Snapshot Saturday: 30 July 2011

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce of At Home With Books. It’s easy to participate – just post a picture that was taken by you, a friend, or a family member and add your link on Alyce’s site.

This is how I plan to spend my weekend. Nothing fancy....nothing to much....just me....a good book and a strong cup of coffee.

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Source: borrowed ARC from author for review

Publication Date: 02 Aug 2011

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 1423137876

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 288

Websites:

Victoria Schwab - Official Site

Victoria Schwab - Blog

Victoria Schwab - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: The village of Near

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Line: It starts with a crack, a sputter, and a spark.

There are different types of books out there waiting to be read. There are the books in which you must devour them in one sitting. There are the books that are to be tossed aside because they are unworthy of your time. And there are the books that are to be savored - read slowly so that each and every word can really sink in. The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab is a book that needs to be savored as its writing simply defies words to explain it. I loved how Victoria describes things....a description isn't just visual but audible as well and that is something that helps set it apart from other books that I've read. The Near Witch is the sort of book that I long to hear the audio version because with the right narrator (Victoria's Mom!!!) then the story will come to life because of its amazing descriptions.

I fell in love with the village of Near...even with it douche-y overbearing & oppressive old-world thoughts on women I loved it. One reason is the old world charm. Life is simpler and there is something to be said about living a simple technology free life. Although, I'd never be able to fully live in a world where women are best kept in the kitchen cooking & cleaning. I am much more like Lexie and would be getting in trouble testing the limits of conformity and the desire to do things that I knew I could do better than the men. Lexie is such a strong and amazing character and I just loved her to pieces. She never let anyone tell her that she couldn't do something. Instead she had the attitude of just wait...I'll show you exactly what I can do. This may not seem like a big deal to you or I in the modern world but remember Near isn't a modern place.

Lexie is also a heart breaking character as well because she really doesn't have anyone to confide in. Her father wasn't like other men in the village and he never let the fact that Lexie was a girl stop him from training her as a hunter and tracker. But with his death she lost that powerful voice that urged her to be more then people thought she could be. Especially with her mother retreating and becoming a shell of herself - struggling to move on with life when her heart has broken so much from the loss of her husband. Lexie's mother will show flashes of her former self but they are rare and you can see how hard they are on Lexie who only wants life to be how it was.

Then there is Cole...the mysterious stranger who arrives in Near just as children start to disappear. Is he the one responsible? Or is he the only one who can save them? The villagers - including Lexie's Uncle the town Protector - just want to drive off the stranger. Hit first and ask questions later because they don't know what else to do. For why would a resident be taking the children? It has to be attached to this stranger because strangers do not come to Near. Again Lexie sets herself apart by being rational and wanting to ask first and punish later. She sets out to find out the truth of this stranger and finds herself drawn to him. And really, I can't blame her. Cole is totally swoon worthy and I really want to know more about him!

Not all characters are likable though...the Council members, Bo....and UGH...Tyler!! My world those I wanted to smack on many occasion. Especially Tyler! He really needs to be transported to the modern world and taught not to be such a douche! (Dear blog reader, you should know that as I write this in January that my word of the moment is douche. I really can't seem to stop using it...especially when it is so fitting for characters like Tyler.) Tyler who is the opposite of Cole...which then just goes and adds to Cole's appeal. *swoon*

The Near Witch is very much a character driven story. They are what makes this story really come to life. But characters without action is just plain boring...so while you are getting to know these amazing characters there are these subtle layers of stories. There are the old tales told to frighten children...and which may not be entirely fiction. There are new stories told to cover up how things used to be and how the elders want the town to go. There are stories to entertain and to distract from the things that go bump in the night. The Near Witch is a mystery, its a fantasy, its a paranormal, its a story about family and friendship and even a little bit of romance. Its a story of so many different things all subtly and brilliantly woven together to create this rich tapestry of a world that you can see just out the corner of your eye.

There is so much going on in my head about what I want to say about The Near Witch but it is so hard to find the right words to use. I loved its fairy tale quality. Its haunting prose. And I hate how I can't read this book for the first time ever again. With each re-read (and yes I know that this will be a book I re-read often) I know I will fall in love with it again and again. I will love the characters more and the story and probably even get something new with each reading. But there is just something so magical about reading certain books for the first time. The not knowing where each turn of the page will take you. Its the same sort of feeling I had after I read Pride & Prejudice for the first time or Cracked up to Be by Courtney Summers or any of the few other books that hold a permanent place on my nightstand. Its hard to believe that Victoria Schwab is a debut author and I know that I am going to be a fan of her books for a long time to come. As with Courtney Summers I'll buy a book by Victoria just because its Victoria and be assured that the story within is something brilliant and wonderful.

Friends of mine...blog readers...I give you fair warning...The Near Witch is a book I'm going to be a bully for. So just save yourselves some time and run out and get it immediately! You won't regret it. I promise.

Win the Relic Master Series Give Away

Hello Readers,

Recently the third book in Catherine Fisher's Relic series was released and to celebrate I've been given a great opportunity to share it with one lucky reader. That's right...one of you will win all four books in this series.

About the Relic Master series:
Welcome to Anara, a world mysteriously crumbling to devastation, where nothing is what it seems: Ancient relics emit technologically advanced powers, members of the old Order are hunted by the governing Watch yet revered by the people, and the great energy that connects all seems to also be destroying all. The only hope for the world lies in Galen, a man of the old Order and a Keeper of relics, and his sixteen-year-old apprentice, Raffi. They know of a secret relic with great power that has been hidden for centuries. As they search for it, they will be tested beyond their limits. For there are monsters-some human, some not-that also want the relic's power and will stop at nothing to get it.

RELIC MASTER is a four book series. Each book will be released over four consecutive months this summer:

• Book One: The Dark City, May 17
• Book Two: The Lost Heiress, June 14
• Book Three: The Hidden Coronet, July 12
• Book Four: The Margrave, August 9

Each book will include a piece of the map of Anara, the world of RELIC MASTER, on the reverse of the jacket. Collect all four books and you will have the complete map.

About the Author:
Catherine Fisher is the author of the New York Times bestselling duology Incarceron and Sapphique and in the Relic Master series has created a world equally as developed, dynamic and dangerous as that of Incarceron. Visit her at www.catherine-fisher.com. 

Rules

- Contest is open to US/Canada addresses only

- Contest will close at midnight EST on 01 August 2011

- To enter you must be 13 yrs of age or older. If younger than 13 please have your parents enter on your behalf. 

- Winner will be chosen by random.org sometime after that and announced here on the blog. 

- Prize is provided and shipped by a publicity firm.

TO ENTER FILL OUT THIS FORM
 

The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry

Source: Purchased

Publication Date: 02 Jun 2009

Series or Standalone: Series

ISBN:  1416963790

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 336

Websites:

Sarah Rees Brennan - Official Site

Sarah Rees Brennan - Blog 

Sarah Rees Brennan - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: London, England

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

First Line: The pipe under the sink was leaking again.

Demon's Lexicon Series Order

Book 1: Demon's Lexicon

Book 2: Demon's Covenant

Book 3: Demon's Surrender

I first picked up The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan in 2009 when I went to an all Sarah book signing at Books of Wonder. Brennan was extremely funny and made a great case for her book and I had every intention of getting to it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it kept getting pushed to the back burner as other reading obligations came up. Then recently I made the mistake of telling two of my blogger friends Dani of Overflowing Bookshelf and Jen of The Secret Life of a Bibliophile that I hadn't read it yet. It wasn't long after that the book bullying began in earnest. Knowing that resistance was futile I dusted off my copy of Demon's Lexicon and began to read....and didn't stop reading until I hit the final page. 

From the opening chapter I was riveted with the world that Brennan had created and couldn't wait to see where the story went. I'll admit that at first I was a little confused on to what was going on as the book starts off with action and doesn't stop. As a reader, you are thrust into this world of magic and are forced to learn all the rules and secrets on the fly. Which is where the characters of Mae and Jaime come in handy as they are the newbies to this seedy magical underbelly of the world and so those in the know (Alan and his brother Nick) get to parse out relevant information to them. So while there was a wee bit of confusion initially its quickly dispelled as you read. 

This book was narrated by Nick and I loved getting introduced to this world from his point of view. Which is kind of funny in a way since of all the characters met within this series Nick has the least amount to say. There is no denying those that Nick has a fierce loyalty to his brother Alan and a rough tolerance for Mae and Jaime. Although some of my favorite scenes in the book came from Nick's interactions with Jaime. Nick can be described as a bit of a brute, always playing with knives and whose first instinct is to stab someone with them and worry about getting answers later. So its a good thing that his brother Alan is always nearby to help prevent the death of any innocent (and not so innocent) bystanders that happen to get in Nick's way. 

The Demon's Lexicon is also a book that is filled with a lot of humor. It was really hard not to laugh at loud even during some life and death moments as one character or another tossed out some snarky line. Most often from Jamie as he cowered behind something trying to avoid getting stabbed. I also liked the diversity found in this book from Sin who is a person of color to Alan who was dealing with a crippled led to Jaime who is openly gay. All the characters accepted who they were and those around them either accepted or didn't. And while life wasn't always easy for the diverse characters but they accepted who they were and tried not to let the actions of others get to them. 

This is a book that I am sad to have waited so long to get to....and at the same time happy that I did. Because if I'd read this book right in 2009 then the wait until the second book, The Demon's Covenant, would have been long and grueling. Whereas all I had to do was run out to the bookstore and I was able to pick up books 2 and 3 and have no wait in between. This is a highly enjoyable series filled with many twists and turns that will leave the reader guessing. All the main plot points raised in Demon's Lexicon are answered by the end of the book. So if a reader doesn't want to move on to book 2 right away they won't be left hanging. Which is something that I appreciate in a book series these days. If you've been waiting to read this book then I suggest that you stop and move it up on your TBR list. Its one that is worthy of your time.

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

Publisher: Harper Teen

Source: Amazon Vine

Publication Date: 07 June 2011

Series or Standalone: Standalone

ISBN: 0061701246

Format: Paperback (ARC)

Pages: 368

Websites:

Sarah Mlynowski - Official Site

Sarah Mlynowski - Blog

Sarah Mlynowski - Twitter

Place(s) Traveled to: Westport, Connecticut 

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

First Line: "I bolted awake."

Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski is a book that I really wanted to like. Its a book that I'd heard several people that I trust rave about and so I was eager for the opportunity to review it. Sadly, I think my expectations were a bit too high for this one. One big point in this books favor though is that it was a really quick read. I managed to read it in just 2 sittings and the pages flew by. 

The story centers around the improbably plot that April Berman would be allowed to remain in Westport, CT even though her mother lives in France and her father is moving to Ohio. I have to say I wasn't a fan of April's parents. Her mother seems to only want to be her friend and agrees to keep secrets from her father as she knows it will get April in trough with him. And her father doesn't respect her enough, or think she's mature enough, to inform her that the family is moving until its 9 days away...but then he just leaves her behind after she and her friend Vi concoct this scheme where she pretends to live with Vi and her mother. When the reality is Vi's mother is leaving town herself....so what you get is yet another YA book with no parents.

The plot itself is a bit muddled in that it goes back and forth in time as April has memories of events that have shaped who she is. All of which happen at cliched intervals to make the segue into memory seem like a poignant event but just got old....fast. That and April's obsession with having sex. The only plus side to those painful inner monologues was the mentioning of safe sex practices, reasons why its not a light decision (although Vi character then blows holes into that), and real life consequences.

Most of the characters in this book annoyed me, April with her fixation on sex, her boyfriend Noah who was rude and intolerable with a secret you could see from a mile away, Vi with her control issues and insecurities, Marissa with her moralistic behavior, and Lucy with her creepy behavior. The only characters I liked were Dean and Hudson but they really weren't in it enough to carry the show. There were also way to make coincidences and conveniences that happened solely to move the plot forward and just lacked believability.

The ending of the book was even more improbable than everything that came before and the whole thing just left me wondering what the big deal was. As for me the only saving grace for it was how quickly I read it.

Contest Winners!

The winner of the follower only blogaversary contest is: Deborah K of Books, Movies and Chinese Food

The books she selected are Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott, I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson and Glamour by Melody Carlson

The winners of signed books are:

Maidenveil of Musings of a Reader Happy, Nyra of Nyra Escribiendo and Lisa P. I've already emailed maidenveil and once I get her responses I'll send Nyra the list of what remains to choose her books.

The winners of the Ooh La La Prize packs are:

Tandra S of Awesomesauce Books - The Lost in Time Prize Pack (Hourglass by Myra McEntire, Ruby Red by Kiersten Gier, & a pre-order of The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern)

Melissa of Coffee, Books and Laundry - The Jennifer Echol's Prize Pack - Forget You, Going to Far & a pre-order of Love Story

Sarah of Sarah Reads Too Much - The Heart-Achy Prize Pack - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson, Entwined by Heather Dixon

Susanna of Suziebookwork - The Classic Love Prize Pack - Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery, Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen, and North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Yan of Books By Their Cover -  The Sarah MacLean Fetch the Smelling Salts Prize Pack - Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake (signed), Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord (signed) and Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (signed)

The winner of the keep it simple contest is: Robin A of Musings from a Modern Bluestocking

 who wanted her gift card to be from Borders.com

The winner of the twitter swag pack grab is: Ambur

The winner of the signed Near Witch is: Ashley H

And since all the winners mentioned above are blog followers I've decided to give everyone one extra book chosen from the list below:

Intertwined by Gena Showalter (Signed, Paperback)
Winter Town by Stephen Emond (ARC)
Chime by Fanny Billingley (ARC)
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton (Signed ARC)
Linger (Signed, Paperback)
The Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon (ARC)
The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Caron (ARC)
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey (ARC)
Eve by Anna Carey (ARC)
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor (ARC)
Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan (Paperback)
Bitter End by Jennifer Brown (ARC)

I placed all the names into a hat and the person who gets to choose first is Deborah K. Please let me know which of the books mentioned above you'd like and I'll mail it out to you along with your other winnings. The rest of you will be contacted via email in the following order to chose one book from what remains of the pile: Lisa, Ashley, Yan, Sarah, Melissa, Susanna, Robin, Nyra, Ambur, Maidenveil, and Tandra.

To the winners, I also wanted to let you know that due to some unexpected car repairs some mailings of the prize packs may be delayed. Especially those where I need to order the books. I will mail everything out as soon as I can and will send you a tracking number once I do. I apologize in advance and thank you for your patience.

Thanks everyone for entering and thank all of you for following my blog. Until next time, Happy Reading!

Win a signed finished copy of The Near Witch

 

Hello Readers!

Remember when I posted this crazy/awesome rap for this wee book called The Near Witch and also held that epic contest of epicness? (Or was it the awesome contest of awesomeness?) Either way it was the 3 month until release date of The Near Witch and now here we are only one month to go until this beautiful book is out there in the world for all to read.

To help celebrate the one month mark until The Near Witch is on shelves I have another contest for youfor a signed finished copy of The Near Witch. To enter just fill out

THIS FORM

- Contest is open to US/Canada only and will close at midnight EST on 09 July 2011

- Entrants must be at least 13 years of age or have their parents permission to enter.

- Entrants must fill out the form completely or be disqualified.

- Contest is run by me but the prize is provided by publisher & will be mailed out by them closer to the books release date.

Check out these other blogs for more opportunities to win:

Erica - The Book Cellar

Nikki -Wicked Awesome Books
Dani B - Frenzy of Noise
Dani J -Overflowing Bookshelf
Jen -Secret Life of a Bibliophile

Victoria - Victoria's Schwab's Official Blog


Buy/Pre-order the book which will be available on 02 Aug 2011 from:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/fIq8WB
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/h2Q3Ns
Book Depository: http://bit.ly/hH2uaP
Indiebound: http://bit.ly/gtlp5R