Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Ahhh... finally, I got to read this book. I’ve had the ARC for awhile, but I was waiting until January 1st to start reading it so it would qualify for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge. I knew I was going to love it and boy, was I right.

“Under the Never Sky” is a dystopian with a very sci fi feel or is it a sci fi with dystopian scenery? Heck if I know, but whatever it is - it rocks. In this world, the Earth is falling apart and the land is being ravaged by these “aether storms” that tear apart the landscape and make it difficult to survive. Apparently, generations ago, a part of the population decided to leave the struggle and live in a giant dome structure that would protect them from the storms. To keep from going stir crazy in a confined, bland space, they use a virtual reality technology that keeps them hooked up together and able to go and do anything they want. Aria, our leading lady, finds out the hard way that this way of life can have complications though. When her mom goes missing, she knows she has to do whatever it takes to find her. Unfortunately, she messes with the wrong people and finds herself fighting for her survival in a world she’s only heard horror stories about and with a man, a wild man, who isn’t at all like she expected.

I really enjoyed this one... I don’t dish out 5 stars lightly on Goodreads.com, but I was tempted. This book meshes a lot of my favorite things - sci-fi, action, romance (and good ol’ slow building romance, not INSTA-LOVE), self-discovery, strong female character (who wasn’t INSTASTRONG either), dystopian setting (I love it when the stakes are ridiculously high!), etc. It’s sci fi though for people who wouldn’t necessarily love sci fi. I am trying desperately not to spoil you here, but there are different environments at play and not all of them are virtual, okay?

I know some other reviewers didn’t enjoy the romance aspect because it didn’t make them tingle, but I liked that. Not that I don’t like a good tingly romance, but sometimes, romance grounded in reality is a lot more enjoyable. Romance isn’t all anguish or passion with tingly, fiery intensity. (I am so into the word tingly today.) For a sci fi dystopian who’sawhat’sit, this book is so grounded in reality. I love that. Way to go, Ms. Rossi for making this book feel so real. It is so nice to feel instantly connected to characters and really feel for them when they’re going through this “out of this world” experience. To me, that’s a sign of an amazing writer.

Congratulations Ms. Rossi on your awesome debut. I cannot wait to see what you have for us in book 2!

I received a digital ARC from the publisher for review. This book was the first of many debuts I'll be reading this year as part of the Debut Author Challenge hosted by "The Story Siren". This book is published by HarperCollins and hit shelves this month. Pick up your copy today!

In My Mailbox - January 15th, 2012

Photo Courtesy of UglyMailbox.com

Oo! This week was a fun one. Finally, my mail box was hoppin' with books. The holidays were so quiet that going to the mail box was a bit of a bummer. Glad to be back on track!

ARCs or finished copies from the publisher:
- "Girl Meets Boy" anthology
- "Unraveling" by Elizabeth Norris (a debut author who will be on the Authors are ROCKSTARS!)
- "A Million Suns" by Beth Revis (who will be on the podcast next month!)

Netgalley:
- "Goddess Interrupted" by Aimee Carter (see my review of "The Goddess Test")
- "Scarlet" by A.C. Gaughen (okay this came in last week, but I didn't do an IMM.)

I also purchased the following books as gifts, because I'm an awesome sister:
- "Unearthly" by Cynthia Hand (see my review)
- "Entwined" by Heather Dixon (see my review)

It's been a busy week. Books and voice over jobs rolling in. Oh! Interviewing Andrea Cremer. How could I forget that? Whoo! In case you're not a follower of the Authors are ROCKSTARS! podcast, I recommend you head over there right now. This year is going to be amazing. So far, we have already interview Tahereh Mafi and Andrea Cremer (will be up this week). We also already have a bunch of amazing debut authors that will be coming on the program, plus Beth Revis, Lauren McLaughlin, Gene Yang, Anna Carey, Josephine Angelini, Maureen Johnson, Gretchen McNeil, and moooooore. Amazing line up, right? I told you so! Go follow us over on our blog page or subscribe on iTunes.

Anyways, that's enough blabbering from me. I'll be back tomorrow with the usual...another goofy review. ;o)

In My Mailbox was created by The Story Siren. Thanks Kristi!

Unearthly and Hallowed by Cynthia Hand

Wow, I seriously was surprised by how good this series is so far! I mean, you guys kept on telling me how much I’d love it, but to be honest, I was a bit apprehensive. I have high standards for my angel fiction. Plus that pretty cover? Gosh, I fell in love with that cover the moment I saw it. Well, I’m happy to report that the hype, the few of you who nagged me... you were all right. I *loved* “Unearthly” and its sequel, “Hallowed”. I cannot wait until the 3rd book comes out next year!

In Ms. Hand’s version of our universe, angels bred with human beings and another species was formed - angel bloods. Each descendant, each “angel blood” is given a purpose from the big guy, told to them in visions or dreams. At the top of book one, our heroine, Clara, begins having a series of visions, laying out her purpose. Once her mother help her figure out where she needs to be, she and her brother are whisked away from California to Jackson, Wyoming. New school, cute boys, and a purpose from God - talk about an interesting life as a teenager.

The feel of the story was a bit stereotypical at first, but as “Unearthly” developed, I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t wait to read more. I ended up reading these two books in a matter of days and it was worth the lack of sleep! “Unearthly” was charming, fun and intriguing, but it wasn’t until “http://amzn.to/w1u8Y1” that I can truly say that this series had me hook, line, and sinker. Ms. Hand really found her flow in the 2nd book and it showed. It was much more polished and the storyline was incredibly heartbreaking and full of so many levels. Have a tissue box nearby folks. This one hit a little close to home for me and I spent the next 30 minutes sobbing into my pillow so I wouldn’t wake my husband. I know that sounds like a bad thing, but it isn’t. I connected so deeply to these characters that I just couldn’t help myself.

“Unearthly” and “Hallowed” are published by HarperTeen. “Hallowed” will hit shelves on January 24th. In the mean time, “Unearthly” is on sale for only 99 cents for all eReaders! Get it while it’s hot, people.

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, Illustrated by Dan Hanna

As I've mentioned in previous "E's Pick of the Week" entries, E is crazy for fish and sea creatures. So it's not a surprise that his pick this week is "The Pout Pout Fish" by Deborah Diesen, Illustrated by Dan Hanna. This book is adorable. I actually purchased this book and another one in the series in an auction hosted by Carrie Harris. . This book is absolutely adorable. It has a really fun rhythm that my toddler just loves and the illustrations are *adorkable*. Yes, aDORKable. E and I love all of Pout Pout Fish's friends. As a voice actor, there is so much fun material here to be silly with. It is an absolute joy to read to E.

I'll be giving away a pair of autographed bookmarks from Ms. Diesen to one random commenter. Tell me what you like about this book, E's Picks of the Week, or pouting. Maybe you have a little one with a pout pout face. I'm dying to know. :) I'll announce the winner next week with E's Pick.

"The Pout Pout Fish" is published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. It is available in hardcover form.

Avatar the Last Airbender - The Promise, Part 1

Guys, I am so excited. Allison and I get to interview Gene Yang, who recently penned the text for the new Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novel. For my fellow Avatar lovers out there, this is phenomenal. Go pre-order it now. The action starts *right* where the end of the show left us. Mr. Yang’s writing is so awesome. The illustrations are fun and very show accurate as well. I cannot rave enough. It really stays true to the life and humor of the series. I didn’t think Sokka could be confined to print, but Mr. Yang made it possible. You get to find out what happens after Aang & Katara’s kiss! What happens with Zuko’s mom! AND SO MUCH MORE.

OH MY GOSH SERIOUSLY DO YOU NEED MORE CONVINCING? *channels her inner bender and splashes ice cold water on you.*

GO NOW. GOOO. Pre-order it. Also, if you have any questions you’d like to ask Mr. Yang, who is also the author & illustrator of “American Born Chinese”, a 2006 National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature, the winner of the 2007 Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album: New, an Eisner Award nominee for Best Coloring and a 2007 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year, among other graphic novels... please, leave a comment here and I’ll do my best to make sure we ask him during our podcast interview.

I received a digital ARC from the publisher, Dark Horse Comics, for review. It will be hitting shelves on January 25th. We will be interviewing Mr. Yang on the 20th, so leave your questions in a comment on this entry by then!

Busy, Busy Town by Richard Scarry

E's Pick of the Week is a classic. I've featured Richard Scarry book on here before, but I can't help it! His books are adorable and E loves them. He's also obsessed with the TV show (thank you Netflix!) which he gets to watch as a treat a few times a week.

This book is great. It is LONG, but because it is about divided up into individual sections of the town, you only need to read a page or two at a time. It's all about the pictures, not the plot (there is none, it is just explaining Busy Town and the things in it). E loves it and it makes for a GREAT "potty time" book because of its length and ability to be put down at a moment's notice. And of course, like always, Richard Scarry's artwork is incredible adorable.

Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town is published by Golden Books and is available in hardcover.

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade Series)

Before I get into the juiciness of Andrea Cremer's series finale, "Bloodrose", first let me say - HAPPY NEW YEAR, folks. I think it's going to be a fantastic year. We have so many awesome interviews lined up for Authors are ROCKSTARS!, including one with Ms. Cremer. I'll also be participating in the Debut Author Challenge from The Story Siren and I set my Goodreads.com Reading Challenge goal to 100 books. I am determined to make this an awesome year for YA in my life. How about you? Anything exciting planned book wise?

Well I know that Dana B. and Angela who won my epic blogiversary giveaway are going to have an awesome start to the new year. Thank you so much to all that entered. Over 280 tickets involved! You guys ROCK. I'll get back to my monthly giveaways in February, so stay subscribed. I love giving away signed books. Also, be sure to head on over to the podcast. We do signed book and swag giveaways over there as well. :)

Now without further ado... my "Bloodrose" review!

Wow. I finished this book breathing a little heavy with tears in my eyes. After those evil cliffhangers in "Nightshade" and "Wolfsbane", you knew that Ms. Cremer was going to pack a punch with "Bloodrose". What a punch it was too! Seriously. My face still hurts. ;)

Without getting too spoilery, this book will make you so proud of Calla. She comes into her own as alpha and learns how to truly follow her heart. She finds her freedom as a wolf, as a person and as a woman in love. Have tissues ready, folks. The road isn't easy and is full of heart break and angst. I mean come on, that's essential to the recipe of a top notch action packed paranormal YA book, right? It'd be like making chicken noodle soup without the chicken.

Anyways, I personally loved the ending of this series and am excited to see what delicious works of art Ms. Cremer cooks up for us next.

If you have questions for Ms. Cremer, please leave a comment here and I'll include them in our list for her podcast interview on January 11th.

I was provided with an ARC of "Bloodrose" from the publisher, Philomel (Penguin). It is scheduled to be released tomorrow, January 3rd. Set your alarms so you can be at the bookstore at open to get this fabulous series finale.