Tag Archives: upcoming reviews

Upcoming Reviews: October 2015 Part 1

Lists, Young Adult/Teen 12-18,

oct2015_part1October Reviews at The Story Sanctuary: Part 1

This month The Story Sanctuary has a pretty diverse line-up, featuring reviews from indie authors, Christian publishers as well as some books from Netgalley’s list of YA publishing houses. Good stuff which I can’t wait to share coming this October 2015. Here’s a bit about why I chose each of these titles for review:

Never Said by Carol Lynch Williams

About the book: Sarah’s sister Anna has always been the perfect one, and then suddenly she’s not. Sarah’s own crises draw her and Anna together once again, and the walls between them crumble once again as they finally share the things they never said to one another.

Why I’m reading it: As a girl with two sisters, I have a soft spot for this type of story. The description reminds me a little bit of Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, which is one of my favorites.

Shades of Doon by Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon

About the book: Best friends Vee and Kenna are finally safe and free in the kingdom of Doon, and they’re ready to make the most of it by celebrating with all their friends. All too soon a strange dark force boots the girls back into the awful reality of their former lives. To put an end to Doon’s latest threat will require all their strength and spunk.

Why I’m reading it: I’ve been meaning to read this series for quite some time. The covers of all three series books have been gorgeous, and I love the blend of modern day girls and a kingdom of fantasy.

The Lost Princess by Dani-Lyn Alexander

About the book: Ryleigh has left her home world to be with Jackson, who has just accepted rule of his father’s kingdom. Rumors of conspiracy threaten his court. Ryleigh leaves on a search for a missing relic. Jackson must find her before evil plots come to fruition.

Why I’m reading it: I can’t resist a good fantasy. This feels somewhere between Julie Kagawa’s Iron Fey series and possibly Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan. At least, that’s my hope.

Hopper-Hill Family by Erika Castiglioni

About the book: Piper always wanted a sibling, but she gets more than she bargained for when her cousins move in with her family.

Why I’m reading it: As a parent in a blended family, I’m always interested in books that feature characters and situations surrounding blended family issues. I’m hoping this one will be a story I can recommend to others as well as enjoy for myself.

Magic to Memphis by Julie Starr

About the book: Seventeen year-old Jessie travels to Memphis to win a music contest and finds herself caught in the sights of a killer.

Why I’m reading it: One of the elements I find most intriguing about the story is that Jessie discovers her dad made the same trek to Memphis long ago. I am a total sucker for father/son or father/daughter themes, and I’m hoping for big things from this one.

 

 

Upcoming Reviews: August 2015

Lists, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,

Escape From Sudan by Amanda DiCianni: I’ve been looking forward to reviewing this book for some time. I think novels like this can be a great tool to introduce kids to world events.

Scar Girl by Len Vlahos: After the intense ride of book one, it was pretty much a given that I’d want to read and review the sequel to The Scar Boys. I’m eager to find out what has happened to the boys since the end of their last adventure, and I’m curious about the format of the book. I’ve heard the story is related through an interview format, which sounds different and fun.

Dream Things True by Marie Marquardt: This one caught my eye on Netgalley. It’s described as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet type story about a rich boy who falls in love with a girl whose entire family are undocumented immigrants. This is a pretty touchy issue politically right now, but I’m really curious to see how Marquardt weaves her tale and what she leaves her readers thinking about. It’s easy to have opinions about statistics and numbers. When we start seeing (or even imagining) faces and names behind the issues, they become so much more complicated.

Torn by Avery Hastings: At last! So you’ve already heard me rave about how much I looked forward to this book. On 8/7 I’ll be participating in a blog tour and will finally unveil my own review of this amazing story.

Mercy’s Prince by Katy Huth Jones: I received a request for review from author Katy Huth Jones and after reading the first few pages on Amazon, I couldn’t say no. I’m excited to read more of this fantasy novel.

State of Grace by Hilary Badger: This is another book that caught my eye on Netgalley. In YA, there are tons of dystopian stories… this will be the first utopian story I’ve ever read.

Upcoming Reviews on The Story Sanctuary

Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, ,

Last year brought about some big changes in The Story Sanctuary. As an active member of NetGalley, I’ve been able to request and review some great releases (like We Were Liars by E. Lockhart and We Are the Goldens by Dana Reinhardt.) I also accepted requests from authors to review some great books (Through the Balustrade by M B Dahl was one of my favorites.)

This year, there are even more books coming my way, and I’m super excited to read and review them. Here are a few you can expect to see posted on The Story Sanctuary in the next six weeks…

The Ruby Airship by Sharon Gosling, Capstone Young Readers – Switch Press
Release Date: 2/2/15
Note: I’ve already finished reading this one, and I really enjoyed it. Lots of action, sweet romance, and fun characters. I have not read the first book in the series, but it didn’t detract from my ability to enjoy this one. And now I have to go buy the first one because I want to read that one, too!

Bricks by John Davidson, Anaiah Press
Release Date: 2/3/15

Author John Davidson will be joining me for an interview on his new book here at The Story Sanctuary next week!

Dragons at Crumbling Castle and Other Tales by Sir Terry Pratchett, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Release Date: 2/3/15

This is a collection of 14 stories, and it looks simply too fun. I’ve never read anything by Pratchett before, but he’s a favorite of many. I’m anxious to give it a go, and eager to read some short stories for a bit of a change from the pace of novels.

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton, Random House Children’s
Release Date: 2/10/15

I’m probably about half-way through with this novel and it’s been a pretty wild ride so far. The point-of-view alternates between characters, and I’m enjoying getting the different perspectives on what’s happening from each viewpoint.

Two Renegade Realms by Donita K. Paul, Zondervan – HarperCollins
Release Date: 12/23/14

The first book in this series was great, and I’m eager to get into this one. My daughter is in fourth grade, and this is definitely a series on my radar as something she would enjoy. I think older readers would like it, too.

Skinny by Laura L. Smith, Status Updates, Second Edition
Release Date: 12/1/14

Skinny originally released in 2008, and I read it that year, but did not review it. I’ll be giving it another go this time so I can post my thoughts here. Laura L. Smith has a great sense of teen issues and a bold style that confronts without judging. I recently enjoyed her Status Updates Series and am eager to read more of her work.

A Plague of Unicorns by Jane Yolen, Zondervan, HarperCollins
Release Date: 12/23/14

I’m still waiting to receive this one in the mail, but I’ve loved other stories by Jane Yolen. I’m definitely excited to read this one.

Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman, Random House Children’s
Release Date: 3/10/15

I’m pretty much a total sucker for a Random House Children’s release. I want to have lunch with their acquisitions editor(s) and talk shop. I’ve liked nearly every release I’ve read. But now I’m gushing. Anyway, Shadow Scale is the sequel to the highly praised Seraphina, which I have not read (I’m not picky about that sort of thing) about a girl who is part human, part dragon in a world in which these two groups share an uneasy alliance. I am intrigued by the prejudicial elements and and the possibilities of the messages of hope and acceptance there. Plus, dragons. I’m excited.

Silverwood by Betsy Streeter, Light Messages Publishing
Release Date: 3/11/15

I recently read and enjoyed Since You’ve Been Gone by Mary Jennifer Payne about a girl living on the run. This sounds a little bit like that storyline (life on the run) only with fantasy elements.

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma, Algonquin Books – Algonquin Young Readers
Release Date: 3/24/15

Though it’s not out for two months, I’ve heard some really great things about this novel. The premise is really intriguing. The story is told from the points of view of two girls and relates the details of a third girl’s story. The truth lies somewhere between the two narrators’ versions.