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WARNING: THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW

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Since I wanted to avoid online spoilers, I read the book faster than I might have normally — I’m not a really fast reader, but I got through MOCKINGJAY in two days, finishing last night about 1:30 a.m. Let’s just say, I didn’t sleep much last night and when I did sleep, I dreamed about Katniss and her world.

Immediately after finishing, I went online because I needed to see what other people had said about the book. I already knew — just like BREAKING DAWN — that some readers weren’t happy with it. I’ve seen reaction (both good and bad) referred to as PTMS — Post Traumatic Mockingjay Syndrome. I couldn’t agree more. I feel shell shocked and somewhat damaged by this book.

It all comes down to reader expectation, I think. A whole year between releases for a very successful series will give readers a lot of time to speculate about what they WANT to have happen.

I went to a local Midnight release party here in the Toronto area and the excitement from the teens present was evident. There were competing cheers to find out who was Team Peeta and who was Team Gale. There were cupcake decorating stations. There were puzzles and games and a bit of a scavenger hunt through the store. Fun, right? Totally.

This book wasn’t fun.

I should say, right up front that this is a solid five out of five star read for me. I cite THE HUNGER GAMES as my favorite book OF ALL TIME. I felt CATCHING FIRE was on par with it. And MOCKINGJAY was a brilliant end to the trilogy that is still affecting me emotionally twelve hours after I finished reading it.

But it wasn’t a fun, cupcake read.

My personal expectations for this book — after how CATCHING FIRE ended, I assumed that MOCKINGJAY would involve Katniss’s involvement in the rescue of Peeta and her helping to take down the Capitol so the world can have a bright and wonderful future. And she would have romantic love triangle angst — just like Bella and Edward and Jacob — but she would choose properly and everyone would be happy.

I was Team Peeta.

And… Team Peeta was the winning team.

Funny how this victory feels particularly empty for me, and for other readers. The characters are so broken, so damaged, have endured so much pain and torture and grief that the reader realizes once and for all that this has never has been a romance, a fun and angsty triangle, a book which we should celebrate with cupcakes. This is a horrific story about war and pain and despair and evil.

Fun, right?

Nope.

But it was powerful and may be the book that has affected me more than any other book I’ve ever read in my life. I battled with this book. At one point I stared at the page and cursed Ms. Collins because she wasn’t being kind or nice or helpful — to her readers or to her characters. But her agenda with these books has remained consistent — war is hell. Killing each other to gain more power is not the answer. Ever.

Collins’s black moment truly is black. BLACK. Children die horribly. Needlessly. Including one child who is so important to the launching point of the entire series that you have to ask yourself — why? Why couldn’t the author have let this child live — this symbol of hope and love? But it made sense. War is not kind to anyone involved. And exceptions are rarely made.

I was certain the series would end with Katniss, Peeta and Gale’s death. The red herring of the poison capsules (not to mention Katniss’s father’s Hanging Tree song) had me convinced there was no other way it could.

There is hope, though. At the end. Love does survive. Memories survive. At the end, it’s really all we have left.

And the cat made me cry at the end. Just like Vincent the dog made me cry during the last episode of Lost. Damn it.

So there you go… my thoughts on this brilliant and difficult book that should be a classic in years to come. But you know what? Sometimes I just want the sheer entertainment and HEAs of books like Twilight or other romance novels. It’s a good thing to be reminded of the atrocities of this world (because, of course, The Hunger Games trilogy is one big metaphor isn’t it?) but sometimes an escape from the dark into the light is what helps to keep us going.

So would I recommend THE HUNGER GAMES trilogy? Without question. But don’t read it expecting romance and a great, warm feeling at the end. Victory is often empty when it comes at the cost of so many lives. Something that should be remembered. I know I’ll never forget.

***Thanks to everyone who commented! I’ve chosen a winner and it is #27 – Donna S. Donna has been contacted via email to claim her prize***

Four and a half years ago, my first book was published. Wow, was it really that long ago?

Yes, BITTEN & SMITTEN, the tale of a woman who went on a blind date with a vampire, got bitten, ran for her life and bumped into a suicidal master vampire, got smitten — and, uh, etcetera.

Today is the release date for the UK release of BITTEN & SMITTEN. The next two books in the series will follow in August and September. Yes, Sarah’s been given a British accent (well, not really, but I like to think so), which is only fitting since my original pitch for the book was “Bridget Jones meets Interview with the Vampire.”

I’d like to give away a signed copy of the new version — trade paperback size with a very classy cover. Sarah looks like she wants to be taken seriously! Gorgeous cover, I really like it.

If you’re interested in winning a free signed copy of the UK release of BITTEN & SMITTEN, please comment here (and if you’re reading this on a mirrored site, please come to michellerowen.com/blog to comment) about this subject:

What would be your favorite or least favorite part about being a vampire?

I’ll pick a winner Friday, July 16th at 9:00 p.m. EST. International entries welcome! Good luck!

Update: I forgot I’m at a convention this weekend so that deadline might change to Sunday at 9:00 p.m. if I’m not getting good internet access….

I’ve been working on a couple proposals and enjoying the shiny beginning that is brainstorming a new idea. I said to a friend yesterday that (published) writers are kind of like sharks…if we stop writing new stuff, new proposals, brainstorming new worlds…we die. Or, rather, our careers do. That’s why it’s sometimes a bit difficult to concentrate on the books that have just come out. My mind is currently living in 2012 (which hopefully won’t really be the end of the world). As the Irish blessing (curse?) goes: May you live in interesting times. If you’re a writer in 2010, these are definitely interesting times.

ANYWAY. What’s up next for moi? Thank you for asking.

I’ve been given the opportunity to move the release date of my third Harlequin Blaze, IRRESISTIBLE, up to March 2011. This might sound like a long way off, but in this industry…it’s practically tomorrow. So I am now tackling that book. It’s due August 1st (yes, only FIVE WEEKS from now!!). Original deadline was October 1st, so this is much closer. S’okay. I can handle it. Plus this is a super fun book with a bit more humor than I’ve written for a while, so it’ll be nice to cleanse my writing palette after being immersed in, as I like to call it, the darker side of Rowen for quite a few months.

I’ve also seen the cover for PRIMAL, which is the Lora Leigh anthology I’m in next April. It’s gorgeous! This’ll be my first trade paperback and I can’t wait for it to be out. But not enough to wish the next nine months away. After all, by the time that book comes out I’m going to be an age that I don’t really want to state publicly. Let’s just say…it’s an age that prohibits me from every starring in a new version of Thirty Something. *sadness as my collagen depletes* Bottom line, I’ll be sharing the cover art when I get the a-okay to do so.

So that’s what’s going on here. I guess I should get writing.

And check it out… if you’re looking for a fantastic new fantasy novel about kickass superheroes, my pals Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge’s SHADES OF GRAY has just been released. I know I’m picking up my copy this weekend! Can’t wait to read it!

So here I sit on the last day of May and hoping that June is going to be an amazing month. It could happen. One good thing about June I know going in — no snow. At least, not where I live. *looks at sky skeptically*

Wanna know what I’ve been up to? Well, I’m happy to tell you!

I’m all finished my novella for the PRIMAL anthology that’s out next April with Lora Leigh, Ava Gray and Jory Strong. My story is called BLEEDING HEART but I’m also calling it Nightshade 1.5, since it takes place right after the events in NIGHTSHADE (out in February) but before BLOODLUST (working title) in October.

I’ve been living with these characters for a while now and will miss them now that I’m moving on to new stuff. I have the back cover copy for Nightshade, but I’m waiting to post it along with the cover which I figure I should be getting fairly soon, but I can share with you the subtitle: “Desire is in the blood.” I consider these books more urban fantasy, but there’s enough romance in ‘em that they’ll be published as paranormal romance. I’m not sure I could write a book that was totally romance free anymore. The romance in Nightshade is definitely one of my faves. I sure don’t give Jill and Declan an easy time of it. You think I’ve tortured my characters in the past? Ha. You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

I’ve also finished a few chapters and outline on my third Harlequin Blaze, IRRESISTIBLE, and I’m waiting for my editor’s thoughts on it before I dive into the rest. I think this will be a really fun story. At least, that’s the hope!

This week I am working on my copy edits for SOMETHING WICKED. After that I’ll be pecking away at a couple of proposals that have been poking at my muse. I like to think two or three years ahead of what is currently happening. Live in the now? Nah. Move along.

All right, so that’s what I’ve been up to. What have I been doing other than writing? Not much.

Are you trying to say that there’s more to life than creating fictional people? Umm…..

WINNERS!

I’ve randomly chosen the two winners of a signed copy of the hard cover of REIGN CHECK thanks to random.org, and they are… #1 (!!) ANGELA M. and #24 BELLA F. Congrats! Please contact me at michelle@michellerowen.com with your mailing address to claim your prize! Thanks everyone for entering!

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Hear ye! Hear ye!

It’s the official release day for my second Demon Princess book, REIGN CHECK. I’m very fond of this one and I hope readers like Nikki’s further adventures as well!

It’s a party! BYOHAT (Bring Your Own Horns and Tiara!)

I’m giving away two signed hard cover copies of REIGN CHECK (it’s also available simultaneously in trade paperback size, but HC just looks so lovely on the shelf) to two randomly selected commenters who wants to join in my release day celebrations. *throws confetti*

I’ll pick my winners tomorrow at 9:00 pm EST.

DEMON PRINCESS: REIGN CHECK

Enter the world of Nikki Donovan, a demon princess hell-bent on living a normal teenage life!

Nikki Donovan has had a lot to deal with since learning she was half human, half demon. But things take a darker turn when Rhys, a gorgeous — but potentially dangerous — faery king enrolls at her high school to investigate Nikki’s potential for fulfilling an apocalyptic prophesy. Nikki knows she’d never turn violent, and she certainly couldn’t destroy the world…could she?

Of course, all Nikki really wants is to be reunited with Michael, a Shadow creature whose status as her personal servant is further complicated by their undeniable attraction to each other. Even though the rules of the Shadowlands strictly forbid their romance, Nikki is determined not to let Michael go. But when she is summoned to the Underworld to appear before a demon council, it will take all her courage — and perhaps a bit of demon-level strength — to get herself out again.

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Here’s an excerpt!

Michael’s dark brows drew together. “What prophesy?”

“Apparently there’s some prophesy about me that was just uncovered.” A shiver went down my arms.

“Who would have told you something like that?”

I glanced over my shoulder and a distinct feeling of unease flowed through me when I saw the bearer of my prophesy news exit the cafeteria and scan his surroundings before spotting me.

“I really wish he’d just go away,” I grumbled and let go of Michael’s hand.

“Who?”

I nodded in the direction of the approaching faery king. “Him.”

“Nikki,” Rhys said dryly, his eyes flicking to Michael for a moment. “There you are. Trying to avoid me doesn’t change anything, you know.”

“Who are you?” Michael asked.

Rhys eyed him. “Who are you?”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

I cleared my throat. “Rhys is the king of the faery realm.”

It took a moment for this to register for Michael. “What are you doing in the human world?” he asked suspiciously.

Rhys pursed his lips. “I thought that was going to be our little secret, Nikki. Or maybe you want me to spread your little secret around as well?”

I didn’t like being threatened. “Michael lives in my father’s castle. He’s not a student here.” I looked at Michael. “Rhys came here to investigate me. Thinks I’m some sort of threat to his fellow iridescently winged friends. He’s the one who told me there’s a prophesy.”

Michael took this information in, his expression steadily darkening. “Did he threaten you, Princess?” he asked quietly.

The implied threat in biology was still crystal clear in my mind. “A little. But I—”

Before I could say another word, Michael grabbed Rhys by the front of his shirt and slammed him against a nearby locker.

“Leave the princess alone,” Michael growled, sounding as dangerous and protective as I’d ever heard him. “Or you’ll have to deal with me.”

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Got a question about the Demon Princess books, about writing, about anything in general? Ask away and I’ll stop back in to answer. Otherwise, leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of REIGN CHECK!

Happy reading!
Michelle xoxo

Here’s the official announcement on Publishers Marketplace…..

Fiction: Paranormal
Michelle Rowen’s THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC, the third title in the author’s “Living in Eden” paranormal romance series, to Cindy Hwang at Berkley, by Jim McCarthy at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (World).

Hooray!

Since I have a trio (two novels and a novella in an anthology) in my darker urban fantasy/romance NIGHTSHADE world next February, April, and August, look for Darrak and Eden to hit the shelves tentatively October 2011. Can’t wait to get started on this one… I love these characters so much!

My editor also let me know that THE DEMON IN ME has made it onto the Borders Group Inc. and Barnes & Noble bestseller lists, so I’m very happy about that. Thanks so much to everyone who bought a copy!

Whew. Okay, back to work for me. I’m finishing up my novella right now. Well, not RIGHT NOW, but you know what I mean.

Last but not least, here’s the trailer I made yesterday for SOMETHING WICKED — five months till it’s out…….

My caveat up front: I LOVE SUPERNATURAL with hearts and sparkles and smiley faces

But last night? I think it can be approached best with a little something they do on Saturday Night Live.

REEEAALLLYY???

Okay, so all season…no, make that the last two seasons, we’ve been building to the apocalyptic stand off between Michael and Lucifer. SINCE SAM WAS BORN he’s been the chosen vessel for Lucifer to be here in the human world and do his thing. Or something like that.

I’ve been fine with Lucifer basically lounging around all season waiting for something to happen. I think if we’d seen his point of view a few more times it would have included him watching a lot of soap operas and glancing impatiently at his watch. Because last season’s finale? Epic. But we had a whole bunch of episodes to get through before we got to this season finale.

Finally, Sam agrees to let Lucifer take over his bod. This is a human, if a bit of a special demon-blood-drinking human, with frakkin’ LUCIFER now in control of his body. Ten minutes later? It’s all over. Lucifer is contained again in some sort of hell box. How did Sam get control of his body that LUCIFER took over after HAND-PICKING Sam from 6 billion humans? That easy? Not with a few horrible episodes in between? Not with Lucifer taking over Sam AS the season finale? (which would have worked for me). Noooooo. Sam had a memory of his childhood, his life with Dean, and MUCH LIKE WILLOW’S YELLOW CRAYON SCENE AT THE END OF SEASON SIX OF BUFFY, he was able to channel that pure love or whatever enough to gain control of LUCIFER and push him aside long enough to use the rings, chant the incantation, open the hole, and jump into it. Hello, Lucifer? You there? YOU’RE LUCIFER, dude. And you totally wimped out!!

REEAALLLY???

Also, ALL SEASON, Dean and Sam have been chasing after a bunch of MacGuffins…er, I’m sorry…Horsemen of the Apocalypse Rings, all four are needed in order to open the vortex to send Lucifer back from whence he came. Lucifer snatches these rings very easily the first time Dean feebly but earnestly tries to use them (all of a half hour ago). Does Lucifer destroy them? Does he hide them somewhere where they can never be found, perhaps in a locked safe or safety deposit box of some kind? Nooooo. He takes them with him to his apocalyptic battle against Michael. Pretty much the ONLY THING that can defeat him is conveniently in his pocket, making it easy for Sam to use after he gets his yellow crayon scene.

REEAALLYY???

Let’s see…what else? Okay, that Lisa chick? Her character has faded in my memory, but I know she’s the mother of Dean’s kid, which no one has actually acknowledged out loud. He’s screwed her over so many times, deserted her at the drop of a hat, and she is willing to take him back no questions asked?

REEAALLYYY??? Have some respect, girlfriend. I know this show doesn’t write females well (and I’ve made my peace with that), but c’mon. You’re embarrassing the rest of us.

All right, during the “apocalyptic stand-off between Michael and Lucifer,” which was rather literal, I’d say, considering we’re talking about two badass angels representing Heaven and Hell. They were standing. In a field. Chatting. In a way that made me think that originally this scene was meant to play out between Dean/Michael and Sam/Lucifer. Who’s this other bro? I don’t care about him. DIE ALREADY.

So five years of story building up to this…………

Oh, look. A shaggy dog just went by.

Anyway…now we’re talking. Castiel, my favorite character, gets blown up all red and bloody. I am shocked! I am saddened. But it feels right. Bobby gets killed. I grew weary of that character last season when he got all whiny. I’m okay with that too. Poor Dean is on his own. Poor Dean!

No, wait. Castiel’s back. He’s been resurrected and better than ever! He’s all deus ex machina! He resurrects Bobby! He heals Dean’s smashed up face with a simple touch! He’s not an interesting and damaged fallen angel. He’s all glory and angelically powerful!

REEAALLLYY???? My, that was easy, wasn’t it? There wasn’t even a commercial break for us to mourn or think about what might happen. Bam. All is well with the world.

And Sam lurking in the shadows at the end was…. well, the boy is pretty but he doesn’t do dread well. He just looked like he was lurking. In the shadows.

It was an OKAY episode. But I don’t want OKAY from Supernatural. I want to be blown away. I want to be emotionally affected. After five seasons, I want it all to mean something.

You know what doesn’t mean anything? That Chuck is God. Nope, sorry. It doesn’t work. I SEE WHAT YOU’RE DOING (and I’m not in disagreement that writers are rather god-like ), but there needed to be better foreshadowing. WAY, WAAYYYY better.

What I liked about the season finale. And I did like some stuff….

Castiel: ASSBUT! (Hilarious). Also when he says “everything will be fine” after he realizes that Sam’s looking for a lie. A little to late for that, my friend.

Jensen: He’s a good actor and hot as hell. Although he is looking a little worn around the edges. Aging actor or specifically appropriate to part? Either way, he’s delicious. I wish he was doing more with his outside-of-Supernatural career.

Sam and Dean: Loved the brotherly montage during the yellow crayon scene. Very well done.

Mark Pellegrino: Great actor, very effective as pre-Sam Lucifer. They could have used him way more this season and I would have been a happy viewer. Then again, I guess he was needed over at Lost for another mediocre episode.

Crowley: Loved this character. Where the hell was he for the finale???

So, all in all, the season gets a B+ from me, but the finale gets a C-. Can’t wait till Season Six!!!

The Demon in Me isn’t the only book (about demons) I have out this month! MAY IS DEMON MONTH IN THE ROWENVERSE.

Two fantastic reviews for Demon Princess: Reign Check, my second young adult fantasy, from Kirkus and Booklist!

Nikki Donovan still isn’t used to the idea that she’s a demon princess, heiress to a vast netherworld called the Shadowlands (Reign or Shine, 2009). She’s happy to be back to the normal, boring halls of high school until a hot foreign-exchange student, Rhys, enrolls. Rhys, who is actually the faery king, ends any hope Nikki had for normalcy. To further complicate Nikki’s life, her best friend is training to become a demon slayer, and the boy who took her to the winter dance might know exactly what she is. News of a prophecy that states Nikki will bring about the apocalypse shakes the Underworld, so Nikki travels into hostile territory to confront the Underworld council. Underworld politics and a love triangle among Rhys, Nikki and Nikki’s Shadow boyfriend Michael keep the story moving along. Nikki’s disbelief that she’s a major demon player brings humor, but she is never obnoxious or overly witty. This volume should leave readers breathless and wondering what royalty and love will bring to their horned heroine. – Kirkus Reviews

“Half-human, half-demon Nikki Donovan continues her intriguing tightrope between her semi-normal highschool persona and the knowledge that she is the potential heir to the Shadowlands throne. In this installment, she learns that her best friend, Melinda, is a demon-slayer-in-training; the faery king, Rhys, has enrolled in high school; and a dragon oracle has prophesized that Nikki, “the first Darkling born in a thousand years, will single-handedly destroy us all.” Another chilling, sometimes violent, romantic fantasy that moves from the mundane world to the Shadowlands to the dungeons of the Underground before Nikki can finish her Christmas shopping.”— Booklist

I’m going to share one last excerpt from THE DEMON IN ME. The release date is less than a week away — Tuesday, May 4th. I can’t believe it’s nearly here!

This is from Chapter 10. Darrak’s just come in contact with a nasty exorcist and he needs a bit of help from Eden….

“Darrak!” Eden undid her seatbelt so she could take him by his shoulders and shake him. “Are you okay?”

He wasn’t talking. His blue eyes rolled back into his head.

“What did he do to you?”

Malcolm had already started the exorcism last night. Had he been trying to continue it, even at a distance? How was that even possible? Whatever he’d been doing, it was enough to hurt Darrak.

Darrak blinked after a moment and his eyes slowly came back into focus. But he was still pale. “Eden…”

“What can I do?”

“I didn’t realize how weak I am.”

“It takes a real man to admit something like that.” She tried to sound light.

“I’m stronger when I’m possessing you. When I have my own body I’m more susceptible. I can draw from your strength when I’m inside.”

“So turn to smoke and possess me again.” She couldn’t believe she was actually suggesting it.

“I can’t control that. Not when it’s daylight. But I…I do need some of your energy.”

“What?”

“The fairy…she hates demons because she knows how similar she is to us. Unseelie fae must drain the energy from humans to survive and grow more powerful. They have to. They have no choice. A demon can survive just fine without this, but we can skim a little off the top if necessary.”

“So skim, already.”

He snorted softly. “So willing? And here I thought you hated me.”

“I do. But you can take a little energy if it’ll make you feel better. After all, I was the one to introduce you to Malcolm in the first place.”

“Guilt is a powerful emotion.” His dark brows drew together. “This wouldn’t be enough to hurt you.”

“Stop talking and do what you have to do. Just don’t break the skin.”

“That won’t be necessary. I simply need an opening to that bright, shiny soul of yours.” He brought his hands up to either side of her face and drew her closer to him.

She braced herself. “That sounds very—”

He kissed her. And not just any kiss. Open mouthed and, if she hadn’t already been sitting down, completely knee-weakening.

After a moment it started to make the rest of her feel weak as well.

But, she supposed, that was because he was purposefully draining her energy. She moaned a little against his lips because the kiss felt surprisingly, well, amazing. If this is what being drained by a demon felt like, then she was seriously considering signing up as a regular donor.

Today it’s the fabulous urban fantasy author Jaye Wells, author of the kick-ass Sabina Kane series who has agreed to take part in my demonlicious Q&A………

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What inspired you to write about demons?

I think it originated as fear of possession as a child (yeah, I was an interesting kid) and turned into fascination as I got older. Plus, when I started my series I knew I wanted a hairless cat character and it just seemed natural to make one a demon.

Demons — shades of gray or always evil?

Shades of grey definitely. Sabina’s sidekick, Giguhl, is a Mischief demon so he’s mainly there to shake things up and usually is a good guy. But other demons in the series are definitely evil.

What’s your demonically awesome book about?

My series is about Sabina Kane–half-vampire, half-mage, all assassin–who gets caught in the middle of a brewing war between vampires and mages. In her quest to figure out whose side she’s on she picks up a variety of allies and enemies, including Giguhl, a demon sent to test her who ends up being her minion. The second book, The Mage in Black, just came out and it’s filled with all sort of demony goodness, including a Demon Fight Club.

Let’s say Jim Cameron calls and he wants to make THE MAGE IN BLACK into a movie. Who are your actor/actress choices?

Sabina–Shirley Manson (not an actress, but kick ass nonetheless)

Adam–Ryan Reynolds (the hawtness)

Giguhl–Oliver Platt or Philip Seymour Hoffman,

What’s your one line of advice for aspiring writers (demonic or otherwise)?

Sit your ass in the chair and do the damned thing.

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Thanks Jaye!

To learn more about Jaye and her fabulous books, please visit www.jayewells.com! To read the first chapter of her new release THE MAGE IN BLACK, check it out here!