HCC Frenzy Presents...

I was recently invited to visit HarperCollins Canada along with a number of other local bloggers to meet some of the faces behind HCC and hear about some of their most exciting fall releases. If you aren't familiar with Frenzy, it's the feature HarperCollins Canada has put together to showcase their awesome teen books. You can even find them on Twitter!

It was such a great night, finally getting to meet some of the lovely ladies over there and just socializing with other book lovers!

Plus there was pie. Really good pie- with fun bookish names! I tweeted along during the event, so you'll find the same information in this recap post that I shared there :)

HCC did a great job of introducing us to Shannon, Vikki, Jessica and Hadley, all who took the time to share with us some of the work they do - everything from designing the Frenzy mag, publicity, author, and editor!

 

Besides introducing their fave fall books, we also held a mini Insurgent/Divergent book club where we discussed some of the themes and ideas in the series.
And our highly scientific faction poll ended up with a fairly even split among us for which faction we would choose - the most, however, was Erudite which doesn't surprise me too much (book bloggers tend to be super smart, I find). (Fun fact: I chose Dauntless, much to Angel @ Mermaid Vison's surprise at first!)

 

There was also a special guest who arrived... a few of us had used our sleuthing skills to guess that it might be Tahereh Mafi (author of Shatter Me) and we were right! It was so great getting to meet Tahereh, who is honestly one of the sweetest, most down to earth people I've ever met.

 

Tahereh was incredibly friendly and realy took the time to talk to all the bloggers there. And amazingly enough, she surprised many of us by telling us she knew who we were from Twitter/our blogs! Seriously, there is nothing cooler than having an author remember the last thing you talkd about/your fangirl review for her book.

 

  

HCC also had a copy of Shatter Me for everyone attending which we could get signed by Tahereh (keep your eye on the blog for an upcoming giveway for a copy)!

 

 

Each of us left with a Frenzy gift bag including a HCC Fall 2012 catalogue, a copy of the latest Frenzy mag (you can sign up for your own here), excerpt of What's Up With Jody Barton?, signed Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi, ARC Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon, Before I Fall book plate signed by Lauren Oliver, and Delirium & Divergent temporary tattoos. You can't see them in this photo, but there was also a Frenzy pin and Pretty Little Liars lip chap!

Okay, now on to the most important part: the fall books!

HCC Frenzy put together a list of the top 6 books they're most excited about this fall - they had plenty to say about them, and I'll try to sum it up for you here (also: each blogger received a different ARC in their gift bag of one of the 6).

• Breathe by Sarah Crossan:
  
   
  This pick's a new dystopian in a world where the outside world lacks oxygen - people can apparently go on little trips (kind of like camping) to the outside world, and so a couple teens do... and danger ensues. We were told this one has a definite survival feel to it, which sounds pretty exciting! Plus it has dual narrators: one male and one female.
   
• Don't Turn Around by Michelle Gagnon:
   
  This one's a thriller, perhaps with a somewhat paranormal aspect to it. There's an international conspiracy, lots of action, and a computer hacker. Plus some really weird stuff starts happening to the main character, so she has to figure out the mysteries. This one is totally right up my alley!
   
• Starling by Lesley Livingston:
   
  Lesley Livingston's upcoming release is a new series, but I believe it's set in the same world as wonderou strange. Features a totally tough heroine (she's a FENCER, guys. SO COOL), some really awesome action, Nordic myths, and of course a cute guy.

• Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel:
   
  This one's the sequel to This Dark Endeavour, a fantastic series based off the Frankenstein story. Imagine Victor Frankenstein as a teenager and you get Kenneth Oppel's new series. And Frenzy tells us that this one is EVEN BETTER than the first one.
   
• Ten by Gretchen McNeil:
   
  As if this one didn't sound cool enough already, Frenzy just had to completely sell me on this one. Ten teens on an island - with a serial killer. I KNOW, RIGHT?! Total thriller/horror aspect which is awesome. Apparently Ten is super scary with an Agatha Christie sort of vibe.
   
• Debutates by Cora Harrison:
   
  Perfect new book for fans of historical fiction (oh why yes, that IS me!) - we were told that it's somewhat similar to The Luxe by Anna Goldberg but A MILLION TIMES BETTER. This is promising. It has 4 sisters in it, and they have a really great relationship with each another.

 

Review: This Dark Endeavour

This Dark Endeavour: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein (The Dark Endeavour Chronicles #1) by Kenneth Oppel
Release Date ~ August 30, 2011
Harper Trophy Canada ~ HarperCollins Canada
ISBN13: 9781554683390
Signed copy won in giveaway from HarperCollins Canada
*Note: The above information is for the edition published in Canada, which is the edition I own and read. The title, release date, publisher, etc. seem to vary depending on the country you live in.

Goodreads Synopsis:
Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real.
They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.
Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

I've been hearing for months from everyone who's read this book that it's phenomenal- something unique nad refreshing in the world of YA, for a multitide of different reasons.

But for some reason, this seems to be a book that's often overlook and doesn't seem to be talked about much. And that is a travesty, because all the hype was right!

1. Historical YA with a paranormal twist:
   There really isn't that much historical YA out there, but more of them seem to be incorporating a paranormal twist which can definitely add something to a book, and I think it works really well in this one. And by using the term "historical" I'm referring to the time period it's set in, rather than the characters (who have always been a work of fiction). But it's also interesting because it works as a sort of prequel to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and tells of the early life of Victor Frankenstein. In that respect, it makes a really great back story to a classic tale. But it isn't as heavily influenced by the paranormal aspect as most other new books are, which is a tad refreshing.
2. A story without a guaranteed happy ending:
   Things aren't wrapped up with a pretty little bow; and people aren't always as nice or kind-hearted as one might hope. It's a dark world, with some unhappy twists and discoveries but they really help paint the picture of the circumstances Victor went through before he became the infamous Dr. Frankenstein with his own creation and monster.
3. Fabulous writing:
   Kenneth Oppel has been writing books for a while, and this book is no exception to his talent. I found myself truly engrossed and attached to the story and characters, and much of this was thanks to the exceptional writing. Kenneth has a way with words that does more than paint a picture, but brings the pages to life. And THAT is something rather uncommon.
4. Widespread appeal:
   This really is a book that just about any reader of fiction will enjoy; it isn't limited to just fans of YA, or a specific gender, or even to fans of a certain genre. It can easily crossover to a wide span of ages and interests, with something for every reader to appreciate whether it's romance, action, mystery, dark mysteries, and realistic consequences.