Starting the Next Chapter: November 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Owl Tell You All About It - November 30, 2012

Welcome to the last day of November here at Starting the Next Chapter. It's been quite the eventful month behind the scenes. While posting was slowed for the entire month, a lot was accomplished in coordinating with my new co-bloggers. We have all settled on what we like to write about most and when we are all available, so we hope to bring you lots more for the month of December.

In addition to 2 new co-bloggers, I hope you will all help me in welcoming the 30 new followers that have visited StNC this month. Hello, out there! We're very pleased to have you and appreciate every single one of you. If there's anything you would like to see here, please feel to drop us a line via email. We'll see what we can do to accommodate you.

Starting the Next Chapter's very own Goodreads group has taken off swimmingly thanks to our lovely GiGi, who heads up the community there. She has done a great job in getting everything set up. If you haven't already, feel free to drop by and join. Membership is open at this time! We have monthly reading discussions and will eventually host "read-offs" between GiGi (our urban fantasy goddess) and myself (a self-admitted YA junkie). Join us as we see who wins whom over with their reading choices.

Marla's Books Read in November

GiGi's Books Read in November

Shalena's Books Read in November

Reviews Posted

Gunmetal Magic (GiGi)

Ultraviolet (Shalena)

Chasing Magic (GiGi)

The Diviners (Marla)

Iced (guest review)

Catching Jordan (Shalena)

Two and Twenty Dark Tales (Marla)

Infinite Days (Shalena)

Sweet Evil (Marla)

Other Posts

Blog Tour - Sacrifice by Cayla Kluver (Marla)

GiGi's Top 5 (GiGi)

New to the Nest - November 18, 2012 (Marla)

The Epic Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt - The Author I Am Most Thankful For (Marla)

Review - Sweet Evil

by Wendy Higgins
publisher: HarperTeen
date of publication: May 1, 2012
format: paperback
pages: 453
source: purchased

From Goodreads:

Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?

Sweet Evil is a book that I have heard much about since it was released late this past spring. Though it is a theme that I have seen often in books, the premise of Sweet Evil was enough to pique my interest and led me to buy a copy soon after its release. I had some worries going into the book that I would find more about the story objectionable than I would find to be enjoyable. Fortunately, Sweet Evil delivered with an entertaining story and some surprisingly steamy moments.

Anna Whitt turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable character. While at first I feared she would prove to be a Mary Sue type of character, she surprised me with some unexpected layers that gave her character a nice amount of depth. Her friendship with Jay reminded me a lot of a friend of mine and made me smile, which was a very nice touch. It was Kaidan, however, that left me with "meh" feelings. There comes a point when the bad boy character becomes just too much to handle. While his character brought an important element to the story, I just fail to find the bad boy type all that appealing.

The hidden world in which Anna finds herself immersed is an immensely intriguing one. On the surface she lives in a small town just outside Atlanta. Beyond the visual scope of everyday humans, however, lies a much darker world inhabited by frightening beings bent on leading humanity astray. Where there is dark there is light, however, and I found the ways in which the light were included to be very appealing. When you include the background for both sides, you have an engaging book that makes for a great reading session.

Even though I am not as much of a Kaidan fan as others who have read and enjoyed this book, I found Sweet Evil to be a fun weekend read all the same. With such a good main character, a sinister hidden world, and a classic conflict, Sweet Evil makes for a very nice reading experience. I, for one, plan to continue with this series and look forward to finding out what will happen next.

Buy Sweet Evil at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Review - Infinite Days

by Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Date of Publication: August 2010
Format: ARC
Pages: 336
Source: Goodreads giveaway

From Goodreads:

“Throughout all my histories, I found no one I loved more than you... no one.”

Those were some of Rhode’s last words to me. The last time he would pronounce his love. The last time I would see his face.

It was the first time in 592 years I could take a breath. Lay in the sun. Taste.

Rhode sacrificed himself so I, Lenah Beaudonte, could be human again. So I could stop the blood lust.

I never expected to fall in love with someone else that wasn’t Rhode.

But Justin was... daring. Exciting. More beautiful than I could dream.

I never expected to be sixteen again... then again, I never expected my past to come back and haunt me...

This ARC was the first book I had ever won in a giveaway. I thought the premise of the story was interesting as I have seen few stories where vampires can become human, so I was excited to see where this book would go.

First, the writing is elegant - that's the only way I can describe it. This did make for a slower read, but an enjoyable one. After all, the story is from the perspective of a former vampire queen who has been around for over five hundred years, so it would have been ill-fitting if she spoke and thought as if she were a modern teenager. The whole story reminded me slightly of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles, the Gothic tone mingled with the current times, not to mention the struggle of good and evil that the narrator of the story, Lenah, has within herself.

Speaking of that former vampire queen, Lenah is a great character. I liked seeing the world through her eyes and watching her compare her new human experiences with her old vampire ones, which were mostly seen through flashbacks. These flashbacks were something I was worried about initially, as I usually don't enjoy flipping between a current plot and past events. However, the transitions were smooth and the fact that it was simply part of Lenah's character to think on her past life made them interesting and did not slow the story down. Truthfully, the story is not fast-paced or action heavy, but the story and the character of Lenah were written so well that I did not mind. I thought the learning experiences Lenah goes through were believable and really made her character endearing.

As for the other main characters, I deeply wish Rhode were a larger part of the plot. He does set the whole thing in motion, but we really only get to see him a little and mostly in flashbacks. Justin, the main love interest, was personally disappointing. As a reader, I want to fall for him as much as the main character does, but I was never sold on Justin. I thought it odd that someone who could date the typical mean girl and tease others along with her would be chosen by a smart and cultured Lenah. After reading this post by the author, however, I better understood why Justin was a good choice for Lenah, though I really didn't care any more for him than before.

I also had an issue with Justin's mean girl ex-girlfriend, Tracy. Though Lenah and her do not become true friends, the fact that Tracy's character also changes without any cause or explanation was hard to believe. Sure, love or new boyfriends can change people, but what made them that way in the first place? Was she truly an awful person or just insecure? Maybe I'm being picky, but it was a bit too neatly tied up for me. I wouldn't have minded if the change in Tracy had been explored or explained in some way.

The character I am most looking forward to seeing more of is Vicken, Lenah's other lover from her vampire life. We get to see Lenah's view of him while he was still human and then we get to see him as a vampire when the action starts towards the end of the book. In both forms he made no excuses for what or who he was, and he seemed to be the man's man type, which I liked. What happened with him at the end has me really intrigued to see where the plot leads and how it involves him.

Overall, Infinite Days is a good novel and an elegant story of an old vampire's new life. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes paranormal YA and is looking to sink their teeth into something different. While I had my issues, the lovely writing, great main characters, and unique angle on vampires makes this a novel worth trying, and don't be surprised if you find yourself immersed in Lenah's world and end up wanting more. Speaking of more, look for book two in the Vampire Queen trilogy, Stolen Nights, coming in early 2013.

Also, if you want to see something awesome, click here to see the author, Rebecca Maizel, read an excerpt from Infinite Days. She really captures the tone and character of Lenah, which shouldn't be surprising since she did create her. Go watch and enjoy!

Where you can buy Infinite Days:

Amazon / Books A Million / Barnes & Noble

*Note: This review originally appeared in its unrevised format on Writer Quirk.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Review: Two and Twenty Dark Tales

edited by Georgia McBride & Michelle Zink
written by various authors
publisher: Month9Books
date of publication: October 16, 2012
format: digital review copy
pages: 340
source: Netgalley

From Goodreads:

In this anthology, 20 authors explore the dark and hidden meanings behind some of the most beloved Mother Goose nursery rhymes through short story retellings. The dark twists on classic tales range from exploring whether Jack truly fell or if Jill pushed him instead to why Humpty Dumpty, fragile and alone, sat atop so high of a wall. The authors include Nina Berry, Sarwat Chadda, Leigh Fallon, Gretchen McNeil, and Suzanne Young.

You may recall hearing all about Old Mother Hubbard and Humpty Dumpty as a child. What if that wasn't the entire story? Two and Twenty Dark Tales is here to give you a glimpse of the possibilities behind these classic rhymes with new interpretations and fresh story-telling from a variety of authors. Ranging from eerie to moving, there is something for everyone in this fantastic collection of short stories.

Each story on offer in this anthology takes on a particular Mother Goose rhyme and spins it in an entirely new way. My personal favorite was "Sing a Song of Six-Pence" by Sarwat Chadda, a dark and foreboding take on the rhyme of the same title. With an unusual yet intriguing narrator and a forlorn setting, the tale Chadda tells is barely recognizable yet amazingly inventive. That's only the beginning. From front to back, this book is chock full of some truly wonderful stories.

If you're a particular fan of short story anthologies, Two and Twenty Dark Tales is a must. With such a fantastic selection of stories, you just can't go wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every adaptation the book has to offer. It made me think about all of the possibilities in interpretations of such time-honored, traditional rhymes. I can promise you one thing in particular, as well: You'll never look at Mother Goose the same way.

Buy Two and Twenty Dark Tales 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.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Review - Catching Jordan

by Miranda Kenneally
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Date of Publication: December 2011
Format: ARC
Pages: 281
Source: giveaway

From Goodreads:

ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Greeen moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?

After winning this ARC, I put it with other books I hadn't yet read and didn't think much of it. Then one day I decide to weed out some books I didn't want for one of my own giveaways and didn't know if I should keep it. I decided the best way to figure that out was to read a little bit of it and see how I felt. And...

I read the whole thing in one sitting. Yeah, you read that right. One sitting. One night. Something I haven't done in a very, very long time. And for the record, that paragraph summary up there doesn't do the book justice.

This being a contemporary novel, it is important the writing makes everything about the story feel real. Kenneally did this with ease. The words flowed naturally, including dialogue. There was some course language, but it wasn't overwhelming and it fit the characters (who were teenage football players for the most part) and the struggles Jordan was going through. I also loved how the words gave the book the proper atmosphere. Having played sports for a Tennessee high school, it all meshed with my memories of how things felt and sounded.

Speaking of Tennessee, I loved having my home state as the setting. It was fun because even though Kenneally didn't go into super-detail with the descriptions (fine by me), all of the locations formed easily in my mind. This story would be a perfect television show or movie because it was that easy to visualize.

I also was very happy that Kenneally included the disparity of status often seen in Tennessee. There are lots of rich people and poor people and in-between people, sometimes living on the same street. Even though that exists most places, I felt like this was something Kenneally didn't have to mention much in the story if she didn't want to, but I was glad that she did because it did paint a much more realistic picture. I have read stories where the main character lives comfortably but then gawks at a mansion or where a character is destitute, but having these details as part of the setting, not just facts on a character sheet, really stood out.

The characters in Catching Jordan also felt realistic. Jordan herself is a driven girl with big goals. I liked her attitude and her loyalty to her team. She is a strong leader and her friendships with her teammates were genuine. She wanted to be a good leader for them and they were all protective of her, not just because she was a girl, but because she was their captain and they respected her.

Jordan's personal growth in the novel made her even more likable. A lot of it had to do with her walking the line between being a football player and being a girl and realizing she could (and should) be both without compromising the other. Since Jordan's best friends were all guys (I loved JJ and Carter, by the way), it was also good to see Jordan learn that not all girls are backstabbers and gossips and she can have loyal friends that don't play football. And tt was nice that she not only recognized this, but acted on it.

Jordan's family was also great. I loved the family dynamics and how it was dysfunctional but close. It seemed like I could know this family and it worked so well in the story. Jordan wasn't like the typical YA protagonist that just obviously loves her family and says so, but Jordan's actions and choices reflected her feelings.

The love interests in this were good too. I felt bad for Ty because I could really understand his character. As a person struggling to get by and helping take care of family members due to medical issues, I know exactly how difficult life can be and how whacky it can make you. The kindness of Jordan's family toward him really made me happy because sometimes it is so hard to let others know what you are dealing with and when someone offers to help you, it can be life-changing.

As for Henry, I liked Henry right off the bat. He was expressive and quirky and funny and just so...Henry. He and Jordan had a really special bond you couldn't help but love. BUT, and this is a big but, when I think about his antics with girls throughout the entirety of the novel, it bothers me. Jordan didn't seem to care that he was sleeping around and often joked about it (except for one point where his late nights were upsetting her as a captain because she didn't want his lack of sleep to affect the team).

But in one scene, three girls that Henry has liked, has dated, or has fooled around with are talking in the same room together and not one of them seems weirded out that all three of them have somehow been involved with Henry. That was the only thing that seemed off in the entire story. Maybe if they hadn't been talking about Henry at the time, it wouldn't have bothered me but a couple of the girls were trying to help the other one with Henry, and I found that odd. I've actually experienced the same thing (knowing two girls who dated one of my boyfriends all while we were in high school together), but we never talked about him with each other because it was weird.

Anyway, when I think about Henry's good qualities and his faults together, he seems to me like a great guy that did everything wrong. He messes up a lot throughout the novel, from his antics to his mood swings to his outbursts. I think he figures all that out about himself by the end, so at least there's that. But his loyalty and feelings for Jordan were completely authentic and I loved their friendship and the silly things they did together. For Jordan to ignore his antics wasn't completely out of the question because they were best friends for ten years, so she saw a lot more to him than his faults, which I understand. So in the end, I still like Henry.

There were some other things in Catching Jordan that I enjoyed. First, the chapter subtitles. Not only did each chapter have a title pertaining to something that happened in the chapter, but most also had a subtitle. For about half of the book, they were countdowns to Jordan's college visit to her dream school. I liked this because as an aspiring author, I always read about high stakes for a character, and these subtitles reminded me about Jordan's goal and really helped me get in her head, making the stakes feel higher and more important.

Second, Jordan starts some creative writing during her story, and the novel is peppered with poetry relating to what is going on in her life. The poems are fun and I loved how it broke up the normal narrative. Again, this brought me more into Jordan's mind and I loved it.

Third, this novel being set in Tennessee and having to do with sports, it was fun to see the names of the teams Jordan was playing. Even if those high schools don't actually exist, I knew where the towns and counties were, so it was like reading a story about a real girl who lives in my state. It was just cool and gave the story another reason to feel real.

Overall, Catching Jordan is a realistic and fun novel about a girl fighting for her dreams and learning what is really important in life. Even if you don't care about football or sports in general, everyone can relate to Jordan's struggles and triumphs. This novel has lots of heart and will keep you turning the pages and rooting for Jordan all the way.

Where you can buy Catching Jordan:

Amazon / The Book Depository / Indiebound

*Note: This review originally appeared in its unrevised format on Writer Quirk.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Epic Giving Thanks Scavenger Hunt - The Author I Am Most Thankful For

When the incomparable Megan from Book Brats came up with the idea for a scavenger hunt based upon the books and authors that we are most thankful for, I was very excited to participate. I knew just who I wanted to write about and I simply couldn't pass up an opportunity to spread the word about a truly wonderful book.

Last year when I started my blogging career here at Starting the Next Chapter, I read some really great books. However, one particular book stands out even now due to the impact it had upon me as I read it. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys kept me up all night reading and, even though I went through much tissue while doing so, I felt in awe upon finishing. Little did I know that I would meet the woman behind the book mere months after reading it.

I first met Ruta at the Nashville stop of the Ash2Nash tour in August 2011. Upon striking up a conversation, it was revealed that we didn't live too far from each other. We had a lovely conversation and I walked away from it even more impressed than I already had been.

Ash2Nash in Nashville, August 2011

Being a Nashville area blogger, I would meet Ruta again at numerous other events and, eventually, strike up an on-going email correspondence with her. Then, I was approached by a blogger whom I now count amongst my dearest friends, Hannah. She, too, had been impacted by Between Shades of Gray and wanted to do something special to get the word out. It started with a blog tour in celebration of the paperback release this past April. From there, my friendship with Hannah grew and before we knew it, plans for a fan site were in the works. I am now one of the admins for RutaFans along with Hannah and am happy to be so. The more people that know about this book, the better.

The RutaFans Lunch, July 2012

Ruta has come to mean so much to both Hannah and myself for an entirely different reason. When she asked both Hannah and I if we were writers and found out that we are, she made it a point to encourage us to go for it and to not stop. She also made sure that we attended the latest SCBWI Midsouth conference, something that I am now very grateful to her for making happen. I am so full of gratitude for everything she contributes to the writing world.

To Ruta, I must say thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have been an inspiration, a great influence, and a valued confidant. My writing and my life is all the better from having met you. Here's to the continued success of Between Shades of Gray, as well as success for your next work, Out of the Easy. You already know how much I loved it and I look forward to sharing it with everyone.

In honor of Ruta and the book that started it all, I will be giving away a paperback copy of Between Shades of Gray. All you have to do is collect the scavenger hunt words from this and all other participating blogs for a chance to win. Good luck, and to the future winner of Between Shades of Gray, I truly hope you enjoy!

Get In On the Scavenger Hunt!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue With the Hunt!

Nov 12 - Book Brats
Nov 13 – Making The Grade
Nov 14 – Writing My Own Fairytale
Nov 15 – Book Addicts Guide
Nov 16 – Bumbles and Fairy-Tales
Nov 17 – Beauty and the Bookshelf AND JC Emery
Nov 18 – Dizneeee’s World of Books
Nov 19 – Book Babes AND Gypsy Book Reviews
Nov 20 – Starting the Next Chapter
Nov 21 – I Love Books Club
Nov 22 – WRAP UP!
Nov 25 – Contest Ends, Twitter Party

Monday, November 19, 2012

Review: The Diviners

by Libba Bray
publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
date of publication: September 18, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 592
source: from the publisher for review

From Goodreads:

Evie O'Neill has been exiled from her boring old hometown and shipped off to the bustling streets of New York City--and she is pos-i-toot-ly thrilled. New York is the city of speakeasies, shopping, and movie palaces! Soon enough, Evie is running with glamorous Ziegfield girls and rakish pickpockets. The only catch is Evie has to live with her Uncle Will, curator of The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult--also known as "The Museum of the Creepy Crawlies."

When a rash of occult-based murders comes to light, Evie and her uncle are right in the thick of the investigation. And through it all, Evie has a secret: a mysterious power that could help catch the killer--if he doesn't catch her first.

Upon first glance, you might think that The Diviners is a daunting book to read due to the sheer size of it. I can happily say, however, that it truly is not that daunting. It may be thicker than your typical YA novel, but it makes up for it in several ways. I hope to share those ways with you today so that, just maybe, you will decide to give this book a try.

The Diviners is a great mixture of humor and horror and is made up of several wonderful characters. There is a nice balance of vibrant, buoyant characters such as Evie, as well as more reserved, level-headed characters such as Evie's uncle Will and her best gal pal, Mabel. By placing such an array of characters in a truly fascinating setting (New York City in the Roaring Twenties), Bray has laid the foundation for a remarkable series.

The thing that I enjoyed most about The Diviners was the sheer horror and eeriness that serves as an undercurrent to the entire story. With a villain such as Naughty John, who wouldn't be creeped out. It isn't often that you come across a villain so thoroughly frightening as Naughty John. When those villains come with their own creepy song, you know you are in for some scares.

"Naughty John, Naughty John, does his work with his apron on. Cuts your throat and takes your bones, sells 'em off for a coupla stones."

-excerpt from The Diviners by Libba Bray

With the exception of some slow-moving chapters and a romance that seemingly popped up out of nowhere, The Diviners proved to be an excellent read well worth the time it took to finish. With its references to flapper fashions, gritty locations, and truly awesome characters, I can posi-tute-ly recommend this one to you all. Whether you enjoy historical fiction or not, I have the feeling you will enjoy this one thanks to its paranormal and horror elements.

Buy The Diviners at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

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

Sunday, November 18, 2012

New to the Nest - Marla - November 18, 2012

I bet you all thought I forgot about you, but I promise that I haven't. I had several internet outages last week, so all of my posts have been pushed back to this week. You will start seeing reviews from me again tomorrow.

I haven't posted a book haul post in a couple of weeks, so I have a little catching up to do.

Physical Books