Blog Tour! The Book Blogger's Cook Book by Christy Dorrity ***AND CONTEST***

BY

Christy Dorrity

When initially approached on this one I had no idea what it actually was.  Once I got my hands on it I LOVED it!  That says a lot since Mara is the actual cook in the house!

What I LOVED was that the concept was a simple one, but so creative and perfect I wondered why no one had thought of it before.  Here's the deal.... There are a ton of popular titles (mostly recent and best sellers!) that all have some sort of significant "food" item in the story.  Let's use the one I was involved with-  "Alvor" by Laura Bingham.  In the sequel, "Wings of Light" one of the characters makes bread dough rise magically. 

So, here is what the book is about.... Christy takes a short description of the story, takes a key "food" ingredient or idea from the book, and writes the recipe.  Along with the recipe comes a few blurbs from bloggers...ahem, ahem..... that would be us :o)  Seriously, a fantastic idea!  You get a ton of info all rolled up in one.  Let's look at mine...

"Raised by Magic Quick Rolls"

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could magically make bread dough rise, just like Erin and Bain's mother, Julia, does in Wings of Light, the sequel to Alvor? These rolls are one of my favorite recipes. They are simple to make, requiring only a thirty-minute rise before cooking them from a cold oven.

It's almost magic.

RECIPE

2 1/2 cups warm water

3 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons yeast

1 tablespoon salt

5 tablespoons shortening

6 cups flour

Mix the water and sugar.  Sprinkle with yeast and wait for it to activate.  Add salt, shortening, and three cups of the flour.  Mix well.  Add three more cups of the flour.  Mix again.  Let rest for 10 minutes.  Knead.  Roll out and use a clean glass to cut out circles.  Using the blunt side of a butter knife,  depress a line across the circle of the roll and fold in half,  stacking the rolls in a 9x13 inch pan.  Let rise for 30 minutes.  Put in a cold oven and set the temperature at 400°.  Take the rolls out after 25-30 minutes.  Makes 2 dozen rolls.  

Note: you can form the dough into whatever bread you desire:   rolls,   loaves,   bread  bowls,   breadsticks,  pretzels,   bagels etc. 

That was 1.  IF you want the rest, your gonna have to pick up the book.  I would definitely say its worth it.  If you love reading, love cooking and eating, and love reading reviews, it's a must buy.  

You can find more info on the book as well as purchase details at

www.bookbloggerscookbook.com

For more reviews, check out the tour sched at

http://www.dearestdreams.com/2011/06/2011-book-bloggers-cookbook-launch-tour.html

Thanks Christy and Laura for allowing us to be a part of this!

***CONTEST***

ANYONE WHO LEAVES A COMMENT (and your email address) ON THIS REVIEW WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENTERED INTO A GIVEAWAY CONTEST FOR AN AMAZON KINDLE AND SOME FREE COOKBOOKS FROM CHRISTY!!!  PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU ARE A FOLLOWER OF OUR SITE TO ENTER! ENTER AWAY!

DAVE

Book Review: " Wings of Light " by Laura Bingham AND other fun "Wings" stuff!!! (also a few random things!)

By

Laura Bingham

BECOMING IMMORTAL ISN'T EVERYTHING THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

Sixteen year old Erin and her twin brother, Bain, chose to leave their normal lives, step into the magical world, and become immortal elves.  But when it comes to falling in love and solving mysteries, all the magic in the world doesn't seem to help.

As the search for the truth behind their missing mother, they discover new friendships and encounter new terrors.  And the closer they come to the truth, the more they learn how forces of evil are pitted against the whole world.

Join Erin and Bain in this thrilling quest that will take you deeper into their world with each turn of the page.

My Review:

Mountain lions, elves, and imps, oh my- Mountain lions, elves and imps, oh my- Mountain lions, elves, and imps, OH MY!!!

As you all know Laura is a very dear friend to our site and an even better personal friend.  Myself, as well sa the rest of the gang adore her and have gotten to know her and her family (shout out to Master P!) very well and we consider her a true friend.

I was fortunate enough to read this when it was still in PDF format for Laura and give he some of my opinions.  Obviously if you read Alvor, you know that she really didn't need any of my suggestions.  What Laura asked for was the truth.  That's what I gave her.  I honestly loved it the first time I even read it.  What I had mentioned and it is captioned somewhere, is that an author can have a really good book.  When they try to expand, MOST of the time they screw the series up and should have quit while they were ahead.  I absolutely LOVED Wings of Light.  I have been contemplated whether I liked it more than Alvor or not, but I am on the fence.  It definitely was not any less exciting than A1 (that's what we will refer to Alvor and A2 for Wings).  I think that I liked the details in book 1 better when it was new to us and everything needed to be learned for the first time.  I love this book because I felt that Laura really got us deep into the story, gave us answers to MOST of the questions I had through this book and some still left from A1, AND introduces some really cool stuff, like the Wings of Light.  Of course, my FAVORITE, the brooch was still in the book and used often.  LOVE THAT as well as my other favorite, the pop fountains.  Every time she mention them, I wish for one in my back yard.  That stuff, along with the magical settings, animals, powers, and action are just fantastic.  The book was just plain written very well. I definitely think if you haven't tried A1, go get it.  You will be hooked and the good news is A2 will be ready for you to pick up where you left off without delay.

The story of the twins, Erin and Bain, are normal teens who suddenly become invincible elves with crazy powers and one heck of a mean-A** dragon.  There is all sorts of magic, like the invisibility ward and the sound ward, which keeps what your saying only in the inner circle who you allow to hear you (how cool??).  So much content here, I couldn't put it down.  The story for one, got really exciting how you learn the connection between many of the characters.  And they were big surprises also.  Erin and Bain end up in a ton of messes and situations and seem to be able to work together with their friends and family to solve them.  There is all sort of of things going on like trust issues, again, new powers (i wish,wish, wish i was able to use the wings of light!  Boy would that come in handy!) You are gonna have to read to find out what it is.  Anyway, in the end, Bingham does put a bunch of closure on things, ends with some surprises that I wondered about the whole 2 books, but figured I was crazy for thinking, and coolest of all, left some opened ended issues that I will just DIE if she doesn't write a follow up.  Ptinces, and princesses, magical elves and faerie, an enchanted world, ugly as sin villains, and twists and turns around every corner, I am once again in awe at Bingham and her work.  

My favorite part of the book was that most of the chapters were short ones, which for the 100th time I LOVE!  It makes it way easy to jump around a lot,  cover many different angles at a time, and still tie everything together. 

SO I am putting this one at the top of my suggestion pile.  I seriously would suggest getting these and giving them a shot.  It was genuinely hard for me to put them down.  Once in a while you guys may not agree with me and think I'm nuts, but I don't think that will be an issue this time  around.  Go ahead, give it a shot.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS!

Im not sure exactly what Laura and I are going to be doing but it is looking towards are signature " Triple Threat " where the Gang does a review (duh, what I just did), an interview, and a giveaway.  I also have a feeling Laura may be feeling generous and giving a couple of copies away.  I can even see if she has some old Alvor books laying around so we can give away one of those possibly too.  Makes sense if she does.  Some of you who haven't read it may want to try Alvor.  I guarantee if you do, you will be getting Wings of Light shortly after.

Stay tuned for the interview as well as a collaboration with Laura on some funs stuff including the Giveaways.  

Thanks to you all as always and you know the only reason we keep doing this is because of your support.

 One final note, one of our most faithful followers since day 1, Sandra Stiles, has taken the leap from English teacher to PUBLISHED author!  her new book, Steps of Courage is available online I believe.  Not sure about stores yet, but when Sandra comments as usual, she can include a link as to where to get a copy.  I will be reviewing it shortly once I finish something else I'm in the middle of.

BTW, BEA was cool.  Missed Dashner, but as much as I love him, my brother had met us in the city with surprise Yankees tickets for that day, and as much as I love him, I had to see my Yanks. Sorry Dash and I still love ya!

Last but not least, TLGBRS was recently asked to participate in and ARE in a new book called " The Book Blogger's Cook Book" but Christy Dorrity.  It is actually a fantastic idea.  Long story short, she took some of the recent best sellers, incorporated a part of their story (synopsis) with a fresh recipe of her own (something related to each book), and then ending it with some reviews for each book.  We happen to get Laura Bingham's ALvor, which I thought was cool.  I also had one foe Maze Runner, but I don't think I submitted it .  Anyway, check it out.  The concept is fantastic and I loved reading it.  Possibly considering an in depth review.

Ok so I said one final thing 10 times.....shoot me..... Last thing I just want to mention, is that my all time favorite author, the one who actually inspired me to start this site, James Rollins has a new book in his Sigma series coming out in a week or so called "The Devil Colony."  If you haven't read him , I suggest you give his stuff a try.  Guy got me into this site!  He actually has a short story you can buy for peanuts on amazon, which is a middle short story between the new one and his previous sigma novel, The DOomsday Key.  Besides the sigma force story, he wrote a bunch of independents, not in a series.  These are what got me hooked.  I read 8 hours a night, and finished all 12ish of the books he had out in a week or so.  From there I was hooked! Just wanted to give a shout out to James who is also a really nice guy.  

So that was about all I had to say.  KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED FOR THE WINGS OF LIGHT CONTEST!  IT'S COMING SOON!

Thanks again to all of you who keep coming to the site and contributing.  WIthout you, I would have nothing.  You guys rock!

DAVE

Book Review - " The Power of Six " by Pittacus Lore

THEY are getting closer.

THEY are tracking us.

THEY know about the charm.

THEY know about our legacies.

THEY know too much for us to believe

WE will ever be safe again.

WE must find each other.

WE must unite.

WE must fight and we must win.

WE ARE THE LAST DEFENSE.

My Review:

So last year I reviewed " I am Number Four " and LOVED IT!  I have been harassing Harper for this for a while and made sure I got my hands on a copy as soon as it came out.  What's funny is I actually watched "I Am Number Four" on Friday and thought it was really cool.  Obviously a lot from the book was cut, but it was definitely a refresher for me before tearing The Power of Six apart!

SO MUCH happens in this book, I don't know where to begin.  Ill try to keep it short and sweet BUT if you liked the first one, this was an awesome sequel.  Did not disappoint and making me wish the next one was out already.  More of "them", more Legacies (OMG, I want them all!), and more info that you are all looking for in the sequel, including what is in those stinkin chests!  Ill start by telling you this, once I finished the book, I knew about #'s four, six, seven, and nine.  Nine comes in at the end, but he's a cool dude.  The other thing that we learn (BIT OF A SPOILER SO SKIP THIS IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW) is that the Gardes ship was NOT the only one that came.

So here's the breakdown- Four, Six (who you met in the first book), and Sam run from Paradise, leaving Sarah behind.  No choice- for her safety.  They basically spend the book running, training, and killing so many Mogs I wonder how there are any left out there.  A lot more background info about what their purpose is and more about their planet is explained in this one. What is really super cool is the chests.  A few were opened in the book and although we don't know what a lot of the stuff inside does, its all still really cool.  Some of the Legacies that the others have is also really cool.  Let's give you a few examples BESIDES the ridiculous fighting skills they all have that make Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and everyone's favorite this week- The Terminator, look like American Girl Dolls.  A few- underwater breathing, healing (which you can imagine comes in handy many, many times throughout the book, and invisibility.  Don't want to give them all away :o)

While Four and Six and Sam are doing their thing, there is also a crazy love triangle-quadrangle goin on because remember John (four) loves Sarah, and he is only supposed to have one love of his life, as Henri told him.  BUT as he spends all this time with Six, he really starts to like her.  Sucky part is Sam likes Six too.  The rest is left for the next book....  While they are figuring this stuff out, always on the move, we go to number Seven.

A good part of the book is from the point of Seven, who is somewhere in a Church/Orphanage with her Cepian hiding away in Spain.  Not only are her legacies just starting to show, her Cepian seems to be fallen for the Church and doesn't remember their ultimate goal of saving Lorien.  Throughout the book, the stories get closer until Six finds Seven (as well as Ella and Crayton, who all you will get out of me is they are from a second ship that came to Earth....ok-ok-ok Ella happens to be the 10th Garde BUT THAT'S ALL IM SAYING!) and Four finds Nine.  BTW, six and seven are females and four and nine are males.  Just thought i'd share that in case you were counting.  I am a bit curious about five and eight, but that will be for the next book i guess.

Something interesting here is that Sam actually has a purpose.  A HUGE one.  All of you remember how Sam was looking for his Dad who was crazy into aliens??  Well, his dad was actually a big part of how Four and Henri started their life on Earth.  Again, more for later. There was a twist at one point where Four goes back to Paradise, OH and runs into Sarah, but it is possible she turned him in, so I am not really sure about where that is going.  He does have a kiss with both her and Six in the book, so right now it's kind of up in the air about who likes who. I did notice that although four was mostly 70/30 in favor of Sarah throughout most of the book, I think that shifted to 70/30 in favor of Six by the end.  Just my thought.  I could be wrong. 

Anyway, tons of new info, cool weapons and cool toys in their chests, some romance, and a ton of killing, the book was just as good as the first, if not better.  I've been pondering how many of these will come out and as much as I was thinking originally a trilogy, I don't know if I can keep that thought.  I am definitely going to guess at minimum 4 with definitely more possible.  Honestly, Bring Em On!!  Loved and and can't wait for it to hit shelves for everyone to read.  

BY THE WAY- Mara and I are going to BEA again this year, so if things go well, we can hold a big contest like we did last year with a ton of ARC's.  Please do us a favor and let us know if you guys would be interested in that.  I know it sounds corny, but shlepping around 50 lb bags of books for 12 hours a day isn't the funnest thing to do. But if you guys are interested, we are happy to do it.  Dashner should be there, so maybe we can convince him with some New York street pretzels and cart dogs to share some secrets about Death Cure.  Probably not, but it will be fun trying!  

Lastly, I want to say that recently Mara was really sick and had to go in for surgery.  I am sorry it took me a few weeks to put something new up, but life around here has been crazy for the last 2-3 weeks.  You know how things are fine and then all of a sudden- WHAM! you are slapped with something HORRIBLE...... It happened.  Good news is she is all recovered and better again.  That will give me more time for reviews.  I do owe a big review to Laura Bingham and Wings of Light.  She was SO super kind to get me a copy AND share with me that my blurbs made her book!  OMG, it was the most exciting thing..... I have to re-read Wings, which I like to call "A2" for Alvor 2, and once I do I will put up a review.  I can tell you this, it was excellent.  I mean that.  I had a chance to read it early on and then again when it was finished.  Loved it.  I haven't read it in months though and want to give it a quick whirl before reviewing it.  Who knows, Laura may even stop by the site to talk about it?!?!?!  Thanks to you all and looking forward to more!

DAVE

Book Review (and other stuff too!) " Toys " by James Patterson

OTHER STUFF

So I'm thinking I can get the "other stuff" out of the way quickly then get to this review, which I am super excited to give to you guys!  Really, there isn't much I have to say. Basically, here goes.....  As some of you know, we moved last October and it was a nightmare.  For a while, the Gang had to take a little break from reviewing so we could unpack, etc.  I have been on here 5 times since, all pumped up to get things going again.  Well, its come to the point (DONT WORRY!)  where I think I should just apologize.  It's not that I have not wanted to do more.  So many things happened over the last few months that have really limited my time on the site, which has KILLED me.  You all know how dedicated I am to reading, reviewing, the family thingy cause, etc....  Bottom line, time was not on my side.  I honestly missed this site so much you guys have no idea.  I missed all of you.  I missed the comments on my reviews, the opinions of you guys, the contests, and all the other fun stuff that the Gang has always been around for.  One thing I missed SO BAD was the Sunday Scoop.  So, things have calmed down a bit and I really do have all intentions on getting back in the game full time here.  This site was my very inexpensive therapy, which I definitely need again (not in a crazy kind of therapy, but more of a relaxing thing.  I guess call it my yoga.  

The one thing I mentioned before and I will mention it again is that even though I wasn't really around much, I didn't stop reading. I may have slowed down from my 300 pages a night, but I never stopped.  For whatever its worth I wanted you guys to know that.  Now I do have an unbelievably awesome review for you but first I want to give a shout out.  Many of you regulars know how much The Gang supports and loves our very special friend Laura Bingham (obviously you too P and the rest of the Bingham Gang!).  Laura's sequel to Alvor, titled "Wings of Light" is out and I am so happy for her.

  I was fortunate enough to read the story a few times through its developmental stages and I really want to say that Laura has done a great job on the sequel.  I was quoted in the new book saying something to the effects of what I loved about Wings was that often authors ruin something good when they make a "series".  Laura actually did the opposite.  I loved Wings just as much as Alvor and I know those of you out there familiar with the series will love it too.  I do plan to review it here and am hoping Laura will still be interested in the contest I promised Id do for her ages ago.  In fact, if I can convince her to take some time from her already packed 50 hour days, I may even shoot for a "Triple Threat"!!  I miss those too :o(

Anyway, thats about it.  I figured I owed you all an apology and hopefully I can make good on my promise and get things going again.  So before I review Toys by Patterson I want to give you a little idea of how I got to the book (its not my usual YA/FIC/Fantasy as usual.  Its close without the YA part, although its totally appropriate for teens.  So the Gang was lucky enough to meet Mr. Patterson last year at BEA (have to include this one! GO GIRLS!!!).

SMILE JAMES!  (ok so he didn't quite get that "smile" part, but still, it's James Patterson!)

At the time, I had known he was the king but really only read his few recent YA books, which I thought were pretty good.  I happen to be browsing B and N online as I usually do every Tuesday for the new releases/coming soon and for some reason took a deeper look at Toys.  (ok the car on the cover was too cool for me not to at least explore!)  When I read the description, which you will see in a sec, I had to give it a try.  I figured 250 million copies sold worldwide or something like that, he must be doing something right, right?  Well, I am SO happy I did.  It was fantastic. for several reasons.  Here we go!

HAYS BAKER:

FATHER. HUSBAND. PATRIOT. HERO.

#1 MOST WANTED....

Hays Baker and his wife, Lizbeth, possess superhuman strength, extraordinary intelligence, stunning looks, (hide your eyes if you are under 18!) a sex life to die for, and two beautiful children. Of course they do- they're Elites, endowed at birth with the very best that the world has to offer. The only problem in their perfect life: humans and their toys!

The top operative for the Agency of Change, Hays has just won the fiercest battle of his career.  He has been praised by the president and is a national hero. But before he can savor his triumph, he receives an unbelievable shock that overturns everything he thought was true. Suddenly Hays is on the other side of the gun, forced to leave his perfect family and fight for his life.

Now a hunted fugitive, Hays is thrown into a world he never imagined, fighting to save humans everywhere from extinction. He enlists all of his training to uncover the truth that will spare millions of lives- maybe even his own. James Patterson's Toys is a thriller on a hyperplane- with a hero who rivals both James Bond and Jason Bourne.

MY REVIEW:

Well, if that description doesn't get you excited, I'm afraid there is no hope for you.... (JK, relax...) Hopefully you at least see why I HAD to read it, or at least give it a try.  Now, first thing that I LOVED- chapters are like 3-4 pages each.  You all know how much I love that.  Not sure what it is but I just do.  So here is the deal.... action, action, action. NON STOP ACTION... I'll admit, I couldn't put it down until I fell asleep after 300 pages or so of straight reading and what was even worse is I only left myself like 65 more to read.  Aarrggh.... bed at 4 am with a 6am work wake up..... cut me some slack!  The writing was great, the action was non stop, and best of all, the surprises just kept coming and coming and coming.  It was definitely one of the better one's I've read in a while.  Mr. Patterson- you deserve every dollar you have made off the 250 million copies you have sold over your career (Ummm... anyone doing the math on how much this guy is worth??) Back to the review...  Great ready that went quick and there wasn't a chapter where I couldn't wait until the next.  No doubt will I be looking in the Patterson section to figure out what to give a go at next.  No doubt.  So enough of my Rah Rah.... What's up with the book?

I don't want to tell you much because this thing really was filled with a ton of surprises.  More twists than all the pretzels in NYC.  (ok that's a bit of an exaggeration but you get the point).  The story line is awesome.  The "Elites" are totally hooked up with super everything- speed, powers, strength, intelligence, and toys.... oh do I LOVE the toys.  My favorite are these futuristic cars that  cruise at about a buck fifty and can hit like 300+mph with precision handling.  Not to mention the on board assistance of an assistant to fix you a drink or the virtual reality games on board that can basically put you in ANY situation you want it to in order to relax your mind.  

Hays is part of the "Elites" which basically are genetically engineer people who's ultimate objective is to wipe out all the humans and take over.  They call the humans "Skunks" and think equally high of them.  Hays is one of the strongest (in all powers) of the Elites who despised "skunks" just as much as the next Elite, if not more.  

This is where it becomes tough to talk about because his surprises and twists are just so darn good.  Let's say that Hays ends up having to fight for his life AGAINST the Elites with his sort of half sister Lucy as well as saving the human race.  When I say "save" I mean like down to the last few minutes of near extinction.  THAT CLOSE!  NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS really does describe this book.  I will say this and i doubt anyone really doesn't expect this so it's not really a spoiler.  He does save the human race.  It's not a spoiler. How many books are there where the hero doesn't win? Over it? Good, me too.  Getting back to the twists and turns, Hays gets some information not too far into the book that took me for a 180.  Can ya guess what it is?  

This news makes him doubt everything and everything he has always believed in and fought for.  That's where things get interesting.  I'd say the action also picks up, but it would be a lie.  The action starts on pg 1 and ends on the last page.  Traveling all over the world, Hays along with his halfie Lucy run into trouble everywhere they go.  Someone is hot on their trail and is really doing as much as they can to kill them.  The good news, without really knowing it, Hays is always a step ahead.  Prior Planning Pays for sure here.  Ill give you an example- there is a secret meeting of all the human leaders that Hays attends.  The elites come in and mass slay every single one of them (except Hays of course).  Hays is so saddened to see them killed, what he doesnt realize is they were all "copies" of the leaders.  THis threw off the Elites and gave the real human leaders time to go gather at some other secret location.  Only thing is Hays wasn't informed about that PRIOR to the slayings and feels horribly responsible for their deaths.  Until of course he learns they are all alive.

Anyway, from love to deceit to love gain, non stop action, some of the coolest futuristic "toys" I have ever read about, this one has it all.  I really can't speak highly enough for it.  I would absolutely suggest picking up a copy (it's expensive, so look for a B and N coupon or something and once you get the price down a bit, it's much more enticing to pick it up).  

I'd tell ya more, but Hays would have to kill you if I did.  Did I mention the "killings" are also kind of cool?  I know it may sound cruel, but keep in mind we are in a fictional environment, which sort of makes it ok to appreciate the "ways" and "amount of kills" this book has.  

Hopefully, you guys who end up reading it will agree with me on this one.

For now, that's all I've got for you.  I am going to do my best to keep my promise to you all and get re-active in the community.  I didn't totally disappear, but I have had this guilt hanging over my shoulders about being MIA for a while.  Again, life throws you some curve balls you just can't hit and the best you can try to do it smack the next fastball out of the park.  Batter up!

DAVE

p.s. BEA is coming!  My plans are to collect a ton of books for you guys like we did last year!

Book Review: " Matched " by Ally Condie

IN THE SOCIETY, OFFICIALS DECIDE.

WHO YOU LOVE. WHERE YOU WORK. WHEN YOU DIE.

Cassia has always trusted their choices.  It's hardly any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate.  So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one... until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.  Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path no one else has ever dared follow- between perfection and passion.

My Review:

To start, I did mention this book in a previous post.  I wasn't really sure if I was going to review it, but I REALLY liked it so I figured a quick review wouldn't hurt.  Also, TLG was supposed to be interviewed for our site today by a local paper.  Mara had fallen and injured herself (and her new Iphone!!) so we had to cancel the interview for today and reschedule.  I sort of felt obligated to do SOMETHING site related, so here we are....

First of all, this is NOT a "girlie" book per say.  I was hesitant when I first saw the cover (even a Macho reviewer like myself knows there is a line.  Not sure where it is, but there's definitely a line somewhere).  Being the dedicated reviewer I am, I bought it anyway after reading the flap.   Glad I did.  I wouldn't say it was an excellent book, but definitely a good one.  Unique, which is hard to find these days.

So Cassia lives in this society where they control everything.... (seems to be a common theme lately).  What is interesting is that they control your "match" as well.  It's a big ceremony, etc and the matches see each other for the first time via video screen at the Matching ceremony.  Well, as stated above, Cassia sees her best friend Xander on her match screen which is not only against most odds, but also something that makes Cassia feel really good.  She likes Xander a lot.  After all, mates are supposed to be friends foremost, right? Well, that part was already taken care of.

For a brief second, another pic flashes on the screen which has never happened before.  It is of Ky.  Ky is another kid that is friendly with Cassia and her friends BUT he is from an outer province.  Somewhere where the "rejects" or people who are imperfect live.  Obviously this confuses the heck out of Cassia.

As time goes on, her friendship grows for Ky, but so does her love.  She is super confused.  She really likes and kind of loves Xander, but at the same time is falling in love with Ky.  This is a problem.  The matching system, in fact, everything where she lives is controlled.  Calculated is really the best term.  Everything is calculated so that the most desirable, or most accurate outcome always occurs, including death.  (although I must say, in the first few chapters when Condie is taking us through Cassia's grandfathers death, I was freaked out.  Not only was I freaked out, but the way in which he dies (80th birthday exactly) is the way everyone there dies.  It is calculated.  Pre planned to have a life lived as optimized as possible.  It is something that highly disturbed me.  The death.  I don't know why, and its only a book, but Condie REALLY disturbed me with the controlled death.  Not in a bad way.  She definitely got emotions out of me, which is the point of a book I think.

Anyway, so here we are.  Cassia matched with Xander.  But could Ky be her real match? Is it possible that 2 people fit her match perfectly?  I don't think so.  Keep in mind, this "society" that controls everything, controls EVERYTHING.  I'll leave it at that.  There is a definite budding romance in the story and some tough decisions that have to be made.  Who is the real match for Cassia?  Ill leave it at this- the "society" knows who the best match is.  The questions is- does Cassia figure it out.  Does her heart lead her in one direction, or does the "society" lead her in a different.  That part I will leave to your reading.

So yes, a quick little review.  The story did flow well.  I was most curious about the "society" and how it was all formed, etc.  I would love to have had some more  background info on them, but it wasn't there.  That's all right, the story was good without it.  Maybe next time we can get some more background info.  To me, that would be interesting.  Anyhow, I really liked the story itself.  Fun to read and a fairly quick read as well.  I believe for sure there will be more installments.  Ill definitely read book 2.  Keep in mind what I have said before about authors and series....  sometimes an author can turn a great story into a mediocre series.  We shall see.

Dave

Book Review: " Across the Universe " by Beth Revis

Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the spaceship Godspeed. She has left her boyfriend, friends- and planet- behind to join her parents as a member of Project Ark Ship.

Amy and her parents believe they will wake on a new planet, Centauri-Earrth, three hundred years in the future.  But 50 years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, cryo-chamber 42 is mysteriously unplugged, and Amy is violently woken from her frozen slumber.

Someone tried to murder her.

Now, Amy is caught inside a tiny little world where nothing makes sense.  Godspeed's 2312 passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader.  And Elder, Eldest's rebellious teenage heir, is both fascinated with Amy and eager to discover whether he has what it takes to lead.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder.  But should she put her faith in a boy who has never seen life outside the ship's cold metal walls?  All Amy knows is that she and Elder must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again.

My Review:

(for my old friends who have been with us for a while, read the review, but I have some thoughts and stuff for you guys at the end)

Well, I guess I sort of owe you guys an explanation as to where in the world have we/I been the last 3 months.  That will be for a Sunday Scoop but I will tell you this- We did move in October and have just had a gazillion problems happen since we did.  Not really "with" the move or because of it, more just- since the move.  Anyway, the short of it is sometimes "stuff" happens and it happened to us, all at once.  I will let you know that for whatever it is worth, I NEVER stopped reading at all.  I just haven't had the energy or or to be honest, the drive to tell you guys about the books I read.  It bothered me a lot that I was MIA, but it was for the better at the time.  If you are reading this, I appreciate your patience and most of all, your friendship to hang in there with me.

But, now things are different and better and we are all ok and I have read some awesome books lately and I wanted so bad to tell you guys about them and I'm rambling on and on and.....oh, man....I just missed you guys and the feeling you gave me when I wrote something that you read and actually cared about. OK....got that off my chest. Now, to the book. (if you are still reading this after that sob story).

ACROSS THE UNIVERSE

I heard about this one oh, maybe about a month or so ago. Not too long ago.  I picked it up on release day and started it.  Couldn't put it down.  Definitely, without a doubt sets a HIGH bar for this type (dystopian/sci-fic/YA/fic) for the rest of 2011.  I might even go as far as saying that I don't know if I will find one as good as this the rest of the whole year.  As a book lover, I obviously hope and pray so, but I don't think it's gonna happen.

So, there are tons of really good books, right?  MOST, although excellent stories, are pretty much written kind of the same way.  I can't explain it, but you can definitely tell when a book is different.  First of all, the whole book is short chapters (which I mentioned once before that I just LOVE that format) and it is told from the poinmt of 2 people.  Amy and Elder.  It goes that way with the chapters- first Amy, then Elder, then Amy, and so on.  That stuff so far, coupled with how Revis transitions from chapter to chapter, and the actual story is what makes this top notch.  It really amazed me how "tightly" Revis puts you in a scenario where Amy is telling you what's going on and how she is feeling about the situation and then BAM, right in the middle, a new chapter starts and the SAME situation is continued in his (Elder's) eyes.  Amazing work.  I also have to say that she must have had an AMAZING editorial staff working with her.  Geniuses.   I absolutely could NOT stop reading.  The entire book flowed that well.

Now, the story.  I was definitely intrigued initially by the science fic part. A spaceship leaving Earth to go to the first habitable planet found, which happens to be 300 years away, or is thought (calculated) to be.  A bunch of people (the Noah's Ark theme) with different skills essential to starting civilization on a new planet (including military in case there is already civilization there when they land) are cryogenically frozen (SO cool!) and packed away on a ship bound for that planet, 300+ years away.  Scheduled un-freezing is for when they land, or around when they land) Amy is a non-essential having special permission to come because both of her parents are frozen on board and labeled essential.  (just telling you how she got a ticket on the ship)

On the ship with these frozen peeps is what started out as a bunch of "normal" people.  Over the years, things got more "controlled" (after the "plague" on board) and were run sort of like Hitler wanted things to be run.  Order- everyone thinking alike pretty much, under control of the one big leader.  Kind of like brainwashed.  Now, when generations and generations (remember this is supposed to be a 300 year trip) of people are on a ship simply for the reason of reproducing and keeping things running until landing it can be a "situation."  What I mean by "situation" is that it can be a good situation if everyone is ok with that and it can be a bad situation if people understand that they actually are stuck in this metal ball, simulating Earth- simply for the purpose of keeping a ship alive ONLY so those "frozens" can have a real life on a real planet when they land.  I would say that if the people know their purpose it is one thing, but if they feel their real purpose, which is not much, it can get to you.  The question is, are they better off knowing their purpose or understanding and feeling their purpose?  Also, how do you make 3000 + people be ok with being trapped on a ship with no real purpose?  Those are some central questions that the story revolves around.

From reading the description above, you should have a good understanding of the story.  I wanted to get you to try and actually "feel" what Revis wants us to feel.  Amy and Elder figure out that something is definitely wrong on the ship.  Things are just not normal.  The fact that someone is also waking up some of the frozens and trying to kill them is also a big mystery.  Remember, Amy's parents are still frozen.  Eldest, the tyrant, has the ship under control (except the murders) and is trying to pass that "control" down to Elder.  Elder however is starting to realize that things might not be so normal on the ship.  Its a story about the future, technology that is so cool (ear com pieces put under the skin that are like built in cell phones), murder, deceit, control, love and hate.  What's great is how they all blend together to make a wonderful story.  In a weird sort of way, I kind of thought of Isaac Asimov when I read this.  Not the same, but I would definitely say you will "feel" the same way after reading it as you do when you read Asimov.  Definitely.  I think that's why I loved it so much.  It gave me that feeling and I LOVE Asimov.

Keep in mind I am a bit "rusty" with this. (reviewing)  It's been a while.  When I read this, the only thing I wanted to do was tell you guys about it.  I sort of wrote this one as if we were talking about the book and I was trying to explain it to you.  My apologies if I am a bit rusty.  I promise that if you do read the book, you would come back here and totally agree with me on most of what I wrote.  

Throughout the book, I found myself trying to actually figure things out on my own.  Figure out what was right or wrong.  Who was right or wrong.  Really got me thinking.  There is a HUGE twist at the end and basically all of your questions are answered.  I definitely want more.  The ONLY thing that I might possibly not be thrilled about (going forward in the series) is location.  What I mean is as great as the story itself was, I would LOVE to see book 2 (at least book 3) be on the new Centauri-Earth.  I would love to see how things end on this ship, but I also want to see the new world and it's development.  That would definitely complete the Asimov feeling.  I believe that Revis has built it up so much that we HAVE to see the new world and how the landing goes, etc.  I think if she does that, and does that right, she has the potential to create a someday "classic"series.  YOU HEAR THAT MRS. REVIS..... PLEASE give us your take on the new Earth and the landing.  She has the opportunity to build something great.  I hope she goes down that road.

If anyone has read the book, feel free to add your comments.  With great books like this I LOVE to get other people's take on it.  Anyway, that's about it with Across the Universe.  On a few separate notes, I recently read "Matched" by Ally Condie.  It was also a great book.  I was going to review that, and still might.  If I don't though, it definitely gets an "A" and it's definitely a buy. I can see that one going on too for a while and I hope it does.

I reviewed a book here last year I think and also did an interview and giveaway with the author.  The book was "Adventurer's Wanted: Slathbog's Gold" by Mark Forman.  A while back I had the chance to read book 2 in the series, " The Horn of Moran" when Mark was still working on it.  I absolutely loved it.  I recently found out that Mark got book 2, "Horn" published (YEAH MARK!) and it is being released on Feb 2nd.  I am going to try and interview Mark and possibly do a giveaway, etc. for you guys.  Lastly, and I mean lastly, (I sure hope this is public info) my good friend Laura Bingham is working on Alvor 2 and I can't wait for that one either.  Laura is one of our featured authors here at TLGBRS and also a wonderful friend and person.  She truly is, and I am really excited to read A2 as well as a little something I know she has been working on for a while now.  When that comes out (not if, but when) you guys are gonna have something really good to read.  I promise that.

Ok, great to be back and just know that I missed you guys. A lot.

Dave

Author Interview- James Dashner - The Scorch Trials Book 2 in the Maze Runner Trilogy!

Interview with James Dashner

Author of The Scorch Trials

book 2 of The Maze Runner Trilogy

Tlgbrs: Dash, I gotta ask, what's it feel like going from an accountant with a dream to a NYT Best Selling author??

Dash: Indescribable. I'm glad I had my experience as an accountant (croak, cough, puke) so I could appreciate it all more. I'm one lucky guy.

***

Tlgbrs: If I'm correct, the Maze Runner was supposed to be a stand alone initially. At what point did you realize that you had a trilogy on your hands?

Dash: Actually, this story has ALWAYS been envisioned as a trilogy. Random House bought the first book, then the sequels just a few months later.

***

Tlgbrs: In Scorch Trials, we learn a lot about WICKED.  Would you say, in your opinion that overall, WICKED is "GOOD?"

Dash: Excellent question. If there's one central theme or moral question in this trilogy, it can be summed up by that phrase. Is WICKED good or bad? It's certainly not black or white.

***

Tlgbrs: You are going on a big tour for the release of Scorch Trials.  What is it about visiting all those cities that gets you most excited?

Dash: Easily my favorite thing about touring is meeting my readers. I can't imagine that's something you ever get tired of.

***

Tlgbrs: Your other series that I personally love is "The 13th Reality" books with our Realitant hero, Atticus (Tick).  What can you tell us about the release of the next book in the series? 

Dash: Book 4 of The 13th Reality is scheduled to come out next summer (2011). The hardbacks are published by Shadow Mountain (publisher of Fablehaven) and the paperbacks by Simon & Schuster/Aladdin. The fourth book is called The Void of Mist and Thunder.

***

Tlgbrs:  Besides the 2 series you are currently working on, do you have any other ideas that you are starting to toy around with or are you going to wait until these 2 are done before creating the next masterpiece?

Dash: Masterpiece, huh? I like the sound of that. I'm already working on my next trilogy to follow up The Maze Runner. But it's top secret!

***

Tlgbrs: What type of support do you get at home? What I mean is, are your wife and kids the first who go through your work? Are they your toughest critics?

Dash: They are a HUGE support! My wife is always my first reader, and she's very good at it. And my kids just love the concept of their dad being an author.

***

Tlgbrs: Our signature question- Besides beating up old ladies in a park what would you, James Dashner do for a Klondike bar?

Dash: That's easy. I'd climb Mt. Everest dressed like a gorilla and slide down the glacier on my head while singing "Grandma got run over by a reindeer." Duh.

Well, there ya have it.  I'll tell you what is great about Dashner, and I've said it before.  The guy really does care for his fans and knows where his roots are.  Last year for the release of Maze Runner, James had promised me months earlier I could be his first interview on release day.  I was thrilled when he kept that promise.  I asked again this year for my new "standing" release day interview reservation, (say that 5 times fast!) gave him the questions WAY too late for anyone's taste, (don't forget, we are in the middle of moving) and he delivers.  Awesome Dash.  So, tomorrow is the official release of The Scorch Trials (found wherever books are sold -  I've always wanted to write that!) and here is the official Scorch Trials interview with Dashner.  Those of you know know him will see that the questions I asked were geared towards giving you some info that maybe you have not seen elsewhere or heard before, or info that is not the "usual."

On a side note, I will announce the winner of the copy of Mockingjay in the next few days.  The contest ended but we are dead smack in between homes and I need some time to unpack the book before I can send it out.  Once we get settled in our new home within a week or 2, I will be posting a ton of reviews and interviews that I have been piling up the last few weeks.  One I can not wait to bring you is the review of the new book in the Time Riders series, "Day of the Predator" by Alex Scarrow.  I had reviewed book 1 recently and was given the pleasure to review book 2 in the series, which is only out this year in the UK!  Thanks Penguin UK!

Thanks for checking us out and as always, any questions feel free to email me at tlgbrs@gmail.com  By the way, who's that stud with Dashner in the pic below????

DAVE