Showing posts with label Jennifer Donnelly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jennifer Donnelly. Show all posts

Monday, 30 May 2016

Win a Copy of Sea Spell (Waterfire Saga #4) by Jennifer Donnelly & Matching Nail Polish! (US Only!)


Sea Spell by Jennifer Donnelly || Release date: June 14th 2016

At the end of Dark Tide, Book 3 in the Waterfire Saga, Astrid leaves her mermaid friends to confront her ancestor, Orfeo, the evil force behind the rise of the monster Abbadon. Orfeo possesses one of the six talismans that the merls need in order to keep the monster locked up forever. But without the ability to songcast, how will Astrid be able to defeat the most powerful mage in history? Meanwhile, Serafina and her Black Fins train goblin troops for battle against her uncle Vallerio's death riders. Will Sera ever see her beloved home--and her beloved Mahdi--again, or will the Volneros take over the mer realms while Orfeo takes on the gods themselves? Nothing less than the fate of the underwater world is at stake in this breathtaking finale.



*****




+ One winner will receive a copy of Sea Spell by Jennifer Donnelly and corresponding nail polish.
+ This competition is open to entrants in the USA. You must have a US postal address to enter. +Winners details will be supplied to Disney Publishing..
 +Samples and Prizing provided by Disney Publishing.
+Prize will be sent directly from Disney Publishing.
 +I bear no responsibility for prizes lost or undelivered - alternative prizes will not be offered.
 +This is a sponsored giveaway: please refer to T&C's for further information.
+ Fill in the Rafflecopter Form to Enter!
+ Find out more at waterfiresaga.com #WaterfireSaga




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, 19 October 2015

Celebrating the Release of Dark Tide by Jennifer Donnelly: Win the Waterfire Saga Series & Matching Nail Polish Set! (US Only!)


Dark Tide by Jennifer Donnelly || Release date: October 13th 2015

Once a lost and confused princess, Serafina is now a confident leader of the Black Fin Resistance (BFR). While she works on sabotaging her enemy and enlisting allies for battle, her friends face challenges of their own. Ling is in the hold of Rafe Mfeme's giant trawler, on her way to a prison camp. Becca meets up with Astrid and learns why the Ondalinian mermaid is always so angry: she is hiding a shameful secret. Ava can't return home, because death riders await her arrival. And it is getting more and more difficult for Mahdi, Serafina's betrothed, to keep up the ruse that he is in love with Lucia Volerno. If Lucia's parents become suspicious, his life--and all of Sera's hopes--will be extinguished. Political intrigue, dangerous liaisons, and spine-tingling suspense swirl like a maelstrom in this penultimate book in the WaterFire saga.

Read an excerpt of Dark Tide.

*****

Dark Tide, the third book in Jennifer Donnelly's excited Waterfire Saga is upon us, and to celebrate its release, I have a pretty cool giveaway to share with my US readers today.

Thanks to Disney-Hyperion for the giveaway!





+ This competition is open to entrants in the USA. You must have a US postal address to enter.
+Winners details will be supplied to Disney-Hyperion.
+Samples and Prizing provided by Disney-Hyperion.
+Prize will be sent directly from Disney-Hyperion.
+I bear no responsibility for prizes lost or undelivered - alternative prizes will not be offered.
+ One winner will receive copies of Deep Blue, Rogue Wave and Dark Tide by Jennifer Donnelly and corresponding branded nail polishes.
+This is a sponsored giveaway: please refer to T&C's for further information.
+ Fill in the Rafflecopter Form to Enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, 16 January 2015

Reviewed by Arianne: Rogue Wave by Jennifer Donnelly.


Product details:
Publisher: Disney Press.
Hardcover, 320 pages.
Release date: January 6th 2015.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 10+
Series: Waterfire Saga #2.
Other Books in Series: Deep Blue.
Reviewed by: Arianne.

 In this exciting sequel to DEEP BLUE, Serafina uncovers more clues about the talismans, Neela ventures into a sea dragon's nest, and Ling learns the identity of their foe.

Serafina, Neela, Ling, Ava, Becca, and Astrid, six mermaids from realms scattered throughout the seas and freshwaters, were summoned by the leader of the river witches to learn an incredible truth: the mermaids are direct descendants of the Six Who Ruled-powerful mages who once governed the lost empire of Atlantis. The ancient evil that destroyed Atlantis is stirring again, and only the mermaids can defeat it. To do so, they need to find magical talismans that belonged to the Six.

Serafina believes her talisman was buried with an old shipwreck. While researching its location, she is almost discovered by a death rider patrol led by someone familiar. . . . The pain of seeing him turned traitor is devastating.

Neela travels to Matali to warn her parents of the grave threat facing their world. But they find her story outlandish; a sign that she needs to be confined to her chamber for rest and recovery. She escapes and travels to Kandina, where her talisman is in the possession of fearsome razormouth dragons.

As they hunt for their talismans, both Serafina and Neela find reserves of courage and cunning they didn't know they possessed. They face down danger and death, only to endure a game-changing betrayal, as shocking as a rogue wave.


If you’ve read my review for Deep Blue, you’ll know that I have a love-hate relationship with this series. The Waterfire Saga is a light-hearted, fun foray into the mystical realm of upper middle grade fiction (despite what the marketing team may try to tell you).  I love Jennifer Donnelly’s writing and the rich underwater world she’s created, but I just haven’t fallen for the Waterfire Saga the way I’d hoped I would — yet.

Serafina has been on the run – or should that be on the swim? – ever since the events of Deep Blue left her home in ruins. Her only hope lies in finding six talismans which once belonged to the founders of her world’s six kingdoms, but she can’t do it alone. Thrown together by fate, Serafina, Neela, Ling, Astrid, Ava and Becca must combat myriad forces of evil or face a lifetime enslaved by brutal captors. Ghosts, death riders, death traps, sea dragons and even ruthless former allies make their quest a perilous journey indeed.

Serafina and Neela are once again leading ladies, with a quick visit to Ling and occasional glimpses into the lives of the other heroines (there doesn’t really need to be six of them, but I expect it will make for a spectacular showdown in the final instalment). I enjoyed Neela’s storyline immensely, particularly her role in the uprising of Kandina, a settlement led by the fantastically fierce Kora. I love so many of the secondary characters in this series, but Kora is definitely at the top of the list after reading this book. She’s so dazzling — tough, fearless, skilled, commanding; she’s everything the other heroines should be and more.

Serafina’s love interest Mahdi found his way into my heart again, too. He’s the most complicated character in the series and it really pays off. He’s certain of his love for Serafina but as one of the few royals left who can go out in public without being imprisoned, he’s forced to make difficult choices and takes a huge risk in helping to lead the underground (undersea?) resistance. Serafina inevitably clashes with him over his twisted loyalties and seemingly traitorous actions, but fans of their romance will be pleased to see their relationship ultimately strengthen over the course of the novel.

I only had one other major issue with this book. Deep Blue was magnificently fuelled by girl power, but Rogue Wave is a book which sees its fabulous female lead experience catcalling and harassment, without giving her a chance to call the perpetrators out on it in a way that would tell readers “This kind of behaviour is not okay, whether it’s in fiction or reality.” There’s one sequence where Serafina is assaulted by a leering soldier because of what she’s wearing, but instead of having her use her kick-ass abilities to get herself out of the situation, Donnelly writes: “She decided to go along with him. She had no other choice. She couldn’t afford to make a scene…” I’m not the kind of person who insists that all books should have a moral or be used to ‘teach’ readers, but even I could see that the way this incident was treated in Rogue Wave was wrong. This is a book that should be fun for young girls and make them feel empowered, not reinforce unhelpful, stereotypical responses to a dangerous situation.

That said, I really did enjoy the rest of the book. It’s absolutely packed with plot, and I loved it. The pages race by in a frenzy of friendships, discoveries, chase sequences, betrayals and determination. The pacing’s not quite perfect and there are several unnecessary puppet villains, but as a reader you’re flung from one deadly situation to the next, and I was hooked. It ends with a shocking revelation which, while not executed in the most original of ways, is sure to come into play in the next book.

In short: Rogue Wave is a novel so good it hasn’t even heard of the second-book slump. It’s full of action, adventure, magic and romance, and while it’s not without fault, it’s got a lot of heart and will you keep hooked right to the last page.


--Arianne.

Monday, 19 May 2014

Reviewed by Arianne: Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly.


Product details:
Publisher: Disney Press.
Hardcover, 320 pages.
Release date: May 6th 2014.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 10+
Source: Received from publisher for review.
Reviewed by: Arianne.

The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.



Far beneath the waves of the Mediterranean, the beloved princess of a vast kingdom is about to fulfill her destiny – it’s just not the one she’s been planning for. 

Jennifer Donnelly is a master of her craft. Her writing is beautiful, powerful, unflinching and unforgettable. Her novels have won awards and received critical acclaim; in particular, her gritty contemporary-historical epic, Revolution, remains one of my all-time favourites. Needless to say, then, my expectations for Deep Blue were high, and I fully expected them to be surpassed. That is, until I started reading.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot to love about Deep Blue – it’s just so different from what I’d imagined that it takes quite a bit of getting used to. 

At the start of this book, Serafina is about to begin life as the official heir of the underwater kingdom Miromara. She’s a great character and very brave, but she’s also naïve and disappointingly immature. She’s whip-smart when it comes to reciting the history of her world, but ask her about her own sense of identity and she may not be so quick to answer. Her best friend Neela (who’s also a princess, natch) is more entertaining, but the few characteristics she’s given are general and sweeping, so as much as I liked her, I couldn’t help wishing she was a little more complex.

On the other hand, I absolutely loved Mahdi. I figured he’d be another unsurprising placeholder ‘oh look here’s the prince I hardly know that I’m about to marry’ character, but he’s so much more than that. Serafina and Mahdi go way back, having forged a relationship when they first met years before the events of the novel. They’ve never needed to be close – never needed to build a romance from scratch like an ordinary couple – because their marriage is arranged and ultimately inevitable, but they took the time to get to know each other anyway, and I adored that. They have genuine feelings for each other and enjoy each other’s company – or at least they used to. Sera hasn’t seen Mahdi in so long, she’s not sure if he’s held true to the promises they once made to each other. She’s heard rumours; of his wild partying and his bad attitude. He’s a couple of years older than she is and has more freedom, but even that can’t excuse the transformation he seems to have undergone since they last saw each other. He’s kind of a jerk when we meet him in the early chapters of Deep Blue – but he’s also hugely conflicted, torn between the decency Sera brings out in him and the reputation he’s developed as a reckless and popular prince, and that makes him one of the best characters in the entire book. He’s certainly the most interesting – and that’s really saying something, since Deep Blue has such a numerous cast, from the matronly Thalassa to Armando, the elusive outlaw leader of the Praedatori, and not forgetting the intriguing Blue or the menacing witches of Sera’s dreams. 

Unfortunately, you often have to rely on tantalising flickers of potential from these characters rather than their presence on the page, as this is a book that moves quickly from one situation to another (once the opening streams of exposition are finished, of course). In this sense Deep Blue is something of a contradiction, as unbelievably, I seemed to enjoy characters who only made one or two key appearances more than I liked characters who were present throughout. There are a lot of unanswered questions left by these characters, and it's one of the reasons why I know I'll be reading the sequel.

The contradictions don’t end there. Deep Blue’s concept is to die for, full of danger, darkness and the irresistible call of fate, yet the tone and feel of Sera’s narration exactly the opposite. She behaves like a child, yet her opening conversation is one of in-depth political jargon with her flat and cartoonish mother. There are puns everywhere, which I found funny, but also awkward twists on perfectly usable words like girl (which becomes ‘merl’) and currency (‘currensea’), which I did not. I appreciate this is part of the world-building – which was for the most part fantastic - but the prevalence of terminology is like learning a second language, and it slows the story down. The pacing is unreliable, shooting from snail speed to lightning fast in all the wrong places. Instead of pulling me into the world of the text, it pushed me out. Thankfully, Donnelly’s description is as imaginative and illustrative as ever, and I couldn’t fault that. 

Deep Blue may be a Little Mermaid for the 21st century, but it’s also the Little Mermaid on steroids. It’s full of strong female characters and features the kind of ethnic diversity all books should be aiming for these days, but then again, Sera sleeps on a bed of anemones set in the frame of a giant conch. She has a pet octopus named Sylvestre. She wears bejewelled, floaty dresses that surely impair her ability to swim – in fact, this is a book which flouts the laws of physics so often you have no choice but to blame it all on the magic and be done with it. Because magic is a very big part of Deep Blue, and while I loved the idea of songspells, I just couldn’t resist raising an eyebrow when some of its mermaids starting drinking tea underwater. 

Where the magic really comes into its own, however, is in the plot. From the second I started reading Deep Blue, I got the feeling that this was the kind of book I would have loved to have read before I’d even started reading YA. The idea of six mermaids - did I forget to mention that characters named Ling, Astrid, Becca and Ava join Neela and Serafina later in the story? Don’t worry, the author almost forgets to mention it, too – with different powers taking part in a quest to save the sea is the stuff kids’ dreams are made of. And this is, I think the book’s fatal flaw: it’s being promoted as a dark and intricate fantasy for older YA readers, when really, it would be better off on the transitionary middle grade shelf.

In short: Deep Blue is a rich, engaging tale set in a fascinating underwater world, but it suffers from flat characters and an extremely misleading marketing campaign. It’s the kind of book that makes you think ‘You know what? This could have been so much better’. I’ll probably read the sequel, but in future I think I’ll only be recommending it to well-versed middle grade readers or YA fans who are sure they know what they’re in for. 
 

--Arianne.

Monday, 28 April 2014

Win! Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly "Pretty Principessa" Prize Pack! (US Only!)


Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly || Release date: May 6th 2014

The first in a series of four epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.

*****

A new release from Revolution author Jennifer Donnelly is always a cause for excitement and today, thanks to Disney Publishing I'm here to amp that excitement up a notch or ten in the form of a very special giveaway!

First, though, take a look at the beautiful trailer for Deep Blue




Now, on to the giveaway!

Here's what you need to know.

Giveaway is open to US Addresses Only.

Giveaway Closes: May 6th 2014.

Two winners will each win a Deep Blue "Pretty Principessa" Prize pack comprising a copy of the book and a custom Deep Blue nail polish set.

Take a look:


Now fill in the Rafflecopter form to enter: a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

*This is a sponsored giveaway.
 *Please be advised that books/prize will be sent out via the sponsoring body.
*Books may take up to 28 days (longer if sent from overseas) to arrive.
 *Please note that I cannot guarantee delivery of prizes and cannot take responsibility for books lost in the post.**
 ** Alternative prizes may be offered.

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Read All About It: News, Deals and Cover Reveals from Alexandra Monir, Jennifer Donnelly, Rebecca James, Gayle Forman & More!

Here's a round up of the latest book news, deals and some cover reveals that I've discovered over the past few weeks!  It's also basically a digest of all the exciting news stories that come my way and which I've mostly already posted on my twitter and Facebook feeds, so if you want up-to-the-minute book news and you don't want to have to wait around for me to type this up, you can follow me on those sites!

 Like DaisyChainBookReviews on Facebook  ||   Follow  @daisychainbooks on Twitter and then you'll never miss a thing!



Suspicion by Alexandra Monir || Release date: December 2014

A contemporary Downton Abbey with a dash of the supernatural, a hot and heavy romance, and a deadly family mystery.

"There's something hidden in the maze."

Seventeen-year-old Imogen Rockford has never forgotten the last words her father said to her, before the blazing fire that consumed him, her mother, and the gardens of her family's English country manor.

For seven years, images of her parents' death have haunted Imogen's dreams. In an effort to escape the past, she leaves Rockford Manor and moves to New York City with her new guardians. But some attachments prove impossible to shake-including her love for her handsome neighbor Sebastian Stanhope.

Then a letter arrives that forces Imogen to return to the manor in England, where she quickly learns that dark secrets lurk behind Rockford's aristocratic exterior. At their center is Imogen herself-and Sebastian, the boy she never stopped loving.

Combining spine-tingling mystery, powerful romance, and unforgettable characters, Suspicion is an action-packed thrill ride.

******** 


Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly || Release date: May 2014

The first in a series of three epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin's arrow poisons Sera's mother. Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin's master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world's very existence.


********

Book Deals, Book Deals, Book Deals.... 


My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories ed. Stephanie Perkins

Sara Goodman at St. Martin's Press has bought a YA anthology called My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories, edited by Stephanie Perkins, author of Anna and the French Kiss. The collection will feature 12 romantic tales of young love by celebrated YA authors, including Rainbow Rowell, David Levithan, Gayle Forman, Ally Carter, Holly Black, Kiersten White, Matt de la Peña, Laini Taylor, Jenny Han and Kelly Link. Publication is set for October 2014; Kate Schafer Testerman at KT Literary did the deal for North American rights. 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman

Ken Wright of Viking has acquired I Was Here, a YA novel by Gayle Forman, author of If I Stay and Just One Year. The story follows Cody Reynolds in the months following her best friend Meg's suicide, as she delves into Meg's secret life in search of answers. Publication is scheduled for the first half of 2015; Michael Bourret at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management negotiated the deal for North American rights.


Great Library by Rachel Caine

Anne Sowards at NAL signed a mid-six-figure deal for a YA fantasy trilogy by Rachel Caine, author of the Morganville Vampires books. In the new trilogy, called the Great Library, the Library of Alexandria still exists and has become all-powerful, and, while there is unfettered access to information digitally, it is a crime to keep print books in any personal collection. The series is described as The Book Thief with Fahrenheit 451 by way of Harry Potter. The first book is planned for summer 2015; Lucienne Diver at the Knight Agency sold North American rights. 


Presumed Dead by Anne Heltzel

 Margaret Raymo at HMH has bought North American rights to a new YA novel by Anne Heltzel, a former editor at Razorbill. Charlie, Presumed Dead is the story of two teenage girls who meet at the funeral of Charlie Pryce, presumed dead after an explosion on a college campus. When the girls realize they both thought they were Charlie's one true love, the secrets of his double life are unraveled – and it's possible they’ve walked into a trap he's laid for them. Publication is scheduled for spring 2015; Stephen Barbara at Foundry Literary + Media did the deal. 

********

 Some Awesome UK covers...



'I still dream about Anna London's house. In my dreams it's as if the house itself has sinister intentions. But in real life it wasn't the house that was responsible for what happened. It was the people who did the damage ...'

When Tim Ellison finds a cheap room to rent in the perfect location in Sydney it looks like a huge stroke of luck. In fact the room comes with a condition, and the owner of the house, the mysterious Anna London, is unfriendly and withdrawn. When strange and terrifying things start happening in the house at night, Tim wonders if taking the room is a mistake. But then his feelings for Anna start to change, and when her past comes back with a vengeance, Tim is caught right in the middle of it.

A thrilling rollercoaster of a story - read it with the lights on!

Sweet Damage by Rebecca James: Release date - March 2014.

Australian Edition

 ******** 




The Dispossessed #2: Release date: May 2014
(synopsis not included in case of spoilers. You can read it here


US Edition

 ******** 




Growing up in privileged, Manhattan social circles, Caggie's life should be perfect, and it almost was until the day that her younger sister drowned when Caggie was supposed to be watching her. Stricken by grief, Caggie pulls away from her friends and family, only to have everyone misinterpret a crucial moment when she supposedly saves a fellow classmate from suicide. Now she's famous for something she didn't do and everyone lauds her as a hero. But inside she still blames herself for the death of her sister and continues to pull away from everything in her life, best friend and perfect boyfriend included.

Then Caggie meets Astor, the new boy at school, about whom rumours are swirling and known facts are few. In Astor she finds someone who just might understand her pain, because he has an inner pain of his own. But the more Caggie pulls away from her former life to be with Astor, the more she realises that his pain might be darker, and deeper, than anything she's ever felt. His pain might be enough to end his life…and Caggie's as well.

The Edge of Falling by Rebecca Serle: Release date - March 2014


US Edition

********


Out of Control by Sarah Alderson || Release date: May 2014

When 17 year old Liva witnesses a brutal murder she’s taken into police custody for her own protection. But when the police station is attacked and bullets start flying it becomes clear that Liva is not just a witness, she’s a target.

Together with a car thief called Jay, Liva manages to escape the massacre but now the two of them are alone in New York, trying to outrun and outwit two killers who will stop at nothing to find them.

When you live on the edge, there’s a long way to fall.
 
 *********


The Year of the Rat by Clare Furniss || Release date: April 2014

I always thought you'd know, somehow, if something terrible was going to happen. I thought you'd sense it, like when the air goes damp and heavy before a storm and you know you'd better hide yourself away somewhere safe until it all blows over.

But it turns out it's not like that at all. There's no scary music playing in the background like in films. No warning signs. Not even a lonely magpie. One for sorrow, Mum used to say. Quick, look for another.

The world can tip at any moment … a fact that fifteen-year-old Pearl is all too aware of when her mum dies after giving birth to her baby sister. Told across the year following her mother's death, Pearl's story is full of bittersweet humour and heartbreaking honesty about how you deal with grief that cuts you to the bone, as she tries not only to come to terms with losing her mum, but also the fact that her sister - The Rat - is a constant reminder of why her mum is no longer around…
 

*********

That's it for this month's round-up! Let me know what you think of the covers and exciting new book deals in comments!










Please note that book covers may not be final and may be subject to change.  Additional sources:  PW Children's Bookshelf, Edelweiss, Goodreads.

Monday, 27 December 2010

My Top 5 books of 2010 and a chance to win one of my faves!

Hope you all had a happy Christmas! Today I'm back to present to you my top five books of the year, and offer you a chance to win one of my favourite books of the year!

I was going to chicken out and list this top five in no particular order, but instead, I've decided to be brave and list this from 1-5 in order of preference.  What do you think of my picks?

*All links lead to my reviews of the books, so feel free to check those out.

I've only included books here that were released in 2010, but I'm recommending that everybody read If I Stay by Gayle Forman and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, two books I read, and loved this year, but which didn't have 2010 releases. 

Now onto the TOP 5!

1. I'm guessing that a lot of you are not surprised by my number 1 book of the year - especially if you follow me on Twitter, where I gush about this book all the time.  The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting was my favourite book of the year, for sure. I couldn't get enough of this book, and I can't wait to read more!!




Violet Ambrose is grappling with two major issues: Jay Heaton and her morbid secret ability. While the sixteen-year-old is confused by her new feelings for her best friend since childhood, she is more disturbed by her "power" to sense dead bodies—or at least those that have been murdered. Since she was a little girl, she has felt the echoes the dead leave behind in the world . . . and the imprints that attach to their killers. 

Violet has never considered her strange talent to be a gift; it mostly just led her to find dead birds her cat left for her. But now that a serial killer is terrorizing her small town, and the echoes of the local girls he's claimed haunt her daily, Violet realizes she might be the only person who can stop him. 

Despite his fierce protectiveness over her, Jay reluctantly agrees to help Violet find the murderer—and Violet is unnerved by her hope that Jay's intentions are much more than friendly. But even as she's falling intensely in love, Violet is getting closer and closer to discovering a killer . . . and becoming his prey herself.



2.  There are so many angel-themed books around right now, but this year, Angel by L. A. Weatherly stood out for me.  This one has a romance to die for and a great storyline to boot. It's not released in the US until May 2011, but y'all are in for a treat when you read this one!



In a world where angels are beyond redemption, Alex thinks he's found one that might deserve mercy. Alex is a ruthless assassin - of angels. Forget everything you've heard about them before. Angels are not benign celestial creatures, but fierce stalkers whose irresistible force allows them to feed off humans, draining them of their vitality until there is barely anything left. As far as Alex is concerned, the only good angel is a dead angel...until he meets Willow. She may look like a normal teenager but Willow is no ordinary girl. Half-angel, half-human, Willow may hold the key to defeating the evil angels. But as the hunter and the hunted embark on an epic and dangerous journey and Willow learns the dark and terrifying secrets of her past, Alex finds himself drawn to Willow...with devastating consequences. Eoin Colfer reinvented the fairy, Stephenie Meyer reinvented the vampire, L.A. Weatherly reinvents the angel! This is a heart-pounding, knuckle-whitening, paranormal romance action-adventure for fans of the "Twilight" series. This is the first in a devastating new trilogy.


3Beautiful Malice is one of those books that contains just about everything you'll need for a great read. This was one of my favourite reads of the year, and I can't wait to read more from Rebecca James. This is a great psychological thriller with toxic friendships and some truly chilling moments!



Who is Katherine Patterson? It is a question she hopes no one can answer. To erase her past, Katherine has moved to a new city, enrolled in a new school, and even changed her name. She’s done the next best thing to disappearing altogether. Now, wary and alone, she seeks nothing more than anonymity. What she finds instead is the last thing she expected: a friend.

Even more unlikely, Katherine’s new friend is the most popular and magnetic girl in school. Extroverted, gorgeous, flirtatious, and unpredictable, she is everything that Katherine is not and doesn’t want to be: the center of attention. Yet Alice’s enthusiasm is infectious, her candor sometimes unsettling, and Katherine, in spite of her guarded caution, finds herself drawn into Alice’s private circle.

But Alice has secrets, too—darker than anyone can begin to imagine. And when she lets her guard down at last, Katherine discovers the darkest of them all. For there will be no escaping the past for Katherine Patterson—only a descent into a trap far more sinister . . . and infinitely more seductive.


4. I have to include a little historical fiction on my list, and Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly was a book that truly captivated me. This book has major crossover appeal, and I truly think that just about anyone will be impressed by the storyline and the strength of writing here. Even if you don't know one thing about the French Revolution, read this, and you'll soon want to find out more!



BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. 


5. I love to read about themes of rebirth, reincarnation and soulmates, and this book contains all of these elements. It's an epic romantic tale and it was a great surprise to me because I picked up the book not really expecting anything much from it. My name is Memory by Ann Brashares makes the list just ahead of The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller - another book I read this year which dealt with the same themes of reincarnation and soulmates. Both books are well worth checking out!



 From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, inspired, magical book-a love story that lasts more than a lifetime.

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

A magical, suspenseful, heartbreaking story of true love, My Name is Memory proves the power and endurance of a union that was meant to be.




To be in with a chance to win an ARC of Angel by L.A Weatherly, just fill in the form below:
One entry per person.
Competition is International and open until January 7th 2011.
Winner will be contacted by email and asked to provide me with a mailing address. The winner will have one week to respond to my email before a new winner is picked.
*Please note -  cover of ARC is different from finished copy.


COMPETITION CLOSED! WINNER ANNOUNCED SOON!

Thursday, 14 October 2010

Revolution blog tour: Jennifer Donnelly's Fantasy Dinner Party!

I'm today's stop on the Revolution UK blog tour where author Jennifer Donnelly will be talking about her fantasy dinner party guests. Read on to find out more.  I loved Revolution - it's a wonderful book, and one that I'd recommend to anybody.



BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.


Fantasy dinner party - What do you think of Jennifer's choices?


Louis XIV
Why? Have you ever seen pictures? Dude was hot. And a king.

Beethoven
If he came, I’d have the music covered. No need for the Ipod.

Abraham Lincoln
I’d tell him that the Gettysburg Address is one of the most beautiful things ever written, and how much it still means to his countrymen and women, and that it’s pure and perfect, and that I can never make it to the last sentence without bawling. And I’d ask him how he got so much truth, beauty, and resolve into only ten sentences.

Elizabeth I
Can you imagine? I’d want to know all about Leicester. I’d ask her to give us the Armada speech. I’d swoon over her jewels and ask her how to deal with unruly critics, but I wouldn’t have the heart to tell her that beheading them is no longer an option.

James Joyce
Because he’s my favorite writer of all time, and I’d love to be able to tell him so.

Jennifer Donnelly's Fantasy Dinner Party!

You might also like to read: My review of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.
Jennifer Donnelly on:  Facebook   |   Twitter  
Next  stop on the Revolution blog tour is Chicklish - make sure you stop by to see what they have in store!

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Book Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.


Product details:
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Hardcover, 496 pages.
Release date: October 13th 2010.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Ages: 14+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. 


Jennifer Donnelly’s Revolution is a book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it. This one has something for everyone - characters with depth, an intriguing plot and some sublime writing. The story will captivate you and keep you reading late into the night. This is geared towards the Young Adult market, but I honestly think it will appeal to anyone, of any age. Personally, I had been looking forward to this book for a long time. Historical fiction that’s set in Paris, particularly during the French Revolution is always something that’s going to interest me.

But, I’m jumping ahead. Revolution actually starts off in present day Brooklyn. Andi Alpers is smart, streetwise, talented and privileged. She attends St. Anselm’s, a prestigious private school where she has every opportunity available to her. But she doesn’t care. She’s flunking out. Since her brother Truman’s death she’s been racked with guilt and deeply depressed. Her family has fallen apart. Her dad has a whole new life, and a whole new pregnant girlfriend, while her mother is having a breakdown. Things are pretty bleak in Andi’s world and I’m not sure if everyone will warm to her, but I did. Her grief is real and raw and honest.. The world that she lives in is completely alien to me, but I connected with her right from the start of the book. Andi and her friends are introduced to us as spoiled rich kids living with wild abandon. They party hard, and indulge in everything to excess. While their intentions are not evil, it’s true to say that they are selfish, thinking only of themselves and not concerned with those around them. One might say that it’s behaviour reminiscent of the French Royals in the Eighteenth Century and it's safe to say that such behaviour always ends badly for those involved.

The historical element of this novel is invoked when a reluctant Andi accompanies her father, a world renowned geneticist to Paris on a work trip. He’s there to try and solve the mystery of the Lost Dauphin, Louis-Charles, while Andi is there to work on her thesis. Here, Andi finds a lost journal, that of a girl called Alex who lived during the French Revolution. Alex’s journal offers a multitude of insights into life during the French Revolution and more importantly into the life of the Dauphin. Andi is captivated by Alex’s story and by the similarities between Louis-Charles and her brother, Truman, who died at the same age. The merging of past and present throughout the book is flawless and beautifully composed. Paris is one of my favourite cities, and while reading this I could imagine I was there. Even better, Jennifer Donnelly does a great job of recreating the Paris of the French Revolution, such is the strength of her writing and the meticulous research throughout this book.

There were  many things that I loved about Revolution. Andi is so damaged and she needs to be healed. The use of music in this book for that purpose is pretty special. Andi is a gifted musician and her life in this book is wonderfully soundtracked. I always feel like I get to know characters better if I can know the music they listen to. There’s also a love interest here. Virgil is there for Andi when she needs him most. He restores her faith in humankind, and their bond really rings true.

This is a book to curl up with when you have the whole night ahead to get totally lost in Jennifer Donnelly’s wonderful words. Highly recommended.

Thursday, 7 October 2010

Blog Tour Annoucement: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - stopping here!

I'm reading Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly right now, and loving it. It's released on Wednesday October 13th in the UK, and it's one you should definitely check out.  The blog tour for Revolution will be stopping here on October 14th when Jennifer will reveal her fantasy dinner party guests.

Here's the full line blog tour up:

Monday 11th October – The Book Smugglers 
Tuesday 12th October – Once Upon A Bookcase 
Wednesday 13th October – Bloggers Heart Books 
Thursday 14th October – Daisy Chain Book Reviews 
Friday 15th October – Chicklish 

 There's also a shiny blog tour button available if you'd like to add it to your blog and help spread the word!




Jennifer Donnelly on: Facebook   |   Twitter   |

Thursday, 16 September 2010

Book News: Read an extract of Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly & find out the inspiration behind the story.

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly is one book I can't wait to read! I love that it combines past and present, and of course I love the historical aspect of the novel. I've long been interested in Marie-Antoinette and the fate of her family, and until now I didn't know that Donnelly had been inspired to write this book after reading a news article about the imprisonment of Marie-Antoinette's children, Marie-Thérése and Louis Charles following the death of their parents during the French Revolution. This news makes me even more eager to read the book.



BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
 

Revolution will be published in the US by Random House/Delacorte on October 12th and in the  UK by Bloomsbury on October 13th.

Click here to read extracts of A Gathering Light and Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly.
You might also like to check out Jennifer Donnelly's website.

In the following video, Jennifer Donnelly talks about the inspiration behind Revolution.  You can also find a text version of this: here.



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