{Review + Giveaway} Revel by Maurissa Guibord

Revel
by Maurissa Guibord
Pages: 339
Release Date: February 12, 2013
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Goodreads / Purchase

There’s an island off the coast of Maine that’s not on any modern map.

Shrouded in mist and protected by a deadly reef, Trespass Island is home to a community of people who guard the island and its secrets from outsiders. Seventeen-year-old Delia grew up in Kansas, but has come here in search of her family and answers to her questions: Why didn’t her mother ever talk about Trespass Island? Why did she fear the open water? But Delia’s not welcome and soon finds herself enmeshed in a frightening and supernatural world where ancient Greek symbols adorn the buildings and secret ceremonies take place on the beach at night.

Sean Gunn, a handsome young lobsterman, befriends Delia and seems willing to risk his life to protect her. But it’s Jax, the coldly elusive young man she meets at the water’s edge, who finally makes Delia understand the real dangers of life on the island. Delia is going to have to fight to survive. Because there are monsters here. And no one ever leaves Trespass alive.

*A copy was provided by Delacorte Press for review purposes*

“I tried to tell you it dangerous here.”

“I thought you meant like rocks and big waves, Gran.  Not whatever this is.”

Yep, that about sums it up!  This book has one of the most original and unique ideas I’ve ever read.  I don’t know if there’s another book out there quit like this one.  The writing really drew me in, and it was so eerie and eloquent, and I couldn’t stop reading.  I really liked how the story line and events flowed together, and how the author let the readers learn the secrets of the island as Delia did.  I really love all the twists and turns in this book, one in particular.  I’m not going to go into too much detail, but there was kind of a double twist, and I saw the first one coming, but not the second one, so I’m really glad that Maurissa Guibord took it that step farther.  Really the only thing I didn’t like about this book was the ending.  In my opinion, the ending is supposed to be thrilling, interesting, and tie up all the loose ends.  Guibord set the book up perfectly for an awesome ending…and then just whimped out.  She could have totally done a thrilling ending, and I’m not sure why she didn’t, but the option was there, and it didn’t happen.  Also, towards the end of the book, there was a way too-easy solution to a certain problem (not going to go into detail), and that really kind of annoyed me as well.

There was kind of a semi love-triangle in this book, but I liked how it worked out.  Delia didn’t go between the two guys, she just stuck with one, and I really appreciate that.  She was attracted to one in the beginning, then met another, and stuck with him, so she wasn’t, by any means, playing them.  Even though Sean was pretty nice, I was Team Jax, and I’m glad with the choice she made.  Delia was strong, smart, nice, and not what she seemed to be.  Jax I didn’t feel like I got to know well enough, like he wasn’t as developed as Sean.  But, other than that, he was a pretty solid character.

I’m pretty sure there is going to be a sequel to this book, but if there is I think I would read it.  The writing, idea, and story line completely pulled me in in this book, and I can’t wait to see what Maurissa Guibord comes up with next!

3.5 pink flowers

~Giveaway~

~There will be one winner

~Giveaway ends on February 27, 2013 @ 12:00 A.M.

~This giveaway is US/CAN

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering and may the odds be ever in your favor!

{Review} Wish I Could Have Said Goodye by Shari A. Brady

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye
by Shari A. Brady
Pages: 260
Release Date: June 11, 2012
by CreateSpace

Goodreads / Purchase

Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself.
Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family's struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella's eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. WIth conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we're open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.

*A copy was provided by Shari Brady for review purposes*

Wow, what a strong book.  I have never read a book with this setting and situation before, and it was pretty eye-opening.  The idea was very good, I just think that the execution wasn’t done very well.  The writing wasn’t, but the story line was atrocious, and it completely ruined the book for me.  And even though I really liked that the romance was really sweet and played a huge part in this book, I don’t like how it was written.  It’s wasn’t a case of insta-love by any means, because Howie and Carmella were dating over a few months, but it felt like insta-love because the story line jumped around so much.  There was no flow, just disjointed, random events.  The writing wasn’t very awesome either, with some sentences being run-ons, or not being correctly punctuated – well, in my opinion at least.  Also, Brady tried to put a little drama into the romance, and it was just so obvious that it was annoying instead of dramatic.  Also, the ending was really weird.  I think that Brady could have done something different and better with it, because as it was it didn’t really complete the book.

Even though the writing and story line weren’t really that awesome, I really enjoyed the characters.  Carmella is a really troubled girl, and I loved seeing her grow over the course of the story, and get over all her problems.  She was kind of a tortured heroine, and I felt really bad for her, but she was also pretty strong, so I really enjoyed the part she played.  Howie is really just a very sweet guy, and there isn’t really anything bad I can say about him.  He was nice, cute, and really supported Carmella in her struggles, so I enjoyed that.

Even though the idea and tortured characters were all set up to make this book an amazing coming-of-age story, I feel like Brady could have done a much better job finishing it off with the writing and story line, and maybe adding a new ending that actually completes the book.

2 pink flowers

Waiting on Wednesday #53

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is.

Another Little Piece by Kate Karyus Quinn

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release Date: June 11, 2013

The spine-tingling horror of Stephen King meets an eerie mystery worthy of Sara Shepard's Pretty Little Liars series in Kate Karyus Quinn's haunting debut.

On a cool autumn night, Annaliese Rose Gordon stumbled out of the woods and into a high school party. She was screaming. Drenched in blood. Then she vanished.

A year later, Annaliese is found wandering down a road hundreds of miles away. She doesn't know who she is. She doesn't know how she got there. She only knows one thing: She is not the real Annaliese Rose Gordon.

Now Annaliese is haunted by strange visions and broken memories. Memories of a reckless, desperate wish . . . a bloody razor . . . and the faces of other girls who disappeared. Piece by piece, Annaliese's fractured memories come together to reveal a violent, endless cycle that she will never escape—unless she can unlock the twisted secrets of her past.

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Link me up!!!

{Review} Dr. Frankenstein's Daugther by Suzanne Weyn

Dr. Frankenstein's Daughters
by Suzanne Weyn
Pages: 245
Release Date: January 1, 2013
Point

Goodreads / Purchase

A new generation is creating a monster....
Giselle and Ingrid are the twin daughters of Doctor Victor Frankenstein, but they are very different people, and when they inherit his castle in the Orkney Islands, Giselle dreams of holding parties and inviting society -- but Ingrid is fascinated by her father's forbidden experiments.

*A copy was provided by Scholastic for review purposes*

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book like this one…and that is totally not a good thing.  I haven’t ever read a book where I couldn’t figure out why on earth it was even written, but I have now.  This book was POINTLESS!  There was absolutely no reason to write this book, because hello!  Books actually have a story line that goes somewhere.  This one, however, didn’t.  I really, really loved the idea and how it connected with the original Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (which I HAVE read *pats self on back*).  I also liked the writing style and how it was consistent with how people would have talked back then.  But after that, this book went downhill – fast.  First off, there was insta-love.  INSTA-LOVE, INSTA-LOVE, INSTA-LOVE GALORE!  Ugghhhh, it drove me nuts.  At first I didn’t really mind that the two characters in question (not gonna say who) liked each other, but when they professed their undying love for each other after only a bit, I was like “Hell no!”  And then, after that, there are a lot of pointless events like Ingrid and Giselle going to London, and then Giselle wanting to plan a party, and then there’s talk about the dad, and then the Creation, and then there are murders.  What really annoyed me was that I feel like Weyn wimped out on this story, was just like “Okay, I’m trying to finish this as fast as I can, so I’m just going to half-ass the ending”.  And I hate to say that because I appreciate authors and all they work they put into their books, but that’s really how I feel.  She completely drops the whole Creation part of the story, and then takes the easy way out choosing who the murderer is!  Those of you who have read this book know what I’m talking about and who the murderer is, and I really hope you agree with me.

Also, just wondering, but is there going to be a sequel to this book?  Because there are SO MANY loose ends and plot holes in this book and the ending.  Nothing was resolved, and it was all a pile of bologna, so is there going to be a follow-up?

This is usually the part in my review when I discuss the characters, but I’m not going to waste my time, because they have about as much personality as a block of wood.  So, instead, I’m going to talk a bit about the horrible staging and all the “lucky” things that happened in this book.

Here we go!  CAUTION: Spoilers!!!!!!

Okay, so this is at the end of the book when Giselle is remembering all the things that had to do with someone (the Creation????) trying to kidnap her and Ingrid.

#1: “The next time I saw him I was in a park in Edinburgh.  He grabbed me and knocked me down.  Lucky for me there was a rock nearby.  I pounded him in the head until he stopped struggling, and then I rolled him in a nearby river.”

~Page 243, uncorrected ARC edition

#2: “His piercing, hate-filled eyes gave him away.  He whispered evil things to me, and I knew as soon as he had the chance he would try to kill me.  When he sailed into a hidden bay where no one could see him strike, I knew it would be a fight to the death.  He capsized the boat and would soon kill me if I hadn’t acted boldly and wrapped the sailing line around his neck.”

~Page 243, uncorrected ARC edition

#3: “He asked me to join him in a pub but I knew what he really wanted – a chance to get me alone to murder me.  Luckily I spied rat poison in the kitchen and was able to slip inside to grab some.  While he tried to woo me with sweet words I slipped it into his ale, thereby making my escape.”

~page 244, uncorrected ARC edition

#4: “He made his way to Gairsay where he tried again as I walked home, only this time he was in a wagon and got out to kidnap me.  Fortunately I possessed a letter opener, which I used to fight him off.”

~Page 244, uncorrected ARC edition

#5: “The last time I saw him he was sitting up on a bed in a hospital or somewhere like it.  I’m not sure what it was.  Ingrid was there and he was attacking her this time.  I saved us both that day.”

~Page 244, uncorrected ARC edition

*Deep breath*.  Okay.  I’m just going to go through by number.

#1: No offense to women, but if there is a monsterish, super-strong something attacking you, I don’t think you’ll be able to fight him off, even if a rock is so conveniently right beside you.  And would that nearby river be, by any chance, THE THAMES!?

#2 & 3: Wow, so lucky that Giselle was so bold and smart and strangled him…even though he’s still stronger.  And how freaking lucky that POISON was just lying around, and Giselle was able to sneak into a kitchen, even though her “date” was probably escorting her.

#4: Oh, yes Giselle, I too carry around a letter opener wherever I go.  I didn’t know anyone else did that!  It’s really convenient! *rolls eyes*.

And finally, #5: How freaking lucky that Giselle is a freaking superwoman - and isn’t she humble too everyone? – and was SOMEHOW able to save herself and her twin.  Everyone bow down to Giselle!

To everyone who reads my reviews, I really don’t enjoy writing these negative reviews, and I totally don’t enjoy ripping an author’s hard work, but some books I just hate, and unfortunately this was one of them.  I also apologize for my swearing – I get worked up.  But please keep in mind that not everyone is the same, so even if I didn’t like this book, that doesn’t mean you won’t!

1 pink flower

YADP Post: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Young Adult Debut Promotions (YADP) is a post I do to help out debut authors, and to get them noticed.  My posts will definitely include a feature of the book, a feature of the author, and a giveaway, with an interview, guest post, or excerpt optional.  If you would like more information about YADP click here and scroll down until you come to the section talking about it.

Today I am featuring...


Kasie West
And she will be doing an interview, and giveaway!

~The Book~

Pivot Point

by Kasie West

Series: Pivot Point #1

Pages: 352

Release Date: February 12, 2013

by HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier...

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.
In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

~Author Interview~

1. Why did you become a writer?

Because I love stories. I love to read. I love to create. So I decided to give it a try.

2. Who were your biggest influences?

I'm sure every book I've read has influenced me throughout my life. When I was a teenager, back before there was a great YA section, I read a lot of romance novels. Ha. I laugh a little at that thought now, but romance novels are really good at creating romantic tension and I think I learned a lot from them. I'm a huge fan of classics. My favorite is Dickens. I would marry him if he were still alive....and if he'd have me. I also love Jane Austen. But above all, I just love to read Young Adult. It makes me happy. I love that we have such a big selection now.

3. Is there a special routine you like to do before you write?

I have four kids. I don't get to have a routine. I write when I can. I have to pick up in the middle of scenes sometimes and try to get the vibe back. Most of my writing is done late at night when the whole house is asleep.

4. Is there a special place you like to write?

I have a chair in my room. A big comfy chair with overstuffed arms that I've worn a very nice butt indentation into. It's my writing chair. 

5. What is your favorite movie?

That answer changes every few months because I love movies and I find a new favorite depending on my mood. Some of my favorites have included: Notting Hill, Australia, The Lucky One, The Notebook, and on and on.

6. Favorite food?

Chocolate!!!

7. Favorite book?

That's harder than the movie question. :) Too many to name.

8. When and how did you get the idea for Pivot Point?

Pivot Point was inspired by the movie Sliding Doors (I should've included that on my favorite movie list, it's awesome). The idea of alternate realities really appeals to me. I like the thought that one choice can change the outcome of your life in big and small ways. It was fun to explore that in Pivot Point. 

9. Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?

Well, Pivot Point has a sequel that will be out in 2014. But before then, this coming fall, my contemporary novel will be published through HarperTeen. It's called The Distance Between Us. Keep an eye out for that one if you love contemporary as much as I do. 

~Author Interview~

~There will be one winner

~Giveaway ends on February 20, 2013 @ 12:00 A.M.

~This giveaway is INT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~Get to know Kasie West~

Bio:

I write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My debut novel, PIVOT POINT, will be published by HarperTeen on February 12, 2013, followed by its sequel in 2014. I also have a contemporary, The Distance Between Us, coming out in the Fall of 2013 with HarperTeen. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.

Connect:

Goodreads | Website | Twitter

In My Mailbox #48

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren, where we spotlight the books that we've received for review, swapped, or purchased that week.

LIBRARY:

Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Dead Girl Moon by Charlie Price

Purity by Jackson Pearce

WON:

Blink Once by Cylin Busby

What did you guys get this week?

Link me up!!! :)

{Review} The Mirrored Shard by Caitlin Kittredge

The Mirrored Shard
by Caitlin Kittredge
Series: The Mirrored Shard #3
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 12, 2013
by Delacorte Press

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Aoife Grayson must face death to win back Dean—the love who was ripped from the Iron Lands of the living when he was shot in the arctic north. But getting to the Deadlands is something that Aoife can't do on her own. And if she can find a way there, Tremaine would surely never allow it. He has sworn to keep her in the Thorn Lands, the fairie home of her mother, Nerissa. But Aoife is determined to find her way out. And she has no trouble if that means she has to kill Tremain and his queen to do it.

*A copy was provided by Random House for review purposes*

Gah!  I’m so sad!  This series started out SO GREAT, and then it sunk like a stone, getting steadily worse over the course of the series.  This book is the final book, and, unfortunately, the worst.  The writing wasn’t awesome, and the story line was so simple, and the staging was absolutely horrible.  In the first book, The Iron Thorn, the escapes were very difficult, thrilling, and believable, the story line was smooth and flowing, and the staging was perfect, but in this book, it was the complete opposite.  The escapes were so easy!  Every single time either something “lucky” happened or someone just “happened” to leave a door unlocked (that didn’t actually happen, but it was kind of like that).  The story line was horrible, bumpy, and the staging was absolutely horrible.  Kittredge introduced and got rid of characters as she pleased, trying to introduce the next place Aoife had to go in the book, and it was so annoying to read.  And, speaking of annoying, pretty much every single chapter ended on a really dramatic, completely irrelevant line.  Example:

“My name,” I said, glaring at him.  “It’s not ‘little girl’.  It’s Aoife.”

~page 243, uncorrected ARC edition

Gah!  It drove me nuts!

In the first book, I absolutely loved Aoife and Dean, and the romance between them, but in this book, I hated it!  Aoife was such a strong character in the first book, but in this one Kittredge tied to hard to make her seem tough and kick-ass.  Instead, she sounded stuck-up and cocky.  Example:

“You have no idea what I can imagine.  Or endure.”

~page 212, uncorrected ARC edition

All.  Book.  Long.  Aoife was all “I’m so awesome, I’m so strong, I’m so kick-butt”.  It was so annoying,  Also, Dean wasn’t really featured in this book at all, so that was kind of disappointing.

This series started off so good, with The Iron Thorn, then it got worse, with The Nightmare Garden, and then just plummeted with this book, and I really, really wish that Kittredge could have followed through with this series.

1 pink flower

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye Blog Tour Stop

Hi everyone!  Today I am super excited to be posting for the Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye Blog Tour, hosted by CBB Book Promotions.  Today I will be posting a review, excerpt, and giveaway, so let's get started!

Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye
by Shari A. Brady
Pages: 260
Release Date: June 11, 2012
by CreateSpace

Goodreads / Purchase

Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself.
Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family's struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella's eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we're open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.

~Excerpt~

People come from suburbs all around the Chicago area just so Mrs. Sparacini can make them one of her cakes. This is a quiet time of day for the bakery so she likes me to take care of customers so she can catch up on paperwork. When there aren’t any customers in the bakery, I put stuff away in the back. I’d love to learn how to decorate cakes like Mrs. Sparacini, but I’ve never told her. I’m sure if I did, she wouldn’t take me seriously, so what’s the point?I push the swinging door open and Anna turns around as the two cutest guys in the entire world walk in. Tying my apron, I walk towards the counter. Anna’s eyes fall out of her skull. “Can I help you?” I wipe my face, imagining I’ve got MY SISTER IS DEAD written all over it. “We’re looking for Mrs. Sparacini,” the tall dimpled guy says. His hair is cut just above his eyebrows, his jaw squared-off like he’s some model or something. I wonder how God doles out dimples. “Oh, sure. One second. You decide what you want yet?” I ask Anna. She glances over at them, then back at me. “Hmm. Can’t decide. The more time I spend in this place, the better things get.” Anna puffs her chest out and smiles. I’m sure my face turned a bright shade of purple, blue or pink. Or maybe chalk-white like all the blood has rushed out of my body. Anna’s fearless flirting catches me off guard. I spin around, my head down. “I’ll go get Mrs. Sparacini.” I walk into her office. “There are a couple of guys out front to see you.” Mrs. Sparacini peers over her half-glasses, her old chair squeaks. “What guys?” She stretches her neck squinting at the calendar on the wall. “Oh, right, completely forgot.” She holds her hand up to her forehead, smashing down her salt and pepper hair. “They’re here to order a birthday cake for a little boy. I guess he’s pretty sick. Tell them I’ll be right out.” I nod. I hear Anna flirting as I approach the door. This can only mean one thing: She’s struck up a conversation and I’ll be forced to actually speak to them. I push the door open to the front, and rush straight for the cash register. They all turn towards me. “She’ll be right out.” I think I’m smiling. Can’t tell what I’m doing from the shock of communicating with boys who don’t totally gross me out. “Thanks,” cute short-haired guy says. “Carmella. I’d like you to meet Jeremy and Howie.” Anna holds her hands out like she’s serving them up on platter. I nod. “Grace to neat you. I mean, nice to meet you.” Ugh

~Giveaway~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Mirrored Shard Blog Tour Stop

Hello everyone!  Today I am super-excited to be posting for The Mirrored Shard Blog Tour, and today I'm going to be doing an epic giveaway, so let's get started!

The Mirrored Shard
by Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Iron Codex #3
Pages: 304
Release Date: February 12, 2013
by Delacorte Press

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Aoife Grayson must face death to win back Dean—the love who was ripped from the Iron Lands of the living when he was shot in the arctic north. But getting to the Deadlands is something that Aoife can't do on her own. And if she can find a way there, Tremaine would surely never allow it. He has sworn to keep her in the Thorn Lands, the fairie home of her mother, Nerissa. But Aoife is determined to find her way out. And she has no trouble if that means she has to kill Tremain and his queen to do it.

The Iron Codex series:

Check out my review of The Iron Thorn, here!
Check out my review of The Nightmare Garden, here!


~Giveaway~

~There will be two winners

~Giveaway ends on February 20, 2013 @ 12:00 A.M.

~This giveaway is US/CAN

a Rafflecopter giveaway


~Follow the Tour~

February 5^th: All Things Urban Fantasy
February 6^th: Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile
February 7^th: Emily’s Crammed Bookshelf
February 8^th: Imaginary Reads
February 11^th: Tales of a Ravenous Reader
February 12^th: Bitten by Books

Waiting on Wednesday (#52): How My Summer Went Up in Flames

This is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlites upcoming new releases that we're highly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames by Jennifer Salvato Doktorski

Goodreads / Pre-Order

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: May 7, 2013

First she lost her heart. Then she lost her mind. And now she’s on a road trip to win back her ex. This debut novel’s packed with drama and romance!

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But her determination starts to dwindle with each passing mile. Because Rosie’s spark of anger? It may have just ignited a romance with someone new…

What are you guys waiting on this week?

Link me up!!!

YADP Post: City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

Young Adult Debut Promotions (YADP) is a post I do to help out debut authors, and to get them noticed.  My posts will definitely include a feature of the book, a feature of the author, and a giveaway, with an interview, guest post, or excerpt optional.  If you would like more information about YADP click here and scroll down until you come to the section talking about it.

Today I am featuring...


Miriam Forster
And she will be doing an excerpt, interview, and giveaway!

~The Book~

City of a Thousand Dolls
by Miriam Forster
Pages: 361
Release Date: February 5, 2013
by HarperTeen

Goodreads / Purchase

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die. Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

*A copy was provided by Harper for review purposes*

I’m not really a huge fan of mystery books because I feel like most of the time it’s too easy for the main character to figure out “who done it” and all that stuff (by the way, if you’re looking for an awesome mystery, check out Murder on the Orient Express.  I never, in a million years, would have guessed the murderer).  ANYWAY!  Back to City of a Thousand Dolls!  I really enjoyed this book.  I really liked how Forster got right into to the book and explained the characters and setting and story very quickly and efficiently.  The world that this book was set in was, quit honestly, kind of disturbing, because girls were literally being trained to be sold to the highest bidder.  Now, usually, I would go on a long rant about how that is sooo totally not a good setting and is offensive to women and blah blah blah - but I liked it in this book because the characters realized it wasn’t a good situation and tried to fix it, so it ended up adding to the story.  I liked the writing, although sometimes it was choppy, and Forster would jump Nisha to different places quickly and sloppily.  I also kind of liked/disliked the mystery.  It wasn’t a badly written mystery, but it wasn’t really that complex either.  I thought it was an average mystery, and it was kind of easy for Nisha to find the clues.  Also, I felt like the clues weren’t actually that awesome or convincing.  However, I NEVER, EVER would have guessed the killer.  I loved that Forster wrote another character so that it looked like she was the murderer (those of you who have read this book know who I’m talking about) because it really threw me off.  However, even though the killer came out of the blue, I liked the motive and the reason for the killings.  It was a very unique problem, the motive, and I loved that because it added to the story.  Also, I liked how, at the end of the book, the story came together and all the loose ends were tied up in a very thrilling, exciting way.  Also, there was another twist that I never saw coming at the end.  Half-way through the book Forster introduced a new guy character and I thought “Oh crap, she’s going to make a love triangle!”.  BUT DON’T WORRY, that’s not what she did!  I was kind of frustrated because I didn’t see the point in introducing a new character who, it looked like, would have nothing to do with the story.  But was I ever wrong!  When I found out what the character REALLY was, I literally yelled “OH MY GOD!”  and my dad heard me and was like “Em, what’s wrong?” and I was just like “My book” in a strangled voice because I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT HAD JUST GONE DOWN!  And I can usually see stuff like that coming, but I was completely blind-sided – twice – in this book.  So props to Forster for completely stunning me.

It’s not very often that the supporting cast is a group of animals – to be more specific, cats – and I’ve never read a book like that, but I must admit, I really liked the cats in this story.  Jerrit was, obviously, my favorite, and I like how much personality Forster gave to him and the other cats.  Plus, cats are freaking cute!  I also really liked Nisha, and how she had such a difficult past, yet persevered to become one kick-ass fighter.  She was smart, cunning, pretty darn kick-butt, strong, and awesome…so…yeah…I like Nisha :)

Even though this book had an average mystery and occasionally choppy writing, the ending of this book, the twists, and Nisha – and especially the cats – really made me like this book…a lot!

4 pink flowers

~Author Interview~

1. Why did you decide to become a writer?

I didn’t originally want to be a writer, not for a living. Everyone kept telling me, “you’re going to be a writer, you should be a writer, you never shut up about this book you’re writing,”  but I wasn’t listening. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I thought writing would surely just be a hobby. Until one day I woke up and thought, “I’m a writer.” I signed up for a writing class and the rest was history.

2. Who were your biggest influences?

In fantasy, it would probably be Mercedes Lackey and Tamora Pierce. I’ve always loved the way that they play with different cultures and people groups in their books. In mystery, I’m very old school. Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories and anything by Agatha Christie are my favorites. 

3. Where do you like to write?

Anywhere where there’s a flat surface, little interruption and lots of coffee. I’ve written at a desk, a dining room table, and lots and lots of coffee shops. As long as I have headphones in and music going, the surroundings don’t really matter.

4. Do you have a special routine you like to do before you write?

Lately my routine has been “Get coffee, put in headphones, obsessively check Tumblr.” But it doesn’t lead to much writing. Usually the better one is “Get coffee, put in headphones, close web browser, open word file.” That one works much better. J

5. When and how did you get the idea for CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS?

I got it at work actually, when I was working at a coffee shop. I was cleaning something and letting my mind wander and I remembered this line about “being groomed” for someone that I’d come across in the book I was reading. Something clicked and suddenly I had this whole idea in my head of a place where girls would be groomed for different fates. I even had a name for it, the Houses of a Thousand Dolls. (We later changed the name to City of a Thousand Dolls for various reasons.) I didn’t have a story or a world or anything at that point, but I had a setting and it was a start.

6. Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?

Yes there is! It’s a companion book to City of a Thousand Dolls, and will share some of the same characters. There’s more, but I can’t tell you yet.

THIS OR THAT

1. Jelly or peanut butter?

Peanut butter! With chocolate or honey. 

2. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate! Dark chocolate gives me lemon face. J

3. Cats or dogs?

Both! But since I seem incapable of writing a book without cats in it…cats. 

4. Hardcover/ paperbacks or ebooks?

Paperbacks. Hardbacks are too heavy and I’m still exploring ebooks. But paperbacks go anywhere and fit in your coat pocket.

~Excerpt~

A very still girl in red silk lay sprawled on her back next to the wall. Her asar was finer than Nisha had ever seen on anyone outside of Tanaya--a thin, fluttering fabric woven with gold that wrapped several times around the girl's broken body. Her eyes had the glassy stare of a painted figurine and her head was tilted at an extreme angle, her limbs flung around her. If it hadn't been for the dark blood matting her light hair, she could have looked like a doll thrown by an angry child.

Nisha swallowed the bile that suddenly burned in her throat.

~Giveaway~

~There will be one winner

~Giveaway ends on February 16, 2013 @ 12:00 A.M.

~This giveaway is INT

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~Get to know Miriam Forster~

Bio:

Miriam Forster learned to read at the age of five, wrote her first story at the age of seven and has been playing with words ever since. Her debut novel, CITY OF A THOUSAND DOLLS is being published by HarperCollins.In her daily life, Miriam is a wife, a terrible housekeeper and a dealer of words at the local bookshop. In her internal life, she imagines fight scenes, obsesses about anthropology, nature shows and British television, and reads far too many books. 

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