Consumed by Books: October 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

While You Wait: Champion by Marie Lu

Champion by Marie Lu

Release date: November 5, 2013

The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

I have not yet read Legend, the first book in this trilogy, but I know many people who've loved it and are eager to see how the series wraps up. Since romance is an important component of this series, I thought I'd recommend other dystopian novels where love or sexuality are major themes.

I think this one's been mostly forgotten about since it came out a few years ago. It's the story of a world where at sixteen, girls can supposedly have sex without repercussions or danger. This take on the genre sounds a little more out there than Legend, and would be a good pick for someone who wants more dystopian, but wants it to be different.

A tale of two teens who are opposites trying to survive in a literally wild world. While I personally haven't read this one, it's very much beloved.

For Anya, love isn't the trouble. It's her dead ex-boyfriend. In a world where coffee and chocolate are banned, Anya's crime boss father orchestrates the family business of manufacturing illegal chocolate. When Anya's ex dies because of poisoned chocolate, she becomes a suspect. This one sounds like a YA version of The Godfather with dysotpian elements and food descriptions. Count me in.

Oliver's books are set in a world where love has literally been banished. This is an emotional story--particularly the ending.

In DeSetfano's world, inspired by , females die at 20 and males die at 25. When Rhine gets taken away to be one of many wives to a rich mine, she has to see if there's anything she can do to stop the illness. DeStefano's book takes an interesting look at love, sexuality, reproduction, and illness, and is beautifully written.

In The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness, men are the only sex Todd lives among. He had a mother once, but she's long gone. At the beginning of the book he's forced to leave his community, and immediately encounters the unknown: a girl his age. While some people push this one as more science fiction, it definitely has a lot of dystopian elements, and the action will appeal to readers who loved the action in Legend.

In Condie's world, you don't have to worry about what books to read, what to eat, or even who to marry: the society decides for you. This story will appeal to readers who want a story about characters falling in love and questioning the world around them.

This one features main character Juliette and love interest Adam who meet in an unlikely place: prison! Based on the reviews, I've heard this one has a love triangle element, so if you enjoy a good love triangle, check out Mafi's books.

Given how many dystopian books have been released in recent years, I could go on all day, and probably all night as well, but I don't want to overwhelm everyone. What other titles would you add to my list?

Monday, October 28, 2013

Blog Tour: Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow

As I'm sure a lot of you guys know, Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow releases tomorrow. Today I have Erin on the blog to talk about the games that children play.

In the world of Sorrow’s Knot, the dead do not rest easy. Every patch of shadow might be home to something hungry and nearly invisible, something deadly. The dead can only be repelled or destroyed with magically knotted cords and yarns. The women who tie these knots are called binders.

Otter is the daughter of Willow, a binder of great power. She’s a proud and privileged girl who takes it for granted that she will be a binder some day herself. But when Willow’s power begins to turn inward and tear her apart, Otter finds herself trapped with a responsibility she’s not ready for, and a power she no longer wants.

There are certain things in the world that are so old that their origins are not remembered – so widespread that they seem somehow essentially human. Things like tossing salt over your shoulder. Things like scrying in mirrors. Things like our widespread hunch that things like hair and blood and teeth can, when the moon is right, be used for magic.

That by itself does not seem surprising: humankind is old. Science and rationalism are just a thin layer on top of vast depths of traditional knowledge. What’s surprising to me is how often these ancient things turn up in children’s games.

Modern grown-ups might scoff at superstition and never mention their sneaking suspicion that mirrors are actually doorways, but all modern grownups were children once. For centuries – sometimes for millennia – unbroken chains of children have taught each other games that preserve these strange little rituals.

Did you know, for instance, that the game and chant that starts “London Bridge is Falling Down” (see ) is quite a bit older than London Bridge itself? It’s so old that some folklorists think it might reflect a cultural memory of foundation sacrifice – that is, the practice of either burying a sacrificial victim or walling up a living person at the foundation of an important structure, such as a castle, a city wall, or – most commonly – a bridge.

Junior high kids at slumber parties still know all the rules and hazards of mirror scrying – ever play “Bloody Mary”? Even the tooth fairy, if you stop to think about it, is pretty creepy.

Some of the creep perhaps comes from the Children of the Corn effect – the contrast between the innocence of children and the ancientness of their games. I will never forget the day my three-year-old came home from preschool with a new chant; “Pale horses, pale horses, what time of day? One o’clock, two o’clock, off and away!”

Her sweet little voice chanting these strange words – I had never heard the rhyme before, though it sounded old – made the hairs on the back of my neck prickle up.

But I think most of our perception that children’s games make good nightmare fuel has its roots in our sense that children’s games are OLD, and our hunch that anything that old is probably important, even if we don’t know why.

If you love fantasy literature, then children’s games are a gold mine.

As I writer of fantasy, I’ve had to pull off a few strange tricks. One of the hardest has been to create systems of magic and kinds of ghosts that feel both fresh – no more vampires, please! – and authentic. To do it, I’ve had to edge my way backward in human history – out of the modern era, which is well lit but not as scientific as we’d like think, and into the gaslight, into the candlelight, into the dark. I was sniffing after things that felt old. Feeling my way with snatches of folklore, old fairytales, ghost stories, and -- of course -- children’s games.

Take cat’s cradle, the game of creating figures by crossing strings. No one knows where it comes from. It seems to come from nowhere, from everywhere – it’s played by traditional cultures in East Asia, Australia, Africa, the Arctic, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands. The version played in America seems to come from Asia, and probably crossed the landbridge during the Ice Age, making it at least 16,000 years old. It might be older still. It’s connected to whole system of fortune telling with knots and string, with a terrifying fairytale about a woman in labour and the witch who ties knots in her hair, another about a home defended from monsters by a single red strand ….

If you’re a fantasy writer, there’s only one reaction to this kind of information. It’s: turn down the lights, children – let me tell you a story.

Thank you so much for the fantastic guest post, Erin!

In addition to the guest post, Erin's publisher has graciously offered copies of Sorrow's Knot for giveaway. I have three print copies to share with you guys today. Here are the rules if you're interested:

*Three winners will receive a print copy of Sorrow's Knot.
*Open to U.S./Canada only.
*The giveaway will end on November 11th at 11:59 p.m.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Review of Soulles by Gail Carriger

First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire - and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

(Summary from GoodReads)

Steamy, Victorian, steampunk. Those were the only words I needed to hear before buying Gail Carriger’s Soulless. Carriger did a fantastic job of creating tone, making this one of the most fun reads of 2013.

I love it when paranormal novels don’t take themselves too seriously. Soulless is full of vampires and soulless creatures like Alexia, but the plot surrounding them was never melodramatic. Carriger did a nice job of developing her world. If you’re looking for full-on steampunk, I will say this may not be the right book for you. The steampunk elements that are in the book are nicely placed, however, there aren’t a lot of them.

Carriger really captured my heart with the tone and characters in this book. Alexia is a smart character who made me laugh several times. Lord Maccon wasn’t my time, but I could see why Alexia was attracted to him. There are expectations on how Alexia should act as a spinster as well as manners on the whole. It was comical but sweet too see a romance develop between two well-mannered characters. While I’m on the note of characters, Alexia’s family made me laugh—they reminded me of Lizzie Bennet’s family in Pride and Prejudice.

Soulless was a great romp through adult paranormal and steampunk literature. While plot details no longer stand out to me, I loved the voice and characters. Carriger’s voice is one that I look forward to revisiting.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Other reviews:

The Book Rat

Monday, October 21, 2013

2014 Contemporary Novels I Can't Wait to Read

2014 is going to be the year of contemps. With all of the cover reveals that happened this summer, I realized that the list was getting pretty long. My piggy bank is going to seriously suffer, but I'm hoping that at the end of 2014, my favorites list for the year will be bursting.

Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill

Release date: January 7, 2014

A figure skater and hockey player switching places sounds like a chick flick plot, which I am TOTALLY DOWN WITH. I also saw Lauren mention on Twitter that this book was partially inspired by the movie . Nothing more needs to be said.

Better Off Friends by Elizabeth Eulberg

Release date: February 25, 2014

Are they friends, or is it luuuuuurve? All of Elizabeth's books sound super cute, particularly this one. Plus, it addresses the eternal question raised in , which is the movie I watch every New Year's Eve.

Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Release date: March 18, 2014

Julie is a fellow librarian, which is awesome. Also, this cover is adorable. Furthermore, this concept intrigues me and OH MY GOSH WOULD YOU JUST SHUT UP AND GIVE ME THIS ONE NOW PLEASE. In seriousness, it's already getting positive reviews and I cannot wait to get a copy.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Release date: April 22, 2014

I am not the biggest fan of Han's , but I'm way too intrigued by the summary of this one. If the main character here is absolutely nothing like Belly, we might just be okay, although I make no guarantees.

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Release date: April 8, 2014

When I first saw this cover, I told Corey how unusual it was that the author photo was on the front of the cover. This book sounds like it could have magical realism in it, but I'm not sure and it sounds contemporary enough, so it's in this post. The release date is perfectly located a week after my birthday, which will make it a great gift for myself.

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Release date: May 13, 2014

Morgan's books are adorable and brilliant. Morgan is adorable and brilliant. I think this one is going to be really pretty as a finished copy, and I can't wait to buy it.

This, friends, is just a small taste of why I'll be broke through at least May of 2014. As more summaries and covers emerge, further evidence that I'll be broke will surely emerge.

Are any of these on your wishlist? Are there other contemporaries you're hoping to read? Be sure to let me know in the comments.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Review of Across A Star-Swept Sea by Diana Peterfreund

Centuries after wars nearly destroyed civilization, the two islands of New Pacifica stand alone, a terraformed paradise where even the Reduction—the devastating brain disorder that sparked the wars—is a distant memory. Yet on the isle of Galatea, an uprising against the ruling aristocrats has turned deadly. The revolutionaries’ weapon is a drug that damages their enemies’ brains, and the only hope is rescue by a mysterious spy known as the Wild Poppy.

On the neighboring island of Albion, no one suspects that the Wild Poppy is actually famously frivolous aristocrat Persis Blake. The teenager uses her shallow, socialite trappings to hide her true purpose: her gossipy flutternotes are encrypted plans, her pampered sea mink is genetically engineered for spying, and her well-publicized new romance with handsome Galatean medic Justen Helo… is her most dangerous mission ever.

Though Persis is falling for Justen, she can’t risk showing him her true self, especially once she learns he’s hiding far more than simply his disenchantment with his country’s revolution and his undeniable attraction to the silly socialite he’s pretending to love. His darkest secret could plunge both islands into a new dark age, and Persis realizes that when it comes to Justen Helo, she’s not only risking her heart, she’s risking the world she’s sworn to protect.

In this thrilling adventure inspired by The Scarlet Pimpernel, Diana Peterfreund creates an exquisitely rendered world where nothing is as it seems and two teens with very different pasts fight for a future only they dare to imagine.

(Summary from GoodReads)

If you have not ordered your copies of For Darkness Showsthe Stars and Across A Star-Swept Sea, stop reading here. Go to your favorite bookseller and get copies of these two. As soon as I finished For Darkness Shows the Stars, I immediately wanted more set in this world. I wanted to learn about corners of Peterfreund’s universe other than where Kai and Elliot live. Thankfully I loved exploring New Pacifica, especially since I got to see it through the eyes of Persis, certified badass. Across A Star-Swept Sea provides fantastic examples of great world-building, awesome characters, and riveting plot, making it one of my favorites of the year.

Albion and Galatea are so different from the parts of this world we see in For Darkness Shows the Stars. The setting read as being very tropical to me. Peterfreund described the bright colors of the clothes, aromas of flowers, and sights of the stars so vividly that I felt as though I was in this world as I read the book.

Since this book is based off l, our main character travels a lot between Albion and Galatea, and it took me a while to get the two straight. I was dubious about how this would work as a re-telling, but Peterfreund carefully thought out both the social structure and science fiction elements of this novel. She made sure there were no holes without ever info dumping on the reader. that the retelling never feels forced, and it’s because Peterfreund knows what she’s doing with this world.

Of course, it also helped that Persis was a complete badass. The ways she rescues other characters are so awesome. As awesome as she is, Persis is also passionate and human, making her incredibly compelling to read about.

The romance in this story was intriguing and page-turning. Sometimes when I read romances, it feel like a side plot thrown in for kicks and giggles, or I can relate to one of the characters involved. Guys, I did not have a moment of apathy or boredom during this storyline, nor did I question its relevance to the rest of the story. I was Invested with a capital I.

Across A Star-Swept Sea is a stunning companion to For Darkness Shows the Stars. It’s a book that will have you rapidly turning the pages while still awing you with its depth. Teens who enjoy adventure will love the pacing of this story, and readers familiar with The Scarlet Pimpernel will appreciate the careful craftsmanship found within these pages.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I also pre-ordered this one because I loved it so much.

Other reviews:

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Giveaway + Review of The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon In Two by Catherynne M. Valente

***THIS IS A REVIEW OF BOOK THREE IN A SERIES AND MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR ITS PREDECESSORS. PLEASE SEE LINKS BELOW FOR REVIEWS OF PREVIOUS BOOKS***
Book 1: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship of Her Own Making
Book 2: The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There

September misses Fairyland and her friends Ell, the Wyverary, and the boy Saturday. She longs to leave the routines of home, and embark on a new adventure. Little does she know that this time, she will be spirited away to the moon, reunited with her friends, and find herself faced with saving Fairyland from a moon-Yeti with great and mysterious powers.

Here is another rich, beautifully told, wisely humorous, and passionately [layered] book from New York Times-bestselling author, Catherynne M. Valente.

(Summary from GoodReads)

Finding a book that I love often gives me really mixed emotions. I love having a new book to add to my favorites, push on everyone I know, and display on my shelves. However, a lot of anticipation comes when the author puts out a new book. What if it’s not as good as the first book? What if none of their other books ever live up to my first love? Since I fell head over heels for the first Fairyland book and then even harder for the second one, you can see why I was so nervous about picking up The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon In Two. Although this book had the quirkiness and charm that I love in this series, I found that it lacked the direction and depth of the first two books.

September is finally becoming a teenager. Parts of her childhood are losing their charm, and with her father home from the war, she starts to see a darker side of life. She’s at an uncertain point in her emotional development—she sometimes isn’t sure how well she fits into her Oklahoma life, and as soon as her journey back to Fairyland begins in this book, she realizes that her feelings about it and the people she loves there are more complex than she realized.

Valente has built up her world in fascinating and fitting ways. Creating Fairyland Below and a moon makes the world feel truly whole, without ever feeling like a marketing ploy to sell more books. I loved meeting creatures such as the Taxicrab, though I have to concede that some characters and places didn’t charm me as much as I’d met in the first two books, which is a matter of personal taste. Because the moon is prominent here, Valente had some gorgeous imagery with stars, and I wish there had been more of that. I think it would have made the book even more thought-provoking and literary.

While the world and characterization were still decent, the storyline of this book didn’t showcase Valente’s talent as a writer as nicely as the first two. The first two books in the series made me feel as though there were lessons to chew over long after the novels were done. What amazed me was not having these little lessons but how nicely veiled they were. They were the type of lessons that have you saying, “Wow, great book” as you turn the final page, and then continuously reflecting back on the book and finding more depth even when you never intended to. Valente tried to achieve this goal again here, and she didn’t quite get there. Had the story been more fleshed out in a few places she would have nailed it. With all of this said, this installment is set in a transitional time in September’s life, moreso than the second, and I struggle with books where transition and questioning one’s self are major themes. My criticisms may be more reflective of my own taste than the literary quality of this book, which is why I recommend checking out some other reviews.

Fairyland is still a wonderful series, and I need any other books that will be added to it. It’s that simple. Despite some reservations here, I still ultimately adore these characters and this world. This volume may not have been perfect for me, but it’s still exceptional, and I have faith that Valente will charm me again in the future.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review, and in this case, the publisher was kind enough to offer some items to give away. If you don't know anything about this series but want to learn more, check out this non-spoiler series trailer.

You need these books in your life. Trust me. With that said, here are the rules for the giveaway:
*One winner will receive a paperback copy of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship of Her Own Making, a paperback copy of The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There, and a hardcover copy of The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon In Two.
*Open to U.S./Canada only.
*The giveaway will end on October 21st at 11:59 p.m.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

October TBR

by Ellen Hopkins
by Emily Croy Barker
by George R.R. Martin
by Ruta Sepetys
by Catherynne M. Valente
by Myra McEntire
by Katie Cotugno
by Cornelia Funke
by Kendare Blake
by Holly Black
by Kari Luna
by Jennifer Brown
by V.E. Schwab
by Andrew Smith