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.
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Review: The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder #1
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: March 16th, 2010
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
I cannot tell you how long this book has been on my "to read" list. I snatched it up a while ago on an amazon daily deal, and vowed that I would read it soon. I actually followed through!!! lol. There is a small cluster of books I wanted to read this fall, and The Body Finder was one of them. I'm sad to say that I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.
Violet is Sixteen. I often felt like I was reading the POV of a 13 or 14 year old. It's weird, because I wouldn't say she was immature per say, but her mentality at times comes across that way... I mostly saw it in her relationship with Jay. She was very naive and clueless when it came to boys and such. It was sweet, don't get me wrong. It was cute watching their feelings change for each other but it would have been more believable if they were younger.
What I really liked was Violets ability to seek out dead people. I felt like her methods were pretty unique and I was all into that. There are some pretty intense creepy moments in this story. I'd be all on the edge of my seat... and then the next chapter we would be back to the sappy tween love drama. I was literally yelling at my kindle... "Hello!!! Can we get back to the killer now!!!!"
So yeah, definitely not my favorite fall read thus far. I will continue with the series I think, but I'm not in any rush to pick the next one up.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
{Audiobook} Review: The Taking by Kimberly Derting
Author: Kimberly Derting
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Series: The Taking, book #1
Length: 9 hrs 29 mins
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publication Date: April 29, 2014
Source: borrowed from library
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Fair warning, I'm a total fangirl for Derting's THE BODY FINDER series. I've read and loved every single one of those books, and though I still want more -- even if she's not planning on writing any -- I'm more than happy to read her forays into other genres, including dystopian fantasy via THE PLEDGE series and now with sci-fi and aliens by way of The Taking. And while this novel isn't my favorite of hers, it still showed the potential to become another favorite series.
Here's the thing, though. This novel pretty much reads like a contemporary with a very weird twist. I know many have commented on this aspect, including friends and those I turn to for reading recommendations, but I just want to weigh in with my two cents. The romance in this book isn't as squicky and off-putting to me as some have made it out to be. Yes, Tyler was only twelve when Kyra disappeared at the age of 16. And five years have passed, and now Tyler is 17. But Kyra is still only 16 and only feels and looks 16, not the 21 she should be. Maybe it's not the age thing that bothers some but the fact that she moves on from one brother to the other in what is five years to them but only days for her. Also not terribly icky to me, but to each his own. The thing is, Austin thought Kyra was gone for good, so he moved on. As Kyra remembers her time with him, it's glaringly obvious that they were never really all that good together anyway. Tyler, on the other hand, seems much better suited for Kyra and is willing to prove it to her. I thought they were actually very sweet together.
But the romantic aspect wasn't what led me to want to read this novel. I've always been intrigued by the possibility of aliens, so any mention of them in a synopsis has me summarily curious. However, the focus isn't on the aliens in this story until the latter third of the book. Instead, the story explores the strange coincidences Kyra keeps noticing and the misgivings she has regarding the five years she was missing. And it concentrates on how Kyra is handling (or not) the many changes that occurred while she was gone. Everyone moved on without her, and it's difficult for her to adjust, especially when it seems that the government wants to know more about what happened to her, too. I would have liked the psychological effects of those missing five years to have been explored in more depth, aside from Kyra's obsession with time and her refusal to accept the physiological changes in herself, but like I said, there's potential here.
I received a copy of this novel for review from the publisher, but I missed the release date, so as I am wont to do, I downloaded the audio from my library so that I could get to it sooner rather than later. I'm a huge fan of Tavia Gilbert's narration of the Cat and Bones books from Jeaniene Frost, but as such, I was also worried that I would hear Cat in Kyra the entire time I was listening. It's often very difficult to separate a favorite narrator from a character they've voiced for years. In the beginning of the story, I did find it hard to do so, but as I got more engrossed in the book, I found myself listening to Kyra...not Cat and not Tavia.
There were some surprising twists to this story and shocking revelations, and I'm keen to see where Derting takes the story from here, now that it's morphed from the somewhat contemporary story it started as into a full-blown piece of sci-fi. I'm very curious to find out why the aliens want to make humans so hardy, why and what they're testing out on us. And I'm dying to know what happened to Tyler and Kyra's dad and even that creepy government official there at the end.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
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
.
Friday, April 5, 2013
Judging a Book By Its Cover #21: A Kid's Perspective on Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting
Okay, so I totally stole this idea from Sara at Forever 17 Books, who got the idea from an article on Babble called Judging a Book by Its Cover: A 6-year-old Guesses What Classic Novels Are All About. I just discovered her lovely segment, and I immediately
requestedforced my own five-year-old daughter Katie to provide me with some of her own cover art artwork and then asked her what she thought the book was about.This week, Katie gave me her take on the following book:
Have you read this book or do you plan to? What do you think of Katie's guess at the premise?
And be sure to check out my stop on the Dead Silence Blog Tour and enter to win a copy! Just click on the image below:
Did your little darling create a work of art based on a book this week? If so, be sure to link up with Sara over at Forever 17 Books.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
{Blog Tour} Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting: Review & Teaser Quote + Giveaway
You guys, I am soooo excited to be a part of the Dead Silence Blog Tour organized by Candace at Candace's Book Blog/CBB Book Promotions! This is absolutely one of my favorite series, and I am beyond thrilled to bring you not only my review but a teaser quote from this (final!?!) book in the series PLUS the most incredible giveaway! Check it out below and be sure to stop by the rest of the tour for more awesome reviews, guest posts & interviews!
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder, book #4
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
Source: ARC from publisher for blog tour
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.
This is probably going to read more like a plea to the author than a review. So be it.
I love this series. I love the characters, how much they've matured over the course of these four books and how their relationships have changed. And I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. When I finished Dead Silence, it didn't feel like goodbye, either. So many things feel unresolved; it didn't feel like an ending at all, not even an open-ended type of conclusion. I was actually anticipating an announcement from the author regarding the next book, but then I saw THIS post. I knew it was likely that this would be the last book, and nothing is definite, as evidenced by the author's response to my comment on the aforementioned post (see below), but it hurt my heart to know that this may be the last body-finding adventure I get to go on with Violet, Jay, and the rest of the Center gang.
And it's obvious how much Kimberly Derting does indeed love her characters, even though she puts them through hell at times. There are some intense and horrifying moments for Violet, and she puts herself in danger entirely too often, but at the end of the day, she's a great heroine, role model and just an intriguing character overall. Her gift -- or curse, depending on the situation -- definitely makes life interesting. And once she learns that she's not alone, that there are others like her with similar gifts, things get really exciting.
As remarkable as Violet's gift may be, actually using it is what gets her into trouble. More often than not, using her gift means stumbling onto a murder victim, and Violet can't get any peace of mind until the victim is laid to rest and the murder is solved. The author creates an added layer of creepiness to the story by interspersing Violet's perspective with that of the killer, and a disturbing game of cat and mouse ensues while Violet searches for clues to aid in the Center's investigations. And while the killer is loose, no one is safe...not Violet, not her colleagues, and not her friends.
Violet's had her ability since she was a child, and she's mostly kept it a secret, though her best friend Jay has known the truth of her gift for years. Jay has proven himself compassionate and caring and completely trustworthy time and again, showing exactly why he has become one of my most treasured book boyfriends. He's the real deal, and the relationship between Jay and Violet, from best friends to first loves, is my absolute favorite kind. Have you ever read about a more honest and adorable fictional couple in YA literature? I don't think so. Sure, they hem and haw around their feelings for each other in the beginning, but they've been nothing but forthright with each other since. Just as Violet is an inspiring character, this romance is one to aspire to...a love for the ages, if you will.
Sure, there have been complications, with the relationships in this story and in general, but these characters persevere and do what is ultimately right. They fight the good fight. And I'm not sure I'll ever be able to adequately express how much I'm going to miss all of them. If this is it for Violet and friends, I'm glad the series ended on the note it did.
But hear this, Kimberly Derting: I will ALWAYS be ready for more, so whenever you feel like writing more of Violet, Jay, Rafe or even Chelsea, know that you have a willing reader in me. (Please, please, PLEASE write more body-finding adventures! Pretty please?)
Rating:
Teaser Quote*:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Teaser Tuesday #49: Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
This week's teaser(s) comes from the following book(s):
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder, book #4
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
Source: ARC from publisher for blog tour
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.
My teaser:
Uh, oh. Sounds like someone's in trouble! I had other reading plans this week, but as soon as this ARC arrived, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist starting the book. =)
What are you teasing this week? Share it in the comments or leave a link so I can visit!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Blog Tour: The Essence by Kimberly Derting - Giveaway
If you wanted to learn more about the second novel in Kimberly Derting's The Pledge series and enter for a chance to win your own copy, you've come to the right place! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour, hosted by Shane at Itching for Books!
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Pledge, book #2
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date: January 1, 2013
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.
Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.
As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within.
About the author:
Kimberly is the author of the BODY FINDER series (HarperCollins) and THE PLEDGE trilogy (Simon & Schuster). She lives in the Pacific Northwest, the ideal place to write anything dark or creepy...a gloomy day can set the perfect mood. She lives with her husband and their three beautiful (and often mouthy) children who provide an endless source of inspiration.
Find out more about Kimberly Derting and her books:
This giveaway is for a finished copy of The Essence (US only) and an ebook version (open internationally).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thanks for stopping by! Happy reading!
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Waiting on Wednesday: Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting
"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 selection is...
Author: Kimberly Derting
Series: The Body Finder, book #4
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 16, 2013
When someone close to Violet becomes a suspect in a horrific murder, she finds herself pulled into a deadly hunt for a madman with an army of devoted followers. Violet has survived dangerous situations before, but she quickly discovers that protecting those closest to her is far more difficult than protecting herself.
The Body Finder series has been praised as a “delectable blend of mystery and romance” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books), a “fast-paced, compelling read” (ALA Booklist), and as “imaginative, convincing, and successful suspense” (Kirkus Reviews). With a perfect blend of romance, intrigue, and suspense, Dead Silence continues this gripping series, delivering unexpected twists that will keep readers guessing until the very last page.
Why I'm waiting: I love this series. First, there's the totally healthy, teenage romance between Violet and Jay. Yes, there may be a kink thrown in there, but I think they'll survive. Second, this girl senses the echoes left behind by the dead. I find that so freaking interesting, and I can't wait to see where this next chapter takes us. I only hope this isn't the final book...I'm not ready to say goodbye to these characters!
So, what are you waiting on this week? Tell me in the comments or leave a link so I can stop by!
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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