Tuesday, 18 September 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Impostors by Scott Westerfeld.
There isn’t a time in my life when I haven’t been reading in some sort of way. Or have been read to, if you want to get picky. That leads to slightly amusing, slightly startling situations like with this unexpected sequel in terms of “It has been how long since the publication of the previously last book?!” – Yes, that’s 12 years. On the upside to me feeling suddenly ancient there’s a whole new generation of readers who can either start into a series with substantial reading material or just pick up from here because you don’t necessarily need the background to appreciate this continuation.
If you’ve read the original books, it’s equal parts interesting and horrifying to realise how the world was saved and yet humans managed to completely screw it up again, only this time under opposite preconditions. It certainly drives the message home that the saving cannot be one single event or act but has to be maintained and checked in order to have a lasting, wholesome effect.
The sibling dynamic between the two sisters is so unique and interesting. The whole heir and the spare concept driven to its extreme but not considering that the heir and the spare might be each other’s best and most loyal ally. And the psychological aspects of this forced but still genuinely loving alliance at least on Frey’s side (because she literally has no other option of genuine contact) are so fascinating. Her journey to becoming more than just a double is so nuanced and clever that it almost seems painful in its snail’s pace at first. But once she’s cluing in the learning curve is breathtaking. Especially in terms of interaction and building trust.
And all that becoming her own person and a functioning social human on top of preventing a complete catastrophe of course. Here's why there are so many teenage heroines: Boys wouldn’t be able to handle so many plot aspects (only mostly kidding).
I didn’t particularly want a sequel to the Uglies-Series, but now that it’s there I realise that maybe I secretly needed it to return to this fantastic world. Do you have instances of surprise sequels that turned out to be exactly what you didn’t know you were waiting for? 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!
Impostors by Scott Westerfeld.
 |
| Impostors – Scholastic Press |
And what matters is: I’ve saved my sister. I let the ecstasy of that flood into me.
Nothing will ever feel this good again.
— Chapter 2
I smile. “It’s decided, then. We’re allies.”
He holds out his hand. “Not pawns for our families.”
We shake on it. But it feels like a promise I can’t keep.
I was born to be a pawn.
— Chapter 11
There isn’t a time in my life when I haven’t been reading in some sort of way. Or have been read to, if you want to get picky. That leads to slightly amusing, slightly startling situations like with this unexpected sequel in terms of “It has been how long since the publication of the previously last book?!” – Yes, that’s 12 years. On the upside to me feeling suddenly ancient there’s a whole new generation of readers who can either start into a series with substantial reading material or just pick up from here because you don’t necessarily need the background to appreciate this continuation.
If you’ve read the original books, it’s equal parts interesting and horrifying to realise how the world was saved and yet humans managed to completely screw it up again, only this time under opposite preconditions. It certainly drives the message home that the saving cannot be one single event or act but has to be maintained and checked in order to have a lasting, wholesome effect.
The sibling dynamic between the two sisters is so unique and interesting. The whole heir and the spare concept driven to its extreme but not considering that the heir and the spare might be each other’s best and most loyal ally. And the psychological aspects of this forced but still genuinely loving alliance at least on Frey’s side (because she literally has no other option of genuine contact) are so fascinating. Her journey to becoming more than just a double is so nuanced and clever that it almost seems painful in its snail’s pace at first. But once she’s cluing in the learning curve is breathtaking. Especially in terms of interaction and building trust.
And all that becoming her own person and a functioning social human on top of preventing a complete catastrophe of course. Here's why there are so many teenage heroines: Boys wouldn’t be able to handle so many plot aspects (only mostly kidding).
I didn’t particularly want a sequel to the Uglies-Series, but now that it’s there I realise that maybe I secretly needed it to return to this fantastic world. Do you have instances of surprise sequels that turned out to be exactly what you didn’t know you were waiting for? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 11 September 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
At some point, there was rather a wave of mental issues books. I can’t say for certain when or how it ebbed, but I’m fairly certain there are fewer of them now. Or maybe just not as prominent any longer. Nevertheless, there are some that stick out amongst them.
I don’t know a lot about OCD and specific phobias. People easily say that they are deadly afraid of spiders, for example, but I don’t think most of them are. I don’t doubt, that they dislike them and would rather they not have a giant spider in their bedroom … I definitely relate to that. But to be so afraid that they qualify under the list of symptoms seems a bit over the top in most cases. It does sound nicer saying that it’s a phobia rather than to be afraid of or have a dislike for spiders. Same goes for OCD I suppose. I don’t want to diagnose anything or anyone though and I know there are levels to these kinds of issues. I’m just also saying that there are certain circles where dropping these terms is rather en vogue.
Back to the book, which is a very thoughtful and also quite intense love story, but also the story of a girl trapped on so many levels by herself and her very mind. It seems wrong to say that I enjoyed reading about her struggles when it’s really the empathy part that is very engaged with this story. I was rooting for Norah to be able to break her cage from the very beginning. And for Luke to remain as amazing and accepting as he first appeared. You’ll have to read for yourself to see if I got my wish and experience these two interacting and fighting and living. Oh and also revealing some innermost parts of themselves, don’t forget that.
This book will challenge its readers to look at certain aspects and evaluate them with a new set of understanding mechanisms. And that’s on top of a very satisfying reading experience. Maybe it helps to read this without so many other mental health books surrounding it. Trends and topic waves are all well and good, but sometimes reading against them will give you a better appreciation of individual titles.
Which book has recently changed your perspective on something or made you aware that there is a perspective to be had at all? 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!
Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
 |
| Unter Rose-Tainted Skies – Clarion Books |
Because I’m sure the only thing on any home invaders mind, after being polite enough to knock first, is a sanitary victim. I roll my eyes so hard they almost fall out of my skull.
— Chapter 8
Worry is such a drama queen. It takes the smallest thing, makes it so big and bulky that you can't see the obvious anymore.
— Chapter 9
At some point, there was rather a wave of mental issues books. I can’t say for certain when or how it ebbed, but I’m fairly certain there are fewer of them now. Or maybe just not as prominent any longer. Nevertheless, there are some that stick out amongst them.
I don’t know a lot about OCD and specific phobias. People easily say that they are deadly afraid of spiders, for example, but I don’t think most of them are. I don’t doubt, that they dislike them and would rather they not have a giant spider in their bedroom … I definitely relate to that. But to be so afraid that they qualify under the list of symptoms seems a bit over the top in most cases. It does sound nicer saying that it’s a phobia rather than to be afraid of or have a dislike for spiders. Same goes for OCD I suppose. I don’t want to diagnose anything or anyone though and I know there are levels to these kinds of issues. I’m just also saying that there are certain circles where dropping these terms is rather en vogue.
Back to the book, which is a very thoughtful and also quite intense love story, but also the story of a girl trapped on so many levels by herself and her very mind. It seems wrong to say that I enjoyed reading about her struggles when it’s really the empathy part that is very engaged with this story. I was rooting for Norah to be able to break her cage from the very beginning. And for Luke to remain as amazing and accepting as he first appeared. You’ll have to read for yourself to see if I got my wish and experience these two interacting and fighting and living. Oh and also revealing some innermost parts of themselves, don’t forget that.
This book will challenge its readers to look at certain aspects and evaluate them with a new set of understanding mechanisms. And that’s on top of a very satisfying reading experience. Maybe it helps to read this without so many other mental health books surrounding it. Trends and topic waves are all well and good, but sometimes reading against them will give you a better appreciation of individual titles.
Which book has recently changed your perspective on something or made you aware that there is a perspective to be had at all? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday, 4 September 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger.
I’m honestly not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, even if we had a brilliant one and if there are quite a few books about to publish this autumn that I’m very much looking forward to reading. To fit the general back to school feeling I’m returning to a school I wouldn’t have minded to attend either.
In Victorian England, young girls of any standing were expected to behave ladylike and make an advantageous match. At least from what history wants us to remember. And then there are the Ladies of Quality who not only know how to dance, dress, and curtsy properly but also how to finish … everything. Deal out death, diversion, and espionage – in the politest possible ways.
This is the first book in a four-part series, first published in 2013 but certainly not at all dated. I’m listening to the audiobooks on my commute to work and had several other passengers look at me questioningly when I had spontaneous giggle fits … one was the same lady who has also already offered me a handkerchief when I cried about another book, she was very happy to see me smile about my reading/listening material for once. (Seriously, as if I only read books that make me cry).
This series is so full of not only witty humour and Britishness (the names are divine) but also female friendship and ingenuity and quite a few other qualities (a word I’ll never be able to say again straight-faced). All in all, there is much to be loved about this series and I can only recommend it if you’re at all inclined towards a little steampunk and a lot of girl power.
Some book covers age better than others (the one shown above being a better ager in my opinion). Which cover that you liked at the time of publication would still pass inspections nowadays? Share your favourites 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!
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger.
 |
| Etiquette & Espionage – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
“How often have I warned you against fraternizing with technology?” Sophronia wondered if that was a rhetorical question and began counting up the number of times just in case it wasn’t.
— Chapter 1
We are an institution of high learning and higher manners. We simply cannot shoot first; it isn’t done. Now, remember that, Miss Temminnick, do – a lady never shoots first. She asks questions, then she shoots.
— Chapter 5
I’m honestly not quite ready to say goodbye to summer, even if we had a brilliant one and if there are quite a few books about to publish this autumn that I’m very much looking forward to reading. To fit the general back to school feeling I’m returning to a school I wouldn’t have minded to attend either.
In Victorian England, young girls of any standing were expected to behave ladylike and make an advantageous match. At least from what history wants us to remember. And then there are the Ladies of Quality who not only know how to dance, dress, and curtsy properly but also how to finish … everything. Deal out death, diversion, and espionage – in the politest possible ways.
This is the first book in a four-part series, first published in 2013 but certainly not at all dated. I’m listening to the audiobooks on my commute to work and had several other passengers look at me questioningly when I had spontaneous giggle fits … one was the same lady who has also already offered me a handkerchief when I cried about another book, she was very happy to see me smile about my reading/listening material for once. (Seriously, as if I only read books that make me cry).
This series is so full of not only witty humour and Britishness (the names are divine) but also female friendship and ingenuity and quite a few other qualities (a word I’ll never be able to say again straight-faced). All in all, there is much to be loved about this series and I can only recommend it if you’re at all inclined towards a little steampunk and a lot of girl power.
Some book covers age better than others (the one shown above being a better ager in my opinion). Which cover that you liked at the time of publication would still pass inspections nowadays? Share your favourites and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday, 28 August 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Inferno by Julie Kagawa.
With the number of ongoing series I’m reading I’m always a little caught off guard when I’m actually getting to the last book in a series. Especially, if it’s a longer series such as this one. This is, after all, the fifth book … and the third/fourth (depending on how you count the Iron Fey) series of this author I’m finishing. Has it really been another four years?
One would think that I’d gotten used to Julie Kagawa’s ways by now: Interesting outset and world/character development, high stakes, cliffhangers, even higher stakes, a touch of romance with possibly some triangle/complications, and an epic finale. And yet she gets me with that every time with that final battle where I’m racing towards those final battle chapters thinking that this cannot under any circumstances end well.
I am, for the most part, a romantic at heart and can almost always be persuaded by a happy end – although I also know to appreciate a bitter-sweet or sad end, and even the occasional catastrophe. With this final book I liked the battle scenes and preparation and build up, it all very neatly came together from the entire series. And yet … and yet I felt that a few things were tied off or fell into place too neatly especially after that truly horrifying mind torture part in the previous book. I’m not saying that I would have preferred a little more of that because no way. This really is complaining on a very high level and what I’m basically saying is that I still wasn’t ready to let go of these characters. Again. Basically, all is well that ends well with a few minor smudges on the trophy.
The one thing I truly cannot praise enough though is Julie Kagawa’s ability to write kick-ass, no-name-taking, developing heroines. Her male characters are quite tolerable as well, but her female cast is always a sight to behold. Granted, they can get on your nerves at times, too, but don’t all persons do that … especially when still determining who they are, no matter the age?
What do you do after you’ve finished a series? Do you revisit it after some time in full or do you so to speak put it to rest as is? Share your habits 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!
Inferno by Julie Kagawa.
 |
| Inferno – Harlequin Teen |
“That’s a little worrisome. Do you think this is the welcome party?”
— Chapter 4
You’ve been with us all this time and went through all this trouble, just to betray us in the end. You should have just shot us all in the back while we were on our way here and saved Talon the effort.
— Chapter 32
With the number of ongoing series I’m reading I’m always a little caught off guard when I’m actually getting to the last book in a series. Especially, if it’s a longer series such as this one. This is, after all, the fifth book … and the third/fourth (depending on how you count the Iron Fey) series of this author I’m finishing. Has it really been another four years?
One would think that I’d gotten used to Julie Kagawa’s ways by now: Interesting outset and world/character development, high stakes, cliffhangers, even higher stakes, a touch of romance with possibly some triangle/complications, and an epic finale. And yet she gets me with that every time with that final battle where I’m racing towards those final battle chapters thinking that this cannot under any circumstances end well.
I am, for the most part, a romantic at heart and can almost always be persuaded by a happy end – although I also know to appreciate a bitter-sweet or sad end, and even the occasional catastrophe. With this final book I liked the battle scenes and preparation and build up, it all very neatly came together from the entire series. And yet … and yet I felt that a few things were tied off or fell into place too neatly especially after that truly horrifying mind torture part in the previous book. I’m not saying that I would have preferred a little more of that because no way. This really is complaining on a very high level and what I’m basically saying is that I still wasn’t ready to let go of these characters. Again. Basically, all is well that ends well with a few minor smudges on the trophy.
The one thing I truly cannot praise enough though is Julie Kagawa’s ability to write kick-ass, no-name-taking, developing heroines. Her male characters are quite tolerable as well, but her female cast is always a sight to behold. Granted, they can get on your nerves at times, too, but don’t all persons do that … especially when still determining who they are, no matter the age?
What do you do after you’ve finished a series? Do you revisit it after some time in full or do you so to speak put it to rest as is? Share your habits and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday, 21 August 2018
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Ally by Anna Banks.
So we’re at that part of the programme where what I’ve recently read isn’t fit to be shared … yet. And none of us wants to get in trouble, right? So I thought I’d share some thought on the second book of this duology. Thoughts on book one are here.
Remember that the first book ended on that cliffhanger? That one is sort of resolved at the very beginning of the book, but as you can guess this only leads into even more trouble because no one is actually speaking to each other … ah, communication, you hardest of all things.
I quite enjoyed the closed in feeling of the first novel in its setting up the political aspects, characters, and stakes. It only seems like a logical progression that now the second book opens up into the apparently bigger play of world order, some very steep character development, and even higher stakes.
The narrative perspective switches are kept up. I would have thought it interesting if for this book Sepora was the third-person and Tarik the first-person perspective, but maybe that would have been too confusing. There were also quite a few twists and I definitely didn’t see some of them coming. One even had me flipping back a page to reconfirm what I had just read.
I will say though that I felt this second book was a little too burdened in terms of what it had to achieve. There is a lot of character growth going on and also a hand full of new characters thrown in and the world definitely expands. It felt just a tad rushed at times where possibly a little more lingering and elaboration would have helped. Like maybe this was originally enough plot for two books but had to be condensed into one. Only speculating here, of course. I would have liked for there to be a third book, even if most of my questions have been more or less sufficiently answered by the end of this one.
If you look at the first book you’ll see that the cover design of this one is quite different. Is that something that would bother you or something that you could easily accept? 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!
Ally by Anna Banks.
 |
| Ally – Feiwel & Friends |
He toyed with my heart while I toyed with his trust. Who is the worst offender?
— Chapter 15
He closes his eyes against her logic. Logic has no place where his heart is concerned and this girl who stands before him has become his heart.
— Chapter 38
So we’re at that part of the programme where what I’ve recently read isn’t fit to be shared … yet. And none of us wants to get in trouble, right? So I thought I’d share some thought on the second book of this duology. Thoughts on book one are here.
Remember that the first book ended on that cliffhanger? That one is sort of resolved at the very beginning of the book, but as you can guess this only leads into even more trouble because no one is actually speaking to each other … ah, communication, you hardest of all things.
I quite enjoyed the closed in feeling of the first novel in its setting up the political aspects, characters, and stakes. It only seems like a logical progression that now the second book opens up into the apparently bigger play of world order, some very steep character development, and even higher stakes.
The narrative perspective switches are kept up. I would have thought it interesting if for this book Sepora was the third-person and Tarik the first-person perspective, but maybe that would have been too confusing. There were also quite a few twists and I definitely didn’t see some of them coming. One even had me flipping back a page to reconfirm what I had just read.
I will say though that I felt this second book was a little too burdened in terms of what it had to achieve. There is a lot of character growth going on and also a hand full of new characters thrown in and the world definitely expands. It felt just a tad rushed at times where possibly a little more lingering and elaboration would have helped. Like maybe this was originally enough plot for two books but had to be condensed into one. Only speculating here, of course. I would have liked for there to be a third book, even if most of my questions have been more or less sufficiently answered by the end of this one.
If you look at the first book you’ll see that the cover design of this one is quite different. Is that something that would bother you or something that you could easily accept? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
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