Conquering the TBR List - July

I know a lot of people do something similar already, but I thought I would put one of these posts together for my own reference more than anything.  If you've read any of these, feel free to let me know what you thought.

Owl Tell You All About It - June 30, 2012

Welcome to my weekly recap of events here on Starting the Next Chapter.  Here, you can see what I read, what I'm reading, what I'm reading next, what I've written, and where I may be going.  Take a look around and feel free to comment.  I love comments and am always happy to return the visit!

Books I've Read This Week

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Taken at Dusk by C.C. Hunter

Eve by Anna Carey

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Once by Anna Carey

Uglies: Shay's Story by Scott Westerfeld

 The Unquiet by Jeannine Garsee


Did Not Finish

Burn Mark by Laura Powell

Currently Reading

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper

Up Next

Long Lankin by Lindsay Barraclough

 Black City by Elizabeth Richards
So Close to You by Rachel Carter

Reviews Posted

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel
Venom by Fiona Paul
Eve by Anna Carey

Other Posts

Trade the Right Way! Tips for Making a Good Trade

Review - Eve

by Anna Carey
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: October 4, 2011
format: NOOK ebook
pages: 198
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

The year is 2032, sixteen years after a deadly virus—and the vaccine intended to protect against it—wiped out most of the earth’s population. The night before eighteen-year-old Eve’s graduation from her all-girls school she discovers what really happens to new graduates, and the horrifying fate that awaits her.

Fleeing the only home she’s ever known, Eve sets off on a long, treacherous journey, searching for a place she can survive. Along the way she encounters Caleb, a rough, rebellious boy living in the wild. Separated from men her whole life, Eve has been taught to fear them, but Caleb slowly wins her trust...and her heart. He promises to protect her, but when soldiers begin hunting them, Eve must choose between true love and her life.

I am in quite the pickle with this series.  On the one hand, it wasn't earth-shattering, sock-knocking, or even all that memorable.  On the other hand, it wasn't horrible, either.  So, what to do?  Eve has finally driven me to do something that, until now, I had resisted.  That's right, I am embracing the half ratings.  Though I had such high hopes for this book, something just did not click.  While I did find the premise interesting, something just did not add up.  Now I am left to do my best as I try to explain why.

To begin with, Eve didn't turn out to be a very compelling character. She's naïve, lacks common sense, and perpetually makes bad decisions. I didn't quite understand why it was that people kept sticking their necks out for her. Sure, she's on the run from a really bad situation, but when you consider her attitude and the number of dumb moves she makes... it doesn't quite add up. I actually preferred Arden, somewhat, and Caleb even more than that. Arden actually changed and grew as a character while Caleb acted as a means for deprogramming Eve. Eve may have begun to recognize the brainwashing she underwent during the 12 years she was at the school, but she still practically obsessed over what “Teacher said.” That doesn't show me a character who is developing very well.

While the premise was a good one, the execution left something to be desired. I don't quite understand the point in educating the girls so thoroughly, only to do what they do to them after they “graduate.” I suppose it could be a means to keep them occupied until they come of age, but still, why the lessons in art, music, literature, deportment, dancing, and the various other lessons administered to them. It's one of those things that, if you don't think too much about it, you may not ever notice. However, since I had some issues with this book, I did think about it just so I could pinpoint what bothered me the most.

This series has so much potential, but I just don't know how it is going to progress. Eve left me saying, “Meh,” more than I said, “Wow,” which is never something you want to happen when you pick up an anticipated book. I will say that I did give Once a try, so I think that there's still a chance for the series, but I, for one, am going to take a lot of convincing before I try book 3. Eve, though comprised of an intriguing premise, didn't succeed in making me suspend belief, nor did it deliver with a truly compelling main character. I will say one thing: I don't like having to write these reviews, but sometimes, it just has to be said. This is one of those times.  Thus, Eve earns 2 hoots and a hootlet (the new half rating addition). 

It's essentially a 2, but has a little more to offer, though it doesn't quite fit as a 3.  Hopefully that clears some things up.

Review - Venom

by Fiona Paul
publisher: Philomel
date of publication: October 30, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 432
source: Around the World ARC Tours

From Goodreads:

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Venom is one of those books that captures your attention immediately and compels you to check out its description. It's rare for me to read pure historical fiction without any supernatural elements these days, but Venom brought me back to a well-loved genre that hasn't received enough of my attention recently. As I delved into the book, the pages seemed to fly by. To call Venom captivating would be a gross understatement. There is so much to discover between its covers and I enjoyed every minute.

Cassandra was a vastly appealing character for many reasons. At first, she is a naïve, sheltered girl with very little experience with the less opulent side of Venice. However, as she gets to know the flirtatious and mysterious Falco, she begins to see her sheltered life as a cage that she longs to escape. Her loyalty to her late friend and her dedication to seeding justice make her a fiery character that I very much enjoyed getting to know. Falco, too, is a great character that I enjoyed immensely. His mischievous nature makes him just a fun character to read, all around.

Venom is best described by one word: lush. Everything from the background to the writing is surprisingly sensuous. I was pleasantly surprised to see Venice portrayed so well through the overall writing. The descriptions are so well rendered as to make you sink right in until you feel as though you are floating along the canals, yourself. The pace takes a few chapters to build, but it is more than worth the wait. Once the background was established and the plot was underway, I was thrilled enough to forget all about the slow start. That's the sure sign that the author has done something right.

As a lusciously detailed mystery and thriller, Venom has earned every bit of anticipation it has drawn. Fiona Paul has written a beautiful yet dangerous tale of murder, secrets, and darkness. Filled to the brim with chilling moments, Venom is a book that makes for a great read, especially on a stormy evening, as I found out. If you enjoy a good historical romance with a mystery involved, then Venom is the book for you. Prepare yourself for a thrilling, vivid reading experience.

Preorder Venom at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N /  The Book Depository

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

Review - Dust Girl

by Sarah Zettel
publisher: Random House Children's Books
date of publication: June 26, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 304
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in "the golden hills of the west": California.

Along the way she meets Jack, a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company — there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

Just when you think you've seen every take on faerie books, one comes out of the woodwork that gives you a whole new perspective on the topic. In this case, it's both the setting and the take on faerie lore that really sets this book apart from the others. This book doesn't seem to be getting quite the level of buzz that other summer releases are, but that definitely needs to change. Dust Girl was like a whirlwind with its storyline, character development, and settings. There was so much that piqued my attention that I don't even know where I should start.

I found the main character, Callie, to be a really fun character to follow. Her devotion to her mother and her reactions to the problems that arose made her a compelling character to read about. She shines best in situations that require quick thinking and clever solutions. My favorite example of this lies in how she handled the Hoppers, some unexpected guests she books into the hotel. Watching her deal with all of the issues that arose in that particular episode clued me in that I was in for quite the adventure thanks to Callie. Her friend, Jack, was also an interesting character. For all of the skeletons in his closet and all of his foibles, he really resonated as a character, as well. He was a great complement to Callie and the two played off of each other very well. When it comes to the characters, I have absolutely no complaints.

The premise and setting for Dust Girl were so fresh and unique. Initially, I wasn't sure how well a faerie story set in the Dust Bowl in 1935 was going to work, but it really did, in this case. Sarah Zettel pulled what, at first glance, appear to be incompatible parts for a story into something new and enchanting. While the pacing was a bit awkward at times, things recovered very nicely and the snags were quickly forgotten. Also, I just have to point out the brilliance of the faerie lore Ms. Zettel incorporated into the story. It was a fantastic blend of new and old that really kept me entertained.

Fans of faerie-based fantasy would do well to check out Dust Girl. Even if you have doubts about the appeal of the plot, read it. If you're anything like me, it will win you over and fully capture your attention. The writing in this novel is too strong to pass by without at least a glance. I will most assuredly be looking forward to the next installment in the series. Dust Girl is more than capable of blowing you away like a storm, dust not included.

Buy Dust Girl at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository 

Obligatory legal statement: This digital review copy 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.

Trade the Right Way! Tips for Making a Good Trade

I recently had my first trading experience with an unknown.  That is to say, I had never had much interaction with the person outside of blog comments.  The entire process turned out to be one long, frustrating endeavor that left me soured on the idea of ever trading.  Lies were told as to the exact date the books had gone out and I was given conflicting mail dates.  Imagine my surprise when, as I neared the 2 month mark after mailing out my books, the books I had traded for finally showed up.  That is why you won't see the name of the person I traded with.  As it turns out, I was not the first one to have this experience with this person, so I decided that enough was enough.  I didn't want anyone getting the idea that trading with this person was a good idea just from seeing a brief mention in my weekly summary post.  What's done is done, the transaction is finally closed, and I now know to be more careful about who I trade with in the future.

However, this experience made me think.  What do other people expect out of a trade experience?  What quantifiers label a good trade?  I decided to ask around, as well as compile both my own thoughts and the thoughts of other book bloggers I speak with on a regular basis.  Hopefully these tips will be helpful to someone out there.

Marla's Tips & Observations

1. Have a clear idea of what you have for trade.  It makes the negotiations go much more smoothly.  Also, don't pull a switcheroo.  It hasn't happened to me, fortunately, but I've heard from others that have had that experience.  Just don't do it!  You'll lose any respect you might have earned from that person to begin with and you'll forever lose a trading channel.
2. Don't leave the person you're trading with hanging!  If they've already sent their books to you, don't goof around for a month or more.  (Yes, this did happen to me.)  It's irritating and pretty darn shady.
3. Always, ALWAYS get a DC#.  Being able to track the progress of the package really helps the person you're trading with know what's going on, plus it covers your butt if something should happen to the package in transit.  You want proof that you're on the level, don't you?
4. Communication is a good thing!  Whether you're on the receiving end or the sending end of your transaction, keep the lines of communication open.  If the person you're trading with has a question, answer it.  If you have a question, ask it.
5. Package the books well.  If you send out your books for trade in a floppy, over-sized envelope, chances are the books are going to get ripped or bent.

Advice from Fellow Bloggers

Be honest!!! Never put up books for trade that you don't have, even if you're expecting them.  Always ship w/ DC and make sure the other person does too. :-) Its cheap and allows you both to track each other's books.  If possible, find out if the other person has ever traded before and if they have a good or bad rep with sending books.  Check out their blog to get a feel for who they are.  Don't promise hot ARCs to more than one person in an attempt to find the best "deal."
 ~Shannon from Stalking the Bookshelves

I think the key to a good trade is choosing a 'mail-by' date for both parties involved in the trade.  It's also best to get Delivery Confirmation and a tracking number so that each party knows when the books will be delivered.  And don't forget to notify the other party once the books you traded for have arrived.
~Amy from Denim-Jacket Librarian Dishes

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
~ Megan from Book Brats

What do you think, readers?  Have any stories of trades gone wrong or advice you want to impart to make trade transactions better?    

Review - This is Not a Test

by Courtney Summers
publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
date of publication: June 19, 2012
format: ARC
pages: 320
source: LibraryThing Early Reviewers

From Goodreads:

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months ago, her world collapsed and since then, she’s failed to find a reason to keep going. Now seems like the perfect time to give up. As Sloane eagerly waits for the barricades to fall, she’s forced to witness the apocalypse through the eyes of five people who actually want to live.

But as the days crawl by, the motivations for survival change in startling ways and soon the group’s fate is determined less and less by what’s happening outside and more and more by the unpredictable and violent bids for life—and death—inside.

When everything is gone, what do you hold on to?

This is Not a Test is an emotionally wrought twist on zombie novels. Though they are present within the story, the emphasis lies not on the zombies, themselves, but on the effects a cataclysmic event like a zombie apocalypse has on different people. The six teens we meet in This is Not a Test are a study in loss, grief, terror, and bravery. Each kid's reaction brought something different to the story, which made This is Not a Test such an engrossing read.

Sloane, the main character and narrator, is such a heartbreaking character. As the layers of who she is and what she has been through are peeled back, a complicated and truly damaged girl is revealed. I will admit that I found her motivation a bit difficult to understand, at first. While I don't agree with her rationalizations for wanting to give up, I can see how what she has been through causes death make sense to her. Her interactions with the other people in her group are actually somewhat heartening. Though she doesn't hold much value for her own life, she does respect the lives of her companions and seeks to make sure she doesn't put them at risk. Considering the behavior of a character such as Trace, it's even more surprising. While she isn't necessarily a character you can fully understand and like, she is definitely a fascinating one to get to know.

The setting for This is Not a Test couldn't have been more perfect. The outside world is a bleak, dangerous place and the inside world that the six teens inhabit has a level of safety that is tenuous, at best. I definitely appreciated that while the high school provided several of the things that the group needed, it wasn't safe enough to lull them all into complacency. However, the fact that so much of the story takes place in the high school definitely makes for some slow pacing, at times. While the group deals with its dramas and interpersonal struggles, the plot lagged at some points throughout the book. This was usually remedied rather quickly, however, so it didn't become too much of a problem.

This is Not a Test turned out to be so much more than I expected. I went in expecting nonstop attempts to fight off the zombie horde. What I found was a moving look at the human experience and what it means to different people. I think the question posed in the plot description lays it all out best: “When everything is gone, what do you hold onto?” The answer to that question is different for each character and different for each reader, as well. It brought a level of personal feeling into the story that came as a big surprise. This is Not a Test is truly an engrossing, though-provoking take on the zombie apocalypse theme.

Buy This is Not a Test at the Following Locations:

Amazon /  IndieBound  /  B&N  /  The Book Depository

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

Owl Tell You All About It & New to the Nest - June 23, 2012

Welcome to my weekly recap of events here on Starting the Next Chapter.  Here, you can see what I read, what I'm reading, what I'm reading next, what I've written, where I may be going, and the books I received since last week.  Take a look around and feel free to comment.  I love comments and am always happy to return the visit!

Books I've Read This Week

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
Venom by Fiona Paul

Currently Reading

Burn Mark by Laura Powell
 Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Up Next

Eve by Anna Carey

Once by Anna Carey

The Dream Slayer by Jill Cooper

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Reviews Posted

For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Other Posts

Author Event Recap - Myra McEntire
Waiting on Wednesday #43

Holy canoli, did I ever get a lot of review books this week!  This is so outside the norm that I'm feeling a little shell-shocked at the moment.  It looks like I'm going to be very busy this fall.

Physical Books

Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier (from Macmillan for review)
Promised by Caragh M. O'Brien (from Macmillan for review)
The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski (from Macmillan for review)

Venom by Fiona Paul (from Around the World ARC Tours)
Dark Companion by Marta Acosta (from Tor for review)

 Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor (sampler; from Shannon)
Waking Storms by Sarah Porter (ARC; from Shannon)
Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett (ARC; from Shannon)

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls by Mary Downing Hahn (ARC; from Shannon)

Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown
Wildthorn by Jane Eagland (Amazon bargain book)

 A Beautiful Dark by Jocelyn Davies (trade)
Silence by Michelle Zegara (trade)

Newly Signed

Timepiece by Myra McEntire

Ebooks

 Tomorrow Land by Mari Mancusi
Everblue by Brenda Pandos
What's Left of Me by Kat Zhang (from HarperTeen via Edelweiss)