The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin

Lisa Shearin is one of my favourite authors so I was beyond thrilled to hear she'd be writing an urban fantasy series after finishing up her comedic fantasy series about Raine Benares and the Saghred. (I dared you to read the first book and reviewed ALL SPELL BREAKS LOOSE, the last book in the series, on this site.) And sad as I am to see the end -- at least for now -- of the Raine Benares books, I'm over the moon with the urban fantasy debut Shearin has delivered in THE GRENDEL AFFAIR. THE GRENDEL AFFAIR has everything I adore about Shearin's writing -- wit, action, romance, twists -- transplanted to an alternate New York in which creatures of legend are real but not out in the open, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the SPI (Supernatural Protection & Investigations), a covert force for good that fights the baddies and their bosses. There are other series out there with similar frames but THE GRENDEL AFFAIR will delight readers with its smart plot, brilliant humour, and fresh take on legendary and mythological beings.

Shearin creates amazing characters and she has populated the SPI Files world with an interesting cadre of heroes. Our narrator is the most intrepid Makenna Fraser, a small town girl with the ability to see through any veil, shield, spell, or ward. As a seer, Makenna is a hot commodity -- there aren't many in the world and Makenna is quite the talent.  She's also incredibly unseasoned when it comes to all the other aspects of life as an SPI agent, which leaves room for a lot of comedic moments. Her inexperience as an agent is a nice balance for her exceptional supernatural abilities and you'll find yourself rooting for Makenna from page 1. Makenna is partnered with Ian Byrne, agent extraordinaire. He joined SPI after his partner on the NYPD was murdered by ghouls and he has major skills. And a rockin' body that Mac can't help but notice. The other characters in the novel are equally interesting. Mac's boss is literally a dragon lady. Her coworkers come from all walks of life and species, like a techie who happens to be a Japanese elf, a sly Russian werewolf, and a vampire lawyer, to say nothing of commando ghouls, goblins, mystery foes, and, well, grendels, as the title suggests.

The worldbuilding in THE GRENDEL AFFAIR is also fantastic, in both the literal and descriptive senses. The may be vampires, dragons, goblins, elves, and werewolves in the SPI Files but they're not run of the mill. Shearin puts her own twist on a lot of the species/creatures, though they are still rooted in traditional legends. I don't want give it all away because some of the reveals come later in the novel but I can say that fans can expect Shearin's trademark ingenuity with her worldbuilding. You can say the same about the plot! For readers who haven't tried this author before, I can say: (1) For shame! Get thee to a bookstore and invest in either THE GRENDEL AFFAIR or MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND; and (2) you're in for a real treat when you give Shearin a try. She won't disappoint!

If you're looking for a book with wit, clever plotting, laugh out loud moments, and style that can't be beat, you must read THE GRENDEL AFFAIR. Shearin's an amazing writer and her urban fantasy debut kickstarts what is sure to be a wonderful new series!

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Posted by Tynga at 00:55

 Ace, Adult, Lisa Shearin, Penguin, Publisher, Review, SPI Files, Urban Fantasy  1 Person left their mark

Grim Edited by Christine Johnson

I usually don't enjoy anthologies because they almost always consist of a few notable short stories and the rest are filler. There are just so many entertaining stories in Grim, thanks to the large ensemble of talented authors that contributed to this anthology. The 17 co-authors of Grim should be applauded for compiling such superb short stories and for retelling fairy-tales in unique, unconventional ways. As much I would love to discuss each short story, I have decided to review the most memorable short stories:

• The Key by Rachel Hawkins is the first story in the Grim anthology and it sets a wonderfully creepy atmosphere for this anthology. I loved Hawkins's trademark humor and it was a delight to read a short story by one of my favorite authors. I really wished this story was a bit longer because it was so good and by the end, I was practically begging for more!


• Figment by Jeri-Smith Ready - I wasn't sure what to expect from Ready because I've never read anything by her before. After reading Figment, I've added Shades to my "to-read" list because I really want to check out more of Jeri Smith-Ready's books. Figment was unexpectedly haunting and creepy with an unexpected twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all!


• The Twelfth Girl by Malinda Lo - I loved the way Lo executed this story and it was absolutely thrilling! The LBQT romance angle was a nice touch to an incredible short story, I truly can't believe that I haven't read any of Lo's novels yet.


• The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron - There's nothing I love more than a fairy-tale that has a classic feel to it. The Raven Princess is based off of a Grimm fairy tale called The Raven and it captures all of the delightfully strange spirit of a Grimm fairytale. I believe that this was one of the more lengthy short stories, but I really devoured The Raven Princess hastily.


• Beast / Beast by Tessa Gratton - At first, Tessa Gratton's Beast / Beast appeared to be just another regurgitation of the classic love story, but the more I read, it became obvious that I was completely mistaken.  For starters, Tessa Gratton has an absolutely lovely writing style that is both lyrical and simply beautiful. I was completely caught off guard and intrigued by the shocking plot twist towards the ending, not to mention the fact that I quickly start to root for this unlikely couple.


• Light It Up by Kimberly Derting - Imagine a modern interpretation of Hansel and Gretel where Greta is a teenager who is obsessed with smoking... I loved the way Derting recreated such an iconic story for a modern audience, without losing any of the terror and tension associated with the tale. This story was wonderful and my only qualm is that there wasn't any Gingerbread / Candy House.


• A Real Boy by Claudia Gray - This story was wonderfully bizarre and it involved a human-robot romance, which I surprisingly was a huge fan of. Even though, A Real Boy was sci-fi, it still filed me with child-like wonder that I normally associate with fairytales.


• Beauty And The Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan - Initially when I started this short story, I was a bit annoyed with the fact that there was another B+B retelling in this anthology because there are just so many fairy tales out there that deserve to be retold. I loved the GLBT romance angle of this story and it was an extremely interesting technique. Brennan's dialogue is extremely witty and this is one of the most intelligent retellings I've ever read. Period.

Grim is a beautiful, gothic anthology filled with so many lovely fairy tale retellings! I can't wait to get Grim in hardcover and it's a perfect addition to any fairy-tale lover's bookshelf! 

 

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Anthology, Christine Johnson, fairy tale, Fantasy, Gothic, Harlequin, Harlequin Teen, Publisher, Retelling, Review, Science-Fiction, young adult  2 People left their mark

The Sorcery Code by Dima Zales blog tour + giveaway

We’re part of Dima’s blog tour so there’s a giveaway at the end of the post!

Thanks, Dima!

THE SORCERY CODE first grabbed my attention with its original premise. The thought of reading a fantasy novel where magic is an intellectual skill, was very intriguing. For a fantasy novel, it's quite short but very satisfying nonetheless. The author must of thought a lot about his fictional world of Koldun because not only is the world well developed, but the magical elements are also numerous.

In this world, magic is extremely hard to learn and even if one becomes a master, it isn't done with a snap of the fingers or saying a couple of words. To master the craft, one has to be very intelligent, must be good in mathematics and other sciences, and must also be quick thinking. Not everyone has the patience, the intelligence, or the status to learn magic which makes sorcerers think themselves special and above magic-less commoners. To actually use magic one has to speak in a complicated language or use a translator of sort called the Interpreter Stone. Because wielding magic is so complicated, the main character of the novel, Blaise, was trying create an object that would make magic accessible to everyone and make magic easier to use even for sorcerers. However, Blaise didn't realize that in wanting this object to be intelligent and able to understand human speech and emotion, he would in fact be creating a being that's very human looking, and very attractive on top of that.

Gala is what (who?) he ends up creating, a very beautiful and intelligent girl that pops out of the Spell Realm and ends up captivating his heart. Because Blaise knows the other sorcerers would see Gala as an abomination, he entrusts her well being with two ladies who promise to keep her safe. As the three of them flee, Gala, who is new to the world and curious about everything, sees this as an opportunity to see the world and learn everything about it. Personally, I think her childish innocence is taken a little to the extreme and it got on my nerves quite a bit. If it weren't for this, I think Gala would be my favorite character, but as it is, reading her point of view got annoying from time to time.

Blaise, on the other hand, has an intellectual mind which makes him oblivious to some aspects of the world. I wouldn't call it innocence because he's actually faced some pretty hard things in his life but I believe he is so dedicated to his work that it sometimes blinds him from certain truths. That being said, I think these two characters make an excellent pair and despite them being apart for most of the book, I think it's the anticipation for their reunion that makes it fast to read.

The antagonists are also well developed, and while I'm usually not a fan of shifting point of views in novels, I really enjoyed reading the point of view of these antagonists. Actually, I wouldn't necessarily categorize them as antagonists, but  more as flawed individuals that have a hard time seeing the big picture, and only think of themselves. More power is what some of these sorcerers wish for and Gala would be a great asset for this, while other others see Gala as an abomination and believe she should be terminated on the spot. The novel isn't just about the game of magic, but it's also about the game of politics. Secrets are everywhere in this book and the intrigue is constant, since as readers, we don't necessarily know what is truth and what is lies.

A good attempt at a magical fantasy, I believe the story, the characters and the world was well thought out but at times, I had a hard time with the writing. For some reason, the writing felt too literal, and there was a lot of repetition, especially when it came to spell casting. It felt like the descriptions to create spells was always the same and instead of elaborating on it, the author kept repeating the same thing. Magic, in this case, isn't something that happens in the blink of an eye but needs a lot of thought and time to be created. How those spells came to be created is still a mystery and I think, as intelligent readers, it would have been useful for the flow of the story.

Overall, a great mix of magic, political intrigue and romance makes this a fun and entertaining adventure.

Your chance to win the complete Krinar Chronicles by Anna Zaires and Dima Zales Trilogy in paperback (tour-wide giveaway)

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About the author

Dima Zales is a full-time science fiction and fantasy author residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked in the software development industry in New York as both a programmer and an executive. From high-frequency trading software for big banks to mobile apps for popular magazines, Dima has done it all. In 2013, he left the software industry in order to concentrate on his writing career.

Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Posted by Tynga at 02:30

 Adult, Book Tour, Dima Zales, Fantasy, giveaway, Magic, Mozaika Publications, Review  4 People left their mark

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Woooooo, more Ilona Andrews! If you know me, you know I love this husband-wife writing duo and so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review a copy of CLEAN SWEEP. (Thank you, Ilona!) Be forewarned: this is a short novel by their standards, coming in at about 60,000 words, but it's an absolutely delicious 60,000 words so I doubt you'll feel short-changed.

CLEAN SWEEP started out as a free e-serial on their website and I really enjoyed following Dina and her adventures. But as much as I enjoyed the serial, it's even better when you have it in e-book format, so that there's no waiting, no clicking, just page after page of well-written thrills. In some ways, CLEAN SWEEP is more similar to Andrews' The Edge series, since it focuses on Dina, an Innkeeper to all sorts of aliens and supernaturals, and her immediate surroundings, as opposed to the Kate Daniels books, which have a much broader scope. For me, this is a plus because I adore The Edge books (and the Kate books!) and I really loved how the authors create such a wild adventure basically in someone's backyard.

One of the most fun parts of CLEAN SWEEP is definitely the series mythology. Innkeepers are neutral parties who play host to all manner of guests and have a magical link to the inns they guard/live in. These aren't your typical inns: they take in guests from across the galaxies, resulting in some very interesting moments. Dina, for example, has one permanent guest, Her Grace Caldenia ka ret Magren, a delightful older lady with a taste for Funyons and flesh who resides at the inn to avoid bounty hunters and galactic persecution. And Her Grace is only one of the interesting characters we meet in CLEAN SWEEP: there are also vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings. And the writers definitely make these species stand out from others in the genre. Werewolves, for example, were genetically engineered on a different planet and vampires are also extraterrestrials whose behaviours make humans believe they are undead. They also have a very unique reaction to caffeine!

There are associations and rankings for these inns, just like regular accommodations. Dina's a new Innkeeper and her inn had been neglected for some time so she's got the uphill battle in terms of reputation. An inn needs a strong reputation to attract guests, after all, and Gertrude Hunt (Dina's Inn) had been hibernating long enough to fall into disrepair. That, combined with Dina's newbie status, means that Gertrude Hunt only has two stars, and can't afford to lose any. Innkeepers have magic but their abilities are strongest at their inns and they weaken considerably off the grounds, which makes sense given that they are, y'know, innkeepers. :) Despite this, Dina is determined to face the unknown creature menacing Red Deer, Texas, even if it means venturing off inn grounds. And this is one of Dina's most endearing qualities: her strong sense of right and wrong, even when it puts her at risk. She's also clever, brave, and determined, traits characteristic of an Andrews' heroine. The men in CLEAN SWEEP are also well developed. Sean, the werewolf, is a Bad Boy through and through while Arland, a vampire, is more of a gentlemanly rogue. The e-book has some fantastic illustrations that really give you a good sense of the characters and I think they're a lovely addition to the novel.

Like all good stories, there are some questions left unanswered in CLEAN SWEEP. Dina mysteriously lost her parents while she was away at college -- we still don't know what happened to them, though I hope we'll find out as the Innkeeper Chronicles continue. Dina has two siblings we haven't met yet. We've only touched the tip of the Innkeeper world in CLEAN SWEEP and, given what I know of Andrews' writing, we can expect some amazing surprises in future instalments. I believe that they will be writing another free Innkeeper serial this year -- and I can't wait!

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Posted by Tynga at 03:00

 Adult, Author, Ilona Andrews, Innkeeper Chronicles, Review, Self Published, Urban Fantasy  5 People left their mark

World After by Susan Ee

If I would have read this book when if first came out a little more than a month ago, WORLD AFTER could have easily been my favorite Young Adult book of 2013 (along with the first book of the series). That being said, even if it's still early in the year, it will probably be at the top of my YA books of 2014. It's a great way to start the year that's for sure, and couldn't ask for a better book to kick off 2014.  The story is wickedly interesting, totally brilliant. I'm glad it's a direct continuation of book one and as one book flows into the other, the stories simply merge into an epic series.

"Rising from the dead" after being stung and paralyzed by an Angel-scorpion-abomination, Penryn, her sister that looks like a lab experiment gone wrong, and her crazy mother are given the cold shoulder by pretty much every member of the Resistance, a group they had more or less became friendly with in the previous book. Not knowing who to depend on, Penryn in still the rational teenager we met in book one and every little detail about her actions are well thought out.  At least at first. When her sister runs away from the Resistance camp after a bloody incident, her desperation becomes evident which makes her take more and more risks, despite her sister looking like a stitched up doll. Her ever crazy mother makes the search cumbersome but Penryn is so dedicated to her family that she does everything to keep them all alive.

Her sister isn't the only person she's looking for. Secretly she wishes to also reunite with her angel ally, Raffe. Now that she is the possessor of Raffe's angel sword, she forms a bond with it and in turn the sentient sword shows her glimpses of Raffe's life through dreams and feelings. As we learn more and more about Raffe, it confirms that he's unlike the other angels. While many angels long for the apocalypse, Raffe's conscience makes him doubt his brethren and the bond he forms with Penryn is something he thought would never happen to him. He was taught that having feelings for a Daughter of Man is sinful and against the rules, but it's like something invisible draws them constantly together.

The scenes with Penryn and Raffe together make this book complete. Raffe's sarcastic comments and their undeniable bond makes this book so much more interesting, it's almost sinful to read their impossible relationship. You might expect a book about angels to be all about doing good and shinny things but WORLD AFTER is exactly that: the world after the invasions of the angels. These angels aren't friendly. In fact they are brutal, some are insane, and one might even say some are evil. Their enthusiasm for the apocalypse and the end of human kind makes you shiver and rethink your definition of angel.

Despite all the awful things these angels are doing to earth and humankind, it's the perseverance of humans and their fight for freedom that shines through. Imprisoned, some humans seem passive and seem to accept their faiths but deep down, humanity's desire to survive guide many of their actions. Humanity is strange and difficult  to write about but I think Susan Ee has done an excellent job in describing it in her version of the end of the world. Perseverance is the key message to this book and I think it's something we all need to read about, from time to time. I can't get enough of this series and I really hope the series continue to inspire us with the goodness of humanity.

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Posted by Tynga at 02:00

 angels, Dystopian, Paranormal, Penryn and the End of Days, Post-Apocalypse, Purchased, Review, Skyscape, Susan Ee, YA  3 People left their mark

Stacking The Shelves [89]

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!

——————

I haven't posted a StS in so long and so my haul encompasses a couple of weeks!

Won:

Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories From History by Linda Rodriguez McRobbie

For Review:

Split Second by Kasie West

Faking Normal by Courtney C. Stevens

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

Library:

Teen Angst? Naaah...  by Ned Vizzini

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Plague by Michael Grant

Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes

[inlinkz_linkup id=356201]

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Posted by Tynga at 00:30

 Meme, Stacking The Shelves  19 People left their mark

Reaver by Larissa Ione

Reaver and Harvester have a long history together, more than either of them ever imagined. After falling purposefully from heaven to spy on Hell and protect the Horsemen, she was caught and have been tortured by Satan for months. Reaver is determined to save her, despite opposition from Heaven itself and his personal dislike of the fallen angel. She is the key to avoid the war between heaven and hell, but she might also know more about his forgotten past. But will he be able to save her, and live to tell the tale?

What an awesome story! I've been craving to know more about Reaver for a long time and I was not disappointed! I was also happily surprised by Harvester. I always appreciated her feisty spirit, but I was happy to discover more about the angel under the fallen shell and learn about the reasons behind her most dubious actions. Reaver delighted me with his determination and heroism, and even his now being a grand-father doesn't make him any less sexy or hot. The adult scenes between the two angels were intense and spicy, nothing angelic about the encounters at all!

The plot itself was addictive and highly entertaining. I was hooked to my kindle screen from the first chapter, all the way through the very end. Ione provided us with a text full of twist and turns, delivering suspense, actions and emotions, all wrapped in a pretty package. I'm telling you, I went through a crazy roller coaster of emotions, from being pissed to shedding a few tears, I've enjoyed it all.  I really loved learning about the five thousands years before their memory wipe and I appreciated the intricacy of the treachery both angels fell victim to.

The conclusion was surprising and emotional, and I NEVER would've guessed the specifics. Actually, I was so engrossed in the plot that I never actually stopped to try and guess how the book would end. I loved the details and how everything unfolded. I honestly couldn't have hoped for a better ending.

At the very end is the first chapter of the next novel and it will feature Revenant (the seoul watcher) and, I think, Blaspheme (a supposedly false angel). I don't know much about Blaspheme because I haven't read all of the Demonica series yet, but I am very curious about her. I really can't wait to get my hands on a copy, but I haven't found a tentative release date yet.

If you haven't read the Demonica or the Lords of Deliverance series I strongly suggest you do so! You don't have to read the Demonica series first, but the story takes place before the Lords, and share many secondary (who were mains in Demonica) characters, so it wouldn't be a bad move either. Have you read either series? Will you give them a shot?

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Posted by Tynga at 00:24

 Adult, Angel, Demon, Forever, Hachette, Larissa Ione, Lords of Deliverance, Paranormal Romance, Publisher, Review  2 People left their mark

Hereafter by Kate Brian

In order not to spoil the amazingly awesome ending of book one, this review will be rather short to avoid spoilers. I didn't love book one as much as I was hoping, but it got much better near the end, so I had my fingers crossed for book two. Unfortunately, I didn't think book two was any better for a variety of reasons.

I will admit that this was an incredibly fast read, though. Despite my lack of interest, it was very easy to get through because of the fast writing style and lack of info-dumping. This book pretty much takes place right where book one leaves off. The difference between the two books is that there was quite a number of time indicators in this book. Oddly enough, this served to make me rather mad. This is a trilogy and we are two books in. The first two books take place in less than two weeks. The declarations of love and mad jealousy about being a couple takes place in less than two weeks. This reasonable girl who thought logically and focused on science in school was reduced to an overemotional school girl that's really hard to tolerate in less than two weeks. This book doesn't even span a week. The speed at which everything moved was utterly unbelievable which led to frustration and anger on my part. The insta-love was so saccharine that it aggravated me even more because of the fact that things moved so unbelievably fast. I just couldn't handle it.

I also found our main characters to be rather frustrating. I don't want to explain why, but they're supposed to be rather mature because of the professions that they all have (which is explained in this book). Instead, I often found myself disliking the main character because she's impulsive and overemotional. Some side characters were easily forgettable or were obviously overly-dramatized in order to stand out so that they won't be forgettable. I really only found myself liking Fisher because he was an overall decent individual and Joaquin because he was concerned and he had a good head on his shoulders. Seemed to be the only trustworthy one in the bunch. Also, he opened up in this book, which was very interesting.

Like book one, there's random chapters dispersed throughout this book with a villainous undertone. Also like book one, these chapters are the only thing that kept me reading. In book one, these chapters were obviously told from the serial killer's perspective. That changes in this book. I had absolutely no idea whose voice I was reading and I'm still not entirely sure whose perspective this was because it was never outright clarified. There was a discovery of the bad people and it's clear we were in one of their heads (I have my suspicions about who it is) but we were never told outright. I'm hoping this will be explained in book three instead of being left open to interpretation. Speaking of the evil people, their identities were so obvious that I wanted to scream in the character's faces. If they used their common sense a lot of villainous behavior would have been halted. I hate it when characters are oblivious in comparison to the reader.

All in all, I will probably continue to book three out of sheer curiosity and because I want confirmation about certain characters. It's an interesting story, but the storytelling is flawed and doesn't hold my attention as much as I hoped it would. However, it's a very quick read and it's enough to keep me wanting to continue despite my qualms. I will admit that I think book one was better because Nell's perspective was incredibly creepy and unique. I'm hoping the shivers he induced in me in book one will return in book three so that this series can be salvaged. If you want something unique and creepy and quick to read, I do recommend giving book one a chance. Then again, you may like the entire series. I tend to be one of the few who didn't like this one.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:01

 BEA, Disney Hyperion, Hyperion, Kate Brian, Paranormal, Review, Shadowlands, young adult  2 People left their mark

Fates by Lanie Bross

Fates by Lanie Bross is a strange book and I'm still a bit mystified by it days after finishing it. On one hand, Fates is poorly plotted and developed, but on the other hand, I couldn't tear myself away from this book. Even though Fates is a mediocre take on mythology, I was still extremely entertained and hopelessly engrossed.

The characters in Fates were merely lifeless shells, and the sad thing is that they had so much potential. I really wanted to care about Corinthe and Luc, but Lanie Bross never really developed her characters enough. Both Luc and Corinthe were so undeveloped to the point where both characters had zero personality and defining characteristics. I never really cared about each character at all and so, I had little to no interest in the plot.

Corinthe's job is to make sure everyone's fates go according to plan and that means killing Luc. If she kills Luc, she can return home to Pyralis Terra, the only problem is that Corinthe has fallen in love. Honestly, I didn't really feel as if Corinthe really wanted to go home and I felt that Corinthe was all talk. The whole plot felt pointless and there really wasn't much of a climax or any rising action; the whole plot lacked any tension.

The world-building of Fates was extremely futile and by the time I finished Fates, I knew even less about Pyralis Terra than when I started. The author throws in random terminology about fates and she never clearly defines these terms. I had so many questions about the world and the author never answered any of my questions at all. The world was poorly constructed and I really didn't understand the point of it all.  I like the concept of a world governed by fate, but it really was executed poorly.

The romance in Fates lacked any movement and I was rather apathetic towards Luc-Corinthe's relationship. Bross gave me no reason to even care about their relationship at all and I couldn't believe that someone would give up their home for a dull guy like Luce. The romance had such a predictable arc and I easily discerned where it was moving right from the start.

The only thing that saved Fates was Lanie Bross's writing style, everything else was very mediocre.  I can't exactly put my finger on it, but there was something I loved about Bross's prose.  Bross has this simple, elegant way of writing and her sentences were a pleasure to read. Her writing redeemed this book for me and it was the only thing that compelled me to continue reading!

Bottom Line:   Fates is a pretty average fantasy novel and the plot, characters and world-building are nothing spectacular.

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Posted by Tynga at 01:00

 Delacorte, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Lanie Bross, Mythology, Publisher, Random House, Review, young adult  11 People left their mark

When I'm Not Writing with... Maria V Snyder (Taste of Darkness Tour)

I'm super happy to have Maria V Snyder on the blog today to celebrate the release of Taste of Darkness, the last book in the Healers series! Please welcome her warmly :)

When I’m not writing, I’m Mom.  I do all the typical Mom things - drive my daughter to flute lessons, attend soccer games, go to concerts, etc… I cook meals during the week (we eat out on weekends), do laundry, go to the grocery store, clean house.  All those boring chores.  I’m not a clean freak, but I do like the clutter put away (it gives the appearance of being clean).  When I’m not Mom, I’m playing volleyball.  I’m a setter for a church co-ed team and I set the ball since I’m not tall enough to spike it over a men’s net!  I also play pick up games once a week.  Nice thing about volleyball my son, husband, and daughter all play as well.

When I’m not playing volleyball, I’m skiing.  I love to ski and will go as much as I can from January to March.  When I’m not skiing, I’m traveling.  I love to travel and will use any excuse to go on a trip.  Since I can write anywhere, I frequently tag along with my husband when he’s traveling for business.  I’ve been to most of the European countries and Scandinavia, Russia, Dubai, Malaysia, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and a bunch of other places.  Traveling feeds my imagination for my writing.  When I’m not traveling, I’m taking pictures.  I enjoy photography and try to have a camera with me at all times.  My favorite light is at dusk and I take a million sunset pictures.  I also like zooming in really close (like pores the size of dinner plates close ;).  My pictures have won some ribbons and been used to accompany my magazine articles (which makes me a photojournalist!  Wow – I didn’t realize that until now!).

When I’m not taking pictures, I’m handling the business part of writing like answering emails, posting on Facebook, writing blogs, and scheduling book events.  I also consider research for my stories in this category as I’ll take classes to get hands on experience or spend the time reading through books or interviewing a person of interest. When I’m not doing the biz, I’m working with my students at Seton Hill University.  I mentor students in the MFA program at Seton Hill (not Seton Hall ;).  Every month, they send me pages of their thesis novels, and I read and critique them. I also teach during the five day residency we have twice a year.  It’s a wonderful program and I love helping new writers.

When I’m not mentoring/teaching, I’m sleeping.  Gotta get my 7 hours or I’m very grumpy.  When I’m not sleeping, I’m writing.

More about Taste of Darkness:

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

My review

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About Maria:

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Maria always had a fascination with big storms. Dreaming of chasing tornados, Maria earned a bachelors of science degree in meteorology at Penn State University. But she discovered, much to her chagrin, that forecasting the weather wasn't one of her skills. In order to chase tornados you had to predict where they might form. Creating fantasy worlds where she has complete control of the weather was more agreeable to her.

Maria lives with her husband, son, daughter and yellow lab, Hazelnut, in Pennsylvania where she is at work on more LUNA novels. She is also pursuing a master's degree in writing popular fiction from Seton Hill University.

Where to find her: Website/Blog/Facebook/Goodreads

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Posted by Tynga at 00:42

 giveaway, Guest Post, Harlequin, Maria V Snyder, When I'm not writing  17 People left their mark