I spy... a new mythological creature in YA?!?

Valkyrie Rising
By: Ingrid Paulson
Reported by: Julianna Helms
Source: ARC via Tour
Release date: Oct. 9th, 2012 from HarperTeen

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.

-Summary from Goodreads
Pre-order: Mrs. Nelson's* (support indie bookstores!) || Barnes & Noble || Amazon || Book Depository

Quick, quick! Grab your reins and your deer--we've got an original mythological creature in La Ville de YA!

Okay--seriously though. Even as I didn't fully enjoy Valkyrie Rising, I have to admit that it's got some fantastic mythology and setting that we very rarely see in a market as crowded as YA. I can go on and on about why I think that is, but then this would not be a review but rather a rant of utter pointlessness, so let's just skip right to the good stuff, yeah?

The two biggest points Valkyrie Rising has going for it is its mythology and setting. But let's save the praises for last, because unfortunately, this book did not claim me an infatuated fangirl overall.

Authors are Rockstars Tour Stop: Chloe Jacobs!

Welcome to my stop on The amazingly AWESOME Authors are Rockstars August 2012 Tour! Today, I have the absolute honor of representing District- I'm sorry, the commending "welcome" threw me off-track (or should I say off-tour? Ha... ha?). All kidding aside, though, GUESS WHAT? I'm hosting the amazing 

CHLOE JACOBS

today! Chloe is the author of the upcoming Greta and the Goblin King. Even though I haven't read it yet, I can already tell Chloe is a rockstar because

1) the guest post the sent me was just made of awesome,

2) she's giving away a special little something for this stop! How nice is that?

3) Who doesn't love goblins? And to write an entire book about them! *stutters* I think that's too much awesome for my soul.

When I got the news that I was to host Chloe on this tour, you can imagine that I was excited! I knew I wanted to ask Chloe for a guest post, but there are so many topics out there--and many cliché, over-done ones, too, that I knew I wouldn't want to do--that it really got me thinking. In the end, I decided to go with this topic: 

What do you think makes or break a book? So many good books are out there today, and agents, editors, and reviewers alike have talked about what they think separates amazing from good, or great. What do you think on the subject and how does that influence your writing and choices?

Chloe graciously replied with a fascinating and intriguing post. Read it after the jump!

Cover Reveal: THE STARS FELL SIDEWAYS

I know what you're thinking--another cover reveal, Juli? But you know what? This one's another great one, and I have a feeling that if you like theatre and awesome, you'll LOVE this one! :D

Before I show you the cover and synopsis of The Stars Fell Sideways by Cassandra Marshall, I think I should mention that, why yes, there is a giveaway. :) Cassandra Marshall is giving away a signed pre-order of The Stars Fell Sideways! To enter and see the fantastic cover, just click on the jump! (Of course, if you're already viewing this post past the jump or in the actual full post glory, then you ignore that last comment.) (Does that even make sense? O.O)

THE LOST GIRL is out (among other titles)!

August 28th, 2012 is a VERY important date, everyone! You remember how on May 1st this year, Insurgent, Shine, AND Bitterblue came out? Yeah, that was crazy. Well, today's pretty much May 1st all over again. Starting with The Lost Girl, of course.

The Lost Girl
By: Sangu Mandanna
Release Date: August 28th, 2012 from Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins

Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.

But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.

Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.

What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.

From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself.

-Summary from Goodreads
Purchase: Mrs. Nelson's* (support indie stores!) || Barnes & Noble || Amazon || The Book Depository

If you visit my blog semi-often, you've probably seen my review for The Lost Girl. Really, it's more of a rant about how spectacular and amazing this book is, but let's just keep that between us, shall we?

You know how there are all these different types of instruments, how they're all so different and powerful and how, when they all clash together, the noises and sounds merge into this tinkling, spine-chilling sound? Imagine those instruments as essential parts of a book. The piano is the plot, the characters the violin. The flute is the emotional depth and the drums the pacing. These all sound beautiful on their own, but often the drums and the flutes clamor or the piano and violin are out of sync and the end product, though delightful, feels often... insubstantial. As if there's something missing and it's incomplete even though all the needed plot elements are there.

The Lost Girl is the song that meshes everything together and emerges with a masterpiece--one deserving waterfalls of tears and thousands of standing ovations. It's the arrow that snags you right in the heart. It's the poison you swallow with love. It's the air you breathe when you're desperate and a raging mess.

**Read the full review here!**

So yes, today, The Lost Girl releases. And my blog post is basically telling you to GO BUY IT. I've included links above, so really, you should have no excuses not to read this book. ;) Even if you're on a tight money schedule (which I totally understand), you can always go the library, borrow it from a friend, get it cheaper on your e-reader, etc.

And if you're still hesitant? Just read on to see how awesome Sangu Mandanna--the author--is!

Cover Reveal: NATURALS by Tiffany Truitt

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to share with you the cover for Tiffany Truitt's Naturals today, the sequel to her first book, Chosen Ones. The covers for these books are *beautiful*, and I can't wait for you to see them! :)