Saturday, January 7, 2012

Day Seven - All About Above + Giveaway!

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Book Profile

Name - Above ( Goodreads )
Author - Leah Bobet
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Release Date - April 1st 2012
Available - The Book Depository

Matthew has loved Ariel from the moment he found her in the tunnels, her bee's wings falling away. They live in Safe, an underground refuge for those fleeing the city Above--like Whisper, who speaks to ghosts, and Jack Flash, who can shoot lightning from his fingers.



But one terrifying night, an old enemy invades Safe with an army of shadows, and only Matthew, Ariel, and a few friends escape Above. As Matthew unravels the mystery of Safe's history and the shadows' attack, he realizes he must find a way to remake his home--not just for himself, but for Ariel, who needs him more than ever before.

 

The Insider's Scoop

The story behind Above's kind of tangled: There were a couple distinct things that rolled together, like a big idea Katamari, into the novel-shaped thing it is today:



The first was an essay in Eli Clare's _Exile and Pride_, which I was reading for a philosophy course: the author having to, as a child, stand in his underwear in an examination room under bright lights, because the doctors were using the diagnosis of his disability to teach student doctors. Something about that passage hit me between the eyes: there was so much shame and display and dehumanization in it.


The second thing was a longstanding problem with how the whole Secret Society of Mutants Living Underground thing is commonly done. They're clannish and suspicious, but nobody ever talks about why that came about or the long-term emotional consequences of being that way. They live underground in sewers or the like, but it's often a really comfortable, all-the-amenities kind of underground, not what you'd get if a half-dozen people with various mental and physical issues went down into the actual sewer and tried to rough out something to live in. After all, it gets cold. You'd need water and power. You'll probably spend most of your time trying to get enough canned food together and making sure you don't get pneumonia, and I bet there's no wifi down there.


The third thing was the right kind of music. There was the emotional seed of something rattling around my head for a while, but it took the right few songs to pull it out and help me figure out why this thing kept wanting to make me burst into tears in public.


The thing that really made it come together, though, was Matthew's voice. He has a very distinct way of speaking -- kind of really young and really lyrical at the same time - and he's a storyteller. This is very much his story, and when I had that voice, that's when I sat down to write.
~Giveaway~

Leah has kindly offered (1) ONE ARC of Above to one of your lucky people. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL! Rules of Entry are stated below. I strognly encourage you guys to leave a nice comment thanking Leah!


Rule of Entry -

- International
- Ends 7th of February
- Must be 13 or older
- Optional Entries :
  * Leaving comment on either of Veronica's posts +1 each
  * Tweeting Giveaway +1
  * Putting Giveaway on Sidebar +2
  * Follow Badass Bookie +2
  * Placing 2012 Debutante Event Button on blog +3


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Badass Bookie xx

101 comments:

  1. Thanks for the chance, I cant wait to read this. There wasnt a box to put our GFC name in. I entered as Natalie Cleary and my GFC is nat cleary.

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  2. I must admit I'm fairly new to Urban Fantasy and obviously do not know all there is out there ;-) but one thing is for certain, this book sounds totally unique! Wishlist here we come! Thanks for the chance!!

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  3. I just barely got on the radar about this book. Some blog showcased it in a contest. It looks fantastic.

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  4. It sounds like the author is exploring some serious ideas and that could make for either a very good read or a very bad one.

    Impossible to say which without reading the novel but it has certainly roused my interest.

    Thanks for the giveaway.
    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    PS my GFC = buddyt

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  5. I hadn't heard of Above till recently, but I never knew it was a 2012 debut :S Thank you so much for the chance to win this!! It sounds like a fantastic book <33

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  6. This book sounds great! And I love that cover!
    Thanks a lot for the giveaway.

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  7. Above sounds fantastic and I love that cover!
    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. Thanks for another giveaway! I've been hearing about Above for months and would love to get to read it.

    extras - GFC follow @SusieBookworm
    link/button posted at http://susie-bookworm.blogspot.com

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  9. Couldn't leave some info on it but I did comment on both posts as GFC follow. :)

    I am really looking forward to this book so thank you to both you and the author for hosting this awesome giveaway! :)

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  10. Forgot to leave a link for the sidebar link - http;//www.snowdropdreams.ca (on right hand side under the GIVEAWAYS header!)

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  11. Above sounds amazing. Underground societies are really interesting. I remember when I first learned they existed, blew me away. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  12. Thank you for the giveaway! I've been really looking forward to this book. :)

    GFC: KaylaBeck

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  13. I can't wait for Above, so thanks for the opportunity to read it earlier :)

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  14. Love this cover & can't wait to read Above! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  15. I entered as Christelle, my GFC is Stellar and the linky to my bliggity blog is http://faeriefiction.blogspot.com/

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  16. Gosh this book seems amazing! :O I hope I win. :)

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  17. Thanks for the giveaway. Above sounds amazing, rather magical and mysterious. :) And thanks to Leah, I've been looking for more Canadian YA authors and their books to read. :)

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  18. I commented both posts and I am a GFC follower
    GFC name: Karen Maldonado

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  19. I hope I win. *-* Thank you so much for giveaway!
    GFC - Sarah Martins DL
    :D

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  20. Thanks for the giveaway. I loved reading about the inspirations for this, sounds amazing.

    There were basically no extra spaces so:
    GFC - mimz
    buttons - http://mokolad.blogspot.com

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  21. Thanks for the insider's scoop!! I'm really eager to read this book for sure.
    GFC: Vivien

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  22. Iwantyou, Iwantyou, Iwantyou... Sorry, I just *really* want to read Above.

    G.C.

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  23. Thanks for the giveaway!

    GFC: Andrea I

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway! I love cover, with the wings, and the colouring, so pretty! And haunting!! :)

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  25. this book sounds interesting! fingers crossed i get it hehe

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  26. Thanks so much for the chance Lisa! And please thank Leah too--so grateful for the chance to win

    Rachel @ The Rest Is Still Unwritten

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  27. Awesome Giveaway. Book looks great.
    - Enchantedbooks

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  28. Can't wait to read this! I don't know what I'm more excited to read about: the actual mutations/powers or my city! Thanks for the giveaway Leah :D

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  29. I want to read this one so bad! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  30. What a wonderful giveaway !! The cover is gorgus and the blurb certainly intriguing !!! Thanks to Leah for her wonderful donation !!

    kat

    kittee_cat@bigpond.com

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  31. I would love to read this - I've been psyched for it since it was first announced!

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  32. Wow this looks so cool and original *adds to wishlist*. I love the cover. Thanks for this great giveaway.

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  33. Thank you SO much for this awesome giveaway! Above looks like it'll be an amazing read. I really can not wait to read it!

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  34. Oh my gosh, I can't wait to read this book! Thank you SO much for hosting this -- I just know that Above is going to be amazing! :)

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  35. I heart you giveaway! SOOO wanting to read the book!

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  36. Thanks for the amazing giveaway! I've been eyeing this book for a couple months and totally can't wait to read it :D

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  37. Thnks for the amazing giveaway! I've been wanting this book since I first saw it=D

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  38. Ooh, I like this insider scoop! Especially #2, since yes, little attention is really brought to the problems with those who supposedly rough it out underground. I'm interested to see how Leah deals with it in her debut novel!

    Very excited for the coming release! Beautiful cover. :) Thanks for the giveaway.

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  39. I just did a WOW on this last week, want to read it desperately. It sounds so interesting. Love that Insider piece you did. Very cool.

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  40. I cannot wait for this one! I love how you reviewed it, sounds better than what I excpected!

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  41. This book looks so, so good! Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway. :)

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  42. April 1st huh? I'm looking forward to reading it! :) Thanks

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  43. Thanks for the giveaway! This is such an intriguing book! Thanks for the awesome review!

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  44. Can't WAIT to read this book! I have had my on it since last summer!

    Thanks for this event- it is fun!

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  45. I commented both posts and I am a GFC follower
    GFC name: rogier

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  46. Thanks for the giveaway! I seriously can't wait for Above, the cover is gorgeous, I hope the story is as good as I think it'll be.

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  47. Love the cover for Above, and I can't wait to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  48. Thanks for this awesome giveaway! I can't wait to read Above. it sounds awesome! :)

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  49. I'm literally dying to read this book! Thank you for this great giveaway! Fingers crossed! ><

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  50. I can't wait to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway! <3

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  51. Looking forward to reading Above, thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  52. i din't know this book, but sounds definitely a good one!

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  53. Really love the cover, I didn't know this book but it sounds really nice, so thanks for this GA ^^

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  54. This book looks really good! Very excited to read it. :D

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  55. Cool opp!! I'm looking forward to following your cool-lookin' blog!!! :-)

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  56. wow bee wings who would of thought!

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  57. This one sounds like it may kill me dead.

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  58. Who would have thought that "bee wings" would look so good on a book cover?! The cover alone of this book makes you want to read it! I can't wait to read this one. I love the "insider's scoop" on this book, especially how they are 'clannish'

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  59. Thank you Leah! The cover is so pretty, sad and compelling! I will definitely be reading this book at some point this year. All the best!

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  60. The cover looks beautiful! Thanks for this giveaway.

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  61. Awesome giveaway! I've been wanting to read this for forever, and the cover is GORGEOUS! :)

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  62. Thanks for the giveaway! The book sounds awesome, I love the cover. :)

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  63. Thanks so much! Beautiful photo!

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  64. Thanks so much for the giveaway. I love the sound of this novel and am itching to get my hands on a copy. Thanks again!

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  65. You had me at mutants..honestly..love them.

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  66. Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  67. WOW, i honestly can't seem to take my eyes off this cover, its just amazing. Love the concept behind this book and i can't wait for it!!

    - juhina

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  68. Thanks for the giveaway :)

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  69. gosh, the cover really catches my eye,
    especially the wings!

    =)

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  70. Looks gorgeous! And a lot of cool influences. Plus, gorgeous cover.

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  71. thanks for the giveaway, this book sounds really good and I would be lucky to win a copy of it :)

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  72. I've seen Above quite some time back, and I love those wings on her back! The idea of it is cool too. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  73. This is one of the most awaited book for me in 2012! Thank you for the chance to win this!

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  74. Thanks for this awesome giveaway. The debutante event is my fav and Above looks so good!

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  75. Awesome giveaway...I am dying to read this book. :)

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  76. Thank you for the chance to win! :)

    Cherry Mischievous
    cherrymischif-darkward [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  77. Thanks for the giveaway, I really wanto to read this book, and I love the cover

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  78. So looking forward to the chance to get a copy of this book. Thanks for hosting.

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  79. Gosh I love me some urban fantasy! This one has been on my wishlist for a while! Thanks for the generous giveaway and awesome scoop:)

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  80. I'm desperate to read ABOVE! Thanks for these tidbits, so interesting! And thanks for another brilliant giveaway!

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  81. love the cover!!
    thanks for the giveaway!

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  82. This sounds like a really awesome read and I definitely can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this. And thanks a lot for sharing this post with us - soooo interesting!

    Carina

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  83. Great giveaway. Looking forward to eventually reading ABOVE, I love the cover!

    tintinbrains@bigpond.com

    MIchelle

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  84. WOW. This book already intrigued me, but reading the inside scoop made it even more interesting. I always like to read what moved a writer to write a certain book. And this is...not what I expected, to say the least. I can't wait to read this. Thank You for this giveaway and especially for making it international :)

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  85. This book looks so awesome. I saw it on someone's WoW post and I immediately added it to my TBR list.

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  86. This one's on my tbr-priority shelf. :D Here's hopin'! Thanks for the giveaway, this is awesome.

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  87. Thanks for yet another amazing giveaway!

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  88. I can't wait for this one! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  89. Thanks for the giveaway!
    GFC alipeli
    alipeli2010(at)gmail(dot)com

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  90. This book is on my list to read so I am super excited about it. Thanks for such an awesome giveaway!

    http://thebucketlist-gn.blogspot.com

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  91. Thanks for the giveaway! It's intriguing. Can't wait to read the book! :)

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  92. Obviously this has a beautiful cover. I keep thinking it’s set in Berlin due to that tower thing but then again it’s not. Thanks for the giveaway.

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