US vs UK Covers: Starcrossed series by Jospehine Angelini

This post is probably old hat given that Goddess (Goodreads) has already hit the bookshelves - well, shelves other than mine in South Africa, that is. Still, I thought it would be fun to look at the UK and US covers of the Starcrossed series by Josephine Angelini. They could not be more different.

Starcrossed 
(Goodreads)

I saw the UK cover (released by MacMillian Children's Books) in my local bookstore and fell on it. The rest, they say, is history. I thoroughly enjoyed it (three stars, if I recall) Two of my daughters are obsessed with the series. So much so that I had to buy them each copies for their separate bookshelves. Share one book? What!?! Mom, you just don't understand the problem . . .

The US book is published by Harper Teen. The cover is definitely pretty, but it doesn't really grab me. I mean, what's with her nose sticking off the edge of the page? And it looks like the story's about her flowing robes - which I don't even recall that she wore in the book. 

So, for me the UK Cover is lightyears ahead of the US. But that doesn't mean to say I like the next UK cover much though. 

Dreamless

 (Goodreads)

 Even though I own two copies of the UK version of Dreamless (see point above about teenage daughters), I say a resounding no thank you to MacMillian. Your cover is just horrible. Honestly, that ugly guy cannot possibly be Orion. Or can it? Words don't even begin to describe . . .

So that leaves the US cover. What is it with Harper Teen that they don't want to show us Helen's face? She is after all the heroine. And isn't her face supposed to be beautiful enough to launch a thousand ships? And what's with the wind? Does it never stop blowing on Nantucket? Must be like Cape Town where I live . . .

Anyway, I guess this cover still beats the UK offering of the ugly simian-like creature looming over Helen.

Then we have

Goddess
 (Goodreads)

Okay, I must admit, I adore the colours used on the US cover (Harper Teen). They are just my thing. Hell, I even recently dyed a chunk of my hair purple and turquoise with a dash of pink to lighten the mix. But still, as book covers go, it doesn't tell me much about the story. 

Whereas, the UK version by MacMillian does. . .

But As much as I love the UK cover, I loved it first on Across The Universe by Beth Revis (Goodreads).

Now there's a great series. But I digress . . .

Don't you think the UK cover is similar to this? Or is that just me being pedantic? That said, I would be very happy to own two copies of the UK version of Goddess. Not having read it yet though, I have to wonder if it's Lucas or Orion on the cover. Personally I hope it's Orion  . . . or maybe Lucas. Oh, the curse of indecision! 

So what do you think? Which covers are best, the US or the UK? I would love to know your thoughts.

Until next time cheers

Gwynn

US vs UK Covers: Crown of Midnight

A month or so ago ago I did a cover reveal on Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (See post here). A few weeks ago I saw the UK ARC on Netgalley and instantly requested it. Sadly, being in South Africa meant I didn't qualify even though I pointed out that we are part of the Commonwealth and  all our books come from UK presses. Ho Hum. Can't be helped, I guess. Anyway that will no longer be a problem after my move to the UK in August. In the meantime, however, I thought I'd share the UK and US covers with you.

This beauty will be on the book I buy to grace my bookshelf!

UK Cover published by Bloomsbury.

Given that I loved Throne of Glass (Review of novellas) I will drop everything to read this book. 

I can't wait for the 27 August when it hits the shelves!

And now for the US version . . . 

US Version by Bloomsbury USA

To be honest, I don't know which I prefer. The UK version is so clean and Celeana really owns that space. But the US one is also very dramatic. 

Decisions. Decisions.

What do you think? Which would you prefer?

Cheers

Gwynn

Frivolous Friday: Things I love about Africa 14 June 2013

It’s Friday! Yah!

Time to kick back and relax – with a book. Talk about being predictable.

For this week’s Frivolous Friday, I’m focusing on an African positive. 

It’s always a laugh when travelling overseas because the first question people ask when they hear I come from Africa is: “Do you have lions and elephants roaming the streets?” I immediately picture the grass hut they think I live in.

So, to answer your question . . . no, I don’t live in a grass hut. Neither do I have wild animals trawling through my neighbourhood. Unless you can call the tsotsis (a local word for criminals) armed with stolen weapons and homemade knives predators. Actually, come to think of it, we do call them predators. Amongst a lot of other derogatory terms.

We have to go to game reserves and national parks to see these magnificant creatures.

Another conversation that always raises a smile goes something like this . . . 

Ignorant foreigner: “So, you’re from South Africa. That’s just awesome.”

Me: “Yeah. I guess it’s pretty cool.”

Ignorant foreigner: “So tell me, where in Africa is South Africa?

Me: *stares blankly*

Ignorant foreigner: “Is it near Kenya?”

Me: “Er . . . Kenya is in East Africa, about three thousand miles from us.”

Ignorant Foreigner: *undeterred* “Oh, is it? Then are you close to Ghana?”

Me: *trying hard not to roll eyes* “Not exactly. Ghana is in West Africa. About three thousand miles away in the opposite direction.”

Ignorant foreigner: “Right. I knew that.” *long pause* “So where is South Africa exactly?”

Me: *smiling now* “In the south. Southern tip of the continent actually . . . “

I hope you like my lion pic. Andrew took it on one of his many travels. And talking about travels, some months ago I posted a Frivolous Friday on my brother Tom’s ride across Africa on a bicycle. See link here. Well, he and Andrew (my husband) are making a TV series about the adventure. Andrew is driving his 4x4 vehicle and Tom is on his bicycle.

They’ve put together a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the production. If you are interested in helping two crazy guys make an amazing adventure travel, internet-based TV series, then please click on this link. If you like what you see, don’t be shy to share the news.

Have an awesome weekend.

Cheers

Gwynn

PS. I did live in a grass hut once for about a year, and I did have wild animals raiding the kitchen, but I’ll share more about that adventure in a future post.

PPS: Don't forget to drop into Elisa to see her Frivolous Friday.

Feature and Follow: 14 June 2013

Thanks to Parajunkee & Alison Can Read for this meme. If you like what you see on my blog, please feel free to follow by any means that works for you. I will return the favour.

So . . . to today's question: Q: Activity: Spine Poetry. Create a line of poetry with your book spines (take a picture). Not feeling creative? Tell us about your favorite poem.

And boy, it's a tough question. Given that all my books are packed in boxes pending my move to the UK, the picture route isn't going to work for me. So I will share a favourite childhood poem with you.

Relax, it's very short . . . And it comes from The Wind In The Willows (Goodreads) so how can that be bad?

`DUCKS' DITTY.'
All along the backwater,
Through the rushes tall,
Ducks are a-dabbling,
Up tails all!

Ducks' tails, drakes' tails,
Yellow feet a-quiver,
Yellow bills all out of sight
Busy in the river!

Slushy green undergrowth
Where the roach swim--
Here we keep our larder,
Cool and full and dim.

Everyone for what he likes!
WE like to be
Heads down, tails up,
Dabbling free!

High in the blue above
Swifts whirl and call--
WE are down a-dabbling
Up tails all!

That's my daily dose of craziness done. Enjoy the hop and I'll see you in cyberspace.

cheers

Gwynn

Emperor's Edge by Lindsay Buroker

 A High Fantasy Novel Set In An Age Of Steam

It's been a while since a series of has captured my imagination quite like the Emperor's Edge (Goodreads). Although I've followed Lindsay Buroker's blog for ages, I was more interested in reading about her success as a self-published author than bothering about her books. Okay, okay, I know, that doesn't make any sense, but it's the truth. (She has a great blog, by the way, if self-publishing is your thing) Anyway, I happened upon the Emperor's Edge quite by chance. I uploaded a Kobo app onto my iPhone and saw EE for free. So I did what any book fiend does, I downloaded it, thinking I'd read it in snatches when stuck waiting in the car, playing mum's taxi to my kids.

Huh! So much for my well-laid plan. I started reading, and after two small pages (an iPhone screen is not that big) I was hooked. Lost. Captivated. Enthralled. I tore through the series and still haven't come up for air. Everything else I have on my bookshelves - virtual and real - has paled into insignificance.

So what is this book about?

Amaranthe Lokdon is a rarity, a female Imperial law enforcer. Dedicated, ambitious, sharp left kick, obsessive compulsive cleaner, she's definitely good at her job. She can deter thieves and pacify thugs, if not with a blade, then by toppling an eight-foot pile of coffee canisters onto their heads. But when ravaged bodies show up on the waterfront, an arson covers up human sacrifices, and a powerful business coalition plots to kill the emperor, she feels a tad overwhelmed. 

Worse, Sicarius, the empire's most notorious assassin, is in town. He's tied in with the chaos somehow, but Amaranthe would be a fool to cross his path. Unfortunately, her superiors order her to hunt him down. Either they have an unprecedented belief in her skills... or someone wants her dead. 

Staying alive puts her outside the law. Now with a sizeable bounty on her head, she pulls together a band of fascinating, hilarious characters to form an organization called the Emperor's Edge. It's mission? To protect Emperor Sespian from his enemies and to clear her name. 

But not all the wonderfully drawn characters share such noble goals. Maldynado (disowned  aristocrat, turned gigolo, turned outlaw) agrees to join EE because he wants a statute of himself erected (probably showing his erection!) in the centre of town. Aksytr (a sullen kid chucked out of his gang of cut-throats) wants an opportunity to study magic, banned in the Empire. Basilard (enslaved and forced to fight for his life in a gambling pit) wants slavery abolished. Books, the disgraced history professor - well I'm not sure what he wants! 

Anyway, all this adds to the fun, leading to a rollicking, fast-paced romp through the streets of Stumps, the capital city of Turgonia. Nicknamed Stumps because a few generations back an emperor whose name I can't remember decided to behead all the city's statutes, leaving only stumps! That's the level of detail in the world building. And trust me, the characters are that rich too.

As you can see from my ravings, I really loved this book. If you like swashbuckling action, with sharp dialogue, tons of laughs, beautifully flawed characters, and a brilliantly imaginative plot, then you will love it too.

This is a five short sword read. You can download it for free everywhere. But be warned, you will come back for more.

cheers
Gwynn

PS. And don't worry that it's indie published. You would never have known if I hadn't told you it was.

WWW: 12 June 2013

Welcome to Wednesday and my favourite meme where we explore what we've read, what we're reading and what we plan to read. Thanks to MizB at Should Be Reading for hosting.

What have I finished reading?

My week has been devoted to the Emperor's Edge series by Lindsay Buroker.

 

Blood and Betrayal (Goodreads)

Conspiracy (Goodreads)

Forged in Blood 1 (Goodreads) 

 As I said in my last WWW, I am just loving these books. Five fantastic stars to all of them. So if you also enjoy high fantasy/steam punk adventures with a touch of romance on the side then, you must read these. I will be doing a review of the series and an author's Q&A later this week.

The first book in the series - Emperor's Edge (Goodreads) - is free everywhere. But trust me, once you've read it, you will want the rest.

What am I reading now?

I told you I'm obsessed . . . 

Beneath The Surface (Goodreads)

This is an novella that takes place between books five and six in the Emperor's Edge series.

What am I reading next?

I need to get back on track after my current Emperor's Edge deviation because I have review commitments. So I think my next read will be . . .

A Study in Silks (Goodreads)

This one is about Sherlock Holmes' niece and promises to be a rollicking mystery/adventure.

Sadly I also had a DNF this past week . . . 

Shiver (Goodreads)

How do you define slow? Tedious. Snail Race. Yawn. All of those words applied to this book. Sad that, because I was really excited for it.

That's my week. What have you been up to? Leave a comment or a link and I'll get back to you.

Cheers

Gwynn

The Elite by Kiera Cass

The book with the fiery red dress cover . . . 

My jaunts around the blogosphere told me that few books were as hotly anticipated as this one. And  few books have met with such a hot and cold reception. Some people are bitterly disappointed with The Elite. Others are raving. Interesting dichotomy of reactions.

So what did I think? That depends.

If I was rating this book as the dystopian post-apocalyptic romance, which the publisher touted it as, I would probably give it two stars. I mean come on . . . dystopian post apocalypics depend on their world-building to succeed. Kiera Cass's strength definitely does not lie in creating believable worlds. Also, apart from the caste system, what's so terrible about Illea? There are countries on Earth today with even more draconian social structures and we don't write young adult dystopian romances about them.

So what genre does this book occupy then?

Perhaps I can sum it up as follows: The Elite is a Young-Adult-Love-Triangle-Angst-Feast. That's it. And let me tell you, as Love Triangles go, this one is very good. Yes, I said it. A very good, angst-filled, love triangle in which our three heroes - America, Aspen and Maxim - all manage to behave like complete idiots, fueling much  . . . angst. There, that word again.

For those who haven't followed America's exploits in book one: The Selection, let me enlighten you. America was one of thirty five girls chosen to compete for Prince Maxon's heart in a televised love 'shoot out' ala The Bachelorette TV show. Of course, Maxon falls head-over-heels in love with her. And her for him. Kinda. You see, she has a boyfriend, Aspen, who arrives at the palace as a soldier, guarding, yes, you guessed it - America. That's the background. I wish I could tell you that a whole lot more happens in The Elite, but to honest, it doesn't.

Thus far, you're probably thinking I hated this book. But that's where you'd be wrong. Once I decided not to look for any intelligence, I sat back and enjoyed the ride.

America is seventeen - an age not known for romantic discernment, a fact thoroughly exploited by Cass. America spends the entire book dithering between Aspen and Maxon. Honestly, she changes her mind like other people change their socks. One minute Aspen is all she wants. Then Maxon is her beginning and end. But then in fairness to her, both boys are hot, and she's seventeen . . .  what else can you expect?  I'm being cruel. Let me hasten to add that I'm a lot older than she is and I had trouble deciding if I was Team Maxon or Team Aspen. How's the poor girl supposed to decide between two good things?

America also spends a fair amount of the book deciding if she actually wants to be queen of Illea. That's a reasonable question. In answering it, we get to see more of her competition - the remaining girls in The Selection. What a bunch! It's worth reading the book just to spy on their antics. And Maxon's reactions to them. That certainly opened the book up for an interesting twist . . .  Grin. (My daughter Erin was shattered by something Aspen did with one of the other girls. She has an unforgiving heart and has now slashed Maxon off her Christmas card list)

So would I recommend The Elite? Yes, if you like fluff, love triangles and teenage angst. It's definitely worth slotting in between more serious, taxing reads.

So how many stars did I give it? For a love triangle? Four bleeding hearts.

Cheers
Gwynn
P.S. If you loved the series, you might want to check out my review of The Prince. It's written from Maxon's perspective and tells of his meting with America.

Housekeeping and Winners

This is a housekeeping post . . . 

You know the kind I mean. One where we announce the winners of the Perception giveaway and explain why we failed to meet our Friday deadline for the Frivolous Friday post. Oh . . . and also why the said giveaway announcement is late . . .  ho hum.

Well, it's like this. I moved house. Again. And I was was without internet. Again. Even now it's a dodgy connection. Still, we who live in Africa have learned to soldier on. Or rather, us idiots who move house twice in one month should learn not to whinge. So, sorry about the missed FF but I will make it up to you next week. Promise.

And the winners of the Perception Giveaway are: Scott and Elisa. I've sent emails to you and Lee Strauss so you can arrange collection. Thanks for entering, by the way.

Normal transmission will resume tomorrow - hopefully :-) - with a scintillating review of The Elite by Kiera Cass. Don't miss it!

cheers
Gwynn

WWW: 5 June 2013

Welcome to another WWW where we explore what we've read, what we're reading and what we plan to read. Thanks to MizB at Should Be Reading for hosting.

What Have I Finished Reading?

I've discovered a new favourite author - Lindsay Buroker. Her Emperor's Edge series knocked my well-laid reading plans on their head. She writes high fantasy/steam punk. Yes, what an amazing combination. The characters are so real I can hear them fart. The world building so realistic I honestly believe I've been there. The plots so fast moving I can't turn the pages fast enough. The dialogue witty, sharp and funny, often making me laugh out loud. And the romance? You have got to read it to believe it. It is without question the best slow-burning heat I've ever read. And that makes it hotter than any steamy romance. I really recommend these books.

Dark Currents (Book Two) (Goodreads)
Deadly Games (Book Three) (Goodreads)
The first book in the series - Emperor's Edge (Goodreads) - is free everywhere. But trust me, once you've read it, you will want the rest.

In between Lindsay Buroker I also managed to squeeze in . . .
 

My Wolf's Bane (Goodreads)

 This follows all the usual high school paranormal romance tropes, but it was fun. I will pick up the rest of the series at sometime.

What am I reading now?

Surprise, surprise. . .

Conspiracy (Goodreads)

What will I be reading next?

Because I enjoy reading series on the trot, I'll finish up with the last two books in the Emperor's Edge bunch. Then I'll probably go into a short decline while I mourn the loss of these friends . . . 

Blood and Betrayal (Goodreads)

Forged in Blood 1 (Goodreads) 

That's me. Leave a comment and a link and I'll visit.

cheers

Gwynn

PS. Sorry about the formatting today, but Blogger and I had an argument and it won. Grumble . . . grumble.

UK vs US covers: Uglies by Scott Westerfield

It's been a while since I did one of these . . .  So, stand back for another book cover comparison.

Just how many covers does one book need? That's the question that springs to mind when I look at my paperback copy of the Uglies (Goodreads) I say this because my cover looks totally different to the three other images which have decked this story since it was printed in 2005 by Simon Schuster Children's Books.

This is my UK cover:

Published March 29th 2012 by Simon and Shuster

The only reason I bought this book was because I knew about the series and wanted to read it. My decision was in no way influenced by seeing the cover on a bookstore shelf. But when I look at the original UK cover featured below, I reckon I got off lightly. I mean honestly, would you droll over and fall in love with those broken Barbies below?

ORIGINAL UK COVER

Published February 8th 2005 by Simon and Schuster 

Yes, I get that both of these tell us something about the story, but still a cover has to be appealing. And I prefer covers that sell me on the main character I'm about to devote hours of my precious time reading about. Neither of these covers do that. And I guess that sums up my feelings about the Ugly series in general: Tally, the MC, was so unmemorable - just vehicle used by Scott Westerfield to convey his views on beauty - that she doesn't even get a mention on the cover. In fact, the only character who has stayed with me in this series was Zane from Pretties - book two in the trilogy. And if you've read the series, you'll know what happened to him . . .

WHAT ABOUT THE US COVER?

The US cover at least gave us a person, Tally, I assume.
Although far from perfect, this cover works so much better for me.

Published February 8th 2005 by Simon Schuster Children's

AND THEN WE HAVE THIS ONE . . .

Out of the blue, this cover appeared. I've dug around, but I can't seem to find which market this was published for. Do you have a copy of this version? If so, leave a comment telling us where you bought it. It is certainly striking, but again, does it talk to me? Not really. Still, it's better than the UK ones.

Published January 3rd 2006 by SIMON & SCHUSTER CHILDRENS

Which cover do you own? And, perhaps more importantly, which would rather own?

Cheers
Gwynn