An often overlooked form of book promotion is the book trailer. I think, if well done, they can really give you a teaser for the book and make you eager to read it! Here are a few book trailers I found that not only make me eager to read the books, but have some pretty intense, steamy kissing, too!
Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
I've been dying to read this book, I just haven't had the time! And this trailer is sooo awesomely made, that I'm pushing it up higher on my 'to buy' list.
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
I really love how they did this trailer! Sure, it's not exactly how I pictured the characters, but the actors were good, and the special effects were decent. I've read Under the Never Sky, so I feel like they portrayed it very well.
Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout
I've read Obsidian, and I like this trailer. However, my only complaint is that the book is so much more than just hot make out sessions. This book is utterly amazing, I'd daresay it's my favorite at the moment. I wish the trailer had highlighted more of the superb plot of the book than just going right for the steaminess, especially since they had the immense opportunity of having the actual cover models be the trailer actors as well. I love Pepe and Sztella ( I hope that's how you spell her name!) they're adorable, and they're actually a real couple!
Think about it for a moment. Just take your time, it's okay.
Got an answer? Well, if you answered 3, then DING DING DING! We have a winner!
In YA, there's a pretty basic formula that most authors use when constructing their love triangles. There's the girl, usually the female protagonist, that has feelings for two boys. And, in order to make the decision of who she will choose that much more intriguing, these two boys are most usually polar opposites. You have the bad boy, which I've already dedicated a post to (with the most delicious and ab-tastic pictures and gifs)--and then there's the nice guy.
In my experience reading YA, most of the time the bad boy will get the girl. Most of the time.
However, it's usually not always so easy and clean as that. Because of the love and affection that this leading lady bestows upon his cold heart, he usually undergoes a personality change and becomes a bit softer. But the leather jacket stays. Don't mess with the leather jacket.
But, in this post, I'd like to appreciate the third end of the triangle that barely gets any love.
THE NICE GUY
You see, the nice guy is the one that does all the things that the bad boy won't. Hold open doors for the protagonist, pull out her chair for her when she goes to sit, listen to her when she needs him, offer a shoulder to cry on, kiss her softly and sweetly, tell her she looks beautiful when she really looks like shit like a mess, buy her tampons if the need should arise, deal with her raging PMS mood swings, and go see chick-flicks with her even though he just wants to make out in the dark movie theatre.
Yeah, he's that nice.
Also, bad boys have a tendency to smirk, while nice guys smile like this:
Also, like this:
And, like this:
(Shameless Avengers cast spam)
The more I think about it, the more I rethink my stance on who I want to win in the love triangles. I'm firmly becoming Team Nice Guy.
But, since us girls are gluttons for punishment, we like to choose the ones that slam us against walls when they want to rip our panties off, and flirt with other girls just because they can. Yep. We're smart.
Still, I'd like to highlight some nice guys that did win over the girl, whether they had competition or not. If you want some nice guy action, check out these dudes.
Sam from Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Okay, he didn't actually have to fight anyone to get Grace, because they were just the most adorable couple right from the start. But the point is, that he's a great example of a nice guy getting the girl in general. I'd love to have a boyfriend like Sam
Sonny from Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston
In the first book there didn't seem to be a love triangle, but it popped up slowly. And while I kinda was on the other guy's team (who, by the way, would constitute a bad boy, I suppose) Sonny was still the only guy for Kelley. There really was just no getting around it. So, I'm really glad that he got the girl.
Adam from Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Well, currently at least. The series isn't over yet. And Adam's opponent, Warner is definitely a bad boy. Actually, he's more like psychotic homicidal boy. But, through all this insanity, Adam still manages to hold onto his sweet side, and you know he really loved Juliette.
Griffin from The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
This is one of those extremely rare cases where I LOVE BOTH MEN IN THE LOVE TRIANGLE. Both Jack Dandy, the bad boy, and Griffin King, the nice guy. I would be happy if Finley ended up with either one of them, it doesn't even matter. But for right now, it seems that Griffin has the upper hand. Nothing is settled, but he's on top at the moment.
Tucker from Unearthly by Cynthia Hand
TEAM TUCK FOR THE WIN!
Seriously, as much as I love Christian, I do not want him to win. I am sooooo adamantly Team Tucker because he's just that all around amazing gentleman with an adorable southern drawl type-thing. (He's not really southern, so...)
Lend from Paranormalcy by Kirsten White
In this case, I'm actually not team Lend, but, for the purposes of this post, he gets a spot. I like Lend, he's really sweet and hilarious too! Him and Evie do make a cute couple.
Since she'd been on the outside, she'd survived an Aether storm, she'd had a knife held to her throat, and she'd seen men murdered. This was worse.
Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland - known as The Death Shop - are slim. If the cannibals don't get her, the violent, electrified energy storm...
Quick Thoughts
Guys, I loved Under the Never Sky. There is so much awesome in this book that it's lethal. Seriously.
Review
So, let me start this review with the basics: the world. (Wow, I never knew the whole freaking world was basic, right? Well it is now.) In Under the Never Sky, the world is not how we know it now, nor has it been for a very long time. There are deadly electrical energy storms that plague the earth, called aether storms.
Imagine that, but apparently blue/purple.
Humanity, doing what it does best, found a way to beat mother nature and holed itself up in little pods, then created a virtual reality called the Realms so everyone wouldn't die of boredom. It's like playing Wii, but on steroids. All you have to do is imagine that you're somewhere, and you're there. You can feel it, smell it, see it, and do whatever you like. I loved the world that Rossi created, because it's something that I believe isn't so far off. We already have, as I mentioned earlier, the Wii, and our iPads and Xbox, and however many other virtual games out there. Who's to say that it won't ever go a step further and become real, in the sense that instead of just incorporating the sense of sight as it does now, these virtual realities will affect all five senses. At first the descriptions of the technology confused me, but once I understood it, I thought it was really cool.
Second up, our main character, Aria! Now, for me, when I first started the book, I wasn't too keen on Aria. I didn't dislike her at all, I just wasn't connected to her. However, once she's dumped on her butt out in the open and dangerous air, I started to like her. She's a fighter, this one, and she's smart too. I have a thing for heroines who are badass, and I tip my hat to Aria. She may not be the baddest of asses, but she can hold her own. I loved the play on words with Aria's name, because she's an opera singer, and an aria in opera is a solo. There's importance to the fact that she's such an amazing singer, but I won't spoil why. On another note, to tie it back into the 'world' aspect of the book, in the pods, the female reproductive system is basically turned off. Children are not born, they are engineered, and when people do the deed, they're doing it in virtual reality, so there's no risk of pregnancy. (You'll see the quote below, actually.) So, once Aria is thrown out into the real world... her body starts adapting... and awkwardness ensues. It was so funny, because I actually called it a few chapters earlier when she said she had cramps in the lower part of her stomach and I was like "OH, SHE'S GOING TO GET HER PERIOD." And, well... I'll just let you enjoy the awkwardness, so I won't spoil it, but it was fun-ney.
Now, we come to my favorite part of the review. PEREGRINE. Or, Perry for short. He's the kind of guy that can just...
Yep. Exactly. He's that kind of guy. What I liked was that this wasn't an instant love by any means. When Aria and Perry first meet--actually meet, as in she's conscious, and you'll understand why I'm clarifying that when you read the book--she's afraid of him, and they both mutually dislike each other. There's quite a bit of hostility between the two. Both Perry and Aria lost everything because of each other, and now they're stuck together as they search for the way out of their predicament. What I love is that Perry is quiet and brooding, but he can bring on the snark if the need arises. Plus, he's a Scire, which means he has extra sensitive smell. He can even smell people's emotions! Which can be both a blessing and a curse. But it was really amazing to read from his perspective, because it was so different from Aria's! The way Perry thinks was just... wow. Since he's so in tune with what people are feeling, it's like a constant flood of emotions. And Perry is actually extremely sensitive, he just doesn't show it on the outside. So, he would adjust his reaction according to what he was smelling. Oh, I just loved Perry. I want to marry him and have his children.
This book was riddled with awesome characters, the most awesome of which--besides Perry and Aria--was Roar. Ohmygod I love Roar. It's a true, all consuming love of the best kind. He is the type of guy that will be a wonderful gentleman one moment, and then would just as soon peek in on you while you changed. (Not that I would have a problem with that, mind you.) He added spark to the story, and plenty of comic relief.
Under the Never Sky wasn't really action packed, save for the very beginning, and the very end. There's a sort of lag in between those two where there is a lot of walking and talking (literally, I'm not just trying to be quirky). But, with the walking and talking comes vivid characterization, so it wasn't really noticeable, or at least it was easily overlooked that nothing really happened. That shows just how amazing this book is, that the vibrancy of the characters certainly outweighed the plot.
Who Should Read This Book?
EVERYONE. If you are a living, breathing human being, read this book. If you're a fan of fantasy, paranormal, dystopian, contemporary, historical--guess what? I DON'T CARE. READ THIS BOOK. There is honestly something in it for everyone, no matter what genre is your favorite.
Tyra agrees; YOU read this book. Now.
Memorable Quotes
She looked up. “A world of nevers under a never sky.”
She fit in well then, he thought. A girl who never shut up.
* * *
Roar leaned across the table and smiled at her seductively, his dark hair falling into his eyes. "When you say everything happens in the Realms, do you mean everything?"
Aria laughed nervously."Yes. Especially that.There are no risks in the Realms."
Roar's smile widened. "You simply think it and it happens? And it actually feels real?"
"Why are we talking about this?"
"I need a Smarteye," he said.
* * *
In the afternoon, they stopped to eat on a rocky outcrop. Perry brushed a kiss on her cheek while she was chewing, and she learned that it was the loveliest thing to be kissed for no reason, even while chewing food. It brightened the woods, and the never sky, and everything.
Veronica Rossi's debut novel, UNDER THE NEVER SKY, will be published in over twenty international markets, starting on January 3rd 2012 in the United States. Film rights to the trilogy have been optioned by Warner Bros.
When not writing, she chases after her boys, who make her laugh every day, and who teach her about love that's "a million gazillion times bigger than the ocean."
Pages: 367 Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire Genre: YA Paranormal
It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”
Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.
Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.
A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…
This is a difficult book for me to review, because I have such extremely mixed feelings on it. Before I started reading it, I saw so many raving reviews about is and I figured I would love it too, but then I started reading it and the story really just did not meet my expectations.
I'll start off with what I really liked first. The angel mythology was phenomenal, I will give Jessica Shirvington that. She definitely did her research, and it shows because it was very well crafted and executed. Sometimes angels can come off as cheesy or corny, but I really like the theory behind Shirvington's angels. There is no fine line between good and bad, light or dark. The good can do bad, and the bad can certainly do good in Embrace, which made it difficult sometimes to know who was on what side. So, for the angel mythology, Embrace gets some points.
But, I had two major problems with this novel.
First, the main character Violet. I didn't like her, because she was extremely whiny. I understand, when you discover something so major and life changing about yourself, you're going to be freaked out. But she just shoved away all the people that wanted to help her, and started making some stupid decisions concerning who she trusted. I wanted to smack some sense into her quite a few times. And what really got me was towards the end. I saw what was going to happen a mile away, and she barely even knew what was going on. She did have moments where she stepped up and fought for those she loved, but those weren't enough to redeem her in my eyes. I'm don't want to spoil anything for anyone, so I'm trying to be vague here, but she just really disappointed me as a main character.
My biggest problem with this book, however, was the love triangle. At first, I was pretty intrigued by Lincoln because he was sweet and cared for Violet so passionately. And then he just became the world's biggest jerk. If you love someone, you don't treat them that way, ever. I had a really difficult time believing in his feelings toward the end, because he just ran so damn hot and cold! And there's Phoenix. Ah, Phoenix. I have to admit, I actually really liked him. He's one of those bad boys, except he's quite literally the original bad boy. (Trying hard to stay away from spoilers here, but it's difficult with Phoenix!) I knew from the moment he was first introduced that both Violet and I, as the reader, shouldn't trust him as far as we could throw him. But, he's so deliciously charming and seductive that I just couldn't resist! I don't have an actual problem with him, I have a problem with his relationship with Violet. It just happened, out of nowhere. She meets him at a coffee shop one day, and then BAM, they're hanging out. And then BAM again, and they're... dating? When did that happen? Because I sure missed it. Again, I loved him, but I just didn't believe his relationship with Violet.
Still, I want more Phoenix in my life. *sighs dreamily*
I had a few other problems, such as Violet's father, or her best friend, but those are pretty insignificant compared to the 2 others I stated above.
Overall, I give Embrace a shaky 3 stars. Mostly because of the mythology and Phoenix, those were the two redeeming qualities for me. I'll be reading the sequel, only because I really want to know what happens to him.
--------------------------------------
Want to read it for yourself?Check out the links below!
Pages: 83 Publisher: Self-published Genre: YA Urban Fantasy Source: E-book
When sixteen-year-old Jensen Meadows finds herself caught in the middle of an ancient faerie war, she soon learns that faeries aren't made of sparkly goodness. They're vicious. And worse, they're after her. With the help of Liam Casey, she delves into their world to find her missing sister and begins to suspect that her whole life has been nothing more than a faerie tale.
But maybe some truths should never be revealed...
I really, really want to give this book a higher rating than 3 stars, because I thoroughly enjoyed it, but I can't. While Shimmerspell had an intriguing concept and a descriptive and witty writing style that flowed well, the plot was everywhere, and I was confused frequently. It started off in a good place, but by the next few chapters, things happened so quickly that I wondered what had just happened. There wasn't enough time to process what was happening before something else monumental happened. It was a bit of information overload. The best way to explain it is that Shimmerspell is basically a really great novel fast forwarded.
Because of the rapid-fire plot, I couldn't connect to any of the characters. I liked Jensen, but again, it all comes back to the fact that these huge revelations were made about her, which little explanation, and then the story kept moving on. So I wasn't able to get a feel for her. Her infatuation with Liam was also pretty rushed; there wasn't any build up to it. Suddenly, they were kissing and I was like "When did this happen?"
That aside, Shimmerspell has the potential to be a really great novel. Really great. All it needs is editing and rewriting, more explanation and a slower pace, and it could be a smash! There wasn't anything wrong with it, per se, it just needed more.
It's really difficult to explain why I liked/didn't like Shimmerspell, and I feel like I didn't make much sense in this review. Honestly, the only way you'll be able to fully understand what I mean is if you read it for yourself, and then hopefully you'll agree that it was good, but it could've been so much better. I give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Author: Michelle Hodkin Pages: 450 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Genre: YA Paranormal Source: ARC
Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there.
It can.
She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed.
There is.
She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love.
She's wrong.
DEAD. I AM DEAD. IT'S THAT FANTASTIC.
I thought The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer was going to be good based on the summary and what the general consensus was of my fellow bloggers. I had no clue that it would completely blow me away.
From the get go, Mara packs an intense and emotional punch that grips you tight and doesn't let go, and even though you don't know what's going on, there's an eerie supernatural element that keeps you flipping the pages lightning quick to find out. Michelle Hodkin painted a creepy and suspenseful picture, but managed to balance it out with extrememly witty banter and dialogue, along with a smoldering romance that burns hotter and hotter as the pages turn.
Mara Dyer struggles with the aftermath of the horrific accident that killed her not-so-best-friend, her best friend, and her boyfriend. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, her mother watches her like a hawk, and, oh yeah, she just might be going insane. All through this, she somehow manages to keep her head. (It's weird I know--she thinks she's going insane, but somehow still keeping her sanity...) Something very weird is happening in Mara's life, besides the hallucinations. For some reason, people around her keep dying...
What I really loved was that Mara's entire family was like a very central part of the book. Too often in today's YA are the parents cast aside and the siblings portrayed so that the main character is living in their shadow. But Mara's older brother Daniel was sweet and protective of her, always looking out for her best interest, and her little brother Joseph was a cutie pie. And while I did think that Mara's mother needed a very strong dosage of some chill pills, she was only concerned for her daughter and acted the way she did out of love.
I did feel like this was a case of insta-love, but given the circumstances (which are explained later on in the book) it can be overlooked. Plus, Noah Shaw is just too damn sexy for me to even care. Seriously, that boy rewrote the book on hotness. He's sarcastic, yet sensitive, and intelligent, roguishly unkempt in that "I just rolled out of bed" kind of way, and he's British. Still not convinced that he's a total sex god? Well, here's a still photo from the official The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer book trailer:
Look at those abs... YUMMY!
Entirely unique and unlike any other book I've read. It's a new flavor of paranormal for those that are getting tired of reading about vampires and werewolves. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is no doubt one of the best books, if not the best, that I've read in 2011. READ IT READ ITREAD IT!
*I have a very strong opinion on this, and I know that many people don't agree with what I wrote. Feel free to post your opinions in the comments, whether it's for or against what I have to say, but please do so with respect. Any rude or offensive comments will be deleted.*
There's been a lot of commotion in the YA community over gay characters lately. First, it was the whole debacle with the anthology that several very prominent YA authors were doing, and which they all withdrew their stories from after the editor had an issue with a gay couple in the one of the stories. More recently, it was the issue with two co-authors who were told by their editors that they needed to basically take out any reference to their characters being gay.
And my question is: Why?
The most common argument for why gay characters shouldn't be prominent in books, (or anything else, really) is "It gives kids the wrong impression."
And what exactly is the wrong impression? This is the point where people say "That being gay is okay, and it's not." To which I say-- but it is. Maybe not to you ('you' meaning the people who are against it), but to someone who is gay, it isokay. It's who they are, how they feel. Not everyone has to agree with it, but is it necessary for so much antipathy? If it doesn't affect you directly, then it's none of your business who someone else chooses to love.
There are many stories that I've read where the only gay character is the female protagonist's sassy best guy friend, and he's only there for a few snarky punchlines and to feed the female protagonist ice cream when she's pining over her insta-love crush. To me, that gives kids the wrong impression. Sure, there are those sassy gay best friends, but they have their own stories to tell, and their own romances to pine for.
More often than not, the people that have a problem with homosexuality are just scared and ignorant of it. They think that if their kid reads a book with a gay main character, then that might influence their kid to become gay. How does that even make sense? Being gay isn't just a 'phase' or something that a person can decide to be one day, and then the next say "Oh, that was fun, but I'm straight again." It's just who they are. I don't want to get cheesy here, but, to quote the lovely Lady Gaga, They were born that way. Of course, society sets a double standard. For girls, it okay to hug their friends and to kiss them on the cheek and to get dressed in front of each other. But boys? "No, don't do that, that's gay!" How? The only way it would be gay is if the two people doing it were gay. And you know what? Even if one boy was gay, and the other was straight, so what? The straight boy isn't going to just magically turn gay because he took off his shirt in front of a gay guy. Come on, people.
I recently read Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey, which features a gay main character Braden. And you know what? That book was one of the best damn books of 2011. Amazing plot, amazing writing, and yep, amazing characters. The fact that he was gay wasn't an all consuming part of the story, like some people think it has to be. It was just there, an indispensable part of Braden. And the romance between him and Trey made my heart flutter just the same as any other couple. (Why yes, I am shamelessly promoting Witch Eyes right now. Go out and buy it and read it and love it.)
THESE THINGS ARE ONLY A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU MAKE THEM A BIG DEAL. If everyone could just be more accepting and open-minded, there wouldn't be a problem. To those people that are against gay YA characters, think for a moment about the message you're sending gay teens everywhere: you are not important enough to have your story told. You are not 'normal' and therefore should not be represented in literature. How you feel and who you are is irrelevant. If we ignore you and deny you, maybe you'll go away.
The gay community has to deal with a lot of hatred and crap that they don't deserve. They have fought, and still have to fight, long and hard for acceptance that, unfortunately, some people are not willing to give them ever. Don't let this be another obstacle.
So, to summarize: I totally and completely support gay characters in YA. I want to see more of their stories being told. To any authors reading this, can we please make that happen?
What are your thoughts on this subject? As I said above, I welcome all opinions. But again, please remain respectful.
Author: Amber Argyle Pages: 305 Publisher: Rhemelda Publishing Genre: YA Fantasy Source: ARC Buy the Book
The world is changing. Once, Witch Song controlled everything from the winds to the shifting of the seasons-but not anymore. All the Witches are gone, taken captive by a traitor. All but Brusenna. As the echo of their songs fade, the traitor grows stronger. Now she is coming for Brusenna. Her guardian has sworn to protect her, but even he can't stop the Dark Witch. Somehow, Brusenna has to succeed where every other Witch has failed. Find the traitor. Fight her. Defeat her. Because if Brusenna doesn't, there won't be anything left to save.
Witch Song tells the story of Brusenna--who later renames herself Senna--a young, untrained witch that leaves behind her old life and everything she thought she knew in order to save the witches that have disappeared, including her mother. Senna is the last witch left, and their only hope. Having been ostracized by the people in her village her whole life, Senna is surprised when Joshen, a boy only a few years older than her, wants to help her on her quest. From there, the danger only gets worse as Senna comes closer and closer to facing off against the Dark Witch that is holding the others prisoner, and restoring the seasons to their natural order.
What I Liked...
Witch Song is a great high fantasy book, one that I really enjoyed and read in only one sitting! Amber Argyle had a very eloquent writing style, bringing the imagery to life with vivid descriptions and fantastic world building.
The concept of the witches and how their magic works is definitely one of a kind. The witches have power over the Four Sister: Earth, plants, water, and air. They can control these elements by using their Witch Song. A witch's singing voice is her most powerful weapon.
I loved Senna, although there were times that I wanted to smack her for her ignorance. When she realized what needed to be done, even if she didn't know how to do it, she stepped up and found a way. Joshen is my new YA crush! He's loyal and refused to leave Senna's side, even when she pushed him away. Such a sweetheart!
What I Disliked...
There was a certain part, not yet the ending, but getting there, that I felt was rushed too much. Like, the entire novel was building up to that moment, Senna was preparing herself for that confrontation, and then boom, it's over. That's my only issue, and even then, it's not that big of a deal. Everything wrapped up nicely, despite that rushed part, so I really have no qualms about it.
Overall...
If you're looking for a great fantasy read, with nonstop action and a sweet romance, then I recommend Witch Song wholeheartedly. I give it 5 out of 5 stars!
A perfect example of a Girl in the Dress
cover. Seriously, isn't that cover
beautiful?
Okay, so I've been noticing a trend in lots of covers, mostly fantasy and paranormal, where it's just a beautiful girl in a beautiful dress. I don't really have an issue with it, as I think a majority of these "Girl in the Dress" covers are absolutely gorgeous and eye catching, and look great on my shelves. But I know that a lot of people are getting tired of the trend. What do you think of this trend?
Personally, these covers appeal to me. I'm about 80% more likely to pick up a Girl in the Dress cover just because the dresses are beautiful, and I would love to wear something like that one day in my life, haha. I'm such a girly girl.
My Soul to Take is the first book
in the Soul Screamers series.
But there does come a point where the Girl in the Dress covers don't reflect the story at all, and that's what disappoints me, I guess. Like, for me, the US version of the Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent covers, although they are totally gorgeous, they have nothing to do with the series AT ALL. All of the covers are Kaylee in a wispy dress, each book with a different color, and all I can think is "SHE ONLY WEARS A DRESS ONCE, AND THAT'S IN THE THIRD BOOK, AND IT'S FOR LIKE 5 FREAKING SECONDS."
I think the Girl in the Dress cover works best with historical novels. Almost ALWAYS, a Girl in the Dress cover will make 100% complete sense with a historical novel from Victorian times and before, because that's what women wore in those times. They wore beautiful gowns. (Well, the rich women did.) A great example of a historical series with Girl in the Dress covers on every book is The Luxe series by Anna Godbersen.
Here are some more Girl in the Dress covers. Tell me what you think of them! Do you like them, hate them? Have the covers influenced you to buy the book, or not to buy it?
Vampire musician Michael Glass has attracted the attention of a big- time producer who wants to cut a demo and play some gigs-which means Michael will have to enter the human world. For this, he's been assigned escorts that include both a dangerous immortal as well as Michael's all-too-human friends. And with that mix of personalities, this is going to be a road trip from hell…
It takes a very skilled author took keep a book series going over 8 books (soon to be 9, when Ghost Town is released on October 24, 2010) and still keep readers thoroughly satisfied and eager for more. Kiss of Death most definitely meets expectations and keeps those pages turning.
Seeing as this is the 8th book, characterization is basically complete. None of the four main protagonists change much over the course of the story, as they had in previous books. Instead, we have side characters really blossoming and showing their true colors. Among them were Oliver, of whom we see a more compassionate and almost human side.
Almost.
But my favorite character that got more emphasis in this book was Eve’s brother, Jason. He has come to the forefront, and, just like in the previous books, I still couldn’t decide whether I liked him or not, or whether he could be trusted. But that’s half of the fun, isn’t it?
The one aspect that sets Kiss of Death apart from the other Morganville books is that this book doesn’t take place in Morganville. This is the FIRST time we have ever been taken outside the borders of Morganville, and it was refreshing. But, of course, we can’t leave the vampires behind for long…
The entire time I am reading any one of Caine’s books, I always have the feeling that within all this mayhem and chaos, Caine is setting us up, biding her time until the time comes for the final, massive HURRAH. Something big is going down in Morganville, and I for one can’t wait to find out.
My only complaint is that the ending seemed to wrap up to cleanly and quickly for what was going on. I would have liked a little more conflict.
