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Smugglivus Day 5 – Guest Publisher (and Giveaway): Kathryn McKenna of S&S UK

Welcome to Smugglivus 2009 – Day 5!

Throughout this month, we will have daily guests – authors and bloggers alike – looking back at their favorite reads of 2009, and looking forward to events and upcoming books in 2010.

Today’s guest: Kathryn McKenna, Children’s Marketing & Publicity Assistant for Simon and Schuster UK. Kathryn has a list of what to expect from S&S UK in 2010 and a most awesome and generous giveaway.

Please give it up for Kat!

********************

Kat:

Wow, what a year we’ve had! I can hardly believe that it’s December, but here I am, celebrating the fabulous Smugglivus with you all and saying farewell to 2009. Just in case you’re wondering who ‘I’ am, my name is Kat and I work for the Children’s Marketing & Publicity team at Simon & Schuster UK. We work on promoting all the books across our great list, from baby to teen. We get to be pretty imaginative, and spend our days dealing with an array of green furry aliens, angel wings, stickers, and somehow manage to fit in getting review coverage and going on tour with our authors! Phew.

Sometimes, though, we like to rave on about our books ourselves, and so I was thrilled that Ana & Thea invited me to blog about what’s happening for us in 2010. I’ve worked together a list of treats to tantalise your reading taste buds, to suit the vast array of readers – I hope there’s something here for everyone! There is so much publishing in 2010 that it was an ambitious undertaking, but I’ve managed to restrain myself to six titles that cover a range across the first six months of the year.

Also, if you get to the end of our enthusiastic ramblings, there’s a competition! Hurrah! First though, some chatter about great books.

***

THE THIRTEEN CURSES by Michelle Harrison (10+) (JANUARY)

Admittedly, this is a slightly unorthodox book to throw onto the (metaphorical) table as a first offering, given that it is a sequel – but how could I start the year without it?!

A bit of back story: THE THIRTEEN TREASURES published in January 2009, scooping a win under its belt immediately – it won the WATERSTONES CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE. And no wonder it did. Harrison’s writing is evocative, stunning, lyrical, dark. Her faeries are not your average sparkly, pink fluttering sidekicks – these are dark, smart and mean faeries, and they hold a secret… as does thirteen year old Tanya. Tanya is the heroine of THE THIRTEEN TREASURES, a story steeped in faery mythology and woodland, and while it holds a younger age bracket, this book goes beyond the appeal of children. It is brilliant – tense and magical and wonderful.

And of course, so is THE THIRTEEN CURSES. While TREASURES transported the real world into the faery realm, CURSES takes the faeries back into the real world, as Tanya is joined by Red in a desperate hunt to find the thirteen charm treasures of book one – will they find them, and when they do, can they account for the sinister changes in each charm?

If you haven’t dipped into this series – what are you waiting for! These books look stunning, too, an irresistible package. Lucky for us then, that a third one is in the works too.

UGLIES/PRETTIES/SPECIALS by Scott Westerfeld (12+) (MARCH)

You’re probably all scratching your heads about this one – “surely these books came out years ago,” you’re saying. “Who is this crazy, ill informed woman?” Well, stay with me – you’re half right! The UGLIES trilogy did indeed originally publish in 2006, and is a total phenomena cult status series in the US. Our UK sales haven’t quite soared as high as on the book’s home turf ¬- and so we’ve redesigned them to give a brand new cover look!

They look completely awesome, there is no way around it. They fit the bill 110% for what these books deliver – high octane, high drama, high visibility.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the series, UGLIES is the first of three stories about Tally Youngblood. Tally lives in a world that is much like ours – except that when you reach sixteen, surgery is performed that propels you into aesthetic perfection and removes all flaws, transporting teens into a carefree world of beauty and fun. However, the day before Tally’s sixteenth birthday she is told she cannot have the surgery, to her horror – and this leads to secrets and revelations about the true fates of ‘uglies’ and ‘pretties’…

I read the UGLIES trilogy a while ago, back before I worked in publishing, and I can honestly say they are some of my all time favourite reads. Scott Westerfeld is pretty much a genius – a funny, cool genius who understands the teenage brain perfectly. His observations on society are terrifying, and real, and there is no getting away from the shadow of this looming world when we are surrounded every day by an obsession with aesthetics, beauty and celebrity.

Although, saying that, the new covers really are aesthetic perfection. Even more reason to pick them up if you haven’t already!

THE ISLAND by Sarah Singleton (12+) (APRIL)

Sarah Singleton is, simply put, incredibly talented. She has written five books to an enormously positive reception from national critics and fans alike. And now she has returned with THE ISLAND.

THE ISLAND is a departure for Singleton, who has previous revelled in gothic settings, taking us to abandoned houses, haunted land and 18th century mysteries. However, this book transports Singleton’s beautiful prose to modern day Goa. So begins a suspenseful story about three gap year students – Otto, Charlotte and Jen. Each has taken to Goa for different reasons – photography, an environmental project, the fulfilment of a life long dream – they are close friends looking for a new experience.

…And then Otto meets Maria. The opening sequence of the book is filled with adolescent emotion – fun, lust, the thrill of the unknown. But no sooner does he meet her than he finds her body on the beach, and what was initially an innocent fascination becomes a danger that places Otto as the prime suspect in a murder case.

One of the most important thing about THE ISLAND is this – these teens are written as real people. The setting is a real setting. You can feel sand under your toes, imagine the landscape, taste the exotic flavours. Anybody who has taken a gap year or travelled will read this with a nostalgic excitement, and each of the three leads is relatable in their own unique qualities. This book stands to bring Singleton into the foreground where she belongs. Riveting stuff.

HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins (12+) (APRIL)

How do I even begin to describe the wonder that is HEX HALL? This book is one of the most fun books I’ve read all year. Not only is it funny, it’s clever and original and plays so brilliantly with the oh-so-popular supernatural teen genre whilst managing to tap into the Mean Girls mould, too. Being that supernatural teen books and Mean Girls are two of my very favourite things, HEX HALL just could not go wrong for me. It tells the story of Sophie Mercer, a young witch who has been packed off to Hecate Hall, school for misfit witches, wolves and fey – plus one teen vampire who quickly becomes her friend.

Then Sophie meets Elodie and her band of mean girl witches – a funny, self involved trio who possess enough power between them to cause trouble. Also on the scene is Elodie’s gorgeous boyfriend, Archer. Sophie finds herself constantly crossing his path, a disconcerting but ultimately pleasing problem. However, when Sophie starts to realise that the school has more to it than meets the eye, and maybe so does she, a mystery starts to unravel….

I’ve already said that HEX HALL is immense fun, and it is. One of the even more pleasurable things about Hawkins and her writing, however, is that while the book is thoroughly enjoyable on that level, she also works in a fantastic and suspenseful plot. I could not have guessed the twists that came. HEX HALL will leave you giggling aloud, delighted and awed, and no doubt pawing desperately for its follow up. If you read one book next year, make it this one. It sparkles with fun and reminds you that stale genres can have new life breathed into them.

DARK LIFE by Kat Falls (12+) (MAY)

The opening sequence of DARK LIFE plunges us straight into the deep with its leading character, fifteen year old Ty: a taste into his every day life shows us that he faces shark chases, outlaws, cool gadgets and more every day…

DARK LIFE gives the reader a whole new underwater world to explore. Ty has lived under the ocean for his entire life. Following global warming and the rise of the seas, his family joined an underwater community in hopes of living in the new frontier of the ocean floor. But When Ty meets Gemma, a girl from “topside”, who is searching the seas for her brother, she quickly makes his life very complicated.

This debut from Kat Falls has the makings of a real cult book – Falls packs her world with interesting and ingenious devices. DARK LIFE presents an alternative future that fits in with the problems we are facing as a race all the time – being eco-aware has become more and more important, and Falls reminds us whilst delivering a full throttle, eerie plot. The pace is well measured and the prose is very, very absorbing; it feels like UGLIES has been doused into the ocean (I wouldn’t recommend this unless your copy is laminated, though!) and injected with a burst of crime mystery.

This is not only a teen reader’s dream, but one for those who love science-fiction and fantasy too; Kat Falls writes like she’s been doing it forever.

PERFECT CHEMISTRY by Simone Elkeles (12+) (MAY)

This book has already been released in the US, but has been making its way into this country for what seems like forever via export – piles have been spotted on the display tables in various Waterstone’s and Borders chains. However – overpriced export copies no more- S&S UK will be publishing in May!

Perfect blonde Brittany is forced to be chemistry partners with bad boy Alex Fuentes – and for once, nobody turns out to be a vampire! In fact, Alex is quite the opposite to our sparkly, pale skinned friend – he’s human for one thing, and so not interested in Brittany. Which suits her fine – she thinks he’s disgusting, and is happy in the arms of her much preppier boyfriend. Of course, all is not as it seems – Brittany is hiding a complicated home life, and Alex is quick to spot that while she may appear shallow and beautiful, there is more to Brittany than meets the eye.

Of course the same can be said for Alex. On the surface, he’s your typical bad boy and knows it, revelling in the wrong side of the track – but the more and more time he and Brittany spend together, the more he is drawn towards something new…

PERFECT CHEMISTRY is a guilty pleasure of the best kind. This book simply stands out because it is a gritty teen love story that has nothing to do with the supernatural – a quality that has become a selling point alone in bookshops stacked light with fangs and fur. It’s fun, sexy, streetwise and feisty – and long overdue in the UK!

***

So, there you have it – I’m counting down the days to 2010!! This is just the tip of the iceberg for us here at S&S; we love all our books and hopefully we’ve given you an idea of what to look out for in the first half of the year. If you’d like to keep an eye on what else we have coming around, you can find us at Kid’s Simon and Schuster – or add us on Twitter (@simonkids_UK) where we tweet constantly (too much!) with reviews, giveaways, questions and opinions. We’d love you all to be in touch!

For one lucky reader, however, we’re going to give away one each of these books as soon as they hit our desks in printed form. This could be (and very often is) earlier than they appear in bookshops – THE THIRTEEN CURSES is already glistening in front of me as I type. Simply drop us a comment here, let us know which of the six books is your bag and why – and we’ll ask Ana and Thea to choose a random winner to have ALL SIX throughout the year.

Thanks all for your time, and thanks to The Book Smugglers for asking me to chip in, and for all the amazing reviews they’ve given us in 2009!

Kat x

********************

Thank you Kat, and to Simon & Schuster UK for the wonderful opportunity!

So, you heard the lady, comment away! The contest is open to everyone and will run till Saturday 12th 11:59 P.M. (PST). ONE entry per person, please! Duplicate and/or multiple entries will be disqualified. Good luck!

Next on Smugglivus: Dan Waters (Our very own Ghost of Smugglivus Past)

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117 Comments

  • Peta
    December 5, 2009 at 3:03 am

    What a tantalising selection! If I *had* to choose, it would have to be the Uglies trilogy as they sound really interesting. Mind you, so do the 13 Treasures/Curses books… I think my niece would love Hex Hall so I might need to keep an eye out for that one too. So decisive!!

  • Miss Marjie
    December 5, 2009 at 3:35 am

    The Thirteen Curses. There is something to be said for faeries that aren’t cutesie and who can take people to task or charm.

    I’ve been meaning to read The Uglies for ages but haven’t gotten around to it. Interesting new covers. All with blurbs from the Times. I like parallelism.

  • Marg
    December 5, 2009 at 3:59 am

    If I have to pick I would probably go with Hex Hall. It sounds like a really fun read. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.

  • bianca flatman
    December 5, 2009 at 4:03 am

    hey
    if i had to pick out of the 6 books and only choose one *sigh* 🙂 i would have to pick the Scott Westerfields Uglies, Pretties and Specials, purely because they have a better front cover then what i’ve previously seen, and second, all of my friends have read them and i havent yet, and i keep getting told that i should read them, being such a phenominal series. The outline of the plot sounds really intriguing; it also helps that i read peeps by him, and that book was amazing. so i would definately choose the uglies trilogy,, sorry other books!

  • blodeuedd
    December 5, 2009 at 4:04 am

    Oh the last one, Perfect chemistry. I have seen it over blogland now and I hear such great things about it. I wonder what is up in that book

  • Cait
    December 5, 2009 at 4:26 am

    They all sound good, but I have to go with Dark Life. I’ve yet to hear of it and it just sounds right up my alley – Uglies under water, but more? Yes please!
    (and I love the new covers for the Uglies series)

  • Caroline Allard
    December 5, 2009 at 5:09 am

    If i had to choose i’d go with HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins. I was tempted to say the Uglies trilogy but i have already read them and i have my own copy of the books. But HEX HALL sounds amazing! I’m hoping that if i find it suitable for my cousin i could buy her, her own copy when it comes out in French, We would both love this story i’m sure.
    😀

  • Katee R
    December 5, 2009 at 6:16 am

    I want to read Hex Hall (actually I want to read all of them, but that’s beside the point). But I love mean girls and the cover sort of reminds me of the movie The Craft (which is an all-time favorite). So, yes, I want to read that!

  • Neveen
    December 5, 2009 at 6:23 am

    If I have to pick it’s either 13 Curses or Hax Hall…

    Please count me in…

  • Brooke Reviews
    December 5, 2009 at 7:17 am

    Perfect Chemistry sounds like something I’d like. I always enjoy a good bad boy/good girl story. 😀

  • Helen
    December 5, 2009 at 7:47 am

    I’d pick Hex Hall. For a brief period I was obsessed with the movie ‘The Craft’, so I’m thinking I’d like this book! Great giveaway x

  • C.J. Redwine
    December 5, 2009 at 7:52 am

    All of these books sound so intriguing! I can’t wait to get my hands on Hex Hall, though. It sounds amazing.

  • Mishel
    December 5, 2009 at 7:57 am

    I do have Perfect Chemistry sitting on my shelf, waiting patiently to be read. I’ve heard such great things about it and I can’t wait to read it.

    I’m also really looking forward to finally starting Scott Westerfeld’s series. I do enjoy the UK covers a lot more than the US.

    Out of all these though I’m most looking forward to Dark Life. Both the US and UK covers are beyond awesome (although I’m leaning more towards the UK one). I just love the sound of it and who doesn’t need some underwater adventure =)

    Really enjoyed the post Kathryn, thanks so much!

  • Danielle
    December 5, 2009 at 8:06 am

    Dark Life definetly looks fantastic *drools*

  • I Heart Book Gossip
    December 5, 2009 at 8:07 am

    I am really looking forward to read Perfect Chemistry, The Uglies Series. I’ve heard wonders about the Ugly series.

  • Fiz
    December 5, 2009 at 8:13 am

    Perfect Chemistry – just because I really need to read a romance without fangs/fur. Love paranormal, but its a bit of an overdose right now =)

  • dancechica
    December 5, 2009 at 8:31 am

    I’ve heard such good things about Perfect Chemistry. It’s got me interested in reading it.

  • Ariel
    December 5, 2009 at 8:38 am

    13 Curses sounds so good! I love reimaginings of the classic fairy tale characters. Evil faeries? With a secret? Sounds amaaaazing.

  • Lisa B.
    December 5, 2009 at 8:40 am

    If I had to choose just one, it would be Hex Hall. I love UF and PR and who doesn’t like a bit of wit? So this one seems right up my alley.

  • Li
    December 5, 2009 at 8:44 am

    The Thirteen Curses and Hex Hall are the ones that caught my eye, though Hex Hall just about edges out front. It’s the boarding school thing.

    I’ve been meaning to get the Scott Westerfelds for ages as well, and now I really have to. I love their new covers, so much better than the old ones IMO.

  • ninefly
    December 5, 2009 at 9:17 am

    I’d love to read the Uglies trilogy since it’s been on my radar for a while now, but I kind of like the old covers more XD;
    still, it’s the contents that count =D

    the trailer for Perfect Chemistry was kind of…er…horrifying…

  • Van P.
    December 5, 2009 at 9:25 am

    All the books sounds amazing!If i had to chose one, it would be Hex Hall. A high school full of witches, vampires, wolves and fae ….whats not to love?!

    Thanks for the awesome giveaway 🙂

  • mes
    December 5, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Wow. What an interesting selection! If I had to choose, I’d pick the uglies-trilogy, Scott Westerfeld is awesome.

  • Linda Henderson
    December 5, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Well if I had to choose I would choose The Island. It looks like a very interesting book. I would like to read them all.

  • Veronica F.
    December 5, 2009 at 10:22 am

    All of them look great, but if I had to choose just one then it’d be Hex Hall. I like a good mean girls drama, especially with vamps,weres and fey thrown in for good measure 😀

  • Sarah Rees Brennans
    December 5, 2009 at 10:35 am

    I am good for all these books: I just wanted to say that S&S are my lovely publisher and thus clearly ALL the books above are fabulous, and Kathryn the lovely lady who shepherded me around England and took great care of me on my UK tour.

    … She also saw me sign a schoolboy’s chest.

  • Travis
    December 5, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Hex Hall is my kind of book! Paranormal is my favorite genre.

  • Anonymous
    December 5, 2009 at 10:49 am

    All of these look really great! I’m so glad to see the different offerings for next year. If I had to pick just one, I think… I think I’ll go with Dark Life. Just because it’s a little different! More underwater books!

  • Heather
    December 5, 2009 at 10:50 am

    All of these look really great! I’m so glad to see the different offerings for next year. If I had to pick just one, I think… I think I’ll go with Dark Life. Just because it’s a little different! More underwater books!

    Sorry for the double comments!

  • Andy
    December 5, 2009 at 11:04 am

    Oh, what a mix of books!

    Hmm… I’m torn between the Uglies trilogy by Scott Westerfeld (dark sci-fi… I like the sound of that!) oe The Island by Sarah Singleton (a murder mystery)…

    Ooooh! Someone will have to randomly pick one for me! Will owe you a cyber-cookie/hug…

  • Nicole Downing
    December 5, 2009 at 11:04 am

    I think the Uglies trilogy sounds great 🙂

  • The Book Vixen
    December 5, 2009 at 11:05 am

    If I had to pick one, I would pick Hex Hall. It’s YA and paranormal. What more could I ask for?!!

  • Wanda
    December 5, 2009 at 11:16 am

    I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.

  • Sab H.
    December 5, 2009 at 11:30 am

    Great contest! I cannot wait for Hex Hall!!! I really want to read that one 😉

    crystalreviews AT gmail DOT com

  • Lea
    December 5, 2009 at 11:32 am

    Hex Hall looks great, I love anything with some humor to go with the adventure.

  • elaing8
    December 5, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    They all sound great.ANd it was a toss up between Hex Hall and Scott Westerfeld books,But I would choose HEX HALL by Rachel Hawkins,I love the cover,its sounds like a very interesting book,something I would enjoy and share with my nieces.

  • Caroline
    December 5, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    I think I’d have to choose the Uglies trilogy because I’ve read the first and really want to read the others too, but they all look like brilliant books to recommend in my Secondary School Library!

  • Melinda
    December 5, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Ooh, so difficult to choose, I love the look of all of them! If I had to pick one though, I think it would be Uglies/etc. That world looks so different!

  • Jessica Kennedy
    December 5, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    I’m really looking forward to Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins! The US cover (not pictured above) is freaking awesome! And the premise sounds really great.

  • Hannah
    December 5, 2009 at 1:38 pm

    I think I want all of them, haha! In particular, The 13th Curse and Hex Hall look intriguing, though making a choice based on word of mouth, I’d definitely prefer the Scott Westerfeld trilogy should I win.

  • Belle
    December 5, 2009 at 1:42 pm

    Hex Hall sounds so interesting!

  • RKCharron
    December 5, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    Hi 🙂
    Thank you for the opportunity to win. I noticed some are different covers from the US books. I like the Uglies series and Hex Hall and The Island and Perfect Chemistry. They all sound like great reads!
    Excellent selection of coming attractions.
    All the best,
    RKCharron
    xoxo

  • Roxy
    December 5, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    13 Curses sounds good. I like the darker faeries. I also like Perfect Chemistry which I bought after all the wonderful reviews I heard. I really enjoyed that book.

  • Beth (BBRB)
    December 5, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    Ooh! These all look lovely! I certainly have lots to add to my wishlist! Please enter me!

    BethsBookReviewBlog AT gmail DOT com

  • Vildea
    December 5, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    Oddly, and despite the fact that I normally zoom in on the magical and/or fantasy books, I have to go with Perfect Chemistry this time. I’ve been seeing it all over the place and it looks really good, I haven’t really read a lot of non-magical/non-fantasy books because whenever I see one my mind immediatley remembers reading “Sweet Valley High” and feeling my brain drip out of my ear. (It wasn’t until lately that Norwegian bookstores and libraries began bringing in books that weren’t focused towards 13-year-olds or too similar to Sweet Valley High for my taste)

    So yeah, Perfect Chemistry looks really nice, as does its cover which was what caught my attention to begin with!

  • Sue R.
    December 5, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    I love the premise of Hex Hall. I love reading supernatural or paranormal books. Thus, this one caught my eyes.

  • joder
    December 5, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    I would love to have Perfect Chemistry. I’ve heard great reviews and love a good teenage angst love story.

  • zjlht
    December 5, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    While all of them look great, I’d choose Dark Life. I love the stories of what happens after the big event, and I often think that too many books/films stop too soon. Sure the hero saves the world from total destruction/stops the deadly plague from wiping out everyone/etc – but what happens after? How do people cope? How does society adapt? Dark Life has the potential to answer that.

  • Emily W
    December 5, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    If I had to choose I would pick Dark Life. I have never even heard about it, but it sounds really unique and interesting. I can’t resist! Also the new covers for the Uglies series looks super cool, makes me want to read them even more.

  • Renee
    December 5, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    What a great selection. I LOVE the Uglies trilogy.

    This post is so timely, as I’ve been compiling a list of YA books for my niece!

  • Rosie Carlo
    December 5, 2009 at 4:22 pm

    Wow, what a great list of books. I’m personally waiting for Hex Hall and Thirteen Curses. Can’t wait to read both of those. Thanks for stopping by!!

  • Paige
    December 5, 2009 at 4:31 pm

    I will have to choose Hex Hall. A young witch in training, what’s not to love. I will probably also buy Thirteen Curses when it comes out. All of the books sound great.

  • Jenny N
    December 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    I think I’ll really like reading Hex Hall. The story sounds so good.

  • Babayaga
    December 5, 2009 at 4:57 pm

    Hard to choose but I plumped for Thirteen Curses – a book I can share with my 13 year old daughter who already has every Scott Westerfield book ever written. Looks like a great 2010 for S&S.

  • Nadia Lee
    December 5, 2009 at 6:03 pm

    Definitely Hex Hall. It looks like a fun book with paranormal elements! 🙂 I’m looking for something fun and light these days.

  • Mariska
    December 5, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    i really like to read more about the UGLIES trilogy. they do catch my attention ! And Scott is a new author for me !

  • Caitlin Usignol
    December 5, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    I would have to go with Hex Hall. The cover looks like it would be a fun with attitude book.

  • alana
    December 5, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    Dark Life really caught my interest since I haven’t read too many books that take place underwater. Actually, I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that takes place under water (except the Little Mermaid). lol

  • Debbie
    December 5, 2009 at 10:14 pm

    Great books. The Uglies trilogy was awesome and Perfect Chemistry was wonderful.

    If I had to pick one book to win I would love to read Hex Hall.

  • Donna S
    December 5, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    I would love to be included. Hex Hall sounds great. Anything mixing the supernatural with Mean Girls has to be.

  • NatalieT
    December 6, 2009 at 2:17 am

    Perfect Chemistry – I’ve read such good things about it, I’d love to read it for myself. But they all do sound great…

  • 1inseveralbillion
    December 6, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Hex Hall – sounds like a great fun read! ;]

  • Kimberly B.
    December 6, 2009 at 6:36 am

    These books all sound great! I’m especially excited to read Dark Life—it sounds like a very original premise!

  • Gerd D.
    December 6, 2009 at 7:51 am

    Those books all sound tempting, but especially PERFECT CHEMISTRY by Simone Elkeles caught my eye.

    What can I say, I’m currently all for teen romance. *blush*

  • Debbie
    December 6, 2009 at 9:05 am

    I have heard so many great things about the Uglies series. I would love a chance to win any book in that series.
    Thanks
    Debbie 😈

  • Becca
    December 6, 2009 at 9:33 am

    I love the new covers for The Uglies trilogy. I’m yet to read these books although many of my friends rave about them. Please count me in for the competition!

  • Milka
    December 6, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    I would love to read Perfect Chemistry. It sounds so good! 🙂

    milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi

  • Jemi Fraser
    December 6, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    Wow – what a great contest and list of books. They’d all be great for me & my classroom 🙂 I think Westerfield’s trilogy would be my choice – what a powerful concept for a book – especially for the age group.

  • bunnyb
    December 6, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Just one?! 🙁
    Hehe… well, it’s really hard, but I’m going with 13 Curses. Dark, mean faeries? Definitely my cup of tea. Thanks so much!

  • Jenn C.
    December 6, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    I think that The Thirteen Curses sounds like my favourite out of the books mentioned (keeping in mind that I’ve already read and loved the Uglies series).

  • Simcha Lazarus
    December 6, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Wow, what a great selection of books! I would certainly love to win this contest!

  • Kate A
    December 6, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    They all sound like great books! If I had to choose only one, I would go with Perfect Chemistry. I’ve read so many good reviews about it and I’ve been wanting to read it for so long. Awesome giveaway!

  • Kat
    December 6, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    Scott Westerfeld is a YA genius, so I’d definitely pick Uglies. (Which remain, oddly, the only books of his I haven’t read) Plus I’m tired of romance being the main plot line in YA. I’m ready to care about something other than if the girl gets the guy!

  • Bre M.
    December 6, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Have heard great things about Hex Hall, but also loved Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld so am looking forward to checking out his other stuff as well.

  • Aarti
    December 6, 2009 at 8:09 pm

    I’d love The Uglies trilogy as so many people have read and positively reviewed those books. Seems like S&S UK has fabulous books coming up next year- how exciting 🙂

  • Bethie
    December 6, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    They all look so good! If I had to pick one, it would have to be The Uglies. Thanks for the great giveaway.

  • Ginny
    December 6, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    I’d love my own copy of Perfect Chemistry. It looks like a great book – and the cover is gorgeous. Thanks!

  • Celia
    December 6, 2009 at 8:41 pm

    I want a copy of Uglies for my own – I had to give it back to the library, and I’d love to read it again. Thanks for the chance to win!

  • austenfan
    December 6, 2009 at 10:51 pm

    They all look great, but I’m gonna have to pick Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. Witches + Mean Girls = FUN FUN FUN! This definitely sounds like the kind of book that I love to read! 🙂 Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

  • Ladytink_534
    December 7, 2009 at 3:21 am

    Great contest! I’ve been wanting to read Hex Hall, Perfect Chemistry, and I’ve read Uglies but I need to re-read it so I can read the others.

  • Juliana
    December 7, 2009 at 3:42 am

    All those books sound wonderful, I’d love to read any of them!
    But the cover for 13 Curses is suuuuuuuuuuuper pretty, I so need it! *–*

  • Stephanie
    December 7, 2009 at 4:58 am

    Wow. Smugglivus rocks!! If I had to choose one of the books, Hex Hall looks like it would be my cup of tea. Then again, they all look pretty good!

  • Brodie
    December 7, 2009 at 7:00 am

    Wow, what a great write up! All of these books sound absolutely amazing – those that I had heard of, I’m even more itching to get my hands on a copy. As for those that a new to me – well, reading about them now, I can honestly say everyone of those are on my wishlist! 2010 is going to be an awesome year.

    If I had to choose one *groans at the thought* I would pick Perfect Chemistry. I’ve been wanting to read that one for quite a while now – who doesn’t love a sexy, edgy romance? Supernatural romances are the craze at the moment and yes, I LOVE them, but it’s also refreshing to see a story that’s equally alluring with all human cast. My eager fingers are yearning for a copy!

  • Andrea C.
    December 7, 2009 at 8:41 am

    Fantastic I love reading about new books Top of my list would be Thirteen Curses – I absolutely loved Thirteen Treasures (more than I thugh I would actually) and can’t wait to find out what happens next And that cover is fabulous too

    Thanks

  • Kearsten
    December 7, 2009 at 8:52 am

    Hex Hall sounds like my kind of book! Supernatural mean girls + fun AND a mystery?!? Sign me up!

  • Zee
    December 7, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    ditto all the comments re: Hex Hall. Supernatural teens and mean girls?? SOLD! Great contest.

  • Szilvi79
    December 7, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    For me definitely Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. Because I love when Bad Boys fall in love with misunderstood girls. :mrgreen:

  • Bookmac
    December 7, 2009 at 1:02 pm

    OOOOH all of them look so good! I want!

    Really hope I win!

    Happy Holidays!

  • Hannah
    December 7, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    That’s an unbelievably hard decision but…I think it would have to be the Scott Westerfeld series, awesome and fantastic as the other books all sound! My wish list for next year has suddenly expanded hugely – thanks for the fantastic recs, if nothing else! 😀

  • Holly
    December 7, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    Perfect Chemistry is the choice for me, I’ve heard so many great things about it and even though the Uglies series has been calling my name everytime I visit the library out of this list I’d love to read Perfect Chemistry 🙂

    hollytaylor@optusnet.com.au

  • Kristen
    December 7, 2009 at 7:56 pm

    Hex Hall!!!

    Totally dying to read that one!

  • Alessandra
    December 8, 2009 at 5:33 am

    I’d love to have a copy of Perfect Chemistry. So, so much.

  • Nikki @ Bookizzle
    December 8, 2009 at 12:16 pm

    I could honestly find something I love about all 6 but I’m going with Perfect Chemistry. I’ve heard some great things about it and I’m a big fan of feisty. Plus, I’m in need of a good love story that doesn’t base itself on the paranormal. Yay, for no sparkly vamps!

  • Sarah
    December 8, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    If I had to choose, it would be Dark Life. I’m fascinated by stories that take place underwater… must be a by-product of watching SeaQuest reruns with my mother when I was still too young to realize it wasn’t real.

  • ShootingStarsMag
    December 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    I would LOVE to have Hex Hall. It sounds amazing. what a fun post. I can’t wait for 2010!!!

  • Otter
    December 9, 2009 at 10:36 am

    I really, really want the Uglies series. I’ve wanted it for years, finally borrowed Uglies from my library–they didn’t have the others available–and loved them. ‘Course, I want any book I can get my hands on.

  • Adi Lin
    December 9, 2009 at 11:49 am

    I would have to go with Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkings, boarding schools, witches and vampires as best friends? It’s sounds like a very tantalising recipe. The front cover only makes me want it more, stuck-up blond girls with fairy shadows surrounded by sparkles? Sign me up!

  • Michelle M
    December 9, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Oh wow! Let’s just say I read “Perfect Chemistry” earlier this year and so totally fell in love. I could not have adored Alex and Brittany more. And what’s this I hear? A sequel is in the works? Perfect!!

  • Wendy
    December 9, 2009 at 4:25 pm

    I’ve heard such amazing things about PERFECT CHEMISTRY by Simone Elkeles, I have to read that book! 😀

  • Anna
    December 9, 2009 at 9:15 pm

    I would love to read The Island by Sarah Singleton, it sounds like such an interesting book!

  • Has
    December 10, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Ohhh the 13th Curses sounds great and so does Perfect Symmetry – thank you for hosting a great giveaway!!! 😀

  • Jennifer Clodfelter
    December 10, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    I would like to read The 13 Curses! I haven’t heard of these books before, but they look interesting!

  • Thuy
    December 10, 2009 at 5:29 pm

    I would choose the Uglies series…Love the new covers.

  • Aik
    December 10, 2009 at 9:48 pm

    I’d love to read THE THIRTEEN CURSES by Michelle Harrison!

  • Alex D
    December 10, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    I would want to read the Uglies series. I’ve been meaning to read them but haven’t gotten around to them yet.

  • Carol Thompson
    December 11, 2009 at 1:41 am

    I have read some very good review of THE THIRTEEN TREASURES and of course it is an award winning series.

    It sounds like a nice new take of the myths, so I would love to read it.

  • Tam
    December 11, 2009 at 2:08 am

    What a fab selection – it looks like there are exciting times agead at Simon & Schuster! My pick would be The Thirteen Curses by Michelle Harrison as I loved the first book so much and can’t wait to find out what happens next 🙂

  • Donna Barrie
    December 11, 2009 at 2:13 am

    It would have to be Dark Life as i have been intoducing my cousins son to the joys of reading and it looks like the perfect book to keep him interested.

    I am also tempted to read it myself, which i may well do as in the past it has helped me help others understand the books they are reading or about to read.

    @Coistycat on Twitter

  • Saffie
    December 11, 2009 at 3:27 am

    Dark Life because it sounds like an underwater YA versionb of Tunnels.

  • Gene
    December 11, 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Ooo, great choices. I must choose ‘the island’ by Sarah Singleton!

    I’ve heard about Sarah Singleton’s writing style. I’m always looking for something different, something to truly whisk me off and leave me with unforgettable characters to carry with me. As well as inspire me as a writer.

    The post above mentioned the ‘teens are written as real people.’ That is so needed within the book world as it’s rare where I really feel such young characters. Can’t wait to dive in.

    In addition I like how they are out for an adventure, to experience something new. However, in their own way. It speaks to my curiosity.

    I’m a sucker for description. So knowing the location is real and the detail is going to make me feel like I am there, I’m honestly freaking out that I could be reading her words sooner than anticipated!

  • Becky
    December 11, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    OMG, i would pick ‘The Thirteen Curses’ i have been waiting for that book for months, i read the first one in like a day and a half, could not put it down, can’t believe it’s nearly here. I would love to get my hands on that.

  • IceJewel
    December 12, 2009 at 4:24 am

    Oh my.My choice would definitely be THE THIRTEEN CURSES by Michelle Harrison.I love to read fantasy !!
    Thanks for the awesome contest 🙂

    Regards,
    IceJewel.

  • Robyn B
    December 12, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Hex Hall & Perfect Chemistry sound really interesting. Great Contest!

    Thanks,
    Robyn

  • Rodney Curtis
    December 12, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Definately “The Thirteen Curses” It sounds brilliant!
    I’m a big fantasy fan myself.

  • sheere
    December 12, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    I would choose Perfect Chemistry! I need some non-fantasy book, and this one seems perfect, like Romeo & JUliette in a modern way!

  • Jonnie H
    December 12, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Perfect Chemistry sounds good, but i love the cover of 13 curses. I’m a sucker for a good cover.

  • Jenica
    November 18, 2010 at 7:31 am

    I would say “Hex Hall” definitely because I’ve been dying to read very since it came out. It sounds really interesting.

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