The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran

The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran 5 of 5 stars.

IN ANCIENT EGYPT,
A FORGOTTEN PRINCESS MUST OVERCOME
HER FAMILY'S PAST AND REMAKE HISTORY.

The winds of change are blowing through Thebes. A devastating palace fire has killed the Eighteenth Dynasty's royal family--with the exception of Nefertari, the niece of the reviled former queen, Nefertiti. The girl's deceased family has been branded as heretical and no one in Egypt will speak their names. Nefertari is pushed aside, an unimportant princess left to run wild in the palace. But this changes when she is taken under the wing of the Pharoh's aunt, then brought to the Temple of Hathor, where she is educated in a manner befitting a future queen.

Soon Nefertari catches the eye of the Crown Prince, and despite her family's history, they fall in love and wish to marry. Yet all of Egypt opposes this union between the rising star of a new dynasty and the fading star of an old, heretical one. While political adversity sets the country on edge, Nefertari become the wife of Ramesses the Great. Destined to be the most powerful Pharaoh in Egypt, he is also the man who must confront the most famous exodus in history.

In all honesty, my words cannot do justice to Michelle Moran. Her writing feels so real you are able to completely immerse yourself in the story. Reading her books is truly like take a trip to Ancient Egypt (or Rome, in the case of her latest book Cleopatra's Daughter). The Heretic Queen was so thick in court intrigue if it had not been written so carefully and with such perfect attention to details a reader could easily become lost.

I enjoyed watching Nefertari grow as a character throughout the book. Her intelligence and strength were conveyed wonderfully. Pharaoh Ramesses's love for her was touching and easily understandable. The Heretic Queen is really a passionate and twisting portrayal of one of Ancient Egypt's most famous Pharaoh's and his wife.

For fans of: Michelle Moran, Staton Rabin, Historical Fiction

To order The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran at Amazon.com click here.

In My Mailbox (On Thursday!)

Yes, I'm posting this on Thursday. *Le gasp!* Anyways, I got some pretty cool stuff in the mail this week and get this... All of it a surprise! Meaning, no I didn't ask for it and not all of it the type of stuffs I read. But nevertheless the shiny covers have caught my attention and I'm sure I will read them. Even if it does mean being blinded by the hot pink ARC! =)

I received:

For Keeps by Natasha Friend


Plus by Veronica Chambers


Invisible Girl by Mary Hanlon Stone
(No cover photo online yet)

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June by Robin Benway


And... *Drum roll, please* 10 Vampire Academy tattoos plus a blue Vladimir Tod button. I'm thinking about saving them for a kickin' (or should I say bitin'?) future contest! ;) Keep looking for that.

I'm really looking forward to reading April, May, & June!

Much love,
Arya

Beastly Movie

Check out this exclusive content from Alex Flinn's upcoming movie Beastly on mycoke.com!!
I absolutely cannot wait to see it! It looks so amazing. Congrats, Mrs. Flinn. =)
Click here to view clip.

Waiting on Wednesday

This Wednesday I'm waiting on a hilarious looking novel by E.D. Baker. The cover of The Wide-Awake Princess is adorable and the story sounds like yet another turn of our favorite fairy tales, something I can't get enough of. This book will be released May 11, 2010 by Bloomsbury USA.



"In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen’s true love to kiss her awake. But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn’t possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father’s guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family...and perhaps even find a true love of her own." Goodreads

Pre-order The Wide-Awake Princess by E.D. Baker from Amazon.com by clicking here.


What are you waiting on this week?

Arya

St. Pattie's Day Giveaway!

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I'm going to be giving away an awesome *SIGNED* ARC copy of Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore!



Rules:
You MUST be a follower, new or old.
You MUST live in the United States or Canada.
You MUST leave a link to show me if you helped out by spreading the word.
You MUST leave a valid email adress.

Entries will be awarded thusly,
+5 Blog post
+3 Old follower
+2 New Follower
+2 If you refer someone to my blog, they follow, and leave your name.
+1 Every time you spread the word, tweets, sidebar post, facebook, etc.
+1 What's your favorite thing about St. Patrick's Day?

You can send me your information in the comments section or via email. (Check left sidebar)

All entries must be submitted by March 16 at midnight.

I will draw a random winner Wednesday, March 17.

Good luck!

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson 4 of 5 stars.
To be released by Dial Books March 9, 2010

When her fiery older sister Bailey dies abruptly, seventeen-year-old Lennie, bookworm and band geek, is catapulted to center stage of her own life--and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey's boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie's own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they're the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can't collide without the whole wide world exploding.

In the beginning I didn't know how to take this book. It is miles away from the type of books I usually read. I didn't understand Lennie's need to be with Toby at first. It all seemed a bit harebrained and foreign to me. But after a reading it a bit more I was sucked into Lennie's life. While the writing was hilarious the story was heartbreaking. I enjoyed the poems Lennie wrote on scraps of paper and scattered around her town. They held the majority of the stories grief to me. I love the way Jandy Nelson describes Lennie's relationship with music, what goes through the character's mind as she plays her clarinet.
The dialog had me in tears from laughing so hard at times. All of the character, Toby excluded in the first half, were so three-dimensional it was like they were popping up out of the book. This may not be my favorite genre of YA Literature but that does not mean I didn't fall in love with this book.

For fans of: Sarah Dressen, Girl in the Arena, Alex Flinn

Pre-order The Sky is Everywhere from Amazon.com here

Noteworthy Contests!

Here are a few of noteworthy contests I wanted to bring to your attention. I may add more here later today...

Books-for-Charity Month Giveaway--Ends Feb.28(HURRY!)
Once Upon a Book Blog Contest!--Ends Feb.28
100 Followers Multi-Pack Giveaway!--Ends March 1
49 Followers Contest at Storywings (HUGE,HUGE CONTEST)! --Ends March 19

Waiting on Wednesday!

What I'm waiting for this Wednesday is an awesome-sounding book that will be released June 8th from Henry Holt & Company. The cover is gorgeous and I love historical fiction novels with a thick political background. I can't wait to read this one!


Joan’s mother is Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, the most beautiful woman in the world. Her father is Henry II, the king of England. She loves them both—so what can she do when she’s forced to choose between them? As her parents’ arguments grow ever more vicious, Joan begins to feel like a political pawn. When her parents marry her off to the king of Sicily, Joan finds herself with a man ten years her senior. She doesn’t love him, and she can’t quite forget her childhood crush, the handsome Lord Raymond. As Joan grows up, she begins to understand that her parents’ worldview is warped by their political ambitions, and hers, in turn, has been warped by theirs. Is it too late to figure out whom to trust? And, more important, whom to love?


Pre-order The Queen's Daughter from Amazon.com by clicking here.

Fire by Kristin Cashore

Fire by Kristin Cashore 5 of 5 stars.
Prequel to Graceling

It is not a very peaceful time in the Dells. The young King Nash clings to his throne while rebel lords in the north and south build armies to unseat him. The mountains and forests are filled with spies and thieves and lawless men.
This is where Fire lives. With a wild, irresistible appearance and hair the color of flame, Fire is the last remaining human monster. Equally hated and adored, she has the unique ability to control minds, but she guards her power, unwilling to steal the secrets of innocent people. Especially when she has so many of her own.
Then Prince Brigan comes to bring her to King City. The royal family needs her help to uncover the plot against the king. Far away from home, Fire begins to realize there's more to her power than she ever dreamed. Her power could save the kingdom.
If only she weren't afraid of becoming the monster her father was.

Kristin Cashore is an amazing author. The voice she has given to Fire is beautiful and distinguished. The story is able to capture your attention and absolutely refuse to let go. All of the characters are amazingly pieced together and portrayed in a way that doesn't just show the obvious characteristics but the other things boiling under the surface. I enjoyed this book even more than Graceling, which says something right there. There were so many different things going on in the book that I could never tell where the plot was headed. It was full of surprises, laughs, and love but also a cruelty that could make you cringe. An amazing novel!

For fans of: Graceling, Mistwood, Devil's Kiss, Twilight

Happy Valentines! + Interview with Carrie Jones!!

Happy Valentines Day, everyone! What a great day to curl up with one of Carrie Jones's awesome books, Need or Captivate? I know I love them both, and I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who do. So, in honour of Valentines Day, the not-so-long-ago release of Captivate, and Carrie Jones's awesome book tour, I am thrilled to share with you my interview with this awesome and original paranormal fantasy author! ENJOY!


1. Your pixies are very original! Was there anything that sort of inspired you to create them this way?

I was at the Common Ground Fair, which is this huge, cool fair in Maine that’s sponsored by Maine Organic Farmers and Growers Association (MOFGA). To get to the main part of the fair you have to walk through this sweet trail that curves through these tall spruce trees.
Right in front of me was this guy. He had a weird vibe. He was wearing all corduroy – blazer, pants. And sticking out from his blazer was this long tail-like appendage that was wrapped in different colored earth-toned cloth. I guess he could tell I was checking him out because he turned his head and looked at me. His eye was this startling silver color. How startling? So startling that I actually gasped and got creeped out.
Then when we were in line to pay we made eye contact again and his eyes were brown.
I know! I know! I probably imagined the silver eye color.
It doesn’t matter. That was one of the main things that got me started. Then, I just had this image of a man standing outside an airport pointing at an airplane this girl was on.
It also creeped me out.
So, I started writing.

2. What is the biggest thing you stumble on as far as writing goes? The passage of time, building relationships, etc.?

I write way too many love scenes because it’s my favorite thing to write and then my editor makes me cut 3/4s of them out and I cry because it’s like I’m eradicating love. I am so sad.
shakes head at self

3. Is there any particular cure for writersblock you like?

I use improv techniques to stop being blocked. Really. And then I just write and tell myself it is okay if it totally stinks, that I can always delete it. I also sometimes switch projects for a day. That way I don’t feel like a slacker.

4. Is there any one writer you look up to?

Oh man. I look up to pretty much everyone. I’m always like, “Wow. Look at what Libba Bray did here or Geeze Louise, check out Sherman Alexie’s sentence structure. Or – Oh my, did you SEE – DID YOU SEE – what M. T. Anderson did with this character. Holy Toledo.”

Yes, I talk like a 1950s sitcom mom when inspired by other authors. It’s terribly embarrassing.

In person, Kathi Appelt, Time Wynne Jones, Rita Williams Garcia, Sharon Darrow , Cynthia Leitich Smith and Lisa Jahn Clough made me believe in myself enough to do this. They are brilliant cheerleaders/writers/therapists/teachers/humans.

5. Are your characters ever inspired by people you know?

All the time. Seriously, if you know me I am so likely to take a tiny piece of you and put it into a book. If you’re my love interest it is pretty much a given that you’re going to show up. 6. Do you have any advice for young writers?

Oh my gosh (Oh no, I am sounding like a 1950s mom again), I think that everyone has their own paths to follow and there’s no one set way to be a writer but the essentials are probably:

1. To be a writer you need to actually write. Lots of people don’t. They just talk about it a lot.

2. Try to write a little bit every day. Writing is a job and it’s a skill. The more you do, usually the better you get.

3. Even though it’s a job and skill it should still be fun. It should be a passion. Life is no fun if you are stuck doing something you hate.

4. So, try to live the craziest, fullest, most awesome life you can. It will make your writing way better. Plus, you’ll seem cool. Just remember to wear deodorant while you do it because sometimes crazy, full, awesome lives make you sweat a little and smelling bad? Smelling bad stinks.


You can find more info about Carrie, her books, and the awesome tour by clicking here.

News

Hi, everyone! You have got to let me know what you think about my new layout. Please keep in mind that I did it using my desktop that has a wide monitor so things may show up longer on yours but I'm afraid there's nothing I can do about that. =(
Also, guess what! ITS SNOWING! No kidding, its snowing here, in South Georgia. It hasn't snowed this much since 1985! I loooovvvveeee it! =P

Hope your all enjoying February!

Much love,
Arya

Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Mistwood by Leah Cypess 5 of 5 stars.
To be released by HarperTeen May 2010.

Isabel is a shape-shifter. She knows--deep in her soul--that she exists only to protect the king. But she can't remember how. Thrust into the dangerous world of the court, Isabel must uncover her past, separate her heart's truth from her magic's legend, and, above all, keep the unbearably handsome new king safe. Even if protecting him means disaster for her. (From book)

Mistwood is the kind of story that takes your breath away. Original, intense, and supernaturally capable of showing human emotions for what they are, it is a story to remember. I couldn't help but fall in love with the characters. Rokan and his sister Clarisse above the others. Leah Cypess is an amazing author who brilliantly kept me in suspense from the first page all the way to the last. Isabel was such an interesting character. She was harsh and at the same time had an innocence to her that seemed almost impossible. This is a thoroughly engrossing story that I promise any fantasy lover, will cherish.

For fans of: Kristen Cashore, Graceling, Prophecy of the Sisters, Cry of the Icemark

Waiting on Wednesday!

What am I waiting on this week?
The Princess and the Snowbird by Mette Ivie Harrison!

From the author of The Princess and the Hound and The Princess and the Bear comes a companion novel that stands alone, filled with romance and captivating fantasy. Liva is the daughter of the hound and the bear, heir to all her royal parents’ magic and able to transform into any animal she wishes. Jens is an outcast, a boy without magic, determined to make his way in the forest. Though they are as different as night and day, from the time their paths first cross they are irresistibly drawn to each other.But a terrible threat is stalking all who hold magic: the Hunter, bent on destruction. Aided by a magnificent snowbird, Liva and Jens must figure out how to save the humans and animals terrorized by the Hunter, as well as magic itself. If they fail, all will be lost—but if they succeed, they could finally be together at last.

I'm dying to read this because I'm a huge fan of Mette Ivie Harrison. Her stories are always wonderful. Plus, the cover is simply GORGEOUS!!

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap 2 of 5 stars.

The life of a Russian princess rests in the hands of her secret love
For Anastasia Romanov, life as the daughter of Russia's last tsar is about to be torn apart by the violence of revolution. Ousted from the Imperial Palace when the Bolsheviks seized control, Anastasia and her family are exiled to Siberia as the rebels determine their future. But even while their captivity stretches out and the threat to their lives grows more menacing, romance quietly blossoms between Anastasia and a sympathetic guard named Sasha. Will their secret love be enough to help her and her family avoid the firing squad? Inspired by the mysteries that have long surrounded the fate of Russia's last princess, this is a compelling and romantic vision of what might have been.

I was extremely excited to read Anastasia's Secret having been intrigued by Anastasia Romanov for quite some time, but I was sadly disappointed. While Susanne Dunlap's prose was nice, the story wasn't able to hold my attention. It lacked suspense. There were a few scenes that I enjoyed and I think were done well but on the whole the book wasn't very interesting. I think Susanne Dunlap is a good writer and the initial plot was a great idea but I feel she could have done more with it. The characters were well laid, but the action, I feel was not. I kept hoping toward some sort of surprise as I got closer to the end but it never came. The author left off the real ending to the story, in my opinion, and left us with what is known through historical evidence which wasn't very satisfying. It was like there was no point in reading about this secret life of Anastasia's if we weren't able to see how it could have ended. I would I liked to read something entirely fictitious and then be told how it really happened. But that is just me. I'm sure some of historical fiction readers might fall head-over-heals for this novel, but I did not.

New Releases

There are tons of books coming out today! I thought I'd share them with you. They all look really interesting and there is alot of cover-love going on right now. ^^


Eleventh Grade Burns (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod #4) by Heahter Bruer


Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta


Gone (Wake Series, Book 3) by Lisa McMann


Token of Darkness by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes


Stella Stands Alone by A. Lafaye


And here are some coming out in paperback tomorrow as well!

Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix


Parties & Potions by Sarah Mlynowski


Raven by Allison Van Diepen


Tencer Morsels by Margo Lanagan


These all look really great!

Much love,
Arya

Carrie Jones

Hiya, everyone! I know there are a ton of you out there who are fans of Need and Captivate by the wonderful Carrie Jones. I'm one myself! Well, she is on tour right now so I thought I would share with you this awesome website for her and her books. You can find out loads of stuff on there and its really cute. To check it out click here.

By the way, I have an interview with Carrie Jones coming up soon on my blog. Keep a lookout for it to be posted around Valentines Day!! =)

Much love,
Arya

Beautiful Creatures Video

Okay, so you all know I'm a huge fan of Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. So, I decided to make a little video for it. Please keep in mind I'm not very good at making these video yet, but I have fun doing it. Sorry about the funky Gone with the Wind flashbacks, that was the best I could come up with, though I do totally see Macon as a Rhett Butler type. =)





Also, if you come to by the blog and everything looks all haywire, I totally apologize. I'm trying to change my layout to a three part thingy, which means taking everything apart and putting it back together. Just come back later and hopefully it'll be fixed.

Much love,
Arya

28 Days of Winter Escapes: Q&A with Frewin Jones!

What better way to stay warm on a blistery February day then with a good book?

HarperTeen is hosting an awesome promotion where they will be giving away a signed book every day in the month of February and releasing an exclusive Q&A with the author to be posted on that day's partnered blog. Check out HarperTeen's 28 Days of Winter Escapes Book-a-Day Giveaway here!

I am proud to say that I am hosting the Q&A with Frewin Jones for you all today! I have been a fan of Mr. Jones for years now, being completely entranced by his wonderful Faerie Path and Warrior Princess Series. To win a signed copy of the 5th installment to the beloved Faerie Path Series, The Enchanted Quest by Frewin Jones check out today's giveaway here! (Trust me, its pure awesomeness!)

Now, here is the exclusive interview with Allan Frewin Jones!

1. Tania faces a number of challenges throughout this series—how do you handle the stress of large challenges?


It’s said that the longest journey begins with but a single step. That’s how I deal with stressful challenges: by taking them one step at a time. I find the best way to deal with large, stressful challenges is to cut them up into smaller, less stressful challenges—then deal with them individually. Like, when I begin a new book, I don’t think of the whole mountainous journey that lies ahead of me—I give myself lesser obstacles, like getting to the end of chapter one—then getting to the end of chapter two. And on difficult days, I just think of how to get to the end of a paragraph or a scene, and I take a time-out when I get there as a reward.

2. Which of Tania’s love interests would you be more drawn to? The faerie Edric or mortal Connor?

I’m not entirely sure I’m the best person to judge this one, but I’ll give it a try. When it comes down to it, it’s really a question of whether a person is attracted to the known or the unknown—to relative safety or potential danger, to the commonplace or the stupendous. Tania has known Connor most of her life; this does not mean she can read him like a book, but it means she has a reasonably good idea of what he is like—thus, going with Connor would be the comfortable, safe option. But Edric—he’s another thing entirely. She has only known him a few months, he has lied to her and duped her and was the instrument of a man who wanted Tania for his own ends. He comes from an entirely different world and has lived for over five hundred years, so although he is actually only seventeen, he has an accumulation of knowledge and life that is way beyond what Tania has experienced in her sixteen years. The fear in Edric’s case would be of entirely losing yourself in him—like a plunge from a cliff top into an unknown ocean. So, do you trust in his love and do you feel willing to take that plunge? I’d like to think I would. It might be terrifying, but it will be one wild ride!


3. What would be your ideal first date?

Dinner for two in a really great restaurant. It would be long and leisurely, and the table would be on a veranda under a starry summer sky, with a river flowing past just a few feet away. Then, after the meal, we’d take a moonlit stroll along the river embankment and over a bridge or two. We would just talk the night away, and then we’d find a bench by the river and sit there to watch the sun come up.


4. In your mind, how can you tell when you’re meant to be with someone?

The poets say that love enters through the eyes. Of course, once love has arrived, it has a whole lot of other things to take note of, but that first sight of someone special holds the key to the whole business. I first saw my life partner across a crowded room, dressed all in black, with black hair and a stunningly attractive face. I asked a friend to go find out who this amazing person was. I didn’t actually know I was in love for a few days—I was just lightning-struck and a bit dizzy. We met four or five times before moving in together. We’ve been together now for eighteen years. Sometimes it is just right, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it happening.


5. What real-world spot have you been to that’s closest to Avalon?

I would have to say the high cliffs of Tintagel on the north Cornish coast. It has strong connections to the legend of King Arthur. There has been a castle there for hundreds of years, windswept, ruinous now, rising high above the waves that come crashing in against the rocky cliffs. Seagulls wheel and cry and occasionally the dark, sleek heads of seals emerge watchfully from the surf. There is a cave on the shore—Merlin’s Cave, some people call it—or simply the Wizard’s Cave. I have been in there and felt a huge presence close by—whether human, animal, or pure spirit, I couldn’t say. The high ridges of Tintagel can only be approached by a long precarious walk across narrow wooden bridges and up flights of uneven stone steps that take you to vertiginous heights above the sea. Whenever I go there I make my way to the very edge of the cliff, where plates of slate jut out over the sea, and I sit there and gaze across to the horizon, listening to the ancient voices of the world and forgetting all earthbound things. On a warm summer’s day, I could sit there forever. One day, maybe I shall.

Waiting on Wednesday

Perchance to Dream: Theatre Illuminata #2 by Lisa Mantchev
To be released May 2010

We are such stuff as dreams are made on.

Act Two, Scene One

Growing up in the enchanted Thèâtre Illuminata, Beatrice Shakespeare Smith learned everything about every play ever written. She knew the Players and their parts, but she didn’t know that she, too, had magic. Now, she is the Mistress of Revels, the Teller of Tales, and determined to follow her stars. She is ready for the outside world.

Enter BERTIE AND COMPANY

But the outside world soon proves more topsy-turvy than any stage production. Bertie can make things happen by writing them, but outside the protective walls of the Thèâtre, nothing goes as planned. And her magic cannot help her make a decision between—

Nate: Her suave and swashbuckling pirate, now in mortal peril.

Ariel: A brooding, yet seductive, air spirit whose true motives remain unclear.

When Nate is kidnapped and taken prisoner by the Sea Goddess, only Bertie can free him. She and her fairy sidekicks embark on a journey aboard the Thèâtre’s caravan, using Bertie’s word magic to guide them. Along the way, they collect a sneak-thief, who has in his possession something most valuable, and meet The Mysterious Stranger, Bertie’s father—and the creator of the scrimshaw medallion. Bertie’s dreams are haunted by Nate, whose love for Bertie is keeping him alive, but in the daytime, it’s Ariel who is tantalizingly close, and the one she is falling for. Who does Bertie love the most? And will her magic be powerful enough to save her once she enters the Sea Goddess’s lair?


I for one am absolutely dying to get my hands on this, and I'm sure many of you are too. Who isn't waiting for the second book to the wonderful Eyes Like Stars? Lisa Mantchev is an amazingly hilarious writer, and she weaves a story so magically. I love the theatre and these books put it in an even crazier and funnier light than it normally is in reality (and if you've ever been backstage you know that's sometimes a hard thing to do!). Plus the cover is gorgeous and I've been waiting on a cliffhanger far to long.

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran

Nefertiti by Michelle Moran 5 of 5 stars.



Nefertiti and her younger sister, Mutnodjmet, have been raised in a powerful family that has provided wives to the rulers of Egypt for centuries. Ambitious, charismatic, and beautiful, Nefertiti is destined to marry Amunhotep, an unstable young pharaoh. It is hoped that her strong personality will temper the young ruler's heretical desire to forsake Egypt's ancient gods.

From the moment of her arrival in Thebes, Nefertiti is beloved by the people but fails to see the powerful priests are plotting against her husband's rule. The only person brave enough to warn the queen is her younger sister, yet remaining loyal to Nefertiti will force Mutnodjmet into a dangerous political game; one that could cost her everything she holds dear.



Nefertiti is historical fiction at its best. Michelle Moran blew me away in Cleopatra's Daughter and she has done the same here. Her great attention to detail, mind frames, and the culture of these people will sweep you away to Ancient Egypt.

At first I was a bit critical about the fact that she chose to write it from Mutnodjmet's point of view rather than Nefertiti's, but in the end I think it worked out for the best. You get a view of the young queen from the people who were closest to her. While infuriating at times, I did enjoy the strength of her character. On the other hand, Amunhotep came across as completely insane. Which, from what I've read in history, is probably true. Michelle Moran did an amazing job with this novel. I think anyone could enjoy it, and perhaps even learn something from it.




For fans of: Michelle Moran, Staton Rabin, Esther Friesner

Contest Winner!

-Drum roll, please!- *Fanfare sounds*
Many congratulations go to Justine for winning the ARC copy of The Girl with the Mermaid Hair by Delia Ephron! I'll be sending you an email shortly.

For those of you who didn't win, don't worry. There will be more contests in the near future. And hey, just check out the 28 Days of Winter Escapes! (Last Post)




Much love,
Arya

28 Days of Winter Escapes!

Today starts the first day of HarperTEEN's 28 Days of Winter Escapes Book-a-Day Giveaway! It will continue for the entire month of February! Every day they will be giving away an awesome book title. All you have to do is vote on the pole for a chance to win. They will be giving away other awesomeness. On top of that, each day a blog will be hosting a special little something with the author of that day's book! I'm proud to say that A Sea of Pages will be hosting day 4.

The site is totally cool too, they did a great job with it. You can browse inside the books, send ecard, "Ask the Magic Snowglobe" and take cool V-Day inspired quizes. Check it out here! And don't forget to come back on February 4th to check out my EXCLUSIVE Q&A with Faerie Path author Frewin Jones!