Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Book Review: Jellicle Girl by Stevie Mikayne: "A Book for Insights to the Human Mind"

Tuesday morning at Dr. Sullivan's office. For the briefest moment, I considered killing myself to get out of this appointment. That'd really throw her for a loop. Bet she'd never see that coming.

It's been a while since I reviewed a book, but just as I promised, here it is!

This review may contain MILD SPOILERS

Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 234
Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2012
Website: Stevie Mikayne | Jellicle Girl on Goodreads


Where I got this book: I got a free copy of this book from Books, Biscuits, and Tea in exchange for an honest review - thank you!

Synopsis via Goodreads: 

When Beth met Jackie, she was fifteen and shy, living in the shadow of her mother: talented artist Heather Sarandon. Jackie—wilful, cheeky and confident, made Beth see things in herself that she'd never imagined, and do things she never thought she would. As memories of Beth's last night with Jackie grow more like waking nightmares, Beth does everything she can to forget the girl who was so much more than a friend...


Beth has a self-destructive ritual she swears she'll keep secret, even from the psychologist trying to help her. But Dr. Nancy Sullivan doesn't have time for secrets. In fact, she doesn't have much time at all. She's been charged with helping Beth break through the barriers of her past, knowing very well that her own demons might end her career before she can get through to the stubborn young woman. 


Meanwhile, a young foster child with a wicked sense of humour, and a devastating past, reminds Beth that secrets seem powerful, but can destroy the person who holds them too close. 


A haunting and evocative story about redemption, identity, and learning to let go of secrets that scar.

I'll start small and easy. I've never read a lot of contemporary or realistic fiction (I'm more of a fantasy and sci-fi fan – but you've probably known this from my blog), but Jellicle Girl held my attention just as those magical worlds. But instead, this is a world inside the mind of a teenage girl, who Stevie Mikayne has described with (to use her own words) “searing insight”.

Top Ten Tuesday #5: Favorite Kick-Ass Heroines



Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.


I think I almost jumped for joy when I saw this week's prompt! Yes, I love my awesome female protagonists :)
Disclaimer: I'll be using DeviantArts in this post, so thank you to all the great artists I link to!

1. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins)




Kick-ass doesn't even come close to describing Katniss Everdeen. She hunts in the woods for her family, trades in the black market, she is the Girl on Fire, the District 12 Victor, twice Hunger Games Tribute, and the Mockingjay of a freaking Revolution. Not to mention she has random humorous moments that we can't help but laugh at. Sure, all that results in her becoming a bit... unstable, but still.



Sunday, October 28, 2012

Stacking the Shelves/Showcase Sunday #4



Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Books, Biscuits, and Tea respectively.

Since I'm cutting down on book requests and purchases, I've only got 2 new books this week! Gotta catch up with the reviews :)

From NetGalley:
My thanks go to St. Martin's Press and Prime Books (via Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc.) for these titles!



Midnight City (Conquered Earth, #1) by J. Barton Mitchell
Moscow but Dreaming by Ekaterina Sedia


That's it for this week! What about you? Tell me about your book haul in the comments!

And don't forget to check out my month recap and leave me suggestions!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Follow Friday #3: Most Irritating Writing Devices


This post will be linked to Feature & Follow, a weekly blog hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

Hi guys! Once again, I'm a bit late for this blog hop, so let's jump straight in!
But first, I want to remind you about the recap I did yesterday - please check it out and help me improve my blog by commenting and suggesting!

The rules: 
To join the Feature & Follow blog hop, what you need to do is follow Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, who are the two awesome hosts; and the two featured blogs on their sites (chosen by random). For this week, they are Carmen Jenner and The Y.A. Bookworm Blogger.
Then you create a post (like this one), where friends from the blog hop can comment and say hi, link your blog on the Linky Tools (you can do this on the two host sites, or any blogs on the hop that links to it).  
After that, you follow, follow, and follow any blogs you feel like! Don't forget to comment and let them know you are a new follower!

Here's this week's question!

Q: What writing device or trick most irritates you when reading a book? For example, if an author employs an omnipotent narrator that is sometimes considered bad form.

Friday, October 26, 2012

It's Been A Month: A Recap by a Newbie Blogger

It's been a month (and 4 days) since Fiction Predictions went live. Time does fly, doesn't it?

Before we plunge into a (quite lengthy) recap, here's an artwork I did a few days ago that I think you guys would like:





So... This is a recap of what I've been doing, and what you can expect in the future.

1. The Posts


Now, the one thing I'm regretting about the past month is the lack of BOOK REVIEWS. I feel like hitting myself right now - isn't this the reason why I started this blog in the first place? 

Book Spotlight and Excerpt: Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne


Hey guys! Today I'm bringing you a spotlight on Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne, the first book in The Legends of Regia series! 
This promo is hosted by Young Adult Novel Reader.

Pages: 234
Publication Date: Oct 13, 2012



Synopsis: 
Born in shame. Cast from society. Shape Shifter/Elf hybrid, Forest must fight for any respect she can get. Targeted in her youth by a vampire noble who placed an illegal slave mark on her, she is forced to obey him, no matter what.

Slipping the grip of her master and abandoning the prejudice of Regia, her native world, Forest takes a job on Earth, guarding the portal, using her skills as a warrior to enforce Regia's laws. Now, called home for a black ops mission, Forest must put aside her own prejudice to transport the vampire prince, Syrus, through enemy territory in a time of war.

Prince Syrus, mage and master of the Blood Kata, wants Forest more than he's ever wanted anything. In spite of their mutual mistrust, their attraction cannot be denied. Through the danger of their mission, and the secrets they both keep, it doesn't matter what they feel. Forest is forbidden.

Keep reading for an excerpt from the book, a book trailer, an author bio, and purchase links!

From the Review Pile #4: Keepers of the Zodiac by Sharon Wood



From the Review Pile is a weekly meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page.

Featured this week: Keepers of the Zodiac by Sharon Wood

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 234
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: Oct 19, 2011

My review copy was provided by Reading Addiction Blog Tours in exchange for a honest review.

Synopsis via Goodreads: 

The stars have shifted and the Earth is rapidly moving into the throes of chaos. 


Four god-like beings known as the Zodiac High Council, send their winged herald, Syrie, out with twelve sealed envelopes. His mission? To bring a chosen group of thirteen future Zodiac Keepers, including a set of mesmerizing twins, to the Isle of Oriba for training. 


Syrie never could have imagined that he would fall in love along the way--ultimately forcing him to choose between betrayal and death. 


Keepers of the Zodiac is an enthralling tale of obligatory fate, temporary hope, and impossible love.


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday #4: Books to Get into the Halloween Spirit


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

I actually don't read a lot of horrors, but I'll do my best!

1. The Hound of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes) by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle


This one was featured in a recent Follow Friday about the book I think would make a great Halloween movie! And like I said, this one isn't about violence or gore, but it seriously messes with your mind. It also doesn't help that my favorite manga series have a whole arc dedicated to this story - like a retell of some sorts. I think I got nightmares after I read that.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Book Spotlight and Excerpt: Emily's Trial by Natalie Wright


Welcome to a promo of Emily's Trial, the 2nd book in The Akasha Chronicles by Natalie Wright! Thanks, Reading Addiction Blog Tours for hosting this!

Keep reading for the synopsis, author links, and best of all, EXCERPTS from the book!


Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 203
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2012
Website: Natalie Wright | Emily's Trial on Goodreads

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Two years ago, Emily's journey began. She learned the ancient magic of her Celtic ancestors, and became a modern Celtic Priestess. The golden torc, forged by faerie hands, is still wound around her arm, fused to her soul. She was entrusted with powerful magic - secret knowledge.


But even a Priestess can feel desire - temptation - and the quest for love. Will passion entice Emily to use her sacred magic in a forbidden way? Can new love take root in a world of nightmares? And will her friendships survive Emily's Trial?


The Journey Continues . . .



Book News Night #4: Movie Adaptations!

Every week, on a random night, I will report the latest newsworthy items in the world of books with some thoughts from myself.

Hi guys, and welcome to the 4th Book News Night! I know I'm a bit late for this (it's actually noon on Monday where I live), but it's not Sunday midnight yet for West Coast folks right? Still count!
In preparation for the 1st Movie Edition (stay tuned!), I'm dedicating this post for all the upcoming movie adaptations that I'm so anxious for.
(Disclaimer: All photos courtesy of IMDb)

1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14th, 2012)


As a Tolkien fangirl, how can I not be excited for this? Moreover, this movie sees the return of (almost) the entire crew from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy! *squeal* And like Lord of the Rings, I hope it will appeal to fans AND critics as well - though it's probably too much to expect an Oscar sweep like The Return of the King.
The only thing that I still don't get is the decision to make The Hobbit into a Trilogy, but Peter Jackson will work something out. He always does.

You can watch the trailer below, or try creating your own trailer!



Saturday, October 20, 2012

Stacking the Shelves/Showcase Sunday #3


Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Books, Biscuits, and Tea respectively.

In the (e)mail:
I got another review request this week:



The Protectors: A Blue History Novel by Jeremy Sandlin - Thank you!


Friday, October 19, 2012

Follow Friday #2: Best Books That Don't Belong To Genres You Usually Read



This post will be linked to Feature & Follow, a weekly blog hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

I hope I'm not too late for the blog hop! Something came up yesterday and I couldn't post this in time :( But here I am again!

Cover Reveal and Giveaway! Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four by Nya Jade

I'm glad to bring you the cover of Phoebe Pope and the Year of Four, a debut novel by Nya Jade!
Thank you, The Bookish Brunette for giving me this opportunity!


(Cover design by PhatPuppy Art)

It just draws you right in, doesn't it? The attention paid to the smallest details are perfect! Personally, I think the cover promises an easy, interesting read, that would appeal to people who love YA novels and female protagonists!

Here are a few more things about the book...

Thursday, October 18, 2012

From the Review Pile #3: The Sixth Precept by Larry Ivkovich

From the Review Pile is a weekly meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page.

Featured this week: The Sixth Precept by  Larry Ivkovich

Pages: 346
Publisher: IFWG Publishing
Publication Date: Oct 19, 2011

A copy of this book is provided by the authors via Virtual Book Tour Cafe' for an upcoming blog tour, in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis via Goodreads: 

In 16th century medieval Japan, Yoshima Mitsu, who is gifted with psychic powers, uses her prescient abilities to send her young attendant, Shioko, into the future. There, Mitsu belives Shioko will be safe from the purges of the maniacal warlord Omori Kadanamora, his warrior monks, and his half-human, half-bestial Shadow Trackers...


Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Dead Perfect Blog Tour: Excerpt



Author P.G. Shriver has stopped by today with an excerpt for the Dead Perfect Blog Tour hosted by Young Adult Novel Reader.

We strolled around the block, talking, laughing, getting to know one another. I had waited a lifetime, and then some, for the girl to come around, and she squeezed my hand at that very moment. Her soft chocolate hair doused in strawberry scents drove me insane. When her eyes crinkled up at me in question, or smile, the urge to embrace her overwhelmed my senses. I had never felt this way before. Even feelings of Joanie, as I dreamt she was mine, were never this strong...

Top Ten Tuesday #3: Favorite Fantasy Authors

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.


This week's prompt is Top Ten Favorite Authors In X Genre - and of course, you all know I'll have to go with fantasy!

1. Jonathan Stroud (The Bartimaeus Trilogy)His books are the kind that makes you want to stay up all night reading and then skipping breakfast the next day to read some more. Okay, so that was an overstatement, but he has a style that combines the necessary world-building of a fantasy novel with witty humour - just read The Bartimaeus Trilogy and see for yourself!


Sunday, October 14, 2012

Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday #2

Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Books, Biscuits, and Tea respectively.

In the (e)mail:
I got some books for blog tours and a review request this week:


The Duchess of the Shallows by Neil McGarry and Daniel Ravipinto - via ABG Reads Book Tours (November 12th)
The Sixth Precept by Larry Ivkovich - via
Order of the Dimensions by Irene Helenowski - my first review request! Thanks, Irene!
Keepers of the Zodiac by Sharon Wood - via Reading Addiction Blog Tours (December 8th)


Saturday, October 13, 2012

From the Review Pile #2: The Duchess of the Shallows by Neil McGarry and Daniel Ravipinto

From the Review Pile is a weekly meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page.

I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I decided to leave Friday to for Follow Friday! From the Review Pile will now be posted every Thursday. (This one is the exception!)

 

Featured this week: The Duchess of the Shallows by Neil McGarry and Daniel Ravipinto

Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 306
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2012

A review copy of this book is provided by the authors via ABG Reads Book Tours for an upcoming blog tour.

 
Synopsis via Goodreads: 


A game is played in the fog-shrouded city of Rodaas, and every citizen, from the nameless of the Shallows to the noblest of the Garden, is a player or a pawn. And no one is as he appears.

Not Minette, brothel-keeper and obsessive collector of secrets. Not Uncle Cornelius, fearsome chief of the gang of brutes and murderers known as the Red. Not the cults of Death, Wisdom, and Illumination, eternally scheming and plotting along the Godswalk...

Friday, October 12, 2012

Follow Friday #1: A Book That Would Make A Great Halloween Movie

This post will be linked to Feature & Follow, a weekly blog hop hosted by Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read.

I just found out about the Feature & Follow blog hop, and I decided to give it a try! It looks like a fun way of getting to know more bloggers around the blogosphere!


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Book News Night #3: October New Releases! Pt. 2 and J.K. Rowling Live Webcast

Every week, on a random night, I will report the latest newsworthy items in the world of books with some thoughts from myself.

We are at the third Book News Night, and I'm continuing the list for October New Releases! There are just so many good reads this October!
And stay tune till the end of this post, because there's news on the one and only 
J.K. Rowling, and also a surprise for you guys!


1. Crewel (Crewel World, #1) by Gennifer Albin: October 16th, 2012


Synopsis via Goodreads:

Incapable. Awkward. Artless.

That’s what the other girls whisper behind her back. But sixteen year-old Adelice Lewys has a secret: she wants to fail.

Gifted with the ability to weave time with matter, she’s exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in the world of Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But if controlling what people eat, where they live and how many children they have is the price of having it all, Adelice isn’t interested.

Not that her feelings matter, because she slipped and wove a moment at testing, and they’re coming for her—tonight.

Now she has one hour to eat her mom’s overcooked pot roast. One hour to listen to her sister’s academy gossip and laugh at her Dad’s stupid jokes. One hour to pretend everything’s okay. And one hour to escape.

Because once you become a Spinster, there’s no turning back.

I was so lucky to receive a review copy of this book, and can't wait to start reading! The synopsis and the anticipated world-building sounds amazing. But I'll try to not let my hopes up too high just in case.


Get this book on Amazon |  Amazon Kindle | Book DepositoryBarnes and Noble Nook

 

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Love Comes Later Blog Tour: Excerpt and Giveaway!


I'm proud to present to you the Love Comes Later Blog Tour, hosted by Novel Publicity
The tour features two books from Arabian author Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar. 


Please enjoy this excerpt from Love Comes Later, a heart-breaking multicultural romance by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar. Then read on to learn how you can win huge prizes as part of this book tour, including a Kindle Fire, $550 in Amazon gift cards, 5 autographed copies of Love Comes Later, and 5 copies of its companion, From Dunes to Dior


Abdulla’s mind wasn’t on Fatima, or on his uncles or cousins. Not even when he drove through the wrought iron entry gate, oblivious to the sprawl of family cars parked haphazardly in the shared courtyard, did he give them a thought. Despite the holy season, his mind was still hard at work. Mentally, he clicked through a final checklist for tomorrow’s meetings. I can squeeze in a few more hours if Fatima is nauseous and sleeps in tomorrow, he thought, rubbing his chin. Instead of the stubble he had anticipated, his whiskers were turning soft. A trim was yet another thing he didn’t have time for these days, though longer beards were out of fashion according to his younger brother Saad, who had been trying to grow one for years. Beard length. Just another change to keep up with...


Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday #2: REWIND! Top Ten Books Katie Finds Most Intimidating

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.


It's nice getting to catch up with all the old TTTs that I've missed! There were so many great ones, so I randomized them and got this one - here goes:


1. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Just like any classics, there are people who love this book and people who just don't even care. As for me, I'm just struck by its sheer size. If this is not intimidating, I don't know what is.

2. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
The first time I heard of this book is when my aunt, knowing I love fantasies, got me a book 300 pages long called New Threads in the Pattern. And when I found out it's actually the SECOND part of the SECOND book of the series, I was stunned. The series started in 1990 (that's before I was even born!) and - guess what - still haven't ended: its 14th-and-last book is set to be published in 2013. And the reason it has 2 authors is because Robert Jordan died when he was writing the 11th book.
Wow. At least I know what to read when I'm absolutely desperate for books.


Sunday, October 7, 2012

Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday #1

Stacking the Shelves and Showcase Sunday are weekly memes hosted by Tynga's Reviews and Books, Biscuits, and Tea respectively.

I've got a lot of books this week! Yay!

In the (e)mail:

Love Comes Later and From Dunes to Dior by Mohanalakshmi Rajakumar 
Thanks, Novel Publicity!



I'm reading Love Comes Later right now for an upcoming blog tour! Will probably get to From Dunes to Dior if I have enough time, as I love learning about other cultures!


Friday, October 5, 2012

From the Review Pile #1: Jellicle Girl by Stevie Mikayne

From the Review Pile is a weekly meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page.

Featured this week: Jellicle Girl by Stevie Mikayne

Publisher: Evolved Publishing
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2012

My copy of this book is provided by Books, Biscuits, and Tea - thank you!

Synopsis via Goodreads: 


When Beth met Jackie, she was fifteen and shy, living in the shadow of her mother: talented artist Heather Sarandon. Jackie—wilful, cheeky and confident, made Beth see things in herself that she'd never imagined, and do things she never thought she would. As memories of Beth's last night with Jackie grow more like waking nightmares, Beth does everything she can to forget the girl who was so much more than a friend...


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Book News Night #2: October New Releases!

Every week, on a random night, I will report the latest newsworthy items in the world of books with some thoughts from myself.

It's the second Book News Night! To tell you the truth, I never expected to return to this feature so soon, but with October coming, book releases are getting me so excited and I can't wait to share with you the most anticipated on my list!


1. Skinny by Donna Cooner: October 1st, 2012.


Synopsis via Goodreads:

Find your voice.

Hopeless. Freak. Elephant. Pitiful. These are the words of Skinny, the vicious voice that lives inside fifteen-year-old Ever Davies’s head. Skinny tells Ever all the dark thoughts her classmates have about her. Ever knows she weighs over three hundred pounds, knows she’ll probably never be loved, and Skinny makes sure she never forgets it.


But there is another voice: Ever’s singing voice, which is beautiful but has been silenced by Skinny. Partly in the hopes of trying out for the school musical—and partly to try and save her own life—Ever decides to undergo a risky surgery that may help her lose weight and start over.


With the support of her best friend, Ever begins the uphill battle toward change. But demons, she finds, are not so easy to shake, not even as she sheds pounds. Because Skinny is still around. And Ever will have to confront that voice before she can truly find her own.

I sense some potential for this book to be inspirational!

Get this book on Amazon | Book DepositoryBarnes and Noble Nook
Also, if you think the odds are in your favor, enter to win a free signed copy of Skinny on Free Book Friday!


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday #1: "Older" Books Katie Doesn't Want People To Forget About

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

My first reaction when I read this week's topic is: How should I define "Older"? For this blog, my interpretation would be any book that has been backlisted or have been published for a while ago but still worth reading!

1. The Harry Potter series 
(1997 - 2007) by J.K. Rowling



This is the one series that I can (and will never) be able to bear forgetting. I read the first book when I was 5 years old - and I got hooked. Not only on Harry Potter, but on reading itself. And it's not just me, but a whole generation! It's not the first (and certainly not the last) of its genre, but it's done something wonderful and... magical. Nothing can put my gratitude for Harry Potter better than the word of the one and only J.K. Rowling: "To Harry Potter! The Boy Who Live!"