Posts Tagged: Harper Teen

Review- I Am Number Four

27 Jul, 2012 by in Pittacus Lore 2 comments

I Am Number Four
By Pittacus Lore 
Hard Cover, 440 Pages 
Published:  August 3 , 2010
By HarperCollins
ISBN0061969559 
Book Source: bought
5 Stars

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. Bue we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books – but we are real.
Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. We have lived among you without you knowing.But they know.They caught Number One in Malaysia. Number Two in England. And Number Three in Kenya.They killed them all.
I am Number Four.
I am next.

Alacia’s Review:  Number Four is next to be hunted by the Mogadoriens, so he and his protector, Henri leave their home and head for Paradise, Ohio under the alias of Henri and John Smith. John (Number Four) knows he must lay low at school but meets Sarah, who just happens to be the ex-girlfriend to the quarterback: Mark. Mark sees John talking to Sarah and it is apparent that John cannot lay low as Mark continues to harass him each day at school. As things continue, John begins to develop his Legacies, or powers that people from his planet have. Again remaining under the radar is hard as these Legacies include being able to emit light from his hands, super speed, and super strength. John plays these off to his peers as pranks he wanted to pull in class, but one kid named Sam knows there is something different about John and begins to interact with him. As John gets to know Sam more, he learns that he has been obsessed with aliens ever since his dad disappeared mysteriously. Throughout the school year, John continues to get to know Sam and Sarah, the first real friends he has ever had, Henri warns him not to get too attached as they may need to flee at any given second, should the Mogadoriens find their location. With the help of Henri, Sam, Sarah, and a surprise Legacy, John develops the skills he needs to defeat the Mogadoriens and the hope of rebuilding his home planet. 
I loved this book! I carried it with me everywhere I went, and read any chance I could. The dynamic between John and Henri is sweet, as Henri is the only father figure John has since leaving their home planet. It is also fun to see how the relationships with Sam and Sarah develop, and I found myself wishing they were actual people so that I might be able to engage with them. The book was an easy ready, with only a few strange alien words, but nothing terribly hard to pronounce, and it flowing well from one page to the next. I am excited to continue the series and see what comes of Number Four and his friends. 
Content: Relatively clean, just a few swear words and one mild kissing scene. 

Alacia
About the Author: Piccatus Lore is the Ruling Elder of Lorien, the planet from which the characters from I Am Number Four hail. He has written two more books, about Numbers Six and Nine. He is here preparing Earth for the battle with the Mogadoriens. No one knows his current location.

Endlessly Book Birthday and Excerpt

24 Jul, 2012 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Happy Book Birthday to the third book in one of our favorite series!

Endlessly

Paranormalcy #3

by

Hardcover, 400 pages
Published July 24th 2012
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0061985880
 
Summary from Goodreads: Evie’s paranormal past keeps coming back to haunt her. A new director at the International Paranormal Containment Agency wants to drag her back to headquarters. The Dark Faerie Queen is torturing humans in her poisonous realm. And supernatural creatures keep insisting that Evie is the only one who can save them from a mysterious, perilous fate.

The clock is ticking on the entire paranormal world. And its fate rests solely in Evie’s hands.

So much for normal.
Browse inside the book now by clicking here

Review- The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad

23 Jul, 2012 by in The Fame Game Leave a comment

The Fame Game
by Lauren Conrad
Hardcover, 313 pages
Publication Date: April 3rd 2012 
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0062073281
Book Source: publisher
2 1/2 stars
Book Summary from Goodreads:  In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison’s ready for her turn in the spotlight and she’ll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she’s the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there’s a new nice girl in “reality” town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she’s a lot more experienced at playing the fame game… When the camera’s start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

Filled with characters both familiar and new, Lauren Conrad’s series about the highs and lows of being famous delivers Hollywood gossip and drama at every turn

Crystal’s Review: The Fame Game is the first Lauren Conrad book I have had the chance to read. It was a fairly quick read and the story overall was okay. I can’t say I was really drawn in by the story. I did not feel connected to any of the characters and only mildly cared what happened to each person. I felt like the story lacked something to really draw the reader in, as the story went on I didn’t feel like much was happening. With that being said I would not classify this book as bad. I loved the cover art and for me the look of the cover is a big thing. I feel like for someone who is into fashion, celebrities and/or reality tv this book would be a good read. Since it is a short read it is the perfect book to sit outside with on a warm day, or would make a great beach read. 

Content: I would say it is a clean book…it does contain a few mention of drinking and alcoholism. 


About the Author: Lauren Katherine Conrad, often referred to as “L.C.”, is an American television personality and an aspiring fashion designer. She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills, which follows her personal and professional life as she pursues a career in the fashion industry. She earns an estimated $1.5 million annually for her television appearances, fashion line, and product endorsements.

Crystal

Epic Deals From Harper Teen

11 May, 2012 by in Uncategorized Leave a comment

Harper Teen has sent us some awesome news!!! The have once again slashed prices on amazing YA books to offer you EPIC READS, EPIC DEALS: 8 EBOOKS FOR $2.99
YA Gets Real this May with 8 eBooks for $2.99 each! Find all the Epic Deals on Facebook and join the Epic Reads BooksClub on Goodreads below.
Epic Reads Book Club 36 membersEpic Reads Book Club is a discussion of one YA/teen lit title each month, across all genres. Here…

Books we’ve read

Incarnate Incarnate

Start date: April 16, 2012

Read now for 2.99

Until I Die Blog Tour and Giveaway

23 Apr, 2012 by in until i die 9 comments

We’re so excited to be today’s stop on the Until I Die blog tour hosted by Mundie Moms and Author Amy Plum. We have a sneak peek excerpt plus a puzzle piece to a grand prize and a little giveaway of our own if you’ll keep reading!
Until I Die
Revenants #2
 by Amy Plum
Hardcover, 352 pages
Expected publication: May 8th 2012
 by HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN 0062004042
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love. As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy. In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.
Our excerpt from Until I Die…
 
” Revenants’ compulsion to die when saving their precious human “rescues” is more enticing and powerful than a drug addiction. But Vincent thinks he can hold out. For me.”

And puzzle piece: or guérriseur?
Be sure to check all the stops on the blog tour to collect each puzzle piece and Amy’s blog for more information on the grand prize!
Our Giveaway:  Fire and Ice is giving away some author signed bookmarks along w/ an Eiffel Tower bookmark donated by the amazing Amy Plum. To enter to win fill out this form.
About the author: Amy Plum is the author of the International Bestseller DIE FOR ME, which is an Indie Next List pick, Romance Times top pick, and recipient of a starred review from School Library Journal. DIE FOR ME is the first novel in a YA trilogy set in Paris. The second, UNTIL I DIE, will be released in May 2012.
After being raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in a rather restrictive environment, AMY PLUM escaped to Chicago to an even more restrictive environment at a university that expelled people for dancing. (And where she was called to the dean’s office for “wearing too much black”.) After all of that restrictiveness, she was forced to run far far away, specifically to Paris, France, where she only wore black and danced all she wanted.

After five years in Paris, she ventured to London, where she got an M.A. in Medieval Art History, specializing in Early Sienese Painting (1260-1348) mainly because it promised almost no hope of finding a paying job afterward.

Amy managed to find work in the world of art and antiques in New York. But after almost a decade of high-pressure lifestyle in the Big Apple, she swapped her American city for a French village of 1300 inhabitants.

After signing with HarperCollins for the DIE FOR ME series, Amy left her job as an English professor at Tours University to write full-time. She now splits her time between her centuries-old farmhouse in the countryside and Paris’s 11th arrondissement.

She is a huge fan of Edward Gorey and Maira Kalman (and collects both of their books/art), as well as David Sedaris, Amadeo Modigliani, and Ira Glass.

Visit Amy on her Website /Blog/ Twitter/ Facebook/ Goodreads/ Harper Teen Page

The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad -ARC Giveaway

18 Apr, 2012 by in Uncategorized 5 comments

Harper Teen has sent us some awesome news in April and they are happy to announce that The Fame Game by Lauren Conrad hit the NYT bestsellers list at #1! To celebrate we are giving away one Advanced Reading Copy to a lucky Fire and Ice reader.

The Fame Game
Fame Game #1
by Lauren Conrad
Hardcover, 313 pages
Published April 3rd 2012
by HarperTeen
ISBN 0062073281
Book Summary From Goodreads: In Hollywood, fame can be found on every corner and behind any door. You just have to know where to look for it. Nineteen-year-old Madison Parker made a name for herself as best frenemy of nice-girl-next-door Jane Roberts on the hot reality show L.A. Candy. Now Madison’s ready for her turn in the spotlight and she’ll stop at nothing to get it. Sure, she’s the star of a new show, but with backstabbing friends and suspicious family members trying to bring her down, Madison has her work cut out for her. Plus, there’s a new nice girl in “reality” town—aspiring actress Carmen Price, the daughter of Hollywood royalty—and she’s a lot more experienced at playing the fame game… When the camera’s start rolling, whose star will shine brighter?

Filled with characters both familiar and new, Lauren Conrad’s series about the highs and lows of being famous delivers Hollywood gossip and drama at every turn.

About the author: Lauren Katherine Conrad, often referred to as “L.C.”, is an American television personality and an aspiring fashion designer. She is best known for being featured in the MTV reality series Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County and for her spin-off show, The Hills, which follows her personal and professional life as she pursues a career in the fashion industry. She earns an estimated $1.5 million annually for her television appearances, fashion line, and product endorsements.
The Giveaway: Fire and Ice has one advanced reading copy of the Fame Game to give away to our readers courtesy of HarperTeen. Must be 13 or older and have a US mailing address. To enter, fill out the rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Harper Collins News and Contests

06 Apr, 2012 by in story crush, veronica roth Leave a comment

HarperTeen has some amazing things going on in the month of April that you will NOT want to miss out on!

If you are waiting on pins and needles for INSURGENT by Veronica Roth
April 2nd was THE CHOOSING CEREMONY. Check these 5 blogs to find out who the faction leaders are:
Divergent Fans— Dauntless
Divergent Examiner— Abnegation
Divergent Lexicon— Amity
The Story Siren— Candor
Bookalicious— Erudite
Each faction has set up its own news stream—which one will you follow?
CHOOSE WISELY. One choice can destroy you.
Then head on over and watch for some awesome grab bag giveaways every Friday on the Epic Reads and Story Crush facebook pages.

and there lots of HarperTeen books up for grabs on Goodreads

THE WHISPERING HO– USE March 13th  – April 22nd
INVISIBLE SUN March 13th – April 22nd
THROUGH TO YOU March 12th – August 24th
TEN March 12th – August 10th
THE OTHER NORMALS March 12th – August 24th
A MIDSUMMER TIGHT’S DREAM April 26 – May 26th
DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN March 29 – April 29th
THE LOST CODE – March 1 – April 22nd
A WANT SO WICKED March 1 – May 11th
THE LOST GIRL February 20 – July 27th
DEFIANCE February 20th – July 27th

Good luck and happy reading!

Brodi Ashton Everneath Book Launch and Swag Giveaway

25 Jan, 2012 by in swag giveaway 43 comments

Brodi Ashton wowed us all with her knack for public speaking, making us laugh and pulling in a HUGE crowd last night at the King’s English Everneath book launch event. The 15th street gallery was completely packed to capacity with people standing in both rooms. Brodi had a power point presentation describing her path to being published. She queried over 165 agents before landing her first representation as an author. She even had a laminated scroll of all the letters to show us how persistence pays off. Her first book queried, Echo was set in Idaho, about a journalist who is abducted by aliens. While never accepted, her beta readers stand behind it as a hit.

 Everneath is the first in a trilogy published by Balzer and Bray, the title a combination of forever and underneath, suggested by Brodi’s critique partner and YA author Bree Despain. It features protagonist, Nikki who is quiet and broken after having made a decision which affects the next 100 years. Revisions on book two are currently in the works and must be submitted soon, it will be released in January 2013.

 Present at the event were local authors Sara Zarr, Elana Johnson, Nichole Giles, Natalie Whipple, Matthew Kirby, Bree Despain, Emily Wing Smith, Heather B Moore and Angela Corbett. Book bloggers included Fire and Ice, Amy O of Eve’s Fan Garden, NewUTMommy, SLC Bookworm, Erin Olds, Catie S, Maw Books, EmsReadingRoom, CranberryFries, Toomuchaubrey, BooksATrueStory and SueySays.  It was fun for me because also there were many members of Brodi and my junior high and high school classes as well as her immediate family.

Brodi signed copies of her book which sold out before everyone could get a copy! On hand was an Everneath sheet cake as well as lots of goodies for those waiting in the line which stretched through the entire store.
She also gave away Dead Elvis guitar pick necklaces, temporary tattoos and book marks which we are giving away in a swag pack below. (Book not included) Open internationally, simply comment to enter. Thanks again to Brodi and TKE for the great event! See all of our photos on Facebook and SmugMug.

Hallowed Blog Tour

20 Jan, 2012 by in Uncategorized 2 comments

Fire and Ice is thrilled to be today’s stop on the Hallowed by Cynthia Hand Blog Tour hosted by Mundie Moms. We are posting our review of the book and if you’d like to check out the rest of the tour click here to view all of the sites participating.

Hallowed
Unearthly #2
by Cynthia Hand

Hardcover, 416 pages

Expected publication: January 17th 2012
by HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN 0061996181
Source: Netgalley
5 stars
Summary from Goodreads: For months part-angel Clara Gardner trained to face the raging forest fire from her visions and rescue the alluring and mysterious Christian Prescott from the blaze. But nothing could prepare her for the fateful decisions she would be forced to make that day, or the startling revelation that her purpose—the task she was put on earth to accomplish—is not as straightforward as she thought. Now, torn between her increasingly complicated feelings for Christian and her love for her boyfriend, Tucker, Clara struggles to make sense of what she was supposed to do the day of the fire. And, as she is drawn further into the world of part angels and the growing conflict between White Wings and Black Wings, Clara learns of the terrifying new reality that she must face: Someone close to her will die in a matter of months. With her future uncertain, the only thing Clara knows for sure is that the fire was just the beginning.

Described by Richelle Mead as “utterly captivating,” Unearthly received outstanding reviews, garnered accolades from New York Times bestselling authors, and was named an Indie Next Pick. In this heart-wrenching sequel, Cynthia Hand expertly captures the all-consuming joy of first love—and the agony of loss. This beautifully woven tale will appeal to fans of Lauren Kate, Becca Fitzpatrick, and Aprilynne Pike.

Heather’s review: Cynthia Hand’s debut novel Unearthly made my best of 2011 list this year and it looks like Hallowed will be on the my BIR list for 2012. I love this series! Hallowed picks up right where Unearthly left off, and had I a chance to do it over, I would re-read book one before picking up book two. I remembered the plot and characters well, but there are so many little nuances in this installment that you will miss if it’s been awhile. Clara’s vision has come to a close and now she is having dreams as well as an overwhelming sense of sorrow. She’s made her choice clear between Tucker and Christian but that choice may be putting those she loves in danger.


Hallowed is a much more emotionally driven novel with less action than book one, but I soaked up every minute. So much so that I couldn’t pick up another read for a while.  I wanted to fill in the blanks on some things so I actually went back and re-read most of Unearthly when I was finished. We see all the same people in book two, but much less of Tucker’s sister Wendy and her boyfriend Jason. Also, Clara’s brother Jeffrey is a mystery. The one character I have not been able to connect with at all is Angela. So I’m gearing up for more of her in book three.


I had many questions answered about who and what the angel bloods are, about Clara’s upbringing and why her mother has held so many secrets. But the best part of Hallowed by far are the two boys Tucker and Christan. Cynthia Hand knows how to write realistic, amazingly supportive, perfect heroes each in their own way. They are completely different, but each brings out a good side in Clara. So many noteworthy scenes with them both in Hallowed- including a ski trip, fishing, and learning to use glory. Both boys grew on me more than they had in book one. I really didn’t think that would be possible!


Readers will be thrown for a loop with some of the plot twists and will laugh out loud as Hand pokes fun at Twilight stalkerish behaviors and love triangles (though they are used in this book.) The pace of Hallowed is slower but never drags and the tone a little more heavy as Clara is dealing with so many swirling emotions she is picking up from other people and non-people. Some of the content is better suited for an older teens since there are a few heavy make out, a partially undressed scene in a bedroom, and mild violence. No sex or swearing.


I highly recommend both Unearthly and Hallowed. If you are a fan of all things paranormal including angel mythology and the perfect swoon worthy male characters this is the series for you! I’m having a hard time moving on to another book because they influenced me so much. So, if you haven’t read them yet, run and pick up Unearthly today!


About the author– Cynthia Hand grew up in southeast Idaho (very near the Wyoming border). Currently she lives in southern California with her husband and two small children. She teaches courses in creative writing at Pepperdine University. Unearthly, her debut YA novel, was published by HarperTeen in January 2011, out in paperback on 11-1-11. The sequel, Hallowed, was released on January 17th.

Check her out on Goodreads/ her website/ blog/ twitter

Waiting on Wednesday- Until I Die

11 Jan, 2012 by in revenants, waiting on 2 comments

Until I Die
Revenants #2
by Amy Plum
Hardcover, 320 pages
Expected publication: May 8th 2012
by HarperCollins Publishers
ISBN 0062004042
Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.
As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.
Our Waiting on Wednesday is book two in the Revenants series by Amy Plum. CAN NOT WAIT! Set in Paris….Book one in the series, Die For Me was one of my top seven books of 2011 and was featured in our Best I’ve Read celebration. Read my review and see the playlist for book one here.