And, for my third set of I Actually NEED It titles, I have another mix of published and not published:
Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
by Brandon Mull
I only reviewed the most recent release of the Fablehaven series on my blog (Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary), but I positively love this series. It's packed with adventure, humor, and excellent fantasy creatures! I can't wait to see what is in store for this final book. Coming March 2010.
(Image not yet released)
Forge
by Laurie Halse Anderson
After reading and completely being affected by Chains, I am dying to know what happens to Isabel next. Coming October 2010.
(Image not yet released)
Guardian of the Gate
by Michelle Zink
I recently read and was totally engrossed in the story of Lia and Alice, the two very different sisters in Prophecy of the Sisters
(review coming shortly). I'm dying to know what happens next. Coming August 2010.
Heist Society
by Ally Carter
I've read and laughed with and enjoyed some of Carter's Gallagher
Girls
books
. I love her style of writing and the fun characters she creates. A family of spectacular thiefs? Yes, please. Coming February 9, 2010!
Incarceron
by Catherine Fisher
I've heard lots of good reviews about this book and I have become very intrigued by its rather unique premise. This one just released last month. Library? I'm looking at you (even if I am on library hiatus).
The Iron King
by Julie Kagawa
Hello, book bloggers, you have officially made me want this book. Another faery book with a lovely cover, lots of praise, and just released this month. Library, you need to get it for me! (Please?)
Sisters Red
by Jackson Pearce
Um, I seem to also have a fascination with Little Red Riding Hood being a werewolf hunter. I am really intrigued by this book coming June 2010!
(Image not yet released)
Torment by Lauren Kate
Having just finished Fallen, and despite some of the things that bothered me, I am anxious to see where Kate is going to take this story. And I'm hoping for another pretty cover, coming September 2010.
Anything you are anxiously awaiting?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
A Curse Dark as Gold binds Charlotte Miller, after she takes over the running of her father's mill. As she and her sister Rosie come to terms with their grief over their father's death, they also try to hold the the mill together. When their mother's uncle shows up with pretenses of "helping" them, things become even more complicated. The Millers have been cursed since the mill was first built, and Charlotte finds that with ruined cloth, an unexpected debt, and grasping mill owners, she must turn to a most unlikely source for help, Jack Spinner a mysterious man with interesting gifts. But, will she be able to break the curse before she loses those things that are most precious to her?
Things I Liked:
This was such an excellent retelling of Rumplestiltskin that I almost decided to like the original tale! Bunce's beautiful writing blew me away and I loved the interesting and subtle touches of otherness. The original story was recognizable, but Bunce made it more about the miller's daughter. Charlotte was such a strong character, but also flawed, notably by trying to be too independent. Overall, a fabulous retelling full of spirit and fantasy and a good, strong, likable heroine. Here is a taste of the beautiful writing:
I traced my finger over the split floorboards, the rivets driven into patches where the wood had grown too thin. I knew the path of every uneven board in these floors, the very spiderweb of cracks in the walls; the leather belts and iron gears and moss-covered wheel said home in every sigh and rustle. p 5
I fell back on my heals, as the threads twisted tighter and tighter together, binding us all in a web of violence and revenge. p308
Things I Didn't Like:
Well, I did get a bit angry with how Charlotte tried to push away her husband. Lots of times, fairy tales seem kind of inevitable in their story line, that things just have to happen and the characters have to act that way, even if it is stupid. But, that is the nature of the fairy tale. Even if it makes me grumpy.
Read-alikes:
Other fairy tale retellings, notably Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier and Beauty by Robin McKinley
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->
some violence mentioned, but not described
Overall rating: *****
Do you have a favorite retelling?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage
*ARC provided by publisher*
The Dark Divine
begins when Grace is shocked to find her old friend Daniel has returned after being gone three years. When her brother warns her to keep away from Daniel, Grace is both intrigued and upset. No one will tell her just what happened the night Daniel left, the night Grace found her brother Jude covered in blood. However, Grace wants to do everything she can to help Daniel get his life back, even if it means putting her life in danger.
Things I Liked:
This is the kind of book that you pick up and have to devour in one day. I couldn't put it down and kept wanting to read more, to find out what new twist of plot would happen next. I was quite impressed with Despain's ability to write about religious characters and supernatural aspects together. The story went places I definitely did not expect. An excellent debut by one of our fabulous Utah authors :)
Things I Didn't Like:
I would have liked a little more explanation about the paranormal stuff that went on and some more info on the night Daniel left. However, I still find myself thinking about the ideas and characters days after I read the book.
Read-alikes:
It felt like Fallen by Lauren Kate
Reminded me of Once Was Lost
by Sara Zarr (review coming soon!)
BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
some scattered throughout
mrg-factor: none
v-factor: ->->
definitely some violence, but not gory
Overall rating: *****
Do you find yourself being partial to certain authors even before you've read their books? I was really excited about this one, mostly because she is a local author for me!
If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage
Listless Monday was inspired by both Amanda at A Bookshelf Monstrosity's feature Books by Theme and Court at Once Upon a Bookshelf's Listed feature. Be sure to check out their lists!
In honor of February, I am going to do some Valentine's Day themed lists! Today we start with the poor folks who are not so lucky in love.
The Broken-Hearted:
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
Black and White
by Malorie Blackman
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
by Niki Burnham, Terri Clark, Ellen Hopkins, & Lynda Sandoval
The Breakup Bible
by Melissa Kantor
The Boyfriend List
by E. Lockhart
The Off Season
by Catherine Gilbert Murdock
Flipped
by Wendelin Van Draanen
Getting Over It
by Anna Maxted
Gone with the Wind
by Margaret Mitchell
I Know It's Over
by C. K. Kelly Martin
I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti
by Giulia Melucci
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter
If I Have a Wicked Stepmother, Where's My Prince?
by Melissa Kantor
If You Come Softly by Jacqueline Woodson
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
The Screwed Up Life of Charlie the Second
by Drew Ferguson
Shug by Jenny Han
Some Day this Pain Will Be Useful to You
by Peter Cameron
The Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Ann Sandell
Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli
Stay tuned for next week, where I list those more fortunate in love, the Twitter-Pated.
As always, any suggestions?
If you buy through my Amazon linkage,
I will get a very small percentage
is a mysterious object that haunts the life of Sally Lockhart. When her father dies on the sea and Sally gets a mysterious note from him, she finds herself drawn into a frightening web of mysteries, lies, and the deadly opium trade. Her life is suddenly in danger and she must team up with some new friends in order to find out the truth of her father's death before it is too late.
by Libba Bray
by Sarah Beth Durst
by Neil Gaiman (for Cybils)
by Wendy Mass (for Cybils)
by Julianna Baggott (for Cybils)
by Roger Rosenblatt (for review)
by Carol Goodman (for review)
by Dianne Dixon
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