Blog Tour Review: Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather

Haunting the Deep (How to Hang a Witch, #2) by Adriana Mather

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series: How to Hang a Witch, #2
Publication date: 10/03/2017
Source: Publisher

The Titanic meets the delicious horror of Ransom Riggs and the sass of Mean Girls in this follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller How to Hang a Witch, in which a contemporary teen finds herself a passenger on the famous “ship of dreams”—a story made all the more fascinating because the author’s own relatives survived the doomed voyage.

Samantha Mather knew her family’s connection to the infamous Salem Witch Trials might pose obstacles to an active social life. But having survived one curse, she never thought she’d find herself at the center of a new one. 

This time, Sam is having recurring dreams about the Titanic . . . where she’s been walking the deck with first-class passengers, like her aunt and uncle. Meanwhile, in Sam’s waking life, strange missives from the Titanic have been finding their way to her, along with haunting visions of people who went down with the ship. 

Ultimately, Sam and the Descendants, along with some help from heartthrob Elijah, must unravel who is behind the spell that is drawing her ever further into the dream ship . . . and closer to sharing the same grim fate as its ghostly passengers.

Haunting the Deep is the follow up to How to Hang a Witch which follows Sam on another ghostly mission to break a spell that could quite possibly send Sam to watery grave. Anything and everything Titanic related intrigues me and the fact that this book follows Sam as she tries to navigate the mysterious workings that kept luring her onto the Titanic was just as spellbinding. Mather continues to impress by magically weaving a fascinating tale which was inspired by her own relatives surviving the voyage.

This book kept me immersed in its wonderfully woven mystery and never let go. I couldn’t put this book down no matter how many times I knew I needed to get some sleep before work. I couldn’t be more satisfied with how everything unfolded in this book. It was so great to live and experience with these characters. Fans of How to Hang a Witch will be thrilled that this book is just as captivating.

Haunting the Deep is a great follow up to How to Hang a Witch. The history, the magic, and yes the ghosts are just as enchanting. I would recommend this book to readers of all ages! It’s just that impressive!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Check out the book trailer!

Waiting on Wednesday: The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty

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

City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy #1)
 by S.A. Chakraborty


Publication date: 11/14/2017
Publisher: Harper Voyager

Step into The City of Brass, the spellbinding debut from S. A. Chakraborty—an imaginative alchemy of The Golem and the Jinni, The Grace of Kings, and One Thousand and One Nights, in which the future of a magical Middle Eastern kingdom rests in the hands of a clever and defiant young con artist with miraculous healing gifts

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trade she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, healings—are all tricks, sleights of hand, learned skills; a means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles. 

But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to accept that the magical world she thought only existed in childhood stories is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep; past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises, and mountains where the circling hawks are not what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass--a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound. 

In that city, behind gilded brass walls laced with enchantments, behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments are simmering. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences. 

After all, there is a reason they say be careful what you wish for . 

I can't tell you how thrilled I am about this book. I'm ready for this action packed adventure! Magic - check, a strong heroine - check, a djinn warrior - check, AND a diverse cast of characters - CHECK!

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

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

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Publisher: Henry Holt Books for Young Readers
Publication date: 03/06/2018

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers—and her growing feelings for the enemy. 

If the first six chapters are anything to go by, I feel like this book will be gold!  I can't wait! You can read the first 6 chapters via NetGalley here.

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Waiting on Wednesday: Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi

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

Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication date: 11/14/2017

A new adventure about a girl who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead in this companion to Furthermore.

Our story begins on a frosty night…

Laylee can barely remember the happier times before her beloved mother died. Before her father, driven by grief, lost his wits (and his way). Before she was left as the sole remaining mordeshoor in the village of Whichwood, destined to spend her days washing the bodies of the dead and preparing their souls for the afterlife. It’s become easy to forget and easier still to ignore the way her hands are stiffening and turning silver, just like her hair, and her own ever-increasing loneliness and fear.

But soon, a pair of familiar strangers appears, and Laylee’s world is turned upside down as she rediscovers color, magic, and the healing power of friendship.

Tahereh is one of my favorite authors and I'll read anything that she writes about. It sounds so mysterious!

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Review: Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Series: Strange the Dreamer, #1
Publication date: 03/28/2017
Source: Bought

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Welcome to Weep.

This review is going to be short and sweet. I just have no words to express how amazing this book is. Laini is the queen of extraordinary. I love to live in the worlds that she creates. Her world building and characters are incomparable. The originality and storytelling is beyond words. I’m in awe of her books. Once I started STRANGE THE DREAMER, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down. I was so wrapped up in the magical musings of Lazlo Strange and the mysteries of Weep that I had no choice but to lock myself up in a room so I wouldn’t be bothered.

These characters are fantastical. I loved everything about them and their stories are beautiful and heartbreaking. I’m just speechless and I can’t praise Laini’s ability to create these magical worlds enough. This book took me on a journey and I didn’t want the story to end. Gosh, that was one heck of an ending! I really didn’t know what to do with myself after finishing this book. All I can say is I’ll be pre-ordering the sequel as soon as it’s available. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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Waiting on Wednesday: The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

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

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Series: Ravenspire, #1
Publication date: 02/23/2016

Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father. To do that, Lorelai needs to use the one weapon she and Queen Irina have in common—magic. She’ll have to be stronger, faster, and more powerful than Irina, the most dangerous sorceress Ravenspire has ever seen.

In the neighboring kingdom of Eldr, when Prince Kol’s father and older brother are killed by an invading army of magic-wielding ogres, the second-born prince is suddenly given the responsibility of saving his kingdom. To do that, Kol needs magic—and the only way to get it is to make a deal with the queen of Ravenspire, promise to become her personal huntsman…and bring her Lorelai’s heart.

But Lorelai is nothing like Kol expected—beautiful, fierce, and unstoppable—and despite dark magic, Lorelai is drawn in by the passionate and troubled king. Fighting to stay one step ahead of the dragon huntsman—who she likes far more than she should—Lorelai does everything in her power to ruin the wicked queen. But Irina isn’t going down without a fight, and her final move may cost the princess the one thing she still has left to lose.

The cover is so pretty! Another retelling and it sounds awesome. I'm 100% sure Ms. Redwine will do it justice and I can't wait for 2016!

So this is my pick. What are you waiting for?

Review: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication date: 02/10/2015
Series: Red Queen, #1
Age range: 13 - 17 Years
Source: Bought

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?

The buzz for this book flapped around my ears constantly urging me to take notice. Well, it snagged my attention and that was all she wrote. I was glued to the pages of this spellbinding adventure and thought of every excuse to get out of daily duties just to live in the beautifully complex world that Aveyard created.

The characters were outstanding and the plot wickedly twisted with its treachery. Oh how I love Mare! She is what I love, love in heroines. She’s fierce and I was constantly delighted to be inside her head as she navigated her way through a host of danger. The clues were there but like Mare, I didn’t know who to trust. Aveyard did an excellent job keeping me guessing.

This book had everything – action, danger, romance, and an unforgettable host of characters. A rollercoaster ride with twists and turns, this book is a nonstop page turner. I can't wait for the next ride! This book is a must read!    

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date: 05/12/2015
Series: The Wrath and the Dawn, #1
Age range: 12 - 17 Years
Source: Bought

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

This book was an unsuspected surprise. Anytime I read a book by an author that I’ve never read before, I have to get a feel for the writing style and the voice. I will say that it took me a chapter or two to really get into the story but once I got the hang of it, I did not let go. I fell in love with the imagery which was magical in itself.  I could see the world that Renee created perfectly. It was so mesmerizing and I enjoyed every detail.

I can’t say enough about the characters – they embody what I love in fantasy. Kazi is fierce and I loved that she could hold her own. I fell in love with Khalid through Kazi - these two are perfect for each other.  You know what I can’t wait for? I can’t wait to see what happens with the other characters in this book like Tariq – he’s intriguing and a force within his own right.

I love when books in this genre have kick-ass action and I feel like I got a small taste and it left me wanting more.  I‘m hopeful that there will be more sword-wielding action in the next book. I’m just ready for a major showdown to see whose left standing when the dust settles.    

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Order The Wrath and the Dawn

Review: The Girl at Midnight by Melissa Grey

THE GIRL AT MIDNIGHT (The Girl at Midnight, #1)  by Melissa Grey
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication date: 4/28/2015
Pages: 368
Age range: 14 - 17 Years
Source: Publisher

For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo'sShadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire.

First off, let me just start with the first sentence in the overview of The Girl at Midnight:: For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone – that’s some bait!  I didn’t just take it, I gobbled it up! In my opinion it was spot on. This book reminded me why I fell in love with the aforementioned books as I tore through the pages of this magical tale.

The characters are unique in their own right and that’s what I loved most about The Girl at Midnight. Here you have two ancient species at war and a human caught smack-dab in the middle. And she’s not some timid mortal, Echo is kick-ass - just the way I love my heroines. This book is full of witty dialogue and glorious male specimens. The world building is spectacular and full of intrigue. I couldn’t get enough of it!

Every doorway led to a new adventure for Echo and I was right there alongside her as she maneuvered her way into the unknown. This book is a great start to an exciting new series and I believe fans of Sara J. Maas’s Throne of Glass and Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone will enjoy this book too!

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Review: Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton

BLOOD MAGIC by Tessa Gratton

Pub. Date: May 2011
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Format: Hardcover , 416pp
Age Range: 12 and up
Series: Blood Journals Series
Source: Publisher (ARC)

This page-turning debut novel will entice fans who like their paranormal romances dark and disturbing. It's a natural next-read for fans of Stephanie Meyer, Carrie Jones, and Becca Fitzpatrick. But instead of mythical creatures, blood magic has everything to do with primal human desires like power, wealth, and immortality. Everywhere Silla Kennicott turns she sees blood. She can't stop thinking about her parents alleged murder-suicide. She is consumed by a book filled with spells that arrives mysteriously in the mail. The spells share one common ingredient: blood, and Silla is more than willing to cast a few. What's a little spilled blood if she can uncover the truth? And then there's Nick—the new guy at school who makes her pulse race. He has a few secrets of his own and is all too familiar with the lure of blood magic. Drawn together by a combination of fate and chemistry, Silla and Nick must find out who else in their small Missouri town knows their secret and will do anything to take the book and magic from Silla.

BLOOD MAGIC brings a fresh insight into the world of magic. I’ve read plenty of books based on magic but Tessa’s writing breathed life within the pages of this book. From the past journal accounts of magic to the mystery surrounding the murders of Silla’s parents, this book bewitched me.

BLOOD MAGIC is told through alternating accounts from Silla and Nicholas. Each character’s life has been affected by magic which ultimately brings them together for some intense and sizzling scenes. Linked together by magic, Silla and Nicholas find themselves on a hunt for answers – answers that could be deadly. Although eerie and gruesome at times, I enjoyed getting inside the heads of these characters.

All in all, I loved the concept behind this book, which was pretty crafty. I always had the feeling that I was watching a great movie which is good enough for me. If you’re looking for something fresh in the magical realm, then this is the book for you. The magic, romance, danger, and suspense scattered throughout the pages left me spellbound.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

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Take a sneak peek inside here!

Order BLOOD MAGIC

Review: Red Glove by Holly Black

RED GLOVE (Curse Workers, #2) by Holly Black

Pub. Date: April 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Format: Hardcover , 336pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Series: Curse Workers Series , #2
Source: Publisher (ARC)

Curses and Cons. Magic and the Mob.

Cassel always thought he was an ordinary guy, until he realized his memories were being manipulated by his brothers. Now he knows the truth—he’s the most powerful curse worker around. A touch of his hand can transform anything—or anyone—into something else. That was how Lila, the girl he loved, became a white cat. Cassel was tricked into thinking he killed her, when actually he tried to save her. Now that she’s human again, he should be overjoyed. Trouble is, Lila’s been cursed to love him. And if Lila’s love is as phony as Cassel’s made-up memories, then he can’t believe anything she says or does.

When Cassel’s oldest brother is murdered, the Feds recruit Cassel to help make sense of the only clue—crime-scene images of a woman in red gloves. But the mob is after Cassel too—they know how valuable he could be to them. Cassel is going to have to stay one step ahead of both sides just to survive.

In the continuation to this darkly edgy series, Cassel finds himself pulled in different directions where loyalty is concerned. What is a boy to do? Work the players that is. Cassel pulls out all the stops to protect himself and his family even if they don't deserve it. I enjoyed this installment tremendously.

Cassel is one piece of work - looks like trouble follows him everywhere he goes, especially with his family history. I still can't get over how ruthless his family is. Cassel deals with so much in this installment - the death of his brother, Lila's curse, the FEDS, and the mob. But, Cassel knows his way out of a grind or two. I was really impressed with the twist and spins that Holly Black put in this installment.

With the ending, I know Cassel is going to have to make some decisions. I’m excited to see what's going to happen next. This series is dangerous to the core and I can't get enough of it!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

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Holly has written a story from Lila Zacharov's POV. You can check it out here!

Review: The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal

THE FALSE PRINCESS by Eilis O'Neal

Pub. Date: January 2011

Publisher: EgmontUSA

Format: Hardcover , 336pp

Age Range: 10 to 12

Source: Publisher

Princess and heir to the throne of Thorvaldor, Nalia's led a privileged life at court. But everything changes when it's revealed, just after her sixteenth birthday, that she is a false princess, a stand-in for the real Nalia, who has been hidden away for her protection. Cast out with little more than the clothes on her back, the girl now called Sinda must leave behind the city of Vivaskari, her best friend, Keirnan, and the only life she's ever known.

Sinda is sent to live with her only surviving relative, an aunt who is a dyer in a distant village. She is a cold, scornful woman with little patience for her newfound niece, and Sinda proves inept at even the simplest tasks. But when Sinda discovers that magic runs through her veins - long-suppressed, dangerous magic that she must learn to control - she realizes that she can never learn to be a simple village girl.

Returning to Vivaskari for answers, Sinda finds her purpose as a wizard scribe, rediscovers the boy who saw her all along, and uncovers a secret that could change the course of Thorvaldor's history, forever.

Mini Review
Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. To follow along as Nalia a.k.a. Sinda goes from living the lifestyle of a Princess to learning how to find her place in a new life without noble means was spellbinding. I could only commend how she handled herself. I couldn’t do it. It was great to see Sinda finally find her niche with her magical abilities and make a life for herself while standing up for herself which was something she didn’t do in the past. I enjoyed the characters in this book immensely. Sinda’s best friend Keirnan was a joy to read about. He was a loyal friend and stood by her through it all.

I enjoyed the setting in THE FALSE PRINCESS. From the palace to the little town Treb to the city of Vivaskari, O’Neal really captured the setting and pulled me deeply into the pages as Sinda navigated her way to find answers about her magic. I love it when a book catches me by surprise and THE FALSE PRINCESS had me feeling like I was on a journey of discovery as Sinda grew into her own and stumbled upon a dangerous secret that could have fatal consequences.

If you’re a historical fantasy fan or just a fan of fantasy, this exciting debut is one not to be missed! I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Blog Tour: Guest Post: Julie Berry (Author of Secondhand Charm)

I want to thank Julie Berry for stopping by today to talk about charms.

Julie Berry grew up in western New York. She holds a B.S. in communication from Rensselaer and an M.F.A. in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of the Fine Arts. She now lives in eastern Massachusetts with her husband and four young sons, and works for a technology startup.

Juilie's other works include The Amaranth Enchantment and Splurch Academy for Disruptive Boys, a new series from Grosset & Dunlap. Her current novel, Secondhand Charm is in stores today!

A Practical Guide to Charms

Most people who buy charms from the traveling gypsy caravans passing through Pylander get exactly what they pay for –decorative trinkets, worthless unless you think they’re pretty. If the gypsy lady selling the charms says they’re love charms, or luck charms, or charms to ward off the fever, you can smile, but you know you’re only buying them because they’re cleverly made and the lady is persistent. They’re only a joke, and everyone knows it.

But there are certain people – certain women and girls – who can put on the charms and make things start to happen. The gypsies, who travel the world over and deal in small magic, know how to recognize such women. Mostly they’re found in kingdoms other than Pylander, and then, generally in coastal cities. Most would know not to tamper with talismans and charmed trinkets. But if you’re Evie Pomeroy, living all your life miles and miles away from the sea, or from any knowledge of what your capabilities are, then you might just succumb to the gypsy woman’s persuasions. If you wear a charm for good luck, your chickens will lay more eggs than you’ll know how to scramble. If you don a love charm, you’ll need to fend off suitors with a tree limb. And if you add to the mix a charm against snakebite, the gypsy lady will bite her tongue and laugh, for she knows well you’re sure to never need it.

SECONDHAND CHARM by Julie Berry
Pub. Date: October 2010

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Format: Hardcover, 352pp

Age Range: Young Adult

Source: Publisher

In a secluded village, magic sparkles on the edges of the forest. There, a young girl named Evie possesses unusually strong powers as a healer. A gypsy's charms—no more than trinkets when worn by others—are remarkably potent when Evie ties them around her neck. Her talents, and charms, have not escaped the notice of the shy stonemason's apprentice. But Evie wants more than a quiet village and the boy next-door. When the young king's carriage arrives one day, and his footman has fallen ill, Evie might just get her chance after all . . .

Berry's debut novel garnered glowing reviews and strong sales—and now she's done it again with a beautifully woven tale to keep all readers, young and old, absolutely charmed.

For more info about Julie Berry and her books, please visit her website here.

Review: StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

STARCROSSED by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Pub. Date: October 2010
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 368pp
Age Range: Young Adult
Source: Publisher

16-year-old Digger thrives as a spy & sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner & lover Tegen is killed, she disguises herself in a group of young nobles & sneaks out of the city. Accepted as a lady-in-waiting at the stronghold of the powerful Nemair, she finds new peace & friendship (*and* some new targets). But when an old client from the city comes to the castle, she realizes her hosts may be planning the ultimate uprising against the king - & rather than true peace, she may be at the heart of the rebellion.

STARCROSSED lured me into dangerous webs of Digger's life as she ried to outrun the Greenmen (temple guards of the Goddess Celys but they report directly to the King) after a successful job of retrieving important letters from the King's secretary. As with any fantasy novel, STARCROSSED has plenty of important characters and places that are uniquely tied to the plotline which had me trying to wrap my head around each of the character’s motives and beliefs while trying to fit the puzzle pieces together to uncover hidden secrets. As I was reading along, I decided to write out the names and places so I would have the spelling correct, then my list started to look like a glossary. But don’t fret! The book has a Lexicon of terms in the back which is very helpful if you have problems following along.

STARCROSSED has a wide range of personalities but the main heroine, Digger is one of those characters you can't help but like. She's led an interesting and danger filled life as a thief. Her unique magical skill has made her a valuable asset in the streets of Gerse. Through her eyes, I experienced firsthand the dangers that shroud her life. She's brave and she’s always looking for the next priceless commodity or escape route which had me laughing plenty of times at how her mind works. If I had to sum Digger up, I'd say: She’s trapped within a chain of lies and secrets so complex that she’s beginning to find out it isn’t as easy as her skill at picking locks. Another character that kept me guessing was Dual. I wanted to know, what he had up his sleeve. I also wanted to know what he was hiding and what his ultimate goal was for being at the Nemair’s. The whole world that Bunce created was mysteriously intriguing which only lured me further and further into STARCROSSED’s world of magic, power, politics, and secrets.

The whole world of Llyvaraneth, from its lands to the politics, and the people's beliefs of their Gods & Goddesses were quite captivating. I didn't want to put this book down as I followed along as Digger masqueraded as a lady's maid while trying to escape the Greenmen. You never knew what secret was going to be uncovered. STARCROSSED is a well-written novel and I can't wait to see what the sequel has in store for Digger.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

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Check out the book trailer

Sensational 7 Q & A with Elizabeth C. Bunce (Author of StarCrossed)!

Have you ever wanted to know what it would be like to hang out with your favorite author(s)? In an attempt to get a better understanding of authors, my Sensational Seven Q & A takes a closer or more personal look at these authors to give you a glimpse of the personalities behind the writing of your favorite books.

“Talent alone cannot make a writer. There must be a man behind the book; a personality which, by birth and quality, is pledged to the doctrines there set forth, and which exists to see and state things so, and not otherwise.” By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Elizabeth C. Bunce won the William C. Morris YA Debut Award and an ALA Notable citation for her novel A Curse Dark as Gold. She lives near Kansas City, Missouri, and maintains a web presence at www.elizabethcbunce.com.

STARCROSSED hits shelves October 1, 2010

If you were given a chance to travel back in time, what year or place would you go / Why?

I never know how to answer this! The most ordinary and mundane things come to mind: 1991 to see "Dead Again" for the first time in the theater, or 2001 to relive the puppyhood of my dogs, which passed far too quickly! A more exciting and intellectual answer would probably be "The ancient civilizations of Greece, Egypt, or the Maya." But if I truly had the opportunity, I think I would dip back to February of 2008, when my first book came out, and enjoy it more, instead of being kind of overwhelmed by the whole experience. Happily, I'm getting a chance for that with StarCrossed!

Describe your novel in seven words or less?

Kick-@ss girl thief fantasy espionage adventure.

Please share with us about your favorite book and fictional crush to date?

My favorite book in all the world is Peter S. Beagle's amazing ghost story TAMSIN. The book has everything: pitch-perfect voice, a setting you want to retire in, an undercurrent of rising creepiness... all wrapped together in a marvelous human drama with absolutely unforgettable characters. But my fictional crush would have to be Howl, from HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE. Sigh, sigh, sigh.

If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be / Why?

I was never interested at the characters who were already written; I always wanted to be someone new in that world. The secret daughter of Storm Shadow from "GI Joe." The secret daughter of Evil Magician Trent from the Xanth novels by Piers Anthony. (Um, do we see a theme developing?) But if I had to pick somebody, probably Tracy Whitney, the glamorous cat burglar-con artist main character of Sidney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes (which my parents let me read at probably far too young an age!).

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play thelead role as you/ Why?

People tell me all the time (unsolicited and apparently entirely without collusion!) that I look like Anne Hathaway. I don't see it, myself, but I'm terribly flattered! Whoever they cast, I hope they give her a cool costume, tall boots, and a sword.

If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be – please explain?

Heroine Addict. I'm sure I'm going to regret writing that, but I love the pun, and it's so true! I have always craved stories about strong girls and women, and I always secretly think any story, film, or TV show could be improved by having a female in the lead. (I should point out that I firmly believe heroism comes in all forms, and it doesn't always have to involve a sword. Which is one reason I feature some of my favorite books with all kinds of brave girls and heroines on my website... and also why my own books have heroines just as likely to wield needles or pens as swords.)

How would you describe yourself/life in seven words?
Never has time to take a vacation. No, wait: Author, historical costumer, needlewoman, and dog mom.

Bonus:

**Is there any additional info you would like to share with your readers about what’s next for you and your books?**

I am getting ready to wrap up revisions on the sequel to StarCrossed, Liar's Moon, and I am so excited by how it's turning out. It's going to be awesome. My first novel, A Curse Dark as Gold, was just released in an e-book edition, and comes out in audio next month. I can't wait to listen to actress Charlotte Parry read my Charlotte's words aloud! Lastly, come visit my brand-new website at http://www.elizabethcbunce.com/!

Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth!

For more information about Elizabeth Bunce and her books, please visit her website here.

Monday Madness (60): StarCrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

What is Monday Madness?

It’s the phenomenon affecting all book lovers as we count down the hours in hopes of getting our hands on highly anticipated books on release day. So, come join me throughout the week where I will be featuring Author Interviews, Reviews and Contests for great books.

STARCROSSED by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Pub. Date: October 2010
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Format: Hardcover, 368pp
Age Range: Young Adult

16-year-old Digger thrives as a spy & sneak-thief among the feuding religious factions of Gerse. But when a routine job goes horribly wrong and her partner & lover Tegen is killed, she disguises herself in a group of young nobles & sneaks out of the city. Accepted as a lady-in-waiting at the stronghold of the powerful Nemair, she finds new peace & friendship (*and* some new targets). But when an old client from the city comes to the castle, she realizes her hosts may be planning the ultimate uprising against the king - & rather than true peace, she may be at the heart of the rebellion.

 

Want More?

Take a sneak peek @ the first chapter of STARCROSSED here.

Order STARCROSSED @ Amazon, Barnes and Noble, BooksAMillion, Borders & IndieBound

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Check out the book trailer!

Want More? Head over to The Book Butterfly on Tantalizing Tuesday for a special treat!