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…
Historical
Title: The Friday Society Author: Adrienne Kress Genre: (Pseudo-)Historical, Adventure, Mystery, Young Adult Publisher: Dial Publication Date: December 2012 Hardcover: 440 Pages An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all Set in turn…
It’s Friday so this means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Thea reviews Urban Fantasy (with a twist of historical fantasy) novel Daughter of the Sword by Steve Bein. With only some reservations, Thea loved this book for…
Title: Dragon’s Bait Author: Vivian Vande Velde Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Young Adult Publisher: Graphia Publication date: First published in 1992 Hardcover: 196 pages Fifteen-year-old Alys is not a witch. But that doesn’t matter–the villagers think she is and have…
Title: Jepp, Who Defied the Stars Author: Katherine Marsh Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Hyperion Children (Disney) Publication Date: October 2012 Hardcover: 384Pages Fate: Is it written in the stars from the moment we are born? Or is…
Title: Moon Over Manifest Author: Clare Vanderpool Genre: Historical, Middle Grade Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers Publication date: October 2010 Paperback: 368 pages Abilene Tucker feels abandoned. Her father has put her on a train, sending her off…
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…
Today, we are taking part in the Venom blog tour, celebrating the release of the debut YA historical novel from Fiona Paul. Each stop on the tour reveals a new excerpt for “Venomous” – a short story prequel to…
As you might know, last weekend was New York Comic Con 2012 – a ginormous event, drawing in over 100,000 geeks of all fandoms and followings. I was one of the many fans at the convention, taking in panels,…
Title: The FitzOsbornes at War Author: Michelle Cooper Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Afred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers (US) / Random House Australia Publication Date: October 2012 / April 2012 Hardcover: 560 Pages Sophie FitzOsborne and…
Title: The Vanishing Act Author: Mette Jakobsen Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical (maybe) Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (US) / Vintage (UK) Publication date: August/ September 2012 Hardcover/paperback: 218 pages “The best stories change you. I am not the…
Title: The Diviners Author: Libba Bray Genre: Historical, Speculative Fiction, Horror, Young Adult Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (US) / Atom (UK) Publication date: September 2012 (US & UK) Hardcover: 578 pages Evie O’Neill has been exiled…
It’s another Friday, which means we are over at Kirkus! Today, Thea reviews Robin Maxwell’s refreshing new take on a beloved literary icon in Jane… SPOILER ALERT: Thea loved it – romantic, adventurous, and starring the heroine we always…
The Diviners Blog Tour: A Character Interview with Sam Lloyd (& Giveaway)
Today, we are thrilled to make our appearance on the official The Diviners blog tour! The newest novel from award-winning author Libba Bray, The Diviners is the story of Evie O’Neill as she is dashed away to a life…
Book Review: Come August, Come Freedom: The Bellows, The Gallows and The Black General Gabriel by Gigi Amateau
Title: Come August, Come Freedom: The Bellows, The Gallows and The Black General Gabriel Author: Gigi Amateau Genre: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, PoC Publisher: Candlewick Publication Date: September 11, 2012 Hardcover: 240 Pages An 1800 insurrection planned by a…
Come August, Come Freedom Blog Tour: Gigi Amateau on Inspirations & Influences
“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…
Title: The White Forest Author: Adam McOmber Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy/Speculative Fiction Publisher: Touchstone Publication Date: September 2012 Hardcover: 320 Pages In this hauntingly original debut novel about a young woman whose peculiar abilities help her infiltrate a mysterious…
Title: Blackwood Author: Gwenda Bond Genre: Fantasy, Romance, YA Publisher: Strange Chemistry Publication date: September 4th 2012 Paperback: 352 pages On Roanoke Island, the legend of the 114 people who mysteriously vanished from the Lost Colony hundreds of years…
Title: Long Lankin Author: Lindsey Barraclough Genre: Historical, Horror, Young Adult Publisher: Candlewick (US) / Bodley Head (UK) Publication Date: June 2012 (US) / January 2011 (UK) Hardcover: 455 Pages (US) In an exquisitely chilling debut novel, four children…
Title: Renegade Magic (US) / A Tangle of Magicks (UK) Author: Stephanie Burgis Genre: Historical, Fantasy/Speculative Fiction, Middle Grade Publisher: Atheneum (US) / Templar (UK) Publication Date: April 2012 (US) / August 2011 (UK) Hardcover: 336 Pages (US) Is…
Joint Review: The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
Title: The Dark Unwinding Author: Sharon Cameron Genre: Historical, Gothic Mystery/Horror, Young Adult Publisher: Scholastic Publication date: September 2012 Hardcover: 318 pages A spine-tingling tale of steampunk and spies, intrigue and heart-racing romance! When Katharine Tulman’s inheritance is called…
Title: The Broken Lands Author: Kate Milford, illustrated by Andrea Offermann Genre: Historical Fantasy, Young Adult, PoC Publisher: Clarion Books Publication date: September 4 2012 Hardcover: 464 pages A crossroads can be a place of great power. So begins…
Title: Kat, Incorrigible (US) / A Most Improper Magick (UK) Author: Stephanie Burgis Genre: Historical, Fantasy/Speculative Fiction, Middle Grade Publisher: Atheneum (US) / Templar (UK) Publication Date: April 2011 (US) / August 2010 (UK) Hardcover: 304 Pages (US) Twelve-year-old…
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.…
Title: Between Shades of Gray Author: Ruta Sepetys Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult Publisher: Philomel Books Publication Date: March 2011 (HC) Hardcover: 344 Pages Lina is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws,…