Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the UK, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the US. So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions. We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier! Book Wars is a new feature for both of us which we hope to post every Monday, while we get it up and running this is subject to change as we participate in other features or tours we have committed to prior to setting up Book Wars.

Before we get to this weeks Book Wars, we have a winner to announce. The Book Wars winner for Divergent By: Veronica Roth is.... USA!

Thanks to everyone who voted for both books, and for picking a winner.

Don't forget, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left: US Version - Right: UK Version

Title: Shadow and Bone/The Gathering Dark
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: US - Henry Holt and Co., 356 Pages (June 5th 2012), UK - Indigo, 305 Pages, (June 7th 2012)
Add to: Goodreads: Shadow and Bone, Goodreads: The Gathering Dark
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis:The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.

Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?

The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.

But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance.

About the author:

Leigh Bardugo was born in Jerusalem, raised in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University. These days, she hides out in Hollywood and indulges her fondness for glamour, ghouls, and costuming in her other life as makeup artist L.B. Benson.

Her debut novel, Shadow & Bone (Holt Children's/Macmillan) is now a New York Times Best Seller.

She would be delighted if you followed her on Twitter, elated if you visited her web site, and downright giddy if you liked Shadow & Bone on Facebook.

Find Leigh Online: Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Michelle I love how simple but eye catching the cover for the US book is, but I have to pick UK for my vote this week.  I love how we get to see Alina, but also how she is running from something, or someone, which relates so well to the story.  I love the creep forest in the background but also the beautiful golden scroll work around the edges of the cover. Check out my review: The Gathering Dark

Lisa Another week that I love both covers... but I have to agree with Michelle on this one. I love getting a chance to see Alina, and all the gold scroll work is beautiful. She's running from something through a dark, scary woods... or maybe she's running TO someone or something? Either way, while I love the colors of the US cover and the feel of it, I have to go with UK for this weeks cover.

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of The Grisha #1 NOW!

survey service

web survey

Book Wars a weekly feature hosted between two book review blogs – A Life Bound By Books & Much Loved Books!

It’s a fact that book lovers know all about the covers of the books they covet. Often when a title is released here in the US, it’s sometimes vastly different across the pond in the UK. So, Michelle from Much Loved Books and I have come together to create Book Wars to talk about the difference in covers when it comes to the US vs. UK versions. We hope from time to time authors will chime in with their thoughts as well. We welcome everyone to comment and share their thoughts too! The more the merrier! Book Wars is a new feature for both of us which we hope to post every Monday, while we get it up and running this is subject to change as we participate in other features or tours we have committed to prior to setting up Book Wars.

Also, there's a poll at the bottom of the post that we'd love to hear your input for the two covers! Tell us which one YOU love the most.

Left - US cover. Right - UK cover.

Title: Divergent (Divergent, #1)
Author: Veronica Roth
Publisher: US - Katherine Tegen Books, 487 Pages (January 1st, 2011), UK - HarperCollins Children's Books, 489 Pages, (February 2nd 2012),[original publication date May 3rd 2011]
Add to: Goodreads USA Version, Goodreads UK Version
Order online here: USA: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, UK: Amazon UK, Waterstones, W H Smith, The Book Depository

Synopsis: In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

About the author:

Veronica Roth is from a Chicago suburb. She studied creative writing at Northwestern University, and wrote DIVERGENT (Katherine Tegen Books, May 2011) and INSURGENT (May 2012). The third and final book in The Divergent Trilogy, ALLEGIANT, will come out on October 22, 2013. In the meantime she will spend endless hours browsing Wikipedia in her pajamas as she eats corn flakes. (Or some other kind of bland breakfast cereal.)

Find Veronica Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Let the Wars Begin: Its now time to make our decision, let's see what we think about the covers and pick our favorite cover.

Lisa Gosh, when Michelle and I started talking about this feature I didn't realize how hard this might be. They are both so different yet fit the story both in their own ways. The US cover has the faction symbol and gives an over all feel of of things brewing under the surface of the city. The UK cover give the impression of just how alone the girl is and the birds... of freedom. These are just my impressions of the covers based on what I see and what I know of the story. If you haven't read them, you SHOULD! So, now the hard part. Choosing a cover. I'm going to have to choose the US cover this time. If the UK cover would have been done in different colors it might have given the US version a run for it's money in which is MY favorite version.

So, US for me this round.

Want to know what I thought of the book? Check out my review for: Divergent

Michelle I love both of these covers.  The USA cover has the faction symbol on the front, and in the background a city and you can see how it all links together with the story.  The UK one though has the city in the background but also the ravens, which for those of you who have read the series, if you haven't then you need to, know where this connection comes from and its symbolisation.  It also feels like the person on the cover is alone, which also links in with the story.  If I have to choose my favourite cover I'm going to stick to my roots and pick the UK cover

VOTE for YOUR favorite cover of Divergent NOW!

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FTC Disclaimer: I have NOT been compensated at all in any way or means for sharing this promotional post.

Book wars is a weekly feature co-hosted by A Life Bound By Books and Much Loved Books. It's a place where readers can discuss the differences that we sometimes see in book covers here in the US vs. the UK. At the bottom of each post readers are encouraged to VOTE for their favorite! For more information please check out the first post.

Week 1, August 19th, 2013 - Divergent By: Veronica Roth
My vote: US Cover | Michelle's vote: UK Cover
Which Cover Won -

Week 2, August 26th, 2013 - Shadow and Bone/The Gathering Dark By: Leigh Bardugo
My vote: UK Cover | Michelle's vote: UK Cover
Which Cover Won -

Wow! The amazing book boys are all around the blog right now and are looking for a date with one lucky, LUCKY reader. Seriously guys, I wish I could enter to win a "virtual date" with one of this book boys. So far "It's A Date!" has been going great and I thank everyone for stopping by and entering.

While the last two days have been spent with some swoon-able bad boys - Kaidan from Sweet Evil and Dante from The Collector, today I have a chance to bring you someone a bit different but who I have an epic love for, today I'm excited to bring you....

CAS from ALTERED

Title: Altered (Altered, #1)
Author: Jennifer Rush

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 336 Pages (January 1st, 2013)

Add to: Goodreads
Purchase Altered: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

Synopsis: When you can’t trust yourself, who can you believe?

Everything about Anna’s life is a secret. Her father works for the Branch at the helm of its latest project: monitoring and administering treatments to the four genetically altered boys in the lab below their farmhouse. There’s Nick, Cas, Trev . . . and Sam, who’s stolen Anna’s heart. When the Branch decides it’s time to take the boys, Sam stages an escape, killing the agents sent to retrieve them.

Anna is torn between following Sam or staying behind in the safety of her everyday life. But her father pushes her to flee, making Sam promise to keep her away from the Branch, at all costs. There’s just one problem. Sam and the boys don’t remember anything before living in the lab—not even their true identities.

Now on the run, Anna soon discovers that she and Sam are connected in more ways than either of them expected. And if they’re both going to survive, they must piece together the clues of their past before the Branch catches up to them and steals it all away.

Interview with Cas - 

What did you do for Valentine's Day?

Ate chocolate.

What's your idea of the perfect date?

There would be food involved. Definitely food. And ice cream, which is like the upper echelon of food. Maybe some Celine Dion. Love that chic.

Say you're making a Mixed CD for someone special/important to you. What would be on that CD?

Celine Dion! My heart will go on. And on and on. It’s a big heart. I have love for everyone. Gather in ladies! There’s plenty to go around!

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Umm, should all chocolate have a caramel center? Fact: Yes.

Describe the perfect girl?

I don’t discriminate.

And lastly, what's the best way to YOUR heart?

I think we've already covered that. Ice cream. Caramel filled chocolate. Celine Dion. Free love. Also, BBQing.

"Little known fact: Valentine's Day is also known as National Make-Out With Cas Day. So let's celebrate it together!" - Cas, ALTERED

Don't forget to check out the last two days on the blog when I had a chance to spread the love for Kaidan from Sweet Evil and Dante from The Collector.

Thanks guys! You make my heart all melty-swoon!

Find Jenn Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook

ENTER TO WIN A DATE WITH CAS TODAY!!!

Note: This is the SAME rafflecopter form as on the events main page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to win a Virtual Date with a swoon worthy book boy? How about Kaidan from Sweet Evil? Or Dante from The Collector? Take a look at all the "It's A Date!" event info and

>>>CLICK HERE<<<

Enter before it's too late!

Could you tell us a bit about – first as a writer, then as a reader – what the pull is for you when it comes to Paranormal/Supernatural characters & stories?

I have always loved genre fiction. I think part of the reason is that so much of it is metaphor for real life. Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which I adored back in the day, is my perfect example of this. We all know that high school is hell. But in BTVS, Sunnydale High was literally over the Hellmouth. Perfect. Plus I like to be scared; I like to read about things that go bump in the night. It’s often less scary than real life, if you want the truth! It was the obvious genre for me to write once I began writing.

Can you talk to us a bit about what’s next for you?

I’ve got a new series (well, 2 books at the moment) starting in 2013 from Soho Press’s new Soho Teen imprint. THE SWEET DEAD LIFE will be out in May and the follow up book, still to be titled, is slated for spring 2014. I’m so excited about these books! And they are definitely a bit of a departure from the ANASTASIA series. The cover copy describes it like this:

Fourteen-year-old Jenna Samuels is having a very bad 8th grade year. Her single mother spends all day in bed. Dad vanished when she was eight. Her 16-year-old brother, Casey, tries to hold what's left of the family together by working two jobs--difficult, as he's stoned all the time. To make matters worse, Jenna is sick. When she collapses one day, Casey tries to race her to the hospital in their beat-up Prius and crashes instead. Jenna wakes up in the ER to find Casey beside her. Beatified. Literally. The flab and zits? Gone. Weirder, he makes her feel better. Before long, Jenna figures out that Casey didn't survive the accident at all. He's an "A-word." (She can't bring herself to utter the truth.) Soon they both discover that Jenna isn't just dying: she's being poisoned. And Casey has been sent back to help solve the mystery that not only holds the key to her survival, but also to their mother's mysterious depression and father's disappearance.

Basically, it’s set in Texas and it’s a  funny and bittersweet paranormal mystery.

And lastly, how about a fun question? Being that it’s the scariest time of the year – Halloween – what’s your favorite?

Scary Book:  currently: the arc of SHADOWS by Ilsa J. Bick (eeeek!)
Scary Movie: The Shining – the older one with Jack Nicholson
Halloween Candy: mini Reese’s peanut butter cups
Costume from Halloween’s Past: Dare I say it? A hooker. Also, a little post Halloween, my evil mermaid costume that I wore for 3 days straight at our booth at Austin Comic Con.  And a couple years ago, husband and I went to a party as Wash and Kaleigh from Firefly. And no one knew who we were… even when we explained.

Title: Anastasia Forever (Dreaming Anastasia, #3)
Author: Joy Preble
Publisher: Sourcebooks, 304 Pages (August 1st, 2012)
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis: Is it possible to change the past?
Anastasia
No one ever knew what happened to her except her half-brother, Viktor--and he'll do anything to keep it that way.

Anne

She just wants a normal boyfriend, a normal family-no visions of the past, no evil mermaids, no Brotherhood trying to kill her. But Anne is not normal...and she's capable of a lot more than she thinks.

Ethan

He's been eighteen for nearly a century, and finding Anne is the best thing that's ever happened to him. But the magic in his blood is turning darker, forcing him to wonder whether he's the most dangerous threat of all...

Find Joy Online:

Website/Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Order the Dreaming Anastasia Trilogy Online:

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | The Book Depository

GIVEAWAY!

How the Crossroads Tour Giveaway works

All the authors got together and decided, instead of each blog getting one or two titles to giveaway - they'd have a single grand prize - a real doozie. With that in mind each blogger is asked to encourage readers to answer the daily trivia/research question on the tour main page. (http://judithgraves.com/events/the-crossroads-tour/crossroads-2012/) At the end of the tour all answers have to be emailed to judithgraves@ymail.com by midnight on the 29th. 

So, it's your job, to head over to the mail tour page I've linked above, read the question and go find the answer in the posts for that day. Make sure you get your answers in by the deadline - October 29th at Midnight!

Entries will be put in a drawing and a winner chosen randomly.

And I bet you're wondering what the heck this amazing prize is? How about a FREE KINDLE PRELOADED with an eBOOK from each of the Crossroads authors???

The more questions you answer, the better, so be sure to check back each day!

Any questions? Please send them my way!