Jennifer Estep's New "Mythos Academy" series!!

The fabulous Midnight Summer Festival 

continues to delight everyone 

with its mythology-related articles,
interviews, and giveaways!

Be sure to visit all of the participating blogs!

You can access the festival by clicking

on the button located in my sidebar.

I have just discovered a terrific new YA novel,

the first in a series,

with a new spin on mythology!

Here it is!! 

Touch of Frost (Mythos Academy #1)

Jennifer Estep

Trade Paperback, 250 pages

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Expected Release Date:

July 26, 2011

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

My name is Gwen Frost, and I go to Mythos Academy — a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody's head with a sword and Logan Quinn, the hottest Spartan guy in school, also happens to be the deadliest.

But lately, things have been weird, even for Mythos. First, mean girl Jasmine Ashton was murdered in the Library of Antiquities. Then, someone stole the Bowl of Tears, a magical artifact that can be used to bring about the second Chaos War...

I think this sounds like a truly great read!  I came across this book while browsing, and found it at A Cupcake and a Latte, where Wendy (aka Mocha), the blog's creator, has posted an interview with the author, Jennifer Estep, and included a giveway, as well!  Just click on the link above for more information.

The second book in the series is already in the works, but we need to be a little patient, since its publication date is several months away.  Here are the cover and synopsis, from one of my favorite book sites, Goodreads!

 

 Kiss of Frost (Mythos Academy #2)

Jennifer Estep

Trade Paperback, 368 pages

Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Expected Release Date: November 29, 2011

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Logan Quinn was try­ing to kill me. My Spar­tan class­mate relent­lessly pur­sued me, swing­ing his sword at me over and over again, the shin­ing sil­ver blade inch­ing closer to my throat every time. A smile tugged up his lips, and his ice-blue eyes prac­ti­cally glowed with the thrill of battle …

I’m Gwen Frost, a second-year warrior-in-training at Mythos Acad­emy, and I have no idea how I’m going to sur­vive the rest of the semes­ter. One day, I’m get­ting schooled in sword­play by the guy who broke my heart — the drop-dead gor­geous Logan who slays me every time. Then, an invis­i­ble archer in the Library of Antiq­ui­ties decides to use me for tar­get prac­tice...

Well, I am certainly excited about this one, as well!

 Just a few more months...

Jennifer Estep

  

On My Wishlist #7

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet,
but desperately wants to read,

because the plots sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Swan Kingdom

Zoe Marriott

Trade Paperback, 288 pages

Published by Walker Books, Ltd.

March 5, 2007

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

When Alexandra’s mother is slain by an unnatural beast, shadows fall on the once-lush kingdom. Too soon the widowed king is entranced by a cunning stranger — and in one chilling moment Alexandra’s beloved brothers disappear, and she is banished to a barren land. Rich in visual detail, sparked by a formidable evil, and sweetened with familial and romantic love, here is the tale of a girl who discovers powerful healing gifts — and the courage to use them to save her ailing kingdom.

When I first saw this book,

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover!

So I know I will try to buy itas soon as I possibly can!!

This is the UK cover, by the way.

The story promises to be just as enchanting as the cover,

too, since it's a classic 'hero's quest' tale,

only, in this case, the 'hero' is a heroine.

Just my cup of tea!

The Seraph Seal

Leonard Sweet,  Lori Wagner

Trade Paperback, 384 pages

Published by Thomas Nelson

April 12, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction, Christian Fiction,

Religious Thriller

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Using the four horsemen of the Apocalypse to symbolize the four Gospels, four transcendentals, and four forces of the universe (air, water, earth, and fire), Sweet and Wagner weave a fast-paced, end-times tale of good vs. evil and the promise of a new dawn for humanity.

Set in 2048, when planet Earth is suffering from the damaging effects of years of misuse and abuse, cultural history professor Paul Binder receives a mysterious letter that leads him to examine a lost 2nd-century Diatessaron manuscript. Ancient prophecies, cryptic letters, and strange events set him on a course to uncover the missing clues that could lead humanity into a new age. Each character embodies elements of the four horsemen in a race to save the world from total destruction. Layered with forgotten symbolism from the ancient, Jewish, and Christian traditions, the novel is a type of engaged fiction in which the main character's lost journal serves as a guide to the reader in interpreting clues and understanding the novel's conclusion.

This one sounds so very fascinating!

I love the subject matter,

since I've long been interested in

the spiritual riddles of the universe.

This novel also contains a lot of action,

and speculation regarding mysterious manuscripts

and end-of-times angst.

Just the thing for me to get lost in!!

And I have to say that this cover is very striking!

Ruby Red

Kerstin Gier (Author)

Anthea Bell (Translator)

Hardcover, 324 pages

Published by Henry Holt & Co.

May 10, 2011

(first published January, 2009)

Genre: YA Science Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era! Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon, the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

I've had my eye on this one for a couple of weeks now.

The cover is absolutely luscious!

I love it even though red is not usually a color

I'm attracted to (except at Christmastime).

It's really all that elegant,

Art Nouveau scrollwork that I find so

aesthetically pleasing!

The plot sounds so very exciting!

I adore the combination of romance and time travel!

I like the new twist given to the theme

by Gier, too -- the idea of "a time travel gene"

is quite interesting.

So, what wonderful books are you all

wishing for this week?

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Wolfsbane,
by Andrea Cremer.

Wolfsbane

(Nightshade #2)

Andrea Cremer

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published by Philomel

Expected Release Date: July 26, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind.

Although I do prefer the original cover,
I'm still looking forward to the release of this book!
It's just such a great story!

I must sheepishly confess that I haven't read
the first volume, Nightshade, yet...
but I do want this one already, anyway!!




So what books are you all eagerly anticipating
this Wednesday?

Book Review:The Angel Factory (first novel for the "Speculative Fiction Challenge 2011")

This challenge is hosted by Magemanda at Floor to Ceiling Books.

I have just found out about it, too.

Luckily, I had already started reading a book

that qualified for inclusion in this challenge!

Without further ado, I hereby present my review.

The Angel Factory
Author: Terence Blacker
Hardcover, 224 pages
Published by Simon & Schuster Children's
Publishing, September 1, 2002
Genre: YA Science Fiction, Dystopian
Literature


This is, at first glance, a simple tale of how a twelve-year-old boy, with a maturity and intelligence beyond his years, comes to suspect that his family is just "too good to be true", and then sets about attempting to uncover the truth about their lives. 

Aided by his misfit friend, Gary Sanchez, known as "Gip", Thomas Wisdom (what a transparently allegorical name!) tries to get into his father's computer.  They succeed, only to discover page after page of mysterious numbers, which, of course, turn out to be part of a coded document.  Gip ventures the theory that Thomas's parents might be CIA operatives, pointing to a rather humorous, suspicious clue -- in the Wisdom's bathroom, of all things. 

The coded document is soon deciphered, and Thomas finds out, to his dismay, that he's adopted.  Predictably enough, he reacts with intense rage, calling the Wisdoms his "former parents".  

It goes much further than that, however.  Thomas and his family go on vacation ("on holiday", in British parlance), flying from London to Santa Barbara, California.  There, Thomas has a rather surreal, quasi-mystical experience, discovering that his adoptive parents and only sister are really 'angels'.   They aren't really angels, though, as it turns out.  This is the name they have given themselves.  They were actually created at 'the angel factory', and are really beings from another world, part of "The Project", an extraterrestrial plan to save humankind from what they see as certain planetary annihilation.

The only problem is human free will.  Once he finds out what's really going on, Thomas  will do everything in his power to thwart the implementation of The Project. 

This is obviously not a new theme, but it's handled very skillfully by Blacker.  I would add that the philosophical implications of this novel would be better suited for older young adult readers, as well as adults. 

Despite his skill, and the fact that I found this book to be a page-turner, I was somewhat disappointed by the novel's length, as well as its anticlimactic ending.   The Project, after all, had some rather sinister underpinnings, but these were never fully exploited.  The womb-like atmosphere at the Angel Factory, for instance, was eerie, in spite of its apparent peacefulness.  Individualism was blotted out, and the group mind, known as 'The Presence', prevailed.   This should really have been developed further. 

The book's plot premise is that of every dystopian or utopian novel -- a too-perfect world, in which free choice is not allowed expression, is a frightening one, in spite of a cocoon-like atmosphere in which there is no danger, no risk, no adventure, and therefore, no war or evil.  Thus, I find echoes of such novels as Aldous Huxley's Brave New World,  as well as George Orwell's 1984, in Blacker's tale.  I also see a reference to Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End, which is far more chilling, and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451.  The novel has also been compared to Lois Lowry's The Giver.

This book is a fast read, since the tension builds up as Gip and Thomas conspire to disrupt the angels' plan.  Unfortunately,as I have already pointed out, the plot falls flat toward the end.  I was expecting a more dangerous turn of events, with a more gradual buildup to an explosive climax. 

The characters of Thomas and his friend Gip are the strongest ones in the book, which is as it should be, since they're also the main ones.  They are compared and contrasted on several points -- Thomas has a perfect life, with the perfect parents and sister.  Gip, on the other hand, has no father, and a drunken nymphomaniac for a mother.  He's frequently left on his own.  Also, he has a limp.  Together with his unkempt appearance, this leads to his being frequently bullied.  His secret weapon is his keen intelligence, a quality he shares with Thomas, although he's also more streetwise than the rather sheltered Thomas.

I was somewhat disappointed with Thomas's adoptive parents and sister.  They are not fully developed; in fact, they come across as stereotypical 'goodie-two shoes' characters.  I suppose that's their function, or perhaps that's how Thomas sees them.  He does think they're too perfect, after all. 

Rendle, the math genius, is an interesting, as well as poignant, character.  I didn't like the fact that, once his purpose in the plot was fulfilled, he disappeared.  I would have wanted him to be much more involved in subsequent events.  Also, his disappearance makes no sense, in light of the ending.  Instead, it remains as a loose end, having no place in the story.

All in all, I thought the whole premise of the book, although not entirely an original one, had potential.  It's really too bad that the author did not exploit it to its full extent.


MY RATING:

Speculative Fiction Reading Challenge 2011

I have just found another fabulous reading challenge!

This one is hosted by Magemanda at Floor to Ceiling Books,

and I wouldn't miss it for the world!

I love reading practically anything (except horror) 

that takes me out of this boring reality anyway,

so this shouldn't be too hard!

The minimum amount of books to be read is 12.

This challenge started in January, 2011,

and will end in December, 2011.

For the rest of the rules, and to sign up,

just go HERE.

But wait a minute...

Just what is "speculative fiction", anyway?

To quote Wikipedia:

Speculative fiction is an umbrella term encompassing the more fantastical fiction genres, specifically science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history in literature as well as related static, motion, and virtual arts.

^{Well, I'm out as far as the horror genre is concerned,}

^{but I have no problem with the rest of the ones mentioned!}

^{(You can access the complete article HERE.)}

^{Here are some titles I'm interested in.}

^{They're not listed in any particular order.}

^{The Unicorn Sonata - Peter S. Beagle}

^{Magician: Apprentice (The Riftwar Saga #1)}

^{Raymond E. Feist}

^{Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden (Lyonesse #1)}

^{Jack Vance}

^{The Green Pearl (Lyonesse #2)}

^{Jack Vance}

^{Madouc (Lyonesse #3) - Jack Vance}

^{Woman On the Edge of Time - Marge Piercy}

^{The Lathe of Heaven - Ursula K. LeGuin}

^{Vulcan! (Star Trek TOS) - Kathleen Sky}

^{The Asteroid Wars (The Asteroid Wars #1 - #3)}

^{Ben Bova}

^{Starcrossed - Josephine Angelini}

^{The Vampire Stalker - Allison van Diepen}

^{Nightshade - Andrea Cremer}

Waiting On Wednesday #8: Winter's Shadow - M.J. Hearle

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Winter's Shadow,
by M.J. Hearle.

Winter's Shadow

M.J. Hearle

Trade Paperback, 432 pages

Published by Pan Macmillan, Australia

June 1, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

He's all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim's Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes.

Ever since he saved her life.

But Blake isn't all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly.

Something dangerous...

This certainly sounds like an intriguing story!

When I read the synopsis,

I became totally fascinated!

You can see just how much of an impression

this novel has made

by reading the Goodreads reviews,

and going to  

the fan page on Facebook,

which you can access

HERE.

I'm sure the cover of the book is part of its appeal,

since it's obviously gorgeous!

Although the book has already been released, it's

by no means easy to obtain,

at least not for those of us who live in the U.S.

I've already checked Amazon, eBay,

Half.com, Abebooks, Alibris,

and Powells...

Of course, I can always order it 

directly from Australian book sellers.

Except that the shipping alone is

at least $25.00!

So I'm currently signed up to be notified

by The Book Depository

as soon as they have it in stock again...

Meanwhile, I will just have to finish

reading the books I've already started,

so I can post the reviews!

So what books are all of you 

waiting on this Wednesday?

On My Wishlist #4

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet, but desperately wants to read,

because the stories sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Hunt of the Unicorn

C.C. Humphreys

Hardcover, 341 pages

Published by Knopf Books

March 8, 2011

(first published February 28, 2011)

Genre: YA Fantasy

(By the way, I love the gorgeous cover!!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Elayne thinks the old family story that one of her ancestors stepped through a tapestry into a world of mythical beasts makes a great fireside tale. But she lives in the real world. In New York City. And she's outgrown that kind of fantasy.

Until she finds herself in front of a unicorn tapestry at the Cloisters museum and sees her initials woven into the fabric. And hears a unicorn calling to her. And slips and falls—into that other world.

The Map of Time

Felix J. Palma

(translated by Nick Caistor)

Hardcover, 624 pages

Published by Atria

Expected Release Date: June 28, 2011

(first published, in Spanish, Oct 15, 2008)

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

(This cover reminds me of the one

for Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare.

I love the style of both!

Maybe they're by the same artist.)

From the Fantastic Fiction Website Synopsis

Set in Victorian London with characters real and imagined, The Map of Time is a page-turner that boasts a triple play of intertwined plots in which a skeptical H. G. Wells is called upon to investigate purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. What happens if we change history? Félix J. Palma explores this question in The Map of Time, weaving a historical fantasy as imaginative as it is exciting...

El Mapa del Tiempo

Felix J. Palma

Trade Paperback, 628 pages

Published by Algaida Editores

November 2, 2010

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

Special Note

Since this book was originally published in Spanish,

I intend to get that edition as well!

For some reason, Amazon gives a different

publication date for the Spanish edition.

(Yes, I am that much of a book addict...)

The Vampire Stalker

Allison van Diepen

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published by Point

June 1, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he is Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo.

Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini

Hardcover, 496 pages

Pubhlished by HarperTeen

May 31, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

(I think this cover is sooo beautiful!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. 

Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. . .  and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

Toward the Gleam

T.M. Doran

Hardcover, 481 pages

Published by Ignatius Pres

March 1, 2011

Genre: Fantasy

(I love this cover as well!)

Special Note

This book is being recommended to Tolkien fans!

That puts the seal of approval on it, as far as I'm concerned,

since I absolutely love the works of that author!!

There's also a giveaway of this book

on Goodreads!

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Between the two world wars, on a hike in the English countryside, Professor John Hill takes refuge from a violent storm in a cave. There he nearly loses his life, but he also makes an astonishing discovery — an ancient manuscript housed in a cunningly crafted metal box. Though a philologist by profession, Hill cannot identify the language used in the manuscript and the time period in which it is was made, but he knows enough to make an educated guess — that the book and its case are the fruits of a long-lost, but advanced civilization.

So what books are on your wishlist this week?