By
Sarah J. Maas
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So, I am super-super-suuuper excited to be writing this recommendation today because I’ve been waiting and waiting for CREWEL to hit shelves so I could FINALLY share my love for it with the world! When I attended BEA this year, CREWEL was a YA Buzz Book (aka a REALLY BIG DEAL/HONOR), and while listening to Genn’s editor talk about CREWEL on the Buzz Panel, I had that overwhelming “must read NOW!” feeling. Long story short, I was so, so, SO disappointed when I didn’t manage to get an ARC of it that day.
However, I lucked out at Comic-Con this summer, and got my paws on a beauuuutiful copy. And despite being on a deadline for my own books, I devoured it in ONE sitting. BUT—before I jump into the bajillion reasons why you should go out and buy it today, here’s a little info about the book:
What a tangled world she weaves…
For generations, Spinsters have been called by Arras’s Manipulation Services to work the looms and determine what people eat, where they live, how many children they have, and even when they die. Gifted with the rare ability to weave time with matter, Adelice is exactly what the Guild is looking for, and in Arras, being chosen as a Spinster is everything a girl could want. It means privilege, eternal beauty, and being something other than a secretary. It also means the power to embroider the very fabric of life. But once you become a Spinster, there is no turning back.
Now caught in a web of lies and intrigue, Adelice must decide who to trust: her kind mentor, Enora; the handsome and mysterious valet Jost; or the charismatic Guild ambassador Cormac Patton. They each have secrets, but Adelice is about to unravel the deadliest one of all, a sinister truth that could destroy reality as she knows it.
In a powerful and original debut about a world where the Guild decides everything, one extraordinary girl dares to defy the power of men and the boundaries of love.
Not enough to entice you? Check out the trailer!
Okay, so I obviously don’t have the space to list a bajillion reasons why you should buy the book, but I CAN talk about some of the things I absolutely adored about CREWEL…
The World: Hands down, the thing I loved most about CREWEL was the original and vibrant world Genn created. The world-building is intricate and layered, and I found myself taking mental notes as I read, marveling at the way Genn wove in (sorry, sorry!) so many details without weighing down the book. Adelice’s world is dark and broken and haunting (and utterly terrifying at times), and I could picture it so, so clearly in my head. Months later, I’m STILL thinking about the world.
The Heroine: While the concept of the Spinsters and their world was what drew me in initially, I stayed for the characters—especially Adelice. Her growth, the difficult choices she makes, the challenges she faces…all of it added up to a strong heroine that I won’t soon forget. I loved her from the very first page (which is one of the STRONGEST openings I’ve ever read).
The Romance: Ohhh, the romance. It is so YUMMY. But what I loved about it was that it wasn’t the main focus of the book—and it certainly isn’t an insta-love kinda relationship. The romance STRENGTHENED Adelice as a character (instead of turning her into a damsel in distress). Really, really stellar stuff.
The Bottom Line: CREWEL is fabulous, and I am dying (DYING!!) for the next book (especially after such a killer ending)! Do yourself a favor and grab a copy.
AND, in honor of this awesome, awesome book releasing today, I’m giving away ONE finished copy of CREWEL (US only, sorry)! Use the form below to enter! Hooray!
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P.S. HUGE congrats to Pub Crawl’s own Marie Lu, for her YALSA 2012 Teen Top Ten Nomination!!!!!!
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Sarah J. Maas has written several novels, including THRONE OF GLASS, a YA epic fantasy that was published by Bloomsbury on August 7th, 2012. In addition, she’s published a series of four prequel e-novellas, all set before the events of THRONE OF GLASS (beginning with THE ASSASSIN AND THE PIRATE LORD). She is represented by Tamar Rydzinski of the Laura Dail Literary Agency, and resides with her husband in Southern California. You can visit her website here, and follow her on twitter.
38 Comments
Reached by Ally Condie – need to find out who she picks, what happens:)
Awesome post and review:)
So agree with you Sarah about Genn’s book. Everything you said about it is so true. I also loved that the romance didn’t overpower the plot.
I’m looking forward to Reached by Ally Condie.
I am so excited to read this book. I interviewed Gennifer several months ago, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the book since then. Also, one of my most anticipated fall releases is Touching the Surface by Kimberly Sabatini. We attended Book Expo America together, and spending time with her got me all excited about the book! I can’t wait! Thank you for the giveaway!
I’m looking forward to The Days of Blood and Starlight! It comes out soon…yeah! Great giveaway…Crewel was another book I highly anticipated too!
There are WAY too many books that I was waiting for this year. TOG, Shadow and Bone, the list could go on and on. SO exited for Crewel with all the rave reviews! I’m going to the fierce reads in NY this weekend so I’ll definetely be getting me a signed book to devour! (While also attacking poor Leigh with my love of Shadow and Bone >< )
Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta was by far my most anticipated book of the ENTIRE YEAR. I went so far as to order it from New Zealand because, well, she kind of owns my soul and my self control failed me. So so so so SO worth it though and now I can cuddle it all I want
I’ve been hearing such good things about Crewel and can’t wait to read it!
There are a lot of books I was waiting for this year! I’m still really excited about Reached because I want to see how it all ends, and The Curiosities : ) I’m also pretty excited about Crewel because I have read such amazing things about it!
I don’t have any books I’m beyond excited for this fall, but I can’t WAIT for Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta in March. Though, it was released this fall in Australia so that kind of counts, right. Though I am really excited about Crewel – it’s been on my to-read shelf since early this summer
School has been kicking my butt, and I’m so far behind in my reading schedule, it’s not even funny. The number of books waiting for me to crack them open is far, far too high. But I’d love to add CREWEL to that list. It sounds absolutely amazing
I am such a sucker for good world building and great strengthening romances! I’ve actually been wanting to read this for a while so it’s nice to see it getting some attention. Haha, and I know a good book when I see one. *makes squinty face and nodds.
I have been so so sooooo looking forward to this book! I read a sample on the nook a couple of weeks ago and LOVED IT. I will definitely be picking it up
umm, anticipated books… Gawd so many lol ALL THE BOOKS.
I also saw this book at the YA Editor’s Buzz, and didn’t manage to get a copy that day either. I couldn’t believe how fast they disappeared! Fingers crossed I win this copy so I can finally see what all the fuss is about!
Oh, and for my most anticipated book this fall…I haven’t scrounged up the cash to buy a copy of The Diviners yet, but I’m really hoping to soon. I love Libba Bray!
CREWEL is one of my most anticipated books of the fall! The other one I’m excited about that is soon to be released is DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor.
Hands down, the book I’ve really been looking forward to this fall is Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. However, now that I’m aware of Crewel, I’m definitely looking forward to that, too!
YES! I’ve been waiting for this forever! Now, I shall smash my piggy bank and scrap together my pennies to buy a copy
Two of them would be Crewel and The Days of Blood and Starlight. Bring ‘em on!
Right now I’m waiting on Reached by Ally Condie!
Oh my gosh. Most definitely (x a thousand) it was The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson. I LOVED The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and with the way the first book ended, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. It did not disappoint in the LEAST (even if I am a little miffed at the ending–but it’s a good miffed).
Sounds interesting! Definitely adding to the TBR list!
My big book anticipation was Throne of Glass this year. I think most people that have been fans for years would say it’s been the biggest anticipation since it was announced! But now that I have my grubby little hands on it, I can’t wait for Days of Blood and Starlight, by Laini Taylor.
If it were for most anticipated book for 2012 (as of far) then it’d be THRONE OF GLASS, of course! Cause you know, it wasn’t like my friend and I were waiting on baited breath for its publication since we read it online back in our high school days or something (God I just realized how old I feel just by rereading that statement alone). XD
But for Fall 2012? Not entirely too sure, to be honest. Probably because in Australia – we are like in Spring at the moment. And it’s also probably because I live under a rock and don’t hear about book releases until like 389573985789 years later or something… *gets shunned*
I had 3 books that I just could not wait to get my hands on: 1. Whats Left of Me by Kat Zhang which I’ve devoured already and LOVE it! 2. Quintana of Charyn by Melina Marchetta (just finished it this morning and oh, THE FEELS!!!!) and 3. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally which has yet to arrive in my mailbox…
Oh, another one would probably be Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor. Totally OBSESSED after reading the first book.
Days of Blood and Starlight at the moment, for sure! This looks incredible as well though
Crewel was definitely one of the books that I was excited about for Fall 2012. It was this book, What’s Left of Me & The Raven Boys for me
Days of Blood & Starlight is definitely my most anticipated book at the moment. I can’t wait to see what happens to Karou and Akiva! Now I can’t wait to read Crewel either!
Crewel has been one of them! Also, The Evolution of Mara Dyer.
Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
I’m looking forward to reading this book! My most anticipated read has been Gravity by Melissa West.
Not to sound like a broken record, but Throne of Glass was the book I was most anticipating this fall, along with Crewel itself!
The Evolution of Mara Dyer! Just a few more days wait…
I’m still excited to crack open THE RAVEN BOYS–I know it’s already out, but I haven’t gotten to it yet! And I’ve heard so many good things about CREWEL; it sounds fascinating.
I’ve been waiting for months for Crewel to come out. I just found the Kindle format of the first five chapters available on Amazon for free. It’s amazing! Can’t wait to read the rest… Crewel and Days of Blood and Starlight are two of my most-anticipated books of 2012. What original worlds and concepts, and what vividly drawn characters!
What I’m really looking forward is the hungarian translation of Rob Thurman’s Madhouse – the publisher promised it for this fall, but so far it seems like it’s a broken promise…
Not to be a brown nose-r, but my most anticipated 2012 book was Throne of Glass! I’ve been waiting to read it since I was a freshman in high school, so finally getting a published copy was amazing!
Dark Currents by Jacqueline Carey
Cold Days by Jim Butcher
Trapped by Kevin Hearne
I am looking forward to Days of Blood and Starlight!
My is CREWEL of course, also I’m eagerly waiting for Falling Kingdoms
Feedback by Robison Wells was one of my stalk-books…so was Gretchen McNeil’s Ten.