Verb Vixen

The Gleaning

The Gleaning- Heidi R. Kling

Two and Twenty Dark Tales

Two and Twenty Dark Tales- Edited by Georgia McBride and Michelle Zink

I was raised on nursery rhymes so when I saw that there was an anthology of stories based on Mother Goose I practically lost my mind. Not only does Two and Twenty Dark Tales have a great premise, there are so many amazing contributing writers who’s work I already love—-Gretchen McNeil, Lisa Mantchev, Karen Mahoney to name a few. The anthology is full of creepy unsettling stories, dark imaginings and disturbing endings. You will never look at nursery rhymes the same way again after reading this, nor should you want to. There’s something particularly Grimm (pun intended) about this collection; it’s closer to what original fairy tales and nursery rhymes were intended to do—-to warn and ward the dark things in the world. It is an anthology I cannot wait to have on my shelves!

Overall: A+

Two and Twenty Dark Tales is due out from Month9Books on October 16th. Pre-order your copy here.

e-galley provided gratis via Netgalley

Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here

Abandon-Meg Cabot

So we all know how excited I am about the influx of Greek mythology in YA lit. Meg Cabot’s Abandon is based off the Persephone/Hades myth and I thought: oh good, some death, some kidnapping, there’s no way this can fail. Kinda wrong.  The story is good; the writing is good, but it’s not really focused on the Hades/Persephone plot.  I found it was more about Pierce’s life and her acclimation to a new place and school. Yes, the plot is scattered with Greek myth references which I adored.  There’s even an awesome jewelry story woven in. However, it just didn’t live up to the expectation I had, and that’s no one’s fault but my own. On it’s own, it’s a good re-imagining and modernization of the Hades/Persephone tale.  All in all, I have mixed feelings on this one.

Overall: B+/A-

You can get your copy here.

Never Was There A Story of More Woe

Juliet- by Anne Fortier

At this point you could probably put something Shakespeare in just about any book and it would make me like it, but Juliet surpassed this by miles as stunning tale of the origins of the Romeo and Julietstory and it’s modern day impact on descendants of the families. Set in Sienna rather than Verona, and with an interesting twist in the family feuds, I loved everything about this re-imagined tale.  Full of much more intrigue than the first, Juliet melds historical fiction, modern romance, a bit of the paranormal, gangsters, two sets of star-crossed lovers, and at least 4 plot twists. Fortier kept me turning pages late into the evening because I couldn’t go to sleep not knowing how it ended. 

Overall: A

Note: This is not a YA book review, because sometimes I need to read adult things too.

Guess What I Just Did!

I just signed up for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)!  That basically means I need to write a novel of at least 50,000 words between November 1 and November 30th.  Nothing like a deadline and peer pressure right?

You too can sign up: www.nanowrimo.org

DO IT!

When I Read Adult Things I Like to Read…

Haunt Me Still- Jennifer Lee Carrell

OK let me preface this review by saying if you haven’t read her first book, Interred with their Bones you need to go read it.  Like right now.  No, seriously, go get it. 

Jennifer Lee Carrell is utterly brilliant as a writer with plot twists you never see coming.  I mean, we’re talking way better than Dan Brown since the subject of her books is occult Shakespeare not conspiracy theorist religion.  Additionally, Kate Stanley could take Robert Langdon any day of the week.  Carrell is capable of some stunning prose to boot.

Haunt Me Still is the second installment with our leading lady Kate Stanley.  This novel centers around the Scottish Play, Macbeth, its curse, murders and ritual magic.  LOVES IT. 

You should read this book if:

1. You like Shakespeare.

2. You like mysteries, thrillers, suspense, historical fiction or action adventures.

3. You like anything Scottish.

4. You have even a budding interest in language or linguistics—particularly Anglo- Saxon, Welsh, Gaelic. (I’m looking at you Leslie!)

5. You enjoy well written books with fantastic plot arcs and beautiful prose (that’s you Hal!).

6. Cause I said so.  Clearly the most compelling of the reasons!

Insatiable

Insatiable by Meg Cabot

In a world saturated by vampire novels, Meg Cabot does the near impossible—creates a thrilling vampire novel that isn’t cliche.  Despite the jabs at the public’s obsession with vampires, Cabot creates a gripping mystery full of danger and (gasp) the undead.  The romance between Lucien and Meena is epic, and while I remain skeptical about Alarics newfound feelings, I appreciate that Cabot didn’t tie her ending in a bow.  There are problems preventing a happy ending, and it’s clear it’s only going to get more complex.  Bravo for creating a new classic in an oversaturated market. The only thing that’s insatiable is my appetite for the next book.

Overall: A+

What are your thoughts on art?

The Swan Theives- Elizabeth Kostovo

Kostovo’s second novel is not about vampires.  Instead it is about Impressionists, psychology, art history, obsession, love, duty, and theft.  The prose is breathtaking, and you need only read the preface to realize that.  While a little on the lengthy side and I figured out the plot, it was well worth the read if only for the delightful writing.

Overall: A

Summer Releases and Fall Preview

If you like young adult literature there are quite a few book you should have picked up this summer:

Infinite Days by Rebecca Maizel (the best YA book I read this year)

13 to Life by Shannon Delaney

Don’t Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter (Gallegher Girl book 4)

Linger (sequel to Shiver) by Maggie Stiefvater

Iron Daughter (sequel to Iron King) by Julia Kagawa

Glimmerglass by Jenna Black

Siren by Tricia Rayburn

Love Sucks by Melissa Francis

Shadow Hills by Anastasia Hopcus

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce 

Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill

White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black 

This is going to be a stellar Fall for Young Adult Lit!  Check out these upcoming titles:

Mockingjay- Suzanne Collins Aug 24

Clockwork Angel (Infernal Devices #1) by Cassendra Clare Aug 31

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto Aug 31

 *Paranormalcy by Kirsten White Aug 31

*The Ivy by Lauren Kunze and Rina Onur Aug 31

 Nevermore by Kelly Creagh Aug 31

*The Duff by Kody Keplinger Sept 7

*Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan Sept 7

 Vladamir Tod: Twelfth Grade Kills (Book 5) by Heather Brewer Sept 21

*The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff Sept 21

 Torment (Fallen #2) by Lauren Kate Sept 28

*Bloodthirsty by Flynn Meaney Oct 5

 *Jane by April Lindner Oct 11

Beautiful Darkness (sequel to Beautiful Creatures) by Kami Garcia and Margret Stohl Oct 12

Crescendo (sequel to Hush, Hush) by Becca Fitzpatrick Oct 19

Nightshade by Andrea Creamer Oct 19

*Virals by Kathy Reich Nov 2

*The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney Nov 2

Night Star by Alyson Noel (Immortals Series #5)  Nov 16

Matched by Allie Condie Nov 30

Tempestuous (Wondrous Strange #3) by Lesley Livingston Dec 21

* denotes books that I have read in Advance Reader Copies