Tuesday, 20 March 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones.
Happy Spring Equinox/first day of spring. (And happy birthday to two very important people in my life, although I suspect that if at all only one of them will read this ;)) Winter returned with a vengeance this past weekend to my neck of the woods, I hope you have been faring a little better than this sun and warmth deprived reader. So what could be better fitting than a book with winter in the title?
I was very pleasantly surprised that the setting of this book hit very close to home for me geographically speaking. And linguistically, because the author amusingly adds the odd German phrase here and there and while I usually find this a little tedious if the foreign language is then immediately translated this wasn’t the case here but I imagine that non-natives will be able to discern the meaning. I’m also quietly pleased that I only found one grammatical error and one stylistic oddity among those phrases. I wonder how the exotic phrases were handled in the German translation. But I digress … language nerd.
There is a second book recently published to which I will come eventually. It will be interesting to see if the connection of faery (yes, again) to motives from other mythologies will remain as strong there. Or maybe even stronger for there is a secret to be uncovered and a possible curse to be broken. As well as several other fun elements that I hope to see again and see resolved. It’s very fun to see one’s home depicted as a magical and to English readers also foreign/possibly slightly exotic place. After all, the deep dark German woods are the home to many of the original faery tale creatures. And if after you’ve read this book you feel the urge to read the decisive poem on der Erlkönig by Goethe, I’ll direct you to my favourite translation right next to the original and the literal version here. Only know that our heroine would soundly disagree with this version of him as she comes to know him in quite a different capacity.
Have you ever been surprised by a book being set in what is basically your neighbourhood? I suspect this happens more often to English readers than to Germans reading English books. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones.
 |
| Wintersong – Titan Books |
“But remember, Elisabeth, our childish games are behind us now.” Those wolf’s eyes glittered. “When I play, I play for keeps.”
— Chapter 6
But hope … hope was stubborn. Like a weed it returned, even after I had plucked it away again and again.
— Chapter 30
Happy Spring Equinox/first day of spring. (And happy birthday to two very important people in my life, although I suspect that if at all only one of them will read this ;)) Winter returned with a vengeance this past weekend to my neck of the woods, I hope you have been faring a little better than this sun and warmth deprived reader. So what could be better fitting than a book with winter in the title?
I was very pleasantly surprised that the setting of this book hit very close to home for me geographically speaking. And linguistically, because the author amusingly adds the odd German phrase here and there and while I usually find this a little tedious if the foreign language is then immediately translated this wasn’t the case here but I imagine that non-natives will be able to discern the meaning. I’m also quietly pleased that I only found one grammatical error and one stylistic oddity among those phrases. I wonder how the exotic phrases were handled in the German translation. But I digress … language nerd.
There is a second book recently published to which I will come eventually. It will be interesting to see if the connection of faery (yes, again) to motives from other mythologies will remain as strong there. Or maybe even stronger for there is a secret to be uncovered and a possible curse to be broken. As well as several other fun elements that I hope to see again and see resolved. It’s very fun to see one’s home depicted as a magical and to English readers also foreign/possibly slightly exotic place. After all, the deep dark German woods are the home to many of the original faery tale creatures. And if after you’ve read this book you feel the urge to read the decisive poem on der Erlkönig by Goethe, I’ll direct you to my favourite translation right next to the original and the literal version here. Only know that our heroine would soundly disagree with this version of him as she comes to know him in quite a different capacity.
Have you ever been surprised by a book being set in what is basically your neighbourhood? I suspect this happens more often to English readers than to Germans reading English books. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 13 March 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.
Faerieland may have several kings, queens, and other royalty but it most definitely has one high queen to rule them all and her name is Holly Black. I have always loved Holly’s writing and especially the characters who populate her ever more fantastic stories. And I could not be more excited that after so long she not only returns to Faerie but that we also get two more books with these characters. If you’ve read her other Faerie books, you’re in for a special treat of cameos and other eastereggs.
The usual perspective for stories like this is the human looking in or the fae looking out but with this Holly has mastered the art of having a mortal brought up and more or less fully adapted to the strange tradition and doing everything to remain in, possibly overdoing it and in a way besting the fae at their own games. It’s in my opinion and interesting play on nature vs. nurture and the willingness and ability to adapt, to survive and thrive. And with this cast of characters, it’s really Holly at her best, each with their own motives, schemes, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses … and the occasional frustrating/endearing blind spot.
I’m fully jumping on the “I need the second book now if not yesterday” waggon. Not because the first book ends on a mean cliffhanger but because I cannot wait to find out how all of these plots continue. It’s a little like leaving a highly competitive chess match right when both players are about to check each other with equal chances of checkmate. Only that this game has more than two players and the rules change whenever you blink.
Readers know that wishes and bargains with the fae are dangerous. Would you feel prepared enough to enter into such an agreement? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.
 |
| The Cruel Prince – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
I do not yearn to be their equal.
In my heart, I yearn to best them.
— Chapter 4
“So you accept.”
It’s frightening to have a choice like this in front of me, a choice that changes all future choices.
— Chapter 10
Faerieland may have several kings, queens, and other royalty but it most definitely has one high queen to rule them all and her name is Holly Black. I have always loved Holly’s writing and especially the characters who populate her ever more fantastic stories. And I could not be more excited that after so long she not only returns to Faerie but that we also get two more books with these characters. If you’ve read her other Faerie books, you’re in for a special treat of cameos and other eastereggs.
The usual perspective for stories like this is the human looking in or the fae looking out but with this Holly has mastered the art of having a mortal brought up and more or less fully adapted to the strange tradition and doing everything to remain in, possibly overdoing it and in a way besting the fae at their own games. It’s in my opinion and interesting play on nature vs. nurture and the willingness and ability to adapt, to survive and thrive. And with this cast of characters, it’s really Holly at her best, each with their own motives, schemes, characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses … and the occasional frustrating/endearing blind spot.
I’m fully jumping on the “I need the second book now if not yesterday” waggon. Not because the first book ends on a mean cliffhanger but because I cannot wait to find out how all of these plots continue. It’s a little like leaving a highly competitive chess match right when both players are about to check each other with equal chances of checkmate. Only that this game has more than two players and the rules change whenever you blink.
Readers know that wishes and bargains with the fae are dangerous. Would you feel prepared enough to enter into such an agreement? Share your ideas and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday, 6 March 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson.
Book titles are hard. I don’t say this as an excuse for every bad title ever made but from a sympathetic position. What I love about this title is that it so obviously states its intent. And that it works so well on so many levels for this book. I have disliked the analysis of poems and prose ever since my school days because I think that you kill words once you have to pick them apart, but I could easily write a whole essay on the title of this book. Which I won’t do, no worries, I’m just still quite captivated by all the layers.
I might be a little cross with Maureen for writing this before continuing Shades of London (I really hope there is another book coming) but I understand that if something demands to be written it has to take centre stage (and all the other reasons her writing was delayed – those definitely take precedence). Luckily, this prominent spot is quite deserved. Stevie is a very compelling main character and I immensely enjoyed following her on her investigation. I also liked the dual timelines which don’t exactly interact but intersect and inform each other on a very interesting level, you basically get two stories for the price of one and possibly a third overlay.
The nature of a mystery calls for inconsistencies so I’m not calling on them until I’m certain they aren’t intentional. I am very much looking forward to the continuation and how Stevie deals not with one but two discoveries/developments. And I really hope she solves at least the staircase riddle if not the whole thing, which feels very interconnected.
Are you a mystery and/or crime reader? I’m usually avoiding them unless it’s an author I already know and trust. Share your teasers and preferences in the comments.
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson.
 |
| Truly Devious – Katherine Tegen Books |
Stevie had no fears of the dead. The living, however, sometimes gave her the creeps.
— Chapter 10
It had the feeling of a strange game, and one that filled Stevie with a low, simmering worry.
Games are not fun if you don’t know you’re playing.
— Chapter 13
Book titles are hard. I don’t say this as an excuse for every bad title ever made but from a sympathetic position. What I love about this title is that it so obviously states its intent. And that it works so well on so many levels for this book. I have disliked the analysis of poems and prose ever since my school days because I think that you kill words once you have to pick them apart, but I could easily write a whole essay on the title of this book. Which I won’t do, no worries, I’m just still quite captivated by all the layers.
I might be a little cross with Maureen for writing this before continuing Shades of London (I really hope there is another book coming) but I understand that if something demands to be written it has to take centre stage (and all the other reasons her writing was delayed – those definitely take precedence). Luckily, this prominent spot is quite deserved. Stevie is a very compelling main character and I immensely enjoyed following her on her investigation. I also liked the dual timelines which don’t exactly interact but intersect and inform each other on a very interesting level, you basically get two stories for the price of one and possibly a third overlay.
The nature of a mystery calls for inconsistencies so I’m not calling on them until I’m certain they aren’t intentional. I am very much looking forward to the continuation and how Stevie deals not with one but two discoveries/developments. And I really hope she solves at least the staircase riddle if not the whole thing, which feels very interconnected.
Are you a mystery and/or crime reader? I’m usually avoiding them unless it’s an author I already know and trust. Share your teasers and preferences in the comments.
Tuesday, 27 February 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Sightwitch by Susan Dennard.
Some authors sound amazing on paper and turn out to be somewhat of a disappointment in the person department, others might not live up to their persona in the writing department … and then there are authors like Susan Dennard who are not only great people but also really, really good authors where you feel that each scene and each word has been weighed and measured for its impact and function and whose world building and character development are on point.
This book is part of the Witchland series (which joy of joys – truly, I couldn’t let this go – is not a trilogy) and serves as a sort of prequel that should, however, not be read before the first book even though that would be chronologically correct. This book is illustrated with maps and sketches, there are handwritten annotations and pages that look like inserted scraps, and because my copy has rough cut or deckle edges it really feels and looks even more like the journal it is supposed to be. I loved getting this deep and personal connection to Ryber and others by reading their thoughts (as opposed to the two main books where the narrator is not first but third person) and the parallel narration of two timelines was in my opinion very cleverly done.
Ryber’s character growth has especially resonated with me in her quest to find out what is going on while also figuring out her own path. I’m a bit more reluctant than Ryber to use the word destiny even though I also don’t think that it’s all coincidental. With all this new information and background I feel that I should read the two main books again before the third comes out. And maybe make a map or chart of connections and points of interest … because if the author pours so much effort into creating all these threads (ha!) then I feel more than a little obligated to keep up and hopefully not miss too much of the expertly crafted hints, foreshadowings, and references.
As I have read Susan Dennard’s first series as well (and been following her on various social media) I’m quite aware how much she has grown as a writer. As another author I admire uses to say that books belong to their readers I’m not usually a fan of authors chipping in after the fact to add tidbits or explain their intent – if it’s not on the page it’s not in the book. BUT (all rules have their exception and some rules are made to be broken) if an author realises that he or she has mucked up in terms of representation or somehow else steered in the wrong direction and not only owns up to it but promises to do better that is something I am more than okay with. And with Susan Dennard especially I not only believe that she will do better but I know so because her work on improving her craft is evident in how much she grows between each individual book.
What are your thoughts on authors chiming in on their books after the publication date? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Sightwitch by Susan Dennard.
 |
| Sightwitch – Tor Teen |
But “there is no such thing as coincidence” and “there is no changing what is meant to be.” So I must accept this.
— Page 85
Paths do not come to you. You have to find them for yourself, and sometimes, you have to carve new ones entirely.
— Page 230
Some authors sound amazing on paper and turn out to be somewhat of a disappointment in the person department, others might not live up to their persona in the writing department … and then there are authors like Susan Dennard who are not only great people but also really, really good authors where you feel that each scene and each word has been weighed and measured for its impact and function and whose world building and character development are on point.
This book is part of the Witchland series (which joy of joys – truly, I couldn’t let this go – is not a trilogy) and serves as a sort of prequel that should, however, not be read before the first book even though that would be chronologically correct. This book is illustrated with maps and sketches, there are handwritten annotations and pages that look like inserted scraps, and because my copy has rough cut or deckle edges it really feels and looks even more like the journal it is supposed to be. I loved getting this deep and personal connection to Ryber and others by reading their thoughts (as opposed to the two main books where the narrator is not first but third person) and the parallel narration of two timelines was in my opinion very cleverly done.
Ryber’s character growth has especially resonated with me in her quest to find out what is going on while also figuring out her own path. I’m a bit more reluctant than Ryber to use the word destiny even though I also don’t think that it’s all coincidental. With all this new information and background I feel that I should read the two main books again before the third comes out. And maybe make a map or chart of connections and points of interest … because if the author pours so much effort into creating all these threads (ha!) then I feel more than a little obligated to keep up and hopefully not miss too much of the expertly crafted hints, foreshadowings, and references.
As I have read Susan Dennard’s first series as well (and been following her on various social media) I’m quite aware how much she has grown as a writer. As another author I admire uses to say that books belong to their readers I’m not usually a fan of authors chipping in after the fact to add tidbits or explain their intent – if it’s not on the page it’s not in the book. BUT (all rules have their exception and some rules are made to be broken) if an author realises that he or she has mucked up in terms of representation or somehow else steered in the wrong direction and not only owns up to it but promises to do better that is something I am more than okay with. And with Susan Dennard especially I not only believe that she will do better but I know so because her work on improving her craft is evident in how much she grows between each individual book.
What are your thoughts on authors chiming in on their books after the publication date? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 20 February 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Going Viral by Amy Alward.
From the beginning, this series has felt something like a feel-good, sit on the couch and enjoy being entertained dramedy show. This is the third book in the series but you could easily start with this one … only you’d miss at least a metric ton of fun that way.
This book picks up the aftermath of the final revelation in the previous book with a literal viral spread of a mysterious disease ailing the magically abled and only the very best alchemist will be able to discover not only the cure but the dark intent behind this threat. And all that on top of finding her place in the world, in her relationship, her heritage, and whatever else life decides to throw Sam’s way.
What I like most about this series, in general, is that the main character never doubts what she wants to do with her life. In a vocational manner. Sam is an alchemist to her very core and is willing to do anything for that future through doubts and setbacks to the point of almost failing but trusting in her ability to emerge triumphantly. And when she doubts, she does so in a constructive and problem-solving oriented way. This almost single-minded determination (or stubbornness) along with her wit has been very relatable from the very beginning.
I wonder a little about that possible fourth book, to be honest. This third one seems to be a fairly round and conclusive end. There is more left to tell but for once I could be alright with leaving the characters where they are now. Or wait, there is that one unresolved issue. And the more I think about it the more I can think about other things that could also use some more exploration. So where is that fourth book?
Vocation is such a great word because it encapsulates this feeling of being called to do/work something. And I think if you can work in a field that calls to you, that is one of the luckiest things of all. Have you found your vocation? When did you know for sure that this was something you wanted to pursue? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
To play along just do the following:
- Grab your current read
- Open to a random page
- Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Going Viral by Amy Alward.
 |
| Going Viral – Simon & Schuster UK |
‘Hey, you can’t remember everything. That’s why we have the internet.’
‘You can’t always access the internet, but I can always access my brain.’
— Chapter 15
This is what best friends do. They not only lift you up but they give you the tools to keep going even in the darkest moment. Her friendship, her love, becomes the armour that I wear against every kind of battle: external and internal.
— Chapter 27
From the beginning, this series has felt something like a feel-good, sit on the couch and enjoy being entertained dramedy show. This is the third book in the series but you could easily start with this one … only you’d miss at least a metric ton of fun that way.
This book picks up the aftermath of the final revelation in the previous book with a literal viral spread of a mysterious disease ailing the magically abled and only the very best alchemist will be able to discover not only the cure but the dark intent behind this threat. And all that on top of finding her place in the world, in her relationship, her heritage, and whatever else life decides to throw Sam’s way.
What I like most about this series, in general, is that the main character never doubts what she wants to do with her life. In a vocational manner. Sam is an alchemist to her very core and is willing to do anything for that future through doubts and setbacks to the point of almost failing but trusting in her ability to emerge triumphantly. And when she doubts, she does so in a constructive and problem-solving oriented way. This almost single-minded determination (or stubbornness) along with her wit has been very relatable from the very beginning.
I wonder a little about that possible fourth book, to be honest. This third one seems to be a fairly round and conclusive end. There is more left to tell but for once I could be alright with leaving the characters where they are now. Or wait, there is that one unresolved issue. And the more I think about it the more I can think about other things that could also use some more exploration. So where is that fourth book?
Vocation is such a great word because it encapsulates this feeling of being called to do/work something. And I think if you can work in a field that calls to you, that is one of the luckiest things of all. Have you found your vocation? When did you know for sure that this was something you wanted to pursue? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
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