A Court of Thorns and Roses

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses (Book 1)

By: Sarah J Maas

Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens/Bloomsbury YA

Publish Date: 2015

ISBN: 978-1619634442

Page #: 432 pages

Classifications: YA, Mature Young Adult, Fantasy, Fiction, Fairy Tales

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Age Level: Depends on the maturity of the reader but generally, 9th & Up (Older Teens)

Series Titles: A Court of Thorns and Roses 

Subjects: Romance, Fantasy, Fractured Fairy Tales, Fairy Tales Retold

Reader's Annotation: I really enjoyed this book. Though I actually liked the second one better. (That's rare for me!) It is pretty advanced in its content, so I would recommend it for the more mature YA reader or adults. Personal take: it is a retelling, fractured fairy (faery) tale with elements taken from Beauty and the Beast, the Ballad of Tam Lin, and the myth of Persephone (esp. in the second title). Persephone is one of my all-time favorite myths so clearly, this is a fantasy I loved escaping into. I challenge the SJL review below by saying I did not find this title to be "a weak fantasy with strong romance elements." Well, the strong romance was there but, I have read weak YA, and this is not that. Might not be for everyone, especially those who enjoy realistic fiction. But, aside from that, it's one of the better ones. Again, the second one is better! So stick with it!

School Library Journal Review: When 19-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the barren woods near her home in Prythian, she thinks it might be enough to help her family survive another long winter. Instead, a monstrous creature soon comes to the cottage, accusing Feyre of murder and demanding she return with him to the Fae realm as payment for the life she took. Feyre finds herself held on a lavish estate belonging to an elite Fae creature known as Tamlin. Over the course of her captivity, Feyre soon learns that life in the Fae realm can be as much of an opportunity as a punishment. When her feelings for Tamlin shift from loathing to lust, Feyre also realizes little will be able to keep them apart—not even the threat of evil lurking on the borders of the estate. Something that has cursed Tamlin for centuries may destroy him and his realm if Feyre can't find a way to stop it. Maas follows up her "Throne of Glass" novels (Bloomsbury) with this series opener. Readers will find the author's trademark blend of action, romance, and witty banter as well as a sexier, edgier tone. This retelling of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tam Lin" (with elements from ancient Greek mythology thrown in) has a strong focus on Feyre's physical attraction to Tamlin, but characters lacking in dimension detract from Feyre's strengths as a capable but rash heroine. Uneven pacing includes a slow start followed by a game-changing information dump, and then a more action- and less romance-filled second half. VERDICT A weak fantasy with strong romance elements. Good for fans of Maas's previous books looking for a more mature read.—Emma Carbone, Brooklyn Public Library

Other Titles in the Series: A Court of Mist and Fury (Book 2)
A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book 3)
A Court of Frost and Starlight (Novella/Bridge)
Untitled (Book 4) 

Stars: 4.5

Extras
Author Webpage: World of Sarah J Maas (Official) Link
Pronunciation Guide: Link 
Bookish Loot Collector's Edition: A Court of Thorns and Roses Collector’s Edition: Link

Coloring Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses Coloring Book Link
Etsy has you covered! Link
Litographs: Link
Redbubble: Link

New Peeps Cover & A Sensational Website Overhaul

Now we all love Scott Westerfeld to pieces, but it gets better. Check out the new peeps cover and his newly made-up steampunk website. Two great reasons to pick up Leviathan & Peeps over your Christmas break if you haven't already done so...

Check out the book trailer for Leviathan on his website too!

Westerfeld on Peeps:

Maybe there are too many vampire novels, I thought. But that was part of the challenge, to see if I could do something that felt new and interesting, while still being full of bitey goodness. (Unsurprising confession: I am a Buffy fan.) So the book had to be original, but also icky, scary, funny, tragic, and (ahem) not sucky.

Besides getting a new take on the sunlight-impaired, my other big concern was that my vampires should actually make some sense as far as science goes. So I started doing some vampire research, reading a bunch of books about rats, parasites, bites and stings, and biology.
After consuming all there was to know on these subjects, I came up with the four important features that any vampire novel (of mine) had to include:
natural selection,
sexual attraction,
parasitic infection,
and Elvis memorabilia.
Okay, I can’t tell you much more without giving the whole thing away. But I’m very happy with the results. And the cover is certainly cool.

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (September 1, 2009)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0439023491

Series: The Hunger Games
Book 1: The Hunger Games
Book 2: Catching Fire
Book 3: Mockingjay Book 4: WARNING: SPOILERS ahead. Do not read on if you have not finished the first installment. Reader's Annotation: The long-awaited sequel to the stunning Hunger Games,

Catching Fires takes off where Katniss has won the Hunger Games against all odds.
Now, she and Peeta should be happy. But the Capitol isn't happy with what's happened at all, and they may not let it go.

From School Library Journal: Starred Review. Gr 7 Up--Every year in Panem, the dystopic

nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the

Capitol holds a televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome
battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive. In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the
narrator, returns home to find herself more the center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and
Katniss’s fear when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games
themselves. Slower paced than its predecessor, this sequel explores the nation of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss and Peeta’s subversive victory. Katniss also deepens as a character. Though initially bewildered by the attention paid to her, she comes almost to embrace her status as the rebels’ symbolic leader. Though more of the story
takes place outside the arena than within, this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly
unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Official Website: http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

Official Trailer:

The Hunger Games, By Suzanne Collins

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439023483

Reader's Annotation: In a dystopian future where a reigning government reminds the people of their place in society (and discouraging uprisings) by hosting a reality based TV show meets roman gladiator ring where two tributes (one boy and one girl) from each of the 12 districts are chosen by lottery to fight to the death on camera. Katniss, a black market hunter in district 12, volunteers for the games to replace her young sister. But, will her game hunting background really be enough to keep her alive in the ring?

Summary: "In a not-too-distant future, the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. When 16-year-old KatnissÆs young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining districts female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and her male counterpart, Peeta, the son of the town baker who seems to have all the fighting skills of a lump of bread dough, will be pitted against bigger, stronger representatives who have trained for this their whole lives. CollinsÆs characters are completely realistic and sympathetic as they form alliances and friendships in the face of overwhelming odds; the plot is tense, dramatic, and engrossing. This book will definitely resonate with the generation raised on reality shows like Survivor and American Gladiator. Book one of a planned trilogy." ~Jane Henriksen Baird, Anchorage Public Library, AK 

UnLibrarian's Opinion: I absolutely loved loved this novel. I would go so far as to say it is one of the finest YA novels out there. I can't wait to read the next installment. Evoking the classical lust for blood in a roman arena while feeding off the current state of the iraqi war, 24-hours news coverage, and reality TV, Ms. Collins pulls out all the stops with this pertinent roller coaster ride that is both relatable and fantastic. A MUST READ. 

Extras: Official Trilogy Website http://www.scholastic.com/thehungergames/

Suzanne Collins Official Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Interview via Borders Media with Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games/Catching Fire)! Part One Below. Visit Link for the Continuation.

 

Lionsgate acquires rights to the film adaptation due out in 2011! 

Via Wikipedia: Lionsgate Entertainmenthas acquired worldwide distribution rights to a film adaptation of The Hunger Games, which will be produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company. Collins will adapt the novel for film herself. IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392170/

Awards- Via Wikipedia The Hunger Games has also received a number of awards and honors, including being a USA Today and New York Times Best Seller, and being named one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of the Year" in 2008 and a New York Times "Notable Children's Book of 2008".

Other authors speak out on why they love the Hunger Games: 

"[The Hunger Games] is a violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense...I couldn't stop reading."

--Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly Review

Read Full EW Review:
http:/​/​www.ew.com/​ew/​article/​0,,20223443,00.html

"I was so obsessed with this book I had to take it with me out to dinner and hide it under the edge of the table so I wouldn't have to stop reading. The story kept me up for several nights in a row, because even after I was finished, I just lay in bed wide awake thinking about it...The Hunger Games is amazing."

--Stephenie Meyer, author of The Twilight Saga

"The Hunger Games is as close to perfect an adventure novel as I've ever read. I could not put it down. Collins has transformed the ancient Labyrinth myth into a terrifyingly believable tale of future America. Readers will be hungry for more."

--Rick Riordan, author of The Percy Jackson Series and The 39 Clues

Trailers: 

Official 
Watch The Hunger Games: Suzanne Collins in Entertainment | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

Fan Made and Incredible!  

 

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The Sweet Far Thing, By Libba Bray

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 848 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440237777

Series Title: Gemma Doyle Trilogy

Book 1: A Great and Terrible Beauty

Book 2: Rebel Angels

Book 3: A Sweet Far Thing

Reader's Annotation: The Third book in the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, the adventures of Miss Doyle culminate. She faces Circe while at the same time she faces her own history and the people in her life now. The battle must take place and Miss Doyle is forced to lead the way and save the day.

UnLibrarian Opinion: The final book in the trilogy is both "sweet" and a "far thing" in terms of what I expected. The ending left my wanting another tale and and a time machine. The book will not disappoint hardcore Gemma Fans...maybe. But let's face it guys, sometimes the book is better for not taking the easy way out. The same lush, magical details of the first and second book persist and the conflict between class, sexism, and the glorious victorian era are spot on! I loved all three of these books! This book is over 800 pages long so it's details can drag on not so fierce readers. Those who want the magic get bored with the balls and those wanting Victorian England get stuck in the realms for too long. But, for the most part, I felt that the fact that Ms. Bray didn't cut up her story to make it more accessible gives it an edge that not all YA books have and does the scope of the turn-of-the-century project justice. Anything less would have seemed to 21st Century to me even if at times we want some magic of our own to get through almost a thousand pages! ;)

Product Description via Amazon
* “A huge work of massive ambition.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

It has been a year of change since Gemma Doyle arrived at the foreboding Spence Academy. Her mother murdered, her father alaudanum addict, Gemma has relied on an unsuspected strength and has discovered an ability to travel to an enchanted world called the realms, where dark magic runs wild. Despite certain peril, Gemma has bound the magic to herself and forged unlikely new alliances. Now, as Gemma approaches her London debut, the time has come to test these bonds.

The Order—the mysterious group her mother was once part of—is grappling for control of the realms, as is the Rakshana. Spence's burned East Wing is being rebuilt, but why now? Gemma and her friends see Pippa, but she is not the same. And their friendship faces its gravest trial as Gemma must decide once and for all what role she is meant for.

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
A #1 Book Sense Bestseller
A New York Times Bestseller
A Publishers Weekly Bestseller
A USA Today Bestseller
A 2008 New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age

Notes:

FINALIST 2007 - Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of the Year
WINNER 2008 - Amazon Best of the Year

Extras: Film for first book,A Great and Terrible Beauty, set to be released 2010.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0833962/

Official Trilogy Website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/gemmadoyle/home.php

Official Trailer:

One of My Favorite Fan Trailers:

Kiss Me, Judas by Will Christopher Baer

Paperback: 330 pages
Publisher: MacAdam/Cage (June 20, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596921862
ISBN-13: 978-1596921863
Age Level: Adult
Book Series: Phineas Poe: Kiss Me, Judas, Penny Dreadful, Hell's Half-Acre

Reader's Annotation: After being released from a psychiatric institution, Phineas Poe, an ex-cop, awakens on a bed of ice after a steamy night with a woman that he might very well have left with his heart as well as his kidney.


Synopsis: After being released from a psychiatric institution, Phineas meets a woman who charges for her services of love. As it turns out, money wasn't the only Jude, the surrealy beautiful woman takes from Phineas. After a stay in the hospital, and a run in with his old buddies from his cop days, Phineas sets off to do either of two things: get revenge or find the woman who stole his kidney and his heart. In this dark, thriller, the reader who loves noir, edgy writing, and quality dark humor, Baer delivers a wild ride that sucks you in and reminds you of your days hanging out with Palanuick or Tarantino. I think this book is not to be missed, so long as you have the stomach for the violence, sex, drugs, and an occasional kidney surgery.

Notes: Detailed sex, drugs, and violence make up the core of this book. Parental discretion is a must. If the bizarre is your taste, but in the style of pulp noir splashed and decorated with the drug induced haze of writers such as Hunter Thompson and Chuck Palahnuik, then you have found your next read! You will love it! Others: good luck. Ha Ha.

Extras:

New UnLibrarian Pathfinder: Til Depp do us Part

UnLibrarian Pathfinders:
Great tools for Librarians and Patrons!

What is a pathfinder? Pathfinders can be approached in many ways. The basic idea is to lead a patron in the right direction and give them resources on a single topic. They are generally pretty basic and they expect you (the user) to need no prior knowledge of a topic. In the UnLibrarian's case a pathfinder is meant not only to give you resources but it is meant as entertainment as much as it is an infophile's feast! So dig in and ENJOY!

A Clockwork Pathfinder: Have a thing for a time way back when that never existed? Wanna invent new gadgets like something out of an H.G. Wells book? Hoping to run out into Victorian London in your petticoat and goggles and jump into your steampower vessel in a time that never existed? Wondering what the heck I am talking about?


Visit The Escape Artist a pathfinder into all things steam: http://theunlibrarians-steampunk-pathfinder.blogspot.com/


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Johnny Depp & Tim Burton

Who are two people we can't seem to get enough of? From Edward Scissorhands to Alice in Wonderland this pathfinder is the perfect tool to the set you off in the right direction into the truly magical and bizarre world of Tim Burton & his films in collaboration with Johnny Depp.

Til Depp do us Part http://deppandburton-unlibrarian-pathfinder.blogspot.com/



More surely to come, so keep checking back on the UnLibrarian Blog!

World War Z: A Oral History of the Zombie War, by Max Brooks

Title: World War Z: A Oral History of the Zombie War
Author: Max Brooks
Paperback: 352 page
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Publishing Date: October 16, 2007
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307346617
ISBN-13: 978-0307346612

Reader's Annotation: Over a decade after the zombies war (a.k.a World War Z) raged across the planet a reporter writes a book using interviews collected by survivors.

Synopsis & Review: 11 years after a zombie plague rages throughout the world a reporter tells the story of the war through the people the survived it. From China, to India, from Africa to America the stories in this book are terrorizing, thought provoking, and yes, sometimes sadistically funny. For the keen mind the oral histories will play out like an echo of todays tragedies for the zombie lover alone no one will be disappointed.The beauty of Max Brooks is he not only writes social commentary here but he does it against a horrific, zombified backdrop that everybody has been before, however, his skill makes it raw, palpable, and frankly...scarily familiar. If you haven't gotten around to reading this book, it's time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as well as the audio and should note the if you are taking a road trip or at the very least stuck in Los Angeles traffic, the audio is a role call of famous personalities and voices playing out the different the stories within. I would go so far as to reccommend the audio for readers who have already read the book!
Audio CD Info:
Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (2007)
Language: English
ASIN: B001IZFXMQ

Notes: Adult Content, Parental Suggestion Suggested.

Extras: Author/Publisher Website http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/worldwarz/index2.php

• World War Z is slated to be released as a film in 2010 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0816711/

• Max Brooks is the on of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft.

• "I've no desire to become the next king of Jewish immigrant comics, but I am so proud of my old man" - About his father, Mel Brooks.

• He is the author of the comedic zombie blockbuster, The Zombie Survival Guide which has spawned a never ending out pour of merchandising from Card Decks, to Note Pads & Journals, to a Graphic Novel!
  

• View a video from the publisher's website (of the graphic novel) here.
  

A brief FAN MADE Book Trailer with splices/preview from the fantastic AUDIOBOOK (This is not licensed).



Two of my favorite Fan Made trailers made by a fan (Srsly guys, this is pretty good stuff!):

Feed, by M.T. Anderson, (Guest Review)

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Candlewick (February 23, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0763622591

Reader's Annotation: "In a future where most people have computer implants in their heads to control their environment, a boy meets an unusual girl who is in serious trouble." ~via Barnes & Noble

Summary & Review:
Feeding on Feed! In the twisted and somewhat dark realm that "Feed" takes place in, the readers are introduced to a character named Titus and his pack of friends lacking grammar and any insight into the real world due to the chip implanted into the back of their heads as infants. Habits including going "mal" (electronically getting high), flying in upcars, and contracting lesions, it is obvious their state of mind is anything but ordinary. But when Titus meets a girl named Violet, she introduces him to a whole new world outside of Feed! A world where reality is not just a download away... ~By Caleb Sims, Age 16, Washington State

Notes:
AWARDS
Finalist 2002 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Winner 2003 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction ballsook.com/bghb2003.shtml
Winner 2003 Golden Duck Awards Hal Clement Award for Young Adults
Nominee 2005–2006 Green Mountain Book Award

Extras: Wikipedia for M.T. Anderson http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Tobin_Anderson

Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson, by Tara McPherson

• Title: Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson
• Author: Tara McPherson
• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595822224
• ISBN-13: 978-1595822222
• Reader's Annotation:   "Lost Constellations: The Art of Tara McPherson Volume 2 is the compelling road map to the artist's most recent and ambitious journeys in paint, pencil, and sculpture." ~Via Dark Horse 
• Features line drawings next to paintings and illustrations (especially cool for the aspiring artist) Lost Constellations explores the Art of Tara Mcpherson as well as includes some of her FAMOUS art rock posters!

Synopsis: McPherson's Vol. II (second to Lonely at Heart), Mcpherson delivers a collection of artwork that has taken the looky-loos by storm. Like most of her characters suspended in either water or space, the reader will quickly find themselves staring at their own loss and gut-lost past, present, and future while suspended in their own space-like intoxication of Tara McPherson. I dare you to get enough. It's impossible. This is a book to own. 

Notes: Parental suggestion for the young ones. Otherwise, subtley dark & delicious for everyone!

Extras: Want MORE Tara Stuff? Or maybe you just want to look at more McPherson art? Visit http://www.taramcpherson.com/

or to buy artwork: http://www.clickforart.com/

Having trouble filling your whole'd out middle? Revisit your childhood with Tara's coloring book/backpack ensemble. And in the meantime go here to color online. Viva la Tara.

Another UnLibrarian Book Trailer! The Forest of Hands and Teeth

The FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH, by Carrie Ryan

Book Trailer by the Unlibrarian!