Book Review: Croak by Gina Damico

Jul13

Lex (short for Lexington) Bartleby is one troubled teenage girl. Her twin sister Cordy (short for Concord) is sweet as sugar and works hard at her part time job. When Lex puts another fellow student in hospital, the girl’s parents ship her off to her forgotten Uncle Mort’s farm in upstate New York.

Stuck in the middle of nowhere, Lex attempts to prepare for one long summer of suck. Instead her scarred Uncle on a motorcycle picks her up, with no farms in sight. He’s also the Mayor of Croak, a town full of Grim Reapers. Lex is also a Grim Reaper; gifted with talents of guiding souls to the afterlife. Her summer makes a complete 180.

That is until uncharted deaths start happening around the US. Lex finds herself public enemy number one for reasons she doesn’t understand. As she begins to lose what little comfort fitting in a society of her own kind, she’ll have to make a choice of either joining this masked Killer or ending him or her, herself.

This book is seriously amazing. So worth the wait. (It hasn’t been published in the UK yet.) Finally a YA seriously where the focus isn’t on falling in love, with some real bite to it! Croak is fabulous at dealing with the moral obligations of life and death. Everyone who lives must also die and I love how Damico uses this sad life event to bring comfort to readers, as well as cover the natural order.

When that balance is disrupted all hell breaks loose in the book and you’ll turn every page wondering who’s around the corner! The language of the story is also fantastic. Riddled with new age teenage slang. You’ll be laughing and crying through this brilliant 300 page ride. Talk about using the post-apocalyptic theme in a modern way, Croak is absolutely worth reading. As long as you’re not uberally disturbed by death, I highly suggest checking out this beginning of the Croak series as soon as possible!

The finale book in this series will be published in September, and this review is kicking off to the release date. Next month I’ll include my review on the sequel, Scorch.

Washington State Bookshop Tour: Inklings

Jul11

Last month I was lucky to go on an adventure.

Washington State is littered with wine country. Just because Seattle is our city hub, people can’t expect that is the whole of our state. No, most of it is just forests, water and mountains.

Forests filled with grapes!

Anyways, I traveled with a dear friend to Yakima, WA. A town that is known for its wine and other brewing. We went for the grapes, antiques and specifically a bookstore called Inklings.

I obviously had to visit the bookstore as I’ve been to the original meeting place of the true ‘Inklings’ literary group at The Eagle and Child pub in Oxford, England.

Swoon, I know. Totally worth visiting. I had a pint and a burger whilst reading Harry Potter.

Inklings have established themselves as a brand and the design work is outstanding for a local, independent bookshop.

One of the coolest logos for a bookshop I have seen in a while!

The space is large and filled with different sections that cater to community needs. They also welcome special orders from customers, so this is the place to get what you want and support the continuation of bookstores! The displays took advantage of well beloved books and the Young Adult section made me drool with envy!

Comfy chairs are placed in the center, the perfect place to stop and sort through all the goodies that are available in the shop.

Perhaps one of my favorite things about Inklings is the mantra of supporting local and continuing the love of reading.

With an endless amount of choice and a welcome atmosphere, Inklings is a fantastic bookshop. My purchase selection included the newly published Joyland by Stephen King from my June Purchases. Constantly involved in their community, this bookstore forms a hub for readers, educators, and literary fiends alike.

The locals of Yakima are truly fortunate to have such a standout bookseller in their mists!

Many thanks to the staff of Inklings for allowing me to take photos and write about their wonderful bookstore. I received no compensation and chose to write about this business independently and honestly. If you wish to visit here’s all the info:

Inklings Bookshop

5629 Summitview Avenue

Yakima, WA 98908

509-965-5830

www.inklingsbookshop.com

Mon-Sat: 9-8 • Sun: 12-6

Book Review: Story’s End by Marissa Burt

Jul9

Please note: This is the second book in the Storybound series and does contain spoilers from the first book.

For my review of the first book Storybound, click here.

With the enemy returning at the hands of an unknowing Una Fairchild, the fate of Story is in peril.

Whispers of the true king of Story waft from character to character. Yet, can it be believed?

As the Red Enchantress blankets most of the Story with lies, can a proper ending be written?

With Una’s new knowledge of who she is exposed, can Story forgive her for what she has done?

What will become of Story? What ending is it destined to have?

Burt is truly a gifted middle grade writer. I absolutely adored Storybound, and I wasn’t disappointed with Story’s End. I do think the second book is bit more mature than the first, but it’s an exciting end for such a fantastical world.

All loose ends are tied up and I really enjoyed how Una is not a traditional character. To avoid spoilers, it’s understood when the book is read.

Story’s End will challenge middle grade readers and expose them to battles against good versus evil. What is happening to the characters isn’t immediately understood, making them perfect for parent assisted or reading groups.

For all the parents, there is a happy ending. For a two book series it’s beautifully written with care for it’s age range, and brings to life stories in a way that hasn’t been done in many a year. Even adults can find the fun and thrill. Well done Burt! I am so happy to recommend such amazing work!

Star Signs

Jul8

London, England 2013

July Reads

Jul6

July Reads! Lots to get through this month! This month I’m reading:

Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy

The Impossibility of Tomorrow by Avery Williams (freshly published last month and #2 of the Incarnations series)

Dare to You by Katie McGarry (also freshly published last month and #2 of Pushing the Limits series)

Joyland by Stephen King

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Zombies vs. Unicorns by Justine Larbalestier vs. Holly Black

Really quick – I’d love some feedback!

I am considering posting one adult book review a month, what do you think?

Book Signing Adventures: Neil Gaiman

Jul4

Oh how fortune throws a good hand every so often.

Neil Gaiman is on his very last book signing tour. Why? Because it’s now getting to the point that there are so many people that all he ends up doing is signing for hours and hours and hours. He stated that in San Fran (I believe) He was signing until 3am! (I’m sorry, but authors shouldn’t have sign for that long!)

When I first saw the tour dates, it stated that Seattle was sold out – BOOO! BUT, by a lucky rare chance I caught a last minute wave of final tickets! I was seriously considering driving four hours away to Vancouver, BC because they still had tickets available.

Anyways! I was super excited, I mean this was an evening with Neil Gaiman! Hosted through the University Bookstore as a part of the 2013 Clarion West Writers Workshop readings at Seattle Town Hall. I was one lucky girl to be a part of a huge crowd entertained by Gaiman.

First he did a reading from his latest book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.

He then did a short Q & A with some questions such as, “Christian Bale or Adam West? Which is your favourite batman?”, “What’s one thing you’d like your readers to know?” Gaiman’s answer: “I’d like my readers to know how to read.”

The favourite question of the evening was, “Will Neil ever do a spread for Playgirl?” Gaiman’s answer, “I’m 52!”.

Another good one, “If you were a God, what kind of God would you be?”

Gaiman stated he’d be the God of extended deadlines. Very well said!

After the Q & A Gaiman did another reading of a short story inspired from one of his earlier works, and it was just delightful!

Then, the signing began.

Sigh. Gaiman is SUCH a trooper. I had gotten to the event just as it was scheduled to start, meaning I missed out on snagging a prime seat. Instead I was in the group of last 50 people to get items signed.

There was a long queue.

Once you made it to the lobby though, there was a last chance to buy any of Gaiman’s books from the beautiful display.

There was also the Seattle Town Hall poem to read too:

I believe he started signing just before 9pm, by the time I got to meet him it was 12:20pm.

He is lovely. So kind, sweet and engaging. I was very nervous and tried not to say much because I was tired, which mean he must surely be more tired and he still had a load of more people to sign things for.

I shook his hand, thanked him for a lovely evening and then went on my way.

I had him sign just his name on his new book and personalise my second attempt at buying and reading Neverwhere. He wrote, ‘Ashley, Mind the Gap!’

Oh Neil, if only you know how well I can mind that gap.

I will treasure them forever.

If you have the chance to meet Neil, DO IT, opportunities like this are rare and take advantage! Gaiman knows how to put on a show and he’s delightful to listen to and learn from.

THANK YOU Neil for coming to Seattle! Thank you so much for doing a last signing tour and giving every fan your time! It’s greatly appreciated and YOU’RE AWESOME! @neilhimself

For those in Seattle, there are four more evenings of science fiction and fantasy from Clarion. Please check out their site and go. They’re on Tuesdays at 7pm.

Ashleyisee