Posts Categorized: harper teen

The Siren ~ Review

25 Jan, 2017 by in harper teen Leave a comment

The Siren ~ Review

The Siren

by Kiera Cass
Published by Harper Teen on January 26, 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: Hardcover
three-half-stars
Source: Library
Buy the BookGoodreads
"You must never do anything that might expose our secret. This means that, in general, you cannot form close bonds with humans. You can speak to us, and you can always commune with the Ocean, but you are deadly to humans. You are, essentially, a weapon. A very beautiful weapon. I won't lie to you, it can be a lonely existence, but once you are done, you get to live. All you have to give, for now, is obedience and time..."

The same speech has been given hundreds of times to hundreds of beautiful girls who enter the sisterhood of sirens. Kahlen has lived by these rules for years now, patiently waiting for the life she can call her own. But when Akinli, a human, enters her world, she can't bring herself to live by the rules anymore. Suddenly the life she's been waiting for doesn't seem nearly as important as the one she's living now.

From Kiera Cass, author of the Selection series, comes a captivating stand-alone fantasy romance.

Kahlen is a Siren, bound to serve the Ocean by luring humans to watery graves with her voice, which is deadly to any human who hears it. Akinli is human—a kind, handsome boy who's everything Kahlen ever dreamed of. Falling in love puts them both in danger . . . but Kahlen can't bear to stay away. Will she risk everything to follow her heart?

I’ve always been a fan of Kiera Cass’ writing and covers. The Siren is re-release of her first published work in a new package. I am hoping the original is still available somewhere online to compare and contrast the two versions. I loved the friendship between Kahlen and Akinli. She must remain mute because of her abilities to lure others to the sea. Akinli defies the odds and strikes up a relationship with the selectively mute student. I wished for more time to flesh out their interactions, as most of the book they are away from each other.

The Siren is at times darker than I prefer when the girls sing to lure ships and swimmers to the ocean. The ocean herself, is a mother figure with a jealous heart. At times cruel and unforgiving in her punishment. She attempts to comfort Kahlen and heal her, but heartbreak and restlessness ultimately draws her in another direction. With many settings and a fairy tale storyline, The Siren will appeal to teens. Looking forward to more from Ms. Cass!

Content: some partying, seduction, mild swearing

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about_ the_authorKiera Cass graduated from Radford University with a degree in History. She grew up in South Carolina and currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia with her family. In her spare time, Kiera enjoys reading, dancing, making videos, and eating unhealthy amounts of cake. You can learn more about Kiera at kieracass.com, follow her on twitter via @kieracass, and see her silly videos at YouTube.com/user/kieracass

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Harper Collins Young Adult Back To School Round-Up

14 May, 2014 by in harper teen, HarperCollins 1 comment

Harper Collins has some brand new YA titles coming out in Fall 2014.

Check out the new ones coming your way soon…

YOUNG ADULT

Positive: A Memoir

by Paige Rawl

9780062342515 – $18.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale 8/26/2014
In this compelling and compulsively readable memoir, 19-year-old Paige Rawl, who has been HIV+ since birth, delves into the events in middle school that would change her life forever.

Anatomy of a Misfit

by Andrea Portes
9780062313645 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 9/2/2014
Contemporary YA with an edgy twist, a la GINGERBREAD or THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, Andrea Portes’s emotionally devastating debut novel lays bare the futility in pretending to be something we’re not and the value in finally celebrating all that we are—inside.

Falling into Place

by Amy Zhang
9780062295040 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale 9/9/2014
One cold fall day, high school junior Liz Emerson steers her car into a tree. This haunting and heartbreaking story is told by a surprising and unexpected narrator and unfolds in non-linear flashbacks even as Liz’s friends, foes, and family gather at the hospital and Liz clings to life. For fans of BEFORE I FALL and 13 REASONS WHY.

Rites of Passage

by Joy N. Hensley
9780062295194 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale 9/9/2014
In this high stakes debut novel, sixteen-year-old Sam McKenna discovers that becoming one of the first girls to attend a revered military academy means living with a target on her back.

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HarperCollins Summer Reading Round-up

24 Mar, 2014 by in harper teen, HarperCollins 1 comment

Harper Collins have some amazing Summer Reads coming out soon! Check out these YOUNG ADULT titles…

Salvage
by Alexandra Duncan
9780062220141 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 4/1/2014
With one life-altering decision, a sixteen-year-old girl from an isolated community in space is exiled to the over-populated and crumbling Earth. A sci-fi coming of age tale that’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE meets ENDER’S GAME.


Great
by Sara Benincasa
9780062222695 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 4/8/2014
In this contemporary retelling of THE GREAT GATSBY, a teenage girl becomes entangled in the drama of a Hamptons social circle and is implicated in a tragedy that shakes the summer community.


Prisoner of Night and Fog
by Anne Blankman
9780062278814 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 4/22/2014
Meticulously researched and hauntingly real, this is the story of a girl forced to question everything she’s been taught to believe during the terror of Hitler’s regime during World War II.

The Taking
by Kimberly Derting
9780062293602 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 4/29/2014
THE UNBECOMING OF MARA DYER meets THE FIFTH WAVE in this blockbuster new series from Kimberly Derting.

Tease
by Amanda Maciel
9780062305305 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 4/29/2014
A provocative and unforgettable novel, inspired by real-life incidents, about a teenage girl who faces criminal charges for bullying after a classmate commits suicide.


How to Meet Boys
by Catherine Clark
9780062264510 – $9.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 5/6/2014
In the tradition of EPIC FAIL and THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, Catherine Clark has crafted a heartwarming tale about two best friends and the summer that changes everything.

The One
by Kiera Cass
9780062059994 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 5/6/2014
The hotly anticipated conclusion to the #1 New York Times bestselling SELECTION series. A fresh take on dystopian romance in which a seventeen-year-old girl living in a highly stratified society must choose between a chance at royalty and a life of poverty with her first true love.


Royally Lost
by Angie Stanton
9780062272584 – $9.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 5/6/2014
From bestselling self-published author Angie Stanton. Dragged on a family trip to Europe, Becca wants nothing more than to go home—until she meets Nikolai, a mysterious, handsome runaway prince. Sparks fly as they share a whirlwind of adventures, but Becca’s trip ends in a matter of days. Will Nikolai and Becca be forced to say good-bye forever, will his destiny catch up to him, or will they change history forever?

Rebel
by Amy Tintera
9780062217103 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 5/13/2014
In the thrilling sequel to REBOOT, Wren and Callum may have escaped from HARC in order to stop being soldiers, but the war isn’t over yet.


The Secrets of Lily Graves
by Sarah Strohmeyer
9780062259608 – $9.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 5/13/2014
GONE GIRL meets the TV show “Six Feet Under” in this romantic YA mystery about a girl’s quest to uncover the hidden secrets in her town before it’s too late.


The Art of Lainey
by Paula Stokes
9780062238429 – $9.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 5/20/2014
When Lainey gets dumped, she employs the tenets from THE ART OF WAR to get her boyfriend back… but is getting him back really what she wants? Fun contemporary realistic fiction.


Guy in Real Life
by Steve Brezenoff
9780062266835 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 5/27/2014
An achingly real and profoundly moving love story about two Minnesota teens whose lives become intertwined through role playing games.

Say What You Will
by Cammie McGovern
9780062271105 – $17.99 – Ages 14 and Up – On Sale: 6/3/2014
John Green’s THE FAULT IN OUR STARS meets Rainbow Rowell’s ELEANOR & PARK in this beautifully written, clever, and emotionally poignant novel that tackles serious issues amidst the story of a star-crossed love.


Born of Deception
by Teri Brown
9780062187574 – $17.99 – Ages 13 and Up – On Sale: 6/10/2014
The suspenseful sequel to BORN OF ILLUSION! Anna Van Housen, now living in London, must harness her special powers and successfully navigate the underworld of magic before her murderous enemies catch up with her.

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HarperTeen Impulse E Novellas For February

17 Feb, 2014 by in e novella, harper teen, harperteen impulse 1 comment

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HarperTeen has introduced two new e novellas this month as part of their Impulse line!

About HarperTeen Impulse

Feed your e-reader! New e-novellas and short stories are ready to download every month.

These bite-sized ebooks are the perfect way to discover a new author, learn more about your favorite characters, or try out a new series.

NEW February Titles

The Guard: A Selection Novella (HarperTeen Impulse)

Before America Singer met Prince Maxon . . .

Before she entered the Selection . . .

She was in love with a boy named Aspen Leger.

Don’t miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series. This brand new 64-page story begins just after the group of Selected girls is narrowed down to the Elite and is told from Aspen’s point of view. The Guard also features a teaser to The One, the thrilling third novel in the Selection series.
Stolen: A Taken Novella (HarperTeen Impulse)

In this thrilling 100-page digital prequel novella, enter the world of Taken, a heart-pounding dystopian sci-fi series from Erin Bowman.

Before Gray Weathersby uncovered the truth about Claysoot and the Laicos Project, a girl named Bree came of age in the coastal settlement of Saltwater—and made her own surprising journey to the world beyond its borders. In Stolen, discover the story of Bree’s life before she was Snatched from her home, before she joined the rebellion, and before she met a boy named Gray. . . .

HarperTeen Impulse is a digital imprint focused on young adult short stories and novellas, with new releases the first Tuesday of each month.

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ARC Breview: All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

30 Jan, 2014 by in book review, fairies, harper teen, london, ryan graudin, Uncategorized, young adult fiction 1 comment

I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

ARC Breview: All That Glows by Ryan Graudin

All That Glows

by Ryan Graudin
Published by Harper Teen on February 11, 2014
Genres: Young Adult
Pages: 480
Format: eARC
four-stars
Source: Edelweiss
Buy the BookGoodreads
Emrys—a fiery, red-headed Fae—always embraced her life in the Highlands, far from the city’s draining technology, until she’s sent to London to rejoin the Faery Guard. But this isn’t any normal assignment—she’s sent to guard Prince Richard: Britain’s notorious, partying bad boy and soon-to-be King. The prince’s careless ways and royal blood make him the irresistible for the dark spirits that feed on mortals. Sweet, disheveled, and alive with adventure—Richard is one charge who will put Emrys’s magic and heart to the test.

When an ancient force begins preying on the monarchy, Emrys must hunt through the London’s magical underworld, facing down Banshees, Black Dogs and Green Women to find the one who threatens Richard’s life. In this chaos of dark magic, palace murders and paparazzi, Emrys finds herself facing an impossible choice. For despite all her powers, Emrys has discovered a force that burns brighter than magic: love.

I have to admit that I am drawn like a moth to the flame by all things faerie– so of course, when I saw this one on Eidelweiss I had to grab it! In the vein of Lesley Livingston, Jenna Black, Julie Kagawa and Maggie Stiefvater comes a book about royalty, London and the fairy guard that protect them.

What I liked

The flow of the writing and the premise of a bit of a rogue prince who likes to make trouble being guarded by his very own fiery guard who is as old as time.

There are new mythological creatures not seen much–green ladies, banshees and dark dogs that hunt in the underground clubs and graveyards of London.

The clash between nature and modern civilization, the faeries become sick when surrounded by metal, technology and not enough thick forest

It’s a clean read. There is one swear word and a kissing scene, but otherwise it’s rated PG

Meeting Herne the Hunter and the personification of a very powerful fairy who rides through his own forest on the hunt

I wish

I connected more with the characters, they didn’t feel fleshed out enough and their romance was instant without much build up

The world where the fairies came was more and integral part of the setting the author built

The bottom line

I would buy a physical copy of this one when it comes out. I really enjoyed it and was happy to see a fairy book, as it’s been a while since we’ve seen one in the YA line up. I read All That Glows quickly and genuinely enjoyed the premise, the idea of magical a hidden world living in London and the final battle at the end. Thanks so much to Harper Teen for the sneak peek. I will be buying this one!

heather

 

ryan_graudinAuthor Bio

I write books. Some are about rowdy-partying princes and their faery guardians (ALL THAT GLOWS, HarperTeen, 2/11/14). Others are about teenagers fighting for their lives in the slums of the Hak Nam Walled City (THE WALLED CITY, Little, Brown, Fall 2014). I love writing, traveling to new lands, drinking chai lattes and hanging christmas lights. I also love Jesus. I’m repped by Adams Literary.

Learn More on her website*goodreads*twitter

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