Opening Lines (7)

Opening Lines is a new feature here on Portrait of a Book that showcases the first lines of recent and/or upcoming releases. If you're looking for your next read, let these first lines help you decide!



THE DEAD AND BURIED
By: Kim Harrington
Published By: Scholastic Point
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

A haunted house, a buried mystery, and a very angry ghost make this one unforgettable thriller.

Jade loves the house she's just moved into with her family. She doesn't even mind being the new girl at the high school: It's a fresh start, and there's that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes. . . . But then things begin happening. Strange, otherworldly things. Jade's little brother claims to see a glimmering girl in his room. Jade's jewelry gets moved around, as if by an invisible hand. Kids at school whisper behind her back like they know something she doesn't.

Soon, Jade must face an impossible fact: that her perfect house is haunted. Haunted by a ghost who's seeking not just vengeance, but the truth. The ghost of a girl who ruled Jade's school — until her untimely death last year. It's up to Jade to put the pieces together before her own life is at stake. As Jade investigates the mystery, she discovers that her new friends in town have more than a few deep, dark secrets. But is one of them a murderer?

"Colby had a secret."


THE ESSENCE (THE PLEDGE #2)
By: Kimberly Derting
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

“Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.

"He approached respectfully, cautiously. Warily."


FALLING FOR YOU
By: Lisa Schroeder
Published By: Simon Pulse
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

Rae's always dreamed of dating a guy like Nathan. He’s nothing like her abusive stepfather—in other words, he’s sweet. But the closer they get, the more Nathan wants of her time, of her love, of her...and the less she wants to give.

As Rae’s affection for Nathan turns to fear, she leans on her friend Leo for support. With Leo, she feels lighter, happier. And possessive Nathan becomes jealous.

Then a tragedy lands Rae in the ICU. Now, hovering between life and death, Rae must find the light amid the darkness…and the strength to fight for life and the love she deserves.

"At last I can breathe."


ALTERED
By: Jennifer Rush
Published By: Little, Brown, & Co.
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Buy the Book: Amazon

When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

"For most of the last four years, I wasn't allowed in the lab."



Do any of these opening lines grab your attention? What are your favorite first lines that you've read lately?

"Waiting on" Wednesday

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



This week's selection is:

THE ESSENCE
By: Kimberly Derting
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date: Jan. 1, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Note: The Essence is the second book in the Pledge trilogy and the summary may contain spoilers.

Goodreads Summary: “Danger, dread, mystery, and romance” (Booklist) continue in the second book of The Pledge trilogy, as Charlie’s reign is under siege from the most unusual of enemies.

At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.



Why it's wanted:
The Pledge was one of my favorite books last year, and I can't wait to find out what happens next! The blend of dystopian and fantasy is unique and left me wanting more.

#BIR2011: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

THE PLEDGE by Kimberly Derting

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. (From Goodreads)

You can read my review here.



~INTERVIEW~


I'm very excited to have Kimberly Derting here today as a feature for Best I've Read 2011. Her novel THE PLEDGE is a fantastic addition to the dystopian genre. Please take a few minutes to learn more about this amazing author!


How would you describe The Pledge in three words?

Dark. Dangerous. Secretive.

In The Pledge, what language you speak is extremely important. How did you get this idea? Do you speak other languages?

The original idea for The Pledge didn’t come all at once (like it did with The Body Finder). This book came to me in pieces. The first piece was just a simple question: “What would it be like if someone could understand all languages?” But I definitely wanted the story itself to be bigger than just that component. I spent a lot of time—over a year—thinking about how Charlie’s ability would work, what kind of world she would live in, and creating the monarchies and her friends and family, before I’d ever written a single word.

I talk more about how I got the idea here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcwK-Ja9wk4

All of your stories have an element of fantasy/magic or the paranormal. Why do you feel drawn to these genres?

For me, I love writing in this genre because it takes me back to my childhood when absolutely nothing was impossible. I had a pretty wild imagination, and was always the kid in class who was staring out the window daydreaming. (Although, I’m pretty sure I never fantasized about being able to find dead bodies or having my soul stolen by an evil queen.)

Out of all the characters you've written, which do you connect with the most? Which do you enjoy writing the most?

As far which character I have the most in common with, I’d have say Chelsea from the Body Finder series. She’s a say-it-like-it-is kinda girl who likes to use shock value to get attention. I’m not nearly as bad as she is, but I definitely had a mouth on me in high school. I think I’ve outgrown that trait. Mostly.

But asking me which character I most enjoy writing is practically like asking me to choose which of my kids I like best. I’m totally gonna do it, though (the favorite character, not the favorite kid!). Here goes…

Angelina.

She’s adorable and smart and may have a few secrets of her own.

If you could visit a world created in a book, which book would you choose? What would you do there?

I love this question! I think I’d choose the world of Holly Black’s Curse Worker’s series (White Cat, Red Glove, and Black Heart). And I’d definitely, absolutely, totally buy some illegal curse charms! (And if you haven’t read the books yet, you totally should!)

What can you tell us about the next book in this trilogy?

Probably the most I can say is that there will be a lot more of Queen Sabara in book two. And Charlie is not very happy about it.



~GIVEAWAY~
I am very excited to have one copy of THE PLEDGE to give away!

This contest is open to residents of the U.S. only. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

This contest will close on Saturday, December 23 at 12:00 AM CST.

This contest is now closed.



Today the Best I've Read blog is featuring WOLFSBANE by Andrea Cremer and THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER by Michelle Hodkin! Please click here to learn more about this book and author!

Review: The Pledge by Kimberly Derting

THE PLEDGE
By: Kimberly Derting
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry
Release Date: Nov. 15, 2011
Series: The Pledge (#1)
Pages: 320
Genre: Dystopian
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: S&S Galley Grab
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.



Dystopian seems to be the hot genre this year, and with all of the books on the market, it is easy for the stories to start sounding similar. However, Kimberly Derting has avoided this trap with a refreshing story full of intrigue, danger, magic, and romance.

In Ludania, everything is based on language. Your class defines your language, and you are not permitted to acknowledge someone of a higher class while they are speaking. Charlie, however, has spent her entire life hiding a dangerous secret: She can understand every language. She tries to go about her life as normal, but with members of the Counsel class insulting her and her friends, she finds it difficult. So when her friend Brooklynn suggests that they go to an underground club, Charlie readily agrees, desperate for distraction. Only there she meets a few people who will quite literally change her life - including the handsome, enigmatic Max. As the queen's oppressive regime tightens and the threat of war is imminent, Charlie will find herself in need of some unlikely allies and discover that not everyone is whom they seem to be...including herself.

As someone who loves languages, I loved the premise of this book. Almost everyone is naturally bilingual, speaking both Englaise (the common language) and their class tongue. But even beyond that, The Pledge doesn't follow the standard dystopian plot. Yes, there is an oppressive government, but because it is set in a fictional country ruled by royalty it doesn't seem like something that could happen in the US. Add all that to Derting's writing style, and I was hooked from the very beginning. The story is brilliantly crafted - I could figure out just enough to appreciate where things were going, but there were other surprises that I never saw coming. Also, even though the story is told mostly from Charlie's perspective, there are moments where we get to see some of the other characters' points of view. I loved these insights, and they made the story come alive that much more.

Then there were the characters themselves. Almost all of them were incredibly important in their own way. Charlie is an incredibly strong heroine, not one to easily give into others, and yet she has her moments of doubt that make her relatable. And then there is Max, who despite his mysterious air is incredibly charming. The chemistry between him and Charlie sizzles off the page. Even the queen, who is evil incarnate, has more than meets the eye. I have a hunch that things in the next book will be very...interesting.

The Pledge is a book that you will not be able to put down. The mystery, the characters, the writing itself...everything is captivating. I cannot wait to read more!

Teaser Tuesday (16)

I'm very excited to be one of the many blogs participating in Teaser Tuesdays! TT is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. To participate:

* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here is my teaser:



"Slowly - so very slowly - she opened her eyes to see what it was...

...and found herself standing at the side of the bed, staring into the empty eyes of the dead queen. Eyes that had once belonged to her."


p. 4 (e-ARC) from THE PELDGE by Kimberly Derting

Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!