To help get us all in the mood for the upcoming Harry Potter Book Night on Feburary 5th, I wanted to share some exciting Harry Potter news: a new and exciting edition of Harry Potter is coming your way! Yes, yes I know, everyone has at least one set of our favourite wizarding series, and we all have at least 2 other editions on our wishlist, but this one is extra special… it is illustrated!!

All seven of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books will be published in stunning full-colour editions, illustrated by the award-winning artist Jim Kay. The first in the series, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, will be published globally on 6th October 2015! This will be the first fully illustrated edition of J.K. Rowling’s original Harry Potter novel, which I am super excited about, as I love illustrated books! There is no cover as yet, but it has beed said that the hardback edition will include ribbon marker, head and tail bands, illustrated endpapers and artwork on every spread.

Here is what Jim Kay had to say about illustrating Harry Potter:

“To be given the opportunity to design the characters, the clothing, the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well let’s just say I’m extremely excited about it,” said Kay. “The story is everything, and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories, to their best.”

Who’s excited?? I am!!!

And just to get you all revved up for this amazing release, Bloomsbury have released 4 images from this new edition. The images show four major characters from the Harry Potter books – Rubeus Hagrid, Hermione Granger, Draco Malfoy and Ron Weasley, and you can see them below:

You can pre-order this book now from The Book Depository

Also to get you excited for this upcoming edition, thanks to Bloomsbury, we also have a quick Q&A with Jim Kay

Q&A with Jim Kay

How did you feel when you found out you would be illustrating the Harry Potter novels?

Scientists say the Big Bang is to be followed by the Big Crunch, I feel I have firsthand experience of this theory, for hearing the news that I’d got the commission was an explosion of delight, followed instantly by an implosion of brain-freezing terror. From my point of view it is, without doubt, the best commission you can be given - I’m a bit of a control freak, so to be given the opportunity to design the characters, the clothing the architecture and landscapes to possibly the most expansive fantasy world in children’s literature, well lets just say I’m extremely excited about it. However, I am also mindful of the huge responsibility this represents, I just want to make sure I do the best job I possibly can.

 

Is there a particular character or scene that you are looking forward to illustrating?

It’s like trying to choose the shiniest object in Aladdin’s Cave; you pick up one treasure, and another gem
catches your eye. I couldn’t even pick a favourite creature at the moment (maybe a Thestral, or a Bowtruckle, but then the goblins are wonderful characters, mind you there are trolls too - you see my problem!). It’s been lovely thinking about creating the characters, but at the moment my favourite task is creating Hogwarts - it’s the first time I’ve thought about building something supported by magic - it’s harder than you’d think.

 

How do you as an artist approach such a large job? Where do you begin with such a wide range of possibilities?

It sounds obvious but you start with the text. The story is everything, and so I want to bring what I can to really show the depth of Rowling’s stories, to their best. Then it’s a case of research, and lots of it. The books have made me look at people differently, I’m always scanning crowds for interesting faces. For an illustrator there’s no such thing as an ugly or odd looking person - they are all interesting. Luckily for me, Kettering is home to some very interesting people indeed. Museums and libraries are my favourite places for inspiration. You might see something, it could be a medieval shoe, an old clock, or a stuffed monkey and immediately it gives you ideas about the characters in the story, the things they would do, the way they walk. The tricky thing I’ve found is my annoying habit of reigning in the more fantastical elements of my sketches when working them up, it’s taken a while for it to sink in that for this commission I can go a little bit crazy. Above my desk, the words ‘It’s Fantasy, Stupid” are now a daily reminder to have a bit of fun.

 

Are you a Harry Potter fan? If so, what are your first memories of reading the books?

I AM a Harry Potter fan, although true to form, I arrived a little late to the party. I actually heard Stephen Fry’s wonderful audio book of Philosopher’s Stone before reading it, initially because I’d sat on a tube train full of school children who were chatting about Potter with great excitement. It was actually the recollections of starting a new school that really connected with me (we moved house when I was young, and I had to start at a big school where I didn’t know anybody). As an adult I’d forgotten how hard school actually was, and it all came flooding back - particularly when reading The Order of the Phoenix - the dread of exams! It’s amazing to think, all of Potter’s world, the streets, the shops, the creatures, the characters, all of these wonderful things come from the brain of one person. To me, that’s magic, some grey matter in someone’s head inspires others to read, play, and create ideas of their own. It’s like a spell that jumps from person to person, recasting itself as it goes. I want to keep that spell going, perhaps adding my own little twist, if possible. I hope over the years we will see lots of different illustrators having a go, in the way that Alice in Wonderland has inspired artists for over a century.

 

Who is your favourite character from the Harry Potter universe?

This is like trying to choose your favourite record, it changes all the time. I have a soft spot for Neville, particularly because of his awkwardness, but you have to admire Hermione, because she puts the hours in at the library, she’s the cement really that holds it all together, well it would be a different story. I want to know more about Severus, there’s so much depth there. Visually, though, it has to be Hagrid; he’s got a wonderful heart, clothed in an enormous, shabby body. Hagrid’s hut is, for me, like an extension of his physique: it makes him a part of Hogwarts, but keeps him at a distance too.

 

What were your favourite books as a child?

I remember sitting up in bed, with a copy of one of Willard Price’s Adventure series in my hands, and on my lap a colossal book of facts such as The Encyclopaedia of Natural History. You see, Willard’s books were ripping yarns about two brothers who got into all sorts of scrapes searching for rare and exotic animals in far-flung places. So I’d read about their adventures, then swot up on the animals they found. Those fact books were so heavy, I couldn’t feel my feet after a few chapters, but I was in nerd-heaven, nonetheless.

 

Who are your favourite illustrators (either classic or modern)?

Crumbs, so many, Eric Ravilious for his paintings, Edmund Dulac for his exquisite colour, I think Alexis
Deacon is an astonishing draughtsman, possibly the most gifted illustrator around, and I love the work of Ian Miller too, who produces wonderful illustrations of castles, knights, goblins and orcs. I’d love to see his version of Harry Potter; it would take a brave child to enter Miller’s Hogwarts I reckon.

 

How would you describe your own art style?

I tend to change my style to fit the story, which makes life very difficult, but it’s good to keep pushing yourself. If something’s not a little bit frightening, then it’s probably not worth doing. I’m still learning about illustration, and I still feel pretty new to this (this will be my third book), and I hope I never stop learning, because there are so many things I want to try - I feel I haven’t scratched the surface yet.

 

What tips would you offer to young people who are keen to become artists/illustrators?

I’ve met a lot of children who say they can’t draw or paint very well, and believe that a life as an artist or a
designer is therefore closed to them. It’s tragic because the ideas they have are often incredible, and I think ideas are the most valuable possession of anyone in a creative industry. Drawing and painting is a bit like playing the guitar; if you practise enough you will get better with time, so don’t worry about that side of it, just concentrate on getting your ideas down, because that’s what makes you different from everybody else. And don’t forget, if you have a great idea, it will shine through the crudest of drawings, in the same way a great song might only need three chords on a guitar to bring it to life.

 

Do you have a daily routine when it comes to illustrating?

Well, it’s remarkably unremarkable: Get up, walk the dog, draw all day and all night, throw all of the days work in the bin, and go to bed hoping tomorrow is one of those days where something stays out of the bin. At the moment the bin is winning 3-0, I’m hoping tomorrow I’ll score a couple of away goals.

Also, just a quick reminder not for forget Harry Potter Book Night on February 5th! Events are happening all over the world, so be sure to check with your local school, bookshop or library for Harry Potter Book Night events. For those who cannot get out to attend an event, the Aussie YA Bloggers & Readers group will be taking part in a Potterthon. We’ll be tweeting, and sharing our Potter themed posts, GIFS and your reviews of any book in the Harry Potter series and spin offs (I even have a very different Harry Potter themed post planned). But don’t forget to use the hashtag #HarryPotterBookNight when Tweeting your quotes and readalong progress!

Filed under: Cover Reveal, Nerd Chat by Kristy
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Today Book Nerd Reviews is very excited to help reveal the cover for Sarah Alderson’s upcoming YA thriller, Conspiracy Girl. And not only that, we also have an exclusive excerpt for you!

So here it is… the cover for Conspiracy Girl!

Synopsis: Everybody knows about the Cooper Killings – the Bel Air home invasion that rocked the nation.
There was only one survivor - a sixteen year-old girl.
And though the killers were caught they walked free.

Now eighteen, Nic Preston - the girl who survived - is trying hard to rebuild her life. She’s security conscious to the point of paranoia and her only friend is a French Mastiff bulldog, but she’s making progress. She’s started college in New York and has even begun dating.

But then one night her apartment is broken into and the life Nic’s worked so hard to create is shattered in an instant.

Finn Carter - hacker, rule breaker, player – is the last person Nic ever wants to see again. He’s the reason her mother’s killers walked free from court. But as the people hunting her close in, Nic has to accept that her best and possibly only chance of staying alive is by keeping close to Finn and learning to trust the person she’s sworn to hate.

Fleeing across a snowbound New England, frantically trying to uncover the motive behind the murders, Nic and Finn come to realize the conspiracy is bigger than they could ever have suspected. But the closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, the greater the danger becomes.

To survive she has to stay close to him.
To keep her safe he has to keep his distance.

Release Date: February 19th 2015
Published By: Simon & Schuster
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list
Purchase: Click here to pre-order

Thoughts: I love it. I love the bright colours. I love the looks of distrust but intrigue. I love the simplicity of this cover - but don’t let that fool you, if you have read Sarah Alderson’s other books, you will know that they are filled with mystery and longing, tension and humour. I cannot wait for this book, as I have no doubt it will be both entertaining and enthralling.

Enough about my thoughts, I know you are very excited to read the exclusive excerpt. So…. enjoy!

Exclusive Excerpt:

I turn just in time to see a foot and the barrel of a gun appear. I’m on my feet instantly, sprinting towards the en-suite bathroom.

There’s a savage yell behind me and I’m thrown forwards. My chin strikes the floor, jarring my whole spine, knocking the wind out of me. Strong hands grab me around the waist and I’m hauled like a sack of coal over onto my back and suddenly I’m staring up into the black-masked face above me. Blue eyes like pin pricks in the darkness. Pupils dilated. Unmistakable excitement glimmering in them. Foul breath. Acid fear in the pit of my stomach. Lungs burning. A searing pain in my neck. I register all these things in the space of a single heartbeat.

He reaches for me. His hands grab my waist and he tries to drag me to my feet.

And suddenly I’m alive, fighting just like Taylor did, kicking and screaming. My leg bends reflexively and by chance my knee connects with his groin. He lets out a cry and drops me. My foot lashes out and slams into the side of his head. He collapses to the ground groaning, his knees drawn up to his chest.

I don’t stop to think. I stagger to my knees. His hand snags around my ankle. I stomp down. Hear a crack. Tumble forwards. Towards the bathroom. Swing myself around the door. Throw myself against it. Ram the bolt home. Sink to my knees.

What do you think of the cover of Conspiracy Girl? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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Fans of Daughter of Smoke and Bone of have been dying to see the UK cover of the final instalment of this amazing trilogy, and over the weekend Hodder & Stoughton finally gave us fans what we have wanted (and more).

Here is the UK cover for DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS!!!

Synopsis: By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael’s brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz … something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?”

Release Date: April 17th 2014
Published By: Hodder & Stoughton
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list
Purchase: Click here to purchase

Thoughts: We all know I love the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, that is a proven fact - so yes, I am biased. But, I think this cover compliments both Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight covers beautifully.

I have openly told people that it was the beautiful UK cover of Daughter of Smoke and Bone that initially drew me into this series, but I will admit that I also found the US cover of Days of Blood and Starlight quite striking. Although the US cover for DoBaS is beautiful, I still preferred the UK cover as it had more relevance to the storyline (the US one did represent the fierceness and bloodshed of this story quite nicely). Then the US cover for Dreams of Gods and Monsters came out, and I will admit, that I fell in love with this one - I can already tell this cover represents the storyline of the trilogy better than its predecessors… but naturally I had to wait to see the UK cover before declaring my favourite for DoGaM. So, now that it is out, what is my verdict? Well, I still don’t know. I really need to read it to decide if I feel the UK or the US cover is more fitting. But both are gorgeous!

But wait, there’s more: Yes, there is more, and not only is this something that will probably ultimately make me declare the UK covers my favourite, but this… is HUGE! Hodder & Stoughton have said that the first 3000 UK hardcovers of Dreams of Gods and Monsters will have the title page signed and illustrated by Laini Taylor!

Yes, SIGNED AND ILLUSTRATED! Don’t believe me? Here… look…

And Laini also posted about it here.

Isn’t that awesome??? So, here are the facts: the first 3000 of the UK only hardcovers will be illustrated and hand-signed by Laini Taylor. So, to get your hands on one of these amazing books, your best bet is to pre-order it. At this point it is unconfirmed if The Book Depository will be getting these amazing editions, I am waiting on confirmation from Hodder & Stoughton regarding that (I will update this post with that information as soon as possible). And as of 31 January the pre-orders were still under 3000 so you may still be in with a chance of being able to order on of these amazing copies.

So my thoughts on the signed and illustrated title page? Well, it was initially something like this JGNIERKNMGFIPERMGIPERJGPIERMFSRMNGTNRMSAGKMRFSGPRP!!!!!!!!!!!!. Then when I calmed down (a little) and could breath (a little) I decided that I needed to get my hands on one! So I have now pre-ordered another copy (yes, that will be the third edition of DoGaM that I have pre-ordered - I am not ashamed!). So after all that, I calmed down a little more and realised what a massive thing this is… for Hodder & Stoughton to do this, but more importantly, for Laini to sign 3000 title pages is huge - and I would sincerely like to thank Laini for all the work she put into doing this for her fans! And to Hodder & Stoughton for making this happen!

Thanks Laini!!!

Thanks Hodder & Stoughton!!!

And for all you fans who want to re-read Daughter of Smoke and Bone and Days of Blood and Starlight before this sure to be epic conclusions comes out, or you would like to read them for the first time, why not join Hodder & Stoughton and Little Brown at the The Great Daughter of Smoke and Bone re-read on Goodreads. You can join the teams and fans as they re-read through this series, chat with others re-reading the series and talk about your favourite parts of the series. Also, there will be giveways (US and UK only so far) and Laini Taylor will also be doing Q&A sessions in the group!

What do you think of the UK cover? Do you prefer the US or UK covers for the series? Will you pre-order Dreams of Gods and Monsters hoping you will receive a signed and illustrated one? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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The long awaited cover for conclusion of The Mortal Instruments series has finally been revealed! And here it is… the cover for City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6)!

Synopsis: ΕRCHOMAI, SEBASTIAN HAD SAID.

I am coming.

Darkness returns to the Shadowhunter world. As their society falls apart around them, Clary, Jace, Simon and their friends must band together to fight the greatest evil the Nephilim have ever faced: Clary’s own brother. Nothing in the world can defeat him — must they journey to another world to find the chance? Lives will be lost, love sacrificed, and the whole world changed in the sixth and last installment of the Mortal Instruments series!

Release Date: May 27th 2014
Published By: Margaret K. McElderry
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list
Purchase: Click here to purchase

Thoughts: I think this is probably my favourite cover of the whole series (although I do have a soft spot for City of Bones). While I love all the TMI covers, I especially love the finer detail in the City of Heavenly Fire cover. And, of course, it ties in beautifully with the rest of the series:

But, there are two things that worry me about the cover for City of Heavenly Fire. Firstly, the boy on the cover. Clearly this is not Jace, so I am guessing it is Sebastian. Although I haven’t read book City of Fallen Angels or City of Lost Souls, I know Sebastian will play an important role in the rest of the series, but at this stage I don’t know if he is worthy of being on the cover of the last instalment (but he could be, and I just don’t know it yet). But… the thing that worries me the most - is what Clary is wearing. She is wearing a white dress. I don’t like this - wearing a white dress is a bad thing in the Shadowhunter world.

And coupled with things such as the City of Heavenly Fire taglines, I am very nervous:

And lets not forget the things that Cassandra Clare herself has said about this highly anticipated conclusion:

And… last, but not least, City of Heavenly Fire is going to be 733 pages long! That is a lot of book! The amount of things that can happen in over 700 pages makes the mind boggle - and I am sure that Cassandra Clare will do many things to mess with our heads and hearts in within those pages!

So, all in all, I am a little anxious to see what happens in this series conclusion - but I also think that uncertainty the for many characters (and the dreadful possibilities) is just adding to my anticipation! I cannot wait to see what happens in this series!

What do you think of the cover of City of Heavenly Fire? Are you scared or excited to read the final book in The Mortal Instruments series? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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Earlier this year, Maggie Stiefvater revealed that she will be releasing Sinner - a companion novel to her much loved Shiver series. Sinner will follow Shiver’s loveable bad-boy, Cole St. Clair, and the sassy, blunt and Cole’s much needed reality check, Isabel. Since Maggie suprised her fans with this news, there has been lots of debate about what the cover for Cole’s story will look like, and today, the cover was revealed via Entertainment Weekly (original post can be found here)! Behold, the cover for SINNER!

Synopsis: A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy.

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole’s story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole’s darkest secret — his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel’s life. Can this sinner be saved?

“Legions of fans — myself included — have wanted Maggie to return to the world of Shiver, and now she’s found an ingenious, sexy, utterly compelling way to do it,” says David Levithan, VP/Publisher and Editorial Director, Scholastic Press. “This isn’t so much a re-visitation as it is a reinvention, with Maggie taking readers to many places they’ve never been with her before. There is nothing quite so amazing as Maggie Stiefvater at the top of her game.”

Author Maggie Stiefvater says, “For me, finishing the Shiver trilogy was a bittersweet moment — I knew that I wouldn’t be returning to Mercy Falls once Sam and Grace’s story was over. But Cole and Isabel still lurked in the back of my mind. Both of them were only half-fixed at the end of the trilogy, and I wanted to know if they could be fixed the rest of the way.”

Release Date: July 1st 2014
Published By: Scholastic
Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Thoughts: As a cover in general, I certainly don’t have an issues with the cover of Sinner. I love the fact that you see Cole and wolf (who could this be?) and the background with LA is very nice. In a colouring sense, I was hoping for a yellow/orange cover for Sinner, so the colouring didn’t disappoint me. However, my very first thought of seeing this cover was “Nooooo… it doesn’t match the Shiver series!”. As you may know, I need my books to match. I need the covers to be the same style, and the books to be the same size. When books don’t match, I have a mini-meltdown - I just can’t handle it. Although some would say this doesn’t need to match as it is technically not a part of the Shiver series - it is a companion novel (it can be read as a standalone), andnd while I understand what they are saying, I’m sorry, I just don’t accept this excuse when it comes to matching covers for a series and companion novels, novellas or anthologies. Basically for me, a companion novel is a part of a series. (And if I ever need supporting evidence, I always refer back to Goodreads - if it has the original series title after the books title, then it is a part of the series). So, after my initial disappointment, I continued to read the original post, and found that the whole Shiver series is being re-jacketed. And here are the new Shiver, Linger and Forever covers:

I think these are very pretty, and they certainly match Sinner! My only issue is, I don’t have these covers, I have the original ones (2 sets actually - 1 signed set, 1 “reading” set) and I really don’t need to buy another set. But, at the end of the day, my options are to buy another set, or to be a big girl and get over it… and I don’t know which one it will be yet.

So, yes, I do like the cover, but I am disappointed that there has been a cover change for this series. I love the original covers, I felt the ever-so-pretty outside were just as much of the series as the story inside.

What do you think of the cover of Sinner? What do you think of the new covers for Shiver, Linger and Forever? Will you be re-buying the set to have these pretty covers? Let us know in the comments below!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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A new and exciting collaboration between Kiersten White and Jim Di Bartolo will be released 29 April 2014! Introducing: IN THE SHADOWS!

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

This book reveal definitely took me by surprise! And I have to say, I am super excited about this somewhat mysterious, but I am sure utterly amazing and unique YA book.

Kiersten White is one of my favourite authors, she has written great books such as Paranormalcy, Supernaturally, Endlessly, The Chaos of Stars and Mind Games - but this book has something extra special: Jim Di Bartolo! Jim is an incredibly gifted artist, and I cannot wait to see more of his amazing work in printed format. I was introduced to Jim’s art due to Laini Taylor’s books, but I am not being biased when I say I love his work - Jim certainly holds his own when it comes to the talent department! You may already know how fantastic Jim is, as he was responsible for the utterly beautiful illustrations in Lips Touch, Blackbringer and Silksinger (amongst his other great work).

Combining Jim’s art and Kiersten’s writing can be nothing short of spectacular! Some of the details of this upcoming release are somewhat a mystery: there is no synopsis on Goodreads, and both Kiersten and Jim have kept their cards close to their chest on this one. From what I can tell, this will be a truly unique book - it is not a graphic novel, or a novel with illustrations - the illustrations tell as much of the story as the written text… and that is something that truly excites me! But what we know so far: The artwork has been done by Jim (eek), the writing is by Kiersten (fangirlling), the editor is David Levithan (wow!) and it will be in full colour (ohmygod). Kiersten has described it as “this book is unlike anything else on the YA shelves right now”.

I cannot wait for this book! I know I shouldn’t wish my life away, but considering April will bring me Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor, a trip to Prague and now IN THE SHADOWS, I wish it was April 2014 already!

More information about this exciting book can be found at Kiersten White’s blog, Jim Di Barolo’s blog and the Publishers Weekly website.

Eeeeeekkkkk!!!!!!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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People say that grass is always greener on the other side - well, that is certainly true for John Green fans in Australia at the moment!

This week, Penguin Books Australia released a hardcover edition of The Fault in Our Stars! And although the style of this cover has changed slightly, we think that this is one amazing edition!

To find out more about this special edition, you can visit the Penguin Australia website here, however, I think that it is more important to show you how wonderful this hardcover looks in real life (as images do not really do it justice), so here is a picture that John Green himself tweeted.

Awesome right? Thank you Penguin Books Australia for this gorgeous edition!

Well, it gets better! Dymocks have a limited number of signed copies of this book. Yes! Signed! By John Green himself! Don’t believe me? Well below is a picture that Melissa took of these limited edition books.

These signed books are limited, and some stores do have them in stock, so I suggest that you contact your local Dymocks store to find out if they have any. If not, you can also order them online here - but be quick! For our international friends, if you want the signed edition, I do know that Dymocks deliver internationally, but you will have to pay for this.

For those of you who would like an unsigned copy of this book (Australian and international) - I am sure you can get this edition from many local bookstores, or from one of the multiple online retailers.

Melissa and I love John Green and everything related to The Fault in Our Stars, and below is a list of all of our posts relating to The Fault in Our Stars.

• Review: The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• Cakes Inspired by Fiction #4 - The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• Tattoos Inspired by Fiction #5 - The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• SMS Chats with Kristy & Mel - The Fault in Our Stars movie
• Nail Art Inspired by Fiction #17
• John Green Memes

So, since we love John Green so much, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a giveaway for one of these amazing signed Australian hardcover edition of The Fault in Our Stars?

Okay? Okay.

Synopsis: An exclusive hardcover edition from Penguin Australia.
Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Despite the tumour-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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Colleen Hoover fans, mark your calendar for 14 October! Colleen is releasing an e-novella called FINDING CINDERELLA!

This novella revolves around a character from the Hopeless and Losing Hope novels - Holder’s best friend Daniel! Yes, this story is about the hysterically funny, nickname giving, crazy Daniel! Does it get any better than that? Well, yes! This novella expands on Daniel’s story from Losing Hope regarding his encounter with Cinderella. And just in case this story doesn’t sound good enough yet, it also includes Six, Skye’s quirky and amusing best friend.

Synopsis: A chance encounter in the dark leads eighteen-year-old Daniel and the girl who stumbles across him to profess their love for each other. But this love comes with conditions: they agree it will only last one hour and it will only be make-believe.

When their hour is up and the girl rushes off like Cinderella, Daniel tries to convince himself that what happened between them only seemed perfect because they were pretending it was perfect. Moments like that with girls like her don’t happen outside of fairytales.

One year and one bad relationship later, his disbelief in insta-love is stripped away the day he meets Six: a girl with a strange name and an even stranger personality. Daniel soon realizes the way he pretended to feel about Cinderella and the way he really feels about Six may not be so different after all. Especially when the two loves of his life end up being one in the same.

Unfortunately for Daniel, finding Cinderella doesn’t guarantee their happily ever after…it only further threatens it.

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

And now for the cherry on top: This novella is FREE!

Yes FREE! Colleen has written this novella as a thank you to fans and will be giving it to us for free! I think this is an amazing thing to do - so, thank you Colleen Hoover! A thank you also needs to be sent to her publishers, Atria Books, as they have provided this novella with full publishing services, such as ensuring this ebook will be available via Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes. After some issues with international access, it is now available for pre-order via Amazon US, Amazon UK and Amazon France. (Aussies, you pre-order via Amazon US ).

If for some reason this is novella is still showing a price, I recommend waiting another 24 hours and it should be rectified. Remember, this is a FREE novella, and Colleen Hoover has advised not to pay for it. I would like to thank Colleen Hoover and Atria Books for working so hard to get this issue resolved for us international fans!

But for those of you who have not read Hopeless or Losing Hope, that’s okay - you can still read this novella. Colleen has advised this can be read as a standalone, although it would be better to have read the story of Skye and Holder. (If you want to read my reviews of these books, just click on the title here: Hopeless and Losing Hope).

You can visit Colleen’s website HERE to see the cover reveal and to find out more about FINDING CINDERELLA.

EDIT: Finding Cinderella is now available on Kobo here. Colleen has advised that Kobo released this early, and as it is a free novella, she didn’t mind telling us all about it. Her post about this can be found here!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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For all Laini Taylor fans who believed they had to wait until April 2014 to be able to enjoy more of the ‘Daughter of Smoke and Bone’ series, you are in for a wonderful treat! Introducing NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS!

Laini has announced an ebook novella titled NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS (I know, isn’t that title amazing!) which will be released on 26 November 2013. This novella is the story of the first date of our favourite little “rabid fairy”, Zuzana, and her “violin boy”, Mik.

Synopsis: In Night of Cake & Puppets, Taylor brings to life a night only hinted at in the Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy—the magical first date of fan-favorites Zuzana and Mik. Told in alternating perspectives, it’s the perfect love story for fans of the series and new readers alike. Petite though she may be, Zuzana is not known for timidity. Her best friend, Karou, calls her “rabid fairy,” her “voodoo eyes” are said to freeze blood, and even her older brother fears her wrath. But when it comes to the simple matter of talking to Mik, or “Violin Boy,” her courage deserts her. Now, enough is enough. Zuzana is determined to meet him, and she has a fistful of magic and a plan. It’s a wonderfully elaborate treasure hunt of a plan that will take Mik all over Prague on a cold winter’s night before finally leading him to the treasure: herself! Violin Boy’s not going to know what hit him

Goodreads: Add it to your reading list

The official announcement about NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS (and an EXCERPT!!!) can be found here.

And more information about this novella can be found on Laini’s webpage here.

NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS is available to pre-order via Amazon and Barnes & Noble for those in the US. UK fans can pre-order it from Amazon. And Australian’s can pre-order NIGHT OF CAKE & PUPPETS from iTunes and Google Play! (and yes, I am ridiculously excited that Aussies can now pre-order)

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Kristy
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Synopsis: The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen. America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon’s heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she’ll have to fight for the future she wants.

From the very first page of The Selection, this bestselling series has captured readers’ hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey… Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.

Thoughts: I have been a big fan of ALL of the covers in this series - the girl with the absolutely beautiful dresses. Each book is a distinctive colour - blue, red and white - probably not a coincidence since our protagonists name is America. I also really love the title progression - as this series is almost reiminicent of shows such as The Bachelor, the titles make sense - The Selection, The Elite and The One, marking the end of the series.

I am yet to read The Elite, but I will be doing so shortly, as I really enjoyed The Selection. The One is not out until May 2014, but I am already really looking forward to it!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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Thoughts: This is the US cover of Crash Into You (Good timing, I am reading Dare You To, the second book in this series right now!). I am almost 98% sure the Aussie cover will be different, since they’ve changed the covers for both Pushing The Limits and Dare You To. I personally prefer the US covers for all three so far.

I am also REALLY happy that Isaiah is getting his own book! This whole companion series is quite smart. You can read each of the books stand alone, or if you read them as a series you know a bit of their background from the previous books. I love them. :)

Synopsis:

The girl with straight As, designer clothes and the perfect life-that’s who people expect Rachel Young to be. So the private-school junior keeps secrets from her wealthy parents and overbearing brothers…and she’s just added two more to the list. One involves racing strangers down dark country roads in her Mustang GT. The other? Seventeen-year-old Isaiah Walker-a guy she has no business even talking to. But when the foster kid with the tattoos and intense gray eyes comes to her rescue, she can’t get him out of her mind.

Isaiah has secrets, too. About where he lives, and how he really feels about Rachel. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a rich girl who wants to slum it on the south side for kicks-no matter how angelic she might look.

But when their shared love of street racing puts both their lives in jeopardy, they have six weeks to come up with a way out. Six weeks to discover just how far they’ll go to save each other.

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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Thoughts: This series is up there with the best YA covers in my opinion. They’ve all been really consistent and match really nicely with each other! I loved Incarnate but haven’t yet read Asunder (I will though!). I have until next year though (Probably around January based on the other two releases) to catch up before Infinite comes out. Gorgeous!!!

Synopsis:

DESTRUCTION
The Year of Souls begins with an earthquake—an alarming rumble from deep within the earth—and it’s only the first of greater dangers to come. The Range caldera is preparing to erupt. Ana knows that as Soul Night approaches, everything near Heart will be at risk.

FLIGHT
Ana’s exile is frightening, but it may also be fortuitous, especially if she can convince her friends to flee Heart and Range with her. They’ll go north, seeking answers and allies to stop Janan’s ascension. And with any luck, the newsouls will be safe from harm’s reach.

CHOICE
The oldsouls might have forgotten the choice they made to give themselves limitless lifetimes, but Ana knows the true cost of reincarnation. What she doesn’t know is whether she’ll have the chance to finish this one sweet life with Sam, especially if she returns to Heart to stop Janan once and for all.

With gorgeous romance and thrilling action, the final book in the Incarnate trilogy offers a brilliant conclusion to the compelling questions of this fascinating world, where one new girl is the key to the lives of millions.

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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Thoughts: WOW!!! Seriously, how amazing is this cover? I got over half way through Splintered and haven’t finished it yet. I hit a slow patch in the book and never quite turned back to it. That being said, I actually did like what I had read of it up until that point. It definitely had some good ideas behind it, and Alice in Wonderland.. hello?! Brilliant!

I love the inspiration behind this cover, with the mad hatter and the moth on the collar there. It’s actually inspiring me to want to finish the first book just so I’ll be able to read Unhinged when it comes out!

The bad news, is that unfortunately we’re not going to be seeing this one on our shelves until like… January 2014. Sad face. It feels so far away! But at least it gives me plenty of time to be organised and up to date with Splintered by this time!

Synopsis: None… yet! Rest assured when I know more, you will also know more!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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Thoughts: OMG IT’S HERE!!!! Julie Kagawa, easily one of my all time most favourite authors has just released the cover of The Iron Traitor! I got into this series fairly late in the game compared to most, but I think in the space of a month I had read The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight and The Lost Prince. It was a lot of iron books to read in that space, but honestly, I couldn’t get enough. And so I am pumped to see that this is coming out in October (Still… why so far away?!).

In the time being, I am getting my Kagawa fix with The Eternity Cure from her other series “Blood of Eden”. Soooo good.

Synopsis: None… yet! Rest assured when I know more, you will also know more!

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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Thoughts: Ann Aguirre has a new series! I loved her book Enclave (yet to finish this series) and her writing is fantastic! She is releasing Perdition this year. I love the sound of this book, it sounds like something I would be really into. The cover I am undecided on. I like the look of the girl, I think it says a lot about the story itself and what to expect. But I don’t like the font or colour of the cover all that much. Still, I feel this book will be quite good!

Synopsis: WELCOME TO HELL

The prison ship Perdition, a floating city where the Conglomerate’s most dangerous criminals are confined for life, orbits endlessly around a barren asteroid.

Life inside is even more bleak. Hailed as the Dread Queen, inmate Dresdemona “Dred” Devos controls one of Perdition’s six territories, bordered on both sides by would-be kings eager to challenge her claim. Keeping them at bay requires constant vigilance, as well as a steady influx of new recruits to replace the fallen. Survival is a constant battle, and death is the only escape.

Of the newest convicts, only one is worth Dred’s attention. The mercenary Jael, with his deadly gaze and attitude, may be the most dangerous criminal onboard. His combat skill could give her the edge she needs, if he doesn’t betray her first. Unfortunately, that’s what he does best. Winning Jael’s allegiance will be a challenge, but failure could be worse than death…

Filed under: Cover Reveal by Melissa
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