Owl Tell You All About It & New to the Nest - Week in Review for May 13-19

Welcome to my weekly recap of events here on Starting the Next Chapter.  Here, you can see what I read, what I'm reading, what I'm reading next, what I've written, where I may be going, and the books I received since last week.  Take a look around and feel free to comment.  I love comments and am always happy to return the visit!

Books Read This Week

 The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Currently Reading

Of Poseidon by Anna Banks

Up Next

Revived by Cat Patrick

Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Timepiece by Myra McEntire

 

Reviews Posted

Insurgent by Veronica Roth

The Ash-Born Boy by Victoria Schwab

The Last Princess by Galaxy Craze

Other Posts

A Special Near Witch Announcement!

Author Event - Amy Plum, Myra McEntire, & CJ Redwine, Plus a Giveaway!

Waiting on Wednesday #41

The Near Witch Online Book Tour - Review of The Ash-Born Boy & a Giveaway!

New to the Nest

Are you noticing a theme here?  There is a noticeable amount of sea-related books this week! 

The Vicious Deep by Zoraida Cordova (from SBB ARC Tours)

 Wrecked by Anna Davies (won from The Violet Hour, courtesy Big Honcho Media)

 Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (gift from the hubby)

The Queen's Lady by Eve Edwards (from Random Buzzers store)

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas (from Netgalley)

Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart (from the publicist for review)

Review - The Last Princess

by Galaxy Craze
publisher: Poppy/Little, Brown BFYR
date of publication: May 1, 2012
format: hardcover
pages: 295
source: from the publisher for review
read it in: 2 days

From Goodreads:

Happily ever after is a thing of the past.

A series of natural disasters has decimated the earth. Cut off from the rest of the world, England is a dark place. The sun rarely shines, food is scarce, and groups of criminals roam the woods, searching for prey. The people are growing restless.

When a ruthless revolutionary sets out to overthrow the crown, he makes the royal family his first target. Blood is shed in Buckingham Palace, and only sixteen-year-old Princess Eliza manages to escape.

Determined to kill the man who destroyed her family, Eliza joins the enemy forces in disguise. She has nothing left to live for but revenge, until she meets someone who helps her remember how to hope—and to love—once more. Now she must risk everything to ensure that she not become... The Last Princess.

In a post-apocalyptic England, the royal family has been set upon by tragedy after tragedy at the hands of a zealous would-be tyrant and as the result of a string of natural disasters.  Eliza, the youngest princess, finds herself alone after a night of blood shed and abduction.  It is up to her to find the man responsible and exact revenge on behalf of her shattered family.  As she fights to survive in an increasingly hostile world, Eliza finds love in an unexpected place and learns to keep hope alive.

Eliza was a pretty easy character to "get along" with.  Though she can be a bit flat at times, she is an intelligent, loyal girl who doesn't consider giving up easily.  While I wished to learn at least a little more about her, I did find myself enjoying the story as told from her point of view.  She was made for an easy to follow main character who didn't let anything stand in her way.  The villain in the story, Cornelius Hollister, is a truly despicable human being.  While he claims to be fighting for the greater good of what remains of society, it is apparent that he is nothing more than a power hungry monster.  He's one of those villains that you just love to hate, which definitely added to the intensity of the story.

I have seen this novel referred to as dystopian several times over, but please don't be mislead.  The Last Princess does not fall under that particular umbrella.  Instead, it falls more under the post-apocalyptic umbrella than anything thanks to its ravaged landscape, dwindling population, and chaotic atmosphere.  Society has broken down and there is no pretense that things are fine.  It all makes for a brutally riveting plot that almost fully arrested my attention and imagination.  The only things I really had pressing questions about was the Roamers, a group of cannibalistic people that aren't given as much explanation as other groups throughout the book.  Nonetheless, The Last Princess proved to be a well thought-out story with some wonderfully alarming aspects that I enjoyed very much.

The Last Princess has much to recommend it.  From its intense setting to its engaging characters, The Last Princess is a vastly entertaining read that you won't find easy to put down.  Though there are some aspects that could use a little fleshing out, I found that there was still a lot to learn about the world in which Eliza lives.  If you haven't read much post-apocalyptic fiction, The Last Princess could be a good starter for you.  It has earned a permanent home on my shelves thanks to its engrossing action sequences and frightening world.  It has made me more interested in the genre, which is a definite plus.

Buy The Last Princess at the Following Locations:

Amazon / IndieBound / B&N / The Book Depository

Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher.  No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.

The Near Witch Online Blog Tour - A Review of The Ash-Born Boy & a Giveaway!

by Victoria Schwab
publisher: Disney-Hyperion
date of publication: May 15, 2012
format: pdf
pages: 61
source: free download (find it HERE)
read it in: an afternoon

From Goodreads:

Before he came to Near...
Before he met Lexi...
Before they faced the witch...
Who was the boy named Cole?

Follow us to Dale, a city on a hill, where in a matter of days fire will devour everything. Meet the Lord and Lady, and their son, the boy destined to inherit all...until everything turns to ash.

It's time to learn the truth behind the stranger's story.

At long last the answers to some of the most pressing questions about Cole have been answered!  In The Ash-Born Boy, the tragic truth to Cole's past is revealed, along with his true name.  In this 61 page whirlwind, Victoria Schwab has provided a glimpse into the ruthless, cruel world of court life, as well as its impact upon Cole.  Just how did Cole discover the true extent of his powers?  You'll find out the answer to that question and more right here.

When I first read The Near Witch last year, I was so very intrigued by Cole.  The air of mystery surrounding him was just as thick at the end of the book as it was when he was first introduced.  I despaired of ever finding out more about him until the day that Victoria posted about this story.  This deeper glimpse into Cole's past and his personality were very insightful and breathed even more life into him as a character.  Now that I've read The Ash-Born Boy, I really want to read The Near Witch all over again just so I can see what nuances I pick up. 


The setting for The Ash-Born Boy is the town of Dale, where we find the boy now known as Cole in a somewhat unexpected position.  The plot that is at work in this story is tragic, ominous, and anger-inducing as the atrocities that Cole faces comes to the forefront.  The characters surrounding him manage to evoke a wide arrange of emotions in amazingly high amounts considering the brevity of the story.  

Schwab does her work very well, and it shows in this story.  If she can draw me in this firmly with only 61 pages, imagine what she could do with an entire book about Cole.  At the very least, The Ash-Born Boy served as a reminder of everything I loved about The Near Witch.  It is well worth the time it takes to read it and you'll definitely want to pair it with a reading of The Near Witch as soon as you possibly can.

And now, it's time for a giveaway.  This one is open to ALL of my readers ages 13 and older.  That's right, folks, this is an international giveaway!  Thanks goes to Victoria for this truly awesome prize.  At this point, I'll bet you're wondering what the prize is.  Well, you will have the chance to win a copy of the new paperback release of The Near Witch, which contains an excerpt from Victoria's next book, The Archived.  But wait!  It gets even better.  This copy will be SIGNED, people!  I want to wish you all the best of luck with this one.  Now, enough of my yammering.  Hop to it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting on Wednesday #41

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event from Jill at Breaking the Spine. To participate, simply share that book(s) you are eagerly awaiting the release of and report back to Breaking the Spine with the link to your post. Clicking the link above will take you straight to her post and widget.

I've got another 4 books I'm simply DYING to get my hands on this week.  Without further preamble, let's get to them!

Asunder by Jodi Meadows (coming 2013 from Katherine Tegen Books)

DARKSOULS
Ana has always been the only one. Asunder. Apart. But after Templedark, when many residents of Heart were lost forever, some hold Ana responsible for the darksouls–and the newsouls who may be born in their place.

SHADOWS
Many are afraid of Ana’s presence, a constant reminder of unstoppable changes and the unknown. When sylph begin behaving differently toward her and people turn violent, Ana must learn to stand up not only for herself but for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

LOVE
Ana was told that nosouls can’t love. But newsouls? More than anything, she wants to live and love as an equal among the citizens of Heart, but even when Sam professes his deepest feelings, it seems impossible to overcome a lifetime of rejection.

In this second book in the Incarnate trilogy, Ana discovers the truth about reincarnation and will have to find a way to embrace love and make her young life meaningful. Once again, Jodi Meadows explores the extraordinary beauty and shadowed depths of the soul in a story equal parts epic romance and captivating fantasy.

Why I'm waiting: I loved loved LOVED Incarnate, so it goes without saying that I MUST read Asunder.  I have to know what Ana is up to next!

Fathomless by Jackson Pearce (coming September 4, 2012 from Little, Brown BFYR)

Celia Reynolds is the youngest in a set of triplets and the one with the least valuable power. Anne can see the future, and Jane can see the present, but all Celia can see is the past. And the past seems so insignificant -- until Celia meets Lo.

Lo doesn't know who she is. Or who she was. Once a human, she is now almost entirely a creature of the sea -- a nymph, an ocean girl, a mermaid -- all terms too pretty for the soulless monster she knows she's becoming. Lo clings to shreds of her former self, fighting to remember her past, even as she's tempted to embrace her dark immortality.

When a handsome boy named Jude falls off a pier and into the ocean, Celia and Lo work together to rescue him from the waves. The two form a friendship, but soon they find themselves competing for Jude's affection. Lo wants more than that, though. According to the ocean girls, there's only one way for Lo to earn back her humanity. She must persuade a mortal to love her . . . and steal his soul.

Why I'm waiting: I absolutely adore this series and have been waiting for what feels like an age to find out the title... and the description... and the cover.  Suffice it to say that I was beyond excited to finally find out all about the third book in the Fairytale Retellings series. 

Eve & Adam by Michael Grant & Katherine Applegate (coming October 2, 2012 from Feiwel & Friends)

Sixteen-year-old Evening Spiker lives an affluent life in San Francisco with her mother, EmmaRose, a successful geneticist and owner of Spiker Biotech. Sure, Evening misses her father who died mysteriously, but she’s never really questioned it. Much like how she’s never stopped to think how off it is that she’s never been sick. That is, until she’s struck by a car and is exposed to extensive injuries. Injuries that seem to be healing faster than physically possible.

While recuperating in Spiker Biotech’s lush facilities, she meets Solo Plissken, a very attractive, if off-putting boy her age who spent his life at Spiker Biotech. Like Evening, he’s never questioned anything... until now. Solo drops hints to Evening that something isn’t right, and Emma-Rose may be behind it. Evening puts this out of her mind and begins her summer internship project: To simulate the creation of the perfect boy. With the help of Solo, Evening uncovers secrets so big they could change the world completely.

Why I'm waiting: I am completely intrigued by the description for this book.  I want to find out more about what this EmmaRose has done! 

Timepiece by Myra McEntire (coming June 12, 2012 from EgmontUSA)

A threat from the past could destroy the future. And the clock is ticking...

Kaleb Ballard's relentless flirting is interrupted when Jack Landers, the man who tried to murder his father, timeslips in and attacks before disappearing just as quickly. But Kaleb has never before been able to see time travelers, unlike many of his friends associated with the mysterious Hourglass organization. Are Kaleb's powers expanding, or is something very wrong?

Then the Hourglass is issued an ultimatum. Either they find Jack and the research he's stolen on the time gene, or time will be altered with devastating results.

Now Kaleb, Emerson, Michael, and the other Hourglass recruits have no choice but to use their unusual powers to find Jack. But where do they even start? And when? And even if they succeed, it may not be enough...

The follow-up to Hourglass, Timepiece blends the paranormal, science fiction, mystery, and suspense genres into a nonstop thrill ride where every second counts.

Why I'm waiting: After hearing Myra read from Timepiece at last night's author event, I am doubly anxious to dive into Timepiece.  I have it from Netgalley, I just need to work it into my reading queue.
   

Author Event - Amy Plum, Myra McEntire, & CJ Redwine, Plus a Giveaway!

Monday, May 14th shall be forever known as the day that a load of TN book bloggers took over the Green Hills Panera Bread and Parnassus Books.

from the Parnassus website

Myself, Nikki from Books Most Wanted, Hannah from The Book Vortex, Shalena from Writer Quirk, Megan from Myth-illogical, and Lauren from The Housework Can Wait met up 2 hours before the main event was to start for some good food and conversation.  Fun was had by all as we regaled each other with off-the-wall stories and shared some laughs.  The fun was only just beginning, however, as it was soon time to head to Parnassus Books to meet Amy Plum, Myra McEntire, and CJ Redwine.

The event kicked off with a quick introduction from Amy Plum and Myra McEntire as they caught us all up to speed on themselves and their books.

Then, it was time to settle in for some serious book talk.

We also got to hear a little bit from Until I Die and Timepiece.

Next up, it was Q&A time.  Let me tell you, both of these ladies were very inspiring.  I felt so much better about my own writing after they told us about their writing journeys.  One of my favorite tips from Myra in regards to the critiquing process: "Don't be a nut bag."  Wiser words were never spoken, my friends.

Last, but not least, it was time to meet the authors face-to-face, get our books signed, and snap some pics.

This was my first time officially meeting CJ Redwine (I think she was at Ash 2 Nash, but I didn't meet her that day) and I have to say, I am even more excited to read Defiance (if that's even possible).  It was also rather heartening to learn that I am not the only one prone to strange accidents involving meals or social situations.

Me with CJ Redwine

Though it was my 3rd time meeting Myra, it was a pleasure, as always.  This woman is utterly hilarious!  I hope you all will stay tuned, as there is something in the works for next month involving a certain Dr. Who fan we all know.

Me with Myra McEntire (photo credit goes to Hannah)

I was very excited to meet Amy Plum for the first time.  She was one of the first authors to contact me via Twitter when I was still just starting out as a YA blogger, which I still remember very fondly.  She was so nice and very easy to talk to.

Me with Amy Plum (photo credit goes to Hannah)

As always seems to be the case when various members of our group get together, we managed to be amongst the last to leave the store.  We all had a wonderful time getting to know each other better, as well as meeting some truly wonderful authors.

From left to right: Hannah, Nikki, me, Lauren, Shalena, & Megan (photo credit goes to Lauren)

As an added bonus, I have a little souvenir for one lucky US blog reader!  Amy Plum was kind enough to provide 2 signed bookmarks for a blog giveaway, meaning 1 of you will win a signed Die for Me bookmark and a signed Until I Die bookmark. It's my little way of sharing the book signing awesomeness.


Good luck to all those who enter!


a Rafflecopter giveaway