Early Review: Ashfall by Mike Mullin

Description

Under the bubbling hot springs and geysers of Yellowstone National Park is a supervolcano. Most people don't know it's there. The caldera is so large that it can only be seen from a plane or satellite. It just could be overdue for an eruption, which would change the landscape and climate of our planet.

 

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget. (Goodreads)

 

Book Details

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Hardcover: 476 pages

Publisher: Tanglewood Press

Release Date: October 11, 2011

ISBN-10: 1933718552

ISBN-13: 978-1933718552

Source: NetGalley/ Publisher

Author’s Website

Review

All Alex wants is a weekend away from his family. He is finally old enough to be left at home while the family goes on a trip to his uncle’s farm. But as the ash starts to fall Alex has no idea if he will ever see his family again.

I enjoy dystopian novels, but Ashfall came as a complete and wonderful surprise. The details that Mullin lays out are amazingly crisp. This supervolcano has just blown and because of Mullin’s great writing I could smell the sulfur in the air, hear the ear deafening blast, feel the ash and snow crunch beneath my feet. Every detail being completely thought out and believable.

Alex is the best YA character I have read in a long time. He starts off this normal fifteen year old boy and by the end of the book he has grown into a man (not in age, but in reality) because of all the decisions and situations he has been put into. I do have one small problem with Alex… Come on Mr. Mullin no fifteen year old is THAT good at Tae Kwon Do. But the Tae Kwon Do did come in handy quite a few times, so I guess it a good thing Alex has such amazing skills.

Even though I love Alex, if I could pick anyone in this novel to be it would have to be Darla. The girl is amazing! Alex meets Darla after being stabbed and she just sews him right up. She knows how to do everything. Fix machines, slaughter animals  for food, make graveyard headstones into corn grinders. If it’s the end of the world and you’re wanting to live for a little longer, you might want to stick around Darla. 

As much as I loved Ashfall it was hard to read at times. The gritty humanity that was laid out for me to read during an apocalyptic time was more real than I was wanting at times but that’s what made it great. I felt every emotion as I went through this book, yes there was even some humor, and I can’t wait for the sequel.

Happy Reading

Rebecca

     

5 moons: I absolutely loved it, and will be looking into everything this author writes.

Recommended For

Older Teens and up: Lots of violence, gore, light sexual encounters. 

Waiting on Wednesday (10)

"Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly event, hosted by “Breaking the Spine”, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My Pick This Week

 

Description

Debut novelist Kiki Hamilton takes readers from the gritty slums and glittering ballrooms of Victorian London to the beguiling but menacing Otherworld of the Fey in this spellbinding tale of romance, suspense, and danger. 

 

The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

 

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist.

 
Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…(Goodreads)
 

Book Details

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Tor Teen

Release Date: September 27, 2011

ISBN-10: 0765327228

ISBN-13: 978-0765327222

Why I’m Waiting

I have not seen one bad review for The Faerie Ring! I think it’s going to be absolutely epic and I can’t wait to get my little hands on a copy.

So what are you waiting for?

~Rebecca

Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Description

A mysterious island.

 

An abandoned orphanage.

 

A strange collection of very curious photographs.

 

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography,Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows. (Goodreads)

Book Details

Genre: YA, Paranormal, Mystery

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: Quirk Books 

Published: June 7, 2011

ISBN-10: 1594744769

ISBN-13: 978-1594744761

Source: Self Purchase

Author’s Website

Review

I was super excited about this book and told everyone I could about it, and if at all possible made them watch the book trailer. Then I BOUGHT it in HARDCOVER. Yeah, let that sink in. I was more excited about this book than any book this summer. Did it live up to my expectations? Read on…

 

I loved this book. I loved the story. I loved the photographs.

 

I loved this story, because it wasn’t just about adventure and getting to live a fantasy life, but because it was about making hard choices. Everyone is convinced that Jacob has gone crazy from his grandfather’s death and Jacob is starting to believe them. It’s not until he starts to understand that his grandfather’s last words are clues that he decides to find out about the peculiar children.

 

I like that the book isn’t just about Jacob’s journey, but is about his family. The most haunting picture in the book, for me, is of a little boy in a bunny suit sitting on sidewalk crying. In the story, that little boy is Jacob’s father on his first Halloween when his father never showed up to take him trick or treating. While Jacob and his grandfather were always really close, Jacob’s father never had that type of relationship to his own father and he and his sister always believed that their father had cheated on their mother and possibly had another family somewhere. In reality he was protecting the peculiar children and their guardians, even though it was not a life he chose to live.

 

Even though Jacob left his father a letter at the end of the book explaining things, I hope that he shows up in more of the books. I want Jacob’s dad to have a good ending.

 

What does this have to do with crazy pictures and particular children? Well, I didn’t want to say much about the peculiar children, because they were my favorite part of the book to discover, so I’ll let you read that on your own and don’t get me started about Loops!

 

In short-go read the book, it is deliciously creepy, intricate and wonderful, as soon as I get my copy back -I’m going to re-read it! It is worth the read just to see the pictures which are fantastic!

 

Happy Endings,

Kelly

 

5 moons: I absolutely loved it, and will be looking into everything this author writes.

 

 

Recommended For

Teen and up: Some violence and it can be a little scary.

 

 

Early Review: Luck of the Devil by Patricia Eimer

Description

Being the youngest daughter of the Devil isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. The days of teenage rebellion and vows of chastity made just to tick off her father are over, and now all Faith Bettincourt wants is a nice, quiet life. Unfortunately, thanks to the unexpected arrival of her demonically-downsized sister, a ditzy succubus roommate, and dear old Dad himself, Faith’s plans for a relaxing vacation spent watching reruns go up in flames.

Now it’s all Faith can do to keep the family reunion from Hell (literally) under wraps, and the angelically-inclined hottie across the hall from realizing there’s something weird about his neighbor. And, thankfully, it’s working. Until an angelic stalker shows up in a bid to steal her powers and take over the world.

Forget watching reruns. With the way things are going, Faith will need the luck of the Devil just to survive until Monday. (Goodreads)

Book Details

Title: Luck of the Devil
Author: Patricia Eimer
Genre: Paranormal Comedy
Length: Novel – 294 pages
Release Date: August 2011
ePub ISBN: 978-1-937044-10-7
Print ISBN: 978-1-937044-11-4

Source: NetGalley/ Publisher

Author’s Website

Review

Who knew the devil was a family guy? I sure didn’t. As I was reading through Luck of the Devil, I honestly had to put it down at one point to ask one of my sisters was she sure our father was not the devil. My family dynamic was so much the same, just take out all the paranormal. Of course my sister has assured me she has never seen any horns.

Faith is in a bit of trouble, she has gone and gotten herself a stalker. When your overprotective dad is the devil you have to devise ways of keeping your personal life well…personal. When Faith’s stalker makes trouble for her at work she is quick to call her super hot neighbor, Matt, who just so happens to also be a lawyer. Matt and Faith’s chemistry was hot enough to scorch the pages. I loved reading the two of them.

Each of the side characters add so much to the book, and there are so many laugh out loud moment. The fact that Faith’s mom is with the devil, but she just tries to tell herself that he and god are just a different species…so funny. She reminded me of that crazy relative you’re always trying to get away from at the family reunion.

Even though this is a comedy there is a little mystery and action thrown in as well.  After trying to figure out who Faith’s stalker is throughout the book to find out that it is actually….. like I’m telling!!! Go read the book. 

Luck of the Devil is a fantastically fun read. I hope the author continues to write more with these characters. I think each of Faith’s siblings could easily hold their own book.

Happy Reading,

Rebecca

 

4 moons: I loved it. It's reread worthy.

 

Recommended For

Adults: For language and sexual situations.

* If you’re a person that would not be ok with god and the devil being bro’s this may not be for you.

In My Mailbox

This quick vlog post about the books we received this week. Enjoy!

The books mentioned in this post are below. Click on the Book image to go to there Goodreads page for more info.

       

   

  

So what books did you get this week?

Happy Reading,
Rebecca