Book Review: Dark Inside by Jeyn Roberts

★★★★★

Hardcover:336 pages
Readig Level: Young Adult
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (November 1, 2011)

Since mankind began, civilizations have always fallen: the Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs…Now it’s our turn. Huge earthquakes rock the world. Cities are destroyed. But something even more awful is happening. An ancient evil has been unleashed, turning everday people into hunters, killers, crazies.

Mason's mother is dying after a terrible car accident. As he endures a last vigil at her hospital bed, his school is bombed and razed to the ground, and everyone he knows is killed. Aries survives an earthquake aftershock on a bus, and thinks the worst is over when a mysterious stranger pulls her out of the wreckage, but she’s about to discover a world changed forever. Clementine, the only survivor of an emergency town hall meeting that descends into murderous chaos, is on the run from savage strangers who used to be her friends and neighbors. And Michael witnesses a brutal road rage incident that is made much worse by the arrival of the police--who gun down the guilty party and then turn on the bystanding crowd.

Where do you go for justice when even the lawmakers have turned bad? These four teens are on the same road in a world gone mad. Struggling to survive, clinging on to love and meaning wherever it can be found, this is a journey into the heart of darkness – but also a journey to find each other and a place of safety.



WOW. WOW. WOW! Did I mention: WOW? Dark Inside was just awesome, awesome, AWESOME! 2011 has definitely been the year for dystopian novels and so far I have read some pretty amazing ones including Blood Red Road, Divergent, and The Hunger Games. But Jeyn Roberts writes a novel that is unlike any I have read so far. Told from 4 different POVs, Roberts explores the world as it falls to pieces. Unlike other dystopian novels recently, Roberts explores the during and after of the end-of-the-world situation, not just the after. Personally, I thought this was amazing (sorry for the lack of words here but it is just AMAZING!). The multiple POVs showed that there were not just one hero in this devastation, but multiple. The characters were so real and interesting I found myself dreaming about them while I was awake or asleep. I was sad when I couldn’t find time to finish and when I did get to read it I was lost in the world of Dark Inside.

First, the cover art is just brilliant. Honestly, while searching on Amazon, when I came upon the book, it was the cover art that drew me in and it was the summary and the preview that persuaded me to buy this book. I didn’t even bother to read anything about the book- call it instinct, but I just knew this book just had to be great! And I sure was right.

Of the four characters, I think Aries hasto be my favorite. I’d like to think that if I were ever in that circumstance I would be able to become the leader and worry about everyone else beside myself. She took control when there was no hope of security and tried to make the horrible situation at least half-way decent. Mason is just a really sweet guy. After loosing his mother, I really thought he would just ended up killing himself or eventually turn into a Bagger himself. He lost everything he had. After finally being able to trust people again and then having them ripped away from him was just so sad. Michael was…interesting. I felt he was one of the realest characters. Even though he was faced with the decision of dying with his group or saving himself own would have thought he would have stayed and try to find a way to beat the Bagger and save his friend Evens and the woman with her sick child, but the fact that he ran away and tried to save at least himself- well I thought that was the most human a character has ever acted. Clementine was so determined to find her brother, it was awesome to see how her mind worked in trying to travel a monster infested world when there was little hope of any survival. Roberts characters were each different and I really couldn’t pick which was more brave. These teens were throw into a world that wanted to rip them to shreds and Roberts was able to psychologically dig into each one of their subconscious that give us characters that each had different goals and feels while stuck in the same world.

I loved the idea of this evil and how the world was cleansing itself. Roberts even gave us instances where this might have actually have happened. The Romans, the Greeks, the Aztecs, all leaders of their time and each fell. It is almost like Roberts is suggesting that no matter how much we grow, sometimes the world cannot take the evil and then we need to be cleansed. The idea that others turned “evil” while others were spared was so fascinating, but also it was like even though they were somewhat safe from this “evil” they too held some of it within them. I just thought the psyche of that was just brilliant!

Roberts delivery was spectacular. I never felt out of the loop and the additional view from “Nothing” lets the reader into the mind of those turned. I thought Roberts choice from the multiple POVs was spectacular and the fact that they all met up in the end was just great!

I read that there was going to be a sequel and I so hope that’s true because I am DYING to read what happened next. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE… this book! Simon & Schuster has defiantly been publishing some of the most amazing dystopian novels ever. First Blood Red Road and now Dark Inside. I am defiantly loving this year!

If you haven’t read this book yet I really have no idea what you are waiting for. Go- go get a copy now. I serious!

Where to find Jeyn Roberts:
Twitter: @JeynRoberts
Amazon: Jeyn Roberts Author Page
Facebook: Jeyn Roberts
Good Reads: Jeyn Roberts
YouTube: Dark Inside Trailer
Author Website: JeynRoberts
Simon & Schuster: Jeyn Roberts Author

Author Interview: Nicole Storey

After becoming a “Twitter fanatic” over the past few months, I have had the honor of meeting a myriad of different people with whom I have much in common, and have become friends with. One such person is YA/MG author, Nicole Storey of Grimsley Hollow: The Chosen One. Over a very short time, I have had the pleasure of getting to know Ms. Storey and I can say with all my heart that she is genuinely a wonderful and kind person. Ms. Storey has been extremely supportive and was gracious enough to answer a few questions as a guest on KniteTales and I am quite grateful she agreed. Please welcome, Nicole Storey:

Nicole Storey during her favorite time of year, Holloween.

1) What inspired you to write "Grimsley Hollow"?

A: “Grimsley Hollow” started out as a hobby. As a stay-at-home mom, I realized that I didn’t have something that I could do that was “all mine” and no one else's. I began writing because I wanted to do something for myself.

2) What is your workspace like?

A: My office is usually pretty neat. I have two fish tanks in there (a 150 gallon and a 30 gallon), and with all of the filters going, it sounds like it is raining all the time; very peaceful. My desk, on the other hand, can get very unorganized, especially when I am editing! I’m the type of person who can’t work in chaos, so I try to keep everything as neat as I can.

3) What is a typical day in your life?

A: A typical day for me is waking at 6am to get the kids ready for school. After that, I do a bit of cleaning or running errands, and then I write. I go into my study, turn on some music, and let myself enter another world. It is the best job in the world! After my kids get home from school, I help them with their homework, cook dinner, and then I try to spend some time with my family. Our favorite thing to do is have “Movie Night” where I pop popcorn and we turn all the lights off and cuddle on the couch to watch a dvd or I read to my kids.

4) What are three of your favorite authors? And do they inspire your writing?

A: I have a lot of authors that I enjoy reading. Right now, one of my favorite series is “The Hollows” by Kim Harrison and yes, she does inspire me. I love the way Kim always has time for her fans. She answers questions, whether it be about her writing or helping others with their own writing. She hasn’t forgot about the very people who got her where she is today and I respect that about her. So many other authors forget about the fans once they reach a certain point in their careers.

5) Do you have any rituals or habits that you do when writing?

A: I always have to have some sort of music playing in the background and a cup of coffee by my hand.

6) Do you listen to music while writing? If so, what kind?

A: Yes! I like instrumental music, usually Manheim Steamroller or some other spooky tunes.


7) What is your preferred drink or snack that is a must have when you write?

A: I must have coffee!!! I am a coffee addict!

8) What is your favorite genre to read and write?

A: I write middle grade fantasy with a touch of paranormal and I love to read fantasy and paranormal, too. I also enjoy books that deal with people in impossible situations such as dystopian genres. Really, I like all kinds of books except romance and erotica.

9) What can of books can we expect from you in the future? Anything unrelated to the series you are writing?

A: I do have an idea for a horror/thriller book that I am thinking of and also a children’s book. However, my next book will be in the “Grismley Hollow” series.

10) If you could change anything about your book, what would you change?

A: I plan to do some revisions in my first book to clarify changes in different point-of-views. Other than that, I love my book just the way it is.

11) Who is your favorite author?

A: My favorite author of all time is C.S. Lewis. His works instilled in me the love of reading and books when I was a child.

12) What was the hardest part to write?

A: The hardest part of writing for me is editing. It is hard to edit your own work, but having the help of beta readers makes it go a little easier.

13) What did you do to get yourself in the mindset to write everyday?

A: I love to write, so it isn’t hard for me to get in that mindset. I always have ideas for my characters running through my head. I live in Grimsley Hollow almost 24/7! LOL!

14) What is your favorite part about the book?

A: I think my favorite part is when Gage blames himself for Siren’s kidnapping and the dragon explains to him why he shouldn’t. Too many times in our lives, we blame ourselves for things that are beyond our control. It is a good lesson to learn.

15) Do you outline your story?

A: I didn’t with my first book and I wish that I had. I do have an outline for the one I am working on now. The story doesn’t always stay with what I have on my outline, but it is a good base to have and I always come back to it. A lot of times, my characters take on a life of their own and I have no choice but to follow them and see where it leads.

16) If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

A: J.K. Rowling. Her personal story will always be an inspiration to me and she showed me that if I a person really wants to write, then they shouldn’t let anything keep them from their dream.

17) What book are you reading now?

A: Right now, I am not reading anything because my children have been sick (both are scheduled for surgeries this month), but I read several over the past couple of weeks, including “Keiko’s House” by Hugh Ashton, K.L. Nappier’s “Full Wolf Moon” series, and “Cicada” by Belle Whittington. I plan on starting M. Edward McNally’s “Norothian Cycle” series as soon as I get a moment.



18) Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

A: Oh yes! K.L. Nappier, Erik Gustafson, Stephen Hise, Kristina Jackson, Belle Whittington, William G. Jones, TW Brown, and many others! Most of the new authors I have discovered belong to a book club that I am a member of on Facebook called “Book Junkies”. Indie authors have really turned my head these days and it is nice to go outside of the box of “traditional writers” and find new and exciting books to read. There are so many talented Indie writers out there! For those who are interested, you can find many wonderful books here: https://www.facebook.com/BookJunkiesLibrary

19) What are your current projects?

A: Right now, I am working on the second book in the “Grimsley Hollow” series called “The Search For Siren”. Next month, I will also start a revision on my first book to polish it up a bit.

20) Can you share a little of your work to come?

A: In the second “Grimsley Hollow” book, Siren (a werewolf and Gage’s best friend) has been taken hostage by the evil witch, Inari. He and his friends are on a quest to rescue him before he is turned into a wolf forever and forgets all of his human traits.

21)Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

A: I learned that I still have a lot to learn, especially in the publishing and marketing business! I also learned not to give up hope and to keep working towards my goals because all the hard work will pay off in the end. My son taught me that. He is the main character in the “Grimsley Hollow” book and he has autism and Tourette’s syndrome.

22) Do you have any advice for other writers?

A: Read, read, read!!! The more you read, the more you learn about writing. Also, what has helped me the most is joining a book club, such as Book Junkies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ginniefrancesreadingroup/ There are many writers, beta readers, and reviewers in this club and they offer excellent advice and will give you honest opinions on your work. Lastly, when you think you have your book finished, edit it one more time or get someone else to read over it for you. Beta readers are very important, as they catch those mistakes that the writer will most likely miss on their own.


23) Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

A: Yes! I have just been signed with Inknbeans Press (www.inknbeans.com)!!! I am so happy about this news! It is so reassuring to have a company such as this supporting me in my writing career!

24) Who designed your cover art?

A: Caludia from Phatpuppy Art (www.phatpuppyart.com). She is THE BEST digital artist out there today, in my opinion! She has designed covers for authors such as Amanda Hocking, S.E. Gordon, Jason Letts and many others.

25) When did you realize you wanted to write/ become a writer?

A: I have always loved to write, but have always hated printing! I hold my pens/pencils in a weird way that causes my hand to cramp up after about an hour. When I was 13 years old, I got a type writer for Christmas and it opened a whole new world for me.

26) As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And have you accomplished that?

A: For a long time, I wanted to be a marine biologist. I love the ocean and all the animals that live there. They fascinate me! But, life has a way of taking you down different roads instead of the ones you plan for yourself. I’m very glad it did.



Random questions:
If aliens landed in front of you and, in exchange for anything you desire, offered you any position on their planet, what would you want?

A: I would ask them for a cure for diseases that plague our world right now; autism and cancer being the first two.

If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?

A: I would love to be a character in “The Chronicles of Narnia” or perhaps Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter books.

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

A: Sandra Bullock! LOL! She is one of my favorite actresses and can always make me laugh.

If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

A: I think it would be fun to fly! Oh, and of course have the power to produce amazing works of literature!

If you were a type of food, what type of food would you be?

A: Wow, that’s a hard one! Probably corn bread because it goes with anything down here in the south! LOL!

I can be reached at these places:

Twitter: @Nicole_Storey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolestoreyfans

Blog: nicolestorey.wordpress.com

My book, “Grimsley Hollow-The Chosen One” is available in paperback and e-book at places such as Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble.


I'd like to say a big thank you to Ms. Storey for being a part of my first interview here at KniteTales! Also, CONGRATS on getting signed! I am thrilled to have met such a wonderful person and have been able to read her book.
I hope you all enjoyed this interview and don't forget to comment below.

Book Review: An Abundance of Katharines

John Green

★★★★★

Reading level: Ages 12 and up
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Dutton Books (Imprint of Penguin Group USA)

An Abundance of Katharines tells the story of noted child prodigy Colin Singleton. Colin had dated 19 girls, all named Katharine- not Katie, or Kat, or Kitty, or Cathy, or Rynn, or Trina, or Kay, or Kate or, God forbid, Catherine. But K-A-T-H-E-R-I-N-E. And now K-19 has broken his heart. One a road trip to nowhere in particular with his Judge Judy loving, overweight best friend, Colin sets out of a mission to prove the Theorem of Underlying Katharine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, average Dumpees everwhere, and finally win him the girl.

An Abundance of Katharines has to one of the funniest, most brilliant stories I have ever read. John Green creates a cast of characters that are funny, smart, and very memorable. There is actually nothing that I didn’t love about this book- it was that good! I loved Colin, and by the end of the book I wish I knew someone like him. I liked the idea that this was not just about him proving a theorem or getting over a girl. This story really explored Colin as a person, who he was and what he wanted- which was, overall, to be remembered, to not be forgotten. Everyone wants that.

I quickly found out while I was reading this book that with it's an original concept, this was a laugh-out-loud funny story, complete with satire, and an American road trip that's unlike any road trip I ever took! I loved Colin’s view on the world and I can very much relate to his ability to not being able to talk with people. Honestly, even that is a skill I have yet to master. I also loved that I actually learned and remembered things from his novel. Some was trivial to the plot and others were bits of information that Green placed in footnotes that I thought was a most brilliant idea ever! These are things I never knew until I read this book:
1) Fetor hepaticus is a symptom of late-stage liver failure where your breath literally smells like a rotting corpse.
2) The junior senator from New Hampshire in 1873 was Bainbridge Wadleigh.
3) There is absolutely no scientific proof that drinking eight glasses of water a day will improve your health.
4) Dingleberries can be anagrammed into see inbred girl; lie breeds grin; leering debris; greed be nil, sir; be idle re. rings; ringside rebel; and residing rebel.
5) Nikola Tesla did a lot for electricity before Thomas Edison came along and stole some of his ideas, and he also loved pigeons.
6) Sitzpinkler is German slang for “wimp” which literally means “a man who sits to pee”.
7) There is a difference between a genius and a prodigy.

I think as a girl, I was hoping for a bit more romance, but being the tomboy that I am, I loved that it never overflowed with icky heartaches and over the top “love at first sight” crap. During the period of reading this book there was never a moment I was not smiling or laughing- which incidentally got me trouble for laughing in class, but who cares? I usually love just reading fantasy fiction novels, but John Green has shown me that sometimes reality is cool too.  

Hassan is the funniest, always the joker, and it was wonderful to see that not only did Colin progress as a character, but so did Hassan, and Lindsey.

Honestly, I can parttle on and on about how amazing this book it, but then I’d be giving away a lot of spoilers. In short: An Abundance of Katharines is funny, smart, and very entertaining. John Green has a very, to say the least, interesting way of writing that defiantly brings a voice to literaturethat is beyond amazing!
I cannot wait to get my hands on all his other books!

Also, click here if you would like to design the new cover for An Abundace of Katharines- ends November 21st, 2011.

DFTBA- Don't Forget To Be Awesome!


Where to find John Green:
Amazon: John Green Author Page
YouTube: The Vlog Brothers
GoodReads: John Green
Twitter: @realjohngreen
Author Website: John Green Books
Contact Info: Stalk John Green

Books I'm Most Greatful For:

THE GIRL WHO OWNED A CITY

Although I never knew it then, after reading “The Girl Who Owned A City” my taste for books changed. No longer could I stand the mundane challenges of normal characters- I needed action, full blown, killer action. (I’m weird, I know). But yeah, I just loved that book, I still do to this day! O. T. Nelson brought a world that was not like our own and created characters who were strong and dependable. This was a great concept with an amazing delivery. I actually remembered pondering what it would be like if I had to take care of my little sisters. At first it would have felt scary, no? If anything, I think this book gave me an insight on a (well not so possible) possibility the universe can come to and showed me how to be a leader in a time of need. Cheesy, I know, but you gotta love this book!

I am extremely thankful for this book because if not this novel, I don’t think I would have loved reading as much as I do. Well, maybe not all that true, there are lots of AMAZING books out there, but still, it sure helped to have amazing books to read to fuel my book obsession.

So a big thanks to my 5th grade teacher, Ms. Ebert, for allowing me to have read this amazing book. We may not have always saw eye to eye on everthing, but at least one good thing came from your class! (And a "B" not being one of them. *nerd alert* XD)

Enter Beth Revis's book contest.
What book are you most thankful for?

ENTER NOW

Ms. Beth Revis. Awesome picture Ms. Revis!

Win a copy of "THE IRON KNIGHT"

Hey, everyone! If you've every read the Iron Fey serise I have some great news! Win a copy of the Iron Knight (link below).

Giveaway provided by Harlequin Teen via Media Muscle

One copy of The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

Available on November 6, 2011 by Harlequin Teen via Media Muscle

ENTER NOW

Poerty: Can You See Me?



I know this has nothing to do with the poem, but I enjoyed drawing
this and I thought since a fish is silent and so it the feeling
of being invisible, they kinda went together.

Can you see me?
I know others can.
They know my name,
They know who I am.
But do you know who I am?
To some I might be someone,
To some I might be no one,
But who am I to you?
Can you see me?
I do not know.
You might see me as another snowflake upon the snow.
Can you see me?
I different, not the same.
I’m unique, not plain.
Can you see me?
I hope you can.
Can you see me,
For who I am?

Originally, I wrote this in 7^th grade after I read this about a girl who felt like she was invisible. I don’t remember the name of it anymore, but I really liked it and as you can see it inspired me to write a poem. Come to think of it, I haven’t written any poetry in a very long time. Which is sad because I really enjoy it.

Do you enjoy writing poetry? Who’s your favorite poet or which is your favorite poem? Leave me your answers in the comments. Also, if you liked this poem, let me know!

*Please do not steal me work. If you would like to use it, email me  butterflydreams1114@gmail.com <--- I know it's weird =D

Book Review: Hollowland

Amanda Hocking
★★★★★
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 344 KB

Nineteen-year-old Remy King is on a mission to get across the wasteland left of America to find her brother, and nothing will stand in her way - not violent marauders, a spoiled rock star, or an army of flesh-eating zombies.

I had gotten this book some time in September. I had fallen in love with Hocking’s concept and after reading the first few pages, I was hooked on this page. But with the massive amounts of homework from my AP classes I haven’t found any spare time to read lately.

Then, this weekend, I started and I could not stop. I ended up finishing the book in a day! A new record for me!(Sorry this review is so late). But enough about me.

 Hocking has a magnificent way with words. The writing is effortless and so personal, Remy and her companions come alive and are no longer words on paper.

Hollowland is the first in The Hollows series. It begins with zombies tearing down the walls and does not let up. The drive in this book follows Remy, a young girl who is searching for her younger brother, suggested to have been moved to a quarantine. Remy, determined to find him, sets off across a now zombie infest, wasteland of America in search for her brother. She encounters many fantastic and damn real events that will make you hold your breath in anticipation. Her friends are, individually, as crazy as awesome as crazy gets. Not one charcter is repeated and one can find it impossible not to love each one for who they are.
While these events happened (no, I will not tell you what they are), Remy never lost sight of her goal- which for me is a great thing because many books tend to focus on the love story more then the action and Hocking defiantly brought that action. Hocking writes through Remy’s perspective, in a voice unique and so personal, you almost wonder if the author herself has ever been in a zombie infest universe before. I felt the emotions through this book and I have to say it is definitely a new favorite of mine. And I mean look at the cover art- AMAZING!

If you love dystopian novels with powerful female characters and a lot of ass kicking mixed in, (plus a bit of romance to spice things up) you are going to love this book!

A DEFINITELY MUST READ!

Get the free Kindle version here: Hollowland

Where you can find Amanda Hocking: 
Her blog: Amanda Hocking’s Blog
Twitter: @Amanda_Hocking
Amazon: Amanda Hocking
Goodreads: Amanda Hocking

The Book I'm most Greatful For: Blood Red Road

If I 've never said it before: Blood Red Road is my FAVORITE book. I don't have a favorite book. I love the action, the suspense, and the overall effect of a sister looking for her brother, and finding a love for her sister, and perhaps a bit of a romance in this tangled mess. This remindes me of "The Girl Who Owned A City", well not really, but pretty close. I love the feel of this novel and I am really thankful that Moira Young decided to write it.

What book are you most greatful for?

Write a post and leave me a link in the comments.

Also, enter Beth Revis's Grand Giveaway!