Today, I’m going to post about one of my favorite Middle Grade series: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel.

The blurb from Goodreads on Book 1, THE ALCHEMYST:

He holds the secret that can end the world.

The truth: Nicholas Flamel was born in Paris on September 28, 1330. Nearly 700 years later, he is acknowledged as the greatest Alchemyst of his day. It is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life.

The records show that he died in 1418.

But his tomb is empty.

The legend: Nicholas Flamel lives. But only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects—the Book of Abraham the Mage. It's the most powerful book that has ever existed. In the wrong hands, it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Humankind won't know what's happening until it's too late. And if the prophecy is right, Sophie and Josh Newman are the only ones with the power to save the world as we know it.

Sometimes legends are true.

And Sophie and Josh Newman are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

This story is for anybody who loves Harry Potter (okay, that’s everybody) and Artemis Fowl (that’s everybody too…if not, it means you haven’t read them yet). In brief: these books are AWESOME.

It’s a series of five (soon to be more) that deals with sibling rivalry, maturity, and sacrifice. Calling it fast-paced would be grossly understated. With Michael Scott’s British wit, we battle and befriend gods from the world’s mythology (Norse, Egyptian, Native America…not just the all-to-familiar Greeks). We adventure with some of history’s great characters including Billy The Kid, Shakespeare, Joan of Arc, and King Gilgamesh. In addition, we explore a fictional world as large, fun, and complex as Hogwarts.

The best part (besides the author’s name): The sixth arrives November 2012…which is also the worst part because it’s SOOO far away.

Anyhow, if you need a last minute something for that avid reader in your life (including yourself) or those post Xmas gift cards start burning a hole in your wallet, head straight for the S’s.

Before you head up to the X in the corner, let me say one thing on behalf of all The Muses: Have a wonderful holiday. Y’all have made this year incredibly special us. We can’t wait to see what 2012’s got in store for everyone.

(other than the whole Apocalypse thing…that can wait).

Another year has flown. Can you believe it? Gotta finish up some holiday shopping so I'm going to launch right into my list of books to look out for in 2012:

1. INSURGENT, Veronica Roth - Who isn't excited for this sequel to last year's smash hit, DIVERGENT? I can't wait to see more of Roth's world. And Four, of course. I can't wait to see more of Four.
2. DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE #2, Laini Taylor - This was, I think, my favorite book of 2011. I miss Karou and her blue hair and badass ways.
(As an aside, there are so many wonderful sequels to look forward to: SHATTER ME #2, GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS #2, Beth Revis' A MILLION SUNS, Lauren Oliver's PANDEMONIUM... I mean... The book two love alone is outrageous!)
3. GRAVE MERCY, RL Lefevers - This book was described to me by the publisher as, "assassin nuns," and "George RR Martin for teens." My answer? Yes, please.
4. SHADOW AND BONE, Leigh Bardugo - Fantasy inspired by Tsarist Russia... This one sounds soooo unique and delicious, and Leigh happens to be completely awesome. Can't wait for this!
5. TIME BETWEEN US, Tamara Ireland Stone - I had the privilege of reading the first few chapters and oh my, this is going to be a great one.
(As another aside, if you're looking to stock up your TBR pile, head over to the Apocalypsies site. I want to read all of their books.)


Most importantly, I cannot wait for my fellow Muses' debut novels to come out!

What are you looking forward to reading next year?

2012 is going to be full of amazing books if January is any indication.  Another January release to keep your eye out for is EVERNEATH.  Lucky for you, this book has a striking cover that is sure to catch your eye as you walk through your local bookstore.

And the pages in between are just as delicious and perfectly wrought.  Here's the summary from Amazon:

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists. 

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen. 

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen. 

Everneath is a captivating story of love, loss, and immortality from debut author Brodi Ashton. 

This book is beautifully written, in smooth, effortless prose that draws you in and keeps you turning the pages.  Nikki's story is told in a dual narrative of sorts- Nikki before and Nikki after.  It's fascinating to see Nikki's evolution- into and out of despair- side by side.

The novel is based loosely on the myth of Persephone, but with a modern twist.  I would add to the publisher's description of a book of "love, loss and immortality."  It's all those things, but its also a book about forgiveness, sacrifice and never letting go. 

Everneath is part of a planned trilogy, but the first book stands on its own quite nicely, resolving the central conflict and nearly all the questions posed in this installment.  The few threads that are left open are tantalizing enough to have me counting down the days to 2013.  More Cole please!

Make your own slideshow with music at Animoto.



Next week the Muses will be taking a break to spend with family and friends. We'll stop by to share a few favorite inspirational writing quotes just in case you find the time with all the merriment to do some writing.

Thank you all for a wonderful year!

Hi everyone!  I'm Donna today, kicking off our book blog week with two titles that will be out in just a few weeks.  There are so many books to look forward to in 2012, I thought I'd help out with a few words about a couple I've already read.

First, a middle grade novel by Caroline Starr Rose.  MAY B. (January 10) is a beautiful book, from cover to cover.  I am forever in awe of anyone who can write plot in poetry, and especially in someone who can express in just a few words the riveting fear or poignant emotion of a twelve-year-old girl.

From Goodreads:

May is helping out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead—just until Christmas, says Pa. She wants to contribute, but it's hard to be separated from her family by 15 long, unfamiliar miles. Then the unthinkable happens: May is abandoned. Trapped in a tiny snow-covered sod house, isolated from family and neighbors, May must prepare for the oncoming winter. While fighting to survive, May's memories of her struggles with reading at school come back to haunt her. But she's determined to find her way home again. Caroline Starr Rose's fast-paced novel, written in beautiful and riveting verse, gives readers a strong new heroine to love.


I fell in love with May, and I hope you do, too.


NEVER EIGHTEEN by Megan Bostic (January 17) is a completely different book, but equally compelling.  

Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.


Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.


But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.

(from Goodreads)


This is a book about a person trying to make a difference in the only way any of us can - by small steps.  Austin is hampered by his illness, and by his need to get it all done quickly, but his determination is inspiring.  As is the idea of doing something even though you will never know the result.  Doing just to do.  Just to try.  The world would be a better place with more Austin Parkers in it.


What books are you looking forward to in January?  Besides UNDER THE NEVER SKY, of course...