Books That Make Me Go Oooooh (54) Half Lives By Sara Grant

Waiting On Wednesday is a brilliant book blog feature hosted by Breaking The Spine       

Half Lives By Sara Grant
Published In The UK By Indigo Books
Due For Release May 2013
Amazon LINK
Goodreads LINK

"Present day: Icie is a typical high school teenager - until disaster strikes and her parents send her to find shelter inside a mountain near Las Vegas.

The future: Beckett lives on The Mountain - a sacred place devoted to the Great I AM. He must soon become the leader of his people. But Beckett is forced to break one of the sacred laws, and when the Great I AM does not strike him down, Beckett finds himself starting to question his beliefs.

As Beckett investigates The Mountain's history, Icie's story is revealed - along with the terrifying truth of what lies at the heart of The Mountain.

A gripping tale of two people separated by time but connected by a story - and by the dark secret the story was meant to protect." taken from Amazon



How awesome does this sound??  I love a good bit of dystopia and anyone that has read Dark Parties, knows that Sara can write some kick ass dystopia.  I can't wait to see what she does with this new exciting tale!

Leigh Bardugo London Event

A couple of months ago during my reading and blogging slump I was offered the opportunity to go and meet Leigh Bardugo at her only London event.  At that time I hadn't even read her book (The Gathering Dark - Soon to be Shadow And Bone)  I was hearing amazing things about it though and so said a yes please to the event.  Obviously I wanted to read the book before meeting Leigh and I was more gutted that I hadn't read it sooner (my Review)  It totally cured my reading slump, as well as making me fall in love with the world of the Grisha.

I was told that I could bring a plus one along, this was fantastic.  Not only could I get my Mum to read and love the book, but I'd also have someone to tag along to the event with me.  Of course my Mum adored the book!

Tuesday 25th September came along as so arrived the day I'd get to meet Leigh, the creator of this new world I've fallen in love with.  I warned everyone on twitter, that some fangirling was possible!!

The event was held at Waterstones Piccadilly Circus.  We arrived to an already pretty full event.  So many bloggers that I know and love were there, so double win - I got to meet Leigh and see them!!

The Arrival of Leigh

It all started with the lovely Nina from Indigo / Orion books introducing Leigh, not that she needed any introducing at all.

Leigh's Chocked Reaction to the Video

We were shown an incredible video that was made by fellow UK blogger Darkreaders.  The video actually made Leigh CRY!!  Seriously she was so thrilled by it, you could see the emotion pouring away.  All the lovely ladies involved got gorgeous leather Grisha wristbands.

Next Leigh did a brilliant read from the book.  Possibly one of the best scenes from the beginning of the book, we were all hooked once again.

Leigh Reading from the book

After this we did a Q&A session, where we found out all sorts of things about the book, the writing process, what Leigh's hopes are for the future.  It really did feel like a catch up with a lot of friends though.  Leigh is so friendly and engaging you just feel you have known her forever.



We all had a geek out session over the news that Dreamworks have bought the rights to the book and a movie will be made.  For me it is so exciting to know I'll get to see characters I have connected with come to life, so to see Leigh and her reaction to that same news but about a world she has created was just wonderful.

Now was our opportunity to get our books signed and have 1 to 1 chats with Leigh.  I played it cool for a while and eventually went up and made a complete fool of myself by totally fangirling out.  Seriously I could barely find the words to say I loved the book and the world and Thank you.  I think Leigh could see my serious lack of words because she stood up and gave me the biggest hug.  I then got to have a photo with her - look at how happy I look!!!

Leigh & Me

Leigh and Nina then held a round of trivia questions with the winners getting some seriously cool Grisha style gifts.  With a little help I got a question right and was the very lucky winner of a gorgeous handmade bookmark.  This night just got better and better for me!!

The event concluded with lots of chatting and general mingling.  All in all one hell of an event that I will never forget.  Thank you so much to Nina, everyone at Orion &Waterstones and most of all HUGE Thanks to Leigh - you made this fangirl real happy!!

My souvenirs of the day

Letterbox Love (12)

   Letterbox Love Is Hosted By The Fabulous Lynsey over at Narratively Speaking.  Its a fun way for us to showcase our weeks new books here in the UK

Book links will take you to Amazon UK

Not gonna lie, I have had a spectacular week.  Got to meet two amazing authors, that I did fangirl over just a bit!!  Check back this week for full reports, but in the mean time here are the bookish lovelies that I got...

RECEIVED

 From BLOOMSBURY

Dance Of Shadows By Yelena Black

I am loving the sound of this, quite a different book for me to read really, but I'm really excited for it

From RANDOMHOUSE / CORGI

Mystic City By Theo Lawrence

I showcased this as one of my books That Make Me Go Oooooh the other week, so I really am eager for this one.  I love the idea of it and am hearing great reports already!

 I got to go to an event for the amazing The Gathering Dark (Shadow & Bone) By Leigh Bardugo And INDIGO book - such a fantastic event and I got some awesome swag bits!!

 BOUGHT

 The Casual Vacancy By J.K.Rowling

So the other event I got to go to was the launch of the Casual Vacancy, where I got to meet the LEGEND that is J.K.Rowling.  Pretty immense moment!!

Thank you to everyone that sent me bits this week - Love you all!!!

Review - The Gathering Dark By Leigh Bardugo

"The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance." taken from Goodreads

I'd been hearing wonderful things about The Gathering Dark for ages and have been eager to read it myself.  Recently I'd lost my passion for reading and hoped this would be just the book to get me back in my groove.  I'm happy to say that this was 100% Successful!!

The cover is stunning.  Everything from the setting, the girl, the scrolls, its all stunning and absolutely fitting to the story.  My only tiny gripe is that the girl seems to be wearing a cape, when really is should be more robe like with sleeves (kefta).  Like I say tiny gripe!!

On starting this I was instantly grabbed by the plot, the characters and the setting.  I instantly wanted to know where the story was going and even found myself plotting out how the story could go (I was completely wrong by the way)

The story turns in a way that lead character Alina ends up meeting new people and going to new places.  I found myself completely relating to Alina and how she felt about new friendships.  Its plain to see that Alina questions why she is being treated different to how she has ever been treated before.  Also she see's the cattiness of girls and wonders what goes on behind her back.  I have totally been in this situation and to be honest I still don't know how to overcome it, so to read of how Alina deals with it was actually helpful!!

Another thing that we deal with in everyday life is the feeling of wanting to be special, to stand out on doing something or having a amazing talent.  I found it quite refreshing to read about a character learning of their special skill and instead of it making them the most popular person, it has a somewhat reverse effect.  I guess for me the story showed that the grass most definitely isn't greener.

Looking back now I see I shouldn't have been shocked but the turn of events of this story had me absolutely shocked.  I was actually pretty saddened that things didn't go quite as I envisaged.  I now see that everything goes as it should and just maybe my judgement should be questioned!!

The conclusion left me incredibly excited and desperate to see what will happen next.  Why is part two not out already??  While I wait for the release I shall be on the hunt for my very own kefta that I can wear, whilst I wait to my next instalment of Alina and the gang

Rating 5 Out Of 5

Published In The UK By Indigo Books

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book retailers

Letterbox Love (3 to 6)

Letterbox Love Is Hosted By The Fabulous Lynsey over at Narratively Speaking.  Its a fun way for us to showcase our weeks new books here in the UK

Book links will take you to Amazon UK

 Not going to lie I've not been around for quite some time.  Life just got in the way for a while and for some reason I couldn't handle the thought of trying to fit in blogging.  I'm now going to make a real effort to sort myself out and get back to some normality.

FOR REVIEW

From Harper Collins

The Selection By Kiera Cass

From Strange Chemistry

Shift By Kim Curran

 Blackwood By Gwenda Bond

From Simon And Schuster

 The Age Of Miracles By Karen Thompson Walker

 Wentworth Hall By Abby Grahame

From Macmillan

Dark Inside By Jeyn  Roberts

From Quercus

Shattered Dreams By Ellie James

Taken By Storm By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

From Atom

Hades By Alexandra Adornetto

From Andersen Press

Grave Mercy By Robin LaFevers

From Indigo / Orion

The Gathering Dark By Leigh Bardugo

The Masque Of The Red Death By Bethany Griffin

From Randomhouse

Seraphina By Rachel Hartman

BOUGHT

Harry Potter - Film Wizardry

.....Phew that's the lot!!  I just need to get some more hours to read them all!!!

What did you get?? x

Review - Midwinterblood By Marcus Sedgwick

Have you ever had the feeling that you've lived another life? Been somewhere that has felt totally familiar, even though you've never been there before, or felt that you know someone well, even though you are meeting them for the first time? It happens. In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumour has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visiting journalist, Eric Seven, and a young local woman known as Merle are ritually slain. Their deaths echo a moment ten centuries before, when, in the dark of the moon, a king was slain, tragically torn from his queen. Their souls search to be reunited, and as mother and son, artist and child, forbidden lovers, victims of a vampire they come close to finding what they've lost. In a novel comprising seven parts, each influenced by a moon - the flower moon, the harvest moon, the hunter's moon, the blood moon - this is the story of Eric and Merle whose souls have been searching for each other since their untimely parting. taken from Goodreads

I was lucky enough to meet Marcus last year, admitedly I hadn't read any of his books but had heard of him. We were at a Twilight convention where a few authors were also attending and Marcus told us a little about his self and how he'd come to write Midwinterblood.

Marcus decided to take his self to one of the small Scottish Islands to write Midwinterblood as he'd been trying to write this book for sometime and wasn't having a lot of luck, there he managed in weeks to write this very clever book.

Midwinterblood in my opinion is literally back to front with the last chapter being an epilogue. It starts in the year 2073 and you go into the story feeling that your at the end of the story, but how did we get here, and why? I wasn't sure at this stage if this was the book for me, but felt intrigued enough to want to read the second chapter.

Part two 2011, We have a little more information, but more mystery, more questions??

We carry on like this for seven parts going back to a time unknown, each part brings answers but keeps you asking. There is something thats familiar going from one part to the next, souls going from one part to the next, recarnation? reunited souls? vampires......

I'm not sure if a younger YA would understand this, and in my opinion the book is better aimed at the older YA, or in my case YA's mummy!!!!

I really liked this unusual addictive book, and don't feel i've read anything quite like this before, would really recommend.

4 out of 5

Published In The UK By Indigo

This Can Be Purchased HERE and from good book sellers

Review By SUE

In My Mailbox (55)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

All links will take you to Amazon

This is rather a big week for me.  My best friend from childhood, that I haven't seen for 14 years has come to the UK, so we are having major catch up time.  Still got time for bookish ness though :D

Received

From Orion

 Crossing Over By Anna Kendall

This sounds very cool, shall read this as soon possible

From Harper Collins

Fateful By Claudia Gray

Very cool idea, this one is an exciting idea for me so eager to read it

Partials By Dan Wells

Soooo excited for this, going to read sooon!!

 I won this awesome SLATED bookmark & postcard from the lovely author herself Teri Terry

Hoping you all had lovely weeks too?

Leanne

xoxo

Review - Hollow Pike By James Dawson

"Something wicked this way comes... She thought she'd be safe in the country, but you can't escape your own nightmares, and Lis London dreams repeatedly that someone is trying to kill her. Lis thinks she's being paranoid - after all who would want to murder her? She doesn't believe in the local legends of witchcraft. She doesn't believe that anything bad will really happen to her. You never do, do you? Not until you're alone in the woods, after dark - and a twig snaps... Hollow Pike - where witchcraft never sleeps." Taken from Goodreads.com

I've been excited for this book for ages now.  The contemporary setting in Yorkshire was an enticing thought, together with witches - I'm already sold.

What an incredible cover to start with.  The colouring is haunting.  The side view of the girl is great.  Giving you just a slight feature of her face but not too much.  I particularly love her dark wild hair that merges into other things like roots, trees and birds.  Great work there alone!!

The book starts with a dedication that absolutely won my heart - Its for anyone that hated school - THAT IS ME!!!  School and I never matched, nothing ever seemed to go right and that little touch was just wonderful.  I didn't realise at this time how much I would relate to the main Lis, it was like reading my history.  More on that later.

This is set in Yorkshire.  Anyone that has visited there or read any of the Brontes stories, you know how grey and eerie it can be there.  This couldn't be a more perfect setting, even for mirroring the moods of the characters and events that take place.

Early into the story Lis starts at a new school.  This for her means finding her clique - the group she is going to hang out with and then potentially the group she will alienate.  I could relate to this so much.  I have been in Lis's shoes and know exactly how it feels to try and find the people you fit with.  Also the longing to be with the 'cool' gang, but actually knowing you probably don't fit with them.  I have been there and done that and also suffered the bullying as a result.
I knew I still had a lot of hang ups from my past but reading this really highlighted how much I am still affected by my past and that longing for acceptance.  Its definitely made me want to tackle this part of myself, so huge thanks to James for his very affordable therapy!!!

So the first hundred or so pages were rather biographical for me, then the book takes a more sinister turn.  Thankfully I couldn't relate to any of this - I think if I could I would be even more messed up that I already am.
There are so many scary / creepy goings on, that makes you question what is really going on, who should we be trusting, why would this be happening?

Essentially though this story for me was about finding acceptance of yourself and being where you belong.  Then hopefully the fun times and epic adventures will follow.

There were so many epic times for the characters of this book and not so fun, but equally as thrilling.  I never imagined it would be a book about witchcraft that I would connect with so closely, but I am so grateful I did!!!  An AMAZING debut, I can't wait to see what James comes up with next!!

Rating 4 1/2 Out Of 5

This Is Published In The UK By Indigo / Orion

This Can Be Purchased HERE and at good book retailers

Valentines GIVEAWAY!! Delirium UK HB And SWAG!!

Sadly I am lacking a valentine this year, so decided that I'd make my valentine one of you lovely guys!!!

 

  Up for Grabs I Have:

Delirium By Lauren Oliver - UK HB 1st Edition

Simon Pulse Tote Bag

Signed Becca Fitzpatrick Crescendo Poster

Signed Kirsten Hubbard Bookmark

Assorted Postcards, Bookmarks & Book Samplers

To Win All You Have To Do Is Fill Out The Form Below!!

 

Guest Post - Sara Grant DARK PARTIES Theme Song

I've kind of been obsessing over Dark Parties since December last year.  I'm not gonna lie, the cover really got me to start with.  How cool does that look??  The more I then found out about it, the more I needed this book in my life.  I got it and loved it as I knew I would, and then was asked to be a part of Sara's blog tour - I was thrilled to be asked!  And the subject is RIGHT up my street!!!

Theme Songs

The 45 record played a significant role in my upbringing. I was five when my grandma gave me my first 45 – Playground in My Mind. Until then, my parents controlled the music in the house. We only had maybe a dozen record albums – most of which were Christmas themed. But this 7-inch vinyl disc was all mine.

If you’d set the arm a certain way on the old record players, it would play your favourite 45 over and over and over again. Getting ready for school, I’d select one song and let it repeat. I’d soon know every word of the lyrics and probably had – on special occasions – a few signature dance moves to accompany the song. I must have driven my family insane.

When I’d save enough of my allowance money, I’d walk down to Palmer Electric on Main Street in Washington, Indiana. They sold household appliances and, for some strange reason, records. They had a display of 45s. I can remember standing there for ages trying to decide which record to buy next. It was agonizing to only choose one.

Allie McBeal (an American comedy drama from the late 90s) introduced me to the idea of a theme song. Dr Tracey Clark instructed Allie to get a theme song, a song that she could play in her head to make her feel better. My theme songs have evolved over time. I admit that when it comes to theme tunes I lean a little bit to the cheesy side. I supposed for me that’s what a theme song is all about – a life-affirming message.

Sara Grant

I still have the same 45-record mentality. I get one song and play it over and over and over. Now I typically use earphones so no one has to listen. But there’s nothing better than unplugging the earphones, blasting the song as loud as your stereo – and tenancy agreement – will allow.

Here are a few of my favourite theme songs over the years. If you’ve read, Dark Parties, you may be surprised at the light tone of these selections, but it’s this levity that lets me write from a dark place. I defy you to listen to any of these and not be in just a little better mood than you were before.

Tide is High by Blondie

Ah, unrequited love. I was in high school. M.L. declined my invitation to prom, which meant I didn’t attend my junior prom. I played this – what I’d now call a ‘stalker ballad’ – to remind me that I’d eventually get my man. And, yeah, a few years later, we dated.

“The tide is high but I’m holding on. I’m gonna be your number one. I’m not the kinda girl who gives up just like that.”

You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (definitely not the Westlife version.)

This song represents my parents. I am very lucky to have two loving parents who always support me.

“I am strong when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up to more than I can be.”

One Girl Revolution by Superchick

This girl-power song from the Legally Blond soundtrack is just too much fun.

“I wear a disguise. I’m just your average Jane. The super doesn’t stand for model, but it doesn’t mean I’m plain. If all you see is how I look you miss the super chick within. And I christen you Titanic. Under estimate and swim.”

Watch Me Shine by Joanna Pacitti

I used to run half marathons. This was on my race day soundtrack. For the last mile of my first race, I listened to this song again and again. I’d been training for four months. I’d just lost 100 pounds (that’s 7.2 stone). Crossing that finish line was a huge milestone in my life.

“Better watch out. Going for the knock out. And I won’t stop til I’m on top now. Not gonna give up til I get what’s mine...I’m taking over so watch me shine.”

Defy Gravity from Wicked by Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth

I love the theatre. Growing up, I was in every school play and musical. I was an acting major in college for one whole semester. (Then I realised I just wasn’t that good.) I’ve seen Wicked the musical several times. It’s got a major feel-good factor. If I’m ever feeling defeated, this is the song that I select and press ‘play’.

“I’m through accepting limits cause someone says they’re so. Some things I cannot change but til I try I’ll never know.”

The Climb by Joe McElderry

This is more of my life philosophy than a song. Yeah, X Factor is one of my guilty pleasures. It’s probably the song that best represents my journey to publication. It’s been a long, rocky climb. I wrote my first story for children 20 years ago when my niece Megan was born. I got my first book deal the year she turned eighteen. So much of the writing business is about figuring out how to keep the faith. It’s about learning and trying and failing and trying again.

“There’s always gonna be another mountain. I’m always gonna want to make it move...Ain’t about how fast you get there. Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side. It’s the climb.”

So what’s your theme song?

What a great guest post!!!  And such wonderful sentiments behind the song choices.  I actually did a guest post myself a while a go, where I picked my theme songs and it was rather cheesy at times too, but hey cheese is GOOD!!!

You can find my review for DARK PARTIES Here

Many Thanks to Sara And Indigo for the post

In My Mailbox (41)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

Book links will take you to Amazon

 Had another great book week.  Got to go to another publishers event & also got some exciting ARCs in the mail.  Its just what to read first???

RECEIVED

 From Simon & Schuster

A Beautiful Evil By Kelly Keaton

I've not actually got the first of this series yet, although it is on my wishlist.  Hopefully I'll get it soon!

Everneath By Brodi Ashton

I've heard wonderful stuff about this & am really excited to start it

 From Indigo / Orion

Dark Parties By Sara Grant

This sounds AMAZING!!!  Very excited for this!

 From Simon & Schuster Event

The Hunt By Andrew Fukuda

This sounds Incredible & isn't due out till May.  Plus look at the guy on the cover....Mmmmm!

These were given to me by the lovely Carly at Writing From The Tub

Beautiful Days By Anna Godbersen

I LOVED Bright Young Things, so excited for this

Glow By Amy Kathleen Ryan

This has been on my wishlist for ages, eeeeee I have a copy :D

BORROWED

 This I have borrowed from the awesome UK Book Tours

Cinder By Marissa Meyer

Sounds like a great twist on a classic fairy tale, enjoying seeing how this develops

What was in your mailbox??

Review - Dark Matter By Michelle Paver

"'What is it? What does it want? Why is it angry with me?' January 1937. Clouds of war are gathering over a fogbound London. Twenty-eight year old Jack is poor, lonely and desperate to change his life. So when he's offered the chance to be the wireless operator on an Arctic expedition, he jumps at it. Spirits are high as the ship leaves Norway: five men and eight huskies, crossing the Barents Sea by the light of the midnight sun. At last they reach the remote, uninhabited bay where they will camp for the next year. Gruhuken. But the Arctic summer is brief. As night returns to claim the land, Jack feels a creeping unease. One by one, his companions are forced to leave. He faces a stark choice. Stay or go. Soon he will see the last of the sun, as the polar night engulfs the camp in months of darkness. Soon he will reach the point of no return - when the sea will freeze, making escape impossible. And Gruhuken is not uninhabited. Jack is not alone. Something walks there in the dark." 

Original HB Copy

I had been told that this was rather a scary book, so thought its Halloween - perfect time to read a book to scare me.  Here are my thoughts.

I have the black hardback cover, so shall review that cover.  Very dark obviously.  You can just imagine the coldness and isolation that is featured in the book by looking at the cover.  Quite an eerie feel to it too.

The book is told mostly through a diary, so is all from the perspective of the character Jack.  You get given a brief rundown of his life and how is where he is at the start of the story and the realisation that he wants more and so embarks on this epic adventure.
It was from the start of the expedition  that the story started to make me feel very uncomfortable and not really enjoy the story.

This is a lot my own fault as I was expecting a more war time story I guess, but that hardly gets a mention.  This is all about the trip to the Arctic and the time spent there.  Its somewhere I don't really know a great deal about, but guessed its a very isolated place that's not going to have a supermarket just down the road.  I hadn't accounted for the fact that a fair amount of animal (mainly seal) hunting would happen.  I am the biggest softie when it comes to animals and although I don't like reading of any animal killing I could have coped with a little.  For me there was just too much and it was kind of brutal at times too.

New PB edition

I really enjoyed reading of Jack's personal developments and how he changes the way he thinks.  He builds a beautiful relationship with one character quite unexpectedly.  That I loved!!

The story reaches a thorough conclusion with most ends tied up.  But I have to say I was left feeling a little confused as to what the whole purpose of the story was.  What the author was trying to tell me with the story didn't feel that clear.  I'm sure that is just my airheadedness showing itself again and their is likely to be a very obvious reasoning staring me in the face.

Sadly this book really wasn't my cup of tea, but by no means is a terrible book or anything.  Just maybe I need to investigate my reading material a little more carefully next time

Rating 2 Out Of 5

This Is Published In The UK By Orion

This Can Be Purcashed HERE and at good book retailers

In My Mailbox (36)

In My Mailbox Is An Awesome Blog Post Idea Hosted By The Story Siren

Book links will take you to Amazon

Had quite a good week.  Spent last weekend at a Twilight convention with my Mum and friends including the lovely Jenny at Wondrous Reads.  Then in the week I got to go to the Cassie Clare event at Foyles - it was INCREDIBLE!!!  More to follow on that soon.  Here's my books for the week.....

GIFTED

  These were given to me by the lovely Jenny, she really does take care of my book needs!!

Dead To You By Lisa McMann

My Soul To Steal By Rachel Vincent

GIVEN

 These I was given by the publishers that were attending Eternal Twilight 6, So Many Thanks To Simon Kids & Orion's Indigo

Shelter By Harlan Coben

The Double Shadow By Sally Gardner

My Sister Lives On The Mantelpiece By Annabel Pitcher

The Swordhand Omnibus By Marcus Sedgewick

Fury By Elizabeth Miles

Sister, Missing By Sophie McKenzie

From Cassie Clare Event

 We were given these at the Cassie event, which was so super exciting!!

 Magnus's Vow By Cassandra Clare

Short story set around the time of City Of Bones

 Fracture By Megan Miranda

Blood By K.J.Wignall

The Weight Of Water By Sarah Crossan

BOUGHT

SteamPunk By Various

The Demon's Surrender By Sarah Rees Brennan

What did you get this week?

Leanne 

xoxo