Rebel Heart Launch Party

Thursday night saw Bath's Waterstones overrun with family and friends for Moira Young's launch party of Rebel Heart. Sophie was invited through her publishing contacts and, knowing how much I love the book, asked me to tag along. Duh!

While waiting upstairs, we met a some awesome people, fellow readers and even two of Moira's nephews from London! Then we got started. Marion Lloyd, yes THE Marion Lloyd, introduced Moira and spoke a little about how she knew she wanted to publish Blood Red Road and how excited she was for Rebel Heart and how proud she was of Moira. It was all very heart-warming!

Moira then talked about Saba, DeMalo and her imagined landscape, based loosely on her childhood memories of holidaying around Canada. She said that Saba was getting to the point that she couldn't stop her, she was so out of control and complex. Moira also said that because of Saba's complexity, she needed an equally intriguing antagonist, someone who was appeared bad to the reader but at the same time, you could understand their motivations. Well that explains the drama of Rebel Heart!

Moira told us about her memories of summer holidays, how her mother could remember sombre stories of particular mountains, you know plane crashes and stuff. She also told the story of when she around 8 years old, they visited a village called Frank and one night in 1903, the little mining town was crushed under a limestone landslide and all little Moira could imagine was the village under her feet, still asleep in their beds. And her mother wonders where she gets her dark imagination from!

Moira read aloud the first page of Rebel Heart, beautifully I might add. Finally, Marion asked for some spoilers for the final book in the trilogy. I can unofficially reveal that Moira has titled it Raging Star, it apparently opens with a fight scene and, teasingly, Saba does something bad.

We then got our books signed, I actually managed to talk to her like a normal person and congratulated her! Although I didn't get a chance to say how awesome her shoes were. Then Sophie and I hung around to talk to Julia Green, also in attendance, as Sophie had meet her earlier in the summer. We also properly introduced ourself to Hannah, Sophie's contact from Scholastic, and - get this - she's actually heard of me! I was very, pleasantly, surprised!

All in all, a fabulous evening, we had loads of fun hearing about books and book news and meeting awesome people! Can't wait for what other events Waterstones has to offer!

Linger by Maggie Shiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 20th July 2010
Pages: 420
Synopsis: 
Grace and Sam must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping dangerous secrets. For Sam, it means grappling with his werewolf past ...and figuring out a way to survive the future.
But just when they manage to find happiness, Grace finds herself changing in ways she could never have expected...


Review:
Following on from the practically heartbreaking love story of Grace and Sam, this time it's Grace in trouble. With Sam cured, for now, of his wolfism, he now has new wolves to deal with, especially Cole: the new ridiculously insane wolf with more issues than Sam - why in the heck did Beck pick him? I like Cole but he does seriously annoy me, in a playboy but so messed up kinda way. As head of the pack without shifting, Sam is going through some stuff that he didn't think would ever happen: he's growing up. Not only that, but as Sam is beginning to understand his permanently human form, Grace is slowly losing control of hers.

It's not just the wolves Grace and Sam have to contend with, it's also Grace's parents. The initial shine they had for Sam has gone, and they no longer trust Grace to make decisions as a young adult. Her parents really annoyed me and I agreed with Grace when she said they can't just change between room mates and parents when they feel like it.

Different voices, not just Sam and Grace, added to the dynamic between characters and to get a better understanding of their motivations. Although, I'm going to be honest, I still have no idea what Isabel and Cole are thinking, even when inside their head! Maggie made sure it didn't get confusing with four voices, all with individual problems and issues to deal with that added up to the overall impact of the story.

I knew the book was going to end the way it did. It didn't take the suspense out though; in fact, it just made me not want the ending even more! Part two of Grace/Sam was not as... strong as the first but definitely worth it to get some answers about the wolves and to get a step closer to a possible happy ending for a perfect couple.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 1st August 2009
Pages: 438
Synopsis:
When a local boy is killed by wolves, Grace's small town becomes a place of fear and suspicion. But Grace can't help being fascinated by the pack, and by one yellow-eyed wolf in particular. There's something about him - something almost human. Then she meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away...

A chilling love story that will have you hooked from the very first page.

Review:
I've heard plenty of good things about this series and have admired the covers for years. Then why did it take me so long to finally pick it up?

It tells of the bewitching love story between Grace and Sam. As a girl, Grace has watched with fascination the wolf with yellow eyes, to suddenly find him hurt on her doorstep. Embarking on a relationship that both knows will end badly, they also have to deal with a stupidly angry new wolf how refuses to accept his fate and put them all in danger. To put it lightly, I was gripped from page one!

It is beautifully written, with alternate chapters to get both Grace and Sam's perspective. Grace was easy to relate to, had problems with her parents, chatted to her friends, but was strangely obsessed with the pack of wolves after nearly being killed by them all those years ago. And Sam was adorable, sweet, feared he would literally lose himself when he changes into a wolf for the last time. My heart broke for him.

Along with secondary characters that engrained themselves in the story but did not distract, Grace and Sam fight to be together, to keep their secret safe and even try and find a cure for Sam's wolfism. Yeah, that's a word now.

I really fell in love with these characters. Coming across as so real, it was easy to get lost in the story, not seeing snow-covered woods and dark wolves outside! Completely gripping and touching love story, Shiver is an obsessive read.

Unfed by Kirsty McKay

Publisher: Chicken House
Published: 6th September 2012
Pages: 307
Synopsis:
The good news: Bobby survived her Undead school trip. Bad news: her best mate, Smitty, is missing. Bobby knows she's got to find him even if it means risking it all and going out into the starving-zombie-infested wastelands again. Even if it means taking fellow survivors including a couple of old frenemies along for the ride. And even if the zombies are not the only ones who are chasing them this time.

Review:
Ever since I read Undead, all those months ago, I have never looked at school trips the same way! Unfed promised to be just as exhilarating and terrifying as its predecessor and I could not wait - I read it in two days!

It began six weeks later. Bobby's just come out of a coma after the rescue bus crashed, Smitty's gone missing and the rest of the gang, along with newcomer Russ, are stuck in a zombie-infested military (or possibly Xanthro) hospital, cut off from the rest of the world. Scary for different reasons, they try to escape and figure out just what the hell has happened to them, while fighting off creepily clever zombie kids.

Kirsty McKay's characters are incredible. Told from Bobby's perspective again, we feel her anger and fear as clearly as it was happening to us. Actually, I would not be as capable in a zombie apocalypse as she is! Alice was just as reluctant, Pete was as fascinated with the details as before and don't forget the strangely capable Russ, who I really was not sure about. But let's not go into that. There was also a distinct lack of Smitty for the first half, whom I missed, but once he returned, he was just annoying and reckless as before, making me wonder what I ever saw in him. But he has his moments!

As well as the characters, there is of course the amazing writing of wit and humour and, obviously, the definite gross details of the zombies made to be weapons by the evil company Xanthro. With the added grossness of decaying zombie cows and a redhead girl who apparently woke up half way through her autopsy. *shudder*

An amazing twist ending, just to keep us interested (as if I wasn't!), with the promise of more disgusting adventures to come.

This copy was sent to me by Chicken House publishing. Thank you!

Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Publisher: Marion Lloyd Books
Published: 2nd August 2012
Pages: 393
Synopsis:
Saba has rescued her kidnapped brother and defeated the fanatical Tonton. But the price to be paid for her violent victory is terible. Jack has disappeared – and can no longer be trusted. A new and formidable enemy is on the rise in the dustlands. No one is safe. And Saba must confront the terrible secret hidden in the darkest depths of her soul.

Review:
Following up the intense and action-filled Blood Red Road, Rebel Heart did not stop for a moment. Saba's voice was just as beautiful and awkward as I remembered it, only this time, Saba's broken. She's tormented by the ghosts of the dead and she can't help herself. She needs Jack. But Jack isn't where he said he would be, then they hear news that he's joined the Tonton. He can't be trusted. Along with the return of DeMalo, Saba's new start for her family was looking even less likely.

Jack quite simply broke my heart. All I wanted was a happy ending for both of them and even my pure romantic notions couldn't fathom how that was going to happen. And even baring in mind that Saba's haunted, she made some... interesting choices that confused me and even made me angry on a few occasions. But now I'm just worried what these choices mean for Saba and Jack's future. Not to mention Tommo!

Even though, as a general rule, I don't like sequels very much, Rebel Heart was just as fast-paced and gut-wrenchingly heart-felt as Blood Red Road. Highly recommended. Simple as that.

Got Caged? Blog Tour: Amber Lynn Natusch guest post

As part of her blog tour for her fourth book in the Caged series, Scarred, coming out in e-book on 24th September, I am honoured to welcome Amber Lynn Natusch! Enjoy!

When I was asked to compose a guest blog post, I had no idea what to write. As an author, it was an especially low moment. Then a great friend suggested that I take an excerpt from the first novel in my series, Caged, and explain what I loved about it. Genius! Times like this illustrate my need for a team of levelheaded people around me―an entourage of rational thinkers.

The unfortunate reality for me was that my favorite scenes from Caged all contain spoilers, but I still managed to find some good ones :)

For this blog, I chose a scene that highlights one of the two mysterious men that Ruby finds herself caught between. They both have alluring qualities, but are equally shrouded in lies, leaving Ruby to sort through them on her own. Getting a straight answer is completely out of the question as you will soon see.

Without further ado, I give you Ruby, Sean, and Eric, in the notorious club scene.

His face was close, breathing my air.  Every time I made eye contact with him, I lost myself in the most literal sense.  I said things I'd neversaid before, and did things I would never have done; I was a completely different person.  I was so influenced by his energy, his power, asif it was seeping out of him and into me.  I knew I could sense the feelings of others as well as I could my own, but this was entirelydifferent and new.  The feeling was heightened exponentially with eye contact so I tried my best to avoid it. I did an amazingly poor job ofit.

I heard a voice from behind me but didn't acknowledge it until a hand clamped down onto my arm and jerked me around in a not-so-friendlyway. Sean's look was murderous.  He was visually communicating his desire to creatively remove certain body parts from the guy he'd justpeeled me off of, making sure the process was intolerable.  There was something personal about his stare, like the two had been at acrossroad before.

"Do you two know each other?" I asked, not really expecting an honest answer. I needed to diffuse the situation before the pissing contestgot any more heated.  The man laughed and said nothing.  I abruptly turned to look at Sean, not sure how he would react to the man'sexpressed humor with the situation. He did nothing but stare him down.

"You never truly know anyone, Ruby," he said, calmly.  "But no.  I don't know him."

Sean's emphasis on the word "him" seemed strange, but so was Sean sometimes.  I shrugged as I audibly exhaled.  Boys can be so tryingsometimes.

I looked back at the man causing such a clear air of tension between them. I wanted to know who he was.  However, as soon as I lookedat him I no longer cared, I just wanted to be with him regardless of the cost.

"I'm Eric," he said without being prompted.

"Ruby," I managed as I struggled against Sean's very strong grip to get closer to Eric.

"We're leaving," Sean stated as he whirled me around and marched me towards the door.  My feet barely made contact with the floor and Irealized he'd picked me up around the waist to drag me out of the dance hall.  Eric followed closely behind with a wickedly amused lookplastered all over his face.  The situation was more personal than either of them was letting on and I was furious at being in the dark aboutsomething that so clearly involved me.

Sean stomped through the lobby, pushing through innocent club goers with no regard.  As we broke through the front door, Eric slipped asmall piece of paper into my hand as Sean continued on towards the parking lot.  He didn't see me take it so I managed to quickly slip itinto my shirt and down my bra even with the restricted range of motion I had in my arm. I doubted that Sean would strip search me to findit even if he had seen what I did.  Eric slipped out of sight into the bar while I continued to be hauled away like luggage to the car.

"I'm quite capable of walking, you know," I said with as much ferocity as I could muster.

"I've seen what you're capable of tonight," he scoffed.

"Why are you so angry with me?" I asked trying desperately to figure out what offense of mine he'd suffered.

"It's nothing," he answered.

"Nothing?  This is how you act about nothing?  Remind me never to do something to you then, because I shudder to think what yourreaction would be to that," I said, trying to wiggle away from him.

Extras by Scott Westerfeld

Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Published: 2nd October 2007
Pages: 417
Synopsis:
It's a few years after rebel Tally Youngblood took down the uglies/pretties/specials regime. Without those strict roles and rules, the world is in a complete cultural renaissance. "Tech-heads" flaunt their latest gadgets, "kickers" spread gossip and trends, and "surge monkeys" are hooked on extreme plastic surgery. And it's all monitored on a bazillion different cameras. The world is like a gigantic game of American Idol. Whoever is getting the most buzz gets the most votes. Popularity rules.

As if being fifteen doesn't suck enough, Aya Fuse's rank of 451,369 is so low, she's a total nobody. An extra. But that's just until she gets to kick a good story for herself.

Then Aya meets a clique of girls who pull crazy tricks, yet are deeply secretive of it. Aya wants desperately to kick their story, to show everyone how intensely cool the Sly Girls are. But doing so would propel her out of extra-land and into the world of fame, celebrity...and extreme danger. A world she's not prepared for.

Review:
It's been a few years since Tally saved/screwed up the world with what Aya's city calls the mind-rain, which means we actually get to see the after effects of the 'happily ever after' if you will. It's very interesting to the after effects, you know see humanity scrambling for answers. With Aya's commentary, you see that the world really was confused, which is not all that surprising, trying to figure out how to cope. What is surprising, at least to me, is what they decide to do with it: have a reputation economy. This was simply fascinating. Weird and a little confusing at first but actually really clever! Another cruel twist of Westerfeld's on our real-world ideals and morphing them beyond belief!

Aya reminded me of Tally but, I feel awkward to say, easier to like. Like Tally, Aya was somewhat naive and wanted what everyone else wanted, which in this case was to be famous. I also liked Aya and Frizz's relationship more than Tally and Zane's. Even though there was the same minimal build-up and practically instanta-love, I felt that Frizz had more depth to him, a little more explanation and exploration into his character than we got with Zane.

Now, onto the plot itself. Westerfeld really pulled out all the stops for this final instalment of the Uglies-verse. First the Sly Girls then these amateur aliens! Always left me guessing! Set in a different city, it was a completely different culture, not just because of the impact the mind-rain had. I don't want to give too much away, at least not more than I already have! So I will conclude. Westerfeld paced this exciting adventure with touching stories of friendship and even a few old faces!