Review: The Book of Unholy Mischief

By Elle Newmark

Luciano is a thief. He doesn't have many other options, living on the streets of Venice. But one lucky day he is taken as an apprentice by the doge's chef, who has his own reasons. After Luciano witnesses the doge murdering a peasant - and then pouring liquid down the dead man's throat - he begins questioning Chef Ferrero to find out what's going on.

I enjoyed the setting. The Borgia Pope is in power, the Renaissance is underway . . . it's a time when new knowledge mingled with codified superstition. The city of Venice is pretty interesting itself, and I love touches like the disdain the inhabitants have for the Germans, who drink beer and smoke pork. My only problem is sometimes the characters will say something that takes me out of the setting. Luciano mentions his short childhood, but seems to refer to the post-Victorian version of the concept. Chef Meunier, the former teacher of Chef Ferrero, finishes a statement with, "True story." Now, I liked when Micol Ostow used those same words in GOLDENGIRL - because I thought it was a good use of modern slang. For a brief moment the Frenchman sounded like a teenage girl in my head.

I think I would've been less distracted from the setting if the story had been more absorbing at first. Though it starts with a murder, THE BOOK OF UNHOLY MISCHIEF takes a number of pages to get moving. The first part of the novel tells of Luciano's early life and how he originally spent his time in the kitchen. It takes him awhile to notice the mysteries and intrigues occuring and to become interested.

Chef Ferrero is educated and believes strongly in the power of books. He possesses one that the entire city of Venice is looking for. There are recipes for things other than food. It can be used for a love potion, or darker purposes. And everyone wants it for their own reasons. Even Luciano wants it, to try to win the love of the nun Francesca. (Luciano's love is somewhat grating at points, as it's of the moony, young sort. He's quite passionate about it before even speaking to the girl.)

I love books, I love food, I love intrigue, I love thieves and spies, but THE BOOK OF UNHOLY MISCHIEF didn't quite work for me. Luciano was a charming protagonist, but he was bogged down by the slow beginning. Elle Newmark does offer some answers even at the beginning, since the older, narrating Luciano knows more than the younger one, but the pace still didn't work for me. THE BOOK OF UNHOLY MISCHIEF does play with a number of interesting concepts and does improve once the plot starts rolling.

Review: Eyes Like Stars

Traveling to Teens is a tour event for Young Adult authors of any genre. Visit the T2T website for giveaways and more!

By Lisa Mantchev

Lisa Mantchev grew up in the small Northern California town of Ukiah and can pinpoint her first forays into fiction to the short stories she thumped out on an ancient typewriter. She makes her home on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state with her husband Angel, her daughter Amélie and four hairy miscreant dogs. When not scribbling, she can be found on the beach, up a tree, making jam or repairing things with her trusty glue gun. A list of her short fiction can be found on her authorly website (http://www.lisamantchev.com/) and Eyes Like Stars, her debut novel, is due out in the Summer of 2009 from Feiwel & Friends. You can read more about it at http://www.theatre-illuminata.com/.



Summary:

All the worlds her stage.
Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not an actress, yet she lives in a theater.
She’s not an orphan, but she has no parents. She knows every part, but she has no lines of her own.
Until now.

Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book-an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Bertie is not one of them, but they are her family-and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

Lisa Mantchev has written a debut novel that is dramatic, romantic, and witty with an irresistible and irreverent cast of characters who are sure to enchant the audience.

Open Curtain

Review:

Lisa Mantchev throws you right into the world of the Théâtre Illuminata. It's disorienting at first, until the rules governing Bertie's world become clear. I think it works well though, because it allows the consistency and detail of Mantchev's world to shine through.

I enjoyed this book when I read it. I loved the sweet romance of Nate and Bertie as well as the sexual tension between Ariel and Bertie. (She can have her cake and eat it too, right? Usually I know which guy I want to get the girl but I rather liked both options.) I loved that Mantchev developed Ariel's motivation, because it is the rare villain who can be convincing without a montive other that being evil for the sake of being evil. And it's what Ariel deserves, coming from THE TEMPEST. The play has some thorny moral issues that are only more confused by a post-imperialist reading.

But I love it even more since I've been reading the hideously detailed introductions to the Shakespeare plays for my class. (If you're using a college level text, like the Arden Shakespeare or Oxford World Classics, the introduction will be as long as the play itself.) These introductions spend quite a bit of time discussing staging. What the most famous versions were like, how things hanged as the interpretation changed, what changes are made to emphasized one or two themes of the play . . . it makes it so beautiful that Bertie decides her place in the Théâtre Illuminata is as a director. The director's vision is vital to a performance. It keeps the play relevant, focused, and innovative.

The Théâtre Illuminata faces more danger than that of Ariel's actions. Attendance is flagging. The characters mock Bertie since they all know their lines perfectly - but it's kind of terrible. They do the same performance every time. Variation gives plays vitality. It's only fitting for the spunky Bertie to direct.

In addition to delivering a great plot, Mantchev knows how to give enough answers to satisfy while leaving enough threads open to make the reader eager for Act II. I can't wait for more rescues and revelations, nor can I wait to see how the consequences of Act I unfold. And if you like the characters, I do recommend reading some Shakespeare. Especially A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, the sourse of Peaseblossom, Mustardseed, Moth, and Cobweb. It was my first Shakespeare experience, back in seventh grade. And it's a good one to start with because it's hilarious.

EYES LIKE STARS is a strong debut, and I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. I also can't wait to see what Mantchev does outside of Théâtre Illuminata. It's books like this that convince me a faerie on the cover is a sign of quality.

Along for the Ride Winner

Alexa, please e-mail me your address.

Sorry I haven't been around much. Trying to get everything together for my trip is my priority right now.

Twitter

I'm now on Twitter.

Books Read in 2009 (Week Twenty-Six)

Yes, it's a day late. That's because I was compiling info. Light week since I'm mostly doing research, writing, and other last minute prep.

Week Twenty-Six



Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, ed. Marilyn Butler (Textbook, bought)



Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum, Book Fifteen) by Janet Evanovich (Hardcover, bought)

Half-year details:

Books I forgot to list but know I read:
My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel
Watch and Learn by Stephanie Bond
Outcast Season by Rachel Caine
Love Celeb (Vols. 1-7) by Mayu Shinjo
Shugo Chara (Vols. 5-6) by Peach-Pit
The Wallflower (Vol. 18) by Tomoko Hayakawa
Dogs: Prelude (Vol. 0) by Shirow Miwa
Total: 14 (2 Romance, 1 Urban Fantasy, 11 Manga)

Week One: 12 (9 YA, 1 Romance, 2 Urban Fantasy)
Week Two: 5 (2 YA, 1 Romance, 2 Fantasy)
Week Three: 8 (4 Romance, 2 Urban Fantasy, 1 Fantasy, 1 Non-fiction)
Week Four: 1 (Romance)
Week Five: 6 (4 YA, 2 Romance)
Week Six: 3 (1 YA, 1 Urban Fantasy, 1 Mystery)
Week Seven: 3 (1 YA, 2 Urban Fantasy)
Week Eight: 5 (4 Urban Fantasy, 1 Textbook)
Week Nine: 4 (1 YA, 1 Romance, 2 Urban Fantasy)
Week Ten: 2 (Textbooks)
Week Eleven: 10 (5 YA, 2 Romance, 2 Urban Fantasy, 1 Fantasy)
Week Twelve: 3 (2 YA, 1 Suspense)
Week Thirteen: 11 (1 YA, 10 Manga)
Week Fourteen: 4 (1 YA, 1 SF, 1 Non-fiction, 1 Manga)
Week Fifteen: 3 (1 YA, 1 Romance, 1 Urban Fantasy)
Week Sixteen: 7 (3 YA, 3 Romance, 1 Women's Fiction)
Week Seventeen: 21 (2 Textbook, 19 Manga)
Week Eighteen: 9 (2 Urban Fantasy, 7 Manga)
Week Nineteen: 7 (1 YA, 1 Urban Fantasy, 1 Chick lit, 4 Manga)
Week Twenty: 6 (3 YA, 1 Romance, 1 Women's Fiction, 1 Fantasy)
Week Twenty-One: 11 (6 YA, 2 Fantasy, 1 Suspense, 1 Graphic Novel, 1 Literary Fiction)
Week Twenty-Two: 4 (3 YA, 1 Urban Fantasy)
Week Twenty-Three: 8 (2 YA, 1 Romance, 1 Urban Fantasy, 1 Fantasy, 1 Chick lit, 2 Manga)
Week Twenty-Four: 7 (3 YA, 4 Urban Fantasy)
Week Twenty-Five: 12 (7 YA, 1 Romance, 2 Urban Fantasy, 1 Graphic Novel, 1 Textbook)
Week Twenty-Six: 2 (1 Mystery, 1 Textbook)

Grand Total: 188 (56 YA, 20 Romance, 1 Women's Fiction, 19 Urban Fantasy, 8 Fantasy, 2 Mystery, 2 Suspense, 2 Graphic Novels, 2 Chick Lit, 1 Literary Fiction, 1 SF, 1 Non-fiction, 7 Textbook, 43 Manga)

The numbers don't add up yet (165 to 188) because I did it all in my head. I'll fix it later.)

Contest: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince will hit theaters this summer – the 6th film in the series. Why not catch the finale NOW by reading the page turning final installment of HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS – released in paperback July 7th. It all comes down to this - a final face off between good and evil. You plan to pull out all the stops, but every time you solve one mystery, three more evolve. Do you stay the course you started, despite your lack of progress? Do you detour and follow a new lead that may not help? Do you listen to your instincts, or your friends? Lord Voldemort is preparing for battle and so must Harry. With Ron and Hermione at his side, he's trying to hunt down Voldemort's Horcruxes, escape danger at every turn, and find a way to defeat evil once and for all. How does it all end? Find out in HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by J.K. Rowling.

You can find out more about the book on the Scholastic site.



Until I was putting this contest together, I didn't think about the July 17 release date meaning I would be in England when the movie comes out. I bet that will be a fun thing to do. (Mocking my lameness will invalidate your contest entries, just so you know.)

This contest is going to have five winners, who will receive a paperback copy of the seventh Harry Potter along with a pin celebrating the 10th anniversary of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE. (I refuse to believe it's actually ten years old. I should, considering I read it when I was ten and I'm now twenty. But that makes me old! And I just lent my hugely beat-up paperback - it is ten years old - to my seven-year-old cousin. How can she be reading chapter books when I remember her being unable to even crawl?!)



And yes, you can enter even if you have the hardcover because that thing is a beast to lug around. To enter, tell me about a Harry Potter memory: reading one of the books, seeing one of the movies, a launch party, a conversation, whatever. For bonus entries, follow my blog, link to this contest, and/or share a picture of yourself in costume. (What can I say? I like cosplay.)

US only, no PO boxes. Contest ends July 17.

20 Things in 20 Days: Clue #20

To celebrate the launch of Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, I'm blogging clue #20 for the 20 Things in 20 Days Scavenger Hunt. Answer clues and challenges to earn points toward the 20 Things grand prize, including 6 signed books from 2009 debut authors! Get a clue... June 11th-30th at 20 Things in 20 Days!



Today's clue:

In Twenty Boy Summer, Frankie often carries her video camera for capturing spontaneous and silly interviews. For 20 Things clue #20, our final clue, film a video interview of yourself or someone else about books, boys, summer, or some clever combination! Post your video on YouTube or other video sharing site and link to it here in the comments. 6 points. 1 to 2 extra points for super creativity, hilarity, or tomfoolery.

Wait... today's a bonus clue day!

For a chance to earn more points, check out today's bonus clue at Reading Rocks.

The Elite Series (and more) Winner!

Book Spot, you are the winner! Please e-mail your address to inbedwithbooks AT yahoo DOT com. Thanks to everyone who entered and shared the link. I hope ya'll enjoyed the trailer and plan to give Jennifer Banash a chance.

THE ELITE and IN TOO DEEP are available now; SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE releases July 7.

YA Book Carnival: Along for the Ride

The YA Book Carnival is hosted by Lauren of Shooting Stars Mag. It is a series of YA giveaways, by anyone, ending today, June 27. I should also tell people that I have another giveaway that ends tomorrow, June 28. It is for six books, including the entire Elite series by Jennifer Banash.

The winner of the Jonas Brothers giveaway is Kristi of Books and Needlepoint, who plans to give the book to her daughter.



Now, some of ya'll may have read my review of ALONG FOR THE RIDE by Sarah Dessen, which came out June 16th. Guess what? It debuted as #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

In celebration, there's a contest for two copies over at Sarah-Land. But here at IBWB, I've got an ARC up for grabs.

Want it? Tell me your favorite energy food. What would you eat before a long bike ride? Me, I like a BBQ baked potato with cheese, butter, and pulled pork. I get dessert afterwards.

I'm also offering a lot of chances for bonus entries. Follow me, link to this contest, tell me your favorite Sarah Dessen (and why), and/or post the ALONG FOR THE RIDE widget.

Contest ends July 4.

Review: Naamah's Kiss

I sometimes stop by the blogs of authors whose books I like and/or think look interesting. Sarah Rees Brennan has started a new promotion, where she offers a new bit of fiction every Friday and a contest entry to anyone who spreads the link. Today's offering is the first half of a non-spoilery story set in the same world as her debut novel THE DEMON'S LEXICON.



By Jacqueline Carey

In my review of SANTA OLIVIA, I mentioned Carey's ability to change voice and style. After the self-contained SANTA OLIVIA, I had forgotten how globe-trotting the Kushiel books are. They're doorstops for a reason: the protagonist does quite a bit, cycling through several plots. Moirin's time in each of the three countries NAAMAH'S KISS takes place in could all form their own story. While Carey maintains the lush, slightly purple style that marks the other Kushiel books, she once more creates an original voice for the protagonist so you never feel you're reading Phedre or Imriel redux. (Phedre and Imriel being the universe's previous point of view characters. And as a bonus for those who don't like angst, Moirin is much less moody than Imriel.)

Moirin is more naive. She gives herself freely and doesn't know when to put her foot down so that people don't get hurt. This is partially because she was raised in almost isolation with her mother. Her culture is that of the Maghuin Dhonn, the bear witches, who previously played a part in KUSHIEL'S MERCY. (Between the different culture and several generations later aspect, those who haven't read the previous two trilogies can easily start with Moirin's story.) A boy, Cillian, is the first other person she spends any significant time with. She gradually becomes interested in book learning through their relationship, which partially affects her decision to leave Alba. Moirin is very aware that she's only Maghuin Dhonn through her mother, and she wonders about her place in the world.

I must admit, my favorite part is when Morin travels to Ch'in. (All the places and cultures in the Kushiel books are analogues of the real world. The dividing point is in the fictional world Jesus had a son who remained on Earth along with some angels who thought he had the right idea.) Along with her mentor and his other apprentice, Moirin comes to the aid of a princess in trouble. Anyone who's slightly familiar with Chinese folktales will recognize the story Moirin steps into. I enjoyed Carey's twist on it.

I suppose I should warn about the strong sexual component. Moirin is half d'Angelline, a culture that's very free about sex. That means there are heterosexual and homosexual scenes, many of which occur outside of marriage. If that's not your thing, this isn't the fantasy series for you. If you don't mind, I do recommend reading Carey.

I admit that when I picked up NAAMAH'S KISS I was already a Carey fangirl. But there's a reason I love her. Her writing has flow and wit, and her plots are clever. She tells exciting, epic stories while maintaining a tight focus on character. Then there's her focus on worldbuilding. The various cultures and how they interact is well-defined. Carey did her research in order to make a fantasy world with realistic politics and sociology. The only fantasy writer I trust more than Carey is Robin Hobb.