The Winner of the Bump in the Night Brawl Is...

So, I'll bet you're all here to find out who won the Bump in the Night Brawl and to see what I'm giving away.  Well, I'm going to tease you a little bit.  To find out, you're going to have to click on the jump break link below.  Mwa ha ha ha ha!

Review: In the Forests of the Night

by Kersten Hamilton
publisher: Clarion Books
date of publication: November 22, 2011
format: ARC
pages: 288
source: from the publisher
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Teagan, Finn, and Aiden have made it out of Mag Mell alive, but the Dark Man's forces are hot on their heels. Back in Chicago, Tea’s goblin cousins show up at her school, sure she will come back to Mag Mell, as goblin blood is never passive once awoken. Soon she will belong to Fear Doirich and join them. In the meantime, they are happy to entertain themselves by trying to seduce, kidnap, or kill Tea’s family and friends.

Teagan knows she doesn’t have much time left, and she refuses to leave Finn or her family to be tortured and killed. A wild Stormrider, born to rule and reign, is growing stronger inside her. But as long as she can hold on, she’s still Teagan Wylltson, who plans to be a veterinarian and who heals the sick and hurting. The disease that’s destroying her—that’s destroying them all—has a name: Fear Doirich.

And Teagan Wylltson is not going to let him win.

What I Thought

In the Forests of the Night is the continuation of the story surrounding Teagan Wylltson and Finn McCumhaill, whom we met in the first book of the series, Tyger Tyger.  As the pair tries tirelessly to evade everything from ferocious goblins to spiteful social workers, they come to important realizations that will shape everything they are... and everything they will do.  What will they sacrifice in order to keep Tea's family safe and stay together?  Only time will tell.

Having come to terms with the issues I had with Tyger Tyger, I very thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Almost from the first page there was something going on, which made for a very energetic story line.  There are wonderfully funny examples of dialog between the characters that kept me smiling and laughing (at least, when there weren't moments of great peril).  Each character has a distinct personality.  None come off flat through Hamilton's words and I felt as if I knew them already.  I still haven't figured out who my favorite is between Tea and Finn.  I suppose we can call it a draw.  They are both that well done.  The world-building is as strange (in a good way) and mystical as ever.  It is even enhanced further by the addition of never before seen places for Tea and Finn to discover.  The main problem encountered by Tea and Finn is just as dire as you would expect and I became very nervous for them as they set out to solve it.  I was definitely kept guessing at every turn, which is something I adore in a book.  I couldn't have been happier when the book ran its course.

I can not say enough just how much I loved In the Forests of the Night.  I flew through the book in a matter of hours due to just how enthralling it was.  Kersten Hamilton has begun something wonderful with this series and I can not wait to see just where it goes.  Even though this book hasn't hit store shelves yet, I am already eager to read the third!  If you're a fan of fantasy and mythologically-based books, you should definitely give this series a try.  With In the Forests of the Night, things just keep getting better.

Obligatory legal statement: This ARC was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

In My Mailbox - October 30, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme from The Story Siren where you can share your new acquisitions. They can come from anywhere: through the mail, via the library, purchased from a store, or downloaded as ebooks. It's up to you!

It's been a lively week here on the blog thanks to my Halloween event.  Tomorrow is the big day, so I thought I would liven things up and film my vlog in my Halloween costume.  It's book-inspired, so I challenge you to guess who I am supposed to be.

Purchased

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Bitten by R.L. Stine

The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Look Both Ways by Jacquelyn Mitchard

For Review

Beautiful Chaos by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl (Thanks to Little, Brown & Co.)

Scarlett Dedd by Cathy Brett (Thanks to Delacorte BFYR & Netgalley)

Seraphina by Rachel Harman (Thanks to Random House BFYR & Netgalley)

Bump in the Night Brawl: Let the Voting Begin!

It's time, my ghouls and ghosties.  The campaigning is over and final words have been said.  There has been heated competition all week for the title of Ultimate Bump in the Night Brawler, but only you all get to decide who that will be.  If you've missed out on any of the campaign posts this week, please observe the following list of links:

Ghosts w/ me (Marla)

Zombies w/ Kyla

Witches w/ Nikki

Vampires w/ Louise

Werewolves w/ DJL

Demons w/ Christy

All caught up?  Good, because now is the time to make your voices heard.  Who among these 6 deserves to be known as the scariest of the scary, the most spine-tingling, the ultimate thing that goes bump in the night?  Let the Brawl begin!

THE POLL IS CLOSED!  Stay tuned.  At 12 PM CST the winner will be announced and the giveaway will go live!  See you then!

Bump in the Night Brawl #6: Demons

Welcome, one and all, to the last Bump in the Night Brawl post!  It's been a fun-filled week at Starting the Next Chapter and I can't thank all of my guest posters enough for writing such awesome posts for this event.  Also, thank you to all of those who visited throughout the week.  I'm just starting out with things like this, so I definitely appreciate your visits and comments.

It's Demonic Saturday, so Christy from The Reader Bee is here to tell us why demons are the baddest thing to go bump in the night.  Remember, voting starts at midnight and ends at 11:59 PM CST on Sunday night.  Be sure to get your votes in, because those votes determine what kind of book 1 lucky giveaway winner will have the chance to grab.  I hope to see you all on Sunday for the vote, and then again on Monday, October 31 to find out the winner of the Bump in the Night Brawl!

Hello, friends! Christy from The Reader Bee here to tell you why I think DEMONS are the Ultimate creatures that spook, fright and go bump in the night!

Let’s start off with a little information on Demons: Demons have the ultimate superpowers. They can possess and seduce. They are telepathic and psychokinetic. They have the ability to do witchcraft, and can also control the elements. They can hurt you, make you do their bidding, and annihilate anything and everything they want. Does this sound like a creature whose path you want to cross?? Not me!

Demons make me think of all the scary movies that, to this day, I absolutely refuse to watch. I am SO not a scary movie and book type person. As a child, the men in my life used to watch scary stuff all the time. Sometimes I watched, and most times I wish I hadn’t. When I think of demons, this is the first guy that comes to mind…

Hellraiser scared the hell out of me growing up. Enough said.

(Funny side story- We went to a haunted amusement park recently, and there was a guy there dressed exactly like the photo above. He jumped out at us, and about scared us all to death!) Ahem… moving on…

Pretty darn scary, yes? Definitely a creature I would NOT want to cross paths with.

So, while I am totally not a fan of scary movies that have Demons involved, I surprised myself by liking a few young adult books that have demons as the main character. These are some demons that use their powers for good. I can definitely handle that type of demon. Let’s use Sophie Mercer from the Hex Hall series as an example…

“Dark witches do the bigger things," Chaston offered. "And our powers are a hell of a lot stronger. We can make barrier spells, and if we're really good, control the weather. We're also necromancers if- -" "Whoa!" I held up my hand. "Necromancers? Like, power over dead things?”

Sophie grew up thinking she was a witch. After being sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquents, she discovers a family secret. The secret is that she’s not a witch at all, but a dark witch/half demon instead. Sophie has all the abilities listed above that a demon can possess. The difference is that she uses her powers for the good. But still, you definitely don’t want to get on her bad side!

Sophie is snarky and lovable, she’s the friendliest demon around. (Why aren’t all demons like Sophie!) However, she still has some massive powers, and she’s not afraid to use them. And she proves this when a certain someone crosses her path. (Read the books to find out who!)

How can you not root for her?? Sophie! Sophie! Sophie!

So there you have it ladies and gents… I’ve shown you what demons are capable of, and I’ve given you examples of demons that are the exact opposite. Demons are tricky characters, and can pretty much do it all. That is why I think they are the ultimate creatures that go bump in the night! What about you???

Thanks for wrapping things up for us, Christy!  It's been a blast working with you on this project.

That's all there is, folks.  If you've missed any of the Bump in the Night Brawl posts or even the Creature Feature Reviews, you can find a list of all Bump in the Night Spooktacular links in the right-hand column.  I hope you've enjoyed this event as much as I have.  Remember that voting commences at midnight and the winner will be announced on Monday.

Huge thanks go out to Nikki at Books Most Wanted, a huge support and the first one to jump on the idea and agree to participate; Kyla at Kyla Novelista for being such an enthusiastic and hilarious guest poster, plus the best zombie expert a girl could ask for; Louise at Between the Covers for taking on this project a mere week before the event was to begin and for doing such an awesome job; DJL at Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes for being one of my biggest blog supporters and an awesome guest poster; Christy from The Reader Bee for digging up repressed memories in order to give us such an awesome post and for being all-around fantastic; and Lindsay at The Violet Hour for letting me bounce ideas off of her when I thought I might be crazy to take on this project.  You all have been a blast to work with and I hope we can work together again in the future!

Creature Feature Review: Possess

We have finally reached the end of the first annual Bump in the Night Brawl. What a week! We've heard from some awesome bloggers about all of the things that go bump in the night. But wait! There's still one more! Later today, Christy from The Reader Bee will be here to tell you all why demons are the baddest thing there is that goes bump in the night. For now, however, I have one last Bump in the Night Creature Feature review which, of course, concerns a book about demons. I hope you will consider Possess as one of your spooky reads.
 
Possess
by Gretchen McNeil
publisher: Balzer + Bray
date of publication: August 23, 2011
format: hardcover pages: 384
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Fifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her mom, by the cute son of a local police sergeant, and by the eerie voices she can suddenly and inexplicably hear. Unfortunately for Bridget, it turns out the voices are demons – and Bridget has the rare ability to banish them back to whatever hell they came from.

Terrified to tell people about her new power, Bridget confides in a local priest who enlists her help in increasingly dangerous cases of demonic possession. But just as she is starting to come to terms with her new power, Bridget receives a startling message from one of the demons. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the demons' plan before someone close to her winds up dead – or worse, the human vessel of a demon king.

What I Thought  

Possess is a phenomenally spooky story about Bridget, a girl who has developed the capability of hearing and banishing demons after the death of her beloved father. As she learns to harness her newly found talents, it comes to her attention that there is trouble brewing in the world of demons, trouble that threatens her very safety. As she looks for answers in regard to the identity of her father's murderer and just what it is the demons have in store, she has to learn whom to trust and when to embrace her powers.

From start to finish, Possess was an enthralling story that I couldn't get enough of. There are some deliciously creepy parts that made me look at certain things in a different way after I finished reading them. The characters are interesting and, in the cases of some, creepy in their own ways. Bridget is a wounded young girl who has had a heavy burden thrown upon her. Watching her grapple with her abilities and worry about who she should trust was a great aspect to the story that added a bit more realness to her character. The settings are very well done and scary in all the right places. My personal favorite was the doll shop (you'll see why when you read it!). The only thing that I was disappointed in was how easily I figured out the identity of the villain. I had gleaned the information less than half-way through the book and, though I hoped I was wrong, was a bit disappointed to have figured it out so quickly. Nevertheless, the journey to the revelation was dramatic, horrific, and intriguing. I definitely enjoyed the horror elements most of all.

If you're in the mood for a bit of mystery wrapped up in horror and paranormal elements, then Possess is the book for you. While some things about the book are a bit too simple, it makes for an awesome reading experience, nevertheless. This is the perfect book to read on a chill autumn night, so why don't you grab a blanket and a cup of cocoa and give it a spin? It makes for the perfect spine-tingling evening.

 

Creature Feature Review: Fateful

Well, better late than never! It's Wolfish Friday on Starting the Next Chapter, and things are a little different today. I was really behind in my reading, so I decided to switch times with the Bump in the Night Brawl. Today's review is Claudia Gray's Fateful, a werewolf story set aboard the Titanic. How intriguing is that!? If you haven't already, be sure to check out today Brawl submission by the awesome DJL from Denim Jacket Librarian Dishes. She is a writer of amazingly insightful reviews. If you haven't been to her blog before, I highly recommend that you check it out ASAP.

Fateful

by Claudia Gray
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: September 13, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 328
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Eighteen-year-old maid Tess Davies is determined to escape the wealthy, troubled family she serves. It’s 1912, and Tess has been trapped in the employ of the Lisles for years, amid painful memories and twisted secrets. But now the Lisle family is headed to America, with Tess in tow. Once the ship they’re sailing on—the RMS Titanic—reaches its destination, Tess plans to strike out and create a new life for herself.

Her single-minded focus shatters when she meets Alec, a handsome first-class passenger who captivates her instantly. But Alec has secrets of his own. He’s in a hurry to leave Europe, and whispers aboard the ship say it’s because of the tragic end of his last affair with the French actress who died so gruesomely and so mysteriously. . . .

Soon Tess will learn just how dark Alec’s past truly is. The danger they face is no ordinary enemy: werewolves exist and are stalking him—and now her, too. Her growing love for Alec will put Tess in mortal peril, and fate will do the same before their journey on the Titanic is over.

In Fateful, bestsellng author Claudia Gray delivers paranormal adventure, dark suspense, and alluring romance set against the opulent backdrop of the Titanic’s first—and last—voyage.

What I Thought

We all know that I thoroughly enjoy YA paranormal romances, but what you may not know is that I also have a soft spot for historical romances. Claudia Gray's Fateful has managed to combine both into one book combining characteristics of both. It is made even more intriguing in its plot, as it is a story of werewolves, danger, and romance, all set against the backdrop of the disastrous maiden voyage of the Titanic. What results is an enthralling adventure in which one girl must find the courage to fight for what is right and to love without boundaries.

The plot that makes up Fateful is an especially well-executed one. While it contains a fair amount of information that must be digested, it does so in a more parceled out manner, preventing an overload of information that would otherwise make a reader become overwhelmed. Our introduction to the characters is not done all at once. Instead, we get to know the characters via their introductions to each other and some well-placed memories. There is an element of danger that is easily felt and a cast of characters with the ability to evoke a full range of emotions from the reader. The implementation of werewolves as being a peril unseen by other passengers is both off the wall and entertaining. I wasn't sure about their incorporation, at first, but I soon grew to be eager to learn more about the reality of werewolves in this opulent world. Over all, the plot is a lovely one that I sank right into and didn't want to end.

The main character, Tess, is a very commonsense sort of girl. She is able to put up with a lot from her overbearing employers, the Lisle family, and plays the role of friend to the daughter of the house, the shy Irene, wonderfully. When faced with danger, she doesn't give up easily. Rather, she fights with everything she has in an attempt to stay alive and make things right. When she meets Alec and learns more about him and his past, she is amazingly pragmatic about the situation and is able to accept him for who he is. Alec, himself, is a conflicted character, with good reason. Though he comes off as brusque at first, there is a lot more to him that is just waiting to be discovered. As the two face the monstrously villainous Mikhail, their connection is formed into a solid bond that will be difficult to sever.

The backdrop for this book is absolutely stunning. Edwardian English society is depicted in such a fascinating and vivid manner as to make the setting easily pictured. The use of the Titanic as a setting, while not unique, makes for a beautiful, fascinating backdrop. I couldn't get enough of Gray's descriptions of life aboard the RMS Titanic and was moved by the events of the fateful night that it sank. The emotion involved does justice to the sadness of the occurrence.

Fans of historical romance and paranormal romance alike should definitely consider Fateful as a book to be read. It is presented with a clean writing style and intriguing story line that makes for an absorbing, fast-paced read. If you like werewolves and historical settings such as this, Fateful is for you.

Bump in the Night Brawl #5: Werewolves

We're getting close to the end, everyone!  Today is the next to last day of the Bump in the Night Brawl campaign posts.  Who has made the biggest impression upon you, so far?  Hold that thought, because I have a new offering for you.  The awesome DJL from Denim Jacket Librarian Dishes is here to have her say on our more lupine peers, werewolves.  Let round 5 begin!

Hellooooooow, my dears!  Welcome to Wolfish Friday, and please pardon my rehearsing for when the moon comes out tonight.  I've been asked by Marla of Starting the Next Chapter to talk about the fierce creatures of Halloween, werewolves.  Swift and powerful with a bite that's far worse than their bark (or roar as the case may be), you can't help but be terrifyingly fascinated by werewolves.  They come in many different forms and sizes from a four-legged wolf to an overly hairy human with a not-so-slight overbite problem to a towering, brutish beast on two legs.  No matter their size or shape, they possess the strength, speed, and cunning of their lupine side along with human intelligence.  And when you combine the two, this can have frightening effects in which you have a hulking predator that stalks the night, stealthily tracking its prey before striking without warning. There is no comparison to that feeling of being watched, being followed... being hunted.

You wonder if something is there with you in the dark but do not know what's really there... until you hear the tell-tale beastly growl or see the flash of sharp white teeth.  Too late and the predator has pounced upon its prey.  And the scariest part?  During the day they look just like you and me.  That is where werewolves have other creatures of Halloween beat.  Vampires, zombies, and ghosts... not really so good at hiding their identities especially when you look at them or through them with the case for ghosts if you can even see them.  Anyone could be a werewolf without others around them being any the wiser.  The fact that they can blend into the crowd is what really makes this beast the baddest of Halloween because unless you know the signs, there's no way for one person to identify a werewolf from another human.  Here are some ways to help you possibly identify if a person is a werewolf:

1.  A person has more hair than they should.  Unless they're able to get a wax job on a regular basis, this will have most werewolves wearing long-sleeved clothes... a lot.  (Do you know how cold it gets in a library?  Long sleeves are a must!)

2.  A person shows an appreciation for rare-cooked meat.  (What?  It's the best way to have steak in Texas!)

3.  A person shows an aversion to silver.  (White gold is really where it's at with jewelry.  Any fashion-conscious person knows that.)

4.  A person likes to take long walks at night usually under a full moon.  (Don't you know that a girl's most favorable lighting is moonlight?)

5.  Dogs tend to get a little antsy and jumpy around a person, usually barking in aggression at first and then whining in submission.  (I happen to love dogs.  I just love them more when they realize who's the alpha... I mean master!)

Just because you have a possible means of identifying them doesn't mean that werewolves can't evade detection over time.  I mean, history is full of tales and legends of the werewolf or lycanthrope, starting with King Lycaon of Greek mythology.  Wanting to trick the mighty Zeus, who had changed himself into a mortal, Lycaon killed one of his prisoners and served his body in a stew before Zeus. This enraged the thunder god and Zeus punished Lycaon by transforming him into a vicious, bloodthirsty wolf.  The Greek word lycanthropos is believed to be the basis for lycanthropy.

   
Haven't heard that myth?  Okay, what about the Beast of Gévaudan, a real-life account of werewolf attacks between 1764 and 1767 within the Margeride mountains of Southern France?  This beast was said to have huge fangs, an enormous tail, red fur that exuded a foul smell and was supposedly the size of a cow.  Within a three-year span, the beast claimed over 100 lives and injured another 50 people.  There's even a loosely-based film recounting these incidents, Le Pacte des Loupes: Brotherhood of the Wolf, that I recommend for entertainment value.

Not close enough to home for you?  All right, one of the most prominent werewolf legends in America is that of the Beast of Bray Road near Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  A huge, wolflike creature walking and running on two legs began appearing in front of startled travelers on the rural Bray Road outside of town in 1991.  So far there have been no attacks from this werewolf-like creature, but should drivers really push their luck in taking this route at night? 

Being from the Lone Star State, we also have our share of werewolf and skinwalker tales.  A legend spoken of in certain areas of the Hill Country tells of an old Native American man who would change his shape in order to evade capture by the cavalrymen stationed nearby.  It was said when he was trapped, he would become a wolf and attack his pursuers which usually ended in death.  A possible tie to this legend is "Cleo Face" as carved by N.Q. Patterson.  A settler of the Hill Country, Patterson was a tombstone carver who suffered from tuberculosis.  Having a lot of time on his hands due to the small community, Patterson began carving into the limestone rocks that lined Bear Creek.  One particularly notorious carving was of a face with a broad nose, glinting eyes, and a snarling mouth with long, fang-like teeth.  You have to wonder what Patterson encountered within the hills to inspire him to carve such a face.

  

Aside from silver and chopping off the head, there is little that can kill a werewolf.  You can run over them, shove them off a cliff, shoot them with regular bullets and they will heal and recover much faster than you can think.  They are truly one of the fiercest of Halloween brawlers.

Vote Werewolves on October 30th because you know Hugh would want you to.

I would like to thank Marla for having me here at Starting the Next Chapter to help enlighten you wonderful readers on the history and traits of werewolves.  Don't worry, Marla, I brought my dust-buster to take care of the loose hair on the blog.  *coughs*  You can't help the shedding.  Happy Hooooowlloween!

 
Thanks for stopping by, DJL!  As usual, you have set forth an awesome combination of opinion and observation.  If you enjoyed DJL's post, show her some love!  Comments are always welcome and there has been an epic Twitter party going on for the past 3 days amongst us competitors.  Remember, we will have the last round tomorrow, when Christy from The Reader Bee will be telling us why demons should be the biggest bad asses in the entire bump in the night world.  Stay tuned!

Bump in the Night Brawl #4: Vampires

Are you ready for the continuation of Vampiric Thursday?  I hope so, because Louise from Between the Covers is here to enlighten us as to the ins and outs of the vampire world.  She has promised to bring it and wipe the floor with all of the other entrants in the Brawl.  Let's all welcome Louise to the Bump in the Night Brawl! 


I’m here at Starting the Next Chapter today as a representative for the vampire race. *smiles sweetly, making a great show of flashing my fangs... just in case you missed them*

I guess I should start by explaining the two different classifications of vampires, for those who are not in the know. According to Weirdly’s Dictionary of the Supernatural, vampires are classified as follows:

Yo’ Mama: (YM)  Characterized by a hideous appearance, an appalling lack of hygiene, slow wit, inability to recognize snark when it nibbles on their neck and a preference for Crocs footwear. Formerly known as the “Ewww Gross.” (see photo below)

A rare classification, accounting for only about 10% of the vampire population.

Really Cute: (RC)  Easily recognized by the distinctive traits of good looks, stunning ability to execute a hair toss, sparkling sense of humor, overabundance of snark and excellent taste in shoes. (see photo below)

The most common classification, accounting for approximately 90% of the vampire population. 

As you might have noticed... *executes perfect hair flip and points to stunning self-portrait above... the cute one* I’m of the “Really Cute” vamp variety. *looks around for any YM vamps, then whispers* The “yo’ mamas” were named many years ago... no one knows exactly how many... by a teenage boy who witnessed a word war between a RC and a then called “Ewww Gross” vamp. He named them YM because they are so ugly only their mamas could love them. Many of the world’s most beautiful people are actually RC vamps... Brad Pitt? Yep. Olivia Wilde? You know it! Tom Cruise? Hell no! That urban legend was debunked years ago! *flips hair, annoyed by the continued rumor*

Looks aside, vamps have gotten a reputation for being blood thirsty killers. *rolls eyes* This is completely untrue. We don’t bite... much. Just a nibble here and there. And nobody ever complains! I mean, really... *smiling brightly* …would you complain if the donation of a pint of blood meant you could achieve *pauses, considers PG wording* ecstasy? After all, the rumor that vampire bites are orgasmic? *leans forward, looking deeply into your eyes* Totally. Completely. True.

Um... *checks manicure, avoiding eye contact* The rumor that vampires make bad boyfriends? Also totally untrue. I mean, isn’t it every girls dream to have a boyfriend that is only around at night... when she’s sleeping and unable to spend time with him? A boyfriend that’s a total loner, never wanting to interact with anyone else? A boyfriend who never ages, and will notice every line and gray hair you ever get? *nods* Oh, yeah!!! Vamps are total catches!

And the whole mind control thing? *laughs brightly, waving this away* As if! I mean, just because you suddenly sign over your new car to a vampire doesn’t mean they’ve influenced you! It just means you were so struck by their beauty you wanted to give them something to show your appreciation.

Mood swings? *looks into your eyes deeply, putting a little UMPH into it, hoping you don’t notice the pattern* Really, doesn’t everyone suffer bad days? Haven’t you ever had a night where your dinner ran and struggled and you broke a nail catching them? Didn’t that torque you off? And didn’t you throw your boyfriend’s new car through the window of his house just to relieve some stress?

So, as you can see... vampires are no threat at all. While we are the undisputed champs of the supernatural world, there is absolutely nothing for humans to be worried about. Truly, we only want to be your BFFs. *smiling again, fangs elongating, feeling slightly peckish* Let’s hug on it.

Thanks, Louise!  Well, there you have it.  The gauntlet has been thrown and things are heating up around here.  Do you have a favorite, yet?  Remember, poll day is only 3 days away, so if you want to let your voice be heard, be there or be square.  It only lasts 24 hours and, then, it will disappear like a ghost into the mist.  We'll see you there!

Creature Feature Review: Crave

Welcome to Vampiric Thursday, where we will be discussing all things vampire! To kick things off today, I have a review of Crave by Melissa Darnell, which just hit store shelves on Tuesday. Later today, I have another fun guest post, this time by Louise from Between the Covers. I hope you all will stop by to check it out!

Crave
by Melissa Darnell
publisher: HarlequinTeen
date of publication: October 25, 2011
format: eGalley
pages: 432
source: Netgalley
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

Savannah Colbert has been shunned all her life by the kids of the Clann. And when she undergoes some drastic changes after a strange illness, Savannah learns secrets about the group and about herself—dangerous secrets. For the Clann are powerful magic users, and Savannah herself is half Clann and half vampire—a forbidden, unheard of combination. Falling for Clann golden boy Tristan Coleman isn't just a bad idea—it could be deadly if anyone finds out. But her attraction to Tristan—and his to her—isn't something either of them can resist for long.

What I Thought

It has been quite a while since I have read vampire novels. Crave makes just the second I have read this year. While I was wary at first, I found that there are still a few tricks up the sleeves of the authors who write using vampires as their characters. Crave was a book that I found myself pleasantly surprised by. While parts of it are what you would expect from a vampire novel, there is still enough originality and action to present, which kept me immersed in the story.

The premise of this book is a rivalry between witches and vampires, which has resulted in strict rules for both races. The idea of the dhampir is another aspect of the plot that surprised me and kept me ready to learn more. That, along with a Romeo & Juliet-like relationship between a dhampir girl and a witch boy, all came together for an intriguing read that kept me guessing all throughout the book. Though the way in which time passes in the book is a little difficult to adjust to, I was easily drawn into this world of magic, blood, and rivalries. The plot is most definitely my favorite aspect of this book.

There is a fairly standard mix of characters in this book. From the token bullies that often appear in books such as these, to the shy girl who comes into her own, everything is well-covered. I found that I enjoyed Savannah as a character. When she began to come into her abilities and learned to handle whatever the bullies would throw her way was an aspect of the story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I wasn't sure what to make of Tristan, at first. I was turned off by his need to storm in and protect Savannah behind her back. However, I did feel for him due to the pressures put upon him by his family. One thing I wish is that we had been given more of a glimpse into the lives of Savannah's parents. I would have liked to know more about the way in which they met, fell in love, and had a baby. Overall, however, the characters played their roles very well and I wasn't left feeling sorry.

I am glad that Crave was able to overcome my reticence about picking up another vampire novel after such a long moratorium. I feel that it is imaginative, interesting, and a lot of fun as a read. Though I wasn't too wild about Savannah's paramour, I enjoyed the dynamic of their relationship insofar as the difficulties they had to overcome were involved. If you're looking for a fun vampire read, this could be a good book to take for a spin.






Obligatory legal statement: This eGalley was provided to me free of charge by the publisher via Netgalley. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

Bump in the Night Brawl #3: Witches

Welcome to the continuation of Witchy Wednesday at Starting the Next Chapter. Today I have a very special guest post to share with you all. My oldest friend and number one book buddy Nikki from Books Most Wanted agreed to tackle the Bump in the Night Brawl with her thought-provoking take on witches. Come on in and make yourselves comfortable!

Ahhhhhhh………Hello, my pretties……..

So, you’ve come to see what’s so great, or maybe not so great, about witches, right? Well, my friends, I have always been on the fence about witches. Growing up, I both read and watched stories that had either a good or bad witch in them. It’s no wonder many children I know have the same conflicts with them as I do. It is this uncertainty that makes them truly scary, to be feared…and loved.

I’ll start off with the first film that comes to mind when I think of good vs. evil witches. The Wizard of Oz has a special place in my heart. It was always one of my favorites growing up and contains two of the most recognized witches in entertainment:

Glinda, the Good Witch of the North (not South, as it was depicted in the book),

and

Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

The story revolves around the two characters interchangeably. It may not be the main story line, but it affects every aspect of all the rest. In this, the rivalry began between the forces of good and evil.

HOWEVER….

Some years later, in 1995 a little book called Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West changed my view on this. This book made me realize that there may be another side to the story. I’ve heard that It was actually here that the WWotW got her name, Elphaba, by author Gregory Maguire. The name is a “play on name” for the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Lyman Frank Baum (from his initials being sounded out: L-F-B).The book mesmerizes me to this day, but nothing compares to the Broadway Musical based on the book. Unfortunately, I’ve not gotten to see all of it, but for now I can make do with clips and soundtracks. The songs have so much meaning behind them, not only to the characters, but also the audience watching their interactions.

Here’s a clip from Wicked at the 2004 Tony Awards with my favorite witches, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth: http://youtu.be/ejGLmx7ZH0c

or on stage: http://youtu.be/Y2wAyC1LPqI

Sadly, the show (minus Idina and Kristen, of course) is in Nashville now and nosebleed seats are close to $200 apiece. Doesn’t go well with a grad school budget. ::weeps::

So, no, I do not have the conventional frame of mind when it comes to witches. They are simply some of the most magical and versatile people in my fantasyland. In one story you may read them as being very elemental and supernatural witches, such as Victoria Schwab’s The Near Witch, and in another they may be quite horrible, like in the classic Hansel & Gretel story.

Yet, there are witches that we can humanly identify with. These witches are an iconic part of pop culture and have made their way as a staple on bookshelves and in theaters alike.

Yep, you are right. One of the most popular witches of our generation is Ms. Hermione Granger. This is one of my favorite scenes from the movie series. I’m sure many of us can watch and read this series and think “Yeah, been there done that” with a lot of the teenage situations. Many conceptions that kids have now are being based on these from popular books instead of the horror stories of the past. Books abound for these wicked ladies. Young adult authors have embraced them and put their own spin on the concepts.

Now that I have explained my perspective on witches, I don’t expect you to see it the same way. That’s the beauty of these stories; they all mean something different to everyone. I do want you to remember something, though. You know the saying, “Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”? I think it applies to witches very well. They can be your best friends, or your worst enemies. You may not even know if they are your family or a neighbor down the street. Witches can be the masters of the unknown. That, friends, scares me more than blood, guts, and gore ever could.

Thanks, Nikki! If you haven't yet, stop by Books Most Wanted and check it out. Though she is very busy with graduate school, Nikki still finds time to post some awesome reviews. For all of you on Team Witch, we'll see you at the polls!

Creature Feature Review: Witchlanders

It's Witchy Wednesday at Starting the Next Chapter, meaning that today is all about witches. To start things off, I have a witch-centered book review for you all, Witchlanders by Lena Coakley. Granted, witches aren't creatures per say, BUT they do play a huge role in the supernatural figures most often thought of during Halloween. I hope you will all join me later today to welcome Nikki from Books Most Wanted, who will be dropping by to speak up in favor of witches for the Bump in the Night Brawl.

Witchlanders

by Lena Coakley
publisher: Atheneum
date of publication: August 30, 2011
format: hardcover
pages: 400
source: purchased
Amazon / Goodreads / B&N

From Goodreads:

High in their mountain covens, red witches pray to the Goddess, protecting the Witchlands by throwing the bones and foretelling the future.

It’s all a fake.

At least, that’s what Ryder thinks. He doubts the witches really deserve their tithes—one quarter of all the crops his village can produce. And even if they can predict the future, what danger is there to foretell, now that his people’s old enemy, the Baen, has been defeated?

But when a terrifying new magic threatens both his village and the coven, Ryder must confront the beautiful and silent witch who holds all the secrets. Everything he’s ever believed about witches, the Baen, magic and about himself will change, when he discovers that the prophecies he’s always scorned—

Are about him.

What I Thought

Prior to reading it for myself, I had heard great things about Witchlanders. When I commenced my adventure with Ryder and Falpian, I was concerned that I was going to have a difficult time in enjoying it, myself. However, as things progressed I began to see what others were talking about and soon grew more and more immersed in the fascinating world that Lena Coakley constructed in this book. Though heavy on the details, Witchlanders is written in such a way that makes you feel as though you share knowledge right along with the main characters. As you realize just how much of a foundation the initial information at the beginning of the book created, it becomes much easier to understand its purpose. What results is a tantalizing, mystical world where nothing is quite what it seems.

At first, I wasn't sure exactly where the plot was going to go. It begins with the detailing of Ryder's immense frustrations with his life and with Falpian's low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It wasn't until more information was garnered with regard to the great war between the Witchlanders and the Baens that I began to unravel the line the plot was taking. At that point, I was caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, danger, and fear. The descriptions of the magic that swirls throughout this book are almost lyrical, which is very fitting due to how it is performed. As Ryder and Falpian get to know each other better and begin working together, more is revealed that left me astounded and truly speechless. Ms. Coakley certainly knows her way around a plot twist!

Ryder was a bit difficult to get to know as a character, at first. He came off as a very conflicted person, as well as a reserved and bitter one. This made him a little difficult to connect with, but once he began to come out of his shell and began to realize some things, he became much more easy to relate to. As for Falpian, he seemed to be a somewhat weak character, at first. He seemed to be all bark and no bite when he first encountered Ryder. As he began to realize the true depth of his own power and his budding friendship with Ryder, he became a much more dynamic character, one which I preferred most out of the two.

The setting for Witchlanders is one of the most intriguing parts of this book. The forests and the mountain seemed to be very breath-taking, and the network of caves that the witches utilize is mysterious, eerie, and awe-inspiring. It seemed that every turn uncovered something new for Ryder and Falpian to discover, which I absolutely loved.

Witchlanders is a wonderfully imaginative story with elements of high fantasy and an epic adventure. Though it doesn't seem to have been announced yet, the end is left wide open for a sequel or even a series. If so, I look forward to reading more by Ms. Coakley in the future. This is a great book for fans of fantasy fiction to try out, as well as for those who enjoy stories surrounding witches and magic. Kudos to Ms. Coakley!