Author: Jana

Item: The Scorpio Races
Rating: 5
Author: Jana

Top Ten Amazing Books That You Rarely Hear About

Posted September 10, 2018 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 16 Comments

This week we’re talking hidden gems in books! Which books do you love that didn’t get enough buzz when they were released? Which amazing books do we never hear about anymore that need some extra love? My picks are below!

The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
Roman Crazy by Alice Clayon
I Temporarily Do by Ellie Cahill
Heir to the Sky by Amanda Sun
The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
What Is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore
Renegade by J.A. Souders
The Unlikely Romance of Kate Bjorkman by Louise Plummer
The Summer My Life Began by Shannon Greenland
Welcome, Caller, This Is Chloe by Shelley Coriell

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater | Mini Audiobook Review

Posted September 10, 2018 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 7 Comments

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Published by Scholastic on October 18, 2011
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology
Pages: 409
Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible
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It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

I read and loved Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy years ago before I started blogging, and was captivated by her storytelling and beautiful writing style. The Scorpio Races sounded like something I would love and I immediately aded it to my TBR, but then The Raven Boys came out a year later and I DNFed it (I know, I know… total black sheep here), so I was worried Maggie was a one hit wonder for me (especially since Books of Faerie duology was just ok for me). Needless to say, I was worried that I’d never love another Stiefvater book and that broke my heart a little. But I LOVED it. I’ve broken this review up into sections: my thoughts on the audiobook and my experiences listening to it, and then my thoughts and feelings about the story itself and the world and the characters. If you’re not interested in the audiobook, feel free to skip the first section!

Audiobook Thoughts:

While looking for a great audiobook to listen to, I remembered how much Brittany loved Steve West’s narration of The Scorpio Races, and that he made her really fall in love with Sean Hunter. I listened to the sample and YES STEVE WEST, so I jumped right in. Basically, the stars aligned and I took a leap of faith regarding Maggie and audiobooks (because those don’t always work for me either). I am so glad I did, because I loved this book and I loved listening to it more than I think I would have loved reading it. Steve West’s voice drew me in and took hold of my heart. His voice drips with emotion and feeling, and he brought Sean to life. I think I fell a little in love with both Sean and Steve. Hehe. Whoops. Fiona Hardingham’s voice really complimented Steve’s. I loved listening to both of them, and the personality and depth they brought to the characters. I loved the musical bits that were composed by Maggie throughout the book. It totally set the celtic tone of the story and transported me right to the beaches of Thisby. I tried to actually read the book instead of listen to it one day because then I could read faster, but I just couldn’t do it. I made it a page and things felt so wrong. This is truly a book to listen to.

Story Thoughts:

This. Story. It has become a part of me, and I loved it so much. It’s very simple: a girl named Puck feels compelled–both by the need for money and the need to prove herself to herself–to enter the races and become the first female ever to do so. Sean, the reigning champion of these races needs to win, too, but not for the same reason Puck does. They both need it, they both need each other, they both need Thisby, and they both need their horses. This is their story. It’s not just about racing. It’s not just about horses. It’s about two lonely, incomplete souls risking everything to gain everything. They are both incredibly flawed and lost, and they find something in each other. I wouldn’t say this is a romantic book in the lovey-dovey sense. There’s definitely intrigue and feelings, but it’s romantic in the sense that it’s emotional. There’s so much feeling and mystery surrounding the water horses and the people who ride them. The mystical aspects of the island and the races themselves made me forget I was even reading anything. It’s really hard to explain.

Maggie’s prose and style is so breathtakingly beautiful that it almost hurts. I love how she so intricately weaves her words together to create such a perfect and mesmerizing atmosphere. The story alternates back and forth between Sean’s and Puck’s points of view, and it’s done in first person. I usually do not like first person or multiple points of view, but they are both done so well in this book.

There’s so much I can say about Thisby and the characters and the yummy food, but I don’t want to spoil the surprise. I think the synopsis is vague for a reason. That’s the magic! Bottom line, I LOVED The Scorpio Races. It’s the perfect fall story, with an eerie atmosphere; biting, salty winds; harsh waves; and monstrous creatures that will take you a bit by surprise, with their viciousness and intellect. These horses are magical in more ways then one. I do hope you pick up a copy and discover the magic and mystery of autumn on the tiny island of Thisby.

Interview with A Touch of Gold Author Annie Sullivan

Posted September 7, 2018 by Jana in Author Interview / 1 Comment

Magic, Myth, & Mischief, hosted by me and Bonnie, is a month-long event that celebrates fairy tales and mythological retellings, as well as retellings of favorite classic novels and books featuring mythical beasts such as mermaids, dragons, and fae! Find the schedule of events and other information here.

Today I’m welcoming Annie Sullivan, author of A Touch of Gold, the magical retelling of the Greek myth of King Midas, to the blog to participate in our fun interview series!

Interview with Annie Sullivan

1. What makes your book magical, mythical, or mischievous?
My young adult book, A Touch of Gold, is magical and mythical! Not only does it involve the daughter of King Midas who has deadly gold powers, but it also deals a lot with Greek mythology and the Greek gods.

2. Which mythical character do you see yourself in the most, or do you relate to most and why?
Dragons! There are so many stories about dragons. They can be friendly or ferocious—or maybe they’re shape-shifting humans. I just love the possibilities that dragons bring to a story. Plus, when I think of fantasy, dragons are one of the first things to come to mind. Not to mention that I’m always cold, and I feel like a fire-breathing dragon would always be warm.

3. What magical power do you wish you had?
I would love either the power to heal or to fly! I think healing would be great because you could help so many people and make their lives better. But the power to fly would be awesome because you could get places really quickly with a great view!

4. If you found yourself trapped in a fairy tale or myth, which would you want it to be?
I would want to be Belle in Disney’s version of Beauty and the Beast. Belle is such a strong character. She sets out to find and rescue her father. Plus, she’s very selfless. And don’t even get me started on that library she gets when she marries Beast ;)

5. Mermaids or fae?
Mermaids! There’s just something so intriguing about half-human beings who can swim in the sea. So much of the sea is unexplored that you never know what could be hiding down there.

6. Hans Christian Andersen, Grimms Brothers, or Disney?
Disney!!! I love a happy ending, and Disney tends to have that more than the other. Plus, they have lots of catchy songs.

7. What are your favorite fairy tales and/or myths? Why are you drawn to them?
I love any fairytales with a fun adventure and a promise of a love story. There’s just something so familiar and heartwarming about good overcoming evil and people finding true love or just finding out that they’re stronger than they ever though they could be.

8. Who are your favorite villains of lore?
I’ve always been interested in Ursula. In the Disney version, she and Triton are siblings, and yet, she’s been cast out. People clearly still go to her for solutions to their problems. I’d like to know why exactly she and her brother had a falling out.

9. Would you rather be a hero or a villain?
I’ve always wanted to be a hero, but I do often think that villains can sometimes have more flair and style than heroes. But at the end of the day, I would want to be the one saving and sacrificing for others, and I would want people to like me.

10. Would you rather be locked up in a tower or a dungeon?
Tower all the way! Dungeons have too much of a reputation for being dark, dreary, cold, and full of rats. I’d much rather have a tower. Plus, if there’s a window, then you could have nice views and sunshine, so at least there’s that. I feel like a tower would be easier to escape from in some ways too

11. What elements of the King Midas myth did you use when incorporating the tale into your own novel?
I used a lot of Greek mythology since the King Midas myth is originally a Greek myth. I also used a few creatures inspired by other Greek myths. I wanted the world of A Touch of Gold to have familiar elements but also new twists on a world people sometimes think they know.

12. What sets your retelling apart from other retellings of the same story?
There really aren’t many retellings of the King Midas story, but mine is truly unique because it focuses on the daughter of King Midas who has gold powers of her own. In the original myth, King Midas’s daughter is such a forgotten character. She’s a means to an end so her father learns his lesson. I wanted to bring her to the forefront and explore her life—and her curse—after she was turned to gold as a child by her own father.

13. What lesson do you want your readers to learn from your retelling?
I want readers to learn that they’re stronger than they ever thought. I also want them to see that maybe something they thought was a flaw may actually turn out to be their greatest strength. I want them to come back to the real world after reading A Touch of Gold and be a little more hopeful.

14. What made you want to incorporate a myth into something brand-new?
I love fairytales, but I’ve always wondered about what would happen if one element or another was changed. How would that change the story? I also love looking for the forgotten characters—like the daughter of King Midas—who might have a story of their own to tell.

A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan
Published by Blink on August 14, 2018
Genres: Young Adult — Mythology, Retelling, Fantasy
Add to Goodreads • Amazon • B&N • Book Depository

King Midas once had the ability to turn all he touched into gold. But after his gift—or curse—almost killed his daughter, Midas relinquished The Touch forever. Ten years later, Princess Kora still bears the consequences of her father’s wish: her skin shines golden, rumors follow her everywhere she goes, and she harbors secret powers that are getting harder to hide.

Kora spends her days locked in the palace, concealed behind gloves and veils, trying to ignore the stares and gossip of courtiers. It isn’t until a charming young duke arrives that Kora realizes there may be someone out there who doesn’t fear her or her curse. But their courtship is disrupted when a thief steals precious items from the kingdom, leaving the treasury depleted and King Midas vulnerable. Thanks to her unique ability to sense gold, Kora is the only one who can track the thief down. As she sails off on her quest, Kora learns that not everything is what it seems—not thieves, not pirates, and not even curses. She quickly discovers that gold—and the power it brings—is more dangerous than she’d ever believed.

Midas learned his lesson at a price. What will Kora’s journey cost?

About Annie Sullivan

Annie Sullivan is a Young Adult author from Indianapolis, Indiana. Her work has been featured in Curly Red Stories and Punchnels, and her novel, Goldilocks, won the Luminis Books Award at the 2013 Midwest Writers Workshop. She loves fairytales, everything Jane Austen, and traveling and exploring new cultures. When she’s not off on her own adventures, she’s teaching classes at the Indiana Writers Center and working as the Copy Specialist at John Wiley and Sons, Inc. publishing company, having also worked there in Editorial and Publicity roles. You can follow her adventures on Twitter (@annsulliva).

A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier | Book Review

Posted September 6, 2018 by Jana in Book Review, Young Adult Fiction / 3 Comments

A Dance of Silver and Shadow by Melanie Cellier
Series: Beyond the Four Kingdoms #1
on September 4, 2017
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Retelling, Romance
Pages: 345
Format: Audiobook
Source: Gift
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When Princess Liliana and her twin sister set sail for new lands, Lily hopes to find adventure and romance. But the people of Marin live under the shadow of a curse--one powerful enough to destroy entire kingdoms. To protect them all, Lily and eleven other princesses are forced to participate in a mysterious and secret tournament.

Lily spends her nights competing in a magical underground realm and her days unraveling the dangers of this new court. Although she needs the help of the Marinese prince, Lily knows she can't let herself grow too close to him. There's no time for romance when the duchy is about to fall to the encroaching darkness and the winner of the tournament faces a terrible fate.

But Lily and her twin have a secret advantage. And Lily grows increasingly determined to use their magical bond to defeat the tournament, save the princesses, and free Marin. Except she might have to sacrifice true love to do it.

In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, there's a lot more at stake than worn out dancing slippers.

I’ve always really loved fairytale retellings, and I accidentally stumbled across this one last year while I was browsing Amazon looking for Christmas present ideas for people. That’s a super dangerous thing to do, isn’t it? I always find more things that I want than anything else! This was a beautiful story, though, so I don’t even regret it! As always, my main points are bolded.

1. A Dance of Silver and Shadow is a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses, which I’m really unfamiliar with. And when I say unfamiliar, I mean that I know absolutely nothing. I’m tempted to go read it now to see how closely this story follows the original. Anyway, this book is centered around a “Princess Tournament” (the characters all refer to this as the “Princess Tourney”, which drove me absolutely insane until I learned to live with it). Twelve princesses from various kingdoms have been gathered together to compete in a series of challenges. The tournament itself is governed by magic, and the tasks that the princesses must perform reflect the prince that the tournament is being held for. The winner of this particular tournament will enter a betrothal with the beastly prince of Palinar (any guesses which fairytale the next book in this series will retell?). None of the girls want to win, as tales of the beast are frightening, but harm will come upon them and their families if they don’t put forth and honest effort.

Every few nights, a ball is held where the princesses dance and mingle with members of the kingdoms who have come for the tourney. After the ball is over the girls are all sent into a room, where a magical portal opens in the floor and they climb down to enter an underground realm with forest, a lake, and a mirror version of the palace above ground. This is where the challenges, some of them very dangerous, occur. The princesses return in the wee hours of the morning, their slippers worn through. The magic of the tourney prevents them from discussing the goings on with anyone, even amongst themselves. The premise is really very interesting!

2. Princess Lily and Princess Sophie are our two main characters. They are twins, who can project their thoughts to each others’ minds. They are incredibly close, and I loved their sisterly bond. They are also two of the older princesses in the tourney (17, I believe). Lily narrates the story, and I liked her voice. She’s strong and brave, and feels it is her duty to protect the other princesses (some of them much younger) during the tourney. She takes it upon herself to help them and keep them safe. She also finds herself falling for the Marinese prince. While residing in Marin for the tourney, she learns of the dangers in the kingdom and decides she must save Marin as well! It’s a pretty big undertaking for a young princess.

3. I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and found it to be mostly enjoyable. I didn’t love the sharp voice the narrator used for some of the characters. Luckily the voice she used for Lily did not bother me, since we listened to her narration a lot. The male voices were not done well at all, in my opinion, but I was able to look past that and enjoy listening.

4. The tourney was very creepy to me, and I loved reading about the different tasks the princesses had to complete. The realm where everything takes place has been corrupted by a sinister magical force, so things felt very unsettled. It was exciting and suspenseful!

5. Some of the other princesses really bothered me, particularly the younger ones. They were very whiny and complained a lot, but I did like Celine. I’d love to read a book about her soon.

6. A Dance of Silver and Shadow is completely clean, with no bad language and just a light romance on the side.

7. I LOVE Melanie’s writing. It’s so lush and descriptive!

8. The ending made me immediately start the second book because I had to know more. Make sure you don’t read the synopsis for A Tale of Beauty and Beast, though, until you read this book or you will find out who wins the tourney!

Overall, I really loved this story and I’m so excited that I’ve found an author I like who does retellings. I don’t read nearly enough good ones. I don’t know how closely this one follows the original, but that didn’t matter to me at all. If you enjoy retellings, magic, fantasy worlds, mysterious kingdoms, sister bonds, strong female characters who don’t need a man to save them, and beautiful writing, definitely give this book a try!

Top Twelve Most Bingeworthy TV Shows of All Time

Posted September 3, 2018 by Jana in Top Ten Tuesday / 29 Comments

I don’t know about you, but when I’m not reading I’m usually watching TV, be it stuff on Netflix, from my DVR, or my from my pretty sizable DVD collection. Since September is the magical month of the new TV seasons starting up again, I thought it’d be fun to share what we all watch when we’re not reading! I’m sharing my very favorite shows, regardless of whether they are still on the air or not.

Friends
The Big Bang Theory
Wings
White Collar
Baby Daddy
JAG
When Calls the Heart
Happy Days
MASH
Man With a Plan
Bachelor In Paradise
Saved By the Bell

What are some of your favorite bingeworthy TV shows?
Do we have any picks in common?