Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards

 

Hello Everyone,
I didn't have another post for Middle Grade Monday, but then thought it would be a good time to share some exciting news:  My middle grade novel, The Prophesy of Ilverzah, made it to the quarter finals of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  (I still can't believe it myself).

Honestly, I was stunned when I saw my name on the list, as well as humbled and excited.  This seems like such a big step for me.  This is the first novel I wrote - it started two and a half years ago as an ill thought out decision to do National Novel Writing Month (for those of you who don't know, you write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November).  I sat down November first, not knowing what to write, not having a plot, but only some notion of a main character.  In fact, it took me several days to come up with a plot, but, I sat down each day and wrote my (absolutely terrible) 50,000 words.  I have then spent the last two and a half years editing the book and making it into something, I hope, other people would like to read.

So, for those of who are interested, you can go to Amazon and read the first 5000 words of my novel, as well as leave comments (for which I would be very grateful, I would love the feedback).

Here is the synopsis:
The Prophesy of Ilverzah is the story of four children who become immersed in a fantastic, beautiful, yet war torn magical parallel universe called Ilverzah - a universe that needs their unique talents in order to regain peace.

After shy, bookish, thirteen year old Mara finds a faerie in an energy field she created after a science experiment, her whole world changes. Along with her brother, Tom, and their friends Rose and Jason, Mara gets pulled into Ilverzah, unable to leave despite the efforts of the best magicians in the land. As idyllic and seductive as Ilverzah is, all the children want is the one thing that eludes them, to return home.

However, Mara and her friends soon find that Ilverzah is also a dangerous place. The land has been ravaged by a devastating, generation long, civil war. To make matters worse, the leader of the Demetros, the deranged centaur, Prince Carolos, believes that the children hold the key to winning the war and will not rest until he has them in his grasp. Then there is Ilverzah itself, the world has closed the portals home to the four friends. Perhaps there is some truth to the ancient prophesy that four children will tip the balance in the war and must play their part. If this is true, then Mara and her friends must each learn to use their unique gifts before it is too late.

The Prophesy of Ilverzah is an upper middle school fantasy novel, complete at 60,000 words, which I humbly compare to Narnia meets the Trojan War. It is a story of magic, prophesies, unexpected talents and trust in a chaotic and dangerous world.

Middle Grade Monday is a meme sponsored by Shannon Messenger.  You can go to her blog to get a list of all the great blogs participating.

Book Review: The Apocalypse Gene

Book:  The Apocalype Gene by Suki Michelle and Carlyle Clark, July 30th 2011 by Parker Publishing, 230 pages.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Global pandemic is raging.

Olivya Wright-Ono's once loving home has been converted to a hospice for the dying. Her ability to see auras forces her to witness, with agonizing detail, the vibrant colors of life consumed by malignancy.

The beautiful and troubled, Mikah, is an elite Empath in the ancient Kindred clan, led by the brooding, ever-morphing, monster named Prime. Mikah has learned a terrible truth . . . the plague is linked to Kindred origins. When Olivya sees evidence of disease creeping into her mother's aura, she has no one to turn to but Mikah. Can he unearth the Kindred secrets and find a cure?

Can she trust this boy whose power allows him to manipulate her very emotions? With her mother's life, and that of the world, in the balance, Olivya and Mikah embark on a quest to stop the Pandemic, only to discover it is far, far more than a mere disease . . .

My Thoughts:
This was an interesting book - different from what I expected, but in a good way.  I thought it would be a typical dystopian novel but it wasn't.  It has alien and science fiction overtones which add to the fantasy and paranormal, and gives it a unique twist.  It was also obvious that the authors had done their research around various mythologies.  This gives the reader authentic and familiar aspects of the book to hold onto as they go on a wild ride.

At the heart of the book is Olivya.  Most of the book is told from her point of view, so we really get into her head and I, for one, felt a lot of sympathy for her.  She is, in many ways, a typical teen, trying to fit in and have some fun, but in a very different, restrictive, and fear based culture.  I liked Olivya, but at times found her speech a bit much - she uses a lot of slang.  What I did like about Olivya was how strong she is.  She won't put up with anyone getting in her way and isn't scared to stand up for herself and what she believes in.

The writing had some great description and each characters was really defined.  The world the authors created was interesting and believable, complete with lots of action and romance.  I loved the premise of the cancer gone crazy and found the imagination involved compelling.  There are times, however, when the book gets a bit repetitive, but, for the most part, I found myself racing through, wanting to know what would happen next.


And here is the book trailer from YouTube:

To find the authors: Website, Facebook, Twitter

Book Review: Seeds of Rebellion by Brandon Mull

Book:  Seeds of Rebellion (Beyonders #2) by Brandon Mull, March 2012 by Aladdin, 512 pages.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
The second epic installment of Brandon Mull’s #1 New York Times bestselling fantasy series!After the cliffhanger ending of A World Without Heroes, Jason is back in the world he’s always known—yet for all his efforts to get home, he finds himself itching to return to Lyrian. Jason knows that the shocking truth he learned from Maldor is precious information that all of his friends in Lyrian, including Rachel, need if they have any hope of surviving and defeating the evil emperor.

Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have discovered new enemies—as well as new abilities that could turn the tide of the entire quest. And as soon as Jason succeeds in crossing over to Lyrian, he’s in more danger than ever. Once the group reunites, they strive to convince their most-needed ally to join the war and form a rebellion strong enough to triumph over Maldor. At the center of it all, Jason and Rachel realize what roles they’re meant to play—and the answers are as surprising as they are gripping.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book.  I am a big fan of Brandon Mull and this book certainly did not disappoint.  I love his writing and imagination and the vivid fantasy worlds that he creates.  I also love how he couples this fantasy with humanity, how the reader agonizes with the characters over difficult choices, deaths, loss, and homesickness.

This installment picks off soon after A World Without Heroes ends.  Mr. Mull does a great job of giving the back story in this installment without it seeming like a history lesson.   I was soon filled in on the details that I had forgotten.

The story alternates between Jason and Rachel's points of view, and it is easy to feel for each of them - how confused they are by what is going on in Lyrian, how much they want to help, how they long to go home.  I like how they play off of each other, how they are good friends, but also how their relationship is developing.   They are growing and finding themselves and their passions.

There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but they were all so different that once we got to know them, it wasn't difficult.  Also, several of them went a long way to adding to the mystery and intrigue of the book.

There is so much adventure and tension, and this is balanced with some slower times and learning more about Lyrian.  I found myself completely engaged in this book and can hardly wait for the next in the series, due out next year.  I think kids will love this book - it was a great second book in this series.

Disclosure:  I received an ARC from the publisher via Goodreads.
To read my review of A World Without Heros, click here.

Find the author:  Website, Twitter, Facebook

Book Review: The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny

Book:  The Plight and Plot of Princess Penny by Michael Mullin, February 22nd 2012 by Gemiknight Studios, LLC, Kindle Edition.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
From the author of "8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf" comes an original fairy tale about a teenage princess who hires the witch from "The Frog Prince" to get revenge on a Mean Girl at school. (Intended for YA readers and up.)

My Thoughts:
This is a twist on traditional fairy tales, told in verse.  It is a short and entertaining read.  I love twists on other stories and Michael Mullin is very good at them.

Princess Penny is tired of being bullied by Darcy and, after seeing an ad by the witch in the local paper, decides to take her revenge.  She goes to the witch, who lives deep in the woods in a candy encrusted cottage, to purchase a potion that will curse Darcy.  Along the way, she meets Jink, a troll under the bridge who tries to persuade Penny not to go through with her plan.

I like this twist on getting revenge and how, often, the outcome is often not what you expect.  Mr. Mullin treats this often emotional and sensitive topic with humour and honesty.

Teens will likely relate to the social dynamic between Penny and Darcy and the cliques at school.  I think most of us know or have known kids just like them.  He plays with familiar stereotypes, both in high school and in fantasy, to make something new.

Every now and then, I found the verse a bit cumbersome, but for the most part, it was easy to read and flowed well.  In fact, I was done reading the story before I knew it.  The verse also adds to the fairy tale story aspect of the story, making it different from a regular short story.

Mr. Mullin also wrote "8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf" (you can read my review of it here), and I recently had the opportunity to interview him (you can read the interview here). You can find this book on Amazon.

Book Review: Unwind by Neal Shusterman

Book:  Unwind (Unwind #1) by Neal Shusterman, November 6th 2007 by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 335 pages.

Synopsis from Goodreads: 
Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

My Thoughts:
This book was recommended to my son by the local librarian.  She was raving about it, so thought I'd read it too and was glad that I did.  Right from the start, the book had me hooked - the premise is so horrible, yet I was interested to see what would come of it all.

This is the story of three teens, Connor, Risa, and Lev, told largely from alternating points of view.  They live in a dystopian future, where life is sacred, except that from the ages of 13-18, your parents can have you unwound.  These unwound children are used as organ and body part transplants and the whole thing is justified by saying that they are not actually dead, that they live on.

This is such a horrifying concept, but Shusterman makes it ring true - his writing is so compelling.  He brings in real things that have already happened to lay the foundation for this future.  For me, the end was especially chilling with its direct links to Nazi Germany. 

I liked the diversity of the three main characters, Connor, Risa, and Lev.  They are good foils for each other and show three typical kids from three separate walks of life and how they ended up in their current situations.  I found that I really felt for each of this kids in their own way - I know kids like them, they are normal, make mistakes, and get along as best they can.  

There is a bit of romance, and lots of adventure and tension.  I think this book would really appeal to both boys and girls.  I, personally, love books that explore big and interesting questions, and this one certainly does.  I find myself thinking of this book at times - it is one that has stayed with me.  I highly recommend this book an will look up the next one in the series the next chance I have. 

Find Neal Shusterman On:  Website  Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads   YouTube

Guest Post: M.J. Rose

Today is my stop on the Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours blog tour for M.J. Rose's The Book of Lost Fragrances (you can read my review of this exciting book here).  Ms. Rose is sharing with us about historical fragrance.

First, a synopsis of the book:

A sweeping and suspenseful tale of secrets, intrigue, and lovers separated by time, all connected through the mystical qualities of a perfume created in the days of Cleopatra--and lost for 2,000 years.

Jac L'Etoile has always been haunted by the past, her memories infused with the exotic scents that she grew up surrounded by as the heir to a storied French perfume company. In order to flee the pain of those remembrances--and of her mother's suicide--she moved to America. Now, fourteen years later she and her brother have inherited the company along with it's financial problems. But when Robbie hints at an earth-shattering discovery in the family archives and then suddenly goes missing--leaving a dead body in his wake--Jac is plunged into a world she thought she'd left behind.

Back in Paris to investigate her brother's disappearance, Jac becomes haunted by the legend the House of L'Etoile has been espousing since 1799. Is there a scent that can unlock the mystery of reincarnation - or is it just another dream infused perfume?

The Book of Lost Fragrances fuses history, passion, and suspense, moving from Cleopatra's Egypt and the terrors of revolutionary France to Tibet's battle with China and the glamour of modern-day Paris. Jac's quest for the ancient perfume someone is willing to kill for becomes the key to understanding her own troubled past.

And now the guest post by M.J. Rose:  
I've been fascinated with lost fragrances since long before I started writing The Book of Lost Fragrances... since I found a bottle of perfume on my great grandmother's dresser that had belonged to her mother in Russia. Here is one of those lost fragrances that stirs the senses and the imagination... (reasearched and described with the help of the perfume writer Dimitrios Dimitriadis)

WEIL - NOIR

In 1927, French furriers Weil bowed to public demand to have a series of fragrances created to perfume their furs. Noir was a rare and enchanting creation launched in 1937 and retired 32 years later in 1969. An exquisite floral leather, Noir is bold and commanding with a bergamot/orange opening and spiralling blooms of rose and jasmine at its heart. An amber / leather foundation warms the composition with a balsamic, animalic undertones. Noir, just as the name suggests, is dappled with shadows and simmering with mystery. Sadly, now lost to the past.
 
Thank you so much, Ms. Rose.  It was great to have you on my blog today. 

AUTHOR BIO:

M.J. Rose is the international best selling author of eleven novels and two non-fiction books on marketing. Her next novel THE BOOK OF LOST FRAGRANCES (Atria/S&S) will be published in March 2012.  Her fiction and non-fiction has appeared in many magazines and reviews including Oprah Magazine. She has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, Time, USA Today and on the Today Show, and NPR radio.  Rose graduated from Syracuse University, spent the '80s in advertising, has a commercial in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC and since 2005 has run the first marketing company for authors - Authorbuzz.com.  The television series PAST LIFE, was based on Rose's novels in the Renincarnationist series. She is one of the founding board members of International Thriller Writers and runs the blog- Buzz, Balls & Hype.  She is also the co-founder of Peroozal.com and BookTrib.com.

Rose lives in CT with her husband the musician and composer, Doug Scofield, and their very spoiled and often photographed dog, Winka.

For more information on M.J. Rose and her novels, please visit her WEBSITE. You can also find her on Facebook.

Middle Grade Monday: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Today I decided to join in Shannon Messenger's Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday.  If you click on the link, you can go to her blog and check out the list of other bloggers who are participating and read their reviews, interviews, contests, etc, all to do with middle grade books. 

Book:  The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, Scholastic Inc, 2007, 544 pages.

Synopsis from Goodreads:
Caldecott Honor artist Brian Selznick's lavishly illustrated debut novel is a cinematic tour de force not to be missed! ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.

Gone Reading

I've just found out about this fabulous new site and felt I had to share.  It is called Gone Reading International, and is a philanthropic organization that markets a line of interesting products for book lovers.  They donate 100% of the after-tax profits to help fund libraries around the world.  

I absolutely love this idea.  Not only can you buy some fun and interesting items, you can help an amazing cause.  They also have free shipping on orders over $25.  Their newest products include: some beautiful designer bookmarks, book journals, bookplates and book lights for e-readers and printed books.  They’re even starting to carry some awesome games about books!  And then there are their ever-popular book shirts.

Go check them out by clicking on the link above.  They have even offered an exclusive coupon code for readers of my blog to receive 25% off for my readers:  COREENAS25

               

The coupon expires one month from today, and is good for 25% off of any purchases at www.GoneReading.com except their bookends.