Ruin and Rising Leigh Bardugo *Review*

After finishing Siege and Storm, one of my favorite fantasy reads of 2013, I was more than ready to see how Bardugo was going to end the series...and despite other reviewers' not-so-favorable thoughts, I loved Ruin and Rising. 

Frankly, I don't understand why so many people who loved Siege and Storm found Ruin and Rising to be a disappointment.

Sure, there was the occasional over-chattiness...and some strange/confusing relationship stuff...but compared to the brilliance of the plot; the mysteries behind Morozova and the Darkling; and Alina's character arc (BRILLIANT!), those things seem beyond paltry to me. *baffled shrug*

Anyway... 

In Ruin and Rising, we get to see the aftermath of devastation through Alina. She's changed tremendously since Shadow and Bone—flipping from pale to dark beauty in a relatively short, albeit believable, period of time. I loved the rawness and realism behind this transformation, and I rooted for her as she struggled to find herself amidst this change.  

The horror she witnessed/witnesses (and, in part, caused), the blame and scorn she carries, the internal conflict she faces in the realization that she is 'that orphan girl' no longer (yet, what does it mean to be a Saint? A Summoner?)—all of these things have shaped, and continue to shape, Alina throughout the final installment of the Grisha trilogy.   

Tension is executed superbly through the eyes of the young woman seeking to save the world from further devastation at the hands of the Darkling, and the plot twist(s) will keep you guessing throughout. I had my theories about what was going to happen with which characters, who Alina really is/was, what the connection between Mal/Alina/the Darkling/Firebird was...but I missed a lot of stuff >.>!

Ruin and Rising is an incredible ride. And honestly, I couldn't have come up with a more suitable title. This one's a tearjerker T_T. It's full of ruin and grief...yet brimming with triumph and hope in the midst of despair. The ending was perfect: satisfying, glorious, and tragically beautiful. Everything has its time. 

You don't want to miss out on this stunning conclusion to the Grisha trilogy!

I can't wait for more from Bardugo!

Final Verdict: 

About the Author

Kevin Rolly

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy: Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising. She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, The Dregs, arrives fall 2015.

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On writing, depression, and suicide: an update

Hello all :). It's been a while.

Good news: Whispers and Murmurs is coming along—which is miraculous because of the state of mind I've been in for the past couple months—and I am reveling in the writing process as I learn new things about my characters and their world. (Also...fixing lots and lots of plot holes. Boo).

You probably weren't wondering what was going on with the serious lack of posting...but if you were:

I have PTSD. (Ok, really...that's enough to explain just about everything, but...) For some reason, instead of flaring up around the summertime as it usually does, it flared up this winter. Anxiety and stress levels skyrocketed and the blog was left on the backburner. Why did it flare up? Because it was never seasonal. I apparently fear the ending of things.

I know, right?

But it's true. When I found out my friend was pregnant this winter, I was devastated—not because she was pregnant, but because I wasn't too. I couldn't follow her on the road she was going down. I feared our friendship—or at least the depth of it—was ending. 

It's kind of hard to explain, but when you've walked along the same road(s) for so long, you form an unbreakable bond...but that bond, while always existing, won't always be deepening. I love this person more than almost anyone else in this entire world. I cried for days (lol). The medication (see below) did not help matters -_-.

I have some annoyingly persistent—and, as yet, undiagnosed or diagnosable—stomach/intestinal issues.  Translation: My stomach/intestines hurt pretty much...all. the. time. and aside from having an ulcer, no other problem has been found. On top of that, I kept getting sick with other things (fever, pink eye, cough that almost became bronchitis...it was a bit overwhelming o_o).

Some medication I had to take, in combination with my already problematic emotional/psychological state, made things much, MUCH worse.  You'd think the doctors, knowing I have PTSD, would be like, "Maybe it's a bad idea to give someone with PTSD this." But no. That might, you know, make sense. And because this gif captures my sentiments so perfectly:

Suffice it to say what I experienced went far beyond 'mood swings'.  

I've experienced a grand level of apathy and irritability before because of PTSD flare-ups, but usually I'd be better after a few days. With that medication, I lost all motivation to do everyday things--go to work; go outside; do housework; even eat, despite being hungry--for weeks on end. 

I just didn't care, and, not surprisingly, I contemplated suicide multiple times. Immediately after I stopped taking the medication, I felt loads better. Never will I ever take it again. (Obviously.)

So yeah...the blog had to be neglected for a bit ^_^'.
  

More thoughts...

I think people wonder why, as a Christian, I struggled along such a road. Supposedly God delivers and comforts, right? So what happened?

Well...for one thing, I'm finite and fallible, and man...sometimes I'm just so stubborn. When I get anxiety attacks, of course I pray, and I'm immediately ok. If I sought the LORD more fervently instead of drowning in my sorrow (because, let's admit it, we do that sometimes), I'm 100% sure it would've been easier. 

I'm not sure He would've removed me from the struggle, though. It's happened before, but this time, I think He saw value in the experience. Maybe that sounds crazy to you, but I've learned some things about depression and suicidal thoughts that only someone who has experienced them can: they're not controllable, complete with an on/off switch!  

So many people who go to church and proclaim to be Christians think 'oh, you just have to read your Bible more'. I'm not discrediting that entirely; healing and salvation are of the LORD, not man (God does use people to heal, though—psychiatrists and friends and those who have gone through what you're going through). But the people who say things like that don't know what it's like. They don't understand that sometimes, you just can't move, breathe, desire...whether mentally, emotionally, or physically.

The sunday school group I was in discussed depression the week before last, and I almost lost it after several people said things like that after stating they'd never struggled with depression or suicidal thoughts. And the irony is, one person in my group stated that after he lost his wife, he rejected comfort from those who hadn't also lost a spouse, saying, 'unless you've experienced what I'm going through, you really don't understand, and you can't help me'. *eye twitch*

I kinda felt like if they knew what I've struggled with, they'd think I was crazy. Or, at the very least, 'unspiritual'. (Dun dun dunnnn)

Anyway, I understood in that moment that if I hadn't gone through this, I'd never be able to minister to people who are grieving and contemplating suicide because I never really got it. Got them.

Christ IS the Solution. I will never deny this. But He is with us  in our grief. He understands our struggles, and doesn't berate us for having them. And by allowing me to walk in the midst of this particular struggle, I've been equipped to walk with others through theirs.

As a sort-of uh, closing statement, I'd like to share the chorus of a song that came to me after listening to a sermon about Jesus as our Shepherd while I was in one of the darkest places I've ever been:

When You give, it's like a spark from Heaven—

lighting up my entire world, lighting up the deepest parts

of my oft, torn/jaded/wounded heart

You are my Remedy

delivering me from apathy

The astounding quality of this video almost coaxes tears. I know, it's ok *pats back* 

(Sorry about going flat on that one note T_T...makes me cringe ). But hey, at least it gives an idea of the sound. 

Dust of the Dead Sea Angela Kulig *Blog Tour/Book Launch*

Today I'm excited to be a part of the 'team' promoting Angela Kulig's second installment of the Hollows series, DUST OF THE DEAD SEA! 

I've been intrigued since I first heard about The Skeleton Song (prequel to Skeleton Lake)--I mean, come on, the title is epic right--and thought the idea behind it all was fascinating. And because something about dust and a sea apparently speaks to me (loved Ocean of Dust...!)--ha--and because Angela Kulig's fantastic :3, I jumped at the chance to celebrate the book birthday here on DaybreakInAutumn and be a small part of the blog tour.

*Sigh* The Hollows series is one I've really been looking forward to reading (I haven't yet because I'm a slacker T_T with PTSD trying to work on my own novels), and after reading an excerpt of Dust of the Dead Sea...yes. Yes I want to read them!! :) 

Anyway, enough of my rambling...onto the book!

Synopsis

There are many things between Heaven and Hell, and Marlow the Skeleton is just one of them. Taking the fight to the Hollows who tried to take her, Marlow travels with Raiden, the other half of her soul, to the worst place she can think of. The Dead Sea. Part crazy religious cult, part vengeful god, The Dead Sea isn't what she thought it would be—it's worse.

The thing is, you don't know you're addicted until you're in the monster's teeth. Marlow doesn't think she needs The Dead Sea, but it's poisoning her with every drop, and every raging wave, and all the dust collecting in her lungs. How do you fight a villain when the villain isn't a man, but a place?

Old characters with new agendas break the surface again, bringing fresh pain. Beneath a starless desert sky, Marlow and Raiden will confront a destiny that will end everything. They should have never gone to The Dead Sea to look for answers—they should have gone looking for questions.

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Aaaaannnd I can't forget to give you links to The Skeleton Song and Skeleton Lake! (Psst...they're on sale for a limited time. Don't miss a great chance to delve into the series!)

About the Author

I'm Angela Kulig. I write books, many of which have been published. I live in Las Vegas, which sounds exciting, but I prefer to pretend I live in books. On nights like tonight when the wind laughs at me like it might get in, and the dark desert is ablaze with its many false stars it wouldn't be hard to believe my whole life really is fiction.

I wrote my first novel just shy of my thirteenth birthday, and at twenty-nine I still haven't stopped. Many times, I write about dark, tragic, and beautiful things. Sometimes, I write about love. Love in it's various forms; as love isn't all peanut butter cups and roses, usually it's dreadful. Often it's cataclysmic.

All I ever wanted to do was write books, but that was the dream of a little girl and it was surprisingly easily fulfilled. Now I want to write books people read, different books, about unique places and things; shocking books, books that make you feel alive, and characters you sometimes wish weren't dead.

Let's be friends. P.S. I use Amazon Associates. Not as a source of income, so much as they have a lot of tools that make my life as a writer easier. 

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Summer on the Short Bus Bethany Crandell *Review*

Hello all! As usual, life has been busy :/, but at least I have this review post ready before going to TFC homecoming! Enjoy :D

I wanted to read SotSB ever since I first heard about it. Hilarity with a healthy dose of snark and realism? Count me in. So when I won Bethany Crandell's debut novel in Eric Devine's PRESS PLAY giveaway (thanks again!! *^_^*), I was nothing short of stoked.

As usual...haha...my instincts were spot on—Summer on the Short Bus is a brilliant read that captivated me from page one. I lost track of time within seconds, and proceeded to blissfully ignore my surroundings (I was traveling back to Alabama from West Virginia via bus) for the next 2-3 hours. You might be thinking, 'Wow, it must be really short!' Yeah, it was a little short. But I didn't feel gypped at all; in fact, I think the shortness suits the novel perfectly and acts as a selling point (perhaps for those reluctant readers? :-).

If I was paying attention, I might've noticed having garnered a slew of confused backward glances because, let's face it, this book is laugh-out-loud hilarious...and I laughed A LOT. (Having a bad day? Read a chapter of SotSB.) First off, the characters' personalities and quirks clash—and mesh—perfectly. Cricket's roomie? HAHAHA....still laughing, guys. I won't spoil the surprise, but I assure you—funniest roommate pairing ever.

I love this book.

I especially love Cricket. If you've been to camp, you know that it's is a life-changing experience...and though humor does make up a large part of the Short Bus experience, Crandell doesn't skimp on realistic, relateable character development.

Ok, I'll admit it. I thought Cricket was going to be one of those characters like the protagonist of The Girl with the Mermaid Hair, or Before I Fall: shallow and obnoxious. Mind you, the protagonists of both came around and I empathized with them in the end (Before I Fall is one of my favorite YA novels)...but with Cricket, it was different. I related to her and her predicament(s) from page one, and watching her grow and struggle was a heartwarming experience the entire way.

So if you think you aren't going to like Cricket...I'm going to burst your bubble and argue that you're mistaken.*

You see, Cricket's highly entertaining internal dialogue and melodramatic/sarcastic perspective will woo you into liking her. You will sympathize with her. You will laugh with (sometimes at) her. Plus, the other characters (particularly the roomie) keep her drama llama flair in line, so you needn't fear growing weary of the ugly in Cricket's ugly duckling to swan attitude arc.

Which brings me to yet another reason why I love this book:

Summer on the Short Bus is a thought-provoking invitation to a conversation about the prejudices we bring with our perspective, the way we look at and respond to those who are different from—yet ultimately the same as—us. If we're willing to get to know people for who they are rather than judging them from a distance because of what they look like...we may just fall in love with who they are, recognize their potential, and desire to help them bloom.

Bottom line: Read this book! It's a short—and sweet :3—read that'll leave you wanting more. 

Embrace your inner Efron.

Final verdict: 

*Of course there are going to be people who don't like Cricket, and who find her “transformation” a bit less than transformative. Still, can I put it out there that Bethany Crandell's just being honest?

I read one review in which the reviewer was upset about said 'transformative lack' because Cricket still viewed one of her campers as fat (said in less nice terms). I mean, what was she expecting?! That's realistic—a step away from a former view, rather than an eradication of it.

Plus, Cricket's thoughts are unfiltered. Guys, I work at a daycare, sometimes with people who don't seem to be suited for work with children *AHEM* and sometimes, my unfiltered thoughts are UGLY. You can't tell me you've never had an unkind thought about someone you cared for in your life. (And if you do, you're lying.)

My point: These are Cricket's unfiltered thoughts! This is not Tahereh Mafi's stream of consciousness let-me-take-that-horrible-thought-back-via-strikethrough text.

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About the Author

I wish I had some mysterious secret to reveal about myself in hopes that you'd find me interesting...but I don't.  When it comes to me, what you see is what you get. And what you get is an irreverent, sarcastic and emotional girl who writes stories about characters with these same traits.


I live in San Diego with my husband, two kiddos, and a chocolate lab who has no regard for personal space. I'm slightly obsessed with John Hughes and the wonderful collection of films he left behind, and I'm confident that Jake Ryan will be showing up on my doorstep any day now...

I firmly believe that prayer solves problems, and that laughter is the best medicine. Along with avocados. Avocados make the world a better place.

I'm represented by Rachael Dugas of Talcott Notch Literary Agency.

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Bible Bands Katreina Eden *ARC Review*

Today I'm reviewing Katreina Eden's book, BIBLE BANDS :)!

*I received an arc from Cedar Fort Publishing as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest and fair review*

I've read a few crafty books here and there--mostly for sewing or crochet--but in general, I'm more an artsy rather than a crafty person (See that stunning display of artistic license? Crafty generally means cunning...but not today :D.)...

Which raises the question: why was I even remotely interested in reviewing this book? 

When I was in West Virginia, the girls in my Backyard Bible Club group for the week all had 'bands' around their wrists, fingers, and necks. I'd never seen them before, and they looked really cool, so I asked about them, discovering that the girls thought they were super easy to make--and let me tell you, I had my doubts because, again, artsy not crafty.  

But after reading this book, I get what they meant. They do  seem easy to make. So if you're like me, fear not: thanks to Katreina Eden's step-by-step presentation of the how-to of crafting Bible bands, even we can make a bracelet or two. 

Oftentimes, craft books will zoom over a beginner's head because 1) there aren't step-by-step pictures that actually make sense, and/or 2) the author (sometimes) mistakenly assumes readers understand what he/she's saying! Eden's approach isn't like this. After a general description/how-to of the design with suggestions for use, she dives into a series of clear-cut diagrams to offer step-by-step help. Sometimes she'll include a nifty extra, like how to make teardrop earrings, or offer a tip on technique.  

Eden makes learning how to make Bible bands easy.*

My favorite part: each bracelet/project (because really, once you know how to make a bracelet, you can make a necklace or ring by lengthening or shortening...and if you don't, Eden explains it in one of her tips) comes complete with a Bible passage. What a wonderful way to have fun and learn more about Who God IS and what He's done...and remember it day by day as you wear the band(s)!

I love that these bands offer a creative way to share the Gospel as well as personal testimonies. They're reminiscent of the Salvation bracelets--the ones with the colored beads--except these offer a greater range of expression. Also, there's a Bible charms pack you can order to go along with the bands, and it's legit--totally worth a separate purchase.

And, in case you were wondering, the bands are gender friendly. No little (or big) man wants to wear a bracelet (or necklace) that makes them feel girly! 

So, in summary, Bible bands are: fashionable, inventive, easy, and inexpensive. It'd be a lot of fun to do with a youth/children's group, in spurts (over a few weeks), as a fundraiser doubling as an outreach event, with your children...

Some 'critiques':

If I remember correctly, one of the girls in WV didn't use a loom, and not using one is referenced in the book; however, the book never strays from using the loom. I figure it's because trying to demonstrate that would be a nightmare...and possibly also because the loom makes things easier. Still, I would've liked to know why the 'loomless' style wasn't displayed.

Maybe they're saving this for the print version, or I just missed it, but I didn't recall the Bible being cited in any of the passage references, or before the book. I probably just missed it. And it really isn't a huge deal, but it was a little odd, considering that I've never seen it NOT cited. (Btw, I'm pretty sure it was KJV.)  

My biggest issue with Bible Bands was--ironically--the thing I enjoyed most about the book: the mini Bible lessons. Overall, I thought they were alright; they fit with their bands, and they were succinct. But sometimes, they just struck me as a little...off...mostly in slight ways that made me wonder what exactly was being said (and if I agreed with it).

Hunt for Valamon DK Mok *Cover Reveal and Excerpt*

I've got some good stuff planned for the blog this month (not a whole lot; still busy writing...and attempting to write lol), and I'm so excited to share this cover with you! It's so cool...!

Ok, sorry. (But it really is fantastic.)

Annnnd there's an excerpt! Dive in and be a happy reader :).

Title: Hunt for Valamon by DK Mok

Release date: April 7, 2015 *Mind you, this is the date I received via email to promote the novel. On the website it says February 2015. 

Publisher: Spence City (an imprint of Spencer Hill Press)

....drum roll please....

....

....


....



Here it is!

Oooh, shiny *_*

Synopsis
Deep in the heart of the Talgaran Empire, Algaris Castle has been breached. No one knows how, why, or by whom. The only thing taken is twenty-eight year old Crown Prince Valamon. 

Seris—a young cleric caring for the ramshackle and happily book-infested Temple of Eliantora—finds himself unexpectedly recruited to the rescue mission. His sole companion is Elhan, a cheerfully disturbed vagrant girl with terrifying combat skills, who is rumoured to be under a dangerous curse. 

Far out of his depth, Seris has no fighting ability, no survival skills, and no charisma, as Elhan keeps pointing out. All he has are a stubborn streak and the conviction that unless he returns with Valamon, dire consequences await his foster family.

Chasing rumours of rebel camps and rising warlords, cursed fates and the return of the vanished sorcerers, Seris and Elhan discover a web of treachery and long-buried secrets that go far beyond a kidnapped prince.

As enemies rise from both beyond the empire and within it, Seris and Elhan must confront their own bloody pasts, and rescue Valamon, before simmering tensions in the empire erupt into war. 

**Excerpt**

Tomorrow, everything would change.

Valamon, crown prince of the Talgaran Empire, stared at the crisp speech in his hand. The rest of the castle lay deep in slumber, but in Valamon’s bedchamber, the candle had burned down to a crater of wax.

There was nothing extraordinary about the speech, aside from the fact he’d finally been entrusted to deliver one. It was covered in copious notes from the royal speechwriter, including “remember not to smile” and “look regal”.

Valamon glanced at his reflection in the mirror. His dark hair kept falling into his eyes, and while he was reasonably tall, he had the inconspicuous build of a worried philosopher. Judging by the portraits in the banquet hall, “looking regal” involved brandishing a bloodied sword while crushing a corpse beneath your boot, which Valamon had always hoped was artistic embellishment.

Valamon wondered what would happen if he deviated from the script and told the crowd what he really thought of his father’s expansionist policies. It would probably involve a very high, very cramped tower with a deficiency in doors.

Still, Valamon was twenty-eight this summer, and something had to be done. He folded the speech into a small, intricate lotus and left it beside the dying candle.

When he looked up again, there was a contorted shape in his bedroom window, pressed against the glass. By the time Valamon lunged for his sword, it was already too late.

###

About the Author
DK Mok lives in Sydney, Australia, and writes fantasy, science fiction and urban fantasy novels and short stories. DK's debut urban fantasy novel, The Other Tree, was released in 2014 by Spence City (an imprint of Spencer Hill Press), and her short story 'Morning Star' (One Small Step, FableCroft) was shortlisted for an Aurealis Award.
DK grew up in libraries, immersed in lost cities and fantastic worlds, populated by quirky bandits and giant squid. She graduated from UNSW with a degree in Psychology, pursuing her interest in both social justice and scientist humour.

She’s fond of cephalopods, androids, global politics, rugged horizons, science and technology podcasts, and she wishes someone would build a labyrinthine library garden so she can hang out there. Her favourite fossil deposit is the Burgess Shale.

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