October Confessions

Brandywine Wine Trail - October 2010

Happy Halloween, everyone! October is over and November is upon us.  For me, it's been a strange month.  We had a crazy snowstorm this past weekend and we got five inches of snow.  I was stuck inside all of Saturday due to the snow and ice. Snow in October, at least in Pennsylvania, is definitely not something that's expected.  


I'd like to think November is going to be an easier month, but it's going to be just as hectic.  The quarter is ending at school, we have conferences, and I signed up to take part in NaNoWriMo again.  I have many students taking part in it this year and I plan to try it out as well, but I am sure with my busy schedule, I won't reach the goal of 50,000 words.  It's always worth a try though!


I don't know about you, but I am already very excited for Thanksgiving and the upcoming holiday season! 


Books Read in October:
1.  The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton- 4.5 stars
2.  Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison- 2.5 stars
3.  Crossed by Ally Condie- 4 stars
4.  The Other Countess by Eve Edwards - 3.5 stars
5.  The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - 5 stars
6.  Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon- 3 stars
7.  Legacy by Cayla Kluver - 5 stars


October Top Five:

1.  Favorite Book: It's a close tie between The Constant Princess and Legacy, but I am going to have to go with Legacy.  I didn't expect to like this one as much as I did!  I can't wait to read the next book in the series.


2.  Biggest Surprise:  The Faerie Ring - This one took me off guard; I loved it!


3.  Biggest Let Down: Tris and Issie and Carrier of the Mark both weren't as good as I was hoping.


4.  Favorite Post: Fall TV Shows 2011: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly


5.  Favorite Part:  I went to an Oktoberfest celebration a few weeks ago with my friends. I had never been to one; it was a lot of fun! Plus, they had pumpkin adult beverages. Delicious!

Hope everyone has a fun Halloween,

Book Review: Legacy by Cayla Kluver

Pages: 496

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. Date: June 21, 2011

Source: Personal copy

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "In her seventeenth year, Princess Alera of Hytanica faces one duty: to marry the man who will be king. But her father's choice of suitor fills her with despair. When the palace guard captures and intruder—a boy her age with steel-blue eyes, hailing from her kingdom's greatest enemy—Alera is alarmed…and intrigued. But she could not have guessed that their clandestine meetings would unveil the dark legacy shadowing both their lands. In this mystical world of court conspiracies and blood magic, loyalties will be tested. Courage won't be enough. And as the battle begins for everything Alera holds dear, love may be the downfall of a kingdom."

Princess Alera lives in a world where duty is more important that anything else.  She must marry a man who will make a good king and her father, the king, has Steldor lined up already.  Unfortunately, Alera knows most girls in the kingdom would give anything to be with Steldor, but she can't get past his condescending attitude.  As Alera is trying to buy time to find what she hope will be another possible suitor that her father will approve of, there is an enemy intruder in her kingdom.  The intruder is Narian, who is about her age and holds some deep secrets.  Alera can't deny her attraction to the mysterious Narian, but what about the promise to her kingdom and her responsibilities?  Legacy by Cayla Kluver is the start to an exciting series that includes the very best of historical fiction, romance, fantasy, battles and a unique setting.  I was completely lost in Kluver's world and simply didn't want to be found.

Alera is like a character out of a Jane Austen novel, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed Legacy so much.  She has bodyguards, people to accompany her places, strict social rules, and a strict dress code. I found this fascinating, especially as Alera tries to challenge the conventions of her society by breaking the mold.  On the other hand, Steldor, in my mind, is Gaston from Beauty and the Beast. He's good looking, buff, and the hot leading man that everyone wants, but Alera knows how horrible and conceited he can be.  Obviously, this is a huge drawback for her.  Then walks in Narian, who is mysterious, elusive, strong, and the quintessential bad boy.  She can't help but be attracted to him, even though she knows it's not in her best interest.  I love that he challenges her, teaches her about a different way of life, and how to defend herself. Even up to the end of Legacy, I was unsure about Narian, but I, along with Alera, can't deny my interest.

The setting of Legacy is what every fan of high fantasy and fairy tales dream of.  It's a world with castles, beautiful countrysides, bodyguards, and kings and queens.  I loved reading about the kingdom, Hytanica, and their way of life.  Kluver created such an interesting world!

When I found out Kluver wrote Legacy at 16 years old, I was in shock. I found her writing to be impressive and I loved her use of imagery. I know many others got annoyed with her descriptions, but I hung on her every word. She would describe the clothing, the scenery, and the characters so well; it was easy to visualize.  I can only imagine that she will become even better as she gets older.

I am greatly anticipating Allegiance, the second book in this series, which comes out in February.  I can't wait to get lost in Alera's world again.  Legacy, in my opinion, is the love child of Jane Austen and Kristin Cashore, and if you know me, that's high praise.

*Buy Legacy

*Read an excerpt

*Pre-order Allegiance

Waiting on Wednesday: Allegiance

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Allegiance by Cayla Kluver

Pub. Date: February 28, 2012

Goodreads says, "Only I saw Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, and made to pay for what was outside his control. He couldn't help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep-blue eyes pierced me and held me captive.  An eighteen-year-old queen in love with the enemy as their countries pass the point of no return...  Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic-user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica-until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.  Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn...."

*I just read Legacy, the first book in this series, last week and fell in love with it. I can't wait for Allegiance to come out! Isn't the cover gorgeous? And for those interested, I'm posting my review of Legacy tomorrow.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Read At Halloween

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING!  This week's topic focuses on books that are perfect to read at Halloween. At work I have a "Spooky Reads" display which showcases many of the following books.  

1.  Dracula by Bram Stoker- I remember when I first read this book many, many years ago. It completely freaked me out along with the black and white movie. It was a time before vampires had cool hair and sparkled in the sun. 

2.  The Tell Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe- I just taught this short story and it never gets old. My students love this creepy tale and it's perfect to re-read at Halloween.  An insane villain? A "vulture" eye? Poe is so spine-chilling.

3.  Nevermore by Kelly Creagh- Even though this book wasn't my favorite, I think it would be a perfect read for this time of year. I read it during the summer and I think it wasn't as effective.  The mood, the setting and the references to Poe were super eerie.

4.  The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman- This is such a fun read for this time of year. Many of my students love this one.

5.  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley- I love the fact that Shelley originally wrote this for a horror story competition amongst her writer friends (Byron being one of them!) and the idea came to her in a dream. 

6.  Ruined by Paula Morris- Everything about this book, right down to the ghostly cover, screams Halloween. 

7.  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving- The Headless Horseman....need I say more?

8.  The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan- This book scared the bejesus out of me. Seriously. Zombies are so scary!

My next two picks are from the '80s and '90s.  Do you guys remember these books?

9.  Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz- I remember when I first encountered this book in elementary school. My friends and I would read it at sleepovers and in turn, I would sleep with a night light on for months....err... years. Some of these stories still freak me out.  Remember how horrid the illustrations were? I think they're burned into my memory.

10.  Goosebumps by R.L. Stine- I remember when these books were all the rage!  I still have a few in my classroom library.

So, what do you think? What books do you think are perfect for this time of year? Let me know!

Book Review: Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon

Pages: 342

Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal

Pub. Date: October 4, 2011

Source: ARC from Around the World Tours

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Their love was meant to be.  When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.  But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction."

Megan moves to Ireland for her dad's job and quickly assimilates to the culture and her new school.  She makes many new friends and she can't help herself about one thing.  She's interested in resident bad boy, the elusive and good looking Adam.  Megan learns that there's more here than just an attraction between the two, but rather a history layered in Celtic lore.  Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon is a debut that has moments of greatness intertwined with the usual cookie-cutter YA cliches.

Megan is not my favorite YA heroine; in fact, she is more Bella Swan than I'd like.  She's too dependent on Adam and not feisty enough for my taste.  She was too obsessed with Adam and although their relationship was adorable at times, I felt for the most part it wasn't believable.  There was simply too much emphasis on it. For example, the fate of the world was dependent upon whether she dates Adam or not.  I'm not kidding.  There was also an insta-love attraction between the two and I understand why since there is a "history" behind it all, but I just had a hard time dealing with it. It felt too Twilight-ish for me.

On the bright side, I did enjoy the magic and the Celtic lore in Carrier of the Mark. I thought that the premise was unique.  Fallon's take on magic and elements being carried through genes is pretty interesting.  Also,  I especially enjoyed the setting of Ireland and I'm sure this doesn't come as a surprise since I love Ireland!  The town of Kinsale is perfect for a YA paranormal. The towns of Cork and Dublin as well as the famous Trinity College were visited by Megan and it made me want to plan a trip to Ireland again.  

All in all, I think that young readers, such as my students, would enjoy this novel and probably won't be bothered by some of the things that bothered me.  For fans of the novel, you'll be happy to know that Carrier of the Mark will be part of a series with the next book, Dawn of the Knights, due out in early 2013.  

*Buy Carrier of the Mark

*Watch the book trailer

In My Mailbox #66

Tempest by Julie Cross
*I got this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers. I love the premise and the fact that time travel is a huge part of this novel; I hope it doesn't disappoint.

Goodreads says, "The year is 2009.  Nineteen-year-old Jackson Meyer is a normal guy… he’s in college, has a girlfriend… and he can travel back through time. But it’s not like the movies – nothing changes in the present after his jumps, there’s no space-time continuum issues or broken flux capacitors – it’s just harmless fun. That is… until the day strangers burst in on Jackson and his girlfriend, Holly, and during a struggle with Jackson, Holly is fatally shot. In his panic, Jackson jumps back two years to 2007, but this is not like his previous time jumps. Now he’s stuck in 2007 and can’t get back to the future. Desperate to somehow return to 2009 to save Holly but unable to return to his rightful year, Jackson settles into 2007 and learns what he can about his abilities. But it’s not long before the people who shot Holly in 2009 come looking for Jackson in the past, and these “Enemies of Time” will stop at nothing to recruit this powerful young time-traveler.  Recruit… or kill him. Piecing together the clues about his father, the Enemies of Time, and himself, Jackson must decide how far he’s willing to go to save Holly… and possibly the entire world."

Carrier of the Mark by Leigh Fallon
*I got this ARC through Around the World Tours. I will be posting my review this week. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by this one.

Goodreads says, "Their love was meant to be.  When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. After growing up in America, she's surprised to find herself feeling at home in her new school. She connects with a group of friends, and she is instantly drawn to darkly handsome Adam DeRÍs.  But Megan is about to discover that her feelings for Adam are tied to a fate that was sealed long ago—and that the passion and power that brought them together could be their ultimate destruction."

Becoming Marie Antoinette by Juliet Gray
*I got this e-galley from NetGalley. Thank you! I look forward to this historical read.  Who doesn't find Marie Antoinette fascinating?

Goodreads says, "Raised alongside her numerous brothers and sisters by the formidable empress of Austria, ten-year-old Maria Antonia knew that her idyllic existence would one day be sacrificed to her mother’s political ambitions. What she never anticipated was that the day in question would come so soon. Before she can journey from sunlit picnics with her sisters in Vienna to the glitter, glamour, and gossip of Versailles, Antonia must changeeverything about herself in order to be accepted as dauphine of France and the wife of the awkward teenage boy who will one day be Louis XVI. Yet nothing can prepare her for the ingenuity and influence it will take to become queen. Filled with smart history, treacherous rivalries, lavish clothes, and sparkling jewels, Becoming Marie Antoinette will utterly captivate fiction and history lovers alike."

What did you get in your mailbox? Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think.   This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.   

Winner of The Countess

And the winner of The Countess by Rebecca Johns goes to.......

#21 Gwendolyn from A Sea of Books

Congrats, Gwendolyn! I hope you enjoy this spooky read.

 A big thank you to Jonathan at Random House for allowing me to host this great giveaway. I appreciate it and thanks to all who entered, too!

Have a great weekend,

Book Review: The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

Pages: 393

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: August 24, 2006

Source: Personal copy

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Katherine of Aragon is born Catalina, the Spanish Infanta, to parents who are both kings and crusaders. At the age of three, she is betrothed to Prince Arthur, son and heir of Henry VII of England, and is raised to be Princess of Wales. She knows that it is her destiny to rule that far-off, wet, cold land." "Her faith is tested when her prospective father-in-law greets her arrival in her new country with a great insult; Arthur seems little better than a boy; the food is strange and the customs coarse. Slowly she adapts to the first Tudor court, and life as Arthur's wife grows ever more bearable. Unexpectedly in this arranged marriage, a tender and passionate love develops." But when the studious young man dies, she is left to make her own future: how can she now be queen, and found a dynasty? Only by marrying Arthur's young brother, the sunny but spoilt Henry. His father and grandmother are against it; her powerful parents prove little use. Yet Katherine is her mother's daughter and her fighting spirit is indomitable. She will do anything to achieve her aim; even if it means telling the greatest lie, and holding to it."

Katherine of Aragon was betrothed to Arthur, Henry VIII's brother, at a young age and was groomed for the most important position...to become the Queen of England someday.  Once she heads to England, it takes her awhile to get adjusted to the different customs and feels out of place, especially because Arthur is such a young boy and his father is rude to her.  After some time, Katherine finds that a love is actually blossoming between her and Arthur and just as things are starting to look up, Arthur unexpectedly dies.  On his death bed, he wishes for Katherine to marry his brother, Henry, and finally become the queen they had hoped for.  This seems to be her only option if she wants to obtain the throne; however, Katherine needs to prove that she never consummated  the marriage to Arthur.  Philippa Gregory's The Constant Princess is one of my favorite historical novels that focuses on a compelling time period and an even more compelling protagonist, Katherine of Aragon.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Philippa Gregory is a genius. Seriously. She is able to take someone like Katherine of Aragon, whom I initially didn't sympathize with or root for and make her one of my favorite heroines.  I not only empathized with her plight, but I found her to be enjoyable, which is not always something I felt towards her in the past.  I even forgot about the outcome (we all know what happens!) and felt such suspense while reading The Constant Princess.  

Even though the Tudor time period has been played out quite often in historical novels, Gregory examines things from Katherine's perspective and I found that to be refreshing. Readers will get background on how she became the Queen Katherine and will fully appreciate her journey.  

Although many people say that The Constant Princess is filled with too many historical inaccuracies, it didn't bother me. I found it well researched and immensely entertaining. In fact, it ignited my interest in this time period and is one of the reasons why I like historical fiction.  If you are looking for a historical novel that will keep you interested long after the final page, I highly recommend The Constant Princess.

*Buy The Constant Princess (it's on sale!)

*Read chapter one

Waiting on Wednesday: Illuminate

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Illuminate by Aimee Agresti

Pub. Date: March 6, 2012

Goodreads says, "Haven Terra is a brainy, shy high school outcast. But everything begins to change when she turns sixteen. Along with her best friend Dante and their quiet and brilliant classmate Lance, she is awarded a prestigious internship in the big city— Chicago—and is sent to live and work at a swanky and stylish hotel under the watchful eyes of a group of gorgeous and shockingly young-looking strangers: powerful and alluring hotel owner Aurelia Brown; her second-in-command, the dashing Lucian Grove; and their stunning but aloof staff of glamazons called The Outfit.  As Haven begins falling for Lucian, she discovers that these beautiful people are not quite what they seem. With the help of a mysterious book, she uncovers a network of secret passageways from the hotel’s jazz-age past that leads her to the heart of the evil agenda of Aurelia and company: they’re in the business of buying souls. Will they succeed in wooing Haven to join them in their recruitment efforts, or will she be able to thwart this devilish set’s plans to take the souls of her classmates on prom night at the hotel?      Illuminate is an exciting saga of a teen’s first taste of independence, her experience in the lap of luxury, and her discovery she may possess strength greater than she ever knew."

*First of all, you had me at Chicago....I love that city! I would love to read another book that takes place there.  I will admit that initially Illuminate sounded a lot like some of the other paranormals out there, but as I read more of the synopsis, I became more and more intrigued.  

Let me know what you think!

Top Ten Tuesday: Covers Or Titles That Made Me Want To Buy The Book

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  I'm excited to participate; after all, I make lists FOR EVERYTHING!  This week's topic focuses on books whose titles or covers made me want to buy it. 

1.  Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison- Although I wasn't a fan of this book, I just had to read it based solely on the amazing cover.  Isn't it just gorgeous?


2.  I Was Jane Austen's Best Friend by Cora Harrison- Anything that includes being BFF with Jane Austen is a must read for me.


3.  Moonglass by Jessi Kirby- This cover is simply stunning and initially peaked my interest. I'm glad I read  Moonglass, because it was really good!


4.  Sixteenth Summer by Michelle Dalton- This cover caught my eye; it's the perfect beach read.


5.  Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson- The title of this book is so catchy, I just had to read it!


6.  Halo by Alexandra Adornetto- I LOVE this cover, but unfortunately, I didn't love this book.


7.  Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick- I adore this cover and to this day, it still catches my eye.


8.  Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen- I remember when I bought this book at the bookstore a few summers ago. The sand, the ocean and the flip flops made this one a must read for me.


9.  Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah- I love this cover and I bought this one at the bookstore solely for that reason. Plus, the title makes me think of long, hot summer nights and my childhood.


10.  Sweet Life by Mia King- The cover of this book jumped out at me as the perfect beach read. Once I found out that it takes place in Hawaii, I knew I had to read it!


So which book covers or titles initially peaked your interest in a particular book? Let me know what you think!

NaNoWriMo 2011

I signed up for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year, again, despite the fact that I am 100% sure I won't meet the goal of 50,000 words as November for a teacher is a hectic time of year with conferences, report cards, and the end of the first quarter.  


I signed up again because I am a glutton for punishment! I have many students who want to try their hand at it.  In fact, they have already signed up through the Young Writer's program and I created a virtual classroom. I have many students that are already planning and getting excited about it.  They have set some ambitious goals!


But with regards to me, this year I am going into it with a plan. Hopefully I will have better results.  I may even cut back on blogging the month of November so I can really focus on NaNoWriMo. We shall see!


So with that said, did anyone else sign up? Let me know your user name and we can be writing buddies. My user name is Chris327; come find me and we can commiserate.

Happy Writing,

Book Review: The Other Countess by Eve Edwards

Pages: 352

Genre: YA Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: July 12, 2011

Source: Personal copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Ellie—Lady Eleanor Rodriguez, Countess of San Jaime—possesses a worthless title, but her feisty spirit captivates the elite of the Queen's court—especially the dashing new Earl of Dorset.  William Lacey, Earl of Dorset, has inherited his father's title—and his financial ruin. Now Will must seek a wealthy bride and restore his family's fortune. If only he hadn't fallen for the beautiful but penniless Ellie . . . Sparks fly whenever Ellie and Will are together, but circumstances—and the conniving interference of others—threaten to keep them apart."

Ellie, although a Countess, holds a meaningless title while living in England as her ancestors are from Spain.  Her father isn't much help as he is obsessed with the study of alchemy and has essentially ruined Ellie's chances for a respectable life.  She, along with her stubborn father, has been thrown out of many a household due to sucking the finances dry with his study of alchemy and all its false hopes.  William, the Earl of Dorset, once threw her and her father out many, many years ago for this very reason.  However, he meets Ellie again as they are older and becomes instantly entranced by her beauty and brains, but he doesn't know she is the daughter of the infamous alchemist.  To make matters worse, Will's family needs him to marry a wealthy female as their family has their own financial struggles ever since his father died; however, he can't deny his attraction to Ellie.  The Other Countess, a debut novel by Eve Edwards, will delight fans of historical fiction and romance.


On a bright note, I really enjoyed Ellie. She reminded me of a strong and educated heroine that Philippa Gregory often writes about.  I couldn't help but admire her.  Another interesting character, Lady Jane Perceval, befriends Ellie and instead of there being competition between Ellie and Jane for Will's heart, it was very much the opposite. I would have to say that was a relief as that particular scenario has been played out.  Jane's family, (along with Will's), wants her to marry Will as it's a good "match" but they both have no feelings for each other.  This makes for a challenging situation for all involved.  Also, Will is an overall good guy, but for me, he wasn't a swoon-worthy male lead. I enjoyed him, but he lacked that something special.


One of the things I struggled with was the varying points of views. In The Other Countess the point of view often switches, which was good as readers get many characters' perspectives on a situation, but for me, there were too many switches.  I would have preferred simply Will and Ellie's point of view; however, that wasn't the case. 


The setting of The Other Countess is brilliant. Who doesn't love Elizabethan England? It makes for such an interesting setting as there's insight into the upper class, lower class, servants, and even The Church of England versus Roman Catholicism.  


The romance was sweet.  It definitely fell into the trap of love conquers all and love survives against all odds. For me, The Other Countess gave me a bit of a toothache as it was overly sweet and in life things don't always end with a beautiful bow on top.   I think I had so much trouble with the romance, because it was a tad too predictable for me.


All in all, if you are looking for a feel good read and you love an adorable romance set in Elizabethan England, check out The Other Countess.  There's even a sequel coming out next April called The Queen's Lady, which will focus on Lady Jane Perceval.

*Buy The Other Countess

*Read an excerpt

*Watch the book trailer

*Pre-order The Queen's Lady

Waiting on Wednesday: Everneath

This is a weekly meme hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine.  "Waiting on Wednesday" spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Pub. Date: January 3, 2012

Goodreads says, "Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.  She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.  Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.  As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's."

*I love the sound of this one, especially the references to mythology and the myth of Persephone. I wonder if it will be similar to Abandon by Meg Cabot?  

Book Review: Crossed by Ally Condie

Pages: 384

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Pub. Date: November 1, 2011

Source: ARC received from publisher (THANK YOU!)

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

*Read my review of Matched

Goodreads says, "In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever."

Cassia is on a mission to find Ky who was sent by The Society to the Outer Provinces, but, thankfully, escaped.  While trying to search for him, she comes across clues and gets to see what life is like closer to the border.  During Cassia's journey, she learns the truth about many things including more information about the Uprising.  Crossed by Ally Condie is an entertaining follow-up to Matched and the second half of the novel will leave readers in a state of suspense.


Cassia shares the point of view with Ky and it alternates each chapter. This took me awhile to get used to, because I'd prefer the narration to be one hundred percent Cassia's; however, I understand why Condie had to do this.  Cassia is still such a fascinating heroine and I loved to follow her on her journey.  Readers will learn more about the world that Cassia lives in and the Outer Provinces which hold many secrets. I must admit that I found Cassia's journey to be a tad tedious and repetitive until the second half of Crossed which is when things really heated up.  


Ky, although not my favorite character, was entertaining nonetheless, because readers will learn more about his background in Crossed.  It was interesting to read the chapters from his point of view and in turn, readers can better understand where he is coming from.  All the while, Xander is still someone referred to a lot and thought a lot about by both characters. I wish there were more of him in Crossed!  Cassia is still harboring feelings for him and there's another secret that he's withholding as well.  Fans of Xander will only get to see him briefly as this is more Cassia and Ky's book.


I really enjoy Condie's writing style. The incorporation of poetry and her lyrical descriptions are lovely. I found myself re-reading certain lines that flowed so beautifully.  Her graceful writing style was juxtaposed by the rustic setting and raw emotions in Crossed. She's so talented!


Even though I am not in love with Crossed like I was Matched, I recognize that it serves its function as a setup for what I think is going to be an incredible finale. The ending of Crossed left me dying to find out what happens next and Condie left us with a heck of a cliffhanger.  I can't believe we have to wait a whole year!

*Pre-order Crossed

*Watch an interview with Ally Condie

*Thank you to Dutton for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In My Mailbox #65

For Review:

The Pledge by Kimberly Derting
*I've been a huge fan of Derting ever since I read the first pages of The Body Finder.  I can't wait to read this dystopian; plus, I'm in love with this cover! Thanks to S&S GalleyGrab for this e-galley.

Goodreads says, "In the violent country of Ludania, the language you speak determines what class you are, and there are harsh punishments if you forget your place—looking a member of a higher class in the eye can result in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina (Charlie for short) can understand all languages, a dangerous ability she’s been hiding her whole life. Her only place of release is the drug-filled underground club scene, where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. There, she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy who speaks a language she’s never heard, and her secret is almost exposed. Through a series of violent upheavals, it becomes clear that Charlie herself is the key to forcing out the oppressive power structure of her kingdom…."

Legacy by Molly Cochran
*A big thanks to S&S GalleyGrab for this e-galley. I love boarding school stories, especially when they involve the supernatural.

Goodreads says, "When her widowed father dumps 16-year-old Katy Jessevar in a boarding school in Whitfield, Massachusetts, she has no idea that fate has just opened the door to both her future and her past. Nearly everyone in Whitfield is a witch, as is Katy herself, although she has struggled all her life to hide her unusual talents. Stuck at a boarding school where her fellow studens seem to despise her, Katy soon discovers that Whitfield is the place where her mother commited suicide under mysterious circumstances when Katy was just a small child. With dark forces converging on Whitfield, it’s up to Katy to unravel her family’s many secrets to save the boy she loves and the town itself from destruction."

Bought:

Waterfall by Lisa Tawn Bergen
*I saw this one over at The Supernatural Snark and immediately bought it afterwards. I love the idea of being transported to 14th century Italy.  You guys know I'm a sucker for time travel.

Goodreads says, "In Waterfall, American teenager Gabi Betarrini accidently finds herself in Fourteenth-Century Italy . . . Knights. Swords. Horses. Armor. And Italian hotties. Most American teens want an Italian vacation, but the Betarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives there with their archaeologist parents. Stuck on yet another hot, dusty dig, they are bored out of their minds... until they place their hands atop handprints in an ancient tomb and find themselves catapulted into the Fourteenth Century and in the middle of a fierce battle between knights bent on killing one another."

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
*After reading Revolution, I became a fan of Donnelly and saw this one on sale at the bookstore. I've heard it's brilliant.

Goodreads says, "Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has big dreams but little hope of seeing them come true. Desperate for money, she takes a job at the Glenmore, where hotel guest Grace Brown asks her to burn a bundle of secret letters. But when Grace's drowned body is fished from the lake, Mattie discovers the letters reveal the grim truth behind a murder.  Set in 1906 against a backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this astonishing novel weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, real, and wholly original." 

What did you get in your mailbox? Have you read any of these books? Let me know what you think.   This meme is hosted by The Story Siren.