Friday, March 8, 2013

Feature and Follow Friday #139

Alison Can Read Feature & Follow

 This weeks question:

Q: What is a book you didn't like that all your friends raved about or what book did you love that wasn't popular?

 What book didn't I like that everyone was raving about?



There was so much love for that book, it was even on NPR's list of 100 books for Young Adults last year... so I read it, and from the reviews, I expected great things, and what I ended up with was a boat load of disappointment.

I'm not saying there weren't aspects of that book I enjoyed. I think Ms. Blake did a truly excellent job writing up the horror scenes. They were vividly described and managed to etch their haunting imagery in my mind for hours, days and weeks after I'd read the book.

Unfortunately, that's where my enjoyment ended. There were situations that were just *too* convenient for me to be able to enjoy this story (feel free to check out the link to my review above), and the main character was really kind of an a-hole... but not the endearing kind.

 What book did I love that wasn't that popular?


 The Edge Chronicles by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell

This one is simple. It's a series by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell called The Edge Chronicles. This is probably one of the most twisted, wicked Middle Grade series I've ever read. The illustrations are gruesome and beautiful, the writing is engaging and vivid, and the world created is full of history and depth. I've read 1-9 of this series, which follow three different characters. I plan on going back and rereading all 9 of the first books before I attempt the last one, which is supposed to wrap up the stories of all three main characters.
Now, admittedly, I have no idea how the initial book in this series was received, I wasn't really following book blogs back then, but I was when the last book came out, and I can honestly say I didn't see anyone mention it anywhere (I didn't even know the book HAD come out, I found it by happy accident in the book store). Now, maybe I was just following the wrong blogs, but in my opinion, this series is shamefully under-sung, and deserves much more hype than I've ever seen it get.
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77 comments:

  1. AlishiaMarch 8, 2013 at 9:38 AM

    I have Anna Dressed in Blood, but I haven't read it yet. I have so may books to read.

    New follower.

    Here's my Feature and Follow

    ReplyDelete
  2. RuthBMarch 8, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    I heard about Anna but is the first time that I see The Egde Chronicales :)
    It sounds like a great series!!!

    Old follower
    Ruty@MYFF

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria @ bookchillaMarch 8, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    the only thing i didn't liked is the romance, it felt forced. but the horror part was cool :)

    New GFC follower here.
    my FF

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 8, 2013 at 11:23 AM

      I completely agree! LOL, I said that exact thing in my review... I did like the horror parts as well... she does a really good job making things very spooky.

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMarch 8, 2013 at 10:07 AM

    Hi, Im your new GFC follower via #FF
    I've not read any of them yet :\
    here is the link to My FF

    ReplyDelete
  5. The ReaddictsMarch 8, 2013 at 10:55 AM

    Oh, I loved the two Anna books! It's sad you didn't like them, but I respect your views. :) Also, The Edge Chronicles sound really nice. I'll be sure to check it out further! Great answer!

    New follower via GFC!

    Here's The Readdicts Feature & Follow Friday post.

    Happy reading!

    Sarika @ The Readdicts

    ReplyDelete
  6. AngieMarch 8, 2013 at 12:21 PM

    I didn't care much for Anna either. It found both books to be on the boring side.

    I hadn't heard of The Edge Chronicles, but they do sound interesting! :D

    Here's Mine @ Pinkindle Reads & Reviews

    ReplyDelete
  7. Alison Can ReadMarch 8, 2013 at 12:37 PM

    Hopping through. I've never heard of the Edge Chronicles. What age would you say they're for. You said YA but they look like kid covers.
    My Hop

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 8, 2013 at 1:27 PM

      Admittedly, they're probably more Middle Grade than Young Adult... but they're the darkest Middle Grade I've ever read. I'm not sure how well some younger kids would take them.

      Delete
  8. Jessica @ a GREAT readMarch 8, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    I admit to enjoying Anna! Thought it was a good story and had a good creepy factor! But we all have different tastes and that's the fun of blogging, to get as many different takes on books!

    Here's my Follow Friday

    Have a GREAT weekend!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 8, 2013 at 8:05 PM

      Ahh, but see, the creepy factor is the part I really like about it. XD The part I really didn't like the most can be summed up in one word: attic

      Delete
  9. AnonymousMarch 8, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Oh yeah, I totally agree with you about Anna Dressed in Blood. I LOVE ghost stories, so it wouldn't have taken much for me to love Anna Dressed in Blood. I didn't like Cassio (also, his name is ridiculous!). He was kind of catty with some of the things he though of his friend. I actually never finished the book. Totally disappointed. I do love the cover, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 12:03 PM

      HAH! If you never finished it, you probably missed the part of the book that bothered me the most. Seriously convenient plot.

      Delete
  10. Bookworm BrandeeMarch 8, 2013 at 9:23 PM

    Aww, I have Anna on my TBR shelf. :( I will let you know what I think once I read it. Thanks for following my blog. I'm following you back. Enjoy your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 12:01 PM

      A lot of people really loved this book... I guess they just don't see... or can overlook the bits of the book that really bother me... which is cool. It's probably even easier to do if you aren't a fan of the horror genre.

      The horror scenes in the book are really well executed and very chilling! So that part of the book is quite a lot of fun.

      Delete
  11. UnknownMarch 8, 2013 at 9:52 PM

    I've been wanting to read Anna for quite some time, but never got around to it.

    New GFC Follower

    My FF

    Jessica@Lovin' Los Libros

    ReplyDelete
  12. AlyssaMarch 8, 2013 at 10:09 PM

    I have never read those books! So I can't relate - but I probably won't read them.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! I've followed back via GFC :)

    Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

    ReplyDelete
  13. UnknownMarch 8, 2013 at 10:12 PM

    Only recently ago I heard about this book! It sounds kind of intriguing so I would like to give it a try ;) Cute blog btw!! :)

    Thanks for sharing and I am now also following you :)

    Florentine @ Readiculously Peachy

    ReplyDelete
  14. Reese's ReviewsMarch 8, 2013 at 10:27 PM

    I haven't read either of those so I feel like I'm missing out with those.

    So true we all have different taste and I think where some love a book, some just...fall short.

    Thank you so much for stopping by today and following.

    Old follower!

    Reese's Reese's Reviews MA2F

    ReplyDelete
  15. JezzebellJCMarch 8, 2013 at 10:48 PM

    You may be right on un-sung...I haven't heard of The Edge Chronicles. I will look into it though. Thank you very much for stopping by my FF. GFC Follower :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven

    ReplyDelete
  16. SayyedMarch 8, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    Thanks for following Imagine a World!
    New follower via GFC :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownMarch 8, 2013 at 11:52 PM

    I haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood, but the cover is so attractive I know I'll check it out right away. I've never heard of The Edge Chronicles. Thanks for stopping by my FF. I'm following you back via GFC.

    Kaykay @ The Creative Forum
    Happy Reading! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:57 AM

      Anna does have a beautiful cover, and the text is in a dried blood color, which I found very amusing :)

      Delete
  18. LisaILJMarch 9, 2013 at 12:02 AM

    I haven't read the Anna books, but I'm sorry you didn't like it, and honestly I have never even heard of the other books. They look interesting though. Thanks for visiting my FF.

    LisaILJ @ I’ll Tumble for YA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:58 AM

      Well, it seems I'm really in the minority here... so I'd still say to read it if you're interested!

      Delete
  19. JessiMarch 9, 2013 at 12:03 AM

    I still remember many of the scenes from Anna Dressed in Blood that book sticks with you! Though I don't remember much else about it. Hmmmm. Probably telling.

    I love the idea of the Edge Chronicles and I'll definitely check them out!

    Thanks for stopping by and following via GFC and Twitter!
    Otherwhere.co

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:56 AM

      The horror scenes were absolutely the best part.

      Delete
  20. Michael @ The Bookshelf ReviewMarch 9, 2013 at 12:26 AM

    I have Anna Dressed in Blood on my shelf. I will have to see if I will love it or not. Also I have never heard of The Edge Chronicles. They look interesting, I will have to check it out. Old GFC Follower, New Twitter follower. Thanks for sharing and visiting my FF.

    ReplyDelete
  21. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 12:47 AM

    I haven't Anna Dressed in Blood yet.

    New GFC Follower: kassandralopez32

    Thanks for following http://pinkyjustlisten.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. MonicaMarch 9, 2013 at 12:49 AM

    Never heard of The Edge Chronicles must look into it.
    Thanks for following.
    Now following via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 12:58 AM

    Thanks for stopping by and following me! I haven't read either of those so I love getting your opinion and insight. I love the Octopuses you use for your rating, so cute and unique.

    Chelsea @ Starbucks & Books Obsession

    ReplyDelete
  24. LizzyMarch 9, 2013 at 2:01 AM

    Anna Dressed in Blood was good, but as a horror lover it didn't WOW me. Everyone around me said it was the best YA horror novel...well, they must not read much horror, LOL.

    Thanks for stopping by my FF. I'm a new GFC follower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:55 AM

      Agreed.

      I think the horror description parts were well done... but the end of this book really murdered my ability to enjoy it.

      Delete
  25. NovelReveriesMarch 9, 2013 at 2:16 AM

    I haven't read any of these books, although I do recall hearing good things about Anna Dressed in Blood and may have added to my tbr list, I'll have to check. That's the beauty of the variety of life, everyone likes different things! I'll have to look up The Edge Chronicles, I've never heard of those :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:55 AM

      Oh, I'd still say to read it, especially if you aren't familiar with the horror genre. You might really enjoy it.

      Delete
  26. LizzyMarch 9, 2013 at 2:18 AM

    (Grr, Blogger lost my first post)

    Anna Dressed in Blood was a good horror story for those that don't read horror. As a horror fanatic, I felt like the horror wasn't consistent through the whole novel and it disappointed me. I wanted more. I knew that from some of the scenes that the author COULD have written a non-stop creepy tale from start to finish. But she didn't, and that made me sad. :(

    Thanks for stopping by my FF. I'm a new follower.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:54 AM

      SPOILERS:

      YES! And when she *DID* write the horror scenes, they were great!

      Yeah, I'm familiar with the horror genre too, and this book just didn't do it for me. The "big bad" at the end seemed really thrown in last minute, not to mention his hiding spot killed pretty much the whole book for me (really... "must be rats/squirrels"? You've got to be kidding me)

      Delete
  27. Zeee @ I Heart RomanceMarch 9, 2013 at 3:16 AM

    I haven't read that book and haven't heard about it simply because the genre just doesn't interest me. I do have a few books that I like that are not that popular. :)

    Thanks for stopping by my blog.
    Followed back via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousMarch 9, 2013 at 3:18 AM

    Thanks for stopping by and following my blog!
    Now following you via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 3:28 AM

    Hey!
    New GFC follower. I have not read either of those books. Maybe I will add The Edge Chronicles to my growing list of books to read. Thanks for connecting with me.

    ReplyDelete
  30. JohannaMarch 9, 2013 at 3:50 AM

    Thanks for visiting. I'm following back via GFC!

    Well, I haven't read Anna Dressed in Blood yet but it doesn't sound soooo intriguing that I would have picked it up any time soon. ;)
    But I'll definitely check the Edge Chronicles out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:50 AM

      Well... Anna didn't impress me, but I know it was a favorite of a lot of people last year... so I'd still say to check it out if you're interested in the Horror/Supernatural genre... you might find you like it much better than I did.

      Delete
  31. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 7:33 AM

    Hi,
    I haven't heard of either of these. Thanks for stopping by and the follow.
    New follower GFC and Twiter.
    Jess@FueledbyFiction

    ReplyDelete
  32. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 7:55 AM

    I was actually thinking of reading Anna. Not really sure now. But I've never heard of the Edge Chronicles, ceratainly gonna check them out!!

    Thanks for dropping by my FF. Following back!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:48 AM

      I'd say read Anna... a lot of people really loved it... and I guess aren't as bothered by the things that really bothered me. :) Plus, the creepy scenes are quite creepy :)

      Delete
  33. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    Thanks for visiting. I'm following back via email.
    Tammy/The Self-Taught Cook

    ReplyDelete
  34. EmsMarch 9, 2013 at 10:43 AM

    I'm one of the one who really loved Anna, but I can totally see where others might not have. I've never heard of the other series, but I'm going to check them out!

    Thanks for stopping by & following - new follower here!

    Ems

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Nothing wrong with loving Anna!! The horror scenes were really wonderfully creepy :)

      Delete
  35. NyxMarch 9, 2013 at 10:58 AM

    I really liked Anna, but I agree with you the main character did rub me the wrong a couple of times throughout the book and the conveniences were there as well, probably why I gave it 4 instead of the 5 stars, but still enjoyed it quite a bit.

    Thanks for stopping by and following - following back :)

    - Nyx @ Unraveling Words

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:47 AM

      Yeah, it was all just too much for me to truly enjoy the book.

      Nothing kills a story for me faster than when, about a quarter of the way through a book, I can call the ending based on actions that seem both stupid and uncharacteristic for the characters.

      Delete
  36. Bob/SallyMarch 9, 2013 at 1:34 PM

    Thanks for stopping by - happy to return the visit and the follow.

    Bob @ Beauty in Ruins

    ReplyDelete
  37. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    I've got Anna Dressed in Blood on my TBR but not sure when I'm actually going to get to it. I've not heard of The Edge Chronciles, but I'll have to check them out. Thanks for stopping by this week! Old follower :)
    Traci @ Mad Hatter Reads

    ReplyDelete
  38. UnknownMarch 9, 2013 at 1:39 PM

    Thanks for visiting my blog! I just won Anna this week, and I'm excited to read it. Hoping I have a better experience than you had with it. I haven't heard of The Edge Chronicles, but they sound awesome.

    Stephanie (Go Flash Go) @ Read, Rinse, Repeat
    Here's my F&F

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:44 AM

      I'm sure you will! A lot of people really love Anna, and the horror scenes *are* really well done. Very chilling. :)

      Delete
  39. Angela's Anxious LifeMarch 9, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    The Edge Chronicles looks good. I hadn't heard about them till now... I am excited to check them out. I love when a book is wicked!!

    Angie

    ReplyDelete
  40. Goldie @ My Book MusingsMarch 10, 2013 at 4:44 AM

    I know about the Edge Chronicles because I have sold some of the books in the series, but I actually never read it! But you're right, it is not very popular; you're actually the first person I heard who likes it!

    Thanks for dropping by, followed back via GFC :)

    Goldie @ My Book Musings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:43 AM

      Have you heard people saying they don't like it?

      It wouldn't shock me... my fiance put it down about 25% through the first book because he didn't like something that happened in it.

      Delete
  41. UnknownMarch 10, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    I haven't heard about any of these! New follower, thanks for stopping by my blog

    ReplyDelete
  42. UnknownMarch 10, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    Thanks for following and stopping by my blog! I returned the favor. I was hoping to read Anna, but now I am reconsidering!

    Heather @ Owlnestly Reviews

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:43 AM

      Oh, I'd still read it. A lot of people really loved it. I'm in the minority here... so you might truly enjoy it. :)

      Delete
  43. KristaMarch 10, 2013 at 11:02 PM

    Thanks so much for stopping by:) I have not yet read Anna dressed in blood but I have an ARC for the 2nd book so hopefully that one is better:) Old Follower
    Krista@KristaReads

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    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:42 AM

      I'm not sure I'd read book 2 before book 1!

      I still say "Read book 1" It wasn't for me, but it *was* for quite a lot of people, and they really seemed to love it... and the spooky scenes are AWESOMELY spooky.

      Delete
  44. Reading Mind / The Loyal Book March 11, 2013 at 7:56 AM

    Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I actually enjoyed Anna dressed in blood, but I agree, expectations can lead to disappointment

    New follower

    Lucia @The Loyal Book

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 9:00 AM

      Especially when a story has a really convenient plot. Seriously... you can't sit there and tell me that the whole attic thing wasn't just terribly convenient. After everything that had happened to him and especially his mother, and the cat being weird... it was just really lame.

      Delete
  45. UnknownMarch 11, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    I really really liked Anna but sometimes when something is so hyped up I find myself being more critical of it. I tend to wait a long time before reading books that everyone loved right away.

    Not to say this is what happened to you. I can see how many people would not like Anna at all, or Cas for that matter. Endearing A-hole?? That's funny. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 11:39 AM

      Spoilers ahead:

      I'm going to be honest... I could get past Cas's personality if it weren't for plot elements like the attic. You might say, "Oh, that's kind of a spoiler"... but anyone who couldn't see that coming a mile away... I don't know... must not be familiar with poorly written horror movies or horror movie cliches? And really... after all that description of how careful they are after what happened to his Mother... that makes absolutely zero sense.

      It's not that I was more critical of this book because it was hyped... I've read super hyped books before and loved them... it's that there is just this glaring, terrible plot point that, given the character's pasts... I can't believe even happened in this book... and it just rips me right out of the story. I am always going to be critical of storylines that feel too convenient. I think that, combined with other aspects of the book, really just killed it for me.
      Plus, why did the one member of their family who *wasn't* an idiot have to pay for it with his life?
      And I'm not talking about Cas's father.

      Like I said, I think the horror scenes in the book are just beautiful... I wish there were more of them... but I've read horror before, so I wasn't enchanted merely by the spooky scenes, as good as they were.

      Granted, that's my personal opinion... obviously there are a lot of people out there who have no problem with how convenient the attic was, how shojo-esque the romance was (I still stand by the fact that this is a series, she could have slowed it down a bit... would Cas really not have cared about Anna as a friend at the end of that book? Did it have to jump head-first into a romance?) or any other number of problems I had with it.

      And that's totally cool. I'm glad they really enjoyed it, and are able to ignore the parts that drove me nuts... I absolutely would love to see more horror from Kendare Blake.

      Delete
  46. UnknownMarch 11, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    I had never seen the Edge Chronicles before :( I haven't read Anna either. Thanks for stopping by!

    ReplyDelete
  47. UnknownMarch 11, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    I have to admit I enjoyed Anna Dressed in Blood, but I do like creepy stories. Thanks for stopping by my blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HeatherMarch 11, 2013 at 4:28 PM

      Oh, I love creepy stories too... my dislike for it had nothing to do with the creepy parts of it. I really thought those were the most well done parts of the book.

      Delete
  48. UnknownMarch 12, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    I haven't read Anna yet... it's been on my shelf for over a year. I hope to get to it this year. :) We'll see how much I enjoy it.

    Thanks for stopping by my FF.

    Brandy @ A Little of the Book Life
    new follower via GFC :)

    ReplyDelete
  49. UnknownMarch 12, 2013 at 12:51 PM

    I haven't read any of those books! I was thinking about reading Anna Dressed in blood, but I probably wont now ;D
    Here is the link to my ff:
    http://soulfictionreviews.blogspot.ca/2013/03/my-first-feature-follow.html

    - Your newest follower

    ReplyDelete
  50. Adela C.March 12, 2013 at 3:38 PM

    Thanks for dropping by at VanillaMoonBlog.com

    I'm a new follower via GFC

    ReplyDelete
  51. Naomi HopMarch 12, 2013 at 7:41 PM

    I haven't read any of the books you have told us about, thanks for sharing!!

    Thanx for visiting my FF!
    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

    ReplyDelete
  52. Ankita SinghalMarch 15, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Hey I haven't liked this book either, Couldn't even finish it!!
    Thanks for visiting.
    Sorry for the late reply :)
    xx
    Ankita @ Booklok Coffee FF

    ReplyDelete
  53. MichelineMarch 18, 2013 at 12:12 PM

    Hi! New follower via GFC! I haven't read Anna but then again I don't read much horror so that's probably why >.< It definitely sucks though when you go into a book expecting to have your mind blown and you finish it feeling 'meh'

    Thanks for stopping by earlier ♥ Sorry I was late getting back!
    Micheline @ Lunar Rainbows

    ReplyDelete
  54. Jenny @ Book SojournerApril 4, 2013 at 8:45 PM

    Following you back... finally :)

    ReplyDelete

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