Wraithsong by E.J. Squires is more captivating than Twilight, The Hunger Games, and City of Bones

The Desirable Creatures Series, Book I

Sonia goes to the greenhouse after school to pull weeds as a punishment for spiting on the school bully. There she meets Anthony, a gorgeous boy with intense light blue eyes and a great build. Sonia is surprised at how attracted she is to him. Anthony is rude one moment and then asking her out the next.  Sonia’s emotions are out of control. Her mom explains that she will turn into a Huldra when she turns eighteen in two weeks. With her Flair she can control people when they come into contact with her saliva. Her mom warns her that her flair is getting stronger and she must not kiss a boy or even think of dating. 

Behind her moms back Sonia goes out with Anthony. He takes her to the ballet, Her favorite place because she use to be a dancer but since her Dad’s death she gave it up. She gets a bunch of frantic messages from her mom and she knows something is wrong. Anthony comes clean and tells her who he really is and that his mom has kidnapped Sonia's mom. She has to trust Anthony to help her attack Wraithsong the invisible island where the Darkalfars have taken her mom.  Lightalfars and other Huldra's are planning to help but nothing goes as planned. Sonia doesn’t know who the bad guys are and who the good guys are. She needs to rescue her Mom and she will do anything to accomplish that.

I love this story! I am hooked. I can’t wait until the book two Blufire comes out on July 31st 2014 . 

I started rereading Wraithsong right after I finished it just to experience it all over again. The book is contemporary but based on Norse Mythology. I absolutely love stories that make you think about other worlds happening right around us. I’ve always been interested in Norway but now I’m obsessed with the folklore. There's plenty of action and a heart gripping romance. My favorite is how it ties in with the other series by E.J. Squires, A Viking Blood saga. 

An epic historical fantasy romance based on Norse Mythology.

Th Desirable Creatures Series has surpassed all other YA series and is by far my favorite. I mean it; I’m more captivated than I ever was with Twilight, The Hunger Games, or City of Bones. And if you know me, you know how much I loved those series. This is a different kind of YA paranormal romance. I want to know more about these magical people and places. 

And of course a movie will have to be made about it. Here's a couple of my picks if I got to cast the movie:

Austin Butler as Anthony

Milla Sunde as Sonia 

(Milla is the lead singer for The Green Children)

Here's an example of Milla's awesome voice and Norway's beautiful scenery.  

Mansfield Ranch by Jenni James

I absolutely love The Jane Austen Diaries series. I was interested in seeing how Fanny Price from Austen’s world would transform into today’s world. I instantly liked Lilly Price. Lilly stands up for herself and she doesn't mind being different. As a foster child she feels lucky to be part of the rich Benally family. They treat her poorly - Especially her foster sisters who make her feel inferior.  Sean, her foster brother is the only friend she has and Lilly can’t help falling for him. (Don’t gross out.) They aren't blood and he’s the kindest and sweetest person she knows. When Sean gives her Princess Buttercup I adore him. But when Harrison & Julia Crawford move in next door and Sean’s attention turns to Julia, I don’t like the way he plays with Lilly’s heart. I guess he’s trying to be noble and not like his sister. Out of guilt, he tries to push the conceited Harrison Crawford onto her. Harrison is overly flirty with everyone but he sets his sights on Lilly--because she’s the only girl not to fall all over him. I must admit Harrison’s character is really irritating but just like Henry in Jane’s book we aren't suppose to trust him. When Harrison finds out Lilly’s secret - that she’s in love with her foster brother - He turns everyone against her. In the end, I admire Lilly for turning a bad situation around and touching people’s lives for the good.

Great job Jenni, once again you thrill me with your talent. It's a quick and easy read. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.


Purchase your very own copy at:

http://www.amazon.com/Mansfield-Ranch-Jane-Austen-Diaries

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mansfield-ranch-jenni-james

Get to know the fabulous Jenni James

http://authorjennijames.com/

https://twitter.com/Jenni_James

https://www.facebook.com/authorjennijames

http://authorjennijames.blogspot.com/

Slayers; Friends and Traitors by C.J. Hill comes out Oct 15th

 Slayers; Friends and Traitors is coming out Oct 15th. I'll be at Changing Hands Bookstore at 7pm to get my copy.

 Here is my review for book one, Slayers. http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-of-slayers-by-cj-hill.html

Today until Oct 15th Janette will be giving two books away everyday. Go check out her website for a chance to win one of her other books. http://janetterallison.com/

Movie Review of Austenland

Me in my Regency outfit

As promised, here is my review for the movie "Austenland" which is found on my other blog:

http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2013/08/movie-review-for-austenland.html

"This is a must see movie; you will laugh until you snort; you will get verklempt at times; Aaaahhh at the tender love scenes; and like any good Jane Austen story you will get your happy ending."

Movie Review time: Books to the big screen

I saw two of my favorite books turned into movies this week.

 

First, City of Bones, I attended the midnight showing. This series has been a favorite book of mine for 3 years now. I reread the books to have a fresh memory of what happens in time for the movie release. I almost think it is best to forget all about the books before seeing its movie. You know very well they are going to have to change things to make it fit into 2 hours.  Here are the seven things that I’m glad made it into the movie:

***Spoilers***

1. Clary is a heroine and not a damsel in distress. She is fearless and precisely how she acted in the book. (She was a little less redheaded than I imagined but it worked.)
2. Jace’s instant attraction to Clary and need to be with her even though he is a wounded soul.
3. Alec’s obsession with Jace must have gotten edited out because you didn’t see it much but when Clary accused Alec of being in love with Jace and he throws her against the wall was right on.
4. The Silent Brothers with their lips sewn shut and gouged out eyes were creepily perfect.
5. Simon with his Made in Brooklyn t-shirt was by far my favorite character in the movie. He stole the show with his broken-heart and big brown eyes.
6. Valentine is the perfect bad guy you almost feel bad for but in the end he is truly evil with a lot of fight scenes.
7. I was worried about how they would tastefully approach the end of book one. Like a lot of readers I was afraid people would be turned off by the revelation that our love triangle became incest with Clary and Jace being siblings. The movie addresses the issue and didn't make it at all creepy.

Well done, it was a great show. I’m planning to take my husband to see it. It has plenty of action and even if you haven’t read the books you will enjoy and understand the story line. 

NEXT STAY TUNED FOR MY MOVIE REVIEW OF "AUSTENLAND"...

CITY OF BONES MOVIE RELEASE AUGUST 21ST

I first read City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass around October  2010. 

Here is my book review:
http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2010/10/here-is-new-series-that-i-excited-about.html

I've started rereading the series for the movie release which will be out Wednesday Aug 21st. I hope they decide to make the whole series into movies. Time will tell. So excited to see City of Bones!  http://www.themortalinstrumentsmovie.com

Set in contemporary New York City, a seemingly ordinary teenager, Clary Fray (Lily Collins), discovers she is the descendant of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angel warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect our world from demons. After the disappearance of her mother (Lena Headey), Clary must join forces with a group of Shadowhunters, who introduce her to a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld, filled with demons, warlocks, vampires, werewolves and other deadly creatures. Based on the worldwide best-selling book series.

Cast members: 
Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Robert Sheehan, Kevin Zegers, Lena Headey, Kevin Durand, Aidan Turner, Jemima West, Godfrey Gao with CCH Pounder, with Jared Harris 
and I'm really excited about Jonathan Rhys Meyers playing the bad guy. 

SHADOWHUNTER FANS: The only way we can guarantee Hollywood will make all THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS series into movies is if we all go out and watch CITY OF BONES. 

Book review of Divergent by Veronica Roth

A friend recommended this book and I was not disappointed.
Right off the bat you're pulled into Beatrice's gray world. She can't look in a mirror. She has to be asked a question before speaking at the dinner table. What has the world become? I instantly know we are in a futuristic Chicago with trains everywhere and the sears tower. The people have separated themselves into five groups. The groups are set up by their personalities and strengths. When you turn 16 you go through an aptitude test and they tell you what group you would best fit but in the end you get to choose. When they first came up with the five groups it might have been a good idea but over time people became corrupt and the groups started fighting with each other. Beatrice knew she would disappoint her family if she didn't choose her own people the Abnegation. A group that was completely focused on being selfless, which Beatrice wasn't. She had been watching the Dauntless kids and admired them for being wild and bold. She felt like she fit that better. When she took her aptitude test and found it was inconclusive, which meant she was Divergent. Beatrice was warned to keep that hidden because people were afraid of those who didn't fit into one of the groups. Divergent wouldn't conform and follow the rules so they would be eliminated to avoid trouble. When you choose a different faction you leave your families and have to go through initiation before you are officially a member. If you fail you will be factionless (homeless). When Beatrice picks Dauntless she changes her name to Tris and instantly is whipped into a dangerous and deadly world. She makes friends with Al, Will, and Christina but they make enemies really quick with Peter, Molly, and Drew. The initiation is harder than Tris ever imagined and wonders if she has made a mistake. Even though she is brave you have to be strong and Tris is small and soft. Four is their trainer and Eric is one of the Dauntless leaders over seeing the training. The two seem to have different ideas on how to train and clash with each  a lot. Eric is ruthless and gives Tris the creeps. Tris has to learn to use a gun, knife, and fist fight. Four has empathy for Tris and wants to help her. Tris's father who is a Abnegation leader is in the news because both of his children choose different groups and rumors are starting. Tris visits her brother who choose Erudite because they are more logical and intelligent. He warns her that a war is about to start against the Abnegation. Tris excels in the next round of initiation when they have to face their fears in a simulation. This makes the others jealous and even her friends turn on her. Tris doesn't know who she can trust but something is wrong and she has to help her parents and the Abnegation people.

http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/veronicaroth

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Roth/108433975887375

I truly enjoyed this book. The characters are so real and you're involved in what happens to them. When they hurt you hurt. The writing is gripping and keeps you needing to know more. This is the first book in a trilogy and they are far from being out of danger. I'm going out to pick up Insurgent as soon as possible. They are also filming the movie right now and should be released in March 2014. Veronica is a wonderful writer and I just saw on her blog that the third book Allegiant will be released this October. Yipee! I think this is a book my husband would like too. It isn't to mushy and romantic but enough to keep me happy but it has plenty of action to keep the men happy. A great read!