Tripping Over Books

Book Review | Love Letters to the Dead | Ava Dellaira

May 16

Title: Love Letters to the Dead
Author: Ava Dellaira (web | twitter)
Genre: Contemporary YA, epistolary
Amazon | Goodreads | B&N
Publisher: Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Release date: April 1, 2014
Source: ARC from the publisher via NetGalley (Thanks, FSG!)

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

Waiting on Wednesday (52): The Young Elites

May 14

The Young Elites: The Young Elites #1 by Marie Lu

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Guys, I am a die-hard, forever fan of Marie Lu’s Legend series. CHAMPION is one of the best concluding volumes of a series EVER. I’ve known that Marie Lu was writing another series, but when I saw the synopsis for THE YOUNG ELITES, I got incredibly excited. IT SOUNDS AMAZING. Like, I NEED IT. Survivors of a dangerous fever developing powerful gifts? The Inquisition Axis?? THE DAGGER SOCIETY?! Shut the front door. It’s got this fantastical Venice vibe to it that KILLS ME DEAD.

Also:

SHUT AAAAAAP. So awesome. In fact, go check out Marie Lu’s entire Pinterest board for THE YOUNG ELITES. Prepare to DIE. I legit can’t wait for this beyond-awesome-sounding book.

THE YOUNG ELITES comes out October 7, 2014 from Putnam Juvenile

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation! WANT, fantasy YA, Marie Lu, Putnam Juvenile, series

Book Review | Dreams of Gods and Monsters | Laini Taylor

May 12

Title: Dreams of Gods and Monsters
Author: Laini Taylor (web | twitter)
Series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3
Genre: Fantasy YA, angels
Amazon | Goodreads | B&N
Publisher: Little, Brown
Release date: April 8, 2014
Source: Bought it

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael’s brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz … something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: angels, fantasy YA, favorites, Laini Taylor, Little Brown, paranormal YA, series

Waiting on Wednesday (51): Stray

May 7

Stray by Elissa Sussman

Princess Aislynn knows all about the curse. Its magic is a part of her, like her awkward nose and thin fingers. It’s also something she can’t control. And girls who can’t control their abilities have a tendency to disappear. So for her own protection, Aislynn is sworn into the Order of Fairy Godmothers where she must spend the rest of her life chaste and devoted to serving another royal family.

Tasked with tending to the sweet, but sheltered Princess Linnea, Aislynn also finds a reluctant friend in the palace gardener, Thackery, who makes no secret of his disdain for her former life. The more time they spend together, though, the more she begins to doubt the rules she has observed so obediently. As Aislynn’s feelings threaten to undo the sacred vows she has taken, she risks not only her own life but Linnea’s as well. With the princess engaged to a devoted follower of The Path, there are some who would do anything to keep Aislynn from straying.

WUTTTT STRAY sounds fantastic. I’m always going to be stoked to read books about magic. Fantasies with magic? Doesn’t get any better. But this? A girl with magic who is sworn to serve the Order of FAIRY GODMOTHERS?! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR. But I’m also very intrigued by these forbidden feelings with the gardener. And what is The Path?? Sounds cultish and ominous, aka EXCELLENT.

STRAY comes out October 7, 2014 from Greenwilow

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, debut 2014, fairy tales, fantasy YA, Greenwillow, WANT

Top Ten Tuesday (116): Book Covers I’d Frame

May 6

Top Ten Book Covers I’d Frame as Art

YAY! Love this topic, friends! How many times do we all see a book cover and ogle over it? I don’t know about you all, but I do it all the time. A pretty cover that actually reflects something relevant to the book–whether that’s a scene or an item or a general vibe–is one of the happiest little bookish moments. These ten…ish book covers are so pretty and perfect that I’d gladly frame them and hang them on my wall.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue: The Raven Boys #3 by Maggie Stiefvater

I am a big-time lover of Maggie Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle series, and when the cover for book three, BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE, was released just the other day, I got little flutters of excitement. I’ve always loved the way these covers look like paintings, but the colors and the way what I can only assume is meant to be Blue’s silhouette turns into those flowering vines make me giddy. So gorgeous.

The Wizard’s Promise: The Hannah Duology #1 by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Not sure what kind of vibe I’d have going in a room where I’d hang this cover, but it kills me every time I see it. Like, the skull and the antlers and the runes and the colors and THAT PONCHO THING. I can’t stop gushing over this cover.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

The way the orange pops on this cover is so striking. And I love how it’s meant to represent both Tinkerbell, the narrator, and Tiger Lily herself. Mostly, though, the colors are so pretty!

The Hero’s Guide series by Christopher Healy

The best thing about the covers for these books isn’t just that the illustrations are PERFECT in every way, although obviously that’s a plus. The best part is that the illustrations don’t just appear on the cover. I’d frame any number of the illustrations from inside these perfectly fun books.

Dreamwood by Heather Mackey

There’s just something so wonderful about this cover. Maybe it’s because I love the woods. Maybe it’s because I love the stag and the wolf and the crow/raven/I’m not sure which bird that is. It’s probably at least partly because I love how lush it looks, and I love the sunbeams coming through the trees. You’d be hard-pressed to show me an illustrated cover that doesn’t strike me as lovely, friends. I have a big soft spot for them.

The Goose Girl: Books of Bayern #1 by Shannon Hale

I am so forever distraught over the paperback redesign of this cover that I refuse to even show it to you. It’s devastating, especially in light of how gorgeous and perfect and relevant in both content and tone the hardcover is. IT HAS CRACKLE ON IT. I just…

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, paperback edition

Do you know that it’s been some time since I shouted out this book around these parts? It’s true, if unbelievable. But I LOOOOOVE this paperback edition. I love the way the brushstrokes look like red waves and the way the horse looks sea-tossed.

Cruel Beauty: Cruel Beauty Universe #1 by Rosamund Hodge

I’ve always loved the way this cover is a rose and a winding staircase at once. The staircase is more relevant to the story than the rose, if I remember correctly, but it’s still pretty clever and stunning.

Seraphina: Seraphina #1 by Rachel Hartman

GUYS. This cover. Did you know that it’s an ACTUAL woodcarving? Like, someone carved this design into a piece of wood and they made the cover out of it. AND THEN for the paperback, they COLORED IT. Amazing.

Penguin Classic Clothbound series

These covers are so pretty, I could just pet them forever. As prints, I think they’d be gorgeous–some more than others, but still so pretty. I love the colors. The gray and red cover of JANE EYRE is one of my favorites.

Penguin Drop Cap Classics

DROP CAPS. I love them. I love typography, and these covers are AMAZINGGGG. I only have the “A”–PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (each drop cap represents the author’s last name. I’d buy these all, but I like this print of the letters that are out so far. Pretty, pretty.

Puffin Clothbound Classics

I’m a big fan of patterns, in case you weren’t able to tell. These are so adorable. I especially love THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS (bottom right) and PETER PAN (second from the top left).

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Penguin Threads edition

Embroidery! The texture on this cover is super, and the colors, too. I haven’t read this one yet–for shame–but this cover just seems perfect.

Filed Under: Top Ten Tuesday Tagged With: book covers, cover love, top ten

Giveaway | Deep Blue | Jennifer Donnelly

May 5

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly Giveaway!

The first in a series of epic tales set in the depths of the ocean, where six mermaids seek to protect and save their hidden world.

Deep in the ocean, in a world not so different from our own, live the merpeople. Their communities are spread throughout the oceans, seas, and freshwaters all over the globe.

When Serafina, a mermaid of the Mediterranean Sea, awakens on the morning of her betrothal, her biggest worry should be winning the love of handsome Prince Mahdi. And yet Sera finds herself haunted by strange dreams that foretell the return of an ancient evil. Her dark premonitions are confirmed when an assassin’s arrow poisons Sera’s mother.

Now, Serafina must embark on a quest to find the assassin’s master and prevent a war between the Mer nations. Led only by her shadowy dreams, Sera searches for five other mermaid heroines who are scattered across the six seas. Together, they will form an unbreakable bond of sisterhood and uncover a conspiracy that threatens their world’s very existence.

Linkage for the book: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Waterfire Saga

Linkage for Jennifer Donnelly: Website | Twitter

Linkage for Hyperion Teen: Tumblr | Twitter

Thanks to the awesome people at Disney, I’ve got a pretty sweet giveaway lined up for you guys to celebrate the release of the most excellent Jennifer Donnelly’s new book, DEEP BLUE, the first book in the new Waterfire Saga series! HUZZAH!

First of all, look at how awesome this prize pack is!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Couple things: There are TWO prize packs–TWO!–in this giveaway, so there’s double the chance that you could be the lucky winner! Well, you could be one of two lucky winners as long as you live in the US and are 13 or over. THEN you have double the chance to win. Which is awesome!

Jennifer Donnelly

ABOUT JENNIFER DONNELLY

Jennifer Donnelly is an award-winning author of both adult and young adult books, including Deep Blue, the first book in the Waterfire Saga. For adults she has written a trilogy of best-selling books that includes The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, and The Wild Rose. Her first young adult novel, A Northern Light, received many accolades, among them the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, a Carnegie Medal in the UK, and a Michael L. Printz Honor. Her second young adult novel, Revolution, was named a Best Book of 2010 by Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal, and the audiobook received a 2011 American Library Association Odyssey Honor. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Filed Under: Giveaway Tagged With: Disney-Hyperion, giveaway, Jennifer Donnelly, mermaids

Tripping Over May

May 4

Guys, I can’t even begin to tell you how many AMAZING books are coming out this month. May is completely an embarrassment of riches in terms of books. PLUS! It’s BEA month! I can’t. I usually only pick my five most anticipated reads each month, but I can’t even lie: That’s going to be pretty much impossible.

Camelot Burning: Metal & Lace #1 by Kathryn Rose {Goodreads}

A steampunky Arthurian tale with magic, Merlin, a steamy squire, and the quest for the Holy Grail. I’m just going to repeat myself: A steampunky Arthurian tale with magic, Merlin, a steamy squire, and the quest for the Holy Grail. I cannot. (Flux)

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson {Goodreads}

ahshhafoaihfoeytqidbvq *the sound of Amy dying from EXCITESSSS* But seriously, though. I’ve read Morgan Matson’s books so many times over because she just nails everything, always. I have not heard a single bad thing about this book. I need it. I need it ASAP. (Simon & Schuster)

The Wizard’s Promise: The Hannah Duology #1 by Cassandra Rose Clarke {Goodreads}

I could literally stare at this cover all day. It’s effing GORGEOUS and so interesting. That’s probably because the story itself sounds interesting: a young girl who just wants to be a witch is stuck with a mysterious apprentice who MIGHT be more than he seems and a “non-human” boy who follows them on their journey on the sea. (Strange Chemistry)

Wish You Were Italian: If Only…#2 by Kristin Rae {Goodreads}

So many cute contemps coming out! This one sounds fantastic, too. Books about traveling are always going to pique my interest, and when you combine Italy with art school and a couple love interests? I’m in. (Bloomsbury)

The Chapel Wars by Lindsey Leavitt {Goodreads}

Lindsey Leavitt’s books are always solid reads for me. There’s always a good mix of romance and emotions, and THE CHAPEL WARS sounds like the goods: a girl whose grandfather leaves the family wedding chapel in Las Vegas to her in his will. (Bloomsbury Childrens)

A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn {Goodreads}

I’ve been looking forward to this book for ages! There’s DRAGONS in it. Specifically, a girl who turns into a dragon. More specifically, she’s the heir to a kingdom and the kind wants her dead. Ummm…AWESOME. Also, there’s a wild dad dragon who sends magical woods to kill her too. MAGICAL WOODS. Also, it’s blurbed by Kristin Cashore. WUT. (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Threats of Sky and Sea: Threats of Sky and Sea #1 by Jennifer Ellision {Goodreads}

Fantasy with elemental magic! Love those, always. Also, there’s a king who wants to force our MC into his service, family danger, secrets, and a dad who used to be the king’s assassin. Don’t use the “a” word if you don’t want me to be excited to read something. (Createspace)

The Castle Behind Thorns by Merrie Haskell {Goodreads}

I’ve loved Merrie Haskell’s books, friends. Her MG fantasies are always treats and lots of fun. This one, about an enchanted castle, empty save for the boy mysteriously trapped there, sounds like more of the same. (Katherine Tegen Books)

Filed Under: Tripping Over... Tagged With: anticipation!, may, new releases

April Recap

May 3

Friends, I had lots of bookish action this month and I didn’t even realize it. BEST SURPRISE. April bloggish/bookish recap below!

NETGALLEY

The Swift Boys and Me by Kody Keplinger | Alias Hook by Lisa Jensen | Frostborn: Thrones & Bones by Lou Anders

The Inventor’s Secret: The Inventor’s Secret #1 by Andrea Cremer | We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt | Midnight Thief: Midnight Thief #1 by Livia Blackburne

KINDLE

Queen of Hearts, Vol. One: The Crown by Colleen Oakes

ARCS FOR REVIEW

Firebug: Necromancer #3 by Lish McBride | Nash: Marked Men #4 by Jay Crownover | Mortal Danger: Immortal Game #1 by Ann Aguirre | Deep Blue: Waterfire Saga #1 by Jennifer Donnelly | Landline by Rainbow Rowell

BOUGHT/GIFTED

Dreams of Gods and Monsters: Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3 by Laini Taylor | The Museum of Intangible Things by Wendy Wunder | What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick | The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith | The Hero’s Guide to Being an Outlaw: Hero’s Guide #3 by Christopher Healy

House of Ivy and Sorry by Natalie Whipple | Under the Never Sky: Under the Never Sky #1 by Veronica Rossi | Through the Ever Night: Under the Never Sky #2 by Veronica Rossi | Rule: Marked Men #1 by Jay Crownover | Jet: Marked Men #2 by Jay Crownover | Rome: Marked Men #3 by Jay Crownover

Thanks to my darling dear Alyssa for these pretties!!

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand | Dragonswood: Wilde Island Chronicles #2 by Janet Carey

Don’t tease me with time traveling. THE 57 LIVES OF ALEX WAYFARE by M.G. Buehrlen was sooooo fun.

Jennifer E. Smith knows how to do the cute contemp thing. THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME was adorable. No other word for it.

All this buzz for THE WINNER’S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski? Deserves it. (Mostly.)

This month’s On The Same Page book was FAIRYTALES FOR WILDE GIRLS by Allyse Near. I made a Pinterest board!

Etsy is a book-lovers greatest dream and worst nightmare all in one. I want all of these 10 bookish things AND MORE.

Awesome siblings are awesome, like these 10 gems.

DON’T TEASE ME WITH THIS BOOK. I can’t wait another second for SACRIFICE by Bridgid Kemmerer

DRAGONSSS! Julie Kagawa is going to kill it with TALON, I just know it.

Love MG and I love pirates, so naturally I’m stoked for Heidi Schultz’s HOOK’S REVENGE.

When I saw that EGG AND SPOON by Gregory Maguire was a fantasy set in Tsarist Russia, I died.

I started a new feature this month!! It’s called Series Love, and my first series shoutout? Marked Men by Jay Crownover!

Filed Under: Recap Tagged With: april, recap

Book Review | The Museum of Intangible Things | Wendy Wunder

May 1

Title: The Museum of Intangible Things
Author: Wendy Wunder (web | twitter)
Genre: Contemporary YA
Amazon | Goodreads | B&N
Publisher: Razorbill
Release date: April 10, 2014
Source: ARC from the author (Thanks, Wendy Wunder!)

Loyalty. Envy. Obligation. Dreams. Disappointment. Fear. Negligence. Coping. Elation. Lust. Nature. Freedom. Heartbreak. Insouciance. Audacity. Gluttony. Belief. God. Karma. Knowing what you want (there is probably a French word for it). Saying Yes. Destiny. Truth. Devotion. Forgiveness. Life. Happiness (ever after).

Hannah and Zoe haven’t had much in their lives, but they’ve always had each other. So when Zoe tells Hannah she needs to get out of their down-and-out New Jersey town, they pile into Hannah’s beat-up old Le Mans and head west, putting everything—their deadbeat parents, their disappointing love lives, their inevitable enrollment at community college—behind them.

As they chase storms and make new friends, Zoe tells Hannah she wants more for her. She wants her to live bigger, dream grander, aim higher. And so Zoe begins teaching Hannah all about life’s intangible things, concepts sadly missing from her existence—things like audacity,insouciance, karma, and even happiness.

An unforgettable read from the acclaimed author of The Probability of Miracles, The Museum of Intangible Things sparkles with the humor and heartbreak of true friendship and first love.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Reviews, Young Adult Tagged With: Contemporary YA, Razorbill, road trip!, Wendy Wunder

Waiting on Wednesday (50) | Egg and Spoon

Apr 30

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.

Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years. One of her brothers has been conscripted into the Tsar’s army, the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. Her mother is dying, slowly, in their tiny cabin. And there is no food. But then a train arrives in the village, a train carrying untold wealth, a cornucopia of food, and a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg — a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. When the two girls’ lives collide, an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito, and — in a starring role only Gregory Maguire could have conjured — Baba Yaga, witch of Russian folklore, in her ambulatory house perched on chicken legs.

Just look at that first line: “A fantasy set in Tsarist Russia.” STOP. IT. You only need to say “fantasy” and “Tsarist Russia” for me to be ALL IN. Those are two of my favorite things together in one book. Never mind that the author of this gem of a mash-up is written by Gregory Maguire, the author of WICKED and so many other amazing retellings. Also, BABA YAGA?! I can’t. I can’t wait for EGG AND SPOON.

EGG AND SPOON comes out September 9, 2014 from Candlewick

Filed Under: Waiting on Wednesday Tagged With: anticipation!, Candlewick Press, fantasy YA, Gregory Maguire, WANT

Book Review | Love Letters to the Dead | Ava Dellaira

Waiting on Wednesday (52): The Young Elites

The Young Elites: The Young Elites #1 by Marie Lu

Book Review | Dreams of Gods and Monsters | Laini Taylor

Waiting on Wednesday (51): Stray

Stray by Elissa Sussman

Top Ten Tuesday (116): Book Covers I’d Frame

Top Ten Book Covers I’d Frame as Art

Giveaway | Deep Blue | Jennifer Donnelly

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly Giveaway!

Tripping Over May

April Recap

Book Review | The Museum of Intangible Things | Wendy Wunder

Waiting on Wednesday (50) | Egg and Spoon

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

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The Young Elites: The Young Elites #1 by Marie Lu

Stray by Elissa Sussman

Top Ten Book Covers I’d Frame as Art

Deep Blue by Jennifer Donnelly Giveaway!

Egg and Spoon by Gregory Maguire

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