Slush Sleuth

Massive Cover Roundup!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Normally, I try to feature new cover releases that I really like within their own posts, but because there have been so many in the last week (and I've been on a hiatus), I decided to do a great big roundup of books that I am looking forward to.

So, without further ado, I bring you this weeks Waiting on Wednesday, a.k.a. That Time a bunch of HarperCollins 2013 Releases caused me to drool all over my laptop screen....

Boundless by Brodi Ashton

Release Date: January 22, 2013
Publisher: Balzer+Bray/HarperCollins
Find it on Goodreads!

Two months ago, the Tunnels of the underworld came for Nikki Beckett. That night, Nikki's boyfriend, Jack, made the ultimate sacrifice. All Nikki wants is to save Jack before it's too late. All Cole wants is to find his queen - and he thinks Nikki is the one. Both determined, both desperate, Nikki and Cole form a tense alliance, leading them on a dangerous journey to The Heart of The Everneath.

Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Release Date: January 22, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Find it on Goodreads!

No summary released yet!

Through The Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

Release Date: January 8, 2013
Publisher: HarperCollins
Find it on Goodreads!

No summary released yet!

Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Find it on Goodreads!

No summary released yet!

Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Find it on Goodreads!

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting—or stealing—whatever they want.

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir—this time, Hale might be the mark.

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

Taken by Erin Bowman

Release Date: April 16, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Find it on Goodreads!

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends...and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

Taken by Kasie West

Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Find it on Goodreads!

Reminiscent of the movie Sliding Doors, Pivot Point is about a girl who has the power to Search alternate futures. When faced with a life changing decision, she lives out six weeks of two different lives (in alternating chapters), both holding the potential for love and loss, and must ultimately choose which path she is willing to live through.

The Nightmare Affair by Mindee Arnett

Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
Find it on Goodreads!

16-year-old Dusty Everhart breaks into houses late at night, but not because she’s a criminal. No, she’s a Nightmare. Literally. Dusty is a magical being who feeds on human dreams.

Being the only Nightmare at Arkwell Academy, a boarding school for magickind, and living in the shadow of her mother’s infamy is hard enough. But when Dusty sneaks into Eli Booker’s house, things get a whole lot more complicated. He’s hot, which means sitting on his chest and invading his dreams couldn’t get much more embarrassing. But it does. Eli is dreaming of a murder. The setting is Arkwell.

And then it comes true.

Now the Dusty has to follow the clues--both within Eli’s dreams and out of them--to stop the killer before more people turn up dead. And before the killer learns what she’s up to and marks her as the next target.

If You Find Me Emily Murdoch

Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Find it on Goodreads!

A broken-down camper at the Obed Scenic and Wild River National Park - dubbed the Hundred Acre Wood - is the only home fifteen-year-old Carey has ever known.

Sure, coping with a bipolar mother on meth is no picnic, but beneath the sun-dazzled canopies of Hickory and Walnut, Carey's violin transports her from their bare-bones existence in the same way her little sister, Jenessa, finds comfort in her stash of second-hand Pooh books.

Life is dependable that way, until Mama goes into town for supplies and vanishes off the face of Tennessee, sending social services in her wake with a one-way ticket back to their father - a stranger in an even stranger world.

~*~ A portion of the proceeds will benefit Taylor Hendrix's Christmas Project. Sixteen-year-old Taylor, battling osteosarcoma, gathers gifts in backpacks to brighten the spirits of cancer teens in hospital during the Christmas holidays.

Who says books (and amazing teens!) can't change the world? ~*~

The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd

Release Date: January 29, 2013
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperTeen
Find it on Goodreads!

London, 1894. Juliet Moreau has built a life for herself—working as a maid, attending church on Sundays, and trying not to think about the scandal that ruined her life. After all, no one ever proved the rumors about her father’s gruesome experiments. But when she learns her father is alive and continuing his work on a remote tropical island, she is determined to find out if the accusations were true.

Juliet is accompanied by the doctor’s handsome young assistant and an enigmatic castaway, who both attract Juliet for very different reasons. They travel to the island only to discover the depths of her father’s madness: he has created animals that have been vivisected to resemble, speak, and behave as humans. Worse, one of the creatures has turned violent and is killing the island’s inhabitants. Juliet knows she must end her father’s dangerous experiments and escape the island, even though her horror is mixed with her own scientific curiosity. As the island falls into chaos, she discovers the extent of her father’s genius—and madness—in her own blood.

The Casual Vacancy by J.k> Rowling

Release Date: September 27, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown, and Company
Find it on Goodreads!

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity, and unexpected revelations?

A big novel about a small town, The Casual Vacancy is J. K. Rowling’s first novel for adults. It is the work of a storyteller like no other.

Any favorites? I am partial Everbound and Boundless, personally. I would pull a serious Smeagol to get my hands on those. MIIIINNNEEE.

Cover Reveal: Sever by Lauren DeStefano

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:38:00 +0000

You guys, THIS is why people shouldn't have jobs. Especially new jobs that require 50-60 hours a week and make it really hard to sneak on Twitter and Blogger during the day. Because if you suddenly find yourself strapped with a very demanding (albeit fun) job, you might miss a massively awesome cover reveal and be behind the times and feel very, very sad.

Stop pointing those accusing stares at me! I would never try to sneak on social media sites during work, or go into a slightly catatonic fit when I realized I missed the release of the Sever cover. Noooooooo.

(SSSSHHHHHHHHHH, don't tell!)

I will never love a cover the way I loved Wither. However, I do still think that Lizzie Bromley is a genius of a designer, and I did feel like Fever's cover captured the feeling of the book. Therefore, I am intrigued by the vaguely Stepford-wivish quality to this one! WHATEVER DOES IT MEAN?

Listen, all I'm saying is the end of Fever may have actually caused me to have an aneurysm. I don't think a book has ever--EVER I tell you!--caused me to walk away still feeling that emotionally frustrated (in both good and bad ways). I got weeks of good workouts after I finished it because I would have imaginary conversations between Linden and Rhine in my head and these confrontations would be FUELED WITH SUCH PASSION that I would pull a Forrest Gump and not even notice when 5 miles had passed.

Summary: Sever come to meeeeeeeeeee. (Accio Sever!)

Also, Go Team Linden.

Cover Reveal: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Paperback Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Find it on Goodreads!

Kelsey upon first seeing this cover: Wooooahhhhh.

And minutes later, once the awe wore off enough for language to return: Goregous! I love the dual imagery here of the snow and the pink. I wonder if everything on this cover is as thematically significant as it was with the Shatter Me cover. And if it is, what does the ice mean for our Juliette?

I have no idea Unravel Me has in store for us, so I am waiting with bated breath for the release of the publisher's summary. The only clue we have to go on now is this:

~~They want to find me.~~ I will find them first.

Yikes!

*EDIT* We have a cover copy!!

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick
it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

Waiting on Wednesday: Prophecy by Ellen Oh

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Prophecy by Ellen Oh

Release Date: January 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen

Check it out on Goodreads!

The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms . . . is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope. . . .

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy.

I would say my reaction to this book is 3 parts "OMG YAYYY" and 1 part trepidation, because doesn't that cover copy make it sound UNCANNILY like Kristin Cashore's Graceling? (Seven Kingdoms, a girl with strange eyes, female warrior, outcast, protecting the heir to the throne?)

However, seeing as authors never get to write their own summaries, it feels unfair to make any hard and fast judgements. Probably the publisher is trying to draw those parallels to help sales and the books are more diverse than they seem. Besdies, Graceling or no Graceling, this sounds like an AWESOME way to start of your 2013 (or finish your 2012 if you're lucky enough to get an ARC!)

PERSONAL EDIT: So I'm writing this post, and I'm struck by this really weird sense of deja vu as I look at the cover, and VOILA, it hits me! For my senior thesis in high school I wrote a novella (which is a whole other long story), but my mom being the sweetie and artist that she is, quickly whipped up this picture so my thesis would look more legit than the other kids (and it totally did. She rocks. You should have seen the Renaissance costume she made me in 6th grade; another girl was so jealous she cried.)

I digress. That is SUCH A WEIRD COINCIDENCE, right?! To be honest, I have absolutely no recollection of what my story was about--and Ellen Oh's is undoubtedly way better--but between the colors/cover/title there is a lot of overlap. Maybe I can pretend to be her inspiration and get some royalties (totally kidding!)

But all that aside, I think the most important question Prophecy leaves us with is this... Yellow Eyes: Hot or Not?

Top Ten Tuesday: Summer TBRs

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and created by The Perpetual Page Turner!) Welcome to this week's topic: Top Ten Books You'd Recommend As Good Beach Reads.

Released this Summer
1. Endlessly by Kiersten White I'm obsessed with Evie. I get super excited slash scared slash worried slash thirsty when I think about finishing this series.
2. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols Have I rambled on enough about this one yet? No? Well I CANNOT WAIT. Jennifer Echols = the top of my author crush list.
3. The Treachery of Beautiful Things by Ruth Francis Long I love this title because it also applies to the book itself, which is super beautiful. Though I hope it's only treacherous in all the right ways, if you know what i mean....
4. Timepiece by Myra McEntire I'm going to need to reread Hourglass before I plunge in, but I definitely remember LOVING the Southern feel, the family aspect, and the Hottie McTottie boys. Anyone read this yet?
5. The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt This may be a little TMI, but the blurb sounds kind of like a summary of my high school life. And her name is Kelsey, so I'm super worried/excited that this is my secret biography. (No joke)

Left on my List of Ten
1. Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore I'm saving this one until I can dedicate a full day to it. I don't want anyone interrupting me in the middle, lest they *accidentally* lose a limb from my wrath.
2. Don't You Wish by Roxanne St. Claire Yikes. I sooo need to get on this....
3. Dreamless by Josephine Angelini I'm really excited for this one, but the problem is I consumed Dreamless via audio. The second book is only out for reading, and I'm super reluctant to switch medias.
4. Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken Via a recommendation from the lovely Natalie at Mindful Musings. I promise I'm going to get to it soon so we can discuss!!
5. I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You by Ally Larter I like her writing style, but I wanted way more romance from Heist Society. However, I hear the swoon factor is up in this one!

Happy Reading all!

My Misadventures as a Book Battle Judge, Part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Sun, 17 Jun 2012 19:26:00 +0000

Happy Sunday, all! Things have been a little slower on the blog in the last couple of days, and I'm here to tell you why. In addition to the more-than-slightly blissed out reading experience I was having with Richelle Mead's The Golden Lily (and the subsequent depression when I finished it), I've been cramming in as many books as I can for a book battle I'm judging.

Which book battle, you ask? The 2012 YA Book Blogger's Battle, and this year's theme is Fairy Tales Retold! Right now we're in Round 1, which means there are 71 nominated titles. I have to read as many as I can before the end of the month then pick my top ten.

Simple, right? Yes and No. Ahhhbviously I love to read, so I'm all about this challenge. The only problem is I am a ridiculously slow reader. Don't believe me? I took this reading speed test recently, and was not surprised to learn that my reading speed is only slightly faster than the average 8th grader.

Yeah...

So, I'm going to be super busy getting in as many of these as I can! I'm at 8 and aiming for 20. I won't tell you my favorites until the end, but I'll let you know about my progress and maybe post a couple of reviews.

Wish me luck! And it you want to get involved, check out our lovely host, Alyssa at The Shady Glade to see the ways that you can do that.

The Nominated Books Finished ones are crossed out....
(Oh, and if you've read any of these and liked them, let me know so I can check them out!)

A Curse Dark As Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
Abandon by Meg Cabot
~~Avalon High by Meg Cabot~~
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Between Two Ends by David Ward
Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
Bound by Donna Jo Napoli
Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
~~Cindy Ella by Robin Palmer~~
Cloaked by Alex Flinn
Damosel by Stephanie Spinner
Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Destined by Jessie Harrell
Don't Expect Magic by Kathy McCullough
~~East by Edith Pattou~~
~~Entwined by Heather Dixon~~
Golden by Cameron Dokey
Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl
Half Upon a Time by James Riley
Ice by Sarah Beth Durst
Inside the Walls of Troy by Clemence McLaren
Into the Woods by Lyn Gardner
~~Just Ella by Margaret Peterson Haddix~~
Lightbringer by K.D. McEntire
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
My Very UnFairy Tale Life by Anna Staniszewski
Nobody's Princess by Esther Frisner
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Princess of the Wild Swans by Diane Zahler
Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Bahija Lovejoy and Barbara Cohen
Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott
Shifting by Bethany Wiggins
Sirenz by Charlotte Bennardo
Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan
Snow by Tracy Lynn
Snow in Summer: Fairest of Them All by Jane Yolen
~~Starcrossed by Jospehine Angelini~~
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Sweet Venom by Tera Lynn Childs
Sweetly by Jackson Pearce
The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter
~~The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale~~
The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson
The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer
The Princess Curse by Merrie Haskell
The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Shadow of the Bear by Regina Doman
The Sisters Grimm: The Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley
The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott
The Third Eye by Mahtab Narsimhan
The Thirteenth Princess by Diane Zahler
The Wager by Donna Jo Napoli
The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker
Thornspell by Helen Lowe
Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep
Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguié
Waking Rose by Regina Doman
Water Song by Suzanne Weyn
Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey
~~Wildefire by Karsten Knight~~
Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier
Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Bloodlines #3 Title Reveal!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 02:05:00 +0000

Hi all! I literally finished The Golden Lily about 10 minutes ago and went online to discover thaaaattt....

the name of Bloodines #3 has been released!

And it is......

Drumroll please......

The Indigo Spell

Which is to be released February 12, 2013! Highlight to read The Golden Lily spoiler, but does anyone else think that the title might have something do with a one Marcus Flute? And the mysterious indigo tattoo on his face? Bueller? Bueller?

Oh my Moroi, I can't wait!!!!

And now if you'll excuse me, I need to return to the gelatinous blubbery mess that the end of The Golden Lily just turned me into. No one please talk to me for at least a week as I'm going to spend that time doing some well deserved brooding.

Ta ta!

*EDIT* When posting this yesterday, I missed a crucial piece of information... The first paragraph of The Indigo Spell was also released!! So here it is:

This wasn’t the first time I’d been pulled out of bed for a crucial mission. It was, however, the first time I’d been subjected to such a personal line of questioning.

“Are you a virgin?”

Richelle Mead, you are such a tease!

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel: Book Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:30:00 +0000

Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel

Release Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Pages: 304
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
Challenges: List of Ten

Find it on Goodreads!

Callie LeRoux lives in Slow Run, Kansas, helping her mother run their small hotel and trying not to think about the father she’s never met. Lately all of her energy is spent battling the constant storms plaguing the Dust Bowl and their effects on her health. Callie is left alone, when her mother goes missing in a dust storm. Her only hope comes from a mysterious man offering a few clues about her destiny and the path she must take to find her parents in "the golden hills of the west" (California).

Along the way she meets Jack a young hobo boy who is happy to keep her company—there are dangerous, desperate people at every turn. And there’s also an otherworldly threat to Callie. Warring fae factions, attached to the creative communities of American society, are very aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate.

My first impression of this book was some exasperation: "Yes, we get it... There's a lot of dust. OMG pllleeaaaase move on." The author does thorough job of setting the scene in Dust Bowl during the 1930s, as well as depicting the bleak lifestyle of those who live there, but I felt a little hit over the head with it at times. Luckily, things pick up once there is this crazy (and I mean multi-state, bonafide CRAY-ZEE) dust storm where Callie's mom ambiguously goes missing and some random man shows up on her doorstep. At first I was a skeptic, but I ended up getting very enraptured by this mysterious man with the night-sky eyes, and soon my doubts were forgotten. I only wish he could have stuck around for more than a chapter.

Well, due to a series of twists and complications during this epic dust storm, our friend Callie ends up taking in a gangly scoundrel named Jack to help her play hostess to a family at her mother's inn. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will say there are GIANT bugs (ew), prophecies, car chases, magic, crazy vigilantes, a pilgrimage, and as expected, a lot of dust. Callie learns that the father she never met was in fact a fairy prince, making her a Half-Black, Half-White, Half-Human, Half-Fae Princess to the Unseelie Court. And so the plot thickens.

Eventually the dust settles (see what I did there?) and Callie and Jack come into the acquaintance of a few fairy folk. Now, I don't know a lot about fairies, but it seemed to me that this was a slightly new take on an old thing. You still have the Seelie and Unseelie, and fairies are still super vicious and cunning, but in this telling, the source of a fairy's power comes from the wishes of the people around her. Also interesting about the author's interpretation is that the war is not only between Seelie and Unseelie: other magical folk are involved too. For instance, Callie's visitor at the beginning of the dust storm? He's most likely a Native American deity (pretty awesome, huh?)

For those of you who are big on romance, there is a cutie love interest, but I'm just going to warn you from the get-go that nothing happens. I don't know if this is a function of the time period or of the two of them, but there was really no swoon so I am hoping that things get a little steamier as time goes on.

I think I might have liked the book better if it was written in 3rd person, because frankly, I found Callie's head to be a little boring and more than a little confusing at times. Action scenes were extremely disorienting and after trying to make sense of the first few, I ended up skimming the rest because I could never get a clear picture of where they were or what was happening. This also had the effect of lowering the stakes so that I don't think I was ever as properly worried or invested as I would have liked to be. The pace of the novel was generally pretty slow, and things never quite took off until the final few of chapters. In future books I hope that we get more general mythology (both fairies and other powers), some romance, and the reuniting of Callie and her parents because I think that she'll realize once she finds them that they have a lot to work through.

My final note is about the cover. While I think that it's a beautiful cover, I was really appalled to realize that Callie is half-black and this was not reflected in the artwork. I understand that most covers are made from stock photos, and that there are not a lot of non-caucasian stock photos out there, but I don't care. There is absolutely no excuse to whitewash a cover, even if you have to sacrifice the quality of the cover to properly reflect the race of the protagonist. White washing is a problem, and it needs to stop now. I sincerely hope that the publisher will hear this outcry from bloggers and chose to change the artwork for the paperback, but it still grieves me that we have to have this conversation at all.

Readers be warned, this may take place in the 1930s, but it's not a historical fiction. Dust Girl is a paranormal YA that happens to occur during the Great Depression. Overall, I was disappointed, but I think this book laid good groundwork for a more interesting, faster-paced sequel. For those readers who are looking for a POC book or an interesting new take on mythology--fairies in particular--this may be a good pick for you.

Cover Reveal: Mind Games by Kiersten White

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 07:00:00 +0000

Mind Games by Kiersten White

Release Date: February 9, 2013
Publisher: Harper Teen

Find it on Goodreads!

In a world where psychics and mind-readers are the ultimate tools in corporate espionage, two teen girls try to save themselves and their future.

In the world of book cover lotteries, Kiersten White is definitely a winner. Somebody in design must luuuuvv her. I adore the colors in this one, and the way those creepy tile photos convey the experience of being psychic. Basically, this cover is gorgeous and I will totally hang it in that Salon I'm going to have someday.

It's no secret I have a total author crush on Kiersten. Nor that I love books with strong family elements. Nor that the protagonist from her other series, Evie, is kind of my ideal bestie. So basically what I'm trying to say is... yo, where the Galleys at? Gimmegimmegimme!

Click on me! I contain multitudes.

Waiting on Wednesday: The Cadet of Cildor by Alex Lidell

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

The Cadet of Tildor by Alex Lidell

Release Date: January 13, 2013
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers

Check it out on Goodreads!

Having already survived six years at the Tildor's top military academy, sixteen-year-old Renee De Winter is determined to graduate, training day and night to compete with her male classmates. When the boys overpower her parries, she works harder. When a bully sabotages her gear, she fights without it. But when an underground crime group captures her mentor for its illegal gladiatorial games, she must choose between her career and her conscience. Determined to penetrate the group's inner circles, Renee will leap from academia to the crime filled streets, pick up a sword, and weigh law against loyalty.

I always hear the booming tones of Christopher Lee's voice whenever I read this title. That, my reader friends, is a sure sign of something epic.

I don't know about the rest of you, but this book reminds me a lot of Alanna: The First Adventure; therefore, I wasn't surprised to read that Tamora Pierce is a big influence on the author's writing. Ass kicking girls with a slight Pierce flare? DONE. Where can I get one?

Happy Wednesday! What are you waiting for?

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Beach Books!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Happy Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and created by The Perpetual Page Turner!) Welcome to this week's topic: Top Ten Books You'd Recommend As Good Beach Reads.

I definitely fall prey to "holiday culture" in that I automatically associate summer with fun faster reads (probably because my brain shuts down a little in warm weather). With the sudden constant companionship of my AC and sunglasses, I am in full summer mode and looking for good contemporaries to go along with my ~~Long Island~~ iced tea and naps in Central Park (with SPF 60, of course!)

1. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han I am constantly waxing on about this series on the blog, but seriously, if you haven't met Conrad and Jeremy yet there is no hope for you!

2. Anything Sarah Dessen You really can't go wrong here, but my personal favorite is Along for the Ride, which is basically the fulfillment of every girl's dream summer away at the beach.

3. Anything Jennifer Echols Can my personal favorites be "everything she's ever written?" No? Well then, definitely check out Love Story and Forget You. I just swoon thinking about them!

4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith Also takes place in the summer. You can read my review or just take my word when I say that YOU WILL DIE of the cute.

5. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares If you've seen the movies, ignore them. As is always the case, the books are better. I'm a Bridget girl myself, but you'll have to tell me who you prefer.

6. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick This one comes out this week, and I can't wait to have a finished copy as some shelf candy! Be sure to wish Huntley Fitzpatrick a happy book birthday this Thursday!!

7. The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella This is not YA, but it is extra sexy and extra, extra hilarious. Make sure you have a cold drink or magazine on hand because wooooahhh giiirrll, you are going to need to fan yourself after certain chapters!

8. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Okay, there's really nothing summery about this, I just think summer because I happened to read it on a beach. This one's heavy, and it'll dehydrate you (read: many tears), so make sure you have some water on hand!

9. The Thing About the Truth by Lauren Barnholdt This doesn't come out until July 10th, but it's one of my most anticipated reads for the summer! Besides, it's a rule of the universe that when a Kelsey is involved (as with this protagonist) everything is spectacular. I speak from experience, of course.

10. Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols Also a July 10th release. Have I mentioned I have a talent crush on Jennifer Echols? Yes? Then you wont be surprised to hear that I am considering getting cryogenically frozen until this release because I might die--DIE I TELL YOU--from waiting.

If you have any good contemps you think I should try, let me know! Happy sunny Tuesday, all.

June is Audiobook Month Giveaway Hop!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Hi all! We've only just finished one giveaway and I have another ready for you! Things are getting cuh-ray-zee down here at Slush Sleuth. Many of us are honoring JIAM by participating in the Audiobook Hop hosted by the lovely folks down at Reading Teen!

I am a BIG audiobook enthusiast; 15 of the 42 books I've finished in 2012 were audio. For the many of you out there who have to commute to classes or work, audiobooks are a great way to pass the time. They help me get through mundane tasks like washing dishes and ironing. Not to mention, they provide an awesome incentive to work out. (i.e. *slaps hand* No, Kelsey! You cannot find out what happens next in X adventure or which boy Jane Doe choses unless you run while you listen!) It works surprisingly well...

Basically, if you are an audiobook consumer you can do all those things that suck in life, but distract yourself with stories while you do!

So, have I sold you yet? I hope so because it'd be a shame to miss out on the chance to win an audiobook of your choice from Audible.com! Just fill out the rafflecopter form below to enter.

You are welcome to look through their extensive library and chose whatever you want, but for those of you who want some suggestions, here are a few I listened to this year that loved both the story and narration:

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand, Narrated by Samantha Quan
2. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith, Narrated by Casey Halloway
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, Narrated by Jessica Almasy
4. Gilt by Katherine Longshore, Narrated by Jennifer Ikeda
(I'm also totally happy to answer any questions you have about other books I've listened to!)

Happy JIAM, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's a list of participating blogs:

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis: Audiobook Review

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 03:30:00 +0000

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis
Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Release Date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Pages/Time: 305 / 7 hours, 51 minutes
Format: Audiobook*
Source: Purchased
Challenges: Debut Author Challenge, Audiobook Challenge, List of Ten

Find it on Goodreads!

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday’s only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland—and a man Sunday’s family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past - and hers?

I know it's being marketed as such, but y'all, Enchanted is not a Young Adult novel. That does not mean, however, that you, a reader of any age, shouldn't take the time to read it. It is a high compliment that as I went through the story, I couldn't stop making comparisons to my favorite childhood book, Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted (and not just because of the title!) Both books are sweet and magical, they feature a brave and earnest protagonist, a prince, fairy godmothers, lots of magic, and a family (though Sunday came off much better than Ella on that front). Ella Enchanted is recommended for 8 and up, and I think Enchanted can also be enjoyed by that audience. One major difference between the two books, however, is that Enchanted gives us the extra bonus of chapters from the prince's perspective.

Let me start with the thing I loved best about this book: the Woodcutter family. They are the biggest, most adorable pot of dysfunctional functionality. I have a particularly hard time remembering lots of characters, but never once did I confuse the many names and faces that were thrown my way. Sunday, her parents, her six sisters, and three brothers all had distinct personalities, but they weren't just caricatures (for the most part). I had my personal favorites, but I really felt I got to know every one of them. I had to listen to this book away from other people because it was a little embarrassing the the number of times I got completely choked up at a touching Woodcutter moment.

Sunday's wonderful family is a stark contrast to Prince Rumbold's, who has an indifferent father and a mother he lost shortly after his birth. My experience of this book was definitely enriched by the time I spent in his head. He likes Sunday so much; it's adorable. At first it may seem completely nonsensical that he is holding three balls to get her attention--rather than go up to Sunday and tell her the truth--but you come to understand why he thinks he needs all the fuss. While I enjoyed getting his perspective, I did find several of the scenes from his point of view extremely confusing. Everything made sense in the end, but getting there was occasionally disorienting, and I wish there had been a little more explanation.

Alethea Kontis does such a fun job mixing up all kinds of fairy tales and serving them in places we least expect them. I was absolutely delighted with myself each time I stumbled upon a reference I recognized (and I'm sure there were many that I didn't). I was relieved that Prince Rumbold (Grumble) and Sunday's connection was given a little time to develop, and there was none of that love-at-first nonsense that bothers me so much in books. Though their romance was the storyline that drove most of the action, it was not the only major plot line. Readers beware! There is much intrigue and action in store for you here, but don't worry, you get all the adorable mushy stuff too.

*Audiobook Note*

It took me a long while to get into the voice of Katherine Kellgren. I enjoyed her interpretation, but I felt that she was inappropriately cast for the role. Sunday is an absolutely silly 16-year-old girl, and Kellgren is very clearly an adult English woman. Her voice for the prince as a frog drove me absolutely nuts. It sounded frog-like, but it also made the prince sound 65-years-old, which was totally creepy. Truthfully, I might have preferred one of those voices that they use for the middle grade contemporary novels, if only because that would have better suited the book.

Enchanted is a cute and whimsical novel with family, romance, and fairy tales all mashed up. While it definitely has a younger feel than other YA today, there is plenty for audiences of all ages to enjoy. I am hoping we get several companion novels about the other fabulously interesting Woodcutter family members. Overall, a fun debut novel from Alethea Kontis that fans of Gail Carson Levine, Jane Yolen, or Shannon Hale will certainly enjoy!

Armchair BEA: The Best Week Ever!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Sat, 09 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Look! It's BEA!

This has been such an incredible week! So incredible that it has sucked the life completely from me. I'm exhausted, so I apologize ahead of time for any syntactical inadequacies in this post.

The end of last week I sat at home kicking myself for not registering for BEA. The end of this week I'm skipping about on a cloud of soft, fluffy books. I couldn't be happier that I participated in Armchair BEA, and as fate would have it, even got to stop by BEA for a few hours on the last day! So many books, so many new and old faces, so many great conversations, (and so much beer).

What did I learn from all this? Well first, it really is a small world after all. For all those who participated in Armchair BEA, I hope the people you met this week become great friends (I have a feeling that they will). The people you meet in person and online will end up featuring in your lives in unexpected ways. I think it's really easy as a blogger to become emotionally distant at times. As we sit in our different homes, at our different computers, scattered across the world, we may feel disconnected from one another. But really, we are so much closer than we realize. That's something to remember both when we are feeling great and feeling terrible.

Thanks to my unknowing
benefactor: Pat Hendrickson

For when you're feeling down: there are so many of us here for you! We love you! For when you're feeling great: try to remember the ways in which our actions can effect others, both for good and for bad. Being involved in publishing has helped me with this a little because the distance between myself and every book person out there feels smaller as a result. I'm not saying you need to adopt my policy and not review books you didn't enjoy, but just remember that these people are seeing your words and being effected by them. If you keep on keeping on in the book world, more than likely you'll end up meeting them in person (and wouldn't it be super embarrassing when you realize you said something dreadful about them in the great public domain that is the interwebs? And that they probably saw it?)

But that's just what I think. As you may have learned from Tuesday's post, Armchair BEA: My Life Changing Decision the people that I met casually in an unexpected place ended up being the same ones who employed me later. In fact, a wonderful person that I met at a conference across the country two years ago was the very same person that texted me late Wednesday night asking if I wanted to use her guest pass to BEA the next day. It seems like crazy chance, but things like that happen all the time.

But anyways... Here's a wrap up of my BEAlicious week!

Look! It's Nicole from Paperback Princess

Monday Blog post: Armchair BEA Intro!

Tuesday Blog post: Armchair BEA Giveaway: Signed Summer trilogy by Jenny Han! (Two days left to enter!!)

I go down to Books of Wonder and see multiple authors speak on a panel! There is a signing, and I almost overheat from being in proximity to the awesomeness that is Jenny Han. Then I come home and have a great time during the #ArmchairBEA twitter party. (Holla to all my new friends!)

Wednesday Blog post: Armchair BEA: My Life Changing Decision

I decide that pulling an all nighter would be fun. After all, I'm an adult, I don't technically have a bedtime, so since no one is stopping me, I might as well!

5 am: Kelsey collapses in the wake of a Britney Spears dance party.

Thursday Kelsey unexpectedly travels to BEA thanks to the COOLEST PERSON EVER, Jennifer! Her publishing friends laugh at her for being so doe-eyed and overwhelmed. Her badge says Pet Hendrickson on it, which she finds riotously funny.

For those who haven't been to BEA: it's massive. To self-quote, "I never knew there were rooms bigger than Super-Walmarts. This is, like, airport HUGE." More laughing (at me) ensues.

I meet Nicole from Paperback Princess in line for a signing. She gives me an ARC of Fathomless by Jackson Pierce out of the kindness of her heart. She replaces Tahereh Mafi as my favorite person ever.

These four hours are a blur, but I am given multiple totes and they are mysteriously filled to the brim with books. (It should be noted that since I went on the last day, I got a lot of the "leftover" books. People--I kid you not--were rolling out of there with full sized suitcases, so my AWESOME pirate booty looked pitifully small compared to others. Welcome to BEA, Dorothy!) I meet so many incredible people, and I eat a lot of free candy. Adrenaline/coffee/candy/books/giddiness cause me to walk into a wall as I leave BEA, but my unfettered happiness renders me invincible.

My BEA booty!

That night I go to the Soho Press party with Libba Bray, Jenny Han, and other rockstar book-folk. (For any who don't know, Soho Press is launching a teen imprint in January 2013, so be on the lookout!) I proceed to *ahem* take advantage of the open bar. There is much swag, and I may or may not end up at a bar with Soho Press afterwards. ~~Mayhem and PBR~~ Best times ever ensue.

Friday I spend the entire day recovering, rolling about, reading my ARC of Dust Girl, and wondering what in the heck I had been thinking the night before.

Saturday Blog post: Armchair BEA: The Best Week Ever!

To all the wonderful people that I got to know this week: it has been such a pleasure. To all the ones I have yet to know: I'm looking forward to the chance at meeting you! Thanks for sticking with me, even through this post in which I inexplicably go back and forth between first and third person without any particular reasoning.

Best week ever Sponsered By:

Squee! I'm being featured!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:05:00 +0000

Hey guys, guess what?

I'm a celebrity now!!

Okay... not really... but I am being featured over at Library of a Book Witch today! Which means I am well on my way to celebritydom (and subsequently marrying Captain America).

The wonderful Jen is featuring Slush Sleuth as a part Feature and Follow's 100th Week Giveaway Hop. And you know what that means, right? Lot's of chances for free stuff!!

So run on over to Library of a Book Witch where you can learn more about the fabulous moi, and be sure to enter her giveaway.

Speaking of giveaways, have you entered Slush Sleuth's giveaway to win the Signed Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han?

Nudge. Nudge.

You know you want to!

Do it! Do it! Doitdoitdoit...

(Peer pressure)

TGIF, all!

Sarah Dessen Cover Makeovers!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Sarah Dessen got a face lift! Her covers, that is (she's already gorgeous as can be).

You have probably seen one or more of these covers popping up on blogs lately. If you weren't already aware, Penguin Teen has revamped all of Sarah Dessen's old covers (except What Happened to Goodbye) and slowly--torturously--released them throughout the past 10 days. But as of today they are all out. So here they are:

Individually, I'm not psyched about a lot of these covers, The Truth About Forever in particular (correct me if I'm wrong, but does that have anything to do with the book?) But do like That's Summer, and I do think they look pretty spiffy all together. (Imagine them all lined up on your book case!) The old covers screamed 90s to me, so I'm glad these ones are being directed to today's youth. Sarah Dessen must be known, y'all!

To put it lightly, Sarah Dessen is a genius of mega-squee proportions. As far as I'm concerned, she is the mother of all that is good and holy about Contemporary YA. Her books are a wonderful balance of romance, personal development, friendship, and family. I absolutely adore them. In fact, I have put myself on a Dessen diet and am only allowed to read one every three months so that I don't go through them too quickly. They are too good to be squandered!

Would these new covers get you to stop in a bookstore? Have any favorites?

Paperback Cover Reveal: Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Paperback Release Date: October 16, 2012
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Find it on Goodreads!

Here's the thing about the original Shatter Me cover... well... mmmmm... basically, I hated it. I'm sure it was hard to make a cover to do that book justice (it's so incredibly different and wonderful), but I felt like the original cover wouldn't really do any book justice. Let's use the Old Spice man to illustrate:

In essence, the harback cover = your man, and the paperback cover = the man your man could smell like.

We both know which one you want. I mean, LOOK AT IT. That cover is by far the best YA cover I think I have seen in years.

*swoon*

Armchair BEA: My Life Changing Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Story time!

Working on a cover copy
for a Fall 2012 release!

People wonder how I ended up interning at Random House.

What you probably don't know is that I applied for an internship all six of the Big Six. I didn't get an answer from nada one of the other five, except Random House, and that's because I e-mailed the Editor-in-Chief (now Publicist) directly.

You: How did you do that?
Me: Well, I happened to know her.
You: But how does one become friends with authors, editors, etc?
Me: If sneaking into their homes and leaving dead mice on their pillows doesn't work, then you're probably out of luck.
You: Is that what you did?
Me: I tried that first,* but eventually experienced greater levels of success when I attended a book conference. Specifically, Siren's Conference.

Sirens Conference 2011

Actually, it was a strange coincidence that I ended up there. I was sitting in my bed... at college... in Vermont... and I was trolling around Tamora Pierce's website looking for inspiration for my English thesis when VOILA! I saw that she was going to be at a conference in Colorado two days from then. And I thought, well hey, I should go to that! (It's not like I have classes, or plans, or I don't know, a life...) So while sitting in my bed... at college... in Vermont... I booked a plane ticket for the next day and magically attended this conference that changed my life. The very conference that lead to my English thesis, my Random House internship, this blog, and many, many subsequent friendships and books. The ironic part? Tamora Pierce got sick and didn't even show up, but that didn't matter (because I got to work on her book the following summer!)

Now hey, I'm not saying that you should follow my path in life and spend a thousand dollars you don't really have on an impromptu book adventure. (I think we have already established that you should not be following all of my life choices, because if you were you might be freezing your butt off in the January cold at a gas station after getting into a truck with a German driver who spoke no English and dropped you off somewhere in g-forsaken Belgium at 3 am... But I digress...)

What I am saying is there are a lot of opportunities to get involved off the internet, even if you can't make it to New York for BEA. I'm not the veritable expert on book conventions, but there are loads of smaller ones happening in all kind of places around the country. For you west coasters Siren's might be an interesting possibility since it's near Portland, Oregon this year. I'm sure a lot of you have been to book signings, but if you have the resources, I would absolutely suggest trying to attend an actual conference.

Don't get me wrong, book signings are awesome (I just went to one earlier today), but a lot of time I find they leave a level of personal intimacy to be desired. I chit chat with an author and they probably say something nice, and I say something nice, and then we smile at each other, and your forced to move on else things get really awkward or they file some kind of restraining order. Developing an actual relationship is more difficult, and it takes more time than 30 seconds (unless you're soul mates like myself and Tahereh Mafi, and the friendship-magic happens instantly**) Conferences are all about developing those new friendships, kind of like Armchair BEA has been doing remotely. When else are you going to get the chance to stay in a hotel with Holly Black, Kristin Cashore, or Justine Larbalestier? Or get lulled to sleep with hot chocolate and a short story written and read by Laini Taylor? Or go in the jacuzzi during a snow storm with Sarah Rees Brennan?

Maybe your life is fabulous and you're doing all of these things right now. But if you aren't and they interest you at all, I would definitely suggest looking into a conference. And if any of y'all have any questions for me, I am more than happy to answer!

Who knew that one impulsive decision made while cuddled into my Anthropologie bedspread on a cold October night would put me in New York City 18 months later, just on the heels of a lunch with editors before an evening book signing, planning out my outfit for a launch party the following day. And I'm not even attending BEA!

Pretty exciting, huh?

Siren's Conference 2012

* I solemnly swear I have never illegally snuck into another person's home and left them a creepy present. Probably.

** That's a lie: I have never met Tahereh Mafi. So far I have had to idolize her from a distance, but someday I am convinced she will realize I am her soul sister.

*** I couldn't figure out how to work in a non-sequitur quote today. Boo, you whore (Go! Name that movie!)

Waiting on Wednesday: Crash by Lisa McMann

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: January 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Check it out on Goodreads

Jules lives with her family above their restaurant, which means she smells like pizza most of the time and drives their double-meatball-shaped food truck to school. It’s not a recipe for popularity, but she can handle that.

What she can’t handle is the vision. Over and over, Jules sees a careening truck hit a building and explode... and nine body bags in the snow.

She has no idea why this is happening to her or if she’s going crazy. It hardly matters, because the visions are everywhere--on billboards, television screens, windows--and she’s the only one who can see them.

But it’s not until the vision starts coming more frequently, and revealing more clues, that Jules knows what she has to do. Because now she can see the face in one of the body bags, and it's someone she knows. Someone she’s been in love with for as long as she can remember.

Officially adding to my shopping list:

1. This book
2. Fire contacts
3. Whatever miracle cream that model is using to get rid of under eye baggies (unless that miracle cream is Photoshop)

I have never read a Lisa McMann novel, but I'm going to have to break that streak with this book! Have any of you read the Wake trilogy? (What did you think?)

What are y'all waiting for?

Armchair BEA Giveaway! Signed Summer Trilogy by Jenny Han

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Whuddup, Armchair BEA-ers? Now that we are all more formally acquainted, I think it's time for step two in our friendship: I give you things. See what an incredible person I am? Slush Sleuth is hosting a giveaway where you have the chance to win all three books from the Summer trilogy by Jenny Han, and hey, guess what, THEY'RE SIGNED!

Cover copy for Summer #1: The Summer I Turned Pretty

Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simply a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.

For all y'all who have not read these books yet, let me warn you: they are an emotional roller coaster. At first you were all like "whoa", and we were like "whoa", and you were like "whoa..." (There's your second animated movie non-sequitur this week, for those who are keeping track. Can anyone name that movie?) But seriously, this was me as I read these books:

I stayed up all night to read the first one, and the best friend came out to find me in the living room at 6am in COMPLETE HYSTERICS. Poor guy had no idea what to do, or what to make of it when I cancelled our lunch plans so I could go out and get the next one. See that last picture on the right? Emotionally exhausted but happy. That will be your face too when you read these!

So, if you are ready to have your life ROCKED just in time for summer, just use the Rafflecopter form below to participate! And may the odds be ever in your favor!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Armchair BEA Intro!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Oh haayyyyy Armchair BEA-ers! Thanks for stopping by; I cannot wait to meet y'all and make all the actual BEA-ers jealous of the fabulous fun times we are having this week. For any of you who would like to join me I am going to do as much of this as I can PANTSLESS, just to prove the ways in which Armchair BEA can exceed the actual thing (though I do have a lunch date with some Random House editors on Tuesday, so I might consider putting on pants for that)....

Make sure to say hello here or on Twitter so we can get to know one another! But onto the good stuff, here's my five intro Q&As:

1 Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?
Who am I? WHO AM I? I am the guardian of lost souls. I am the powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Slush Sleuth. I'm pretty hot, huh? (A little Mulan humor, for anyone who got that, and apologies ahead of time for anyone who didn't, because I tend to make a lot of non-sequitur pop culture references...)

But anyways, my name is Kelsey. I'm a recent college grad living in the big city. Bright eyed, big dreamer, travel lover, and apparently literate enough to keep some semblance of a book blog going. You can read more on my About Me page. Umm... I think *technically* I posted my first post sometime last August, but this blog didn't really come into being until the last month or so once I graduated college and didn't have so much thesis-izing to do. I interned in the editorial department at Random House Books for Young Readers last summer, and they were downsizing space from something like 40 floors to 17, so they had to get rid of a lohhtt o' books that wouldn't fit, and lemme tell you, despite the fact that I wasn't paid for my internship, I definitely got my money's worth from the box after box of books those lovely people bequeathed me. Sooo, short answer is I had a lot of new books to read and I missed writing coverage for manuscript submissions so I started Slush Sleuth (the title being a reference to the slush pile that I dutifully worked my way through while I was le intern fabulous).

2 What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?
I just finished Gilt by Katherine Longshore on audio, and started my ARC of Rachel Hartman's Seraphina. If you look in my sidebar, you'll see my "List of Ten" which is the next ten books I challenged myself to read.

So far this year, I think my favorite new release was Catching Jordan by Miranda Keannelly or Hallowed by Cynthia Hand, my favorite audio The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith, and my favorite backlist the If I Stay series by Gayle Forman.

And yeah, yeah, I know I totally cheated on that answer by giving you five. Full disclosure: sometimes I cheat at Monopoly too.

3 Tell us one non-book-related thing that everyone reading your blog may not know about you.
Ummm... uhhh....

No, I promise I'm an interesting person! I just don't do well on the spot. I'm only witty when I forget to be.....

I have a weird love of pumpkins? I never owned a cardigan until last year and now I own probably 30? Last night I made out with a guy whose name I totally can't remember today? (No... on second thought I probably shouldn't tell you that...)

Oh! Oh! I know! So after high school I took a semester off and studied at the University of St. Andrews, then I hitched hiked across Europe and made what was likely a series of poor decisions with a very concerned ex-boyfriend in tow all in the name of charity. Lemme tell you something about hitchhiking: there are a lot of really dreadful people in the world. But there are also a lot of incredible, wonderful ones as well.

4 Where do you see your blog in five years?
Oh, you know, the ushe. With 6.8 billion followers and all kinds of sponsors and stuff. Or maybe just 6 billion followers since not everyone in the world has access to internet. I like to be practical about these things.

5 If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?
Ohmigosh I love this question! Ok. OK. So, obviously I would invite Richelle Mead, Rachel Hawkins, and Kiersten White AND they would be required to bring along their characters Rose, Sophie, and Evie and we would all go out to dinner and there would be SO MUCH SNARK and it would be FABULOUS and then afterwards we would go out for drinks where we would meet up with the wonderful, hilarious Tahereh Mafi and she would bring along Warner and he would obviously do something psychotic and then I would get to see the Snark-Trio that is Rose/Sophie/Evie lay down the law with bad-ass force/tasie/magic and show Warner who is boss. Then we would all do shots and maybe some karaoke for good measure, because all really sloppy fun drunk nights should involve some level of public embarrassment.

Follow Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:30:00 +0000

Happy Friday and thanks for dropping by Slush Sleuth!

Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Parajunkee's View and Alison Can Read, where we all get together and say "Hi!" This week's question...

You are a matchmaker — your goal, hook up two characters from two of your favorite books. Who would it be? How do you think it would go?

MWUAHAHAHA. The evil in me loves this question. I couldn't think of any adorable couples to pair, but who cares about adorable? I just want to pair together some unlikelies and see if anything explodes.

The Alpha Couple
who would either kick universal ass or spend all their time kicking one another's asses
Vampire Academy's Rose Hathaway and The Mortal Instrument's Jace Wayland.

That Boring Couple
who, the second they begin to talk, give your brain an excuse to hit the snooze button
Twilight's Bella Swan and Nightshade's Shay Doran.

This World Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Our Douchebaggeriness
that way, they'd both be in the same place for us to round up and take out
Wildfire's Ashline Wilde and The Selection's Aspen.

All the Awkward Third Wheels
let's just round up all those losers from love triangles, start a club, and give them a big hug
Unless they suck, in which case they can go join a club with Gale Hawthorne.

What do you think, would any of these pairings work? Comment below so I can stop by and see your choices!

Cover Convos

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 02:30:00 +0000

Hey y'all! Usually I like to feature new covers in their own posts, but there have been so many in the last couple of weeks that it's been completely impossible to do so. Therefore, I decided to do a post on recent cover releases for some of my most anticipated titles (not including Dualed and Days of Blood and Starlight, which were my last two WoWs).

(This is by no means a comprehensive list. If you're looking for more, feel free to check out IB Teen Blog or A Reader of Fictions.)

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger

Release Date: March 2013
Publisher: Simon Pulse

Find it on Goodreads!

Vane Weston should have died in the category five tornado that killed his parents. Instead, he woke up in a pile of rubble with no memories of his past—except one: a beautiful, dark-haired girl standing in the winds. She's swept through his dreams ever since, and he clings to the hope that she's real.

Audra is real, but she isn't human. She's a sylph, an air elemental who can walk on the wind, translate its alluring songs, even twist it into a weapon. She's also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect him at all costs.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra has just days to help Vane unlock his memories. And as the storm winds gather, they start to realize the greatest danger might not be the warriors coming to destroy them, but the forbidden romance growing between them.

I defy you to tell me that you don't like that cover. It's basically pure wish fulfillment; I see it and picture myself floating amidst an awesome wind flurry with a hot guy. And lets be real, who doesn't want to have some sexy times while flying? Besides, the word sylph makes me giggle for some weird reason.

City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Harper Children's

Find it on Goodreads!

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

From reading that summary, this is not the cover that I would have imagined. The summary seems like a romantic fantasy and the cover brings to mind some sort of epic monarchical tale. Even though they seem to contradict one another, I think both seem FABULOUS. And honestly, City of a Thousand Dolls is potentially my favorite title I've heard in a while, so I was sold long before I even knew what it was about. Cannot wait!

The Sweet Dead Life by Joy Preble

Release Date: 2013
Publisher: Soho Press

Find it on Goodreads!

“I found out two things today. One, I think I’m dying. And two, my brother is a perv.”

So begins the diary of 14-year-old Jenna Samuels, who is having a very bad eighth-grade year. Her single mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her 16-year-old brother, Casey, tries to
hold together what’s left of the family by working two after-school jobs— difficult, as he’s stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead.

Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her. Beatified. Literally. The flab and zits? Gone. Before long, Jenna figures out that Casey didn’t survive the accident at all. He’s an “A-word.” (She can’t bring herself to utter the truth.) Soon they discover that Jenna isn’t just dying: she’s being poisoned. And Casey has been sent back to help solve the mystery that not only holds the key to her survival, but also to their mother’s mysterious depression and father’s disappearance.

Soho Press is only just launching it's YA imprint next year, so this will be one of their first titles. Since I have friends that work there, I'm a little biased, but I had already decided I wanted to read this book before I realized it was theirs, which I think that proves its worthiness on multiple levels. This book seems funny, lighthearted, and cute, and the cover conveys that well.

The Witch of Little Italy by Suzanne Palmieri

Release Date: April 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Find it on Goodreads!

The trouble started for the Amore family during the tragic and triumphant days of post-WWI America, and clings fast to the air around them still. Twenty two year old Elly Amore is only the latest in a series of Amore women to lose her way, trip into trouble, and hide behind secrets.

Elly won't have an abortion, and her mother, Carmen, won't support that decision. She's also voted "no" on Elly's idea to return to their estranged family in the Bronx. But something pulls Elly there, and whether it's the magic of The Sight she shares with them, or a simple case of family ties, she's determined to go. It won't be the first time Elly's been there. She spent a summer in the Bronx when she was ten, giving the Amore's a karmic reprieve from fading away entirely. The only problem? Elly doesn't remember that summer. She doesn't remember anything from her childhood at all.

Recapturing those memories becomes an obsession for Elly. As she falls into the past (and into love) Elly learns the secrets of her magical family, secrets that will unlock her Great Aunt Itsy's voice and reveal, once and for all, the truth that will heal or shatter the Amore clan.

Truthfully, I usually blacklist books the second they mention war in the summary. After crying myself to sleep and weeks of endless nightmares in the wake of Summer of My German Soldier, middle school me developed a complete aversion to them. Therefore, I probably wouldn't have picked this book up. Until I saw the cover, that is. Go ahead, call me shallow, but doesn't it appeal to you a tiny bit too?

What do y'all think of these covers? Any that you are looking forward to particularly? I would love to hear your thoughts!

Waiting on Wednesday: Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Wed, 30 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we are eagerly anticipating.

Release Date: November 6, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown, & Company

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Daughter of Smoke and Bone," Karou must come to terms with who and what she is, and how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, mysteries and secrets, new characters and old favorites, Days of Blood and Starlight brings the richness, color and intensity of the first book to a brand new canvas.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone was declared a "must read" by Entertainment Weekly, was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon.com, and The New York Times called it "a breath-catching romantic fantasy."

Why am I waiting for this book? Well firstly--HOLY QUEEN OF CLIFF HANGERS, Daughter of Smoke and Bone!! I can't even... I don't even... Okay, Kelsey, DEEP BREATHS. The ending of the last book was like a big ol' smack in the face so naturally I am seeking VENGEANCE in the form of the sequel! (Sorry for so many caps but this is AN ALL CAPS KIND OF BOOK)!

Photo credit Rachel Manija
from 2011 Sirens Conference!

Ridiculously quotable and incredibly crafted writing aside, Laini Taylor is an absolute doll. No seriously, she is. I went to a conference with her last fall and it was such a joy to have here there! And she brought her family (see right), who is equally as cute and now all I want in life is to be their daughter's nanny or something so I can hang out with the three of them constantly. Another reason you should read this book? Her daughter's name is Clementine Pie, and she is the CUTEST (and yes, you have my solemn promise that if you name your child Clemintine Pie, I will read your novel too!)

And for all of you who haven't read Daughter of Smoke and Bone, FEEL SHAME, and let that shame guide you to the nearest bookstore asap (the audible is good too). Now run free, my readers, and read the heck out of your Wednesdays!

What are y'all waiting for?

The List of Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey @ Slush Sleuth) — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:53:00 +0000

Things with Slush Sleuth have quickly began to pick up, and I've started to feel a little overwhelmed by balancing the needs of the blog with my reading schedule and just general life (yes, I have one of those). For the first time ever, I've found myself standing in front of the shelf feeling a little lack luster and at a loss of which book I'm supposed to chose next. (And this simply cannot do!)

THEREFORE, being the structure loving list maker that I am, I've decided to draw inspiration from Michelle at Galleysmith and April at Good Books and Good Wine and create a TBR list for myself.

You can find the original post here on Galleysmith, but basically, here are the parameters: 2 ARCs, 1 book from a series, 2 recent releases, 1 audio, 1 eBook, 2 backlist, and 1 book I can't wait to read. Some of the books fit into multiple categories, but I managed to make a list that followed all of those things. I think this will be really good for me as well, because I am not very good about reading eBooks and backlist, and I need to remember to do more of that. So without further ado, my list:

Seraphina - ARC / can't wait to read!
Don't You Wish - ARC
Dust Girl - ARC / series
Bitterblue - recent release / series
Dreamless - recent release / series / audio
Enchanted - recent release / audio
Gilt - recent release / audio
Where I Belong - eBook / backlist
Brightly Woven - backlist
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You - backlist

Have you read any of these reads? I would love to know what you thought of them. I'll keep the list in the right sidebar and cross them off as I go along. Once I get through all 10, I'll probably make another list and start again. If you want, you can join me and make your own (and if you do, be sure to let me know so we can link up)!

Happy Friday and Memorial Weekend, all!