Books By Their Cover

Friday, February 11, 2011

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin

Grade: 2 stars out of 5 [for the plot, its potential and the side-characters who were great]

Jenna aka Charlie Tracker is having a fauxmance with costar Jonah aka Fielding Withers aka Aaron Littleton. In reality they can barely stand each other. But their agents need them to fake it so ratings could stay up. But when rumors start to fly that Fielding is gay and their relationship is a lie, Charlie and Aaron hide away.

I am so freaking happy that Fielding is not his real name. No offense to any Fielding's (first names) of course. Anyway onto the novel.

Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance sounds quite adorable, but in reality the two fight so much and practice their scripts/fake life/how they should act that it's not adorable. They're both quite the blockheads and the novel drags. I kept hoping in the end that the pace would pick up and the story would lighten up. Um, not so much. I gritted my teeth and held on just hoping and hoping.

The novel is quite repetitive and I felt the same scenario being played over and over again. On and on, back and forth Charlie and Aaron bicker, piss at each other, fake romance for the cameras, and then make up...sorta. I didn't see much character development and got a little annoyed with both. If this were to be a movie I would be the person in the back of the theater screaming "shut up and get on with it!".

As I don't have much positive things to say about Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance I'll be the one to shut up now.

Source: Walker Books

Cover B

Published: 2011 February 1; paperback and hardcover

Amazon

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Desires of the Dead

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Grade: 3 stars out of 5

Violet Ambrose has the ability to find dead bodies through their echoes. She can also find the ones who killed by their imprints. This may be a “cool” trick for some people to talk about, Violet doesn’t think so. But her ability has attracted the FBI and her bestfriend turned boyfriend has attracted a rival for Violet that wants her gone.

Having read the prequel, The Body Finder and was less than amazed, I went in reading Desires of the Dead with a held breath. I came out. Here’s the thing, Desires of the Dead does not impress at all if you were to focus of the thriller/mystery genre. By page 60 I already figured out who the supposed “killer” and the one who wanted Jay all to herself was. It wasn’t hard frankly speaking. As a coming-of-age and romance novel, it fairs much better.

Jay and Violet really connect to each other, but it’s almost too sweet. Yet I seem to have a sweet tooth and find myself with a smile cheesy grin on my face. They’re adorable together, what can I say.

Back to the crime thriller aspect of the novel: there’s a small twist that isn’t so obvious with puts very contemporary issue of the forefront. Not the killing part I mean. The FBI shtick was only an introduction it seemed. There are plenty of open-ended questions and new characters that need more developing for me to get a grasp of.

Desires of the Dead sets the tone for a chapter with Violet.

Source: unsolicited ARC from HarperTeen

Cover D

still don't understand the concept of these flowers being on the cover

Published: 2011 March 1; hardback

Amazon

Friday, February 4, 2011

The False Princess

The False Princess by Elis O'Neal

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Nalia has known herself to the Princess and that's all that she has known. But one day out of the blue she's told that she's not the real princess but the false princess. Her real name is Sinda. Sinda is kicked out of the castle and handed over to her aunt who is a dyer. Life now is much different than what's she used to. To make matters more surprising, Sinda finds herself possessing magic and discovering that maybe the real princess that replaced Sinda is perhaps not the real princess either.

The False Princess, oh goodness gracious, I did not want to read because of the old cover cover. It had such a dark color scheme and I'm like crow--attracted to bright shiny things. The new cover made me want to read the book, but after finishing the novel I'm happy I read it either way. TThe False Princess was one surprise after another that made the book better and better. I inhaled, devoured, gobbled, whatever. The False Princess was a book that was hard to put down.

Sinda was not the cool, calm, and collective heroine. Heck I'd be as freaked out as she was to find out my entire life was a shame. What treachery! She has more class than I do as I would've done something bad with my newfound magic and would've burn a few blades of grass ~~or houses~~. But she's tough on her own standards and stubborn as mule. Sinda takes action and ahold of life destiny by heading back to the city to control her magic and maybe save the day or two.

The plot may seemed simplistic, but done so right that the pieces of the puzzle came together. Almost too perfect especially the ending. Despite that I would still continue to recommend the book for new readers of the fantasy genre.

Source: ARC from Egmont/Goodman Media

Cover B

comparing the new with the old I like each for different reasons. the new cover is much more eye-catching with the colors while the old cover definitely portrays Sinda more beautifully as it rings true ethnically. the necklace on the new cover I appreciate.

Published: 2011 January 25

Amazon

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Miles Between

The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson

Grade: 4 stars out of 5

Destiny Faraday wants just one fair day where the good guy wins. For that to happen Des is going on a joy-ride with 3 other kids from school--acquaintances and friends--where they try to find that "fair" day.

The Miles Between, I will admit I shied away because a) the cover and b) the synopsis. With a new cover and the positive reviews I've read about Pearson, I'd jumped at the chance to review the paperback edition of the book. I was surprised. I liked the book quite a lot. The Miles Between asks from the readers to put reason in the wind and let life take its course--believable or coincidently it may be. Once I let go of my hold on the why's and how's I became immersed in the story of Destiny.

Destiny has a little ~~hobby~~ obsession. She collects these random too-coincidental-to-be-true facts. At first I found these little stories to be fun and kind of cool, but they bore me as the chapters went by. Maybe because I've heard of some of them before or maybe because of the way it was told through one big paragraph.

What The Miles Between that I constantly look forward in most books were the unique and structurally unsafe characters. I like my characters a little kooky in the head if you know what I mean.There's just something fun about all 4 characters that I wanted to be friends with. As the passages continue, there is light shed onto the backgrounds of the characters that makes them stronger. Destiny's tale will shock some readers. Destiny's actions and motives behind each step are emotional, but told as if Destiny was a hard candy with a soft center.

As I seem to be blabbering on about nothing and everything in-between I'll leave a few parting words: take a chance, read The Miles Between if you believe in coincidence.

Source: InGroup

Cover C+

while I like the paperback cover more than the hardback cover there's still something off about it

Published: 2011 January 4; paperback

Amazon [hardback on bargain]

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Interview with Victoria Laurie + Giveaway

Real-life professional psychic Victoria Laurie draws from her career as a gifted clairvoyant and police psychic to create the character of Abigail Cooper. She lives in Arlington, MA with her two spoiled Dachshunds, Lilly and Toby. / website /

Q: What are some of your favorite ghost shows/movies?

A: When I first started writing my Ghost Hunter Mysteries I was completely addicted to The Travel Channel's Most Haunted. I looooved that show, and I'm so bummed it's no longer available. It had all the elements you'd love in a good ghost show, spooky locations throughout Europe, a rather eccentric psychic medium, perpetually scared crew and loads of creepy stuff happening on screen. The fact that everyone was also British just made it all the more delightful!

Sadly, that show either got cancelled or the Travel Channel doesn't show it anymore, and I just haven't found anything quite as good as a substitute.

Q: Looking back, do you think if you were to follow your 7th grade career aptitude test and became a government spy, would have been as a influential to your working in the physic world?

A: Ha! Great question! And my answer is, that I sincerely don't know. I'm leaning toward the two having no relation whatsoever, however, I've always been able to read people, and spot any hidden agenda, which is what likely attributed to my scoring so well in that category. I think, though, that if I had followed that career path, I would have looooved being a spy. The intrigue, the danger, the adrenaline rush...who could pass that up? :)

Q: It’s the wrong time of the year, but do you celebrate Halloween? If so, do you go all out with decorations and props?

A: Oh, I ADORE Halloween! I haven't gone all out in years, it seems there is always something pulling at my schedule right around the end of October, but next year I plan to do something awesome like visit one of the local haunted fire stations here in Austin and hunt for spooks. I've heard that at this particular station, the firefighters have heard bare feet running across the floorboards, and one or two firemen claim that some disembodied ghost climbed into bed with them and cuddled up!!!

Q: What the heck, Valentine's Day is going up, any good romantic movies/shows I should know about?

A: Hmmm....I wish I knew!!! I haven't been to the movies in ages and ages! I keep swearing I'm gong to get out and see The King's Speech, (Colin Firth you gorgeous man you!) but there's so much on the plate right now that he may have to wait a bit. If you hear of any, though, please pass them on!

[edit to add: Mr. Darcy is that you? ;)]

Thanks to Penguin I have one (1) copy of the latest book in the Ghost Hunter Mystery Series, Ghouls Ghouls Ghouls, to give away! This is going to be an US mailing address only contest.

Leave a comment to enter and let me know any romantic movies/shows or anything Valentine's Day related!

Giveaway ends on the 6th of February. Oh and leave an email so I can contact the winner :)

Monday, January 31, 2011

Manga Monday: Seiyuu Ka-!

Seiyuu Ka~! by Minami Maki

Kino Hime is a 15 year-old girl who just started her first year in a high school for voice actors (Seiyuu) called Hiiragi Academy. She dreams of becoming the voice of the main character in one of the most popular series in Japan, "Magic Fighter Lovely Blazers". The academy is the number one school which allows students to make their voice acting debuts and also includes other departments such as general education, sports, music, acting, and art.

But Hime's dream is hard to fulfill. Her voice is not really suitable for a voice actress and her new classmate Kudou Senri doesn't waste time in pointing that out. Will Hime prove everybody, especially Senri, what she is capable of despite the first appearance?