Oh The Girl From Everywhere was a DELICIOUS specimen of ships and time travel. It’s possible I’m in love. And considering this is my first ever time-travel read, I consider it a successful voyage! ARR ME HEARTIES! AVAST YE SCALLYWAGS!* And this review is going to be mild shrieks of delight. You have been warned.
(Also I couldn’t resist using BOTH covers because they are divine.)
* I may have mentioned this before but I had a childhood pirate obsession that I never quite shook. I won’t apologise. I will just yell at you pirate-ishly from time to time.
- It is about time travel and pirate ships. Okay it’s not really about pirate ships…but after perusing the author’s note (like a true nerd) I believe the story is inspired by a pirate heist in the 1800s in Hawaii. (Which is freaking cool.) ANYWAY. There is a ship and it feels piratey. BUT SAILING FORWARD. The characters are somewhat modern, but the book is mostly set in the 1800s. (Although they do pop into modern New York at the beginning.) It’s basically about Captain Slate who is a time-travel-dude, and his daughter Nix, and their search to find the “right map” to take them back in time to save his wife from dying.
- DID I MENTION I FREAKING LOVE MAPS????? Omg, I love maps. L.O.V.E. MAPS. As a small hobbit, I used to copy them from atlases for fun. And if a book even dares squeak the word “map” then I AM ALL OVER IT. In this book, you have to have the “right map” to get to a certain place. Maps meant a lot to the storyline. Ergo = I loved it.
- You know how I love diversity? There was a LOT of diversity aboard. Starting with Nix, the protagonist, who was half-Chinese and her best friend, Kashmir, who was Persian. The crew members were ethnically diverse too and they go ALL OVER THE WORLD throughout the story.
- The writing was a mix between a paradise cruise and a breakfast of burned clams. Okay, that sounded confusing. BEAR WITH ME. I loved the writing, but it got tedious with length explanations about historical and mythological events. When it went on and on and ooooon about things, I felt it distracted from the story. BUT AT THE SAME TIME — I admire the book’s history enthusiasm.
- Can we talk about Kashmir now? Surely it’s time to talk about KASH. He is a slippery fingered, smooth-talking little thief of devilry with so. much. sass.
“You’re blocking the view.”
“I am the view, amira,” he said, framing himself with his hands.
Dangit, sassy fine thieves are my ultimate downfall.
- I should probably talk about Nix too? Her being the protagonist and all? I smell reluctance…yes. OKAY. So the problem is Nix wasn’t bad but she wasn’t fantastic either. I felt she was outshone by the vibrant cast of secondary characters.
- Which, of course, leads me to talk about ROMANCE. I am all aboard this Kash and Nix ship — TOOT TOOT — but I warn you: the book is not very romantic. It focuses on friendship.
- Did I mention there was sass and banter? BECAUSE THERE IS.
- Also there is a tiny pocket-sized dragon. It doesn’t play a hugest roll (or much of any roll, actually) but HELLO THERE IS A DRAGON (!!) and I hope you appreciate the wonderful wiseness that is any book that includes a dragon. DRAGON ENTHUSIASTS WAKE UP! WE HAVE A BOOK ALERT.
- I did grind my teeth during the finale, when the Men Of The Book had a sudden, “Omigosh, don’t let Nixie do anything dangerous!” What even dudes?? I hate this plot device because it’s a) sexist, and b) Nix did dangerous stuff the WHOLE BOOK but they only choose the finale to be frustrating? Not a fan.
- I need to whisper something in your ear. Come closer. Clooooser. There, there, now…ready? THIS BOOK HAS MAPS (!!!) AND A POCKET DRAGON (!!!) AND SHIPS (!!!!) AND I AM IN LOVE (!!!!!!)
- Yes? I’m mildly enthusiastic, thank you for noticing.
- Also to further cement the fact that The Girl From Everywhere was, in fact, written specifically for me: it has delicious food.
A table was laid on the deck, and on the table, all the culinary delights New York had to offer: pungent halal chicken and rise doused in hot sauce, pork dumplings in Styrofoam clamshells, a cardboard box marked Difara’s pizza, pastrami sandwiches thick as dictionaries, creamy cheesecake covered with glistening scarlet strawberries.
Kashmir flung his arms wide. “Happy theft day!”
<333333
- I do have niggly guppy sized doubts, of course. Like the fact the book dragged in the middle and I was bored. (Talk about being becalmed.) And how I didn’t love Nix so much….
- But overall: I’M SO HAPPY WITH THIS BOOK. I really really really wanted to like it and so far it’s a highlight of the year! Oh shush, I know it’s only early. BUT I AM ALLOWED TO BE EXCITE.
- If you want a story that involves ships and thieves and obsessions and maps and diversity, then this is for you. It’s for me, anyway. ALL FOR ME. Also, FYI, I love this book.
“The last thing we need is for you to go to jail.”
“For treason?” he said, running a comb through his touseled hair. “We wouldn’t go to jail.”
“Really?”
“We’d be shot.”
“You always know just what to say.”
THANK YOU TO HOT KEY BOOKS ON NETGALLEY FOR THE E-ARC. The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig is published March 3rd, 2016.
Sixteen-year-old Nix Song is a time-traveller. She, her father and their crew of time refugees travel the world aboard The Temptation, a glorious pirate ship stuffed with treasures both typical and mythical. Old maps allow Nix and her father to navigate not just to distant lands, but distant times – although a map will only take you somewhere once. And Nix’s father is only interested in one time, and one place: Honolulu 1868. A time before Nix was born, and her mother was alive. Something that puts Nix’s existence rather dangerously in question…
Nix has grown used to her father’s obsession, but only because she’s convinced it can’t work. But then a map falls into her father’s lap that changes everything. And when Nix refuses to help, her father threatens to maroon Kashmir, her only friend (and perhaps, only love) in a time where Nix will never be able to find him. And if Nix has learned one thing, it’s that losing the person you love is a torment that no one can withstand. Nix must work out what she wants, who she is, and where she really belongs before time runs out on her forever.
Goodreads Purchase Author’s Website
Thank you so much for mentioning this book. I didn’t know it was on NG so I’m 100% happy to get it in advance.
If you like time travel and pirates, I’d highly recommend Passenger by Alexandra Bracken. It has both these things and is great so far. I’m about 15% in and it’s really interesting.
OMG GOOD BECAUSE I HAVE PASSENGER ON RESERVE AT MY LIBRARY!! *flails* And pirates…piiiirates. <3
I feel like I have to read more pirate books now. 😀 Can’t say I’ve read too many at this point.
I did not have a pirate or a map obsession. Sorry to disappoint. I was BORN with a dragon obsession. That’s what being Chinese means, right? RIGHT? I need to go and buy some dragon merchandise over Chinese New Year. I actually seriously considered getting The Girl From Everywhere (first as an eARC, then when I promptly forgot I considered just buying a copy somewhere) but … I kind of need more plot than this, I think. It seems to be a lot of fantastic things mushed together but I’ve realised that I kind of really need plot and a main character. The writing style seems super cool thought! (A bit like yours, actually.)
But I believe your majestic foresight is incorrect — I probably will not read this one. 😛
Alyssa @ The Devil Orders Takeout recently posted…Chinese Culture: Our Funerals and Mourning Traditions
But dragon obsessions are equally wonderful. I was born with maps *nods* But I acquired the dragonness because I AM WISE AND KNOW WHAT’S WHAT.
I mean, but it does have a plot and a main character? Sorry if my review made that confusing. >_< But Nix is the MC and the plot is doing the heist to get the map to find her mother. *nods* I AM AWFUL AT SUMMARISING. (Pfft, I am not incorrect. WHERE ARE YOUR PRIORITIES. HMMPH.)
(Love them Mulan gifs. XD) This looks sooo interesting! I’ve heard of The Girl From Everywhere before, but I didn’t really know what it was about and to be honest, didn’t have much of an inclination to find out. But I’m glad I read this review. That’ s another book for the list. c: I have a time-travel book suggestion for you – The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August. It’s brilliant, and I have a feeling you’ll like it. Sadly, no dragons or maps. But it has an excellent villainous antagonist O_O
Ashana Lian . recently posted…Fantasy Miniseries: The Sorcerer’s Secretary (Chapter Three)
OMG I’ve heard of The First Fifteen Lives, but only vaguely and I’d completely forgotten about it. I SHALL GO LOOK IT UP IMMEDIATELY. THank you, Ashana. <3 😀
YES! Time travel is awesome. If I had a super power it would be the ability to control time. I have wanted this superpower ever since I read the Half Bad series by Sally Green. Time Travel book I highly recommend is The Time Traveler’s Wife (there is a lot of romance in this book, but its beautiful).
Ohhh I want to read that one!! Like every time I think “time travel” that’s the book that comes to mind even though I’ve never read it. 😂
I LOVE THIS BOOK. And I am quite pleased that we ship the same ship! I don’t even know how I am supposed to review this, because I just LOVED IT. I also love maps! I have a huge map right when you walk into my house, and I always loved maps and globes, and I firmly believe that you can make it to any city anywhere with just a map. You may not find the exact address, but you can find a city, no question. (I didn’t really care about pirates though, sorry!)
Want to hear a sad story? I pre-ordered the book, and then Book Depository CANCELED my order. AFTER they told me it was shipped! Jerks. I will order it again though. Because I need both covers. Obviously. But I just want to flail about this book, and I am supposed to actually review it, but I don’t want to. I just want to use some excited gifs and then scream at people to read it. The struggle.
Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight recently posted…Reviews in a Minute: Two Hits and a Miss
OMGGGG YOU HAVE A MAP??!!? YOU ARE SO AMAZING. See, clearly this is why you are a fabulous bean because you have aLL your priorities in order. I have covered my wardrobe doors with atlases atm…I tell everyone it’s for photos but I think my parents have just cottoned on to the fact that I’m obsessed with maps. Oh the things they put up with. Ahem.
(I’ll forgive you about the pirates. BUT ONLY JUST.)
OMGG BOOK DEPOSITORY IS A MEANIE THAT IS FOR SURE. And seriously how can we even pick between these gorgeous covers?! THEY ARE EVERYTHING.
WHY HASN’T THIS COME OUT YET?? *cries bitterly* I keep forgetting I’ve pre-ordered it and then getting excited and then realising it won’t get here for ages 🙁 I’m already thinking about all the pretty map photos I can take (SEE CAIT? INSTAGRAM IS TAKING OVER MY LIFE).
But omgggg a pocket-dragon <3 <3 Yes please!
I knoooooow. ISN’T IT GORGEOUS?! I was going to buy it but it was read-now on Netgalley and I have no self control when it comes to that. I nearly tripped over my face getting to netgalley. AHEM.
AND YES YES. 😂 Whenever I get a book I start thinking about the photos. BOOKISH PHOTOGRAPHY LIFE.
Just added this book to my TBR list! Thank you!
I haven’t read a ton of time travel books, but THE TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE by Audrey Niffenegger is a book I hold dear to my heart. (Also, Stiefvater [the queen] loves it and when you read it the connections to Shiver are obvious.)
It’s not YA, but so worth it to finish!!
You wise clever fish you.
I kind of want to read the Time Traveller’s Wife?!? Because I HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME. But know nothing about it. ehhe. OMG WAIT. DID YOU SAY THE QUEEN LOVES IT? I NEED IT THEN OBVIOUSLY.
I am telling my peeps that they may now only refer to me as a/the “wise clever fish”
That is definitely a good thing to tell them. DEFINITELY DO THAT.
I love your review and I’ll definitely be adding this book to my TBR pile!
EXCELLENT LIFE DECISION AND I APPROVE.
I have heard different things about this one. Some people loved it and some people disliked it. However going by your review, I think I should totally pick it up. It sounds like something that I would enjoy, a lot.
Thanks for the review.
Angel @Angel Reads recently posted…TV Series Review: Shadowhunters Ep3 *Spoiler free*
EEEEP. I hope I don’t lead you astray, Angel. 😂 I haven’t actually heard a lot about it yet!? I am reviewing kinda early (but March is apparently the month of ALL THE RELEASES and I’m gonna drown hehe).
Need. Need. Need.
There are dragons.
And sass.
And the main character’s name is Nixie (yes, I am shallow like that. You guys have cover love, I have name love).
In conclusion, NEED.
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I SHALL NEVER JUDGE SHALLOW BOOKWORM REASONS. I mean, heck, my bookshelves comprise of 90% cover love acquiring. And I’m not even sorry. Ahem. But your conclusion is 100% right. YOU NEED.
Oooh I do like a good time travel story! I haven’t read many but The Time Traveler’s Wife is amazeballs, and (for a YA pick) Butterman (Time) Travel Inc by P.K. Hrezo, such good fun!
I think I shall add this to my list, because while I like time travel, I also like pirates! AND friendship stories 😀
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Ooh, I shall look up Butterman after this then! And I kind of want to try the Time Traveller’s Wife even though I don’t usually read adult?!? Because I hear about it ALL THE TIME and I’m curious.
I enjoyed this one a bit less than you, but I still liked it quite a bit. 🙂 I kind of wanted Kash to be the MC instead of Nix since he was infinitely more relatable and likable than her.
Bee @ Quite the Novel Idea recently posted…{Mirror Mirror} Awesome Haul & Lots of Rewrites
SAME!! If Kash had been the narrator this book would’ve been hilarious and doubly wonderful.😂
Ooohh, I LOVED THIS, CAIT!! I do admit it dragged a little, but I really liked Nix. Honestly, everyone loves this so much, I was scared of reading, but I can’t BELIEVE I almost didn’t pick this up! PIRATES AND DRAGONS AND THIEVES. I would NEVER have forgiven myself for not reading a book which basically have all the things I ADORE in books. I’m actually between the two ships, but leaning towards Kash because HE IS A PERSIAN THIEF. (Why would anyone ever not love him??) And while I think Blake is a perfect sweetheart, he’s a little bland? I mean, very gentlemanly and heroic, but *yawn* not as interesting as Kash (duh). I’m just trying to gather my thoughts because UGH HOW TO REVIEW THIS??
I nearly didn’t pick it up for…no good reason. 😂 But the “Read now” on Netgalley GOT ME HOOK LINE AND SINKER AND OMG I’M SO GLAD I TRIED IT. Dragons. <333 And thievery. I absolutely adore thievery. (ahem. That sounds bad??? Literally thievery? I would never personally steal even a pumpkin seed.)
ALSO ALWAYS KASH. I mean, the other dude...I don't even remember his name. BECAUSE ALL I HEAR IS KASH. 😂
I can’t wait to read it! I love time travel (when done right, of course) and Piratey things. Also, A+ gif use, Cait.
AHH THANK YOU. *flails* And if most time travel books are as good as this then I know I need more of them ASAP. 😂
March 3rd can’t come soon enough! Glad there was so much to love about it!
I AGREE. And I think the US one comes out in late February? Or maybe that’s the UK one. Omg you’d think I’d know these things…
Okay… this book has been floating or rather should I say sailing across the blogosphere but how in the holy hell did I miss it had time travel!! I LOVE time travel and thankfully due to your shrieking I noticed! I loved your delightfully shrieking review, as always!! I definitely need this book in my life!
I AM HERE TO DELIGHTFULLY SHRIEK AT ALL TIMES. It is like my calling in life I am sure. :’)
OMYGOSHIWANTTOREADTHISSOBADLY!!!! (I use to get out atlases and draw maps too!!!!0
OMGGGG ALYSSA!! WE ARE LIKE MAP LOVING TWINS, CLEARLY.
*holds hand over her ear* CAIT! DON’T MAKE ME DEAF! I thought you wanted to whisper! But oh my gooosh, the covers are both SO BEAUTIFUL, I LOVE THEM! AND MAPS! *gasps* I love maps in books – they add this little bit of extra gorgeousness to it and make EVERYTHING better! <3 This sounds freaking amazing but then again you make most books sound amazing so ughhh! Still, I'm pretty excited to get my hands on this book now … I just have to read it myself! I'm extremely curious about Kashmir … I love sassy guys, okay? And the quote you used? WELL, GIVE IT TO ME NOW! I blame you if I need to add him to my never-ending book-boyfriends list, alright?! 😀
Thanks for sharing your thoughts – amazing review! ♥
Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages recently posted…The Totally Should’ve Book Tag
I tried to whisper. I TRIED. But it just isn’t possible for me apparently AND I’D APOLOGISE BUT OMG, YVONNE, I’M TOO BUSY SHRIEKING HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS BOOK. Ahem. But ahhhh the MAPS. <3 And I think the physical copy with maps would be even better, since my iPod screen makes them teeny tiny. hehe.
And sassy Kashmir is everything. TRUST ME. I only wish the book had been narrated by him because then the whole thing would’ve been hilarious. 😂
I’m DEFINITELY going to be reading this one. It sounds amazing! I don’t read a lot of time travel because I’m always worried that there’ will be plot holes, and time travel plot holes REALLY bother me for some reason. I remember reading one book where the plot hole meant that the entire plot LITERALLY COULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED. And it was NEVER addressed that that was a problem. That was annoying. But when I do get around to time travel books, I’m usually impressed. Passenger and All Our Yesterdays are both really good time travel books, and Passenger has pirates, too!
Clara @ Lost in My Library recently posted…Series I Want to Reread
I totally know what you mean!! I watched the latest Xmen time travel movie? AND HATED IT. Ugh. And I love Xmen so so much, so it was a real befuddlment of sadness for me. I hate plot holes. >_> Ahem.
I have Passenger on reserve at the library!! I AM EXCITED. AND I DIDN’T REALISE IT HAD PIRATES??!?! SO DOUBLE EXCITEMENT.
How did I not know there were dragons in this?! And yay for friendships over romance! \o/ I can’t wait to read this and then talk about it with you. 🙂
NOW YOU DO. And omg it was even a pocket dragon which is what I’ve been grumbling about needing on twitter forever. The bookish universe is listening to me, omg. :’)
I NEED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I love dragons, maps, badass heroines, and pirates, so I’m going to love this book! I can’t wait for it to be released in the UK, because the cover is so beautiful too. I’ve heard only good things, so hopefully I’ll love it! 😀
Denise | The Bibliolater
Denise recently posted…ARC Review: Blood, Ink & Fire
YES YES BE EXCITE. ALL THE EXCITE. IT IS WORTH IT. And I thiiiink I marginally like the US cover better?!? Because I like black things, hehe, buuut, omg the UK cover is still equally gorgeous with that blue. <3 This book SCORED in the cover department.
I actually have this one thanks to Net galley so excited to read it now!
Mainly because of Kash. 😀
I’M SO GLAD NETGALLEY MADE IT READ NOW. :’) Or else I probably wouldn’t have picked it up but afjdklasfd KASH IS EVERYTHING.
now I really want to read this book.
(I believe it is still “Read now” on netgalley. JUST SO YOU KNOW.)
I DON’T NEED MORE ARCS
(i say and I run over to netgalley)
What gorgeous photos you’ve taken! I read the book and enjoyed it for the most part – I think the author is particularly talented in the art of description! Time travel books aren’t really my thing, tbh, but there seem to be a helluva lot of them this year, especially in YA!
OMG THANK YOU. <3 It was very handy for the book to be map-themed, right?!? ATLASES ARE MY LIFE. <3 And there is a sudden influx in time travel right?!? Not that I'm complaining if they're all as good as this.😂
This book sounds so great!! I just read The love that split the world, another time travel book, and it was AMAZING! It was so beautifully written and I just loved the characters. I think you would like that one. I am glad this one is worth the hype.
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AHHH YAY! I actually have that one on reserve at the library!! Now I’m doubly excited, hehe.
Oooooohhhhhhh you had me at “time travel”, but add in pirates, dragons and maps?!?!?!?! This sounds so good! I hope it won’t be a letdown because of the draggy bits….my interest tends to wander easily. But overall this sounds so good.
Martha recently posted…Whim: Thought Questions: 337-343
I hope it doesn’t let you down either!! I mean the pirate part isn’t HUGE particularly? But it’s sort of got that vibe. But yes…gah. The middle did make me sad a bit, but I think the story itself is engaging enough that it was easy to look past. 😛
AHHHHH THIS SOUNDS AMAZING. It is DEFINITELY going on my TBR. Kashmir is just my kind of character, and DRAGONS YESH. Also GO DIVERSITY!
– Ellie
http://ontheothersideofrealitynew.blogspot.com
Ikr?! Every book needs a Kashmir character. I’m SUCH a sucker for the sassy ones.😂 #noregrets
I just got this on Netgalley and I’m going to start reading it later today actually!! Now you have me super super super excited to read it!
~Sara
AHHH THIS IS GLORIOUS NEWS, SARA!! How are you liking it so far?!?!
Sound interesting! I don’t think that I have ever read a book about time travel. I will definitely put this on the ever growing “to-read” pile and eventually give it a read.
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I hadn’t either until this one! And it was a glorious introduction. :’)
I still have a map obsession. I pull out the old atlas to look something up, and I’ll be there half an hour later, just staring at maps. I thought I was just weird.
This book sounds good!
Me too. :’) I won’t even deny that I covered half a wall with cut up atlases because I love maps so much and I want to stare at them. :’) CLEARLY WE ARE WEIRD TOGETHER.
Ok I am now doubly excited for this book! ARGHHH I NEED TO READ IT ASAP.
Mironiel Blokzyl recently posted…Editing,Scrivener, Wattpad, February To Do List | The Existential Crisis
YES YOU DO! IT CALLS TO YOU!! It shrieks of wonderful shippy things!
I remember playing pirates with my sister and our cousins. We would go on treasure hunts. And I definitely plan on reading The Girl from Everywhere! I preordered it and it comes out on my birthday!!!
AHHHh what an awesome childhood you had then, clearly. :’) Omg and it comes out on your birthday?! COULD LIFE BE ANY BETTER. :’)
Tiny pocket sized dragon??! I’m sold.
GOOD. EXCELLENT LIFE DECISION.
Oh this book sounds wonderful! I’ve always liked pirates too *hums Pirates of the Caribbean theme song* and I don’t come across many books with them. Hehe, sassy characters huh? I’m liking this book already 🙂 This book is definitely going on my TBR!
*joins you humming the pirates theme song* I used to bash that out on the piano 24/7 until my family disowned me and threatened to never feed me again unless I got a new obsession.😂 AHEM. BUT OMG YES. I rarely find ship-centred books! I mean, this isn’t strictly piratey? But it does have the vibe *nods*
CHINESE AND PERSON CHARACTERS GIVE THEM HEEEEEERE!!!!
This book sounds even more amazing now that I’ve read this review. Also the little quotes you supplied for my reading pleasure. AND BASICALLY EVERYTHING INCLUDING POCKET DRAGONS. *grabs at book dramatically* *falls on face* DAMN YOU BOOK FOR NOT BEING RELEASED YEEETTT
I FEEL LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE THIS ONE, SIERRA. ERGO I DEMAND YOU READ IT IMMEDIATELY. *flails* And omg I have never read a book with pocket dragons before. :’) I literally felt like this book just went through a checklist of all the things I love the most. OMG.
OMG I just realized I wrote “person” instead of “Persian”. WELP. WE ALL KNOW I WAS SICK OVER THE WEEKEND SO LET’S FORGET THIS EVER HAPPENED. *ahem*
Okay so like. I’m going to buy this one. Because I think I *will* really really like this one. Thanks again for the great review, dahling <3
Sierra Abrams recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: ALL THE OTPs
I want to read this so badly! It sounds amazing and now you’re raving about it so I’ll just HAVE to. How sad 😉
ps: I want cheesecake now. Thanks 😛
You are most welcome. I mean, is it possible for me to write a post without mentioning cake?!!? I DON’T EVEN KNOW. I should challenge myself to do it one day.😂
I’m really looking forward to finally reading this book, if only for the pirate ships, diversity and Hawaii setting! It sounds like there’s definitely a lot happening here though, so I can see how it would drag after a while. I mean, where do the dragons come in? Lol love that food quote, it made me hungry.
Jeann @ Happy Indulgence recently posted…VIDEO: Recapping an Exciting January
DUUDE I CANNOT BREATHE THOSE COVERS ARE SO GORGEOUS. wow. ♥ aaaah. “BUT SAILING FORWARD.” *snorts and laughs* the puns begin and it is going to be a very good Monday. xD EEEEP yes to maps. Especially book maps because not a lot of books have them but it’s like WHY NOTT??? Even if the book is set in freaking SAN DIEGO I want a map for it. (I, er…make maps for it. Kind of. The book I’m speaking of is actually my own book and I pretty much lived on Google maps while writing it, trying to figure out how long it would take for my character to walk/take the bus from their house to their destination and what time it would be and when the sun would rise/set. THIS STUFF GIVES ME LIFE. It also makes my sister throw things at me but shhh…)
“I felt she was outshone by the vibrant cast of secondary characters.” hAHA DUUDE this is my GREATEST FEAR IN WRITING. Because I usually end up LOVE LOVE LOVING my secondary characters and then the main characters are just “eh” after a while. IT’S BAD?? idek how this happened. (But only sometimes. I have my favoritism and all that…)
OMG CHEESECAKE. DUDE it mentioned cheesecake. I give 5 stars. XD
love,
abbiee
Abbiee recently posted…How to be a Better Blogger – Part Two, Episode One: Pretty Up
I’M GLAD YOU APPRECIATE MY GLORIOUS PUNNINESS. Horrific puns are the best, though right? RIGHT? Right. *nods*
I think all books should have maps, like I don’t even care what genre it is: it needs a map. If I ever get published it is the thing I shall bed desperately for.😂 AHEM. Contemporaries should have maps though!! BECAUSE WHY NOT?!?! Life is short and maps are amazing.
Omg that is detail in your research. :O I don’t think I’ve ever been that detailed. ACTUALLY WAIT. I wanted to set a book in France once so I found some French houses for sale and looked them up on Google maps and perused like a very deranged future buyer. #IAmSoWeirdIScareMyself
WHY ARE SECONDARY CHARACTERS SO OFTEN BETTER THOUGH!?? Gah. I freak out about it in my own books too. Ahhh the writer life is hard.😂
HUH. I may just have to read this. I’ve heard the title of this book but I had no idea what it was about!
It should be retitled “The Book Cait Tells You All To Read” *nods*
Dragons, maps, sassy thieves. I’m on board already.
It is a good ship to board and sail TILL DAWN BECAUSE HUZZAH THIS BOOK.
MAPS. Pocket Dragon. Ships. Time-Travel. Sassy boys. Clever banter?! I NEED THIS BOOK. I mean, I already had it on my tbr shelf but now I NEEEED ITTT!! I adore maps and always feel surprised when readers say maps scare them O.O I LOVE ALL OF THE MAPS and I feel like they add SO MUCH to a fantasy story. And yeah, that pocket dragon bit sealed the deal for me. BRING ON THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE 😀 Gorgeous review and fantastic map pictures ♥
Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows Reviews recently posted…Review: Illuminae
YES YOU DO. IT CALLS TO YOU, IT ABSOLUTELY CALLS. *nods sagely* I just couldn’t believe how it basically went through the checklist of everything I love. I mean, omg!?!? When does that ever happen in books?! THIS AUTHOR IS CLEARLY MY SPIRIT ANIMAL. hehe. And omg all books should have maps, right?! ALL.
OMG I NEED TO READ THIS BOOK SO BADLY I COULD DIE. Like seriously. I love pirates and maps and a;lkfjas;dlfkjaus;dlfjasklf. I wasn’t as dedicated as you–I didn’t copy out maps or anything. But I spent a lot of time reading Atlases, so yeah, I was mildly obsessed as a young thing. And this story sounds SO GOOD. I’m a huge fan of stories where people travel in time to try to save someone. (That has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that I’m editing one right now. Shhh.) *flails*
HAVE I MENTIONED HOW MUCH I NEED THIS BOOK?
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YES YOU DO, LIZ. I FEEL LIKE YOU WOULD LIKE THIS ONE TOO. I copied maps and drew my own maps and was just all round thoroughly obsessed. Omg, my mother put up with a lot, I tell you. Now I just coat my walls in atlas pages. Okay so my mother still puts up with a lot. BUT MAPS THO. (Is it weird that I don’t actually dream of travelling?? I just like atlases? 😂)
AHHHH YOU’RE WRITING TIME TRAVEL?!?!?!? THAT IS AWESOME.
Hi! Where do I start? You had me at maps and dragons! I LOVE maps, used to spend way too much time as a kid drawing up fantasy maps with created names and all. Sigh.
This books has me very curious and the cover is beautiful. But…I’m not much for time travel. *gasp* I know. Sounds a little like Doctor Who, though….I will have to add this to my ever growing to read list!
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ME TOO!! I had like entire notebooks stuffed with maps I drew. 😂 And then when I got older I started writing fantasy worlds to go with them. IT WAS THE BEST. :’)
I didn’t know if I’d like time travel or not?!? Because this was my first time…buuut I DID LIKE IT AND NEED MORE OFFICIALLY.
Awesome! Of course, someone who loves maps as much as you must be writing books of other worlds. Have you shared about these maps that we may look upon them? 😀
Hehe, no I haven’t shared any of my maps.😂 BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ONE DAY!!
This book sounds fantastic! I really want to read it now. Time travel and SHIPS! Yes! Plus, sass, and a sass thief at that. Yep this holds much promise. It even pays tribute to DRAGONS, so yeah. It’s a must read. 😉
I did have a mild ship obsession. I think Horatio Hornblower started it as well as Treasure Planet. But after I read The Legend of the Firefish is when I really dug into the library’s microscopic sized collection of ship and pirate nonfiction. Then there was Pirates of the Caribbean which made me think up a ship story of my own that made zero sense to speak of (probably because the protagonist was inspired by Captain Jack Sparrow’s long dizzying ramblings). Strangely, though I’ve not actually written anything ship-related? Which must corrected soon.
Nearly anything with ships and pirates is going to be good.
Ashley G. recently posted…The Happiness Tag
IT IS A MUST READ. I mean, the dragon didn’t have a ton of page time but the fact that there was one sold me so so much. IT RODE ON HER SHOULDER AND ERMAGERD I WANT. Ahem.
Oh good. You clearly had a fabulous childhood if it consisted of Hornblower and Treasure Planet obsessions. ME TOO. I watched TP so many times. 😂 And then upgraded to Pirates and omg. Those movies were everything to me. I think I can quote the entire of the first one.😂 BUT SAME! My sister and I plotted out this pirate series we were going to write but we never did? I mean 12 year old me wrote about pirates, but 12 year old me’s pirates were really nice and the most evil thing they did was trade in rum. Otherwise they were polite and law-abiding. *nods*
I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY LIFE! It sounds perfect. PERFECT I TELL YOU! Plus it has a sassy thief pirate character? I’m in.
THAT IS EXACTLY MY REACTION TOO. Like if anyone so much as whispers “sassy character” to me I am aaaall over the book.
YESSS. This is one of my most anticipated books for February, so it makes me so excited to hear that you liked it so much! It sounds like such an amazing and diverse book and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of it. Also, who can go wrong with time travel and dragons? 😉 Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
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Well this basically guarantees you’ll like it too, right?!? ;D hehe actually I’m curious to see if you rate it the full 4. Because usually I find you rate 3.5 to my 4. GO READ IT ZOE. I AM TOO CURIOUS NOW.😂
The more reviews I read of this, the more sure I become I want to read it and you’ve just convinced me I NEED this in my life. Dragons and pirates and time travel and historical scenes! So many of my favourite things!
BECAUSE I KNOW ALL THE THINGS, BEC, AND I KNOW YOU NEED THIS. I JUST KNOW IT.
I have The Girl From Everywhere. I think I have four more books to read before I get to it. I do not like time traveling books, but when I saw this book had 1800s Hawaiian time periods in it, I jumped on it on Netgalley because after seeing the Movie, Hawaii, when I was ten, I became obsessed with colonial Hawaii. My son would understand your mapishness because he was obsessed with maps. When he was around five he used to nibble cheese slices into the shapes of countries and states. Ha ha. He also had a talking globe, an electronic map of the world game, and several map puzzles. You two would have made perfect playmates! I hope I love the book as much as you did. Pocket dragons are also a big plus. 🙂
OH MAP OBSESSIONS ARE SO GLORIOUS. I used to draw up a million fantasy worlds, although it took me a long time to then convert to just writing stories to go with them. But seriously MAPS = EVERYTHING. Omg talking globe! YES. WE WOULD’VE HAD FUN. 😂😂
You’re right, Cait – I will indeed be reading this book! (Oh, and I never realized that there were two different covers? Personally I prefer the UK version – a better fit to the story, I believe.)
Wait… did you say that this book features time travel? An extensive set of diverse characters? Ships and thieves? And ummm A SASSY CHARACTER? (I swear there is nothing more glorious than a snarky and witty character!) Sold, baby. I’m so sold!
A shame about the MC being overshadowed by all the supporting characters though… but I do think everything that you mentioned above is enough for me to bump this book up my TBR.
I know I say this every single time I comment in your posts but wow you have such gorgeous pictures!
Great review as always, Cait! <3
Lyra @ Defiantly Deviant
I AM ALWAYS RIGHT. :’) *sniffs happily* And I agree the UK one ties in better, although I thiiink I possibly like the US one better (like just microscopically better) because it’s dark and dastardly looking.
I knoooow right?!? The sassy characters get me EVERY TIME. I cannot love them enough. :’)
SQUEEE THANK YOU THOUGH. <3 I was really happy with these pictures because MAPS AND ATLASES. My obsession is so pleased right now.
I have an obsession with ships actually, everytime I read in the summary that there is a ship, I’m on board. It’s okay if it’s a regular ship, but of course it’s better with pirates. But yes, I have something with ships and each time there is one I’m writing I’m obsessed in my review and people must be tired of seeing that, haha. But I don’t care ’cause all the love to ships <3 Maps are so great, have you read The Glass Sentence? Because the main character's parents were cartographers!! And there is different time periods, but not exactly time travel? Count it as a recommendation if you haven't read it! The more I read fantasy books, the sadder I am when there is no map *sigh* Of course I'll read The Girl From Everywhere, I preordered the UK edition because so prettyyyy (and cheaper), I was already really excited, but it's even worse after reading your review, haha! Yaaaaas pocket-sized dragon we can pet <3333
BAAHAHAHA on board. Omg. I am with you, my punny friend. Everything is better with pirates, tbh, and I honestly never see YA new pirate books coming out?!? CLEARLY this is a tragedy and needs to be fixed.
I haven’t read the Glass Sentence! I’ll look it up after this. BECAUSE MAPS. <3 I have so much love it's nearly ridiculous. 😂
I like friendship, I like maps, I LIKE DRAGONS. Yep, I should definitely read this book. And how can a book possibly have two equally good covers when some books can’t even get one right? Also, those Mulan GIFs are perfection. Actual perfection. EMPORER ERIN OUT.
This book = you must like then. AND OMG I KNOW RIGHT?!? Usually one country totally murders the covers but this time…I love both. I think I love the US one jus ta smidge better though because I like dastardly dark things.
I’M GLAD YOU APPROVE OF MY MULAN GIFS.
EMPEROR CAIT OUT.
OMG this sound like my kind of book. I need to read this now!!!!! I’m already fangirling over this story… where have this book been all my life ? Thank you for sharing 😉
IT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR YOU TO LOVE IT, ELIN. XD I hope you do read it!!
I really liked this one too — especially the way that Kash and Nix’s relationship was based first and foremost on friendship. I always love that!
Nikki recently posted…Review – Song for the Basilisk
YES! It was really refreshing out it was about friendship first and the romance was like baaaarely there, right?!
YES I WILL READ THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE! he he. he. I don’t really know any time travel books, but The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (if you haven’t read it) seems just up your alley. It’s set in the 1800s and it’s about a girl who comes from high-class society to a ship that turns out to have pirates…and she totally becomes a pirate. The blurb will tell you she’s convicted of murder….YEP. (at age 13. THIS IS SO HAPPENING.)
(and they may not have specifically been pirates…I don’t remember very well…but they were semi-evil and on a ship, so I’ll take it as a pirate book.)
(Also I’m 95% sure that there is no romance in the book.)
(enjoy.)
I know I just commented but I need to obsess over the dragon. A POCKET-SIZED DRAGON! I am sure I will love this book.
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Ooh, I shall look up this The True Confessions because I LIKE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS. XD And if it has pirates then, pfft, I am sold in like a blink.
(And same with this book. They’re not like specifically pirates? But they kinda do dubious things in a dark black painted ship.)
(Also that book sounds too good to be true, omg.)
okay so three books i had excitement for- Blackhearts, Passenger, and The Girl From Everywhere. Every single one of these books gave me hope that pirates were the next big YA trend (BECAUSE /I’M STILL GOING THROUGH MY PIRATE LOVING PHASE/ (tho let’s be honest at this point it isn’t a phase so much as a lifestyle)). Blackhearts? About Blackbeard BEFORE he was a pirate, so that ones a downer on my swashbuckling spirit. Passenger? They sail a ship, and so far there’s like, no pirating. BUT FROM WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IT LOOKS LIKE THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM! I CANNOT WAIT TO GOBBLE UP THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE! AND ON TOP OF PIRATES (AS IF IT COULD GET BETTER) THERE’S DRAGONS??? AND MOTHER LOVIN /MAPS/!!!! Also I think we might have been the same child growing up o.O I love maps. Maps are great. My grandfather traveled the globe for his job and he worked with Eskimos and stuff and he gave me tons of maps. I even have maps of the moon.
alsjdf;laskdjf I NEED this book! GREAT REVIEW! yOU’VE GOT me So ExcITED!
OMG OKAY BUT CALM DOWN HERE.😂 I don’t think this one is going to be piratey enough for you either, tbh? It’s kind of more piratey-ish than out-right-down-right pirates. *nods* SO YEAH SORRY ABUOT THAT. D: I do want to read an honest-to-goodness-downright-pirate book someday. YA seems very needing of them.
BUT DRAGONS AND MAPS. DUDE. <3
Omgg, your grandfather clearly had an awesome career then.😂 YOU HAVE MAPS OF THE MOON THO?!?! DUDE. I AM SLIGHTLY JEALOUS. 😂😂
Your review made me so incredible enthusiastic! Lucky for me the arc is waiting for me to start tonight.
YAYYYYY. My work here is done. *parties quietly* 😂
THIS SOUNDS FABULOUS. Pirate ships? Diverse characters? Foood? Time travel? (why have you not read time travel books before. They’re so interesting. My favourite is probably Artemis Fowl, but I did like Molly Moon once upon a time.) Anyway, this was a fabulous review and now I want to read it. Just publish it already, world! Also, I love the pictures in this post 🙂
shar@weavingwaveswords recently posted…To Car or not to Car?
I don’t even know why I hadn’t read time travel up till this point??! Like I never saw one that snabbled my interested enough? Or..IDEK. 😂 I’m a slacker. Ahem.
I am reading The Girl From Everywhere next! Eeee! I am so excited for this book, it sounds awesome! (Also, FYI, YA author Dahlia Adler has a “book club” every month, where, if you read one of the books listed, and review it on Amazon/B&N, you get entered int a giveaway. The Girl From Everywhere is one of this month’s picks, so you could enter! http://dailydahlia.wordpress.com – scroll and you’ll find the correct post!
Other time travel books you might like: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill. It’s SO GOOD! I don’t want to talk about it because of spoilers, but oh my god, it’s brilliant! I don’t think I’ve read any other time travel books, not that I can remember anyway.
I am SOOOO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK! Just a few more hours of work, and a few more pages of my current book, and I can start it, whoop! 😀
Awww, thanks for linking me to that post! 😀 YOU ARE A NICE BEAN ;D
And omg I’ve been recommended All Our Yesterdays quite copiously but I never seem to be able to find a copy?!?!? But it sounds so good so one day I’ll just break and buy it.😂
I HOPE YOU ENJOY IT TOO!!
Have you read ‘Map Head’ by Ken Jennings? it is a non fiction, but quite delicious. Ken Jennings got famous by being a Jeopardy champ. but he has written a few books that I enjoyed. this book is all about…. MAPS! if you love maps as you claim you do, I promise you will love this book. Chapters on made up fictional words, geocaching, travel clubs, antique maps, geobee, etc. I really do recommend it. you don’t know me, but I read your blog and have read many books by your suggestion. Thanks for being you!
I have not! But I shall look it up. ;D Because you said that maaaagic word. OMG I QUITE LOVE MAPS (I know that’s like a startling surprise😂) AND I SHOULD LIKE TO READ BOOKS ABOUT MAPS FOREVER.
(Also I appreciate heartfelt recommendations from anyone!! So this is really nice of you! *gives you cake in return* And squeee. I’m really glad you’ve read some books I’ve liked. My day = MADE. :’)
Gah, this sounds amazing! And I’m totally loving the UK cover! And pocket dragon?! Yes, please!! And all the diversity makes me very v ery happy. Will definitely have to check this out!
I definitely had a pirates/maps obsession phase, haha. And I was a big fan of All Our Yesterday by Cristen Terrill for time travel book, definitely recommend!
Great post, Cait!
I AM A BAD, BAD ANTICIPATOR! (It’s a word if I say it’s a word, mean red curvy underline!) I’ve been yammering on about this book forever, I received an early ARC, and I… have still not read it? (HELP! I’M BURIED UNDER A PILE OF ARCs!)
Anyway. Yes. Here’s my dilemma: A LOT of my friends have compared this to Alexandra Bracken’s Passenger (“IT’S JUST AS AWESOME!”). But I… didn’t really like Passenger? *escapes out the bathroom window in fear of literary persecution* So now I’M SCARED OF A GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE! I’m a fast reader, but Passenger took me DAYS and it gives me anxiety when I take like a week to finish a book (!!!). NOPE.
But aaaaaaaaaaaaah… these pictures! These bulletpoints! FOOD AND A TINY DRAGON AND MAPS AND DIVERSITY AND HAWAIIAN PIRATE SHIP HEISTS AS INSPIRATION? I might just have to put my Adult Hat on and dive right in. (No, um, nautical pun intended.) (Okay, maybe SOME nautical pun intended.)
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WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU, LEXIE? PRIORITIES! COME NOW!! READ THIS GLORIOUS WONDERFUL BOOK!! (Hehe, but omg the buried under a pile of ARCs struggle is real. *heavy sigh*) I haven’t read Passenger?? I’ve heard there’s not much plot which rather terrifies me, so I’m librarying it to save myself. Agh, but I hear ya with giving-yourself-anxiety-when-a-book-takes-too-long. If I’m reading the same book for 3 days in a row I start to panic.😂
I’ve been aching for some good time travel books and I couldn’t get past Passenger, someone also mentioned Into the Dim but I’m not buying it in hardcover if I’m not sure I’d lay down my life for the story 🙂 – the woes of international shipping.
This does sound like a jam! I too have been mildly – read very enthusiastically, possibly enthusiastic enough to murder you all if there is just one job offer to be a pirate on em high seas – obsessed with pirates since Treasure Island I think when I was yey high to a grasshopper and never got over it.
Unfortunately, there isn’t enough swashbuckling in the world these days 🙁 Love the ever enthusiastic review Cait!
Agh, I hear ya with book prices. WHY ARE THEY SO HIGH AHHHH. Ahem. I’ve heard Into the Dim is very slow? 😭 I’m not sure if I’m trying it yet. Passenger didn’t work for me, sadly.
HUZZAH FOR TREASURE ISLAND. (Have you seen the Disney movie of Treasure Planet?! It is honestly the best.😂)
And I highly agree: WE NEED MORE SWASHBUCKLING.
Treasure Planet is love! My brother and I sometimes randomly quote the movie to each other even now 🙂
Ah pirates <3 People need to understand our need for pirates…
Yesssss. I still quote it all the time! IT IS THE BEST TO QUOTE OF EVER. 😂