Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Download Wake by Lisa McMann for Free!

So, I just finished Gone--the final installment in the Wake trilogy--and knew I had to get you guys just as hooked! So, I just found out that you can read Wake for free, and knew I had to get you to read it as well. You will not regret it!

Click on the image below to start your free read:
(priviledge expires tomorrow 12/31)


WAKE
By Lisa McMann


Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody- notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....


LiLi

Friday, December 25, 2009

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Published: December 22nd 2009 by Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Hardcover, 240 pages
ISBN: 1599904306

ISBN13: 9781599904306

Nimira is a music-hall performer forced to dance for pennies to an audience of leering drunks. When wealthy sorcerer Hollin Parry hires her to do a special act - singing accompaniment to an exquisite piano-playing automaton, Nimira believes it is the start of a new life. In Parry's world, however, buried secrets stir. Unsettling below-stairs rumours abound about ghosts, a mad woman roaming the halls, and of Parry's involvement in a gang of ruthless sorcerers who torture fairies for sport. When Nimira discovers the spirit of a dashing young fairy gentleman is trapped inside the automaton's stiff limbs, waiting for someone to break the curse and set him free, the two fall in love. But it is a love set against a dreadful race against time to save the entire fairy realm, which is in mortal peril.

Review:

Now, I have to say that although Magic Under Glass was not very captivating with its characters, it was fascinating to say the least. I really thought that just the title itself, hinted at the true meaning and purpose of the novel. Even for its characters, it seems that they had some force lying under their skin that they soon realized needed to be set free. I say this for most of the characters that Nimira came in contact with--and in the end, Nimira--herself find a hidden strength that builds from start to finish. For example, I expected the main sorcerer of this novel, Hollin Parry, to be more antagonizing and disputable, but he really did have a lot bottled up from years of being under an even more powerful wizard's thumb. Frankly, all he needed was that extra little push to set him straight.
However, I believe that Dolamore really tried to build a romantic relationship in the strains and hopelessness between Nimira and Erris. Somehow, I thought with more information shared between the singer and automaton the love between them could have been even more empathizing. With the short length that was the novel, I believe that their relationship and escapades with somewhat false and disbelieving. I wished for a more detailed and passioned hopelessness that would have had me near tears. It seemed that with a clockwork male role in the relationship there would have been more time to explore the restraints he had, and had dealt with for the past thirty years.
The ending and concluding of the story seemed inevitable of how it turned out--with a happy ending--and what a happy ending it was, but I wish it wasn't so rushed into. I hoped that Nimira and Erris could find something deeper between them when he could finally speak.
Recommended to all fairy-tale old-age lovin' YAs out there that enjoy a little magic in all romances.

Grade: B-
LiLi

This ARC of Magic Under Glass was provided by the Publishers at Bloomsbury USA Children's Books.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Squeeeeeee! Lisa McMann! Squeeeeeee!

Lisa McMann.....coming.....here! Squeee!!!!!!!!!! Lol! She just posted about her 14-city Gone tour, and although it may be in Febuary, I could not stop squealing when I saw the fourth to last listing on her visits. OMG!!!! She's coming to a bookstore that is less than 5 minutes from my house. HELLO! WOW! Okay, squeal-fest over. *panting from exhilaration*

Monday, December 21, 2009

Secret Santa (Thank you!) Edited!

I love my Secret Santa to bits, because even though this book is not on my wishlist it sounds fantastic! The journal and card she also sent me all had to do with the fact that this book is fantasy and that she read it when she was around my age so that's what inspired her to write. Hence the journal, where she states in her letter that she hopes it will inspire me as well!

Thank you so much, Leslie. Everyone should check out her blog!

I know I participated in two Secret Santa operations, so I'm not sure which one was Leslie from. If you read this, L, I hope you comment and let me know so I can link back to the website that organized the whole thing. Thanks again!

Okay, so this one was for Kate @ The Neverending Shelf! Thanks for telling me, Lu! I hope everything works out, Gayle.

LiLi

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay


Published: November 24th 2009 by Pocket
Details: Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
ISBN: 1439109656
ISBN13: 9781439109656


Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.
Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.


Review:

Charlie Madigan will not admit defeat. However, she will plead to ignorance and denial when it comes to dealing with anything to emotionally nerve-wracking that she can't handle at the moment. Notice that those moments tend to build and eventually she'll have to potentially combust.
Growing up with two loving parents and two caring siblings, it's not hard to imagine the pain and ignorance Charlie suffered with when her twin brother was killed in a car accident. However, that was a past pain and right now she has plenty more to deal with. Charlie had a "near-death experience" eight months ago, and the nightmares have been nothing but a constant reminder. The war of emotions fighting in her body, the detachment and secrecy toward her loved-ones, you would imagine that nothing could make things worse in Charlie's day-to-day life. And that's where you'd be wrong.
See, those nightmares have a hidden message. A message that soon becomes clear and repulsing, that Charlie has to finally turn to others for help. She can't do it by herself; not anymore. So many decisions to make, so many betrayals and traitors in her midst. Through the whole procession of events Charlie must keep her cool, because the Abbadon elder, that's the leading role in her nightmare, has just taken things to a whole other level.
Will Charlie have time to save her daughter and her world? Or will she arrive, once again, too late?
With the help of her partner Hank, younger mage sister Bryn, a Revenant called Rex, and a Magnus mage Aaron, Charlie will take you through the most emotional rollercoasters she's ever experienced, and the most kicking-ass battles as well. You won't want to miss a thing, because Charlie's story has only just begun.

Oh my gosh. This one is going to be legendary people, in history books, I tell you. I loved the author's smoothly crafted worlds clashing with the human world. The structure and effort into all the little details was so impressive. Not even mentioning the intensity of the relationships between all the characters, good and evil. The Better Part of Darkness is like nothing you've ever experienced in the UF genre, and trust me, I've read the down and dirty has well as the high and mighty when it comes to this genre. I may be a YA reviewer but urban fantasy is my passion. To see the new debut additions, such as this one, implented into the genre is like a breath of fresh air when done so artistically. I have to say that my favorite parts were the battles and attacks, and the whole fighting for your life mumble-jumble. LOVE IT! The ending was...pure poetry. The ending battle between Mynogan (love his name) the Abbadon elder and Charlie was having me pant right along with her. It did induce some tears here and there but that was inevitable. Conclusively, the published novel also gives you a little slice to the next book in the series and I just could not read it. Could not. As I heard on the television on some random channel, I think, "It's like giving a sip of wine to an alcoholic." Cruel, and wanting.
Recommended to the anyone who believes they're mature enough to get through this beautifully written novel. I can't recommend to a group of people of older age because then I'd be a hypocrite. :P

Grade: A+

LiLi

Monday, December 7, 2009

Winners: Night World Fan Guide Giveaway!

Finally, I am announcing the winners for my Night World Fan Guide Giveaway! YAY! Thank you to everyone who participated...And now, onto the 5 lucky winners:

*Larissa

*Jessy

*Caitlin

*Emily H.

*Stacie V.

Congrats, chicas! I've already sent you an email and hope that you all respond within 72 hours. Thanks again to everyone who entered!
* Responded
LiLi

Thursday, December 3, 2009

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