February New Releases List

Since February is starting tomorrow, here is a list of books coming out this month that may or may not be of interest to people reading this (note: I will also be including paperback versions of books that are already out since I know there are people like me who wait till stuff is out in paperback):

Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson. Out in hardcover February 1rst.
The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler. Out in Hardcover February 2nd.
Aurelie:A Faerie Tale by Heather Tomlinson. Paperback version out February 2nd.
Eleventh Grade Burns: Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #4 by Heather Brewer. Out February 9th in hardcover.
Gone:Wake series book 3 by Lisa McMann. Out February 9th in hardcover.
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. Paperback version out February 9th.
Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta. Out in hardcover February 9th.
Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Paperback version out February 9th
After by Kristin Harmel. Out in Hardcover February 9th.
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley. Paperback version out February 17th.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson. Paperback version out February 23rd.
Once Upon a Time series: Violet Eyes. Out in Paperback February 23rd
Redwall series: The Sable Queen by Brian Jacques. Out February 23rd in hardcover.

So many books to read, so little time. This isn't even a whole list of books, just ones that I find intriguing and think people reading this blog may be interested in. There's also a whole slew of original novels coming out as well as many mangas (including D.Gray Man 16!) so happy reading in February!

Friday Finds Post

Here's a Friday Finds post about books you've heard about/found that is hosted by MizB at the Should be Reading blog.

Just one that looks really interesting to me right now:


The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler.
A retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses.
It's not out until February 2 but it looks really interesting and I can never resist those fairy tale retellings for some reason. Plus, look at that cover. Will definitely check this book out later.

Book Review: Percy Jackson, book 1: The Lighting Thief

TITLE: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1: The Lighting Thief
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
GENRE: childrens, series, fantasy, adventure
PREMISE: Percy Jackson is attacked by a monster on a school trip, kicked out of his school, and then discovers he is the half mortal son of a greek god. If that wasn't bad enough, Zeus has just accused him of stealing a lighting bolt and is threatening war if he doesn't return it.
MY REVIEW: Well, I'm on a roll today. I had a day off on work so I was able to get lots of reading done. It helps that this book is a really fast read. Now I will be honest, it IS sort of a Harry Potter rip-off. Sorry Riordan, but there are WAY too many similarities to Harry Potter for it to be a coincidence. But they are mostly artificial similarities and not enough for JKR to sue and plus the book is just so darn enjoyable you find yourself not caring. Or I didn't anyway.
One of the best things is Percy's narration. He is hysterical. Sometimes he can be frusterating true, but well...he IS a teenager. His humor and the general humor of the book is what really sold the book to me. Plus, I have a confession: I am a greek mythology geek. It was my favorite unit in high school english and I would have taken a greek myths course in college if my school had offered it at a time I could have taken it (damn art labs). So anyway, it is no surprise that I adored the references to greek myths that were slyly scattered throughout it. Granted the author may have twisted a few things, but it was still fun. I also liked that the author didn't sugar coat the gods even though the books were aimed at a younger audiece. They are still petty, greedy, childish, prone to grudges, and so on and yes they still get it on with mortals (hence the entire existance of Camp Half Blood).
So, while it may be a series look alike, it is a very enjoyable series look alike that stands on its own as good fiction. If you have boys who are reluctant to read, put this in their hands, I bet they'll love it. I cannot wait to read the rest and am now pshyched up for the movie.
WHO SHOULD READ: fans of Harry Potter, fans of greek mythology, reluctant middle school readers, fantasy/action/adventure fans
RATING: four and a half demi-gods

For the following challenges:
First in a series by Royal Reviews blog

Finish that Series by Royal Reviews blog

100+ Reading Challenge by J-Kaye's Book Blog

Book Review: The Wee Free Men

TITLE: The Wee Free Men from the Discworld series
AUTHOR: Terry Pratchett
GENRE: young adult, fantasy, series, satire
PREMISE: Young Tiffany discovers magic in her no nonsense world and also discovers a group of small people. When her brother is stolen by a creature she enlists the help of the wee free men to bring him back.
MY REVIEW: So, my first Pratchett book and I have to say, I loved it. While there were a few times I scratched my head I enjoyed it mostly for the humor. There were some hysterical things going on in this book, mostly due to the Wee Free men. They were a riot. Tiffany herself was also a hoot. Add them all together along with Mrs. Tick and her toad...well you have a very enjoyable set of characters that you start to adore.
I also liked some of the sly social commentary that Pratchett added into the story. This is satire that is well done and has you rolling on the floor but also makes you think about a thing or two. If you like romance, you may find it boring because there is no romance (unless you count the hysterical scene with Tiffany and Rob Anybody, which I don't particularly). But if you don't mind that, I strongly urge you to pick up this book. I am now definitely going to be checking out the sequel to this book as well as the other Discworld books. So, all in all, well done book. I can now see why Pratchett has legions of fans.
WHO SHOULD READ: Discworld/Pratchett fans, fantasy lover fans, people who like satire, if you like strong female leads who take care of business
RATING: four out of five wee free men

Part of the following challenges:
One hundred plus books challenge on J-Kaye's Blog
Support Your Local Library on J-Kaye's blog

Teaser Tuesday Meme

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here is the book I'm currently reading:
TITLE: The Wee Free Men
AUTHOR: Terry Pratchett
Yes, this is one of his many from Discworld and it is also the first I've read of his, so far I'm kind of enjoying it. Particularly the humor like below.
Teaser:

"Do you want to be turned into a frog?"
"Well, now. Let me see..." said the toad sarcastically. "Better skin, better legs, likelihood of being kissed by a princess one hundred percent improved...why yes."
Page 38

The book is just full of priceless lines like this.

Book Review: Dead to the World-Charlaine Harris

TITLE: Southern Vampires Series-Book 4: Dead to the World
AUTHOR: Charlaine Harris
GENRE: adult, vampire/paranormal, romance, chick-lit, mystery, series
PREMISE: Sookie and Bill are no longer together. Still dealing with the fallout, Sookie finds a amnesiac Eric, her brother disappears, and many other things happen.
REVIEW: I don't know why it is I am so addicted to this series. I am not normally into vampire books unless they are really really good. That said, this series isn't perfect. There is a lot of silly rampent things going on where you go huh? But it is still damn addicting and I enjoy it. I've basically given up trying to figure out why and have just enjoyed the ride.
I do think part of why I enjoy it is that I enjoy this world Harris has created. She has put thought into what would make vampires come out of the closet (so to speak) and how our world would react if they did, and has put thought into the fallout and how other mystical creatures react to the vampires doing so. I also admit, I like Sookie. She can be frusterating at times, but a lot of times I just like her. I also enjoy some of the other more colorful characters in the book. Plus, some of the moments are just damn funny (for instance Jason's face when Eric asks him why he hasn't been providing for his sister and then there was Claudine, tramp or no she was funny). But whatever the reason I enjoy the series, the book was good. Not phenomenal, but a fun escapist read.
WHO SHOULD READ: fans of vampire/paranormal romance type stories, fans of the tv show True Blood, fans of Twilight
RATING: Three and a half out of Five shifters

For the following Challenges:

100+ Reading Challenge on J-Kaye's Blog
Finish That Series on Royal Reviews Blog

It's Monday: What are You Reading Post

To start things off with I am going to do a It's Monday post from the great J-Kaye book blog. So here is what I am reading at this moment:

Dead to the World: Book 4 in the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris: One of the few vampires series I enjoy even though it can get a little absurd at times. I'm trying to finish off the series as part of the Finish that Series over on the Royal Reviews blog.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book 1-The Lighting Thief: I am enjoying the heck out of this book so far. True it's kind of a Harry Potter rip off but I like it so much I find myself not caring.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle: I started this after I saw the awesome movie and because I am trying to work my way through the classics I've missed.

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett: I'm finally giving Terry Pratchett a try. We'll see how it goes.

Intro

So, this is my humble book blog. I will be reading very random books, mostly of the fantasy/young adult persuasion with romance/vampire/and whatever books thrown in. On my slow weeks I will be reccomending old favorites, which mostly be classics or stuff like Harry Potter. There also may be a post on things like new books I'm excited about or sad news like Robert B. Parker dying (R.I.P. dude, you will be missed). So stay tuned!