Because I'm still re-reading it and grinning, I figured I might as well link to the latest snippet Ilona and Gordon Andrews have released on their site in case you haven't seen it yet. This one's from Magic Bleeds (only 113 days and counting til release day *sob*) and you're gonna looooove it. Only problem is, they sneakily removed the names of the characters involved in this scene. I think we all know who they are, though, and this wait is killing me! I may have to just go re-read Magic Strikes to tide me over. Again.
It is a pleasure to be a part of the blog tour for Hazel Prior's debut novel Ellie and the Harpmaker. I confess it was the title that drew me in when Berkley approached me about a possible review. It sounded a bit fey, a bit on the ethereal side. The comparisons to the exquisite Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Finedecidedly did not hurt. And so I readily accepted and opened my review copy to the first page.
A thought:
Some things are easier to hide than others.
A fact:
Harps come under the "others" category. So do small boys. As you know by now, I am such a sucker for a good epigraph, and this one did the trick nicely. As did the novel's opening lines: A woman came to the barn today. Her hair was the color of walnut wood. Her eyes were the color of bracken in October. Her socks were the color of cherries, which was noticeable because all the rest of her clothes were sad colors. And so we are introduced to one Dan Hollis and the particular way that he sees the world and …
Some things are easier to hide than others.
A fact:
Harps come under the "others" category. So do small boys. As you know by now, I am such a sucker for a good epigraph, and this one did the trick nicely. As did the novel's opening lines: A woman came to the barn today. Her hair was the color of walnut wood. Her eyes were the color of bracken in October. Her socks were the color of cherries, which was noticeable because all the rest of her clothes were sad colors. And so we are introduced to one Dan Hollis and the particular way that he sees the world and …
Oh my gosh I can't put my excitement into words!
ReplyDeleteCaitlin, my sentiments exactly.
ReplyDeleteI know from comments on the original post and her forums that there's worry it isn't who we think it is.
ReplyDeleteUnless Andrea or some other female is sharing narrator duties, there's no question that it's Kate. There will be much despair in the fandom if it isn't His Fluffiness. The scene probably takes place toward the end of the book -- I'm guessing here -- and certainly after resolving whatever conflict they had at the start of the book.
It's a great scene because it so rare that these two characters (if it is them) rarely have. A quiet, tender moment of comfort.
Ack! That should read: It's a great scene because it so rare that these two characters (if it is them) have a quiet, tender moment of comfort.
ReplyDeleteChanged gears, didn't go back an correct. :-(
I want to be excited for this, but I haven't even read the first yet! The series is on the TBR list. I dislike having to miss out on the excitement of a new release in an awesome YA fantasy series. Ah well, that's what breaks are for.
ReplyDeleteChristina, that's what I was thinking as well as far as the possible placement and pacing goes. And I can only imagine the howls that would erupt were it not Kate & Curran. I'm sitting here, fingers crossed, all but counting on it. lol.
ReplyDeleteLan, no worries! I know just how you feel. This series is definitely one to get in on when you have the chance. Though it's not YA, actually, but mainstream urban fantasy. Similar in tone to Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson series and I love them both immensely.
I don't know how she does it with just a small snippit like that - but man do they know how to reel us in!!
ReplyDeleteI pulled out my books after reading that snippet yesterday, but decided it would be a mistake to reread them now. Maybe closer to release date!
ReplyDeleteKarenS
Michelle, neither do I. I'm reduced to a puddle of wanting and that is all.
ReplyDeleteKaren, you're probably smarter than I am. I'm halfway through MAGIC STRIKES as we speak. It's gonna be a long haul...