Thursday, September 27, 2012

Crown of Embers by Rae Carson


Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds.

I’ve been looking forward to this book since the first one, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, released last year. And I wasn’t disappointed, at all. I love these books.

In the first book, Elisa shows an incredible amount of growth, going from a clueless, sheltered girl to a leader of a rebellion. But she takes another step in Crown of Embers as she slides into the role of queen. There is so much she needs to learn, and she makes a mess of things in the beginning. But, eventually, she begins to figure things out and grow into herself as a person—which is starkly illustrated in the last few pages. It was beautiful to watch.

The romance was pretty easy to see coming, especially given their interaction in the previous book. But I loved the way it was done. There was a clear definition of what a wholesome and healthy relationship is, as well as how certain relationships can degrade and devolve a person into becoming less than what they are. I felt for their struggle, cheered for them, and was heartbroken at the harsh realities of their world.

The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, though it also feels satisfying at the same time: the conflict of this book is resolved well, and then we get a teaser of the conflict to come in the next book. And I *cannot* wait for it! Definitely recommended.

Monday, September 24, 2012

"I Hate This Book So Much"

I came across this article last week and found it amusing.
I Hate This Book So Much

I think every single writer out there has had this reaction to a book at some point. I know I have.

What do you do when you come across a book you hate? Do you put it down? Do you keep reading, hoping for redemption in the end? Do you shred it when you're done? Do you politely set it down and swear off the author's future books? Do tell!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Green Belt Test

I didn't get a chance to write a post today, or even find a gem to share with you. I'm testing for my green belt in karate on wednesday, and I've been working on my essay and making sure I know all my material. So, I'm taking the week off from my computer--both to prepare for the test, and to recover from it. It's three hours long!

So, hope you all have a great week, and I'll be back next monday. Wish me luck!

Monday, September 10, 2012

500 Word Critique: MG Fantasy

I have another request for a critique, and this is a revision from a previous piece, too! To the author: you are a brave and wondrous soul. :)

I do hope those of you reading will offer your thoughts on this story. If you like, you can read the original by clicking on the link above. The new version is below:

***

~Prologue~
                Come at eleven, he had whispered. No earlier, no later.
                Sifting and searching through the chest at the end of her bed, Annie’s fingers finally found the dark red cloak she had been looking for. Hastily throwing it on, she grabbed the basket of food off her bed and set out into the hallway, headed for the front doors of the academy.
                Finally reaching the ground level of the school, Annie flung the heavy oak door open and set out into the freezing night. It was quarter to eleven, which meant she had to hurry to make it to her destination in time.  She almost made it to the bottom of the concrete steps when she saw something in her peripheral vision. Her curiosity getting the best of her, she sat down the basket of food and bent down towards a bush. Illuminated by a street light, a piece of sparkling purple fabric was hanging off of a branch.
                Just a piece of fabric, she thought, and glanced at her watch. Now I’ve got to leave.
                And she almost did.
                She picked up her food and finished descending the stairs. But then she heard something that forced her to stop. The voice of a scared, nervous child came from the bushes. It was barely a whisper, but it was loud enough for Annie to hear. She knew she needed to hurry to make it to her plans, to Anthony, in time, but she couldn’t leave. The child sounded so scared.
                “Emmy? Emmy,  where are we?”
                Annie jogged back up the stairs and walked into the landscaping. Peering around the same bush from before, she looked for the source of the voices.
                “Hello?” She called quietly. “Who’s there?”
                The sound of rustling bushes came from behind her.  When she spun around, she came face to face with four little girls, no older than four or five years old. They looked scared and exhausted, and their clothes were clearly old and stained. Dark rims were definite and sharp underneath their eyes. They made Annie’s heart break instantly.
                They’re homeless, was Annie’s first thought. What I am supposed to do? Annie bent down to their height to talk to them.
                “My name is Annie,” She said, “What are you doing out here in the cold? Who are you?”
                The little girl with short, brown hair cut off at her chin stepped forward. “My name is Emmy. I’m fow-a.” She spoke with a small lisp. “I do not know why we are here. Please help us.”
                Annie could not believe her eyes or ears. This kind of stuff just doesn’t happen. She looked at her watch and saw that it was only three minutes until eleven. She couldn’t leave the children now; she had to know why they were there. She would just have to explain to Anthony another time.
                “Here,” she said, holding out a hand. “Come inside the doors with me, and we’ll figure this out.”
                She stood up and motioned them forward. On the way inside, Annie picked up the basket of food up and hurried the girls along.  Just as the last girl was entering the building, a small piece of paper fell out of a hole in her pocket. Staring at it for a fraction of a second, Annie scooped it up and closed her fingers around it.  Printed in large, loopy handwriting was one important, crucial word:
Instructions

            Sneaking one last look behind her, Annie walked into the school, latched and locked the door behind her, and turned to face the mysterious strangers.
~ ~ ~   
The Note that Annie Read

***

My Comments:
~Prologue~
                Come at eleven, he had whispered. No earlier, no later. (Interesting request. Sounds kind of ominous. Is that the intent?)
                Sifting and searching through the chest at the end of her bed, Annie’s fingers finally found the dark red cloak she had been looking for. Hastily throwing it on, she grabbed the basket of food off her bed and set out into the hallway, headed for the front doors of the academy. (So, she's off to a clandestine meeting? :) I'm hoping this will play a big part later on.)
                Finally reaching the ground level of the school (might be a good opportunity to tell us the name of the school, plus Annie's role here--student, teacher, assistant, etc. It sounds like she's a student, but it would be nice to know for sure.), Annie flung the heavy oak door open and set out into the freezing night. It was quarter to eleven, which meant she had to hurry to make it to her destination in time.  She almost made it to the bottom of the concrete steps when she saw something in her peripheral vision. Her curiosity getting the best of her, she sat (set) down the basket of food and bent down towards a bush. Illuminated by a street light (Hmm, I'm intrigued. Annie has a cloak which implies a time long ago, but street lights imply modern. Are they gas street lamps? I love that you add this detail, and I think a little more will paint a clearer picture), a piece of sparkling purple fabric was hanging off of a branch.
                Just a piece of fabric, she thought, and glanced at her watch. Now I’ve got to leave.
                And she almost did.
                She picked up her food and finished descending the stairs. But then she heard something that forced her to stop. The voice of a scared, nervous child came from the bushes. It was barely a whisper, but it was loud enough for Annie to hear. She knew she needed to hurry to make it to her plans, to Anthony, in time, but she couldn’t leave. The child sounded so scared.
                “Emmy? Emmy,  where are we?”
                Annie jogged back up the stairs and walked into the landscaping. Peering around the same bush from before, she looked for the source of the voices.
                “Hello?” She called quietly. “Who’s there?”
                The sound of rustling bushes came from behind her.  When she spun around, she came face to face with four little girls, no older than four or five years old. They looked scared and exhausted, and their clothes were clearly old and stained. Dark rims were definite and sharp underneath their eyes. They made Annie’s heart break instantly.
                They’re homeless, was Annie’s first thought. What I am supposed to do? Annie bent down to their height to talk to them.
                “My name is Annie,” She said, “What are you doing out here in the cold? Who are you?”
                The little girl with short, brown hair cut off at her chin stepped forward. “My name is Emmy. I’m fow-a.” She spoke with a small lisp. “I do not know why we are here. Please help us.”
                Annie could not believe her eyes or ears. This kind of stuff just doesn’t happen. She looked at her watch and saw that it was only three minutes until eleven. She couldn’t leave the children now; she had to know why they were there. She would just have to explain to Anthony another time. (I'd love to know the nature of her meeting with Anthony. The 'no earlier, no later' request sounds a little business-like, but the basket of food sounds personal. I'd like to know exactly what she's giving up in order to help these girls. And to risk getting into trouble with the school for being outside at night when she found them. Knowing this info will help me know Annie better, which will help me connect with her.)
                “Here,” she said, holding out a hand. “Come inside the doors with me, and we’ll figure this out.”
                She stood up and motioned them forward. On the way inside, Annie picked up the basket of food up and hurried the girls along (Are the girls hungry? Does she offer them the food inside the basket?).  Just as the last girl was entering the building, a small piece of paper fell out of a hole in her pocket. Staring at it for a fraction of a second, Annie scooped it up and closed her fingers around it.  Printed in large, loopy handwriting was one important, crucial word:
Instructions (Great hook!)

            Sneaking one last look behind her, Annie walked into the school, latched and locked the door behind her, and turned to face the mysterious strangers.
~ ~ ~   
The Note that Annie Read

This appears to be the title of the first chapter, yes? I am quite interested enough to keep reading so I can find out what was inside that note. Also, I think this opening is more effective than the first one you sent in. With a little more clarification on Annie's midnight picnic, you'll have one heck of a hook here.


What do the rest of you think? Leave your feedback in the comments, and please be honest AND constructive.  


Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Publishing Is Broken...

I finished my revision! Finished!!! Woohoo!!! But I still didn't have the chance to write a post for this week, but I have this interesting article to share.

Publishing is Broken:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2012/08/15/publishing-is-broken-were-drowning-in-indie-books-and-thats-a-good-thing/

Enjoy!

I'm going to go collapse in a chair and stare at the walls for a while...
:)

Saturday, September 01, 2012

September Book Giveaway

I've got two ARCs to give away this month.

ARC of Every Day by David Levithan
Every morning, A wakes in a different person’s body, a different person’s life. There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.
It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day.

ARC of Outpost by Ann Aguirre
Deuce’s whole world has changed. Down below, she was considered an adult. Now, topside in a town called Salvation, she’s a brat in need of training in the eyes of the townsfolk. She doesn’t fit in with the other girls: Deuce only knows how to fight.
To make matters worse, her Hunter partner, Fade, keeps Deuce at a distance. Her feelings for Fade haven’t changed, but he seems not to want her around anymore. Confused and lonely, she starts looking for a way out.
Deuce signs up to serve in the summer patrols—those who make sure the planters can work the fields without danger. It should be routine, but things have been changing on the surface, just as they did below ground. The Freaks have grown smarter. They’re watching. Waiting. Planning. The monsters don’t intend to let Salvation survive, and it may take a girl like Deuce to turn back the tide.

To enter, fill out the form below, then come back on Saturday, September 29 to see if you've won. Good luck!