Cover Conversations: Revealing Crossed by Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake. Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever. - Summary from the-society.net

Ally Condie revealed the cover for the second book in her YA dystopian trilogy Matched. Crossed will be released on November 11 this year and the beautiful cover shows that Cassia will not be as subdued as she was in Matched.
Condie has confirmed the colours of the three covers will match the three pills each person must hold: Green, Blue and Red.

See my review of Matched.

Fairytales Re-imagined

From Werewolf to Forbidden Room

This two-day symposium will explore how traditional fairy tales are being reworked by visual artists, filmmakers and popular culture.

Join cultural commentators, psychologists and artists as they explore the world of fairy tales.

I went today and I'll be travelling into the city to see it again tomorrow. The symposium is being hosted by ACMI in Melbourne's Federation Square and was inspired by the recent Re-enchantment virtual documentary hosted by ABC TV.

Re-enchantment is an insight into the various interpretations, versions and motifs featured in fairytales with a focus on six of the main archetypes: Snow White, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel and Blue Beard. 

My Children's Literature tutor Dr Rebecca Anne Do Rosario will be speaking tomorrow. I'm excited to get to see her as an academic instead of as a teacher. 

Check it out here.

Today's lectures were an amazing opportunity to learn more about the common themes and motifs of Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella and how they have influenced us over the years. If you are interested in fairytale culture I encourage you to check out Re-enchantment and participate on the forums.

I intent to explore the site properly this weekend and will give a short review.

Tick Tock Tuesday

Tick Tock Tuesday is an awesome meme hosted by The Book Bell. We tell you what we've been anxious to read, and give you a tantalising glimpse into the story.

This is my first Tick Tock Tuesday blog and it was late! I've been flat out with Uni and my internship so you'll have to forgive me if I neglect RB a little. I have three books for this weeks TT Tuesday:

The White Mare by Jules Watson

AD 79 and Agricola, the ruthless governor of Roman Britain, is turning his attentions to the last unconquered territory in Britain - Alba, Scotland. Rhiann is a courageous and beautiful Scottish princess and priestess scarred by her violent past. Of noble blood, she faces what for her is the ultimate sacrifice - a forced marriage - to protect the freedom of her people. Eremon is an enigmatic Irish prince in exile, who must seek an alliance elsewhere to regain his throne. Will he prove himself to be the man who can unite the squabbling Celtic tribes against the more ominous threat of Rome? With war and chaos looming for her people, Rhiann finds herself drawn into an unexpected journey of the spirit and heart, which will reveal the true purpose of her life. THE WHITE MARE is the first novel in the Dalriada Trilogy and marks the arrival of an outstanding new talent in historical fiction. In the grand tradition of the historical epic, it is a tale of heroic deeds, of kinship and kingship, and the struggle for power, honour, freedom, and love.

The Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George

A tale of twelve princesses doomed to dance until dawn…   Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. Captivating from start to finish, Jessica Day George’s take on the Grimms’ tale The Twelve Dancing Princesses demonstrates yet again her mastery at spinning something entirely fresh out of a story you thought you knew.