What's the deal, Banana Peel? (May Edition)

About

What's the deal, Banana Peel?  is my newest feature, in which I will spoon-feed you all of the latest in YA news. Or die trying. Well, not exactly die, but you get the idea. I will put forth my sincerest efforts. Now, what kind of news do you mean, Asher? Well, included in this feature will be info on current giveaways/contests, upcoming releases, reviews on monthly releases, new book trailers, and any other miscellaneous bookish news circulating the blogosphere.

Additions

If there's some shred of news I overstepped, or a brand new feature or giveaway you want to advertise, or something else that you wish to get across to other bloggers, please fill out this form and I will get back to you.

Ready, set, go! 

Giveaways/Contests

We all like freebies, and if you're a book reader, obviously, you'd snatch up the chance to win free books the way a kid under the age of eighteen would a pixie stick. Bearing that in mind, Linda at The Most Important Letter has a weekly/bi-weekly post called Contest Roundup that contains info on some well-hidden giveaways. Check out her latest one.

Also of note, Teens Read and Write is holding a bookmarks giveaway for Kiki Hamilton's highly anticipated THE FAERIE RING. 

Bree Despain has shared the title of the third book in her amazing Dark Divine series: The Savage Grace, which is to be released 12.27.11! In light of the exciting title and to "get [us] all a little pumped up for the cover reveal," Despain is giving away a rare signed copy of Heather Dixon's ENTWINED. As you may already be aware, Dixon doesn't really do signings. So, off you go! For further details on how to enter, see Bree Despain's blog post.

Are you a fan of Melissa De La Cruz's Blue Blood series? I know I am. YAFantasyGuide is practically handing out six signed copies from the Blue Blood series. And I say hand out because all YOU have to do is tell them why you like/love vampires. More details and the entry form can be located here.

I've never heard of AFTER MIDNIGHT by Lynn Viehl, but it sounds promising and the cover is gorgeous. Head over to the Book Obsession's blog to sign up to win not only a signed copy of this first book in Viehl series, but a prize pack of five other books!

On May 29th at midnight, There's A Book will not be taking any more entries for their giveaway of Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs, which, according to this blogger, is "a fantastic addition to the Young Adult paranormal world and a much need addition to the world of mermaid stories." Also included is some marvelous-looking swag! 

Also, you can still enter the fabulous La Femme Readers's giveaways for Diversity in YA Fiction, featuring a guest post with Cindy Pon, and for BLOOD LIKE POISON by M. Leighton e-book!

SmallReview is holding two separate giveaways; one giveaway is for Tighter by Adele Griffin and the second is for two books by Adele Griffin. Click here and here for the entry forms. 

Upcoming Tours

The Teen Book Scene is a well-known source of book blog tours, for a variety of YA lit books. Follow this link to view both current and upcoming tours for a chance to read and win some really cool stuff. Some of the books with blog stops include Die For Me by Amy Plum, Queen of the Dead by Stacey Kade, Tighter by Adele Griffin, OyMG by Amy Fellner, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, etc.

An amazing tour for Josephine Angelini's Starcrossed is happening right now! Kismet Book Touring has all of the information, including something about winning a pretty Starcrossed kindle skin, an actual kindle, a few copies of the book, and other fun stuff.


Hitting the Shelves

This month is chockfull of spectacular-looking releases, and I am dying to get my hands on some of them!

Click me to visit yalit.com, where most of the latest releases are listed.

Noteworthy Reviews on Upcoming Releases

I loved reading Daren's review at Bart's Bookshelf for Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky, as well as Eleni's take on the novel at La Femme Readers and Amber's view of the book at Down the Rabbit Hole. (And frankly, I thought AWAKEN was downright exceptional. But, more on my thoughts come Monday, May 23rd!)

Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory delivered an illuminating review for Tessa Gratton's Blood Magic, writing, "This is a book that is not for the feint hearted and even though I can take quite a lot, some of the scenes were a little hard for me to get through...Blood Magic has so much going for it and I completely loved reading it. There is plenty of mystery which provided action and tense moments between many of the characters. The pacing was fantastic, with exciting and fast plot twists which kept me guessing throughout...A must read!" Check out The Book Smugglers' take as well.

Warlock by Michael Scott is the fifth installment to a series I've never heard of before. Still, Whatchamacallit Reviews gave it a 10/10 rating. You can read all about his/her thoughts here.

That is one pretty cover for Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison! This book is the third in the series, and, according to Tynga, "This book is the last installment in the series, and the way it was wrapped-up was satisfying...The Madison Avery series is an epic battle between light and dark angels, fighting over human souls, in the name of free will & Fate respectively." Go here to read more of what Tynga had to say.

Apparently, Everfound by Neal Shusterman is the end to "his provocative trilogy [filled] with a rock-solid adventure that manages to examine deep questions of faith and morality," as written by Kirkus. (My curiosity is actually piqued in regards to this trilogy. Going to have to check it out.) Shusterman re-posted the first review of his book here.

JP at YAUrban notes that Tracey Porter's Lark is "a well-written, original ghost story of sorts -- this book is a heartwarming page turner." Read her concise review that details her thoughts here.

Putting Makeup on Dead People by Jen Violi was given 2.5 out of 3 hearts by Laura at All of Everything. Her bottom line was this: "Putting Makeup on Dead People is about a journey, about overcoming your fears about yourself and your life and doing what you love. The greatest thing about this book is that everyone can see parts of themselves in Donna, just like I did." See her full review here.

Kristin at My Bookish Ways said that BEAUTY QUEENS by Libba Bray was a "quick read" and "a lot of fun." She then goes on to say, "Libba Bray tackles subjects like sexuality, self-worth, and independence with a deft touch, and wry humour, and her writing is never heavy handed." Read her entire review here.

Muggle-born declares, "From the moment I started this book, I knew I would love [Wrapped by Jennifer Bradbury]," and she gave it an overall rating of four stars out of five stars. Audrey at Bibliosaurus Text (*lol* love that name) said, "Wrapped is a lighthearted historical romance, complete with witty heroine, intelligent but poor love-interest, and a dastardly villain." (I'm actually DYING to get my hands on this one!)

While April at Good Books and Good Wine didn't very much enjoy Elizabeth Scott's Between Here and Forever, I adored her review and found myself near bladder-explosion from laughing so hard. She makes some valid points, and I must say I'm a little wary of this new book. (Maybe I shouldn't try this one yet, being a Scott virgin and all? Any recommendations Scott-lovers?) View her review here. Another great review, though this blogger didn't enjoy the book either, can be found here at The Crooked Shelf. 

I read and liked Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini, and you can read my review here. But, if you want a second opinion, read what one of my favorite pair of bloggers had to say about it here, at YA Crush.

The bloggers at Murphy's Library share their feelings on THE MIDNIGHT PALACE by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, writing, "The Midnight Palace is an emotional roller coaster. You have to fasten your seat belt and enjoy the ride, because you won’t see the clock running." 

Miscellaneous 

According to MundieMoms, Cassandra Clare tweeted the following extra May teaser for the Clockwork Prince, which I myself am eagerly awaiting:

Tessa pushed the carriage curtains aside. Outside she could see the gaslights going by in a yellow blur; two children were slumped in a doorway, leaning against each other, asleep. Temple Bar flew by overhead.

“Have you ever thought of transforming yourself into one of your parents?” Will asked. “Your mother, or father? It would give you access to their memories, wouldn’t it?”

She turned to look at him. “I have thought of it. Of course I have. But I have nothing of my father’s or mother’s. Everything that was packed in my trunks for the voyage here was discarded by the Dark Sisters.”

“What about your angel necklace?” Will asked. “Wasn’t that your mother’s?”

Tessa shook her head. “I tried. I — I could reach nothing of her in it. It has been mine so long, I think, that what made it hers has evaporated, like water.”

Will’s eyes were dark blue in the shadows. “Perhaps you are a clockwork girl. Perhaps Mortmain’s warlock father built you, and now Mortmain seeks the secret of how to create such a perfect facsimile of life when all he can build are hideous monstrosities. Perhaps all that beats beneath your chest is a heart made of metal.”

Tessa drew in a breath, feeling momentarily dizzy. His soft voice was so convincing, and yet — “No,” she said, sharply. “You forget, I remember my childhood. Mechanical creatures do not change or grow. Nor would that explain my ability.”

“I know,” said Will, with a grin that flashed white in the darkness. “I only wanted to see if I could convince *you*.”

Tessa looked at him steadily. “I am not the one of us who has no heart.”

It was too dim in the carriage for her to tell, but she sensed that he had flushed, as he did when startled or upset, across the tops of his cheekbones. To her surprise, he reached out a gloved hand for her. It just brushed the edges of her curls, the kid leather smooth against her cheek — and the carriage wheels came to a jerking halt. They had arrived.

Thanks MundieMoms for bringing this to attention!

I bet you've been noticing a slew of reviews for The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross. You have, right? Well, have you seen the awesome accompanying book trailer?





And speaking of book trailers, you can now watch the book trailer for Kiki Hamilton's The Faerie Ring here.

And before I wrap up, I'd like to give a shout out to Logan E. Turner's All Male Review Challenge, which is also run by Missie at The Unread Reader!

How to participate: Beginning TODAY, any book you read and review by a male author or containing a male protagonist is eligible to be entered into our inlinkz collection. At the end of the month, Missie and I will choose the winners for our Mega AWESOME Prize Packs of books!

Looking to participate? Well, then, you'd better hurry because the clock is ticking. May is almost out!

What did you think of this first post for What's the deal, Banana Peel?? Did you find it helpful? Smack me, good-naturedly, with your thoughts. :)