Previous Monday Muse Author Interviews

Alexander, Jill S.

Allison, Jennifer

Barham, Lisa

Blume, Lesley MM

Bowe, Julie

Collins, Yvonne

Davis, Katie

Dee, Barbara

Deriso, Christine Hurley

Dionne, Erin

Dunbar, Fiona

Durst, Sarah Beth

Eland, Lindsay

Gephart, Donna

Gerber, Linda

Grab, Daphne

Greenwald, Lisa

Hogan, Mary

Houts, Michelle

Hubbard, Mandy

Jabaley, Jennifer

Knight, Rachelle Rogers

Kraut, Julie

Lichtman, Wendy

Liu, Cynthea

Mantchev, Lisa

McBride, Susan

Messina, Lynn

Ostow, Micol

Pauley, Kimberly

Petroff, Shani

Rideout, Sandy

Rosenbaum, Bev Katz

Rowen, Michelle

Schaefer, Laura

Schmais, Libby

Selfors, Suzanne

Sheinmel, Courtney

Stapleton, Rhonda

Summy, Barrie

Toliver, Wendy

Trueit, Trudi

Walker, Melissa

Watson, Sasha

Yang, J.A

Young, Alexa

Zielin, Lara

Hex Hall

Author: Rachel Hawkins

Pages: 323

Published: March 2010, Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Fantasy

Cover Score: A-

Overall Grade: A

Source: Amazon.com

After a prom spell gone awry, Sophie Mercer, witch-in-training, is sent to Hex Hall--a reformatory school for wayward "Prodigium" (aka witches, faeries, and shapeshifters) by her powerful warlock of a father. There, along with her fellow "freak-teens", she will learn to keep her magic in check and learn more about the world she never knew, growing up with a non-witch mother. However, by the end of her first day, Sophie has gotten on the wrong side of a powerful, model-worthy coven of witches; developed a crush on the school's resident bad-boy; and has befriended the most unpopular girl in school (a vampire). But as Sophie continues her first year at Hex, a series of vicious, attacks on Prodigium occurs--and the suspected predator is Sophie's only friend!

My thoughts: Wow--Hex Hall totally blew me away! After reading the summary of the book, I was expecting a light, fun, magical read. But this story was full of dark events and creepiness that totally bumped up the drama and made the story spooky and addicting.

Sophie was a funny, honest, and amusing main character. She narrated with detail and sarcasm that made you feel up-close-and-personal with what was going on in the story: the characters, the setting, and the events. I could perfectly picture Hex Hall in my head: it was a creative anti-Hogwarts that made a thrilling, spooky background for the action in the story.

And there was a lot of thrilling, magical action. I don't want to give too much away, but the way that the Prodigium attacks (as well as Alice, the coven, and the Jenna drama) were incorporated into the book was chilling and suspenseful. I was madly flipping pages up until the exciting conclusion! My only complaint would be that all the good drama happened in the last few pages of the book.

I want more! I must admit, I'm totally hooked--Hex Hall was possibly one of the best books I've read this year. When does the sequel come out? (:

Must-Read! Check it Out! Don't Bother

Meet Sarah Beth Durst's Upcoming Enchanted Ivy!

I'm a huge fan of Sarah Beth Durst, so when she blogged about her new book, Enchanted Ivy, I was super-excited! Enchanted Ivy will be published by October 12, 2010 by Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books. How awesome does it sound??

A story about getting into college. You know, taking the campus tour, talking to the gargoyles, flirting with the were-tigers, riding the dragons...

While visiting the campus of Princeton University, 16-year-old Lily discovers a secret gate to a magical realm and must race against time to save herself, her world, and any hope she has of college admission.

Grrr....I want to read it NOW! And how gorgeous is that cover? Gah....

New Moon

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Pages: 563

Published: Megan Tingley Books, 2006

Genre: Fantasy/Romance

Cover Score: A

Overall Grade: A-

Source: Bookstore

Summary: The love of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen can't be broken by anything...can it? When Edward's family leaves Forks after an unfortunate incident, Bella is left to fend for herself, even with the complications of a lethal rival vampire hunting her. Now everything and everyone that Bella loves is endangered. But when Bella rekindles her friendship with Jacob Black, she finds a safe haven where she can be herself without the intense pain she gets from Edward's absence..until Jacob reveals a secret that could change everything and that leaves drama and danger in its wake...

My thoughts: So much better than Twilight. My reason? The lack of Edward for most of the story made the book so much more interesting. Twilight was filled with page after unnecessary page of gushy Edward-Bella romantic dialogue that bored me to death. However, the loss of Edward causes major drama in the second book--Bella finds a new friend to lean on in Jacob, but a dark secret causes tension, as well as the fact that vicious vampire Victoria is hunting Bella.

The action kept me riveted to my seat, wildly flipping pages through all of the fast-paced action. Having only seen the movies, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the book. In the movies, the acting totally disappointed me--but I was pleased by how different the book is. There is some humor sprinkled between the action, romance, and drama, and the friendship between Bella and Jacob was realistic and funny. The Volturi adds new interest, and the action-packed ending left me wanting more. The book is pretty big, but even reluctant readers won't be able to put it down. After the slow, lagging plot of Twilight, New Moon was like a speeding bullet train--but Ms. Meyer didn't skimp on details. The emotions and actions of the characters were explained in full detail so that the reader felt submerged in the events. My interest in this series has definitely been renewed, and I'm ordering Eclipse ASAP from Amazon!

Must-Read! Check it Out! Don't Bother

Cashing In

Author: Susan Colebank

Pages: 314

Published: Dutton, 2009

Genre: Contemporary fiction

Cover: B+

Overall Grade: A-

Source: Library

Ever since Regina Shaw's dad died, life has gone downhill. Reggie's mom is gambling away the family's money, they're drowning in debt, Reggie is invisible and failing at school, and is working overtime at her Arizona town's Cashmart. But when the Shaws win the lottery, life takes an unexpected turn for the better: Reggie can now afford whatever she wants, and earns instant popularity at school with the kids who used to ignore her. However, her old friends and new love interest might be driven away, and Reggie's ever-spending mom is hiding more than she owns up to. Money can't buy happiness, but will Reggie be forced to learn the hard way?

My thoughts: I was totally surprised at Cashing In. At first glance, I thought it was going to be a light, cheery chick lit read. Boy, was I wrong. The book is quick and constantly moving, but is filled with deeper meaning and darker concepts. Reggie's mother is a compulsive spender, gambling away every last cent that the family has. Colebank illustrates this in agonizing detail, and readers will be sympathizing for the hardworking Reggie while her seemingly clueless mom draws the family deeper into debt. Because of this, Reggie is failing at school, and questions her future: should she drop out of high school? Will she be working at Cashmart for the rest of her life? A realistic situation, many teens will be able to relate to Reggie's struggles.

Similarly realistic were the well-developed characters: Reggie, her mom, Sarah, Mrs. Bretton, Gabe...Reggie was a strong main character, and her mom was perfectly hate-able: I started loathing her from page one! And, of course, Gabe was simply wonderful as the leading man (boy?) of the story. The plotline was fast-paced and leaves readers with an honest, surprising ending that will have them questioning what really happens. Please, please let there be more for Reggie and Ms. Colebank in YA! And impressing debut.

Must-Read! Check it Out!! Don't Bother

Mailbox Monday

...It's been too, too long since I last posted! (School/vacation=no time lately!). Anyway, I had a fantastic week in books, and I'm planning on doing a bunch of much-needed reviews in the next few days! Sorry, guys! (: Anyway, here's what I get to look forward this week:

• The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan (March 9, 2010--Many thanks to Random House!)
• Vintage Veronica by Erica S. Perl (March 9, 2010--Thank you, Random House--this looks awesome!)
• Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
• Survival of the Fiercest by Anna Carey
• Secrets of my Hollywood Life: Broadway Lights by Jen Calonita
• Perchance to Dream by Lisa Mantchev (released May 25, 2010: Thank you so much to Lisa & MacMillan!)

Can't wait! (: Hope you all had a great weekend!

New Covers Alert!

...Apparently, March is the month for awesome new covers--I've just got to share:

First, there's Anna Godbersen's Bright Young Things, which will be released on October 26:

...And then there's the newly-released cover of Tenner Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss (coming out this December):

...And, of course, the gorgeous new paperback cover for Michelle Zink's The Prophecy of the Sisters:

...And, finally, Viola in the Spotlight by Adriana Trigiani (released) August 24, the sequel to the oh-so-awesome Viola in Reel Life:

I mean, how can you resist that adorable puppy and those cute shoes??? Must-reads for sure! Hopefully these books are as good as their (amazing covers)--I'll be checking them all out! (:

PS. The winner of my The Curse of Addy McMahon contest was Juju. Congrats, and thanks to all who entered! (: