tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51904730110986813512024-03-28T02:41:20.426+08:00Amaterasu ReadsBecause even the Sun Goddess appreciates books...Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.comBlogger1003125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-47111133777018292402018-03-26T21:47:00.001+08:002018-07-14T09:56:34.987+08:00Review: Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) by Tahereh Mafi<i>Dear Tahereh,</i><br />
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Are you sure this book is really entitled “Restore Me”? Because this didn’t restore me AT ALL. This DESTROYED AND SHATTERED ME. Which, now that I think about it, is the title of the whole series so I should’ve expected that.<br />
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Love,<br />
Kai</div>
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<b>Title:</b> Restore Me (Shatter Me #4) by Tahereh Mafi<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>March 6, 2018<br />
<b>Published by:</b> HarperCollins<br />
<b>Source:</b> Bought (Kindle)<br />
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<b>Buy online:</b> <a href="https://www.nationalbookstore.com/books/teens/shatter-me4-restore-me">National Bookstore</a><br />
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<b>Summary: </b><br />
Juliette Ferrars thought she'd won. She took over Sector 45, was named the new Supreme Commander, and now has Warner by her side. But she's still the girl with the ability to kill with a single touch—and now she's got the whole world in the palm of her hand. When tragedy hits, who will she become? Will she be able to control the power she wields and use it for good?</blockquote>
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I thought I was done with this series. I will admit that I was surprised when I found out there was another book because I always thought stories that could’ve ended the way they did must be left that way, and I've read quite a few that felt forced and was continued for the sake of having more books because it was popular, but I am so glad this series have more books still! It’s been years and I was hit with the realization that I craved for a continuation, and now here I am, a big ball of feelings.</div>
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The story starts where Ignite Me ended, and Juliette now faces life as Sector 45’s Supreme Commander. She thought it was going to be easy, but being a leader is putting her through such a tough test, not just of confidence but her ability to lead. She’s always lived such an enclosed, sheltered life, mostly disconnected to humans that she finds herself lacking in many ways. Warner, on the other hand, is facing enough challenges on his own. He isn’t the unfeeling commander anymore, but instead is hit with unexpected grief for his father’s death.<br />
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I love how Tahereh managed to move forward with the story without it feeling forced or making it look artificial with a shallow plotline. Without giving much away, what transpired gave me something to look forward to, and made me realize how much more there is to tell about the characters I love. </div>
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The pacing in this book was much slower, but I’m glad it was because it gave me time to soak in what was happening in the aftermath. The sense of nostalgia was there upon seeing so many familiar characters and reading of their life after the events in Ignite Me. And though many things are changing as the story moves forward, I am glad that some things remain constant, like how Kenji is still an insufferable dork! His sense of humor gives me a brief break from Warner and Juliette's emotions. It felt more intense because the alternating POV between Juliette and Warner gradually increases not just the tension but the conflict not just between them, but with how they deal with things. There was so much work to do, so much to fix that sometimes they didn't know where to start. What happened in the previous book wasn’t an ending but a beginning of something much bigger and more complicated. </div>
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Going through Juliette’s fragmented thoughts on paper and seeing those broken lines, feeling so much from it made me realize how much I missed being in their world, no matter how dark it felt compared to the other books in the series.<br />
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I would like to think that with the slow pace, we are instead given a chance to delve more into Juliette’s and Warner’s psyche, their worries and fears, their doubts and insecurities, their feelings and all the aspects that made up their relationship. So much has been left unsaid and not discussed that it was one of the integral points of the story that left me so frustrated. Without giving away anything major, I think this book affected me more because I am presented with so much emotions and thoughts going back and forth that I can’t help but absorb and be immersed with them. I see faults and flaws. I see shortcomings. I see things that gave me more perspective when it comes to both Juliette and Warner. They felt more human here and more in touch with themselves than in the 3 books combined. </div>
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I am delighted by the plot twist right in the middle of the book. I never thought it would come but when it was there, I had to brace myself because now the story is heading somewhere. New characters were introduced and with it comes the intrigue and that sense of foreboding that things really will start unraveling soon. In case no one's noticed in my tweets, I totally love Nazeera! And I feel like Juliette's world is expanding, and with it comes frightening truths about not just herself but Warner as well. <br />
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And that ending. THAT. ENDING. I can't believe the book ended that way! That ending, after I sat there speechless for a full minute, made me scramble to look at the calendar and count the days until the next book comes out because I have so many questions that needs to be answered! What a freaking roller coaster of emotions! One moment I was so happy and giggly and then the next I want to pull my hair out of my head and hit the table so hard because of extreme frustration. Tahereh gives me life only to kill me over and over again.<br />
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Restore Me is a great set up for what is sure to be an action packed, intriguing fifth book. Reading it felt like meeting an old friend after a long time and catching up because there's so much more I have to know. What an exhilarating ride that was. And what an amazing way to introduce me back to a series I love so dearly. Restore Me delivered, and boy did it deliver so much. Now I sit here and wait for another year to read the next book!<br />
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<b>Kai's favorite quote:</b><br />
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“I have a great fear of drowning in the ocean of my own silence.”</blockquote>
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):</b></div>
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I just love this book so much. I missed Juliette. I missed Warner. I missed Kenji. I missed literally everyone in this book that I was overcome with emotions the moment I flipped to the last page. IS THAT ALL? WHERE IS THE NEXT PAGE?!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bcePDNaL6YN0yGTYpTIir5p3D6_ixxM_9uai40QzLyzcrMdevQeFcqdH_KUVZ21DDG2pGSz-QPbv5G8PSccOPlEJ0LKWjEbSr9Zi4PPwJxE3-s74Gdsewul-bAkvfjVDHBlNI2tZRI/s320/5star01.jpg" /><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5190473011098681351" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stunning:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
I am so glad that cover is consistent with the design of the other four books! You guys don't know how relieved I am for that.</div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com472tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-21338484322300818532017-12-13T18:05:00.000+08:002017-12-13T18:09:10.360+08:00Review: The Conspiration of The Universe by Kenneth OlandayHello readers! Long time no post? :) Anyway, yes this blog is still alive and today is my stop for The Conspiration of The Universe blog tour.<br />
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<b>Title:</b> The Conspiration of the Universe by Kenneth Olanday<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>October 2017 <br />
<b>Published by:</b> Popfiction<br />
<b>Source:</b> From the publisher (Thanks Ishi and Jesselle!)<br />
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<b>Summary: </b><br />
Luke believes in a quote by his favorite author -- that is you want something so bad, the universe will conspire to help you get it.<br />
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Luke must have wanted to find love so much that Eureka, the heroine of his favorite book, comes to life and falls in love with him.<br />
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There is just one catch: once Eureka reaches the end of her book's storylike in the real world, then her story with Luke will end, too.<br />
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Will the universe conspire to help the star-crossed lovers find true happiness with each other?<br />
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One thing is for sure, Luke will do everything he can to keep Eureka forever.</blockquote>
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Now, I will be completely honest. There are things in the book that worked for me and unfortunately a lot that didn't. I'll do my best to explain why, but again keep in mind that every reading experience is different, so read this review with your own preferences in mind.<br />
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When I first read the summary, I was immediately hooked. I'm a sucker for stories like this, and when I saw the cover, I was more eager to read the book and find out for myself if it's really good. A girl who came to life from a book you love? Her life following the book's story line? Very, very interesting indeed.<br />
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This is technically my 3rd Pop Fiction book, and I really loved the one I've read before this, which was <b>Better Than Fiction</b>. (My rave review for that will be posted soon, for those who haven't seen my tweeting spree a few days ago.) It might have set my expectations higher, and I have hoped that reading The Conspiration of The Universe will sustain those feelings but the reading experience is a bit different with this one.<br />
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It was very hard for me to connect with Luke. He was not the best protagonist I've read about, and having a love-hate relationship with the person whose POV I'm reading the book from tends to lessen my enjoyment of a story. While I can understand how he can be a pessimist at times, but can he at least have a better attitude towards his mother? Is it teenage angst? I didn't like his thoughts at all when he broke up with Sydney, and I didn't like Sydney any better too, so no love lost there. Do you really invite your ex out for lunch in the aftermath of a break up and get angry because they said NO? Come on.<br />
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On the other hand, I feel like Luke's love for books made me connect with him even just a little. I understand that feeling, where you love a book so much you wish the characters were real. In that sense, I was so amused when Eureka showed up. She's like a breath of fresh air in the story. She's quirky, dorky and cheerful. Though her cluelessness sometimes confuse me because 3 years seems like a short amount of time to not have an idea that the internet does exist and yes there are DVD players, she's still an interesting character. I was rooting for her. I want to see her carve her own path and do what she loves and break out of that box of expectations her parents had set for her life. She wanted to be a videographer and I admire her reason for aspiring to be one.<br />
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Slow burn is my jam, but that was not the case here. The story started out very shaky for me, what with having a book whose pages suddenly became blank and eventually have an e-book where you can read everything is a bit weird. I felt like the chemistry between Eureka and Luke were at a level of strong, platonic friendship at best and falling in love, really, was out of the question. There are also scenes where I felt were unnecessarily added and then having so little time to establish having Luke and Eureka fall in love. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the way they interacted with each other and find myself smiling when Matt teased them about being a nerdy couple.<br />
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The ending is to be expected. There were lots of moments that set the story up for the conclusion, so it was sensible that it ends that way, but I still feel like it could have been explained better. Why was there a video at the end from Eureka? Did she just disappear or just left Luke behind for good? Did she return to the book? I was very confused with that part. The author made an effort in giving the story an ending that was open to interpretation, and I feel that it gave the book more depth. The portrayal of Luke's struggle to move on was very emotional, and that eventually gave the book an extra kick in the heart as it ends.<br />
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My absolute favorite part of the book is, admittedly, Matt. He's like that friend who tends to fight with you all the time but is always there to set you straight and get you out of the mess you're in when you need them to. He's fun and sarcastic and basically delivers the hard punches and truths and the personified version of a very good smack in the head for Luke. His prequel story was EXTREMELY good, and it was such an uplifting snippet that I wished was longer so I can drown in the feels a little bit more.<br />
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The Conspiration of the Universe is not what I expected it to be, but the elements that worked for me gave brief moments that were sweet, enjoyable and entertaining. Insta love and meeting the author of the book you've obsessed over for years kind of plot twists aside, people will find the light-hearted moments between friends (Matt and Luke), lovers (nerdy couple Luke and Eureka) and that extra dose of angst a good combination in a story like this.<br />
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I'm not trying to nitpick, but the typos also bothered me a little bit. Maybe I'm a jaded older reader, but more fluff please. This had so much potential but fell a little short for me.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwnJXKoHwtZaA7V8duAGfxMhRiG5W6TSp4eKd5fqg8AoT21-g0ZX_IB3QAhD-6LoQk7zjgQ8W54y_BOgV4Otxbvj9d9KqHTYc_MQlxuRUEgLMmvVm-HlwSsxAaPfh8a4WuRIylVWagsw/s320/3star01.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Okay:</span> Liked, but The Goddess demands more!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Oh my goodness, I love everything about the cover! The illustration is SO good and it blends well with the typography used. It's stunning and if you have the chance to get your hands on a real copy, the texture of the cover is really nice. Kudos to whoever designed the cover, what an amazing job!<br />
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kai (amaterasu)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11042852452970674760noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-8297618268367938462017-08-24T21:02:00.002+08:002017-08-24T21:06:24.866+08:00Events: I'm in a panel! (Again!)How are you all? Real life has been snatching more of my reading time these days but fear not, because I have bookish news to share with you all despite my busy schedule!<br />
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This year's installment of the Philippine Readers and Writers Festival brings a slew of amazing talks, authors and book signings and I am lucky enough to be able to participate again in a panel with these book bloggers: <a href="http://www.thebookaholicblurbs.com/">Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs</a>, <a href="http://www.staybookish.com/">Hazel of Stay Bookish</a>, <a href="http://defiantlydeviant.blogspot.com/">Lyra of Defiantly Deviant</a>, <a href="http://thebookfreakrevelations.com/">JM of The Bookfreak Revelations</a> and <a href="http://nerdytalksbookblog.wordpress.com/">Eunice of Nerdy Talks Book Blog</a>.<br />
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Last year we had a panel to discuss <a href="http://www.amaterasureads.com/2016/08/i-am-in-panel-discussion.html">the basics of book blogging</a>, but this time around we are going to be discussing something very timely and extremely relevant (and quite a bit scary, if you ask me). This year we will be talking about sensitive topics involving diversity, book shaming, cultural representation and other controversial book disputes not only in the YA community, but to the reading community as a whole. <br />
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I am thrilled and nervous at the same time. There's just so much going on in the community right now. It is changing, and we want to discuss as well as share our thoughts on these topics in a proper venue and hopefully engage in a meaningful discussion with a lot of readers and attendees of the festival! If you have time, drop by on August 27th at Namayan Room in Raffles Makati! Our panel starts at 5:00 pm and we have an hour and a half, we promise it's going to be worth your time.<br />
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If you want to know what else is in store for you in PRWF 2017, check the full schedule below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FRP2vihjUSGf0XrgqL3KmWyFIsPEmC9e3NRdlBTDjNnoSGcBl2lO5FKhJEZBoPZBlW6_pfK0Ux9RF8PDLFAWAaAAdaKWDZeRa9aGV3LbE27dzHvy4jvTovWl4vVDnXeLPmij-nkIXZ_0/s1600/21014217_10154882923856914_1580381802914841770_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FRP2vihjUSGf0XrgqL3KmWyFIsPEmC9e3NRdlBTDjNnoSGcBl2lO5FKhJEZBoPZBlW6_pfK0Ux9RF8PDLFAWAaAAdaKWDZeRa9aGV3LbE27dzHvy4jvTovWl4vVDnXeLPmij-nkIXZ_0/s400/21014217_10154882923856914_1580381802914841770_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hope to see you there! We will be bringing a few treats (and by that I mean books/ARCs) to give away to a few lucky attendees of our panel!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-79444330480373972722017-06-16T16:30:00.000+08:002017-06-16T16:31:30.270+08:00Review: Karmic Hearts by Jhing Bautista + Author Interview!Fair warning, this is the first Pop Fiction book I've read. I tried to keep my expectation at a minimum, but right after I've read the summary for Karmic Hearts I knew I just had to read the book. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2UNlQTU5JKUs9Pxae9l1raHU6VY-kxcI_l2xnZYvJVwTUfJM7aktc_uhnbI6F96umg2UX0miEwCLSRoSssLxjWbGITVn8alOIxXwJm4GzB-HmEkovgPDHSzSN5_-LvC_ydss69AEN_5u/s1600/35392947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2UNlQTU5JKUs9Pxae9l1raHU6VY-kxcI_l2xnZYvJVwTUfJM7aktc_uhnbI6F96umg2UX0miEwCLSRoSssLxjWbGITVn8alOIxXwJm4GzB-HmEkovgPDHSzSN5_-LvC_ydss69AEN_5u/s320/35392947.jpg" width="203" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>Karmic Hearts by Jhing Bautista <br />
<b>Release Date: </b>May 09, 2017<br />
<b>Published by: </b>Pop Fiction (Summit Books)<br />
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<b>Source: </b>From the publisher<br />
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<b>Read the original Wattpad story <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/story/6787982-karmic-hearts-published">here</a>.</b><br />
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Love. Magic. Fate. Best-selling romance novel author Karmina Joan writes about these things. She believes that every person has a purpose, that every soul has a destiny to fulfill. She thought hers was simply sharing her stories.<br />
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Her story unfolds with Cupid, the Angel of Love himself. He brings with him a mysterious vessel and a message from on high. It turns out Karmina has a bigger purpose after all—a mission that will make or break humanity as we know it.<br />
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As Cupid teaches her the tricks of his trade, Karmina unknowingly gives him something unexpected in return— something the angel of love will find oddly familiar. This may become the one flaw in an otherwise perfect plan that destiny had in store for them.<br />
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Does love truly conquer all or are there limits to what humanity can do in the name of love? Witness as Karmina struggles to find the answers before time runs out on true love.</blockquote>
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I have a tendency to swoon over stories about Love, Fate and Destiny. So a story about a girl seeing red strings? Meeting Cupid? With a writer as the character lead? Count me in.<br />
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I must admit that I initially had a hard time reading the book. There were grammar and spelling nuances that distracted me from going further faster, and I had trouble connecting with Mina initially, but I powered through for the sake of the story and I am glad I did. There is something magical in the way the story unfolded, and I found myself flipping through the pages until I reached the end. And WHAT. AN. ENDING.<br />
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There's something about Jhing's writing that sustains your curiosity and makes you want to read up to the last page.<br />
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If Cupid is real (can he be, please? :) ) he'll probably just smile one of those smiles of his upon finding so many people liking him in the story, and that includes me. This charismatic, drop dead gorgeous guy... humorous and witty. And though I did not like Mina at first, you cannot deny the chemistry between the two of them. Karmina does have a bigger purpose, and it is so much more than sharing her stories, I am glad that even if I find her disagreeable at first, she grew into someone I really want to root for in the story.<br />
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Staying true to the title and the plot, Karmic Hearts is a story about all forms of love and all the trials and tribulations that comes along with falling in love. It can be tricky to have a mix of the myths, red string, fate and destiny but Jhing Bautista makes you believe in it. If you don't, then this story will make you want to believe. What a heart warming story, and I am glad my first Pop Fiction book reading experience went really well. <br />
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P.S.<br />
<br />
<i>Call it curiosity on my part but I did read the original version on Wattpad. My reading experience is a little bit different with that one, but the story still delivers nonetheless. I can easily agree with a lot of the readers that the Wattpad format is easier to read, but reading the book form is so much worth the time as well! </i><br />
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):<br />
</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I mentioned the things that made me lose a bit of focus at the start of the book, but this is still a good read! Ah, Cupid...<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBNVpWHyeK6LUz3owjsYBRolvEXPg4xid6KG6RbcaEImQ27ffdUMMNv7ZRAMT6z07i3OVX8Fq4WIWsgsbnroeazTivU99w58jniH5pyGfH-lUuvhuAW9b-wN8HyyU4qYMWyHbszO_SYs/s320/4star01.jpg" /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Shining:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Love!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Super in love with the cover!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a></div>
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And now I share to you, my dear readers, an interview from the author of Karmic Hearts herself, Jhing Bautista. As part of the blog tour, I was able to ask Jhing a few questions about the book, being an author and the transformation Karmic Hearts went through from Wattpad to being a published book. Read it all below!<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>First things first, where did you get the idea for Karmic Hearts?</b></span><br />
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Karmic Hearts is a collection of random ideas that I’ve gathered over the years but didn’t know where and how to use.<br />
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a. When I was a kid, I used to save coins to buy this 99-peso cologne. The scent was not the thing that made me want to buy that particular cologne. It was the design on the container. Guardian angels. <br />
b. I love movies that tackle destiny and fate, like Serendipity. It’s just nice to know that no matter what happens, if you’re meant to end up with someone, the universe will conspire to get you two together. <br />
c. I love the movie, City of Angels. It’s just so poetic. <br />
d. I was always curious about who I’ll end up with and how we’ll end up together. This made me curious about everyone else’s fate as well.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Since Karmic Hearts was first published in Wattpad, I'm curious to know more about your writing process. How did you go about writing? Do you finish a couple of chapters at a time and post? Or post the chapter as you finish writing them?</b></span><br />
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I don’t make a draft for each story. I only have a concept, an ending, and some key points along the way. The Wattpad version of KH went through the same process as my other stories. I wrote the first few chapters and figured out the middle part and up to the end. After I write a chapter, I post it on Wattpad right away. <br />
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For the book, since I don’t have to post it anywhere, the writing was continuous. However, the only difference from the Wattpad version was I consulted a few people and asked them to read the chapters that I’ve finished so they can tell me if I’m losing the feel halfway.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>You have so many stories published in Wattpad, how do you make time to write? What is a typical writing day for you?</b></span><br />
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I always have time to write. Even when I’m at work, I find the time to write. Writing is not something that I can schedule because inspirations and ideas come at random times. My typical writing day does not only involve writing. I also listen to songs, watch movies, stare into space, eat, sleep, observe my environment.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Any advice for writers, not limited to Wattpad writers only, looking to have their books published?</b></span><br />
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First, be ready to compromise. I think people who want to have their stories published should keep this in mind. The thing is, even though we want certain things and think we know what is best for our story, that will change once the publisher comes into the picture.<br />
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Second, it is best to rewrite your story, remove the fillers, and only keep the important things. The publisher provides a certain budget for our book. The least we can do is to make it worth their money.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>The one lesson/idea your readers can learn when they read Karmic Hearts?</b></span><br />
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Hmm. A reader sent me a message, probably a year or two ago. She said that Karmic Hearts taught her to pray harder and more sincerely. It somehow strengthened her faith in God.<br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>If you can be in Cupid's shoes for one day, whose hearts would you want to connect and why?</b></span><br />
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I can’t think of anyone I’d want to connect. Haha!<br />
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And there you have it! I am the last stop for the Karmic Hearts blog tour. Check the list of blogs who participated in the tour for their reviews and other interviews related to the book. Happy reading!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfioN7s4XW671ccPM5t8615DmyZed-QjJczhLA6JotW0gzTyDwaTYFnH9foZmMcTcA9e2Hpx3Txo5dK6cUmF_DgEeNbvO4H6eaMJhQiIKg633dKe1emaV_n4JbKfQY2dy6ArylReGpNd6/s1600/blogtour_kh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfioN7s4XW671ccPM5t8615DmyZed-QjJczhLA6JotW0gzTyDwaTYFnH9foZmMcTcA9e2Hpx3Txo5dK6cUmF_DgEeNbvO4H6eaMJhQiIKg633dKe1emaV_n4JbKfQY2dy6ArylReGpNd6/s640/blogtour_kh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-50283917241654350552017-06-03T01:08:00.001+08:002017-06-03T01:17:07.439+08:00ARC Review: Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca ZappiaBetter late than never! It took me quite some time to post my review, mostly because I need to sort out my feelings and translate them into words and coherent thoughts and sentences, but here it is!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPkPb-AyYhK0LpqedBwwnje1rTR97LpYzN9WRxhstehCuPjMvdeuCsJnjyGUEl-ADRtDBRljK6O0ohjxQlezMP6Oj5qJQgr8TBayEgkandMw0ml2VMK1_i9BvijwQKBU10b9NeaHgJrl-/s1600/31931941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="314" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPkPb-AyYhK0LpqedBwwnje1rTR97LpYzN9WRxhstehCuPjMvdeuCsJnjyGUEl-ADRtDBRljK6O0ohjxQlezMP6Oj5qJQgr8TBayEgkandMw0ml2VMK1_i9BvijwQKBU10b9NeaHgJrl-/s320/31931941.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<b>Title:</b> Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>May 30th 2017 <br />
<b>Published by:</b> HarperCollins <br />
<b>Source:</b> From the publisher<br />
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<b>Buy online:</b> <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Eliz-and-Her-Monsters-Francesc-Zappi/9780062290137">Book Depository</a><br />
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<b>Summary:</b> Eighteen-year-old Eliza Mirk is the anonymous creator of Monstrous Sea, a wildly popular webcomic, but when a new boy at school tempts her to live a life offline, everything she’s worked for begins to crumble.<br />
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In the real world, Eliza Mirk is shy, weird, smart, and friendless. Online, Eliza is LadyConstellation, the anonymous creator of a popular webcomic called Monstrous Sea. With millions of followers and fans throughout the world, Eliza’s persona is popular. Eliza can’t imagine enjoying the real world as much as she loves her digital community. Then Wallace Warland transfers to her school, and Eliza begins to wonder if a life offline might be worthwhile. But when Eliza’s secret is accidentally shared with the world, everything she’s built—her story, her relationship with Wallace, and even her sanity—begins to fall apart. With pages from Eliza’s webcomic, as well as screenshots from Eliza’s online forums, this uniquely formatted book will appeal to fans of Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona and Rainbow Rowell’s Fangirl.</blockquote>
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I was especially drawn to the story right after I've read the summary. A story about a webcomic creator? And said webcomic creator's real life colliding with her online identity? Sign me up. I have, however, severely underestimated this book.<br />
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The biggest surprise for me is Eliza. I related to her in a much more deeper level than I expected. But no, not at first. Not much, at first. I was curious enough because she's a reserved person, so talented but shy and quiet. Her online life was much more exciting and a complete opposite of her real life self. I found myself soaking in her thoughts. I do not agree with some of the things she complained about but the rest feels like I'm reading about a part of myself. The power you have online, people read about you and you're popular and you feel a sense of accomplishment for yourself. The lowest points when everything started to fall apart. Zero motivation, and what comes after the end. I really think how it was brave for writers to write an ending and think of what comes after it and still continue to write. I do write, that's why this story speaks to me so much and so clearly and so vividly. My work is mostly fanfiction, because I never ventured much outside of it, but every single thing that Eliza thought about her webcomic, it spoke to me on a level that I didn't really think I can relate to. But I did. I really did. I still think some of the sentences Francesa Zappia wrote still echo inside me days after I've finished reading the book.<br />
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This book understands me. This book perfectly puts into words the things I want to say. It's real, and it is not afraid to talk about anxiety and how it affects not just the person but the relationships and the people around her. It does not sugarcoat Eliza's mental state, even the suicidal thoughts when things become too much to bear.<br />
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Eliza and Her Monsters did not just tackle about writing, or Eliza's art, but also the fandom, online friends, real life friends, her relationship as the webcomic creator to her fans, and what happens behind the scenes of Monstrous Sea. There was so much to read and I find myself nodding to all of it. It happens, people. It's real. And I like how Francesza Zappia put it into words exactly right, including the highs and especially the lows. The self doubts, the fear of not being good enough, the pressure to produce, the guilt on the thought of not finishing and letting her readers and fans down. Eliza is such a courageous character, every day she battles these "monsters" and keep on trying still. I wish I can be this hopeful, and it makes me think about all the stories I could've finished were I not afraid, or if I realized the things Eliza did. Readers would oftentimes complain about the lack of parental presence in some YA books, but not here, and I love how one point has been stressed in the story: to try to understand each other better (this mostly applies to Eliza and her relationship with her family, especially her parents who do not really understand what she does and Monstrous Sea) and determine which friends are "real".<br />
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I never paid much attention on Sully and Church, but they made me smile towards the end. When life becomes tough, they were there for Eliza. And did I talked about Wallace? No? Wallace has his own monsters to battle, but I like how he was this soft spoken, talented person who was there with Eliza. The sweet, tender, awkward moments he and Eliza shared and how we also got a glimpse of what his life was like in contrast with Eliza. He wasn't perfect, he had his own problems to deal with and things to think about but he was such a bright presence that made the story whole.<br />
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I loved the format of the book! It did not just make me curious about Eliza's story, but the story she's crafting as well. I would love to see Monstrous Sea have its own story!<br />
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Ah, Francesca Zappia. This is the first book of hers I've ever read and I don't think it'll be the last! I love everything about this book. Eliza and Her Monsters (unexpectedly) blew me away.<br />
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<b>P.S.: </b>Guys, Children of Hypnos is real. You can read it on Wattpad here: <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/story/95478833-the-children-of-hypnos">https://www.wattpad.com/story/95478833-the-children-of-hypnos</a><br />
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<blockquote>
<b>Kai's favorite quote:</b><br />
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<i>If you want the motivation back, you must feed it. Feed it everything. Books, television, movies, paintings stage plays, real-life experiences. Sometimes feeding simply means working, working through nonmotivation, working even when you hate it.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>We create art for many reasons- wealth, fame, love, admiration- but I find the one thing that produces the best results is desire. When you want the thing you're creating, the beauty of it will shine through, even if the details aren't all in order. Desire is the fuel of creators, and when we have that, motivation will come in its wake.</i></blockquote>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):</b></div>
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What else can I say? I love it, plain and simple.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bcePDNaL6YN0yGTYpTIir5p3D6_ixxM_9uai40QzLyzcrMdevQeFcqdH_KUVZ21DDG2pGSz-QPbv5G8PSccOPlEJ0LKWjEbSr9Zi4PPwJxE3-s74Gdsewul-bAkvfjVDHBlNI2tZRI/s320/5star01.jpg" /><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5190473011098681351" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stunning:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
The hands stained with paint, sketches of two characters. I'm sure you'll get it when you read the book!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZa4C0F7Gkz_jA4ayZhRT63JU0UBwLiYzTz1l5X30isYD6YDXS7kwAbXV6VK9x1ikSl6yC1LZzhQ-3B1neMDtSHmv9SSXGLVATvwwjPz4jc5qVFEQF54d1Dzmlzsi7tOhiQkuoEnJmh2/s1600/blogtour.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="898" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclZa4C0F7Gkz_jA4ayZhRT63JU0UBwLiYzTz1l5X30isYD6YDXS7kwAbXV6VK9x1ikSl6yC1LZzhQ-3B1neMDtSHmv9SSXGLVATvwwjPz4jc5qVFEQF54d1Dzmlzsi7tOhiQkuoEnJmh2/s400/blogtour.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's also a giveaway for this as I'm part of the blog tour for Eliza and Her Monsters! Go enter below:<br />
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="58156c86194" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/58156c86194/" id="rcwidget_ybvaykub" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> </div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com41tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-4808929237788666632017-04-26T17:29:00.000+08:002017-04-26T17:49:29.352+08:00Kai joins the #ReadOutLoudChallenge!Better late than never! Go me!<br />
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(Also, this is the reason why I am a book blogger and not a vlogger. I apologize in advance for my x1000 awkwardness, bad lighting in my room and soft sounding voice.)<br />
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I am joining <b><a href="https://www.nationalbookstore.com/readoutloudchallenge">National Bookstore's amazing initiative called the Read Out Loud Challenge</a></b>, where they will help set up one library in a public school for every 75 videos posted. Supporting such an initiative is more important than my fear of filming myself so here you go~. I am reading from Maggie Stiefvater's (I skipped saying her name in fear of pronouncing it wrong XD) <b>The Dream Thieves</b>. <strike>(PYNCH 5EVER!)</strike><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y8l72W-OO4Q" width="640"></iframe><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"A secret is a strange thing.<br />
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There are three kinds of secrets. One is the sort everyone knows about, the sort you need at least two people for. One to keep it. One to never know. The second is a harder kind of secret: one you keep from yourself. Every day, thousand of confessions are kept from their would-be confessors, none of these people knowing that their never-admitted secrets all boil down to the same three words: <i>I am afraid.</i><br />
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And then there is the third kind of secret, the most hidden kind. A secret no one knows about. Perhaps it was known once, but was taken to the grave. Or maybe it is a useless mystery, arcane and lonely, unfound because no one ever looked for it.<br />
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Sometimes, some rare times, a secret stays undiscovered because it is something too big for the mind to hold. It is too strange, too vast, too terrifying to contemplate.<br />
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All of us have secrets in our lives. We're keepers or kept-from, players or played. Secrets and cockroaches- that's what will be left at the end of it all."</blockquote>
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And so I am tagging Leslie of <a href="https://t.co/VSoZpnQ3zs">The Bibliophile Kid</a>, Louisse of <a href="https://t.co/xAiRJHfmUN">The Soul Sisters</a> and Jesselle of <a href="https://t.co/RJDnObqIKG">The Lifelong Bookworm</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> kai (amaterasu)http://www.blogger.com/profile/11042852452970674760noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-37914177200367242802017-01-06T23:47:00.000+08:002017-01-06T23:53:44.797+08:00Mini review: The Summer Palace (Captive Prince #3.5) by C.S. PacatWhat a way to start 2017! I've almost forgotten about the short stories, but I saw CS Pacat's post on Facebook and I've never 1-clicked any book faster in my life until this came out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0W21zJzCex0Y9i1VyNkuWbwNC4vb-sd49Y2tPt-TwaOM5pLoD8-c9kMQHHSiAvWkW_Ii8oA3JXNfaL4TIjH6DdHfX3NXUnYkRvvvPWAfDrck5EixUfgOyj3T1gocXkmjyEdAMnB_VIp9/s1600/33401298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0W21zJzCex0Y9i1VyNkuWbwNC4vb-sd49Y2tPt-TwaOM5pLoD8-c9kMQHHSiAvWkW_Ii8oA3JXNfaL4TIjH6DdHfX3NXUnYkRvvvPWAfDrck5EixUfgOyj3T1gocXkmjyEdAMnB_VIp9/s320/33401298.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b> The Summer Palace (Captive Prince #3.5) by C.S. Pacat<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> January 5th 2017<br />
<b>Published by: </b>Gatto<br />
<b>Source: </b>Bought from Amazon<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="http://www.fullybookedonline.com/products/tell-me-three-things"></a></span><br />
<b>Buy online: </b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summer-Palace-Captive-Prince-Stories-ebook/dp/B01N1SZKGS/ref=sr_1_1/168-9208353-3329049?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483717359&sr=1-1&keywords=9780987622303">Amazon</a> <br />
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<b>Summary:</b><br />
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Set after the events of the Captive Prince trilogy, The Summer Palace is a story about Damen and Laurent during summer. It's an epilogue of sorts to the Captive Prince series.</blockquote>
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Captive Prince, as you may (or may not) know is one of my favorite reads in recent years. I don't think I've ever read anything like it and C.S. Pacat's writing is just divine. I've yet to post my review of the three main books in the Captive Prince series here but I am making an exception today as this is the first read that officially got me out of a year long reading slump and jumpstarted my 2017 quest to get back to book blogging and basically loving books again.<br />
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After the end of King's Rising, many fans were craving for more material to read about our beloved pair, Damen and Laurent. If you are a fan like me, the end of King's Rising made you cry out in disbelief because you too couldn't believe it was over JUST. LIKE. THAT. There is another short story released called <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31814812-green-but-for-a-season" target="_blank">Green but for a Season</a> but I find that this short story, the "epilogue", is what I'm really waiting for.<br />
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What do I say? I love everything about it. This short story filled the book shaped hole made empty when the series ended. I love how after everything that had happened between both Damen and Laurent, they had something to look forward to and now they're here, and every single moment they shared together brings a smile to my face. It is a happy ending, but I love how C.S. Pacat made sure to let the readers know that the past shaped what they have in the present and what they will have in the future, that it can't be forgotten and will always be with them, that it is part of them. There's closure, and then there's the two of them ready to face the future, together. And you know what made me happier? I love how Laurent is now more honest with himself and more open with what he wants! He can laugh openly now, and be more at ease with Damen.<br />
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Also: the bath scene just made me swoon. The tables were turned and OH BOY wasn't that interesting. Laurent never fails to amaze me every single time.<br />
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I don't know how she does it, but C.S. Pacat just makes every encounter between Damen and Laurent as intense as it can possibly get. I love how there's a softer, gentler edge to it now, but the scenes just take your breath away like always.<br />
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The Summer Palace also offered a look at what happened immediately after the events in King's Rising, giving us readers a more complete view of the story, tying loose ends and answering more of the questions we had in the third book. So if you were craving for more like I was, then this short story just staved off the hunger for details.<br />
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I am looking forward to the other Captive Prince short stories! I know there's more to come (2 more?) and these stories just make me fall in love with C.S. Pacat's writing even more. I am definitely going to be on the look out for her new work, I hope she has one coming out this year!<br />
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):</b></div>
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Just. I wish it was longer? It wouldn't be a short story if it was but I just want more! I don't think I'll ever get enough of Damen and Laurent, to be honest.<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bcePDNaL6YN0yGTYpTIir5p3D6_ixxM_9uai40QzLyzcrMdevQeFcqdH_KUVZ21DDG2pGSz-QPbv5G8PSccOPlEJ0LKWjEbSr9Zi4PPwJxE3-s74Gdsewul-bAkvfjVDHBlNI2tZRI/s320/5star01.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Stunning:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
In the spirit of the simple covers. I like how they're consistent. Haha!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> </div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com58tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-36847094747352357842016-08-30T21:23:00.002+08:002016-08-30T21:23:31.318+08:00Recap: Our Book Blogging 101 panel + a giveaway!Wow, what a weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhqk64EzJBME1MY0Cvxq2hN-eIC_m-KLLs_fglQCIwO9-gzhNVkUkq_nLHHIrQQotzjdqaDBAUeTLkCuLF-DE5dp9gpp39rl4j6_rqYAXPntMEWRObnzE5myWsVxlZfDx9C6AQSs7xsri/s1600/Cojc98RVIAAcEV-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhqk64EzJBME1MY0Cvxq2hN-eIC_m-KLLs_fglQCIwO9-gzhNVkUkq_nLHHIrQQotzjdqaDBAUeTLkCuLF-DE5dp9gpp39rl4j6_rqYAXPntMEWRObnzE5myWsVxlZfDx9C6AQSs7xsri/s640/Cojc98RVIAAcEV-.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The past two days has been such an eventful time for me as I've mentioned, having attended this year's Philippine Readers & Writers Festival and joining the panel for Book Blogging 101. It's an understatement to say that this is an event I'll never forget. It was surreal, amazing and so much fun.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnZYnc_g96O2-_1yh60nwqUgIxXEm4bXURoomZZDjo3-Q6Ak3Z1Rl7FfT9Uk1KzHuoCS3468g5O7c0bsvQa3HEKMlUnZzLWsO3f3QjfWHOBrfnst0Tn-GImohKq_9xvKYdnaEylRakoRy/s1600/P8281849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnZYnc_g96O2-_1yh60nwqUgIxXEm4bXURoomZZDjo3-Q6Ak3Z1Rl7FfT9Uk1KzHuoCS3468g5O7c0bsvQa3HEKMlUnZzLWsO3f3QjfWHOBrfnst0Tn-GImohKq_9xvKYdnaEylRakoRy/s640/P8281849.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I did not get much sleep, and had to wake up extra early to meet with fellow panelists / book blogger friends. It was the first time I met bookstagrammer extraordinaire, <i><b>Eunice</b></i>, but we immediately clicked and instead of talking about how we'll do the panel (as we do not have a moderator), we ended up sharing our mutual nervousness. Admittedly, this was the biggest panel I have though it is not my first and nerves were starting to settle in.<br />
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9:30. We started five minutes late and by then there were more people than we ever expected to attend. We were all skeptical of the two and a half hour time we were given, because we didn't know we'd be into the discussion so much, but here is a quick rundown of what we talked about:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Finding the right platform - most of us are Wordpress and Blogger users and we discussed the pros and cons and reasons why we chose either of the two platforms, but we encourage people to try as many platforms as they can and see which one fits their need.</li>
<li>Focusing on a genre - What do you want to blog about? Do you need to focus on a specific genre? The advice here is to check what you read. What do you want your blog to focus on? It can be purely romance reviews, YA (and there are sub genres in YA) or have discussion posts.</li>
<li>Blog aesthetics - Hazel showed an example of blog designs she made and we discussed how your blog looks is as important as your content.</li>
<li>Book photography - (This is where I started moderating.) Eunice, Hazel and Kate shared so much useful tips about book photography and to keep the discussion going, I asked the essentials: how long it takes, how many shots do they take, filters to use, when to post and the use of hashtags. </li>
<li>Book reviews - This is where all five of us discussed how we review books. Some review DNFd books, some do not, which of course also depends on what kind of content you want to put on your blog. Is it just plain recommendations? Or do you review everything you read, whether they are good or bad? We also discussed book ratings and links to purchase.</li>
<li>Establishing your social media presence - We discussed which ones we use (I do recommend Twitter as it is easier to interact there) and how we use them to interact with fellow readers, promote our reviews and talk to publishers / authors.</li>
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<li>Time management - As only 1 out of the 5 panelists are still studying, we talked about how we manage our time with our hectic schedules when it comes to work and school. An important tip here is: do not force yourself to read or blog. If you have time, you can schedule posts, or you can choose to keep a schedule. It is up to you. <a href="https://twitter.com/staybookish/status/769842357600604160" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hazel has a blog planner you can use</a>!</li>
<li>Connecting with publishers - There is a disclaimer here to not aim for getting free books as a motivation to blog. Believe it or not, bloggers do send "queries" for books and we do get rejected. It is important to remember that not all the books you request you will get, as there are things to consider: territorial rights, shipping fees, limited copies.</li>
<li>ARCs - A very important topic where we explained how ARCs are NOT FOR SALE (it says so in the cover) and why it shouldn't be sold. ARCs aren't the final form / version of a book anyway and it doesn't help pay an author while publishers don't get anything out of it but spend to produce them instead. If a reader wants to support an author, we recommend to buy finished copies. We also discussed what we do to dispose ARCs: giveaways, trading or donating. Netgalley/Edelweiss are also a good alternatives to get ARCs.</li>
</ul>
The highlight of the panel came from the questions we got, and we got a lot! Here are the more important ones we answered:<br />
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<ul>
<li><b>Is blogging a privilege?</b> <br />The answer is no. Book blogging does not happen overnight. Bloggers work hard to get to where they are and it takes years and a huge amount of time. Blogging is a commitment. If we do get invited to events, we consider it as a perk and a bonus.</li>
</ul>
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<li><b>Do you need a literature background to write reviews?</b><br />All five of us do not have / are not taking up literary degrees. Passion to share the love of reading is what made us write. Literary background is useful if you want to be a professional reviewer, but if not, just write.</li>
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<li><b>Taking photos: what if you do not have physical copies but a Kindle?</b><br />Props will help.</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45HVRmq18JNhE2_ljcdmEqRKCIQYpdjCKVgbj02VXV0ax3MX3dgA_TkQuiMiPwxILqciwdQ6fFF0Q31Xo0ZOOXKB8NKxA3b_Qjprnm_LUwyuAu8bYk4mhBsBMPifXAZGeELwYzHMVljFv/s1600/IMG_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg45HVRmq18JNhE2_ljcdmEqRKCIQYpdjCKVgbj02VXV0ax3MX3dgA_TkQuiMiPwxILqciwdQ6fFF0Q31Xo0ZOOXKB8NKxA3b_Qjprnm_LUwyuAu8bYk4mhBsBMPifXAZGeELwYzHMVljFv/s640/IMG_0579.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Before the panel ended, a question was posed to us: what can we do as bloggers to promote literacy and do we review in our vernacular. It was, frankly, the best 10 minutes of my life. The man (he is the one wearing the white hat in the photo above, an elderly man who told us he used to be a publisher before) told us that he sees us bloggers as influencers, and that we can do something to help. It made me realize that I am not just a mere blogger. That if I think about it, yes indeed, I can influence people. That panels like what we had can help promote literacy and create awareness for reading.<br />
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Oh, and we later found out the name of the man who asked us the question (and literally closed the discussion for us)? His name is <a href="https://www.google.com.ph/?ion=1&espv=2#q=bienvenido%20lumbera" target="_blank">Bienvenido Lumbera</a>, one of the very few National Artists in our country and a Ramon Magsaysay awardee for journalism. I was floored. To have a National Artist sit there and listen to us talk about our passion made me feel so overwhelmed. It was an extraordinary experience.<br />
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Afterwards, we had people come up to us to ask more questions and take pictures. There was a lady who asked for more tips as she has been blogging for a while and want to do more and hopefully connect to more people who blog the same content as hers, as she is a teacher for the deaf. <a href="https://twitter.com/Urs_Uriarte/status/769713769110908928" target="_blank">Ursula Uriarte was there</a>. It was amazing!<br />
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We ate lunch and found ourselves unwinding at the Writer's Bar at the lobby of Fairmont, talking about what happened. And guess who was there?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOPOCd4mJ-XNWJxzM5xx6nhTrJBxnh_2JH_RGGRZeqE_vPUi4di_Hvff6GWA9E4XzoY8AXKU0R862XpDZMdr6mIDLSNxsBk_3dBnwUgO-UMlQiuj6M5veTxO-uIeG2KBhyphenhyphenmSTx2q86XV0/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOPOCd4mJ-XNWJxzM5xx6nhTrJBxnh_2JH_RGGRZeqE_vPUi4di_Hvff6GWA9E4XzoY8AXKU0R862XpDZMdr6mIDLSNxsBk_3dBnwUgO-UMlQiuj6M5veTxO-uIeG2KBhyphenhyphenmSTx2q86XV0/s640/IMG_0598.JPG" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, it's Anna Todd.</td></tr>
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What else can I say? Life changing day it was. And the ladies I am with made it such a memorable event, I'm not sure anything else can top it anytime soon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiZzKzXXsUjEo-aOrVoeq8_oUi6SUcMmqis7CvY9oj4OIaE4vH-CZXVKyXa90KeZcQZLFJbpa77y8apVeVDgzxnssO0L_0A1nKxchFVOaceN4BcnZwxzG27x43H0y41uQb1a4wIvzNKkz/s1600/P8281923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEiZzKzXXsUjEo-aOrVoeq8_oUi6SUcMmqis7CvY9oj4OIaE4vH-CZXVKyXa90KeZcQZLFJbpa77y8apVeVDgzxnssO0L_0A1nKxchFVOaceN4BcnZwxzG27x43H0y41uQb1a4wIvzNKkz/s640/P8281923.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GIVEAWAY TIME!</b></span></span></div>
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I have here a <i><b>SIGNED FIRST EDITION</b></i> copy of Lauren Kate's Unforgiven which I will give away to one lucky winner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb1NqlhScCfBzu3738hBK2JbX-sv04x63BelLpfEjUqrw8dFzrhWwByWeWHpmkR0QAwfnC693bQVZMOdo3fQ4hoYiqG8dXv4l890Hxuv8t6yWEIKBeTAE-4G3fDaVQj3zM7b26qy38faA/s1600/IMG_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMb1NqlhScCfBzu3738hBK2JbX-sv04x63BelLpfEjUqrw8dFzrhWwByWeWHpmkR0QAwfnC693bQVZMOdo3fQ4hoYiqG8dXv4l890Hxuv8t6yWEIKBeTAE-4G3fDaVQj3zM7b26qy38faA/s640/IMG_0629.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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All you have to do is answer this:<br />
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<i><b>Did you attend the Philippine Readers & Writers Festival? (Or our panel, perhaps?) Which activity/event/panel/moment was your favorite and what else would you want the festival to have (a panel for something, an author you want to visit) next year?</b></i><br />
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As with the question, I will only be opening this to <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Philippine residents</span></b>. Contest ends <b><span style="color: #0b5394;">September 9th</span></b>. RT-ing the tweet for this post / following me will be greatly appreciated but not required.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-25206765303179123712016-08-21T10:00:00.000+08:002016-08-21T10:03:48.224+08:00I am in a panel discussion!Hello dear readers!<br />
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I am so sorry if the blog hasn't been active for the past few months! Work has taken over majority of my life and I'm currently in a transition to a better career path. Anyway! That doesn't mean my blog is entirely dead or that I am going to stop book blogging! I have a few reviews scheduled to go up over the next few days and hey! <i>I will be participating in a local book event.</i><br />
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If you're familiar with the annual Philippine Literary Festival hosted by National Boookstore, then you know that that happens around this time of the year. This year it's called <b>The Philippine Readers & Writers Festival</b>.<br />
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I am honored to be invited to be a part of one of the panels together with a few of my book blogger friends and I am inviting you all to attend if you have time to spare! It's on a Sunday but I promise it is definitely worth the trip!<br />
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If you missed the <a href="http://amaterasureads.blogspot.com/2015/12/recap-book-blogging-101-panel-giveaway.html">Book Blogging 101 panel we did a year ago</a> and you are still interested to start book blogging but don't know where to start, our panel will be providing insights and experiences to help you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-wrXDJXIo8sH9VCFY9OGwfaqGOWXPrZTEGkWVEld3okgt8N-tTLLm76Q8W1Z-oMrZiRfyW74iJraXug98Kuq5Zut_YFzhwNnF0gK1FWJU9D1PajRXgz9UAHJ_ZOOh_D6RKJ5lYjxjBJo/s1600/14064102_10153827243576914_2657008842996965168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk-wrXDJXIo8sH9VCFY9OGwfaqGOWXPrZTEGkWVEld3okgt8N-tTLLm76Q8W1Z-oMrZiRfyW74iJraXug98Kuq5Zut_YFzhwNnF0gK1FWJU9D1PajRXgz9UAHJ_ZOOh_D6RKJ5lYjxjBJo/s1600/14064102_10153827243576914_2657008842996965168_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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A good note is that we are not just book bloggers but we also have bookstagrammers in the panel, so if you are interested in knowing more about book photography, we have that covered as well. Oh, and we will also be raffling off a prize bag to a lucky person who will attend our panel. <br />
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Hope to see you at the Philippine Readers & Writers Festival 2016!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> <br />
<br />Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-40653586089477489052016-05-29T23:43:00.001+08:002016-05-29T23:47:51.470+08:00Signing recap: #JenniferNiveninPH book signing!I am back with a new recap!<br />
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The month of May brings <i><b>Jennifer Niven</b></i>, author of the tear inducing and heart wrenching All the Bright Places, to Manila for a signing courtesy of National Bookstore.<br />
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<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BF-fdDmvOzh/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">She's here! What an amazing person and an amazing author. Some of the bloggers might or might've cried a bit during the Q&A. #JenniferNiveninPH #nbsevents #booksigningevent #booksigning #phyabookblogger #phyabooksigning</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads) on <time datetime="2016-05-29T03:40:59+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 28, 2016 at 8:40pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />
It never, never, never gets old. I mean that feeling of seeing an author walking straight towards you, all smiles and so excited to spend time and talk about writing books and the stories she'd written. Perfect example: Jennifer Niven. I love how she's so soft spoken, speaks with simple words and just makes so much sense.<br />
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As for what she said during the Q&A, check out the rundown below:<br />
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<b>If Jennifer was to write a sequel for ATBP, what is in store for Violet Markey?</b><br />
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Violet wanders around New York, and she's going to NYU where she'd hope to go to a long time ago. She wanders around the world after she graduates and she will probably, one day, write a book about Finch. When people ask her what happens to Violet, Jennifer usually tells them what happened to her instead as she feels like she's like Violet in many ways. Violet has all these bright places with her where she will wander to and honor Finch with every day she has.<br />
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<i>(At this point we were all starting to feel emotional, and it's only the first question!)</i><br />
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<b>If she was given the chance to change the ending of All The Bright Places, would Jennifer change it? Why or why not?</b><br />
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Jennifer would love to change it and make it the happiest story. She thought about it while she was writing the book, as it is a personal story (for Jennifer) and Jennifer was really torn about just writing a happy ending. But she was writing what she knew in real life and she thought, that at the end of the day, she will write her experience and hopefully it will lead to a lot of happier endings for the people reading the book. <br />
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<i>*cue more feelings here*</i><br />
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<b>Was there anything any of the characters could have done to change the end of the novel/the fate of THAT character? Or was it, like Finch said, something that always had a built-in ending?</b><br />
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There's a lot that could have been done. The parents could've given better attention, especially the mother. Classmates could've been more accepting and less judgmental. And ultimately, THAT character could've been more responsible and could've reached out, let people in and asked for help.<br />
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<i>*dump more feels*</i><br />
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<b>All The Bright Places shed some light on some mental health issues that are relevant in today's society. How much research went into the novel for it to have such powerful and emotional portrayal of severe depression and was it difficult for Jennifer to take it all in while writing the novel?</b><br />
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Jennifer knows a boy like Finch and seen up close his struggle, everyday, to be seen in the world and to deal with all the things he's dealing with and try to make sense of them. It was what created Finch for her. Beyond that, Jennifer felt like she has this responsibility, as she was writing for Young Adult, to make sure that everything was as accurate as possible by talking to experts and people she knew who were suffering from depression, with suicidal tendencies to make sure that everything read as accurately as possible. At the end of the day, it was mostly knowing <i>that</i> boy and what he went through.<br />
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<i>*oops, I accidentally added more feels*</i><br />
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<b>What can readers expect from Jennifer's new book, Holding Up the Universe?</b><br />
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One thing: Fellow book blogger and the admin for @JenniferNivenPH, Jesselle (The Lifelong Bookworm) has a cameo as she is a character in the book. Jennifer was asked if All the Bright Places was a "ten tissue box" like book, and with Holding Up the Universe, it's a "five boxes instead of ten" kind of book. It's a little bit happier and fun for Jennifer to write. It was hard for Jennifer at first to get into Jack and Libby's voices as she (still) lives in the world of Finch and Violet so it was hard for her to make the separation, but once she did she had such a good time writing them and she hopes that it shows on the page. It's a story about learning one's place in the world and seeing others for who they truly are and not who people think they are. Jennifer hopes that readers get "<i>all the feels with a little less tears.</i>"<br />
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<i>(We calmed down a little on this part.)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>(And then I just had to ask my question.)</i><br />
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<b>As Jennifer's previous books were non-fiction, What made her transition into writing YA stories and how different is it to write for teens instead of adults?</b><br />
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Jennifer started writing non-fiction and then moved to writing novels for adults. She was in the middle of writing the fourth book in a series (for adults) and then in the spring of 2013, her literary agent passed away unexpectedly. Jennifer has been working with him for 15 years and his death turned everything upside down for her. She was feeling burned out because she was writing said series for adults and the last thing on her mind was writing a new project. After her agent died, she was talking to new agents and they were asking what her new project will be and she had to think of one and she kept coming back to the last conversation she had with her agent where he said "<i>Whatever you write next, I want you to write it because you can't imagine writing anything else.</i>". Jennifer felt like she needed to honor that and him and she took time to think about what her next project should be, and what she truly wanted to write. She kept coming back to this boy she loved all those years ago and she loved reading YA and has always wanted to write it so she thought that it was the perfect chance to do it. She talked to her fiance and asked if anyone would want to read that story and if there even is a story there and he said that Jennifer needed to write the book. And so she did.<br />
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<i>(Yeah... sorry.)</i><br />
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<b>How different or difficult was it for Jennifer to adapt her own book as a film screenplay?</b><br />
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It was really scary at first for her, especially because it has been a while since she had written a screenplay. (Jennifer went to film school!) The director of the movie told the producers that Jennifer was the only one who could adapt the book. For her, it was intimidating and people actually listened to the director. But it has been a wonderful experience and an interesting one as film doesn't have much space as books do, and they have to cut certain scenes and make certain changes for the film to make the translation and it was tough at first. Jennifer would look at every scene in the book and tell herself no, that they were all really important and has to be in there but if that is the case, the director told her that they will be making a 12 part movie. The readers, for Jennifer, has always been the most important and as long as she can tell the story in a way that honors the readers and their experience of the book, then that is crucial. Very early on in the screenplay process Jennifer asked readers online what scenes they would absolutely love to see (as Jennifer would have to cut some for the movie) so she listened to the fans, seen the fanarts and know all the favorite lines from the book and she made sure they were in the movie as well. <br />
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The movie is shooting in the fall and by the end of the summer, everyone will meet Finch.<br />
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<i>(Okay, now we're happy!)</i><br />
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<b>What does Jennifer do on her writing break?</b><br />
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Jennifer writes A LOT and she works ALL THE TIME. But of course it is important to have balance and to have time for herself so she would play with friends, her family and she would dance. Jennifer loves dancing and she takes dance classes in a place near her home. She would also go hiking, as she lives in LA and she loves to be outside whenever she can. She would also travel. And she loves to read! She loves binge watching TV series and she's a huge fan of Supernatural. It's a great kind of escape and a way of recharging herself after writing.<br />
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<i>(More happiness!)</i><br />
<i><br />
</i> <i>(But then Leslie had to ask her question.)</i><br />
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<b>Mental illness is still somewhat of a taboo in our society today. What made her decide that Finch and Violet's story needed to be told?</b><br />
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Jennifer started to feel that it needed to be told because it is something she had went through and has been carrying around for quite some time. But when she really looked back while in the process of writing the story, she felt like when she lost her own Finch in real life, she felt like she wasn't allowed to talk about it because of how he died as it made people very uncomfortable. She kept those feelings in and carried it around for a really long time so in some ways she wrote All the Bright Places because she had to talk about it and ultimately, she wrote it because people need to talk about it. When the book first came out, some adults took issue with it and said the adults were unrealistic and that it wasn't something teens need to be talked about it, and that it is something they need to learn later on in life. Jennifer's problem with that is the teens she hears from, a lot of them, are not being listened to by the adults in their life and they need to talk about it so they'll know that they're not alone and that they are going through things like it or not and people need to be there for each other. Jennifer didn't really know all of these until she was well into the process of writing the book.<br />
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<i>(This is so true.)</i><br />
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<b>How was the writing process for Holding Up the Universe different from the writing process for All the Bright Places?</b><br />
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Jennifer has written 9 books including HUTU and every book wants to be written differently so it didn't surprise her that both books had to be written differently as well. It was challenging for her as she mentioned, as she was still in the heads of both Finch and Violet and really stayed in their world since well before the book was written. Breaking free of that for Jack and Libby was a challenge so what she did to help herself was she made playlist for both the characters, which were very distinctive and different for both Jack and Libby. Jennifer usually doesn't write to music if it has words as it distracts her from what she was trying to write but in the case of HUTU, she wrote to words, played Jack's playlist and just write and switch to Libby's. It was a good way for her to drop into the emotion and the voices of the characters which became a fun kind of challenge for her to write the book in that way. She told herself not to think about it too much, that she will just listen to music, write and go where it takes her. One of the fun things writing HUTU for her is that Jennifer kept surprising herself. She would try to do the unexpected and the characters would do the unexpected as well it made the writing a lot of fun to do.<br />
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As if it wasn't enough, Jennifer had to give such an emotional message to her readers. And she cried, and we were so teary eyed as well!<br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gPVxYXblHL4?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe> </center><br />
Honestly, it was one of the most emotional Q&A we have had and still I wouldn't trade every moment of it. You can feel Jennifer's emotion throughout the whole thing and we just want to hug her! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaHnYoARb6RSURXqvM8EKbB1dbaosngUx4FoFEbHszWuRET3C09odQNf6ij3951FuxkzOBzqHOSnnqRGQOFNCDAx5-XMrYGNCr05TYL-sfaBh6F0fjJpraF__gtkGSVde63HaLLrimT0c/s1600/FotorCreated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaHnYoARb6RSURXqvM8EKbB1dbaosngUx4FoFEbHszWuRET3C09odQNf6ij3951FuxkzOBzqHOSnnqRGQOFNCDAx5-XMrYGNCr05TYL-sfaBh6F0fjJpraF__gtkGSVde63HaLLrimT0c/s640/FotorCreated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
Nevertheless, it was still a bright place for all of us that we get to spend some time with this amazing lady! I was able to ask her what her favorite quote was, while she was signing my book and you know what she told me? It would be very hard to pick, because as a writer, she loves every word from what she had created.<br />
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With that, I leave you with this photo, the highlight of every book signing we attend: #kaiselfie<br />
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I practiced so hard to have everyone fit inside the frame but fitting 24 people inside was just impossible. Please say hello to my forehead.<br />
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<center><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style="background: #fff; border-radius: 3px; border: 0; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.5) , 0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: 99.375%;"><div style="padding: 8px;"><div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 37.5% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"><div style="background: url(data:image/png; display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div></div><div style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BF-j3_fvO9_/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">Kai selfie (featuring my forehead)! I love how I failed so hard it turned out great. 😂😂😂 #jenniferniveninph #phyabookblogger #nbsevents #booksigningevent #booksigning #nbsevents</a></div><div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads) on <time datetime="2016-05-29T04:19:36+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">May 28, 2016 at 9:19pm PDT</time></div></div></blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></center><br />
Thank you so much to National Bookstore for bringing in another amazing author for a book signing! Jennifer deserves so much love from her readers and I am so proud of all the Filipino bookworms who showed up today and gave Jennifer so many bright places!<br />
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<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><div dir="ltr" lang="en">What an amazing crowd for <a href="https://twitter.com/jenniferniven">@jenniferniven</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JenniferNiveninPH?src=hash">#JenniferNiveninPH</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/nbsalert">@nbsalert</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JenniferNivenPH">@JenniferNivenPH</a> <a href="https://t.co/YZC640VxZL">pic.twitter.com/YZC640VxZL</a></div>— Lyra Gill (@lygill) <a href="https://twitter.com/lygill/status/736802520299753472">May 29, 2016</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></center><br />
What an amazing day! Share your experience during the #JenniferinNivenPH signing!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-67361728969205723962016-05-16T23:14:00.001+08:002016-06-03T17:41:21.433+08:00ARC review: Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff"<i>The days are strange and the nights feel like some hyper realistic dream I can't wake up from.</i>" p. 275<br />
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This is exactly how I feel about the book, in a nutshell.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpixpdbl0Qkk8I722NSBDiGQD85eQ6nCjSLu_eqB3-U3Z8bs1AmQ7S3PuBeSl_Qo0ckAKmJrHcJrc-a6eegkczu8U2OZtHNM_aw4FMBCV2UMs_Bydt_hnwRIslb-PSHtm-rkY8dOJ5qDm/s1600/22552019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpixpdbl0Qkk8I722NSBDiGQD85eQ6nCjSLu_eqB3-U3Z8bs1AmQ7S3PuBeSl_Qo0ckAKmJrHcJrc-a6eegkczu8U2OZtHNM_aw4FMBCV2UMs_Bydt_hnwRIslb-PSHtm-rkY8dOJ5qDm/s320/22552019.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><blockquote><b>Title: </b>Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff <br />
<b>Release Date: </b>May 17th 2016<br />
<b>Published by: </b>Delacorte Press<br />
<b>Source: </b>From the publisher (Thanks Julia!)<br />
<br />
<b>Buy online: </b><a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Places-No-One-Knows/9781524700348/?a_aid=amaterasureads">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<br />
Waverly Camdenmar spends her nights running until she can’t even think. Then the sun comes up, life goes on, and Waverly goes back to her perfectly hateful best friend, her perfectly dull classes, and the tiny, nagging suspicion that there’s more to life than student council and GPAs.<br />
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Marshall Holt is a loser. He drinks on school nights and gets stoned in the park. He is at risk of not graduating, he does not care, he is no one. He is not even close to being in Waverly’s world.<br />
<br />
But then one night Waverly falls asleep and dreams herself into Marshall’s bedroom—and when the sun comes up, nothing in her life can ever be the same. In Waverly’s dreams, the rules have changed. But in her days, she’ll have to decide if it’s worth losing everything for a boy who barely exists.</blockquote><br />
I have never read any of Brenna Yovanoff's novels, so I didn't know what to expect. What drew me in to this book was the summary, and the "<i>magical realism</i>" theme underlying in the whole story.<br />
<br />
The first one hundred pages, I can truthfully say that I only stayed because of the romance, which, when thrown into the mix of messy adolescent thoughts and emotions end up being so confusing I wasn't sure what I was reading. There was just so much to take in. And it took me a while to digest the whole dream side of the story, mainly because I have to go through both of Marshall and Waverly's thoughts first, and boy were they tough to get out of. I had to stop a couple of times because I felt like the heaviness of their feelings are bleeding out of the pages and into me.<br />
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One question kept on floating in my mind while I was reading this book. <i>Was high school that complicated?</i> In some level, I understand Waverly. The need to present a version of yourself that everyone approves of, to be perfect. It was hard being her, and at some point in her life she and Maribeth had developed a destructive give and take type of relationship that you can barely call "friendship" while making up versions of themselves which will help them achieve what they thought was something that will make them have a successful high school life. They were, of course, wrong. Waverly denies herself a lot of things, and never acts carelessly because she always thinks of the consequences, and what was best at the time even though that wasn't what she feels. And she feels, despite being called a 'robot'.<br />
<br />
Marshall, on the other hand, is a very different person altogether. So much hurt, so much pain. Angst. Drama. The level of 'darkness' he was in is in some ways similar to Waverly, and I think that is what draws him to her. Like with Waverley, who was calculated and careful with her every move, Marshall is someone else entirely underneath the underachieving, bad boy persona. To find that he's actually a kind, sensitive soul was a surprise, though I was still a little bit apprehensive with the way his character was built. To feel nothing and be numb, escape reality by hiding behind the haze of drugs and alcohol. What a sad boy.<br />
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And speaking of characters, the one I like the most is Autumn. If the things happening in this book are weird (for me), then she's even weirder. But as I get to know Autumn, that's when she makes sense. Everyone thinks she's weird because she was being true to herself, and does what she wants without caring what people might think. She's frank, she pisses people off, but she's also caring. She's the complete opposite of Waverly in daylight, and I like how Waverly described her: "a friend she needs when she didn't even know she needed to have a friend". Her relationship with Marshall perfectly describes friends growing up: sometimes they just drift away and grow apart. She was also the perfect contrast to Maribeth, who lives to undermine people secretly, slowly and deliberately, to be on top. When in all honesty, she really is just lonely, just like Waverly once was, before she met Autumn and Marshall.<br />
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Despite the heaviness, I still find myself smiling at times during heated scenes, because it can get very intense, in that quiet, rushed, secretive kind of way that gives it an entirely different feel. Brenna Yovanoff did an awesome job diving into the characters of both leads that sometimes it's impossible not to get affected by what they think, what they feel. I love that with the alternating point of views, we see what's behind the many layers that define them, not just in high school or their social standing, but in their individual lives as well. Each character added in the story widens the reader's understanding not just of it's like to be Waverly and Marshall, but what it's like to be students at that point of their lives and what they go through as teens.<br />
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Spill walls with secrets, crying for help anonymously, it makes one look back and reminisce their own lives as teenagers. Striving to be polished and perfect and realizing that sometimes being perfect just doesn't work, and having the strength to speak up, to be strong and say what's on their minds, what's bothering them, and then work to be better. The lessons this book imparts to readers are powerful. The whole dream part was very tricky and shaky, but it kept me thinking if it was deliberately done as a part of the book's overall appeal. Magical realism always tend to confuse me, but I like how it leads to so much development in the story, in the case of this book.<br />
<br />
Places No One Knows is such a loaded read. Different, but worth all the befuddling, puzzling moments. Sometimes, people can only find solace in that very narrow gap between reality and dream, and that certainly is the case for Waverly and Marshall, who can only be their true selves and connect when they're toeing that line. I still can't quite put this story into one form or place, but that's what made this an appealing read for me. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Content (plot, story flow, character):<br />
</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">It took me a while to get used to the whole dream concept, for a while everything seems so vague and outrageous, and the story is so heavy at times I had difficulty in continuing. <br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBNVpWHyeK6LUz3owjsYBRolvEXPg4xid6KG6RbcaEImQ27ffdUMMNv7ZRAMT6z07i3OVX8Fq4WIWsgsbnroeazTivU99w58jniH5pyGfH-lUuvhuAW9b-wN8HyyU4qYMWyHbszO_SYs/s320/4star01.jpg" /></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Shining:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Love!</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Book Cover:</b><br />
I love how the cover completely defies the expectation it sets when one reads the book.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-85963875317744492142016-04-16T19:22:00.000+08:002016-04-16T19:28:32.818+08:00[Blog tour] Tell Me Three Things by Julie BuxbaumKeeping in mind the title of the book, and the conversation format between Jessie and SN (Somebody Nobody), I will tell you my initial reactions after finishing this book in the same way:<br />
<br />
1. Oh wow, <i>the feels</i>. I am drowning in feelings. And by feelings I mean this in a good way. It alternates from drowning in a tsunami of fluff and me sporting a goofy smile, to feeling emphatic and soaking in grief and all the teenage drama that unfolds in the pages.<br />
2. This is like <i>a movie in my head</i>. So very entertaining and such a fun read. I love how I can just imagine every single moment in this book vividly.<br />
3. <i>Ethan.</i> Because Ethan is Ethan is Ethan. (You'll get this once you read the book!) And that's all that matters. He makes everything better and I just can't get enough of him! I'm sure a lot of readers feel the same way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_cWlKiGkBRWyPhNQI02ZSHtok18yIj_r7bAVshBt2y_HTdlN7pVQE8wLqYqvgDZ0Qvu6DqeZLy7ZpS3OHOaUwCJdzXD_iIS7LHcGDwP9tLccSDAwv9bHNvy9OsbKeTyYOwi8caelgmy5/s1600/25893582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_cWlKiGkBRWyPhNQI02ZSHtok18yIj_r7bAVshBt2y_HTdlN7pVQE8wLqYqvgDZ0Qvu6DqeZLy7ZpS3OHOaUwCJdzXD_iIS7LHcGDwP9tLccSDAwv9bHNvy9OsbKeTyYOwi8caelgmy5/s320/25893582.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> April 5th 2016<br />
<b>Published by: </b>Delacorte Press <br />
<b>Source: </b>From the publisher (Thanks Julia!)<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Buy locally:</b> <a href="http://www.fullybookedonline.com/products/tell-me-three-things">Fully Booked</a></span><br />
<b>Buy online: </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553535641/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553535641&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Tell-Me-Three-Things/9780399552939/">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<br />
Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?<br />
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It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.<br />
<br />
In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?</blockquote>
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Don't you just love the initial intrigue you feel right after you read the summary? I did, and my expectations for the novel weren't really that high to begin with. But oh wow, as soon as I was 20 pages in I know I'm going to enjoy reading Jessie's story. So let me tell you three things that made this such a good read for me.<br />
<br />
<b>One:</b> <i>Jessie, Jessie and Jessie. S/N. Theo, Scar, Liam, Dri, Agnes. In short, the characters.</i><br />
<br />
I absolutely love stories that hooks the reader right from the start, and meeting Jessie pulled me right in. A lot of aspects in her life is something I have experienced myself, and reading, remembering that similar place and point in my life instantly made me connect and relate with Jessie. I don't know how she did it but there's something in the way that Julie Buxbaum shaped Jessie's character that didn't make her an annoying person despite her life being very dramatic, and her being in the midst on an emotional time of her life. Here is a teenager, grieving, suddenly presented with a life drastically different than she's used to, alone, surrounded with everything unfamiliar. I admired Jessie in a lot of ways because she got through it. Jessie is fascinating, and her thoughts allowed me to know her more. What better way to present the story than being seen in her eyes.<br />
<br />
And S/N. S/N, S/N, S/N. Oh, I just love him. Entertaining, witty, humorous, and despite being weird (Yes, even I can use the word to describe S/N) I can't get enough of S/N. Before I knew it I was looking forward to reading the banter, the IMs, the conversations with Jessie. Because that's just it, full of laughs and amusing thoughts of two teenagers. Though shrouded with secrecy, we also get to know S/N through the random facts shared in their conversations. It's like Julie was giving away bits and pieces and clues so the readers can find out who this person is, and I just ate up every single thing thrown my way. I loved that the uncertainty of S/N and Jessie's relationship was evident, and how it was properly expressed that real life and cyber versions of themselves aren't similar, that not all things might be real or true, how easy it is to say things online than to say it in person.<br />
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One more thing that I love: how there's a spectrum of other interesting characters throughout the book, each of them contributing in making the story likable and lovable. Theo, who I love to hate and hate to love. He has his own share of grief, and though most of the time he confuses me, grabbed my attention as well. Scar, who I loved because she's such a great best friend. And thrown in a couple of other hot guys like Liam, Caleb, Ethan to the mix to further muddle the trail that leads to S/N and it makes the story all the more adorable. <br />
<br />
<b>Two: </b><i>The feelings, oh the feelings.</i><br />
<br />
I've lost count how many times I found myself chuckling or full on laughing while reading. I was also frustrated, worried, anxious at various points of the book. To be able to feel such a variety of emotions while reading is something I don't always get to experience, but this book just gave me so much joy, laughter, made me a little teary eyed, sad, nervous and made me hold my breath in a span of 300 pages. Finding a place to belong, learning to live a good life after such a devastating loss and finding love in unexpected times and places, the story takes me through all of that. In the history of big secret revelations, the twist in this book is probably the best anti-climactic moment I will like for a long time. It was so... S/N.<br />
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<b>Three:</b> <i>Julie Buxbaum's writing</i><br />
<br />
I will be honest, I've figured out who S/N is very early in the story. But you know what? I think figuring out just who this online, mysterious friend is added an extra dimension to my reading. Because then I get to know this person as S/N and as who they are in real life. The contrasts in personalities, the why's, the what's and the how's that made them such a person. (I refuse to give unnecessary clues away!) The journey S/N and Jessie made before the secrets were revealed. I didn't give up until I see it happen, how Julie will bring the readers to that point. The story itself is simple and straightforward, but I like how as a reader, I get more than what I expected and that's what makes it such a special read. There's depth, emotions, lively characters, and it was such an engaging story. Who am I not to fall in love with such a potent combination?<br />
<br />
In closing, here are the three things I know:<br />
<br />
1. I recommend this book to all of you. It's already been a week since release date and you need to grab a copy NOW.<br />
2. I am so glad I had a chance to read such a story. Another book to add on my favorite YA contemporary list. And I am proud to say that I will read anything Julie Buxbaum writes from now on.<br />
3. Do I need a third reason? If yes, please read my review again and see if I can convince you one more time.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Kai's favorite quote:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>When I close my eyes at night, I see last moments, impossible goodbyes.<br />But I don't dream anymore. Do you dream? I miss it.</i></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YA contemporaries just keep getting better and better this year. Wow. I just love this book so much I don't even know what else there is left to say! Just read it!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bcePDNaL6YN0yGTYpTIir5p3D6_ixxM_9uai40QzLyzcrMdevQeFcqdH_KUVZ21DDG2pGSz-QPbv5G8PSccOPlEJ0LKWjEbSr9Zi4PPwJxE3-s74Gdsewul-bAkvfjVDHBlNI2tZRI/s320/5star01.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Stunning:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Of course. Waffles!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> </div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-74414559846950171842016-04-03T01:15:00.000+08:002016-04-03T01:15:08.908+08:00ARC Review: No Love Allowed by Kate EvangelistaI am typing this review literally 10 minutes after I finish reading the book, so forgive me for the review that is also thinly disguised as me fangirling.<br />
<br />
Oh man. The feels. It's all about the feels in this book.<br />
<br />
(<i>I've actually live tweeted while I was reading the book, so if you're interested in my reactions, you can follow the hashtag, #<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KaireadsNoLoveAllowed?src=hash">KaireadsNoLoveAllowed</a>.</i>) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Hqujt52hDMVBRNcqflez7XXCutAiBy8XBraRT2c_9liu1bdWIO9tUVw49Z8QIFAy1hAmv5dxXW57ylPK2_EOPKHlPkPbArjLj_g5YOXA5H5DwlaMcVc2m5sZ6kkzHblUHzeCRXc9e3jc/s1600/23288804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Hqujt52hDMVBRNcqflez7XXCutAiBy8XBraRT2c_9liu1bdWIO9tUVw49Z8QIFAy1hAmv5dxXW57ylPK2_EOPKHlPkPbArjLj_g5YOXA5H5DwlaMcVc2m5sZ6kkzHblUHzeCRXc9e3jc/s320/23288804.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b> No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista<br />
<b>Release Date:</b> April 19th 2016<br />
<b>Published by:</b> Swoon Reads<br />
<b>Source: </b>Won from the author's contest<br />
<br />
<b>Buy:</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250073901/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250073901&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/No-Love-Allowed-Kate-Evangelist/9781250073907?ref=grid-view">Book Depository</a><br />
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
<br />
It's all fun and parties until someone falls in love in this modern fairy tale from author Kate Evangelista.<br />
<br />
Caleb desperately needs a fake girlfriend. Either he attends a series of parties for his father’s law firm with a pretty girl on his arm, or he gets shipped off to Yale to start a future he’s not ready for and isn’t sure he wants. And sadly, the last unattached girl in his social circle has just made the grievous mistake of falling in love with him. Fortunately, Didi, recently fired waitress and aspiring painter, is open to new experiences. As the summer ticks by in a whirl of lavish parties, there’s only one rule: They must not fall in love! </blockquote>
<br />
It's the classic "<i>two people who belong in two different worlds, brought about by certain circumstances</i>" kind of love story but by the Book Gods, it worked and then some.<br />
<br />
And it all started with ice cold water. Didi was having a bad day and glasses of cold water got dumped in a girl at the right place and the right time, she was fired, and she has met Mr. Golden Boy, and was given an opportunity for an unforgettable summer with no strings (or emotions) attached. That is, until feelings get in the way.<br />
<br />
As I've mentioned in my live tweet, I was skeptical, maybe a little bit apprehensive with Didi's character (I blame the summary of the book for this!) but the first few pages changed my impression of her, what she did in those first . Unpredictable, yes. Funny and honest, yes. Creative person with a a complicated soul, yes. And to use Caleb's description of her: smart, perceptive with a hint of spice for flavor. Dare I use the word 'fierce'? Not really, but Didi is spontaneous and she views the world in colors, giving off a vibrant feel each time and I just can't help but be drawn and like that part of her. I love the way Kate framed her personality, that feeling where something more hides beneath the portraits, paints and pills. <br />
<br />
For someone who's supposedly mastered the art of being a jerk, Caleb is a little bit less than that and more sensitive and attentive over Didi, which endeared him to me a lot. Seriously, a lot of what he does, may they be on purpose or just by instinct, makes me swoon. As a reader, I always have a smile on my face picturing Caleb inside my head. Described as someone who has everything (a.k.a. money and extraordinary good looks), Caleb's life has been maped out for him, pretty much been ruined by love, and I understand why he's trying to get away from it. Ah, but the feeling of smugness at that moment when the very thing he's avoiding happened was priceless. <br />
<br />
I just found myself enjoying everything about this book, immersing myself in the story in a flash, relishing every moment of my reading experience. Didi and Caleb were mesmerizing enough to read of with the combination of their banter and perpetual teasing, the subtle cues and hints that they're slowly but surely falling for each other, but the supporting characters added such flair to the story that made it ten times better. Raise your hand if you love Nathan! He's like the fairy godmother Didi needed, and he's this bright ball of sunshine, all smiles and kindness and was just basically one top notch specimen that entertained me so much and made me so curious about him at the same time, that I found myself wishing that he gets his own story. (And we are getting one, thank goodness!) Him, Natasha and Preston are proof that they might be rich but they aren't a bunch of spoiled brats, with them providing good support for Caleb and their interactions with Didi, which more of then than not reduces me to giggles.<br />
<br />
See, Kate piles fluff and feelings on top of the other until you feel warm and fuzzy and then she cuts you off with a conflict that on hindsight is something you know will happen, but the feels just overcomes you when you're at that part. A bunch of bated breaths and a whole lot of bracing (myself) around 30 pages before the end because at that point, I was eager to know how it was going to end, rooting for them and needing a happy ending. I was totally swept along with the story and I absolutely love the touch of reality that Kate added, of things not being "always like the movies", and being faced with an illness that puts uncertainty not just in their relationship in the long run but both Didi and Caleb's life as well. I didn't expect Caleb to be that emotional nor his decision on how to face it. Ah, love. It just does things to you. And I don't know how Kate managed to weave such an important theme into the story and make such an integral part click and make the story whole.<br />
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Overall, I can say that I really loved this book and I recommend it to everyone who loves a feel good read! It's got such a simple premise but the way it was written just made me breeze through it. It made me laugh, it made me smile, it made me feel frustrated, it made me sad and ultimately it made me feel such fluffy, romantic feelings. Ultimately, No Love Allowed made me fall in love with YA contemporary romance stories again.<br />
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):<br />
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I flipped to the last page and I'm like "where are the rest?!" because all that was left were acknowledgements. I needed more! Also, this might just be me nitpicking a bit, but using and inserting the word "f*cking" in quite a few sentences got on my nerves a little because sometimes it felt unnecessary. Still a REALLY GOOD book though!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBNVpWHyeK6LUz3owjsYBRolvEXPg4xid6KG6RbcaEImQ27ffdUMMNv7ZRAMT6z07i3OVX8Fq4WIWsgsbnroeazTivU99w58jniH5pyGfH-lUuvhuAW9b-wN8HyyU4qYMWyHbszO_SYs/s320/4star01.jpg" /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>.5</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Shining:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Love!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Perfect visual for what the story is about!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-4709977054956556962016-03-23T13:15:00.000+08:002016-03-23T13:15:11.749+08:00Waiting on Wednesday (156): A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith I can't believe it's been a year since I've last posted a WoW. And I am waiting for a lot of books this 2016, obviously!<br />
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I'm starting now, and for this year's first installment of Waiting on Wednesday, I am waiting for this book that sounds really amazing. Check it out below!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmUl9f0GL2SG_1QoI46Lfky14I_iGvhccBZ79PwebIulqUfVMspNj0ZRDUOSXqlxXlC8RxgVNep93EZU6wO1IMpfM57PpH0nF81bIhx1u-roxGkYQ97p-x5Hi9nBOO83LLhoVoxG1J9M/s200/New+WoW.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmUl9f0GL2SG_1QoI46Lfky14I_iGvhccBZ79PwebIulqUfVMspNj0ZRDUOSXqlxXlC8RxgVNep93EZU6wO1IMpfM57PpH0nF81bIhx1u-roxGkYQ97p-x5Hi9nBOO83LLhoVoxG1J9M/s200/New+WoW.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 188px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 200px;" /></a>Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/">Breaking the Spine</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJTscUcaabWLKF03GGqvBX1POHAwdO6YmYYm-2SIjZZKbLCSNBs-8j457TSS61pFDBlqifTsmn33_gKxrasl0A3b1Ezu-NtsMLZQI-SdN6bwL-wtRi8OrFT7PeeGG1mGqSzlTZkOQfMqa/s1600/27414389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJTscUcaabWLKF03GGqvBX1POHAwdO6YmYYm-2SIjZZKbLCSNBs-8j457TSS61pFDBlqifTsmn33_gKxrasl0A3b1Ezu-NtsMLZQI-SdN6bwL-wtRi8OrFT7PeeGG1mGqSzlTZkOQfMqa/s400/27414389.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>A Darkly Beating Heart by Lindsay Smith <br />
<b>Release Date:</b> October 25th 2016<br />
<b>Published by:</b> Roaring Brook Press</blockquote>
<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27414389-a-darkly-beating-heart">Want? Add to your Goodreads list!</a></b> <br />
<blockquote>
<br />
<b>Summary:</b><br />
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A time-travel story that alternates between modern day and 19th century Japan as one girl confronts the darkness lurking in her soul.<br />
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No one knows what to do with Reiko. She is full of hatred. All she can think about is how to best hurt herself and the people closest to her. After a failed suicide attempt, Reiko’s parents send her from their Seattle home to spend the summer with family in Japan to learn to control her emotions. But while visiting Kuramagi, a historic village preserved to reflect the nineteenth-century Edo period, Reiko finds herself slipping back in time into the life of Miyu, a young woman even more bent on revenge than Reiko herself. Reiko loves being Miyu, until she discovers the secret of Kuramagi village, and must face down Miyu’s demons as well as her own.</blockquote>
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<b>Why I'm waiting for A Darkly Beating Heart:</b><br />
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Two things. Japan and time travel.<br />
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I've mentioned this before and I'm a really big fan of anything that is remotely related to Japan, so the first time I've read the summary for this book I know I'm going to read this. (I did a quick search and it looks like Kuramagi is a fictional town so I'm more than excited to know about this historic village!) Also, modern times and 19th century Japan? Can you imagine what 19th century Edo period Japan in a ficitonal town will be like? Plus secrets! Vengeance! What an amazing combo!<br />
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I'm very, very intrigued! I have Lindsay's other series on my TBR list so I haven't read anything from her but A Darkly Beating Heart makes me want to bump her books up my list just so I can get a glimpse of how her writing is.<br />
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What are your WoW picks? Share them with me, please!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-28888520632177170252016-03-08T22:30:00.001+08:002016-03-09T09:36:12.691+08:00Signing recap: #VictoriaAveyardinPH Manila book signing!The first (of the many, I'm sure!) book signings this year, Victoria Aveyard dropped by in Cebu and Manila to meet her fans! <br />
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Guess what time I slept for this signing? There's always something about book signings that make me lose sleep, and I was particularly looking forward to this one since I've loved <b><a href="http://amaterasureads.blogspot.com/2015/02/blog-tour-review-red-queen-by-victoria.html">Red Queen so much</a></b> and read it a good half a year before it was published and the prospect of meeting the author made me all the more excited.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCmELYpPOw8/" style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">She's here! *waves furiously* #VictoriaAveyardinPH #nbsevents</a></div>
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A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads) on <time datetime="2016-03-06T02:26:41+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 5, 2016 at 6:26pm PST</time></div>
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We immediately got the ball rolling and me and my fellow bloggers started asking questions which Victoria answered as much as she could (complete with Game of Thrones and Harry Potter ranting on the side which was so cute!) so here we go:<br />
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My question for her was: <b><i>Red Queen featured a lot of big betrayals in the story. As far as shocking literary betrayals go, were any that you’ve read inspired those in the Red Queen series? And speaking of the series, is there anything you can share to us about the next book? A clue about the title? Is someone going to die?</i></b><br />
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A few, obviously Game of Thrones, pretty much everything in that book. *discusses the deaths in Storm of Swords* (I will not put this here because they're spoilers!) Another one are the deaths in Harry Potter, where you take away the mentor and it's story telling 101 in terms of plotting. *discusses more deaths in Lord of the Rings*<br />
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As for some details for the 3rd book in the Red Queen series, Victoria can't reveal the title yet since they haven't finalized it. But it starts immediately where Glass Swords leaves off, with the same format. There are a couple of characters in Glass Swords that will be in the 3rd book a lot more. As of current, Victoria is still writing the 3rd book.<br />
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Victoria gave some pretty amazing advice too! Check out her thoughts below: <br />
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<b>For writing action packed scenes:</b><br />
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First, finish writing your first draft. You can't sell a book unless you've written one. Red Queen was the first book Victoria has ever written and the number one thing to do is write the end at the end. Get there however you can and don't edit yourself too much on the way there because you can get caught up in the quicksand of self-editing as you go. Forge ahead! Writing action sequences are her favorite parts as she finds it easier to write them than kissing. She'd love it if someone can tell her how to write romance/romantic scenes because it's her weakness! If you want to write action scenes, read. See how your favorite authors do it and internalize the language of those scenes and figure out how to communicate those visually.<br />
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<b>Is character or plot more important and which one she decides on first?</b><br />
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Victoria picked a third option: world. Red Queen started with a single image of a girl about to be executed but killed her executioner with lightning instead. It's usually the world that comes to her first. She starts on a macro level that gets narrower. Bonus: the first screenplay Victoria has ever written is about a zombie apocalypse that breaks out in the middle of the Old American West. In short: Zombie Western!<br />
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For Victoria, character is more important. She's more of a world person but character is what makes a reader stay with the story.<br />
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<b>On the Red Queen series having 4 books instead of a trilogy:</b><br />
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Victoria signed for Red Queen originally with three books. She initially thought she can tell the story in three books but while she was writing the third book she realized the ending will either be rushed or garbage so she went to her publisher and requested for a fourth book. (They want her to do 5 but she said no.)<br />
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It's not really extending or stretching the story line, but doing what the story was requiring as she understands it more.<br />
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<b>Updates on Red Queen being a movie:</b><br />
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Universal Studios has the film options for the book and Victoria has read several versions of the draft of the screenplay. They've been very inclusive as Victoria have met the producers and Elizabeth Banks who will direct the movie. Victoria doesn't have actors in mind to play in the movie.<br />
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<b>Victoria's top 3 favorite fantasy novels:</b><br />
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Lord of the Rings: Her water shed core inspiration. Victoria read it when she was 11 and carried the book around for 2 years until it fell apart.<br />
Harry Potter: JK Rowling is her hero! She started reading when she was 9 and she felt like she went to Hogwarts along with the characters though she never got her letter.<br />
Song of Ice and Fire: The way GRRM twists fantasy tropes but is very clear on there being no antagonists of protagonists. It's all shades of gray morality, and it inspired Red Queen, with characters who are bad that made good choices and good who made bad choices.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Z5MAOnbhy2uU3rXzNKW0Uv4DkWLIDpeb4YZBtSiecpKeWsxAali1mFKvFyPZ-XJK-6fo8rqdDZIANDUtvw3RfmpBYq6roPdPj_wnxL2QAhCNWp4LnREuR1eHVjW9ioIJt8wfoVH6jlS/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3Z5MAOnbhy2uU3rXzNKW0Uv4DkWLIDpeb4YZBtSiecpKeWsxAali1mFKvFyPZ-XJK-6fo8rqdDZIANDUtvw3RfmpBYq6roPdPj_wnxL2QAhCNWp4LnREuR1eHVjW9ioIJt8wfoVH6jlS/s640/02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria while answering the bloggers' question.</td></tr>
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<b>On having a screenplay writing degree, its advantages and if it's easier to write a script than a novel:</b><br />
<br />
She learned all story-telling trick she knows from film school. For Victoria it's a comprehensive and highly internalized way of telling a story. She hates outlining! From film school she learned that pacing is key, you want to get in your scenes as fast as possible and escalation is the name of the game. Every single scene must up the ante and she thinks she has to outdo herself when she writes a sequel. Knowing her audience is very important as her job is to entertain them and she's putting on a show. She prefers whatever one she wasn't working on. :) Screenplays are visceral, 120 pages tops and 1/6 the size of a novel. Good screenplays are poetry! But novels give you a room to paint a picture and describe what things looks like, which you cannot put in screenplays.<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Which scene in both books are most difficult to write:</b><br />
<br />
The quiet scenes are difficult for her to write, the regrouping parts after a battle. The entire middle of Red Queen is difficult because it's a build up and learning the world in the story. There was a lot of self-doubt in it because she didn't know if the book will be published. Another difficult scene to write was one after a character has just died and everyone was really upset.<br />
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<b>The inspiration for the names and abilities in the royal houses of Norta:</b><br />
<br />
The names came out of thin air but Victoria wanted to put a Roman spin on them because it fits. Cal's name is from "Calor" which means "heat" in Spanish. Victoria did a lot of Google translations for words like "water" and "ice" and put spins on words. (Osanus sounds like Ocean!) For superpowers, she relied on Wikipedia, especially for background characters and picked from that especially for main characters, their powers should reflect their personality and service the plot.<br />
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<b>On writing other stories after the Red Queen series:</b><br />
<br />
Victoria wants to keep writing until the day she dies. But after Red Queen, Victoria will go back to writing scripts, as it's a good palate cleanser and keeps her on her toes when she switches from one medium to another. She also wants to continue writing in the fantasy genre, and maybe get good enough to write historical fiction because the research scares her, which is why she writes fantasy because she can make things up. After Red Queen, Victoria is signed with HarperCollins for 1 more novel, and she's still brainstorming about what she wants it to be.<br />
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<b>On Mare and the message she conveys to readers and being a feminist:</b><br />
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Victoria's first job is to entertain people and any theme or moral (lesson) comes in later. Victoria is a feminist and it's just her natural inclination to write about a woman and a story where women are treated equally. For Mare, Victoria just wanted to write a character who she respects, strong, opinionated and complicated. It doesn't necessarily mean Mare is perfect, and Victoria loves her flaws.<br />
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<b>The scientific background about the First Divide:</b><br />
<br />
It's something that Victoria will expound more in the books, but it's not completely vital to the story. It's also not something that will affect the main plot (about Mare and the rebellion), but it is a result of nuclear warfare and mutation through radiation a couple of thousand years before the world in the book happened.<br />
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<b>On writing a story with mixed genres:</b><br />
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Victoria likes genre mashups! She's a kitchen sink kind of writer and throws in the things she likes in what she writes. For her, it's cool to paint with different brushes and take pieces of the genres she loves and blend them together in her own personal way.<br />
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<b>Finally, what else can people expect from Mare in the next books:</b><br />
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Readers can expect more of her emotional journey. Glass Sword is where she wobbles and can fall into a bad place, with her (sort of) anti-hero moments. In the third book, however, Mare will realize that she's not the center of the universe. Mare will realize that the wounds inflicted in her in Red Queen and Glass Sword are always going to be there and she has to move past them. In Red Queen she trusted the wrong people, in Glass Sword she trusts nobody, and in the third book she's learning to trust who she can and trust herself, which to Victoria is the most important thing. She will get back the trust in herself that she lost in Glass Sword here in the third book, but not to the point that it is unhealthy.<br />
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Whew. Okay, that was long! I wish I can share my audio recording but it's very, very bad you'll want to tear your ears off. Anyway! I didn't get to take a lot of photos with my blogger friends since we were all busy catching up with each other, but here are some photos!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0rc_nqR-4rdGYo8Nxg_i4oQb1asomNSVrCrwmDMUlsg6Y09pk_CZ51LCXZfWf2a36VkLQGVZIr9DVKA77y3zUXqf9Dv56t3PVUwnXzZBo6TtGb87dkJ5t4Oj7Jc-AVLIdV47SMmWS5ci/s1600/FotorCreated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0rc_nqR-4rdGYo8Nxg_i4oQb1asomNSVrCrwmDMUlsg6Y09pk_CZ51LCXZfWf2a36VkLQGVZIr9DVKA77y3zUXqf9Dv56t3PVUwnXzZBo6TtGb87dkJ5t4Oj7Jc-AVLIdV47SMmWS5ci/s640/FotorCreated.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course we were all waiting for the moment when Victoria will sign our books for us. So I was standing there in line, books in hand, and when it was my turn... I didn't know what to say to her. You'd think after attending quite a few signings, I'll know what to say but nope, I got nothing. So I just smiled and said Hi and she's like:<br />
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Victoria: You have a good stack here! *points to my ARCs*<br />
Me: Yep, I got ARCs for both Red Queen and Glass Sword<br />
Victoria: Oh yeah, I still have mine too.<br />
Me: ... *runs out of things to say*<br />
Victoria: Oh I hope we get ARCs for the third book! *still signing my books*<br />
Me: !!!!! I hope I get one too!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCnWrbrPO4q/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2016-03-06T14:27:35+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 6, 2016 at 6:27am PST</time></div>
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After that I got my photo taken and the lovely (amazing!) Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs kindly let me use her Instax so I can take another photo with Victoria. Sorry friend who I had to cut in line for! Victoria was kind enough to sign it as well! I didn't get the chance to have my bookmarks signed though. I was busy trying to find the right timing to have a #kaiselfie. It's a thing we do during book signing events, where we all try to squeeze in in one photo and include the author as well!<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BCmX8jkPO2P/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2016-03-06T05:19:25+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 5, 2016 at 9:19pm PST</time></div>
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(Some settle for having their body parts included since they can't squeeze their faces in. I still don't know whose fingers those are. Friends, please tell me!)<br />
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Afterwards we headed to the public signing to see how many people there are, and color me surprised, we found out that the number was already running in the thousand! I first saw the number 900 and just before we left, it was more than a thousand! They had to cap it at 1,200 but... wow! Can you imagine an author signing more than a thousand books in one signing?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwgCYWuFNvfgXzgm_XLnYRL7Wk2EJ-9T-WD-N9bL4N1zliFt5b6UwXCMrTu4EQfD31Nj5EbcfLceCI8gdtgmpfT5QM7r37wN3eIFzOe1NH1EhsDln7Du10L60GPeWZAgZOmnhoqROu7Z/s1600/04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHBwgCYWuFNvfgXzgm_XLnYRL7Wk2EJ-9T-WD-N9bL4N1zliFt5b6UwXCMrTu4EQfD31Nj5EbcfLceCI8gdtgmpfT5QM7r37wN3eIFzOe1NH1EhsDln7Du10L60GPeWZAgZOmnhoqROu7Z/s640/04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm so happy and proud for my fellow bookworms and book lovers for coming out and supporting Victoria! I know there were a few hiccups during the public signing but you waited just to see Victoria and for that I'm also thankful to you all! I hope you all had fun!<br />
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As a bonus, here's a video of Victoria with her message to her Philippine readers:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UJHgEBDRAwE?rel=0&showinfo=0" width="640"></iframe><br />
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Again, thank you so much National Bookstore for the chance you've given me and other Pinoy YA book bloggers to meet and talk with Victoria, and congratulations for another successful event and all that you do for the local reading community! People can say what they want but I'm always thankful that we get such amazing authors to come and visit us here.<br />
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Did you attend the signing? How was it? Did you have fun? Share your experience with me! <br />
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See you at the Sarah J Maas signing this weekend!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-78447378110088340762016-03-01T23:03:00.000+08:002016-03-01T23:03:29.547+08:00ARC Review: Titans by Victoria ScottGoodbye, reading slump.<br />
Thank you, Victoria Scott!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq7Wk3iosFZKiin4YI3ShpqzBsdAnBuUyCiNG8o66iPxQbZKCUiAUPF6LklBj5ReSyfTmjHdInmavr1lgeVYpY1RontE_8HQRmhDrnW3Co6tHzRMI2iLhnO0mt2Ve-XWCTH2OU7L-QhJF/s1600/25582556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWq7Wk3iosFZKiin4YI3ShpqzBsdAnBuUyCiNG8o66iPxQbZKCUiAUPF6LklBj5ReSyfTmjHdInmavr1lgeVYpY1RontE_8HQRmhDrnW3Co6tHzRMI2iLhnO0mt2Ve-XWCTH2OU7L-QhJF/s320/25582556.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>Titans by Victoria Scott<br />
<b>Release Date: </b>February 23rd 2016 <br />
<b>Published by:</b> Scholastic Press<br />
<b>Source: </b>Publisher<br />
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<b>Buy: </b>Amazon | Book Depository<br />
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<b>Summary:</b><br />
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Ever since the Titans first appeared in her Detroit neighborhood, Astrid Sullivan’s world has revolved around the mechanical horses. She and her best friend have spent countless hours watching them and their jockeys practice on the track. It’s not just the thrill of the race. It’s the engineering of the horses and the way they’re programmed to seem so lifelike. The Titans are everything that fascinates Astrid, and nothing she’ll ever touch.<br />
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She hates them a little, too. Her dad lost everything betting on the Titans. And the races are a reminder of the gap between the rich jockeys who can afford the expensive machines to ride, and the working class friends and neighbors of Astrid’s who wager on them.<br />
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But when Astrid’s offered a chance to enter an early model Titan in this year’s derby, well, she decides to risk it all. Because for a girl from the wrong side of the tracks, it’s more than a chance at fame or money. Betting on herself is the only way she can see to hang on to everyone in the world she cares about. </blockquote>
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A very engaging read. That's something I didn't realize I need when I first started reading Titans. I'm in a year long slump, and Titans delivered a very entertaining story that just sucked me in right from reading page one.<br />
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I've had problems with female protagonists one too many times, and it seemed like I will have the same problem with Astrid. I feel like authors tend to make their female leads seem stubborn which will make them seem headstrong, but more often than not (and if not written properly), they will just come off as annoying. I was like that at first with Astrid. I was annoyed with her very much, but eventually my annoyance gave way to understanding. She's just a girl trying to save her family from falling apart completely, and she had been let down too many times to try and rely on others so she'd rather do something on her own. That in itself is admirable, and it made me understand her better.<br />
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What made Titans more charming for me are the addition of interesting characters around Astrid, supporting her. Her unlikely friendship with Rags and Barney, a pair of old but extraordinary and very intelligent people who can do a lot of great things. And I liked Magnolia from the very start. What a devoted friend, and really a friend to the truest sense of the word and I understand why one of Astrid's greatest fears is moving and leaving Magnolia behind. Where else will you find a friend who not only supports you in everything, despite having her own set of problems to deal with? Her quirky personality, her passion for art and her devotion for Astrid are what made Magnolia such a star in this book. And who can forget Padlock? I loved Padlock! Although I will admit, I thought the Titan's name will be a little more dramatic sounding, but Padlock was more than a horse for Astrid, though it was not like that at first. I liked how Astrid found another friend in him, and he was not just a means to an end, but a companion and a partner for a lonely girl who just want to feel loved, and was trying her best to take action when no one else would.<br />
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To be honest, what really made Titans an enjoyable read for me are the races. Victoria Scott didn't hold back and just described each race in such a way that the words swimming inside your head will effectively help you picture the scenes as they happen. What impeccable pacing! I keep on thinking how it would look like in real life. I feel the thrill, the danger, exhilaration and adrenaline through each obstacle and challenge the unlikely pair had to overcome. I was caught in each and every moment Astrid and Padlock push themselves on those tracks, with only one thing in mind: winning. There's more to the story than just racing, and I love how everything was incorporated to the novel. The strain in the dynamics of Astrid's family, her father's old fashion views, the perils of gambling and its consequences, a child blaming herself for a loved one's death, the gap between social classes and the social stigma one receives from being poor... all of these were woven in good timing inside the novel. Also, not every girl needs a love interest. I love how romance is not really a big factor in this, but that did not take away much from the story.<br />
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Thoroughly entertaining and addictive at times, Titan is a quick read that provides good entertainment for the readers in a good blend of sci-fi, fantasy, a side of angst and a healthy dose of action. Victoria Scott made it work! I did not let go until I flipped to the last page, and though the ending felt abrupt, this is one good read.<br />
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):<br />
</b></div>
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The ending, as mentioned, felt a little abrupt. I kept on turning my ARC over wondering if I was missing a page or two! I was also able to figure out the ending way before I read the climactic scene. <br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBNVpWHyeK6LUz3owjsYBRolvEXPg4xid6KG6RbcaEImQ27ffdUMMNv7ZRAMT6z07i3OVX8Fq4WIWsgsbnroeazTivU99w58jniH5pyGfH-lUuvhuAW9b-wN8HyyU4qYMWyHbszO_SYs/s320/4star01.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Shining:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Love!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Perfect visual for what the story is about!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a></div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-41406026803645505832016-02-02T21:33:00.001+08:002016-02-02T21:33:23.508+08:00Review: Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel SavitLet me start this review by saying that I rarely read MG, much less those set in times that are part of our world's history. But Gavriel Savit's Anna and the Swallow Man is one memorable read.<br />
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<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit <br />
<b>Release Date:</b> January 26, 2016<br />
<b>Published by: </b>Knopf<br />
<b>Source: </b>Publisher<br />
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<b>Buy: </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00X2F7O36/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00X2F7O36&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Anna-and-the-Swallow-Man/9781782300526">Book Depository</a><br />
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<b>Summary:</b><br />
<br />
Kraków, 1939. A million marching soldiers and a thousand barking dogs. This is no place to grow up. Anna Łania is just seven years old when the Germans take her father, a linguistics professor, during their purge of intellectuals in Poland. She’s alone.<br />
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And then Anna meets the Swallow Man. He is a mystery, strange and tall, a skilled deceiver with more than a little magic up his sleeve. And when the soldiers in the streets look at him, they see what he wants them to see.<br />
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The Swallow Man is not Anna’s father—she knows that very well—but she also knows that, like her father, he’s in danger of being taken, and like her father, he has a gift for languages: Polish, Russian, German, Yiddish, even Bird. When he summons a bright, beautiful swallow down to his hand to stop her from crying, Anna is entranced. She follows him into the wilderness.<br />
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Over the course of their travels together, Anna and the Swallow Man will dodge bombs, tame soldiers, and even, despite their better judgment, make a friend. But in a world gone mad, everything can prove dangerous. Even the Swallow Man.</blockquote>
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It was obvious right from the start that Gavriel Savit has a way with words. It was, simply put, stunning. It's what made me want to dive into the story more, what pulled me in ultimately, even when I'm uncertain what kind of of story the author will present, even when I thought quite a few times that I'd stop reading and abandon the story. World War II wasn't the best time or setting, as is with every war, but as I continue to read, urged on by the beautiful prose, I found myself immersed in the story more.<br />
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Anna is a very interesting child, having a father who knows many languages that she didn't even know what their native tongue really was. There is a certain naivety and innocence in her, especially with the way she sees the war, not knowing a lot and unsure of many, many things and how life just works. But through their journey, Anna grows.<br />
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The Swallow Man, on the other hand, is a man shrouded in mystery, someone who knows how to speak the many languages Anna does and it is what made Anna attached to him, he is just like her father. It's through him that Anna learned the language called "Road": something to keep them safe and protected, with his clever ways and his ability to adapt in order to survive. The way he thinks is impressive, becoming Anna's protector, guiding her through an uncertain journey and it's what made me like him. <br />
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What people might find confusing is that the story was seen through a seven year old's eyes, but interpreted in a way that makes one think that it's for adults. It made the whole mood of the story seem different, and it worked for me. With very little dialogue, but often peppered with paragraphs and sentences that perfectly describes what was happening, it was obvious in the way the story was set up that this can work not just for YA readers, but for other types of readers as well. There's no doubt that Gavriel Savit has a way with words, and combine that with magical realism along with elements of survival, family, loss and hope set in such a trying time, Anna and the Swallow Man sure makes for a different kind of reading experience.<br />
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It's the type of book I do not often read but I am glad I gave this a try. Gavriel Savit's writing was a delight to read, almost lyrical, symbolic, with thought provoking lessons rooted deep within the story.<br />
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):<br />
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A star off is because it takes a while to get the story moving. Like I mentioned, at the start there are times where I thought of giving up but Gavriel Savit's writing kept me holding on. Some parts tend to be confusing, so if needed, take a while to digest them. Ultimately, it is up to the reader to interpret the ending, and there might be some who will not like that.<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBNVpWHyeK6LUz3owjsYBRolvEXPg4xid6KG6RbcaEImQ27ffdUMMNv7ZRAMT6z07i3OVX8Fq4WIWsgsbnroeazTivU99w58jniH5pyGfH-lUuvhuAW9b-wN8HyyU4qYMWyHbszO_SYs/s320/4star01.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Shining:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Love!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
Have you seen what the book looks like? Love it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a></div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-46336079086255676782016-01-16T23:00:00.000+08:002016-01-16T23:00:19.523+08:00Happy (late) New Year!I am horribly, horribly late. I know!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obligatory fireworks photo!</td></tr>
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2015 has been quite a busy year for me, and I admit that it could've been better. But! All of that's behind now as we're two weeks into the new year, and I am so excited for this year because for me this is the year of changes.<br />
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But first, I'd like to thank all those who made 2015 a little bit less lonely, bearable and enjoyable. To my blogger friends, you have been the light of my 2015 and I hope to share 2016 with you all and make more amazing memories. To the publicists, publishers and other bookish groups and people who have worked with me despite of my massive reading slump, thank you for being patient and understanding! And to the lovely authors I've met, you made my bookish dreams come true!<br />
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I wanted to start my year right, so I am unloading some books and giving them away to other people. I am selling some too. If you are interested, check the sneak peek below:<br />
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<a href="http://amaterasureads.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html">Click on this to go to the page with more information.</a><br />
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I spoke of changes, and there are two major changes that will happen to me (and the blog), which are:<br />
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<i><b>I am going to be more active this year.</b></i><br />
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By this I mean setting a realistic goal on my Goodreads challenge for starters. 25 books! Because I'm pretty sure I won't be able to read 100 books a year anymore, what with my schedule and life eating a huge chunk of my time. But I will definitely read more than I have last year, and that means more blog reviews! I am also formulating new content and features to post to slowly revive the blog and ease myself back to my usual blogging routine.<br />
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<i><b>I'm doing more of what I love.</b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemFT7d7dDzsDLdP4yIYKYkgLOnZZsy6zze3-AVnJOtSTDYJ6Q9pmrjEXBS0Hh6nmHoG-Aut6M5W3L5k_qFTiR-Fs31NmzhgjFcyqnDfiaPySkNz0cPLQR1KPBjjMzxxOavLa00I73SI0B/s1600/shiroreads.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemFT7d7dDzsDLdP4yIYKYkgLOnZZsy6zze3-AVnJOtSTDYJ6Q9pmrjEXBS0Hh6nmHoG-Aut6M5W3L5k_qFTiR-Fs31NmzhgjFcyqnDfiaPySkNz0cPLQR1KPBjjMzxxOavLa00I73SI0B/s1600/shiroreads.png" /></a></div>
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It's a given that I love reading, and if you've been hanging around and seeing my tweets last 2015, I'm basically harping about YA books and manga. Long story short, I am opening another blog where I will be posting everything manga and anime related. I wanted to have a place where I can pour my thoughts into, thus the new blog. If you have time, drop by <i><b>Shiro Reads</b></i>. (I'm very creative with the name, obviously.) I will be linking the blog later as I'm still fixing things but it will be up this weekend!<br />
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And no, having this new blog doesn't mean I am quitting being a YA book blogger. My manga review blog will be updated yes, but it won't be as active as Amaterasu Reads will be, as this blog will be my priority. But I would love it if you follow me there! I'll add links to my Twitter and Instagram accounts for Shiro soon.<br />
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And with that, I am ending this post. I'm looking forward to all the exciting things 2016 has in store for me and for both blogs!<br />
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How has 2016 been so far for you?<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-70179474309591550022015-12-03T22:50:00.002+08:002015-12-04T10:11:45.923+08:00Recap: Book Blogging 101 panel + Giveaway!How long has been it since I last posted in this blog? Hi, dearest readers! *waves* Christmas is just around the corner, I hope you're all ready for the holidays!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet1FztNf9jNTOK8uSc_yZv13zZaixrf4o-G-vZ1Wtqs4G3JuT0BtclWd7_M11TcMzQnALVFUE3ZG4_6pbL6Dq2UYPz9X42OkxndpQr6g48XIJ4eyiB1pz0lXt67OdFykh9M1FIEBxOqZU/s1600/01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet1FztNf9jNTOK8uSc_yZv13zZaixrf4o-G-vZ1Wtqs4G3JuT0BtclWd7_M11TcMzQnALVFUE3ZG4_6pbL6Dq2UYPz9X42OkxndpQr6g48XIJ4eyiB1pz0lXt67OdFykh9M1FIEBxOqZU/s640/01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs!</td></tr>
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Fellow book bloggers and friends <a href="http://shusky20.blogspot.com/">Precious of Fragments of Life</a> and <a href="http://www.sabthebookeater.com/">Sab of Sab The Book Eater</a> had a talk the previous week and it was our turn on November 28th. Together with <a href="http://thebookaholicblurbs.blogspot.com/">Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs</a>, <a href="http://staybookish.net/">Hazel of Stay Bookish</a> and <a href="https://jessellelovesbooks.wordpress.com/">Jesselle of The Lifelong Bookworm</a> we were invited to be in a panel to discuss book blogging at Fully Booked Town Alabang.<br />
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We had some time to burn and there was a sale, so imagine us running around the place looking for books we'll most likely end up buying, bringing them to the table for the talk. <br />
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I was surprised and impressed upon seeing a row of YA books placed on the table, all titles familiar and most I've read, that got me fired up and nervous at the same time. This isn't my first panel, but I'm not really a public speaker, so I never get used to having people look at me while I speak.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFYyV1-22repinZ6zh2ydq8BI2Ku3avrkf5GXC7w64DSpGf4y2Maer2RuJiNgOiEv2Nqm1IEwOGIUSM2SrSoCSCuavXzd1mymLvSOanmwMtn406pdOexo8fffNqHI3UcwXM51mOHtyxvn/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFYyV1-22repinZ6zh2ydq8BI2Ku3avrkf5GXC7w64DSpGf4y2Maer2RuJiNgOiEv2Nqm1IEwOGIUSM2SrSoCSCuavXzd1mymLvSOanmwMtn406pdOexo8fffNqHI3UcwXM51mOHtyxvn/s640/02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from SISC Monarchs' Twitter page!</td></tr>
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I don't remember much of what I said, we introduced ourselves, why we blog and why YA and it was a blur from then on. The panel is for those who are interested in setting up their own blogs, so we discussed these:<br />
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- What's in a name? (Thinking of a name for your blog)<br />
- Your genre (other genres aside from YA, and it's not just YA blogs that are popular)<br />
- The lifelong debate: Wordpress or Blogger? <br />
- The importance of blog design (and establishing your own "brand")<br />
- Writing good reviews (Review style, short or long reviews, DNF's and of course, SPOILERS.)<br />
- Establishing your social media presence (Which one do we use? Instagram? Twitter? Why? How? For what?)<br />
- How to manage your time (School/work and book blogging)<br />
- Lastly, connecting with publishers<br />
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If you're interested, here's the <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwVrCYO9cOwpNmVXc3p6aEVVd2c">PDF version</a> of the slides we used in the panel.<br />
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Some tweet worthy points from the talk (note that I don't have any, so I might not have said anything particularly helpful ^^, and yes I am kidding!):<br />
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"Choose a blog title that identifies you because your blog name is your brand" -<a href="https://twitter.com/jessellev">@jessellev</a> of The Lifelong Bookworm</div>
— Southville (@SISCMonarchs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SISCMonarchs/status/670433474898096129">November 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
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"Start with the books you think you can connect with not just because you wanted to start a blog" -Kate Manalo of The Bookaholic Blurbs</div>
— Southville (@SISCMonarchs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SISCMonarchs/status/670434822305656834">November 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
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"Blog design matters" -Hazel Ureta of Stay Bookish</div>
— Southville (@SISCMonarchs) <a href="https://twitter.com/SISCMonarchs/status/670436787844608000">November 28, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The best part of the whole thing and what really made me happy was when it was time for the attendees to ask questions. I was pretty sure we spent an hour answering questions about Twilight, Fifty Shades of Grey, what we put in a review to make it interesting, how many books we have, if we donate books and asking for book recommendations!<br />
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Jesselle recommends The Start of Me and You<br />
Kate recommended The Last Time We Say Goodbye (and Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series!)<br />
Hazel recommends Throne of Glass<br />
I recommended The Raven Boys, The Beginning of Everything and We Were Liars!<br />
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I cannot thank Southville International School and Colleges enough for creating this event! We honestly need more of this, and I will definitely attend anytime not just to spread the word but to help encourage not just the younger generation but more people in general to not just blog but also read. A lot of teens can learn from this kind of talks and reading as well as blogging are really good ways to spend your time. To everyone who attended, thank you for spending your precious time with us and for asking great questions! I hope we were able to help you know more about book blogging and books in general!<br />
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And I have a giveaway! Just because.<br />
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<span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WIN 2 BOOKS + CARRY ON SWAG! <br />
(PH ONLY)</b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR9rOx5tk-vMupkQi-pF5MYayMNdVdb_ifehjv7JQRp_Y4V2BLkw8aIABMGs92ukS4ih1ZJ4k7QLTu_Btu0juBz5LN316xqqKLnek9R2ASocUq49mWxtIPjgDWj9tIC_dYyVckzaPcdaU/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgR9rOx5tk-vMupkQi-pF5MYayMNdVdb_ifehjv7JQRp_Y4V2BLkw8aIABMGs92ukS4ih1ZJ4k7QLTu_Btu0juBz5LN316xqqKLnek9R2ASocUq49mWxtIPjgDWj9tIC_dYyVckzaPcdaU/s640/IMG_2037.JPG" /></a></div>
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I was supposed to give a book away during the talk but I completely forgot about it and the book ended up locked inside the car, which I didn't notice until I got home after the talk.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><i><b>Just leave a comment and let me know what kind of bookish related panel you'd like to attend in the near future.</b></i></span> (Who knows, maybe we can make it happen!) Not required to tweet but it'll be greatly appreciated if you can spread the word about this post and the giveaway!<br />
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<b>Rules:</b></div>
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PH Only</div>
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Must be at least 13 years old</div>
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Ends December 15</div>
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GOOD LUCK!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-30821528810903074272015-11-04T22:24:00.002+08:002015-11-04T22:27:50.752+08:00Goddess Event: Book Blogging 101 (I'm in a panel!)<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I should probably think of what to call this type of announcement, but anyway!</i></span><br />
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I have two major events this month, <a href="https://filipinoreadercon.wordpress.com/">Filipino ReaderCon</a> and a talk, both related to books and book blogging and I'd like to let you, my readers, know in case any of you are interested. <br />
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The first time I was in a panel was two years ago, and that was one of the most terrifying and fulfilling moments of my life as a book blogger. Two years later, I have been invited again to talk about book blogging once more! This is exciting since I never thought once that I'll be invited to speak in front of a crowd again.<br />
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Without further ado, here are the details of the event:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzTviaPPn-TNUXeqMiTmWIRLVAGE-WuwS4ep4crBGOYrZObhouWBuAyQBAIua-FFHogV6_GbbkZPbamN6I2v1WBi6zgk5krAO7sPjCyKNVChEnHAPal4TJAKkY9L8NjF8vqTOn08aSe3n/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzTviaPPn-TNUXeqMiTmWIRLVAGE-WuwS4ep4crBGOYrZObhouWBuAyQBAIua-FFHogV6_GbbkZPbamN6I2v1WBi6zgk5krAO7sPjCyKNVChEnHAPal4TJAKkY9L8NjF8vqTOn08aSe3n/s640/unnamed.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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Some points to remember:<br />
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- <span style="color: red;">This is a <b>FREE</b> event.</span> There's no need to pay for or purchase anything to attend.<br />
- <span style="color: #741b47;">This is also <b>NOT</b> limited to Southville International School and Colleges students.</span> Anyone can attend the event and I highly encourage you to do so if you are interested to know more about book blogging, book reviews, interacting with publishers and other things about running a blog.<br />
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I will be with three other YA book bloggers whose names I know you're all familiar of: <b>Hazel</b> of <a href="http://staybookish.net/">Stay Bookish</a>, <b>Kate </b>of <a href="http://thebookaholicblurbs.blogspot.com/">The Bookaholic Blurbs</a> and <b>Jesselle</b> of <a href="https://jessellelovesbooks.wordpress.com/">The Life Long Bookworm</a>, so if you have time and you're near the place, come see us! We'll try to make the talk as fun as we can. <strike>(And hopefully not be too awkward.)</strike><br />
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If you have questions, just send me a tweet (<i>@amaterasureads</i>) or an e-mail and I'll be happy to answer them!<br />
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I hope to see some of you there!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-74834697309067354692015-10-30T20:00:00.000+08:002015-10-30T20:00:02.099+08:00[Cover Reveal] Bloodcraft (Bloodspell #2) by Amalie Howard + giveaway!I am a BIG FAN of Amalie Howard, and Bloodspell is the first book of hers that I've read which I loved. Not convinced? <a href="http://amaterasureads.blogspot.com/2011/06/arc-review-bloodspell-by-amalie-howard.html">Check my review</a> and see how excited I am for the sequel and after 4 years, we're finally getting one! *pumps fists*<br />
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Today, I reveal the cover for Bloodcraft, the second book in the Bloodspell series. Check out the post below!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Yes, the wait is finally over! </b></span></div>
<br />
BLOODCRAFT by Amalie Howard, the sequel to <a href="http://amzn.to/1LZFPYA">BLOODSPELL</a> (available NOW for only $2.99), will be releasing on December 15th, 2015!<br />
<br />
Author Amalie Howard is also giving away TWO signed paperback copies of BLOODSPELL (book one- OPEN INTERNATIONALLY), and TWO eARC copies of BLOODCRAFT to TWO lucky readers. Contest details can be found at the end of this post.<br />
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And now... here is the cover to BLOODCRAFT.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vXXXP_LTazbo86wMrG2uFaSzx_sUE7JcHT-zpP97tv0nzTkI7NjFbYHWTm9vkheXhpfOJ5mru9b5-898MgyKFQopf1XtxRgiMTqi0RYEW3lW1CKYXebfhD4oBkji-vhZc-PDyNEU_rbM/s1600/Blood_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vXXXP_LTazbo86wMrG2uFaSzx_sUE7JcHT-zpP97tv0nzTkI7NjFbYHWTm9vkheXhpfOJ5mru9b5-898MgyKFQopf1XtxRgiMTqi0RYEW3lW1CKYXebfhD4oBkji-vhZc-PDyNEU_rbM/s640/Blood_final.jpg" width="415" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>BLOODCRAFT</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by <a href="http://amaliehoward.com/">Amalie Howard</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Release: December 15th, 2015</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cover design by <a href="http://amp13.com/">Alan Pranke</a></div>
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All magic has its price, and no one knows that better than Victoria Warrick. Gifted with a centuries-old blood curse, Tori has finally learned to master her blood’s demands and has emerged triumphant with Christian Devereux, a vampire overlord, at her side.<br />
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But the worst is yet to come …<br />
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In the infamous City of Lights, home to both the Witch Clans and the Vampire Council, Tori enrolls at the exclusive Belles Fontaines school in Paris, where she is faced with a devastating choice: choose Christian and be an outcast, or choose the coven and secure her place with the witches.<br />
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When the fate of the supernatural world is targeted by a sinister new threat, Christian and Victoria must unite their two warring species to defeat it. Their bond will be tested, twisted, and sorely weakened, and Tori will find herself in uncharted territory—a dangerous place to be when her blood’s magic has its own dark agenda.<br />
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But to save them all, she may have no choice but to invoke its deadly power.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11222874-bloodcraft?from_search=true&search_version=service">GoodReads</a></b></div>
<br />
<i>If you'd like to be a part of the Blog Tour, you can sign-up <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1VVHg5ZfkzPfGCgfVHD8E4dpW6Xn5gkHi9eOuoI6EiAQ/viewform"><b>HERE</b></a>. </i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>For those new to the series, copies of Bloodspell will be provided, as well as Bloodcraft. Limited paperback copies of Bloodspell will be provided. </i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUsOHznsr4TWBEe680KdMhEHTjhMk21Xe5Vot1lZP5VxvNAKV_XsDLSWfZd3UJCZNWh1NUMI69dQ4PfMBf5oBP7U4WwXCNPfvtyZ4IoNJBUa-nF2O6Kj2v_CSiex11tnwcKKBu5WM9Nd_/s1600/liner2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUsOHznsr4TWBEe680KdMhEHTjhMk21Xe5Vot1lZP5VxvNAKV_XsDLSWfZd3UJCZNWh1NUMI69dQ4PfMBf5oBP7U4WwXCNPfvtyZ4IoNJBUa-nF2O6Kj2v_CSiex11tnwcKKBu5WM9Nd_/s1600/liner2.png" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ABOUT BLOODSPELL</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoB7akH8HS5mOvMlrNgFmp9eaOxBXdgKLb_azu9P_rCjt14r3Ic-eK3ehU5ZYvdkeqNmVdV70bvQnaYiYz4Te2ObnDvbjPVuESV5-grrhx9ueMC6xc2fZHxv3n1KtKf3CNcq5e7zg6-q2/s1600/10679230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoB7akH8HS5mOvMlrNgFmp9eaOxBXdgKLb_azu9P_rCjt14r3Ic-eK3ehU5ZYvdkeqNmVdV70bvQnaYiYz4Te2ObnDvbjPVuESV5-grrhx9ueMC6xc2fZHxv3n1KtKf3CNcq5e7zg6-q2/s400/10679230.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
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The spell was simple...<br />
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Cruentus Protectum (Defend the Blood)<br />
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But what do you do if your blood is your enemy?<br />
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Victoria Warrick has always known she was different. An outcast at school, she is no stranger to adversity. But when she receives an old journal for her seventeenth birthday, nothing prepares her for the dark secrets it holds -- much less one that reveals she's a witch with unimaginable power.<br />
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What's more, when she meets the dazzling but enigmatic Christian Devereux, she has no idea how much her life is about to change. Enemies will hunt her. Friends will turn on her. The terrible curse that makes her blood run black will stop at nothing to control her. And Christian has a sinister secret of his own...<br />
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Without knowing whom to trust, can Victoria survive her blood's deadly desires? Or will she lose everything, including herself?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
AVAILABLE ON</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0052UJEX2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0052UJEX2&linkCode=as2&tag=goodc035-20&linkId=4CLG6QDMGOCZRZNR">Amazon</a> † <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bloodspell-amalie-howard/1031212244?ean=9781936782116">B&N</a> † <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Bloodspell-Amalie-Howard/9781936782116">Book Depository</a> † <a href="http://bit.ly/1kVDlnl">Kobo</a> † <a href="http://bit.ly/1NaG7jC">BAM</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Add to <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10679230-bloodspell">GoodReads</a></b></div>
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<br />
AMALIE HOWARD grew up on a small Caribbean island (Trinidad & Tobago) where she spent most of her childhood with her nose buried in a book or running around barefoot, shimmying up mango trees and dreaming of adventure. 25 countries, surfing with sharks and several tattoos later, she has traded in bungee jumping in China for writing the adventures she imagines instead. She isn’t entirely convinced which takes more guts.<br />
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An aspiring writer from a young age, Amalie’s poem “The Candle,” written at age twelve, was published in a University of Warwick journal. At fifteen, she was a recipient of a Royal Commonwealth Society Essay Award (a global youth writing competition). A Colby College graduate, she completed simultaneous Honors Theses in both French and International Studies, and graduated Summa Cum Laude/Phi Beta Kappa. At Colby, she was cited for research and criticism in Raffael Scheck’s article, “German Conservatism and Female Political Activism in the Early Weimar Republic,” and his subsequent book, Mothers of the Nation. She also received a distinction in English Literature from the University of Cambridge (A-levels) as well as a certificate in French Literature from the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris, France. Traveling the globe, she has worked as a research assistant, marketing representative, teen speaker and global sales executive.<br />
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She is the author of several young adult novels critically acclaimed by Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, VOYA, and Booklist, including Waterfell, The Almost Girl, and Alpha Goddess, a Spring 2014 Kid’s INDIE NEXT title. Her debut novel, Bloodspell, was a #1 Amazon bestseller and a Seventeen Magazine Summer Read. As an author of color and a proud supporter of diversity in fiction, her articles on multicultural fiction have appeared in The Portland Book Review and on the popular Diversity in YA blog. She currently resides in Colorado with her husband and three children. She is represented by the Liza Royce Agency and is a member of SCBWI.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amaliehoward.com/">Website</a> † <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmalieHowardAuthor">Facebook</a> † <a href="https://twitter.com/amaliehoward">Twitter</a> † <a href="https://instagram.com/amaliehoward/">Instagram</a> </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>GIVEAWAY TIME!!!</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Win 2 Signed paperback copies of Bloodspell (INT) & 2 eARC copies of BLOODCRAFT!</b></span></span></div>
<br />
• This giveaway is sponsored by author Amalie Howard.<br />
• This giveaway is open to INTERNATIONALLY<br />
• Author Amalie Howard nor Good Choice Reading are responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged mail. <br />
• Winner will be chosen at random.<br />
• Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or else a new winner will be chosen. <br />
• Winner will be announced/contacted on rafflecopter, Amalie Facebook/Twitter, and via email. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9722f57e345" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9722f57e345/" id="rcwidget_y7jx37q1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script></div>
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If you haven't read the book yet, GO BUY A COPY! So worth it!<br />
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<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-86334930929047394212015-10-08T23:41:00.000+08:002015-10-08T23:41:08.296+08:00#CarryOnPHLaunch details + Giveaway!Huzzah! I am back with more posts!<br />
<br />
So a few of my blogger friends and I got together and organized a book event for Rainbow Rowell's Carry On! The book is already out here in the Philippines (you can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/72546266913/photos/pb.72546266913.-2207520000.1444317693./10153175442286914/?type=3&theater">purchase your copies from National Bookstore!</a>) and we will be having a small party this weekend, October 10th!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/155337478147647/158818821132846/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsFohKmOG_G44hgHK7OVW3mlBEE3qkhShzREg_rQVAv0z-FjRCbMW5A0RcZ9qvB5bnSL7ExA6kyBWVMkil865JaiiT0J3xt6WK6dsFfBjw2T4JGDaRs66MfHlucTPdj-OLkgHnUX6RceW/s400/12022593_873802469363592_897851917532721448_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/155337478147647/158818821132846/">RSVP on the event page here!</a><br />
(Banner by the amazing Hazel of Stay Bookish!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Quick Q&A:</b><br />
<br />
<b><i>Give me some details, woman!</i></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>When: </b>October 10, 2015 3 to 5 pm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Where:</b> Powerbooks Greenbelt</div>
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Registration starts at 2pm so better be there early!<br />
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<b>Is there a limit for registration?</b><br />
Nope. As long as we can fit in the venue, you can come and hang out with us!<br />
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<b>Do we need to buy anything to join?</b><br />
No you don't. You don't even need to pay a registration fee to attend the event. Just bring yourself and a friend or two and be prepared to meet other Rainbow Rowell fans and fellow book worms and do fun stuff with us!<br />
<br />
<b>What do you mean by fun stuff?</b><br />
By fun stuff we mean there will be games and giveaways. You can win a Rainbow Rowell shirt, phone cases with any Rainbow Rowell quote you want (just 1 sentence though!), special edition Rainbow Rowell books. Did I say books? I also mean you can win books other than Rainbow Rowell's.<br />
<br />
<b>And? There's more?</b><br />
We'll play the Carry On playlist! You'll see the book trailers! We'll also have tea! And blue and yellow drinks (For Simon and Baz! No booze, sorry!), there'll be cupcakes, balloons, temporary tattoos and since adult coloring books are in right now, we have the next best thing. You'll get a chance to color your own dust jacket of Carry On so go bring some coloring pens with you and destress with us!<br />
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Since we're gearing up for the launch which happens in two days, <a href="http://thebookaholicblurbs.blogspot.com/">Kate of The Bookaholic Blurbs</a> and yours truly went ahead and started the ball rolling by giving away a Carry On shirt. What does it look like, you wonder? *points down*<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKIJh5ZxX5j1gRBeJbV7oYLLfmo6C0tg5t_DPolWBGmX8gEsT6C8JXyQIerBF_bV2RUQdvH_bhVGumciSO4BkclAm4tmxexjibKwE7mSEZkLS6a1zgHX1t19WWR14gKLW5i6Vzd8MGjqD/s1600/IMG_20151008_214918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGKIJh5ZxX5j1gRBeJbV7oYLLfmo6C0tg5t_DPolWBGmX8gEsT6C8JXyQIerBF_bV2RUQdvH_bhVGumciSO4BkclAm4tmxexjibKwE7mSEZkLS6a1zgHX1t19WWR14gKLW5i6Vzd8MGjqD/s400/IMG_20151008_214918.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">GIVEAWAY ALERT!</span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">WIN A CARRY ON SHIRT!</span></b></span></div>
<br />
<center>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="9647f4e811" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="https://www.blogger.com/rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9%E2%80%A6" id="rcwidget_iv319k1u" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script> </center>
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It would be awesome to meet fellow fans at the event! So if you have time, drop by Powerbooks Greenbelt and grab a copy of Carry On and party with us!<br />
<br />
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-81776072300427191752015-10-07T13:13:00.000+08:002015-10-07T13:13:39.921+08:00Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon If I'd known Nicola Yoon's book will get me out of my year long reading slump, I would've done anything to get it in my hands sooner. I owe this book a lot. And it owes me a whole set of neon tabs and a box of tissues for my tears.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHLUZxFXdXhMVCIJP8Rlqo9XZ4nX6jTKG2HGsszUcVyQSTAyI5PiiMl-dD9QYZYAGVaWaU9km6Zf7YRTKNbH3I6feHmmJ_mTsM6M9AYezYKcL4yjbj2iEOjlMtRnUIshq5aJ6N6TuCF_h/s1600/18692431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHLUZxFXdXhMVCIJP8Rlqo9XZ4nX6jTKG2HGsszUcVyQSTAyI5PiiMl-dD9QYZYAGVaWaU9km6Zf7YRTKNbH3I6feHmmJ_mTsM6M9AYezYKcL4yjbj2iEOjlMtRnUIshq5aJ6N6TuCF_h/s320/18692431.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<blockquote>
<b>Title: </b>Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon <br />
<b>Release Date: </b>September 1st 2015 <br />
<b>Published by: </b>Delacorte Books for Young Readers <br />
<b>Source: </b>Publisher (Thanks Claire!)<br />
<br />
<b>Buy: </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0553496646/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0553496646&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2">Amazon</a> | <a href="http://www.bookdepository.com/Everything-Everything-Nicola-Yoon/9780553496659/?a_aid=amaterasureads">Book Depository</a><br />
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<b>Summary:</b><br />
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My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.<br />
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But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.<br />
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Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.</blockquote>
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Maddy is allergic to the outside world, and has since lived in the safety of her home all her life. Now 18, Maddy was supposed to live her life just like every other year, safe, in an environment her mother can control. That is, until a new family moved next door. And then Maddy finds herself helplessly drawn to the boy next door who climbs roofs and wears black and makes her want to set foot outside and explore the world. But what can she do if the very thing she wants just might be the one which will kill her?<br />
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Maddy has SCID, a very rare disease where she can be allergic to anything, even the air she breathes. My first reaction was to pity her, because who would want to spend their lives bound to the four walls of her house? Her world was very limited, but you know what? I came to love Maddy because of who she is. Her sense of humor, her love for reading, as she understands that all too familiar feeling of existing in another world just by reading stories and it made me identify with her easily. And maybe because she has been confined all her life, she has this yearning for more, which she tries to reign in most of the time because it's hard to hope and she knew she's incurable. There's this growing thirst in her to explore that just makes me want to watch and see what she will do. Take a risk? Accept her fate and live all her life in a bubble or take the leap? She's intriguing in her own way.<br />
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And that kind of personality is what draws her to Olly. Ah, Olly... the boy who can't seem to stand still, always moving and leaping to places and climbing on walls. The boy who prefers limericks over haikus and loves math, chaos theory and how it can be related to our lives. What's not to love there? He's sweet and supportive, though a little jaded with life over the abuse he, his sister and his mom receives from his dad. I love how their chemistry eventually worked out, from being funny to cute to something worthy enough to swoon over, the push and pull, the "we can't" and "we can". The chats they exchanged made me laugh so much and it's just wonderful to see Maddy living her life with all the firsts she has encountered and many of which she shared with and is sometimes because of Olly.<br />
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The book is a wonderful mix of everything, from Maddy's illustrations, lists, word definitions, and the diversity is evident in each page which gave the novel an extra special feeling for me. It didn't matter if Maddy's father is African American and her mother is Japanese American. She's just Maddy who's in love with the boy with eyes as blue as the Atlantic Ocean. As much as I was looking forward to where Olly and Maddy's love will take them, it wouldn't be possible without Carla. The oh so lovable Carla, a fountain of wisdom with so much love to give and lessons to impart with to Maddy.<br />
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The fluff and the sweetness of firsts were enough to keep me fascinated with Everything, Everything but it turns out Nicola Yoon had more in store for her readers. The last 50 or so pages of the book made me snatch the tissue box and grip the book so hard. There is a twist, dear readers. If you are perceptive and are open to the thought then the twist has always been there, but then it happens. What if it's not just Maddy who has a problem? I loved how Nicola Yoon presented that part to her readers, and I loved how Maddy faced that possibility that turned out to be the truth and how she dealt with it. It felt truthful to me, though some might disagree. Some choices you just have to make though it is hard.<br />
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What else is there to say? There was no need for fanciful words to make a story so good and appealing to the readers. Nicola Yoon wove feelings and emotions in each and every word of Everything, Everything and filled it with characters experiencing such life changing moments that they felt so alive. I got hooked before I knew it. I was quietly sitting in front of my study table and in the next moment I was totally immersed in the story and until now I have no idea what happened. <br />
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<b>Kai's favorite quote:</b><br />
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<blockquote>
<i>“I decided then that love is a terrible, terrible thing. Loving someone as fiercely as my mom loves me must be like wearing your heart outside of your body with no skin, no bones, no nothing to protect it.” </i></blockquote>
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<b>Content (plot, story flow, character):</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A heartfelt, very emotional read filled with firsts, about love and family and taking risks and living the life we want to live. This won't be the last Nicola Yoon book that I will read, that's for sure. I want more!<br />
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bcePDNaL6YN0yGTYpTIir5p3D6_ixxM_9uai40QzLyzcrMdevQeFcqdH_KUVZ21DDG2pGSz-QPbv5G8PSccOPlEJ0LKWjEbSr9Zi4PPwJxE3-s74Gdsewul-bAkvfjVDHBlNI2tZRI/s320/5star01.jpg" /><br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Stunning:</span> Worthy of a Goddess' Praise!</div>
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<b>Book Cover:</b><br />
I love everything about that cover.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfEmlQfL4zo4DWdMREKYFVtmUnN-gZW-xXdsrlFWE27w7nhZleshsq2l4rzP8FkBV-KMPMDEvjvemUkad15WSlIP8rQdEFZmP_2fKUl4kvWvDBASefCz0MpY02W_FBh-qlwkhcT0KzTc/s1600/goddess_approves.jpg" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> </div>
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Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-78313113159826815122015-09-17T12:30:00.000+08:002015-09-21T12:34:06.688+08:00New Adult Queens: #CTCinPH signing recapThe year is coming to a close but no rest for the bookish community as this time the New Adult trio of Colleen Hoover, Tarryn Fisher and fellow Filipino Christine Brae captivated the country in this latest book signing event organized by National Bookstore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6S8vNXmx51tqR1gd9WkHE99U4nvo46E8m9iki0mg5wyfsSsYlqsE_0OWV6qzT2sACJ4tzePYMXf2s7Sk2EN5UDHaxI3drPwcSRxHRWeC02Np1asYKqyuL0PtqNaAVcuWBRn867l50N_y/s1600/ctc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6S8vNXmx51tqR1gd9WkHE99U4nvo46E8m9iki0mg5wyfsSsYlqsE_0OWV6qzT2sACJ4tzePYMXf2s7Sk2EN5UDHaxI3drPwcSRxHRWeC02Np1asYKqyuL0PtqNaAVcuWBRn867l50N_y/s640/ctc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, don't ask about my sleeping patterns because it was crazy the night before, as always. I have to admit that I've only read a handful of New Adult novels and I was so curious to know how my encounter with the trio will turn out and surprisingly I had a lot of fun! <br />
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There were lots of swooning and screaming that happened when all three of them walked in and then we started the Q&A. My question was for all three authors, which was:<br />
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<blockquote>
You’ve co-written a book, can you share with us what the experience was like and will you consider doing it again? And if you ever want to collaborate with another author, who would it be and why?</blockquote>
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<b>Tarryn: </b><i>It was the easiest thing (with Colleen). We just get along. I feel like we're both low maintenance. We pretend not to be. She pretends that she's annoyed with me but it's not the truth. So it was a really enjoyable experience, we did it for fun and then we thought we'd share it to the readers. I dunno that I can co-author with anyone else. I think she may be it for me.</i><br />
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<b>Colleen: </b><i>I paid her to say all of that. No, it's true. It really was an easy experience, you know. It wasn't something that we have on deadlines so we just kind of you know, we kind of just send back and forth as we finish our chapters and we don't rush and it's been a lot of fun to work on and we're still working on it and the third one releases in January so, we're hoping in the future to do it again. We had so much fun so why not? </i><br />
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<b>Tarryn: </b><i>Yeah, we just wanna do one book next time. We had a good series this time but with contract limitations and publishers so, we really would like to do just a novel next time.</i><br />
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<b>Colleen: </b><i>Oh, if I could co-write? I dunno that I could either. I feel like it's very, very hard to rely on someone. Even when I wrote Maybe Someday and I had to rely on Griffin and we got along really, really well but I feel like I lucked out with Griffin and Tarryn and that does not always happen. I see other authors who co-wrote together who now don't speak, it's that stressful. I wouldn't wanna risk any friendships.</i><br />
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<b>Christine: </b><i>I don't think I can co-write right now just because my schedule is crazy and I can't go by someone else's schedule. It has to be by my schedule because I don't really have time to do much. </i><br />
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<b>On self-publishing:</b><br />
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For Christine, writing is a lonely process and so is self-publishing. You need to have your own resources and do it all on your own. It's a good experience but it's one that you have to do by yourself.<br />
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For Tarryn, self-publishing is kind of bad-ass. People initially told them that they weren't good enough but they just went ahead and did it anyway and it was successful. It's a defiant movement where they got to create their own success. It's what Tarryn loves about self-publishing, doing it on her own and showing people that she could.<br />
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For Colleen, self-publishing is a life changer. A lot changed because of it. What's vexing in it is for new authors to get noticed. There are a lot of NA books being released every day and it's hard to break into it these days.<br />
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November 9 has the biggest twist since Hopeless. It also releases November 10th. :)<br />
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<b>On writing New Adult:</b><br />
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Colleen didn't know what she was writing, she just wrote a book. When she writes she doesn't know what genre it's gonna end up in and leaves it out to her publishers. What's important for her is to write the story she's interested in writing and the characters in it. Genre doesn't matter. Colleen hasn't even heard of NA when she started self-publishing. She thought NA means "Not Applicable". :3<br />
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Tarryn was told six months into the release of her book that what she wrote was NA. Tarryn just writes what she wants and determine what the genre is after.<br />
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<b>On their writing processes:</b><br />
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Tarryn waits to feel something and just goes with it and a whole book seems to form around those emotions. She tries to set aside a few hours and write every day. Tarryn likes to get in the minds of her characters and live it out, makes it authentic.<br />
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Colleen is manic when she writes and lock herself up in a room for several days. She doesn't really have a schedule and she says she's disorganized. Colleen cannot end her writing with a sad or depressing scene because that's how she'll end up feeling until she finishes writing, so she writes until her characters are happy. As her books are mostly sad, she tries to put humor in every once in a while so she can stop writing.<br />
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Christine writes whatever it is she's feeling. She reads the end of every book she's written. Christine knows how she wants her books to end and she moves backwards.<br />
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<b>On character names:</b><br />
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The names of the characters in Christine's books have meanings. She'd look up names on the internet and what they mean. Every last name has a meaning. She doesn't go by what clicks in a name, every name has to have a meaning for her.<br />
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When Tarryn writes, the name just falls in her head. She'll be typing and it just happens. Tarryn never think hard about the names.<br />
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The names are the most important part for Colleen, she cannot start a new book until she had a character's name and their personalities. Colleen currently has a severe case of writer's block because she doesn't know the name of her female character so she can't write a story though she has an idea for a book. The name shapes the scenes for her. What's important in NA is to pick a name for a boy that no one else has as you want the guy's name to stand out.<br />
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Trivia: Sydney is a filler name for Colleen's book, Maybe Someday.<br />
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<b>Carving a niche in the market:</b><br />
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Luck is not enough, for Colleen, it's also timing. Any one thing you can do to stand out from the rest is a combination of working hard and putting everything out there, writing a good story and trying to market it as best as you can (without being annoying) and hoping it sticks.<br />
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Tarryn doesn't agree with Colleen, because Colleen is being humble despite being an excellent storyteller. You have to have a combination of believable characters, tell a good story and do it with really strong, beautiful words. The readers respond to that. It is not luck. Developing a style is also important and reading as much as you can then incorporating what you love to your own style. <br />
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Try to take a new perspective on something that's been done a million times before. <i>Only you can see the world like you see it</i>, according to Tarryn.<br />
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Christine just writes and that's it. She tells the truth.<br />
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And probably the most important thing any author has mentioned (courtesy of Colleen Hoover): "<i>I try to make myself happy. I feel like if I can't make myself happy and I'm not happy with the characters in my book then I don't care if it's the New York Times or it sells a lot of copies, it's not gonna matter to me.</i>"<br />
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And here we go with the photos!<br />
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With my lovely blogger friends, because they're awesome:<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/7jsWanPO-s/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2015-09-13T04:40:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 12, 2015 at 9:40pm PDT</time></div>
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And the tradition continues as I again attempt to take a Kai selfie. See the progression below. I apologize in advance because I have zero skills in photography. :D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItLQclQBLYZM-AI2c-OTBW1xexrHbUik9VND5bUChT7gi9sFcNYi82DVqdS7VM4g13JwkUm68c1Nv0JYGfChqL3QqJMoGydPqRCNe-2V4_QywOaiEnHav2t68cfug25zWGrGfHIcoZnT-/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiItLQclQBLYZM-AI2c-OTBW1xexrHbUik9VND5bUChT7gi9sFcNYi82DVqdS7VM4g13JwkUm68c1Nv0JYGfChqL3QqJMoGydPqRCNe-2V4_QywOaiEnHav2t68cfug25zWGrGfHIcoZnT-/s200/IMG_1786.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6L9P03IMz6FgMe1HymvJVYgTx7h8df1S1arGIm_LWj8ItTS4MVyDXgsrYIj7h-6oumaIdyUYluh22AqiD2f1Hw-RZriU7cR1GeTKCw9zDCxA2ldm_BW6gkfHm6FfmflmSabBaiPrb6cE/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6L9P03IMz6FgMe1HymvJVYgTx7h8df1S1arGIm_LWj8ItTS4MVyDXgsrYIj7h-6oumaIdyUYluh22AqiD2f1Hw-RZriU7cR1GeTKCw9zDCxA2ldm_BW6gkfHm6FfmflmSabBaiPrb6cE/s200/IMG_1788.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEEO2f5NHVRWHM7LooV2JwJ_Zkj3A5yVRmZt00gTWCLv5_U82g9tZOopreQJkprqHHx3dr3mwFhj1P-g7b-WZyPCVtZVtymvR64MCcC67MJ5sL0UxZNmTAPxTs48kWctalSzgA7iju5bD/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEEO2f5NHVRWHM7LooV2JwJ_Zkj3A5yVRmZt00gTWCLv5_U82g9tZOopreQJkprqHHx3dr3mwFhj1P-g7b-WZyPCVtZVtymvR64MCcC67MJ5sL0UxZNmTAPxTs48kWctalSzgA7iju5bD/s200/IMG_1793.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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Before we took the "perfect" shot, where my face wasn't even shown, in this case:<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/7jqYtyvO7L/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2015-09-13T04:23:04+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 12, 2015 at 9:23pm PDT</time></div>
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I tried. But whatever, at least you can see Tarryn, Colleen and Christine there.. somewhere. Up top? I think. :D<br />
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Bonus: a video with such heartfelt messages from Colleen, Tarryn and fellow Filipina, Christine!<br />
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Again, thank you so much National Book Store for being so amazing and always giving us the opportunity to interact with such great people even for a short while. This event definitely made me want to read more NA books because they had such amazing authors I didn't even know exists. I had a lot of fun talking to my fellow bloggers and sharing such a once in a lifetime experience with such wonderful people. Wow.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/7j4XE6vO-1/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2015-09-13T06:25:11+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 12, 2015 at 11:25pm PDT</time></div>
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How was your signing experience? Share it with me! :)<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5190473011098681351.post-11100575622264900322015-07-15T21:30:00.000+08:002015-07-17T00:04:09.687+08:00YA contemporary Heaven, also known as #KMRinPH signing recap!Even though I enjoy reading sci-fi and dystopia, sometimes I sit down and just read a good contemporary YA novel and all is right in the world. And the three ladies who graced Manila with their presence more than a week ago just make us want to say: "Ahh, so this is what YA contemporary heaven feels like."<br />
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I was unusually in high spirits (though I woke up around 3 am) as I was mainly looking forward to seeing Robyn Schneider, because I love and worship her writing and <a href="http://amaterasureads.blogspot.com/2013/09/arc-review-beginning-of-everything-by.html">The Beginning of Everything</a> moved me so much but I got more than what I was expecting. They were a riot! It was one of the longest Q&A's we've had and one filled with so much laughter!<br />
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It's been a while since I've been starstruck and made speechless but when all three of them walked towards the stage I was just that and I know I just had this huge grin on my face because they were there sitting in front of me, answering questions fielded by bloggers.<br />
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So what has been asked and how were they answered? Read on for some of the most interesting Q&As in the forum.<br />
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<b><i>Is there a genre all three of them would like to explore other than contemporary? </i></b><br />
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Katie is most interested in realistic contemporary because the problems she experiences in life are small and interpersonal, plus she's not really fighting the government OR blasting into space. But she is interested in fantasy and magical realism.<br />
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Melissa would love to write historical fiction though it's daunting for her because of the amount of research she needs to do. She does love reading fantasy and science fiction though.<br />
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Robyn had to clear up that Extraordinary Means is NOT dystopian. Though it is set in an alternate present, with tumblr still existing but a world where the kind of TB (which was medication resistant) in her book exists. That kind of story gave Robyn the appetite to explore "strange currents", like writing contemporary realistic (ish) but also has horror and/or fantasy elements. (Example: Doctor Who or Buffy with real world problems.)<br />
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As for tough reads with mixed reviews, Katie experienced it on both her books. Characters who make lots of mistakes are what feels real for her and that's what she's interested in telling stories about, that's what speaks to her. She's not interested in stories about perfect people with perfect lives.<br />
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<i><b>There is a quote in The Beginning of Everything which goes: “Everyone’s life, no matter how unremarkable, has a moment when it will become extraordinary – a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen.".</b></i><br />
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Robyn wasn't sure when that moment was for her. She used to think she knew but she didn't, and that was where the book came from, the idea of what her big moment was and then realizing that becoming a doctor, changing what she was studying, working really hard to accomplish it, suddenly felt like not the best idea in hindsight. Her big life changing moment was deciding to finish writing The Beginning of Everything. She stopped writing, said she couldn't do it and threw the book away and a few days later crept back to it. When she decided to pick it back up and see if it can be fixed, Robyn thinks that was her moment. In retrospect, those moments are small every day decisions. You never know what it'll be.<br />
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<b><i>So what drew them to YA?</i></b><br />
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Katie fell into YA, as she started writing her first book when she was 16 when she was still in high school and she just wanted to write a story about a cute boy and a girl whose her age going through the same things she's going through (with feelings of not being seen and watching a guy from across the room and knowing you're not in his radar at all). What kept her writing YA is that feeling of everything being so important as a teenager. It's a rich ground for telling stories.<br />
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It's the same thing with Melissa, because of a friend of hers who is a YA editor and told her to try writing YA. Teenagers, like Katie said, are allowed to feel each huge decisions, are allowed to feel devastated as adults dismiss them saying they're just kids. Some of the most emotional things happen to you when you're a teen. Unlike when you're an adult, then you just have to deal with it. For Melissa, writing that is what's exciting, in a way that writing adults wouldn't work. <br />
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For Robyn, there's an exciting factor in YA. Writing YA gives her an opportunity to write really impactful firsts, and she's obsessed with that. Everybody always remembers their firsts. Like first kiss, when you won't even remember your seventh. Robyn won't even remember the name of some boy she kissed at a party when she was 24, but the first boy she ever kissed, every single book she'll write will secretly about that. (Or not so secretly.) It's a great opportunity to remember what it was like to try to find a part of herself in a book or a song or a line of text. You don't get adults highlighting the books they're reading or writing quotes on their notebook, they read to past time while teenagers needed to find themselves and find answers about who they are in the world, which was so cool for Robyn.<br />
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<i><b>As for their creative process...</b></i><br />
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Katie's took a very long time as she worked on her first book when she was 16, which didn't get published until she was almost 30. She worked on it and put it aside for two years and work on it for a week and a half which went on for years. It's a patchwork quilt of her experience for 10 years.<br />
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Once Melissa has the initial idea, she outlines. For Melissa, it's important to figure out the process that works for a person and then seeing how it's most fruitful. Melissa doesn't like to sit down and write for the day if she doesn't know what's going to happen, but other people will want to sit down and discover for themselves.<br />
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When Robyn comes up with an idea for a story she also has this tiny spark of what could happen and she figures out who it happens to. It's not just the one character. You're not who you are without an input from your best friend or boyfriend or sister. Just figuring out who the character is isn't enough, she has to build a world for that character. A lot of the time it's trial and error but oftentimes she pulls from her own life or start asking her friends about a certain theme. She gathers her materials and just fill in the fine lines of her characters and once she knows what she's working with she writes the story. It's usually a little different than what she initially thought because people are different than they are when she first meets them and it's also true for book characters.<br />
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<i><b>Do any of the guys in their books come from any place in particular? Movie stars? Partners? Past partners?</b></i><br />
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The guys in Robyn's books are portraits of herself. The girls she writes she has no idea where they came from but the guys would be her if she was a guy. Ezra is very much like her when she was in high school and Lane was like her when she was in college. (And Robyn goes <i>"Oh, this is how I am. What's going on? Why is my psyche coming out fictionally male?"</i> and we all loved her again.)<br />
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A character in Melissa's book, The Break-Up Bible, was based on an ex-boyfriend. A friend read it and said it was based on Melissa's ex-boyfriend Andy, but was actually based on a guy named Steve, which was another ex-boyfriend of hers. People will attribute names to their book's characters whether an author choose to do that, people assume that they did.<br />
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In Katie's case, she wasn't sure if any of the boys in her books were based in real life, but she met her husband when she was in high school (they're together for 15 years!) and she feels that portraying the experience of falling in love in her books and what it feels like was based on her own life.<br />
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<i><b>Their favorite parts in writing contemporary romance?</b></i><br />
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Melissa loves writing kissing scenes, the 'I saw him across a crowded room' scenes. Katie also loves to write kissing scenes, but for her it's also about figuring out how to feel about things in the world. Writing contemporary helps Katie understand the world. Robyn loved writing pop culture references and fandom moments! (And then Robyn goes on about how her life is exactly like Seth Cohen from The OC and laments the fact that she's not cool.) Robyn thinks it's fun writing nerdy pop culture references.<br />
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<i><b>What two important things has Katie learned while writing contemporary romance?</b></i><br />
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The first thing Katie learned goes back to writing complicated characters, the idea of writing a character that people weren't going to like was scary. The idea of putting a character in the world feels like having a child, having spent so much time creating them and people aren't crazy about them. What she learned was all she can do was write a book that she'd want to read. The other thing was? You can never have too many make-out scenes.<br />
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(Katie's next book is coming out next spring, still without a title. It's a tragic romance! It takes place in the 1990's in Orlando, Florida about two young not quite famous popstars with a star cross romance!)<br />
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<b><i>And for my question, which was asking Robyn what it was like to write in a male perspective and what the experience was like to write Ezra and then Lane. (I insisted that she had answered it at some point, but Robyn said 'That has not been asked yet!'.)</i></b> <br />
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Robyn prefers writing from a male perspective (she doesn't know what it says about her but she just does!) because she knows the character is not her. It's like writing fantasy. She tries to make the story not too close to home because it's not her, it's somebody else. Ezra is so much easier for her to write as she's really drawn to his brokenness, she understood the story in a really deep way. It was harder to relate to Lane (as of course she's not dying of tuberculosis) but she very much understood his personality as Lane is like a version of herself that she's horrified to turn around one day and find out that she had become, she wanted to write through that.<br />
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When Robyn wrote The Begininng of Everything she was writing it for herself. She didn't have a book deal and she was just a student. It was what she did because a boy broke her heart and she was sitting in a coffee shop all summer. Extraordinary Means is what she wrote for her publisher, for her fans and it's a lot harder to do. It's harder to write from a teenage perspective than it is to switch gender. <i>(And then she had to ask why no one was asking her how hard it was to write a character who's 15 years younger than ask how hard it was to write a character without boobs. :D) </i>Robyn likes the double challenge it presents.<br />
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<i><b>If they were to write a book about their lives, what would its title be and why?</b></i><br />
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Melissa's would be "<b>Don't Press Send</b>", because she spent a good part of her life wishing she hadn't sent some of what she had written via e-mail.<br />
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For Katie it would be "<b>Places I Have Fallen Down and Injured Myself</b>". As she is very clumsy and not in a charming, romantic comedy way but in an 'I'll fall down the stairs on a subway station and break my arm' kind of way. A chapter would be dedicated to an injury she got.<br />
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For Robyn, it's The Beginning of Everything, because it's pretty much an autobiography to her teenage years. She doesn't want to write a book about her life, but many small books in a two year period about her life, which was what she's trying to do right now with her books. But if she had to give a title to her book it would be "#<b>ihatehashtags</b>". She herself was so baffled by how internet savvy she is but how angry internet culture makes her.<br />
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You can listen to the full audio <b><a href="https://app.box.com/s/616xha7sc5kvt8buoyny">here</a></b>.<br />
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<b>Highlights of the signing:</b><br />
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I tried doing this thing I call "#kaiselfie" (because I'm very creative and can't think of a better name for it) where I take a selfie during each blogger forum and see how many people I can fit in, and see if it won't be blurry or if any one of my blogger friends had funny facial expressions when I take photos. But! For this edition, we had a record of 18 people and one very sneaky author who I didn't realize was there until they were about to leave.<br />
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Robyn: I hope I got in on your selfie! *waves*<br />
Me: Wait, what? *checks photo* OMG she's here!<br />
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Which is the photo you'll see below:<br />
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When you take a selfie & your fave author joins in the fun. *cue question where's <a href="https://twitter.com/robynschneider">@robynschneider</a>?* <a href="https://twitter.com/epicreadsevents">@epicreadsevents</a> <a href="http://t.co/C1tS7Sotd9">pic.twitter.com/C1tS7Sotd9</a></div>
— Kai A. (@amaterasureads) <a href="https://twitter.com/amaterasureads/status/617565031392149506">July 5, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/amaterasureads/status/617982723336986624">We almost got Melissa Kantor in the frame as well</a>, but she got lost in the sea of eager bloggers when I took the second trial shot. I'll get better next time. Haha!<br />
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I also have an ARC of #TBoE with the original title (still called "Severed Heads, Broken Hearts") and cover and Robyn signed it for me, bless her. She was so fascinated when she saw I had marked some passages and she keeps on saying "Wow, I wrote this sentence!", sounding so giddy every time she takes a peek. Aww.<br />
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<a href="https://instagram.com/p/4wBlKWvO4u/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_top">A photo posted by Kai A. (@amaterasureads)</a> on <time datetime="2015-07-05T10:02:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Jul 5, 2015 at 3:02am PDT</time></div>
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Once again, thank you to National Bookstore for this great opportunity to meet such wonderful authors. I got a birthday greeting from Katie Cotugno and got to talk to Melissa Kantor who was so nice and got to take a couple of photos with Robyn Schneider and just chat with her for as long as we could. Wow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7RiU8FSfXgT0wJMLiX7G6_M9mSZ3eBeqa69axAKuk8_6Kr0MJJIF32xAQCLn1HYkoKO4XzpKrHzyAof9wfu2bTLxtcVoFd8r7Dif9bxUxtcrKG1K2RfuSwBgBndGilSss0UMnN1z_cpB/s1600/FotorCreated.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7RiU8FSfXgT0wJMLiX7G6_M9mSZ3eBeqa69axAKuk8_6Kr0MJJIF32xAQCLn1HYkoKO4XzpKrHzyAof9wfu2bTLxtcVoFd8r7Dif9bxUxtcrKG1K2RfuSwBgBndGilSss0UMnN1z_cpB/s640/FotorCreated.jpg" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fBPsuYxOz6cxLYeiGSlkJ2Ev7YIiyDsSRkDYEtfgsXv4B_cc6VoiTEPqCXN0ob5PDeQWS4lEPEvbuyURY4bJh4f-om24FK8-GwRXpj86XDLatEk0CNYc2KZP4mERoD9-cfIrLmis71co/s1600/IMG_9659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fBPsuYxOz6cxLYeiGSlkJ2Ev7YIiyDsSRkDYEtfgsXv4B_cc6VoiTEPqCXN0ob5PDeQWS4lEPEvbuyURY4bJh4f-om24FK8-GwRXpj86XDLatEk0CNYc2KZP4mERoD9-cfIrLmis71co/s640/IMG_9659.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo with the #PHYaBookBloggers and three lovely authors!</td></tr>
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And a bonus video of Katie, Melissa and Robyn giving a message to their Philippine readers. Sorry if it's shaky.<br />
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And for the giveaway!<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WIN A SIGNED ARC OF MELISSA KANTOR'S BETTER THAN PERFECT + SIGNED BOOKMARKS! (PH ONLY)</b></span></span></div>
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I have an ARC of Better Than Perfect lying around and had Melissa sign it to give away. I also had 2 bookmarks signed by all three authors and I'll be giving them away as well.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrZEAnkgkXOpCpHjtl1zMPWt1Dyz8OgRucjiiJxJmaGTAAH7VhZRdHQLlc_Qvqr0IupGXrsSgexZDqo4QiQjkxChdFxdfMQtBkHf0JZWPu9k2M7g8_gyK3OjTrzhmCN1ESDFbFlgtLH4/s320/kai_sig_amaterasu01.jpg" /> Kai Agitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17582438571397701800noreply@blogger.com10