In My Mailbox #6

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes.  I've been on a bit of a book buying binge lately (not that I need my TBR pile to get any bigger!), so here's what I got this week.

          All links go to Goodreads, where you can add them to your list if you like the look of any of them.

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Hunted by P.C and Kristin Cast

Betrayed by P.C and Kristin Cast

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

Origins (Stefan's Diary) by L.J. Smith

I also couldn't resist getting some more books from the library too.

The Forbidden Game by L.J. Smith

The Night of the Solstice by L.J. Smith

Dark Secrets 2 by Elizabeth Chandler

The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan

Rot and Ruin - Jonathan Maberry

Rot and Ruin is an upcoming release by author Jonathan Maberry.  It's due to be published by Simon & Schuster in the UK on March 3rd 2011.  For those of you in the US, this book is out already so go and get your hands on a copy now. 

I'm excited about this one!  Zombies...a post-apocalyptic world and an opening that's guaranteed to grab you and not let go,  "Benny Imura couldn't hold a job, so he took to killing." 

Are you suitably intrigued?  Then read on for more about the book and the amazing author Jonathan Maberry, who was kind enough to send me some information about his new release.  I have it on my wishlist already!

Goodreads synopsis:
In the zombie-infested, post-apocalyptic America where Benny Imura lives, every teenager must find a job by the time they turn fifteen or get their rations cut in half. Benny doesn't want to apprentice as a zombie hunter with his boring older brother Tom, but he has no choice. He expects a tedious job whacking zoms for cash, but what he gets is a vocation that will teach him what it means to be human.

For a sneak peak at chapter 1 of Rot and Ruin, click HERE. 

 

JONATHAN MABERRY is a New York Times best-selling and multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer.  His books have been sold to more than a dozen countries.

Visit his website at http://www.jonathanmaberry.com/ or find him on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, GoodReads, Library Thing, Shefari and Plaxo.

Review: The Thirteen Curses - Michelle Harrison

Goodreads synopsis:
When fairies stole her brother, Red vowed to get him back. Now trapped in the fairy realm, she begs an audience with the fairy court where she strikes a bargain. Her brother will be returned - but only if she can complete a task set by the court. In a world of trickery and deception, Red is about to find that not all is as it seems. For even if she succeeds, will the fairies keep their promise?

Review:
This is the second book in a trilogy which began with ‘The Thirteen Treasures’.  Yet again, I’ve read book 2 first but it really didn’t matter because I immediately got swept along with the story.  ‘The Thirteen Curses’ is an imaginative romp through the faerie world.  Michelle Harrison has crafted a magical world of faeries and goblins that is so absorbing I forgot where I was at times!  The first few pages take the reader straight into the flow of the story and we join Red as she attempts to rescue her younger brother James, from the faeries who whisked him away from.  She’s assisted by various characters that were introduced at the start of the trilogy, but although these were unfamiliar to me at first, it didn’t take long before I felt like these were old friends.  There’s Tanya and her good friend Fabian, Warwick the groundskeeper, Tanya’s grandmother Florence, who also has the second sight and housekeeper Nell.  Harrison spends sufficient time in exploring the characters of each of these figures, even as the narrative rockets along, throwing up a multitude of twists and turns.  There’s almost no opportunity to stop for breath when reading this book as it’s a real rollercoaster of a ride!       

 

The story alternates between the human and faerie world and interspersed throughout are a series of flashbacks, narrated by Red and unravelling the tale of her and her brother and how she first came to encounter the many fey that feature throughout the book (I particularly loved Brunswick, the goblin that lives in the gardens.  He’s so sweet!)  This was good because it filled in a lot of useful background information and made the story even more vivid.  Without giving away any spoliers, I would say that I wasn't entirely happy with the ending, but I think it's just a case of personal opinion.  Everything else about it, I absolutely loved!

 

Elements of the book at the very beginning, reminded me a little of ‘The Book of Lost Things’ by John Connolly and it had that same fairy-tale feel but the story was so original and exciting that it stands alone as a superb addition to the YA genre by an amazing new author.

 

I’m thrilled to know that Michelle Harrison’s third book in the trilogy, 'The Thirteen Secrets' is being published by Simon & Schuster on February 3rd 2011.  I wonder where she’ll take the story next!  

Book Blogger Hop and Follow My Book Blog Friday (29 October - 1 November)

This week I am taking part in Friday's Book Blogger Hop, which is hosted by 
Crazy for Books

And I'm also joining in Follow My Book Blog Friday, which is hosted by Parajunkee's View

If you've just stumbled upon me via one of these, then welcome to my blog. I hope you find something that interests you!  The Hop and Follow Friday are great opportunities to visit lots of new blogs and meet like-minded book lovers from around the world.  I love taking part :)

I'm going to go and explore some of the other links over the weekend.  If you'd like to join in the fun too, then head on over to these sites, read the rules, post your own link and away you go :)

The question this week for the book hop is:-

"What is the one bookish thing you would love to have, no matter the cost?"

I'm going to cheat and give two answers!  I would love to have a huge library with floor-to-ceiling bookcases and a ladder to reach them all.  It would have cosy chairs to sit and read in and would be stocked to the rafters with books.  If money was no object I'd also like a massive book spree in my favourite bookshop :)

Waiting on Wednesday #7

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

This week's book is one that I seriously cannot wait to read!  I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm a massive Sweet Valley fan - I still have complete sets of SV High, SV University and SV Senior year.  I'm excited to re-visit all the characters and find out what they're up to now!

 

Sweet Valley Confidential by Francine Pascal
Published March 29th 2011
St. Martin's Press

Iconic and beloved identical twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield are back and all grown up, dealing with the complicated adult world of love, careers, betrayal, and sisterhood. While Jessica still lives in their hometown, Elizabeth has moved to N.Y.C. – and is looking for revenge toward her sister. What did Jessica do to cause the rift? Do they still wear matching lavaliere necklaces? Whatever happened to Todd Wilkins? And is Winston Egbert still a dork?

Entice - Carrie Jones book trailer

I am so excited about this book! I adore Carrie Jones and I can't wait to find out what happens next to Zara and Nick in the third installment of the 'Need' trilogy.

I stumbled across this book trailer for 'Entice' today which is absolutely beautiful. It's making me long for the book to be released even more!

Review: Blood Feud - Alyxandra Harvey

Goodreads synopsis:
The action and romance continue as the Drakes face a new vampire with a 200-year-old grudge. It’s been centuries since Isabeau St. Croix barely survived the French Revolution. Now she’s made her way back to the living and she must face the ultimate test by confronting the evil British lord who left her for dead the day she turned into a vampire. That’s if she can control her affection for Logan Drake, a vampire whose bite is as sweet as the revenge she seeks.

The clans are gathering for Helena’s royal coronation as the next vampire queen, and new alliances are beginning to form now that the old rifts of Lady Natasha’s reign have started to heal. But with a new common enemy, Leander Montmarte—a vicious leader who hopes to force Solange to marry him and usurp the power of the throne for himself—the clans must stand together to preserve the peace he threatens to destroy.

Review:
This is book 2 in the Drake Chronicles series by Alyxandra Harvey.  I haven't read the first book, 'My Love Lies Bleeding', but it didn't take me long to pick up the thread of the story or get acquainted with the characters.  I think this could easily be read as a stand-alone story, although it probably would have helped to have known some of the additional background information.  I found that there were quite a bewildering array of names, groups and families mentioned at the start, which I had to concentrate on so I didn't get them all mixed-up.

Isabeau St. Croix is a vampire but not just any vampire.  She was changed back in the days of the French Revolution and buried underground for several centuries before she was revived and became a Hound 'Princess'.  She becomes entangled in the affairs of the Drake family and in particular that of Logan Drake, but she also has to face being confronted with the vampire who made her and then left her for dead.  I loved Isabeau - she was a really fiesty and strong female character and I particularly enjoyed the chapters that were told from her perspective.  She shares the narrative with Logan, although I felt that he could have been a little more developed.  A fair number of chapters are also dedicated to flashbacks of Isabeau's former life before she became a vampire and I thought these's were great, because they gave the reader a lot of insight into her strength of character and strong will.  I also loved her faithful Hound Charlemagne.

There's an enormous amount of action going on in the book which means that the pace of the story fairly whips along.  However, although I enjoyed the good versus evil battle that was ongoing throughout, I would have liked just a little more romance between Logan and Isabeau!  Their attraction is so palpable that I would have liked to have seen more of it, although the fact that they don't instantly act on their attraction does mean that the tension between them fairly smoulders!

Book 3 in the series, 'Out For Blood' has just been published and focuses on Quinn Drake.  Although I'm looking forward to reading this and I would like to find out more about the Drake family, I also feel that Logan and Isabeau's story has only just got started and I want to be there to find out what happens to them next.  I hope Alyxandra Harvey revisits these two characters at some point in future installments.

In My Mailbox #5

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes.  This week I popped into the new bookshop that's just opened near me.  I literally had to be dragged away because I would have bought everything!  As it is I couldn't resist a few purchases :)

All links go to Goodreads, where you can add them to your list if you like the look of any of them.



Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (Bought - because look at the gorgeous covers!  These are the UK limited edition white covers with red edges and as soon as I saw them I had to have them.  The back of the book even feels like velvet!  And they look so pretty on my shelves.)

I also got an armful of books from the library this week.

A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter

Immortal Remains by Rook Hastings

Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison

Shade by Jeri Smith-Ready

The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Book Blogger Hop and Follow My Book Blog Friday (22-25 October)

This week I am taking part in Friday's Book Blogger Hop, which is hosted by 
Crazy for Books

And I'm also joining in Follow My Book Blog Friday, which is hosted by Parajunkee's View

If you've just stumbled upon me via one of these, then welcome to my blog. I hope you find something that interests you!  The Hop and Follow Friday are great opportunities to visit lots of new blogs and meet like-minded book lovers from around the world.  I love taking part :)

I'm going to go and explore some of the other links over the weekend.  If you'd like to join in the fun too, then head on over to these sites, read the rules, post your own link and away you go :)

The question this week for the book hop is from:-
Becky at Becky's Barmy Book Blog

"Where is your favorite place to read? Curled up on the sofa, in bed, in the garden?"

I have a favourite chair that I like to curl up and read in.  Stacked either side are piles and piles of books! 

 In the summer I quite often like reading in bed long into the night :)

Waiting on Wednesday #6

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

This week's book is by Melissa de la Cruz and it's a novella in the 'Blue Bloods' series.  I haven't finished reading all of the series yet but I'm hoping to get stuck into them soon and have been looking forward to this new one for a while.

 

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz
Published December 28th 2010
ATOM


Vampires have powers beyond human comprehension: strength that defies logic, speed that cannot be captured on film, the ability to shapeshift and more. But in matters of the heart, no one, not even the strikingly beautiful and outrageously wealthy Blue Bloods, has total control. In Bloody Valentine, bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz offers readers a new story about the love lives of their favorite vamps - the passion and heartache, the hope and devastation, the lust and longing. Combined with all the glitz, glamour, and mystery fans have come to expect, this is sure to be another huge hit in the Blue Bloods series

Teaser Tuesday #2

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

• Grab your read
• 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 and the author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

Goodreads synopsis:

The phenomenon that's been sweeping the country seems to be here to stay. Not only are the teenagers who have come back from their graves still here, but newlydeads are being unearthed all the time. While scientists look for answers and politicians take their stands, the undead population of Oakville have banded together in a group they're calling the Sons of Romero, hoping to find solidarity in segregation.

Phoebe Kendall may be alive, but she feels just as lost and alone as her dead friends. Just when she reconciled herself to having feelings for a zombie -- her Homecoming date Tommy Williams -- her friend Adam is murdered taking a bullet that was meant for her. Things get even more confusing when Adam comes back from the grave. Now she has romantic interest in two dead boys; one who saved her life, and one she can't seem to live without.

Teaser:

"Holding her breath, she forced herself to hold his non-stare.  Some of my best friends are dead, she told herself.  This boy more be more dead in appearance, but he's no less a person than they are" [Page 15]

This was a recommendation from a friend which I've just started.  It's actually book 2 in the 'Generation Dead' trilogy but I don't think you necessarily need to have read the first one to make sense of the story.  It's good so far!

Review: The Fool's Girl - Celia Rees

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees, published by Bloomsbury on 5th April 2010

Goodreads synopsis:
Young and beautiful Violetta may be of royal blood, but her kingdom is in shambles when she arrives in London on a mysterious mission. Her journey has been long and her adventures many, but it is not until she meets the playwright William Shakespeare that she gets to tell the entire story from beginning to end. Violetta and her comic companion, Feste, have come in search of an ancient holy relic that the evil Malvolio has stolen from their kingdom. But where will their remarkable quest—and their most unusual story—lead? In classic Celia Rees style, it is an engrossing journey, full of political intrigue, danger, and romance.

Review:
I've only read one Celia Rees book prior to this, Sovay, which I liked but didn't completely fall in love with.  However, as soon as I read the blurb of 'The Fool's Girl' I just had to pick it up.  I'm a massive Shakespeare fan and this book follows on from the ending of 'Twelfth Night'.  The whole cast of characters are featured, from Viola and Sebastian to Orsino, Olivia and of course Feste.  I don't think it would really matter if you hadn't read the original play or seen it performed, although knowing the background adds an enormous amount of richness and depth to the story.  Celia Rees has spun a captivating tale in which she has imagined the fates of many of the central players - some good, some bad, and pictures what their lives are like away from the island of Illyria.  

The story's told through the eyes of Violetta, the daughter of Viola and Orsino, who arrives in seventeenth century London with a secret agenda.  I loved Violetta - her bravery and courage shines throughout and she makes a perfect heroine.  She soon becomes embroiled with the real life figure of William Shakespeare, who Rees depicts before he becomes the famous playwright of Stratford.  I loved all the little references to his plays, such as his struggle to write 'Hamlet' and the scene where he's reunited with his family, including his wife Anne Hathaway.  Rees herself says that she was daunted to write about one of the greatest figures in English Literature but I think she's done it brilliantly. 

I loved revisiting all the characters - it's a bit like meeting old friends again and I enjoyed the unravelling of the mystery surrounding their real reasons for being in London.  My only real criticism would be the characterisation of Malvolio.  Whenever I've seen the play performed I've always felt really sympathetic towards him.  I think he gets a bit of a hard time and I would love it if someone attempted to put that right.  He's really not so bad and he does get teased mercilessly by everyone in the play.  However, that aside, this was a great book and I'd recommend it to new and old fans of Celia Rees.  Plus, if you're a Shakespeare buff like me then you'll want to explore Rees's take on a literary classic.  

Find out more about Celia Rees on her website  or check out her facebook page

Also, see Celia talking about the inspiration for the book in Shakespeare's hometown of Stratford on youtube

Review: The Forbidden Sea - Sheila A. Nielson

Goodreads synopsis:
When Adrianne comes face-to-face with the mermaid of Windwaithe Island, she is convinced that the mermaid means her harm. After all, the island is steeped in stories of mermaids' curses and the ill-luck that they bring. But Adrianne is fierce-willed and courageous and is determined to protect her family and the islanders from danger. Yet when the islanders find out about Adrianne's encounters with the mermaid, her family is scorned. They believe that once active, the mermaid cannot be quieted until an islander sacrifices herself to the sea. But is the legend true? And will their fear make them force Adrienne to test it? This is a haunting story of love, surrender and strength.

Review:

What an amazing book!  Sheila A. Nielson has woven a beautifully imagined tale of magic and mermaids that is imaginative and wonderfully written.  I read this in one evening and found it absolutely impossible to put down.  I loved the central character Adrianne who is compassionate and empathetic and wholly unselfish.  After the death of her father, she is left to look after her younger sister and mother.  She is responsible for ensuring that they have food on the table, although there is little of that to go around.  She also has to deal with her unfeeling Aunt who favours Adrianne's younger sister.  The only good thing she has in her life, is local boy Denn, who she has grown to love, even though she fears he will never return her feelings.  When she encounters the Windwaithe Island mermaid, her life changes in unexpected ways.


This story is just achingly gorgeous.  Sheila A. Nielson says that she was inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's 'The Little Mermaid' but in 'The Forbidden Sea' she's made the mermaid genre all her own.  There are some twists and turns in the latter part of the book which fairly skips along and a perfect ending.  I re-read the last few pages a couple of times over because I couldn't bear for the story to have finished.  I loved it!  I would adore a follow-up book because I connected so strongly with the characters that I want to know what happens to them next. 

This is Nielson's debut novel and I shall certainly be looking out for more from her!

Book Blogger Hop (15-18 October)

I am taking part in Friday's Book Blogger Hop, which is hosted by 
Crazy for Books

If you've just stumbled upon me via the hop, then welcome to my blog. I hope you find something that interests you!  The hop is a great opportunity to visit lots of new blogs and meet like-minded book lovers from around the world.  I love taking part :)

I'm going to go and explore some of the other links over the weekend.  If you'd like to join in the fun too, then head on over to Crazy for Books, read the rules, post your own link and away you go :)

The question this week for the book hop is from:-

Christina at The Paperback Princesses

 

"When you read a book that you just can't get into, do you stick it out and keep reading or move to your next title?"

This is a great question and quite a difficult one to answer!  I definitely hate giving up on a book, even if I'm really not enjoying it.  I always think that if I read just a little bit more then it might suddenly get better or something will happen that might completely change my view of the story.  I usually try to stick it out, although I might skim ahead a bit to see if it looks like improving.  I also hate not knowing the ending of a book (even if I don't finish it), so if I am going to call it quits then I'll probably sneak a peak at the last couple of pages.  On the other hand, there are literally thousands and thousands of books out there that I want to read so occasionally I think I should give up on move on to something else.

Review: The Twilight Phenomenon - Nicola Bardola

I picked this book up from the library because like millions of others I'm a huge Twilight fan and eagerly awaiting the release of the official guide.

Review:
This is the unofficial companion to Stephenie Meyer's bestselling series.  It looks at the whole phenomenon of the Twilight books and why they've become so popular all over the world.  There are some really interesting segments in this companion including an interview with Stephenie herself, a closer look at 'The Secret of Eternal Love' between Edward and Bella and 'Twilight and Literature' which I found particularly fascinating.  The latter chapter focused on some of the narrative devices employed in the saga and the literary references which have been incorporated to titles such as 'Wuthering Heights', 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. 

Interspersed throughout were interviews and quotes from some of the Twilight fans that were intereviewed by the author.  So many of these perfectly summed up the way that I feel about the books.  They produce such an outpouring of feeling and emotion in readers and fans, that I actually felt quite bereft when I'd finished them!

There was an alphabetical list of Twilight keywords in the back of the book and an interesting section dedicated to some of the real-life locations that Stephenie wrote about.  I'd love to visit some of these one day.

Waiting on Wednesday #5: Exile - Anne Osterlund

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

This week's book is by one of my new favourite authors.  A little while ago I read the first in the series, 'Aurelia' and I've been dying to find out what happens next ever since!

 

Exile (Aurelia #2) by Anne Osterlund
Published April 28th 2011
Speak


Exiled. From the weight of others' expectations, the responsibilities of being crown princess, and the pressure to marry, Aurelia is finally free to travel the kingdom and meet the people of Tyralt. If only Robert, her expedition guide, would stop pestering her about her safety and just kiss her. But then their journey erupts in a fiery conflagration, and with both of their lives and the fate of the kingdom at stake, she and Robert must determine whether they have the strength, and the will, to complete their mission. And face the darker side of exile.

Coveted Cover Art #1

Coveted Cover Art is hosted by Sarah @ Confessions of the Un-Published.   If you want to join in, all you have to do is post about any book (old, new, to come) that you love or have bought just for it's beautiful cover.

My first pick is a book that's not actually been published yet but I've already been drooling over the gorgeous cover :)

Ripple by Mandy Hubbard

Published July 2011 by Razorbill/Penguin

Goodreads synopsis:
Lexi is cursed with a dark secret. The water calls to her, draws her in, forces her to sing her deadly song to unsuspecting victims. If she succumbs, she kills. If she doesn’t, the pain is unbearable. To keep herself and those she cares about safe, she shuts herself off, refusing to make friends or fall in love—again. Because the last time she fell in love with a boy, he ended up dead.

Then Lexi meets Cole. Against her better judgment, she finds herself opening up again, falling in love when she knows she shouldn’t. But when she’s offered the chance to finally live a normal life, she learns that the price she must pay to be free of her curse is giving him up.

In Ripple, Mandy Hubbard spins a sea-ravaged tale of melancholy beauty, and the choices one girl makes between land and waves, love and freedom, her future—and her heart.

Teaser Tuesday #1

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly book meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. 

• Grab your read
• 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 and the author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees

Goodreads synopsis:

Young and beautiful Violette may be of royal blood, but her kingdom is in shambles when she arrives in London on a mysterious mission.  Her journey has been long and her adventures many, but it is not until she meets the playwright William Shakespeare that she gets to tell the entire story from beginning to end.  Violetta and her comic companion, Feste, have come in search of an ancient holy relic that the evil Malvolio has stolen from their kingdom.  But where will their remarkable quest - and their most unusual story - lead?

Teaser:

"Man was revealed as maid; the Duke could marry his page.  The Countess was free to transfer her affection to the other twin, and Sebastian most happy to receive it.  The couples were joined in double celebration.  It was a golden time.  But as you well know sir, few stories end at the happy ever after" [Page 17].

I picked this book up from the library because I'm a huge Shakespeare fan and was intrigued by the idea of finding out what happened after 'Twelfth Night' ended.  I'm really enjoying it so far!

Review: Lament - Maggie Stiefvater

Goodreads synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Deirdre Monaghan is a painfully shy but prodigiously gifted musician. She's about to find out she's also a cloverhand—one who can see faeries. Deirdre finds herself infatuated with a mysterious boy who enters her ordinary suburban life, seemingly out of thin air. Trouble is, the enigmatic and gorgeous Luke turns out to be a gallowglass—a soulless faerie assassin. An equally hunky—and equally dangerous—dark faerie soldier named Aodhan is also stalking Deirdre. Sworn enemies, Luke and Aodhan each have a deadly assignment from the Faerie Queen. Namely, kill Deirdre before her music captures the attention of the Fae and threatens the Queen's sovereignty. Caught in the crossfire with Deirdre is James, her wisecracking but loyal best friend. Deirdre had been wishing her life weren't so dull, but getting trapped in the middle of a centuries-old faerie war isn't exactly what she had in mind . . .

Review:
I'm going to preface my review of 'Lament' by saying that overall I did thoroughly enjoy it.  I'd definitely give it four out of five stars and I'm now going to read the rest of Maggie Stiefvater's books.  But (you knew this was coming!)...although I enjoyed it, I wanted to love this book so much.  I wanted to be gripped by it and swept away by it but I found that I still had one foot on the ground the whole way through.  I wasn't completely engulfed by the story and I didn't feel like I wanted to immeditely rush out and buy a copy for my own collection.  I hate saying that because I know so many people love this book but I didn't have that total emotional connection to it.

However, even saying all that, I still think that this is a cracking addition to faerie lore and I adored the style of Maggie Stiefvater's writing - dreamy and inventive and poetic with a very magical quality to it.  I loved the main character, Deirdre and the development of her relationship with Luke, the gallowglass, although I wasn't totally satisfied with the ending.  I liked her self-effacing nature and her insecurities and the way in which she matures and grows in confidence.  I would have liked to have seen more of the background and relationship with her family developed further, particularly what happened to her mother and aunt when they were younger, but I accept that Stiefvater probably left some of that out to concentrate the story firmly on Deirdre herself.

I thought that the relationship between Deirdre and her best-friend James (who is funny and clever and witty) was well written and extremely realistic and it will be interesting to read 'Ballad' which is told from James' point-of-view. 

I'm disappointed that I didn't love it but I may well give it a few months and then read it again.  You never know, it might just win me over next time around!

In My Mailbox #4

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes.  I just got a few new ones this week via swaps.

All links go to Goodreads, where you can add them to your list if you like the look of any of them.

Take Me There by Susane Colasanti (Swapped)

The Van Allen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz (Swapped)

Forget Her-Nots by Amy Brecount White (Swapped) - really excited about this one!

I also got some books from my local library (because they had some titles I've been after for ages)

Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters

The Forbidden Sea by Sheila A Nielson

Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

Lament by Maggie Steifvater

The Fool's Girl by Celia Rees 

50 Followers!

I set this blog up a little over a month ago and am loving having a place to collect all my book-related thoughts together.  I'm also pleased to be part of a wonderful community of book lovers and fanatics.  I feel right at home!

I'm so excited (and amazed!) to have reached 50 followers already. 

Thank you to everyone that's following me and stops by to read my blog.  I'm going to have a 50 follower giveaway soon so please stop by to check it out.  I also have a poll running at the moment to get an idea of peoples favourite book blog features so please take a second to make your choice and then I'll try to have more of the following on 'A Dream of Books'.

Here's to many more happy months book blogging!

Book Blogger Hop (8 - 11 October)

I am taking part in Friday's Book Blogger Hop, which is hosted by 
Crazy for Books

If you've just stumbled upon me via the hop, then welcome to my blog. I hope you find something that interests you!  The hop is a great opportunity to visit lots of new blogs and meet like-minded book lovers from around the world.  I love taking part :)

I'm going to go and explore some of the other links over the weekend.  If you'd like to join in the fun too, then head on over to Crazy for Books, read the rules, post your own link and away you go :)

The question this week for the book hop is from:-

Suko at Suko's Notebook

What's your favorite beverage while reading or blogging, if any? Is it tea, coffee, water, a glass of wine, or something else?
There's nothing better than curling up in a chair with an amazing book and a really big mug of tea!

Simon & Schuster Pulse Sampler

"Introducing the SIMON PULSE list from Simon & Schuster - books to get your pulse racing.
From demons to fallen angels, werewolves to zombies, these are thrilling, scary, spine tingling and romantic books for teenagers and young adults."

I have 2 samplers with extracts from 6 Simon Pulse books to giveaway, including 'Hush Hush' by Becca FitzPatrick, 'Shade' by Jeri Smith-Ready and 'The Demon's Covenant' by Sarah Rees Brennan.  If you would like to win one, then please leave me a comment with your name and email address.  UK only please.

Waiting on Wednesday #4: The Return: Midnight - LJ Smith

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.  Head on over there to take part or to check out all the other fabulous books that people are looking forward to reading! 

I've picked a book from one of my favourite series this week.  I love the Vampire Diaries - both the books and the TV series and I can't wait to read this final installment.

 

The Return: Midnight (The Vampire Diaries) by LJ Smith
Published March 15th 2011
HarperCollins

The vampire love triangle concludes in this powerful final volume of The Vampire Diaries. In Midnight, golden girl Elena Gilbert is back from the Dark Dimension, having successfully freed her vampire boyfriend Stefan Salvatore from imprisonment. Saving Stefan had an unlikely consequence: his vampire brother Damon Salvatore has become a mortal. While the trio reels from this latest twist, they must still deal with the demons that have taken over Elena’s hometown, Fell’s Church.

It sounds so awesome!  I can't wait!  And look at the gorgeous cover :)

In My Mailbox #3

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for holding this meme every week.

I love seeing what everybody else got in their mailboxes. 

I always end up with a huge list of books that I want to add to my wishlist!

All links go to Goodreads, where you can add them to your list if you like the look of any of them.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (Swapped)

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick (Swapped)

Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl (Won in blog giveaway)

Knife by R.J Anderson (Bought)

Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty(Bought)

The Vampire Diaires: Shadow Souls by L.J Smith (Bought)

On My Wishlist #1

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. Each week I'm going to choose 3 of the books on my wishlist that I am dying to get my hands on but haven't bought yet.  These will be a mixture of released, unreleased, old and new.

My 3 picks for these week are:

                                                        
Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (out now)Goodreads synopsis:
When Lenah Beaudonte, a 500-year-old vampire queen, wakes up a human teenager at an ultra-cliquey prep school, she must choose between embracing the humanity she’s always craved and saving her new friends from her vicious coven. The first in a sizzling new YA series.

As soon as I heard about this book it went straight onto my wishlist.  I've seen reviews popping up on various blogs since then and it just sounds amazing.  I like the concept of a vampire becoming human too (a reversal of fortunes!)

Wolves, Boys and Other Things That Might Kill Me
by Kristen Chandler (out now)
Goodreads synopsis:
When KJ Carson is assigned to write a column for her school newspaper about the wolves in nearby Yellowstone National Park, she’s more interested in impressing Virgil Whitman, the new kid in school and the photographer assigned as her partner, than in investigative journalism. But before long, KJ has a face-to-face encounter with a wolf that changes her and the way she thinks about wolves. The title says it all, wolves and boys!!!

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder (out now)Goodreads synopsis:

I'm Trella. I'm a scrub. A nobody. One of thousands who work the lower levels, keeping Inside clean for the Uppers. I've got one friend, do my job and try to avoid the Pop Cops. So what if I occasionally use the pipes to sneak around the Upper levels? The only neck at risk is my own…until I accidentally start a rebellion and become the go-to girl to lead a revolution.

I'm a huge fan of Maria V. Snyder.  I love her books and was really excited to see she had a new title out.  This one sounds very intriguing.

Book Blogger Hop (1 - 4 October)

I am taking part in Friday's Book Blogger Hop, which is hosted by 
Crazy for Books

If you've just stumbled upon me via the hop, then welcome to my blog. I hope you find something that interests you!  The hop is a great opportunity to visit lots of new blogs and meet like-minded book lovers from around the world.  I love taking part :)

I'm going to go and explore some of the other links over the weekend.  If you'd like to join in the fun too, then head on over to Crazy for Books, read the rules, post your own link and away you go :)

The question this week for the book hop is from:-

Tina at Book Couture

"How do you spread the word about your blog?
(e.g. Social Networking sites, Book Blog Directories, comments on other blogs...)"

My blog is pretty new and I've only really been blogging seriously for just over a month.  I'm still discovering all the ways in which I can try to promote my blog and encourage new visitors.  I'm a member of sites such as GoodReads, BookMooch and ReadItSwapIt and I have posted links and reviews on these.  I find that this is often a good way of spreading the word.  I also actively visit other people's blogs and I try to read and comment on posts as much as possible.  It's nice feeling like part of a community and being a new blogger it's a good way of finding my feet and gathering interesting ideas for features and posts.