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: The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test

Series: The Goddess Chronicles #1

Author: Aimee Carter

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 16 Sep 2011
Source: Bought
Rating: 3/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

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 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 succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

REVIEW

Loosely based on the story of Hades and Persephone, set in modern day where the Gods characterizations have fabulously quirky twists, the way in which their individual traits associated to their domains  were exaggerated was something I especially adored about this book. Ava/Aphrodite made me giggle. Although it did take me a while to work out which God was which.

Written in first person narrative from Kate's perspective. I will be honest with you, at points I found Kate extremely irritating and this is the reason for my rating. Kate is very much what I would class as a doormat - blaming herself for things that were beyond her control or she had no influence in affecting. Saying that, I sympathized with her over her mother being terminally ill. The emotion was poignantly portrayed. The good thing about Kate is that she always tried to find the best in people, such an admirable quality, which in turn resulted in the positive qualities of people being brought out by Kate and endearing her to others. If I were to sum up Kate in this book I would have to say that she is a bit mopey and emo-ish but with an inner strength she hasn't fully tapped into yet.

Meeting Henry and agreeing to undergo the tests to become a goddess in exchange for spending additional time with her mother added to the portrayal of grief and how hard it is to lose a parent. I felt that the relationship between Kate and her mother was a little extreme, probably due to Kate having been her carer for a number of years. Kate feels she is only defined by her mother, she doesn't know how to be her own person.

The ups and downs of emotions alongside some ingenious plot twists make for a very compelling story-line, seriously my only criticism is Kate's doormat tendencies which made me want to slap her. 

The way in which the tests were conducted, the fact that we didn't know what the tests were or when they were being carried out added to the tension of the narrative. The tests are not revealed until the very  end was a stroke of brilliance.

Overall I adored the characters, the interactions and the plot my rating is a reflection of my dislike of Kate's doormat inclinations more than anything else and I will most definitely be carrying on with this series.

Spotlight: Children's Literature Festival Cardiff 2013

SQUEEEEEEEEE

My prayers have been answered. I cannot tell you how happy I am to make this announcement. I have prayed long and hard for a Children's Literary Festival in Cardiff, so I can actually attend without the problem of travel and expense.

Scheduled to take place March  20th - 24th 2013 in Cardiff City Center.

Here is the press release:

Cardiff, home of Roald Dahl and Doctor Who, is to host its first ever Children’s Literature Festival in 2013. The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will take place on Wednesday 20 - Sunday 24 March 2013. It will bring together some of the best contemporary children’s writers and illustrators, putting South Wales once again on the children’s literary map.
Celebrated children’s author Jacqueline Wilson (pictured) is the first to be confirmed for the festival programme. 'I am delighted to be coming to Cardiff's first Festival specially for young readers', said the former Children's Laureate. 'I think festivals are a great way for children to meet as many authors as possible, and discover the huge joys of reading'.
Children’s literature has never been so vibrant, prominent or exciting and this is an ideal time to start a festival in Wales dedicated to young readers. The Festival will enable young people to meet and interact with some of the most creative minds in children’s books. It will promote literacy and the arts with an inventive and accessible programme of cultural events in key venues across Cardiff, in both the Welsh and English language.
The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival is organised by Literature Wales, Cardiff Council, Cardiff University and National Museum Wales.
“We will transform Cardiff into a wonderland of myths and magical characters” says Literature Wales’ Chief Executive Lleucu Siencyn. “What better way to start a jam-packed year of literary activities for children and young people than to awake their creativity with a major festival in the capital city”.
“The Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will be a key new event for the city, joining our already busy events programme” added Cllr Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure. “The Council will assist in creating the Festival, programming and providing venues like Cardiff Castle to play host. This will be a fun way to encourage children to read and more importantly to enjoy reading”.
Projects such as Cardiff Council’s Literacy Strategy and Literature Wales’ Young People’s Laureate Scheme acknowledge that the essential skills of reading and creative writing need to be nourished: the Cardiff Children’s Literature Festival will be an opportunity for young people to engage with a wider range of books and ideas than ever before.
Minister of Education Leighton Andrews AM also commented that “A Children’s Literature Festival in south Wales will be a great asset to the area. As Minister, one of my key priorities is to improve standards of literacy across the board. Anything that inspires the children and young people of the city to develop a love of reading and writing should be encouraged. I wish the Festival every success”
More information will be released throughout this year in the build up next spring’s festivities.

To register for festival updates, please email:

cardiffchildrenslitfest@literaturewales.org

So who is coming to visit me next March?????

Spotlight: Authors Live

Have you heard of Authors Live?????

I was lucky enough to be contacted this week by Beth Bottery, Children's Events Coordinator for Scottish Book Trust. Thank to her I have discovered the amazing resource of Authors Live. 

So what exactly is AUTHORS LIVE?

Authors Live is a series of live webcasts, presented in partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, featuring some of the biggest names writing books for children today. (taken from BBC Scotland)

There is an amazing list of previous webcasts that can be accessed via the site as well as a comprehensive list of other resources available.

The next live webcast is scheduled for Thursday 10th May at 11am with the hugely funny and entertaining 

DAVID WALLIAMS 

You have seen him on your TV, now watch him on your computer! Multi-talented funny man David Walliams will be talking about his hilarious new book Gangsta Granny. Guaranteed to cause an epidemic of smiles to breakout across the UK.
The event will be streamed live to audiences across the UK at 11am on Thursday, 10th May. It will then become available to watch again for free by Thursday, 17th May for everyone worldwide!
Your readers can join tens of thousands of pupils across the UK watching the event live.
Parents, readers and fans of David can watch the event by going directly to the BBC website at 11am on Thursday, 10th May: http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/learning/authorslive/
Or, if you are a teacher, you can register your entire class by following this link:http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning/authors-live/david-walliams
If you can’t make the live broadcast the entire event can be downloaded or streamed for free fromThursday, 17th May here: http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/learning/authors-live/david-walliams

You guys in Scotland are super lucky, even if you don't live in Scotland you can still access AUTHORS LIVE via your computer.

Review: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Series: Blood of Eden #1

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 4 May 2012

Source: Amazon Vine

Rating: 3/5

Synopsis from Goodreads

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

REVIEW

This is a really difficult review for me to write as I am unsure even weeks after how I feel about this book. There were things I likes and things I didn't. For a start it is long, while it was nice to be completely immersed into Allison's world, at times it felt overly descriptive and drawn out. 

A dystopian paranormal full of action and a little romance to bind it all together. Told from Allison's perspective, she lives as a street urchin to avoid being used as a food supply for the ruling vampires. Images of Victorian London abound via the descriptions, especially those of  the filth and poverty that they live in.

The nature versus nurture debate is a strong theme throughout this book, examining how peoples perceptions of us can affect the way in which we interact solely due to these assumptions. Allison is a really strong character, loyal and brave yet an air of vulnerability surrounds her. Faced with a grisly death, Allison chooses to become what she has always despised, a vampire.  The way in which she deals with her transformation shows her inner strength. Through it all anyone can choose to be what they want to be not just conform to other peoples expectations. 

The story follows Allison trials and tribulations both with other vampires and humans. The way she copes with what she has become and what she wants to be. This is not your run of the mill vampire story, there are a number of plot twists woven into the narrative, along with some kick-ass action. Although I did find the book a little drawn out I am intrigued to find out where the story is going.

Tantalizing Trailers: The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Immortal Rules

Series: Blood of Eden

Author: Julie Kagawa

Publisher: Mira Ink

Publication Date: 4 May 2012

Synopsis from Goodreads

In a future world, Vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die… or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for.

How brilliant does this look.

I am loving these interactive covers.