Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: monsters

Showing posts with label monsters. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Rockstar Book Tours presents... BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS by Alysa Wishingrad - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS by Alysa Wishingrad Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my review post, make sure to enter the giveaway, and don't miss the rest of the tour!

BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS

by Alysa Wishingrad

Pub. Date: September 12, 2023

Publisher: HarperCollins

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 400

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/BETWEEN-MONSTERS-AND-MARVELS

A standalone high-stakes middle grade fantasy by Alysa Wishingrad, author of the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection The Verdigris Pawn.

Monsters are still lurking on Barrow’s Bay.

Dare Coates is sure of it. No drifter or ruffian could have killed her father, the Captain of the Guard, while he was on patrol. But everyone insists that monsters have been gone for years now. Dare’s mother. Her classmates. Even the governor, who swiftly marries her mother just months after her father’s death.

Dare’s suspicions grow even stronger when the governor suddenly ships her off to the mainland, away from any hope of uncovering the truth about her father’s death.

Or so she thinks. Soon Dare finds solid proof that monsters still exist and she starts to question everything she’s always known. Was her father who she thought he was? Who can she trust? Where is the line between good and evil?

The truth hides behind danger and deception. But with the help of an unlikely crew of cohorts and a stray beastie, nothing can stop Dare from finding out what happened to her father and exposing who the real monsters are.

Perfect for fans of Ellen Oh’s Spirit Hunters and Lauren Oliver’s The Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street.

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I really loved this story, and while that alone is a great reason to pick up a book, the thing that really made it memorable for me weren't the monsters or the marvels, but rather Dare, herself.

You see, Dare was an unusual child, at least when compared to her peers. She valued truth and honesty instead of pretty lies and shallow tales. She treasured time with her father and looked up to him with nary a care to the thoughts others held about his character, or profession. Of course, those sideways thoughts best stay within the confines of the little mind that had, lest Dare show them just what the word comeuppance really means! She was bright with an inner shine, but not showy and demanding of a spotlight. She cared deeply for the people, creatures, places, and things that others would overlook, or look down on, purposely, for she too knew what it was like. Going along with her to not only uncover the truth about her father, but her own truth, was a quest worth taking, risks be darned, for as much as hunters enjoy the chase, they also like a place to call home.

A great adventure for middle grade readers and beyond with so much heart, and so many secret truths to discover, you won't want to miss out!

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About the author...

Alysa Wishingrad writes fantastical stories for young readers, tales that ask; is the truth really true? Her favorite stories are those that meld the historical with the fantastic, and that find ways to shine a light on both the things that divide and unite us all. The Verdigris Pawn, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, is her debut novel. Alysa lives in the Hudson Valley with her family and two demanding rescue dogs. You can find her at www. alysawishingrad.com or on Twitter at @awishingrad or Instagram at @alysawishingradwrites.

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☆☆☆ GIVEAWAY ☆☆☆

2 winners will receive a finished copy of BETWEEN MONSTERS AND MARVELS Bookmarks and stickers, US Only.

Ends October 3rd, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to Rockstar Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you and to the publisher for the ecopy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on this horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more...

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/1/2023

yabookscentral.com

Interview/IG Post

Week Two:

9/4/2023	Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
9/5/2023	Two Chicks on Books	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
9/6/2023	#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog	Guest Post or Excerpt/IG Post
9/7/2023	@katherinebichler	TikTok Spotlight
9/8/2023	Rajiv's Reviews	Review/IG Post

Week Three:

9/11/2023	Review Thick And Thin	Review/IG Post
9/12/2023	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Review/TikTok Post
9/13/2023	Lifestyle of Me	Review
9/14/2023	Country Mamas With Kids	Review/IG Post
9/15/2023	avainbookland	IG Review

Week Four:

9/18/2023	@pagesforpaige	IG Review
9/19/2023	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post
9/20/2023	Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers	Review/IG Post
9/21/2023	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
9/22/2023	@froggyreadteach	IG Review

Week Five:

9/25/2023	FUONLYKNEW	Review
9/26/2023	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post
9/27/2023	Gryffindorbookishnerd	IG Review
9/28/2023	evergirl200	IG Review
9/29/2023	Kim's Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Monday, August 20, 2018

Penguin Young Readers presents... MONSTER MAYHEM by Christopher Eliopoulos!

Hello again!

You've found Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. Yay you! So, if you're just joining us, WELCOME, and if you've already stopped by for the other tour on the docket today, WELCOME BACK! Whether you're a first timer or a frequent visitor, fellow readers are welcome, one and all. Speaking of guests...

Book numero dos on the blog today is ANOTHER blog tour, but this time around, we're hanging out with Penguin Young Readers and checking out a FABULOUS Graphic Novel thanks to Friya (*hi, Friya!*), publicity assistant extraordinaire. Graphic Novel? Ah, you caught that part, did you now? Well, you see from time to time I have been known to delve into the genre; it just takes something extra special to catch my eye. When I saw the author AND artwork of the one at hand, I KNEW I had to explore between the pages because seriously, I adore his illustrations for Bred Meltzer's I AM... series and the synopsis of this time simply screamed READ ME. So, if you're ready to set forth on a grand and yet unexpected adventure, join me as we dive between the pages of...

Monster Mayhem

Christopher Eliopoulos

9780735231245

Dial Books

About the book...

In this funny, action-packed graphic novel adventure, a science-obsessed girl finds herself in the middle of one of her favorite monster movies. Can she invent her way out of disaster while also saving the monster who has become her friend?

Zoe's favorite thing to do--besides invent and build robots--is watch classic monster movies. She has never been comfortable with kids her own age, and so she pretends she doesn't need friends while inside she's longing for connection. And then one day, Zoe finds a mysterious ring on her way home from school. She puts it on, gives it a twist, and--FRZAAKK! There's a massive burst of light! The next morning, a familiar monster appears at Zoe's window. He's from one of her favorite kaiju movies, and he likes Zoe--he wants to be her friend. Has her secret wish been fulfilled? But it turns out that Zoe's ring has brought more than just this friendly monster to life. More monsters have arrived, and they are hungry! Now she'll need to reach out to other people to help her save her town from destruction. Good thing she's a robotics genius!

PUBLISHER

AMAZON | BAM | B&N | INDIEBOUND

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Talk about GIRL POWER!

Here, we have a budding scientific mind trapped in the body of a little girl and while she's ace at robotics, she's striking out at making friends. That's okay though, right? I mean, who needs friends? On your own you can see whatever movies YOU like a hundred times, eat YOUR favorite foods, listen to YOUR favorite music, and persue YOUR beloved hobbies...all without having to compromise for anyone. Sounds like the perfect world...right? Yeah, about that...

Zoe is our leading lady and she's MAD SMART at all the techie stuff, I could never be. Now, I'm not shabby at running programs, and computer work, but building one? HahahahahaHA! Yeah, right. Guess what? It's child's play for her...quite literally child's play as she IS in fact a child, but the things she accomplishs are SO AMAZING! I loved her little pal B-4...from nuts to bolts, he was her companion, voice of reason, and snarky sidekick without an actual pulse...although give her the suggestion and she could probably give him one. Anywho, she and he get pulled into a MONSTER SIZED adventure after a mysterious piece of jewelry winds up on her finger, and that first monsterous surprise is only the beginning! She'll learn that getting what you wish for doesn't always work out the way you wanted, and that sometimes things happen for a reason much BIGGER than you could ever dream.

Aside from the obvious MONSTEROUSLY fun story, it has SO MUCH HEART! No, really! It wasn't just romp-em-stomp-em monsters, robotics, and saving the city....it was also color filled reminder that while we may be able to do it ourselves, we can grow, flourish, and accomplish SO MUCH MORE together. It broke my heart when our little leading lady stepped outside her box, only to be squashed in such a heartless (even if unintentional) way. I saw through Zoe's bravado, and though she was gifted, brilliant, and so many leapyears ahead of her classmates, she still needed the humbling yet heartwarming connection that true friendship brings. No man/woman is an island...an old saying, but oh so true. We all need someone, and there's no shame in that...it's what makes us human. We thrive in communities, share our strengths, overcome our weaknesses, and build a better today, while striving for tomorrow.

In the end, it was a FANTASTIC adventure filled with so much action, and monster mayhem (hey, isn't that the title? *giggle*) that readers won't know what hit them, but there's also that aspect of friendship that comes into play in such a big way that all the feels are there too. Zoe created her own world, in a way, but when push came to shove, even she had to admit that many hands made for a much lighter load...and despite her years of protecting her heart, she still had to learn the lesson of letting go of both hurt feelings and those we care for. Recommended read for boys and girls alike, and readers of all ages.

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About the author...

Christopher Eliopoulos began his illustration career at Marvel Comics, and has worked on thousands of comics, including Cosmic Commandos, Franklin Richards: Son of a Genius, Pet Avengers, and Cow Boy, all of which he wrote and illustrated. He is also the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and their identical twin sons (when they're home from college).

SITE | TWITTER

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Special thanks to Friya at Penguin Young Readers for the ARC for review as well as the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) Fo rmore information on this title, the author, the series, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to release August 28th, 2018 via Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so mark your calendar or pre-order your copy today! Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun...

BLOG SCHEDULE

August 20 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

August 21 – Redd’s Reads

August 22 – The Pages In-Between

August 23 – Four Violet Reviews

August 24 – TheReadathon

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Thursday, July 26, 2018

RHCB presents... GO TO SLEEP, LITTLE CREEP by David Quinn!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining the bloggy celebration for a NEW RELEASE title IN STORES NOW via Random House Children's Books. It's a storybook that jumps on board the here-and-now-instant-classic-with-a-slightly-profane-title train (you know the one), so to speak, and gives it a kid friendly, seasonal makeover perfect for the upcoming months of SPOOKY reading. I mean really, HOW many times can you read the SAME OLD STORY without it loosing just a smidge of pizzazz? Okay, well maybe not, but an update never hurt anyone, and options are our friend, so I say WELCOME to this monstrous little book just brimming with bedtime fun and so should you as we say HELLO to today's book of choice...

Go to Sleep, Little Creep

David Quinn

Illustrated by

Ashley Spires

9781101939444

Crown Books for Young Readers

This charming little story takes us on a journey from dawn til dusk as the creatures of the night prepare to snuggle in for bedtime. Well okay, so not ALL of them snuggle down exactly....some hang upside down, others curl up under bridges, and still others cozy down by their favorite tombstones, but sleep they must in order to be ready for the coming night! With full color illustrations throughout, we get to see first hand the ruckus that ensues when wee ones are simply not quite ready for dreamland. Whether it be the needed favorite blanket, the requirement of a last minute treat, the time to topple another city, or even a few moments to rub-a-dub-dub away the lingering scent of the day, kiddos and adults will delight in how they can relate to just what these little creepsters and their parents go through at the end of their busy nights.

My favorite? It's gotta be the mummy family...the sweet baby needing another cuddle, the slightly stressed Mommy mummy being ever attentive, and that adorable kitty doing a little clean up of its own! I was definitely smitten, but really, there's not a one in this gathering that you can't be charmed by and I'm certain every family will have a favorite to call their own. From the vampires to bigfoot, ghosts to werewolves, there's a little something for everyone!

In short, it's an adorable read for the season or anytime really, after all...bedtime happens every night, and who's to say when monsters must have their day? Recommended for kiddos of all ages for both the wonderful illustrations as well as the charming prose.

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Special thanks to Emily at Random House Children's Books for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title just celebrated its book birthday Tuesday, July 24th, 2018, via Crown Books for Young Readers, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

PUYB presents... MONSTERLAND REANIMATED by Michael Okon - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours for a stop along their current promotion featuring the latest release from author Michael Okon. Ring a bell? Ah, then perhaps you're already acquainted with another of his works....namely, Monsterland? Yeah, good times...for a quick walk down memory lane, click here...but a flash pan catch would be if you took a park of Jurassic proportions, housed paranormal monsters instead of giant lizards, and had a madcap plan to take over the world while releasing same said captive monsters and THEN SOME. Yep, like I said, good times! Anywho...for those that made it out alive, the "adventure" continues right where we left off in today's book of choice...

Monsterland Reanimated

Michael Cash

9781614756729

Wordfire Press

About the book...

After Monsterland has imploded, the entire world is thrown into chaos. World leadership is gone, economies have collapsed, and communications are non-existent. Wyatt must go beyond the boundaries of his small town to reestablish contact with the outside world, and alert the government about a traitor-in-chief.

During his journey he discovers a new threat released from the bowels of the defunct theme park.

When an army of relentless mummies, a life-sucking ooze called The Glob, and a hybrid reanimated Behemoth rise from the depths of Monsterland, who will survive?

AMAZON | B&N | IBOOKS | KOBO | SMASHWORDS

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Paranormal fan? Have your favorite creature or critter picked out against all the others? Know just who would win in a showdown between vampires and werewolves, zombies and semi-intelligent gelatinous material, or any other mischievous match-up? Yeah...think again. It's a whole other deck of cards when the IMAGINED becomes reality...and this book is sorta like Jurassic World versus the original...because it DEFINITELY has more teeth, even if they are figurative.

Wyatt and friends are recovering from their ULTIMATE TRIP, or what I like to call Monsterland Meltdown, and while it seems that enough time has passed for the world to start turning properly again, you might want to hold that train of thought at the station because the world as they knew it is pretty much over. Yep...we're talking the Wild West all over again with people going off the deep end, government takeovers, food shortages, misinformation in the tiny tidbits they DO get, and oh yeah...did I fail to mention something WEIRD is STILL going on? How and why are good questions to start with because Vincent DIED in the last book...didn't he? I mean we SAW the body decimated by werewolves, head torn from its original resting place and cast into the great beyond. That's pretty much the end of any one of us...right? Right... 🙄

Image result for werewolf howl

Sequels can be fickle beasts, and although I was ready to relinquish it to the land of part two's, I held on...I mean, this author's work has surprised me before, so yeah...I had high hopes. Was it worth it? In my opinion, yes because where he could have copped out and rode the same paranormal influenced train into the ground, he didn't. He introduced NEW characters who were certainly worth their weight in proverbial gold. He brought to light OLD characters we thought long lost and made them shine again. He made new connections between those we thought we knew so well, but discovered we were only scratching the surface of. In short, he reopened the gates of Monsterland for a new audience as well as the original fans, giving us a new perspective on just what could happen if those characters we THINK we know so well actually came to life...

Recommended for Young Adult Paranormal fans from teens through adults. There's magic, mayhem, and science running a muck within these pages along with a few other SURPRISES you won't see coming...

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About the author...

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English, and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

His latest book is the YA Fiction/Monsters/Thriller Monsterland Reanimated.

SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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Special thanks to Dorothy at Pump Up Your Book for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, his other works, THIS TOUR or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today.

BEFORE YOU GO...

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