YALLFest 2015 Experience

 

Hey everyone! I know it has literally been forever since I last blogged, but I thought I would try to get back into it!

Something that sparked my determination to go back into blogging was going to YALLFest 2015 this year in Charleston, SC. I don’t know how I have been ignorant of its existence prior to this year (especially since I live in South Carolina)!

It was SUCH a great experience! Everyone should go next year!

There were an insane number of authors there! 63 to be exact. So many that I really had to narrow down my choices, which was difficult. I went with my friend Jessica, and we decided to forgo the panels in order to see all the authors we wanted to see. I think what I have figured out just from going this once is that you should do either panels or author signings. The lines for the different authors can be really crazy long, and so it is easier to jump from one to the next (sometimes ahead or behind schedule) to get a chance to get your book signed. We also decided that our interests were more in meeting the authors and getting books signed than sitting through panels (although many looked very interesting).

So first, let me tell you what I did, and then I will try to dispense any tips I can think of for next year!

First off, we arrived in Charleston too late to take part in the signings that happen on Friday afternoon. Thankfully our favorite authors were all signing on Saturday too.

 

 

We are so pumped to take on our busy day of being awkward in front of authors!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our first signing of the day was Rae Carson! She was amazing (in her Hogwarts shirt) and so nice. I was able to get all three of the Girl of Fire and Thorns books signed. This book series is incredibly awesome, if you haven’t read it….go read it now.

 

We thought we were doing excellent on time when we got finished with Rae Carson’s line early, but then we realized that Marissa Meyer’s line was already over 200 people long. I decided I had to go for it anyways, since I am in love with the Cinder series. Jessica decided to go and see Scott Westerfeld and take my books of his along with her (she’s the best!).

So while sadly I missed meeting Scott Westerfeld, I did get my books signed by him. Hopefully one day I can meet him!

 

After waiting 2 hours and 30 minutes, I was one of the last 40 or so people rushed through the line to get signed by Marissa Meyer quickly before she had to leave. I’m very glad I got a chance to meet her (so sweet) and see her lovely signature on three of my books. I love this series so, so much, and I am so glad I got to meet the genius behind it all!

 

 

 

I was just in time to meet up with Jessica in line for Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket), the man of the hour. The fact that I met him is still astounding to me. He was exactly like I expected him to be: weird, hilarious, and loud. He made jokes with me about the old copy I brought, heartache, and receipts. Such a great guy and wonderful author.

 

 

 

Right after that, we headed over to another area, where Libba Bray and Elizabeth Wein were signing. Thankfully I got a chance to meet them both.

Elizabeth Wein is so cool. I loved talking to her about her book Code Name Verity and how all the technical descriptions came to be. She clearly loves airplanes, and I love how she is able to combine that love with her love for writing. Great, great lady. So glad I met her.

 

I forgot my book at home somehow, so she was gracious enough to sign a sticker for me to place in it when I got home.

 

 

 

Next up was the incomparable Libba Bray! This lady is so awesome. Not only has she written so many great books, but she is so unique and hilarious. I loved getting to meet her! She also took a good amount of time with each person in line, which was really special.

 

Next I got to meet the wonderfully quirky Gail Carriger! I love how she perfectly embodies what she writes. She is so friendly and I loved being able to express my adoration for her books. So many great novels!

 

Finally, Jessica and I got to meet E. Lockhart! She was super cool! I love so many of her books, so it was great to meet her and get my copy of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks signed.

All in all, I got 15 books signed and met 7 of my favorite authors! It was such a great and crazy day!

Okay! So for my YALLFest Tips!

- YALLFest Tips and Tricks:

1. If you are confident enough to sport it, go for rolling luggage to carry your books around. If you are like me and have about 18 books with you all day, a backpack is going to start to KILL. I had to set it down so often, and I thought my shoulders would never be the same.
2. Schedule! Scheduling out our day was the best decision. We didn’t have to sit around thinking about who to go see because we already knew exactly what we were doing.
3. Be flexible! I know this goes against the above tip, but you also need to be ready to change things. Like when Marissa Meyer’s line was crazy long, Jessica decided to go see Scott Westerfeld because she knew we couldn’t both do both.
4. Have a buddy. Whether this be a mom or a friend, having other people to get to some other lines can really help. I saw so many mothers standing in lines while their kids were in other lines. This can really help you get some signatures that you want. Splitting up is wise with the limited time and spread out signing tents. We also had some great friends along who helped save us spots in some lines, and then they would go off and do something else.
5. Be friendly! Those in line beside you for hours can really be great people to talk to. I meet some people around me in Marissa Meyer’s line that were so kind and sweet and really helped the 2+ hours pass quickly.
6. Parking is expensive, expect that and deal with it, haha!
7. Wear good shoes that you can stand in for hours.
8. Know your way around the map! The tents are set up in different (but nearby locations), and you might have to walk back and forth throughout the day (and quickly).
9. Use the volunteers and the knowledge they possess.
10. Carry food and water with you to have in line (in case you are like us and did not have time to eat lunch). Eat a hearty breakfast before coming, so you won’t get as hungry!
11. Be okay with being awkward. Everyone is awkward, including some authors, so just relax and know you aren’t the only one saying dumb stuff.
12. Take plenty of pictures!
13. If you want to eat at one of the great Charleston restaurants for dinner, you might want to make a reservation ahead of time.
14. Get all the free stuff you can.
15. Get to a signing line earlier than time stated, if possible.
16. Bring sunscreen and sunglasses!
17. Bring money to buy already signed books from the authors you didn’t get to see (if you want!)
18. Bring pain medication for headaches or muscle aches during the day.
19. Basically be okay with carrying around a buttload of stuff for the whole day, haha!

YALLFest was SO FUN. I am incredibly glad I went this year, and I hope you all were helped by my tips and tricks! I was in the dark mostly before I went, so maybe we both can be more clued in next year.

Go to yallfest.org for more information on the 2015 festival, and as we get closer to 2016 festival, new information will go up!

Bring it on, YALLFest 2016!

Review: The Crown of Embers

Title: The Crown of Embers
Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns #2
Published: 2012 by Greenwillow Books
Version: Hardcover
Obtained: Bought

Elisa is a hero.

She led her people to victory over a terrifying, sorcerous army. Her place as the country’s ruler should be secure. But it isn’t.

Her enemies come at her like ghosts in a dream, from foreign realms and even from within her own court. And her destiny as the chosen one has not yet been fulfilled.

To conquer the power she bears, once and for all, Elisa must follow a trail of long-forgotten – and forbidden – clues, from the deep, hidden catacombs of her own city to the treacherous seas. With her go a one-eyed spy, a traitor, and the man whom – despite everything – she is falling in love with.

If she’s lucky, she will return from the journey. But there will be a cost.

First Sentence:
“My entourage of guards struggles to keep pace as I fly down the corridors of my palace.”

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ATTENTION!! This is a SEQUEL and therefore the first book might be spoiled slightly in this review. So if you have NOT read the masterpiece that is Girl of Fire and Thorns, read my review of it. Then read it. Then come back here and read this. And then go get this book. See you in like…3 days. :)

 

Why Rae Carson? Why are your books devastating in SUCH a great way? Why do I finish them and then not want to read another book until the sequel comes out? Why are you so perfect?

All who have read the first in this series can agree with me when I say that these books are perfect. I legitimately think that they cannot be made better in any way. Also, if you thought the first book was unbeatable….oh boy.

The story picks up right where it left off. Elisa is trying to run this country she just inherited. After several attempts on her life, she decides to go in search of the source of all the world’s magic, so she can control her powers for once.

Elisa is the poster-child for proper character development. What a difference in her from the shy, overweight, and over-looked girl we met in the beginning of the series! She has matured through the events of the first book and now she is trying to understand how to be the person she has always wanted to be. Many times when she takes control of a situation, you just want to say, “Look at you go girl! Show them how smart you are!”

However, many people are still trying to manipulate and use her: basically everyone with power around her. With the beautiful exception of Hector. OH HECTOR, my friend! You went from being a faithful side character to becoming a full-blown, beautiful, complex, and HOT love-interest. When I first heard that Hector was the new love interest, I was like, “Isn’t he the silent bearded guard who barely had a part in the first one?” Oh my friend, you will fall in love with Hector even faster than Elisa.

More nice thoughts: Setting was just as vivid and immersing as last time, I want to go there. New side character of Storm = completely awesome. I love characters that don’t ever lie.
Mara…I love you. Thank you for making heavy moments light-hearted.

But hey, Rae Carson, stop killing me. You’re a bit of a jerk after that move you pulled in the first one, and now the ending to this one. I mean, it’s a wonderful set-up for the next story, but it made me slam the book down. A few times.

Now I will sit patiently, bookless, as I await late 2013.
(just kidding, I’ll totally be reading other books until then.)

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Content Warning: Kissing and talk of sex

Rating:

 

Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

Title: The Girl of Fire and Thorns
Author: Rae Carson
Published: 2011 by Greenwillow Books
Version: Hardcover
Obtained: Library

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses. The one who has never done anything remarkable, and can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs her to be the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies, seething with dark magic,are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior, and he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

First Sentence:
"Prayer candles flicker in my bedroom."

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Having only heard positive reviews on this book, I quickly got it from the library and devoured it almost instantly. It’s stunning.

Elisa is being forced to marry an older  king, Alejandro (not like, really old, but too old for her. I guessing he’s still pretty hot for like late-thirties(?)), who lives really far away. He knows about her godstone and he wants her to help his country. However, he is also embarrassed by her. Elisa grew up with a mean older sister and no friends so her self-esteem is incredibly low. Food is her only comfort, which of course, makes her fat, which in turn does nothing to raise her self-esteem. After being with the king for a while and learning more about her destiny and the godstone, she gets kidnapped and taken by rebels who want her to help them.

Ultimately this is the story of Elisa finding herself. For so long she’s hid behind food, been overshadowed by her sister, and ignored by her father. Everyone wants her to embrace her destiny as a chosen one should. But most everyone, including herself, doubt her ability. She’s fat, shy, and average. She has major flaws, but she works hard to get around them. Through the novel, she learns more about herself, her abilities, and her power.

The unique and detailed settings were my favorite aspects. From her home, they travel through a dense forest filled with natives, to her husband’s desert kingdom. She also travels across the desert to the mountainous regions. The evil “bad guys” are camped in an area that I always pictured looking like Mordor. Elisa hides in caves and travels along rocky cliffs. Everything was so visual and life-like. Similar to how much I loved the settings in Blood Red Road. Just so diverse. Wonderful world-building. I’m excited to see what new locations will be in the sequel.

I also loved all the characters. I loved the evil, good, neutral characters. Her nursemaid (killing someone with a hairpin is so hardcore.), the courtiers, Humberto and his sister, Hector, EVERYONE. They were all so interesting and intricate. Alejandro had questionable motives and I couldn’t figure him out. Elisa wished for his acceptance and love, even though she didn’t really want it. He was like an unattainable ultimate that she wanted simply to know that she could, but really she didn’t love him.

One of the main conflicts within Elisa was over the godstone. Supposedly she was to use it to complete God’s will. However, the bad guys also claimed that God was telling them to do what they were doing. This confused her. How was she to know what to do or if to do it, if it’s causing these creatures to be evil. Eventually she understood it more, stepped up to the plate, and harnessed the power of the godstone.

I couldn’t believe a certain event that happened about three-fourths of the way through. You know what I’m talking about if you’ve read it. I was very depressed about it for awhile, but then I realized I admired Carson for doing it. It’s not every author who will do something so horrible like that in their first book.

Refreshingly unique, detailed, and interesting, The Girl of Fire and Thorns had me riveted. I can NOT wait for the sequel, The Crown of Embers to come out. I have absolutely no clue what’s going to happen, and that delights me.

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Content Warning: Kissing

Rating: