Happy Forever Birthday!

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #3)Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Review Featured on the Figment Review.
http://blog.figment.com/2011/07/12/forev...


Forever is the last installment in Maggie Stiefvater’s The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. When I heard Scholastic had copies at Book Expo America, I literally screamed with happiness. I got ahold of a copy at the show and kept it as a treasure. But I didn’t read it. Why? I was scared. So I let the book run free to all my friends, until Ellen, my editor from Figment, sent me her copy. So…ta-da! Here is your July review from Kay!

We all know that with Maggie’s books there comes a feeling of angst married with the joy of reading. You get both or nothing. And believe me, you get a truckload of teenage angst delivered right to your front door with Forever.

But seriously, Forever was the book of patience; the book where characters fight their own ghosts. Cole faces his desire to disappear from the face of the earth, Sam confronts his need to stay Sam, Grace struggles to embrace herself openly for the first time no matter what, and Isabel finally stands up for something other than new shoes.

In this book, you get to live Grace’s first spring as a wolf, Sam’s first spring as Sam, Cole’s first spring as a decent human being, and Isabel’s first spring caring about someone other than herself.

Forever begins after a girl’s body shows up mutilated by wolves in the middle of the woods. Isabel’s dad, that dear, stubborn Culpepper, plans to bring the big guns into the woods to take care of the wolf problem once and for all.

Get the big picture? I’m talking about helicopters, guns pointed, and bullets shooting cold-blooded straight into the characters you’ve learned to love over the last 2 years.

So Cole’s evil genius plays a big role in this game. His goal? Be darn awesome. Specifically, try to reverse-engineer the mix that’s allowed Sam to stay Sam. He’s trying to find an actual cure for “wolfism”, experimenting on his body over and over again. But that isn’t enough; the hunt date is coming, so Cole, Sam, Grace, and Isabel need come up with a plan, take action, and learn to trust the unknown. Fast.

Forever is the book of longing, waiting, more longing, and more waiting. You have the chance to be behind the scenes of what makes the characters be the way they are. You wait and hope for Grace to become Grace again. Wait for Sam to take action, wait for Cole to not kill himself doing something stupid, and wait for Isabel to not swear and be helpful for the first time in her life. You read and wait, read and wait—but the wait is well worth it.

Within the book, there are these three brilliant scenes that broke me in half and that I will treasure until the end of my days. Key words are: “If I loved you,” “Dress,” and “Shower.” That’s all I’m saying. These 3 scenes…They made me stare blankly for hours. They were like a good chocolate truffle. So well written, soulful, and worming their way underneath my skin to stay.

I loved every little step of the way. Does it feel slow? Yes, but in a way that builds the feelings of longing,of having no time left, of despair at being at someone else’s mercy.

Now about the ending. When I finished reading, my first instinct was to ask, “Where are the last 15 pages of this book?” I’m still thinking about that today; drawing conclusions in my head of what could have happened. Yes, Forever is one of those books you might want to discuss with people. I have this bittersweet taste in my mouth about how the series ends.

Have you guys read The Time Traveler’s Wife? You know that warm, fuzzy feeling; not quite happy, but with hope? That’s how I feel about the ending of Forever. There’s hope. Just enough hope to close the series, yet not enough to make a happy ending for everyone. Which is perfect, because ladies and gents… I don’t know if you knew this, but life isn’t fair.

Maggie knows what she’s doing;, she knows what she wants her readers to feel and works backwards from there, at least that’s my theory.

I highly recommend that everyone get a hold of Forever. Read it to know what I’m talking about and post comments below when you are ready! We would love to hear what you think!




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Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves Birthday Review!

Slice of Cherry (Portero, #2)Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

[Bilingual Review below]

Not for the faint of heart

I consider myself a lucky person. I’m an avid reader and if a book appeals to me directly, touches my heart, and the characters stay in my head for weeks after I’m done, I usually get in touch with the writer. I take my time and write an email to give them feedback and an explanation of how much that book meant to me and why.

This was the case with Dia Reeves. I loved her first book Bleeding Violet so much that I decided to write to her, explaining all the crazy random thoughts that came to mind while reading the story. Many wonder what I expect in return. Nothing, other than the satisfaction of knowing that the writer knows what her readers are thinking, that her words sparked something in me, made something change inside, made an impression.

Dia took me by surprise answering my email and since then I’ve been following her career very closely as a fan and admirer of the writer I would love to become someday. I said I was lucky before because I got to read one of the three galleys for Dia Reeves’s new book titled, Slice of Cherry. If you were a sucker for Bleeding Violet like me, this book is going to leave you speechless.

Slice of Cherry is not a sequel to Bleeding Violet. The common denominator is that both stories are set in Portero, which is the word for “doorman” in Spanish. Slice of Cherry is the story of the sisters Cordelle, Kit and Fancy. Portero is a really strange town where demons might attack around the block and outsiders (called transies) have little chance of survival in daily activities. There is another dark reason that the town casts the sisters aside. They are the daughters of the infamous Bone Saw Killer. The girls’ father was caught in the act and taken into custody.

For some really strange reason, the sisters feel drawn to the family legacy: the hunt for the victim, toying with them, seducing them into trust, getting “the job” done, enjoying it just as much as their father did. They thrive on their thirst for the kill, the sharpness of the knife, the intrigue of what’s inside, the secrets that come by the hand of death.

Kit and Fancy decide to satisfy their need for killing by all means. But the sisters don’t kill just anyone. Their target? The ones that truly deserve to die. How will they do it without getting caught like their father did? What will they do with the evidence?

While trying to find a solution to their problems, the sisters discover one of many family secrets: a window of opportunity that might make their darkest desires a reality,

Boys always get in the way. In this case, the Turner Brothers. Gabriel speaks his mind too much and turns violent without explanation. On the other hand, Ilan stares at Fancy like he is out on the hunt for her. Like he is her predator. Like he has a big secret. Does he know what the Cordelle Sisters are really doing in their father’s cellar?

Have you ever imagined what’s inside the mind of a serial killer? This is your chance to find out.

I loved Slice of Cherry for many reasons. Dia’s builds an intriguing world where it’s really hard to predict what will happen next. Everything is completely outside of the box and Portero is a Pandora’s box.

This book is not for the fainted-hearted or people who are skittish about blood, guts, dismemberment. The sisters “get their hands dirty” a lot, so beware.

I loved the sisters’ bond, which feels real and true. The way they go about finding their next victim, developing their plans are extremely well thought-out in a way that makes the plot intriguing and the kind of book you can’t get enough of. This book brings fantastic into fantasy.

Get ready for Slice of Cherry. Put it on your wishlist for January 2011, because it’s bound to be one of the most interesting and entertaining books you will read next


* (Spanish) *

Soy una de esas personas que a veces tiene muchisima suerte. Me considero una lectora ávida, y la mayoría de las veces, cuando conecto con una historia, toca mi corazón y me hace pensar en los personajes por semanas después de terminar el libro, trato de contactar al autor. Generalmente por correo electrónico, me tomo mi tiempo, explicando lo que significó leer el libro, la conección de las palabras del autor y los personajes, con mi dia a dia.

Este es el caso con Dia Reeves. Me encantó su primer libro, “Bleeding Violet” “Sangrando Violeta” tanto, que decidí escribirle, explicando todos los pensamientos locos al azar que invadieron mi mente al leer la historia. Muchas personas piensan, “hey”, “¿Por qué en el mundo hiciste eso?” “¿Qué esperás del autor?” Nada, excepto la satisfacción de saber que el escritor sabe lo que sus lector está pensando, que sus palabras provocaron algo nuevo en mí, hicieron una impresión.

Dia me tomó por sorpresa contestando mi correo electrónico, y desde entonces he seguido su carrera de cerca, como una fan y admiradora, ella es definitivamente el tipo de escritora que me gustaría ser algún día.

Me considero suertuda, porque pude leer uno de los 3 de la galleys de su nuevo libro titulado “Slice of Cherry”.”Rebanada de Cereza” si adoraste “Bleeding Violeta”, como yo, este libro te va a dejar sin palabras.

“Slice of Cherry” no sigue la misma historia de “Bleeding Violeta.” ¿Cual es el común denominador de ambas historias? La ciudad Portero.

“Rebanada de Cereza” es la historia de las Hermanas Cordelle, Kit y Fancy. Portero es una ciudad muy extraña, donde demonios pueden atacarte en la calle y los de afuera (transies) tienen pocas posibilidad de supervivencia, en las actividades cotidianas.

Las hermanas son temidas en la ciudad por una razón en Particular.

Son las hijas del infame asesino de la sierra de hueso. El padre de las hermanas ha sido detenido por ser un asesino a sangre fría.

Por alguna razón muy oscura, las hermanas, se sienten atraídas al legado familiar.

La búsqueda de la víctima, seducirlos, ganar su confianza, la planificación del proximo ataque, asesinarlos, y lo disfrutan tanto como su padre hizo por años.

La sed de matar, la nitidez de la navaja, la intriga de lo que hay dentro del cuerpo, los secretos que vienen de la mano de la muerte, las empujan todos los dias en diferentes direcciones.

Kit y Fancy, deciden satisfacer su necesidad de matar por todos los medios. La prisa, la gratificación instantánea. Pero las hermanas no matan a cualquier persona. ¿Su objetivo? Los que realmente merecen morir. ¿El gran inconveniente? ¿Cómo hacerlo sin ser descubierto, como su papá lo hizo? ¿Como esconder la evidencia?

Tratando de encontrar una solución a su reserva las hermanas descubren uno de los secretos mas extraños de su familia. Una ventana de oportunidades que puede hacer los deseos más oscuros de las hermanas una realidad.

No me quiero olvidar de los hermanos. Gabriel dice lo que piensa sin filtros, y se vuelve violento, sin explicación. Por otra parte Ilan, mira de lujo, como si se fuera a la caza para ella. Al igual que él es su depredador. Al igual que él podría estar manteniendo un gran secreto, o que no sabe lo que las Hermanas Cordelle están haciendo en la bodega de su padre?

¿Alguna vez has imaginado lo que está en la mente de un asesino en serie? Esta es tu oportunidad para averiguarlo.

Me encantó “Rebanada de Cereza” por muchas razones. La forma en la que Dia construye la realidad en Portero es muy difícil predecir lo que ocurrirá en las próximas paginas. Portero es una caja de Pandora.

Este libro no es para gente no tienen estomago. Sangre, vísceras, desmembramiento y 101 maneras de matar a alguien, son partes de la historia. Te lo advierto, definitivamente no es para ti, si no te gusta leer asesinatos y no puedes soportar sangre a primera mano. Las hermanas “Se ensucian las manos” muchisimo, así que ten cuidado. Te estoy advirtiendo.

Me encantó la coneción entre las hermanas, se siente real y verdadera. Incluso el hecho de que son, asesinas, y la forma en que va sobre la planifican sus escapadas, las razones por las cuales cometen los asesinatos, y como lo hacen, sin tener que sufrir las consecuencias del crimen.

Prepárate para este libro y agregálo en tu lista de libros para enero de 2011. “Rebanada de Cereza” está destinado a ser uno de los libros más interesantes y entretenidos que leerás el año que viene…

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Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How do you start the review of one of the best books you have ever read? Do justice to it? I'll do my best.
Linger is the story of Sam, Grace, Isabel with the introduction of a new character to the mix, Cole. I don't believe in spoilers.I believe in telling people the reasons why this book is such a need for readers of the genre. Here it goes.

Words describing what to expect.
Grace: Changing, Unpredictable, Strong, stoic, beautiful as ever, In pain, loving, considerate, and for the first time extremely risky and disobedient. (cheers to that Grace)
Sam: Skeptic about his cure, deep, loving, sensitive, growing, maturing, evaluating life and it's possibilities for the first time.
Isabel: Being Isabel . =) Direct. Without filters, cold detach, consumed, lonely, reaching out, needing to feel something, trying to connect.
Cole: Learning, expanding, converting, unlocking, hiding, hating, unmasking from the inside out. Trying to tolerate his own reflection. Moving on. Forgetting.
Now mix them all together, shake the bag. TATA. MAGIC.
In Linger Maggie's beautiful writing takes you from one narrative to the next, making the story seamless, never boring, always moving forward. I read the book in one sitting. 4 Hours ignoring the world because I couldn't put it down.
I was given an ARC by a friend, we both had been counting the days to receive it. Then when we got it I was terrified to read it, reason being... Afterwards  I had to wait a year to know what's next. Totally worth it... I have 12 months of re-reading to do. =)
Linger is an amazing second installment for this trilogy. This second book makes the trilogy's concept stronger, the characters more colorful, human, deep and believable. Maggie takes you for an amazing ride, going through Sam's heart felt emotions, Isabel's constant needs for security, Grace's changes from the inside out, and Cole. Well... You get to meet Cole, and all I have to say is ... What a first impression. Burned out rock start, that will blow your mind... In a good way.
I LOVED LINGER... I highly recommend this book for lovers of well written and thought out YA. Paranormal that are tired of reading the same old. This is IT. View all my reviews >>

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Picture Book Jam

Hello world,
It's been a while. Why? I've been working in many goodies coming out in the next month or so. Doing the CRAZY INSANE HOURS. The things we do for our Art.
The fun part of this season compared to others, is that some of the books will extend from the Library Market into retail bookstores!!! Pretty insane, and exciting. TRADE here we GO! So hold on PEEPS.
So what's Up? Other than the ceiling, many things. I've been writing, concepting books, Art Directing, and Designing = HAVING A BLAST.  Being Me. Working with ridiculous talented people everyday. I know I'm lucky. Stress is High, not going to lie. But who cares. There is always a challenge. My brain seems to feed on it constantly.
I wanted to share with you the new babies that are about to come out for our new line of Picture Books. The images you are about to see are from our soon to be release  Picture Window Book, Capstone Fiction, from the title Crabby Pants.



The concept started a 3 month ago. Went through revisions, The first idea was having Roger , the main Character standing instead of the letter "n". But It didn't flight. =0


The Illustrator is a RockStar, Richard Watson from the UK. He is one of the most talented and easy people to work with, his style blows my mind, the emotions in the characters are ridiculous.
This book is going to be pretty sexy at the end of the day... Trust me. I made it. =)

Until next time my friends... More of these treasures to come. Show and tell Thursday is done... so I'm out!

-Kay-

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It's a wrap for now.

Here is an update in my crazy life adventure of writing. I've finished my first novel. I can't believe it. It's been an amazing experience. Just feeling the story flow in your head the twists and turns. The development of the characters telling you what they want to say at the end of the day.

 The many hours I've spent writting and re-writting, reviewing and talking to my best friend Jess about it, to test the concept, and pick of her brain of course.

The novel was finished 3 weeks ago, it's a trilogy. I've started working on the second  book this weekend and can't wait to see where this adventure takes me.

I'm in the mist of finding a talented editor to work on cleaning the structure of the book.  

So far the story has been read fully by 5 people. The reactions so far, amazingly possitive, I can't believe they love it talk about the characters, like they would about friends. Brings tears to my eyes. 

Here it's my friends! Check it out!

 

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Except from Helena’s Dream

I've been wanting to share with you, some of the lines that i've been writing... This is a dream Helena has in the story. Enjoy! 

"I closed my eyes and left the room to another place…
A high terrace where my dream took place. 

Life has been good to me,
new opportunity is knocking
and my door was always open
for this to happen all I have to do is jump
Far in the horizon
I see the green pastures
but looking down for short seconds while with my eyes open
feels like standing at the top of the Empire States building
Such a sight that your eyes hurt
feels the high of 15 cups of coffee in 2 hours
Sweat runs down the back of my neck
my feet feel cold with the sweet street air
hands sweating in panic, frantic
the sweet breeze blows my hair back
makes me feel like anything is possible
even a safe landing 300 feet down
I touch my back hoping for a miracle
for wings that have never been there

I wrap my toes in the cold stone surface of the building
measuring how attach they are if it's slippery
after all I don't know how I got there on the first place
I wonder again and again
how easy would be to detach my mind
from this uneasy feeling of free falling
So I opened my eyes wide again
ready to take the final decision
let go my joined hands to my sides
arms spread out in the wind
mind concentrated on green pastures
my heart starts beating so hard I can barely hear anything else
and take a step off the terrace..."
 Elle S.

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