Torment Teaser

Posted by Sadie , Friday, July 30, 2010 4:39 AM

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MOCKINGJAY

Posted by Sadie , Sunday, July 18, 2010 8:24 PM

Its Coming... 25th of August 2010

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.
 Description from Goodreads- Mockingjay

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Torment and Crescendo

Posted by Sadie 8:20 PM

So how about some up and coming new releases to give you something too look forward too? Fantastic Idea!  yeah I thought so too, so here are the two most asked for and anticipated releases in the next few months, Torment and Crescendo.

Torment
28th of September 2010
Is the second book to Fallen.

How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

The Description is from Goodreads- Toment
Go to the Tales Compendium to read a pre-review of the title 

Cresendo 
19th of October 2010
The second book to the New York Times best Selling Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. 
Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine? Description is from Goodreads - Cresendo

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Judging Books by Their Covers

Posted by Sadie 8:10 PM


So, ever been told not to judge a book by its cover? Well don't listen, the covers are designed to draw you in, it is the first thing that you see when you pick up a book, and the last thing you see when you put it down. A Large part of the job in a book store is displaying books to show of their amazing covers, and in some respects hiding the awful ones, because the books with the covers that are amazing will always sell.
So by all means judge them by the covers, often for me a spectacular cover not only tells me where in the store I'll put it, but if the cover is awful I may not even bother to read the blurb, but for the really artful covers I will always read the blurbs.

In the images above, are some of my favourite books covers, and yes even Twilight is in there, all of these the publishers have put money time and effort into presenting a cover that is directed to the target market, that will pull people in to turn them over and read the blurb. In the case of Twilight that book is terrible, but the cover is amazing, and for the books like Fallen, personally I didn't like the story line overly much but I loved the cover and it is still one of my favourite covers, and for Hush Hush, I picked that up because of its cover, something which I didn't regret at all, it only took me 4 hours of reading it was so good that I couldn't put it down.

When it comes down to it, the books with the bad covers, the romancey novel covers, aren't being endorsed heavily by the publishers, there may still be gems in them, but the publisher has already chopped off its legs and limits its ability to sell to a visual culture. Case in point, the Billionaires Curse by Richard Newsome, it is a fantastic book which for a children's fiction title, it is one of the few I could compare in the pacing and the speed to a cross of Mathew Reilly and Enid Blyton. But the cover of the Billionaires Curse is not doing it any favours, to sell it to parents, even when I adore this book, it is a fight tooth and nail to look past what the cover is, to get them to listen to what I'm saying about the book or even read the blurb. It's wasn't just the parents either, even I was hesitant to read it and if the guy from the publishers hadn't sold it too me I wouldn't have ever picked it up.
The Billionaires Curse is the 2010 Winner of the NSW Premiers Literary Award

So the moral of my ramble, judge by the covers by all means, we are after all living in a visiual culture but remember that is the publisher backing its winning horse, the winning trend, but don't discount the ugly and less entrancing covers because there are some real gems there even if the publishers don't endorse them as readily as the Twilight Franchises.

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My Life by Book Titles

Posted by Sadie 7:30 PM

Hey Guys!
Copied this idea from Jess, her blog is The Tales Compendium which I love and check at least once a week to stay ahead of the new books coming out in the YA genre.

Using only books you have read this year, cleverly answer these questions. Try not to repeat a book title. It’s a lot harder than you think!

*Describe Yourself: Sideways (by Patrick O'Neil)

*How do you feel: Nearly Departed (by Rook Hastings)

*Describe where you currently live: Caressed by Ice (by Nalini Singh)

*If you could go anywhere, where would you go: Looking For Alaska (by John Green)

*Your favourite form of transportation: On the Road (by Jack Kerouac)

*Your best friend is: Gaceling (by Kristin Cashore)

*You and your friends are: The Secret Ones (by Nicole Murphy)

*What’s the weather like: Shadows (by Amy Meredith)

*Favourite time of day: By Midnight (by Mia James)

*What is life like to you: Raised by Wolves (by Jennifer Lynne Barnes)

*Your fear: Dead as a Doornail (by Charliane Harris)

*Thought for the Day: Skullduggery (Pleasent, By Derek Landy)

*How I would like to die: Hush Hush (by Becca Fitzpatrick)

*My soul’s present condition: Fragile Eternity (by Melissa Marr)

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Old Reviews :D

Posted by Sadie , Friday, July 16, 2010 3:55 AM

Ello There!
Been very busy few weeks, I was looking forward to a relaxing holiday where I got to to very little of anything and lots and lots of sleeping, but apprently life had other plans for me. Such has stickering books and drinking lots of coffees. But its not all bad infact most of it has been a brillant holiday, although I'm chomping at the bit to get back to uni :D.
So, as promised here are some of my older reviews, admittedly some are just wrap ups of books because they were destined to sit on the shelf next to the book to sell it, not so much to review them. With some of these I didn't add anything new to them because I honestly couldn't remeber enough to make up a decent comment, or review on it. For the first few I have added some of my thoughts today cause they're have been new books added to the series or my thought have changed on  it over time. Also I'm super excited for the release of Mockingjay the new and finial :'(  addition to the Hunger Games series, I was the first person in my store to put my name to a copy and only a month to go!
So lets get started with a review dump :D. 


Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Katniss and Peeta are the Tributes, to the reality TV show Hunger Games, a fight to the death. Thrown in to combat where each new challenge puts their lives on the line, in a reality television show designed to make the populace submit to the control of the central government, the all knowing and powerful rulers of the post-apocalyptic America. At face value Hunger games is a fast pasted science fiction thriller. As a literature student, it also brings up multitudes of messages and raises questions all of which kids should be asking about the control over that television has over them and how the limiting of information affects each of us. Taken into the extremes of what could happen, but with more approachable this is the more fun version of 1984 by George Orwell (I loved the ideas in that book, I thought it was brilliant, but I couldn't ever actually finish it). Hunger Games is apart of a Trilogy that is just about to finish with Mockingjay which is out on the shelves on the 25th of August, and is a must read! (For Dymocks Australia Customers it is now marked at 9.99 for a pre-order campaign)

 

Want to see other peoples opinions of the series and all the awards each book has won head to:
 http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/catching_fire_88086.htm


Ink Exchange- Melissa Marr 
Lesile is searching for a way to regain her control, to feel safe. After getting her tattoo, one that she simply couldn't resist, things begin to change, no longer is she scared. What she doesn’t know is that her unique tattoo has bound her Irial the leader of the dark Fae court. With gripping romance, love triangles and intrigue this book is perfect for fans of Stephanie Meyer and Cassandra Clare.  
This one is apart of a now 4 book series, of Wicked Lovely, Ink Exchange, Fragile Eternity, and the newest Radiant Shadows. Each book is set in Melissa Marr's world of urban fantasy, although they don't all follow the same character lines, although they do cameo in other characters story lines. This was the one aspect I didn't enjoy because while each story is fantastic, when waiting for the continuation for my favourite fairy/human pairs it can get a bit frustrating. I particularly loved the underground urban fantasy aspect of each novel, where as I found the romance especially in Ink Exchange slightly lacking, perhaps this was due to the relationship between Irial and Lesile isn't exactly a typical romance, in any case I much preferred Aislinn and Keenan interactions.
The Mortal Instruments Trilogy- Cassandra Clare
 
Is the ultimate book to follow on to after Twilight. These books are perfect for those, who loved, or hated twilight. Set in New York’s, other side, Clary finds herself thrown into a world of mystery and danger, as she discovers her past with the Nephlim, the Shadowhunters, and the threat that they all face, especially her. 
Another Urban Fantasy, I loved this series, it was in fact the book series that I read straight after I finished Twilight while I was still Jonesing for Edward and Bella (yes I really WAS a fan). I was a while ago when I read these but I do remember really enjoying them on the recommendation of my other book store friends. The writing it self reminded me alot of Harry Potter, which isn't at all surprising as Cassandra Clare's name was made as a fan fiction writer for Harry Potter; which once she branched out to her own story line worked in her favour. I was also a huge fan of the relationship between Jace and Clary, the strong and tough Jace, while Clary was still trying to find her feet in Jace's world. This series really is as addictive as Twilight, the Vampire Academy series, the Anita Blake series, all the big names in vampire/ supernatural fictions. 

Wings- Aprilynne Pike
Laurel has just moved from her childhood home, from being home schooled to high school. But as if this wasn't hard enough, she has got her first pimple, but Laurel isn't like all the other kids, this pimple keeps on growing and suddenly one day it is replaced with a flower, scared and not know what to do she turns to her new friends, to find that it is a real flower. With the help of her new friends Laurel has to struggle with the truth of her true nature, she is a Faerie, but not the faeries that are so common in books for young girls, Aprilynne has given her own spin on the cannon faeries. More organic then mystical the faeries are enticing and new for seasoned faerie fans. Not only does Laurel have to struggle with being a Faerie, she also has to balance her human and faerie life especially in the second book Spells, she is completely torn between her two loves from each world and the ties she has to each. 
Laurel is a very real character she is strong and stands up for her self and her ties to both her worlds, something which I am sure I have said many times before is a major plus for any book that the female character is strong and uncompromising in her strength, even if she is unsure; compared to the serial offender Twilight where the female character, Bella, is basically an empty personality so girls can pretend to be her, and be exactly like her to get Edward. For Wings there is no Mary-Sue/ Bella character instead Laurel is a character to emulate and try and be like with her strength of will, she is an example which is why this book is great for the pre-teen age group rather then the older teens. (and after my lovely rant about the faults of Twilight the cover quote is "wings is a remarkable debut" - Stephanie Meyer)

Furnace- Alexander Gordon Smith
 
Alex is an innocent boy who was framed for murder and thrown into a hell on earth, the Furnace Penitentiary, deep under the earth. Alex is desperate to escape and has to fight for his life against the gangs and the terrifying Wheezers and Blacksuits. One part that I particularly loved in this book, was Alexander Gordon Smiths style when describing the 'symphony of screams', it is a image that was so heartbreaking that even after 7 months it still sticks with me. Furnace and its two follow up books Solitary and Death Sentence, are fast paced, dark and thrilling reads.
14+
 
The Graveyard by Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard is a coming of age story, much like the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling the Graveyard is a critic’s favorite 18 month old, Nobody Owens is adopted by the grave yard ghosts, after he escapes the death of his family, finding a home and a family with the resident ghosts. Learning the life lessons from the dead, readers watch Nobody grow up in the Gothic surrounds of the Graveyard and all the fears and joys it comes with, Critic’s praise each chapter as its own gem; Suitable for children from 9 – 12.

The Curious incident of the dog in the night time- Mark Haddon
Offers a rare insight to the life and reality of autistic children for adults and children alike, Christopher and autistic boy, sets about solving the mystery of the dog in the night time, while combating his own quirks and nuances that come with his autism, the language in this book make it extraordinary allowing the reader to understand what is happening when Christopher and his heavily mathematical mind, cannot. Now on many high school reading lists, this is a book recommended for general readership.

39 Clues Series (10 books in total)- Various authors
Mapped-out and set up by author Rick Riordan, 39 clues follows the discoveries of the Cahill siblings Amy and Dan, about themselves and their pasts as well as the clues to the fortune of the families’ matriarch. Competing against other Cahill relatives, this 10 book set, is bound to be a wild ride of adventure, each book is penned by different big name authors, backed up with card sets and online games featuring $100,000 dollars worth in prizes scholastic.
 I’d Tell you I love you, but then I would Have to Kill you- Ally Carter
Cammie Morgan goes to Gallaghers Academy, where instead of handball she learns martial arts, where espionage is on the daily timetable. When Cammie meets Josh a local boy, she cannot tell him who she is, but she can use her spy skills to accidentally on purpose bump into him, but how can this not so ordinary girl, date an ordinary boy? Age 11 +

Book of Shadows – Cate Tiernan 
Morgan Rowlands is ordinary, she has an ordinary life, and looks ordinary next to her friend Bree, that is until Cal comes to town, the darkly handsome senior, he notices her. This is just the beginning for the changes Cal stirs up, he is Wicca, with Morgan and her friends he creates a Coven, but when Morgan is bursting with magick and her friend’s aren’t, what is she to do.  Part of a set of short stories, which unfortunately I didn't know this when I first read the series, which made it slightly less enjoyable, but once I treated the segments as short stories the ordering and set out made much more sense to me.

Magic Thief- Sarah Pineas
 Rule number 1, never steal from a wizard, but what happens when you do? Conn did, sending him on a whirlwind adventure with his wizard Nevery to save the city Willmet  from loosing all its magic. Irresistible to readers, Conn pulls us in as he tries to survive the dangerous city and become a wizards apprentice. Written both in the point of View of Nevery and Conn this book is suitable for children over 11

Rebel Angels- Libba Bray
 Apart of the ever poplar group of young adult fantasy writers Libba bray delivers another stunning addition to Gemma Doyle Trilogy. It's now Christmas time for Gemma and her friends, and they are heading to London to the balls, but how can they enjoy them selves while the Realms are falling into darkness; after reuniting with their lost friend Pippa, they must search for the temple in order to save the realms from the dark influences threatening to take over, all the while attending balls, and dealing with the mysterious and threatening Rakshana.

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