Mundie Moms

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Clockwork Princess Snippet!


Will rose slowly to his feet. He could not believe he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear that he was, clear as the silver rim around the black of Jem’s eyes. “If there is a life after this one,” he said, “let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.”
“There will be other lives.” Jem held his hand out, and for a moment, they clasped hands, as they had done during their parabatai ritual, reaching across twin rings of fire to interlace their fingers with each other. “The world is a wheel,” he said. “When we rise or fall, we do it together.”
Will tightened his grip on Jem’s hand, which felt thin as twigs in his. “Well, then,” he said, through a tight throat, “since you say there will be another life for me, let us both pray I do not make as colossal a mess of it as I have this one.” - Cassie's tumblr post


These snippets are KILLING ME! I NEED THIS book like yesterday.... since we have to wait till next March, I'll take all the snippets Cassie wants to share. ;)

Book Review: Dust Girl by Sarah Zettel


Published by: Random House Kids
To Be Released on: June 26th, 2012
Source: ARC from publisher to review
3.5 stars: It's A Good Read
Pre-Order from: Random House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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 much aware of the role this half-mortal, half-fae teenage girl plays in their fate. - quoted from Goodreads

Faeries, the Depression, and mystery aren't normally three things I'd expect to find when reading a YA paranormal book. But Sarah Zettel's Dust Girl is not your normal faerie book. Her unique faerie folklore, vividly detailed historical setting and references during the Dust Bowl, as well as Callie's African American heritage make this story a fascinating read. I'm a huge of fan both urban fantasy, paranormal reads, and historical fiction, and I like the way Sarah gave me all there of these elements in her book. She gave me a beautiful mix of a variety of elements, and it worked well for her story. 

Sarah is a fabulous story teller, and I was really impressed with her ability to make me feel like I had stepped back into the 1930's while I also reminded in present day. Sarah's use of that era's dialogue, her vivid descriptions of her characters, and the world they live in made it incredibly easy for me to not only picture Callie's world, but it made her world come alive for me. At first it took me a bit to get used to Sarah's storytelling style, and the way she was setting up her story, but once I got that, it was much easier for me to get into the story. Dust Girl puts readers right in the middle of the Great Depression, and more specifically the Dust Bowl, as well as an intriguing Faerie world. While it was a little confusing at first trying to figure out all that was going on, I liked getting to figure out what was happening along side the main character Callie. She's all the sudden thrust into a journey shrouded in mystery that and she has to unravel it one piece at a time in order to find her answers. 

Given she knows little about her past, her father, and not getting much of anything out of her mother makes it harder for Callie to figure out who she can trust during her journey.  As a reader it was hard for me to figure out which characters were trust worthy and which characters were Callie's enemy. Sarah does such an amazing job at introducing a variety of interesting characters that had me wondering who was trust worthy and who was dangerous along side Callie. This cast of characters is great! They're engaging, and each add something to the story. Callie and her traveling companion Jack are by far the most intriguing characters in this story. I admired the strength they both have, the support they offer each other, their humor, and their ability to work together. Individually they're great, but together they make a strong, united front in their quest to find Callie's father, her mother and the answers they're looking for.

Dust Girl is a good read. It's non stop action, twists, suspense and mystery. Being that it's the first book in a series, I think readers will get a more in-depth look into the mythology Sarah has created, and will get to see Callie continue to grow, and find the answers she needs as the series goes on. It's not that the mythology was bad in Dust Girl, but I felt it needed a bit more to it in order for me to love it, and I really think I'll get that as the series progresses. I loved that Callie is mixed race. I feel that's not something that's found often in YA books. Being half Caucasian and half African American, I wish the cover would have reflected that a bit more than it does. I think the girl on the cover is beautiful, but she doesn't quite fit the Callie that's in the story, or maybe she does and I'm off base on mentioning this.  


If you're looking a for a unique urban fantasy with a historical twist I'd recommend picking this on up. It's one that both MG and YA readers will enjoy. Stop back by the blog next Tuesday when I share my interview I had with Sarah about her new release. 

Waiting on Wednesday: Venom by Fiona Paul


Published by: Philomel
To Be Released on: October 30th, 2012
Pre-Order from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancĂ©, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.


When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancĂ©, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself. -quoted from Gooreads

Renaissance Venice, romance, mystery..... I'm totally sold! Plus check out that fabulous cover. I seriously love the mask. I can't wait to sit down and dive into this debut! 

Venom is also apart of this year's Breathless Reads! Be sure to follow them on facebook to find out what cities Fiona will be touring in. 

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