tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67015714040667625802024-03-12T16:16:24.955-07:00Critical LiteratureBecause people need storiesthe superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-56715316626596052422013-05-28T06:54:00.004-07:002013-05-28T06:54:57.420-07:00Shiver by Maggie SteifvaterSince yesterday was Memorial Day, I took the day off and spent it with friends.<br />
<br />
Hence the review being moved to today.<br />
<br />
Shiver enchanted me. As you know, I don't usually read romance (at least, not willingly). But Shiver is a romance, a fantasy romance at that. With werewolves.<br />
<br />
But it's not what you're thinking. It doesn't read like a contemporary romance (say, like Twilight). It's magical. Mysterious. Much more akin to a Grimm fairytale than a modern story. It was beautiful.<br />
<br />
Haunting -- that's the word for this story. A young girl was bitten by wolves and saved by a wolf. She remembers, and every year waits for the one who saved her, the one with yellow eyes. There's a draw she can't explain. Something calls to her.<br />
<br />
And then she meets him. The wolf-who-is-a-boy. Sam Roth is only a boy when it's warm. The two have been in love for quite some time, and when they finally meet when both are humans, the love deepens, irrevocably.<br />
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They're sweet. Innocent. Charming. Sam and Grace are unique, each struggling with family, identity, and destiny.<br />
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What will happen to them when it gets cold? Sam only has so many years he can change. After that...he'll be a wolf forever.<br />
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I thought the development of the werewolf mythology in this book was particularly original. I won't spoil it but there is more going on than a simple fairytale. There's something else just on the edge, a blend of science and magic that's almost tangible.<br />
<br />
There are certain authors who have ways of stringing words together that create effortless landscapes, feelings, smells, sounds...Maggie is one of them. She really does write magically well. If I was dropped in the little town where Grace and Sam live, I could find my way to the bookstore, Beck's house, and Grace's. I could spot the school, the candy store, and Grace's car, and all of it is tinged with that "once upon a time" aura.<br />
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There's an eerie feel throughout the book, almost as if you're being swallowed up in the story. You become part of it. You become just as fascinated as Grace by the wolves.<br />
<br />
I thought it would be a one shot, but the ending was so abrupt that I ached for more. I needed resolution. And then I found out it was a series. I still think the writing could have been less abrupt, but I'm thrilled to see we're getting more stories from The Wolves of Mercy Falls.<br />
<br />
It isn't summer reading, so maybe once Autumn arrives, pick this one up and enjoy.the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-28364415727288462772013-05-21T13:54:00.003-07:002013-05-21T13:54:38.295-07:00Insurgent by Veronica Roth -- CultureMass ArticleHi everybody,<br />
<br />
Here's the link I promised to my review of Insurgent via CultureMass:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://culturemass.com/bookreviews/insurgent/">Insurgent Review</a> by K.M. Cone<br />
<br />
I'm a staff writer for the TV section (check out my reviews of Supernatural and Once Upon A Time episodes!) but I occasionally write a piece for the Lit section.<br />
<br />
Let me know what you think!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-28380575071631765322013-05-21T06:50:00.003-07:002013-05-21T06:50:50.537-07:00Croak by Gina DamicoI do apologize for the last two weeks -- amidst Finals Week here at uni, two weddings, birthday and graduation parties and art/writing projects...I've done some reading but haven't done any blogging!<br />
<br />
So I'm going to share a review today and then put up a link to a review I did for CultureMass.com when it's published!<br />
<br />
Gina Damico's Croak is one of my new favorite books. If you can tolerate a little language, and you love goth, punk, motorcycles, adrenaline, fantasy, wit/sarcasm, word humor, or badassery, then you need to read this book.<br />
<br />
It was the word humor that got me from the very beginning, when Lexington and Concord Bartleby, the twins, were introduced. Their mom's kind of into American History. Just a wee bit.<br />
<br />
I cackled even harder when I realized where Ms. Damico was going with the word humor, but I won't ruin the surprise for you.<br />
<br />
Lex is sixteen, a troublemaker, and her parents are over it. She's sent away to live with her crazy uncle for the summer, presumably to work on a farm. Lex's uncle definitely does NOT own a farm, but is rather the mayor of a small town comprised of Grim Reapers. And he's going to train Lex as one.<br />
<br />
What follows is Lex's understandable shock that people have this job, and her horror as the town is targeted by a wild Grim Reaper who's on an unsanctioned killing spree. Can Lex and the other Junior Reapers solve the mystery? What happens when they do? <br />
<br />
I laughed through most of the book, although there are some really sad scenes (that I did not laugh at). Lex is quite believable as a rebel without a cause (a little bit like John Bender from The Breakfast Club, which meant I loved her immediately), and I am dying (oh dear) to read Scorch, the next book in the Croak trilogy.<br />
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I even went around in a black hoodie the other day to pretend I was Lex.<br />
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That's how much I freaking loved this book.<br />
<br />
Go read it now so we can talk about it!<br />
<br />
<br />the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-43560676043628284192013-05-08T05:13:00.003-07:002013-05-08T05:14:03.129-07:00A Bookish Escape Giveaway!A Bookish Escape is giving away a bunch of awesome signed books (The Archived, Divergent, Starters, etc.) - if you want to try your luck, enter here:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abookishescape.com/2013/05/a-bookish-escape-1500-likes-giveaway.html">A Bookish Escape Giveaway</a><br />
<br />
May the odds be ever in your favor!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-48529891373668072972013-05-06T17:11:00.002-07:002013-05-06T17:11:19.139-07:00Butter by Erin Jade LangeA few years ago, a friend who shares my book tastes (almost exactly) told me I should read this book. I dutifully noted the title, but since it hadn't come out yet (he'd read an ARC), it got shuffled down in by TBR pile.<br />
<br />
Last week I was browsing at the library and was delighted to finally see a copy! I checked it out, along with about twenty other books, and brought it home.<br />
<br />
I finally started reading it last night and I almost didn't go to bed. I wanted to read the entire thing in one sitting. I finished it this morning and my emotions are all in a jumble. It feels personal, somehow.<br />
<br />
Butter is a book you won't soon forget. <br />
<br />
The main character, Marshall, is nicknamed "Butter" after a cruel incident involving an entire stick of butter. Butter is overweight, plagued by a silent father, a loving yet hopelessly ineffective mother, and a highschool full of unfriendly kids. His professor and doctor try to help, but Butter is convinced that no one cares about him.<br />
<br />
So he creates ButtersLastMeal.com, a grotesque suicide mission with live streaming. What happens next is not what he expected: he becomes popular. People love the idea, it's novel, daring, and life-threatening. As Butter's popularity increases, so does his resolve to carry out his original plan. He spirals out of control and no one, the naysayers nor his adoring public, are ready for what follows.<br />
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The characters, while regular teens, are fully realized, three dimensional, making them all memorable. Butter's a musician, a brilliant saxophone player; the girl of his dreams, Anna, is a fake blond who secretly hates shopping. Jeremy, Butter's nemesis, is a semi-rich kid unliked by even his friends. <br />
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I loved Marshall (Butter)'s voice -- he is the kind of guy I'd love to spend time with. He's funny, charming, sweet, and incredibly smart and talented. It pained me to see his emotional journey, and it brought to mind some of my own darkest moments.<br />
<br />
Butter is a deep, tragic glimpse into the life of someone who has suffered emotional, physical and mental damage at his own hands as well as everyone else's, driving his actions. It's a reminder to me to look beneath the surface when I meet someone. There's more to us than even we know. <br />
<br />
Have you read Butter? If so, what did you think?the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-38848863874605968102013-04-29T13:42:00.000-07:002013-04-29T13:42:38.649-07:00Beautiful Creatures, No. 1 by Kami Garcia & Margaret StohlI was trying to decide which book to review today and realized I never talked about Beautiful Creatures apart from the first few lines! <br />
<br />
Here, then, are my thoughts upon reading the first book of the Beautiful Creature series:<br />
<br />
1. The setting is phenomenal. I feel like I know this town. Gatlin, South Carolina must be a a real place. Since I live in South Carolina, I was happily surprised at the authenticity of the novel's setting. Everything rang true to me, from the superstitions, pies, people, and small-town petty feuds. The muggy heat, the thunderstorms, the countryside...the landscape is impeccable.<br />
<br />
2. The characters don't seem so much like characters as potential neighbors. Again, this could just be me, living in the South, but I also know people like this. Even though there's paranormal activity going on, even though some of these people aren't technically 100% human...these people are real, or at least they feel real. Even the teenagers are real, without being gross or risque (which I deeply appreciate, since I am squeamish when it comes to steamy scenes).<br />
<br />
3. I loved the relationships between people. Ethan's heartbreaking relationship with his father, his humorous (and somewhat awed) relationship with Amma, his sweet relationship with Lena, and his dislike of the lives of the people around him. I can definitely identify with that last one.<br />
<br />
4. The history presented in this book is a great middle-of-the-road view. It isn't anti-South, but it isn't exactly pro-North either. It presents the Civil War for what it was: a great tragedy in the history of our nation. Both sides suffered, in more ways than one. And some families haven't quite forgotten it.<br />
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5. My only nitpick is that there were <em>so many words</em>. I feel like there wasn't enough action to merit such a high word count (the book is enormous). I might be inclined to say it was because they had to ground the story in such a deeply complicated setting, but I've also just read a fantastic dystopian YA novel that had the bare minimum description and still managed to make me feel like I was there. So...I go back and forth about it. It only detracted slightly from my enjoyment of the story.<br />
<br />
My favorite character right now is Lena. She's a very unique individual. I feel like we would get along. I feel like we have a lot in common (writing, keeping little things that we consider valuable, highly sensitive), even though she is vastly different from me (she has supernatural powers, which of course, no matter how much I want them, I do not possess).<br />
<br />
I'm really enjoying Beautiful Darkness (book two), and I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out in a few weeks. Come back next Monday for a review on a different book!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-25999085458777700922013-04-24T06:13:00.001-07:002013-04-24T06:13:47.728-07:00Showers of Books Giveaway Hop!There's a great giveaway going on right now -- lots of good books up for grabs!<br />
<br />
Follow along with me by starting here: <a href="http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/04/shower-of-books-blog-hop-giveaway.html">http://www.literaryrambles.com/2013/04/shower-of-books-blog-hop-giveaway.html</a><br />
<br />
Good luck!<br />
<br />
(I'm hoping for a chance to win Cinder or Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, Under the Never Sky or Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi, or Shadow & Bone or Siege & Storm by Leigh Bardugo!)the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-62046245356607003762013-04-22T19:53:00.002-07:002013-04-22T19:53:44.925-07:00Cinder by Marissa MeyerIt might have been a mistake to read a Cinderella re-telling while trying to write a re-telling of the same story. I ended up reading Cinder and thinking, "Why should I write a re-telling? This is the most imaginative and fun version of this story I've ever read!"<br />
<br />
[I also discovered that while I enjoyed reading historical fiction as a child, I loathe writing it. I couldn't even open the document to work on it after the first five chapters. So there is that too]<br />
<br />
The book opens with Cinder, the best mechanic in New Beijing, being visited by Prince Kai. He brings a robot for her to repair. Before they have time to fall in love at first sight, an outbreak of plague causes them both to scurry home, before they succumb to the frightening disease.<br />
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Cinder lives with her stepmother and two stepsisters, and a robot, her one constant companion. Unknown to many, including the prince, Cinder is a cyborg, which allows her to diagnose and fix machines as well as tell when people are lying.<br />
<br />
When she's sent to the palace as a 'volunteer' for experimentation with a cure for the plague, a scientist takes particular interest in her. There is more to Cinder than even she knows, and when the Lunar Queen visits, Cinder is warned to stay away for fear of her life.<br />
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Of course, she can't, needing to get vital information to the prince, and what results is a tragic and breathtaking beginning of the Lunar Chronicles. Scarlet, the second book, is already out and I am anxious to continue reading about Cinder.<br />
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There were lots of things to love about this book: the cover is striking, Cinder is an intelligent girl who knows how to handle machinery, she isn't overly romantic, and she struggles with things that a lot of us go through at that age. I also loved the nods to the classic story. The new twists made the story fresh, and the setting was just incredible -- a future world where the moon has its own colony ruled by the Lunar Queen, Beijing has been rebuilt, and robots/cyborgs are looked down on as second-hand citizens. It's an interesting way to look at race/disabilities.<br />
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The one thing I didn't like was that I saw the biggest twist coming right from the start. I wish the clues hadn't been so obvious, or that they had showed up later, about 2/3 of the way through the book instead of in the first few chapters.<br />
<br />
Other than that, it was amazing, and really, it's one of my new favorite books. Re-tellings are always such fun, and Cinder was more fun than most, being put in a science fiction setting rather than a fairytale.<br />
<br />
I'm curious to see Cinder's journey throughout The Lunar Chronicles, and I'd love to hear your thoughts (mark your spoilers, though, as I haven't read Scarlet yet) on Cinder's story! the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-14166990242934899502013-04-15T14:32:00.001-07:002013-04-15T14:32:49.148-07:00Paper Valentine by Brenna YovanoffHas anyone read Brenna Yovanoff's book The Replacement? It's a spooky, weird, dark little fairytale about a boy who doesn't fit in -- not in this world, and not in the fae world he visits. It's a fascinating book but quite dark -- Paper Valentine continues that tradition.<br />
<br />
Paper Valentine is unsettling. It ends unresolved, in some ways. It discusses a disturbing issue. And it's a really, really interesting psychological story.<br />
<br />
I liked it.<br />
<br />
Not in the "This-is-my-favorite-book-of-all-time" kind of way (like Blink & Caution or Shadow & Bone were) but "This-is-a-very-unique-book-and-wow-I'm-so-glad-I-got-to-read-this" kind of way.<br />
<br />
Paper Valentine focuses on a girl, Hannah, who lives in a small town. It's summertime. And her best friend's ghost is following her around. Also...she might be attracted to Finney Boone, the guy who scrubbed her face with snow in elementary school.<br />
<br />
As the plot thickens, dead girls begin cropping up, surrounded by plastic toys and childish paraphernalia. And a single valentine cut out of paper. Hannah catches glimpses of the gruesome scenes while working for her cousin, who develops the photos at her shop for the police.<br />
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Hannah's dead friend becomes obsessed with the murders, dragging Hannah along for the ride. Will Hannah be able to unravel this mystery, or will it be the end of her?<br />
<br />
So: Hannah's dealing with her best friend's ghost, a constant reminder of the way she died (it is hinted that she died from complications due to bulimia or anorexia); a family who's freaked out by the serial killer (which means she's cooped up with her friend's ghost -- not a pleasant way to spend the summer); Finney Boone, who starts showing a gentle side; and her own guilt and feelings when it comes to her friend's death, the way she treated Finney in elementary school, and her friend's need to find the killer.<br />
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Paper Valentine weaves complex psychological elements into the characters early, but doesn't start pulling threads until you've made up your mind about the characters.<br />
<br />
Do you like Hannah? Well, she's in a clique of mean girls who made fun of Finney when they were younger. She's never been able to get away from their influence. She's living in her head more than she's living in real life. <br />
<br />
Do you like Finney? Well, we don't know much about him. He could even be the serial killer. Aren't they supposed to turn on the charm when they meet a potential victim?<br />
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It goes on like this for a while, beckoning you this way and that, tantalizingly giving you one piece of information at a time, never enough to put it all together until the very end.<br />
<br />
While I didn't completely buy the ending, it has started to make sense now that I've had a few days to think about it. What I really loved is that it's a character that runs true to form for a serial killer. It's someone you know. You trust him. You don't even give him a second thought, since you've been in his house before. But once you really see him, you wonder why it never occurred to you why his eyes are so lifeless.<br />
<br />
(And the only reason I didn't buy the ending was that we never got much time with that character. There wasn't as much of a build up as there needed to be.)<br />
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I loved that Hannah wasn't a reliable narrator. The more you learn about her and Finney you realize she's looked at him wrong her whole life. He's a hooligan and he steals from the gas station, but that doesn't mean he can't also be a sweet, gentle guy. And it doesn't mean he should be automatically pointed to as the main suspect.<br />
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Paper Valentine is full of mystery. It's creepy, scary, dark, and contains some thematic elements not for the younger crowd (there's a oujia board used for a seance at least twice, and there's a few romantic moments, although nothing graphic). It's a lot of psychology. It's about grief, anger, and hopelessness.<br />
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But the rays of hope emanated by Hannah and Finney's relationship are beautiful to behold. In the midst of this nightmare, they find each other and gently, kindly lead each other to a better understanding of each other.<br />
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Finney's the type of character I always gravitate toward -- the misunderstood antihero. He reminds me of a slightly younger John Bender (from The Breakfast Club) -- a guy who's got it rough and pretends that he's rough, while on the inside, he's actually sweet; he's a person yearning for love. <br />
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If you enjoy ghost stories, psychological thrillers, mysteries, or paranormal stories, you would probably like this book.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll be reviewing Cinder by Marissa Meyer next week. Stay tuned!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-26729718353919727642013-04-08T13:36:00.000-07:002013-04-08T13:37:12.617-07:00Divergent by Veronica RothI won a copy of Insurgent a few weeks ago and had to scramble to find an available copy of Divergent (book 1) at the library.<br />
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Even though it has been out two years this month, I didn't have any friends who'd read it and didn't really know what it was about -- somehow, I had managed to avoid spoilers (a grand feat).<br />
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I am so glad I knew nothing about the story when I began it. I was sucked into the world immediately, emotionally invested from the beginning, and I'm not quite sure what magic Veronica Roth worked to assure this outcome.<br />
<br />
Divergent speaks on the deepest need we humans have -- the need to belong. It explores that idea in a family setting and a societal setting, with friends, leaders, acquaintances and classmates. It's a powerful story of how we divide ourselves, and how dangerous that can be. The subcultures created in this setting are meant to separate, sometimes with tragic results.<br />
<br />
It also explores our need for power, and the corruption that inevitably follows. A society of the type depicted in Divergent can only last as long as the leaders are able to keep control firmly in hand. When the people realize they can wield power (and aren't afraid to try), a revolution often occurs. <br />
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With this social and political commentary as a backdrop, one girl searches for her identity in the midst of a life altering decision, a budding romance, and familial expectations. It's breathtaking to watch unfold -- and sometimes horrifying.<br />
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Divergent is categorized as YA dystopian fiction, but there's a lot more it has to offer. There are several twists and turns, advanced science experiments, and danger in spades, so this story could also appeal to mystery lovers, thriller admirers and science fiction readers.<br />
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I'd recommend this story to just about everyone, really. You'll easily be able to empathize with the main character as I found myself doing, and you also might find yourself subconsciously attempting to philosophize on which faction you'd belong to. <br />
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It's an exciting ride and I can't wait to read Insurgent.<br />
<br />
<br />the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-5742707919983081772013-04-06T05:47:00.000-07:002013-04-06T05:47:15.966-07:00Shadow & Bone: Thrilling News!Several months ago, I was skimming the Grisha Trilogy Facebook page (Shadow & Bone is book one in the trilogy, followed by Siege & Storm) and noticed an article that asked for our blogged reviews of Shadow & Bone. Since I had absolutely loved it, I sent in my review and waited.<br />
<br />
And waited.<br />
<br />
...And waited.<br />
<br />
I pretty much forgot about it.<br />
<br />
Until last night, when I received a lovely e-mail from someone at MacMillan publishers, who had been working on a surprise for us bloggers who had loved Shadow & Bone from the beginning.<br />
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We are included in the paperback edition of Shadow & Bone, coming out May 7th!!!<br />
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AHHHHH!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
She sent us a watermarked page (it's beautiful) and there was the name of my blog.<br />
<br />
Chills, people. I got chills.<br />
<br />
Back in the day you were lucky if you wrote an author and they scribbled a note back. That kind of thing was extremely rare and a lot of writers were hermit-esque except for the occasional speaking gig.<br />
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Not today. Today, we have authors contacting us through Goodreads (this has happened to me twice), writing blogs (I've won giveaways from authors), and saying a public thank you to those who fell in love with her first book.<br />
<br />
It's an exciting time to be alive!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-53978388489194760872013-04-03T11:48:00.001-07:002013-04-03T11:51:28.389-07:00How to Host a Great GiveawayI've been entering giveaways since last year when I discovered the YAmazing Race (an uber-trek through the blogosphere for the primary purpose of sharing YA stories), and I've thought about doing my own giveaway (or participating in a blog hop), but haven't worked myself up to it yet (lack of money/time issue, primarily). <br />
<br />
I have, however, given a lot of thought to running a giveaway smoothly and what not to do if you want people to enjoy your giveaway and come back for more.<br />
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I offer this sage advice (from one weary blog-hopper to the next) and hope it gives you a headstart when you decide to join the ranks of The Blogs That Give Awesome Stuff Away.<br />
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General guidelines:<br />
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1. Give something away that you'd like to win -- please, please don't offer up a worn-out copy of a vacuum cleaner manual. No one wants that. Also, don't offer up your own writing unless it comes with swag and signatures. It looks desperate. (This also protects you from feeling sad when only a few people enter your contest) If you can't think of something to give away, look through the hot titles list at your local library or on Amazon and Goodreads. Or ask your readers with an easy, one-question poll.<br />
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2. State rules and prize clearly (preferably at the beginning of the post).<br />
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3. Hold yourself to deadlines -- post the giveaway when you promised, end it and choose the winner in a timely fashion, alert the winner, keep in contact as necessary, and ship as soon as possible. You want people to keep visiting your blog. Be professional.<br />
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4. If you are using images in your giveaway, make sure the photo quality or image quality is high. Label them (with the title or series title) and link to their Goodreads or Amazon page.<br />
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5. If you are using Rafflecopter, there are a few suggestions I have after entering more than a dozen giveaways and bemoaning the complicated entry possibilities. Either assign all the options 1 point, or assign them points based on the time involved for each activity and how much exposure you'd potentially get. Also take into consideration what you'd like more of -- Twitter followers? Blog followers? Goodreads friends?<br />
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I'd set up a Rafflecopter as follows:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Follow via e-mail or RSS</li>
<li>Follow in one of these ways: Networked Blogs, Linky, BlogLuvin', GFC, etc.</li>
<li>Follow on Twitter</li>
<li>Friend/follow on Goodreads</li>
<li>Follow on Pinterest</li>
<li>Like Facebook page (or share contest)</li>
<li>Comment -- ask them a question they can answer in the comment section</li>
</ul>
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The reason I've only put one Twitter option on there is because some people don't have smartphones and therefore don't have a Twitter account (can you imagine Twitter on the computer? Maddening). I also think you should group similar things in one option - would you really follow someone three different ways via your own blog? Also -- it's nice to get comments, but if I have to go through your reviews and post a thoughtful comment, I probably won't do it. For ease and a sure entry, ask them a pertinent question (tie in the theme of the giveaway! Ask for recommendations!). Another thing I've seen is only allowing one option to show until completed. What if you only let people who have a Twitter handle enter? You've just lost part of your audience.</div>
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If the point of a giveaway is to enlarge your readership, do yourself a favor and make the giveaway fun and easy. People will appreciate it and might even tell their friends to enter your next giveaway.</div>
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Let me know in the comments if you can think of anything else to add, or if you agree/disagree with my giveaway rules. Those of you who have hosted giveaways -- what was your experience like?</div>
the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-91644025619568913492013-04-01T11:30:00.000-07:002013-04-01T11:30:57.828-07:00The Legend of Eli Monpress (Books 1-3) by Rachel AaronWell!<br />
<br />
I have finally finished reading the epic (I'm going to use that word a lot in this review) 3-book collection The Legend of Eli Monpress (and there's still two more books to go! I'm currently reading the next one, No. 4 -- The Spirit War).<br />
<br />
And may I just say...<br />
<br />
Well done, Rachel Aaron. *slow clap* Well done.<br />
<br />
The first book, <i>The Spirit Thief</i>, is a great heist story. It's full of epic sword fights, kick-butt characters, witty repartee, etc. The ending is a big finish, a grand finale, and you think, "Oh, wow, that was really cool!" and then you go on to the next book, unaware of the depth of epic-ness that is to come.<br />
<br />
Then you start in on <i>The Spirit Rebellion</i>. Really cool, thriller-type story with sneaking around, some character background, and a tyrant that *really* needs to be overthrown. Epic fight at the end that raises the stakes even more. We begin to see twists and turns in characters' stories, and the tangled relationships they're involved in.<br />
<br />
And then you read <i>The Spirit Eater</i> and start to understand just what exactly is going on. It's waaaaaay bigger than you've imagined and things are getting pretty serious for our beloved trio. This one has more...darkness involved. An inkling of the danger our characters are in (pretty deep) starts trickling into your brain and you start worrying that one of them (any of them!) might just keel over and die. It's a mystery -- shadowy, with more threatening villains, and the answer to a question we never thought to ask. It's almost a throwaway conversation -- but it *isn't* and that's where Rachel's brilliance appears (like it has everywhere through the books) -- we've built up to this point and have barely noticed. And then WHAM! There it is. And then the stakes are raised EVEN HIGHER. FOR EVERYONE.<br />
<br />
I kept reading each book and thinking, "HOW IS RACHEL GOING TO TOP THIS?!?!?!" And you know what? She topped each ending. Every. Single. Time.<br />
<br />
I don't even know what could happen in books four and five.<br />
<br />
Let's just say I scrambled to find a copy I could beg, borrow or steal so that I could finish the series stat.<br />
<br />
I'm serious -- I literally begged friends for a copy of book four, The Spirit War, so that I could keep going.<br />
<br />
What I love about Rachel Aaron is that she knows how to keep an epic story light while at the same time explore the depths of a fantasy world (and to some extent, the characters' backstories). She also handles multiple main characters extremely well -- I feel like I know the trio. I could travel with this group. I also know the person chasing them, and I can't help but sympathize. They are a slippery bunch to catch (and hold onto).<br />
<br />
Her books feel big, expansive -- the universe she's created feels real. I can picture the countryside the trio travels through, I know what they look like, I can see the castles and buildings they thieve from, and I can feel the food they eat in my hands. I can see their world so clearly.<br />
<br />
While the series isn't YA or middle-grade, it hits a nice medium -- it isn't 'adult' in theme. It's a really epic fantasy with elements of several genres mixed in (and is low on the romance scale, which of course you know delights me). It's a saga, a story whose scope is far greater than what you first see.<br />
<br />
I think this series would be perfect reading for a long summer or winter. I'm already sad that it's more than halfway over. While I'm trying to rush through and see what happens, I'm also lingering because I know once I read the last book, I have to say goodbye to Eli, Josef and Nico (and Miranda and Gin).<br />
<br />
And that's just gonna be a sad, sad day.the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-81808435371764921822013-03-30T06:37:00.002-07:002013-03-30T06:37:59.524-07:00Visit the New Blog!Hi everyone!<br />
<br />
It's time to announce the new blog!!!<br />
<br />
While I'll still be reviewing books and posting them on this site, I needed a new space to talk about story, the craft of writing, and specifically the mediums of film and television. So while you can still visit this one (I've got a review to be posted on Monday), I'd like it if you'd check out my other site and see if it's something you're interested in (you can follow through RSS if you want).<br />
<br />
Try reading my first post, <a href="http://katethesape.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/please-watch-responsibly/">Please Watch Responsibly</a>.<br />
<br />
You can also explore the site and see some of my other artistic endeavors (photography, digital art), my inspirations (film, books and television), and the About Me page which contains some weird facts and photos of yours truly.<br />
<br />
You can bookmark the new site by visiting the home page <a href="http://katethesape.wordpress.com/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
See you on Monday -- and if you visit the new site, feel free to leave a comment!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-26338729295943075012013-03-27T19:42:00.000-07:002013-03-27T19:42:04.308-07:00Eleanor & Park Giveaway!The Midnight Garden is giving away a signed copy of Eleanor and Park, a 1980's highschool love story!<br />
<br />
I REALLY REALLY WANT TO WIN THIS BOOK! There is almost nothing I love more than the 80's highschool story.<br />
<br />
I mean, I could watch The Breakfast Club or Freaks and Geeks every day.<br />
<br />
If you want a chance to win, enter <a href="http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2013/03/eleanor-park-review-giveaway.html#">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Good luck!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-59155960882057269852013-03-25T17:36:00.002-07:002013-03-25T17:36:36.066-07:00Clockwork Princess GiveawayHi everyone!<br />
<br />
Just thought you should know that another great book blog, Book Flame, is giving away two copies of The Clockwork Princess (last book in the Infernal Devices trilogy)!<br />
<br />
I've been wanting to read these books for ages so I'm entering the giveaway hoping for a win...<br />
<br />
Try your luck <a href="http://bookflame.blogspot.com/2013/03/giveaway-clockwork-princess-by.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BookFlame+%28Book+Flame%29">here</a>.the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-7709727173204717922013-03-25T16:55:00.000-07:002013-03-25T16:55:05.296-07:00Juniper Berry by M. P. Kozlowsky(On Friday I posted a bit of the first page of Juniper Berry, so after you read this review you might want to check it out)<br />
<br />
I was instantly drawn in by the first sentence of this middle-grade novel: "The house was a mansion, the lake was a pool, Kitty was a dog, and Juniper Berry was an eleven-year-old girl."<br />
<br />
It's one of those magical first sentences that gives you the chills and envelops you in the world right from the start.<br />
<br />
This is a story about the choices we make -- the choices that define us. It's about temptation to buy into being the same as everyone else, and it's about the terror of feeling alone.<br />
<br />
Juniper Berry is an eleven year old with no friends and severely neglectful parents. The child of two movie stars, she spends her days distant -- from her parents and the world around her. With her dog, Kitty, and every kind of lense imaginable (monocular, binocular, telescope, periscope, etc.), she explores from afar and dreams of the day when her parents will notice her again.<br />
<br />
She meets a strange boy named Giles whose parents are musicians, and together they solve the mystery behind their parents' meteoric rise to fame -- which includes a mysterious tree, a talking raven, and a handful of balloons.<br />
<br />
This is a modern moral fable. It has a lot to say about the price of fame -- the changes, the loss of personal identity and privacy and the pressure of pleasing a constant audience.<br />
<br />
It also speaks to the hardships one must endure to keep the essence of who they are, despite pressure to conform. <br />
<br />
Although this might seem a heady subject for middle-schoolers, I think it is a perfect opportunity for middle-grade readers to begin understanding the cost of living a false life. Juniper Berry is a genuine, honest, heartfelt individual who remains true to herself despite the agony of being an outsider and the temptations to 'live a perfect life' by living shallowly.<br />
<br />
I needed this book. It came at a time when I was struggling through what Juniper deals with -- wondering if, perhaps, being ourselves is too difficult and if embracing a life in the shallow end wouldn't be easier. But as we see in this story, our own lives are worth living, no matter what pain we experience. We are who we are, and if we lie to ourselves about that, we aren't going to be happy, even if we receive everything we ask for.<br />
<br />
This is the third book I've received from Walden Pond Press (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers) and I am continually impressed with the caliber of their authors (and illustrators!). This one might be my favorite of the three for the way its author words things, the front cover, and the themes expressed throughout the story.<br />
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Definitely put this one on your Goodreads list, and if you've read it, let me know your thoughts in the comments.<br />
<br />
<br />
Note: my new website is almost ready! I need two more photos and a few more words and I'm good to go. I'll link to it once it's complete. Remember, I'll still be doing book reviews on this site.the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-24739531611231216402013-03-23T06:54:00.003-07:002013-03-30T11:50:47.145-07:00Kick Butt Characters Giveaway Hop!Hi friends!<br />
<br />
Yes, I am spending my Saturday morning going through giveaways in hopes of winning more books. Ah, the exciting life of a poor, penniless bookworm. ;)<br />
<br />
If you want to join me, start here: <a href="http://www.iamareader.com/2013/03/kick-butt-characters-hop-giveaway.html">Kick Butt Characters Giveaway Hop</a><br />
<br />
Good luck!<br />
<br />
EDIT: I won! I won! <a href="http://le-grande-codex.blogspot.in/">Le' Grande Codex</a> announced that I've won an ebook -- I got to choose from a list. I will be receiving my very own ebook of Insurgent by Veronica Roth! I am scrambling to get a copy of Divergent from the library so I can read it before Insurgent (book 2) arrives.<br />
<br />
Woohoo!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-50956789833185974612013-03-22T07:49:00.001-07:002013-03-22T07:49:37.547-07:00First Line Friday No. 30Well, I was going to introduce you to a very exciting middle-grade novel set in the state I'm living in, but I found out today that it isn't technically "out" until the end of next month. So...I'll do a review of it later next month.<br />
<br />
However, I do have another middle-grade novel that promises to be just as exciting, and it begins thusly:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">"The house was a mansion, the lake was a pool, Kitty was a dog, and Juniper Berry was an eleven-year-old girl.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And like many eleven-year-old girls, she couldn't wait until her parents returned home from work. She sat at the top of the stairs, binoculars in hand and directed out the two-story front window, waiting to see the golden gates of her home slowly open. Tonight was Italian night and the three of them were supposed to make pizzas for dinner. This was part of their weekly schedule, only Juniper couldn't remember the last time they actually followed through with it. For a while now, everything, including her, had been neglected.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Still, she never gave up hope. One of these days her parents would come home from work and be thrilled to see her. The rest of the day and every day after would be spent in each other's company, not a minute wasted, not even a single second, just like it was years ago."</span><br />
<br />
-- from <i>Juniper Berry</i> by M.P. Kozlowsky <br />
<br />
There are some books that just have it, whatever "it" is, from the beginning. This is one of those books. It creates an atmosphere instantly, with the first sentence. It's mysterious, a bit creepy, and promises a very, very interesting time.<br />
<br />
Reasons to keep reading:<br />
<br />
1. The names! Kitty for a dog and Juniper Berry for a girl? Amazing!<br />
2. Why is she (and everything else) being neglected?<br />
3. What's wrong with her parents?<br />
4. What happened to make this change?<br />
5. ...What are the other theme nights on their schedule (yes, I am actually curious about this!)?<br />
<br />
What do you think about Juniper Berry? Curious?the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-15292546932177869202013-03-20T18:15:00.001-07:002013-03-20T18:15:39.710-07:00Write Wednesday: First vs. Third PersonOk -- so I've been reading middle grade novels (I just won two from Walden Pond Press, which is an imprint of HarperCollins, and they have been so nice, going above and beyond in their e-mails to let me know that an author of one of the books I won is going to be in my area soon in case I wanted to meet him) and I realize now why I've been plodding through them.<br />
<br />
I think I'm used to reading first person.<br />
<br />
A lot of YA fantasy and sci-fi (Beautiful Creatures, Hunger Games, Maximum Ride) that I read is in first person. It connects you instantly with the character on an emotional level.<br />
<br />
Middle grade novels don't deal with a lot of complex emotion, so it makes sense that they are, generally, in third person.<br />
<br />
It isn't a good or bad thing, it just is this way.<br />
<br />
But I only noticed it because I started reading <i>The Girl from Felony Bay</i> by J.E. Thompson and was sucked in from the beginning -- it's a middle grade novel told in first person.<br />
<br />
Isn't it strange that this particular choice of storytelling could make such a difference?<br />
<br />
I've been told before that a young author should tell stories in third person until they get the hang of it. But most stories I like to read are told in first person.<br />
<br />
Which means I told my NaNo novels all wrong (which, in retrospect, is probably why I didn't go back and revise them...), except for the last one. I had a strong voice in my head for the character and she was always willing to talk. I did much better on that novel than on the others and it's one I am seriously considering getting into shape and shipping off to an agent, which is a first for me.<br />
<br />
It's also a clue to the type of writing I'll probably do more of -- I'm stronger with first person because I've read more of it. I understand it better, I can wield it better.<br />
<br />
There is definitely a place for third person -- if you've a large cast of characters, for instance. Also, again, if you're writing middle grade, it's better to keep the emotions simple. I can also see it being used if you're spacing your characters out geographically and/or switching between characters (I find switching between characters in first person to be a little confusing unless they're vastly different).<br />
<br />
I don't think one is better than the other, but I know which one I tend to gravitate toward, and which one I'm more likely to write, now that I've paid attention.<br />
<br />
What about you? Do you prefer writing or reading in first or third person? Does it make a difference to you at all? the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-675909031588416992013-03-18T14:02:00.002-07:002013-03-19T06:31:57.618-07:00Storybound by Marissa BurtIt seems I have been inundated with middle-grade novels to read. While I do prefer YA in terms of subject matter (I am more drawn to the themes discussed in YA), the middle-grade books I have been reading are strong, appropriate, and fun.<br />
<br />
Storybound is no exception.<br />
<br />
The book started out slow, carefully world-building, introducing characters and spinning the beginning of a mystery, but as I reached the middle it began to pick up pace. (Much appreciated. An earlier middle-grade novel, while strong, was much too slow for my taste) Then came a GIGANTIC surprise twist that I didn't see coming until it was right up on me, but it was so ingenious that I instantly became a huge fan of the story and wanted the sequel immediately. Seriously. This new author has some guts.<br />
<br />
Another thing I really liked was that I was able to tell what the author's influences were without the author having to spell out what type of books she read as a child. Multiple descriptions of food, references to other stories, and types of characters let me know that this author must have read Anne of Green Gables or Redwall as a child (I think her site mentions Anne of Green Gables).<br />
<br />
The story focuses on Una Fairchild, a lonely orphan who often escapes her dreary life by delving into storybooks. Until one day she literally jumps into the pages of a mysterious book and enters the world of Story. She begins attending classes (Villainy, Heroics, etc.), attempting to figure out who brought her here and why. As the story unfolds, we realize that no one, not even Una, is who they seem.<br />
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There's a sly twist of Snow White's character (quite amusing and somewhat sad at the same time), a villain-who's-actually-a-hero, Muses, a talking cat, and two handsome boys. And then there's Una, with a backstory as mysterious as everyone else's.<br />
<br />
Trust me -- this book (and its sequel) is well worth the read. I can't wait until Story's End appears on the shelves!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-1714294617373302072013-03-15T13:45:00.002-07:002013-03-15T13:45:47.387-07:00First Line Friday No. 29It's finally warm! I live in a place that's usually 300% humidity and 1,000 degrees (Ok...I exaggerate a wee bit. But it seriously feels like an oven from April-October).<br />
<br />
However, it has been cold here for about four months -- the longest period of 30 degree weather in a long history of long, shimmering summers. So I've been looking forward to seeing the sun and feeling it warm my skin.<br />
<br />
It got me thinking about summer reading. Why is it that we read certain books in the summertime? Sometimes we read 'lighter' material, and sometimes we read 'fun' books, and then there's those unique books that just <i>feel</i> like a summer afternoon.<br />
<br />
Sharon Creech's books should be read at every season, but they're particularly poignant in the summer. I especially love Absolutely Normal Chaos, Walk Two Moons and Chasing Redbird in the summertime, but my very favorite Creech book is Bloomability.<br />
<br />
I adore this book because the main character and I both attended an international school. I understand her confusion in, and then love of, being overseas in a mix of people from all over the globe. She gets taken from a hick town in America to cultured, beautiful Switzerland, and between the two places she finally starts figuring out who she is.<br />
<br />
It's a beautiful story.<br />
<br />
Here's the first few words:<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">In my first life, I lived with my mother, and my older brother and sister, Crick and Stella, and with my father when he wasn't on the road. My father was a trucker, or sometimes a mechanic or a picker, plucker or painter. He called himself a Jack-of-all-trades (Jack was his real name), but sometimes there wasn't any trade in whatever town we were living in, so off he would go in search of a job somewhere else. My mother would start packing, and we'd wait for a phone call from him that would tell us it was time to join him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">He'd always say, "I found us a great place! Wait'll you see it!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Each time we moved, we had fewer boxes, not more. My mother would say, "Do you really need all those <i>things</i>, Dinnie? They're just <i>things</i>. leave them."</span><br />
<br />
--from Bloomability by Sharon Creech<br />
<br />
Reasons to keep reading:<br />
<br />
1. In her 'first' life? What happens in her second life?<br />
2. Crick? What other crazy names does this family have?<br />
3. Why does Dinnie's dad move them around all the time?<br />
4. How does Dinnie feel about letting things go?<br />
5. What things has Dinnie kept?<br />
<br />
Have you ever read Sharon Creech's books? Did you like them? I find the way she weaves words together unique. I could sit for hours and listen to someone read her beautiful, beautiful words.the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-85065884419333453592013-03-13T11:07:00.000-07:002013-03-13T11:07:03.554-07:00Middle-Grade vs. YAI've been reading a mixture of Middle-Grade and YA novels lately and I have slowly been able to make a distinction between them.<br />
<br />
As a child I devoured books without thinking. I just read what looked interesting and left what seemed boring on the library shelves.<br />
<br />
But as I grow older and start to write my own stories, I realize I have to know and work with these terms. Do I write middle-grade? Do I write YA? Do I write for middle schoolers or teens? Young adults?<br />
<br />
So I thought it would be helpful to take a short look at what distinguishes these two categories (in my own terms). <br />
<br />
I would describe Middle Grade novels as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Straightforward plot (with maybe one big twist)<br />
2. Simple characters (not a ton of development -- middle schoolers are just figuring out who they are, just beginning to be able to sort out complex feelings and emotions...)<br />
3. One issue/theme<br />
<br />
I'm not saying *every* Middle Grade novel has these things, but generally, this is what I've encountered when reading them. A strong, straightforward plot (few to no secondary storylines), simple characters with more external action than internal monologue, and an overarching, simple theme (if there even *is* a theme) or issue that's solved by the end of the book/series.<br />
<br />
I would describe YA novels as follows:<br />
<br />
1. Complex plot (multiple storylines) -- told through various characters, times, places, etc.<br />
2. Complex characters (sifting through emotions, thoughts, motives, reasons, etc.)<br />
3. Possibly more than one theme or issue to resolve<br />
<br />
Again...this is just general. Some YA novels may include romance (while MG novels may make the barest hint but rarely take it beyond that), complex issues (motives behind bad behavior, anti-heroes, grey areas, etc.), and more than one MC, but some might not.<br />
<br />
So what's the biggest difference?<br />
<br />
I think the biggest difference is the maturity of the reader. It is hard for me to read a Middle Grade novel. The stories can be terrific, but to me they seem overly simplified, with not a lot of complexity to grapple with. On the other hand, I don't like YA romance because it can go *too* far. <br />
<br />
It all depends on the reader.<br />
<br />
But of course, you can't market for one reader. So you have to make up genres and age groups and hope that other people will find your story.<br />
<br />
Honestly, though, the best stories can be told to a wider audience than they're advertised for -- take a Wrinkle in Time, for instance. Middle school kids, teens, young adults and older adults all love that book. Same goes for Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Redwall.<br />
<br />
So maybe the whole point of this exercise is that I think we make too many distinctions between what genre and age group we're writing for.<br />
<br />
Maybe we're supposed to write for ourselves, first. We're the first readers, after all. Let someone figure out who to market it for later.<br />
<br />
What do you think?<br />
<br />
the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-29645945917668455492013-03-11T12:32:00.000-07:002013-03-11T12:34:51.246-07:00Unearthly by Cynthia HandI don't usually read romance. Of any kind. Except for the occasional Jane Austen or L.M. Montgomery book. It just doesn't appeal to me. I prefer reading adventure stories, and, if romance must come into play, for it to be a secondary storyline. <br />
<br />
But Unearthly, a paranormal romance, piqued my interest. So I entered the giveaway and, to my shock, won! The other exciting part is that the author was doing the giveaway so I won a signed copy and two signed bookmarks.<br />
<br />
While it was exciting to win, this in no way formed my opinions presented below. Just in case you were wondering.<br />
<br />
I struggled, at first, to get into Unearthly, although I'm not quite sure why. The premise was interesting, the world-building intriguing, and the characters pretty well developed and unique.<br />
<br />
I think it was the romance part that made me halt. I just don't read romance. So there I was, waiting for it to happen, watching it all unfold pretty normally, no shocking twists or turns...<br />
<br />
And then WHAM.<br />
<br />
This book is not just romance. It's part family drama -- the tension between the daughter and mother was not expected but expertly crafted, especially near the end. Neither of them are 'bad' or unlikeable. But they are not communicating and it causes a wide rift between them that makes all sorts of problems. <br />
<br />
The worry about the younger brother, although a side storyline, ramps up the tension even more. What will happen to him? What is he doing while we can't see him? <br />
<br />
Then there's the whole new-girl-new-school-new-people thing. But it isn't the hackneyed "Everyone thinks she's perfect" or "everyone hates her". It's a mixture, just like in real life. She finds a friend pretty quickly, only to connect with another classmate later and realize she's made two very, very different friends. More tension.<br />
<br />
Then comes the romance -- which isn't really *all* about the romance. On one side, you have the beautiful guy you're supposed to be saving -- who already has a girlfriend; on the other hand, you have this...cowboy version of Mr. Darcy who takes every opportunity to give the heroine a bad time (at first). Yeah, I have to admit, I like him a lot more than the 'beautiful guy' (even though they're both attractive, of course...which is my one nitpick about romance. Fall in love for someone other than their looks *first*, please. Realize they're attractive to you later), and liked him immediately. He had the whole Gil thing going for him (even calling the heroine "Carrots"). Although he's the brother of one of her friends, which adds another layer of tension.<br />
<br />
Then you have the internal struggle -- what's my purpose? Who am I? What if I don't accomplish my purpose? What will my parent's reaction be? What will happen to me? <br />
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While typical teenagers don't definitely know their 'purpose', we can all sympathize with the "Who am I?/What am I here for/what will my parents' reaction be if I fail?" roller coaster of emotions.<br />
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I also really loved that the heroine wasn't "I'm perfect and awesome" or "I'm ugly and disgusting". She was a typical teenage girl (while also being paranormal). Happy and carefree some days, angry or sad other days, but all within reason giving the circumstances. She is a middle-of-the-road heroine, apart from her angelic good looks, somewhat content with her lot in life but still wondering just what life has in store for her.<br />
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To include all of that in a "paranormal romance" and then on top of it add detailed descriptions of the area that they live in (seriously, enough detail to make it feel like you've visited the area after reading the book while not letting the description drag the narrative down), along with a sweet, budding romance that is fresh and innocent (it was so refreshing to not read a bunch of sexy smut. I really, really appreciated it -- it was age appropriate without being cheesy or gross, which, in my opinion, is extremely hard to pull off) -- well, I was pretty flabbergasted at just how much was in this book, because it was effortless to read after the initial "I don't know that I can read romance" halt.<br />
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The ending definitely made me want to continue reading the series. I felt the emotion of the characters -- fear, love, hate, awe, disappointment, confusion...there's a lot of loose ends that I need tied up.<br />
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The only thing I am nitpicking is that everyone seemed to be good-looking. But I guess if you live in a resort area and some of you are angels, there are lots of pretty people around. So I'm only sort of nitpicking.<br />
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Props to Ms. Hand for writing a paranormal romance that even non-romance readers can enjoy. I'll be checking out the rest of the series from the library (or signing up to win the others -- hey, I'm poor).<br />
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If you like stories about the paranormal (particularly angelic beings), family dynamics, young romance, or Western imagery, you should give this one a try.<br />
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I'll be reading the Beautiful Creatures series next week, so look forward to a review sometime in the next few weeks. I'm also finishing up a few other books, but I'm not promising a review by next Monday. I will, however, be writing the normal Wednesday and Friday posts.<br />
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Still working on my other website, but I have decided to keep posting reviews on here irregularly. The other site will focus more on film and television and the craft of writing. I'll let you know when it's ready.<br />
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Have a great week!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6701571404066762580.post-56876934167847934962013-03-08T06:45:00.005-08:002013-03-08T06:45:52.067-08:00First Line Friday No. 28Because I recently won the Beautiful Creatures series, I thought today we'd take a peek at the first page. It's most intriguing.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"There were only two kinds of people in our town. "The stupid and the stuck," my father had affectionately classified our neighbors. "The ones who are bound to stay or the ones too dumb to go. Everyone else finds a way out." There was no question which one he was, but I'd never had the courage to ask why. My father was a writer, and we lived in Gatlin, South Carolina, because the Wates always had, since my great-great-great-great grand-dad, Ellis Wate, fought and died on the other side of the Santee River during the Civil War.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Only the folks down here didn't call it the Civil War. Everyone under the age of sixty called it the War Between the States, while everyone over sixty called it the War of Northern Aggression, as if somehow the North had baited the South into war over a bad bale of cotton. Everyone, that is, except my family. We called it the Civil War."</span><br />
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--from <i>Beautiful Creatures</i> by Kami Marcia and Margaret Stohl<br />
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My reasons to keep reading:<br />
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1. What is the character's relationship with their father like?<br />
2. What does their father write? <br />
3. Was the greatx4 relative a Northern soldier (dying on the other side of the Santee)?<br />
4. What is the family's feeling on the Civil War?<br />
5. Why are they the only family to call it that?<br />
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Another interesting thing about this story is that the two writers wrote these books on a dare. They wanted to prove to their kids that books could be interesting without vampires or werewolves.<br />
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And now the first book is a feature film!<br />
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I can't wait to start reading these. <br />
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Happy weekend!the superhero princesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00011205325093437350noreply@blogger.com0