Wednesday, March 16, 2011

The Vespertine and Faerie Winter!

I am always being asked for recommendations for books that I really like and I always kind of stammer and go, "Uuummm," not because I don't have recommendations, but because I have a hard time narrowing them down. In the past I have touted books like Mistwood by Leah Cypess, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, to name only a very, very few. But this season the two books I am recommending to everyone are The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell and Faerie Winter by Janni Lee Simner. And what better way to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, than to have a giveaway! (And really, who doesn't like free stuff?)

Okay, so The Vespertine. Seriously, how can you not adore this cover!?!?!? I got to read The Vespertine quite early and have been waiting and waiting for it to finally come out! It is a really wonderful historical with beautiful ballgowns, hot guys, stiff corsets, and awesome magic to boot! And one of my very favorite opening lines.

"I returned to Oakhaven entirely ruined."

I mean really, how can you not want to read the next line? Anyway, I love this book and can recommend it to readers of all ages about ten and up.:D

I have a hardcover of this book up for grabs, and it came out last week, so if you don't win it, you can find it at a bookstore near you!


The next book that I am raving about is Faerie Winter by Janni Lee Simner. Some of you may remember how much I raved about Janni's first book, Bones of Faerie, which came out in early 2009. I was in a funk for days after I read it because--although I probably should not admit this publicly--it's so much better than my book.:D Faerie Winter is the sequel and picks up right where Bones of Faerie left off with all of the characters that I didn't want to let go of. I don't want to synopsize too much because it is a sequel, but killer plants, devious fae, eternal winter . . . people, it is just amazing!!!

And still cooler, even though it doesn't actually come out until April 7th, I have a signed copy that I got directly from Janni (why yes, I really am just that cool.:D) that I will send out early!

So two of my very, very favorite books of this year up for grabs! And all you have to do is return the favor. Tell me YOUR favorite read so far this year and I'll pick one at random and send you both of my favorites!:D

This contest is open until Sunday night at midnight and I will send them out as soon as I get the winner's info.

Good luck and happy reading!

Ciao!

104 comments:

Yamile said...

My favorite read this year? Matched, by Ally Condie. Wow! What a beautiful book.
Thanks for the chance to win these books!

Debbie Barr said...

My favorite read so far is "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins!

Both those books look amazing, thanks for giving us the opportunity to win them!

Melania Tolan said...

Oi, there are too many. But I think "Letters from Home" by Kristina McMorris is my favorite right now. It's a WW2 novel inspired by the author's grandparents' courtship during the war- letters. It's just an incredibly heartwarming book.

~Mallary~ said...

I've been looking forward to reading Vespertine, but I had never heard of Faerie Winter! Sounds like a wonderful book though and I'm definitely adding it to my TBR list!!

My favorite read this year would have to be The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. I know that the first two were released a while back, but I'm new to the series and recently finished the first three a couple of weeks ago. I can't wait for The Iron Knight!!

Thanks for the contest!!
mallary.mott@eagles.usm.edu

Lindsay Cummings author said...

Fav read this year so farrrr... Across the universe. Sucked me in!

Americangirlie1991@yahoo.com

Bets said...

Those look intriguing!

I just read and loved "Cybele's Secret," by Juliet Marillier. *swoon*

Patty said...

I'm really looking forward to reading The Vespertine! Right now I am reading "Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins and I love it!

Breanna Collins said...

My favorite book that came out this year that I've read so far is Angel by James Patterson. How can you not love a series with people with wings???

Christina Reads YA said...

I loved the Vespertine! I agree with you - wonderful book! :)

Bones of Faerie has also been on my to-read list for a while now. Faerie Winter sounds just as amazing.

This year, my favorite read so far is Nightshade by Andrea Cremer.

Karolina said...

My favourite this year..there are soo many but i absolutely loved paranormacly by kiersten white, and also the iron fey series by julie kagawa both are really good :)

donnas said...

So far this year would be Crusade and Nightshade.

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Heather said...

My favorite read so far is Across The Universe by Beth Revis. The Vespertine is sitting on my shelf to be read next though! I can hardly wait!

pixleyyy said...

I have to pick one favorite read? That's so hard! I would have to say it was the "Hunger Games" series. I could not put it down!

cegluna said...

Gotta go with Darkest Mercy as my favorite read this year, so far ;)


cegluna(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jules said...

Hmmmmmm what a difficult question!! :D My fave book that i've read this year would have to be the hunger games. It was so totally amazing that I still rave about it when ever someone talks about it and sometimes just lay in bed reminiscing about it :D

Thanks for giving the books away Aprilynne!! :)it would be so cool to win them!!! :D


jules@kadocreative.com


Good luck to everyone else! :)

Victoria said...

I'm going to go with The Iron Queen. I'd love to win these books.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

Book Chatter Cath said...

My fave so far this year is This Side Of The Grave by Jeaniene Frost.
I'm currently reading Archangels Consort by Nalini Singh and I gotta say its a close second =]

Awesome contest

cbcowley@gmail.com

midnight_the_kitten said...

ahh forgot to leave my email incase :p midnight_the_kitten@hotmail.com
and my favourites for this year were paranormalcy and iron queen.x

Lothfleur said...

My favorite read this year is Ash by Malinda Lo. (I think my favorites are always faerie books in some way...)

eminybee said...

my fave this year was "a great and terribly beauty" by Libba Bray. it was truly amazing. Thanks so much for this amazing chance :D

Anonymous said...

It would have to be ........um....my favorite this year would be .....The Night World series by L.J. Smith. There's like 10 books and I couldn't put any of them down and was holed up in my room reading for days. :D

My @ is:
Em.brown011@googlemail.com

rachelglenn said...

Probably MATCHED by Ally Condie. I read it in 1.5 days. Or PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White. Both fantastic books!

Ali (Winged Reviews) said...

My favourite book this year is Siren by Trisha Rayburn. Thanks for amaizing giveaway! :)

Becky said...

My favorite read so far this year was Unearthly by Cynthia Hand.

becca69 said...

Hmmmm, I liked so many books this year, so I'll narrow it down to my favorite end of a series book - Shadowfever by Karen Moning and new author - First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones.

Meggan said...

I have 2 so far...the list will get bigger i'm sure because I have a GIANT stack of "to read" books on my shelf but...."Jane" by April Lindner,and "Beneath a Marble Sky" by John Shors (historical fiction about the Taj Mahal...read for book club...really awesome)...thanks for adding two more books to my ever growing list...I wonder if there is such a job as a professional reader...haha

starryeyedjen said...

gosh, it is so hard to pick just one favorite, even if you did narrow it down to just this year. :P but i have to go with the first that popped into my head when i read the question: 'delirium' by lauren oliver. i think i finished that book in mere hours...it was so hard to put down!

thx for the contest...i can't wait to read both of these novels!

mrsjbruce at gmail dot com

Oliviaa leslie. said...

I read Bones of Faerie when it came out two years ago and absolutely adored it ! I couldn't wait until Faerie Winter . <3

My favorite read so far this year has been Entice by Carrie Jones (need 3).
Carrie Jones' take on Pixies and shapeshifters is just a breath of fresh air. I simply can not wait until the fourth book !

Ema said...

My favourite book would probably be... that's hard... probably Matched by Allie Condie I love that book <3 (my e-mail - asmonaite@hotmail.com)

Anonymous said...

I'd have to say my favorite so far this year is probably Divergent, by Veronica Roth. I managed to get an ARC for it, and it is just...*drools a little* utterly amazing.
~Dot

Anonymous said...

Well, my favorite read, so far...
That's gonna be a hard one....
Probably 'This is all' by Aidan Chambers. It's been out for a couple of years, but I read it every year again. (I'm addicted to reading) Matched by Ally Condie was also great.. Ow, I can't choose. Can't you have more favorite reads?

I would love to read the books you're recommending!
I'm gonna cross my fingers!

Just So Jess said...

My favorites so far this year are Mockingjay, Personal Demons, Nightshade...oh man, there's a few more but I'll stop now.

Thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

My favorite read this year has to be The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff. I love dark faerie!
Faerie Winter sounds great.

Abby Jane said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rachel said...

My favorite I've read this year is The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen.

Abby said...

I think my favorite book so far this year is...this is a hard decision but I'd have to say Pegasus by Robin McKinley.

Truth Teller said...

I'm so happy to hear that Janni Lee Simner isn't finished with Bones of Faerie! It's one of my favorites!

I don't read constantly, and the books I've read this year have all been rather great.

I guess one of my favorites was Blameless by Gail Carriger is a lovely steampunk sci-fi/fantasy novel!
Also, Darklight by Lesley Livingston.

Samantha said...

My favorite read so far this year is.. "Dragons In The Waters" by Madeleine L'Engle, I love all of her books though. I am going to read "It's kind of a funny story" by Ned Vizzini next :)

Both of those look really interesting! I will definitely read them even if I don't win

~Samantha

Simran said...

My favorite book right now has to either Beautiful Darkness by Cami Garcia and Margaret Stohl..... it's the sequel to Beautiful Darkness.... both books are sooo amazing!! Suspense, dark, ROMANCE, magic, ohh my goshh *swon*

I also loveeee historical fiction!! Thank you so much for this chance- if I don't win i'm going to buy the Vespertine.

Katie said...

Wow. My favorite read this year so far? That's really hard! I'd have to say either VIXEN by Jillian Larkin because I'm obsessed with historicals, ACROSS THE UNIVERSE by Beth Revis because it's awesome beyond words, and POPULAZZI by Elise Allen because it made me laugh so hard I snorted. :)

Thanks so much for the giveaway!!!

onepagereviews@gmail.com

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I would have Unearthly by Cynthia Hand and Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins. :)

blackfirekitty@bellsouth.net

anelieze castrejon said...

favorite read this year? matched by ally condie. But I've only read like 3 books so far...can't wait for illusions!!

thank you!

Hal said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rissa said...

My favorite of this year has been Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa. It was the best in the series thus far.

"Alex" said...

My favorite book this year was Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, with Catching Fire in very close second!! Just a wonderful series! Katnis rules- and I love how standoffish she is at times. Not perfect and she doesn't pretend to be for other people. :)

Melissa Down Under said...

Too many great books to choose from! I loved 'Across the Universe' by Beth Revis (like so many others it seems), and also Gayle Forman's 'If I Stay'. But my favourite would have to be 'The Iron Queen' by Julie Kagawa (which also seems to very popular with people in the comments!), I just absolutely loved this 3rd instalment, and even though I was looking forward to the end of the series with this book, Julie has left me wanting even more. I simply cannot wait for 'The Iron Knight'!

Marny said...

My favorite book so far this year is Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. So fun! I can't wait for the sequel.

Unknown said...

My favorite read this year so far would have to be Switched by Amanda Hocking. Trolls and love and drama!!!!!!!!

Thanks!!!!!

ilarianovellacrum@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Well in January I read The Book Thief. It was amazing I could not stop reading! And the interesting thing is that as soon as I was finished, we learned about Anne Frank in Language Arts class. It helped me learn so much! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
Those books sound so interesting! Thanks for giving me this opportunity Aprilynne!! :)

YzhaBella's BookShelf said...

I am a HUGE Patricia Briggs fan, and I just finished Silver Borne! LOVED IT! I also just discovered Renee Rearden's Moonlight Bleu and was extremely impressed with this debut!

Thanks for another great event!
Kate aka YzhaBella's BookShelf
mleger0546(@)rogers(DOT)com

Anonymous said...

I loved "Princess of Glass" by Jessica Day George. It was a wonderful sequel to "Princess of the Midnight Ball."

Mr and Mrs Smith and Co said...

I re-read The Host, and I loved it... I also liked Wonderous Strange (which you recommended).

emily_jane said...

That is such a hard thing to choose!!! But i think im going to go with 2 [sorry, theres no way i could pick between the 2 of them]. I looove Vampire Kisses: Love Bites by Ellen Schreiber and Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. They are both amazing supernatural books!!!

Jamie H. said...

This is so hard because I have two favorites so far. The first one than I heart is "Awakened" by PC and Kristen Cast. Hot vampires, strong heroine,and loving friends make this book great!

The second book that I loved this year is "Shadowspell" by Jenna Black. Beautiful and handsom faeries, a rebelious teenager, a possible love triangle...what is not to like?!

Cher said...

Favorite read so far this year:

Drum roll please........

The NEED series by Carrie Jones!!!!

So far there are only 3 books in this series: Need, Captivate, and Entice. I believe there will be at least one more book in the series!

I loved these books. Pixies, shapeshifters, phobias and EXCELLENT writing!! Such a great series! (Almost as good as Wings :D)

Anyways, I would love a chance to win your books. :) Hope to hear from you!!

Unknown said...

My favorite book this year was The Way of Kings by: Brandon Sanderson....thanks for the chance to win awesome books

ExtremeReader said...

Wow... It always so hard to narrow down my favorites but since I am in major book lust for both books up for grabs I will say that Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton and Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead share the top spot so far! Thank you so much for your generosity!

extremereaderreviews (at) gmail (dot) com

Grace Li said...

Counting from Jan, I would say my fav. book so far would probably be
Paranormalcy by Kiersten White because it was so original :)
I have had my eye on Vespertine and I read Bones of Faerie a while back and now I'm thinking I might have to re-visit it XD
Thanks for having this contest!

pikoo342@hotmail.com

Bekah said...

I have recently read Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, I love her work, it's so relatable for teens! Also, Coffeehouse Angel, it's such a great book, it's a great read, and gets you thinking a little. Although it's not as relatable as Sarah's books. :)

celestial* said...

I feel like a horrible person, because I haven't read any novels in the new year yet. Darn college, making us read all these textbooks! But. I will tell you, I loved the Hunger Games series. And don't you call me a sellout! haha. I know everybody loves them. But I hadn't been that captivated by a book series in a long time until I read those books! So. Hunger Games it is.

Hopefully I can get my hands on these books (and Matched, because I've heard so much about it) and read them this spring and summer!

Can't wait for Illusions!

Vivien said...

My favorite read this year has to be Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran. I fell in love with the french revolution.

Vivien
deadtossedwaves at gmail dot com

Linda said...

Oh, how to choose..
I have 3 favorite books so far:
* Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare (actullay any book by Cassandra Clare..)
* Anna and the Freanch Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (another autor to follow)
* If I Stay by Gayle Forman (so different from anything I ever read)

Very different books, I know, but so good!

//Linda

Unknown said...

My favorite book this year is 'The Way of Kings' by Brandon Sanderson followed by the cheesy yet fun 'Tiger's Curse', and 'Tiger's Quest'. Can't wait to read your suggestions whether I win them or not!

Megan P said...

My favorite book this year, Sarah's key by Tatiana de Rosnay and Entice by Carrie Jones was also really good.

Thnaks for the giveaway!!

Jamie said...

Oh my gosh... It is so hard to choose my favorite book - I have so many! One book that I absolutely loved reading this year was Room by Emma Donoghue. I just read it recently, and I was so moved by the story.
Thank you again for having such awesome giveaways Aprilynne! :)

Fantasy said...

hmm...I've read so many awesome books this year! But I thought about it for a long time and I've decided that my favorite reads for this year (so far) are the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Those books left my hands only when I did my schoolwork. I literally could not stop reading! Thanks for the awesome opportunity to win those books!

Stephie said...

My favorite book so far this year would be Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore. SO magical!

Thanks for this awesome contest! I have been waiting to read both of them for so long!

A Cooper said...

I agree with alot of the books already posted (Matched, Paranormalcy, Hunger Games), but would like to recommend:
Stolen by Lucy Christopher

The Dark Divine & The Lost Saint by Bree Despain

Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg

Loved them All!

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

My favorite read lately is "Star Dancer," By Beth Webb.

An amazing interpretation of female aspiration and discovering what you truly are.

It's a mixture of history and fantasy, suitable for teenagers and adults, based in the late Iron Age when the Romans were just beginning to invade Britain and change history forever but there was one girl they didn't see coming!

A great novel considering I am not usually attracted to this type of fantasy. Even if I don't win, I am glad to to let you know Aprilynne! ;)

Anonymous said...

Jeez..... I cant think of any other book than yours that I felt like I couldnt live without buying and reading so much it fell apart and got a new one!

HayleyAG said...

It's so hard to pick one book out of hundreds but the title that came to mind while reading this post was Firelight by Sophie Jordan. AMAZING YA novel, if you haven't read it- READ IT!!!

Alissa said...

All right, well one of my favorites this year, although it isn't brand new, is A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. It has just the right amount of adventure, magic, mystery and romance to keep the reader wanting more. It is the first in a trilogy, and the two books following are equally memorable. Even better, it has a message, and communicates it affectively without being to obvious.

Mark Murata said...

The novel I'm currently reading is Dying Bites by D.D. Barant. A female detective goes into an alternate dimension, where the vampires, werewolves, and golems have taken over. Human are less than 1 percent of the population.

Lori T. said...

While I've read several great books this year, I've absolutely adored The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa. Her story has simply enchanted my heart.
I also cannot fail to mention how much I loved Darkest Mercy by Melissa Marr. She wrote an incredibly beautiful ending to an exciting story.
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to win such fabulous books!

Abbi said...

Okay. So. My favorite read this year? Well, this one became my favorite a few years ago, but it's remained number one!

The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton.

It's awesome, even if it WAS published in '62. Oldie but a goodie!! :)

Becky said...

My favorite read so far this year is "Tigers Quest" by Colleen Houck. I can't WAIT for the next one! Almost as much as I can't wait for Illusions!!! :)

Unknown said...

One of my favorite books this year is the third book to the Southern Witch series Halfway Hexed by Kimberly Frost! Witty, funny and full of fantasy! You would love it!

Lexi said...

I never read the Harry Potter books before and I decided to start them this year. I loved The Prisoner of Askaban. That's my favorite read so far this year! :)

Veray said...

I think my favorite so far this year would be The Clockwork Angel, I can't wait until the next one in the series. Of course I can't wait for Illusions either.

Unknown said...

My favorite read this year so far because it always changes when a new and awesomer read comes out is "This Side of the Grave" by Jeaniene Frost. Thanks for the giveaways!

Hannah said...

My favorite book that I've read this year is probably Permanant Rose by Hilary McKay.

Unknown said...

My favorite book this year is Spells fersure!! lol im such a suck up... :)

Unknown said...

Well I have tons of favorites, but one of them is definatly Birth Marked by Caragh M. O'brien

- Whitney

Leanndra D said...

I'm currently adding both of these to my reading list. Hmm, I'd have to go with either Angel by James Patterson (the 7th book in the Maximum Ride series) or Wicked Lovely (which is the first book in the series, it reminds me of Wings a lot). Oh wait, I also loved The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. But of course my favorite of this year will be Illusions when it comes out.

Love your books Aprilynne!!

!*!*!_Laurelle_!*!*! said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I so need to read those books! Well my favorite read this year will probably have to be Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Its just amazing. The friendship, the bravery, the knowledge and magic, and most importantly of all, the love. This is the book where everything falls into place and makes me want to be a better person.

Miss Read, laurelle.rainbow@gmail.com

carelaisa said...

hmmm... my favourite book so far this year would be "The thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield. It's not a new released but nevertheless, it got me captivated and hooked to the story until the end. But I do have other favourite books... :)

Anonymous said...

ANGEL FIRE BY COURTNEY MOULTAN IS AMAZING!!

Anonymous said...

My favourites would have to be
Unearthly – Cynthia Hand
Embrace – Jessica Shirvington
And the Fallen series by Lauren Kate
I’m such a sucker for angels
Looking forward to Illusions
miss-becbec@hotmail.com

Kris @Imaginary Reads said...

It's hard to choose ONE favorite, but I'll have to say PARANORMALCY by Kiersten White.

Both these books you're giving away sound amazing! I'm eager to read them now.

Wilda said...

It is SO hard to choose a fav but Pale Demon by Kim Harrison tops my 2011 list so far :)

Becca said...

My favorite book this year was Angel by James Patterson. Can't wait to read these! -Bex
(sparklemint4@yahoo.com)

Unknown said...

My favourite book this year . . . I'd have to say The Cry of the Icemark by Stuart Hill. A-mazing. Thanks for the opportunity to win these books!

Kari said...

Hmmm, my favorite read (so far. There are still many many more that am waiting for to come out) this year would have to be Dark Goddess by Sarwat Chadda. I got to meet him, and he was so totally awesome (even if it was really hard not to talk in a British accent afterward ;))

Anonymous said...

My New Year's Resolution for this year is to read more...so far I've read 19 books and I'm currently on Maggie stiefvater's Ballad. My favorite series so far is the Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris with Nora Robert's, The Bride Quartet, coming in as a close runner up. Thank you for the opportunity to win these books! I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Rose
mellowrose1@yahoo.com

Shop Towel said...

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.

Francheska Santiago said...

I need to know is it true that WINGS is going to be turned into a movie or are those just rumors...
Id have to say that The Trylle Triology by Amanda Hoking are awesome books u can only read it on the nook but its great there are errors here and there with the publiching but its still great.

Summer said...

I just read If I Stay by Gayle Forman and loved it! I loved The Hunger Games series as well. I'm very interested in reading Faerie Winter. Can't wait for Illusions to come out! Thanks for a chance to win!!

~Kendall C.~ said...

Ohh there are soo many!! But, a realy good book I read this year is 13 days to midnight! It was so suspenseful! I loved all the creative, imaginative ideas spun throughout the whole novel!

Thanks for the chance to win the books! They look amazing!! =)

Jena Harrison said...

My favorite read this year was Need and Captivate by Carrie Jones! I picked them up recently and fell in love with them. Her newest book Entice is sitting at home waiting for me to get a spare minute to read it.

These books look so good, I'll have to read them even if I don't win. :)

Anonymous said...

very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!!



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