Throne of Glass Blog Tour

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas is an amazing book and I am so pleased I was given the opportunity to be part one of blog tour for it.

As you can see from below, I have been given a copy of the map from the book. This was drawn by Kelly de Groot for the book.

I also have the first few pages of the book which you can read here and get a taste of why I enjoyed it so much! 

Pages From Throne of Glass Extract

Want to know more about Sarah J Maas:

www.sarahjmaas.com

www.sjmaas.livejournal.com

www.facebook.com/THRONEOFGLASS

www.twitter.com/SJMaas

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Defiance by CJ Redwine

Pages - 403
Published by Atom in September 2013
Book kindly sent by publisher for an honest review.

The weight of their pity is like a stone tied about my neck. I feel it in the little side glances, the puckered skin between frowning brows, the hushed whispers that carry across the purple-grey dusk of twilight like tiny daggers drawing blood.
Goodreads Summary
Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.
At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realises he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.
As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

*********
This book is a bit of a time sucker! Normally 400 pages would take me at least 3 days to read; this one I finished in a day and half. My whole life seemed to come to a stand still as I lost myself in the story and I think my family were genuinely peeved by my evasive stance as I ignored all pleas for food and clothing, so desperate to find out how it would end.

The story has a dual narrative and is written in the present tense, which perfectly fitted with  the journey of the protagonists  and the immediacy of the action. The chapters were short and sharp each with a cliff hanging ending, that spurred me on to the next one.  The writing was so descriptive, I could visualise the characters and surroundings within my mind. The emotional descriptions of the characters were the best I have seen in a while and I found them an excellent source to study as this is an area I sometimes find lacking in my own writing. 

I really liked Rachel, but I loved Logan. He was utterly adorable, extremely geeky but hot at the same time. The way he would  repeat the elements in the Periodic Table in order to cope with the pain from his injuries was priceless.  The Commander reminded me a lot of the Mayor from the Patrick Ness Chaos Walking series - very cold and calculated, totally above the law because he is the law and everyone must abide by his rules or die. 

I hated the way the women were treated as second class citizens, always having to go every where with their Protector and not being allowed to be educated after a certain age. Their treatment really grated on me and I loved that Rachel went against the system and showed that she could actually be stronger and wiser than many of the men. 

The relationship between Rachel and Logan took a little while to ignite as Logan was very slow to realise he had feelings for Rachel. I loved the scene with the blue dress, where he finally sees what every other man in town has already discovered. His reaction was quite humorous and typical of a man who cannot see what is blatantly in front of him.  I did find the love scenes a little clunky to read, but I know these are not the easiest things to write, so I take my hands off to anyone that attempts them. 

As the plot progressed, I thought I could see predictability raising its ugly head, however each time the author would turn the story on its head and take us in a completely different route. Everything I  was convinced would happen, didn't!

This book really surprised me. I loved it more than I thought I would. It felt like a mixture of The Village, Dune and the Chaos Walking series, so I could never really tell how it would end.  From the final chapter I got the impression that there is more to be told, so I really look forward to the next instalment of this thrilling fantasy. 

Five Children and It by E. Nesbit

Pages - 238
Published by Vintage Children's Classics on 2nd of August 2012
The house was three miles from the station, but before the dusty hired fly had rattled along for five minutes the children began to put their heads out of the carriage window and to say, 'Aren't  we nearly there?' And every time they passed a house, which was not very often, they all said,'Oh, is this it?' But it never was, till they reached the very top of the hill, just past the chalk-quarry and before you come to the gravel-pit. And then there was a white house with a green garden and an orchard beyond, and mother said,'Here we are!'
Goodreads Summary
It" is a Psammead, an ancient, ugly, and irritable sand fairy the children find one day in a gravel pit. It grants them one wish a day, lasting until sunset. But they soon learn it is very hard to think of sensible wishes, and each one gets them into unexpected difficulties.

**********
The republication of this children's classic has been a little like delving into a past guilty pleasure. By rereading one of my favourite childhood classics, I have been able to indulge in my childhood memories. 

This book has an obvious moral to it, reminding children that they should be careful what they wish for as they just might get what they have asked for. The young characters in the book are rather flippant with their wishes which end up getting them in a whole heap of trouble, as every wish goes horribly wrong.

The children don't seem to have any control over what they wish for and it was funny and exhausting at the same time to watch them suffer the consequences of their silly wishes. 

I found I honestly couldn't read any of the Psammead dialogue without hearing Eddie Izzard's voice in my head. Since watching the film with my children, I just have Eddie down as the sand fairy and nothing will change that. Saying that, I do so love the Psammead, he really is my favourite character of the book. 
Reading this book as a adult, I do notice more things than perhaps I would have been aware of as a child.  
The writing is very descriptive and the story moves a long at an easy pace, a bit like a leisurely stroll down the river. With a lot of modern children's books, they tend to move at a faster pace and reading this book made me nostalgic for the times when everything just appeared to go slower. 

What I found fascinating and extremely noticable, was how the children within the book were able to use their imaginations to have fun, an activity often sorely missed now among children. 

The language appears quite archaic in today's modern society but Vintage have provided a very useful glossary to help you understand the unfamiliar terms. I really enjoyed all the extra material provided by the publisher at the back of the book which made me feel like I had a closer insight into the workings of the author.

It was such a joy to step back in time and it made me long for my books of yesteryear. It also made me want to read the two other books in the series. This really was an entertaining, lighthearted read, written by one of the pioneers of children's fantasy books. 

FrostFire by Zoë Marriott

Pages - 439

Published by Walker Books in July 2012

Book kindly sent by publisher for review

In my dreams, the wolves come for me. I hear their voices echoing from the far-off mountains and the frost-bright stars. They sing of the hunt, and hot blood spilled on snow, and the scent of their prey's fear on the wind. My fear.

Goodreads Summary

Frost is cursed - possessed by a wolf demon that brings death everywhere she goes. Desperate to find a cure, she flees her home, only to be captured by the Ruan Hill Guard. Trapped until she can prove she is not an enemy, Frost grows increasingly close to the Guard’s charismatic leader Luca and his second in command, the tortured Arian. Torn between two very different men, Frost fears that she may not be able to protect either of them ... from herself.

**********

Zoë Marriot is one of those authors I adore. When I receive a book by her, I know I will be lost in a fantasy world from the moment I begin reading to the final paragraph on the last page. Her writing is just so evocative,  I find my emotions become entwined with her words and I react alongside the characters to the events that occur in the book. 

FrostFire is set in the same world as Daughter of the Flames, which is the only book by this author I haven't read. I didn't feel that I needed to read it as this book stood very well on its own. 

When we meet Frost, she really is in a bad way, her self esteem is non existent and it is only when Luca helps her to blossom as her person, that she begins to shine like the rising star she should be. You can almost feel her glistening in the sunlight, as she conquers her fears and learns to live with the wolf inside her. She becomes such a strong character as the book progresses, you find yourself cheering her on from the sidelines. There is an intensity to her relationships between Luca and Arian, that gripped me completely. On finishing the book, I was still torn over which character would have been right for Frost, however I find myself leaning towards Arian more than Luca, as he is such a tortured soul himself. His connection to Frost felt stronger to me, than Luca's. Each character within this emotional triangle, go through a cycle of emotions and reactions, each taking their turn to shine as well as suffer. 

The plot is strong and full of action, as the characters fight to stay alive and save their community. 

I loved the world created by the author. The writing is extremely descriptive as always and you are aware that the author has painfully taken time over every word chosen and every decision made.  The climatic ending left me shocked. I was not happy with the outcome as I wasn't expecting it. I was gasping at the events that occurred in the last hundred pages.  I have been placated since by the author via Twitter over her choices, so I am now in recovery from the events that occurred!

Zoë Marriott is an exceptional author who weaves magic through her words allowing her readers to become part of her fantasy world. I would always recommend her books to everyone to read. 

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Pages - 406
Published by Bloomsbury in August 2012

After a year of slavery in the Salt Mines of Endovier, Celaena Sardothien was accustomed to being escorted everywhere in shackles and at the sword-point. Most of the thousands of slaves in Endovier received similar treatment-though an extra half-dozen guards always walked Celaena to and from the mines. That was expected by Ardalan's most notorious assassin. What she din not usually expect, however, was a hooded man in black at her side-as there was now.

Goodreads Summary
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.
Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.
Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.
Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

********

This book has come a long way and it seems that now it is finally basking in the glory it deserves. The first draft of this  was written when the author was sixteen and  was originally available on Fiction Press. Now nearly ten years on, the world gets to read an epic fantasy novel that will ultimately become a film - that I have no doubt about. The author has managed to create an intricate and believable fantasy world that sucks you in and becomes so real to you that you honestly feel  that it has it has been around for ever.  The writing is extremely atmospheric and very descriptive in nature, allowing this new world to be visualised with ease. 

I would offer a piece of advice if you are embarking on reading any of this author's work. I would suggest either reading all of the novellas first or none at all, as I found I was a little confused as to how Celaena had ended up in the salt mines, as I had left her in a previous novella in a rather gorgeous apartment.  So it took me a little while to work out what had happened. However all are worth reading and will allow you to immerse yourself in Calaena's world. 

Calaena is one of my favourite characters from this year. I honestly think she is just amazing. So young, yet so strong - a fierce sense of morality twinned with  killer instincts. However we saw a more vulnerable side to her in this book. I think certain events in her life had begun to wear her down. She showed her loving and caring side, allowing others to enter her life and be close to her for the first time.  The budding friendships between Calaena and Dorian and Chaol are intriguing and I  desperately want to know where the author plans to take them. I was hoping to see Chaol become a stronger feature in her life, as he really stood out for me, so much more that Dorian. He has the strength and talents to match Celaena and can stand up to her with ease. 

I really enjoyed the plot and I found myself thrilled by how the story developed as revelations occurred. I was surprised to see the inclusion of magic and the paranormal world within the book as it hadn't appeared in any of the novellas. However, it was a welcome addition to an already interesting world. 

I am really excited by this series and want to insist that everyone I meet takes the time to read it. I look foward to meeting with Caelena again in the future; I really hope there is a second book in the planning stage. I have to be honest and admit to being rather sad to leave Caelena's world, as I feel like I have got to know her so well over the last couple of  months. She really is a character everyone  should know. 

The Assassin and The Underworld by Sarah J. Maas

Throne of Glass 0.3 Novella
Published in May 2012 by Bloomsbury USA.

The cavernous entrance hall of the Assassin's Keep was silent as Celaena Sardothian stalked across the marble floor, a letter clutched between her fingers. No one had greeted her at the towering oak doors save the housekeeper, who'd taken her rain-sodden cloak - and , after getting a look at the wicked grin on Celaena's face, opted not to say anything.


Goodreads Summary
When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The misson is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer—and she doesn’t like what she finds there.

********

Firstly I have to admit my  personal act of stupidity here. I downloaded and read this, convinced it was the second prequal novella to Throne of Glass and only realised on writing this review that it was the third. So I have missed one out and I need to go back and read it. However, on reading this I didn't feel like I was missing something as the story gives details of the previous tale.

These little novellas are pure magic! They have worked me up into a frenzy and I can't wait to read Throne of Glass now. I adore the relationship between Sam and Celaena, he really is the calm before her storm. She can be such a head strong, vicious little sniper, who often appears her age, showing her naivety and vulnerability, that you only really begin to love her when Sam thaws her ice cold heart. Sam is utterly gorgeous! 

The uneasy and almost indescribable relationship between Arobynn and Celaena will have you running around in circles. Seriously, Celaena really doesn't know where she stands with him, as he swings up and down the kindness chart in a nano second. She doesn't know whether to worship him or stab him. He really is the most mysterious character I have come across in a long time; a real threatening presence that  often appears soft and lovable.

By the end of this book, you realise just where Celaena is heading and I almost whooped with excitement at the developments.

This series is definitely one I would recommend. I would happily stand in Waterstones giving out copies of these books! Sarah J. Maas is about to put her stamp on the world of YA fantasy.

The Big Break with Leigh Bardugo

As part of the tranatlantic blog tour, I am so happy to have Leigh Bardugo on the blog discussing her journey to publication. 

Hi Leigh, thanks for joining me today on the blog.
My pleasure! Thank you so much for having me.

I would love to know a little about your writing journey. How did you go from being a makeup artist to writing books? 
I've been writing since I was a kid, and it was always what I dreamt of doing. (This is a drawing that my friend Gamynne did of me at a book signing when I was 14, so there's your proof.)

I worked as a journalist and a copywriter, but when my dad passed away, I knew I needed a change. I had to get away from the computer and out of my head. So, I quit my job, went to makeup school and started fresh. The funny thing is, I don't know that I ever would have written The Gathering Dark if I hadn't stepped so far off the path I was on. When I got home from a day of writing copy, all I wanted to do was watch SYTYCD and go to sleep. When I got home from a shoot, my feet were sore, and I was tired, but my head was bursting with ideas.

The cover of The Gathering Dark is drool worthy. How do you feel about it?
I'm so glad you like it! It was a bit of a shock because it's so very different from the US cover. (The German cover is completely different, too!) But it's so exciting to see Alina brought to life and to get a glimpse of how someone else pictures her. (Plus how much do I love that blue and gold kefta?)

Can you tell us a little bit about the book for my readers who have yet to set eyes on such a delight?
The Gathering Dark is set in a fantasy world inspired by the beauty and brutality of Tsarist Russia. At its heart, it's the story of a lonely, difficult girl, desperate to find her place in the world, who discovers that she may be the one person who stands between her country and destruction. Also, saints, samovars, and some really spectacular party clothes.

The Gathering Dark is your debut novel. How are you feeling about it all right now?
Well. Right now, it's about 4 am. (Somehow, in my last round of revisions I got on this insane schedule and I don't seem to be able to shake it.) There are days when I'm giddy with excitement and others where I feel something akin to abject terror. I'd call these mood swings, but I'm not sure that encompasses their scale.

How long did it take you to write?
From the initial idea to querying agents, it took about a year. I spent part of that time researching, part of it wallowing in self-doubt and watching the afore-mentioned SYTYCD.

What was your first reaction when you found out your book was to be published?
I was grocery shopping when my agent called to tell me that we'd had our first offer. The sound I made can be best described as something between a screech and a bleat. I got a lot of stares, and I can't say I cared. I abandoned my cart and went outside to sit down, take some deep breaths, and talk it through with Jo. She explained what our next steps would be, and a week later, we were at auction.

Did you find it easy to get an agent?
I'm always wary of answering this type of question because I don't want people who are out there in the trenches to get discouraged if they don't get snapped up right away. I got an agent quickly, but I also got very lucky. I queried the right person at the right time in a very hot market. Yes, I wrote the best book I could, I did my research, I agonised over my pitch. But you can do all of that and the timing can still be wrong. If things move slowly, try not to beat yourself up. Query in small batches so that if you don't get the response you want, you can go out to other people with a modified pitch. It's great if lightning strikes, but it isn't some kind of judgement on your work if it takes a little longer for your book to find the right home. Okay, pep talk over.

How long was it between the initial deal and publishing day?
We signed the deal with Henry Holt/Macmillan on December 3, 2010 and the US release is June 5, 2012. So, almost 18 months exactly. I had no idea it took that long to bring a book to market.

I understand that this is Book 1, how many books will be in the series?
Three, though I do sometimes think I'd like to write a prequel about the founding of the Second Army and the creation of the Fold. There are also some secondary characters from Book 2 whose stories I'd love to tell somewhere down the road if there was interest.

I know you are writing Book 2 at the moment, how is it going?
In a way, writing Book 2 was much harder because, unlike Book 1, I had a deadline and there were people waiting on the other side of it with expectations. I was terrified of disappointing everyone. But I did finish, and it was lovely to learn that I actually can do this, and that completing Book 1 wasn't some kind of fluke. Now it's just difficult not to be able to talk about it. I want to blab spoilers all over the place.

How do you fit writing around your other career as a makeup artist?
Badly? I'm a freelance artist, and that means that, if you aren't constantly hustling for new jobs, the work dries up pretty quickly. While I'm on deadline, I go into lock down mode and I've had to turn down some good jobs. But I just can't bring myself to regret those decisions. I'll always keep my toe in the business. I love talking product and it's fun to be able to trick out my friends in glitter and gore on Halloween. But writing is what matters to me. The rest is noise.

What advice would you give to aspiring and unpublished authors?
Just finish. Let that first draft be messy. If you don't know how to deal with something, don't get on twitter and talk about it, don't get bogged down. Write the question into the draft and keep moving. Murder doubt. Murder distraction. Murder perfection. Just finish.

Thank you Leigh for inspiring answers. The Gathering Dark is available to buy now. I have read it and loved every word of it!


To find out more about Leigh Bardugo:


Twitter: @LBardugo
Website: http://www.leighbardugo.com/

The Gathering Dark by Leigh Bardugo

Pages - 437
Published by Indigo in May 2012

The servants called them malenchki, little ghosts, because they were the smallest and the youngest, and because they haunted the Duke's house like giggling phantoms, darting in and out of rooms, hiding in cupboards to eavesdrop, sneaking into the kitchen to steal the last of the summer peaches. 
Goodreads Summary
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee. 
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. 
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

*******
You can't write a review of this book without commenting on the gorgeous cover! It is absolutely drool worthy and I fell in love with it long before I read the synopsis for the book. Luckily the gorgeous cover suits the gorgeous  writing and I was bowled over by this book. This enticing tale of darkness and light took my breath away with its uniqueness and originality.  I was left wanting more. 
At the heart of this book, is  a beautiful love story. As soon as Alina and Mal appeared on the first page, I was drawn to them. The  unrequited love that Alina has for Mel made my heart melt. He doesn't see how she feels for him for quite some time and you feel so sorry for her. They were just made to be together. I loved the way their relationship developed throughout the book, how their relationship became stronger with each hurdle they faced.  I have to admit to be strangely attracted to The Darkling throughout the book. He was so dark and mysterious in an evil kind of way. 
The world building in this book was amazing. The originality left me astounded. The great detail in which the world had been built left me in awe of the author's talent. I was worried that some of the terminology would be lost on me, but within the first couple of chapters  I knew exactly who was who and  understood their positions in the Grisha. The Grisha really appealed to my inner magician. I loved how naturally powerful they were.  I  don't think I have ever come across anything like the Shadow Fold before. The sound of impenetrable darkness is extremely eerie. The creatures living in it, sounded vicious and frightening. 
I loved the Russian flavour to the book.  Not a country I know a lot about, but the evidence was clear. On reading the acknowledgements it became clear which Russian tales had inspired such a beautiful tale. 
I felt like I fell into this book and was lost from reality until the final page; a sign of a talented story teller who draws the reader in and sucks time away from them. 
I can't believe I have to wait so long for the next book. I simply must know what happens next. 

Guest Review: The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

I ran a competition to win an ARC copy of The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke a few weeks ago and the lovely Caroline also known as Musing Dragon won it. She really enjoyed the book, but as she doesn't write reviews on her blog, I asked her if she would like to post one here, which she kindly sent to me. So here is Caroline's review of the The Assassin's Curse which will be published by Strange Chemistry in October.

Goodreads Summary 

Ananna of the Tanarau is the eldest daughter of a highly-ranked family in the loose assortment of cutthroats and thieves in the Pirate's Confederation. When she runs away from the marriage her parents have arranged for her, they hire Naji the assassin to murder her.
When a mysterious woman in a dress shop offers her magical assistance for dealing with the assassin, Ananna accepts. She never went in much for magic herself -- she lacks the talent for it -- but she's not quite ready to die yet, either. Unfortunately, the woman's magic fails.
Fortunately, Ananna inadvertently saves the assassin's life in the skirmish, thus activating a curse that had been placed on him a few years earlier. Now, whenever her life is in danger, he must protect her -- or else he experiences tremendous physical pain. Neither Ananna nor the assassin, Naji, are pleased about this development.
Follow Ananna and Naji as they sail across the globe, visiting such mysterious places as the Court of Salt and Waves, in their desperate effort to lift the curse. Soon they will discover that only by completing three impossible tasks will they be able to set themselves free.

********

I’ll start off by saying I’m not a book reviewer, this is my first attempt. My reading also extends far and beyond young adult novels, though I do read a fair few of them.
Having won an ARC of The Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clark through Serendipity Reviews and publisher Strange Chemistry, I felt that I should give something back with a review... so here goes!
Firstly, the cover of The Assassin’s Curse is stunning, it will stick out from the sea of Gothic pretty-girl covers a mile off at the book shop. It was the cover and synopsis that actually got me to enter the give-away (I’m not really an enter-everything kinda gal, I figure if I’m not that fussed and I happened to win, I’d be disappointing someone who did really want it!). I am a sucker for pretty covers, but hey I’ve discovered some fantastic books this way and The Assassin’s Curse is no different.
Onto the story itself, I was nearly bowled over at the word ‘tits’ two pages in, but then our heroine is a pirate, so what did I expect? I’m just so used to the niceties of most YA novels, it was actually quite refreshing as I sure as hell hear worse from real life kids standing at a bus stop.
The start was maybe a little lacking on emotional background, almost like the author was eager to start on her heroine’s adventure - why is Ananna so against marrying Tarrin of the Hariri? Throughout the book she seems so in love with her family, the sea and life as a pirate that it seems a bit ‘out-there’ to do a runner in a town slap bang in the middle of a desert with no supplies or cash. But it’s soon apparent as an impulsive act, one which is key to Ananna’s character throughout the rest of the book. It sets her apart from most YA heroine’s who, with the same use of first person perspective, treat us to an endless stream of over-analysing teenage angst when decision making. In true pirate style, Ananna sees a problem, acts and bares the consequences.
The hero is slightly on the moody secretive side, but you can’t help liking him as he gets a pummelling through the book. To stop you dismissing him as weak however, there’s a great part on board ship where he reminds the crew (and the reader)not to underestimate him and his profession.
I think I was expecting more seafaring action, but what I actually got (and was by no means disappointed), was to delve into a city reminiscent of Arabia - markets selling pots of gold make up, bolts of fine fabrics, the scent of roasting goat meat skewers on the air. We get to experience the desperate heat of a desert, the cool relief of finding water and through their journey, the growing respect and trust between our initially suspicious hero and heroine.
Both lead characters by profession can handle themselves in a fight, but ultimately it is Ananna that gets them through the book with her upbringing as a pirate, intuition and negotiating skills. It’s such a pleasant change for a female lead to do the rescuing - if you’re a fan of the age old ‘knight in shining armour’ fantasy, prepare to be turned on your head. Personally, I hope The Assassin’s Curse sets a new standard for YA heroines!
I initially thought this was a stand alone novel but am overjoyed that it looks like the characters will be returning. The Assassin’s Curse is a true stand out in today’s YA market.

Strange Chemistry Cover Reveal - The Assassin's Curse

I am so pleased to be one of the few bloggers sharing this with you today. Strange Chemistry want to show you  one of their amazing new covers which will be published in October.

Isn't it gorgeous! I absolutely love this cover!

It is a YA fantasy, but considered to have a huge crossover appeal into an adult audience.

Here is the official blurb about the book. 

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to an allying pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. And when Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn’t really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together. To break the curse, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks—all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic, and the growing romantic tension between them.

This novel has echoes of Scott Lynch, Saladin Ahmed and Tamora Pierce. It has a defiant Arabian Nights feel to the story and is all round magnificent.

Many of you will have heard me nattering on about Strange Chemistry's Open Door period, well Cassandra Clarke's manuscript was chosen during the Open Door month with Angry Robot last year. Here is a some more information about the author. 

Cassandra Clarke is a speculative fiction writer and occasional teacher living amongst the beige stucco of Houston, Texas. She graduated in 2006 from The University of St. Thomas with a bachelor’s degree in English, and in 2008 she completed her master’s degree in creative writing from The University of Texas at Austin. Both of these degrees have served her surprisingly well.

During the summer of 2010, she attended the Clarion West Writers Workshop in Seattle, where she enjoyed sixty-degree summer days. Having been born and raised in Texas, this was something of a big deal. She was also a recipient of the 2010 Susan C. Petrey Clarion Scholarship Fund.

To celebrate the revealing of this gorgeous cover, Strange Chemistry want to give you all the chance to win an ARC copy of The Assassin's Curse. How would you like to read it before anyone else? Well all you have to do is leave a comment about the cover and leave your email address at the bottom. This is a UK only competition, but I have been assured that there are a couple of American bloggers offering the same prize. A winner will be chosen at random on the 9th May. What are you waiting for?

The Blackhope Enigma by Teresa Flavin

Pages - 289

Published by Templar in 2010 in the UK

Published by Candlewick Press in the US

'Soranzo is out for your blood, Fausto Corvo.'

The candles in the astrologer's study flickered as he spoke, sending light dancing over a table covered with star charts and calculations. 

'I know, Vito,' said the man with the hooked nose and dark eyes. 'You are the third friend to warn me.'

'I fear for your safety, Fausto. Soranzo is not a man to be toyed with. He did not become one of the most powerful men in Venice without destroying the lives of those blocking his way.'

Goodreads Summary

When Sunni Forrest’s stepbrother accidentally transports himself into a Renaissance painting, she and her friend Blaise set out to bring him back. They find themselves in a strange world of labyrinths, monsters and pirates.

Can they evade their greedy pursuers? And will they ever find their way home?

**********

From the first chapter,you are sucked straight into the labyrinth and the story sets off on a hearty pace, barely allowing you to catch your breath, let alone calculate your bearings. I literally felt like I had been sucked into the Renaissance painting too. Just by sheer chance, Sunni's step brother, Dean is  transported first into a world that no one knew existed. Luckily Sunni worked out exactly how he had got sucked into the labyrinth and went straight in after him. 

The scenes within the painting were extremely  interesting. I have always imagined what it might be like to step into a painting and Teresa Flavin had described it perfectly.  I love this fascinating idea of transporting into a picture, only to find a magical world of adventure behind it. 

This book reminded me a little of the Narnia adventures, especially The Voyage of the Dawntreader. I think it is the fact that it involves an adventure into another dimension which brought the stories to mind.

The children are desperate to find their way home and the journey becomes quite intense as they battle with time and distractions to reach home again. 

The characters were interesting and quirky in their own ways. The writing well paced, keeping my interest through the story as they raced from one trial to another. The world building was amazing; such an interesting layered world must have taken a lot of construction, so I really was impressed by the detail to which the author went into. 

I only had one niggle and that was  that at one point, I did find myself getting quite confused as to which ship each child was travelling on  as well as which boat was being discussed in the story at a particular moment. The choppy nature of the writing, made me lose my way a little until they left the ships behind, then I found myself back on track with the story. 

Other than that  a most enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next in the series. 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laine Taylor

Pages - 420

Published by Hodder and Stoughton in September 2011

Walking to school over the snow muffled cobbles. Karou had no sinister premonition about the day. It seemed like just another Monday, innocent but for its essential Mondayness, not to mention its Januaryness. It was cold, and it was dark - in the dead of winter the sun didn't rise until eight- but it was lovely. The falling snow and the early hour conspired to paint Prague ghostly, like a tintype photograph, all silver and haze. 

Goodreads Summary

Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

**********

The opening sentences of the book were descriptive and hypnotic, as the melody of the words transported me to the snowy sights of Geneva. The author's attention to detail is extremely thorough. Her use of imagery evoked a sensory journey into a world we believe to be similar to ours.  I was smitten from page one. 

Reading this book is like falling through the rabbit hole alongside Alice into Wonderland. You are happily reading the book, thinking you have an idea where this story will lead, then the author whips the carpet away from you and you keep falling down a hole into a completely different story. Literally half way through the book you will repeat the following words:

OH MY GOD!
NO WAY!

REALLY! 

THAT DID NOT JUST HAPPEN!

WOW!

I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!

You don't believe me do you? Just trust me on this one. 

Once you learn more about Brimstone and what is hiding behind the door, you will answer your questions over Brimstone and his incessant need for teeth!

The way the author writes has me reminiscent of a Charles De Lint book I once read. The way her characters can tread from one world to the next with ease. Laini Taylor makes fantasy believable. 

This book is full of changing relationships where you struggle to work out whether Karou's family and friends are good or bad for her. Each character has a dual dimension and you are not sure if their actions are for the greater good or evil. There is an element of Romeo and Juliet to the book, which pulls the whole story together.

My favourite character has to be Kishmish. Oh how I cried! 

Karou is a sassy little lady, who looks all sweetness and light, yet can get you in a headlock in seconds. She is not to be messed with. She is clever and determined, not stopping at anything until she finds out how to reach the only family she has ever known. 

I am struggling to not tell you anything about this book, because you really have to read it. It isn't like any book I have read in ages. So much of it, is so unexpected, leaving you wondering what will happen in the next book. 

Just go read it and come back and talk to me when you have finished!

Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Pages - 343
Published by Chicken House Books
Kindly sent to me by the publisher for an honest review

The night breathed through the apartment like a dark animal. The ticking of a clock. The groan of a floorboard as he slipped out of his room. All was drowned by its silence. But Jacob loved the night. He felt it on his skin like a promise. Like a cloak woven from freedom and danger.
Goodreads Summary

For years, Jacob Reckless has enjoyed the Mirrorworld’s secrets and treasures.

Not anymore.

His younger brother has followed him.

Now dark magic will turn the boy to beast, break the heart of the girl he loves, and destroy everything Jacob holds most dear. . . .

Unless he can find a way to stop it.

*********

I can always tell when I am reading a Cornelia Funke book. You could take away the front cover and hide her name but I would still know she had written it. She has such a uniqueness to each fantasy world she creates. She is fantastic at creating a fairytale world that has the darkness of Grimms Fairytales hidden within it. I could easily place this book in the same world as the Inkheart series as those books have that similar fairytale darkness.  I really enjoy Cornelia Funke's unique development of portals into her imaginary worlds.  This world is reflected through a mirror which transports you to the other side just by touching it. Wouldn't if be lovely if we could really step into another world with such ease and quite by accident.

I loved this book as soon as I read the first chapter. Jacob is definitely a character that is reckless by name and nature. He is dangerous and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. With his brother's arrival in the strange world he sees as home, Jacob has to deal with emotions he hasn't coped with for years. He is in a difficult quandary which sets him off on a perilous journey to save his brother. 

I found the characters all to be so well written and unique. I loved Evenaugh Valiant, the dwarf who had nearly led Jacob to his death. I couldn't help but imagine Martin Short playing the part in a film version of it. The character had so many of his comical tendencies I have seen brought to life so many times before.   The Fox was a gorgeous character too; her loyalties to Jacob are so strong, she will stop at nothing to protect him. 

I thought the creation of the Goyl was thoroughly originally. This breed' s appearance was made of different precious stones and could be recreated by the Dark Fairy who had the ability to turn humans into stone people. I haven't read anything similar to this before and I found it fascinating.

The story was extremely fast paced. Jacob could give Jack Bauer from 24 a run for his money as he raced against time to stop his brother from dying. I found that the action never let up leaving you quite breathless by the end.

This is a fast, action packed read in a dark fairytale world that has the classic uniqueness of Cornelia Funke sewn in. 

I have just discovered that this is the first book in a trilogy, which I am really excited about now. Cornelia is excellent at tying up any loose ends within her books, so I am no intrigued as to where the story will go from here. 

The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens

Pages - 417

Published by Doubleday, an imprint of Random House Children's Books in 2011

Book kindly sent by publisher for an honest review.

The girl was shaken awake. Her mother was leaning over her. 

'Kate'- her voice was low and urgent - 'listen very closely. I need you to do something for me. I need you to keep your brother and sister safe. Do you understand? I need you to keep Michael and Emma safe.'

The children don't remember much about their parents. All they know is that they were snatched away in the middle of the night. Ten years have since passed and all the children have done is be moved from one children's home to another. When they arrive at Cambridge Falls, they realise that this children's home is extremely different and something strange is definitely going on.

The children discover an old leather book which holds the key to an ancient magical prophecy that takes them  on an unpredictable adventure. The lives of the residents of Cambridge Falls are at risk, as well as the town itself. Can the children change the course of history?

This is one of those books that is going to become a rather popular series which I can envisage being made into a series of films. It is an epic fantasy that  leads you through a maze of difficulties to reach the end. As you reach the last page, you are left knowing that there is so much more waiting to come. If you enjoy Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, then this series will appeal to you. This is a hefty read with  quite a dark atmosphere to it, including some rather gory scenes. 

The book reminded me of a ride on a water chute, where you leisurely wind through the valleys, slowly making your way upwards without realising it, taking in the new world that is being set up surrounding you, to reach the top about three quarters of the way through the book and come down in an almighty whoosh, leaving you exhilarated and exhausted by the end and ready to take the journey all over again. 

The three main children of the book were very entertaining and I loved to see the typical sibling rivalry and banter occurring between Emma and Michael. I felt like I was watching my own children and wanted to  reprimand them and give them time out. Dr Pym is an interesting character, who left me unsure of his true feelings. I couldn't quite work out whether he was good or bad.  I am not convinced we haven't read the full story on him yet and we might be surprised to find he isn't as lovely as he comes across.

I found the time travel aspect of this book quite breathtaking and original. John Stephen's made his time travelling methods appear believable to the reader.  The book contains quite a lot of flashbacks, which help to bring the story up to day and enlighten us on where the children originally came from. With each flashback, a layer of the story is peeled back to reveal another previously unknown element. 

I do have a couple of little gripes about the book. I did feel it could have been shortened a little to make the drama more punchy; I  found myself wanting to speed the action up a little. I would have also liked to see a little more depth within some of the secondary characters. However, there is a huge cast of players within the book, so I imagine it would be difficult to make them all in depth.  

On the whole, this book is a fantastic read with a breathtaking new world  built in it and a whole new method of time travel revealed. A brilliant storyline which has left me looking forward to the continuing journey. 

City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare

Published in April 2011 by Walker Books

Pages - 426

This book was kindly sent to me by the publisher for an honest review.

'Just coffee, please.' 

The waitress raised her penciled eyebrows. 'You don't want to eat?' she asked. Her accent was thick, her attitude disappointed.

Simon Lewis couldn't blame her; she'd probably been hoping for a better tip than the one she was going to get on a single cup of coffee. But it wasn't his fault vampires didn't eat. Sometimes, in restaurants, he ordered food anyway, just to preserve the appearance of normalcy, but late Tuesday night when Veselka was almost empty of other customers, it didn't seem worth the bother. 'Just the coffee.'

This is the fourth book in the Mortal Instruments series, where we find Clary back in New York and life seems to have returned to some kind of normality. Jace is now officially her boyfriend and she is training hard to be a Shadowhunter. Unfortunately, true love never seems to run smoothly and Clary finds Jace beginning to pull away from her. Clary begins to realise that her past actions may have led to the change in Jace and her original choices could lead to the destruction of the one person she loves more than anything else. Jace.

Meanwhile Simon is still coming to terms with his new life as a vampire. Although he tries so hard to hold on to the life he led before his transformation, he realises that everything will begin to change and he must decide how he wants to proceed with his future. Within this book, Simon takes a bigger role, he is struggling with how to live as a vampire and isn't really sure if his previous friends accept his new lifestyle.  He is under threat from the beginning, and you cannot help but feel his pain and loneliness.

I adore the banter that occurs between Jace and Simon.  Their dislike for each other is comical, as they play one off against each other. I must share the following passage with you as an example.

'You can't have two fathers.'

'Sure you can,' Simon said. 'Who says you can't? We can buy you one of those books that they have for little kids. Timmy Has Two Dads. Except I don't think they have one called  Timmy Has Two Dads and One Of Them Is Evil. That part you're just going to have to work through on your own.'

Jace rolled his eyes. 'It's fascinating,' he said .'You know all these words, and they're all English, but when you string them together into sentences, they just don't make any sense.'

They just constantly bicker like children.

I love the way Isabelle  has become so much more human in this book. Before she has always seemed so heartless and cold, yet she begins to show her emotions as her maturity deepens.  I am definitely an Isabelle fan, and I hope that she sorts out her relationship phobias in order to build on the blossoming romance developing within the story. 

The intensity of the relationship between Jace and Clary hit a new level and you are left wanting to know more. I was quite lost in their relationship, as it heated up rather quickly, leaving you blushing slightly. 

Cassandra Clare is just an amazing author. When you pick up one of her books, you find yourself agreeing to ride the ultimate rollercoaster. The ride sets off on such a swift pace and each person's journey will be designed purely for them, allowing no preparation for the journey ahead. When you finish the last page, you step off the ride, looking windswept and bedraggled but smiling gleefully after experiencing the ride of your life.  If you hadn't realised yet, I LOVED THIS BOOK!

This is a must read series. Cassandra Clare's books are unpredictable. You really don't have a clue which way the story will go. The book is fast paced and does end on a bit of a cliffhanger, which secretly leaves you pleased to discover that another book will be written in the series. Yay!

I actually found this book playing out like a film in my head. The way Cassandra Clare writes, actually stops you seeing the words, and leaves you watching the film version. You completely forget you are reading a book.

If you haven't read any of this series, then I suggest you start reading them soon. 

Blackwatch Giveaway and Blog Tour Details

If you loved the review yesterday of Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw, the second book in the trilogy, then you will wan  to take part in this giveaway.  I have three copies of Blackwatch to giveaway.  This is a UK only competition this time ( sorry international followers). 

In order to enter the competition, all you have to do is tell me your favourite character from a fantasy YA book.  Leave your answers in the comments below with an email address so that I can contact you.  If you would like to double your chances of winning a copy of Blackwatch, then please tweet or blog about this competition.  If you use do tweet about the book then please use the hash tag #BlackwatchJB. The competition closes on Tuesday 26th April at 12 midnight. 

There will also be a chance to win one of a further two copies on Goodreads tomorrow, so do pop over there and look up Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw.

Also I just thought I would announce the Blackwatch tour that begins on Monday 11th April.

 As you can see Jenna Burtenshaw will be on my blog on Tuesday. Don't forget to catch Jenna on her first tour stop at  The Book Zone For Boys today.

Good luck with the competition and enjoy the blog tour.