Peeking Between the Pages is giving away a set of all three books in the Pendragon's Banner Trilogy by Helen Hollick. Which includes the titles, The Kingmaking, Pendragon's Banner and Shadow of the King.
To enter:
•For 1 entry leave a comment with a way to contact you.
•For 2 entries follow Peeking Between the Pages.
•For 3 entries, blog or tweet about the giveaway
This giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only (no PO boxes). The winner will be drawn on Saturday, April 10, 2010.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Iron Man
Luxury Reading is having an Iron Man Super Hero Super Giveaway.
3 winners will each receive a set of the following books:
Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
Iron Man 2: The Junior Novel by Alexander Irvine
Iron Man 2: Iron Man’s Friends and Foes by Lisa Shea
Iron Man 2: Meet the Black Widow by Lisa Shea
Iron Man 2: Iron Man vs. Whiplash by Jodi Huelin
Iron Man 2: Iron Man Fights Back by Jodi Huelin
Iron Man 2: The Reusable Sticker Book by Alice Render
3 more winners will each receive a copy of Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
To enter leave a comment with your e-mail address. You must follow Luxury Reading or be a verified e-mail subscriber to enter.
Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 5 posts for blogging):
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Enter another current Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. (1 entry each)
- Become a fan of Luxury Reading on Facebook (2 entries)
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on April 14th.
3 winners will each receive a set of the following books:
Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
Iron Man 2: The Junior Novel by Alexander Irvine
Iron Man 2: Iron Man’s Friends and Foes by Lisa Shea
Iron Man 2: Meet the Black Widow by Lisa Shea
Iron Man 2: Iron Man vs. Whiplash by Jodi Huelin
Iron Man 2: Iron Man Fights Back by Jodi Huelin
Iron Man 2: The Reusable Sticker Book by Alice Render
3 more winners will each receive a copy of Iron Man 2 by Alexander Irvine
To enter leave a comment with your e-mail address. You must follow Luxury Reading or be a verified e-mail subscriber to enter.
Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 5 posts for blogging):
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Enter another current Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
- Share this giveaway on a social network of your choice. (1 entry each)
- Become a fan of Luxury Reading on Facebook (2 entries)
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on April 14th.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Questory of Root Karbunkulus Review
The Questory of Root Karbunkulus: Item 1 - Miist by Kamilla Reid
From the back of the book:
“Rest assured, this is no ordinary treasure hunt. Each and every one of you will face inevitable hardship and danger. Most of you, despite your magic, will fail. But among you, from the depths of despair, will rise heroes! Indeed, the victors of this, DreAmm’s greatest Quest, shall earn a seat in the throne room of Legend!” The final note of Lord Blick’s speech rang like a distant bell of old, conjuring images of majesty and greatness.
Root marveled in the moment hardly imaginable. Only yesterday she was living with her boorish aunts in a half puce, half orange house and now here she was in a strange and secret land of old, not only an invited participant of a mystical Quest, but apparently she was magic, too, although she had yet to see evidence of that.
She surveyed the others, hundreds of vying teens, most of which were already magically trained, and felt fear course through her veins. But it rode the back fo something much more fierce that demanded she say…
The race of a lifetime is about to begin…
On your marks… Get set… Go!
A child who does not feel loved, who does not feel like she fits in learns that there is a bigger destiny for her. She finds herself on a journey of self discovery, she tries to find out who she is, where she came from and what her future holds. She faces many challenges that come with growing up, about learning to be who you are and being alright with that, about making hard choices and learning that life is not always fair, about learning what true family means. Root learns about working with other people and about the power of friendship but that friendship isn’t always easy. And the relationships are written well and have the ring of true and reality. Though friends they don’t always agree or even like each other very much. There is jealousy and vindictiveness among the friends and the between the teams. Like there would be with any group of teenagers. But it isn’t just a coming of age story it is also an adventure story. There are dangers, conspiracies, riddles, magic, monsters, the fight against evil, redemption. You can feel the characters fear, apprehension and excitement. And the mix makes you care about the characters and keeps you turning the pages to find what excitement they will encounter next. Reid writes with vivid descriptions like ‘as if someone had taken a brush, dipped it in liquid marble and spread its exquisite alabaster brilliance up along each ornate spindle’, or ‘Carblotta, on the other hand, was lank and scrawny as a dried up bean, with spindly arms and legs that dangled from her body like crooked branches’ so you can really see the world she has created. I love the way she using language. It is written with a lot of humor and interesting words you don’t see very often like hoarked, flocculent, or gewgaw or an unexpected turn of phase like ‘evening decided to show up in a black starless gown’, or ‘Root released her breath content to acknowledge the collision of coincidence’, that made it a lot of fun to read. Reid has created an interesting concept that takes place in an interesting world full of interesting characters that you can really get involved with. There are more books to come so even though Reid does bring this chapter in the story to a satisfying end there are many things left unexplained and many questions left unanswered. But they are all things that Root herself does not have the answers to and you can look forward to learning them along with her.
From the back of the book:
“Rest assured, this is no ordinary treasure hunt. Each and every one of you will face inevitable hardship and danger. Most of you, despite your magic, will fail. But among you, from the depths of despair, will rise heroes! Indeed, the victors of this, DreAmm’s greatest Quest, shall earn a seat in the throne room of Legend!” The final note of Lord Blick’s speech rang like a distant bell of old, conjuring images of majesty and greatness.
Root marveled in the moment hardly imaginable. Only yesterday she was living with her boorish aunts in a half puce, half orange house and now here she was in a strange and secret land of old, not only an invited participant of a mystical Quest, but apparently she was magic, too, although she had yet to see evidence of that.
She surveyed the others, hundreds of vying teens, most of which were already magically trained, and felt fear course through her veins. But it rode the back fo something much more fierce that demanded she say…
The race of a lifetime is about to begin…
On your marks… Get set… Go!
A child who does not feel loved, who does not feel like she fits in learns that there is a bigger destiny for her. She finds herself on a journey of self discovery, she tries to find out who she is, where she came from and what her future holds. She faces many challenges that come with growing up, about learning to be who you are and being alright with that, about making hard choices and learning that life is not always fair, about learning what true family means. Root learns about working with other people and about the power of friendship but that friendship isn’t always easy. And the relationships are written well and have the ring of true and reality. Though friends they don’t always agree or even like each other very much. There is jealousy and vindictiveness among the friends and the between the teams. Like there would be with any group of teenagers. But it isn’t just a coming of age story it is also an adventure story. There are dangers, conspiracies, riddles, magic, monsters, the fight against evil, redemption. You can feel the characters fear, apprehension and excitement. And the mix makes you care about the characters and keeps you turning the pages to find what excitement they will encounter next. Reid writes with vivid descriptions like ‘as if someone had taken a brush, dipped it in liquid marble and spread its exquisite alabaster brilliance up along each ornate spindle’, or ‘Carblotta, on the other hand, was lank and scrawny as a dried up bean, with spindly arms and legs that dangled from her body like crooked branches’ so you can really see the world she has created. I love the way she using language. It is written with a lot of humor and interesting words you don’t see very often like hoarked, flocculent, or gewgaw or an unexpected turn of phase like ‘evening decided to show up in a black starless gown’, or ‘Root released her breath content to acknowledge the collision of coincidence’, that made it a lot of fun to read. Reid has created an interesting concept that takes place in an interesting world full of interesting characters that you can really get involved with. There are more books to come so even though Reid does bring this chapter in the story to a satisfying end there are many things left unexplained and many questions left unanswered. But they are all things that Root herself does not have the answers to and you can look forward to learning them along with her.
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Friday 56, Shades of Grey
Rules:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
This week's book is Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde. It is very different from his Thursday Next and Nursery Crime novels but you can still see his wit.
The sentence:
"What does it mean?"
"I don't know," she replied, "but it might describe you."
They are discussing an insulting term that has apparently become obsolete in the grey future that they inhabit. The future is actually without a lot of things besides color that I really wouldn't want to be without. Not to mention the killer swans.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Merlin's Harp
Park Avenue Princess is giving away a copy of Merlin's Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton.
You have to be a follow the Princess with Google Friend Connect to enter.
If you are a follower just leave an email with your email and a name or nickname for identification purposes.
More entries:
+5 If you Subscribe to Park Avenue Princess by Mail
+5 If you Subscribe to Park Avenue Princess via Google Reader
+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway
+10 If you Rate Me Park Avenue Princess on Blogged
+10 If you add Park Avenue Princess to your blog roll
+10 If you Blog about the Contest in your Sidebar
+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post
+20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter
+20 If you Put Park Avenue Princess's Button On Your Blog and Link Back
That's a lot of entries! Plus you get 50 more for every new follower you bring to Park Avenue Princess.
It ends April 24th. It is open to US addresses only.
You have to be a follow the Princess with Google Friend Connect to enter.
If you are a follower just leave an email with your email and a name or nickname for identification purposes.
More entries:
+5 If you Subscribe to Park Avenue Princess by Mail
+5 If you Subscribe to Park Avenue Princess via Google Reader
+5 If you TWEET About This Giveaway
+10 If you Rate Me Park Avenue Princess on Blogged
+10 If you add Park Avenue Princess to your blog roll
+10 If you Blog about the Contest in your Sidebar
+15 If you blog about this Giveaway in it's own post
+20 If you Follow @APrkAvePrincess on Twitter
+20 If you Put Park Avenue Princess's Button On Your Blog and Link Back
That's a lot of entries! Plus you get 50 more for every new follower you bring to Park Avenue Princess.
It ends April 24th. It is open to US addresses only.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Bingo!
Bookin' With Bingo has some giveaways going on.
For Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls go here. Ends April 2nd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo go here. Ends April 2nd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Wild Zone by Joy Fielding go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For On the Brink by Henry Paulson go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark go here. Ends April 4th at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls go here. Ends April 2nd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo go here. Ends April 2nd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Wild Zone by Joy Fielding go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For The Language of Secrets by Dianne Dixon go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
For On the Brink by Henry Paulson go here. Ends April 3rd at 6PM EST. Open to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For The Overnight Socialite by Bridie Clark go here. Ends April 4th at 6PM EST. Open to the US only, no PO boxes.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Shambling Towards Hiroshima Vocabulary
Words from Shambling Towards Hiroshima by James Morrow that I didn't know. Some of which I really should have.
Neurasthenic: pertaining to or suffering from neurasthenia
Neurasthenia: a psychological disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and weakness, loss of memory, and generalized aches and pains, formerly thought to result from exhaustion of the nervous system. No longer in scientific use
Tallith: a shawl-like garment of wool, silk, or the like, with fringes, or zizith, at the four corners, worn around the shoulders by Orthodox and Conservative (sometimes also Reform) Jews, as during the morning service.
Ineluctable: incapable of being evaded; inescapable
Fantods: a state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets
Klieg: kind of arc lamp used as a studio light, 1925, from U.S. engineers, brothers Anton and John Kliegl, who invented it
Seraphic: of, like, or befitting a seraph (okay I really should have been able to figure that one out)
Tumesce: to make or become tumescent
Tumescent: swelling; slightly tumid
2. exhibiting or affected with many ideas or emotions; teeming
3. pompous and pretentious, esp. in the use of language; bombastic
Tremolos: a tremulous or vibrating effect produced on certain instruments and in the human voice, as to express emotion
Obstreperous: resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly
Isinglass: a pure, transparent or translucent form of gelatin, obtained from the air bladders of certain fish, esp. the sturgeon: used in glue and jellies and as a clarifying agent
2. mica, esp. in thin, translucent sheets
Barbel: a slender, external process on the jaw or other part of the head of certain fishes
Threnody: a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, esp. for the dead; dirge; funeral song
Neurasthenic: pertaining to or suffering from neurasthenia
Neurasthenia: a psychological disorder characterized by chronic fatigue and weakness, loss of memory, and generalized aches and pains, formerly thought to result from exhaustion of the nervous system. No longer in scientific use
Tallith: a shawl-like garment of wool, silk, or the like, with fringes, or zizith, at the four corners, worn around the shoulders by Orthodox and Conservative (sometimes also Reform) Jews, as during the morning service.
Ineluctable: incapable of being evaded; inescapable
Fantods: a state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets
Klieg: kind of arc lamp used as a studio light, 1925, from U.S. engineers, brothers Anton and John Kliegl, who invented it
Seraphic: of, like, or befitting a seraph (okay I really should have been able to figure that one out)
Tumesce: to make or become tumescent
Tumescent: swelling; slightly tumid
2. exhibiting or affected with many ideas or emotions; teeming
3. pompous and pretentious, esp. in the use of language; bombastic
Tremolos: a tremulous or vibrating effect produced on certain instruments and in the human voice, as to express emotion
Obstreperous: resisting control or restraint in a difficult manner; unruly
Isinglass: a pure, transparent or translucent form of gelatin, obtained from the air bladders of certain fish, esp. the sturgeon: used in glue and jellies and as a clarifying agent
2. mica, esp. in thin, translucent sheets
Barbel: a slender, external process on the jaw or other part of the head of certain fishes
Threnody: a poem, speech, or song of lamentation, esp. for the dead; dirge; funeral song
Friday, March 19, 2010
The Friday 56, The Firm
Rules:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
The book this week is The Firm by John Grisham. Yes, it is the book I'm reading. And yes, I know I'm a little behind the times with this one. I very often am.
The sentence:
She smiled and introduced herself as Louise, Mr. McKnight's personal secretary, for thirty-one years now. Coffee?
Actually coffee would be nice. Now if I only had a personal secretary to fetch it for me.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sea of Books
A Sea of Books has some books to give away!
For The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofaro go here. Open until March 20th to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock go here. Open until March 31st to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For This One is Mine by Maria Semple go here. Open until April 2nd to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
Make sure you read the rules on how to get all those lovely extra entries. Good luck!
For The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofaro go here. Open until March 20th to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For The Moon Looked Down by Dorothy Garlock go here. Open until March 31st to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
For This One is Mine by Maria Semple go here. Open until April 2nd to the US and Canada, no PO boxes.
Make sure you read the rules on how to get all those lovely extra entries. Good luck!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Mini Reviews
The Periodic Kingdom: A Journey into the Land of the Chemical Elements by P. W. Atkins
The book is written in a travel guide format which led me to believe that the point was to make the information accessible to everyone and more enjoyable to read than a text book. I think it only partly succeeded. It does give you some good general ideas about how the periodic table came about and how everything goes together but when it goes into detail the narrative bogs down and becomes hard to read. Sometimes the information is just too dense and without some previous knowledge of the subject it will be read but not quite understood and then quickly forgotten.
Halting State by Charles Stross
I liked the premise of this book. I liked the idea of a virtual bank robbery. I liked how it took place in the not so far off future so you had interesting new technologies but they were in a world you still recognized. I liked the changing point of view. I even liked the way it all wrapped up. So I really wished I had enjoyed actually reading the book more. Maybe it was because I am not the target audience for this book. Or maybe I just needed to concentrate a lot harder. But I found myself reading and getting just the gist of the story without ever fully understanding what people were saying. I didn’t have trouble with the Scottish accent or the changing point of view but as soon as anyone started to explain how something worked everything went hazy. It was worth reading and I was able to follow the plot but a lot of the finer points were lost on me. Although maybe someone who is more into virtual reality and online gaming would not have this problem.
The book is written in a travel guide format which led me to believe that the point was to make the information accessible to everyone and more enjoyable to read than a text book. I think it only partly succeeded. It does give you some good general ideas about how the periodic table came about and how everything goes together but when it goes into detail the narrative bogs down and becomes hard to read. Sometimes the information is just too dense and without some previous knowledge of the subject it will be read but not quite understood and then quickly forgotten.
Halting State by Charles Stross
I liked the premise of this book. I liked the idea of a virtual bank robbery. I liked how it took place in the not so far off future so you had interesting new technologies but they were in a world you still recognized. I liked the changing point of view. I even liked the way it all wrapped up. So I really wished I had enjoyed actually reading the book more. Maybe it was because I am not the target audience for this book. Or maybe I just needed to concentrate a lot harder. But I found myself reading and getting just the gist of the story without ever fully understanding what people were saying. I didn’t have trouble with the Scottish accent or the changing point of view but as soon as anyone started to explain how something worked everything went hazy. It was worth reading and I was able to follow the plot but a lot of the finer points were lost on me. Although maybe someone who is more into virtual reality and online gaming would not have this problem.
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Friday 56, Something Missing
The Rules:*Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find the fifth sentence.
*Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
*Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. USE THE CLOSEST.
My book this week is Something Missing by Matthew Dicks. This book is closest because I just went to the bookstore at lunch and picked it up. It's about a criminal with OCD. That is about all I know.
The sentence:
Little, makeup, even less jewelry, and a willingness to wear a wrinkled T-shirt, a pair of jeans, and a baseball cap to many a family gathering.
Martin couldn't help but like her.
Sounds a little like me. I don't really do gatherings.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Raven Stole the Moon
Want to win a copy of Raven Stole the Moon by Garth Stein? Then check out the giveaways below.
Booktumbling is giving away a copy. Leave a comment for entry. For an extra entry you can click on the Animal Rescue button on the bottom on the blog and say in your comment that you did.
Enter by midnight CST on March 19th. Open to the US and Canada.
The Life and Times of a "New" New Yorker is giving away a copy. Just leave a comment with a way to get in touch with you if you win.
Open until March 19th to the US and Canada.
The Tome Traveller's Weblog is giving away a copy. Just leave a comment with your email address to enter.
Enter by midnight ET on March 20th. Open to the US and Canada.
Booking Mama is giving away a copy. For an entry leave a comment with your email address and saying if you have ever read any Garth Stein book.
Enter by 11:59 ET on March 21st. Open to the US and Canada.
Suko's Notebook is giving away a copy. To enter leave a comment. For an extra entry be a follower of Suko (new or old.) And for one more entry post about the give on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.
Enter by 5 PM PST on March 29th. Open to the US and Canada.
Booktumbling is giving away a copy. Leave a comment for entry. For an extra entry you can click on the Animal Rescue button on the bottom on the blog and say in your comment that you did.
Enter by midnight CST on March 19th. Open to the US and Canada.
The Life and Times of a "New" New Yorker is giving away a copy. Just leave a comment with a way to get in touch with you if you win.
Open until March 19th to the US and Canada.
The Tome Traveller's Weblog is giving away a copy. Just leave a comment with your email address to enter.
Enter by midnight ET on March 20th. Open to the US and Canada.
Booking Mama is giving away a copy. For an entry leave a comment with your email address and saying if you have ever read any Garth Stein book.
Enter by 11:59 ET on March 21st. Open to the US and Canada.
Suko's Notebook is giving away a copy. To enter leave a comment. For an extra entry be a follower of Suko (new or old.) And for one more entry post about the give on your blog, Facebook or Twitter.
Enter by 5 PM PST on March 29th. Open to the US and Canada.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Num8ers, two chances
Want to win a copy of Num8ers by Rachel Ward? I have two chances for you (or six, depending on how you count it.)
Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies. To enter just leave a comment with your email address.
For extra entries:
-Subscribe or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
-Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
-Share on a social network (1 entry each)
-Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
Open until March 22nd. Open to the US only.
Drey's Library is also giving away 3 copies.
You must be a follower of Drey to enter. Then fill out the handy form. (There are spaces for links if you blog or tweet.) And then leave a comment about what you would do if you could see dates like Jem, the girl in the book, does. Jem by the way can see the date someone is going to die.
Open until March 28th. Open to the US only.
Luxury Reading is giving away 3 copies. To enter just leave a comment with your email address.
For extra entries:
-Subscribe or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
-Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
-Share on a social network (1 entry each)
-Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
Open until March 22nd. Open to the US only.
Drey's Library is also giving away 3 copies.
You must be a follower of Drey to enter. Then fill out the handy form. (There are spaces for links if you blog or tweet.) And then leave a comment about what you would do if you could see dates like Jem, the girl in the book, does. Jem by the way can see the date someone is going to die.
Open until March 28th. Open to the US only.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Pride, Prejudice and Even More Zombies
Can't get enough zombies? Then run on over to Luxury Reading where she is giving away a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls by Steve Hockensmith.
To enter comment with your e-mail address.
Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 5 posts for blogging):
- Subscribe to or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Share the giveaway on a social network of your choice. (1 entry each)
- Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on March 24th.
To enter comment with your e-mail address.
Extra entries (please post each entry separately, i.e. 5 posts for blogging):
- Subscribe to or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Share the giveaway on a social network of your choice. (1 entry each)
- Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Deadline to enter is midnight on March 24th.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Friday 56, Wondrous Strange
Rules:* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
*Post a link along with your post back to Storytime With Tonya and Friends.
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
The book this week is Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston. YA fantasy with fairies and Shakespeare. I couldn't resist.
The sentence:
"Aw, Fennrys doesn't like crowds - you know that. He's claimed the upper fourth of the park like he owns it. Might as well have gone around and peed on all the bushes up there."
There's a lovely image for you. I'm not sure having someone so territorial on your side is a good thing in a fight. It might be dangerous for everyone. Still, better on your side than not I guess.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Firebrand Review
The Firebrand by George Challis
(from the book jacket) The powerful lord of Perugia couldn't believe his own eyes. No Living man had ever escaped the locks and guards of his torture chamber - no one, that is, except his prize prisoners, Baron Melrose, and Tizzo, the laughing Firebrand who danced his way through perilous encounters with the finest swordsmen of Europe; Tizzo, whose woodsman's ax split helmets like kindling, whose dagger could find chinks in the strongest armor. It seemed that only witchcraft could account for his amazing prowess! In this tale of adventure, intrigue, and romance, George Challis has brought to like an exciting new character in the sparkling, daredevil youth who grew up to match wits and courage with the greatest villains of the day. Giovanpaolo, head of the mighty house of Baglioni, found the mind of Tizzo as keen as his sword; Henry of Melrose found that no friend of Tizzo died while Tizzo lived; and black-hearted Mateo Marozzo found that Tizzo ws no friend to treachery. And in one look at his flaming hair and blue eyes, the lovely Beatrice Baglioni knew why they called him the Firebrand.
The Firebrand is an exciting swashbuckling adventure. It is filled with breathtaking sword fights and daring rescues. It has loyalty, friendship and love. Challis makes all his characters big and bold, they swear loyalty to men they hardly know, they feel everything strongly, they love a good fight and a good fighter. The boldest, of course, is our hero, Tizzo, the Firebrand from the title. He is young and brash and people love him without really knowing why. He makes outrageous gambits and somehow always pulls them off. He is different from other men with his flaming hair and his choice of weapon, the woodman’s ax. Others find him so extraordinary that they say things like ‘not a cat, but a Tizzo could,’ not a giant, but a Tizzo could,’ like he is not just a remarkable man but a different breed altogether. He has a lady love who will fight beside him, friends who will risk life and limb to follow him and an enemy that will risk anything to destroy him. The story of power and betrayal and true love is fun and exciting. It is a story that is larger than life. The fights that are ‘aflash and aglitter with the swordplay’ are plentiful. Most of the book someone is fighting but it doesn’t become tedious and there is still plenty of plot in between the fights. It reads fast and moves quickly. Challis has written a wonderful adventure story with a hissable bad guy, a courageous hero, love that conquers all, improbably escapes, and lots of daring do. What more could you ask for? It’s easy to get swept up in it.
(from the book jacket) The powerful lord of Perugia couldn't believe his own eyes. No Living man had ever escaped the locks and guards of his torture chamber - no one, that is, except his prize prisoners, Baron Melrose, and Tizzo, the laughing Firebrand who danced his way through perilous encounters with the finest swordsmen of Europe; Tizzo, whose woodsman's ax split helmets like kindling, whose dagger could find chinks in the strongest armor. It seemed that only witchcraft could account for his amazing prowess! In this tale of adventure, intrigue, and romance, George Challis has brought to like an exciting new character in the sparkling, daredevil youth who grew up to match wits and courage with the greatest villains of the day. Giovanpaolo, head of the mighty house of Baglioni, found the mind of Tizzo as keen as his sword; Henry of Melrose found that no friend of Tizzo died while Tizzo lived; and black-hearted Mateo Marozzo found that Tizzo ws no friend to treachery. And in one look at his flaming hair and blue eyes, the lovely Beatrice Baglioni knew why they called him the Firebrand.
The Firebrand is an exciting swashbuckling adventure. It is filled with breathtaking sword fights and daring rescues. It has loyalty, friendship and love. Challis makes all his characters big and bold, they swear loyalty to men they hardly know, they feel everything strongly, they love a good fight and a good fighter. The boldest, of course, is our hero, Tizzo, the Firebrand from the title. He is young and brash and people love him without really knowing why. He makes outrageous gambits and somehow always pulls them off. He is different from other men with his flaming hair and his choice of weapon, the woodman’s ax. Others find him so extraordinary that they say things like ‘not a cat, but a Tizzo could,’ not a giant, but a Tizzo could,’ like he is not just a remarkable man but a different breed altogether. He has a lady love who will fight beside him, friends who will risk life and limb to follow him and an enemy that will risk anything to destroy him. The story of power and betrayal and true love is fun and exciting. It is a story that is larger than life. The fights that are ‘aflash and aglitter with the swordplay’ are plentiful. Most of the book someone is fighting but it doesn’t become tedious and there is still plenty of plot in between the fights. It reads fast and moves quickly. Challis has written a wonderful adventure story with a hissable bad guy, a courageous hero, love that conquers all, improbably escapes, and lots of daring do. What more could you ask for? It’s easy to get swept up in it.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Luxury Giveaway
Luxury Reading is giving away Dan Simmons. 3 winners will each receive a hardcover copy of the brand new Black Hills by Dan Simmons, as well as the newly released paperback copy of Drood. To enter head on over to Luxury Reading and leave a comment with your email address.
Extra entries:
- Subscribe to or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Share the giveaway on a social network of your choice (1 entry each)
- Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
(Post each entry in a separate comment, so that would be 5 comments for blogging.)
Deadline is midnight on March 17th. Open to the US and Canada.
Extra entries:
- Subscribe to or follow Luxury Reading (1 entry each)
- Blog about the giveaway (5 entries)
- Share the giveaway on a social network of your choice (1 entry each)
- Enter another Luxury Reading giveaway (1 entry each)
(Post each entry in a separate comment, so that would be 5 comments for blogging.)
Deadline is midnight on March 17th. Open to the US and Canada.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Books I Finished in February
Eleven again this month. And more than half of them are adult books.
Omega by Patrick Lynch
A medical thriller. It was pretty fast paced and full of tension.
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
A dark twist on the Cinderella story.
Tarzan Triumphant by Edgar Rice Burroughs
What can you say about Tarzan?
Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Pirates and curses and other good stuff. Unfortunately the protagonist really started to annoy me.
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
The sequel to Inkheart. And another protagonist that annoyed me, but just at first. I got over it once I was into the story.
Off the Mangrove Coast by Louis L’Amour
I don’t know why I keep reading short stories. I think I like the concept of them but not so much in practice. Nothing wrong with this collection, some of them I liked but I just don’t think short stories is my genre.
House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe
Second in a series. I think I’ll go back and read the first. It’s mystery and action and adventure. Very entertaining.
The Voyage of the Argo by Apollonius of Rhodes
It has monsters and curses and other good stuff. I liked it but it was somehow less dramatic then I expected.
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross
I like superheroes. I can’t help it.
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Killer unicorns. How can you not want to read this?
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
First in the October Daye series. It’s rather a dark story but I think that’s one of the things I like about it. I’ll definitely be reading the next one.
Omega by Patrick Lynch
A medical thriller. It was pretty fast paced and full of tension.
Godmother by Carolyn Turgeon
A dark twist on the Cinderella story.
Tarzan Triumphant by Edgar Rice Burroughs
What can you say about Tarzan?
Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
Pirates and curses and other good stuff. Unfortunately the protagonist really started to annoy me.
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
The sequel to Inkheart. And another protagonist that annoyed me, but just at first. I got over it once I was into the story.
Off the Mangrove Coast by Louis L’Amour
I don’t know why I keep reading short stories. I think I like the concept of them but not so much in practice. Nothing wrong with this collection, some of them I liked but I just don’t think short stories is my genre.
House of Wolves by Matt Bronleewe
Second in a series. I think I’ll go back and read the first. It’s mystery and action and adventure. Very entertaining.
The Voyage of the Argo by Apollonius of Rhodes
It has monsters and curses and other good stuff. I liked it but it was somehow less dramatic then I expected.
Dull Boy by Sarah Cross
I like superheroes. I can’t help it.
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Killer unicorns. How can you not want to read this?
Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
First in the October Daye series. It’s rather a dark story but I think that’s one of the things I like about it. I’ll definitely be reading the next one.
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