Interview with Jennifer L. Armentrout

From Jennifer's website:
Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you've heard about her state aren't true. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russel Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories... which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She also writes adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is the author of the COVENANT Series (Spencer Hill Press), the LUX series (Entangled Publishing), and the upcoming YA contemporary mystery/thrillers DON'T LOOK BACK (Disney/Hyperion Fall 2013) and yet untitled book (Disney/Hyperion tentative Fall 2014).

Jennifer first rocked my world when I read a review and excerpt about Half-Blood from her COVENANT series. Lucky for me, Daimon (the prequel novella to Half-Blood) was available for free to download. And once I read the first few pages, that was it for me. Man, I was hooked! A seriously awesome heroine? Heck yes! (You will love her heroines) After that, it was only obvious that I had to read the rest of her books. In fact... if you ask my mother she will tell you how I begged for her to use her Amazon account to buy Obsidian. I legitimately couldn't wait to read it after hearing about it, it was late at night, and thus came my need for the eBook. (And I mean it when I say I couldn't wait, I was about to die from not being able to read it.) I don't have credit cards to link with an Amazon account so I had to resort to begging my mom to buy it for me. It was a sad sight but totally worth it! Jennifer is an amazing author- one who will have you laughing non-stop and rooting on the heroine. Her books are ones that you cannot put down! It's a sin... for your soul! Yep, I just went there.

I'm sure you want to get to the juicy part, so let's get on with the interview!

Fiction Fairies: What inspired you to write your Lux series? How about your Covenant series? Any particular event or special something?

Jennifer L. Armentrout: Pretty much boredom inspires most of my stories. Coming up with them is a way to ease it. Having an overactive imagination helps. =)

FF: Could you describe a typical outfit for Alex and Katy?

J: Alex would most likely be in gym clothes (work out pants and a regular shirt) and Katy's a jeans and shirt kind of girl. 

FF: If Alex or Katy (take your pick) was stranded on an island (with no electricity) with one other person, who would they pick and what 3 things would they choose to take with them?

J: Katy would bring three books and she'd probably pick Daemon, because he'd definitely keep her entertained. 

FF: Are there any scenes in your books that are based off of real-life experiences?

J: Squeaky the hamster from Cursed is based on a true story-- kind of. That's about it. And trust me, that is freaky enough for there not to be anything based on a real life event. 

FF: What book are you reading now? Any book recommendations?

J: I'm reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood again. Right now, it's been heard for me to get started on a new book. I'm kind of in a reading slump. But I'd recommend Soul Screamers by Rachel Vincent and Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins.

Thanks for the interview, Jennifer! You can check out her website here: http://jenniferarmentrout.blogspot.com/

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http://ya-sisterhood.blogspot.com/

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder

Author: Marissa Meyer

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: 4.5 glass slippers (ironic anyone?)

Summary (snagged from BN.com)

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Cinder is a futuristic twist on the classic fairy tale of Cinderella. Whether the name is on purpose or not, it's an intriguing one. What else? Well, for starters, the cover is amazing. A gorgeous red pump? With some wicked cyborg structure?  Now that's what I'm talking about. And just to put it out there, Mrs. Meyer has one wicked imagination because this retelling rocked my socks off.

The heroine-

Despite what we'd all like to imagine, Cinderella's life sucked. And I mean SUCKED. If you really think about it, she was technically a slave to her horrible step-family's needs. We get this cringe-worthy life aspect in Cinder with a modernized feel to it. Instead of washing floors and feeding the livestock (all the while singing), modern Cinder is a cyborg mechanic who works in the sweltering, dirty, and not to mention smelly market to make ends meet for her 'family'. You gotta respect the girl, truly. Instead of meeting the prince at a ball all pretty and dolled up, Cinder meets Prince Kai at her booth as a mechanic... and her metal foot is on the table in front of him. Oh, and she has a big ol' grease spot on her forehead. She toils away at her dirty work and refuses the Prince's flirtations and plans her escape from her own little hellhole. Despite her admirable work ethic... her character felt off. No spark, maybe? She had her spurts of "... Did she just DO THAT?!? :O" (which almost made me have nervous breakdowns from the stress) and then she had her moments of me wanting to strangle her cyborg-self and go "MAN UP ALREADY!"

Unfortunately, I had to take off from the rating because of her personality/situation. She was so helpless most of the story that I couldn't take it. I believe in strong (if not bitchy) female characters. While Cinder was definitely not weak, she had this helpless vibe going on the whole story from her horrible situation in life.

The guy-

Okay, don't get me wrong... Prince Kai is gorgeous. (pssst - he has luscious black hair and brown eyes) But I didn't like the fact that Cinder immediately fell for him once she laid her eyes on him. Yes, I do like gorgeous men. But what's with the insta-crush? 

Yet I must give props to him for his integrity! Go Prince Kai! He resisted the perfect woman specimen and fell for Cinder, with all her grease stains and imperfections. I'll have to read the next books to gather whether he truly is great by looking past all of her hidden 'imperfections.' He was really sweet, too. *goofy smile* But their connection? Great! I really want to read the next books to see what happens next with them!!!

The BFF-

I'm think it's Iko. We're pretty sure this android has a faulty personality chip, what with her 'over-opinionated mouth'. While I found her a bit boring at times, what can be expected? She is an android after all. But worry not, she puts in a few giggles to the story. Let's see if I can find one... (okay here's one- they're talking about Prince Kai's android that needs repairs)

"Cinder twisted up her lips. "Do you think it could have been a virus?"

"Maybe her programming was overwhelmed by Prince Kai's uncanny hotness."

Cinder flinched. "Can we please not talk about the prince?"

"I don't think that will be possible. You're working on his android, after all. Just think about the things she knows, the things she's seen and-" Iko's voice sputtered. "Do you think she's seen him nude?" "  pg 194

The world/adventure-

As expected, the adventure is not a nonstop, action-packed rager. Instead, we focus on emotional ups and downs (with Cinder) and political action concerning possible impending intergalactic war (with Kai).

The world, however? Well, New Beijing is a winner. With the time being way in the future, lots of new technology is introduced, along with many tech-y terms. There are still bakeries and festivities, but there are also new aspects. Cyborgs and Lunars are big in society, along with ID chips and comms. "Magic" or bioelectricity alters minds. There's lots more, which I leave you to discover.

The only problems I had with Cinder is the general helpless situation Cinder is in and never getting a description of her. I never realized how much it would bug me if I didn't know who I was reading about looked like, but it did.

This book is not cheery and chipper- no, it's quite rather the opposite. It does not have the happily ever after ending (otherwise it wouldn't be in a quartet) and actually ends with Cinder manning up! YEAH! I believe this quartet will be a very good read and a journey definitely worth reading. The next book in the series, Scarlet, is a retelling of Red Riding hood with Cinder mixed in. It's supposed to be released February 5th!

(Is that not an amazing cover?)

Don't forget to comment and subscribe :)

Cassie

Clockwork Princess Countdown Widget

The lovely cover, for more squealing?

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielson

Title: The False Prince

Author: Jennifer A. Nielsen

Reviewed by: Cassie

Rating: 5 glass slippers

Summary (from BN.com)

THE FALSE PRINCE is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end.

In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king's long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner's motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword's point -- he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage's rivals have their own agendas as well.

As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner's sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.

An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats.

Oh. My. God. When I say this is amazing, I mean this is AMAZING. Whew!! I like, need a breather! I had a spaz attack when I finally realized the full implications of the twist, and seriously this book has one hell of a twist. I was just sitting there, for who knows how long, chomping away on half a bag of Hershey's Kisses. I don't know if it's possible, but is a human capable of getting high off a Tetanus shot? Because it's either that or this book is like drugs for the soul... of a reader!!!!

This story is written in the viewpoint of Sage, a guy, and I know what you're thinking ladies. It's one of those guys books? Aw, man... NO. STOP. Uh-uh! This is AMAZING. Ah-mazing. Like, this may be THE best book I have read this year. Seriously.

The hero-

HE IS AWESOME. I need a guy best friend like him. He is like, Aladdin mixed with um..... I'm not that well-rounded in princely matters but let's just say HE'S FREAKING AWESOME. He's cool, he's a great liar, he's a wonderful street rat, he is compassionate, he's funny, he's like the BESTEST friend you could ever have. He is so cool.

The action-

Whoo it's a woozie! Like, it's non-stop, action-packed fun! Sage takes you with him for the journey, the struggle, and his story. In fact, there's so much going on that I absolutely MUSTMUSTMUST reread this! This is a book you could reread a million times and still be content. There are so many deceptions, lies, and falsehoods that your mind literally gets blown. And usually I say this when I am reviewing a book and have high praise for it. For The False Prince, I thought this as I was reading it, after I was finished, and while I am reviewing it. You will not be able to put this book down. I spent my whole day devoting myself to reading it, and it was not a waste.

The world-

So, I don't think anyone can outdo Shadow and Bone's world, but this was pretty good! It's got a whole map and great visualization for towns and cities. You will not be disappointed.

The verdict? You had better read this book! I seriously want to go out and buy this just so I can shove it in my older brother's face and say "READ THIS. NOW." And if I knew you, dear reader, I would do the same. If you're looking for a refresher, you need to read this! If you're sick of trashy romances with a subpar plot, read this! If you're sick of supernatural thingies or anything average, read this! READ IT. Seriously.... I am freaking mind-blown. And I want to get the next book! I have high hopes, because this could have just been a stand-alone novel, but the fact that it's just the beginning of a series, I want more! Now. Oh wait... I just checked her blog and got the second book's title. Now I am positively dying. The title?

The Runaway King

*Squeals* NO! Not fair! Now I really, really want to know why it's got "runaway" in it!! AH THE MISERY. Spring 2013 I will count down every day... 

Don't forget to comment and subscribe! (and die with me)

Cassie :)