Teaser Tuesdays 8.21.12

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

 

“Maddie had grabbed an umbrella. Gas mask, tin hat, ration coupons, and an umbrella” (Code Name Verity, page 49).

 

On Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

“I clung to my rusted dreams during the times of silence. It was at gunpoint that I fell into every hope and allowed myself to wish from the deepest part of my heart”(page 172).

In Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys tells the story of the Lithuanians who were deported and forced into labor in the 1940s through her narrator Lina, a 15-year-old aspiring artist. The Soviets imprison Lina’s father and take Lina, her younger brother Jonas and her mother from their home in the middle of the night. They join other Lithuanians labeled “thieves and prostitutes” who are actually people who are considered political threats.

Lina and her family struggle to survive beatings, scarce food rations, mental torture and arctic winters. Lina escapes through her art, sketching her experiences and impressions of those who surround her. She must hide the subversive drawings from the vigilant NKVD.

I really liked the character development in this novel.  The characters grow and change, and they aren’t always predictable. Brave characters have moments of weakness; selfish ones show unexpected kindness.

Lina’s mother is definitely the heroine of this story. She’s the best mother, sacrificing everything for her children, encouraging them in the worst of situations. Her compassion towards strangers and even her enemies is inspiring without being nauseating.

 I could barely read the last fifty pages through my tears. So much of this story is heartbreaking, but definitely worth the read. I absolutely loved this novel.

Book Blogger Hop 7.29.11

It’s been awhile since I stopped by the Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy-For-Books.

This week’s prompt:

“Highlight one book you have received this week (for review, from the library, purchased at the store, etc.) that you can’t wait to dig into!”

I just checked out The House of Dead Maids by Clare B. Dunkle from my library. I loved The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy by this author and sought out more of her work.

This novel is a prequel to Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, narrated by Tabby Aykroyd, nursemaid to young Heathcliff. I can’t wait to discover what Dunkle has added to the classic tale.

It’s described as “YA fantasy horror.” I don’t read much horror. I hope I can handle it!

On The Iron King

I finally finished The Iron King by Julie Kagawa last week.  It took me a long time to read this novel just because my life got busy. The Iron King is by no means slow-paced; this novel actually manages to be both fast-paced and descriptive.  I was frustrated that I couldn’t find more time to read.

In The Iron King, Meghan Chase travels to the Nevernever to rescue her kidnapped younger brother Ethan. Meghan chases possesses many of the qualities I like in a heroine: loyalty, uncertainty, hidden strength and kindness.  For most of her journey, she is accompanied by Puck, Ash the Winter Prince and Grimalkin.

Grimalkin was my favorite character. This cait sidhe is a contemporary Cheshire cat, providing comic relief with his sarcastic observations, and often a rescue just in the nick of time. I hope he remains a central character in the rest of the trilogy.

In this first installment of the trilogy, Kagawa hints at a love triangle between Meghan, Ash and Puck. I have to say, I’m Team Puck. I don’t hate Ash, but I’d chose mischief and lightheartedness over brooding any day. I’m not sure Meghan will ultimately make the same choice.

There were many aspects of this novel that I loved. (My only complaint was that I thought there was too much “hissing” and “snarling” happening. I don’t like to be too critical in my reviews, however. When it comes to reading and writing, I try to follow the adage “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”)

Back to the positives. I found the concept of the Iron Fey really interesting. In this novel, our technological progress breeds new mythological creatures that threaten to destroy and replace the ancient fey figures. Julie Kagawa has truly modernized the fairy tale, breathing new life into the characters Puck, Oberon, Titania and Queen Mab.

I am a fairy tale junkie, so this was a perfect read for me.

Teaser Tuesdays 2.22.11

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser: “Suddenly chilled, she went to the window and unlatched it, letting the casement swing open, curling herself up in a miserable huddle on the cushions of the window seat. If he loved her, how could he do this to her?” (pg. 151, Incarceron by Catherine Fisher)

Elsewhere on Teaser Tuesdays

A teaser from Behind Green Glass is mentioned on Majanka’s book blog, I ❤ Reading. Check out her elegant blog and stay tuned for her review of my novel!

Another Day, Another Challenge

 

 

I’m participating in Bookish Ardour’s Dystopia Challenge at the level of “Asocial” (5 books). In 2011 I’ll read:

1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
3. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
4. Matched by Allie Condie
5. Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

So far, my favorite dystopian (more post-apocalyptic?) novel is Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood.

Publisher’s Sale

My publisher is having a New Year’s Sale throughout the month of January. Along with several other titles,  my novel Behind Green Glass is available for 25% off its suggested retail price. To check out the sale, visit: http://www.sotopublishingcompany.com

On Bewitching Season

If Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling coauthored a book, they would write something like Bewitching Season . In this novel, seventeen-year-old twins Persephone (Persy) and Penelope (Pen) Leland are about to begin their first London season when their beloved and magical governess, Miss Allardyce, is kidnapped. The Lelands receive a note from Miss Allardyce explaining that she must tend to a family illness. The twins sense that the note is a cover story and start investigating her mysterious disappearance while in the midst of a whirlwind of balls, teas, and suitors.

The novel focuses on Persy, the twin who is more studious and less outgoing. Persy struggles with society’s expectations, self doubt and her feelings for Lochinvar–childhood tormentor turned perfect mate. A lot of the conflict in this novel is Austenesque: misunderstandings arise from lack of communication and the constraints of propriety. These conflicts are alternately frustrating and hilarious.

This novel was a light, fun read, combining two of my favorite genres: fantasy and historical fiction. One of the highlights is that author Marissa Doyle includes a young Queen Victoria as a likable and memorable character.

My best friend gave me this book on New Year’s Eve. I’ll be reading the sequel when she finishes it.

Finished: January 16, 2011

On Donnelly’s Revolution

A withered heart in a jar. Red ribbons circling powdered necks. Spun sugar and sculptures made of bones.

I am jealous of Jennifer Donnelly’s writing. Her prose is intelligent without being convoluted, and she skillfully entwines historical and contemporary narratives. Most of all, I envy her descriptions that bring both modern and eighteenth century Paris to life: the teeming cafes, the Victim’s Balls, the twisted catacombs and decadent Versailles.

Initially, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to sympathize with the protagonist Andi, a rich genius, disillusioned with prep school life. Andi abuses prescription pills and regularly contemplates suicide. At first glance, her outlook on life seems pretty emo; however, her actions become understandable as Donnelly reveals the tragedy that haunts Andi–the death of her younger brother Truman. Andi suffers from crippling depression and guilt over the death she believes she caused.

In Paris, Andi discovers the eighteenth century diary of Alexandrine, an actress who fought to save the little Prince Louis-Charles, cruelly imprisoned in The Tower by those claiming to fight for liberty and equality. I found the diary entries to be the most fascinating sections of the novel. Donnelly retells the French Revolution in a fresh manner, highlighting details that emphasize human experience instead of political strategy. The overarching message of the novel is timeless: Revolution begins with the individual, with the choice to change oneself even if the rest of the world seems mad and cruel.

An aside: I learned that Donnelly listens to a lot of the same music as I do!

Finished: December 12, 2010