Rating System Changes

Hey guys! So we took a short little hiatus after Vamp Week so we could get ourselves prepared for our fresh start. (Also, I was traveling almost the whole time, and it was easier to just wait.) To start off this new beginning, we changed our rating system—from 0-2 lumps of sugar to 1-5 sugar cubes. The old system made it hard to promote good reviews, and we often ended up using decimals in our ratings (essentially having a 5 lump system), so this just made sense. The new systems is as follows:

5 Sugar Cubes - This book was amazing!
4 Sugar Cubes - This book was great!
3 Sugar Cubes - This book was good.
2 Sugar Cubes - This book was okay.
1 Sugar Cube - This book was terrible, and/or not my cup of tea.

(All of our past reviews will be updated with the change in the next day or two.)

We also (finally) have a review policy up, which you can view here if you wish. And tomorrow we'll debut the slightly revamped Tuesday Tea Break.

See you then!

This is the End (AKA Gallagher Girls Read-a-thon)

I found the last Gallagher Girls book, United We Spy, at Barnes & Noble yesterday (a few days early, it officially releases Tuesday), and I was flipping through and caught the dedication:

And I realized that this was it. This was the end. I mean, I'd always known Untied We Spy was the last book, but I guess it never really hit before that it was the last book. There would be no more. Gosh, just writing this is making me all emotional. Anyway, I have yet to read book 5, Out of Sight, Out of Time, so I thought I would start from the beginning and re-read the series. Books as You Know It hosted a GG read-a-thon a month-ish ago, so this is just for me, but if you would like to join me, great! Leave a comment.

I'm traveling right now, and therefore without my books, so I'll start read-a-thoning Wednesday (possibly Thursday, I'm not quite sure when I'll arrive home). Updates will be posted here periodically as I get through the series, and I'll have reviews for each book too, though those may not be posted 'til I completely finish the series. I'm not going to set a deadline for myself, and I may read 1 or 2 other books in-between GG books, all depends on if I'm in the series-binge mood.

See you soon!

Cover Reveal: Sisters' Fate by Jessica Spotswood

The lovely Jessica Spotswood just revealed the cover for the 3rd book in her Cahill Witch Chronicles series, and I think it it just GORGEOUS—I had to share it with you all! So without further ado. . .

Here are Jessica's thoughts on the cover and title (from her blog):

It’s my favorite since the original BORN WICKED hardback, which has an enduring place in my heart since it was the first book I saw all book-shaped with my name on it. I love that we get to see all three sisters, but only Cate is looking at us – and with such a fierce expression! She looks kind of pissed off, which – well, if you’ve read the end of STAR CURSED, she’s got every right to be, and keeping control of her temper is something our girl struggles with in SISTERS’ FATE. I also, on a shallow note, love their pretty pretty hair. And I love that fiery sunset sky. Fire is a bit of a recurring danger in this book…

As for the title – my editor came up with this one, but my original title was Thrice Fated (to go along with the original earlier titles Thrice Blessed & Thrice Cursed) so  I’m excited that “fate” is incorporated in there! And sisters – well, to me, the heart of the story has always been about Cate’s relationships with Maura and Tess, so that’s perfect.

Now here are the 3 covers in the series, lined up next to each other (all linked to Goodreads):

Jess also has a giveaway going to celebrate the cover reveal, for a bunch of upcoming PenguinTeen ARCs, so check out her blog to enter!

I'm absolutely in love with this cover! I think it's my favorite of the bunch. What do you think?

Vampire Week: Poll Results Announced

Vampire Week is an event hosted here at T3 to celebrate the release of Holly Black's

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Click the banner for more information.

This is the last Vampire Week post. I'm kinda sad about that, even though it was crazy hectic on my end. I hope you guys enjoyed this week, and I'm already thinking of maybe doing a Vampire Week next year, so we'll see how that turns out. ;) If you want to see us do this again, leave a comment!

Well I'm just to get right down to it. First up is the results for the Top 10 Vampire Novels poll.

TOP 10 VAMPIRE NOVELS

Books/Series featured:

—Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

—Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

—Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris

—Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine

—Dracula by Bram Stoker

—House of Comarré by Kristen Painter

—Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst

—Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block

—The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith

—Cheshire Red Reports by Cherie Priest

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE IN A COLDTOWN?

And that's all, folks! Thank you so much for coming by all this week.

Today's other Vampire Week post: 

—A giveaway for the anthology The Eternal Kiss, signed by Holly Black

See you soon!

Vampire Week: Signed Eternal Kiss Anthology Giveaway

Vampire Week is an event hosted here at T3 to celebrate the release of Holly Black's

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Click the banner for more information.

It's the last day of Vampire Week! To end it with a bang, we're having one more giveaway. You could win one of my favorite vampire anthologies, The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire, signed by Holly Black! This is the antho that debuted Holly's Coldtown short story, so it seemed like the perfect closing-giveaway prize. :) The giveaway is US only, and ends at 11:59pm EST on September 13th. Be sure to read all the rules (listed above the rafflecopter) before entering.

The Prize:

—A paperback of The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire, signed by contributing author, Holly Black

The Rules:
—Must be 13 years or older to enter the giveaway.
—Open to US only.
—Giveaway ends 9/13/13 at 11:59 EST
—Winner will have 48 hours to respond to our email, if no response is given a new winner will be chosen.
—All entries are checked, and any false entries will be deleted.
—We at T3 are not responsible if a package is lost or damaged in the mail.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Today's other Vampire Week post:
—Vampire Week comes to an end + poll winners announced

See you soon!

Vampire Week: Movie Review: Let the Right One In

Vampire Week is an event hosted here at T3 to celebrate the release of Holly Black's

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Click the banner for more information.

Title: Let the Right One In (Swedish version) (linked to IMDb)
Director: Tomas Alfredson
Staring: Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson
Release Year: 2008
Genre: Horror
Length: 115 mins (1hr, 55mins)
MPAA Rating: R

Summary:
Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire.
(Taken from IMDb)

Post-"taste" Review:
I really cannot say enough about this film, it is a definite must see, and one of the best vampire stories you will ever experience.

Review:
For Vampire Week here at Tea for Three, I chose to review the film, Let the Right One In, based on the novel of the same name by author John Ajvide Linqvist. Please do not mistake it for it's American remake Let Me In. While a decent adaptation, I do not feel that it captures the essence or magic of the 2008 Swedish original. Since it's release, this movie has held me captivated with it's unique take on the vampire mythos. Quiet and haunting, this film takes everything you think you know about a good vampire story and turns it on it's head.

It takes place in a obscure village in Sweden, where a young boy by the name of Oskar tries desperately to find some purpose in his twelve year old existence. When a young, dark haired girl by the name of Eli moves in next door, a rather tenuous relationship is formed. Much to the dismay of Eli's older caretaker. When several locals come up missing or dead, Oskar is forced to question who and what his new friend is. What follows is a tale of friendship, young romance, and survival. What is Oskar willing to do to keep Eli's secret and what is Eli willing to do to protect Oskar?

LtoR: Kåre Hedebrant as Oskar, Lina Leandersson as Eli

What makes this film so effective is it's use of classic vampire tropes utilized in ways you've never seen before. The film removes a lot of the Transylvania mysticism commonly associated with the vampire, and presents a more gritty and realistic need for a vampires survival. Although there are subtle allusions to the more mysterious elements to a vampire, such as Eli's aversion to light, and her inability to enter a home without being invited. These things are presented in a way that does not detract from the tone set by the rest of the movie.

Another major and immediately obvious departure from the iconic vampire image, and one of my favorite facets of the film, is Eli herself. So accustomed are we to the image of a tall, dashing, male vampire in the lead; that we forget any other role a vampire can play. This is where the film takes the traditional gender roles, and flips them drastically. In this story it is Oskar that needs rescuing, not Eli. Oskar is smaller than his classmates, he is bullied and tormented, a social outcast. Eli is strong, willing to take action, and not afraid to sacrifice anyone who gets in her way. The juxtaposition of the image of a young twelve year old girl, and the horrendous violence she commits, is incredibly striking and highly unique.

What I also think makes this film so compelling is it's calm. Scenes exist that do not need words, only scenery and the viewers emotions. So much of the movie is a silent crescendo building to the apex of the movie's graphic climax. A soft score and Sweden's austere landscapes creates the atmosphere that holds the film together.

Today's other Vampire Week post:
—Erin interviews herself about vampire novels

Vampire Week: Erin Talks Vampires

Vampire Week is an event hosted here at T3 to celebrate the release of Holly Black's

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Click the banner for more information.

Today I bring you an interview I conducted with myself about vampires and vampire books (mostly vampire books) (Because something fell through and I had to make up a fill-in last minute :D).

Who was your favorite Coldtown character? Why?
Probably Gavriel, because in a way he reminded me of Myrnin from Rachel Caine's Morganville Vamipres, and I am quite in love with Myrnin, even though he's crazy as hell. But back to Gavriel, he's sane with bouts of crazy (where Myrnin is crazy with bouts of sane), so I have to give him the edge over Myrnin. Plus he is so adorable at the end of Coldtown.

What did you think of the Coldtown short story elements featured in the novel?
I loved them! When I was about 100 pages into the novel, I paused and re-read the short story, and when I came back to the novel I was all like, "Ooooohhh." There were parts that mirror the short story, down to a couple almost exact passages, and I thought that was so cool!

Would you want to be a Coldtown world vampire? Free or locked up?
Hmm. . .well, personally, I wouldn't want to be a Coldtown vampire, but I also wouldn't want to be a human (Always watching the sun and afraid of getting bitten, possibly going Cold. No thanks). So I guess, if forced to choose, I would go vampy. And I would want to be in a coldtown, just so I wouldn't have to always wonder when I would get my next meal. (Gross, I know, but I'm a vampire in this situation, so I gotta tell it like it is.) Also, I think coldtowns are just a tiny bit safer for vamps than the outside would.

Would you want to be a vampire in general?
YES. I think I would want to be a Night World vamp, they always stuck with me. I mean, they can go in the sun and only get a slight weakening of their powers. And they have mind powers, and that's really cool.

What are your favorite vampire books?
 I did a more complete list yesterday, so I'm going to stick with my Top 2 today. #1 is The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black. And #2 I'm gonna say is Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz, though Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead is a very close 3rd.

Who is your favorite vampire from those books?
Well, you know who my fav vamp from Coldtown is already, so from Blue Bloods it would have to be Jack. (And from VA, Adrian.)

Is there a certain book that got you into vampires?
Twilight. I read the Twilight books in 6th grade, and they really opened up the vampire (and YA!) world to me.

Read any good non-vamp books lately?
No :( I've been in quite the reading slump, so if you have any recs, drop them in the comments. (PLEASE!)

(Since we are all about tea here, I must ask myself a tea-related question.) If you were to be a tea, what kind would you be?
I don't know. I'll just go with my favorite tea, Chocolate Mint. Mmmmm, Chocolate Mint. I'm going to make a cup right now!

Today's other Vampire Week post:
—Lisa reviews the vampire movie Let the Right One In

See you tomorrow for the last day of Vamp Week!