The Pewter Wolf Reads: February 2011

Monday, 28 February 2011

GoodRead - Rosebush

By the time you lot read this review about Rosebush by Michele Jaffe, it would have been about a month or so since I actually read and written this review (look at me all organised for once!). “Why?” I hear you ask. Well, when I went to Atom Books for the Book Bloggers Event and we got the ARC of Nightshade and Rosebush, Atom asked very kindly if we could release our reviews close to the date of release (3rd March 2011, in this case) as possible.

And who am I to refuse such lovely people...?

So, the story about Rosebush. Jane wakes up in hospital. She's been told that she was a victim of a terrible hit and run, her nearly-dead body discovered in a rosebush. As she recovers, she slowly begins to realize that the stories her friends have told her and what she slowly remembers aren't the same. But why would her friends lie? It looks like one of her friends tried to kill her... and they still want her dead...

But who would want to kill her? Or is Jane slowly going mad? Sometimes, the truth is a very thorny thing...

Now, this is a huge thing for Atom Books. Because Rosebush is the first non-paranormal YA book it's published (Pretty Little Liars doesn't count. They nabbed that series from their big sibling Sphere). So, when I discovered and read a tiny bit of info on this book, I was quite excited about this book. It was a BRAVE step for Atom to make – and Atom built the book up, comparing Rosebush to Mean Girls Meets Rear Window.

I really liked it. It was addictive reading. It was a bit little a guilty pleasure. There are moments in the books that felt very 90210. But I'm pretty sure those teens don't have half the dark secrets these messed-up teens have.

Now, there were some characters that I was screaming at and called one of them some very rude names that I won't say in polite company. And there were times I went “Does EVERY American teen have a deep dark secret?!”. But I found it addictive – I think I a tiny part of me wanted to know who had the biggest secret?

This book is a thriller, where they were times you go, “Ok. Is there a killer? Is it all in your head?” and every time you go “Ok, I think I know where this is going or who is the good guys?” then WHAM! You get thrown sideways with a twist you never saw coming. (Yes, there were times I stared at the book with a WTF expression on my face).

So, if you are addicted to 90210, One Tree Hill or Pretty Little Liars and need a fix till the next episode/season, then you should check Rosebush. Plus, this is a standalone novel (so if you hate trilogies, this is perfect!)

*

And now, the music part of my review (I swear, I enjoy this more sometimes). Anyway, I hope you guys like...!

(Free Download of this track! FREE MUSIC! Check it out at either http://www.massivedog.com/ or http://soundcloud.com/massivedog/ and search for Entangled).

Thursday, 24 February 2011

EXCITING NEWS!!! (aka MundieMoms Did What?!)

I AM VERY EXCITED! VERY VERY VERY EXCITED! And I was VERY HAPPY late Tuesday night & throughout the whole of yesterday. Why, I hear you ask. Well, because of the image below.

I AM ON MUNDIEMOM'S AFFILIATE LIST!!!

I told a few people about this and I just got blank stares, but to me, this is a HUGE deal! Not only is my little (slightly insane) blog on another blog's affiliate list, but it's a huge blog site that I ACTUALLY use and love (I discovered them while I was reading the Mortal Instruments trilogy as it was called back then!), but I am on a list with other blogs that I love and have huge respect for like Fallen ArchAngel, Girls in the Stacks and Wondrous Reads!

I can't tell you how thrilled and honoured I am about this! I just want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to MundieMoms for thinking my blog is WORTHY enough to be put on the list!

Well, actually, I think I should take a small paragraph to say thank you to every book blogger who I met, tweet, and facebook for all the advice, book excitement and general making me feel like I'm not the only book addict in the world. Thanks guys! You are awesome!

Anyway, because of MundieMoms putting me on their affiliate list, I was asked if I had a Blog Button. I didn't so after manic tweeting about ideas, HTLM coding & advice (must thank Iffath from Love Reading X who helped ALOT, but also thanks to Jennifer from Fallen ArchAngel, Mitali from Alley Of Books & Jeremy from Novel Thoughts!), I HAVE A BLOG BUTTON! YEAH!!! So, if you want it on your blog (if you want), you can have one!

Now, I wanted to show you the image I used and the image I was considering using, but after asking twitter, I decided against it... But again, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG! A Harry Potter & Angry Birds Cake!!!

I know a few months/year or so ago, I blogged about an AWESOME Harry Potter cake! Remeber? ... no? Well, here it is to refresh your memory.

Well, last night, a friend showed me this YouTube video about an ANGRY BIRDS cake!

(yes, this is a random blog post, but I thought I would share with you all!)

Wednesday, 23 February 2011

GoodRead - Justin Thyme

I want to state something before I go any further. THIS ISN'T MY NORMAL READ. The reason why I decided to read this was because the publisher (Inside Pocket - a small indie publisher) facebooked me and ask if I would be interested. Now, after I did some fast research on the book (which looked mad and a bit kooky on the book's website), I agreed to read it. I got the book at the end of December/beginning of January in a bright green envelope (best way to make an impression with me. That or give me something shiny).

So, I hear you ask, why did it take you so long to read? Well... I've been in a dark reading phrase. And whenever I tried to sit and begin to read Justin Thyme, I couldn't get past the first few pages. I had to get out of my reading phrase and, after reading The Iron Witch, I felt I had come out of my dark YA reading blitz so I grabbed Justin Thyme and sat down with it.

So, the book. Justin is a self-made billionaire and he's just turned thirteen. On the morning of his birthday, someone anonymously gave him a watch. And from then onwards, events spiral out of control. Is it because Justin is researching time travel or is something more sinister afoot?

Like I said before, this isn't my kind of read. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I think the main reason that I hit this middle ground is because there's a lot to understand and get your head round. There were times I was going, “Wait! What? A computer-literate gorilla? Time travel? A man who might be Grandpa Lyall with amnesia but he might not be? A gardener who either very Scottish or is faking that accent? An eight-legged cat?” (one of the reasons why I wanted to read this book) “The Loch Ness Monster? What?!”. Once, I was reading it and a Victoria Woods sketch of daytime TV came to mind (see below - around the 3 minute mark). There's was just a lot thrown at you within the first ten or so chapters.

But once it hit its stride with Justin's mother – Lady Henny – being kidnapped, I wanted to know if she would be found in time. Plus, you have Mrs Kof (cough drop, anyone?) and Justin's sister, Robyn, which kept the humour going. Another thing I liked about this book was that it wasn't just a novel. Once you finished it, you didn't just go “Done!”, there were puzzles in it so you had to go back and find them and solve them. The last page (at the very end, past the appendix and note pages) hurts my head. And, when the spy within Thyme Castle was revealed, there were footnotes that pointed the reader to the page where you go back and go “Oh! That's why he/she reacted that way!”

Now, there is something that I have to forewarn you over if you're going to read this. It's the first book in “The Tartan of Thyme” series and, because of that, there are several huge-ish (well, to me) questions left unanswered. So, if you're not going to read the whole series, you might end up throwing the book across the room.

But to me, it was a fast read. And if you want a book that isn't just a book but a brain workout, Justin Thyme might be the book for you...

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

GoodRead - UK Cover vs US Cover

As some of you know if you go back through my blog, I read the WAKE trilogy by Lisa McMann. Loved that trilogy, even though I have seen other people's reaction to the final book in the trilogy - GONE - got very mixed reactions.

And now, in the USA, Lisa's new novel has hit bookshelves. It's called CRYER'S CROSS. But, when it hits the UK in the summer (Lisa McMann tweeted me that it was Summer, not March as was first told), it will have a title changed called THE MISSING (no idea why. I tweeted Lisa [@lisa_mcmann] to ask if she knew why and she said the UK publisher decided to.)

Anyhow, let's compare the covers. Let's start with the US version with the true title, CRYER'S CROSS...

And now, to the UK cover with the new title, THE MISSING...

Ok, before I go anyway, I must state one thing first: I HATE THE TITLE CHANGE! I prefer CRYER'S CROSS to THE MISSING! To me, CRYER'S CROSS just sounds darker and creepier than THE MISSING.

Now, the covers... am torn. Don't get me wrong. I really like the US cover. It's dark and edgy and there is a "READ ME NOW!" vibe to it. But it's very similar to the WAKE trilogy covers and I worry that people will look at it and go "Oh. It's another WAKE book." It's not. From what I've read on reviews and heard on audiobook teasers, it's nothing like WAKE.

However, I do like the UK cover. It's very art-like. And, from what I've read in reviews, the girl on the UK cover looks like the main character in this book, Kendall. But, as I haven't read the story, I have no idea if she does look like Kendall or not.

But, out of the two, I prefer the US cover. It's just creepy. Plus, it will go with the rest of the WAKE trilogy I have. So, yeah, selfish-ish reason. But what do you guys think? Do you prefer the US cover over the UK? And how do you feel about the titles? LET ME KNOW!

Also, here are some videos about Cryer's Cross and Lisa chatting about the book. Enjoy!

Monday, 21 February 2011

This Is One Of The Many Reasons I Heart The Internet...

It's a design on Threadless, a T-shirt site. I want this design but P&P from USA to UK is a tad pricy. But the book addict in me LOVES it! Want the tee? Well, here you go. Click here to find it!

Friday, 18 February 2011

GoodRead - Book Cover Excitement (Supernaturally)

You guys know Paranormalcy by Kiersten White was a Christmas read (it saved me from watching my grandparents' Xmas present of a Jane MacDonald DVD). It was a funny read that was sweet. And now, Kiersten White revealed the cover of Paranormalcy's sequel, Supernaturally. And it's pretty!!!

Now, you know that I love red covers. and there's lightening. And more information about this book...

So, peeps, what do you guys think? You like?

GoodRead - Book Cover Excitement (Hourglass)

I've been wanting to blog this book for a while now, but I have always thought "No one wants to read me go 'OMG! This sounds cool!'." But, I've decided to show you the cover anyway with the blurb from GoodReads. So, here is it!

"Since the age of fourteen, Emerson Cole has seen strange things – dead things – swooning Southern Belles, soldiers, and other eerie apparitions of the past. She’s tried everything to get rid of the visions: medication, counseling, asylums. Nothing’s worked.

So when Emerson's well-meaning brother calls in yet another consultant from a mysterious organization called the Hourglass, Emerson’s willing to give it one last try.

Michael Weaver is no ordinary consultant. He's barely older than she is; he listens like no one she's ever met before; and he doesn't make her feel the least bit crazy. As Emerson ventures deeper into the world of the Hourglass, she begins to learn the truth about her past, her future--and her very life."

Now, I have no idea if/when this book will hit UK bookshelves, but it will be out in the USA in May 2011. So, will have a hunt for it because... will, it sounds interesting! Don't you agree?

Sneaky Peek of FOREVER

As you guys know, I adore Maggie Stiefvater. And, a few days ago, she revealed/teased the first two pages of FOREVER! YEAH!

So, if you haven't read the previous two books in the Wolves of Mercy Fall trilogy and you don't want to be spoiled, DON'T WATCH!

If you, like me, want to be spoiled, watch. Go on... you know you want to...

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Super Mario... Playing the Violin...?

The point of my "HappyBlog" is, to me, to find stuff (books, music, youTube videos, etc) that makes me smile and share with all of you to see if you get the same reaction!

Anyway, someone put this on Facebook and it made me smile. So, thought I would share with you. ENJOY!

Sunday, 13 February 2011

GoodRead - The Iron Witch

Donna Underwood has always been called a freak. After being branded with iron tattoos on her hands and forearms that happened after a horrible attack that killed her father. She's even more of an outcast in the secret world she lives in. A secret world of alchemy and elves...

But events are happening. Events she never expected. And when the biggest event happens, is Donna willing to sacrifice one of the world's greatest secrets to save the people she cares about...?

I had to be SO VAGUE on the above writing! I don't want to reveal too much!

Now, to start, the cover. It is BEAUTIFUL, isn't it? I just love it. It's very striking, yet simple.

Now, the story. Some of you lot may find this book slow going. If you are aware of The Event that happens in this book and you expect it to happen within the first few chapters, then nope. It takes a while for that to happen.

Instead, we have a book where we get to be introduce the characters and, because of that, I love it. I love getting to know Donna's best friend Navin and the mysterious Xan (am glad this is a trilogy because I want to know MORE about those two. When I told people on Twitter how shock/excitment over something that happened in the book, I got into a huge twitter conversation about who would be whose Fictional Husband!).

But I ADORE this book because of one reason and one reason alone – Donna herself. I love reading in her voice and I love everything about her! She's normal yet not normal at the same time. She is a normal girl who is in a world that isn't normal. The events that happen to her aren't normal. But I couldn't help but relate to her and, because of that, fall a little in love with her. There's something real about her. In one point of the book, (page 230), Donna said something that made Xan react:

Xan frowned. “Don't do that.”
“Do what?”
“Put yourself down. You shouldn't do that, Donna.”

I read that little exchange and laughed, because I do that. I put myself down, the same way Donna does and I have family members and friends, telling me off for that very reason. I related to her and, when I tweeted the author Karen Mahoney, saying something like “... I need Wood Queen [the sequel], like, NOW!!! I love Donna!!!”, Karen kindly replied, saying she was glad I loved Donna because she “...tried to make her 'realistically awesome' – I like that girls that can save themselves...” And yes, Donna is realistically awesome, isn't she?

I can't tell you how much I liked this book, or how much I love Donna. But I love Donna so am quite thrilled that this is a trilogy! I demand to read what happens next to Donna ASAP! You hear me, Karen Mahoney! AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

(Also, I would like to thank the lovely Karen Mahoney & Lynsey Newton. Lynsey for, somehow, getting me a signed copy of Iron Witch, and Karen for not only signing to book but also chatting to me at Cat Clarke's book launch!)

Cat Clarke's Title Reveal!!!

I am turning into a Cat Clarke mascot, aren't I? After speed reading Entangled because of a last minute invite to her Book Launch Party (and adoring the book), meeting her (awesome), and then having random twiter conversations with her (one of my faves was us plotting character deaths! Happy bunch, aren't we?), Cat revealed on Twitter a few days ago the title of the book she's writing now.

She revealed it earlier that day at a school talk she was doing (what a scoop for that school's newspaper!), and now am going to tell you lot, in case you don't know.

Cat's second novel will be called ... *drumroll please*... TORN.

Do you like it? I LOVE it myself. I am quite excited to read what this is about!

But my first reaction, after the "OMG! Wow!" reaction was the below...

Yep, I thought of Natalie Imbruglia. Maybe she will become the book's Theme Song...?

Also, I never showed you the trailer for Entangled so here it is. The song used was created by Massive Dog and, if you like, you can download it FREE!!! Go to http://www.massivedog.com/music and download Entangled.