My pick for august, is paranormal, YA, and is the first book in a series – woo! Touch of Frost is a new YA series from author Jennifer Estep, and I thought it was spiffy.
Here’s the synopsis: Gwen Frost is an outsider at Mythos Academy, a school of myths, magic and warrior whiz kids, where even the lowliest geek knows how to chop off somebody’s head with a sword. Gwen is an outsider both to the students of the Academy and the rest of the world. But when her gift of psychometry – the ability to know an object’s history just by touching it reveals dark undercurrents and danger afoot, she has no choice but to get involved.
One thing I liked about the book was that it was very frank about its inspirations: there’s a little bit of Buffy, Veronica Mars, and all different sorts of mythological creatures at Mythos.
As usual, if you use SBTBARE at checkout, you will get a 50% eBook Bucks Rebate at AllRomance.com, the official sponsor of the Sizzling Book Club. The 50% rebate at AllRomance will be valid from August 1-15, 2011. You can also buy a paperback copy at Amazon, Book Depository, or wherever you like to go book shopping.
And, I have a date for the book club chat! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 8:30 EDT. We’ll chat live about the book in our ever-quickly-scrolling live chatroom, and Jennifer will join us at 9:30 EDT to answer questions and enjoy the mayhem. Want to make sure you don’t forget? Here, have a spiffy button to add it to your Google calendar: (ETA: fixed the time error! Sorry!)
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE. Jennifer has offered five print copies to readers who are interested in the book club selection this month. Just leave a comment and tell us your favorite mythological creature or character, and you’re entered to win. Standard disclaimers apply: if you have snake hair, you are not eligible. Void where prohibited. I am not being compensated for this giveaway, unless these magic powers to combat dust bunnies count. Measure twice, cut once. Use only in well-ventilated area. Keep away from fire or flame.
I hope your summer is going splendidly, and that this book grabs your interest. I cannot wait to hear what you think about it.
ETA: The winners of the five print copies are:
Chelsea @ 4:58am
Hannah @ 6:58 am
Jen B. @ 4:50 pm
Tina C. @ 7:01am
SaraC @ 8:18 pm
Please email me at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTcom with your mailing address and put “Estep book” in the subject line, please please!
My favorite myth is probably the old Roman tale of Romulus and Remus, who were left as infants to die in the woods (wicked..uncle, was it?) but were taken in and nursed by a wolf. I’ve always liked mythology- Growing up I had a dog named Cassiopeia, after Persephone’s mother, and right now I have a German Shepherd named Odin 🙂 Norse God as a family pet ftw!
My favorite mythological creature is the dragon. Though I must say that I’m not a fan of the relatively recent paranormal romance dragon who can also be in human shape. I like the real dragons – firebreathing behemoths who may or may not be intelligent and chatty.
I’ve always liked the idea of brownies. Aren’t they the ones who are supposed to clean your house for you in exchange for bread and milk? I would sooo go for that house-cleaning service.
I don’t read very much paranormal stuff but this sounds really interesting. I’ve always been rather partial to Tam Lim – it’s almost entirely the influence of Fire & Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones.
Centaurs. It all started with Goddess by Mistake by PC Cast.
My favorite mythological creature is the phouka. After seeing the movie Harvey and reading Emma Bull’s War for the Oaks, I’m not sure exactly what they’re supposed to look like—either a giant rabbit or Prince, I guess. But I like their mischevous yet friendly nature.
I wouldn’t say I’ve read enough mythological books to have a favorite mythological creature, so maybe vampire slayer? All I know is I’m obsessed with both Buffy and Veronica Mars, so this books sounds awesome.
My favorite mythological creature is the dragon. The “old-fashioned” kind—fire breathing, knight eating.
I’ve been eyeing this book—looks awesome! Looking forward to bookclub chat 🙂
Either selkies or killer unicorns. 🙂
As a kid, I got the D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, but for the longest time the only story I liked was that of Pegasus. (I was a bit horse-mad.)
The first time I ever had a pomegranate, I first wondered WHERE THE HELL THIS HAD BEEN ALL MY LIFE, and then went, “I can totally see why Persephone would sell out for this. THIS IS THE BEST FRUIT EVER.”
I like stories about The Little People—fairies and whatnot. I have a gnome tattooed on my foot to prove it lol.
I’ve always loved Psyche (and Cupid’s story!). It was my introduction to Greek myths, and been in love with it ever since. 🙂
My favorite mythological character is Scylla because picturing her serves up such nightmare fuel. She’s a monster with tentacles, multiple heads that snatch sailors from their ships, and a ring of dogs’ heads around her waist.
The fact that she was once a beautiful nymph transformed out of jealousy makes her whole scenario that much richer. Who could blame her for her crankiness?
Lately I’ve been really into books about faeries. There are so many different kinds and different authors present them in such different lights- sometimes they are good, sometimes evil, sometimes neither. But many of them are pretty sexy which makes for titillating reading.
One of my favourite mythological animals is the Griffin. It all started for me with Margaret Mahy’s lovely short story ‘The Midnight Story on Griffin Hill’, about a bad tempered writer and the ghosts of extinct griffins that still wander the hill where they once lived and he does now.
I’m so looking forward to reading this one!
My favorite mythological creature…that’s tough. Feels like I’m choosing one of my kids over the others, and you KNOW that never goes well! (Makes for good fiction, though…)
I’ll go with the selkie. There’s something sad and beautiful about their longing to return to the sea…I think it captures the feeling of when love isn’t enough in a relationship. Sometimes, you’re better apart than together…
Oooh, I’m with Alex. I love the Tam Lin story because the girl saves the day. I’ve read versions by Susan Cooper, Janet McNaughton, Jane Yolen, Diana Wynne Jones, and most recently Tithe by Holly Black.
As far as mythological creatures go, I’m fond of Harry Potter’s Fluffy, aka Cerberus, mostly because I’ve played the Lego Harry Potter game a little too much.
My favorite mythological character(s) are Persephone & Hades. The story has such dark, intense emotions – it always intrigued and disturbed me.
I really love books about the far. They somehow seem less “far-fetched” to me than the paranormal books about vampires and werewolves… Must be my Irish blood…
This new book by Jennifer Estep looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m with Virg. I read Psyche’s story as a kid and loved it! The “original” Beauty and the Beast.
Athena, goddess of wisdom and war. A true Renaissance Bitch, lol. Thanks for the giveaway!
heh, easy25: okay, who told???
My favorite mythological character is Arachne. I could really use her craft skills because I’m so bad at them!
I’ve always been partial to non-cutesy, non-turning-into-a-human-part-time, fire-breathing, likes-knights-because-they-are-crunchy-and-good-with-ketchup dragons. I have quite the collection here at home. My favorite is an oil lamp that appears to be flying when you hang him up and when you light him, the flame comes out his nose.
I love griffins. The combination of lion and eagle – two noble, powerful creatures in one – I think they are fascinating.
I think I’d have to say huldra. She treats you well if you treat her with respect, but if you don’t, watch out!
I REALLY like Estep’s adult fiction, so I’m quite looking forward to this. I’ll have to check and see if this is her first YA foray.
You know what’s cool? Hippogriffs! I loved that they seem easier to ride than griffins, though I’m still just a leeetle skeptical about the whole griffin/mare relationship thing…
Oo, I do love selkies—I love the sea, and Bethany really captured the tragic “in-between-ness” they embody.
I also love harpies and the Gorgon sisters (I’m one of three sisters—see also, the Fates). Powerful dark feminist rage symbolism FTW!
I always liked Diomedes in the Iliad.
The man was far and away the biggest asskicker the Greeks had. Achilles spent most of it in his tent, not fighting. It doesn’t count if you hole up in your room to listen to Linkin Park and brood that no one understands you, Achilles.
As for more mythological creatures. I liked Fenrir. Yes, that’s why fish can’t breathe, birds don’t have spit, women don’t have beards and four other things aren’t in the word any more. They all had to be taken and used to make the chain to hold Fenrir, the dread wolf.
Turnus. Yes, he was a jerk and killed Pallas, but he didn’t need to die at the end of the Aeneid like that.
Also, for mythological figures I hate- Odysseus. The guy is a slimeball.
felt75- How many women Odysseus felt up during his 10 year voyage back to his wife on Ithaca.
My favorite mythological character is Hector. I was always on the side of the Trojans in that darn war. And I’m pretty sure that the movie got it right and he looked just like Eric Bana…
Okay, maybe not, but I still love Hector!!
Yays i should be able to make the chat this time.
Favourite character would probably be Calcifer the fire demon from Dianna Wynne Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle.
I also like unicorns and dragons
I was going to say griffin, then dragon, then selkie. Depends on my mood and what kind of dragon. Kazul? Dragon.
Selkies
Hi, everyone! I just wanted to say thanks Sarah and everyone else at Smart Bitches for picking my book for the club. I’m really honored, and I hope everyone enjoys TOUCH OF FROST. Happy reading! 😉
Hmm, I think my favorite mythological character is Clytemnestra. Even though women had no rights in her time, she takes charge and stays strong.
My favorite creature… I don’t know. Can I pick one from the D&D Monster Manual? Do Owlbears count? I love them in all their senselessness.
There is a whole slew of tales involving Cuchulainn. I’d like to see how someone can take that hero and fashion it into a good yarn.
I really like Jennifer Estep’s Gin Blanco series. Big fan, really big fan. And I did like Touch of Frost, so I’m looking forward to her next one, Kiss of Frost.
I’ve always fancied dragons!! You can kind of make them however you want an theyll still be amaOng because they’re dragons!
Leilani
Leilani @ leilanilovesbooks . Com
Lish The Mermaid from Kiersten White great YA book Paranormalcy!
P.S. I also heart Gin Blanco:)
Oooh I have so many favorites, it’s hard to pick just one. I really like Hector as a hero, since he’s heroic in the modern as well as classical sense of the term.
The goddess Macha is pretty cool too. I like the story of her getting revenge on the men of Ulster by giving them birth pains for however many days.
Creature-wise though, I’m going to go with fairies.
My favorite mythological creature is Cerberus. I think he’s badass.