STARLING

Okay, so I am an avid reader, but, as you can tell from this threadbare blog, not an avid writer. Which is why I'm going to take this opportunity to introduce Lesley Livingston's new book, STARLING!

I am super duper excited about this book, mainly because Livingston's other four books (Wondrous Strange, Darklight, Tempestuous, Once Every Never) were absolutely AMAZING. And, two words: Fennrys. Wolf.

Lesley Livingston said somewhere on her Twitter account that you don't need to read the Wondrous Strange trilogy to understand Starling, although the main character is from that series (and boy, is he fiinee! ;D) I really cannot wait. =D =D

And here is the gorgeous and fantabulous COVER for STARLING!!! Enjoy, peeps!

- sm:)e

Tournament of Heroines!!

So, YA Sisterhood is having a Tournament of Heroines... And the last two are between the wonderfully Tessa Gray from Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series and the equally wonderful Clary Fray from the Mortal Instruments series (also by Cassandra Clare). WHOOT.

Both series are equally amazing; the plots are set in the same butt-kicking Shadowhunting world, except the former is in Victorian era London while the latter in 21st century New York. Each series have extremely drool-worthy guys (as advertised here), and totally awesome girls as the main characters.


THE INFERNAL DEVICES
Sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by—and torn between—two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length... everyone, that is, but Tessa.
   She loves books, she's wicked smart, and she has an awesome morphing ability. Plus, she has two very sexy guys to choose from. What's not to love about Tessa Gray? TEAMTESSA!!

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder — much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Clary knows she should call the police, but it's hard to explain a murder when the body disappears into thin air and the murderers are invisible to everyone but Clary.
Equally startled by her ability to see them, the murderers explain themselves as Shadowhunters: a secret tribe of warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. Within twenty-four hours, Clary's mother disappears and Clary herself is almost killed by a grotesque demon.
But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know....
   She's a red-headed troublemaker, artist, and anime enthusiast. She has (*SPOILER*) Shadowhunter blood running through her veins, and a wickedly cool ability (which will not be named here because the spoiler is too large ;D). And she also has two guys to choose from. Who doesn't love Clary Fray? TEAMCLARY!!

Either way, GOGOGO VOTE for your favourite gal, you honestly can't go wrong with either of them because they are both amazing!! TEAMCASSIE ALL THE WAY!!

- sm:)e .

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer - Michelle Hodkin

... *coughs awkwardly*.

So... I suppose you’re wondering why I haven’t posted anything in one... two... almost three months?

My [weak] answer: SCHOOL.

And I profusely apologize.

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE...

I HAVE AN AMAZING BOOK THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ. LIKE, RIGHT NOW. =)

It is called... The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. And it is... indescribably epic.

Mara Dyer doesn’t think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. IT CAN.

She believes there must be more to the accident she can’t remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. THERE IS.

She doesn’t believe that after everything she’s been through, she can fall in love. SHE’S WRONG.

More delicious information can be found here.

**SLIGHT SPOILERS**

I am well aware of the fact that there isn’t all that much information given in the blerb above. But this paranormal thriller is sure to take you on an amazing ride.

Mara Dyer was in an accident that killed her friends, yet she can’t remember anything. As the novel progresses, Mara keeps getting flashbacks and, much to her dismay, hallucinations of her dead friends. While this is going on, she has an overprotective mother watching her every move, a father who’s always working diligently on his court case, an overachieving older brother and an annoying little brother. On top of that, to protect her “fragile” mental state and health, Mara and her brothers get put into private school.

And it’s there she meets Noah Shaw.

Fiction has, unfortunately, destroyed all hope for me when it comes to men. My expectations have shot so high that I don’t think anyone can meet them (and anyone who does would have to be Superman or something). It’s just that there are so many male characters in books that are just so darned FASCINATING and PERFECT. Noah is no exception. For Pete’s sake, he’s got a British accent. And he’s hot. Smoking. Hot.

Sadly, he smokes, BUT it does nothing to diminish his health and hotness. And he’s kinda got a reputation as a playboy. So, when he shows interest in new-girl Mara Dyer, you can guess that there’s a little blonde female dog plotting to ruin Mara’s life. It is indeed typical, but also freaking hilarious.

And Noah and Mara are really adorable together. I mean, REALLY adorable. And, being a paranormal novel and all, there is also an explanation of how Noah and Mara are supernaturally connected... but that’s too much of a spoiler, so I’ll shut up ;). If you want to find out for yourself, get the book now.

Aside from the smoking romance building between Noah and Mara, the plot gets insanely interesting as Mara discovers more about the events of the accident, and what all her “hallucinations” really mean. And the ending of the book really throws a curveball at you, leaving you screaming/gasping/laughing/crying/yelling or all of the above. Danged cliffhangers.

So, I am now [im]patiently waiting for the release of Mara Dyer 2, which is not coming out until fall 2012. You can imagine my disappointment when I found that out. However, it is definitely worth the wait, and I truly applaud Michelle Hodkin for creating such an epic tale. You, ma’am, are an impeccable paranormal author. Keep up the fantastic work, and know that Maggie is forever in my prayers.

OUT OF 5 STARS!!!!

- sm:)e