The Isle of the Lost by Melissa de la Cruz

Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon and made to live in virtual imprisonment on the Isle of the Lost. The island is surrounded by a magical force field that keeps the villains and their descendants safely locked up and away from the mainland. Life on the island is dark and dreary. It is a dirty, decrepit place that's been left to rot and forgotten by the world.

But hidden in the mysterious Forbidden Fortress is a dragon's eye: the key to true darkness and the villains' only hope of escape. Only the cleverest, evilest, nastiest little villain can find it...who will it be?

Maleficent, Mistress of the Dark: As the self-proclaimed ruler of the isle, Maleficent has no tolerance for anything less than pure evil. She has little time for her subjects, who have still not mastered life without magic. Her only concern is getting off the Isle of the Lost.

Mal: At sixteen, Maleficent's daughter is the most talented student at Dragon Hall, best known for her evil schemes. And when she hears about the dragon's eye, Mal thinks this could be her chance to prove herself as the cruelest of them all.

Evie: Having been castle-schooled for years, Evil Queen's daughter, Evie, doesn't know the ins and outs of Dragon Hall. But she's a quick study, especially after she falls for one too many of Mal's little tricks.

Jay: As the son of Jafar, Jay is a boy of many talents: stealing and lying to name a few. Jay and Mal have been frenemies forever and he's not about to miss out on the hunt for the dragon's eye.

Carlos: Cruella de Vil's son may not be bravest, but he's certainly clever. Carlos's inventions may be the missing piece in locating the dragon's eye and ending the banishment for good.

Mal soon learns from her mother that the dragon's eye is cursed and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She'll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the dragon's eye, these kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain't so bad.

Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos are the offspring of some of the most terrible villains of all time. They're offered a chance to leave the Isle of the Lost, where they have been imprisoned all their lives, and go to prep school in the idyllic kingdom of Auradon with all of the "good" kids. There, they must choose whether or not to follow in their parents' evil footsteps. Watch out Auradon--here come the Descendants!

Rating: 3/5 

I am a HUGE fan of Melissa de la Cruz. I loved her Blue Bloods series and when I found out she was writing a new novel, I was so excited! I don't like spoilers, so I tried not to read too much about her new project.

Honestly, I forgot about it, but about a week ago I was strolling through a local department store and when I passed by the books section, I was immediately drawn to The Isle of the Lost. 

The cover is very creative and artistic, which was one of the main reasons it captivated my attention. I then spotted Melissa de la Cruz credited as the author on the cover and I knew right then and there that I HAD to read this book. The plot is original, and the ambiance of the novel itself was, for lack of a better word, awesome! 

Melissa de la Cruz is back and ready to take on the worlds most nefarious villains. I enjoyed the plot, and it was paced very appropriately. It was paced fast enough to keep me engaged, but I was still able to put the book down during the few slow parts to get other things on my To-Do List done.

As a fellow writer, literary intern, and a scholar working my way towards a journalism degree, I am extremely familiar with the "formula" for writing a young adult novel. Almost every book follows this "formula," but The Isle of the Lost is a prime example of originality. Not only was the plot original, but the writing style is just as unique.

The overall idea was fantastic and original. I am incredibly happy I got the chance to review this book because I had a lot of fun reading it.

The Isle of the Lost is definitely worth checking out. Was it one of the best books of 2015? No, but it was still an entertaining and engaging book and I recommend it to all of you who love YA novels or Disney villains. Or if you like both, like me, that makes it even better!

I chose to give a 3-star rating to The Isle of the Lost because it wasn't as good as it could've been, but it was still an enjoyable read, as I mentioned previously, and I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to review this book. I don't regret reading it by any means, and I would re-read it again in a heartbeat.

My final words are this: definitely check out The Isle of the Lost as well as the Descendants junior novel, which is, of course, targeted towards younger, middle-grade readers. I gave the Descendants junior novel a 1-star rating because while The Isle of the Lost was quite enjoyable, the junior novel was not.

I found it to be very generic and immature, which is to be expected when writing a book for middle-grade readers. I'm sure if I was in that age group, I would probably enjoy it.

Melissa de la Cruz DID NOT write the junior companion novel, a novelization of the Disney Channel Original Movie. It was adapted by Rico Green and co-authored by Josann McGibbon and Sara Parriott. 

Note: The junior novelization offers eight pages of additional full-color photos.

Unfortunately, The Isle of the Lost wasn't up to par with de la Cruz's Blue Bloods series, which is a very difficult feat, but it was still a nice, well-written book that any 90s kid who was raised on Disney Channel would appreciate.

I am excited to see what Melissa de la Cruz has planned for the sequel because I have high hopes for the other books in this charming fantasy series. I am already eager to re-visit the Isle of the Lost to watch the story continue to unfold!

To you, my dear readers, expect another book review from me very, very soon. Happy reading! xoxo

Casey

P.S. I would like to take a moment to thank the wonderful people at Disney-Hyperion who work extremely hard to ensure that every title published by their company is unique, fresh, and exciting. 

We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Thirteen-year-old Stewart is academically brilliant but socially clueless. 

Fourteen-year-old Ashley is the undisputed “It” girl in her class, but her grades stink.

Their worlds are about to collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. Stewart is trying to be 89.9 percent happy about it, but Ashley is 110 percent horrified. She already has to hide the real reason her dad moved out; “Spewart” could further threaten her position at the top of the social ladder. They are complete opposites. And yet, they have one thing in common: they—like everyone else—are made of molecules. 

Rating: 5/5

​We Are All Made of Molecules is an inspiring and contemporary read that I wish would have been around when I was in high school. It steps across the social boundaries to examine the personalities of two distinct characters that, in high school hierarchy, would commonly be found residing on opposite ends of the “cool spectrum”. While two people as different as Ashley and Stewart tend to misunderstand and look down on one another as stupid or inferior, it is a reminder that intelligence is a subjective term able to be applied in many different ways. I identified very closely to Stewart through his too analytical mind that often left him struggling in the social department, but found myself admiring Ashley too because of how superbly she understood and could manipulate the social constructs of her life often to her greater benefit.

​Through this novel, Susin Nielson made a powerful point that we often tend to get wrapped up in our own worlds and not realize that each of our own little planets we live on revolve around one another to create this huge, mini solar system called Earth where it all intertwines. The choices we make impact one another, and no one is of greater or lesser value because we are all made of molecules. It is a beautiful and humbling philosophy to keep in mind. No matter the controversies we face in life, and even though we all feel alone at some point or another, each one of us has the potential to change and be changed by another person. It is an inspiring story that subtly opens your eyes a little at a time, and you don’t realize how much it has impacted you until you finally reach the last page and think about what you just read. This is an inspiring book that I believe has the potential to empower and inspire teens, and even adults, that feel disconnected because of pain in their lives. It teaches that each person is responsible and capable of standing up against the injustices we witness in everyday life, and that no one is too small to make a difference.

​

While I am normally more of a fantasy and sci-fi reader, this book still somehow managed to grip me and challenge me to realize that sometimes life by itself is difficult and complicated enough without adding some supernatural monsters or a five hundred year old vampire boyfriend into that confusion.  It was a charming and pleasantly sarcastic read that intermittently had me wanting to chuck it across the room in frustration for the characters. This is a book for the depressed, lonely, and/or socially awkward teenager caught in the middle of a world that is tugging them in any direction, eager to slap a label on their forehead to define them by. It is also for anyone who has experienced a loss, a comforting hope that things will work out and get better no matter how difficult the struggle may seem at the time. This is a simple story that has the potential to break down social barriers and bring a realization that we are all connected and a part of the same world, and in accordance should demonstrate a greater care for one another.

Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark, #3) by C.C. Hunter

I would like to thank the publicity department of St. Martin's Griffin for an advance copy of this book for an honest review and coverage on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Now, onto the review....

Hunter's Shadow Falls series is one of my all-time favorites. I love the world the author created, and I was definitely pleased when I found out she was writing a spin-off series featuring her vampire BFF, Della. 

To avoid spoilers for those who haven't read the previous installments, I won't dig in too much, but I find it extremely difficult to keep quiet when I've read a great novel. I rated this book, as well as the previous books (Reborn and Eternal) 5/5. 

If you're looking for an original YA paranormal novel, pick up the first book in the original Shadow Falls series, Born at Midnight. I loved that book SO MUCH that I devoured it in two sittings. I missed a lot of sleep everytime I started a C.C. Hunter novel, but it was totally worth it. 

I love the character Della and the gorgeous love interest she falls for. I enjoyed the authors perception of the world, and I felt that by reading this book I was, for a brief moment in time, someone else. Not every book does that, though, which makes me appreciate those books that go deep into your core and you can't get it out of your head. I read this book, read another outside of this series, and I missed it so much I just simply had to re-read it. 

I'm sad that Unspoken is the last novel of the SFAD trilogy, but it feels nice to feel complete, like you've put a lot of effort into something and you finally achieve your desired result. I highly recommend this book to all my readers, whether you're young or old(er). 

Right now I'm currently reading another St. Martin's Griffin title, "Romancing the Dark in the City of Lights" by Anna Jacobus. So far I'm enjoying it and can't wait to share my review with you! 

Until next time, happy reading! 

Casey

From Afar by Frank Scozzari

First off, I must thank Frank Scozzari for providing a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review. Now, on to the review....

"From Afar" is a contemporary adult novel featuring a strong hero named Morgan Stanfield, a Santa Barbara native, flees to Saint Perersburg, a far northern city in Russia. 

Morgan Stanfield was intelligent and witty and I really enjoyed reading his story. The first-person narration gave more life to the story, and I was able to slip into this world that Scozzari has created, and I was flipping page after page until I had finished. I was kind of dissapointed that the book ended, but I definitely plan on re-reading it someday. 

I have always found Russian history and culture fascinating, and Scozzari's novel was like a round trip ticket. I felt the richness of the setting, and I felt transported into this world. 

My favorite part was the wide range of characters introduced such as (quote from the back of the book) a Russian beauty, a prostitute, a wise old babushka, an American chauvinist, intellectuals, the and the Russian mafia.

I enjoyed this book, as it was equally thrilling as it was romantic, and I highly recommend you guys read Frank Scozzari's novel, "From Afar." 

Rating: 3.5/5

I always appreciate your thoughts and opinions, so don't hesitate to reach out by email or Twitter @CrewCasey

A Letter to my Readers

Dear Readers, 

I know I haven't posted anything very recently due to a hiatus because of personal issues involving the untimely, tragic death of my grandfather. I am glad to let you all know that I am back, I started reading a lot more recently, and I have a lot of reviews coming up. I would like to thank you, my supportive readers, for your supportive, encouraging messages and e-mails. 

Once again, I thank you all for sticking by my side during these difficult few months. I've received a lot of really good book recommendations, and will post them very soon. 

Sincerely, 

Casey

Prozac Nation by Elizabeth Wurtzel

Prozac Nation is a confessional memoir published in the late 90s by former Harvard and Yale student Elizabeth Wurtzel, a brave woman who has battled mental illness and addiction, a co-occurring disorder. In her book, Wurtzel accurately and painfully recalls her struggle with depression and drug addiction while at Harvard. I found her story appealing and resonating. Her description of major depressive disorder and her journey while being treated for it is one that has set the bar for many writers and publishers of memoirs. Ms. Wurtzel's tumultuous years of young adulthood are remarkably familiar to so many young adults today, stressing in her memoir that we all live in what has become a true Prozac Nation. 

I recommend this novel for my readers, and rate "Prozac Nation" 5/5 stars. 

Manic: A Memoir by Terri Cheney

Title: Manic: A Memoir
Author: Terri Cheney
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Pages: 245
Release Date: February 5, 2008
Source: Library
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

"I didn't tell anyone that I was going to Santa Fe to kill myself."

On the outside, Terri Cheney was a highly successful, attractive Beverly Hills entertainment lawyer. But behind her seemingly flawless façade lay a dangerous secret—for the better part of her life Cheney had been battling debilitating bipolar disorder and concealing a pharmacy's worth of prescriptions meant to stabilize her moods and make her "normal."

In bursts of prose that mirror the devastating highs and extreme lows of her illness, Cheney describes her roller-coaster life with shocking honesty—from glamorous parties to a night in jail; from flying fourteen kites off the edge of a cliff in a thunderstorm to crying beneath her office desk; from electroshock therapy to a suicide attempt fueled by tequila and prescription painkillers.

With Manic, Cheney gives voice to the unarticulated madness she endured. The clinical terms used to describe her illness were so inadequate that she chose to focus instead on her own experience, in her words, "on what bipolar disorder felt like inside my own body." Here the events unfold episodically, from mood to mood, the way she lived and remembers life. In this way the reader is able to viscerally experience the incredible speeding highs of mania and the crushing blows of depression, just as Cheney did. Manic does not simply explain bipolar disorder—it takes us in its grasp and does not let go.

In the tradition of Darkness Visible and An Unquiet Mind, Manic is Girl, Interrupted with the girl all grown up. This harrowing yet hopeful book is more than just a searing insider's account of what it's really like to live with bipolar disorder. It is a testament to the sharp beauty of a life lived in extremes.


I've wanted to read Manic for a long time, so when I discovered it in my local library, I was ecstatic.  I checked out and devoured the book within a few hours.  I absolutely adored this book and its raw, poignant honesty.  Cheney introduces her readers to the startling truth of mental illness and the social stigmas surrounding depression and other disorders.  As a person living with bipolar disorder, Cheney's story resonated truthfully and honestly.


Cheney bravely and courageously invites readers into the privacy of her life and reveals the ultimate truth of her existence with intimacy.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading Cheney's story, although I felt as though I were walking with her along the course of her journey.  I was absorbed into this charming, witty memoir and highly recommend the rest of you to add it to your "to read" list.


Casey
7/29/14
10:41 am

Darkness (Brookehaven Vampires, #2) by Joann I. Martin Sowles

Title: Darkness
Author: Joann I. Martin Sowles
Publisher: Brookehaven Publishing
Pages: 295
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Source: Author
Format: Paperback
Rating: 4/5

Not long ago, Laney Alexander was living a carefree life, that is, until she was thrown into a world full of creatures only the imagination thought possible. Now, after surviving a terrifying night, Laney and Oliver are lying low at Julz's place, relieved to be in each other's arms once again. But fate seems to have other plans...

Julz is not happy to have visitors in her home and emotions run high. Laney is pushed to her limits as she watches Carter fight for his life and her relationship with Oliver becomes strained as she discovers secrets about Julz that could tear them apart.

As she reaches her boiling point, disaster strikes and her life is shattered. Laney must come to terms with what has unfolded. Will she lose her way and let the darkness consume her or will she find her light in Oliver?

Secrets will be revealed. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be lost. Darkness will fall.

Darkness is the second installment of the Brookehaven Vampires series by Joann I. Martin Sowles.  The first installment, Laney, got me hooked on this series and Darkness definitely fed my addiction!  Darkness picks up where Laney left off (on a cliffhanger, of course!) and dives right into the story.

In Darkness, Sowles offers the reader a lot of background information that helps make the Brookehaven world much more detailed and defined.  Throughout the course of the book, we learn more about Oliver and his family: Issac, Hayden, Julz, and Felix.  Oliver is gorgeous (as always!) and brooding, and cares so much for Laney, his love, that he keeps secrets from her that makes the reader feel the urge to continue reading, so more secrets can be discovered.  Laney is naturally smart, witty, and funny in her narration which provides relief when things get too serious.  Oliver is charming and caring, which makes him totally swoon-worthy! I really enjoyed the character development in Darkness, as well as the development in Laney and Oliver's relationship.  The one question that was constantly in my mind was: Will Laney become a vampire?  I don't think I could take it if anything ever happened to my favorite literary couple.  I hope you're reading this, Ms. Sowles!  *cough*

I really enjoyed Darkness--it seems as if the books get better as they're written, and I hope this pattern continues!

I highly recommend the Brookehaven Vampires series if you're a fan of paranormal romance!

Buy Laney (Brookehaven Vampires, #1):
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Buy Darkness (Brookehaven Vampires, #2):
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Torn (Trylle, #2) by Amanda Hocking, Book Review

Title: Torn
Author: Amanda Hocking
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 324
Release Date: February 28, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Rating: 4.5/5

When Wendy Everly first discovers the truth about herself—that she’s a changeling switched at birth—she knows her life will never be the same. Now she’s about to learn that there’s more to the story…

She shares a closer connection to her Vittra rivals than she ever imagined—and they’ll stop at nothing to lure her to their side. With the threat of war looming, her only hope of saving the Trylle is to master her magical powers—and marry an equally powerful royal. But that means walking away from Finn, her handsome bodyguard who’s strictly off limits…and Loki, a Vittra prince with whom she shares a growing attraction.

Torn between her heart and her people, between love and duty, Wendy must decide her fate. If she makes the wrong choice, she could lose everything, and everybody, she’s ever wanted…in both worlds.

Torn is the second book in the Trylle trilogy by Amanda Hocking.  Check out my review of Switched (Trylle, #1) here.

Torn picks up shortly after where Switched left off, with Wendy and Rhys escaping from the Trylle compound of Forening.  Shortly after, a lot of action and drama ensue!

I really enjoyed Torn significantly more than the first installment in the trilogy because I felt Torn exhibited much more character development and delved deeper into the world of the Trylle.  I was really displeased the protagonist, Wendy, in the first book because I felt she complained much too often and kind of acted like a spoiled brat; however, Wendy really matured over the course of the second book, which I really appreciated.  The one thing that I really enjoyed about Wendy was her classic sense of humor--she's so cynical and full of snarky retorts, which I really like in my protagonists. There's a lot of action, adventure, and drama in this trilogy which really grabs the reader's attention and doesn't really let go.  I'll admit, there were a few parts in the middle of the book where I felt a tad bit restless, but I was propelled forward by the pace of the plot and my investment in the lives of the characters.

I like most of the characters in the Trylle trilogy, especially Wendy, Rhys, Matt, Finn, Rhiannon, and Loki, a new addition to the trilogy who makes his debut in Torn.

If you're a fan of action, adventure, and fantasy, I highly recommend these books for you!

                                                         *      *      *

"Prepare to be enchanted…Switched by Amanda Hocking is a fast-paced read thoroughly laced with action, adventure, fantasy, and romance. Hocking has created a magickal world that I am excited to return to and will definitely be following Wendy and her gang of friends throughout their spectacular journey into the world of Trylle."
--Casey's Crew, on Switched

Buy Switched (Trylle, #1):
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Buy Torn (Trylle, #2):
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The Summoning (Darkest Powers, #1) by Kelley Armstrong, Book Review

Title: The Summoning
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 390
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, and meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home.

At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…

The Summoning tells the story of a teenage girl named Chloe Saunders who has always felt different and out-of-place until she moves to Buffalo, New York and starts attending an art school. Just when she thinks she's found a place where she belongs, supernatural occurrences occur and Chloe begins to see ghosts, although her paranormal gift is branded as mental illness and she is shipped off to Lyle House, a group home for troubled teens. Upon arriving at Lyle House, Chloe knows something isn't quite right and she sets off to discover the truth behind Lyle House...

I absolutely loved The Summoning!  I really enjoyed the protagonist, Chloe, and her narration felt very relatable and accessible.  The characters were great because they seemed like real people, and I pictured them so clearly in my head.  As the story progresses, the characters develop and I really enjoyed seeing them grow and evolve into stronger characters.  The Summoning is driven by its fast-paced plot; there is literally something constantly happening!  I never once felt bored or restless while reading The Summoning. 

While I do enjoy romance in books, The Summoning doesn't revolve around love and romance (i.e., Twilight).  The Summoning is filled with action, adventure, with a hint of romance, and I highly recommend it!

Buy the book:
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Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1) by Rebecca Maizel, Book Review

Title: Infinite Days
Author: Rebecca Maizel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: 336
Release Date: August 3, 2010
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

“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...


I know what you're thinking: Great, another vampire book--so predictable.  Well, no.  Infinite Days is different than any other vampire book I've ever read, and I loved it!  The book chronicles the life of a 592-year-old vampire named Lenah Beaudonte who, through an ancient ritual, is changed back into a human after centuries of living as an evil, bloodsucking immortal.  Lenah then relocates from her home in England to a fancy boarding school in New England where she meets a human named Justin and falls in love with him.  Justin awakens something in Lena that she never knew she possessed and she begins to learn how to live and love again.

I found Infinite Days to be very original while sticking to traditional vampire lore.  Maizel exhibits dark, macabre imagery in her novel reminiscent of Anne Rice's beautiful, seductive immortals which I found very appealing.  The protagonist, Lenah, was very relatable (even though she was a human turned vampire turned human...again.)  Lenah was a very strong narrator, and I really enjoyed seeing this beautifully twisted world that Maizel created through her eyes.  I also loved the characters of Rhode, Lenah's vampire soul mate; Justin, Lenah's human lover; and Tony, Lenah's human best friend.  I felt very strong character development throughout the novel, which is always appreciated, and I admired Lenah's strong-willed personality and her tiny quirks and idiosyncrasies.

As I read Infinite Days, I felt constantly encouraged to read by the interactions between the characters, lovely narration, and fast-paced plot.

I highly suggest that you read Infinite Days if you haven't already--there's not one single thing I didn't like about this book.  The sequel, Stolen Nights, is available now and the third and final book in the trilogy is expected to be released in 2014.

Buy Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1):
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Buy Stolen Nights (Vampire Queen, #2):
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Interview with L.B. Schulman, author of LEAGUE OF STRAYS

1. Tell me about League of Strays. How did you come up with that story angle or idea?


Answer: I was fascinated by how Columbine came about and what motivated those two boys to do something so horrific. As it turns out, one of them has since been declared a sociopath. It seemed like that one boy influenced the other, which also intrigued me. I also wanted to write something that highlighted revenge as being its own form of bullying.



2. How did you get interested in writing this particular genre (YA-lit)?

Answer: I have always loved to read YA. I don’t even read adult fiction anymore. I just enjoy the quirky, exciting, adventurous lives of YA characters. As a writer, I’ve never wanted to go anywhere else. (Except for middle-grade, of course, but that's YA's sibling.)



3. What kind of research did you do for this series?

Answer: I spoke to police officers and lawyers, to make sure the ending was as realistic as possible. I also researched the viola so I could capture Charlotte's feelings about music. But I also drew from my own experience playing violin as a teenager.



4. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

Answer: I am inconsistent, though I wish I could say otherwise. Some days I don't write at all, and others, I write for eight hours straight. I live a busy life with kids and other responsibilities and sometimes, I can't squeeze in the hours to write. That is why this book took me so long to write...two to three years to get the first draft done and more to revise. I write in my living room on the couch with my laptop.



5. What is the hardest/easiest part of writing for you?

Answer: It’s hard to begin my writing day when I don't feel inspired. But I know from experience that I need to motor through that lethargy and just start. Soon, I will be on a roll. The easiest part is when my characters seem to write the book for me. My fingers just dictate what they tell me.



6. What’s the best thing about being an author?

Answer: For me, it's being able to pass along my world views through writing. If I have an important thought that I want to share, my characters can help me. As an author, I get to choose the theme and so writing the book is pure fun. I love what I do.



7. What are you working on now?

Answer: Another contemporary YA with a very cool hook. But I don't like to talk about my books until I've written them, because I am always changing my mind about the plot until it's done.



8. What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Answer: For most of us, it takes a really long time to be published. Don't give up. Read, read, read. My writing really improved when I started reading a YA every week. And get a critique group. Their reactions have really helped me refine my writing.



9. Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

Answer: I like so many books, it's impossible to say. I find wonderful qualities in almost all of them. I could never pick just a few.



10. What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Answer: What is the number one quality that a person needs to succeed in anything he or she attempts? Perseverance. If you keep knocking, they will answer eventually, even if they are only doing it because they are annoyed with you! 



11. If you were writing a book about your life, what would the title be?

Answer: Keep on Knocking: The L.B. Schulman Story (title inspired by previous question.)



12. Is League of Strays being made into a movie/TV series? If you got the opportunity to cast the characters, whom would you choose and why?

Answer: Well, the book would have to be hugely popular for that to happen, I think. I’d take either of the Fanning sisters, or Drew Barrymore as a teenager, for the role of Charlotte. For Kade, I’d have to say Robert Pattinson. Yes, I know: he’s Edward Cullen, and Kade on my cover even resembles him. But still, those eyes and that intensity. Yeah, he’d be good. Real good.



Flash Questions:

1. If you could trade places with a person for a single day, who would it be and why?

Answer: I think it’s hard to be a celebrity, so I really don’t want to be one, even for a day. Everyone has his or her struggles, and no one lives a perfect existence, so I will stay in my own body for now.



2. What was the last movie you saw?

Answer: Oh, you would have to ask this. I am so embarrassed. Gulp. WAYNE’S WORLD TWO. But hey, it was Inappropriate Movie Night at my house. That title came from my constant admonition that such and such movie was “inappropriate” for my children, but I was seriously outvoted so many times that we now make a night of it.



3. What is your biggest TV addiction?

Answer: The Biggest Loser (inspiring while I do my elliptical) and American Idol. I also like any paranormal show, like Touched or reruns of The Ghost Whisperer. I don’t watch much TV though, because I get easily addicted to junk, and it’s a huge time waster.



4. Guilty pleasure?

Answer: Lattes, all day long. And chocolate bits: milk chocolate, not dark.



5. Fruits or veggies?

Answer: Mangoes and avocados….the ones with the most calories possible.



6. Favorite childhood toy?

Answer: My counting jump rope. I liked trying to beat my own records.



7. What did you have for breakfast this morning?

Answer: A hard-boiled egg, a latte, and then an hour later, a bowl of Cheerios. I eat all day long. Hard for me to write without food nearby. Bad habit, I know.

Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy, #2) by Jennifer Estep, Book Review

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart—the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice. And now, I find out that some­one at the acad­emy is really a Reaper bad guy who wants me dead. I’m afraid if I don’t learn how to live by the sword—with Logan’s help—I just might die by the sword...

Title: Kiss of Frost

Author: Jennifer Estep

Publisher: Kensington Teen

Pages: 354

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Source: Publisher

Format: Paperback

Rating: 5/5

I have read my fair share of books written by authors who try to take myths and legends and transform them into their own modernized mythological story.  Whether those books are good or not, well, we won't get into that. But I can personally guarantee that there is no "mythological retelling" book out there quite as original or well-written as Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep.

Kiss of Frost is the second book in the Mythos Academy series, so if you haven't read the first installment, Touch of Frost, it'd be a good idea to click off this review until you have.

Kiss of Frost opens up shortly after the ending of the first book and, as per usual, Estep has you hooked from the very first page.  The first OMG moment happens when Gwen is nearly killed by an unknown assailant.  After the first attempt to take her life is foiled, Gwen starts getting paranoid and begins taking extra precautions to ensure her safety, but plays it off cool because she doesn't want to ring any alarms and upset her friends, Grandma Frost, or Professor Metis.  However, after the SECOND attempt at murdering Gwen is set into motion, Gwen uses her Gypsy gift of psychometry to get to the bottom of who's trying to kill her.  And what she sees in her vision gets the ball rolling and from that moment on, a chain of exciting, heart-stopping events take place and you literally will not be able to tear yourself away.

Now that I've cruelly teased you all with the passage (above), I'll talk a little bit about the rest of the novel.  First, the characters.  I'll admit, Gwen really annoyed me in the first book and I can honestly say I wanted to slap her around on quite a few occasions, but she completely changed over the course of the second book.  I felt as if Gwen matured a lot and really started taking her place as Nike's Chosen One seriously and stopped bagging on herself for not being "good enough" all the time--because it was really annoying, but that's what character development is for, right?  I really liked Daphne and Carson in this book, too.  I felt as if they were the perfect best friends, and I could definitely feel the sincerity in their friendships.  At first, Logan Quinn (totally hot Spartan playboy/warrior) really pissed me off until the very end of the book.  I didn't understand why he was being such an asshole to Gwen, but things cleared up and by the end of the novel, I had to profess my love for Logan.  All in all, the characters were great and they all felt very real and relatable, and I really liked that aspect of the book.

Next, lets talk about the plot, which I've already given you a taste of in the introduction.  OMFG!  I think that one single acronym should be enough to tell you all how crazy (in a good way!) this plot was.  Action, adventure, romance...what else could you possibly want from a book?!  The plot, characters, and chemistry of this book reminded me a little bit of the House of Night series, (minus the tedious plot line!)

I have to give Kiss of Frost a 5/5 rating.  It was THAT good.  I seriously can't wait to dig into the third and fourth installments, Dark Frost and Crimson Frost (December 24, 2012).

Buy the book:

Barnes & Noble

The Unfailing Light (Katerina, #2) by Robin Bridges, Tour Stop + Book Review

Having had no choice but to use her power has a necromancer to save Russia from dark forces, Katerina Alexandrovna, Duchess of Oldenburg, now wants to forget that she ever used her special powers. She's about to set off to pursue her lifelong dream of attending medical school when she discovers that Russia's arch nemesis--who she thought she'd destroyed--is still alive. So on imperial orders, Katerina remains at her old finishing school. She'll be safe there, because the empress has cast a potent spell to protect it against the vampires and revenants who are bent on toppling the tsar and using Katerina for their own gains. But to Katerina's horror, the spell unleashes a vengeful ghost within the school, a ghost more dangerous than any creature trying to get in.

Title: The Unfailing Light
Author: Robin Bridges
Publisher: Random House Children's Books (Delacorte Press)
Pages: 400
Release Date: October 9, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Rating: 4/5

Let me start off this review by saying a huge thank you to Random House for letting me take part in this blog tour. Hope you enjoy reading my review!

It was revealed in the prequel, THE GATHERING STORM, that Katerina, a royal Russian, has a very dark, sinister gift...or is it a curse? Katerina's secret ability is to communicate, raise, and command the dead, and she can either use her talents for good...or evil.

One of the things I look for in every single book I read is a strong, independent female protagonist who isn't afraid to do things on her own, and Katerina is just that. She is so strong-willed and knows exactly what she wants, and doesn't let a man control her, which is odd in such a male-dominated culture, especially in Imperial Russia in the year 1888.

Speaking of Imperial Russia, let's talk about the setting of this trilogy: St. Petersburg, Russia, during the Imperial Age (1888). The setting makes for an amazing atmosphere. With most books set in the United States present day, it was a breath of fresh air to be transportation back in time to a foreign country.

I was kept guessing whodunit until the very end, which is very strange for me because I can usually pick up on who's wreaking all the havoc from the beginning, but Bridges wrote so much action, adventure, mystery, and magick into her book that you pretty much just had to "live in the moment."

I highly recommend The Gathering Storm and The Unfailing Light to lovers of YA paranormal romance. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Buy the book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-katerina-trilogy-vol-ii-robin-bridges/1111303785

Here is the complete list of the stops on the tour. Don't forget to drop by!
~September 25th: Casey’s Crew
~September 26th: Much Ado About Books
~September 26th: The Streetlight Reader
~September 27th: Infinite Reads
~September 28th: The Hiding Spot
~September 29th: Girls *Heart* Books
~October 1st: Mom Reads My Books
~October 2nd: Magical Urban Fantasy Reads
~October 2nd: The Book Review Club
~October 3rd: The Book Review Club
~October 4th: Kimba Caffeinated
~October 4th: My Life is a Notebook
~October 5th: My Life is a Notebook
~October 6th: Candace’s Book Blog
~October 7th: Reader Girls
~October 8th: Bookish
~October 8th: Peace, Love, Books
~October 9th: YA Bibliophile
~October 9th: Reader Girls
~October 10th: Wastepaper Prose
~October 10th: Imaginary Reads
~October 11th: Imaginary Reads
~October 12th: Well Read Wife
~October 15th: Libby Blog
~October 16th: Cracking the Cover
~October 17th: A Bookish Libraria
~October 18th: A Novel Review
~October 19th: In the Best Worlds
~October 20th: Tripping Over Books

Vanished (1-800-WHERE-R-YOU, #1-2) by Meg Cabot, Book Review

A gift…or a curse? Jessica Mastriani has never liked attention. All she wants is to make it to high school graduation like any ordinary girl. But when Jess is struck by lightning, she becomes anything but ordinary: suddenly she has the ability to locate missing children. Now Jess is getting noticed in all the wrong ways and by all the wrong people. The media is obsessed with her and her story. The FBI is tapping her phone. And what’s going on with sexy senior Rob? Soon Jess learns the hard way that not everyone who is lost wants to be found…. With no one to trust, it's up to Jess to decide what to do with her new power—before it’s decided for her.

Title: Vanished, Volume 1
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pages: 560
Release Date: June 28, 2011
Source: Publisher
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

I read these books (WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES and CODE NAME CASSANDRA) when they were published as the 1-800-Where-R-You series and when I found out the books were being reprinted into two convenient volumes, I was psyched. I love Meg Cabot's YA paranormal books so I had high hopes for Vanished, Volume 1. From the first page, there is nonstop action. Cabo creatively and smoothly builds her world while making it fast paced and action packed. Vanished tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl named Jessica "Jess" Mastriani who has numerous "issues," one of them being self-control problems. After an altercation at school, Jess is punished with detention an is walking home afterwards with her best friend Ruth when a storm break out and the two girls take shelter underneath a stand of metal bleachers--asinine, I know.

While waiting out the storm, Jess is struck by lightnig and wakes up the next morning with the psychic ability to locate missing children. After that, a ton of drama follows and a string of action and adventure pursues.

I really enjoyed this book. Jess felt very real and I could definitely relate to her, and I loved her voice. She was very humorous and "smart ass" and for that, I loved her. I also fell in love with Rob, Jess's totally hot senior crush--he's a bad boy who only opens up to that one person--and that one person happens to be Jess. How swoon-worthy is that? The only character I really didn't like was Ruth, and I wished Jess would have told her to shut up at a dozen different times throughout the book.

From the very first page, Jess was getting into more and more trouble and at one point takes on an entire army base and blows up a helicopter. If that doesn't make you want to read Vanished, I don't know what will.

Buy the book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/vanished-books-one-two-meg-cabot/1102494217?ean=9781442406292

Fated (Soul Seekers, #1) by Alyson Noël, Book Review

The first book in a magnificent new series about a girl who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead by #1 New York Times bestselling author Alyson Noël.

Lately strange things have been happening to Daire Santos. Animals follow her, crows mock her, and glowing people appear out of nowhere. Worried that Daire is having a nervous breakdown, her mother packs her off to stay in the dusty plains of Enchantment, New Mexico with a grandmother she’s never met.

There she crosses paths with Dace, a gorgeous guy with unearthly blue eyes who she’s encountered before...but only in her dreams. And she’ll get to know her grandmother—a woman who recognizes Daire’s bizarre episodes for what they are. A call to her true destiny as a Soul Seeker, one who can navigate between the worlds of the living and the dead. Her grandmother immediately begins teaching her to harness her powers—but it’s an art that must be mastered quickly. Because Dace’s brother is an evil shape-shifter who’s out to steal her powers. Now Daire must embrace her fate as a Soul Seeker and find out if Dace is one guy she’s meant to be with...or if he’s allied with the enemy she’s destined to destroy.

Title: Fated
Author: Alyson Noël
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Pages: 352
Release Date: May 22, 2012
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Rating: 4/5

I am a huge fan of Alyson Noël! I fell in love with her writing when I read the Immortals series, and I have been hooked ever since.  Noël has the ability to transport her readers into parallel worlds that are hard to forget once you finish the book, which she exhibited in the Immortals and Fated followed in its footsteps. 

Fated tells the story of a sixteen-year-old girl named Daire Santos who travels from place to place with her make-up artist mother working on movie sets.  Daire has a glamorous life and is constantly surrounded by the rich and famous--but she wants more.  After a string of paranormal accidents, Daire is shipped off to live with her estranged grandmother in dusty Enchantment, New Mexico where she discovers that she isn't the normal teenage girl she thought, but a powerful Soul Seeker destined to defeat her evil enemies and save the world from death, darkness, and destruction.

Let's talk about the plot...I LOVED it.  Noël was inspired to write the Soul Seekers series after doing research for the Immortals series, and while some of the themes in Fated were similar to the ones in the Immortals, Fated is totally unique and exciting!  The characters in Fated was pretty much the only thing that disappointed me.  I felt as if so much development and focus was on Daire and Paloma (Daire's Seeker grandmother) that the supporting characters (Dace, the love interest; Cade, the villain; and Xochitl, the best friend) were kind of left out.  They felt kind of one-dimensional for me, but the Soul Seekers is a four-book series, so I'm sure Noël will develop them in the future. Even though she didn't receive as much development as I'd hoped, I still loved Xochitl--she is really sweet, and I wish she was real!  The setting of Fated is, as stated above, Enchantment, New Mexico which consists of adobe houses, coyote fences, dusty plains, caucuses, and tumbleweeds...and that's pretty much it.  At first glance, the desert may seem like a dull setting but Noël had tons of mystical forces at work, and the drab desert was instantly turned into a fantastical landscape.

I really enjoyed Fated, and I hope you do, too!

Buy the book:
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million
Amazon

The Summer Essentials Blog Tour

Professional ghost hunter Stacey Graham’s new book, The Girl’s Ghost Hunting Guide, will help pre-teen readers identify the creepy crawlers from the spooky spirits, the howling winds from the haunting phantoms. A paranormal investigator for over 20 years, she has as much experience with ghosts as she does with skeptical teenagers – she is the mother of five daughters.
The Girl’s Ghost Hunting Guide is filled with workbook pages, ghost stories, quizzes, sidebars, and interviews with ghost hunters, this illustrated guidebook gives girls the tools to safely explore the unknown using everyday household items and teaches them to rely on their own strengths, deductive reasoning, and senses to discover the paranormal beings among us. Part practical, part educational, and all-around fun Graham introduces tween girls to a world beyond our own. Check out Stacey’s website for more information: http://www.girlsghosthuntingguide.com/ 

You can also check out the Phantom Party Guide here: http://www.sourcebooks.com/images/stories/docs/PDFS/GhostHunting-Activities.pdf

In the first book of the series, Real Mermaids Don’t Wear Toe Rings, Jade discovers she is even more different than the typical teenage girl. She is a mermaid! After her dad swears her to secrecy, Jade must risk her blossoming romance with Luke and friendship with best friend Moe in order to rescue her mermaid mother from her captures …all by herself.

In Real Mermaids Don’t Hold Their Breath, Jade begins her summer confused. I mean, more confused than wondering whether today will be a “leg day” or a “tail day”. Jade’s got even bigger problems this time around. It’s been three weeks since her Mom (incidentally also a mermaid) returned to the ocean and Jade has no news of her whereabouts. Plus, and more importantly, it’s been twenty-one whole days since Jade first kissed her mer-boy Luke and now—nothing. NOTHING.

Will Jade’s Mom find the enchanted tidal pool that will allow her to become human? And if she does, what will happen then? And WHY is Luke acting so weird? Boy Drama plus Water Drama? It’s going to be a choppy ride.

Now that you've learned a little bit about Jade, read on for more about Hélène...!

Top Five Summer Splashin’ Activities

Discover Hélène’s favorite summer activities – all involving water of course. Make sure to get your swimsuit ready!

I grew up on a small island surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean so splishy-splashy summer activities are some of my favourite things to do.  Here are my top five summer splashin’ activities!

1. SURFING

I am so bad at surfing and have only ever managed to stand on my board about three times in my life but it is so much fun to get out there and catch a few waves even if you’re like me and all you can manage is getting up on your knees. This day, it was only 13 C/ 55 F and the water was even chillier. Thank goodness for wet suits!

2. SAND CASTLE BUILDING

My family and I stay at an ocean side cottage every summer and try to schedule our stay during the annual Sandcastle Building Competition. We came in FIRST last year and plan on defending our title again this summer. Jade the mermaid has even been known to make an appearance!

3. WHALE WATCHING

Creatures of the sea have always amazed me (obviously!) so if you ever get the chance—don’t pass up an opportunity to go whale watching. It’s so magical!

Last time, we even discovered a sea cave. I wonder what’s hiding in there…

4. RACE!

I joke that I once came in 141^st in a race with 140 competitors and that’s not very far from the truth. I am slow. VERY slow. But I love competing in races at least once a summer. These days I usually do walking half marathons (my best time is 3:01 hrs—a glacial pace) but I’ve also been known to do short triathlons. Swimming is probably my worst leg of the race but it’s a great way to cool down for the biking and running part. This is my ‘I’m so glad THAT’S over’ face.

5. SNOWBALL FIGHTS

Yup, you read that correctly. When you live within driving distance of a dozen hockey arenas like do, there’s nothing like loading up the back of the truck with Zamboni snow and dumping it in your front yard for an instant pile of chilly summer fun. Snowball fight!

ADDITIONAL INFO:

You can find Hélène on Twitter, Facebook and on her Website.

*I would like to thank Stacey Graham (author of THE GIRL'S GHOST HUNTING GUIDE) and Hélène Boudreau (author of REAL MERMAID'S DON'T WEAR TOE RINGS and REAL MERMAID'S DON'T HOLD THEIR BREATH) as well as Sourcebooks for including me on this blog tour--I had a lot of fun, and will definitely be trying out some of those Summer Splashin' Activities!