Tempest Giveaway

I've been lucky enough to be reading lots of great books lately. One of my favorite things to do with books I love is share them with others. Luckily, I have that opportunity right now. I'm going to give away my ARC of Tempest!

That's right. My very own, beautiful Tempest ARC is going to one lucky reader.

All you have to do is use the Rafflecopter below. You can do any or all of the things listed to enter. The giveaway starts at 12:01am on Nov. 1 and ends at 12:01am on Nov. 8, so you have 7 days to enter this giveaway.

Good luck!

Update:  Congratulations to sarabara081! Thanks to everyone who entered and participated.

In My Mailbox #8

Books come in waves, I swear. The last two weeks were a little slower and I was hoping to catch up a bit. No way. This week's In My Mailbox (IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren) is another large week. I've got so much to read, I think I'm refraining from putting anything on hold at the library for awhile. :( I need to get back on track! :D

ARC Tours

The Future of Us by Jay Asher & Carolyn Mackler

Jessica Rules the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton

Notes From an Accidental Band Geek by Erin Dionne

Galleys

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman

Red Heart Tattoo by Luriene McDaniel

Won

Skyship Academy: The Pearl Wars by Nick James

Library

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Suggestion Saturday

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Time to read, read, read!

Review: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake

Title: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Publisher: Tor Teen (August 30, 2011)
Source: My choice; Library

From GoodReads: 

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

I loved everything about this book. Seriously. Everything. The cover is perfect. The title so catchy and well suited to the story. Even the inside of the book is aweworthy. The text isn't black, but a very deep red (blood red, shall we say?).

And that's not even saying anything about the writing itself.

As an aspiring writer, I read agents and editors say they are looking for something different. Something that takes the usual storyline or plot and turns it on its head. Anna Dressed in Blood is the definition of this concept. It's not your typical romance or even your typical ghost story. The plot is so different and unique, I had to keep turning the page to find out what would happen. I couldn't guess.

Then there's the voice. I love stories told in an authentic boy's POV because it's not as common in YA. Kendare Blake does a great job with this. It's snarky, it's strong, and it has what I would consider to be some typical boy thoughts (though, I'm not a boy, so what do I know?). More than that, it's a headspace that I want to share for an entire novel...and more. Although the ending was enough of a conclusion for the story, I really hope Blake continues this story with future books.

If you like strong writing, an original story, and some fantasy/paranormal elements (we are talking about ghosts here), this book is for you. The only hesitation I have in recommending to everyone is that it is a little creepy. Personally, I loved the creepiness, but not everyone likes that. If you're very sensitive to creepiness, you might want to think twice about picking up this book. It contains some creepy content, but I wouldn't consider it gory. Most of the more gruesome things brought up is left up to your imagination to fill in the details.

Ghosts, witches, creepiness, death, and blood...makes for the perfect Halloween read.

Final thoughts:  Buy it now!

Recap: October 24-28

Leading up to Halloween, this week is Spooky Reads Week. All recommendations contain some element of spooky or creepy, with a focus on fantastical creepy creatures (because honestly, that's what I love to read. :D)

DEARLY DEPARTED by Lia Habel

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie? 

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses. 

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Review:  Unexpected mix of characters, creatures, cultures, and romance. LOVED it!

I highly recommend DEARLY DEPARTED by Lia Habel to anyone who likes fantasy, romance, or historical books. 


DARK SOULS by Paula Morris

Welcome to York, England. 
Mist lingers in the streets. 
Narrow buildings cast long shadows. 
This is the most haunted city in the world. . . . 

Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won't run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . . 

Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York's hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy -- one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York's haunted souls? 

Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous -- and deadly -- is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery -- and find redemption.

Review:  The eerie tone and style enhance the spooky nature of the story. Great Halloween read.

I recommend DARK SOULS by Paula Morris to readers looking for a mildly spooky read.


FROSTBITE by Richelle Mead

Rose loves Dimitri, Dimitri might love Tasha, and Mason would die to be with Rose…

It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians—including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if hand-to-hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks… This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.

But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price…

Review:  Kickbutt heroine + Kickbutt storyline = Kickbutt book.

I highly recommend FROSTBITE by Richelle Mead to fans of fantasy, vampires, romance, or just plain good books.


FATEFUL by Claudia Gray

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets.... 

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over. 

Featuring the opulent backdrop of the Titanic, Fateful’s publication is poised to coincide with the 100-year anniversary of the ship’s doomed maiden voyage. It is sure to be a hit among Titanic buffs and fans of paranormal romance alike.

Review:  Completely captivating.

I highly recommend FATEFUL by Claudia Gray to fans of paranormal, romance, OR historical fiction.


THE MEPHISTO COVENANT by Trinity Faegan

Sasha is desperate to find out who murdered her father. When getting the answer means pledging her soul to Eryx, she unlocks a secret that puts her in grave danger—Sasha is Anabo, a daughter of Eve, and Eryx’s biggest threat. 

A son of Hell, immortal, and bound to Earth forever, Jax looks for redemption in the Mephisto Covenant—God’s promise he will find peace in the love of an Anabo. After a thousand years, he’s finally found the girl he’s been searching for: Sasha. 

With the threat of Eryx looming, Jax has to keep Sasha safe and win her over. But can he? Will Sasha love him and give up her mortal life?

Review:  THE MEPHISTO COVENANT was addictive. I didn't want to put it down.

I recommend THE MEPHISTO COVENANT by Trinity Faegan to fans of romance. Bonus points for fantasy.

*Summaries provided by GoodReads

Review: Fateful by Claudia Gray

Title: Fateful
Author: Claudia Gray
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 13, 2011)
Source: My Choice; Library

From GoodReads: 

In Fateful, eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, overbearing family she works for. Once the ship they’re sailing on reaches the United States, she’ll strike out on her own. Then she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets.... 

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves are real and they’re stalking him—and now Tess, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over. 

As soon as I read the synopsis for Fateful, I knew I had to read it. I'm completely drawn in by anything Titanic. I've seen movies, watched documentaries, read books...I'd probably be a complete Titanic nut if I had more free time. And I'm not just drawn in by the tragic romance stories about the Titanic. This might sound a little weird, but I'm really drawn to anything that makes me feel. Doesn't matter whether it makes me feel euphoric or tragically depressed, if it makes me feel, I want to be experience it. (Spoken like a true therapist, right?)

Regardless of the setting, Claudia Gray's writing took me in immediately. I've never read one of her previous books, but Fateful makes me want to go snatch up her other titles. Not only was she able to capture the story and characters, but she did so in a voice that felt very authentic for the time period. That's not easy to do.

Even though I knew the story took place on the Titanic, I almost completely forgot this fact as I was reading. There isn't any noticeable foreshadowing to the event and the paranormal storyline is so complete, I didn't think about it while reading. Only when the diary-esque headings appeared did I remember we were reading a countdown to the sinking.

Combining this historic event with a paranormal story was genius. It was like a story within a story. All readers know what will happen on the ship, but that doesn't happen till the end. In the mean time, there's this awesome paranormal stuff going on until the iceberg disrupts everything. This helped in a couple ways. First, that's how it would have happened. The passengers on the ship had no idea what would happen, so they lived their lives normally until that very moment. Two, it gave us the opportunity to engage in an intriguing paranormal endeavor. This story could have stood on it's own given a different setting.

At different points, I couldn't help picturing the movie in my head, but Gray smartly strayed from making her love story similar to the popular film. Certain references and moments might bring you back to the movie, but that's because this is a true historic event being written about. Of course there will be similarities between two types of media creating a fictional story around the same historic event.

As a whole, this was a fantastic read. If you like historical, paranormal, or romance, you should give this a try. Even if you don't like one of those three elements, you're still likely to enjoy the book if you like one or two.

Overall thoughts:  Buy it. If hesitant, at least borrow it because it's worth the read. 

Writer Wednesday: NaNoWriMo

For those of you who don't know, November is National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWritMo. Writers from all over attempt to start and finish a novel within these short 30 days. It's crazy. It's wonderful. It's something that I can not do! (Although, I may turn it into NaFiDisMo, aka National Finish my Dissertation Month...wait, wasn't that supposed to be August? :/ )

Anyway, I want to give a shout out to anyone attempting this crazy task. If you plan on doing it, make a comment telling me about your project (if you're participating in forums, feel free to share the link). Or, tell me about a time you've done this in the past. Did it work? Were you able to finish? How exhausting was it?

I'd love to know. Even though I can't participate this year, I think it's something I might like to try in the future. :D

For now, I'll sit on the sidelines and cheer everyone else on. Write, write, write!

Teaser Tuesday: The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Knight
Author: Julie Kagawa
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (October 25, 2011)
Source: NetGalley

From GoodReads: 

Ash, former prince of the Winter Court, gave up everything. His title, his home, even his vow of loyalty. All for a girl… and all for nothing.

Unless he can earn a soul. 

To cold, emotionless faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought. 

Then Meghan Chase—a half human, half fey slip of a girl— smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive. 

With the (unwelcome) company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end— a quest to find a way to honor his solemn vow to stand by Meghan’s side. 

To survive in the Iron realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. At least, no one has ever passed to tell the tale. 

And then Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that turns reality upside down, challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa is so satisfying. I read the first three in the series a few months ago and couldn't wait to slip back into the Iron Fey world. Kagawa's writing helped me do that right from the first page.

The Iron Knight is the first book told outside of Meghan's perspective. I have to say, Ash was an excellent point of view choice. It's no secret that I'm a huge Puck fan, but that's not to say I don't also adore Prince Ash. Getting into his head was beyond interesting. We got to learn more about his past and how his Unseelie heritage effects him. We also have the opportunity to see exactly how he thinks about Meghan (and Puck, for that matter).

Personally, I could not get enough of the Puck-Ash interactions. The two of them together are brilliant. I love the back-and-forth bickering and death threats. The fighting, the laughing, and -- when completely necessary -- the comraderie and teamwork. They are an excellent dyad.

Something that surprised me about The Iron Knight was the exploration into humanity. Ash's quest leads him to consider the differences between fey and humans, and what it would be like to give up his immortality. Then, he needs to decide whether or not he still wants to make that choice.

Final thoughts:  Buy it. Totally worth it. 

In My Mailbox #7

It's another slower week (thank goodness!) for In My Mailbox (IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren). I really need to catch up on my reading list. :D

Galleys

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Library

Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
Brooklyn Burning by Steve Brezenoff
You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Won

Tempest by Julie Cross

Suggestion Saturday

The Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck (kristinashields & Nikki_Wang)
Red by Kait Nolan (BeccaBell9)
Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Nikki_Wang)
The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa (Nikki_Wang)

Happy reading!

Recap: October 17-21

Here are this week's twitter recommendations:

THE HAUNTED by Jessica Verday

An impossible truth. An impossible love.

After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with—the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead—Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, ready to leave the ghosts of her past behind.

She throws herself into her schoolwork, her perfume-making, and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be her ticket to getting over Caspian once and for all.

But Abbey can never get over Caspian, and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side, for Caspian is a Shade, and Abbey is his destiny.

They are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow, and to the famous legend that binds their fates—a legend whose dark truths they are only beginning to guess....

Review:  Beautiful, haunted storytelling.

I recommend THE HAUNTED by Jessica Verday to fans of romance, paranormal elements, and books with unique feels.


LEAVING PARADISEby Simone Elkeles

Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.

After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.

Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Review:  Raw emotions, teen angst, and an unlikely romance pull this story along at a gentle but persistent pace. 

I recommend LEAVING PARADISE by Simone Elkeles to readers who like realistic and/or edgy fiction. Bonus points for romance.


THE LAST OLYMPIAN by Rick Riordan

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds of a victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows. 

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time. 

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate. 

Review:  Action-packed ending to a terrific series. 

I recommend THE LAST OLYMPIAN by Rick Riordan to fans of fantasy and/or mythology. Bonus points for boys and middle grade.


VIRTUOSITY by Jessica Martinez

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

Review:  Refreshingly realistic romance with great introspective plot.

I recommend VIRTUOSITY by Jessica Martinez to fans of contemporary fiction, music, or realistic romance.


FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater

The thrilling conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy from Maggie Stievater

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

Review:  Exciting conclusion to a lovely series.

I recommend FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater to anyone interested in romance or werewolves.


*Summaries provided by GoodReads

Review: Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez

Title: Virtuosity
Author: Jessica Martinez
Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 18, 2011)
Source: Simon & Schuster Galley Grab

From GoodReads: 

Now is not the time for Carmen to fall in love. And Jeremy is hands-down the wrong guy for her to fall for. He is infuriating, arrogant, and the only person who can stand in the way of Carmen getting the one thing she wants most: to win the prestigious Guarneri competition. Carmen's whole life is violin, and until she met Jeremy, her whole focus was winning. But what if Jeremy isn't just hot...what if Jeremy is better?

Carmen knows that kissing Jeremy can't end well, but she just can't stay away. Nobody else understands her--and riles her up--like he does. Still, she can't trust him with her biggest secret: She is so desperate to win she takes anti-anxiety drugs to perform, and what started as an easy fix has become a hungry addiction. Carmen is sick of not feeling anything on stage and even more sick of always doing what she’s told, doing what's expected.

Sometimes, being on top just means you have a long way to fall....

When I decided to read Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez, I knew almost nothing about it. I had a picture of the cover and a one sentence summary from Simon & Schuster. That's it.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out this book is about music. As a former band geek, it always excites me to read about music. Since I no longer play an instrument, reading about characters who are so intensely drawn to and involved in music reminds me how much I loved it when I did play. It brings me back to the music in a comforting way.

So, the one-liner from Simon & Schuster made me think this would be a quick romance from a debut author. This is an extremely biased view (and I'm kind of embarrassed to admit it), but I assumed this would be a decent love story with enough plot to get buy on and decent enough writing, but nothing stellar.

Man, do I love it when I'm wrong.

The writing was great. Definitely made me envious while I was reading. :D The story was very interesting and different than I expected. There was a romantic thread throughout the book, but it wasn't a head-over-heels, falling-madly-in-love type of book. Honestly, if I were to pick the strongest theme in the book, I'd say it was self-discovery. Carmen has to figure out how to manage music in her life and if her future career, goals, and lifestyle are what she wants or are what others expect of her.

The romance was nice too. It was a very realistic portrayal, which I think has become unusual in young adult books. There was a steady back-and-forth between Carmen and Jeremy. Also, they weren't meeting one minute, then trying to desperately claw each other's clothes off the next. I like that type of book too sometimes, but this was a nice, healthy change. :D

Overall, a nice change from the paranormal/fantasy/romance-y type books I'd been reading lately. You don't have to be a big contemporary book fan to like Virtuosity, but it might help if you're into music or like romance (again, not the hot and heavy stuff though).

Final thoughts:  Worth a read. Borrow or buy (depending on your preference for contemporary books).

Welcome!

Last week, I made a plea for a few fellow book lovers who were interested in writing reviews for the site. I'm happy to say I got some responses from truly great people who will be adding their reviews soon. Today, I'd like to introduce Emily, who will be posting the most regularly.

Emily Bedwell is a lover of all things written. She can quote Shakespeare and Maureen Johnson in the same sentence and not think a thing about it. All of her earliest memories involve reading books, writing stories and sharing those stories with others. When she was a teenager, all she wanted to do was read “grown up” books. Now that she’s an adult, she loves nothing more than sitting down with a YA book and getting lost in another time, another place or another world.

Let's all give Emily a huge and warm welcome! I've already read her first review, and let me tell you, it's good stuff. ;) You can reach her at reviewsbyemilyb [at] gmail [dot] com or @emilyrbedwell.

Over the next couple weeks, I'll introduce other reviewers and add a Biography page with all our information. If you are interested in become a reviewer, check out this post, and shoot me an email. 

Teaser Tuesday: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Title: Dearly, Departed
Author: Lia Habel
Publisher: Del Rey (October 18, 2011)
Source: My Choice; Purchased

From GoodReads:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

In Dearly, Departed, romance meets walking-dead thriller, spawning a madly imaginative novel of rip-roaring adventure, spine-tingling suspense, and macabre comedy that forever redefines the concept of undying love.

Hold onto your pants people. Your mind is about to be blown. We're talking about a freaking zombie romance, for Tod's sake.

And that's exactly why I picked up this book (the beautiful cover doesn't hurt). I heard "zombie romance" and thought, "Huh?" Curiosity more than anything else made me pick up Dearly, Departed and I can't even begin to tell you how glad I am that I did (though, you know, this is a review, so I'll try).

Lia Habel is a genius meets mad scientist meets hopeless romantic. How she was able to conceive the idea for this book and carry it out so elegantly is far beyond my measly brain powers. If I were a zombie, her brain is the first I'd eat because there's obviously some good stuff going on up there.

Okay, enough build-up. Let's get to it.

I loved this book. It combined the best elements of several different types of stories. The Victorian angle gave it a great historical feel. But we're not in the Victorian era. We're in the New Victorian era complete with new technology and enough gadgets to make sci-fi readers smile. Plus, there's zombies, so fantasy and horror fans get their fill of flesh-eating undead creating havoc and mayhem all over the place. But then there are the zombified humans who keep their personalities and brain power. The ones that are kind and concerned and would never want to eat someone. The kind that can produce a good romance, though there won't be a lot going on physically (and, since it's an age of modesty, this is all very fitting).

And you know what makes this book really great? It combines all those elements flawlessly with terrific writing and engaging storytelling. There is so much going on, from all the elements described above to the intricacies of the actual plot (which I'm not even going to begin to try to explain), yet, the book flows. Even with all the little pieces to put into place, I never felt lost. I also could never quite anticipate what was coming next either.

Using several points of view can either make or break a book. Dearly, Departed proves just how effective this technique can be. We're not just in Bram and Nora's head either. We get into a whole slew of characters, which provides for richer storytelling. We can see what's going on with the rest of the world while Bram and Nora are where they are (no spoilers here people).

I think I need to stop gushing now or I'll never be able to stop.

Overall, I didn't know what to expect, but Dearly, Departed knocked my socks off. I can't wait for Dearly, Beloved.

Final thoughts:  Buy it. Now.

In My Mailbox #6

It's time for another In My Mailbox. (IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.) Thankfully, this week is a slow week for books. I have soooo many to catch up on and I'll be out of town this weekend. :)

Here's what I've got:

Galleys

Fractured Light by Rachel McClellan

Library

What Happened to Goodbye By Sarah Dessen

Purchased

Awake at Dawn by C. C. Hunter

Suggestion Saturday

Messenger by Lois Lowry
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Cinder by Marissa Meyer*
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

*This book has not yet been released. 

Bonus Post: I Become a Complete FanGirl

I usually don't post on Sunday, but I think an announcement as big as this requires it.

...

Ready?

...

I'm in LOVE! 

Absolutely, adoringly, disgustingly, nauseatingly in love with Forever Young Adult. I don't know how I hadn't found their website before, but oh my Tod, I'm glad I found it now. It covers the the best of YA literature, plus all related mediums (ie, young adult books made into films and television shows).

Aaaaaand...they have a super sassy voice that covers the sophistication of adulthood (*snort*) with the quick tongue of the young. I love that their bio pics include them reading a young adult book with adult beverages at hand. That's just downright amusing.

Plus, they have one of the most original and useful (um, and hilarious!) rating scales ever. You need to check them out.

Seriously.

Recap: October 11-14

Happy Columbus Day Week! Here are your twitter recommendations:

IF I DIE by Rachel Vincent

The entire school's talking about the gorgeous new math teacher, Mr. Beck. Everyone except Kaylee Cavanaugh. After all, Kaylee's no ordinary high-school junior. She's a banshee—she screams when someone dies. 

But the next scream might be for Kaylee. 

Yeah—it's a shock to her, too. So to distract herself, Kaylee's going to save every girl in school. Because that hot new teacher is really an incubus who feeds on the desire of unsuspecting students. The only girls immune to his lure are Kaylee and Sabine, her boyfriend's needy ex-girlfriend. Now the unlikely allies have to get rid of Mr. Beck…before he discovers they aren't quite human, either. 

But Kaylee's borrowed lifeline is nearing its end. And those who care about her will do anything to save her life. 

Anything.

Review:  The most adrenaline-rushing, heart pounding, holy-Tod-what's-going-to-happen-next? book in the series. 

I highly recommend IF I DIE by Rachel Vincent to fans of fantasy and/or romance (you don't need to be fans of both). 


THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee -- whose thoughts Todd can hear too, whether he wants to or not -- stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden -- a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives. 

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought?

Review:  A standout book with a very unique voice and style.

I recommend THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO by Patrick Ness to fans of fantasy/sci-fi.


TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic. 

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior - to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Review:  Pure genius. 

I highly recommend TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD by Harper Lee to everyone. Seriously, everyone. It's incredible.


THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE by Maureen Johnson

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.

Review:  Quirky and insightful. A lovely heartfelt read.

I recommend THE LAST LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPE by Maureen Johnson to anyone looking for an enjoyable with insightful narration.

*Summaries provided by GoodReads.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Title: Wolfsbane
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (July 26, 2011)
Source: My Choice; Purchased

From GoodReads:

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

I'm usually not a fan of a series changing the covers partway through, but holy hotness, this cover is good. If that doesn't say sexy she-wolf, I don't know what does. 

I am a huge fan of Nightshade. Huge. Because Andrea Cremer had such an amazing debut, I knew it would be hard to live up to. Wolfsbane did more than a respectable job, but I definitely prefer the first book. 

Wolfsbane takes the reader into the aftermath of Nightshade. It's almost like we're in a whole different world with different characters, rules, social structure, and history. It's very interesting to learn about "the other side" and see if we can determine "the truth" right along with Calla. Even more interesting, Calla is on this path of discovery with Shay, who seems to be caught between the two worlds himself, never truly belonging to either one.  

One of the things that stood out to me the most about Nightshade was how sexy the whole book was. Wolfsbane had sexy moments, but the whole book wasn't infused with sex like Nightshade. Each reader can determine whether this is a good or a bad thing, based on personal preference.

At the beginning, it was hard not having the wolf packs involved. I had grown to love so many of the characters and I missed them when they weren't present. I won't give away plot details, but I will say that my heart ached for some of them and I became extremely pissed at others.

Wolfsbane is a good second book to the series and I am super excited for Bloodrose. 

Overall thoughts: Buy it.

Help Wanted: Awesome Book Lovers

I started this blog last May as a way to keep track of all my twitter recommendations. Since then, it has grown into a full-fledged book blog. I love writing reviews and getting the word out about great new books, but there is only so much time in a day. I'd really like to be able to get more reviews per week on this blog, but I need your help!

If you are someone who would be interested in contributing book reviews to this blog, shoot me an email at yabotd [at] gmail [dot] com with the subject: REVIEWER. Here's what I'd like to know:

• Within YA, what genres do you read?
• How many books do you read each week or month?
• How many reviews could you write each week or month? (Please be honest here. I'm not necessarily looking for the person who can write the most reviews. Just someone who can be relatively consistent.)
• What's your favorite book? Favorite author? Favorite book you've read this year?
• Why would you like to become a reviewer? (This is not a test. Just pure curiosity. :D)

If you have a sample review, you can send it my way as well. :D

Review: The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson

Title: The Last Little Blue Envelope
Author: Maureen Johnson
Publisher: HarperTeen (April 26, 2011)
Source: My Choice; Library

From GoodReads: 

Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack—and the last little blue envelope inside—she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure—one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions.

I love Maureen Johnson. Her books are quirky, insightful, and unexpected. Her online personality is so quirky it borders on bizarre (what am I kidding, she's well past bizarre). I always find anything she has written interesting, whether it's hilarious tweets, informative blog posts, an insightful novel, or passionate statements about the YA book world.

Sooo...it's really no surprise that I loved this book. In 13 Little Blue Envelopes, we went on a journey with Ginny through her deceased Aunt Peg's letters. We got through 12 of them, not only learning about Aunt Peg, but gaining insight into life, love, and what it means to truly be alive. I adored that book and wasn't sure what to expect with The Last Little Blue Envelope. In the previous novel, we had gone through 12 letters. Now, we only had one. What could possibly take so long, and how could it live up to the previous story?

Well, I won't get into the details, but let's just say...it did. The Last Little Blue Envelope was as heartwarming and insightful (*I think that's the word of the day*) as the first. We learn more about Ginny and how the first experience changed her. Then, we watch as she continues to change through her final journey with Aunt Peg.

The concept that things are always changing and you can't have the same experience twice was explored. This was very literal in the sense that they revisited a few stops from the previous adventure, but it also related to people and relationships. Places change, people change, you change. And change isn't bad, it's just change.

I'm not articulate enough to really say exactly how this book touched me, but let me say I will read anything Maureen Johnson writes.

Overall thoughts: Read it. I don't care if you buy, borrow, or steal. (Okay, that's a lie. You probably shouldn't steal it.)

In My Mailbox #5

Creating the In My Mailbox posts made me realize just how many books I acquire each week. It's crazy. No wonder my reading pile is so large! Here are all the awesome books that came my way this week:

ARC Tours

Fix Me by Rune Michaels

Galleys

Legacy by Molly Cochran
The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
Virtuosity by Jessica Martinez
Same-Sex Marriage by Tricia Andryszewski (nonfiction)
Diabetes by Marlene Targ Brill (nonfiction)

Library

Wildefire by Karsten Knight
Enthralled:  Paranormal Diversions by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Purchased

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness & Jim Kay
Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

Suggestion Saturday*

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Jekel Loves Hyde by Beth Fantaskey
Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
Out for Blood by Alyxandra Harvey
Blood Feud by Alyxandra Harvey
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Whew! That's a lot of books. You can keep track of where I am on my Reading Pile by watching the widget to the right --> I update it every weekend, taking down the ones I finished and putting up the next batch. (Though, there are times when I receive an ARC & have to read it within the week, so it never officially ends up on the widget.)

*The italicized books are ones that have already been recommended as YA Books of the Day. :D