"When I'm not writing" with Jared R. Lopatin

 Today I'm excited to host Jared R. Lopatin, author of The Outerlands, as part of his blog tour!  The Outerlands is Jared's latest YA novel, and is available today!

 

When I’m not writing, I’m teaching Deaf students. That looks rather blithe written simply in one sentence, but there is an incredible amount of work and joy that goes into such an endeavor. Visuals are extremely important when you’re a teacher for the Deaf. In order to better help my students understand concepts, I film educational videos in my classroom in front of a green screen and then spend time that evening editing and captioning the video to make sure it’s clear, adding pictures and features to make sure it’s interesting. Of course, there’s grading and setting up assignments, but that’s usual teacher work. The exciting part of the school year comes between January and March when I start rehearsing for that year’s show. It’s a tough, but wonderful time when I get to work closely with my actors and develop them into a company. I actually just finished my fourth show with the high school a week ago – it was a farce. When you work with Deaf kids, there are extra elements that are added: scripts must be translated into American Sign Language, seating arrangements can have a huge impact on learning, educational videos must be signed instead of voiced-over, etc. There are a number of challenges that come with the job, but one of the biggest struggles is the same that every teacher faces: seeing bullying among teenagers. High school is a tough time for any student, Deaf or hearing. That’s a huge part of what inspired me to begin work on THE OUTERLANDS.  I thought that if kids read a book like this and saw that they weren’t the only ones who felt alone, it might help open a dialogue about what really goes on in high school. I know I would have appreciated it back when I was in high school. Perhaps, someday, I’ll get a chance to teach it in my classroom.

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Thanks so much for visiting us, Jared! For more about Jared and his books, check out the following links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter  | Goodreads

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Here's the scoop on Jared:

Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jared fell in love with stories at a very young age. This love led him to major in English and Theatre, a decision that brought him many adventures, such as performing in Footloose, Cats, and West Side Story.

His first full novel, Rising Sign, was started backstage during a production of South Pacific in Indiana. Five years later, his debut novel was complete and he headed back to school for his Masters in Special Education. By the time he graduated, he had written the following two books in the trilogy, Ruling House and Returning Planet. He used his school experiences as a base for his standalone novel, Let's Play It By Ear. His newest novels, The Outerlands and The Good Witch are slated for release in 2015.

Jared currently lives in New York City with his cats, Benedick and Beatrice. He works during the day as a high school English teacher and theatre director at a Deaf school.

Read an excerpt:

Death is rarely a choice and, when it is, it’s usually a final choice. After all, for all that most people know, there are no choices after death. Alex certainly thought this would be the case. And he would have been right. If.

If.

Such a small word – barely two letters – that encompasses so much. So much uncertainty. So much dependency. So much…possibility.

It was this very possibility that launched one Alexander Carroll Lewis into a Realm of curiosity. This special journey hinged on that two letter word – if. Even in the midst of all of the madness, he knew that was the root of everything. He traced the ifs back through from the recent to the past.

If he hadn’t swallowed the pills.

If he hadn’t bought the pills.

If he hadn’t fought back.

If he hadn’t met Jay.

If he hadn’t gone to that school.

If he hadn’t lived in that town.

If he hadn’t lived at all.

Strangely enough, or perhaps not strangely at all, it was this last if that prompted him toward the first if in the first place. He saw the latter as a solution for the former. What he was about to find out was that there was no solution to the last if because the last if wasn’t a problem that needed solving at all. Eventually, he found his way to the problem and the solution, but that won’t happen until the end of this story.

This is only the beginning.

Purchase: Amazon

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Jared is giving away an Amazon or Barnes & Noble $10 gift card. Follow the Rafflecopter instructions to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favourite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit  us? Please email me at marieharris725 (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 When I'm not writing  1 Person left their mark

Dark Heir by Faith Hunter

I have a longstanding love affair with Faith Hunter's writing (see my DYTR... post for SKINWALKER, the first book) and DARK HEIR has only furthered my admiration for her writing. In the series' ninth book, Hunter has managed to expand the world Jane lives in, in so many ways.

In DARK HEIR, the stakes are incredibly high (if you'll pardon the vampire-related pun). Jane has to track down and subdue one of the original vampires: Joses, one of the Sons of Darkness. It's an incredibly daunting mission but one she has no choice to accept because her city and her friends are in serious peril. Jane has faced down some serious foes in previous novels but there's a real sense of danger and potential failure in DARK HEIR. As events unfold, I honestly couldn't figure out how Jane was going to get out of the pickle she's in this time around. Joses is seriously powerful and Jane is seriously outmatched.

As always, the fight scenes and action are beautifully written but what really resonated with me was the way that Hunter has developed the different relationships in Jane's life. The Youngers, for example, are such a great addition to Jane's world, adding a great sense of family and a lot of humour to the series. I'm particularly fond of Eli - he's such a great partner for Jane! We also get some lovely progress in her romantic relationship with Bruiser, which always makes me smile. Hunter writes Jane's baby-steps in the romance department with such talent and I really enjoy watching Jane adjust to being in a happy and accepting romance. And then, of course, there's the dicey dance she does with Leo, which is always Entertaining with a capital "E".

There are so many reasons to love the Jane Yellowrock series and I feel like I've gushed about it time and time again. I won't belabour the point here. I'll just say that I think this is one of the strongest and most consistent urban fantasy series out there and you're missing out if you've not given it a shot.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:35

 Ace, Adult, Faith Hunter, Jane Yellowrock, Netgalley, Penguin, Review, ROC, Skinwalker, Urban Fantasy, Vampire  6 People left their mark

Dark Heir blog tour: Guest post by Faith Hunter

Today I'm delighted to welcome Faith Hunter to the blog. Jane Yellowrock is one of the coolest cats in urban fantasy today and I'm also a huge fan of her Rogue Mage books, which you should totally try if you like post-apocalyptic fun. Or maybe "fun" is a better word, since it's not exactly a good time for everyone involved. In any case, we have an exclusive guest post from Faith as part of her blog tour for DARK HEIR, the ninth Jane Yellowrock book. Enjoy!

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A Day in the Week of Faith Hunter: Tuesday

The Hubs and the dogs and I go through our usual morning routine and by 10 a.m. I am at the grocery store with my youngest brother. He takes care of the groceries for his family and we visit while we shop. This lets us catch up on family stuff, like who is sick, what tests came back, how his business and my writing are doing. We shop and gripe and vent and then head home through a steady rain, with goodies in the back of our vehicles.

Today I finish the second draft of the novella’s outline that I worked on all day yesterday and when I am satisfied, I send it to my editor at Penguin/Roc for her suggestions and approval. They already paid me for it so I am happy to have something on paper. Also, today is “Dust-mop Floor Day”, so when I break, I clean and wash any clothes I didn’t get to yesterday.

I have a housekeeper who comes every four to six weeks to dig us out, but I do the light stuff on my own. If I won the lottery or something, I might have someone come in every two weeks, but the Hubs and I are hermits by nature and having people in the house is disruptive to the creative jobs we have.

Today I also start the new Jane Yellowrock novel. This will be book 10, and the outline was finished last week. My head is clear and I already know the first line, which helps getting started. I don’t begin every novel knowing that first line. Sometimes I write a hundred pages before it comes to me, and that requires bit of a rewrite to get everything to flow, but today it’s easy, a bit of dialogue that tells Jane someone has come back from the dead. Well, the supposed dead. As it turns out she wasn’t really dead at all.

Anyway, I am on page three before I think to take a break and I have to move a lot to get my body going again. I do bit of cleaning and thinking and then prepare a very late lunch with the Hubs. It rained a lot overnight and is still raining now, and he’s going paddling on a creek nearby with a Class V paddler. This will be the warmest day of the week, with another cold front on the way.

I have the house to myself and the writing is flowing nicely. No phone calls to interrupt me, the dogs are sleepy and not asking to go out quite so often. They don’t care for the rain. My little pampered babies.

I write a good five pages total today, and then revise a bit, adding in the necessary foreshadowing, which gives one more page. Today is also Cardio Day. I do cardio two days, then weights two days, then yoga-based stretches one day. The Hubs and I have a good supper. Tuesday is TV night, and I am ready for NCIS and NCIS-New Orleans, reading a story, and watching my shows.

Nitie-nite!

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For more Faith, check out the following links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Tour Schedule

Here's the scoop on DARK HEIR:

Shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock is the best in the business when it comes to slaying vampires. But her latest fanged foe may be above her pay grade…

For centuries, the extremely powerful and ruthless vampire witches of the European Council have wandered the Earth, controlling governments, fostering war, creating political conflict, and often leaving absolute destruction in their wake. One of the strongest of them is set to create some havoc in the city of New Orleans, and it’s definitely personal.

Jane is tasked with tracking him down. With the help of a tech wiz and an ex-Army ranger, her partners in Yellowrock Securities, she’ll have to put everything on the line, and hope it’s enough. Things are about to get real hard in the Big Easy.

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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Posted by Tynga at 01:20

 Adult, Faith Hunter, Guest Post, Penguin, Skinwalker  5 People left their mark

Stacking The Shelves [152]

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

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Hey everyone, so I went a little crazy this week. I had accumulated enough plum points from Chapters Indigo to pay for almost all these goodies. Then I bought a couple more after my haul and taking this picture. Large variety of books this week, I know, but I'm looking forward to all of them. I hope you all had a great week!

 

      

Purchased

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire by Molly Harper

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

The Promise of Amazing by Robin Constantine

Half Wild by Sally Green

The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows

The Master by Kresley Cole

Prudence by Gail Carriger

One Wish by Robyn Carr

Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong

The Professional by Kresley Cole

[inlinkz_linkup id=510156]

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Posted by Tynga at 02:15

 Meme, Stacking The Shelves  21 People left their mark

The Fire Seer and Her Quradum by Amy Raby

Taya and Mandir have worked through their old grudge in the previous novel and are slowly building a relationship together. Still new and fragile, their new found love will be put to the test when Mandir is sent to his old home and Taya insist on accompanying him.  She is NOT ready for what awaits her. Will their blooming romance hold to the test?

I am extremely lucky to serve as a Beta reader for Amy and she makes things so easy for me. It's the third or fourth book I've read for her, and I haven't found a single mistake yet. The coalition mages series might be self-published, but it's just as (if not more) polished as the next traditionally published book.

The first book in the series, The Fire Seer, introduced a rich fantasy world with an original lore involving three Goddesses. Now that we are fully emerged in this culture, Raby focuses her story-telling on the character's psychology, their developing romance and a very surprising murder investigation. The story really flows nicely and the rhythm is very natural.

I think my favorite aspect about the novel is how Raby wisely chose to show us how Mandir grew-up. In the previous book she told us, but this time we get to witness first hand the violence and the depravity the poor guy had to deal with as a kid. It was truly shocking, and it really allowed the reader (and  Taya) to really understand how Mandir tics.

Taya served as an anchor for Mandir in this novel and I really appreciated it. She supported him the best she could, without judgment and full of compassion. An ordinary girl would've run away, but Taya is not ordinary. And she will risk her own neck not to save only him, but also other victims of Mandir's father. Truly commendable.

The murder investigation was really great. There were multiple possible culprit and the hunt for clues was very engrossing. I loved that it was not predictable and that i discovered the culprit, and his motive, alongside the main characters.

I really enjoyed The Fire Seer and Her Quradum and I am definitely awaiting the next novel. I wonder how the new addition to Taya and Mandir's traveling group will affect their journey and if those characters are temporary friends or long term additions.

I strongly suggest you give this oriental flavored fantasy story a try. I bet you won't be disappointed!

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Posted by Tynga at 01:56

 Adult, Amy Raby, Author, Coalition of Mages, Fantasy amp; Magic, Magic, Review, Self Published  Leave your mark

Dreamfire by Kit Alloway

Imagine a team of people who spend their nights walking through the Dreamworld, rescuing Dreamers like you or me from our worst nightmares.  Josh is one such team member.  Born into an extended family of Dreamwalkers, she becomes a full adult Dreamwalker on her 17th birthday.  Along with that distinction comes a new responsibility:  Will, an apprentice Dreamwalker.  If that isn't an exciting and unique enough premise to hook you into the book, there's also really strong characters, excellent pacing and plot development, a light smattering of romance, and even a little political intrigue!

In Josh's experiences so far, she knows that the Dreamer (the person having the nightmare) cannot be physically hurt in the dream, she (and other Dreamwalkers) can be physically hurt in the dream, and all other "people" present in the dream are just figments of the Dreamer's imagination.  All that gets turned on it's head one night when she and Will enter a nightmare and encounter two men who don't fit:  they're not the Dreamer, they're not Dreamwalkers, and they're not figments of the Dreamer's imagination.  They are out to hurt people, and they do need to be stopped.  So there's this great mystery throughout the entire book.  I think I've mentioned before that I really like when I'm not able to solve mysteries before the book's end.  If I can figure it out, it's way too obvious.  I totally didn't see the ending of Dreamfire coming!  Don't worry; it's not so drastic a twist as to be implausible, but it's enough of a twist to give the reader a nice surprise.

Dreamfire also had a really strong cast of characters.  The book is told primarily from Josh's point of view, but there are a few chapters scattered throughout from Will's perspective.  I was especially impressed with how real Josh reads.  She's had some hardship in her life, like when she lost her mother, but she's not all woe-is-me.  Yes, she misses her mother, but that doesn't mean she can't also appreciate and enjoy her stepmom.  She also has really strong relationships with extended family and friends.  Because Dreamwalking is kind of a secret society thing, multiple families share one house with an archway to the Dreamworld in the basement.  In this house live Josh & her family, her grandmother, and another family.  There was yet another family living in the house, too, but they had moved out before the start of the book.  So- big house; many people.  For this reason I appreciated that Kit Alloway included a list of characters at the beginning of the book.  Each character was so well-developed that I very rarely had to check it, but it helped to know that it was there.

The pacing of the book was excellent.  I never felt like I had too much information being thrown at me at once.  It really helped for Josh to take on an apprentice, so that as she explained the Dreamworld and Dreamwalkers to Will, I also got the information.  As I mentioned at the start, there is a lot of layers to this book, but it never feels "messy."  In fact, some things are left only very lightly touched upon, like the political intrigue.  (The Dreamwalkers have their own government.)  Dreamfire felt like a series-starter to me, with so many different plot lines opened up, and I've been very disappointed to not be able to find any internet rumors of a sequel.  Even though I think this would be an excellent trilogy, there aren't any big unsolved plot points at the end.  I'm just anxious to spend more time with Josh and the gang in the Dreamworld!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 contemporary, dreams, Kit Alloway, Purchased, Review, St. Martin's Griffin, young adult  1 Person left their mark

Off the Grid: A Jane Yellowrock Story by Faith Hunter

I know this is only a novella but, I had to review it as a prelude to the next installment of the Jane Yellowrock series.  This is the newest in that series and there may be some spoilers so, if you haven't started the series and intend on doing so, do so now!  It really is an excellent series in the genre especially if you like books with strong female central characters.  As usual, Faith Hunter does not disappoint us on that account with this story in the Jane Yellowrock saga.

In this story we see Jane continuing her arrangement with Leo Pellissier and goes to take care of one of the clans within his domain.  Of course, Jane sets out to take care of the clan's needs in her usual, no holds barred, style.  One of the things I really like about this book and, the series itself, is that it doesn't rely on the whole Monster of the Week trope.  Don't get me wrong, it is one of my favorite story lines.   The problem is that it gets over used by TV and movies to the point that it becomes predictable.  This is book tells a story about what I would think Jane would have to put up with between the big jobs.  You know, the everyday, hum drum life where hideous death or dismemberment lurks behind every door.

As usual, Faith Hunter does excellent work in weaving a tale, though briefer than most, is still filled with mystery and action.  There isn't a lot of connection with the overall storyline of the series but, one never knows what the future hold in store for Miss Yellowrock.  I have read short stories that have had major impacts on a books series.

Since this pick was an audiobook, I must comment on the talents of Khristine Hvam.  As always, she takes the characters that Ms. Hunter creates and breathes life into them.  Her delivery is clear, understandable and more than just somebody who's reading the text into a microphone.  She makes each character distinct and recognizable.

Off the Grid is a great addition to the series and a nice tease to the upcoming release of  her novel Dark Heir.  Considering most of the series has a more mature nature to it, I would still reserve this one for the more mature readers.

 

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Action amp; Adventure, Amazon Publishing, Faith Hunter, Jane Yellowrock, Khristine Hvam, Purchased, Review, Skinwalker, Urban Fantasy, Vampire  1 Person left their mark

The Gateway Through Which They Came by Heather Marie

I wanted to enjoy this book because when I purchased it, the concept sounded promising. However, a few chapters in, it was clear this book wasn't made for me. Overall, I thought the characters were flat, the action almost non-existent and story a little too religion based.

My main concern with the story was how heavy the religious aspects were. I was raised catholic, but even for me it was too centered around church, prayer and belief. If I had known this, I might have stayed clear of the book. Personally I don't mind having a few religious references, but honestly, when the protagonist goes to catholic school,  spends most of his time in a church and has a very religious mother, it feels like it's being shoved down my throat. I like my supernatural books with as little religious aspects, out of respect for readers that may not adhere to that specific religion and also because I don't think an author should take too many liberties in expanding something that should left alone. Those are my thoughts and many people probably won't agree with me. And that might be a reason why religion should be discussed as little as possible.

Aiden, the protagonist, could have been the book's redeeming quality, but after a while, his thoughts and actions were getting repetitive. As a Gateway, he has the ability to help lost souls, or bleeders as he calls them, to cross over to "the other side" by having them walk through him. Sounds simple enough but this gift or curse gets a little more complicated when the Brethren of Shadows want to use him for bringing back dark souls to the earthly plane. Everything started to get complicated when Koren, one of Aiden's best friends and secret crush, comes back to Portland after disappearing without a trace, seven months earlier. A wannabe catholic school rebel and a girl-crazy teenager that thinks way too much about Koren, Aiden is a very one dimensional character. As a narrator, I also had a hard time following his train of thought, which made the story less than engaging.

For most of the book, we're in the dark about Aiden's abilities and the truth behind their origin. Father Martin is supposed to be his protector or mentor, but he's not very forthcoming with information. Not only does Father Martin not help him, but he kind of hinders Aiden's fight against evil by not revealing any information about his true enemy. Aiden is more or less left to defend himself, without any guidance or any real father figure. He does have a bit of support from Koren, who's very hesitant with information too, and his two friends Trevor and Evan, who despite knowing very little, do help in being present for their friend.

I can't say I enjoyed this book. A good three quarters of it is spent questioning Aiden's gift and what to do about the evil surrounding Portland. The mystery about Koren's disappearance and reappearance also intruigues Aiden for a good part of the novel and I still don't understand why Koren didn't reveal her story right away. Most of the book felt directionless and incomplete. Things did get more interesting in the last quarter of the book because everything started to unfold. Honestly, I'm not sure if I'll read the next book. Releasing in less then a month, I kind of hope, now that we know more about Aiden's gift and his constant fight with the evil inside him, that things will get more interesting. The series is only a duology so I might just bear with it and find out what happens next.

Read an excerpt

 

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Posted by Tynga at 03:13

 Afterlife, Curiosity Quills Press, ghosts, Heather Marie, Paranormal, Purchased, Review, The Gateway, young adult  3 People left their mark

Stacking The Shelves [151]

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

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This has been a very busy time that hasn't left much room for gathering new books.  I've managed to pick up a few titles to fill what free time I've had.  Now that things have calmed down a bit, I'll be able to make some fresh acquisitions and have the time to enjoy them!  In the mean time, I have these to partake in:

1.     I get the feeling that some people have the idea I prefer stories with male main characters.  It probably stem from my zeal for the Dresden Files series.  Oddly enough, it was my appreciation for the Jane Yellowrock series that lead to my even trying the Dresden books. My fascination with finding stories  with strong female main characters lead me to these three books.

 

 






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Wrong Stuff is an interesting non-fiction period piece that is a bit more NSFW than one might first think.

I'm looking forward to The Wonder of All Things even though I have only the vaguest idea of the premise.  I hate spoilers!

I'll tell you all more about Strange Brew later.  It's another anthology and I love anthologies!



Now that I'm caught up, I can make time for the important things in life!

What gems have you made time for?



[inlinkz_linkup id=507339]  

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Stacking The Shelves  13 People left their mark

Lion's Share by Rachel Vincent

Let me start this review by saying, FINALLY! I've been awaiting another Shifters book for so long, and it's finally here! For those who don't know, Lion's Share is the first book in a new spin-off series. The original series, Shifters, was Rachel's first published series and it was really awesome. This original series featured Faythe, Marc and Jace and from what I gathered, this new series will feature a different couple each novel, following the traditional paranormal romance series (Shifters was more Urban Fantasy). You don't NEED to read the Shifter's books to read Lion's Share, but I strongly suggest it. It will allow you to really grasp the nature and laws of the Shifters, Jace & Abby's pasts and honestly, it's heart-poundingly good, so why skip it?

Jace is everything a girl could hope for. He is swoon worthy, powerful & loyal. I was sooo very happy to learn this book would feature him, because let's be honest, he had more then his share of trouble, and unfortunately, he gets even more this time around. At least, he now got the girl for his trouble haha. Abby was a traumatized girl who's grown into a confident woman and I loved that change in her. She definitely needs to learn some self-control, but it makes for some interesting scenes!  I really loved the two of them together, their chemistry and their fights.

The plot was action-packed and I was totally hooked even though the intrigue was very predictable. I wished Rachel didn't remind us every other page that Abby was hiding something because I figured it all out pretty quickly. It did not hamper my enjoyment of the novel so no harm done.

The conclusion was a killer though! I DID NOT expect that! I had a  couple of possible scenarios in mind, and it wasn't one of them! I would've paid good money to see the face of all those stuck-up alphas at the end and I can't wait to see how the series will evolve from there.

Rachel Vincent is self-publishing this series because no publisher wished to purchase the rights because it had been too long since the last Shifters book. Because of that, the very existence of future books depends on the sale of Lion's Share so I URGE you to purchase this amazing novel and encourage her. I really really hope there will be more novel in the series and I wonder which couple will be next!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:15

 Adult, Paranormal Romance, Purchased, rachel vincent, Review, Self Published, Shifters, Urban Fantasy, werecats, Wildcats  4 People left their mark

The Map of the Sky by Felix J. Palma

The Map of the Sky is the sequel to The Map of Time, so take warning before reading further if you haven't started this series yet!  (And you can read my review of The Map of Time HERE.)

I am JUST AS EXCITED about The Map of the Sky as I was about The Map of Time!  In the first book, the plot revolved around time travel, and how it related to H.G. Wells' The Time Machine.  In this second book in the trilogy, the same characters are back, with a few additions, and the story is based on H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds.  Yes:  there are MARTIANS in this book!  Martians + steampunk + author-as-character... everything I love!

Although the format of The Map of the Sky is very similar to the the format of The Map of Time, I was never bored, and I was never able to predict plot twists.  This book is also split into three very distinct parts, that all weave together at the end for a big reveal.  In the first part, we very briefly rejoin H.G. Wells as he goes with a friend to see a Martian that is being kept in secret storage at a London museum.  Coincidentally, the author has just published The War of the Worlds; will he find out that he wrote a piece of nonfiction rather than fiction?  The reader is then taken on a flashback adventure to the Antarctic in 1830 with the brave Captain Reynolds and Edgar Allen Poe.  (Yes:  two authors-as-characters in this one!)

In another vignette within the book we're introduced to Emma and Montgomery, two young people at the top of the London social chain.  At first I very much disliked Emma; she's pretentious and a bit stuck up.  However, we see a lot of character growth in her through the book.  As we come to the pinnacle of the story-the Martian invasion-we see her really come into her own and shine with a previously unknown strength.

And finally, Felix J. Palma does an amazing and masterful job interweaving all the early plot points to come together for a un-put-downable ending.  Really!  I completely ignored everything else in the world to sit for two hours straight to read through the ending.  Once the action gets going, you won't want to miss a moment in Victorian London!  Action, adventure, a little romance, all set against a backdrop of survival during an intergalactic invasion.

A final note:  I somehow missed this when I read The Map of Time, but these books were actually originally published in Spanish and translated by Nick Caistor.  I give him many, many props for his translation skills!  I mean, he's obviously working from a great book, but then to continue the fluidity of the prose and the gorgeous descriptives... just wow.

I give this series two enthusiastic thumbs up, and will definitely be continuing on to the third book in the series!

Readalikes:  If you are daunted by the (very) high page count in these books, but like the idea of sci-fi/fantasy with authors-as-characters, I recommend the YA series "The Madman's Daughter" by Megan Shepherd.  The first in the trilogy is The Madman's Daughter.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Atria, Felix J Palma, Historical, Library, Map of Time, Martians, Review, Science Fiction, steampunk  Leave your mark

Written in Red: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop

Even after all the excellent suggestions I've received for the next series I should delve into, I took a gamble on a book I happened to find out of pure luck and placement on a website.  I didn't read too deep into the synopsis, which works out well for this book but decided to check it out based on the ratings and not the write ups.  Here's what I found.

Written In Red by Anne Bishop, more than a book about a lost woman looking for her way in the cold.  It's a story of wanting to belong, wanting to be somebody but also a story touched by  greed.  Meg finds herself in the midst of beings known as the Others.  The Others are beings from so many of our myths and nightmares.  The fact that these beings live in a somewhat self imposed segregation makes Megs new job as Liaison necessary.

This is a somewhat unique telling of the story of troubled town and the stranger who came in and changed everything with their mere presence.  The story is constructed well enough that, even though you may feel you see the direction it's going, there are sufficient twists and subtle differences to keep you engaged and entertained.  The chief problem I had with the writing style was that occasionally the I would miss the POV change and wind up confusing the motivation of some characters.  I also could have used a bit more texture as far as the setting was concerned.  I'm starting to see where discomfort can be a great illustration tool for an author.  My feet were sore by time Frodo reached Mordor, by the time Eragon made it out of the Hadarac Desert I was sunburned and dehydrated and by the time Blomkvist and Lisbeth found the killer, I was taking regular restroom breaks (Swedish people seem to love their coffee).

Early on I decided to see this as an early work in the series and so, I placed less importance on the character development.  Most of the more-than-human characters could have shown more of themselves than just the characteristics of their non-human side.  Being constantly reminded that werewolves are 'growly', stubborn and protective can be a bit tiresome after a while.

This is a nice entry into the book series, The Others.  It gives sufficient background and leaves much to be discovered in the future.  I'm hoping the story matures with the characters in the next book in the series since I'll soon be checking that one out soon.   Written In Red is definitely PG13 for violence and language.  I would save this for very mature teens.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Anne Bishop, Mystery, Mythology, Paranormal, Purchased, Review, ROC, The Others  Leave your mark

Giveaway: Duplicity by N.K. Traver

To celebrate the release of Duplicity by N.K.Traver, St-Martin's is offering a copy to giveaway! Before I give you the details though, here's more about the book!

“N.K. Traver's Duplicity is an intriguing, fast-paced read. It's the dark, malevolent-mirror-filled soul baby of Tron and The Matrix that I never knew I wanted. Don't miss it!” —Kendare Blake, author of Anna Dressed in Blood

 

ABOUT THE BOOK

in private, 17-year-old Brandon hacks bank accounts for thousands of dollars just for the hell of it. In public, he looks like any other tattooed bad boy with a fast car and devil-may-care attitude. He should know, he’s worked hard to maintain that façade. With inattentive parents who move cities every two years, he’s learned not to get tangled up in friends and relationships. So he’ll just keep living like a machine, all gears and wires.

Then two things shatter his carefully-built image: Emma, the kind, preppy girl who insists on looking beneath the surface — and the small matter of a mirror reflection that starts moving by itself. Not only does Brandon’s reflection have a mind of its own, but it seems to be grooming him for something— washing the dye from his hair, yanking out his piercings, swapping his black shirts for … pastels. Changes he can’t explain to his classmates, who think he’s having an identity crisis, and certainly not to nosy Emma. Then Brandon’s reflection tells him: it thinks it can live his life better, and it’s preparing to trade places.

And when it pulls Brandon through the looking-glass, not only will he need all his ill-gotten hacking skills to escape, but he’ll have to face some hard truths about who he’s become. Otherwise he’ll be stuck in a digital hell until he’s old and gray, and Emma and his parents won't even know he's gone.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a freshman at the University of Colorado, N.K. Traver decided to pursue Information Technology because classmates said, “no one could make a living,” with an English degree. It wasn’t too many years later Traver realized it didn’t matter what the job paid—nothing would ever be as fulfilling as writing. Programmer by day, writer by night, it was only a matter of time before the two overlapped. N.K. Traver lives in Colorado.

Now onto the giveaway!

St-Martin's is offering 1 copy of duplicity!

Open to US & Canada

Ends March 31st, 2015.

Fill the form to enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Posted by Tynga at 02:20

 giveaway, N.K. Travers  1 Person left their mark

The King by J.R. Ward

I really love this series. Even though I have my issues with the writing and some of the stories, J.R. Ward always has me coming back for more. You're always guaranteed a 500+ page book so you definitely get your money's worth when it comes to the Black Dagger Brotherhood. I admit, some of it can be simple filler and there's a good amount of gangster talk, but I've simply learnt to overlook these things and simply enjoy the ride. Although, we didn't need that many Miley Cyrus references in this book. I'm not a fan of Miley Cyrus but I still don't understand J.R. Ward's problem with the twerking celebrity.

My only major dislike with this book is the amount of point of views. I didn't officially count them all but in my opinion, when you have more than ten point of views, it feels a little bit overwhelming. Mind you, many POVs revolved around the same story lines, but all the same, when there's a switch in POVs every chapter, it's really difficult to get into the book. It made the book feel like a bunch of short stories or novellas all mixed up and crammed together. With that many story lines, it also reduced the amount of fighting and Black Dagger Brotherhood action. Brotherhood interactions were also missing in this book since a lot of the story lines were centered around couples or characters that are not part of the Brotherhood.

For a book that I really enjoyed, this review has been pretty negative so far! On to the good stuff. One of the greatest things about this book is revisiting Beth and Wrath. The couple that started the whole series are ever present in all the BDB books but it was still nice to read more about them. It goes to show that stories don't always end up with a happily ever after and that book couples do fight after their "ending". I liked how Beth and Wrath fought about realistic problems that readers could possibly associate with. Although their circumstances may be a little different, since Wrath is the blind king of vampires, but all the same, I thought it was a great idea to bring them back. However, we still don't know why Wrath is blind, and as an Optometrist, I'm ever curious about his condition. (Unless it was mentioned and I totally missed something?) I just wished the book was centered more around them, since the book is title The King. On another note, I loved reading about Wrath's parents because not only do we get some historical background, we also see how the glymera, the vampire aristocracy, was never fond of Wrath or his father. Tension between the royal family and the glymera is ever present and for the past few books, we've been expecting something big to happen.

For some reason, I really enjoyed Assail and Sola's story line. Although I didn't care much for Assail in the previous books and I really thought he was a bad guy, he did do some pretty heroic stuff in this book (if you ignore the death that followed his wake). His old fashion attitude combined with his drug dealing business makes for a pretty interesting and original character. But what sealed it for me was his interactions with Sola's grandmother. One way to a girl's heart is to woo her only living relative whom she adores. Assail and Sola's relationship is pretty strange, but like all J.R. Ward couples, it's heavy and intense.

I won't discuss any other point of views except mention Trez and iAm. These Shadows, a different "tribe" of vampires, if you will, are well set up for their own book, which releases at the end of March 2015. I'm not overly excited about their book because I still don't understand where they're coming from. When Territory and the s’Hsibe are mentioned, there's still a lot of mystery and I don't know what to make of it. Hopefully their story will grow on me and we'll finally get to learn more about their origins.

Most fans of the series will enjoy The King if they can overlook the ridiculous amount of point of views. The book did have some flaws that I was able to overlook so some fans may not be crazy about The King, but then, if you've gotten this far in the series, you can turn around now. I loved revisiting old characters and the story development of newer ones. For future books, I say bring back more Brotherhood butt-kicking action. I need more!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:48

 Black Dagger Brotherhood, J.R. Ward, Paranormal Romance, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Romance, Signet, Vampire  Leave your mark

Stacking The Shelves [150]

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

——————

 Happy Saturday!!!  It's been about a month since my last Stacking the Shelves, so I have quite the list.  As usual, there is evidence that I have still have a problem with wanting to bring home ALL THE BOOKS from work.  In fact, I'll be at work today... I wonder how many more books I'll find to bring home... :)

Newly Purchased

A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd:  This was a splurge for me.  I already owned the first and second books, so I had to have the third, right?  And lucky me:  I was able to get an autographed copy!  I recommend this trilogy all the time.

Library

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: I've never read anything by Laurie Halse Anderson, so I put out the question on my other blog.  The votes definitely indicated that I should start with this one!

100 Things to Do in Charlotte Before You Die by Sarah Crosland:  Charlotte is the nearest big city to us, and so I'm looking forward to trying some fun new things!

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis:  This was a recommendation in triplicate from my sister-in-law, niece, and nephew.  I love reading what my nieces and nephews are reading so we can talk books together.

The Shadow Cabinet by Maureen Johnson:  This is on CD for the commute.  I've really enjoyed this trilogy, and have been waiting oh-so-impatiently for this release!

The Mother of All Booklists: The 500 Most Recommended Nonfiction Reads for Ages 3 to 103 by William Patrick Martin:  This one is sorta for work.  Because of Common Core (a US education movement), students are coming into libraries looking for more nonfiction to read, and this will help me with giving recommendations.

Dear Miss Breed: True Stories of the Japanese American Incarceration During World War II and a Librarian Who Made a Difference by Joanne Oppenheim:  A book about a librarian making a difference?  Yes, please!

Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor:  Another trilogy finale!  I didn't realize that I'd be wrapping up so many series this month.  This one is also on CD for the commute.

Beyond the Call: The True Story of One World War II Pilot's Covert Mission to Rescue POWs on the Eastern Front by Lee Trimble with Jeremy Dronfield:  I originally brought this home for the hubby, but he's making it sound so good that I've added it to my tbr pile too!

The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot by Jonathan Witt with Jay W. Richards:  This one is a winner for both me and the hubby: we both love all things Tolkien!

Borrowed From a Friend

The Red Deaths by Casey Eanes with Seth Ervin:  I borrowed a copy from one of the authors, read it in one day, and wrote an enthusiastic review on my other blog.  You'll remember seeing the guys feature in a When I'm Not Writing post on March 10th.

ARCs & Egalleys for Review

All Fall Down by Ally Carter:  I love, love, love her Heist Society books and am excited to try her new series!

Spare Parts: Four Mexican American Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream by Joshua Davis:  I'm trying to get a robotics group going at my library, and think this book with be inspiring.

The Monogram Murders by Sophie Hannah:  I've read very few Agatha Christie mysteries, but I've enjoyed all that I've read.  It'll be interesting to see if Sophie Hannah holds up to the master.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt:  I don't know much about this one, but the title grabbed my attention.

The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett:  A book about a man obsessed with books?  Why, of course I'll read that!

Sneaker Kings by Eric McLaurin:  I think this title might appeal to some of the "regulars" at my library, so I'm reading to recommend.

Nuts to You by Lynn Rae Perkins:  Another cute little title that grabbed my attention!  And I think I have a niece who will enjoy it after I read it...

Jackaby by William Ritter:  A colleague passed this along to me.  I've heard all the hype; will the book live up to it?

Spelled by Betsy Schow:  I've been really into fairy tale retellings lately.

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James:  I just finished this one and it was really good!  I was intrigued by the title (spooky sounding)/cover design (very soft colors) nonsynchonicity.  (I think I just made that word up, but it fits.)  The book was a delightful mix of historical fiction with a little romance, set against a plot involving a ghost.  I loved it!

What have you brought home this week?  Leave a link!

[inlinkz_linkup id=505216]

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Stacking The Shelves  21 People left their mark

Soulbound by Kristen Callihan

Finally free! Or so Eliza May thought. She'd been chained to Adam for months when she'd been finally freed. She didn't know she was getting herself into another form of enslavement when she moved in with her aunt Mab, though. She must now escape once more and ironically, she'll need the help of Adam to get away.

I really love Kristen's books and Soulbound is no exception! Fool that I am, I almost missed the release day of this book altogether! It would've been a grave offense! Anyhow, this pretty is now sitting on my shelf, along with the previous books, and I am eagerly awaiting the next one!

Adam had always been some kind of enigma to me, and even though he is still mysterious by the end of this title, I feel I know him a lot more. Actually, the man itself laid it all out for all to see and judge, it really is his job and how he controls the GIMs that still remains mysterious. BUT, I got enough answers to keep me satisfied. I really like him and despite not approving all of his decisions, I can understand where he is coming from, and I loved that Callihan shed light on his past, allowing us to really understand his motives. He is a true knight in not-so-shiny armor at his core, but had to become a scheming bastard to survive this long. It's a complicated mix, and I truly enjoyed it.

Eliza May is a force to be reckon-with under her lady attire. She had a very troubled past, has those really weird- and deadly - powers and has to deal with her last slaver to  escape her most recent nightmare. It took a lot of strength to face all that came her way and I command her for it. She is smart and wary, has a strong attitude and the language to back it up, and I loved her verbal sparing with Adam. I rooted for her the whole time and I really hoped it would work out for Adam and her, in the end.

The plot was highly addictive and I have to tip my hat and give a round of applaud to Adam. He is a master manipulator and I can only admire how he managed to make it all work the way he wanted to. With all his smarts, Eliza still managed to get one on him in the end, and I am SOOOO glad she did! What a sad ending it would've been otherwise.

The end isn't your typical happily ever after, and Adam and Eliza aren't your typical couple either. I guess all things considered things didn't turn out not so bad and I'm glad Sin gave his 30cents to Eliza!

Now, I'm under the impression Sin will be the star of the next novel (or maybe Lucien?? who knows) and I can't wait to read it! This series is awesome, and I urge you to read it if you haven't started yet!

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Posted by Tynga at 00:32

 Adult, Banshee, Darkest London, ghosts, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette, Historical, Kristen Callihan, Netgalley, Paranormal, Review, Romance, steampunk  Leave your mark

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver

It took me a little bit to get into Vanishing Girls, but once I was in, I was HOOKED.  For me, the book had a bit of a slow start, then about 2/3 of the way through there's a WHOA moment and the story is kind of turned on it's head and becomes unputdownable.  (<--had to make up a word to describe this twist)  And, because of this twist, it's really hard to write a coherent review without spoilers!  (But I do promise no spoilers; Girl Scout honor.)

Vanishing Girls is the story of two sisters, Dara and Nick (short for Nichole), who are super close.  Lauren Oliver does a fantastic job with portraying their relationship.  I myself have a sister, and I love when authors are able to authentically capture the reality of the relationship.  The girls love each other with a ferocity that cannot be broken by anything.  They are fiercely loyal to each other, but also hold each other accountable for their actions.  When Dara begins straying into dangerous activities, Nick covers for her, worries about her, and also tries to bring her back to the fold.

The chapters in the novel are told from both Dara and Nick's points of view, and in two times: "before" and "after."  The "before" and "after" refers to a single night; a car wreck that left Nick with a few superficial wounds and Dara with nearly catastrophic ones.  Before the accident, Dara was the pretty sister, the social butterfly, the flirt.  After the accident, she's left nearly friendless after a long recovery period, and her beauty is marred by scars.  Before the accident, Dara and Nick were thick as thieves; after the accident (which Nick blames herself for, and imagines that Dara does too) the girls have an invisible wall of sorts between them.

There were other changes to the family after the accident, too:  Dara and Nick's parents divorced, and Nick lives with her dad, leaving Dara in their hometown where her mom still lives.  Nick has a new summer job, working at a local amusement park.  Nick is rebuilding her childhood friendship with Parker, after drifting apart while he dated Dara.  And Nick's mom has become a bit obsessed with following a local missing child case.

As Vanishing Girls progresses, the reader sees that emotional and mental scars left on the girls after the accident.  They both feel betrayed by the other for differing reasons.  They both yearn to get back to the more pure relationship they shared before the events of the previous winter.  And both are just slightly off-hinge.  The reader never feels like either girl is an unreliable narrator, so it's hard not get pulled in and pulled along.  The unexpected ending that I mentioned?  I never saw it coming!  This book is a totally unpredictable psychological thriller.  You might think you're reading a plain Jane contemporary YA... then BAM.  Things you thought you knew get turned on their head.

This book takes a little patience, but it's worth the wait to see how the story unfolds.  Lauren Oliver wows with this one!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Fiction, HarperCollins, Lauren Oliver, Psychological Thriller, Publisher, Review, YA, young adult  3 People left their mark

Touch by Claire North

 

This has to be one of the more unusual books I’ve read recently (and I read John Dies at the End). I pretty much had to dispense with my usual way of consuming a story. There would be no easily dissected plot or character development. Much as the Inkheart series is series of books about books, Touch is a book about characters or more to the point people.

Don’t misunderstand me, there are definitely characters and character development within the story. The unusual part is, Kepler, the main character. The way Claire North handled Kepler’s atypical existence gave the character much more depth than many main characters show in a story. Many others weave in and out of the story in a way that highlights Kepler’s uniqueness.

The majority of this story takes place in Europe, both eastern and western. Its settings and situations are often stark and gritty. It reminded me of many stories about those areas during the cold war. The author does an excellent job of presenting these scenes even if they aren’t beautiful inspiring vistas seen in some books. It seems obvious that author chose these places to invoke a feeling of struggle or hopelessness as a symbol of the human condition.  If so, it works well especially those times it is contrasted with scenes from the West.

The story itself does require some close following. There is a significant amount of the story told in flashback. It’s handled well by enticing the reader to want to know about these events and then showing rather than telling their stories.

I’ve done my best to extoll the virtues of this story and still be spoiler free. I hope I’ve succeeded in intriguing many of you enough to give it a try yourself. I love a good story with a good twist. In that, this story met and exceeded my expectations. It’s not an action/adventure but, some of the violence is graphic enough to earn this one an R rating from me.



[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0QcEJr3TKk&w=294&h=176]

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Claire North, Fiction, ghost, Hachette, paranorma, Paranormal, Purchased, Review  1 Person left their mark

"When I'm not writing" with Casey Eanes & Seth Ervin

Lucky us!  Today we're hearing from two authors: Casey Eanes and Seth Ervin, coauthors of The Red Deaths.  I just finished reading The Red Deaths and really liked it!  You can see my review at my other blog, Marie's Reads.

 

I can't think of any more fair way to do this than alphabetical order (the inner librarian coming out), so we'll start with Casey!  Casey, what are you up to when you're not writing?

When I am not writing I spend a large amount of time playing with toy trucks, coloring pictures, watching Paw Patrol and changing lots of diapers… I am a proud Dad of two and love it! My kids are a huge part of my life and they are an inspiration for me to write. I also enjoy taking time away with my wife to hike and do backpack camping or really any outdoor activity. There is nothing quite as refreshing as getting away and surrounding yourself with nature. A backpack plus a tent plus a hammock in the woods equals an awesome get away. I am also a lover of music. Almost always when I am writing I have music playing because it seems to propel my creativity and motivate thoughts and ideas. However, when I am not writing I am still listening to music and even playing a little bit on my guitar. I love all kinds of music from classical master pieces to current day pop music and everything in between, I enjoy it all.

Even though I would love to spend all my time writing, or enjoying family or friends I do still have to work a day job to ensure everyone is fed and we have a place to live. Minor details I know, but I figured it might be best to make sure these are taken care of. My job is not glamorous but I spend my days as a risk management administrator in the banking industry. So, after spending my days looking at rules and regulations it is like a vacation to get to dive into writing a good story.

And you, Seth?  What are you up to when you're not writing?

When I am not writing, I am usually thinking about writing. I know it’s a bit ridiculous, but writing for me is both a guilty pleasure and free therapy, and there is nothing quite like being in that zone. So what do I do when I’m not thinking about writing? Well, I am also a newish, youngish father who often finds himself waking up way too early to begin his day watching Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood on PBS. I would be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy spending this time with my young son! My wife, my son, and my dog fill up a huge chunk of my life and I wouldn't have it any other way. My family is also very blessed to have good friends and extended family members whom we are very close to. They remain a definite priority within our lives and we make a point to stay in community with them, and they with us.

I am fortunate that my career choice revolves around two things that I cherish; kids and books. Yes, that’s right. I’m a children’s librarian. This is a job that I never dreamed I would find myself in, but I should have seen the early warning signs years ago. I’m a storyteller by nature, and I have the unbelievable privilege to get to share stories to others for a living. I am truly blessed to find myself in such a great circumstance, honestly.

These two areas of my life are the fuel in which my writing is created. The library serves my well of inspiration, safely learning from the triumphs (and failures!) of other writers who have gone before me. My relationships, in turn, help me to stay motivated and driven as I continue to write.

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Thanks so much for visiting us, Casey & Seth! For more about the guys and their book, check out the following links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

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Here's the scoop on The Red Deaths:

King Camden is dead.

After forty years of peace, war rages through Candor.  The Rulers of the Realms are dying. Their precious secret of the Keys has been revealed.

Enemies unforeseen move in the shadows and the Nightmares behind the glass will soon be unleashed.

The Dominion has awakened.

Three Red Deaths.  Three linked lives.

One Keeper of the Keys.

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

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Do you guys have suggestions for who you’d like to see featured on the blog? If so, you can make your suggestions on this page. No guarantees that your favourite authors will be able to participate but we’ll try!

Authors, would you like to visit  us? Please email me at marieharris725 (at) gmail (dot) com and we’ll set it up!

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 Casey Eanes, Seth Ervin, When I'm not writing  Leave your mark

Infinity Bell by Devon Monk

This series is full of surprises. It's turning out to be more than I anticipated and it's all been great so far. Infinity Bell is only the second book in the series and I'm hooked on these characters, the story and the writing. Honestly, I had no clue what I was getting into when I started reading this series but it's so original I have a hard time classifying the series into a specific genre. The book is set a few centuries in the future so it definitely qualifies as science-fiction, but it also has paranormal elements and a dystopian feel. Basically some of my favorite genres all wrapped up in a neat little brown package.

Book one kind of left us on a cliffhanger but now as events unfold, the treaty between the houses and the galvanized (a group of immortal people created after a botched experiment) is crumbling and creating tension throughout the different houses. Matilda Case, her fellow galvanized Abraham, her brother Quinten and her farmhand Neds are on the run right from the start of the novel, and don't stop running until the very end of the book. This creates a wonderful pace for the story and definitely keeps you on edge throughout the whole thing. The urgency to get back to the Case farm is always present because countless lives depend on fixing time.

Now, this is where things get complicated (but in a good way). Apparently time was "broken" by Matilda and Quinten's ancestor when he tried to manipulate time in an experiment, a few hundred years ago. It's this experiment that unknowingly created the galvanized, extending the natural life of 13 humans by a few hundred years. Now, the hours are counting down to some time event that could be the end for Matilda and so many others, unless the time rift is fixed. I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the whole time thing but just go with it because it's definitely worth it.

The human race has always been fascinated with time. Early civilizations taught themselves to measure time with the sun, the moon and the stars. Modern time physicists are still trying to explain time and relativity with mathematics and physics. But one thing is for sure: time has always found a way to slip through our fingers, despite humanity's quest to find a way to live forever. That's why I find this series so fascinating. Not only is it about immortality, but it also tries to explain it with time and science. As a science geek, I'm hooked on this series for sure, even if it is pure fiction.

While book one was more about introducing the characters, this sequel was more about answering questions about the time experiment that started it all. However, we do learn new things about the characters, like Quinten's secret life that he hides so well from his sister. We also learn more about the galvanized's pasts, before they were revived. Abraham and Matilda's relationship also progresses despite the gloomy outlook. In my opinion, the author revealed just enough to keep us interested, without pestering us with too much information.

On a final note, the last chapter is infuriating. I still can't believe that's how Devon Monk ended the book. Reading the sneak peek for next book does very little to appease my frustration with this cliffhanger. It's maddening, but also sad because I don't know what it means for the characters and their relationship. I don't want to reveal anything else, but you'll definitely know what I mean once you read it.

A poignant sequel, Infinity Bell is action-packed, captivating and thought-provoking. I'm really glad the next book will be published in about six months from now. I don't want to wait too long to know what happens because it looks like Matilda will have a lot of explaining to do...

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Posted by Tynga at 03:48

 Devon Monk, Dystopian, House Immortal, Immortal, Penguin, Purchased, Review, Science-Fiction  Leave your mark

Stacking The Shelves [149]

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

——————

 It's already been a month since my last STS so here are the books I got since then :)Bought:

Bound by Flames by Jeaniene Frost
Soulbound by Kristen Callihan (currently reading)
Shadow Study by Maria V Snyder (loved it!)

For Review:

Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
Infinity Bell by Devon Monk
Hexed by Michael Alan Nelson (surprise)
Echo 8 by Sharon Lynn Fisher (surprise)
Rebellion by Stephanie Diaz (surprise)
Pacific Fire by Greg Van Heekout (surprise)

Also, while I got your attention, I recently enrolled for an online photography class and I have 'homeworks' every week, would you be interested in seeing my pictures and helping me chose the best one to summit?

Here's an example: This week I have to shoot a portrait with the sun being the subject's head. We have to see the rays through the subject's hair. It was quite a challenge, let me tell you! and here are my top 5. Which one is your favorite?

[yop_poll id="1"]

 What did you add to your shelves?

[inlinkz_linkup id=503212]

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Posted by Tynga at 23:14

 Stacking The Shelves  20 People left their mark