{Promo} #DefytheStars by @claudiagray - Feature & Giveaway

Thanks to Little, Brown & Co for sending a copy of Defy the Stars and for providing a prize pack to give away! Here's more about the book and the promotion:

Title: Defy the Stars
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Defy the Stars, book #1
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

She’s a soldier.

Noemi Vidal is a seventeen years old and sworn to protect her planet, Genesis. She’s willing to risk anything—including her own life. To their enemies on Earth, she’s a rebel.

He’s a machine.

Abandoned in space for years, utterly alone, Abel has advanced programming that’s begun to evolve. He wants only to protect his creator, and to be free. To the people of Genesis, he’s an abomination.

Noemi and Abel are enemies in an interstellar war, forced by chance to work together as they embark on a daring journey through the stars. Their efforts would end the fighting for good, but they’re not without sacrifice. The stakes are even higher than either of them first realized, and the more time they spend together, the more they’re forced to question everything they’d been taught was true.

Read the first chapter on Entertainment Weekly!

In case you were wondering, I belong on Genesis. =)

About the author:

Claudia Gray is the author of the bestselling Evernight series, Fateful, the Spellcaster trilogy, and the Firebird trilogy. She is also the author of the young adult Star Wars novels Lost Stars and the forthcoming Bloodline. She has worked as a lawyer, a journalist, a disc jockey, and a particularly ineffective waitress. Her lifelong interests include old houses, classic movies, vintage style, and history. She lives in New Orleans.

Find Claudia:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Instagram

I've partnered with Little, Brown to bring you this awesome giveaway!

One (1) winner receives:

• a copy of Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray
• $25 Visa gift card to forge your own path!

Giveaway open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Little, Brown & Co.

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Labels: claudia gray, defy the stars, giveaways, hachette, promotions, sci-fi

{Review & Giveaway} A Sequel Worth Traveling To Other Dimensions For: Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray

Title: Ten Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird, book #2
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 3, 2015
Source: ARC and finished copy received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

I often find myself saying that time travel/multiverse books are usually so hit-or-miss with me, but these days, that's just not true. Ten Thousand Skies Above You was a worthy sequel to last year's A Thousand Pieces of You, and it's renewed my faith in the subgenre. This book asks some big questions and in a big way.

Not that these same questions haven't been asked before, but this sequel really seemed to focus on the ramifications and repercussions of traveling between worlds. What that means for the traveler and what it means for their doppelgänger in the other universe. And this novel doesn't approach the subject lightly, which leaves Marguerite, Paul, and Theo all riddled with guilt at things they've done as their other selves or what their other selves have done as them. It's quite a conundrum and one not easily resolved.

The novel also delves into the idea of destiny pretty heavily: whether Marguerite and Paul are fated to find each other in every world, whether each version of themselves is a part of them in every world. It's not as if every choice they make has been preordained, but in most worlds, Marguerite's parents have or are near to having the technology to travel between universes, so it seems a logical conclusion that all worlds were on the same path until something caused them to diverge. It's a lot to take in at times.

That romantic triangle that reared its ugly head in the first book seems to pretty much be kaput, but Marguerite has to wrestle with her feelings for Paul time and again as she searches for the splintered pieces of his soul, and especially as she encounters each universe's version of Paul. And, okay, maybe the triangle isn't completely kaput because Marguerite questions her "fated" relationship with Paul quite a bit and realizes that she does have a choice in the matter.

This novel is twisty and shocking and not what I usually expect from the second book in a trilogy. It was quite captivating, actually. Kept me on my toes, surprised me at nearly every turn. No second book syndrome to speak of. And I know I probably should have seen that shocking ending coming, but I totally didn't. That is definitely one way to ensure I'll be back for the conclusion!

GIF it to me straight:

About the author:

Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.

I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.

Find Claudia:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

Thanks to the folks at Kaye Publicity/HarperCollins, I have an extra copy of A Thousand Pieces of You to give away! So, if you haven't started the series yet -- and why haven't you?!? -- now's your chance!

Rules:

• This giveaway is US only.
• One entry per household. 
• Entries will be verified. Any entry found to be falsified will result in disqualification of all entries for that participant.
• Please note that if you use your Twitter account solely for giveaway entries and you enter using the Tweet about the Giveaway entry, that entry will be disqualified. Please remember that this entry method is to spread the word about the cover reveal and giveaway, not simply increase your chances of winning.
• Winner will be notified via email. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Please check your SPAM folder!!! 
• We are not responsible for lost packages. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!

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Labels: beautiful covers, claudia gray, firebird, giveaways, harper-collins, multiverse, reviews, sci-fi, time travel

Waiting on Wednesday: This Is Where It Ends & Ten Thousand Skies Above You

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selections are...








's Pick:

Title: This Is Where It Ends
Author: Marieke Nijkamp
Series: n/a
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication Date: January 5th, 2016

10:00 a.m. The principal of Opportunity, Alabama's high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.

10:02 a.m. The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.

10:03 The auditorium doors won't open.

10:05 Someone starts shooting.

Told over the span of 54 harrowing minutes from four different perspectives, terror reigns as one student's calculated revenge turns into the ultimate game of survival.

This book looks fascinating and terrifying all in one. And that cover.. the chalk exploding like that.. perfect. I need this book badly.






's Pick:



Title: Ten Thousand Skies Above You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird, book #2
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 3, 2015

Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

Though I love time travel/multiverse novels immensely, I didn't expect to like the first book in this series very much. It was a happy surprise when I did, and now I can't wait to get to the sequel. I will need a refresher before then, though, because I don't remember how things left off...I thought there was some kind of love triangle thingy that was left unresolved, not Paul the boyfriend, though that might happen in this book? Hrrrmmm.


What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!

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Labels: beautiful covers, claudia gray, firebird, harper-collins, multiverse, This is Where it ends, time travel, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Review & Giveaway: A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray

Title: A Thousand Pieces of You
Author: Claudia Gray
Series: Firebird, book #1
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: November 4, 2014
Source: finished copy received from publisher, galley received from publisher via Edelweiss
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Every Day meets Cloud Atlas in this heart-racing, space- and time-bending, epic new trilogy from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray.

Marguerite Caine’s physicist parents are known for their radical scientific achievements. Their most astonishing invention: the Firebird, which allows users to jump into parallel universes, some vastly altered from our own. But when Marguerite’s father is murdered, the killer—her parent’s handsome and enigmatic assistant Paul—escapes into another dimension before the law can touch him.

Marguerite can’t let the man who destroyed her family go free, and she races after Paul through different universes, where their lives entangle in increasingly familiar ways. With each encounter she begins to question Paul’s guilt—and her own heart. Soon she discovers the truth behind her father’s death is more sinister than she ever could have imagined.

A Thousand Pieces of You explores a reality where we witness the countless other lives we might lead in an amazingly intricate multiverse, and ask whether, amid infinite possibilities, one love can endure.

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in my admission that, while I was intrigued by the premise, that cover is what actually enticed me to add this book to my TBR all those months ago. It wasn't the only thing, though. I'm a HUGE fan of books about multiverses and traveling between them, and though this isn't my favorite book focusing on characters who travel to alternate dimensions, I found quite a bit to like in this story.

I've never read either of the books that this one is being compared to in that synopsis, but I did get a very strong All Our Yesterdays vibe from it. In that book, the characters are time traveling on the same timeline, though, whereas the characters in A Thousand Pieces of You are traveling from one parallel universe to the next. However, I like how both books tackled the aspects of such travel -- the hows and whys and wheres -- without too much sciencey mumbo-jumbo. The how isn't fully explained, but it's executed well enough so that it's not confusing and believable enough considering this is science fiction. And in this novel, I loved how the main character Marguerite focused on the moral ramifications because when these characters are world-jumping, they are essentially inhabiting their alternate self, taking over that life while their other self is none the wiser. That really comes into play later in the novel, and I can't wait see it explored further in future installments.

Whereas most novels concerning parallel universes will center on worlds that are just shades different from each other, the author of A Thousand Pieces of You chose to showcase several really unique worlds while Marguerite, Theo, and Paul were hopping around the multiverse. There are worlds that nearly mirror their home world, but the trio also jumps to a futuristic London-verse, a world that features a Romanov Russia in present-day, and one where global climate conditions have deteriorated so quickly that most of the populace dwells in ocean-bases. These parallel universes were all so fully realized that I wasn't sure I wanted Marguerite to return to her home, especially knowing what waited for her there...or rather, what didn't.

Marguerite was such a determined character...I couldn't help but root for her, even if her and Theo's plan seemed ludicrous. Chasing after the guy who murdered your father across multiple worlds? That can't end well...and it definitely didn't end the way you might expect. But it was an entertaining trip all the same, especially when you throw some romance into the mix. This may deter some readers, but I felt that despite the implications that a love triangle/love rhombus was at play, it was pretty obvious to whom Marguerite was truly ready to give her heart, especially in light of certain circumstances. If I were to put an official label on the romance, though, it would be "It's complicated". There are so many factors at play, so many hearts on the line -- and so much that I want to say but that would be entirely too spoilery. Just remember what I said about the moral consequences and consider how destiny might come into play across multiple worlds/lives, and you'll soon realize just how complicated love can get in a story like this.

If you enjoyed this novel, I definitely recommend picking up All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill and the Unraveling series by Elizabeth Norris (which is a full-on multiverse novel like this one) and vice versa. A Thousand Pieces of You is a solid first book and a welcome entry in the multiverse genre, and I'm very intrigued to see where the author takes this series. And I cannot wait to see what they come up with for the cover on the sequel...I just know it'll be beyond gorgeous!

Side note: While I was reading this book the other night, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory -- the original version with Gene Wilder, not Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, the remake with Johnny Depp -- was playing in the background, and I happened to look up at the exact moment that the kid gets turned into a thousand tiny pieces and transported to the TV, i.e. Wonka Vision. It was kind of a perfect moment, especially considering the title of this book and the thousands upon thousands of versions of us that could exist across the multiverse.

GIF it to me straight:

Also, this novel really made me miss FRINGE. =(

About the author:

Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actually the best reason to do things.

I live in New Orleans. So far, in life, I've been a disc jockey, a lawyer, a journalist and an extremely bad waitress, just to name a few. I especially like to spend time traveling, hiking, reading and listening to music. More than anything else, I enjoy writing.

Find Claudia:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest

Thanks to the folks at Kaye Publicity/HarperCollins, I have an extra copy of A Thousand Pieces of You to give away!

Rules:

• This giveaway is US only.
• One entry per household. 
• Entries will be verified. Any entry found to be falsified will result in disqualification of all entries for that participant.
• Please note that if you use your Twitter account solely for giveaway entries and you enter using the Tweet about the Giveaway entry, that entry will be disqualified. Please remember that this entry method is to spread the word about the cover reveal and giveaway, not simply increase your chances of winning.
• Winner will be notified via email. Winner will then have 48 hours to respond before another winner will be selected. Please check your SPAM folder!!! 
• We are not responsible for lost packages. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for stopping by & happy reading!

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Labels: beautiful covers, claudia gray, firebird, giveaways, harper-collins, multiverse, reviews, time travel

Review: Grim by Ellen Hopkins, Julie Kagawa, Amanda Hocking...

Title: Grim
Author: Various
Series: n/a
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Publication Date: February 25th, 2014
Source: received from publisher via NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Step into a world of dark and twisted fairy tales, with stories by Julie Kagawa, Amanda Hocking and more...

In the days when fairy tales were first spun, they weren’t the sweet and cheerful stories we tell today. Back then, fairy tales were terrifying. They were a warning to the listener to stay out of the night, to keep away from the mystical and ignore the mysterious. Prepare to open a treasure box of the unusual and the macabre.

Grim features some of today’s best young adult authors, sharing their own, unique retellings of classic fairy tales from around the world. These talented writers, many of them New York Times bestsellers or award-winners, put their own spin on these magical worlds.

Ellen Hopkins
Amanda Hocking
Julie Kagawa
Claudia Gray
Rachel Hawkins
Kimberly Derting
Myra McEntire
Malinda Lo
Sarah Rees-Brennan
Jackson Pearce
Christine Johnson
Jeri Smith-Ready
Shaun David Hutchinson
Saundra Mitchell
Sonia Gensler
Tessa Gratton
Jon Skovron

.

Over the past few years, Anthology books have grown on me. The few that I’ve read have been really good. Grim was good, but it wasn't my favorite. There were some great stories in here, but there were also some that didn’t grasp my attention at all. Throughout, it was very hit or miss for me.

The Key by Rachel Hawkins – I’m not sure I would have opened up the book with this one. It was good, but it ended pretty abruptly. I would have liked to know what happens. I know it’s a short story but jeesh, give it an ending please. It deals with psychics and was pretty suspenseful so I’ll give it that.

Figment by Jeri Smith-Ready – This one was really clever. Figment is a little good luck charm Eli is left with, a gift from his estranged rock star father after he passes. This isn’t an ordinary good luck charm, it’s the real deal, and it talks. I loved Figments character, but most of all I loved the message in this story.

The Twelfth Girl by Melinda Lo – This story reminded me of a Bratz movie on Netflix. My Daughter watches this one Bratz Fairy movie sometimes, and I could not stop thinking about it the whole time reading this. I don’t really know what is in this story, I don’t think it ever truly says, but it is reminiscent of the whole fairy realm. It could just be the underworld, but there were things that made me think of the fey. I liked it; it was dark and fit the title of this book I think.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron - I really loved this one. A princess is cursed as a baby, turned into a raven. She spends her life looking for the one who can break the curse. It was really cute, and I adored the ending.

Thinner than Water by Saundra Mitchell – This story was bad ass! One of my favorites for sure. I’ve never read anything by Saundra Mitchell before, but now I’m going to have to. The Princess of Flamen lost her mother as an infant. The king has been a doting father for most of her life, until she is no longer a child. Then his affection becomes inappropriate. The Princess of Flamen is not having it and I felt for her. She’s smart as well as beautiful, and wit is a dangerous weapon.

Before the Rose Bloomed by Ellen Hopkins – This is a retelling of The Snow Queen. I didn’t like this one at all. I blame Frozen. I’m so in love with Disney’s version right now that nothing else can compare. It’s well written, but not how it’s supposed to go! It’s just too soon!! Lol (I have issues for real)

Beast/Beast by Tessa Gratton – I’m a huge fan of Tessa Grattons writing. Everything she puts out is beautifully written and this story is no exception. It’s obviously a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I love the original spin she put on it.

The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa – I was not expecting a retelling of the three little piglets! Loved how she gave this tale extra depth. I was always told as a child that there was a wolf who wanted to eat the three pigs…. Boring…. this version is so much better!

Untethered by Sonia Gensler – This story was extremely short and kind of meh if I’m being honest.

Better by Shaun David Huchinson – I’m a huge fan of sci fi and this had a touch of it. Pip is man made but she feels real. Children are dying and they are running out of time trying to figure out how to stop it. Pip was made to help discover a cure. I loved how it played out at the end.

Light It Up by Kimberly Derting – I didn’t really like this one. It’s a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. I hate that story so I had a hard time getting into it and ended up skimming most of it.

Sharper than a Serpent’s Tongue by Christine Johnson – This one also didn’t stand out for me. By this time, I was just ready for the book to end. Oh and whoa to all the bad language. Not that it bothered me, I’m a sailor, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

A Real Boy by Claudia Gray – This is retelling of Pinocchio but he’s a robot, not a wooden. I’m not a fan of Pinocchio but this version was pretty awesome. I really enjoyed it. Also, Claudia Gray is another author I hadn’t read yet, so now that I know I like her style, I’ll have to pick something else up by her.

Skin Trade by Myra McEntire – This one turned me off right away. Opening page… a guy walks into a strip club… nope, not interested. I knew I wouldn’t like this one so I just moved on.

Beauty and the Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan – This was another meh for me. Meh’s are to be expected when reading anthologies. The problem with this one is, there is already a Beauty and the Beast retelling earlier on in this book. Compared to Tessa Gratton’s contribution, this one was not that great, at least in my opinion.

The Pink by Amanda Hocking – I read a book by Amanda Hocking a few years ago. It was okay, but I wasn’t blown away. This story though, was so awesome. I loved everything about it. Prince Brenn has a special power, he can wish for anything his heart desires and it will appear right in front of him. But that kind of power can be dangerous, especially if the wrong person discovers you have it. I was reminded me a little bit of Rapunzel, but without the hair. My favorite part about this one was the love story. It warmed my little heart. <3

Sell Out by Jackson Pearce – I know see why Pearce is so famous for her retellings. She actually made Snow White Tolerable. (She’s my least favorite princess). It’s only natural that they would close out the book with this story. I don’t own any of Jackson Pearce’s retellings but I will now. Sell Out was great.

I had some trouble picking it up at times, especially when I was in the middle of a story that I didn’t like as much. I couldn’t tell what some of these stories were retellings of… I’m thinking I need to brush up on my fairy tales. You’d think being a mother, I’d be more educated. 

I did like Grim. There were a few stand out stories that I adored. The ones I didn't care for dragged it down for me. Not a bad anthology but I've read better ones. 

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Labels: amanda hocking, anthology, claudia gray, Ellen Hopkins, fairy tales, harlequin-teen, jackson pearce, julie kagawa, kimberly derting, myra McEntire, rachel hawkins, retellings, reviews, sarah rees brennan

Awhile on the Pile #8: Balthazar by Claudia Gray

Awhile on the Pile/From the Review Pile is a meme hosted by Stepping Out of the Page every Thursday but was also inspired by Rachel at My Reading Pile/Fiktshun. The aim of this meme is to showcase books that you've received for review -- or any book that you own and really want to read/review -- but haven't yet got around to reading in order to give the book some extra publicity.

Here's the book I chose to give some extra love this week:

Title:  Balthazar
Author:  Claudia Gray
Series:  Evernight
Publisher:  HarperTeen
Publication Date:  March 6, 2011
Source:  traded ARCs with fellow blogger

Haunted by memories from his first days as a vampire, Balthazar has spent hundreds of years alone—without allies, without love. When he emerges from his isolation to help Skye Tierney, a human girl who once attended Evernight Academy, Balthazar has no idea how dangerous it will be. Skye’s psychic powers have caught the attention of Redgrave, the cruel master vampire responsible for murdering Balthazar and his family four centuries ago. Having learned of Skye’s powers and the remarkable effect her blood has on vampires, he plans to use her for his own evil purposes. As they stand together to fight the evil vampire, Balthazar realizes his lonely world could finally be changed by Skye...just as Redgrave realizes that he can destroy Balthazar once and for all by taking her for his own.

In a story filled with forbidden love and dark suspense, one of the most beloved characters in Claudia Gray’s New York Times bestselling Evernight series will captivate readers with his battle to overcome his past and follow his heart.

I tried to read Evernight back when it was available for free, probably right around the time Balthazar was released, if I remember correctly.  I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters, though, so I pretty much gave up ever trying to read this series.  But then I read a couple of great reviews of Balthazar from people I trust on Goodreads, and I decided to give it a try.  So, I traded ARCs with one of those same Goodreads friends.  And the book has sat on my shelf ever since because of other obligations and bookish priorities.  Oops.

I still really want to read it, so if you've already read it, give me a reason to move it up on the TBR list.  :)

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Labels: awhile on the pile, claudia gray, evernight, harper-collins, vampires