P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 40
October 2, 2011
TYGER TYGER by Kersten Hamilton Paperback Release!
TYGER TYGER by Kersten Hamilton (Clarion, September 6, 2011)

(and I think my review was only sent to the publication I was reviewing for at the time, so I'm reposting it here...)
*****
Tyger Tyger is the first in what is hoped to be a series of books set in the enchanting worlds of humans and goblins. An unexpected house guest at Teagan Wylltson's home sets off the spark for what becomes a chain of events that change the very world around her. As Teagan's world comes crashing down, she has to fight for herself, her family, and her heart.
Hamilton brings readers fully into the world of goblins, showing the beauty layered with evil so old and deep it is rooted in the nature of both the human world and the goblin world. Ashes from an unexpected death allow for the portal between the two worlds to be opened, and in this moment, nothing will ever be the same. The main character Teagan is lead into the goblin world to save her father, but in doing so, her life and that of her younger brother Aiden are threatened. Their biggest hope for survival seems to be in the legend of The Mac Cumhaill who is embodied in the teenager Finn Mac Cumhaill who makes no secret of the fact that he would like to take his relationship with Teagan to the next level. What really sets Tyger Tyger apart from other young adult fantasy novels is the beautiful world building Hamilton creates and the uniqueness of the goblins as the fantasy creatures.
Tyger Tyger is highly recommended for kids and teens ages twelve and up interested in stories of mythology, adventure, and paranormal romance. Because of the magical beliefs of the Irish mythology, it will also appeal to adults interested in seeing these legendary stories used in a more modern setting.
Source of book: From publisher by request
*****
From Amazon:
Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems.
Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.
October 1, 2011
THE GALAXY GAMES by Greg Fishbone Blog Tour Kickoff Blast!
Celebrate the release of The Challengers by Greg R. Fishbone! This is the first book of the Galaxy Games series, published by the Tu Books imprint of Lee & Low Books. In this hilarious middle-grade romp through space, eleven-year-old Tyler Sato leads a team of kids representing all of Earth in a sports tournament against alien kids from across the galaxy.
Great Galactic Blog Tour
Join Greg during the month of October for the Great Galactic Blog Tour! Every day for 31 days, Greg will spotlight a different children's literature blog with book giveaways, author interviews, in-character interviews, excerpts, deleted scenes, and more. Happening right now is the Launch Day Giveaway. There are lots of ways to enter!
Puzzle Piece #1
The site of the day will also feature one of 31 "puzzle pieces" that will lead one reader to a grand prize. Here is the first piece in the contest:
Book Info
Series: Galaxy Games
Title: The Challengers
Hardcover ISBN: 978-60060-660-1
Author: Greg R. Fishbone
Illustrator: Ethen Beavers
Publisher: Tu Books / Lee & Low Books
Ages: 9-12
The Challengers is available now from online and offline booksellers and as an ebook. Read more about the Galaxy Games series and be sure to follow the Blog Tour!
September 30, 2011
YA INDIE CARNIVAL: SOLSTICE Dream Cast & Trading Cards Giveaway!

So the post will be pretty easy. I've done it before. But, that said, coming up with who would be my main characters in the first place was pretty darned hard. Especially for the guys. I never would have thought it would be so hard to cast my male leads. Anyway, I also have to put out one disclaimer: I don't know the names of any of these people. They are all stock images (love istockphoto.com)
I had to come up with my dream cast for a trading card set I developed for SOLSTICE. Each card has a unique QR code that links to a hidden page on my website.
If you would like your own full set of trading cards, all you have to do is tell me here!






You can watch the trailer for SOLSTICE here!
*****
There's some awesome news to share from our other carnies!
Gwenn Wright's The Von Strassenberg Saga. Dani just released (and designed!) the official cover for BlueStocking Girl!
Laura A. H. Elliott's 13 on Halloween new release! Read an excerpt here!
For a list of all posts, visit all the blogs!
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Patti Larsen
Courtney Cole
Nicole Williams
Fisher Amelie
Laura A. H. Elliott
Amy Maurer Jones
Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer
T. R. Graves
P.J. Hoover
Alicia McCalla
Heather Cashman
Abbi Glines
Cheri Schmidt
Lexus Luke
Suzy Turner
K. C. Blake
Gwenn Wright
Kimberly Kinrade
Darby Karchut
Madeline Smoot
M. Leighton


September 26, 2011
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor (Little, Brown, September 27, 2011)

Above all else, Laini's writing is so, so pretty. Her words are seriously like poetry, and her descriptions have not been rivaled in anything I've yet read in the young adult world. It's like she has a style all of her own, and no matter what subject matter she chooses to write, it will be unique. This is the case with DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE. It's a story of angels and the demons they battle. And it's a love story. Which may not sound like anything out of the ordinary. This is why books shouldn't be judged by cover copy all on its own. DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE is like no other story you've read. The characters are deep and well-carved, the setting and world is mystical and yet so real, and the prose is perfect.
Highly recommended for fans of Laini Taylor's prior books or those paranormal fans who are looking for a bit more depth.
From Amazon:
Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages--not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.
When one of the strangers--beautiful, haunted Akiva--fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?
Source of book: From publisher at ALA
September 25, 2011
STICK by Andrew Smith Giveaway!
STICK by Andrew Smith (Feiwel & Friends, October 11, 2011)

I got hooked on Andrew's books last year with THE MARBURY LENS which was like a crazy thrill ride I'm normally too scared to go on at amusement parks. But books are so much safer to me, and I devoured MARBURY and praised it to anyone who would listen. Next, I read IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS which, though not fantasy/sci-fi, had me hanging on every word. This was also the case for Andrew's latest, STICK.
Reading STICK, I had a difficult time putting the book down. I mean, sure, I trusted that things would end with hope, but still, I had to know. The thing about Andrew Smith's books that truly makes them stand out in the market is the absolute tension on every page. It's done crazy-well, and creates books that stick with readers long after the last page is read.
I highly recommend STICK to fans of Andrew (especially those who loved IN THE PATH OF FALLING OBJECTS). Also, STICK makes for excellent guy reading (because, seriously, the mind of a teen boy is a scary place to venture).
Enter the giveaway for this ARC below!
From Amazon:
Fourteen-year-old Stark McClellan (nicknamed Stick because he's tall and thin) is bullied for being "deformed" – he was born with only one ear. His older brother Bosten is always there to defend Stick. But the boys can't defend one another from their abusive parents.
When Stick realizes Bosten is gay, he knows that to survive his father's anger, Bosten must leave home. Stick has to find his brother, or he will never feel whole again. In his search, he will encounter good people, bad people, and people who are simply indifferent to kids from the wrong side of the tracks. But he never loses hope of finding love – and his brother.
Source of book: From publisher
This contest will run through Friday, October 7, 2011.
For your chance to win STICK, you have to follow this blog. That gets you one entry.
+1 entry - Follow this blog
Extra entries are here:
+ 2 entries - Tweet about this contest. See button at the top of post for an easy tweet!+ 2 entries - Blog about this contest. + 2 entries - Tell me how much you want this book :)
Okay, that's it! Fill out the form below. And good luck!
Loading...
THE FAERIE RING by Kiki Hamilton Winner!
THE FAERIE RING by Kiki Hamilton (Tor, September 27, 2011)

Danielle Rogers!
September 23, 2011
YA INDIE CARNIVAL: An Indie Author I Love
AN INDIE AUTHOR I LOVE
I'll start off by admitting that I am totally biased when it comes to this author. The thing is, she's not only a brand-new Indie author to the world, she's also the editor of my middle grade trilogy and the publisher at CBAY Books.
MADELINE SMOOT!

MISSING by Madeline Smoot (September 2011)

MISSING is a fantastic paranormal story with suspense and mystery and possibly vampires. But it's also the story of sibling rivalry and how a girl, Liv, overcomes her negative emotions toward her brother, Morte, and puts her life on hold while she searches for him. It's a quick read, and a great story for those looking for paranormal stories with great character development and depth.
From Amazon:
"My mother named my brother. Most people assumed that his name was short for Mortimer or Morton or something, but this being my mom, it was just the Latin word for death. My father pretended that he had agreed to the name so my mother could have her little joke. "My little life and death," she called us. In reality, Dad had no say in Morte's name. It was one thing to name me, his baby girl, his first-born, the Norwegian word for life. It was quite another to name his son Death."
Just like their names, Liv and Morte have always been opposites. The two can barely be in the same room together for more than a moment before all conversations turn into fights. It's not until Morte disappears after a typical field party that Liv even realizes that she might actually love her brother after all.
Missing is the tale of Liv's journey to find out what happened to her brother the night he disappeared — to discover if everyone at the field party had really been typical.
*****
For a list of all posts, visit all the blogs!
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Patti Larsen
Courtney Cole
Nicole Williams
Fisher Amelie
Laura A. H. Elliott
Amy Maurer Jones
Rachel Coles. Geek Mom. Book Reviewer
T. R. Graves
P.J. Hoover
Abbi Glines
Cheri Schmidt
Lexus Luke
Suzy Turner
K. C. Blake
Gwenn Wright
Kimberly Kinrade
J.L. Bryan
Madeline Smoot

September 21, 2011
AUSTIN, TX—An Amazing, Supportive YA Community

Because we have an amazing writing community. And I am thrilled to be included in this fantastic article in the Austin American Statesman on our community.
Go, Austin!
September 20, 2011
MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs
MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs (Quirk Books, June 7, 2011)

I guess the title caught my eye and I googled it (since I had never heard of it). And the unique photography was the true selling point. It just looked so...peculiar.
So what is this book? It's a unique tale about a boy trying to learn the truth about his grandfather's strange past. From page one, the story caught me with its voice, and the compelling nature had me reading to find out what would happen next. I could not imagine what the big secret was! And why there were all these freaky pictures? And what kind of story could the author weave with these pictures?
MISS PEREGRINE'S is like a four-leaf clover. It's a wonderful find amid a sea of books so similar in nature. And though the book is marketed for young adults, this is absolutely a book adults will enjoy equally. If you are looking for something different with great character development and a strong plot, then MISS PEREGRINE'S should not be missed. Highly recommended! I loved it!
Source of Book: Purchased
And I have to mention that this book trailer is one of the most compelling I have seen yet.
From Amazon:
A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.
A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows.
September 19, 2011
Vlogging for Figment!
Happy Monday!