My name is Amber and I'm an aspiring YA author with a passion for movies and novels. If it's young adult AND paranormal and/or romantic (best if all three!) I'm there. Also, it seems fair to warn everyone that I am not a robot or a zombie and when it comes to the all important question: zombie or unicorns, I must side with the unicorns because they were my first love.
Friend me on Goodreads and Twitter!
Happily Ever Endings are ending summaries of novels that will be in series for your reading pleasure. That way, you can refer to them when the next book comes out if you can't remember exactly what happened.
Welcome to everyone who is joining in for this month of sequel excitement! This is the last week to read your sequels for this month so hang in there! The last sequel off my shelf is Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick.
Summary from Amazon.com:
Nora should have know her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.
The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?
1) Unbreakable by Fireflight- This is Astrid's theme song. Everyone in this book betrayed her but she is a warrior. She relies on herself to live and nothing can bring her down when she finally sees her own strength. This song absolutely represents her
Here are the lyrics:
Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight, can?t face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger
God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me
Sometimes it's hard to just keep going
But faith is moving without knowing
Can I trust what I can't see to reach my destiny?
I want to take control but I know better
God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me
Forget the fear it's just a crutch
That tries to hold you back
And turn your dreams to dust
All you need to do is just trust
God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me
God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me
2. I Don't Think That I Love You Anymore by Hoobastank- It stinks but first loves sometimes come to an end. I feel like this song fits Astrid's mind frame perfectly.
3. Moving To Seattle by The Material- This is another one that really fits the lessons Astrid learns in this novel. When everyone else disappoints you, you can still turn inward to find strength.
The Lyrics: I can smell it on the pavement, it's about to rain. And you can feed me all the pills you want, but you cannot stop the pain.
Am I forcing my hand to write this down? Today is the day I finally realized That I can't rely on anyone except myself.
So you think you understand me... You're so anxious to evaluate. Maybe I'm well, maybe I'm fine, maybe I'm in love...
Am I forcing my hand to write this down? Today is the day I finally realized That I can't rely on anyone except myself.
Don't just stand there, it's about to rain. You were never one to worry. Maybe my dreams are just more interesting than my reality. All this time... See it through my eyes
Am I forcing my hand? Am I forcing my hand?
4. Privilege by Incubus- This is definitely a fitting song for all the hunters towards the rest of the world. Most people don't have the burden of fighting unicorns and can give themselves fully to those they love. For the hunters, and Astrid in particular, there really is no choice. It's his or let people die.
The Lyrics: Isn´t it strange that a gift could be an enemy?
Isn´t it weird that a privilege could feel like a chore?
Maybe it´s me but this line isn´t going anywhere,
maybe if we looked hard enough, we could find a backdoor.
(find yourself a backdoor).
I see you in line, dragging your feet
you have my sympathy.
The day you were born, you were born free.
That is your privilege.
Isn´t it strange that the man standing in front of me
doesn´t have a clue why he´s waiting, or what he is waiting for?
Maybe it´s me, but i´m sick of wasting energy.
Maybe if i look in my heart I could find a backdoor.
(Find yourself a backdoor).
I see you in line, dragging your feet
you have my sympathy.
The day you were born, you were born free.
That is your
That is your privilege.
(Find yourself a backdoor).
I see you in line, dragging your feet
you have my sympathy.
The day you were born, you were born free.
That is your privilege.
I see you in line, dragging your feet
you have my sympathy.
The day you were born, you were born free.
That is your privilege.
5. Again by Flyleaf- This is the part in the end where Astrid has to start over. She has to make the tough decisions. This is her theme song.
The Lyrics: I love the way that your heart break.
With every injustice and deadly fate.
Praying it only be new.
Living like it all depends on you.
Here you are down on your knees again.
Trying to find air to breathe again.
Only surrender will help you now.
I love you please see and believe again.
I love that youre never satisfied.
With face value, wisdom, and happy lies.
You take what they say go back and cry.
You were so close to me that you nearly died.
Here you are down on your knees again.
Trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again
They dont have to understand you
Be still
Wait and know i understand you
Be still
Be still
Here you are down on your knees again
Trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
The Flood gates are breaking and falling out
Here you are down on your knees
Trying to find air to breathe
right were I want you to be again I love you please see and believe
Here you are down on your knees again
Trying to find air to breathe again
Right where I want you to be again
See and believe.
So hears my soundtrack to Ascendant after reading it. What do you think? What are your picks?
This is a series I'm getting for Christmas so I want you to join in the fun! The Iron Daughter is the second in The Iron Fey series.This is US/Canada only. Winners will be drawn by a random number generator.
For part of First Come, Second Served Month, Ava over at Book Infinity is hosting super a giveaway challenge. All you have to do is create a sequel for one of your favorite books! The winner gets to choose from a huge list of books! Definitely take a second to check it out!
The missing dead call to Violet. They want to be found.
When Violet Ambrose's morbid ability to sense the echoes of those who've been murdered leads her to the body of a young boy, she draws the attention of the FBI. She is reluctantly pulled into an investigation that will endanger more than just her secret...but her relationship and possibly her life as well.
Why you need it:
What's better than opening up a book with characters you already love and going on a new adventure? Watching them try to grow in new and exciting ways? That's why you've got to have Desires of the Dead! Picking up where The Body Finder left off, Desires of the Dead is a must read! That gorgeous pink flower on the cover doesn't hurt either!
Desires of the Dead comes out February 15, 2011.
Make sure to check out my interview with Kimberly Derting later on today and post up your review of a sequel at the end of the week to win yourself a pre-order of Desires of the Dead!
I love this series. The first on in the Books of Pellinor is The Naming and this happens to be its sequel. I've got 2 novels to giveaway, one to each winner. This is US/Canada only. Winners will be drawn by a random number generator.
Rampant was one of my favorite novels of all time so I'm really kind of nervous about casting these characters. Astrid has got to be one of the most kick butt female characters I've read read about in a long time. So this is really difficult and I'm not sure if I've gotten it exactly right.
Astrid- Long blonde hair and beautiful eyes. She's lean but not in an athletic way and can kick some serious butt. She's also super book smart.
Amanda Seyfried- This girl was made for this part. Amanda is exactly what Astrid is supposed to look like. She's the perfect blend of smarts and beauty. I'm really like her for Astrid.
Giovanna- If your going to have a novel set in Rome, you have to have a yummy Roman male lead. Giovanni is the perfect blend of sexy and artistic. Dark hair, dark eyes, tall...enough said.
Michael Rady- I'm not sure about this pick but I can't think of ANYONE else. I've hung up on this post for days because of this pick. Rady played Kostos in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and did a good job so I think he'd be okay for this role as well but I am definitely open to suggestions.
Philippa- Astrid's older cousin whose got a carefree attitude that Astrid envies. They look a lot alike but Phil is a bit older. Phil's my favorite character.
Diana Argon- I feel like she'd be a great Phil because she's quite good at acting sweet when she wants to but has what it takes to be forceful. Phil is super forceful and driven when she believes in something.
Cornelia- Cory for short. This girl is fierce with a personal vendetta against the unicorns. She's smart and logically with a lot of hate built up.
Leighton Meester- We already know from Gossip Girl that she's good at being determined and is great at being cold and aloof. I think she'd be an awesome choice for Cory.
Cornelius- Cory's brother who is head of the Cloisters. He's only about 21 and tries to keep the Cloisters going even though he has no idea what he's doing.
Shiloh Fernandez- It's hard finding a guy to match Meester's beauty to be her brother but I think Fernandez is a good choice for this role. He's also a love interest for Phil and I think Argon and him would be cute together. Plus, have you seen him in the trailer for Red Riding Hood?
So there it is! My picks for Rampant and Ascendant and I have to say, I'm pretty proud of this list. What do you think of my picks?
Welcome to everyone who is joining in for this month of sequel excitement! We're now in Week 3. The next sequel off my shelf is Ascendant byDiana Peterfreund. As Rampant is one of my favorite novels ever, I can't wait to dig into this one!
The book summary:
Astrid Llewelyn is now a fully trained unicorn hunter, but she can't solve all her problems with just a bow and arrow. Her boyfriend, Giovanni, has decided to leave Rome, the Cloisters is in dire financial straits, her best friend's powers seem to be mysteriously disintegrating, and Astrid can't help but feel that school, home and her hopes of becoming a scientist are nothing more than impossible dreams.
So when she's given the opportunity to leave the Cloisters and put her skills to use as part of a scientific quest to discover the Remedy, Astrid leaps at the chance. Finally, she can have exactly what she wants-- or can she? At Gordian headquarters, deep in the French countryside, Astrid begins to question everything she thought she believed: her love for Giovanni, her loyalty to the Cloisters, and--most of all--her duty as a hunter. Should Astrid be saving the world from killer unicorns or saving the unicorns from the world?
1. In My Place by Coldplay- I feel like this song describes Janie and Cabel's relationship perfectly in this novel. They are both terrified out of their wits to lose one another and terrified to love so much too. It's a tricky combination that they haven't quite figured out yet.
The lyrics are in the song but you have to admit that it fits well. They'll keep waiting for each other to get it right.
2.Untouched by The Veronicas- Another great song that express Janie and Cabel. McMann is excellent as showing us the passion that both these characters have for each other and how very much a simple touch means to both of them. Both stemming from backgrounds that don't have a lot of love in them, they crave the feeling of each other.
3. Slow Burn by Atreyu- This song fits Cabel completely. He's haunted by his past and is having a hard time coping with loving someone. It's even harder for him watching Janie put herself at risk. He's unable to anything to try to stop her and is bottling up all this nervous energy.
4. Kill by Jimmy Eat World- When Cabel breaks up with Janie after The Big Party, this is how Janie feels. She knows him, trusts him, loves him and he still hurt her. Bad. After everything they've been through. And it kills her. And I get that. She's desperate for his touch, for the love they had, for answers. Even though he's hurt her bad, she can't just give up her feelings for him.
Here are the lyrics: Well, you're just across the street
Looks a mile to my feet
I want to go to you
Funny how I'm nervous still
I've always been the easy kill
I guess I always will
Could it be that everything goes 'round by chance? (chance?)
Or only one way that it was always meant to be (be)
You kill me, you always know the perfect thing to say (hey hey, hey hey)
I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
I can picture your face well
From the bar in my hotel
I wish I'd go to you
I pick up put down the phone
Like your favorite Heatmeiser song goes
It's just like being alone
Oh God, please don't tell me this has been in vain (vain)
I need answers for what all the waiting I've done means (means)
You kill me, you've got some nerve, but can't face your mistakes (hey hey, hey hey)
I know what I should do, but I just can't turn away
So go on love
Leave while there's still hope for escape
Got to take what you can these days
There's so much ahead
So much regret
I know what you want to say
(Know what you want to say)
I know it but can't help feeling differently
I loved you, and I should have said it
But tell me just what has it ever meant
I can't help it baby, this is who I am (am)
Sorry, but I can't just go turn off how I feel (feel)
You kill me, you build me up, but just to watch me break (hey hey, hey hey)
I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
5. Sound of Love by We The Living- The getting back together. The rekindling. The moment they touch after everything they've both felt. This is the song for Janie and Cabel's heart.
I'm pleased to have a guest post here today. Mary Berbner over at The Book Swarm has kindly decided to share with everyone what she thinks makes a good sequel. I think she's on to something here personally!
What makes a good sequel
We’ve all read a book, loved it, and waited with bated breath for the sequel. And been so disappointed when that sequel fell flat.
The flip side of this is when we pick up a sequel and are dazzled. In love. Stunned—and, once again, waiting with bated breath for the next book in the series. So, what did the dazzling sequel have that the flattened second book didn’t?
Well, when I read a sequel or the second of a series, I’m looking for more of what I loved in the first book. More…but different. What drew me to the original plot should still be present in the next book and shouldn’t deviate too much, though it should be contain enough new elements, characters, and chemistry to keep my interest.
Then there are the characters. Many readers, like myself, fall in love with the characters in a novel. When characters undergo radical changes in personality in the second book, I tend to get rather frustrated. I loved with those characters in the first story, and I want them to be pretty much the same people in the next. Sure, the characters should grow and develop or, if the book’s a middle grade or young adult novel, they should mature a bit. But the essence of the characters needs to remain the same.
Some books fail because they were never meant to be sequels. Sometimes, an author pens a novel that becomes a surprise bestseller (every author’s dream). In that bestseller, she tied up all the loose ends and gave the reader a fantastic happily ever after. Then, for whatever reason, whether it’s the fans demanding more, the lure of money, or the publisher asking for additional stories, the author attempts to write a sequel. We’ve all seen it happen. The author tries too hard to recapture the magic of the first novel, forcing the characters into a plot that just doesn’t work.
However, when an author writes the first book with a sequel or series in mind, and she picks up the plot threads right where they left off, the effect can be magical. I love it when that first novel can be read as a stand-alone, with the major action and conflicts resolved, but are still some things left unfinished, room for the characters to grow, and the plot of the sequel to be the same…but different.
There are so many elements that must work together to make a sequel or series worth returning to—strong world building, interesting characters, fantastic voice, gorgeous descriptions—and so many things that can go wrong between the first book and the second. But when it goes right, it’s pure magic. It’s what brings us back to that particular series or author again and again. That magic is what makes us cry when the series ends, and we finally have to say goodbye to the characters and world we’ve grown to love. A good sequel holds the promise of the first story and lives up to it, so we fall in love all over again.
Mary recommends:
Beautiful Creatures--> Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Wicked Lovely--> Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
The Iron King--> The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa (with short story Winter's Passage in between)
Suite Scarlett--> Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson
Diary of a Wimpy Kid--> Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules by Jeff Kinney
Artemis Fowl--> The Arctic Incident by Eoin Colfer
Strange Angels--> Betrayals by Lili St. Crow
And, of course: the sequels to Harry Potter & The Hunger Games.
I've got one of these under my belt but I'm still not super confident about fantasy casting, especially since this one is so lyrical, it's hard for me to imagine who would play these characters. Here's giving it the old college try though!
Janie- This is such a difficult character to cast. Janie's incredible intelligent but rough around the edges. I feel like an actress is needed to play her and not some pretty face. Luckily I've found one that has both!
Sophie Vassilieva- This girl can act and she's beautiful. I feel like she has the right stuff to play a convincing Janie and I think she's great to watch on screen.
Cabel- Smart, aloof, sweet and has a bad past. You need someone with the right brooding attitude to play the mysterious Cabel.
Chris Massoglia- I had a hard time picking out an actor for this part because I wanted him to match my pick for Janie. I haven't seen a lot of Massoglia and the only thing I did see him in--The Vampire's Assistance-- wasn't great but I feel he could be dressed down for the first half of the movie and morph into hot mode for the second. Plus, he's got this good guy look to him that I think Cabel needs to have.
Carrie- Janie's best friend who has the best intentions but like Janie, is a little rough around the edges. Carrie goes from acting a bit childish to very serious quite often but is there when Janie needs her.
Jennifer Stone- I guess because of her role on Wizards of Waverly Place, I just see her as a best friend type of gal. I think she'd be good because she has the ability to be funny but I also think she could handle acting a girl with some serious skeletons.
Stu- Carrie's 21 (I believe that's his age) old boyfriend. He struck me as the classic underachiever and a bit slow.
Cam Gigandet- I chose him because he basically played this role in Easy A and he was funny at it. I think he'd be the perfect choice for Stu.
Ms. Hannagan- Janie's mom is one of the best characters in the novel simply for her absence. Constantly drunk and inattentive, the first time she speaks to Janie is about halfway through the novel and she proves that she cares, she just isn't sober enough to show it.
Jessalyn Gilsig- A master at making you care for her even after she's done the most awful things, I think Gilsig would be the perfect fit for this part. I found myself rooting for her so many times on Glee even though her character was awful.
I'm giving away 2 copies of Fade, which means there will be two winners for this giveaway! This is a US/Canada contest only (sorry guys but they aren't all that way!). Winners will be drawn by a random number generator.
Welcome to everyone who is joining in for this month of sequel excitement! The next sequel off my shelf is Fade by Lisa McMann. I was rather impressed with the first one so I can't wait to start this novel!
Summary from the book flap:
For Janie and Cabel, real life is getting tougher than the dreams. They're just trying to carve out a little (secret) time together, but no such luck.
Disturbing things are happening at Fieldridge High, yet nobody's talking. When Janie taps into a classmate's violent nightmares, the case finally breaks open--but nothing goes as planned. Not even close. Janie's in way over her head, and Cabe's shocking behavior has grave consequences for them both.
Worse yet, Janie learns the truth about herself and her ability--and it's bleak. Seriously brutally bleak. Not only is her fate as a dream catcher sealed, but what's to come is way darker than she'd even feared...
I want to set you up for the sequel so I'm giving away 1 copy of Matched by Ally Condie. Unfortunately, this is US/Canada only buy fear not International followers! There are plenty more giveaways for international bloggers! Winners will be picked using a random number generator.
1. Neither of Us Can See by Incubus- I feel like this some describes Clary and Simon perfectly. They were blind in the first novel and now they are trying to figure out what to do with this new sight. They are trying to see into an uncertain future and fight against something that is so much bigger than themselves.
Here are the lyrics:
I am one big walking chemical reaction
A buzzing hive of cell synapsis and nacent self perception
Isn't it disdainful and curious
That both of us think we know everything
We both have brains,
We both have eyes
(Neither of us can see)
We both have pains,
We both have lies
(Neither of us can see)
One in the same, two of a kind
And neither of us can see
I am just a blinking, neon roadside attraction
I sow future wrinkles and Im told Im untapped potential
Isn't it disdainful and curious
That both of us think we know everything
We both have brains,
We both have eyes
(Neither of us can see)
We both have pains,
We both have lies
(Neither of us can see)
One in the same, two of a kind
And neither of us can see
I am one big, fleeting errant contradiction
It's so good to meet you
We are one in the same
Isn't it disdainful and curious
That both of us think we know everything
We both have brains,
We both have eyes
(Neither of us can see)
We both have pains,
We both have lies
(Neither of us can see)
One in the same, two of a kind
And neither of us can see
2. Moving On by The Letter Black- From Clary to Valentine, enough said. He ruined her life without even knowing her and this could be an anthem from everyone in the Circle to Valentine as well.
Here's a pick at the lyrics:
I don't care about you
I don't care about you
Anymore
You hurt me, lied to me
You earned my trust but then you
Betrayed me, my family
You wanted all control
So you cut down everyone
Who ever stepped in your way
I'm moving on
I don't care about you
I don't care about you
No I don't care about you anymore
I forgive you now I'm moving on
Moving on
Moving on
Consumed by selfishness
You wanted nothing less then
To see me leave because
I ruined all your plans
So you spread lies
Compromise me and the family's very lives
I'm done with you
I don't care about you
I don't care about you
No I don't care about you anymore
I forgive you now I'm moving on
You're left in the past
But I'm not looking back
Anymore
I don't care about you
I don't care about you anymore
I forgive you now I'm moving on
I don't care, I don't care about you. Moving on
I don't care, I don't care about you anymore
I forgive you now I'm moving on
I forgive you now I'm moving on!
I don't care, I don't care about you
I don't care, I don't care about
3. The World Outside by Eyes Set To Kill- I feel like this is Clary's theme song for the last novel. She's lost and doesn't know who to believe entering into this new world trying to make her way. This next novel is the aftermath of that and I think this song describes that feeling perfect!
Check out the lyrics:
Isn't this nice?
My own worst enemy
taking control of things...
Now is the time
This is the melody
This is the symphony
Now hear my cry
There's no words beneath
There's no in between
There's no alibi to make this right
No behind the scenes
Everything you see
what you get don't fight
The world outside
is changing me
is changing me
to who I'm afraid of
I can't confide in anything
The crowd will not rest tonight
If you look twice
the second time you might fail to recognize
Look through my eyes
maybe a part of the
old me is left inside
Now hear my cry
There's no words beneath
There's no in between
There's no alibi to make this right
No behind the scenes
Everything you see
what you get don't fight
The world outside
is changing me
is changing me
to who I'm afraid of
I can't confide in anything
The crowd will not rest tonight
The crowd will not rest tonight
Finally I can hold the key
The clock is still ticking...
clock is still ticking
I can see
What does all this mean?
When the lock is still missing
Lock is still missing?
Finally I can hold the key
The clock is still ticking...
clock is still ticking
I can see
What does all this mean?
When the lock is still missing?
The world outside
is changing me
is changing me
to who I'm afraid of
I can't confide in anything
The crowd will not rest tonight
*Repeat chorus*
4. Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups- I think this describes Jace at the beginning of the novel completely. He desperate for a release and willing to get it anyway he can.
The lyrics are in the video.
5. Impossible by Anberlin- For me this is a Simon song but it could also refer to Jace's view point of Clary since the horrible reveal. This is such a sweet song and I feel it fits both characters really well.
The lyrics:
You make my teeth clinch and my hands shake.
Do you ever see what you do to me?
You're wearing me out, just wearing me out,
But I'm wearing you down.
You're impossible, but lovely.
So impossible to win or please.
I'm wearing you out, just wearing you out,
But I'm wearing you down.
Take what you want from me, it means nothing now.
Take everything from me, it means nothing now.
Not so easy to forgive, harder to forget.
Take what you want...
I made your lips slip and your moans quake.
Try to think through, what I can do to you.
It's wearing me thin, can I begin,
To wear you out?
Take what you want from me, it means nothing now.
Take everything from me, it means nothing now.
Not so easy to forgive, harder to forget.
Take what you want...
I'm impossible to figure out.
So impossible, you had your doubts.
Take what you want from me, it means nothing now.
Take everything you wanted, it means nothing now.
Not to easy to forgive, harder to forget.
Take what you want from me, it means nothing now.
Take everything you wanted, it means nothing now.
Not so easy to forgive, harder to forget.
Take what you want from me...
So there you have it! These are my picks. What do you think? Do you know any other songs that would be good?
