Hallowmere #3: Between Golden Jaws by Tiffany Trent

Description: Corrine and her friends race to London, in the hopes of finding a rathstone that will help them end this terrible war with the Fey. The girls search the Victorian city only to find that their plan has led to more danger than ever before.

With the girls’ lives on the line, the Fey Prince offers Corrine a deal: become his consort and her friends can go in peace. Will Corrine fall into the Fey Prince’s arms to save her friends? Or can she find another way?

Review:

Between Golden Jaws is the third installment in Tiffany Trent's YA historical fantasy series Hallowmere. As creepy and thrilling as its predecessors, but filled with higher levels of tension, the story unfolds at a predatory pace, snatching you when you least expect it and not letting go until the shocking end. This isn’t surprising since, with its intriguing blend of faerie mythology, post-Civil War setting, and distinctive characters, Hallowmere, as a whole, has proven itself to be a series worth reading. With Corrine and her comrades traveling to London to retrieve yet another rathstone, a task that proves so difficult that everyone -- Corrine especially -- must make choices so gray that consequences are inevitable, this book only cements that fact, as well as its status as the best so far in the series. It's impossible not to find yourself wrapped up in the conflict -- not just between the characters and the Unhallowed fey, but between the very characters we root for. Although this series has been prematurely canceled, Between Golden Jaws, along with its predecessors, still deserve a read, as well as the succeeding volumes, of which I look forward to reading immediately after the events of this one.

Revealers by Amanda Marrone

Description: Jules has a rebellious streak, a massive crush on Connor, and the abilities of a Revealer witch. By day, she and her coven friends seem like typical high school seniors. By night, they have the power to make werewolves, vampires, and ghosts reveal themselves, so they can destroy them. It’s not exactly cheerleading, but at least the girls know they’re doing the world some good.

One by one, Jules’s friends turn eighteen and are initiated into the coven’s inner circle. And one by one, they are getting completely freaked out. Jules is the youngest, and though her friends are too scared to tell her what’s going on, something’s clearly not right. As her birthday approaches, Jules realizes she’s got to find out what’s behind the shadows of her coven before it’s too late to save her friends…and herself. But what she discovers may be too powerful for even the toughest witches to defeat.

Review:

Amanda Marrone has weaved a believable fantasy world into our everyday one, where everything from vampires to werewolves exist. Jules and her friends, Revealer witches, were born to fight such creatures. Too bad it gets in the way of studies and a social life, not to mention is riddled with seemingly pointless rules that they must abide by. Those things alone make Jules defiant with her coven, but now she has even more reason to be when, as each of her friends are initiated into the inner circle on their eighteenth birthdays, they each, in turn, become unexplainably freaked. Jules is desperate to find out why, and readers will mirror that very emotion the more shady the supernatural elements become. The suspenseful plot, as well as the fantastical mythology and realistic characters, together are what make Revealers a thoroughly addicting read. As enjoyable as the book is, though, it would have benefited from a little more fleshing-out of some characters and relationships in order to give certain plot twists and the consequences thereof more impact. Nevertheless, Revealers is a fun fantasy with enough intriguing elements to leave readers not only satisfied with this book, but eager for others by the same author.

Trailer: The Vampire Diaries

It's no surprise here that I'm a fan of L. J. Smith's The Vampire Diaries series. It should be just as unsurprising that I'm looking forward to its TV Show Self on the CW this fall. Check out a trailer for it:

Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn

Description: Already the alpha pair of Denver’s werewolf pack, Kitty and Ben now plan to tie the knot human-style by eloping to Vegas. Kitty is looking forward to sipping fru-fru drinks by the pool and doing her popular radio show on live TV, but her hotel is stocked with werewolf-hating bounty hunters. Elsewhere on the Strip an old-school magician might be wielding the real thing; the vampire community is harboring a dark secret; and the irresistible star of a suspicious animal act is determined to seduce Kitty. Sin City has never been so wild, and this werewolf has never had to fight harder to save not only her wedding, but her very life.

Review:

Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand is the fifth installment in the Kitty Norville series. Although as enjoyable as the previous books, with Kitty and Ben’s advancing relationship the highlight of this one, the plot felt a bit clunky at times, more as a stepping stone for the next installment than anything else. The inclusion of a gun show was a smart one on the author’s part, for such an event attracts monster-tracking bounty hunters -- an obvious problem for Kitty, being an outed werewolf, as well as for Ben, having once been a part of that crowd before becoming a werewolf himself. (Although, unlike Kitty, his werewolfness isn’t publicly known.) Seeing how that affects their pre-wedded relationship, plus weaves into the other plotlines (which includes a mysterious magician and a shady animal act, just to name a few) is intriguing and, for the most part, satisfying. However, sometimes the degree of messes Kitty got into felt overwhelming, almost unbelievably so, some of which could have been avoided if a certain character didn’t insist on being needlessly vague with his warnings. Overall, though, Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand is a fun addition to the series and a good vacation read, the biggest draw not only being if the characters come out unscathed, but if, despite all those scathe-inducing scenarios, Kitty and Ben finally manage to tie the knot.

Interview: Maggie Stiefvater

What inspired you to write Lament? In the paranormal genre in general?

For me, there’s never been a genre other than paranormal. I actually still remember the book I was reading, two years ago, the first non-paranormal book that I actually liked that didn’t involve horses. Sad, isn’t it? It was an advanced review copy of SAY THE WORD, by Jeaniene Garsee. I was so amazed that even though no one had died at the hands of otherworldly forces and yet I’d still been interested enough to finish it. I wasn’t sure who I was more proud of -- me or the author.

I guess the thing is that my real life is interesting -- the books I read (and write) have to be able to top that. So most of the time, that involves the supernatural. Also, it appeals to my desire for there to be something more . . . whatever that something more might be.

I've always been fascinated with faerie lore, so LAMENT is the result of many years of writing faerie stories of various lengths.

Are there any specific authors or books that influenced your writing?

I’m a huge fan of Diane Wynne Jones and Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising Series -- I read and reread those as a kid. And as an adult, I loved THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger. She was the one who really made me think about doing something that was 99% real life and 1% supernatural.

Do you have any future book releases you'd like to mention, paranormal or otherwise?

Well, I have SHIVER coming out in August. It’s a bittersweet love story about Grace, a girl who has always loved the wolves behind her house, and Sam, a boy who must become a wolf for the winter. And I also have BALLAD coming out this fall, in October. It’s the standalone sequel to LAMENT. It follows James and Dee to Thornking Ash Conservatory, where a faerie muse becomes fixated with James and all kinds of crazy crap goes down on Halloween. I’m very pleased with both of them.

What do you like most about the paranormal genre?

I love that it lets me play with metaphor in a very subtle way. I love that it evokes nostalgia for the past. I love letting archetypes run through my novels, making random cameos: horned guys and winged things and women with tails that sing about your death. I feel like folklore has survived so long because it speaks to us in a very organic and subconscious way and it’s something I love to come back to again and again.

What paranormal book are you currently reading or have recently read?

I’ve just gotten my paws on Sarah Rees Brennan’s THE DEMON’S LEXICON, which I’m very excited to read because Sarah’s blog is hideously funny and I’ve heard wonderful things about the book. I also picked up a copy of A. S. King’s DUST OF 100 DOGS. I just finished reading LIPS TOUCH by Laini Taylor, a collection of three novellas about the dangers and promises of a first kiss. I really enjoyed it.

I’m also rereading THE GOLDEN BOUGH, which is nonfiction, but about myth. Does that count?

If you could visit any author's paranormal world or characters, whose would it be?

Oh, Diana Wynne Jones’ Chrestomanci world is way too interesting to turn down. I love how she writes funny alongside serious.

Everyone knows about the cliché battle between vampires and werewolves -- which side are you on?

Choose life, Heather. Choose life. I just can’t root for something without a pulse; seems like a moot point.

Shiver Trailer

Are you a fan of Maggie Stiefvater? Looking forward to her werewolf romance Shiver, or need a reason to? Then check out her amazing book trailer:

The Vampire Diaries: The Fury and Dark Reunion by L. J. Smith

Description: Elena: transformed, the golden girl has become what she once feared and desired.

Stefan: tormented by losing Elena, he’s determined to end his feud with Damon once and for all -- whatever the cost. But slowly he begins to realize that his brother is not his only enemy.

Damon: at last, he possesses Elena. But will his thirst for revenge against Stefan poison his triumph? Or can they come together to face one final battle?

Collected here in one edition are the third and fourth volumes of The Vampire Diaries, a riveting conclusion to the tale of two vampire brothers and the beautiful girl torn between them.

Review:

The second omnibus edition of The Vampire Diaries series includes both The Fury and Dark Reunion. It picks up exactly where the previous installment left off, with Elena still caught in the midst of two vampire brothers’ unrelenting feud, as well as the themes of belonging and loss. The latter is most especially evident. Since the start of the series, Elena has suffered her fair share of losses, but they are much more rattling in this edition. The situations she’s placed in, plus the choices she’s forced to make, show how much her character has grown, show how much her character has grown on us; because of this, it is hard not to be at least somewhat impacted while reading. The other characters show just as much dimension, their interactions with each other often more compelling than the story itself -- which isn’t a diss, by any means. The plots in each book are as intriguing as they are suspenseful, keeping you thoroughly engrossed, with the characters simply helping amp up that already-existing tension.

While the brotherly feud between Stefan and Damon is prevalent, it is not what truly threatens Elena’s hometown of Fell’s Church. The Fury and Dark Reunion both have formidable, genuinely frightening villains that are, for the most part, satisfying and climatic. Unfortunately, the main villain from Dark Reunion should not have even been around to be such in the first place, after what was learned in The Fury. Since no explanation was given, nor did any of the characters ever bother to demand one, anyone with The Fury still fresh in their minds will find themselves jarred after this villain’s reveal. Also jarring was the end, for although it felt earned and gratifying, it lacked its own explanation, which somewhat cheapened the effect. Nevertheless, this edition of The Vampire Diaries is addicting and, in many ways, rivals the first omnibus volume. For a romantic, suspenseful, and overall fun fantasy, The Vampire Diaries, as a whole, is one worth checking out.

Persistence of Memory by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Description: Sixteen-year-old Erin Misrahe just wants to be like everyone else in her new school. But Erin has more to worry about than passing AP Chemistry and making friends. In times of stress, she has always been overcome by her alter ego, Shevaun, whose violent behavior wreaks havoc on those around her. Erin can never remember anything about these episodes, and she’s grateful to have been spared them for a while.

But when a protective old friend comes back into Erin’s life, he insists that Shevaun is a vampire who actually exists apart from Erin. Shevaun has dangerous allies, like the handsome witch Adjila -- and they’re determined to sever Shevaun’s connection to Erin once and for all.

In Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’s thrilling tale of love, loyalty, and illusion, the waking hours are only as safe as the dreams that came before them.

Review:

Erin Misrahe just wants to be normal, a wish that almost seems possible for a change, despite the fact that she’s a diagnosed schizophrenic. Attending public school, making friends, and taking fencing lessons suddenly seem a world away again, however, when her vampiric alter-ego Shevaun returns, and not simply as some violent, dissasociative identity episode. Shevaun exists for real, outside of Erin’s head, and will do anything to stop the mental connection that the two of them apparently share.

Persistence of Memory is not only one of Amelia Atwater-Rhodes’s better works, but one of the better novels available in YA fantasy. The premise is instantly intriguing, anchored by likable, equally-interesting characters and a rich mythology that both shapes the world and fuels the plot. In fact, long-time Atwater-Rhodes fans will appreciate not only the familiar mythos, but the effortless addition of characters and places from prior books in this stand-alone story. On the surface, Persistence of Memory is a gripping mystery full of suspense and the supernatural. However, it is so much deeper at its core, focusing on one girl’s struggle to make sense of her fractured reality, as well as the connections between the characters, their conflicting needs to trust and control in a world where the only thing certain is uncertainty. The prose has a lyrical yet quirky quality, made more engaging by characters who are able to steal everything from sympathy, fear, and laughs from us. Those looking for a book that is as thoughtful as it is thought-provoking, as in-depth as it is fast-paced, should not pass on a chance to read this wonderfully executed tale.

Eyes Like Stars (Théâtre Illuminata, Act 1) by Lisa Mantchev

Description: All her world’s a stage.

Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theatre.

She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents.

She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.

Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book -- an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family -- and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Review:

Eyes Like Stars is an impressive debut from Lisa Mantchev. Not only is it refreshingly unique, but timeless, with an irreverent take on the theatre that will be amusing to all, even those without an avid interest in it. A group of fairies who act as Beatrice’s companions provide the most consistent comic relief, of which many may recognize as the same fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream. In fact, aside from Bertie and a few others who work there, everyone who resides at the Théâtre Illuminata originate from plays, as alive as any of us, but magically bound to the Théâtre, whether they like it or not. Although not bound to the Théâtre Illuminata herself, Bertie can’t ever imagine leaving it to be anywhere else, not even to find the family she’s never known and learn the truth of her origins. She may not have a choice, though, when she finds out she’s being kicked out and only has one chance to prove her worth so she won’t lose the one place that feels like home.

Theatre fans will appreciate the in-depth look of theatre workings and allusions to various plays, as well as some stylistic writing choices by the author, such as flashbacks that utilize traditional script format. In general, though, readers will enjoy the playful humor, distinct characterization, and whimsical fantasy elements abundant in this book. At times, actions by the characters felt either grating or underdeveloped, and a few scenes dragged while others seemed clunky, but overall, Eyes Like Stars is a thoroughly fun read that will leave theatre and fantasy fans alike clamoring for the sequel.

Interview: Lucienne Diver

What inspired you to write Vamped? In the paranormal genre in general?

I’ve always been a huge fan of the paranormal. What inspired me to write Vamped was Gina’s voice talking in my head. The only way to get it out was to write it down. I tried to give her a short story, but Gina enjoys the spotlight way too much for that. It was a novel or nothing. Now she wants a series. She’s even eying television or (*gasp*) the BIG screen. She wants to play herself, but there’s that pesky problem with vamps not showing up on film. Huge bummer.

Are there any specific authors or books that influenced your writing?

Growing up, I read about three books a day. It might be faster to say what didn’t influence me than what did. For example, I was a huge fan of gothics – anything by Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, Madeleine Brent, Phyllis Whitney. I graduated quickly from some of my favorite YA titles (The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, Watcher in the Woods by Florence Engel Randall, The Changeover by Margaret Mahy) to adult fiction by Isaac Asimov, Alfred Bester, Robert A. Heinlein, Stephen R. Donaldson, Melanie Rawn…. I’m also a mystery addict. Anything by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, of course, Sharyn McCrumb’s more literary Appalachian novels and her laugh-out-loud Elizabeth McPherson series (not to mention Zombies of the Gene Pool and Bimbos of the Death Sun). I could go on all day! Basically, though, I’m a huge fan of intelligent fiction. I’m also a huge fan of camp. I hope I’ve combined both in Vamped.

Do you have any future book releases you'd like to mention, paranormal or otherwise?

Revamped will be released in the fall of 2010. It seems so far away! In the meantime, my werewolf story “Imaginary Fiend” will be out in September 2009 in the Strip-Mauled anthology edited by Esther Friesner for Baen Books. Her follow-up vampire antho will also have a story from me called “Fruit of the Vein.” I’m having a ton of fun playing with both long and short form fiction.

What do you like most about the paranormal genre?

The freedom. I can create any world I like, populate it with all kinds of critters, powers, limitations. I don’t have to worry about what’s possible, because it’s all up to me. (Someone once quoted the fabulous Joss Whedon as saying, “I’m not a control freak, I’m a control enthusiast.” Well, that’s me in a nutshell!)

What paranormal book are you currently reading or have recently read?

I’ve recently finished two wonderful paranormal romance novellas by Susan Krinard and Blood Cross, the second Jane Yellowrock novel by Faith Hunter. (The first, Skinwalker, comes out in July and is not to be missed.) I’ve got a whole bunch more paranormals in my TBR stack!

If you could visit any author's paranormal world or characters, whose would it be?

That’s so tough, because I enjoy twisted fiction, often dark, with a wonderful sense of the absurd. Not necessarily comfortable for visitation. In fact, fiction is so cathartic because authors throw their characters against incredible obstacles they somehow find the strength and/or wits to overcome. Very empowering and satisfying, but also gut-clenching, painful and breathtaking (sometimes literally). You live and die with characters between the pages of a book.

That said…hmmm. I really would have loved to attend Hogwarts. I blush to admit I would have been Hermione. Yes, I was that girl with her hand always in the air and begging for extra credit assignments.

Everyone knows about the cliché battle between vampires and werewolves -- which side are you on?

Oh vampires, most definitely. Neck nibbling vs. ripping out throats and eating entrails…no contest. Plus, shapeshifting always looks so painful. But those vampire fangs, they just slide right into place. Once you learn to talk without a lisp and avoid slicing your own lip, you’re golden. Er, not that I know anything about this from direct experience….