Cover Reveal: Shadow Of Time by Jen Minkman

Shadow Of Time will be released on the 1st of January 2013.

All Hannah needs is a nice and quiet vacation after her first year of teaching French at a high school. She joins her brother Ben for the summer in their mom’s log cabin in Arizona. There, she meets Josh again, Ben’s childhood friend from the Navajo reservation. The little boy from the rez has grown up fast, and Hannah can’t help but feeling more for him than just friendship. 

But fate apparently has something else in store for her. And it’s not peace and quiet. Night after night, Hannah is plagued by strange nightmares about the past of Navajo Nation and terrifying shadows chasing her. They seem to come closer – and why is Josh always present in her dreams? 

Sometimes, the past has a way of catching up with you.

My Opinion:
Unfortunately, I'm not really a fan of the cover of Shadow Of Time, as even though it's quite pretty, it doesn't seem to be connected enough to the blurb. If I saw Jen Minkman's Shadow Of Time in my local bookstore, it would catch my eye but I probably wouldn't be instantly drawn to it.

Like the sound of Shadow Of Time? Add it to your wishlist on Goodreads!

Promotion: Eden by Keary Taylor

Eden 
By Keary Taylor

Eve knew the stories of the Fall, of a time before she wandered into the colony of Eden, unable to recall anything but her name. She's seen the aftermath of the technology that infused human DNA with cybernetic matter, able to grow new organs and limbs, how it evolved out of control. The machine took over and the soul vanished. A world quickly losing its humanity isn't just a story to her though. At eighteen, this world is Eve's reality. 

In their Fallen world, love feels like a selfish luxury, but not understanding what it is makes it difficult to choose between West, who makes her feel alive but keeps too many secrets, and Avian, who has always been there for her, but is seven years her senior. 

The technology wants to spread and it won't stop until there is no new flesh to assimilate. With only two percent of the human population left, mankind is on the brink of extinction. While fighting to keep Eden alive, Eve will discover that being human is about what you will do for those you love, not what your insides may be made of. And even if it gets you killed, love is always what separates them from the Fallen.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Promotion: Hera, Queen Of Gods by T.D. Thomas

Hera, Queen Of Gods
By T.D. Thomas

Hera couldn't care less what the other gods think, even when it's about her. And it often is. Frankly, Hera couldn't care less about anything, except doing her duty as queen - protecting order and defending the mortal world against any threats. But when the Fates go missing, Hera and a handful of other gods must temporarily become mortal to search the human world for the missing goddesses.

Hera finds that mortality begins to change her. It's not just the loss of her divine powers. She expected that. It's deeper somehow. It's affecting how she thinks, how she feels, what's important to her. And it gets much worse after she meets Justin, who defies every prejudice she once had
about mortals. At the worst possible time, and despite all her efforts, Hera's black-and-white world starts to unravel.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: T.D. Thomas

T.D. Thomas has written Hera, Queen Of Gods.

1. What is your name and where do you call home?
T.D. Thomas
My house :p (in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)

2. Do you have a pen name?
Yes

3. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?
Hera, Queen of Gods
It is the most awesome book in the world. Go buy it now! Wait. That’s only 14 words. 19. Done.
And, once more, for real this time: when the Fates go missing, Hera journeys to Earth to find them, only to become entangled in a deadly plot.

4. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’ve written the sequel to Hera, Queen of Gods. I’m in the (long) process of editing it.
I’ve also written an unrelated novel, The Order, which I’m also revising. It will be the first in a new urban fantasy series about a girl breaking away from a cult.

5. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing seriously for about four years now, and by seriously, I mean writing and finishing novel-length stories.
I’ve been writing recreationally for much longer though. I even wrote short stories as a child, just for my own entertainment. I fell in love with Greek mythology at an early age: all the epic adventure, gods and monsters, magic. It was so exciting! So imaginative! So much bigger and better the real world! It wasn’t long before I realized I could create worlds of my own. From that came writing.

6. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?
Absolutely.

7. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?
I hosted a design competition for the cover of my novel through a site called www.99designs.ca/. I wound up with quite a few stunning options to choose from. Ultimately, I went with a design from Georgina Gibson. She was amazing to work with. Definitely went above and beyond the call of duty.
Truthfully, I feel I was pretty vague about what I wanted in a cover, other than something eye-catching (of course). I knew I definitely needed a cover that focused on the main character and narrator of my story (Hera), but apart from that, anything was fair game. It was really interesting and exciting to see the varied directions that different designers took. I wish I could have taken them all!

8. Would you have different book covers for different countries?
Maybe. It would depend on whether I had someone knowledgeable to convince me that a certain cover aesthetic wouldn’t be successful in a given cultural context.

9. How did you come up with the title for your book?
Like most authors, it was the product of endless hours of agonizing. :p I think titles are, in some ways, the hardest part of writing a novel. They’re almost as important as the book cover. Some might say even more important. In the end, I went for a very literal title, and to this day, there are times when I’m not entirely convinced that it was the best route to take.

10. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?
Yes and no. Every time I get feedback on my novel, I consider changing it, but ultimately, my book is the story I wanted to tell, the way I wanted to tell it. It’s my point of view. Some people will understand it; some will like it; others won’t. I just have to make peace with that.

11. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?
I don’t have a book trailer yet. I’d love one, and I do plan to create one sometime in the future. It’s on the to-do list. :p
I’ve seen some book trailers that are very enticing. I think the idea of a book trailer is a creative way to blend new media (like sound and video) into traditional media (like a novel), especially for those of us who publish and sell online.

12. What is your opinion on ARCs?
I think they’re invaluable. Getting reviews is critical to the success of any book. The sooner, the better.

13. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?
I actually don’t have a preference, except that I probably don’t use audiobooks very much. When I was little, my parents would play us audiobooks for road trips. But as an adult, when I read, I tend to focus on whatever I’m reading, so I’m not sure an audiobook would work for me. I don’t think I could sit and just listen. I’m too visual and tactile.
That said, I’ve heard of people doing something repetitive (like cardio workouts) while listening to audiobooks. That’s pretty creative! But I guess it depends on how intensely you’re working out!

14. Are you a self-published / Indie author?
I am a self-published author.

15. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so, what was it?
Most of the novels I own are ones I’ve read countless times. I’ve read the Black Jewels trilogy by Anne Bishop several times, as well as the Belgariad by David Eddings. I think I could cycle through those series endlessly.

16. Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
The book cover is probably what draws me to a novel first. But I never buy a book without reading the “blurb” on the back cover. Ultimately, that’s the deciding factor. A cover makes me pause, but a premise makes me buy.

17. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?
In all honesty, yes. I have a hard time buying a book with a low-quality cover. First impressions matter, especially when there are so many great books out there with brilliant covers. To me, a book cover is kind of like a job interview. Imagine two equally qualified candidates showing up to get a job: one dressed in a well-tailored, designer suit; the other dressed in raggedy jogging pants and a stained undershirt. Who gets the job? The first person, simply because it’s easy to assume that someone who invests in their appearance cares more. As the saying goes, we eat with our eyes, not just our stomachs. What we see impacts our experience deeply, even when it shouldn’t. Book covers matter.

18. What is your favourite film based on a book?
Unfortunately, many of my favourite books haven’t had film incarnations yet. But of course, like anyone in their right mind, I have to say that the Harry Potter movie series was fantastic. It shaped a generation. It certainly had a profound impact on me. Just seeing the effect that a book (and then a movie) series could have on so many people around the world. It was staggering and humbling and moving beyond words.

19. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?
I have, and always will be, a hardcore fantasy fan, both high (classical) fantasy and low (contemporary) fantasy.

20. What books have made it onto your wishlist recently? And why?
I’m ashamed to admit that I haven’t yet plunged into The Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin. Definitely on the to-do list the first free moment I get to read.

21. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
-Brightest Kind of Darkness, by P.T. Michelle
-.mobi (ebook/Kindle format)

22. If you could invite any four celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

- J.K. Rowling
- Stephenie Meyer
- Charlaine Harris
- Suzanne  Collins

The reason is the same for all of these authors. Each of these women has generated a pop culture frenzy with their writing, and I’d love to hear their thoughts on why. Also, I couldn’t imagine anything more valuable to my career as an author than picking their brains on the writing process and their advice for up-and-coming writers. I’d be particularly interested in how they compare and contrast their various styles and approaches.
23. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
My best advice, for what it’s worth, is to tell your story. Your. Story. People may love it. People may hate it. People may just ignore it. But if it’s important enough for you to write, it’s important enough to share. And be careful to accept criticism for what it’s worth. Learn from it. Understand it. But don’t apply it blindly to your writing. In the end, it is your story. Your. Story. You have to stay true to your vision. There’s no point telling someone else’s story. They can tell it themselves.
The best advice I’ve received is to never give up. Not every book is an overnight success; in fact, few are. It takes time. It takes a hell of a lot of hard work. Blood, sweat, and tears of the non-metaphorical variety. But it’s worth it, if you can find and appreciate the value in writing for the sake of telling your story and just let the money worry about itself.

24. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?
I’m a study in contradictions: I’m an active gamer and a bit of a gymbunny. So, I tend to be plastered to my computer screen playing an online roleplaying game (when I’m not playing or hosting an in-person roleplaying game), or I’m at the gym, working out.
Also,I don’t know if they count as hobbies, but raising 2 puppies also sucks up a lot of time, energy, and attention. And treats.

25. Where can your readers follow you?

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16068950-hera-queen-of-gods

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hera-Queen-Goddess-Unbound-ebook/dp/B009LA1U68

Other: www.td-thomas.com

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Promotion: My Boyfriend Merlin by Priya Ardis

My Boyfriend Merlin
By Priya Ardis

He was a little older than he was letting on. By a few eons...

In this modern Arthurian, 17 year-old Boston high schooler Arriane, aka Ryan, DuLac just found out the guy she's been crushing on, hot biker Matt, is a little older than he was letting on. In fact, he is really Merlin—the Merlin, King Arthur's Merlin, the greatest wizard who ever lived. Frozen in a cave for over fifteen hundred years, he's woken for a purpose. But Ryan's not impressed. Tired of being a relationship loser, she'd rather kick his legendary behind.

Sure, the world has been crazy ever since the sword and the stone fell out of the sky like a meteor. But despite gruesome gargoyles, a deadly new world of magic, and the guy driving her crazy, Ryan knows that family is everything. Will Merlin sacrifice hers to save the world? Will she be able to stop him?

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Through My Letterbox! 24/11/12

Through My Letterbox is a meme that myself and my mum (from JeanzBookReadNReview) created to showcase the books that we receive and review on our sites. Our meme was inspired by In My Mailbox hosted by The Story Siren & Letterbox Love hosted by Narratively Speaking.

What came Through My Letterbox this week (& last week!) :

Last week, myself and my mum received The Declaration, The Resistance and The Legacy by Gemma Malley for review from Bloombury. I had already read both The Declaration & The Resistance before I started blogging and really enjoyed them!

We also received an ARC of Nexus by Ramez Naam for review from Angry Robot, which I was initially drawn to on Netgalley, because the cover reminded me of the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld!

Nexus by Ramez Naam will be released on the 18th of December 2012.

Last week, myself and my mum received Echo by Alyson Noel, which is the second book in the Soul Seekers series, for review from Macmillan.

We also received Moranthology by Caitlin Moran for review from Harper Perennial, which I read, (& really enjoyed), within three days of receiving it through the post!

Last week, my mum received Remnants by Sam Hill for review from the author himself!

This week, myself and my mum received Zombies Don't Cry by Rusty Fischer for review from the author himself!

We also received an ARC of Hidden by Marianne Curley for review from Bloomsbury. I am really looking forward to reading Hidden, as I have read and really enjoyed the Guardians Of Time trilogy, also by Marianne Curley.

Hidden by Marianne Curley will be released on the 14th of March 2013.

This week, myself and my mum went to The Works and bought The Book Of Blood And Shadow by Robin Wasserman and Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson . 

We also bought the eleventh and twelfth book in The Morganville Vampires series, Last Breath & Black Dawn by Rachel Caine, from The Works.

Today, I unexpectedly received Moonglow by Michael Griffo for review from Kensington Teen!

I also received a lovely cover jacket of the finished book!

Moonglow by Michael Griffo will be released on the 26th of February 2013.

What books came through your letterbox this week?

Black Friday Weekend Giveaway!

Fancy winning a $25 / £25 gift card for Amazon? That could buy quite a few books from your wishlist, right?

So, how can you enter?

Purchase your copy of Zeus, Inc. by Robin Burks for 99 cents or 77 pence, and then enter the Rafflecopter contest below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Promotion: The Guardian And The Dream Crawler by S.L. Lewis

The Guardian And The Dream Crawler
By S.L. Lewis

In the magical realm known as Eden, witches and wizards were protected from the demon realms by a powerful wizard known as the Guardian. Like clockwork, Guardians were replaced in every generation until the death of Logan triggered a prophecy the Wizarding Council always feared.

Daniel Smith and his family were then ripped from Eden and sent to live in the human world for their own protection until he came of age. Daniel had grown used to his non-magical life until a new History teacher arrived at Greenfield High revealing his true identity as the next Guardian. 

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: S.L. Lewis

S.L. Lewis has written The Guardian And The Dream Crawler.

1. What is your name and where do you call home?

My name is Sam, or SL Lewis, and I come from Fareham in the UK.

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

My first book is called The Guardian and the Dream Crawler and to sum it up I would say... It's a fast-paced, fantasy with a cocktail of action, humor, teen angst and a healthy dose of darkness. 

3. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

I do and yes, this is the first book of a series aimed at young adults, teens and general readers. Although I won't be able to get away with a book about magic and wizards without comparisons to Harry Potter, I do think this has it's own life and will be a little bit darker, and quicker, as the series wears on. 

4. What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?

I'm not too sure if anything inspired me as such... it's a hard one for because I have only in the past two years been writing and I've never really been an avid reader either. Throughout my life I have always been a bit of a day dreamer, my imagination ran wild as I created stories in my head or when playing etc. Now at 25 I find myself using these stories to create books so I guess writing is a fantastic outlet for me, something I possibly should have always done!

5. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

The cover was originally and idea of mine, in my book the Dream Crawler lives in and is summoned from an orb so the orb always seemed like the perfect cover to have. The actual design however was done by Jane of JD-Designs who took my idea and ran with it to create the perfect cover. As you can tell i'm very happy with the outcome and hope anyone that reads it is too!

6. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

So far, being my first book, this one BUT I already have a great idea for the second cover and am sure with the help of JD-Designs it'll take another step forward.

7. Would you have different book covers for different countries?

I don't think so, I mean one day if I'm lucky enough to get a publisher I may have alternative covers but that's a long way off!

8. How did you come up with the title for your book?

Well I had the Guardian part for a long time and I knew what the 'creature' in the first book would be but it wasn't until writing about it the idea of Dream Crawler came to me. How it crawled through the dreams of people with little effort before completing it's purpose... without going into too much of a spoiler! 

9. Is there anything you would change about your book? And why?

I'm happy with the final result but I know if I keep reading, over the months and years there will be things that I'll think I could do better. Hopefully it'll be because I'd have grown into a better writer though.

10. Do you have a book trailer? And what are your thoughts on book trailers?

I don't but they do seem like a great concept. Maybe I will one day, I find the trouble with them is if done right they're fantastic but if not... well I've seen some that don't help the product at all. No names!

12. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

Personally I will always prefer paperbacks but eBooks are certainly the next best thing. In the world now everyone prefers things that are quick and instant, with the emergence of smart phones and tablets, but for me paperbacks will never be beaten. Nothing like holding a book.

13. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

I am, which is still a strange thing for me to comprehend! 

14. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

I have three children so I think I have read all of Roald Dahls books at least a thousand times each... they love Mr Dahl.

15. Have you ever bought a specific edition of a book because of it’s cover? (For example a UK, US or Canadian version) 

I did really want the adult covers of the Harry Potter books, I thought they were brilliant covers and bought them for that reason in both hardback and paperback.

16. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

I must admit that has happened, I can't even remember the titles of the books because the covers made me move on. It doesn't happen often but it does happen.

17. What is your favourite film based on a book?

It has to be Lord of the Rings, the films were fantastic and I can't wait for the Hobbit film to be released.

18. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?

It's always a good fantasy book for me, nothing like escaping into a different world to our own.

19. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

I'm currently reading the Percy Jackson books, they're a brilliant take on Greek Gods and I'm really enjoying them so far! I have the whole series in paperback format.

20. If you could invite any four celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?

I think it would probably be guy night at my dinner party, more of a sit down with pizza and xbox! I would invite Ricky Gervais, for his humor and entertainment. Thierry Henry, because he is my all time favorite footballer. Will Farrell because he is probably the funniest actor I've seen and William Churchill purely because quotes alone he was a fountain of brilliance and would keep us all in check!

21. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?

Other than writing I enjoy playing/watching football, the WWE and discovering and watching the latest DVD series available. My current favs are Supernatural, House and American Horror Story.

22. Where can your readers follow you?

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/SLLewis

Twitter: @S_L_Lewis1

Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Guardian-Dream-Crawler-ebook/dp/B009ZT66I2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1352494591&sr=8-1

My website: www.sllewis.com

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Promotion: Islanders by John Barlow

Islanders
By John Barlow

One journey can change everything - for you and everyone else.

Ben Brewer has lived all his life on the Island. But things are getting unbearable. There’s hardly any food and there’s nothing to do. Plus, the adults are so scared they won’t let anyone leave.

Thirteen years ago, the Mainland was torn apart by war and contaminated by biological weapons. Ben’s parents were leaders of the Resistance. They moved all their friends and comrades to the safety of the Island. But then his dad went back to fight, never to return.

Ben was born a few months later. He has never met his dad.

When a message arrives saying that his dad is still alive, Ben decides to go to the Mainland. He needs to know the truth about the War. If his dad is still alive, why did he never come back?

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Author Interview: John Barlow

John Barlow has written Islanders and Hope Road.

1. What is your name and where do you call home?

John Barlow. I’m originally from the UK, but I currently live in northern Spain, right beside the beach in a city called A Coruña.

2. What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

ISLANDERS. In a war-torn world devastated by germ warfare, a boy tries to discover why his dad abandoned him.

3. Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?

ISLANDERS is the first in a trilogy of YA novels.

4. Do you gift books to readers for book reviews?

All the time. Here, in fact!

5. How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book?

Stuart Bache did it. He did the current UK covers for some of Stephen King’s books, and I just find everything he does to be tremendous.

6. Which is your favourite cover of all the books you have written?

ISLANDERS. It captures the novel completely. I also like the UK cover of Eating Mammals, which was the first book I published back in 2004.

7. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers or audiobooks?

Increasingly ebooks. There are some disadvantages, like not being able to fold the corner of a page down or write notes in pencil in the margin. But the advantages are so enormous that I think most people, once they start using an e-reader, have trouble going back.

8. Are you a self-published / Indie author?

Both. I’ve had books out with traditional publishers (HarperCollins, FSG) but ISLANDERS is published by Storm Books, which is essentially me and a colleague, Sam Bridges. We’re looking at ways that a micro publisher like Storm Books might be able to take advantage of the ebook revolution, perhaps with translations (we’re based in Spain). Who knows? Publishign is changing so quickly.

9. Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?

Giovannino Guareschi’s Don Camillo stories. All three volumes, one right after the other. Three times in a row! I was doing post-grad work in phonetics at the time, doing really repetitive analysis, so I needed something to distract me. I’ve also read Cervantes’ Don Quixote a few times, because it is (IMHO) the finest novel ever written.

10. Has the quality of the cover of a book ever put you off of reading it?

Yes. I live in Spain, where ‘literary’ works often have incredibly dull covers. It’s as if they want you NOT to pick the book up... I happily oblige.

11. What is your favourite film based on a book?

The Godfather. The film is a great deal better than the novel, which is extremely good.

12. What is your favourite book genre at the moment?

I’m into British crime wiring. I’m also into reading random stuff that I notice on the internet. Hence...

13. What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?

Krista D Ball’s What Kings Ate and Wizards Drank: A Fantasy Lover’s Food Guide. Just brilliant.

14. If you could invite any four celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite?

Henry VIII, Shakespeare, Count Basie, Noam Chomksy.

15. Do you have any advice for other writers? And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?

Keep going. Rewrite a lot. Be honest with yourself.

16. Do you have any hobbies that aren’t related to reading & writing?

I very much like food! OK, so I’m greedy. But I also like learning more about food, how it’s produced and prepared. I write articles for a food magazine, which is such a joy because I am essentially paid to travel around and taste food. What could be better? Other than that I like travel, and I’m interested in ecological issues (ISLANDERS is partly about the ecological damage done to a country and its society).

17. Where can your readers follow you?

Website: http://www.johnbarlow.net

Mailing list: mailinglist@johnbarlow.net

Blog: http://www.johnbarlow.net/blog/#home

Facebook page: facebook.com/john.barlow.319

Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/JohnBarlow

Twitter: @John_Barlow_LS9

Thankyou so much for taking the time to do this interview and allowing us a glimpse into your writing world!

Promotion: Love And Other Perishable Items by Laura Buzo

Love And Other Perishable Items 
By Laura Buzo

Love is awkward, Amelia should know.

From the moment she sets eyes on Chris, she is a goner. Lost. Sunk. Head over heels infatuated with him. It's problematic, since Chris, 21, is a sophisticated university student, while Amelia, is 15.

Amelia isn't stupid. She knows it's not gonna happen. So she plays it cool around Chris—at least, as cool as she can. Working checkout together at the local supermarket, they strike up a friendship: swapping life stories, bantering about everything from classic books to B movies, and cataloging the many injustices of growing up. As time goes on, Amelia's crush doesn't seem so one-sided anymore. But if Chris likes her back, what then? Can two people in such different places in life really be together?

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Promotion: After by Ellen Datlow

After 
By Ellen Datlow, Genevieve Valentine, Carrie Ryan, N.K. Jemisin, Katherine Langrish, Carol Emshwiller, Beth Revis, Matthew Kressel, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Sarah Rees Brennan, Jeffrey Ford, Richard Bowes, Gregory Maguire, Steven Gould, Nalo Hopkinson, Jane Yolen, Carolyn Dunn, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Garth Nix and Cecil Castellucci

If the melt-down, flood, plague, the third World War, new Ice Age, Rapture, alien invasion, clamp-down, meteor, or something else entirely hit today, what would tomorrow look like? Some of the biggest names in YA and adult literature answer that very question in this short story anthology, each story exploring the lives of teen protagonists raised in catastrophe’s wake - whether set in the days after the change, or decades far in the future. 

Available at Amazon.co.uk.

Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan

ISBN: 9780312621353

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Pages: 309

Spark is the second book in the Sky Chasers series.

Waverly and Kieran are finally reunited on the Empyrean. Kieran has led the boys safely up to this point, and now that the girls are back, their mission seems slightly less impossible: to chase down the New Horizon, and save their parents from the enemy ship. But nothing is truly as it seems…Kieran’s leadership methods have raised Seth’s hackles - and Waverly’s suspicions. Is this really her fiancé? The handsome, loving boy she was torn from just a short time before? More and more, she finds her thoughts aligned with Seth’s. But if Seth is Kieran’s Enemy No. 1, what does that make her? 

In one night, a strange explosion rocks the Empyrean - shooting them off course and delaying their pursuit of the New Horizon - and Seth is mysteriously released from the brig. Seth is the most obvious suspect for the explosion, and Waverly the most obvious suspect for releasing him. As the tension reaches a boiling point, will Seth be able to find the true culprit before Kieran locks them both away - or worse? Will Waverly follow her heart, even if it puts lives at risk? With the balance of power precarious and the clock ticking, every decision counts… every step brings them closer to a new beginning, or a sudden end...

I received an ARC copy of Spark by Amy Kathleen Ryan for review from St Martin’s Press. Although I really enjoyed reading Spark, it just didn’t compare at all to the previous book in the series, Glow. There was plenty of action within Spark, but it just didn’t have the energy and sentiment of the previous book in the series. I felt that for the first half of Spark, it was just revisiting what had happened at the end of Glow and the consequences that followed. I didn’t really have a favourite character, as despite there being quite a lot of action in Spark, there wasn’t a lot of description, meaning that I didn’t really connect as much with the characters as I had with the previously. I’m not really a fan of the cover of Spark. I would have preferred a more vibrant cover to match Glow.

Available at Amazon.co.uk.