tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65506886183194861192024-03-14T20:17:56.545+11:00Requiem for ReadersBook Reviews and news on the go!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-17306109397071050232015-10-09T16:57:00.003+11:002015-10-09T16:58:31.054+11:00Hot Scandi crime you'll love<img alt="Image result for salla simukka snow white trilogy" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxtgidvKP_709OBVxvSk8d6gdPsngvwcd4eyT1QBjyzjAG2RxC" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Snow White Trilogy - Salla Simukka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">As Red as Blood (Bk1) As White as Snow (Bk2) As Black as Ebony (Bk3)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Final instalment available from September 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can honestly say that I absolutely adored this entire series, Lumikki as a protagonist is smart, strong, unique and sensual. She's the kind of girl you want to be best friends with even if it brings you a world of trouble because you know that whatever you faced, you could handle it with her by your side (God, girl crush much? sorry). The series has been expertly translated from its original Finnish and is set in Tampere, Finland with book 2 making a summer sojourn to Prague. Honestly its the kind of book that will have you researching the poetry she reads because its just so dark and beautiful or listening to the music she loves just to get a sense of her mood. Salla's sophisticated and emotive writing shines through beautifully, you can’t help being swept away... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the three novels Lumikki faces three separate dangers making each book a conclusive story in itself while throughout the series there is an undercurrent of her own troubled formative years and an investigation into her shadowy past. Add to that a killer love story with a twist and you have a moody scandi crime trilogy that will have your heart racing as you burn through the pages, the only downside? they are all so small! Avid readers will have this series dusted off in a day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Trust me, this one is worth trying and great news! I have just spied that book 1 is currently on super special at Booktopia, check it out: <a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/as-red-as-blood-salla-simukka/prod9781471402463.html" target="_blank">http://www.booktopia.com.au/as-red-as-blood-salla-simukka/prod9781471402463.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><img src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781471402463/as-red-as-blood.jpg" height="200" width="130" /> <img src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781471403125/as-white-as-snow.jpg" height="200" width="130" /> <img src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781471403101/as-black-as-ebony.jpg" height="200" width="130" /><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-28633127674280195392015-08-17T15:25:00.003+10:002015-08-17T15:25:41.603+10:00The genre-mongrel I came to love<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Skin Deep - Gary Kemble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - July 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A brilliant journalistic political thriller with a supernatural twist.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What do tattoos, politicians, ex SAS soldiers and Dreadnot bikies have in common?... Quite a lot, it turns out and the way the pieces of this puzzle are put together are certainly unconventional yet balanced with a suspense that keeps you guessing!</span><br />
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<a href="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781760068172/skin-deep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://covers.booktopia.com.au/big/9781760068172/skin-deep.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Harry Hendrick is a man without a mission, falling through life like a re-occurring dream, no ambitions or even semi-defined goals. While my initial emotional response was "come on Harry, you're better than this" perhaps what follows just goes to show that just being happy with your lot is a much safer way to exist!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In my humble opinion its the authenticity with which newcomer Gary Kemble writes that makes this book so unputtdownable (yes its a word). Harry as a character is believable and Gary describes Brisbane so perfectly that you can clearly hold it in your mind, you are there - immersed in the story, time and place so that when the weird starts to happen its still relateable and you find yourself swept up in the impossibility of it all. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is Australian writing at its best, its familiar,engaging and clever with just a tiny hint of Bogan. </span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-82159442215881125402015-08-11T15:12:00.000+10:002015-08-11T15:12:28.267+10:00Trouble with a capitol D<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Trouble is a Friend of Mine</span> - Stephanie Tromly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - August 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Digby</b> is the best worst best friend you ever had - the kind of guy that jumps from a burning building (that he no doubt set alight) falls two flights and lands feet first without a scratch or even slightly tousled hair. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Zoe </b>is the new girl in town - she's not putting in a whole bunch of effort to be in the 'in crowd' and doesn't exactly have a que of people lining up to be her new bestie, in fact there isn't much of anything going on for her...until Digby decides to insert himself into her life and unleash his special brand of chaos. Zoe, bless her heart tries to avoid his shenanigans as long as she can but lets be honest, what else did she really have going on anyway?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is a fast paced joy ride with razor sharp wit and characters that you could even give a dam about. It's absolutely perfect for the "I just read Paper Towns, followed by John Green's entire backlog and now my life is over cause where am I going to find anything like that again?" sect. Trust me, you might just like it... </span><br />
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<img height="640" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CLuEZo-VEAEenbW.jpg" width="416" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-48630566044636579902015-01-15T18:24:00.003+11:002015-01-15T18:24:55.448+11:00The Promise of an Open Door<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Door that Led to Where - Sally Gardner</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - January 2015</span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"When the present offers no hope for the future, the answers may lie in the past"</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">This comment from publisher Hot Key Books for me, pretty much sums up the feel of this remarkable book. Sally is known for breaking all the rules when it comes to adhering to genre and this offering is no exception! If pushed I would describe it as contemporary YA fiction with a hint of mystery, a dash of Sherlock Holmesesq crime solving and a significant quota of Time Travel - intrigued? Great!</span></span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">AJ is our leading man who after not exactly excelling in his </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">GCSEs (HSC or ATAR equivalent here) is staring down the barrel of unemployment and all the unpleasantness life in the lower reaches of London society has to offer. His two best mates are faring even worse, getting mixed up in gang politics, dodgy drug deals and just generally being on the wrong side of the law but w</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">hen AJ is offered a job as a junior clerk with an esteemed law </span></span><span style="line-height: 19px;">firm it's not only his employment status that changes, the ripples of this one opportunity are extremely far reaching and not at all what you would expect. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNBE5AkobjjgXgpnzz3hUjPYZ6ytZV-Hwgfj0BqT0DjtHpoS7DmqvBZC4zCL2n_JkU6LIllnSHC0MIaxGnR1WbvgVQEsi7v6f_GI0jUpksI_Hmn52l3psk8-bKv1Geh9EHutniduqB_w/s1600/23049597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNBE5AkobjjgXgpnzz3hUjPYZ6ytZV-Hwgfj0BqT0DjtHpoS7DmqvBZC4zCL2n_JkU6LIllnSHC0MIaxGnR1WbvgVQEsi7v6f_GI0jUpksI_Hmn52l3psk8-bKv1Geh9EHutniduqB_w/s1600/23049597.jpg" height="400" width="260" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 19px;">What I loved most about this novel was the assumption placed upon the reader that conversational tone in YA doesn't need to be dumped down. It also really made me examine today's society and the emphasis it places on the results of inconsequential exams to the future success of an individual…when did being a useful and practical person cease to be enough? Why must everything a person is and could be capable of, weighed and measured within the confines of a system that clearly doesn't work for everyone?</span></span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Travel outside the box and through the Door that Led to Where!</span></span><br />
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<span style="border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-70732150926605631332015-01-12T15:06:00.001+11:002015-01-12T15:06:22.887+11:00Go on a backyard roller coaster ride… <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">All the Bright Places - Jennifer Niven</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - Jan 2015</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places". </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>- Ernest Hemingway</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6OCUB8KcDyznm6fSy9k_5qQ_2HHGri0euxmuOcRAPl0OIJ778WLFOFTOngNDonBDOl8KdIs3g0OOiOsi7BhaK07fdVcx9PzKE8gyT7ooOGowYBJOtUIeqpu999PTxCEAJNVvno0VotA/s1600/9780141357034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6OCUB8KcDyznm6fSy9k_5qQ_2HHGri0euxmuOcRAPl0OIJ778WLFOFTOngNDonBDOl8KdIs3g0OOiOsi7BhaK07fdVcx9PzKE8gyT7ooOGowYBJOtUIeqpu999PTxCEAJNVvno0VotA/s1600/9780141357034.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This story does indeed take you to many bright and wondrous places, though from its sordid beginnings where our two main characters meet at the top of a bell tower its hard to imagine…both Theodore Finch and Violet Markey have climbed over the rail and dangle precariously for two very different reasons. After the death of her sister Violet is tired of the pain but quirky Finch is able to bring her back to herself, little by little the pain becomes less as her feelings for Finch become more but as she ascends not even her feelings for him can halt Finch's downward spiral - as he fights to stay 'awake' and stay with her the fascinating person that he is and the marvellous and troubling way his mind works is revealed, giving both Violet and the reader a rare and precious view behind the stigma of mental illness into the relentless beast of depression. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't know if anyone else has noticed but I feel that the 'issues' surrounding mental illness, depression and suicide are getting a lot of air time lately. Wether it be due to a raise in the detection or awareness of its prevalence these stories are happening - they are real and taking place in our world and community. So while yes, this story deals with some fairly hectic issues it is brave, bold and told so beautifully - crafted by such delicate hands and with obvious care that I couldn't help but fall in love with it and its bright characters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the end of the day if this story can provide just a little more understanding and compassion, or create a conversation where previously there was skepticism and mistrust then it certainly has a place in society and an important one at that. You will laugh, you will cry and you will love All the Bright Places. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-58629608939233726482014-10-31T15:41:00.000+11:002014-10-31T15:41:03.610+11:00The Legacy has Begun!<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #4a452a;">Legacy of
the Claw</span><span style="color: #4a452a;"> -</span><span style="color: #4a452a;"> C.R.Grey </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="color: #4a452a;">Available - November 2014</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I rarely liken books to the wonder and benchmark that is Harry Potter but
that’s the only way I can describe the delightful tingle I got while reading
this series debut. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With certain similarities in the beautifully detailed world, strong friendships, a mysterious prophecy and boarding school excitement it defiantly feels familiar but still
with plenty of unique qualities - an almost steampunk feel, a lost King and at the core of the story is the Animas bond
between Man and animal ‘Kin’which has been beautifully designed and well explained. There is a great balance between the extraordinary powers that people posses to bond with their familiars and the practical balance of nature that gives the story a credibility that will have everyone wanting their own Animas bond (if only a thing really were so).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdQndYZ7bP1N-p3jfZ6lX5pFLIdFNbhhZ-NxtNWpo6kUuBmD8LqfsAmc26EBQ1rauPLr9IjApYjpL7hm2rGHVhR1SrxxmTGKTjbOvu_byM_mwn7eJKQ3PGJ3aHqEo4PT9HHewzp8eaOI/s1600/animas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdQndYZ7bP1N-p3jfZ6lX5pFLIdFNbhhZ-NxtNWpo6kUuBmD8LqfsAmc26EBQ1rauPLr9IjApYjpL7hm2rGHVhR1SrxxmTGKTjbOvu_byM_mwn7eJKQ3PGJ3aHqEo4PT9HHewzp8eaOI/s1600/animas.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bailey isn't your average 13 yr old as he has an absence of Animas, adopted when he was only an infant he shares neither his Mum's Animae Horse or his Dad's Animae Hare and not only does he feel completely isolated but has also been labelled a freak in his home town, a situation he cant see improving with his move to the prestigious Fairmount Academy but things are about to get very interesting for young Bailey and his new found friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story is engrossing, fast
paced and well realised. I really think this could be the start of something very special so grab a copy today and tell me if I'm right!</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-23896711992952483752014-10-17T17:02:00.003+11:002014-10-17T17:02:48.088+11:00Archaeologist turned Writer uncovers thrilling new series <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Book of Storms - Ruth Hatfield</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - November 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It's just so refreshing to read a great book for the younger market (9-12yrs) that still feels advanced while pitched perfectly for that audience, with a story you can say is original and exciting while using the tried and tested theme of a young boy embarking on a grand adventure!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyoNum6hX9FwgCQggwcdmL8fl3lTBXnsbLr1NyQPDOsJTjE-s2GG7CTEv3K3l0GepTgGdgPQXVvwdS945TX2MnbAftGPDw8R69e8wcJsJ0CjPVvEne0w7V9qQgyfP0uYa9VCKZH0oL-8/s1600/book+of+storms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZyoNum6hX9FwgCQggwcdmL8fl3lTBXnsbLr1NyQPDOsJTjE-s2GG7CTEv3K3l0GepTgGdgPQXVvwdS945TX2MnbAftGPDw8R69e8wcJsJ0CjPVvEne0w7V9qQgyfP0uYa9VCKZH0oL-8/s1600/book+of+storms.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Danny has been left alone at home while his parents go out in the dead of night to chase a fearsome storm - parent of the year material huh? when Danny wakes the next morning he finds plenty of signs that the storm has been there, but none of his parents so of course brave 11 yr old Danny with the help of Mitzy the next door neighbours cat decides to go and find them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story is filled with Earth based magic, talking animals and elements and of course a whole lot of adventure. Also delving into the passions that easily turn to obsessions and the selfishness that can result. In a wonderful twist the bad guy is an unusual take on the Sandman, a malevolent being who is tired of humanity taking all the credit for his brilliance, a character who's actions make him very easy to hate. Over all this is a captivating and exciting story for kids of all ages and the best part? its part of a new series so watch this space!</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-36064456230732170092014-10-13T17:23:00.000+11:002014-10-21T15:39:05.976+11:00Contemporary Irish Teen Thriller<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Shiver the Whole Night Through </span>- Darragh McManus</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - November 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Originally found on the slush pile at Hot Key HQ, truly making it a Diamond in the Rough!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While this is Darragh's debut in teen fiction this Irish author brings all of the finesse of his previous adult Crime novels paired with a unique younger voice creating a thrilling murder mystery with a supernatural edge….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Aidan as a main character is intelligent, witty and relatable, there is an obvious change in him throughout the novel and its interesting to see how that change effects the characters around him.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are some pretty heavy themes of suicide, bullying and hooking up or 'Shifting' (a term used in Irish slang that can mean anything from kissing to full carnal knowledge. I love it!) not to mention he pretty much chain smokes throughout the entire book. But its these darker aspects that make it real and compelling, I mean don't we all want to read about someone with grit, integrity and a bit of familiarity? Besides these 'themes' are sadly just a part of life and reading about a character who overcomes his fears and limitations can only help the rest of us right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There is also a fantastic exploration of history, where the whole town has a grim backstory, a sordid past that when examined closely is just down right scary, giving a glimpse of the mythical Ireland I love most. Darragh links the past and the present with an ancient evil that Aidan must confront or risk loosing the entire town to its frigid clutches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a stand alone novel it works perfectly well but thats not to say that I don't want more because I do - I think theres a lot more to come in Aidan and Sláine's story. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_49W7Z5fcD8aNDB9ewyEeBR58peVOKRe6bMdOf_vnd8IwIPawkvmnZPLAK7sea_uJy5-G5BPvAqppg5iji9HYgxCS62-ByY4c2epb8VF39l0X_2UmiK_881jPzMpC-7VpL7Bx_udMUU/s1600/w530810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_49W7Z5fcD8aNDB9ewyEeBR58peVOKRe6bMdOf_vnd8IwIPawkvmnZPLAK7sea_uJy5-G5BPvAqppg5iji9HYgxCS62-ByY4c2epb8VF39l0X_2UmiK_881jPzMpC-7VpL7Bx_udMUU/s1600/w530810.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-82493764990999666412014-09-12T11:06:00.000+10:002014-09-12T11:06:48.971+10:00Q&A with the Amazing Laini Taylor!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I met my Literary Hero Last week!!!!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bCbuPeGnQjlNx27rEltCNSEqUpcDpVKBUj959y5MfjKm0Vf2knTNXEOlEf0ocuDP8rnU_SCS-WCWvfXJKnbZj0ZkLWexiNS7q04WWV-yPSGBYKBgZQfCIC4n5oQ-8E_ke-2a1xF8ud4/s1600/ma+and+laini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8bCbuPeGnQjlNx27rEltCNSEqUpcDpVKBUj959y5MfjKm0Vf2knTNXEOlEf0ocuDP8rnU_SCS-WCWvfXJKnbZj0ZkLWexiNS7q04WWV-yPSGBYKBgZQfCIC4n5oQ-8E_ke-2a1xF8ud4/s1600/ma+and+laini.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today I have a different kind of Blog post for you… If you have skipped through my blog then you would very well know of my love for one author in particular, in fact, it was she who starred in my very first review ever! Her writing was so emotive that I just had to share my adoration with everyone. Who might it be you ask? The one and only author of the <i>Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy - Laini Taylor!!</i> Last week I was insanely lucky to actually meet her during her Australian Tour at my old store <b>Galaxy Books</b> and got the privileged task of interviewer where I could ask some of the burning questions that have plagued me since finishing the final in the stunning series <i>Dreams of Gods and Monsters. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have transcribed that interview for you below, here Laini tells what we can anticipate next and answers questions about the mythology of the series, giving plenty of her personal insight and inspirations. Please beware *spoiler alert* for those living under a rock that haven't already finished the series!</span><br />
<br />
Here we go…<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">AMBER -</span></b> What authors or books would you say
have influenced you most as the writer you’ve become?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">LAINI –</span></b> Well, there are so many books but
there’s one easy answer… because when I was in Uni or even High school I had
really stopped reading the kind of books that made me a reader initially and I
was reading only ‘literature’ and so when I started to write I was trying to
write you know, Literary Fiction and it really wasn’t very much fun, I hadn’t
found my voice as a writer and I didn’t have many interesting life experiences
to write about I guess at 21, so I didn’t write very much and I ended up going
to art school as a sort of “its hard to make a living as a writer so I think
ill go to art school”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A - </span></b>Good plan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>Great back up plan right? But it ended
up being a really good decision (laughs) so while I was in Art School Harry
Potter came out and it didn’t happen overnight but over the next few years
continuing to read it (Harry Potter Series) and other young adult fantasy, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t get back into Epic or Adult Fantasy
for while but eventually I did and when I started writing again it was like I
remembered what I loved as a reader and it just became that much more fun and
easier, so, JK Rowling and Harry Potter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Your stories are wonderfully original
and I often have trouble placing them in just one genre especially when I'm
describing them to customers, how would you describe them and where would you
like them to be homed? Romance, YA, Fantasy, Urban?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> In the states they’re easily YA and
that’s one of the great things I think, about YA is that they don’t have to fall
into a genre category as I guess now the genre’s gotten big enough that they
are starting to sub categorise it but I don’t know ..I mean that’s not my job
(laughs) but I remember the difficulty as a bookseller though and I know it’s a
huge concern. I love seeing it in fantasy but I think the correct answer would
be face out by the register! (This elicits many laughs from those gathered,
smart cookie!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> How do you balance what you’re
reading with what you’re writing? Are you a voracious reader as well as a
writer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>Well I do what I can, I don’t read as
much as I used too because I have a five year old, so I can’t like read at meal
times the way I used to but I have managed to be reading a lot recently and I
always find time. There have been times in the past where I was really
struggling with (writing) a book where I found that I was not in the mood to
write and if I was reading something good it would be calling to me when I was
struggling with whatever I was writing and I would just be like ‘oh fine, I'm
just going to let myself finish this book first’! So there have been times when
I could only read short stories or non-fiction I can’t like..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Be in both worlds at the same time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Yeah, I can’t risk falling into a
novel right now, but that hasn’t happened in a while which I guess is a good
sign that my own books have been engaging and I haven’t had a difficult stretch
for a while…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A - </span></b>Speaking of your engaging books and
your writing, what are you writing at the moment? We need to know! Are there
any follow-ons from Dreams of Gods and Monsters? Are there going to be any spin
offs?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>There is the possibility, while I was
writing DOGAM there was a point where something had started to happen that I
hadn’t really planned and then it became the book that it did and it grew in
the way that it did and I thought, you know, I could see a fourth book that
could happen but I don’t think that it would be Karou and Akiva. I just don’t
know but I'm not working on that now as I think that would have to really grow
in the back of my mind for a while and each book has just gotten bigger and
bigger in terms of the world and now this one is gonna be like Oh God (laughs),
it’s a big undertaking so I hope that ill write that next book sometime but
right now I'm working on a couple of books, mostly my next YA which is really
different, its Science Fiction set in Civil War era New York City and I'm also
working on the side on an adult book which is much more contemporary with a
magical element but is much more grounded and less high fantasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Well that all sounds very exciting!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> I also have an anthology coming out
in the next few months and that’s fun too..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> They’re always good, you can dabble a
little bit..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L – </span></b>Yeah.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> OK, what is the dream season in the
Far Isles, exactly?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> (laughs) No ones ever asked me that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> I need it explained!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> I don’t know, its one of those things
that if I were to write a short story about it then it would be very steamy I
imagine and I would figure it out, but I have not made myself decide exactly
what it is, you know about as much as I do..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Oh great (laughs) ill fill in the
blanks..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>It’s what you think it is I guess…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> I have an idea..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>(laughs) and that was the section I
was talking about when I said the book started to grow, I had never really made
myself figure out who Scarab was, when she appeared in Days of Blood and
Starlight she only appeared briefly not yet with a name and I didn’t know
exactly who she would be. I knew she was Queen but I didn’t know what she would
be like and I didn’t make myself decide ahead of time, it didn’t write her CV,
I just waited until she appeared in the scene to see what would develop -
that’s when she’s standing behind Akiva in the cave, I was curious to see what
would emerge and it was one of the most memorable parts of writing the book
cause most of what happened in that chapter I hadn’t planned and so all of that
– the Dream Season, the Harp strung of taken lives just came to me and I was
like ‘what is that?!’ as well as her sense of mission was all what really
guided the book from there on out and it was really the sort of thing that I'm
always hoping will happen where the story takes over…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Mmm it was really cool and you really
got a sense of her growing into her own, and becoming the kind of Queen she
wanted to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L – </span></b>Yeah, so I thought at that point that
the next piece would be hers, the other thing that I didn’t know was going to
happen until it happened, on like, the last page was what happened with her at
the very end with Eliza, that was surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> So, the war that we thought we were
fighting the entire time, and we weren’t… that’s a pretty big major bomb to
just drop at the end of the series! Is that where you would go with Scarabs
book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> (laughs) Yes I think it would be that
book but I don’t know, it’s not in my head yet. I think that all along I knew
that with Jael I didn’t want him to have that sort of weight, that he was the
only problem in the world – even with all the forces that he marshalled he
didn’t seem to be that big of a threat. And I did think for a while that he
could have been out of the story really early – I just didn’t want him to be
that important.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Yeah he’s just so creepy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Yes but I knew there would be some
greater context, even when I was writing DOSAB and the creation myths, I didn’t
plan for them to come back around the way they did with the Godstars like that
but, when things started to come together it was all really fun and I just went
with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Well my mind was utterly blown, so
thank you for that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>Oh thank you! Well mine kind of was
too..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> (laughs) I just didn’t see that
coming!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Well I didn’t really either..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> I'm glad we were both surprised!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> I always hope that will happen, with
myself as a writer I feel that if I know exactly what’s going to happen then it
feels kind of dead from the beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A - </span></b>Right. We all loved Zuzana and Mik and
of course the little story that you did for them was wonderful, is there going
to be anything more on them or are you leaving that world alone for now?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> There are so many different little
areas that would be fun to explore with short fiction but I also think that fan
fiction could fill that niche pretty well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> True, outsource to the masses, good
plan!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Like Liraz and Ziri, I’d really like
to see somebody write that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Ok one last question that my colleague
Chrissi really wants to know, how exactly does Brimstone make the wishes? Like
how does the pain thithe work when you amplify it into wishes? The technical
question for the day!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Honestly I didn’t really work out all
the technicalities. There were times when I was trying to be more concrete
about it and when I felt like I understood it but they really slowed down the
narrative so much, the mechanics of the magic, that I would always end up
taking it back out. So the answer is, he does it Very Well (more group laughs)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Chrissi
–</b> Is it something that solely Brimstone is able
to do? And that knowledge has been possibly lost?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> I guess the back story in my mind is
that in DOSAB you find out that he was a slave to the Magi 1000 years ago and
he would have been believed to be a dumb beast and so in that time he was able
to learn magic, to glean magic from his masters before starting the slave
uprising in which they were all killed so whatever was left of Magic he had it,
he alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Right, so he just tacked it together
as he could?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>Yes and they burned the libraries
archives but maybe he kept what he wanted… that’s another piece that would be
interesting to write and a lot of people would like me to write the prequel,
Brimstones story and the slave uprising. But again it’s very daunting, it would
be a big story!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> That’s the great thing about your
writing, there are all these fantastic elements that come off the sides…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Well the other thing I’ve wondered is
about the Seraphim Faerers – Razgut and Elazael?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Yes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> And all the other ones that never
came back, where are they?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A –</span></b> Yes! what happened to them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L - </span></b>Well who knows, maybe someday…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #00b0f0;">A -</span></b> Thank you very much Laini, you
certainly have our curiosity piqued for the moment!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">L -</span></b> Thank you. <span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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For more information on Laini's books please see my reviews here for <a href="http://amberpetith.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/my-first-foray-as-reviewer.html" target="_blank">Daughter of Smoke and Bone</a>, <a href="http://amberpetith.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/be-that-cat.html" target="_blank">Days of Blood and Starlight</a> and <a href="http://amberpetith.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/dreams-of-gods-and-monsters-laini.html" target="_blank">Dreams of Gods and Monsters</a>. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Interview with Laini Taylor Author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone Trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Interviewed by Amber Gilchrist with Galaxy Books, Sydney 2/9/2014. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-48904392332582348032014-09-06T11:18:00.000+10:002014-09-06T11:18:06.892+10:00Reluctant Rebel in a Politically Charged Thriller<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Land - Alex Campbell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - September 2014</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With elements of Ally Condie's Matched and a social structure of coloured factions similar to that of Divergent Alex weaves these familiar threads into something new, exciting and above all relevant to the Global Warming issues we are currently facing. The prologue sets the scene in our current day (year 2014) with a freak unexpected rise in sea levels that wipes out most of the worlds populace excepting those lucky enough to have access to a boat. Naturally the horror doesn't stop there as several months at sea with limited provisions will take its toll leaving only a lucky few - the strongest survive. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fast forward a couple of generations and we see that this Darwinian mantra has shaped a new society that rose from the Sea. In the scrabble to rebuild society the strongest members who would make the hard decisions were chosen to lead and create law, the result? an enforced heartlessness in a factioned society…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our unwitting heroine Christabelle is forced to see injustice everyday and told to ignore it by the woman she trusts most in the world, her Grandmother Constantine however as Con's selection date nears (I won't tell you what that means other than a certain type of goodbye) she is entrusted with the beginnings of the truth and the part she must play in brining down the corrupt government, from the inside no less. There is a no holds barred darkness to this book, a gritty and menacing cautionary tale showing the darker side of society and how delicate the balance with our natural world can be, but there is great heart and Christy is an interesting and complex character that I loved getting to know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This brilliantly complex Debut as far as I am aware is a stand alone novel which I find so refreshing, knowing that I don't need to wait around a year to find out what happens next made me more able to enjoy the present. I am very excited to see what will come next for Alex, as Hers is a writing style I hope to enjoy for many years to come. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't this Jacket awesome? For a sneak peek of the book you can find the first few chapters <a href="https://www.hotkeybooks.com/images/uploads/hot-key-books/book_files/LAND_Sample.pdf">Here. </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr-a2-UMjvcyuGFEKFHaiEFV3I2zAIayJsnUfNXjVvKnrflJBVHD_MHAI6f_ug3DQl41FPkWnO0Cr77hkUNdOdqWIqDYn9DChfDwTvGt5oAelhw9wcMX6z4gl3coIjFo68z2mKJ8uz4k/s1600/land.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr-a2-UMjvcyuGFEKFHaiEFV3I2zAIayJsnUfNXjVvKnrflJBVHD_MHAI6f_ug3DQl41FPkWnO0Cr77hkUNdOdqWIqDYn9DChfDwTvGt5oAelhw9wcMX6z4gl3coIjFo68z2mKJ8uz4k/s1600/land.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-89673864190966967912014-09-03T17:11:00.001+10:002014-09-03T17:11:08.260+10:00Delicious Dates and Distant Locals… <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Men on the Menu - Bambi Smyth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - October 2014</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bambi will take you on a culinary adventure like no other…</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nearing 50 and determined to find 'The One' that has thus far eluded her in Australia she makes a daring plan to travel an alphabet of countries to sample the local cuisine and the men to match! This is a highly ambitious undertaking as she blind dates no less than 75 men from all corners of the Globe - this woman has nerves of steel as I honestly don't think I would make it past date numero uno. I have to say that I greatly admire Bambi's strength as she not only rocks through each date with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">confidence and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a smile but she also bravely bares her soul on each page, giving the Reader great insight to the men she describes while making each situation relatable and honest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bambi's adventurous spirit demands that she dive head first into each new experience and her eloquence transports you there, in the moment - wether it be set high above Rome's twilight dancing lights or in a sultry Cuban bar, it really is a journey of the senses and one you don't need to leave your living room for. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Bambi's tour of Men and Menus is fun, frank and insightful and I don't believe I have ever meet a woman more deserving of finding true happiness, whether it be in Australia or Ireland! Bisous Bambi xx </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-7439371434976454522014-08-25T14:03:00.002+10:002014-08-25T14:03:41.958+10:00Worlds Collide, Magic Reigns, Love Burns…<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Trial by Fire - Josephine Angelini</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - September 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In this trans-dimensional magical thriller we see a version of what could have been, had the witches of Salem been fuelled by the very pyre's that consumed them. Crucibles made of human flesh that can turn the raw power of flame and the heat of combustion into energy…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story begins in our ordinary version of Salem, Massachusetts where we are introduced to Lily Proctor, a sweet 16 year old plagued by allergies to pretty much anything and everything. She is also in love with her best friend Tristan who sadly, happens to be the town bike (to put it bluntly). We round off Lily's entourage with a beautiful and caring sister Juliet who is mostly away at college, a mentally unstable Mum and finally a Dad who decided it was all too much and has for all intents and purposes run away. The best thing about Lily's character? She's a fighter, she's constantly and terribly sick and her home life is far from perfect but she never complains or chucks in the towel and this strength of spirit is what propels her through everything to come. After a disastrous night out Lily hits an all time low and is faced with a choice that seems to be too good to be true - an escape from the place and people that have hurt her. What she thinks is just her subconscious tempting her to leave everything behind turns out to be her powerful doppleganger who drags her unknowingly to another plane, a world where witchcraft rules and she is their Queen. This Queen who seems so much like her hides a dark secret, pushing her to root out every source of science in her Kingdoms resulting in the deaths of so many seemingly innocent people - is what she's doing for a greater good or has she become dangerously delusional?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Combining beautifully clever magic and the dawn of the nuclear age this tale has it all, action, suspense, lust and even a little romance…beware the massive cliffhanger ending though because like me you will end up practically salivating with the need to know what happens next! Sadly it's still a month off being published here but worry not! I have just read on Josephine's Blog (check it out <a href="http://www.josephineangelini.com/blog/" target="_blank">here</a> its pretty epic) that her rough draft for book 2 Trail of Tears has been finalised… </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm opening up the voting lines…which cover do you like most? And which will we be getting??</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalGMWJrzFM42o61r-Zcg-niSnlOb0Qi7dO5v6NJfX6UZ4_oZlUU1yVn6KScT1M921KL6bFcvJ6r1vanDYtf5I4CyqCPflrMgy0_AS4gD192GkP73I5U9mH-vKmV3lADtKDhTwibBnuzGk/s1600/tbf2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalGMWJrzFM42o61r-Zcg-niSnlOb0Qi7dO5v6NJfX6UZ4_oZlUU1yVn6KScT1M921KL6bFcvJ6r1vanDYtf5I4CyqCPflrMgy0_AS4gD192GkP73I5U9mH-vKmV3lADtKDhTwibBnuzGk/s1600/tbf2.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR3fFHRSmd8Zl1QOPo99mSwg9jHwIk6bq1hGqb7x7ITw1Xds0UQj0hY6YE7d6m59zwets7K1y5uZRsl1xbaZNqIRnniSX1MWWwhqHg8ohXxkWJsrCaTb0FrQLsHPkRWtkAQTeFsLnFMWI/s1600/trial-by-fire-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR3fFHRSmd8Zl1QOPo99mSwg9jHwIk6bq1hGqb7x7ITw1Xds0UQj0hY6YE7d6m59zwets7K1y5uZRsl1xbaZNqIRnniSX1MWWwhqHg8ohXxkWJsrCaTb0FrQLsHPkRWtkAQTeFsLnFMWI/s1600/trial-by-fire-1.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-p7n4-8PiS3I%2FU8jPtCHzCCI%2FAAAAAAAAAQY%2FbC9L_OZSNnQ%2Fs1600%2Ftrial-by-fire-1.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR3fFHRSmd8Zl1QOPo99mSwg9jHwIk6bq1hGqb7x7ITw1Xds0UQj0hY6YE7d6m59zwets7K1y5uZRsl1xbaZNqIRnniSX1MWWwhqHg8ohXxkWJsrCaTb0FrQLsHPkRWtkAQTeFsLnFMWI/s1600/trial-by-fire-1.jpg" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-81852472980451931142014-08-12T17:38:00.000+10:002014-08-12T17:38:41.917+10:00Vivian Apple and the End of Days<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Vivian Versus the Apocalypse - Katie Coyle</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available Now - Book 2 Vivian V's America due out this month! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxwH5ifW1ioeUE_BYtXpFEmEyS99o8rehwaATE9FI_VxHQaX2aSE6ygZQd0NwYfmelSYW-lUsfmo2NfgpMa8kgKgJViFe7BSbw4XwT_s8Rv_lJynUeNyN_7zW-_xo8aeG6enfe0laHao/s1600/vivian-versus-the-apocalypse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxwH5ifW1ioeUE_BYtXpFEmEyS99o8rehwaATE9FI_VxHQaX2aSE6ygZQd0NwYfmelSYW-lUsfmo2NfgpMa8kgKgJViFe7BSbw4XwT_s8Rv_lJynUeNyN_7zW-_xo8aeG6enfe0laHao/s1600/vivian-versus-the-apocalypse.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vivian Apple is an ordinary teenager in an extraordinary time. The story is set in our present day America with a few marked differences, it has all of our times trade mark natural disasters but on steroids - earthquakes, floods and fires and social landslides with shootings and terrorists. The other difference is a new bastardised brand of Christianity known as the Church of Frick, combining the worst parts of religion like bigotry and tunnel vision with a consumer capitalist element that America does so well. The leader of the Church Beaton Frick has prophesied a Rapture for the true believers and six months later the Apocalypse for those who remain! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0XW-Ta-9bGmPZ3ir9mC_BT7M_NJatuRG-WBz37REIvDePbll8UNz_Lt_BI55GYq_c5I0JrXp4PFiO_BAzvWiTKNbTxvcMreUDZAtEaU5LzV29p9Uix8_SwU2ZBAoK9aGdoEKDPkTZaA/s1600/vva.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0XW-Ta-9bGmPZ3ir9mC_BT7M_NJatuRG-WBz37REIvDePbll8UNz_Lt_BI55GYq_c5I0JrXp4PFiO_BAzvWiTKNbTxvcMreUDZAtEaU5LzV29p9Uix8_SwU2ZBAoK9aGdoEKDPkTZaA/s1600/vva.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our story begins on Raptures Night Eve, Vivian and her wild best friend Harp, both non believers who's parents have been swept up in the push to be the best believers they can be to assure their ascension to the Heavens - strangely the fact that their atheist children will remain behind doesn't seem to be a priority at all. To everyones shock and awe the Rapture actually happens, the remaining believers left behind are confused and distraught wondering why they weren't sucked up into God's good graces and looking to lay the blame on anyone else. Viv and Harp now find themselves all alone in a pre-apocalyptic count down as the country goes crazy anticipating the end of the world and having nothing else better to do they follow some very tenuous leads on a cross country road trip with a vague hope of finding their parents in the heart of the church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They meet some great characters along the way and even join up with a hippie commune along the way and what they find at the end is the biggest surprise of all. This is a coming of age story like no other and Viv is going to discover the true meaning of family - they are who you choose them to be.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-36007001979822016722014-08-11T18:09:00.002+10:002014-08-11T18:09:14.194+10:00You don't have to be GOOD to be PERFECT<div class="ecxMsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.35em;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">The Perfectionists - Sara Shepard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - October 2014</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Sara Shepard, the author of the bestselling series Pretty Little Liars, has written a new YA thriller series that's sure to grab some excitement. Guest Blogging today is my Cousin Jemmima, she's my go to girl for a second opinion and all reading related goss…heres what she thinks (keeping in mind I forgot to tell her it was a series, oops!)</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67xG5HwiOV-5Qmt38Hrq_YMhX3eonARks5O_SymY4ULKR7Lln4s1rSNx2jd3GoFLEsn3ZSdMoeM_Hh0Q1XVINc9-QpstxuIfTmYdg08pbvdFI9KNxAdINCgzWuobFJFfzzkZ41EXnk6c/s1600/Perfectionists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #444444; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67xG5HwiOV-5Qmt38Hrq_YMhX3eonARks5O_SymY4ULKR7Lln4s1rSNx2jd3GoFLEsn3ZSdMoeM_Hh0Q1XVINc9-QpstxuIfTmYdg08pbvdFI9KNxAdINCgzWuobFJFfzzkZ41EXnk6c/s1600/Perfectionists.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'The Perfectionists' is a new novel following five girls - Ava, Julie, Caitlin, Parker and Mackenzie - and their hate for the same rich, arrogant bully, Nolan Hotchkiss, who's put them all through hell. After being put together for a class assignment, the girls discover their mutual hate for Nolan and talk about the ways that they would kill him. Of course they're only kidding, but then... Nolan turns up dead exactly how the girls would have done it. The girls realise they need to find Nolan's real killer - before they get charged for his murder themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is one of those intriguing YA books that makes you curious from the very beginning. It was interesting getting to know the girls via their back-stories - although at first it was a little difficult trying to keep up with who was who. Overall the book was a great read that kept me hanging on wanting to know what was next, however there are a few parts that if not dealt with in a sequel, would have become completely useless and irrelevant. I like the idea of there being a sequel, just to be able to prolong the story a bit more. Another thought was that it's already quite similar to Pretty Little Liars, which I can deal with for two books but no more. I think it would be so disappointing if Shepard tries to drag this series on for too long without resolving any of the story lines just like PLL.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well looks like it will be a sure hit with PLL fans and I have heard mention that it has already been scooped up for a TV adaptation! Lets just hope that Sara can pull off something that is still unique and exciting in its own right. Thanks Mima!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17512889935559085265noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-15635788589375400772014-07-18T16:54:00.000+10:002014-07-18T16:54:34.869+10:00Are your Dreams Fierce?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Fearsome Dreamer - Laure Eve </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available Now and the final book in this Duology is available in August 2014! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Welcome to the two very different countries where this tale resides - each has a completely different structure, belief system and most importantly technological understanding.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The dominant country known as 'World' is a conglomerate comprised of many separate countries we know today like America, China and parts of Europe to name a few. In World technology reigns supreme and all World citizens are implanted with a chip at birth allowing them to effortlessly jack into 'LIFE' the virtual reality accessible 24 hours a day. This is where everyone lives, they work, meet for coffee, travel, play games and hang out in Life. This online existence rules out any need to ever leave your home/city/country… public transportation no longer exists, there are no more outbreaks of disease or plane crashes and it's controlled easily through it's insularity. However t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he bulk of the story is set in the quaint and almost defiantly backwards realm of Angle Tar, Rue's home and where White has recently fled.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While World feels a little like the cautionary whale on the flip side there is Angle Tar, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a small island compared to the vastness of World that seems a bastardised mix of old world London and Paris with a charming vocabulary to match. Here technology has been dismissed except for the most rudimentary creature comforts and in the face of such conformity feels wild and free, even a little dangerous. The 'when' of which this novel is set is hard to say, both of these new countries have an erie timelessness and they are both the future and the past in one alarming present. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So Worlder's never leave their houses and Angle Tarians never leave their Island and at the heart of this story we have White and Rue and the gift of dreaming they share, one that very few others know anything about and a mysterious Castle that exists somewhere beyond these two realms but could hold the devastating end for them both. My favourite of the immaculate details in this novel would have to be the nuances of language used, Laure creates such a strong image of characters and country. A great example of this is White's dialogue which, as a foreigner is noticeably stiff and formal where Rue as a commoner, is raw and honest, full of opinions and lust - Reading her as a YA character is a bit of a revelation really, a moment of "Ah this is what I've been missing". It's these wonderfully authentic details that set her writing apart and why I am so keen for Book 2 (the final of the series) even though I have a plethora of new books it ill jump to the top of my mountainous to-read pile!</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-22952658826830229242014-06-06T09:06:00.000+10:002014-06-06T09:06:44.432+10:00Steampunk Success <br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Take Back the Skies - Lucy Saxon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Debut author Lucy Saxon has delivered an exciting and distinct YA steampunk adventure. Soaring skyships, a runaway cross-dressing teen and political intrigue abound! </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7OK1Y7DwZkCrYEXs8sY7H9dk75zZsrosmk5_fAX1VqJJIidm79kCtEDBJY1Hc38mPiVhmVXSek8ktxxPLP3LhiLFyTJbHTePynSkeYjDCq3M7ykk6mCGOEzSV_-RlB3zvtB0Jl-9KRDF/s1600/take+back+the+skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7OK1Y7DwZkCrYEXs8sY7H9dk75zZsrosmk5_fAX1VqJJIidm79kCtEDBJY1Hc38mPiVhmVXSek8ktxxPLP3LhiLFyTJbHTePynSkeYjDCq3M7ykk6mCGOEzSV_-RlB3zvtB0Jl-9KRDF/s1600/take+back+the+skies.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For Catherine Hunter growing up in the lap of luxury as daughter to one of the most influential men in Government has been a constant thorn in her side, forced to be compliant and dutiful while all around her people suffer. Children over the age of 13 are taken in 'collections' to fight in the endless war of the Empire, the poor are starved beyond breaking point and even the city itself is crumbling under the misery of it all. The final insult to Catherine is being betrothed, bartered off by her father like a prize cow, that is until she decides to take her fate into her own hands and herself out of the equation by stealing away on a small skyship disguised as a boy. On the <i>Storm Dancer</i> as Cat she finally feels at peace but this is merely the beginning of the tale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While the pitch of the writing starts out quite young (say 14+) Lucy soon finds her feet and as her writing matures so does Cat as a character, all of a sudden there are gruesome revelations and heartbreaking consequences that you just don't see coming! The tale has plenty of excitement and has a rare quality making it accessible to both guys and girls, I have been told by a reliable source that Lucy has an entire series all mapped out and I'm looking forward to finding out what comes next!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpKHbAEYphCsipcYBPqIe_fwSlyhngSHNIJiYPR23ktjruyFLVtB-kVUj9y_bn72q4mMeECqgZMZTt3Mo6Mp0vfnPi2r1JrNYZ24fZYAyzQLCKtuxC47RmfIfWgVrIY8xwmsnERZaXbXc/s1600/Lucy-Saxon-Takes-Back-The-Skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpKHbAEYphCsipcYBPqIe_fwSlyhngSHNIJiYPR23ktjruyFLVtB-kVUj9y_bn72q4mMeECqgZMZTt3Mo6Mp0vfnPi2r1JrNYZ24fZYAyzQLCKtuxC47RmfIfWgVrIY8xwmsnERZaXbXc/s1600/Lucy-Saxon-Takes-Back-The-Skies.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am absolutely loving all things Lucy, the more I learn about this awesome chick the more I wanna be her bestie and while working at Galaxy Bookshop I was lucky enough to submit a Q&A to this amazing young Cosplaying author and I'm so happy to be able to post her responses, some of which you may find surprising *Beware spoiler alert*<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Lucy
Saxon – Take Back the Skies Q&A </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">What inspired you to write in the Steampunk
genre? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
fact that there isn’t that much modern steampunk fiction out there. It’s an
aesthetic I really love, and something I thought I could have a lot of fun
exploring. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Do you ever base characters on people you
know/have known? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Not
intentionally! Traits of people probably slip in here and there, but I’ve never
purposely written a character based on someone I know in real life </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I found the Skyships and their Ports
fascinating - how did you do your research on these? Or are they purely from
your own imagination? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The
skyships and all surrounding them are from my imagination! I didn’t want to go
with the typical zeppelin-style airship, so I started imagining something a
little different, and it all went from there. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">How did you start out writing? Did you work
your way up to a full novel with short stories or did the plot ideas come to
you fully formed? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I
actually started out with fanfiction; short fics that got progressively longer,
and then I eventually started trading fanfiction for original fiction once I
was confident in my ability to write a full novel-length piece. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Do you have any other stories in other worlds
or genres in mind? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">So
many! I have a <i>lot</i> of other novels and series’ planned for the future,
but they’re all within the sci-fi/fantasy genre. I can’t wait to write
them! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Like all of us you must have authors you find
inspiring and just Love, if you could co-write a novel with another author who
would it be and why? </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Oooh,
that’s a hard one. I think co-writing with Sarah J Maas would be pretty great;
I really love her writing style, and I think it would mesh pretty well with
mine. I’d also love to write with John Green, but considering we’re two
different genres I can’t think of what we’d write! </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">I don’t want to give away any spoilers but
you drop a major bomb on us with that ending! Was it a tough decision to end it
how you did? And what can we expect next for Cat??</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt;">It
wasn’t too tough a decision; it was one of those things where I wrote to a
certain point and then it hit me like ‘of course, it has to end that way’. I feel
bad about it, of course, but some things are necessary! As for Cat’s future,
it’s fairly set after the epilogue with exactly what that would imply. The
second book isn’t actually about her, but a Siberene boy called Aleks. There
will be mentions of Cat and what she’s up to, considering the position she’s
now put herself in, but for the most part her adventuring days are over. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thanks Lucy and keep them coming!</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-44679258119860031672014-05-26T14:55:00.002+10:002014-06-01T20:10:57.105+10:00Feel like something a bit…'Other'?<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Written in Red (The Others Bk1) - Anne Bishop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available Now and thankfully Book 2 has just hit the shelves!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa5qCw_RTCFgcociISaRMGnqQZNl4fnkBhGIhDzf-9JzXRjtjI9KSMyzIS8U5KXajkUo0m84PiNL96LWleVu7zYxEgFNdQAXteWobftuCv3-LiwIQ-C-HKMjQ7obOoxEPiCZ-Dycb07TT/s1600/written+in+red+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAa5qCw_RTCFgcociISaRMGnqQZNl4fnkBhGIhDzf-9JzXRjtjI9KSMyzIS8U5KXajkUo0m84PiNL96LWleVu7zYxEgFNdQAXteWobftuCv3-LiwIQ-C-HKMjQ7obOoxEPiCZ-Dycb07TT/s1600/written+in+red+1.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Vampires, Shifters, elementals and magic but not like you know them, Anne writes a much darker depiction of these supernatural beasts. While in other stories things that are 'Other' are often depicted as dangerous yet somehow always end up just being misunderstood and gooey as caramel fudge deep down, right before becoming the perfect boyfriend, sigh, however in the world of <i>Namid</i> they only want to eat you, humans are literally seen as prey… trespass on their land - they tear you apart and eat you, swindle or trick them - they eat you, displease them - they eat you, really piss them off? they will turn your entire town into an underwater attraction…well I think you get the idea, just don't mess with the Others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Our leading lady Meg Corbyn is a Cassandra Sangue or blood prophet, one of the rare girls who when cut can see a vision of the possible future pertaining to particular person willing to pay the exorbitant fee for such a service. These girls are kept tightly under lock and key while it is explained to the public as a kindness due to the nature of cutting which is so pleasurable the vast majority of girls get addicted and as with all addictions there can be dire consequences, in this case the possibility of bleeding out for example. Heavy stuff I know. So Meg makes the life changing decision to run away (thank goodness) and finds herself at the gates of the Lakeside Courtyard and at the mercy of the Others who watch over and govern the town of Lakeside from within.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvkTkhNbW0YlujmfRSmgsbpQV7lSbwcNrloGf625IS2T1MSYNDUCB8UNlQktIWzRLlEZhLqoKNxgwJXlkgmiHynRDPT97Bxp-OZgchT6Gdhj2t_AxsGwz9lNaYQuG-B-g8MDygGeELcA/s1600/AnneBishop_WrittenInRed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjvkTkhNbW0YlujmfRSmgsbpQV7lSbwcNrloGf625IS2T1MSYNDUCB8UNlQktIWzRLlEZhLqoKNxgwJXlkgmiHynRDPT97Bxp-OZgchT6Gdhj2t_AxsGwz9lNaYQuG-B-g8MDygGeELcA/s1600/AnneBishop_WrittenInRed.png" height="320" width="211" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What transpires next is a look into a fantastic new urban fantasy world, Anne sets a cracking pace for her characters who are endearing in their own quirky way and as more details are brought to light the plot thickens revealing a deep undercurrent of menace that follows through to book 2. As a new fan of Anne's I feel this is a perfect introduction to her work, it portrays her scope of world building and character design yet isn't quite as dark as her previous work. I am very much looking forward to diving into her extensive backlist. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Also look out for Book 2 Murder of Crows also available. </i></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-28686583485691735412014-04-02T17:46:00.000+11:002014-04-02T19:05:54.060+11:00The BEST book you'll read this year!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Dreams of Gods and Monsters - Laini Taylor</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Available Now in Aus, April 17 2014 in the UK</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Wow…I…..…It was……sigh. Simply, amazing and honestly the most magical experience I have had to date as a reader.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRM4Cm0PVNV9Q1eAxm0UpoqKPgMIyxhn19PKDffkLXMvgrgGW1ew1DgVGJCi1j8SkPP6mhfINtSzzX3xSu2V9iD715glmeBVOlHxp4kc0xUfyH5je1WyNjyPaUAS3RypMbIvm-hw8J1Ue/s1600/9781444722734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRM4Cm0PVNV9Q1eAxm0UpoqKPgMIyxhn19PKDffkLXMvgrgGW1ew1DgVGJCi1j8SkPP6mhfINtSzzX3xSu2V9iD715glmeBVOlHxp4kc0xUfyH5je1WyNjyPaUAS3RypMbIvm-hw8J1Ue/s1600/9781444722734.jpg" height="400" width="261" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The emotions portrayed by Laini in this final installment in the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy (learn more about Book 1 <a href="http://amberpetith.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/my-first-foray-as-reviewer.html" target="_blank">here</a>) are beautifully raw and as deep as an ocean, and I believe this is what elevates this novel into something truly special. Whether it was sorrow or joy they resonated so strongly in my very soul that I would stop reading and just breathe it in, let the tears fall or a smile take hold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As it turns out this isn't just the story of the Seraphim and Chimera's survival as there are a few new and pivotal strings added to the tapestry, woven expertly together with the old elements and characters we love then played out on both Earth and Ertez. You won't believe where this story will end, I'm still trying to piece my mind back together after it was thoroughly blown! Without giving any spoilers all I can say is that you will not be disappointed, this final leg of Karou's tale has all of the magic, romance, action and heart shattering twists of the first two. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This series has been an absolute stand out in my favorites of all time and I am beyond depressed to see it end, my only advice to those of you who haven't enjoyed it yet would be to reread books one and two - I really wish that I had refreshed my memory and postponed this bittersweet ending as long as possible.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-61310823802367288362014-03-25T17:54:00.001+11:002014-03-25T17:54:42.191+11:00Aren't we all just….<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrHodOmqmCKGE_Oe2vhyphenhyphenWXhp_gbCFfDWYlLIyVEg5bVIwkOxayB1j7VUkwMIjInx9HCp3Bht8Hhki5lzJzO1tiF_lSnaIIVkBqapEM293rTSQWVI8e1y78ZJiFuasiWbY97Sm3lrHdPCT/s1600/waiting_on_wednesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrHodOmqmCKGE_Oe2vhyphenhyphenWXhp_gbCFfDWYlLIyVEg5bVIwkOxayB1j7VUkwMIjInx9HCp3Bht8Hhki5lzJzO1tiF_lSnaIIVkBqapEM293rTSQWVI8e1y78ZJiFuasiWbY97Sm3lrHdPCT/s1600/waiting_on_wednesday.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In celebration of the almost nearness of Wednesday I want to share what I'm currently devouring with you…..</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NFQIgUJO4Ng645Q0rEGAV42rm5jiu2twbg00hdIUx_bNDilJ-MhjO66FUeUlM-cFeVB6qm1k6O46V0rBYXZPtQSklf_0fGqrkiO9ahM0XI3iTitWtkgrcU2wye_w5NzwL-UgGd9YhyphenhyphenrU/s1600/dreams+of+gods+and+monsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NFQIgUJO4Ng645Q0rEGAV42rm5jiu2twbg00hdIUx_bNDilJ-MhjO66FUeUlM-cFeVB6qm1k6O46V0rBYXZPtQSklf_0fGqrkiO9ahM0XI3iTitWtkgrcU2wye_w5NzwL-UgGd9YhyphenhyphenrU/s1600/dreams+of+gods+and+monsters.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can hardly wait to post my review of this absolutely amazing book, it will surely be a bitter sweet moment for me as it will mean that Ive finished and this world will be closed to me forever. As I'm sure you can appreciate I am taking as long as I possibly can and savouring every chapter. Godstars, I just never want it to end!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stay tuned…. x</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-64016513611099772632014-03-19T22:11:00.000+11:002014-03-19T22:11:11.185+11:00All you need is a Spark <span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Amazingly Requiem For Readers has just cracked <b>5000 page views!!! </b>I want to give a MASSIVE Thank you to all of my readers out there and to celebrate here is a special preview post for you… This little gem is due out next month, enjoy and thanks a million!xx</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">Moth & Spark - Anne Leonard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available - April 2014</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is an adventurous fantasy debut for Anne Leonard and it sits quite comfortably in the traditional/historical fantasy camp with a medieval-esk world; swords, spies and intrigue, a great battle of empires and of course dragons!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What is not so traditional is the duel dialogue making both the male and female lead characters equally important even in a somewhat patriarchal society. The female protagonist Tam while being pegged as a commoner is clever, resourceful and practically minded, age both gives and receives strength from our Hero Prince Corin and effortlessly earns her place beside him. The dragons thankfully have a pivotal role, they aren't just a superfluous addition but a beautiful and rather complex layer that ties the story together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What I have to say I loved most however is the fact that it's a stand alone novel - in a domain that is fatigued with long winded series that often seem to have no end in sight this is a refreshing escape and a very promising introduction from Anne. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Which cover do you prefer?….</i></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-47582510668775998542014-03-10T18:51:00.000+11:002014-03-10T18:51:22.822+11:00Not Half Bad...<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Half Bad - Sally Green</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Available - Now!</span><br />
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Nathan is a witch, born from a long line of witches but where Nathan's story differs to his brethren is that he is the only half white/half bad 'mixed breed' witch on the scene. Begot of a charming white witch mother and a dangerous black warlock father Nathan has lived his entire life knowing neither of them and facing persecution from both sides - I mean this kid has had it ROUGH.<br />
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When the story starts we know as little about his heritage as he does and we share in his horror and pain as he grows, learning the dark secrets of his past and the hatred of a society that is to be his future. I really enjoyed getting to know this character, and while life has genuinely been tough on him he just keeps going, getting through it a day at a time and I applaud this kind of storytelling - its raw and uncomfortable with not a hint of sugar coating making it stand out amongst the YA "overcoming adversity while crushing on a really hot guy" realm. That's not to say the love interest doesn't occur but is only a small element of the tale and takes a back seat in the plot, even throwing in an occasional curve ball to keep you guessing. <br />
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Even though I can't see Nathan's situation improving any in the next instalment I'm looking forward to getting back into the action! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-66001260477061848682014-03-05T16:38:00.002+11:002014-03-05T16:38:17.789+11:00Two Great Stories, One Amazing Author. <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eternally Yours, Immortal Beloved Bk3/Darkest Fear, Birthright Bk1 Mash up - Cate Tiernan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Both Available Now</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO4eE-OstW06wqFoxLjBfOyU1vuAbvPoTbXot-PDwQbqF-xMyfhnklUodYwojmoARatwQC_SZbBLn48o0eleJrRQxXwcYHCGIzH_RfRs-FCzO_RwT1GYVWT3a8yXAtiZrPa2TEPNqqCxR/s1600/darkest+fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwO4eE-OstW06wqFoxLjBfOyU1vuAbvPoTbXot-PDwQbqF-xMyfhnklUodYwojmoARatwQC_SZbBLn48o0eleJrRQxXwcYHCGIzH_RfRs-FCzO_RwT1GYVWT3a8yXAtiZrPa2TEPNqqCxR/s1600/darkest+fear.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both stories, while they are from the same author are for me, like night and day- Young Adult vs Adult, the Beginning vs the End, modern storyline vs one rich in history and while the two protagonists do share similarities in their avoidance of the big issues Immortal Beloved's Nastasya is wounded and yet coming to grips with a lifetime of running from herself where as Birthright's Vivana Neves comes across as a bit selfish and annoying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Having said this of Viviana I do remember being the seemingly ancient age of 17 and feeling just as strongly in regards to my own ideals as she does in her views of her shape shifting heritage and I was just as passionate and sure which no doubt was seen as stubborn ignorance, that i was right and my feelings were justified. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">However, in the end whether they were or weren't doesn't matter as inevitably they slowly changed anyway, all part of the natural progression of time and experience as Vivi is about to find out. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We meet Vivi a seemingly average high school girl, she has a best friend she adores and parents who she loves but doesn't agree with..fair enough the sticking point they can't see eye to eye on is rather abnormal. Their family is part of a long line of Jaguar shape shifters and instead of jumping for joy at her hereditary superpower Vivi feels like a freak and shies away from any form of involvement in her parents proud heritage until brutal attack on her family forces her to dive a little deeper into herself and her other side. While it is early days yet</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> with a colourful cast, mysterious love interest and an exciting setting like New Orleans </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am looking forward to seeing her growth and understanding as the series progresses. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PTa3ElgA6LokMkhRDd3arIlmN0sVDgQuq23WJA-ftxRbO4uxgRyUaCGJtf2_M-wsMHpa1VwWkp1ddi0a8ci5k51md_oQ93a4a7mN1NqcwA88F4jpXLbTn2cLDRfbS0duYf8YzDpWbv0V/s1600/eternally+yours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PTa3ElgA6LokMkhRDd3arIlmN0sVDgQuq23WJA-ftxRbO4uxgRyUaCGJtf2_M-wsMHpa1VwWkp1ddi0a8ci5k51md_oQ93a4a7mN1NqcwA88F4jpXLbTn2cLDRfbS0duYf8YzDpWbv0V/s1600/eternally+yours.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Flipping to the other side of the coin and the grande finale for the Immortal Beloved series which I loved so much! Nastasya is spirited and employs sarcasm like a master, her humour has me giggling to myself constantly and breaks up the tension and darkness in the plot. Nastasya has come a long way and her character development is clear, the feelings she slogs through are confronting and honest and her 'wholeness' is so close you can almost touch it - until of course her self doubt chimes in and ruins things. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Her struggle I found very relatable I mean t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">ruthfully haven't we all fought similar demons, self doubt and to a degree loathing? Of course not everyone has the privilege or ability to run from these feelings for four centuries!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As with the previous books t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he layers of her 450 years are described with intimate details for each period that make you feel for a moment in time that you were there, Beautifully written and so unique this is a series I have thoroughly enjoyed and can highly recommend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No matter the series, I can't wait to see what Cate delivers next.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a more in-depth look at the Immortal Beloved series check out my previous review <a href="http://amberpetith.blogspot.com.au/2011/04/immortality-at-price.html" target="_blank">here</a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-63869695425082627612014-03-04T23:26:00.002+11:002014-07-18T18:09:35.838+10:00The World… After. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">World After - Susan Ee</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Available Now </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reading a great book is like gazing into a beautiful painting for so long that you begin to see yourself reflected within, as no doubt was the artist's intention - to make the unfamiliar familiar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For those of you who headed my advise on the first brilliant book in this series then like me you are no doubt eagerly awaiting the next instalment…well the wait is blessedly over, now Penryn's story continues with gusto!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lF2AhKOPOYPnAPbfJgmgr6i0kwo8eU4O0__WtHkeaA_wlGPFOBXxZDUaGEeHDFmToYhUQAI7doYYuV7WwzquRwG0oEW6RKMYsgRyn_FVcNRj3Rs3qnK37dEMLqJWZUx1KeMoit5q3-UD/s1600/wa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lF2AhKOPOYPnAPbfJgmgr6i0kwo8eU4O0__WtHkeaA_wlGPFOBXxZDUaGEeHDFmToYhUQAI7doYYuV7WwzquRwG0oEW6RKMYsgRyn_FVcNRj3Rs3qnK37dEMLqJWZUx1KeMoit5q3-UD/s320/wa2.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sadly answers are few and far between but there are plenty more questions with book 2 loosing none of the momentum built in the first as it charges revealing more horrors the 'angels' plan to unleash upon us. The tenuous relationship between Raffe and Penryn continues to grow as the line between friend and enemy blurs further however, if you are hoping for a soppy explosion of heartfelt D&M's at their reunion then let me burst that bubble for you now! but I think that's for the best as it allows the characters to focus on whats most important and find strength within themselves. As with the continued strength in the characters this story has everything I adored in Book 1, the action, suspense, humour and grotesque are all combined so beautifully making it ridiculously easy to read - so savour it while you can, I think it will be a long wait for the answers we seek in the grand finale. </span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-28910249868648683032013-11-01T17:36:00.001+11:002013-11-01T17:36:25.278+11:00Sci-fi fun for anyone!<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The Conquest - Jennifer Ridyard/John Connolly</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Available Now - New this month!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A brilliant and complex Sci-fi that will have you on the edge of your seat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Set in Scotland after the strangely sedate take over of our planet by an alien contingent where they arrived and hovered over us for a matter of weeks as they just sat and watched as our carefully constructed society crumbled in the face of possible invasion. Then as everything fell into chaos they dealt Earth a final (and come to think of it, first) blow, cutting of the power and disabling the internet. Amazing what mass-hysteria can do huh? So now Earth is governed by the Illyri, an alien race not too dissimilar from our own and it is from their perspective strangely that the bulk of the story is told. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What I loved most was the continual evolution in the plot, just when you think you have it all figured out the story reveals another interesting and relevant tangent, not merely a distraction but a further plot point introduced and explained perfectly with a delicate balance of information, tone and suspense... to give you more detail would give too much away, so I will just say its action, adventure, intrigue and a dash of romance all wrapped up in one pleasing package and I cant wait to see what surprises book 2 will no doubt bring!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Which do you prefer? Ours is the one on the left...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6550688618319486119.post-28825714233544212202013-10-25T17:51:00.000+11:002013-10-25T17:51:54.782+11:00Cyberspace thriller<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The Eye of Minds - James Dashner</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Available this month</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Mortality Doctrine series is a cyber thriller that would easily appeal to guys and girls alike.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb54TW_csurY4BYIvxUaIsLx8Pv0QzaLIm7PWCo_sneeV-o1jPH2L42ylLPCx-EUQ5pzEyy081-Oox-o67EkUS0GioCj8VTKfS-tgknRh_Zc2-AJqRZAs8aHcCvx1BiQRa8ZxM4WvHohd3/s1600/The+Eye+of+Minds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb54TW_csurY4BYIvxUaIsLx8Pv0QzaLIm7PWCo_sneeV-o1jPH2L42ylLPCx-EUQ5pzEyy081-Oox-o67EkUS0GioCj8VTKfS-tgknRh_Zc2-AJqRZAs8aHcCvx1BiQRa8ZxM4WvHohd3/s320/The+Eye+of+Minds.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Set in a reality that could easily be our not too distant future where gaming has been taken to a whole new level. The "Virtnet" is entered via a virtual simulation pod know affectionately as coffins, once hooked up and synced in everything you experience inside the virtnet is unbelievably real, even pain receptors can be programed to make it feel as realistically painful as you can handle, given the many horrific and imaginative ways one can get hurt or killed in games this is a pretty scary prospect!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our protagonist Michael stumbles across a sinister plot that threatens to destroy his entire way of life, given very little option but to see out what he unwittingly started Michael and his two closest friends find themselves thrust into a world within the virtnet beyond comprehension - even for high level hackers like themselves. Epic online adventure ensues with an ending that will blow your mind and leave you thinking "Whaaa?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are quite a few loose ends leftover and some pieces of the puzzle that just didn't quite add up for me so I'm very interested to see how James will bring it all together in the remainder of the series. </span><br />
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