Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett

Blood and Salt by Kim Liggett
Release Date - September 22, 2015
Publisher Website - Penguin Random House
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  352 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received for honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.

“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”

These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.

Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.

As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt. 

Blood and Salt is a delicious blend of genres. You have horror, paranormal, romance, and a rich mythology that runs through every aspect of the entire novel. It's a gripping, intense début that manages to balance everything within the plot, and even throw in a little humour at the same time.

This novel does scary and sexy with a subtle precision. It's unsettling in it's scary moments, and the chemistry between Ash and Dane is palpable. It's all understated though. It gives you just enough to leave you wanting more with both the scares and romance. Novels like this work especially well for me, because I have always been a less is more sort of girl. The illusion of scariness can be scarier than full out gore. The subtly sexy can be more of a turn on than any gratuitous display in the right hands, and Kim Liggett nails both.

It's the mythology that truly shines in this story above anything else. This novel feels like a return to those paranormal romances that I loved so much, but also happens to be truly unique. It's different from anything I've ever read before, while feeling recognizable at the same time. A well thought out back story to the mythology, and the limits and constraints it may have, are key to a novel like this. It's the centrepiece of the entire story, and the time Kim Liggett spent creating it certainly shows in the rich, vibrant details of the Quivira community and their rituals.

The relationships in this novel are interesting, but it's the brother/sister dynamic between Rhys and Ash that stood out for me. There is something nuanced, and realistic about their bond that stayed with me. They balance each other incredibly well, and highlight the best and worst in each other. Their bond plays a larger role in the story than I anticipated and it was a pleasant surprise to discover. This relationship also has plenty of potential to be a vital focus in the sequel and is filled with plenty of surprises during this part of their story.

The setting of Quivira itself really feels like a character in the story. It feels like the community is a place lost in time so the result is a story that feels both timeless, and current. The setting creates it's unsettling atmosphere with it's isolated remoteness and vast (and possible sinister) corn fields. Kim spins a fantastic setting for her characters to inhabit and without it the story would not function the same way.

The ending of this novel is the kind of ending that rips your heart out, even as it piques your interest. A brutally stunning set up for the sequel, while still feeling like a complete ending to this chapter of Ash's story. This book feels like it could stand on it's own, but it would be torturous to be left with such incredibly possibilities on the horizon.  It's the type of mythology that could allow for multiple directions for the story to go in, and that leaves the sequel a tantalizing question mark.

A well plotted, wonderfully paced read that offers up some truly unique mythology. Those who like their scares with plenty of romance thrown in will devour this one and immediately demand the sequel. Kim Leggitt's Blood and Salt is perfectly timed to be a hit this Oct as it pairs wonderfully with the crisp nights of autumn. Just don't read it by a corn field. 

Kim Liggett's 5 Sexiest and 5 Scariest Scenes

Blood and Salt comes out this week, and it's seriously sexy (and also seriously unsettling). Kim's called it a horromance which is pretty accurate. What better way to celebrate that than having author Kim Liggett share her top five sexiest (and her top five scariest) scenes from pop culture for a super fun top ten list?!

Before we get to the scary and sexy goodness, here is a little about Blood and Salt (goodreads)

Romeo and Juliet meets Children of the Corn in this one-of-a-kind romantic horror.
“When you fall in love, you will carve out your heart and throw it into the deepest ocean. You will be all in—blood and salt.”
These are the last words Ash Larkin hears before her mother returns to the spiritual commune she escaped long ago. But when Ash follows her to Quivira, Kansas, something sinister and ancient waits among the rustling cornstalks of this village lost to time.
Ash is plagued by memories of her ancestor, Katia, which harken back to the town’s history of unrequited love and murder, alchemy and immortality. Charming traditions soon give way to a string of gruesome deaths, and Ash feels drawn to Dane, a forbidden boy with secrets of his own.
As the community prepares for a ceremony five hundred years in the making, Ash must fight not only to save her mother, but herself—and discover the truth about Quivira before it’s too late. Before she’s all in—blood and salt.

First up are her top five sexiest scenes (because those are always more fun).

SEXIEST: 

1) Outlander

I've read all the books. It's difficult to choose just one moment, but when Jamie's guarding Claire's door at the inn-- that's pretty charged.

2) True Blood 

I loved the books. I loved the show. This entire series is like sex on a stick (Lafayette reference). 

My favorite moments are between Sookie and Bill in season one. When he comes into Merlott's and everyone's staring at the two of them. He says her name--- "Sookie". Goosebumps. 

3) Penny Dreadful

I'm so in love with this show. Dorian Gray in season one-- oh my lord. His scenes crackle. One of my favorites is when he first meets Vanessa Ives. The electricity is palpable. 

4) Atonement  

The library scene in Ian McEwan's book is flawless.

5) The Vampire Diaries

That scene when Damon and Elena kiss outside the no-tell motel. Ridiculously hot.

Agree with so many of these sexy scenes (particularly anything with Jamie and Claire!)

Now for the the horror part of Kim's top ten list....

SCARIEST: 

1) Rosemary's Baby

That bedroom scene is terrifying. It has that hallucinogenic quality that really gets under my skin. Is it real-- is it a dream? It's disturbing in the best/worst way.

2) Misery

I adored the book and the movie. Kathy Bates killed it. So chilling.  

3) The Lottery finale

A week doesn't go by that I don't think about this Shirley Jackson story.

4) The Others

The soundtrack alone will give you nightmares. This scene with the veil--spine-tingling.  

5) The Exorcist

This is the one movie I can't watch alone. 

Definitely some great choices! Some of these movies would be perfect to watch for Halloween!

You can find out more about Kim and her book by visiting her on Twitter, or stopping by her website.

If you want to purchase Blood and Salt you can do so at the following links (pre-order until release tomorrow)

Amazon // Barnes and Noble // Chapters // Book Depository

What's your fave sexy scene, or scary scene, from pop culture? Let Kim and I know in the comments!

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Lots of goodies made their way into my mailbox (and inbox) this week. First up, the lovely Dawn Ius gifted me a finished copy of her amazing debut novel!

Anne and Henry by Dawn Ius (goodreads)

I also received quite a few egalleys for review this week! So lucky, and a huge thank you to all the publishers (Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, Raincoast Books, and Delacorte/Penguin Random House) for the chance to read and review.

First up is one that was compared to the Taylor Swift music video for Wildest Dreams meets Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter. I immediately needed it, for obvious reasons. (All The Stars In The Heavens)

Next up is one that has a small town girl thrust into the spotlight when she becomes the lead singer in a band. Amazing right?! (For The Record)

Next is the story of a girl who goes to meet her online BFF who also happens to be the person she's crushing on...only to find out he hasn't exactly been truthful when she meets him! YES, PLEASE! (In Real Life)

Lastly, is a novel inspired by Blackbeard, which makes it an obvious addition to any to be read list. (Blackhearts)

All The Stars In The Heavens by Adriana Trigiani  (goodreads)
For The Record by Charlotte Huang (goodreads)
In Real Life by Jessica Love (goodreads)
Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman (goodreads)

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Only a small obsessions post this week as there isn't too much going on. As we get further into Sept/Oct I anticipate this will change with all the new TV shows starting and movies (not to mention cover reveals for the summer releases in Oct!).

BOOK

Cover of 26 Kisses by Anna Michels (goodreads)

This cover perfectly captures the cute feel of the synopsis and I love the letters in behind the kiss marks to represent each boy she kisses (one for each letter of the alphabet). I have a feeling this book may be incredibly cute, and fun!

TV/MOVIE

Fall TV season

My fall TV season officially kicks off this coming week with some of my shows starting back up. There are so many I am excited about and I cannot wait to see of them new shows and what they have to offer. I am debating recapping American Horror Story: Hotel (and may do it as a TV Talk with Kelly again, we're still working this out) but it is one of the ones I am most looking forward to! Having The Affair and iZombie back is going to be amazing! I cannot wait to check out Wicked City. All of the TV pretty much! 

OTHER

The Art Of Young Adult Soceity6 page (link)

The lovely Gillian from The Writer Of Wrongs blog also happens to be a ridiculously talented artist who has her own society6 shop. She's created some breathtaking Throne of Glass series inspired art, and well as art for other YA favourites. Do check it out. I basically am in dire need of this...

photo taken from The Art Of Young Adult society6 shop

What are you obsessed with this week?

Lock And Mori by Heather Petty

Lock And Mori by Heather Petty
Release Date - September 15, 2015
Publisher Website - Simon and Schuster
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages - 256 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In modern-day London, two brilliant high school students, one Sherlock Holmes and a Miss James "Mori" Moriarty, meet. A murder will bring them together. The truth very well might drive them apart.

Before they were mortal enemies, they were much more.

FACT: Someone has been murdered in London's Regent's Park. The police have no leads.

FACT: Miss James "Mori"Moriarty and Sherlock "Lock" Holmes should be hitting the books on a school night. Instead, they are out crashing a crime scene.

FACT: Lock has challenged Mori to solve the case before he does. Challenge accepted.

FACT: Despite agreeing to Lock's one rule--they must share every clue with each other--Mori is keeping secrets.

OBSERVATION: Sometimes you can't trust the people closest to you with matters of the heart. And after this case, Mori may never trust Lock again. 

Sherlock Holmes may be one of the most reimagined and retold stories out there. There is something about Arthur Conan Doyle's characters that have captivated and enthralled generations to the point that reincarnations of them are still hugely popular. It's a fast, absorbing read that will leave you tearing through the pages as Heather Petty has crafted a fun take on the classic and twisted the character of James Moriarty in the most delectable way.

This is Mori's story through and through. Those looking for another Sherlock tale may be a little disappointed as Mori is the one who takes centre stage. Sherlock is a large part of this story as he is a large part of Mori's story. The Sherlock you love is absolutely here. We get more than a glimpse of the things that are so beloved about the character, and teases of more to come which is sure to please the hardcore Sherlock fans. His intelligence, wit, and mannerisms are all lovingly included. However, Mori is who shines in this. We get to see this complex character faced with impossible choices. Through her eyes we see how this relationship could go from one of love to something much more complicated to eventually being enemies in a way that is believable and heartbreaking. While there are plenty more steps to take for this relationship to fully falter, we all know those cracks are coming (if they author stays true to cannon) and this set up is wonderfully done.

The secrets kept in this book, particularly by Mori, are ones that you understandable. You get the why behind her actions. These character details where you understand their motivations and the reasoning behind their actions are something that Heather Petty excels at. She does characterization in general really well, and manages to make you care about these characters underneath everything else that is going on.

While the guilty party is pretty easy to suss out, the path taken to the ending is not. It's the ending and what it deliciously sets up for the future books that is the real takeaway of this novel. It's the characters more than the case they are solving that is the focus, and that worked well for this incarnation of these characters. We leave the characters on the edge of something with so much potential that the sequel is pretty much mandatory reading after closing the pages of this one.

Heather Petty has written a novel that will pleasantly surprise Sherlock fans while having more than enough to appeal to non-fans as well. This is a romance, a mystery, and the start of what has the potential to be a fantastic series. Here's hoping we get to see some more Watson in the sequel!

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee

This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee
Release Date - September 22, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 384 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits.

His brother, Oliver—dead.

His sweetheart, Mary—gone.

His chance to break free of Geneva—lost.

Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead.

But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship.

Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is one of my favourite classic novels. The themes and insights the novel explores are timeless. Mackenzi Lee takes her own deep love for this novel, and it's author, and spins it into a unique, captivating story that stands all on it's own.

Clockwork and Frankenstein may not initially seem like they would naturally blend together. Mackenzi Lee effortlessly blends them together in a realistic way. The story really does lend itself to the addition of clockwork, and the author ensures it's there for a reason. It's a smartly written, clever inclusion that only adds to the themes of the plot

This is a story of two brothers above everything else. The bond between Alasdair and Oliver is the heart and core of this story. Everything revolves around it and it shapes every detail of what happens. This is true of the original Frankenstein tale, where the central focus is the relationship between two individuals. The scope of their relationship is immense, and we get to see the highs and lows of it.

The setting of Frankenstein only adds to it's sense of foreboding. There is something subtly unsettling about the story, and the setting adds to that feeling. This Monstrous Thing captures that tone, and effectively uses the setting in the same manner. Filled with dark, abandoned castles and hidden chambers the setting is gripping, and intense in a way that allows our imagination to run wild with all the unsettling 'what ifs'.

Choices define everything. We are the result of our experience and may of those are a result of choices. This novel plays with the consequences those choices have and where acting rashly can lead you. We see how each boy is moulded by the choices made either by them or for them by others. There is an underlying heartbreak to the story as you can clearly see how different things could have been if choices were made differently. There is a bittersweetness, and a feeling of sadness for what was lost that haunts these pages.

Regret pulses through the entire novel. It is an all consuming thing that each of the characters have. There is a sadness to these regrets because it ties back into the choices made and how differently things could have been if done differently. These characters are not perfect, and they often act selfishly, but their remorse when they realize this about themselves is palpable.

Society is obsessed with labels and defining things. We itch to put something into a box. Good or evil, right or wrong. Frankenstein is timeless because it makes you look at things as not so black and white. It's as shadowy as the setting and it embraces that all of us as the potential for both light and darkness within us. This still holds merit today where labels are a hot topic in society and this novel showcases that the monster doesn't always look the way you expect.

A novel that delight Frankenstein fans while still appealing to those just discovering the story. Mackenzi Lee has created something that respects the original while cleverly making it her own. Those who love novels that examine both the choices we make and the potential for darkness in us all will particularly enjoy this insightful twist on the Frankenstein lore.

Mackenzi Lee's Favourite Siblings

Today I have the pleasure of hosting Mackenzi Lee, author of This Monstrous Thing on the blog. A pair of siblings and their relationship is the heart of This Monstrous Thing so Mackenzi has graciously agreed to share her top favourite siblings in books, movies, or TV. Her list has some amazing one on it (and includes A+ gif usage).

Before checking out her list, however, here is a little about This Monstrous Thing

In 1818 Geneva, men built with clockwork parts live hidden away from society, cared for only by illegal mechanics called Shadow Boys. Two years ago, Shadow Boy Alasdair Finch’s life shattered to bits.

His brother, Oliver—dead.

His sweetheart, Mary—gone.

His chance to break free of Geneva—lost.

Heart-broken and desperate, Alasdair does the unthinkable: He brings Oliver back from the dead.

But putting back together a broken life is more difficult than mending bones and adding clockwork pieces. Oliver returns more monster than man, and Alasdair’s horror further damages the already troubled relationship.

Then comes the publication of Frankenstein and the city intensifies its search for Shadow Boys, aiming to discover the real life doctor and his monster. Alasdair finds refuge with his idol, the brilliant Dr. Geisler, who may offer him a way to escape the dangerous present and his guilt-ridden past, but at a horrible price only Oliver can pay…

This twist on the Frankenstein tale really does revolve around two brothers, and with that here are Mackenzi Lee's favourite siblings from pop culture!

There are a lot of things about This Monstrous Thing that were fun to write—the Frankenstein bits. The Gothic-ness. All that stuff about mutilated corpses and mechanical limbs. But my favorite thing about the book is and will always be the sibling relationship at the heart of it, very likely because I grew up the volatile older half of a sibling pair.

So in honor of Alasdair and Oliver, the brothers at the center of This Monstrous Thing, and my own kid sister, the MT, here are my eight favorite sets of fictional siblings!

1. Fred and George Weasley from Harry Potter – All the Weasley siblings are pretty outstanding, but these two glorious little shits have a special place in my heart. Perhaps because I have the same haircut they have in the fourth movie

2. River and Simon Tam from Firefly– Never have I ever not teared up when Simon, thinking River is about to be burned alive for being a witch, climbs up onto the pyre beside her and says “Light it.”

3. Scar and Mufasa from the Lion King – I didn’t say they had to be nice to each other.

4. Zuko and Azula from Avatar: the Last Airbender– He’s a little bit crazy. She’s a lot crazy. Put them together and it gets, well, a bit explosive.

5. The March Sisters from Little Women – No matter what happens, it will always be the four March sisters—forever! Even when one sister sets the other’s manuscript on fire. Though I find that sort of unforgivable.

6. The Bluths from Arrested Development– Truly, the Bluth boys put the fun in dysfunctional family.

7. John, Michael, and Wendy Darling from Peter Pan – Points to the Darlings for going on a parent-less family vacation to a place with a man-eating crocodile and all coming back in one piece. Even more points for being a stick-together family on their crazy adventure, and letting that loyalty carry them home.

8. Prim and Katniss from the Hunger Games – Everyone in Panem wants to know who Katniss is gonna pick—Peeta or Gale. Even President Snow told her she and Peeta are his OTP. But Katniss couldn’t give less of a shit about the boys—she’s all in it for protecting her sister.

A HUGE thank you to Mackenzi Lee for taking the time to write this post (and for making me laugh because President Snow totally does ship Katniss and Peeta). 

Be sure to add This Monstrous Thing to your Goodreads, follow Mackenzi Lee on Twitter (she's funny and sweet) and visit her site for more details about the book.

You can pre-order it(it comes out Sept 22nd!) your local indie, or by visiting Amazon/Chapters/Barnes and Noble.

Mackenzi Lee is a reader, writer, bookseller, unapologetic fangirl, and fast talker. She holds an MFA from Simmons College in writing for children and young adults, and her short fiction for children and teens has appeared in Inaccurate Realities, The Friend, and The Newport Review.  Her young adult historical fantasy novel, THIS MONSTROUS THING, which won the PEN-New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award, as well as an Emerging Artist Grant from the St. Botolph Club Foundation, will be published September 22, 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins.

She loves Diet Coke, sweater weather, and Star Wars. On a perfect day, she can be found enjoying all three. She currently calls Boston home.