Shelf Candy Saturday No. 226: Crown of Ice, by Vicki L. Weavil

Welcome to Shelf Candy Saturday!

This is my weekly feature

showcasing beautiful covers!

It also provides information, 
if available, on their 
very talented creators!

Here's my choice for this week!

Crown of Ice
(The Mirror of Immortality, Book 1)
Vicki L. Weavil
Trade Paperback, 216 pages
Snowy Wings Publishing, 2nd ecition
April 30, 2017
   Fairy Tale Retellings, Fantasy,Romance,
Young Adult Fiction

My Thoughts About This Cover

This exquisite cover is as beautifully detailed as a fine piece of jewelry, or perhaps an ornate tapestry. At first glance, I thought the predominant color was blue, but, on closer inspection, I noticed that it was really green. There are several shades of the color all over the cover.

There is an ethereal, magical quality to this cover that is perfect for this novel, which is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's famous story, "The Snow Queen". And it's obviously the Queen herself who is portrayed here. She is pensive, perhaps pondering a dilemma or decision. A wolf off to the side is staring at her. They are surrounded by an icy, magical landscape.

I love the star-like glow around the Queen's head and shoulders. It is, I think, the glow of magical power, although it also seems to emanate from the hills in the distance. I love her simple, flowing dress, her long blonde hair that cascades over her back in twisting strands. I also love the fact that the whole scene is framed, as if in a mirror, which also fits in with the novel's theme. The frame reminds me of similar Renaissance designs I've seen in Art History books.

The font used for the title, subtitle, and author's name is a classic one, although it has been slightly altered. One very nice touch is that part of the letter "W" wraps over the "O", effectively forming a crown.

When I opened the Amazon preview for this book, the cover designer was listed as "Deranged Doctor Design". This is a group of cover artists who create covers for self-published authors. I was unable to find out which one of them was responsible for the STUNNING cover above, though. Perhaps all of their covers are created through collaboration. They do have a page on their website titled "DDD Team", and their names are listed there. However, only their first names, or nicknames, are listed, with very scant biographical information about each artist. The main ones seem to be Milo, Marushka, and "Kitten". There are samples of covers they have individually created. The cover above is not shown on this page, although it is included on their Portfolio page, under the category of "Young Adult Fantasy". Still, there's no individual attribution.

Whatever the case may be, the fact is that these artists are just BRILLIANT! A look at their portfolio will make that very clear! I'm bookmarking their website!

Online Links
Deranged Doctor Design Website

Book Cover Design Portfolio
DDD Team

What do you think of 
this week's cover?
Please leave a comment
and let me know!

Book Blogger Hop #1 (7/1 - 7/7)

 

 

This is my first time participating in this blog hop!

It's hosted by Jennifer at Crazy for Books,

and runs every week, from Friday to Monday.

Be sure to check out her blog for

the hop participation rules!

This week’s question comes from Elena,

who blogs at Books and Reviews!

Be sure to visit her blog and tell her thank you!

"When did you realize reading was your passion

and a truly important part of your life?"

This is a truly fascinating question!  I really can't remember a time that reading was not a passion for me, as well as a very, very important part of my life.  I think I was born with a profound love of books! 

I do recall that one of my favorite childhood stories, which I read over and over in a children's book, was "El Mago Silbador" ("The Whistling Magician").  Mom says that I told her the whole story from memory one day!  I don't know how old I was at the time.  Maybe four or five. 

Another little anecdote Mom has told me is that she didn't need anything other than a Reader's Digest magazine to keep me quiet, back when I was two!  She'd put me in a playpen in the living room, with the magazine sitting next to me.  Then she'd watch me as I carefully opened the magazine, and just as carefully turned the pages, scrutinizing each one minutely.  I'd spend at least an hour in this activity, after which I would fall asleep, the magazine at my side. 

I also remember having lots and lots of comic books as a child.  My favorites were Superman and Mighty Mouse.  I preferred them to dolls!

Then there were the "condensed versions" of such classics as A Christmas Carol, Tom Sawyer and The Prince and the Pauper, which I read in Spanish, since that was my first language.  I also read the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen in Spanish, as well as the fantastic tales of Hoffmann, the author of "The Nutcracker". 

When my family came to the U.S. and I knew enough English, I was able to read Tom Sawyer again, in the original language and full-length version.  I did have some trouble, though, with all those Southern colloquial expressions, since I was about ten at the time. 

I used to love going to the library to take out books, but this delight didn't last long, because the day always came when I had to return a book I had greatly enjoyed reading...  This happened over and over.  Each time I read a book, it became a part of me, so the day of its return was always a depressing occasion for me.  I wanted to keep the book!  So then I started bugging my parents to get me this or that book, for my birthday, for Christmas, or just whenever I decided that I just had to have a particular book!  So it was that I got books like Black Beauty, Little Women, Alice in Wonderland, Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates, Treasure Island, and many others.

I have always wanted to dive right into a novel and just be my favorite character!  I don't much like reality, which I find so boring... 

Somewhere along the line, I got into the habit of taking a book with me everywhere I went.  That habit has stayed with me, too.  If I have to wait in line anywhere, I read.  If I have to sit for a while in a doctor's office, I read.  I even used to read a bit when I was at a red light, but gave that up, realizing I was going a bit too far...lol.

I currently own well over 2,000 books.  I don't know the exact number.  Although most of them are in English, I do have some in Spanish.  I've been meaning to read Jorge Luis Borges for a while, and haven't gotten to him yet...

Books have always been my life!  And, as Borges used to say, I hope Paradise will be some kind of library!

Here are some of my bulging bookshelves!

(And my night table...)

 

Waiting On Wednesday #8: Winter's Shadow - M.J. Hearle

This is a weekly book meme, hosted by

Jill at Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Winter's Shadow,
by M.J. Hearle.

Winter's Shadow

M.J. Hearle

Trade Paperback, 432 pages

Published by Pan Macmillan, Australia

June 1, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

He's all that Winter Adams can think of. Ever since their fateful meeting at Pilgrim's Lament. Ever since he looked at her with those emerald eyes.

Ever since he saved her life.

But Blake isn't all that he seems. There is a strangeness about him, something dark and otherworldly.

Something dangerous...

This certainly sounds like an intriguing story!

When I read the synopsis,

I became totally fascinated!

You can see just how much of an impression

this novel has made

by reading the Goodreads reviews,

and going to  

the fan page on Facebook,

which you can access

HERE.

I'm sure the cover of the book is part of its appeal,

since it's obviously gorgeous!

Although the book has already been released, it's

by no means easy to obtain,

at least not for those of us who live in the U.S.

I've already checked Amazon, eBay,

Half.com, Abebooks, Alibris,

and Powells...

Of course, I can always order it 

directly from Australian book sellers.

Except that the shipping alone is

at least $25.00!

So I'm currently signed up to be notified

by The Book Depository

as soon as they have it in stock again...

Meanwhile, I will just have to finish

reading the books I've already started,

so I can post the reviews!

So what books are all of you 

waiting on this Wednesday?

On My Wishlist #4

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet, but desperately wants to read,

because the stories sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

The Hunt of the Unicorn

C.C. Humphreys

Hardcover, 341 pages

Published by Knopf Books

March 8, 2011

(first published February 28, 2011)

Genre: YA Fantasy

(By the way, I love the gorgeous cover!!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Elayne thinks the old family story that one of her ancestors stepped through a tapestry into a world of mythical beasts makes a great fireside tale. But she lives in the real world. In New York City. And she's outgrown that kind of fantasy.

Until she finds herself in front of a unicorn tapestry at the Cloisters museum and sees her initials woven into the fabric. And hears a unicorn calling to her. And slips and falls—into that other world.

The Map of Time

Felix J. Palma

(translated by Nick Caistor)

Hardcover, 624 pages

Published by Atria

Expected Release Date: June 28, 2011

(first published, in Spanish, Oct 15, 2008)

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

(This cover reminds me of the one

for Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare.

I love the style of both!

Maybe they're by the same artist.)

From the Fantastic Fiction Website Synopsis

Set in Victorian London with characters real and imagined, The Map of Time is a page-turner that boasts a triple play of intertwined plots in which a skeptical H. G. Wells is called upon to investigate purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. What happens if we change history? Félix J. Palma explores this question in The Map of Time, weaving a historical fantasy as imaginative as it is exciting...

El Mapa del Tiempo

Felix J. Palma

Trade Paperback, 628 pages

Published by Algaida Editores

November 2, 2010

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction

Special Note

Since this book was originally published in Spanish,

I intend to get that edition as well!

For some reason, Amazon gives a different

publication date for the Spanish edition.

(Yes, I am that much of a book addict...)

The Vampire Stalker

Allison van Diepen

Hardcover, 272 pages

Published by Point

June 1, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

What if the characters in a vampire novel left their world--and came into yours?

Amy is in love with someone who doesn't exist: Alexander Banks, the dashing hero in a popular series of vampire novels. Then one night, Amy meets a boy who bears an eerie resemblance to Alexander. In fact, he is Alexander, who has escaped from the pages of the book and is in hot pursuit of a wicked vampire named Vigo.

Starcrossed

Josephine Angelini

Hardcover, 496 pages

Pubhlished by HarperTeen

May 31, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

(I think this cover is sooo beautiful!)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is—no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. 

Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. . .  and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

Toward the Gleam

T.M. Doran

Hardcover, 481 pages

Published by Ignatius Pres

March 1, 2011

Genre: Fantasy

(I love this cover as well!)

Special Note

This book is being recommended to Tolkien fans!

That puts the seal of approval on it, as far as I'm concerned,

since I absolutely love the works of that author!!

There's also a giveaway of this book

on Goodreads!

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Between the two world wars, on a hike in the English countryside, Professor John Hill takes refuge from a violent storm in a cave. There he nearly loses his life, but he also makes an astonishing discovery — an ancient manuscript housed in a cunningly crafted metal box. Though a philologist by profession, Hill cannot identify the language used in the manuscript and the time period in which it is was made, but he knows enough to make an educated guess — that the book and its case are the fruits of a long-lost, but advanced civilization.

So what books are on your wishlist this week?

Waiting on Wednesday #7: Heaven's Shadow

This is a weekly book meme, hosted 
by Jill @ Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that 
we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!

My pick for this week is Heaven's Shadow,
by David S. Goyer and Michael Casutt. 

Heaven's Shadow

David S. Goyer & Michael Casutt

Hardcover, 416 pages

Published by Ace

Expected Release Date: July 5, 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

From the Amazon Synopsis

Three years ago, an object one hundred miles across was spotted on a trajectory for Earth's sun. Now, its journey is almost over. As it approaches, two competing manned vehicles race through almost half a million kilometers of space to reach it first. But when they both arrive on the entity, they learn that it has been sent toward Earth for a reason. An intelligent race is desperately attempting to communicate with our primitive species. And the message is: Help us.

This certainly sounds intriguing!

I also think it has a definite Star Trek influence,

and that's enough to get me interested,

since I love the series (the original one, that is)

as much as I love The Twilight Saga!!

Besides, I haven't read any terrific SF

in quite a while.

I've been too busy with YA paranormal romance!

So, this would be a nice change of pace.

Now, just when I'll be able to read it is

another matter entirely...

But it will look nice at the top of

my astronomical TBR pile!

So what book are you waiting on this Wednesday?

On My Wishlist #3

This is a fun weekly event hosted by

Carolyn at  Book Chick City,

 and runs every Saturday.

Each participating blogger features books 

s/he hasn't actually bought yet, but desperately wants to read,

because the stories sound so very fascinating!

These books can be either newly-published,

to be released in the near future,

or they might have been in print for several years.

In my particular case, any books I place

on my wish list are strictly the print versions,

since I do not read ebooks. 

Here are my choices for this week!

Entwined

Heather Dixon

Hardcover, 480 pages

Published by Greenwillow Books

March 29, 2011

Genre: YA Fantasy

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away.

 

All of it.

The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries.

Sea Change

Aimee Friedman

Hardcover, 292 pages

Published by Point

June 1, 2009

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Miranda Merchant is great at science. . .and not so great with boys. After major drama with her boyfriend and (now ex) best friend, she's happy to spend the summer on small, mysterious Selkie Island, helping her mother sort out her late grandmother's estate.

She also meets Leo, who challenges everything she thought she knew about boys, friendship. . .and reality.

Daughter of Xanadu

Dori Jones Yang

Hardcover, 352 pages

Published by Delacorte Books

January 11, 2011

(first published Dec. 22, 2010)

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Athletic and strong willed, Princess Emmajin's determined to do what no woman has done before: become a warrior in the army of her grandfather, the Great Khan Khubilai. In the Mongol world the only way to achieve respect is to show bravery and win glory on the battlefield. The last thing she wants is the distraction of the foreigner Marco Polo, who challenges her beliefs in the gardens of Xanadu.

Besides the absolutely beautiful covers,
the plots of these books
promise very fascinating reads!!
I simply can't wait to make them mine!!

So what books are on your own wishlist this week?

Waiting On Wednesday #6: Breath of Angel, by Karyn Henley

This is a weekly book meme, hosted 
by Jill @ Breaking the Spine,

which features future releases that 
we book bloggers

are eagerly anticipating!


My pick for this week is Breath of Angel!

This is the very first book in
The Angelaeon Circle,
and it sure promises to be exciting!

Breath of Angel

Karyn Henley

Paperback, 277 pages

Published by WaterBrook Press

Expected Release Date: June 21, 2011

Genre: YA paranormal romance,
Christian fiction

From the Goodreads Synopsis

Melaia finds herself in the middle of a blood feud

between two immortal brothers who destroyed

the stairway to heaven,

stranding angels in the earthly realm.

When the feud turns violent and Melaia becomes a target,

she finds refuge with a band of angels

attempting to restore the stairway. But the restoration is impossible

without the repayment of an ancient debt—

the “breath of angel, blood of man,”

a payment that involves Melaia’s

 heart, soul, and destiny.

This sure sounds like a winner to me!
And the cover is sooo beautiful, 
too, with all that blue!

So what book are you anxiously 
waiting on this Wednesday?