Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Emerald Atlas + Giveaway

 
***  Released Today!!  ***

The Emerald Atlas
by John Stephens


Goodreads Blurb:
Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.
Until now.
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem.  And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.
The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.

When my ARC arrived, my 8th grader gasped and then stole it. He said he'd heard about it from his librarian (who knows EVERYTHING about his favorite book tastes) and couldn't believe we had a copy right there on the counter. He was so cute and excited that I let him read it first. He loved it! Then he nagged me to read it immediately. I loved it, too.

This book has everything fantasy fans love: great characters (humans, dwarves, creatures, wizards...) adventure, humor, battles, and loads upon loads of suspense. It's the first in a series, so be prepared to wait for book two. The writing is excellent, the pacing is excellent, it's ALL excellent. I promise. This is the perfect middle/upper middle grade fantasy!!


*** AND ***


Because I loved it so much and know you will too, I am going to give away my ARC to one lucky blog follower. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post by Friday (+2 old followers, +1 new followers).

Extra Entries:

+2 for FB or Twitter
+2 for sidebar
+5 blog post


That's it. Now, go add this to your MUST READ list!!


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42 comments:

  1. S.A. LarsenッApril 5, 2011 at 4:23 AM

    Ooh, the peril!! Sounds really good. Thanks for sharing.

    I've Facebook you and Tweeted: @SherWordsGirl

    ReplyDelete
  2. Natalie AguirreApril 5, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    I got an ARC too and really enjoyed it. I gave mine away on Shannon Messenger's blog. You can give it to someone who hasn't read it. Great contest.

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  3. Lenny LeeApril 5, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    hi miss shannon! wow that book sound like one i could wanna read for sure. im putting it on my wanna read list but crossing my figers im gonna win it. :)
    ...hugs from lenny

    ReplyDelete
  4. YiotaApril 5, 2011 at 6:13 AM

    Now you made my day! Thanks so much! I can't wait to read this book!

    +2 Old Follower

    +2 Twitter: http://twitter.com/Little_Y/status/55241259777929216

    +2 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/CaptainBarbossa/posts/10150144066758434

    Total: 6
    Thanks!
    giota22@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Old KittyApril 5, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Sounds like such a brilliant read!! I can so understand that sweet 8 year old grabbing this for himself!! Yay for the librarian too! :-)

    Take care
    x

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  6. John SankovichApril 5, 2011 at 8:05 AM

    Sounds like an interesting book. I'm in.

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  7. PattiApril 5, 2011 at 8:30 AM

    You know you have a great book if the kids devour it.

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  8. ShariApril 5, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Sounds like a great read. I tweeted @singlikabird. And I'm an old follower (please don't over-emphasize the old).

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  9. anthony stemkeApril 5, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Good Read, Congratulations and Thank You.

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  10. HeatherApril 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    I love your 8th grader's enthusiasm for books! Now that, is inspiring! This sounds like a must read. I'm putting it on my list.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Catherine DentonApril 5, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    I love your book recommendations so I'm adding this to my list now! And to my sidebar. I'm an old follower--oh, I don't like the sound of that! hee-hee
    My Blog

    ReplyDelete
  12. Robyn CampbellApril 5, 2011 at 10:17 AM

    I'm old follower (well, not old, yanno?) Let me rephrase that. I'm a young, very young, old follower. Hmmm

    I facebooked, I sang like a birdie on twitter, going to sidebar and blog about it after lunch. I'z hungry. You need linkage, bff??

    ReplyDelete
  13. CandiceApril 5, 2011 at 10:20 AM

    I would love to win a copy of this!! And I'm an old follower, plus, I'm Tweeting it. 4 points for me!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sharon K. MayhewApril 5, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    Wow...You guys had such a strong reaction to it. That's awesome! I'm an old follower. +2 Thanks for prying it out of your kiddo's hands and giving it away. (wink)

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  15. Creepy Query GirlApril 5, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    awe- so cute that he wanted to read it right away. It sounds awesome!

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  16. RoxyApril 5, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    This book sounds great! I also like that your son enjoys reading and has a librarian he respects. Love librarians!

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  17. Jenni JamesApril 5, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    I have an 8th grader boy too... hmm.. I think I'll have to check this book out!

    Great contest.
    Jenni

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  18. BethApril 5, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    I'm an old follower, as unflattering as that sounds! And I'd love to win.

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  19. Tamika:April 5, 2011 at 1:30 PM

    Scribbled this on my TBR list! Sounds like a great story premise.

    ReplyDelete
  20. MyneApril 5, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    The blurbs reads like it could be a great book, but maybe not for me. All the best.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnonymousApril 5, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Sounds like a great book!

    +2 - old follower
    +2 - Facebook post
    +2 - Twitter post
    +2 - sidebar
    +5 - blog post
    -------------------
    +13 - Total

    ReplyDelete
  22. Melissa GillApril 5, 2011 at 2:12 PM

    Oh that sounds so good. Nothing I love more than a great MG fantasy. It's a must read for me.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Theresa MilsteinApril 5, 2011 at 2:17 PM

    + 2 Old Follower
    + 2 Sidebar
    + 2 Facebook link.

    = 6

    I'm so winning this!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 5, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Hi Shannon ..

    19 - Neolithic follower?!

    Sounds such a good book - lucky person who wins it .. I can feel a Harry Potter type rush here ..

    Cheers to all entries .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  25. AngelaApril 5, 2011 at 2:27 PM

    Oooh, I want, I want. See me raising my hand.

    I'm an old follower and I'll put this on my sidebar.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anne PayneApril 5, 2011 at 3:01 PM

    I have an 8th grader who would love to read this, too!

    +1 - I'm a new follower
    +5 - I posted on my blog
    +2 - FB

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

    http://duhpaynes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Jennifer ShirkApril 5, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    Oooh sounds cute! I'm going to Tweet it now!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Donea LeeApril 5, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    This sounds like a great book! Please count me in ~ :)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Jennie EnglundApril 5, 2011 at 3:28 PM

    OOOoooeee!

    *wiggles fingers*

    Who DOESN'T love anything with "emerald" in it???

    (Count me out of the contest, though. I won my Lifetime Shannon Prize, and would like to give someone else a chance.)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Jemi FraserApril 5, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    I think I as excited about that librarian (who totally rocks!!) as I am about this new release! Can't wait to get a copy!

    I'm off to tweet! :)

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  31. Joylene Nowell ButlerApril 5, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    Wonderful blog, Shannon!

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  32. AnonymousApril 5, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    Old follower and I tweeted (er, excuse me:P) So, 4 entries.

    Thanks-this sounds wonderful!

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  33. UnknownApril 5, 2011 at 6:18 PM

    Oh I want this book! I'm a follower, here & FB!

    Angela

    ReplyDelete
  34. Robyn CampbellApril 5, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    I posted the sidebar and blog post. Better late than never ever. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  35. Robyn CampbellApril 5, 2011 at 6:39 PM

    Hey, I didn't know we were supposed to count our entries. Do I havta?? I'z needs to go back to bed. :(

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousApril 5, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Hi Shannon. I read about your blog on fb from Robyn Campbell. I also have a degree in English/Children's Literature and taught for a few years before settling into my current position as a preschool teacher for the Head Start program. I would love to win that book.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousApril 5, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Ok. I'm going to try this again...Hi Shannon. I read about your blog on fb from Robyn Campbell. I also have a degree in English/Children's Literature and taught for a few years before settling into my current position as a preschool teacher for the Head Start program. I would love to win that book.

    ReplyDelete
  38. ali crossApril 5, 2011 at 9:12 PM

    This looks fantastic! And you are so generous ~ I'd love to win!

    I've got +1 for commenting, +2 for Tweeting (and FBing ~ http://twitter.com/ali_cross/statuses/55467526682972160) for a total of THREE entries. Thanks Shannon!

    ReplyDelete
  39. The Blogger GirlzApril 6, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    My students wouldn't forgive me if I didn't enter.

    +2 for Twitter
    http://twitter.com/thebloggergirlz/status/55853147113013248

    +2 for a sidebar
    http://thebloggergirlz.blogspot.com/

    +2 for being a previous follower

    Thanks Shannon
    - Aaron

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownApril 7, 2011 at 7:28 AM

    Hi Shannon,

    You have a wonderful blog.
    I shared your site on facebook and will tweet as well.

    Thanks for the follow.

    -Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousApril 7, 2011 at 12:57 PM

    Would love to win.Thanks!

    A gfc follower.

    ReplyDelete
  42. bfavApril 7, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    The Emerald Atlas is on my TBR pile. fingers crossed.

    ReplyDelete

Go ahead...make my day! Leave a comment. :)