Last Day of 13th Reality Giveaway

Today's the last day of the James Dashner giveaway. If you haven't signed up for it yet, please do as the contest will be up at midnight. For rules and regulations please see the October 8th post by clicking here.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings:
Premise: Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape. (King County Library System)
Opinions: Every month for two years the "Glade" has received a new teenage boy. Every time a new boy arrives, they arrive with their mind completely wiped clean of the past. All they know is that, like everyone else in the glade, they must work together to survive and to find a way out of the maze that they live in. Whether coincidence or not, once Thomas arrives things go all askew and a difficult life becomes even more dangerous. The very next day everyone is surprised that another visitor arrives...this time a girl. Before she passes out she brings one message to all in the glade - Everything is about to change.

The more of James Dashner's books that I read, I can definitely see his progression as a writer. His plot is intriguing, the characters interesting, and yet he still retains that one something in all his books that makes it hard to put the book down until you have read the very last word on the last page. I am definitely looking forward to where this series is headed and can't wait for the next installment.

War of the Black Curtain by James Dashner

Title: War of the Black Curtain
Author: James Dashner
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None (though I cried)
Premise: When the Black Curtain rips open, evil Stompers and Shadow Ka swarm across the land and the Black Coma plunges the world into a grim nightmare. If Jimmy Fincher can solve the riddle of the Red Disk, find the Dream Warden, and receive the Fourth Gift, perhaps he can save the world from its horrible fate--but he will be forced to face the truth behind his enemy's true nature. (Pleasant Grove Library System)
Opinions: The fourth and final book in the Jimmy Fincher series did not disappoint. With each book the plot and the writing grew better and better. While the inhabitants of earth fall one by one into the Black Coma, Jimmy must continue his search for the Fourth Gift. With time running out Jimmy faces a truth that, even I didn't see coming. I must warn you that when I read the ending I cried. I still love the strength of family that James displays throughout the entire tail and how love and sacrifice make a world of difference.

I loved this entire series and am also really glad to have gotten to know James since then as he has motivated me in my own efforts to get published. I'm impressed with his writing and love everything that he has written. Please read the Jimmy Fincher Saga as well as James' other series' The 13th Reality and the new series The Maze Runner.

The Tower of Air by James Dashner

This is the last week for the James Dashner book giveaway. Don't forget to check out the rules here. The contest will run until end Saturday at midnight and the winner will receive a signed copy of The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters. We only have four entries at this time so please spread the word to your friends and family and have them join in for this great giveaway.

Title: The Tower of Air (Book 3 of the Jimmy Fincher Series)
Author: James Dashner
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None

Premise: Jimmy Fincher sets off on a dangerous journey under the ocean and across the desert to find the second gift from the Givers that will help him stop the evil Stompers from destroying the Earth. (King County Library System)
Opinions: The third book in the series does a fabulous job highlighting the growing strengths of James Dashenr as an author. The plot is more compelling, the characters more intriguing, and the strength of the family more enduring. Jimmy works to find the Givers' third gift that will lead him all over the globe and beyond, while the Stompers are openly attacking the world and the Shadow Ka are evolving. While the world looks to Jimmy to save them, Jimmy must look within himself to find the strength to accept his role to save humanity as well as to redeem his father from a terrible fate.

Once again, I could not put this book down. James did a fantastic job. Just wait until you read the fourth, and last, book in the series.

A Gift of Ice by James Dashner

Title: A Gift of Ice (Book 2 of the Jimmy Fincher Series)
Author: James Dashner
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Genre: Mid-Grade Fantasy
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: None
Premise: In Japan, fourteen-year-old Jimmy Fincher adds another gift to the arsenal of weapons he can use in his mission to prevent the evil Stompers from destroying Earth, much to the dismay of the Bosu Zoku, agents of the Shadow Ka. (King County Library System)
Opinions:Jimmy and his family have followed a set of clues for the second of the four gifts to the island of Japan. When an evil gang leader Bosa Zuka smashes into his hotel room leaving behind the sounding rod - the one weapon that can break through Jimmy's protective barrier. Working with the Alliance, Jimmy fights the Shadow Ka to reach the second gift first, while trying to save his family at the same time.
One of my favorite aspects of this author's writing is the strength the main character finds in his family. I love the relationships and the suspense. This is an easy read, but one that I couldn't put down. Definitely read this book, but don't stop there. You HAVE to read the whole series. It is worth it.

A Door In the Woods by James Dashner

Hello One and All -

The month of October continues as we celebrate the writings of author James Dashner. Don't forget to look here for the rules for this month's giveaway to win a hardback autographed copy of Jame's book The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters.


For today's book review we are switching over to James' first series of books known as the Jimmy Fincher Saga. The first book in the series, A Door In the Woods, was previously reviewed on this site last year. So rather than duplicating the review please click here to see what was previously written.

We do hope that you spread the word to one and all to come check out our blog and to participate in the giveaway. We love promoting the works of our favorite authors so the more people we can the better. We hope you having a great October and don't forget to read a good book this week.

The Hunt for Dark Infinity by James Dashner

The James Dashner book giveaway continues. Don't forget to check out the rules here. The contest will run until the end of the month and the winner will receive a signed copy of The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters. Please spread the word to your friends and family.





Title: The Hunt for Dark Infinity (Book 2 of the The 13th Reality Series)
Author: James Dashner
Reviewer: Karen Pellett
Genre: Mid-Grade/Teen Sci-Fi
Rating: Love
Alerts/Warnings: Some Tense Scenes
Premise: After being kidnapped by Mr. Chu, Atticus "Tick" Higginbottom and his friends Paul and Sofia must survive a series of tests in several different Realities. (King County Library System)
Opinions: I was lucky enough to win this book as an advance reader copy (ARC) through a contest that James held on his blog. I was so in love with all of James' other books that I couldn't wait for the actual release to start reading. Though I have to admit that the book starts at a slow pace, I love the fact that it starts with Sophia and Paul are visiting with Tick and his family. I also really love getting to know Sato and his story better. Things quickly picked up and I soon discovered that I couldn't put the book down. The author has the great ability of throwing in twist and turns that cause you to do a double take, but then fully explains them in a satisfying manner. I really loved Tick's family in the first book and wished to see them a lot more in this one. Though I was disappointed that they weren't in there as much as I hoped I was so ecstatic by a wonderful twist concerning Tick's mom that you will have to find out for yourself at the end of the book. Overall, this is a fantastic read, that I highly recommend to all - young and old.

The 13th Reality Giveaway

It's October and it is time for a new Fabulous Giveaway!! Over the last year I have had the opportunity to meet, on several occasions, the author James Dashner. In honor of The Maze Runner which was released on October 6th we will be giving away a signed copy of The 13th Reality: The Journal of Curious Letters which James has also written (for a review of The Journal of Curious Letters please click here)This giveaway starts now and ends at Midnight PST on October 31, 2009.



PLEASE NOTE: If you are under the age of 18 you must have parental permission sent to us if you win.



To enter this contest please leave a comment on this or any post before the end of the telling us the following:



- What was the most favorite Halloween Costume you have ever worn?



Want another entry? Try one (or all) of these:

2. Follow our blog.

3. Post a link to our blog from your blog.

4. Write a review for us to post. Email it to us at fabulousreads@yahoo.com Then we will post it sometime in the next couple of weeks. You will get 5 ENTRIES for every review you submit and there is no limit to how many reviews you submit to us. If you would like us to link to your blog, please include your blog address.



I am really looking forward to motivating all of you to check out James' books. It will well be worth your time and effort.

And we have a winner!

The winner of our Fabulous Giveaway is.....
wkiskizt

She wrote: "I'd say Snow White. It feels like I'm always cleaning up after people. At least there aren't 7 men in my house!"


On another note. I was told that I needed to answer my own question by several people, so here goes.
I would be the beanstalk from Jack and the beanstalk. I always have little people climbing all over me and at the end of the day, I just fall down. :)

We have another giveaway planned soon! So keep checking back. There are also some changes coming to the site. I just need to get a few moments without kids. Um...it could be a little bit. :)

Stay Fabulous!
Stephanie

Giveaway ended

Our giveaway has ended. I've gathered all the entries and will pick a winner this afternoon when my kids are sleeping. :0)

Good Luck!
Stephanie