FINALLY!

So my books made it all the way to Texas, and now I will start my long process of giving some of them away! I signed up for Rafflecopter (I'm not computer savvy, but seriously, could Rafflecopter be any easier to use?) and I'll try to do one giveaway a week to spread things out. 

So without further ado, here's an ARC that I'm sure people have been wanting. So now's your chance!

FROM GOODREADS:

Lose yourself in the magic of Watersong, an unforgettable new series about two sisters who nearly lose their lives - and their loves - when they fall under the spell of three beautiful but deadly sirens.

First in a four-book paranormal romance YA series from bestselling author, Amanda Hocking.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK! 

Hey all. So I'm still waiting on my BEA books (MEDIA MAIL TAKES FOREVER!!!! AGGHHH) so I figure I needed a positive monday post to give my my book fix. 

Here's what I love about books:

You know how most (ok, probably more than most) girls get a shopping high while going in search of new clothes, or shoes? Well I don't get that. Shopping for me is usually a chore. I groan and stamp my feet and buy the first thing that fits. But when it comes to books, I can shop like the best of them.

I can honestly say that a new book to me is like a new pair of Manolo Blahniks to a shopaholic female. Please don't tell my guy friends that I know what a Manolo Blahnik is. Pretty please.

I went to three bookstores yesterday. THREE! I don't even need any new books. My review pile is longer than my arm. Both arms. Yet I still went, spending hours looking at the titles. Running my finger over spines. Comparing cover textures and smelling older volumes. But I love it. I ended up buying a David Sedaris book to see what all the fuss is about. 

It seems like whenever I talk to one of the million hipsters in Austin (that's right, the hipster population is somehow bigger than the actual population of 800,000) David Sedaris comes up. And since I've already read Murakami and McCarthy...

Anyway, I'm going to reflect on that while I wait for my BEA books. Once I get them I'm going to be giving some away, so stay tuned!

MISTBORN by Brandon Sanderson Review

MISTBORN by Brandon Sanderson Review

Title: Mistborn
Author: Brandon Sanderson
Publisher:
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Pages: 638
Source: Purchased

Brandon Sanderson, fantasy's newest master tale spinner, author of the acclaimed debut Elantris, dares to turn a genre on its head by asking a simple question: What if the hero of prophecy fails? What kind of world results when the Dark Lord is in charge? The answer will be found in the Mistborn Trilogy, a saga of surprises and magical martial-arts action that begins in Mistborn.

For a thousand years the ash fell and no flowers bloomed. For a thousand years the Skaa slaved in misery and lived in fear. For a thousand years the Lord Ruler, the "Sliver of Infinity," reigned with absolute power and ultimate terror, divinely invincible. Then, when hope was so long lost that not even its memory remained, a terribly scarred, heart-broken half-Skaa rediscovered it in the depths of the Lord Ruler's most hellish prison. Kelsier "snapped" and found in himself the powers of a Mistborn. A brilliant thief and natural leader, he turned his talents to the ultimate caper, with the Lord Ruler himself as the mark.

Kelsier recruited the underworld's elite, the smartest and most trustworthy allomancers, each of whom shares one of his many powers, and all of whom relish a high-stakes challenge. Only then does he reveal his ultimate dream, not just the greatest heist in history, but the downfall of the divine despot.

But even with the best criminal crew ever assembled, Kel's plan looks more like the ultimate long shot, until luck brings a ragged girl named Vin into his life. Like him, she's a half-Skaa orphan, but she's lived a much harsher life. Vin has learned to expect betrayal from everyone she meets, and gotten it. She will have to learn to trust, if Kel is to help her master powers of which she never dreamed.

Sigh. 

Well, now I have to read everything this guy has ever written. 

Not since the "Kingkiller Chronicles" by Patrick Rothfuss, has an epic fantasy novel struck me so. I picked this book up because Mr. Rothfuss gave it five stars, so I figured It was worth a shot.

Wow. Seriously. Wow. First off, Sanderson's worldbuilding is far too good. It's scary how realistic his systems are: whether they be magical, political, or social. 


The system of magic is similar to that of Mr. Rothfuss, in the fact that it's very science based, but Sanderson's magic is unique. The two magics in MISTBORN are called Allomancy and Feruchamy and they are so well explained and utilized that I couldn't help but feel that somewhere in our universe these systems are being used. Somewhere.

The characters are also very well fleshed out. They're your friends (especially Vin) by the end of the novel. I'm wasting no time, and I'm off to go purchase the next installment in the trilogy, so I can hang with them some more.

It's rare that I come across a fantasy novel this good. It's been called "Oceans Eleven" meets "Lord of the Rings" and it's a good descriptions, but MISTBORN stands in a class all it's own. 

A very deserving 5/5

BEA Part 2!

And make sure to stop back soon. I'm having my books shipped back to Texas and when I get them I'll be doing some great ARC giveaways!

The wonderful Emily White with some book pirates.

Not that I really care for her, but Kirstie Alley was there

Saudi Arabia's booth. Pretty awesome

The SHP booth was ALWAYS busy. I'm so proud of my publisher. 

Me and some of very favorite bloggers. Melissa from I Swim For Oceans, Jenny from Supernatural Snark, and Danny from Bewitched Bookworms. These ladies are so friggin wonderful and you should all check out their fantastic blogs. 

MORE TO COME!!!

First off, I apologize for the blogging hiatus. I was preparing my mind and soul for the most magical land in the world. The...

That's right, the BEA. Ladies and gentlemen, may I just say that if you haven't been to this event, you must make sure that you attend at least once in your life. It is the highlight of my year. Remember years ago, seeing those super lucky kids winning the shopping sprees on television? Well it's like winning one of those, plus a whole lot more, and THEN a whole lot more. The publishers give away ARCs (and you can get as many as you like...for free), pulitzer-prize winners are signing books, celebrities make appearances, it's a chance to meet up and coming authors, and its a place to network, network, network. 

I, for one, was super excited about seeing the Spencer Hill Press people. Here are some photo highlights:

Me and my baller suit

Me and my wonderful editor/publisher/literary mom, Kate Kaynak

SHP authors: Me, Lisa Amowitz, Emily White

The Macmillan booth. Some awesome ARCs from there.

Autograph queues: Some of those girls have been sitting for a looooong time to see.... I'm gonna say, Kristin Cashore?

Me spider-man looming over my book haul.

Oh yeah. 

More to come later....

REVIEW: ELEMENTAL by EMILY WHITE

I'm calling it right now. Elemental is the beginning of the next big YA series. And here's why:

Does Elemental have a strong female voice that young women can admire?

Check. 

Romance?

Check. 

Is it nauseating and cringe-worthy romance?

Heck no. I can safetly say that I could give a copy of Elemental to my guy friends without
fear of getting punched in the nose 

Thorough world-building?

Double Triple Quadruple Check. 

A kick-ass plot?

Check POW! 


Seriously, this book is great and you should most definitely CHECK it out. 

5/5

Welcome, all you strangers. I'm glad you stopped by. Take a minute and explore, you might find something you like.

Only a few days left to enter the $100.00 Amazon gift card giveaway... so make sure you sign up soon!

And if anyone wants to purchase the book it's available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

PLUS the Kindle version is only $2.99!!!

AMAZON

KINDLE

Barnes and Noble