Teaser Tuesday -4

This weeks Teaser Tuesday is an excerpt from Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe. Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should Be Reading.

My Teaser:

"Probably not," I said. "How many people did you see in the parking lot?"
"Well, two: me and you. Oh." He blinked at the windshield, then looked back at me. -Page 68 by Megan Crewe.

This is an ARC, so it is subject to change! :)

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Rating: 4.7/5.0

Re-Read? I can see myself re-reading this in the future.

Recommend? I recommend this to everyone, whether they enjoy fantasy and Fairy lore or not.

Release Date: June 23, 2009
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: 256

Synopsis:

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.

Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobody expected Cam to live, and nobody expected his biological brother, heir to the fairy throne, to die. But both things happened, and now the fairies want Cam back to take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Even as Cam physically changes, becoming more miserable each day, he and Morgan pledge to fool the fairies and stay together forever. But by the time Cam has to decide once and for all what to do, Morgan’s no longer sure what’s best for everyone, or whether her and Cam’s love can weather an uncertain future.

My Thoughts:

In this breathtaking debut novel, Cyn Balog has crafted an unforgettable story of love and loss. The cleverness of her writing shows us a new take on what we would normally consider a Fairy Tale.

Morgan has grown up always by Cameron's side. Ever since they were young, they have always been together. But now all of a sudden, a pink blob by the name of Dawn threatens everything Morgan and Cam have ever known--and could take Cameron away from Morgan forever. You don't need Morgan's psychic abilities to know Morgan won't give him up without a fight.

Fairy Tale truly surprised me. I ended up loving Pip as much as I loved Cam, if not more. It is a bittersweet story crafted perfectly to leave the reader satisfied and yet, wondering... What if? The pace was set just right so that there was never any confusion and all the events in the novel flowed flawlessly. I felt as if I was Morgan. I related so well to her, that I feel like I felt exactly what she was going through. Along with this wonderfully written tale, you learn that you can't always put your needs first. That there are things more important and that you ARE strong enough to move forward.

Breathtaking, clever, surprising-- I absolutely loved this book.

Details:

Cover: 4.3
Plot: 5.0
Characters: 5.0
Writing: 4.5

Check out my interview with Cyn Balog by clicking: Here

What are you Reading Mondays -2

So, I'm going to try to be really productive this week! Here's whats going on:

What I read:

-Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

What I'm Reading:



-Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

What I Plan to read:

-Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

-Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

-Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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What are your plans for this week? This meme is brought to us by: J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Re-Read? Maybe I'll re-read the books next summer.

Recommend? I recommend this series as a great summer read. Perfect for sitting on the porch or by the window.

Release Date: June 11, 2009
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: 224

Synopsis:

Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer.

Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.

It’s another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine’s quest that’s sure to bring out the goddess in anyone.

My Thoughts:

Phoebe and her friends are back in this cute new sequel to Oh. My. Gods. Phoebe now has discovered that she is indeed a descendant to Nike, the Goddess of Victory. Things should finally be going her way, right? Wrong. There, of course, is trouble in paradise; Is Griffin cheating on her with his ex? On top of that, Phoebe has to attend Goddess Boot Camp with a bunch of ten-year-olds. Can life get more embarrassing? And then there are the mysterious letters that she begins receiving... Phoebe's life just becomes more complicated by the day.

Goddess Boot Camp was just as cute as its predecessor. A light, funny read that will enthrall any one who is a fan of chic-lit. Likable characters always make the novel for me and a few new ones poped into Phoebe's life. I really thought new connections made the book more interesting. Not everyone is the uber-bitch they present themselves as. So with this new installment, don't judge a book by it's cover!

I had a few problems with this novel. First of all, I really don't like Griffin and this book made me dislike him even more. I know he is a great guy and all, but really? I know if my boyfriend did the things Griffin did to Phoebe, he would have lost all my trust. The beginning was also very slow for me, but once I got into the main story it sped up. It is exactly as I thought it was going to be: cute, quick, and a fun read. Goddess Boot Camp turned out to be a great summer read for a lazy day.

Details:

Cover: 3.0
Plot: 3.0
Characters: 4.0
Writing: 4.0

In My MailBox -6

Not all of these are for review so I decided to change up how I present them. Here's what I got!

For Review:

Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe (ARC)

Synopsis:

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog (Hardcover)

Synopsis:

A captivating and witty dark fantasy that will have girls lusting after it.

Morgan Sparks has always known that she and her boyfriend, Cam, are made for each other. But when Cam’s cousin Pip comes to stay with the family, Cam seems depressed. Finally Cam confesses to Morgan what’s going on: Cam is a fairy. The night he was born, fairies came down and switched him with a healthy human boy. Nobody expected Cam to live, and nobody expected his biological brother, heir to the fairy throne, to die. But both things happened, and now the fairies want Cam back to take his rightful place as Fairy King.

Even as Cam physically changes, becoming more miserable each day, he and Morgan pledge to fool the fairies and stay together forever. But by the time Cam has to decide once and for all what to do, Morgan’s no longer sure what’s best for everyone, or whether her and Cam’s love can weather an uncertain future.

Just for fun reading:

Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Paperback)

Let it Snow: Three Holiday Romances by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (Paperback)

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So that's what I got! What did everyone else get? In My Mailbox is brought to us by The Story Siren.

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

Rating: 4.0/5.0

Re-Read? This was such a cute read, I may re-read it again sometime this summer.

Recommend? This is the perfect book to sit outside on a summer day and read! It's cute, light, funny-- I had looks when I would randomly burst out laughing!
Release date: Reprint May 14th, 2009
Publisher: Speak (reprint edition)
Pages: 288

Synopsis:

When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and plans to move to an island in the Aegean Sea, Phoebe’s well-plotted senior year becomes ancient history. Now, instead of enjoying a triumphant track season and planning for college with her best friends, Phoebe is trying to keep her head above water at the überexclusive Academy.

If it isn’t hard enough being the new kid in school, Phoebe’s classmates are all descendants of the Greek gods! When you’re running against teammates with superpowers, dealing with a stepsister from Hades, and nursing a crush on a boy who is quite literally a god, the drama takes on mythic proportions!

My Thoughts:

Senior year is hard enough when you have to worry about college and keeping pace on the track team-- but when your mom all of a suddenly decides to remarry and move you half way across the world to Greece to attend a super exclusive school, Well lets just say Phoebe has a lot to deal with. There is also a very good reason Phoebe's new school has a less then 1% acceptance rate. Only one thing is required to attend-- You have to descend from the Greek Gods! Phoebe's life just got a lot more complicated.

Oh. My. Gods. was such a fun read. Cute, interesting, and filled with fun facts on the Greek Gods, It has a little something for everyone. If your at the beach, or sitting on the porch, This makes the perfect summer read. By the end of it you will be wishing to be a descendant of a Goddess yourself! A cute coming of age story.

All of the characters were pretty likable. However, I really didn't like Griffin. And I liked him less after reading Goddess Boot Camp. I adored Troy though! Nicole is interesting... we have still yet to figure out her God/Goddess. And Phoebe is our typical, lovable heroine.

While this is an interesting and creative novel, sometimes it appeared as if the characters were older then they were written. Just particular things Phoebe would say made me feel she was older then 18. Other then that, a fast read that leaves the reader wanting more. I also have to mention, I love the cover. It was the main reason I picked this book up-- The cover was just adorable! I recommend this book to anyone interested in a Chic Lit book with a Greek God twist.

The sequel, Goddess Boot Camp, Is now available in stores!

Signing Report: Lauren Conrad

So, as a few of you know, Vania, Shalonda, Kelsey and I all attended the Oh So Amazing Lauren Conrad book signing. Ugh, I know. But with good people, even the worst situations can become fun! So I arrive at the Barns and Nobles sometime after three and Vania was already there (cause she was soo super excited about the signing, she got there early) and what do you know? It starts to rain. Thankfully Shalonda shows up with an umbrella! We were shortly joined by Kelsey and then proceeded to wait in line surrounded by-- you guessed it, Lauren Conrad lookalikes. You know what I'm talking about.

Anywhoo, after receiving our Magenta ticket, we decided to head to the mall and proceed to eat and chit-chat while waiting for the signing to start-- at seven. Which it didn't, by the way. Well, what we did notice about the people surrounding us was, well, their clothing. We saw everything from prom dresses to swim suits-- to a particularly hideous short bodysuit. Who exactly were they dressing up for? Boys? Because from what we saw, they wouldn't be interested in the ones that did show up.

So after discussing our plans to make a movie about the secret lives of book bloggers (starring Ashton) the line started moving. Lauren finally decided to grace us with her presence. I think we all went deaf. A bookstore full of girls screaming really is a unique experience I'm sure only rivaled by Edward Cullen walking into an all girls school. Well, I'm sure the latter would win that contest, but still. They were quite loud.

Shalonda and Vania both got their books signed (and if your interested in winning Vanias, head over to her blog!) and we kind of just chilled. It was really great to meet Shalonda, Kelsey and Vania, and I can't wait to hang with them again!

Oh, and to show you how excited Vania--left (and Shalonda--right) was:

Lol Just kidding. To really understand Vania's deep feelings for Lauren Conrad, please check out her blog.

In My MailBox -5

Slow week, but here's what I got!!

Goddess Boot Camp by Tera Lynn Childs (Hardback)

Synopsis:

Phoebe, who recently discovered she’s a descendant of Nike (the goddess, not the shoe), is finding that supernatural powers come with a crazy learning curve. Her stepfather, headmaster of the Academy for descendants of the Greek gods, has enrolled her at Dynamotheos Development Camp—aka Goddess Boot Camp—with a bunch of ten-year-olds for the summer.

Embarrassing as that is, hopefully it’ll help her gain control over her powers in time to pass the test of the gods, continue training hard enough to qualify for the Pythian Games, and enjoy her godly boyfriend, Griffin, all while avoiding the ultimate mistake of accidentally misusing powers.

It’s another fast-paced myth-inspired heroine’s quest that’s sure to bring out the goddess in anyone.

Cirque Du Freak Vol. 1 by Darren Shan/Takahiro Arai

Ok... So it's a manga... but It was also a book!

Synopsis:

The world of internationally acclaimed author Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak brought to life as you've never seen it before!

Darren Shan was an average kid until destiny brought him to the Cirque du Freak. Now Darren's been immersed into a shadowy world inhabited by vampires, werewolves, and strange creatures the likes of which he's never imagined, and his life will be changed forever!

So that's pretty much it! I also recieved another ARC of Eyes Like Stars-- For a chance to win it go here: Win Eyes Like Stars!

Contest: Win Eyes Like Stars

-EYES LIKE STARS GIVEAWAY-

So you read the review and have seen the interview... Now it is time to read the book! One lucky winner will receive my extra copy (that was accidentally sent to me...) of Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev. The version being given away is an ARC.

Rules:
-Open only to the U.S.A. Sorry, but I just don't have that kind of money to send internationally.
-Post everything in ONE entry.
-Post your EMAIL. No email, no entry.
-There will be only One winner, which will be drawn randomly to receive the ARC.
-Contest open until Midnight of July 7th, 2009.
(Midnight whatever your time is. I won't post the winner till a day afterward.)

To Enter:
+1 Comment on here: Post one of your most memorable Theatre experience or post your favorite Shakespearean play and why. (or BOTH for +2)

Extra Entries:
+1 for commenting on my review of ELS: Here
+1 for commenting on my Interview with Lisa Mantchev: Here
+1 for everywhere you post this contest or link my blog (ex: Sidebar+1, post+1, Blog Roll+1 so that would be 3 entries-- make sure to leave a link).
+2 for following me on Twitter: Here
+3 for being/becoming a follower.

Make sure you tell me what you do or you won't get the extra entries!

THIS CONTEST IS OVER.

Interview: Lisa Mantchev

Lisa Mantchev is the Author of the upcoming release Eyes Like Stars which hits book shelves July 7, 2009.

Find out more information by clicking: The Théâtre Illuminata

Questions on Eyes Like Stars:

Tainted Poet: First off, could you please give us a brief summery of Eyes Like Stars?
Lisa Mantchev: ELS is the story of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, who lives at the Théâtre Illuminata with all the characters from every play ever written. It's a moving story of self-discovery. With glitter. And cupcakes. And great costuming.

TP: How much of yourself would you say you put into your main character Bertie?
LM: She has my love of the theater and coffee. I didn't start dying my hair until I hit college, though, and never blue.

TP: Are you a fan of Shakespeare? Or was there another reason for all the Shakespearean references and characters?
LM: Whenever I read one of his plays, I get an awed feeling at the idea of writing iambic pentameter with a quill pen... especially when I stop to think about how often I use the "delete" key in my word processor! I really enjoy pieces that riff on his work, too. "The Shakespeare Code" is one of my very favorite episodes of Doctor Who, for example, and I love movies like "10 Things I Hate About You" that use his storylines in a modern setting.

TP: Who would you say is your favorite character and why?
LM: It started with Bertie, so I'll stick with her.

TP: Peaseblossom is my favorite. Which Fairy are you most fond of?
LM: It's funny... I think of them as "Pease and The Boys." I can't pick a favorite, any more than a mom would tell you which of her kids she likes best... mostly because they would shove jelly beans up my nose while I'm sleeping if I said otherwise.

TP: What inspired you to write about the Theatre?
LM: I started performing in community theater when I was seven, then majored in Drama in college, so it's something with which I was familiar (that old adage of "Write what you know.") I've always felt that theaters are magical, and hoped readers might feel the same way I do.

TP: Is there a particular message you want readers to take away from ELS?
LM: "Go to the theater. See a play."

TP: Eyes Like Stars is the first of a Trilogy. When is the next one expected to be released?
LM: PERCHANCE TO DREAM will be released in the Fall of 2010, and the third book in the Théâtre Illuminata series in 2011.

Other Questions:

TP: What is your biggest literary inspiration?
LM: Probably the Shoes books by Noel Streatfeild (particularly Ballet Shoes.)

TP: Do you have any particular foods or drinks you like to eat or drink when you're writing?
LM: Coffee, coffee, and more coffee. I also love having nibbles nearby (small candies, like Reece's Pieces, Skittles, or jelly beans) that I can nom as I think.

TP: Music or no music while writing? If so, what do you listen to?
LM: If I listen to music, which isn't often, because I get distracted easily, it's instrumental... like the "Assassin's Tango" from the Mr. & Mrs. Smith soundtrack. I listened to that on repeat while choreographing the tango scene.

TP: Are there any particular authors that inspire you?
LM: I just finished Frank Beddor's Looking Glass Wars, which was super-shiny. I also love Patricia McKillip's sensory details and Neil Gaiman's sense-of-wonder. Terry Pratchett's books really gave me permission to let out my inner smart-arse.

TP: Why did you decided to write Young Adult?
LM: I didn't, actually. Before tackling the novel, I was writing short, speculative fiction, and "YA" isn't really a separate genre in that field. While writing it, I just thought of is as "this neat thing I'm working on." Then I sold to a YA imprint, and realized the majority of my reading material comes from the YA/teen section of the bookstore. I had a moment of glorious realization that I'd finally found my place, my writing "home."

TP: How much time do you usually spend writing daily?
LM: It's a full time job for me now, but I work it in around parenting and laundry and vacuuming up the dog-hair tumbleweeds. And "writing" isn't just putting down first draft material... it might also mean revising, which I've been doing nonstop for about nine months, or copyediting, or reading page proofs. It's also blogging and networking and organizational stuff. The hours certainly add up!

TP: What is a question no one ever asks, but you wish that they would?
LM: Nobody ever asks me the meaning of life, which means I have to randomly shout "Forty-two!" at people on the street.

END

I am personally very excited for this release! Lisa was great to work with and I would just like to give her a round of applause for the wonderful book she has written for us! Brava!

Stay around to have a chance to win an ARC of Eyes Like Stars!

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Rating: 4.6/5.0

Re-Read? This is a book I definitely want to re-read. I believe it will only get better the more it is read.

Recommend? To anyone who has ever loved the Theatre or Shakespeare.

Release Date: July 7, 2009
Publisher: Feiwel And Friends/ ARC
Pages: 356

Synopsis:

All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

My Thoughts:

Eyes Like Stars was everything it promised to be and more. Growing up in a Theatre can be difficult-- especially when your bedroom is just a set! Our heroine, Beatrice(Bertie) Shakespeare Smith, has lived at the Theatre for as long as she can remember. All she knows is that she was dropped off as a young child and has lived there ever since. She is not an actress nor is she part of the staff; Bertie just lives at the theatre causing all sorts of havoc sometimes. But was her last stunt, one stunt too far? Will she be forced to leave the only home she has ever known?

Once you get going with this novel, and you are familiar with all the characters and who they are-- it's impossible to put down. Bertie is a headstrong heroine who doesn't take anything from anyone. She is creative and knows how to get what she wants. Her best friends are four Faeries from A Midsummer Nights Dream. Peaseblossom, the only girl, was my favorite! Though the boys are quite humorous with their violent tendencies. Nate, a Pirate from A Little Mermaid was really sweet--and also the source of Bertie's fondness. But I couldn't help but love Ariel, a wind spirit from The Tempest. There is a lot more going on with him then they show you.

There was nothing that I really disliked about Eyes Like Stars. There were a few pacing problems I thought, but nothing major. Just some minor confusion. And even that was cleared up pretty fast. I just loved the plot-- Now I wish I grew up in a theatre like Bertie!

Eyes Like Stars will be released on July 7th, 2009. Make sure to check it out! Up next-- An Interview with Lisa Mantchev!

Waiting on Wednesday -4

Betrayals by Lili St. Crow

Release Date: November 17, 2009

Synopsis:

She’s no angel . . .

Poor Dru Anderson. Her parents are long gone, her best friend is a werewolf, and she’s just learned that the blood flowing through her veins isn’t entirely human. (So what else is new?)

Now Dru is stuck at a secret New England Schola for other teens like her, and there’s a big problem— she’s the only girl in the place. A school full of cute boys wouldn’t be so bad, but Dru’s killer instinct says that one of them wants her dead. And with all eyes on her, discovering a traitor within the Order could mean a lot more than social suicide. . .

Can Dru survive long enough to find out who has betrayed her trust—and maybe even her heart?

Ever since I read Strange Angels, I've been eagerly awaiting Betrayals!! It looks really promising! So, What did you guys post?

Waiting on Wednesday is brought to us by: Breaking The Spine.

Teaser Tuesday -3

Teaser Tuesday: Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs

I have to say I love this cover... It is really what made the final decision to buy it!

My Teaser:

"You," I say, leaning forward and giving him a peck on the cheek, "are a rock star in a coward's clothing."
"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" page 253 by Tera Lynn Childs

Haha I thought this was cute (even though I am not nearly there yet!)

Rules:
1) Grab your current read
2) Open to a random page
3) Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
4) 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!)
5) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Teaser Tuesday is brought to us by Should Be Reading.

Strange Angels by Lili St. Crow

Rating: 4.3/5.0

Re-Read? Definitely before the next one comes out. It's the first in the series!

Recommend? There is a lot of cussing in it, so if you don't mind that (and if you don't mind violence) then I think anyone who would enjoy a good butt-kicking heroine fighting the paranormal would enjoy this book. I would age it 15 and up, personally.

Release Date: May 14, 2009
Publisher: RazorBill/Paperback
Pages: 293

Synopsis:

Dru Anderson has what her grandmother called “the touch.” (Comes in handy when you’re traveling from town to town with your dad, hunting ghosts, suckers, wulfen, and the occasional zombie.)

Then her dad turns up dead—but still walking—and Dru knows she’s next. Even worse, she’s got two guys hungry for her affections, and they’re not about to let the fiercely independent Dru go it alone. Will Dru discover just how special she really is before coming face-to-fang with whatever—or whoever— is hunting her?
(Amazon Product Description).

My Thoughts:

What's a girl to do when the only person you can really count on turns into a zombie and you are forced to take him out? Dru Anderson's life is by no means easy. Sure, she goes to school, makes dinner, does her katas and kicks paranormal butt. But what else is normal when you know what the Real World is like and know that there is nothing normal about it?

Strange Angels is full of suspense, action and paranormal goodness. Any type of horrific creature you can think of has a good possibility of showing up. Vampires (suckers), Werewolfs (wulfen), Zombies... you name it. And on top of that, A headstrong female protagonist who knows how to use a gun. Pretty damn well, I might add. Did I mention her half-Asian sidekick, Graves?

I would have to say Graves is what really made me enjoy this novel. I don't know how it would be if he wasn't there for comic relief. He had me laughing at the most random of times! I liked Dru as well. She seemed very real to me, despite her lifestyle. Put her with graves and we have a pretty awesome team. I liked Christophe as well, but I wish he was in it more and that they developed his relationship with Dru more. At times things did get confusing because I feel the book didn't transition well when things got sticky, but all in all it was a fast read. At points, I really couldn't put the book down because I was increasingly engrossed in it. I am definitely looking forward to the next in the series.

Betrayals, the sequel to Strange Angels, comes out November 17, 2009. So keep a look out for it!

In My MailBox -4

Haha I went kinda crazy this week. Though, I am really looking forward to reading all of these! I didn't accomplish all my goals this past week, but I'm pretty sure I will have a lot more time this week. So! I'll be sure to post several reviews in the upcoming week. And-- This is whats new for me this week!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Hardcover)

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games."
The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When Kat's sister is chosen by lottery, Kat steps up to go in her place.

I'm excited about this one... everyone seems to have read it and loved it!

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev (ARC)

All her world’s a stage.

Bertie Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

That is, until now.

Enter Stage Right

NATE. Dashing pirate. Will do anything to protect Bertie.

COBWEB, MOTH, MUSTARD SEED, and PEASEBLOSSOM. Four tiny and incredibly annoying fairies. BERTIE’S sidekicks.

ARIEL. Seductive air spirit and Bertie’s weakness. The symbol of impending doom.

BERTIE. Our heroine.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the actors of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book—an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family—and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty, with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

Gone by Michael Grant (Paperback)

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.

Wake by Lisa McMann (Paperback)

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

Vacations from Hell by Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Maureen Johnson and Sarah Mlynowski (Paperback)

Life's a beach . . . and then you're undead?

in this must-have collection, five of today's hottest writers—Libba Bray (A Great and Terrible Beauty), Cassandra Clare (City of Bones), Claudia Gray (Evernight), Maureen Johnson (13 Little Blue Envelopes), and Sarah Mlynowski (Bras & Broomsticks)—tell supernatural tales of vacations gone awry. Lost luggage is only mildly unpleasant compared to bunking with a witch who holds a grudge. And a sunburn might be embarrassing and painful, but it doesn't last as long as a curse. Of course, even in the most hellish of situations, love can thrive. . . .

From light and funny to dark and creepy, these stories have something for everyone. You definitely won't want to leave this collection at home!

Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs (Paperback)

When Phoebe’s mom returns from Greece with a new husband and plans to move to an island in the Aegean Sea, Phoebe’s well-plotted senior year becomes ancient history. Now, instead of enjoying a triumphant track season and planning for college with her best friends, Phoebe is trying to keep her head above water at the überexclusive Academy.
If it isn’t hard enough being the new kid in school, Phoebe’s classmates are all descendants of the Greek gods! When you’re running against teammates with superpowers, dealing with a stepsister from Hades, and nursing a crush on a boy who is quite literally a god, the drama takes on mythic proportions!

Ok! So those are the books that I have Bought/recieved for review in the past week! (I have to say I love Oh. My. Gods. cover. It's so cute! ) I can't wait to start! Maybe I should finish last weeks books... Haha. Also, there is more to come this next week! Expect an interview with... Lisa Mantchev!

In My MailBox is brought to us by... The Story Siren

Awards

In the past week I have received quite a few awards! I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who has nominated me! It really means a ton and I just love all of you guys! So thanks!!

The Literary Blogger Award:

This was awarded to me by: Crackin' Spines and Takin' Names



The Literary Blogger Award acknowledges bloggers who energize & inspire reading by going the extra mile. These amazing bloggers make reading fun & enhance the delight of reading!
The Rules:
1) Put the logo on your blog/post.
2) Nominate up to 9 blogs which make you feel comfy or warm inside.
3) Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4) Let them know that they have been nominated by commenting on their blog.
5) Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

I nominate:
-So Many Books, So Little Time...
-Princess Neve Reviews
-Just Your Typical Book Blog

The Lets Be Friends Award:

This was awarded to me by: Liyana, Briana, Taschima, and Pirate Penguin.



Blogs that receive the Let’s Be Friends Award are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers.

I nominate:
-The Book Pixie
-Taschima
-Pirate Penguin
-Ali
-Book Bunny
-Michelle

Your Blog Is Fabulous Award:

This was awarded to me by: Katie's Book Blog.



Rules of the award:
Write five things you are addicted to and then nominate five other blogs to pass this award on to!

I am addicted to:
1- My books! I can't go a day without reading.
2- My laptop. Haha, I love the internet too much.
3- Sweet Tea. Cause that's how we like it in the south! (Shout out to Briana!!)
4- My Ipod. I bring it everywhere and it has saved me from boredom on several accounts.
5- Blogging! This one is a bit obvious... haha.

I nominate:
-Fantastic Book Review
-The Book Obsession
-Liyana
-My Favorite Author
-The Book Resort

The Lemonade Award:

This was awarded to me by: Pen and Ink.



Rules:
Link back to the person he/she received the award from.
Nominate 10 bloggers who are deserving of this award.
Put the Lemonade Award logo on your blog.

I nominate:
-Crakin' Spines and Takin' Names
-Escape in a Book

I think all of you deserve ALL of these awards! But I did my best not to repeat. Thank you all again!

Review Policy

How to contact me: taintedpoet@gmail.com

I am more then happy to accept books for review. I love to review new and upcoming books and I also accept already published books. If you would like me to review a particular book or ARC, contact me by email and I can send you my contact information. Below are my conditions when it comes to reviewing books or accepting books for review.

What I like to Review:
This is a Young Adult review blog, but I also accept Middle Grade books for review. There are particular genres I prefer such as Fantasy, paranormal, and supernatural, but I also enjoy Chic-lit, historical fiction, and mysteries. Send me an email with the titles and I'll let you know if I am interested.

What I will currently not accept for Review:
I currently do not accept Self-Published books for reasons of my own. I also do not usually accept e-books, but feel free to propose titles. You never know, I may be in the mood for an e-book ;). Also, I am not usually interested in any Adult novels, since my readers are primarily Young Adults/ YA Readers.

My Review Policy:
At this time, I will review any titles I agree to accept or anything I request. I will give it an honest and fair review and I cannot guarantee that it will be positive. In my reviews, I post the cover art, a rating along with a break down using a point system, and the publisher along with details and a synopsis. All of my reviews are my own thoughts and I do not receive compensation for any of my reviews. I also state where I receive every book I review, whether it be from a publisher, author, or purchased from a store. **Starting March 2011, all reviews will also be posted on Goodreads.**

Promotions:
I love to do interviews and help promote upcoming YA Books, especially if they are paranormal, sci-fi or fantasy based. Drop me an email and I'll be definitely interested in posting book trailers, interviews, or just simply spread the word about an upcoming release. I also love to participate in blog tours.

You can find my Site Meter at the very bottom of every page which will give you a detailed look on my visitor count and my views per day. If you have any other questions, feel free to email me. Thank you for your consideration.

Interview: Darren Shan

Darren Shan is the International best selling author of The Saga of Darren Shan/Cirque Du Freak and The Demonata. He has two upcoming releases: Dark Calling book 9 of The Demonata for the USA and Hell's Heroes book 10 of The Demonata for the UK and Ireland. Both are expected to be released October 1st, 2009. Also, The manga based off his hit series Cirque Du Freak is on shelves... NOW!

Find him on his Website: Darrenshan.com.

The Interview:

Tainted Poet: How does writing The Demonata differ from when you were writing The Saga of Darren Shan?
Darren Shan: It was much more complicated, because there are three narrators and the storyline jumped backwards and forwards in time during the first half of the series. I think The Saga was a "warmer" series, in that you got closer to the characters. The Demonata works on a different level, and makes more demands of readers -- you have to be prepared to go with the flow of the story and accept the fact that things are going to tie together as it progresses. The Saga was more fun to write, but The Demonata was more challenging.

TP: How does it feel having Hell's Heroes coming out this year in the UK and Ireland?
DS: Nice!! When you start a big project like this (it took over eight years from start to finish!!), there are so many things that can go wrong -- injuries, writer's block, cancellation of series by publishers, DEATH!!!! There's no guarantee you're going to make it to the end -- in fact, the odds are very much against it!! So to have overcome all those obstacles and made it intact (well... almost!!) to the finishing line is sweet!!!

TP: If you had to choose a favorite character from The Demonata, who would it be?
DS: Grubbs. He's the most intriguing of the characters for me, and goes on the longest, strangest story arc of any of my characters ever -- just wait until you see where he ends up in book 10!!!!

TP: Dark Calling hits American bookshelves around the same time as Hell's Heroes hits UK bookstores (in October). Would you have preferred the books coming out simultaneously in the UK and USA rather then separated the way they are?
DS: Yes -- it would make my life a lot simpler!! But that's just the way these things go. Because I live in Ireland, the country where I first sold my books was the UK, which is why they're ahead of everywhere else. My American publishers have done all they can to catch up (they started to release The Demonata before The Saga finished), but to get totally level, they would have to release a glut of titles over a very short time period, and no publisher enjoys doing that! I'm happy with the way things stand -- and it also allows me to tour both territories with the same book at different times, which is good!!

TP: Music or no music when you write?
DS: Music, definitely -- I feel very isolated and lonely if I write in silence!!

TP: Do you have any foods or drinks that you like to eat or drink while writing?
DS: No. I try not to nibble when I'm working.

TP: What is your favorite Horror movie?
DS: One of them is Salem's Lot. It had a HUGE impact on me when I was it as a young child!!

TP: Did any particular authors inspire you to write?
DS: Stephen King has been my biggerst role model. I love his books, obviously, but also the fact that he's pushed himself so hard throughout his career. I think writers should challenge themselves to be as productive as they can be, and King is one who had.

TP: Do you want to say anything to American readers that are still waiting for Dark Calling to be released?
DS: Enjoy the wait!! Once the series is finished, you'll have no more demon books by me to look forward to!!!!

TP: Any last words?
DS: The Demonata is by no means the end for Darren Shan! I will be sticking to my two books per year schedule until 2012 at least (hopefully even longer than that). I have a one-off fantasy book coming up next, and then a four book series about... well, that will be revealed in the middle of August!!!

END.Darren Shan has been my favorite author (and my brothers!) for years. He had me on Chapter one of Cirque Du Freak and now I'll forever be a Shanster. It was an amazing experience to be able to interview him. Thanks Darren for the interview!
2009/2010 is an exciting time frame for us Shansters! The manga of Cirque Du Freak released this month, Dark Calling in October (as well as Hell's Heroes for UK Shansters) and the Cirque Du Freak movie early next year! For more on Darren Shan, check out his website which is listed above and check out my book reviews on:
-Wolf Island
-Cirque Du Freak

Waiting on Wednesday -3

Hell's Heroes by Darren Shan

Release Date: October 1st, 2009 (UK).

Synopsis:

The final dramatic conclusion to Darren Shan's international phenomena, The Demonata. Expect the unexpected...
"The girl gazes up at me. She's even younger than I thought, clutching a small teddy bear in one hand. 'Are you the bogey man?' she whispers, eyes round. 'Yes,' I croak, then take hold of her head with my huge, scarred, blood-soaked hands and crush..."
Beranabus and Dervish are gone. Bec has formed an unholy alliance with Lord Loss. Kernel is blind, held on Earth against his will. Grubbs is mad with grief and spinning out of control. The demons are crossing. The Disciples are falling. The Shadow is waiting. Welcome to the end.

Hell's Heroes is the last book in Darren Shan's Demonata series and is going to be released in the UK and Ireland in October 2009. Around the same time, Dark Calling-- book 9, is going to be released in the USA and other countries.

The reason I am doing Hell's Heroes and not Dark Calling, even though I am still waiting for Dark Calling to be released, is that Dark Calling was already released in some countries so I feel I shouldn't do a WOW on a book that has already been released (even though it's not out in the USA). I'm still so excited and nervous about this book though!! I don't want Demonata to end!

Don't forget to check out my interview with... Darren Shan!! Coming next!!

Waiting on Wednesday is brought to us by: Breaking The Spine.