Visual Inspirations for The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg (Review)

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

New York City, 1882: but not the New York City of our history.  

Without further ado, the inspiration:

In a city of lies, one girl sees the truth.

But where can you hide in a city that wants you buried?

The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg

Release Date: 2/20/2018

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

(Not affiliate links)

The reader finds themselves in a haunting, dark, gritty New York City, one that holds powerful secrets and powerful men -- all of which work toward trying to harness the abilities of "witches", the people who are branded as such and then locked away in The Tombs, a horrible asylum where unspeakable experiments are being performed.

Avery's mother is taken to The Tombs for being able to "see" the unseen, and Avery ignores all signs of this same ability in her, fearful she will also be locked away. But as Avery's powers grow, she can no longer deny she has these abilities and must decide: does she fight to rescue her mother or hide away forever?

Such a great book! It mixes historical New York City with fantastical elements; it is just as the description said: Gangs of New York meets Libba Bray. There are strong female relationships (Avery never feels "superior" to her girlier friend, just because she does more manual labor and acts within a more traditionally male role), an amazing and loving mother/daughter bond (this is what really drives all of Avery's actions), two potential love interests (I do love a good triangle), and scary as heck villains (those crow masks are just like plague doctors and give me a super creep vibe)!

Amazing debut novel, and it set the reader up to expect more books to come! A must-read if you love darker fantasy mixed with historical fiction, The Tombs by Deborah Schaumberg is out in stores now! Check out the links above to order a copy today!!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

If you are obsessed with who-dun-it books, then this book is definitely for you! So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Five students go into a classroom, and only four come out alive.

There's the Princess, the Criminal, the Athlete, and the Brain.  

But really, who's to blame?

I typically don't read mystery/thrillers.  They rarely are my cup of tea, so I was super surprised when I was immediately sucked into One of Us is Lying.  The voice of each character under investigation, and learning about the tragedy and events leading up to it from all of them, really made the story rounded.  I never felt like one of the characters wasn't necessary to move the plot along.  I felt they were all authentic voices, and really showed something like this happening in a modern high school, with all the trials and tribulations involving that.

I think this would be a fantastic summer beach read, as you will devour it in one sitting.  With her debut novel being so fantastic, I can't wait to see what else Karen M. McManus has up her sleeve!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

If you're a believer in science and in fate, then this book is definitely for you! So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

I went a little different with this one, and did more of a fancasting!  

In my head I totally see the fierce Amandla Stenburg as Natasha (coincidentally, she WILL star in the film adaptation of Nicola's first book Everything, Everything.  I clearly have awesome taste).  She is independent and stands up for what she believes in, which translates to her acting as well.

Then I found the adorable Yeo Jin Goo who is a popular Korean actor.  So while perhaps not going to be cast in an American produced film depending on his skill in English (which can be taught so let's not discriminate here) based on what I've seen of his acting, he is a very emotional actor and would be perfect for Daniel!

Do you all do this, cast actors into the roles of your favorite characters?  And if so, what are some of your fanon favorites you've casted?  Sometimes I can picture people right away, and other times I have to do a little Googling to find the right actor for the role.  But one thing I definitely try and do is pick an actor that is as close to the physical book description as possible.  I think this is especially important with casting for books that have POC characters.  White washing something when there are so many great POC actors is insulting, and pops me completely out of the story.

This book pulled me immediately.  Told from alternating view points with narrator sections mingled in, the voice of these characters is immediate, fresh and real.  I felt invested from the very first page (or in my case, audio cd), and I didn't want to let these characters go at the end.  I have officially, unabashedly, fallen in love with Nicola Yoon and plan to devour her first book, Everything, Everything, immediately!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

If you're a horror nut, or just like to scare yourself, then this book is definitely for you! So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Oh, what could all of this mean!?

If you like magic, danger, and a strong leading lady, then Labyrinth Lost is the book you've been looking for!  Full of heart, danger, and the unknown, you are sure to yearn to become a bruja as soon as you crack open the pages!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

Love the supernatural?  Love witchcraft?  Love New Orleans?  Then this is the book for you!  So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Oh, what could all of this mean!?

Get your very own copy of the book, the slow build will pay off!  Make sure to check out my review, posting later this week!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - Slasher Girls & Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

If you're a horror nut, or just like to scare yourself, then this book is definitely for you! So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

Slasher Girls & Monster Boys edited by April Genevieve Tucholke 

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Oh, what could all of this mean!?

Get your very own copy of the book, but beware of reading this at night; I guarantee nightmares will be prevalent!  Make sure to check out my review, posting later this week!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

This is one of my favorite books of 2015.  When I read it, I fell instantly in love.  So without further ado, I give you inspiration this week from:

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Oh, what could all of this mean!?

Check the book out at your local bookstore or local library.  You will fall in love with Willowdean, I guarantee!  If you want a chance to win your very own copy Dumplin', I am holding a giveaway which you can check out here!

If you liked this, keep an eye out for more posts and check out my other Visual Inspirations!

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

This is one of my favorite books of 2015.  To celebrate this I give you inspiration this week from:

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

Oh I wonder what this could all mean?

Check the book out at your local bookstore or local library.  If you even like fantasy a tiny bit, you will fall in love with this book!  The mythos is so intricate and beautifully thought out that I feel like I'm walking along Agnieszka's side.

Tweet

Visual Inspirations - Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

This is slowly becoming one of my favorite books of 2014.  To celebrate this I give you inspiration this week from:

Noggin by John Corey Whaley

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books

Oh I wonder what this could all mean?

Check the book out at your local bookstore or local library.  It is a great book, full of humor and the search for what it means to be alive (but in a totally non-pretentious way, promise!).

Tweet

Visual Inspiration - School Spirits

Pictures/Art/Photographs all help me see the books I'm reading.  Often, while I'm online, I stumble upon images that remind me of the book.  These visuals add layers to the stories, and can be used to offer hints to the plot.  So I've decided to put out "Visual Inspirations" in order to spark readers' interests in those books that I love.  Please feel free to join in; hopefully you'll get some new books to read in the process!

In honor of one of my favorite series, and one I think everyone should read, I give you inspiration this week from:

School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins

Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books

Oh I wonder what this could all mean?

Check out the book yourself, out tomorrow May 14th!

And don't forget to check out the series that started it all, Hex Hall!

Tweet