This Summer on Steph Su Reads

June, I think, really officially marks the start of summer, which means it's time for... summer goals in reading, writing, and blogging! I don't usually set concrete goals, much in the same way I never make New Year's resolutions, but I think it wouldn't hurt to share with you some of what I'm hoping to accomplish in book-related stuff this summer:

Originally I was going to do a month-long reading "theme" for each month of summer ("theme" is in quotes because I am hardly hardcore about it, what with my wildly fluctuating reading tastes and moods), kind of like how March/April was "catch up on review books" month and May was POC month. I hardly have coordinating posts like reviews, interviews, or whatnot, but I did manage to read a decent number of POC books from my review pile (interspersed between books with May pub dates, of course). You'll see some of those books' reviews coming up later this month.

For the summer--which is only June and July for me, as I'll be out of the country (hopefully) for a decent part of August--I'm going to be reading a combination of my BEA books (sooo many of them!) as well as my giant shelf full of mass market paperbacks. (So that means a LOT of urban fantasy, fantasy, steampunk, and romance, whoooo!) There is a ridiculous amount of them (maybe I'll show you a picture some other time), and they all sound so good and I've been dying for the chance to tackle them when I have more time to read and don't feel guilty about picking a TBR-pile book up in place of a review book. I've already read a handful of my MMPBs that I enjoyed greatly--Glass Houses by Rachel Caine, Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah Maclean (this one kept me up until 4 in the morning last night, darnit!)--as well as weeded out some that I started but couldn't get into. Hooray for weeding! And hooray for reading incredibly addicting books!

Bloggiesta is this weekend, and I think I might actually try to participate. I'm not good at marathon-anythings, especially as, with any luck, I will either be going to the beach or hiking on Saturday, but there's a bunch of stuff I would love to do for my blog, and since this weekend is designated Bloggiesta, I figured, why not? That way I can catch up on reviews, write up some posts that have been tossing and turning in my head for months...etc. I think it should be fun and productive!

As for writing... oh man. I need to get back on that ship. I haven't written since the weekend before BEA--I've just been so busy, busy, busy with organizing, moving, cleaning, sleeping, watch movies (heh). I feel REALLY guilty about it and so am determined to start writing again TONIGHT. I hate making writing goals (cuz I never achieve them, and then I hate myself), buuuut perhaps that's the best way to do it? I know Jennifer Echols always has, like, monthly writing goals going on her blog, so maybe... 20,000 words is not an unrealistic goal by the end of June? That would bring me up to 70,000 words in my WIP, 70,000 killer words that will mostly have to be discarded because I still have to figure out where the heck my story is going (or, uh, how it's starting. Sigh). But! It will happen! Would anyone like to join me in kicking our writing butts in gear this summer? Nothing too serious, but I could do with a Word War every once in a while, or a "hey how ya doing WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN'T WRITTEN FOR THREE DAYS" kind of email. Yeah. Let me know, lol.

[ETA] TOTALLY forgot to put this really important one in! Well, I don't keep ARCs. So all summer long then I will be hosting giveaways for the many BEA ARCs that I will be hopefully reading and then passing on to you guys! How do you like that? I always like sharing the love. So stick around over the summer for chances to win fabulous and highly desired books--one should be just around the corner!

Well, that should about cover things for now! What about you guys? Do you have any goals related to reading, writing, or blogging for the summer? Any particular reading "themes" you want to work on over the summer? Any flailing WIPs that you really need to kick into obedience and, uh, productivity?

Review: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Tags: YA, paranormal, werewolves, fairy tale retelling, sisters, hunting

Summary

A Fenris, a terrifying werewolf creature, permanently scarred and disfigured young Scarlett March when she fought him to defend her younger sister, Rosie. Now teenagers, Scarlett and Rosie live on their own in their late grandmother’s cottage in the woods, killing Fenris whenever they can. For Scarlett, it’s a way of life: she loves nothing more than the high of hunting Fenris.

Rosie, however, is beginning to think that, despite her loyalty to and love for her sister, she may want something more than hunting, especially as she begins to fall for their childhood friend and Scarlett’s hunting partner, Silas. When a Fenris-hunting expedition into Atlanta draws Rosie and Silas closer even as Fenris close in on them, will Rosie’s desire for more destroy the relationship she has with Scarlett, to whom she owes her life?

Review

You thought you knew all there was to know about Little Red Riding Hood and her wolf…well, you were wrong. Told from the alternating viewpoints of sisters Scarlett and Rosie, Jackson Pearce’s second novel, SISTERS RED, is an incredibly entertaining and deliciously dark twist on an old, fairy tale-esque story.

This novel has got many things going for it: strong female characters with great voices, a fully realized and frightening antagonist, and a clever storyline. Scarlett and Rosie are fantastic females who prove that you don’t have to be a tomboy to kick ass. The sister bond is powerful in a realistic way; both of them would do almost anything for each other, and yet there are also the usual tensions one would expect between sisters, of being the same person versus developing one’s own identity.

The Fenris are delectably creepy, a shiver-inducing combination of fantastical monster and your sadly usual male predator. Jackson Pearce develops their mythology well throughout the novel. These are the kind of werewolves that will haunt you long after you put the book down, and I appreciated that the villains of this novel were not cartoonish or overdramatized.

The story I mentioned is clever, albeit occasionally slow and predictable. It builds up to a tremendously satisfying finish, the kind that only the best paranormal authors can pull off without seeming either too expected or out-of-nowhere. A careful reader, however, will be able to pick up the clues as to what will happen way before Scarlett and Rosie do. This by no means detracts from the success of the story and its ending, though I do honestly prefer my books that are able to outsmart me.

Overall, SISTERS RED should not disappoint readers looking for a paranormal action story containing independent females, a sweet and believable romance, and well-developed villains. It’s a unique blend of the old-fashioned (their rural cottage, their cloaks, hatchets as weapons) and the modern (Atlanta, the dialogue, what they wear under their cloaks). I won’t be surprised if Jackson Pearce has a long and successful career writing a variety of YA. SISTERS RED is perfect for a delightful weekend or vacation read!

Similar Authors
Diana Peterfreund (Rampant)
Dia Reeves (Bleeding Violet)
Maggie Stiefvater
Sarah Rees Brennan

Writing: 3/5
Characters: 4/5
Plot: 4/5

Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5


Cover discussion: 5 out of 5 - Um, this is like one of the most BRILLIANT covers I have ever seen. The color scheme is simple yet striking, and the hidden image within is just... wow. I would stare at this all day.

Little, Brown / June 7, 2010 / Hardcover / 328pp. / $16.99

ARC received from publisher.

In My Mailbox (36)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme inspired by Alea and hosted by Kristi. Check out Kristi's post to see what others got in books this week!

These are two weeks' worth, not including books I got from BEA.

For review:

13 to Life: A Werewolf's Tale by Shannon Delany
(St. Martin's Press / June 22, 2010)

Jessica's life seemed difficult enough since the sudden loss of her mother, but meeting Pietr Rusakova turns her world upside down again. The newest member of Junction High, Pietr is a first generation Russian-American, a fact that by itself makes him different enough to get lots of attention in the small town. But Pietr is far more than good looks and an interesting accent, Pietr has secrets to hide-secrets including dramatic changes he's undergoing that will surely end his life early. Secrets dating back to the Cold War get the better of Jessica's curiosity, leading her into an exciting and dangerous world where her understanding of reality and what makes a man or a monster will be challenged.

Really looking forward to this one! It's a smooth finished copy as well.

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala
(HarperCollins / June 22, 2010)

In the five years since her bad-girl sister Xanda’s death, Miranda Mathison has wondered about the secret her sister took to the grave, and what really happened the night she died. Now, just as Miranda is on the cusp of her dreams—a best friend to unlock her sister’s world, a ticket to art school, and a boyfriend to fly her away from it all—Miranda has a secret all her own.

Then two lines on a pregnancy test confirm her worst fears. Stripped of her former life, Miranda must make a choice with tremendous consequences and finally face her sister’s demons and her own.

In this powerful debut novel, stunning new talent Holly Cupala illuminates the dark struggle of a girl who must let go of her past to find a way into her own future.

I finished this one, like, the very night I got it, and it is so, so good. Holly Cupala is a serious new talent in YA. Thanks, Holly!

The School of Possibilities by Seita Parkkola
(Sourcebooks Jabberwocky / June 1, 2010)

Storm Steele is an impossible child.

Or so his parents believe, thanks to the influence of his evil “step-monster.” Now Storm is being forced to attend the School of Possibilities for troubled youth. But Storm notices that something strange is going on at his new school. The students are not…normal.

Soon he’s being spied on, followed by classmates—and worst of all, forced to accept the headmaster’s perfectly behaved daughter as his girlfriend. He can feel himself becoming more obedient, more like his classmates. Storm tries to resist, but he doesn’t understand how or why the school is controlling him.

Can Storm escape—or will he be turned into a zombie of “good” behavior like everyone else around him?

The Sons of Liberty #1 by Alexander Lagos and Joseph Lagos
(Random House / May 25, 2010)

Forget everything you thought you knew about America's early days-history packs a punch in this full-color, two-fisted, edge-of-your-seat adventure!

Graphic novels are a revolution in literature, and The Sons of Liberty is a graphic novel like no other. Visual and visceral, fusing historical fiction and superhero action, this is a tale with broad appeal-for younger readers who enjoy an exciting war story, for teenagers asking hard questions about American history, for adult fans of comic books, for anyone seeking stories of African American interest, and for reluctant readers young and old.

In Colonial America, Graham and Brody are slaves on the run-until they gain extraordinary powers. At first they keep a low profile. But their mentor has another idea-one that involves the African martial art dambe . . . and masks.

With its vile villains, electrifying action, and riveting suspense, The Sons of Liberty casts new light on the faces and events of pre-Revolution America, including Ben Franklin and the French and Indian War. American history has rarely been this compelling-and it's never looked this good.

I'd be interested to see this graphic novel take on American history.

The Mosts by Melissa Senate
(Random House / June 8, 2010)

Madeline finished freshman year at Freeport Academy just as invisible as when she started. But after a summer in Italy with her sophisticated aunt, she returned as a sophomore with cool clothes, European attitude, and a hot new boyfriend, Thom.

Maddie's part of the in crowd . . . the Mosts. Her best friend, Caro? Most Beautiful. Her other friends, Fergie, Annie, and Selena? Most Stylish, Most Hilarious, and Most Hot, respectively. And Madeline? Most Popular. Her life is great.

Believe it or not, I'm actually really intrigued by this one. I read Theodora Twist many years ago and remembered it being a quick and easy fun read, so I'm going to have with this one as well!

Of course, there is a great grammatical error on the cover... Intentional? Maybe. But still inexcusable. *grammar Nazi call-out*

From the Teen Author Carnival:

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger
(Poppy / Sept. 7, 2010)

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper is cynical and loyal, and she doesn't think she's the prettiest of her friends by a long shot. She's also way too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush. In fact, Bianca hates him. And when he nicknames her "Duffy," she throws her Coke in his face.

But things aren't so great at home right now. Desperate for a distraction, Bianca ends up kissing Wesley. And likes it. Eager for escape, she throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with Wesley.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out that Wesley isn't such a bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she's falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

This book was really, really good! You should definitely check it out come the fall (unless you have delicate eyes and sensibilities, in which case you should not). Kody Keplinger has serious cojones and I want her next book NAO!

Fixing Delilah Hannaford by Sarah Ockler
(Little, Brown / Nov. 2, 2010)

[no official cover yet, but the one on the ARC is really pretty!]

Things in Delilah Hannaford’s life have a tendency to fall apart. She used to be a good student, but she can’t seem to keep it together anymore. Her friends are drifting away. Her “boyfriend” isn’t a boyfriend. Her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided the Hannaford family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, runs in the family.

When Delilah must spend the summer helping to settle her estranged grandmother’s estate, she’s suddenly confronted by her family’s painful past. Faced with questions that cannot be ignored and secrets that threaten to burst free, Delilah begins to doubt all that she’s ever known to be true.

Rich with humor and emotion, Sarah Ockler delivers a powerful story of family, love, and self-discovery—as Delilah comes to question whether even the most shattered relationships can be pieced back together again.

I enjoyed Sarah's debut, Twenty Boy Summer, a lot last year, so I'm really excited about this one! Plus, Sarah is incredibly sweet and a wonderful person.

Bought:


The Demon's Covenant by Sarah Rees Brennan (US & UK - couldn't resist)
My Ridiculous, Romantic Obsessions by Becca Wilhite
A Matter of Magic by Patricia Wrede
The Jaguar Stones, Book One: Middleworld (ARC) by J & P Voelkel
The Sorcerer of Sainte Felice (ARC) by Ann Finnin
When I Was Joe (ARC) by Keren David
Once (ARC) by Morris Gleitzman

The above were bought at the Strand the day of the Teen Author Carnival. They're pictured in the BEA books pictures in the BEA post. Once was recommended by the lovely Sarah Darer Littman!

As You Wish by Jackson Pearce
Chronicles of Nick, Book 1: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Swapped:
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
The Morganville Vampires Books 1, 3-6 by Rachel Caine (finished book 1 and am addictedddd already)
Hearts at Stake by Alyxandra Harvey
Her Notorious Viscount by Jenna Peterson
Fire Study by Maria Snyder
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

Borrowed from library:
Keep Sweet by Michele Dominguez Greene
The Hourglass Door by Lisa Mangum
Raven Speak by Diane Lee Wilson
Living Hell by Catherine Jinks

Happy reading, all!

BEA 2010, Part 1

Whew! I've finally recovered from BEA; moved back into my apartment for the summer; finished cleaning, organizing, and switching rooms; and figured out how to upload my BEA pictures onto my laptop. I'm ready to write my BEA wrap-up post!

It all started on Monday, May 24. I took the bus into NYC and walked the mile or so to the Javits Center to pick up my badge. The building pretty much took my breath away: a glass-enclosed structure spanning nearly four blocks, with book-related billboard advertisements.

Inside, I saw workers putting this together:

Isn't that so cool? It looked amazing too in person. I always admire people who can put these sorts of things together.

After that, I walked the three loooong-foreverrrr blocks to Penn Station, then took the train down to Union Square and the Strand (!) to meet up with some lovely bloggers and authors. Those in attendance included: Sarah Darer Littman, Amy Brecount White, Sharon from Sharon Loves Books and Cats, Drea from Book Blather, and Jess from Find the Time to Read. We had fun browsing the shelves and the ARCs. Then on our walk over to the Teen Author Carnival at the Jefferson Market Library, we met up with Holly Cupala and ran into Lauren Oliver!

Took this picture from Amy's blog. Here's Sharon and me standing next to Amy's book, which we found on the shelves at the Strand!

TAC was more organized than last year's, but still pretty hectic. The 30-something authors were divided up into three panels, each on a separate floor: Paranormal/Mystery, Real Life, and Love & Heartbreak. We only had 30 minutes or so with each panel, which overlapped into one another and made it a little crazy, but it was, as always, fun to listen to the authors talk about their thoughts about their books and the stuff they write about. I must say that the Real Life panel was incredible and set the standards high.

Afterwards, there was a loud and crazy signing session, where each author got their own "station" on several rows of children's bookshelves. I got to meet with and talk to authors Gayle Forman, Sarah Ockler, Kody Keplinger, Stephanie Kuehnert (finally!), Melissa Walker, Heidi Kling, Michael Northrop, Michelle Zink, Jeri Smith-Ready, Maryrose Wood, and probably some more. I love all of these people. Also met a bunch of bloggers, but probably not as much as I should've and wanted to, lol. I do remember having great conversations with Lenore and her husband Daniel, though.

Then the real BEA madness started on Wednesday, when the exhibits hall opened. I arrived there about half an hour late, at 9:30 (didn't want to wake up an hour earlier). By then, most of the 9am grab piles were gone, but I wandered around and got to pick up some exciting books, plus meet some people I've been in contact with for a while, such as Beth from Goodman Media at the EgmontUSA booth. I mostly just wandered around in the morning. Stood in line for Carolyn Mackler's Tangled, when I got to tell her how I've practically grown up reading all her books and love them all (and turns out her brother went to Swarthmore, and she also got accepted to Swarthmore, which just makes her cool points multiply, because NO ONE knows about Swarthmore, let alone goes there/applies there).

Check out the sweet huge typewriter at the Abrams booth!

When I stood in line for a beautiful limited edition signed hardcover ARC of Cornelia Funke's Reckless, I met James and Lee, authors who also run a podcasting-ish site called Authors Like Us. They were a ton of fun to talk books with, and it turns out we had a few mutual author friends/acquaintances as well.

After lunch I got to meet Talya, the lovely bookseller/ future librarian / blogger who contacted me after I WoWed S. A. Bodeen's The Gardener and offered to share with me her extra ARC! Needless to say, she is a wonderful person and we hit it off really well. We swung by the Flux/Llewellyn booth, but there was a signing there and so we scrammed out of there quickly because the crowd were heavy. We stood in several lines together, including the one for Lauren Oliver and Delirium (which I got. Haven't started it yet though. Though the temptation is GREAT)! Also met Angie of Angieville on line; it was so great meeting her in person. I also got Spirit Bound signed by Richelle Mead, which was pretty surreal. Unfortunately I was tongue-tied for the thing, and ended up not saying anything at all. *is lame*

The rest of the afternoon flew by in a flurry of author signings, and soon it was time for me to go and brave the rush-hour world of public transportation to get to the new Meadowlands Stadium for Bon Jovi's first concert! And Train opened for them, which basically put me on a high starting at 7pm. The concert was amazing--Bon Jovi is a brilliant performer. But that's not a story for here--though it's a good story!

Part 2 to come, um, maybe later today. Hopefully... Plus pictures of the books I got!