Monday 30 March 2015

Maria V Snyder blog tour!



We were so excited to be given the chance to take part in the blog tour for Maria V Snyder's new series starring one of our favourite kick-ass heroines Yelena you just can't imagine! Shadow Study has bought all our favourite characters back to us as well as introducing us to some amazing new ones and takes us back into Yelena and Valek's world, somewhere I think many a reader has been missing! 

You can read the review for the first instalment of the Soul Finder series here, In the meantime, we were also tasked with the challenge of coming up with a challenge for Maria to get her teeth into for our tour post. One of the things about the series that Maria writes is the depth of detail that she incorporates into her stories and the fantastical worlds that she creates so that got us thinking....How does she do it? What inspires her? So we came up with the following:

What five things (and that could mean places or songs or books or anything else that comes to mind!) do you think have been most influential in the way that you write or have fired up your imagination and inspired the stories that you create?

And here is her answer!

Maria: This is a unique and interesting question! Below are the five things as they popped into my head:

1.      My children.  My son and daughter have been a constant source of inspiration and ideas.  I’ve written down all the different things they noticed or said and have used a few of them in my books.  For example, my daughter at age 4 was very angry at my son and she said, “I’m not going to talk to you for a million weeks.”  Two seconds later, she asks me how long a million weeks was so I calculated it out (approx. 19, 230.8 years). I used that number in my book Inside Out, it was the world’s goal, something important was going to happen in a million weeks, except they’d forgotten what.  Another quick example is Yelena and her brother Leif’s relationship in the Study Series (after they reconcile), that is based directly on my kid’s relationship.

2.      Dick Francis. I started reading Dick Francis’ murder mysteries when I was 14 years old and loved them. At the time, there weren’t many books written in the first person point of view, and he ended each chapter with a cliffhanger so it was impossible to go to bed at the end of a chapter. His style influenced my own.  When I started writing Poison Study, I automatically used first person POV and I tried to keep the plot moving and end chapters with a bit of suspense.

3.      Travelling.  I love to travel and will go almost anywhere. A new place will fire up my imagination and I enjoy learning about the history and myths of a place.  One of my favorite things to do is just wander around and take pictures.  The places I’ve gone have shown up in my stories. The Fifteen Realms from my Healer Series is based on Eastern Europe and the Baltic countries.  I started Touch of Power soon after we went on a Baltic Sea cruise.

4.      Blockbuster movies of the 80s.  Just hearing the theme music from Raiders of the Lost Ark can inspire me!  They were so different than the previous movies.  Star Wars, ET, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future (to name a few) – they had action, adventure, romance, and characters you really cared for.  Today’s action movies are all about special effects and explosions with characters that are one-dimensional at best. And don’t get me started on the new Star Wars movies – such potential utterly wasted (George, if you’re reading this, next time ask me to write the screenplay – seriously, dude).

5.     Unwritten, by Natasha Bedingfield.  A lovely song and it’s perfect for writers.  I know she’s referring to a person being unwritten, but to me, it’s the next book – the one I haven’t written yet.  This line in particular: “I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned.”  Every new novel I start is just like that and it can be scary.  I also like these lines, “Staring at the blank page before you. Open up the dirty window. Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find.” It’s a reminder to take a break from the computer, to live life and then go home and write about it.  That’s why I enjoy doing hands-on research so much.  It gets me out of the house and interacting with people. Plus I’m learning something new and fun and sometimes scary.  It’s all fodder for a creative soul.

So there you have it!  Five things that inspire Maria to put pen to paper.  Or fingertips to keyboard! We’re so grateful that they do!


A huge thank you to Maria for taking time out to answer our question.  We’ve loved getting extra insight into the world behind Yelena’s world and to those that haven’t indulged in any of the series that Maria has written so far beware.  Once you start reading you may never escape which is no bad thing!

Sunday 29 March 2015

Review ~ Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1) ~ Maria V Snyder



Title: Shadow Study (Soulfinders #1)

Author: Maria V Snyder

Published: February 24th 2015    
                               
By: MIRA

First line: Ugh, mud, Kiki said as she splashed through another puddle.

Last line:  Sorry, too spoilery!




Bungle and I are huge fans of Maria V Snyder so when we found out that there was going to be another Shadow series involving Yelena and Valek we were excited to say the least.  To then be invited to take part in the blog tour…well, you can imagine.  The tour post will be going up tomorrow.  In the meantime, what did we think of the first in the new Soul Finders series? Well…..

Synopsis:

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. She survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, dissent is rising. And Valek’s job—and his life—are in danger.

As Yelena tries to uncover her enemies, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked.And now she must find a way to keep not only herself but all that she holds dear alive.

The action in Shadow Study begins pretty much on the first page as Yelena is returning to the hideaway she shares with Valek.  After coming under attack Yelena realises that her magical abilities have been obliterated.  By whom and why it’s unclear but the result sets Yelena on a path that you know from the outset will lead her into danger, especially given how vulnerable she now is and taking into account how she is perceived by those who deem her to be a threat. Valek meanwhile has to return home to investigate a series of dodgy dealings on the black market.  There’s a lot changing in his world, not least his role with the Commander and there are already certain individuals hovering in the background waiting to leap into his shoes.  At the same time Janco and Ari are still very much with Valek and taking part in the investigations which really create a story within a story I think.

It was great to catch up with old favourites, made better I think through the use of a multi POV, especially from the viewpoint of Valek where we get to learn more about his past and how he became the King Killer and the person that he is today.  It was also good to meet up with Janco again as he’s always been a favourite character of mine and he brings much needed humour at various points throughout the book.  Leif is as stoic and faithful as ever and I enjoyed the addition of Onora, a new assassin to the team who is out to kick some serious ass!

The plot twists and turns between all the characters and evolves through each of their perspectives offering much richer detail than would have been the case had we just been restricted to Yelena’s story, however, I would like to have seen more interaction between Yelana and Valek being the soppy old romantic that I am.  I think all that is likely to change over the series….

By the end we have an exciting climax to the story, with some questions unanswered, more challenges ahead and a huge change in dynamics coming as the plot progresses.  I do love a “What the…..” ending and I certainly got it here!  Can’t wait to pick up the next instalment to see what happens next!


4/5 It’s sometimes scary when a series that you love gains a new addition and you wonder whether something that was so successful shouldn’t just remain as it is.  Not so here.  Shadow Study is the start of an amazing new series.  Anyone who has enjoyed Yelena’s story so far needs to get to a book shop.  Pronto!

Saturday 28 March 2015

Stacking The Shelves #129

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tyngs's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your  shelves, may they be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We love sharing our books with you each week but more importantly we loving see what you add to your shelves. As always, clicking on a book will take you to goodreads.

 Half Wild (The Half Bad Trilogy, #2)

Dreams of Gods & Monsters ~ Laini Taylor ~ signed copy from publisher
Half Wild ~ Sally Green ~ bought

A big thank you to Leni from Hodder for a fabulous signed edition of Dreams of Gods & Monsters!

Happy reading everyone :)



Saturday 21 March 2015

Stacking The Shelves #128

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tyngs's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your  shelves, may they be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We love sharing our books with you each week but more importantly we loving see what you add to your shelves. As always, clicking on a book will take you to goodreads.

Bungle got to meet the fabulous Sally Gardner this week! It was inspiring to hear all about her dyslexia especially as Bungle is dyslexic too. Sally also stressed the importance of fairy-tales and how we should encourage child, as well as adults, to read them and show them how to fall in love with reading! It was brilliant!! 

Tinder The Door That Led to Where Maggot Moon
Captive (The Blackcoat Rebellion, #2)

Tinder ~ Sally Gardner ~ bought & signed
The Door That Led To Where ~ Sally Gardner ~ bought & signed
Maggot Moon ~ Sally Gardner ~ bought & signed
Captive ~ Aimee Carter ~ bought (kindle edition)

So that's our book week! Now we're off to see what the rest of you got, happy reading :)


Saturday 14 March 2015

Stacking The Shelves #127

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tyngs's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your  shelves, may they be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We love sharing our books with you each week but more importantly we loving see what you add to your shelves. As always, clicking on a book will take you to goodreads.


24728012 My Secret Rockstar Boyfriend Uprooted

Burning Kingdoms ~ Lauren Destefano ~ bought
My Secret Rockstar Boyfriend ~ Eleanor Wood ~ unsolicited from Macmillan
Uprooted ~ Naomi Novik ~ unsolicited from Macmillan

Thanks to my favourite rep, Andy, from Macmillan for exciting looking books this week!
Now we're off to see what the rest of you got. Happy reading!



Monday 9 March 2015

Cover Reveal ~ Untamed by A.G. Howard


 
Beautiful cover reveal!! 

If you think it's over then think again!

A post-Ensnared collection of three stories

The headlining short story, Six Impossible Things, takes readers into Alyssa’s future, via new and deleted scenes, to offer a deeper understanding of the decisions made at the close of Ensnared. It’s an extended, detailed version of the epilogue and beyond. Two bonus stories, The Moth in the Mirror and The Boy in the Web, delve into the past.

Together, this collection provides a “director’s cut” glimpse into the past and futures of your favourite Splintered characters


Untamed A Splintered Companion Return to Wonderland Series A. G. Howard Amulet Books
On Sale: 12 Jan 2016 £6.99 • Paperback
9781419719264

If you have not yet read this series you need to, like right now! It's fabulous!! We are big fans here at Midnight Reads and we can't wait to get our hands on this beauty, but we just don't like the wait.......
Please get your hands on the rest of the series, you will not be disappointed.





Sunday 1 March 2015

Stacking The Shelves #125 & #126 Part 2

Stacking the Shelves


Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tyngs's Reviews and is all about sharing the books you are adding to your  shelves, may they be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical stores or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

We love sharing our books with you each week but more importantly we loving see what you add to your shelves. As always, clicking on a book will take you to goodreads.

Ok, here's my part of this feature as yesterday, before Sally could had to the post it deleted itself!!!! Was a bit of a pain, but thankfully it's an easy enough post to redo. So here we go, my books from the last two weeks:~

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1) Salt & Stone (Fire & Flood, #2) Unchanged (Unremembered, #3)
Misty Falls (Benedicts, #4) Murder Most Unladylike (Wells and Wong, #1) The Sin Eater’s Daughter (The Sin Eater’s Daughter, #1)
The Box and the Dragonfly (The Keepers, #1) A Boy Called Hope The Deadly 7
The Wolf Wilder Better Nate Than Ever

A Court of Thorns & Roses ~ Sarah J. Maas ~ form publisher for review
Salt & Stone ~ Victoria Scott ~ bought
Unchanged ~ Jessica Brody ~ bought
Misty Falls ~ Joss Stirling ~ bought
Murder Most Unladylike ~ Robin Stevens ~ gift
The Sin Eater's Daughter ~ Melinda Salisbury ~ unsolicited from publisher ~ second copy of this so I think it will make it's way to Sally :)
The Box and the Dragonfly ~ Ted Sanders ~ unsolicited from publisher
A Boy Called Hope ~ Lara Williamson ~ unsolicited from publisher
The Deadly 7 ~ Garth Jennings ~ unsolicited from publisher
The Wolf Wilder ~ Katherine Rundell ~ from publisher for review
Better Nate than ever ~ Tim Federle ~ unsolicited from publisher 

So That was my past 2 weeks in books! Awesome right!? Amazing titles this week, looking forward to them all! Don't forget to check out part 1 of the post which shows Sal's books.  Now off to see what the rest of you got.


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 
Blog Design By Use Your Imagination Designs Inspired by Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater