Interview: A.C. Gaughen and Scarlet

I'm extremely excited to welcome young adult debut author A.C. Gaughen to the blog to talk a little bit about her novel Scarlet which just released in February (read my review HERE). Scarlet was one of those books I can't say I was dying to read when I first heard about it, but it proved to be one that surprised me in the best possible way when I began reading it. I absolutely fell in love with Scarlet and Rob and their simultaneously beautiful and painful relationship, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves really complex, perfectly flawed characters.

We meet Scarlet at a point where she’s already a vital member of Rob’s band and has been so for some time, so we don’t know much about how they met. Can you tell us the first thing to run through each of their minds when they laid eyes on one another those couple of years ago?

Scarlet would have thought something along the lines of “Jackpot!” and Rob would have thought, “Interesting”. Scar had a very specific purpose in mind for Rob, and when Rob met Scar she gave him a new purpose, a new thought that there might be more that he could do–with just the right band of misfits.

If you were to join Scarlet, Rob, John, and Much in their efforts to help the less fortunate, what specific set of skills do you think you’d bring to the table to aid them on their missions?

An authorial hand to delete all obstacles! Though I like to imagine that I would be a super keen trainer of animals that could aid us on all our missions. We’d need a falcon and a wolf, at least.

What part of the writing/publishing/marketing process would you say you found most daunting?

The marketing part! It’s totally out of my wheelhouse. It’s totally out of my every house. There’s this really strange concept of your book–your verbal, emotional vomit that swelled up from your soul–becoming a public commodity. And then there’s the equally bizarre idea that then, some piece of you becomes a public commodity. It’s really strange–but it’s also pretty cool to learn a new skill, and marketing is definitely a steep learning curve!

Of all the Robin Hood stories and retellings, which book or film is your personal favorite?

God, I love Christian Slater as Will Scarlet in Prince of Thieves (and I love the title!). I love the hen in the Disney version–and that fox was pretty hot, for a fox. I love everything about Cary Elwes, and I love me some old school Errol Flynn. Jonas Armstrong and Lucy Griffiths are probably my fave Rob/Marian combo, though. And Richard Armitage as Gisbourne is off the charts. Best ever, hands down (from the BBC tv version).

So much of the tension between Scarlet and Rob comes as a result of their inability to voice their feelings to one another, both of them choosing instead to suffer in silence. If Scarlet had five minutes in which to tell Rob everything she’s ever wanted to say knowing that once that five minutes is up he won’t remember anything, what might come out of her mouth first?

She’d tell him everything that’s amazing about him–his heroism, his heart, his incredible ability to continue on in the face of never ending pain and injustice. She’d say that the times when he’s most amazing are when he doubts himself, when he stumbles, when he shows that he feels that pain and feels that injustice–and then continues on anyway, continues to give hope and strength to those around him, including her. She’d tell him that she loves all of those things that make him a hero, but she loves the things that make him a little awful even more. Because when he says terrible things and does terrible things and she loves him anyway, it makes this tiny seed of possibility grow in her that maybe she can be loved despite those terrible things within herself.

And then she’d punch him. Because he can be a huge jerk sometimes, and even if she loves it, she definitely doesn’t have to forgive it.

What would Rob say is his greatest strength? His greatest weakness?

I don’t know if Rob recognizes his greatest strength, which is to believe in people. I think he would probably think it’s his ability to keep on going, to never stop, never give up. But he sees that as a serious flaw, too–like he should just be able to forgive, to forget, to move on, and he can’t. Not ever.

His weakness? He’s afraid of a lot of his emotions. He would say he’s weak because of his anger, his jealousy, his pride. They can definitely get the best of him, and he’s terrified of being so out of control.

Let’s say you’re on a book tour with your four main characters attending signings and conducting question and answer sessions. Who would be the most comfortable in front of a large group of people? Whose answers would most likely get the biggest laugh?

John Little for the win! John would ham it up while Scarlet gets progressively more and more territorial and uncomfortable with the attention. Rob would try and make him give serious answers while Much continually pipes up with something that tries to be funny or interesting but is just trying too hard. And then John would swoop in again, steal the spotlight, and hit on a reporter.

If the Scarlet we meet at the beginning of the book could ask you one question about how her life was going to change in the coming pages, what would it be and how would you answer?

I think she’d say: “Will I do it? Is it over?” Scarlet desperately wants a feeling of relief–whether its being assured the people are safe, or she is forgiven by the sister she lost, or she has Rob’s approval, she just wants the tension she’s been holding onto for so long to break. And none of it will. So I think I’d tell her that she can’t look to the future for validation. She has to look at her efforts every day and know they’re enough, and know she has a new chance every morning. Until she’s satisfied with that, she won’t be satisfied with anything.

Thank you for the interview!!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions A.C.! More information on A.C. and Scarlet can be found here:

Website
Goodreads
Twitter
Order Scarlet on Amazon

SCARLET

Many readers know the tale of Robin Hood, but they will be swept away by this new version full of action, secrets, and romance.

Posing as one of Robin Hood’s thieves to avoid the wrath of the evil Thief Taker Lord Gisbourne, Scarlet has kept her identity secret from all of Nottinghamshire. Only the Hood and his band know the truth: the agile thief posing as a whip of a boy is actually a fearless young woman with a secret past. Helping the people of Nottingham outwit the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham could cost Scarlet her life as Gisbourne closes in.

It’s only her fierce loyalty to Robin—whose quick smiles and sharp temper have the rare power to unsettle her—that keeps Scarlet going and makes this fight worth dying for.

Review: Embrace

EMBRACE
(The Violet Eden Chapters #1)
Jessica Shirvington
Paranormal Young Adult
367 pages
Sourcebooks Fire
Available Now
Received from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before.

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

MY THOUGHTS
Embrace is a maze made up of light and shadow, each step we take alongside our protagonist exposing us to both in equal measure as we twist and turn through a story where it seems as though we're the only ones denied a map to help navigate the labyrinth, and we tread carefully in a world of angels who defy all previous definition. One of the more fascinating elements of the story is the angel mythology itself, giving us beings free for the most part from any ties to organized religion and God who occupy a realm all their own where light and dark don’t necessarily correspond to good and evil, but rather each type muddies the waters and we must open our minds to a new interpretation full of blurred lines and complex lore.

For as interesting as Ms. Shirvington’s history of angels is–our naturally inquisitive minds itching for more of the fresh and new relationships between human, angel and Grigori while reading–protagonist Violet poses a rather unique set of problems for us. Her behavior through ninety percent of the book is confounding and at times downright frustrating, her seemingly illogical anger toward Lincoln for withholding information from her causing us to grit our teeth and groan out loud every time she opens her mouth to berate him. Yes, someone she loves desperately kept secrets that involved her, but his intent was never the slightest bit malicious, and so while we understand her initial pain and hurt, the intensity of her continued reaction to him tests the limits of our patience as she seems to grant extraordinary leeway to a stranger while denying the young man she supposedly loves even the smallest of courtesies.

It’s not until the very final pages that we come to understand Violet’s behavior fully and completely, and while the revelations suck some of the heat out of our ire, we’re given so little time to deal with the person Violet actually is as opposed to the one we’ve seen for the past three hundred pages that we’re left somewhat at a loss as to how to feel about her. We want to believe in her and disregard her words and actions based on our new information, but the end of this first installment finds us before our opinion of her can really change. Thus, we finish this story with a character who is a complete stranger to us despite all the time we’ve spent with her, and we now have to wait for the second installment to reintroduce ourselves to a young woman who will hopefully prove herself more worthy of our affection.

Overall, Embrace is a rather tricky read given our tumultuous relationship with Violet, Lincoln and Phoenix, but ultimately the world is interesting enough and the characters certainly written in a way that guarantees an emotional response whether positive or negative that our desire to pick up the next book is strong upon finishing.

Rating: 3/5

Review: Bourne

BOURNE (River of Time #3.1)
Lisa T. Bergren
Historical Young Adult
e-novella
Self-published
Available Now
Received from author for review

THE STORY (from author website)
In this e-novella, River of Time #3.1, the dramatic tale about the Betarrinis and Forellis continues, picking up directly after where Torrent left off… The battle is done at the front, but the battle is only beginning back at Castello Forelli. Marcello fights for his life; Lord Greco fights to find his place; and Lia fights for love.

MY THOUGHTS
A read that’s easily devoured in a single sitting, Bourne is a treat for fans of The River of Time series, returning us to the Betarrinis for a brief but emotionally and physically intense visit before leaving us wanting more of everything from the characters and world we’ve come to care about so much. This novella gives a little something new in the form of Lia’s point of view, allowing us into the head of the younger Betarrini sister as she and Luca continue their romantically-tense dance, but with the new we also have the familiar comfort of Gabriella’s perspective as she and Marcello deal with the aftermath of the events of Torrent. As always, Ms. Bergen sublimely depicts both the beauty and the ugliness of life in medieval Italy, sweet flirtations accompanying the brutality of war to leave us utterly exhausted by the end given all the energy we’ve expelled reveling in the happy moments and despairing in the tragic ones.

Gabi and Lia are as enjoyable as ever, both strong-willed women who’ve proven themselves to be skilled fighters, and it’s nothing short of an absolute pleasure to watch as these modern young woman are courted in a time of chivalry and extreme gallantry. Both girls delight in Marcello and Luca's ingrained sense of honor at the same time they rebel against it, wanting to take up arms and defend those they love with every ounce of strength they possess instead of playing demure ladies who simply wait for their loved ones to return from battle. Spending extra time with Lia and Luca is thrilling, the tension between them crackling so strongly we can almost feel the tingles in our fingertips as we touch the pages (or screen as it were), our desire to see their romance unfold all-encompassing now that Marcello and Gabi are married.

Fans of Lord Greco may be slightly disappointed in this novella as Rodolfo is present throughout but definitely relegated to the background when Lia and Luca take center stage, and though we certainly won't complain about the new couple at the forefront, we can’t help but want more time with the man who is an undeniably intriguing mystery–sometimes a friend and sometimes a foe, but always someone who draws our gaze whether or not he is meant to be the object of our unwavering focus. Overall, Ms. Bergren packs a great deal of action as well as a touch of romance in a short number of pages, reminding us of what we love about this world and the characters who inhabit it while also making it glaringly apparent that we’ll not be satisfied until we have happy endings for every single person to whom we’ve been introduced.

Rating 4/5

Grab Bags And Other Things Made of Win

Happy Weekend Everyone!

I just wanted to do a quick post to share some fun things with you in case you've yet to hear about them. First, HarperTeen has put together a series of EPIC grab bags they will be giving away throughout the month. Each Friday in March, one winner will receive five crushable tales from the Story Crush library, so go HERE to check out all the awesomeness.

As you will see if you decide to enter, you need to "like" Epic Reads on Facebook in order to do so. I am not on Facebook because I work from home and the blog and Twitter are big enough distractions that I cannot possibly sign up and be tempted by yet another one, but my husband has an account. And I happen to know his password. So I logged in, "liked" Epic Reads, entered to win and considered it a job well done really. Then I get a phone call from my husband. It went a bit like this:

Hubs: Did you happen to use my Facebook account today?

Me: Um. What makes you ask that?

Hubs: I keep getting updates from something called Epic Reads.

Me: Huh. I can neither confirm nor deny responsibility for that.

Hubs: I'll take that as confirmation. Why did you "like" them on my behalf?

Me: Well, I'll tell you. They have a grab bag full of amazing books and I'm going to win it.

Hubs: You're going to win it?

Me: Yes.

Hubs: So you've simply entered to win is what you're saying, "liking" them didn't actually win you anything.

Me: If you care to interpret it as such. I'm more inclined to think positively and predict an outcome more in my favor.

Hubs: How many people have entered?

Me: Several.

.....

Hundred. Maybe thousand.

Hubs: So your chances of actually winning are....

Me: Slim. To possibly none. But that's not really the point is it?

Hubs: I thought it kind of was.

Me: No. The point is I went out there on a limb and took a chance. You should encourage and support me in all my endeavors, however large or small dammit.

Hubs: Uh huh. Please stop "liking" things for me. This is my account.

Me: I make no promises.

It was a good talk I feel. I think we got some things worked out ;-) Anyway, the grab bags have some really fabulous books in them, so don't forget to check out the Epic Reads Facebook page each week to enter. And hopefully win. *crosses fingers*

Additionally, I have some very cool Lauren Oliver related items to share with you. First up is a Liesl & Po Classroom sweepstakes, all of the details of which can be found HERE.

And secondly, the fantastic Dark Days tour is continuing this weekend in Los Angeles with Lauren Oliver, Claudia Gray, and Dan Wells all in attendance. Wish I could be in LA right now. For those of you who are like me and are nowhere near sunny California, you can catch the event as it's livestreamed tomorrow (March 11th) HERE courtesy of Tiffany at About To Read.

If you just can't wait that long to hear Lauren Oliver talk about the unbelievable Delirium trilogy, you can check out her stop in Raleigh, North Carolina in a video HERE.

Phew. That was a lot of links. Enjoy all the Epic Reads fun everyone!

Interview + Giveaway: Ayden and the Hex Boys

Today I have a very special interview with a certain Hex Boy who may or may not be completely and utterly in love with me. It happens a lot. I'm very lovable you see. Anyway, I've invited Ayden here for a little chat so we can discuss our love out in the open and share it with the world. Don't be jealous everyone, sure Ayden is mine (and Blake too) but there's a fictional someone out there for all of you as well!

In all seriousness though, I've had an absolute blast on the promotional tour for Demons at Deadnight and I'm beyond thrilled to share some of the witty banter A&E Kirk do so well in this story with all of you. I hope the interview makes you laugh as much as it did me and Happy Friday!

What’s the very first thing that ran through your mind when Aurora fell and managed to land astride you? I would just like to remind you that I am the epitome of a mature individual and my mind absolutely NEVER dips into the gutter, so let’s keep this answer clean ;-)

Ayden: *Grins.* First of all, I’ve seen your tweets, so I’m not buying the innocent act. But I’ll do my best. I noticed her sweaty t-shirt clinging in all the right places and yoga pants that followed every curve of those endless legs. I’m a guy. I felt some heat. And in my case that can be dangerous, which is why I did what I did. To protect her. Although, I’ve been working on my control. So why don’t you and I reenact the scenario and see how I handle it now?

*Don't believe him dear readers! I am a paragon of innocence and virtue. And class. A PARAGON I TELL YOU! Ayden, stop trying to corrupt me with your many charms. I'm immune. And I'll meet you for that reenactment anytime and anyplace ;-)*


If you could trade abilities with one of the other Hex Boys for a day, whom would you most like to switch with and what would you do with the new ability first?

Ayden: Don’t ever tell him this, but I’d switch with Blake. It’d be nice to actually bring life into the world, instead of turning everything ash. I’d recreate the gardens of Versailles. Then we could take a walk and—

Jayden: I don’t know why you’re embarrassed. That cerebral thread has logical merit.

Ayden: *sighs*

Jayden: I’m sure you’re befuddled trying to aggregate my reasons for being here.

Ayden: I gave up years ago trying to understand a brother like you.

Jayden: Blake was inquiring as to your interview venue. This is embarrassing to admit, but as inept as Blake is, he always seems to get the better of me. So I thought it best to leave the premises before I unwittingly unveiled your location.

Ayden: By coming to my location?

Jayden: You don’t give me enough credit. My stealth techniques—

Blake: Suck!

Jayden: *Hangs head* I’m never going to live this down.

Blake: Yes, you’ll never live this down Logic Boy because I so owned you! Jenny, a highly intelligent and gorgeous babe like you finds brains attractive. This is my way of proving that I’m worthy of your love.

Ayden: If you touch her, you’ll never be able to use your hands again.

Blake: What if she touches me?

*Jenny reaches for both Ayden and Blake here. Two hands. Two boys. Perfect mathematical outcome*

Ayden: Keep dreaming.


Can you share with us any funny stories from when you, the boys, and Aurora were kids?

Blake: How about we go somewhere quiet and write our own romance, Jenny.

*Blake! Just how easy do you think I am? Please scroll up to question one and take note of the paragon of innocence exclamation. With that clearly stated for all to read I'd just like to say I'm really digging historical romances at the moment, so maybe we can romance ourselves in that general direction. Also, romance novel heroes almost NEVER wear shirts. Ever. They're perpetually shirtless. Let's start there...*

Jayden: Back then Blake employed the ridiculous notion that girls possessed cooties.

Ayden: I miss those days.

Blake: That’s before I met babes like Jenny.

Ayden: Well, the first time we met Aurora, she beat Jayden over the head with her picture book.

Jayden: I was simply trying to point out its inaccuracy regarding the fanciful personification of animals.

Blake: I’d have hit you too.


Let’s talk romance for a second (you can thank me later for bringing this topic up – kisses are an acceptable form of payment. Just saying.). On a date with a girl, who is most likely to wind up getting slapped? Most likely to land a first date kiss? Most likely to come up with the strangest activity to do on a date?

Blake: Romance? Kisses as payment? Will you keep me?

Ayden: Keep you locked up in her basement so that she can have what she really wants. Me.

Blake: *Snorts* Please.

Jayden: Gentlemen, you digress.

Ayden: Sorry, Jenny. Most likely to get slapped is Jayden.

Jayden: Me?! What about Blake?

Blake: You’re the only one who brings up fallopian tubes.

*Jenny falls out of her chair laughing. Snorting may also be involved*

Ayden: Logan’s shy charm, almost as irresistible as mine, would land the kiss.

Blake: It’d be a waste because he’d faint.

Ayden: And Matthias would come up with the strangest activity.

Blake: Not Jayden?

Jayden: Hey!

Ayden: No way. Can you imagine Matthias with a girl?

Blake: He’d probably sacrifice her on an altar so some god would get rid of Aurora.

Jayden: Or they’d do needlepoint.

Ayden: Exactly. And as for me, I’d be the one most likely to get a second date. And a—

Blake: You’re the one most likely to make me throw up.


If I were to make a pass at you, hypothetically speaking of course, what would you say my chances of successfully landing a date with you would be? I’m asking for strictly professional interview purposes only. Obviously. (If my chances aren’t so good, can we maybe direct this question to the other boys as well? Thanks.)

Ayden: The jet’s fueled. How about dinner in Paris?

Blake: Yuck. Who wants stinky frog legs? Pick me! I’ll give you a ride you won’t forget.

*Who says I'd let you be the one doing the riding? I'll show you how to get ridden...*

Ayden and Jayden: Blake!

Blake: A horseback ride. Jeez, you guys have dirty minds.

*Oops. I went in the gutter too. My bad. I thought that was where we were all headed. No? Just me and Ayden and Jayden then?*


You’re a little smug and a little self-satisfied when it comes to Aurora’s physical reactions to you (and damn if isn’t irritatingly attractive). What is the best line you’ve either used on a girl or heard used on a girl to make a memorable first impression?

Ayden: I don’t like to use lines because they seem dishonest and I like to better spend my time asking questions and getting to know the real person. But I have to admit, after meeting you, falling asleep is useless because the reality of you is far better than any dream.

Blake: Oh, come on, dude. That was so a line! A good one—and I’ll use it— but so a line!

Ayden: Are you saying I’m wrong?

Blake: Of course not. Jenny’s awesome but…*sighs* I hate you.

Ayden: You’re the one who got kicked out of the seduction course.

Blake: I knew everyone called it that!


Okay, I’ll ease up on the romantic stuff for now.

Blake: What? No! Romance is where I shine!

Ayden: Obviously not if she’s changing subject.


If for some reason your abilities with fire were to go on the fritz, what other type of weapon would you feel most comfortable battling demonic forces with?

Ayden: An iron chain whip, fringed with blades. It’s got weight, fluidity and ultimate damage capability.

Blake: Hey, Jenny, if you like whips, I like whips. And I know a guy…

*I have to say I enjoy how this conversation keeps making its way back to the gutter. It wouldn't be a Friday here without some sexual innuendo and inappropriate comments. I'm a little in love with you right now Blake, not gonna lie*


Your parents are fans of expressing their gratitude to others with hugely extravagant gifts. What, big or small, is the best gift you think they’ve ever given you?

Ayden: *Shakes head* Other people get the extravagant stuff. Not us. I’m just happy we’re still all together.

Blake: That’s the ultimate gift, dude. *Blake breathes deep* But those sports cars are sweet.

Jayden: We only received them after they were damaged during overseas transit and destined for the junkyard.

Ayden: *Laughs* One even had to be fished out of the harbor. We worked in Logan’s dad auto shop to pay for parts while he and Logan helped us put the cars back together. It took months.

Jayden: They did give us the game room.

Ayden: True. Although, some might argue they only gave it to us because somebody set our kitchen on fire.

Blake: I told you that was an accident!


Have you ever inadvertently lit something of vital importance on fire?

Ayden: Jayden’s homework.

Jayden: That was on purpose.

Ayden: So you keep saying.

Blake: As long as you don’t light Jenny on fire because she’s vitally important to me.

*Flattery will get you everywhere with me. Let's go back to that question about riding...*

Ayden: Don’t worry. I don’t light her on fire. I just light her fire.

*You sweet talker you! What else can you do with your mouth?*

Jayden: Is that a line? Why are you using it on Blake?


Which would you rather face: a pissed off demon, a pissed off Guardian, or a pissed off Aurora?

Ayden: Demon. I have a lot more experience with them. And much more chance of survival.

*Door bangs open.*

Matthias: What about a pissed off Matthias?

Jayden: *Shrugs* We deal with that every day.

Logan and Tristan: *Push past Matthias* We have to get out of here.

Ayden: My session isn’t over yet.

Matthias: That’s because it’s not a session. It’s an interview. *Lights flicker.* With a civilian.

Ayden: *Looks confused at Jenny* You’re not a shrink?

*Um. Not technically. But if that's what does it for you Ayden, consider me shrinky in every possible way*

Matthias: None of them have been.

Jayden: Of course not. Why would you think that?

Matthias: Because you told us you’d received orders from the Mandatum that our team had to have mandatory interviews with psychologists!

Jayden: I didn’t say that.

All the other Hex Boys: Yes you did!

Jayden: No, I said—

Matthias: Ayden, you’re supposed to translate him! How could you miss this?

Ayden: Since when is that my job?

Matthias: Tristan, take care of Jenny.

Blake: *Hugs Jenny to shield her* Wait! I don’t want her to forget how much she loves me!

Tristan: What if she’s like Aurora? I don’t want to hurt—

Matthias: Are you two kidding me right now?! Logan!

Logan: *Jumps on Blake’s back and gets him in headlock.*

Blake: Get off! *Spins wildly. Yanks on Logan’s tie.* I love her!

Tristan: Logan, ease up. He might pass out!

Logan: *Grunts* That’s the plan.

Jayden: Your manic behavior is unnecessary. Everyone thinks our experiences are fictional.

*All Hex Boys freeze*

Matthias: Explain.

Jayden: These exceptional ladies who we’ve been talking to are highly respected book bloggers. Since I’m chronicling our adventures, I was curious to study the real world’s response to our paranormal one. So I set up these interviews to receive feedback.

Ayden: *Groans* It’s one of his experiments.

Matthias: *Squints* And they think this is all make believe.

Blake: *Panicked* But our love is real!

*BLAKE!!!!! OUR LOVE IS SO REAL! IT'S THE REAL-EST! It cannot be contained. Or doused. It is ever-growing and all-encompassing. In fact, I think my love can grow large enough to include all 6 of you. We'll be a love hexagon! A LOVE HEXAGON BOYS! Think about it. It's never been done. We'll be blazing a trail. A love trail! A trail o'love!*

Jayden: As if we’re literary characters. Logan shy but strong. Tristan concerned and overprotective. Blake larger than life.

Blake: So true.

Jayden: And comic relief

Blake: Hey!

Jayden: Me, the genius.

Blake: And weird.

Jayden: Ayden the smoldering, sexy hottie.

Blake: Oh, sure, give him the good part.

Ayden: Art imitating life.

Tristan: Did he just say “hottie”?

Logan: *Climbing off Blake* It’s literary speak.

Jayden: *To Matthias* And you’re—

Matthias: *Shakes head* The dark, brooding one with the tortured past. Crikey. *Mutters under breath* Wouldn’t mum love that. *Smiles* Books. This is all about books. *Takes Jenny’s hand and bows* Miss Jenny, you just made my day. Thank you. *Turns to Hex Boys* Mates, take all the time you need.

*Whuh. Was it my talk of the love hexagon that won him over? My claims of virtue maybe? Matthias! Don't go! We can start building the hexagon right now!*

*Hex Boys stare as Matthias leaves*

Tristan: What just happened?

Logan: The world just turned upside down.

Jayden: Matthias may need medical attention.

Ayden: *Nods* We’d better follow him.

Blake: I’m getting my group hug! *Tries to gather everyone together*

Ayden: Blake, get your hand off my—

Blake: Whoops! Thought that was—

Ayden: We’re outta here. And Jenny, let me know when you’re up for Paris.

Jayden: She thinks you’re fictitious.

Ayden: Which is why our time together will be…*winks at Jenny*…unreal.

Blake: *Being dragged out the door* Dude, that is so a line! Ignore him, Jenny. I’ll be back when I’m eighteen!

*Jenny dies of all the hotness*

GIVEAWAYS

As part of the promotional tour for Demons at Deadnight, A&E Kirk are generously offering up some very cool swag including a Hex Boy Heaven poster, a celtic cross, and a stuffed toy named Bubbles (he'll come to mean something to you when you read!). Also, have you looked at that poster? *drools* To enter, just leave a comment on this post with a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and will run through midnight EST on March 16th after which time a winner will be chosen and announced on the blog.

But wait! I have another giveaway opportunity for you:

A KINDLE FIRE WITH CUSTOM SKIN!

To enter to win the Kindle Fire you need to know the secret phrase given out one word at a time by each blog tour host. Put the words together in sequential order and you'll eventually have the secret phrase! Right now you can Tweet and Follow on the AEKIRK Blog Tour Page to get points but starting March 9 (at the end of the tour) you can enter the complete phrase on the AEKIRK Blog Tour Page and earn BIG entry points! Your Kindle Fire will also include your choice of a DEMONS AT DEADNIGHT Skin. Either from the cover, or a Hex Boy group shot or individual "Team" skin of your favorite Hex Hunk!

WORD FOR THIS TOUR STOP:
"Who?"

Review: Deadly

DEADLY
Julie Chibbaro
Historical Young Adult
304 pages
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Available Now
Received through Teen Book Scene for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
A mysterious outbreak of typhoid fever is sweeping New York.

Could the city’s future rest with its most unlikely scientist?

If Prudence Galewski is ever going to get out of Mrs. Browning’s esteemed School for Girls, she must demonstrate her refinement and charm by securing a job appropriate for a young lady. But Prudence isn’t like the other girls. She is fascinated by how the human body works and why it fails.

With a stroke of luck, she lands a position in a laboratory, where she is swept into an investigation of the fever bound to change medical history. Prudence quickly learns that an inquiry of this proportion is not confined to the lab. From ritzy mansions to shady bars and rundown tenements, she explores every potential cause of the disease. But there’s no answer in sight—until the volatile Mary Mallon emerges. Dubbed “Typhoid Mary” by the press, Mary is an Irish immigrant who has worked as a cook in every home the fever has ravaged. Strangely, though, she hasn’t been sick a day in her life. Is the accusation against her an act of discrimination? Or is she the first clue in a new scientific discovery?

Prudence is determined to find out. In a time when science is for men, she’ll have to prove to the city, and to herself, that she can help solve one of the greatest medical mysteries of the twentieth century.

MY THOUGHTS
Written in journal entry format, Deadly details the profound discovery that a healthy individual can be a carrier of contagious disease, combining the art of storytelling with factual evidence and scientific process to give us an intriguing, albeit brief, look into medical understanding in the early nineteen hundreds. The beginning chapters are a bit tedious as we follow Prudence in her attempt to find a job that will challenge her mind beyond gender-standard secretarial work, her journal entries fraught with details that seem to have no bearing on the overall plot arc other than to give us additional insight into the mind of our protagonist. Once her job with the Department of Health and Sanitation begins however, the story picks up and Prudence’s proclivity for questioning anything and everything around her seems to infect us through osmosis as we hold the pages, and we flip through the often very short chapters in search of answers to satisfy both Prudence and ourselves.

Prudence is a young woman easy to admire, her desire to find a job she feels will have an impact on society and her conviction to see that job through in the pursuit of a career typically frowned upon for women traits we fully support. While we may initially think the journal entry format will bring us closer to Prudence given we’re privy to her innermost thoughts as she documents them, rather the opposite seems to be true. Reading her journal keeps us at a bit of a distance, the physical paper pages of the book we’re reading combining with the fictional pages of Prudence’s personal records to form two separate barriers between us and the young woman we want to know. We have her thoughts, but her feelings and actions are often given to us in past tense–relayed to us after events have already taken place–and we’re denied the ability to experience them in real time with her to help us forge a connection based on shared moments of emotional or physical intensity.

While our relationship with Prudence may not be as deep or piercing as we might like, the story itself is inherently fascinating, and once we get to the actual pursuit of Mary Mallon we don’t want to set the book aside until we learn what becomes of her. Unfortunately, the story concludes with a rather open ending, our need for details about the outcome of Mary’s predicament and the results of her extensive testing only satisfied in the author’s note rather than in the story itself. Additionally, we have an idea of what Prudence’s future holds in store for her, knowing her dedication to science and learning will lead her into a medical field, however we can’t help but feel by the time we close the back cover that we spent nearly 300 pages with a stranger, seeing events through her eyes without ever truly being invited into her heart. Despite those flaws, the story is well written and will certainly entertain many a reader, those of us who crave a thriving connection with characters may just wish for a bit more from Prudence.

Rating: 3.5/5