Seeing Redd- Frank Beddor

Here's some information on the sequel to "The Looking Glass Wars", which is due to be released on August 21st, 2007.

From amazon.com:
Book Description

Alyss of Wonderland’s rule has only just begun and already those who prefer chaos to peace are threatening to destroy everything worth imagining. Trailed by newly appointed Royal Bodyguard Homburg Molly, Alyss does her best to keep pace with the spiraling, non-stop demands of being Queen while attempting to evade Molly for a few private moments with Dodge. Alyss’s life is already a challenging mix of duty, love and imagining when a series of phantom sightings set fire to an urban myth of her Imperial Viciousness’s return and have everyone…Seeing Redd. Has Redd somehow freed herself and her chief assassin, the Cat, from the confines of the Heart Crystal to challenge her niece once again? If not, then who has resurrected Redd’s brutal footsoldiers, the Glass Eyes, and set them loose to attack Wonderland on all sides? Battles rage, looking glasses explode and the Alyssians are once again uniting to defend White Imagination in this fast-paced second book in The Looking Glass Wars trilogy.

Can't wait!
Books BookTeens Reading

"Twilight" and "New Moon" by Stephenie Meyer

I saw "Twilight" in the bookstores for over a year before I bought it. I'm not sure why I held off- I love "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and the whole forbidden love thing. I finally broke down and bought "Twilight" and read it so fast even I was amazed at how fast I read it (and I read FAST).

"Twilight" is the story of teen-age Isabella Swan who decides that its time to go live with her father after her mother decides to move to Florida. Bella isn't happy about the situation, but things change when she sees Edward Cullen for the first time. She can't understand his reaction to her (and for this, you'll have to visit www.stepheniemeyer.com and read Edward's version of the events of their meeting) but even though he seems determined to ignore her, he finds himself drawn to her anyway. Bella knows there is something different about him, only she doesn't realize how different he actually is. Edward is a vampire, and for reason unexplained in the first book, he is dangerously attracted to Bella. Her scent nearly drives him to kill- something he's sworn never to do. Edward and his "family" live among humans and have vowed not to kill or drink blood from humans. Eventually Edward is able to control himself, but the control is tenuous. As he and Bella begin a relationship, they fall desperately in love with each other, but as he is immortal and she's human it's not easygoing by any means. The sexual tension between the two puts today's romance writers to shame. The only word I can think of to describe it- delicious.

"New Moon" is the continuation of their story, and is every bit as good as the first novel. Edward is not in the sequel quite as much as the first, but you'll have to read to find out why.

Books BookTwilight Stephanie Meyer

"A Crack in the Line" and "Small Eternities" by Michael Lawrence

"A Crack in the Line" and "Small Eternities" are two incredible (if not slightly confusing) books by Michael Lawrence. Both books are about Naia and Alaric, who live in alternate realities, and with an exception of their gender and names are the same person. They have the same parents, live in the same house and have nearly the same family tree. In his reality, Alaric lives with his father, his mother died in a terrible train wreck two years earlier. In Naia's reality, both her parents live. But one fateful day, Naia and Alaric meet and their lives are forever changed. Alaric and Naia slowly put together the pieces of their separate realities, learn how closely they exist and that theirs are not the only realities.

It's tough to say too much about these books without giving the plot away. Strangely, not a lot happens in each book because the points of view switch around and tells each characters story (and there are 4 main characters in in "Small Eternities") but each section moves quickly and engagingly. I definitely recommend these two books as great reads and can't wait for the chance to buy the third.


Books BookTeens Reading

Obert Skye Announces Release Date for Next Leven Thumps book!

I just received an e-mail from the offical "Leven Thumps" website announcing the release date for "Leven Thumps and the Eyes of Want"- October 1st!! In the meantime, you can get a copy of "Professor Winsnicker’s Book of Proper Etiquette for Well-Mannered Sycophants" which features drawings from Clover, Leven's sycophant and contains other great facts like why Leven's got a silver streak in his hair.

Very exciting news for fans of the "Leven Thumps" series. Click the label to read more about the books.

Books BookTeens Reading

Inkheart: Cornelia Funke

Even though Cornelia Funke's books have gotten great reviews, I have, until the other day, found them very hard to read. I first read "The Thief Lord" which did not hold any interest for me until the end (though the movie was somewhat enjoyable). I didn't really enjoy Inkheart either, and yet it had a great plot. Perhaps it's something in the translation from German to English. I mean, for a book lover, what could be better than a story about a man and his daughter, who have the mysterious power to read characters out of books or send them back from where they came (which, of course is what causes Meggie's mother to disappear for 10 years and brings into our world a host of nefarious characters who will do anything to make sure they don't ever have to return to Inkworld)? But I found the book terribly slow moving and wordy (and I'm a super fast reader who, on a good day, can read well over a hundred pages in an hour).

But, wanting to find out more about Meggie and her father Mo, I decided to pick up a paperback copy of "Inkspell" the other day, and must admit I'm thoroughly enjoying it. It has a much faster pace and the writing seems cleaner. So while I normally wouldn't recommend a just okay book, I do recommend Inkheart and its sequel Inkspell Cornelia Funke's plots and characters are engaging enough to make up for the shortcomings of the translations.

Books BookTeens Reading