Book Review of The Rush, by Rachel Higginson

The first in a new Rachel Higginson series, The Rush certainly lives up to her other works!

Ivy lives a fairy tale life. She's beautiful, has all the best clothes, and can get any guy she wants... Too bad she's doesn't really want any. She is born into a society of sirens, sirens that have adapted to the modern world quite well. No more ship-wrecked sailors for these women, and Ivy is groomed from a young age to be able to attract men. She knows how to talk, walk, and look seductive. She knows how to manipulate men to get what she wants, overkill considering they fall in love with her immediately... it doesn't matter that she's only 16, and it certainly doesn't matter the she is wracked with guilt because of her very existence, hating her effect on the people around her but unable to break away from her family and the role she was born to play.

This book is significantly darker than most others... the heroine isn't some happy-go-lucky girl at the beginning of the book. She's damaged, and exhausted from acting the part. The situations she gets into in this book aren't the 'big battle, good vs. evil'... is the kind of evil that happens in real life. Lusty eyes from an older man that has complete control over her, near-rape, being pimped out by her own mother... It's kind of shattering because this type of thing does happen, though without the Siren part of it. It might be in smaller degrees, but tons of mothers groom their daughters to catch a man (yes, it still happens), encourage flirtations and promiscuity, look the other way at blatant emotional abuse... at blatant emotional damage.

I would NOT recommend this for the very young YA reader. Nothing too 'adult' happens, there is no sex, no drugs, though there is some alcohol... but it is still too mature for the youngest YA readers.

• This book is the first in a series
• Andrew James wrote a song specifically for this book; the lyrics are used in the story. Check it out here.
• It is currently $3.99 on Amazon.... buy it here
• Find out about more upcoming projects at Rachel Higginson's website. http://www.rachelhigginson.com/ and go like her on Facebook! 

Love & Decay, a book review

I don't usually read novellas... because I always want a lot more story when I read that last page, and I'm not ready to be done with it yet...

Good thing about the Love and Decay series... in two weeks the story will continue. And again two weeks after that.

Reagan just went through a pretty bad breakup. Sure, most girls do at some point or another.. but really this one was bad. She found out that perfect Quarterback Chris was cheating on her in the worst way possible; he tried to eat her brains. A common side affect to the new Herpies Cure which has successfully brought on the, you guessed it, Zombie Apocalypse. So, after that rather messy breakup (she had to sever his head with her car before he got the message...), Reagan is sure that she's done with men. Especially since most of the still human-men in the post-apocalyptic world are intent on making her and her best-friend sister-wives for an entire community of militia-men. So when the two girls are unexpectedly saved from a room full of face-eaters by the drool-worthy Hendrix and his handful of brothers, she surprised by their adamant refusal to rape and/or pillage... even more surprised by the what she sees in his eyes when he looks at her and the feelings it brings out in her. Feelings that have no place in the world they live in.

This is a great start to a very promising eSeries, and oh my jeebus I can't wait to read more!

Love and Decay is by Rachel Higginson (visit her site here). It's only $.99 right now, so you should go buy it... here.

Bella Swan vs. Eden Matthews... all about the role models.

VS

I want to tell you about this great series: it has a love triangle between a stubborn girl, her perfect-looking immortal boyfriend, and her (also immortal) male best-friend. The main character is surrounded by people that can turn into animals, or read minds, are virtually indestructible, are super strong and fast, seem to be allergic to death and she didn't even know these people existed at the beginning of the books. She goes through a lot of impossible things throughout the four-book series, and in the end, after discovering her own unique power, wins a battle against the oppressive ruling class...


It's not what you think. It's really really not.

I'm really trying to tell you about the Star-Crossed series, a kick butt series by Indie Author, Rachel Higginson.

Before I go any farther, Twihards... you are about to get really mad at me. Don't get me wrong, I read the series multiple times and will probably read it again; Meyers certainly writes a page turner... Unfortunately after you finally close the last page you realize you just read a bunch dirty, filthy, crazy-person words that makes it seem ok to not only date an abusive pedophile stalker, but that you, as a [female] person, are defined by your romantic relationships.

So, I'm going to do a little character comparison between two series that seem to have similar archetypal characters.

Both girls start their first day of a new school
Eden is immediately an outcast
Bella is immediately popular and sought out by every boy in school

They both start forming an attraction to a beautiful boy but is soon warned away for very good reasons
Eden tries to follow advice but falls in love anyways
Bella immediately ignores advice and pursues relationship

Boyfriend forbids her from going somewhere
Eden steals a passport and credit card to travel across the world to save her friend anyways
Bella gets slightly frustrated but does nothing

Eden finds out that Kiran is engaged, she tries to ignore and stay away from him
Bella finds out that Edward is 100 years old and sneaks into her room at night to watch her sleep... she blushes.

Eventually they both get their heart broken by their boyfriend when he tried to do something 'for her own good'
Eden breaks up with him and becomes the leader of a revolution intent on destroying the monarchy and freeing her people
Bella goes through months in a fog, doesn't speak to anyone, and eventually starts jumping off cliffs so that she can hallucinate her boyfriends voice

While mourning the loss of their relationship, both girls rely heavily on a best friend that is in love with them
Eden eventually gives a relationship with friend a chance, actively trying to move on from the past
Bella uses him as a buffer from other guys and... er... jumps off cliffs!

Boyfriend says sorry
Eden threatens to kill him
Bella forgives him instantly

To earn back her trust/deserve her love:
Kiran becomes an integral part of the the revolution that plans to kill his father, the king, and helps free his people from oppression
Edward looks deeply into her eyes and promises to never leave again


There are clearly a lot of parallels between these two series; even more than I mentioned. And I'm well aware that I'm being a little harsh on Meyers' series. But I hear so many girls saying 'can't wait to find my Edward'. So many girls content to act like a 'Bella' and live happily ever after.

Bella is not a character that any young girl should strive to be like.

She, my friends, is a wimp. She is a pushover. She is in a relationship with a controlling, overbearing, way-to-old-for-her man, and constantly seeks out dangerous behavior for no good reason, trusting completely that someone else will rescue her if things 'go too far'.

Bella starts this series out as a human and wants nothing more than to be something non-human. When she finally is, Meyers' wrote about how much more Bella could feel and see, her human life being almost like a foggy dream.

Likewise, Eden also starts out the series thinking she is a human... it turns out she isn't, but there is always that respect for humanity. Eden is constantly defending her upbringing (raised as a human) against the immortals that think they're better.

It really just seems like Higginson has more respect for humanity, because being human is just as real as being nonhuman in her books. Sure, the Cullins respect humans by not sucking their blood, but Bella's transformation into a Vampire shows that vampires are far superior than human beings; smarter, faster, and can feel a larger depth of emotion... it seems that Vampires are to humans as humans are to animals, which makes the Cullens 'Vegetarianism' almost offensive. Yes, I'm ranting now...

Back to the subject at hand.

Eden is not a wimp. She is stubborn to the point of density, and she barely figures anything out on her own. I'll say that for Bella; she suspects somethings a little wonky with the Cullen clan, and she tries, and succeeds, in figuring it out. Eden literally blows things up and still needs to be told that she is magic.... But no character is without their flaws. She has a love that is just is strong as Bella's, but Edens love story doesn't define her. It's not who she is, not the most important facet of her life. She is connected to Kiran, they 'complete' each other... but that doesn't mean she's half a person without him. She does things, meets people, kidnaps princes and bodyguards, rescues prisoners... she doesn't just mope around.

Because in real life, if your boyfriend breaks your heart... moping around for months is not healthy. It's not ok. Jumping off cliffs is not a good thing either. You might say 'but she loved him so much'... what if your best friend got dumped and started acting like Bella? Would she be justified in her crazy-pants behavior or would you be scheduling an intervention with her family and a very good therapist?

The point of this blog? I forget...

Wait! Go read the Star-Crossed series. Discover an overpowering love story that at least mimics healthy human behavior. Make a Team Kiran shirt and wear it proudly, cuz that boy actually deserves fan adulation.

Book 1 in the Star-Crossed series is Reckless Magic... It's even free, so go ahead and give it a try. You'll thank me.

Why Indie Authors?

The past few years have seen a flood of new writers clogging up my eReader. New, self published, writers. Why are we seeing so much of these, before unheard of, 'Indie Authors'?

This guy. Right here...
Is my fav piece of technology.
Ever

I'll tell you.

eReaders. Yes, the introduction and subsequent popularity of electronic books has made getting published a piece of cake. Self-published that is. A writer no longer has to send manuscripts off to dozens of publishing houses before seeing their works published. After writing and getting formatting done, they can just upload their work directly onto whichever ebook seller site that they want.

An author now has control over their work; their publication date, the art work, everything about it is firmly in their control.

As a reader, this is amazing. There are tons (like so so so many) books flooding the market right now, so many new things to read. And, because it's cheaper for an Indie author to publish a book, they are usually incredibly cheap. They usually publish more frequently too, so you don't have to wait an entire year for your next 'fix' in a series.

My face after reading some of the
books lacking... good. As in: No Good

I've come across so many incredible books, and series, written by the Indie's... but for every great book I've come across there are two that are in serious, and I mean SERIOUS, need of a good editor. And sometimes it's hard to find a quality work, and it's even harder NOT to get disenchanted with ALL Indie Authors... until you find the gem of a new book that makes you fall in love with Indie all over again.

That's the little rabbit-hole for self published authors, I think. A book isn't ready once you type in 'The End' on the last page; my favorite Indie authors are well aware of this and make a concerted effort to make GOOD edits, get graphic designers (read my interview with a graphic designer here), and all that drudgery that makes a good story into a good book.

Here are a couple of my personal tips for finding the good, and skipping the bad and the ugly.

• Check out the reviews. I'm not saying you have to read every one. I usually read a few of the bad ones, and an equal number of the good ones, sometimes you'll find that the bad reviews are for things you are willing to overlook... like punctuation for me
• ... look at the number of stars. If there are a hundred 4 and 5 star, and only ten 1 and 2 star then go for it. If those numbers are reversed, then walk away.

Are these going to become things of
myth and legend?!?

I can't help but wonder what this new trend will mean for traditional publishing houses. How can they compete with the book prices of the self-published that have cut out the middle man? What does this mean for chain bookstores that have no way to sell eBooks, or don't carry the print version of our Indie books?... I think I feel a few interviews coming... must make some phone calls...


As always, let me know what you think. Do you have any favorite books or authors? Any questions, comments, or irate ramblings? I'd love to hear from you.

AotW: Rachel Higginson!

Ok, so I've neglected my blog for entirely too long.

Sorry about that.

To celebrate my return to the blogging world, this week I'll be focusing on one of my favorites, Indie Author: Rachel Higginson.

My personal writing inspiration, Rachel is the mother of FOUR (that's right) children, and is still pumping out books left and right.

I could go into detail and tell you all sorts of things about Ms. Higginson... But I'm not. If you want to know more about her day to day activities with her full house and her high school sweetheart turned husband, then you should visit the blog on her website http://www.rachelhigginson.com/. There you will also find upcoming releases and information about all her delicious books.

Instead I will tell you that when I downloaded the first book in her Star-Crossed series, Reckless Magic (which is free!), I was hooked within a few pages.

Could.not.put.it.down.

In fact, every single one of her books is completely addictive. So, in celebration of this incredible author, I'll be posting a few reviews on her books. Starting with this one right HERE.

Here are a few links to get you started on your fandom:
Her website
Her Facebook
Her Twitter
and last but not least, her Youtube channel

So go and discover her!

Starbright

Starbright is the first (and so far, only) in a great series by... you guessed it, Rachel Higginson. Ms. Higginson has, once again, created a great read for YA readers of all ages; it is so very appropriate for even the younger readers of the genre. 

Stella is a star, the female version of an angel warrior which are on the lowest ring of Angels that heaven has to offer. That doesn't mean that she isn't important; quite the opposite in fact. Stella is destined to be the future protector of Earth, our dear planet being the last one holding life. One day she will be joined with her counterpart, the male star that she will be connected to in heart, body, and soul. Together they will work to protect Earth from the evil darkness that has been destroying life throughout the galaxy. 

In the meantime Stella is looking forward to life staying the same as it has for the past 16 years, like that of any other small town girl and counting down until her 18th birthday which will mark the complete arrival of her powers. She thought the next few years would consist of going to school, hanging out with her best-friend Tristan, and trying not to glow in the middle of class.

Divergent Book Review

click the pic for more
info at Amazon.com

Selflessness, Bravery, Honesty, Knowledge, Peace. After the fall of modern civilization society has  split itself into five factions, each with their own ideology on maintaining peace and preventing war. Upon maturity each person must be tested to find out where they truly belong. But there are some who belong nowhere, or everywhere; they are Divergent and Beatrice has found herself among their secret ranks. When she leaves behind her Selfless faction to become Dauntless, she must hide what she truly is on the threat of death. Tris soon finds herself fighting for a place in her new faction while trying to ignore her confusing feelings for a boy named Four, but when rumors of a faction war reach her ears she must choose who and what she really is, selfless or brave; Beatrice or Tris... and is there really such a difference between the two?

Let me just say that I loved this book. Veronica Roth did an amazing job in creating a new, yet recognizable world. This is a YA dystopian and thanks to The Hunger Games (which I love btw), it's a genre that is producing a LOT of new stuff, but Divergent still manages to stand apart. Yes, the main character does seem to fit into the well used 'small, yet badass girl underdog' archetype, but Roth doesn't make her a super woman that can somehow beat up people twice her size with similar training. Tris manages to be relatable, even though she lives in an imaginary world that's been decimated by war. 

The ending definitely leaves us reaching for the next book, but not in an obnoxious cliffhanger that makes you want to throw the book across the room.... not that I would ever do that... 

Fun Facts

• Divergent is book 1 in a trilogy. Book 2, Insurgent, is already out, and the last book should be released sometime this year.
• A movie is in the works, set to release in 2014, starring Shailene Woodley as Beatrice/Tris
• There is a romantic subplot, but it isn't overwhelming and only adds to the story
• this book IS age appropriate for all YA readers, featuring some graphic violence but not anything age 13+ can't handle
• Divergent is Veronica Roths first novel, and hit the New York Times bestseller list (so did Insurgent)