Julie Kagawa Interview

LOOK! My first Tenner interview! :o

Julie Kagawa is lovely and allowed me to interview her. Thanks, Julie! :D Her book, The Iron King, is not out until February 2010, so consider this a preview of sorts.

So without further ado:

For the people who don't know- what is The Iron King about?

The Iron King is about sixteen year old Meghan Chase, whose little brother is kidnapped by faeries and she goes into Faeryland to get him back. But she discovers it wasn't the Unseelie Court who took her brother, as she first thought, but a whole new species of faery called The Iron Fey, led by Machina the Iron King. These faeries are immune to iron, and are amassing to start a war with the “oldbloods,” the normal faeries, who are unaware of their existence. Meghan must figure out how to rescue her brother from Machina, stop a war that will tear Faeryland apart, and resist falling for Ash, the Unseelie Prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

Your book is about faeries. There are many faerie books. What do you think makes yours stand out from all the rest? :o

The Iron Fey, the faeries born from the dreams of technology and progress. Other faerie books have the courts and their political problems, the strife between Summer and Winter or Seelie and Unseelie. (Which I love, don't get me wrong. I adore Marr and Black and Livingston.) The Iron King has those elements, too, as well as all the traditional faery types: sidhe, redcaps, brownies, satyrs. But it also has gremlins and bugs and Ironhorse, the fey of the modern world, and how they clash with the faeries of myth and legend. And I hope that will set it apart from the rest.

Did you know a lot about faeries before you started writing The Iron King, or did you have to look LOADS of stuff up?

I'm a researcher by nature. I did know a fair amount about faeries when I started, but I also love looking stuff up and finding out more. And faeries are such fascinating subjects: I never tire of reading about them.

Why do YOU like faeries?

There's something primal and dangerous about the fey, in their unpredictable nature and their capricious attitude towards humans. These are not glittery wings sprites flitting around your garden. The real fey, the old faeries of legend, were wild and mysterious and terrifying, and humans feared them for good reason. I think that's part of the allure.

Also, I think its fascinating that, especially in modern faery stories, the fey world is all around us and we don't even see it. From brownies cleaning your house at night, to bogies living in your closet or under your bed, to gremlins in your computer. In fact, they could be watching you right now and you'd never know. That's why I love faeries.

If you were a faery, what kind would you be? (As in, what court would you belong to, if you'd be a brownie or something else, etc.)

Hm, I don't think I'd belong to a court. I'd probably be a solitary fey, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the Winter/Unseelie court, just cause I prefer the cold. And if I were a faery, I'd either be a pooka or a kitsune (Mischievous Japanese fox faery), because I love a good prank. Puck and I would get along famously.

What are five RANDOM FACTS about you?

1. I have a white streak in my hair that is natural.
2. I was chased out of the ocean by sharks ... twice.
3. I trained my dog to do magic.
   
4. My favorite food is raw fish.
   
5. I once wrestled a goat.
   

I'm pretty sure there has to be a good story behind the goat wrestling. Care to share it?

Lol, I used to live on a small farm in Hawaii, and our next door neighbor had this really mean, grumpy billy goat named (appropriately) Bully. One day our own baby goats got out and were in the neighbor's yard, so I went to herd them back, not knowing Bully had gotten loose. The crazy goat charged and rammed me in the posterior, knocking me down, and wouldn't let me retreat without trying to butt me again. So, I thought: “Okay, goat. It's on.” And so we wrestled for a bit, well, I wrestled and he tried to butt me. In the end, we called a truce decided to part peacefully. (Okay, so the hysterically laughing neighbors came out and put him back in his pen. But, for the record, I won, ha!)

So I hear you've been a dog trainer. Any good stories from that? (And just because I have a dachshund- did you ever train a dachshund? Are they all insane, or is that just my puppy?)

Well, it was the most interesting job (besides writing) I've ever had. Nothing is ever the same twice, and you have to think on your feet a lot, particularly with the aggressive cases. I once worked with a Chow-mix that had “people-aggression” issues. The couple told me she had charged and bitten a few people before, so I told them I would try to help her. On the first day of training, they brought her into my ring, took her off leash, and just let her go! She took one look at me and started growling and snarling, all her hair standing on end and her eyes bugging out of her head. And the couple just stood there, expecting me to do something. I used every calming method I knew to prevent this dog from eating me (tossing chicken cubes work wonders), until I was able to very quietly tell the couple to “please put your dog back on leash until further notice.” That was a little scary, but the interesting thing was the couple's reaction. They were impressed I had prevented the dog from biting me. I was like: “did you take your dog off-leash just to see that I knew what I was doing?!” Thankfully, after a few sessions the dog loved me (or my chicken) so much we didn't need the leash anymore.

And dachshunds. Yes. To both questions. Yes, I have trained them, and yes they are all insane. :D My best friend has a dachshund, my youngest sister has three, and I've worked with many over the years. Hardest part of training a dachshund? Getting them housebroken, and teaching them to lie down. I use the “show puppy treat, lower it to puppy's toes until puppy follows it down” method of training, but it's impossible with a dachshund. They're so short! Their nose is already at toe level. But I love them anyway.

---

THANKS SO MUCH, JULIE! :D You are the best.

And everyone else, be sure to check out Julie's website, blog, and twitter.

Prophecy of the Sisters Contest Winner!

The random generator picked the winner of the Prophecy of the Sisters swag contest and it is Krista from Tower of Books! Krista, I've emailed you. (:

And if you didn't win, you should still definitely check out Prophecy of the Sisters, because it is an AWESOME book.

Thanks to all that entered!

In My Mailbox (1)

This is my first In My Mailbox EVER. Shocking, I know. I never do IMM because I don't get that many books every week, but this week I got some, so I figured I'd do IMM because I needed something to post today.

IMM was started by Kristi of The Story Siren. :D

All descriptions from Amazon unless otherwise noted:

In the mail:

Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman

Strange things are happening in Skeleton Creek...and Ryan and Sarah are trying to find out why. Ryan writes down everything in his journal, and Sarah records everything on her videocam. The two move deeper into the mystery they've uncovered, determined to discover the secrets buried in Skeleton Creek, in the conclusion to Patrick Carman's thrilling series.

In this groundbreaking format, the story is broken into two parts -- Ryan's text in the book, and Sarah's videos on a special website, with links and passwords given throughout the book.

---Loved the first book in this series, so I'm super excited to read this one.


Lady Macbeth's Daughter by Lisa Klein

The daughter Macbeth might have had, if Shakespeare had thought to create her…

Albia has grown up with no knowledge of her mother of her father, the powerful Macbeth. Instead she knows the dark lure of the Wychelm Wood and the moors, where she’s been raised by three strange sisters. It’s only when the ambitious Macbeth seeks out the sisters to foretell his fate that Albia’s life becomes tangled with the man who leaves nothing but bloodshed in his wake. She even falls in love with Fleance, Macbeth’s rival for the throne. Yet when Albia learns that she has the second sight, she must decide whether to ignore the terrible future she foresees—or to change it. Will she be able to save the man she loves from her murderous father? And can she forgive her parents their wrongs, or must she destroy them to save Scotland from tyranny?

In her highly anticipated follow-up to Ophelia, Lisa Klein delivers a powerful reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, featuring a young woman so seamlessly drawn it seems impossible she was not part of the Bard’s original play.

---Wasn't a huge fan of another book by this author, but this one is historical-y so I'm looking forward to reading it. And this is for a Traveling to Teens tour. :D

The Sky Always Hears Me and the Hills Don't Mind by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Sixteen-year-old Morgan lives in a hick town in the middle of Nebraska. College is two years away. Her mom was killed in a car accident when she was three, her dad drinks, and her stepmom is a non-entity. Her boyfriend Derek is boring and her coworker Rob has a very cute butt that she can't stop staring at. Then there's the kiss she shared with her classmate Tessa...

But when Morgan discovers that the one person in the world she trusted most has kept a devastating secret from her, Morgan must redefine her life and herself.

---Already finished this one, and it was pretty great. Had a few problems with it, but still really enjoyed it.

Leaving the Bellweathers by Kristin Clark Venuti

The young Bellweathers–fourteen-year-old Spider, thirteen-year-old Ninda, and the ten-year-old triplets, Brick, Spike, and Sassy–and their equally peculiar parents have brought constant chaos to the once-peaceful village of Eel-Smack-by-the-Bay. Still, no one has suffered more than their loyal butler, Benway, who has finally had enough. He is secretly writing his tell-all memoirs, packing his bags, and planning his move to a tropical location, Far, Far Away.
But when the siblings discover Benway is preparing to leave their lighthouse home, they band together to prove how much he’s needed, as only Bellweathers can. . . .
Full of comic capers and close calls, an art heist and albino alligators, and good intentions gone wrong, Kristin Clark Venuti’s hilarious debut novel introduces a new family that is absolutely unforgettable.

---Yay middle grade!

I also got a sekrit book in the mail, but I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell what it is. (Then why are you telling us that you got it? Because I like to torment you.)

Bought:

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

How far will Rose go to keep her promise?

The recent Strigoi attack at St. Vladimir’s Academy was the deadliest ever in the school’s history, claiming the lives of Moroi students, teachers, and guardians alike. Even worse, the Strigoi took some of their victims with them. . . including Dimitri.

He’d rather die than be one of them, and now Rose must abandon her best friend, Lissa—the one she has sworn to protect no matter what—and keep the promise Dimitri begged her to make long ago. But with everything at stake, how can she possibly destroy the person she loves most?

---OH MY GOSH FINALLY. I cannot wait to read this one.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

[from B&N]

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?

---I had an ARC of this one, but I bought a finished copy at the Lili/Richelle Mead event.

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

[also from B&N]

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips...conks her head...and wakes up in the year 1815!

There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily's family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily's cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex's heart, before her time in the past is up?

More Cabot than Ibbotson, Prada and Prejudice is a high-concept romantic comedy about finding friendship and love in the past in order to have happiness in the present.

---Got this one as a birthday present for my friend. I figure she will like it because 1) She likes Pride and Prejudice. At least, she likes the movie versions. I don't think she's read the book 2) She likes cute stuff 3) She likes the Luxe books, so I figure historical is safe. 4) I feel it is my duty to provide her with good books because for Christmas I got her In Your Room and she LOVED it.

The GLEE event!

Yesterday I went at met the cast of the new show Glee on their tour!

Last time I mentioned Glee some of you did not know what it was, WHICH IS A SHAME. Watch it on hulu. But I don't think hulu works outside of the US so...um. Watch it somewhere else. o.o

I got to the mall where the event was at about 2:40, and saw Chris Colfer (KURT!) and Cory Monteith (Finn!) being interviewed by someone. Obviously I went over and took pictures of them.



People in my way, grr. xD


MORE PEOPLE IN MY WAY.


Some girl got to give Chris Colfer a hug during the interview. I hate this girl.

And then after they left, Amber Riley (Mercedes!), Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina!), and Kevin McHale (Artie!) came out and were interviewed. I photographed them too. Well, as best as I could, because once again, people were in the way. So no Jenna photos, boo. You can see half of her in this one:




Once they left, no one else from the cast came out and was interviewed so I couldn't stalk them. Lea Michele (Rachel Berry!), Dianna Agron (Quinn!), and Mark Salling (Puck!) were the only ones who weren't interviewed while I was there, but I still got to meet them later. (:

Then I had to wait in line for over an hour before the line even started to move, because the cast had to do press stuff. Darn press.

After I waited for like 30-40 more minutes after the line started to move, I got to meet them (!!!) and got this signed:


The picture is bad because I took it using dailybooth, as I am too lazy to use my camera.

Sadly, we couldn't take pictures WITH them, but whatever.

The cast is SO NICE and lovely and awesome. I didn't get to say much to them because I think Hot Topic (where the event was) wanted to hurry up and get everyone out of the store so that the cast could do the Q&A. Also, one of the other cast members, Naya (who plays one of the other cheerleaders on the show, I think), came in and the cast said hi to her. I don't care though, because it was still awesome and I got to tell Chris Colfer that Kurt is my favorite. Wheeeeee.

Then there was the Q&A. Here is a video of part of it:




And some photos:

Cory Monteith:


Lea Michele, Jenna Ushkowitz, and Mark Salling:


Mark Salling, Chris Colfer (check out how fierce he is in this picture), and Amber Riley:


I am glad no one was in my way for that fierce picture.

Dianna Agron (this is the only picture she is in. I thought I had more. SIGH.), Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Jenna Ushkowitz:



YAY Glee! I want the new episode now, not on the 9th, ugh. xD

Ash by Malinda Lo

[description from Amazon]

Cinderella retold

In the wake of her father's death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, rereading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King's Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash's capacity for love-and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.

Entrancing, empowering, and romantic, Ash is about the connection between life and love, and solitude and death, where transformation can come from even the deepest grief.

Review:

Having read and heard at least 30 other retellings of Cinderella, I was excited to finally read a unique version of the tale. Not that the ones everyone wrote in 5th grade weren't original (Cinderella as an apple is quite a...different take on the story, I must admit), but I also figured that Ash would be written a whole lot better than anything my class full of 10 year olds wrote. Luckily, I was right! The writing was just beautiful- descriptive, magical, and full of wonderful imagery.

The plot is not really focused on the relationship between Ash and Kaisa as one might expect, but the romace that is present is sweet. They fall in love slowly and their relationship, while passionate, is quiet. They are shy around each other, but somehow that makes their relationship all the more adorable. The other big part of the plot- the fairy Sidhean and his realm- I loved. It added a whole new twist to the book that made the story even more magical than it was.

Because this a retelling, many of the characters' personalities are familiar and expected- the stepmother and stepsisters are plain mean like they are in the original Cinderella, so they are flat characters. Ash, on the other hand, has such conflicted and deep feelings about her parents, Kaisa, and Sidhean, that she is a much more developed character. It's also easy to relate to her feelings about her dead mother, which makes her an even more likeable character.

Ash is a wonderfully written, enchanting book, with twists that set it apart from the original Cinderella.

8.5/10

Ash will be released September 1- this Tuesday!

Links: Malinda's website, blog/twitter

Little, Brown/Hardcover/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/IndieBound

Never Cry Werewolf by Heather Davis

[description from amazon]

Moonlight can totally change your life.

And it all starts so simply.

You. Him.

The moon.

You're toast.

Okay, so maybe Shelby has made a few mistakes with boys lately (how was she supposed to know Wes had "borrowed" that Porsche?). But her stepmother totally overreacts when she catches Shelby in a post-curfew kiss with a hot senior: Suddenly Shelby's summer plans are on the shelf, and she's being packed off to brat camp. It's good-bye, prom dress; hello, hiking boots.

Things start looking up, though, when Shelby meets fellow camper (and son of a rock star) Austin Bridges III. But soon she realizes there's more to Austin than crush material—his family has a dark secret, and he wants Shelby's help guarding it. Shelby knows that she really shouldn't be getting tangled up with another bad boy . . . but who is she to turn her back on a guy in need, especially such a good-looking one? One thing's for sure: That pesky full moon is about to get her into trouble all over again.

Review:

If I was a little less tired of paranormal books, I may have liked this one a lot more. Then again, maybe not, because I had a lot of problems with this one anyway.

If you read the description of the book, you can pretty much figure out what Austin's "dark secret" is because of, you know, the title of the book. The book is only about 210 pages, and Austin's "dark secret" is not revealed until about 1/3 of the way through, which made reading the first third kind of boring since I was just waiting around for the Big Reveal so the plot could start moving along. But unfortunately, things didn't pick up too much after Austin's secret was revealed. It felt like there were more mini plots rather than one big plot- one problem would show up and be solved, and then another and another. Some of the mini plots were also awfully slow, which made the book dull in parts.

The characters were also not developed well; Shelby can pass as realistic, but only barely. She's is pretty cliche in the sense that she has a "wicked stepmother" and a "father who is so wrapped up in his new marriage that he changes completely." Her stepmom sends Shelby off to brat camp because she won't listen to Shelby's side of the story, and Shelby thinks it's SO NOT FAIR so she does bad things and doesn't care. As the novel goes on Shelby does move on from being the bratty stepdaughter because she shows how much she cares for Austin and how determined she is to help him. Speaking of her and Austin- I never really understood why they liked each other so much, but their romance was cute so I didn't really mind. Austin's werewolf situation was amusing, but I wish he would have been developed more. I'm not sure what his flaws are other than that he's a werewolf and has a crazy dad.

Despite all the problems I had, I didn't hate this book. I'm not even sure I disliked it. It's just meh. It's more one of those books you read when you want to read something that won't overload your brain. It's amusing and cute, but that's about it.

6/10

Never Cry Werewolf will be released September 1.

Links: Heather's website

HarperTeen/Hardcover (WTH IS WITH THESE 220 PAGE BOOKS BEING HARDCOVERS. I DO NOT LIKE.)/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/Indiebound

Waiting on Wednesday (34)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. ^^

Today's pick:
Palace Beautiful by Sarah DeFord Williams (I kind of stole the image of the page from the Penguin catalog, from Sarah's post about it. I couldn't find a picture of just the cover. o.o)

description (from the tenners site)

Thirteen year old artist Sadie Evelyn Brooks moves from Texas to Salt Lake City with her father, her pregnant step mother and her little sister Zuzu. Sadie befriends her thirteen year old neighbor Kristen Smith (who goes by Belladonna Desolation--Bella for short). Together Sadie, Bella and Zuzu find a secret attic room with a hidden journal. The journal was written by a girl named Helen White who lived in the house during the 1918 Influenza epidemic. The girls form a little club and read the journal in installments and set out on a quest to find Helen--living or dead. Helen's journal story mirrors Sadie's struggles as she fears for the safety of her step mother while the pregnancy advances.

---

Sekrit rooms? Crazy neighbors? (You have to be crazy to go by Belladonna Desolation.) Journals by ~historical~ people? (love historical stuff!). And for some reason when I see this cover/description I think of Zilpha Keatley Synder. I do not know why, but it's fine by me because I LOVE Zilpha Keatley Synder. The Egypt Game, The Headless Cupid, and The Witches of Worm were so my books in 6th grade. Also, Sarah is a Tenner! Yay Tenners! And she's the only Tenner named Sarah. I guess the Debs took all the Sarahs and left only one for 2010?

Released April 15, 2010.

Many SHINY BOOKS are out today

Look at some of the shiny books that come out today:

Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri (pretty cover!)

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce (GOOD book)

The Blonde of the Joke by Bennett Madison (also a GOOD book)

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund (awesome book, even though it has unicorns)

Diary of a Witness by Catherine Ryan Hyde (I LOVE Catherine Ryan Hyde! CANNOT wait to read this one.)

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead (OH MY GOSH WHO ELSE IS FREAKISHLY EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK? I cannot stand waiting to read it! Or meeting Richelle on her tour! Aaaaah! I'm meeting her tomorrow in LA- event DETAILS!)

Love is the Higher Law by David Levithan (OH MY GOSH I HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO FANGIRL DAVID LEVITHAN IN A REALLY LONG TIME, WHICH IS A SHAME SINCE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH. My review of this book will be up soon [I have not had time to write it. o.o] but OH MY GOSH it is so amazingly good, obviously. You all should read it and every other book by David Levithan because he rocks my socks.)

---

Opinions of any on any of these books? I especially want to know how Diary of a Witness is because I have heard nothing about it! Booooo.

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

I'm really slow to reviewing this, I KNOW.

[description from amazon]

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in ZanzibarBay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Review:

This is one of the only books I've read this year that has made me want to squee with joy. It's so sad and heartbreaking, but so hopeful and feel-good at the same time.

Because Anna and Matt's relationship is only shown a few times in the novel, it was a little difficult to see why Anna loved Matt so much and why she can't get over his death. She describes her feelings about him well, but I wanted just a bit more showing and less telling to make things a bit more believable. Similarly, I couldn't really see why Anna liked Sam, the boy she meets on vacation. Sure, they had a visible connection but their relationship lacked some depth that would have made it easier to see why she liked him so much.

Despite those problems, I pretty much loved the rest of the book. Her feelings of grief seemed incredibly real even if they didn't make as much sense as they could have, which made her easy to relate to. Her relationship with Frankie and the way she handles Frankie's questionable behavior are really what makes her believable- her feelings and reactions to Frankie's schemes are amusing because Frankie is oblivious to them and also show just how different Frankie and Anna are. By comparing the two girls, it's easier to see how each one is because they react so differently to things. I also appreciated that Frankie, especially near the end, was deeper than expected- I can't say why, but there were many things she hid that were revealed, and those things made all her actions make sense.

A few events that occurred were predictable, but there were also plenty of hidden things that caused twists to happen. And I must mention that the writing in the book was positively lovely. So beautiful and emotional. (:

If there's anyone out there who hasn't read Twenty Boy Summer, they definitely should (but really, who hasn't read it yet?). It's a wonderful, heartbreaking, uplifting, novel that will be adored by many. I cannot wait for more from Sarah!

8.5/10

Links: Sarah's website, blog/twitter/video where Sarah talks about the book/Twenty Boy Summer collab/my interview with Sarah

Little, Brown/Hardcover/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/Indiebound

Jackson Pearce Interview

I'm hosting the ever-so-lovely Jackson Pearce, author of As You Wish, on her Traveling to Teens tour today. Here is her interview!

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. Well, no. When I was very, very little, I wanted to be a veterinarian. But then my dream was burst when I realized that sometimes, I would have to put animals to sleep, and I was so many levels of not okay with that.

What was the most difficult part about writing As You Wish?

The revising. AS YOU WISH has seen present tense, past tense, first person AND third person points of view. I also changed the ending entirely—twice.

What is something that helped in you actually finish writing your story?

What kept me motivated to keep writing was a desire to be a writer professionally combined with the end of college and knowing career-choosing-time was coming fast. I was afraid that if I got a day job, I wouldn't be able to keep writing, so I wanted to sell a book before I got a day job. That didn't happen, but it all worked out great anyway-- I was a software tester for a year and a half, in which time I sold AS YOU WISH and wrote SISTERS RED, and now am a full time writer!

Did you also want to write for young adults, or did you just get lucky it turned out that way? ;)

I’ve always wanted to write (and read) young adult stories. YA is a genre made of almost entirely phenomenal books—I think because teens, unlike adults, will throw a book down if it starts to suck, no matter what the reviewers say. It’s a very demanding genre.

Can you describe your road to getting agent and publication?

My first book was a YA high fantasy called THE KEYBEARER. It sucked. Only, I didn’t know it sucked at the time. It was rejected by over one hundred agents, revised and rewritten into oblivion, and finally shelved when I began AS YOU WISH.

AS YOU WISH was rejected by seventy-something agents before it was picked up by an agent and somewhat quickly sold to HarperCollins! A year later, SISTERS RED and a second unnamed title were picked up by Little, Brown.

KEYBEARER, however, was a book that HAD to be written and rejected. Writing it taught me how to write more than any class or how-to book ever could have. I don’t know that I’ll ever bring it out of retirement, but I’m so, so glad I wrote it and stuck with it.

What was your reaction when you first heard you got an agent/publisher?

I was eavesdropping on my neighbors when my agent called for the first time. There was freaking out. And jumping. And running in circles.

When the first offer for AS YOU WISH came in, I was driving. I pulled off the road, caught my breath, and drove the rest of the way to practice. I didn’t tell anyone about the offer—in fact, I didn’t tell anyone it was definitely selling until the auction. Then I called my grandfather first and foremost—I recorded the phone call and posted it on my blog. It’s especially meaningful because about a year later, he died; his funeral happened on the same day as SISTERS RED sold.

How has the blogging community and fellow authors helped you in your journey?

The blogging community is fantastic—I love blogging and moreover, feeling like I’m a part of a bigger group of YA lovers. It’s hard to find people in real life to talk about YA books with, so having that group online is so helpful.

Not to mention the fact that when I was first starting to look in to publication, bloggers and message boards were PRICELESS to me. I think I learned more about the industry from the Blue Boards than I did from any How To Get Published book.

---

Thanks so much, Jackson! You rock.

And a short description of As You Wish for you, from indiebound:

A brokenhearted Viola inadvertently summons a genie into her world. Jinn agrees to stay until Viola makes three wishes, but she's afraid she won't wish for the right thing. Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola, and only after she makes her first wish does Viola realize she's in love with Jinn.

Links: Jackson's website and blog/twitter/amazing youtube channel

HarperTeen/Hardcover/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/IndieBound

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce

[description from Amazon]

Ever since viola's boyfriend broke up with her, she has spent her days silently wishing—to have someone love her again and, more importantly, to belong again—until one day she inadvertently summons a young genie out of his world and into her own. He will remain until she makes three wishes.

Jinn is anxious to return home, but Viola is terrified of wishing, afraid she will not wish for the right thing, the thing that will make her truly happy. As the two spend time together, the lines between master and servant begin to blur, and soon Jinn can't deny that he's falling for Viola. But it's only after Viola makes her first wish that she realizes she's in love with Jinn as well . . . and that if she wishes twice more, he will disappear from her life—and her world—forever.

Jackson Pearce spins a magical tale about star-crossed lovers, what it means to belong . . . and how important it is to be careful what you wish for.

Review:

I was super excited to read this because of the fun-sounding premise, and because I love reading Jackson's blog and watching her vlogs, but unfortunately I'm not as big a fan of this book as everyone else. Don't get me wrong- I really liked it. Everyone else is calling it OMGAMAZING! and there was one huge part of the story that I just did not like. But more on that later.

In the beginning of the book, Viola is pretty "I'm invisible my life sucks I want to be popular waaaaaah." I've seen plenty of characters like that, so it was nice to see how her story unfolded because she became a lot more tolerable as the book progressed. I can't spoil it, but I like how her first wishes turned out because they allowed her to develop a lot and realize some important things. Plus, the wishes results' were super amusing. I very much enjoyed that she is an artist too, because I don't read about artists very much.

I liked how Jinn was a narrator also; the supernatural characters in books often don't get to tell their stories, let alone male supernatural characters. Because he gets his own narration, it's much easier for him to be a realistic character because the book is not filled with nothing but Viola talking about how lovely/annoying he is. He's got a lot of snark in him, which was super fun, and I loved when he talked about his job and the genie world. I had a clear picture of what goes on there, and it sounds super fun.

The thing that bothered me most about this book, the one I mentioned earlier, is that Viola and Jinn's romantic relationship felt much too rushed, especially near the end. Sure, there was the initial "do I like him/her? do they like me?" thing going on, and then a little more, but the end of the book almost made me cringe. I think they declared their love much too quickly, which just made me mad. Maybe it's because I don't like cheesy endings anyway, or that rushed relationships are definitely in the top five things I hate most in books, or that I was so mad I was blinded by it. Maybe it was because I needed to hurry up and finish the book because I needed to send it off to someone else, so I wasn't paying close attention to the details. Whatever the reason, it just didn't sit well with me personally. If I ever get to reread this one my opinion might be changed because I know what I'm getting in to and I can pay closer attention to the things leading up to the end.

Do I recommend As You Wish even though I had a big problem with it? Definitely. As You Wish is still a fun, light book that I'm sure will charm many.

As You Wish will be released on August 25- this Tuesday!

7-7.5ish/10 (I can't choose. Sue me.)

Links: Jackson's website and blog/twitter/amazing youtube channel

HarperTeen/Hardcover/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/IndieBound

*This is Traveling to Teens tour stop! ^^

Bookish Memes!

I am taking these memes from the wonderful Steph Su, since I have nothing else to post today. :D

Hardback, trade paperback or mass market paperback?

I like trade paperback because they are cheaper, but hardcovers look prettier and don't get beat up as easily. Mass market paperbacks SUCK though. The spines are so easy to break! AHHH. My OCD-ish self will not allow me to breaking the spine on any book, which makes mass markets hard to read.

Barnes & Noble or Borders?

I'm basing my decision only one my local B&N and Borders, so I'm going with B&N. Mine has a much larger selection, and their books are not beat up like the ones at Borders. The books there are ALWAYS bent and scratched and ripped and EEK it's awful. And Borders's YA shelves are like half the size of B&N's.

Bookmark or dog-ear?

BOOKMARK. O_O Who on earth dog ears? That's like abuse.

Amazon or brick-and-mortar?
Brick and mortar! I like being able to see the pretty covers without the "search inside!" above them, and I like seeing the books all set up and gorgeous. Plus, you can't book stalk with Amazon.

Alphabetize by author, or alphabetize by title, or random?
Unfortunately my shelves are odd and I can't have a system of organization, which I hate. I'm only allowed to put paperbacks above my TV, and some of my other shelves are so short that I have to put books sideways instead. I always put books by the same author by each other though.

Keep, throw away, or sell?
THROW AWAY?! PEOPLE THROW AWAY BOOKS?! That's insane and I do not approve.

I mostly keep mine, because I can't bring myself to get rid of even the ones I don't really like. If I do want to get rid of some, I'll swap/donate them to a giveaway or something.

Keep dust jacket or toss it?
Toss? Who would toss the dust jacket? That's the pretty part!

Read with dust jacket or remove it?
Depends. If the jacket will actually stay on the book, I'll read with it on. But sometimes they slide all over the place, so I remove it then.

Short story or novel?
NOVEL! I never seem to like short stories, or short story anthologies (Prom Nights from Hell) I always want more.

Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket?
First off, why are they asking my to pick a series or author, not author or author, or series or series?

I love A Series of Unfortunate Events, and will always hold a ~special place in my heart~ for Lemony Snicket since he was the first author I ever met, but I have to go with Harry Potter. LOVE that series. I can read them over and over and never tire of them.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?
Chapter breaks. If I do that it's easier to remember what happened before I stopped; if I stop in the middle of a chapter, I won't remember the stuff before I stopped.

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?
"It was a dark and stormy night"! Bring on the doom and gloom!

Buy or borrow?
Buy! The closest library nears me sucks, so buybuybuy.

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendations, or browse?
Hmm. All three. Whenever I go to B&N I try to get something someone said was good or gave a good review, and something I see that looks interesting.

Tidy ending or cliffhanger?
If we are talking a series, cliffhanger! Unless they happen to be the meanest cliffhanger ever, like Shadow Kiss.

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?
Not morning; I am much too tired in the morning to pay attention to what I'm reading. The other two are equally good.

Stand-alone or series?
Stand alones; I hate waiting for a series to come out, and whenever I read the second book in a series I always manage to forget the first book.

Favorite series?
Would it be cheap if I went with Harry Potter?

Favorite children’s book?
I don't remember many children's books I've read, but I remember loving The Phantom Tollbooth, even though I can't remember what happened in it. I also really liked The Egypt Game, but I'm not sure if that counts as a children's book. I also LOVED A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder in 5th grade- I need to get copies of them and read them before the third book in the series comes out.

Favorite YA book?
I like too many! I cannot be expected to pick just one. But I will just say The Outsiders because it got me back to reading again. :D

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?
Any book by David Levithan. I am APPALLED at the number of people who have not read his books. APPALLED.

I also thought Madapple by Christina Meldrum was extremely great, but not many people seem to have read it.

Skinny by Ibi Kaslik was fabulous.

Favorite books read last year?
Thankfully I wrote a post saying what my favorites RELEASED in 2008 were, and they were: Madapple, Shadow Kiss, Paper Towns, I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, Violet in Private, Suite Scarlett, Cracked Up to Be, Living Dead Girl, and Lock and Key. Also, Boy Meets Boy, but that wasn't released in 2008.

I'm honestly surprised at this list; if I wrote it now it would be much different.

Favorite books of all time?
The Outsiders, Harry Potter series, Boy Meets Boy, Looking for Alaska, Hate List (OH MY GOSH IT COMES OUT SO SOON AND IS SO GOOD YOU MUST READ IT), and I dunno what else.

What are you reading right now?
Never Cry Werewolf, because I'm trying to get through the rest of my paranormal/fantasy books so I don't have to read anymore.

What are you reading next?
No idea.

Favorite book to recommend to an 11-year-old?
Er...um. I like Taylor Morris's MG books. And the Shadow Children series.

Favorite book to re-read?
The Outsiders! I've read it 8 times and never tire of it. I haven't reread it in a while though, but have been wanting to.

Do you ever smell books?
...maybe.

Do you ever read primary source documents like letters or diaries?
Nope.

---

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
I'm sure there are plenty of these, but the only one I can think of at the moment is The Forest of Hands and Teeth. But that one doesn't really fit the question since there are plenty of negative reviews. I've mainly seen very fangirly review of that one, or ones that say it stinks, so I've been avoiding reading it.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
This is a hard question. Spencer from Suite Scarlett, Rose from the Vampire Academy series, and Georgia Nicolson because she seems ridiculously fun to hang out with. I'm sure Rose would get tired of Spencer and Georgia easily and may hurt them, but whatever.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
Anything from English class last year. All the books I read for that class last year were pretty bad.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
I can't think of anything. Unlike many of my English class peers, I read the books assigned.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book?
I can't think of any specific examples, but often if someone mentions a children's book, I can't remember if I've read it or not.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalize the VIP.)
Um. Too much pressure! I'll steal Steph Su's answer and go with The Hunger Games, since everyone seems to love that book more than I do. (I really like it, but I'm not going to go kill someone for Catching Fire, and the ending didn't make me that mad.)

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
Latin sounds good to me.

A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
The Outsiders, because I've already read it a bunch of times and don't get sick of it.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead—let your imagination run free.
All hardcovers! And the series books match, and they are organized by genre and then author. In the front there would be a giant display of my favorite books. The library would be huge and have a bunch of comfy chairs and computers and there would also be a restaurant in there somewhere because I like food. Also, there would be a house on the top floor so I wouldn't have to leave.

Hmm...

...what could THIS possibly mean?


Find out September 1...DUN DUN DUN.

oh my gosh the oringinal uncropped picture of this is ridiculously, hilariously, bad. even this one is odd though; I just like the wavy stuff.

Aw!

I bet you've seen a few other people post about Book Blogger Appreciation Week, but I am going to post about it, but I'm going to post about it too. MUAHAHA.

I wanted to give HUGE thanks to whoever nominated my blog for Best YA Blog and Funniest Blog! (I don't really get the funny one, or really the BEST YA blog one, but I will take it and be flattered by it. :D But seriously- who nominated me for funny? Or at least who wants to explain how I am supposedly funny?) I am super honored to be nominated alongside people with all sorts of lovely people, including author Maureen Johnson, who was nominated for Funniest Blog too! I look forward to losing to her, because honestly, anyone who thinks MJ will not win is insane and needs sense knocked into them.

Seriously though, thank you SO MUCH to whoever nominated me! :D I cannot wait to see who will make the shortlists!

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

[description from amazon]

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns . . .

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student . . . an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

Review:

Although I am a firm supporter of Team Zombie, I wanted to read this because, well, unicorns that murder people sound a lot better than unicorns that prance around in meadows with Care Bears. Thankfully these unicorns were tolerable (I will never admit to liking any type of unicorn, ever) and I enjoyed reading about their murderous activities. (That is admitting I like reading about their behavior, not them.)

I enjoyed most of Rampant, but one thing that kept me from loving it was how slow it is. After Astrid arrives in Italy, there is not a lot of action, which I did not expect since this book is all about unicorns who are attacking people. There were sections that were quite exciting, sure, but for a while it was nothing information about unicorns and hunting, and also a lot of build up until the end. This lack of lots of activity was beneficial as it allowed the characters to be more developed, but I often found myself craving some major fighting action. At the same time, however, I liked the history that was described because I am a fan of history; I just wish it was written in the story in a way that didn't slow things down.

The characters, as I mentioned earlier, were quite well developed. I sometimes wanted to slap Astrid for being so annoying or stupid, but she is entertaining narrator and it was nice to read about how she felt about being a unicorn hunter, since she wasn't all that fond of the idea. The remaining cast of characters, all 20 of them (maybe that's an exaggeration, but there was a lot), were all well developed too- even Bonegrinder, the unicorn who is sweet, in a way, but also who would bite your fingers off if given the chance.

Rampant is a book so good that it will appeal to even the most fervent zombie fans.

8/10

Rampant will be released on August 25- this Tuesday!

Links: Diana's website/blog/twitter/the Rampant trailer thing

HarperTeen/Hardcover/$17.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/IndieBound

Waiting on Wednesday (33)

Waiting on Wednesday was started by Jill over at Breaking the Spine. (:

Today's pick:

The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk

description (from amazon):

Being a hefty, deaf newcomer almost makes Will Halpin the least popular guy at Coaler High. But when he befriends the only guy less popular than him, the dork-namic duo has the smarts and guts to figure out who knocked off the star quarterback. Will can’t hear what’s going on, but he’s a great observer. So, who did it? And why does that guy talk to his fingers? And will the beautiful girl ever notice him? (Okay, so Will’s interested in more than just murder . . .)

Those who prefer their heroes to be not-so-usual and with a side of wiseguy will gobble up this witty, geeks-rule debut.

---

Why I want it:

• Mystery books are good.
  
• Funny books are even better.
• Geeks are WIN!
• How often do you read a book with a deaf person?
  
• Based on his tweets and sitcom idea, I can infer that Berk's pretty cool. And he's a tenner, so he has to be cool just based on that.
  

Released February 9, 2010. SO FAR AWAY!

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

[description from amazon]

Sophie Blue started wearing a black skirt and Midnight Noir lipstick on her last birthday. It was also the day her father disappeared. Or spontaneously combusted. Which is sort of bad timing, since a Popsicle truck with tinted windows has started circling the house.

Kenny Fade is a basketball god. His sneakers cost more than his Jeep. He's the guy all the ladies (and their mommas) want. Bad.

Sophie Blue and Kenny Fade don't have a thing in common. Aside from being reasonably sure they're losing their minds.

Acclaimed author Sean Beaudoin's wildly innovative novel combines uproarious humor with enough plot twists to fill a tube sock. Part thriller, part darkly comic philosophical discussion, and accompanied by a comic book interstitial, Fade to Blue is a whip-smart romp that keeps readers guessing until the last paragraph.

Review:

I...I don't even know what to say about this book. I don't even feel like I should review because I did not understand it at all, but I requested it so I kind of have to. This is a short review though.

This book is unique, I'll give you that, but so hard to follow that its weirdness is overshadowed. There are many twists that I didn't see coming, but there were so many and they were so odd that I had no idea what was going on. The book also switches from first person narrative to third person and back again, always focusing on different characters. The chapters are so short and change focus so often that it was difficult to follow each character's storyline and thoughts without getting them confused. And getting the characters confused wasn't hard because they were awfully flat. The book was so focused on the plot that it forgot all about the characters. Each character was mainly defined by their storyline rather than having personality traits.

The comic in the middle of the book, while entertaining and interesting, also slowed the book down a bit.

Fade to Blue is probably one of those books that is good if you think about it a lot and you closely examine it and its ~meaning~ and whatnot, but that doesn't make it any less confusing. I really have no idea what went on in this book, but maybe if you really like crazy weird stuff you'll enjoy it.

5/10

Links: Sean's website

Little, Brown/Hardcover/$16.99/Amazon/B&N/Borders/Indiebound

L. Diane Wolfe Guest Blog

Today I'm hosting L. Diane Wolfe on her blog tour for The Circle of Friends Book III: James. She has a guest blog for us about how hard it is to write five overlapping books:

The Challenge of Writing Five Overlapping Books!

When I first began writing The Circle of Friends, I did not envision a five-book series. However, halfway through the first book, I realized that several of the secondary characters possessed stories that begged to be told. I created outlines for four more books, and at that point, realized I’d set myself up for quite a challenge!

The five books in the series overlap while also moving forward in time. With the exception of the final book, each begins during a point in the previous story. It was imperative that I maintain consistency with the characters and ensure that the overlapping scenes were similar in detail. The perfectionist in me wouldn’t tolerate such mistakes, and I knew readers would notice lapses in continuity.

Since the main characters appear across multiple books, I needed to stay consistent with their personalities. To do this, I created a detailed profile for each one. I recorded their personality traits, background information, strengths & weaknesses, family, and friends. I even noted material possessions such as vehicles. It would not do for the Mitsubishi to suddenly turn into a Toyota in a later book!


I then took all five outlines and merged them into one master timeline. This was divided into years and months, covering the entire eight-year span of the series. Major events in each character’s life were recorded in the appropriate location, and I even went beyond the boundaries of the actual books, giving each person an in depth past and/or future. This provided me with a quick, at-a-glance outline that covered all ten main characters. Even if I was working on just one character’s story, I always knew what the others were doing should they be required to enter the storyline. This alone probably prevented the most mistakes.

Since the ten main characters are friends, there were several interesting crossover situations. I found myself constantly referring back to an earlier book when a scene was repeated later in the series. Dialogue was the easiest, as I could simply lift and insert, but it still required adjustments. To keep it fresh, I focused on the new character’s perspective, expanding or shortening the exchanges as needed. I did not want perceived continuity errors pulling readers out of the story, nor did I want them to grow bored with a familiar scene. Talk about a fine line!

My greatest challenge came from a scene repeated in three books. The main characters from each book were all present and it was a pivotal moment for everyone. In fact, the stakes escalated with each book! The latest in the series, Book III, carried the greatest consequences for the main characters. However, I discovered that switching the point of view with each story provided a unique opportunity to view the same scene from a new perspective. Each character responded differently to the situation, especially in terms of their feelings. Even on my third run through this scene in Book III, I was able to retain the tension, and the intense, emotional response of the main characters really carried the scene.

Five overlapping stories were difficult to write, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching things unfold from another viewpoint. Characters who were offstage during a portion of an earlier book were suddenly thrust into the spotlight for their story. Those readers disappointed when one book comes to an end will be delighted when that character reappears in later books. Considering that the stories move forward in time, readers will also discover what happens next in their favorite character’s life. Of course, once they reach Book V, the storyline ends and The Circle of Friends comes to a close.

Or does it…?

Only time will tell if I’m up for that challenge!

---

Thanks so much for the great post, L. Diane!

Am I the only one who thinks they would totally suck at writing a series that requires that much organization? o.o

Here's the description of The Circle of Friends Book III: James, which is officially out tomorrow, for you:

Haunted by a troubled past…

The future appears bright for James Sheppard. Emerging from a troubled childhood, he is blessed with talent and a good work ethic. Excelling in his classes and at the campus newspaper, James’s goal of editor appears within his grasp.

However, years of abuse and loneliness have dampened his spirit. By the time Maria enters his world, James is nearing the breaking point. Her innocent love slowly fills the void in his life, boosting his confidence and giving him hope.

When a crisis abruptly forces him into adulthood, James is saddled with more responsibility than expected. Struggling to cope with the situation, the past returns to haunt him. Will James find peace before the mistakes of his father destroy him completely?

---

Be sure to check out L. Diane's website, as well as the Circle of Friends website and blog! And check out the newest book, James, out on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Random Saturday...on Sunday

I am doing the Random Saturday meme that was started by Sharon the Awesome of Sharon Loves Books and Cats. Except, well, it's Sunday. But random is fun, so HERE WE GO.

I think everything is supposed to relate to blogging (or books?), but here is a tapir picture anyway:

I like tapirs, but not as much as Alea does.

---

Do YOU know what a pooka is? If you do not, click this photo and learn:


Isn't learning fun?

---

I guest blogged over at the Word Ninjas today. Read the post HERE!

---

A friendly reminder that this amazing book:


Comes out soon(ish.) On September 1! You should buy it because it is amazing. (Full review coming SOON, but all you really need to know is that it is ohmygoshwonderfulawesome.)

---

I'm also a guest over at Hope's Bookshelf today! Read my guest post about my most memorable birthday here.

---

Apparently not all of you know what Glee is! SHAME! Watch and enjoy:



---

I start school on Wednesday. *sobs* And I still need to finish my summer reading work. GO PROCRASTINATION!

And that is all for today.