Posts Tagged: disney hyperion

Cinda Williams Chima Giveaway & Author Interview

08 Dec, 2010 by in Uncategorized 9 comments

The Exiled Queen
By Cinda Williams Chima
Published by Disney Hyperion
Cinda’s website: http://www.cindachima.com/

Book Summary: (from Goodreads – Warning contains spoilers if you haven’t read the 1st book in the series)

You can’t always run from danger…

Haunted by the loss of his mother and sister, Han Alister journeys south to begin his schooling at Mystwerk House in Oden’s Ford. But leaving the Fells doesn’t mean danger isn’t far behind. Han is hunted every step of the way by the Bayars, a powerful wizarding family set on reclaiming the amulet Han stole from them. And Mystwerk House has dangers of its own. There, Han meets Crow, a mysterious wizard who agrees to tutor Han in the darker parts of sorcery—but the bargain they make is one Han may regret.

Meanwhile, Princess Raisa ana’Marianna runs from a forced marriage in the Fells, accompanied by her friend Amon and his triple of cadets. Now, the safest place for Raisa is Wein House, the military academy at Oden’s Ford. If Raisa can pass as a regular student, Wein House will offer both sanctuary and the education Raisa needs to succeed as the next Gray Wolf queen.

The Exiled Queen is an epic tale of uncertain friendships, cut-throat politics, and the irresistible power of attraction.

Here a few fun questions with author Cinda Williams Chima:

If you could travel by hot air balloon, what would you fly over?
Castles, mainly. I actually took a hot air balloon ride once, and ended up landing in the middle of the Interstate. So maybe I should stay on the ground.

What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
I’m looking forward to the American remake of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (December 2011.) In the meantime, I would like to see the Swedish versions, now I’ve read all the books.

Who is your favorite author?
That’s totally unfair.

Do you prefer to write on the computer or with paper?
On the computer. Definitely. If not for the computer, I would have no books. I am a flaming fast keyboarder, and have crude and ludicrous handwriting.

What kind of book do you read when you get sick?
I don’t read when I get sick. I don’t want to associate reading with getting sick.

What are your favorite comfort foods?
Soup of any kind. I love to make soup in the winter time. Also stews.

New York Times bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima began writing romance novels in middle school, which were often confiscated by her teachers. Her Heir Chronicles young adult contemporary fantasy series includes The Warrior Heir (2006), The Wizard Heir (2007), and The Dragon Heir (2008), all from Hyperion, with two more books forthcoming.

Chima’s YA high fantasy Seven Realms series launched with The Demon King (2009), followed by The Exiled Queen (September, 2010) with The Gray Wolf Throne scheduled for fall, 2011.

To Enter to win a copy of The Exiled Queen courtesy of the author and Disney Hyperion, please fill out this form. Open to US and Canada as part of BIR 2010. Giveaway ends December 15, 2010.

Waiting on Wednesday- Deadly Little Games

27 Oct, 2010 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Our Waiting on Wednesday is the third novel in the Touch Series by L Stolarz. If you are looking for a cliffhanger action packed series this is the place to look! It’s one of my favorites.

Deadly Little Games
By Laura Faria Stolarz
Publisher: Hyperion
To Be released: December 28, 2010
ISBN-10: 1423131606

Camelia and Ben have discovered a powerful bond: They both possess the power of psychometry, the ability to sense things through touch. For Ben, the gift is a frightening liability. When he senses a strong threat or betrayal, he risks losing control and hurting people. Camelia’s gift is more mysterious. When she works with clay, her hands sculpt messages her mind doesn’t yet comprehend.

Before either teen has a chance to fully grasp these abilities, an unresolved family tragedy resurfaces in Camelia’s life, irrevocably changing everything she cares about…

Rick Riordan Book Signing

19 Oct, 2010 by in rick riordan 1 comment


Last night The Kings English bookshop hosted a huge release party for Rick Riordan’s newest book The Lost Hero. It’s the first book in the middle grade Heroes of Olympus series, with the second scheduled to be released October 2011 (to read the first two chapters go here). Mr. Riordan plans on publishing a new book in one of his series every six months. The next book will be a new 39 Clues series to be published April 2010.


According to Publisher’s Weekly “Riordan told a group of media representatives during a conference call last week that he decided to write a second series about young demi-gods at Camp Half-Blood because he had so many more Greek and Roman myths he hadn’t been able to explore and twist into tales for modern-day readers in the first series. He also conceded that he wanted to “give Percy Jackson fans what they still want.” A “gods-eye-view” of the “worldwide party” for Heroes of Olympus at BookPeople. One book will be released each spring in his three-volume Kane Chronicles series for middle-grade readers, based on Egyptian mythology, and one book will be released each fall in the five-volume Heroes of Olympus series, which will mix Greek and Roman mythology. “

Mr. Riordan told fans last night that he retired from school teaching five years ago to write full-time and his characters are based on people he knows. One being a fifth grade math teacher he worked with, whom he later told. He took questions and answers from people in the crowd which filled the high school auditorium. Fire and Ice was fortunate enough to have a copy of The Lightening Thief signed for our blog followers. To enter to win fill out the form below.

Loading…

Keys to the Repository by Melissa De La Cruz

26 Jul, 2010 by in book review, melissa de la cruz 5 comments

published June 29th 2010 by Hyperion Book
details Hardcover, 192 pages
isbn 1423134541
3 stars

Lavish parties. Passionate meetings in the night. Bone-chilling murders. Midterms. The day-to-day life of Schuyler Van Alen and her Blue Bloods friends (and enemies) is never boring. But there’s oh-so-much more to know about these beautiful and powerful teens. Below the streets of Manhattan, within the walls of the Repository, exists a wealth of revealing information about the vampire elite that dates back before the Mayflower. In a series of short stories, journal entries, and never-before-seen letters, New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz gives her hungry fans the keys to the Repository and an even more in-depth look into the secret world of the Blue Bloods. Won’t you come inside?

I enjoy reading Melissa’s blue blood series and am a fan of Shulyer and Jack, however this book is a side step off the pure story telling we are used to. Keys to the repository is an anthology of family history, maps and secret files compiled in the Blue Bloods library. Many of the files are dry reading and much of is is a repeat from the previous novels. It is a great book of reference if you are just reading the series for the first time and wan tot know who is who. Melissa is obviously a history buff who has thought through her characters carefully and charts their lines through time. I give her kudos for being so intelligent and thorough. Beyond the library file chapters there are however, are some secret treasures that made it a worthwhile read.

Schulyer and Jack’s chapters on their meetings in the apartment in New York are a neat look into what they were thinking and feeling. There is also a chapter called wolf pact which introduces continuing story of Bliss Llewellyn and an excerpt from the first book in new a series about wolves. It is more graphic that anything Melissa has written with violence, but interesting for those wolf girls and guys out there.

My favorite chapter was Shelter Island which is Dylan’s story between the books Blue Bloods and Masquerade. In my mind this chapter could merit a whole book of its own. Set in a secluded island setting it was mysterious and gripping. And save the best for last…the final two chapters are the First in the book “Misguided Angel”
which will be released in October. THIS is what I am waiting for. A little sneak peek into the new life of Shulyer and Jack. The final chapters are a taste of the future and a wonderful teaser for faithful readers of the BB series. All in all I give it three stars and can’t wait until Fall! Read more about Melissa and her Blue Blood series at http://bluebloodsbooks.com/

Book Review- Hex Hall

19 May, 2010 by in book review, paranormal YA fiction, rachel hwkins 2 comments

published March 2nd 2010 by Hyperion Book CH
details Hardcover, 336 pages
isbn 1423121309

Synopsis from Goodreads…”Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It’s gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie’s estranged father–an elusive European warlock–only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it’s her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.


By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her. “

Readers of Harry Potter will enjoy Hex Hall. Main character Sophie is sarcastic and snarky. Her roommate Jenna is a vampire and love interest a warlock. Add in three evil female witches, a ghost from her past along with Lord Byron… and you have Hecate Hall!
I bought this book after reading so many of LadyHawkins tweets on Twitter. She has that same sassy personality that shines in her debut YA novel. My favorite scenes were the hours spent bantering, fighting and spending suspension between Archer and Sophie. What a combination those two are. I love Archer, he’s a keeper. And I can’t wait for book two so we can learn more. It is a shocker of an ending! I gave “Hex Hall” 3.5 teetering towards four stars. There were references to jewelry in the book Of course, I was all over that! Enter the Jenna inspired bloodstone necklace giveaway below.

Book Review- Deadly Little Lies

08 Mar, 2010 by in Uncategorized 3 comments


Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; 1 edition (November 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423111451

Last fall, sixteen-year-old Camelia fell for Ben, a new boy at school who had a very mysterious gift – psychometry, the ability to sense the future through touch. But just as Camelia and Ben’s romance began to heat up, he abruptly left town. Brokenhearted, Camelia has spent the last few months studying everything she can about psychometry and experiencing strange brushes with premonition. Camelia wonders if Ben’s abilities have somehow been transferred to her.

Ben returns to school, but he remains aloof, and Camelia can’t get close enough to share her secret with him. Camelia makes the painful decision to let him go and move on. Adam, the hot new guy at Knead, seems good for her in ways Ben wasn’t. But when Camelia and Adam start dating, a surprising love triangle results. A chilling sequence of events uncovers secrets from Ben’s past – and Adam’s. Someone is lying, and it’s up to Camelia to figure out who – before it’s too late.


As the second installment in the Touch series, this book will again have you checking the locks on your windows and wondering whats going to happen next. Once again Cameila is being stalked, only this time she has started seeing and hearing things of her own through her pottery adn she wonders if Ben’s power of psychometry has rubbed off on her. We see the same character flaws as we did int he first novel with Camelia being hesitant to tell her parents and trust Ben. And Ben…what can I say? He is one of my favorites of all time. He remains aloof and distant in this novel and I can;t wait to see how he develops in the next book. The tension between he and Camelia is still there and I couldn’t put the book down! I give it 4 stars and here’s hats off to another wonderful thriller romance by Laurie Stolarz.
Click here to find the playlist and Camelia’s page http://lauriestolarz.com/novels/the_touch_series.html

Book Review- Devils Kiss by Sarwat Chadda

25 Feb, 2010 by in book review, paranormal YA fiction, sarwat chadda 1 comment

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423119991
4.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads :As the youngest and only female member of the Knights Templar, Bilquis SanGreal grew up knowing she wasn’t normal. Instead of hanging out at the mall or going on dates, she spends her time training as a soldier in her order’s ancient battle against the Unholy.

Billi’s cloistered life is blasted apart when her childhood friend, Kay, returns from Jerusalem, gorgeous and with a dangerous chip on his shoulder. He’s ready to reclaim his place in Billi’s life, but she’s met someone new: amber-eyed Michael, who seems to understand her like no one else, effortlessly claiming a stake in her heart.

But the Templars are called to duty before Billi can enjoy the pleasant new twist to her life. One of the order’s ancient enemies has resurfaced, searching for a treasure that the Templars have protected for hundreds of years — a cursed mirror powerful enough to kill all of London’s firstborn. To save her city from catastrophe, Billi will have to put her heart aside and make sacrifices greater than any of the Templars could have imagined.

Sarwat Chadda does an amazing job of weaving historical content, religion and myth into this story of Billi Sangreal’s effort to accept her life as a Templar. I found his writing to be rich and highly intelligent. Chadda makes the vampire, ghuls, werewolves, warriors and fallen angels his own. “The Dead should not linger” is what he told me…

Billi is a strong willed protagonist with a mind of her own who become attracted to a mysterious man who comes to her rescue and helps save her life. But also enter in to the equation Kay, her life long friend w ho is an eternal optimist and has powers he yet will realize over the occult. The classic pull between good and evil with a twist of romance and history made this an awesome read. I think you’ll find Devil’s Kiss to be creepy, yet classical at the same time. Chadda announced his second novel, the Dark Goddess “comes out July (UK) but Jan (US) and the versions will be subtly different.” We can’t wait! Follow him on twitter @sarwatchadda and check out his website http://www.sarwatchadda.com/

Here’s the trailer for Devil’s Kiss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ0ecooQGV4 and a photo gallery I made on Flickr with images that reminded me of the book and taught me about the Knights Templar

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatherzahngardner/galleries/72157623488589080/ You’ll be sucked in as I was to all of the history in this book!

Win a tatted templar cross in the post below and stay tuned for more Devil’s Kiss inspired giveaways!

Deadly Little Secret

21 Feb, 2010 by in book review, touch series, YA supsense 5 comments


Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (November 10, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1423111982
4 stars

Some secrets shouldn’t be kept…
Up until three months ago, everything in sixteen-year-old Camelia’s life had been fairly ordinary: decent grades; an okay relationship with her parents; and a pretty cool part-time job at the art studio downtown. But when Ben, the mysterious new guy, starts junior year at her high school, Camelia’s life becomes anything but ordinary.

Rumored to be somehow responsible for his ex-girlfriend’s accidental death, Ben is immediately ostracized by everyone on campus. Except for Camelia. She’s reluctant to believe the rumors, even when her friends try to convince her otherwise. She’s inexplicably drawn to Ben…and to his touch. But soon, Camelia is receiving eerie phone calls and strange packages with threatening notes. Ben insists she is in danger, and that he can help–but can he be trusted? She knows he’s hiding something… but he’s not the only one with a secret.

From the best-selling author of Blue is for Nightmares comes a story of paranormal romance that’s sure to be a thrilling and chilling teen favorite.

One benefit to having the flu, I can stay in bed and read a whole book in one afternoon. Coming from a woman who loved Encyclopedia Brown and Christopher Pike series when I was a little girl this was a fun thriller. It kept me on the edge, trying to figure out who is stalking Camelia. Once I picked up this book I never put it down until the case was closed and mystery solved.
Camelia and Ben have a chemistry that is undeniable and wonderfully selfless. I enjoyed that Camelia seems to have all of these boys flirting with her and is oblvious. She is down to earth and in touch with who she is. Ben… well I adored him! Just wait until you read the scene in her pottery studio/ place of employment! But I will say no more! The book is written from two perspective’s…the main female character Cameila and notes from the person who is watching her. LOVED this book. I am fascinated to see what happens next in Deadly Little Lies. Going to read it, now I have to!