Twilight

Penned By: Stephenie Meyer

Banned: The extremely popular Twilight book, it's 3 sequels and companion book have been challenged severely over the last few years. The reasons? Sexual explicitness, offensive language, religious viewpoint, and violence to name a few. I must say people are reaching a bit except for maybe on the violence. Wouldn't it make more sense just to express anti-vampirism sentiments?
Sources:
Twilight: America's Fifth Most-Dangerous Book
ALA Kicks Off Banned Book Week
Twilight Series Debuts on Library Book Ban List

Twilight is the tale of an awkward girl who moves to a more than small, rainy town. There, she quickly finds more than she bargained for as she's thrust into the world of the paranormal and first true love. This unique tale of romance, adventure, and fantasy is a fun, can't put down read. If you have ever felt like an alien or out of time you will sympathize with the main character Bella.

If you have not read Midnight Sun, the first part of Twilight from Edward's viewpoint, I recommend it.

Quote: "Everything was green: the trees, their trunks covered with moss, their branches hanging with a canopy of it, the ground covered with ferns. Even the air filtered down through the leaves. It was too green -- an alien planet."

Genus: Fantasy Minded

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: For the genus lover

Series:  Yes: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, Midnight Sun, and The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner

Film: Yep

Cool Stuff: The Cullen House Blog     Forks Chamber of Commerce Twilight       Dazzled by Twilight

Your type of tale? Try these: Vampire Kisses: The Beginning by Ellen Schreiber, Wings by Aprilynne Pike, and The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks

Other Books for Banned Book Week 2011:
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

Photograph by Amber Murray

Penned By: Michael Scott

Follow the twins in their continued quest to save or change the world. They are immersed deeply in a magical world that they never knew existed. Sophie will grow more powerful and Josh will grow more skeptical of what is right. Non-stop action and discovery are achieved at a break neck speed. You may have to pause just to take it all in. Michael Scott has brought together a phenomenal array of historical figures and made them immortal. What would you do if you lived forever?

Quote: "Lying flat on her back, Perenelle Flamel stared at the stained stone ceiling directly above her head and wondered how many other prisoners incarcerated on Alcatraz had done the same."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Era: Everyone

 

Difficulty: 3

 

Determination: For the genus lover

Series: Yes 2nd of 6, see my review of the first book, The Alchemyst

 

Film: Recently Purchased

Your type of tale? Try these: The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathon Stroud, Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Cool Related Items:  Listen to the 1st Chapter     The Awakening a Game              

Nicholas Flamel Real Story

Michael Scott was gracious enough to
sign all 5 of my books.

Ready to buy it?

The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel

Photo by Amber Murray

Penned By: Michael Scott

The 5th book in the series, The Warlock, came out today!

Michael Scott will be signing at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, AZ, Wednesday June 8th!

If you think you know the tale of Nicholas Flamel, creator of the Sorcerer's Stone, think again. Step into the depths of the great alchemysts and magicians of the past, the people and creatures that have discovered immortality. Explore the lives of people who have lived for thousands of years until today. Here is the beginning of the tale of twins born in the 20th century who will shape our world in ways that these immortals cannot.

Quote: "Sophie and Josh followed Scathach through Hekate's house. There were reminders everywhere that they were inside a tree: everything-- floors, walls and ceilings -- was wooden, and in places, little buds and shoots of green leaves dappled the walls, as if the wood was still growing."

Genus: Fantastical Worlds

Updated: Michael Scott signed my book when he
visited Changing Hands 6/8.

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2

Determination: For the genus lover

Series: Yes, 1st of 6

Film: No

Your type of tale? Try these: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Want more information?    Publishers Page    Official Fansite    First Chapter
  
Ready to buy it?

Illusions

Photo by Amber Murray

Penned By: Aprilynne Pike

The third book in this series lives up to both it's name and fan expectations. True to life, Laurel's decision's only become harder and more complicated as she grows older. Each chapter will leave the reader dying to know more (I read this in just over a day when I was really busy) and also thinking, "What on Avalon is going on?!" Yes, it's a fairy tale, yes, it's a romance, yes, it's an action adventure, finally it's a mystery. A fantastic, wonderful mystery.

Photo by Amber Murray

If I ever get to see Aprilynne Pike again, I'm asking how much of The Princess Bride, she watched as a kid.

Quote: "Would it hurt you more if I was with David because I loved him, or if I was with David because I wanted to make you jealous?"

Genus: Fantasy Minded

 

Era: Everyone

 

Difficulty: 2

 

Determination: For the genus lover

 

Series:  Yes - Check out my blog on book one, Wings. Check out my blog on book two, Spells.

 

 

Aprilynne and I at Poisoned Pen on May 2nd.

Film: No, but when I saw Aprilynne Pike at the signing she was in the process of negotiating a movie contract for Wings.

 

Your type of tale? Try these: Angel Light by Andrew M. Greeley, Legend by Jude Deveraux, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit

Ready to buy it?

Dead Until Dark

Penned By: Charlaine Harris

The newest Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead Reckoning , came out this week!

If you're a fan of the madly popular show (like myself) the first thing you  should know about the books is they move a little slower and aren't quite as action-packed. Other than an extra character or two, the first season is surprisingly parallel to the first book. Like all books though you will gain a great deal of insight into the world of the characters.

Charlaine Harris displays traditional vampirism at it's best and the realistic nature will have you looking over your shoulder in dark parking lots. Light-hearted humor is coupled with a sinister plot line. Sookie may be innocent and unknowledgeable but don't mistake her for a fool. She displays a shockingly brave, fair, and honest nature. If you're a vampire fan this is a must read series to add to your collection.

Quote: "The politically correct theory, the one the vamps themselves backed, had it that this guy was the victim of a virus that left him apparently dead for a couple of days and thereafter allergic to sunlight, silver, and garlic."

Genus: Fantasy Minded

Era: Older is Better

Difficulty: 3

Determination: For the genus lover

Film: TrueBlood

Your type of tale? Try these: Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice, The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks, The Cat Who Could Read Backwards by Lilian Jackson Braun

I have no idea whatsoever why Dead Until Dark reminds me of The Cat Who series, but it does. Maybe there's something in the writing style. Since I liked both though and there is something familiar in the two I would love to see what someone else has to say about them that has read both. (You're nuts would be perfectly acceptable!)

Ready to buy it?

Wings



Photograph by: Amber Murray

 Penned By: Aprilynne Pike

Illusions book signing tonight!

It's everyone's dream to be unique and gifted while also being accepted and loved. Though while this is a fairytale adventure with a bit of romance and mystery thrown in, it fulfills that dream beautifully. Aprilynne Pike's faeries are fascinatingly unique. The reader is immersed into the fantasy world slowly and thus making it a more believable tale. It constantly leaves the reader craving more of the unknown. The main character's story dovetails neatly and she is wonderfully relatable. Teenage and adult readers alike will appreciate her dilemmas and cheer her triumphs.

Quote: "With the arrival of darkness came an unspoken permission to think dark thoughts as well."



Genus: Fantasy Minded

Era: Everyone

Difficulty: 2



Determination: For the genus lover

Series:  Yes! The third releases tomorrow, May 3rd!

Film: No

Your type of tale? Try these: Wings by E.D. Baker, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Meet the Austins by Madeleine L'Engle


Ready to buy it?