Interview with Sophie Jordan, author of Uninvited

Y'ALL. I am so excited to be sharing an interview with Sophie Jordan, author of Uninvited (which released Tuesday from HarperTeen), with you today! If you've read my review, you'll know I loved this book. I still can't get over how thought-provoking and action-packed it was, and am thrilled that I'll be meeting Sophie in person in February at the Dark Days tour stop in New Orleans. This is a book you should read ASAP--you won't regret it.

About Uninvited:

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

According to Goodreads, Uninvited is your 16th (I'm not counting novellas, unreleased books, or anthologies. I probably may have counted incorrectly, please correct me if this is wrong!) full-length published novel. (Congratulations, by the way!) How has the release day experience changed for you with each novel?

Thanks! Actually, I think I’m up to 22 (I’ve penned a six book paranormal series under the name Sharie Kohler, too) … but I lose count. ;)  

Every book release is different/special based on the book. This release is special because UNINVITED is a bit of a departure for me – it’s grittier, edgier and more complex to some degree than other books I’ve written in that it poses so many weighty questions. Also, it happens to be the first book in my first YA series since the Firelight trilogy.

What I loved most about Uninvited was how thought-provoking it was, how a story that could have simply just been action-packed fun (which it is!) is also poignant and asks hard questions. Is that what you set out to do in writing Uninvited? Or was it a product of the story, where Davy's story led you?

I think the story led me. Davy led me. Her conflict is one that begs several questions. Questions of identity, labels, bullying and discrimination. That said, every story for me has to have a romance,  action, danger, and a certain level of suspense. That’s what I enjoy reading and what I try to write.

What are some of your favorite books, or books that have influenced you as a writer? (Or both!)

Oh! So many. And this answer changes for me year to year. Early on, I was a big Victoria Holt fan. I devoured her books in my teen years. She does characterization and suspense so well.  Elie Weisel’s NIGHT was a big influencer – as well as TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Lisa McMann’s WAKE was the first YA that I read that dragged me back into the YA genre and made me want to write YA.

What book(s) are you most looking forward to reading this year?

This list keeps growing! I’m looking forward to Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY, Kimberly Derting’s THE TAKING, Jennifer Mathieu’s THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE. These are the first three that popped into my head, but there are many more. In romance, I’m also looking forward to the next Sarah MacLean and Tessa Bailey book.

Can you tell us one random, silly fact about yourself?

Hm. One little known fact is that I raised and showed rabbits as a girl … I started with four rabbits and ended up with 88 … no lie! They took over my father’s barn.

A big, huge thanks to Sophie Jordan for taking the time to answer my (maybe slightly-scatterbrained) questions! I am so happy to feature her here.

About the author:

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler. 

Find Sophie online: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Buy Uninvited: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

{Cover Reveal + Giveaway} Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols

Hi y'all! I'm super excited to be helping reveal the cover for Now That You're Here by Amy K. Nichols, which is out December 9th from Knopf Books for Young Readers! I first heard of this one when I got an email about participating in the cover reveal, and I immediately knew I wanted to read it! Just read the description--it sounds like your average contemporary, until it becomes all about parallel universes. I mean, who could say no to that? I can't wait to read this one. And be sure to stick around after the cover reveal to enter to win $25 in Paypal cash! Without further ado...

About the book:

Danny and Eevee are meant to be together . . . Just not in this universe.

Eevee Solomon has high school down to a science. Get the grades. Get the recommendations. Get into an Ivy League college, and eventually land a killer job at NASA.

Then Danny Ogden enters the equation.

Danny is a street-smart graffiti artist. He’s always managed to stay out of serious trouble, but this time he’s out of luck. One minute he’s running from the cops, and the next, he jolts awake in an unfamiliar body–his own, but different. Somehow, he’s crossed into a parallel universe. Now his friends are his enemies, his parents are long dead, and coolheaded Eevee is not the brazen girl he once kissed back home. Then again, this Eevee may be his only hope of getting home.

Eevee tells herself she’s only helping him in the name of quantum physics, but there’s something undeniably fascinating about this boy from another dimension . . . a boy who makes her question who she is, and who she might be in another place and time.

About the author:

Amy has been crafting stories for as long as she can remember. She earned a Master's in literature and worked for years as a web designer, though, before realizing what she really wanted to be was an author. Her first novel, YA sci-fi thriller Now That You're Here, will be published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on December 9, 2014. The follow-up, While You Were Gone, will be published in 2015. She is mentored by award-winning crime novelist James Sallis.

Amy is represented by Quinlan Lee of Adams Literary. She's an active member of SCBWI and SFWA, as well as a member of the Class of 2k14 debut authors.

Find Amy online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Class of 2k14

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Let's Talk About... What Makes You Pick Up a Book?

You know those books that you feel like you're going to die if you don't get a copy as soon as possible? Those books that you know you're going to go buy the day it releases, or you preorder as soon as it's up? Every so often, one of those comes up for me. It's not often, and most of the time those books are sequels. It's one thing to be terribly excited for a book by an author you've read or a book in a series you adore, but what about those from debut authors or authors you've never read? Just what is it about that book that makes you so desperate to have it? Is it word of mouth from other bloggers and starred reviews? Is it simply the synopsis or cover (or both together)? Is it a recommendation or blurb from one of your favorite authors?

As for me, it's a variety of things, and for each book I get so excited for that I have to buy a copy immediately, it's a different prevailing reason that I have to have it. For example, the book I most want right now is The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. I first heard of this book quite a while ago, but I wasn't desperate for a copy until I read the first couple of chapters on Tor's website. Normally, I don't often read excerpts from books before their publication; it's just not something I do, preferring to wait until the book is out to look into the writing. I made an exception, and that changed my opinion completely. From that day on, it's been on the top of my wishlist. Rave reviews from other bloggers and starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly (which aren't a big recommendation to me, just icing on the cake) have only added to my excitement.

Conversely, a book I just became enamored of is The Girl from the Well by Rin Chupeco. I saw it on Kai's Waiting on Wednesday, but I often read WoW posts that don't interest me or I'm only mildly interested in. I was sold on this one before I finished the first section of the synopsis. In this case, all it took to make me want this book was the synopsis. I didn't need a recommendation or excerpt, nothing. That being said, the few reviews in are rating this very highly, and the cover is pretty gorgeous--none of which hurts.

But, I believe most recommendations I listen to come from other bloggers. There are people whose taste coincide with mine, and I do listen to those reviews, but those are not what make up most of the recommendations I listen to. Generally, it's a whole grouping of reviews that tends to sway me more.

So, what makes you want to read a book? If it's a mix of things, what do you listen to most often? OR, do you just pick what you want, without any consideration for other's opinions?

Waiting on Wednesday: Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3) by Tahereh Mafi {30}

Title: Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3)
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release date: February 4, 2014

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, called "a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love."

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew-about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam-was wrong.

In Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi created a captivating and original story that combined the best of dystopian and paranormal and was praised by Publishers Weekly as "a gripping read from an author who's not afraid to take risks." The sequel, Unravel Me, blew readers away with heart-racing twists and turns, and New York Times bestselling author Kami Garcia said it was "dangerous, sexy, romantic, and intense." Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and climactic end.

Yep, I waited this long to feature Ignite Me! And now I don't have to agonize all day thinking about it, since it's out in less than a week! Wahoo! I'll definitely be going to the bookstore on Tuesday after class to get this. :)

So what are you guys waiting on this week? :)

Teaser Tuesday: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer {56}

Title: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release date: February 4, 2014
Pages: 560

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can.

My teaser, from p. 70 in the ARC:

It always came back to love. More than freedom, more than acceptance--love. True love, like they sang about in the second era. The kind that filled up a person's soul. The kind that lent itself to dramatic gestures and sacrifices. The kind that was irresistible and all-encompassing.

I'm so in love with this series. I'm trying to read this one slowly (as I write this on Monday, but it's likely I'll be done with it before this post even goes up.) I don't even know how I'm going to wait until next year for Winter!

I'll be visiting around and visiting back, so leave me links to your teasers! :) Happy Tuesday!

Review: Mind Games by Kiersten White

Release date: February 19, 2013
Author info: Website | Twitter
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 237
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

In a stunning departure from her New York Times bestselling Paranormalcy trilogy, Kiersten White delivers a slick, edgy, heartstoppingly intense psychological thriller about two sisters determined to protect each other—no matter the cost.

I've not read any of Kiersten White's other books, but if they're anything like this one, that bodes well for me. With an incredibly intriguing setup and flawed but well-intentioned characters, Mind Games is a thrill ride that feels even shorter than its brief 237 pages, in the best way.

Written in a stream of consciousness style, Mind Games follows sisters Fia and Annie as they fight against the school and powers who entrap and exploit their abilities. With Fia's infallible insticts and Annie's ability to see snippets of the future, they're both extraordinary girls ensnared in the machinations of a man and his desire for power. This doesn't keep them from fighting back, though. Even as Fia is forced to commit horrendous crimes, she is constantly searching for a way to save herself and Annie, believing Annie is in need of her help. But Annie is less than helpless, also on working towards freedom. Neither is willing to take their situation lying down, despite the seemingly insurmountable situation they're stuck in.

I could easily see the style in which the book is written causing some readers frustration, and it's a style that you either like or dislike. I, personally, like it. It adds a sense of immediacy to the story, making the reader feel as if they're closer to what's going on and adding to the fight scenes, especially. At times, the stream of thoughts got a little convoluted and at other times, without much subtlety. That being said, for me, the device worked more than it didn't.

You're left constantly wondering who you can trust. At times, it's even questionable whether Fia's and Annie's motivations are wholly pure. This is a world in which you can't know who to trust. At times it seems even the "good" guys aren't good at all. This makes for a terse, exciting read in which you're always wondering who you, and Fia and Annie, can trust.

Though Mind Games is likely not for everyone, if you can handle the narration style, give this a try! Short and fast-paced, Mind Games flies by enjoyably. I'll certainly be reading Perfect Lies, the sequel which is out February 18, as soon as I can.

About the author:

Kiersten White is the NYT bestselling author of the Paranormalcy trilogy and the Mind Games series, as well as The Chaos of Stars. She has one tall husband and three small children and lives near the ocean, where her life is perfectly normal. Visit her at www.kierstenwhite.com.

Stacking the Shelves {52}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

Notice anything different? :) For those of you who can't tell, I got a new blog design!! I put it in yesterday, and am loving it so far. Please let me know if you come across anything that's not right! :) Anyways, how was everybody's week? Mine's been good! Much slower in terms of books, so that's good, really. I have so much to read.

For review:

The Fifty-Seven Lives of Alex Wayfare by M.G. Buehrlen

A big, big thanks to Strange Chemistry and Netgalley for this! :)

Library:

Mind Games by Kiersten White
Spellcaster by Claudia Gray

A recap of the week here on Paper Cuts:
Monday - Review: Shadowplay (Pantomime #2) by Laura Lam
Tuesday - Teaser Tuesday: Avalon by Mindee Arnett {55}
Wednesday - Waiting on Wednesday: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson {29}
Thursday - Let's Talk About... Finishing Series
Friday - Review: Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) by Colleen Hoover

Books I read this week:
Shadowplay (Pantomime #2) by Laura Lam
Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) by Colleen Hoover
Mind Games by Kiersten White

I'm currently reading:
Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

So that's been my week! I'm pretty darn happy with it. :) Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous week!

Excuse My Mess

Y'all, I have FINALLY invested in a new blog design! This lovely little design I've had for the blog's entire lifetime has worked well, but I decided it was time to get something a little more sleek, a little more clean, and just something that wasn't a straight Blogger template.

So, that means the blog might be a little messy and awkward for the next couple of days as I get everything set up for the new design. Please excuse my mess! Hopefully it won't take long! :)

Review: Point of Retreat (Slammed #2) by Colleen Hoover

Release date: September 18, 2012
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 302
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Layken and Will have managed to overcome the obstacles that threatened to destroy their love, proving that they are destined for one another. What they are about to learn, however, is that the things that have brought them together may be the very things that ruin their connection forever...

Layken is left second-guessing the relationship whilst Will is jumping over hurdles to prove his love for her. What the young lovers discover about themselves along this journey may change their entire world, and the lives of those who depend upon them the most...

It's been a while since I read Slammed, but it was the kind of book that just captivated me. And Point of Retreat was no different. In many ways, there's no way for me to explain that. It's a feeling, a drive to continue reading even when I probably should go to sleep, when I should do homework. There just aren't that many books out there that do that to me.

Months after Layken's mom's death, Lake and Will are trying to keep everything together. Together they're parenting, going to school, and just trying to form a steady home for their brothers. But life can't help but keep throwing punches at them. When the past and accidents threaten to eliminate a future, Layken and Will have to decide where their point of retreat lies.

While I think Point of Retreat could have felt all too similar to Slammed, even maybe without having quite as captivating a plot, reading from Will's point of view made it different enough to keep the story feeling fresh. That's not to mention the addition of the absolutely fantastic Kiersten. That girl would be my new best friend if I met her. She's the perfect addition to Caulder and Kel's neighborhood group. (Kel and Caulder also continue to be laugh-out-loud funny and the best characters in the book.) It's also lovely to see the after of a happily-ever-after kind of book. That time is not often explored, even as it's filled with problems. I suppose it's not traditionally "romantic" enough, but please let Colleen Hoover show you all otherwise. This book is perfectly romantic, I promise.

The plot of this one isn't as strong as Slammed, and that may be partially because there's just so many events packed into its pages. It's hard to focus on each one, though, since you're swept from one to the other quickly. Either of the book's largest events should have been the focus, rather than having two.

Honestly, you could pretty much read this book to read Will's slam. It'll wring your heart and make you fall in love with him all over again or for the first time. Even without that, it's a great, engrossing read. Colleen Hoover's got my heart in her little hands and I can tell she'll break it time and time again. I'm okay with that. :)

About the author:

Colleen Hoover is the author of five New York Times bestselling novels. Her first series was published in 2012 and includes SLAMMED, POINT OF RETREAT and the companion novel THIS GIRL. Her second series, published in 2013, includes the #1 NYT's bestseller HOPELESS and the companion novel, LOSING HOPE. She has released a free novella, FINDING CINDERELLA, as a thank you to her readers for their continued support. The novella is a companion to her Hopeless series, but can be read as a standalone.

You can follow Colleen on Instagram @colleenhoover if you want to watch her pointless, random videos. You can also follow her on TWITTER, but she rarely tweets anything worth following. You can also find her on her blog at www.colleenhoover.com or on her very active Facebook page at facebook.com/authorcolleenhoover where she loves to give away free stuff when her husband isn't looking.

Let's Talk About... Finishing Series

Last year, it seemed like a lot of series ended. I mean, Allegiant, Boundless, Champion, and The Bitter Kingdom all were released in 2013, just to name a few off the top of my head. And you know what? Out of those four, I've read one. I don't know what's come over me, but I've stopped finishing series.

I get thrilled for the last book and I get a copy of it, but once I have my copy, it sits on my shelf for ages. I got Boundless about a year ago and I've not picked it up once. It sits on my shelf, gathering dust. So now I have to ask myself: Why?

In looking at the four books I listed, I notice that with the three I've not read, I had distinct trepidation in finishing the series even before reviews appeared. But when reviews began to show up, they were not what I was hoping they'd be, especially with Allegiant. And as soon as people said they were disappointed, I couldn't bring myself to read the books, to be disappointed as well. I read The Bitter Kingdom because the couple of reviews I'd seen were wholly positive, and I somehow trusted the series to end the way I wanted it to.

I don't what it is. I'm perfectly happy to read second books. But I think I've got at least ten series-ending books that I've not read and probably won't for a while, probably until I force myself.

So what about you? Do you immediately start series-ending books because you want to see what happens? Or do you put it off? 

Waiting on Wednesday: The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson {29}

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly awaiting!!

Title: The Kiss of Deception (The Remnant Chronicles #1)
Author: Mary E. Pearson
Release date: July 15, 2014

In this timeless new trilogy about love and sacrifice, a princess must find her place in a reborn world.

In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighboring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assasin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

I LOVE the sound of this and the cover, but I do worry about there being a love triangle. I mean, two handsome strangers? Meh.

So what are you guys waiting on this week? :)

Teaser Tuesday: Avalon by Mindee Arnett {55}

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Title: Avalon
Author: Mindee Arnett
Release date: January 21, 2014
Pages: 432

A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Avalon is the perfect fit for teens new to sci-fi as well as seasoned sci-fi readers looking for more books in the YA space-and a great match for fans of Joss Whedon's cult hit show Firefly.

My teaser, from 11% in the egalley:

Dread pounded in Jeth's temples. They were waiting for him. Bentley had sent the damage report to Hammer already.

And now it was time to pay.

I'm just starting this today, but I really enjoyed Mindee's last book, The Nightmare Affair, and I love science fiction, so I'm hoping this'll be really good! :) Also, it's being released today!

I'll be visiting around and visiting back, so leave me links to your teasers! :) Happy Tuesday!

{Release Day Excerpt + Giveaway} Avalon by Mindee Arnett

Hoorah! Today is the release day for Avalon by Mindee Arnett! In celebration, I've got a short excerpt and giveaway to share with you all.

About Avalon:

A ragtag group of teenage mercenaries who crew the spaceship Avalon stumble upon a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy in this fascinating and fast-paced sci-fi adventure from author Mindee Arnett.

Of the various star systems that make up the Confederation, most lie thousands of light-years from First Earth-and out here, no one is free. The agencies that govern the Confederation are as corrupt as the crime bosses who patrol it, and power is held by anyone with enough greed and ruthlessness to claim it. That power is derived from one thing: metatech, the devices that allow people to travel great distances faster than the speed of light.

Jeth Seagrave and his crew of teenage mercenaries have survived in this world by stealing unsecured metatech, and they're damn good at it. Jeth doesn't care about the politics or the law; all he cares about is earning enough money to buy back his parents' ship, Avalon, from his crime-boss employer and getting himself and his sister, Lizzie, the heck out of Dodge. But when Jeth finds himself in possession of information that both the crime bosses and the government are willing to kill for, he is going to have to ask himself how far he'll go to get the freedom he's wanted for so long.

Find Mindee: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Goodreads

Buy Avalon: Amazon | B&N | Books-a-million | IndieBound | Google Play | Kobo | iTunes

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Review: Shadowplay (Pantomime #2) by Laura Lam

Release date: January 2, 2014

Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Publisher: Strange Chemistry

Pages: 400

Format: Egalley

Source: Publisher provided through Netgalley

Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

The circus lies behind Micah Grey in dust and ashes.

He and the white clown, Drystan, take refuge with the once-great magician, Jasper Maske. When Maske agrees to teach them his trade, his embittered rival challenges them to a duel which could decide all of their fates.

People also hunt both Micah and the person he was before the circus–the runaway daughter of a noble family. And Micah discovers there is magic and power in the world, far beyond the card tricks and illusions he’s perfecting…

A tale of phantom wings, a clockwork hand, and the delicate unfurling of new love, Shadowplay continues Micah Grey’s extraordinary journey.

Shadowplay absolutely solidifies my complete love and admiration for this series. Not only do the mythology and world grow, but it's all set behind a stunning story of love, trust, and family--with magic!

Beginning almost immediately after Pantomime ended, Micah and Drystan are on the run, searching desperately for somewhere safe to stay. They come to Jasper Maske, a man Drystan knows from his secret past, and his Kymri Theatre. And though Drystan trusts Maske, Micah is less keen to do so. In order to make money to leave Ellada, Micah and Drystan begin to learn magic from Maske. Soon, Maske's old rival has challenged them to a duel that could restore Maske's once stellar reputation and give Micah and Drystan the means to leave the country. Even with this on their plates, Micah and Drystan are being pursued by more than one mysterious person, and Micah is coming to learn there is more magic in their world than ever imagined.

If you read this book (series, really) for no other reason, read it for Micah and his situation. (In an attempt not to reveal spoilers for those who haven't read the first book, it is a "situation".) It is unique and not something I've seen anywhere else, but that's not why it's so special to this series. What makes this series so special is the treatment. Never does the situation feel exploitative or there for shock value. And Micah's journey into acceptance is lovely and truly wonderful. He comes to feel comfortable in his skin, just as he is.

Part of this comfort stems from his relationship with Drystan, and this whole romance plot line is, honestly, beautiful, yet understated and slow. Drystan seems to take rather a backseat to Cyan, which makes sense given that she needs introduction like Drystan got in the first book, but there would have been no complaints had he been around a lot more. That being said, Cyan is an interesting character herself, with just as many secrets and as much history as the rest.

There is quite a lot revealed in this book, not only explaining certain moments from the first book but also setting up for the final book. We see a lot of Chimera and learn a lot about them and how they disappeared. It's obvious most people can't be trusted, and this should all lead into an explosive finale.

If you haven't read Pantomime, I thoroughly recommend that changes soon. (I've attempted to avoid spoilers for the first book, in the hopes that anyone who sees this will go and read it! Hence vagueness.) Shadowplay is a worthy sequel that expounds on everything set up in the first book and brings new strings into the fold. It reveals new characters and love. It is mysterious and magical. Read it, eh?

About the author:

Laura Lam was raised near San Francisco, California, by two former Haight-Ashbury hippies. Both of them encouraged her to finger-paint to her heart’s desire, colour outside of the lines, and consider the library a second home. This led to an overabundance of daydreams.

She relocated to Scotland to be with her husband, whom she met on the internet when he insulted her taste in books. She almost blocked him but is glad she didn’t. At times she misses the sunshine.

Stacking the Shelves {51}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

How was everybody's week? Mine's been kind of fantastic. A big, big week for review books! One package came last week, but I was at school so I got it this week. I was so ecstatic to see what came! I am one happy girl. :)

For review:

Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer
The Rule of Three by Eric Walters
Perfect Lies (Mind Games #2) by Kiersten White
Death Sworn by Leah Cypess
Pretty Sly (Pretty Crooked #2) by Elisa Ludwig
Tremor (Pulse #2) by Patrick Carman
Steadfast (Spellcaster #2) by Claudia Gray
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

The Shadow Throne (The Ascendance Trilogy #3) by Jennifer A. Nielsen
The Tyrant's Daughter by J.C. Carleson
Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Queen of Hearts by Colleen Oakes
Hungry by H.A. Swain
Second Star by Alyssa B. Sheinmel

A big, big thanks to Macmillan, HarperCollins, Scholastic, Alfred A. Knopf, Sparkpress, and Netgalley for these! :)

A recap of the week here on Paper Cuts:
Monday - I reviewed Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge.
Tuesday - I teased from Faking It by Cora Carmack.
Wednesday - I'm waiting on Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore.
Thursday - I discussed supporting the larger bookstores along with indies.
Friday - I reviewed Uninvited by Sophie Jordan.

Books I read this week:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

I'm currently reading:
Shadowplay (Pantomime #2) by Laura Lam

So that's been my week! Oi. School is already rearing its ugly head. I've already written and turned in one paper and am currently working on my second one. But, I like my classes! I'm home this weekend, which leaves a lot less time to do work and read, but I'm at school for the next couple of weekends. That means TIME. Obviously, I've got a lot of reading to do! :) Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous week!

Review: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Release date: January 28, 2014
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 384
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher provided for review
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.

The first in a two-book series, Uninvited tackles intriguing questions about free will, identity, and human nature. Steeped in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan's trademark mix of gripping action and breathless romance, this suspenseful tale is perfect for fans of James Patterson, Michelle Hodkin, and Lisa McMann.

Uninvited is definitely an interesting and surprising read. On one hand, it's fast-paced and thrilling, with well-done fight scenes and an easily recognized world. On the other, it deals with the premise of a genetic syndrome that foretells murderers in a surprisingly nuanced way. Clearly, my hands agree that Uninvited is a n entertaining, can't-miss novel that takes the reader in unexpected and thought-provoking directions.

Davy is a golden girl. A musical prodigy who has been accepted into Julliard, Davy is dating the best-looking boy in school and knows the other girls envy her for it. Everything is going right for her. Until she gets the news that she has the "kill gene". Immediately, Davy is removed from her elite school, her acceptance into Julliard is rescinded, and every one of her friends has abandoned her. Davy has to navigate her new life as a carrier without friends or a future. But even as she grudgingly begins to accept her new life, the public is beginning an uproar about the carriers, leading the government to make drastic changes to the lives of all carriers.

What you expect from this novel is Davy's story, straightforward and easily digestible. What you get from this novel is Davy's story, conflicted and emotional. You expect action (and you get action!) but you also get Davy's crisis of what to believe. At the beginning, Davy's position on the carriers is just like the rest of the public's. No one without the gene sees them as human beings anymore. No one sees their side. But with the knowledge that she has this gene, Davy has to reconcile what she believes with who she knows herself to be. Do you believe the word of science and the government, or do you trust yourself? Are you a killer because that's how you are born, or are you a killer because circumstances have led you to it? These are the questions that fuel this novel, and they're not answered.

Even while I was pondering deep questions, I was also deeply entertained. Uninvited is a novel you won't want to put down while you're reading. The pace is such that each chapter will pull you in and you'll keep telling yourself, "Just one more," until you've finished. And then you'll sit for the next hour pondering. The romance is natural and makes sense, not to mention Sean is an fascinating love interest. He's tough so Davy can be soft; he's ready to take action so Davy can think things through.

The only thing that didn't sit with me was that Davy seemed to get out of each and every one of her sticky situations just a bit too easily. Either she managed something lucky, or someone came to save her. It didn't feel like the stakes were high enough in these instances because I could expect no consequences.

Nonetheless, Uninvited is a surprising book that could have been a soulless action piece but instead is fodder for discussion and consideration. With characters that make you pull for them and a world that is all-too plausible, this is a novel you won't want to miss.

About the author:

Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Avon historical romances. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she's not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes and Diet cherry Coke preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with true-crime and reality-TV shows. Sophie also writes paranormal romances under the name Sharie Kohler. 

Let's Talk About... Supporting Those Large Bookstores

On Monday, Alison at Alison Can Read wrote about how she thinks supporting her local Barnes & Noble is just as important--if not more so--than supporting indies. This sounds kind of radical, right? But it's really not. She brought up some great points (and you should just go read the post) about how much the book industry would suffer from the demise of Barnes & Noble as a whole. I wholeheartedly agree with each and everything she says.

I love to paint Amazon as the devil to people, and I actively discourage them from buying anything from them. I understand they have great deals and all, and I even buy all of my ebooks from them (I really like the Kindle app.) But supporting Barnes & Noble as a brick-and-mortar bookstore is crucial. (Really, this applies to any other brick-and-mortar stores, but at least in the US, there really aren't any others.) Like Alison says, not only does Barnes & Noble provide jobs for people in each store's community, but publishers employ people to work with Barnes & Noble. Authors gain huge amounts of exposure from being sold in Barnes & Noble. I know that when I worked at Pelican this summer, they were so thrilled when Barnes & Noble picked up a book from them to carry in stores. That meant the book was in front of people, more likely to be picked up given the smaller number of choices in a physical store over the internet.

 My home B&N.
Source

Amazon--but especially books.

I don't have indie bookstores in either of the cities I spend most of my time. The closest one to me at home is over an hour away, and though I visit often, it's just not conducive to me spending large amounts of time or money there. At school, I don't even know of an indie within an hour. That means if I want to go pick up a book on a whim, I go to Barnes & Noble or I go to my library. I do both weekly.

I am not out of the ordinary when it comes to access to bookstores. I know of a lot of people who don't have a single bookstore close by. Most cities, even mid-sized ones like the two I spend most of my time in, absolutely cannot support an indie. But, they can support a store than can be a part of a larger company. They can support a store that sells a variety of items and serves as a gathering place. But, they really cannot support an indie and a larger store.

I think we get so obsessed with the idea that indies are dying and that we have to save them. And that's absolutely true! Keeping indies open is desperately important but, in that zeal, we also need to remember how important companies that serve a larger audience are as well. I get that indies have a certain atmosphere where you know the sellers, where the sellers may have a deep knowledge of books. But I've found that I've gotten to know the employees at my B&Ns just as well as those at the indies and that, while some B&N employees aren't the most knowledgeable, they're always friendly and eager to help. Share the love! Why can't we keep all brick-and-mortar bookstores open?

Waiting on Wednesday: Dark Metropolis by Jaclyn Dolamore {28}

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly awaiting!!

Title: Dark Metropolis
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Release date: June 17, 2014

Sixteen-year-old Thea Holder's mother is cursed with a spell that's driving her mad, and whenever they touch, Thea is chilled by the magic, too. With no one else to contribute, Thea must make a living for both of them in a sinister city, where danger lurks and greed rules. Thea spends her nights waitressing at the decadent Telephone Club attending to the glitzy clientele. But when her best friend, Nan, vanishes, Thea is compelled to find her. She meets Freddy, a young, magnetic patron at the club, and he agrees to help her uncover the city's secrets-even while he hides secrets of his own.

Together, they find a whole new side of the city. Unrest is brewing behind closed doors as whispers of a gruesome magic spread. And if they're not careful, the heartless masterminds behind the growing disappearances will be after them, too.

It's set in the 1930's I believe, so this kind of reminds me of The Diviners, which I loved, so that bodes well! :)

So what are you guys waiting on this week? :)

Teaser Tuesday: Faking It by Cora Carmack {54}

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Title: Faking It (Losing It #2)
Author: Cora Carmack
Release date: June 4, 2013
Pages: 304

Mackenzie “Max” Miller has a problem. Her parents have arrived in town for a surprise visit, and if they see her dyed hair, tattoos, and piercings, they just might disown her. Even worse, they’re expecting to meet a nice, wholesome boyfriend, not a guy named Mace who has a neck tattoo and plays in a band. All her lies are about to come crashing down around her, but then she meets Cade.

Cade moved to Philadelphia to act and to leave his problems behind in Texas. So far though, he’s kept the problems and had very little opportunity to take the stage. When Max approaches him in a coffee shop with a crazy request to pretend to be her boyfriend, he agrees to play the part. But when Cade plays the role a little too well, they’re forced to keep the ruse going. And the more they fake the relationship, the more real it begins to feel.

My teaser, from page 99 in the ebook:

"I'm done. I won't ignore.
I won't pretend or resist."

His hand settled at the base of my back. The last line was half-sung, half-spoken, and I was half-mad with desire.

"I want more."

I read and enjoyed Losing It a while ago, and I picked this up the other day, since it's on sale! I'll be reading it next. :)

I'll be visiting around and visiting back, so leave me links to your teasers! :) Happy Tuesday!

Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Release date: January 28, 2014
Author info: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 352
Format: ARC
Source: Gifted
Buy the book: Barnes & Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.

I've never made it a secret that Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairy tale. You would think most of that love stems from the Disney movie, and while I love the Disney movie, that's untrue. What made Beauty and the Beast such a magical and transformative story to me were Robin McKinley's retellings. She has written two, Beauty and Rose Daughter, and both are wonderful. I consider both among my favorite books of all time, and what makes them, especially Rose Daughter, so magical is the deeper understanding and ownership of the story. Yes, it's still the basic format, but Robin McKinley makes the story her own, making her characters deeper and their journeys more than just learning to love. I love Cruel Beauty for this same reason. Again, the basic story elements are present, but Rosamund Hodge takes complete ownership over this story. Her Beast and her Beauty are so different from the norm, and their actions seem so out of character for the fairy tale, but it works. It makes for a deep and brutal, yet utterly lovely story.

Nyx Triskelion has been raised knowing she would marry and kill the Gentle Lord, the mysterious man who rules her country and controls the demons that threaten to run rampant. This duty also means she will die. She knows it's her job and she knows she will fulfill it, but she resents everyone--her sister, who is favored by her father and seemingly completely carefree; her father, who refuses to bestow her with love; her aunt, who seems to have attempted to take her deceased mother's place. She knows darkness lingers in her heart, but also hates her lot in life, knowing her death is her father's choice. But when Nyx arrives at the Gentle Lord's castle, nothing happens as she anticipates. The Lord, named Ignifex, doesn't seem as dark or as evil as she believed him to be. He doesn't try to possess her body, and he is devilishly charming. With this, Nyx is torn between her growing attraction to Ignifex--a hope that her life could be different than she always believed--and her duty, tied with knowledge that she needs to save her people.

The story is one that is all-consuming, pushing you into the world headfirst and forcing you to gain your bearings quickly. Once that happens, you are enthralled by Nyx's unexpected personality and darkness and charmed by Ignifex's surprisingly un-beastly manners and his struggles. Their personalities complement one another, and theirs is a relationship born out of mutual knowledge of the other, with no pretensions or falsity.

The mix of Beauty and the Beast and myth is just wonderful, and Hodge does a good job making the fairy tale into a mythic story, with the trickiness and caprice of the gods showing through. The writing itself is also quite lovely, though never especially flowery. It fits the story perfectly.

I would say that the ending is a bit confusing, with a lot happening in one quick burst, and it's hard to understand just exactly what went on to form the resolution. That's not to say you won't get the gist of the ending, but it might not perfectly make sense--and maybe that's intentional. To be comprehended but not understood. This entire world is a complicated one, though, and I'm rather in awe of Rosamund Hodge for coming up with it to begin with.

What makes this story unique, aside from what I mentioned before, is that the characters aren't necessarily likable. They're not righteous or humble or even kind, but they're real. Each character has their good sides but also their bad sides, and that's what makes you root for them all the way through. Cruel Beauty is a standout amongst retellings, and a new favorite of mine.

About the author:

I love mythology, Hello Kitty, and T. S. Eliot. My debut novel, CRUEL BEAUTY (a YA fairytale fantasy, where Greek mythology meets Beauty and the Beast), is due out from Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins in Winter 2014.

Stacking the Shelves {50}

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews where we get to share the books we've bought, been gifted, or received for review!

How was everybody's week? Mine's been good! Since school only just started I've not got a lot of work, so that's awesome. That will change. I've already figured that after the third week of class or so I've got a paper due every week. Fun times. :) Anyways, on to the books!

For review:

The Secrets of Lily Graves by Sarah Strohmeyer

The Secret Diamond Sisters by Michelle Madow

A big, big thanks to Balzer + Bray, Edelweiss, and Harlequin Teen for these! :)

Library: 

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

A recap of the week here on Paper Cuts:
Monday - I reviewed Defy by Sara B. Larson.
Tuesday - I teased from Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge.
Wednesday - I'm waiting on The Ring & The Crown by Melissa de la Cruz.
Thursday - I discussed book signings and how I act at them.
Friday - I reviewed A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller.

Books I read this week:
A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller
Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

I'm currently reading:
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

So that's been my week! First few days of classes went by without too much hassle, though I've not been to two of my classes yet. I'm reading Vampire Academy! With the movie coming out, I decided it was time I tried out the series. So far, I'm enjoying it. :) Have a lovely Sunday and a fabulous week!