ARC Review: The Call (Peadar O' Guilin)

Books: The Call

Author: Peadar O' Guilin

Hardcover, 320 pages
Publication Date: August 30th 2016 

Publisher: David Fickling Books

The Hunger Games meets horror in this unforgettable thriller where only one thing is certain . . . you will be Called.
Thousands of years ago, humans banished the Sidhe fairy race to another dimension. The beautiful, terrible Sidhe have stewed in a land of horrors ever since, plotting their revenge . . . and now their day has come.
Fourteen-year-old Nessa lives in a world where every teen will be "Called." It could come in the middle of the day, it could come deep in the night. But one instant she will be here, and the next she will wake up naked and alone in the Sidhe land. She will be spotted, hunted down, and brutally murdered. And she will be sent back in pieces by the Sidhe to the human world . . . unless she joins the rare few who survive for twenty-four hours and escape unscathed.
Nessa trains with her friends at an academy designed to maximize her chances at survival. But as the days tick by and her classmates go one by one, the threat of her Call lurks ever closer . . . and with it the threat of an even more insidious danger closer to home.

Amazon * B & N  * Indiebound 

Irish writer Peadar Ó Guilín is the author of the YA novel, The Call, inspired by the beautiful northwest of Ireland where he grew up.
In September 2007, Peadar published his first novel, The Inferior, which the Times Educational Supplement called "a stark, dark tale, written with great energy and confidence and some arresting reflections on human nature." Foreign editors liked it too, and over the coming year it is to be translated into eight languages, including Japanese and Korean.
His fantasy and SF short stories have appeared in numerous venues, including Black Gate magazine and an anthology celebrating the best of the iconic Weird Tales. He is currently working on a sequel to The Call.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

"3 Minutes

You wake up alone in a horrible land.

A horn sounds. The Call has begun.

2 Minutes

The Sidhe are close. They're the most beautiful and terrible people you've ever seen. 

And they've seen you. 

1 Minute

Nessa will be called soon.

No one thinks she has any chance to survive.

But's she's going to prove them wrong. 

TIME'S UP

Could you survive the call?"

I came across The Call while looking through Goodreads and it immediately grabbed my attention. Everything about The Call made me want to read it! The Call is described as Hunger Games with horror added in and I could not agree more. I am a huge fan of survival stories and with the idea of horror mixed in...YEP...HAD ME! 

I really enjoyed The Call and the characters within the story. The Call is a survival story that is based around young adults who are sent to an elite school where they are trained to fight for their lives against the "Sidhe" The Sidhe are  creatures who have been banished to another world and have signed a treaty with humans to prevent a war by requesting each teen to be "called" over to the Sidhe land and fight for their lives. The teen has about a day in the Sidhe land to fight and survive and if they live though the day then they are sent back to the human world and can live the rest of their lives free from being called. The time is different in the Sidhe land and a entire day equals 3 minutes in the human world and the human is returned to the exact same spot in which they left when they were called....which can cause issues if anything has changed while they are gone. 

The Sidhe land is really horrifying and the Sidhe people are even worse. The Call is truly a horror story and is not for the faint of heart. The Sidhe people are brutal and if the teen that is "called" actually survives...then they are usually sent back horribly disfigured or worse...in order to send a message to the human world. 

"They've been warned about this from their first night in survival college, when they wake up naked and alone in the middle of the woods......Even in your dreams, act as if your life depends on it, because someday it will."

The main character, Nessa, is a young girl who has polio and can barely use her legs. She is seen by everyone as weak and fragile and Nessa is ANYTHING BUT FRAGILE! Nessa is such a strong character and has such an amazing outlook on her life...Nothing stops her and she trains just as hard if not harder than everyone else. I really would have loved to explore the characters more and learn more about each one. The relationships between some of the characters was very strained and there was continuous turmoil between the teens. I also felt like there was more going on with the adults/teachers that are introduced in the story and the reader doesn't really get to explore this aspect of the story. 

I really enjoyed most everything about The Call and it kept my attention for the most part but the one drawback of the entire book was how short the book was. This story is so fascinating and the author really could have created an amazing, deep story with this book and I feel as though the story was too crammed and the reader really needed more information about everything. I wanted to read more about the Sidhe land and the background of why and how this all happened...I wanted to know more about these amazing characters and their will to survive. The Call is an survival story that is just as fascinating as it is horrifying...I recommend any ya horror fans to check this book out immediately! 

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

Children's Book Review: You Can Do It, Stinky Face!! (Lisa McCourt)

Board Book, 32 pages
Published March 29th 2016

Publisher: Scholastic

Author: Lisa McCourt

Stinky Face has a lot of questions, and his patient mama always knows how to reassure her little Stinky Face with the right answers!

This time, Stinky Face is struggling with confidence and having some doubts about his abilities. Luckily, Mama knows the magic words: "You can do it, Stinky Face!"
Readers will enjoy Stinky Face's wild adventures while being reassured that it's okay to feel afraid sometimes. But they have the strength to overcome it -- just like Stinky Face does. A perfect year-round Stinky Face story with a gentle nod to graduation and transitions!

I’m a lover of all things writerly. I can help you create whatever it is you’re needing written. I’ll write it for you; I’ll write it with you; or I’ll hold your hand while you write it yourself. Pop me a note and tell me what you need.
Oh, but maybe you clicked here looking for my credentials. Here’s the official bio for conferences and such:
Lisa McCourt is a bestselling author and ghost-blogger specializing in the field of personal transformation. Her joyful passion for the power of words has propelled a diverse publishing career studded with industry awards, starred reviews, international honors, and mega-sales.
On the secret side of Lisa’s publishing path, she’s been the silent ghostwriter for many prominent thought-leaders, from New York Times bestselling authors to Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated Hollywood stars. Protected by ironclad confidentiality, her clients have appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Saturday Night Live, The Dr. Oz Show, The View, and The Nancy Grace Show.
Lisa has also penned over three dozen books in her own name (including the modern classic, I Love You, Stinky Face) that have together sold over seven million copies. Published by Hay House, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, McGraw Hill, and Health Communications, her books have won publishing awards, been featured on Lifetime TV, Fox News, CNN, and PBS, garnered praise from over 200 reviewers, and been translated into 11 languages.
For over a decade, Lisa has shared her creativity secrets on stages around the world. A former popular CBS Radio host and a frequent speaker at both writing conferences and self-growth events, she brings her passion and unique blend of skill-sets to an eclectic career path that is ever mysteriously unfolding, just the way she likes it.

http://www.lisamccourt.com/

You Can Do It, Stinky Face! is the perfect childrens book for younger kids. The book is easy to hold with little fingers and is illustrated with bright vivid colors which help to keep the child's attention. It also encourages children to use their imagination when reading and love how the mom in the story is always encouraging the child to look at the good in every experience and shows the child how to be positive in every situation.

You Can Do It, Stinky Face really focuses on the special connection between a mother and her child and being a Mom myself...well this just made me smile.

You Can Do It, Stinky Face! is a precious children's book that reflects the beautiful love between a mother and her child and is perfect for young children and parents to encourage special moments during reading time. 

Waiting On Wednesday: Everland (Wendy Spinale)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at 

Breaking the Spine

and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: May 10th 2016 by Scholastic Press

Forget the story of Peter Pan you know. Because in Everland, the only way to grow up is to survive.
London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders -- the German Army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.
Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return. Until the day they grab Joanna. As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a mysterious boy named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen. And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook?

What book are you looking forward to??

5 Star Scholastic ARC Review: Titans (Victoria Scott)

Book: Titans

Author: Victoria Scott

Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: February 23rd 2016

Publisher: Scholastic Press

From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds.

Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.
She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.
But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about. 

Amazon * B & N  * Indigo 

Victoria Scott is the author of TITANS (Spring 2016), VIOLET GRENADE (Summer 2017), the FIRE & FLOOD duology, and the DANTE WALKER trilogy. She is published by Scholastic and Entangled Teen, and is represented by Sara Crowe. Two of her novels, SALT & STONE and TITANS, have received starred reviews, and FIRE & FLOOD was nominated as a YALSA Teens' Top 10 book. Victoria's novels have been bought and translated in eleven foreign markets. The author lives in Dallas, and loves hearing from readers.

Website * Facebook * Twitter

"Tonight, 

the Titans will run...."

Titans is an young adult book that has science fiction, action, and a fascinating story-line. Titans revolves around a young girl named Astrid who is fascinated with the titan races that uses mechanical, scientifically designed horses to race against each other. The closest Astrid gets to the actual races is watching them from behind a fence from afar..until.....by a chance meeting with an mysterious old man she actually gets the opportunity to compete in the races and possibly win the two million dollar prize which would change her and her family's life forever. 

I absolutely love Victoria's writing style and how each of her characters is special and unique and keeps me drawn to page after page. Astrid's best friend is named Magnolia and she is a fascinating character who brings out humor and so much life in the story.  She is always there when Astrid needs her and they share the good and the bad and are always there for each other. 

I love the part of the story where Astrid's family is very poor and barely making ends meet and Astrid overcomes so many trials and tribulations and fights to get her family together and surviving. 

"I have to win the Titan Derby. I won't settle for the way things are. 

Now when I know they could be so much better. "

The world-building in this story is amazing and how well the author explains the concept behind the horse and the races makes this idea truly seem possible. 

Victoria always writes the connections between her characters and the animals in such a way that you find yourself completely attached to each and every character and cheering for them to survive. 

I have read that some people are saying the story needed romance but I actually found it refreshing and different and I was able to focus more on the story and all the characters interwined within it. 

Titans had everything in it to make a great stand-alone....interesting characters, fascinating story-line, and a perfect conclusion that wraps up the story perfectly....So needless to say...I LOVED THIS BOOK and I would advise anyone who enjoys young adult books to dig in immediately. Victoria Scott writes phenomenal books and I have loved each and every one of them and am looking forward to the next one!!!

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Scholastic for the opportunity to review this book!!**

Scholastic Cover Reveal & Giveaway: The Sleeping Prince (Melinda Salisbury

Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication: April 26th 2016 by Scholastic Press

Return to the darkly beautiful world of The Sin Eater's Daughter with a sequel that will leave you awed, terrified . . . and desperate for more.
Ever since her brother Lief disappeared, Errin's life has gone from bad to worse. Not only must she care for her sick mother, she has to scrape together rent money by selling illegal herbal cures. But none of that compares to the threat of the vengeful Sleeping Prince whom the Queen just awoke from his enchanted sleep.
When her village is evacuated as part of the war against the Sleeping Prince, Errin is left desperate and homeless. The only person she can turn to is the mysterious Silas, a young man who buys deadly poisons from Errin, but won't reveal why he needs them. Silas promises to help her, but when he vanishes, Errin must journey across a kingdom on the brink of war to seek another way to save her mother and herself. But what she finds shatters everything she believed about her world, and with the Sleeping Prince drawing nearer, Errin must make a heartbreaking choice that could affect the whole kingdom. 

Melinda Salisbury lives by the sea, somewhere in the south of England. As a child she genuinely thought Roald Dahl’s Matilda was her biography, in part helped by her grandfather often mistakenly calling her Matilda, and the local library having a pretty cavalier attitude to the books she borrowed. Sadly she never manifested telekinetic powers. She likes to travel, and have adventures. She also likes medieval castles, non-medieval aquariums, Richard III, and all things Scandinavian The Sin Eater's Daughter is her first novel. She can be found on Twitter at @AHintofMystery, though be warned, she tweets often.

Website * Twitter 


Click here for my 5 Star Review of The Sin Eater's Daughter!!!!

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Scholastic Review: The Real Princess Diaries (Grace Norwich)

Paperback, 96 pages
Published August 25th 2015 by Scholastic Paperback Nonfiction

This inside look at real-life princesses will explore the true and often inspiring stories behind happily ever after.
A deep dive into the royal world of a princess! Featuring princesses from around the world and all of time. The Real Princess Diaries explores everything it means to be royal. Each spread includes portraits of the princesses, in-depth bios, crowning achievements, and family trees. Learn which princesses have official royal duties, and which ones simply reign. Plus bonus sidebars about ladies in waiting, the crowned jewels, royal outfits, and princes, this will be the definitive royal guide. Full-color photos, with a modern layout make this a must read for princess fans everywhere.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo 

Grace Norwich has written many books for young readers on a variety of topics, including health, fashion, animals, and more. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.

I received this book for review from Scholastic Publishers and could not wait to start reading it! I am fascinated with the stories about princesses and I knew I would not be disappointed. 

There were so many great aspects to this book. Each princess had something unique and special about them and I loved how they all empowered women and were all very active in charities. 

"If a poor, weak girl, with not one of my people near me and all these statements against me, have the strength to stand up for the rights of my people. Even now I can hear their wail in my heart, and it gives me strength." ~Victoria Ka'iulani

One of the most beautiful and fascinating princesses was Ameerah Al-Taweel. Ameerah fell in love with one of her country's princes after interviewing him for a school paper. They fell in love and married nine months later and almost immediately after they married she became a huge public figure and a strong advocate for women's rights in her country. She fought hard for women to be allowed to drive and also for women to be allowed custody of their children should they ever get a divorce from their husbands. 

"I didn't want to be that girl who's not doing anything. I wanted to make an impact.~Ameerah Al-Taweel

I also really enjoyed Sikhanyiso's story. She was an African princess who became a strong advocate against polygamy. Her father was a large polygamist who had over fourteen wives and she defied him and fought to express her strong will and said that nothing or no-one would stop her from speaking out for what she believes in. 

I also loved the addition of the royal pets! There were some very interesting animals that lived with these amazing women. I found the fact that one princess used pigeons to transport messages during wars very fascinating!!

The Real Princess Diaries was a great book with so much information about princesses all over the world. Some of these women I have never even heard of and absolutely loved reading their stories of empowerment and success. 

My favorite quote in the book: 

"No matter where we came from, what we look like, how we dress, or to whom we pray, when it comes to what makes us laugh or cry, when it comes to what we dream of for ourselves and for our children, when it comes to how hard we work each day, we are usually more alike than we are different." 

~Queen Rania

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Scholastic for the opportunity to review this book!!**

Scholastic Cover Reveal & Giveaway: TITANS (Victoria Scott)

I am BEYOND excited to announce the cover reveal of one of my FAVORITE authors new books!!!! Her Fire & Flood series was one of my favorite series of all times!!!! and I seriously cannot wait to read TITANS!!!! With Victoria Scott.... I know it is going to be amazing!!!!

 and now for the cover reveal........

From Victoria Scott, author of FIRE & FLOOD, comes a thrilling story of impossible odds. 
Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.
She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.
But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about. 

Victoria Scott is a teen fiction writer represented by Sara Crowe. She's the author of the FIRE & FLOOD series published by Scholastic, and the DANTE WALKER trilogy published by Entangled Teen. Her books have been bought and translated in ten foreign markets including the UK, Turkey, China, Poland, Germany, Australia, Israel, Brazil, New Zealand, and the Netherlands.Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband and hearts cotton candy something fierce.

Website * Goodreads * Twitter * Facebook

Victoria Scott & Scholastic have given me the amazing opportunity to offer my followers a GREAT giveaway for checking out her cover reveal for Titans!!!
Enter the giveaway below!!!

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Waiting On Wednesday: Endure (Sara B Larson)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at 

Breaking the Spine

and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Hardcover
Expected publication: December 29th 2015 by Scholastic Press

The remarkable third novel in Sara B. Larson's bestselling Defy series!
At last, Alexa and King Damian are engaged to be married. But their lives are far from safe. The kingdom of Antion is under siege, and Rylan is a prisoner of the enemy. Even worse, Alexa remains at the mercy of the evil Dansiian Rafe, who controls her mind and can force Alexa to kill or harm Damian at any moment. Despite this, Alexa is determined to rescue Rylan, which soon leads her far from Damian and deep into enemy territory.
When she arrives, what awaits her is deadlier than anything she could have ever imagined: an army of black sorcerers, and a horrifying plot to destroy the world as Alexa knows it. Will she be able to gather the strength to free herself, protect the love of her life, and save the land? Will there ever be true peace?
Acclaimed author Sara B. Larson has woven a stunning, romantic, and evocative finale to the Defy trilogy, that is sure to leave readers breathless until the very last page.

Check out my reviews for the first two amazing books in the Defy series!!!!!

  Defy (#1)                          Ignite (#2)

         

ARC Children's Book Review: Scarecrow Magic (Author-Ed Masessa & Illustrator- Matt Myers)

Hardcover, 32 pages
Expected publication: June 30th 2015 

Publisher: Orchard Books/Scholastic

After nightfall, Scarecrow and friends have a playtime adventure!
Scarecrow plays by the light of the moon.He jumps rope and dances and belts out a tune.Ghoulies and ghosties have fun through the night.Then as the sun rises, they scurry from sight.
As night time falls and the moon appears, magic is building in the air. The time has finally come, and Scarecrow is ready to play. Slowly, all his friends start to arrive and they all have a good time. But soon, playtime is over and the sun starts to rise. Back at his post, Scarecrow bids his friends good night as he thinks of the next time the moon will rise and the magic will return.
SCARECROW MAGIC is spooky fun that's just perfect for Halloween!

Pre-Order Links: 

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo 

Ed Masessa is the author of The Wandmaker's Guidebook, Travel-Size Pups Around the World, and Mixed-Up Pups. He currently loves in Winter Springs, Florida. 

Matt Myers is the illustrator of children's books Battle Bunny, A is for Musk Ox, Tyrannosaurus Dad, and EIEIO How Old Macdonald Got His Farm with a Little Help From a Hen. He lives with his family in Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit him online at www.myerspaints.com.

"Scarecrows play by the light of the moon. 

He jumps rope and dances and belts out a tune. 

Ghoulies and ghosties have fun throught the night

Then as the sun rises, they scurry from sight."

The first thing that caught my eye when I started reading Scarecrow Magic were the illustrations. The characters drawn are so colorful and full of life. The creatures are spooky and yet not too scary. 

All of the "monsters" are portrayed dancing around and having fun and enjoying normal kid games. I love how the illustrator makes even the scariest creature/monster look happy and cheerful! 

Yet, my most favorite part of the book is close to the end where all the monsters are getting ready to turn in for the day...Some go back to their trees and some dig down in the ground. The picture shows a Momma ghoul and a baby ghoul curled up in the ground and the Momma is reading a bedtime story to the baby. So cute! Even monsters need their bedtime stories! :)

**The quotes from this book have been taken from an Advanced Reading Copy and are subject to change when the final book is printed. Please refer to the final, finished copy for exact quotes!**

**I want to say Thank You to Scholastic for the opportunity to review this book!!**