Student Bodies by Sean Cummings

Mum is grumpy and it has to do with my newfound romantic life. Ugh.

I’m not sure what’s supposed to happen when you’re dating someone you’ve known since you were little. I mean,I’d actually seen Marcus Guffman in his Spider-Man underpants when he was eight - that was the same year he gave me chickenpox.

Published by Strange Chemistry in September 2013

Pages - 304

Goodreads Summary

Whoever said being a teenage witch would be easy? For fifteen-year-old Julie Richardson and the city’s resident protector from supernatural evil, the Left Hand Path doesn't give a damn if you've found true love for the first time in your life. There’s someone lurking the halls of Crescent Ridge High School with enough malice to unleash an epidemic of Soul Worms - supernatural larvae that feed on the very fabric of a victim’s humanity.
After witnessing the death of one of the most popular kids at school, Julie and über genius boyfriend Marcus are in a race against time to find out who is behind the attacks. All the evidence points to a horrifying plot at the City Weir during the Winter Solstice; the place where icy waters of the Bow River and a thunderous spillway will mean the deaths of more than a hundred of Julie’s classmates.
If she has any hope of saving their lives, she’ll need a little help from a coven of white witches and an Aboriginal mage whose snarky attitude is matched only by her magical prowess.

******

This book smashes the whole concept of Second Book Syndrome to smithereens! I really enjoyed the first book, Poltergeeks, but I really think Sean Cummings has taken Student Bodies to a whole new level. This book actually kicks butt!

I LOVE JULIE! She has an amazing, original voice, brimming with sassiness and attitude. It’s like listening to a gobby teenager talking to you; she has some of the best snarky one liners I’ve ever read.  It’s easy to believe that she is a normal teenager with magical powers. Another favourite character of mine is Betty the dog. Though I’m not very happy about events that occurred in the novel concerning this character…

The humour in this book mixes seamlessly with the darker aspects of the story. The author can switch from one to the other without even have to crack his knuckles.  I’d love to see Sean Cummings write a full on comical escapade, because I know it will have me falling off my seat with laughter.

This book has a strong theme of bullying  in it, especially focusing on the effects of cyber bullying, which fills our newspapers on a day to day basis. The author has managed to display the full effects of the  intensity of  the internet age, where the kids of today can never escape from the bullying that plagues them at school.

I loved the involvement of the Inuits in this story and how shamanism walks hand in hand with witch craft. I found these intertwined created a magically explosive story. The story involves some vibrant new characters who really added depth to the plot.

This book is even faster in pace than its predecessor, with a punch in the gut ending, that left me breathless. Tackling difficult current teenage issues, while cloaked in urban fantasy. A cracking good read.  I can’t wait to find out what happens in the final book!

The Movie Maker with Bryony Pearce

As part of The Weight of Souls blog tour, I am pleased to welcome Bryony Pearce onto the blog to tell us about her ideal cast and locations for the book should it ever be made into a film.

I put off writing this post for ages.  It was one I was really looking forward to, but at the same time, I was also nervous.  One of the reasons for this is that I knew I’d have difficulty casting my characters.  I know what they look and sound like, but I thought that to find real people that matched my mental image, and more importantly, my reader’s would be impossible.  

So, being a wimp, I tackled the easiest part of my Movie Maker post first: the setting.  

Most of the book is set in present day London with locations ranging from Shepherds Bush to Hammersmith, Kensington to Streatham.  There are a number of scenes in Taylor’s school (which I actually picture more like my own old school, Samuel Whitbread in Bedfordshire) and a number of scenes inside various places, such as Angel Tube station, Pizza Express and the Science Museum.  I’m sure they’d let us shoot our fantasy movie there.  

Now, the soundtrack.  I have a post about the soundtrack to my book on http://www.bookangelbooktopia.com/, so I don’t want to duplicate it here.  Needless to say, it starts dark, gritty and urban and segues into something more anthemic.

Justin’s theme is Viva la Vida by Coldplay.  

Justin and Taylor’s love song is I’m not Calling you a Liar by Florence and the Machine.

The playlist itself exists on Spotify (http://spoti.fi/12egbcs), so have a listen, let me know what you think and what you might add.

Now, the Director.  Again a difficult one to fit.  I wanted a Director who worked in the UK, who was able to produce something both dark and urban, and also uplifting, and who could get the best out of young actors.  Two films came to mind: Attack the Block and the final Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows part 2).  When I realised that Joe Cornish, who Directed Attack the Block, also did Hot Fuzz (one of my top ten films alongside The Matrix, Princess Bride, The Faculty, Serenity, Avengers Assemble, 21 Jump Street, Galaxy Quest, Pitch Black and Stardust), I decided that I would ask him to direct The Weight of Souls.    

Now to the hard part.  I was especially concerned about casting my two main characters, Taylor and Justin, partly because they are so clear to me, but also because Taylor is half Chinese.

There are not a great many half-Chinese British actresses (in fact I had difficulties casting all of my ethnic cast members, which is a sad indictment of the industry).  In fact the only one I could think of was Katie Leung who played Cho Chang in the Harry Potter franchise.  

A little more research threw up Yifei Liu, a very beautiful full Chinese actress.  Both are technically too old now to play Taylor, but as a few of my other actors err on the older side, I decided to allow it.

I was torn between the two, but as Katie is a Scot and I’d quite like to see her play someone bad-ass, I decided to cast her.  So here is Katie Leung as Taylor Oh:

 

Next, my male lead, Justin.  For him I have cast Andrew Garfield.  Although the actor was born in LA, he has a British mother and moved to Surrey when he was three, so I have no worries about his British accent.  He has Justin’s eyes, build and hair and having seen him in Spiderman I think he’d do justice to the part.  I also think he and Katie make a lovely looking couple.

Taylor’s best friend, with the ever changing hair is quirky, sweet and believes wholeheartedly that the ‘truth is out there’.  She hasn’t had the easiest of lives: her mother is a drunk and brings home a series of boyfriends.  Hannah has to maintain the house as well as keep up with her school work.  I cast Juno Temple, who was born in England into a showbiz family and has a lovely fragile, ethereal, quirky but tough quality that I feel really exemplifies Taylor’s best friend.

Tamsin should have been easy to cast (a blonde bitchy type shouldn’t have been a problem), but I actually did have difficulties, because Tamsin is deeper than that.  She is Taylor’s opposite, but also her twin (Tamsin means twin), she is the Yin to Taylor’s Yang.  Tamsin hides her real self behind a veneer and has also been in love with Justin.  She is Taylor gone wrong.  I was looking at Abigail Breslin for the role of Hannah (I remembered her from Signs) but had discounted her because she was American.  Then I saw pictures of her now (she is older and has gone blonde) and thought, wow, she could definitely play Tamsin.  In the book Tamsin puts on a fake US accent because she thinks it’s cool, so I have no problem casting an American actress for this part.  I’d like to see this actress play a bad guy and I think she’d bring a real depth to her.

Pete is another one I had trouble with.  It isn’t easy to find young black British actors on IMDB.  Then I remembered Attack the Block.  The main actor in that, John Boyega, was incredibly nuanced (and gorgeous).  That moment at the end where you find out that he is only fifteen and has cartoon bedding is just heart-rending.  So he had to be my Pete.  

Pete plays the tough guy, but he has been damaged by all the things he has done with James and Tamsin.  He was in love with Taylor and resented her for rejecting him; that led him to join the group tormenting her.  Yet Taylor remains loyal to Pete to the point of self-sacrifice.  Pete is a boy with a lovely smile and I’m a bit in love with him.  

The real baddie in the group is James: a blonde haired, blue eyed monster who looks like a good guy.  He takes in all the adults, but not Taylor.  His dark underside is as black as the terrifying darkness itself which ultimately comes for Taylor and takes her away.  Freddie Stroma is a British born actor, perfect for James.  He is a little older than I’d like, but looks the part and has a degree in Neuroscience, so I’m impressed.

The final cast member that I’m going to include is Taylor’s dad, Gabriel.  For this one I like Rufus Jones.  He’s a British actor best known for comedy, but he was a friend at University and if you can’t cast your friends in fake movies, then who can you cast?

I think this would make a fantastic movie.  Having been anxious about casting, I think I have come up with a brilliant cast: hugely talented, reflective of the qualities I like in my characters and a lot of fun.  Do let me know what you think.

The Weight of Souls was published on the 1st August by Strange Chemistry.

You can contact Bryony  on Twitter as @BryonyPearce or via her Facebook page: BryonyPearceAuthor.  You can even email Bryony through a link on her website www.bryonypearce.co.uk

Want to read the first couple of chapters of The Weight of Souls? Then click on the link below.

http://issuu.com/angryrobot/docs/theweightofsouls-samplechapter

If that has caught your interest, how would you like the opportunity to win a copy of The Weight of Souls? Check out the link below to see how you can be in with a chance of winning a copy. You have until the 24th August to enter.

http://bryonypearce.wordpress.com/2013/07/09/the-weight-of-souls-a-very-big-competition/

Waiting on Wednesday (11) - The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, started by Jill at Breaking The Spine, highlighting future book releases everyone is waiting on!

I’m really looking forward to The Weight of Souls by Bryony Pearce, which will be published by Strange Chemistry in August.  I read the author’s debut book, Angel Fury back in 2011 and enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read this one now!

Book Summary

Sixteen year old Taylor Oh is cursed: if she is touched by the ghost of a murder victim then they pass a mark beneath her skin. She has three weeks to find their murderer and pass the mark to them - letting justice take place and sending them into the Darkness. And if she doesn’t make it in time? The Darkness will come for her…
She spends her life trying to avoid ghosts, make it through school where she’s bullied by popular Justin and his cronies, keep her one remaining friend, and persuade her father that this is real and that she’s not going crazy.
But then Justin is murdered and everything gets a whole lot worse. Justin doesn’t know who killed him, so there’s no obvious person for Taylor to go after. The clues she has lead her to the V Club, a vicious secret society at her school where no one is allowed to leave… and where Justin was dared to do the stunt which led to his death.
Can she find out who was responsible for his murder before the Darkness comes for her? Can she put aside her hatred for her former bully to truly help him?
And what happens if she starts to fall for him.

Broken by A.E. Rought

Pages - 384

NetGalley Review Copy - Published on the 8th January 2013 by Strange Chemistry.

Cold seeps through my jacket while I lean on the wrought iron fence, staring at the rows of headstones parading across the lawn of Memorial Gardens cemetery. Lanes of crushed gravel snake in white paths through the deepening twilight. Moonlight spills down an angel's robe, collects in a puddle at the foot of a chipped urn, and glances from headstone engravings. At night when I'm alone, it's easier to fantasize about who's buried there.

Goodreads Summary

A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.
When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely... familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's.
The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

*******

Wow! Can I use just one word to describe this book? I am utterly gobsmacked by this author's talents. This modern interpretation of the classic tale of Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is overflowing with atmosphere which is extremely chilling at times.  It may be a retelling of sorts, but it oozes originality. The descriptive language used sends a chill down your spine as Emma goes in search of the truth. I don't think the author liked her characters much because she put them through hell. Although I have been told that is a sign of a fantastic story and in this case that is most certainly the truth.

This book is super creepy and doesn't hide from the nastiness of life. There are scenes that will stay with you long after you have finished reading the book. Rather gory but extremely compelling.

The use of metaphors and similes really adds to the foreboding and I dreaded how the story would end. I loved the way the author linked her descriptions to medical terms such as the description below.

'Outside the mall is boring, makes no structural sense, with stores sticking out like cancerous growths from a bone white lump.'

Poor, poor Emma, how she has suffered. Still struggling with the guilt at losing her boyfriend and then discovering something extremely familiar about him within Alex Franks. As you read on, it becomes obvious why she is so entranced by him and you can't help but agree with her, so I was more than happy with the instant love scenario going on between them.  Yet as the book progresses, you watch as  she puts her life in danger, and you find yourself holding your breath every time she encounters danger. I loved how quickly their relationship evolved. It was full of passion and need and felt exactly as it was supposed to be.

Dr Franks was really rather scary. His remoteness and all encompassing passion to keep things alive makes his a formidable creature.  Not someone you would want to sit down for a cosy chat with.

The ending was fast paced and explosive and actually turned out differently to how I had expected it to end. I was convinced that certain elements of modern medicine would have been used and I am now thinking there is another story out there waiting to be told.

You can't talk about this book without mentioning the cover because it is utterly stunning. I fell in love with it at first site. Now having read the book, I am not so sure the beautiful cover matches the story as the cover gives off a feeling of a historical tale where as the actual story is very modern.It is definitely more of a thriller than I had anticipated.

This is an amazing debut novel which I really enjoyed, even if it did scare me at times. Brilliantly written and extremely well paced. It actually made me want to read the original which I have never really been interested in doing before now.

 

Pantomime by Laura Lam

Image from Goodreads

Pages 392

Published by Strange Chemistry on 5th February 2013

'Well, boy,' the ringmaster said.'What can you do?'

I swallowed. The clown who had found me eavesdropping tightened his grip on my shirt. 

'Pardon?' I asked. 

He chuckled.'don't tell me you're simple. What can you do? Are you a fire-eater? An acrobat? A freak?'

Goodreads Summary

R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of a mysterious civilisation long gone—are wonders beyond the wildest imagination. It’s a place where anything seems possible, where if you close your eyes you can believe that the magic and knowledge of the vanished Chimaera is still there. It’s a place where anyone can hide.

Iphigenia Laurus, or Gene, the daughter of a noble family, is uncomfortable in corsets and crinoline, and prefers climbing trees to debutante balls. Micah Grey, a runaway living on the streets, joins the circus as an aerialist’s apprentice and soon becomes the circus’s rising star.

But Gene and Micah have balancing acts of their own to perform, and a secret in their blood that could unlock the mysteries of Ellada.

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This book is a gift wrapped mystery. The more you delve into the layers, the more surprises you discover. To the point, where on finishing the book, I just sat back feeling quite blown away. At first I was convinced I was reading a book to rival Night Circus, but this book is far too unique to be compared to any other. It is set in a circus, but one reminiscent of the grand circuses of the past, adding a hint of Water for Elephants to the flavour of it.

Circus life is hard and the author expresses that so well through her words. Even though the circus is set in a fantasy world reminiscent of our Victorian era, yet I believe it is set in the future, due to the magical qualities of certain coveted artifacts. It could almost be steam punk, but something I can't put my finger on stops me from labelling it that. 

This book contains a whopping secret that makes it really difficult to review. A secret that is not obvious at all until you trip over it, and yet on flicking back through the pages hints were there, I just didn't see them.

The characters are quirky, yet vibrant, each setting fire to the page as the somersaulted through the book.

Micah will astound you and grab your heart from the start. I don't think I have met a character so complex and unique as Micah. The relationship between Micah, Aenea and Drystan is extremely absorbing and very well written. Through the progression of time, you find yourself drawn into their lives in the circus as they revolve and circle each other through different situations.

At times the story leaves you breathless, as the plot twirls you through the air at top speed. Other times you are able to stand back and reflect on everything that occurs. 

Even though this book is high fantasy, it does deal with some strong themes. Sexuality and relationships play  huge part as the story unravels. 

This truly is an  awe inspiring read, that left me breathless and desperate for more.   A unique reading experience from a very talented debut author. 

Blackwood by Gwenda Bond

Published by Strange Chemisty on the 4th September 2012

Pages - 324

Book kindly sent by publisher for an honest review.

The first time Miranda Blackwood checked the back of her closet for a portal to another world she was eleven. That was the year her mother died. After the closet, she tried other places. She wandered small patches of woods, seeking doors hidden in twisted trees, and peered into mirrors, searching for reflections that weren't her own. 

Goodreads Summary

On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years ago is just an outdoor drama for the tourists, a story people tell. But when the island faces the sudden disappearance of 114 people now, an unlikely pair of 17-year-olds may be the only hope of bringing them back.

Miranda, a misfit girl from the island’s most infamous family, and Phillips, an exiled teen criminal who hears the voices of the dead, must dodge everyone from federal agents to long-dead alchemists as they work to uncover the secrets of the new Lost Colony. The one thing they can’t dodge is each other.

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I went into this book rather blind to the story. I hadn't read any reviews, I didn't even read the blurb on the back.  I was basically led by the rather attractive cover and I thought  would let myself become absorbed and see if the story could unravel itself within the first couple of pages so that I would have a fair idea of what the story was about. From the first paragraph which I have quoted at the top I was drawn into the story. I felt the first few lines were powerful enough to make me read on. Once I discovered that the book revolved around a well known legend I was smitten. There is nothing more I enjoy than losing myself in a story that is based on truth, which leaves you with that questioning mind at the end where you wonder what really happened in the first place.

I had never ever heard of the Lost Colony legend and I didn't realise it was true until it was pointed out to me on Twitter, so I searched the internet for evidence which I discovered here. Blackwood was insprired by the original legend and I really do feel that the author has created a fascinating and thrilling story with the legend glistening as the centre piece. 

The characters were extremely well written  and very strong in temperament as they took on basically everyone in town. The story is told from the dual perspectives of Miranda and Phillips and it really helped to see it from both sides. Miranda and Phillips were viewed by most of their town as the type of kids you didn't really mix with, each one boosting a reputation that neither lived up to in reality, proving that rumours do escalate.  Both are very wary of each other to begin with and it takes time for Miranda to really trust that Phillips has her best interests at heart. She has been let down by so many in her past, she isn't quite ready to give all her trust. Gradually as the story progresses Miranda realises just how much Phillips is willing to sacrifice for her and they begin to appear like a modern YA version of Bonnie and Clyde as they dodge everyone in authority in order to discover the truth. 

As always, the dog was my favourite character! Add a lovely and loyal canine companion and I will always be captivated by the story. Sidekick is simply gorgeous and  I was desperate to rub behind his ears. 

John Dee was an interesting interpretation of the real person and his unhealthy interest in Miranda gave me the creeps, especially considering who he was portraying his feelings through. 

The plot was absorbing and gripping and reminded a little of the recent TV series Alcatraz. I was totally hooked throughout the book.  I really love how the author has interpreted this piece of history. An excellent debut where the author has taken a true story and completely made it her own by adding elements of magic and paranormal activity. 

Poltergeeks Blog Tour - Your Geekiness Moment!

As part of the POLTERGEEKS Blog Tour, I have the fabulous author Sean Cummings, discussing his geekiest moment! 

What's your geekiest moment? I like to think of myself as a geek - God knows I wasn't King of the geeks in high school, but I was certainly up there. It's entirely possible that a geek lives in all of us - it's just that some of us wear our geekiness on full display for the world to see. As a matter of fact, I think 2012 is probably the best time in human history to display your geek factor. And what better way to show your geek than to wear a geek shirt or a geek jacket. Some people even have geek tattoos, though I'm a bit squeamish when it comes to getting my skin injected with ink. My 22 year old son .. not so much. He's got boatloads of tattoos.

There are Star Trek geeks, Star Wars geeks, computer geeks, book geeks, comic geeks, sci- fi geeks ... the list goes on. So, seeing as how we're going to do a giveaway courtesy of Vivienne and her fabulous blog , I think we should have a little contest. In the comments section below, give an example of what makes you the King or Queen of geeks and the best answer gets a free copy of POLTERGEEKS courtesy of Strange Chemistry Books.

And if you're in London from October 1-October 8th, I'll be at a couple of venues and would love to hear first hand how you wear your geekhood with pride.

Okay ... geek out everyone! Let's hear what you've got!

Thanks Sean for an excellent post. 

So you heard Sean, if you want to win a copy of Poltergeeks, all you have to do is tell us what your geekiest moment has been in the comments below and add your email address so that I can contact you if you win. The competition is only open in the UK and will close on the 25th of   September. 

To find out more about Sean Cummings:

Website: http://sean-cummings.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saskatoonauthor

Twitter: @saskatoonauthor

Really Random Tuesday

Really Random Tuesday is a meme created by Suko at Suko's Notebook which is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of.

Good news about the fabulous Bryony Pierce who wrote Angel Fury. She has just signed with Strange Chemistry Her  new novel The Weight of Souls will be published in Autumn 2013. 

Now for a with a fabulous trailer! The Crimson Shard by Teresa Flavin is about to be published by Candlewick Press over in America and Teresa has created this beautiful trailer for it. I read this book last year when it was published in the UK by Templar and I would highly recommend it. 

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Random House Children's Publishers have launched a brand new website for teens called Totally Random.

http://www.totallyrandombooks.co.uk/

Go and check out what they have going on over there.

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The winners of the three copies of Hollow Pike are:

Tabby

Katrina Day-Reilly

Laura Ferguson

Emails are on there way to you ladies. Congratulations to you all. 

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Poltergeeks by Sean Cummings

Published by Strange Chemistry in October 

Pages - 288

Mrs Gilbert literally flew out the front door of her house. I should add that Marcus Guffman and I had absolutely nothing to do with it because frankly, I've had it with the whole irresponsible teenager thing. It's bad enough when people over forty look at you like you're planning on axe murdering their entire family just because you and your best friend since grade school are going door to door raising money for the Crescent Ridge Hig School Read-A-Thon. 

Goodreads Summary

15-year-old Julie Richardson is about to learn that being the daughter of a witch isn't all it's cracked up to be. When she and her best friend, Marcus, witness an elderly lady jettisoned out the front door of her home, it's pretty obvious to Julie there's a supernatural connection. 

In fact, there's a whisper of menace behind increasing levels of poltergeist activity all over town. After a large-scale paranormal assault on Julie's high school, her mother falls victim to the spell Endless Night. Now it's a race against time to find out who is responsible or Julie won't just lose her mother's soul, she'll lose her mother's life.

*********

As soon as I heard about this book I was desperate to read it.  From the first sentence I felt like I was on a thrilling ride which continued at a fast pace all the way through the book.

I adored the humour  in the book. Sean Cummings has one sarcastic mind and I personally love it!

The characters really stand out, they all have a quirkiness about them.  Julie, the main protagonist, is just full of sassiness and sarcasm. Straight away, you are cheering her on, desperate for her to solve the disasters erupting around her.  Poor Julie, just never stops! The action is wham, bam all the way through the book, never giving her a chance to catch her breath, let alone worry about what she was letting herself in for. That is probably the  only thing I would change about the book; the pacing.  At times I would have liked it  to be a bit slower. I really wanted Julie to slow down, but I felt she never got the chance. 

And then there is Marcus! I personally don't relate to the geeks in YA books, but this one is a real sweetie. His heart is definitely in the right place and he is just such a strong character for Julie to lean on. 

The Tutelary was hilarious in his or her many disguises. His later appearance in the book really had me in stitches. 

The plot is very well written and kept me intrigued. I always get a little excited when Matthew Hopkins makes an appearance in a book. What witch book would be complete without him? 

There are lots of red herrings with the story, so I didn't see the ending coming until very near the end. I thought the author had an original  and unique voice, one that I felt stood out from the crowd.  The book was a dramatic page turning rollercoaster that slipped in snippets of humour. 

I really enjoyed it and I can't wait to see what else Sean Cummings writes. 

Really Random Tuesday

Really Random Tuesday is a meme created by Suko at Suko's Notebook which is a way to post odds and ends--announcements, musings, quotes, photos--any blogging and book-related things you can think of. 

I can't actually remember the last time I did one of these posts but I do have lots of news to tell you!

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Strange Chemistry signs their next author - Ingrid Jonach!

Strange Chemistry just announced in the last couple of hours the next author to join their ranks. Today it is the turn of INGRID JONACH with WHEN THE WORLD WAS FLAT (AND WE WERE IN LOVE)!

Here is the summary of the book!

There is no such thing as imagination.

Your dreams are memories from an alternate dimension.

And that cold shiver down your spine as you sleep means you are already dead.

These are the facts sixteen-year-old Lillie Hart must come to accept when the gorgeous and mysterious Tom Windsor-Smith arrives in her small Nebraskan town. These, and the fact that the two of them, Tom and Lillie, have been in love before - in a different dimension.

In fact, Tom has been sliding between parallel worlds for hundreds of years, falling in love with versions of Lillie over and over again in every world. But when the present Lillie learns the secret of their connection, she learns as well that their love must overcome more than their multiple past heartaches. There is also a powerful enemy who aims to ensure the two will never be together again, in this dimension or the next.

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Have you seen the trailer for Seraphina by Rachel Hartman? This book is presently getting a lot of attention. Have a look and see what you think?

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Little Brown launched  a competition last week for readers to write their own ending to It Happened at Boot Camp.  The winning entrant will receive a copy of both books in the It Happened series (It Happened in Paris and It Happened in Venice, which is published next month), and the entry will be posted on Little, Brown Books.net plus Molly Hopkins’ website http://www.mollyhopkins.co.uk/.

For more information about the competition please visit the Little Brown website :http://www.littlebrownbooks.net/write-your-own-ending-to-molly-hopkins%e2%80%99-it-happened-at-boot-camp/

To enter, simply submit your 500 word ending to [email protected] with the subject line ‘It Happened at Boot Camp Competition’ by midnight on Thursday 2nd August 2012.

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Mira Ink have an exciting book coming up for you in August. Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry. Check out the trailer and see what you think. 

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HarperCollins signs three more books from Department 19 author Will Hill

HarperCollins is delighted to be continuing its relationship with YA author Will Hill by acquiring three new titles. Fiction Editorial Director Nick Lake secured UK & Commonwealth rights to two final books in the Department 19 series, plus one untitled YA novel. The deal was concluded by Nick and Charlie Campbell at Ed Victor Ltd.

First launched by HarperCollins in 2011, Department 19 was the number one bestselling YA hardback debut of the year and the series has acquired more than 7,000 fans on Facebook (www.facebook.com/department19exists). The books have also enjoyed sales success as ebooks, with Department 19: The Rising becoming HarperCollins' bestselling children's ebook launch in April. Hill’s writing has also been acclaimed in the press. "High action, fast plot, original and gripping, this is vampire writing without the sparkle - but with lots of blood!" said the Sun, while the Telegraph pronounced that, “Bram Stoker can stop turning in his grave: his 21st-century legacy extends beyond Twilight.”

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Now Is Good is soon to be released! 21st September sees the UK release of the film based on the book originally known as 'Before I Die' by Jenny Downham. You might want to take your tissues to watch it though!

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The winners of Soul Beach and Soul Fire by Kate Harrison are: 

Donna Lawton

Kerry Locke

Well done ladies. More competitions coming to the blog soon. 

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Two winners from the competition to win a copy of  The Case of the Good-Looking Corpse by Caroline Lawrence did not reply to the emails in the time stated, so two new winners have been drawn. 

The new winners are: 

Petty Witter

Gillian Holmes

Congratulations ladies. Emails heading your way. 

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That's another news round up done! I promise to try and do these posts on a more regular basis. 

Say hello to Strange Chemistry, an exciting new imprint

I thought it was about time the lovely folks at Strange Chemistry told us a bit more about what they are all about and what they are up to! Amanda Rutter, the editor for Strange Chemistry, kindly put this post together to let you all know. 

Today I am delighted to be hosted by the lovely Vivienne, who has already shown Strange Chemistry such fabulous support in the short time we’ve been up and running!

I was asked to talk a little about Strange Chemistry, what we’re about, what books we’re bringing out and what our authors think about us.

We are the new kid on the block this year (well, once of them *waves at Hot Key Books*). We are a fresh and modern imprint, brought to you by the same people who dreamt up Angry Robot Books, and our key aim is to bring quality and relevant Young Adult titles to readers who will find new authors to love.

I think the name of our imprint tells you everything you need to know! Strange Chemistry - books that feel timeless, bringing you a mix of old and new. Traditional with a twist. Identifiable stories and genres that have been blended together to create something utterly special.

Our launch package of novels embraces this ideal, with something for everyone! We have an SF thriller in the form of SHIFT, accompanied by a gothic American mystery BLACKWOOD (in September). In October we bring you POLTERGEEKS, an urban fantasy featuring a very sassy teenage witch, and THE ASSASSIN’S CURSE, swashbuckling high fantasy featuring assassins and pirates with a rich Arabian Nights flavour. We close out 2012 with KATYA’S WORLD, an interplanetary SF novel with a smart female protagonist and her Han Solo-esque foil.

Looking forward into 2013, we have a Frankenstein retelling, a very special school for those with rather unusual powers, a circue-themed fantasy, a steampunk adventure tale and a tremendously imaginative exovet SF story - and that’s just in the first half of the year! It’s a terribly exciting time for Strange Chemistry, and we’re absolutely delighted to take you all on our journey.

Here are some of our lovely authors with their thoughts about Strange Chemistry and working with us!


"I've been a massive fan of Angry Robot Books ever since they burst onto the scene so when it was learned they were starting a Young Adult imprint, my agent read my mind. She knew it would be a perfect home for my work. Strange Chemistry Books has a fantastic starting lineup of novels with breathtaking cover art - books written by authors who are amazingly talented and writing some cutting edge stuff that's far different from most YA books at your local bookstore. I think Strange Chemistry is going to take the YA book world by storm." - Sean Cummings, author of Poltergeeks (October 2012)

“I’m a diehard YA fan, reading almost exclusively paranormal and sci-fi. When I found out BROKEN was on sub to Strange Chemistry, the new YA imprint of Angry Robot, I started following Amanda on Twitter—I wouldn’t call it stalking, but I checked OFTEN—praying for something that seemed like it might relate to my book. It’s been a whirlwind of awesome since then. My fellow authors are an ever-growing bunch of siblings. Amanda is a sweet, funny, impassioned editor, a book champion as invested in our stories as we are. Who could ask for more?” - Ann Rought, author of Broken (January 2013)

“I was already familiar with Angry Robot, and so when I heard they were launching a new YA imprint I figured (rightly!) that their smart, fresh approach and gorgeous design aesthetic would carry over to it. My agent and I exchanged emails about it as a promising place to submit right away, and voila, the rest is history. Working with Amanda and the rest of the team has been amazing. And an unexpected side benefit has been getting to know my fellow Strange Chemists, all of whose books I'm excited to read. Team Strange Chemistry is a great place to be.” - Gwenda Bond, author of Blackwood (September 2012)

“When I learned my debut novel would be released by Strange Chemistry, I was beyond ecstatic. Amanda had actually plucked another manuscript of mine out of the slush pile for Angry Robot's Open Door Month a year ago, and I was excited to have a chance to work with her as my editor. I really think Strange Chemistry will be taking YA in some exciting and innovative directions in the years to come, and it's so humbling that I get to be a part of that! Plus, the support I receive from Strange Chemistry -- both from Amanda and the other authors -- is overwhelming and wonderful.” - Cassandra Rose Clarke, author of The Assassin’s Curse (October 2012)

"I am so happy to be working with Strange Chemistry. I met Amanda a bit before Strange Chemistry formed and feel as though she's a friend as well as my editor. She launched my career by plucking me from the slushpile and giving me a chance. I feel like I'm in excellent hands with them and so well-supported--couldn't ask for a better publisher to start my writing path." - Laura Lam, author of Pantomime (February 2013)

“When I heard Angry Robot were launching a YA imprint, I emailed my agent saying, “I would kill to be published by these guys.” So when I got 'The Call' telling me they loved my book and wanted me to be one of their launch authors, I had to pinch myself so hard I was covered in bruises for weeks.
From that moment forth, I’ve continued to have an exceptionally responsive, hands on relationship with my editor, Amanda. She’s there, night or day, whenever I need her. And I don’t have to wait longer than a matter of hours for a reply. Even if she’s on holiday.
Amanda goes above and beyond to find opportunities to promote my debut. As an ex-blogger, she fully understands the importance of the online community in today’s market. She also has this amazing ability to make me feel like I’m her most important author. (I know for a fact, talking to all her other authors that she makes them feel that too. But that doesn’t take anything away from it.) Even though I know she’s spinning a hundred plates, when I’m talking to or emailing her, I know I have her full attention.
And Strange Chemistry just get it. They get the market and what it takes to connect with readers and stand out. Because they’re hungry and nimble, they are able to sneak in under the radar and then surprise everyone with astoundingly good books. I’m enormously privileged to be a part of the Strange Chemistry family.” - Kim Curran, author of Shift (September 2012)

Wow! We really do have some exciting books to look forward too! I have already read Poltergeeks and I really enjoyed it, so I can't wait to read more from Strange Chemistry. Good luck Amanda and team! Long live Strange Chemistry!

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.

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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?