Review: Adversary by Kate Kaynak

Adversary by Kate Kaynak

Amazon Product Description:
The second book of the Ganzfield series. Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes? See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.


Once again Kate Kaynak is successful in creating an amazingly original, incredible page turner!




My thoughts:  (attempting to tell you what I think about the story without including any spoilers):
The introduction/Dear Reader section left me once again appreciating the extra thought and time the author takes in her work.  She adds this section to tell the reader about, well about everything.  


The book picks up where Minder ended and continues to take the reader on the ride of their life! 


This second book in the Ganzfield series is as well written as the first book.  It keeps you turning the pages as you fall in love with the characters.  


The world that Kate Kaynak has built for us in her books is incredible.  The characters are learning as they go, and remain true to themselves, their friends, and their nature.  They are struggling with values and principles as they find a balance between what they are, who they are, and what is right and wrong.  The journey is fantastic!  The relationship between Maddie and Trevor is more than I could ever imagine.  


In a few words:  Another must read!  Incredible! Thoughtful, original, entertaining, suspenseful! A true page turner! I have already pre-ordered Legacy!


I have been offered the opportunity to hold a giveaway from Kate Kaynak!  I am so excited!  The prize will be your choice of a copy of Minder, or a copy of Adversary, or a Minder t-shirt.  The giveaway contest will start November 1, 2010.  Stop by then and check it out - this is one book you don't want to miss.

Review: Minder by Kate Kaynak

Minder by Kate Kaynak

Amazon Product Description:

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

My Thoughts: (I will attempt to give you my thoughts on this fantastic book without including any spoilers):

In general - I loved this book!  I thought it was amazing! Well written and intriguingly suspenseful, with an incredible romance thrown in.  The author touches on so many aspects of life that this book will appeal to almost everyone.  

One of my favorite things about reading this book was the originality.  

The beginning grabbed me, I was hooked by page 4! I stayed hooked throughout the story.  I got to the end and was excited that I already had the next book sitting on my coffee table.  I didn't want to wait to get started on Adversary.

Kate Kaynak gives all of her characters interesting introductions and makes connections between them and other characters right away so the reader is never left hanging out in the breeze with a new person.  I never found myself wondering where someone fit in or came from and I never had to page back in the story to figure out how they were connected to each other.

All of the characters are strong. In there own way.  They each have some "super power" and have been brought to Ganzfield by Dr. Jon Williamson.  Dr. Williamson serves as the father-figure for the groups.  Each group of characters is carefully explained and add their own dynamic element to the story. They each have unique characteristics that keep them separate from the others while also possessing a skill that works together with the skills of each of the other groups.

I noticed that the author works the title into the story right away (p. 29).  I rather enjoyed the fact that although she tells you what Minder means early on, she doesn't disclose what the cover ART represents.  She lets you get that information from reading the story, and gives you the opportunity to put names on the silhouettes yourself.  I found this to be both interesting and unusual.  I am a cover shopper, it can usually tell you so much about a book.  I was thrilled with the cover on Minder.  

My favorite word from the book:  frenemy!  I had never heard it used before and couldn't believe how perfectly it describes high school girls!

My thoughts on the book - not the story: This book is so reader friendly.  The actual book is larger than the average book which allows for the larger print that is used.  The font chosen, along with the larger print, makes the book easy on the eyes.  Even the paper used is reader friendly - crispy white so the print pops off the page!  The author and the publisher must have put a considerable amount of thought into the making of this book and I for one appreciate the extra effort!  

I would call this a MUST READ - I have already passed my copy on to another reader and have one other waiting for their turn!  

In a few words:  Incredible! Creative! Original! Well thought-out! Great new series! Characters you will LOVE!

I have been offered the opportunity to hold a giveaway from Kate Kaynak!  I am so excited!  The prize will be your choice of a copy of Minder, a copy of Adversary, or a Minder t-shirt.  The giveaway contest will start November 1, 2010.  Stop by then and check it out - this is one book you don't want to miss.

W...W...W... Wednesday!

What am I reading?  The Ways of Khrem by D. Nathan Hilliard

  Amazon Product Description:

The Ways of Khrem, D. Nathan Hilliard's debut single-author collection, features three interconnected novellas: The Reach of Talanturos, The Cistern, & The Ghost of Candlewalk Lane. Cargill the Bookseller lives a quiet life, in a modest house, overlooking the vast city of Khrem...a magical metropolis of cavernous streets, lofty spires, and dark secrets. His life is turned upside down when Captain Wilhelm Drayton of the City Watch arrives at Cargill's doorstep and confronts him with his criminal past. Now Cargill must assist the Captain in solving mysteries in a city where the villain may not even be human, bringing all of his skills to bear as he finds himself at odds with gods, monsters, and psychopaths alike.

What did I just finish reading?  Adversary by Kate Kaynak

Amazon Product Description:
The second book of the Ganzfield series. Things are more dangerous than they seem at Ganzfield, and not everyone will survive. Does Maddie have what it takes? See what happens next in the sequel to Minder.




****I am totally in LOVE with this series - check out my reviews for both Minder and Adversary!  I have already pre-ordered #3!




What am I reading next?  From the Dead by John Herrick


Amazon Product Description:

A preacher's son, a father in hiding, a guilty heart filled with secrets: When Jesse Barlow escaped to Hollywood, he hungered for fame--but eleven years of failure result in a drug-induced suicide attempt. Revived at death's doorstep, Jesse returns to his Ohio hometown to make amends with his preacher father, a former love, and Jesse's own secret son. But Jesse's renewed commitment becomes a baptism by fire when his son's advanced illness calls for a sacrifice--one that could cost Jesse the very life he regained. A story of mercy, hope, and second chances, From The Dead captures the human spirit with tragedy and joy.




What am I waiting for?  Time to read all the books I have been soooooooo busy buying!  
Okay, of course I am also waiting for more books - the one that comes to mind first is:


Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead!!!  December 7 won't be here soon enough!

Amazon Product Description: 

The epic finale in Richelle Mead's #1 international bestselling Vampire Academy series.

Mailbox - What I got this week!

Won from some amazing blogs!
Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden from DK's Everything Romance Books
Dangerous Desires by Dee Davis from DK's Everything Romance Books
Desperate Deeds by Dee Davis from Martha's Books
Nomansland by Lesley Hauge from Icey Books
****Thanks so much for hosting and for the books!!!

From Amazon:

Heroes of the Valley by Jonathan Stroud

Leven Thumps and the Eyes of the Want by Ober Skye

Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

Leven Thumps and the Ruins of Alder by Obert Skye

Pillage by Obert Skye

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Frostbite by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

KidLit Con 2010 - Minneapolis, MN

Just wanted to say that I am at Kid Lit Con in MSP!  Last night I was so fortunate as to meet 

Maggie Stiefvater (Shiver), Brenna Yovanoff (The Replacement), and Tessa Gratton (Blood Magic)!  

I will have to upload the pics soon- so far it's been super fun!

W...W...W... Wednesday!

What am I reading?

Just finished:

Adversary by Kate Kaynak

Reading now:

The Ways of Khrem by D. Nathan Hilliard

Reading next:

From the Dead by John Herrick

and then:

Wind and Fire by Cheryl Landmark

What am I waiting on?
(Besides enough time to read all the books I have)

Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Teaser Tuesday!

My teaser comes from:  The Ways of Khrem by D. Nathan Hilliard

"The watchmen's coach waited outside my front gate, the embodiment of everything I spent my life trying to avoid."  page 18 (Chapter 2)

(Cover info:)

The Ways of Khrem, D. Nathan Hilliard's debut single-author collection, features three interconnected movellas:

The Reach of Talanturos

The Cistern

The Ghost of Candlewalk Lane

Cargill the Bookseller lives a quiet life, in a modest house, overlooking the vast city of Khrem...a magical metropolis of cavernous treets, lofty spires, and dark secrets.  His life is turned upside down when Captain Wilhelm Drayton of the City Watch arrives at Cargill's doorstep and confronts him with his criminal past. Now Cargill must assist the Captain in solving mysteries in a city where the villain may not even be human, bringing all of his skills to bear as he finds himself at odds with gods, monsters, and  psychopaths alike.

My Mailbox is overflowing!

I have had a book buying binge week!  I won some books on blogs, my friend Kathy gave me a book, I ordered books from the Scholastic book orders, amazon, and I shopped the book fair at the school!  Wow - toooooooo many books - my TBR just exploded!  My son just started reading the Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan and we only had the first two books - so....off to Amazon.com and get the last 10 in that series.  They arrived yesterday!  I will list the books and where they came from - I am skipping the pics this week.  My boyfriend sometimes reads my blog and there is no sense in adding fuel to the fire by adding a visual!!!

Won on blogs:  Thanks so much to the bloggers who have hosted the contests/giveaways and for the great books that I have received!!!

Hannah by Hannah Westberg - won from Kari at A Good Addiction

    Won at O.W.L. 

Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School: We are the Children by Andrew Clements

Nightmare at the Bookfair by Dan Gutman

Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity by Mac Barnett

Amelia Rules: The Tweenage Guide to NOT Being Unpopular by Jimmy Gownley

Spaceheadz by Jon Scieszka

Lesley Hauge sent me her book (won at Icy Books): Nomansland

Gift from Kathy:  

Never After (four stories: Laurell K. Hamilton, Yasmine Galenorn, Marjorie M. Liu, and Sharon Shinn)

From Amazon:

Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love by Larry Levin

From book orders:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wolven by Di Toft

Waggit's Tale by Peter How

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Girl Who Survived by Bronia Brandman and Carol Bierman

Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover by Ally Carter

Battle Heroes by Allen Zullo

Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson

The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg

The Kind of Friends We Used to Be by Frances O'Roark Dowell

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

I Survived by Lauren Tarshis

Return of the Homework Machine by Dan Gutman

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

Sabotaged: Missing Book 3 by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Amulet #3: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Fever Crumb by Philip Reeve

Mocking Jay by Suzanne Collins

Bone: Tall Tales by Jeff Smith

Lost in the Labyrinth by L.A. Peacock

Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker

From the book fair:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Candle Man: Book One by Glenn Dakin

Framed by Gordon Korman

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink

Eon by Alison Goodman

Wereling by Steve Feasey

Vampire High by Douglas Rees

Dark Fire by Chris D'Lacey

Seekers #4: The Last Wilderness by Erin Hunter

Lockdown: Escape from the Furnace by Alexander Gordon Smith

Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee

Kandide: The Secret of the Mists by Diana S Zimmerman

The Clockwork Three by Matthew J. Kirby

Trance by Linda Gerber

Dark Life by Kat Falls

I love Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday!  I know that most people would choose Christmas or maybe even Thanksgiving, but for me....it's all about Halloween!  

I don't know when it started, but it's been that way as long as I can remember!  I have about 10 rubbermaid totes that are filled with decorations!  I usually started getting ready the first week in October so I can get the whole house decorated in a week or so.  I decorate EVERY room in my house for the event!  I usually theme each room: ghosts and witches in the kitchen, pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns in the bathrooms, skeletons, mummies, and vampires in the living room.  From there the themes spread out to general creepiness and Halloween ideas.  I have rolls of scene-setters that I put up on the walls to make the rooms look like castles and dungeons and such.  I cover all the windows in the front of my house with enormous black spider webs and giant spiders.  I live in the country now and so I don't get trick-or-treaters anymore, but I still have bins of candy laid out all over (although I have realized that the window ledges are now place for chocolate! Way too soft by the afternoons).  I have Halloween dishes, serving dishes, and both stemware and glassware!  I even put out some glow-in-the-dark plastic flatware shaped like skeletons and ghosts!  

I have a collection of Halloween clothes and dress in them for the week before Halloween and then I dress up as a witch every year (on the Friday before Halloween at school if the holiday falls on a weekend) and go out on the town!  

My favorite Halloween read is:

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman and S. D. Schindler

It has been a favorite of mine for years so of course my kids love it too!  When I was going to school in Winona, one of my assignments in my Children's Lit. class was to choose a story and do a read-aloud to a kindergarten class.  Since it was October, I chose Big Pumpkin!  I made a storyboard story out of it - I used a tri-fold presentation board for the setting and then made all the characters from the book out of craft foam.  My kids and I made a tape of us reading the story so I could play it while I "acted" out the story on the board.  It was amazing!  We all chose different characters and did the voices!  I dressed up as the witch to tell the story and was great! The little students loved it!  If you have never read this story, go check it out!

I am guest posting on two blogs - Scarrlet Reader and The Book Rat

The contest rules for those are:

1. You must be a follower of both the host blog and The Wormhole.

2. You must be at least 13 years old.

3. You must come HERE and post a comment with a valid email address to enter.

4. May only enter once - multiple entries will be discarded.

***contest ends 10/31/10 (noon - central time) - winner announced and notified by 11/5/10***


The prize? There will be one winner for each of the guest blogs - the winner will receive either a Halloween gift basket or a Halloween book sent from The Book Depository.

Halloween Giveaway!

 Halloween Gift Basket!  

It's a Halloween goodie basket! Witch broom pen, Halloween pencil, three large Halloween erasers, 2 rubber ducks (dracula and a mummy), an eyeball ball, a stretchy skeleton, 2 eyeballs, a large bat sponge, a skull and crossbones jewel iron-on, and a great Halloween basket!  I will also be adding a Halloween bookmark!

(for followers who are international - the prize will be any book (up to $10.00) from The Book Depository - they must ship to you for you to win).

Rules:

1. Must be at least 13 years old.

2. Must be a follower of The Wormhole.

3. Must fill out the form below to enter. 

Comments are awesome, but won't count as entries.

4. May only enter once - multiple entries will be discarded.

***contest ends 10/31/10 (noon - central time) - winner announced and notified by 11/5/10***

I am also guest posting for:

 Caitlin at The Scarrlet Reader Blog so please stop by her blog and check out her great Halloween event!

and

Helluva Halloween hosted by Misty!  Swing by her event too!

Coming soon...

Halloween guest post information!

Review of Minder by Kate Kaynak --- WOW, AMAZING story!!!

Halloween contest information!

(as it is currently the middle of the night and I am super tired - I will post this little shortie note to let you all know what I have in store for you in the next couple days!

STAY TUNED!!!

Waiting on Wednesday!

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted at Breaking the Spine that spotlights eagerly awaited upcoming releases.

I just have to post this once and say - although I am waiting for books to arrive and I have a bundle + a ton of books on both my TBR and my wish list....

I am waiting on NOTHING today!

Wow! That was freeing!!! I have been waiting for so many books and now I am in possession of three of my "really, really, really waiting fors"

Blameless by Gail Carriger

Bayou Moon (The Edge Book 2) by Ilona Andrews

Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Could a girl get luckier???

Okay - I have to go with "NO WAY" for that answer!

What are you waiting for? Or are you taking a break from waiting and have immersed yourself in your own "Drop Everything and Read" and if so what is it?

It's Monday!

(I grabbed this button/pic from a blog - thanks so much for sharing - it's awesome!!!)

In My Mailbox: This weekly meme is hosted by The Story Siren

Mailbox Monday: 

Mailbox Monday is on tour this month at She Reads and Reads.

It's Monday! What are you reading this week? is a weekly event now hosted by One Persons Journey Through a World Of Books where we discuss our week of reading! 

This is what has been in my mailbox since my last post!

Bought from Amazon:  Masques by Patricia Briggs, 13 to Life by Shannon Delany

and the latest in Heather Brewer's Vladimir Tod Chronicles Twelfth Grade Kills.

Won:  Secrets by Danielle Steel from Hott Books, Give Up the Ghost by Megan Crewe from Down the Rabbit Hole, and both The Guardians of Ga'Hoole: The Capture and Wolves of the Beyond: Lone Wolf by Kathryn Lasky from Jenn's Bookshelves.

Thanks so much for the great books!

What am I reading? 

I am currently reading Minder by Kate Kaynak

Amazon product description:  

Sixteen-year-old Maddie Dunn is special, but she needs to figure out how to use her new abilities before somebody else gets hurt. Ganzfield is a secret training facility full of people like her, but it's not exactly a nurturing place. Every social interaction carries the threat of mind-control. A stray thought can burn a building to the ground. And people's nightmares don't always stay in their own heads. But it's still better than New Jersey--especially once she meets the man of her dreams...

I am loving it so far - I have been super pressed for reading time and so I haven't gotten as far as I wanted to get, but I am just over halfway and am looking forward to finishing and getting to the sequel!

Next I will be reading Adversary by Kate Kaynak.