Mini Reviews: Tempest, Slide and The Catastrophic History of You and Me

Why yes, yes it is time for some more mini reviews! This time with some 2012s that are definitely fantastic and awesome!

Tempest by Julie Cross: Brilliant, mind blowing, and intricate, this book is seriously so many kinds of awesome. The story is exceptional, the execution pretty much flawless, and the characters are so fantastically well done. Add in the fact that the writing is solid and vivid, and this book is pretty much a trifecta of amazing. Jackson is one of my favorite characters ever... so completely real and authentic. Yeah, the guy messes up, and he's far from perfect, but holy crap the development and growth he goes through is so fantastic. He made me ache so much. He's also completely charming, sexy and alluring, and, yes, lickable. Seriously, I love this guy, both as a guy to swoon for and as one to root for. Then there's the plot, which takes place in a few different years and Julie nails every single one of them. She gets the small things that set 2007 apart from 2009, she changes her characters according to it, yet then she's got this huge overall plot that is just... wow. It's the kind of story that is so hard to wrap your mind around, and I kind of wonder how she didn't break her brain writing this. Love love love times a million, love.

Slide by Jill Hathaway: I love murder mysteries. And I love books that are contemporary, except for this one little thing. And this book? Exactly that kind of book. The only supernatural part of this book is the fact that Vee can slide into people, see things through their eyes. The rest? Fantastically realistic and I loved it. This one has such an awesome overall who done it kind of plot. There's plenty of clues along the way, and maybe you'll predict who it is, but the moment of truth and reveal is still gutting and has impact. And I loved Vee's character, so well done. She's the kind of girl who has her battle scars, and maybe she isn't totally infalliable, but she is still someone who takes this as they come and puts her best foot forward as much as she possibly can. She is a fantastic character, and definitely one readers will fall for. Then there's the fact that this book has not one but two hot boys... both of whom you will want to get a little piece of... and it's a total win.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg: This is another one that has a pretty strong realistic element, despite the fact that the main character is dead. And even though Brie is forever fifteen, she still goes through tremendous and awesome growth, and I loved every single minute of it. Even more stellar about this book is how Jess weaves in the five stages of grief. It's a journey for Brie, and the book is divided through them, yet getting through them is most definitely not the only point of the book. They are totally seamless in how they weave in, and Jess does such a great job of making the reader feel what Brie does, going through each one. And then there's Patrick, who is so completely cheesy and quite possibly lame, yet he has this undeniable charm to him that will make you melt. Even as you're rolling your eyes, you still want this boy.

Character Interview + Contest: Caleb from Eve by Anna Carey

It is hot boy interview time again! Today's hottie is the charming Caleb from Anna Carey's fantastic debut Eve. I fell hard for this boy, and I bet you guys will too. So check out this interview, then go pick up the book, out today! Or if you really can stand to wait, then stick around because Caleb is bringing you a chance to win a copy of the book.



Though being with Eve poses a threat to yourself, you don't seem to mind. Would you be the same for any girl, or is it her specifically?

It’s her—of course it’s her. Eve’s the funniest, strangest person I’ve ever met. I could listen to her talk all day. She has all these ideas about things—some that carry over from School—and she can be really stubborn. She often sees things in black and white. And she’ll consider some things I say, and other times she’ll tell me I have no clue what I’m talking about. She’s so kind and good. She makes me laugh, even when she’s not trying to. And she’s beautiful. Like all those girls I’ve seen on the covers of books and magazines, the ones on the faded billboards on the side of the road. She’s like them…but even better. She’s real.

What is your best memory of the times before the plague?

Everything was so green where we lived. It must’ve been all the rain. My brother and I would run through the woods with our friends, playing this game—capture the flag. We’d keep running and laughing, and tackling each other. We’d be out there all day. I never felt cold or tired or hungry. And when we’d come inside our mother would be cooking. The whole house would smell like food. I remember pushing the mashed potatoes around on my plate, the way the butter tasted when it melted into them. My dad would sometimes spread the paper out and we’d read the headlines. My fingers would be grey from the newsprint. I guess there isn’t one memory, really. It was everything. We couldn’t know it then, but everything was so good before the plague.

Which of the other boys have you connected the most with? Which do you feel the most protective towards?

The boys are all like brothers to me. While I was training the older boys to hunt and fight, I got to know Kevin much better. He’s quieter than the others, but is very strong. He escaped from the labor camps by himself. He has a lot of integrity, and would do anything for anyone in the dugout. I’m obviously very protective of Silas and Benny, as they’re the youngest. I worry sometimes they’re not getting the attention they need. We’re all so busy making sure everyone has enough food and supplies, they sometimes fall beneath the radar.


What's it like to kiss Eve?

There’s a cliff overlooking the lake that I discovered one summer. It must’ve been thirty feet above the water. A bunch of the older boys and I went up there, and we were daring each other to jump. I’d never dove from that high up before. I could feel the terror in my chest, like everything in my body was telling me not to jump. But as soon as I did, it was the best thing I’d ever known. I was free. I hit the water and it consumed me. As soon as I came to the surface I just wanted to do it again and again. I didn’t care about the height anymore, or the rocks along the edge, or anything really. Kissing Eve for the first time was kind of like that.

Boxers or briefs?

It’s probably better if I don’t answer this question…I haven’t seen either in years.

What kind of dinosaur would you describe yourself as?

I’ve only ever read one book on dinosaurs, but I remember this one—the brontosaurus. It seemed like this gentle giant, just content to be alive, to wander through the jungle and observe everything. I know it would probably seem tougher to say “Tyrannosaurus Rex!” or some other big, scary thing, but the truth is I wouldn’t kill anything if I didn’t have to. I hate it.


Thanks, Caleb, for sharing those answers and see what I mean ladies? Totally meltworthy!

Eve is out today, but now is your chance to win a copy of the book. To enter, just fill out THIS form.

Contest is US Only and ends October 11.

No entries will be accepted through the comments, but you should leave one anyhow. I mean, look at how awesome this guy is!

Character Tweets: Alex Halprin from Ashfall

I've given Ashfall author Mike Mullin the challenge of showing us what the twitter feed would like for one of his characters, and he was awesome enough to take it! So with that, I bring you guys Alex Halprin’s Twitter Feed!


AlexShdwPrst: Downloading patch 3.2.2 right now.

AlexShdwPrst: #fridayreads William Wallace: Brave Heart by MacKay. Boring.

AlexShdwPrst: Still downloading. How is it possible to write a boring book about Wallace?

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst Leaving in 15 minutes.

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator Why r u on my Twitter again!!! I told u not to do this!

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst I called you 3 TIMES. I even stood in the doorway and yelled at the back of your head.

NotSpork: @AlexShdwPrst BUSTED!

AlexShdwPrst: @NotSpork How r u even seeing her?

NotSpork: @AlexShdwPrst I followed her. Ur moms is cool, she followed back.

AlexShdwPrst: @NotSpork The next time I c u, I’m gonna test my ax kick on ur head.

Notspork: @AlexShdwPrst Let me know when u forget about that, k?

AlexShdwPrst: @NotSpork Watch the clock. When it reads NEVER, I’ve forgotten.

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst Leaving in 10 minutes.

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator Taekwondo’s not for an hour!

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst You’re getting a haircut on the way.

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator My hair is fine.

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst If you’re going to play Shaggy in a live-action Scooby-Doo remake, it’s perfect.

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator That’d be lame.

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst They did make a live action version. You don’t remember?

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator Whatev

AlexShdwPrst: @Warcraft Hurry up and download! Maybe I can get one daily in.

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst Did you see this? http://goo.gl/mFAAt This guy almost lost his family because of War World addiction.

AlexShdwPrst: @Mominator It’s World of Warcraft, WoW, or @Warcraft.

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst Let me quote my favorite son, “Whatever.”

NotSpork: How to be @AlexShdwPrst: Open vise. Insert balls. Clamp down.

AlexShdwPrst: @NotSpork Shut up

NotSpork: @AlexShdwPrst Does it still count as teabagging if ur getting it from a vise?

AlexShdwPrst: @NotSpork I don’t know what ur talking about & I don’t want to know.

AlexShdwPrst: Finally! @Warcraft downloaded. 3.2.2 here I come!

Mominator: @AlexShdwPrst Time to go!

AlexShdwPrst: Goodbye Twitter. I’m moving to Tumblr. Mom doesn’t know about it yet.


Oh the joys of Twitter, yes? Thank you, Alex, for giving us that embarrassing look at your feed, and thanks Mike for sharing!

Interested in these characters now? Eager for this book? Then now's your chance to win!

Each week throughout the tour, Mike will be giving away one signed hardcover to a lucky commenter! You can comment once per post each day of the week, and you can click here to check out the full listing of tour stops!

Winner must have a US/Canada mailing address for the weekly giveaway, but Mike is also giving away a 5th copy that will ship from The Book Depository if you are international (it won't be signed but you still get to read the awesomeness!).

So there you have it! Get to commenting!

2011 Releases: Top Five

Admittedly, yes, this post is for a mini challenge but mostly, I just wanted to talk about the five books from 2011 that I have loved the most.... which is incredibly hard to narrow down. I'm doing only books released in 2011 that I actually read this year (which knocks out some of my faves that I read as ARCs in 2010....), so let's get to it!

5. Hourglass by Myra McEntire: Brilliant and mind blowing with a concept that is seriously difficult to wrap your mind around when you start trying to think of the little details. Then there's the fantastic characters... and Kaleb. Nekkid Kaleb. Yes please.

4. Eve by Anna Carey: A world so different from ours, yet so easy to imagine, with a fantastic plot, awesome writing, and stellar characterization. This one will grab you from page one and won't let go, and then there's the ending... so intense.

3. Leverage by Joshua C. Cohen: Boy book! Two boy POVs, actually, but more than that... wow, just. Wow. This one puts a great spin on bullying, but takes it so much deeper than that too. It's hard to really describe the depth and amazement that comes with this book, but it is so fantastic.

2. A Need so Beautiful by Suzanne Young: Emotional and unique in concept. This one is just phenomenal, holding so much depth and intricacy that is both gutting and wowing. Not to mention Harlin... one of the hottest boys around and oh so lickable.

1. Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma: Mysterious, intense, and engaging... this one has gorgeous writing and a fantastically well done story line. Sure, you might predict some of the stuff along the way but honestly? That isn't the point with this one, and that's what makes it even better. Even if you don't have a sister, the sisters bond in this one will resonate with you.

In My Mailbox

I had an unexpectedly awesome week in books, so let's get right to it!

For Review:

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Katana by Cole Gibsen

The Catastrophic History of You & Me by Jess Rothenberg

Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey

Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King

Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick

You Don't Know About Me by Brian Meehl

It's How You Play the Game by Jimmy Gleacher

Silly Little Rich Girl by Jimmy Gleacher

(Huge thanks to Jessica Spotswood + Penguin, Cole Gibsen + Flux, Jess Rothenberg + Penguin, Janet Lee Carey + Penguin, Little Brown, Amazon Vine, and Jimmy Gleacher)

Gifted: 

The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton (This book is fantastic!)

IMM is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

Character This or That + Contest: Rieker from The Fearie Ring

Out this week is a seriously awesome book by the lovely and nice Kiki Hamilton. Yep. You guessed it. The Fearie Ring. I am not huge in historical, or on faeries, and yet this book blew me away. And I have to admit, I seriously loved Rieker. So let's get to know him a little better, shall we?


Summer or Winter Summer: Who doesn’t love sunshine?

Bread or Rice: Bread

Glasses or Monacle Neither: My eyes are good!

Horse or Carriage: Horse

Have 1 wish now or 3 wishes in five years: 1 wish now

Meat or Cheese: Meat

Grapes or Apples: Apples

Pick pocket on your own or with a group: I prefer to work alone

Bath but dirty clothes or clean clothes but no bath: Bath but dirty clothes.

Find a home but lose the others or stay on the streets but have the others: Stay on the streets but have the others.


Thank you, Rieker, for stopping in and congrats Kiki on the awesome debut!

So if you want a chance to win not only a signed copy of this book but some fun swag too, then just fill out THIS form.

Contest is US only and ends October 7.

No entries will be accepted through the comments but you should leave one anyway.