New To My Mailbox

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).

This week was a busy one at the mailbox. Most of the stuff is for the Ottawa Blogger Mix and Mingle happening next weekend, so those will be saved for a future post, but I do have some goodies to share.

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood (goodreads)
Golden Boy by Agigail Tarttelin (goodreads)

Big thank you to both Penguin Canada and Simon and Schuster Canada for these two titles. I am so excited to pick up Star Cursed as I loved Born Wicked. Golden Boy wasn't on my radar, but it sounds intriguing.

Happy Sunday 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.

Here are my obsessions this week:

BOOKS

Cover of The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

The cover is certainly eye catching. I have been hearing so much about this debut novel already, so I have high expectations. It sounds amazing, and I love that it's set in England. Check out the Goodreads synopsis for more details. Entertainment Weekly also has a sneak peek at a few pages of the novel up too.

MOVIE

Beautiful Creatures movie

So I have advance screening passes to see this on Wednesday. I am super excited to go! I read the first two books in the series so far, and think they could be pretty awesome movies.

Warm Bodies

Yes, again. Go see it now that it's in theatres. Yes it's cheesy, and fun. It is a movie that knows exactly what it is supposed to be, and doesn't take itself seriously. It's sweet, and Nicholas Hoult will seriously charm you.

OTHER

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Are you a fan of Pride and Prejudice? If so you HAVE to watch the modernized web series that Hank Green is currently working on. It's funny, touching and the characters are amazing. You'll really start to care about them. The entire story can be started from the beginning at the official website.

Ottawa Book Blogger Meet Up

The more stuff comes together for this, the more and more excited I get. Almost everything is ready to go for Sunday February 10th. Expect a recap on the following Monday!

So what are you obsessed with this week?

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's a great way to meet new blogger friends. This weeks question is:

Q: What is the first thing you would do if you woke up to find yourself in your favorite book?

I have many favourite books, but I think it would be wonderful to wake up in Anna and the French Kiss. I would take a walk around Paris, find some delicious pastries, and hopefully find my own St Clair to kiss under the Eiffel Tower.

Happy Weekend!

The Archived by Victoria Schwab

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Release Date – January 22, 2013
Publisher Website - Hyperion/Hachette Canada
Publisher Social Media -  Twitter
Pages -   336 pages
My Rating- 4/5
**Received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.  

 Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.  

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.  

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.  

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption .

When I first heard about The Archived I wasn't sure what type of book to expect. It sounded like a plot driven novel, one that might not hold much character development. Luckily, it's a balance between the two.  Detailed world building mixed with character development. It's this balance that makes the story compelling.

The elements that stick out in this story are not the ones you might expect. It's the recognizable and human ones rather than the mystical elements of the archive itself. The pain of losing someone close to you, the guilt of hiding a secret, the start of a new crush. Mac's experiences with moving to a new place, and having to deal with the death of her brother made her someone I rooted for. Her achingly felt pain over the loss of two beloved family members will be relateable to anyone who has lost someone.

Mac's strength comes from hard work and determination. I liked that she wasn't some gifted individual who had everything come easily to her. She had to work for what she wanted, and she had to train hard. Her Da saw something in her, but it was up to her to embrace it and go after what she wanted. Not a bad message to empower girls with.

I was instantly drawn to the Buffy The Vampire Slayer connections. A young girl with a secret who protects the world from danger. It's a story that's been done again and again. Victoria Schwab takes it, embraces it and makes it her own. The world of the Archived, and it's rules, are fresh, and unique. The idea of our lives being kept on record and shelved is an intriguing one. It's a thought provoking premise that made me think of my own ideas about death and what comes next.

I heard that many were wanting to know if there was kissing in this novel. Victoria certainly brings the steamy! The charming, guyliner wearing Wesley and Mac's flirtation is cute, and honest. It's doesn't evolve instantly. It's just this spark that has the potential to grow. I was instantly smitten with Wesley and want more of him. If Victoria wanted to write something from his point of view I would not complain.

Roland, the wise Librarian that Mac has to answer to was fascinating. His patience with Mac, his decision to become a Librarian in the first place, and his intelligence. He seems like someone who has enough backstory for an entire novel of his own. It's these side characters that are so fully developed that add something extra to the novel.
Owen and Mac's interaction engrossed me from the beginning. If a relationship fulfills a very specific need, and you know and recognize this, does that mean you're using the other person? Who are you really hurting more, the other person or yourself? While this particular storyline took a few unexpected turns, the initial questions of need, fulfillment and how deeply we can become enamored with escape were some of my favourite themes I took away from this novel.

Those that despise cliffhangers can rest assured that this novel stands on it's own. It's not the ending that makes you want to beg for a sequel. It's the characters, the world and the unanswered questions. The plot leaves endless possibilities because the world is vast, and the characters so rich and complex.

A story that blends action, romance, and coping with loss into a beautifully written, and plotted novel. Victoria's world is engaging, and unique and it's one I am certainly looking forward to going back into.

Megan Shepherd Interview and Giveaway!

As you could have guessed from my review yesterday I really loved The Madman's Daughter. The lovely Megan Shepherd was kind enough to do an interview for me. Her answers have made me quite curious about the sequel, and I am thrilled to discover she loves tea as much as I do!

I am also giving away a copy, so be sure to fill out the Rafflecopter at the end of the interview

1 Describe The Madman's Daughter in three words.

Madness, mystery, monsters

2 Describe Juliet Moreau in three words.

Complicated, haunted, lonely

3 How would Juliet describe Montgomery and Edward?

Ooh, good question! Montgomery is her father's assistant who she knew as a child. I think in the book Juliet describes him as a "workhorse" because he's a diligent, honest worker and loyal to a fault. And she might add that he's gorgeous :) Edward, a castaway, is literally scarred by his past. Juliet isn't quite sure what to make of Edward, but she's intrigued...

4 Was there a character that surprised you? One that maybe ended up with a larger role than expected?

I found myself surprisingly wrapped up in the lives of two of Doctor Moreau's beast-men. Balthazar is a half-dog, half-bear hybrid who has more humanity than most of the people in the book. And another beast-man, Jaguar, embraces his animal nature while the others strive to act human. For creations from Moreau's laboratory, these were some of the characters that touched me most.

5 What is the strangest thing you did for research?

When I was sixteen, which is the age of the protagonist in the book, I spend a year in Costa Rica. So when I started writing this book I pulled out all my old photos and journals from that time, and tried to remember my early impressions of the jungles and beaches and tropics. Since Moreau's island could be anywhere, I based the jungle atmosphere on my own young experiences.

6 Is there any part of the novel that got cut from the final draft that you really wished could have been kept in because you liked it so much?

I can't answer this question, because there IS a scene I really loved that I cut, but I moved it to the sequel. So it would be a spoiler to tell you :)

7 What is the last novel you read that you enjoyed and would recommend?

I recently went to the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest with my sister, and we missed the ferry and had a few hours to kill, so we checked out Griffin Bay Bookstore in Friday Harbor (our parents are booksellers, so we always visit bookstores on trips.) I'm a big fan of PBS's Downton Abbey, so when I found Natasha Solomon's The House at Tyneford, I knew I'd like it. It's a novel for adults, but it should appeal to YA fans too. Gorgeous setting, great historical detail, and a sweeping romance.

8 If you could go back in time to any time period and any place, where and when would you travel to?

I LOVE this question. It's one of those questions I ask friends all the time when we're sitting around. I'm torn between ancient Egypt, the pre-Columbus Americas, and the roaring 1920s. I'd love to write books set in all those time periods, just so I could do the research!

9 Do you stick to a strict writing schedule (eg, so many words a day, etc?)

I tend to write in very intense bursts that last a few days. So I'll write for 12-14 hours for four or five days, and then burn myself out and take a few days off. I worked at a 9-to-5 job for several years, so my goal is to go back to that schedule, so I can have my evenings and weekends back!

10 What are three things you need while revising?

The great Carrie Ryan showed me a wonderful plot chart that I turned into a big board I carry around with me and stick post-it notes on (see attached) to help with plotting and structure, since I'm a very visual person. I carry that around with me everywhere I write, as well as a second monitor, so I can look between my notes and my draft. And lastly, tea! Lots of tea!

I want to thank Megan for stopping by! I bet you're wanting a copy of The Madman's Daughter for yourself. I am giving away one copy to be shipped via Book Depository. It's open international, just fill out the Rafflecopter below.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Release Date – January 29, 2013

Publisher Website - Harper Collins

Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader

Pages -   432 pages

My Rating- 4.5/5

**Received from publisher for review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

In the darkest places, even love is deadly.  

Sixteen-year-old Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself in London—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father's gruesome experiments. But when she learns he is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations are true. 

Accompanied by her father's handsome young assistant, Montgomery, and an enigmatic castaway, Edward—both of whom she is deeply drawn to—Juliet travels to the island, only to discover the depths of her father's madness: He has experimented on animals so that they resemble, speak, and behave as humans. And worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island's inhabitants. Torn between horror and scientific curiosity, Juliet knows she must end her father's dangerous experiments and escape her jungle prison before it's too late. Yet as the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father's genius—and madness—in her own blood. 

Inspired by H. G. Wells's classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Madman's Daughter is a dark and breathless Gothic thriller about the secrets we'll do anything to know and the truths we'll go to any lengths to protect.

This twist on the classic tale of Dr Moreau is dark, lushly descriptive, and chilling. It asks the question of  blood, and if the blood running in your veins can determine who you are. I was engrossed with the story, and it's characters immediately.

The entire novel is atmospheric. The lush, humid island filled with vegetation seems to come to life. The descriptions are so vivid that you can almost feel the humidity pressing on you, and sweat rolling down your own back. The novel is creepy and tension filled throughout. Megan Shepherd infuses the entire novel with a sense of foreboding.

This novel also includes one of the creepiest and stomach turning elements I have encountered in a long time - vivisection. The scene in which we are introduced to this incredibly gruesome technique is only a prelude to dark things to come, but sets the tone masterfully.

Juliet is drawn to the macabre. Operating, blood and experiments excite, rather than repel her. She lives in a constant fear that her father's madness runs through her veins and tries to prove to herself and others that she is nothing like him. I found myself drawn to her, and her inner struggle. She walks a fine line, and the tantalizing descent into perceived madness is always present.

Dr Moreau casts a larger than life presence in Juliet's life. The man we learn about seems charming, driven, and capable of anything in the name of science. His secrets reach all the way from the island to Juliet's life, turning her entire world upside down.

Balthazar, a fascinating character, intrigued me. I wanted to know more about him. His mannerisms, and nature make him startlingly human. His gentle and quiet manner made him easily more humane than some of the completely human characters.

The love triangle is written in such a way that presents each potential love interest with equal standing. It may not be unique, but each of them is engaging in their own right, each is holding back their own secrets, and both are darker than first appearances would indicate. I love that each choice leads to potential issues, and neither guy is what I could consider a "safe" choice. There is more going on with the characters than the romance, and it felt secondary to the plot rather than the main focus of the plot.

A novel that shows blood runs deep, what's inside us can terrify us the most, and some secrets can never stay hidden. A wonderfully written, tension filled read that has left me anticipating the sequel and where Megan Shepherd will take these characters next.

Happy Blogiversary!

It's hard to believe but my blog has hit a pretty amazing milestone. Today is my second blogiversary. I posted my first review two years ago today.

The last two years has been amazing. Filled with great books, learning and finding my way. Most of all it's been about making new friendships with fellow bloggers.

I want to thank everyone who follows my blog. I am seriously honoured that I have any at all, and having over 700 is simply mind blowing to me.

I do want a give a special thank you to all the authors, publishers, and other bloggers who have worked with me over the 2 years, and look forward to much more in the future.

I also wanted to specifically thank a few people

The Ottawa Blogettes (Emile, Katie, Meaghan and Ciara) - thank you ladies for fun bookish talks, book swaps, an epic road trip to Toronto, and lastly for loving books as much as I do.

Christy from The Reader Bee - You've become a true friend, and are a wonderful blogger. I love our chats, and can't wait to have our Magic Mike watch/chat together. It's been awesome getting to know you because of blogging.

Brodie from Eleusinian Mysteries - Our epic Once Upon A Time emails, your amazing comments, and simply the awesomeness that is YOU! It's been amazing getting to know you through blogging.

Kelly from Kellyvision - My BEA book blogger buddy! I can not wait to experience BEA with you again this year! You make the countdown much more exciting and chatting about it with you helps pass the months until it gets here. I love that you plan so far in advance like me! Also, thank you for giving me one of my favourite weekly features.

Evie from Bookish - Thank you for the AMAZING blog design! I can't wait for your design business to really take off. You're one of the sweetest people EVER and I am glad blogging introduced us.

Katherine Longshore, Michelle Hodkin, and Bethany Griffin - Thank you all for being so supportive of my events for your amazing novels. Each of you have earned a place as one of my "MUST READ" favourite authors. The interviews and such mean more to more than you'll ever know. Thank you for writing books that make me fangirl.

As a thank you for my followers I am offering a giveaway. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter below.

The prize? I figure I would allow the winner to select from a list of my favourite books.

Choices are

1 The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
2 Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin
3 Gilt by Katherine Longshore
4 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5 Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Good luck and thank you again, so so so much.
a Rafflecopter giveaway