Hey Blogger Buds,
I was very distressed today to read on a blog some terrible news. It was even sadder to only see it on one blog.
As some of you may know, Dianna Wynne Jones, one of the most fantabulous fantasy authors this planet has ever been blessed with, lost her battle to cancer yesterday, at 76. The author of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci and Howl's Moving Castle, will be sorely missed, I'm sure.
Although I didn't read all of her books, Howl's Moving Castle and The House of Many Ways were lovely books, but an absolutely lovely author, and I feel privileged to have had the chance to read her books.
I send many hugs to her family and those who knew her well.
Peace and love,
Riv
ETA: Maggie Stiefvater, author of wonder, wrote DWJ a letter a while ago, and reposted it on her blog today, right HERE.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Posted Yesterday
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Cover Reveal: Inheritance!!!!!
Hey Blogger Buds! (Yes, I know I don't usually post on Wednesdays.)
I. Am. Freaking. Out. I was scrolling through my Goodreads shelf, hoping to find some more unveiled covers, and there it was.
With a title.
And a cover.
And a summary.
And a release date!
*squee*
Anyways, time for some info!
Not so very long ago, Eragon—Shadeslayer, Dragon Rider—was nothing more than a poor farm boy, and his dragon, Saphira, only a blue stone in the forest. Now the fate of an entire civilization rests on their shoulders.
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?
I. Am. Freaking. Out. I was scrolling through my Goodreads shelf, hoping to find some more unveiled covers, and there it was.
With a title.
And a cover.
And a summary.
And a release date!
*squee*
Inheritance, the fourth and final book in the Inheritance Trilogy, will be released on November 8th of THIS YEAR.
Anyways, time for some info!
Isn't it awesome?
I'm too freaked out to do much cover analysis stuff, but isn't that cover swoon-worthy? These dragons are all so awesome! And I wonder if this dragon is the final egg...?
All 4:
Long months of training and battle have brought victories and hope, but they have also brought heartbreaking loss. And still, the real battle lies ahead: they must confront Galbatorix. When they do, they will have to be strong enough to defeat him. And if they cannot, no one can. There will be no second chances.
The Rider and his dragon have come further than anyone dared to hope. But can they topple the evil king and restore justice to Alagaësia? And if so, at what cost?
*hyperventilates*
Add it on goodreads HERE!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Replacement Review
Hey Blogger Buds,
So sorry I've been so MIA lately! I feel terrible! But I'm really trying to pull through, even though Life-Outside-Blogging is insane.
So I finally got around to reading Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement. Those who've recently seen my Goodreads shelves will notice that this is on one called Everyone Else Loved. Meaning I didn't. I pay close attention to blurbs, and Maggie Stiefvater called this one "eerie" and "beautiful". I love the cover, by the way. (I'll stop talking and get on with it.)
(Linkage below.)
(Parenthesis!)
Blurby:
Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.
Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.
Review:
I keep on hearing wonderful things about the Replacement, how chilling it was, how breathtaking. But I couldn't get into it. I wasn't chilled, and I didn't find the writing superb.
But I don't write reviews about hate. And I especially don't hate on an author's abilities, being a writer myself.
~So character time!
Mackie was an awesome character. He was strong (personality wise. I don't mean physically) , purposeful, and determined. He was angsty in a lovely way, not in a depressed way. At one point later on he states, "I hadn't even realized how much I'd lost the will to live before" or something along those lines. Mackie grows, and changes, and it's awesome.
Roswell. Awesomeness. He and Mackie are really tight. Biffles. Bromance. Guy-love. Whatever you want to call it, they haz it. I want a best friend like Roz.
Tate: Ah, Tate. Fiery, passionate, and courageous. A bit over the top at times, but not such a bad choice as a love interest ;)
~My confusion: I couldn't understand how much everyone knew. Did the town all know about the monsters, or just about things. Did Roswell actually know what Mackie was? Why any of this?
~This book tricks you into reading deep messages and taking them to heart. Not in a bad way, but The Replacement teaches you about love, loss, and life. (L!!!)
~Fairies. I thought this was a barbaric fey novel. Although The Good Neighbors and The Kindly Ones as well as iron, blood, horseshoes, and bowls of milk, this was not a fey novel. I thought it was about a faerie changeling boy, but these...creatures....were darker, more vicious.But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This book didn't quite cut it for me, though I recommend giving it a shot. Maybe borrow a copy before buying it.
Rating; 4 stars. A good book.
Peace,
Riv
Linkage: Goodreads Amazon B&N Borders BookDepo Author
Current Mood: Meh
Current Music: The Replacement playlist, listed HERE.
So sorry I've been so MIA lately! I feel terrible! But I'm really trying to pull through, even though Life-Outside-Blogging is insane.
So I finally got around to reading Brenna Yovanoff's The Replacement. Those who've recently seen my Goodreads shelves will notice that this is on one called Everyone Else Loved. Meaning I didn't. I pay close attention to blurbs, and Maggie Stiefvater called this one "eerie" and "beautiful". I love the cover, by the way. (I'll stop talking and get on with it.)
(Linkage below.)
(Parenthesis!)
Blurby:Mackie Doyle is not one of us. Though he lives in the small town of Gentry, he comes from a world of tunnels and black murky water, a world of living dead girls ruled by a little tattooed princess. He is a Replacement, left in the crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Now, because of fatal allergies to iron, blood, and consecrated ground, Mackie is fighting to survive in the human world.
Mackie would give anything to live among us, to practice on his bass or spend time with his crush, Tate. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing, Mackie is drawn irrevocably into the underworld of Gentry, known as Mayhem. He must face the dark creatures of the Slag Heaps and find his rightful place, in our world, or theirs.
Review:
I keep on hearing wonderful things about the Replacement, how chilling it was, how breathtaking. But I couldn't get into it. I wasn't chilled, and I didn't find the writing superb.
But I don't write reviews about hate. And I especially don't hate on an author's abilities, being a writer myself.
~So character time!
Mackie was an awesome character. He was strong (personality wise. I don't mean physically) , purposeful, and determined. He was angsty in a lovely way, not in a depressed way. At one point later on he states, "I hadn't even realized how much I'd lost the will to live before" or something along those lines. Mackie grows, and changes, and it's awesome.
Roswell. Awesomeness. He and Mackie are really tight. Biffles. Bromance. Guy-love. Whatever you want to call it, they haz it. I want a best friend like Roz.
Tate: Ah, Tate. Fiery, passionate, and courageous. A bit over the top at times, but not such a bad choice as a love interest ;)
~My confusion: I couldn't understand how much everyone knew. Did the town all know about the monsters, or just about things. Did Roswell actually know what Mackie was? Why any of this?
~This book tricks you into reading deep messages and taking them to heart. Not in a bad way, but The Replacement teaches you about love, loss, and life. (L!!!)
~Fairies. I thought this was a barbaric fey novel. Although The Good Neighbors and The Kindly Ones as well as iron, blood, horseshoes, and bowls of milk, this was not a fey novel. I thought it was about a faerie changeling boy, but these...creatures....were darker, more vicious.But that's not necessarily a bad thing.
This book didn't quite cut it for me, though I recommend giving it a shot. Maybe borrow a copy before buying it.
Rating; 4 stars. A good book.
Peace,
Riv
Linkage: Goodreads Amazon B&N Borders BookDepo Author
Current Mood: Meh
Current Music: The Replacement playlist, listed HERE.
PS: A bloggy bud of mine, Khadija (who actually guest posted a little bit ago, reviewing Beastly), is selling some of her books on Amazon to make room! Her prices are fantabulous (yup, I said that) and awesomesauce and I recommend taking a look at her shop HERE. Better hurry though, before I buy everything she has!
PPS: Don't forget to enter my CONTEST HERE.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Angelfire Review
Hey Blogger Buds,
So I'm reviewing a book from one of the most awesome authors today. Courtney Allison Moulton is a bundle of sweet awesomeness, and I LAV her. She's one of the younger authors, she's cute, she loves books, she owns Pokemon figurines, and she's an equestrian! Can't get much better, can it? Most of my books I get from my local library, but they didn't get this one, so I bought it from my local Indie<3. (Of course, as soon as I bought it, my library ordered it, because Murphy hates me.)
Anywho. So, I read Angelfire and now I'm going to stop rambling and get on with it. Linkage at the bottom, as usual.
Review Clue: This is a feature on my blog in which I hint which book I'm reviewing that week. Followers can, after reading the hint, submit their guess as to what book it is, along with their name, and will be mentioned in the review!
Clue: You, dear readers will reap the benefits of my having read this flaming hot book. It's so good, it's divine.
Guessers: None :(
Blurby:
When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.
A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.
While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. (From Goodreads)
The Humor: Peopleburgers, root beer float kisses, biffles, and all. They're all so sweet and cute and funny. I mean, come on, Ellie actually said Biffles! And Will likes Root Beer Floats! So cute! And, my favorite, peopleburgers! I'm seriously considering buying a peopleburgers t-shirt (pictured). And she named her car Marshmallow!
So I'm reviewing a book from one of the most awesome authors today. Courtney Allison Moulton is a bundle of sweet awesomeness, and I LAV her. She's one of the younger authors, she's cute, she loves books, she owns Pokemon figurines, and she's an equestrian! Can't get much better, can it? Most of my books I get from my local library, but they didn't get this one, so I bought it from my local Indie<3. (Of course, as soon as I bought it, my library ordered it, because Murphy hates me.)
Anywho. So, I read Angelfire and now I'm going to stop rambling and get on with it. Linkage at the bottom, as usual.
Review Clue: This is a feature on my blog in which I hint which book I'm reviewing that week. Followers can, after reading the hint, submit their guess as to what book it is, along with their name, and will be mentioned in the review!
Clue: You, dear readers will reap the benefits of my having read this flaming hot book. It's so good, it's divine.
Guessers: None :(
Blurby:
When seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers - monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell - she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between archangels and the Fallen and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.
A mysterious boy named Will reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the only one capable of wielding swords of angelfire to fight the reapers, and he is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her - an assassin who has already killed her once.
While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to ignite the End of Days and to destroy Ellie's soul, ending her rebirth cycle forever. Now, she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives - including truths that may be too frightening to remember. (From Goodreads)
Review:
This is going to be a weird review. I really liked the book, but I was a bit...disappointed. I expected so much more. I've heard these fantastic, raving reviews, about the awesome action and romance and humor and, of course, Root Beer Float Kisses (as well as peopleburgers). But I wasn't seeing it. And the religiosity towards the end...Wait. Let me back up a bit.
The Characters:
Ellie-she was awesome. Absolutely hysterical, strong, with the perfect amount of resistance when she originally finds out who she is. I've read books in which the main character takes this new outlook on life in stride, but not Ellie. She completely refuses to believe it at first, but is finally convinced in a normal span of time. She's such a strong main character, a go-getter not afraid to stand up for what she believes in.
Will-I've always hated the tragic main male characters, coming into the picture with a killer smile and baggage. Now, Will's got these awesome green eyes, which I love, and funky tattoos, but you'll have to read the book to know more about them. I ain't telling. But Will...well, he wasn't that swoonworthy. I'm glad he didn't seem to have as much baggage as I expected, and as much as everyone loves in YA, but he just didn't work for me. Angsty and all, but...meh. He did everything he thought was right, very noble, and he really connected with Ellie, but <3Puck<3 still has my heart. But...
Cadan-On the other hand, Cadan, an evil reaper who you only meet for a few minutes, I found more interesting. He seems pretty deep, and I have some other suspicions about him, which I won't share for fear of spoileryness.
One thing I loved-hated was the thing with Ellie's dad. He was verbally abusive, and I hated the drastic change from what Ellie said he used to be. And I absolutely love the way Ellie reacts to his abuse. Instead of taking it, she fights back. What did bother me about it, though, was the way his personality changes. Ellie's getting ready for a party, and she sees her father on the way to the bathroom, but instead of avoiding each other, they actually speak. Not deep, or friendly, but more than I expected.
The Fighting: It was pretty impressive, though I really expected more. I love fight scenes, especially well-written ones. And they were well-written, but I didn't feel like they were that good. Maybe I'm just taking them for granted, it's possible CAM spent hours writing and rewriting those scenes, and it's only because they come so naturally to me that I'm being too harsh.
The Writing Style: It was interesting, and took some getting used to. I felt like there wasn't a whole lot of description in the beginning, and everything happened. Don't get me wrong, I love how we were thrown straight into the action, and it's an interesting writing style, but not a favorite.
The Humor: Peopleburgers, root beer float kisses, biffles, and all. They're all so sweet and cute and funny. I mean, come on, Ellie actually said Biffles! And Will likes Root Beer Floats! So cute! And, my favorite, peopleburgers! I'm seriously considering buying a peopleburgers t-shirt (pictured). And she named her car Marshmallow!The Ending: I felt, in one of the final scenes, it got a bit too religious for me. The same thing happened at the end of Fallen by Lauren Kate. I have no problem with fallen angels, and I love how the fallen aren't the center of this book, but it got iffy for me, personally. But, as self-centered as I am, I know CAM didn't write this for me. ;)
I feel like this whole review is coming across negative, and I really don't want it too, because I really liked this book, and I advise you to go find some more reviews, because they'll all show you just how wrong I am. Because this book is awesomeness, it just...disappointed me a bit.
Overall rating: 4*
(Look how much I love this book. I went through all that trouble so you'll add it on Goodreads, go meet CAM, and buy Peopleburger Ts!)
Peace,
Riv
Current Music: Angelfire Playlist, on website.
PS: Don't forget to enter my CONTEST HERE
PPS: Don't forget: This week is the NYC Teen Author Festival. Info HERE
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Soapbox Style: Blog Music
(ETA: Sorry, I titled this wrong. #rivfail)
Hey Blogger Buds,
So here's your last chance: Put lots of space between you and me, right now, because I'm about get on the soapbox. Don't worry, I'm not naming anyone here. But there's something I hate on blogs. (Run away while I'm still lugging out my big soapbox)
Music. Videos. It drives me up the wall and annoys all but the most nonsensical (great word) words out of my head. I'm constantly listening to music, and when I open twenty blog tabs, mouthing along with Taylor or Martin or Pierre or whoever, I don't want something else blasting out of my earbuds. Especially when the music is loud. I have to go through every one of my open tabs to find the embedded playlist, or the video, that's catching my teardrops before they land on my guitar. (I'm trying to think about how that might possibly be metaphorical, but I got nothing.)
*steps off soapbox*
Peace,
Riv
Hey Blogger Buds,
So here's your last chance: Put lots of space between you and me, right now, because I'm about get on the soapbox. Don't worry, I'm not naming anyone here. But there's something I hate on blogs. (Run away while I'm still lugging out my big soapbox)
Music. Videos. It drives me up the wall and annoys all but the most nonsensical (great word) words out of my head. I'm constantly listening to music, and when I open twenty blog tabs, mouthing along with Taylor or Martin or Pierre or whoever, I don't want something else blasting out of my earbuds. Especially when the music is loud. I have to go through every one of my open tabs to find the embedded playlist, or the video, that's catching my teardrops before they land on my guitar. (I'm trying to think about how that might possibly be metaphorical, but I got nothing.)
*steps off soapbox*
What's your opinion on music on blogs? If you have an embedded playlist or something, you're welcome to ignore my banter. If you don't want to ignore it, I'd love to hear your reasoning.
What about the rest of you? Does it annoy you too?
Peace,
Riv
PS: There's a new widget at the bottom of my right sidebar. It's a button widget; go check it out!
PPS: Speaking of buttons, don't forget to enter my CONTEST to win some awesome REAL ones HERE!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
I'm Still Alive (AKA a Post With a Title You've Never Heard of Before)
Hey Blogger Buds,
Because none of us have ever seen a blog post with a title "I'm still alive!" after the blogger was MIA, I just gave you one.
Speaking of MIA...
I'm so sorry, bloggy buds! I know I've abandoned you for a bit, but my life is insanely busy, and the blogging kinda gets pushed off a bit. (If it makes you feel any better, I've barely written anything either.) But if all goes well, I plan to write a review for Tuesday. I plan to put up the Review Clue, so please do it! I haven't had ANY guesses so far :(
The TAP Button Contest: As you can see, no winner was chosen. I'm extending the date, since I only got a few entries, and I really want to give these awesome buttons away. It's soooo easy to enter, and the buttons are so cool, so please enter? You now have until April 15th, so go enter!
Well, I'm sooooo sorry I haven't been on; I'm really trying.
Peace, Books, and Sleep,
Riv
PS: I'm nearing 100 followers! Help me make it there? Pretty please?
Because none of us have ever seen a blog post with a title "I'm still alive!" after the blogger was MIA, I just gave you one.
Speaking of MIA...
I'm so sorry, bloggy buds! I know I've abandoned you for a bit, but my life is insanely busy, and the blogging kinda gets pushed off a bit. (If it makes you feel any better, I've barely written anything either.) But if all goes well, I plan to write a review for Tuesday. I plan to put up the Review Clue, so please do it! I haven't had ANY guesses so far :(
The TAP Button Contest: As you can see, no winner was chosen. I'm extending the date, since I only got a few entries, and I really want to give these awesome buttons away. It's soooo easy to enter, and the buttons are so cool, so please enter? You now have until April 15th, so go enter!
Well, I'm sooooo sorry I haven't been on; I'm really trying.
Peace, Books, and Sleep,
Riv
PS: I'm nearing 100 followers! Help me make it there? Pretty please?
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