Nightshade City

Nightshade City
Author: Hilary Wagner
Series: Nightshade (#1) ?
Publisher: Holiday House
How Received: ARC at BEA
Comes Out October 1 2010

Deep beneath a modern metropolis lies the Catacombs, a kingdom of remarkable rats of superior intellect. Following the Bloody Coup, the once peaceful democracy has become a dictatorship, ruled by decadent High Minister Killdeer and his vicious henchman Billycan, a former lab rat with a fondness for butchery. Three young orphan rats--brothers Vincent and Victor and a clever female named Clover--join forces with Billycan's archenemy, Juniper, and his maverick band of rebel rats as they plot to overthrow their oppressors and create a new city--Nightshade City. This impossible-to-put-down fantasy explores timeless themes of freedom, forgiveness, the bonds of family, and the power of love.

I LOVE stories told through animal points of view. In my opinion, there aren't enough of them. The Warriors series by Erin Hunter is my favorite of all time - it does such a fantastic job of connecting you to the characters and tying in a fantastic plot along with it. This is followed by the Sight series by David Clement-Davies, which has some of my favorite plot points ever.

Needless to say, I have a very high standard for books set in an animals point of view.

Nightshade City is interesting - obviously you're not going to like it if rats skeeve you out, but I've always been a big fan of all animals. I didn't connect to these rats as well as I hoped, despite the fact that they were portrayed as little tiny people. They all had short scenes as they jumped back and forth between characters.

However, I did LOVE the setting. That's a big deal when it comes to animal set books, and I thought Hilary did a great job at creating that. Watching Nightshade City develop was fantastic as well, though I wish we had seen more of that. (The sequel, perhaps?)

The only note I have is that the pacing seemed a little weird. I can't explain how, but... it was weird.

Overall Rating & Final Comments: 6/10. No charrie connection and weird pacing, but a fantastic world and an interesting plot.

Nightshade City comes out October 1, 2010. Don't forget to pick it up or pre-order it!

Books For Relaxation

For a lot of people, the school year is about to start or has already started. This means homework, studying, books to read for class, and extracurricular activities.

Translation: There's suddenly a lot less time to read.

And there's even less time to figure out what to read. Why waste reading time figuring out what to read? So in order to make this a little easier, I have compiled a LIST of new and old books that you can read to relax.

Feel free to contribute to this list in the comments! Maybe you'll have a suggestion that /I/ need to read.

Firelight
Author: Sophie Jordan
Series: Draki (#1)
Released: September 7, 2010

With her rare ability to breathe fire, Jacinda is special even among the draki—the descendants of dragons who can shift between human and dragon forms. But when Jacinda’s rebelliousness leads her family to flee into the human world, she struggles to adapt, even as her draki spirit fades. The one thing that revives it is Will, whose family hunts her kind. Jacinda can’t resist getting closer to him, even though she knows she’s risking not only her life but the draki’s most closely guarded secret.

Why? It's full of action and romance! Though it has the same basic outline as Twilight, it's much better written, with much better characters - you can get your friends hooked on this instead. Besides, dragons rock.

Bloody Jack
Author: L.A. Meyer
Series: Bloody Jack (#1)

Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on th...more Life as a ship's boy aboard HMS Dolphin is a dream come true for Jacky Faber. Gone are the days of scavenging for food and fighting for survival on the streets of eighteenth-century London. Instead, Jacky is becoming a skilled and respected sailor as the crew pursues pirates on the high seas.

There's only one problem: Jacky is a girl. And she will have to use every bit of her spirit, wit, and courage to keep the crew from discovering her secret.

Why? It's my favorite book ever, with a spunky character that will give you hope to survive your hardest math test.

Zombies v. Unicorns
Author: Holly Black & Justine Larbalestier
Series: ---
Release Date: September 21, 2010

It's a question as old as time itself: which is better, the zombie or the unicorn? In this anthology, edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (unicorn and zombie, respectively), strong arguments are made for both sides in the form of short stories. Half of the stories portray the strengths--for good and evil--of unicorns and half show the good (and really, really bad-ass) side of zombies. Contributors include many bestselling teen authors, including Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, Maureen Johnson, Meg Cabot, Scott Westerfeld, and Margo Lanagan. This anthology will have everyone asking: Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Why? It's perfect for you shy folk! Come on, this is a conversation starter if I've ever seen one.

The Season
Author: Sarah Maclean
Series: ---

Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued -- in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold ...more Seventeen year old Lady Alexandra is strong-willed and sharp-tongued -- in a house full of older brothers and their friends, she had to learn to hold her own. Not the best makings for an aristocratic lady in Regency London. Yet her mother still dreams of marrying Alex off to someone safe, respectable, and wealthy. But between ball gown fittings, dances, and dinner parties, Alex, along with her two best friends, Ella and Vivi, manages to get herself into what may be her biggest scrape yet.

When the Earl of Blackmoor is mysteriously killed, Alex decides to help his son, the brooding and devilishly handsome Gavin, uncover the truth. But will Alex's heart be stolen in the process? In an adventure brimming with espionage, murder, and other clandestine affairs, who could possibly have time to worry about finding a husband? Romance abounds as this year's season begins!

Why? It's a fast read with sexy boys and smart girls. Besides, you can read this during school - what history teacher can argue with a book that's historically accurate? (Well, for the most part.)

The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Series: The Hunger Games (#1)

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love

Why? Sometimes, you'll need to lose yourself in another world - and remember that things could be much, much worse than that C+.

Jane
Author: April Lidner
Series: ---
Release Date: October 11, 2010

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.

Why? It's a modern day version of a classic that I love - and that your English teachers probably do, too. Show them this and you'll suddenly have a new friend.


Have a book you think should be added? A different opinion? COMMENT and tell me!

And, as always,

In My Mailbox (10)

So what did YOU guys get this week, hmm?

Bought:
Aurelia by Anne Osterlund

Received:
Song of the Sword by Edward Willett
Elixir by Hilary Duff
My Soul To Steal by Rachel Vincent
Low Red Moon by Ivy Devlin
Visibility by Sarah Neufeld
Threads and Flames by Esther Friesner

Gift:
Hawaii postcard
Legend of the Guardians bookmark

Interview - Sophie Jordan

We have somebody very special stopping by today!

Sophie Jordan, author of Firelight, took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for you guys here on WORD as part of a tour. (She'll be back again later this month for a Final Fridays interview.) Firelight is released on September 7 - and may I say, it is worth the money? Dracons and danger; what's not to love?

Here's the summary on Firelight (and here's my review) in case you want a wee bit more information:

Marked as special at an early age, Jacinda knows her every move is watched. But she longs for freedom to make her own choices. When she breaks the most sacred tenet among her kind, she nearly pays with her life. Until a beautiful stranger saves her. A stranger who was sent to hunt those like her. For Jacinda is a draki—a descendant of dragons whose greatest defense is her secret ability to shift into human form.

Forced to flee into the mortal world with her family, Jacinda struggles to adapt to her new surroundings. The only bright light is Will. Gorgeous, elusive Will who stirs her inner draki to life. Although she is irresistibly drawn to him, Jacinda knows Will's dark secret: He and his family are hunters. She should avoid him at all costs. But her inner draki is slowly slipping away—if it dies she will be left as a human forever. She'll do anything to prevent that. Even if it means getting closer to her most dangerous enemy.

Mythical powers and breathtaking romance ignite in this story of a girl who defies all expectations and whose love crosses an ancient divide.

Doesn't that sound epic? Click read more to check out what Sophie has to say about writing Firelight - and what TV character she would adopt!

Feature Friday: Bookcases (8)

Who said storage had to be boring?




IT LOOKS LIKE A FISH. *sticks in fish themed bathroom*

That is all.


Image found from Flickr. Does it belong to you? Email me, and I'll give you credit!

Friday Fronts - Ballads of Suburbia

I don't think I've ever seen a cover that captures the mood of a book so perfectly. Ballads of Suburbia is dark, gritty, raw. And it's cover suits it perfectly.

Ignoring the ingenious layout - I LOVE the fonts they chose, and the fact they just blocked it out for emphasis pleases me immensely - take a closer look at the details. The churned up sand. How the fence stretches into nothing. (It reminds me a bit of a prison, actually, which is what the suburbs are for these characters.) The graffiti on the slide and duck.

So perfect.

Trailer Alert: Halo

Oh eez so pretty.

What do YOU guys think? Is Halo worth reading now that you've seen the trailer?

Three angels are sent down to bring good to the world: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. But she is the most human, and when she is romantically drawn to a mortal boy, the angels fear she will not be strong enough to save anyone—especially herself—from the Dark Forces.

Giveaway: Dust City

Guess what, guys!? I'm hosting a giveaway as part of...



Enna Isilee's Birthday Bash 2010
Presented by Squeaky Books

From August 23rd until September 22nd, Enna Isilee at Squeaky Books is having a HUGE bash to celebrate her birthday! There are twelve giveaways, tons of author interviews, and guest posts from over a dozen different YA book bloggers. And I get to host a giveaway! Actually, I get to guest post, too, but you have to actually go over to Squeaky Books to see that.





So here's the deal. I get to give away an ARC of Dust City by Robert Paul Weston, as well as some Zorgamazoo bookmarks! Now, this is a BIG DEAL, because I am DYING to read Dust City, and one of you lucky ducks is going to get to read it before me!

Dust City will be released September 30th. You can learn more about it by checking out it's Goodreads page - but let me tell you, it sounds pretty awesome.

Entering is simple, just fill out the form (with optional bonus entries). You have until September 21st at 11:59 MST to enter. All winners will be announced on Enna's birthday (September 22nd) on Squeaky Books.

Oh, and TODAY? Enna interviewed Robert. You should totally go check it out. (Seriously. Do it.)

Quick Recap:
[1] ARC of Dust City up for grabs
[various] bookmarks up for grabs
[1] winner in the U.S. & Canada only
ends September 22

How To Win:
[mandatory] fill out the form below
[+2] follow Enna on Twitter (@Enna_Isilee)
[+2] follow Robert Paul Weston on Twitter (@wayofthewest)
[+2] follow Squeaky Books





Click here to fill out the form.

Waiting on Wednesday: A Girl, A Ghost, And The Hollywood Hills

Because we all have something we're waiting for.

A Girl, A Ghost, And The Hollywood Hills by Lizabeth Zindel

When Holly's mother dies unexpectedly, she thinks things can't get much worse. But then her dad starts dating again. And his new girlfriend is Holly's aunt and her mom's sister! Aunt Claudia is known in Hollywood as the Queen of B Movies. Horror films, zombie flicks, she's made them all. Holly never liked her aunt, but now she positively can't stand her. Especially once the ghost of her mother appears and tells Holly that Claudia was to blame for her death.

Inspired by Hamlet, this funny novel about the danger of family secrets is a modern comic take on a classic Shakespearean tragedy.

Series: ---
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Release Date: October 14 2010

HAMLET! I LOVE HAMLET!
That's reason enough to make me want to read this.

Found Alea waiting for this first.

More Awards!?

Y'all are crazy.

The Versatile Blogger award is making it's away around the interwebz again. Don't remember what it is?

Thank and link back to the person who gave you this award. Share 7 things about yourself. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the award.

And guess what? These INSANE people have awarded it to me over the past month.
- Courtney at Courtney Reads
- Katie at Books Are Dreams
- Nymfaux
- M.A. Chase at The Guide To Good Books
- Darla from DforDarla's Definite Reads
- Joanna at Nor Cal Book Blog

Um. Yeah. WHOA.

Needless to say, I feel really honored. And I can't pass it on! I haven't been reading new blogs lately, what with college and social life and writing and blogging and reading and schoolwork and job and everything.

But I CAN fulfill half of it, so here are seven bits of information about myself.

1. I obsessively organize things ahead of time. I started outlining my first essay for Women in Literature before I had even attended the first class; I've been a month ahead in setting up posts for two months now; I have my Waiting on Wednesday posts and Friday Fronts and Friday Feature: Bookcases post set up all the way until the end of December.
2. I ADORE Richard Armitage (right). He's my computer background, my cell phone background, and my goal is to watch everything he's ever been in. I love him more than Johnny Depp.
3. I am in love with the idea of love but have a sinking sensation that I will never actually fall in love.
4. I have taken three "photoshoots" in the past year: one for graduation photos, one for a family portait, and one at my local newspaper for WORD.
5. In my family portrait one, my sister and I took pictures with a rubber ducky, I sat on my brothers feet, and we made the camera woman laugh so hard that she couldn't take one of our photos for a few minutes. I ended up laughing so hard I was crying at one point.
6. I'm VERY close to my family.
7. My high school librarian reads my blog. If she's reading this - HI! I LOVE YOU, YOU ROCK. Don't miss me too much this year.

I also received the One Lovely Blog Award over at Young Adult Literature Lover.

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link. Pay it forward to fifteen other blogs you have newly discovered. Contact those blog owners and let them know they've been chosen.

Again, I'm not passing it on - I haven't done much blog surfing lately! - but thank you!

...

Wow. Thanks, guys! Love you all.

What do you guys think about my seven random facts?