Countdown Pick #1: The Dark Between by Sonia Gensler (08/27/2013)
At the turn of the twentieth century, Spiritualism and séances are all the rage—even in the scholarly town of Cambridge, England. While mediums dupe the grief-stricken, a group of local fringe scientists seeks to bridge the gap to the spirit world by investigating the dark corners of the human mind.
Each running from a shadowed past, Kate, Asher, and Elsie take refuge within the walls of Summerfield College. But their peace is soon shattered by the discovery of a dead body nearby. Is this the work of a flesh-and-blood villain, or is something otherworldly at play? This unlikely trio must illuminate what the scientists have not, and open a window to secrets taken to the grave—or risk joining the spirit world themselves.
Who doesn't love a murder mystery? And when romance is thrown into the mix that's always an added bonus for any read in my opinion. Really looking forward to checking this title out.
Countdown Pick #2: Love in the Time of Global Warming by Francesca Lia Block (08/27/2013)
In her signature style, Francesca Lia Block has created a world that is beautiful in its destruction and as frightening as it is lovely. At the helm is Pen, a strong heroine who holds hope and love in her hands and refuses to be defeated.
How great is this cover? So creative and inventive that I had a hard time taking my eyes off of it. All those details and the colors are perfect! I'm anxious to see what Block has in store for her writers and so far I'm hearing very good things about this title.
Countdown Pick #3: Gated by Amy Christine Parker (08/27/2013)
In Mandrodage Meadows, life seems perfect. The members of this isolated suburban community have thrived under Pioneer, the charismatic leader who saved them from their sad, damaged lives. Lyla Hamilton and her parents are original members of the flock. They moved here following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, looking to escape the evil in the world. Now seventeen, Lyla knows certain facts are not to be questioned:
Pioneer is her leader.
Will is her Intended.
The end of the world is near.
Like Noah before him, Pioneer has been told of the imminent destruction of humanity. He says his chosen must arm themselves to fight off the unchosen people, who will surely seek refuge in the compound's underground fortress--the Silo.
Lyla loves her family and friends, but given the choice, she prefers painting to target practice. And lately she'd rather think about a certain boy outside the compound than plan for married life in the Silo with Will. But with the end of days drawing near, she will have to pick up a gun, take a side, and let everyone know where she stands.
First of all, this cover is scaring me like you wouldn't believe. I'm not sure why it got to me like that, but it's freaking me out for sure. Despite the cover that will haunt me, I'm loving the sound of this book's description and it sounds like a read I'll be on the edge of my seat with and staying up late into the night to finish.
Countdown Pick #4: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Between, #1) by April Genevieve Tucholke (08/20/2013)
Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White’s sleepy, seaside town…until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet’s crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet’s grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet’s already so knee-deep in love, she can’t see straight. And that’s just how River likes it.
Blending faded decadence and the thrilling dread of Gothic horror, April Genevieve Tucholke weaves a dreamy, twisting contemporary romance, as gorgeously told as it is terrifying—a debut to watch.
A 2013 YA debut that was immediately added to my TBR and DAC list. How could I not? I can already see that I'll end up putting myself through sleepless nights due to the creepiness factor that often goes hand in hand with Gothic horror just because I'll want to see what happens with the romance angle.
Countdown Pick #5: Canary by Rachele Alpine (08/01/2013)
Kate Franklin’s life changes for the better when her dad lands a job at Beacon Prep, an elite private school with one of the best basketball teams in the state. She begins to date a player on the team and quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, learning that there are perks to being an athlete.
But those perks also come with a price. Another player takes his power too far and Kate is assaulted at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad’s vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The world that Kate was once welcomed into is now her worst enemy, and she must decide whether to stay silent or expose the corruption, destroying her father’s career and bringing down a town’s heroes.
Canary is told in a mix of prose and verse.
Touch choices and decisions for sure, but the hard truths are never going to be easy to deal with. I know this won't be a pleasant journey to witness but one where supporting the main character hugely! I hope this debut author found some way for Kate to get a happy ending after everything she's forced to go through.
I love that title for Block's new book. Read part of Dangerous Angels back before I was a blogger. Still haven't finished it, though now that I have a copy on my Kindle, which I carry around with me always, I have no excuse!
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