Priscilla the Great Blog Tour: Teenage Garage Sale + Giveaway

Hi everyone! I’m lucky enough to be a part of Priscilla the Great tour in Teen Book Scene. Today, Sybil will be posting about items from her teenage years. Hope you stick around!

My nose was stuck in a book for most of my teenage years so this is actually a very tough question for me. I only have vague memories of what was going on when I was a teenager, but ask me what I was reading back then, I could tell you without hesitation. But here is what I do remember:

Some of the music that was popular back then was the Dave Matthews Band and Hootie and the Blowfish. What is sad is that I was talking to a twelve-year-old the other day about how one of my students is the nanny for Darius Rucker and she was like: “Who is that?” So I was like: “He’s the lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish.” And she was like: “What’s a hootie and a blowfish?” I should have let it go there and walked away, but instead I broke out into a spontaneous rendition of “Hold My Hand.”

Anyway, I’m sure there would have been CD’s of those bands for sale or…cassette tapes. Yes, people still kind of used cassette tapes when I was a teenager. In fact, you might have found a discman or a walkman in the garage sale as well. Primitive, I know. I don’t think you could even find a walkman anywhere nowadays...except eBay. Maybe in the antiques section.

You probably would have found baseball cards and Charlotte Hornets’ jerseys at the garage sale as well. They were a popular team back then. Now they don’t even exist.

And rounding out your garage sale experience, you probably would have been able to pick up some Air Jordans, slap bracelets and beepers. Wow, I actually had a beeper when I was a teenager. Great, I feel old now. I’m gonna go turn on some Justin Bieber and dance around the kitchen so I can pretend I’m a kid again.

Photo sources: http://www.sportslogos.net, http://www.onesweetpair.com & http://anniemurphy.wordpress.com

Giveaway: Win Priscilla the Great Prize Pack!

Sybil Nelson is offering up a big prize pack! The Prize Pack includes:
1 signed Priscilla the Great book,
1 Priscilla the Great t-shirt,
1 Priscilla the Great totebag,
and a $15 iTunes gift card!

Rules:

Comment with your email address!

Ends April 8, 2011!

(I think this is open internationally. There was no restriction.)

In My Mailbox (13)

It’s time for another IMM! In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren and it is a Meme that encourages bloggers to interact with each other.

For Review:

From Pan Macmillan UK & Hattie:

 

Exodus by Julie Bertagna

Zenith by Julie Bertagna

Forsaken (The Demon Trappers #1) by Jana Oliver (review coming soon)

-Forsaken was…very kickass. Very hard to put down. I want more! Exodus & Zenith are the first two books of Julie’s dystopian series. I’m eyeing them right now.

From Running Press & Nicole:

 

Purple Daze by Sherry Shahan (reviewed)

-Love this verse novel. It was very strong. The author is really nice too!

From Harper Teen:

Desires of the Dead by Kimberly Derting

Afterlife by Claudia Gray (Finally!)

-I haven’t read The Body Finder yet. But I’m planning to! And finally – Afterlife! The last book of Claudia’s series. Can’t wait!

From Sourcebooks & Katie:

Walk the Wild Road by Nigel Hinton

-I’ll be reviewing this one in June! It’s MG with strong themes. That’s a first.

From Hardie Grant Australia & Jennifer:

Forgotten by Cat Patrick (ARC) (currently reading) – I’m preparing myself to be blown away! I’ve started this one.

From Bancroft Press & Harrison:

 

The Atomic Weight of Secrets or the Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black by Eden Unger Bowditch (currently reading)

-Reminds me of A Series of Unfortunate Events (the movie). It sounds fun and I’m currently making my way through this.

From Oxford Press and Jennie:

 

Sigrun’s Secret by Marie-Louise Jensen

-Finally, it arrived! I’ve been waiting for this one since Valentine’s Day!

From Joann Martin Sowles:

 

Laney (The Brookehaven Vampires #1) *signed + 10 pretty, shiny, dark blue bookmarks

-Wow. Joann is so amazing! I didn’t even know this copy would be nice. And it’s paperback – just the way I like it. It has a sweet note inside. :)

From Netgalley:

 

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab (Yay!!)

Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi (!!)

From Simon & Schuster Galley Grab:

Incredibly Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Seven Sorcerers by Caro King

 The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin

The Summer of Firsts and Lasts by Terra Elan Mcvoy

Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury

 

I’m actually still waiting for…tons of books. Hope they arrive safely! I’m getting worried. The PO hasn’t been sending me parcel notifications and there are books that should’ve been here weeks ago!

Thanks to all the lovely authors and publicists who sent me these/approved my  galley requests!

What’s in your mailbox? Have a good week everyone!

Spotted: Aimee Carter + Signed The Goddess Test Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I really loved The Goddess Test which is my favorite read for 2011! Today, I have Aimee Carter with me. I hope you stick around for the interview. Oh, and there’s a giveaway below. ;)

Hades is usually presented as the evil, bitter and powerful god. Why did you decide to portray him as the opposite? 

I think there's a very common misconception, mostly due to popular culture, that Hades is an evil god in Greek mythology when in reality he isn't. He's supposed to be an isolated, lonely, quiet god who sits back and lets his siblings handle most things, not some evil scheming jerk who kicks puppies and taunts orphans in his spare time. Because the myth most people associate him with is the kidnapping of Persephone, I believe that might be where this evil idea of Hades comes from - or perhaps his connection to death as the ruler of the Underworld. It has always bothered me that he's so often depicted as a villain, and when I set out to write this story, I wanted Henry to be as true to the real Hades as I could make him while still writing the story I wanted to write.

In your opinion, what will afterlife be like? 

I really don't know. It's such a personal thing, and I would never presume to tell someone what the afterlife would be like. The one I describe in the book was born out of wanting to create something that most readers could relate to, something that makes sense given the vast number of beliefs out there. And you actually find out a lot more about this in the sequel, Goddess Interrupted.

If you could retell another tale in the Greek mythology, what would it be and how would you do it? 

You know, I've been thinking about this a lot lately as I write the third book, and if my publisher allows me to write more books in this world, you will eventually find out my answer. I've had several ideas from the various myths, and there's one especially that I'm excited to get the chance to write about. We'll see if I get the opportunity to make it happen!

What is your favorite part of The Goddess Test: beginning, middle or end? Why? 

The most personal scenes for Kate, especially the ones between her and her mother and her and Henry, are my favorites. If I'm limited to beginning, middle, or end...I think the end is my favorite, especially the climactic scene. And I can't talk about it without spoiling it!

If you could be a goddess, who would you be and how would you appear in your next novel, Goddess Interrupted? 

I have an answer to this, but even HINTING at it would be a huge spoiler. Ask me again after more details about Goddess Interrupted have emerged, and I'll give you my answer! She does appear in Goddess Interrupted though, and she is a new character though, I'll tell you that much.

Thank you for dropping by, Aimee! :) 

*photo credit to http://onyonet.com/.

 CLOSED - Giveaway: Signed Copy of The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Every girl who has taken the test has died.
Now it's Kate's turn.

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and now her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

If she fails...

  

Aimee was very generous to offer one signed finished copy of The Goddess Test to one lucky reader! So...I’ll keep this simple.

Rules:

Must be a follower.

Leave a comment with your email address so I could contact you if you win!

Open Internationally!

Ends April 20, 2011.

Extra Entries (not required):

+1 Spread the word (twitter, sidebar)

+2 Blog Post

There! I hope you enjoy The Goddess Test as much as I did!

Review: Crystal Bones by C. Audrey Hall

Book Description from the back of the ARC:

ARC, 313 pages

April 28, 2011, Marshall Cavendish

Stay out of sight. Avoid strangers. Don’t tell anyone who we are or where we come from.

Diello and Cynthe have always believed their parents’ rules are too cautious. The twins expect things to be different on their thirteenth birthday. Their mysterious Fae mother has promised that today they’ll be given magical gifts, and they’re planning to sneak off to the village fair. But nothing goes right. The magic isn’t what they hoped. Their human father won’t let them out of their chores. They’re forbidden to attend the fair and sent on an errand instead. Then the day turns deadly as Diello and Cynthe are plunged into a lethal game of cat and mouse with old enemies of their parents. Suddenly there are secrets upon secrets to unwind. Who is friend and who is foe? And what have their parents been hiding?

Source: Marshall Cavendish & Diana (Thank you!)

My Thoughts:

Set in a time when barons, serfs and castles were present, Hall introduced Fae and Faelin into this traditional society. Because of a great war between Fae and Goblins in the past, Antrasin held a grudge against them – including half-breeds. But Diello and Cynthe, twins of a farmer and a Fae woman, had never been exposed to this kind of cruelty and hatred. As Faelin, they were treated with no fairness. They were despised, feared and perceived as people who do not belong in Antrasin.

They ventured into the village to witness the fair despite their mother’s warning. In the fair, they found wonders, human magic, merrymaking and horrible things. With newfound awareness, they realize that the village was not a good place to be in when you were Faelin. Goblins were everywhere, blending in as human. When one of the goblins bumped into them and realized they knew he was not human, the game was on. Soon Diello and Cynthe were running for their lives, with wounds as reminders of the danger they were in.

I never thought there could be this much action involving thirteen year olds but there was! It reminded me of the movie The Lord of the Rings – swords, bows and arrows, tracking and a great deal of running. There was so much wickedness in the place and there was so much distrust and neglect in the people who were supposed to be helpful in the first place. I hated how they made Diello and Cynthe’s situation much more difficult and loathsome.

Although at times I found the story dragging and slow, it was countered by really exciting and heart-pounding action scenes. Soon, I found myself lost in the adventure, the danger and the drama. They were realistic and worrisome but nonetheless entertaining and kickass. The twins were on their own, looking after each other and searching for a way to save themselves and their little sister, Amalina, while trying to decipher the mystery of their parents’ lives. Diello and Cynthe were really different and they got into fights sometimes. I appreciated the love-dislike-love relationship between the twins. They cared for one another so much that living without the other would be unbearable. They had a really hard time as they faced the people of Antrasin and its ruler Lord Malques who looked at them with discriminating eyes and followed laws that only considered humans.

Crystal Bones is dramatic, tragic, exciting and action-packed. Magic, mystery and emotions combined into an adequate mix that heightened enjoyment. This has so much promise. The next book will be more exciting than the first, I can feel it. I recommend this to readers of Fae novels and lovers of fantasy.

Rating: