Earlier in the week I posted my review of The Iron King by Julie Kagawa. This fun faery fantasy novel is the first in the Iron Fey series, and I quite enjoyed it! Judging from it’s highly positive status on Goodreads, many others are enjoying it too.

This week’s great Friday Freebie is a novella called Winter’s Passage that falls between The Iron King and The Iron Daughter, the next book in the Iron Fey series. To make a good thing even better, Winter’s Passage is available for free on the Iron Fey website!  Just click on the Winter’s Passage download box to download a copy in the version of your choice (ePub, PDF or Microsoft eBook).

This free novella is also available for Kindle and on netgalley.

Hopefully this free novella will satisfy fans until The Iron Daughter comes out next month!

Now don’t get me wrong, I love sharing my books. In fact, I take great pleasure in it. When I’m reading a book and I know one of my friends will love it, I can’t wait to share it with them so they too can experience its wonder.  But at what point is a friend taking advantage of your book collection?

I have one friend who loves fantasy books as much as I do (if not more), and we share them back and forth when we find a good one. Granted more of them are coming from me, but I go through more books than they do so I think this is understandable.

Rae and I share books pretty equally. I send them to her, she sends them to me. It’s an ideal situation! (Well, except for the long-distance mailing costs!)

BUT, I have another friend who seems to just expect me to loan them books whenever they want something to read. Occasionally I don’t mind this, I mean I have so many books, why not let others enjoy them as well? But is it wrong of me to get upset when I basically become someone’s personal library?

Here’s where I seek advice from my fellow bookaphiles… What’s your lending philosophy? Am I crazy to not want to share all my books all the time? Part of me says YES, I am crazy… The stories are there to be loved, let them be enjoyed as much as possible. But another part of me feels like I’m being taken advantage of and wants to send my friend to get a library card.

Help! What’s a book collector to do?

The Iron King (Iron Fey #1)
by Julie Kagawa

Summary

Ever since her father disappeared when she was a young girl, Meghan Chase has felt like an outcast and a misfit. Then as her 16^th birthday approaches, weird things begin to happen. Her four year-old brother Ethan seems to be possessed, and Robbie, Meghan’s best friend since childhood seems to know more than he’s letting on. Meghan is left reeling when Robbie reveals a strange and deadly new world that exists alongside our own. In order to save her brother, Meghan embarks on a perilous journey filled with creatures and beings she thought only existed in fairy tales.

Review

The Iron King is a high-stakes adventure, filled with a variety of interesting characters. Meghan is a likeable protagonist, who grows over the course of the novel, and has the potential to become a truly fascinating and powerful heroine as the series continues.  The supporting characters are well-developed and highly entertaining, and even though they were plucked from other stories (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Alice in Wonderland) felt unique. I must admit to liking the supporting characters even more than the main character! The author does a wonderful job of describing the faery world in magnificent detail, but I did find a few situations and plot points were lacking in explanation.  I also found that some scenes which should have been quite emotional, did not manage to elicit the expected emotion. These small issues aside, the story was interesting and fast-paced with plenty of surprises along the way.

Verdict

The Iron King was a captivating and entertaining story, and I can’t wait to read more of Meghan’s adventures in Winter’s Passage (novella) and The Iron Daughter, the next installment in the Iron Fey Series.

*I received this e-book for review from the publisher.

*The Iron King is book #3 for the What’s in a Name? Challenge

Home Free
by Sharon Jennings

In Home Free, Leeanna Mets shares the story of one memorable summer in the 60’s when: she met a kindred spirit, decided to follow her dreams, and her whole world was changed in an instant.

Even though she’s only 11, Lee knows that she wants to be a writer. Unfortunately, her mother thinks good girls should grow up to be nurses or teachers.

As an avid reader whose favourite book is Anne of Green Gables, Lee has developed a romanticized idea of what life would be like as an orphan. But when Cassandra moves in next door, Lee learns that real life isn’t like her books.

Told in Lee’s voice, Home Free focuses on that time when something as simple as putting on a play with your friends could bring you immense joy. But no matter what age you are, when tragedy strikes your world comes crashing down, and yet somehow life must go on.  This sweet story will touch young readers – especially girls who have struggled to fit in. Older readers will be reminded of childhood friends and summers filled with possibilities.

– Home Free is part of the Gusty Girl Series: books featuring smart, brave, funny and inspiring girls, for readers aged 9-12.

*I received this book for review from the publisher.

Happy Friday folks! Even though it was only 3 days long (for me), this has felt like a really long week. And what better way to unwind after a long week than with a bit of fun YA fantasy?

As some of you are probably aware, I’m a big fan of James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series. He also has another YA series called Daniel X. To help celebrate the upcoming release of the third volume in this series, James is offering a sneak peek at the first 25 chapters of Daniel X: Demons & Druids.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the series, here’s a bit about Daniel X from the author’s website:

HE WAS BORN WITH GREAT POWER

The greatest superpower of all isn’t to be part spider, part man, or to cast magic spells – the greatest power is the power to create. Daniel X has that power.

AND A DEADLY SECRET

Daniel’s secret abilities–like being able to manipulate objects and animals with his mind or to re-create himself in any shape he chooses–have helped him survive. But Daniel doesn’t have a normal life. He is the protector of Earth, the Alien Hunter, with a mission beyond anyone’s imagining.

NOW THE FATE OF THE WORLD RESTS ON DANIEL X

From the day that his parents were brutally murdered before his very eyes, Daniel has used his unique gifts to hunt down their assassin. Finally, with the help of The List, bequeathed to him in his parents’ dying breath, he is closing in on the killer.

Now, on his own, he vows to carry out his father’s mission–and to take vengeance in the process.

Sounds like fun right? If you still aren’t convinced, check out the excerpt which has been made available in a variety of user friendly formats:

• Read the excerpt online
• Download the excerpt as a PDF / Adobe Digital Editions
• Download the excerpt as an audio MP3 read by Milo Ventimiglia

(For those of you who are spoiler-phobes like me, worry not. This little preview sets up the world of Daniel X without giving too much away.)

*If you enjoyed what you’ve read of Daniel X: Demons & Druids why not enter James Patterson’s contest to win all 3?

Our July Book Club selections is Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink. This one has won a variety of awards and I’ve had it on my wish-list for some time now. I saved it for July as it came out in paperback July 1, so it should be readily available.

Here’s a bit about the book from Amazon:

An ancient prophecy divides two sisters.  One good. One evil. Who will prevail?

Twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe have just become orphans. They have also become enemies. As they discover their roles in a prophecy that has turned generations of sisters against each other, the girls find themselves entangled in a mystery that involves a tattoo-like mark, their parents’ deaths, a boy, a book, and a lifetime of secrets.

Lia and Alice don’t know whom they can trust. They just know they can’t trust each other.

I really hope Prophecy of the Sisters lives up to the hype, and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book! Check back during the last week of July for the discussion post.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
by John Grisham

Summary

13-year-old Theodore Boone considers himself an expert on the law. He comes from a family of lawyers, and loves to spend time at the courthouse. Although he’s only in grade 8, Theo knows he wants to be a lawyer (or a judge) when he grows up, and students at his school come to him for advice on their family’s legal troubles on a regular basis. Theo’s almost always able to help, but when one of his classmates reveals important information on the biggest trial the small town of Strattenburg has seen in years, Theo knows he’s in over his head.

Review

While perhaps a bit too young for the adult YA fan, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is absolutely perfect for it’s target audience (ages 9-12), and does a marvellous job of explaining the legal and judicial system to kids. By having Theo and his classmates attend a day of the trial as part of their Government class, Grisham is able to use clear examples to demonstrate exactly what happens as a case progresses through court.  The story is well written and manages to present an interesting trial without resorting to the use of violence or objectionable content to add intrigue. Theo is an honest and trustworthy character that readers will find themselves rooting for.  I do wish there had been some closure on the situation with Theo’s friend April, but the ending felt very much like the set-up to a sequel rather than the end of the story, so perhaps that thread of the story will continue as well.

Verdict

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is an enjoyable read, reminiscent of the Trixie Belden and Hardy Boys books I loved as a child. Congrats to John Grisham for creating an interesting and educational story with a positive role model for young readers!

Bonus

Check out the amazing Theodoore Boone website!

*This book was provided for review by the publisher.

Happy Independence Day! In honor of this summer day off work, we have a special US-only giveaway! (Worry not my Canadian friends, the Canada-only giveaway was posted just a few days ago!)

We’ve decided to split this giveaway up into countries because this is going to be our BIGGEST giveaway yet, and it costs a poor book blogger a lot to send multiple books out of country. That’s right… I said MULTIPLE books! As we near the 100 followers mark With A Good Book would like to show our readers just how much we appreciate them, so we’re going to give you what you love most… no, not money. Books!

For our lucky American friends we’re offering a choice of one of two sets of books including:

(First) Gossip Girl Collection

1. Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
2. You Know You Love Me by Cecily von Ziegesar
3. All I Want Is Everything by Cecily von Ziegesar

Pretty Little Rich Girls

1. Samurai Girl: The Book of the Sword by Carrie Asai
2. Privileged (aka How to Teach Filthy Rich Girls) by Zoey Dean
3. Hollywood is Like High School with Money by Zoey Dean

To be entered in the giveaway all you have to do is follow this blog, and leave a comment with a recommendation for an American author you love! Please don’t forget to indicate which set of books you’d like to receive.

• For an extra entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway.
• For yet another entry tell a friend about this giveaway and make sure they let us know you sent them when they enter.

The contest will run for the entire month of July. (Unless we haven’t reached 100 followers by that point, in which case it will end when we reach the 100 follower mark.) You must have an United States mailing address to be qualified to win this giveaway.

Happy Canada Day! In honour of our fantastic followers and this summer day off work, we have a special Canada-only giveaway! (Worry not my American friends, in just a few days we’ll be announcing our US-only giveaway to match!)

We’ve decided to split this giveaway up by country because it’s is going to be our BIGGEST giveaway yet, and it costs a poor book blogger a lot to send multiple books out of country. That’s right… I said MULTIPLE books! As we near the 100 followers mark With A Good Book would like to show all our readers just how much we appreciate them, so we’re going to give you what you love most… no, not money. Books!

For our lucky Canadian friends we’re offering a choice of one of two sets of books including:

The Fantasy Fun Pack

1. Black Pearls: A Faerie Strand by Louise Hawes (Hardcover)
2. Evermore: The Immortals #1 by Alyson Noel (Trade Paperback)
3. Sleeping With the Fishes by MaryJanice Davidson (Paperback)

OR

The Take ‘em to the Beach Bunch

1. The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks (Hardcover)
2. The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik (Trade Paperback)
3. Hot Stuff by Janet Evanovich and Leanne Banks (Paperback)

To be entered in the giveaway all you have to do is follow this blog, and leave a comment below telling us about a Canadian author you love! Please don’t forget to indicate which set of books you’d like to receive.

• For an extra entry, tweet or blog about this giveaway.
• For yet another entry tell a friend about this giveaway and make sure they let us know you sent them when they enter.

The contest will run for the entire month of July. (Unless we haven’t reached 100 followers by that point, in which case it will end when we reach the 100 follower mark.) You must have a Canadian mailing address to be qualified to win this giveaway.