Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny (and often over-hyped)…
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5 Rated Books
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana reviews A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar out from the lovely Small Beer Press. Unfortunately, this one did not work for me and I talk about how…
Title: Zenn Scarlett Author: Christian Schoon Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Strange Chemistry Publication Date: May 2013 Paperback: 304 Pages When you’re studying to be exoveterinarian specializing in exotic, alien life forms, school… is a different kind of…
Title: Strangelets Author: Michelle Gagnon Genre: Apocalypse, Science Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Soho Teen Publication Date: April 2013 Hardcover: 288 Pages 17-year-old Sophie lies on her deathbed in California, awaiting the inevitable loss of her battle with cancer… 17-year-old…
5 Rated Books 6 Rated Books Book Reviews The Dare
The Dare: Ana reads Nightlife by Rob Thurman / Thea reads Broken by Susan Jane Bigelow
IT’S BACK! The Dare is back! Years ago now, we used to have a regular feature called The Dare (and its sibling, the Guest Dare) in which we dared each other to read books outside of our comfort zone.…
5 Rated Books 6 Rated Books Book Reviews Old School Wednesdays
Old School Wednesdays Readalong: Terrier by Tamora Pierce
Old School Wednesdays Old School Wednesdays is a weekly Book Smuggler feature. We came up with the idea towards the end of 2012, when both Ana and Thea were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of New and Shiny…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Ana is reviewing “Steampunk” Romance Firebrand by Ankaret Wells, a 2012 Tiptree Honor Book… …and has mixed feelings about it. Go here to read her thoughts.…
Title: The Obsidian Mirror Author: Catherine Fisher Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Dial (US) / Hodder Children’s Books (UK) Publication Date: April 2013 (US) / October 2012 (UK) Hardcover: 384 Pages The obsidian mirror. Its…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Thea reviews the YA speculative fiction novel debut from Leah Bobet, Above – recently nominated for the Andre Norton Award. Great premise, intriguing voice, but ultimately all flash with…
5 Rated Books 6 Rated Books Book Reviews Joint Review Kirkus
Over at Kirkus: Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today we are reviewing Paper Valentine by Brenna Yovanoff. This is a spooky thriller and we were basically on the same page about it. Go over there to check our…
5 Rated Books 7 Rated Books Book Reviews Old School Wednesdays
Old School Wednesdays: A Man Lay Dead, Cocaine Blues & The Ruby in the Smoke
Welcome, everyone, to a brand new weekly Smugglerific feature: Old School Wednesdays! We came up with the idea towards the end of last year, when both of us were feeling exhausted from the never-ending inundation of new and shiny…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today Ana is reviewing a highly anticipated title: Dark Fantasy/Noir Fade To Black by Francis Knight. First of all: NOT a superhero novel like Ana thought (naughty, naughty misleading cover).…
Title: The Disappeared Author: C.J. Harper Genre: Dystopian, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK Publication Date: January 2013 Paperback: 384 Pages In a future where children are segregated into institutions that range from comfortable “Learning Communities”…
Title: Doomed Author: Tracy Deebs Genre: Thriller, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Walker Childrens Publication Date: January 2013 Hardcover: 480 Pages Beat the game. Save the world. Pandora’s just your average teen, glued to her cell phone and laptop,…
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Thea reviews melancholy science fiction space exploration book The Explorer by James Smythe… …which was unfortunately underwhelming. Featuring a frustratingly passive protagonist and demonstrating a lack of understanding…
5 Rated Books 6 Rated Books Book Reviews Joint Review
Joint Review: What We Saw at Night by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Title: What We Saw at Night Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult Publisher: Soho Teen Publication date: January 2013 Hardcover: 239 pages Allie Kim suffers from Xeroderma Pigmentosum: a fatal allergy to sunlight that confines her and…
5 Rated Books 6 Rated Books Book Reviews Joint Review
Joint Review: The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Title: The Darkest Minds Author: Alexandra Bracken Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult, Thriller Publisher: Disney Hyperion Publication date: December 2012 Hardcover: 496 pages When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something alarming…
It’s Friday so this means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Ana reviews speculative fiction novel The Constantine Affliction by T Aaron Payton. I was kind of let down by this book – it had a lot of…
Title: Bad Glass Author: Richard E. Gropp Genre: Horror, Speculative Fiction Publisher: Del Rey Publication Date: September 2012 Paperback: 433 Pages One of the most hauntingly original dark fantasy debuts in years—perfect for fans of Lost and Mark Danielewski’s…
Title: Venom Author: Fiona Paul Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult Publisher: Philomel (Penguin Young Readers) Publication Date: October 2012 Hardcover: 432 Pages Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her…
Title: Goblin Secrets Author: William Alexander Genre: Fantasy, Steampunk, Middle Grade Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Publication date: March 6th 2012 Hardcover: 240 pages In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken…
Title: Fire in the Sea Author: Myke Bartlett Genre: Fantasy, Contemporary, Young Adult Publisher: Text Publishing Publication date: July 25th 2012 Paperback: 264 pages Sadie is sixteen and bored with life in Perth. It’s summer, and lazing on the…
Title: Enshadowed Author: Kelly Creagh Genre: Horror, Speculative Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Atheneum Publication Date: August 2012 Hardcover: 429 Pages True love takes a twisted turn in the second book of this modern gothic romance trilogy channeling the dark…
Title: Breed Author: Chase Novak Genre: Horror Publisher: Mullholland Books Publication Date: September 2012 Hardcover: 320 Pages Alex and Leslie Twisden lead charmed lives-fabulous jobs, a luxurious town house on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a passionate marriage. What they…
Title: Gods and Warriors Author: Michelle Paver Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade/Young Adult, Historical Publisher: Puffin / Dial Publication date: August 28 / September 4 2012 Hardcover: 283 pages An action-packed new series set in the mysterious, dangerous Bronze Age.…