Hi, All!
Today marks the first book I have read this year! I had promised myself last year to read more and sadly I came very short. But I am HAPPY to say I am starting off the new year right! It is important for us as writers to READ. I never knew how much until I stopped reading almost entirely. I hate admitting to this, but it's true. I may have read only three books last year, where once I was an avid book a week reader. What happened?
Writing. The moment I became a writer, I diminished as a reader. Aweful. Isn't it? How do you all do it? Read, write, work, family? It amazes me how so many of you balance your lives so effortlessly. I respect you more than you could EVER imagine. Give yourselves a MUCH DESERVED pat on the back!
I don't usually do many reviews. I mostly introduce new and exciting books on my blog. Many of you know this and have always enjoyed my unique play on plots, characters, etc. But today I am reviewing. SO no splashy intro here. NOT that this book doesn't deserve the best I can do, BUT today is the Dianne Salerni's day to shine.
I have been an admirer of her work from almost the beginning of her career. I think I missed her first novel. When I read the Caged Graves, I was instantly intrigued. Although written in a genre I generally don't read, I enjoyed her story tremendously. THEN... I had asked to read the proof of her next book. The EIGHTH DAY... I was hooked! Written in my favorite genre, middle grade fantasy, I jumped on it. Here's the link to my review if you'd like to read it. It's a nice introduction to her world.
A few months ago I was sent the continuation of Jax's story in The Inquisitor's Mark. With the JOYS of MOVING and the holidays tumbling into the foray of my life, I hadn't had the chance to read it. Until NOW... What a wonderful start of year present.
The Eight day has been threatened. And only thirteen-year-old Jax, his guardian, Riley, and Evangeline, one of two links to keeping the eighth day in tact, are destined to save their unique and mysterious world.
Who would ever want to destroy a magical eighth day? you ask. The answer will astound you. Could it be Jax's long lost biological family behind all the disappearances, murder, and theft. Or, the rivals of the magical descendants of Riley's family?
Jax is once again thrust into the eight day world. Not prepared for the answers. But this time he has more on his plate besides saving the world of the eight day. His best friend has been kidnapped. A normal. An innocent bystander. Why was he taken? And by whom?
Jax wants answers. And gets them. But, are they the right ones? Now he has to deal with who he is and who is real family is...
Deception, trickery, loyalty, oaths, AND sometime shocking revelations, leak into Jax's seven day world. Will he be able to hold onto his liege lady(Evangeline) and keep his loyalty to his family?
Time will tell. And even that can be altered.
Not since Harry Potter hit the scenes in the late 90's have we seen a new and intriguing world full of memorable characters, amazing chemistry between those characters, and a journey into a world similar, yet different, from our own.
Just like with the Potter books, I find myself loving each new adventure. Jax is funny, smart, and so beautifully naive, yet his strength, loyalty, and love for his friends overpowers any shortcomings in his personalty. What teenage boy doesn't have shortcomings... right? lol.
Dianne Salerni's, Inquisitor's Mark, definitely marks high in my opinion. I anxiously await book III! Just like I did when Rowling was writing HP. My favorite in her series was book III and I have a sneaking suspicion it will be the same with this series.
ALL the best Dianne! Put me on the list for your next proof... I'll be waiting!!!! Hopefully not to long.
Here's the Amazon link: A GREAT WEEKEND READ! ENJOY! Have a great weekend everyone!
Today marks the first book I have read this year! I had promised myself last year to read more and sadly I came very short. But I am HAPPY to say I am starting off the new year right! It is important for us as writers to READ. I never knew how much until I stopped reading almost entirely. I hate admitting to this, but it's true. I may have read only three books last year, where once I was an avid book a week reader. What happened?
Writing. The moment I became a writer, I diminished as a reader. Aweful. Isn't it? How do you all do it? Read, write, work, family? It amazes me how so many of you balance your lives so effortlessly. I respect you more than you could EVER imagine. Give yourselves a MUCH DESERVED pat on the back!
I don't usually do many reviews. I mostly introduce new and exciting books on my blog. Many of you know this and have always enjoyed my unique play on plots, characters, etc. But today I am reviewing. SO no splashy intro here. NOT that this book doesn't deserve the best I can do, BUT today is the Dianne Salerni's day to shine.
I have been an admirer of her work from almost the beginning of her career. I think I missed her first novel. When I read the Caged Graves, I was instantly intrigued. Although written in a genre I generally don't read, I enjoyed her story tremendously. THEN... I had asked to read the proof of her next book. The EIGHTH DAY... I was hooked! Written in my favorite genre, middle grade fantasy, I jumped on it. Here's the link to my review if you'd like to read it. It's a nice introduction to her world.
A few months ago I was sent the continuation of Jax's story in The Inquisitor's Mark. With the JOYS of MOVING and the holidays tumbling into the foray of my life, I hadn't had the chance to read it. Until NOW... What a wonderful start of year present.
Who would ever want to destroy a magical eighth day? you ask. The answer will astound you. Could it be Jax's long lost biological family behind all the disappearances, murder, and theft. Or, the rivals of the magical descendants of Riley's family?
Jax is once again thrust into the eight day world. Not prepared for the answers. But this time he has more on his plate besides saving the world of the eight day. His best friend has been kidnapped. A normal. An innocent bystander. Why was he taken? And by whom?
Jax wants answers. And gets them. But, are they the right ones? Now he has to deal with who he is and who is real family is...
Deception, trickery, loyalty, oaths, AND sometime shocking revelations, leak into Jax's seven day world. Will he be able to hold onto his liege lady(Evangeline) and keep his loyalty to his family?
Time will tell. And even that can be altered.
Not since Harry Potter hit the scenes in the late 90's have we seen a new and intriguing world full of memorable characters, amazing chemistry between those characters, and a journey into a world similar, yet different, from our own.
Just like with the Potter books, I find myself loving each new adventure. Jax is funny, smart, and so beautifully naive, yet his strength, loyalty, and love for his friends overpowers any shortcomings in his personalty. What teenage boy doesn't have shortcomings... right? lol.
Dianne Salerni's, Inquisitor's Mark, definitely marks high in my opinion. I anxiously await book III! Just like I did when Rowling was writing HP. My favorite in her series was book III and I have a sneaking suspicion it will be the same with this series.
ALL the best Dianne! Put me on the list for your next proof... I'll be waiting!!!! Hopefully not to long.
Here's the Amazon link: A GREAT WEEKEND READ! ENJOY! Have a great weekend everyone!
37 comments:
Awesome you got to read an early copy! It comes out for everyone in just a couple weeks.
Not surprised by your great review. It's by Dianne Salerni!
I'll have to go back and pick up Book I.
Michael, thank you for the glowing review! :D I'm working on editorial revisions to Book 3 right now, so I better make darn sure it shines to your expectations! (It's still got some tarnished spots right now ...)
High praise! This sounds like a fun read. And I hear you on the reading falling off while writing. I used to be a book a week reader and anymore it is about half that (largely because former reading time is consumed with editing my own stuff).
You write such terrific reviews. Hope you're settled in to your new place in NY. You moved from bitter cold to merely bone-chilling cold.
It does sound like a fun, wonderful read. Good for you that you got an early copy. I love the cover. I was wowed by THE DOG WHO COULD FLY, a true WWII story told by Damien Lewis. Imagine a German Shepherd flying with his gunner master in a bomber as it bounced over the skies of Germany amidst a storm of flack!
Happier months ahead!
What an awesome review! I have The Eighth Day on my shelf to read. I am getting to it slowly but surely! I can't wait to pick it up. Based on your thoughts about the second book and the author's writing I am anxious to get to it! Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess
So agree. This is a fantastic second book in the series. And Dianne's going to be on my blog on 1/19 sharing how to write sequels with a giveaway of an ARC.
Michael, I don't read a lot of YA, although I did enjoy Harry Potter. Your review made realize I'd enjoy this sort of story. I need to check out the 1st in the series. :-) I like the cover, too.
Reading. My reading diminishes some when I'm in the middle of writing a new story but it's also my main form of entertainment so I never stop reading. Some people watch TV, I read. I also think, how can you say you're a writer if you don't read?
Normally, I read 2 or 3 books a week except when I'm writing but even then it's at least one a week although not in the genre I'm writing. I have a pretty wide range of books I enjoy so there's always something to catch my eye. :-)
So, are you all moved now?
I read The Caged Graves and loved it...
Thanks for the review! I feel like I'm always reading something, and there's always something else waiting for me that I want to read. :)
this sounds like a very fun read and I've been enjoying YA books. Glad you are kicking off the new year reading. I can't imagine not having a book or two handy. Keep up the good work - reading and writing (and throw in some 'rithmetic too)
I miss reading too. Reading more, in my preferred genre's, is one of my writing goals I submitted to my critique group.
Hi Michael and Dianne - what a great review of Dianne's work and particularly this new book ... I must do what you're doing .. read, read, read this year .. and actually read some complete books ...
Cheers to you both - Hilary
Sounds like a great series. Another one for the list! Hope you get through some good reads this year. It's so inspiring as a writer.
Great review! Dianne's a great writer. I don't read as much as I used to either, although I continue trying to read more.
I couldn't agree with you more. I read The Eighth Day and LOVED it! I'm really looking forward to getting the new installment. Thanks for letting others know what a great writer Dianne is! :)
Happy New Year! And you're starting it off right with a good book. No, I haven't read it yet, but I loved Dianne's other books and am sure I'll love this one, too. Great review, Michael!
I'm glad the first book of the year was a hit! It's such a joy to find and read a book one loves and can connect with. Good luck with your goal to read more this year. I find even the books I read that don't measure us for me are still helpful in my growth as a writer.
I completely concur with your review. The Eighth Day and The Inquisitor's Mark are among my fave MG books, right up there with HP and Artemis Fowl.
I couldn't agree more with your review of this wonderful book. It really amps the intrigue in this series (and I was pretty well amped after the first one!), so I can't wait for the third!!!!
Hey Michael, i haven't put my foot back in the water and blogged yet this year, but you've just given me an idea for a post. I have already read TONS of books. They enrich my soul as a writer. I don't need a lot of sleep, so my reading is conducted in the late hours of the night. I've even been re-reading some totally awesome books! Come by in a few days and I should have it up.
Meanwhile, thanks for this review. Doesn't sound like my kinda read, but that's okay. That cover is totally awesome!
Happy New Year!
Denise :-)
I don't balance it well, so I know exactly what you mean. I read while I walk on my treadmill, otherwise I'd never get any writing time in. When I worked in an office, I had an Audible membership and I'd listen to books on the way to work and back, so that helped a lot.
I hear you about how writing affects reading. I was struggling to get though books last year AND the year before. No time! No energy! I'm now on book four in 2015 and I intend to stay on track. So glad you read Dianne's book. I'm looking forward to it myself.
yeah to Dianne!! and I don't have time to read, write, work, family, eat, omg...I think I left someone in the oven. see what I mean???? kidding. I just can't do it as timed as I would like...in running shorts.
Writing killed my reading time too, but my kindle helps. I can carry it anywhere and read a bit here and there. And you will be proud of me, but I even use the kindle to read while on the treadmill. It's perfect- no pages to hold down.
I can't wait to see more reviews from you, Michael! I really like the title of this book. Of course, the story is intriguing too :-)
You know how I get as much reading done as I do? I read while exercising. I read when at stop lights. My kindle goes with me to the grocery store. I read when I'm too tired to do anything else. It's all about squeezing it into the moments we stand around.
I LOVED Caged Graves too and can't wait to start the 8th Day series. I'm going to read it to my kids, probably this summer.
What a wonderful review, Michael! The Inquisitor's Mark sounds like a thrilling read! I'm so far behind in my reading but will have to add Dianne's books to my list! Thanks Michael!
Julie
Michael: You said, "The moment I became a writer, I diminished as a reader." This is a problem all writers MUST overcome. I am like Crystal. I'm reading while I'm writing this post! Great review!
I've seen the series and it looks great! Here's to more reading this year!
Great review. I need to read more YA too, getting ready to tackle our project. Hope this means life has calmed down a bit. I'll send you an email.
I'm so glad you mentioned this book! I read about her first book a while back and it sounded so interesting but I forgot about it! Thanks for the reminder :D
I have the opposite problem. I tend to read more than I write. And how people take care of EVERYTHING and still manage to write AND blog is a mystery to me. I'm still trying to get the hang of it all!
Cheers,
Jen
I've always been an avid reader and then somewhere along the way, I lost my reading mojo.
I actually got back into the 'reading groove' two years ago by signing up with Goodreads. I've been on a roll ever since and this year I pledged 40 books.
Now the trick is to balance the reading and writing...
Dianne's books sound fabulous!! I'll have to add them to my list.
Congratulations on reading the great book. I've been making my way through a bunch of books. I read Woven and LOVED it. Now I'm polishing off the Elric of Melnibone series (I was in the mood for some good ole sword and sorcery), and I'm also reading some Tracy Hickman and a book called "The Name of the Wind."
Hey, I nominated you for A Very Inspiring Blogger on today's post! Congrats (you're not smirking, are you?). Have a great weekend.
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