Like many others, I decided to read The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare when the previews for the movie came out. Now, I know die-hard fans of the books have mixed feelings about the movie–I blogged about that here–but I’m glad I waited to read this series until almost all of the books were…
twists
YA Review: THE BURNING SKY by Sherry Thomas
As a writer, I get a lot of books recommended to me during the critique process for various reasons. Sometimes it’s because the author uses a similar technique, others for a similar premise or plot point. Discovering new authors is a great side benefit of the critique process. I’m not sure I would have heard…
MMGM Review & Giveaway: EYE OF THE STORM by Kate Messner
I promised that the next time I had an MMGM it would include a giveaway, so here we go. It’s another one of my Scholastic Warehouse Sale finds–EYE OF THE STORM by Kate Messner! In the not-too-distant future, huge tornadoes and monster storms are a part of everyday life. Sent to spend the summer in…
YA Review: THE PRINCESS IN THE OPAL MASK by Jenny Lundquist
While today’s review is for a young adult novel, it’s an author I discovered through MMGM. Two years ago I won a copy of SEEING CINDERELLA by Jenny Lundquist, and it was my favorite middle grade read of 2012. I also enjoyed her second MG, PLASTIC POLLY, so I was excited to read THE PRINCESS…
It’s Just a First Draft, Part 2
Yesterday I passed 40,000 words on my work-in-progress! Yay! And yet this means I am in the dreaded middle of the story, where I’m slogging through to get to the climax. In any case, I have more thoughts on first drafts now that I’m more than halfway to my goal. My thoughts after 15,000 words…
The Power of a Well-Planned Twist
I’ve talked before about how much I love a good twist, and a book I read last week featured one that was so well done I wanted to give the author a slow clap. The few times I even entertained the thought that this twist might come, she cleverly misdirected me, the reader, so that…
MMGM: HALF UPON A TIME by James Riley
I’m back! I took a couple of weeks off from Marvelous Middle Grade Monday to go on vacation and then catch up, but I do have a review this week. It’s a book I first heard about on Shannon Messenger’s blog. She recently reviewed the final installment in this series, and I had to check…
MMGM: LIAR & SPY by Rebecca Stead
Hi there, MMGMers! I was on a bit of a YA kick there for a while, but I’m finally back with an MMGM review this week. I’ve had LIAR & SPY on my TBR list for a while. I loved WHEN YOU REACH ME (who didn’t?), so I was anxious to see how Rebecca Stead…
YA Review and Giveaway: THE ARCHIVED by Victoria Schwab
Remember when I said there was another author at the event with Ally Carter? Well, it was Victoria Schwab, and although I’d heard of her, I’m not sure I would have picked up a copy of THE ARCHIVED anytime soon without the event. So, a note to authors: events work! And I’m so glad. I…
YA Review and Giveaway: PERFECT SCOUNDRELS by Ally Carter
A few weeks ago Ally Carter came to St. Louis on tour. It was a Saturday night, but we don’t get many author visits here, so I told my husband he was in charge for the evening and went to hear her speak. I have never seen so many teenage girls squeeing over an author!…
YA Review: A MILLION SUNS
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE is one of those books everyone was talking about last year, and I finally picked it up in January. Although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I didn’t have the urge to immediately go read the next one. Part of that was due to the fact that I was focusing on reading MG as…
MMGM: THE END OF INFINITY
First of all, thanks to everyone who participated in my giveaway last week for a signed copy of Shannon Messenger’s KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. The winner is: Orchid (@HauntedOrchid) It was so much fun doing a giveaway. I don’t plan to do one every week, but I will throw them in every once in…
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