Angieville

Today you can find me over at Not Enough Bookshelves guest posting on my favorite couple from 2011. I know! How did I narrow it down? It was agonizing. But I think I landed on the two that really set my pulse permanently racing this year. If you've got a minute, be sure to drop in and see who it was . This is the third year running Alexa has hosted her Christmas Couples Countdown and it's always a blast, especially as we usually have several favorite duos in common. Happy holiday reading, everyone!

Does this book need any introduction? Really? You've read my blathering about how adamantly I love this series and how much I was looking forward to this--the final book in the trilogy--and how difficult it is for me to accurately convey my love for one Alan Ryves. It had to be in my top three most anticipated novels of the year, and I was pestering my local bookstores shamelessly for weeks before it was due to come out. Two books in, and I already feel as though Sarah Rees Brennan is one of those authors I can trust with my literary heart and expectations. She delivers, and that's all there is to it. So I can honestly say I had no qualms whatsoever going into The Demon's Surrender . Not a one. I feared for loss of life and limb (and love) on several fronts, but I had no worries that the story would not be absolutely awesome or that the characters would not get exactly the ending they deserved. And how many times can you say that going into the final book in a beloved seri...

Hurray for Alan covers! Sarah Rees Brennan just revealed the cover for the third and final book in her Demon's Lexicon Trilogy-- The Demon's Surrender . And I say it's about time Alan got his own cover. Even if he is holding a bow (which is still awesome) and not his gun (which is Alan). But then I am an Alan Brigand if ever there was one, so I would say that, wouldn't I? This is the U.S. hardback cover and I'm anxious to see what the UK one will look like, as I've loved those covers immensely. What do you think? Who's your favorite character from the trilogy and what have you got your fingers crossed for in this conclusion to the series? You can read the first chapter over here . 

". . . is long and boring no one can lift the damn thing it's full of charts and facts and figures and instructions for dancing But I I love it when you read to me And you You can read me anything" --Stephin Merritt Okay, I had to post this awesome bit of fan art based on Alan Ryves from Sarah Rees Brennan 's Demon's Lexicon trilogy. I love it (obviously) for the Alan on display (even if he is with the wrong girl, but we can get into that later) and for the well-chosen song lyrics. The Magnetic Fields ' song "The Book of Love" is awesome and here's the Peter Gabriel cover for your listening pleasure. Because it's my favorite.

First up, I have incredibly good news! You'll remember my confusion and dismay when I discovered The King Commands --the sequel to Meg Burden 's Northlander --was nowhere to be found despite having been published not quite two months ago. Well, a couple of days ago Charlotte contacted me to let me know that she talked to the publishers and they informed her that Amazon had just placed an order and that the book, in fact, was now in stock there! Charlotte and I (after doing the happy dance) naturally concluded that it was the review that got the ball rolling. So way to go 'Villians! When I first checked it said there were five copies in stock at Amazon and more were on the way. Those five copies have now been sold, but there are new copies available for the original sale price of $8.95 all over now. Barnes & Noble has them shipping in two days , and now  The Book Depository and Powell's does as well. My copy is already on its way. It's a midsummer miracle! ...

And the winner is . . . Charlotte ! Congrats, you lucky duck! Please shoot me an email with your mailing info and your books will be winging their way to you shortly. A big thanks go out to Sarah for being such a good sport, participating in the interview, and offering up such highly coveted copies of her books. I also loved Sarah's question about your favorite literary family dynamics. Reading through your comments was extremely interesting and fun. Many of you named as your favorite families Scarlett Martin's family from Suite Scarlett and Scarlett Fever , Clary and Jace from The Mortal Instruments trilogy, Simon and Derek in the Darkest Power trilogy, Felix and Mildmay from the Doctrine of Labyrinth series, the Powers family from The President's Daughter series, and the Weasleys from the Harry Potter books. Thanks for all your comments and kind words. 

You are all quite familiar by now with my obsession with The Demon's Lexicon trilogy (you can read my reviews of the first two books  here  and  here ).  I discovered book one at the end of last year and went absolutely wild with delight over the darkly twisting combination of work-their-way-under-your-skin characters and the sinister magical underbelly of the world they live in. It instantly went on my best of the year list and I eagerly awaited the sequel. Today is release day for book two-- The Demon's Covenant --and I can tell you right now it is an incredibly awesome read. To celebrate its release, Sarah Rees Brennan agreed to drop in and answer a few of my questions. I think you'll enjoy the results...  First things first: Hot brothers. We love them. We love you for creating such good ones. Do you have any brothers? Where did the basis for Alan and Nick’s incredibly complex relationship come from? I too love hot brothers, Angie. Not mine. I mean...

A couple of days ago a package arrived in my mailbox that made it most difficult to go to work that day. I didn't end up calling in sick (I do have a modicum of will power) but it was touch and go there for a few minutes. A few deep breaths and reminding myself I could snuggle up with it later got me out the door. You see, I've been wanting to get my greedy hands on this particular book in the worst way for lo these many months and then suddenly--there it was all blue and fiery and taunting me with its irresistible Goblin Market charm. The Demon's Lexicon roared onto my Best of 2009 list at the end of last year, fairly blowing me away with its wicked strong characters, dagger-sharp dialogue, and so much heart it set my blood to pumping three times its normal speed. I could immediately tell that Sarah Rees Brennan was something special and I knew it in such a way that I didn't waste a single moment hoping the next one would be as good. I knew it would be. Alan and Ni...