“Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The best part about I&I posts? Writers are given free rein so they can go wild…
Fantasy
Title: The Runaway King Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Scholastic Publication Date: March 2013 Hardcover: 352 Pages A kingdom teetering on the brink of destruction. A king gone missing. Who will survive? Find out in…
What She Said: The Princess Curse & The Name of the Star
Today we bring you the latest installment in our feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has previously read and reviewed. This feature arose because of a very serious dilemma we faced at…
Title: Heroes’ Reward Author: Moira J. Moore Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Self-Published (via Smashwords) Publication Date: December 2012 Ebook: 98,810 Words Shield Dunleavy Mallorough and Source Shintaro Karish have lived in Flown Raven for five years, protecting its residents from…
Old School Wednesdays: The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
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…
Title: Pantomime Author: Laura Lam Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Young Adult Publisher: Strange Chemistry Publication date: February 2012 Hardcover: 392 pages R. H. Ragona’s Circus of Magic is the greatest circus of Ellada. Nestled among the glowing blue Penglass—remnants of…
Title: Dance of Shadows Author: Yelena Black Genre: Paranormal YA Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books Publication date: February 14th 2013 Hardcover: 447pages Dancing with someone is an act of trust. Elegant and intimate; you’re close enough to kiss, close…
Today we bring you the latest installment in our feature, “What She Said…” in which we both review books that the other has previously read and reviewed. This feature arose because of a very serious dilemma we faced at…
Over at Kirkus: The Six-Gun Tarot by R. S. Belcher
It’s Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today we are mixing things up a bit! Both Thea and I read The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher, and we both had COMPLETELY different interpretations and reactions to the…
Book Review/Discussion: The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher
Today we are mixing things up a bit! Both Ana and I read The Six-Gun Tarot by R.S. Belcher, and we both had different interpretations and reactions to the book. So, to give a dual perspective, Ana reviewed the…
Title: The Siren Depths Author: Martha Wells Genre: Fantasy Publisher: Night Shade Books Publication date: December 2012 Paperback: 320 pages All his life, Moon roamed the Three Worlds, a solitary wanderer forced to hide his true nature — until…
Old School Wednesdays: The Green Glass Sea & The Pearl of the Soul of the World
Welcome, everyone, to the start of a brand new Smugglerific feature! Today we bring you the first in an ongoing weekly special: Old School Wednesdays! We came up with the idea towards the end of last year, when both…
Title: The Cadet of Tildor Author: Alex Lidell Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Dial Publication date: January 10th 2013 Hardcover: 400 pages Tamora Pierce meets George R. R. Martin in this smart, political, medieval fantasy-thriller. There is a new…
Title: Ordinary Magic Author: Caitlen Rubino-Bradway Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: May 2012 Hardcover: 277 Pages In Abby’s world, magic isn’t anything special: it’s a part of everyday life. So when Abby learns that…
Thea’s Smugglivus 2012 Feats of Strength
The Feats of Strength are an integral part of our annual Smugglivus Tradition. In previous years, the Feats of Strength were a challenge in which we dared each other to read a book that we knew was so far…
Ana’s Smugglivus 2012 Feats of Strength
The Feats of Strength are an integral part of our annual Smugglivus Tradition. In previous years, the Feats of Strength were a challenge in which we dared each other to read a book that we knew was so far…
Title: The Crimson Crown Author: Cinda Williams Chima Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult Publisher: Hyperion Books Children (Disney) Publication Date: October 2012 Hardcover: 598 Pages A thousand years ago, two young lovers were betrayed–Alger Waterlow to his death, and Hanalea,…
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: Iron Hearted Violet Author: Kelly Barnhill Genre: Fantasy, MG Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Publication date: October 9th 2012 Hardcover: 432 pages The end of their world begins with a story. This one. In most fairy…
Joint Review: In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz
Title: In a Glass Grimly Author: Adam Gidwitz Genre: Fantasy, Fairytale retelling, Middle Grade Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books Publication date: September 2012 Hardcover: 312 pages More Grimm tales await in the harrowing, hilarious companion to a beloved new classic…
It’s Friday so this means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Thea reviews fantasy novel Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes. The combination of pretty cover, strong blurb, and early praise made Thea eager to try this book…unfortunately, Falling…
Smuggler’s Ponderings: thoughts on Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway
Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway Alfred A. Knopf/ Vintage, February 2012, HC/PB: 568 pages From the acclaimed author of “The Gone-Away World”, blistering gangster noir meets howling absurdist comedy as the forces of good square off against the forces of…
Title: Princess of the Silver Woods Author: Jessica Day George Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Young Adult Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: December 2012 Hardcover: 336 Pages When Petunia, the youngest of King Gregor’s twelve dancing daughters, is…
Title: Princess of Glass Author: Jessica Day George Genre: Fantasy, Fairy Tale Retelling, Young Adult Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens Publication Date: May 2010 Hardcover: 257 Pages Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to…
Princess of the Silver Woods Blog Tour: Smugglivus Guest Author Jessica Day George
Welcome to Smugglivus 2012! Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2012, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2013. Who: Jessica Day…