The Maze Runner

When Thomas wakes he finds himself in a strange lift and an even stranger world that for some odd reason feels familar. Once in the Glade, he finds other boys, who don't remember where they came from either. Huge stone walls enclose them at night, where a deadly creature stalks those who don't get back in time. Everything has been the same for the past two or so years. That is until Thomas appears. The Maze Runner is sure to appeal to fans of The Hunger Game with characters and an unique setting that keep you reading. Will Thomas solve the mystery of the maze? Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

BALLAD by Maggie Stiefvater Review

If you’ve read any of my reviews of Maggie Stiefvater’s work, you already know I’m a huge fan (like, an embarrassing, fangurl type of fan). I pick her books up with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, always ready for an amazing, lyrical ride, but more than a little worried about how things are going to turn out. She’s not afraid of bittersweet. I am. If a writer can make your stomach hurt before you even open her book, you know she’s good.

Of course, Ballad was everything I expected and more.

I loved Luke in Lament. I loved Sam in Shiver. But I have to say, hands down, James in Ballad is my most favorite and crush-worthy Stiefvater creation. He’s cocky. He’s arrogant. He’s flawed and real and leaps off the page. Just how I like ‘em. Nuala’s layers, mysteries and complexities make for an intriguing heroine. I rooted for her and James to succeed from the first chapter.

Also, there is kissing. Hot. Kissing.

Dee, from the first book in the series, reappears. She did several things that made me not like her as much as I did in Lament. So, with the unresolved issues and all that, I really need a book three. (Did you hear me, Flux? Maggie? Don’t make me write fan fiction.)

While the storyline is flawless, it’s Maggie’s subtext that always grabs me and sticks around in my brain for days (and it’s already crowded in there). She’s done a gorgeous job with it in Ballad, this time addressing the wanting, the burning, the desire for MORE so many artists struggle with. I’m not sure Maggie gives the reader a resolution, but the concept sure makes you ask yourself some hard questions.

I know I’ll see more in the next go around. Maggie’s books always warrant a second (third, fourth) read – either because I missed some details and want to feel smart when I catch them or because I want to immerse myself in the beauty of her writing again.

Go get Ballad now. You know you want to, just like you know it comes with my highest recommendation. 5/5

Click here to see my review at YABC.

As an added bonus, here are some short stories by Maggie at Merry Sisters of Fate about characters from the faerie series:

Luke: http://community.livejournal.com/merry_fates/39975.html

Nuala: http://community.livejournal.com/merry_fates/44781.html

Sullivan: http://community.livejournal.com/merry_fates/60502.html

The Dark Hunters Volume One - Manga

Before DARK HUNTERS, I’d never read a manga book in my life. As a matter of fact, I had to get clarification on how to say manga, as well exactly how to read it. Thanks to Sherrilyn Kenyon, Claudia Campos and the first installment of THE DARK HUNTERS, I’m now a huge fan of both the genre and the series.

If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy vampires and paranormal romance, this is your ticket. I had the feeling that I was jumping into the middle of a bigger story, but had no problem catching up or keeping up. It was plotted well, exciting and just a touch different.

Amanda has just been dumped, not due to any fault of her own, but because of her kooky family. Witches, Greek gods, vampire hunters – who wants to bring a guy home to that? Then Amanda meets Kyrian. He’s the perfect dark hero, with a past to hide and a future to protect, snd he’s the one guy who might not be freaked out by her family. He’s got some freaky of his own going on.

Click to check out my review at Young Adult Books Central!

We Were Here

Miguel is sent to a group home after he commits a terrible act, which is an accident. His mother avoids him and he can't forgive himself either. The judge makes Miguel write in a journal so others will understand him. Once at the group home he meets two others who later break out with him on a quest to go to Mexico. But things don't go the way they planned. We Were Here is the tale of redemption and finding friendship. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Devil's Kiss

Billi's life consists of battling ghuls and fallen angels. She's the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar. Her life has been much been cloistered until an old friend pops back into her life. Add to that a cute new guy who seems to total understand her. Devil's Kiss is an action packed fantasy that takes the reader on a fast paced adventure where not is all that it seems. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review: Secrets of a Christmas Box

The Tree-Dwellers wake from their long sleep. Delighted to see each other again, greetings ring out. Branches bob and dip as ornaments move around the tree to visit their neighbors. Larry the snowman quickly reunites with Tinsel his dog-like buddy and his sweetheart Debbie, a unique combination of an elf and reindeer. The popular snowman joins the festivities with all his neighbors and friends and even meets the new wooden ornament, Splint.

But what happens after the family turns out the lights isn’t the real mystery. Larry can’t find his brother Terrence ....

Read more about Secrets of a Christmas Box.

Review: Rosie and Skate

Rosie and Skate by Beth Ann Bauman is about, believe it or not, Rosie and Skate. Rosie is a high school sophomore and her sister Skate is a year older. Rosie is boyfriendless and Skate’s boyfriend just went away to college. Rosie and Skate’s mother died when they were tiny and their dad is an alcoholic who was just arrested for shoplifting. Rosie goes to group counseling meetings and Skate doesn’t.

Readers will definitely relate to Rosie and Skate. They each have boyfriend issues. They each have family issues and, as sisters, they are dramatically different from each other. Chapters alternate between Rosie and Skate as narrators. Bauman does a nice job describing their lives and their feelings. Rosie and Skate should put a smile on your face.

Eleventh Grade Burns

Fans of The Chronicles of Vlad Tod won't be disappointed with the new book Eleventh Grade Burns. Vlad now not only has to worry about the upcoming trial of his uncle but with Joss, a vampire slayer and former friend, who has moved back to Bathory with one goal--kill Vlad. Other things are happening in Bathory which include his awkward relationship with Meredith and Snow, the girl drudge who wants to be more. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review: Ash

Ash by Malinda Lo puts a new twist on Cinderella. It's got all the right characters: the evil stepmother and stepsisters, the Prince, fairies, etc. It's even got a few other characters, not in the fairy tale you and I know.

However, there's one big difference: the ending, which of course, I won't spoil for you. Ash is nicely written. The characters are interesting. It's a quick read. It's certainly another alternative to re-written fairy tales. Give it a try.

Workshop with The Longstockings

This just in from The Longstockings:

To celebrate the launch of our beautiful new site, and to celebrate you our longtime readers... The Longstockings are going to offer up our workshopping services to TWELVE LUCKY READERS during 2010!

To enter, just send one email to thelongstockings@yahoo.com with the subject line JANUARY WORKSHOP! We will be accepting entries until December 31st.

Here's how this will work...

From the emails received each month, we will select one lucky writer (at random) to submit a maximum of 25 pages to our workshop group. And that writer will receive a document compiling the helpful notes, suggestions and (surely) lots of praise from The Longstockings!

So enter now for January! We'll announce our first workshop winner on Monday January 4th. And fear not if you don't hit the jackpot this time, as we will repeat this process EVERY SINGLE MONTH OF 2010!

Get excited! Get typing! We can't wait to read your words!

If you're interested or want to learn more, please visit their site.

Not only does Manz deal with racism, he struggles with voices inside his head. During a visit to a girl's party, a comment sets off a string of events that escalate into paranoia. Border Crossing is the story of Manz and his struggle with schizophrenia in the small town of Rockhill, Texas. His story will move you. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Winners of So Punk Rock (as picked by Twitter followers)

The winners are...

Julie Marcinik

Brandy Wilson

Laura Hu

Mevurah Deleon

Melissa Burmester

Congrats! The publisher will be sending out your prize directly! Thanks!

Review: By the Time You Read This, I"ll Be Dead

By the Time You Read This, I"ll be Dead by Julie Anne Peters is an absorbing story that must be read. Daelyn is only fifteen, yet she has contemplated suicide for several years and attempted it several times. What caused her disassociation with life? Was it the humiliation she suffered in fat camp one summer? Is it the daily torture at school because of her weight or her loner status? Is it the fact that she is mute now or that her family moves constantly so she can start over? Whatever the reason, Daelyn's story must be told. It is gritty, riveting and realistic. Julie Anne Peters is a great writer with important stories to tell. Don't miss this one.

Fallen

It's bad enough that Luce Price's parents have sent her off to a reform boarding school only a few miles away but that's nothing when she first encounters Daniel Grigori. Something about him is familar. Luce finds herself drawn to him even when Daniel does everything he can to avoid her. Both are bound to find themselves together but at a terrible cost. Fallen is a paranormal romance that includes one fallen angel and a tale of forbidden love. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Enter a magical world where Nimira meets and falls for an automaton. Magic Under Glass is one of those lush tales you don't want to rush but savor each delectable detail. How can a girl fall in love with an automaton? Once you read Magic Under Glass you've find it's not as farfetched as it seems. Read more of my review at YA Books Central.

Review of Beautiful Creatures

“Some loves are meant to be…others are cursed.

There were no surprises in Gatlin County.

At least, that’s what I thought.

Turns out, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

There was a curse.

There was a girl.

And in the end, there was a grave.”

From the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES WEBSITE

There’s nothing I love more than a story that still speaks to me days after I’ve read the last page. Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl have crafted just that with BEAUTIFUL CREATURES.

Ethan Wate is observant, a truth-teller about the way things are in his small town. A town he’s ready to escape. Gatlin isn’t just the setting in BEAUTIFUL CREATURES – it’s another character. The descriptions of the South live and breathe, seducing us into the story with promises of mysterious secrets from both the present and hundreds of years ago.

From interactions with his three elderly aunts (who are absolutely hilarious) to the respect he shows to Amma, the housekeeper who helped raise him, we see that Ethan understands family duty and loyalty. Only one thing challenges that loyalty.

Lena Duchannes, rhymes with rain.

Read the rest of the review by CLICKING HERE to jump to YA Books Central...

Beautiful Creatures receives the highest of high recommendations –I have a paperback Advanced Reader Copy, but will be buying it in hardback for my personal library. And good news! Not only is there a sequel, movie rights have been sold!

Five Stars

Prince of Stories: The Many Worlds of Neil Gaiman by Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bisette

Prince of Stories, the essential, definitive Neil Gaiman bibliography and biography, is now available in paperback! This book is truly a must-have for all Neil Gaiman fans. It has information on every single project Gaiman has ever touched: every novel, every short story, every comic, every film, every song, every everything is detailed. And by detailed, I mean detailed. Instead of being mere one- or two-paragraph summaries, the entries are packed with character profiles, plot, and publishing info as well as trivia, quotes, and more.

Everything you ever wanted to know about Gaiman's life and writing is contained in this book. The men who collaborated on Prince of Stories - Hank Wagner, Christopher Golden, and Stephen R. Bisette - are published authors as well, and I recommend their novels and comics, too. Their respect and admiration for Gaiman is apparent throughout Prince of Stories, especially in the section which is an in-depth exclusive interview with Gaiman himself.

Interview with Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, Authors of Beautiful Creatures

My review of Beautiful Creatures will post tomorrow, but as you will most likely be able to tell from the interview I absolutely ADORED it. Today is the official book birthday of Beautiful Creatures, so in celebration I offer this interview I did with Kami and Margie.

As a side note, CONGRATULATIONS LADIES! It was announced last night that film rights have been sold! That much more to enjoy!

What inspired you to write Beautiful Creatures? You wrote the story in three months. Did you brainstorm the story first?

Kami: We did. But the pieces came together REALLY quickly.

Margie: If by brainstorm you mean hash it out over a thousand Diet Cokes at lunch at El Cholo one day.

Writing with a partner takes an amazing amount of teamwork. Did you take turns writing, chapter by chapter? Did you work from a storyboard or an outline?

Kami: It does, but more than that it requires trust. You have to believe in the other person completely.

Margie: And you have to like to talk a lot. We ask each other a ton of questions. Everything we write comes out of a conversation.

Kami: As far as the writing process, we don’t write separate chapters. We actually write each chapter multiple times, and we write over each other’s work.

Margie: It’s like a running stitch. By the time we finish, it’s impossible to tell who wrote what.

You chose to write Beautiful Creatures from the perspective of a teenage boy, Ethan. What challenges did this pose?

Kami: We knew it would either work, or it wouldn’t. I think it was easier to write in some ways, because Ethan obviously isn’t either one of us. So we could think about the way he would do something or feel about something, rather than how one of us would.

Margie: But it was harder in other ways, because sometime’s Ethan’s voice has to be transparent, so that you can fall into the world of the book. Other times he has to really sound like a teenage boy. And then on top of that, it’s tricky to have the narrator of a story be the boy you want to love.

You have several interesting subplots going. One of my favorites is the relationship between Link and Ridley. Will we see more of them in the sequel?

Kami: You’ll have to wait and see.

Margie: We can tell you those are two of our most popular characters.

Ridley jumped off the page for me, fully formed, brimming over with life. Did you see her coming as you were writing?

Kami: Ridley really evolved during the writing process and elbowed her way into more and more scenes, which is so Ridley.

Margie: Our teen readers were always asking us for more about Ridley and Link, so those two characters have had fans from the very first draft.

Music plays a big part in Beautiful Creatures. You’ve posted Ethan’s playlist on your site. Can we expect to see other characters’ playlists soon?

Kami: Link’s Playlist is up now & Lena and Ridley’s are coming soon.

Do you listen to music when you write?

Kami: I listen to music that inspires me before I write. But I need complete silence to write. I actually hear the characters talking as I write, so I have to be able to listen (Ridley is very pushy, in particular).

Margie: I write with music blasting in earphones. I literally can’t write if I’m not wearing earphones. It’s like I have to drown out all the other brains in the world. And for me, certain kinds of music make writing certain kinds of scenes easier.

Poetry plays a big part in Beautiful Creatures as well. Lena is a poet. Are there writers that inspire you?

Kami: I’ve been writing poetry since high school. My favorite poets are: Pablo Neruda, ee cummings, Sylvia Plath, and Robert Frost.

Margie: I love Stevie Smith, a crazily funny British poet. Also Emily Dickinson (I lived on her street corner when I went to Amherst College) & Lowell & Frost, two more Amherst poets. I studied poetry for a year at a Creative Writing program in the UK.

Who wrote Lena’s poetry for the book?

Kami: As with everything else in the book, we both did. It isn’t hard for us to get in touch with our inner teens. They’re pretty close to the surface.

Margie: Lena has a particular way she writes that isn’t the way either Kami or I write. (She doesn’t listen to us!) It’s been interesting to watch her writing as it evolves.

Lena wears a special necklace in the story. Can you tell us about it?

Kami: Lena wears a necklace with a collection of charms that look more like junk. But the charms are like her memories. Margie and I each have one. We made them ourselves.

Margie: We’re actually giving one away in a contest, in December, so be sure to check out site often.

Without giving anything away, there are certain characters whose fates seem to have been decided. Is there any chance those characters will have the opportunity to change their fate?

Kami: Great question. You’ll have to read the next book to find out.

Margie: Free will vs. predestination is certainly a big theme in our book.

Will you be posting any outtakes?

Margie: We haven’t talked about that, but you never know.

Will book two be from Ethan’s perspective?

Kami: We’ve just finished the second book, and it is from Ethan’s perspective.

You’ve started a ning for Beautiful Creatures. What is that exactly, and how can your fans use it to connect?

Margie: Little, Brown did that for us, and we love it! A ning is a fantastic forum where readers can connect with us and other BC fans. Fans can post discussion threads, photos, etc. There will also be special contests for ning members in the future. Readers can join the ning at: http://gatlincounty.ning.com/

Will you be going on a book tour? Where can we look to find details about it?

Kami: We will be going on tour in the Southern U.S. the last two weeks of January. The details will be up on our site, www.BeautifulCreaturestheBook.com, under Appearances, here: http://beautifulcreaturesthebook.com/writing/appearances/

How can we keep up with you two and the world of Beautiful Creatures?

Margie: All the latest news, contests, schedule, etc., can always be found on www.BeautifulCreaturestheBook.com.

What were your favorite books/authors growing up? Now?

Kami: I have always loved Harper Lee, Flannery O’ Connor, and Ray Bradbury. Today, I love so many authors: Melissa Marr, Holly Black, Diana Peterfreund, Sarah Rees Brennan, Saundra Mitchell… there are really too many.

Margie: In third grade I had a Susan Cooper fan club with my friends, & I can still recite the poem from the front of THE DARK IS RISING. Diana Wynne Jones, C.S. Lewis, Ursula LeGuin – that was me. I’m a huge fan of Robin McKinley, Cassie Clare, and Kristin Cashore. And my new discovery is EVERYTHING IS FINE by Ann Dee Ellis. Her voice is so original, sort of Ramona the Pest meets Ellen Hopkins.

Finally, what do you like best about being authors for Young Adults? Do you have any favorite fan stories?

Kami: My favorite part of being a YA author is writing in the genre that I read, and connecting with the authors and readers who share my love for YA novels and fantasy. My favorite fan story is about a boy named Caleb who sent us our first fan letter. Caleb is on the ning & he’s really a guy’s guy. He said BEAUTIFUL CREATURES was the best book he ever read. That killed me.

Margie: My favorite thing is meeting authors I worship, and my favorite fan stories are all about me, because I’m the biggest fangirl in the world. When I first met Holly Black, we were having lunch and she finally said “Why aren’t you eating?” and I said “I’m too excited!” Because I was. I still am!

December Contests: Struts and Frets, We Were Here, and Daniel X: Watch the Skies

So, people! We've got three great contests for you this month! Enter to win Patterson's Daniel X: Watch the Skies or the fantabulous Struts and Frets by Jon Skovron or the intense We Were Here by Matt de la Pena.