Showing all posts labelled: Dream Cast
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Nemesis Blog Tour: Review + Dream Cast + Giveaway


Nemesis by Anna Banks

 Release Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Series: Nemesis, Book 1
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository ● B&N ● iBooks
Goodreads ● Website
The princess didn't expect to fall in love–with her nemesis.

Princess Sepora of Serubel is the last Forger in all the five kingdoms. The spectorium she creates provides energy for all, but now her father has found a way to weaponize it, and his intentions to incite war force her to flee from his grasp. She escapes across enemy lines into the kingdom of Theoria, but her plans to hide are thwarted when she is captured and placed in the young king's servitude.

 Tarik has just taken over rulership of Theoria, and must now face a new plague sweeping through his kingdom and killing his citizens. The last thing he needs is a troublesome servant vying for his attention. But mistress Sepora will not be ignored. When the two finally meet face-to-face, they form an unlikely bond that complicates life in ways neither of them could have imagined.

 Sepora's gift could save Tarik's kingdom from the Quiet Plague. But should she trust her growing feelings for her nemesis, or should she hide her gifts at all costs?

I love the trope when two people who are complete opposites and don't get along at all eventually fall in love. I mean, take it a step further–as in, have the trope set in a fantasy world where the two people who do fall in love are from opposing kingdoms–and you have Nemesis. I absolutely adored Of Poseidon, but for some reason didn't finish the series. I did get to meet Anna Banks though at the Boston Teen Author Festival in 2015! She was super sweet and gave out tons of swag. Awesome author aside though, I definitely wanted to read this one ever since I saw the fantastic cover and read the synopsis. This one was wonderful, and I got sucked in right from the start.

 Major plus point for the world building–I loved the setting. You have multiple kingdoms, but two are featured prominently: Theoria and Serubel. Talk about extreme opposites! Theoria is definitely based on Ancient Egypt, and then you have Serubel, which reminded me of Scandinavia or the Norse region. They have dragon-esque creatures (serpens) too...How to Train Your Dragon, anyone? Anyway, I loved the interactions with other kingdoms too, and I'm interested to see how it all plays out in the sequel.

 First off, I can't help but think of Sephora whenever I see Sepora's name, and I know I'm definitely not the only one. Anyway, I enjoyed Sepora (it's seriously difficult to spell it without the 'h'!) and Tarik's characters. There were some awesome animals and creatures in this book–Patra, Nuna and Dody–that totally deserve a shout-out, too! Sepora was really headstrong, and while I think she has various flaws like being too irrational, I enjoyed her story. Tarik was super attractive (not just in looks!) to the point where I was basically drooling over my kindle, but I felt like I couldn't get to know his character too well, and that's probably because of the novel's narrative.

 I don't know how to feel about the switch in narrative perspectives. The two points of view wasn't a problem–heck, you could throw in a few more and it still wouldn't be a problem. Nemesis, however, switches from first-person (Sepora) to third-person (Tarik). While I like that it's a pretty unique way to tell a story, it was just so strange. I ended up preferring Sepora's chapters over Tarik's, just because I felt I could connect to her more.

 I also was a little disappointed with the romance. While, yes there were some swoon-worthy scenes here and there, there was a general lack of sparks flying that I oh so desperately wanted. The build-up was great though. I liked the resistance and the hesitance between the two of them to begin with, but just wanted more in the after. The end throws things off-balance though, and has me very curious as to how things will continue on in the second book.

 Leaving me thirsty for more, Nemesis was phenomenal. A gorgeous start to the duology, I'm saddened by the fact that the sequel won't be out for a while. Anna Banks's latest novel is magical and captivating–the world-building is beautiful, the characters are unforgettable, and the story is entrancing from beginning to end. 

If you like this, try...


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ANNA BANKS

NYT Bestselling YA author of The Syrena Legacy series: OF POSEIDON (2012), OF TRITON (2013), OF NEPTUNE (2014).

Repped by rockstar Lucy Carson of the Friedrich Agency.

I live with my husband and daughter in the Florida Panhandle. I have a southern accent compared to New Yorkers, and I enjoy food cooked with real fat. I can’t walk in high heels, but I’m very good at holding still in them. If you put chocolate in front of me, you must not have wanted it in the first place.

Favorite Books:

Shatter Me, Cinder, Linger, Shiver, Forever, Pushing the Limits, Unravel Me, Shadow and Bone, Enclave, Divergent, Candor, Graceling, Fire, The Hunger Games Trilogy, The Host, Most of James Patterson, and Janet Evanovich makes me laugh through my nose in an unfeminine sort of way.

Visit Anna’s website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

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Dream Cast

I had a tough time picturing who could play Sepora potentially, because I was just basically picturing the girl on the cover the entire time, and I finally decided that Britt Robertson might actually be pretty good for the role. She's super pretty, got the blonde hair, she's done pretty well in films (Tomorrowland!), and could pull off the action-y role. I'm just wondering if she can play regal though.

As for Tarik, I can't help but picture Rami Malek, especially since the character is a pharaoh and based out of Ancient Egypt. I know he's a bit old for the part, but LOOK AT THAT GORGEOUS FACE! Magic of Hollywood: please make him look younger than his actual age so he can play this role, thank you.

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Time for a giveaway!
Enter to win...

A finished copy of Nemesis!

US only. 
Enter via the Rafflecopter below.


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That's not all! Check out this sweet pre-order deal:

If you pre-order Nemesis from Books of Wonder, you will receive...
An exclusive Nemesis print and a Nemesis bath bomb!

Check that out HERE

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Check out the rest of the tour:

September 28:

September 29:
Wishful Endings - Review
BookHounds YA - Review
Ink of Blood - Review

September 30:
FLYLēF - Review
A Backwards Story - Review + Favorite Quotes
Library of a Book Witch - Review + Playlist

October 1:
BookCrushin - Review + Favorite Quotes
Confessions of a Readaholic - Review + Dream Cast

October 2:
Literary Meanderings - Guest Post

October 3:
Chapter by Chapter - Guest Post
The Book Cellar - Review

October 4:
Fierce Reads - Celebrating the release of Nemesis
Two Chicks on Books - Interview
Kindle and Me - Review + Playlist
Curling Up With A Good Book - Review + Favorite Quotes
The Eater of Books! - Favorite Quotes from Nemesis

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Thank you so much to FFBC Blog Tours and Kelsey at Macmillan Children's Publishing Group!

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Chantress Alchemy Blog Tour: Review + Dream Cast + Giveaway


Chantress Alchemy by Amy Butler Greenfield

 Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: Margaret K McElderry Books
Series: Chantress Trilogy, Book 2
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: Edelweiss
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository ● Kindle ● B&N
Goodreads ● Website
Read my review of Chantress HERE
Lucy is the last Chantress, the only remaining girl who can sing magic into the world. Since she defeated the evil Lord Scargrave, England has changed—and not for the better. With crops failing and the people rebelling, Lucy is called urgently back to King Henry’s court. His Inner Council is convinced that making gold through alchemy will save England. But a critical element to the alchemical process has been stolen. Lucy is tasked with finding it with her magic… or else. And until she succeeds, the castle is on lockdown.

 Court too has changed. Scargrave's brutal Chantress-hunter has become King Henry's closest advisor. Lucy’s beloved Nat has fallen out of favor and is shunned by his colleagues; their romance means trouble for both of them. Worst of all, something goes wrong with Lucy’s magic. The palace is a labyrinth, and there’s a monster at its heart — a monster who may have the power to defeat Lucy once and for all. 

 Amy Butler Greenfield returns to the beguiling world of Chantress for a suspenseful tale of courtly intrigue, music, and magic in Chantress Alchemy.

I may have had some problems (tiny ones) with the first book, Chantress, but holy moly, Chantress Alchemy was AH-MAY-ZING. So much happened and I’m still reeling it all in! It definitely keeps you on your toes with a classic who-dun-it with larger consequences.
When I heard that alchemy was going to be apart of the book (duh, the title should have been a big giveaway for me...), I got super excited! Nope, I’m not smart enough to actually know really anything about the subject. Heck, I don’t even take a proper science subject! But I do love the topic of Nicholas Flamel (the subject and main character of The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel and mention in the first book of Harry Potter) and so to integrate that into this story created a much richer backdrop, as well as built up the time period and context.

 Speaking of– my main problems with the first book were to do with the fact that there was no character development and world-building. THIS BOOK HAS ANSWERED MY PRAYERS! I fell in love with the characters and was able to imagine the setting so clearly. I love how much history has been put into this book, and it just gives it so much more depth that (aside from the magic and paranormal) it breathes a century's worth of famous figures and stories.
Character-wise, I think that Lucy has had a huge improvement. I got kind of annoyed with her in the first book because she was so rash and thought about herself a lot, and made a lot of stupid decisions while she was at it. True, at the start, she is like Chantress-Lucy again. But there was so much character development! I feel so much more comfortable with Lucy as a protagonist now, because I’ve been able to see her mature in this instalment, and I can’t wait to see what she’ll do next in the final book of the trilogy.

 I read in an interview that Greenfield liked this book a lot because of the developing romance between Lucy and Nat. That was something that I was absolutely looking forward to this book, and I was not disappointed. It seemed kind of stale and very G-rated in the last book, and there really was no connection between the two of them. I like how it progresses and continues to grow (leaving you with a somewhat heart-pounding ending), and again, I’m excited to see where their relationship will end up.

Holy hells, there’s only one thing I can say about the twist in this book: 

I. DID. NOT. SEE. THAT. COMING.

 Chantress Alchemy was, well, an enCHANTing read. Exquisite details, vivid emotions, and characters so real you can feel them breathe out of the pages. Greenfield’s follow-up is brilliant, spellbinding and flawless, and her words leave you hanging and hungry for more. It will be sad to see the trilogy end, but I’m eagerly waiting to devour more.

If you like this, try...


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AMY BUTLER GREENFIELD

Amy Butler Greenfield was a grad student in history when she gave into temptation and became a writer. Since then, she has become an award-winning author. 


Amy grew up in the Adirondack Mountains and later studied history at Williams College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Oxford. She now lives with her family in England, where she writes, bakes double-dark-chocolate cake, and plots mischief.


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My Dream Cast for Chantress Alchemy
by Rabiah

I think it’s been forever since I’ve actually done a dream cast, and I LOVE that it’s going to be for Chantress Alchemy. The number of possibilities of leads and supporting actors... not to mention drooling over endless pictures of really cute actors *swoon*. Anyway, here’s who I would cast!

Georgie Henley as Lucy

I think it might be her association with Lucy from The Chronicles of Narnia, but this is who I was picturing when reading Chantress and Chantress Alchemy. Plus, she’s just a little bit older than the character, so luckily it’s not someone who’s like close to 30.

Emily Watson as Norrie

After seeing her play Rosa Hubermann in The Book Thief, I thought she was PERFECT to play Norrie: She’s stubborn and scolds, but she still really loves and cares for Lucy. She does have a strict-ish face, doesn’t she?

Callan McAuliffe as Nat

It was SUPER difficult to cast Nat. I actually spent the longest time trying to find someone to play him! Everyone was too young, too old, too-not-Nat, and of course (naturally) there needs to be a swoon-factor. I’ve seen McAuliffe in Flipped and I Am Number Four, and think he would make a really great Nat! :D

Toby Regbo as King Henry

King Henry is only slightly older than Lucy, so of course a young actor was needed. Being a fan of the TV show Reign, I immediately thought that Regbo would be perfect for the part. He looks so different with a beard, so either version of him (shaven or unshaven) would work. A little humour on the side: he does play the heir to France in Reign and his father is called King Henry in the show!

Sean Connery as Penebrygg

It seems though that this is a little bit of a *slower* role for Connery... I had a really tough time trying to find the perfect actor for Penebrygg and he was the closest to who I thought of when reading!

Ed Skrein as Wrexham

Wrexham in the book is described to be built as a Viking and has that blunt, cocky character. I totally thought of Ed Skrein as him when I first read of his character. I’ve seen Skrein on Game of Thrones (he was the original Daario in season 3) and he’s perfect for the role.

Saoirse Ronan as Sybil (1)

Initially I thought Saoirse could play Lucy, but Lucy’s hair was much darker, so when I stumbled upon Sybil’s character I thought OMG she could totally be her! She looks a lot older and more “regal”. But another actress I also had in mind for Sybil was...

Natalie Dormer as Sybil (2)

Even though she’s a lot older than the part, she DEFINITELY doesn’t look like it. I’ve seen her play Margaery on Game of Thrones, and she looks young and sweet... but of course, has her manipulative ways. I totally imagined her when there were conversations between Sybil and Lucy!

Sam Claflin as Lord Gabriel

I’m forgetting what colour hair Lord Gabriel has in the book, but brunette or blonde, Sam Claflin can definitely work both colours! Loved him in Pirates 4 and Catching Fire, and I think he could be a charming and slightly cocky Lord Gabriel.

Jeremy Irons as Sir Isaac

Again, like Penebygg a bit more weathered, more mature, and I thought that Irons could totally pull it off (obviously), but also for the fact that he can totally do dynamic!

Guys... now I really want this movie!!

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Giveaway time!

What’s up for grabs?? Well, you could win...

(1) Hardback of Chantress Alchemy (INT)
(1) Hardback of Chantress Alchemy (US ONLY)

Enter via the rafflecopter below!
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Check out the other stops on the tour! Click on the tour banner at the top of the post or on the button below to see what else is going on:


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Thank you so much to FFBC tours for having me along!
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Ask Me Blog Tour: Dream Cast by Kimberly Pauley



KIMBERLY PAULEY
Kimberly Pauley is the award-winning author of Sucks to Be Me, which was honored on the YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list, and a paranormal mystery starring an oracle, called Ask Me. Born in California, she has lived everywhere from Florida to Chicago and has now gone international to live in London with her husband and son. She is also the founder of YA Books Central, one of the first and largest teen book websites in the world. Visit her online at www.kimberlypauley.com.

 Twitter ● Facebook ● SohoPress
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Dream Cast for Alex
by Kimberly Pauley

Alex from ASK ME is 17. He’s athletic (he plays multiple sports) and tall and just generally a big guy. He’s got dark curly hair and intense eyes. He feels stuck in the small town that he’s in (and in his family), so he’s got some pent up resentment and anger. That might be one of the reasons that he’s drawn to Aria in the beginning of the book. Maybe he can sense that she’s struggling too. 

He’s actually the hardest to cast as far as his look goes because the general trend among actors is to be thin...not that Alex is overweight, he’s just big and muscular. In fact, I haven’t yet found a current young actor that screams Alex to me. The closest thing I have come up with so far is a young Mark Ruffalo (a young Marlon Brando would also do...seriously, Google it!).

I did have some “inspiration” pictures saved on Pinterest for possible Alex-like photos. The ones marked “A” are for Alex.

Mark Ruffalo actually does work in a lot of ways (well, if he were a lot younger...no offense to him...I love him to bits but he’s even farther away from 17 than I am). Alex can be quite broody and a bit moody and sometimes volatile (didn’t Ruffalo play the Hulk??). And I like the intenseness in his eyes. I think Alex would communicate a lot with his eyes as well. Alex often stands up for Aria, though she’s not sure why or what he’s after.

A fan did suggest Logan Lerman and Tyler Posey. Of the two, I’d say Tyler’s not a bad choice! The teen wolfishness of him is good too. He’s got strength, which is good.


Alex, by the way, is named after a friend of mine from high school, though he doesn’t look anything at all like him and this friend was much more of a skateboard punk rocker kind of guy.

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Thank you so much to Kimberly for stopping by! I’m really looking forward to Ask Me– I’ve read several great reviews :) Here’s a little bit more about the book:



Ask Aria Morse anything, and she must answer with the truth. Yet she rarely understands the cryptic words she‘s compelled to utter. Blessed—or cursed—with the power of an Oracle who cannot decipher her own predictions, she does her best to avoid anyone and everyone. 

But Aria can no longer hide when Jade, one of the few girls at school who ever showed her any kindness, disappears. Any time Aria overhears a question about Jade, she inadvertently reveals something new, a clue or hint as to why Jade vanished. But like stray pieces from different puzzles, her words never present a clear picture.

Then there’s Alex, damaged and dangerous, but the first person other than Jade to stand up for her. And Will, who offers a bond that seems impossible for a girl who’s always been alone. Both were involved with Jade. Aria may be the only one who can find out what happened, but the closer she gets to solving the crime, the more she becomes a target. Not everyone wants the truth to come out.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Meredith Barnes for having me on the blog tour! ▪ ▪ ▪
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Liv, Forever Blog Tour: Dream Cast by Amy Talkington




AMY TALKINGTON
Amy Talkington is an award-winning screenwriter and director living in Los Angeles. Before all that she wrote about music for magazines like Spin, Ray Gun, Interview, and Seventeen (mostly just as a way to get to hang out with rock stars). As a teenager in Dallas, Texas, Amy painted lots of angsty self-portraits, listened to The Velvet Underground and was difficult enough that her parents finally let her go to boarding school on the East Coast. Liv, Forever is her first novel.

 Website ● Tumblr ● Twitter  ● Goodreads



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LIV – ELLE FANNING

Liv really doesn’t know know what to make of Wickham Hall so she spends most of her time holed up in the painting studio working. But, her sharp wit and artistic passion gain her the attention of Malcolm Astor. Liv is not one to put her emotions out there but, just when she’s starting to open up to Malcolm, she is murdered. Liv is a fighter, and she works together with Malcolm and campus oddball Gabe to solve her murder, uncovering a dark conspiracy at  Wickham Hall. Elle Fanning is a perfect Liv. She has an artistic spirit and an undeniable strength. And her timeless look will help make Liv an indelible heroine.


Okay, so she may not be a brunette, but hey, that’s what hair dye is for.


This is a girl who will fight to solve a mystery.


She might be fearful but she will not run away.

If you want to know all the latest on Liv, Forever follow me on Twitter @amytalkington and Tumblr http://amytalkington.tumblr.com/

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Thank you so much to Amy for stopping by! Really excited to see Elle Fanning in Maleficent, so I’m sure she’s an amazing choice for Liv! I’m really excited to get into the book, and so here’s a little more about it:



When Liv Bloom lands an art scholarship at Wickham Hall, it’s her ticket out of the foster system. Liv isn’t sure what to make of the school’s weird traditions and rituals, but she couldn’t be happier—especially when Malcolm Astor, fellow artist and scion of one of the school’s original families, starts falling for her. Fellow scholarship kid Gabe Nichols warns her not to get involved with a “Wicky,” but things are finally going Liv’s way, and all she wants to do is enjoy it.


But Liv’s bliss is cut short when she is viciously murdered. In death, she discovers that she’s the latest victim of a dark conspiracy that spans 150 years and many, many lives. Gabe, cursed with the ability to see their ghosts, turns out to be Liv’s only link to the world of the living.


Liv must rely on Gabe’s help to prove to Malcolm that she’s still present… lingering with the other spirits. Together, Liv, Gabe, and Malcolm fight to expose the terrible truth that haunts the halls of Wickham before more lives are lost.

▪ ▪ ▪ Thank you so much to Meredith Barnes for having me on the blog tour! ▪ ▪ ▪
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Afterparty Blog Tour: Dream Cast by Ann Redisch Stampler + Giveaway


Ann Redisch Stampler
Where It Began marks the YA debut of Ann Redisch Stampler. She is the author of several picture books, including The Rooster Prince of Breslov. Her books hav ebeen an Aesop Accolade winner, Sydney Taylor notable books and an honor book, a National Jewish Book Awards finalist and winner, and Bank Street Best Books of the Year. Ann has two adult children and lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband.

Find Ann: Website ● Twitter ● Facebook ● Goodreads
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Dream Cast for Afterparty

My two absolutely favorite young female actors are Jennifer Lawrence and Shailene Woodley. I think they can play anyone, so if either of them wanted to play virtually any part in Afterparty, I would say, "Go for it!" but I hear they're busy, soooooo moving right along, ignoring their coloring and pretty much ignoring their ages...

Emma: Jane Levy
If you've seen her in Suburgatory, you know she could do it.

Siobhan: Chloe Moretz
Instense and as scary as you want her to be. Have you seen Kick-Ass?

Megan: Anna-Sophia Robb
I think she could do sweet and kind of suffocated, with a tiny little edge very well.

Chelsea Hay: Emma Roberts
I would love to see her doing mean.

Dr. Lazarus: Scott Cohen
I can totally see him as a buttoned-up, repressive dad with a dark past.

Aiden: Ian Somerhalder (maybe 15 years ago)
Just look at him. OK, now you can stop looking at him. Or can you?

Dylan: Ezra Miller
I visualized Dylan and Arif in a very particular way – not just the way they looked by the way they moves – as I writing and I'm having a really hard time coming up with actors to suit. I suspect that Ezra Miller could do a brilliant job of playing anyone, but he still doesn't look exactly like my mental image of Dylan. Who would you cast?

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Thank you so much to Ann for stopping by my blog! I LOVE this cast. Honestly, would go see this movie in a heartbeat :D I still haven't read Afterparty, but it sound fabulous! Here's a little bit more about it:


    

Goodreads

Emma is tired of being good. Always the dutiful daughter to an overprotective father, she is the antithesis of her mother -- whose name her dad won't even say out loud. That's why meeting Siobhan is the best thing that ever happened to her...and the most dangerous. Because Siobhan is fun and alluring and experienced and lives on the edge. In other words, she's everything Emma is not.

And it may be more than Emma can handle. 

Because as intoxicating as her secret life may be, when Emma begins to make her own decisions, Siobhan starts to unravel. It's more than just Dylan, the boy who comes between them. Their high-stakes pacts are spinning out of control. Elaborate lies become second nature. Loyalties and boundaries are blurred. And it all comes to a head at the infamous Afterparty, where debauchery rages and an intense, inescapable confrontation ends in a plummet from the rooftop... 

This explosive, sexy, and harrowing follow-up to Ann Redisch Stampler's spectacular teen debut, Where It Began, reveals how those who know us best can hurt us most.

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Now it's time for a GIVEAWAY!




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Thank you so much to Book Nerd Tours!


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