Thursday, March 12, 2015

Review - Bones & All


Written By: Camille DeAngelis
Published By: St. Martin's Press (MacMillan)
Release Date: March 10, 2015
Pages: 292
Genre: Horror, Coming of Age
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

Maren Yearly doesn’t just break hearts, she devours them. 

Since she was a baby, Maren has had what you might call "an issue" with affection. Anytime someone cares for her too much, she can’t seem to stop herself from eating them. Abandoned by her mother at the age of 16, Maren goes looking for the father she has never known, but finds more than she bargained for along the way. 

Faced with love, fellow eaters, and enemies for the first time in her life, Maren realizes she isn’t just looking for her father, she is looking for herself. The real question is, will she like the girl she finds?





This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2015 and I was so thrilled to end up being on the street team!  I feel like right off I should say that this book is not for everyone.  It's dark, it's gritty, and there are parts of it that are downright gross, but if you can get past that it's a very original, enjoyable read.  While it's being marketed and sold as an adult novel it is very much a YA novel, seeing as the protagonist is 16 years old and trying to figure out who she is without her mother.  Despite having a main character who eats people whole, bones and all (hence the title), the book is largely a coming of age story along with learning to accept yourself for who you are, which is an important message.  There were also some lines that I really loved and thought were very artfully worded, which doesn't always happen.  I will say that there were a few things that either struck me as odd or confused me in some way, those things were as followed; first, there was the time period, the book actually takes place back in the late 90's which I wasn't expecting.  It wasn't a problem though, so much as just a shock and, initially I was a little confused as to parts that seemed outdated (as it turns out they were).  The other thing that I found slightly confusing was that things happened in the novel and the main character made some sort of "ahh, now I see" deceleration when I as a reader did not.  That was slightly jarring and I found myself going back a page or two trying to figure out it I just skipped over something important or if I just didn't "get the joke" so to speak.  I would have liked to see more focus on the eaters, they fascinated me and while there was some information it did at times seem very glossed over, but I think that's more of a personal thing, seeing as the idea of cannibalism is something I find intreguing. As a heads up I do have to say that there were a few places where the story lagged somewhat, but once I got through them - and they didn't seem to last very long - I was pulled back into the story and things got going again.  Overall it was a deliciously unique novel that those with a flare for the macabre will enjoy, and I'm excited to see what the author comes up with next.


4/5 stars

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Shadow Scale Release Day Giveaway

Over two years ago debut author Rachel Harman took the literary world by storm with a high-fantasy novel that became a New York Times Bestseller and gained EIGHT starred reviews.  Seraphina made numerous "best of" lists and was raved about by authors and booksellers alike and today the highly anticipated sequel (and conclusion to the series) hits shelves!  Thanks to the publisher I have an exciting giveaway for you all!  But first, here's a look at the books!

Seraphina
In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

Find the book on
*The e-book is currently on sale for $1.99 on ALL PLATFORMS!



Shadow Scale

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways. 


As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?







Are you intrigued?  Well one of you will have the chance to win a finished copy of Shadow Scale and, if you should need it, Seraphina!  The publisher has graciously provided the copy of book two and I will invest in the first one should you need it.  All you need to do is enter the rafflecopter below!  


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please note that since the publisher is providing the prize (and I am just adding to it if you need book one) that this giveaway is only open to those in the US.  Sorry to all of you international fans!