Review: Steelheart

Everything was normal - before super humans. When they started taking over the world - everything changed.

Now humans live in fear. Sometimes without electricity, food, water, or sunlight.

David knows something can be done to change the world. He saw Steelheart bleed. He spends all his free time researching and waiting for the perfect opportunity. 

Now it's here - if only he can convince the Reckoners to listen to his plan. It's a great plan, but he'll need their help to pull it off. Will they trust him enough to agree and try to bring down the most powerful Epic?

My Thoughts: A fascinating read that's very different. I got an ARC at BEA thinking my husband would like it, and he did. But then he made me read it next. I devoured it too. I like how David spent his time researching the Epics for their weaknesses, collecting data on them, and creating theories. I confess it made my nerdy self sigh. I never saw most of the twists and turns coming, which was perfect.  I enjoyed watching the revolution spark and the ideas catch fire. I really liked David and how he found and infiltrated the Reckoners. I enjoyed Cody's banter and Abraham's thoughtful words. A great dystopian novels that stayed in my mind for days after.

Cover Thoughts: Cool
Source: BEA ARC

Review: Dualed

West lives in a society that only wants the best and brightest to survive. So when couples want children, they're forced to pair up with two other parents. Two children are created with DNA from all four parents. Each parent takes home a child to raise.  Somewhere between the 10th and 20th birthday, the pair becomes activated. They then have one month to locate and kill their Alternate. If they both fail, they are simultaneously destroyed.

West's world goes into a downward spiral when she accidentally gets her brother killed. Now she's the last one left of her family. Her brother's best friend has promised to protect her, but since his Alt killer her brother, she can't look at him without feeling guilt and pain.

West does something crazy in order to survive - in order to feel something. She thinks that it will help with her training, for when she becomes activated. When the time comes, she wrestles with that question. Is she the best version?

My Thoughts: I love the concept of this book - it's definitely dark. West was strong, insecure, and sometimes made the wrong choices. In a way, she reminded me of Katniss. There were times when I wanted to ask what was going through her head - except that I knew and while I understood her thought process, I didn't agree with all her decisions. The opening sequence broke my heart, but it sets the tone for the book. I really liked Chord and how he tries to pull West our of her grief. I loved the moments between West and Dess. A great character driven novel with action, death, and a terrifying ending. Dualed is an engrossing debut novel that makes me want the sequel Divided! 

Cover Thoughts: LOVE
Source: My Library

A Visit to Random House

On Monday I had the good fortune to accompany the Western CT YA Librarian Round Table to Random House. It's a crazy long travel day (6 hours total), but it was worth it! We got there a little bit early and had time to look around the lobby. They had bookcases on the two walls filled with books from the pasts century. Of course I just had to take pictures.

We then met Wendy Lamb who took the group of 13 librarians to her office, where we talked about book covers, the editing process, and we got to take a quick peek at a few manuscripts. We then chatted with Stephanie who talked with us about pictures books.

Did you know that an author and illustrator might never meet?
We got to see some art and take a look at the process of editing a picture book manuscript including art and the written world. F&G (Fold and Gather) is how pictures books are printed to take a look at color. It's ARC of the picture books.

We then took of tour of where all the magic happens.

They have a awesome wall for illustrators (when they moved - they moved the wall too)
Look, it's Babymouse!!!

It's Duck and Goose

Then we had lunch while chatting with several lovely editors/publishers/interns. We talked about book covers, social media and teens, e-readers vs print books, and of course upcoming books.

Here are the ones that I can't wait to read:

Beautiful and the Cursed (which I found an ARC in my goodie bag - there might have been squealing). Set in Paris - with gargoyles who are protectors. A missing brother. A Forbidden Romance.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: This sounds super duper fun! Lots of puzzles. Kids overnight in the library. Tagged as a cross between Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and A Night in the Museum.

Gated: Contemporary Dystopian - a gated community after 9/11. One girl meets a boy outside the compound and has to ask herself some tough questions.

Review: Other Countess

Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime hasn't had an easy life living with her father the alchemist. He's much more interested in his profession and his experiences than he is in buying the proper clothes for her, sending her to school, or even putting a roof over her head.


Now, after a stroke of good luck, Ellie finds herself at Queen Elizabeth's court. There she meets Lady Jane Perceval, who wealth is reflected in her clothing and her manners. After an entertaining introduction where they talk about the uselessness of their clothing, they become fast friends.


One man could threaten their newly formed relationship.  William Lacey, the Earl of Dorset needs a wealthy wife to help his estate survive. He's quite taken with Ellie. Ellie doesn't have a penny to her name. Plus the two have a history that Ellie's not sure she can overlook. While he wants to marry Ellie, he'll have to propose to Jane.


Can the two women keep their friendship? Will they be able to find love on their terms?

My Thoughts: I've been wanting to read this book for a while. It took me a little bit to get into it, but then I was hooked. I really loved the friendship between Jane and Ellie. I loved they spoke about their world, the frivolities, and how little power women hold. For me, the book wasn't about the romance (although I did like that part), it was about their friendship.


I found the men at court ungentlemently (Henry in particular), sweet (Robert Cecil), or a mixture of both (Will). I actually wasn't fond of Will. I didn't sympathize with his character and I didn't like his behavior.  I adored James and Tobias (Will's younger brothers). I found them entertaining and charming.

I liked the different perspectives from various ranks. I liked reading about the servants' life. I liked Deigo. I wasn't fond of Nell. I hated Turville. Still, I appreciated the class differences.


While I understand the pressures of society, it was sometimes hard to read the cruel words spoken by some characters. However, it was interesting to see the various social, religious, and political motives for actions. 


I found this book showcased social class very well along with the power of women and money. I loved reading about court. I liked the romantic entanglements. I liked the descriptions: court and the Lacey estate. I'm very interested in the next book: The Queen's Lady which features Jane as the main character.


Cover Thoughts: I like it


Source: My Library


Challenge: Historical Fictional Challenge 2012

Review: The Girl in the Park

Wendy and Rain used to be best friends but that seems ages ago.  Rain's shocked when Wendy's mom calls her looking for her daughter. Wendy didn't come home that night.

Rain saw her a party - just before she made a play for another girl's guy. They spoke briefly. Rain wishes they talked further when she hears the news.

Wendy's body is discovered in the park by a runner. She was strangled.

Now all anyone can talk about is her party girl ways. No one mentions her big heart. No one mentions her loyalty to her friends. Soon it's hard to untangle the rumors and the headlines from the truth.

Rain knows one thing: Someone stole Wendy's voice, so Rain will uncover the truth and use her voice to speak for Wendy.

My Thoughts: I couldn't stop turning the pages - I wanted to know what happened to Wendy. I wanted to discover more about her life. I love mysteries and this one kept me guessing until the end. I can't talk too much about my thoughts without spoiling the end - except to say that while it was clever, it wasn't the ending I'd hoped to read. I think teens will devour this mystery because of the rumors, the friendship drama, the boy drama, and the pull of loyalty.


Cover Thoughts: Haunting. At first I just saw the trees and then my eyes found the girl's face. I really like it.


Source: Random Buzzers

Review: Sphinx's Queen

The sequel to Spinx's Princess:

Nefertiti and Amenophis are on the run. They're desperately trying to escape from Prince Thutmose. Together, with an ex-slave, they're floating down the river in an attempt to reach the Pharaoh.

They must reach the Pharaoh in order to clear Nefertiti 's name. After much hardship and a little luck, they reach his side. Only to discover that Prince Thutmose has beaten them there.

Now Nefertiti must stand before the Pharaoh and clear herself from the false charges thrown her way by Prince Thutmose.

It doesn't help that she has fallen in love with Amenophis - the Prince's brother. It doesn't help that the Pharaoh himself is in awe of her beauty. She must prove herself before the gods.

How will Nefertiti prove her innocence and with so many people against her is it possible for her to have a happy ending?

My Thoughts: I'm big fan of Esther Friesner, I love her strong historical female characters and Nefertiti's tale remains the same. For much of the book Nefertiti remains isolated, even heartbroken. Still she manages to gather strength and to instill strength in others. Despite all the hardships she must endure, Friesner imagines character both powerful and yet vulnerable. I loved the historical background of the novel and the opportunity to know a little bit more about Nefertiti.

Cover Thoughts: Pretty - I love the dress

Source: RandomBuzzers

Challenge: YA Historical Fiction Challenge