Author Interview: Polly Shulman (and Giveaway)

About a week ago, I posted up a review for The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman. I also contacted her and asked her if she would be willing to be my first author interviewee. Polly replied that she would be delighted and so, I present her answers to my questions. 

Much like Elizabeth, you also worked at a library and had your social studies teacher help you get the job. How much of The Grimm Legacy was inspired by events in your own life?

All of it, especially being chased by a rat after being shrunk with a shrink ray ... okay, not really. The parts from my own life are the ones you mentioned. The rest I borrowed from fairy tales or made up.

Besides some of the familiar fairy tales, there’s some which I’ve never heard of. How much research did you have to do before you actually began to write The Grimm Legacy?

I re-read zillions of fairy tales while I was writing: the Grimm stories, the Andrew Lang books, collections of folktales from India and Africa, literary fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen and George Macdonald, and tons more. But I did the research and the writing simultaneously - otherwise I might just have sat there reading fairy tales for years and never started writing.

Those fairy tales are super interesting! Do you have a favourite one in particular?

I have so many favorites! They include: George Macdonald's "The Day Boy and the Night Girl"; The Grimms' "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"; and Andersen's "The Snow Queen."

Do you have any writing projects currently planned for the future?

Right now I'm working on a companion volume to The Grimm Legacy, called The Wells Bequest. Like The Grimm Legacy, it takes place in The New-York Circulating Material Repository and centers around one of the secret collections in the basement. This time, though, it's not fairy-tale objects, but objects from classic science fiction - think shrink rays and time machines. Most of the main characters are new, including the narrator - a boy named Leo - but readers of The Grimm Legacy will recognize his crush. It's Jaya, Anjali's kid sister from The Grimm Legacy, now a teenager and just as pesky as ever.

Yay, does this mean that Jaya will be working at the Repository, and will readers see the other characters from The Grimm Legacy as well? I know Aaron has a key to the Wells Bequest ...

Yes, Jaya is a page at the Repository, and the librarians are still there. Aaron, Elizabeth, Anjali, and Marc are away in college, but we might glimpse them in passing as Jaya and Leo travel back in time. Andre is still a little kid, but who knows? Maybe eventually he'll work in the Repository and have his own story. 

Do you by any chance have a release date that's tentatively set up for the The Wells Bequest? 

I'm not sure when The Wells Bequest will be published, but it won't be for at least a couple of years. First I have to write it - I haven't gotten very far yet - and then my editor (the wonderful Nancy Paulsen) has to edit it, Putnam has to print and distribute it, and so on.

There are other Special Collections in the New York Circulating Material Repository besides the Grimm Collection. What’s your favourite Collection and if the Repository actually existed, what would you borrow from it?

Probably the Grimm Collection - I always wanted to fly, and I would love to use that cloak of invisibility (if only I could find it) - but the time machine in the Wells Bequest is awfully tempting too. I would love to watch an original production of a Shakespeare play or see what Manhattan looked like before the Europeans arrived. I'd go back and find out what colors dinosaurs were, listen to their mating calls, watch dodos walk, watch passenger pigeons fly...

Assuming you’re allowed to borrow only one thing from the Grimm Collection, what would it be and what would you deposit in exchange for it?

Ha! That's one more bit of autobiography I forgot about - Elizabeth's sense of direction, which she leaves as a deposit when she borrows a magic object from the Grimm Collection. I can get lost in my own kitchen. My sense of direction is so bad I would hardly miss it. Might as well use it as a deposit, right? On the other hand, I would want to borrow an object that lets you fly - the winged sandals, maybe - which means I would need whatever sense of direction I have or I'd never get home again. So I think I'd leave my singing voice as a deposit. It's nothing to write home about, and I doubt I'd be doing much singing while flying.

That's actually not a bad deposit to leave! Plus, if you don't return the sandals in their original condition, losing your singing voice doesn't sound so bad.  

Exactly. You'd say that even more loudly if you'd ever heard me sing.

Would you like to add anything else, Polly?

Yes, I'd like to mention my friend Cyril Emery. You talked about the call numbers in your review. Cyril's the one who wrote them. He's a United Nations librarian, a brilliant, hilarious, generous guy who came up with a witty way to modify the Dewey Decimal System to accommodate not just books, but objects - and not just objects, but magical ones.

A big thanks to Polly for taking the time to answer my questions. I really appreciated her prompt reply to my request and to show my gratitude, I'm giving away a copy of The Grimm Legacy.

So, read the rules below, and then fill out this FORM:

1. This giveaway is open to any country that The Book Depository ships to. 
2. You must be a follower.
3. You must be over the age of 13.
4. This giveaway will end on January 14, 2011.

Waiting on Wednesday: Rhymes with Cupid, Tempestuous and Timeless

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme held by Jill at Breaking the Spine to feature upcoming books that we can't wait to get our hands on.

Since this is the first Wednesday I've actually been free to participate in WoW, I'm going to post two books that will be released this month and one that has a January release. 

Title: Rhymes with Cupid

Author: Anna Humphrey

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date of Release: December 21, 2010

Goodreads Description: Rhymes with Cupid is about a girl named Elyse who, after a terrible heartbreak last Valentine’s day, has sworn off dating as well as celebrating the February 14th holiday. Both things are a bit of a problem, though, since a) she works at a gift & stationery store, surrounded by tacky, sparkly cards and annoying singing Cupid dolls and b) she ends up meeting this guy named Patrick who works in the same mall and is her new neighbour and her driving instructor and is really cute and incredibly charming… which, you know, might be okay except for the whole ‘sworn off dating’ thing and the fact that he seems to be into her best friend.

Why am I waiting? I'm always up for a light romantic story and Rhymes with Cupid sounds like a fun one. Plus, it's got a cute cover and the author is a Canadian. 

Title: Tempestuous

Author: Lesley Livingston

Publisher: HarperTeen

Date of Release: December 21, 2010

Amazon.com Description: "I don't love Sonny Flannery." That's the lie Kelley Winslow told to protect the boy she loves from a power he doesn't know he possesses. Devastated, Sonny retreats—to a haven for Lost Fae that's hidden deep underneath New York City. But Kelley's not about to let things end in heartbreak. To get Sonny back, she's got to find out who's after his magick—and how to use her own. She's got to uncover who's recruiting Janus Guards to murderously hunt innocent Faerie. She's got to help rebuild the shattered theater company she called family. And she's got to do it all without getting dangerously distracted by the Fennrys Wolf, whose legendary heart of stone seems to melt whenever he's around Kelley. 

Why am I waiting? I fell in in love with Wondrous Strange and then Darklight turned out to be an amazing sequel. How could I not find out what happens to Kelley or Sonny? Oh, and there's going to be more of the Fenrys Wolf! 

By the way, Lesley is a Canadian too :)

Title: Timeless

Author: Alexandra Monir

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Date of Release: January 11, 2011

Goodreads Description: When tragedy strikes Michele Windsor’s world, she is forced to uproot her life and move across the country to New York City, to live with the wealthy, aristocratic grandparents she’s never met. In their old Fifth Avenue mansion filled with a century’s worth of family secrets, Michele discovers a diary that hurtles her back in time to the year 1910. There, in the midst of the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele meets the young man with striking blue eyes who has haunted her dreams all her life – a man she always wished was real, but never imagined could actually exist. And she finds herself falling for him, into an otherworldly, time-crossed romance. Michele is soon leading a double life, struggling to balance her contemporary high school world with her escapes into the past. But when she stumbles upon a terrible discovery, she is propelled on a race through history to save the boy she loves – a quest that will determine the fate of both of their lives.

Why am I waiting? I got captivated by the cover, and love stories that have characters go back into the past because I always imagine what I'd do in that situation - probably freak out and keep missing the modern ways of living. Timeless sounds even more interesting because it looks like Michele isn't just going to be stuck in the past but is capable of switching between going to the past and coming back to the present. Even better, she's going to be the one doing the saving. I love it when my heroines don't need a man to help them (although having a cute guy around doesn't hurt)!

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme held by The Story Siren.

It was a quiet week for my mailbox. I've been cooped up at home studying for my exams and because it snowed heavily for a couple of days, I haven't gone to the library either.

Won: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (courtesy of Hannah from Snuggle Up and Read)

Review: The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

From Inside Jacket: Lonely at her new school, Elizabeth takes a job at the New York Circulating Material Repository, hoping to make new friends as well as some cash. The repository is no ordinary library. It lends out objects rather than books - everything from tea sets and hockey sticks to Marie Antoinette's everyday wig. It's also home to the Grimm Collection, a secret room in the basement. That's where powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales are locked away: a seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White's step-mother's sinister mirror that talks in riddles and has a will of its own. When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth and her new friends embark on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before they're accused of the crime themselves - or the thief captures them.  

My Rating: 5 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: I was first introduced to Polly Shulman’s The Grimm Legacy when someone was giving an ARC of it away with a bunch of other ARCs. I quickly skimmed the accompanying blurb, and figured it sounded pretty interesting. Plus, I loved my fairytales growing up and so, added the novel to my wishlist. Well, I just finished The Grimm Legacy and I loved it!

Right from the start, it was extremely easy to get lost in the pages of The Grimm Legacy. The world that Shulman has created is so realistic and vivid that it’s not hard to imagine the New York Circulating Material Repository, a building that looks like a normal Manhattan brownstone on the outside but is actually much bigger on the inside, having expanded into the neighbouring properties. I especially love the fact that Shulman began each chapter of the book with a Repository object that would be used in the chapter and a call number. Much like Elizabeth then, I felt overwhelmed at first because the call numbers really aid in imagining how vast the Repository’s collection is, but as the book progresses, I too learned how to read the call numbers and so the library started to feel more like a second home. This neat detail to the book just makes you feel as if the Repository does exist! I love my library, but if there’s an actual place like the Repository, feel free to let me know.

The other thing that I really enjoyed about The Grimm Legacy is the cast of characters. They’re all very fleshed out and I love that it’s a multicultural mix since the Repository is located in New York. As much as I liked Elizabeth though and watching her come into her own, my two favourite characters are Marc and Anjali’s siblings, Andre and Jaya. Readers are introduced to Andre when he comes up to Elizabeth while she’s working and tells her he has to go to the bathroom. A three-year-old miniature version of his brother, I couldn’t help laughing as Elizabeth hoped that he wasn’t Marc shrunk by a shrink ray. Plus, Andre calls his brother “butter” and Elizabeth “Libbet,” which I found so cute! Meanwhile, Jaya is that annoying younger sibling, and her interactions with Anjali bring back memories of growing up with my own younger sister. She’s also smart and witty though, which meant that scenes with Jaya were always fun to read.   

Shulman’s writing was absolutely brilliant! For example, she does an amazing job describing the Repository without spending a huge amount of time on minute details about how the Repository would work – the basic details are covered – or slowing down the story. In addition, while there’s references to many fairy tales, some of which I haven’t heard of, Shulman does a good job determining which objects’ back-stories would need to be explained a little more. Speaking of objects, Snow White’s stepmother’s mirror is featured prominently, and I loved that it would only answer questions when addressed in a rhyme. Then when answering back in a rhyme, although the mirror had to speak the truth, it would make the truth as ambiguous as possible and call Elizabeth by variations of her name simply to annoy her!

Despite the hints of threat though, the novel remains a fun and light read that will appeal to tweens, teens and adults alike. Part adventure, part fantasy and part mystery, The Grimm Legacy was released by Putnam Juvenile in July 2010.

Comments About the Cover: Whoever did the cover is a genius! It’s not only gorgeous and super detailed but the colours and design just convey this magical, ominous feeling, which goes perfectly with the book’s catch-phrase of “Borrow the magic … if you dare!”

Book Blogger Hop (1)

Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted every Friday by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. It allows book bloggers to connect with each other by answering a question for the week and then hopping over to other blogs to see what other bloggers are saying. The goal is to interact with and support other bloggers united by a love of books, and hopefully to make some new friends.

This week's question is: "What is the thing you like most about reading book blogs? Is it the reviews, author guest posts, articles, giveaways, or something else entirely?" 

My answer: I'd have to say that I like reading reviews and being exposed to new books that I haven't heard about; but if I have read the book, I absolutely adore character interviews because they give readers a chance to learn more about the characters they love and also make the characters seem even more realistic.

Giveaway: $45 for CSN Stores

The Promotions Team at CSN Stores recently contacted me about holding a giveaway and have generously offered to give the lucky winner a $45 promotional code that can be used on any product. They have over 200 stores on their website and offer a variety of things at great prices, including furniture, school and office supplies and leather messenger bags. 

I went browsing through their site the other day to see what I could find for $45 and here’s just some of the stuff I came up with:

Sauder Beginnings Bookcase

As great as I think e-books are, I love flipping pages and actually holding a copy of the book I’m reading. This means that I have a stack of books on my bookshelf waiting to be read squeezed in between binders and textbooks for school and novels that I’ve read organized alphabetically by author. I’m going to need a new bookshelf soon and I know I’m not alone …

 Cuisinart 4-Cup Coffeemaker with Stainless Steel Carafe in Black

It’s time for exams and you know what that means? All-nighters! Does anyone want a cup of coffee?

 

Jansport Right Pack in Black

I usually replace my backpack every couple of years and this looks like it could be a great replacement.

So if you’re interested in entering, read the rules below first and then fill out THIS FORM.

1. This giveaway is US/Canada.
2. You must be over the age of 13.  
3. You do not have to be a follower to enter, but it would be nice if you were.
4. You must leave a comment answering the question: If you win, what do you think you will spend the $45 on?
5. Don't forget to fill out the form posted above! You will not be entered otherwise.

This giveaway will end on January 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST.

On a side note, this is my first giveaway so if I'm missing something blatantly obvious, do let me know.

Busting the Newbie Blues

Small Review is hosting an event called Busting the Newbie Blues that is meant to help old and new bloggers interact and share their experiences about what it's like or was like to be a new blogger. It's running from December 3 to December 31, and you can find all the information here.  

As a new blogger, the following is my completed questionnaire:

1. When did you start your blog? I started my blog in late August of this year.

2. Why did you start your blog? While I love reading and talking about books, most of my friends aren’t really avid readers. It just so happened that pretty much after reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson and wishing I had somebody to share my thoughts with, I found out that there are people online who love books as much as I do. I realized then that I could have a blog too.     

3. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far? The biggest challenge that I’ve faced so far besides finding the time to post would have to be setting up my blog. I’m not super great with technology so it took me a few hours to figure out how to use Blogger. Then, it took me a few days to get a layout that I was finally happy with.                  

4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger? It’s very daunting to be just starting out! Early on, it was very easy to slack off with posting because nobody knew who I was. That however isn’t really a good way to get people to follow you.

5. What do you find most encouraging? I love how friendly the blogging community is. I find it super interesting to see that when fellow bloggers post up pictures with somebody, it’s often with someone that they’ve known from a blog but only met for the first time.  

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog? I love blogs where the blogger’s personality just comes through, especially if they’re funny. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m particularly funny so it would be pointless to replicate this. I hope however that my blog conveys my voice.

7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this? I dislike when a blog looks too messy or has a font in a colour that’s hard on the eyes because it becomes really hard to read, and so I’ve tried to avoid this on my blog. I also dislike when there are a lot of widgets present – one or two is fine – because it takes time for the page to load and sometimes can cause my laptop to freeze, which means I’m not going to be a happy person. 

8. Any advice for other new bloggers? I would say to join challenges and memes because they’re great for getting people to know about your blog. I’d also suggest that you try to leave comments on the blogs you do follow because a lot of bloggers will either email a reply or stop by to leave a comment.

9. Anything else you’d like to share about your experience? It’s been a great process so far and I’m very thankful to the people who liked what they saw enough to follow me. I’ll definitely post more often once exams are done and then start holding giveaways in the new year so I hope you guys stick around!

10. Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog? I review YA books on my blog and while I tend to read pretty much any genre, I’m a sucker for paranormal or contemporary books.

In My Mailbox (1)

My first IMM ever! In My Mailbox is a weekly meme held by The Story Siren.

I'm hoping to replace the picture above with an actual photo of the books if my dad remembers to bring our camera back home.  

Bought: 

The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford

Perchance to Dream (Theatre Illuminata #2) by Lisa Mantchev

Won:

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready (signed copy courtesy of Heather from Book-Savvy)

Wish I'd Read That Challenge 2011

The Wish I'd Read That Challenge 2011 is being hosted by Misha from My Love Affair With Books, and is a challenge for all the books you wish you'd read. It's open to anyone from now until December 31, 2011 so click here for more information.

There are four levels:

• Curious - read 3 books
• Fascinated - read 6 books
• Addicted - read 12 books
• Obsessed - read 20 books

Just based on the pile of books I have yet to read, I'm sure hitting 20 would probably not be hard, but I'm going to go for reading 12 and being addicted. Here's the list I hope to tackle:

1. The Karma Club by Jessica Brody
2. Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder
3. Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
5. Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
6. The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney
7. Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
8. Crowned by Julie Linker
9. In a Heartbeat by Loretta Ellsworth
10. Everlasting by Angie Frazier
11. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken
12. Heavenly by Jennifer Laurens

Review: Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn

From Inside Jacket: On one side of the border lies the modern world: the internet, homecoming dances, cellphones. On the other side dwell the ancient monsters who spark humanity's deepest fears: dragons. Seventeen-year-old Kay Wyatt knows she's breaking the law by rock climbing  near the border, but she'd rather have an adventure than follow the rules. When the dragon Artegal unexpectedly saves her life, the rules are abruptly shattered, and a secret friendship grows between them. But suspicion and terror are the legacy of human and dragon interactions, and the fragile truce that has maintained peace between the species is unraveling. As tensions mount and battles begin, Kay and Artegal are caught in the middle. Can their friendship change the course of a war?

My Rating: 4 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: Having read some of the books from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series, I decided to read her YA debut, Voices of Dragons. The story doesn’t involve vampires or werewolves, and so it was refreshing in that regard. However, the plot seems to proceed pretty slowly, especially at the beginning.

The greatest strength of the novel lies in how seamlessly Vaughn creates a modern world in which it’s possible for dragons to exist. The re-emergence of the dragons is interwoven with humanity’s history really well. Vaughn also does a good job of portraying how life close to the borders of Dragon makes things like dragon-raid drills mundane until the peace is broken; and then, living in the closest American town to one of the dragon territories becomes terrifying.

Although I liked Kay, I never seemed to be able to connect with her. It just seemed like not only did I know her at a superficial level – virgin, teenager, enjoys rock climbing – but on top of that, her relationships didn’t appear very deep either.

On the other hand, I loved the character of Artegal! Vaughn’s writing really makes him come alive, and my favourite part of Voices of Dragons – besides the flight scenes where I wished I was the one on Artegal – was the way he is introduced because it just showed his complexity, beauty and power.       

Voices of Dragons was released in March 2010 by HarperTeen.

Comments About the Cover: As pretty as it is with its warm hues, in no way does the cover show that the book has something to do with dragons, which is pretty disappointing.

Review: Just One Wish by Janette Rallison

From Back Cover: Annika will do anything to fulfill her little brother's only wish before a frightening surgery. The trouble is, he wants the superstar actor who plays Teen Robin Hood to pay him a visit. Annika has only a few days to drive to California and convince the celebrity to come home with her. On an impossible adventure that includes paparazzi, bows and arrows, and one enormous snake, Annika learns a few lessons about family, love, and having her own wishes granted.

My Rating: 5 hearts

 

Thoughts on the Novel: Out of all the books I’ve read by Janette Rallison, Just One Wish would have to be my favourite one. Like all of Rallison’s novels, it’s cute, witty and easy to read, but this one seems to have more depth and has a very unexpected ending! I loved that twist though because life doesn’t always work out the way that we want, and yet Rallison still left me with the upbeat feeling that I’ve come to expect from her work.

I also loved the protagonist, Annika. It’s clear that she adores her brother Jeremy – he’s such a cutie – and is willing to do whatever it takes to make the surgery easier for him. Regardless of whatever obstacle is in her way, she just keeps going and refuses to give up. Rallison however also allows the reader to see the frightened and vulnerable girl beneath Annika’s spunky exterior, which makes Annika a loveable character that you can’t help but empathize with. 

Just One Wish was released by Putnam Juvenile in March 2009.

Comments About the Cover: It’s nice and simple but it makes me think that the story features a fairy godmother, which is totally not true. Fulfilling Jeremy’s wish may have required hard work, creativity and persistence, but there’s definitely no magic involved.

2011 Debut Author Challenge

Kristi from The Story Siren is hosting the 2011 Debut Author Challenge. The challenge is open to everyone and requires participants to read twelve Young Adult or Middle Grade novels from authors who are making their debut in 2011. Click here to find out more and sign up.

 

Here's my list of novels I'm hoping to read:

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
2. Warped by Maurissa Guibord
3. Timeless by Alexandra Monir
4. Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
5. A Touch Mortal by Leah Clifford
6. Haven by Kristi Cook
7. The Demon Trapper’s Daughter by Jana Oliver
8. Wake Unto Me by Lisa Cach
9. Entwined by Heather Dixon
10. Clarity by Kim Harrington
11. Liar Society by Lisa and Laura Roecker
12. Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

From Inside Jacket: Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything - including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

My Rating: 4.5 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump with all the essays and midterms I have to study for. So, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer was the perfect book to get me out of my funk, especially since it brings you into the action right away and then explains gradually what’s going on.

The world Cremer has created is my favourite aspect of Nightshade because it’s so detailed and captivating. Calla even describes the origin of the Keepers, the Searchers, their enemy, and the Guardians, essentially leaving no questions about how this society came about.

I also really liked reading about the different Banes and the Nightshades and their interactions with each other. They were all solidly developed – especially Mason and Neville – and it was interesting to see how the two packs initially backed their own alphas, but as they started to merge into one, loyalties started shifting.  

It’s only when thinking about primary characters that I get mixed feelings about Nightshade. I thought it was great that Calla was an alpha who could protect herself and those she loves, but didn’t find her as appealing when it seemed like she was stringing along both Ren and Shay. I get that she’s conflicted – hey, there’s two hot boys to choose from – but even when it finally seems like she’s made a decision by declaring her love to one, she refuses to admit it to the other! How aggravating!

Speaking of boys, to me, Shay only appears interesting because of how he connects with the bigger picture. Calla’s attraction to him seems more physical, which is the only reason I’m assuming she saved him in the first place (since Calla herself doesn’t know the reason why). I find Ren on the other hand more intriguing because of his history and more similarity to Calla, but sadly, he isn’t featured as much as I’d like him to be. Here’s to hoping there’s more of Ren in Wolfsbane, the sequel to Nightshade.     

If you want a fast-paced, suspenseful and passionate novel, Nightshade, released by Philomel in October 2010, is it!

Comments About the Cover: The white and red of the lilies stand out really nicely against the backdrop of light purple, but it's the green eyes and the intense stare of the model that make the cover mesmerizing. I also really like the tiny details that have been added to make the cover even more gorgeous such as the glitter on the model's face to make her more otherworldly and the drop of blood on the "T" of Nightshade.

Review: My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

From Back Cover: After a dramatic breakup with her picture-perfect boyfriend, Savannah needs a true prince - and fast, because the prom is only weeks away. But looking for love can be a Grimm experience! If only Chrissy were more than just "fair" in the wish-granting department. After two botched attempts that land Savannah in the past, first as Cinderella and then as Snow White, Chrissy must send Savannah to save Tristan, a surprisingly cute boy from school whom Chrissy accidentally sent to the Middle Ages. Hopefully the third time's the charm ... as in Prince Charming.

My Rating: 3.5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: Janette Rallison consistently writes creative and funny stories, which is why I figured My Fair Godmother would be a good stress reducer while studying for my midterms.

For some reason though, I didn’t connect with Savannah’s character as much as some of Rallison’s other protagonists possibly because Savannah’s initial cluelessness was pretty amusing but sort of got annoying after awhile. However, Savannah does redeem herself a little by maturing and getting more quick-witted as the novel progresses.  

What I did like about My Fair Godmother was Rallison’s version of the Middle Ages. Not only are Cinderella and Snow White real, but there’s also a Cyclops and a dragon. In addition, real magic also exists because people can be turned into goats and a lying curse can cause you to spit out a frog, a gecko, etc. (gross!). Nevertheless, Rallison’s Middle Ages felt very authentic and you forget that Cyclops and dragons are mythical creatures that have never actually existed! 

Walker Books for Young Readers released My Fair Godmother in January 2009.

Comments About the Cover: It’s cute and I like the moon and stars in the background because it brings up the idea of wishing upon a star. You better hope you don’t get stuck with Chrissy though because as the cover shows, she definitely isn’t your typical fairy godmother!

Review: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

From Inside Jacket: Eighteen-year-old Bronwen Oliver has a secret: She’s really Phoebe, the lost daughter of the loving Lilywhite family. That’s the only way to explain her image-obsessed mother; a kind but distant stepfather; and a brother who has a small personality complex (he thinks he’s Jesus). Bronwen must have been switched at birth, and she can’t wait to get away from her family for good. Then she meets Jared Sondervan. He’s sweet, funny, everything she wants – and he has the family Bronwen has always wanted too. She falls head over heels in love, and when he proposes marriage, she joyfully accepts. But is Jared truly what she needs? And if he’s not, she has to ask: What would Phoebe Lilywhite do?

My Rating: 5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan was such a delightful read! It’s poignant, witty and completely captures what it’s like growing up and trying to figure out your place in the world.

The cast of characters McCahan has created is also wonderful. Bronwen is a great narrator who is smart, funny and remains firm in her beliefs – a quality that I find sometimes seems to be lacking in female protagonists. I especially loved the fact that Bronwen was convinced that she was adopted since she looks or acts nothing like the rest of her family. Who hasn’t grown up and wondered “Am I actually related to these people” when thinking about their family?

Then, there’s Jared. Gorgeous and thoughtful Jared with his charming family not only captured Bronwen’s heart but mine as well. Jared and Bronwen’s relationship is adorable and even though their courtship is fast, it definitely didn’t feel like it!

An engaging novel that will earn some laughs (and maybe even tears), I Now Pronounce You Someone Else was released by Arthur A. Levine Books in June 2010.  
Comments About the Cover: The cover is simplistic but manages to catch the eye, and is what made me originally put the novel on my wishlist. Plus, it does a good job portraying that Bronwen is young and getting married because along with the title of the novel, there’s a stack of schoolbooks with a bouquet on top.

Review: Winter Shadows by Margaret Buffie

From Inside Jacket: It is the winter of 1856, and Beatrice Alexander has just returned from Upper Canada to her home on the Red River, in what is now Manitoba. As her father's new wife drives a wedge between her and Papa, Beatrice can only be sure of the comfort of her beloved Cree grandmother, relegated to a room upstairs. Shadows hover around Beatrice, who feels trapped by her circumstances and the growing prejudice against those, like herself, of mixed Cree and Scottish blood. As she explores her visions and her unfulfilled life through her journal, Beatrice is suddenly confronted by a fateful choice: Should she settle for a man she doesn't love and embark on a journey of adventure or stay where she is and hope to eventually find happiness? Five generations later, in the same house, Cass feels the same long winter shadows pressing in on her. Her mother has died and her father's new wife is cold and distant. Miraculously, when Cass discovers the star brooch belonging to Beatrice, her visions lead her to Beatrice's diary. Is she really able to communicate with Beatrice across time, or is it all in her imagination?

My Rating: 4 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: It was initially hard to get into Margaret Buffie’s Winter Shadows because each chapter alternates between Cass and Beatrice so it was a little jerky, but it became a lot easier to read once both girls’ stories started to overlap a bit. I was also expecting that Cass would time travel, but she actually is only able to get glimpses of Beatrice and read her journal in real time, which I really liked because I believe that spirits can exist but time traveling … not so much.

Although Buffie does a really good job developing both Cass and Beatrice, I found Beatrice’s character more captivating because I’ve never read a book where the protagonist was Métis (a mixture of First Nations and European descent). Having always loved studying Canadian history, it was interesting to read a bit about some of the prejudice the Métis would have experienced by the full-blooded Europeans. Beatrice even used Cree words, which made her story more authentic!

Winter Shadows was released by Tundra Books on October 12, 2010.

Comments About the Cover: The colours work really well together and give off a mysterious and desolate feel. I’m also going to assume the diary is on a window ledge otherwise it just seems out of place, especially because there’s snow and footprints in the background.

Winter Shadows was received for free through Goodreads First Reads.

Review: Heist Society by Ally Carter

From Inside Jacket: When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her to the Louvre ... to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria ... to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own - scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving "the life" for a normal life proves harder than she'd expected. Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring her back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has good reason: a powerful mobster's priceless art collection has been stolen and he wants it returned. Only a master thief could have pulled off this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Caught between Interpol and a far more deadly enemy, Kat's dad needs her help. For Kat there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and, hopefully, just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's (very crooked) history - and with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

My Rating: 4.5 hearts

 

Thoughts on the Novel: I’ve never read the Gallagher Girls series and so Heist Society happens to be my first Ally Carter novel. A combination of mystery and action that had Kat traveling all over Europe, Heist Society was just so much fun to read, which is why I’m now eagerly waiting for Carter to finish writing Heist Society 2.  

Each of the characters in Heist Society had their own distinct personality, and I loved the loyalty they displaced to each other – how many people would be willing to help a friend steal paintings from a museum? I think it would be awesome if Carter decided to write some short stories about any one of the secondary characters. In fact, reading about how Hale and Kat met would be pretty interesting, and I’m sure Angus and Hamish’s story would be hilarious.

It was also pretty interesting to read about the schemes the characters came up with since they had to steal not one, but five, paintings from one of the world’s most secure – albeit fictional – museums. Stealing may be completely wrong, but Carter made it sound like such a blast and just made me wish I could join Kat’s crew! No worries though, I’m still a good girl at heart.

Heist Society was released by Hyperion Book CH in February 2010.  

Comments About the Cover: This is one of those of covers that simply snags your attention and refuses to let go. I love how the smile on the girl’s face totally conveys that she’s got a secret and is probably up to no good, and the way the cover subtly tells you what the novel is about because one side of the sunglasses has a painting being reflected back whereas in the other side, the painting is gone.

What I'll Attempt to Read for the Halloween Read-a-thon

Lesley from Young Adult Books Reviewed is hosting a read-a-thon from today to Sunday night. So, what will I be reading? I'll be starting off with The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade, but considering I also have midterms to study for, I'm not sure how much of it I'll get through. On the other hand, I can't be studying 24/7 and because I'll need to relax, other books that are in my list include: Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel and Marlene Perez's Dead is Just a Rumor.

A Couple of Noteworthy Contests in the Blogosphere

Shari from My Neurotic Book Affair and Jessica from Shut Up! I'm Reading are having a massive giveaway that ends on October 17. There's a section for both US/Canada and international followers. Check it out now!

Another contest that's going on is The Undercover Book Lover's Hungry for HarperTeen Contest. One winner - it's international - will get to choose one prize pack out of the four that she's offering. Each prize pack contains three books; so, what are you waiting for? Head on over there before October 15 and enter!

October 15 is also the last date to enter the Smart Chicks Kick It Giveaway hosted by Addicted 2 Novels. Lena is offering a copy of any YA novel written by one of the Smart Chicks along with an autographed poster. Click here to join!

Review: Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt

From Back Cover: High school senior Shannon Card needs money. And lots of it. She's been admitted to Wellesley College, but her dad just lost his job and somehow she has to come up with a year of tuition herself. But Shannon's dream of making big bucks waitressing at the local casino, the Collosio, disappears faster than a gambler's lucky streak. Her boss is a tyrant, her coworker is nuts, and her chances of balancing a tray full of drinks while wearing high-heeled shoes are slim to none. Worse, time is running out, and Shannon hasn't made even half the money she'd hoped. When Shannon receives a mysterious invitation to join Aces Up, a secret network of highly talented college poker players, at first she thinks No way. She has enough to worry about: keeping her job, winning the coveted math scholarship at school, and tutoring her secret crush, Max. But when Shannon musters up the nerve to kiss Max and he doesn't react at all, the allure of Aces Up and its sexy eighteen-year-old leader, Cole, is suddenly too powerful to ignore. Cole's assurance that Shannon has natural talent - along with his amazing kissing ability - makes Shannon believe that a life of riches, ease, and constant making out is right around the corner. But could it really be this easy? And with Wellesley in her sights, does Shannon have the guts to call Cole's bluff?

My Rating: 3 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: If you’re looking for a book that’s a light read, Aces Up by Lauren Barnholdt would be right up your alley. The premise of Aces Up is pretty much unbelievable but the novel does a pretty good job showing how easily addictive gambling can be. However, I think to enjoy the novel even more, it would help if you actually know a little bit about poker because although Barnholdt does explain the rules, it’s still confusing.  

Shannon is a spunky protagonist determined to do whatever it takes to make money for college, and what made Aces Up enjoyable was her voice and thoughts. Though a lot of the choices Shannon made were pretty dumb, she does have a few surprises up her sleeve for readers at the end.

Aces Up was released by Delacorte Books for Young Readers in August 2010.

Comments About the Cover: The cover is just perfect for the novel and completely represents it. I love how the guy and girl are looking at each other and smiling behind their cards, which makes it look like they’re up to no good and the design has the words “Be careful what you bet on.”     

Review: Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley

From Inside Jacket: Everybody thinks Syrah is the golden girl. After all, her father is Ethan Cheng, billionaire, and she has everything any kid could possibly desire: a waterfront mansion, jet plane, and custom-designed snowboards. But most of what glitters in her life is fool's gold. Her half-siblings hate her, her best friend's girlfriend is ruining their friendship, and her own so-called boyfriend is only after her for her father's name. When her broken heart results in a snowboarding accident that exiles her from the mountains - the one place where she feels free and accepted for who she is, not what she has - can Syrah rehab both her busted-up knee and her bruised heart?

My Rating: 5 hearts  

Thoughts on the Novel: Out of all the novels I’ve read by Justina Chen Headley, Girl Overboard is by far my favourite. Headley always does a superb job with character development and Syrah’s evolution was no different. Initially, Syrah wants to just be seen as “Syrah” and not “Syrah Cheng” but by the end of the novel, Syrah has learned to embrace her last name and everything associated with being a Cheng while still being true to her own dreams.

Relationships were such a crucial element in Girl Overboard and this book had it all: a new friendship, an old friendship deteriorating but then being renewed, growing closer to family members, and maintaining the status quo. Each of them were portrayed so realistically and affected Syrah in their own way, which made the novel very emotional for me especially at the end. In fact, I did get teary!

The one complaint I have against Girl Overboard was that there was such a big mystery at the beginning of the book about the circumstances around Syrah’s snowboarding accident and the truth was a little anticlimactic. Still, the novel is amazing and has some wonderful messages that can be gleaned from it.

Girl Overboard was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in January 2008.

Comments About the Cover: The blue, pink and white really complement each other and actually make me wish it was winter just so I’d get to feel that lovely snow. I also really like how the font stands out and how the word Overboard sort of looks like a snowboard.     

Carol's Will She Ever Stop Giving Away ARCs Contest

This is totally last minute - I decided to avoid the Internet as much as possible this weekend in an attempt to get at least a few journal articles read for my classes - but Carol at Carol's Prints is having another ARCs giveaway. Nightshade by Andrea Cremer and Pegasus by Robin McKinley are just two of the books on that list, so check out her contest before midnight tonight!

Review: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White

From Inside Jacket: Weird as it is working for the International Paranormal Containment Agency, Evie's always thought of herself as normal. Sure, her best friend is a mermaid, her ex-boyfriend is a faerie, she's falling for a shape-shifter, ans she's the only person who can see through paranormals' glamours, but still. Normal. Only now paranormals are dying, and Evie's dreams are filled with haunting voices and mysterious prophecies. She soon realizes that there may be a link between her abilities and the sudden rash of deaths. Not only that, but she may very well be at the center of a dark faerie prophecy promising destruction to all paranormal creatures. So much for normal.

My Rating: 5 hearts 

Thoughts on the Novel: I stopped reading Girl Overboard just to begin Kiersten White’s Paranormalcy because I was so excited to get it. I had such high expectations for this novel and am so glad to say it lived up to its hype.   

Evie was such an adorable character and I instantly fell in love with her! Not only were her love for all things pink, her tendency to say “bleep” instead of swear and her desire to simply be normal endearing traits, but she was also smart, witty and could kick paranormal butt. If only she was someone I could actually meet …

White’s other characters were engaging as well and I cannot wait to find out more about them – and what will happen to Evie of course – in Supernaturally, the sequel to Paranormalcy. For now though, Paranormalcy will have to suffice.

Fast-paced and with her own unique twist on the paranormal world, White’s writing completely engrossed me as I tried to find out more about the prophecy surrounding Evie and rooted for the budding romance between Evie and Lend.      

Paranormalcy was released in August 2010 by HarperTeen.    

Comments About the Cover: I love the cover! The background contrasts with the model, the title of the novel and the author’s name, allowing them to stand out more and because it’s dark, it gives off an air of mystery. I can also totally imagine Evie wearing the pink dress which, by the way, is amazing! (Where can I get it?) My only complaint would be to have the model at least smiling a bit to match Evie’s bubbly personality.

Carol's Banned Books Giveaway

In honour of Banned Books Week, the awesome Carol from Carol's Prints is giving away a very cute bracelet made up of charms that are the covers of banned YA books, two copies of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak and a pre-order of Daisy White's The Mockingbirds. Click here before September 26 to enter her giveaway!

Review: Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley

From Inside Jacket: Not quite a banana (Asian on the outside but white on the inside), and not quite an egg (a white kid who gets off on all things Asian), half-and-half Patty Hot has never felt completely at home in her skin. Life at House Ho is tough enough between her ultra-strict Taiwanese mom (epic-length lectures and all) and her Harvard-bound big brother. But things get worse when a Chinese fortune-teller channels Patty's future via her belly button ... and divines a white guy on her romance horizon. Faster than Patty can add two plus two, her mom freaks out and ships her off to math camp at Stanford. Just as Patty writes off her summer of woe, life starts glimmering with all kinds of probabilities ...

My Rating: 4.5 hearts 

  

Thoughts on the Novel: A couple of weeks ago when I was browsing through the shelves of my local library, I came upon Justina Chen Headley’s novels Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) and Girl Overboard. Since I’d read North of Beautiful about a year ago and had liked it, I decided to check out both books. Though I haven’t read Girl Overboard yet, Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) was a great book and I think it’s even better than North of Beautiful.

As someone who is bi-racial, Headley’s Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) really resonated with me because I can completely empathize with Patty. While I’ve been lucky to have never had to deal with racism like Patty, I do remember how it feels to not belong and hide your background to fit in better.

Patty was such a funny protagonist and the Truth Theorems and essays written by her that Headley incorporated into the novel were a very creative touch. I loved reading about Patty’s transformation from someone who was ashamed of her Asian heritage to one who embraces it!

Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) was published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in April 2007.    

Comments About the Cover: The pink and green forming a purple blossom tree in the background look great together and I like how the model is smiling as if she has a secret or two. Overall, the cover is pretty and gives off a girly vibe.

Yes, I'm Still Alive!

I just wanted to let everybody know that I've been working a lot this week - anywhere from eight to thirteen hours a shift - so I haven't been able to read as much. I should have a review of Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) up in a few days however and will be blog hopping due to BlogFest.

Review: Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

From Inside Jacket: Since her sister's mysterious death, Persephone "Phe" Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts - the subject of her sister's final diary entry. After stepping on campus, Phe realizes that there's something very different about this place - an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach - and somehow she's connected to it all. But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town ... might destroy her.

My Rating: 4.5 hearts

Thoughts on the Novel: Right from the start, Shadow Hills is attention-grabbing. It begins with a dream sequence that immediately has the reader on edge and manages to keep being suspenseful right up until the end of the novel.

Each of the characters that Hopcus has created is unique and multi-dimensional, and I liked that even the bad guys may not seem so “bad” once the reader understands their motivations. It takes skill to create well-rounded characters and Hopcus does this impeccably.

It was also fascinating to read about the secrets of the inhabitants of Shadow Hills and to discover that they came with a cost – a thing most people don’t think about when wishing they too had a similar secret.

           

An intense debut novel with a mixture of romance, supernatural, science and mythology, Shadow Hills will have readers asking for a sequel!

Shadow Hills was released by Egmont USA in July 2010.

Comments About the Cover: While not amazing, the cover is eye-catching and its dark colours suit the novel.