The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

Quick note: My awesome blogger friend David is holding a wonderful contest right now. Go check it out and good luck to all!

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson
No summary for this because a)spoilers and b) I could never find a good one. All the ones I found were like two sentences long. What kind of summary is that?!

Before I start this, if you haven't read this series yet, just go do it. It is amazing and awesome and a wonderful addition to the fantasy genre. You don't want to miss out on this. Plus, Tamora Pierce blurbed it- do you really need more encouragement?

Now, for those of you who have read the first two books (and maybe even the third, if you were lucky enough to get an advance copy; it'll be released on August 27), you know how great this trilogy is. You love this imaginative world that Carson has built, and all the characters therein (except of course for the bad guys). This final book is simply a fantastic, action-packed conclusion. So much is going on, and the pages just keep on turning. While I hated to see this story end, I was glad to have read it and happy to see how Carson decided to end it.

Carson also has some guts; she's not afraid to kill off characters and I don't just mean background people (though there are plenty of those too). Elisa loses some people she cares very deeply about over the course of the series, and while it's tough for her and for the reader, it's made her into the strong warrior that you see by the end of this last book.

There's also some great romance that's been building over the course of these three books, and it comes to a head in this final book and these final journeys that these characters take. It's all very swoon-worthy.

Overall, a wonderful conclusion to an amazing trilogy, and Carson has a fan for life. I cannot wait to read her new trilogy, and any books after that!

FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

3:59 by Gretchen McNeil
"Josie Byrne's life is spiraling out of control. And just when she thinks it can't get worse, she wakes to an image of herself in the bedroom mirror. Except it's not her at all—the girl in the mirror is blonder and prettier. And her name is Jo.

The two girls are doppelgängers whose universes overlap every twelve hours at 3:59. Fascinated by Jo's perfect world, Josie jumps at the chance to pass through the portal and switch places for a day.

But Jo's world is far from perfect, and the stuff of nightmares lurks around every corner. And when Josie finds herself trapped there, her life becomes more dangerous—and more deadly—than she ever imagined."- summary from Amazon

I am going to do my best to not fanboy this book all over the place, but I may not be able to help myself. I was already a fan for life after reading her previous book Ten, but this book just confirmed it all over again. Seriously, it was that good.

I don't even know where to begin with all this awesomeness. First off, the concept alone of parallel universes is very cool and how they overlap every 12 hours? Genius! Secondly, it's a very creepy, compelling book so while you're wanting to put the book down for fear of nightmares, you can't because you want to find out what happens next and how/if it all works out. McNeil writes it so fabulously and I would hate having to put it down at the end of my 15 minute breaks at work (may have gone over a few times to finish a chapter or read a few more pages, lol).

I loved Josie's character and how she really grows over the course of the novel. The ending is not what I expected, but I loved it. There's some really great twists and turns too, and reveals. I was gasping out loud every time a new twist came up because it was crazy and unexpected but it made sense.

Overall, another winner from McNeil. I cannot wait to read her next book, the first in a duology. It sounds so good. And if you haven't read any McNeil yet, get on it right away. Go out and buy all three books (well, you'll have to pre-order 3:59 as it's not out for a couple weeks).

FTC: Received ARC from publisher. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.

Authors are Rockstars- Jennifer Archer

I was so excited to be approached by the people in charge of Authors are Rockstars, asking me to host Jennifer Archer. Jennifer's written a ton of books, mainly for adults (which I haven't read but would really like to!) but has written two awesome books for young adults, the most recent of which, The Shadow Girl, was released earlier this year. Jennifer and I go back to when her debut YA Through Her Eyes was releasing. She was so sweet and excited to be my Fresh New Voice of YA (an old feature I used to do spotlighting debut YA authors) back in April 2011. We did lose touch but when ARCs were first printed of The Shadow Girl, she emailed me out of the blue asking for my address to ensure I received a copy. How awesome and thoughtful is that?! That just shows how much of a fantastic rockstar she is! I'm honored to have her here on my blog again for an interview. If you want to check out my reviews of both books, click on the titles- Through Her Eyes and The Shadow Girl- and click here for my previous interview with her.

1) How did you get the idea for The Shadow Girl?

When I was in 5th or 6th grade, I was alone in the school restroom one afternoon just before class. While I was washing my hands at the sink, I caught sight of my reflection in the mirror and for just a second, I felt a sense of disconnection with my own image. In that moment, I thought: Who are you? I have never forgotten that strange feeling of separation from my reflection, even though it only lasted a very brief time. I think that memory inspired my idea for The Shadow Girl. Also, I love ghost stories, and I wanted to write a story that has that same eerie tone but in which the ‘presence’ is something different than a ghost – something more.


2) What are you currently working on? Can you tell us anything about it?

I’m currently writing a story with the working title, Before I Wake. As is the case with The Shadow Girl and my earlier YA novel, Through Her Eyes, this story contains elements of psychological suspense and involves two girls whose lives are connected. I’m not sure why I’m drawn to that particular theme, but my muse seems to guide me there often!


3) What's your favorite snack to have while writing, or as a reward for writing?

I usually have a cup of coffee or tea nearby while I’m writing. I try not to snack too much while I’m actually in the process of putting words on paper, though. This is because of the fact that whenever I used to get hung up on a scene, I’d wander into the kitchen almost in a trance and find myself a few minutes later standing in front of the pantry stuffing crackers into my mouth. Sometimes I’d devour half the box before I realized what I was doing! This was not a good habit to get into for many reasons! Still, after a particularly good writing session – or after a particularly rough one -- I’ll allow myself something rich and gooey as a treat. On one recent evening after finishing my writing for the day, I met my critique group at a coffee shop and had a dark chocolate cupcake with dark chocolate icing. It was worth all the sugar and empty calories! I also love cherries. (And if they’re dipped in chocolate, all the better).


4) Pretty much all of your books are paranormal or have a paranormal element to them. What draws you to write that genre?

I believe in science, but I still can’t help thinking there is more to life beyond only what can be proved or explained. (At least, that can’t yet be proved or explained. Who knows what scientific discoveries will be made in the future that might answer all our questions?) I like to put my characters in situations that challenge their certainty about what’s real and what isn’t. I imagine it would be very frightening to be absolutely certain that something is happening – something most people consider impossible – and to
be the only one experiencing it. What a lonely position to be in! Would I be afraid to tell anyone for fear they’d think I’m insane? Would I start to question my own sanity? Would I accept without question what was happening, or set out to find a reasonable explanation? These are the questions I asked myself when writing The Shadow Girl and Through Her Eyes, as well as a couple of my other novels with paranormal elements. I liked figuring out how the characters would handle that challenge and what the outcome would be.


5) What book(s) are you currently reading, or are about to start? Any upcoming books you're excited about?

I am currently reading Stephen King’s Joyland. It’s much shorter than most of his other novels but the fact that he’s the consummate storyteller still shines through. As for upcoming books – I’m looking forward to Forgive me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick, the author who also wrote Silver Linings Playbook. It just came out this month and it sounds like an intriguing YA premise – a boy who writes letters to himself from the future.


Be sure to check out the whole Authors are Rockstars line-up at the official website!

Cover Reveal- Trust in Me by J. Lynn

I have an exciting cover reveal for you all today- the upcoming novella Trust in Me by J. Lynn, out on October 22! Before I show it off though, read the sexy description:

It’s Wait for You as you’ve never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head.

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?



And now, the cover:

and there's a great giveaway going along with it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar
"Margo McKenna has a plan of attack for everything, from landing the lead in her high school musical to dealing with her increasingly absent parents. But when she finds herself in possession of a genie's ring and the opportunity to make three wishes, she doesn't know what to do. Especially since Oliver--not blue-skinned, not bottle-dwelling, but a genie nonetheless--can see more than what she's willing to show him. With one peek into her mind, he can see the wishes that even Margo herself doesn't know she wants.

But Oliver comes with more than just mind-reading abilities, a flair for magic, and the prettiest eyes Margo's ever seen. Someone from his past is hunting him--someone bent on killing him, along with all the other genies in the world, for the sake of honor. And as Margo soon discovers, it will take more than three wishes to save him.

A whole lot more."- summary from Amazon

First off, I want Book 2 now.

Honestly, that should tell you enough about how much I loved this book that I want more of it now. But I guess I must delve deeper!

Genies are very underutilized in YA. I feel like I've only read one other (As You Wish by Jackson Pearce) but I feel like I've read another and forgotten about it (if anyone knows, tell me in the comments). There needs to be more! This story was so good. I absolutely loved Ribar's prose; it flowed really well, and kept me reading huge chunks of pages in a sitting.

Margo is a great character (and she loves theatre- yay!), and I loved seeing her grow closer to Oliver as the story went on and he came more and more into her life. Such a sweet romance! Gah, I loved it! I can't wait to get back into this world and read about them again in the next two books.

Also, that ending came out of nowhere! I thought it was gonna go one way and then it went a completely different direction. Which was nice to see. I'm interested to see how the series continues from this point.

Overall, a wonderful debut and a thrilling start to a series. Go check it out!!

FTC: Received e-galley from Netgalley. Link above is an Amazon Associate link; any profit goes toward funding contests.