wineandya-blog

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) Dir. Rian Johnson

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Emika Chen in the ‘Warcross’ Trailer

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     “I am not afraid of you,” I said quietly.      “Oh?” The Goblin King lifted his head. “I am the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground,” he said, mismatched eyes glinting. “I am wildness and madness made flesh. You’re just a girl”—he smiled, and the tips of his teeth were sharp—“and I am the wolf in the woods.”      Just a girl. Just a maiden. But I wasn’t just a girl; I was the Goblin Queen. I was his Goblin Queen, and I wasn’t afraid of the wolf, that untamable wildness that could tear me limb from limb and bathe itself in my blood.      I walked toward the klavier and sat down on the bench beside him. The Goblin King’s eyes flashed with surprise, pleasure, and not a little wariness.      “I may be just a maiden, mein Herr,” I whispered. “But I am a brave maiden.”

―  S. Jae-Jones, Wintersong

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Our (p)review of Shadowsong

Coming soon on the podcast: we’ll be discussing both Wintersong AND Shadowong by S. Jae-Jones. Get reading so you can join on the fun once we record this episode, kiddos! 

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Before I start our Wine & YA (p)review of Shadowsong, I just want to give a big thank you to Macmillan/Wednesday Books sending us an e-galley for the chance to read early!

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It should come as no surprise to anyone who has listened to the podcast that Wintersong was one of my absolute favorite books of 2017.

It should be even less surprising that Labyrinth was incredibly formative for my fictional tastes in my youth. I mean, hot evil David Bowie simultaneously trying to seduce and/or murder our impressionable young heroine? Obviously, you can sign me the fuck up.

Now, how S. Jae-Jones and Macmillan managed to legally get away with a retelling of movie decidedly not in public domain is beyond me, but I am certainly not complaining. Jones’ VERY loose retelling was an absolute triumph. It was lush and dark, busting with both pathos and raw emotion. Not to mention, it was mind-blowingly erotic for a young adult novel. (To be clear, that is most definitely a compliment)

After the stunning and emotional gut-punch that was Wintersong, I waited for Shadowsong with a mix of excitement and trepidation. As much as I wanted more from these characters and the world created by S. Jae-Jones, I really did feel like Wintersong had a perfectly bittersweet ending benefiting the nuanced story being told.

After reading Shadowsong, I’m still not entirely convinced it was a necessary sequel but, god, am I happy it exists. It seems like Jae-Jones deliberately made every possible choice to ensure this would be a hard book to both write and read. It’s a book written for the broken and the searching--for people falling apart and people pulling themselves back together.

This book was a risk, a huge one. The sweeping, haunting romance of the first? Put on the back-burner. Instead, Shadowsong luxuriates in a character study and meditation on mental illness. Jae-Jones pushes her characters past the point of comfort. She forces them--and us--to confront the darkest, most difficult corners of their souls.

I would have appreciated a bit more plot and a MUCH heavier dose of romance, so I don’t think I will evangelize Shadowsong the way I do its predecessor. But at the same time, I can’t help to applaud the author for the gamble she’s taken.

This raging, silent scream of a book was nothing at all what I expected, and for that alone I’m grateful. I want YA that challenges expectations, that challenges its characters, and more than anything else, I want YA that challenges its readers.

So, despite the flaws I may find in this book, I still can't wait to see what else S. Jae-Jones has up her sleeve.

- Emily

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Do you like Sarah J Maas books? Drinking? Talking about the former while doing the latter? You do? Great! I have the perfect podcast for you. We’re a digital, boozy book club to read (and drink) along with. Take a second to listen to our newest episode of Wine and YA! We bring back our favorite guests to discuss the epic A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas. 

Grab a glass, settle in, and listen along as we wax poetically about the glory that is Rhysand (among other, less important, things)

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Currently reading A Court of Mist and Fury

Only on like page 150, but hear me out, I’m thinking Tamlin may be a Trump supporter…

- Doesn’t want to give poor people “handouts” - Super enthusiastic about a southern border wall - Suspicious of foreigners

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When reading books at night

Me: Just one more chapter I swear.

Me: *ends up finishing book*

Me: *checks time and it's 4am*

*Oops I Did it Again plays in the distance*

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“There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that’s a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It’s damaged but it’s there. Don’t let them take it from you.”  ― Sabaa Tahir, An Ember in the Ashes

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Shatter me: A summary

Juliette: Tries to kill Warner repeatedly.

Warner: She wants me.

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Join us and drink along with our boozy book club in our newest podcast, where we discuss the first two books of the Worldwalker Trilogy by Josephine Angelini! 

Topics discussed include: overused names for love interests, theoretical physicists who love YA, and cats who have no regard for podcasting etiquette. 

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I heisted the cover of Crooked Kingdom!!! I LOVE IT <3 @lbardugo

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In love with all of Sarah J. Maas’s books! ❤️ Featuring the lovely mug from @bookwormboutique1 💕

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Illustrated YA Quotes: 4/12

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ya lit meme [5/9] series/books

vampire academy by richelle mead

“Ah, my daughter,ʺ he said. ʺEighteen, and already youʹve been accused of murder, aided felons, and acquired a death count higher than most guardians will ever see.ʺ He paused. ʺI couldnʹt be prouder.”

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I’m a witch. And witches burn.

There are other ways for a witch to gather power, of course, but the pyre is the best. When I’m burning, I’m completely focused. Every micro-joule of energy is converted into power. It’s almost like I can’t waste any part of my pain. Like agony itself is another source of power. When I come to the pyre, I remember that I am alive.

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Book ladies: part one, /part two/

She gave it all, you gave her shit She coulda done, just anything Or anyone, cause she’s a goddess You never got this You put her down, you liked her hopeless To walk around, feeling unnoticed You shoulda crowned her, cause she’s a goddess You never got this

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Wine and YA Podcast: Grisha Trilogy

Emily and Christina discuss The Grisha Trilogy by @lbardugo …and attempt not to destroy their friendship over their heated Mal vs. The Darkling debate.

https://soundcloud.com/wineandya/4-grisha-trilogy

Next podcast episode will tackle Leigh Bardugo’s newest story in the Grishaverse, Six of Crows – stay tuned and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes for the latest episodes!