Mundie Moms

Monday, October 1, 2012

KEEPER of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger Blog Tour: Book Review / Author Interview /Giveaway


I'm thrilled to be one of two stops today featured in my KEEPER of the Lost Cities blog tour. Today you'll get to read my review, and enter for your chance to win an ARC of Shannon's YA debut Let the Sky Fall, as well as enter to win a signed copy of KEEPER from Literary Rambles. 


Hi Shannon! Thank you for joining me on Mundie Moms today. I loved everything about Keeper! What was one of your favorite things to write about/ create in Keeper?

Aw, thank you so much--I'm so glad you loved KEEPER. And ooo--that's a tough question! I'm tempted to say "the world" since it is such a cool place to hang out and imagine fun things--but I think honestly, what I loved most was getting to know Sophie. The way she handled all the things I threw at her really took me by surprise, and made me fall very much in love with that incredibly brave little girl.
 
If you were a character in your book which character would you have enjoyed being friends with and why?

Yikes--another hard one! I have such strong attachments to all of my characters that it's so hard to choose. But since I have to pick, I'll say Dex. He's pretty much the best friend anyone could ask for. Loyal. Honest. Always ready to help with anything anyone needs. And he's one of those rare people who can instantly see past any differences or weirdnesses in someone and realize that he likes them and wants to be their friend. Which is good for me, 'cause... I'm weird. ;)
 
Which of your characters surprised you in terms of their growth and how much they changed from writing drafts/outlines to the published book?

Definitely Keefe. Honestly, when I first started writing the book Keefe didn't exist. He was a surprise the story gave me, who quickly wormed his way into the entire series--which was both awesome and EXCUSE ME, KID--YOU ARE RUINING ALL OF MY PLANS!!!!  :)
 
What advice would you give to young aspiring authors?

Learn to be patient! Pretty much everything about this process takes time. It takes practice to learn how to tell the story right. It takes time to get an agent and sell your book to publishers. And don't even get me started on all the waiting that comes after that. But that's actually a good thing because all that time and waiting can be used to make you a better writer. 

Can you tell us a little bit about what we can except in Keeper 2?

Well, I don't want to accidentally spoil anything about book 1. But I will say that we get to meet a new creature in Keeper 2, one that made 12-year-old-Shannon gleefully happy as I wrote about it because it has sparkly fur. Sparkles make everything better!

Speed Round:

* Happy endings or cliff hangers? Somewhere in between. I always want MORE of a story I love, but it's hard to be left totally hanging.
* Fall or Summer? Fall! Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING--plus I can wear boots!
* Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? My sweet tooth says, "milk." Though I really love either.
* Late nights or early mornings? Definitely late nights. Soooooo not a morning person.
* Sunsets or sunrises? Sunsets. Sunrises happen way too early.

Thank you Shannon for stopping by Mundie Moms today! 

Be sure to follow Shannon on her: Blog | Twitter | Tumblr | Facebook | GoodReads | Pinterest



Published by: Simon & Schuster
To Be Released on: October 2nd, 2012

Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit in. She's not comfortable with her family and keeping a secret—she's a telepath. But then she meets Fitz, who tells her the reason she has never felt at home is that, well, she isn't. But Sophie still has secrets, and they're buried deep in her memory for good reason: the answers are in high-demand. The truth could mean life or death, and time is running out.

This is why I love Middle Grade reads! Shannon Messenger's debut is fantastic! There's plenty of adventure, some snark, a lot of fun, and a mystery to be solved. Did I mention there might be a little bit of danger? 

I love a middle grade book that gives me a richly detailed story, world and characters to fall in love with. This book exceeded all that, and then some. One of the things that makes KEEPER's stand out is Shannon's writing. I didn't feel like I was reading a middle grade book. I felt like I was introduced to an incredible world were I met some unforgettable characters and went on a totally awesome journey with them. Oooh and there's also this really, really cool thing that Sophie can do, but I can't tell you what it is. Okay, it's not just Sophie, but some of the characters of these really amazing powers that tie into the secrets that get revealed in this book. 

You can't go on a fun adventure and not have fun characters right? The characters are so much fun to get to know, and really made this book amazing for me. Sophie, our main protagonist is a young character I think readers are really going to love. She's someone who's incredibly bright, she has this amazing ability, and she's also someone who along the way in discovering more about herself and a new world she never knew existed, makes a mistake or two. Her discovery and her growing into the person she is by the end of the book was only half of what I loved about Shannon's debut. The other half might have to do with the guys that become apart of Sophie's life, Keefe, Fitz, and Dez. Let's just say the story livens up a bit when they're around and I might have pledged myself to Team Keefe! 

When I think of middle grade books I think back to those stories that excited me and took me to places that existed along side my the world I lived in. They allowed me to take incredibly journeys, expanded my imagination, moved me in some way, made reading fun, and enjoyable, and introduced me to some characters and worlds that are still with me today. I feel like KEEPER of The Lost Cities is one of those books. It's going to be on of those books that just excites many of it's young readers and reminds it's older readers why we fell in love with reading in the first place.  Not that anyone can replace Harry Potter, but I think parents who are looking for another book series they can read and connect with their kids on some sort of level with will find they can do that with Shannon's KEEPER of the Lost Cities. 

If you weren't a fan of middle grades, you will be after your read KEEPER. I LOVE this book! It's one of my all time favorite MG books, and will be at the top of list of favorite reads at the end of this year. I HIGHLY recommend picking this book up when it's out tomorrow. 



Check out what book is being featured on Simon Kids's facebook page! Let's right, KEEPER! Right now you can read an excerpt of Shannon's book for free! Go HERE to read the first three chapters!

The Giveaway: 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, I have an ARC of Shannon's debut YA book, Let The Sky Fall up for grabs! To enter, please fill out the form below. 



By: Shannon Messenger
Published by: Simon Pulse
To Be Released on: March 5th, 2013


A broken past and a divided future can’t stop the electric connection of two teens in this “charged and romantic” (Becca Fitzpatrick), lush novel. Seventeen-year-old Vane Weston has no idea how he survived the category five tornado that killed his parents. And he has no idea if the beautiful, dark-haired girl who’s swept through his dreams every night since the storm is real. But he hopes she is.

Seventeen-year-old Audra is a sylph, an air elemental. She walks on the wind, can translate its alluring songs, and can even coax it into a weapon with a simple string of commands. She’s also a guardian—Vane’s guardian—and has sworn an oath to protect Vane at all costs. Even if it means sacrificing her own life.

When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both of their families, Audra’s forced to help Vane remember who he is. He has a power to claim—the secret language of the West Wind, which only he can understand. But unlocking his heritage will also unlock the memory Audra needs him to forget. And their greatest danger is not the warriors coming to destroy them—but the forbidden romance that’s grown between them

26 comments:

  1. I would love to win this for my boys!

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  2. I have this book as my want to read book :)

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  3. Awesome review. I loved this book too for all the same reasons. The world building is fantastic and Sophie is such a great character. Thanks for reviewing Shannon's book. I know it'll mean a lot too her. I appreciate how you support middle grade authors here as well as YA ones.

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  4. I soooooo want to win a copy of Let the Sky Fall, looks amazing!

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  5. I'm looking forward to reading both books!

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  6. I have both books on my to-read list. Yay!

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  7. Can't wait to read Shannon's books!!! She's a total sweetie! :)

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  8. I wanna read it so bad!!

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  9. I would love to have this. This sounds fantastic and so does Sophie. Great review.

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  10. Thank you SO MUCH for this amazing review. I can't even. *sniffles* THANK YOU!

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    1. YOU are most welcome!!!! You know how much I LOVE this book!! Don't ever stop writing!! :)

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  11. These books look really good! Looking forward to reading them both. Oh, and the name Vane? Love.It. :)

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  12. GOOD LUCK to each of you!! Thank you for stopping by Shannon's tour!!!

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  13. Sounds like we could have the next Harry Potter on our hands!

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  14. I love both of these books! They look like they are going to be awesome reads. I am especially looking forward to reading Let The Sky Fall. Thanks so much for the giveaway!!

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  15. Awesome giveaway and great review. Now adding them to my tbr pile.

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  16. Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. I have been so looking forward to reading this wonderful book. The cover alone is beautiful.

    - Beckie

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  17. Thank you so much for this giveaway. I just love the cover :)

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  18. Gotta say, I LOVE the cover! I can't wait to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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