The Novel Hermit

daydreaming about books

Reviews

REVIEW | The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar

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art of wishing

The Art of Wishing by Lindsay Ribar
March 31, 2013
Dial Books For Young Readers
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

He can grant her wishes, but only she can save his life.

Margo McKenna has a plan for just about everything, from landing the lead in her high school play to getting into a good college. So when she finds herself in possession of a genie’s ring and the chance to make three wishes, she doesn’t know what to do. Why should she put her life into someone else’s hands?

But Oliver is more than just a genie — he’s also a sophomore at Margo’s high school, and he’s on the run from a murderer. As he and Margo grow closer, she discovers that it will take more than three wishes to save him.

A whole lot more.

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First Sentence: [quote]The plan was this: I’d get up on that stage, blow them away with the best damn audition they’d ever seen, and walk out knowing the part I wanted was mine.[/quote]

Looking for genie in a bottle? Well, let me present, The Art of Wishing.

The Art of Wishing follows Margo McKenna in her senior year as she deals with her disappointment of losing one of the lead roles in her high school musical to a sophomore as well as the appearance of a mysterious ring that summons a genie who will grant her three wishes if she so chooses. This genie happens to be a sophomore named Oliver who had been hanging around the high school theater. The two of them begin to confide in each other—secrets that they had kept hidden—and eventually fall in love. However, problems start to pop up with the threat of the impending arrival of the Big Bad, who’s out for Oliver.

Six Things Readers Will Love About The Art of Wishing

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Holy Mother Cover

HOLY, MOTHER COVER! | Changes in Tease by Amanda Maciel

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holymothercover

Inspired by What She Reads, Pure Imagination Blog, and Stacked.

I admit I’m a book cover snob. Who isn’t though?

Book covers are the first thing that attracts readers to a book. A good cover can draw someone is, just as a bad cover can easily draw someone away. It can essentially make or break a book. Holy, Mother Cover! is where I showcase the book covers that stand out (or make me cringe), and discuss cover changes.

(A big special thanks to Georgie at What She Reads for bestowing me this fabulous name and to Charlotte at The Simple Tales for creating the beautiful feature banner you see before you.)

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COVER CHANGE: Tease by Amanda Maciel

[row][column size=”1/2″]What do I think about the cover design? So into the typography.

Of course, the thing I really love about this hardcover of Tease is the typography! Cursive, baby! The title looks like it was written out in reddish-pink pastels or a lipstick. The page of text that is under the title makes good use of the empty space. In person, the cover is silver than that dull gray that’s shown in the photo, which I like because it’s very shiny and eye-catching with that pin color.

I don’t like the extra sans serif “Tease” on the left side of the cover. I just find that a bit awkward since we already have an eye-catching title.

Would I buy this book based on the cover? Sure.[/column] [column size=”1/2″]What do I think about the cover design? It’s just okay?

This paperback cover is very contemplative. It focuses more on the side profile of a girl than the typography of the title. It’s not the most innovative or creative cover (because we’ve seen sooo many profile covers), but I like the shadowing of it, especially how you can’t see the right side of the girl’s face which is shrouded by the dark. The typography for the title is more subtle than the hardcover—both in style (it’s not cursive anymore, boooo) and coloring. I miss the silver and the hot red-pink!

Would I buy this book based on the cover? I don’t know. Maybe? [/column][/row]

Final Verdict: Definitely the hardcover! 

Which cover design do you prefer? Would you buy the hardcover or paperback cover? 

Recommendations

EPIC RECS | March 2015

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epicrecs

* The lovely banner was created by Charlotte with the resources I bestowed onto her.

[quote]Epic Recs is hosted by the lovely Judith (Paper Riot) and Amber (Books of Amber). It is a feature where each month, you and your partner force a book onto each other, or to put it nicely, recommend one to read. My partner in crime will be the one-and-only Charlotte of The Simple Tales. Let the fun (*ahem* pain) begin![/quote]

Charlotte and I have just been acing this Epic Recs thing. Given, I didn’t read Life By Committee until the last week of February, but oh boy, I enjoyed it more than I expected even though Tabitha was all sorts of messssy, which I appreciated. I loved when the Life By Committee group appeared because it was a unconventional support group that recommended Tabitha to do things she shouldn’t, but those advice weirdly worked and had a way of working itself out.

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For this month’s Epic Recs, I’m recommending Charlotte Perfect Ruin (The Internment Chronicles #1) by Lauren DeStefano because I want to torture her. I don’t think I’ve made it a secret that I utterly loathe this book. I want Charlotte to read it so she can get a taste of how ridiculous and anger-inducing this book is and so she can understand why I hate it. Essentially, I want to have another buddy in my “let’s talk about how horrible Perfect Ruin is” club. Godspeed, Charlotte. I am here for you.

Charlotte recommended me Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff. Eeeeeeek. Reasons why I’m excited: 1. that cover is so gorgeous and badass, 2. there’s a mythological creature, and 3. Asian main character! I love the thought of this mythological creature and Yukiko having to rely on each other to survive even though they might not like each other at all. And can we talk about how Yukiko sound so kickass? I’m just a bit worried that it’ll be a bit hard for me to get into. You can read her Epic Recs post about why she recommended me this book.

What do you think about our recommendations? Have you read either book? Tell me all about it!

Monthly Recap

MONTHLY RECAP | February 2015

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february

February was an okay month, but by the end, it just became extremely disappointing and sad. That’s life, man.

  • The big news: I got a new phone! A smartphone! After four and a half years with my slider phone, I have upgraded! And my phone is beautifulllllllll. (Though I’m internally crying at how much I spent. Phones are expensive!) I haven’t named my phone yet, which is a shame since I always name my gadgets. I’m hoping it comes to me soon! It shall not remain nameless!
  • Job hunting update: Much sadness. On Wednesday, I received an email, saying I was in consideration for this editorial position I was really excited about. They asked me to send in writing samples of past works + responses to the requests they made. Yesterday, I sent it in. Hours after I sent it, I received word I was not in consideration anymore, which really sucked because I thought I was a strong candidate. I’m hoping they change their mind, but I’m not holding my breath. I’m just moping around in my room. (I don’t want pity or the “there are other jobs out there” comments please. I’ve had enough of those.)
  • The Book Blogger Love-A-Thon happened, and it was amazing. I spent the last day just shouting at people because of my excitement! Thank you to the always lovely Alexa for hosting it! <3

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Reviews

(DNF) REVIEW | The Walled City by Ryan Graudin

Comment : 1

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
November 4, 2014
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

730. That’s how many days I’ve been trapped.
18. That’s how many days I have left to find a way out.

DAI, trying to escape a haunting past, traffics drugs for the most ruthless kingpin in the Walled City. But in order to find the key to his freedom, he needs help from someone with the power to be invisible….

JIN hides under the radar, afraid the wild street gangs will discover her biggest secret: Jin passes as a boy to stay safe. Still, every chance she gets, she searches for her lost sister….

MEI YEE has been trapped in a brothel for the past two years, dreaming of getting out while watching the girls who try fail one by one. She’s about to give up, when one day she sees an unexpected face at her window…..

In this innovative and adrenaline-fueled novel, they all come together in a desperate attempt to escape a lawless labyrinth before the clock runs out.

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First Sentence: “There are three rules of survival in the Walled City: Run fast. Trust no one. Always carry your knife.”

Fun fact: I nearly did my pre-thesis for my History minor on The Walled City, but there weren’t a lot of primary sources I could used, so I had to switch my topic.

The Walled City follows the lives of three characters living inside this makeshift city—all dealing with the threat of violence, drugs, and prostitution that plague their every day life. They essentially have to try to survive or they will get got. So, the question is: is The Walled City a book that will satisfy my (and everybody else’s) curiosity of the actual Walled City in Kowloon? Hell no.

I tried and I tried and I tried to read this book, but my heart and brain were both telling me NOPE. I managed to get through the three main character’s point of views before I decided to call it quits. It was mind-numbing torture. I was not thrilled about the plot, which was boring at best and didn’t go anywhere, or the characterizations of the three characters, who all felt like they had the same voice. The writing felt disjointed and a bit cliché. It also relied a lot on cringe-worthy metaphors that were trying to be lyrical when it only made me want to scratch my eyes out and release a Tina Belcher groan. They were extremely out of place and constantly made me go, “wait, what the hell.” (I won’t torture you or my poor brain of giving examples. You’re welcome.) Just a big fat no to it.

And I’m sure it only gets worst from what I’ve read from reviews by trusted bloggers, so I’m gonna stay away from this book forever.

I would’ve preferred reading a nonfiction work about The Walled City than waste my sanity on this book because at least there wouldn’t be ridiculous and extremely cliché metaphors being thrown all over the place.

Typography

YOU’RE JUST MY TYPE | Tale of Beauty and Madness Title Font!

Comments : 6

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I love fonts. You can say I’m obsessed with collecting them all. It’s no secret to those who know me. You’re Just My Type is a new feature where I showcase the fonts I absolutely adore and use. And hopefully, you will love the fonts I pick. Add all of them to your font collection! Let it grow!

Font Sleuth Cee is taking a different approach to this You’re Just My Type post! Unlike my previous post that had four different books with their respective title font, I decided to focus on the gorgeous font on the Tale of Beauty and Madness series by Lili St. Crow.

Vermandois is designed by Jessica McCarty of Magpie Paper Works, and made its debut in 2012.

[quote]Rough yet refined, kinetic and distinctive, the handdrawn Vermandois family mimics original calligraphy with exceptional accuracy. Perfect for correspondence, invitations, unique branding and display, Vermandois’ connecting letters, caps and ink blots make a mark.  [/quote]

I love this font because of the calligraphy-esque look of it. It looks like somebody had wrote with a feather and ink, and I think that’s so cool!

Let’s see it on the covers, shall we?

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