So I'd like to announce to you the official winner of the cover remake. Katie Kacvinsky sent along the news that she also chose Kyleigh's cover remake of Awaken.So congrats Kyleigh!
I've sent an email, so I'll send along the ARC soon.
Showing posts with label A Cornucopia of Dystopia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label A Cornucopia of Dystopia. Show all posts
Monday, May 2, 2011
Cover Remake Chosen Winner
So I'd like to announce to you the official winner of the cover remake. Katie Kacvinsky sent along the news that she also chose Kyleigh's cover remake of Awaken.So congrats Kyleigh!
I've sent an email, so I'll send along the ARC soon.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Cover Remake Public Winner
Hi Everyone!So the public vote winner of the cover remake for Awaken is Kyleigh with this cover:
I've emailed the covers to Katie and I'm awaiting a reply, to see who her winner is and the winner of the ARC is.
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I'm also in the process of making a new design for the blog. I feel like my current one is drab and I can't stand it anymore, so I'm working on one which is lighter and sleeker. And I'm hoping it'll help encourage me to blog again.
~Andrea
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Don't Forget!
The voting for the Awaken remake ends tomorrow!
(And I just watched Harry Potter 7 (Part One) and loved it! Probably my favorite yet out of the series!)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Awaken Cover Re-Design VOTING
So yesterday at midnight was the closing of the cover re-design of Awaken by Katie Kavinsky. I only had three submissions, so I'd like to still send them all to Katie, but let you all pick a winner by yourselves. Though Katie's final decision will the true winner of the Awaken ARC. To vote see the covers below in the voting poll. Voting will end April 18th, and the victor of the poll will be crowned the fan favorite.
So here's the original Awaken cover:
Now choose one of these!
VOTING IS CLOSED
Here's links to make each of these pictures larger for your viewing:
VOTING IS CLOSED
Here's links to make each of these pictures larger for your viewing:
Monday, April 11, 2011
Reminder: Cover Remake
Hi Everyone I'm back! Hopefully this week I can write up some much needed reviews and that seniorities doesn't kick in full swing!
I just wanted to remind everyone that the cover remake ends at midnight (EST) TONIGHT. Please submit your entries by then, if you submit it after midnight I'll still take them up till the point when I make the poll for the covers.
Thanks! :)
And I'm hoping to redesign the blog for the spring/summer months, this just one I have right now just feels too dull and wintery.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Bumped by Megan McCafferty (Review)
BumpedBy Megan McCafferty
(BUMPED SERIES)
Age Warning: Young Adult 12+, Sexual Content Innuendos
Published By: Harper Collins- Balzer + Bray
Genre: YA Dystopia Romance
Date Released: May 26, 2011
Provided By: A Cornucopia of Dystopia
Synopsis:
When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.
My Review:
Having never read a Megan McCafferty book before I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I picked up Bumped. But I liked it and I'm now going to go look into her Jessica Darling Series because of it. The book starts off in a world full of "pregging", because of a virus that has stopped individuals from reproducing past the age of 18. Because of this things like Pro(Professional)/Am(Amateur) Pregging Clubs at High Schools exist and special schools for "pregging" girls and facilities are in order. Being a quick exiting read Bumped is a book you must pick up!
Told in alternating perspectives, Melody is the first one we meet. She's an ordinary girl for the times, selling herself for the purpose of "pregging" for profit. Actually she's the starter of the whole craze and the one that made it cool. But at the age of sixteen she's still waiting for her signed contract to be initiated and for the parents of her still unknown child to find a match for her. Then comes in Harmony, she's been raised in the church environment since she was a baby. Separated from Melody at birth because she was in bad shape, this twin has grown up in Goodside her whole life. But Goodside isn't what it looks like, and Harmony wants to find out why her two Melody is "pregging" for profit. Identical twins, Melody and Harmony have one big unexpected event that changes both of their lives forever.
Other characters including Melody's charming best friend Zen, Harmony's husband Ram and a shifty character in my mind named Jondoe (get it "Jon" "Doe" as in like an unknown murder case kind of really it's supposed to be John Doe [it took me a while]) make up a cast of characters that keep the reader entertained and makes for a fast quick read. Once you get into the heads of both Melody and Harmony you can't quit reading Bumped. With both also having some dark secrets from the past, you'll be kept reading till you finish too. And if you really want a great new Dystopia read, I suggest picking this up! I can't wait for the next Bumped novel to come out either, because the ending had me wanting more!(I'd also like to thank both Casey and Danya for letting me review this book through A Cornucopia of Dystopia!)
Links:
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Cover Remake Update
So after talking to Casey and Danya I've decided to extend the Submission Deadline for the Awaken Cover Remake to April 11th at Midnight, instead of tomorrow. This is because were having difficulty receiving entries and would like to have more than we already have for you to vote on. Even if you are really really bad at art just try! You never know you could win an ARC of Awaken!
And instead of voting in two rounds for the top five we will have just one vote for the final five that will get sent to Katie Kacvinsky. This will take place from April 12th to the 18th, and winners will be announced when Katie decides on the top cover.Remember I'd like if the submissions could come from individuals from Canada or the USA, but at this moment I won't mind if your international. Just please help by submitting a cover remake of Awaken.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Creative Stories: Katie Kacvinsky
Today I'd like to welcome Katie Kacvinsky to LWS!*cheers*
If you haven't put Awaken her debut YA Dystopia novel on your wish lists you should!
This interview is also in coordination with A Cornucopia of Dystopia and I'd like to thank Casey and Danya for setting it up!
About Katie Kacvinsky Katie Kacvinsky worked in the entertainment industry and as a high school English teacher before deciding to write full time. She currently lives in Corvallis, Oregon. (From hmhbooks.com)
Andrea: Can you please sum up Awaken in a sentence for those followers who haven’t found out about your great novel, yet.
Katie: One sentence? That’s tough. Awaken is a dystopian romance about a girl who lives almost completely inside a digital world until someone helps her wake up and discover how to be human again.
Andrea: Tell us a little about yourself, we know you’re a writer but what are your favorite things and what do you do other than write?
Katie: A little bit about myself, okay, I’ll tell you three things. 1) I attempt to play the guitar but I mostly do Adam Sandler covers, 2) It is my dream to one day sell a screenplay (other than books, movies are my passion), and 3) The most random thing I own is a straw that Quentin Tarantino drank out of. I used to waitress in Los Angeles and I waited on Quentin. When he left the restaurant, I kept his straw and I am not ashamed.
Andrea: Out of all your characters in Awaken who was your favorite to write about? Or which character did you connect with the most?
Katie: Well, I had a pretty rebellious streak growing up, so I do connect with Maddie but I had the most fun writing Justin. He has so many layers to him; it was a challenge to get to develop his character.
Andrea: What inspired you to write Awaken?
Katie: I looked around at trends I saw happening and extrapolated them: social networking, all the new digital and electronic devices on the market, the environment slowly being depleted of resources…
Andrea: After reading your novel I looked back at my own electronic use, and was shocked by the amount of time I spend with them. Do you have any tips for are now electronic stocked world?
Katie: Tips? Well, texting makes you go cross eyed, cell phones probably cause brain tumors, radiation from computer screens causes skin breakouts and Facebook is actually spy software developed by the government to keep an eye on you. Okay, just kidding. My advice is to limit yourself. One day a week, turn your cell phone off. One day a week, keep your computer and your TV off. Use that time to read or be outside or spend one on one time with a friend. Be in the moment.
Andrea: Are you working on any new novels at this time? I’m crossing my fingers that there’s a sequel to Awaken, are you perhaps working on that?
Katie: I am currently doing edits for the next book Houghton Mifflin Harcourt signed, titled First Comes Love. It’s teen fiction, an angst teen love story and I absolutely love it. I am also working on a sequel to Awaken. Maddie and Justin’s story definitely needs to continue.
Andrea: Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Katie: Spoiler Alert: If anyone asked me what my favorite scene is in Awaken, or the one I am most proud of writing, it is hands down the kissing scene—the first kissing scene. I thought it was pretty awesome. I hope you all like it.
Thanks Katie for the wonderful interview! And I hope you have a successful book launch of Awaken in May!
Check Out Awaken! In Stores May 23rd, 2011.
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky (Review)
Awaken by Katie KacvinskyAge Warning: Possibly 12 and Up. It depends, because there is some violence in the book.
Published By: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: YA Dystopia Romance
Date Released: May 23, 2011
Provided By: Netgalley.com and A Cornucopia of Dystopia Blog Event
Synopsis:
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.
My Review:
I just want to start of saying that this book is amazing! I typically don't enjoy Dystopia books, but when Casey and Danya approached me with A Cornucopia of Dystopia and I saw Awaken on the list and reading the synopsis I was up for the read. Awaken takes place in the near future, were brick schools no longer exist, there's only meeting rooms and online learning. And chat rooms to assist with associating with other teens and online profiles galore. Here we meet Maddie, the daughter of the Digital School Program inventor, and a girl that wants to be independent. Maddie is a character you can connect with right off the bat. She's someone you want to find out more about from the start, and really figure out why she did what she did to get on house arrest. A plain, normal teen of the times Maddie tries to disconnect herself from the stereotype of being the Digital School Inventor's daughter. But when she meets Justin things change, he's fighting Digital School with his friends, wanting to implement schools of the current times back. And bring communities together again. He's cute, and the reader automatically see's something developing between them. And it doesn't hurt that he actually has his own car either (A MUSTANG! I love mustangs :) ). When Maddie comes out of her digital world she sees the real 2060. Where, neighbors don't know neighbors, and friends exist halfway across the world only seeing each other through face talks and the constantly connected computers. And there are no real paper books, nothing that will catch on fire really exists anymore.
This book is something that everyone needs to read. Awaken addresses the current technology boost, and teens obsession with always Tweeting and on Facebook. For me Awaken made me look back on the way I use technology. I can see myself as Maddie in ways. But at the same time I know that I'm not, I still have real friends and real books and a real school I attend. And don't Tweet or Facebook as much as any others. Yet, Awaken makes you look back. And that's why Katie Kacvinsky has a real winner in her debut novel.
I'd also like to mention how much I like the cover. It's a really creative and innovative; I mean the mason jar means the society and past that is closed off from the future. And the nature and beauty of the outside world stopped by technology, hence the pixils on the rest of the cover. I love the cover, and I can't wait to see what happens later on, because I know there needs to be a sequel to Awaken. (Find out if this is true on my interview later with Katie!:))
So check out Awaken on May 23, 2011!
Links:
Check out my interview with Katie!
And I'd also like to remind everyone of the Cover Remake Contest, submissions are due April 4th for Awaken. Check this post here for more information.
And I'd also like to remind everyone of the Cover Remake Contest, submissions are due April 4th for Awaken. Check this post here for more information.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Awaken Cover Re-Design
Welcome! Today, starts
A Cornucopia of Dystopia
which runs from March 21st till April 18th.
So to kick this off here at Loud Words and Sounds I'm holding a Cover Remake Contest.
Here's how it's going to work. For anyone that wants to participate, they have to remake this cover:
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
Here's a summary of this awesome Dystopia novel:
Maddie lives in a world where everything is done on the computer. Whether it’s to go to school or on a date, people don’t venture out of their home. There’s really no need. For the most part, Maddie’s okay with the solitary, digital life—until she meets Justin. Justin likes being with people. He enjoys the physical closeness of face-to-face interactions. People aren’t meant to be alone, he tells her. Suddenly, Maddie feels something awakening inside her—a feeling that maybe there is a different, better way to live. But with society and her parents telling her otherwise, Maddie is going to have to learn to stand up for herself if she wants to change the path her life is taking. In this not-so-brave new world, two young people struggle to carve out their own space.
All Submissions are Due by:
April 11th by Noon (EST)
The top five will be chosen by the blogging public and then sent to Katie!
Voting will take place from April 12th-18th.
The Winner Chosen by Katie will then receive an ARC of Awaken!
Officially the rules are as follows:
OPEN INTERNATIONALLY
(Unless you have someone in those two countries willing to ship to you.)
Be over the age of 13 or with parents permission.
Submissions must be in by NOON on April 4th April 11th!
And just create a remake of the cover for Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky and leave a link to your cover in Mister Linky below.
(You do not have to be a blogger to enter, just upload your cover to an image hosting site and leave the link below.)
If you have any questions you can comment and or email me at loud.words.and.sounds@gmail.com.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A Cornucopia of Dystopia
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Casey (The Bookish Type) and Danya (A Tapestry of Words) have come up with this new event that is a wonderful idea and I'm glad to be helping out:
A Cornucopia
of Dystopia
Through out March 21st-April 18th these eight new dystopia books will be featured at a total of 17 blogs across the blogging universe:
Bumped by Megan McCafferty
Memento Nora by Angie Smibert
XVI by Julia Karr
Possession by Elana Johnson
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky
and
Dark Parties by Sara Grant.
I will be hosting Awaken by Katie Kacvinsky and Bumped by Megan McCafferty here at Loud Words & Sounds. While these other fabulous bloggers will be hosting many of the other books:
So check out A Cornucopia of Dystopia during March 21st through April 18th!
And please grab the button! And help us out by promoting the event and the authors involved!
