Interview with Kiersten White and Winner of Paranormalcy

The Day Has Arrived!!

Danielle Bunner, from Frenzy of Noise, and I teamed up to do an interview with Kiersten White about her book that is being released TODAY, Paranormalcy!  If you have been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know that I (along with Kit) absolutely adored this book.  So, I'm so excited to say TODAY IS THE DAY!  Go out and get your copy now!  What are you waiting for?    No, seriously....what?  Oh, you wanted to read the interview?  And probably find out if you won the book from us before buying it....

Well, I'd like to introduce you to the funniest person I've "met" on Twitter, Kiersten White!

1. If you were an item on a Mexican restaurant menu, what would you be and why?

Fried ice cream.  Sweet, different, and probably really bad for you, but you don't even care because it's yummy!

2. You recently went to Romania. What was your favorite place/thing there? Where are some other places that you have gone?

Romania is definitely the most interesting place I have ever been!  It was my first time out of North America.  I really enjoyed the history there.  It was traditionally three different countries, so every area we went had its own historical architecture and religious traditions.  It's interesting going to a country like that where they have a priceless, 550-year-old church/fortress in nearly every small town, so much so that they can't begin to afford to keep all of them up.  Quite a difference from the USA, where if something is 150 years old it's a tourist attraction!  The countryside was also amazingly beautiful.

3. Evie is a riot and from your blog & Twitter it seems like you share the same quick wit. What other characteristics do you think you share--and would a pink taser be your weapon of choice?

You know, I've never been a fan of the color pink.  Which is odd, considering my MC is obsessed with it, but what can I say--to each her own!  So I'd probably go for a sparkly forest green, or sleek silver.

Other than that, I would say Evie is far braver than I am, but we're both willing to speak our mind and stand up for the people we care about.

4. This whole story is so different and refreshing and funny. How did you come up with idea and with Lend's unusual power? 

You're going to hate this answer, but it really just came to me.  It started out as a question--what would you do with vampires if you didn't want to kill them?  That led to the International Paranormal Containment Agency, that led to a snarky sixteen-year-old girl working for them, that led to the question of why she would be working for them.  Once Evie's voice started going, I couldn't get her to shut up.

Lend--and I'm not going to spoil anything here--just came like that.  I knew why he could do the things he did, but when he showed up in the very beginning even I didn't know just what he was going to turn out to be like.  Evie and I got to know him together!

6. If someone asked you why they should read Paranormalcy, what would you say?

Because I'll be your best friend?  Because it's not your average YA paranormal?  Because IPCA needs the funds to continue to protect average, innocent people from rampaging vampires and hags?

Nah.  Because I have a sneaking suspicion (and a very big hope) that it will make you laugh, that it will make you nervous, and that you will have fun for however long it takes you to read it.

And now....the moment you've all been waiting for....

Did you skip the interview?  Go read the interview, then I'll tell you if you won....

Did you read it?

Ok.

The winner is.....

ummm.....

let me find it.....

Almost 200 people entered, you know.....




















according to Random.org.....

the winner is.......

DONNAS(bacchus76)

Congratulations!!  Email me at ReadingTeen1 at gmail.com with your address!  If you didn't win, that means you need to hit the road NOW and go buy it!  Or, you can order it here on Amazon!  If you're still not convinced, go read my review or Kit's review, or check out Kiersten's blog! (P.S. She's giving away some awesome stuff to someone who buys the book and sends her a picture of themselves with it!  Check it out!)


Here's the pic I'm sending! (Me and Paranormalcy reading Heidi Kling's Sea at the Pool.  Paranormalcy really likes Deni, but I'm kind of partial to Spider....)

Great news!  Paranormalcy Film Rights have been sold!
From Kiersten's Blog

 "Last night. I'm still kind of freaking out about it, strangely enough. We sold the option to Adler Pictures and Reverie Entertainment. The producer, Gil Adler, is wonderful and dynamic and passionate, and I am so excited to see what he has in store for Paranormalcy."

YAY!!! 

Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, Book 1) by Cassadra Clare

The Day Has Arrived!

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry (August 31, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1416975861
ISBN-13: 978-1416975861

Magic is dangerous—but love is more dangerous still.

When 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. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world. . . . and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.


It’s funny, I’ve had this ARC since we went to ALA 10 in June, but for some reason I just couldn’t convince myself to pick it up.  I just kept putting it off.  I can’t say why exactly, because The Mortal Instruments books are in my top five books of all times.  I absolutely loved them.  But that may have been the problem.  I was afraid that Clockwork Angel just couldn’t live up to them.  I’ve heard a couple of people on Blogs and Twitter say that they didn’t like it as much, and that just added to my unease.  Finally, though, I decided that it was time to take the plunge.

I want to kick myself for waiting.  Cassie Clare is a genius!!  I loved this book!!  Love, love, loved!!!  I think I may have even loved it more than TMI….gasp!  This book was smart.  Like you might actually have to engage your brain and pay attention, smart.  I love this type of book, and although it is paranormal, I feel like the paranormal part takes a back seat to the story.  It’s obvious that Cassie took the time to plan this series out ahead of time and that a lot of thought went into it.  It isn’t just a mindless paranormal romance written to make a quick buck.  It’s in another league entirely.  It has mystery and plot twists and action and even a little romance.  I can’t wait to see how this series plays out.  My mind is all over the place with possibilities!  I haven’t wondered so much about where a book was headed since The Harry Potter series!  (Yes, that is the highest compliment possible.)  When I finished reading it, my heart was racing!

So, other than the mysterious storyline, what did I love about this book?   In a name….Tessa.  She was brilliant!  She’s thrust into a world she has no idea exists and she handles it amazingly.  She is such a strong female character, but what is so unique about Tessa is that she doesn’t even realize that she’s strong.  She sees herself as just a girl, and she has been raised to see females as weaker than males, not as warriors who can fight and defend.  But her actions don’t align with her thoughts.  When she is pushed, she pushes back.  Whether it’s with Will, the gorgeous Shadowhunter who tries to shock her with his snarky comments, or with the many enemies that she encounters as the story unfolds.  She doesn’t wait for someone to save her, even though she has no training.  She doesn’t run screaming from danger.  She uses whatever she has available to her, whether it’s a weapon, or just her own wit, and plunges into the middle of the fight.  And she questions everything.  I love that about her.  If she wants to know the answer, she asks.  If someone acts strangely, she questions him.  She doesn’t say the obvious things and she doesn’t take no for an answer.  I just can’t wait to find out more about her! 

Tessa isn’t the only character that I enjoyed, though.  Of course I loved Will.  Dark, brooding and tormented, Will is the epitome of the “bad boy” we hate to love and love to hate.  But even though Tessa knows it is all a front, she doesn’t put up with his crap, which makes me love them both all the more!  There’s obviously something going on with this Will character, and I can’t wait to find out what it is!

Jem, Jessemine, Charlotte, and Henry are also fantastic characters!  Jem is patient, kind and compassionate.  He loves completely, and always puts others before himself.   Jessemine is…..well, she’s an absolute selfish brat, but I have a feeling that one day she will prove herself to be what she isn’t now, at least I have hope for her (she’s certainly no Isabele!).  And I love the relationship that Charlotte and Henry have, like they completely understand each other, even if no one else does. 

I’m not sure what it was that those other bloggers weren’t happy with.  Maybe it was the lack of the intense romantic tension that was in The Mortal Instruments.  But, Clockwork has it’s own romantic tension, and I feel like the storyline is fantastic enough to thrive regardless!  And let me just say, there’s a part in this book with a girl and a guy and a glove that made my heart beat out of my chest!  I can’t wait for you all to read Clockwork, go get it now!   I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

Fantastic job, Ms. Clare!!  Keep up the good work!

Clockwork Angel book Trailer by VLC Productions

Parents should know:  This book has a mild amount of language and some sexual dialog, though nothing severe, but has a lot of violence, blood and gore involving paranormal creatures.  For more details, go to Clockwork Angel on Parental Book Reviews.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Reading level: Young Adult

Paperback: 464 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse; Reprint edition (August 10, 2010)
Audio CD
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio; Unabridged edition (October 6, 2009)
Buy the book:  Hardcover | Paperback | Audio

All the European powers are arming up for World War I. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans have their Clankers, steam-driven iron machines loaded with guns and ammunition. The British Darwinists employ fabricated animals as their weaponry. Their Leviathan is a whale airship, and the most masterful beast in the British fleet. Aleksandar Ferdinand is an Austro-Hungarian prince on the run. Deryn Sharp is a commoner. Their paths cross in the most unexpected way.

When I first started reviewing books, I put out a Facebook status asking for suggestions from people about what I should read. I got a lot of recommendations, but almost every guy that responded said, "You have to read Leviathan!!" I kept thinking that I really should pick it up, if so many people liked it, but for some reason, I just couldn't get myself to start it. I'm not sure why, especially since I really enjoyed Scott's Uglies series, but something about it just didn't appeal to me. Finally, though, I decided if I couldn't make myself read it, that I would at least listen to the playaway audiobook in the car.

Why did I wait so long?? I loved it! I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the mystery and how it all weaved together. I even loved the reader of the audiobook, Alan Cumming. He did SUCH a fantastic job! He had a British accent as the narrator, then Scottish accent for Deryn and a German accent for Alek. He was amazing!

It took me awhile to get into the book. I think some of that had to do with the fact that I was listening to it, and I was unfamiliar with the different kinds of creatures and the reader had an accent, so that made it a little more confusing. But, once I got into the story and became familiar with the dialog, I couldn't stop listening to it. I started looking for reasons to get in the car and go somewhere, and finally ended up taking the playaway out of the car and listening to it with my headphones.

Leviathan is a Steampunk novel (blending of future and past) told as a kind of alternate history (1914-WWI) combined with a possible future (technology/science). Charles Darwin has discovered DNA, and with that knowledge learned how to thread the "life strands" of different animals together to make new extraordinary creatures. Giant flying whales and jellyfish-like creations, and talking message lizards were just a few of the inventive creatures found in this book. The fantastical animals were just one thing that I liked so much about it, though. I also really enjoyed the characters.

I loved Deryn and Alek. The story alternated between their viewpoints while also alternating between the Darwinist and the Clankers. Deryn is part of the Darwinist group and she has to disguise herself as a boy in order to become part of the British Air Fleet, because girls aren't allowed to fight. She is a feisty, spirited girl who is looking for any opportunity to prove that she can do anything just as well, if not better than, the boys she served with. Alek starts as a pampered, spoiled aristocrat with the Clankers, but after his parents are killed, he has to come face to face with the real world and learn to care about more than just himself. By the end of the book, I was completely immersed into the world that Scott created, and the cliffhanger ending is killing me! I can't wait for the next book, Behemoth, which will be out October 5. I'd love to listen to it on audiobook also, but I don't know if I can wait for it! Fantastic!

Scott Westerfeld has tons of fun stuff on his blog, you should go check it out! Here's the trailer for Leviathan.


In case you were wondering: This book is very clean. There is no sexual content or language (at least not American cussing, I'm not sure about some of the British/Scottish/German words :) There is some war violence, but nothing graphic or detailed.

Review of Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure by Allan Richard Shickman

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 160 pages

Publisher: Earthshaker Books (July 15, 2007)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0979035708

ISBN-13: 978-0979035708

Buy the book: Amazon
Visit the site: Earthshaker Books 

The hero, Zan-Gah seeks his lost twin in a savage prehistoric world, encountering suffering, captivity, conflict, love, and triumph. In three years, Zan-Gah passes from an uncertain boyhood to a tried and proven manhood and a position of leadership among his people. Themes: survival, cultures, gender roles, psychological trauma, nature's wonders and terrors.

“She began to move warily in a circle as the men tightened the trap, and as they got closer the lioness began to stride and prowl in a circle so small that she almost seemed to be chasing her tail. But she was watching, watching while she turned and snarled, for a weakness in the ever-tightening ring of her pursuers. Then, at the moment the attack finally was sounded--when the men, putting down their drums and torches, charged on the run with their spears--the lioness saw what she was looking for. One of her enemies was smaller, weaker than the rest. There was a point in the strengthening line that could be broken! Thought merged with furious action and the beast, with a mighty bound of astonishing swiftness, darted toward Zan. Five hundred pounds of snarling fury sprang directly at him with claws bared and fanged mouth open!”

Allan Richard Shickman

ZAN-GAH author Allan Richard Shickman conceived Zan's adventure after thousands of miles of travel through mountains, deserts and forest land.  The idea for this exciting story was born in a cave deep beneath the earth— in the company of hundreds of bats. 





My Review


The review that I did last week of Trackers inspired me to read another book that is not exactly my particular preference. So, I read Zan-Gah.

Again, I was surprised that I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy many fantasy books.

This book was well-written, but the plot was a bit cliche. It was basically "Brother runs away/is kidnapped and slightly misunderstood, very gifted fighter hero of the story goes out alone to rescue him."

We have all heard this before, of course, but I cannot deny the fact that is was a good book and I will probably be reading the sequel.

It was a easy read, not very long at all, but is enjoyable, and will keep you occupied for the four/five hours that it takes you to read it.I will say that this book was written for a bit of a younger crowd, maybe 9-12, but is one of those books that can keep even an older reader occupied.This was all-together a good book. Not a great book, but enjoyable just the same.

*To the parents: This was a fairly clean book with only a small amount of violence and no language.

Second Hand Saturday! A Book-A-Week Giveaway 16

(If you've been here before, scroll down for this week's challenge in red)

Welcome to Second Hand Saturday!! In an attempt to clear our bookshelves, and pass on great used books to our stalkers followers, Amy, Kit, Abigaile, Austin and I have decided to hold weekly giveaways of some of the books on our bookshelves! Every Saturday, we will post the books available, and the following Saturday, we will announce the winner and our next challenge. The winner will get to choose a book from the list and we will ship it to that lucky person! Each week we will have a different challenge to complete (see below). YOU MUST BE A FOLLOWER TO ENTER!  Open Internationally.  Ends at 10:00 pm EST the following Friday!

If you are a blogger, and would like to do your own Second Hand Saturday, shoot us an email and we'll link up!  (ReadingTeen1 at gmail.com)

To see the book on Amazon, click the book name. To see our review (if we've done one) click on PBR for the Parental Book Reviews content review, or RT for the Reading Teen blog review. Good luck!!

Middle Grade

*Newly Added Karma Bites by Stacy Kramer, Valerie Thomas (RT)(PBR)
Middle School Confidential Books 1-3 by Annie Fox (PBR) 

Eragon (hardback) by Christopher Paolini (PBR)

Eldest (hardback) by Christopher Paolini (PBR)

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (PBR)
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling (PBR) (RT)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (hardback) (PBR) (RT)

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling

Mattimeo (library copy) by Brian Jacques
A Wrinkle in Time and A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'Engle
Summer Ball by Mike Lupica
Half Moon Investigations (library copy) by Eoin Colfer
Island Girl (library copy) by Sandra Byrd

Hoot (paperback) by Carl Hiaasen
Tuck Everlasting (hardback) by Natalie Babbitt
Nothing But The Truth: A Documentary Novel (paperback) By AVI
Triss (Redwall, Book 15) (paperback) by Brian Jacques
Holes by Louis Sachar
*Newly added  Clovermead by David Randall
*Newly added The O'Reilly Factor For Kids by Bill O'Reilly

YA books +


*Newly added The Duff by Kody Keplinger
*Newly added I am J ARC by Cris Beam
*Newly added SIGNED Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater (RT)(PBR)
*Newly added Reckless (Advance Special Addition Hardback) by Cornelia Funke (RT)(PBR)
*Newly added  Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by Sue Limb
 Signed copy Photo Snap Shot by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 3)

Signed copy Cut, Crop and Die by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 2)
Signed Copy  Paper, Scissors, Death  by Joanna Cambell Slan (Book 1)
 Wolves, Boys & Other Things That Might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler
AUDIOBOOK Will Grayson, Will Grayson by Devid Levithan and John Green
*Newly Added Dark Song ARC by Gail Giles
 Amigas Fifteen Candles ARC by Veronica Chambers (inspired by Jennifer Lopez)
*Newly Added The Oracle of Dating by Allison Van Diepen (PBR)(RT)
 Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants hardback by Ann Brashares
 The Second Summer of the Sisterhood (Traveling Pants 2) hardback by Ann Brashares
 Girls in Pants (Traveling Pants 3) hardback by Ann Brashares
 Forever in Blue (Traveling Pants 4) by Ann Brashares
 Glass by Ellen Hopkins hardback (review of Crank)
The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening and The Stuggle by L.J.Smith (PBR)
 The Darkangel by Meredith Ann Pierce
Gossip Girl by Cecily Von Ziegesar

You Know You Love Me (Gossip Girl 2) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
All I Want is Everything (Gossip Girl 3) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
Because I'm Worth It (Gossip Girl 4) by Cecily Von Ziegesar
The Gossip Girl Prequel (hardback) by Cecily Von Ziegesar

*signed copy Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson (PBR) (RT)

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (PBR) (RT)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (PBR)

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein (PBR)

Pretties by Scott Westerfeld (PBR) (RT)

The Lost Girls by Laurie Fox

Last Chance Saloon by Marian Keyes (18 and over)

What if....Everyone Knew Your Name (A Choose Your Destiny Novel) by Liz Ruckdeschel and Sara James

The Riddle by Alison Croggon
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
The Shack by William P. Young
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul:  The Real Deal by Jack Canfield Mark Victor Hansen and Deborah Reber
Excessively Diverted (The Sequel to Pride & Prejudice) by Juliette Shapiro
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Crunch Time by Mariah Fredericks
Freckles and A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
 Pride and Predjudice (Paperback) by Jane Austen
Lord of the Flies (paperback) by William Golding
Life, The Universe and Everything: Hitchhickers Trilogy
book 3 (hardback) by Douglas Adams
So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish: Hitchhickers Trilogy
book 4 (hardback) by Douglas Adams





To enter this week's giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog, and


 WE WANT TO GET TO KNOW OUR AUDIENCE!


So tell us your age range... 13-18/ 18-28/ 28-38/ 38-48/ 48 and up?
What part of Gods green planet are you from? 
 What is your favorite kind of book?


No specifics please :o)))

Extra entries:

(+1) for Twitter/Facebook follows (that's a possible 4 extra points)

(+1) for Tweets (@ReadingTeen)/FB Shares (leave links)-(You can tweet once a day!)

(+2) for Blog Posts or Sidebar (leave links in the comments)

(+1) Add up your points!!

Easy Links:

Reading Teen on Twitter

Amy's Twitter

Kit's Twitter

Reading Teen on Facebook

Thank You so much for following. We could not would not do this without our followers. Come back next Saturday to see the winner and enter in for another book giveaway!


THIS WEEK'S WINNER IS: 

misskallie2000 

said...

I am an old follower and first heard about you from another blog but don't remember which one.

Email me at ReadingTeen1 at gmail.com with your book choice!!  You have a week to claim your prize!

ATTENTION!!  If you win and you'd like a series of books that are listed and are willing to pay the shipping, I will ship them all to you!  (It's too expensive for me to do it myself!)


  


Congratulations!
Amy, Andye, Kit, Abigaile and Austin