I got something!

[vilakins]

I was cuddling a very affectionate Jasmin this morning when the courier pounded on the door. It was my ARC (advance reader's copy) of Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner which I'd won for suggesting a name for the series on the publisher's site. This is the fourth book in an excellent and witty fantasy series set in an AU medieval Greece which subverts a lot of the tropes, has twisty plots, fascinating characters, and wonderful unpredictability. I was delighted because I didn't expect it to arrive so quickly. Not only that, but there were two more books with it: one of poetry by people under 25, and a novel called Mistwood by Leah Cypess. It says on the back that fans of Kristin Cashore, Tamora Pierce, and , yes, Megan Whalen Turner will enjoy it. [adds more author names to rec notebook]

I was amazed not only to win something, but even to be eligible, which doesn't happen very often for people living here (and I'm looking at you, LibraryThing).

In other good news, autumn seems to have arrived this week. The days are still sunny and fine, but there's a refreshing chill to the air in the mornings, and the temperatures and humidity are way down. I shall enjoy the weather and ignore the prospect of the long, grey, wet, unrelieved-by-bright-spots winter that comes after. Yes.

Comments

[kerravonsen]

Wow, you won a book!

I've had Megan Whalen Turner on my "to read" list ever since rj_anderson burbled about her a while back.

I was amazed not only to win something, but even to be eligible, which doesn't happen very often for people living here
Oh yes. Nor here neither. Because of course the USA is the only country that exists. (eyeroll)

[vilakins]

Or the UK and Europe.

I think you'll really enjoy the series. The first book was fun, but it was the second that really hooked me. I'd love to know what you think of them.

And I found out that my copy was signed by Megan! :-D

[kalypso-v.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! What name did you suggest, and did they adopt it? Or is this a secret?

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I was one of about nine people, and I have no idea which name they and the author will go for. The series is known by fans as Queen's Thief which is a spoiler for the first book; I suggested Peninsula Series as the novels so far have taken place in all three states in the area.

[emerald-happy.livejournal.com]

HOMG YOU WON ONE IN THE CONTEST. I really need to pay more attention to sounis these days. What series name did you suggest?

I totally understand the whole international (outside U.S. readers) can't apply and it's SO annoying.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I was a fair way down the list. [looks it up] 11th and last in fact, but I hardly ever win anything. Annux and Queen's Thief are at the top, and they're really big spoilers. I went for something more general and inclusive.

LibraryThing includes a few countries including Australia for some early review books, but I doubt I'll ever qualify. It's usually US or UK only, or those and maybe Europe.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

And ooh, I just realised (because I turned straight to the story) that it's signed by Megan! :-D This ARC will be staying here.

[jacteest.livejournal.com]

Happy reading!
long, grey, wet, unrelieved-by-bright-spots winter
Good thing you don't live in my part of the world. It's been below zero ever since the end of november (which is quite unusual for the South of Sweden) and the world is still covered in snow. Signs of spring are in the air, though!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Ah, but I used to live in Germany, and snow = dry air (something you rarely get here). Plus you get Christkindlmaerkte (or your equivalent) for December, Christmas, and then New Year. We get rain. more rain, and rain on top of that. I would swap any day.

[jacteest.livejournal.com]

I used to live in Holland for the greater part of my life and there it was and still is the same: rain, rain and more rain. The climate here in the south of Sweden is a little better, but for the really dry climate, one should move further up. But compared to Holland we get much more hours sun over the year. A significant improvement.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

We've had lots of sun over the last few months, but most winters are pretty dark and wet. Yet they won't acknowledge this and offer full-spectrum lighting for SAD sufferers.

[sheenaghpugh]

Nice start to the day!

[reapermum.livejournal.com]

Well done for a good idea.

[astrogirl2.livejournal.com]

Yay, free books!

And spring has definitely arrived here, which is lovely, but also sneezy. Sigh. :)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I sneeze all year round (it might be the all-pervasive mould spores) but I use what Greg calls my snorty-drugs which at least keep me breathing through my nose.

[zoefruitcake.livejournal.com]

That. Is. So. Cool!
I think I like the sound of them too, maybe I'll give them a go

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I really, really like them. Here's her wiki page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Whalen_Turner#The_Queen.27s_Thief). The series is called (at the moment) Queen's Thief, and the books are listed under it. Three so far and the fourth do out next week. I consider them adult/YA (where adult = grown up) as most protagonists are adult, the plots aren't simple, and a lot is not what it seems. I liked the first book well enough, but it was the second that really hooked me. [grins at inadvertent pun which you won't realise yet] There are layers and unreliable narrators, and luckily I was fairly alert and picked up some of the clues. They reward rereading (which I plan to do when I get all four) because of the pleasure taken in the cleverness of the plot and characters.

[Edited to add actual link]

[vandonovan.livejournal.com]

How cool! :D:D:D Congrats!!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It cheered me up. Nothing like being considered part of the real world. :-)

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Congratulations, my clever friend!
You definitely made me curious about the fantasy books!:-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Here's her wiki page (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan_Whalen_Turner#The_Queen.27s_Thief); the books are the Queen's Thief ones. The fourth one is out this month. They're very well written, intelligent, witty, and tell interesting stories in different ways and POVs for each book.

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Thank youm I am already interested!:-)

[kalinda001.livejournal.com]

Congratulations. Sounds like an interesting series.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

It is! So far this book isn't as twisty, but I'm not yet halfway through. :-)

[luinielle.livejournal.com]

Congratulations! :o)
I remember you recommending that series to me and I have the first book on one of my wish lists for the next time I do a book order. I'm looking forward to reading it. :o)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed the first book, but it was the second one that really hooked me. :-) I hope you like them too.

[emerald-happy.livejournal.com]

You should take part in this contest http://community.livejournal.com/sounis/342325.html

You could do some cool artwork!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I saw that! Flags are very simple usually, for instant recognition. I assume they'd be combining three somehow, but I didn't have any ideas. I'll think about it. Heh, two hands and a hook clasping? Nah.

I really must create a proper MWT icon. I think I have a cool Greek one somewhere.