Thursday, November 29, 2012

What's Left Of Me

Review Time! What's Left Of Me by Kat Zhang is a 2012 YA Debut published in October by HarperCollins. This is definitely a book that's gotten a lot of hype before it's release and I was really excited to receive this one for review! You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to HaperCollins for the review copy!


(Goodreads) Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t . . .

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable-hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet . . . for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

The Short Story? - What's Left Of Me definitely wasn't what I expected it to be but it was nevertheless quite enjoyable! This is a very "light dystopian" novel, in the likes of Delirium while resistance and rebellion is present, it's more of a emotional and developmental journey. The characterisation was good for what it was and the writing was comfortable and easy to slip into. If you're looking for a less intense dystopian YA, I strongly suggest you pick up What's Left Of Me!

The Long Story? - This is one that's gotten a lot of mixed reviews, some people love it while others enjoyed but didn't typically love it. Unfortunately I fall in the second group. I really did *enjoy* What's Left Of Me but for me it lacked a strong plot. YA dystopian is such a popular genre, books have to be more than enjoyable to stand out. The premise of the novel was good, very original and definitely very intriguing but the pace just didn't work with the novel and the "finding myself" aspect was way too overdone. I would have liked to see a little more action, a faster pace and maybe a short beginning because getting into the novel was a long process. That said, the ending was absolutely amazing and once the book took off, it really was a upwards curve. What's Left Of Me wasn't what I wanted it to be which doesn't make it any less enjoyable. Fans of Matched and Delirium will enjoy this one!

For what it was, the characterisation was well done. I've never been one of those readers who really stressed upon good characterisation but good characters make good novels. Eva/Addie were strong protagonists and they went through an amazing emotional journey. The whole process of them accepting who they are and learning to live and fight for what they want really was the main focus of the novel and I enjoyed this aspect ( although in some parts a little overdone!). As protagonists Eva/Addie weren't without flaws but I liked them well enough.  I really liked Ryan/ Devon, they were probably my favourite characters in the novel, their personalities were polar opposites and yet together they seem to work out really well. The characters on a whole were quite well developed and easy to connect with although I did have a problem with Hally/Lissa but that's irrelevant! Overall a solid characterisation ;)

All in all, despite the quite negative review What's Left Of Me was quite enjoyable! It was a slow start but once you got into the novel, it was brilliant. The basis of the novel is extraordinary and I wait to see where Zhang takes Eva/Addie next. Beautifully written, it can't go unmentioned that Zhang's simplistic writing style is incredibly easy to get lost in. Definitely check this one out if you loved Matched by Ally Condie and Delirium by Lauren Oliver!

What's It Worth? - Squeeze into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Lost Prince

Review Time! Throughout the month of November I did a little Iron Fey read-a-thon so that I could read The Lost Prince before the end of November and VICTORY. Firstly, if you haven't read the Iron Fey series, YOU SHOULD. Secondly, if you haven't read The Lost Prince, YOU SHOULD. You can purchase a copy of The Lost Prince from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld. Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them.

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.

The Short Story? - If you're a fan of Kagawa's Iron Fey series, this is definitely not one to be missed! With the introduction of new characters and the appearance of familiar faces. The Lost Prince brings about a round of nostalgia as we revisit Nevernever and follow Ethan, Meghan's brother on a new adventure. Written with Kagawa's familiar and welcomed prose and flair, The Lost Prince is a fantastic start to a spin-off. Highly entertaining, Kagawa strikes again!

The Long Story? - Normally I'm not a huge fan of spin-off series because I've always felt that if a series ends nicely - no matter how popular it is - we should just let it be because more often than not, the spin-off is not as good as the original. In this case, that was the case but I'm more lenient because I absolutely adored The Lost Prince! The Iron Fey was still *better* but I've only read book one and with Kagawa, it's only going to get better so I can't judge yet! The story takes place 13 or so years after Meghan becomes the Iron Queen and follows Ethan, Meghan's brother who was kidnapped in the first Iron Fey. It's a good plot, attention-grabbing and fast-paced but more importantly it was just nice to be back in Nevernever with the characters we love! Ethan and his friends are out to investigate the disappearance of exiles and half breeds and as a reader I really got sucked into the story! Fantastic start to a series!

The old characters - Meghan, Ash and Puck - don't play as big of a role in The Lost Prince as what I expected but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing since it's a new series and that calls for new characters. However I felt that I had trouble connecting with the new characters. I've always loved books written through male perspectives however I found it hard to relate to Ethan because he was so angry all the time! I get that he was meant to be angsty and angry, typical teenage bad boy but he lacked the charm! He was all anger and no appeal! I did eventually connect with Ethan as the novel progressed but it was a bumpy start! Kenzie annoyed me in parts of the novel, she had her heart in the right place but honestly she just made things worst. She's not a particularly strong character and Kagawa has given her a little bit of a damsel in distress feel which doesn't make her the most appealing of love interests but her bubbly personality really reached out to me! Overall, the characterisation wasn't the best but I'm sure Kagawa has plenty of character development planned ahead for us!

In a nutshell, The Lost Prince is definitely one to check out for fans of the Iron Fey series, the ending suggests that Kagawa has something epic planned for book 2 and I doubt she will fail to deliver! The characterisation could do with a little work but I absolutely loved the plot! For those of you missing Nevernever and would love to revisit, The Lost Prince offers you the experience all in a nicely wrapped package!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Sunday, November 25, 2012

In My Mailbox #59 ( November Book Haul)

I never thought I was going to become one of those people who did a monthly book haul but somehow - accidentally - that's exactly what I've done for the past two months! In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @The Story Siren. Got a massive haul to show you guys today (19 books!) and I'm super excited for all of them!

November Book Haul



Overview of everything! 


Large Paperbacks!


Trade Paperbacks!


Hardcovers!

For Review -

Burn Bright by Marianne de Pierres
Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres
Hot Blooded by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
The Skeleton Key by Tara Moss
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Unfed by Kirsty McKay
Tiger's Destiny by Colleen Houck
The Farm by Emily McKay
ARC Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder
Beautiful Redemption by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Echo Alyson Noel
ARC Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black 
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Lord of the Flies by William Golding

( Thanks to Random House, Pan Macmillan, Hachette, Penguin, Harlequin, Bloomsbury and the Folio Society!)

Gifted/ Swap -

Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally + Swag! ( Read Already)
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas ( Not Pictured!)

Thanks to Miranda ( she's absolutely lovely!), Sharon @ Obsession with Books, Shirley @ Shiirleyy's Bookshelf and Meine Bookclub!

Phew! That was a lot of typing! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am for the summer holidays so I can just sit down and read all these lovely books! I'm so excited for Tiger's Destiny and Scent of Magic! The cover of Dance of Shadows is just beautiful and the book arrived with some lovely nail polish! Stealing Parker was JUST AMAZING and Looking for Alaska is one that I look forward to reading!

I was lucky enough to be sent these beautiful hardcover editions of classics ( sorta) from The Folio Society. They are all cloth bound with lovely illustrations! The Folio Society offers a wide range of books that are just so beautiful! They're a little pricey but for the quality of these books, it's so worth it! Absolutely beautiful! Check them out!

Let me know what you got in your mailbox and which books you would like to see a review of!

Badass Bookie xx

Saturday, November 24, 2012

The 2013 Debutante Event + Giveaway!


IT'S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN. 

Badass Bookie Presents... 

The 3rd Annual Debutante Event...

The 2013 Debutante Event


Save these Deets -

What? - 2013 Debutante Event 

When? - 1st - 25th of December

Who? - Erin Bowman ( Taken)
              Jessica Verdi ( My Life After Now)
              Lenore Appelhans ( Level Two)
              Elsie Chapman ( Dualed) 
              Megan Shepherd ( The Madman's Daughter)
              Ellen Oh (Prophecy) 
              Erica Lorraine Scheidt ( Uses for Boys) 
              Kasie West ( Pivot Point) 
              Mindee Arnett ( The Nightmare Affair) 
              Miriam Forster ( City of A Thousand Dolls) 
              Kristin Halbrook ( Nobody But Us)
              Debra Driza ( Mila 2.0)






Why? - So we can celebrate the debut of 12 of 2013's hottest YA debutantes! 25 days of insider scoops, guest posts, everything YA and giveaway galore! Don't forget that there are copies of every debut up for grabs! It's the season of giving and the Debs are giving you the experience of a lifetime! 

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We want to make this year's event bigger and better than ever! Therefore we're kicking off the event with a giveaway! 

YOU SPREAD THE WORD AND WE'LL GIVE

Now I haven't received all the prizes for the giveaway due to the fact that I live in Australia and mail by owl probably wasn't the best way to go but here is a sneak peak of what has arrived... 


OKAY! That's enough! Now that's just the beginning, more goodies are to arrive and I'm picking (5) FIVE WINNERS to split everything. That's right EVERYTHING. 

To enter, simply spread the word! Tweet it ( +1 Daily), Sidebar it ( +2), Grab a Button (  +3 - Must place it somewhere visible!) or Blog it (+10)! It would be great if you guys could write a post about the 2013 Debutante Event! 

Remember the MORE YOU SPREAD -  THE MORE WE GIVE! 

Button - 




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

Thursday, November 22, 2012

The Diviners

Review Time! The Diviners is the latest book from the bestselling YA author of The Gemma Doyle Trilogy - Libba Bray! Libba also wrote Going Bovine and Beauty Queens (which was absolutely brilliant - you can check out my review Here). This is definitely a book that's been getting a great deal of hype lately. You can purchase a copy of The Diviners from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Allen and Unwin for the review copy!

(Goodreads) 1920s New York. A teen clairvoyant. An old evil. It has begun...

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old home town and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City - and she is pos-i-tute-ly thrilled! New York is the city of speak-easies, rent parties, shopping and movie palaces, and soon enough Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfeld girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is that Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of the Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult - also known as 'The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies'.

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of it. Even Evie's new pals - hoofers, numbers runners and activists, but all swell kids - are drawn into the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer - if he doesn't catch her first...

The Short Story? - Bray doesn't disappoint fans with the eagerly anticipated The Diviners! A combination of the dazzle and glamour of the roaring twenties and a Ripper-esque murder mystery, The Diviners is hauntingly beautiful. Written with Bray's signature prose and flair, The Diviners is definitely   unlike anything I've ever read. Filled with complex ideas, grisly murders and fantastic characters, The Diviners is your dose of historical fiction with a morbid twist!

The Long Story? - The size of The Diviners is absolutely terrifying. At 578 pages this is one of the biggest books I've tackled and while it did take me ages to finish, it was all worth it in the end. The complexity of the plot deserves every one of those 578 pages, I can not begin to describe how BIG the plot is. Bray takes historical fiction to a completely new level. She has incorporated a Ripper-esque murder mystery into an era usually reserved for dreams, parties and flappers. I absolutely loved the clash between the dark nature of the plot with the glamourous Twenties New York setting. More than that, Bray has incorporated so many side stories into the "big picture", the characters all have their own secret agendas and I just can't wait to see how the puzzle pieces fit together. Reading The Diviners is a little overwhelming there is so much going on and the more you read the more you crave, it's a book that deserves undivided attention but I don't regret reading any of the 578 pages!

The novel is written in alternating perspectives of countless characters and because of it's multiple narrators, I got to know all the characters pretty well. I could easily connect with Evie as I see aspects of my own personality in hers. She's such a vibrant person and while she's not all that aware of how her actions affect others, her heart is in the right place. Jericho hasn't entirely won me over because I find it difficult to understand his quiet and quite frankly, bland, personality. He's a little too nice and boring for me but I'm keen to see where Bray takes him in the sequel. Sam completely stole my heart, absolutely charming, this guy is right down my alley. Every novel needs their own Sam because they just give the novel that extra shine! A very entertaining cast of characters, I'm not going to go through them all but you will meet so many wonderful characters that you will have no desire to finish the novel.

In a nutshell, as far as historical fiction go The Diviners is a must read! I've always loved the glamour of the roaring twenties but with the supernatural twist of the plot, The Diviners just offers something more unpredictable, edgy and different. Beautifully written, Bray's The Diviners is the start of what is going to be a spectacular series! Highly recommended, if you enjoyed The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson, this one is right down your alley!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Monday, November 19, 2012

The Raven Boys

Review Time! The Raven Boys is the first instalment in the Raven Cycle, the brand new series from the bestselling author of The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Maggie Stiefvater! I read this one last month and I just haven't gotten around to reviewing it. You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Scholastic for the review copy!

(Goodreads) “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

The Short Story? - The Raven Boys wasn't what I expected and it's probably not what you expected either! The blurb is extremely misleading ( and I'll talk about that in the review below) however it's every bit as unique and interesting as you would expect. Unlike anything you'll ever read, The Raven Boys is the perfect combination of magic and realism. Edgy, mysterious and eerily beautiful, The Raven Boys is a treat for everyone!

The Long Story? - It's always been a little bit of a hit and miss for me with Stiefvater because on one hand, her writing is absolutely brilliant because it's so unique but on the other hand, it's so unique that I can't find myself a comfortable pace to read at! I find myself struggling through the novel because her plots are so complex and I'm not the brightest lightbulb. However I always give her novels a try because more often then not, I come around in the end and enjoy her novels. This was the case with The Raven Boys. It wasn't love at first line but I *really* enjoyed the story. The plot was very complex and there is a strong sense of magical realism, it's a bit of a mind bender and the details are all very refined. The pace is quite slow but there is a lot to take in. The Raven Boys is definitely one of Steifvater's best works.

The characterisation really stood out to me because they came as a surprise. It was an unpredictable band of misfits. If you're expected hot boys who turn into ravens, you're definitely not going to find them in this novel. Gansey was an incredibly unique character, one of thing I love about Stiefvater's books is that she's very realistic about her characters and they don't depend on looks to get liked ( not saying that Gansey is not good-looking). I loved the flawed nature of Gansey, he isn't the most observant of people but his heart is in the right place and he has a fierce sense of loyalty. Blue was a very edgy and different character, she was tough but at the same time extremely vulnerable. Adam really spoke out to me because I'm a huge sucker for underdogs and Adam had it pretty bad. Ronan and Noah both had a lot of pull on the plot and in their own way connected with me. Honestly, a very well done job in the characterisation department.

The Raven Boys isn't a novel that is written to be sped through. It's a long novel and it's slow going but once you get into the book, it's really a very entertaining and different novel. The Raven Boys is definitely unlike anything I've ever read and combined with Stiefvater's prose and flair, it's a novel that everyone should read for the sake of reading because it's so unique. Extrordinary characterisation, a fantastic plot and paired with a blooming romance, The Raven Boys might not be for everyone but it's one to put on your radar!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Debut of the Month - All About Auracle + Giveaway!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Book Profile

Name - Auracle (Goodreads)
Author - Gina Rosati ( Debutante Profile )
Genre - YA Paranormal
Release Date - September 7th 2012


16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.

When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them.


Available - The BookDepository | Fishpond | Amazon | Barnes and Noble


The Insider's Scoop

1) In the first few drafts, the willow tree was inhabited by a wise old tree spirit named Trax, who I loved enough to have tattooed onto my wrist.


2) While Anna was out of her body, she and Trax had some Deep Convos About The Meaning of Life, which led to him getting axed (pun intended) during edits, as it was decided that Trax was telling Anna stuff she (as our hero) should be figuring out herself.

3) Other fantasy elements that Anna could communicate with in the early drafts included fairies (flower spirits) and gnomes (weed spirits). The gnomes were rather sketchy.

4) After Taylor moved into Anna’s body, Anna met a friend, Paul, who died in a motorcycle accident. He wasn’t there to create a love triangle, but as someone for Anna to talk to when she was outside her body. Paul didn’t survive the edits and was replaced with Callie, who I love, but not enough to tattoo her onto my remaining wrist.

5) If you read carefully, you’ll notice that Anna’s metaphors are mostly food related. The girl loves to eat!

6) There was a tremendous temptation to let Anna’s spirit go off exploring exotic places (since she can go anywhere in the universe) but I had to keep her exploration consistent with what was happening with the story. I did a ton of research and wrote dozens of scenes with Anna in various places, (including letting her get sucked into that black hole Rei worries so much about to see if her spirit would survive that) but the bottom line is, if it didn’t move the story in the right direction, it ended up in the recycle file.

~Giveaway~


Gina is giving away a SIGNED Hardcover Copy of Auracle + Swag!

Rule of Entry -

- International  
- Ends 18th of December
- Must be 13 or older
- Optional Entries :
   * Leaving comment on either of Gina's posts +1 each
   * Follow Me on Twitter +1
   * Follow Gina on Twitter +1
   * Tweeting Giveaway +1
   * Follow Badass Bookie via GFC/Linky or RSS +2
Badass Bookie xx

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Debut of the Month - All About Gina Rosati ( Auracle)


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Debutante Profile

Name – Gina Rosati 
Debut – Auracle
Genre – Paranormal 
Website– HERE
Blog -  Here
Twitter - HERE


Gina Rosati’s YA paranormal romance debut, AURACLE, launched August 7, 2012, from Roaring Brook Press. Born and raised in Boston suburbia, Gina now lives with her husband and two children in New Hampshire. Gina is a long time volunteer at her local middle school library, and a member of SCBWI, the Apocalypsies and the Class of 2k12 debut author groups. 


Dream Debutante Dress -  Isn't this pretty? :P 



By Ryan Jude Novelline (available online at artist's website) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Notes from a YA Debutante


A little bit about me: The Unofficial Bio


Ohai, I’m Gina Rosati, author of Auracle (Roaring Brook Press/Macmillan). I live in New Hampshire which, for those who aren’t too familiar with the United States, is a small state in northern New England that’s smooshed between Maine and Vermont. The town I live in has a huge shopping mall, plus black bear, moose, deer, wild turkeys and four Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shops.
I was married wearing a sneaker on one foot and a cast on the other since I broke my ankle a few weeks before my wedding. My mom decorated my crutches with satin ribbons and silk roses, and it made for some really great photo ops. I have two teenage children and two chubby guinea pigs named Lily and Fiona. Before my kids were born, I had an adorable but rather naughty Yorkshire Terrier named Dougie who peed on everything vertical, so when he died of a heart attack, my husband said no more dogs L I make up for this by sharing tons of squeedorable animal pictures on Facebook.
I didn’t always want to be a writer. When I was a teenager, I had no idea what I wanted to do. “Be a secretary,” they said. “Companies are always looking for secretaries.” So I went to secretarial school and honestly, I wasn’t crazy about the whole secretary thing. Studying to be something you don’t want to be is stressful, and when I was 19, I began experiencing sleep paralysis and lucid dreaming. These are realistic dreams where you think you’re awake, but you can’t move, and in my case, they were always accompanied by a deafening buzz. Years later, I read a book by psychic Sylvia Browne and she described my dreams right down to the buzz, saying it’s what happens when you’re astrally projecting and you wake up when you are half out of your body.
Since cool stuff like astral projection doesn't usually happen to me, I still think my dreams were the result of stress, but that idea was the seed that would eventually grow into Auracle. While I was working as a secretary, I took a creative writing college class and the teacher was very encouraging. It took me a while to find my writing voice, but when my mom was going through last stage Alzheimer’s, I decided life is short and it was time to get serious about writing. It took me five years from the time I sat down and typed the first sentence until I saw Auracle on the shelf of my local bookstore. It wasn’t easy, but it’s a phenomenal feeling to accomplish a goal!
When I’m not writing or reading, I’m usually doing family stuff, I volunteer weekly in our local middle school library, and I love to bead and crochet.  
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Bookie's Note: Hey Guys! I wasn't actually planning to do Debut of the Month for both October and November but at the last minute Gina's post came though so YAY for us all! I am aware Auracle *isn't* a November debut but it's still a 2012 Debut and it totally deserves a feature! Please come back tomorrow to join Gina for the second half of her feature and for a giveaway!

Badass Bookie xx

Friday, November 16, 2012

Defiance

Review Time! E X A M S are over and you know what that means! I'm back to blogging regularly! :)  Defiance by C.J. Redwine is a 2012 YA Debut published by Atom in September. Read this one a while back and just haven't gotten around to reviewing it! You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

The Short Story? - A very interesting concept for a debut novel with the combination of YA fantasy and dystopian. I absolutely loved the strong characters, very well developed and connectable! The prose was good and the writing was comfortable. There were aspects of the plot that didn't sit well with me but overall it was definitely edgy and different. Redwine's debut novel is definitely unlike anything I've ever read, it's a very unique premise that I'm sure many of you would find right up your alley!

The Long Story? - There was a lot of hype surrounding the release of Defiance and I'm not quite sure whether it lived up to my expectations. The premise and concept of the novel was very interesting, Redwine definitely had the right concept in mind but when the idea was put to paper, something didn't sit well with me. For the most part, I enjoyed Defiance VERY much however there was just a few things that just wasn't my cup of tea. Namely, the plot - it was solid plot but the way the story was delivered didn't immediately draw me in. It was really slow paced and there were parts that didn't flow very well. The romance didn't sit well with me at all, I'm not a hater of instant love but for two characters who have can't stand each other to BOOM romantic feelings for each other and love confessions in like a week, it's a little hard to believe. However it wasn't all bad, for the most part the plot was well done once you got into the story, it's not a predictable plot and I emphasis the unique premises. A medieval town in a dystopian world is definitely not something that YA has produced before!

The characterisation is definitely my favourite part of the novel. Redwine did a fantastic job developing the characters especially the protagonists Rachel and Logan. I liked Rachel's attitude and personality very much, she's tough and she fights for herself which is not really a trend in YA dystopian. You get quite a lot of silent rebellion but this outright boldness is not seen often and I loved it! She was very badass and while she doesn't like to show it, she's definitely a kind person as well. Logan grew onto me as the novel progressed, he wasn't one of those boys that immediately attracted me mainly because he wasn't a typical "bad boy" or a bad boy at all and I liked my bad boys in YA fiction. However as the novel progressed and as I got to know him, he kinda grew on me! Both characters were wonderfully developed and unique. Another character that I fell in love with was Oliver! Overall, a great characterisation!

Defiance wasn't entirely what I thought it was going to be but overall I still thought it was a book that deserved to be read. The originality is very unique especially in a genre like YA where everything that can be done has already been done. The writing was beautiful and for the most part, I *did* enjoy the plot, everyone knows slow paced novels are my cup of tea but I got through this one so it must have been pretty good right?!? A unique debut with beautiful character, I can't wait to see where the sequel thats both Logan and Rachel! :)

What's it Worth? - Sqeeuze Into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Shine Light Blog Tour - Final Stop - Retra/Naif




Welcome to the final stop on the Shine Light blog tour! At each stop we’ve revealed something new about the characters in Shine Light. What makes them tick? Do they have any secrets? We saved the most important character in the Night Creatures trilogy until last (for the most important blog)...

Retra/Naif

Blog Stop 13 - Final Destination, Notes from the Author -

I could probably write thousands of words about Retra/Naif (I shall now just call her Naif) – where her character came from, how she developed in the course of things, her relationships with those around her. But you don’t want to oodles of ramblings, so I’ll try and condense it.

Some of her character is definitely informed by my own experiences as a teenager at boarding school. Rather that recreate a representation of those experiences, I took the emotions that I felt back then and poured them into a brand new person in a brand new world. So in that sense, Naif is partly me but most definitely, largely herself. She is far braver than I ever was, and has far greater endurance for hardship.

In the first book (Burn Bright) I had to give her time to unfurl her wings and learn through her mistakes and experiences. She gains her empowerment as the story goes. The Night Creatures series is her story. But I suspect mainly, you will be interested in her true feelings for some of the other characters. Things she never really said, or I deliberately don’t reveal.

Yes, she had a serious crush on Markes, and was rather hard on him when he wasn’t exactly what she imagined he was. I hope, though, that you saw how she began to appreciate him in a new light when she learns about his background in Angel Arias. I think she understands better why he makes the choices he does after their trip back to Grave. Naif will always carry such great tenderness for him but it probably never gets a chance to develop into anything more. Not while Emilia is in their lives.

Rollo on the other hand, is a thorn in her side. But he’s also the person who makes her reflect on, and examine, her beliefs. Rollo and she don’t always agree and his brashness grates upon her – but there is something about him that she values. The fact that he came to Ixion to seek truths carries much weight with her. They will always be friends - fighting friends.

What a wonderful and complex relationship she has with Lenoir. How must it be, to fall for someone who has saved your life but at the same time threatens your very existence? It’s a bit hard to get your head around that notion. Delightful! Yet from the moment they are bonded through her Enlightenment, they are in each other’s lives forever. It was difficult to have to send her away from him in Angel Arias which is why I added some chapters from his point of view. I was very aware of how important it was to keep them connected, and yet the narrative dictated that she must return to Grave to discover the truth. However, in some ways, I think the time apart meant she gained perspective. When she stands up to Lenoir in Shine Light, it is because she’s developed greater inner strength – she’s able to say “no” and yet still concede her desire and love for him. Her action only serves to make Lenoir even more enamoured with her. He chooses to help her and she returns that love by saving him. Theirs is a love story that is eternal; a tragic, beautiful romance underpinned by acts of giving.

Thank you for joining me on my Night Creatures journey. I loved having your company.

Burn Bright, bay bats! Burn Bright!



Did you miss the feature on the Lenoir? See - The Rest is Still Unwritten!

For the Full Tour Listing See -  http://www.burnbright.com.au/

Extract 

( This is a running excerpt, head to the Burn Bright website to find the very first excerpt and follow the Shine Light blog tour to read it all!)


‘So who are they – the Cursed League? Your brother’s g-gang?’ asked Emilia.

‘Dark Eve is their leader, but she and my brother Joel are . . . close. Here, he is known as Clash. They believed all along something was wrong on Ixion and they helped those who would to escape.’

‘How do you even know if this Eve’s still alive then? She could have been punished by the Ripers since you’ve been gone,’ said Emilia.

‘You clearly have not met Eve,’ said Naif. ‘And I would sense if Clash was in trouble.’ Despite their differences, Naif loved her brother. She’d come to Ixion to find him. She would go anywhere; do anything, to help him.

‘Just like you can sense Lenoir?’ asked Markes.

Naif hesitated. Should she tell Markes that she had somehow broken her bond with Lenoir? ‘No. It’s nothing like that.’

‘Naif is right. I would know if Jarrold was . . . was gone.’

Emilia’s support caught Naif by surprise and she was momentarily grateful.

‘You could take Emilia to the Grotto and wait. Liam and I will come after we’ve found the others,’ said Naif.

‘You could rest there.’

‘No! We should stay together,’ said Markes

‘Talk much,’ interjected Liam abruptly.

He was right. Naif ’s skin had begun to crawl, as she imagined the light breeze to be the breath of the Night Creatures watching them from the dark. She turned and headed uphill towards the cable kar line, stepping carefully along one of the hundreds of Lesser Paths that ran like tiny tributaries over the mountainside.

Glancing back, she saw the others fall in behind her: Markes, Emilia and Liam, in that order.
Naif pictured a rough map of Ixion in her mind. On foot it would take them some time to reach the area around Ravens past Illi, Agios and Syn.

The memory of her last visit to Syn station made her hands clammy. Underneath its platform, in the tunnels that hid the Ripers’ cavern, she’d found Markes chained to a wall. Had she and Charlonge not gone there, she doubted he would still be alive.

‘Down!’ whispered Liam from behind her.

Instinctively she dropped. From the scraping sounds behind her, she knew the others had done the same.

They waited in silence, the thrum of music from the clubs like a quiet heartbeat in the background. Naif couldn’t hear anything else, at least, nothing that heralded trouble.

The dark seemed to be warmer than when they had landed, or maybe her body was still trying to acclimatise to the humidity. She felt thirsty and desperate to move from her cramped position. Shifting her feet underneath her, she slowly began to get to her knees.

As she started to push herself up, a pounding noise sounded close to her. She curled into a ball, making herself as small as possible. The noise got louder and louder until large mechanical feet slammed past. 

A Riper’s carriage.

Lenoir!

Fear shocked her into calling his name in her mind. In that instant their link pulsed alive as if a clamp had been removed from a vein. She felt his life force again and an unwanted exhilaration spread through her limbs. But he was a distance away. Whoever had just passed by them was not him.
She tried to close the link down, hoping he’d not felt her reaching out, but the rush of energy refused to be staunched. With fierce concentration she managed to narrow the flow until her body felt her own again.

What happens next? Buy Shine Light to find out! See Random House Australia for more details. 

Shine Light

Ixion. The island of ever-night. 

If she had a choice, Naif wouldn’t go back. But her friends will die if she doesn’t find a cure for the badges that are slowly killing them, and her brother is there, fighting against the Ripers who hold everyone in thrall. And Naif has knowledge that might save them all. 

First she must solve the mystery of Ixion’s eternal night. Then she must convince everyone – rebels and revellers alike – to join her cause. And all the while, she must fight the urge to go to Lenoir – her greatest love, her mortal enemy.

The secrets of Ixion must be revealed. The evils must be stopped. A new dawn will come.

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Purchase:Bookworld // Booktopia



Meet Marianne de Pierres!

Marianne de Pierres is the author of the acclaimed Parrish Plessis and award-winning Sentients of Orion science fiction series. The Parrish Plessis series has been translated into eight languages and adapted into a roleplaying game. She’s also the author of a teen dark fantasy series [Night Creatures Trilogy].

Marianne is an active supporter of genre fiction and has mentored many writers. She lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband, three sons and three galahs.

Visit Marianne:
Website // Goodreads // Twitter // Facebook

Badass Bookie xx