and to make it even better, it's less than a dollar! I mean, that is most certainly a plus. I hope you enjoy the mini interview that I have conducted with the author, Paige Cuccaro.
Bye bye, 
Anna

Mini-Interview:


What is the backstory to your writing career?
I didn't start out wanting to be a writer. I actually went to college to be an elementary teacher. But they want you to actually TEACH the kids stuff and I just liked taking care of them. I decided it was probably better than I have a few of my own and the change suited me. But I've always enjoyed writing and after reading a series of books by an author who is now my hero, Anne Rice, I knew that I wanted to do what she could do. I wanted to tell stories that would transport the reader, suspend reality and bring them into a world of my making. I started seriously writing when I moved from Pennsylvania to Ohio 13 years ago. In Ohio I discovered a local writing group, Central Ohio Fiction Writers and through them I joined Romance Writers of America. They're both wonderful organizations filled with awesome people. I've learned so much and am still learning. I never would've gotten as far in my career if not for these groups and their members.

What books have inspired you throughout your life?
Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire is the book I point to as the inspiration to my writing addiction. This woman has such an amazing gift and I would count myself blessed to have half her talent.

What are you currently reading?
I'm reading Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris. I'm probably the only person on the planet that hasn't read them. But I love the HBO series and I just had to check out the books. So far, they ROCK!

What input did you have in the cover of COMMENCEMENT?
Not a lot. I told them what Emma looked like and what her personality was like. I filled them in on what Commencement was about, setting, genre. And then I shut my mouth and let the artist do her thing. I like to think the more artists are allowed to flex their creative muscles the better the end result will be. So far, I haven't been proven wrong.

If you had a paranormal ability, would you choose the ability to feel other people's emotions as well? If not, what would you choose?
No way would I choose Emma's ability. It's one thing to know what people are feeling, it's something totally different to actually FEEL what they're feeling. I mean, can you imagine having that ability as a teenager and your parents are...getting close in the room next door? Ewww... If I could pick an ability I think I'd go with mind reading or, telekinesis. Much more fun, with a lower ick factor.

Thanks again, Anna!!
Paige :)


Monday, October 8, 2012

Throne of Glass Playlist

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Playlist:

Drops of Jupiter by Train
I Miss the Misery by Halestorm
Headstrong by Trapt
How to Save a Life by The Fray
Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers
How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Good Girl by Carrie Underwood
Sweet Dreams are Made of This by the Eurythmics
Wild Ones by Flo Rida
We Are Young by Fun.
What Do You Want From Me by Grant Scot
Battlefield by Jordan Sparks
I Am Not a Robot by Marina and the Diamonds
Can’t Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus
Bless the Broken Roads by Rascal Flatts
Girls Lie Too by Terri Clark
The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
Enchanted by Taylor Swift



Sunday, October 7, 2012

Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas







  • Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  • Hardcover: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (August 7, 2012)
  • Rating: 10/10 stars


I am literally in love with this book. Every possible concept and factor that I think make the perfect YA book are compiled skillfully and wonderfully into 416 pages. Every fairy tale notion of princes, every little girl's dream of balls and gowns, every independent young woman's inspiration in feisty heroines, all of these things are woven into the magical pages of THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas. It's a story that you can't put down, but it is also one that if you do put down, the moment you pick it back up it will feel as if all the time in between had been the story, and only when you entered Celaena's world were you in reality. THRONE OF GLASS transcends the bounds of reality and yet, when you are in its spell, it is the only thing that even exists. To say that I am obsessed is an understatement, and I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF READING THIS BOOK! Unlike many of its YA counterparts, the love triangle, if you can even call the intense and passionate relationships between Celaena and Dorian and Celaena and Captain Westfall such an idle name, does not dominate every page in the book. Celaena is plagued with deeper and more important struggles than such a thing as a love triangle. Even a dispute with her beautiful friend, Nehemia, does not phase her from the important matters at hand. The magic is not contained in this story, and as soon as you open the page, you will be transported into a world of magical symbols, conniving kings, glorious princesses and charming princes, and most of all, a heroine whose scars don't make her any less beautiful.

Giveaway: GONE GIRL


On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around. (Courtesy of GR)


Monday, October 1, 2012

October Releases

Hey y'all,
This month is freaking unbelievable in the YA universe! Check out some of the top October releases below!


October 1:
Who I Kissed by Janet Gurtler
Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally
October 2:
Forget Me Not by Carolee Dean
After Dark by Emi Gayle
Death and the Girl Next Door by Darynda Jones
Eve and Adam by Katherine Applegate
Breathe by Sarah Crossen
Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi
Ironskin by Tina Connolly
Live Through This by Mindi Scott
Poison Princess by Kresley Cole
Send Me a Sign by Tiffany Schmidt
Whispers at Moonrise by C.C. Hunter
The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton
Through to You by Emily Hainsworth
Feedback by Robison Wells
October 4:
Stealing Crystal by Joss Stirling
October 9:
Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone
Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson
Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
October 16:
Beta by Rachel Cohn
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Out of Reach by Carrie Arcos
The Twelve By Justin Cronin
October 23:
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa
The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima
Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver
Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and MArgaret Stohl
Ask the Passengers by A.S. King
October 25:
Burning Blue by Paul Griffin
October 29:
Touched by Corrine Jackson
October 30:
Dust Lands by Moira Young
Gravity by Melissa West
Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini
Venom by Fiona Paul
Sapphire Blue by Kersten Gier