Book Review: The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand.

Product details:
Publisher: Harper Teen.
Hardcover, 400 pages.
Release date: February 10th 2015.
Rating:  3½ out of 5.
Ages: 13+
Source: Received from publisher for review.

 There's death all around us.
We just don't pay attention.
Until we do.

The last time Lex was happy, it was before. When she had a family that was whole. A boyfriend she loved. Friends who didn't look at her like she might break down at any moment.

Now she's just the girl whose brother killed himself. And it feels like that's all she'll ever be.

As Lex starts to put her life back together, she tries to block out what happened the night Tyler died. But there's a secret she hasn't told anyone-a text Tyler sent, that could have changed everything.

Lex's brother is gone. But Lex is about to discover that a ghost doesn't have to be real to keep you from moving on.

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand, The Last Time We Say Goodbye is a gorgeous and heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and letting go.

 An insightful and thought-provoking exploration of guilt and grief in the aftermath of a teen suicide, Cynthia Hand’s The Last Time We Say Goodbye introduces us to the world of nerd-and-proud of it, Alexis, almost two months after the suicide of her sixteen year old brother, Ty. 

Let me put it out there: I do not tend to gravitate towards issue-laden YA contemporary fiction. When it comes to YA fiction, books on teen suicide are not right up there on the list of books I want to read. The same goes for YA Cancer books. Those, I don’t read at all. The truth is, I prefer by YA contemps that are pure romantic escapism, preferably with sunny summer beach settings. I guess that’s partly my explanation as to why I’m giving this book – which is an intricate, beautifully written and very real portrayal of grief – a 3.5 rating. Books about death are just not really my thing. The only reason I read this one is because I’m a fan of the author.  Cynthia Hand is on my auto-read list, as is Gayle Forman, which is why I read her latest one – I Was Here – which deals with the same devastating topic of teen suicide.

Books such as these are important. Teen suicide happens – it happens all too often these days.  As such, it goes without saying that The Last Time We Say Goodbye is not an uplifting book: rather it left me feeling entirely drained and even a little teary.  I guessed from Hand’s portrayal of grief in her Unearthly series – very raw, real and emotional – that she was writing from a place of first-hand-knowledge, and she explains her background story here, in her authors note. That made me tear up a little too, I must admit. 

So, this isn’t a book that you’ll want to read if you’re feeling a little gloomy. It’s not going to cheer you up at all, as you might have already guessed.

Alexis (Lex to her friends, and her therapist) is working through her grief with the help of said therapist, Dave, who suggests that she document her thoughts in a journal. Extracts of this journal are dotted throughout the book, along with Lex’s recurring dream in which her brother dies every time. She can’t save Ty, and increasingly Lex suffers from panic attacks, because no matter how it might seem on the outside, she’s just not coping.  I’m not a huge fan of dream sequences in books; for me they don’t add much to – and they always slow down - the flow of the plot.  And the plot here ponders. If I have one main criticism of this book, it’s that The Last Time We Say Goodbye can be slow moving at times. Added to the heavy subject matter, the slow moving plot can make this book a sometimes bit of a trudge.

I didn’t really identify with the character of Lex, but I did feel for her as she navigated her post-Ty life. This girl has a lot to deal with: not just the rigours of school, but also a mother who is leaning heavily on alcohol while declaring at regular intervals that her life is now over because she has nothing left to live for. Uh, what about your daughter?  And a dad who is a little AWOL living his new midlife-crises cliché life. Added to that, Lex has pushed away her friends, and has dumped her boyfriend – the ever understand Steven, a fellow nerd, and a seemingly perfect match for Lex. Why did Lex push Steven away? Well, that’s linked to her brother’s death. Lex’s own actions on the day Ty took his life area  huge source of guilt for her, and maybe that’s why she keeps seeing her brother everywhere she goes, everywhere she turns: in her car, in his bedroom, and always in her dreams.

But Ty is not really there, right? Lex doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she can clearly see Ty; she can smell his cologne. Ty is dead, and now Lex needs to let go, she needs to move on; because her brother has already said his goodbyes.

The Last Time We Say Goodbye, is touching and thoughtful, while Hand’s portrayal of teen suicide and the devastation it leaves in its wake, is truly written from the heart.

Read All About It: News, Deals and Cover Reveals from Emery Lord, Gayle Forman, Lauren Oliver, Cynthia Hand & More!

Here's a round up of the latest book news, deals and some cover reveals that I've discovered over the past while.  It's also basically a digest of all the exciting news stories that come my way and which I've mostly already posted on my twitter and Facebook feeds, so if you want up-to-the-minute book news and you don't want to have to wait around for me to type this up, you can follow me on those sites!

 Like DaisyChainBookReviews on Facebook  ||   Follow  @daisychainbooks on Twitter and then you'll never miss a thing!

The Start of Me and You by Emery Lord || Release date: March 2015

Following her pitch-perfect debut Open Road Summer, Emery Lord pens another gorgeous story of best friends, new love, & second chances.

It’s been a year since it happened—when Paige Hancock’s first boyfriend died in an accident. After shutting out the world for a year, Paige is finally ready for a second chance at high school . . . and she has a plan. First: Get her old crush, Ryan Chase, to date her—the perfect way to convince everyone she’s back to normal. Next: Join a club—simple, it’s high school after all. But when Ryan’s sweet, nerdy cousin, Max, moves to town and recruits Paige for the Quiz Bowl team (of all things!) her perfect plan is thrown for a serious loop. Will Paige be able to face her fears and finally open herself up to the life she was meant to live?

Brimming with heartfelt relationships and authentic high-school dynamics The Start of Me and You proves that it’s never too late for second chances.

********** 

I Was Here by Gayle Forman || Release date: January 2015

Cody and Meg were inseparable.
Two peas in a pod.
Until . . . they weren’t anymore.

When her best friend Meg drinks a bottle of industrial-strength cleaner alone in a motel room, Cody is understandably shocked and devastated. She and Meg shared everything—so how was there no warning? But when Cody travels to Meg’s college town to pack up the belongings left behind, she discovers that there’s a lot that Meg never told her. About her old roommates, the sort of people Cody never would have met in her dead-end small town in Washington. About Ben McAllister, the boy with a guitar and a sneer, who broke Meg’s heart. And about an encrypted computer file that Cody can’t open—until she does, and suddenly everything Cody thought she knew about her best friend’s death gets thrown into question.

I Was Here is Gayle Forman at her finest, a taut, emotional, and ultimately redemptive story about redefining the meaning of family and finding a way to move forward even in the face of unspeakable loss.

**********

Book Review: Boundless by Cynthia Hand.

Product details:
Publisher: HarperTeen.
Hardcover, 438 pages.
Release date: January 22rd 2013.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 13+
Series: Unearthly  #3.
Other Books in Series: Unearthly, Hallowed, Radiant.
Overall Series Rating: 4 out of 5.
Source: Purchased.

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

 Please note: This is a review of a next-in-a-series book. There may be spoilers for the previous book in the series in this review.


Ah, Boundless.  You made me smile, and then you almost made me cry.

Saying goodbye to an absolute favourite series is always a little bittersweet.  Bitter because it’s always sad to leave characters you’ve grown to love, but sweet because you generally leave them in a better place than when you first met them. I say generally, because that’s what usually happens, but not always.  And in order to avoid spoilers in this review all I’ll say is that a certain somebody from the Unearthly series really needs their own spin-off alá Adrian Ivashkov from Vampire Academy. Because my heart broke a little bit for that someone at the end of this book. Please, please, please make that spin-off happen.

Boundless begins with Clara packing up her old life in Jackson Hole and moving back to California where she’ll attend Stanford University.   While Unearthly was all about fulfilling her purpose, and Hallowed tested Clara’s resolve with heart-wrenching loss, Boundless is all about new beginnings and letting go of the past.   That’s easier said than done, though, especially when the past is the place your heart calls home.  Clara may have said goodbye to Tucker in Hallowed, but even though he’s no longer in her life, she often thinks of him, and the good times they shared.  That’s not to say that Clara doesn’t have other distractions though – namely University and all that entails, old enemies that continue to taunt her, and of course, a boy called Christian.

Ah, Christian Prescott.  Love him. I’ve loved him since day one. 

Let me take a minute:

“Hot is really not an adequate enough word for this guy. He is crazy beautiful. And it’s more than his looks—the intentionally messy waves of his dark hair; the strong eyebrows that make his expression a bit serious, even when he smiles; his eyes, which I notice can look emerald in one light and hazel in another; the sweetly sculpted angles of his face; the curve of his full lips.”  -

Cynthia Hand.

Le sigh. Christian is my Jay Heaton, he’s my Adrian Ivashkov, he’s my Noah Shaw, he’s my Cole St. Clair. In short, he’s one of my all time favourite book boys.

But can Christian win Clara’s heart? I mean, I don’t want to make this review all about Christian, but you know….Also, in the battle of the boys he pretty much dominates this book. Christian is a huge part of Clara’s every day life, while the cowboy, for the most part, is out of the picture.   I’m not sure how Team Tucker fans will feel about that, but that’s just how it is. However, rest assured that while Tucker isn’t physically present like before, he’ll always have a special place in Clara’s heart.   Then again, after all Christian’s been through – especially what he goes though in this book – doesn’t he deserve a little happiness? I mean, this guy would go to hell and back for Clara.

And Clara kind of knows that, which is why, having been a big Clara fan throughout the series, she infuriated me at times in this book.  Then again, Clara’s treatment of the people around her rings very true.  She has great qualities – she’s loyal, loving and caring.  But on the other hand she can be terribly stubborn and selfish.  I guess she’s very real. And that’s what makes her a great character.

As the final book in a series, Boundless features an epic showdown where good versus evil, lives are lost and all kinds of revelations come to light.  The thing about Boundless (as with Hallowed) is that is starts off a little slow, but that’s okay, because Cynthia Hand writes so, so, so beautifully. Beautiful words that become beautiful sentences, paragraphs, and pages. Then Boom!  Everything kicks off.  There are lots of surprises involving Angela (an actual OMFG moment!) and Christian – I so didn’t see that coming, although I’m thinking now that I totally should have.  What can I say? His face is a distraction.

Overall, Boundless is a great conclusion to a wonderful series that was just a joy to read from start to finish.  I miss Clara and co. already and I wish there was still more to come.  So, about that spin-off? Yeah?

*****

Radiant – Unearthly #2.5

Seriously one of the best novellas I’ve read.  Radiant depicts a hot summer in Rome with Clara and Angela that takes places between graduation (the end of Hallowed) and Stanford (the beginning of Boundless).  I loved this one because I’ve always been so intrigued by the character of Angela – I knew that girl had some major secrets! What happens in Rome stays in Rome, but that summer also has major consequences for Angela and Clara too, in Boundless.

Read All About It: News, Deals and Cover Reveals from Rebecca James, Ruth Warburton, Cynthia Hand, Veronica Roth and Many More!

Here's a round up of the latest book news, deals and some cover reveals that I've discovered over the past few weeks!  It's also basically a digest of all the exciting news stories that come my way and which I've mostly already posted on my twitter and Facebook feeds, so if you want up-to-the-minute book news and you don't want to have to wait around for me to type this up, you can follow me on those sites!

 Like DaisyChainBookReviews on Facebook  ||   Follow  @daisychainbooks on Twitter 

And then you'll never miss a thing! 

****************

First up, Beautiful Malice author Rebecca James has revealed the Australian cover art for her second book Sweet Damage.    I can't wait to read this one!  Looks like it's not going to release in these parts for a long time yet (Autumn 2013 according to Rebecca) but I'm sure it'll be worth the wait!

Sweet Damage by Rebecca James

Publisher:  Allen and Unwin

Release date: April 2013

I still dream about Anna London's house.

In my dreams the house is more than it was in life; the building taller and more imposing, the hallways longer and more labyrinthine, the inside colder and darker than the real thing ever was.

Anna is sometimes in these dreams, lingering ghost-like and elusive ahead of or behind me, and no matter how much I chase her or call her name, I can never reach her.

In my dreams it's as if the house itself has sinister intentions. In real life, though, it wasn't the house that was responsible for what happened there. It was the people who did the damage.

A gripping new novel from the author of Beautiful Malice

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Book Deals, Book Deals, Book Deals....

 

Usborne acquires SOULMATES by Holly Bourne:

Usborne has acquired a debut YA novel and an as-yet untitled second book by 26-year-old Holly Bourne, in the first deal for the Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency.

Usborne fiction director Rebecca Hill bought UK and Commonwealth rights, including Australia and New Zealand, in Soulmates, from Madeline Milburn, and described the title as "a YA novel about the power of first love with a world-ending twist". It will be published in autumn 2013.

Hill said: "I'm so excited to welcome such a talented new voice to the Usborne list. Soulmates has a fearlessly fresh narrative, a hot-blooded romance to rival Bella and Edward, and a heroine with more effervescent cynicism than Caitlin Moran."

Milburn added the book has “enormous appeal internationally”, with German rights already sold to DTV.

Here's more about Soulmates:

SOULMATES is a contemporary YA love story / thriller about a cynical 17-year-old called Poppy who falls in love with a guitarist, Noah. Every so often two people are born who are the perfect matches for each other.  Soulmates. But the repercussions of soulmates getting together are huge and, unbeknown to Poppy and Noah, they are being watched by a secret international agency responsible for separating them.

Poppy and Noah will soon have to decide whether to stay together and potentially end the world, or live without love for the rest of their lives.

(How good does Soulmates sound? I can't wait to read it!

Follow Holly on Twitter: @holly_bourneYA

 Ruth Warburton signs new two-book deal with Hodder Children's Books:

Hodder Children's Books has acquired a new series by The Winter Trilogy author Ruth Warburton.

Senior editor Ellen Holgate bought world rights in the two-book deal from Eve White of Eve White Literary Agency for a five-figure sum, with the first of the two books, Witch Finder and Witch Hunt, to be published in January 2014.

Witch Finder is described as a "Victorian romantic thriller for 12-16 year olds set in 1880s London". It follows the story of eighteen-year-old Luke Lexton who is about to undergo his initiation into the Malleus Maleficorum—the secretive brotherhood devoted to hunting witches.

Holgate said: "Ruth is an immensely talented storyteller and we are very excited to be publishing these new novels. Witch Finder is a wonderful combination of everything Ruth does best: spine-tingling romance, with a powerful female lead and a dark, witchcraft-filled adventure. It's a page-turning thriller that will delight her increasing army of fans."

Strange Chemistry Sign Eliza Crewe and CRACKED

About CRACKED:

Meet Meda. She eats people.

Well, technically, she eats their soul. But she totally promises to only go for people who deserve it. She’s special. It’s not her fault she enjoys it. She can’t help being a bad guy. Besides, what else can she do? Her mother was killed and it’s not like there are any other “soul-eaters” around to show her how to be different. That is, until the three men in suits show up.

They can do what she can do. They’re like her. Meda might finally have a chance to figure out what she is. The problem? They kind of want to kill her. Before they get the chance Meda is rescued by crusaders, members of an elite group dedicated to wiping out Meda’s kind. This is her chance! Play along with the “good guys” and she’ll finally figure out what, exactly, her “kind” is.

Be careful what you wish for. Playing capture the flag with her mortal enemies, babysitting a teenage boy with a hero complex, and avoiding a bad-ass cripple that doesn’t trust her are bad enough. But the Hunger is gaining on her.

The more she learns, the worse it gets. And when Meda uncovers a shocking secret about her mother, her past, and her destiny… she may finally give into it.

Cracked releases November 2013 from Strange Chemistry.

Follow Eliza on Twitter: @ElizaCrewe

Cynthia Hand announces an Unearthly Novella:  

(Actual Squee!!)

  

From New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand comes a riveting original novella (available only as an ebook) set in the world of the Unearthly series.

Clara is desperate to get away—from the memories that haunt her in Wyoming and the visions of a future she isn't ready to face—and spending the summer in Italy with her best friend, Angela, should be the perfect escape. . . .

For as long as she can remember, Angela has been told that love is dangerous, that she must always guard her heart. But when she met a mysterious guy in Italy two years ago she was determined to be with him, no matter the costs. Now she must decide whether she can trust Clara with her secret, or if telling her the truth will risk everything she cares about.

Alternating between Angela and Clara's perspectives, Radiant chronicles the unforgettable summer that will test the bounds of their friendship and change their lives forever.  



 Radiant releases December 4th 2012 from HarperTeen 

Born Wicked gets a Paperback Cover Makeover:

I totally remember swooning over the cover for Jessica Shea Spotswood's Born Wicked last year, but now, as is prone to happening, the publishers have decided to give the series a cover makeover.  What do you think of the new series look? As it happens, I really like this one, although I'm still really fond of the original cover too! <<<Click through to see original cover. 

I haven't read this book yet. I need to get to it. Have you read Born Wicked. What did you think? 

Veronica Roth announces DIVERGENT Movie News! 

So, the Divergent movie is really happening! So many books get optioned for film, but not all of them make it to the big screen. However, things seem to be moving fast for this one.  Divergent now has a Director attached -- Neil Burger (The Illusionist, Limitless) and as announced by Veronica Roth on her blog Shailene Woodley (The Descendents) is in final negotiations to play Tris! (No word on Four yet!) 

What do you think of Shailene as Tris? 

Keep up to date with all the Divergent movie news at Veronica Roth's Blog. 

That's it for the round-up! Let me know your thoughts!

Additional info was sourced from: The Bookseller, Publishers Weekly, BookTrade.Info and Goodreads.

 

Cover Candy #23 - Recent Swoonworthy Cover Reveals!

Take a look at some of my latest cover crushes! 

First up is Grotesque by Page Morgan, but, wait! It looks as though this one has undergone a name change and will now be known as The Beautiful and the Cursed. Love it! This one is very, very high on my wish list and also has one of my favourite covers in a while. So much pretty!  In the Shadow of Blackbirds is another upcoming release that I can't wait to get my hands on -- the cover spooked me! This one releases in April of next year, but I know I'll be saving it for a cold, dark night next winter!

Also, in this edition of Cover Candy you'll find the cover of Just One Day* by Gayle Forman (If I Stay, Where She Went), How my Summer Went up in Flames (A road trip summer book! Yay!) and the beautiful Australian cover for Boundless (Unearthly #3 a.k.a In which I have to say goodbye to Christian Prescott and cry, cry, cry!). 

Enjoy & let me know what you think in comments!

The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Release date: May 2013

Ages: 12+

Beautiful sisters, impossible romance, dark intrigue, and paranormal mystery will draw readers into this compelling world—Grotesque is the first book in the City of Light trilogy, welcoming Page Morgan, an exciting new YA talent to the field. Fans of Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series and Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle trilogy will devour Grotesque, a wholly original interpretation of the gargoyle lore.

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

Publisher: Amulet Books

Release date: April 2013

Ages: 12+

In 1918, the world seems on the verge of apocalypse. Americans roam the streets in gauze masks to ward off the deadly Spanish influenza, and the government ships young men to the front lines of a brutal war, creating an atmosphere of fear and confusion. Sixteen-year-old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort, but she herself has never believed in ghosts. During her bleakest moment, however, she’s forced to rethink her entire way of looking at life and death, for her first love—a boy who died in battle—returns in spirit form. But what does he want from her?

Featuring haunting archival early-twentieth-century photographs, this is a tense, romantic story set in a past that is eerily like our own time.

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton

Release date: January 2013

Ages: 14+

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

* Check out the Penguin Teen Spring 2013 preview to read the opening chapters of Just One Day by Gayle Forman along with some other great titles coming from Penguin Teen in 2012.

How My Summer Went Up in Flames  by Jennifer Salvato Doctorski

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: May 2013

Ages: 14+

Rosie’s always been impulsive. She didn’t intend to set her cheating ex-boyfriend’s car on fire. And she never thought her attempts to make amends could be considered stalking. So when she’s served with a temporary restraining order on the first day of summer vacation, she’s heartbroken—and furious.

To put distance between Rosie and her ex, Rosie’s parents send her on a cross-country road trip with responsible, reliable neighbor Matty and his two friends. Forget freedom of the road, Rosie just wants to hitchhike home and win back her ex. But with every mile marker that passes, Rosie discovers a new sense of self…and that sometimes the best revenge is moving on.

I love the Australian covers for Cynthia Hand's Unearthly series, and with the series coming to an end I just had to line them up side by side. Seriously some of the prettiest covers for a series ever, in my opinion! Boundless will release in January 2012. Can't wait!!

Series Side by Side:

* Please note: These covers may not be final and may be subject to change. Images sourced from publishers websites, Goodreads & Amazon. 

Cover Candy #21 - Recent Swoonworthy Cover Reveals!

It's been ages and ages since I've done a Cover Candy post, but I'm back today with a bumper edition.

While I was away I saw oodles and oodles of pretty new book covers unveiled by authors and publishers, and here are my pick of the bunch!

Let me know what you think of the featured covers in comments. Which cover is your favourite? Will you be adding any of these to your wish list?

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Pivot Point by Kasie West

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release date: February 2013

Ages: 13+

Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if?" As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It's the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie's parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with–her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the "Norms," or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it's not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school–but she never wanted to be a quarterback's girlfriend. When Addie's father is asked to consult on a murder in the compound, she's unwittingly drawn into a drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she's willing to live through...and who she can't live without.

 Let The Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release date: March 2013
Ages: YA

Vane Weston should have died in the category five tornado that killed his parents. Instead, he woke up in a pile of rubble with no memories of his past—except one: a beautiful, dark-haired girl standing in the winds. She's swept through his dreams ever since, and he clings to the hope that she's real.

Audra is real, but she isn't human. She's a sylph, an air elemental who can walk on the wind, translate its alluring songs, even twist it into a weapon. She's also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect him at all costs.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra has just days to help Vane unlock his memories. And as the storm winds gather, they start to realize the greatest danger might not be the warriors coming to destroy them, but the forbidden romance growing between them.

Set amongst the desert airstreams of Coachella Valley in California, LET THE SKY FALL is about two teenagers broken by their pasts, divided by their futures, and bound by love.

Out of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys
Publisher: Philomel
Release date: February 2012
Ages: 14+

Known amongst locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than The Big Easy has to offer. She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld, New Orleans lures Josie in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.

With characters as captivating as her international bestselling novel, "Between Shades of Gray," Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.

17 & Gone by Nova Ren Suma
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release date: March 2013
Ages: 14+



Seventeen-year-old Lauren is having visions of girls who have gone missing. And all these girls have just one thing in common—they are 17 and gone without a trace. As Lauren struggles to shake these waking nightmares, impossible questions demand urgent answers: Why are the girls speaking to Lauren? How can she help them? And . . . is she next? As Lauren searches for clues, everything begins to unravel, and when a brush with death lands her in the hospital, a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.

Linked by Imogen Howson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Release date: June 2013
Ages: YA

Elissa used to have it all: looks, popularity, and a bright future. But for the last three years, she’s been struggling with terrifying visions, phantom pains, and mysterious bruises that appear out of nowhere.

Finally, she’s promised a cure: minor surgery to burn out the overactive area of her brain. But on the eve of the procedure, she discovers the shocking truth behind her hallucinations: she’s been seeing the world through another girl’s eyes.

Elissa follows her visions, and finds a battered, broken girl on the run. A girl—Lin—who looks exactly like Elissa, down to the matching bruises. The twin sister she never knew existed.

Now, Elissa and Lin are on the run from a government who will stop at nothing to reclaim Lin and protect the dangerous secrets she could expose—secrets that would shake the very foundation of their world.

Riveting, thought-provoking and utterly compelling, Linked will make you question what it really means to be human.

 The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

Publisher: Mantle

Release date: October 2012

Ages: Adult

1959: On a sweltering summer's day, while her family picnics by the stream on their Suffolk farm, sixteen-year-old Laurel hides out in her childhood tree house dreaming of a boy called Billy, a move to London, and the bright future she can't wait to seize. But before the idyllic afternoon is over, Laurel will have witnessed a shocking crime that changes everything.

2011: Now a much-loved actress, Laurel finds herself overwhelmed by shades of the past. Haunted by memories, and the mystery of what she saw that day, she returns to her family home and begins to piece together a secret history. A tale of three strangers from vastly different worlds - Dorothy, Vivien and Jimmy - who are brought together by chance in wartime London and whose lives become fiercely and fatefully entwined. Shifting between the 1930s, the 1950s and the present, The Secret Keeper is a spellbinding story of mysteries and secrets, theatre and thievery, murder and enduring love.

 These next covers are for next in a series books (that I am so, so, so excited for!) so read the synopsis at your own risk, because they may, and probably do, contain spoilers for previous books in the series.

Everbound (Everneath #2) by Brodi Ashton

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release date: January 2012

Ages: 14+

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

 Boundless (Unearthly #3) by Cynthia Hand

Publisher: HarperTeen

Release date: January 2013

Ages: 13+ 

The past few years held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner ever could have anticipated. Yet through the dizzying high of falling in love for the first time to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, one thing that remained constant was the knowledge that she was never meant to have a normal life. Now, as the battle against the Black Wings and their minions looms on the horizon, Clara is finally ready to fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Hand has once again crafted a tale that is both thrilling and poignant as she skillfully explores the timeless question of whether it is better to follow the rules or your heart. Filled with explosive action, sweeping romance, and higher stakes at every turn, Boundless is the series conclusion that readers have been clamoring for.

Dead Silence (The Body Finder #4) by Kimberly Derting

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release date: April 2012

Ages: 14+

Violet thought she’d made peace with her unique ability to sense the echoes of the dead and the imprints that cling to their killers…that is until she acquired an imprint of her own. Forced to carry a reminder of the horrible events of her kidnapping, Violet is more determined than ever to lead a normal life. However, the people who run the special investigative team Violet works for have no intention of letting her go.

When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself. 

 Imposter (Slide #2) by Jill Hathaway

Publisher: Balzer + Bray

Release date: March 2013

Ages: 14+

Vee Bell’s gift (or curse) of “sliding”—slipping into the mind of another person and experiencing life, briefly, through his or her eyes—has been somewhat under control since she unwillingly witnessed the horrific deaths of her classmates six months ago.

But just as things are getting back to normal, Vee has a very bizarre experience: she loses consciousness and finds herself in a deserted area, at the edge of a cliff, with the broken body of the boy who took advantage of her on the rocks below.

As Vee finds herself in stranger and stranger situations with no memory of getting there, she begins to suspect that someone she knows has the ability to slide—and that this “slider” is using Vee to exact revenge on his or her enemies.

 

And here is the UK cover for Revived by Cat Patrick. Yes, I know I already posted the cover here but I guess they must have changed it late in the day. This is the actual final cover - and best of all, it's out now, so you can go buy it! 

* Please note: These covers may not be final and may be subject to change. Images sourced from publishers websites, Goodreads & Amazon. 

Book Review: Hallowed by Cynthia Hand.

Product details:
Publisher:
Paperback, 403 pages.
Release date: January 2nd 2012.
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Ages: 12+
Series: Unearthly #2.
Other Books in Series: Unearthly.
Source: Received from publisher for review.

For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. 

Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

 Please note: This is a review of a second-in-a-series book. There may be spoiler for the previous book in the series in this review.

In Unearthly angel-blood Clara Gardner had to choose between her heart or her destiny.  Now in Hallowed, the highly anticipated second installment in Cynthia Hand’s captivating angel trilogy, Clara not only has to deal with the consequences of her choice and the impact it has on the lives of those around her, she also has to deal with something much worse when her visions show that she’s going to lose someone she loves, and soon.

If Unearthly made you swoon, then Hallowed may just make you cry. Don’t worry, there are still lots of swoony moments, Tucker fangirls, but essentially Hallowed is an emotional read that sees Clara dealing with a whole lot of heartbreak as her vision plays out.  She’s conflicted in matters of the heart too, and drawn towards Christian, who in this book understands her better than anybody. He’s the one that there for her through all her hardships, the one who never leaves her side.  In Unearthly Clara couldn’t deny that her heart belonged to Tucker, but she’s known all along that her purpose and her destiny lies with Christian, and this makes for some very interesting reading when it becomes clear that Christian isn’t going to give up on her without a fight.

I think a lot of people wrote Christian off in Unearthly as being ‘just another perfectly pretty YA boy’ but I knew he was so much more than that, and now I feel totally vindicated. So, has anyone else joined Team Christian now, or are you all still on the side of the hot cowboy? Clara has a difficult choice to make. I wouldn’t want to be in her shoes. Actually, maybe I would…!

So there’s relationship drama, but there’s a lot of serious stuff in this book too, with dark themes and family drama that will leave your heart feeling a little heavy at times.  You will feel for Clara in this book, and for what she has to suffer through. There are still plenty of light-hearted moments, and Clara’s snark and witty dialogue are ever-present, but this is a book with sadness at its heart, and not everything or everyone has a happy ending.

As always Hand’s beautiful prose is a joy to read, and with plenty of unexpected plot twists and surprising revelations here she successfully avoids the dreaded second book slump which so many YA series seem to suffer from.  Hallowed is a wonderful follow up to Unearthly and I can’t wait to see how things turn out for Clara and her love triangle situation, her brother Jeremy who has all sorts of stuff going on, and her friend Angela, who I still don’t trust 100%, when the third and final book in the series releases next year.

Hallowed Blog Tour: Cynthia Hand picks her Dream Movie Cast!

Today I'm kicking off the blog tour for Cynthia Hand's Hallowed today with a very fun Dream Movie Cast guest post from the author herself. If you ever wanted to find out who Cynthia would pick to play Clara, Christian, Tucker and your other favourite characters from the books, now's your chance to find out!

I have to say that Rachel Hurd-Wood is exactly how I picture Clara!  Zac Efron is pretty much a no-brainer as Christian, although saying that, I also picture Chace Crawford in the role.  I've always pictured (Mean Girls era) Lizzie Caplan in the Angela role, although now I think Vanessa Hudgens is an even better choice!

What do you think?

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Unearthly is currently in development at the CW to be made into a television series, so I’ve actually given quite a lot of thought to how Unearthly might work on the big (and little) screen. I should be hearing pretty soon whether it’s been greenlighted to shoot a pilot, which is so exciting and surreal that I can hardly believe it. So, like I said, I’ve given a lot of thought to the kind of actors that I’d want to play my characters. Here are my top choices. (Please keep in mind that this is my dream/fantasy cast for a feature film, not what I think would be a realistic cast for my CW show. . .)

Clara.

#1 Anna Sophia Robb

There’s a real celestial quality to this actress, a sweet (and dare I say unearthly?) beauty to her, but also a feistiness and a sense of goofiness, which I think is key for Clara. My Clara has to be able to laugh at herself, and has to be strong, in both body and spirit, and has to have a soulful quality, in her eyes especially, and I think Miss Robb could pull that off. I have to giggle at choosing ASR though, because if you look up the dream cast of any author where her main character is a blond, she will inevitably pick Anna Sophia Robb, too. I bet that girl doesn’t have any trouble finding a job. So I guess it makes me feels less unique to pick her, but I truly think she would be a great cast for Clara.

#2. Rachel Hurd-Wood

It was the fans who turned me on to this fine actress as a potential Clara. All these Unearthly dream-cast videos kept popping up on the internet, and 90% of them suggested Miss Hurd-Wood for Clara. I had only seen her in Peter Pan, which is a big favorite of my son’s right now (he’s going through a serious pirate phase), but she was pretty young in that film. And British. :) But I can totally understand what the fans see in her. There’s a certain brightness to her, and she seems like a lovely combination of smart and beautiful and slightly awkward that I think fits Clara perfectly. And I love her voice, although I am not certain she’s quite sarcastic enough for Clara, but then I’ve never see her in a role where she played a sarcastic character. I am charmed by her, anyway, and would love to see her as Clara, although I think she’s 21 or 22 now, which I think makes her a bit too old. I’d like the actress who plays Clara to really be 16 or 17 years old.

#3 Elle Fanning

 

You know how I said Rachel Hurd-Wood was too old? Well, Elle Fanning may be a tad too young. In which case I’d go with Dakota, but there is a quiet humor to Elle that really says Clara to me, and an innocence that I find charming. Plus an occasional goofiness, which we’ve already established is a necessity. That and I just happen to think she’s angelically beautiful.

#4 Saoirse Ronan

Talk about soulful-eyed! You can’t get more expressive eyes than this girl, which is why I thought she was a perfect choice for the forthcoming movie adaptation of The Host. And I also think she’d be a fine Clara, especially after I saw her kick-buttingness in Hanna. I’m not sure about goofiness, though. . .

Now on to what you’re really waiting for, the boys.

Sigh. I wish I knew the names of more teenage boy actors. None of the ones I’ve stumbled over come close to either what Tucker or Christian look like in my head. But I will give it my best try.

Christian #1 Zac Efron

 

He’s too old now, definitely, but when I was first writing Unearthly, Zac Efron was the closest approximation to Christian I could come up with. Dark, slightly wavy hair, strong eyebrows, greenish eyes, slender build. Although I think the Christian in my head is a little darker and has a little different face shape. And I think Zac Efron is, again, far too old to play a 17 year old anymore. I did like 17 Again, and I really, really liked him in Me and Orson Wells. Is it a crime that I haven’t seen High School Musical?

 

Christian #2—Cameron Bright

Again with the slightly wavy hair, the strong eyebrows, the green eyes. Plus there’s kind of a mystery to him which I think suits Christian very well. The look of Cameron Bright is pretty darn close to the Christian in my head, and I think he’s around the right age. However, I haven’t seen this guy act since he was a child actor, and I don’t know what his more grown up voice sounds like, or if he could pull off Christian’s many layers.



Okay, okay, calm down. Here comes my Tucker picks, which were even harder!

Tucker #1—Kellan Lutz

Whew! This guy is hot! And brawny and tawny and blue-eyed AND dimpled. Here’s something I’ve never told anybody before, but back when I was selling the film rights to Unearthly, a company wanted to buy them, and tried to get Mr. Lutz to read the manuscript (this was before there was even an ARC!) of Unearthly and sign on to play Tucker. And when they told me this, I had no idea who Kellan Lutz even was. So I Googled, And I watched Twilight, in which they dye his hair and cover him in white face paint, so I just wasn’t seeing it. But then I came across this picture, and I was like, okay. I can see that. And I like that Kellan is mischievous, which is one of Tucker’s key personality traits. But let’s face it, he’s too old. I really think movies should cast 17 year olds as 17 year olds, and Mr. Lutz in mid-twenties and definitely looks it. Now if he had a younger brother. . .

(Part of me still can’t believe that this guy might have read Unearthly. This thing I made up. Sprung from my brain cells. And he read it. Maybe. It kills me.)

Which brings me to my next too-old Tucker pick: Tucker #2 Liam Hemsworth

Again, he’s too old! But he’s got the farm-boy vibe and the stormy blue eyes, so he’s my next best choice. Seriously, though. I don’t know of an actor who would make a perfect Tucker. I just have to have faith that he’s out there, in all his blue-eyed, dimpled glory.

Angela

For Angela I would choose someone dark-haired and sassy, Maybe Vanessa Hudgens or Vanessa Morano (she could get the know-it-all-edness of Angela down perfectly, I think), Lucy Hale would be a good pick, or maybe even Selena Gomez.

Wendy

For Wendy I’d choose someone wholesome and down-to-earth, with dimples like Tucker, if possible. Like Emma Roberts, see above, or Brigit Mendler.

Maggie

Okay, I have some possibilities for Maggie. She is a hugely important character in my mind, and I modeled her a bit after Lorelei from The Gilmore Girls, but I don’t really see Lauren Graham in this role. Not that I don’t heart Lauren Graham; she rocks.

But I have 2 other choices here.

#1 Charlize Theron

Okay, can’t pass up the pic of CT with Anna Sophia Robb. Now picture CT with long auburn hair and give both of them blue eyes. They’d make a pretty fine Maggie and Clara. Plus Charlene is sarcastic as all get-out, from what I gather, which would be great for Maggie. 

#2—Nicole  Kidman

 

Nicole Kidman is actually perfect for Maggie. She’s got the right coloring, red hair, blue eyes, and she’s funny and gorgeous. And she apparently loves butterflies. . .

I also like Naomi Watts or Elizabeth Banks or Gwyneth Paltrow, as they all have equal parts beauty and sass.

But here’s the thing:

Nobody is a perfect fit. All of my characters were very distinctive in my mind, and none of them were based on specific actors. And part of the fun and magic of seeing your work move from the page to the screen is being surprised and delighted by the new ways your characters are interpreted. If (fingers crossed) Unearthly does become a series on the CW, I hope that the actors can ACT, that’s the main thing. I don’t care whether they have the exact look that was in my mind when I was writing so much as I care about how they embody the spirit of that character.

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Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand  is out now from Egmont, £6.99.

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