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Under Suspicion Hannah Jayne

As the only human at the Underworld Detective Agency, Sophie Lawson has the unique gift of immunity to magic. After getting stood up by a client, Sophie suspects foul play when it seems the dragon left her home under duress. Then, when other demons are attacked, Sophie’s suspicions are confirmed – if she could only convince anyone else. But when Sophie is attacked with a wooden stake, she realizes that time is running out to find a ruthless killer.

Sophie and her fabulously eccentric friends are all back for this latest adventure. Though, Alex mysteriously disappears for most of the action. Instead, the heat is evolving between Sophie and her guardian Will. Will seems to be more dependable and trustworthy, which is what Sophie needs. So I’m enjoying their relationship and its progression. Meanwhile, Sophie’s vampire roommate has met a handsome writer and fallen head over heels. The only problem is that his books are all about how vampires and other legendary creatures are not real.

This third installment in the Underworld Detective Agency Chronicles is fast-paced and full of excitement and laughs. The mystery was a bit predictable, but was still suspenseful enough to be thoroughly enjoyable. These mysteries work well as standalone novels. Though it helps to have read previous installments just to get Sophie’s history with the other characters, it’s not a prerequisite to follow this story. Urban fantasy fans shouldn’t miss this fun and captivating series.

Courtesy of Penguin, I have a copy of Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore and a $50 VISA Gift Card for one (1) lucky winner!

Contest is open to US only. No PO Boxes, please. To enter, just fill out the form below. Enter daily to increase your chances! Contest ends May 25. I’ll draw a name on May 26, and notify winner via email.

Good luck!

Find out more:
Graceling Realm website: http://www.gracelingrealm.com
Graceling Realm Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/gracelingrealm
Read an excerpt: http://www.scribd.com/doc/88018992/BITTERBLUE-by-Kristin-Cashore-sequel-to-GRACELING

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SciFiChick.com was recently able to interview accomplished author Julianna Baggott, author of the YA dystopian thriller Pure – reviewed here.

Can you tell us a bit about Pure in your own words?
It starts with a 16 year old girl hiding in an ash-choked cabinet, her hand fused to the head of a doll, the result of the Detonations. She lives near rubble fields and deadlands. There’s also a boy who’s survived in a Dome. He’s a Pure. Their two lives become entwined in ways that make the novel a thriller.

Post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels are popular right now. What do you think sets Pure apart from the rest?
I wanted to tell an intimate story in a large cinematic landscape — a world I got to make by hand. From there, the novel is built from the dark finery of my subconscious on a lot of levels so my own twisted head sets it apart, I suppose.

Pure’s future world is a unique and dark place. Has creating it been a gradual process, or did you come up with it right away?
Every novel is 17 million ideas — not just one. Still, some parts rushed in — all windswept with ash. Others took tinkering.

Will this be a trilogy?
Yes. FUSE comes out February 2013. BURN follows in February 2014. I will attach — for the first time! — the cover for FUSE. It just came out! [see above]

When writing for the young adult market, do you write with that target audience in mind?
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A Confusion of Princes Garth Nix

Prince Khemri is training to be the next galactic Emperor, along with ten million other hopefuls. As a Prince, he has been augmented to be stronger and smarter than other humans. And if he dies, he could have the opportunity to be brought back again and again. But as Khemri quickly learns, he’ll need all of his abilities to protect himself against the other scheming Princes assassination attempts. When Khemri is sent on a secret mission to further his advancement, he discovers an Empire secret and meets a young woman named Raine who will show him what it means to be human.

Nix’s universe is full of advanced technology and a unique government shrouded in mystery and violence. Khemri is book-smart but naïve when he first enters the real galaxy as a full Prince. Then, when he is forced to briefly live life as a human, he has to relearn how act and think – kind of a second childhood. At times the story seemed to lag with descriptions and confusion with so many characters and their bizarre names. But for the most part, it’s fairly fast-paced with plenty of adventure and excitement. There’s a thin line between YA and adult novels, and this story could be marketed for either. But at its heart, A Confusion of Princes is a coming of age story. Unpredictable and often surprising, Nix has created a fascinating universe with unforgettable story. This YA space opera has plenty of drama, action, and techno-babble for most science fiction fans.

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A Confusion of Princes releases from Harper Teen on May 15, 2012.

The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy

Everyone knows the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White. But unfortunately, no one knows the names of their rescuers other than the name “Prince Charming.” Prince Frederic saved Ella (Cinderella) from her stepmother. But she longs for adventure, while Frederic is anything but brave and would rather stay home. Prince Gustav tried to save Rapunzel, though she ended up saving him, much to his disgrace. Prince Liam rescued Sleeping Beauty who turned out to be anything but beautiful on the inside. And Prince Duncan awoke Snow White with a kiss, and found a soul mate. The four princes have left their princesses for various reasons and meet up for the adventure of a lifetime when they discover that all their kingdoms’ bards have been kidnapped by an evil witch.

These well-known fairy tales take a dramatic turn at the end of each story, without the “Happily Ever After’s.” Healy’s versions of the Princes Charming are creative and humorous. The Princes each have their own set of problems stemming from rescuing the princesses and given the generic name “Prince Charming.” And despite their eccentricities, they each have strengths that they’ll need to rely on to take down the evil witch, a dragon, bandits, and more. The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is, well, charming. Each Prince Charming’s story is unique and compelling, so it’s easy to keep all of the characters straight. Full of adventure, magic, and laughs – this children’s fantasy will appeal to a wide audience of fairy tale fans. Don’t miss this one.

One hundred fifty years from now, a man, alone in space on an eight month journey to Earth’s Colony on Mars, teaches his ship’s computer to let him virtually enter his favorite TV show. When a politically motivated sabotage bombing leaves the ship damaged beyond repair, he finds himself adrift with only 12 days of life support left. The virtual world of the TV show becomes his only chance for human interaction, friendship, and perhaps… even love.

You can find more information about the show at mobcaster.com/project/drifter or at facebook.com/12daystolive