Our very first trip to Yallfest was a success. We met some of our favorite authors, explored and fell in love with the beautiful city of Charleston, met some wonderful people and wore ourselves out!
Day 1
The first signing we planned to attend didn't begin until 2 pm which allowed us the chance to sleep in and take our time exploring the town. We wandered around, checked out the little shops, picked up some souvenirs and simply enjoyed ourselves.
The first author we met, and managed to be first in line for, was Ally Condie. We each had our complete set of the Matched trilogy signed. This was our second time meeting Ally. We first bumped into her at SDCC back in 2013. She told us that we were very dedicated and asked if we'd be attending YallWest next year. Don't ask us twice, we are always looking for an excuse to visit California.
Next we hopped over to meet Lauren Oliver, who is sweet, funny and an awesome writer! She was surprised that I had already managed to finish reading Replica, which I loved, and signed both Lyra and Gemma's sides of the book. My copy was already pre-signed when I purchased it so it now sports three wonderful signatures.
Day 2
We made it just in time for First In Line's Biscuit Brunch where we met Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff the writers of Illuminae. We were even given a free copy of Illuminae! Right before we made it to her table, Amie was being whisked away for her panel. I was so disappointed that I wouldn't be able to meet her when suddenly she stopped beside our line, snatched our books and signed them for us, apologizing and promising that Jay would finish personalizing them, which was incredibly kind of her and we were thrilled.
Jay was also very nice and did personalize our books. We were given free First In Line tote bags, bookmarks, buttons, biscuits and we scored an ARC of the Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares which I will be reviewing shortly.
We met Maggie Stiefvater, who was incredibly friendly and asked if we had read and enjoyed her books. We made an attempt to meet the amazing Leigh Bardugo but her line was insane! After waiting on the sidewalk for what seemed like ages, we realized the line wasn't moving, we were cold, tired and still had a 7 hour trip home looming before us, sadly we decided to leave the line and run over to our final signing of the day, Kendare Blake.
The Three Dark Crown's author was lovely to meet. She personalized our books, and took pictures with us. We are both huge fans and were thrilled that our trip ended on a great note. The only regret I have is that I didn't get into Leigh Bardugo's line super early. Maybe if I had set up camp there a week earlier, I would have made it in to meet her. Next time, Leigh, next time!
Overall, Yallfest was a great experience and we will definitely be back.
Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Published By: HarperCollins
Published By: HarperCollins
Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Genre: YA, Sci-fi
Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms 4) by Morgan Rhodes
Published By: Razorbill
Published By: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 15, 2015
Genre: YA, High Fantasy
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Publisher: Ember (February 10, 2010)
Mary lives in a small village that is surrounded by the Forest of Hands and Teeth. There is only a fence keeping the village safe from the Unconsecrated (zombies). One day that fence is breached and her world is completely shattered.
The village is run by the Sisterhood, very religious and very controlling. After Mary is sent to live with them she learns they are hiding some very dark secrets. One night a girl named Gabrielle shows up in the village but the Sisterhood hides her away in the Cathedral. They do not want the villagers to know that there are others out there beyond the fence. The book wasn't very clear on how it happened, although we know the sisters are behind it, but Gabrielle has become one of the Unconsecrated. A super strong and fast one. She breaks through the fence and unleashes all the Unconsecrated into the village. Only Mary and a few others were able to make it out. This is where the story really kicks off!
Mary isn't your typical heroine. She is very self centered, stubborn, and a bit immature. But unlike most people in her village she also has a dream to one day leave the village and see the ocean from her mothers stories that have been passed down for generations. It is this dream that keeps her going when everyone else has lost hope. Although there were times when I wish she would just shut up about seeing the ocean! We do see her grow a bit throughout the book. She has to make some horribly sad decisions and this definitely changes her and motivates her to live, to make it to that damn ocean.
There is a love triangle of course! Or maybe this would be more of a love...square? Mary is in love with Travis. Travis is betrothed to her best friend, Cass. Mary has become (a little unwillingly) betrothed to Travis's brother, Harry, who has been in love with her since they were young.. But Cass is in love with Harry. Let me tell you, it is a MESS. Ah, young love.
This isn't a very action packed or gorey zombie story, but it is very intriguing and I couldn't put it down. It doesn't end with what I would call a cliffhanger, but it does seem to just END. I can't wait to start reading the second book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and find out the fate of Mary and the others!
-BW
The village is run by the Sisterhood, very religious and very controlling. After Mary is sent to live with them she learns they are hiding some very dark secrets. One night a girl named Gabrielle shows up in the village but the Sisterhood hides her away in the Cathedral. They do not want the villagers to know that there are others out there beyond the fence. The book wasn't very clear on how it happened, although we know the sisters are behind it, but Gabrielle has become one of the Unconsecrated. A super strong and fast one. She breaks through the fence and unleashes all the Unconsecrated into the village. Only Mary and a few others were able to make it out. This is where the story really kicks off!
Mary isn't your typical heroine. She is very self centered, stubborn, and a bit immature. But unlike most people in her village she also has a dream to one day leave the village and see the ocean from her mothers stories that have been passed down for generations. It is this dream that keeps her going when everyone else has lost hope. Although there were times when I wish she would just shut up about seeing the ocean! We do see her grow a bit throughout the book. She has to make some horribly sad decisions and this definitely changes her and motivates her to live, to make it to that damn ocean.
There is a love triangle of course! Or maybe this would be more of a love...square? Mary is in love with Travis. Travis is betrothed to her best friend, Cass. Mary has become (a little unwillingly) betrothed to Travis's brother, Harry, who has been in love with her since they were young.. But Cass is in love with Harry. Let me tell you, it is a MESS. Ah, young love.
This isn't a very action packed or gorey zombie story, but it is very intriguing and I couldn't put it down. It doesn't end with what I would call a cliffhanger, but it does seem to just END. I can't wait to start reading the second book, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and find out the fate of Mary and the others!
-BW
Stealing Snow (Stealing Snow #1) by Danielle Paige
Published By: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Published By: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling
 |
| Just look at those gorgeous red stained pages! |
A Study in Scarlet Women (Lady Sherlock #1) by Sherry Thomas
Published By: Berkley
Published By: Berkley
Publication Date: October 18, 2016
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Adult
We are preparing for Yallfest and we're super excited! Only one more month to go. This will be our first trip to Yallfest. We've been to enough cons to have a general idea of what to expect. Long lines, little sleep, meeting our favorite authors and tons of internal fangirling!
Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake
Publisher: HarperTeen (September 20, 2016)
Gathering Darkness (Falling Kingdoms 3) by Morgan Rhodes
Published By: Razorbill
Published By: Razorbill
Publication Date: December 9, 2014
Genre: YA, High Fantasy
The Mirror King (Orphan Queen Series #2) by Jodi Meadows
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (April 5, 2016)
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J. Maas
Published By: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Published By: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: YA, New Adult, Fantasy
The Orphan Queen by Jodi Meadows
Wilhelmina is an orphaned princess, her parents were murdered and her home kingdom of Aecor was conquered by King Terrell of the Indigo Kingdom 10 years ago in what is known as the One-Night war. Now she and her band of refugees, known as the Ospreys, are preparing to take back their kingdom. Wil and her best friend Melanie are infiltrating the palace under the guise of a duchess and her companion from Liadia to obtain information that will help them reclaim Aecor.
Wil has developed many talents over the years. She is an excellent fighter, a spy and a thief, master of forgery and a magic user- more specifically she is an animator, she can bring objects to life and command them to do what she wants. Magic is forbidden now and this is a secret she has kept to herself. Magic has created the wraith and it is slowly spreading across the world, poisoning the land and turning animals and humans into enormous monsters.
Black Knife is a masked vigilante in the Indigo Kingdom. He is feared by some and commended by others. He spends each night apprehending criminals and fighting wraith monsters that enter the city. I suspected his identity early in the book and I'm glad I was right. Black Knife and Wil's relationship has to be my favorite part of this entire book. I fell in love with him instantly and enjoyed following Wil along as she slowly did too.
The rest of the characters were pretty one dimensional to me. I would have liked to learn more about Patrick and Melanie and even Prince Tobiah. Maybe we will get more of them in the next book?
Overall, The Orphaned Queen is a spectacular fantasy world full of magic, romance and secrets. Well written and kept me hooked from the beginning. Oh and that cliffhanger ending- How could you do this to me, Jodi??? Starting the next book right away!
The rest of the characters were pretty one dimensional to me. I would have liked to learn more about Patrick and Melanie and even Prince Tobiah. Maybe we will get more of them in the next book?
Overall, The Orphaned Queen is a spectacular fantasy world full of magic, romance and secrets. Well written and kept me hooked from the beginning. Oh and that cliffhanger ending- How could you do this to me, Jodi??? Starting the next book right away!
The Reader by Tracie Chee
Published By: Putnam
Published By: Putnam
Publication Date: September 13, 2016
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes
Published By: Razorbill
Published By: Razorbill
Publication Date: November 27, 2013
Genre: YA, High Fantasy
Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer
Published By: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published By: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
Genre: YA, Contemporary
The Traveler by: Lowell Tillman Jr.
The Smaller Evil by Stephanie Kuehn
Published By: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published By: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 2, 2016
Genre: YA, Thriller, Mystery
We arrived in Branson pretty late and headed down to Highway 76, where there are plenty of night life attractions. First up was the HOLLYWOOD WAX MUSEUM
This was my first time in a wax museum and I didn't really know what to expect but it was a blast! There were even props, so of course we had to use them!
Next up was the CASTLE OF CHAOS- the world's first 5D Adventure.
Put on your 3D glasses, pick up your pistol and get ready! You are spun around in your chair while shooting zombies, bats, and other terrifying creatures. Each player racks up points and the final scores are show at the end. Our score keeper was broken that night but I'm pretty sure I won. Its an incredibly unique and fun attraction for all ages. If I ever go back to Branson I'm definitely doing this again!
THE TITANIC MUSEUM
I've always been fascinated by the history of the Titanic and had to take the tour! Upon entering they give you a boarding pass of an original passenger and you get the opportunity to find out their fate. You get to touch an "iceberg" and get to experience the feel of the water temp that they had to endure. Let me tell you- it was COLD. I could only keep my hand in for about 10 seconds before my entire arm was in pain. There were several pieces that were salvaged from the wreckage such as a violin, a deck chair, a life jacket, plates and silver ware, and even jewelry. I could have spent hours in there just reading all the letters and postcards that were sent from passengers and looking at all the photographs. For me, the highlight was the replica of the Grand Staircase which was constructed from original blueprints. It was marvelous!
HELICOPTER TOUR
This was my first time in a helicopter and it was amazing! We flew over the Silver Dollar City theme park, White Water, The Showboat Branson Belle and Table Rock Lake and Dam.
BRANSON ZIPLINE AND CANOPY TOURS
We did the Ridge Runner Canopy Tour which was 3 ziplines, 2 suspensions bridges and Dynamite Drop, a 40' freefall. Ziplining has to be one of my favorite things and this tour did not disappoint. All 3 zips were fast and high up on the mountain to give a spectacular view. And that 40' drop was exhilarating!
PARASAILING
This was another first for me. The view of the Lake of the Ozarks was amazing! The best part was at the end when we were dipped in the water twice!
FANTASTIC CAVERNS
EJECTION SEAT
This is a ride I've always wanted to try but could never find anyone to go with me. Until now! It is super fast and SO FUN! I'm definitely doing this again next time I come across one.
You can see our Ejection Seat video HERE
It was a great trip with so much packed into 2 days but I'd do it again! There is still so much in Branson that we didn't get a chance to do.
