Cinder Review

Cinder
by Marissa Meyer (2012)

Recommended for fans of:
* Fast-paced, accessible science fiction
* Fairy tale retellings translated into the future
* Mild romance with a long, slow courtship and believable development

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder is a gifted mechanic and a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with Prince Kai’s, she finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover the secrets of her past to protect her world’s future.

My result: Recommended

Fables: Animal Farm Discussion

Fables, Volume 2: Animal Farm
by Bill Willingham (2003)

Fables Buddy Read & Blog Tour

Volume 2: Animal Farm
This volume takes Snow and Red to the Farm, where non-human Fables live out their lives safe from Mundy eyes. But the Farm is on the verge of revolution, and violence is inevitable.

Discussion Questions

• How do the non-Human Fables compare to the human Fables? Is there a difference in how they are presented, or in your reactions?
• After the mystery setup of volume 1, volume 2 turns to social satire and violent revolution. How does the difference in style and format between volumes add to (or subtract from) your enjoyment of the series so far?
• Do you think that the plight of the non-human Fables is presented fairly? Are their punishments fair?

Join the Fables Buddy Read & Blog Tour
Learn more, or sign up to host a discussion!

Next up:
Volume 3: Storybook Love

It’s never too late to join, so pick up a copy and join us for volume 3 on July 27.

Fables Review

Fables, Volume 1: Legends in Exile
by Bill Willingham (2002)

When the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, the inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own secret society in an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown.

When Snow White’s party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it’s up to Fabletown’s sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), to find the killer.

My result: Recommended

Fables: Legends in Exile

Join in the very first discussion post of our Fables Buddy Read & Blog Tour! I’m so excited to get this under way, and I’d love for you to join us!

For more info about the Fables Buddy Read, you can also check our our Info & Signup Post. I hope to see you all!

thewritestuff123

Into the woods we go! The Fables Buddy Read and Blog Tour has begun. Check it out here and at Come Hither Books for more information. Up first is Bill Willingham’s Legends in Exile, the first installment in the Fables series. We are introduced to many fairy tale characters that we know and love whether it be from Grimm’s fairy tales or even Disney movies. There’s the big bad wolf, Bigby in the Fables realm, Snow White, and even Beauty and the Beast. However, these aren’t quite the characters that we all think we know. The fairy tale characters in Willingham’s universe are tinged with noir. The women are beautiful and deadly, the men a bit grizzled and jaded. These characters have lost it all and have had to rebuild their lives in Manhattan, away from their fairy tale happy ever afters.

This first installment centers on Snow White and…

View original post 180 more words

Fables Buddy Read – Information and Signup

Announcing the Fables Buddy Read and Blog Tour!

For Readers
We are doing a Buddy Read of the Fables graphic novels, by Bill Willingham. Anyone can join the discussion! We will read through the series at a rate of one volume every two weeks. Each volume is a little over 100 pages, and available through most libraries. Come join the fun!

For Bloggers
If you blog, you can also join the blog tour. The discussion will move from blog to blog, hosted by different bloggers. All bloggers are welcome, whether you’re a graphic novel newbie, a comics guru, a fairy tale fan, or just curious. More details for interested bloggers are at the end of this post.

For Everyone
Please help boost the signal. Reblogs are welcome, of this information and signup post, or of individual discussion posts. New participants are welcome at any time, so please join us even if you missed the first few posts.

NOW READING: Volume 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Discussion will be hosted here at Come Hither Books!

All discussion posts will be linked here, so follow Come Hither Books to stay current.

The Rules
* Discussion posts assume participants have read up to the volume being discussed.
* All spoilers for events after the current discussion volume should be clearly marked and hidden when possible.
* All backgrounds are welcome: newbies, experts, and everyone in between.

Complete Reading Schedule & Blog Tour Info

Volume 1: Legends in Exile
Discussion
Blog Host: Brianna @ The Write Stuff 123

Volume 2: Animal Farm
Discussion
Blog Host: Kimberly @ Come Hither Books

Volume 3: Storybook Love
Discussion
Blog Host: Brianna @ The Write Stuff 123

Volume 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Next up!
Blog Host: Kimberly @ Come Hither Books

We’re committed to going through at least 4 volumes, but will likely continue as long as we have interested participants and/or are enjoying the series. 🙂

How to join the blog tour:

1) Sign up to host here. Ask about date or volume preferences.

2) Come up with 2-3 questions for discussion.
The Fables Buddy Read will cover several volumes, so in depth or issue specific questions are encouraged. You’re welcome to match your questions to your own interests or blog focus. We want fresh viewpoints!

3) Post a discussion post on your blog on the assigned date.
Always link back to this main signup and information. Keep the focus on discussion for everyone. You’re free to share a short review at the end of your post if you’d like, but it’s not required. You do NOT have to be a dedicated book blogger to participate.

4) Encourage discussion. Respond to comments, ask follow up questions, encourage other opinions, etc.

Any other questions, please ask!

The Darkest Part of the Forest Review

The Darkest Part of the Forest features:
* A strong sibling relationship
* Faeries both magical and dangerous
* A fairy tale story that’s all new, not another retelling

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (2015)    
Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in a town where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. In it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking. Until one day, he does…
My result: Recommended

Top Five Fantasy Releases – May 2015

May promises more great fantasy books. Here are the top five science fiction novels coming out in May. The list includes adult and YA. All books are first in a series or standalone. Don’t miss these great fantasy new releases!

Uprooted – Naomi Novik
Genre: Fantasy, folklore, magic, female friendship
Release Date: May 19, 2015 from Del Rey
Tease: Every decade, a dark wizard chooses a girl as servant, payment for magical protection. The choosing is near.
Previous Works: Temeraire series

A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. Maas
Genre: YA, fantasy, Fairy tales, paranormal romance, faeries
Release Date: May 5, 2015 from Bloomsbury
Tease: A retelling of Beauty and the Beast with faeries, full of action and seductive romance.
Previous Works: Throne of Glass series

When the Heavens Fall – Marc Turner
Genre: Epic fantasy, sword and sorcery
Release Date: May 19, 2015 from Tor
Tease: A book that controls the dead has been stolen from Shroud, the Lord of the Dead. But Shroud isn’t the only one after the powerful artifact.
Previous Works: Debut novel

Crimson Bound – Rosamund Hodge
Genre: YA, fantasy, Fairy tales, faeries
Release Date: May 5, 2015 from Balzer + Bray
Tease: A dark retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, where it’s not as simple as good vs. evil.
Previous Works: Cruel Beauty

The Waterborne Blade – Susan Murray
Genre: Epic fantasy
Release Date: May 5, 2015 from Angry Robot
Tease: As the traitor advances, Queen Alwenna flees. She’ll have to toughen up quick if she is to save the kingdom, and the captured king.
Previous Works: Debut novel

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy my May Science Fiction release list.

What books are you looking forward to this month?

Fables

Today’s Graphic Goody:
Fables series, by Bill Willingham (2001-June 2015)
Read more on Goodreads

Through the Woods

Today’s Graphic Goody:
Through the Woods, by Emily Carroll (2014)
Read the full review

Gilded Ashes

Speaking the truth is like gulping a mouthful of brandy: it burns on my tongue, but a moment after my body feels warmer, looser, freer.
– Rosamund Hodge, Gilded Ashes.

Read my review