Review: Sea Glass

Title: Sea Glass
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy
Pub Date: September 2009, MIRA Books
Paperback, 379 pages
Book Source: Purchased from B&N @ Ga Tech

Synopsis

Student glass magician Opal Cowan's newfound ability to steal a magician's powers makes her too powerful. Ordered to house arrest by the Council, Opal dares defy them, traveling to the Moon Clan's lands in search of Ulrick, the man she thinks she loves. Thinks because she is sure another man—now her prisoner—claims Ulrick's desire for blood magic has eclipsed his passion for her.

In hostile territory, without proof or allies, Opal isn't sure whom to trust. She can't forget Kade, the handsome Stormdancer who doesn't want to let her get close. And now everyone is after Opal's special powers for their own deadly gain…

My Thoughts

Despite that "dangerous" comment I made to start my review of Storm Glass, the streak continues for me with Snyder's books. By the time my review posted a couple of days ago I had already finished Sea Glass and was lamenting the fact that the last book isn't due out for nearly three more months!

In all honesty there isn't much that I can add to what I have already said I loved about this series and Snyder's Study series. Her world-building is one of the key aspects that makes these books so good--both with respect to the actual lands and countries and the people of the various clans that inhabit them. And for those of you who were perhaps disappointed by Opal's character in the first book (though I wasn't), we see tremendous character growth and development in this second book in the series. If you don't love Opal by the end of this book, I have to admit I would be surprised. Actually, there are two or three minor twists that I think set up some interesting storylines for the third book and I am anxious to see how the story concludes.

My only beef with this book were two pretty obvious typos that I came across while reading, which I find disappointing when you think of the editing that should be going into these books. However, because I couldn't put this book down I can't let that detract from my rating, and so once again we see a top rating for Snyder! While some don't care for these books as much, for some reason both her Study series and Glass series have really resonated with me.

My Rating:

Other reviews of Sea Glass:

Fantasy Book Critic ~ Reading Rocks ~ Bitten by Books

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Teaser Tuesdays: Dragon Slippers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's mine...

"It's a human," Shardas said in his dry way. "You've seen a human before, haven't you, Feniul?"

"Of course I know it's a human, but what are you doing with it?" The other dragon, which I could now see was bright green, made a disgusted face as best it could. "You're not going to eat it, are you?"

~ page 47 of Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George

Review: Storm Glass

Title: Storm Glass
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy
Pub Date: May 2009, MIRA Books
Paperback, 488 pages
Book Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

Synopsis

As a glassmaker and a magician-in-training, Opal Cowen understands trial by fire. Now it's time to test her mettle. Someone has sabotaged the Stormdancer clan's glass orbs, killing their most powerful magicians. The Stormdancers—particularly the mysterious and mercurial Kade—require Opal's unique talents to prevent it happening again. But when the mission goes awry, Opal must tap in to a new kind of magic as stunningly potent as it is frightening. And the further she delves into the intrigue behind the glass and magic, the more distorted things appear. With lives hanging in the balance—including her own—Opal must control powers she hadn't known she possessed…powers that might lead to disaster beyond anything she's ever known.

My Thoughts

This may be a dangerous comment to make, but it seems like Maria V. Snyder is incapable of writing a book that I don't absolutely love! It's almost scary, but every book I've read from her--all three of the Study series and now this first of the Glass series--has received a 5-star rating from me. Once again, Storm Glass was a book that I did not want to put down, and was fortunate that I only had to once while reading it.

Set in the same incredible fantasy world that Snyder created in the Study series, this book focuses on Opal Cowan, who is known to many as the Glass Magician. Opal is a very different heroine when compared to Yelena, and I enjoy how that changes the perspective of the story. Again we have a strong cast of characters, many of whom have secrets to uncover--including Opal, herself. While some people dislike Opal for her lack of self-confidence, I find it well in keeping with who her character is supposed to be and where she has come from. To me, it makes it all that much more amazing as we discover the full scope of her powers.

With respect to Snyder's world of Sitia, we learn more about the different clans and lands that make up this great land, which is a testament to her incredible talent of world-building. Again I find Snyder's depiction of magic to be fascinating in Storm Glass. Not only do we learn more about the possibilities with magic with respect to glass, but we also learn about the Storm Dancers and their powers. And of course we have a touch of romance in this book and yes, Opal has a choice to make (will it be fellow glass maker Ulrick or storm dancer Kade?), but I have to admit I knew all along what that choice would be. I personally enjoyed this book very much and look forward to starting the sequel, Sea Glass, very soon.

My Rating:

Other reviews of Storm Glass:

Em's Bookshelf ~ Fantasy Book Critic ~ The Written World

YA Reads ~ Reading Rocks ~ Bitten By Books ~ Poisoned Rationality

Drey's Library ~ The Book Muncher

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

GIVEAWAY: Storm Born

Welcome to this week's giveway: my paperback copy of Storm Born by Richelle Mead! While this book may not have been my cup of tea, there are many out there who loved it and I'm giving one lucky person the opportunity to win my copy!

Here's how to enter (as always, my preference is for one comment with all your entries, but it's not required):

+1 entry ~ Comment on this post and tell me why you want to win this book. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can easily reach you if you're the lucky winner!

+2 entries each ~ Become a follower on Google Friend Connect, Twitter (@Melsbookshelf), Facebook's Networked Blogs and tell me that you did in your comment.

+3 entries each ~ Join the Melissa's Bookshelf Facebook Page, Stumble, Digg, or bookmark this post on del.i.cious, post about the giveaway on your blog (sidebar or a separate post is accepted), tweet about the giveaway (please include @Melsbookshelf in your tweet). Be sure to let me know you've done these in your comment and include any applicable links.

As always, there are a lot of ways you can enter... Like the last time, this contest is open internationally! You have until midnight EST on Saturday, July 3rd to enter and the winner will be announced sometime on Sunday, July 4th, as will the next giveaway! Good luck!

WINNER: The Sapphire Flute!

It's Sunday morning, so that means it's time to announce the winner of last week's giveaway! One lucky person will receive my ARC of The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover, as well as a signed bookplate that Karen so kindly added to the giveaway!

This week, Random.org has chosen...

ATHENA!!!

I have sent out an email, but if I do not hear back within 48 hours I will be choosing a new winner. Please join me in congratulating her!

Keep your eyes out for the next giveaway, coming later this morning!

Review: This Is Me From Now On

Title: This Is Me From Now On
Author: Barbara Dee
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult/MG
Pub Date: April 2010, Simon & Schuster
Paperback, 259 pages
Book Source: Received a copy for review from the author

Synopsis

Sometimes your life just needs a little jolt.

That's what Francesca told me once, and she was right. I mean, she was wrong about practically everything, but she was right about that.

At first Evie doesn't know what to think about her amazing new neighbor. Francesa's wild and funny, with a crazy sense of style, but the only rules she follows are the ones she invents herself. Evie's two best friends don't trust Francesca, but Evie is desperate for a change. And when you're with Francesca, anything--totally anything--can happen.

My Thoughts

Firstly, many thanks to Barbara Dee for sending me a copy of this book for review. This Is Me From Now on has a target audience that is a tad bit younger (ages 9 - 13) than most of the books I usually review, but I was interested in the premise and gladly accepted the opportunity to share this book with all of you.

My first thought upon finishing this book was that I could have seen myself reading it when I was in middle school. It's generally a light-hearted read that is the perfect little escape from real-life into a world that almost could be yours. The storyline is cute, if a bit predictable--but since we have probably all been in similar situations with a new girl moving to town, I suppose that is to be expected. And who hasn't wanted to reinvent themselves the way Evie was so desperate to? I know I used to feel that way as a pre-teen and teen, and even to this day sometimes find myself thinking about a new me. In the end, Evie learn a lot about herself and her friends and we read all about it in a charming story that provides a lot of laughs.

I highly recommend this book for all the tweens out there. The characters are very well-drawn and I would be surprised if others weren't as blown away by Francesca as I was. She was certainly a hoot and a bit over the top, but Evie and her friends were a tad more realistic. All-in-all an enjoyable read!

My Rating:

Other reviews of This Is Me From Now On:

Becky's Book Reviews ~ Booking Mama ~ Carrie's YA Bookshelf

There's A Book ~ Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

My Overstuffed Bookshelf ~ Mrs. Magoo Reads

Redlady's Reading Room

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Gone

Title: Gone
Author: Michael Grant
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Sci-Fi
Pub Date: June 2008, HarperTeen
Paperback, 558 pages
Book Source: Purchased from Barnes & Noble @ Georgia Tech

Synopsis


In the blink of an eye. 

Everyone disappears. 

Gone. 

Everyone except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not a single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Gone, too, are the phones, internet, and television. There is no way to get help. 

Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. 

It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen and war is imminent. 

The first in a breathtaking saga about teens battling each other and their darkest selves, gone is a page-turning thriller that will make you look at the world in a whole new way.

My Thoughts

I've seen reviews on this series out there for awhile but for some reason never bothered to pick up this book and give it a try. Finally I did and now I can't believe I waited so long to start it! While this book is well over 500 pages, for the most part it didn't really feel like that at all--the story is totally engaging and generally moves at a great pace.

What I think I liked the best about this book is the realistic way that Grant portrays the events that occur among the children after everyone over 15 disappears. The extremity of the situation is brought home when you read about the power struggles, inevitable death, and fear of everyone left behind. This isn't a story where a hero steps up and everything goes smoothly after the catastrophe, and that makes it all a little more believable (obviously not with respect to a few of the paranormal happenings, of course). Grant has provided us with a fantastic range of characters who are left behind--we have it all: quiet heros, sidekicks, bullies, power-hungry kids...

Overall, as I mentioned, the story is paced pretty well though it did start off a little slow for me and it took me a bit to truly get into the book. But once I did I was hooked and dying to know how the book would end. Naturally I wish I had the second book, Hunger, close at hand, but will be ordering it soon so that I can continue to read about Sam, Astrid, and everyone left behind at Perdido Beach. If you are looking for something a bit apocalyptic, sci-fi, and exciting, you should give this book a try--I don't think you'll be disappointed.

My Rating:

Other reviews of Gone:

Teen Book Review ~ About Books ~ Books and Movies

Birdbrain(ed) Book Blog ~ Readergirl Reviews ~ My Favorite Author

TheBookBind ~ Reading Rocks ~ The Book Pirate ~ The Book Muncher

Jen Robinson's Book Blog ~ Reading Keeps you Sane ~ The YA YA YAs

Steph Su Reads ~ The Story Siren

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: Spells

Title: Spells
Author: Aprilynne Pike
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy
Pub Date: May 2010, HarperTeen
Hardcover, 359 pages
Book Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

Synopsis

"I can't just storm in and proclaim my intentions. I can't 'steal' you away. I just have to wait and hope that, someday, you'll ask," Tamani said.

"And if I don't?" Laurel said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Then I guess I'll be waiting forever."

Although Laurel has come to accept her true identity as a faerie, she refuses to turn her back on her human life--and especially her boyfriend, David--to return to the faerie world.

But when she is summoned to Avalon, Laurel's feelings for the charismatic faerie sentry Tamani are undeniable. She is force to make a choice--a choice that could break her heart.

My Thoughts

Last year I enjoyed Pike's debut novel, Wings, and gave it four stars. I think her sophomore effort is even better and shows some of her growth as a writer. As with her first book, Pike still paces the story well and I think the prose and dialogues are improved from Wings. There is almost a no-nonsense approach to the story and I really appreciate the fact that events are constantly moving--I never once felt like the story was dragging.

I still enjoy the love triangle aspect (Laurel-David-Tamani), as overdone as it might be in YA fiction these days. I think Pike is working it well, though, and as with the first book, it makes for some interesting events throughout the story. Perhaps the best part of the book, however, is the last few pages. Yes, we have a cliffhanger, but I was intrigued by the direction Pike began to take the story with those final scenes. Also adding to this series was the detailed world-building we saw with respect to Avalon. I now have a much clearer, more vivid picture of Pike's faerie world and I am anxious to return to it in the third book, where I feel we will have limitless possibilities.

If you enjoyed Wings, I certainly think that you will enjoy its sequel and encourage you to give it a try. Pike's faerie world is magical and quite different from some of the other faerie series I have read, and the ending is sure to leave you wanting more.

My Rating:

Other reviews of Spells:

Tales of a Ravenous Reader ~ He Followed Me Home

Morjolein Book Blog ~ Juiciliciousss Reviews

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

GIVEAWAY: The Sapphire Flute

Hi everyone! It's Sunday so you know what that means... giveaway time!

Today's giveaway is my ARC  of The Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover. If you read my review of this book back in March, you will know that I loved it (and therefore had to buy my own copy)! I can't wait to give the ARC away to one of you so you have the chance to read and love this book as much as I do.

**UPDATE - ADDITIONAL GIVEAWAY**

Karen was kind enough to comment on this post and offer the winner a signed bookplate, in addition to the ARC they will receive from me--how cool is that?! Now you will have an autographed ARC of this book. Many thanks to Karen for making this giveaway even more special!

Here's how to enter (as always, my preference is for one comment with all your entries, but it's not required):

+1 entry ~ Comment on this post and tell me why you want to win this book. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can easily reach you if you're the lucky winner!

+2 entries each ~ Become a follower on Google Friend Connect, Twitter (@Melsbookshelf), Facebook's Networked Blogs

+3 entries each ~ Join the Melissa's Bookshelf Facebook Page, Stumble, Digg, or bookmark this post on del.i.cious, post about the giveaway on your blog (sidebar or a separate post is accepted), tweet about the giveaway (please include @Melsbookshelf in your tweet).

As always, there are a lot of ways you can enter... Like the last time, this contest is open internationally! You have until midnight EST on Saturday, June 26th to enter and the winner will be announced sometime on Sunday, June 27th, as will the next giveaway! Good luck!

WINNER: Tithe!

Happy Sunday everyone! I am pleased to announce the winner of last week's giveaway of my copy of Tithe by Holly Black. Thanks to everyone who entered and many congratulations to...

DARLYN!!!

I have sent Darlyn an email but if I do not hear back from her within 48 hours I will choose another winner.

Thanks again to all of you who entered, and for those who didn't win this time, keep your eyes peeled... In just a bit I will be posting the giveaway for this week!

Review: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Title: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner (An Eclipse novella)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Genre: Young Adult, Fiction, Vampires, Paranormal
Pub Date: June 2010, Little, Brown
Hardcover, 178 pages
Book source: Purchased from B&N @ Ga Tech

Synopsis

Bree Tanner can barely remember life before she had uncannily powerful senses, superhuman reflexes, and unstoppable physical strength. Life before she had a relentless thirst for blood... life before she became a vampire.

All Bree knows is that living with her fellow newborns has few certainties and even fewer rules: watch your back, don't draw attention to yourself, and above all, make it home by sunrise or die. What she doesn't know: her time as an immortal is quickly running out.

Then Bree finds an unexpected friend in Diego, a newborn just as curious as Bree about their mysterious creator, whom they know only as her. As they come to realize that the newborns are pawns in a game larger than anything they could have imagined, Bree and Diego must choose sides and decide whom to trust. But when everything you know about vampires is based on a lie, how do you find the truth?

My Thoughts

I will be the first to admit that as much as I loved the Twilight novels, I do not remember Bree Tanner from Eclipse. Of course, Bree apparently only has a brief appearance in that novel and part of me wants to go back and take a peak at it from that perspective. (However, with so many unread books stacked up, I don't think that will be happening anytime soon.)

While this little novella was an interesting glance at Bree's short existence as a vampire, I can't say it's a book that I want to re-read like the rest of the Twilight novels. It's certainly a fast read, but I didn't find myself sucked in or unable to put the book down, which was a mild disappointment. It was nice to have a completely different perspective of the Twilight world, instead of Bella's or the Cullens' points of view, but I don't know that think this story added much to the saga. It seems that Meyer has gotten about all she can out of her Twilight franchise at this point.

On the positive side, Twilight fans have the chance to read this book for free, available at BreeTanner.com until July 5th.

My Rating:

Other reviews of The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner:

A Bookish Way of Life

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Review: The Sugar Queen

Title: The Sugar Queen
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Genre: Fiction
Pub Date: April 2009, Random House
Paperback, 294 pages
Book Source: Purchased from B&N @ Ga Tech

Synopsis

Josey Cirrini is sure of three things: winter is her favorite season, she's a sorry excuse for a Southern belle, and sweets are best eaten in the privacy of her closet. For while Josey has settled into an uneventful life in her mother's house, her one consolation is the stockpile of sugary treats and paperback romances she escapes to each night.... Until she finds her closet harboring Della Lee Baker, a local waitress who is one part nemesis--and two parts fairy godmother. With Della Lee's tough love, Josey's narrow existence quickly expands. She even bonds with Chloey Finley, a young woman who is hounded by books that inexplicably appear when she needs them-and who has a close connection to Josey's long-time crush. Soon Josey is living in a world where the color red has startling powers, and passion can make eggs fry in their cartons. And that's just for starters.

Brimming with warmth, wit, and a sprinkling of magic, here is a spellbinding tale of friendship, love--and the enchanting possibilities of every new day.

My Thoughts

Sarah Addison Allen may be fast becoming one of my favorite new authors. There is something so enjoyable about reading her books and I don't want to put them down or have them come to an end! Admittedly, The Sugar Queen is a wee bit predictable, but that didn't keep me from enjoying Josey's story.

One of Allen's strengths is her characters--every character in the story is a delight, whether their part is large or small. Della Lee may be "two parts fairy godmother" but she is unlike any fairy godmother you've read or heard about! Josey's friend Chloe has her own set of interesting problems, but I would certainly give anything to have one of them--books magically appear just when she needs them! Yes, there is a touch of magic in Allen's second book, and I think that is part of her book's charm. It's not an in-your-face supernatural story like many out there, but the little bit of magic makes the book that much more special. But back to the characters... Josey is a fantastic main character--she grows so much as you turn the pages and I know I was pulling for her as she realized with each new day there was more to life than being at home with only her mother and the house maid for companionship. And yes, there is a bit of romance in the story but it is not the sole focus of the plot and so makes for a nice addition to the story.

As with Garden Spells (read my review here) this story wraps up nicely at the end, though as horrible as this sounds, I don't know that I think Josey's mother deserved the happy ending she got. All-in-all I really enjoyed Allen's second book and look forward to reading The Girl Who Chased the Moon at some point down the road. If you are looking for a light read with a touch of magic and whimsy then you should pick up one of Allen's books and get lost in the worlds she creates.

My Rating:

Other reviews of The Sugar Queen:

Books on the Brain ~ Redlady's Reading Room ~ Dear Author

Allison's Book Marks ~ Flight Into Fantasy ~ Angieville

S. Krishna's Books ~ Stephanie's Written Word ~ Beyond Books
Library Queue

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see a link to your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

Perchance to Dream ARC WINNER!

I am back from NC so it is time to announce the winner of my ARC of Perchance to dream. Thanks so much to everyone who entered! Unfortunately there could only be one winner, and so Random.org chose...

HARMONY B!!!

I've sent Harmony an email, but if I do not hear back within 48 hours I will choose another winner. Please join me in congratulating Harmony on her big win!

Please also be sure to enter my giveaway for Holly Black's Tithe, as well. Happy Reading!

GIVEAWAY: Tithe by Holly Black

Hi everyone! It's Sunday so that means it's time for another giveaway! (For those of you waiting for the announcement of the Perchance to Dream ARC winner, it will be forthcoming as soon as I am back from a weekend trip in NC. There's no internet access where I am, so that is delaying my ability to choose the winner, but don't worry I will post the announcement later today!)

Today's giveaway is my paperback copy of Tithe by Holly Black. Some of you might remember my review of Tithe earlier this year, and while this book wasn't my cup of tea, a lot of other readers loved it, and love the series! Be sure to check out the links to other reviews if you take a look at mine.

So now is your chance to win this book...

Here's how to enter (as always, my preference is for one comment with all your entries, but it's not required):

+1 entry ~ Comment on this post and tell me why you want to win this book. Please be sure to leave your email address so I can easily reach you if you're the lucky winner!

+2 entries each ~ Become a follower on Google Friend Connect, Twitter (@Melsbookshelf), Facebook's Networked Blogs

+3 entries each ~ Join the Melissa's Bookshelf Facebook Page, Stumble, Digg, or bookmark this post on del.i.cious, post about the giveaway on your blog (sidebar or a separate post is accepted), tweet about the giveaway (please include @Melsbookshelf in your tweet).

As always, there are a lot of ways you can enter... Like the last time, this contest is open internationally! You have until midnight EST on Saturday, June 19th to enter and the winner will be announced sometime on Sunday, June 20th, as will the next giveaway! Good luck!

Review: The Skull Ring

Title: The Skull Ring
Author: Scott Nicholson
Genre: Fiction, Suspense
Pub Date: March 2010, Ghostwriter Publications
Paperback, 327 pages
Book source: Received a copy for review from the author


Synopsis

Julia Stone will remember, even if it kills her.

Many years after the night her father disappeared, a night of chants, pain, and strangers in robes, the past follows Julia to the North Carolina moutnains when a mysterious silver skull ring makes her the focus of a shadowy, sinister cult. Walter, a local handyman, tries to help her, but he has his own secrets.

And the ring is closing in...

My Thoughts

Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. Nicholson for sending me a copy of The Skull Ring to review. This is the first book I've read that focuses on Satanic cults, though admittedly the story is more devoted to Julia Stone and her "relationship" to the cult. I have to say, parts of the story definitely gave me the creeps and I refused to read it at night, in the dark!

The suspenseful storyline is what carried this book and made it worth reading and at times, difficult to put down. There was the constant question of who Julia could really trust, though I did feel that many events that transpired were a bit predictable. I was reasonably sure who was to be feared throughout most of the book, though there were a couple of surprises I didn't see coming (as they related to certain characters, that is). As for the characters, they were all pretty good, basic characters but would have benefited from some further development and fleshing out to make the story even better. The friendship Julia finds herself forming with Walter felt a little hokey to me--not that it couldn't have happened, but I don't think enough of the book was used to really promote it to where the relationship made sense.

All-in-all, The Skull Ring is an easy read with a definitely "creepy-factor" that makes you want to know how the story is going to turn out.

My Rating:

Other reviews of The Skull Ring:

Book-Blog.com

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site listed above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!

GIVEAWAY: Perchance to Dream ARC!!

It's been awhile since I've hosted a giveaway, and to tell the truth I definitely have some books to clean out of my bookshelves. What better time to do that than the summer? (Well, it's almost summer, and it certainly feels like it outside!)

So starting today and for the next several weeks, I'll be giving away a book a week. This week's giveaway is for my ARC of Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev!! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and picked up my own shiny new copy earlier this week, so I thought I would send out my ARC to anyone who wanted to read it!

Here's how to enter (as always, my preference is for one comment with all your entries, but it's not required):

+1 entry ~ Comment on this post and tell me why you want to win this book.

+2 entries each ~ Become a follower on Google Friend Connect, Twitter (@Melsbookshelf), Facebook's Networked Blogs

+3 entries each ~ Join the Melissa's Bookshelf Facebook Page, Stumble, Digg, or bookmark this post on del.i.cious, post about the giveaway on your blog, tweet about the giveaway (please include @Melsbookshelf in your tweet).

So yeah, there are a lot of ways you can enter... And since this is my first giveaway of summer, this contest is open internationally!! You have until midnight EST on Saturday, June 12th to enter and the winner will be announced sometime on Sunday, June 13th, as will the next giveaway! Good luck!

P.S. I forgot to mention initially--please leave an email address in your comment so it is easy for me to reach you :-) Thanks!!

Guest Post: CJ West & The End of Marking Time

I am excited to bring to all of you a guest post from CJ West, author of The End of Marking Time, which was released on May 22nd! You might also recall my review of his exciting thriller, Sin and Vengeance, last year. Today's post is in celebration of The End of Marking Time Launch Party that begins on June 10th, and I hope you enjoy it!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Would You Volunteer for Jury Duty?

I’m one of those people who get called for jury duty over and over. I get called so much that I have been excused twice because I had served within the prior twelve months. That’s the rule here in Massachusetts. They require you to serve one day or one trial when called and they promise not to call you for another twelve months. That doesn’t explain how freakishly often my name pops up. If only my lottery numbers came out that often. Every time I get a summons I wonder if the courts have figured out I’m a law-and-order guy. I understand why they’d be glad to have me. I take jury duty seriously. I weigh the evidence, but I’m not afraid to convict someone if I believe they are guilty. Maybe there’s an asterisk next to my name. I’ll never know for sure.


You are probably shaking your head and thinking I’m making this up because I’ve written a book about a virtual jury, but guess what, I’ve got jury duty again on Wednesday, June 16th! When I tell people I’ve got jury duty, they invariably offer suggestions to get out of serving. One of my favorites is to mutter guilty under your breath when the defense attorney looks at you. I’ve never tried it, but I’m betting it would earn you a quick challenge and a trip back to the jury room. As strange as this may sound, I don’t mind serving. I actually go to court voluntarily some days to learn about the process.

I know, I know, I should get out more, but at least I’m not at the defense table.


Today I’m selecting you for my virtual jury. To answer your summons, pick up a copy of The End of Marking Time. Settle into the virtual jury box wherever you are and listen to Michael O’Connor’s story. I’ll give you two buttons (on the back cover of the book). One red. One green. Michael is desperate for you to press the green button. He believes that if you do, he’ll get another chance. While you are listening to his story, remember Michael has been a criminal since he was six years old and he’ll say about anything to be set free. He’ll tell you some horrible things about Wendell Cummings, the man who is trying to show Michael how to live on the straight and narrow.

One of the mysteries of the book is how you can serve on a jury when the action has already been written. Michael is trapped in a hallway before a one-way window and he talks to you directly about his life. He believes Wendell Cummings has brought you there and hidden you with twelve other jurors behind the glass. While you deliberate over Michael’s sentence, you can try to piece together who is seated in the room with thirteen chairs and what they will decide.

When you’ve finished the book, you can bring your jury experience online. I’ve created a Facebook group called, I pressed the (RED) (GREEN) button for you to share your results. Stop in, tell me what you think should happen to Michael, and see what other readers are saying. There is also an experiment you can try with the cover.

You might be wondering why you’d volunteer for virtual jury duty. In virtual jury duty, there are no hard benches, no dress codes, and no outdated magazines. The End of Marking Time will give you a view into America after the supreme court has released two million felons. Imagine how eager you would be to serve on a jury then.

Enjoy The End of Marking Time and please join me for the virtual launch party on June 10th.

Review: Radiant Shadows

Title: Radiant Shadows
Author: Melissa Marr
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy
Pub Date: April 2010, HarperTeen
Hardcover, 340 pages
Book Source: Purchased from Amazon.com

Synopsis


Hunger for nourishment.
Hunger for touch.
Hunger to belong.
 
Half-human and half-faery, Ani is driven by her hungers. 

Those same appetites also attract powerful enemies and uncertain allies, including Devlin. He was created as an assassin and is brother to the faeries' coolly logical High Queen and to her chaotic twin, the embodiment of War. Devlin wants to keep Ani safe from his sisters, knowing that if he fails, he will be the instrument of Ani's death. 

Ani isn't one to be guarded while others fight battles for her, though. She has the courage to protect herself and the ability to alter Devlin's plans - and his life. The two are drawn together, each with reason to fear the other and to fear for one another. But as they grow closer, a larger threat imperils the whole of Faerie. Will saving the faery realm mean losing each other?

My Thoughts

Interestingly enough, this was the first book in Marr's Wicked Lovely series that didn't initially grab me and hold me the entire way through the book. I'm not sure why that is, except that Radiant Shadows started off a little slow for me.

Not to worry, though this book may not be a gripping adventure from start to finish, Radiant Shadows still left me satisfied and anxiously awaiting Darkest Mercy. And let me be fair, the story definitely picks up the pace for the second half... With each of these books, I find myself liking the main characters and thinking that they must be my favorite of the series, yet. Devlin and Ani are no exception, except that I really do think they may be my favorite "couple." The chemistry between the two of them is beautifully written and a strong desire to watch their romance unfold kept me turning pages as the book came to its climax and conclusion. Ani is an awesome heroine, no doubt about it. Her character really jumped off the pages and came to life.

We also gain a greater understanding of Marr's faery world by the time Radiant Shadows concludes. In truth, I think this series would benefit from a re-reading with each new book, and before the last book is released I intend to do just that. No, the main characters are never the same, but their stories (or threads) are all interwoven and I can't wait to see how Marr ties them together in the last book. There are a lot of little, yet important and sometimes complex, details from the first books that I want to have clear in my mind when I read Darkest Mercy. While I couldn't quite bring myself to give Radiant Shadows a 5-star rating (due to my initial trouble really getting into the story), it is still an amazing piece of the truly incredible faery world that Marr has created.

My Rating: 

Other reviews of Radiant Shadows:

In Bed With Books ~ My Friend Amy ~ Angieville

Steph Su Reads ~ BoyWithBooks.com ~ Literary Escapism

YA Reads ~ The Story Siren ~ My Favourite Books

Fyrefly's Book Blog ~ Capricious Reader ~ Juciliciousss Reviews

Tales of a Ravenous Reader

If you have reviewed this book and would like to see your site linked above, please leave a comment with the link to your review!