Monday, October 31, 2011

All the Magic in the World

It's Monday, and since the clocks changed here last weekend, I was all bright-eyed and busy-tailed this morning. Now... not so much. Still, it's Hallowe'en and I may rouse myself to buy a cupcake in celebration. One needs one's sweets!

This week, I'll be busy putting the finishing touches on Build a Man before sending it out to reviewers next week. Yay! I've already imposed on many of you, but if you or your nearest and dearest would like an e-copy in any format that suits for review, just let me know in the comments or drop me an email (talliroland AT gmail.com). I know how busy everyone is, so any help is ever so greatly appreciated.

Right, now on to today's post! In honour of Elizabeth Mueller’s release of her debut novel Darkspell, I’m supposed to finish the phrase ‘If I had all the magic in the world, I’d…’


Well, hmm. First of all, who'd want all the magic in the world? Can you imagine the responsibility? How many people would be bugging you, all the time? It would be a nightmare. But for the purposes of the question -- and ending poverty and such aside -- I'd give everyone a Kindle and fill it with all their favourite reads. Why? Because in my humble opinion, lots of people are too quick to dismiss e-readers without really giving them a try. Don't get me wrong; I do like paper books. But I also love my Kindle as a fast, convenient and cheap way of reading. I've bought and read more books this year than ever before, and I suspect many other e-book readers are the same. 


Advert over! Just call me the benevolent Kindle Fairy Godmistress. 


What about you? What would you do with magical powers?


Review from YA Book Babes:
Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary…until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.  As seer of the Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her.  Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.

Darkspell doesn’t fit into a typical YA genre box.  As a matter of fact, it’s one of the most original books I’ve read this year.  A richly woven drama unfolds as young Winter Sky meets two handsome and mysterious neighbors, both fighting for affection. 

But one boy, the boy of her dreams—literally—has already won her heart.  But in short order her life is turned upside down as she enters the Stormhold world, a coven of magic users (I’m hesitant to use the world witch/wizard here.  This is really something very different) where she is being hunted by the Shadoweaer.  Suddenly everything is in jeopardy as she searches for her gift and fights to keep the boy she loves.

Elizabeth Mueller gives a great story, full of normal teen angst without tipping the scales to be annoying, she keeps us guessing, dropping nuggets for us throughout the story, but never tipping her hand.  Combine that with the fantastic use of illustrations that give it almost a graphic novel feel as we read, and this is easily a five star read.  I can’t wait to pick this up in paperback and you should too!  Mueller is a great addition to the YA world and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this talented writer!

59 comments:

  1. Success! It let me in.

    Just wanted to agree that there is a place in the market for both paper books and ebooks! It's not an either/or - like many people I have both. I use the kindle when travelling, and real books at home. No problem!

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  2. In this case, I wish you had all the magic in the world! (I want a Kindle!) Happy Halloween!

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  3. I've been coveting an eReader lately, so having a Kindle with all of my favorite reads on it would absolutely be my dream comes true. :)

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  4. Congrats to Elizabeth.
    I agree, there is room for both formats of books. Kindle fairy? I shall refer to you as Kindle-ella from now on! Happy Halloween!

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  5. I like your magic gift!! But then I am a big Kindle fan. So you are preaching to the converted.

    Will have to get in on this all the magic in the world thing. I must have been dozing when it was being toted!

    Would love to read your next book. Have all loved both before this and am quite sure this one will be no different.

    Enjoy your All Hallows Eve/Samhain be filled with abundance.

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  6. If I had all the magic in the world I'd create a substitute for plastic, something that was just as usable but was biodegradable and harmless and everything currently plastic would be magically transformed into the new substance.

    And by the way, I'm getting a Kindle. It's on order. Should arrive by the middle of the month (I'm hoping.) So I'm in.

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  7. Hello Kindle Fairy Godmistress. I was skeptical but now like e-books. Even read the last one on my smart-phone. Mueller's Darkspell looks intriguing. Love the cover!

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  8. Oooh, a Kindle Fairy Godmistress--how wonderful! I must get one, clearly. Good luck with the finishing touches!

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  9. Yeah Elizabeth! And the kindle god mother has a nice ring to it!:)

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  10. Most enjoyable post Talli, gave me a few ideas for the future.

    Yvonne.

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  11. I have bags of candy for trick or treaters but we are under a foot of snow so who knows...I may have to eat it all myself : )

    Love my e-reader (didn't think I would) but love my 'real' books too...I think there is room for both

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  12. BIG congratulations to Elizabeth! This must be so exciting for her!

    I don't think an ebook could ever replace the joy I have in actual paper, and in seeing my bookshelves fill up - but I don't see why it SHOULD have to replace that! They're two different things. When I was on holiday earlier this year having a Kindle app on my iPad was a life-saver, I downloaded so much to read!

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  13. Fun post - Kindles for all ;-)
    Need to hop over to Elizabeth's blog right away!

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  14. Talli, I now officially wish you had all the magic in the world. I would love to have a kindle with all my favorite titles. Happy Halloween. I hope you thoroughly enjoy your cupcake!

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  15. Happy Halloween Talli.
    I don't own a Kindle. I have piles of books everywhere....

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  16. Good luck with all your efforts on 'Build a Man,' Talli.

    Happy Hallowe'en!

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  17. I'm wishing Elizabeth all the luck I can muster for her book launch, though I doubt she'll need it.

    Happy Halloween! :)

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  18. Can you fill my iPad while you're at it?

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  19. I'd love to take a look at Build A man.

    As for wishing...that all those who write be published and make lots of money.

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  20. Ahh, Elizabeth's book sounds fantastic. And with all the magic in the world... hmmm. I guess I'd grant everyone three wishes. yes? Share the responsibility. :D Happy Halloween, T.~

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  21. All the magic in the world? Overwhelming, much? :) But it could be fun... hmm...
    Also, I would love to read/review Build a Man if you still want/need reviewers. It sounds amazing. :)

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  22. Great choice for you powers Talli...

    On my post I would heal the world of all physical and mental maladies... and all authors would have a best selling book! lol

    Happy Halloween and have a great week!

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  23. I've been seeing that book around, looks awesome. And go get you a cupcake!

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  24. I love my Kindle. I didn't expect to, but there's definitely space for both Kindles and paper books.

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  25. Kindle for travelling, books for reference and at home:-)

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  26. Awww thank you for my Kindle, lovely Talli!! Yay! Now go find some magic! LOL!

    Awww but seriously - yay for your book and hooraah for gorgeous Elizabeth!! Take care
    x

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  27. Talli, I LOVE Fairy Godmistress--so refreshing a word. ;)

    Yep, I'd need to buy myself a Kindle so that I can curl up with it in bed. *Sigh* One of these days...

    Thanks for sharing the love, Talli! *hugs*

    Happy Halloween!

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥

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  28. If I had all the magic in the world, I'd make the calories disappear from trick or treat candy, beer and cupcakes :)

    Happy Halloween!

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  29. I think I'd make karma more literal. Yup... make people who do bad stuff have bad stuff happen in return... that'd teach us all to behave better. *nods*

    Great review! I wish Elizabeth a ton of luck!

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  30. That would be a wonderful magic.

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  31. Congrats to Elizabeth! I'm also coveting a ereader!

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  32. Talli, I'm definitely one of those who has not yet tried a Kindle or any e-reader because I love paper books so much. I definitely see their convenience, though, and I'll be trying one sometime soon. Who knows? Maybe I'm just afraid of falling in love with it :)

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  33. Wishing you a happy Halloween, Talli, and I hope you got your cupcake!

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  34. Yay - Kindles for all - and wine, obviously!

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  35. I think with all the magic in the world one would definitely explode - Just pop like a balloon.
    Which would suck.
    But i bet there'd be like pretty sparkles and fireworks after the explosion

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  36. Elizabeth Mueller's book sounds really interesting! I like stories about love triangles, because they add to the suspense. I'd review Build a Man but I've never really written a review before; besides, I'd rather buy it when it comes out. (Can't wait to read it!)
    If I had all the magic in the world? I'd find a way to make the world safe so that kids could play outside without their parents worrying about them, and women like me could go out at night without feeling scared.
    I'd also give myself the power to move things with my mind, so that I could clean my apartment while sitting at my desk and grading papers at the same time.

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  37. Hi Talli. Magic! I was reading the other day that young teens who get given a kindle read lots more books!

    I'd pre-read Build a Man if you send me a pdf.

    Denise

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  38. Thank you for the presentation of this author. If I had magic powers, I'd make it so that there are no bald men. They irritate me a lot.

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  39. Talli, like you, I've bought more books this year than I've bought in a very long time. Long live the e-book!

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  40. I read The Hating Game on my hubby's iPad, but something has changed with the apps. I still have to catch up with Willow and look forward to Build A Man. You should be a spokesperson for Kindle! Julie

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  41. Hi, I am visiting from "all the magic in the world". What incredibly good deed you will do with you magic. I am afraid, I would be too tempted to jump forward in time and come back with the best stock tips and the winners of the world series and the super bowl. Naughty, I know, but it's pretend, right?

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  42. Serious answer - eliminate child abuse and child poverty.

    Less serious answer - create extra time to read!

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  43. Happy Halloween, Talli! I will eventually learn more about Kindle and e-books. However, I must admit to a preference for having a hard copy book to read, just as I prefer a newspaper to electronic media. There is still something authentic and magnificent about the original!

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  44. Talli, great post as usual! I must admit that I love real books, but am becoming more interested in acquiring a Kindle myself. It is on my Xmas wish list.

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  45. I recently bought a Kindle so I've been thinking a lot about pros and cons of e-readers. Lots of good points of course, but I think there are still some kinks that need to be ironed out before I'd wholeheartdly recommend them. The typos in the books I've bought from the Kindle store are driving me crazy. For shame, Amazon!

    You are very generous with your magic. If I had all the magic in the world I'd never work again and would turn my life into one long holiday.

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  46. I've been really wanted to try a Kindle, but the problem is that I share my books with my kids. So unless we had enough Kindles to pass around, I'd have to give mine up when they wanted to read one of my books. So I've put it on the back burner for now, but I still think I may need one one day because pretty soon I'm going to run out of bookshelves! And congratulations to Elizabeth!

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  47. You need a better magical power than that! What about flying? Telekenesis? Okay, I won't judge your power.

    I'm happy to hear you're near the end of Build a Man. You are busy!

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  48. Kindles for everyone! :) That is a great magical power. Although I have a nook, I wouldn't go anywhere anymore without it. I'm totally in love with e-books.

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  49. A freind just lent me their Kindle. We have Kindle Fires on order for me and the kids (wifey gets an iPad). Looking forward to playing with our new toys!

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  50. Before I got my Kindle, I was NOT a fan of ebooks and couldn't see myself ever reading one. Well... fast forward a few months and now I'm totally in love with my Kindle and I only buy ebooks. I completely support your magical aspirations! ;) Can't wait to load Build a Man on my Kindle!

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  51. If I had all the magic in the world, I'd want one of those invisibility cloaks, for sure. :)

    Goog luck to Elizabeth!

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  52. Kindle fairy, lol! I love that! Wow, all the power in the world huh? You're right, people would never leave you alone. It would be rough. I'll have to check out Darkspell, it sounds really interesting!

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  53. Ooh...great choice! I've been buying ebooks a lot lately. It's so easy and doesn't take up space on my shelves. I read them on my iPod, but a Kindle would be much better. Maybe the fairy will visit me this Christmas. :)

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  54. I adore my Kindle. I'd also want to spread the love...and with people's favorite books.

    Congrats to Elizabeth on her release day.

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  55. Magical powers... instant book published ;)

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  56. Magical powers eh? I would help a friend who is in a pickle and unpickle them!

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  57. Can the magic powers be used for a slightly dark but very useful act, such as the complete obliteration of an idiot ex-brother in law?

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  58. Lovely post sweetie, longtime and missed you. You're doing great so far and all the best wishes. See you soon when you drop by xo~

    Wild Rose~

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Coffee and wine for all!