Signed Forever Giveaway!

Guess who’s having another spectacular giveaway?

THE LITERATURE MONSTERS ARE!

Back in July  we had the pleasure of meeting Maggie Stiefvater  at  her signing in Oshawa, Ontario! (  we waited for 4 hours in front of chapters. #dedication )

p.s Thank you Maggie for signing the giveaway book, even though the people working there told us no.<3

While we were there getting our own books signed, we also bought and got a copy signed for one of you!

We’re giving away a signed hardcover copy of Maggie Stiefvater’s Forever, Third and final novel in her extraordinary Shiver  series!

To enter:

-Fill out the form bellow before the closing date on

 January 17^th 2012, 11:59 PM EST.

- US & CAN Only!

- Following is not mandatory, although we would love it if you did!

-In addition, we are also giving away a runner up swag pack to one lucky entry. It will include signed and unsigned swag.

-One extra entry can also be obtained by tweeting: SIGNED Forever - Maggie Stiefvater Giveaway! Ends 1/17/12 http://bit.ly/vWTiDy #ForeverStiefvater US/CAN Only

- Both winners will be notified by email, and will have 48 hours to respond or will we have to choose another winner.

-Please note that the Literature Monsters will not be held responsible for any lost or damaged prizes. This is the fault of the post/customs office.

Good luck and Happy Holidays from The Literature Monsters! :)

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED! 

Thanks to everyone who Entered (: 

Winners will be emailed and announced shortly!

Fairy bad day

Author: Amanda Ashby
Reviewer : brittknee

   Emma wanted nothing more than to follow in her mothers footsteps, and be designated to become a dragon slayer. But no, of all the elements to be designated to, she gets fairy's! Then she gets paired up with the one person who stole her designation, Curtis green. Who turns out to be actually really cute. And to top it off, there's a giant invincible killer fairy only she can see. Emma has to hunt down this killer fairy, prove she's worthy of the dragon designation; and prove she's not crazy. Emma is going to have a Fairy Bad Day.

  This novel was packed with loads of wit, humour and action. It blew my expectations right out of the water. A first glance this novel did not seem to be in my genre, but I am surely glad I gave it a chance. The writing was very modern, but in a spectacular way. The characters had so much emotion, and energy. I loved the way they interacted with one another, and worked together. Emma is definitely one of the more unique characters I've ever read about. She's very honourable, trustworthy, and full of curiosity regardless of all the mysterious things she already knows of. Not to mention how bad ass she is!

The over all story concept was definitely different and a mind changer. The concept I definitely thought was cool was Burtonwood  Academy filled with sight- gifted students, who are being taught how to slay the elemental species they specialize in to protect the blind-sighted people, where Emma attends. The school was an awesome idea!

Amanda Ashby, has written a spectacular novel, and should be very proud! I loved it, from beginning to end. Although I didn't get through it as fast as i originally thought I would; I read it at a slow pace, soaking up all the awesome. Regardless, I assure you This is a must read novel for all! I sure didn't need Unseen glasses to see this book is filled to the brim with greatness!

5/5 Sour Skittles!

Juliet Immortal

By: Stacey Jay

Reviewer: Kaependragon

"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume."
-Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The most tragic love story in history . . .

Juliet Capulet didn't take her own life. She was murdered by the person she trusted most, her new husband, Romeo Montague, a sacrifice made to ensure his own immortality. But what Romeo didn't anticipate was that Juliet would be granted eternity, as well, and would become an agent for the Ambassadors of Light. For 700 years, she's fought Romeo for the souls of true lovers, struggling to preserve romantic love and the lives of the innocent. Until the day she meets someone she's forbidden to love, and Romeo, oh Romeo, will do everything in his power to destroy that love. (via chapters.ca)

As a fan of Shakespeare my interests were piqued by the whole concept of this novel and from the first page to the last I was ensnarled by this modernized love story. Stacey Jay weaves a believable story of betrayal, hate, love and it had me hoping, as cliché as it is, for a happy ending.

      The story was simply amazing; it was a complete and radical change from the play. In this fictional book Romeo has killed Juliet in cold blood and from his unwilling sacrifice he is now immortal. Little does he know that his actions have given Juliet a new lease on life, well if you can call it that, she has become immortal as well. Her purpose? She is destined to fight against Romeo and his evildoings to protect other lovers from doing what he did to their relationship—being killed by the one you love most.

       I normally don’t read books that have a lot of romance in it but I will admit the struggles that Juliet faces were all too real and I could relate. She is thrust into the body of a young girl named Ariel who had just died in a car crash. Little does Juliet know that a surprise awaits her when the driver of the car wakes up. The ultimate power struggle between light and darkness was eloquently described and Ms. Jay was able to give vivid descriptions of characters and she was also able express certain feelings in a manner that left Goosebumps on my arms The eeriness of some parts of this book made me lean over in my bed and turn on my light.

       Readers will discover the characters they love and hate from the play come to life within these pages! I though Ms. Jay’s ability to incorporate other characters, besides Romeo and Juliet was clever and a smart move! Will Juliet be able to separate herself from her heart to follow out her duty when she falls in love? Will Romeo succeed in destroying the love that Juliet was sent to help grow or will Juliet’s own feelings and longing take over and cloud her judgment?

4/5 Sonnets

Covers to Gush Over (19)

The Literature Monsters are back from their hiatus with a new bath of CTGO. In order to get back into the swing of things, we’ve decided to make this week’s theme a free for all.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The cover for John Green’s newest novel looks amazing! It’s so simple, yet elegant and very eye catching. By now I would usually be commenting about how certain aspects of the cover reflect the pages within it, but The Fault in Our Stars has not been released yet.  I can however guess that the two clouds might be symbols for contrast in the novel that at some point overlap. Finally, I love the bright blue colour they used for the background base and how the title and author name look like they were written in chalk. I can’t wait for this book to be released.

Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz

Deadly Little Secret has such a dainty elegant yet simple cover, which I adore. The simple style off a young woman in a floral patterned dress/skirt standing in the forest surrounded by grass and trees. The girls pale legs, seem to make the pattern of the dress and colours of the forest pop and make the cover as graceful and beautifully simple as it is. Not only are the images beautiful, but the text in the top middle of the cover surrounding the title makes a detailed and wonderful border. Such a nice cover, and I don't think I could have chosen a better one for my choice this week!

A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink

This cover depicts a feeling of eeriness and mystery though it's use of dark colours and shadows which creates the feeling that there is a secret surrounding the character. It could also mean that the topic of the novel is dark and dangerous. Two of my favorite things! The fog that is swirling around the model, who is the main heroine Helen Cartwright creates the illusion that she is either lost or confused, which could also be an indication of what the book will be about! I personally like how the play of shadows on her face enhances her features and make her blue eyes pop. Amongst the dark colours there is a blue accent colour that is seen on her hood or cloak and this is a clever because it adds a bit of much needed color! Overall I love how simple and eye-catching this cover is and how the title of the book is in big and white letters. I think it makes the subject of the novel stand out and catch reader’s attention.

Bliss

Author: Lauren Myracle
Reviwer: Megzarooni

Bliss's parents, who are hippies, leave the commune, Bliss has to go to her fancy grandma's house in a tony Atlanta neighborhood. For Bliss, it’s like being set down on an alien planet. The only guide naive Bliss has to her new environment is what she’s seen on The Andy Griffith Show . But Mayberry is poor preparation for Crestview Academy, an elite school where the tensions of the present and the dark secrets of the past threaten to simmer into violence. Openhearted Bliss desperately wants new friends, making her the perfect prey of a troubled girl whose obsession with a long-ago death puts Bliss, and anyone she’s kind to, in mortal danger. Lauren Myracle has taken the ubiquitous friendship novel to a new, dark place.( Via Shelfari)

Where do I start with Lauren Myracle’s Bliss. This book was bone chilling and downright strange, but overall enjoyable. Lauren added real events and topics into her writing which made it an interesting learning experience. Throughout the novel the readers get to see not only Bliss', the main character of the novel, point of view on these topics, but society’s view as well. And boy is there a lot of controversy between the two views; Hippies, racial separations, and the consequences for people who try to "blur the lines".  

Now aside from all the historical aspects of the novel, Bliss is one of the few horror YA novels, that I’ve read, that have actually been scary. I’ve always admired Lauren, because she doesn’t try to sugar coat any of the touchier or in this case gruesome topics in her novels. Without giving too much away the novel does contain some more graphic and violent scenes that, in my opinion, were quite horrifying.

The novel alternates between Bliss hanging out with Sandy, who is quite strange and obsessive, to her hanging out with either sweet Sarah Lynn or awesome Mitchell. To say the least I really enjoyed the touching moments that came with Sarah Lynn and Mitchell, but in an odd way I also enjoyed the parts involving Sandy because they were more compelling. I would definitely suggest this book to anyone who is looking for a good horror story, but let tell you that the ending...on second thought you’ll have to read it to find out.

4/5 Blood written letters

Linger

    

   Now that Grace and Sam are finally together, doesn't mean that the struggles are over.  Grace struggles with not knowing what the future holds for her, and fears it more than ever. Sam must batttle with his wolf past. Now they're together, their troubles have just begun.

  A new wolf introduced to the pack, battles with himself; Past and present. Willingly he gave up his permanent human form, for one of a wolf. He must fight with his inner demons, regrets, and fearful decision. Cole must fight with the changes, of being a wolf; and worse of all, His human form aswell.

 Love lingers throughout the struggles, and pulls between human and wolf. Though will love be enough for them to conquer the intense menacing chaos, that is their lives?


 Another beautifully written novel by Maggie Stiefvater! Many applause's from me, and many more. The sequel to the howlingly awesome Shiver had some high expectations to live up too, and It met them without fail! I was blown away yet again, over this novel. My heart was being pulled into fifty different directions, and my mind was aching for more. I can't express the love I have for this series! My emotions were involved, and I adored that. The relationship between Grace and Sam has the most beautiful chemistry, which makes my stomach do back flips! Not to mention the love, and hate I for their inner wolves.


   With every flip of the page, their was more and more surprises filled with heartache, love and ferocious wolf attacks! I can't stress more that everyone will truthfully enjoy Linger! It was a quick read, considering I didn't want to put it down!


5/5 Paper cranes

Matched

 Author: Ally Condie

 Reviewer: Brittknee

Cassia is one of many 17 year old girls living in one of many provinces, all run by a government which controls everything. Choices, jobs, death,soul mates, are all chosen for them . Everything must be perfect. Cassia had always obeyed the Officials without question. That is until the day of her Match banquet, when she not only see's the face of her best friend , and her Match Xander on the port screen. But she also see's the face of Ky, whom is an aberration and shouldn't have even been put in the matching pool. Which changes everything.

Cassia tells only one person about the other face she sees on the port. That person is her grandfather, who is at the age of his death. He gives her a poem, which are forbidden words. 

“ Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave close of day;

Rage , rage ,rage against the dying of the light.

Through wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night." - Dylan Thomas

Cassia burns the words immediately in fear of being caught, but she was caught by one person; Ky. Cassia has to then deiced whether or not Xander is her true match, or if Ky was really meant for her. They share secrets, poems, and Ky teaches her how to write; All forbidden by the society.

Matched by Ally Condie was in my opinion beautifully written. The storyline always drew me immediately, and kept me throughout the entire novel. Cassia is a beautiful character who questions her society, and wants nothing more than her own free will. At first Xander is who I wanted Cassia to chose to love, but as we learned more and more about Ky and saw how Cassia was like with him, it made me personally grow to love him even more than Xander, but feared of Xander's heart being shattered. This book got my emotions involved, which I like. It made me feel, what the characters were feeling.

Beautifully written, wonderful story. I recommend to anyone who loves a good rebellion, love quarrel. Definitely getting my hands on the next book, Crossed. I enjoyed this novel from beginning to end!

5/5 forbidden lovers!

-brittknee