Please Join Me!!!

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        Shades of Atlantis

   by Carol Oates

We've talked about this book before, and it sparked a lot of interest with you guys! I can now happily say I've checked it off the list as 'READ AND LOVED!!!!' I was going to do a review of the book, but then I realized that some of you have already ordered the book or were planning on doing so and I thought maybe a discussion post with friends [read as: you, silly!] who have read this book or would like to read this book would be more fun.

It took me a while to tear myself away from Twilight and fanfictionland to get my head into a book, but Shades of Atlantis was totally worth it!

I know that for most of you, your hearts still are filled with Edward and Bella (whether original Twilight or not). And I'm here to say that it is time to expand our worlds of magic and fantasy. We can love it all! Harry Potter, Twilight, and now Atlantis!

Also, everyone should know that Carol, the author, started writing this book a good 10 years ago--so that would be prior to Twilight, yet you will find many similarities to the Saga, which isn't necessarily a bad thing [it's an intense thing. <--bwahahahah Renee quote FTW] UNLESS you are going to dwell on the similarities. I did not. I celebrated them and reassured myself that I could love and respect this book's plot and characters independent of other books I have read with due credit to the authors. This book is young adult fiction and has a very supernatural element but no vampires or werewolves. (YES! No dogs!)  It has strong tones of destiny and magic tied into an underlying mystery.  

Not convinced?

 Here are 6 more reasons you might enjoy this book!

1. For the history buffs, (coughIknowwhoyouarecough) this story has ties to Merlin, Arthur, and the Lost City of Atlantis.

2.  Wouldn't it be nice to have at least one actual book title to proudly announce when someone askes you, "So, read any good books lately?" or "What books did you read this summer?"

3.  Any questions you have at the end of reading the book can be directed straight to the book's author!! Carol has agreed to answer your questions! I mean that in itself is almost a chance of a lifetime, right? Because seriously, what if this world of hers becomes the next Twilight-ish franchise?

4.  This is a 2-Beach-Day book, meaning it is short. You can read through it in 2 to 3 days, barely causing a ripple in your blogging or FF reading!

5.  True page turner!!! It will be the first thing you reach for in the morning to read and the last thing you put down at night. This is the first book I read like it was crack to me since Twilight.

6.  Teachers!!! We have a few. If you like this book, then it may be something you want to introduce to your students to keep them reading.

The one thing I realized while reading this book that I know is carryover from Twilight is that it was harder to picture these characters in my head. And I've read so much fanfiction that it was too easy to let the actors and actresses I'm so familiar with to slip into the roles of 'the friends' etc. So for those of you that want to avoid that, I am going to work with Carol about coming up with suggestions of actors/actresses that could fit into the main roles. But if that isn't a problem for you, and your mind can be a complete blank slate to be filled as you see fit, then I will make only one suggestion.

The story is set in Maine, in the beginning then London, but Maine is where the main character, Triona, resides with her family living a quiet life until a 'devilishly handsome' stranger moves into town to help his brothers run a local restaurant. Outside the restaurant, he is described as casually dressed in sweater and jeans.

I'll just throw this picture out there and you can decide for yourself if it speaks to the possibility of a 'handsome restaurant owner in Maine.'

Works for me!!!

(Maine is known for catching and selling lobster for dinners in case you didn't realize.)

Here's what may be the tricky part...sorry guys, but you'll have to buy this book.

Order your print or ebook copies here: 

Omnific Publishing or through Amazon 

or

Nook book via Barnes&Noble

I truly was caught up and swept away into a whole other world that I enjoyed so much when I read the book, and I would love for any and all of you to read the book and then join in when I talk about it on an upcoming post. If you have not read it, then the upcoming post will be filled with spoilers!!!! I had a lot of questions at the end of the book too, which Carol answered for me. The most important answer she gave me was that there would be a sequel! YES!!! Make room Edward/Bella because my world now includes Caleb/Triona!

For more info about the story and where to buy the books see Carol's blog here.

As always, I hope you'll join me!

And here's a little anecdote about my first summer reading assignment in high school.

I distinctly remember the first book I had to ever read for summer reading. Was it because I loved the book? Uhhh, no. I took it to work with me sometimes and tried reading it during my dinner break at my summer job when I worked evenings because there were less people around in the evenings to go on break with. Still there was usually someone around during break time so I barely ever pulled the book out of my purse. And as luck would have it, there was one slow evening when I was sitting alone on a bench during break and decided to open the book and start it and wouldn't you know that Forever Crush came walking by and stopped to talk to me. Nothing like your summer reading assignment making you look like a total f*ckin' nerd in front of the guy you have the hots for! Damn you 'Sister Carrie' and my teacher that assigned the summer reading! So not cool! But thankfully, now I think having a fun summer reading list is cool.

Do you have one?

What else is on yours?