Friday Face Off Cover Reveal: Dance of Shadows

Friday Face Off is a meme hosted by one of my favorite book bloggers Misty over at The Book Rat.  Usually this meme focuses on different cover designs for the same book and decides which is better for the story.  I wanted to take this meme and add a little twist to it today by discussing a cover reveal!

This week I wanted to discuss a debut.  Dance of Shadows by Yelena Black is set to release this December and you guys?  The cover is phenomenal.

Am I right?  I love the plain background and the model's red hair and how her tutu is made or rose petals.  It's very striking. 

I have a confession, I love ballet stuff.  I love Center Stage, Breaking Pointe, Dance Moms, Dance Academy, Save the Last Dance, the list goes on and on.  But one ballet movie I really loved was Black Swan, because I LOVED the thriller/horror elements, and I really think Dance of Shadows will deliver the same feeling. 

"in which the school’s dancers—prized for their beauty, grace, and discipline—become pawns in a world of dark, deadly demons" um, YES!

Meg Cabot Book Signing

Last Friday I was lucky enough to go to a Meg Cabot book signing at Books & Co in Dayton, Ohio.  I was so excited and there was a huge crowd.  For those of you who may not know, Meg Cabot is the author of nearly fifty books that span from adult murder mysteries, young adult paranormal series, and probably most famously, The Princess Diaries series which has been made into two movies by Disney. 

This book signing was for her newest book, Size 12 and Ready to Rock, the fourth book in the Heather Wells series (although according to her you don't have to read the first three books to start this one).

Cabot started her career wanting to be an illustrator and couldn't find a job so in order to pay the bills she ended up getting a job in a dorm at NYU (just like her character Heather Wells, minus the murders).  It was while working at that job that Cabot started writing novels, including The Princess Diaries.  She got the courage to start submitting her novels to publishers and eventually, after many rejection letters, finally got picked up.

Currently Cabot is working on her young adult paranormal romance series.  The first two books, Abandoned and Underworld, are currently published and she is finishing the draft for the third book Awaken, set to be released in 2013.  There will also be a fifth book in the Heather Wells series, but Cabot says she needs to finish the draft of Awaken first (which is already overdue lol).

Taking about her new book, Size 12 and Ready to Rock

After her talk the floor was opened for a Q&A.

1.  You've written so many books with different story lines, how do you keep yourself organized?

Cabot admitted that she isn't the best at this (she had to have a friend re-read the first three Heather Wells books so she could know what happened), but she keeps what she calls "story bibles" that have the important facts about characters, such as physical appearance, interests, and friends and family.

2.  What other series are you planning on writing more books for?

There will be one more Heather Wells book, but she also has some possible ideas for her Insatiable series and the Mediator series.

3.  What was the most difficult book to write?

Cabot said that writing for young children was the most difficult because she likes to swear and had a hard time adjusting her writing voice for a younger audience.  She also said that she's gotten hate mail for putting certain words into books (which is cray in my opinion!). 

After the Q&A it was time to sign some books!  They had us go up by numbers and of course I didn't know that so I had to wait around for over an hour to get my book signed (I can be such a derp sometimes).  Meg was extremely nice and took pictures with everyone and signed every book each person brought, which was sometimes quite a lot!  

Getting my books signed.

The Heather Wells series

My signed copy of Size 12 and Ready to Rock

The Abandoned series

My signed copy of Underworld

I wanted to thank Meg Cabot for coming to the event and congratulate her on her latest release.  It was a great event and I can't wait to read the next installment in the Heather Wells series!

Graceling by Kristen Cashore

#1 in the Graceling Realm series
Published October 2008 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
5 Stars

Goodreads Review
Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight—she’s a Graceling, one of the rare people in her land born with an extreme skill. As niece of the king, she should be able to live a life of privilege, but Graced as she is with killing, she is forced to work as the king’s thug.     When she first meets Prince Po, Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change. She never expects to become Po’s friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace—or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

     With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.

Review:  Graceling is hands down one of the best examples of YA high fantasy I've ever read.  It is action packed, well thought out, and never got static or predictable.  There is a great foundation set in the world building that really allows the characters to shine. 

I really believe that good high fantasy is based on good geography;.  When you write high fantasy, you're creating an entire new world, and how that world works is based upon their geography.  Coastal countries should have port cities, colder regions can trade furs and game, warmer regions grains and fruits. There are going to be areas that have better advantages in war because of a river placement or a mountain range.  There are going to be different cultures, economies, governments, religions, and dialects, and can get very confusing all on its own even without adding in a magical element.  I think Graceling handles all of these elements well while still keeping it simple enough for younger readers.

I also really enjoyed the main characters, Katsa and Po.  I loved the growth that Katsa goes through and I like how their relationship develops.  I LOVE how Katsa takes charge of her life and decides that she will have lovers without marriage.  In medieval settings it's rare to find a woman who is open about this kind of sexual arrangement and who really takes control of her life (I'm thinking of the women in Game of Thrones) which makes Katsa even that more refreshing in the fantasy genre.  I also loved Po.  I thought he was what a YA love interest should be, supportive, understanding, and a hottie (that goes without saying though).  Po isn't perfect, he has his own insecurities and short comings, but he never tries to dominate Katsa and I really like the dynamic the two have (plus Cashore doesn't sky away from the sexy times which is AWESOME).

Overall Graceling is everything that everyone has been telling me, exciting, interesting, intelligent, and totally awesome.  I highly recommend this novel as one of the best high fantasy novels in the YA genre.

Book Shelf Tour 7/12/2012

Hey blog buddies!  I did a bookshelf tour, check it out!

Off the Shelf #19

  Hello everyone and welcome to Off the Shelf!  This is my way of sharing any new books I receive or buy as well as let you all know what my reading plans are for the week and what I hope to get off my TBR shelf.

So I thought I would resurrect this meme to let you all know that I am back from Florida!  It was a super fun trip and I'll post a few pics once I get them uploaded to my computer, but I can say with certainty that Harry Potter world was AMAZING and I kind of wish it was Harry Potter Studios and not Universal.  I also may have (and by may I mean did) gotten a bit emotional and shed a tear or two.  It was an emotional experience for me and I really want to go back at some point. 

But a full vacation post will be coming soon!  So for now onto the meme :)

Finished Reading

I finished The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting just before I left for vacation.  I thought it was a great murder mystery, but the romantic part got a little tiring.  It was the D book in my A-Z author challenge, so now I'm only one month behind ;)

Currently Reading

My BFF Michelle recommended this book to me and I finally picked it up.  It's really great so far, so I'll be reviewing it soon!



Up Next

Harbinger by Sara Wilson Etienne is my E book for the A-Z author challenge, but it is WEIRD.  I'm not sold on this one and I'm worried it might be a case of cover fraud, but we'll see.  I haven't given up yet.



I'm on Vacation!

Happy 4th of July everyone!  I'm writing a quick post to let you all know that I will be on vacation until Sunday.  I'm in Florida visiting some friends and will be busy soaking up some sun and visiting some awesome theme parks, but I'll post a vacation summary when I get back!

Guess where I'm going...  :D

July 2012 New Reads

Hey everyone, here are some of the YA books and debuts set for July 2012.  This isn't a complete list, just some of the ones I'm interested in.  I hope this list will help feed your readers!


July 3

Once by Anna Carey
#2 in the Eve series


Why I'm Excited:  I haven't read Eve yet, but this sounds like a really cool apocalyptic series and I've heard great reviews, so I want to read this soon.

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson


Why I'm Excited:  I love Peter Pan, it's one of my favorite children's classics and I was Wendy in a production of the musical Peter Pan in high school.  That musical has always had a special place in my heart, so I'm really looking forward to reading a story about one of the most unappreciated characters.






July 5

Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfield
DAC


Why I'm Exicted:  This sounds like a crazy murder mystery.  I love that part of the story will be told from the point of view of the dead girl Amelia.







July 10

Diva by Jillian Larkin
#3 in The Flappers series


Why I'm Excited:  I just love the setting of this series.  It's such an iconic time in American history, so I really want to read this series soon!

Insignia by S.J. Kincaid
#1 in the Insignia series
DAC


Why I'm Excited:  This sounds cool, like the science fiction movies of the 80s.  I'm really excited about the virtual reality aspect of Insignia.  It's a very interesting concept, I just hope it isn't as cheesy as those 80s movies.

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
DAC


Why I'm Excited:  One word. DRAGONS.  There's a royal court, then main character is a gifted musician, and a suspicious murder all make this book sound fantastic.  Plus that cover?  To die for.

Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire
DAC


Why I'm Excited:  I love makeover stories, and this alternative world sounds so cool. I have this book as an egalley and I really want to read it soon.

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols


Why I'm Excited:  I love that this book is about a pilot.  Flying has been in my family for generations (my grandfather worked on airplanes in the Navy, my father owns and flies small airplanes, and I work as an aviation engineer) so I'm really excited to read where this story goes.

The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse 
#1 in the Forsaken series
DAC 


Why I'm Excited:  Well, besides the amazing cover, this sounds like a high impact thriller.  I love prison break stories!

July 19


The Girl with Borrowed Wings by Rinsai Rossetti
DAC


Why I'm Excited:  This sounds like a standard paranormal romance, but every now and then that's exactly what I want to read.

July 24

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard#1 in the Something Strange and Deadly seriesDAC
Why I'm Exicted:  Well, besides having a fantastic title and cover, this is a historical zombie novel.  Holla!









Endlessly by Kiersten White
#3 in the Paranormalcy series

Why I'm Excited: Ugh, I really need to read this series!  I've heard so many great things, and I love the covers.  Must begin very soon!