Hi there! I’m Kay: an opinionated book blogger enamoured with the world of novels. Reader of Speculative Fiction (the posh word for Sci-Fi/Fantasy) and Young Adult novels. Believer in the many uses of the towel, the science of deduction and other fandom in-jokes.
This blog has been closed since early 2016. To the publishers and writers: thanks for all the support over the years. To my readers and fellow bloggers: keep in touch!
Recent Reviews
Waiting on Wednesday: Matched by Ally Condie
“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that are being eagerly anticipated.
Matched by Ally Condie In the novel, a 17-year-old girl, who has waited her entire life to be told by a group known as “the Society” who her soul mate is, has her world upended when she discovers she’s in love with someone other than the group’s pick. Don Weisberg, president of Penguin Young Readers Group, along with Lauri Hornik, president and publisher of Dutton Children’s Books, and Julie Strauss-Gabel, associate publisher of Dutton Children’s, all worked on the deal, which is for North American rights. Gabel, who will edit the book, said that it “will make readers crave the passion of uncertainty and cherish the power of the written word.” And Reamer, expectedly perhaps, drew the Meyer parallel, saying reading Matched reminded her of the first time she read Twilight. (Publishers Weekly)
November 30th 2010 by Dutton Juvenile
First off, I love this cover! Very chic and will certainly stand apart from other of the YA releases. I am also really intrigued by the whole dystopian, forbidden love idea.
Review: Ondine: The Summer of Shambles by Ebony McKenna
I received this book for free from Purchased myself in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Ondine: The Summer of Shambles by Ebony McKennaSeries: Ondine #1
Published by Egmont
Pages: 292
Genres: Middle Grade
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating:
Ondine de Groot is a normal fifteen-year-old who lives with her family in the European country of Brugel. She has a pet ferret called Shambles. But Shambles is no ordinary ferret...
He's Hamish McPhee, a boy cursed by a witch. A witch who happens to be related to Ondine. When Shambles turns back into Hamish temporarily, Ondine knows that she has to help him break the spell. He is the most gorgeous boy she has ever met and her one true love! He just can't remain a ferret forever. Can he?
Although I can’t say the characters were overly complex, they were still very enjoyable. Quirky and well-meaning, they all made me smile. Especially the Scottish-rogue-turned-ferret Shambles.
Ok, that sentence? Perfect example of why Ondine was awesome.
(Erm, except for the bit where vegetarians were called malnourished. First off, not cool. Secondly, plain wrong. I was actually kinda insulted and genuinely worried people might believe it. But see how I am giving the book a good review anyways? Apparently, I’m just that magnanimous.)
Bottom line? Ebony McKenna has written a sweet, funny middle-grade novel which I couldn’t help but be swept up by. A wonderful debut!
What are you reading on Monday? – (May 24th, 2010)
It’s Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books where we discuss our week of reading!
Currently Reading:
- Shadow Marked by Anna J. Evans– The day after reading this review over at Smexy, I found this on display at Forbidden Planet. I decided it was fate – and have really been enjoying it so far!
Finished this Week
- Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead – Amazing! The Vampire Academy Series just keeps getting better and better. Although I am getting frustrated by Mead’s ability to take my heart out and stomp on it.
- The Line by Teri Hall – Really interesting premise, but not such great writing. Hopefully Hall will improve with her next novel.
Summer Scream Event & Rachel Caine UK Tour!
First off, Rachel Caine is coming to the UK! Whoot! I am a big, big fan of her Morganville Vampires Series and really can’t wait to meet her.
And where do I plan on doing that? At the Foyles’ Summer Scream Event, of course! Not only is Rachel Caine going to be there, but so is Sarah Rees Brennan (who is AWESOME), Sarwat Chadda, Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams! There will be goodie bags! Prizes! Sugary snacks! Yay!
I have already booked my ticket (they are free, just need advance planning) – anyone else want to come along? Check out the website, or read the rest of the details here:
Do you have the courage to attend the Foyles Summer Scream? If so, you’ll be in the company of a host of leading authors, and the recipient of all sorts of spooky treats!
Q&A sessions with:
- The Original Vampire Queen – Rachel Caine, author of the Morganville Vampire series.
- The man who survived The Devil’s Kiss – Sarwat Chadda, with exclusive pre-publication copies of his new book Dark Goddess, only available at the Summer Scream.
- The world-renowned Demon Tamer Extraordinaire – Sarah Rees Brennan, author of The Demon’s Lexicon and The Demon’s Covenant.
- Subterranean explorers Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams – Bestselling authors of the hugely successful fantasy ‘Tunnels’ series will be talking about their new book Closer, followed by a signing (until 5pm).
Plus: secret scare recommendations from all your favourite authors – Michael Grant, Neil Gaiman, Justin Somper, Holly Black, Scott Westerfeld, Becca Fitzpatrick, Chris Priestley, Dan Wells, Jon Mayhew, Philip Womack, Patrick Ness, Darren Shan and many more!
And our chilling short story competition – your chance to finish off Cassandra Clare’s short story and win a hamper of signed books!
All this and more competitions and prizes to be won on the day, plus vintage fairground treats and goody bags for all.
See you there… If you dare!
Saturday 19th june, 12pm – 4pm, The Gallery, Foyles.
Tickets: Free, to reserve a place please email events@foyles.co.uk
Rachel Caine
Rachel Caine is touring all over the UK, so if you can’t make it to London, check these out:
SIGNINGS
June 2 – 1:00 pm – Waterstone’s, Guildford
Guildford, United Kingdom
June 3 – 6.00 pm – Forbidden Planet
London, City of, United Kingdom
June 7 – 12:00 pm (tentative) – Waterstone’s Chesham
Chesham, United Kingdom
June 16 – 11:00 am – Waterstone’s Islington
Islington, United Kingdom
June 17 – 5.00 pm – Waterstone’s Bluewater
Greenhithe, United Kingdom
June 19 – 4:00 pm – Waterstone’s Harrow
Harrow, United Kingdom
TALKS/EVENTS
June 4 – 6:00 pm – BITE NIGHT – Harefield Library, Hillingdon
Hillingdon, United Kingdom
June 18 – 5:00 pm – Hornsey Library, Original Gallery
London, United Kingdom
Caine: “Please join me as I discuss the Morganville Vampires series and writing in general!”
June 19 – 12:00 pm – Summer Scream – Foyles Bookshop
London, United Kingdom
Review: Frostbite by Richelle Mead
Frostbite by Richelle MeadSeries: Vampire Academy #2
Published by Razorbill
Pages: 336
Genres: Paranormal YA, Young Adult
Source: Purchased myself
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Rating:
Also in this series: Vampire Academy, Blood Promise
It's winter break at St. Vladimir's, but Rose is feeling anything but festive. A massive Strigoi attack has put the school on high alert, and now the Academy's crawling with Guardians--including Rose's hard-hitting mother, Janine Hathaway. And if handto- hand combat with her mom wasn't bad enough, Rose's tutor Dimitri has his eye on someone else, her friend Mason's got a huge crush on her, and Rose keeps getting stuck in Lissa's head while she's making out with her boyfriend, Christian! The Strigoi are closing in, and the Academy's not taking any risks....This year, St. Vlad's annual holiday ski trip is mandatory.
But the glittering winter landscape and the posh Idaho resort only create the illusion of safety. When three friends run away in an offensive move against the deadly Strigoi, Rose must join forces with Christian to rescue them. But heroism rarely comes without a price...
Thoughts: Frostbite is a fantastic follow-up to Vampire Academy. The second book in a series is usually filled with flaws, but not in Mead’s case. Action-packed, and emotionally gut-wrenching, this series is a definite must for YA and Vampire fans.
Rose does not have the ideal life by a long shot. Her gender and genetics give her limited options in the vampire world. Rose can’t be with the man she loves without sacrificing her best-friend, and even if she makes the “correct” choice she won’t ever have anyone of her own to love. It’s all very depressing, but she does the very best to make the most of bad circumstances.
Rose really matures in Frostbite, but not by choice. After the trauma she is put through in this book leaves her no choice but to make the “grown-up” decisions. In a way, I miss the more naive Rose from the first book, the one who looked forward to being an adult and fighting the Strigoi. Watching Rose lose that optimism was terribly tragic.
Wow, I have made this sound like the most miserable book in history. READ IT ANYWAYS. What I love about Mead is that she never introduces her characters fully formed – they always have plenty of room to develop. And watching that process? Heartbreakingly brilliant.
In retrospect, I am amazed how much Mead fit into such a small book. Compared to the rest of the Vampire Academy series, Frostbite is a sliver of a book. But so damn much happens in it! Mead deals with the epic Dimitri/Rose tragedy, Rose’s addiction to being bitten, Lissa’s ever worsening condition, the introduction of Rose’s mother, and a whole new (vaguely Chuck Bass-like) character. It’s actually quite impressive.
Bottom line? The Vampire Academy series just keeps getting better. Mead actually seems to have a plan for these characters, and I really can’t wait to see how it ends!