Sage Nestler's Blog, page 50
January 20, 2017
Child of the Night Guild Blog Tour
Hello, Everyone!
Today I am hosting a stop on the blog tour for Child of the Night Guild by Andy Peloquin. This novel is newly released and contains a mysterious and exciting storyline. Pick up your copy today!
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Book Blurb:
Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)
“They killed my parents. They took my name. They imprisoned me in darkness. I would not be broken.”
Viola, a child sold to pay her father’s debts, has lost everything: her mother, her home, and her identity. Thrown into a life among criminals, she has no time for grief as she endures the brutal training of an apprentice thief. The Night Guild molds an innocent waif into a cunning, agile outlaw skilled in the thieves’ trade. She has only one choice: steal enough to pay her debts.
The cutthroat streets of Praamis will test her mettle, and she must learn to dodge the City Guards or swing from a hangman’s rope. But a more dangerous foe lurks within the guild walls. A sadistic rival apprentice, threatened by her strength, is out for blood.
What hope does one girl have in a world of ruthless men?
Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Scott Lynch, and Brent Weeks will love the Hunter…
Book Info:
Title: Child of the Night Guild (Queen of Thieves Book 1)
Author: Andy Peloquin
Publication Date: Jan 17, 2017
Paperback Price:
Digital Price: 2.99
Pages: 401
ASIN: B01N1TC3VW
Buy Links:
Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Child-Night-Guild-Queen-Thieves-ebook/dp/B01N1TC3VW/
Amazon Paperback:
Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Child-Night-Guild-Queen-Thieves-ebook/dp/B01N1TC3VW/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33412715-child-of-the-night-guild
Book Launch Event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/336765836707837/
Join my Thunderclap: http://thndr.me/fdeiQu
Bio:
Andy Peloquin: Lover of All Things Dark and Mysterious
I am, first and foremost, a storyteller and an artist–words are my palette. Fantasy is my genre of choice, and I love to explore the darker side of human nature through the filter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. I’m also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about my fascination for the worlds I encounter in the pages of fantasy novels.
Fantasy provides us with an escape, a way to forget about our mundane problems and step into worlds where anything is possible. It transcends age, gender, religion, race, or lifestyle–it is our way of believing what cannot be, delving into the unknowable, and discovering hidden truths about ourselves and our world in a brand new way. Fiction at its very best!
Website: http://www.andypeloquin.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndyPeloquin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andyqpeloquin
www.linkedin.com/in/andypeloquin/
https://plus.google.com/100885994638914122147/about
https://www.amazon.com/author/andypeloquin
https://www.facebook.com/andrew.peloquin.1
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYAKG5k06vcmc02Uy4fGLfA
http://andypeloquin.com/join-the-club/
10 Things You Need to Know About Me:
Hot wings, ALWAYS!
I never forget a face, but rarely remember a name.
I’m a head taller than the average person (I’m 6′ 6″)
Marvel > DC
I was born in Japan, and lived there until the age of 14.
Selena Gomez, Skrillex, Simon & Garfunkel, Celine Dion, and Five Finger Death Punch are all in my writing playlist.
Aliens are real, but it’s self-centered of us to believe that they would come to visit Earth.
Watching sports: suck. Playing sports: EPIC!
I earned a purple belt in Karate/Hapkido/Taekwondo.
I dislike most Christmas music, aside from Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Favorite Books: The Gentlemen Bastards by Scott Lynch, The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson, Sherlock Holmes by A.C. Doyle, Warlord of Mars by E.R. Burroughs
Favorite Songs: Wrong Side of Heaven by Five Finger Death Punch, Prayer by Disturbed, I’m an Albatraoz by AronChupa, Look Down from Les Miserables, Shatter Me by Lindsay Sterling and Lizzi Hale
Favorite Movies: 300, Red Cliff, Shoot Em Up, Love Actually, Princess Bride
Favorite Comics: Anything with Deadpool, Wolverine or Doop in it
Favorite Foods: Hot Wings, Meat-Lover’s Salad, A good sandwich (made by me), Yaki Soba, Sushi
Favorite TV Shows: The Flash, Daredevil, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Hawaii Five-0, Brooklyn 99, Firefly (too soon!), The Last Ship, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones
Reviews:
“Creative, gritty, and beautifully dark…fantasy addicts will love it!” — Peter Story, author of Things Grak Hates — http://peterjstory.com/
“The fantasy world has a compelling new antihero…the Hunter will terrify and captivate you.” – Eve A Floriste, author of Fresh Cut
“From the first words on the page this fantasy holds the reader spellbound even after the book is finished…his character is very well-defined even if his past is a mystery. Root for an assassin? Oh, yes, one must!” — Carol Conley, for InDTale Magazine
“Oh the carnage! Fantastic bloodthirsty carnage! The fight scenes in this book were fast-paced, detailed and thrilling. I love a good sword fight and there is plenty of that here.” — Ami L. Hart
“One could get lost in this novel for its twisting plots, seemingly endless imagination, dark yet irresistible characters, or the mind-numbing paradox of its simultaneously dark and romantic world. One could follow the long and winding road of the dusky, fierce protagonist and fight tooth and nail not to sympathize with him. One could dance in the dizzying, intricate circles of Peloquin’s neo-mythology, or even basque in the black sunlight of a well-crafted gothic novel that both entertains and enlightens.” — Jesse G. Christiansen
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Excerpt 1:
We’ve been at this for hours! When will he let us rest? Mind numb from hunger and fatigue, Viola placed one weary foot in front of the other. Blood dripped from cuts in her hands, arms, and forehead.
Master Velvet refused to let up. “Your past is gone, your families forgotten. You have no names, no identities. You are nothing more than a number until it is deemed fit to give you a name.”
The children called out as one, “Yes, Master Velvet!”
“Everything you are, everything you will be, you owe to the Night Guild. We are your masters, your creators, your gods.” The tirade had repeated for endless hours, but Master Velvet never seemed to have enough.
“Yes, Master Velvet!”
Master Velvet’s voice cracked like a carter’s whip. “Disobedience will be punished harshly. Obedience will be rewarded well. Learn this and you will flourish in the Night Guild.”
Viola’s legs wobbled, her shoulders ached, and her arms shook from exertion. “Yes, Master Velvet!”
“Forget everything you know. Forget life outside this room. You eat, sleep, and shit at my command.”
“Yes, Master Velvet!” Viola’s voice cracked from thirst and fatigue. She wanted to lie down, to close her eyes, to sleep.
Master Velvet snarled in her ear. “You live and die at the pleasure of the Night Guild. You belong to the Guild mind, body, and soul. What are you?”
“We are tyros, Master Velvet.”
He crouched beside her. “And what are tyros?”
“Lower than dirt, Master Velvet!”
A satisfied smile spread across his face. “Empty your buckets and set them on the floor beside the barrels. Double speed, my drudges.”
Viola tried to move faster, but her feet refused. By the time she reached the barrel at the far end of the room, only one other child remained. The boy, barely taller than her, had yet to empty his bucket. He strained to lift his heavy load. His hands trembled uncontrollably—a permanent condition that made even eating and drinking difficult. Water splashed down his tunic, turning the dirt to mud.
Emptying her pail, Viola dropped to the sodden ground with a half-sob, half-groan of relief.
“Get up, tyros!” Master Velvet would not let them rest.
Tears of exhaustion and frustration streaming, she climbed to her feet. Though her back protested, she forced herself straight when Master Velvet approached.
Stand tall, no matter what. Mama’s words echoed in her thoughts. I’m trying, Mama, but I’m so tired!
“Chow time, my drudges. You’ll find that table over there loaded with delights to fill your little bellies. Eat. You have done well.”
Someone had piled the table high with fruits, sweetmeats, and treats. She’d been too exhausted to notice. The scent of fresh bread, cinnamon rolls, and pastries wafted toward her. Her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
Master Velvet placed a hand on her shoulder. “Not you, Seven. You were the first to fail, so an example must be made.”
“B-But…” Viola couldn’t put up more than a weak protest.
“Off with you, Seven. To your bunk and reflect on your weakness.” His dark eyes held no kindness. “Pray to the Watcher for strength to survive.”
“Y-Yes, Master Velvet.” She turned away to hide her tears.
“Perhaps you’ll try harder tomorrow, Seven.” He spoke without a trace of compassion or pity in his voice. “If you want to have any hope of survival here in the Night Guild, this will be the last time you fail.”
Hunger gnawed at Viola’s belly, but it could not outweigh the bone-deep weariness. She forced herself not to look at the other children, to block out the sounds of their eating. Feet leaden, she turned to the tunnel that led to their sleeping quarters.
Tears flowed in earnest once she reached the darkness of the passage. Sobs of anger, desperation, and frustration washed over her, shaking her body like a leaf in a whirlwind.
Slamming the door shut behind her, she threw herself onto her bunk and buried her head in the thin pillow. She didn’t care that her clothes were soaking wet or that she hadn’t had any water to drink for hours. She wouldn’t allow any of the others to see her cry.
Bright Lady, hear me and protect me in my hour of need. Her parched throat refused to form the words.
The prayer had comforted her in the past, but now it felt empty. The hunger, exhaustion, and thirst remained. Minutes ticked by in silence. Nothing happened.
She balled her fists and swallowed the ache in her belly. Down here, she was all alone. The Bright Lady can’t hear me.
Why would she? The goddess of healing hadn’t heard when she’d prayed for Mama and baby Rose. The gods were far away, if they cared at all. Mama was gone and Papa had left her here. In this place, she was the only one she could count on. She had to be strong, just as she had been after Mama died.
I will get through another day. Just one more.
Excerpt 2:
“Are you sure you’re doing it right, Seven?”
Seven scrunched her face, concentrating hard. “I’m doing it just like he showed us, Three. See?” She attempted to snatch the purse.
Three patted the oversized waistcoat Master Velvet had given him.
“I could still feel it. So you’re doing something wrong.”
Frustration mounting, Seven tried again, doing exactly as Master Velvet had taught them. Walk toward the mark. Bump into him. Dip two fingers into his pocket to hook the purse. Apologize to the mark and touch him with my free hand. Hide the purse in my palm and hurry away.
He shook his head. “That time, too. I can feel you pulling the purse out when you move away. Maybe you need to do it faster.”
“I can’t do it faster, Three. Not yet, at least.” Seven clenched her fists in frustration.
He held up a hand. “It’s okay, Seven. Give it time. You’ll get it.”
“Here.” She threw him the bulging, cloth-stuffed purse. “Let me try again.” Even as she tugged the purse free, the look on Three’s face told her she’d failed.
Her friend shrugged. “Still felt it.”
Seven ground her teeth. Master Velvet said this is supposed to be easy. So why can’t I get it right?
Three tugged the vest over his head. “Let’s give the bump a break for a moment.” He pulled a dun-colored cloak around his shoulders. “What say we give the snatch a try?”
Seven nodded. The snatch required timing and dexterity, but she’d grown adept at it. She walked toward Three, brushed against his cloak, and lifted the purse from the hidden pocket, all without breaking stride.
Three’s eyes widened. “Damn, Seven. I didn’t feel a thing!”
She beamed. “Well, at least there’s one thing I’m good at.”
Master Velvet strode up behind her and took her small, muddy hands. “You’ve got good finger-work, tyro.” He ran his calloused hands over her fingers. “They’re quick and nimble. With the right training, you could become quite the purse collector.”
“Thank you, Master Velvet.” She flushed at his praise. It was the first full compliment she’d ever heard pass his lips.
“Keep it up, Seven. Three.” With a nod, he moved to the next pair of tyros.
Three slapped her on the shoulder. “Look at that! You’re getting there.”
“Yeah. Now if only I could get the bump down properly.” She held out her arms. “Here, give me the vest and cloak. You’ve got to practice, too.”
As Three passed her the clothing, Twelve’s shout echoed through the Menagerie. “Damn it! You’re doing it wrong, you stupid sack of shite.”
Two met Twelve’s glare without a trace of fear. “How in the Keeper’s name can I be doing it wrong, Twelve?” Two was taller than Twelve, though not as broad. “I’m standing here in this vest. You’re supposed to be pulling the damned purse.”
“Well…” Twelve faltered, his face reddening. With a snarl, he threw the purse in Two’s face and stormed off.
Three snorted. “Looks like he’s not doing much better than you are, Seven.”
Seven glared at her friend. “That’s not saying much for me, you know. With those fat sausage fingers, he can barely fit his hands in the pocket.”
“There you go.” He gave her a broad grin. “You’ve got the advantage, at least over him. Just give it time and you’ll get better at it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Well, let’s see how good you are.”
“I’ll bet you a peach I can do the bump better than you.”
“You’re on!”
Excerpt 3:
Twelve hurried toward the table, his face burning, a storm brewing behind his eyes. His path led him straight at Seven.
She hustled out of the bigger boy’s way. Better avoid him when he’s like this. No telling what he’ll do.
Two, however, ignored Twelve. He remained seated, content to munch at the food spread out before him.
Twelve snarled. “Move.”
A memory flitted through Seven’s head: a man sat at a table, growling at her to work. She couldn’t remember the face, but would never forget the anger.
Two didn’t move. He reached for an apple, turned to face Twelve, and took a noisy bite from the fruit. He leaned back against the table, arms folded across his chest.
Twelve’s face burned and his fists clenched at his side. “Get out of my way, Two!”
“No.” Two returned the angry glare. “You’re just another one of us. You don’t give commands here.”
Twelve swung, a blow aimed at Two’s jaw. The taller boy blocked the punch and slammed the apple into Twelve’s mouth. Blood mixed with crushed apple pulp and Twelve fell back.
“Go away, Twelve.” Two crossed his arms again. “Leave us—”
With a roar, Twelve launched himself at Two’s midsection. The taller boy twisted aside, but Twelve’s heavy arms wrapped around his waist. Snarling, Twelve heaved Two from his feet and slammed him onto the table.
The impact knocked the breath from Two’s lungs and his head struck a cup. He lay there, dazed, as Twelve leapt onto the table. The big boy’s boot slammed into Two’s ribs. Seven winced at the crack.
Twelve dropped atop Two, his elbow plowing into the boy’s face. Blood spurted from Two’s nose and lip. He tried to protect his face as Twelve rained down blow after blow. The heavier boy’s face twisted into a mask of insane rage, his lips curled back, and spittle flew from his mouth.
“Enough!” Master Velvet seized Twelve by the scruff of his collar and yanked the boy off Two. He threw the heavy tyro to the floor, knelt on his chest, and slapped him hard. “I told you I would not abide any sort of fighting.”
Twelve had lost his mind. His eyes were glazed, unfocused, his face red, his fists striking at Master Velvet.
Master Velvet slapped Twelve hard again, twice, three times. The blows cracked across his cheek and rocked the big boy’s head. “Lie still, boy, or by the Watcher, I’ll beat you so bad the Long Keeper himself won’t be able to tell you from a pile of shite!”
Master Velvet’s words penetrated the boy’s anger-fueled daze. Twelve’s fists stopped pumping in the air and his arms dropped. He lay on his back, gasping for air, his teeth still bared in a snarl.
Master Velvet looked over at Two. “You’ll live?”
Two wheezed, coughed blood, and mumbled something incoherent.
“Good. Three, Four, Eleven. Get him back to his bunk. I’ll be in shortly with something for the injuries.”
The three named tyros hurried to help the taller boy and, together, they stumbled from the room.
“Now what to do with you, Twelve?” Master Velvet looked down at the boy beneath him.
He yanked Twelve to his feet and dragged him toward the weapons table.
“It seems my first lesson didn’t penetrate your thick skull. Perhaps this will help you to remember!” Seizing the cosh, he laid into the boy, striking the tyro’s arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, legs, and head. Twelve cried out and tried to protect himself. “You’re a vicious cunt, lad, but there’s a time and place for that!”
Master Velvet slammed his fist into the boy’s gut, doubling him over. He kicked the back of Twelve’s knees. Twelve fell to the floor, weeping and curling into a ball.
He knelt beside the boy, bent low, and whispered something into his ear.
“Yes, Master Velvet,” Twelve sobbed.
“I won’t be repeating myself, tyro. Unless you want to find out what happens to those who disobey, this is the end of it.”
Master Velvet stood, and Seven averted her eyes. She pushed away her bowl of gruel; her appetite had fled.
“Look at him, tyros. Look at him well.”
Seven obeyed, her stomach in knots.
Master Velvet stabbed a warning finger at the sobbing figure huddled on the floor. “Let this be a lesson. No fighting amongst each other. If I am forced to say it again, I will not stop at just a beating. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Master Velvet!”
“Good. Now off with you.” A look in Master Velvet’s eye promised Twelve’s suffering had just begun.
Seven hurried from the Menagerie, the other tyros close on her heels. She cast a glance over her shoulder and caught a glint of steel in Master Velvet’s hand. Rushing into the room, she climbed onto her bunk and buried her head in her pillow. The thick wool failed to block out Twelve’s screams.
January 17, 2017
Writing Tips – Conflict in Story
Hello, Everyone!
Today I would like to discuss conflict in story and how many times, scary or tragic events can make your story, while the lack of such can break it.
Let’s think for a moment here. If you look at different movies and books that are popular in our media nowadays, 9 out of 10 times those movies or books are filled with tragedy, extreme conflict, and prove that life is not perfect. Even in such fantasy or science fiction installments, we can see how much conflict the characters encounter, and what they have to go through to be successful in their lives or fight for what they want. As viewers and readers, we tend to connect more with these types of stories, because we tend to relate them to our own situations and what we may go through on a daily basis. This is why, as authors, we need to insert certain forms of conflict in our stories so that readers not only connect to us, but to our characters as well. Having a story that is filled with positivity and unrealistic expectations about life is not beneficial to the reader, and I guarantee that you as an author won’t enjoy writing it nearly as much if you don’t insert some truth from your own experiences into the plot.
Some ways to intensify the conflict and depth of your plot are as follows:
Outline backstories for your characters. Doing this will allow you to get to know your characters better, while also creating events that can help your characters evolve and define their future actions.
Look at all sides of conflict you have created, and determine whether that conflict is beneficial to the story. When using conflict, you want to make sure that you don’t go overboard. Make sure to include meaningful conflict into your plot, but make sure that that conflict benefits the story in a powerful way that will affect all characters individually.
Provide a solution or the possibility thereof to give your characters, and your readers, hope. As a writer, you need to keep your reader’s trust. If you continually take hope away from your characters, this can devalue your story and cause your readers to feel tricked. Many times readers won’t continue a story or series if they do not feel connected to the author, or they don’t feel that the author took their feelings into consideration. Remember who you are writing for.
Conflict is a very tricky element to deal with when creating a plot, and I hope that these tips will help you to take your readers into consideration so that your story receives the best response possible!
Much love,
Ashley
January 12, 2017
Writing Prompt -01/09/17 – 01/15/17
Hello, Everyone!
This week’s writing prompt is inspired by winter and the beauty, and destruction, that snow can bring. That being said, this week I would like for you to write a piece focusing on the beauty of snow, but then turning to reveal its destructive side.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and feel free to share what you have written!
Much Love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
Hedren’s Chest is Now Open
Hi, Everyone!
I am excited to announce that we are opening a second book subscription service that is separate from Literary Vacation Club, but still aims at helping lesser known novels be seen! Our new business, Hedren’s Chest, is now officially open and it is a bi-monthly box that features 1 – 2 lesser known horror novels and 3 – 5 small business horror accessories. I am extremely passionate about horror literature, and I am so excited to finally be able to get this box off of the ground. It is strictly for the hardened individual, and you can expect the books to be intense and to scare the pants off of you.
Each box will be based on a theme, and since our first box is going out in February, the theme is:
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February’s box is going to be a Valentine’s Day care package perfect for ultimate horror fans. Boxes are $29.99+shipping/bi-monthly and they can be purchased here.
Use code “WELCOME10” to receive 10% off of your first box!
I am so excited to share my love of horror with you all, and you are sure to love these boxes.
Much love,
Ashley
January 11, 2017
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Title: Holding Up the Universe
Author: Jennifer Niven
Rating: 5/5
Synopsis:
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything.
Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone.
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.
Review:
Let me start this review by saying, I did not like Jennifer Niven’s novel, All the Bright Places, which I know, is a very unpopular opinion. I felt that suicide was taken way too lightly in that novel, and because of that, I was very wary of reading and reviewing Holding Up the Universe. However, after reading this gorgeous novel, I am so happy that I did. I NEVER say that a novel is flawless, but this novel is just that. It is precisely the book I wish had been published when I was a teenager, and here is why.
As long as you live, there’s always something waiting; and even if it’s bad, and you know it’s bad, what can you do? You can’t stop living. (Truman Capote, In Cold Blood)
Holding Up the Universe focuses on a young girl, Libby, who is obese and had to be cut out of her former house due to her size. After she becomes healthier and loses some of her weight, she decides to go back to the high school that all of the kids she grew up with go to. The story then introduces the character of Jack, a boy who has a disorder where he can’t recognize the face of anyone and has to rely on other identifiers to be able to recognize people. Their stories intertwine beautifully through alternating chapters, and it becomes obvious that everything that happens to either of them affects them both in the long run.
After all, miracles happen every day. Which means maybe those kids who were so hateful to me on the playground have grown up and realized the error of their ways. Maybe they’ve actually turned out to be nice. Or maybe they’re even meaner. Every book I read and movie I watch seems to give out the same message: high school is the worst experience you can ever have.
Libby goes through extensive bullying throughout the novel, most of it by the hands of Jack’s friends, but Jack begins to find a connection with Libby and they fall in love with one another. But the story is not just a love story, it is a story of discovery and flaws and how the high school experience can completely challenge and alter who you are.
It’s like being at a costume party every single day where you’re the only one without a costume, but you’re still expected to know who everyone is.
Niven did an incredible job of understanding how Jack, with his mental disorder, might feel and see the world while also empathizing with Libby and what she has bene through, without pitying her. Growing up, I was obese, and middle school – high school were the worst years of my life due to how I was seen. I have never liked the way that obese women are portrayed in literature because they have either been extremely confident in order to prove that they have value, or they are seen as the sidekick and don’t really have an emphasis on who they are. Niven was different, because she made me remember exactly how I felt throughout my youth by portraying Libby in a real light, and I felt confident in knowing Libby because she proved to me that “fat” characters don’t have to be one of two stereotypes – overly confident, or the sidekick. Libby was realistic and even though she was self-conscious in the beginning of the book, she did change due to her experiences of going back out in the world and realizing the extent to how people viewed her. She became unapologetic, but in a realistic way, and her character was NOT just defined by her weight.
If everyone who had something to say about me spent as much time on, I don’t know, practicing kindness or developing a personality or a soul, imagine how lovely the world would be.”
Niven forces the reader to view people, and our world, differently, and she did an amazing job of grasping the human condition and reflecting our actions and thoughts back to us in an unapologetic matter. This book is a must-read, and it is by far the best book I have read in about a year. It is not only important for young adults to read, but for readers of all ages to read because everyone can learn something from it.
Holding Up the Universe teaches us to look at each other for who we are and not for what we look like, and if only everyone picked it up and read it, it could change the world.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 9, 2017
Weekly Update – 01/09/17 -01/15/17
Happy Monday, Everyone!
The following is the schedule I have planned for this week:
Book Review: Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Writing Tip: Analyzing the Importance of Conflict in Story
Book Review: Dark Diary by P. Anastasia
Also, our February box at Literary Vacation Club is on sale NOW and the theme is DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH.
One of the items included in the box will also be a book locket by Literary Life Company, such as the locket pictured below! It will feature the cover of best-loved YA novel, and you are sure to love it.
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I hope that you all have a wonderful book filled week, and I look forward to sharing this week with you!
Much love,
Ashley
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 7, 2017
LIMITED EDITION – Valentine’s Day Book Boyfriend Kit
Hello, Everyone!
I am excited to announce that our LIMITED EDITION Valentine’s Day Book Boyfriend Kits have landed at Literary Vacation Club! This year’s book boyfriend kit will feature “Boyband” by Jacqueline E. Smith along with 3 – 5 special edition accessories to give you everything you need to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with your book boyfriend! Boxes are on sale now and will ship out in early February!
*Only 40 boxes available*
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January 6, 2017
Box Review: Paper Street Books and Comics – December Box
Yay! It is time for my review of the December box from Paper Street Books and Comics!
December’s theme was Ladies of Sci-Fi
(Which I am super excited about!)
For those who don’t know, Paper Street Books and Comics is a bi-monthly book box that has three different options, the Book Addict ($27+shipping – includes only books and accessories), the Comic Addict ($27 + shipping – includes only comics/graphic novels and accessories), or the Book Warrior ($43 + shipping – includes both books and comics/graphic novels plus accessories).
My review is for the Book Warrior December box. Since this box does ship bi – monthly (every two months) this box counts for December and January. This breaks down to about $22 a month if you order the Book Warrior box, so it is very cost effective!
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The book warrior comes in a paper box with a logo sticker on it. I love how simplistic the design is, and the pink with the white is just adorable and edgy all at once.
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The contents of the box are wrapped in tissue paper, and once opened you are presented with this brochure for the box. It explains the theme of the month through a letter from the creators, Jenn and Marty, and it also includes a small bio of one of the authors featured this month (who happens to be an indie author!). There are also item lists for the different subscriptions to let you know what you have received, and where the items came from. I love the design of the brochure because it is artistic and flashy. It also helps to know what is included in the box.
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The first item included is a soap bar made by Milk + Jelly, a brand that Jenn and Marty also own! They created this bar themselves to be based on the character Leeloo from The Fifth Element. It smells delicious, and the key scents are very vanilla, dragon’s blood, and orange. The soap bar is also made with goat’s milk, which makes it extremely luxurious. This soap is also box exclusive, so it cannot be bought anywhere else.
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The next item is a small tin of tea based on Amy Pond from Doctor Who! The tea is a fandom blend from Adagio Teas, and these teas are seen often in book boxes and fandom boxes simply because they are adorable and curated after different characters.
This particular tea was created by Cara McGee, and it is blended with: black tea, rooibos tea, cinnamon bark, ginger root, orange peels, cloves, cardamom, raspberry leaves, natural cranberry flavor, natural vanilla flavor, cranberries, natural orange flavor. The caffeine level is also moderate.
I am a huge tea buff, so I am super excited to add this one to my collection. There is nothing better than a hot mug of tea to go along with reading!
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The next item is an exclusive soft enamel pin designed and created by Paper Street Books and Comics inspired by Izabel of Saga. This pin is a limited edition of only 100 and I adore it! I already put it on my book bag with my other pins, and it just looks so cute. The pin is box exclusive and cannot be bought anywhere else!
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And now for the main attraction! This month’s book and graphic novel were wrapped up carefully in brown paper and twine, along with author letters and promotional material. I love the care that goes into wrapping the books, and they are always a joy to open because of this!
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The graphic novel included this month was Astrid: Cult of the Volcanic Moon by Kim. W. Andersson. The synopsis is as follows:
She was the Galactic Coalition’s top recruit until an incident on her final exam had her drummed out of the service. Now, down and out and looking for another shot at her dream, Astrid receives a special mission from her former commander. Alongside her old classmate Ulf, Astrid will have to survive giant insecs, brutal sects, and the ancient evil of an uncharted volcanic moon if she wants to prove herself worthy of another chance at becoming a Galactic Peacekeeper!
Swedish comics creator Kim W. Andersson (The Complete Love Hurts, Alena) weaves a comedic sci-fi epic for fans of Firefly and Mass Effect! Hold on to your butts!
I had not heard of this graphic novel before, but after starting it I am already in love! The female is edgy and fun, and the art is gorgeous. The author letter was also a joy to read, and I am so excited to find a graphic novel I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. Paper Street tries to stray away from the classic Marvel and DC graphic novels to bring us other works, and since I am someone who is not always up to date on the graphic novel world, I find this box to be an invaluable resource.
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The book included this month was Husks by Randal P. Fitzgerald, which happens to be an indie novel! The synopsis is as follows:
Puck’s a scavenger in the husk of what used to be Los Angeles.
There’s work there. Not much of it honest. She’s been there long enough to know what trouble looks like and how to avoid it. And she knows better than to trust any evergreen who comes making stupid promises. Living comes first.
She’s pragmatic, but that has its own sort of problems. Especially when money outweighs the reasons to say no.
This book sounds great, and even though I haven’t started it yet, I will be reviewing it here on the blog in the near future! I always love a strong heroine, and this book looks like it won’t disappoint.
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The book also came with a promotional art print and a couple of bookmarks. I love the artwork, so I will definitely be hanging up the art print in my room! These are nice little additions that you can’t get elsewhere, so it was nice to receive them in the box.
Overall, this box was a winner for me. It was well worth the price and the curation was spot on! Each item seemed to connect to one another, and I adored how much thought went into packing the box. It also amazes me that Jenn and Marty make most of the items for the box themselves, meaning you wouldn’t be able to buy the items elsewhere. I highly suggest Paper Street Books and Comics for those who are looking for new graphic novels or books under the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genres! You will not be disappointed!
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
FOR BOX REVIEWS EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse
Title: The Neverland Wars
Author: Audrey Greathouse
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Magic can do a lot―give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That’s what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.
However, Gwen doesn’t know this. She’s just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn’t know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though―and when she does, she’ll discover she’s in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.
She’ll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won’t be the only one. Peter Pan’s constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she’s going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she’s going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.
Review:
There are many Peter Pan retellings or stories that connect to the main ideas thereof, but The Neverland Wars is probably the most original novel in this section of the genre that I have read. It borrows the concept of Neverland and the magic that makes Neverland tick, and it brings it to reality by mixing it with today’s adults and our societal needs.
“Teenage Dream” played on, but Gwen found herself wondering if skin-tight jeans and sex on the beach really were supposed to be the height of teenage ambition. If that was what teenage dreams were, then what kind of dreams did Gwen have? Before she even made it to school, she turned the music, tired of listening to a woman ten years older than her sing about what it was to be young forever.
The beginning of this novel hit it off for me. I couldn’t put it down and I thought that the writing was witty and realistic. I connected immediately with our main character, Gwen, and how she felt like an old soul when compared to her teenage peers. Her personality is displayed perfectly in the quote above, and that quote is probably one of my favorites in young adult literature now because it is so true. The pace of the book was great, but as soon as the first few chapters passed, the story sped up too quickly and morphed to a childish, unrealistic plot.
That being said, Audrey Greathouse has great potential. Her writing is entertaining, but the way that she moved the story in the direction of humans using Neverland’s magic for themselves ended up being silly and unrealistic when it could have been presented better. It seemed as though her characters weren’t taking the situation seriously, and because of that, I didn’t either. Gwen also changed from the thoughtful teenager demonstrated above, to another whiny teenager who I came to dislike by the end of the novel. I didn’t find myself rooting for the characters like I had in the beginning, and that was a let down for me. If this novel and its plot were reexamined to fix the inconsistencies of the characters, I am sure that it would win me back over. That being said, there are many quotes that I do love in this novel and will be keeping, but the plot and characters just slid downhill as the story went on. The Neverland Wars has a great premise for a story, and while I am sure that younger adults will adore it, it just wasn’t for me.
Whatever happens, we love each other. And that’s more important than magic.
FOR BOOK REVIEW REQUESTS FILL OUT FORM: Book Review Request Form
IF BOOK REQUEST WEBSITE IS DOWN EMAIL: peachykeenreviews@gmail.com
January 4, 2017
New Rating System
Hello, Everyone!
I wanted to update you all on my new rating system. I have been using a 5-star scale, and I will continue to use this scale, but here are the new definitions for each star review just so you are aware of what you can expect:
1 Star = Poorly Written
2 Star = Lacking A Proper Plot/Cast/Setting
3 Stars = A Good Story, But Could Use Improvement/Wasn’t For Me
4 Stars = A Great Story with Minor Flaws
5 Stars = An Outstanding Story, No Improvements Needed
I hope this will clear up reviews a bit and help you understand my reviews better! I am a tough reviewer, but all of my reviews are intended to help authors grow and tell readers what they should expect. Let’s make this new year great!
Thank you for your continued support!
~Ashley
