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Book Review

Book review: Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Dream Thieves”

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When “The Raven Boys” came out two years, it was yet another feather added to the already crowded cap of young adult novel author Maggie Stiefvater.

Not only did “The Raven Boys” wow critics — who called it “compulsively readable” and a “compelling human drama” — it also hooked readers, who propelled it up the New York Times Bestseller list and the USA Today Bestseller list.

All this is in addition to all of the books in her “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” trilogy ending up on the New York Times Bestseller list and her standalone novel “The Scorpio Races” being awarded a 2012 Michael L. Printz Award Honor. The Michael L. Printz Award highlights works of literary excellence that are written for a young adult audience.

With so many accolades that came before it, it’s no wonder that “The Dream Thieves”, the second book in the planned for of Stiefvater’s “The Raven Cycle” series, has been so eagerly awaited by Stiefvater’s fans and readers. But will “The Dream Thieves” continue Stiefvater’s winning streak? Or will it spoil her so far perfect run?

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Book Review

Book review: Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Raven Boys”

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Young adult author Maggie Stiefvater has certainly had a winning streak when it comes to the critics and bestseller lists.

Her “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” trilogy all ended up on the New York Times Bestseller list, with the second book, “Linger”, debuting on the top spot. “Lament”, her debut novel, was named a best book for young adults by the American Library Association (ALA).

Her most recent work, “The Scorpio Races”, was not only named a best book of 2011 by Publisher’s Weekly, The School Library Journal, and the New York Times, but was also given a 2012 Michael L. Printz Award Honor. The Michael L. Printz Award highlights works of literary excellence that are written for a young adult audience.

With such a string of hits, there’s quite a lot of pressure on Stiefvater’s latest work, “The Raven Boys”, to live up to its successful predecessors. Will this new novel be the start of another successful young adult (YA) series? Or will “The Raven Boys” spoil Stiefvater’s so far perfect record?

Continue reading Book review: Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Raven Boys” →

Book Review

Book review: Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Scorpio Races”

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Way back in 2009, Maggie Stiefvater came out with “Shiver”, a young adult supernatural romance that came with an interesting take on the werewolf mythos. Not only did it land on the New York Times Bestseller List, its momentum also propelled the next two books in “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” series – “Linger” and “Forever” – to become similar successes.

Stiefvater’s latest work couldn’t be more of a departure from her werewolf trilogy. In “The Scorpio Races”, Stiefvater takes us to the fictional island of Thisby, home to the capaill uisce – or water horses – and venue for the dangerous but crowd-pleasing Scorpio Races.

Will Stiefvater once again be ahead of the pack with this new story and new mythology? Or will “The Scorpio Races” be left in the dust of the success of “The Wolves of Mercy Falls” series?

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Your Week In Books

Your week in books #13

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With the San Diego Comic Con now ongoing, there is a lot of book to movie news now making it out into the Web.  From “Harry Potter” to “The Hunger Games” and all the way to the seemingly endless comic book adaptations, this week’s round-up will try to keep up with everything that’s happening, alongside other less “star-studded” book news.

  • With “Harry Potter” no longer a contender, Moviefone has put together a great list of book to movie projects that could possibly succeed in replicating the success of “Harry Potter”. Of course, first on the list is Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games”, which just recently put out a teaser poster featuring a blazing mockingjay badge. Other series that seem set to make the transition to the silver screen are Cassandra Clare’s “The Mortal Instruments” trilogy; Maggie Stiefvater’s “The Wolves of Mercy Falls”; and Veronica Roth’s “Divergent”. (Source)
  • One book to movie franchise that has consistently dominated — for better or for worse, depending on who you’re asking — Comic Con has been Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series, and this year is no different. According to Entertainment Weekly, some fans were in line for the Hall H press conference three days before it was set to start. Say what you will about the franchise, but goodness me that is a different level of adulation. Or crazy. All I know for sure is this is one chagrined looking Edward Cullen. (Source)

  • “Twilight” fans looking for a little bit of karmic payback for this particular Stephen King quote may have just had their wishes fulfilled as the adaptation of King’s “The Dark Tower” series looks to be dead before it even began. (Source)
  • “Captain America” is opening on our fair shores next week, and from the
    Let's all be honest now. You'd watch it just for this.

    advance buzz it looks like plunking a few hundred pesos for it won’t be such a bad life decision after at all. And at least it gives me a better reason to watch the movie other than getting to see Chris Evans shirtless. (Source 1, Source 2, Source 3)

  • And just to keep us on the Captain America track for a bit longer, Marvel has just released two concept art posters for the “Avengers” movie coming out in 2012. (Source)
  • I quite enjoyed the “Sin City” movie when it came out in 2005, so I’m looking forward to the possibility of a sequel being made by Robert Rodriguez, who also helmed the first movie all those years ago. (Source)
  • Bradley Cooper is set to play Satan in a movie adaptation of the John Milton classic, “Paradise Lost“. I don’t know about you guys, but this just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. (Source)
  • Just when you thought Google couldn’t get any more omnipresent than it already is, the search engine giant just announced that it will be integrating with Pottermore so that future ebooks of the “Harry Potter” series will be able to integrate seamlessly with all the other Google products already on offer. (Source)
  • There’s a great essay in the New York Times about how the digitization of historical texts and artifacts means for historians and researchers used to feeling a “contact high” when handling original manuscripts. Is there really any difference between handling an original manuscript and perusing it electronically? (Source)
  • Finally, Jodi Picoult, author of “My Sister’s Keeper”, is set to publish a book she co-wrote with her daughter, entitled “Between the Lines”. (Source)