Book Review: The Holders by Julianna Scott

Yesterday you were able to read an interview with Julianna Scott, author of The Holders. I was lucky enough to read it early and I must say I was pleasantly surprised!

Review

My thoughts
Becca has spent the past years watching over her younger brother Ryland, who hears voices. Every time she and her mother managed to scare away experts and doctors who wanted to take him. Until one day two men show up, claiming to know what's wrong with Ryland. He is a gifted Holder and belongs at St Brigid's School in Ireland, with his own kind. This time, their mother thinks it's best they let Ryland go. Becca is torn, but agrees on one condition: she gets to accompany him. In Ireland Becca discovers more and more about the secret world of the Holders and that she may not be as normal as she thought she was...

The Holders is Julianna Scott's first YA novel and I must say I really enjoyed it. Scott has created a magical community within our normal world. We learn about The Holders through Becca's eyes: their history and their present. Slowly we learn more and more details, although there are still questions to be answered in the sequel.
The plot is predictable though. There were some twists, but it was perfectly clear where the story was going.
Still, Scott's writing style was very enjoyable and the story flowed well. The only thing that irked me a little was how descriptive Becca was. She tells a lot, which is understandable as she is the novel's narrator, but I would have liked to see more dialogue.

The characters are well-build and mostly realistic.
Becca, of course, our protagonist and heroine. She is loyal, protective and rather fierce. Her personality has She is apparently also very smart, but tends to react before thinking. She'd do anything to keep Ryland safe, which is exactly what she has done the past years. Her pain is almost tangible when she realises Ryland does not need her for the first time in his life. At St Brigid's she has real friends, which is new for her, and finally learns to trust others.
Alex is a bit too perfect - even after a terrible youth he is still the incarnation of kindness, loyalty, humour, and well, he's attractive. That did not take away his likeabilty though. I couldn't help smiling, and crying too, for him. His feelings for Becca are painfully obvious to everyone but her and I liked the way their relationship was handled.
In this first book, a lot of supporting characters are introduced. They all have their own story and are all necessary for the story. Bubbly Chloe, the always bickering Anderson and Reid, the knowing Min, younger brother Ryland and long-lost father Jocelyn. One character we are not yet introduced to is Daraagh, our villain. He is only briefly mentioned, yet I am sure he will make a grand entree in the next installment.

The Holders is an enticing mix of an ancient legend, Irish countryside and interesting characters. Definitely a promising start to a brand new YA series!

My rating of this book

Source

A digital ARC was kindly provided to me by Strange Chemistry in exchange for an honest review.

Other links

Find this book on Goodreads

Visit Julianna Scott's website here
The Holders also has its own site and facebook page.

Blog Tour: The Holders by Julianna Scott

I've got something exciting to share: We are lucky enough to be a part of The Holders Blog Tour, which meant I got to read the novel early and got to ask Julianna Scott some questions about herself, her writing and of course The Holders. Enjoy!

Author interview
Allow me to introduce you to Julianna, author of The Holders.

Julianna was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and spent the majority of her educational career convinced she would be a musician. However, after receiving her music degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, she realized that she'd been born in the wrong era for her dreams of singing jazz to adoring fans clad in zoot-suits and flapper dresses to come true, and began to wonder if her true calling might be elsewhere.

While Julianna had always excelled in writing throughout school, she'd never considered it a career possibility until about three years ago, when she'd gotten her first story idea and decided to go for it. She grabbed her laptop, started typing away, and has never looked back.

For those who have not yet heard about The Holders, could you give a short summary of the story?

17-year-old Becca has spent her whole life protecting her brother - from their father leaving and from the people who say the voices in his head are unnatural. When two strangers appear with apparent answers to Ryland's "problem" and details about a school in Ireland where Ryland will not only fit in, but prosper, Becca is up in arms.

She reluctantly agrees to join Ryland on his journey and what they find at St. Brigid's is a world beyond their imagination. Little by little they piece together information about their family's heritage and the legend of the Holder race that decrees Ryland is the one they've been waiting for. However things are not as clear as they once were, and everyone is in for a surprise that will forever change what they thought they knew about themselves and their kind.

A lot of people have described The Holders as a new twist to X-Men. How would you describe the novel yourself, in one sentence?

 Hmm… That’s a tricky one. I guess I would say it’s a story about the bonds of family, the power of love, and the strength you can find within yourself if you are brave enough to look.

Becca is very protective over her younger brother and is rather stubborn and determined. In which ways do you recognise yourself in her character?

Well, I am definitely stubborn, and I always think I’m right. ;-) I am also a caregiver and like to take care of my friends and family. To be honest, I think there will always be a little of me in all of my main characters. If I can’t relate to them in some way there is no way I will be able to write their stories.

The Holders is a very interesting story, in different ways. What would its theme song be and why?

This is a hard one for me, because most of the music I listen to is lyric-less. I went to college for music and some of my favorite songs are either classical, or scores to movies. However there is a composer that I found via YouTube when I was looking for music to inspire THE HOLDERS, named Adrian Von Ziegler. He has a ton of amazing stuff out there, but my favorites—and the ones that I feel best suit THE HOLDERS are Crann Na Beatha, Cliffs of Moher, and Celtic Lore.

What books have influenced your life most?

Romance novels, but not for the reasons you might think. In the aspect of reading, I grew up under something of a rock. I had no idea that there were stories out there about love and relationships that weren’t the horrid cheesey $3.99 romance novels that I saw in the supermarket. :-) When I read my first quality romance—which was actually only about 3 years ago—my literary life was changed.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Oh goodness, there are times when I still don’t. Insecurity is something most writers have a load of and I am particularly bad when it comes to comparing myself with others. I will try to call myself a ‘real writer’ but it seems to always been subconsciously followed by, “but I’ll never be a writer like her/him/them/etc.”

Do you have any writing rituals?

With two little kids, it’s hard to get into a pattern, and I’ve learned to work pretty much anywhere and whenever I can. The only thing I absolutely require is quiet. I can’t have the TV on or music playing, or anything like that, or it is impossible for me to concentrate.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I love to read, but that is probably a given. Otherwise I love spending time watching TV with my husband, cooking and baking, and being crafty.

If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?

Not sure, but it would still be something creative. I love making things, whether it’s food, or crafts, or sewing, or art—I love to create!

So, what do you think? Will you be reading The Holders? I'd love to hear!

Book Review: The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.
Sydney would love to go to college, but instead, she’s been sent into hiding at a posh boarding school in Palm Springs, California–tasked with protecting Moroi princess Jill Dragomir from assassins who want to throw the Moroi court into civil war. Formerly in disgrace, Sydney is now praised for her loyalty and obedience, and held up as the model of an exemplary Alchemist.
But the closer she grows to Jill, Eddie, and especially Adrian, the more she finds herself questioning her age–old Alchemist beliefs, her idea of family, and the sense of what it means to truly belong. Her world becomes even more complicated when magical experiments show Sydney may hold the key to prevent becoming Strigoi—the fiercest vampires, the ones who don’t die. But it’s her fear of being just that—special, magical, powerful—that scares her more than anything. Equally daunting is her new romance with Brayden, a cute, brainy guy who seems to be her match in every way. Yet, as perfect as he seems, Sydney finds herself being drawn to someone else—someone forbidden to her.
When a shocking secret threatens to tear the vampire world apart, Sydney’s loyalties are suddenly tested more than ever before. She wonders how she's supposed to strike a balance between the principles and dogmas she's been taught, and what her instincts are now telling her.
Should she trust the Alchemists—or her heart?

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist assigned to protect Jill Dragomir, a Moroi princess. Because of the happenings
in Bloodlines Sydney is now a praised examplary Alchemist. However, the higher Alchemists don't know the half of it. Sydney has developed a friendship with vampires, Adrian in particular... While struggling with her feelings and loyalty she also discovers a dangerous secret: vampire hunters may not be a legend after all.

The Golden Lily was a perfect, though somewhat predictable, sequel to the Bloodlines series. In Bloodlines the focus was on the Alchemists and about Sydney settling with her new 'siblings'. While there's more to learn about the Alchemists, magic and even vampire hunters in The Golden Lily, the focus is on Sydney's personality and her relationships with characters around her. Suspense, action, drama and mostly romance. It was all there. Because the novel has several entwined story lines, there was enough speed in the story. Slightly more action than in the previous book., though it might not be as much as some want. However, trusting Richelle Mead, I do think there's plenty of it in the coming books: She is a master at writing dialogue and developing characters.


"Too bad you got so bogged down in books. You've got the spirit of a warrior." Sydney is a great heroine, because she simply isn't your typical heroine. She is not exceptionally beautiful or self-confident or generally badass. She is smart and has an innocence and sincerity that you can't help but admire. I was glad to see her change thoughout this book. While she still has a bit of the Alchemist rigidity about vampires, she has started to see her companions as friends. She realises all too well she should keep her distance and should hate them, but she knows she can't.
"You need me? You yell. You want to leave? We go. I'll get you out of here, no matter what." Adrian. How I love Adrian. Ever since the VA series we've known him as an irresponsible spoiled party boy. Now, we actually see the real Adrian. He is very smart, loyal, talented and he just needs someone to believe in him. Someone like Sydney. We also get a closer look on Adrian's past, his family, which explains a lot about him and his behaviour.

"Adrian, I'm on a date. Why are you here? On my car?"
Ah, their is such tension between Sydney and Adrian. Their relationship is interesting, both Sydney and Adrian unpredictable. They are complete opposites, yet they complement each other perfectly. I am very curious to find out more about these two, especially with the Alchemist prejudice about vampires and relationships with them...

I was happy to see other characters develop too. Eddie, who is so kind and loyal. He pushes his own feelings for Jill aside, while trying to keep Angeline off his back. Jill, who shows she is maturing. She begins to take her position as the Queen's sister and realises she can't have a relationship with a human.

I must warn you: The Golden Lily ends with a terrible cliffhanger leaving the reader desperate for more. With amazing characters and intriguing developments the Bloodlines series is a series you should watch out for!

My rating of this book

Source

E-book copy.

Other links

Find this book on Goodreads

Visit Richelle Mead's website here

Books and movies for Valentine's day

In Norway we don't really have a tradition for celebrating Valentine's Day even though it has been more focus on it the last few years. Personally I'm not really a fan of this day but I am big fan of  making lists and recommendations and although I don't always like to admit it I really enjoy a romantic movie and book once in a while. So here are my recommendations for you and I have mostly focused on the fun and cute romantic stories because that's what I prefer though there are some more dramatic ones on the list as well:

                             
                                  (Photo: Flickr : DonnaGrayson)
YA-books:
1. Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles: the second book about the Fuentes-brothers that I actually enjoyed more than the first one. The girl in this story was more likable to me than Brittany.
2. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally:  The female protagonist in this is a bit different than I'm used to. She's a football player, tough and get's treated as one of the guys on the team but what happens when she actually falls for one of the guys?
3. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong: this paranormal trilogy has one of my favorite teen romances.
4. The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson: a beautifully written and emotional story about a girl falling in love while she's grieving her sister. I have already written about this book several times because it was my favourite read last year.
5. A Match Made in High School by Kristen White: in this charming book a high school decides that every senior has to participate in a Marriage program where the students are paired up for a whole year and our main character Fiona is not happy at all with her new husband. A lot of fun dialogues and situations in this made it a very entertaining read.

                                      

A couple of adult books:
6. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding: I am a fan of Bridget. She is so clumsy and not at all behaving like she's expected to. She feels real and I think most girls can identify with her one way or another.
7. Sushi for beginners by Marian Keyes: one the leading ladies of chiclit has written a fun and cute book about three different women in Dublin in search for love, success and happiness.

                                      

Movies:
1. La Vita E Bella/Life is Beautiful: a very sad but beautiful and funny love story between both a man and woman, and between a father and his son. One of my favourite movies of all times.
2. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: this is one of my favourite chick flicks about a woman (Kate Hudson) trying to find the best tricks to make a guy break up with you for an article she's writing for a women's magazine.
3. Bridget Jones's Diary: I really liked this one both as a  movie as well as a book. It is funny and refreshing.
4. Ever After: a Cinderella Story: a movie based on the classic fairy tale but with a new take.
5. 10 things I hate about you: based on a Shakespeare play but set in a modern day high school. Prom is coming up and the younger sister Bianca only gets to go with a date if her older sister Kat does the same and she is known to have strong aversions to dating.
6. She's the man: it might sound a bit goofy about a girl pretending to be her brother so she can play on the soccer team but it's actually quite charming.

What are your  movie and book recommendations for Valentine's Day?

Bookish delights coming out in March

Are you ready to add some books to your wishlist? Perhaps you can add some books to my wishlist as well? In this post I'll be sharing the March YA releases I think sounds like they might just be made of awesome. I do not know when or if I get to all of these books, but I do know they all sound so, so very good.

I have just added some keywords at to what the novel is about and a link to Goodreads so you can discover more about these lovelies in peace and quiet.


Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
- a retro, contemporary love story(about first love and how much one might want it to last).  

This is where I add that I am still together with the wonderful boy I fell in love with as a 14 year old girl, we have been a couple since I was 15(I'm turning 30 this summer!). I know it's not for everyone but we fell in love and never looked back. So far we're a proof that it might very well last for some.

Orleans by Sherri L. Smith 

- dystopian, bad hurricanes --> fever, survival, left to bring up someone elses baby.

This is cover eye candy for me and the story sounds like it brings a lot of adventure and suspense to the table.

Flowers in the Sky by Lynne Joseph

- a young adult contemporary about the hardness of moving far from all that is familiar and make a new life for oneself in a new place.

I love, love this cover and the symbolic meaning of it all!

Strands of Bronze and Gold (Strands of Bronze and Gold #1) by Jane Nickerson
- debut novel, historical, fairy tale retelling, rumors, suspense

 Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos 
- debut novel, male protagonist, domestic violence, emotional read with a dash of humor.

 Bruised by Sarah Skilton 

- debut novel, self perception, holdup, Tae Kwon Do, who do you think you are, and who are you really?

The Holders by Julianna Scott
- protecting those you love, hearing voices, a legend, forgivness, love

Sylke will be reading and reviewing The Holders for a blog tour this month and she will also be doing an author interview, so be sure to check back here for that.

 Trinkets by Kirsten Smith

- shoplifting, addiction, rehab, forming friendship, multiple perspectives

 Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt - want to live the kind of teenage life your grandma did?, sounds like a truck load of fun,chick-litish, cheating bastard of a boyfriend, going over the top?

I am deeply in love with this VINTAGE cover!

 Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden
- debut novel, crime, life down the drain, humor, the main character sounds kind of Holden Caulfield-ish, hope, love.

If I am to judge a book by its synopsis I would have to say that DEAR LIFE, YOU SUCK sounds amhhhhazing. If I were to pick just one of these March lovlies to read I think this would have to be it.

As I scan my list I find it odd that a girl who loves everything fitting under the fantasy genre as much as I do, have so many contemporaries on her list and so few in other genres. Maybe March just isn't THE MONTH for fantasy releases? For me it seems to be a month of books with a similar theme, and that is how much life sucks.

Which of the titles above would you love to get your hands on?
Please do tell me which March releases you're eagerly anticipating in the comments below. 

I am pretty sure there might be some holes in my wishlist.

Book review: The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

So mass murderers are obviously a fad in YA these days(or at least it was back in good ol' 2012). There is something so gruesomely fascinating about Jack the Ripper(who whas he and why was he never caught?) and he plays a big role in author Maureen Johnson's novel The Name of the Star.

Putnam Juvenile's book cover for  The Name of the Star.

Southern girl Rory moves away to England with her family. Here Rory attends a school that is located almost smack dab in the middle of the area where Jack the Ripper operated some 100 years ago. Soon after Rory is settled in at school a body is found close by and it soon becomes apparent that there is a Jack the Ripper copycat out and about in London.

A little something for everyone
Maureen Johnson has managed to write at story that will have an appeal to a wide specter of readers. Here we have supernatural elements and history in a perfect blend all set nicely together in a contemporary setting. The Name of the Star was a fun and thrilling read, at times so much so that the creaking in my house was disturbing to listen to ;) Still The Name of the Star didn't quite make it on my list of top reads; it was a nice read but nothing more. What I enjoyed most of all with the story was the times when Rory thought about her own quite eccentric family living back home in the South.

It was evident that Johnsen had done a lot of research on the Ripper, that was good because I like the history to be correct when I read a novel that contains a historical character.

I do believe that this is the first novel in a trilogy and I might just read the second book some day. In the end this book kind of reminded me of The Gallows Curse by Andrew Hammond.

The other Ripper novel I've read?
Ripper by Amy Carol Reeves - so far this is my favorite Ripper novel. It is set in London in 1888 and the city is painted in such a vivid way that you can just imagine walking the streets right along with the main character.