Busting the Newbie Blues Questions

1. When did you start your blog?

-I started my blog on December 12th, 2010 I believe.

2. Why did you start your blog?

-I absolutely love books, and got my friend hooked on reading too, and she told me she had started a blog. I'd been thinking about creating a blog for sometime, and when she told me she started one, I decided I should go for it.

3. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far?

-Well, since I haven't read many book reviews, I'm not sure if the reviews I do have are any good, and I'm kind of scared I won't make it as a blogger, or I won't improve.

4. What do you find most discouraging about being a new blogger?

-Since I started my blog about 5 days ago, and no one has commented on anything yet, like giving me feedback, I feel discouraged, but maybe a little more time will help.

5. What do you find most encouraging?

-I don't find anything encouraging yet, since according to my profile, I've had approximately 11 profile views, and not one has commented on my blog.

6. What do you like best about the blogs you read? Have you tried to replicate this in your blog?

-Since I've only had a blog for about 5 days, I haven't read very many reviews and am still trying to get the hang of things.

7. What do you dislike about blogs you’ve read? Do you try to avoid this?

-Again, I haven't really read any yet.

8. Any advice for other new bloggers?

-Read some reviews first!

9. Anything else you’d like to share about your experience?
Mmmm... not anything I can think of. :)

10. Is there anything you’d like to tell us about your blog?

-I would really appreciate any feedback, and for someone to recommend a great book they've read recently. :) 

If you're new and having trouble busting the newbie blues, check out Small Review's event Busting the Newbie Blues. You'll find other bloggers having the same troubles as yourself, and you can check out some great blogs!

Review #2 - Tithe by Holly Black - Ages 14+

Hello again!  This is my second post and again I hope you enjoy it! Please leave a comment giving me feedback! Thank you!

Tithe by Holly Black

Summary:

Kaye Fierch has seen faeries since she was little, but has always been teased because of her "imaginary friends." Her mother has been in several rock bands trying to fulfill her dreams, and Kaye's been dragged around with her constantly since Kaye was eleven. When a strange attack forces her to move back to her hometown temporarily, she meets Roiben, a mysterious dark faerie knight of the Unseelie Court, and she is suddenly thrust into the world of Faerie once again, but it's much darker and more violent than she remembers. When her old faerie friends show up and explain that a mortal will be chosen as a tithe and the solitary fey will no longer be free, Kaye reluctantly agrees to help her magical friends when she finds out a surprising secret about herself, and is chosen as the sacrificial tithe. What will happen to Kaye as she is tested beyond the boundaries no mortal or fey has ever been challenged? Find out in the fantastical but bone-chilling Tithe.

Fantastic book. Absolutely incredible. Tithe was dark and humorous, making me laugh at times and making me want to wretch at others. Holly Black definitely caught the teenage attitude of the main character, Kaye, better than any author I have seen yet. Kaye is clever (though she doesn't realize it), witty, and independent, quickly becoming one of my favorite book characters. She doesn't take crap from anyone, and speaks her mind, she makes mistakes in life and isn't perfect, making her more real than other characters who are kind, loving, and have never said a bad word about anyone in their lives. She curses, drinks, even smokes, but it just adds to her charm and her growth as a character. Roiben, the hot male lead, made even my heart beat fast. He's an exquisitely made character, and I'm definitely envious of Kaye. Tithe is an amazing book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves faeries and fantastical beings, romance and enchantment.

I recommend Tithe to readers 14+, for adult language.

Also: Come check out this giveaway of ANGELFIRE by Courtney Allison! The book sounds totally amazing! Just follow the link!
http://courtney-allison.blogspot.com/2010/12/fear-reaper-giveaways-week-5.html

Review #1 - The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley - Ages 12+

Hello. Welcome to my first review - and post - ever. To start, thanks for attempting to read this (what I'm sure to be pathetic) first little post, and I'm sure, even if this post seems a bit dull and unoriginal, I will definitely improve in the reviews to come. Now, on to the review!

The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley

Summary:

Following her father's death, Harry Crewe, an independent young woman, couldn't even imagine the adventure she would find when she is forced to move to Damar, renamed Daria when the country was conquered by her people, where her brother is stationed as a part of the Homelander army. Damar is hot, dry, and sandy, but Harry finds herself loving the dun-colored sky and the harsh desert. Soon she meets Corlath, the yellow-eyed barbarian king of the Hillfolk, the natives of Damar. After this fated meeting, her world is turned upside down as she is kidnapped from her new home and taken into the Hills, by none other than Corlath himself. She finds herself welcomed by the Hillfolk wholeheartedly, and comes to love Damar even more. Though she is baffled by her quick adaptation to the Hill life, she finds herself enjoying her new life as she faces many challenges, and becomes the first damalur-sol, or Lady Hero, since Queen Aerin. 

Though it was written in the 1980s, The Blue Sword quickly lodged itself into my brain, and my heart, as one of my favorite books. It has a little bit of everything for everyone. Fantasy and Adventure are the key genres, but there is a bit of Romance as well. McKinley is a master of words in this adventure packed book, as the main character, a strong, young woman named Harry Crewe, isn't exactly whisked away so much as thrown across a saddlebow and taken to the magical Hills of Damar by the barbarian king of the Hills, Corlath. There, the Outlander is welcomed by the Hillfolk and quickly comes to love Damar, as she makes many new friends and overcomes many challenges, finally becoming the first damalur-sol, or Lady Hero, since Queen Aerin. Though the writing may get tedious for people who don't like lots of description, I totally recommend picking up this book and giving it a shot. Now for the people who may read this book just for the Romance know this: the Romance is all at the end, one of my only disappoinments. Also, when it does arrive, the love confessions are so fast and so cheesy it's frustrating for people like me, who are absolute hopeless romantics and want it to drag out longer. The end does satisfy me immensely though, and comes to a quiet yet happy ending I'm sure any reader will applaud.

I recommend The Blue Sword for readers 12+, for some difficult vocabulary.

I hope you enjoyed my review, and if you're sitting at your computer, or on your cellphone or iPod, and just want to shoot yourself with how horrible or boring that was, I'm sorry and hope you do come back again to see me improve. Please leave me comments and suggestions as to things I could do better and I'll be sure to follow your advice! Thanks for taking the time! :)