The New Moon Effect

There's a trend in Paranormal YA that I've encountered numerous times over the past couples years. I've named it the New Moon Effect, because that was my first encounter with the trend. This trend involves the dark and mysterious love interest (that just so happens to be a supernatural creature) disappearing in book two. Whether it's because they're kidnapped or they feel it's for the main character's "own good", there are way too many series that use this plot device in the second book. I don't necessarily dislike the New Moon effect when done well, I have just noticed over the years how often it is used. My only problem with it is that when it's used, 99% of the time it's used in the second novel of the series.

Besides New Moon, there are a number of other Paranormal YA series that I've witnessed use this same plot device with varying degrees of success. There are probably plenty more Paranormal YA series that use the New Moon effect in book two that I probably have on my shelves waiting to be read, but here are a few that I have read:

1. Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (have read books #1-2)
I've seen many readers point out numerous similarities between this series and the Twilight saga. I personally thought Evermore was pretty unique when compared to Twilight, but Blue Moon hit a bit closer to New Moon. I almost put this novel down because it's use of the New Moon effect seemed a bit forced and formulaic, but as the story continued to unfold it did get better.

2. Betrayal by Lee Nichols (up to date on this series)
When two Ghostkeepers get together, the stronger of the two steals the powers of the weaker. So the New Moon effect made sense in this novel. Emma couldn't be stealing Bennett's powers if the series was to continue. Bennett's absense was also a much smaller portion of the book compared to other novels.

3. Torment by Lauren Kate (currently reading book #2)
Having only read six chapters so far, I can't speak for the entire novel in regards to this trend. But I knew this title would fall into this category when Daniel talks about leaving Luce along at Shoreline in the prologue, before the reader even gets to check in with Luce.

4. Deadly Little Lies by Laurie Faria Stolarz (have read book #1)
I haven't actually read this title yet, but just from the very end of book one and the blurb on the back cover of book two, I can tell it's going to fall into the New Moon effect. I really enjoyed Deadly Little Secret, so I'm interested to see what book two brings to the table.

On the other hand, there are a number of Pararnormal YA series in which the New Moon effect is absent (I'm not saying these books are automatically better, they're just different). My absolutely favorite example of a book two straying away from this trend is:

Spells by Aprilynne Pike (have read books #1-2)
What I really enjoyed about this novel is that Laurel, the main character, is the one that "disappears" when she goes to train with other faeries. She leaves her parents and her boyfriend in order to learn more of the skills that should come natural to her. And she's only gone for a couple chapters, instead of the majority of the novel.

Then there's the one series that stands out because it sits inbetween:

Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely series (have read books #1-4)
Ink Exchange, the second book in the series, draws the reader away from Ash and Seth's story and focuses on other characters. But in the third book, Fragile Eternity, Seth disappears for a while. But the roles are reversed in this relationship: Ash is the supernatural creature, Seth is still human. He disappears to try to find a way to ensure that he can continue to be with Ash. I think this series is a great example of using the trend in a novel that isn't the second in a series.

So basically, switch it up. I'm not saying don't have the mysterious, supernatural bad boy disappear. I just want it to be a surprise when he disappears.

Most Anticipated: Summer 2011

Back in January, I posted a list of most anticipated books for the first half of the year (January through June). I was planning on doing a similar post for the second half of the year (July through December), but there are sooo many books coming out this summer, I decided to do a summer list just for June, July, and August. Plus, there have been a large number of titles for June that weren't available back in January. There are also a few titles that I have an ARC or eARC of already, but they're still very anticipated titles!

Top 12 Must Have Debuts/New Series of the Summer of 2011:
1. Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett 06/28
2. Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw 06/21
3. Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle 06/28
4. Dead Iron by Devon Monk 07/05
5. My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland 07/05
6. Touch of Frost by Jennifer Estep 07/26
7. Wildefire by Karsten Knight 07/26
8. Working Stiff by Rachel Caine 08/02
9. Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn 08/02
10. Bloodlines by Richelle Mead 08/23

Top 8 Must Have Continations of the Summer of 2011:
1. Hexed by Kevin Hearne 06/06
2. Trail by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes 06/14
3. Deceived by the Others by Jess Haines 07/05
4. Hammered by Kevin Hearne 07/05
5. Grave Dance by Kalayna Price 07/05
6. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater 07/12
7. Supernaturally by Kiersten White 07/26
8. Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones 08/16
9. The Hour of Dust and Ashes by Kelly Gay 08/30
10. Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead 08/30

In My Mailbox (87)

Thanks to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting In My Mailbox every week.

First, I apologize for the sideways book pics. I tried using my iPhone, and no matter what I do in picture manager, it won't turn them around. It's driving me nuts but fixing it will have to wait until tomorrow. Anyway, onto the bookish things! My local library has a used book cart where you can grab paperback for $0.50 and hardcovers for $1.00. This is where I pick up a number of my used books, although there are also two used bookstores I frequent when I have some books I want to sell. Anyway, it's just a small library cart filled with books, I don't think they put out every book for sale at once because over the past couple weeks I've found quite a few Sherrilyn Kenyon novels and three out of the five of Moira J. Moore's Hero series (although I am still missing the first novel). I also relented this week and downloaded the Kindle program for my PC. I don't enjoy reading novels on my computer, but there were a bunch of YA short story tie-ins on amazon that were free.


Bought:
Infernal Affairs by Jes Battis [Buy now]
The Heist Society by Ally Carter [Buy now]
Blood of the Wicked by Karina Cooper [Buy now]
The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross [Buy now]


Used:
Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon [Buy now]
Heroes at Risk by Moira J. Moore [Buy now]

Free Download: (not pictured)
Remedial Magic by Jenna Black [Buy now]
Beasts and BFFs by Shannon Delany [Buy now]
Turned at Dark by C.C. Hunter [Buy now]
Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa [Buy now]
Necromancer: A Novella by Lish McBride [Buy now]
Retro Demonology by Jana Oliver [Buy now]
Fallen from Grace by M.J. Putney [Buy now]

Giveaway Winners: Mercy, Dark Descendant, Dead on the Delta

This week, three giveaways came to an end on the blog. I have chosen (and e-mailed) all winners.

There were a total of 13 participants in the Mercy by Rebecca Lim giveaway. Using random.org, I randomized the list of entries, and then random selected the winners. The winners are...

5.Bookish in a Box
10.Lindsay

There were a total of 31 participants in the Pocket Summer 2011 giveaway. Using random.org, I randomized the list of entries, and then random selected the winners. The winners of Dark Descendant by Jenna Black are...

3.Robin K.
10.Pamk
12.Book Flame
13.Michelle Greathouse
18.LSUReader

The winners of Dead on the Delta by Stacey Jay are...

2.Kristen - Seeing Night
4.Jessica
5.van_pham
9.Christie - The Fiction Enthusiast
10.Annabell

Congratulations! Please respond to the e-mail I sent with your mailing information within 72 hours.

Didn't win? You can pick up a copy from The Book Depository and have it shipped for free!
[Mercy] [Dark Descendant] [Dead on the Delta]

Random Acts of Kindness: June (& May Wrap-Up)

I love this very cool program over at the Book Soulmates call Random Acts of Kindness. Basically, book bloggers sign up with their wish lists and other generous book bloggers can send them a gift from that wish list. I passed on one novel this month: The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan to Savs @ Savvy Escapades.


I received a copy of Dark Heart Forever by Lee Monroe from Lesley @ My Keeper Shelf. She was generous enough to ship this novel across the Atlantic for me. Thank you so much! :) I believe this novel has only been published in the UK, which would explain why I have had so much trouble trying to find it.

Now onto June. Below, I have posted both information about the Random Acts of Kindness program along with my wishlist for June.


Here are the details for June Sign Ups.

Rules:
• Sign up each month you'd like to participate in.
• Show off your participation! Grab one of the buttons available :)
• Create a wish list and post it in the Google Doc located in each R.A.K post for the month. (Post on your blog, Amazon, where ever as long as there's a link to it.)
• If you choose to do a R.A.K for someone, check out their wish list and contact that blogger for their address.
• At the end of the month, SHOW US YOUR R.A.K! Make a post saying 'Thank You' to whoever granted one of your wishes and share it with us :)

OPEN TO EVERYONE!
Let's keep our International bloggers in mind and in our hearts.
Remember, there's always the Book Depository and they offer FREE shipping!

Wishlist:
Through Her Eyes by Jennifer Archer
Crux by Moira Rogers
Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini (Gave in and purchased)
Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase
Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs
Changeling Moon by Dani Harper (Thanks Anna!)
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl
Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison
The Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason
Dead Girls are Easy by Terry Garey
The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
Always the Vampire by Nancy Haddock

***Note: I do not have an eReader, but I am all for used books and ARCs.