Review: The Spindlers by Lauren Oliver

THE SPINDLERS
By: Lauren Oliver
Published By: HarperCollins
Release Date: Oct. 2, 2012
Series: None
Pages: 256
Genre: Fantasy
Reading Level: Middle Grades
Source: Publisher
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: One night when Liza went to bed, Patrick was her chubby, stubby, candy-grubbing and pancake-loving younger brother, who irritated and amused her both, and the next morning, when she woke up, he was not. In fact, he was quite, quite different.

When Liza's brother, Patrick, changes overnight, Liza knows exactly what has happened: The spindlers have gotten to him and stolen his soul.

She knows, too, that she is the only one who can save him.

To rescue Patrick, Liza must go Below, armed with little more than her wits and a broom. There, she uncovers a vast world populated with talking rats, music-loving moles, greedy troglods, and overexcitable nids . . . as well as terrible dangers. But she will face her greatest challenge at the spindlers' nests, where she encounters the evil queen and must pass a series of deadly tests--or else her soul, too, will remain Below forever.

From "New York Times" best-selling author Lauren Oliver comes a bewitching story about the reaches of loyalty, the meaning of love, and the enduring power of hope.



I love Lauren Oliver's books, so even though this is MG rather than YA I wanted to give it a try. And I am glad I did. The Spindlers proves once again what a way Lauren Oliver has with words; the story is both imaginative and beautiful.

Liza has always been fascinated with stories of otherworldly creatures, stories told to her by her babysitter Anna. So when she wakes up one morning to discover that her brother Patrick is not really her brother Patrick anymore, she knows exactly what happened - the spindlers have stolen his soul. Knowing that her parents will be no help, Liza decides to go after Patrick's soul herself, which means going Below. Liza thinks she knows some of what she will find, but the world Below is even more vast and filled with more fantastical creatures than she could have imagined. Fortunately, she finds a friendly tour guide, and together with Mirabella she begins the journey to the land of the spindlers. But even if she makes it to the spindlers' land, can she really defeat the evil queen and rescue Patrick's soul?

Luaren Oliver packs so many good things into such a short book. Liza is a great protagonist and very authentic - she cares about her brother Patrick but has issues with her parents, she is afraid but willing to face her fears when necessary, and she is clever even though she makes mistakes. She also believes in the magic of stories, and her going Below really was like her stepping into a storybook. I enjoyed reading about her journey - there were plenty of tricks and turns, but there were also lighthearted moments, especially with Mirabella. In some ways aspects of The Spindlers had echos of other classic books, but Lauren's imaginative storytelling turned this book into a work that could stand on its own.

What really makes this book come to life is the writing style and vivid descriptions. I could clearly see the world Below as Liza experienced it; the descriptions turned fantasy into reality. I also enjoyed seeing so many inventive magical creatures in this book, especially the nocturni. With all that was going on, there was certainly never a dull moment in Liza's quest.

The Spindlers is a book thoroughly infused with magic and beauty; it is an entertaining read while also providing a good message. Readers of all ages will find something to enjoy in this story!

Gratitude Giveaway Hop

Welcome to this stop of the Gratitude Giveaway Hop, hosted by I am a reader, not a writer.

Blogging has certainly given me a lot to be thankful for, from the great books I've found that I would have missed otherwise to the wonderful friendships I have made in the blogging community. In addition, I am thankful for everyone who has supported this blog, for everyone who has offered advice and encouragement, and for those of you who read and follow! That being said, it's time for me to give something to you all.



~GIVEAWAY~

In order to include international followers, this giveaway will be for a book of the winner's choice (up to $15) from Book Depository.

The contest is open internationally as long as Book Depository ships to your country. Must be 13 to enter. Please see my Contest Policy for more information.

Must be a GFC follower to enter.

This contest will close on Monday, November 26 at 12:01am CST.





Don't forget to visit the many other stops on this hop!

"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:

RISE
By: Andrea Cremer
Published By: Philomel
Release Date: Jan. 8, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Note: Rise is the second of the Nightshade Prequels, following Rift, and the summary below may contain spoilers.

Goodreads Summary: The sequel to Rift and the prequel to the New York Times bestselling novel Nightshade.

Everything Conatus stands for is at risk. Hoping to gather enough resistance to save their order, Ember and Barrow attempt a desperate escape. But fate offers little mercy. When their mission is exposed, the couple face relentless pursuit by the supernatural horrors that act on the commands of Eira’s ally: the mysterious Bosque Mar. A shocking revelation forces Ember out of hiding, sending her back into the heart of dark magic at Tearmunn keep, where she must convince her old friend Alistair of her love or face dire consequences. Ember’s deception offers the only chance for the resistance to succeed, but what she discovers in the shadows beneath the keep will shatter her world and bring about the Witches’ War.

Richly sensual and full of magic, action and danger, Andrea Cremer's fifth book set in the Nightshade world is an edge-of-your-seat page turner.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.



Why it's wanted:
I loved Andrea Cremer's Nightshade trilogy, and Rift may have been even better. Rise is one of my most-anticipated books for 2013!

Teaser Tuesday (61)

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!

"The moment you fall in love feels like it has centuries behind it, generations - all of them rearranging themselves so that this precise, remarkable intersection could happen. In your heart, in your bones, no matter how silly you know it is, you feel that everything has been leading to this, all the secret arrows were pointing here, the universe and time itself have crafted this long ago, and you are just now realizing it, you are just now arriving at the place you were always meant to be."


p. 23 (ARC) from EVERY DAY by David Levithan
Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!

Opening Lines (1)

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!



DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT
By: Laini Taylor
Published By: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke and Bone, Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

"Prague, early May. The sky weighed gray over fairy-tale rooftops, and all the world was watching."


BURNING BLUE
By: Paul Griffin
Published By: Dial
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon

How far would you go for love, beauty, and jealousy?

When Nicole Castro, the most beautiful girl in her wealthy New Jersey high school, is splashed with acid on the left side of her perfect face, the whole world takes notice. But quiet loner Jay Nazarro does more than that--he decides to find out who did it. Jay understands how it feels to be treated like a freak, and he also has a secret: He's a brilliant hacker. But the deeper he digs, the more danger he's in--and the more he falls for Nicole. Too bad everyone is turning into a suspect, including Nicole herself.

Award-winning author Paul Griffin has written a high-stakes, soulful mystery about the meaning--and dangers--of love and beauty.

"I was at the cemetery when it happened."


VENOM
By: Fiona Paul
Published By: Philomel
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

"Man falls down before the Angel of Death like a beast before the slaughterer."


SAPPHIRE BLUE
By: Kerstin Gier
Published By: Henry Holt and Co.
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2012
Buy the Book: Amazon

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.

At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

"The streets of Southwark were dark and deserted."



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

Review: It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

IT'S NOT SUMMER WITHOUT YOU
By: Jenny Han
Published By: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: April 27, 2010
Series: Summer (#2)
Pages: 288
Genre: Contemporary
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Note: This is the second book in Summer trilogy, and the summary below may contain spoilers. You can see my review of the first book, The Summer I Turned Pretty, here.

Goodreads Summary: Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach? It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.

But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach.



I enjoyed the first book in the Summer trilogy, and it left me wanting to know what happened next. It's Not Summer Without You shows the characters in a new light and tells a story that is even more intense.

It's Not Summer Without You takes place the summer after the first book. In the interim year, so many things changed for Belly. For the first time ever, she isn't spending her summer at Cousins Beach. And no matter how many parties her friend Taylor takes her to, all Belly really wants is to be back at Cousins. But then Jeremiah calls Belly and tells her that Conrad is missing, and Belly doesn't hesitate when Jeremiah asks for her help in finding him. Together they search for Conrad, but really, they are searching for what they once had - their carefree summers at Cousins Beach.

The Summer I Turned Pretty, though I enjoyed it, also seemed to set the stage for what happened in this book. Conrad and Jeremiah had always been close as brothers, but after the events of the past year, Conrad began pulling away from everyone. Even Jeremiah has become more serious and less lighthearted. And yet Belly is still the same as always - she wants to be accepted by Conrad and Jeremiah, spend time with them, and her feelings for one of the brothers haven't gone away. This book was darker than the first one, examining how people deal with grief and separation. The pain in certain moments was almost tangible, and I suffered along with the characters. Throughout the book we see how for Belly, Jeremiah, and Conrad, some people in life are irreplaceable and also that some things are worth holding on to. Once again there are flashbacks in this book, showing what happened throughout the past year, and I was glad to know everything that happened.

However, as with the first book, I found myself wanting more of the story. Even though this book was more intense - the carefree summer gone and replaced with a time of people needing help and comfort - it was still a quick read, and the ending came far too soon. With some of the events in this book, the stakes for all three of the main characters became higher, and I want to know how things work out for them.

Once again I'm glad that all of these books have been published. The story of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah is easy to get lost in, and I am looking forward to the final installment!

"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:

EVERBOUND
By: Brodi Ashton
Published By: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: Jan. 22, 2013
Preorder the Book: Amazon

Note: Everbound is the second book in the Everneath trilogy, and the summary below may contain spoilers.

Goodreads Summary: Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.



Why it's wanted:
I really enjoyed Everneath, a retelling of the Persephone myth, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the story continues!

Teaser Tuesday (60)

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!

"She jumped into bed and yanked the duvet over her. It was all too complex. She needed to focus on her showcases and stop the daydreaming. But then, as she lay her head down, it only took a second to remember that kiss again and she was dreaming of him."


p. 125 (PDF) from PASSION AND PAIN by Kathy Petrakis
Please share your teasers - post them or link to your blog!

Review: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

THE SUMMER I TURNED PRETTY
By: Jenny Han
Published By: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 5, 2009
Series: Summer (#1)
Pages: 276
Genre: Contemporary
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Bought
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.



I’ve heard good things about Jenny Han’s Summer books for a while. Even though it’s no longer summer (though it still feels like it in Houston), I decided it was time to read these books. These books are the perfect read to pick up when you have a free afternoon or night and want to recapture the feeling of summer love.

Belly Conklin has always loved summer. For her, summer is her real life, and the school years are just something to be endured. Every summer, she, her brother, and her mother go to the beach house in Cousins, where they stay with her mother’s best friend Susannah and her boys Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has always longed to be one of the guys, but as the youngest, she’s always been excluded – until now. This summer, things are finally changing. This summer, she’s included in party invitations and allowed by the boys to hang out with them. And maybe, just maybe, this will be the summer that her crush on Conrad is finally returned. After all, this summer everything is different…if only Belly knew why.

Before reading The Summer I Turned Pretty, I’d read reviews that said this book wasn’t simply a lighthearted story but instead had more depth to it. Even still, the story wasn’t completely what I was expecting. There is some romance, yes, and it definitely has a summery feeling – I felt like I was at Cousins Beach along with Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah – but the book also examines how life is always changing and how certain events can change people. The story alternates flashbacks of previous summers at Cousins with the present-day narrative, and I enjoyed seeing how things unfolded in both timelines. As for the boys, it was interesting to see two brothers who were so different. Yet they both have their good qualities and their appeal, and it would be easy to fall for either one of them. I also liked Susannah’s character – she is just the kind of mom you would want, and she was a good second mother to Belly.

The one thing that struck me about this book was that it almost seemed to be like an exposition for the next book in the trilogy. Although there was depth to some of the memories and characters that I enjoyed, I felt as though I was constantly waiting for something big to happen. However, I know that there is much more to this story, and I am looking forward to finding out what it is.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Jenny Han captures days on the beach and spins a story from them in an engrossing way. I am certainly glad all of the books are already out so that I don’t have to wait for more of the story!

Review: Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

SWEET EVIL
By: Wendy Higgins
Published By: Harper Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Series: The Sweet Trilogy (#1)
Pages: 453
Genre: Paranormal
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: ALA Midwinter
Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Embrace the Forbidden

What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?

This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.

Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She's aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn't until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He's the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.

Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?



I have to admit that I almost didn't read Sweet Evil because it seemed like so many other paranormal books. However, I'm so glad I gave it a chance. There was more depth to the book than I expected, and I enjoyed both the characters and the story.

Anna Whitt has always been a good girl, staying out of trouble and keeping her best friend out of trouble too. Even though she sometimes feels the pull of temptation, she always resists it - until she meets Kaidan Rowe. Kaidan is the one thing she can't resist, but there might be more to the attraction than his bad-boy exterior. Kaidan can sense that there is something more to Anna, and Anna looks to Kaidan to help her understand those things that she can't. But soon Anna and Kaidan will find themselves caught in a situation with higher stakes than they could have ever imagined. And in the end, what will triumph - good or evil?

There are lots of angel stories on the market right now, but Sweet Evil stands out for more reasons than one. I loved the angel and demon lore in this book. Though it mostly seems to be taken from Christianity, it is expanded in a way that both seemed plausible and left me wanting to know more. But more than that, there are so many characters to love. From Jay, who is typically a good guy (and thankfully doesn't make a pass for Anna), to the Nephilim who have their own inner battles or deep secrets, to Kaidan, a swoon-worthy British drummer, the characters make this book come to life. Kaidan especially is one of the guys you hate to love and love to hate - sometimes I wanted to smack sense into him, but at other times I couldn't help but want to hug him. And then there is Anna herself, who can feel the emotions of others and sometimes finds herself susceptible to them. Despite that, she has a quiet strength about her, and I am looking forward to seeing her come into her own more as the story progresses.

In some ways Sweet Evil seems like two stories in one; Anna comes to know who she truly is - and there may be a road trip involved - and then Anna has to put her knowledge to use. Even with both aspects of the story, however, Sweet Evil is a fast read. There are intense moments of both happiness and sorrow, as well as some edgy scenes - after all, we are talking about demons. All of these aspects blended together beautifully for an engaging read.

Sweet Evil is a fantastic debut from Wendy Higgins that has definitely set the stage for so much more to come. With memorable characters and angel lore, it is worth the read. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy!