Tuesday 18 July 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Legion by Julie Kagawa.
Looking at my reading log I came to realise that this is the 15th book I’ve read by Julie Kagawa. When did this happen? I don’t want to compare her series with each other because they each have different strengths and weaknesses, but overall you can clearly see her development as a writer as her stories are now much more plot driven (at least in my opinion, even though I really still miss Ash and Puck from her very first series).
I don’t often make remarks on my reading during the process of it. Usually because I am too busy reading and dont’t want to interrupt the flow ... along with several other overly involved reasons. I made an exception for this one as you may have seen on Twitter last week. At one point I really had to put down the book and take a breather. I’m not a squeamish reader (as opposed to viewer that’s totally different, go figure), or at least I wouldn’t think that I am, and graphic scenes of whatever calibre wouldn’t deter me from reading on. However, there I have so far discovered two things that are really difficult for me to get through: One of them relates to things that involve eyes and the other is anything that messes with a person’s brain/mind. Maybe some deep rooted fear because I’m such a head person, who knows. So yeah, that happened ... Nevertheless, this of course couldn’t keep me from the book for long as I simply had to read on.
The previous book ended on a Major Cliffhanger (note capitalisation, not a joke. I need to stop doing this to myself, otherwise medicine might soon have its first proven case of bookish cardiac arrhythmia, possibly flutter or rupture ...). and thankfully it’s resolved fairly quickly in this one. Not that this means the reader gets a break or that there is any slack in the tension. And then that twist where I had to take a short break because my brain rebelled at the thought of what was happening. I honestly don’t know if I could have read on if that had gone any longer than it did. Still gives me the shivers. And it might not even be that bad for other readers, but in my personal book this comes very close to my ultimate nightmare hell, don’t judge and I won’t hold your fear of moths against you (points if you know the book I’m referencing).
The end is not a cliffhanger of the capital letter variety, but it ramps up enough tension for the final book ...which of course is another year away. Story of my (reading) life. There better not be a funeral at the beginning of that one!
Now that we’ve talked about personal nightmare hells ... or at least I have, why not share some of your most beloved paradise dreams (or hells, if you really wish to do so) along with your 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!
Legion by Julie Kagawa.
 |
| Legion – Harlequin TEEN |
“If my plan was to lead you into a trap, it would be rather silly for me to open the prison cell, where you were already trapped, and let you out, wouldn’t it?”
— Chapter 25
“Even though they’re supposed to be mortal enemies who hate each other. Like the Montagues and Capulets.”
“If Romeo didn’t die from poison,” I finished. “And Juliet was a fire-breathing dragon.”
— Chapter 36
Looking at my reading log I came to realise that this is the 15th book I’ve read by Julie Kagawa. When did this happen? I don’t want to compare her series with each other because they each have different strengths and weaknesses, but overall you can clearly see her development as a writer as her stories are now much more plot driven (at least in my opinion, even though I really still miss Ash and Puck from her very first series).
I don’t often make remarks on my reading during the process of it. Usually because I am too busy reading and dont’t want to interrupt the flow ... along with several other overly involved reasons. I made an exception for this one as you may have seen on Twitter last week. At one point I really had to put down the book and take a breather. I’m not a squeamish reader (as opposed to viewer that’s totally different, go figure), or at least I wouldn’t think that I am, and graphic scenes of whatever calibre wouldn’t deter me from reading on. However, there I have so far discovered two things that are really difficult for me to get through: One of them relates to things that involve eyes and the other is anything that messes with a person’s brain/mind. Maybe some deep rooted fear because I’m such a head person, who knows. So yeah, that happened ... Nevertheless, this of course couldn’t keep me from the book for long as I simply had to read on.
The previous book ended on a Major Cliffhanger (note capitalisation, not a joke. I need to stop doing this to myself, otherwise medicine might soon have its first proven case of bookish cardiac arrhythmia, possibly flutter or rupture ...). and thankfully it’s resolved fairly quickly in this one. Not that this means the reader gets a break or that there is any slack in the tension. And then that twist where I had to take a short break because my brain rebelled at the thought of what was happening. I honestly don’t know if I could have read on if that had gone any longer than it did. Still gives me the shivers. And it might not even be that bad for other readers, but in my personal book this comes very close to my ultimate nightmare hell, don’t judge and I won’t hold your fear of moths against you (points if you know the book I’m referencing).
The end is not a cliffhanger of the capital letter variety, but it ramps up enough tension for the final book ...which of course is another year away. Story of my (reading) life. There better not be a funeral at the beginning of that one!
Now that we’ve talked about personal nightmare hells ... or at least I have, why not share some of your most beloved paradise dreams (or hells, if you really wish to do so) along with your teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 11 July 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West.
Show of hands: Who has ever doodled on their table during a boring lecture? I’m not going to rat you out, no worries. But now imagine that when you came back to that table someone else had replied to your thoughts to the void. As a minor queen of tragic passed notes romance (thanks for that random remembrance embarrassment) this idea of anonymous communication immediately appealed to me.
The endgame is maybe a little too obvious, but in my opinion for this kind of book it’s more of a journey rather than destiny kind of thing. And in this case the journey is quietly remarkable. Lily is at the same time the relatable heroine for the quiet, stuck in their own head book nerd, yet she can also be so frustratingly dense. I don’t know how often I wanted to shake her to get her act together and consider the wider picture ... but that’s also to beauty of it, because in reality who does that? Stepping back from our frog’s perspective on the situation that is our personal life. It’s possibly the hardest thing to do, if not quite impossible to accomplish completely. That’s what books are for and I enjoyed how this one explored and toyed with the experience.
This one firmly belongs on a Summer Reads list. Do you have any recent books to add? Share 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!
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West.
 |
| P.S. Like You – Point |
“When I was dating, my girlfriends and I used to say, ‘Don’t cry in front of him before date three.’”
“Cry?” I echoed, frowning.
“Yeah. Guys gets skittish when you cry.”
“I don’t think I have to worry about that one.”
“You don’t cry?”
“I don’t make it to date three.”
— Chapter 15
So had we called a truce or not? Sealing a truce with insults didn’t seem like a very promising start.
— Chapter 30
Show of hands: Who has ever doodled on their table during a boring lecture? I’m not going to rat you out, no worries. But now imagine that when you came back to that table someone else had replied to your thoughts to the void. As a minor queen of tragic passed notes romance (thanks for that random remembrance embarrassment) this idea of anonymous communication immediately appealed to me.
The endgame is maybe a little too obvious, but in my opinion for this kind of book it’s more of a journey rather than destiny kind of thing. And in this case the journey is quietly remarkable. Lily is at the same time the relatable heroine for the quiet, stuck in their own head book nerd, yet she can also be so frustratingly dense. I don’t know how often I wanted to shake her to get her act together and consider the wider picture ... but that’s also to beauty of it, because in reality who does that? Stepping back from our frog’s perspective on the situation that is our personal life. It’s possibly the hardest thing to do, if not quite impossible to accomplish completely. That’s what books are for and I enjoyed how this one explored and toyed with the experience.
This one firmly belongs on a Summer Reads list. Do you have any recent books to add? Share ideas and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 4 July 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Once and for All by Sarah Dessen.
Who doesn’t love a June wedding ... right? The wedding planner if you ask them to pull this off in less than a year. At least if you want a high production thing like apparently all the people in this book. But the nice thing about this is that we get to read all about the hassle and fun of planning said weddings in addition to witnessing two cute teenagers dance around and fall all over each other in the course of it.
If this is your first Sarah Dessen novel (what have you been reading these past years?!), don’t expect this to be a fluffy, glitzy beach read. Sarah Dessen has yet to let me down in delivering a lovable cast of characters and a sweet romance with a profound back story. The same goes for witty banter and amusing misconceptions. The narration is split into a present and a past timeline, which expertly feed into each other. Of course, Sarah Dessen never just has a simple background for her characters but this one? Let’s just say the flash backs alone had me swooning and then very nearly destroyed me. But there’s also the healing part, which I also appreciated for its thoughtful and realistically slow approach in combination with the growing relationship between the two main characters.
I know that the author was worried about this book after being in the business for so long, but this is definitely not her swan song. If anything it’s yet another step up that ladder. To end with another common collocation here: Sky’s the limit.
Contemporary YA isn’t always my brand, apart from a few trusted authors. Have you discovered new contemp authors you’d recommend? Share your findings 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!
Once and for All by Sarah Dessen.
 |
| Once and for All – Viking |
He was like that upside-down exclamation point at the beginning of a sentence in Spanish, the mere appearance of which warned of something complicated ahead.
— Chapter 2
So many things we ask for, hope for, prayers put out into a world so wide: there was no way they could all be answered. But you had to keep asking. If you didn’t, nothing even had a chance of coming true.
— Chapter 23
Who doesn’t love a June wedding ... right? The wedding planner if you ask them to pull this off in less than a year. At least if you want a high production thing like apparently all the people in this book. But the nice thing about this is that we get to read all about the hassle and fun of planning said weddings in addition to witnessing two cute teenagers dance around and fall all over each other in the course of it.
If this is your first Sarah Dessen novel (what have you been reading these past years?!), don’t expect this to be a fluffy, glitzy beach read. Sarah Dessen has yet to let me down in delivering a lovable cast of characters and a sweet romance with a profound back story. The same goes for witty banter and amusing misconceptions. The narration is split into a present and a past timeline, which expertly feed into each other. Of course, Sarah Dessen never just has a simple background for her characters but this one? Let’s just say the flash backs alone had me swooning and then very nearly destroyed me. But there’s also the healing part, which I also appreciated for its thoughtful and realistically slow approach in combination with the growing relationship between the two main characters.
I know that the author was worried about this book after being in the business for so long, but this is definitely not her swan song. If anything it’s yet another step up that ladder. To end with another common collocation here: Sky’s the limit.
Contemporary YA isn’t always my brand, apart from a few trusted authors. Have you discovered new contemp authors you’d recommend? Share your findings and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 27 June 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.
Is there a limit on potentially soul-crushing books you can read in a row? Seeing that this is the third book in the series and somewhat of a break (although there are three more books to come) I was slightly optimistic that the end wouldn’t completely destroy me. However, before you get to that end there are 700 pages where you can convince yourself that everything is about to go to hell. Repeatedly. I loved the second book in this series so much and have re-read passages of it over and over, so the bar for this was incredibly high and I don’t blame the book that it doesn’t quite (in my opinion) live up to its precursor. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great, amazing, breathtaking read, but that one final ingredient that would make it magical is somehow missing. And I couldn’t even tell you what would be needed to make it so. Maybe A Court of Mist and Fury just broke the mold.
Anyway, back to the everything is going to hell part: I’m in awe of the author who can set up a scenario where you care so much about the fate of a fictional world that you constantly worry about it when you can’t read about it (pesky real life again getting in the way of reading time). And the real art is giving glimpses of hope in this horror scenario that then turn out to be spinning everything even closer to total destruction.
It would always have been too early for me to let go of this cast of characters, but I hope that in the books to come they won’t be completely absent. I am wondering though about the significance of certain fighting characters because what happens when such ancient beings with arguably important roles suddenly cease to be able to participate in the running of the world? (Vague enough?)
We’re almost at the exact halfway point of the year, how is your reading pile shaping up? Do you tend to read more or less in the second half of the year? Share your observations 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!
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas.
 |
| A Court of Wings and Ruin – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
She complained that I was flying deliberately slow. So I went fast.
— Chapter 24
My knife clattered to the stones and snow. And I looked into the mirror.
— Chapter 68
Is there a limit on potentially soul-crushing books you can read in a row? Seeing that this is the third book in the series and somewhat of a break (although there are three more books to come) I was slightly optimistic that the end wouldn’t completely destroy me. However, before you get to that end there are 700 pages where you can convince yourself that everything is about to go to hell. Repeatedly. I loved the second book in this series so much and have re-read passages of it over and over, so the bar for this was incredibly high and I don’t blame the book that it doesn’t quite (in my opinion) live up to its precursor. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great, amazing, breathtaking read, but that one final ingredient that would make it magical is somehow missing. And I couldn’t even tell you what would be needed to make it so. Maybe A Court of Mist and Fury just broke the mold.
Anyway, back to the everything is going to hell part: I’m in awe of the author who can set up a scenario where you care so much about the fate of a fictional world that you constantly worry about it when you can’t read about it (pesky real life again getting in the way of reading time). And the real art is giving glimpses of hope in this horror scenario that then turn out to be spinning everything even closer to total destruction.
It would always have been too early for me to let go of this cast of characters, but I hope that in the books to come they won’t be completely absent. I am wondering though about the significance of certain fighting characters because what happens when such ancient beings with arguably important roles suddenly cease to be able to participate in the running of the world? (Vague enough?)
We’re almost at the exact halfway point of the year, how is your reading pile shaping up? Do you tend to read more or less in the second half of the year? Share your observations and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 20 June 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare.
Since this is a second book in a series I won’t say anything about the plot, because everything – and I mean everything – is a potential spoiler that’s how complex and intricately connected all of it is. Sort of blink and you miss a reference. But I will say this: If there was a possibility to safeguard my heart by keeping it outside my body while reading, I would do it. If Cassie Clare gets any better at what she does, she will obliterate me in one of her next books. And while we’re on the topic of obliteration: The word cliffhanger called and says it no longer wants to be associated with Shadowhunter books and will send its older brother suicidal free falling to take on the job. I know that things have to get worse before they get better in these books, but there is worse and there is traumatised-rocking-in-the-corner worse.
It’s been said before that you don’t need to have read all series to understand the others, but I’m completely in love with the glimpses and allusions to the other beloved characters and the glimpses into their lives. Yet at the same time that also means they are not safe. And that is one aspect that really has me worried. Yes, I want to know how they are faring, but at the same time I realise that also means in this world they will remain in danger. The same would be true if their book simply ended and I never heard of them again from a logical aspect yet this feels more immediate. Please, please, please let that one vision not be a literal one ...
And now it’s going to be an almost impossibly long wait for the final book, because Cassie is writing others before it. Perfect for coming up with ever more intricate doomsday scenarios fed by information added through the Queen of Suspense and Foreshadowing. So don’t mind me while I’m hurtling through empty space and try to come to terms with what happened. If there is one thing you need to be aware of with these books, it’s that you shouldn’t let your guard down (or let that treacherous hope off the leash) until the book is over. Seriously, this is at least the second time Cassie has done this to me on the last few pages.
What is the last book that has emotionally devastated you? Were you prepared for it or has it blindsided you? Share experiences 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!
Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare.
 |
| Lord of Shadows – Margaret K. McElderry Books |
We fear things because we value them. We fear losing people because we love them. We fear dying because we value being alive. Don’t wish you didn’t fear anything. All that would mean is that you didn’t feel anything.
— Chapter 7
I think you cannot root out love entirely. I think where there has been love, there will always be embers, as the remains of a bonfire outlast the flame.
— Chapter 20
Since this is a second book in a series I won’t say anything about the plot, because everything – and I mean everything – is a potential spoiler that’s how complex and intricately connected all of it is. Sort of blink and you miss a reference. But I will say this: If there was a possibility to safeguard my heart by keeping it outside my body while reading, I would do it. If Cassie Clare gets any better at what she does, she will obliterate me in one of her next books. And while we’re on the topic of obliteration: The word cliffhanger called and says it no longer wants to be associated with Shadowhunter books and will send its older brother suicidal free falling to take on the job. I know that things have to get worse before they get better in these books, but there is worse and there is traumatised-rocking-in-the-corner worse.
It’s been said before that you don’t need to have read all series to understand the others, but I’m completely in love with the glimpses and allusions to the other beloved characters and the glimpses into their lives. Yet at the same time that also means they are not safe. And that is one aspect that really has me worried. Yes, I want to know how they are faring, but at the same time I realise that also means in this world they will remain in danger. The same would be true if their book simply ended and I never heard of them again from a logical aspect yet this feels more immediate. Please, please, please let that one vision not be a literal one ...
And now it’s going to be an almost impossibly long wait for the final book, because Cassie is writing others before it. Perfect for coming up with ever more intricate doomsday scenarios fed by information added through the Queen of Suspense and Foreshadowing. So don’t mind me while I’m hurtling through empty space and try to come to terms with what happened. If there is one thing you need to be aware of with these books, it’s that you shouldn’t let your guard down (or let that treacherous hope off the leash) until the book is over. Seriously, this is at least the second time Cassie has done this to me on the last few pages.
What is the last book that has emotionally devastated you? Were you prepared for it or has it blindsided you? Share experiences and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 13 June 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
Didn’t we all have that one kid in our class, who could have been nicknamed mouse for all they ever said? Or maybe we were the ones on the silent side? Most quiet kids have their reasons for being like that. Sometimes it’s shyness and sometimes it’s for protection and sometimes it is something completely unfathomable. Whatever the reason it’s always worth it to listen when these people have something to say even if it’s not always easy to coax it out of them.
Jennifer L. Armentrout has a talent for writing very engaging romances and adventure types, but she’s also proven that she can construct compelling realistic stories as well. This book has quite a few elements from the problem-spectrum as I like to call it (like unhappy childhoods due to money struggles or abuse or alcohol problems ...), but it manages them quite well and in addition to that also creates a capturing scenario of character development and (because it wouldn’t be a Jennifer Armentrout book without it) a very sweet love story. Add to that her trademarked charm and witty dialogues and you have what I think is one of the author’s best books to date.
Are you a person to break the silence or more a silence is golden type? 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!
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.
 |
| The Problem with Forever – Harlequin Teen |
“You have the power over that. People can say crap. They can think whatever they want, but you control how you feel about it”
— Chapter 17
Forever wasn’t real.
And I guessed, for me, that I was lucky it wasn’t. But for others, I wished it was real, that they had forever.
— Chapter 35
Didn’t we all have that one kid in our class, who could have been nicknamed mouse for all they ever said? Or maybe we were the ones on the silent side? Most quiet kids have their reasons for being like that. Sometimes it’s shyness and sometimes it’s for protection and sometimes it is something completely unfathomable. Whatever the reason it’s always worth it to listen when these people have something to say even if it’s not always easy to coax it out of them.
Jennifer L. Armentrout has a talent for writing very engaging romances and adventure types, but she’s also proven that she can construct compelling realistic stories as well. This book has quite a few elements from the problem-spectrum as I like to call it (like unhappy childhoods due to money struggles or abuse or alcohol problems ...), but it manages them quite well and in addition to that also creates a capturing scenario of character development and (because it wouldn’t be a Jennifer Armentrout book without it) a very sweet love story. Add to that her trademarked charm and witty dialogues and you have what I think is one of the author’s best books to date.
Are you a person to break the silence or more a silence is golden type? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 6 June 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach.
Books in general and YA in particular loves to play in extremes and what if scenarios. And which scenario could be more extreme and question-provoking as the possible end of the world combined with the total annihilation of humanity? If today you and everyone else received the message that in two months’ time an asteroid is likely going to hit the planet and possibly going to destroy it? And not in the sense that it will be really close and then pass by at a distance that seems vast to anyone who isn’t usually calculating in light years and suddenly has to think in something as puny as kilometres – a literal light blip.
What this book does splendidly is impress upon its reader this immediacy. You can’t avoid wondering if two months are enough to change, to rethink, to experience ... to live. Not if you like most people think that you have that much more time.
I haven’t read enough of it yet that I can weigh in on the discussion about this book’s overall quality, but I know that the author has a very distinct style of writing and some very interesting word choices. And yeah, the cover is pretty cool in making you look really closely for the title. What a pity that I found it spine out in the bookshop where the letters are infinitely bigger.
The obvious question would involve asking what you would do if the world was set to end in a blast in two months (as opposed to slowly fading away). And I think I’ll go for the obvious today. 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!
We All Looked Up by Tommy Wallach.
 |
| We All Looked Up – Simon & Schuster BFYR |
“Believe what you want, man.”
“What I believe is that you shouldn’t waste your potential flipping burgers?”
— Page 30
“I mean, aren’t we supposed to care about stuff other than just dances and football? Could we maybe try to do one thing that actually matters in the real world?”
— Page 59
Books in general and YA in particular loves to play in extremes and what if scenarios. And which scenario could be more extreme and question-provoking as the possible end of the world combined with the total annihilation of humanity? If today you and everyone else received the message that in two months’ time an asteroid is likely going to hit the planet and possibly going to destroy it? And not in the sense that it will be really close and then pass by at a distance that seems vast to anyone who isn’t usually calculating in light years and suddenly has to think in something as puny as kilometres – a literal light blip.
What this book does splendidly is impress upon its reader this immediacy. You can’t avoid wondering if two months are enough to change, to rethink, to experience ... to live. Not if you like most people think that you have that much more time.
I haven’t read enough of it yet that I can weigh in on the discussion about this book’s overall quality, but I know that the author has a very distinct style of writing and some very interesting word choices. And yeah, the cover is pretty cool in making you look really closely for the title. What a pity that I found it spine out in the bookshop where the letters are infinitely bigger.
The obvious question would involve asking what you would do if the world was set to end in a blast in two months (as opposed to slowly fading away). And I think I’ll go for the obvious today. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 30 May 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.
This is not a one sitting book, at least not for me.Not because it is stale or hard to read or anything, but simply because it is filled with a language that demands to be appreciated, to be savoured, to be absorbed. This also doesn’t mean that one sitting reads aren’t beautifully written, just ... I can’t really explain it. Anyway, so far this hasn’t been the action laden adventure, but I’m only about a third into the story and there has already been enough drama and intrigue to more than make up for it. There is quite a bit of unfairness that is heartbreaking to read and to imagine.
As an avowed language-nerd I love the words Laini Taylor invents. There are words in foreign languages that express a complete complex concept or feeling and I always find them extremely fascinating. Like the Welsh word cynefin, which has no direct English translation. And the idea that there is for example a god so petty who if the offerings aren’t adequate grants your heart’s deepest wish to someone else, possibly your very nemesis. Wouldn’t that be horrible and awesome (in every sense of the word)?
Laini Taylor is a master wordsmith and I can’t wait to see where her magic will take me next. At the moment I’m in the middle of a hostile desert with fantastic, horrific beasts. And on the way to a fearsome, foreign city with a mythical problem and mysterious inhabitants. It’s a wonderfully exciting adventure.
Do you know a foreign word that has no known translation but which expresses a whole sentence in one word? Share loved words 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!
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor.
 |
| Strange the Dreamer – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
It was impossible, of course.
But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming?
— Chapter 2
The end of wondering, he thought, but not of wonder. That was just beginning. He was certain of it.
— Chapter 15
This is not a one sitting book, at least not for me.Not because it is stale or hard to read or anything, but simply because it is filled with a language that demands to be appreciated, to be savoured, to be absorbed. This also doesn’t mean that one sitting reads aren’t beautifully written, just ... I can’t really explain it. Anyway, so far this hasn’t been the action laden adventure, but I’m only about a third into the story and there has already been enough drama and intrigue to more than make up for it. There is quite a bit of unfairness that is heartbreaking to read and to imagine.
As an avowed language-nerd I love the words Laini Taylor invents. There are words in foreign languages that express a complete complex concept or feeling and I always find them extremely fascinating. Like the Welsh word cynefin, which has no direct English translation. And the idea that there is for example a god so petty who if the offerings aren’t adequate grants your heart’s deepest wish to someone else, possibly your very nemesis. Wouldn’t that be horrible and awesome (in every sense of the word)?
Laini Taylor is a master wordsmith and I can’t wait to see where her magic will take me next. At the moment I’m in the middle of a hostile desert with fantastic, horrific beasts. And on the way to a fearsome, foreign city with a mythical problem and mysterious inhabitants. It’s a wonderfully exciting adventure.
Do you know a foreign word that has no known translation but which expresses a whole sentence in one word? Share loved words and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 23 May 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan.
Remember how I said that I miss Percy Jackson? While that is still true I won’t deny and his that a certain former god and his (not always happy about it) friends are also very dear to me. But then again, Rick Riordan could quite possibly write about the mating habits of sea cucumbers and make it an adventure ... as you may recall I’m a history and mythology nerd (gasp now I’m telling you) and easily amused by ouns and clever allusions. Case in point was my discovery of the software “Nero burning ROM” (about a hundred years ago) ... it took ages for my poor friend to decipher my giggle fit.
Anyway, what’s with the ostriches on that cover you might ask and rightfully so, but I must tell you that these combat ostriches are not to be trifled with. Nor is their ... master, I suppose. But then again whenever this historical figure is mentioned I picture Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator and suddenly think that maybe we was just misunderstood. For a while and then he went off the deep end so basically what is also told about him here. Might be some truth in that.
Special love, of course, for the haikus. And several other things that I can’t really get into unless I spoil the series and we really wouldn’t want that. I think there’s a little too much monster vaporising (very sensitive word for the fighting business), but I’m possibly also looking at this askepct a tad too much at the moment due to some other ongoing discussions.
How sensitive are you to descriptions of fights in books? Do you try to avoid them or would you say they don’t really affect you? 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!
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan.
 |
| The Dark Prophecy – Disney Hyperion |
“I volunteer for death!” I shouted.
The entire mob turned to look at me. I silently cursed my choice of words.
— Chapter 3
Ever since, I had lived in terror, wondering when and how the spirit of the Styx would punish me. Perhaps, instead of a grand moment of retribution, it would be a slow death by a thousand insults. How often could a music god hear that he had a decent voice before he crumbled into a self-loathing pile of dust?
— Chapter 15
Remember how I said that I miss Percy Jackson? While that is still true I won’t deny and his that a certain former god and his (not always happy about it) friends are also very dear to me. But then again, Rick Riordan could quite possibly write about the mating habits of sea cucumbers and make it an adventure ... as you may recall I’m a history and mythology nerd (gasp now I’m telling you) and easily amused by ouns and clever allusions. Case in point was my discovery of the software “Nero burning ROM” (about a hundred years ago) ... it took ages for my poor friend to decipher my giggle fit.
Anyway, what’s with the ostriches on that cover you might ask and rightfully so, but I must tell you that these combat ostriches are not to be trifled with. Nor is their ... master, I suppose. But then again whenever this historical figure is mentioned I picture Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator and suddenly think that maybe we was just misunderstood. For a while and then he went off the deep end so basically what is also told about him here. Might be some truth in that.
Special love, of course, for the haikus. And several other things that I can’t really get into unless I spoil the series and we really wouldn’t want that. I think there’s a little too much monster vaporising (very sensitive word for the fighting business), but I’m possibly also looking at this askepct a tad too much at the moment due to some other ongoing discussions.
How sensitive are you to descriptions of fights in books? Do you try to avoid them or would you say they don’t really affect you? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 16 May 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Royal Tour by Amy Alward.
This series is so cute! Fluff and sugar, a fun quick read with humour and witty dialogue. And not at all vapid or senseless. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the first book in this series, so I knew that I could expect an entertaining read with this added level of adventure and criminological puzzles. And the stakes are even higher in this second book. I especially love that we’re getting to see a little more of this fantastical world and I enjoyed the exploration aspect. While second books are in danger of suffering from a sort of bad patch within a series this one nicely managed to maintain the first book’s quality.
The first book had a slight cliffhanger, but this one? Let’s just say that there definitely needs to be a next book and I would very much like to have it sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe Sam and Zain will finally be able to go on their normal date?
Can you name a second book in a series that was exactly right and didn’t suffer sequel syndrome? Share well-made continuations of first books you enjoyed and your 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!
Royal Tour by Amy Alward.
 |
| Royal Tour – Simon & Schuster |
‘I don’t think it was that bad ...’
The tone of her voice doesn’t do anything to reassure me.
— Chapter 3
Finally, I hear the sound I’ve been waiting for. The flapping of wings in the sky.
‘Oh my god, what is that?’ asks Anita, her head tilted up to the sky.
‘You don’t want to know,’ I say.
— Chapter 52
This series is so cute! Fluff and sugar, a fun quick read with humour and witty dialogue. And not at all vapid or senseless. I was more than pleasantly surprised with the first book in this series, so I knew that I could expect an entertaining read with this added level of adventure and criminological puzzles. And the stakes are even higher in this second book. I especially love that we’re getting to see a little more of this fantastical world and I enjoyed the exploration aspect. While second books are in danger of suffering from a sort of bad patch within a series this one nicely managed to maintain the first book’s quality.
The first book had a slight cliffhanger, but this one? Let’s just say that there definitely needs to be a next book and I would very much like to have it sooner rather than later. And maybe, just maybe Sam and Zain will finally be able to go on their normal date?
Can you name a second book in a series that was exactly right and didn’t suffer sequel syndrome? Share well-made continuations of first books you enjoyed and your teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 9 May 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken.
I was a little afraid of this book simply because its precursor casts such a huge shadow and immediately occupied a spot on my favourite books of 2016 list ... in the first week of January. For several reasons I wasn’t able to read this second and final book upon its publication, but now I feel that it was well worth to wait for uninterrupted reading time, because this is a one sitting read.
At the same time this story is everything I hoped it would be while also not being at all what I expected. Without spoiling the first book let’s just say that I was happy to find the same voices and humour and beloved characters (and also new ones) while I had to get over certain people not sharing much page time.
Time travel books often have the problem that at one point I find the paradox that would mean nothing of all that happens should be possible. Alexandra Bracken has (as far as I’m concerned) managed to construct a solid rule set for her time travellers. At least I’m not expecting the characters to implode at any given moment, which cannot be said for a lot of other books in this genre. And she has chosen places to visit that are not the typical destination when you are able to go back in time. A neat double of books. I’m happy for the characters but at the same time sad to have to let them go. Safe travels, everyone.
Can you think of a book that was at the same time everything you wanted and also not at all what you expected? 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!
Wayfarer by Alexandra Bracken.
 |
| Wayfarer – Disney Hyperion |
“It’s rather remarkable, you know, the resemblance between the two of you. Uncanny, even.”
“Yeah, I didn’t miss the folks in the hall who crossed themselves when they saw me.
— Chapter 7
“My mother met that woman and they both survived it?”
One corner of his mouth twitched, and the parts of her that were still raw, and awkward – and, worse – unsure, eased. “I never said they emerged unscathed.”
— Chapter 8
I was a little afraid of this book simply because its precursor casts such a huge shadow and immediately occupied a spot on my favourite books of 2016 list ... in the first week of January. For several reasons I wasn’t able to read this second and final book upon its publication, but now I feel that it was well worth to wait for uninterrupted reading time, because this is a one sitting read.
At the same time this story is everything I hoped it would be while also not being at all what I expected. Without spoiling the first book let’s just say that I was happy to find the same voices and humour and beloved characters (and also new ones) while I had to get over certain people not sharing much page time.
Time travel books often have the problem that at one point I find the paradox that would mean nothing of all that happens should be possible. Alexandra Bracken has (as far as I’m concerned) managed to construct a solid rule set for her time travellers. At least I’m not expecting the characters to implode at any given moment, which cannot be said for a lot of other books in this genre. And she has chosen places to visit that are not the typical destination when you are able to go back in time. A neat double of books. I’m happy for the characters but at the same time sad to have to let them go. Safe travels, everyone.
Can you think of a book that was at the same time everything you wanted and also not at all what you expected? Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 2 May 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan.
Today is the publication date of the next Rick Riordan Demigod book featuring Apollo. Time, I thought to brush up on my knowledge of Greek mythology. And once again I realise how much I actually miss Percy and the gang. Yes, Rick Riordan captures the voices of all his protagonists in a unique and entertaining way and I enjoy them a lot, but Percy was the first and I reserve the right to miss him and Annabeth and hope for more than just glimpses of them.
Anyway, this is a perfectly fine overview of the major Olympian pantheon with the tongue in cheek tone that is to be expected when this author is involved. If you’re already well-versed in Greek mythology, this book will not provide you with anything new, but that should not deter you if Percy’s voice is your thing. A perfect companion to the series. And the illustrations are a perfect fit. Seriously, picking the right illustrator for a story can make or break a book and here it is definitely the former.
Can I just say that the voices of accusing Riordan of milking a cash cow here are decidedly fewer than with other authors with multiple books in the same universe ... could it be because he is not a woman? Which is sort of funny if you read the book and discover the underlying narrative of feminism throughout the book. If you like writing in the same universe and there are readers for it (or even if there are not) by all means go for it!
Do you pay attention to the criticisms of your favourite authors or do you (try to) ignore it? 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!
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods by Rick Riordan.
 |
| Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods – Disney Hyperion |
Now, in modern times, we have a word for this sort of behavior. We call it psycho.
Back then, the rules of behavior were a lot looser. Maybe you’ll feel better about your own relatives, knowing that the first family in creation was also the first dysfunctional family.
— Chapter 1
Sisyphus’s problem was that he didn’t want to die.
I can relate to that. I wake up every morning and think: You know what would be good today? Not dying.
— Chapter 9
Today is the publication date of the next Rick Riordan Demigod book featuring Apollo. Time, I thought to brush up on my knowledge of Greek mythology. And once again I realise how much I actually miss Percy and the gang. Yes, Rick Riordan captures the voices of all his protagonists in a unique and entertaining way and I enjoy them a lot, but Percy was the first and I reserve the right to miss him and Annabeth and hope for more than just glimpses of them.
Anyway, this is a perfectly fine overview of the major Olympian pantheon with the tongue in cheek tone that is to be expected when this author is involved. If you’re already well-versed in Greek mythology, this book will not provide you with anything new, but that should not deter you if Percy’s voice is your thing. A perfect companion to the series. And the illustrations are a perfect fit. Seriously, picking the right illustrator for a story can make or break a book and here it is definitely the former.
Can I just say that the voices of accusing Riordan of milking a cash cow here are decidedly fewer than with other authors with multiple books in the same universe ... could it be because he is not a woman? Which is sort of funny if you read the book and discover the underlying narrative of feminism throughout the book. If you like writing in the same universe and there are readers for it (or even if there are not) by all means go for it!
Do you pay attention to the criticisms of your favourite authors or do you (try to) ignore it? Share your habits and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 25 April 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.
Did I spend my Easter vacation binge-reading the wonderful Gallagher Girls series? I’m not saying anything that could incriminate me. I will, however, say that if these books have not been on your radar, you’re missing out on a great, enjoyable and entertaining series. The humour hits all the right notes and had me in a constant good mood. I especially love the character development over the course of the series. What never changes is the level of girl power and friendship. Sure, there is the boy topic (since things would have taken a very different turn if ... well, isn’t that always the case?), but it never detracts from the overall awesomeness that is the group of girls around Cammie Morgan.
In many stories it would have been an major development arc of the girls discovering that they are capable of becoming world class spies, but that is not this book. On the contrary, that is never called into question because all of them have their special talents and abilities. It starts out harmlessly enough with Cammie being noticed by a boy while out on a school assignment. The problem? Cammie is the perfect chameleon, which means that she doesn’t get noticed unless she wants to be. And while this attention itself isn’t dangerous it does something to Cammie and her friends, who might be able to hack into high security networks, but are terribly sheltered when it comes to boys. Fun and hilarity ensue ... among other things.
The series has published its tenth anniversary edition (I love the new covers and will have to do something about all that bonus material in the new publications), but it all began with the plead skirts which adorn my bookshelf. I don’t want to call the series a classic my age can’t take that hit right now, but if I’m honest if a book is still in print after a decade that title is well deserved. Maybe let’s call it a modern classic? Ally Carter is unquestionably one of the defining authors of the YA category and I for one am very glad that she writes for this audience.
I moved part of my library this weekend (part because I don’t have enough shelf space yet) and the hardest part was deciding which books absolutely had to come and which will have to wait in storage for a while longer. Which books do you have to have on display or your place doesn’t feel like home? Share treasures 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!
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Carter.
 |
| I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You – Disney Hyperion |
Times like this are when it's no fun being the headmistress's daughter, because A) it's totally annoying when people think I'm in a loop I'm not in, and B) people always assume I'm in partnership with the staff, which really I'm not – Sure, I have private dinners with my mom on Sunday nights, and sometimes she leaves me alone in her office for five seconds, but that's it. Whenever school is in session, I'm just another Gallagher Girl (except for being the girl to whom the aforementioned A and B apply).
— Chapter 1
Crouched on the roof between Bex and Liz, I wasn't a girl who had just broken up with her boyfriend; I looked at my watch and checked my gear instead of crying. I had a mission objective and not a broken heart.
— Chapter 27
Did I spend my Easter vacation binge-reading the wonderful Gallagher Girls series? I’m not saying anything that could incriminate me. I will, however, say that if these books have not been on your radar, you’re missing out on a great, enjoyable and entertaining series. The humour hits all the right notes and had me in a constant good mood. I especially love the character development over the course of the series. What never changes is the level of girl power and friendship. Sure, there is the boy topic (since things would have taken a very different turn if ... well, isn’t that always the case?), but it never detracts from the overall awesomeness that is the group of girls around Cammie Morgan.
In many stories it would have been an major development arc of the girls discovering that they are capable of becoming world class spies, but that is not this book. On the contrary, that is never called into question because all of them have their special talents and abilities. It starts out harmlessly enough with Cammie being noticed by a boy while out on a school assignment. The problem? Cammie is the perfect chameleon, which means that she doesn’t get noticed unless she wants to be. And while this attention itself isn’t dangerous it does something to Cammie and her friends, who might be able to hack into high security networks, but are terribly sheltered when it comes to boys. Fun and hilarity ensue ... among other things.
The series has published its tenth anniversary edition (I love the new covers and will have to do something about all that bonus material in the new publications), but it all began with the plead skirts which adorn my bookshelf. I don’t want to call the series a classic my age can’t take that hit right now, but if I’m honest if a book is still in print after a decade that title is well deserved. Maybe let’s call it a modern classic? Ally Carter is unquestionably one of the defining authors of the YA category and I for one am very glad that she writes for this audience.
I moved part of my library this weekend (part because I don’t have enough shelf space yet) and the hardest part was deciding which books absolutely had to come and which will have to wait in storage for a while longer. Which books do you have to have on display or your place doesn’t feel like home? Share treasures and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
United by Melissa Landers.
Despite the dreamy idea that publishing is a benevolent place (which is true most of the time) the industry is also a business that at the heart of the matter needs (and let’s be honest also wants) to make money. So when a book or series doesn’t match the expectations chances are that the publisher won’t commission a third book if they initially bought two. Second books are always hard, but they become a totally different beast when the author is asked to wrap up the story earlier than they originally planned and I somewhat suspected this in the second Alienated book when the end was anything but a conclusion. And seeing that this third book is self-published/published with a different publisher than the initial books ... well let’s just say it’s nice when instincts appear to be on point. (By the way, it also works the other way around that publishers sometimes ask a writer to expand a series beyond the initial books when they are performing better than expected. Both scenarios are not always beneficial to the story, but that’s a matter of opinion.)
Not-So-Short publishing excursus aside this is the end to the series as intended by the author and I’m glad that Melissa Landers was able to conclude her story in a way of her choosing. The loos ends from the second book are wrapped up and Cara and Aelyx are released into a future that will hopefully not include another attempt on their lives or their entire species. It may be a little over the top cheesy in some aspects but overall I’d say that the series is complete with this third book and better for it.
Do you have a series that you suspect or know has been cut short? I’m a little on the fence about let’s call them rogue sequel publications, but in some cases I’m happy to be positively surprised. 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!
United by Melissa Landers.
 |
| United – EverAfter |
“It’s a new record,” Aelyx said. “Less than an hour on this planet, and already someone’s trying to kill me.”
— Chapter 5
“It’s all right. None of us died in the cold void of space. I call that a win.”
— Chapter 8
Despite the dreamy idea that publishing is a benevolent place (which is true most of the time) the industry is also a business that at the heart of the matter needs (and let’s be honest also wants) to make money. So when a book or series doesn’t match the expectations chances are that the publisher won’t commission a third book if they initially bought two. Second books are always hard, but they become a totally different beast when the author is asked to wrap up the story earlier than they originally planned and I somewhat suspected this in the second Alienated book when the end was anything but a conclusion. And seeing that this third book is self-published/published with a different publisher than the initial books ... well let’s just say it’s nice when instincts appear to be on point. (By the way, it also works the other way around that publishers sometimes ask a writer to expand a series beyond the initial books when they are performing better than expected. Both scenarios are not always beneficial to the story, but that’s a matter of opinion.)
Not-So-Short publishing excursus aside this is the end to the series as intended by the author and I’m glad that Melissa Landers was able to conclude her story in a way of her choosing. The loos ends from the second book are wrapped up and Cara and Aelyx are released into a future that will hopefully not include another attempt on their lives or their entire species. It may be a little over the top cheesy in some aspects but overall I’d say that the series is complete with this third book and better for it.
Do you have a series that you suspect or know has been cut short? I’m a little on the fence about let’s call them rogue sequel publications, but in some cases I’m happy to be positively surprised. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 4 April 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Windwitch by Susan Dennard.
Second title in this truly wonderful series of (again) four books. When did I pick up the habit of starting series that will keep me busy for so many years? Must be a childhood disease I never quite overcame ...
I loved the first book for plunging me into this rich, confusing, almost incomprehensible and yet clearly outlined and lovingly detailed world (and yes, the number of adjectives is necessary and I haven’t recently fallen into a Thesaurus/Lexicon). And this second book expands this world not by adding more places but by adding more levels and making it more understandable. It felt a little like learning new nuances of an acquired language. Instead of just grasping the bare bones of a conversation you suddenly also pick up on messages between the lines. Not yet at native speaker level, to stay in the metaphor, but possibly getting there.
I miss (really, really miss) the shared pages of Safi and Iseult as their inspiring friendship was one of my primary reasons to love the first book yet their separation and subsequent other page companions are an almost adequate compensation. As are the additional perspectives of other characters. After all just because you’re geographically apart and making new friends doesn’t mean that you’re no longer connected. (But can we please work on getting people back to other people? (Vague-McVagueness))
Speaking of bookish childhood infections: What is the first series where you remember waiting for the following book to publish? For me it is (I think) a toss up between the third His Dark Materials and the second Abhorsen book – both great choices because they definitely didn’t publish in an annual rhythm. My poor bookseller must have been near madness when I kept coming back every month asking where the next book was. (An impatient child? Me? What makes you think so?) Share your experiences and teasers in the comments!
ETA 04/11: I’m on holiday this week and won’t be adding a new entry. Happy Easter if you’re celebrating and have a wonderful week in any case.
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!
Windwitch by Susan Dennard.
 |
| Windwitch – Tor Teen |
No more tiptoeing around a room because women oughtn’t to run. To shout. To rule.
And above all: no more blighted regrets.
— Chapter 4
For although the holiest might fall—and Merik had fallen far, indeed—they could also claw their way back up again.
— Chapter 6
Second title in this truly wonderful series of (again) four books. When did I pick up the habit of starting series that will keep me busy for so many years? Must be a childhood disease I never quite overcame ...
I loved the first book for plunging me into this rich, confusing, almost incomprehensible and yet clearly outlined and lovingly detailed world (and yes, the number of adjectives is necessary and I haven’t recently fallen into a Thesaurus/Lexicon). And this second book expands this world not by adding more places but by adding more levels and making it more understandable. It felt a little like learning new nuances of an acquired language. Instead of just grasping the bare bones of a conversation you suddenly also pick up on messages between the lines. Not yet at native speaker level, to stay in the metaphor, but possibly getting there.
I miss (really, really miss) the shared pages of Safi and Iseult as their inspiring friendship was one of my primary reasons to love the first book yet their separation and subsequent other page companions are an almost adequate compensation. As are the additional perspectives of other characters. After all just because you’re geographically apart and making new friends doesn’t mean that you’re no longer connected. (But can we please work on getting people back to other people? (Vague-McVagueness))
Speaking of bookish childhood infections: What is the first series where you remember waiting for the following book to publish? For me it is (I think) a toss up between the third His Dark Materials and the second Abhorsen book – both great choices because they definitely didn’t publish in an annual rhythm. My poor bookseller must have been near madness when I kept coming back every month asking where the next book was. (An impatient child? Me? What makes you think so?) Share your experiences and teasers in the comments!
ETA 04/11: I’m on holiday this week and won’t be adding a new entry. Happy Easter if you’re celebrating and have a wonderful week in any case.
Tuesday 28 March 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness.
Warning: If irony and sarcasm are foreign to you or just not your cup of tea, you will more than likely not enjoy this book. But if you like an appreciative chuckle at the expense of popular fantasy tropes (even if you love those as well), then you should definitely have a look at this.
Patrick Ness is a wonderful storyteller who can craft a narrative that will suck you right in. But in this case not to take you on an epic adventure to save the world from an apocalypse and humanity from certain extinction. This also is not the story of the trusty side-kick/best friend/family of the hero. No, this is the story of those far in the background, who usually appear in the end credits as “Boy #2” or “Girl in Hallway” and whose only objective is to finish their final year of high school (and maybe get a prom date, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves). Sometimes the most mundane seeming thing can harbour the biggest challenge of all: Finding meaning in your own ordinarily extraordinary life.
Do you have a favourite fantasy trope that you maybe want to see turned on its head? Share ideas and your 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 Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness.
 |
| The Rest of Us Just Live Here – Walker Books |
In my lifetime, we’ve had 1) the undead, 2) those soul-eating ghosts, 3) the vampire cycle of romance and death, and 4) whatever might be happening now with the body of Finn and the terrified deer, if they’re even connected (they’re probably connected). When Jared’s grandad was a teenager, they had Gods.
— Chapter 6
It’s not a bomb this time, even it it might as well be.
My dad shows up.
— Chapter 15
Warning: If irony and sarcasm are foreign to you or just not your cup of tea, you will more than likely not enjoy this book. But if you like an appreciative chuckle at the expense of popular fantasy tropes (even if you love those as well), then you should definitely have a look at this.
Patrick Ness is a wonderful storyteller who can craft a narrative that will suck you right in. But in this case not to take you on an epic adventure to save the world from an apocalypse and humanity from certain extinction. This also is not the story of the trusty side-kick/best friend/family of the hero. No, this is the story of those far in the background, who usually appear in the end credits as “Boy #2” or “Girl in Hallway” and whose only objective is to finish their final year of high school (and maybe get a prom date, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves). Sometimes the most mundane seeming thing can harbour the biggest challenge of all: Finding meaning in your own ordinarily extraordinary life.
Do you have a favourite fantasy trope that you maybe want to see turned on its head? Share ideas and your teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 21 March 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard.
This is not actually the final book in a trilogy but rather the setup for the ultimate finale. And the stakes are ... staggering to say the least. Mare is held captive by her very worst nightmare and used as a propaganda puppet yet the girl still has the capability to wander off on dangerous tangents of misguided trust. And then we get other points of view. I predictably especially enjoyed staying with Cameron inside the resistance forces. I really enjoyed her voice and her if not unbiased then in other ways biased perspective.
I have the very distinct feeling that I won’t like where this is headed, but seeing that there is a whole book yet waiting after this it is to be expected that things have to go downhill before anything can be resolved. I just hope that the dear lightning girl finally comes to her senses regarding whom to trust.
Trilogies are nice and well, but four books offer a completely different opportunity for betrayal. I don’t know if the series was planned as a quadrilogy from the beginning. At the moment it seems that the story arc is well-balanced to carry across four books and I hope this holds true. What are your thoughts on longer series? Share your opinions 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!
King’s Cage by Victoria Aveyard.
 |
| King’s Cage – HarperTeen |
But even isolation has not broken my pride. Not yet.
— Chapter 2
Clearly a ruse, definitely another plot. And it was headed straight for us.
— Chapter 15
This is not actually the final book in a trilogy but rather the setup for the ultimate finale. And the stakes are ... staggering to say the least. Mare is held captive by her very worst nightmare and used as a propaganda puppet yet the girl still has the capability to wander off on dangerous tangents of misguided trust. And then we get other points of view. I predictably especially enjoyed staying with Cameron inside the resistance forces. I really enjoyed her voice and her if not unbiased then in other ways biased perspective.
I have the very distinct feeling that I won’t like where this is headed, but seeing that there is a whole book yet waiting after this it is to be expected that things have to go downhill before anything can be resolved. I just hope that the dear lightning girl finally comes to her senses regarding whom to trust.
Trilogies are nice and well, but four books offer a completely different opportunity for betrayal. I don’t know if the series was planned as a quadrilogy from the beginning. At the moment it seems that the story arc is well-balanced to carry across four books and I hope this holds true. What are your thoughts on longer series? Share your opinions and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 14 March 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro.
Holmes and Watson are one of my ultimate pairings, be it platonic or romantic. You can dangle any book with them in front of me and I’ll give it a try. And in case of this series this was a very lucky find. I actually had to leave a cafe after giggling at the highly amusing dialogues one too many times and people were beginning to look at me suspiciously.
As this is the second book in the trilogy I’m quite happy to report that coming back to these characters felt like returning to some good friends. With the added fun of also experiencing some confusion because things have definitely taken a turn since the last visit. As with so many versions this duo, Holmes and Watson have a series of personal issues apart from their actual cases. And I adore Charlotte and Jamie with their special brand of quirks and problems.
This book takes the two of them first to the UK and then on to Berlin and Prague. It’s quite fun to observe characters be tourists in your country. Their case is something else, and of course much more complex than it seems. I’ve not yet solved everything that is going on, but I have some suspicions (one of my favourite aspects of these books, puzzling out the intricacies of these types of plots). And then there is the final book and I fear that there will be a major cliffhanger at the end of this ...
Any kryptonite-like books you have recently discovered that you weren’t able to put down? Share your finds 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 Last of August by Brittany Cavallaro.
 |
| The Last of August – Katherine Tegen Books |
“Do you want me to give you a shovel so you can keep on digging me this hole?”
“Please,” she shot back. “I’d rather watch. You’re doing such a nice job of it, after all.”
— Chapter 3
“Do you need a ride?”
The click of a gun cocking. It wasn’t a suggestion. I got in.
— Chapter 6
Holmes and Watson are one of my ultimate pairings, be it platonic or romantic. You can dangle any book with them in front of me and I’ll give it a try. And in case of this series this was a very lucky find. I actually had to leave a cafe after giggling at the highly amusing dialogues one too many times and people were beginning to look at me suspiciously.
As this is the second book in the trilogy I’m quite happy to report that coming back to these characters felt like returning to some good friends. With the added fun of also experiencing some confusion because things have definitely taken a turn since the last visit. As with so many versions this duo, Holmes and Watson have a series of personal issues apart from their actual cases. And I adore Charlotte and Jamie with their special brand of quirks and problems.
This book takes the two of them first to the UK and then on to Berlin and Prague. It’s quite fun to observe characters be tourists in your country. Their case is something else, and of course much more complex than it seems. I’ve not yet solved everything that is going on, but I have some suspicions (one of my favourite aspects of these books, puzzling out the intricacies of these types of plots). And then there is the final book and I fear that there will be a major cliffhanger at the end of this ...
Any kryptonite-like books you have recently discovered that you weren’t able to put down? Share your finds and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 7 March 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter.
Final book in this exceptional series that has gotten better over the course of its publication. Knowledge is power, yet sometimes knowledge and the power it brings can also be extremely dangerous. The stakes have reached an incredible height after the chase out of home and country for Grace. Now she is on the run from the people who apparently are determined to see her silenced – and if it’s the silence of the grave. But luckily Grace has a bunch of friends who are even more determined to see her alive and well – or as well as Grace is ever going to be after what happened in her past.
Ally Carter has created a diverse and well-realised cast of characters, whom I loved getting to know during their adventures. And while the kingdom of Adria is not real it feels like it is. The society and the history are superbly developed and make the semi-fictional world and threats in it appear very real. And while I am sad to see the series end I’m more that happy with its finale. The solution was as elegant as it was plausible and made me appreciate the overall plotting of this series. I will admit that I haven’t read her other books, but that’s something I’m more than willing to rectify.
Isn’t that dress on the cover gorgeous? Not to talk about the handsome guy waiting on the stairs ... not quite as it appears in the novel, but close enough. Do you have a cover scene or outfit in mind you’d like to try on? Share 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!
Take the Key and Lock Her Up by Ally Carter.
 |
| Take the Key and Lock Her Up – Scholastic Press |
There are few things in the world scarier than the unknown. I’ve learned that the hard way.
— Chapter 3
And trust is like an invisible tightrope. Only a true friend dares to take a step.
— Chapter 9
Final book in this exceptional series that has gotten better over the course of its publication. Knowledge is power, yet sometimes knowledge and the power it brings can also be extremely dangerous. The stakes have reached an incredible height after the chase out of home and country for Grace. Now she is on the run from the people who apparently are determined to see her silenced – and if it’s the silence of the grave. But luckily Grace has a bunch of friends who are even more determined to see her alive and well – or as well as Grace is ever going to be after what happened in her past.
Ally Carter has created a diverse and well-realised cast of characters, whom I loved getting to know during their adventures. And while the kingdom of Adria is not real it feels like it is. The society and the history are superbly developed and make the semi-fictional world and threats in it appear very real. And while I am sad to see the series end I’m more that happy with its finale. The solution was as elegant as it was plausible and made me appreciate the overall plotting of this series. I will admit that I haven’t read her other books, but that’s something I’m more than willing to rectify.
Isn’t that dress on the cover gorgeous? Not to talk about the handsome guy waiting on the stairs ... not quite as it appears in the novel, but close enough. Do you have a cover scene or outfit in mind you’d like to try on? Share ideas and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 28 February 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth.
Coming from such a big success as the Divergent series it seems quite a feat to follow up with a similarly striking story. Veronica Roth has devised a highly impressive and well-crafted universe with an interesting cast of characters. There have been quite a number of reviews both praising and rebuking. Both are well understandable as there are aspects in this book that are truly inspiring as well as parts that can be worrying if you look at them unreflecting. At first, the two opposing cultures can seem a little one-dimensional or even stereotypical but you should never meet a book at its face value, especially not if it’s written by someone who already created a character like Tris. (Without spoiling that series, but if you know what happened to Tris and that the author carried that knowledge and also the motivation for this action through three books, this should erase any doubt that the characterisation of anything in this new story is lazy or thoughtless.)
The one thing I found a little difficult were the first steps into this story with all its unknown rules and beliefs while also almost immediately picking up pace in terms of plot development. It felt a little like I was halfway across the planet before I even understood what was going on. This feeling of disorientation would perfectly match the reader-emotion to the main character Akos. However, at exactly that moment the narration switches to the other main character Cyra, who is at that point very much at home and certain of her position. The moment this changes the narration switches up again as well and I dare say that this is a supremely clever narrative device. Veronica Roth is a master-crafter and I’d say right now the only danger to her story is that of over-playing the strength of plotting. I can’t wait where the second and in this case final book is going to take us.
I won’t ask if you’ve read the author’s previous books. Instead I want to know how you react when you encounter the title of a book inside the text. In this case it made me nod in satisfaction when the phrase carve the mark finally appeared. 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!
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth.
 |
| Carve the Mark – Katherine Tegen Books |
My mother had always talked quietly when she was angry. She said it made people listen.
— Chapter 9
You know her well. People are harder to sum up when you know them well.
— Chapter 28
Coming from such a big success as the Divergent series it seems quite a feat to follow up with a similarly striking story. Veronica Roth has devised a highly impressive and well-crafted universe with an interesting cast of characters. There have been quite a number of reviews both praising and rebuking. Both are well understandable as there are aspects in this book that are truly inspiring as well as parts that can be worrying if you look at them unreflecting. At first, the two opposing cultures can seem a little one-dimensional or even stereotypical but you should never meet a book at its face value, especially not if it’s written by someone who already created a character like Tris. (Without spoiling that series, but if you know what happened to Tris and that the author carried that knowledge and also the motivation for this action through three books, this should erase any doubt that the characterisation of anything in this new story is lazy or thoughtless.)
The one thing I found a little difficult were the first steps into this story with all its unknown rules and beliefs while also almost immediately picking up pace in terms of plot development. It felt a little like I was halfway across the planet before I even understood what was going on. This feeling of disorientation would perfectly match the reader-emotion to the main character Akos. However, at exactly that moment the narration switches to the other main character Cyra, who is at that point very much at home and certain of her position. The moment this changes the narration switches up again as well and I dare say that this is a supremely clever narrative device. Veronica Roth is a master-crafter and I’d say right now the only danger to her story is that of over-playing the strength of plotting. I can’t wait where the second and in this case final book is going to take us.
I won’t ask if you’ve read the author’s previous books. Instead I want to know how you react when you encounter the title of a book inside the text. In this case it made me nod in satisfaction when the phrase carve the mark finally appeared. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments.
Tuesday 21 February 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Glitter by Aprilynne Pike.
This book looks pretty and shallow, doesn’t t? And its protagonist invests quite a lot to be perceived as just this: a non-threatening and superficial girl. But make no mistake there is so much going on beneath the surface!
The setting can be a little confusing at first. How can there be a completely separated historical society right in the middle of a futurist country? It’s not actually that unimaginable considering what just enough money will be able to buy. The straight and consequent implementation of this second society is very entertaining. And yet even more entertaining is the downward spiral of the protagonist. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t enjoy seeing a person destroying themselves and everyone around them and I more or less understand where the protagonist is coming from. I can’t quite pinpoint the moment when my understanding of the situation flipped. At what point does the end stop justifying the means? Social study potential galore!
Be aware that there is a Cliffs of Moher like cliffhanger at the end though. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Book two has no release date scheduled yet.
I don’t have to like a character to understand them. And I seem to read quite a few of the intentionally disliked characters lately. Have you come across a character you don’t like but who fascinates you recently? Share your finds 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!
Glitter by Aprilynne Pike.
 |
| Glitter – Random House Books for Young Readers |
I see his jaw working furiously; he wants to accuse me of something, but my story is too simple for holes. The best lies always are.
— Chapter 7
Is it truly worth saving one’s life if you lose your soul in the process?
But like a cart careening down a hill, I’ve set too many processes into motion.
— Chapter 34
This book looks pretty and shallow, doesn’t t? And its protagonist invests quite a lot to be perceived as just this: a non-threatening and superficial girl. But make no mistake there is so much going on beneath the surface!
The setting can be a little confusing at first. How can there be a completely separated historical society right in the middle of a futurist country? It’s not actually that unimaginable considering what just enough money will be able to buy. The straight and consequent implementation of this second society is very entertaining. And yet even more entertaining is the downward spiral of the protagonist. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t enjoy seeing a person destroying themselves and everyone around them and I more or less understand where the protagonist is coming from. I can’t quite pinpoint the moment when my understanding of the situation flipped. At what point does the end stop justifying the means? Social study potential galore!
Be aware that there is a Cliffs of Moher like cliffhanger at the end though. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Book two has no release date scheduled yet.
I don’t have to like a character to understand them. And I seem to read quite a few of the intentionally disliked characters lately. Have you come across a character you don’t like but who fascinates you recently? Share your finds and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 14 February 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Winter by Marissa Meyer.
Maybe today would have called for either an obviously romantic or a completely unromantic choice, but to heck with it. This is the final (so far) book in the Lunar Chronicles and a worthy conclusion to the series. The war that’s been brewing for three book finally arrives at the door of those who have been stoking it for several decades.
The author manages to tie up all retellings she’s taken up and bring them together in a suspenseful and entertaining way. I’ve loved rooting for the several characters and sharing their turbulent developments. At several point the outlook is more than dire, but the solutions always seem organic and plausible.
There is apparently going to be a graphic novel spin-off for Iko. I’m not quite sure if I’ll follow along. Not because of the medium, but because the end seemed so well-rounded to me. But you never know. Or rather: You’ll certainly get to know if I decide to give it a try.
Do you have a series that has switched mediums to expand after the end? I’m very curious if you think the switch was made successfully. Share your opinions 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!
Winter by Marissa Meyer.
 |
| Winter – Feiwel & Friends |
“You know, if this emperor thing doesn’t work out, you might have a future career in espionage.”
He gave her a wry look. “Let’s make sure this emperor thing works out, all right?”
— Chapter 17
I can’t do anything like this. I’m broken. I’m literally broken.”
Iko settled a hand on Cinder’s shoulder. “Yeah, but broken isn’t the same as unfixable.”
— Chapter 54
Maybe today would have called for either an obviously romantic or a completely unromantic choice, but to heck with it. This is the final (so far) book in the Lunar Chronicles and a worthy conclusion to the series. The war that’s been brewing for three book finally arrives at the door of those who have been stoking it for several decades.
The author manages to tie up all retellings she’s taken up and bring them together in a suspenseful and entertaining way. I’ve loved rooting for the several characters and sharing their turbulent developments. At several point the outlook is more than dire, but the solutions always seem organic and plausible.
There is apparently going to be a graphic novel spin-off for Iko. I’m not quite sure if I’ll follow along. Not because of the medium, but because the end seemed so well-rounded to me. But you never know. Or rather: You’ll certainly get to know if I decide to give it a try.
Do you have a series that has switched mediums to expand after the end? I’m very curious if you think the switch was made successfully. Share your opinions and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 7 February 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
As promised (threatened?) with the first book, here I am going on again with the second book about Tess Kendrick. And for all that’s worth something I loved this book! Tess is her snarky brilliant self, the stakes as high as one can imagine, political intrigues in abundance, and the lines between friend and adversary more murky than ever.
Such a fun and at the same time nerve-racking read. I am a little devastated that this seems to be the final book, because I am so not done ... and neither is the overarching story if you ask me. But maybe there will be another book and I just haven’t found the news yet. I don’t know how long I’ll believe this, but until there is other evidence I refuse to think that I won’t see these characters again. And if anyone n the decision-making levels should read this: PLEASE let there be another book!
Do you have a series that was unexpectedly cut short (not that believe this is happening here lalala)? I understand that publishers must think economically, but why does it always happen to the series I like so much? Let’s hear from you 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 Long Game by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
 |
| The Long Game – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
“He has a face for every occasion.”
“Whereas you,” Henry said, “just have a poker face, the appearance of which is typically a cause for concern.”
— Chapter 10
“I’m okay.”
Vivvie peered at me. “Does that mean that you’re actually okay, or that you’re stoically projecting that you will be okay at some undefined point in the future?”
— Chapter 29
As promised (threatened?) with the first book, here I am going on again with the second book about Tess Kendrick. And for all that’s worth something I loved this book! Tess is her snarky brilliant self, the stakes as high as one can imagine, political intrigues in abundance, and the lines between friend and adversary more murky than ever.
Such a fun and at the same time nerve-racking read. I am a little devastated that this seems to be the final book, because I am so not done ... and neither is the overarching story if you ask me. But maybe there will be another book and I just haven’t found the news yet. I don’t know how long I’ll believe this, but until there is other evidence I refuse to think that I won’t see these characters again. And if anyone n the decision-making levels should read this: PLEASE let there be another book!
Do you have a series that was unexpectedly cut short (not that believe this is happening here lalala)? I understand that publishers must think economically, but why does it always happen to the series I like so much? Let’s hear from you in the comments!
Tuesday 31 January 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee.
So, I hope you aren’t afraid of heights because this book will take you way up into the clouds. And down into the deepest abyss of society. You can read this as a guilty pleasure and be well entertained. Or if you’re like me you read this as a mixture between guilty pleasure, social study, and crime mystery. I made one mistake with this book in that I flipped through the book at one point and found out one of the mysteries the book sets up in the prologue (I have a talent for that, I should just rubber band the subsequent pages). I don’t know if I would have figured it out before it happened, but that way I read the story with very different eyes.
The number of characters was slightly overwhelming at the beginning, but once I had them straight and was beginning to understand how their stories were intertwined although they lived in such separated social strata it became complexly interesting. I liked how the author was able to portray these characters with their different premises and motivations.
There is one aspect that might be a red flag for some: There is a romantic implication between siblings. However, they are not blood-related, merely grew up together so I don’t actually get why this is such a big deal.
Have you ever accidentally discovered a major plot reveal without meaning to and have it change your reading of the story? Or are you a skip ahead person? 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!
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee.
 |
| The Thousandth Floor – HarperTeen |
“I just don’t understand why you won’t talk to me.”
“Yeah, well, sometimes it’s not about you, Avery.”
— Chapter 6
The words hung there, quietly ending the world Avery had always lived in. In the silence a new world was unfolding.
— Chapter 50
So, I hope you aren’t afraid of heights because this book will take you way up into the clouds. And down into the deepest abyss of society. You can read this as a guilty pleasure and be well entertained. Or if you’re like me you read this as a mixture between guilty pleasure, social study, and crime mystery. I made one mistake with this book in that I flipped through the book at one point and found out one of the mysteries the book sets up in the prologue (I have a talent for that, I should just rubber band the subsequent pages). I don’t know if I would have figured it out before it happened, but that way I read the story with very different eyes.
The number of characters was slightly overwhelming at the beginning, but once I had them straight and was beginning to understand how their stories were intertwined although they lived in such separated social strata it became complexly interesting. I liked how the author was able to portray these characters with their different premises and motivations.
There is one aspect that might be a red flag for some: There is a romantic implication between siblings. However, they are not blood-related, merely grew up together so I don’t actually get why this is such a big deal.
Have you ever accidentally discovered a major plot reveal without meaning to and have it change your reading of the story? Or are you a skip ahead person? Share your habits and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 24 January 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
Seeing that I don’t have any siblings I can’t say that I know about murderous tendencies towards them. But I seriously hope that even if there is a heavy animosity it won’t come to such a feud where whole circles of people are pitted against each other and groomed to ultimately kill the other sibling.
Kendare Blake is very talented in creating a world which is perfectly self-sustained. I was impressed when I read that the inspiration were queen bees and their colonies, because it definitely shows and is easily understood. I especially liked that even the language was adapted to this universe.
No one in this book is without blame ... or without an agenda. It took me a few chapters to fully embrace this quality of the story rather than fight it and look for an impeccably good character. At the same time they aren’t inherently bad. Or at least I don’t necessarily think they are. Communication certainly would have helped, but is cleverly impeded by the established culture and society. A feast if you’re interested in society and behaviour studies. It’s very much a place I would like to visit, but would also be very happy to be able to leave.
Which fictional place would you like to visit for a while but not forever? Share destinations 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!
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake.
 |
| Three Dark Crowns – HarperTeen |
For it is too cruel otherwise, to force a queen to kill that which she loves. Her own sisters. And for her to see that which she loves come at her door like wolves, seeking her head.
— Chapter 9
“It is easy enough to come and go. A short sail to the mist and through it. My God, I feel mad just saying that aloud. Madder, knowing that it’s true.”
“Easy to come and go,” Arsinoe mutters. Easy for anyone but her, anyway.
— Chapter 11
Seeing that I don’t have any siblings I can’t say that I know about murderous tendencies towards them. But I seriously hope that even if there is a heavy animosity it won’t come to such a feud where whole circles of people are pitted against each other and groomed to ultimately kill the other sibling.
Kendare Blake is very talented in creating a world which is perfectly self-sustained. I was impressed when I read that the inspiration were queen bees and their colonies, because it definitely shows and is easily understood. I especially liked that even the language was adapted to this universe.
No one in this book is without blame ... or without an agenda. It took me a few chapters to fully embrace this quality of the story rather than fight it and look for an impeccably good character. At the same time they aren’t inherently bad. Or at least I don’t necessarily think they are. Communication certainly would have helped, but is cleverly impeded by the established culture and society. A feast if you’re interested in society and behaviour studies. It’s very much a place I would like to visit, but would also be very happy to be able to leave.
Which fictional place would you like to visit for a while but not forever? Share destinations and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 17 January 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
So much love for this book! And its story and characters and absolutely everything! I could go on about this forever, but I’d prefer to keep this in its limits and hopefully you’ll have a look at it yourself. It actually starts at a very similar pont to another book I recently read but then goes in a completely different direction and what an amazing direction that is.
This story is such a wild ride that I literally refused to put this book down before I knew how a dicey situation plays out. Really perfectly crafted suspense. I guessed one thing but was then totally thrown by another aspect again. Yet in hindsight it makes perfect sense.
Tess’ humour/sarcasm is phenomenal, I absolutely would love to have her as a friend just because of that. And if I can’t have her I would want Vivvie and Asher. And Emilia as my best frenemy. The tags for this book name a certain geometrical shape as part of this story, but so far I haven’t seen anything hinting in that direction. Not even in the backstory.
If you’re at all interested in political (not current/real) intrigue and/or superbly written spunky female main characters in a crime-y setting and haven’t read this yet I cannot recommend this enough. And I’ll most definitely pester you about ths again with the second book.
How are your sarcasm and irony skills? I’ve found that creative/literary poeple are a little more likely to respond positively to them overall, but maybe that’s due to my own predilection. Please share your opinions and teasers n 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 Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
 |
| The Fixer – Bloomsbury Children’s Books |
“How good are you at getting sent to the headmaster’s office for something that won’t actually get you expelled?” Asher smiled beatifically, as if he’d been waiting his whole life for someone to ask just that question.
— Chapter 34
When he saw me coming his way, he made his excuses to the group he was talking to and ducked into the boys’ bathroom.
Presumably, he thought that I would not follow him.
He obviously did not know me very well.
— Chapter 47
So much love for this book! And its story and characters and absolutely everything! I could go on about this forever, but I’d prefer to keep this in its limits and hopefully you’ll have a look at it yourself. It actually starts at a very similar pont to another book I recently read but then goes in a completely different direction and what an amazing direction that is.
This story is such a wild ride that I literally refused to put this book down before I knew how a dicey situation plays out. Really perfectly crafted suspense. I guessed one thing but was then totally thrown by another aspect again. Yet in hindsight it makes perfect sense.
Tess’ humour/sarcasm is phenomenal, I absolutely would love to have her as a friend just because of that. And if I can’t have her I would want Vivvie and Asher. And Emilia as my best frenemy. The tags for this book name a certain geometrical shape as part of this story, but so far I haven’t seen anything hinting in that direction. Not even in the backstory.
If you’re at all interested in political (not current/real) intrigue and/or superbly written spunky female main characters in a crime-y setting and haven’t read this yet I cannot recommend this enough. And I’ll most definitely pester you about ths again with the second book.
How are your sarcasm and irony skills? I’ve found that creative/literary poeple are a little more likely to respond positively to them overall, but maybe that’s due to my own predilection. Please share your opinions and teasers n the comments!
Tuesday 10 January 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro.
The day may come when I’ll no longer be temped by a Sherlock remake. So far, it doesn’t seem likely though. And that is a very good thing in my opinion, otherwise I would have missed this entertaining book. It’a nice to see the uncompromising analytical mind of the detective in a female main character for a change and let Watson be the (as per the role) more nursing one but with a slightly more problematic angle. I actually wish that this were taken even more to the point, but that probably would have caused reader riots ...
I especially liked how the original stories are referenced and sort of taken as actual history to be taken with a grain of salt in terms of creative license. And no doubt would Watson have liked a guidebook on the care and keeping of Holmses. That alone made me giggle quite a bit. Yet the story is not only amusing for a Sherlock fan. Even if the stories are completely unknown at the heart of the book there is still a very well-crafted crime plot. Among other things. I’m very much looking forward to the second book in the series.
By now it’s probably back to work or school for most of you. I hope you have found no unhappy surprises at your desk upon your return. Are you perchance watching the new BBC Sherlock series? I’m still a little shell-shocked if I’m absolutely honest. 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!
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro.
 |
| A Study in Charlotte – Katherine Tegen Books |
When I get angry, my English accent thickens until it’s clotted and snotty, a full-on cartoon. And I was furious. I probably sounded like the bloody Queen.
— Chapter 1
“Do you think, if I set fire to the maths building—”
“No.”
“But—”
“Still no.”
— Chapter 7
The day may come when I’ll no longer be temped by a Sherlock remake. So far, it doesn’t seem likely though. And that is a very good thing in my opinion, otherwise I would have missed this entertaining book. It’a nice to see the uncompromising analytical mind of the detective in a female main character for a change and let Watson be the (as per the role) more nursing one but with a slightly more problematic angle. I actually wish that this were taken even more to the point, but that probably would have caused reader riots ...
I especially liked how the original stories are referenced and sort of taken as actual history to be taken with a grain of salt in terms of creative license. And no doubt would Watson have liked a guidebook on the care and keeping of Holmses. That alone made me giggle quite a bit. Yet the story is not only amusing for a Sherlock fan. Even if the stories are completely unknown at the heart of the book there is still a very well-crafted crime plot. Among other things. I’m very much looking forward to the second book in the series.
By now it’s probably back to work or school for most of you. I hope you have found no unhappy surprises at your desk upon your return. Are you perchance watching the new BBC Sherlock series? I’m still a little shell-shocked if I’m absolutely honest. Share your thoughts and teasers in the comments!
Tuesday 3 January 2017
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia of The Purple Booker.
To play along just do the following:
My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill.
Happy new year, everyone! I hope you had a good one and have already started well into this new round around the sun. At one point I got a little fed up with this dreary wet and stormy winter and what better way to get rid of it than with a summer book? This is a pretty summer romance with quite a few very quotable sentences. Admittedly you’re more than likely to get me interested in a book when it’s a two worlds collide type of love story ... Pride and Prejudice ring a bell? They can be very straightforward and often also formulaic, but I nevertheless appreciate them when they manage to convey this special feeling. This book does that quite well and tops it off with a nice underlying plot of character development.
How did you start your reading year? Do you have a resolution on how many books you want to read in 2017? Let’s hear from you 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!
My Unscripted Life by Lauren Morrill.
 |
| My Unscripted Life – Delacorte Press |
She tosses me a pen from the mug next to the computer. I catch it and sign, hoping it doesn’t obligate me to shave my head or dance a jig anytime someone says the words “peanut butter.”
— Chapter 2
You’ve got to quit confusing the plan with the dream. Plans change. They fall apart. Sometimes outside forces even blow them to smithereens. But the dream is what you always come back to. It’s your lighthouse in the fog. In the freaking storm.
— Chapter 10
Happy new year, everyone! I hope you had a good one and have already started well into this new round around the sun. At one point I got a little fed up with this dreary wet and stormy winter and what better way to get rid of it than with a summer book? This is a pretty summer romance with quite a few very quotable sentences. Admittedly you’re more than likely to get me interested in a book when it’s a two worlds collide type of love story ... Pride and Prejudice ring a bell? They can be very straightforward and often also formulaic, but I nevertheless appreciate them when they manage to convey this special feeling. This book does that quite well and tops it off with a nice underlying plot of character development.
How did you start your reading year? Do you have a resolution on how many books you want to read in 2017? Let’s hear from you in the comments!
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