Tag: ARC

• ARC Book Review: “Children of Liberty” by Paullina Simons

  Posted at 6:45 pm by Laura, on February 3, 2013

  Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons 

  Publisher: William Morrow, HarperCollins
  Publishing Date: February 26, 2013
  Genre: fiction, history, romance, politics
  ISBN: —
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★

  At the turn of the century and the dawning of the modern world, Gina from Belpasso comes to Boston’s Freedom Docks to find a new and better life, and meets Harry Barrington, who is searching for his.

  The fates of the Barringtons and Attavianos become entwined, on a collision course between the old and new, between what is expected and what is desired, what is chosen and what is bestowed, what is given and what is taken away.

  As America races headlong into the future, much will be lost and much will be gained for Gina and Harry, whose ill-fated love story will break your heart.

  Gina, a young Italian girl on the brink of womanhood, steps onto the Boston shores excited for the future of opportunity ahead of her. The first American she meets, and whose story forever entangles her own, is Harry Barrington, son of the wealthy Herman Barrington and leader of the Barrington town just outside of Boston’s city limits. Her eagerness to learn everything and headstrong, forward-thinking personality, mixed with Harry’s studious and philosophical endeavors, bring these two together. Thus begins a whirlwind romance and a daring adventure in the uncertain, politically unrest future.

  Although it was a great opportunity to read about the interesting view points and backstory for what brought Alexander Barrington‘s parents together, this book felt a bit unnecessary. In The Bronze Horseman, the first of the Alexander and Tatiana epic romance trilogy, the reader discovers Alexander’s true American identity, that his parents were Italian and American, that they fled America for Russia due to their political beliefs, and that nothing turned out the way they expected. While it was fascinating reading this prequel to the trilogy — who wouldn’t be curious about how the parents of favorite beloved characters met and fell in love? — it felt long and indulgent.

  “Long” is really saying something, too. The Bronze Horseman and the other two books are tomes, really fitting the Russian stereotypes for epic romances. This book, however, was rather thin, and I still felt lulled to sleep. I’m sure if I brushed up on my American history, or cared more about politics, I could find some enjoyment from this novel. Unfortunately, the characters felt flat. I did not love them like I loved Alexander and Tatiana. I did not feel the love and connection between Gina and Harry. It was heartrendingly disappointing.

  I believe what Simons gave the reader in The Bronze Horseman was enough of a story for Gina and Harry and should have been left at that.

  Thank you William Morrow / HarperCollins for providing this book for review!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, goodreads, review

• ARC Book Review: “Requiem” by Lauren Oliver

  Posted at 1:30 pm by Laura, on January 29, 2013

  Requiem by Lauren Oliver 

  Publisher: HarperTeen
  Publishing Date: March 5, 2013
  Genre: young adult, dystopian
  ISBN: 9780062014535
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor. Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.

  See my reviews of Delirium and Pandemonium.

  Lena faces difficult decisions once she leaves New York and goes back to the Wilds with Julian, Alex, Raven, Tack, and the rest of her friends. First and foremost on her mind is survival, as she finds more and more Invalids are dying from hunger, thirst, abandonment, and rebellion. Her choices must be quick and her actions impulsive. Lena also must come to terms with what she feared most about deliria: the symptoms of jealousy and heartbreak. Meanwhile, Hana, cured and prepping for marriage, begins to worry. Worrying signifies a potential problem that the cure may not have worked for her. Hana then learns about the history of the young mayor’s previous wife, and her fears help her break from dependency on wealth and comfort and sacrifice everything she knows.

  After Pandemonium, I was worried Oliver would agonize the reader with a Team Julian or Team Alex plot. This is not the case. While Lena does come to realize what jealousy and heartbreak feel like, Oliver describes the pain with such beautiful prose that the issue no longer hangs on “which boy should I choose?” but rather muses on how one can overcome these feelings, especially when it had been ingrained since birth these feelings were symptoms of a disease. This push-and-pull attitude is so realistic and plausible that this third book rings with truth about love: it is never easy, and there is no such thing as a triangle. Humans can love in different ways.

  The major point of the book is formalizing a plan for revolution, and hoping the execution of said plan will work. Each day, each hour, the Invalids in the Wilds are under attack. Any minute could be the last. Lena, once a sweet-tempered character, is now independent, strong, a leader. It was such a joy watching her grow through each of the books.

  I truly enjoyed reading Hana’s perspective. She was the inside voice, the one still within the walled city of Portland, as well as a cured perspective. The language is stiff and bland. Her emotions are dulled. And yet her voice, in its plain-spoken and truthful way, is trust-worthy and interesting. Hana gives the reader the facts straight out. When she begins to analyze her dreams (which she is not supposed to have) and fears of her future husband-to-be Fred (and fear is an irrational emotion), she questions the validity of the cure. By searching through her husband’s past and facing his strength head-on, she grows to appreciate the Invalids’ purpose. The cure may take away love, it may lessen emotional turmoil, but it can leave behind a heartless being. Hana’s experiences within Portland shed light into these themes.

  This is not your typical love triangle, as many may have predicted from the first book alone. In fact, I’d hardly call this trilogy a love triangle at all. The Delirium trilogy is a series that examines love in all its forms, and the result of taking that love away. Freedom and love go hand-in-hand.

  Thank you HarperTeen for providing this ARC for review!

  Posted in books, Link, Reviews 2013 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: dystopian, genre: young adult, review

• Book Haul!

  Posted at 5:06 pm by Laura, on January 9, 2013

  GUYS.

  Guys…

  I bought books. I know I said in my Bookish Resolutions that I would hold off on buying books before reading them and instead use the library more. Hopefully these exceptions have validity in your eyes for purchasing and breaking that resolution.

  

  Snobs by Julian Fellowes — After a heartbreaking third season (sorry, America, you’re in for a real tear-jerker. Be wary with each episode.), I needed something by Fellowes (because let’s face it, he’s a great story-teller and really knows his history) that would hopefully have a much happier outcome. Full of drama we all know and love, I expect to really enjoy this book. Frankly, I’d been eyeing it for some time and after the Christmas episode I threw up my hands and went on impulse.

  Possession by A.S. Byatt — If I weren’t in grad school for publishing, I would be in grad school (at Durham University, cough cough) working towards a PhD in Victorian and Romantic Literature (if you couldn’t tell from my favorites list). Two people are to blame for my obsession with the Romantics, Victorians, and the Gothic: my sophomore honors English teacher in high school, and my Victorian professor in college. Both of them highly recommended I read “Possession” — this book followed me for years. And then, on the plane back from the holidays, I sat next to a very nice gentleman who loved talking about books, and he suggested I read this too. Well, geez. If a total stranger says this is the book for me, as well as my two favorite English teachers, then maybe I really should buy it!

  But wait! There’s more!

  

  Requiem by Lauren Oliver — Harper Teen hosted a Deliria Slogan contest on Twitter and I was one of the winners to receive an ARC of the third and final installment to the Delirium trilogy! Thank you very much, Harper Teen!

  Children of Liberty by Paullina Simons — As a bookseller, you can receive ARCs as one of the perks. Some publishers have deals with bookstores to send ARCs so that the bookseller can give an honest review as well as prepare for questions from customers about the book upon publication. This is a prequel to the Tatiana and Alexander trilogy, which I thoroughly enjoyed winter 2011. Thank you, William Morrow!

  In short, HarperCollins rocked the ARC giveaways today.

  Posted in books, Update Post | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: dystopian, genre: fiction, genre: history, genre: romance, genre: young adult, goodreads, publishing

• ARC Book Review: “Beneath the Abbey Wall” by AD Scott

  Posted at 5:07 pm by Laura, on November 5, 2012

  Beneath the Abbey Wall by AD Scott

  Expected Publication: November 13
  Publisher: Atria Books
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★

  In a small Scottish town, the local newspaper staff doesn’t see much excitement. But that all changes when their no-nonsense office manager Mrs. Smart is found murdered one dreary autumn night. For the staff of the “Highland Gazette,” the investigation becomes personal when the deputy editor, is accused of the crime.

  It’s the late 1950s, the decade of rock n’ roll and television, and change is coming, but slowly. It’s up to budding reporter Joanne Ross to step into Mrs. Smart’s shoes and keep the newspaper office running, all while raising two girls alone. But newcomer Neil Stewart proves a major distraction for Joanne.

  And what does the tragic tale of children stolen from the Travelling people more than thirty years previously have to do with this murder? In a mystery with twists and turns and no clear-cut solution, the secrets of the past must be unravelled before justice can be found.

  I am not sure what I expected from this mystery novel, and I’m still left hanging as to whether that helped my rating for this.

  “Beneath the Abbey Wall” contained all of my favorite elements for the perfect gothic mystery: historically placed, set in Scotland, small community, a mysterious death that throws everything off-balance. The characters were nothing spectacular, which is excellent: no one wants to read about the most perfect person on the planet. We have the traditional commanding McAllister, lead editor of the newspaper, who is great at divvying tasks but poor at expressing his emotions; the battered Joanne, fresh out of a violent marriage and devoted mother of two daughters; the charming Rob and aloof Hector; and the near-constant sobbing Betsy. Watching these employees interact, racing to share the stories with their town even when it’s a negative case about one of their own, was very entertaining and warming.

  The downfall could be pointed to the characters the murder centers on: Mrs Smart, Mr Smart, and Don McLeod, the one blamed for Mrs Smart’s murder. Scott surely meant for the readers to care about Mrs Smart’s death — but not once did I feel any sadness towards her character. All that was ever said about her was that she was a good woman. What made her good? Her personal story when she was young woman was revealed, and I was sympathetic to her for that situation, but I lacked sympathy for her older character. What was it about her that people liked? This question was never fully explained. I was also supposed to resent Mr Smart, but instead I found him to be the annoying character who would pop up only once in a while to remind you of his existence, and then disappear again. And Don lacked personality. He was a drunkard, and it was all people could describe him as. How am I supposed to root for his freedom from prison if that’s the only thing the characters can say about him?

  Joanne was a character that I could easily relate to It was quite eerie. I would feel bothered by her sudden fantasies over Canadian newcomer Neil Stewart — dreaming up romantic get-aways and wishing he’d say he loved her — but before I could go and judge her, I realized I’m quite similar. In fact, most women are, especially if they’ve undergone neglect. She wanted someone else to validate her existence, to make her feel wanted and cherished. When no one — apart from McAllister, which is clear to everyone else except for Joanne — offers this and a new man arrives on the scene, of course she’ll jump on the opportunity.

  As far as the plotting for the mystery, I felt it dragged. At some moments, I forgot this was a mystery novel instead of a love story. Another aspect is the lack of empathy I felt for the murdered and the accused. The writing was beautiful, the relationships between the characters entertaining and exquisite, the descriptions of life in the office and life out in the Highlands lovely. But the mystery itself was left wanting.

  [Read for a graduate course. Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.]

  Posted in books, Reviews 2012 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: mystery, goodreads, history, review

• ARC Book Review: “The Secret Keeper” by Kate Morton

  Posted at 3:48 pm by Laura, on September 24, 2012

  

  The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton

  Release Date: October 16
  Publisher: Atria Books
  ISBN: 9781439152805
  Goodreads: —
  Rating: ★★★★★

  
  During a summer party at the family farm in the English countryside, sixteen-year-old Laurel Nicolson has escaped to her childhood tree house and is happily dreaming of the future. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and watches as her mother speaks to him. Before the afternoon is over, Laurel will witness a shocking crime. A crime that challenges everything she knows about her family and especially her mother, Dorothy — her vivacious, loving, nearly perfect mother.

  Now, fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress living in London. The family is gathering at Greenacres farm for Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday. Realizing that this may be her last chance, Laurel searches for answers to the questions that still haunt her from that long-ago day, answers that can only be found in Dorothy’s past. Dorothy’s story takes the reader from pre-WWII England through the blitz, to the ’60s and beyond. It is the secret history of three strangers from vastly different worlds — Dorothy, Vivien, and Jimmy — who meet by chance in wartime London and whose lives are forever entwined.

  Moved to tears. Kate Morton’s artistic style becomes more and more polished with each book. I am deeply thankful and incredibly delighted to have been given this opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. She is one of my favorite authors, and this has easily been marked as one of my favorites this year.

  True to her readers’ expectations, Morton’s slow-building, deeply woven, neo-gothic style continues in this novel, moving towards the middle of the twentieth century and out of Victorian / Edwardian England. Here we meet a range of characters in special circumstances: Dorothy, a young woman in love with Jimmy and obsessed with fantasy; Jimmy, an honorable and good man with incredible photographic talent; Vivien, an orphan with an inheritance, trapped in a gilded cage; Henry, a twisted man with a gift for words; and Laurel, the daughter on the hunt to discover the story behind a crime she witnessed.

  With every chapter — each ending on a cliffhanger, I might add — Laurel discovers more about her mother’s history, and her mother’s history is revealed to the reader. The narrative jumps back and forth, starting in 1941, jumping to 2011, and then the late 1930s onward. Snippets of a puzzle begins to form, with some pieces that seem plausible to fitting in the right place and yet leave more questions than answers. Something is very wrong with Dorothy, her connection to Jimmy and Vivien, and her link to her future with her several children and the happy life she lived. Pieces do not quite match up. Bit by bit, the story unfolds, suspicion rises, and the final chapters hit with a bang.

  I love stories like this. The antiquated feeling that neo-gothicism brings, the unraveling of a family history, the twists and turns and shocking revelations, the search for identity within an identity. I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read this book! I want to discuss it, but anything I say may spoil your enjoyment of discovery!

  Posted in books, Reviews 2012 | 0 Comments | Tagged advance reading copy, ARC, book review, books, genre: adult fiction, genre: fiction, genre: gothic, genre: history, genre: mystery, review

• Exciting new ARC opportunity!

  Posted at 7:04 pm by Laura, on September 8, 2012

  An ARC (Advance Reading Copy) is a book that publishers send to their employees, reviewers, bloggers, and booksellers to read, review, and send feedback. It helps to boost sales, promote awareness, and even help catch some last-minute errors before publication.

  I was able to get my hands on a DRC (Digital Reading Copy) of Kate Morton’s upcoming novel The Secret Keeper through Edelweiss. One of my managers at work knew I loved Victorian, Gothic, and neo-Victorian/Gothic literature, and had actually requested an ARC of The Secret Keeper for me! She was kind enough to let me have it!

  1959 England. Laurel Nicolson is sixteen years old, dreaming alone in her childhood tree house during a family celebration at their home, Green Acres Farm. She spies a stranger coming up the long road to the farm and then observes her mother, Dorothy, speaking to him. And then she witnesses a crime.

  Fifty years later, Laurel is a successful and well-regarded actress, living in London. She returns to Green Acres for Dorothy’s ninetieth birthday and finds herself overwhelmed by memories and questions she has not thought about for decades. She decides to find out the truth about the events of that summer day and lay to rest her own feelings of guilt. One photograph, of her mother and a woman Laurel has never met, called Vivian, is her first clue.

  The Secret Keeper explores longings and dreams, the lengths some people go to fulfill them, and the strange consequences they sometimes have. It is a story of lovers, friends, dreamers and schemers, play-acting and deception told against a backdrop of events that changed the world.

  Expected publication: October 9th. Atria. Hardcover. 480 pages.

  Posted in books, Update Post | 3 Comments | Tagged ARC, books, personal

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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