Review: The White Devil by Justin Evans

The White Devil: A Novel-Justin Evans
Publisher: Harper
Publication date: May 10, 2011
Source: Review copy sent by publisher
Author website


Joe Hill’s Horns  meets Donna Tartt’s The Secret History in this bold new thriller from Justin Evans, author of the critically acclaimed A Good and Happy Child. When seventeen-year-old Andrew Taylor is transplanted from his American high school to a British boarding school—a high-profile academy for the sons of England’s finest—his father hopes that the boy’s dark past will not follow him from across the Atlantic. But blood, suspense, and intrigue quickly surround Andrew once again as he finds himself struggling with a deadly mystery left unsolved by a student from Harrow School’s past—the enigmatic poet Lord Byron.
(Goodreads) 

I think creepy is too kind of a word for The White Devil. I've never read a ghost story like it, I felt as though the ghost was seeping out from the pages and hovering above me.

I'm a huge fan of ghost stories, but this book does one better by setting the tale at a centuries old boarding school outside of London. I'm such a sucker for boarding school stories, but especially English ones.

Andrew has run into trouble at his American boarding school, and ends up at Harrow School. He's a fish out of water in every way, and when strange things start happen shortly after his arrival, a difficult transition is made even worse.

This isn't a happy book, as the center of the ghost story is filled with jealousy and despair. Andrew manages to find some happiness while at school, but it all begins to fall through his fingertips when the Lot ghost gets more aggressive. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives in this book, as I don't think it would have been truly complete if we just had Andrew's side of it.

Even though the main character in this story is a teenager, it's not a YA book because of the language and sexuality. That said, if you're like me, an adult who reads YA, or an older teen, you should definitely check out The White Devil.

In My Mailbox (30)

In My Mailbox is a weekly event held by The Story Siren.

For review:

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs.

From Paperback Swap:

I Capture the Castle-Dodie Smith

Purchased:

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean.

The Perfect Play (A Play-by-Play Novel) by Jaci Burton & The School for Brides (A School For Brides Romance) by Cheryl Ann Smith.

From the Joseph-Beth closing sale:

Sunshine-Robin McKinley, A Secret Affair (Huxtable Quintet, Book 5) by Mary Balogh, Blame It on Paris by Laura Florand, Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon & Intertwined (Harlequin Teen) by Gena Showalter.

From the library:

Like Mandarin by Kirsten Hubbard.

That's it for my mailbox, what's in yours?

Armchair BEA: How I Decided Where My Blog Fit in my Life

I've been a book blogger for over a year, but I've been blogging regularly since April, 2000. I've had a blog almost all of the last eleven years, with the exception of a few months here and there. I honestly don't see myself stopping blogging anytime soon!

When I started blogging, I was envious of bloggers who received a lot of books and my goal was to have a book blog of high quality so I could receive books as well. After a few months of having my blog as a top priority I decided that I couldn't continue that way as the practice was becoming joyless, and it was also taking away from my writing time.

I now have a love for my blog because it doesn't overtake my life. I've talked about how I blog before and how planning ahead works well for me. If I didn't blog that way, I don't think I would have continued to blog if I didn't schedule things ahead.

I also stopped worrying long ago about my stats, comments, and whether I'll be placed on a publisher's list. I don't begrudge those that care about those things, but I just don't.  I can only worry about so many things in a day, and whether my blog is popular or not just isn't one of them. I know I will focus on networking and things like SEO at some point in the future when I want to use my blog as a networking tool for my writing, but for right now, I'm just going with the flow.

I blog mostly for myself, to keep up with my reading and to press myself to reach my reading goals, and to discuss my progress through my writing journey. That others want to read what I write is thrill enough for me. 

How do you maintain your joy for blogging?

Armchair BEA: Blogger Interview

It's interview day at Armchair BEA, and my interview was with Cat from Books4Hearts!


-Tell me a little about yourself.
I'm Cat. I'm about to be a Sophomore in high school. I'm usually very random. I'm not terribly interesting :P

-What's your favorite thing to do that doesn't involve reading?
Hanging out with my friends; seeing movies, just sitting around and talking, going swimming, etc.. And listening to music. I loveee music, of pretty much all kinds. I think there's some stuff I like from every genre.

-What made you want to start a book blog?
I started it with two friends because we had personal blogs and we all loved to read, so one February we started Books4Hearts so we could talk about books, get our opinions out there, and have fun doing it.

-What's the first book you remember reading and loving?
Two, actually. Quickly following each other. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone & Junie B and the Stupid Smelly Bus. Both when I was 7. Logically, Junie B should've been first but I'm not sure it was.

-Are you hoping to attend BEA next year?
Oh I hope so. I don't know if I'll be able to but it'd be great!

-If you could jump into book and be part of the action, which one would it be?
Well, not a dystopian, that's for sure. No Hunger Games for me. Probably Harry Potter, I always waited for the letter inviting me to Hogwarts when I was younger!

Thanks to Cat for stopping by the blog today! :)

Visual Inspiration (1)

Australian author Steph Bowe regularly posts visual inspiration on her blog, and since I'm also a huge sucker for inspirational photos, I've decided to start participating from time to time. Here are this week's photos that are inspiring me for my current WiP, which is my first foray into adult romance!

All photos are from Tumblr  or Photo Donuts and do not belong to me.

(lyrics from 'Handsome Devil' by The Smiths)

Armchair BEA: Best of 2011 So Far

I've read over fifty books this year, which for me, is more than any year since childhood. I know that compared to some book bloggers that number is paltry, but for me, it's a real accomplishment! Here are some of my favorite reads of the year so far. If they're books I've already reviewed on the blog, I'll link directly to the review.

Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi
This is one of the best contemporary YA books I've ever read. A little weird, but totally engaging.

Divergent-Veronica Roth
It seems that everyone loves this book, and it's with good reason! I'm kind of dystopia-ed out. I'm no longer reading much in the genre (unless it's a good zombie dystopia) because I'm seeing a lot of the same plots. But Divergent is original and well written.

Dreamland Social Club-Tara Altebrando
Another quirky, contemporary YA. A must-read!

The Kitchen Daughter by Jael McHenry
This book has recipes, spooks and an engaging, if slightly unreliable narrator.

Ascendant by Diana Peterfreund
If you're a YA fan and you haven't read this series, you seriously need to read it right away!

The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning
This is another must-read series! I suggest getting them all from the library or purchasing them all from the get-go, because you won't be able to stop reading!

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake-Sarah MacLean
This is a must-read for any fan of historical romance! I have the second and third books in the series now and I can't wait to dig into them! If you're a historical YA fan and are looking to read something a bit more adult, don't hesitate to pick up this series. When I last checked, there were ample copies of both the first and second books in the series on Paperback Swap if you're a member!

Backstage Pass: Sinners on Tour-Olivia Cunning
What's not to like about this book? Sexy rock 'n rollers and a real love story that is heart-melting as well. This book is definitely for 18+, though!



These are just a few of my favorite books I've read so far in 2011. What are yours?

Armchair BEA: How do you Armchair?

I'm so excited to be partaking in Armchair BEA for a second year! I had a blast last year and I can't wait to see how it goes this year!

If you're stopping by my blog for the first time, let me tell you a little about myself. I'm Tara, an aspiring author/avid reader in my thirties. I live in Virginia, about halfway between Washington, DC and Richmond, VA. I started off blogging mostly about YA books, but in the past year I've branched out to read a little bit of everything from memoir to romance. I also blog about my experiences as an aspiring author.

I'm excited to 'meet' some new bloggers this week, to learn a little bit, and to witness BEA from the comfort of my home.

I probably won't be going to BEA any time soon (my dream is to go as a published author!) but I did attend ALA when the convention was in DC last year and I had a blast, and I hope to attend The RT Booklovers Convention in Chicago next year. The programming is divided for readers and writers, so I think it would be a better way for me to spend my convention dollar.

That's me in a nutshell, and if you're stopping by for the first time, please comment so I can check out your blog!

On My Wish list May 21st

On My Wish list is a weekly event held by Book Chick City.

Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart-Sarah MacLean
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April 26, 2011

She lives for passion.
Bold, impulsive, and a magnet for trouble, Juliana Fiori is no simpering English miss. She refuses to play by society's rules: she speaks her mind, cares nothing for the approval of the ton, and can throw a punch with remarkable accuracy. Her scandalous nature makes her a favorite subject of London's most practiced gossips . . . and precisely the kind of woman The Duke of Leighton wants far far away from him.
He swears by reputation.
Scandal is the last thing Simon Pearson has room for in his well-ordered world. The Duke of Disdain is too focused on keeping his title untainted and his secrets unknown. But when he discovers Juliana hiding in his carriage late one evening—risking everything he holds dear—he swears to teach the reckless beauty a lesson in propriety. She has other plans, however; she wants two weeks to prove that even an unflappable duke is not above passion.
(Amazon)


I adore this series! I got the first two books Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake &Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord from Paperback Swap, and I can't wait to read this latest installment!

The The Name of the Star-Maureen Johnson
Publisher: Putnam
Publication Date: September 29, 2011

The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon “Rippermania” takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities.
(Goodreads)


I love the premise of this novel, and I'm also curious to see Maureen Johnson's take on the genre. 

The Pledge-Kimberly Derting
Publication Date: November 15, 2011
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry


Words are the most dangerous weapon of all.

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she’s spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can’t be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country’s only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.
(Goodreads)

The Pledge sounds original and intriguing. I've heard good things about Kimberly's other works (including from my Mom!) but I've yet to read anything by her. This title is one of my most anticipated fall releases.


That's it for my wish list this week, what's on yours?