Musical Moment: Official Book Theme Songs: The Goddess Chronicles by Aimee Carter

It is with great pleasure I welcome Aimee Carter to Book Angel Booktopia today. I asked Aimee to think of a character soundtrack for the books. Here is what she said and what she came up with: 

I am absolutely terrible at soundtracks. TERRIBLE. I could probably name a Kate song and a Henry song, but everyone else – gah. So here are songs I think work pretty well for themes for the three books:

Title: The Goddess Test

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #1

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 16 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Goodreads

EVERY GIRL WHO HAS TAKEN THE TEST HAS DIED.

NOW IT'S KATE'S TURN. 

It's always been just Kate and her mom--and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld--and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she suceeds, she'll become Henry's future bride and a goddess.

IF SHE FAILS...

Courage Is, by The Strange Familiar 

REVIEW HERE

Title: Goddess Interrupted

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #2

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 6 April 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans. As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person whom she would really rather not meet. Henry's first wife, Persephone.

 Someone Like You, by Adele

REVIEW HERE

Title:The Goddess Inheritance

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #3

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 2013

No Synopsis available at this time.

This Time Around, by Hanson

I love this series and cannot wait for more, luckily there are a series of short stories available shortly.

Title: The Goddess Hunt

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #1.5

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 1 June 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

A vacation in Greece sounds like the perfect way for Kate Winters to spend her first sabbatical away from the Underworld...until she gets caught up in an immortal feud going back millennia. Castor and Pollux have been on the run from Zeus and Hades' wrath for centuries, hiding from the gods who hunt them. The last person they trust is Kate, the new Queen of the Underworld. Nevertheless, she is determined to help their cause. But when it comes to dealing with immortals, Kate still has a lot to learn....

Title: The Goddess Legacy
Series: The Goddess Chronicles #2.5
Author: Aimee Carter
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (USA)
Publication Date: 31 July 2012

No Synopsis available at this time

Review: Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter

Title: Goddess Interrupted

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #2

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 6 April 2012

Source: Netgalley

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

Kate Winters has won immortality. But if she wants a life with Henry in the Underworld, she'll have to fight for it.

Becoming immortal wasn't supposed to be the easy part. Though Kate is about to be crowned Queen of the Underworld, she's as isolated as ever. And despite her growing love for Henry, ruler of the Underworld, he's becoming ever more distant and secretive. Then, in the midst of Kate's coronation, Henry is abducted by the only being powerful enough to kill him: the King of the Titans.As the other gods prepare for a war that could end them all, it is up to Kate to save Henry from the depths of Tartarus. But in order to navigate the endless caverns of the Underworld, Kate must enlist the help of the one person who is the greatest threat to her future.Henry's first wife, Persephone.

REVIEW

The only reason this book didn't get the full 5/5 is that I still have some niggles about Kate's doormat tendencies, she is still needy and insecure, understandable in the face of Persephone. However, I honestly still cant get this story out of my head even week after reading it. The character development, insight and background details provided by this installment just blew me away. Who would have thought that Hades/Henry could be viewed as hot. 

The story picks up 6 months after the end of The Goddess Test following Kate's Summer abroad with her friend James, not realizing that there is a complicated and tense history between Henry and James. She is therefore unsure and insecure when she returns to find Henry even more aloof than when she left. I felt my heart breaking along with hers, wondering if it had all been a cruel mistake. 

I honestly never imagined that in my life I would sympathize with Hades, but OMG I really, really felt for him. As the complicated relationships of the gods is revealed it is easy to understand just why Hades/Henry is afraid to get to close to Kate. He has been hurt so badly by Persephone, then caring for and losing the other girls that didn't survive the tests. It is easy to understand his reasons for keeping his distance and protecting his feelings. Although this doesn't make it any easier for Kate to cope with not knowing exactly how he feels about her. I love, love, loved the progression of their relationship. The ups and downs of their relationship caused swooning and giggling alongside tears creating compulsive page turning.  

The weaving of the Titans into the story created a fabulous addition expanding the use of Greek mythology within the narrative. The history of the creation of the Gods broadened the plot creating a three dimensional world.

The introduction of Persephone alongside the twist to her story and personality was a stroke of sheer brilliance, I have to be honest I literally detested Persephone with a passion. Amazing that the writing can make me feel like that about a fictional character.  

Although Kate is still very needy in this story, her doormat tendencies are lessening, as the plot progresses she does start to stand up for herself *cheers* making her a much, much, much better character and the makings of a true Queen.

The way in which the afterlife was portrayed came as something of a shock. The idea that as an individual you decide the way in which you spend your afterlife was uncomfortable for me to visualize. Imagine your own personal hell even if you hadn't done anything to deserve an eternity of torture but felt that you did OR  imagine someone that deserves to be tortured for eternity for the things they have done in life but gets a paradise. Perhaps this is where Henry and Kate would step in, the dynamics of their roles as King and Queen of the Underworld were not fully expanded within the narrative. I would be interested to find out more. 

There is a really unexpected and utterly amazing twist at the end that has left me SCREAMING for the next book. It is utter torture to wait an entire year to find out what happens. I NEED it NOW. 

Review: Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everneath

Series: Everneath #1

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Childrens Books

Publication Date: 2 Feb 2012
Challenge: DAB
Rating: 5/5
Source: Netgalley

Synopsis from Goodreads

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever.

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen.

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's..

REVIEW

This is one of those books that makes you look at life in a new way with more appreciation. We all have bad times in our lives but what would you do to get rid of that pain and despair. To agree to go to the Everneath, a place between our world and Hell, is the equivalent of signing your own death warrant, suicide for wimps. This is just what Nikki agrees to do, be feed on for 100 years by an Everliving, Cole, in order for him to continue existing. 

Nikki should not have survived the feed, it drains all your emotions away leaving you an empty shell. The Everliving are what can be thought of a vampires of the soul, sucking away everything that makes a person individual leaving behind an empty husk. Yet, Nikki survives making her a valuable commodity to Cole. Nikki is given 6 months back on Earth to spend with her family, to deal with all the pain and misunderstandings that took her to the Everneath in the first place. The 100 years spent in the Everneath is equivalent to 6 months spent on Earth. After the 6 months back on Earth, Nikki has to make an enormous decision, going back to Everneath as a human battery enclosed in the walls of the Tunnels or as an Everliving by Cole's side, possibly as Queen.  

The emotions depicted were raw. The writing was so powerful I felt as if the words had actually escaped from the page to form a corporeal being which enveloped me in its embrace. Holding me tightly in its grip from start to finish. Reading it in one sitting with a lot of tears. 

The use of Greek Mythology within the narrative was a stroke of pure genius. I hadn't really heard of the Orpheus myth prior to reading this but I will certainly be looking into it more. It's use and parallels within the plot aided the world building. Everneath itself reminded me of the Dark Fairy courts portrayed in some books, ruled over by tyrannical queen whose thirst for power is only equal to her thirst for human emotions.

The characters were so well developed and their interactions completely believable. I found Nikki to be impetuous tending to over-react to situations rather than thinking them through before taking action. It is this trait that is to blame for her agreeing to the feed in the first place. I found myself wishing that she had more confidence in herself and believe in the people around her, especially Jack. The connection between Jack and Nikki felt like a tangible thread connecting the two of them together. The history of their relationship unfolds throughout the book adding layer upon layer of emotion; together their souls were whole. Such a beautiful concept. 

The story is revealed in dual time periods, before and after the feed, enabling complete insight into the reasons behind Nikki agreeing to the feed; as well as revelations surrounding the workings of the Everneath alongside the history of Nikki's relationship with Jack and her family. The pace of information, emotion and action flowed seamlessly weaving all the elements of the story together without faltering. 

A fantastic, emotional roller-coaster of a debut. I am so glad it is a series or I don't think I could cope with the ending, I thought my heart would break. I cannot wait to see what happens next.

Musical Moments: Official Book Theme Song: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Title: Starcrossed

Series: Starcrossed

Author: Josephine Angelini

Publisher:  Macmillan Children's Books

Publication Date: 3 Jun 2011

Synopsis: From Goodreads

How do you defy destiny?
Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood . . . and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.
As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together—and trying to tear them apart.

I absolutely LOVED this book Review here

Review: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel

Title: After Obsession
Author: Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publication Date: 5 Sep 2011

Synopsis from Amazon

Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.

REVIEW:

Written in first person narrative but with alternating perspectives of Aimee and Alan, providing depth and insight into the motivations and interactions of the central characters. The dual narrative voice worked really well in this case, where one trails off the other picks up, quite brilliant writing achieved with two different authors working together to form one whole. I have to say that the chapter headings are visually dramatic adding to the atmosphere before reading begins.

The inclusion of the Native American myth/legend really added depth to the story. It really made me wonder as to the origins of these myths/legends and if there isn't a grain of truth in them *scary thought*.  I find it amazing how many similarities there are with natural healing practices all over the world, re-enforcing the point that we are all the same really. One that really stood out for me was the use of sage for purification. The use of soul-mates and destiny woven into the narrative was astounding (you know I love that stuff) so it really swept me into the story.

The way in which Aimee and Alan's abilities were depicted made me realise that although I might think that it would be wonderful to be able to have these abilities that there is a responsibility that comes with them which can weigh heavily on someone as young as Aimee and Alan. As well as being frightening to be able to see such things. it made me wonder how I would deal with it; would I think I was crazy or special - yes you know crazy would win [ ; D ]

I adored how peace, love and healing were shown as creating positivity while anger, hate and destruction create negativity. The example of swearing fuelling anger made me giggle as the only time I do use bad language is when I am very, very angry lol.

The imagery created was just amazing and I commend the writing skill involved. The bedroom scene brought to mind The Exorcist and gave me complete chills, you know what a complete wuss I am.

I cannot go through this review without mentioning the CHEETO - ohh how I laughed at that cheeto and the way it was incorporated into the story. It really provided a wonderful way of lightening the plot and providing a wonderful culmination of the story. See you have to read it now.

Wonderful use of myth and legend alongside a wonderful dual narrative voice make this book an excellent read. I have been recommended it highly in the library.

Review: Midwinterblood by Marcus Sedgwick

Title: Midwinterblood

Author: Marcus Sedgwick

Publisher: Indigo

Publication Date: 6 Oct 2011

Synopsis from Love Reading 4 Kids

In 2073 on the remote and secretive island of Blessed, where rumor has it that no one ages and no children are born, a visiting journalist, Eric Seven, and a young local woman known as Merle are ritually slain. Their deaths echo a moment ten centuries before, when, in the dark of the moon, a king was slain, tragically torn from his queen. Their souls search to be reunited, and as mother and son, artist and child, forbidden lovers, victims of a vampire they come close to finding what they've lost. In a novel comprising seven parts, each influenced by a moon - the flower moon, the harvest moon, the hunter's moon, the blood moon - this is the story of Eric and Merle whose souls have been searching for each other since their untimely parting.

REVIEW

This is my first foray into the YA world of Marcus Sedgwick the only other book I have read of his is Flood and Fang – review here. I must say this will not be my last; I have heard amazing things about Marcus Sedgwick’s writing and was not in the least bit disappointed.

I will admit that I started the book without reading the synopsis; I only saw the word soul mates mentioned and knew I had to read it. So there I was reading away thinking myself so clever for working out that the story featured reincarnated souls of Eric and Merle when I decided to read the synopsis and there it was in black and white that yes indeed they were the souls of Eric and Merle reincarnated *headesk*. I always pray for a happy ending – the words They All Lived Happily Ever After – would be a dream come true for me. So I was rooting for Eric and Merle to have their happy ending right from the start.

The way in which the book is divided into 7 sections alongside Eric’s name being Eric Seven is very clever and implants the idea of the seven lives immediately. The timeline for each story works its way back to the first incarnation of Eric and Merle before returning to the present day. The ingenious use of details from within each story woven into the next showing their origins were an utterly magnificent piece of storytelling.

Amazing use of what can be imagined as Norse Mythology woven into the plot re-enforced by the remote island scenery. The name of the island itself is significant within the plot. The way in which the name of the island is significant at each point in time. The meanings of the name at the different time periods in history added to the plot and helped the imagination of the dialects. Although the pronunciation remained the same the meanings and spelling were so very different. Amazing.

The different forms of love are cleverly portrayed – parent and child, siblings and lovers. The different types of love we are capable of isn’t something that I often think about but this aspect of the book really had me analyzing relationships.

I am probably going to show my lack of intellect now by telling you that I didn’t really understand the ending. Don’t get me wrong I appreciated it and the completeness it provided to the story. But I didn’t really understand why it had to be that way and it was completely bittersweet. Not an ending you will forget in a hurry. A chilling tale.

If you are looking for masterful storytelling then this is the book for you.

Trailer Tuesday: After Obsession by Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel

Title: After Obsession
Author: Carrie Jones and Steven E Wedel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication Date: 5 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

Aimee and Alan have unusual pasts and secrets they prefer to keep hidden. Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness and hallucinations, and Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. After all, she sees a shadowy river man where there isn't one. And then there was that time she and her best friend Courtney tried to conjure a spirit with a Ouija board ...Alan is Courtney's cousin. His family moved to Maine when Courtney's father went missing. It's not just Alan's dark good looks that make him attractive. He is also totally in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. And it's not long before Aimee has broken up with her boyfriend ...But it's not Aimee or Alan who is truly haunted - it's Courtney. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life. Together, Aimee and Alan must exorcise the ghost, before it devours Courtney - and everything around her.

Review coming soon

Totally creeptastic 

Review: Abandon by Meg Cabot

Title: Abandon

Series: Abandon #1

Author: Meg Cabot

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication  Date: 2 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.

There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . .

REVIEW:

Although I was aware that this book is based upon the Greek myth of Hades and Persephone, it only know the basics of that story so it didn't affect my judgement or preconception of this story at all. The use of the Persephone and Dante's Inferno quotes added a sense of depth to the narrative, reinforcing the main plot while adding a sense of realism.

Powerfully descriptive writing style brings the words to techni-colour life within my imagination.

Written in first person narrative from Pierce's point of view, at 17 she had a near death experience at 15 which resulted in the breakdown of her parents marriage and relocating back to the island her mother grew up on. Pierce is one of those genuinely nice people, you can see this in the selfless way she puts other people first and rescues injured animals. Her privileged background and self absorbed parents make this fact quite surprising, I would have expected her to be a pampered princess.  I do think that it is her 'inner' beauty that really draws John to her even though the way she looks on the outside obviously helps, from her description I had images of Snow White flying around in my imagination.

The waiting in what can only be thought of as Purgatory by the River Styx is wonderfully portrayed in the narrative; the notion of the different lines and boats leading to different places was ingenious. The difference in the length of the lines really brought home how little people worry about the consequence of their actions. The desperation of the people in the longer line drifted from the pages.

The way in which Pierce escapes the Underworld had me giggling like a maniac into my book. However, there are repercussions. Following her visit to the Underworld Pierce does retreat into herself a bit and this is where you can see the way in which her childhood could have really shaped her personality. The irony of the history of the island they move to made a wonderful addition to the plot.

The chemistry between Pierce and John crackles from between the pages. Wow, I really admire Pierce's self control and adored the portrayal of John torn between his emotions and his 'job'. He is very protective of Pierce and for good reason [ ; D ]

Bringing me nicely onto John, *swoon*, well you pretty much can't get more bad boy than John. From his black clothes to his imposing height and threatening demeanour, right down to the way he first charges into the book on his horse - I am so there [ : D ] Pierce shows so much restraint especially when confronted with that dreamy white bed [ ; D ] which provides such a visual contrast to John himself. I am really, really, really desperate to know his background story and how he ended up having a 'job' in the Underworld. Obviously the theme song would have to be Don't Pay the Ferryman with the images of the River Styx. I have the feeling that this is just so much more to John and I NEED to know it.

All of the characters are very well written, providing extremes of personalities and quirkiness. Not only am I following the plot for the development of John and Pierce, I am genuinely interested in the other characters development  the high school cliques, the family dynamics and so much more - I NEED ANSWERS!!!!!

The only aspect of the story that I had a problem with is the portrayal of The Fury's. these have always been tormentors but their abilities in this story really took them to another level and it took me a while to get used to picturing them as such.

That's all I can say is thank goodness this is a trilogy as I really want more and I need those questions answered. *Goes to look on Amazon to see the publication date of the next book - eeepppp it only says 2012 - how will I cope*.

Trailer Tuesday: Abandon by Meg Cabot and ARC Give-Away

Title: Abandon

Series: Abandon #1

Author: Meg Cabot

Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books

Publication Date: 2 Sep 2011

Synopsis: From Amazon

Last year, Pierce died - just for a moment. And when she was in the space between life and death, she met John: tall dark and terrifying, it’s his job to usher souls from one realm to the next.

There’s a fierce attraction between them, but Pierce knows that if she allows herself to fall for John she will be doomed to a life of shadows and loneliness in the underworld. But now things are getting dangerous for her, and her only hope is to do exactly what John says . . .

Review up tomorrow [ : D ] 

Bad boy overload *swoon*

As I am unable to put ARC's in the school library and I like to share my books AND I appreciate every single follower I have I thought I would do something a bit different. I have 268 followers at last count when I was writing this post. So I have hidden the book on a grid with the squares numbering 1 to 268. 

One entry per person.
Duplicate entries will be deleted.
Open Internationally to accommodate all my lovely followers.
Check the spreadsheet to make sure the number you have chosen hasn't already been taken. Please place your name by the number on the spreadsheet here by pressing F2 and adding your name to the spreadsheet and confirm the number on the form below.

MG Monday: Review: Prophecy of Days by Christy Raedeke

Title: Prophecy of Days
Series: The Daykeepers Grimoire
Author: Christy Raedeke
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: 1 May 2010

Source: Library




Synopsis: Fom GoodReads
Is the story of Caity Mac Fireland, a girl from San Francisco whose parents drag her to an isle off the coast of Scotland to manage some family property. Caity finds that a Mayan relic is concealed there, intentionally left centuries ago by Mayan Daykeepers in an attempt to keep their profound knowledge about the year 2012 alive into the current era.
As she delves into this world of secret knowledge, Caity is helped along by a visiting family friend and Feng Shui master, Uncle Li; a Mayan elder named Bolon; and Mr. Papers, her pet monkey that communicates through origami. A handsome Scottish lad gets pulled into the intrigue, as do several other people with questionable motives and loyalties. Caity must weave together a tapestry of information in order to make her radical discovery, a mystery protected by an elite coterie of power-brokers who influence world events. Caity’s twenty-first century mind is put to the test as she tries to uncover the answer to an ancient riddle while trying to outwit this powerful group that will stop at nothing to control the secret, and her.

Review:
OMG this book was phenomenal prepare for gushing [ ; ) ] What could be more totally awesome than a monkey that does origami. I want one [ : D ]

Written in first person narrative from Caity's perspective. Your typical teenager with wonderful snarkiness. Directly addressing the reader giving it an air of confiding her secrets in you. Her parents are both genius's in their respective fields, being somewhat unconventional: her Mum is a safe-cracker, while her Dad is a computer whizz but full of conspiracy theories (YAY). Caity underestimates herself when comparing her intelligence to her parents. In that respect you can understand why she would want to keep the unravelling of the mystery to herself rather than directly asking for their help, fearing they would take over like previous school projects.

Wonderfully descriptive writing with captivating imagery. Visually dynamic with the use of prose, email and text formats, giving a totally rounded depiction of both modern technology alongside ancient beliefs. Caity's narrative tends to jump about a bit but is totally relatable and keeping in character with a 16 year old girl.

A terrific clue trail is scattered throughout the narrative, I found my mind jumping to conclusions and then assumptions all the way through. Nothing should be taken at face value. Mystery after mystery is piled together, seemingly unrelated until the pieces are fitted together.

All the characters were interesting and colourful, I couldn't say there was anything normal about any of them.

The weaving of myths and legends into the narrative was astounding. It was amazing to see how many different cultures have very similar myths and legends. Provoking the mind to gather the common thread and search for the truth behind them.

Not only does Christy Raedeke weave the ancient history into the plot but sprinkles in a good bit of spirituality. She takes it to another level by adding in quantum physics and conspiracy theories. Be still by beating heart; all the things I totally love because that is what goes on in my head. Meshing it all together, finding the common threads and examining the principles behind it. Totally amazing how science/spirituality and mythology all came together to create such an amazing plot.

*faints* I have raved so much about this book at home that J (who does not read) went back to the library and borrowed it for himself *falls over* *thud* and yes he is actually reading it.

Review: Stork by Wendy Delsol

Title: Stork
Author: Wendy Delsol
Series: Stork Trilogy
Publisher: Candlewick
Publication Date: 12th October 2010

Thanks to International Book Tours for letting me read this book



Synopsis: From Goodreads
Sixteen-year-old Katla has just moved from Los Angeles to the sticks of Minnesota. As if it weren’t enough that her trendy fashion sense draws stares, she learns to her horror that she’s a member of an ancient order of women who decide to whom certain babies will be born. Add to that Wade, the arrogant football star whom Katla regrettably fooled around with, and Jack, a gorgeous farm boy who initially seems to hate her. Soon Katla is having freaky dreams about a crying infant and learns that, as children, she and Jack shared a near-fatal, possibly mystical experience. Can Katla survive this major life makeover and find a dress for the homecoming dance? Drawing from Norse mythology and inspired by The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen, debut author Wendy Delsol conceives an irreverent, highly entertaining novel about embracing change and the (baby) bumps along the way.

Review:
Lovely fresh idea interwoven with stunning Nors mythology. Although the outline to the mythological stories are given, it does help to have a basic knowledge of these stories to add depth to the plot.

Told in first person narrative from Katla perspective. I thought she started off being a bit of a 'brat' but as the story unfolds we gain perspective as to why she is behaving in such a manner. Her characters really does develop right through the plot, gaining self knowledge and respect for the past while taking things in her stride. Portrayed as visually dramatic with her almost white blond hair, she is striking within the imagination.

Richly descriptive right from the very beginning; if a book can make you literally scratch your head within the first pages, you start to wonder where it is going to take you from there.

I adored the writing style, it is exactly the sort of thing that goes on in my head, especially the wonderful use of metaphors. Random plot threads are placed throughout, to be picked out and added together. Family and friendship dynamics from the past intertwined with those of the present added another layer to the plot. I found that as I was thinking a question regarding the plot, it would not be much further into the narrative that I found the answer, terrific for impatient, questioning minds like mine.

All the characters were well-rounded, separate individual personalities that complement each other beautifully. Balancing the plot and adding depth/dimension.

A terrific modern fairytale. I am so glad it is a trilogy.