Cantrip

Cantrip (The Refuge Trilogy, book 2)
by Rebecca McKinnon


pages
Published November 22, 2011


This is a pre-release review! Thanks to the author for letting me read it early.

She spent the summer in The Refuge.
Now, she’s come home.
Within days she realizes:

She wants back in.

Only two things stand in her way. The sister Narissa has protected for years can’t decide if she wants to go with her. And, of course, Narissa has no idea how to return to the splinter reality.

Complicating matters, Narissa discovers she can no longer avoid the problems her unexpected trip allowed her to escape.

Through it all, there’s one thing that keeps her going. She’s not the only person to have left The Refuge.

***

To say I was excited to read this book early is a bit of an understatment. After the cliffhanger ending in book one I just had to know what was going to happen next. The best part: I wasn't disappointed. There were so many things that I liked about Cantrip. Book two offers so much more backstory and I really enjoyed learning more about Narissa and what makes her tick. I also loved the snippets from Kauri that allow us to know what is going on in The Refuge. We get to meet Narissa's sister, and most important we find out who left The Refuge with her!

5/5 stars

Friday Feature: The Secret Garden

Friday Feature is where we share books we love that have been out for several years. We don't want these treasures to get lost just because they aren't babies anymore!



The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett

331 pages
First Published in 1911

A ten-year-old orphan comes to live in a lonely house on the Yorkshire moors where she discovers an invalid cousin and the mysteries of a locked garden.

Burnett's classic story of a disagreeable and self-centered little girl and her equally disagreeable invalid cousin is as real and wise and enthralling now as it was when it was first written over 75 years ago. The strength of her characterizations pulls readers into the story, and the depth inherent in the seemingly simple plot continues to make this sometimes forgotten story as vital to the maturation of young readers as Tom Sawyer and Little Women.

***

While this has always been one of my favorite movies this is the first time I've read the book. I've always been enchanted by the big castles and gardens in Europe, and the descriptions in this book make it all come alive. I love the "Magic!" If you've never read this I highly recommend it.

4/5

The Childe

The Childe (The Childe Series, #1)
by C. A. Cunz

402 pages
Published February 18, 2011

Cat Colvin is pretty much your typical run-of-the-mill teenager growing up in the small port town of Astoria. Sure, she is taller than average, has a mane of fiery red hair that is impossible to tame, is left-handed, and has one eye that is sky blue and one that is amber, but that is where the differences end . . . unless you include the minor detail of her slow metamorphosis into the Childe.

We all know how difficult high school can be, and for Cat Colvin it is no different. Except for the fact she has the daunting task of trying to hide her budding Childe traits as they begin to reveal themselves at the most inopportune times.

This first book in this coming of age fantasy series follows Cat's life through the twists and turns toward finding out what and who she really is. Come and take the plunge with Cat into a world filled with biting humor, darkness, and yes, a few life lessons as well.

* * *

This book was written by a mother/son duo (Carol and Adam), and I have to say I think that's pretty cool. I got the Kindle version without even bothering to read what the story was about! Of course, all it really takes to grab me is a great cover.

When I started reading, my heart sank a little. "Another vampire book? Come on," I thought.

Once I got through the short prologue, things looked up. I loved Cat! She was fantastic, as were many other characters (Cat's somewhat off-the-wall teacher among them). Great parents, brother, friends. . . .

The story itself kept me totally entertained, and I look forward to the next book!

There was one drawback, however: there were typos. Just a warning to those of you out there who cringe every time they see one!


4/5 stars

Teaser Tuesdays (10)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:

"However much the Magic works I shall not be a prize-fighter. I shall be a Scientific Discoverer."

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Leave a post with a link to your TT, or, if you don't have a blog, post your teaser right in the comments!

Steel

Steel
by Carrie Vaughn

294 pages
Published March 1, 2011


It was a slender length of rusted steel, tapered to a point at one end and jagged at the other, as if it had broken. A thousand people would step over it and think it trash, but not her.
This was the tip of a rapier.

Sixteen-year-old Jill has fought in dozens of fencing tournaments, but she has never held a sharpened blade. When she finds a corroded sword piece on a Caribbean beach, she is instantly intrigued and pockets it as her own personal treasure.
The broken tip holds secrets, though, and it transports Jill through time to the deck of a pirate ship. Stranded in the past and surrounded by strangers, she is forced to sign on as crew. But a pirate's life is bloody and brief, and as Jill learns about the dark magic that brought her there, she forms a desperate scheme to get home—one that risks everything in a duel to the death with a villainous pirate captain.
Time travel, swordplay, and romance combine in an original high-seas adventure from New York Times bestseller Carrie Vaughn.

* * *

Oh. My. Bloody. PIRATES!!!!!

Ships. Adventure. Sword fights. Dark magic. Revenge.

Don't you just love this cover? Of course, I'm a sucker for cool-looking swords. And, in case you couldn't guess, I just adore a good pirate tale.

What makes a good pirate tale? Research. Skill. In my opinion, the best ones are at least based on history, not just a romanticized ideal. This book is, by far, the best pirate adventure I've read in years.

I want to see this become a movie. I want to own this book, instead of just borrow it from the library every couple of weeks, because I am SO going to read it a thousand times.

My one complaint? I WANT MORE.

5/5 stars

Christy

by Catherine Marshall

School & Library Binding, 0 pages

Published October 1st 1999 by Tandem Library (first published 1967)

Christy Huddleston is a young woman with a big dream. She wants her life to count for something more than just pretty clothes and fancy teas. So when a missionary visits her church and describes the poverty of the hillbillies in the Great Smoky Mountains, she jumps at the chance to teach school to the mountain children.

***

Christy is one of my all-time favorite books. It's the story of a young girl who chooses to go from a life of ease to one of work and new experiences. Having led a protected life, it's a struggle for her to adjust to seeing a culture and people in a harsh environment. She learns a lot about herself while helping those around her. It's one of those books I just keep coming back to again and again!

5/5 stars

Insight

Insight (Beholders, #1)
by Terron James

341 pages
Published July 30, 2011

Rumors are surging through Appernysia that a Beholder has been born, the first wielder of True Sight in over a millennium.

Seventeen-year-old Lon Marcs discovers he has been blessed—or cursed—with this gift. He cannot control the power of True Sight and feels it killing him with each passing day. After months of desperate attempts to survive, Lon’s situation becomes more hopeless. He realizes that the only people who might possess the knowledge to save his life are the sworn enemies of his king. To obtain their help, Lon would have to leave behind his family and beloved Kaylen.

Although this is the hardest decision Lon has ever made, it is only the first of many that will test his strength and challenge his interpretation of right and wrong.

* * *

This was an interesting read. I have to admit, it didn't hold my attention at first, and I'm not sure why. However, as I got into it, I found myself more involved with the story.

The story is mainly about Lon, but I wish there was more of Kaylen and Mellai---although, from the ending of the book, my guess is that the next book will be about Mellai, so that makes me happy. ;)

Like any good high fantasy, we have a protagonist with an internal struggle, a desire to improve things, something that sets him apart from those around him, and a quest. All the characters are believable and likeable (or hate-able, as the case may be). The "enemy" isn't evil, they just have a different view of how things should be. The history of this world is well thought out.

My favorite part? The last 8 lines.

4/5 stars

Tiger's Voyage

Tiger's Voyage
by Colleen Houck

560 pages
Published Nov. 1, 2011

The third book in the gripping Tiger's Curse series!

With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.

Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIger's Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.

This fast-paced novel includes a sneak peek at Tiger's Destiny (Book 4) and a smartphone Tag code on the back cover that links to the series website.

* * *

If you aren't already reading this series, you need to start. It's one of the best series to come along in a very long time.


I'm hesitant to say too much, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone. Suffice it to say, I NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO ABOUT IT! Jillinda got me started on these books, and I've become a bit obsessed . . . a bit of a fanatic.

This third book dealt with so much emotional turmoil. I was a nervous wreck reading it---I wanted to wring a certain person's neck, push him off the yacht, or at least make him go back to being in tiger form all the time. Another character won my heart with his caring patience, unconditional love and willingness to put Kelsey's needs and wants before his own. Oh, and I LOVED the scuba instructor. Mr. Kadam is a sweetheart, and Nilima an angel. I was so upset at the end, I wanted to scream.

It's an emotional roller coaster I wouldn't have missed for the world!

5/5 stars

Teaser Tuesdays (9)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:
"Dear Stanford Admission Community---
My name is Fisher Bas, and although I have not yet taken my sats---or even entered high school---I would like to once again petition seriously and earnestly to be admitted to your undergraduate program . . .
---College application, third attempt"


Popular Clone, by M. E. Castle
(To be released January 24, 2012)


Leave a post with a link to your TT, or, if you don't have a blog, post your teaser right in the comments!

Geek Girl

Geek Girl
by Cindy C. Bennett

318 pages
Published December, 2011

This book was originally self-published, but has been picked up by Cedar Fort Publishing. Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for letting us read it in exchange for an honest review!

"Think I can turn that boy bad?" 17-year-old Jen turns her life upside down when, out of boredom, she makes a bet that she can turn school geek Trevor into someone like her. Instead, the goth girl finds herself sucked into his world of sci-fi movies, charity work, and even-ugh!-bowling. To truly belong with him-and with her new foster family-she must first come to terms with her violent past.

Authors note: Geek Girl has been optioned by Cedar Fort Publishing, and is therefore currently unavailable. It will become available again in December, 2011. Thanks to everyone who has asked about it, and want to know when it will be available!

* * *

First off, I loved this book. Yes, it was kind of predictable. Yes, it literally starts out "Think I can turn that boy bad?" (Which, by the way, I liked. You didn't need a lot of background. It worked. A lot of authors overdo the preliminary stuff.)


I was literally sprawled on the floor laughing my way through this book. A cheesy grin graced my face through a major portion of it. It was fantastic. A great little stand-alone, sweet, quirky story, full of great geek references, from Star Trek, to Battlestar Galactica, to Highlander. If I weren't such a geek myself, it may not have seemed so great. I would have missed out on a huge portion of the humor.

That said, you don't have to be a geek to appreciate it.


4/5 stars

Always a Witch (Witch #2)

Always a Witch (Witch #2)

by Carolyn MacCullough

Hardcover, 288pages

Published August 1st 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

***

I didn't realize this book was part of a series so I hadn't read the first book. That having been said, Always a Witch can totally stand alone. I never felt like I was missing background information or details that would've changed my experience with this book. The plot is really fun and creative with lots of unique lines. While I was reading, I was asked a few times what was so funny because I was laughing out loud! It was fun to see the variety and different natures of the Talents held by the characters. I love how the prophecy given by Tamsin's grandmother drives the story, answers long-held questions and ultimately ties together Tamsin's past, present and future. Even though I know how the story ends, I am definitely reading the first book, Once a Witch, as soon as I can!

4/5 stars

Friday Feature: Graceling

Friday Feature is where we share books we love that have been out for several years. We don't want these treasures to get lost just because they aren't babies anymore!

Graceling (The Seven Kingdoms, #1)
by Kristin Cashore

471 pages
Published Oct. 1, 2008

Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.
When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

* * *

This book easily found a place on my all-time favorites list. There are so many things I love about it, and every time I pick it up it remains fresh and exciting.

Katsa is such a strong, deep character and, let's face it, kicks some serious butt. Her grace is complicated, to the point where even she doesn't really understand it. She cares, almost too much, about those around her and isn't afraid to stand up for them.

I love the idea of graces. We all have talents, but graces are a whole other level. I want one. There are some wonderful traditions in this book. One of my favorites is the rings. Po wears a ring for each member of his family. Um, I also like Po's tattoos . . . just sayin'.


And, just an FYI, the third book in the series, Bitterblue, will be out May 1, 2012. I can't wait!

The Protectors

The Protectors (The Protectors Saga, book 1)
by P. M. Dooling

Published September 4, 2011

This book was provided to us by the author, in exchange for an honest review.


Every 16-year old thinks they have the weight of the world on their shoulders. For Avery Kimball this was actually true…she just didn’t know it yet. Life for Avery was completely normal, attending school, hanging out with friends, and spending time with her family. Until the day she finds out that she and her four closest friends have a destiny that will take them far away from their comfortable and safe lives on Earth. Avery learns that she and her friends are actually a group of powerful warriors known as the Protectors, who were charged with protecting the planet of Orcatia, but were killed by the evil Emperor. To save their lives, their magical mentor sent them to Earth to be re-born. It is now their duty to return to the planet and life they have no memory of, and once again serve as its Protectors, fighting the very Emperor responsible for their deaths. Along the way, Avery must contend with battling malevolent creatures, her sometimes fragile relationships with her friends and fellow Protectors, her attraction to the mysterious King of Nightfell, and her own doubts and fears about who she truly is and who she can become.

* * *

This was a great story, with tons of adventure. The action never lagged, and I came to love all the girls, especially Avery.

When the book opens, we're plopped right in a life-or-death situation, which easily grabbed my attention. If I have a complaint here, it's that I didn't get a chance to care about the girls before this. Avery's sacrifice would have meant so much more if I already cared. That said, it was a great way to start!

After a while, we jump to the Protectors as teenage girls on Earth. They're funny and smart, and so normal. Then, they all give up the lives they like to fight and protect people they don't know. How many of us would do that? I'm afraid that number would be small!

I loved watching the group train, and come to realize that they really can make a difference. {{Impatient foot tapping}} I want the next one. Now, please!

I would highly recommend this to any fantasy/adventure lover!

4/5 stars

Silver and Stone

Silver and Stone (Bloodlines, #1)
by J.D. Thompson


Published August 3, 2011

This book was provided to us by the author, in exchange for an honest review.


Welcome to high school high society hell, where last season’s slingbacks can warrant a lunch table demotion, the wrong date will knock you off the it-list and behind every pair of oversized Chanel sunglasses lies a secret people are dying to keep. As if senior year at Weatherford Preparatory School wasn’t hard enough, sixteen year old Alexis Bardolph had to add school outcast to the curriculum. A new found notoriety following a family scandal, her lacrosse star boy-friend dumping her for a former BFF and a string of perpetually bad hair days were among the many things going wrong in her already turbulent teenage life. But when the haunting nightmares that have plagued her since childhood begin to take an eerily tangible form and several Holler Creek residents are reported missing, Alexis can’t help but wonder if there isn’t more to her hellish dreams than meets the eye. The unexpected arrival of a mysterious and dangerously handsome new student ultimately leads Alexis to troubling truths that not even her wildest imagination could have conjured.

***

Silver and Stone was my first Paranormal Romance, unfortunately since I didn't know this going into the book I was a little caught off guard when it became suddenly apparent near the end. This being said; I still thoroughly enjoyed myself. Alexis is lovable! I was heartbroken for her many times and felt that she deserved so much more especially considering all she's been through. I found the instant connection between Alexis and Lucas a little unbelievable; however, toward the end of the book it all made sense. I'm hoping that many of the questions that I had will be answered in the next book. Thompson is a very talented writer. I love her descriptions and her ability to grab your attention. While I don't know if I would consider this genre a favorite I definitely have to find out what happens next in the Bloodlines Series.

3.5/5 stars

Teaser Tuesdays (8)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:


"But, Dad, I . . . well, I'm a lot younger than you. I don't want to hurt you."
Aron chuckled. "I think I might surprise you."


p 31, Insight (Beholders, #1) by Terron James




Leave a post with a link to your TT, or, if you don't have a blog, post your teaser right in the comments!

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3)

by Maggie Stiefvater

Hardcover, 390 pages

Published July 12th 2011 by Scholastic, Inc.

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.

***

Although I enjoyed Forever, it missed the feel of the first two books. It seemed to be a different flavor than the others. The plot included the things we knew it would from the way book 2 ended but also expanded to have some new things going on as well. I loved how the characters worked to deal with their situations and to find a new way to fit things together in their lives. As I neared the end I almost stopped reading because I was afraid I would be so disappointed by the ending. I did finish it though (I just had to know!) and I was okay with things. (This having been said, please realize that it's rare that I'm actually thrilled by the way any series ends- I know, I have issues...) So, read the last book too and enjoy! I'm glad I did!

3/5 stars

Heat Rises

Heat Rises
by Richard Castle

305 pages
Published September 20, 2011


Fast-paced and full of intrigue, Heat Rises pairs the tough and sexy NYPD Homicide Detective Nikki Heat with hotshot reporter Jameson Rook in New York Times bestselling author Richard Castle's most thrilling mystery yet.
The bizarre murder of a parish priest at a New York bondage club opens Nikki Heat's most thrilling and dangerous case so far, pitting her against New York's most vicious drug lord, an arrogant CIA contractor, and a shadowy death squad out to gun her down. And that is just the tip of an iceberg that leads to a dark conspiracy reaching all the way to the highest level of the NYPD.
But when she gets too close to the truth, Nikki finds herself disgraced, stripped of her badge, and out on her own as a target for killers, with nobody she can trust. Except maybe the one man in her life who's not a cop: reporter Jameson Rook.
In the midst of New York's coldest winter in a hundred years, there's one thing Nikki is determined to prove: Heat Rises.

* * *

I admit it, I'm a huge fan of the TV show Castle (and Nathan Fillion in general). These books are a tie-in of that show, and are they fun. If you haven't seen the show, here's  little background: Richard Castle is an author who has connections. His friendship with New York City's mayor allows him to follow Detective Kate Beckett around, using her as his muse. His books about Detective Heat are seriously inspired by Beckett and the group she works with.

It's fun to see how the characters in these books are similar to, and how they differ from, their counterparts on TV.

This newest installment of the Nikki Heat stories has her vying for a promotion. Actually, she's the best candidate for the promotion. The storyline has Heat's captain acting strange, and (SPOILER****) dying, bringing back some of the emotional turmoil of last season's show (***END SPOILER).

4/5 stars

Friday Feature - "The Speed of Dark"

Friday Feature is where we share books we love that have been out for several years. We don't want these treasures to get lost just because they aren't babies anymore!

The Speed of Dark

by Elizabeth Moon

Published June 28, 2005

369 pages

Thoughtful, poignant, and unforgettable, The Speed of Dark is a gripping exploration into the world of Lou Arrendale, an autistic man who is offered a chance to try an experimental "cure" for his condition. Now Lou must decide if he should submit to a surgery that may change the way he views the world—and the very essence of who he is.

                                                                             ***

This novel is considered science fiction because it deals with a "cure" that doesn't exist, but that's only the backdrop to a story that's very much about what makes me "me." How do we define ourselves? Are there things about ourselves that, if given the opportunity, we would "fix?" Do we think it needs fixing?

This story is told from the point of view of the functionaly autistic Lou. One might get worried about it being difficult to relate to because of that; but Moon is so masterful, you forget that it's in the voice of someone who sees things differently than most.

It's powerful, but not heavy! There's humor, and wit, goodness, and friendships. There's heavier thoughts as well, but it's perfectly balanced.

This is a fascinating read, but it isn't just cerebral - you truly care about the characters and their choices and the inevitable consequences.

Easily 5/5 stars!

A Side Note

In case you haven't heard, my next book, Cantrip, will be coming out November 22. (Cantrip is the second book in The Refuge Trilogy.)

If you are, or anyone you know is, a book blogger and would be interested in participating in the blog tour the week of November 28, please email me at becky@rebeccamckinnon.com

Thanks,
Becky

Shiewo: A Fantasy Flight to Adventure

Shiewo: A Fantasy Flight to Adventure (Shiewo's Odyssey, #1)
by Ciye Cho


Published June 6, 2011

This book was provided to us by the author, in exchange for an honest review.


The universe of Orberana is a place of great wonder and peril, a dizzying landscape filled with clouds that can talk, clockwork beings that mark their own time, and painted animals that awake in the night.

Shiewo Morose is the captain of a flying ship powered by music. She is also a determined young woman on a mission: a quest to find the Wishing Fish that created Orberana.

Sailing above the clouds, Shiewo and her crew (Erduu the bamboo, Theo the cloud, Livingston the goldfish, and Felix the painter) are headed for worlds of crazed clockwork bureaucrats, tyrannic kings, and tornado children--worlds that will test not only the crew's bravery... but their very understanding of adventure.

Theirs is the odyssey of a lifetime...

* * *

This is one of the most inventive books I've read in a long time. If you don't like using your imagination, don't read it. Or maybe I should say, do read it, and let it remind you how much fun make-believe can be!

The characters are fantastic: a talking cloud, a man made of bamboo, a bass-blasting goldfish, a painter, an engineer who built and captains a ship that is powered by music. They're quirky and fun, and so much themselves that I couldn't imagine them being any other way.


As wonderfully creative as the entire world and story were, I felt the pacing was somewhat off. There were a few parts where my attention wandered, and others where so much was happening. I'd like to shake it all up in a bag and even it out a bit. This is a subjective viewpoint, I'll admit: what's perfect for one person can't be perfect for the next.


Visit the Shiewo website (link on the author's name above) for some great bonuses, including music written by the author for the book!


4/5 stars

Dragonforge

Dragonforge
by James Maxey

Published June 24, 2008
544 pages

After the death of King Albekizan, Shandrazel and his allies struggle to keep the kingdom intact as the radical human prophet, Ragnar gathers forces to launch a full scale rebellion against the dragons. When all out war erupts, legendary dragon hunter, Bitterwood, must face his own personal daemons and choose where his loyalty really lies.

***

Still just as intricately done as "Bitterwood!" Characters make major changes or stay the same, but it always feels right. Maxey unerringly builds the story so when things happen that you didn't see coming, you feel like, maybe not that you should have known, but that there really wasn't any other way it was going to happen. The only downfall I can think of is for aspiring authors. He covers human behavior with such depth and breadth that he leaves nothing left out. And his imagination regarding this society and how it came about is insane!
Have you seriously not read the Dragon Age novels? Hi! Go get "Bitterwood" right NOW! These are NOT your typical dragon stories!

In order so far you have, Bitterwood, Dragonforge, and Dragonseed. 

Some winners!!!

So, thanks for those who entered a chance to win a free copy of Victoria Fielding's debut novel, A Piece of Time! Our 2 lucky winners are Kristan @ Lost Among the Shelves and Pat Parkin!!! Congratulations you two!
Everybody else, seriously go to Victoria's website (www.victoriafielding.com) and buy this novel. She has it in ebook form as well, so no wait!

Aroura

Teaser Tuesdays (7)

Teaser Tuesdays (7)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read


• Open to a random page


• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page


• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!(make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)


• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine:


"My mother deftly leaped from the SUV, and I followed her more slowly. There were three stickers on the back of the truck: GO ARMY, HANG UP AND DRIVE, and, inexplicably, I'D RATHER BE IN MINNESOTA."


p 140, Forever, Maggie Stiefvater


Leave a post with a link to your TT, or, if you don't have a blog, post your teaser right in the comments!