Cover VS Cover: Numbers

US//UK

Earlier this week I posted my review of Numbers 2: The Chaos, the sequel to Rachel Wards fantastic Numbers, and so this week, it features in Cover VS Cover.

I only recently discovered the US cover art and I have to say that it is every part as striking and brilliant as the UK cover. I love the numbers used in the background and the placement of the eye. Also I think the 8 is clever in the place of the B in the title - little things like that always seem to amuse me...

But there's just something about the UK cover. The placement of the title, how it's so simplistic and yet effective. The use of numbers in the place of letters is even more clever and I love that the image appears in the title. I think that it makes for a more striking image.

So this week, I'm afraid I have to go with the UK. I love the cover and it looks amazing on my bookshelf.

What do you think?

NEWS: Becca Fitzpatrick Announces Third Hush, Hush Book!

Today, Becca Fitzpatrick, author of Hush, Hush and it's upcoming sequel, Crescendo, announced that fans can now look forward to a third book in the series. Tempest will be released next Auntumn!

I for one am quite excited about this. I really enjoyed Hush, Hush and am eagerly anticipating Crescendo which is released in little over a months time (14th October).

Becca said: "This past summer, I had a long chat with my agent, and told her I'd written up a daring proposal for a third book in the series, and wanted her to submit it to my editor. I was just as nervous during this submission as I was with HUSH, HUSH, waiting for her answer and fearing she'd hate the proposal...but...she was crazy about it. And so in August, I began writing TEMPEST, the third installment in the HUSH, HUSH series. I can't say much about it yet, since I'm only about a third of the way through the first draft, but I will say that it's shaping up to be all kinds of things I love: Twisty-turny, full of suspense, a little creepy, and most of all, there are some pretty electric scenes between Patch and Nora."

Can't wait! You can read Becca's full blog entry here.

The Looking Glass Wars [Review]

Written by: Frank Beddor.

Published by: Egmont Books.

Format: Paperback.

Released:

Rating: 4/5.

Official synopsis: "Alyss, born in Wonderland, is destined to be a warrior queen. After a bloody coup topples the Heart regime, Alyss is exiled to another world entirely, where she is adopted into a new family, renamed Alice and befriended by Lewis Carroll. At age 20 she returns to Wonderland to battle Redd and lead Wonderland into its next golden age of imagination."

I don't think I've read such a weird book in a long time - and I love it. I found this book utterly gripping and very refreshing. 

I think the concept is the most captivating thing within this book. It is just so fantastic. Princess Alyss Heart is sent to the real world to protect her, she is made to forget of Wonderland, and years later she returns to the world she has forgot. It makes for some very entertaining reading.


The sheer imagination Beddor has used when creating this version of Wonderland is mind-boggling. The man deserves a medal, that's for sure. The imagery is quite simply amazing. The characters are fantastically imagined and created.  Alyss, Redd, General Doppleganger (who can split into two to become General Dopple and General Ganger), Hatter Madigan are all based on the characters created by Lewis Carol but with fantastic twists that make them brand new (and original) characters. 


I cannot stress just how amazing this book is. Gripping, written with consumate skill, I cannot wait to see what happens next in Seeing Redd! You seriously need to pick up this book!


My thanks to Jenny at Egmont for my copy!

Lies [Review]

Written by: Michael Grant.

Published by: Egmont Books.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 6th September 2010.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "It happens in one night: a girl who died now walks among the living, Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach, and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most - Drake. But Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness - or so they thought. As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake. And the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza, are preaching that death will set them all free. As life in the FAYZ becomes more desperate, no one knows who they can trust."

I found Gone, the first book in this series slightly hard to get into. But I dove into the second book, Hunger, which I loved. Lies... Well, I wouldn't say I dove in. More that I was pulled in. 

This book is stunning. Quite simply stunning. A massive plot. Fantastic, addictive writing. The characters are just a brilliant (albeit it weird for some) as ever and hurtles along at breakneck speed. It was certainly an intense reading experience.

It seems that the series is getting darker each book, something that leaves me wondering just what is to come! The book opens with a bang and is a metaphorical series of explosions leading to the fantastic conclusion of the book. It has left me eagerly anticipating the fourth book in the series, Plague, publishing early next year.


I know I've said it before but I have to praise the design team at Egmont for the design of this series. It's just brilliant. Very eye catching and effective. I like that when you take the dustjacket off, the book is still definable as a member of this series, with the logo on the front and spine. Very cool.

If you haven't read these books, please do! Now is the ideal opportunity so you're all caught up in time for Plague!


My thanks to Jenny at Egmont for my copy!

News: Malorie Blackman Sugar Competition

Malorie Blackman, author of the Noughts and Crosses series among others, is gearing up to release her brand new book, Boys Don't Cry. Have a look for yourself to see how amazing it sounds...

"You’re waiting for the postman--he’s bringing your A level results. University, a career as a journalist--a glittering future lies ahead. But when the doorbell rings it’s your old girlfriend; and she’s carrying a baby. You’re fine to look after it, for an hour or two, while she does some shopping. Then she doesn’t come back and your future suddenly looks very different. Malorie’s dramatic new novel will take you on a journey from tears to laughter and back again."

Sounds amazing, huh? Well, to celebrate the launch of the book, out in October, Sugar Magazine are running a competition for someone and ten (10) friends to win a writing masterclass with Malorie in your local branch of Pizza Express! How cool does that sound? You can find out more, and enter here. 

Waiting On Wednesday (8): Reckless

Reckless by Cornelia Funke.

Published by: Chicken House.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 14th September 2010

Amazon UK - Amazon US

Official synopsis: "For the first time in his life, Jacob Reckless is afraid. For years he's stolen across to another world. A dark enchanted place he's loved for its treasure, secrets and dangers. Until now. Will, his younger brother, has followed him with terrible consequences: The boy will turn to beast; the girl he loves will break her hert and chaos will rule forever, unless Jacob can spin a fairytale to save them .."

This sounds absolutely fantastic and how amazing does that cover look? It's haunting and yet evokes some curiosity. And I'm told by people that are lucky enough to have a copy that it's shiny. Ooh. Looking forward to reading this!